In This Newsletter:ArrivalsSt. Cosme, Mount Eden, Gruna Grimaldi, and more!
Recently ReviewedArnaud Lambert Clos MazuriqueStaff PickSavory Syrah from Shendoah
All Week Sale– Ends Today
Save up to 10% on Weingut Emrich-SchonleberClose-Outs
Newly discounted wines from Montegrossi, Mourat, Muller-Catoir, and moreSpecial Collector’s ArrivalFirst Time In The Market: Domaine Marc Colin’s Montrachets
 New Arrivals California“ Mount Eden”
Mount Eden Wolff Vineyard Chardonnay 2020 750ml $24 special, 36+ bottles available
Mount Eden Wolff Vineyard Chardonnay 2020 case of 12 750ml bottles $259, 5 cases availableVinous 91 Points “The 2020 Chardonnay Wolff Vineyard is fabulous, something that is all the more remarkable considering the freakish year. Orange confit, pineapple, butter, apricot, tangerine and spice are all dialed up in this decidedly exotic, lush Chardonnay from Mount Eden. The 2020 is not at all subtle, but it sure is delicious.”
Italy
“GD Vajra”
GD Vajra Clare JC Langhe Nebbiolo 2021 750ml $19 special, 36+ bottles availableVinous 92+ Points “The 2021 Nebbiolo Claré J.C. is a deep, translucent ruby color. It wafts up with a dazzling mix of crushed violets, lavender and blackberries tinged with a hint of sour citrus. This splashes across the palate, coming across as energetic and playful in nature, as tart wild berries are motivated by zest acidity, while leaving a coating of minerals and liquid stone in their wake. The 2021 finishes with a bitter twang and crunchiness, like biting into a raw cranberry, yet also remarkably fresh. The Claré J.C. is produced from younger Nebbiolo vines using about 20% whole-cluster fruit to create a throwback-styled wine, one that emphasizes a lighter, more energetic and slightly off-dry character. Enjoy it with a minute chill, but not cold.”
France “Château Saint Cosme”
Château Saint Cosme is the benchmark for the Gigondas region. Wine has been produced on the site of Saint Cosme since Roman times, evident by the ancient vats carved into the limestone below the château. The Château itself has been in the hands of the Barruol family since 1490. Louis Barruol, the current owner and winemaker took over from his father in 1992,which marked a dramatic upswing in quality including the beginning of their négociant wines and converting biodynamic farming in 2010.
Arriving Early September
Bruna Grimaldi Barolo Bricco Ambrogio 2019 750ml $44.50 special, 36 bottles availableJames Suckling 92 Points “This shows notes of ripe cherries and cranberries with red flowers, citrus peel and savory herb undertones. It’s firm and structured with a full body and taut tannin structure. Hints of nut shell and nutmeg in the aftertaste. Better from 2026.” Bruna Grimaldi Barolo Badarina 2019 750ml $49 special, 36 bottles availableJames Suckling 94 Points “Note of dark spices, chocolate and bark with red and dark berry character. Full-bodied with firm, chewy tannins and firm texture. It’s tight and muscular with juicy and vivid red fruit underneath, before a flavorful finish. Needs some time in the bottle. Try from 2026.” Bruna Grimaldi Barolo Bricco Ambrogio 2019 750ml $44.50 special, 36 bottles availableJames Suckling 95 Points ” This is more open than other single vineyard releases from Scavino with plum, raspberry and black cherry aromas with hints of honeysuckle. Some wet earth. Full-bodied with chewy tannins on the palate. Hints of citrus skin. Pure. Needs time to soften. “ Lisini Brunello Di Montalcino 2018 750ml $59 special, 36 bottles availableDecanter 95 Points “Near Sant’Angelo in Colle, on the road that leads to Castelnuovo dell’Abate, Lisini is within the zone of Sesta. The estate preference is to pick quite late, and they are one of the last in the area to harvest. The relative ripeness and concentration is evident in 2018 but not at the expense of balance. In fact, Lisini’s Brunello is one of the vintage’s more exciting and profound wines. It opens slowly with hints of chestnut and smoke, then discloses dark cherry, iron and fragrant moist soil. Tannins are tightly stitched yet malleable, giving a satisfying mouthful. Finishes with a salty tang and mineral drive.”
