Featured New Arrival
2011 Mascarello
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2011 Barolo is a very expressive wine with more determination and muscle than you usually get in the wines of Bartolo Mascarello. The bouquet opens to plush flavors of red fruit and cherry with grilled herb, tobacco and mineral delineation. Its structure is yielding and round and the finish is ripe with soft fruit flavors. Make no mistake, it doles out complexity and an ethereal sense of balsam herb, cola and licorice that is the hallmark of this historic estate with a tiny garage winery in the town of Barolo. The alcohol reading here is 14.5% compared to 14% in the 2010 vintage.”
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “Maria-Theresa Mascarello’s 2011 Barolo is one of the more refined wines of the year, with less size than many other 2011s, and plenty of immediacy. Racy and giving on the palate, but with good underlying structure, the 2011 impresses for its juxtaposition of the riper elements of the vintage and more classic attributes that are such signatures at this address. Bright red stone fruits, strawberries and crushed flowers are some of the notes that grace the exquisite finish. The 2011 is an excellent choice to drink while some of the more ageworthy recent vintages sleep in the cellar. I will not be surprised to see the 2011 improve from where it is today.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $134
New Week – New Arrivals
OREGON
Winery note “Our priorities are simple: care for the land, make exceptional wine, and enjoy life’s journey. To support these goals we use soft farming practices to protect the ecosystem in the vineyard, and gentle wine making methods to create elegant, balanced wines. Auxerrois, pronounced aus ser whah, is a ’sister’ of chardonnay and grown primarily in Alsace, Germany and Luxembourg.”
Cameron Winery Ramato Pinot Gris Rose 2015 750ML ($27.95) $24 special
Winery note “Rame: Italian for copper, ramato: copper-colored. Ramato is a copper-colored Pinot grigio made in the tradition of north-eastern Italy. A very tricky wine to pull off. Very limited production.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Winery note “A bright, easy-drinking rosé, made from 100% Pinot Noir.”
Cameron Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2014 750ML ($31.95) $24 special
VinopolNote: This is all declassified Abbey Ridge and Clos Electrique Pinot Noir that shows its pedigree: there are classic notes of dusty Dundee spice with fresh thyme and black raspberry. It’s elegant. It’s age-worthy. And it’s simply the best value we’ve tasted from the 2014 vintage. Only 400 cases made.
Cameron Winery ‘Arley’s Leap’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2013 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “From younger vines planted in Abbey Ridge in 1990, the 2013 Pinot Noir Arley’s Leap has a very pure bouquet with red cherries, kirsch and blood orange that is beautifully defined and (again) very Burgundian in style. It has medium-bodied with supple tannin, pure animated red cherry fruit with mandarin and marmalade hints toward the poised and intense finish. This is going to be sublime.”
Bjornson Vineyard Pinot Noir Eola Amity 2014 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Winery note “Our priorities are simple: care for the land, make exceptional wine, and enjoy life’s journey. To support these goals we use soft farming practices to protect the ecosystem in the vineyard, and gentle wine making methods to create elegant, balanced wines. Our label art, Fire and Ice, celebrates our Icelandic heritage, as well as the magnificent volcanic and glacial forces that created our soils.”
Beaux Freres Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2014 750ML ($61.95) $54.50 special
Winery note “Composition: This wine is 100% Pinot Noir from the following vineyards: Gran Moraine 43%, Zena Crown 20%, Beaux Frères 11%, Archery Summit 8%, Hyland 5%, Noren 5%, Upper Terrace 5%, Guadalupe 3%. On the nose, this wine has a lush fragrance of sweet dark cherries, baking spices and sandalwood. In the mouth it is very savory, plush, medium acidity and irresistible. This may be the best Willamette Valley cuvée that we have made to date. This wine sees about 33% new French oak. Drink now through 2024. Our Willamette Valley cuvée features fruit grown on select vineyard sites in the Northern Willamette Valley. ¬The wines bene?t from the same integrity in the winemaking process as our estate wines. ¬The sites are farmed sustainably and managed to very low yields. We age the wines in the same French oak barrels used in our estate bottling, however the percentage of new oak is intentionally lower. ¬This wine is not fined or filtered.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
WASHINGTON
100% Barbera. Winery note “Northridge Vineyard: Planted in 2003, this vineyard is a very unique 92 acre site in the Wahluke Slope. An alluvial fan gravel bed, the site rests above the flood plain of the Columbia River. under the topsoil is a layer of caliche and basalt, 6-12 inches deep, creating a calcium and iron rich media that forces roots to struggle.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $19.99
100% Barbera. Winery note “From my historical home. Grown in Jack’s Vineyard, the cobblestone strewn vineyard in Walla Walla. Twenty-year old vines, low yields, barrel aged. Deeply complex wine. Great depth and length. Groundbreaking wine. Destined to be a classic.”
