Saturday, June 6, 2015
Flash Sale; New Arrivals; Flash Sale, Part 2; Super Champagne Pricing; Beaux Freres & Shea Wine Cellars – New Releases/ New Prices; Oregon Pinot Sale; Domaine Leroy
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Mid-West, East & South
Summer Shipping Saver
Whisk your wine through warmer weather!
Now for the summer season we are offering UPS Three Day Select Service for the price of UPS Ground for shipments normally travelling 4 or more business days.
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Flash Sale
Re-Arriving Friday, June 12th
Opus One Overture, Napa Valley NV 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
From the winery “In keeping with the tradition of many great Bordeaux estates, Opus One produces a fine second wine called Overture. Since 1993, Overture has been crafted as a part of our relentless pursuit of quality for Opus One. Every acre of our estate vineyard is farmed with the attention to detail and singular focus required to produce Opus One. As part of the highly selective blending process, some lots, despite showcasing the amazing Oakville terroir of our estate, are not chosen for the final blend of Opus One. These lots are afforded additional time in barrel, in combination with blending across multiple vintages, to achieve a final non vintage wine of remarkable elegance and complexity that captures the essence of our estate vineyard over time. This is Overture. Aged in French oak, Overture is composed of the same five varietals that define Opus One: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet France, Petit Verdot and Malbec.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $121
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New Weekend New Arrivals
GERMANY
Weingut Seehof Pinot Noir Rose, Rheinhessen 2014 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
Importer note: “This is a perfectly refreshing, light, and dry rosé, although with good concentration and great limestone minerality. All the grapes come from Westhofen (one of the most famous villages in the southern Rheinhessen…think Morstein, Kirchspiel, Absterde, these are all here in this remarkable little town). Westhofen’s soils are various renderings of limestone, thus there is a certain, natural affinity for Pinot Noir.”
PORTUGAL
São João Rose Brut, Bairrada DO 2013 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Winery note “40% Baga, 40% Touriga Nacional, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Grapes planted in clay and limestone less than 20 km from the Atlantic Ocean. Aged 3 months on lees, bottles disgorged in March.”
Poco do Lobo Arinto White, Bairrada DO 1995 ($39.95) $33 special
Winery note “100% Arinto. Vines planted in 1950 in clay and limestone soil at 164-328 feet elevation. Aged 24 months in cement tanks; bottled in 1997.”
Caves Sao Joao ‘Porta dos Cavaleiros’ Tinto, Dao 1980 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Winery note “40% Alfrocheiro, 20% Jaen, 20% Tinta Roriz, 10% Baga, 10% Preto de Mortague. Aged 24 months in cement tanks. Bottle aged in cellar, released directly from winery.”
Caves Sao Joao ‘Porta dos Cavaleiros’ Tinto, Dao 1985 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Winery note “40% Jaen, 20% Alfrocheiro, 20% Preto de Mortague, 10%Tinta Roriz, 10% Baga. Aged 24 months in cement tanks. Bottle aged in cellar, released directly from winery.”
Caves Sao Joao Frei Joao Tinto, Bairrada DO 1985 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Winery note “100% Baga. Aged 24 months in cement tanks.”
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Flash Sale, Part 2
Just Arrived!
Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque – Fleur de Champagne Brut Millesime 2006 750ML ($149.95) $99 special
Subscriber-only sale: $89/bottle
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Cellar Selection. This is a full-bodied and ripe wine, showing some toastiness as well as concentrated apple and peach flavors. There is a crisp edge to this opulent and rich wine. It has a great future: it is drinkable now, but will continue well into the 2020s.” WE
Wine Spectator 92 points “Tightly knit flavors of poached apple and apricot, lemon parfait, spun honey and ground anise are wrapped around a core of minerality in this harmonious Champagne. The refined, raw silk-like texture carries the smoke and chalk accents on the long finish. Drink now through 2027.” WS
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92 points “(50% chardonnay from Cramant, Avize and Chouilly, 45% pinot noir from Mailly, Verzy and Ay and 5% pinot meunier from Dizy; L0781302561 14.23): Light, bright gold. Powerful aromas of poached pear, cherry pit, pungent flowers and buttered toast, with a touch of white pepper adding vivacity. Supple and weighty on entry, then tighter in the mid-palate, offering ripe citrus and orchard fruit flavors and a bitter kick of musky rhubarb. Closes smooth and long, with very good breadth and building smokiness.” JR
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $145
That’s 63% premium to our price
More Chanpagne!: A Pair of Perrier / A Duo of Duval
Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque – Fleur de Champagne Brut Rose 2004 750ML ($319.95) $159 special
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “With just the right amount of toasty age, this is gorgeous. Its strawberry note is woven into its rich texture, with a flavor of fresh croissant and a final burst of acidity. It could age, but why wait?” WE
Wine Spectator 93 points “Delicate acidity and subtle flavors of black cherry, plum, black licorice and spice are well-meshed with the fine texture and creamy minerality of this elegant rosé, which has a smoky finish. Drink now through 2020. 2,000 cases imported.”
