Kapcsandy Flash Sale; New Champagne Arrivals from Grande Marque to Grower; The Glory of Giacosa—Including New Arrivals; Sauternes For A Dickensian Christmas
Vinopolis Holiday Hours
We will close at 4 PM on Sunday, December 24th
We will be closed on Monday, December 25th and Monday, January 1st
We wish you a happy holiday season!
Kapcsandy Sale
Subscriber Special Flash Sale
10% all In Stock Kapcsandy Wines
Sale Ends Tonight (12/21/17) at 11:59PT
Discount Will Not Appear On Website
We Will Apply It Manually Before Finalizing Your Order
Lou Kapcsandy’s biography reads like a Horatio Alger story in a lot of ways. Man flees communist Hungary, lands in the US and makes a name (and business) for himself. Grows to love the wines of Bordeaux, so he starts an import company before he stumbles upon a once-legendary vineyard in Napa that has been ripped up and needs to be revived.And that’s where we pick up. In 2000 Lou Kapcsandy discovered that the old Beringer State Lane vineyard, primary source for the Private Reserve Cabernet program, was ripped out due to phylloxera and was for sale. He bought the twenty acre vineyard, replanted it and starting in 2005 began producing some of the most lauded wines to come out of the Napa Valley.
The late Denis Malbec, formerly of Chateau Latour in Bordeaux, got the project up and running and served as a consulting viticulturist and winemaker, producing wines of depth and power. These are Napa wines with a Bordeaux spine and sensibility. Kapcscandy’s grape growing philosophy involves instense cultivation, involving meticulous hedging and maintenance with continuity in the way the vines are planted, cared for and harvested. Vines are planted 4-5 times more densely than is typical for Napa Valley, showing similarities with the plantings of 1st Growth Bordeaux’s. This higher density spacing creates smaller berries with higher skin-to-juice ratios and induces natural stressing of the vines without artificial human intervention, resulting in a higher intensity of flavors, complexities and aromas.
Kapcsandy Family Winery State Lane Vineyard Grand-Vin Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2009 1.5L ($799.95) Displayed Price: $699, Your Price: $629.10, 3 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vin opens with the most beguiling bouquet imaginable. Freshly cut flowers, mint, cinnamon and licorice all make an appearance as this vivid, beautifully delineated wine opens up in the glass. A model of total finesse and elegance, the 2009 wraps around the palate with what feels like endless layers of aromas and flavors. This totally seamless, polished Cabernet Sauvignon is virtually impossible to resist today, but it will be even better in another few years. The 2009 is 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc.”
Kapcsandy Family Winery State Lane Vineyard Grand-Vin Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2014 750ML ($499.95) Displayed Price: $399, Your Price: $359.10, 1 bottle in stock now
Antonio Galloni 98 points “A powerful, tightly-wound wine, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vin is likely to require the better part of the next decade to come into its own. The most backward and brooding of these wines, the Grand Vin is also quite primary and closed in on itself. Still, the energy, drive and focus of the best vintages is very much in evidence. Today, the 2014 is dense, seamless and utterly impeccable, with no hard edges, beautifully integrated oak (100% new) and exceptional balance.”
Kapcsandy Family Winery State Lane Vineyard Grand-Vin Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2015 750ML ($499.95) Displayed Price: $449, Your Price: $404.10, 7 bottles in stock now
Robert Parker 98-100 points “Another potentially perfect wine, with off-the-charts richness, is their largest cuvée of 700 cases, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vin State Lane Vineyard. The wine is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Merlot harvested Sept. 10-25. Notes of graphite, black chocolate, crème de cassis, blackberry and subtle smoke are all present in this dense, seamless, full-bodied wine that has magnificent fruit purity, richness and depth. This is a 30-year wine, and a fabulous one at that.”
Kapcsandy Family Winery State Lane Vineyard Estate Cuvee, Napa Valley 2014 750ML ($299.95) Displayed Price: $199, Your Price: $179.10, 1 bottle in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “The 2014 Estate Cuvée is vibrant, intense and beautifully delineated. Super-expressive aromatics and finessed tannins give the 2014 its exceptional balance. Tasted next to the 2013, the 2014 feels like it has more freshness, brighter acidity and a bit more energy as well, which may be partly attributable to the slightly higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend and a touch less new oak as well. That is of course splitting hairs, as both wines are superb, but I find the energy, tension and vibrancy here absolutely compelling.”
