In Today’s Newsletter:
The Charming and Beloved Cascina delle Rose
An Epic Collection of Mugneret-Gibourg
Library Grand Crus from Jacques Prieur
The Fantastic 2012 Brunello Riservas
Second Chance at Scott Paul
New Reviews from Wine Enthusiast
Trending Wines of the Weekend
New Burlotto Releases
Fresh Dauvissat Incoming
The Charming and Beloved
Cascina delle Rose
“Cascina delle Rose is without question one of the emerging estates in Barbaresco. Readers who have not tasted these wines should make a point of doing so, as they encapsulate everything that makes Barbaresco so alluring.”– Antonio GalloniWhen coming up with a list of the “most beloved” Piemontese estates, Cascina delle Rose would definitely be on it—to the surprise of many who aren’t familiar with the estate. Cascina delle Rose does fly under the radar—that’s for sure, but those who know the wines love them and buy them year in and out. The love for the wines is easy to understand once you taste them—they’re soulful elegant renditions in an elegant style. The grace the wines display is hard to come across in a region increasingly warming and concerned with critical appeal—they’re wines for a set, not for the masses.
To be sure, the Cascina delle Rose wines aren’t for everyone. If power is your primary concern, you might look elsewhere in Piemonte (perhaps at the nine different bottlings from Sottimano, in stock now). These are wines that are striving for beauty and achieve it without sacrificing their drinkability and the ability to satisfy. The winemaking here is extremely traditional, verging on natural and the vineyard management fully organic. This is a true family estate doing all the right things. The next release arrives Friday, just in time for winter drinking.
Arriving Friday
Cascina delle Rose A Elizabeth Dolcetto d’Alba, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($24.95) $19 pre-arrival special
Cascina delle Rose Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2016 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 89 points “Showing dark and ripe fruit nuances, the 2016 Barbera d’Alba is a chewy and succulent wine that is packed tight with black fruit flavors. This was a relatively cool vintage, but despite that fact, you are treated to a brief moment of cherry sweetness on the close.”
Cascina delle Rose Nebbiolo Langhe, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($34.95) $28 pre-arrival special
Cascina Delle Rose Barbera Donna Elena Superiore, Piedmont 2015 ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 90 points “Here’s a warm vintage loved by the Barbera grape. The 2015 Barbera d’Alba Superiore Donna Elena is very smooth and silky in texture with lots of dark fruit to accompany your senses. Despite the exuberance of the fruit, this remains an elegant and subdued expression of Barbera to pair with chicken with rosemary and roasted potatoes.”
Cascina delle Rose Barbaresco Rio Sordo, Barbaresco DOCG 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 92+ points “The 2015 Barbaresco Rio Sordo is darker and more muscular than the Tre Stelle tasted alongside it. Powerful and virile in feel, the Rio Sordo is a super-expressive, classically austere Barbaresco that is going to need at least a few years in bottle to come into its own. A host of dark, spiced, balsamic-infused notes develop in the glass, but the Rio Sordo remains reticent. Potent tannins add to an impression of gravitas. There is plenty to look forward to.”
Wine Advocate 92 points “Cascina delle Rose is a winery that deserves your attention. It is specialized in very classic, elegant and fine expressions of Nebbiolo executed according to local tradition. The 2015 Barbaresco Rio Sordo walks with delicate footsteps. In a vintage that shows many overripe wines from this appellation, Cascina delle Rose gets it right. You do, however, feel the 14.5% alcohol on the finish.”
An Epic Collection
Of Mugneret-Gibourg
Mugneret-Gibourg has gone from an under the radar, insider’s pick in Burgundy to a blue chip, collectible estate in a few decades. That’s a testament to the quality of the wines and, in turn, to the quality of the holdings of the family. Blessed with exceptionally old, massale selection vines in some of the premier vineyards in Burgundy, these are some of the most pure expressions of Pinot on the planet. These are do-not-miss wines and we’re lucky to be getting in 14* different bottlings at the end of the month. Of the wines, there are verticals of a number of their wines including Chambolle Feusselottes, Nuits Chaignots, and most notably their coveted and rare Echezeaux.
*That number was a good bit higher but the wines keep selling out. As you’d expect, quantities on individual bottlings are pretty limited.
Here are a few highlights but you can also click here to view the entire list of incoming Mugneret-Gibourg wines.
Arriving Friday:
Only three bottles remaining
Domaine Georges Mugneret-Gibourg Les Feusselottes, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2009 750ML ($399.95) $299 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 92+ points “The 2009 Chambolle-Musigny Les Feusselottes is oddly enough much more typical of this wine than the 2010 tasted alongside it. The Feusselottes is quite closed, though. With time in the glass some of the red fruit and flowers begin to emerge, but the 2009 remains somewhat shut down. It shows lovely textural richness and depth all the way through to the layered, sexy finish.”
