Vinopolpick Mid-Week 12-08-21

Arriving Friday December 10th:

Oregon- Willamette Valley 

Zena Crown Vineyard Slope Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills 2018 ($79.95) $73.50 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 96 Points “A wine of presence and personality, with dynamic black raspberry and guava flavors that take on stony mineral and dusky spice accents as this gathers richness and tension toward broad-shouldered tannins. Best from 2022 through 2032. 487 cases made”.
Vinpol Note: Sourced from entirely south-facing blocks, allowing for the most complete phenolic ripeness in the estate. Made from a single clone (667) of Pinot Noir and raised in entirely French oak (53% new). 

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France – Bordeaux

Chateau de Chantegrive Henri Leveque Graves 2010 750ML ($41.95) $33 pre-arrival special
“A stunning vintage / aged release.  This near perfect 50/50 Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot blend is the ‘flagship’ cuvee from their very best vineyard plots, paying homage to Henri Leveque, founder of Château de Chantegrive. Cold pre-fermentation followed by alcoholic fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. Malo-lactic fermentation in 100% new oak then barrel aged at least 15+ months, and obviously aged in bottle for several additional years in accordance with their desire to offer an ‘aged release.’    As a result, immediately present is a beautiful intense ruby color with a touch of dark plum. On the nose, lots of fruits with hints of chocolate and a slight suggestion of vanilla. Full-bodied and polished on the palate, a rich, generous wine with refined silky tannins.” –Importer note

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Le Haut Medoc d’Issan Haut-Medoc 2016 750ML ($49.95) $36 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Le Haut Medoc d’Issan Haut-Medoc 2016 750ML ($299.95) $199 pre-arrival special, (That’s only $33.16 per bottle) 
Importer note “Here’s your opportunity to experience the soul of a great Margaux (a classified third growth Margaux no less) without the usual expense. This boutique ~1,500 case cuvee is made from fruit grown on a small plot 3 miles west of Issan’s Margaux estate in Arsac, Haut-Medoc, just outside the Margaux appellation boundary – yet literally adjacent to other classified growth Bordeaux estates and with very similar terroir. Mostly Merlot and Cab Sauv, grapes are hand-picked and then brought to Chateau d’Issan and vinified in the exact same manner as the estate’s Margaux grand vin. And with the mindset that it can be much more approachable to enjoy drinking in its youth. Obviously the 2016 vintage was superb with solid wines at every level of the Bordeaux hierarchy, especially in the Haut-Medoc. This 2016 Haut-Medoc d’Issan is extremely enjoyable and well-balanced. It showcases polished tannins and moderate, balanced alcohol and acidity. The wine has a bright and vivid bouquet of dark cherry, blueberry, and lead pencil. While pure fruit components drive the pallet, there is plenty of other earth and spice notes, with great texture and mineral accents, all in a beautiful medium-bodied package. Don’t let this “third bottling” or “Haut Medoc” terroir fool you, there’s solid pedigree in the glass for the price!”

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Opus One Napa Valley 2018 750M ($389.95) $365 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 99 points “Extremely perfumed and floral with lavender, lilacs and violets to the sweet, ripe berries, such as blackberries and blackcurrants. Some slate and graphite, too. It’s full-bodied, yet ever so balanced and refined, with super fine tannins that last for minutes. Fresh herbs, such as bay leaf and lemon grass highlight the dark fruit. The quality of tannin is exquisite with wonderful polish and refinement. Lasts for minutes. So wonderful to taste now, but better after 2026.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 98 points “Very deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Opus One soars out of the glass with bright, bold boysenberries, warm cassis and ripe, juicy black plums notes, plus emerging nuances of lilacs, oolong tea, cinnamon stick, tilled soil and black truffles. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with tightly wound layers of crunchy black fruits, supported by firm, grainy tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing with lifted fruitiness and on a lingering mineral note.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The 2018 Opus One is a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, and the rest Merlot and Cabernet Franc. This deep purple-hued effort leans to lively, fresher side of the vintage but has a brilliant, utterly classic style in its crème de cassis and blue-tinged fruit as well as notes of lead pencil, candied violets, damp earth, and chocolate-like nuances. With a Pomerol-like elegance and purity, it’s medium to full-bodied and has wonderful tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. It plays in the finesse-driven end of the spectrum yet is concentrated and seamless, with serious length. It offers pleasure today but should benefit from 4-5 years in the cellar, and my money is on it evolving for 30 years or more.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2018 Opus One is incredibly elegant and polished, right out of the bottle. Silky tannins and lifted, perfumed aromatics add to an impression of finesse that distinguishes the 2018 from some of the preceding vintages in a pretty big way. It will be interesting to see if the 2018 gains body with a bit of time in bottle. It is pretty rare for Opus One to be so approachable at this stage.”

