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Cameron Winery; Another Arrival from Wine Spectator’s Top 100; Staff Pick; Lapostolle; New Arrivals; Mumm Champagne; New Wines from Azelia; Post-Thanksgiving Sale Finale; Two Hands Sale
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With Thanksgiving behind us, the holiday season has officially begun…
Gift certificates are a great way to take away holiday stress, and over two dozen case deals currently on offer make hosting guests easy! We’re equipped to handle individual sales, corporate gift-giving, and anything in between. Of course, we ship all across the country and offer a flat rate for California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.
Give us a call at 503-223-6002 to help with anything you need – Happy Holidays!
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Flash Sale Finale!
While it lasts…
G.H. Mumm Cordon Rouge Brut NV 750ML ($44.95) $28 special
Case-6 G.H. Mumm Cordon Rouge Brut NV 750ML ($279.95) $149 special
Wine Spectator 92 points “Toast and dried fruit notes mix in this very harmonious dry Champagne, which is full of flavor—dried apricot, candied orange peel, nut and smoke—but still elegant and light-weight. The rich, toasty note lingers on the vibrant finish.”
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Brand Spankin’ New:
New Vintage from Cameron Winery
No fanatical review, top-tier score, or marketing campaign could sell a wine as well as John Paul did, to us, while sampling his 2013’s a few weeks ago. He’d swung by with a few bottles in tow, excited to declare the new vintage ready to taste. While tasting the last wine – his pinot from the Clos Electrique vineyard –with cheeks puckered, his eyes lit up and he knocked his head back, nodding with approval. “It’s so hard to spit that out,” he conceded. “It’s so good.”
John may be biased, of course, but he’s right. The 2013’s from Cameron are nothing short of lovely, drinking quite well now but also poised to age with grace. The new releases include Pinots and Chardonnay from two vineyards: Abbey Ridge and Clos Electrique. The former boasts some of Oregon’s oldest vines, seated 500-700 feet in elevation along the Red Hills of Dundee. The latter, French for “electric fence”, is planted with multiple clones of Pinot and Chardonnay along with a little bit of Pinot Blanc and Nebbiolo for experimentations’ sake. (The Nebbiolos are coming soon, p.s.!) Cameron’s wines are farmed organically and never irrigated.
John Paul’s devotion to dry farming led him to co-launch the Deep Roots Coalition, a consortium of winemakers who are committed to responsible water management and reject the use of artificial irrigation. Their rationale suggests that irrigating vineyards is both wasteful of resources and contradicts the ability of a vine’s root system to dig deep into soils in order to find water. More than anything else, forcing the roots to such depths lend the wines a degree of terroir which is virtually impossible with young, over-irrigated, shallow vines.
Beyond this, John Paul relies on animals within the vineyard in order to farm more sensibly and sustainably. Mobile chickens coops are slid along the vines in order to aid fertilization in exchange for kitchen scraps; goats eat at plant pests while providing manure and eliminating the need for herbicides. The whey from the goat’s milk is even used to prevent mildew, and bees are kept onsite to encourage pollination and the cultivation of cover crops which are used to better manage natural ‘irrigation’. The family’s two geese – dubbed “Foie” and “Gras”, of course – provide ambience and entertainment.
But John is no ordinary naturalist. He is an accomplished bioscientist and a ‘vigneron extrordinaire’!
We’re thrilled to have the new 2013’s in stock now, all listed below.
Cameron Vintage 2013 Wines Available Here Now:
Cameron Winery ‘Abbey Ridge’ Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2013 750ML ($81.95) $71.90 special
Winemaker’s note: Our oldest vineyard is Abbey Ridge located high in the Dundee Hills at an elevation range of 500-700 feet. The first vines were planted here in 1976 and, as some of the oldest vines in Oregon, they produce some of Cameron’s finest wines.
Vinopolnote: A nod to Chablis here, with lemon rind and tart apple flavors. Very fresh and round, with nice minerality to compound the touch of weight on the palate. My, will this will age wonderfully…
Cameron Clos Electrique Blanc, Dundee Hills 2013 750ML ($81.95) $66 special
Winemaker’s note: “Clos Electrique is farmed organically which means that we use elemental sulfur during the growing season to prevent growth of powdery mildew and use copper hydroxide and leaf removal in the vicinity of grape clusters to inhibit botrytis. Insect pests are generally kept in check by cultivation of predatory insects with integrated cover crops. This is one of the warmer vineyard sites in the Red Hills of Dundee and usually is harvested during the second half of September. Yields of the “blanc” generally yields 2.0 tons per acre (27 hl/hectare).
Vinopolnote: Wow. Honeysuckle, citrus, tarragon, and honey cover the palate while remaining lively and buoyant. Layered and charming, maintaining a balance between force and elegance.
Cameron Winery ‘Abbey Ridge’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2013 750ML ($81.95) $66 special
Winemaker’s note: “At Abbey Ridge only organic sprays are used on the grapes. Moisture levels in the soil of this non-irrigated vineyard are managed by a rotating system of cover crops and tilled (or clean cultivated) areas. By adjusting mowed height of the cover crops relative to rainfall, appropriate quantities of water can be retained in the soil for the vines. The older vines have extremely deep roots to take advantage of moisture there during the dry, late summer months.”
Vinopolnote: Cranberry and spice and everything nice! Lighter bodied with more pronounced acid than Clos, with plenty of savory minerals and fleshy red fruit. Quite the contender for Thanksgiving!
Cameron Winery Clos Electrique Rouge, Willamette Valley 2013 750ML($81.95) $66 special
Winemaker’s note: “(At Clos Electrique,) Each block of vines is planted to multiple clones. This technique increases the complexity of the resulting wines as well as giving the vineyard great resilience in the face of various climatic and biological impediments. Most of the Pinot noir clones were planted in 1984 though some have been added along the way.”