Casa Smith Porcospino Primitivo, Northridge Vineyard, Wahluke Slope 2014 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
100% Primitivo. Winery note “Zinfandel in America. Primitivo in Italy. Rich, dark, unctuous. Briar berry, explosive, ripe and restrained. Makes me want to roll up my sleeves and dig into some spaghetti, red sauce, meatballs and parmesano with crushed red pepper. From my cellar to your table!”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
100% Sangiovese. Winery note “Rosebud: This vineyard is at the same location as Wahluke Slope Vineyard and Northridge Vineyard. It has an alluvial fan gravel bed and rests above the flood plain of the Columbia River. Under the topsoil is a layer of caliche and basalt, creating calcium and iron rich soil.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
CALIFORNIA
Robert Parker 96 points “The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Lewelling Ranch, which is actually a great value in the scheme of Napa pricing, is a blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot that was aged for 20 months in 70% new French oak. The wine displays gorgeous licorice, lead pencil shavings, black currants, loamy soil undertones and a touch of barrique. Dense purple, it has a full-bodied, multi-layered mouthfeel and a stunning finish with good acidity and velvety, well-integrated tannin, alcohol and wood. This is a scrumptious, full-throttle Cabernet Sauvignon to drink over the next 15 or so years.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
FRANCE-BEAUJOLAIS
Cuvee Camille is second only to Cuvee Marcel in the Lapierre Morgon hierarchy and is an extremely limited release, typically not distributed in the USA. It is made from selected 50-75 year old vines on the Lapierre estate. Camille is the daughter of the late Marcel Lapierre and works now alongside of her brother, Mathieu, in the ongoing excellence of all that is Lapierre.
This is the only listing in the USA today for the magnum!
FRANCE-CHAMPAGNE
Antonio Galloni 97 points “A mesmerizing, thrilling Champagne, the 2002 Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart is a great example of the vintage at its best. Silky and racy on the palate, yet a bit more restrained than many wines of the year, the Nicolas François Billecart remains vivid and remarkably nuanced. Brioche. apricot jam, wild flowers and honey are some of the many notes that blossom as the Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart shows off its voluptuous personality.”
Ulysse Collin ‘Les Maillons’ Rose de Saignee Extra Brut NV (2011) 750ML ($119.95) $89 special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “he NV (2011) Extra Brut Rosé de Saignee Les Maillons is fabulous. A deep, dense wine, the 2011 offers a compelling mélange of aromas, flavors and texture. Game, smoke, licorice and menthol are some of the notes that open up over time, but above all else, the 2011 is remarkable for its palate presence and staying power. Even more impressive is the total lack of hard edges or vegetal notes that mar so many 2011s in Champagne.”
FRANCE-ROSE
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.
FRANCE-BURGUNDY
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Extra rich, ripe and round, this offers a full fruitiness that explodes in the mouth. Tannins and structure are all there, although the main thrust of this wine is the balance between this tension and the generous fruits that are developing. Drink from 2019.”
Domaine Roulot Bourgogne Aligote 2013 750ML ($44.95) $39 special
Importer note “Fermented in stainless steel and bottled after one year. From clay and limestone vineyard soils with vines between 20-80 years in age.”
Domaine Hubert Lamy Puligny-Montrachet Les Tremblots Vieilles Vignes 2014 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
Wine Advocate 91-93 points “The 2014 Puligny Montrachet les Tremblots has quite an arresting bouquet in the offering, with gorgeous peach skin and nectarine scents that are extremely well defined. The palate is very well balanced with crisp acidity, very saline in the mouth with just a hint of bitter lemon. I like the energy and precision here, a complex Puligny that has the potential to be “a little gem” once in bottle.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2013 Chablis Grand Cru Valmur is matured half in barrel and half in tank, with around 5% new oak that actually feels like more on the nose at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp, slightly nutty notes on the entry, saline in the mouth with shaved ginger notes enlivening the racy, orange zest finish with a tang of bitter lemon on the aftertaste. Very fine.”