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Chateau Angelus Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2016 1.5L ($1049.95) $899 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Chateau Angelus Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2016 1.5L (5999.95) $5099.00 pre-arrival special, (That’s only $849.83 per bottle)  
Wine Enthusiast 100 points “TOP 100 Cellar Selection in 2019. This is a rich, perfumed wine, with dense tannins and intense layers of black plum and spice. The palate is firmly built yet broadened out by plump dark-fruit tones and honed by a solid, dry core. Drink from 2025. -Roger Voss”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 98+ points “Sporting a deep garnet-purple color, the 2016 Angélus erupts from the glass with powerful notes of blackberry pie, ripe black cherries and juicy black plums with an undercurrent of star anise, rose petals, chocolate mint, pencil shavings and woodsmoke plus a waft of allspice. The palate is pure decadence. Medium to full-bodied, rich and generously fruited, this wine is by no means heavy—it positively glimmers with freshness and vivacity, lending an ethereal nature to all that richness and power, beautifully framed by velvety tannins and finishing with epic length. The generosity, layers and plushness make for an absolutely delicious drink right now, but I’d suggest waiting 3-5 more years for the fireworks to really begin.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 97 points “The 2016 Angélus has an intense, powerful bouquet with copious black cherries, boysenberry, orange pith and iodine scents that threaten to overwhelm the senses. The medium-bodied palate offers supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity, a dash of black pepper and impressive detail and persistence on the finish. This is an outstanding Angélus that clearly requires several years in bottle to realize its full potential. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The 2016 Château Angélus is incredibly elegant and finesse-driven, with a soaring perfume of crème de cassis, white flowers, crayon, forest floor, and spice. Compared to the 1996 by the Angélus team, it has a deep, layered style, its oak is beautifully integrated, there are ample tannins, and despite leaning toward the finesse-driven side of the spectrum, it has thrilling depth of fruit and length. It’s a brilliant wine from this estate that will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for 30+ years or more. The blend of the 2016 is 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, brought up all in new French oak.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “This goes for the gusto, with a deep and broad swath of well-roasted tobacco, espresso and loam out front. The core of dark currant and fig fruit will have to catch up, but this red has the energy and juicy drive to eventually do so. When it melds fully, this will be a smoky, alluring, tobacco-fueled wine. Best from 2024 through 2040. 8,333 cases made. — JM”

Italy – Tuscany 

Caiarossa ‘Pergolaia’ Toscana IGT Tuscany IGT 2016 750ML ($29.95) $26 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator Top 100 in 2020
Wine Spectator 94 points “Flavors of black cherry and blackberry stand up to the dense tannins in this fresh, deep and intense red, but this is equally about the vibrant acidity driving the fruit, wild herb nuances and spice-infused aftertaste. Sangiovese with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2022 through 2040. 4,700 cases made, 1,200 cases imported.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 92 points “Mostly Sangiovese with the other 30% composed of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the 2016 Pergolaia is all about matching grapes to soils, a tribute to Tuscany from a French-owned estate better known for its international approach. This vintage has slightly less Sangiovese than usual in order to create a more accessible wine, with more freshness and juiciness. It’s almost crunchy in texture, a full-bodied red that covers the whole mouth. The aging is spread out evenly between botte and tonneaux, as they reserved the big wood for the more delicate Sangiovese grape. The fruit here shows perfect ripeness with lots of primary intensity and freshness. It’s a versatile red to match with all kinds of pastas and meats. It’s ready to open now or to age for just a few more years.”