Kapcsandy Family Winery State Lane Vineyard Estate Cuvee, Napa Valley 2015 750ML ($199.95) Displayed Price: $149, Your Price: $134.10, 7 bottles in stock now
Robert Parker 95-98 points “The 2015 Estate Cuvée State Lane Vineyard, 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot, exhibits beautiful blackcurrants, white chocolate, licorice and a touch of oak, an opaque purple color and full-bodied mouthfeel, but a terrific equilibrium and balance among its elements. The wine has magnificent fruit, which is a characteristic of the top wines of this vintage, and a lushness that recalls vintages such as 2012, 2007 and 2002. This will be a gorgeous wine to drink upon release and is certainly capable of aging for 20 or more years.”
Robert Parker 98-100 points “Their 100% Cabernet Franc cuvee, the 2015 Rapszodia Proprietary Red, spent its whole life in 100% new French oak and is an exhilarating wine with off-the-charts richness, an exquisite bouquet of spring flowers, forest floor, rich blue and black fruits, voluptuous texture, incredibly fine, silky tannins, and, for a Kapcsandy wine, relatively elevated alcohol at 14.5%. This is a “wow” wine that should drink beautifully young and last 20-30+ years.”
Robert Parker 98 points “The 100% Merlot cuvée, the 2012 Roberta’s Reserve State Lane Vineyard is, once again, flirting with perfection. A stunning nose of chocolate fudge intermixed with coffee bean, black cherry and blackcurrant fruit is intense, and followed by a full-bodied, gorgeously textured, opulent style of wine with stunning richness and purity. This is a brilliant wine and only represents 12% of the production, as only 300 cases were produced. It should drink well for 20-25 years.”
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2012 Roberta’s Reserve (Merlot) is another drop-dead gorgeous wine from Kapcsándy. Mocha, black cherries, plums, licorice and menthol meld together in an effortless, seamless wine endowed with sublime grace and class. Lovely savory and mineral notes support the pliant finish. What a gorgeous wine this is.”Kapcsandy Family Winery State Lane Vineyard Roberta’s Reserve, Napa Valley 2015 750ML ($399.95) Displayed Price: $369, Your Price: $332.10, 4 bottles in stock now
Robert Parker 95-98 points “Their 100% Merlot cuvée, the 2015 Merlot Roberta’s Reserve, is another fabulous product with outstanding purity, great balance, loads of chocolate, black cherry and blackcurrant fruit, silky, juicy tannins and terrific concentration, depth and overall balance. It will also be approachable upon release and last 20-25 years.”
10% all In Stock Kapcsandy Wines
Sale Ends Tonight (12/21/17) at 11:59PT
Discount Will Not Appear On Website
We Will Apply It Manually Before Finalizing Your Order
This Just In!
New Arrivals From Champagne
We gave a sneak preview of our new Champagne arrivals on Tuesday, but we’re still getting more bubbly in advance of the holidays coming up. We have everything from classic, Grande Marque Tete de Cuvees to cutting edge grower bottlings. Simply put, we have something for everyone (who loves Champagne). Here’s a highlight of some of our new arrivals, but be sure to head to our web store, www.vinopoliswineshop.com, to see all 110+ Champagnes in stock now.
Dom Perignon Brut, Champagne 2009 750ML ($179.95) $159 special
James Suckling 97 points “This is a DP that shows the ripeness of the 2009 vintage yet remains full of energy. Gorgeous aromas of cream, apple, mango, honeysuckle, and chalk follow through to a full body and super fine, tight texture. Dense and agile. Vinous. It’s like a top grand cru white Burgundy. Think Batard-Montrachet. More depth than the 2006. Drink now.”
Decanter 96 points “Unbroken sun through August and early September helped to shape an idyllic harvest, on 12th September. Superb maturity of fruit in flawless health has produced a wine with wafting scents of both fresh and confit of spiced lemon and wild cherry. Despite the heat, the wine has freshness, vitality and length. Still a youngster, this will grow greatly by 2019. A more stylish son of the ’03, and cousin of the slender and charming ’06. Disgorged June 2016.”
