In Today’s Newsletter:
Newly Arrived CdP, Including Back Vintages
From Le Vieux Donjon
Subscriber Special #1
Charles Heidsieck’s Noteworthy Blanc de Blanc
Subscriber Special #2
A Steal on a 95-Point Brunello
Thanksgiving Selections
Under $25
A Fantastic Value from Antinori
Thanksgiving Selections
Under $50
An Argentine Classic
Norton’s 2013 Privada Red
Newly Arrived CdP, Including Back Vintages
From Le Vieux Donjon
With a history dating back to the 1960s, Le Vieux Donjon is still shedding its baby fat when compared with many its neighbors in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. However, what Le Vieux Donjon lacks in history it more than makes up for in talent and heart. We’re excited to offer 6 vintages of the estate’s flagship Châteauneuf-du-Pape, including bottles from several of the Southern Rhône’s finest recent vintages.
Le Vieux Donjon’s wines have become more modern in style as (Napa trained) second generation winemaker Claire Fabre slowly took over cellar responsibilities from her father. The transition culminated in 2013, when Claire and her brother took over as co-proprietors. The estate’s evolution in style, though subtle, makes the lineup especially interesting as a vertical. Individually, all 6 vintages are drinking beautifully now, but are also capable of ageing gracefully for another decade or more. Supplies are very limited however, so we don’t expect these bottles to last long.
In stock now:
Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône 2007 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Robert Parker 96 points “Up there with the 2010 in terms of quality, the 2007 Châteauneuf-du-Pape dishes out loads of plum, lavender, ground pepper and licorice in its full-bodied, ripe and layered profile. Possessing a rock-star texture, no hard edges and beautiful concentration, it’s drinking nicely now, and should continue to evolve gracefully for another decade.”
Josh Raynolds Vinous 94 points “Glass-staining ruby. Highly expressive, exotically perfumed bouquet of black raspberry, potpourri, smoky minerals and anise. A smooth, silky midweight with flavors of sweet red and dark berries complicated by notes of candied flowers and zesty minerals. Really clings on the finish, with the red fruit flavors refusing to let up.”
Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône 2008 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds Vinous 91 points “Full red. Assertively perfumed, offering raspberry and strawberry preserve scents and intense floral character. Then fresh and energetic in the mouth, with bright red and dark berry and floral pastille flavors, fine-grained tannins and good mineral spine. A lingering white pepper note adds complexity to a long, spicy finish. This is quite successful for the vintage”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône 2009 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Robert Parker 94 points “Also gorgeous, but in a more forward, perfumed style, the 2009 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is loaded with kirsch, wild strawberry, licorice, Asian spice and wild herb-like aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, sweetly fruited, voluptuous and textured, it’s hard to resist now, but will age gracefully.”
Josh Raynolds Vinous 93 points “Vivid purple. Powerful cherry and dark berry aromas are complemented by a sexy floral nuance. Smooth and deep on the palate, offering juicy red and dark berry preserve flavors that become spicier with air. The floral quality carries through on the subtly sweet, very persistent finish.”
Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône 2010 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 96+ points “On another level, the 2010 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is rock-star stuff, and is probably my favorite vintage from this estate to date. Deeply colored, it boasts masculine, meaty aromas and flavors of smoked herbs, pepper, licorice, lavender, crushed rock and blackberries to go with a full-bodied, concentrated and rich style on the palate. There’s ample tannin here, yet they’re sweet and beautifully integrated. Give it another handful of years and drink it over the following two decades.”