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Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Tuscany 2016 750ML ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Tuscany 2016 750ML ($519.95) $395 pre-arrival special (That’s only $65.83 per bottle!)
Antonio Galloni 97 Points “I’m not sure how Il Poggione manages to remain one of the largest producers of Brunello maintaining such a high level of quality and turning out some of the best wines of the vintage year after year – but they do. The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino is yet another stunning example. Depths of mineral-encased black cherries sage allspice licorice tobacco and crushed violets lift up from the glass. It’s seamlessly silky even as the palate is peppered with tart red and black berries nervous acids and savory exotic spices. This shows the density and weight of the vintage in a youthfully monolithic stance yet with all the necessary components to maintain perfect balance. The 2016 Il Poggione seems to fold in upon itself through the finish which is dark mysterious and structured with only hints of black tea and licorice to tempt the imagination. It’s a classic in the making. (Drink between 2026-2040)”
Wine Spectator 96 Points “This Brunello leads with black cherry black currant and violet aromas augmented by flavors of iron tobacco and spice. Dusty tannins emerge on the lingering finish while the sweet fruit persists. Should be compelling in a decade. Best from 2025 through 2047”
Wine Advocate 95 Points “The Il Poggione 2016 Brunello di Montalcino opens to a medium dark appearance with pretty Sangiovese shine and a little ruby sparkle. This vintage shows a slightly untamed or wild side with a dense and heavier fruit profile. The focus here is on blackberry dried cherry tobacco and even a touch of smoky tobacco or horse saddle. The wine shows the firm grip and tannic backbone that is a common trait in this vintage especially with the vineyards on this southern sunlit side of the appellation. I also get a considerable flash of acidity on the close almost too much that certainly needs a few more years to soften. You really need to wait with this one.”

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Breanne:

The staff at Vinopolis is curating their top 10 lists of wine in 2021. We’re selecting our favorite wines of 2021, no ties to points, price or prestige, but rather wines we simply enjoyed the most this year. 

An aromatic and resinous cider that brings a slightly effervescent and medium bodied delight to any table. 
Dragons Head Kingston Black Cider Washington NV 750ML ($21.95) $19.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Cidery note “Kingston Black apples are often considered the epitome of cider apples. They produce a cider rich in flavor, slightly bitter, and medium bodied. Kingston Black takes its name from the town of Kingston near Taunton in Somerset, England–the heart of cider in the UK. It is thought to have been originally identified in the 19th century. This is a limited bottling. Appearance – Golden color, slight haze. Aroma – Dried apricot, clover, resinous cedar. Taste – Dried apple, clementine, hints of honey, slightly bitter. Mouthfeel – Medium body, lingering astringent finish; lightly effervescent.”

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Pairs effortlessly with nuts , raw oysters, and hard cheeses as well as notoriously difficult-to-pair cuisines like olives, asparagus and grilled artichoke. 
A.R. Valdespino Amontillado Tio Diego Sherry Andalucia  750ML ($29.95) $20.90 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Wine & Spirits 93 points “Extremely dry, this austere Amontillado comes from the white chalky albariza soils of the famed Macharnudo vineyard. It aged under flor for about eight years, and then spent eight more years aging oxidatively before being bottled. At first, it shows only the classic flavors of iodine and salt, with enchanting sea breeze notes. You have to wait for the fruit flavors to emerge, notes of roasted white fruit and nuts emerging in the midst of its cool flavors. Only for fans of super-dry Sherry, this is ideal for mojama, cured tuna belly.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Smoky and taut, featuring date, dried orange peel, clove, singed sandalwood and salted caramel notes. The dry, nervy finish has lots of tension. Begs for salted almonds. Drink now.” WS

A lively Pinot Noir that drinks like it’s $50 contemporaries! The perfect weekday sipper. 
Whistling Dog Cellars Dijon Blocks Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($19.95) $17.50 special, 25 bottles in stock now

A dense and mineral Bordeaux blend that is also uniquely floral thanks to the Native flora.
Meerlust Rubicon Stellenbosch 2017 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 92 points “The 2017 Rubicon, Meerlust’s flagship Bordeaux blend (68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot) offers attractive blackberry, raspberry coulis and floral scents on the nose, plus just a touch of glycerol. The palate is harmonious and medium-bodied with supple tannins, fine acidity and an almost understated but long finish. Not a show-stealer, but one of the bottles that you will finish quicker than intended.”