Domaine Georges Mugneret-Gibourg Echezeaux Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2005 750ML ($699.95) $599 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer 92+ points “Bright deep red. Pungent spices, redcurrant and tobacco on the very ripe nose. Lush and sweet in the middle but with no excess weight. This really spreads out to saturate the palate, offering excellent depth of flavor. Finishes with big but ripe tannins that will require patience.”Only two bottles remaining
Domaine Georges Mugneret-Gibourg Echezeaux Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2009 750ML ($579.95) $519 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2009 Echézeaux comes across as rich, powerful and totally seductive. It shows considerable richness and depth in a more immediate style than the 2010. The aromatics and nuance of the 2010 are missing, but in exchange readers will find a deep, fleshy wine that will deliver considerable pleasure with minimum cellaring. I especially like the intensity of the finish.”Only one bottle remaining
Domaine Georges Mugneret-Gibourg Ruchottes-Chambertin Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2002 750ML ($799.95) $699 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “This was made solely from the estate’s old vines; the recently replanted portion of the Mugnerets’ holding will not go into this cuvee for at least a few more years): Medium red. Knockout nose combines red berries, smoke, game and red licorice. Silky-sweet and seductive, with lovely subtle intensity of flavor. Velvety but not at all weighty, in the manner of the best Burgundies. Finishes with superb building sweetness and wonderfully subtle, persistent soil tones.”
Only two bottles remaining
Domaine Georges Mugneret-Gibourg Les Vignes Rondes, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2005 750ML ($299.95) $249 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: A rare bottling typically only sold in France from a 0.2 hectare parcel.
Library Grand Crus
From Domaine Jacques Prieur
For those who love Burgundy built on power and full-bodied complexity, there are few greater estates than the Domaine Jacques Prieur. We’re offering verticals of some of the Domaine’s finest wines today, from Chambertin, Clos Vougeot and Musigny—all arriving at the beginning of next month. These are treasures that any serious lover of Burgundy ought to pay attention to.
Arriving November 6th:
Only one bottle available
Domaine Jacques Prieur Chambertin Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2005 750ML ($469.95) $419 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer 93-96 points “Full ruby. Brooding, deep aromas of blackberry, black cherry, minerals, violet and earth. Pure, precise and superconcentrated, with uncanny density and strength of blackberry and floral flavor. This saturates the entire palate, finishing with very firm tannins, a lightly mentholated quality and great persistence. Will need extended aging to express its inherent complexity.”
Burghound 93-95 points “A supremely classy, refined and regally reserved nose of a simply amazing panoply of aromas that run the entire gamut of fruit from red to black and includes spice, game, leather, tea, underbrush and plenty of Gevrey earth that can also be found on the rich, full, powerful and robustly structured flavors that are perhaps a bit more new world in style than the rest of the range yet it sacrifices no sense of detail on the textured and hugely long finish. This isn’t really my style but there is no question that the ’05 Cham is a genuinely great wine.”
Domaine Jacques Prieur Chambertin Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2007 750ML ($349.95) $299 pre-arrival special
Burghound 94 points “This is also extremely fresh with notably cool and reserved densely fruited aromas that marry into dense, serious and intensely mineral-suffused flavors that possess a really lovely mouth feel before culminating in a powerful and tautly muscled finish that completely stains the palate. A knock out and this has an interesting note of salinity on the incredibly long finish.”
Domaine Jacques Prieur Chambertin Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2009 750ML ($399.95) $359 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Dark and smoky, with black cherry and plum flavors accented by spicy oak and licorice. This is classy and needs time to settle down, but all the elements are there and the finish is long. Best from 2014 through 2025. 10 cases imported.”
Burghound 92-95 points “Moderate reduction renders the nose difficult to read though there is good energy to the cool, reserved and tight broad-shouldered flavors that are stunningly complex and hugely long on the mineral-driven finish. This is a seriously impressive effort that just oozes class.”
Domaine Jacques Prieur Chambertin Clos de Beze Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 1999 750ML ($459.95) $399 pre-arrival special
Domaine Jacques Prieur Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2005 750ML ($359.95) $299 pre-arrival special
Burghound 92-95 points “The ripest wine to this point with a distinctly floral component adding nuance to the cassis and blackberry aromas that precede the rich, full, serious and sleekly muscled flavors that are supported by a concentrated, tannic and hugely long finish. This is not an elegant wine or even especially sophisticated yet it’s an absolutely serious wine built for the very long haul. Don’t even think of cracking a bottle for at least a decade and even that will be too early.”
Stephen Tanzer 91-94 points “Good bright red-ruby. Very closed, primary aromas of black cherry, mint and minerals, with a hint of peppery spice that comes from vinification with 5% whole clusters (the rest of the fruit was destemmed but not crushed). Sweet, lush and stuffed with ripe black fruit and mineral flavors. There’s nothing hard about this Clos Vougeot, despite the late end to its malolactic fermentation. A violet note contributes to the impression of finesse. Broad, dusty tannins arrive late.”
