Featured New Arrival: 2012 Felsina Rancia; New Week – New Arrivals; Staff Pick; Wines Currently Trending; Paitin di Pasquero-Elia Arriving This Week; 100 Point Brunello
Featured New Arrival
Felsina Berardenga Rancia, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2012 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Felsina Berardenga Rancia, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2012 1.5L ($99.95) $89 special
Antonio Galloni 94+ points “A ripe, powerful wine, the 2012 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia offers a level of finesse that balances some of the more overt intensity of the year. Dark cherry, plum, spice, tobacco, menthol and licorice add shades of nuance as this beautifully delineated Rancia opens up in the glass. Because of its mid-weight structure, I expect the 2012 will give up its charms relatively early by Rancia standards, which means around age 15-20. The 2012 is not an obvious or explosive Rancia, rather is a wine built on compelling overall harmony.”
New Week – New Arrivals
OREGON
Westrey Reserve Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($34.95) $29 special
Winery note “2014 was a growing season that offered great opportunities for our high elevation vineyard. With an early bloom, and plenty of sun during the growing season we were challenged to make balanced wines. Our 38-year-old Draper vines were up to the challenge. Picking on two dates: October 6th and October 10th, we brought in ripe fruit, with excellent acidity and balanced sugar. We have consistently demanded length, richness, and balance for our Reserve wines; and this wine has it all! The hallmark of the 2014 vintage in this chardonnay is richness and pinpoint acidity. The balance between precision and richness of this wine is a celebration of a wonderfully nerve-wracking vintage. The concentration of sweet fruit in the wine stands out as the finish lingers with crisp acidity. This six and a half barrel lot included one new barrel (15%) and two one-year-old barrels. The wine was bottled without filtration or fining after fourteen months and will have a small amount of natural sediment in the bottle.”
Charles Smith ‘Vino’ Rose, Washington 2015 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 special
Winery note “Delectable. Delicate pink color. Compelling aromas of Italian melon, faint cherry, camellias, dried herbs. Mouth-watering. 100% Sangiovese. Pure, mineral, satisfying. The only question… Is there more?”
B. Leighton Olsen’s Brothers Vineyard Grenache, Yakima Valley 2012 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 92 points “(14.5%; from north-facing slope on limestone caliche soil at 1,200 ft): Good medium red. Raspberry, mocha and smoky minerality on the alluring nose. Creamy and sweet but lively in the mouth, with the raspberry fruit complicated by rocky minerality and subtle notes of fennel, sweet dirt and peppery spices. Finishes with a firm tannic spine that should support a graceful evolution in the bottle. This is the new project of Brennon Leighton, who left Efesté a couple years ago to join Charles Smith on his new white wine projects.”
K Vintners Syrah Milbrandt Vineyard 2014 750ML ($39.95) $29 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “Probably the greatest vintage of this cuvee to date, the 2014 Syrah Milbrandt Vineyard is 100% Syrah, fermented with 100% whole clusters, spent 15 months in 20% new French oak barrels and puncheons. This beauty is overflowing with notes of cassis, caramelized meats, licorice and spice, which gives way to a full-bodied, concentrated, superbly textured Syrah that can be enjoyed today, or cellared for a decade.”
Winery note “The 2014 Varner Bee Block Chardonnay offers white flowers, apples, stone fruits and crushed rocks with lots of texture and vibrant acidity on the finish.”Varner Wine Amphitheater Block Spring Ridge Vineyard Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Winery note “From 2 acres of a south-facing slope at 780 to 735 ft. elevation. The own-rooted vines are 33 years old. Grown in sedimentary soil. The wine is aged in all French oak (25% new). 195 cases produced.”
Varner Home Block Spring Ridge Vineyard Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Winery note “From 2 acres of an east-facing slope at 840 to 805 ft. elevation. The own-rooted vines are 34 years old. Grown in sedimentary soil. The wine is aged in all French oak (25% new). 183 cases produced.”