Benchmark Cava from old vines that gives salted lemons and seashell for days. 
Avinyo Seleccio La Ticota Gran Reserva Cava Catalonia 2014 750ML ($49.95) $37 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Importer note “La Ticota, Avinyó’s oldest single vineyard, is a 2ha plot planted in 1940 by their grandfather to 85% xarel-lo and 15% macabeo, in primarily clay-calcareous soil. La Ticota produces one of the most distinctive and complex single-vineyard méthode traditionnelle wines from Spain. Produced in very limited quantities from the best vintages, it is among the great single-vineyard sparkling wines of the world. La Ticota is currently undergoing the certification process in the newly-formed Cava de Paraje designation of the Cava D.O., a new category that recognizes the uniqueness of “a smaller area” of the appellation on the label, similar to Burgundy’s climats or lieux-dits.”

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A slightly spritzy, apple skin refresher that’s perfect for the opening of a meal. 
Ameztoi Primus Txakoli di Getaria Hondarribi Zuri Getariako Txakolina 2019 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 28 bottles in stock now
Winery note “[Edited for clarity] A white wine from the Hondarrabi Zuri grape. Naturally lightly sparkling. Pale with a touch of green, its bright tone has fine and elegant bubbles. Has a delicate and sophisticated fragrance, reminiscent of green apples and grapes, with a minty note. Opens dry, and is harmonious in the mouth. It has a broad and aromatic finish, which is cheerful because of its bubbles.”
Note on the 2018 vintage by Luis Gutierrez (provided for reference) “The white 2018 Primus is 100% Hondarribi Zuri and was selected with the idea of aging potential. It has 11% alcohol and seven grams of acidity balanced by three grams of sugar, which resulted from fermenting the must in stainless steel at low temperature and keeping the wine with the lees at zero degrees to preserve the dissolved gas. This has a more traditional style with quite a lot of gas, closer to the light, sharp and citrus style, finishing dry with notable tart acidity.”

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This fun little wine straddles the line between Rose and light red and feels like sipping from an adult juice box. Brimming with fresh sour cherry and rhubarb this is a great option for those looking to try a sustainably produced, natural wine. 
Weingut Weninger Rozsa Petsovits Sopron 2020 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 13 bottles in stock now
(Sankt Laurent, Pinot Noir, Syrah)
Winery note “Two countires one region. 1921 this region got divided. Now it’s time to bring them back together. Rozsa Petsovits reflects and respects both sides of the border [Austria & Hungary]”

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Maloof Picnic Pet Nat Pinot Noir,Willamette Valley 2020 750ML ($21.95) $19 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Distributor note “Pet Nat rose of Pinot Noir from Temperance Hill Vineyard. Winemakers are Perry Hiestuman and Rosa Curtain. They sprung into action when they heard that a very large winery cancelled a fruit contract on Temperance Hill, literally the morning of picking grapes. Technically says Maloof Wines on the back, but this is very much their wine! Made in the same way as L’eau Epicee (metodo interrupto- added frozen grape must.) 5 days of skin contact, then pressed and fermented in 500L neutral Burgundy Oak puncheon.”

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This is the only listing in the USA today!

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

 

The Rheingau is one of the smallest German wine regions in terms of both size and output, and yet produces some of the best Rieslings in the entire country. We were lucky enough to secure a small lot of JB Becker, one of the areas cult producers of dry Riesling. After apprenticing under a cellarmaster in his youth, Hans-Josef Becker decided to fully transition his family’s operation to Dry and Off-Dry Riesling and hasn’t looked back in 50 years. These are wines made similar in style to Prum in that fermentations are short with long elevage, or cask aging and always done with wild yeasts.

Becker’s work captures the essence of Riesling, with emphasis on the rarely seen brawny, smokey and powerful side of the varietal that is unmistakably Rheingau. With age (Or a delayed release) his Riesling’s show a distinctive chrysanthemum, yellow tea  and Pippin Apple character as a thorough line that make them absolutely fantastic with sushi, paella or Creole food.  