Domaine Jacques Prieur Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2006 750ML ($299.95) $249 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer 92+ points “Good full red. Perfumed nose offers black cherry, menthol and fresh herbs. Vibrant and aromatic in The mouth but evolving very slowly. Densely packed, juicy and tactile wine, with a penetrating minerality contributing energy. Finishes with real length and cut, the tannins reaching the incisors. Here’s another case where I prefer the 2006 to the young 2007.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Flashy oak is matched by dense black cherry and blackberry flavors in this powerful red. The tannins are slightly rustic, but the fruit is focused and pure. Needs some time. Best from 2012 through 2022. 50 cases imported.”
Domaine Jacques Prieur Musigny Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2005 750ML ($799.95) $699 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer 95 points “Bright ruby-red. Very ripe, pure aromas of black raspberry, cocoa powder, flowers, spices and minerals. At once thick and lively on entry, then wonderfully sweet and harmonious in the middle palate, with a spherical shape and seamless texture I have rarely noted in the past from this estate’s red wines. There’s an almost liqueur-like warmth to this suave, silky wine but underlying minerality keeps it fresh and delineated. Finishes with superb finesse of tannins and explosive fruit and minerality. This may be a hotter site than Prieur’s Echezeaux, but this cuvee too is a major success in 2005.”
David Schildknecht 94-95 points “The Prieur 2005 Musigny delivers a gorgeous bouquet of diverse, sweet flowers, cassis laced, with lemon zest, spices and humus. Sleek, polished and silken-textured in the mouth, this wine offers superb concentration of super-ripe fruit with marrowy meatiness, but with more refinement and youthful class than the Chambertin, not to mention a buoyancy and dynamism and a sheer infectious juiciness in its finish, loaded with bitter-sweet florals.”
Burghound 93-96 points “This is also exceptionally classy and refined with spicy and fresh black and blue berry fruit aromas that complement to perfection the rich, powerful and massive flavors that manage to retain a wonderful sense of detail on the almost sternly structured finish yet the sap buffers any austerity. This is a big Musigny but for all the size and weight, the balance is impeccable. Potentially the best wine in the range if only barely.”
Domaine Jacques Prieur Musigny Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2006 750ML ($599.95) $499 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer 93+ points “Good deep, bright red. Captivating, soil-driven aromas of red fruits, violet, spices, smoky herbs, licorice and earth. Suave on entry, then sappy and gripping in the middle, with complicated mineral, floral and saline elements all accentuating the wine’s tactile quality. Builds nicely on the back half, finishing with firm but ripe tannins and excellent grip and energy. Less ample and more tightly wound than the young 2007, but I find more intensity and energy here: I’d bet on this one in the long run.”
Burghound 92-94 points “An elegant yet reserved and admirably layered nose features red and blue pinot fruit, rose and violet notes plus subtle spice aromas that are in perfect keeping with the round, intense, precise and pure medium full flavors that possess excellent mid-palate concentration and a discreetly mineral-infused finish that both coats the mouth and lingers beautifully. There is enough sap here that the mouth feel is actually rounder at present than the wine will be once the baby fat melts away. In a word, gorgeous.”
Domaine Jacques Prieur Musigny Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2007 750ML ($599.95) $499 pre-arrival special
Burghound 94 points “An ultra elegant nose of pure violet, earth, stone and red pinot fruit that will probably quickly transform into a floral-dominated aromatic profile merges seamlessly into balanced, precise and minerally big-bodied flavors that possess a satin and silk mouth feel and a linear, intense and mouth coating finish that seemingly goes on for minutes. This is a strikingly pretty wine that should age for years.”
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Good bright, dark red. Tangy, perfumed aromas of raspberry, crushed rock and smoke. Smoky and silky-sweet but quite backward; comes off as thick yet refined, with great charm. The longest of these 2007s, finishing with lovely energy and lift and a real whiplash of flavor-not to mention greater sweetness than the Echezeaux.”
Domaine Jacques Prieur Musigny Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2009 750ML ($599.95) $499 pre-arrival special
Burghound 93-95 points “Very mild reduction reduces the expressiveness of the nose yet it is still relatively easy to discern that the dark berry fruit is ripe and nuanced by plenty of spice notes that can also be found on the rich and palate staining velvety flavors that possess imposing size and weight as well as a seemingly endless reserve of dry extract that buffers the firm tannic spine on the wonderfully long finish. This is a big yet balanced wine that possesses excellent energy with plenty of underlying tension and about the only nit is a hint of warmth on the powerful and driving finish. This should be most impressive in time if you have the patience to wait.”
Stephen Tanzer 93+ points “Good medium red. Slightly reduced, reserved aromas of kirsch, minerals and clove. Quite taut in the mouth, and showing much more energy in bottle than it displayed from barrel in November of 2010. The medicinal redcurrant and red cherry fruit flavors are complemented by saline and pronounced spice qualities. Ultimately silky and classy wine, with a long, clinging finish that shows continuing spice character. This needs a good eight to ten years of bottle aging.”