Antonio Galloni 94+ points “The 2009 Dom Pérignon is a gorgeous, totally seductive Champagne that will drink well right out of the gate. Medium in body and unusually open-knit at this stage, the 2009 is one of the most accessible young Dom Pérignons I can remember tasting. It is an excellent choice to drink while waiting for the release of the stellar 2008 and some recent vintages that remain very young, including the 2006. Despite the warm, ripe personality of the 2009 Dom Pérignon is quite gracious, but there is plenty of depth underpinning the fruit. With each successive tasting, the 2009 seems to have gained more power and breadth, especially on the finish. Above all else, the 2009 is decidedly restrained for a warm, radiant vintage. It is not as overtly flamboyant as the 2002 nor as phenolically intense as years like 2003 and 2006. Instead, the 2009 is a beautifully balanced Champagne, with all of its elements in the right place. Tasted three times.”
Ulysse Collin ‘Les Pierrieres’ Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2013) 750ML ($119.95) $99 special
Ulysse Collin ‘Les Roises’ Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2013) 750ML ($159.95) $139 special
Ulysse Collin ‘Les Maillons’ Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2013) 750ML ($109.95) $89 special
Ulysse Collin ‘Les Maillons’ Rose de Saignee Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2013) 750ML ($119.95) $99 special
VinopolNote: A cult rosé Champagne like no other – richly vinous and textural in expression. Tiny release! Olivier Collin spent his life working to free his family vines from a strict lease – even studying law with the intent to reclaim the vineyards. When he accomplished this goal in 2003, he quickly became a rising, if divisive, star in Champagne. His wines are profoundly introspective and challenge preconceived notions about what Champagne should be. At the forefront of the new wave of ultra-terroir-driven Champagnes, Olivier produces deeply vinous, mineral and near-tannic wines. True to their terroir, these are reflections of the individual parcels and a tribute to a decades-long struggle to reclaim the land.
Aubry Le Nombre d’Or Campanae Veteres Vites Brut, Champagne 2012 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “One of the most distinctive and compelling wines in this range, the NV (2012) Brut Le Nombre d’Or Campanae Veteres Vites is deep and exquisitely layered, yet done in the classic Aubry style that prizes finesse above pure power. Scents of pear, white stone fruit, mint and white flowers inform this super-expressive Champagne. The Veteres Vites is a blend of Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Petit Meslier, Arbanne, Chardonnay and Meunier. Dosage is 5 grams per liter.”
Vilmart & Cie Grand Cellier Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Wine Spectator 93 points “[Reviewed Fall 2017] A mouthwatering, seamless Champagne that caresses the palate like raw silk, with vibrant acidity framing rich and finely meshed flavors of nectarine, chopped almond, fleur de sel and honey. Offers a long, chalky finish of lime blossom and spice. Drink now through 2022. 450 cases imported.”
The average price nationally is $72
100% Chardonnay, bottled one year after harvest. Disgorged on order.
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 90 points “(85% Pinot Noir and 15% Chardonnay; no dosage): Light gold. Pungent aromas of ripe pear, white peach and melon, with a suave floral element coming up with aeration. Intense orchard and pit fruit flavors are underscored by smoky mineral and gingery spice notes that gain strength with aeration. Finishes tight, dry and long, with firm grip and repeating spiciness.”
The next best price is $49.99
R. Dumont & Fils Brut Tradition, Champagne NV 3L ($249.95) $199 specialR. Dumont & Fils Brut Tradition, Champagne NV 6L ($499.95) $389 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “Bright straw. Expansive aromas of ripe citrus and orchard fruits pick up hints of tarragon and musky rhubarb with air. Chewy and broad on the palate, showing good heft to its blood orange and nectarine flavors. Succulent, firm and focused, finishing with bright mineral cut and very good persistence.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “(made from a blend of 20 vintages, with 1991 as its base; roughly 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay; 6 g/l dosage): Pale yellow. A wild, assertively perfumed bouquet displays scents of mineral-accented poached pear, honey, toasted nuts and smoky lees, with a suave floral element building in the glass. Stains the palate with ripe orchard and pit fruit flavors, along with suggestions of buttered toast, marzipan and bitter lemon pith. Shows excellent clarity and power on the finish, which clings with strong fruity persistence. This complex, concentrated Champagne would be fantastic with aged or blue cheeses.”
