Thanksgiving Hours; Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines at Vinopolis;
Edmund Vatan at the Best Price in the Country; Thanksgiving Sales
Thanksgiving Weekend Shop Hours
We will reopen for our regularly scheduled hours
on Friday, November 24th
10 am – 6 pm
Don’t forget, though, that our web store never closes and is packed full of 2700+ wines–click here to shop now!
Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines
Here At Vinopolis
Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list always inspires a certain amount of fanaticism—these are the wines that most excited the editors and writers at the most widely read American wine publication, so it makes sense that a certain amount of hype gets thrown into the mix. We love the excitement that comes with the release of the list and so wanted to highlight the wines in the Top 100 that we have in stock and on the way.
In Stock Now:
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas, Rhone2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 25 bottles in stock now
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas, Rhone2015 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special, 3 magnums in stock now
#5 Wine Of The Year Wine Spectator Top 100 2017
Wine Spectator 95 points “A textbook version of the brawny side of Gigondas, this offers a grippy alder bass line underneath layers of dark currant and fig fruit, while lots of tobacco, rosemary and bay fill in throughout. Muscular and energetic, this is built for the cellar. Best from 2019 through 2030.”
Wine Advocate 91-93 points “Starting with the 2015 Gigondas Classique from Barruol, this blend of 70% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre and the rest Syrah and Cinsault will be a wine that readers will want to stockpile. Full-bodied, rich, beautifully textured and layered, with killer notes of crème de cassis, white pepper, spice and garrigue, it’s a classic Gigondas that will drink well for 15+ years.”
This is the lowest listed price for a magnum in the USA today!
Case-6 Domaine Huet Vouvray ‘Le Mont’ Demi-Sec, Loire 2016 750ML ($299.95) $249 special (that’s only $41.50/bottle!)
#6 Wine Of The Year – Wine Spectator Top 100 2017
Wine Spectator 95 points “This tilts toward the flattering side of off-dry, showing a plump feel to the core of creamed pear, white peach and yellow apple fruit. Lovely verbena, honeysuckle and mineral accents keep this balanced and driven, with a long finish that lets the fruit echo. Drink now through 2032.”
Arriving ETA May 2018:
Chateau Canon la Gaffeliere, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2014 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
#7 Wine Spectator Wine Of The Year 2017
Wine Spectator 95 points “This cuts a wide swath, with mouthwatering tobacco and warm ganache notes leading the way, followed by a wave of fig, blackberry and black currant preserves. Shows remarkable definition already, even though the structure is strident. Tempting now, but just put this in the back of the cellar. Best from 2020 through 2035. 4,083 cases made.”
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “One of the wines of the vintage, the 2014 Canon La Gaffelière is explosive, lifted and aristocratic in its breeding. Bright Cabernet Franc aromatics give the wine its signature lift and precision. Raspberry jam, rose petal, mint, blood orange, tobacco and pomegranate build slowly on the palate, leading to a super-expressive, finely knit finish. Powerful yet also impeccably refined, the 2014 has it all. The 2014 is 55 % Merlot, 37 % Cabernet Franc and 8 % Cabernet Sauvignon. Don’t miss it. Tasted two times.”
In Stock Now:
Altesino Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($59.95) $46 special, 26 bottles in stock now’
#11 Wine Of The Year – Wine Spectator Top 100 2017
Wine Spectator 96 points– Highly Recommended “Cherry, leather and iron notes mark this suave, elegant red. A bit reticent now, but the fruit is fresh and long on the finish. The dense tannins leave a mouthcoating impression, but this opens up beautifully over a few hours. Best from 2021 through 2035.”
Wine Enthusiast 94 points– Top 20 Brunello “Marking the winery’s 40th harvest, this vintage offers classic Sangiovese fragrance: wild berry, blue flower, baking spice and a whiff of new leather. The palate is sleek and elegant, doling out juicy red cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon and star anise, framed by lithe, polished tannins and fresh acidity. It’s loaded with finesse and tempting now but will be even better with a few more years in bottle. Drink 2019–2026.”