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 92 points “(50% oak, including 2% new): Bright yellow, but paler than the Vaudésir. More classic on the nose, offering scents of peach, lime an’d pepper, plus a touch of smoke. Boasts superb depth of fruit to its stone fruit, peach oil and mineral flavors. Offers good punch and an ample structure but the Vaudésir is more elegant.”
FRANCE-BORDEAUX
Wine Enthusiast–Editors’ Choice 91 points “From a small estate, this big, ripe and fruity wine has swathes of black fruits to go with the dark, brooding tannins. Very broad and fruity, the wine is always likely to be structured. Drink from 2017.”
Chateau du Fort Pontus, Fronsac 2010 750ML ($24.95) $18 special
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.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Winery note “From 35 acres in limestone clay soils. 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Aged in 80% new oak barrels and 20% stainless steel vats.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Vinopolnote: An aromatic and silky Cabernet-Merlot blend geared towards everyday enjoyment.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
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.
FRANCE-RHONE
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 88 points “(raised in concrete and stainless steel tanks): Ruby-red. Fresh black raspberry, blueberry and a hint of smokiness on the nose. Bright and lively on the palate, offering gently sweet dark fruit and peppery spice flavors that tighten up with air. The blue fruit and smoke notes carry through the finish, which is shaped by gentle tannins.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
FRANCE-LOIRE
Importer note “Grapes sourced from several estate parcels on Vouvray’s esteemed Premiere Côte in limestone-rich clay soils. All grapes are harvested by hand. Bottled before primary fermentation is finished, resulting in a lower pressure sparkling wine – pétillant – because only a portion of the fermentation occurs inside the bottle. Yeast is added to ensure the fermentation progresses smoothly. Once finished the wine is disgorged. Dosage = 10 g/l and is made up of cane sugar and demi-sec or moelleux wines from a previous vintage.”
ITALY-VENETO
Winery note “Grower-driven, vintage-dated, pure and fresh, Secco Italian Bubbles truly defines “the dolce vita.” Growing up in Rome, Italy, Ginevra and Olivia Casa always had an infatuation for Prosecco. In 2010, after the change in laws pertaining to Prosecco production, Charles Smith and Casa sisters jumped on the opportunity to champion both the noble varietals and the growers of Chardonnay and created a new category of sparkling wine called Secco Italian Bubbles.”
ITALY-TUSCANY
James Suckling 92 points “A firm and silky red with blueberry and blackberry character, a medium body and firm tannins. A dense wine that also shows vivid acidity. Drink or hold.”
ITALY-PIEDMONT
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2012 Barbaresco is dark, plummy and absolutely delicious, with plenty of up-front fruit and pure appeal. Sweet tobacco, rose petal, mint, cherries and licorice open up in the glass. The tannins retain a touch of firmness, but otherwise, this is a hugely appealing Barbaresco, especially considering it is the estate’s entry-level wine.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Wine Advocate 92+ points “Angelo Gaja always presents one of the most exciting tastings of the year. The 2013 Promis (Merlot, Syrah and a small part Sangiovese) reveals all the hallmarks of the excellent vintage. The wine offers a supple and smooth entry that is creamy and delicious. Spice, dark fruit, cherry, blackberry, tar, resin and cola come to attention. The tannins still show some attitude so I would recommend giving this wine a few more years of cellar aging. The intensity, depth and persistency promise many years of forward-looking cellar aging.”