Vinopolnote: We fought, with all our might, to not spit the wine when we first tasted a few afternoons ago. So much depth here, all in harmony, with tamarind and cherries meeting blood orange and spices. It drinks very well now and will drink very well down the road. Will be hard to resist, let alone share…
Arriving Next Week:
Cameron Nebbiolo, Dundee Hills 2011 750ML ($39.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Winemaker’s note: “In 1994 we planted a small experimental row of 2 different clones of Nebbiolo. Our thinking was that Barolo/Barbaresco lie on the 45th parallel and besides nebbiolo they are one of the few locales in the world where hazelnuts (nocciolo) grow. We cleared an orchard of hazelnuts to plant our vineyard. By 1999 we were convinced that we could in fact successfully grow nebbiolo here and so started grafting and planting. By 2003 we had planted a half-acre and by 2006 we were able to produce our first commercial batch of nebbiolo. Since we have adopted the long aging regimen typical of Barolo and Barbaresco, our first nebbiolo was not released until Fall of 2010. Thus 2007 is slated to be available in Fall of 2011. Quantities are extremely small at this point.”
Vinopolnote: Lighter than previous vintages, but still so full of character and pretty aromatics. Brick-red, with more than enough acid alongside the fistful of earth, kitchen spice, and dark red fruit it delivers.
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Another Top 100 New Arrival
From Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2015
Bodegas LAN Edicion Limitada, Rioja DOCa 2011 750ML ($41.95) $36 special
Wine Spectator 94 points — #23 TOP 100 2015– “This rich red delivers ripe, racy flavors of blackberry, kirsch, toast, spice and mineral. Plush but dense, with subtle yet powerful tannins and tangy acidity. A big wine, showing energy and style. Drink now through 2031.”
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Staff Pick
Feudo di San Maurizio Saro Djablo Valle d’Aosta 2010 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 20 bottles available
I cannot get enough wine from Valle d’Aosta, and this wine is no exception. Fragrant and layered, it’s technically a multi-vintage blend of cofermented varietals. The blend is surprisingly harmonious, considering it consists of Barbera, Freisa, Ciliegiolo, Dolcett, Gamay, Petit Rouge, Fumin, and Premetta.
The vines sit 3,000 feet above sea level in that northwestern corner of Italy I’ve long wanted to visit. In the glass, the wine is a bit of a feat. Sure, it’s neither the most precise nor wholly elegant. It’s terribly fun to drink, however, with lovely swirls of spice, berry fruit, and earth. Throw a log on the fire, pop and cork, and have fun with it – chill it, decant it, have some with a cool new recipe. Wine can be fun, don’t forget… Cheers!
-Tyler
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Lapostolle Winery
French-Chilean Class in a Glass
Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle and her husband Cyril de Bournet founded Lapostolle in 1994. The Marnier Lapostolle family, known for founding Grand Marnier liqueur, drew on long long roots in wine and spirits within France. Their project in Chile, under the name Lapostolle, delivers world-class wines across every tier.
Spread across three vineyards, the winery’s vineyards total 370 hectares across the Chiliean coastline across different terroirs. Situated south of Santiago, the vineyards include mountain ranges and dried-up riverbeds; exposure to sun, fertile soils, and oceanic breezes all contribute to ideal winegrowing conditions. The ambition of ‘Casa’ series of wines –newly arrived to the shop – is to deliver value-driven, delicious wine from a grand estate known for world-class viticulture.
Lapostolle Wines Currently Available:
Casa Lapostolle ‘Casa’ Grand Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, Rapel Valley, Chile 2012 750ML ($11.95) $8.80 special, 23 bottles available
Case-12 Casa Lapostolle ‘Casa’ Grand Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, Rapel Valley, Chile 2012 750ML ($119.95) $79 special, 7 cases available
Wine Spectator: “A savory red, showing white pepper and green herbal accents to the dense core of dark fruit flavors. Mocha and chocolate accents emerge on the fleshy finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Casa Lapostolle ‘Casa’ Grand Selection Chardonnay, Casablanca Valley 2012 750ML ($11.95) $8.80 special, 22 bottles available
Case-12 Casa Lapostolle ‘Casa’ Grand Selection Chardonnay, Casablanca Valley 2012 750ML ($119.95)
$79 special, 8 cases available
Importer’s note: The Lapostolle Casa tier of wines are young and expressive, bright and vivid, and made to capture the freshness of the fruit. Casa Grand Selection Chardonnay comes from the breezy, coastal Casablanca Valley, which has cool and dry summers, allowing the Chardonnay to ripen slowly and maintain its natural acidity. Hand-harvesting at night enhances the fruitiness and crispness of the grapes, and also helps reduce the use of energy at the winery. Casa Grand Selection Chardonnay is satisfying on its own, and also goes well with many seafood dishes and white meat.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Casa Lapostolle Canto de Apalta, Rapel Valley, Chile 2010 750ML ($21.95) $16.60 special, 25 bottles available
Case-12 Casa Lapostolle Canto de Apalta, Rapel Valley, Chile 2010 750ML ($249.95) $179 special, 4 cases available
Wine Spectator 90 points “A rich, smoky red, sporting dark cassis, grilled fig and macerated cherry notes to the iron, smoke and dark spice flavors that linger through the mocha-tinged finish. Carmenère, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.”