Arriving Next Month:
Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone 2015 750ML ($139.95) $119 pre-arrival special
#14 Wine Of The Year – Wine Spectator Top 100 2017
Wine Spectator 98 points “This has a drop-dead gorgeous core of cassis and raspberry pâte de fruit flavors that holds center stage but still allows notes of Lapsang souchong tea, anise, incense and shiso leaf to chime in. Very long, with a sublime feel through the mineral-tinged finish. So seductive already, but this will cruise in the cellar. Drink now through 2040.”
Wine Advocate 97 points “Bottled in May, the 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape is a floral, elegant, unbelievably complex wine. Roses and violets, cherries and stone fruit, cinnamon and allspice and more are carried across the full-bodied yet almost weightless palate, finishing in a swirl of silky tannins and lingering spice. Drink it over the next two decades.”
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 94-96 points “(raised in foudres) Deep ruby. Hugely aromatic red and dark berry, potpourri and floral scents are underscored by smoky minerality and an exotic suggestion of Asian spices. Sappy, focused and impressively deep yet lively, offering alluringly sweet raspberry, cherry compote and spicecake flavors and a refreshingly bitter touch of blood orange. Puts on weight and spreads out steadily with air, acquiring a succulent herb note that carries through the strikingly long, mineral-laced, gently tannic finish. This beauty is shaping up to be among the standouts of this extremely successful vintage.”
In Stock Now:
Domaine des Baumard Savennieres, Loire 2015 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Domaine des Baumard Savennieres, Loire 2015 750ML ($319.95) $259 special (that’s only $21.58/bottle!)
#15 Wine Of The Year – Wine Spectator Top 100 2017
Wine Spectator 94 points “Alluring, with quince, creamed pear, verbena and green almond flavors allied to a creamy texture, all offset beautifully through the finish by light quinine and mineral hints. Approachable, but this seems built for the cellar. Best from 2018 through 2030.”
Arriving Later This Month:
Marques de Caceres Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2012 750ML ($29.95) $18.50 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Marques de Caceres Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2012 750ML ($299.95) $199 pre-arrival special
#19 Wine Of The Year – Wine Spectator Top 100 2017
Wine Spectator 93 points “Black cherry, currant and floral notes are expressive and alluring, balanced by loamy earth, tobacco and mineral elements that add a savory quality. Firm, well-integrated tannins give support to the polished texture, while orange peel acidity fuels the fresh finish. Drink now through 2027.”
Arriving ETA December:
Mazzei Tenuta Belguardo Maremma Toscana, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
#23 Wine Of The Year – Wine Spectator Top 100 2017
Wine Spectator 95 points “A red of great purity and polish, offering black cherry, blackberry, spice and herb flavors, this evokes tobacco, graphite and leather nuances as it builds nicely on the palate. Finishes with grip, harmony and complexity, as well as terrific length. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2028.”
Roederer Estate Brut, Anderson Valley NV 750ML ($24.95) $19.90 special, 24 bottles in stock now
#25 Wine Of The Year – Wine Spectator Top 100 2017
Wine Spectator 92 points “A voulptuous and expressive sparkler, with floral red apple, brioche and cinnimom spice aromas and rich, vibrant flavors that finish on a luxurious note. Drink now through 2018.”
#31 Wine Of The Year – Wine Spectator Top 100 2017
Wine Spectator 92 points “Weighty for a Riesling, with a rounded feel and layers of creamed yellow apple, white peach and persimmon flavors. Delivers energy and cut throughout, with lemon pith, citrus oil and chamomile accents filling in. Shows length and range through the finish. Drink now through 2021.”