James Suckling 91 points “A delicious red with lots of plum and blueberry aromas and flavors. Hints of cream and cedar. Full body, soft tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Very beautiful indeed. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Joseph D’Angelo – International Wine Report – #91 Wine of the Year 2015 “The 2013 ‘Sito Moresco’ Langhe Rosso is a bend composed of Nebbiolo, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It offers aromas of cherries and blackberries woven together with spices, leather and mint. This medium bodied red is refined with a fine texture and a pretty finish. Readers looking to taste a wine from this legendary producer which is approachable in its youth and comes at a relatively moderate price should consider this Cuvée from Angelo Gaja. (Best 2016-2023).”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $54
ITALY-OTHER
Importer note “When is a rosé not a rosé? We have struggled with whether to officially classify the Ciliegiolo varietal in this category or whether to present it as a light-colored red wine with lots and lots of character (much as we do, for example, the Poulsard from the Jura). No matter what moniker we use, the fact is that this wine is a joyous presence at the table with its bountiful berry flavor, brilliant rose-ruby color and energetic freshness. From the Italian riviera via the talented Piero Lugano.”
Cleto Chiarli Vigneto Enrico Cialdini Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro Secco, Emilia-Romagna 2015 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
Importer note “Ruby red color, intense froth, full round body, lovely blackberry and raspberry fruit on the palate. Grapes are from a single vineyard of 12.5 hecares of the Generale Cialdini Estate located in the south east area of the rolling hills of the village of Castelvetro. Chiarli is the oldest producer of Lambrusco and other wines in Emilia. The winery was founded in 1860. Chiarli has faithfully handed down from generation to generation the rigorous principles of reliability, honesty and the greatest respect for quality, thus ensuring the appreciation and affection of an ever increasing clientele. 150 years have elapsed since its foundation and the Chiarli name is, more than ever, a benchmark for traditional quality Lambrusco.”
AUSTRIA
David Schildknecht–Vinous 89 points “Scents of clover and hay lead into a cooling, crisp and juicy palate of cucumber, celery stalk and green herbs. This finishes with nuanced diversity and mouthwatering salinity. I won’t be surprised if it becomes more interesting and alluring after a couple of years in bottle.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
SPAIN
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 90 points “Pale gold. Nervy and focused on the bright, mineral-accented nose. Sappy and seamless in texture, offering juicy citrus fruit and melon flavors firmed by a chalky bite on the back half. Closes stony and long, with lingering orange pith and pear notes and a touch of honeysuckle.”
Arriving This Week…
Rhone Ranger:
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “Deep red. Vibrant, spice-accented raspberry, cherry and floral pastille aromas are complicated by hints of star anise and smoked meat. Supple and open-knit, offering juicy red fruit and spicecake flavors plus a deeper suggestion of licorice pastille. Plays power off elegance smoothly, showing no excess fat. A refreshing jolt of peppery spices adds lift and cut to the persistent finish.” JR
Classic Chianti Classico:
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “A fantastic combination of power and finesse, this opens with aromas of under brush, ripe plum, truffle, leather, smoke and a balsamic note. The firm, delicious palate delivers fleshy black cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon and mocha. Velvety tannins support the juicy flavors.”
James Suckling 94 points “This is a classy Chianti Classico with lots of structure and depth plus firm tannins and a blueberry, black cherry and cedar character. Compacted and tight. Superb and complex. Lots going on. An excellent follow-through after the outstanding 2010. Give it two to three years to open.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Elusive, Incomparable Champagne
Winemaker’s note: Biodynamic, hand-harvested. Vinified exclusively in enameled steel tanks. Made from the majority of the 2006’s harvest. Wonderful effervescence with very fine bubbles. Bright and brilliant gold in colour. The nose is fresh and reminiscent of white flowers (hawthorn, acacia). After agitation, it reveals very delicate aromas of floral-flavoured honey and spice bread. Palate : A champagne with a crisp initial impact on the palate, giving way to rich and generous floral notes, enhanced by a touch of liquorice. The dosage is understated and perfectly integrated, thus allowing the true essence of the wine to come to the fore. This finish is exuberant with a freshness accentuated by citrus aromas (lemon and grapefruit). Extra brut; 60 % de Pinot Meunier, 30 % de Pinot noir, 10 % de Chardonnay.
Francoise Bedel Cuvee Comme Autrefois Blanc de Noirs Brut, Champagne 2000 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Winemaker’s note: Extra brut. This reserve is vinified completely in oak casks and bottled directly with a traditional cork in a square bottle ring, and left to age on its lees for at least 10 years. Visual impression : When served, this champagne produces a lovely, creamy mousse that is held up at the surface by tumultuous effervescence. Nose : The first whiff is powerful and expressive, with a pleasing blend of freshness and maturity. The bouquet then evolves into dried fruits and sweet spices, finishing on mineral and lightly salty notes. Palate : Powerful and persistent. The duality of maturity and freshness scented in the bouquet is confirmed on the palate. The wine presents dried fruit aromas and a general sensation of vivacity. Biodynamic, hand-harvested. 40 % de Pinot Meunier, 40 % de Pinot noir, 20 % de Chardonnay.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $114.