In stock now: 

J.B. Becker Wallufer Oberberg Riesling Kabinett Halbtrocken Rheingau 2019 750ML ($37.95) $28 special, 2 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “Very fresh and floral with white peaches and delicate herbal overtones, this riesling kabinett is almost dry and so crisp. It cries out for smoked salmon or sturgeon, but would also make a great refresher after powerful reds. From organically grown grapes. Drink now.”
“The 2019 Wallufer Oberberg Riesling Kabinett halbtrocken is pure, fresh, clear and floral on the coolish, lean, elegant and even flinty and herbal nose. Bottled with 11.5% alcohol, this is as juicy, fresh and charming but also grippy Kabinett in the off-dry style. Straight character with levity. Tasted from AP 8 19 in April 2020.” -Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate

J.B. Becker Wallufer Oberberg Riesling Kabinett Halbtrocken Rheingau 1998 750ML ($79.95) $49 special, 13 bottles in stock now
VinPol Note:  A bottled juxtaposition that incorporates the barest idea of sweetness with savory minerality that brings to mind hot sand and dried pommes.

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J.B. Becker Wallufer Walkenberg Alte Reben Riesling Spatlese Trocken Rheingau 1998 750ML ($79.95) $55 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Importer Note: A.P. 002
Vinpol Note: Beautifully multi-dimensional delivering waves of Yellow Apple, Daffodils, White Miso and Carob. Incredibly sprightly for a wine that’s 23 years old with high acid and exceptionally long finish.
    

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J.B. Becker Wallufer Walkenberg Alte Reben Riesling Spatlese Trocken Rheingau 2019 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 12 bottles in stock now   
James Suckling 94 points “Cool and herbal with a lot of earthy depth, this is a super classic dry riesling that gives you a good idea of how the great Rheingau wines of a century ago tasted. Not only concentrated, but so precisely contoured with great minerality, this is still quite tightly wound. However, the long, crisp mineral finish leaves you in no doubt about the wine’s class. Made from organically grown grapes. Better from 2022.”
Stuart Pigott 96 points The stunning nose of ripe yellow grapefruit, green tea and a whole garden of fresh herbs leads you into this deep and very concentrated wine that has crystalline purity that takes your breath away. The diamond-bright finish expands and expands as the wine aerates. From organically grown grapes. Delicious now, but with decades of life ahead of it. Glass closure.

J.B. Becker Wallufer Riesling Trocken Rheingau 2019 1L ($39.95) $33 special, 12 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 94 points “Cool and herbal with a lot of earthy depth, this is a super classic dry riesling that gives you a good idea of how the great Rheingau wines of a century ago tasted. Not only concentrated, but so precisely contoured with great minerality, this is still quite tightly wound. However, the long, crisp mineral finish leaves you in no doubt about the wine’s class. Made from organically grown grapes. Better from 2022.”
Stuart Pigott 96 points The stunning nose of ripe yellow grapefruit, green tea and a whole garden of fresh herbs leads you into this deep and very concentrated wine that has crystalline purity that takes your breath away. The diamond-bright finish expands and expands as the wine aerates. From organically grown grapes. Delicious now, but with decades of life ahead of it. Glass closure.

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Love German Riesling? We carry over 526 different bottlings in store and online. 

Calabretta is one of our favorite producers of Sicilian wine in house. Their commitment to chemical free farming, stewarding old vines and meticulous winemaking is evident in every bottle of wine they make. Their rosato is no different, and is made from ungrafted vines planted directly into the lava rock of Mt. Etna. 
The high elevation, intense sunshine and marginal soils create an incredible expression of rose filled to the brim with flavor ranging from Blood and Seville oranges, watermelon pulp, and rosemary smoke. This is one of the few rose’s in the global market that will improve with age, taking on notes of marmalade and white tea with a savory and basaltic finish rounding everything out.    

Calabretta Rosato Sicily 2019 750ML ($21.95) $18.50 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Winery Note: Rosato: it comes from young vines just planted in the Calderara Sottana district from a rigorous mass selection and, in part, in piedmont. Vinified according to the traditional fermentation “Pista & Mutta”, ie the must is pressed (piste) and immediately decanted (mutta), therefore in the absence of pomace there will be less tannins and less color. It was the wine that the farmers made for themselves and that they could drink after a few months. Fruity, floral, full-bodied. Dedicated to the ancient methods of winemaking.