Josh Raynolds Vinous 94 points “Deep ruby. Deeply concentrated black and blue fruits on the nose and palate, with cracked pepper and floral pastille nuances adding complexity. Juicy and energetic, with superb finishing focus and floral-driven persistence. Impeccably balanced, with the depth to age effortlessly.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône 2012 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds Vinous 94 points “Vivid ruby. Exotic, expansive aromas of fresh red and dark berries, incense, anise and garrigue. Deep, sappy black raspberry and boysenberry flavors show excellent clarity, with a hint of spicecake building in the glass. Nicely balances power and finesse and shows outstanding vivacity. A smoky mineral note adds lift and cut to the long, fruit-driven finish, which shows just a hint of silky tannins.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône 2016 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 94 points “The full-bodied 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a solid effort. Blueberry, cherry and garrigue notes mark the nose, while the palate is firm but silky, with a fine balance between ripeness and grip. I’ve seen some internet criticism of this estate for moving to a riper, more modern style, but I don’t understand that—unless good cellar hygiene is now considered a problem in certain circles. This is a relatively traditional, balanced example of Châteauneuf, with spicy, savory elements combined with generous fruit. A blend of 75% Grenache, 10% each Mourvèdre and Syrah and 5% Cinsault that weighs in at 14.8% alcohol, this foudre-aged wine should drink well for a couple of decades.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Love Rhône reds? We have over 175 red wines from the Rhône valley currently available.
Shop our entire selection, including famous names like Henri Bonneau, Jaboulet, Vieux Télégraphe and more, on our web store!
Subscriber Special #1
Charles Heidsieck’s Noteworthy Blanc de Blanc
Charles Heidsieck is one of the great and historic houses of Champagne. However, because of their small size they tend to be overlooked. Their house style is notable for its richness and texture, incorporating long aging on the lees and significant amounts (20+%) of reserve wines in their NV blends. Best known for their classic Brut Reserve, Charles Heidsieck was one of the pioneers of the Blanc de Blancs style in the mid-20th century. And after decades of producing some of Champagne’s finest vintage Blanc de Blancs, the house relaunched their NV Blanc de Blanc in 2018. After tasting the wine, we’re left wondering what took them so long. In two short years the wine is already being regarded as one of the best flagship Blanc de Blancs in the region. So take advantage of Subscriber Special pricing (ends 10AM Friday) and see what all the fuss is about.
In stock and priced to move:
Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Blancs, Champagne NV 750ML ($99.95) Was $75, Now $66
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 92 points “Based on the 2012 vintage, the latest rendition of Heidsieck’s NV Blanc de Blancs incorporates some 20% reserve wines, derived from younger vintages to emphasize what Cyril Brun described as the “youthful” side of Chardonnay, in contrast to the mature expression of that cépage offered by the house’s Blanc de Millénaires. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of citrus oil, white flowers, green apple and walnut oil, complemented by some of the empyreumatic nuances so typical of the base vintage, it’s a medium to full-bodied, elegantly textural and incisive wine that’s lively and inviting. It was disgorged last year with nine grams per liter dosage.”
Decanter 92 points “One of the pioneers of the blanc de blancs style, Charles Heidsieck only relaunched its 100% Chardonnay NV Champagne in 2018. Round but incisive and fresh, this has lovely balance between its creamy, woody mouthfeel and its fresh, saline acidity. A lovely food wine.”
Love Champagne? We have over 110 Champagnes currently available.
Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Delamotte, Laurent Perrier, Taittinger and more, on our web store!
In stock and priced to move:
Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Blancs, Champagne NV 750ML ($99.95) Was $75, Now $66
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 92 points “Based on the 2012 vintage, the latest rendition of Heidsieck’s NV Blanc de Blancs incorporates some 20% reserve wines, derived from younger vintages to emphasize what Cyril Brun described as the “youthful” side of Chardonnay, in contrast to the mature expression of that cépage offered by the house’s Blanc de Millénaires. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of citrus oil, white flowers, green apple and walnut oil, complemented by some of the empyreumatic nuances so typical of the base vintage, it’s a medium to full-bodied, elegantly textural and incisive wine that’s lively and inviting. It was disgorged last year with nine grams per liter dosage.”
Decanter 92 points “One of the pioneers of the blanc de blancs style, Charles Heidsieck only relaunched its 100% Chardonnay NV Champagne in 2018. Round but incisive and fresh, this has lovely balance between its creamy, woody mouthfeel and its fresh, saline acidity. A lovely food wine.”
Love Champagne? We have over 110 Champagnes currently available.
Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Delamotte, Laurent Perrier, Taittinger and more, on our web store!
Subscriber Special #2
A Steal on a 95-Point Brunello
There aren’t many superlatives left that haven’t already been used to describe Brunello’s 2015 vintage. Ideal harvest weather made for perfect picking conditions and yielded consistently excellence fruit throughout the region. As a result, quality was incredibly high across the board. Fanti is one of many producers whose 2015 has since been described as their “best ever”.
