Alsace Sale Ends Tonight!; Newly Arrived from Saint Cosme; New Arrival Sneak Previews: Magnien & Vacheron; Kruger-Rumpf & Superbly Mature Riesling; Provence Picks: Top Roses for Summer; Exploring Burgundy: Vosne-Romanee/Flagey-Echezeaux; Trending Estate: Zorzal; Castello di Ama; Cadence Flash Sale; 2015 German Pre-Arrivals and Winery-Cellared Back Vintages from Selbach-Oster & Jos. Christoffel Jr.; Casanova di Neri & Biondi Sale
Subscriber-Only Alsace Sale
We’ll take 10% off on all in-stock Alsatian wines
We offer 27 Alsatian wines in-stock and available here now to choose from (that’s 240 bottles!):
For full reviews and descriptions, visit our web store at www.vinopoliswineshop.com
Sale ends tonight, August 6th at midnight
Does not apply to pre-arrival offers or case specials
Discount will not appear in online shopping cart
We will apply it here before charging
Newly Arrived from Saint Cosme
Without a doubt, the leading estate in Gigondas is Louis Barruol’s Chateau Saint-Cosme. Located just outside the village, he releases an assortment of world class Gigondas, as well as a number of value priced, negotiate-styled Cotes du Rhone efforts that always deliver high-quality (these are normally released under his Saint-Cosme label and do not say Chateau Saint-Cosme).” Jeb Dunnuck in The Wine Advocate
After much anticipation, we are pleased and proud to announce the arrival of the Saint Cosme new releases. Below is a sneak peek at the full list of new arrivals:
Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2015 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
Winery note “The 2015 whites are structured with length yet also good freshness. The aromatic spectrum is characterized by ripeness, the wine is very open and reveals itself easily. Picpoul demonstrated its significance more than ever this year. Without it, we would have been totally unable to produce a balanced white. Also, the varietal has the ability to support the other grapes, without overshadowing them – it always takes a back seat to the expressive varieties Marsanne and Viognier. Basically, Picpoul is a real gentleman – it can play the bagpipes, but does not, as one famous French comedian once said. Pineapple, apricot, peach, violet, blackcurrant bud and licorice.”
The average price is $21
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Opaque ruby. Deep, smoke-accented dark berry and floral scents are lifted by a note of peppery spice. Smoky and sweet in the mouth, offering intense blueberry and cassis flavors and a hint of candied violet. Suggests the north in its fruit profile, finishing with very good punch and length and velvety, late-arriving tannins.”
Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone Les Deux Albion 2014 750ML ($21.95) $16.60 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “Deep ruby. Incisive aromas of fresh red berries, candied lavender and smoky minerals, complemented by a subtle garrigue nuance. Juicy, concentrated and focused on the palate, offering vibrant black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors that become sweeter and more lively with air. Shows very good depth as well as vivacity; fine-grained, firming tannins build slowly on the long, mineral-driven finish.”
The next best price is $22.99
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Opaque ruby. Deep, smoke-accented dark berry and floral scents are lifted by a note of peppery spice. Smoky and sweet in the mouth, offering intense blueberry and cassis flavors and a hint of candied violet. Suggests the north in its fruit profile, finishing with very good punch and length and velvety, late-arriving tannins.”
The average price is $53
New Arrivals Sneak Preview
From Frederic Magnien and Domaine Vacheron
Burghound 91 points “An ultra pure and high-toned green fruit nose that evidences hints of citrus, algae and tidal pool aromas merges into linear, driving and wonderfully delineated flavors that are wrapped in a dry, clean and energetic finish. This is understated to the point of being discreet yet the balance is impeccable.”
Stephen Tanzer 92-95 points “Saturated deep red. Knockout nose combines raspberry, gingerbread, smoked meat and flowers, complicated by a metallic oyster shell nuance. Broad and dense but cool, with a deeply spicy quality and lovely inner-palate perfume. The firm, dusty tannins arrive late, giving this powerful but classy wine a chance to open out on the back end. Offers outstanding potential.”