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “This is a new wine from Lapostolle, bearing a nose that’s intense and compact, with mineral and dark fruit aromas. It feels rich and muscular but not heavy, with berry, licorice, buttery oak and vanilla flavors. The finish is minty and chocolaty tasting. Carmenère, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah make up the blend.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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New Arrivals
FRANCE-CHAMPAGNE
Champagne Hebrart Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru Brut NV 750ML ($59.95) $39 special
Terry Theise-“I start to wonder whether there’s a better NV BdB than this one. I know of none. I did a tasting last Fall wherein this and the Special Club were shown, and the orders taken for this were vastly higher. Yes the Club costs more, but this wine COSTS A LOT LESS THAN IT’S WORTH. It’s stiffly chalky and only the tiniest bit green; the finish is perfect, bountiful but not “fruity”—the empty glass smells like toasted wheat bread. It’s 80% 2011 and 20% 2010-2009, only free-run, 20% Oiry and Chouilly and 80% Mareuil.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $42.99
Champagne Hebrart Cuvee Rose Premier Cru Brut NV 750ML ($59.95) $44 special
Terry Theise “After a slight dip (based on the available vintages) this is not only back in form, it exceeds the prevailing form by quite a measure. Striking length and a high wire act of fruit and chalk, moving to zones of clarity and beauty that aren’t well populated. It’s some mind meld of high-cheekboned statuesqueness and full-lipped sensuality that makes this Rosé so compelling. 50% CH from Mareuil, of 2012. 41.5% PN Mareuil from 2010-2009. 8.5% still PN from Mareuil, a year in barrel, all 2011. Free-run only. Deg 09/2014”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $51.99
Piper-Heidsieck Rare Millesime Brut 2002 750ML ($219.95) $189 special
Wine Spectator 97 points “Impeccably balanced and silky, with finely honed acidity shaping the expansive flavors of toasted brioche, crushed blackberry, lemon preserves and honey, revealing hints of Frangelico liqueur and smoked nut. Rich and vivid, with a lasting finish. Drink now through 2027. 2,500 cases made.” AN
FRANCE-BORDEAUX
Chateau Aney, Haut Medoc 2008 750ML ($31.95) $28 special
From the importer “The final blend of the wine matches the proportions in which they are planted throughout the thirty hectares of vineyards: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. This traditional Haut Médoc is more like what you might remember of the classic Bordeaux styles of the 1960s and 1970s. Not at all cloaked in new wood or over-extracted tannins, Château Aney’s wines have finesse and balance that make them both approachable now and perfect for longer aging. They are a great choice for any cellar.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Chateau Bellegrave, Pomerol 2009 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
“This firm red shows cherry, rhubarb and herbal flavors, with tight tannins and orange zest acidity. A bit lean, but lively and fresh. Drink now through 2017.”–Wine Spectator (2012)
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Chateau Bellegrave, Pomerol 2010 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Wine Spectator 88 points “Offers silky, classy, pure plum and cassis fruit, with gently inlaid toasted vanilla, black tea and licorice hints. The creamy finish glides along easily. A textbook Pomerol. Drink now through 2018.” WS
FRANCE-BURGUNDY
Sonia & Marc Cameron Bourgogne Blanc Tonnerre Sagara 2013 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Case-12 Domaine Cameron Bourgogne Tonnerre Sagara 2013 750ML ($249.95) $219 special (that’s only $18.25/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2013 Bourgogne Tonnerre Sagara has light nectarine, jasmine and almond scents on the nose that is nicely defined, though it does not quite have the edginess of the 2014. The palate is clean and fresh, nicely poised with a slightly resinous texture and attractive blood-orange notes interlacing the finish. Drink this more exotic Sagara over the next 4 to 6 years.” WA
Remi Jobard Bourgogne Blanc Nouvelle Vigne 2013 750ML ($27.95) $24 special
Case-12 Jobard Bourgogne Blanc Nouvelle Vigne 2013 750ML ($279.95) $239 special (that’s only $19.91/bottle!)
“A very fresh nose features a pretty mix of apple, citrus, petrol and soft floral hints. There is both good volume and punch to the detailed and delicious flavors that possess only average complexity but very solid persistence. This balanced effort should drink well almost immediately.” Burghound
FRANCE-LOIRE
Pascal et Nicolas Reverdy Sancerre Terre de Maimbray Rouge 2013 750ML ($29.95) $26 special
Case-12 Pascal et Nicolas Reverdy Sancerre Terre de Maimbray Rouge 2013 750ML ($299.95) $259 special (that’s only $21.58/bottle!)
Importer note “I think it is safe to say that Nicholas and Pascal are the two tallest individuals to inhabit (or ever to have inhabited) the tiny hamlet of Maimbray nestled in a valley surrounded by chalk hills, nearing mountains in steepness. Maimbray is a humble looking village, forming right angles with neighboring Chavignol and Verdigny. Here Pascal and Nicolas bootstrapped their operation up year by year, having begun with virtually no capital. Already in France they were regarded as one of the finest producers of Sancerre Rouge, when I met them in 1995. Tragically, Nicolas was killed in an accident in the vineyards in late November 2007, but his wife Sophie has joined Pascal and his wife, Nathalie, in the enterprise and works full-time in the vines with Pascal. The yields are very low, about 50 Hl/Ha, with excellent natural ripeness and super low concentration of Sauvignon/mineral character.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
FRANCE-RHONE
Domaine Les Aphillanthes Cotes du Rhone Villages Cuvee Trois Cepages 2012 750ML ($27.95) $24 special
Case-12 Domaine Les Aphillanthes Cotes du Rhone Villages Cuvee Trois Cepages 2012 750ML ($279.95) $239 special (that’s only $19.91/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 90-92 points “A blend of equal parts Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, the 2012 Cotes du Rhone Village Cuvee 3 Cepages also shows the purity and suppleness of the vintage, with ample floral, berry, mint and incense-like qualities flowing to a medium to full-bodied, textured and beautifully balanced feel on the palate. Coming from tiny, tiny yields (we’re talking on the order of 10 hectoliters per hectare), it is a stunning success in the vintage and should evolve gracefully for 7-8 years.” WA
FRANCE-LANGUEDOC
Canet Valette Saint-Chinian Antonyme 2013 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Winery note “[Translated] The other day a friend told me, “it’s the Beaujolais of Canet-Valette.” Antonym is the quintessential wine of pleasure, we drink it cool, especially in summer.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $19.33
Canet Valette Saint-Chinian Une et Mille Nuits 2010 750ML ($27.95) $24 special
Winery note “[Translated] Hedonistic but profound, sincere and fleshy, Une et Mille Nuits brings together five traditional grapes of the Languedoc: Grenache, Carignan, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. It’s the Saint-Chinian according to Canet-Valette.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
SPAIN
Mas Alta Black Slate La Vilella Alta 2013 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Robert Parker 95 points “This is a joint venture between famed Rhône négociant Michel Tardieu, his oenologist Philippe Cambie and importer Eric Solomon. From the area of Priorat known as the Vilella Alta, these are high-density vineyards planted more than 1,000 feet above sea level. The vines average between 15 to 60 years old. The final blend of the 2013 Black Slate is 60% Grenache, 35% Carignan and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, all aged for one year in French oak (60% new and 40% one-year-old). The color is inky/bluish/purple. The wine offers up notes of blueberry and blackberry liqueur mixed with wet rocks, spring flowers and graphite, followed by a full-bodied, dense, multidimensional wine with fabulous intensity, loads of burgeoning complexity and a precise and lush feel to the palate. Tannins are present, but silky and well-integrated. This is a seamless, beautifully made wine that sells for a song, considering the quality and complexity it possess. Drink over the next 5-8 years.” RP
Bodegas Muga Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2011 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Case-12 Bodegas Muga Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2011 750ML ($299.95) $236 special (that’s only $19.91/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 91+ points “The 2011 Reserva is mostly Tempranillo complemented with some 20% Garnacha, 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo. There are no stainless-steel vats at Muga, so everything is fermented in oak vats and this wine is then aged for one year in new French oak barrels and a further year in used ones (three to six years old), fined with egg white and bottled. It is a Rioja that mixes the traditional and modern character with ripe fruit and contains oak aromas that are quite spicy and have some toast and smoke that should integrate with a bit of time in bottle. The palate is medium-bodied, has clean flavors that are balanced with sweet tannins. This is easy to drink, pleasant but not banal, and delivers a lot for its price. An impressive half-million bottles are produced of this wine, which is sold as Crianza in Spain and as Reserva in the rest of the world. Year after year, one of the most reliable and affordable Reservas.” LG
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Azienda Agricola Azelia
Arriving on December 4th
Within the celebrated Castiglione Falletto and Serralunga, Azienda Agricola Azelia has been making wine across five generations. Barolo, Barbera, and Dolcetto are grown across 16 hectares of idyllic vineyards, all worked and harvested by hand. The vines range in age from 40-90 years in age; no chemical fertilizers are used and yields are naturally very low – and further diminished by very selective harvesting.