What this consistent quality means for consumers like you is the opportunity to purchase truly great Brunello at truly reasonable prices. Fanti has always been a great value play (in a region where values are becoming harder and harder to find), but Subscriber Special pricing on their 2015 Brunello represents a value on steroids. This offer only lasts until 10AM Friday, so act accordingly.
In stock and priced to move:
Tenuta Fanti Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($49.95) Was $39, Now $36
James Suckling 95 points “There’s a beautiful interplay between bright, primary florals, such as rose petals and tulips and dust, hay bale and dried raspberries. The palate suggests a ripe, powerful persona with chewy, juicy tannins and a fine line of pretty acidity. Best ever. Drink in 2022.”
What this consistent quality means for consumers like you is the opportunity to purchase truly great Brunello at truly reasonable prices. Fanti has always been a great value play (in a region where values are becoming harder and harder to find), but Subscriber Special pricing on their 2015 Brunello represents a value on steroids. This offer only lasts until 10AM Friday, so act accordingly.
In stock and priced to move:
Tenuta Fanti Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($49.95) Was $39, Now $36
James Suckling 95 points “There’s a beautiful interplay between bright, primary florals, such as rose petals and tulips and dust, hay bale and dried raspberries. The palate suggests a ripe, powerful persona with chewy, juicy tannins and a fine line of pretty acidity. Best ever. Drink in 2022.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Love wines from Montalcino? We have over 50 wines from Montalcino currently available.
Shop our entire selection, including famous names like Casanova di Neri, Il Poggione, Lisini, and more on our web store!
Vinopolis Wine Shop Curbside Pick Up
Order Online / By Phone / By Email
When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car.
(If another adult is picking up for you,
please let us know their name when placing your order.)
www.vinopoliswineshop.com
info@vinopoliswineshop.com
503-223-6002
When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car.
(If another adult is picking up for you,
please let us know their name when placing your order.)
www.vinopoliswineshop.com
info@vinopoliswineshop.com
503-223-6002
Thanksgiving Selections
Under $25
Beaujolais
Who says Beaujolais can’t be complex?
Château Grange Cochard Morgon Vieilles Vignes, Beaujolais 2017 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Deep, brilliant ruby. Displays an array of ripe black/blue fruit and spice qualities on the expressive nose, along with building spice and mineral elements. Smooth, broad and open-knit, showing very good depth to its juicy boysenberry and cherry flavors, which pick up a sweetening hint of cola on the back half. Supple tannins lend shape to a persistent, dark fruit-driven finish that leaves a suggestion of smoky minerality behind.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2017 Morgon Vieilles Vignes wafts from the glass with a pretty bouquet of red cherries, rose petals and wild berries. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, velvety and enveloping, with a layered core of fleshy fruit, ripe acids and powdery tannins that gently assert themselves on the finish. It will be even better after a year in bottle.”
Wine Spectator 90 points “Juicy acidity binds the ripe raspberry, peach and cherry flavors of this supple red, with accents of peach, floral and licorice lingering into the moderately tannic finish. Drink now through 2025. 100 cases imported.”
Who says Beaujolais can’t be complex?
Château Grange Cochard Morgon Vieilles Vignes, Beaujolais 2017 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Deep, brilliant ruby. Displays an array of ripe black/blue fruit and spice qualities on the expressive nose, along with building spice and mineral elements. Smooth, broad and open-knit, showing very good depth to its juicy boysenberry and cherry flavors, which pick up a sweetening hint of cola on the back half. Supple tannins lend shape to a persistent, dark fruit-driven finish that leaves a suggestion of smoky minerality behind.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2017 Morgon Vieilles Vignes wafts from the glass with a pretty bouquet of red cherries, rose petals and wild berries. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, velvety and enveloping, with a layered core of fleshy fruit, ripe acids and powdery tannins that gently assert themselves on the finish. It will be even better after a year in bottle.”
