Vinopolis Newsletter 12-9-2024 PM

 

 

How would you like to drink like a King? Although first made at the behest of Tsar Alexander II for the famous “Three Emperors Dinner” of1867, Cristal Champagne was not available commercially until 1945 when it began to be known to American collectors.
 
Centuries later, this is still one of the most highly rated and regarded Champagnes in the world, with so much of that quality coming from their dedication to the highest standards of vineyard maintenance and sustainable Farming. In fact, all of the vineyards that go into Cristal have been certified organic since 2012 and
 
As Frédéric Rouzaud, Roederer’s CEO has stated “It is the belief, deeply grounded in my family for generations, that we owe everything to Nature and that when we listen to her and provide her with the attention and care she needs, she will give us the gift of a terroir at its finest expression, the source of great fine wines.”
 
Louis Roederer Cristal Millesime Brut, Champagne, France 2015 750ml $379 special, 7 bottles available
The Wine Independent 98 Points “The 2015 Cristal is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. No malo-lactic was employed and 25% wine was aged in oak. The dosage is 7 grams per liter. An exquisitely delicate yet complex perfume of clover honey freshly shaved ginger marzipan and jasmine slowly emerges from the nose giving way to a core of pear tart persimmons and apple butter. The palate is an exercise in finesse featuring very fine bubbles and fantastic intensity with a myriad of spice and floral nuances finishing with impressive persistence and jaw-dropping poise. This is a style for those that embrace purity soft-spoken expression and impeccable crafting. It won’t disappoint those who love Champagne in its initial youthful perfume flushes yet will undoubtedly reward the patient with a richer toastier more obvious and opulent style with 5-10 years+ of cellaring.”
Wine Spectator 96 Points “This mouthwatering Champagne has an ethereal quality, with a frame of chiseled acidity and focused precision to the pointillisme-like, vibrant mousse. Yet this shows depth and generous expression, with the finely spun notes of patisserie apple and blackberry fruit opening beautifully on the palate and through the minerally finish, with notes of grated ginger, blood orange granita, salted Marcona almond and anise. Drink now through 2035.”
 

 
Louis Roederer Blanc de Blancs Brut Millesime, Champagne, France 2016 750ml $99 special, 22 bottles available
James Suckling 96 Points “Enveloping nose of fresh wheat and white tree fruits plus lemon zest freshness and a touch of flint. Stunning balance of creaminess from sur lie maturation with elegant and mineral acidity. Very long finish that’s simultaneously pristine, chalky and silky. From four plots in the Grand Cru village of Avize. Finished at just 4.5 atmospheres of pressure, which is deliberately below the norm of six. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94 Points “The 2016 Brut Blanc de Blancs Vintage is laced with hints of tropical fruit, lime, mint, passionfruit and crushed rocks. Intensely aromatic and light on its feet, the 2016 impresses with its gracious, understated personality. Sourced from plots in the mid-slope Grand Cru vineyard of La Côte in Avize, readers will find a Blanc de Blancs endowed with tons of energy and nuance. Dosage is 8 grams per liter.”
 
Louis Roederer Collection 242 Brut, Champagne, France NV 1.5L $149 special, 3 magnums available
Decanter 97 Points “Fresh, vibrant nose displaying aromas of orange, lime peel, almond, honey and brioche with ripe quince and sweet pear undertones. Great focus and length on the palate, seriously harmonious, joyful and unforced. Wines of the Year 2021: the top Classic wines. Drinking Window: 2022-2040.”
 
Louis Roederer Collection 244 Brut, Champagne, France NV 750ml $59 special, 24 bottles available
James Suckling 94 Points “The first impression is as invigorating as a sea breeze. I love the interplay of mirabelle, grapefruit and lychee fruit with minty freshness and waxiness from lees contact. And all this is welded to a beautifully proportioned palate with plenty of structure, the acidity bright and the mousse animating. Very salty finish that pulls you back for more. A cuvee of 41% chardonnay, 33% pinot noir and 26% pinot meunier. Of these, 15% fermented in oak and 85% in stainless steel. The final blend contained 36% reserve perpetual and 10% reserve wines of the 2012 – 2018 vintage from oak. The dosage is 7 g/l. Drink or hold.”
 

We have 142 Champagnes to select from on our webstore
Click here to shop for them!
 