The family espouses old-fashioned winemaking practices, never fining or filtering and fermenting only with native yeasts. The wines are aged in barrique or large cask, depending upon the variety and style sought. Azelia has struck a fine balance between technology and tradition while being situated in one of the most beautiful regions of the world, crafting wines of great depth and precision.
Below, Wines from Azienda Agricola Azelia Arriving December 4th:
Azelia di Luigi Scavino Vigneto Punta Barbera d’Alba 2013 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Azelia di Luigi Scavino Vigneto Punta Barbera d’Alba 2013 750ML ($259.95) $219 pre-arrival special
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Azelia di Luigi Scavino Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($39.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Azelia di Luigi Scavino Barolo DOCG 2011 1.5L ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Azelia di Luigi Scavino Barolo DOCG 2011 1.5L ($359.95) $319 pre-arrival special (that’s only $26.58/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
James Suckling 94 points “Fascinating aromas of iron, terra cotta and dried fruits. Full body, with chewy tannins and a juicy finish. Muscular yet polished Barolo. Better in 2018. Better than 2010.” JS
Wine Spectator 92 points “Fleshy, with bright cherry, strawberry, wild herb, tar and tobacco flavors. Refined tannins grace the lingering finish, rendering this balanced and persistent. Best from 2018 through 2032.” WS
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Azelia di Luigi Scavino Bricco Fiasco, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($89.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Azelia di Luigi Scavino Bricco Fiasco 2011 750ML ($799.95) $649 pre-arrival special (that’s only $54.08/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2011 Barolo Bricco Fiasco is pretty but almost unusually polished and silky for a site that tends to produce much firmer and more tannic wines. Crushed flowers, red berries and mint all add to a sense of aromatic lift, nuance and total class. In 2011, the Bricco Fiasco is all about finesse.” AG
Azelia di Luigi Scavino Margheria, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($89.95) $66 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Azelia di Luigi Scavino Margheria, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($799.95) $699 pre-arrival special (that’s only $58.25/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Antonio Galloni 96 points “Iron, smoke, spices, rose petal, lavender and mint meld into a core of dark red fruit in the 2011 Barolo Margheria. Here, too, the style is all about finesse, nuance and complexity. Firm tannins convey an overall impression of classicism. The Margheria is the most classic of the wines in the Scavino range. Three years in cask, with natural malos the spring after the harvest are among the choices that give the Margheria its unique personality. This is a terrific showing from the Margheria, a wine that has blossomed considerably since I last tasted it.” AG
Azelia di Luigi Scavino ‘San Rocco’, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($89.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Azelia di Luigi Scavino ‘San Rocco’, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($799.95) $649 pre-arrival special (that’s only $54.03/bottle!)
Antonio Galloni 95 points “As it usually is, the 2011 Barolo San Rocco is the darkest and richest of the Azelia Barolos, but it too is quite polished in this vintage. Dark red cherries, licorice, spices and new leather flesh out in a Barolo that shows the depth of Serralunga, but with gorgeous mid-palate pliancy, silky tannins and soft contours for a young Barolo. Here, too, the wine’s balance is incredibly alluring, especially since the San Rocco has a history of drinking well throughout its entire life.” AG
Wine Spectator 93 points “Licorice and sweet spice notes grace the cherry and tar flavors in this intense and compact red. All the components are well-proportioned, but this needs time to come together. Offers a classic Serralunga profile. Best from 2019 through 2035.” WS
Azelia di Luigi Scavino Bricco dell’Oriolo Dolcetto d’Alba 2013 750ML ($17.95) $14 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Azelia di Luigi Scavino Bricco dell’Oriolo Dolcetto d’Alba 2013 ($199.95) $149 pre-arrival special (that’s only $12.42/bottle!)
Antonio Galloni 89 points “The 2013 Dolcetto d’Alba Bricco dell’Oriolo is very pretty in this vintage. High altitude vineyards in Montelupo Albese yield an especially floral, lifted Dolcetto long on personality and class. Pine, mint, crushed flowers, dark red cherries and a slight gamy note add the final nuances of complexity.” AG
Azelia di Luigi Scavino Langhe Nebbiolo 2013 750ML ($24.95) $19 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Azelia di Luigi Scavino Langhe Nebbiolo 2013 750ML ($249.95) $199 pre-arrival special (that’s only $16.58/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Antonio Galloni 88 points “The 2013 Langhe Nebbiolo is floral, lifted and very pretty. Raspberry, strawberries, mint and sweet spices inform a feminine, gracious Nebbiolo built for near-term pleasure, and there is plenty of that here.” AG
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Thanksgiving Sale: Extended!
Until midnight tonight, enjoy the deep discounts on dozens of different wines we’ve put on seasonal sale. Below, we list 28 of the different bottles and case deals! To see all 55 offers, please refer to Wednesday’s newsletter for the full list or stop by the shop!