Wine Spectator 90 points “Juicy acidity binds the ripe raspberry, peach and cherry flavors of this supple red, with accents of peach, floral and licorice lingering into the moderately tannic finish. Drink now through 2025. 100 cases imported.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Classically styled Fleurie
Coudert Pere ‘Clos de la Roilette’ Fleurie, Beaujolais 2019 750ML ($34.95) $24 special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94 points “Bottled only a week before I tasted it, Alain Coudert’s 2019 Fleurie from the Clos de la Roilette is showing beautifully, wafting from the glass with aromas of rose petals, red cherries, raspberries, spices and orange rind. Medium to full-bodied, deep and velvety, it’s elegant and fine-boned, with lively acids, refined structuring tannins and a long, perfumed finish. Readers who gravitate toward classical styles of Beaujolais will prefer the 2019 to the richer, more gourmand 2018, but both are lovely vintages for this reference-point address.”
“One of the great values in French wine”
Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Coeur de Vendanges, Beaujolais 2018 ($29.95) $24 special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “As I’ve written before, this bottling represents one of the great values in French wine, and the 2018 Beaujolais-Villages Coeur de Vendanges will not disappoint long-time fans of the cuvée. Wafting from the glass with a rich bouquet of dark berry fruit, rose petals and licorice, it’s full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, its powdery tannins concealed in a lavish core of succulent, lively fruit. A wine to purchase by the case, expect it to offer irresistible drinking for the better part of a decade.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Italy
Effortlessly delicious
Tenuta Fanti Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($24.95) $19 special
Eric Guido-Vinous 89 points “The extroverted 2018 Fanti Rosso di Montalcino is showing masses of ripe strawberry, sweet spices and exotic florals with grounding notes of worn leather and hints of undergrowth. Silky textures meld into tart red berries with a peppery-herbal twist, in a soft and easygoing effort that’s energized by bright acids that only come forward toward the finale. A mix of red fruits resonate on the finish, along with wild herbs and florals, punctuating the experience on a Rosso that is very easy to like.”
Wildly food friendly
Tenuta delle Terre Nere Bianco Etna, Sicily 2019 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Wine & Spirits 91 points “In 2019, moderate warmth from July through September, followed by a cool October, provided near-perfect conditions for carricante, which comprises about 70 percent of this blend, the balance coming from catarratto, gracanico and minella. The wine is tautly structured, its assertive flavors of white peach, crisp pear and lemon riding on a zipline of acidity that leads to a clean, chiseled finish.”
Winery note “I first made this wine in 2005. I wanted to remove that more or less 5% of white grapes that the local vignerons used to mingle with their red ones, in order to make my Etna Rosso from red grapes alone. The white grapes were a mumbo-jumbo of local varieties: Carricante, Catarratto, Grecanico, Inzolia and Minnella. So that’s what my Etna Bianco was: a field blend of all the above, with Carricante dominating the blend with roughly 65%. And that’s what it still is. All from old vines. And, somehow, it works. A perfectly lovely wine. With the effortless uplift of a dancer, it allows me to let it go freely through life, malo included, without it ever losing its bright demeanor and lively step. Deviously drinkable, still it always clings, leaving one wondering how it delights and where do the goodies come from. In aging, the noblesse of the Etna and its remarkable terroir emerge. And the loveliness turns thoughtful and deepens, still graceful, never redundant. Fish, meat or fowl, all are fine, if very gently cooked. It loves seafood, particularly over pasta: after all, it is Sicilian.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Rosé
Organically farmed!
Domaine Charvin Cotes du Rhône Rosé, Rhône 2019 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Importer note “Grenache & Cinsault from clay, galets roules & sandy soils. Organic. Crushed strawberry, Bing cherry with hints of grapefruit and crushed stone. Medium body with a long finish…A 1.5 ha parcel of about (depending on the crop variation each year) 50% Grenache, 50% Cinsault, sometimes with some Bourboulenc and Mourvèdre that averages just 35hL/ha annually. Organically farmed and entirely harvested by hand with sorting done in the vineyard. The Cinsault is first harvested and pressed and then about a day later the Grenache is harvested and pressed. Once assembled, they ferment for 14 days with only indigenous yeasts. After racking, this rosé spends the winter in tanks, conducting a natural sedimentation and is finally bottled in April.”