New Arrivals

 
Champagne
 
“For over 20 years, the Billecart-Salmon House has been crafting a second champagne. Discover the wine known under the name of Inspiration 1818, echoing the family’sestate’s year of creation. The qualities of this champagne are approved by the same tasting committee as the rest of the Billecart-Salmon champagne range.”
Charles-le-Bel ‘Inspiration 1818’ Brut, Champagne, France NV 750ml $39 special, 36+ bottles available
Billecart-Salmon Winemaker’s Note “Sparkling and crystalline with fine and plentiful bubbles. A blooming nosewith harmonious notes of butter, white flesh fruits as well as Mirabelle plums and dried fruits. A well-balanced mouth, structured thanks to the greatness of the Pinots Noirs, with flavors of white flesh fruits. the chardonnay brings to this wine a refreshing finish with notes of citrus fruits and pepper. Chardonnay 37%, Pinot Meunier 30%, Pinot Noir 33%.”
 
A. Margaine ‘Le Brut’ Premier Cru, Champagne, France NV 750ml $54.50 special, 22 bottles available
Wine Spectator “Fresh and floral, with the fine, lacy mousse supporting well-meshed notes of blanched almond and ripe Gala apple and nectarine fruit, plus hints of fleur de sel and oyster shell. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Disgorged January 2023. Drink now.”
 
 
Washington
 
Winery Note: In 2011, Hors Catégorie was the first vineyard planted on the steep slope along the North Fork of the Walla Walla River. Hidden in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, Hors Catégorie Vineyard is located where the North Fork converges with the Walla Walla River. The Syrah vines cling to the hillside beneath ragged cliffs and surrounded by rocky outcroppings. Their roots struggle for nourishment in the fractured basalt.
Hors Categorie, Walla Walla Valley, USA 2020 750ml $379 special, 2 bottles available
International Wine Review 100 Points *Highly recommended, Editor’s Choice* “Aged for 18 months in 100% neutral French oak, this Syrah is a masterclass of making Syrah in Washington state. The 2020 Hors Catégorie Syrah is otherworldly and is one of the few 100-point wines that I have scored. Layered complexity gives you hit after hit on the nose – starting with floral notes of lilac and orange blossom, then it gifts meaty notes of smoked brisket and bacon fat, then it presents blackberry and blue plum skin flavors, and finally, it finishes with deep umami, mushroom, iodine, and dusty earth aspects. It’s perfectly balanced on the tongue with absolutely no rough edges to speak of. I don’t think I’ve had a wine quite like it before, and it’s stunning in every way. Just 291 cases were crafted of this impeccable wine.”
Wine Enthusiast 99 Points *Editors’ Choice* “This Syrah flirts with perfection in rarefied air. Black-and-blueberry aromas waltz gracefully with notes of thyme, a fresh-mowed hay field and bacon just hitting the griddle. This is a perfectly balanced wine with medium weight, lemony acidity and flavors like ripe blackberries, aged balsamic and black tea. “
 
 
Oregon
 

 
This is the top cuvee from Cameron and it is only made when a great vintage warrants it. According to the Cameron Winery: the wine was named “in honor of Julia Wayne of Abbey Ridge, who also drew the illustration for the label, this extremely limited wine is elegant and charming, just like its namesake.”
Cameron Winery Abbey Ridge Cuvee Julia Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, USA 2021 750ml $119 special, 12 bottles available
Winery Notes “2021 was a vintage of very small production with some great wines produced, not the least of which was the 2021 Julia Pinot noir. Vinified from 40+ year old vines located in a small block of Martin Ray Massale in the Abbey Ridge vineyard, it was aged for two years in barrique with one additional year in bottle. Its nose is screams raspberries, currants, anise, lavender and dark chocolate, its mouth rich with flavors that extend across the palate giving way to a long lingering finish.”
 
…More arrivals from Cameron:
 
Cameron Winery ‘Abbey Ridge’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, USA 2022 750ml $79 special, 20 bottles available
VinopolNote “One of the great Pinot Noirs of the vintage so far if not decade. Intense Loganberry and sandalwood on the nose and palette make this an anything but a standard Willamette Pinot Noir. Just phenomenal.”
 