Importer note “100% Sauvignon Blanc raised organically/biodynamically. Selected from estate-owned hillside vineyards around the town of Sancerre, with a mix of chalk and flint (silex) soils. Average age of vines from 30 to 50 years. Hand-harvested. Fermeneted on indigenous yeasts and aged exclusively in tank. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.”Domaine Vacheron Sancerre Les Romains 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Named in honor of the Romans who first planted vines in Sancerre, this wine has its feet firmly in the chalk soil that gives it richness as well as minerality. Ripe with touches of yellow fruits as well as lime and other citrus flavors, it is structured, dense and likely to age well. Drink from 2018.”
The next best price is $60.99
Kruger-Rumpf
Superbly Mature Riesling…
…now in its prime!
The Kruger-Rumpf family has been making fine wine in the Nahe and Rhinehessen since 1708. Within their 55-acre holdings are parcels in the prestigious Grosses Gewächs Münsterer Pittersberg and Dautenpflänzer vineyards, where Kruger-Rumpf tends 50-plus year-old vines planted on steep slopes. Kruger-Rumpf hand picks its fruit in order to edit out botrytis-affected clusters. Fermentations are kept short to preserve the fruity, fresh nature of these grand Rieslings.
Kruger-Rumpf Munsterer Dautenpflanzer Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2004 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 36+ bottles available
Terry Theise notes “Dautenpflänzer is one the leading Grand Crus of the lower Nahe, with a typical mélange of soil types within its borders. Rumpf claims some of it is slatey and some of it is “sandy loam,” which agrees more with the standard references. It is in any case singular and immediately significant, giving a sometimes damnably complex set of aromas and flavors including coconut, violet, soursop, leaf-smoke—it is a very long list even if you’re sober. In any case it belongs with the vamping exotics of the Nahe.”
Wine Spectator 89 points “Very firmly structured, but this is dense and offers spice and mineral shadings to complement the apple and white peach notes. Still leaning toward the structure on the finish, but this shows promise. Best from 2007 through 2020. 250 cases made.” WS
“Rumpf’s 2004 Munsterer Dautenpflanzer Riesling Spatlese smells of pineapple, pear and white peach, following with a delicate and refined palate impression saturated with a sense of liquid slate and pure pear, peach and pineapple fruit. The finish is smooth and long with generous fruit augmented by subtle spice and crushed stone. Classic 2004 virtues are on display.” -David Schildknecht
VinopolNote: The Terry Theise note is from a recent tasting of the wine, while the Wine Spectator and David Schildknecht reviews were written for the wine’s original release. Our bottles were held at the winery and cellared for an additional 10 years before their release. These wines are presented to you in the prime of their life!
Divine Provence (and Cotes du Rhone)
Top Roses for Summer
Domaine de La Janasse Cotes du Rhone Rose 2015 750ML ($19.95) Was $16, Now $11.90
VinopolNote: A versatile rose with savory, herbal notes from a legendary Chateauneuf producer. A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault grown in clay limestone, galets and sandy soil. Practicing organic & biodynamic.
Importer note “Hand harvested and fermentation in tank, vines are between 10 and 60 years old. Wine is aged for 4 months in tank. A fruity and generous rosé with strawberry and clay aromas. Drink within the next two years.”
Winery note “[Translated] This Rose, made mostly from Grenache and Cinsault, is obtained by saignee and undergoes temperature-controlled fermentation. It has discreet aromas of red fruits, fuller body and a long finish. It is an ideal wine for light summer dishes.”
Chateau Margui Coteaux Varois Rose, Provence 2015 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles available
Chateau Margui Coteaux Varois Rose, Provence 2015 1.5L ($59.95) $49 special, 1 magnum available
Wine Enthusiast 90 points “Organically grown grapes have produced a clear, crisp wine with freshness and lively acidity. These blend effortlessly into the red fruits and light squeeze of lemon juice. The wine is bright and ready to drink.” 40% Cinsault, 40% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Rolle.
Chateau Henri Bonnaud Cotes de Provence Sainte-Victoire Terre Promise Rose, Provence 2014 750ML ($21.95) Was $18, Now $16, 36+ bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 90 points “This is a pretty wine with its elegant pale color and delicious fruit. Made from organically grown Grenache (85%) and Cinsault (15%), it is crisp, full of fresh red currant fruit and has a nervy, very fresh aftertaste.”