“everything Brunello Riservas should be…”
The Fantastic 2012 Brunello Riservas
“I cannot remember when I so thoroughly enjoyed tasting one Brunello Riserva after another. As I wrote last year in my article on the 2012 Brunellos, this was a much better vintage than 2011 and many more producers set wine aside for making Riservas in 2012 than they did in 2011. For the most part, the 2012 Riservas are very good examples of everything Brunello Riservas should be but rarely are: deeper, bigger and more complex wines than the classico bottlings, with a mellow aspect given their extra time and oxygenation in mostly large used oak barrels.” – Ian D’Agata, Vinous
The 2012 vintage was a good one for Brunello, but a spectacular one for Brunello Riserva. It’s not often there is such a divide, but the warm, dry conditions in 2012 were the perfect year for the class of Riservas to be significantly better than their classico cousins. These are monuments to Sangiovese, possibly even better than the heralded 2013’s arriving next year. Anyone who loves Brunello needs to load up.
Featured 2012 Brunello Riservas Arriving in December
Sassetti Livio Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 96 points “Firm and dense, this red sports cherry, leather, cigar box and sweet spice flavors. A juiciness midpalate adds depth. Finishes with tannins and a combination of earth, mineral and tobacco notes. Best from 2022 through 2038.”
Altesino Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 98 points “($150) This delivers intense balsamic notes of juniper, wild rosemary and sage, along with rose, cherry and berry aromas and flavors. Elegant and saturated with flavor, supported by a vibrant structure. Ends with energy and refined tannins. Best from 2022 through 2040. 750 cases made.”
Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($219.95) $179 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 98 points “Bright and juicy, this is packed with cherry, strawberry, floral and mineral aromas and flavors. Linear in shape and tightly wound, yet very pure, with a long, detailed aftertaste that pulls all the elements together. Best from 2021 through 2040. 350 cases imported.”
In Stock Now
La Gerla Riserva gli Angeli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2012 750ML ($99.95) $69 special, 15 bottles in stock now
La Gerla Riserva gli Angeli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2012 1.5L ($219.95) $159 special, 6 magnums in stock now
La Gerla Riserva gli Angeli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2012 3L ($499.95) $319 special, 3 jeroboams in stock now
Ian D’agata-Vinous 95 points “Bright medium ruby. Very clean and fresh aromas and flavors of red currant, cherry pit, flowers and blood orange jelly. Bright, juicy and very light on its feet, offering superb vinosity and clarity of flavor, this conveys an impression of real underlying density and a multilayered mouthfeel. A knockout wine of outstanding energy and class, finishing with polished tannins, uncanny sweetness and lovely subtle persistence, not to mention outstanding balance (it hides its 14.5% alcohol very well).”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “Here is a dense and meaty Tusan red that flaunts its immediate power, structure and intensity. The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva gli Angeli is robust and deep thanks to a generous offering of dark fruit, spice and tar-like aromas. Fruit is carefully selected for this wine, and the grapes are fermented in stainless steel. Post fermentation, the wine goes into large Slavonian oak casks for four years. The finish is soft and supple with sweet berry flavors. This wine has made an impressive jump forward in this vintage.”
The next best price is $94.94
Second Chance on Scott Paul
The Best Oregon Pinot Deal
We’ve Ever Offered is Back
Scott Paul La Paulee regularly retails for around $40. As the benchmark price on Willamette Valley Pinot Noir slowly creeps up to that spot, we’re offering two of the greatest deals on this wine: less than half its historic average! We’ve secured a new allocation, but don’t think you can sleep on this offer – it sells out before it arrives!
Re-Arriving Tomorrow
Bright, fresh, back on Tuesday. For now…
Scott Paul La Paulee Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2013 750ML ($39.95) $18 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Deep red. Bright and energetic on the nose, displaying intense red berry and blood orange scents, along with candied rose and allspice highlights. Silky, sweet and incisive on the palate, offering juicy strawberry and floral pastille flavors and a spicy kick of white pepper. Closes very long and nervy; fine-grained tannins lend shape and closing grip.”
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “Sophisticated and subtle, this lovely wine expresses varietal elegance, with a bouquet of roses and raspberries to begin. The jumble of pretty fruits is framed with citrus peel and a dusting of chocolate.”
Neal Martin-Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2013 Pinot Noir la Paulee comes from fruit sourced from Maresh and Nysa in the Dundee Hills, Azana in Chehalem and from the Ribbon Ridge, matured for ten months in neutral oak. It has a very natural, Côte de Beaune-like bouquet with ample brambly red fruit with hints of black tea developing with aeration. I appreciate the focus and definition here. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, smooth in the mouth with just a faint honeyed note. Tart red cherries mingle with redcurrant and strawberry, segueing into a poised and fulsome finish. This should drink well over the next 7-10 years and represents great value.”