Staff PickAmador County, California Domaine De La Terre Rouge Syrah Cotes L’Ouest 2016 750ml $19.50 special, 16 bottles available“At seven years old, this savory syrah is hitting its sweet spot… Nice tart cherry fruit that still feel fresh, with notes of roasted coffee and fennel bush. Add in good acidity with polished tannins and this is a perfect wine for barbecued meats, burgers, and for celebrating the final days of patio season this year. This wine could age longer, but really doesn’t need to.” -Tracy
Recently Reviewed“Arnaud Lambert”
 Arnaud Lambert Clos Mazurique Saumur Rouge 2021 750ml $21.90 special, 9 bottles availableGrapelive “The brilliantly pure, dark ruby red and medium bodied Clos Mazurique by Arnaud Lambert is 100% Cabernet Franc that is vinified using carefully sorted and completely de-stemmed grapes in concrete tanks with a short maceration, starting with 2 punch-downs a day for the first few days then one for a week and then after fermentation the wine is racked and aged in concrete exclusively for about 8 months. Lambert’s exceptional entry level bottling shows off bright blackberry, plum, currant and wild cherry fruits, a light earthiness, juicy acidity, a hint of tapenade, green herbs and spice along with a fresh chalky element, framboise and lingering floral notes. As this wine opens, there’s no doubt about its varietal character, origins and terroir, it is a highly engaging and lovely example of Loire Franc that is fabulously priced and joyously quaffable, while still being serious and nicely structured. Coming from organic vines on the hill of Brézé with classic tuffeau limestone bedrock, with a topsoil composition of sedimentary and alluvial deposits that includes, as Lambert notes, varying levels of clay and sand, all of which along with the dry Continental climate with the rain shadow effect of the Massif Armorican, gives this wine its terroir distinction and balance.” “The Domaine Arnaud Lambert based in Saint Cyr en Bourg – Brézé is making some of the finest Chenin Blancs in the region, but his Cab Francs are very desirable as well, as this one shows. Arnaud Lambert, as mentioned in my prior reviews, began as part of a father and son team with his dad Yves, made a name for himself when he took over at the historic estate of the Château de Brézé, one of France’s great properties and one that the French royals, as noted by the winery, used to exchange wines of Brézé annually for Château d’Yquem Sauternes. I have had a few outstanding wines from Château de Brézé over the years, so it was exciting to see Lambert’s personal offerings and get insight to his direction as a vigneron. I understand that Lambert is pushing the appellations of Saumur and Saumur-Champigny to invest in quality and focus on individual terroirs and lieu-dit sites, as he does, like in this wine. The goal is to re-discover the regions premier vineyards and exploit its full potential through organic viticulture and less-is-more, precise winemaking, which he himself adheres to. Brézé is a unique site due to its relatively high elevation and Tuffeau, the chalky limestone soils here that gives these wines, white and red their distinct stony, saline rich and oyster shell character. This latest set of offerings from Arnaud Lambert, especially the Brézé wines are must haves for Loire fans, and those who want a big bang for the buck, in particular this one and the Clos De Midi Saumur Blanc.”
–Grapelive, Wine of the Day August 19, 2023
Close-out Sale – Price Reductions
Rocca Di Montegrossi Ridolfo 2015 1.5L WAS $179 NOW $159 special, 17 bottles availableAntonio Galloni 98+ Points “The 2015 Ridolfo is a new Cabernet Sauvignon/Pugnitello blend from Marco Ricasoli bottled only in magnum. Vibrant and finely sculpted, the 2015 impresses right out of the gate. A whole range of savory aromatics, lavender, spice, licorice and mocha open with time in the glass. Sweet rose petal and cinnamon appear later, adding brightness and lift. Cabernet Sauvignon and Pugnitello are not obvious varieties to blend, as they are, on paper, more similar than complementary. Even so, the combination works so well. I can’t wait to see how this ages. The 2015 is a total knock-out!” Rocca Di Montegrossi Vin Santo 2009 375ml WAS $89 NOW $79 special, 23 bottles availableVinous 94 Points “The 2009 Vin Santo is a rich, exotic wine, as it always