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 93 points “(50% pinot noir from the Montagne de Reims, 45% chardonnay from Cramant and Avize, and 5% pinot meunier from Dizy; 9% of the red wine component was still red wine; 8 g/l of dosage; L339110774 11:20): Pale, vivid orange. Sexy flower- and spice-tinged red berry and citrus fruit aromas are complemented by hints of buttery brioche, anise and musky herbs. Sappy and penetrating on the palate, offering intense blood orange, strawberry and musky rhubarb flavors. A toasty, leesy quality come up on the finish, which clings with impressive tenacity and alluring sweetness.”
1/2 Price!
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $301
Perrier Jouet Grand Brut NV 750ML ($49.95) $29.50 special
Case-12 Perrier Jouet Grand Brut NV 750ML ($549.95) $319 special (that’s only $26.58/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 90 points “Spring blossom and smoke notes mix in this lively Champagne, with a creamy bead carrying hints of lemon shortbread, peach and ground ginger. Drink now through 2017.” WS
Duval-Leroy Clos des Bouveries Blanc de Blancs Millesime, Champagne 2005 750ML ($79.95) $49 special
Wine Spectator 92 points “Bright and mouthwatering, featuring rich hints of pastry cream and marzipan, layered with tangy peach, blackberry, chalk, verbena and fleur de sel notes. Refined in texture, with a fresh, lingering finish. Drink now through 2025.” WS
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $54.99
Duval-Leroy Femme de Champagne 2000 750ML ($179.95) $119 special
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2000 Femme de Champagne is another noble prestige cuvée of Duval-Leroy and, honestly, it is even finer, purer and more delicate than the tight and tension-full 1996. The purity, elegance and finesse is as obvious on the nose (russet apples, brioche, white chocolate, hazelnut, floral/herbal flavors) as on the palate where this medium to full-bodied wine leads to a firm and complex mineral finish of great persistence.” WA
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $149.99
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Beaux Freres & Shea Wine Cellars
New Releases/ New Prices!
Arriving June 12th
First, a note from Mike Etzel, owner-extraordinaire of Beaux Freres:
“We have been receiving great nation press as a destination wine region. These all seem to validate what we have known all along – That our little part of the world is one of the few places on earth blessed with the conditions to grow world class Pinot noir.
“We are excited to be releasing the 2013 Willamette Valley and Beaux Freres Vineyards Pinot noirs. The 2013 growing season was a bit of a dichotomy. With some quick thinking, hard work, and serious culling we have made a small amount of wine that honestly reflects the personality of the 2013 vintage in a delicious and succulent style. I believe 2013 will demonstrate the culmination of what years of cool climate grape growing and winemaking experience can produce: Pinot noir at its very best!”
Beaux Freres ‘The Beaux Freres Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2013 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
From the winery “Tasting Notes: A bit darker, Medium ruby to red. ¬e nose is of fresh red Oregon fruits & berries, a cherry aromatic is supported by more cola spice and a touch of subtle oak. ¬is is a finesse styled Beaux Freres. Medium bodied with light-sweet tannins, very good purity and depth. ¬e texture here is beguiling as well. Drink between 2018 and 2028. This wine is made from the fruit grown on our original estate vineyard. The Beaux Frères Vineyard was planted by Mike & Jackie Etzel from 1987 – 1991 primarily to Pommard & Wädenswil clones on their own roots. This 23 acre vineyard started out with conventional farming techniques but in 2002 Mike started following the principals of biodynamics. An average vine age of about 24 years puts this vineyard in the prime of its life. This wine as always is 100% from our original estate vineyard.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Beaux Freres Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2013 750ML ($59.95) $51.90 pre-arrival special
From the winery “A glowing medium ruby color. Redolent of Juicy strawberry and bright cherry fruit on the nose. Aromatic intrigue is heightened by the slight damp earth and warm spice components. ¬e fruit follows through on the velvety textured palate. A great balance of fruit purity and a hedonistic lushness. Aging potential 5-10 years. Our Willamette Valley cuvée features fruit grown on select vineyard sites in the Northern Willamette Valley. The wines benefit from the same winemaking process as our estate wines. The sites are farmed sustainably and managed to very low yields. We age the wine in the same French oak barrels used in our estate bottling, however the percentage of new oak is intentionally lower.”