#51 Wine Of The Year – Wine Spectator Top 100 2017
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2015 Ultreia St Jacques is the entry-level red for the Ultreia range and is amazingly good for the price. Produced from old vines, this is a serious wine, with juicy fruit, a fine palate and good freshness for the conditions of the year. They have included new vineyards that they have been working for the last four or five years, so they are able to bottle a little bit more wine. This is a great value.”Grapelive 93 points “It was a great honor to meet and taste with Raul Perez, one of Spain’s most heroic and influential winemakers (also known as the godfather of Mencia). Perez has mentored many rising stars, including Pedro Rodriguez and Veronica Ortega, whose wines I recently discovered and who is still working with him. Raul Perez’s lineup was mind-blowing and lived up to my huge expectations in every way. I was wildly thrilled with each and every one of these offerings, especially this new Ultra Saint Jacques Bierzo Tinto that delivers wonderful depth and complexity at a price that makes it a bargain by any standards. [It is] made from mainly from Mencia, but with some inter planted Bastardo (thought to be Trousseau) and Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante Bouschet) coming off vines that average about 75 years old. This dark and ripe vintage shows an almost Northern Rhone-like character and has an earthy/savory/spicy edge like a lighter Cornas. This was fermented with native yeasts, about 80% whole cluster in large oak cask with long macerations lasting between 2 and 5 months and then aged in mixed vessels including some cement, as well as 225L and 500L oak. [It was bottled] unfined and unfiltered. It’s pretty in detail with violet/floral tones, peppercorn and a medium body that flows with sweet tannins. It shows vibrant but smooth acidity, and flinty mineral elements as well as a core of loganberry, plum, candied cherry and tart currant fruits as well as salted black licorice, lavender, pipe tobacco, shale stones, earthy charms and a hint of cinnamon. This 2015 is lovely stuff that drinks very well right now and should prove pleasing for 3 to 5 years. For this price you’ll want a case!”
Wine Spectator 91 points “Smoke, forest floor and mineral notes mingle in this savory red. Lively acidity and light, firm tannins give grip to the polished texture. Cherry and floral accents sing through the finish. Energetic. Drink now through 2023. 1,200 cases imported.”
Domaine de Beaurenard Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone 2015 750ML ($59.95) $39 pre-arrival special
#58 Wine Of The Year – Wine Spectator Top 100 2017
Wine Spectator 94 points “A beautiful wine, with dark fig, warm boysenberry reduction and alluring creamed raspberry flavors streaming forth, accented by graphite, black tea and pastis. There’s a healthy dose of singed apple wood through the finish, but it’s well-embedded as everything pulls together. Best from 2020 through 2040.–JM ”
Cantina del Pino Ovello, Barbaresco DOCG 2013 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
#61 Wine Of The Year – Wine Spectator Top 100 2017
Wine Spectator 97 points “A pretty, firmly structured red, with delicate flavors and subtle power, this evokes floral, red berry, mineral, tobacco and tar aromas and flavors, remaining harmonious and long on the mineral- and tobacco-tinged finish. Best from 2020 to 2036.”
Resonance Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2015 750ML ($47.95) $39 special, 24 bottles in stock now
#75 Wine Of The Year – Wine Spectator Top 100 2017
Wine Spectator 93 points “Supple and elegantly structured, with expressive raspberry and orange zest aromas and polished flavors that pick up depth and momentum toward a spicy finish framed by refined tannins. Drink now through 2023. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 4,000 cases made.”
#95 Wine Of The Year – Wine Spectator Top 100 2017
Wine Spectator 93 points “Pungent, with aromas of slate and ripe orchard fruit, this sleek white displays complex flavors of flowers, peach, quince and slate. A hint of chive works into the mix as this remains persistent on the finish. Drink now through 2024.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 90+ points “The 2015 Zeltinger Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett halbtrocken offers a serious, clear, deep and flinty/mineral bouquet with crushed slate and perfectly ripe, defined Riesling flavors. Round, finessed and elegant in the mouth, this is another mouth-filling, aromatic, very elegant and finessed Riesling. It has perfectly ripe stone fruit aromas and a long, salty finish. This is excellent quality.”