is. Readers will find one of the richest most intense Vin Santos being made today. Plush, tropical and ample in feel, Rocca di Montegrossi’s Vin Santo is bold and racy to the core. The 350 grams of residual sugar leave the wine with tremendous textural plushness.” Monteillet Condrieu Chanson 2018 750ml WAS $69 NOW $59 special, 14 bottles availableDecanter 96 Points “Fresh, keen and tense, with lime marmalade and touches of bubblegum. There’s delicious richness and real depth to the fruit, delivering great concentration and lovely acidity. From lieu-dit Chanson and aged for 22 months in oak on the lees, Stéphane Montez explains that a long élevage like this helps to decrease alcohol levels, is better for ageing, stimulates complex tertiary flavours and means you can decrease sulfite levels as the wine is protected from oxidation by the lees.” Morgenster Lourens River Valley Red 2014 750ml WAS $21.90 NOW $18 special, 28 bottles availableVinous 92 Points “The 2014 Lourens River Valley is a Bordeaux blend that offers light blackberry, tobacco and smoky scents on the nose; a hint of hickory develops with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied, fleshy and ripe, with supple tannins and a pinch of sour cherry and balsamic toward the finish. Quite mellow, so much so that you almost overlook the concentration here. Excellent.” Mourat Collection Val De Loire Rose 2021 750ml WAS $18 NOW $14 special, 11 bottles availableImporter Note “Organic. 40% Pinot Noir, 20% Gamay 40% Cabernet Franc grown on a mix of schist and rhyolite. Average age of the vines is 20 years. Hand-harvested, destemmed, pressed and settled with spontaneous fermentation at cool temperatures in stainless steel. Aged 5 months in tank before bottling.” Mourat Grenouillere Negrette Rouge 2020 750ml WAS $26 NOW $21.90, 25 bottles available Mourat Ovni Val De Loire Rose 2021 750ml WAS $19 NOW $16 special, 13 bottles available100% Grolleau Gris Palacio Quemado La Zarcita Extremadura 2018 WAS $19 NOW $16 special, 12 bottles availableVinous 91 Points “Opaque magenta. Red and blue fruit, floral and spice qualities on the expressive nose. Supple and appealingly sweet, offering spice-accented raspberry and boysenberry flavors and a musky hint of licorice. Finishes long and juicy, with repeating florality and gentle tannins adding final grip.” Pagliarese Chianti Classico Riserva 2018 750ml WAS $33 NOW $28 special, 17 bottles availableVinous 93 Points “The 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva is another gorgeous old-school wine from Pagliarese. Black cherry, cloves, licorice, leather and woodsmoke give the 2018 its distinctive, somber feel. This dense, super-expressive Riserva certainly has tons of character. Tasting the 2018 is like stepping back in time thirty years.”
All Week Sale– ENDS TODAY
Emrich-Schonleber
From the upper Nahe region of Germany, hidden in pockets of blue and red slate, lie some of the purest and most highly regarded Grosse Lage (Grand Cru) vineyards in all of Germany, three of which are held by Weingut Emrich-Schonleber. With an elegance reminiscent of Mosel, but a power that evokes thoughts of the Rheingau, these wines are mineral, powerful, and beautifully concentrated. From their age-worthy Grosses Gewachs, lively and vivid kabinetts and trockens, to their less heralded but fantastic Rivaners and Weissburgunders, there is no wrong place for wine fans to begin with Emrich-Schonleber.
They really do produce something for everyone.
Buy 6-11 bottles for a 5% discount
Buy 12+ bottles for a 10% discount
Emrich-Schonleber Fruhlingsplatz Grosses Gewachs Riesling 2020 750ml $85 special, 7 bottles availableDecanter 97 Points “The Frühlingsplätzchen is in the cooler western part of the Nahe region, which has endowed this Riesling with tightly wound acidity. The wine is produced in a very classic style, underpinned by beauty and silkiness. At the same time, there is plenty of varietal character with citrus fruit and grapefruit as well as nuances of wet stones alluding to its origin. The tight structure leads to a long finish.” Emrich-Schonleber Halenberg Auslese Riesling 2020 375ml $38 special, 21 bottles availableJames Suckling 98 Points “Very intense, candied yellow-grapefruit nose. Super-concentrated, but the most important thing about this Auslese is the incredibly tight focus on the palate and the