Also arriving June 12th:
Shea Wine Cellars Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2013 750ML ($34.95) $28 pre-arrival special
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Shea Wine Cellars Estate Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 750ML ($44.95) $34 RE-arrival special
From the winery “A blend of all the best Shea Vineyard has to offer. This wine has raspberry, dark cherry, plum and rose aromatics. On the palate the wine displays savory notes of clove, cinnamon, black tea and carob. It is luscious and broad, highlighted by fine-grained tannins, well-balanced acidity, and a long, mouth-watering finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Don’t touch that dial- Stay tuned for our Great Oregon Pinot Noir sale
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Just a reminder about our current shipping specials during this season:
For the Mid-West, East, and South during the summer season we are offering UPS Three Day Select Service for the price of UPS Ground for shipments that would normally travel four or more business days to their destination.
We offer flat rate shipping on any size single order / single shipment
-to Oregon for $17,
-Washington & Idaho for $20,
-and California for $25
These rates do not apply to orders held in storage here for any reason. Multiple orders consolidated into one shipment do not qualify for flat rate shipping.
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25 Oregon Pinot Noirs Go On Super Sale!
Trisaetum Estates Reserve Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2011 750ML ($79.95) Was $66 Now $59, 7 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Vivid ruby-red. Deeply pitched dark berry preserve, cola and incense aromas show very good energy, with a smoky quality emerging as the wine opens in the glass. On the palate, juicy blackberry and cherry compote flavors are lifted and sharpened by a zesty mineral nuance and a hint of fresh flowers. Sweet vanilla and berry liqueur notes build on the finish, which is firmed by youthful, deftly integrated tannins.” ST
Trisaetum Ribbon Ridge Estate Pinot Noir 2011 750ML ($49.95) Was $39 Now $29, 1 bottle available
Stephen Tanzer 89 points “Bright ruby-red. Pungent smoke- and spice-accented aromas of dark berries and cherry, with a hint of candied flowers in the background. Shows very good clarity and lift to its bitter cherry and black raspberry flavors and picks up a bitter orange pith nuance with air. Finishes sweet, gripping and persistent.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $38.67
Trisaetum Trisae Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2011 750ML ($37.95) Was $28 Now $19, 10 bottles available
Trisaetum Trisae Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 750ML ($37.95) Was $27 Now $24, 3 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 90 points “Full ruby. Smoky cherry and dark berries on the pungent, spice-accented nose and palate. Juicy and precise, with building sweetness and a refreshing bite of tangy minerality on the back half. Bright, nervy and sharply focused on the persistent finish, showing silky tannins and lingering spiciness.” ST
Omero Cellars Eola Amity Hills Pinot Noir 2012 750ML ($39.95) Was $33 Now $24, 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 89 points “Vivid ruby-red. Fresh raspberry and floral pastille aromas are complicated by orange zest and white pepper. On the palate, vibrant red berry and bitter cherry flavors firm up with air and show solid energy. Finishes with good cut and spicy persistence.” ST
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Omero Cellars Ribbon Ridge Pinot Noir 2011 750ML ($39.95) Was $33 Now $24, 1 bottle available
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $35
Le Cadeau Vineyard Rocheux Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2011 750ML ($59.95) Was $49 Now $44, 3 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 points “The Le Cadeau 2011 Pinot Noir Rocheux–which had only just been bottled the week I visited the property in July, and I consequently postponed tasting until September–is spirited and bright, with an invigorating tang of berry skin to its tart cherry and a seedy crunch to its red raspberry. Sappy and mouth-filling though lean in texture, it finishes with a mouthwatering influx of salinity as well as notes of juniper berry, sage, black pepper, resin, crushed stone and tar that solidify its sense of stimulating impingement and sheer grip. This ought to perform well through at least 2025.” WA
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $50
Sineann Winery 4 Heathens Pinot Noir 2008 750ML ($49.95) Was $39 Now $33, 5 bottles available
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Chehalem RR Winery Ridgecrest Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2010 750ML ($79.95) Was $69 Now $59, 11 bottles available
Wine Spectator 93 points “Supple, velvety and gloriously expressive, layering blueberry, currant, white pepper and white chocolate flavors on a supple, medium-weight frame, playing out the flavors on a long, harmonious finish. Best from 2015 through 2020.” WS
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Rex Hill Jacob Hart Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 750ML ($69.95) Was $59 Now $49, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2012 Pinot Noir Jacob Hart Vineyard was biodynamically certified in 2009. Picked October 8-11, it includes 25% whole-cluster fruit, matured for 12 months in 36% new oak. It has a very precise bouquet that allows the mineralité to show through, very focused and poised with dark cherries, freshly tilled soil, nutmeg and cracked black pepper. The palate is medium-bodied with very supple tannin married with a keen line of acidity. It gently builds toward a fresh, nervous finish that lingers long in the mouth. Superb.” WA