Winemaker’s note: Vinified in enameled steel tanks and oak barrels. Nose : Ripe and mature on the nose with candied fruits and dried apricots. After aeration, it reveals very delicate aromas of santalwood, cinnamon and orange tree. Palate : It is full and round on the palate, with great vivacity. The finish is exuberant with honey and gingerbread aromas. Its right dosage gives the impression of balance. Biodynamically-farmed and hand-harvested; Brut. 90 % de Pinot Meunier, 7 % de Pinot noir, 3 % de Chardonnay.
Francoise Bedel Cuvee Origin’elle, Champagne NV 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Winemaker’s note: Vinified in enameled steel tanks and oak casks. Majority of the 2011 harvest. It pleases the eye with its abundant and creamy foam when served. A lively effervescence enhances the length and persistence of its rim ring. Brilliant golden in color, it has striking clarity. Nose : A pleasing round and fruity bouquet marries yellow fruits (apricots and peaches), and dried fruits (raisins and dried apricots). When swirled the rich alcohol notes of cognac and Armagnac waft up. Palate : The pleasingly supple palate of dried fruit notes reflects the bouquet. The finish shines with maturity and freshness. This last lends it a pleasant thirst-quenching quality. Biodynamically farmed, hand harvested; Extra brut. 75 % de Pinot Meunier, 10 % de Pinot noir, 15 % de Chardonnay.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92 points “Light, bright yellow. Pungent, highly aromatic bouquet evokes peach nectar, poached pear, vanilla and honeysuckle. Deeply pitched orchard and pit fruit flavors show very good intensity and lift, picking up spiciness with air. Finishes on a suave floral note, with impressive focus and length.” 95 % de Pinot Meunier, 5 % de Chardonnay.
New-Wave Rioja:
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92 points “(96% tempranillo, 3% garnacha and 1% viura, aged for 16 months in one-year-old French oak barrels): Glass-staining ruby. Explosive, alluring aromas of black and blue fruits, incense, licorice and vanilla bean. Lush and broad but juicy and focused as well, with suave candied dark berry flavors accented by sexy floral and Indian spice nuances. Finishes broad, spicy and impressively long, with echoing boysenberry and licorice notes. In the context of flamboyant, new-wave Rioja this is an absolute steal.”
Gamechanging Sherries:
Wine Advocate 91 points “According to the website, it is one Luis Gutierrez who came up with the term: “Florpower.” As stated on the label in Roman numerals, Lot 44 La Bota de Vino Blanco MMX “Florpower” comes from the 2010 vintage: unfortified Palomino from chalky Sanlucar soils that spends 32 months under flor and 8 months in sherry casks. Jesus mentioned that he did not want to risk excessive oxidation. It has a very attractive nose of beeswax, honeysuckle, smoked walnut that is clean and supremely well-focused. The palate is poised with impressive weight and presence in the mouth allied with a crisp seam of acidity: bitter lemon and dried orange peel, cloves and walnut towards the attractive, focused finish. This is a joy to behold, although I will have to ask my colleague what exactly “florpower” is and where I can buy some for myself.”
Equipo Navazos La Bota de Amontillado No. 37 ‘Navazos’ Sherry, Andalucia NV 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 95 points “The Lot 37 La Bota de Amontillado is selected from around 100 butts from the amontillado Soleras of Rainera P. Marin that were acquired by the Estevez Group and the idea here was to choose butts with freshness and heightened aromatics. Bottled in September 2012 it has a lucid deep straw color. The nose is very attractive with caramel, hazelnut, Turkish Delight and a touch of wild honey that are all very well defined and vibrant. The palate is very well-balanced with that caramel note coming through and combining beautifully with quince, white pepper, dried honey and marmalade. The oxidative element is perfectly judged on the finish with a delicate, nutty aftertaste that renders this approachable and for want of a better word – delicious!”
