Vinopolis Newsletter 2-24-25

 

 
 
France
 

 

“Sylvain Pataille produces brilliant wines that number among the Côte d’Or’s finest values. Whole-cluster vinification, long macerations, low sulfur and protracted élevage are the rudiments of the approach.” -William Kelley, Wine Advocate
 
Simply put, Sylvain Pataille has become the cult producer of cult producers in Marsannay. His natural, authentic, and uncompromising style has won the hearts of wine fans worldwide. While we love to see him rewarded with mainstream success, we lament to see his wines increasing in price… do not be surprised when even his 750ml bottling breaks into triple-digits in the coming years.
 

 
Sylvain Pataille Aligote, Burgundy 2022 750ml $34.50 special, 10 bottles available
Neal Martin-Vinous “The 2022 Bourgogne Aligoté, mostly aged in foudres nowadays, was the only cuvée that had been bottled by the time of my visit. With light apple blossom and waxy aromas in the glass, the well-balanced palate is fresh, finishing with a touch of lemongrass. Enjoy over the next couple of years.”
 
Sylvain Pataille Bourgogne Rouge, Cote de Nuits 2022 750ml $41.90 special, 7 bottles available
Neal Martin-Vinous “The 2022 Bourgogne Rouge has a delineated and attractive bouquet, a little backward initially but opening with brambly red fruit and forest floor scents. The palate has a real “crunch” to it, more of a textural Pinot than one with obvious fruit flavors. Delicious.”
 
Sylvain Pataille Marsannay Blanc Le Chapitre, Cote de Nuits 2022 750ml $134 special, 2 bottles available
Neal Martin-Vinous 90-92 Points “The 2022 Marsannay Blanc Le Chapitre has presence on the nose—more than the Clos du Roi Blanc—although it does not quite possess the same tension. The well-balanced palate has a touch of white pepper on the entry, taut and fresh with ample salinity dragging you back for more. The harmony develops in the glass. Very fine.”
 
Sylvain Pataille Marsannay Blanc, Cote de Nuits 2022 750ml $59 special, 4 bottles available
Sylvain Pataille Marsannay Blanc, Cote de Nuits 2022 1.5L $125 special, 2 magnums available
Neal Martin-Vinous “The 2022 Marsannay Blanc is a blend of several parcels. It was fairly reduced on the nose when I encountered it. The palate is more promising—much more—finely balanced with perfectly judged acidity, tangible mineralité, and a delicacy on the finish that I appreciate. Give it 12 months once in bottle.”
 
Sylvain Pataille Marsannay Clos du Roy Rouge, Cote de Nuits 2022 750ml $89 special, 7 bottles available
Sylvain Pataille Marsannay Clos du Roy Rouge, Cote de Nuits 2022 1.5L $188 special, 2 magnums available
Neal Martin-Vinous 92-94 Points “The 2022 Marsannay Clos du Roy has a very well-defined bouquet with black cherries and wild strawberries, hints of inkwell and brine joining the chorus line with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grain tannins, taut and fresh, with a very elegant, poised finish. About as good a Marsannay as you will find in this vintage.”
 
Sylvain Pataille Marsannay Rouge, Cote de Nuits 2022 750ml $54 special, 7 bottles available
Neal Martin-Vinous “The 2022 Marsannay Rouge is a mixture of Domaine and négoce wines (from Pataille’s father). Initially, it is a little timid, but it opens nicely with aeration, bringing flinty black fruit with the 80% whole bunches imparting a light pepperiness. The palate is medium-bodied with granular tannins, fresh and vibrant, finishing with a touch of black olive.”
 
 
Champagne
 
Guy Charlemagne Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut Reserve, Champagne NV 750ml $49 special, 6 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 93 Points “This Champagne is made exclusively from the Charlemagne holdings in grand cru vineyards of the Côte des Blancs. With the classic steely edge that is balanced by a softer dosage, the wine is both fruity and structured. The bottling is ready although it is sure to develop some delicious mature flavors.”
 

Lowest listed price on the West Coast

 
 
Germany
 
Donnhoff Schlossbockelheim Felsenberg Spatlese Riesling “R,” Mosel  2018 750ml $57.50 special, 36 bottles available
Donnhoff Schlossbockelheim Felsenberg Spatlese Riesling “R,” Mosel 2018 1.5L $139 special, 3 magnums
James Suckling 97 Points “Here’s a breathtakingly vivid riesling Spatlese for the hot and sunny 2018 vintage, that’s just beginning to pick up some toasty complexity from bottle age, but also notes of dried flowers and herbs plus hints of licorice and candied citrus. It expands and expands with aeration. Staggering grapefruit and lime zest freshness at the very long smoky finish. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”

 

 
 

 
Year in and out, this is the Willamette value to beat. There is a surprising amount of structure and depth present for an entry level wine, but that’s just what we’ve come to expect from the overachievers at Cameron!

Cameron Winery Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon 2023 750ml $24 special, 22 bottles available
VinopolNote This is one of the best wines we’ve had from the 2023 vintage yet! Enticing tart cherries on the nose, with a deeply satisfying savory character on the palette. This is yet another elegant, approachable entry level wine from Cameron. Simply delicious and an unbeatable value from our beloved Willamette Valley.
Winery Notes “This blend has fruit from Abbey Ridge, Clos Electrique, La Colina and La Sierra. Classic Dundee Hills Pinot Noir aromatics and flavors, velvety texture and beautiful fruit. C’mon now, our pinots smell and taste like how many different things? It’s delicious. Buy this wine!”
 
With less structure, but no less charm than Cameron’s Willamette Valley Pinot, this wine represents a higher acid, more lithe style of Willamette red with lovely notes of tart cherry and cranberry.

Ayres Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2023 750ml $24 special, 29 bottles available
Case-12 of Ayres Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2023 $259 special, 3 cases available
Winemaker’s Note “The Ayres Willamette Valley Pinot is sourced from the Ayres Estate in Ribbon Ridge at 474 feet elevation, and the Oliver Vineyard in Yamhill Carlton at 600 feet elevation. Wines are fermented in open top, 2 ton fermenters using all indigenous yeasts for both primary and secondary fermentations. A small amount of whole clusters were used.”
 
Mount Veeder is the coldest of Napa’s growing regions, ensuring naturally small yields of thick-skinned, high acid grapes that produce racy and lithe wines. At a staggering 1,800 feet above sea level, Veeder is located above the Napa Valley’s Fog Zone, which means that despite low temperatures, the grapes receive enough extra sunlight in the mornings to provide the concentrated flavors that Napa is famous for.
The average price in the United States for this wine is $87! Save 51 dollars when you purchase this stellar wine!

Ashes & Diamonds ‘Mountain Cuvee’ Saffron Vineyard, Mount Veeder, California 2019 750ml $36 special, 27 Bottles
Jim Gordon-Wine Enthusiast 93 Points “This well-proportioned wine blended from Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon offers good black-fruit flavors, nice hints of cinnamon and toasted oak, and a slightly firm texture due to fine-grained tannins and balancing acidity. It’s an elegant wine that won’t tire you out.”
 
Sicilian stunner! This under-appreciated grape varietal is zesty and thirst-quenching.

Caruso & Minini Naturalmente Bio Catarratto Sicilia, Sicily 2020 750ml $18 special, 12 bottles available
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 90 Points “Made entirely with organically farmed Catarratto grapes, this zesty white opens with aromas of Spanish broom, chamomile and white stone fruit. The savory, linear palate offers juicy Meyer lemon, honeydew and Bartlett pear alongside bright acidity. It closes on an almond note.”