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $53.68
Analemma Atavus Vineyard Pinot Noir, Columbia Gorge 2012 750ML ($39.95) Was $33 Now $29, 1 bottle available
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $30
Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Reserve Series Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2011 750ML ($49.95) Was $39 Now $33, 2 bottles available
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $40.99
Argyle Reserve Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 750ML ($39.95) Was $33 Now $29, 22 bottles available
Wine Spectator 92 points “A crisp and tangy red, with inviting red berry, red plum and quince flavors on a lively frame, finishing against fine tannins with intensity, persistence and harmony. Best from 2016 through 2022.” WS
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Elk Cove Vineyards ‘Mount Richmond’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2013 750ML ($59.95) Was $49 Now $39, 5 bottles available
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $44.99
Elk Cove Vineyards ‘Clay Court’ Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains 2013 750ML ($59.95) Was $49 Now $39, 6 bottles available
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $49.99
Aberrant Cellars “Amplus” Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton 2012 750ML ($49.95) Was $39 Now $33, 24 bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 93 points “Vivid ruby-red. Flamboyant red and dark berry aromas are accented by smoky Indian spices, lavender, cola and woodsmoke. Sappy and expansive on the palate, displaying potent blackberry and cherry compote flavors underscored and lifted by zesty minerals and a hint of white pepper. Sweetens up with air and finishes with slowly mounting tannins and excellent persistence. Suave and approachable now but this pinot has the depth to age.” JR
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2012 Amplus comes from a vineyard on the foothills of the Coast Range that Eric Eide started working with in 2011, although in that year he got hit by botrytis, so this marks its debut. It comes from Pommard and 667 clones and was cropped on October 12, including 10% whole-cluster berries. It spends 16 months in French oak, 45% new. It has more red berry fruit on the nose compared to the other cuvées from Eide, with plenty of red cherry, cranberry leaf and damp moss aromas that you might find in a fine Pommard. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, quite tensile tannin and well-judged acidity that neatly cuts through the plush red berry fruit. There is impressive substance here, good backbone and sense of authority that lend the finish persistence. Give this 12 months for the oak to fully integrated and you will have (another) excellent 2012 from Aberrant Cellars.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $45
Aberrant Cellars ‘Carpe Noctem’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 750ML ($59.95) Was $49 Now $41.90, 7 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2012 Pinot Noir Carpe Noctem is an individual barrel selection in terms of weight, texture and intensity. It is 75% Eola-Amity Hills and 25% Yamhill-Carlton fruit and undergoes malolactic in barrel, where it is aged for 17 months in French oak (58% new). Deeper in color than the Virtus Ex, it has quite an intense bouquet with a light marine influence upon the dark plum and raspberry coulis scents. The palate is medium-bodied with supple and harmonious tannin, smooth in the mouth with no rough edges, it gradually builds with a peacock’s tail of dark plum, mulberry and hints of dried blood. You could actually broach this now, but I would suggest allowing 12 to 24 months in bottle.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $47.99
Aberrant Cellars ‘Carpe Noctem’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2011 750ML ($59.95) Was $49 Now $39, 3 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Bright red. Deeply pitched dark berry, cherry pit, anise and woodsmoke scents show very good clarity and pick up Indian spice and floral pastille qualities with air. Juicy, penetrating and precise, with vibrant black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors lifted and sharpened by tangy acidity. Shows excellent depth and power for the vintage, finishing sweet, smoky and very long. This sexy wine got 50% new oak but it doesn’t show in an overt fashion.” ST
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $47
Aberrant Cellars ‘Virtus ex’ Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2012 750ML ($49.95) Was $39 Now $33, 33 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2012 Pinot Noir Virtus Ex comes from Eola-Amity Hills and tends to be the slowest to evolve and what Eric sees as the most Old World influence. The vines are located on volcanic soils and includes 15% whole-cluster fruit due to the relatively longer hang time. It sees 15 months in 42% new French oak. It came in at 3.3 pH and 14% alcohol so no acidification was necessary. The nose makes an immediate impression: redcurrant, wild strawberry and undergrowth, almost mulchy scents. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, plenty of refined red cherry and cranberry fruit interlaced with spice, leading to a finish that has plenty of finesse and Old World charm. This is a superb wine from winemaker Eric Eide.”