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Organically farmed Nerello Mascalese without any synthetic inputs, delivering fabulous purity to this wine that speaks to the meticulous practices of Terra Nere. The Rosado delivers a full spectrum of fresh white peach and assorted oranges you find with the varietal; ranging from Blood, Cara-Cara and Dekopon with a subtle note of hibiscus and papaya and valerian flower. The acid is the leading element as you could expect, with a volcanic minerality on the finish that speaks to the stark growing conditions. 

Tenuta delle Terre Nere Rosato Etna Sicily 2020 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Lightly hued, this refined, onion-colored rosato, made with organically grown Nerello Mascalese grapes, has delicate aromas suggesting Mediterranean scrub and wild berries. The dry, savory palate offers pomegranate, peach and citrus before a tangy mineral finish suggesting oyster shell. -Kerin O’Keefe”
Eric Guido-Vinous 91 points “The 2020 Etna Rosato lifts up wonderfully fresh and perfumed, offering notes of sweet peach and white smoke backed by honeyed florals and wedges of candied lime. It’s silky-smooth and round yet spry, washing nuances of ripe pear and nectarine across a core of saturating saline-minerality. There’s simply so much going on here for a Rosato as the 2020 punches well above its class, finishing incredibly long yet juicy, and fizzling out to hints of sour citrus and cheek-puckering green apple.”

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Check out our full assortment of Sicilian wine and Rose available online and in store!

Have you ever wondered what wines resembled thousands of years ago before the Industrial Revolution and Phylloxera? What about if you took the process of rosé, but substituted white wine grapes instead of using red? Enter one of the oldest forms of winemaking on earth: orange wine. Native to Eastern Europe and small parts of northeastern Italy, the style dates back over 5,000 years and utilized local grape varietals and ceramic fermentation vessels. The process results in a wine that ranges from deep gold, to various shades of saffron and carrot orange, hence the name. Due to the inclusion of skin and seed tannin, these are wines that are built with aging potential with an evolution in the bottle that’s entirely unique to the style.    

In orange wine’s ancestral home of Georgia, the ceramics are called qvevri and are partially buried underground to act as temperature control during fermentation and the subsequent resting period, with this practice being mimicked around the world. The extended skin contact results in a wine with more rustic flavors like yuzu, quince and bitter orange, in addition to a richer texture and a slightly tannic finish. We carry an entire assortment of Orange wines from around the world, ranging from some of the biggest cult winemakers in the world like Paolo Bea, Daterra Lorenzo, Giusto Occhipinti and Alberto Nanclares to locally made examples from Twill.

Back in stock:

Vegas Altas Orange Vino de la Tierra de Extremadura Spain 2020 750ML ($21.95) $19 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
A blend of Cayetana and Pardina. 
Region: Extremadura, Spain. Biodynamic.

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Also in stock and available now:  

Foradori Fontanasanta Manzoni Bianco Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT Trentino-Alto Adige 2019 750ML ($37.95) $33 special, 5 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “Unique aromas of lemon drops and dried limes with hay and candied pineapple, following through to a full body with layers of fruit and a wonderful flavors of peaches and nectarines, as well as some tile and stone. Creamy texture. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink now.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “The Foradori 2019 Manzoni Bianco Fontanasanta opens to a bright golden color with some faint copper or greenish highlights. A portion of the wine is aged in clay amphorae. The bouquet is somewhat neutral with loads of pear, Golden Delicious apple and quince. There’s nothing too fragrant or floral. Instead, the wine is grounded in unmistakable orchard fruit aromas that color both the bouquet and the wine’s flavor profile. You also get honey, saffron and candied orange peel. The wine ends with a touch of mineral dryness, like broken slate or crushed terracotta, that contributes to the tight, almost tannic finish.”

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Foradori Fontanasanta Nosiola Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT Trentino-Alto Adige 2019 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 2 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “Complex nose of toasted nuts and chocolate, but this is so much fresher than that sounds, thanks to the intense, wild-herb character that expands with aeration. Just a hint of funk. The stunning interplay of oxidative (mature) and reductive (fresh) character makes this so animating and fascinating. Very long, delicate finish. Drink or hold.”