Winery note “The texture is smooth, rich, and silky. The wine has a long finish with notes of red fruits and spices. A structured rosé, as is ideal for a Côtes de Provence Rose. 50% Grenache, 50% Syrah.”
Exploring Burgundy:
Vosne-Romanee/Flagey-Echezeaux
The name Vosne (pronounced VOH-n, rhymes with bone) is so famous it needs no introduction. Yet, were you to judge it by its history, Vosne-Romanée would compare to the rest of the Côte d’Or. First mention of the village dates to the 6th century annals, where it appears as Vaona, from the word for forest. The monks of Cluny and Cîteaux raised vines here, as did noblemen like the Prince de Conti, until the Revolution requisitioned their holdings, to be auctioned in 1794. This said, no commune in Burgundy can boast such names as Vosne’s Grands Crus—La Tâche, La Romanée-Saint-Vivant, La Romanée-Conti—not to mention Premiers Crus such as Malconsorts and Beaux Monts. Even the village-level wines astound with their purity. Vosne serves as the highest temple for Pinot Noir: a luxurious ruby robe, a bouquet of ripe berries and violets nuanced with spice and leather, voluptuous yet powerful tannins, and finish of aristocratic flair. Wines of such magnitude demand cellar time. The neighboring Grands Crus of Echézeaux and Grands-Echézeaux produce wines of similar stature. If only all Pinot could achieve such sublimity.
from Vosne-Romanee and Flagey-Echezeaux
(that’s 153 bottles!)
Gerard Mugneret Vosne-Romanee, Cote de Nuits 2012 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 5 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 90 points “Bright, moderately saturated red. Scented, inviting aromas of red raspberry, flowers and spices. Concentrated, suave and sweet; in a plumper style than the young 2013 and a bit less vibrant but quite long on the aftertaste. This will need at least a few years to absorb some of its building tannins.” ST
Burghound 88 points “A pungent nose of crushed leaf, red pinot fruit and wood introduces very round and seductively textured medium weight flavors that possess a velvety character, all wrapped in a persistent and vibrant finish where the wood telegraphed by the nose reappears.”
Antonio Galloni 89 points “Sweet tobacco, orange peel, red cherries and mint are some of the many notes that emerge from the 2011 Vosne Romanée. Lifted aromatics and a total sense of finesse are the hallmarks in this undeniably attractive, mid-weight Burgundy.” AG
Vinopolnote: From a hilltop vineyard, this cuvee is entirely destemmed and offers high-toned aromatics and an enduring finish. Tasted here in the past week – in one word: purity.
Domaine Dugat-Py Vosne-Romanee Vieilles Vignes, Cote de Nuits 2009 750ML ($249.95) $199 special, 5 bottles available
Wine Advocate 90-93 points “The 2009 Vosne-Romanee Vieilles Vignes is a sweet, sensual wine graced with exquisite depth in its spiced dark red fruit. Mineral notes add to a sense of thrust as the wine works its way through to the intense, textured finish. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2029.”WA
Winery note “Louis Jadot Vosne Romanée “Les Petits Monts” not very well known because it is a quite small vineyard. It is a seductive, velvety wine, with intense aromas of red and black fruits, spices and gently oaky. It is not a very powerful wine, but tannins are full and round. The wine will have an harmonious and nice evolution.”
Burghound 91-94 points “This is presently the spiciest of the three Vosne 1ers in the range which adds plenty of background nuance and complexity to the red currant, plum and cassis aromas. The earthy and relatively powerful big-bodied flavors possess excellent intensity and copious amounts of dry extract that coats the palate on the hugely long finish. Despite the youthful expressiveness presently being displayed, this is really quite a serious effort that I suspect will shut down for a good while as it’s clearly built to age.”BH
Domaine Georges Noellat Les Beaux Monts, Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru 2009 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 8 bottles available
Vinopolnote: Domaine Georges Noellat is very familiar with the Cote de Nuits. Their maginificent holdings in Vosne-Romanee, where the winery is located, are crafted by prodigy 26 year-old Maxime, the estate’s fifth generation of family winemakers. The viticulture is sustainable, and the wines are given 30-100% new oak, depending on the cru.