purity of the dried apricot and mango. Super-succulent and vibrant finish that doesn’t want to stop.” Emrich-Schonleber Halenberg Auslese Riesling 2020 750ml $66 special, 22 bottles availableJames Suckling 98 Points “Very intense, candied yellow-grapefruit nose. Super-concentrated, but the most important thing about this Auslese is the incredibly tight focus on the palate and the purity of the dried apricot and mango. Super-succulent and vibrant finish that doesn’t want to stop.” Emrich-Schonleber Halenberg Grosses Gewachs Riesling 2021 750ml $99 special, 8 bottles availableStuart Pigott 98 Points “The vibrant white-peach, wild-herb and floral bouquet of this stunning GG makes a serious statement. Very compact and concentrated, it’s only just beginning to reveal its abundant treasures. Super-focused and precise, it grows and grows as it shoots over the palate at great speed. Incredible depth of wet-stone minerality at the super-long finish.” Emrich-Schonleber Halenberg Spatlese Riesling 2020 750ml $41.90 special, 19 bottles availableJames Suckling 98 Points “A giant Spätlese that’s packed to the gills with peach and berry fruit, salty minerality and supernaturally vibrant acidity. Such complexity that it’s hard to express in such a string of adjectives. Breathtaking freshness at the finish. Decades of aging potential.” Emrich-Schonleber Halenberg Spatlese Riesling 2021 750ml $54.50 special, 6 bottles availableStuart Pigott 97 Points “A stunning Spatlese, but if you’re looking for an easy-going, juicy, sweetish riesling, then you’re in the wrong place, because this is a radical wine. Super-mineral and super-focused, with a dangerous amount of energy. Very youthful nose with tons of wild-berry and herb character. Extremely crystalline finish. Drink or hold.” Emrich-Schonleber Halenberg TBA Riesling 2018 375ml $299 special, 21 bottles availableWine Advocate 98+ Points “The 2018 Halenberg Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese is incredibly pure and aromatic on the nose where super ripe but clear peach aromas are displayed. Extremely rich and refined on the palate, this is a ripe, terribly sweet but refined, fresh and salty-piquant TBA with a stimulating finish. A fabulous wine.”
| Vintage |
Wine |
Points |
Price and Availability |
| 2021 |
Schonleber Fruhlingsplatz GG Riesling 750ml |
Pigott 95 |
$89 special, 12 bottles |
| 2020 |
Schonleber Fruhtau Riesling Trocken 750ml |
WA 93 |
$38 special, 36+ bottles |
| 2021 |
Schonleber Fruhtau Riesling Trocken 750ml |
JS 92 |
$39 special, 10 bottles |
| 2018 |
Schonleber Halenberg Auslese Riesling 750ml |
Vinous 94 |
$57 special, 9 bottles |
| 2018 |
Schonleber Halenberg GG Riesling 750ml |
WA 95+ |
$69 special, 14 bottles |
| 2018 |
Schonleber Halenberg Spatlese Riesling 750ml |
Vinous 93 |
$39 special, 18 bottles |
| 2020 |
Schonleber Halgans Riesling Trocken 750ml |
WA 94 |
$41.90 special, 12 bottles |
| 2021 |
Schonleber Halgans Riesling Trocken 750ml |
JS 93 |
$44.50 special, 3 bottles |
| 2020 |
Schonleber Mineral Riesling Trocken 750ml |
JS 93 |
$29 special, 17 bottles |
| 2021 |
Schonleber Mineral Riesling Trocken 750ml |
JS 93 |
$36 special, 30 bottles |
| 2021 |
Schonleber Neiderberg Riesling Kabinett 750ml |
Pigott 95 |
$39 special, 8 bottles |
| 2021 |
Schonleber Neiderberg Riesling Trocken 750ml |
Pigott 94 |
$59 special, 12 bottles |
| 2020 |
Schonleber Riesling Lenz 750ml
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$24 special, 36 bottles |
| 2018 |
Schonleber Riesling Trocken 750ml
|
Gilman 89+ |
$21.90 special, 19 bottles |
| 2020 |
Schonleber Riesling Trocken 750ml
|
JS 93 |
$21.90 special, 21 bottles |
| 2021 |
Schonleber Estate Riesling Trocken 750ml |
JS 91 |
$24 special, 22 bottles |
| 2020 |
Schonleber Rivaner Muller-Thurgau 750ml |
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$19.90 special, 3 bottles |
| 2021 |
Schonleber Rivaner Trocken 750ml
|
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$19.50 special, 4 bottles |
| 2021 |
Schonleber Weissburgunder 750ml
|
JS 92 |
$29 special, 2 bottles |
SALE ENDS @6PM Today
Collector’s Corner
Grand Cru: Domaine Marc Colin’s Montrachets
This is huge.
While we’ve been fans of this Domaine for years, we’ve been pining for his Grand Cru wines for a long time.
Now for the first time ever, these wines are available in the Oregon Market, exclusively at Vinopolis.