Everything we love about Loire Valley rosé
Thibaud Boudignon Rosé de Loire 2019 750ML 750ML ($27.95) $24 special
Importer note “80% Cabernet Franc, 20% Grolleau from 25+ year old vines grown on shallow soils of grey schist and rhyolite (volcanic soil) and clay. Indigenous yeast fermentation of direct press rosé with no malo. Aged in stainless steel.”
If you love Pinot rosé from the Willamette Valley, you owe it to yourself to try the original
Fougeray de Beauclair Marsannay L’Elegance Rosé, Cote de Nuits 2018 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
VinopolNote: Marsannay is the only village in Burgundy that permits rosé bottled under its AOC. As you might expect, the rosé from the village is outstanding stuff and Beauclair’s offers excellent value (just like their reds, for what that’s worth). Made from 100% Pinot Noir, the Marsannay rosé shows the dry and serious side of the genre, while managing to be delicious and fresh at the same time. If you love Pinot rosé from the Willamette Valley, you owe it to yourself to try the original.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
A Fantastic Value from Antinori
Antinori is one of the most important names in Italian wine, responsible for dragging Tuscany into the modern era. Today the Antinori Group makes wine under a number of labels, including Tenuta Guado al Tasso. However they all share one thing in common, they’re amongst the most forward-thinking wines produced anywhere on the Italian peninsula. Tenuta Guado al Tasso’s 2019 Vermentino is no exception. Hailing from Bolgheri, a region synonymous with Italy’s late-20th century modernization, it exudes quality that far exceeds its humble price tag.
In stock now:
Marchesi Antinori Tenuta Guado al Tasso Vermentino di Bolgheri, Tuscany 2019 750ML ($24.95) $16 special
“This is very floral in aroma, with freesia and lilac notes complementing the apricot and wild herb flavors. There is good cut, and this white counters the juicy finish with a chalky feel. Drink now. 2,800 cases imported.”-Wine Spectator
In stock now:
Marchesi Antinori Tenuta Guado al Tasso Vermentino di Bolgheri, Tuscany 2019 750ML ($24.95) $16 special
“This is very floral in aroma, with freesia and lilac notes complementing the apricot and wild herb flavors. There is good cut, and this white counters the juicy finish with a chalky feel. Drink now. 2,800 cases imported.”-Wine Spectator
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Love Tuscan wine? We have 150 wines from Tuscany currently available.
Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Isole e Olena, Montevertine, Ornellaia and more, on our web store!
Thanksgiving Selections
Under $50
Under $50
Willamette Valley
One of Oregon’s rising stars
Day Wines Momtazi Vineyard Pinot Noir, McMinnville 2016 750ML ($53.95) $33 special
Case-6 Day Wines Momtazi Vineyard Pinot Noir, McMinnville 2016 750ML ($299.95) $189 special
Case-12 Day Wines Momtazi Vineyard Pinot Noir, McMinnville 2016750ML ($599.95) $345 special
John Gilman 93 points “The 2016 Momtazi Vineyard bottling of pinot noir from Day Wines is the ripest of these 2016s, as it comes in at fourteen percent octane. It is beautifully black fruity on the nose (as all the examples from Momtazi have been that I have been fortunate enough to taste), offering up scents of black plum, sweet dark berry, black tea, balsam bough, a beautiful base of soil tones, chicory, gentle spice tones and a bit of cedar. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, complex and beautifully balanced, with a fine core of fruit, great mineral drive and grip, ripe, well-integrated tannins and a long, tangy and promising finish. While this is the ripest of the 2016 pinots from Brianne Day, it is no less pure or precise and is a great bottle in the making. 2024-2055.”
Josh Raynolds 92 points “Limpid red. A highly aromatic bouquet evokes fresh dark berries and baking spices, along with smoky mineral and musky earth overtones. Juicy and broad on the palate, offering alluringly sweet black raspberry, cherry, rose pastille and spicecake flavors that deepen steadily with air. Delivers a suave blend of power and energy and finishes with finely woven tannins and strong, floral-driven persistence.”