The average price is $25
A bit richer than the ’13 from a wide lauded vintage
Scott Paul La Paulee Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($39.95) $18 pre-arrival special
Winery Note “Brilliant red in color. The spicy nose starts with being savory and leads into an array of fresh raspberry, brambleberry, and marionberry. Finely pronounced tannins combine with layers of fresh elderberry and a great balance of acid are folded into razor focused tannins which has the palate finishing with class. Our home in Carlton, Oregon (a 1915 brick creamery) is an ideal spot to revel in the virtues of Pinot Noir, as we pursue Pinot Perfection. Our sustainably farmed vineyards are among the Willamette Valley’s finest (and dare we say, most perfect). Our 2014 bottling is a selection of superior lots from our blocks of Maresh and Nysa Vineyards in the Dundee Hills and Ribbon Ridge and Azana Vineyards on the Chehalem Mountains. Bold, bright berry flavors unite with a bounty of rose, spice and cherry aromas. Pure Oregon Pinot Noir.”
New Reviews from Wine Enthusiast
Contrade di Taurasi Cantine Lonardo Coste, Taurasi DOCG 2012 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Cellar Selection. Aromas of spiced plum, truffle, iris, menthol and leather follow through to the juicy, concentrated palate along with fleshy blackberry, clove and licorice. Firm, velvety tannins provide support. Give this a few more years to fully unwind and develop even more complexity. Drink 2022–2035.”
The next best price is $74.99
Contrade di Taurasi Cantine Lonardo Vigne D’Alto, Taurasi DOCG 2012 750ML750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Perfumed and loaded with finesse, this single-vineyard wine opens with enticing scents of violet, ripe black-skinned fruit, new leather and baking spice. Made with 60- to 100-year-old plants, the smooth, delicious palate delivers succulent Marasca cherry, plum, licorice and nutmeg framed in velvety tannins, making it one of the more elegant expressions of Taurasi out there. A mineral note energizes the lingering finish. Drink through 2032.”
Contrade di Taurasi Cantine Lonardo Taurasi DOCG, Campania 2013 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Aromas of black cooking spice, dark-skinned berry and blue flower swirl around in the glass. On the palate, firm, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity balance dried black cherry, clove and freshly ground pepper. Drink 2021–2030.”
Proprieta Sperino Lessona, Piedmont 2012 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Structured, vibrant and boasting extreme elegance, this radiant Nebbiolo opens with enticing scents of iris, violet and crushed aromatic herb. The chiseled palate has wonderful intensity and precision, delivering red cherry, raspberry compote, star anise and Lessona’s classic salty finish. It’s still young and nervous but impeccably balanced, with taut, refined tannins and firm acidity. Give it time to unwind and fully develop. Drink 2023–2043.”
Proprieta Sperino Uvaggio Coste della Sesia Rosso, Piedmont 2013 750ML ($37.95) $29 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “What a delightful wine this is. Loaded with finesse, it opens with lovely scents of red berry, crushed rose, graphite, cooking spice and Alpine herb. The beguiling medium-bodied palate offers sour cherry, raspberry, white pepper and mineral while fresh acidity and polished tannins provide impeccable balance. It’s already drinking beautifully but will also provide several more years of pure enjoyment.”
Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2015 750ML ($249.95) $219 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Soy, tobacco and dried herb mark this appropriately named wine, which does indeed have a gravelly, chalky aspect to its texture and taste. From a five-acre vineyard block of the estate, it is endlessly complex and nuanced, despite its full-bodied richness and concentration.”
Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2015 375ML ($149.95) $119 special, 4 half-bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Cellar Selection. Sanguine and earthy, this is a thick, concentrated wine marked by its ash-laden soils—the texture and taste influenced mightily by this fact. Leathery on the palate, it offers a mix of mountain-grown berry and plum, with a twist of cassis and violet. This shows aging potential; enjoy best from 2025–2035.”
Arriving in November
Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port, Portugal 2016 750ML ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 98 points “Ripe, structured while also fruity, this intense, perfumed Port is opulent while also elegant. Its tannins and great fruit are finely integrated and are rich with potential. Black fruits, berries and a juicy aftertaste add freshness to the wine. Drink from 2028.”