Equipo Navazos La Bota de Fino No. 35 ‘Macharnudo Alto’ Sherry, Andalucia NV 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 95 points “The La Bota De Fino Macharnudo Alto 35 was bottled in June 2012, and shows a deep golden color. This wine is sourced from the Inocente solera from Valdespino, and averages 10 years under flor. The idea is that once the wines age for a long time and the flor sharpens the wine, if you continue to age it further it gains in volume and intensity, making them much more powerful and if you like, less fine. An old wine that is a complex gentle giant crying for food. It shows a deep old-gold color, and feels dense and concentrated. The very complex nose is redolent of yeast, chalk, esparto grass, salted almonds and iodine, and keeps changing and developing as the wine stays in the glass. The palate is full-bodied, intense, balanced, ending dry with a bitter note. As good as Fino gets. Drink 2013- 2019.”
Italian Case Price: Produttori 2011 Cru Case
Special Pricing ends June 30th
Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Cellars!
Produttori del Barbaresco Montefico, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 22 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Montefico is another of the highlights in this range from the Produttori. Imagine the precision of Ovello, but with slightly darker fruit and more density and power through the middle. That’s the Montefico. A regal, towering Barbaresco, the Montefico should provide thrilling drinking for the next several decades. A rush of dark cherry, plum, smoke, licorice and tobacco add nuance on the powerful, structured finish.” AG
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Montestefano, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($599.95) $519 special, 1 case available (that’s only $43.25/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Produttori del Barbaresco Montestefano, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles available
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano is one of the least expressive of these wines. Inward, powerful and explosive, the 2011 is not in a mood to show much today, that is pretty clear. Still, there is an obvious energy here that is impossible to miss. A firm spine of tannin gives the wine much of its signature power. Dark red cherry, smoke, pomegranate and scorched earth blossom on the dramatic finish. A wine of real density and gravitas, the 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano stands out for its pure, unbridled energy and overall intensity.” AG
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco ‘Muncagota’, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($469.95) $419 special, 3 cases available (that’s only $34.92/bottle!)
Produttori del Barbaresco ‘Muncagota’, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 36+ bottles available
Antonio Galloni 90 points “Soft, caressing and voluptuous, the 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Muncagota is the sweetest and most open of these 2011 Riservas. Hard candy, wild flowers, mint and sweet spices meld together in a sensual, inviting Barbaresco that will drink nicely pretty much upon release. The 2011 strikes an attractive middle ground of raciness, texture and structure. As such, it will be one of the best early drinkers in this range. This is a gorgeous Muncagota.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $50
Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 19 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 94+ points “The 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello, from one of the coolest zones in Barbaresco, is superb. Here it is the wine’s precision and energy – both hard to come by in 2011 – that really stand out. Pine, mint, chalk, bright red berries, blood orange and white pepper are some of the signatures in a brilliant, finely-cut Barbaresco that captures the best of both the vintage and this site. Don’t miss it!” AG
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco ‘Paje’, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($599.95) $519 special, 2 cases available (that’s only $43.25/bottle!)
Produttori del Barbaresco ‘Paje’, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 11 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 95 points “One of the highlights in this range, the 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Pajè is also one of the most classic of these 2011 Riservas. Beams of underlying acidity and minerality give the flavors considerable thrust and brightness. Sweet mentholated notes wrap around a core of plush, red-fleshed plum and pomegranate fruit, leading to a brisk, refreshing finish. What is left to say? The 2011 Pajè is absolutely gorgeous. It’s as simple as that. Pajè is one of the cooler micro-climates the Produttori work with, and that was a help in 2011.” AG
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Pora, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($519.95) $459 special, 3 cases available (that’s only $38.25/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Produttori del Barbaresco Pora, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $44 special, 36+ bottles available
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Pora is sweet, round and sensual. Beautifully layered in the glass, the Pora is absolutely exquisite, with plenty of sweet red cherry, plum, mint and spice notes woven throughout. The Pora is typically the most open of the Produttori’s nine Riservas, as it is once again this year. There is so much to like here.” AG
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Rabaja, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($699.95) $679 special, 2 cases available (that’s only $56.58/bottle!)