David Schildknecht – Vinous 90 points “This year’s version of what has become a reliable Selbach classic could easily have joined the newly expanded ranks of wines from this estate labeled feinherb, inasmuch as it displays a bit more sweetness than usual or than I expect under the rubric halbtrocken – especially in a high-acid vintage. Be that as it may, the wine has found its own delectable balance. Vanilla- and mint-tinged fresh apple as well as a lovely combination of creaminess with juicy refreshment could easily have come from a Zeltinger Sonnenuhr. Stony and nutty accents serve for counterpoint on a lusciously lingering finish of admirable clarity.”
Edmund Vatan
The Pinnacle of Sancerre
At the Lowest Listed Price in the Country
Arriving ETA Late December:
Edmond Vatan Sancerre Clos la Neore, Loire ($199.95) $149 pre-arrival special
The next best price is $185
Thanksgiving Sales!
Thanksgiving is a wine holiday if we ever saw one—lots of people, lots of different foods and a lot of time to hang out and drink. We tend not to sweat having “perfect” pairings, but instead focus on versatile wines that you can drink with everything on the table—and in quantity.
The last part is probably the most important wine rule for Thankgiving: Don’t run out of wine! No matter if the company is boorish, the turkey burnt or dinner three hours later than expected, if you have enough wine then all sins are forgiven.
The store has never been more full of wine—we’re bursting We’re highlighting some of our favorite Thanksgiving Sale wines right here. These are perfect with the food and company at your table, at prices that mean you can buy a few extra bottles.
Case-12 Goodfellow Family Cellars Bishop Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir, Oregon 2014 750ML ($419.95) $299 special, 7 cases in stock now (that’s only $24.92/bottle!)
Case-6 Goodfellow Family Cellars Bishop Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir, Oregon 2014 750ML ($219.95) $166 special, 5 six-packs in stock now (that’s only $27.67/bottle!)
Goodfellow Family Cellars Bishop Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir, Oregon 2014 750ML ($41.95) Was $37, Now $29, 36+ bottles in stock now
Grapelive 91 points “Delicately layered and spicy, the 2014 Bishop Creek is a pretty effort, especially for a richer vintage in Oregon. Made by Marcus Goodfellow, the ex-Evesham Wood and Westerly man, [he] is coming into his own as a talent, inspired by Doerner of Cristom and John Paul of Cameron. You can see the style showing through here. Bishop Creek, planted to Pommard and Wadenswil (old Swiss clone), [is] now owned by Nicolas Meo of the famed Burgundy Domaine Meo-Camuzet. [The vineyard] ([which is] not far from Shea Vineyards) formed this wine with its distinct strawberry and racy red cherry core along with the mixed spice, mineral tones and light wood influence. Its southern exposure and Willakenzie soils (dark rocky marine sediment) give warmth and grace. Planted in 1988, the vines ripen without flamboyant extraction, allowing more finesse to show through. At 13.9% this medium weight wine offers fine detail, opulence and restrained, almost earthy, soulfulness. Hints of bitter herb, cedar and candied citrus rind add a tangy note to the whole and the finish echoes the red fruits in subtle fashion with a touch of wilted roses lingering on. It shines right now, though best to enjoy it with cuisine to match as it is a tad shier than other 2014 Oregon Pinots (I’ve tried) and needs time and coaxing to reach its beautiful peak. Best from 2018 to 2022.”