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92 points “Bright ruby-red. Sexy, spice-laced red and dark berry scents are complicated by notes of cola, mocha, potpourri and smoky minerals. Fleshy, focused and lively, offering appealingly sweet black raspberry and cherry pit flavors that tighten up and gain spiciness with air. Packs a serious punch of fruit but comes off as lithe, finishing with excellent thrust and silky, even tannins that add structure.” JR
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $46
Violin Pinot Noir Eola Amity Hills 2013 750ML ($49.95) Was $41.90 Now $33, 6 bottles available
Winemaker’s note “A wine of intense power and perfume that highlights the best characteristics of this AVA in the North Willamette Valley. The moderating impact of marine breezes is a result of its vicinity to the Van Duzer Corridor, the low point in the Coast Range that funnels weather from the Ocean, providing superior acid retention and consistency in the quality and maturity of fruit. This three barrel selection consists of two barrels from Eola Springs Vineyard and one barrel from Methven Family Vineyard. Floral perfume and dark berry fruits come out of the glass first with smokey spice and strawberry coursing underneath. Mouthwatering, juicy attack with fantastic concentration and dark cherry flavors coating the palate. Finish turns a bit more savory with oak spice, wild brambly fruits and earth mixing well. Firm, structural tannins persist throughout, and give the wine great poise and nerve on the lengthy, fruit driven finish. Aged on lees for 15 months in 100% French oak barrels, 33% new.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Violin Pinot Noir Sunny Mountain Vineyard 2013 750ML ($47.95) Was $39 Now $33, 6 bottles available
Winemaker’s note “This unique, 11 acre vineyard sits between 650 and 800 feet on Rattlesnake Ridge just South of the town of Monroe, Oregon. The wine is made exclusively from the 828 clone of Pinot Noir and is the highest block of the vineyard. Despite the slightly warmer climate in Monroe, this block tends to ripen late as a result of the relatively high elevation and the nature of the clone to develop fruit at a slower pace, allowing for intense aromatic expression and high concentration of tannin. High-toned cherry and an edge of barrel sweetness produce very powerful aromas in the glass, leading to more earthy tones of rhubarb, licorice and delicate herbal notes. The entry is a surprise as the wine broadens considerably across the palate, showcasing mouth-coating ripe tannins and ample acidity. The red-fruited character persists with floral and herb tones carrying the wine through a long, elegant finish. Aged on lees for approximately 14 months in 100% French oak barrels, 15% new.“
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Violin Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2013 750ML ($39.95) Was $33 Now $28, 12 bottles available
Winemaker’s note “A blend from all five of the vineyard sources including: Eola Springs Vineyard, Methven Family Vineyard, Solena Estate, First Man Vineyard, and Sunny Mountain Vineyard. Loads of spice and forest floor mingle with strawberry, darker berry fruits and floral tones in the nose. Juicy on entry with ample weight and structure to balance mouthwatering acidity. Firm tannins and savory sweet spice carry the wine to a long, lingering finish with red and black fruits present throughout. Aged on lees for approximately 14 months in 100% French oak barrels, 25% new.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Seven of Hearts Special Reserve Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 750ML ($49.95) Was $44 Now $39, 18 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Brilliant ruby-red. Intense dark berry and floral pastille aromas are complicated by suggestions of cola, anise and smoky minerals. At once fleshy and lithe, showing excellent clarity and lift to its black raspberry and cherry-cola flavors. Brighter red fruits emerge with air and carry through a strikingly long, seamless finish, which features youthfully chewy tannins and a hint of spicecake. Bet on this concentrated, lively pinot to reward at least another six-plus years of aging.” ST
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $47
Roco Clawson Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2011 750ML ($49.95) Was $40.90 Now $33, 3 bottles available