Batard-Montrachet
Marc Colin Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2019 750ml $699 special, 2 bottles availableBurghound 95 Points “A cool, pure and very pretty and stylish nose freely offers up its array of various floral elements that include rose petal and acacia blossom as well as a variety of spice nuances on the pear and apple scents. The gorgeously textured, intense and concentrated larger-scaled flavors possess superb depth and persistence on the beautifully well-balanced finale. This is really quite classy and is more a Bâtard of refinement than raw power and muscle.”
Only Listing in USA
Marc Colin Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2021 750ml $799 special, 1 bottle availableWine Advocate 93-95 Points “The 2021 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru unwinds in the glass with aromas of pear, confit orange, lemon zest, white flowers, crisp green apple and buttery pastry. Full-bodied, satiny and multidimensional, it’s rich but chiseled, with chalky structuring extract and a long, expansive finish.” Marc Colin Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2020 750ml $699 special, 2 bottles availableVinous 95-97 Points “The 2020 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru is the first vintage where neither of the two barrels are new (both are a year old), as Damien Colin felt the 50% new oak was excessive. This results in a more austere nose, quite reserved, with enticing scents of greengage, wet pavement and freshly sliced grapefruit emerging. The palate is very well balanced with fine intensity on the entry, a very slight touch of white chocolate infusing the citrus fruit, and a harmonious and persistent finish. Excellent.”
Only Listing on the West Coast
Montrachet
Marc Colin Montrachet Grand Cru 2019 750ml $1699 special, 2 bottles availableJasper Morris 96-99 Points “The 2019 production consists of one normal 228l barrel and one of 285 litres neither, brand new. There are some toasty notes from the wood while the detailed elements of fruit remain covered by the intensity. This wine is sitting back on its haunches, really promising. There is a huge sweetness of fruit through the middle, a very proper toastiness, a fine acidity. This massive Montrachet still retains enough lightness on its feet despite the majesty of the vineyard. Long too. Of course! Burghound 96 Points “Here the equally stylish nose is more restrained and only grudgingly gives up its array of both white and yellow peach, citrus confirm, anise, exotic tea and pretty floral wisps. There is outstanding intensity to the dense and tautly muscular big-bodied flavors that exude a bracing salinity on the complex and citrusy finale that just goes on and on. While this certainly displays noticeable power, it’s focused and overall, I would describe this classy effort as more a Montrachet of refinement than most overtly robust examples.” Marc Colin Montrachet Grand Cru 2020 750ml $2199 special, 2 bottles availableJasper Morris — Inside Burgundy 97-99 Points “Two barrels of one year old wood, racked yesterday but not sulphured. Clear noble lemon and lime. I think the racking has brought the bouquet forward: this certainly is more immediately readable than the Bâtard. Sublime, racy with such depth of character, picks out all the best bits of the preceding wines. Nothing super ripe, nothing over tense, just the correct balance at a majestic scale. Tasted: October 2021.” Vinous 96-98 Points “The 2020 Montrachet Grand Cru, like the Bâtard-Montrachet, sees no new oak for the first time this vintage. It is strict and correct on the nose, and quite marine-driven, with oyster shells and sea spray infusing the malic fruit. The palate is beautifully composed and disarmingly harmonious, displaying a perfect line of acidity. There is real power and density on the finish, allied with wonderful freshness and tension. A supremely gifted Monty.” Wine Advocate 95-97 Points “Vinified and matured, like the Bâtard, in two once-used barrels, Colin’s 2020 Montrachet Grand Cru unfurls to reveal aromas of pear, confit citrus, honeycomb, white flowers, fresh mint and buttered popcorn. Full-bodied, ample and satiny, it’s deep and multidimensional, with high concentration, racy acids and a long, saline finish. This should rival and perhaps surpass the terrific 2017 rendition. Damien Colin began picking on August 22 in 2020. Now that the domaine is smaller, following his two brothers’ secessions, he is able to be ultra-precise about harvest date, sampling parcel by parcel, he tells me, and small volumes of wine mean longer élevage is feasible too. Percentages of new oak are down a touch in 2020, with no new wood at all for the grands crus, but foudres and larger barrels are also out of the picture, Damien finding most coopers’ 228-liter barrels more consistent, and in any case, better adapted to vinifying smaller quantities. Pure, precise and flavorful, the 2020s are a terrific success at this address.”
Only Listings in USA
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