Winery Note “Momtazi Vineyard is a certified biodynamic site nestled in the foothills of the Cascade Range, composed primarily of uplifted marine sedimentary loams and silts with alluvial overlays and an underlying base of basalt. One of the revered vineyards in Willamette, this is our cornerstone source for Pinot noir. We are always thrilled to work with this fruit, as it’s some of the most coveted in in the Valley. Many people wish they could get their hands on it, and we’re fortunate that we do. Easily our most intense and deeply fruited Pinot noir, the wine displays hallmark Momtazi notes of black cherry and black raspberry, both on the nose and on the palate. Additional notes of sandalwood spice and forest floor emerge with air, giving a glimpse at the complexity to come. It’s a moody, broody teenager at present, which is no surprise given the vineyard’s reputation for structure. The tannins are suave but sturdy, and the well-integrated acidity holds everything together seamlessly in an enchanting marriage of power and finesse. As flagship wines go, the 2016 Momtazi is a worthy standard-bearer.”
Staff favorite producer
Goodfellow Family Cellars Whistling Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015 750ML ($49.95) $36 special
Wine Advocate 93 points “From a vineyard planted in 1990, the pale to medium ruby colored 2015 Pinot Noir Whistling Ridge Vineyard has a spicy nose of coriander, warm cinnamon, potpourri and dried leaves over a core of baked cranberry and red cherry fruit with meaty/savory touches. Light to medium-bodied, it has spice-laced red fruits in the mouth, with a great frame of fine-grained tannins and wonderful freshness, finishing very long and very spicy. 270 cases produced.”
VinopolNote “Whistling Ridge has become Marcus Goodfellow’s Cros Parantoux-a vineyard that somehow went overlooked but now produces exceptional wines in the right hands. Nestled on the ridgetop abutting the Beaux Freres Upper Terrace, wines from Whistling Ridge tend to be compact and powerful-built for aging. Lots of spice and floral notes blend with a mix of black and red fruits for a stellar wine that’s one of the best versions yet.”
One of Oregon’s rising stars
Day Wines Momtazi Vineyard Pinot Noir, McMinnville 2016 750ML ($53.95) $33 special
Case-6 Day Wines Momtazi Vineyard Pinot Noir, McMinnville 2016 750ML ($299.95) $189 special
Case-12 Day Wines Momtazi Vineyard Pinot Noir, McMinnville 2016750ML ($599.95) $345 special
John Gilman 93 points “The 2016 Momtazi Vineyard bottling of pinot noir from Day Wines is the ripest of these 2016s, as it comes in at fourteen percent octane. It is beautifully black fruity on the nose (as all the examples from Momtazi have been that I have been fortunate enough to taste), offering up scents of black plum, sweet dark berry, black tea, balsam bough, a beautiful base of soil tones, chicory, gentle spice tones and a bit of cedar. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, complex and beautifully balanced, with a fine core of fruit, great mineral drive and grip, ripe, well-integrated tannins and a long, tangy and promising finish. While this is the ripest of the 2016 pinots from Brianne Day, it is no less pure or precise and is a great bottle in the making. 2024-2055.”
Josh Raynolds 92 points “Limpid red. A highly aromatic bouquet evokes fresh dark berries and baking spices, along with smoky mineral and musky earth overtones. Juicy and broad on the palate, offering alluringly sweet black raspberry, cherry, rose pastille and spicecake flavors that deepen steadily with air. Delivers a suave blend of power and energy and finishes with finely woven tannins and strong, floral-driven persistence.”
Winery Note “Momtazi Vineyard is a certified biodynamic site nestled in the foothills of the Cascade Range, composed primarily of uplifted marine sedimentary loams and silts with alluvial overlays and an underlying base of basalt. One of the revered vineyards in Willamette, this is our cornerstone source for Pinot noir. We are always thrilled to work with this fruit, as it’s some of the most coveted in in the Valley. Many people wish they could get their hands on it, and we’re fortunate that we do. Easily our most intense and deeply fruited Pinot noir, the wine displays hallmark Momtazi notes of black cherry and black raspberry, both on the nose and on the palate. Additional notes of sandalwood spice and forest floor emerge with air, giving a glimpse at the complexity to come. It’s a moody, broody teenager at present, which is no surprise given the vineyard’s reputation for structure. The tannins are suave but sturdy, and the well-integrated acidity holds everything together seamlessly in an enchanting marriage of power and finesse. As flagship wines go, the 2016 Momtazi is a worthy standard-bearer.”