Neely Holly’s Cuvee Spring Ridge Vineyard Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Winery note “The 2014 Holly’s Cuvee offers notes of lemon curd, stone fruits, crushed rocks and honeysuckle. Medium to full-bodied, balanced and layered with focused acid on the finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Chalk Hill Estate Red Proprietary Blend, Chalk Hill 2013 750ML ($69.95) $54.50 special
Robert Parker 96 points “The 2013 Proprietary Red Estate is a blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Malbec, 12% Petit Verdot and the rest Carignane, Syrah and Merlot. This is another titanic effort from proprietor Foley. A spectacular dense-purple color and sweet toasty oak intermixed with licorice, blackberry, cassis and graphite are all present in this profound first-growth quality blend that should age effortlessly for 25-30 or more years. This is a stunner and a revelation.“Caymus Vineyards Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2013 750ML ($179.95) $159 special
James Suckling 92 points “The full-throttle character is here as expected with lots of ripe fruit and toasted oak. Sage and mint. Silky tannins; the ripe fruit dominates. But it shows form and juiciness. Try it in 2019 as it mellows with age.”
FRANCE-CHAMPAGNE
Krug Vintage Brut, Champagne 2003 750ML ($279.95) $199 special
Wine Spectator 95 points “Like taffeta in texture, this harmonious Champagne is finely honed and fresh. A wonderfully expressive version, with ample spice and graphite accents to the blackberry pâte de fruit, coffee liqueur, dried apricot, singed orange peel and crystallized honey notes. Hard to stop sipping.”
James Suckling 95 points “A rich nose with deep, ripe chardonnay and pinot noir, red fruits, some dark mushrooms and plenty of grilled nuts, plus caramel, some deep spices, dried citrus, lemon peel and bready aromas. The trademark complexity is here and it freshens with air. The palate is intricately detailed and stitched together like needlework; very precise, very even. The acidity is articulated with some finesse and yet it has much more in terms of phenolics as the leading structural component. The phenolics are rich and ripe, sitting polished and even around immensely concentrated fruit with flavors of peach, nectarine and white cherry. The finish is deep, even and resonant. Drink now but rest assured it will hold for a very long time, just like Krug has proven in other warm years like ’76.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95 points “Light yellow. Powerful, complex bouquet evokes fresh peach, pear, floral honey, green almond and smoky minerals. Deep, palate-staining citrus and orchard fruit flavors show outstanding vivacity for a hot vintage, picking up ginger and talc notes with air. The strikingly long, sappy finish features zesty orange pith, smoky minerals and an echo of honeysuckle. I’d be in no rush to drink this one. Speaking of waiting, I had the chance to revisit the 2000 Vintage Krug and it has begun to pick up the smoky, weighty and nutty character that long-time fans of this producer crave. It’s still plenty young but already unmistakably Krug, with a chewy texture and a sexy floral nuance dominating right now.”
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94 points “Soft, supple and delicate in the glass, the 2003 Vintage is super expressive today. Smoke, brioche, apple tart and spice notes flesh out in a resonant, impeccably layered Champagne loaded with personality. I can’t think of a young Krug Champagne that delivers this much pure pleasure at such a young stage in its life. The 2003 has developed nicely since I last tasted it about six months ago. This is class personified.”
Bereche et Fils Le Cran Premier Cru Brut Nature Millesime, Champagne 2008 750ML ($119.95) $89 special
Bereche et Fils Le Cran Premier Cru Brut Nature Millesime, Champagne 2008 1.5L ($249.95) $199 special
Importer note “Unusually, Raphaël and Vincent even take the single village approach with their vintage Champagne, Le Cran, equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the best sites in Ludes, the domaine’s hometown on the Montagne de Reims. Planted with old vines in two lieux-dits at the village’s chalky mid-slope “sweet spot”, Le Cran is a Champagne that, as Raphaël told Peter Liem “demonstrates that there is much more minerality in the mid-slope of a premier cru than at the base of the slope in a grand cru.” So magically intense and rich, yet not heavy, is Le Cran’s expression of Ludes that it is made every year as “a true picture of the terroir” in that particular growing season.”
Importer note “Beaux Regards’ counterpart in the Bérêche lineup is the Rive Gauche, a blanc de noirs of pure Pinot Meunier from nearly half century old vines, planted in chalky-clay in Le Port à Binson in the Vallée de la Marne. The purity, intensity and elegance of its expression, both of variety and terroir, sets it apart from the handful of other top all-Meunier Champagnes being made today, evoking the spirit of the bohemian Parisian community of the same name.”