Trending
The Hottest Wines of the Weekend
Les Hauts de Valcombe Ventoux, Rhone 2015 750ML ($15.95) $14 special
Grapelive 92 points “Sometimes you just need the warm comfort of a nice Grenache based Southern Rhone, with its full flavored and smooth tannin charm washing over your palate and light spicy character holding on the mouth coating finish adding complexity to its sweet fruits and earthy seduction. Yup, that is what was needed and this Valcombe Ventoux Rouge delivered! The “Les Hauts de Valcombe” is a cuvee cepage/blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah from exclusively north-facing vineyards, allowing for less sun to give an extra burst of freshness, even in a ripe year. Even with that much Syrah this wine feels remarkably graceful and Grenache(y) on the palate with a playful and fruity core. Valcombe, near the town of St. Pierre de Vassols, is all organic and this cuvee is all cement vat fermented and raised. It’s an old school traditional wine that displays a wonderful transparency and is terroir driven with the chalky marl soils showing through. With air some of the Syrah savoriness comes through, but the dense fruit always keeps the pleasure levels high. It’s an easy Rhone to love with racy raspberry, plum, boysenberry, sweet cherry and strawberry fruits along with hints of dusty stones, pepper, anise, leather and wild lavender. Chateau Valcombe’s owners Luc and Cendrine Guénard trained under Paul Jeune, former winemaking legend at Chateauneuf-du-Pape’s famed Domaine Monpertuis. [Jeune] transformed this property, with vineyards on the lower slopes of Mont Ventoux, from its humble origins into a serious estate [and the Guénards] have continued in his footsteps, and, in fact, in recent vintages even risen the quality here. This is a winery that almost always over delivers in the price to quality ratio, especially this bottling, which I adore. Drink this dark garnet hued medium/full bodied and textural 2015 “Les Hauts de Valcombe” over the next 3 to 5 years, but there’s no need to wait as it is drinking beautiful and fresh right now. It’s a steal.“one of the best Corton-Charlemagne that I have encountered”
Domaine Rollin Pere et Fils Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune 2015 750ML ($169.95) $149 special
Wine Advocate 93 points “Matured in 50% new oak, the 2015 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru has an elegant bouquet with citrus peel, walnut and lemon curd aromas that are well defined, a little backward at first but soon gaining vigor. The new oak is nicely integrated here. The palate is crisp and minerally on the entry. There is lovely balance here, well-judged acidity and great poise on the finish. Frankly, this is one of the best Corton-Charlemagne that I have encountered.”The Petrus principal’s personal Pomerol project.
Chateau Samion, Lalande-de-Pomerol 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Importer note “Château Samion is the family domaine of Jean-Claude Berrouet, the man who oversaw more than 40 vintages at the famed Château Petrus in Pomerol from 1964 until his retirement in 2007. Together with his son Jean-Françis, they produce a small amount of wine from their holdings in Lalande-de-Pomerol which total a scant 1.2 hectares. The first vintage for Château Samion was in 1979 when they rented the vineyards, but since 1985 they have been owned by the Berrouet family and the vines are now an average of 45 years in age…. The vineyards of Château Samion are located in Lalande where the Merlot offers supple, deep red-fruited wines that have fine tannins. ‘I try to work as naturally as possible’, Jean-Claude says when asked about his practices in the vineyard. ‘It’s healthy for wine and for life’, he says. At Château Samion, there are no chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides used. Treatments to avoid rot or mildew are all that is ever employed and only when necessary. There is but one wine made at Château Samion. The wine is made from 100% Merlot, and one will find it is made in the same manner and with the same exacting care as Château Petrus. The grapes are harvested by hand, and then vinified in concrete vats. Following the vinification, the wine is racked and aged for 20 months in 15% new French oak casks (225 liters).”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Castello di Verduno Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2016 750ML ($24.95) $19 special
Domaine Jean Masson & Fils Savoie Apremont ‘La Centenaire’ Vieilles Vignes 2016 750ML ($34.95) $26 special
Winery note “[Translated] From a vineyard planted over a century ago, La Centenaire is a powerful wine. It shows with notes of ripe white fruits, fresh almonds and stone fruits. Its beautiful minerality makes it an exception wine for the cellar. The tiny yields produce great concentration, and allow the Jacquère grape to express so many forgotten things.”
Wine Advocate 98 points “Co-fermented with 3% Viognier, the 2015 Syrah The Beautiful is fabulous, bursting from the glass with exotic aromas of violets, blackberries, panforte, black olives and lychee nuts (fanciful though that mélange sounds). On the palate, it’s full-bodied, velvety and lavishly textural, cutting a broad swath across the palate, with a deep core of dark fruit and pungent savory nuance, concluding with a fine-grained, mouthwateringly sapid finish. It’s a compelling Syrah that brooks no argument.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “Co-fermented with 4% Viognier, the 2015 Syrah The Beautiful Powerline Vineyard was fermented with plenty of stems and brought up mostly in neutral oak. Candied violets, game, blackcurrants, and incense notes all emerge from this beautiful, seamless beauty. It has a rich, full-bodied profile on the palate as well as a great mid-palate, fine tannin, and nicely integrated acidity. This is another singular, layered, silky beauty from this team. Keep in mind, this comes from very young vines, so I suspect the best is yet to come here, which is saying something at this quality level.”
New Burlotto ReleasesThe “Other” Wines of the Barolo Master
Burlotto is not the first name on many people’s lips when thinking of Barolo, and it’s a shame since G.B. Burlotto was considered among the absolute greatest winemakers in the world for the seventy plus years he was at the helm. After his passing in 1927, the winery and his hometown of Verduno slipped into obscurity. Now Fabio Alessandria, the great-great-grandson has taken over and Burlotto is regaining the place it deserves among the best small producers in the Piedmont.Tradition is first and foremost for Fabio, going so far as to use gentle crushing by foot followed by a sixty day maceration period, once common but now virtually unheard of in Barolo. He also keeps alive the tradition of minor native grapes, like Freisa and Pelaverga, that are now extremely rare. From top to bottom, these are excellent wines with classical proportions. Their new release “minor” wines arrive next month and we couldn’t be more excited. Grab these now if you want them—at least a couple of these bottlings won’t make it to the shelf.