Burghound 92-94 points “A ripe and exuberantly spicy nose also features an expansive range of fruit aromas that include red, blue and black berries plus plum nuances. The rich, seductive and mouth coating flavors are underpinned by phenolically mature tannins and excellent length where a touch of menthol surfaces. If there is a nit, it seems that this does not have the same level of energy of the best in the range but at this stage of development, this could easily change.”BH
John Gilman 96+ points “The 2012 Grands Echézeaux from Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret is a great young wine and a very impressive example of just how special this vintage is in the Côte de Nuits. The exceptional and quite classic bouquet offers up scents of red and black plums, cocoa, duck, woodsmoke, a beautifully complex base of soil tones and a very suave base of vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and quite plush and refined on the attack, with a sappy core of fruit, great soil signature, fine-grained tannins and a very long, tangy and utterly seamless finish. A great wine. 2025-2075.” JG
Mid-West, East & South
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Trending Estate:
Zorzal
From Washington, to Australia, to South America, the discovery of new producers and growing regions unfolds like a map. Less than ten years ago, a new winery called Zorzal appeared in Argentina’s emergent Valle de Uco. Zorzal’s trio of Michelini brothers blended the freedom of New World winemaking with an appreciation for Old World style and varieties. Their inaugural release garnered 94 points from Robert Parker and their 2012 Tinto de Tiza was listed in Wine & Spirits Magazine’s best 100 wines of 2014. The name Zorzal had earned its place in the world atlas of fine wine.The wines of Zorzal combine tradition with progress, Old World with New, structure and fruit with acidity and minerality, and debuted with fame. Vinopolis stands behind Zorzal’s universally-appealing, terroir-driven wines, and is proud to support them in the USA. Think of them as avant-garde Loire wines that remain uniquely Argentine. Pop open a few bottles and see what we and the Wine Advocate are talking about. Get some cases now before this boutique winery becomes exclusive: Zorzal, the Valle de Uco, and Argentina are definitely on the map.
Zorzal Eggo Blanc de Cal, Tupungato, Argentina 2014 750ML ($29.95) Was $24, Now $20.90
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2014 Eggo Blanc de Cal is pure Sauvignon Blanc from two different vineyards in Gualtallary. The full clusters are pressed and the must was fermented and aged in contact with the lees for nine to ten months in their famous egg-shaped cement vats. This is more subtle and earthy, less Sauvignon, with the fruit expressing itself in a lower-pitched voice, more of a baritone. It’s also has a little wider, pungent and powerful character in the mouth. This is only around 13% alcohol, and even though in 2014 it didn’t go through malolactic fermentation, it’s still a very light and fresh wine. Groundbreaking Sauvignon. 4,800 bottles were produced, fruit of two eggs.” LG
Now it’s even lower!
No reviews yet on the 2015. Here is the Wine Advocate on the 2014: 94 points “There is a Cabernet Franc in the Eggo range, and I tasted the 2014 Eggo Franco, produced with grapes from Tupungato Winelands in Gualtallary, a place that defines itself as a wine country club that touts a combination of real estate, vineyards and sport facilities, including golf and polo! The vines were only planted in 2008 (everything in Gualtallary is really new). There are some 300 hectares of vines there, in one of the best parts of Gualtallary. They have three-hectare plots owned by mostly foreign investors and most of the highly sought after grapes are sold. Zorzal has agreements to buy grapes (and control the viticulture) of 20 of these plots. Incredibly perfumed for a Cabernet Franc, as the nose is very floral and made me think of a Malbec rather than a Cabernet Franc. The spiciness of all these Eggo wines comes from the grapes and the fermentation and aging in cement, as none of the wines see any oak. And I tell you one thing, you do not miss the oak or the complexity or anything, it’s all here. This is the first year for this vertical, fresh, tremendous Cabernet Franc. Well done, bravo! 2,200 bottles produced. The Michelini brothers keep producing fresh, elegant and terroir-driven wines from their base in Gualtallary. The range seems to be growing almost infinitely, as their creativity also seem to have no limits”
Now it’s even lower!
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2014 Eggo Filoso Pinot Noir is produced with fruit from Gualtallary. It fermented after carbonic maceration in cement vats and like the whole Eggo line, it matured in cement eggs for some nine months and never saw any oak. Pale-colored, floral and showing a lactic touch, it is earthier than the Gran Terroir. The palate is medium-bodied, with floral flavors, very good acidity and a fine texture.”
