Special Arrivals
Les Familles Defaix
Domaine Bernard Defaix
In 1959, Bernard Defaix, a 3rd generation wine growe , became the first of his family line to bottle the family’s wines under their own name. Previously grown for negociants, Bernard’s project became a great success, which he has passed down to his children.
Didier, Bernard’s son, is the current proprietor of the Domaine. Along with his wife Helene Jaeger-Defaix, and brother Sylvain Defaix, this winery is among the most consistent modern Chablis houses, producing traditional flinty noted wines of excellent mineral quality.
These are the only listing for these wines in the United States today!
Domaine Bernard Defaix Chablis Vieilles Vignes, Burgundy, France 2022 750ml $34.50 special, 12 bottles available
Winery Notes “The grape grows in a vineyard of 1 hectare under the appellation Chablis, which is 50 years of age and extremely well exposed to the sun. The winemaking of this vintage highlights the full character of the terroir. 25% of this wine is fermented and aged in oak barrels with regular “batonnage” over 12 months. The remaining 75% is fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks on fine lees over the same time period. The final blend offers a rich, full-bodied wine whose delicate bouquet occasionally denotes hints of honeysuckle. This wine can be kept for 3 to 4 years before drinking. Ideal with fish and grilled poultry.”
Domaine Bernard Defaix Les Vaillons, Chablis Premier Cru, France 2022 750ml $41.90 special, 12 bottles available
Winery Notes “Premier Cru Les Vaillons joins together several named plots of the Chablis region; some of our vineyards are located in the named plot Les Vaillons, and others in Les Lys. In this 1er cru, young and old vines are blended. The young vines were planted with a selection of the best clones of Chardonnay, resulting in wine that embodies freshness and floral hints. The wine produced from the old vines is characterised by its structure and finesse. The final blend is a finely balanced, elegant, and harmonious wine. To drink within 4 years with fish “en papillote” or white meat.”
Domaine Bernard Defaix Bougros, Chablis Grand Cru, France 2022 750ml $91.90 special, 6 bottles available
Vinous 91-93 Points “The 2022 Chablis Bougros Grand Cru, matured entirely in used oak barrels, has a very promising bouquet with fragrant peach skin, tangerine and crushed stone scents, opening in the glass to become more floral. The palate is wellbalanced and fresh with fine poise, good density, nicely integrated oak, and a subtle honeyed note towards the persistent finish. I can see this aging nicely once in bottle.”
Domaine Bernard Defaix Vaudesir, Chablis Grand Cru, France 2022 750ml $91.90 special, 6 bottles available
Vinous 92-94 Points “The 2022 Chablis Vaudésir Grand Cru has a taut, crisp bouquet with touches of white flower infusing the citrus fruit. Maybe it needs more mineralité, but I appreciate the aromatics’ composed nature. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly honeyed entry and fine acidity, taut and fresh with a tensile finish counterbalancing the richness of the growing season. It finishes with a seductive wild peach aftertaste. Excellent.”
Domaine Helene Jaeger-Defaix
In 2002, Helene Jaeger-Defaix, inherited her Grandmother’s vineyard land in Rully, just south of Beaune, and began producing her own wines in addition to her duties at Domaine Bernard Defaix. She and Didier bring the same exacting level of concentration and purity to these wines as their Chablis wines.
These wines drink fantastically for their price… and we have them at the lowest prices in the USA!
Domaine Jaeger Defaix Rully Rouge, Cote Chalonnaise, France 2021 750ml $26 special, 13 bottles available
Importer Note “The Clos du Chapitre is a monopole and is entirely enclosed by a stone wall. This plot of more than 1 hectare is located just behind the family house. As for the Préaux, the yield is controled by a severe pruning, disbuddings (and green harvest if necessary). The fermentation lasts between 2 and 3 weeks with daily pumping-over and punching of the cap. Then the wine is aged in oak barrels (50% are new) during 15 to 18 months.”
Domaine Jaeger-Defaix Clos du Chapitre Rouge, Rully Premier Cru, France 2021 750ml $39 special, 36+ bottles available
Importer Note “The Clos du Chapitre is a monopole and is entirely enclosed by a stone wall. This plot of more than 1 hectare is located just behind the family house. As for the Préaux, the yield is controled by a severe pruning, disbuddings (and green harvest if necessary). The fermentation lasts between 2 and 3 weeks with daily pumping-over and punching of the cap. Then the wine is aged in oak barrels (50% are new) during 15 to 18 months.”
New Arrivals
Germany
Donnhoff
We at Vinopolis try not to play favorites, but wineries like Donnhoff, our beloved jewel of the Nahe, make that a challaneging endeavor. When customers come in looking to “get into Riesling,” this is usually the first winery that comes to mind. These wines are so focused, so flavorful and complex, they would be a bargain at twice the price.