FRANCE-ROSE
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose, Provence 2015 375ML ($27.95) $24 special, 9 half-bottles available
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose, Provence 2015 1.5L ($99.95) $89 special, 6 magnums available
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose, Provence 2015 3L ($449.95) $399 special, 1 jeroboam available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 93 points “Pale orange. Lively, expansive citrus pith and red currant aromas are complemented by suggestions of chalky minerals and white flowers. Sappy, concentrated and precise, offering palate-staining red berry and blood orange flavors and a hint of spicy white pepper. Shows excellent thrust and persistence on the mineral-driven finish, which emphatically echoes the floral and citrus fruit qualities. I’m impressed by the way this wine balances the opulence of the vintage with vivacity and I suspect it will reward at least another eight or so years of patience — standard behavior for this bottling, which ages more like a red wine than a pink one.”
Grapelive 93 points “The steely and luxurious 2015 Domaine Tempier Rosé is a must have wine for summer, made up of a blend of 55% Mourvèdre, 25% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, it shows all the style and substance that is expected of this famous Domaine. The vitality in Lulu Peyraud and winemaker Daniel Ravier’s latest Rosé highlights the organic farming and clear focus in the cellar allowing terroir and soul to show through, this Rosé was crafted 50% by saignée and 50% by direct press, which allows the wine to have power, mouth feel and still be intensely vibrant and detailed. It spent 6 months in Cuves, large neutral cask to fresh out and heighten the textural pleasure, it is not as old school funky/cool as Chateau Simone or the Tibouren based Clos Cibonne, but still has good aging potential, even though with Tempier I can’t imagine waiting too long to drink this hedonistic rite of summer. The first impression of the 2015 is one of joyous reunion, the gorgeous hue of which you can’t help smile at, pinkish/orange, it invokes warm sunset images and romance with a play of mineral, wild lavender, spiced rosewater and tangerine leading up to sour cherry, watermelon, wet stones, bright saline, red peach, zesty citrus, ruby grapefruit and very faint soft wood sensation. There is a great play of tangy/savory elements set against a lavish and lush sorbet forwardness that appeals and this tension runs the length of this fine Rosé, it’s funny too people, while complaining at the price adore this wine, though I can’t help think it is a bargain when compared to the $100 offerings from Domaine Ott or Chateau d’ Esclans, and I can’t fathom a summer without a few bottles! In a new age where there is a lot of great pink wines, Domaine Tempier is still the benchmark, don’t miss it.”Mas de Gourgonnier Les Baux de Provence Cuvee Tradition Rose, Provence 2015 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 90 points “Vivid orange-pink. Tangerine, ripe red berries and a floral nuance on the highly perfumed nose. Smooth, seamless and concentrated, offering pliant red fruit and candied orange zest flavors and a suggestion of succulent herbs. Finishes on a juicy berry note, showing strong persistence and an echo of bitter orange pith.”Le Clos du Caillou Cotes du Rhone Rose, Rhone 2015 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 90 points “Pale peach skin color. Vibrant strawberry, blood orange and floral scents carry a building mineral topnote. Taut and linear on entry and then fleshier in the middle, offering nervy red berry and succulent herb flavors that turn sweeter with air. Smoothly plays power off finesse and finishes racy and long, leaving a hint of lavender behind.”
Importer Notes “Of all the terroir in the Côtes du Rhône, the “clos” of Caillou has to be one of the most exceptional. Completely surrounded by Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyards, this walled parcel is essentially identical in terroir and exposition but was left out of appellation in the 1930s. This rosé is a selection of younger vines that grow in the “clos” on sandy, mineral soils. Counoise and Mourvèdre grapes are hand-harvested and pressed directly (rosé de pressurage), then fermented on indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled, stainless steel tanks.”
Domaine de Mattes Sabran Duc de Narbonne Rose, IGP Pays d’Oc 2015 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
Importer note: “The size of Mattes-Sabran’s vineyards in the region of Corbières in the Languedoc is a legacy of the estate’s ancient role as the seat of the duke of Narbonne. Yet vine-growing and winemaking here truly stretches back centuries; parts of the ancient Roman “Via Domitia” run through the estate. This full-flavored, pure Syrah wine is hand-harvested and pressed directly (rosé de pressurage). Juice is fermented on indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled, stainless steel tanks.”
FRANCE-BEAUJOLAIS
Domaine Richard Rottiers Moulin-a-Vent Tradition, Beaujolais 2014 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Produced from vines up to 80 years old, this is a powerful, wood-aged wine. Tannins are mixed with toast, spice and dark plum flavors. Acidity gives freshness and finishes the wine with very fine fruits as well as structure. Age this impressive wine and drink from 2018.”