CALIFORNIA
Harlan Estate, Napa Valley 2004 750ML ($599.95) $499 special (was $519)
Robert Parker 98 points “Very deep garnet-black colour with a purple rim. Though still very youthful and muted, this vintage is already subtly revealing a wide array of aromas including blackberry tart, cedar, violets, truffles, liquorice and all spice. In the mouth however this is no shrinking violet–the ’04 is a big, concentrated and highly structured wine with somewhat impenetrable, tightly grained tannins and medium to high acid supporting its rich weight. Very, very long finish displaying hints of savoury earthiness and that signature minerality that appears to surface in better years. Drink 2009-2030.” RP
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $550
The average price is $669
Colgin Cellars Tychson Hill Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2011 750ML ($499.9) $349 special (was $379)
Antonio Galloni 97+ points “The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Tychson Hill opens with the most exquisite of aromatics. Sage, rosemary, graphite, tobacco, menthol, black cherries, plums all flesh out in a dark, voluptuous wine loaded with class. The interplay of savory notes with layers of fruit is simply breathtaking. Vivid, nuanced and beautifully structured, the 2011 is firing on all cylinders. There is a level of aromatic lift and pure finesse that is simply striking. Hints of orange peel and white pepper add an exotic flair on the close. Tychson Hill is Cabernet Sauvignon with splashes of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Shades of the 2001 linger in the empty glass.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $395
The average price is $483
Sine Qua Non Patine Grenache 2011 750ML ($599.95) $499 special (was $519)
Wine Advocate 97 points “Coming all from Manfred’s Eleven Confessions Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills and a blend of 77% Grenache, 22% Syrah and 1% Viognier (fermented with 25% whole clusters), the 2011 Grenache Patine spent a full 33 months in almost all neutral oak, with just 11% being new. It offers perfumed and spice-laced notes of white pepper, black raspberry, blackberry and ground herbs that flow to a full-bodied, elegant, nicely concentrated 2011 that has nicely integrated acidity, no hard edges and a terrific finish. It’s certainly one of the fresher, more elegant Grenaches from Manfred, yet it still has rocking levels of fruit. Give it 2-3 years of cellaring and enjoy bottles over the following decade.” JD
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $581
Sine Qua Non Patine Syrah 2011 750ML ($599.95) $519 special
Wine Advocate 98 points “A wine that needs to be forgotten in the cellar for 5-6 years, the 2011 Syrah Patine checks in as a blend of roughly 97% Syrah and the balance Roussanne and Viognier. It too comes all from the estate’s Eleven Confessions Vineyard and saw 39 months in 63% new French oak. Backward, tight, concentrated and structured, with full-bodied richness and depth, it gives up Guigal La Landonne like aromas and flavors of graphite, sweet oak, smoked meats, pepper and black raspberry and cassis-like fruit. While it shows the vintage’s cooler nature, it has a stacked mid-palate and will evolve gracefully for 15-20 years.” JD
Hundred Acre Few and Far Between Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 750ML ($419.95) $299 special (Was $319)
Robert Parker 94-96 points “Another great success that escaped the insidious spread of botrytis on the valley floor is the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Few and Far Between. One of the top wines of the vintage, the Cabernet Franc component gives the wine a multidimensional aromatic display of forest floor, blueberries, mulberries, black raspberries, plums, black currants and a wet rock-like minerality. The rich, full-bodied flavors seem almost an anomaly in this vintage given its extraordinary irregularity and frequent disappointments. This prodigious 2011 is a candidate for the wine of the vintage.”
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The average price is $338
ITALY
Vietti Lazzarito, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($149.95) $119 special (was $125)
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2011 Barolo Lazzarito is a landmark wine and one of the best expressions made region-wide in this challenging vintage. The bouquet is gorgeous thanks to the never-ending aromas of dark fruit, licorice and balsam herb that peel off the top. The Lazzarito vineyard in Serralunga d’Alba is characterized by thick soils and deep shifts between daytime and nighttime temperatures. These are important factors that lead to quality fruit despite the summer heat.” ML
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2011 Barolo Lazzarito is fabulous in this vintage. Rich, ample and structured, the 2011 is both opulent and savory in style. Iron, plums, dark red cherries, smoke, licorice and tobacco meld together in a remarkably harmonious young Serralunga Barolo. This is the first year the Vietti Lazzarito includes a second recently acquired parcel, which may be one of the factors that influences quality, but at the same time, the Lazzarito has been the most improved Barolo in the range. All the elements come together in the 2011, a wine that has it all. This is a great showing from the Lazzarito. Best of all, readers won’t have to wait forever to enjoy this beautiful, pedigreed Barolo.” AG
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The average price is $148
Vietti Rocche di Castiglione, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($149.95) $119 special (was $125)
Antonio Galloni–Vinous 95 points “Vietti’s 2011 Barolo Rocche is rich and sumptuous in this vintage, with gorgeous textural resonance. The classic Rocche signatures are present, but the 2011 has a bit more body than is often the case. Freshly cut flowers mint, sweet spices and rose petals form a hugely appeal fabric of flavors and textures. Voluptuous and racy in the glass yet with plenty of nuance and finesse, the 2011 Rocche captures the very best qualities of the year. All things considered, this is one of the more subtle wines of the year.” AG
Wine Advocate 94 points “Previously known as Barolo Rocche, the 2011 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione now boasts the full name of its vineyard designate. It shows profound fruit intensity with dark layers of blackcurrant and exotic spice. The overall effect is enriched, opulent and velvety. A firm tannic backbone is paired to bright acidity to fuel the wine’s considerable persistence and its rich structured texture. The beauty of the wine will only improve in time.”
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The average price is $154
Falletto di Bruno Giacosa ‘Le Rocche del Falletto’, Barolo DOCG 2005 1.5L ($499.95) $379 special (was $419)
Wine Advocate 96+ points, Wine Spectator & Stephen Tanzer 95 points “The 2005 Barolo Le Rocche del Falletto is a massive, towering Barolo loaded with tons of rich, primary fruit. The wine remains powerful, dense and muscular with superb length even if it is a smaller-scaled Barolo compared to previous great vintages. That said, when I came back to the wine after it had been in the glass for an hour or so, I found that the wine had grown remarkably. While the 2005 doesn’t have the explosive personality of the 2004, it remains an awesome achievement in this vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2035.”WA
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Castell’in Villa Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2008 750ML ($59.95) $41.90 special (was $49)
Ian D’Agata—Vinous 92+ points “Good bright red. Nose began closed and brooding, but showed vibrant notes of redcurrant, mint and dried flowers with aeration, complicated by a strong mineral quality. Sweet and nicely lush in the mouth, with suave flavors of redcurrant, herbs and tobacco joined on the back end by a very strong element of gunflint. The long finish features a firm acid spine and youthfully chewy but noble tannins.” ID
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The average price is $56
Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana IGT 2011 750ML ($89.95) $55 special (was $66)
Case-6 Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana IGT 2011 750ML ($499.95) $299 special (was $376) (that’s only $49.83/bottle!)
Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana IGT 2011 1.5L ($159.95) $119 special (was $133)
James Suckling 95 points “Aromas of currant, bark and orange peel. Nutmeg powder. Full body and chewy tannins. Savory, with balsamic and nuts. I love the juicy, decadent character to this. Drink or hold.” JS
Antonio Galloni 94+ points “Isole e Olena’s 2011 Cepparello is remarkably silky, polished and refined, especially considering the challenges of the vintage. Dark red stone fruits, wild flowers, menthol and sweet spices all meld together gracefully in the glass. Voluptuous and racy but also an impeccably balanced wine with phenomenal length and a super-expressive finish. The 2011 will offer a wide window of drinking pleasure pretty much upon release. Drink: 2017-2026.” AG
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The average price is $71
Gaja Ca’Marcanda Magari Toscana IGT 2012 750ML ($79.95) $49 special (was $59)
Wine Advocate 94 points Upped to a Bolgheri status (previously this wine was identified as a Toscana IGT), the 2012 Bolgheri Magari is simply delightful. This vintage shows extra heft and dimension that allows the wine to spread smoothly over the palate. Merlot is blended with Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon, and the taste profile in the 2012 vintage definitely favors the Merlot component. Soft cherry and dark berry segue to spice and moist tobacco. The structure of the two Cabernet varieties shows in the mouth where the wine is elegant and tight. It needs more time for bottle evolution. Angelo Gaja’s Ca’Marcanda estate has hit its stride with this latest set of wines. His management of the 2011 heat is impressive, resulting in wines with power and finesse. Ca’Marcanda never seems to get the attention it deserves, and the wines are indeed pricy. Nonetheless, they are among the finest expressions on the Tuscan coast. ML
James Sucking 93 points “Bright and firm with sliced-lemon, blueberry and almond character throughout. Full body, firm tannins and a clean finish. Clean and fresh. Better in 2016.” JS
Wine Spectator 92 points”Rich and bursting with cedar, licorice, black currant and sandalwood aromas and flavors, this red is dense and chewy. Balanced and long, this begs for grilled steak or a roast. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2022. ” WS
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Statti Gaglioppo Calabria IGT 2013 750ML ($21.95) $11.90 special (was $16)
Case-6 Statti Gaglioppo Calabria IGT 2013 750ML ($119.95) $69 special (was $89)
Case-12 Statti Gaglioppo Calabria IGT 2013 750ML ($219.95) $119 special (was $159)
Winery note: “100% Gaglioppo; the respect of the original and typical fruit produces a wine of a rare elegance and pleasantness. The right witness of a land hidden into its own richness.”
Each are these deals are the lowest listed prices in the USA today!
SPAIN
Bodegas Avante ‘Tineta’, Ribera del Duero 2012 750ML ($17.95) $11.90 special (was $14)
Case-12 Bodegas Avante ‘Tineta’, Ribera del Duero 2012 750ML ($179.95) $119 special (was $138)
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “(fermented in stainless steel tanks, with malo in small oak barrels, followed by 22 months of aging in French and American oak casks): Deep ruby. Sexy, perfumed aromas of cherry, blueberry and potpourri, with subtle licorice and dark chocolate qualities emerging with air. At once plush and lively, showing very good depth–and juicy acidity–to its black and blue fruit flavors. Supple tannins arrive late, adding shape to the sweet, spice-tinged finish.”
FRANCE
Domaine Remi Jobard Le Poruzot Dessus, Meursault Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($99.95) $69 special (was $79)
Antonio Galloni 92+ points “A deep, earthy wine, the 2011 Meursault 1er Cru Poruzots-Dessus hits the palate with tons of muscle and power. The style is bold and direct. There isn’t a whole lot of complexity here, but there is plenty of pure stuffing. It will be interesting to see where the 2011 goes over the coming year. Today structural elements dominate over fruit.” AG
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Domaine Leroy Aux Allots, Nuits-Saint-Georges 2011 750ML ($599.95) $419 special (was $499)
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2011 Nuits St.Georges Les Allots has a striking bouquet, more immediate than the Pommard with lifted mineralite, beautifully defined and focused. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannins, waves of black currant and raspberry fruit underlined by superb tension and poise. Everything is reined in toward the finish that is very composed with a long aftertaste and spicy coda. Excellent.” WA
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Domaine Leroy Pommard Les Vignots 2011 750ML ($599.95) $399 special (was $499)
Burghound 89 points “There is a soft touch of wood to the notably ripe yet cool and airy aromas of plum, cassis and wet stone. There is excellent volume and mid-palate concentration to the medium-bodied flavors that brim with dry extract on the detailed finish that exudes a fine minerality. This balanced effort delivers fine depth and length for its level.” BH
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Joseph Drouhin Musigny Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2011 750ML ($799.95) $549 special (was $589)
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 92-95 points “Good deep red. Captivating aromas of blueberry, violet, coffee bean, white pepper and crushed stone. Juicy on entry, then tight and imploded in the middle, with an energetic core of fruit currently dominated by the wine’s structure. Most impressive today on the rising, expanding back end, which saturates the mouth with dusty minerality. This will need eight to ten years of cellaring.” ST
Burghound ” 93-95 points Don’t miss! A highly spiced, cool and reserved nose features superb breadth with a wonderfully appealing array of plum, violets, wet stone and essence of red berry fruit. The exceptionally rich, focused and intensely mineral-inflected broad-shouldered flavors evidence focused power and a sleek muscularity before terminating in an explosive and palate saturating finish of genuinely stunning length. This is a knockout in every respect.” BH
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Joseph Drouhin Musigny Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2012 750ML ($999.95) $649 special (was $799)
Burghound 96 points “Here the expressive nose is even more complex and spicier than the Amoureuses with its fresh and impressively pure notes of black cherry, plum, violets and cassis that are trimmed by a backdrop of softly toasty oak. There is good power and excellent size, weight and muscle on the big-bodied flavors that exude plenty of mouth coating dry extract that also serves to buffer the very firm tannins on the strikingly persistent and almost painfully intense finish. There is a beguiling contrast between the silky mid-palate and the powerful finish that just goes on and on. This should be stunning in time but this is definitely not a wine for early consumption.” BH
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Domaine Trapet Père et Fils Latricières-Chambertin Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($259.95) $208 special (was $225)
Antonio Galloni – Vinous 94-96 points “The 2012 Latricières-Chambertin possesses a super-classic sense of cut and energy. Black fruit, smoke, autumn leaves and new leather form the backdrop as this intense, saline-infused Burgundy shows off its vibrant, layered personality. Here, too, readers need to be prepared to be patient. The Latricières is a wine for the cellar. Trapet used 65% whole clusters. This is a great Burgundy in the making. (AG) (1/2014).”