Staff favorite producer
Goodfellow Family Cellars Whistling Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015 750ML ($49.95) $36 special
Wine Advocate 93 points “From a vineyard planted in 1990, the pale to medium ruby colored 2015 Pinot Noir Whistling Ridge Vineyard has a spicy nose of coriander, warm cinnamon, potpourri and dried leaves over a core of baked cranberry and red cherry fruit with meaty/savory touches. Light to medium-bodied, it has spice-laced red fruits in the mouth, with a great frame of fine-grained tannins and wonderful freshness, finishing very long and very spicy. 270 cases produced.”
VinopolNote “Whistling Ridge has become Marcus Goodfellow’s Cros Parantoux-a vineyard that somehow went overlooked but now produces exceptional wines in the right hands. Nestled on the ridgetop abutting the Beaux Freres Upper Terrace, wines from Whistling Ridge tend to be compact and powerful-built for aging. Lots of spice and floral notes blend with a mix of black and red fruits for a stellar wine that’s one of the best versions yet.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Another staff favorite!
Cameron Winery ‘Arley’s Leap’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Winery Note “Arley’s leap harkens from a block of Pinot noir planted in 1990 at Abbey Ridge Vineyard. The eponymous hero was Bill and Julia Wayne’s old dog Arley, who survived a jump from a second story balcony when startled by a cat.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Champagne
Champagne you’ll want to keep drinking with dinner
Nicolas Maillart Premier Cru Extra Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($54.95) $43.50 special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 90 points “A blend of equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the NV Extra-Brut Premier Cru was disgorged in February 2019 with three grams per liter dosage. Offering up aromas of crisp green orchard fruit, dried white flowers and citrus oil, it’s medium to full-bodied, racy and incisive, with a perceptibly drier, tangier profile than Maillart’s more enveloping Brut Platine.”
Winery Note “Golden in colour with a fine, lingering bead. Aroma: Intense with notes of fruit and hazelnuts and a sligth toastiness. Taste: The initial impact is wonderfully fresh and vinous, followed by great finesse. Food and wine: Aperitif, white fish like haddock or cod. Pinot Noir is dominant, with a complement of Chardonnay that brings freshness to the blend. The high percentage of reserve wines (30 to 40%), aged in barrels, confers a high regularity and style to this Brut Platine. Only “Grand” and premier crus are used in this wine, with origins in the Montagne de Reims, on vineyards managed by us. With a very gentle process, we keep all the richness of the grapes. Aged around three years on its lees, this Brut Platine develops all its richness. A natural balance and freshness allows a low dosage (3 g/l).”
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You’ll be hard pressed to find a better value on vintage BdB
Diebolt-Vallois Blanc de Blancs Brut Millesime, Champagne 2011 750ML ($59.95) $46 special
NO REVIEWS FOR THE 2011 VINTAGE. 2010 REVIEW PROVIDED FOR REFERENCE.
Wine Spectator 92 points “This elegant blanc de blancs shows a pleasing vibrancy from the lively bead and bright acidity, both well-meshed to pretty floral and spice accents and flavors of Gala apple, biscuit and lemon zest. Creamy. Drink now through 2025. 16 cases imported.”
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Burgundy
Old-school earthiness and concentration
Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Santenay Vieilles Vignes, Cote de Beaune 2017 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special
Neal Martin – Vinous 89-91 points “The 2017 Santenay Vieilles Vignes Champs Claude, ages in 15% new oak, has a lovely, quite subtle seaweed scent that permeates the red berry aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with a fine bead of acidity, taut and linear with admirable precision towards the finish. This is my pick of the domaine’s three reds this year. (DIAM closure)”
William Kelley – Wine Advocate “The 2017 Santenay Vieilles Vignes hails from a very old parcel and is deeper-pitched than Colin’s other reds, exhibiting notes of cherries, rich soil tones and peonies, followed by a medium to full-bodied, layered palate that’s earthy and nicely concentrated.”