Wine Advocate 90 points “Bottled the Thursday before my visit, the 2014 Moulin-à-Vent Tradition was aged in wooden vats and 30% in barrels (which come from Chablis from Rottier’s mother’s Domaine des Malandes.) It has a tightly wound bouquet of strawberry pastille and red currant notes. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, crisp in the mouth with a structured, slightly austere finish that will fill out during bottle age.”
Maison Joseph Drouhin – Domaine des Hospices De Belleville Brouilly 2014 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Burghound 91 points “Like the Fleurie this is exceptionally pretty and actually a bit spicier and more complex if otherwise similar. There is equally good punch and delineation to the delicious, supple and seductively textured flavors that deliver very fine depth and length. This isn’t quite as refined as the Fleurie but the depth is even better.”
Mary Ewing-Mulligan WineReviewOnline.com “The 2014 Brouilly ($23) is, predictably, the lightest of the three wines, but lightness and freshness can be very much an asset in Beaujolais wines. With floral and peppery aromas, red fruit flavors, supple tannins and a slight earthy note on the finish, this wine is delicious and delightful.”
Burghound 91 points “An exceptionally pretty nose features notes of spicy cherry, raspberry and soft earth nuances. There is good vibrancy and lovely detail to the utterly delicious middle weight flavors that terminate in a dusty, cool and nicely balanced finale that exhibits just a trace of youthful austerity. This will need a few years to add depth but it is already quite pretty and very Fleurie.”
Mary Ewing-Mulligan WineReviewOnline.com “The 2014 Fleurie ($25) is spicier and more savory than the Morgon, with a bit more tannin and a bit less exuberance. The aromas are floral first and then red-berried, with peppery notes on the palate; the texture shows some grip compared to the utter fluidity of the Morgon. This Fleurie to me seems to be holding back a bit, and I am curious to taste how it will develop over the next year.”
Burghound 92 points “There is a hint of Maraschino cherry to the cool, airy and elegant red berry fruit suffused nose that exhibits an excellent range of spice elements. There is once again excellent punch and detail to the slightly bigger and richer medium-bodied flavors that deliver beautiful depth and length on the impeccably well-balanced finale. I very much like the overall sense of harmony and this offers incredible value for money.”
Mary Ewing-Mulligan WineReviewOnline.com“The Morgon is a beauty: rounded and rich, with firm acid-and-tannin structure, and an exuberance of red fruits that is the wine’s salient characteristic. The texture is silky, the finish is long and savory, and the overall taste is harmonious and complete.”
Thomas Pico Domaine Pattes Loup Chablis 2014 750ML ($34.95) $29 special
Thomas Pico Domaine Pattes Loup Les Beauregards, Chablis Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Thomas Pico Domaine Pattes Loup Butteaux, Chablis Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Thomas Pico Domaine Pattes Loup Cote de Jouans, Chablis Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
VinopolNote: Thomas Pico began working in Chablis in 2005. His father, also a winegrower, would rent him land for his own use while Thomas also worked part-time for him. By 2007, he convinced his father to convert his 22 hectares to organic farming, gaining certification in 2010 – a rarity in Chablis! Harvest is done entirely by hand at the estate, with hand sorting done at the domaine. All wines are fermented from native yeasts, with the Chablis bottlings fermenting 30-40% in concrete eggs and the rest in stainless steel. The Premier Crus are all raised in old oak barrels; Pico aims for 14-16 month periods of elevage for the wines. No fining or filtration, and incredibly layered, concentrated wines to show for it. Things are going well now, and the future is going to be great for Thomas – for one, he’s young and already quite experienced. Already, the wines have won great deals of well-deserved acclaim. This is one to watch out for.”
Domaine de Montille Les Greves, Beaune Premier Cru 2007 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 90+ points “Medium red. Spicy redcurrant, raspberry, minerals and subtle earth tones on the inviting nose. Then rather reticent and firmly built, with good energy and lift to frame the red berry and spice flavors. Precise, juicy wine with very good aging potential. This is a modest 12.5% alcohol with a rather low 3.4 pH, according to Etienne de Montille.”
Domaine de Montille Les Greves, Beaune Premier Cru 2009 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 90+ points “The 2009 Beaune Les Grèves is a weighty, powerful wine graced with a solid core of fruit. Hints of smoke, tar and ash add complexity to the dark fruit. This has more than enough energy and sheer heft to develop nicely for at least a few years in bottle. Crushed rocks frame the intense finish.”