Burghound 95 points “A somber yet elegant nose presents aromas of various dark berries, floral tones and wet stone nuances that are trimmed in subtle wood nuances. This is markedly mineral-driven with superb delineation and terrific tension on middle weight plus flavors that deliver outstanding length on the driving, youthfully austere and beautifully well-balanced finale. This is a strikingly persistent and entirely classic Latricières that is built on its minerality though note well that plenty of patience will be required. (1/2015)”AM
Wine Advocate 93-95 points “The 2012 Latricieres-Chambertin Grand Cru comes from a single 0.75-hectare parcel whose oldest members were planted in 1938. It has another very crisp and focused bouquet with fine delineation and tension – quite similar to the Chapelle-Chambertin in style but with slightly blacker fruit. The palate is tannic and structure, here with a subtle marine influence, leading to a masculine, swarthy finish. This has great persistency in the mouth. Superb. (NM) (12/2013)”
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 94 points “Good medium red. Slightly sauvage nose and palate combine black cherry, underbrush and espresso elements, with complicating notes of pepper and truffle. Lush, seamless and filled in, offering lovely balance from the outset. Less floral and fruity than the Chapelle but even denser. Most impressive right now on the building, unflagging finish, which features noble, broad tannins and the structure to support a long and graceful evolution in bottle. (3/2015)”
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Domaine Trapet Père et Fils Chambertin Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($379.95) $299 special (was $325)
Burghound 96 points “This is ultra-cool and restrained aromatically with its airy and even elegant aromas of intensely floral, spicy and stony wild dark berry scents that are also trimmed in just enough wood to warrant commenting on. There is a gorgeous texture to the equally mineral-inflected and muscular broad-shouldered and impressively concentrated flavors that possess a Zen-like harmony on the impeccably well-balanced, moderately austere and hugely long finish. This should be genuinely wonderful if given at least a decade’s snooze in a cool cellar. I should also note that by the standards of this wine the 2012 version is not super-powerful but I very much like the sense of harmony. (1/2015)”AM
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “The 2012 Chambertin Grand Cru comes from three parcels that total a sizeable 1.9-hectares scattered on different soils and this blend includes 90% whole cluster fruit. It has an intense bouquet: blackcurrant, raspberry leaf, forest floor, minerals and orange rind that is very delineated and focused. The palate is animated and tense on the entry. This Chambertin can barely contain its energy and it just shimmers in the mouth, gradually building to a precocious red cherry and citrus peel finish, the mineralite defining the aftertaste. This is a sophisticated, cerebral Chambertin for the studious, rather than the hedonists. (NM) (12/2013).”
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 96 points “Good medium red, a bit less dark than the Latricières. Musky aromas of redcurrant, flint, red licorice and rocky minerality lifted by a floral topnote. Enters the mouth with great breadth, then tightens up dramatically in the middle, conveying an almost 2010-like tautness to its raspberry and crushed stone flavors. Actually comes across today as less thick and sweet than the Latricières, and utterly weightless. Builds inexorably to a crescendo on the explosive, gripping back end, which leaves the palate vibrating with licorice and peppery herbs. I love the stem influence here. Should make a classic, monumental Chambertin.”
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Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc 2012 750ML ($319.95) $199 special (was $219)
Wine Spectator 97 points “A stunner from the start, showing distinctive depth to the creamed mango, white peach and heather flavors, this maintains superior precision and definition as the singed almond, chamomile, salted butter and ginger notes fill in. Glazed pear, elderflower honey and beeswax details chime in on the extremely long finish. Enjoyable now, but needs serious cellaring to show its full potential. Best from 2016 through 2037”
Wine Advocate 96 points “Much more open, fleshy and sexy, the 2012 Hermitage Blanc was just bottled a month prior to this tasting. Coming from l’Ermite, Les Rocoules, Maison Blanche and Peleat lieux-dits, it’s always a rough blend of 80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne that’s aged in barrel. Loaded with notions of honeysuckle, orange marmalade, powered rock, buttered citrus and green almond, it’s full-bodied, rich, upfront and fruit loaded. While I think it will be a relatively accessible early in its life, it has the concentration to hold for two decades.” WA
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 94-96 points “Tasted in single-site components from tanks as the wine awaited blending: #1, from Peleat: Ripe pear and honey aromas, with a suave floral accent and a hint of smoky minerals. At once rich and lively, showing excellent back-end power. #2, from Rocoules: Intense, mineral-accented citrus and orchard fruit aromas, with a sexy floral nuance building with air. Bright, focused and mineral-driven, with a strong Meyer lemon quality lingering on the tangy finish. #3, also from Rocoules: Showing more emphasis on orchard fruit than the first Rocoules tank, with powerful quince and pear flavors and a touch of bitter quinine. Dusty minerals sharpen the long, sappy finish. #4, from l’Ermite: Spicy citrus zest and ginger scents along with a chalky mineral note and a hint of anise. Smoky and penetrating, with superb finishing clarity and lingering spiciness. #5, also from l’Ermite: More floral and masculine than the previous l’Ermite, with strong jasmine and orchard fruit character and a touch of bitter quinine. Bright and nervy on the finish, which doesn’t want to let up.” JR
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Domaine Marcel Deiss Altenberg de Bergheim, Alsace Grand Cru 2010 750ML ($119.95) $89 special (was $99)
Wine Advocate & Stephen Tanzer 95 points “Like its 2011 counterpart, the Deiss 2010 Altenberg de Bergheim is strikingly floral, but tends toward bitter-sweet and elusive perfume of iris and lily-of-the-valley. The influence of quinine and black tea as well as a welcome suggestion of fresh peach and citrus juiciness serve as more effective counterpoint and push-back to the wine’s prominent sweetness than is the case with the 2011. A gorgeous sense of openness and levity prevails here, with quince and nut pastes subtly complimenting the prominent impression of liquid floral perfume on a silken and expansive palate, leading to a prodigious finish at once caressing as well as stimulating in its dynamic interaction of flower, fruit, and mouthwatering mineral salts…” WA
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Domaine Marcel Deiss Gewurztraminer 2012 750ML ($31.95) $21.90 special (was $24)
Ian D’Agata — Vinous “Dark golden yellow. Ripe but fresh, focused aromas and flavors of tropical fruits, sweet spices and vanilla. Not the last word in complexity but plump and juicy, offering plenty of early appeal. Finishes suave and long, with welcome floral lift. Made from grapes grown near Bergheim on calcaire soils and in Saint Hippolyte on granite and clay.”