VinopolNote: A still red wine from the Coteaux Champenois
The Glory of Giacosa
New Arrivals and Back Vintages
Any discussion of Barolo and Barbaresco could begin and end with mention of Bruno Giacosa, undisputedly one of Italy’s most esteemed producers. Based on current release and auction pricing, only Conterno could conceivably be a rival in esteem within Barolo. We’re excited to have recently acquired some more Barolo from the venerable estate and also wanted to feature a few library vintages in stock, as well.Born into the family wine firm, Bruno Giacosa started his career at the tender age of 15 as a grape buyer, sourcing fruit for his father and grandfather, and then for many of Barolo’s large houses. In 1960, he started his own company and, with a profound passion for Piemontese wine handed down for three generations, became famous for crafting some of the most prestigious single-vineyard Barolos and Barbarescos in all of Piedmont.
While Bruno was one of the first in the region to fully understand the importance of site selection – he began bottling his crus separately in 1967 – he didn’t own any property until the early 1980s. His first purchase was his long-revered Falletto vineyard in 1982, and, by the late 1980’s, Giacosa’s search for the best vineyard sources initiated the process of acquiring 22 hectares of vineyards throughout Serralunga d’Alba, La Morra, and Barbaresco. With a wide breadth of some of the best vineyards in the area, Bruno Giacosa produces an extensive range of high-profile bottles. Starting in 1996, Giacosa has divided into two winery names based on whether the grapes are estate grown. The “Azienda Agricola Falletto – di Bruno Giacosa” labels represent the estate vineyards (Barolo Falletto, Barolo Rocche del Falletto, Barbaresco Asili, Barbaresco Rabajà), while the “Casa Vinicola Bruno Giacosa” labels are used for wines produced from grapes purchased from historical grape growers(Barbaresco Santo Stefano, Barbaresco Gallina, Barolo Villero). Prior to 1996, all his wines were made under the “Casa Vinicola Bruno Giacosa” name.
Bruno Giacosa’s winemaking philosophy combines a respect for tradition and conservative winemaking with the selected use of modern technology to obtain the best expression of each vineyard’s terroir. He is convinced that great wines begin in the vineyard with the production of grapes cultivated by experienced growers. With a true belief that wines were better in the past, Giacosa focuses on simple and traditional methods of winemaking, managing to bring out a richness of flavor and an intensity of character that has secured his spot as one of the most respected Piedmont producers.
Just Arrived:
Falletto di Bruno Giacosa ‘Falletto’, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($219.95) $149 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2011 Barolo Falletto is a beautifully balanced and determined wine. It spends 30 months in oak and this warm vintage is already showing a quick bottle evolution. This was an early vintage: Fruit was harvested on September 23, which is ten days before average. It shows soft, luscious lines and ripe fruit flavors that are both generous and opulent. Yet, there is a healthy crunchiness and crackle in the mouth that makes for a long aging future ahead. Barolo Falletto closes with pretty aromas of dark fruit, spice and shaved truffle.”
The next best price is $180.95
The average listed price is $205
Falletto di Bruno Giacosa ‘Falletto’, Barolo DOCG 2005 750ML ($249.95) $169 special, 36+ bottles in stock nowAntonio Galloni 94 points “The 2005 Barolo Falletto offers up a gorgeous bouquet of red cherries, flowers, spices and menthol. This is a relatively delicate, elegant Barolo Falletto yet it offers gorgeous balance, tons of inner perfume and a long, refined finish. It is one of the overachievers in 2005. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.”WA
Wine Spectator 96 points “An elegant, fruity style, boasting raspberry, cherry and floral aromas and flavors. This is pure and delicate for the commune, with fine intensity, finesse and depth. The tannins mesh beautifully with the wine’s silky texture, ending with an excellent finish. Just surprisingly open and approachable. Best from 2014 through 2032”
Stephen Tanzer 95 points “Good deep red. Perfumed, complex nose melds plum, red cherry, mocha, tobacco, wild herbs and
spices. Sweet, silky and seamless, with almost painful intensity to its fruit if not yet as complex in the mouth as on the nose. Healthy acidity accentuates the wine’s perfume. Finishes with very suave tannins and outstanding floral persistence. Said Dante Scaglione: “I thought 2007 in Serralunga would be great from the moment of the harvest.”Falletto di Bruno Giacosa ‘Falletto’, Barolo DOCG 2008 1.5L ($419.95) $319 special, 2 magnums in stock nowWine Spectator 96 points “Warm and chewy, this red exhibits cedar, sandalwood, tobacco and leather accents enhancing the core of cherry and raspberry. As this plays out on the palate, the wine turns more supple and vibrant, building to the long, expansive finish. Best from 2016 through 2035.”WS
Sauternes For A Dickensian Christmas
Sauternes may be second only to Port for classic British Christmas Dinner traditions. It’s a perfect contemplative (yet hedonistic) beverage to drink while watching the grey, cold skies. Something about Sauternes—that honeyed richness, coupled with spice and hints of dried fruits, feels warming and invigorating. Simply put, it seems to breathe a little life into the soul. We wanted to highlight a few of our favorites, both new arrivals and old classics, for a little last minute holiday treat.