Now it’s even lower!
Zorzal Eggo Tinto de Tiza, Tupungato, Argentina 2014 750ML ($39.95) Was $29, Now $26
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2014 Eggo Tinto de Tiza is a blend from three different vineyards in Tupungato Winelands in Gualtallary. It’s a blend of mostly Malbec with some Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. As is the case with the whole Eggo range, the wine didn’t see any oak, and in this case it was matured in egg-shaped cement vats for one year. There are violets, plums, dark cherries and something earthy. This is slightly riper than the 2013. The medium-bodied palate has is fresh with a silky texture, pure flavors and a mineral-driven finish. At this price I’d buy it by the case. Super!”Zorzal Terroir Unico Pinot Noir, Tupungato, Argentina 2013 750ML ($17.95) Was $14, Now $11.90
Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2013 Terroir Unico Pinot Noir follows the idea of the Terroir Unico range, to show the pure expression of the grape and the place in a line of unoaked wines. This was 20-30% whole-cluster fermented and is very pale colored, almost a rose, very perfumed, with aromas of red fruit and flowers opening to a light to medium-bodied palate, high acidity (blood orange), and a pure, fresh finish. Highly drinkable. Can the price be real?”
Castello di AmaReaching for Perfection
Ama is a modern estate comprising 500 acres of land, 200 of which are vineyards. These vineyards are divided into five important parcels; San Lorenzo, Bellavista, La Casuccia, Bertinga and Montebuoni. In the 1970s, four families formed a partnership and purchased the property with the goal of producing world-class wines. Castello Di Ama is unique, employing its best Sangiovese to produce Chianti Classico, unlike many Tuscan producers who have chosen to blend their best Sangiovese into Vini da Tavola or Super Tuscans. The San Lorenzo is one of three Gran Selezione Chianti Classico wines from Castello di Ama. Gran Selezione is a new classification for Chianti Classico, representing the very pinnacle of wine production from the region.
Castello di Ama ‘San Lorenzo’, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2011 750ML ($57.95) $41.90 special, 36+ bottles available
Case-12 Castello di Ama ‘San Lorenzo’, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2011 750ML ($549.95) $432 special, 9 cases available (that’s only $36/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Case-6 Castello di Ama ‘San Lorenzo’, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2011 750ML ($259.95) $233 special, 2 six-packs available (that’s only $38.83/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
James Suckling 96 points “This has a dusty character on the nose with soil, dried fruit and blueberry. Flowers too. Full body, firm tannins and a fresh finish. Tight and structured. Shows wonderful depth of fruit and beauty. Chewy. Better in 2016.” JS
Castello di Ama Haiku Toscana IGT 2010 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 8 bottles available
James Suckling 95 points “A very powerful red with layers of dense, ripe fruit and firm, savory tannins. This is extremely structured and superb quality. Full body. Long, intense finish. Shows the winemaking prowess of Ama. A blend of 50% sangiovese, 25% merlot and 25% cabernet franc. Better in 2017.”
Antonio Galloni 93 points “Beautifully vivid and nuanced in the glass, the 2010 Haiku impresses for its purity and clarity. Sweet tobacco, licorice, mint, cedar and dark red stone fruits are all woven together in a fabric of sensual elegance and total finesse. The 2010 is gorgeous today, but my sense is it also has enough pedigree to develop nicely in bottle. The style is built on grace and finesse.” AG
The average price is $53
Cadence Flash Sale
Cadence is an urban winery based in an industrial warehouse in southern Seattle. Proprietors Ben Smith and Gaye McNutt are former aviation/tech workers whose love for wine inspired them to create their beautiful Bordeaux-style blends. Cadence sources fruit from Red Mountain AVA vineyards such as Ciel du Cheval, Tapteil, and their estate vineyard, Cara Mia. Their envoy includes blends and single-vineyard bottlings; their wines have achieved huge acclaim and earned Cadence a top spot in Washington’s wine scene.