Produttori del Barbaresco Rabaja, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 27 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “The 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà is quite backward today, with intense, salivating tannins that cut through the fruit. The trademark Rabajà balsamic flavor profile is there, with notable darkness and plenty of structure that add complexity to a core of crystalline fruit. Energetic and powerful, with searing tannin and exceptional balance, the Rabajà is going to require considerable patience. The only question is how much.” AG
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Rio Sordo, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($519.95) $459 special, 2 cases available (that’s only $38.25/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Produttori del Barbaresco Rio Sordo, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $44 special, 33 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Rio Sordo is a bit darker and more ample than it usually is, a signature of the year. With time in the glass, the typical soaring floral/spiced Rio Sordo bouquet emerges. Dark, sensual and beautifully expressive, the Rio Sordo is another wine that will drink well with minimal cellaring.”
Just a reminder about our current shipping specials:
Free service upgrade only applies on single orders purchased and shipped during the promotional period. Additional fees will apply to orders held for any reason until after the promotional period and shipped by Three Day Select. Offer not valid on pre-arrival items that arrive after the promotional period.
We also offer flat rate shipping on any size single order / single shipment
–Washington & Idaho for $20,
–and California for $25
These rates do not apply to orders held in storage here for any reason.
Multiple orders consolidated into one shipment do not qualify for flat rate shipping.
New Wine Spectator Reviews for
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas 2014s
Wines Arriving Late June
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas 2014 750ML ($39.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 92 points “Sports solid, charcoal-edged grip, with roasted alder and savory notes forming a robust frame around the chewy currant, plum and bitter cherry paste flavors. Best from 2018 through 2024.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Wine Spectator 94 points “Intense, with lots of grip along the edges, as rosemary, tobacco and charcoal notes coil around the core of steeped plum, blackberry and red currant fruit. Best from 2018 through 2024.”J.M.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Wine Spectator 93 points “Well-built, with sage, savory and tobacco notes weaving around the core of blackberry and black currant, picking up charcoal and roasted alder accents. Best from 2017 through 2024.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Wine Spectator 95 points “This has a succulent edge despite the vintage profile, with lovely raspberry, plum and boysenberry coulis flavors stretching out, picking up dried star anise, lightly singed alder and perfumy black tea notes. The long, fine-grained structure and lovely minerality linger through the finish. Shows remarkable refinement for the vintage. Drink now through 2024.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Tuscan Case Deals
Italian Family Values
Case-6 Castello di Ama ‘San Lorenzo’, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2011 750ML ($259.95) $233 special, 3 six-packs available (that’s only $38.83/bottle!)
Castello di Ama ‘San Lorenzo’, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2011 750ML ($57.95) $41.90 special, 19 bottles available
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
Case-12 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2011 750ML ($599.95) $549 special, 2 cases available (that’s only $45.75/bottle!)
Altesino Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles available
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Altesino’s 2011 Brunello di Montalcino opens with beguiling aromatics. Sage, licorice, menthol and sweet tobacco flesh out nicely as the wine shows off its ample, broad personality. The tannins could use another year or two to soften, but all the elements are very nicely balanced throughout. This gracious, silky Brunello will drink well for the next decade-plus.”
James Suckling 92 points “This is long and delicious with lovely cherry, chocolate and fresh walnut flavors. Linear yet open with persistence and joy. Drink now.”
Case-6 Altesino Montosoli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2011 750ML ($499.95) $449 special, 5 six-packs available (that’s only $74.83/bottle!)
Altesino Montosoli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2011 750ML ($99.95) $77 special, 24 bottles available
James Suckling 94 points “A very ripe style with prune, berry and salted-nut aromas and flavors. Full body, savory intensity and a long, flavorful finish. Lots of juicy, fabulous fruit. Shows the greatness of the vineyard. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $97
Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2011 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles available
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino is a terrific wine for the year. Sweet red cherry, plum, tobacco, mint, sweet spices and orange peel are all front and center. This is a gorgeous 2011 Brunello that represents everything the vintage can be; open-knit, accessible and polished. I don’t expect the 2011 will be a long-term ager, but it is exceptionally beautiful and delicious today.”
James Suckling 93 points “A ripe, juicy wine with blueberry, chocolate, walnut and cherry character. Round and savory. Silky tannins. Very close quality to the fabulous 2010. Delicious now.”