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2009 Pommard Les Pezerolles is rich, round and seductive. Layers of fruit caress the palate in this enveloping, textured Burgundy. There is plenty of intensity in the glass. Hints of hard candy and licorice wrap around the finish. The Pezerolles was made with 100% destemmed fruit. Although I like the wine’s frank immediacy, I also think it will age gracefully.”
Case-6 Chateau Vaillart la Mongie 2010 750ML ($99.95) $76 special (that’s only $12.67/bottle!)
Vinopolnote: An aromatic and silky Cabernet-Merlot blend geared towards everyday enjoyment.
Chateau La Fleur Penin, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($34.95) $26 special
Case-6 Chateau La Fleur Penin, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($179.95) $149 special (that’s only $24.83/bottle!)
Winemaker’s notes: “A dense wine, with a rich nose with nuanced ripe fruit and spices; all in harmony on the palate with a long finish.”
Case-6 Chateau du Fort Pontus, Fronsac 2010 750ML ($149.95) $99 special (that’s only $16.50/bottle!)
Winery note “100% Merlot. Tasting Notes : Intense first nose, opening up to reveal subtle spicy aromas when swirled in the glass. Opens with a hint of sweetness, which soon gives way to a smooth, warm mid-palate capped with the crisp, tannic finish so typical of Fronsac. Once home to French artist René Princeteau, tutor to the no less celebrated Henri de Toulouse–Lautrec, the imposing Château du Fort Pontus stands proudly overlooking the Fronsac appellation. For many centuries the exceptional terroir of this appellation made Fronsac the wine of kings and the king of wines. The Pradel de Lavaux family has maintained this tradition of excellence, crafting a wine of superior pedigree which strikes a delicate balance between elegance and vivacity. Dominated by red fruit aromas and delicate spicy notes, evolving and maturing with time to reveal the noble character of this fine terroir.”
FRANCE-LOIRE
Domaine Bruno Cormerais Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie Chambaudiere, Loire 2014 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
VinopolNote: A bottling from younger vines chosen for producing wine with bright, expressive notes. Aged for 7 to 9 months on the fine lees. A light, fruity and refreshing white.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Vincent Paris Syrah, IGP Collines Rhodaniennes 2014 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
Importer note “From young, sustainably farmed Crozes Hermitage vines. 100% destemmed, temperature controlled fermentation to preserve fruit, three week cuvaison. Aged nine months in tank. Red-fruit dominant, charming and fresh with fine tannins. A lovely quaffer and great new value from the cellars of the talented and steadfast Vincent Paris.”
Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Reservee, Rhone 2012 750ML ($89.95) $69 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “One of my favorite wines, the 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvee Réservée is a classic. Beautiful on the nose, with notions of ground pepper, wild herbs, minerality and smoked plum and dark fruit, it’s medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated and has plenty of tannin that comes through on the finish. Similar in style to a lighter-weight 2010, drink this beauty anytime over the coming 12-15 years.” JD
Fattoria Poggio di Sotto Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany 2010 750ML ($99.95) $49 special
Wine Spectator 91 points “Focused cherry, strawberry, kirsch and floral aromas and flavors highlight this elegant, concentrated red. Balanced, firm and long, with tobacco and wild herb elements chiming in on the finish. Drink now through 2020.”
The next best price is $98.99
Fattoria Poggio di Sotto Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2009 750ML ($249.95) $99 special
Ian D’Agata–Vinous 93 points “Good bright medium red. Rich aromas of raspberry, red cherry, licorice, sweet pipe tobacco and violet. Rich, layered and sweet, boasting superb definition and depth to its fleshy but vibrant red berry, sweet spice and licorice flavors. This big, broad, perfumed wine finishes with excellent clarity and floral lift. Another standout Brunello from this producer and easily one of the year’s best. I’d enjoy it within the next ten years, but I suspect it has the structure to age for longer than that.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $119
The average price is $193
ITALY-FRIUILI
Fernanda Cappello Friulano, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2015 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 special
Winery note “In the glass, our Friulano has a warm, straw-yellow colour; to the nose it gives sweet feelings of acacia flowers, ripe melon, Golden Delicious apples, carob all harmoniously blended together. To the palate, it is soft and fresh without sharp edges, round with a good finish with notes of apple and carob which blend with sensations spiced by thyme and fresh sage, leaving us with its characteristic bitter almond after-aroma.”