The next best price for any vintage is $36
Case-12 Maitia ‘Aupa Pipeno’, Maule Valley, Chile 2016 750ML ($149.95) $128 special (that’s only $10.66/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 92 points “The super-tasty and gulpable 2016 Aupa Pipeño is a blend of País with some 30% Carignan (and whatever is found in the old vineyards) from a slightly cooler year. It keeps the style of previous vintages with the bright red fruit and the freshness of short macerations. In the dry-farming part of Maule they only saw 30 to 50 millimeters of rain when in the central valley they got 200! These grapes were harvested before the rain anyway, but the wine retains the freshness of a cooler year, fresher than 2015, more in line with the 2014 and 2013” –LG
Wine and Spirits 92 points “David Marcel, from France’s Basque country, was working in Maule as a bulk wine broker while building his own project, Maitía, back in 2012. That’s when he fell in love with the refreshing pipeños, the traditional wines of Chile’s south, usually made from país… The result is a lovely, refreshing and red-fruited pipeño, with vivid, shining acidity. It’s the kind of wine you won’t stop drinking.”
Domaine de la Janasse Cotes du Rhone Rose, Rhone 2015 750ML ($19.95) Was $16, Now $11.90 special
Importer notes: “The Côtes-du-Rhône Rosé from Domaine de la Janasse is made by bleeding the tanks and vats of the Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge. It is a blend of mainly Grenache, with Cinsault, Syrah and Counoise. After the wine is bled, it finished fermentation and aging in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks.”
Ian D’agata–Vinous 90 points “Pale red. Pungent floral aromas and flavors of red berries, apple and spicy underbrush. Vibrant acidity leaves a very clean and fresh mouthfeel which features hints of earth tones and red orchard fruit. Sangiovese and Merlot.”
The next best price is $16.49
Case-6 Arlaux Grande Cuvee Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($239.95) $189 special (that’s only $31.50/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 92 points “The nose of this wine seduces you straight away with a great balance of autolytic and fruit aromas: toasted hazelnuts, warm apple tart and kaya (coconut and egg) jam. The palate is equally well balanced providing plenty of evolved fruit and toasty / yeasty flavors. Small, fine bubbles, seamless use of dosage and a long nutty finish. This fine if relatively unknown Brut NV takes first place in the derby – a shocker even for me!”
Importer notes: “Arlaux is a small family-run champagne house producing only 5,000 cases a year located in a small village on the Petit Montagne de Reims called Vrigny. Arlaux has been producing champagne since 1826 but the Arlaux-Marchal family have lived in Vrigny since the 13th century. Exclusively 1er Cru Champagne with a minimum of 4 years aging. They only use their own grapes from 20 to 100 year old vines which are hand-picked in order to select only the very best. All Arlaux cuvées are 100% Premier Cru and 100% Tête de Cuvée (meaning that they only use the juice of the 1st press).”
Agathe Bursin Gewurztraminer Zinnkoepfle, Alsace Grand Cru 2016 750ML ($44.95) $36 special
VinopolNote: The Zinnkoepflé vineyard has been recognized as a top site since the beginning of vine cultivation in Alsace. Known especially for Gewürztraminer and Riesling, the vineyard sits in a protected area that allows for exceptional sun exposure while limiting risk of botrytis and other problems. The shelly-limestone soils provide for great acidity, so wines from here are always both rich and racy—a rare and impressive combination.
VinopolNote: The Disrstelberg vineyard is mostly composed of pink sandstone and is known as a high quality vineyard for a variety of grapes. The wines from the site tend to be linear and crisp, with good varietal character. Unlike many Alsatian producers, Bursin errs on the side of delicacy and raciness rather than pick too late and allow the wines to become rich and flabby for the sake of power.
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “Chocolate-covered raspberry forms the luscious core of this fairly priced wine that’s medium-bodied, moderately naked in its oak use and soft in its approachability. Rich, dense and luxurious, it will pair well with any grilled meats.”
Matello Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
Winery note “Never more than a few hundred cases, this micro-production showcases the beautiful mineral nature of the shallow sedimentary soils of the Whistling Ridge and Bishop creek vineyards. Bright, fresh, pear, lime blossom, hints of hazelnut, and a saline note.”
Thank you for reading!