Cameron Winery Clos Electrique Blanc, Dundee Hills, USA 2022 750ml $79 special, 13 bottles available
VinopolNote “The Clos Electrique is Cameron’s estate vineyard, named after the electric deer fence that surrounds it.  This is planted to a mix of clones and is vinified traditionally—no racking and all in older barrels.  This is crisp and coiled, with distinct minerality and a lot of power in a lithe frame.  Like most vintages of the Electrique Blanc, this is quite good now but will be stellar in a few years.”
 
Cameron Winery ‘Arley’s Leap’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, USA 2022 750ml $64.50 special, 28 bottles available
Winery Note “Sourced from the highest elevation plot of Pinot Noir at Abbey Ridge, Arley’s Leap is comprised of the famous Martin Ray Clones. These vines yield small, variable clusters and regularly produce some of our most complex wines. The plot is named after Bill and Julia Wayne’s old dog Arley, who survived a jump from a second story balcony when startled by a cat. The nose has a compelling balance of savory and fruit aromas — black olive and plum, cherry and leather, bergamot, violet and salumi. The palette is round and warm, with a bright, mouthwatering finish.”
 

 
With a viticultural history dating back to the 1870’s, the Rogue Valley is older than the Willamette Valley and severely undervalued. Little by little though, consumers are rediscovering this overlooked region. For fans of Rhône and Rioja varietals, the Rogue Valley is an absolute treasure trove of Syrah, Grenache, and Tempranillo.
 
Full-time physician Dr. Peter Adesman and his wife, Dr. Robin Miller, planted the Peter William estate vineyard in 2013 after decades of work collecting, consuming, and educating on wine. They grow Roussanne, Grenache, Syrah, Tempranillo, and Malbec at the estate and purchase from other Rogue Valley vineyards. The resulting wines are enjoyable and approachable, both in terms of drinkability and cost.
 

These are the only listings for these wines in the USA:

 
Peter William ‘PWV’ Malbec Reserve, Rogue Valley, USA 2020 750ml $38 special, 12 bottles available
Michael Alberty- Wine Enthusiast 92 Points “Dark raspberry and straw aromas are brambly and dusty, while violets linger in the background. The cherry and caramel apple flavors are rich, but not cloying. The wine’s tannins are firm, the acidity crisp. Wines like this make me think Malbec should be in the conversation regarding Oregon’s signature grapes.”
 
Peter William ‘PWV’ Tempranillo Reserve, Rogue Valley, USA 2020 750ml $38 special, 12 bottles available
Michael Alberty- Wine Enthusiast 90 Points “This is a 50-50 Syrah-Tempranillo blend where the Syrah is co-fermented with 3% Viognier. It is packed with concentrated blackberry and balsamic aromas and flavors. The tiniest notes of orange blossom and lemon add contrast, and the wine’s thick texture is matched with grippy tannins.”
 
Peter William ‘Lot S’ Tempranillo, Rogue Valley, USA 2020 750ml $34.50 special, 12 bottles available
Norm Roby- Wine Review Online 93 Points “The “S” stands for winemaker Scott Steingraber of Kriselle Cellars who usually makes this small-batch wine exclusively for Peter William’s wine club members. But in 2020, production doubled to all of 50 cases. This 100% Tempranillo was aged for 23 months in a combination of French and American oak (27% new). It makes a strong case for unblended Tempranillo. A bouquet of raspberry, cloves and forest floor quickly emerges in the glass. On the palate, this medium-bodied wine shows good concentration and notes of berry, baking spices, and a hint of black olive in the layered flavors. The flavors expand and continue in the finish to reveal some light, well-integrated tannins. It culminates with just a little tannic edge and grip. It has a long life ahead of it.”
 

 
California
 
Forman Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA 2019 750ml $124.50 special, 34 bottles available
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 97 Points “The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is a rich, heady wine. Even though it was just bottled, the 2019 possesses remarkable textural intensity. A whole range of floral and savory notes open as this statuesque Cabernet shows off its personality. This is an especially rich, bombastic Cabernet from Ric Forman.”
Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points “The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley offers a classic, old school Napa Cabernet nose of darker currants, green tobacco, spring flowers, camphor, and new leather. As with the 2018, it plays in a more medium to full-bodied, elegant style, has ripe yet certainly present tannins, and a great finish. The 2019 is more accessible and open than the 2018 and should continue drinking brilliantly for another two decades if stored correctly.”
 