Paolo Bea Santa Chiara Bianco Umbria IGT Italy 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 13 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 90 points “The 2017 Santa Chiara is a deep golden color in the glass, wafting up with a layered and musky display of dried apricots and nectarines that give way to honeyed white flowers, wet stone and hints of sour melon. It’s soft and juicy in feel, with a noticeable inner sweetness contrasted by zesty citrus, tongue-curling mineral tones and notes of green apple. Tension remains high through the cheek-puckering finale as the 2017 becomes incredibly floral and tapers off to hints of ginger. If opening the Santa Chiara today, I recommend a short decanting or opening an hour or more before serving.”
Importer Note “The second of Bea’s two early and highly influential skin-macerated white wines, “Santa Chiara” hails from the fabled Pagliarocru, and combines roughly equal proportions of five varieties: Garganega, Grechetto, Malvasia, Sauvignon, and Chardonnay. Everything ferments together, without any additions or temperature regulation, in stainless steel, and the wine is given several years of settling before being bottled without fining or filtration. The rich, forward 2017 spent 28 days on its skins, and was bottled in May 2019 after 20 months of aging. Compared to the relatively racy 2013 “Arboreus” and the typically chiseled 2016 “Lapideus,” this vintage of “Santa Chiara” swaggers out of the bottle with macerated peaches, brassy spice notes, a liberal dash of white pepper, and candied citrus. Despite its somewhat explosive and brash personality, it possesses terrific drive and a focused, tannin-derived sense of architecture.”

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Gravner Ribolla Venezia Giulia IGT Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2011 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Decanter 93 points “Glorious vivid amber colour. Elegant and complex with aromas of dried fruits, earth, citrus zest, and honey. Amazing for its age.”
Importer note “Exclusively composed of the local Ribolla grape; fermented in Georgian amphorae buried underground; long maceration with wild yeasts and no temperature control; after fermentation, the wine rests again in amphorae for five more months and then is aged in large oak barrels for an additional six years; bottled without fining or filtering. Certified organic.”

Twill Cellars Orange Wine Willamette Valley 2020 750ML ($24.95) $20.90 special, 30 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: This “orange wine” is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. Chris Dickson, winemaker at Twill Cellars, describes it as a “riff off Champagne” blends (though this wine is still). It has a light, coppery color in the glass and shows elegant fruit notes of pear, peach, and apricot that develop into passionfruit and green payaya as the wine comes to room temperature. Grapes were harvest from Stormy Morning vineyard the Monday before the winds brought the devasting smoke. The Chardonnay grapes were crushed and soaked for twelve hours to extract extra color and mineral notes from the skins. The Pinot was pressed whole bunch before joining the Chardonnay juice in a coferment in fudre and amphora egg. The wines is gorgeously expressive. One to drink all year long.