GERMANY
Peter Lauer ‘Barrel X’ Saar Riesling, Mosel 2015 750ML ($24.95) $19.90 special
Case-12 Peter Lauer ‘Barrel X’ Saar Riesling, Mosel 2015 750ML ($279.95) $219 special (that’s only $18.25/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Importer note “You all know by now the stratospheric work Florian is doing in the Saar. This has always been the ambassador wine from the winery but this vintage elevates to Senior levels of complexity.”
AUSTRIA
F.X. Pichler Loibner Frauenweingarten Gruner Veltliner Federspiel, Wachau 2013 750ML ($41.95) $36 special
David Schildknecht–Vinous 91 points “There is a delightful and unusual sweet nuttiness here suggestive of raw cashew and frangipane, beautifully integrated with juicy honeydew melon and cooling green herb infusion. High-toned aromatic suggestions of floral and herbal distillates as well as maraschino cherry add equally unexpected allure. “I’m happy that the acidity is a bit high,” remarked Lucas, but the thing is that this aspect is not really overt, but rather perceived as positive refreshment and animation, driving what is nonetheless a downright soothingly persistent performance.”
Wine Spectator 90 points “Intense minerality is the hallmark of this savory white, which features flavors of dried apple, kiwifruit and sage. Appealing earthy notes show on the finish. Drink now through 2019.”
David Schildknecht–Vinous 90 points “Crunch and juiciness of lettuce, cucumber and apple, along with a bite of cress, render this more typical of Grüner Veltliner than the character displayed by the corresponding Frauenweingarten bottling, although there is a high-toned hint of almond extract reminiscent of that sibling. Metaphorically cooling, sleek and slippery, this goes down all too easily, leaving the palate refreshed and cleansed, but by no means bereft of finishing flavor. On the contrary: delightfully salad-like salinity and piquancy are understated but stubbornly persistent.”
“Precisely the type of rose one ought to reach for this time of year – energetic, dry but fruit-forward, and affordable to boot! Philippe Tessier’s wines are an ideal expression of the Loire – higher acids, lower alcohols, and supreme drinkability. This rose of Pinot and Gamay from young vines is reared in stainless steel from native yeasts and goes through spontaneous primary and malolactic fermentations. Notes of tangy citrus and summer flowers abound on this delicious, electric-orange rose!” – Tyler
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Wines Currently Trending
…and back in stock!
Arterberry Maresh Maresh Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2014 750ML ($74.95) $59 special
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2014 Maresh Vineyard Pinot Noir has a beautiful bouquet with wonderful precision. The vine age does show through here (44-years-old now) with crisp detailed red berry fruit that just exudes Pinoté. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, very well-judged acidity, touches of truffle and undergrowth tincturing the red berry fruit that fans out wonderfully towards the long and satisfying finish. This is a great Pinot Noir from an estate that seems to have thrived in 2014.”
Charles Smith Substance Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 2014 750ML ($21.95) $16 special
Wine Advocate 91 points “The straight 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is outstanding. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, native fermented, aged in French oak and bottled unfined and unfiltered, it’s a killer value that has lots of blue fruits, violets, graphite and leafy herbs in medium to full-bodied, concentrated, layered style. Savvy readers should buy a case of this and drink bottles over the coming 4-5 years, although I see no reason that it won’t keep longer either.”Le Galantin Bandol Rose, Provence 2015 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 90 points “Extremely pale orange-pink. Assertive aromas of orange pith, red berries, jasmine and garrigue show very good clarity and a dusty mineral element. Juicy and sharply focused, offering energetic strawberry and tangerine flavors that spread out nicely with air. Silky and dry on the incisive, very persistent finish, which strongly repeats the floral and mineral notes. I find this wine quite graceful and accessible as young pink Bandols go.”
Importer’s note: “The Domaine Le Galantin Rose is a classic Provencal rose with delightful fresh berry fruit flavors and a crisp finish. It is composed of 50% Mourvedre, about 25% Cinsault and about 25% Grenache. After the grapes are hand-harvested from their organic vineyards, they cool down the bunches to 50 degrees for a two day cold soak in order to extract fruit, color and aromatics. The juice is then racked off and the grapes are pressed to stainless steel tanks. 10% of the wine is Saignée, the rest come from grapes treated as for making white wine. On the nose, mineral, with complex aromas of red fruit and citrus. Full bodied on the palate, generous and elegant. Bandol rosé is an excellent accompaniment to bouillabaisse and other fish and shellfish dishes.”