Case-12 Felsina Berardenga Fontalloro Toscana IGT 2009 750ML ($579.95) $519 special, 2 cases available (that’s only $43.25/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Felsina Berardenga Fontalloro Toscana IGT 2009 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles available
Antonio Galloni 94 points “There is a lot to like in the 2009 Fontalloro (Sangiovese). For starters, the wine is rich, broad and ample on the palate. Hints of tobacco, savory herbs, licorice and menthol all add complexity over time. The over juiciness of the fruit is nicely balanced by clean veins of underlying acidity that give the 2009 much of its freshness. This is another wine endowed with superb balance and class.” AG
Case-12 Felsina Berardenga Fontalloro Toscana IGT 2011 750ML ($699.95) $519 special, 1 case available (that’s only $43.25/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Felsina Berardenga Fontalloro Toscana IGT 2011 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 21 bottles available
Wine Spectator & Antonio Galloni 94 points “Felsina’s 2011 Fontalloro is wonderfully expressive today. Dark red cherry, plum, smoke, rose petal and sweet spices all blossom in the glass. Impeccably layered and sensual, the 2011 captures all the best qualities of the year. Sweet floral and red-toned notes burst with great energy on the structured finish. Fontalloro seems to have come a long way over the last few years. The 2011 is another drop-dead gorgeous beauty.” AG
Case-12 Felsina Berardenga Rancia, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($499.95) $469 special, 3 cases available (that’s only $39.08/bottle!)
Felsina Berardenga Rancia, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $41.90 special, 24 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 points “From the 6.25-hectare Rancia vineyard, the 2011 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia shows a more elaborate and stylized personality with ripe fruit tones, bursting cherry, perfumed violets and rose petal. Those floral notes add a feminine touch to what is in fact a wine of power and determination. It shows a beautiful evolution in the glass as well, with dusty mineral notes that add to the overall elegance of the dry, polished finish. This is one of the best Riservas of 2011.” ML
Arriving Late June
Case-6 Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2010 750ML ($479.95) $399 pre-arrival special (that’s only $66.50/bottle!), ETA late June
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a big, powerful wine that is going to require at least a few years to soften. Dark and brooding, the Riserva shows the more masculine side of Sangiovese. Black cherry, plum, leather, spice and tobacco all sit on firm beams of acidity and tannin. There is a sense of explosive energy to the 2010 that I find quite appealing, but readers will have to be patient in order to experience the wine at its best.”
Here Now: An Exquisite Bru
+ Cambie Collaboration:
Case-12 Chateau Puech-Haut Coteaux du Languedoc Saint-Drezery Prestige Rouge 2013 750ML ($249.95) $199 special (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2013 Coteaux du Languedoc Prestige (which was already in bottle at the time of this tasting) is a blend of 55% Grenache and 45% Syrah aged all in concrete tank. Fresh, elegant and thrillingly pure, with first rate aromas of blackberry, fresh plum, licorice and ground herbs, it is decidedly sexy and forward, yet stays perfectly balanced, with juicy acidity and fine tannin on the finish. Easily one of the top estates in the Languedoc (if not southern France), Chateau Puech Haut lies just outside the village of Saint-Drezery and is owned and run by Gerard Bru, with consulting help from Philippe Cambie. They produce a number of cuvees, with their entry level efforts representing superb values, and their top cuvees being able to stand toe to toe with the greatest wines in the world.”
Attention: Bojoheads and Gamay Fiends!
Domaine du Pavillon ‘Cuvee des Ambassades’
2014 Arriving Mid-July
Domaine du Pavillon de Chavannes Cote de Brouilly Cuvee des Ambassades, Beaujolais 2014 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special, ETA mid-July
Case-12 Domaine du Pavillon de Chavannes Cote de Brouilly Cuvee des Ambassades, Beaujolais 2014 750ML ($279.95) $239 pre-arrival special (that’s only $19.92/bottle!), ETA Mid-July
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92 points “A pure expression of highly aromatic Beaujolais, displays expansive, spice-tinged strawberry, blood orange, floral pastille scents and flavors. Juicy and lithe, it’s a superb example of this classically proportioned vintage. Shows the Gamay variety at its most elegant and complex.”