 
Portugal

 
Quinta do Infantado Ruby Port, Portugal NV 750ml $19 special, 6 bottles available
Importer note “The fruit is hand-harvest, partly destemmed and fermented in lagar and tank. Fermentation is muted with 77% ABV grape brandy. The wine is aged in a variety of tonel and balseiro, the names for tall wooden tanks from 3,000-60,000 liters with thick staves that slow down oxidation. It finishes at a modest 19.5% alcohol and 70 grams per liter of residual sugar, in other words considerably drier and more vinous than most Ruby Ports. The average age in bottle is two to three years.”
 
Quinta do Infantado Tawny Port, Portugal NV 750ml $20.90 special, 6 bottles available
Importer note “The fruit is hand-harvest, partly destemmed and fermented in lagar and tank. Fermentation is muted with 77% ABV grape brandy. The wine is aged in very old pipas. It finishes at a modest 19.5% alcohol and 84 grams per liter of residual sugar, in other words considerably drier and more vinous than most Tawny Ports. The average age in bottle is four to five years.”
 
 
Italy
 
International Wine and Spirits Competition 2023: Gold Medal Winner
Masi Serego Alighieri Possessioni Bianco Veneto IGT, Italy 2022 750ml $19.50 special, 72 bottles available
Winery Note “Garganega 75% Sauvignon 25%. Since 1353, the noble Serego Alighieri family looked after the winemaking at their estate. The Intense bouquet of Sauvignon complements the elegance of Garganega, with its typical long finish and almond twist at the end.”
 
 
Spain
 
La Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza Rioja Reserva 2016 750ml $44.50 special, 12 bottles available
James Suckling 95 Points “Savory and complex with dried orange peel, cedar and plenty of sweet spices, walnuts, caramel, dried mushrooms and pine needles. Shows maturity here, with a medium body and superb freshness. Incredibly long finish with lots of truffle and walnut. Lasts over a minute. Very complete now, but you can still hold it.”
Tim Atkin 94 Points “Ardanza is a traditional pan-regional Rioja that marries Tempranillo from Cenicero and Rodezno with 20% Garnacha from Tudelilla. Aged in lightly toasted American barrels, it’s sweet, spicy and complex, with leather, wild strawberry and red pepper notes, fine, scented oak and the freshness of the vintage.”
 
 
Germany
 
Falkenstein ‘AP8’ Euchariusberg Kabinett Gisela Riesling 2023 750ml $49 special, 12 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 96 Points “AP: 08 24. The 2023er Krettnacher Euchariusberg Riesling Kabinett Alte Reben Gisela (the reference to this internal cask name is provided in small print on the label after the AP number) was harvested in a parcel still planted with 70-80-year-old un-grafted vines in the prime Gross Schock sector of the vineyard, which was classified in the highest category on the old taxation maps, and was fermented down to barely fruity-styled levels of residual sugar. This offers a stunningly bright nose made of white peach, herbs, bergamot, chalk, white flowers, and slate. The wine is just incredibly juicy and stunningly racy yet deep and intense on the palate and leaves a jaw-dropping feel of fresh herbs, minerals, mirabelle, and lemon. The aftertaste is pure mouthwatering intensity and precision. 2033-2043.”
 
Falkenstein ‘AP9’ Munny Kabinett Riesling Trocken 2023 750ml $29 special, 14 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 91 Points “AP: 09 24. The 2023er Niedermenniger Sonnenberg Riesling Kabinett Trocken Munny (the reference to this internal cask name is provided in small print on the label after the AP number) comes from 60-70-year-old vines in the Lieux-Dit Unter den Röderchen. It offers a superb nose made of ginger, citrusy fruits, earthy spices, and smoke. The wine proves spicy, focused, and quite racy but with ripe acidity. The finish is long and very focused. This has the cut of Falkenstein with great elegance. 2028-2038.”


Hungary
 
Disznoko Aszu 5 Puttonyos, Tokaj, Hungary 2013 500ml $49 special, 18 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 96 Points “This Tokaji is dark amber in color, with aromas of honeysuckle, peach and acacia flower. In the mouth there are flavors of clover honey, pear and baked sweet apples. Acidity is well balanced to the amount of sweetness.”