They are a Riesling house we come back to vintage after vintage, knowing they will always be one of the top picks.
Weingut Donnhoff Riesling, Nahe, Germany 2023 750ml $26 special, 36 bottles available
Winery Note “The Dönnhoff Riesling is lively and lively with a slightly tart note and pronounced finesse. Accompanied by a subtle fruity sweetness and elegant acidity, this wine is a real pleasure for everyday use. Its moderate alcohol content and finely balanced acidity make it the ideal introduction to the world of residually sweet Rieslings from the Nahe.”
Weingut Donnhoff Riesling Trocken, Nahe, Germany 2023 750ml $26 special, 36 bottles available
Weingut Donnhoff Riesling Trocken, Nahe, Germany 2023 1.5L $75 special, 3 magnums available
Winery Note “Characteristic dry Riesling from our winery. Refreshingly clear and elegant, with a stimulating minerality. A wonderful wine for everyday enjoyment, with moderate alcohol content and finely balanced acidity.
Weingut Donnhoff Riesling Trocken, Nahe, Germany 2023 750ml $31.90 special, 36 bottles available
Winery Note “A fruity and elegant Riesling Kabinett with particularly herbal aromas that unfold in beautiful harmony with a fine-bred and piquant fruit sweetness.”
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Leistenberg Riesling Kabinett, Nahe, Germany 2023 750ml $33 special, 36 bottles available
Importer’s Note “The Leistenberg vineyard lies in a small side valley of the Nahe just outside Oberhausen … An ideal vineyard for Kabinett wines of high minerality and sophisticated elegance.”
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Leistenberg Tonschiefer Riesling Trocken, Nahe, Germany 2023 750ml $33 special, 36 bottles available
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Leistenberg Tonschiefer Riesling Trocken, Nahe, Germany 2023 1.5L $84.50 special, 3 magnums available
Importer’s Note “This is the dry version of the Oberhäuser Leistenberg. The hill just to the left of the vineyard is called the Lemberg, and with the Leistenberg on the other side, these hillsides form a valley. Cold air from the Hunsrück blows through the area, passing by the Leistenberg making it impossible for botrytis to develop … Tonschiefer means “clay slate”, so named for the soil that dominates the vineyard. This is the original vineyard for the family and holds a very special place.”
France
This is such an outstanding deal, this Languedoc-Rousillon winery is a great source of high quality table wines. Buy this by the case!
Chateau Virgile Costieres de Nimes Rouge, Rhone, France 2023 750ml $14 special, 36+ bottles available
Winery Notes “From sandstone soils in the Languedoc Rousillon, this blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre has fruity aromas of candied cherry with notes of spices and violet expressed in a structure that is both supple and refined. This wine will elegantly accompany red meats and cheeses.”
Italy
Bisci Verdicchio di Matelica 2022 750ml $16.50 special, 36 bottles available
Wine Spectator 90 Points “A bright and tangy white, with an aromatic overtone of mandarin orange peel and freshly chopped rosemary and oregano. Lightly waxy in texture on the palate, which shows notes of baked pear, blanched almond and white blossoms. Drink now through 2027. 9,261 cases made, 3,000 cases imported.”
Lowest price on the West Coast
Azienda Agricola Foradori
We transform the fruits of our earth for the wellbeing of those who reap its goodness … Our ultimate goal is to create harmony between man and nature. –Elizabetta Foradori
We love Elisabetta and her wines. High up in the Alpine Dolomites of Trentino, she is producing biodynamic, biodiverse, and culturally relevant bottlings. With the help of Massale selections, Foradori has championed indigenous varietals like Teroldego even using massale selection to bring the grape back to its glory and undo centuries of poor clonal selection.
Foradori is an absolute must for natural wine geeks and fans of all things alpine!
Foradori Teroldego Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy 2022 750ml $29 special, 36 bottles available
Vinous 91 Points “The 2022 Teroldego mixes rich dark fruits with earth tones, leather and spice to create a truly inviting bouquet. This is soft-textured and round with juicy acidity and masses of mineral-tinged wild berry fruits that cascade throughout. It finishes wildly fresh yet still long and potent, leaving the mouth-watering as hints of wild blueberry slowly fade. The 2022 is completely open for business yet with a balance that will carry it for the next three to five years in the cellar.”
Foradori Fontanasanta Manzoni Bianco Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy 2022 750ml $31.90 special, 29 bottles available
James Suckling 96 Points “This is so perfumed and attractive with candied stone fruit, glazed tangerines, honey, dried flowers and beeswax. Full-bodied and layered with super polished texture and vivid fruit character, accompanied by vivid acidity and subtle floral undertones. Savory at the end with a lengthy finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