Petterino Gattinara DOCG, Piedmont 2001 750ML ($44.95) $34.50 special
Importer’s note: “Marco Petterino is a tiny, and very much under-the-radar producer of the DOCG of Gattinara. With a mere 2½ hectares of vineyards in total, spread out among several parcels, his production is about 1300 cs per year. Petterino’s holdings are exceptional for the appellation with vineyards in three of the top cru’s in Gattinara – Permolone, Castelle and Guardie which are all are southwest-facing.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2015 Assyrtiko, Sigalas’ monovarietal Santorini, comes in at 14% alcohol. If this isn’t the unoaked wine of the vintage so far, it is pretty close and certainly on my short list. As always, Sigalas is not necessary the big blockbuster, but the winery provides superb concentration in its own right. Yet, the result always seems very graceful. When you realize how many layers there are, it seems hard to believe because it shows so well on first taste. It doesn’t seem overly big. It doesn’t seem to be hiding anything. Yet, it is. The wine always shows better with a few years in the cellar, or a day or two later. (Or, decant it. Do an experiment: taste half a bottle undecanted and compare to a decanted half bottle.) The tastings on the second day were really what sold on me this. It was fine on the first day, but impressive on the second. The concentration, finesse, balance and structure always serve this wine in good stead. This year, its purity of fruit seems even more impressive. It is a gorgeous Sigalas, mingling understatement, fine persistence and purity. Do yourself a favor and give this about three years in the cellar (maybe five). They always blossom. It is a wine that will not only hold, but improve. As I’ve stated recently, this category needs some reevaluation upwards, so it is not really that this is so unique. That said, this is still an exceptional Sigalas.”
Gulfi Nerosanlore Sicilia IGT, Sicily 2010 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 28 bottles available
Ian D’Agata – Vinous 95 points“Fully saturated ruby. Pure, very deep aromas of black cherry, red plum, medicinal herbs and minerals. Rich, dense and suave, with complex flavors of saline red berries and dark plum complicated by repeating botanical herb and balsamic nuances. Finishes seamless an long. A wine of noteworthy purity, with an excellent balance of sweetness, acidity and tannins. This is Gulfi’s closest vineyard to the sea and almost always gives the estate’s most elegant, refined wine.”
Arriving This Week
Paitin di Pasquero-Elia ‘Sori Paitin’, Barbaresco DOCG 2012 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 93 points “Dark red cherry, plum, smoke, mint and leather are some of the notes that emerge from the 2012 Barbaresco Sorì Paitin. The Sorì Paitin is quite a bit more complex than it was from barrel, largely because the bottled wine is composed of approximately 30% wine that was originally destined for the Vecchie Vigne. As a result, this is one of the few 2012s I tasted that has real upside potential, even if it is relatively approachable today.”
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “The 2010 Barbaresco Sorì Paitin Vigne Vecchie hits the palate with fabulous depth and intensity. Savory herbs, smoke, tobacco, incense, menthol and licorice race out of the glass in an intense, structured Barbaresco loaded with class, energy and pure power. There is plenty to look forward to, once the tannins soften a bit. The 2010 has closed down pretty dramatically since the last time I tasted it, about a year ago. Readers will have to be patient. The 2010 spent a total of 30 months in cask.”
100 Point Brunello
Arriving Fall 2016
Pian dell’Orino ‘Bassolino di Sopra’ Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2010 750ML ($299.95) $279 pre-arrival special, 22 bottles available
Pian dell’Orino ‘Bassolino di Sopra’ Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2010 1.5L ($449.95) $399 pre-arrival special, 6 magnums available
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 100 points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Bassolino di Sopra is the equivalent of the estate’s Riserva. Only 3,000 bottles were made and the wine was not produced in 2009 or 2008. Nor will it be made in 2011 or 2013. Future editions are 2012 and 2015. Bassolino di Sopra is silky and smooth, but it also has a fine textural fabric that gives the wine an enormous sense of tactile intensity in terms of mouthfeel. This is a magnificent achievement with an extreme sense of purity and freshness that is elegant and streamlined. The bouquet reveals slight and miniature shifts in its evolution that keep your curiosity as you contemplate the wine in the glass. Wild berry is followed by a steady stream of balsam herb, cola, crushed oyster shell and delicate floral tones. The vineyards are located between 330 and 370 meters above sea level with limestone deposits and red soils. Farming is biodynamic.”