Nanclares y Prieto ‘Crisopa’ Branco Tradicional Galicia 2018 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez – Wine Advocate 94 points “The completely unusual “orange” wine is a bright amber Albariño macerated with skins during the fermentation. The 2018 Crisopa, produced with grapes from the same vineyard as Soberrivas, has a completely different nose and a brighter and deeper color than any previous vintage. Perhaps the grapes were smaller and there might be more skins for the juice, and the wine underwent malolactic (at least partially). There are notes of apple liqueur, pollen and beeswax, and the palate is finely tannic. Here, the process overpowers the variety and place. It has lower acidity than most of the wines from the winery, but this is one of the finest examples of the type. It should develop nicely in bottle. 636 bottles were filled in August 2019.”
Importer note “Crisopa Branco Tradicional comes from the same parcel as “Soverribas” (Paraje Manzaniña) but is picked one day earlier to select the best bunches. After a wet and cool spring and summer, it turned dry and hot in August, with hand-harvesting on Sept. 10th through Oct. 6th. The grapes were foot-trodden in open plastic vats with 100% whole-clusters, and then skin-fermented for 20 days in a steel vat. After a vertical press the wine is racked into a used 500L French oak cask, where it rests for 11 months on the lees with battonage for first 3 months, before being bottled on Aug. 21st (fruit day) without clarification, filtration and only modest amounts of SO2. A fascinating and extremely textured Vinho Branco made in the style of the ancients!”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Daterra Viticultores ‘Camino de la Frontera’ Blanco Castilla y Leon 2018 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Camino de la Frontera Blanco comes from Angel’s ancient, northwest-facing vineyard in the Parque Natural de Los Arribes del Duero, from native Malvasia, Verdejo & Puesta en Cruz varieties. After a cool, wet & humid summer, the grapes were hand-harvested on September 20th, destemmed, crushed and wild yeast fermented in used 250 & 500L chestnut barrels with 10 days of skin maceration, then raised in the same vessels for 11 months. This is a “mountain white” showing bright orchard fruit, savory minerality and refreshing acidity. Pair it with grilled fish and poultry, paella and good friends.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Azienda Agricola Cos Pithos Terre Siciliane Bianco IGT Sicily 2019 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Grapelive 93 points “[The] Pithos Bianco is, as the name suggests, a white wine made in the large terra-cotta pots as done in ancient times…. Macerated for close to two weeks with whole berries and aged on the skins this incredible dry wine shows a unique, intensity and powerful structure from the extract and is wonderfully textured on the zesty palate. Made from 100% of the Grecanico grape, a local variety of Garganega (of Soave fame), quite rare, but remarkably well suited to the southern tip of the island, where it gets a cooling ocean influence and breezes that help retain a salty freshness…. Azienda Agricola COS was founded back in 1980 by three friends, Giambattista Cilia, Giusto Occhipinti, and Cirino Strano, but is led by the dynamic personality of Giusto Occhipinti, uncle to superstar Arianna Occhipinti, who was pushed COS towards natural winemaking and all organic with all of their vineyards being… The winery explains that the long skin contact and amphora, which allows movement of the lees, provides an additional level of complexity that can be seen clearly in this exotic white wine”
Eric Guido – Vinous 91 points “The 2019 Bianco Pithos, a varietal Grecanico, is a pale golden color in the glass, presenting a nose of pungent spring flowers, musky notes of apricot, pear and a hint of animal musk. This is soft and pliant in feel, with ripe orchard fruits offset by zesty yellow citrus, as a coating of liquid inner florals saturates deeply. Residual acids maintain balance and a juicy persona, as gobs of minerals and gingery spice linger long. The Bianco Pithos spends a month on the skins post-fermentation, followed by another seven months refining in amphora. While this has the sometimes quirky and nervous personality of an orange wine, it’s also very easy to like.”

Chateau Vieux Moulin Vin Orange ‘Pulp’, Corbieres 2020 750ML ($26.95) $21.90 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Importer note “100% skin contact Grenache gris. 100% destemmed. Maceration for one month in tank. Fermnetation under temperature control in steel vats. 100% malo. No filtration. No SO2 added.”

Famille Balaran Simplement Orange Vdf 2019 750ML ($34.95) $27 special 6 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: A spicy, herbecious sipper made from Petit Manseng vinified as an orange wine. It’s as exotically and intensely flavored as a fine vermouth!

Azienda Agricola Arianna Occhipinti SP68 Bianco Sicilia IGT Sicily 2020 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 12 bottles in stock now

 

Have you ever wanted to try an Amarone wine but found the cost prohibitive? Farina has something for you!
The pride of the Veneto for hundreds of years, Amarone’s are among the most labor intensive and expensive wines to produce. This is attributable to a number of factors including the finicky nature of the grapes used for the blend, the months of drying prior to fermentation and extensive aging required prior to release.   
Sourced from a collection of vines that range from 25-40 years old this is a quintessential Amarone experience at a fraction of the typical cost. Made from the traditional blend of Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella, There are the classic flavors of Morello Cherry, prunes and dark chocolate underscored by violets, pipe tobacco and roses with a finish of butterscotch. The body of the wine slightly edges out the acid and has an exceptionally long finish that goes on for minutes.      

In stock and available now: 

Farina Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG Veneto 2017 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “A nose of redcurrants, plums, spices, nuts and mocha. It’s medium-to full-bodied with chewy tannins. Balanced and focused with a nice structure and a creamy texture on the palate. Flavorful finish with delicious length. Supple. Drink or hold.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 91 points “The 2017 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico opens up with an inviting yet somewhat understated mix of peppery florals, cherry liquor, plums and sage. Here I’m finding silky textures offset by tart wild berry fruits, salty minerals and brisk acids in an expression that is much more savory than sweet. A coating of fine tannins lingers, along with a note of baker’s chocolate. I have to give Farina credit for creating such a versatile and balanced expression of Amarone.”


We carry a 14 different wines from the Veneto, available both online and in-store