Arriving Mid-November
G.B. Burlotto Verduno Pelaverga, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($24.95) $19.50 pre-arrival special
G. B. Burlotto Mores Langhe Rosso, Piedmont 2016 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
This is the only listing in the USA today!
New Dauvissat Releases
Fantastic Chablis from a Master
Dauvissat is one of the two undisputed masters of Chablis and perhaps the best value in high end white Burgundy. These are profound whites, capable of being the best wine on any table, but priced like, well, Chablis. We have a new set of releases coming the middle of next month and these wines should disappear quickly.Arriving Mid-November
Vincent Dauvissat Chablis, Burgundy 2015 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special, only 4 bottles available
Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2015 Chablis has a honeyed bouquet with flecks of white chocolate. As the aromas unfold there is a seam of lemon curd and a distant scent of chalk dust. The palate is well balanced with superb salinity considering the warmth of the growing season; vibrant and quite deep toward the poised finish. It seems to have lost some of its nascent spiciness from barrel, yet there is unquestionably impressive body and concentration, suggesting it will age with style.”
Stephen Tanzer 90 points “Pale yellow. Tighter on the nose than the Petit Chablis, offering aromas of lemon, menthol and mint. More classic in the middle palate than the Petit Chablis, with penetrating lemon zest fruit and strong stony minerality giving the wine terrific verve. This very incisive village wine is not ready to drink.”
Vincent Dauvissat Chablis, Burgundy 2016 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special, only 3 bottles available
Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2016 Chablis Villages is very good, unfurling in the glass with aromas of honey, preserved citrus, oatmeal, oystershell and subtly smoky reduction. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, satiny and textural, with tangy acids. It’s not as pure and incisive as the greatest Dauvissat vintages, but it would be difficult to find a better Chablis AOC bottling in 2016.”
Vincent Dauvissat La Forest, Chablis Premier Cru 2015 750ML ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special, only 3 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 93+ points “Pale, bright yellow. Very closed but pure aromas of lemon zest and oil and wet stone. Wonderfully tactile, intense and alive, offering sharply chiseled flavors of citrus fruits, crushed rock and salty minerality and terrific lemony lift. This very deep but relatively austere 2015 calls for a good four or five years of aging but should ultimately be one of the elite premier crus of its vintage. (Dauvissat also opened a bottle of the 2009 Chablis La Forest, which combined wound-up aromas of lemon, crushed and minerals with some sexy biscuit and truffle suggestions of evolution. On the palate, the wine is still incredibly young, boasting terrific lemony energy and cut and showing just the first hints of empyreumatic and oyster shell character. This wine is neither high in alcohol nor in acidity yet it’s classic and powerful and should broaden out dramatically in bottle over the next ten years.)”
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2015 Chablis 1er Cru la Forest has a seductive bouquet of toffee apple, quince, flint and touches of apricot blossom developing over time all with superb delineation. The palate is very well balanced with outstanding energy and tension, perhaps waxy in texture and with a slow burning build that leads to a vibrant quince, marmalade and white pepper finish that seems to lacquer the mouth. What a great Forêts, even if the 2016 is showing even greater potential.”
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2016 Chablis 1er Cru La Forest is superb, wafting from the glass with aromas of Meyer lemon, iodine and wet stones. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, deep and pure, with satiny textural gloss, excellent concentration and a beautifully delineated finish. I suspect this will be a comparatively precocious rendition of the Dauvissat Forest, but it’s a beautiful wine.”
Stephen Tanzer 92-94 points “Pale, bright yellow. Pungent aromas of grapefruit pith, lemon zest and wild herbs; really amazing lift here for a vintage with moderate acidity. Seamless and fine-grained, already offering compelling inner-mouth perfume to its flavors of citrus fruits, wild herbs, acacia flower, jasmine and minerals. The wonderfully aromatic, slowly rising finish boasts outstanding floral lift. A great premier cru in the making. Hail and mildew reduced the crop level here to just 25 hectoliters per hectare.”
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2015 Chablis Grand Cru les Clos seems to be the most closed of all the 2015s, even after two days of being open in bottle. It only reluctantly reveals oyster shell, quince, baking powder and flint scents. It is exquisitely defined. The palate is very well balanced with a lightly-honeyed opening, a keen thread of acidity and a subtle dash of spice that becomes more prominent towards the poised and elegant finish. What a beautiful les Clos that will vie with Vincent’s les Preuses for supremacy.”
Stephen Tanzer 94+ points “Bright, light yellow. Extremely closed nose hints at leesy oatmeal and crushed rock; much less expressive and more monolithic today than the Preuses. Densely packed, sappy and youthfully austere in the mouth, hinting at incipient sweetness but showing very little today. At once spicier and less floral than the Preuses, this imposing wine conveys a strong wet stone character and terrific lemony lift. Powerful in dry extract and as backward as any 2015 Chablis I tasted this spring.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Stephen Tanzer 95+ points “Pale yellow. Aromas of lemon-lime and crushed stone are lifted by topnotes of violet and lavender sea salt. Wonderfully rich, pliant wine with the thickness of the vintage perfectly leavened by citrussy lift and the rocky character of this grand cru. Simultaneously suave and powerful, fine-grained and penetrating, this seamless, bulletproof grand cru finishes with outstanding building length and an impression of chewy dry extract. Really amazing texture, concentration and early personality for a wine with a moderate 12.5% alcohol. This should go on for a long time.”