Antonio Galloni 97 points “Pian dell’Orino 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Bassolino di Sopra is shaping up to be another of the wines of the vintage. Lavender, spices, menthol, tobacco and dark stone fruits meld together in a vivid Brunello of extraordinary beauty. Tasted alongside the Versante Amiata, the Bassolino di Sopra presents darker tonalities of fruit, a more vertical sense of structure support by spine of firm tannin, and a powerful personality. The 2010 is a fascinating wine to follow, as it becomes weightless and refined with the passage of time. Sadly, I could not spend all afternoon with the Bassolino di Sopra, but this is a deep, contemplative Brunello that will thrill readers for many, many years.” AG
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The estate’s 2007 Brunello di Montalcino Bassolino di Sopra 1500 emerges from the glass with endless layers of fruit. A pure, voluptuous 2007, the Bassolino di Sopra 1500 is rich, round and seamless. Deeply spiced notes develop in the glass as the wine shows off its striking personality. I am not a huge fan of extended time in oak for wines of such purity, but the 2007 handles its 48 months in barrel quite nicely, although it is naturally shaped by its aging regime, especially from a textural perspective. The 2007 is made exclusively from the estate’s holdings in Pian Bossolino, but that site has also been trademarked by another winery, hence the slight name variation here.”
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 91 points “Showing great depth and a clean, tonic style, the 2013 Rosso di Montalcino is streamlined and tight with bright berry fruit that emerges high and tall from the bouquet. The wine’s intensity is very evident especially when tasted next to Pian dell’Orino’s IGT Sangiovese. The quality of fruit is fresh and pronounced and like all of the wines from this estate, this expression is characterized by an extremely polished and silky approach. It reaches seamless integration.”
Pian dell’Orino Piandorino Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 36+ bottles available
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 90 points “This entry-level Sangiovese was first made in 1997. The 2013 Piandorino could be a Rosso di Montalcino but has remained an IGT expression out of choice. Grapes are sourced from vineyards with blue and gray-colored clay soils that sometimes lead to ripening problems in extreme temperatures. As a result, this simple red sees short maceration times (from seven to nine days). The results are fresh, clean and simple. There is a very nice and genuine quality here that is the wine’s most attractive quality.”
Antonio Galloni 89 points “The 2013 Piandorino, the estate’s entry-level Sangiovese, is fabulous. Bright, punchy and forward, with plenty of Pian dell’Orino’s signature finesse, the 2013 is absolutely delicious today. It should drink nicely for another few years at a minimum.”
Pian dell’Orino ‘Vigneti del Versante’, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 1.5L ($249.95) $219 special, 1 magnum available
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Vigenti del Versante takes us back to a classic profile for Brunello (the local name for Sangiovese). The wine is forthcoming and confident with power and heft at the back. The bouquet shows enormous complexity that starts off with bright red fruit and opens slowly to reveal more detailing with etched mineral, crushed oyster shell, balsam herb, cola, licorice and red rose petal. There’s a tight firmness of the tannins that should be very important to the future aging of this wine. The acidity is bright and balanced as well. It contributes to a very long and polished finish. This is a gorgeous Brunello.”
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Vigne del Versante from Pian dell’Orino is one of the most powerful wines of the night. Rich, dense and explosive, the Vigne del Versante Amiata is a wine for the patient. Although most 2010 Brunellos have not begun to shut down, this is one wine that is a bit less expressive than it was the last time I tasted it. Still, the potential here is both significant and evident.” AGPian dell’Orino Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2008 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 5 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 94 points “One of the very best wines of the year, Pian dell’Orino’s 2008 Brunello di Montalcino is drop-dead gorgeous. Sweet dark cherries, cloves, menthol, tar and licorice are some of the many notes that are woven into fabric of superb elegance and finesse. All the elements are in perfect balance in this utterly harmonious Brunello. Deeply layered and spiced throughout, the 2008 is simply stunning. The 2008 isn’t as explosive as the very best vintages, but it is still a remarkable achievement for the year. Hints of orange peel and cloves add an exotic flair on the finish. This is a dazzling effort.” AG