Wine Spectator 90 points “Light and vibrant, with fine tannins encircling a lean core of earthy cherry fruit, persisting gently on the delicate finish. Drink now through 2018. 250 cases made.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $41.99
Roco Knudsen Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2012 750ML ($49.95) Was $41.90 Now $36, 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Brilliant ruby-red. Black raspberry, cola, rose pastille and a hint of woodsmoke on the perfumed nose. On the palate, gently sweet dark berry flavors are lifted and firmed by juicy acidity and a touch of allspice. The spicy quality gains strength with air and carried through a long, seamless finish, which shows just a hint of dusty tannins. Very approachable now, but has the depth to suggest that a few years of cellaring would be rewarded.” ST
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $39.99
Roco Marsh Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2011 750ML ($49.95) Was $41.90 Now $33, 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 90 points “Sexy, high pitched red berry and floral aromas are complicated by notes of spice cake and vanilla. Closes with very good focus and energy, leaving a spicy note behind.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $41.99
Roco Marsh Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2012 750ML ($49.95) Was $41.90 Now $36, 4 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Vivid ruby-red. Sexy spice-laced black raspberry and cherry-cola aromas are complemented by deeper notes of mocha and licorice. At once lush and lively, offering broad dark berry flavors and a bracing kick of peppery spices. Silky tannins shape the finish, which clings with excellent clarity and persistent smoke and spice notes.” ST
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $39.96
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Domaine Leroy
“Domaine Leroy brings to mind the difference between good wines and the very best; it is, in fact, the absolute summit of Burgundy.” –Michel Bettane
“Lalou Bize-Leroy. The controversial Lalou must drive many Burgundians crazy given the extraordinary quality of her wines, and the high prices they fetch. She is an uncompromising winemaker, with a portfolio of red and white Burgundies that qualitatively have no peers.” –Robert Parker
“Leroy, absolute perfection. More than a model, the wines are an absolute reference. No other winery in the world holds itself to a higher standard in terms of exactitude in its viticulture. This unique winemaker lives for her vines and nothing else. Every new vintage is, for her, an event to live up to each year: produce, from the lowest possible yields, wines that are the absolute voice of their terroir.” –La Revue du Vin de France
Originally a negociant who took over her father’s company, Maison Leroy, Lalou Bize-Leroy found it more and more difficult to source wines to her exacting standards. In the late 1980s, she acquired Domaine Charles Noellat in Vosne Romanee, renaming it Domaine Leroy, and Domaine Philippe Remy in Gevry-Chambertin. Since then, she has expanded to 23 hectares, including vineyards in some of the top Grand and Premier Crus in the area: Richebourg, Les Boudots in NSG, and Clos de la Roche among others.
She is a passionate supporter and an early adopter of biodynamics and has unique vine training systems. In the 1993 vintage, which had some of the worst mildew conditions, she refused to go back to chemical treatments despite claims that she was killing her vines. The result was a drastically reduced crop size, yet wines that received near-perfect scores. Bize-Leroy does not hedge the vines (clip the ends to keep them short, which she believes harms the next year’s crop). Rather, she allows the vines to curl over the high trellising, which minimizes the formation of additional flower bunches.
The vines are old and managed to produce severely limited crops. She replaces where necessary from her own cuttings. The vines are restricted to only 4 bunches per vine with a yield near half the maximum allowed. In the winery, grapes are painstakingly sorted by hand on non-moving tables before being fermented without destemming. Domaine Leroy is a revered domaine of Burgundy and LaLou Bize-Leroy the “uncompromising” “perfectionist” at the helm, to quote the professional reviewers. The wines are limited in production and focused solely on quality and pure terroir; “the absolute summit of Burgundy.”