“Stony, saline, rustic”
Fougeray de Beauclair Fixin Clos Marion, Cote de Nuits 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Burghound 90-92 points “Once again firm reduction renders the nose impossible to fairly evaluate. Otherwise there is terrific intensity to the tightly coiled and stony medium-bodied flavors that possess plenty of punch on the saline, balanced and focused finish. This ever-so-mildly rustic effort is a first-rate Fixin villages and highly recommended.”
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Burgundy’s most underrated village?
Domaine Rollin Pere et Fils Les Cloux, Pernand-Vergelesses 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Rosenthal Note “‘Les Cloux’ is a well-situated lieu-dit on the north side of the hill of Corton, adjacent to the premier cru ‘Sous Fretille’. It faces southeast on a high, steep part of the hillside, and a general lack of any direct breeze there encourages notable ripeness. The wine possesses a lower-pitched, deeper nose than the basic Pernand-Vergelesses above, but with an equivalent limestone intensity more solid in its character than powdered. The palate is richer and thicker as well, but suffused with the alert acidity typical of the Rollin style. Only 20% of the oak employed during the elevage is new.”
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Loire
Versatile beauty
Domaine Andre Neveu Sancerre Les Monts Damnes, Loire 2017 750ML ($44.95) $37 special
Case-12 Domaine Andre Neveu Sancerre Les Monts Damnes, Loire 2017 ($499.95) $399 special
Winery note “This Sancerre white comes from our exclusively hand-harvested limestone-clay vineyards in Chavignol, on the famous ‘Cote des Monts Damnés’, so named by our ancestors because it was a very awkward slope to work. However, it does have an exceptional terroir and ideal exposure. Excellent drunk young, it will open up over time, and age without effort. It will combine perfectly with all types of fish, and white meats in sauce.”
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Baudry delivers again
Bernard Baudry Chinon La Croix Boissee Blanc, Loire 2018 750ML ($49.95) $44 special
Jason Wilson-Vinous 91 points “A surprising Chenin Blanc from Chinon’s tuffeau soils, the result of long, long fermentation (12 months) in 500-liter barrel. On the nose, wet earth, citrus blossom and honeysuckle, then full-bodied with lots of peach, clementine and even mango flavors, a salty core, and a dry, stony finish.”
Winery note “The very chalky soil imparts La Croix Boissée with minerality and a dense body. This is a nice wine for gastronomy with notes of white fruits and a fine salinity. Quantity is limited.”
An Argentine Classic
Norton’s 2013 Privada Red
Celebrating their 125th anniversary this year, Norton is one of the truly historic names in Argentina. An estate that produces wines for just about every price point, its Privada label is the commercial bottling of fruit that used to be reserved for the family’s private cellar. The blend is classic Argentina: 40% Malbec, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 30% Merlot. Everything about the wine suggests sticker shock (premium grapes, substantial aging in French oak, famous sub-region); however at $168 for a case, this is a premium wine to share with your Two-Buck Chuck drinking relatives.
Bodega Norton Privada Red, Lujan de Cuyo 2013 750ML ($24.95) $16 special
Case-12 Bodega Norton Privada Red, Lujan de Cuyo 2013 750ML ($299.95) $168 special
Tim Atkin 93 points
Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2013 Privada Proprietary Red Wine is composed of 40% Malbec and 30% each Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from their three vineyards close to the winery in Luján de Cuyo. The wine fermented in cement vats and matured in French oak barrels (new and second use) for some 14 months. Bright cherry-colored, with clean flavors and aromas mixing wild berries and aromatic fruits, the palate has a very fine texture and fresh acidity. There is also good depth and persistence. 300,000 bottles produced per vintage.”
Bodega Norton Privada Red, Lujan de Cuyo 2013 750ML ($24.95) $16 special
Case-12 Bodega Norton Privada Red, Lujan de Cuyo 2013 750ML ($299.95) $168 special
Tim Atkin 93 points
Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2013 Privada Proprietary Red Wine is composed of 40% Malbec and 30% each Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from their three vineyards close to the winery in Luján de Cuyo. The wine fermented in cement vats and matured in French oak barrels (new and second use) for some 14 months. Bright cherry-colored, with clean flavors and aromas mixing wild berries and aromatic fruits, the palate has a very fine texture and fresh acidity. There is also good depth and persistence. 300,000 bottles produced per vintage.”
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