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Domaine Marcel Deiss Pinot Gris 2012 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special (was $24)
Ian D’agata — Vinous 90 points “Straw-yellow with gold highlights. Bright tropical fruit aromas complicated by strawberry and honeyed almond paste. Juicy and focused, showing a lovely sugar/acid balance and outstanding length to the red berry and orchard fruit flavors. Finishes vibrant and clean.”
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AUSTRIA
F.X. Pichler Loibner Klostersatz Gruner Veltliner Federspiel, Wachau 2012 750ML ($39.95) $24 special (was $29)
David Schildknecht 91 points “Though harvested around the end of September and in the context of a concerted effort to achieve moderate alcohol, at 12.5% the Pichler 2012 Gruner Veltliner Federspiel Klostersatz is on the border of what would when that name was introduced in1987 have qualified – just – as Smaragd, and made a vintner happy he could announce that on the label. Pungent notes of herbs and lentil sprout translate into a sappy, nutty-vegetal palate presence combining palpable density with considerable buoyancy on a soothingly silken palate. Smoky black tea, crushed stone, and saliva-liberating salinity add to the interest, invigoration and mouthwatering savor of a sustained finish. Lucas Pichler attributes both the surprising degree of levity and the extra measure of depth here vis-a-vis the corresponding Frauenweingarten bottling to the advantages of gravel versus sand. That having been noted and credited, I’m bound to say that the “sandy” Frauenweingarten displays levity, exuberance and charm of its own when one returns to it from a tasting of its ostensible betters. Plan to enjoy this Klostersatz through 2017.”
Joel Payne – Vinous 88 points “Fragrant aromas of yellow apple, tobacco and dill. Juicy and appealing, with crisp acidity providing a crunchy underpinning to the ripe melon, white pepper and wet stone flavors. Fun to drink!”
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The average price is $39
F.X. Pichler Loibner Steinertal Gruner Veltliner Smaragd, Wachau 2012 750ML ($59.95) $39 special (was $49)
David Schildknecht 92 points “With his 2012 Gruner Veltliner Smaragd Steinertal, says Lucas Pichler, “the aim is to showcase the vineyard, which is a cool site, whereas in Loiben, really, things are (generally) a bit too warm.” Prior to this solo debut – spurred by the acquisition of a second parcel – the Pichlers’ Gruner Veltliner from this site went into their Loibenberg (and “M”). This solo Steinertal projects delightfully luscious and exuberant pear and melon fruit along with saliva-inducing, metaphorically cooling suggestions of stalk celery. A sweet-smoky bite of Szechuan pepper lends invigoration and cut to a juicily protracted finish. A model of elegance and lift allied to fundamentally rich ripeness, it should perform beautifully through at least 2022.”
Joel Payne-Vinous 92 points “Mineral aromas of fresh apricot, mint and citrus zest. Mouthfilling muskmelon flavor is enlivened by a refreshing acid structure, making this appear lighter than it actually is. With mineral salts and wild spices on the back of the palate, this stylish wine is the coolest and most invigorating of the veltliners here.”
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The average price is $59
F.X. Pichler Loibner Burgstall Riesling Federspiel, Wachau 2012 750ML ($39.95) $26 special (was $33)
David Schildknecht 92 points “The Pichlers’ 2012 Riesling Federspiel Burgstall – for more about whose site, consult my issue 197 report – succeeds brilliantly in their attempt to capture levity and refreshment along with interactive complexity. Lemon and white peach tinged with orange rind, crushed stone, almond and peach kernel inform a glossy yet refreshingly juicy not to mention buoyant palate, leading to an entertainingly oscillating finishing exchange of mineral and fruit elements. The combinations of lusciousness with levity; stimulation and soothing; rich ripeness with transparency to nuance, are memorably delicious, and I would not be surprised to find this worth following through at least 2020.”
Joel Payne-Vinous 88 points “Passion fruit, peach and lime make for an enticing bouquet. Bright, clean and crisp, with a refreshing balance and taut structure highlighting its stone and citrus fruit flavors. One more glass, please!”
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Best Price on Two Hands Wines
Still Available – But Not Much Longer!
Two Hands Wines Sexy Beast Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale 2013 ($34.95) $21.90 special (was $28)
Wine Spectator 91 points “Firm in texture, this savory style wraps a moderate grip of tannins around orange peel—accented black fruit and tar flavors, coming together on the focused, expressive and seductive finish. Drink now through 2020.”
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The average listed price is more than 60% higher at $36
Two Hands Bella’s Garden Shiraz 2013 ($69.95) $47 special (was $59)
Case- 6 Two Hands Bella’s Garden Shiraz 2013 ($359.95) $249 special (that’s only $41.50/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 94+ points “Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2013 Shiraz Bella’s Garden has wonderfully pure black and blue fruit notes of crushed blackberries, wild blueberries and cassis with nuances of black pepper, star anise, tar and cumin seed. Big, rich and concentrated in the mouth, the full-bodied palate bursts with peppered blackberry flavors supported by firm, grainy tannins and lively acidity, finishing with great persistence.”
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The average listed price is $62
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