Cadence Winery Bel Canto Cara Mia Vineyard Red, Columbia Valley 2012 750ML ($79.95) Was $69, Now $59, 14 bottles available
Wine Advocate 95 points “I think the most approachable in the lineup, the 2012 Bel Canto has a complex, perfumed style in its dried flowers, dried spices, vanilla and black cherry and black raspberry-like fruit profile. A blend of 84% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot and 8% Petit Verdot that spent 20 months in 50% new French oak, it’s full-bodied, concentrated and structured on the palate, yet has perfect balance and a great texture. Few in the US are doing Cabernet Franc better this, and I suspect it will hold nicely for 15-20 years.” JD
Cadence Winery Camerata Cara Mia Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain 2011 750ML ($69.95) Was $55, Now $49, 25 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2011 Camerata is the Cabernet Sauvignon dominated blend that’s all from the estate Cara Mia Vineyard. Incorporating 7% each of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot and spending 23 months in roughly 50% new French oak, it’s a thrilling 2011 that makes the most of the vintage. Loaded with red and black currants, black cherry, dried spices, toast and graphite, this medium to full-bodied effort has a stacked mid-palate, masses of ripe tannin, and a savory, chewy finish. It will be better in another couple of years and be long lived.” WA
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 93+ points “Bright ruby-red. Red berries, cocoa powder and licorice on the nose. Tightly wound and youthfully imploded, conveying an impression of density without weight. Dark fruit and mineral flavors show terrific lift but are extremely backward in the early going. “Drink this with a big steak or hold it for four years,” suggests Ben Smith, adding that the 1999 Tapteil is great right now. Finishes with a firm tannic spine and outstanding subtle length and lift. This wine was aged in 40% new oak and was racked a total of just three times. Incidentally, I also got an early look at the 2013 Tapteil, and that impressively intense wine may need even longer aging than the ’12, due in part to its higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon.”
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2012 Tapteil Vineyard is elegant and complex, with lots of minerality in its red plums, blueberry and floral bouquet. Full-bodied, mouth filling, layered and pure, with lots of tannin on the mid-palate and finish, it needs short-term cellaring and will be another 2012 from Ben that will see its 20th birthday in fine form. The blend here is 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 19% Cabernet Franc, all of which spent 18 months in 40% new French oak.”
The average price is $45
2015 German Rieslings
& Winery-Cellared Releases
A Vinopolis Exclusive!
Casanova di Neri Cerretalto, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($379.95) Was $319, Now $296, 12 bottles availableJames Suckling 100 points “This is very tannic and powerful with loads of currants, spices and hints of wood. So much stone and mineral character to this. Violets, too. Full-bodied, tight and structured. Massively dense yet agile and bright. It goes on for minutes. Needs at least three or four years to soften. Try in 2020.”
Wine Advocate 99+ points “This is a towering achievement. It is delightful on every level. The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto is an expressive, exuberant and stunning wine that opens to a dark ruby color and rich consistency. The bouquet is never-ending with immediate intensity that is followed closely by finely-tuned aromas of black cherry, spice, grilled herb, clove, tobacco, wet earth and white truffle. A gorgeous display of elegant mineral tones rises from the bouquet with time. Later, those aromas turn to cola, licorice and tar. This wine showed an impressive evolution over the 24 hours I tasted it and delivered solid improvements each time. The mouthfeel is silky and smooth, and there’s enough power here to move the wine over the palate in seamless fashion. This is a bottle for the back of your cellar.”
The average price is $347
Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Riserva, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2006 750ML ($699.95) Was $369, Now $319, 24 bottles available
Wine Spectator 97 points “A mix of sweet cherry, raspberry, floral, tobacco, tea and balsamic flavors mingle in this complex and layered red. The acidity and tannins are present and well-integrated as this remains elegant and harmonious on the lingering finish. There’s a racy aspect, with a tobacco and mineral aftertaste. Best from 2016 through 2035.”
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2006 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva comes across as a bit reticent. It reveals lovely detail and nuance, but without the firmness of many other young vintages. Today the 2006 is quite accessible. I will be surprised if it doesn’t start shutting down at some point. Regardless, the 2006 appears to be built more on finesse rather than power. Freshly cut flowers, hard candy and licorice are layered into the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2046.”
The next best price is $495.95
The average price is $597
Have a lovely weekend!