Chateau Rieussec, Sauternes 2003 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “Big, rich and juicy. Voluptuous, with aromas of caramel, apple and light tropical fruit. Full-bodied, round and very sweet, with loads of ripe fruit and a long butterscotch and piecrust aftertaste. Viscous texture. Hard not to drink it now. A wonderful sticky. Best after 2010.”
#3 Wine Of The Year – Wine Spectator Top 100 2017
Wine Spectator 96 points “This shows the vivid, racy side of Barsac, with streaming flavors of pineapple, yellow apple, green plum and white ginger, displaying lovely energy from start to finish. Ends with enough honeysuckle and orange blossom notes to balance the richness. Best from 2020 through 2035. 4,000 cases made.”Chateau Climens, Barsac 2007 750ML ($249.95) $219 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 98 points “Tasted single blind against its peers. Chateau Climens always tends to go into its shell after bottling, which is probably why I was not dishing out an even higher score to this still, spellbinding Barsac. The 2007 is endowed with a lovely bouquet: very pure with honey, a touch of orange-blossom and a touch of quince. The palate is very
well-balanced with great purity and a dash of spice as well as a lovely viscous, botrytis-laden finish that possesses awesome weight and persistency. This is a slice of heaven in a glass, but it definitely needs time to reveal its true potential. Tasted January 2011.”
Chateau Climens, Barsac 2014 375ML ($59.95) $49 special, 23 half-bottles in stock now
Chateau Climens, Barsac 2014 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 97 points “This delivers wave after wave of piecrust, dried pineapple, warm marmalade, singed almond, glazed peach and apricot flavors, with a hint of brioche. Despite the heft, this has a breezy feel within, thanks to riveting acidity buried deep on the finish. Best from 2020 through 2040.”
Decanter 96 points “One extremely fine lot after another, all marked by an extremely pure lemony botrytis. Bright and crisp, with lovely sweetness and mindboggling precision. Choosing between the various barrels to make the final blend will be even tougher than usual this year.”
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “The Château Climens was tasted from several lots that Bérénice Lurton and her team are preparing to blend together during its barrel maturation. Having conducted this practice over many years, I would point out that whereas in some years one has to conjecture to the full, in 2014 the lots were both smaller in number, less heterogeneous and paradoxically, more “complete”. This made it easier to envisage the final wine. Here, you had to focus on the second trie where 80% of the crop was picked with widespread onset of botrytis. There are fleeting senses of dried honey, juniper berries and marigold, dried apricot on a couple of barrels. There is clearly good acidity here, most of the lots spicier than 2013. As usual, this Climens is bestowed a sense of volume and persistence in the mouth and you have the sense that this will be a more approachable Barsac compared to other vintages. Overall, Bérénice Lurton has a winning Climens on her hands, one that will in the top two or three sweet wines of the vintage.”
Jancis Robinson 18.5/20 points “RS 141 g/l. Lovely super-concentrated lemon purity on the nose and cool and pure on the palate with lemon, grapefruit and pear and just a very fine grain to enhance the existing freshness. Then a touch of almonds on the finish. So elegant, long and pure. Masses of pleasure already.”
Chateau Coutet, Barsac 2003 750ML ($59.95) $39 special, 45 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “Honey, apple tart and lemon rind. Full-bodied, medium-sweet and very spicy with intense flavors of mace, apple and honey. Long finish. Thick and powerful. Best after 2010.”
We will close at 4 PM on Sunday, December 24th
We will be closed on Monday, December 25th and Monday, January 1st
We wish you a happy holiday season!