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2015 Chablis 1er Cru Séchet fulfills the tremendous promise that it demonstrated in barrel last year. It has an expressive bouquet with scents of wild honey and a touch of petrol, leaning a little towards Riesling in style but with marvelous delineation. The palate is nervous and tensile, shimmering with energy which is quite amazing considering that 2015 was not supposed to have a high-acidity finish. The aftertaste is so mineral driven that the Séchet momentarily transports you to the vineyard. This comes highly recommended: an intellectual Chablis that should mature with style.”
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2015 Chablis 1Er Cru Vaillons was more closed than the Séchets at this point in time, gradually revealing scents of white citrus fruit, nectarine, beeswax and flint, those aromas drawing you in with each swirl of the glass. The palate is very harmonious with a honeyed opening, very concentrated with dried honey, quince and a ravishing ginger and lemongrass-tinged finish that lingers long in the mouth. As usual, this is a flattering Vaillons but that would be to overlook the complexity and precision within.”
Stephen Tanzer 91+ points “Pale yellow. Reticent aromas of menthol, oatmeal and white truffle, with stone and citrus fruit notes in the deep background. Silky on entry, then quite firm in the middle, conveying an impression of strong soil character–and sound acidity–to its flavors of citrus fruits, minerals and oatmeal. This rather powerful wine finishes very long and youthful, a tad aggressive but not dry. Dauvissat told me he’s already drinking this wine but I believe that it’s destined for a slow and graceful evolution in bottle. Incidentally, at this point in our tasting, Dauvissat told me that he’s still waiting on his 2000s, 2001s and 2002s.”Dauvissat Wines In-Stock Now:Vincent Dauvissat La Forest, Chablis Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($134.95) $119 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Stephen Tanzer 93+ points “Bright pale yellow. Penetrating mineral aromas of crushed stone and oyster shell, with a hint of ripe grapefruit in the background. Wonderfully juicy and vibrant if youthfully taut, offering uncanny intensity and tactility for the vintage. Finishes saline and extremely long, with notes of lime, oatmeal and powdered stone. This palate-staining wine left my salivary glands quivering. Dauvissat does a vendange entier, practically no debourbage and almost no stirring of the lees.”
Wine Advocate 92 points “Tasted blind at the Burgundy 2011 horizontal tasting in Beaune. I must confess that Dauvissat’s 2011 Chablis 1er Cru La Fôrets completely caught me out, but his wines are notoriously difficult to taste blind when young. The nose is a moody old bugger, like trying to wake up your snoozing grandpa in his comfy chair. Rather than a lack of intensity, I just think this is stubborn and backward. The palate has a twist of bitter lemon on the entry and this is where the action is, with touches of white pepper and dried herbs infusing the finish that still seems insulted that it would be assessed blind. The ignominy! Having forwarded by desultory mark, naturally the wine opens and begins to motor.”
Vincent Dauvissat Vaillons, Chablis Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 91 points “Aromas of menthol, minerals and wet stone suggest an austere wine. Then rich but backward on the palate, conveying noteworthy sweetness to the complex flavors of pineapple, mirabelle, apricot pit and violet. Finishes with a lightly phenolic edge. Not quite as pure as the 2014 edition but a triumph for its vintage.”
Burghound 91 points “A very fresh and cool nose features notes of mineral reduction, dried apricot, wet stone and citrus. The intense and beautifully well-detailed flavors possess a silky mouth feel as well as the same stony character telegraphed by the nose, all wrapped in an impressively long and slightly austere and lemon-inflected finish. This sleek effort should reward a few years of bottle age yet also be accessible on the early side.”
Dauvissat-Camus Sechet, Chablis Premier Cru 2010 750ML ($134.95) $119 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2010 Chablis Sechets is all about intensity. In this vintage, the Sechets impresses for its persistence and multi-dimensional personality. The slightly angular contours typical of the wine are present, but there is so much fruit that they are barely perceptible. An attractive, spiced note adds complexity on the finish. I also tasted the 1993, which was flat-out stunning, with many fine years of drinking still left. I only wished I owned it. Anticipated maturity: 2013.”
Burghound 92 points “Outstanding An elegant and extremely pure nose of citrus, stone and sea breeze where the latter two elements also characterize the rich, full-bodied and solidly well-concentrated flavors that are blessed with an abundance of dry extract that confers a textured quality to the seductive and saline-infused finish that displays impeccable balance. Despite the impressive size and weight this is actually quite fine; indeed I would even go so far as to call this a wine of finesse.”
Thank you for reading!