Domaine Leroy Wines Available Here Now
“…pay serious attention to Aligote. In the hands of top growers such as Laurent Ponsot and Lalou Bize-Leroy, Aligoté has proven to be capable of yielding wines of true character and pedigree that age exceptionally well. Aligoté tends towards a profile of white stone fruits and citrus. Most wines lie somewhere between the intense minerality of Chablis and greater body typically associated with the Chardonnays of the Côte d’Or.” –Antonio Galloni
Domaine Leroy Bourgogne Aligote 2009 750ML ($89.95) $59 special, 16 bottles available
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Leroy Bourgogne Aligote 2010 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 10 bottles available
Domaine Leroy Bourgogne Blanc Fleurs de Vignes NV 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 1 bottle available
A blend of 2009, 2010 and 2011 vintages.
Domaine Leroy Bourgogne Rouge 2003 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 3 bottles available
Domaine Leroy Bourgogne Rouge 2009 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 18 bottles available
Domaine Leroy Clos de la Roche Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2007 750ML ($1,799.95) $1,599 special, 2 bottles available
Wine Advocate 96 points “Kirsch, rose hip, and soy intensely scent the Leroy 2007 Clos De La Roche, which reveals brightness and finesse as well as a saline savor unusual for its appellation. To be sure, notes of leather and crushed stone as well as smoked and roasted meats contribute further and perhaps more site-typical complexity. But it’s the sheer finesse, buoyancy, and vibratory energy on display that most amaze, leaving your tongue and gums a quiver and your salivary glands pumping helplessly. There is also a faint hint of heat, but its effect is negligible given what’s going on around you when you swallow (or, in my case, spit). Look for 20 or more years of excitement.” WA
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $1,999.99
Domaine Leroy Wines Arriving Late June
Domaine Leroy Bourgogne Aligote 2011 750ML ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Domaine Leroy Aux Allots, Nuits-Saint-Georges 2011 750ML ($599.95) $499 pre-arrival special
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. Excllent.” WA
Domaine Leroy Nuits-Saint-Georges Aux Lavieres 2011 750ML ($599.95) $499 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2011 Nuits-St-Georges Aux Lavieres has a nose born of the sky more than the earth: airy, lifted and feminine. Touches of cold limestone emerge with time that are entrancing. The palate is vibrant and vital on the entry with a silver thread of acidity, a gradual build in the mouth with shimmering dark cherry and bergamot, then a gentle grip on the tense and teasing Vosne-like finish. Superb.” WA
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $525
Domaine Leroy Pommard Les Vignots 2011 750ML ($599.95) $499 pre-arrival special
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
Domaine Leroy Les Narbantons, Savigny-les-Beaune Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($799.95) $699 pre-arrival special
Burghound 92 points “Subtle reduction masks the subtle points of the nose though there appears to be good ripeness to the mostly dark berry fruit and earth aromas. There is excellent volume to the delicious, complex and solidly well-concentrated medium-bodied flavors that terminate in a relatively powerful, balanced and mouth coating finish. It’s rare to see a Savigny with this kind of muscle yet have it delivered with grace.” BH
Domaine Leroy Les Beaux Monts, Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($999.95) $799 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2011 Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru Les Beaux Monts had a slight reduction on the nose that soon blows away. The fruit is darker and broodier here than Aux Brulees with mulberry, raspberry, wild hedgerow and a touch of black olive compote. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, structured tannins lending this Vosne a firm backbone. It is beautifully balanced and extremely pure, not a hair out of place toward the delineated, feminine finish. This should age beautifully – the laser-like focus absolutely riveting.” WA
Burghound 95 points “While the increments to which I refer are small they are nonetheless noticeable as this is aromatically slightly fresher, more elegant and more complex all at once. The highly expressive nose is gorgeously layered, spicy and cool with its ultra-pure dark pinot fruit, plum, cassis and wet stone scents. The medium weight flavors are impressively rich but there is a palpable sense of underlying tension and energy that make this a pleasure to taste. Moreover the borderline pungent minerality adds more lift, particularly on the overtly austere, linear, focused and hugely persistent finish. As good as the Brûlées is, and make no mistake it is terrific, this just offers another level of class and refinement.” BH
Domaine Leroy Vosne-Romanee Les Genevrieres 2011 750ML ($599.95) $499 pre-arrival special
Burghound 92 points “There is enough reduction present to notice but not so much that it completely hides the spicy character of what appears to be very ripe black pinot fruit. There is a highly seductive mouth feel and texture to the extract-rich middle weight flavors that possess amazing depth for a villages level wine, all wrapped in a highly persistent finish that really fans out like a peacock’s tail. An exquisite effort.” BH
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $550