In This Newsletter:
Featured Pre-Arrival
Nicolas Maillart’s Staff Favorite Champagne
Freemark Abbey’s 2018 Chardonnay
Lands Friday
Old-School Barolo
From Best-Seller Cavallotto
Rhône Treasures from Château Pesquie
Trending New Arrivals
Nikolaihof’s Legendary Austrian Whites
At Closeout Prices
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Featured Pre-Arrival
Nicolas Maillart’s Staff Favorite Champagne
Nicolas Maillart’s Staff Favorite Champagne
We’ve carried the Champagnes of Nicolas Maillart in the past, but were blown away when tasting through them recently—enough that we’ve gone deep on the entire lineup. These are some of the most exciting wines from Champagne that we’ve tasted in some time, and they’re at prices that keep them firmly within reach.
Nicolas Maillart’s family has a grape-growing tradition in Champagne that dates back to at least the 18th century -some documents indicate the family has been farming grapes since the 1500s. However it wasn’t until 2003 that Nicolas started his namesake winery. Based in the Montagne de Reims, the winery has a variety of excellent holdings in premier and grand cru villages, including an ungrafted parcel of Pinot Noir that informs their top wine. Maillart is clearly a man with drive and ambition, and the wines seem like they’re destined for stardom in the near future.
The house style is bright, linear and resolutely dry—they marry the inherent power of the Pinot Noir they farm with a tendency to reinforce the bracing side of their Champagnes. The resulting wines were fantastic to taste, with clean, mineral-drenched profiles and a serious side that makes them excellent with food. Everything here is worth your time and money, from their entry-level “Platine” to their top-end wines (made only in the best years). We’re happy to be working with these wines again and think that as soon as you taste them, you’ll understand why.
Arriving Friday, February 26th:
Nicolas Maillart Brut Rosé Grand Cru, Champagne NV 750ML ($69.95) $51.90 pre-arrival special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “The new release of Maillart’s NV Brut Rosé Grand Cru is based on the 2015 vintage, complemented by one-third reserve wines, and was disgorged in October 2019 with six grams per liter dosage. Bursting from the glass with expressive aromas of ripe red apples, pears, plums and fresh bread, it’s fleshy and enveloping, with an ample core of fruit, ripe but racy acids and a nicely defined finish. Vinous and charming, it’s a blend of 60% Pinot Noir (some 7% of which is still red wine) and 40% Chardonnay, all from Bouzy.”
Importer Note “60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay. 60% aged in oak. Disgorged 12/2019.”
Winery Note “Salmon-pink in colour with a fine, lingering bead Nose: Intense with notes of fruit (ripe and from the forest floor) Palate: The initial impact is wonderfully fresh and vinous, followed by great finesse. Maceration on skins for 52 hours Slow, gentle pressing using gravity-flow techniques. Vinification in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats and a period in the barrel for a certain volume of reserve wines. Average two-year maturing period in the bottle. Disgorged by hand and laid down for at least three months before sale.”
Nicolas Maillart Platine Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Nicolas Maillart Platine Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 1.5L ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Nicolas Maillart Platine Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 3L ($349.95) $299 pre-arrival special
Importer note “2014-base. 78% Pinot Noir, 16% Chardonnay, 8% Pinot Meunier. 65% 2014 + 35% reserve wine.”
Winery Note “Golden in colour with a fine, lingering bead Nose: Intense with notes of fruit and hazelnuts and a slight toastiness Palate: The initial impact is wonderfully fresh and vinous, followed by great finesse. Slow, gentle pressing using gravity-flow techniques. Vinification in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats and a period in the barrel for a certain volume of reserve wines. Average two-year maturing period in the bottle. Disgorged by hand and laid down for at least three months before sale.”
Nicolas Maillart Platine Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 3L ($349.95) $299 pre-arrival special
Importer note “2014-base. 78% Pinot Noir, 16% Chardonnay, 8% Pinot Meunier. 65% 2014 + 35% reserve wine.”
Winery Note “Golden in colour with a fine, lingering bead Nose: Intense with notes of fruit and hazelnuts and a slight toastiness Palate: The initial impact is wonderfully fresh and vinous, followed by great finesse. Slow, gentle pressing using gravity-flow techniques. Vinification in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats and a period in the barrel for a certain volume of reserve wines. Average two-year maturing period in the bottle. Disgorged by hand and laid down for at least three months before sale.”
These are the only magnum & double magnum listings in the USA today!
Importer note “2014-base. 78% Pinot Noir, 16% Chardonnay, 8% Pinot Meunier. 65% 2014 + 35% reserve wine.”
Winery Note “Golden in colour with a fine, lingering bead Nose: Intense with notes of fruit and hazelnuts and a slight toastiness Palate: The initial impact is wonderfully fresh and vinous, followed by great finesse. Slow, gentle pressing using gravity-flow techniques. Vinification in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats and a period in the barrel for a certain volume of reserve wines. Average two-year maturing period in the bottle. Disgorged by hand and laid down for at least three months before sale.”
This is the only magnum listing in the USA today!
Pre-Arrival ETA March 5th:
Nicolas Maillart ‘Les Chaillots Gillis’ Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne 2012 750ML ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Winery Note “Champagne from a specific area from old vines of Chardonnay. Produced only in great years, this Champagne is produced with limited quantity. A wine of Champagne before being a Champagne. Origin of the grapes: Ecueil 1er cru . Sourced from different parcels of old vines only, exposed on the south hills and different plots in the middle of the vineyard. Winemaking and aging: Slow, gentle pressing using gravity flow techniques. This wine is vinified exclusively in wooden vats . This Champagne has had a long maturation on wooden vats and no filtration took place before the bottling. Disgorged by hand and laid down at least six months before sale. Dosage : 0 g/L Tasting notes Eye : Golden yellow with a fine, lingering bead Nose : really delicate with notes of minerality and toasty notes. Palate: A lovely fresh, vinous attack. This is an intense Champagne that will do great justice to a meal.”
Nicolas Maillart Premier Cru Extra Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($54.95) $45 pre-arrival special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 90 points “A blend of equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the NV Extra-Brut Premier Cru was disgorged in February 2019 with three grams per liter dosage. Offering up aromas of crisp green orchard fruit, dried white flowers and citrus oil, it’s medium to full-bodied, racy and incisive, with a perceptibly drier, tangier profile than Maillart’s more enveloping Brut Platine.”
Winery Note “Golden in colour with a fine, lingering bead. Aroma: Intense with notes of fruit and hazelnuts and a sligth toastiness. Taste: The initial impact is wonderfully fresh and vinous, followed by great finesse. Food and wine: Aperitif, white fish like haddock or cod. Pinot Noir is dominant, with a complement of Chardonnay that brings freshness to the blend. The high percentage of reserve wines (30 to 40%), aged in barrels, confers a high regularity and style to this Brut Platine. Only “Grand” and premier crus are used in this wine, with origins in the Montagne de Reims, on vineyards managed by us. With a very gentle process, we keep all the richness of the grapes. Aged around three years on its lees, this Brut Platine develops all its richness. A natural balance and freshness allows a low dosage (3 g/l).”
Nicolas Maillart Jolivettes Brut Grand Cru, Champagne 2016 750ML ($119.95) $71.90 pre-arrival special
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Nicolas Maillart ‘Mont Martin’ Premier Cru Brut, Champagne 2016 750ML ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Nicolas Maillart Montchenot Premier Cru Extra Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($57.95) $51.90 pre-arrival special
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
In Stock Now:
Nicolas Maillart Platine Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 375ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ half bottles in stock now
Importer note “2017-base. 57% Pinot Noir, 28% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Meunier. 50% 2017 + 50% reserve wine.”
Winery Note “Golden in colour with a fine, lingering bead Nose: Intense with notes of fruit and hazelnuts and a slight toastiness Palate: The initial impact is wonderfully fresh and vinous, followed by great finesse. Slow, gentle pressing using gravity-flow techniques. Vinification in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats and a period in the barrel for a certain volume of reserve wines. Average two-year maturing period in the bottle. Disgorged by hand and laid down for at least three months before sale.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Love Champagne? We have over 190 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including staff favorites like Bérêche, Eric Rodez, Pierre Péters and more, on our web store now.
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Freemark Abbey’s 2018 Chardonnay
Lands Friday
Freemark Abbey’s modern era dates back to 1967, when the winery was purchased and quickly transformed into one of California’s most prestigious properties. Unfortunately, over time, quality slipped and the reputation of the once legendary winery fell into a bit of obscurity. After a few ownership changes, the winery was sold in 2005 to Jackson Family, who have poured money and attention into it in a way that hasn’t been seen since the winery’s original heyday. Winemaker Ted Edwards was brought in and the winery has experienced a renaissance.
The 2018 Freemark Abbey Napa Chardonnay is a prime example of the new era. It’s full-bodied, rich and textural—a hedonist’s Chardonnay. It arrives this week, but you’d do well to secure yours now.
Arriving Friday, February 26th:
Freemark Abbey Chardonnay, Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($39.95) $26 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Freemark Abbey Chardonnay, Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($479.95) $279 pre-arrival special (that’s only $23.25/bottle!)
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2018 Chardonnay is a very pretty, nuanced wine that deftly balances textural richness and vibrancy. Lemon peel, orchard fruit, mint and bright floral notes are finely sculpted in this classy, wonderfully polished Chardonnay from Freemark Abbey.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price nationally is $34
The average price nationally is $34
Also Arriving this Friday, February 26th:
Siduri Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir, Oregon 2016 750ML ($39.95) $19 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Siduri Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir, Oregon 2016 750ML ($449.95) $199 pre-arrival special (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “The 2016 Pinot Noir Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir is a beautiful wine. Coming from two sites and fermented with 20% stems and aged 15 months in 30% new oak, it offers a deeper ruby color as well as a classic bouquet of red currants, black cherries, scorched earth, spice, and forest floor. Elegant, medium-bodied, and layered, it’s a gem.”
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 91 points “Medium ruby-purple in color, the 2016 Pinot Noir Yamhill-Carlton has a deep, broody, black-fruited nose with ripe blackcurrants and black cherries with hints of crushed blueberries, licorice and grated cinnamon. The medium-bodied palate is flavored of blackberry and boysenberry preserves with nuances of pie spice and touches of black soil with a lovely frame of firm, structuring tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long. 938 cases produced.”
Wine Spectator 91 points “Vibrant and zesty, with floral black raspberry, orange zest and clove flavors that saunter on a long, snappy finish. Drink now through 2023. 938 cases made. — TF”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $29.98
The average price nationally is $38
The next best price is $29.98
The average price nationally is $38
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Old-School Barolo
From Best-Seller Cavallotto
Cavallotto is a top-tier, old-school producer of Barolo. They make wines that are impressively age-worthy, rivalling some of the region’s most expensive wines. We notice that customers who buy Cavallotto buy a lot of Piemontese wines— Cavallotto is a favorite of in-the-know drinkers.
These are incredibly expressive wines and are very true to their vineyard terroirs. Antoni Galloni describes them as “made in a style that offers the fruit density of contemporary Barolos with the structural underpinnings that are found in more traditionally made wines.”
We have several Cavallotto wines in stock now, including their 100-point 2013 San Guiseppe Riserva. Combining traditional Barolo structure with a level of elegance that typifies the region’s finest Nebbiolo based wines, this bottling is entering a beautiful drinking window and deserves the attention of anyone who considers themselves a connoisseur of Barolo.
We’ve also received our allocation of the legend-in-the-making 2016 Bricco Boschis —a stunning wine with a 98-point score from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate and a 99-point score from Kerin O’Keefe at Wine Enthusiast. That’s incredible praise for a wine under $100, much less under $80.
In Stock Now:
Cavallotto Bricco Boschis, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Kerin O’keefe-Wine Enthusiast 99 points “Aromas of woodland berry, underbrush, hazelnut and camphor form the nose along with a whiff of rose petal on this captivating, delicious wine. The full-bodied structured palate is still young and primary but already shows raspberry compote, ripe Marasca cherry, star anise, tobacco and the barest hint of game. Tightly knit noble tannins and fresh acidity provide the firm frame and impart serious aging potential. Hold for even more complexity. Drink 2026–2056.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 98 points “All of these wines from Cavallotto deliver a very floral and perfumed subtext that gives lift and delicate buoyancy to the overall bouquet. This is the Castiglione Falletto magic that shows so well in this classic vintage. The 2016 Barolo Bricco Boschis offers dried cherry, sandalwood, bramble and forest floor. The wine reveals a slightly wild and untamed character that adds to its interest and personality. Overall, this is an elegant wine with a streamlined and elegant finish. The aromas are focused and bright. I can’t wait to taste the Riserva expression from this site when it is released in three years’ time.”
Cavallotto Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe, Barolo Riserva DOCG 2013 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 100 points “A dazzling showing that combines Old School structure with finesse, this stunning red offers sublime aromas of rose, camphor, dark-skinned berry and new leather. Full bodied and delicious, the compelling palate delivers fruit purity and complexity, featuring ripe Marasca cherry, raspberry compote, star anise and tobacco. A backbone of noble tannins and vibrant acidity keeps it impeccably balanced.”
Wine Advocate 99 points “The Cavallotto 2013 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe feels magically cool even as the wine warms in the glass. Eucalyptus, menthol and medicinal herbs rise from the bouquet, with dark fruit and savory spice in tow. When you first open the bottle, it shows a distinct mineral character with crushed aspirin, limestone and graphite. I opened a second bottle a few days before this tasting and had both bottles side by side to compare. Both showed impressive results with a pristine level of focus, sharpness and linearity. With aeration, those dark fruit nuances come to the forefront, showing dried cherry, plum and candied orange peel. A few hours later, you pick up on leather, tobacco and cedar wood. This is a fluid and ever-changing wine that is well worth adding to your cellar selection. What a beauty.”
Cavallotto Bricco Boschis Vignolo, Barolo Riserva DOCG 2012 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 96 points “Perfumed, revealing rose, strawberry, cherry, hay and eucalyptus aromas and flavors, with a mineral underpinning and a lean, taut frame that keeps this red focused through the long aftertaste. Beginning to open up aromatically, but the tannins indicate there’s no rush to drink this. Drink now through 2036.—B.S.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “This wine will be released next September. The 2012 Barolo Riserva Vignolo shows a darkened and enriched side of the graceful Nebbiolo grape. This effort delivers a bit more weight and power with firm structure and balanced but also slightly dry tannins. The wine’s acidity plays an important role in giving this expression such a sharp and focused personality. This wine ages in large oak casks for five years, thus prompting deep complexity and aromatic layering. The Vignolo vines are a bit lower in altitude (from 250 to 310 meters above sea level) compared to San Giuseppe (at 310 to 340 meters above sea level). That lower positioning favors the immediate richness and succulence you taste here.”
Love Barolo? We have over 75 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Brovia, Cappellano, Paolo Scavino and more, on our web store now.
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Rhône Treasures from Château Pesquie
Château Pesquie is one of the hidden gems of the greater Rhône. Based in Ventoux, the estate is best known for its excellent value bottling Terrasses, but today we’re featuring their higher end wines, Artemia and Ascensio. These are absolutely stunning (and deals compared to nearby Châteauneuf). They have depth, complexity and power to spare, with a balance and earthiness that’s unique to Pesque. 2016 looks like one of the most successful vintages ever for the estate, and 2017 is a worthy follow-up. If you’ve given up hope of finding value at the higher end of Rhône wine, give these bottles a try. We suspect that your jaded outlook will evaporate as quickly as the wines themselves.
In Stock Now:
Château Pesquie Ventoux Artemia, Rhône 2016 750ML ($49.95) $36 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Château Pesquie Ventoux Artemia, Rhône 2016 750ML ($299.95) $199 special (that’s only $33.17/bottle!)
Decanter-World Wine Awards 97 points “This is stacked with the black fruits of the region, plus violets, thyme, lavender, dried herbs and tannins that are ripe and of the appropriate proportion. Still very youthful and will flourish with time in bottle. Modern and very classy indeed. Genius wine, very long and intense, its purity magnificent.”
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “Made from equal parts Syrah and Grenache, the 2016 Ventoux Cuvee Artemia is another terrific vintage for this cuvee. Still young, backward and unevolved, it has tons of potential in its blue fruits, graphite, crushed rock and violet-tinged aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated, with terrific purity of fruit, and fine, building tannin, it needs 2-3 years of bottle age and will keep for a decade or more.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “A 50-50 blend of Grenache and Syrah, aged in 50% new oak, the 2016 Ventoux Artemia is a tremendous effort. It combines blueberries and stone fruit with cedary notes and then underscores those attractive aromas and flavors with a full-bodied, velvety texture and a bright, crisp finish. Lovely stuff.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Château Pesquie Ventoux Artemia, Rhône 2017 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “A blend of 75% Syrah and 25% Grenache that saw roughly 20% stems and a year in 50% new, larger format oak, the 2017 Artemia has a Côte Brune-like perfume of dark fruits, smoked meats, black olives, and chocolate. Full-bodied, smoky, meaty, and powerful, it’s another rock star of a Syrah from the Chaudière family that has incredible character.”
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “A tank sample of the 2017 Ventoux Artemia looked promising, although a bit different in character from previous vintages. It’s 75% Syrah and only 25% Grenache, with peppery, cool-climate Syrah notes, blueberryish fruit, ample weight and a clean, crisp, lively finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $52.26
The next best price is $52.26
Château Pesquie Ventoux Ascensio, Rhône 2016 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “Mostly Grenache (5% Syrah) made with 30% stems, brought up all in concrete, the 2016 Ventoux Ascensio sports an inky purple color as well as sensational notes of blackberries, plums, licorice, violets, and crushed rocks. It’s deep, full-bodied, pure, and primordial, with ample tannin and a great finish. It needs 2-3 years of bottle age but is blockbuster stuff.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Love Rhône reds? We have over 170 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Chapoutier, Henri Bonneau, Jaboulet and more, on our web store now.
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Vinopolis Wine Shop Curbside Pick Up
Order Online / By Phone / By Email
When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car.
(If another adult is picking up for you,
please let us know their name when placing your order.)
www.vinopoliswineshop.com
info@vinopoliswineshop.com
503-223-6002
When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car.
(If another adult is picking up for you,
please let us know their name when placing your order.)
www.vinopoliswineshop.com
info@vinopoliswineshop.com
503-223-6002
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Trending New Arrivals
California
Bedrock Wine Co. Evangelho Vineyard Heritage Red, Contra Costa County 2018 750ML ($41.95) Was $34.90, Now $33 Super Subscriber Special, 6 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2018 Evangelho Heritage Wine is so alluring. Sweet cherry, pomegranate, blood orange and perfumed red roses all grace this silky, captivating wine from Bedrock. Dollops of Mataro and Carignan round out this field blend, but it is the high percentage of Zinfandel, and its bright acid profile, that carries the day. This is such a gorgeous and expressive wine.”
Winery Note “2018 was our second vintage with full control of farming at our nearly 130-year-old estate site (still gives me chills to say that), and we enjoyed a mild and even vintage leading to a relatively late harvest at this amazing Delta site. This is a classic Evangelho, showing the bright and composed fruit we expect along with the savory bite inflected by the Mataro and Carignan, and one that should provide plenty of pleasure throughout the years.”
Bedrock Wine Co. Evangelho Vineyard Heritage Red, Contra Costa County 2018 750ML ($41.95) Was $34.90, Now $33 Super Subscriber Special, 6 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2018 Evangelho Heritage Wine is so alluring. Sweet cherry, pomegranate, blood orange and perfumed red roses all grace this silky, captivating wine from Bedrock. Dollops of Mataro and Carignan round out this field blend, but it is the high percentage of Zinfandel, and its bright acid profile, that carries the day. This is such a gorgeous and expressive wine.”
Winery Note “2018 was our second vintage with full control of farming at our nearly 130-year-old estate site (still gives me chills to say that), and we enjoyed a mild and even vintage leading to a relatively late harvest at this amazing Delta site. This is a classic Evangelho, showing the bright and composed fruit we expect along with the savory bite inflected by the Mataro and Carignan, and one that should provide plenty of pleasure throughout the years.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Ridge Vineyards Pagani Ranch Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley 2018 750ML ($44.95) $36 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2018 Zinfandel Pagani Ranch is superb. A burst of sweet red/purplish fruit, exotic spice, flowers and blood orange fleshes out in a Zinfandel of tremendous class. The Pagani has a level of textural breadth and resonance that separates it from most wines in this range. It also has a bit more new oak than the other wines here, but that should not be an issue in time. Bold, creamy and sensual, the Pagani just hits all the right notes. I wouldn’t touch a bottle anytime soon. Readers who can find it will own a small piece of history, as Pagani is one of the most pedigreed vineyard sites in the United States. The blend is 84% Zinfandel, 9% Alicante Bouschet and 7% Petite Sirah.”
#3 Wine of the Year 2020, Jeb Dunnuck
Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains 2017 375ML ($149.95) $119 special, 16 half bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “Pure perfection, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Bello is a sensational effort from this estate that should be snatched up by drinkers and collectors. Based on 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc that was brought up mostly in new American oak, this saturated purple-hued beauty is legendary Monte Bello in the making and has a stunning yet primordial bouquet of crème de cassis, lead pencil shavings, graphite, chocolate, and chalky minerality. Full-bodied, incredibly powerful, and one of the most concentrated versions of this cuvée ever made (I’ve had most of them), it needs a solid decade of bottle age and will have 50-60 years of overall longevity. Despite the long drinking window, it offers plenty of pleasure even today. I followed this bottle for two days and it showed best right out of the gate, closing down and becoming more brooding and backward with air. It’s an incredible wine that I promise you won’t regret having in your cellar.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 98-100 points “Destined to rank as one of the all-time greats from Ridge, the 2017 Monte Bello opens in the glass with youthfully complex notes of ripe plums, cassis, espresso roast and black truffles, with little apparent trace of its time in 100% new oak. On the palate, it’s full-bodied and incredibly concentrated, with a rich, layered mid-palate and immense substance that marks it out as the most richly tannic Monte Bello since 2013. As ever, the acids are vibrant, with a classic pH of around 3.5—notably lower than most Cabernet Sauvignons from contemporary Bordeaux or Napa Valley, thanks to this site’s limestone soils and high altitude. At the time of writing, the blend is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, though that may change by the time it’s bottled. Eric Baugher observes that fermentations were slow in 2017, which protracted the period of extraction, partially accounting for this vintage’s power. It’s still a baby, but this is a strong contender for a perfect score when it’s bottled in over a year’s time—and it should see out its 50th birthday in style.”
France – Burgundy
Jérémy Arnaud Vau de Vey, Chablis Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Winery note “[Translated and edited for clarity] The wines sit on shallow, stony soil and a subsoil dating from the Upper Jurassic, Kimmeridgian. In some places, it is not unusual to see the Marne outcrop. The exposed south-east slope of the vineyard can reach up to 50%, which makes mechanization very difficult. The vines were planted between 1980 and 1985. They are now almost 40 years old, thus considered old vine. To limit erosion, we no longer use a tractor on this plot and leave a permanent grass cover. Harvest is manual. This allows us to sort directly on the plot. In the cellar, the grapes are pressed whole bunch using a pneumatic press with low pressure. The vinification and aging of our wines are carried out in a natural way, i.e. no addition of enzymes, yeasts or bacteria is made. Long aging occurs in stainless steel tanks and barrels (50% of which only 10% is new).”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $55
The next best price is $55
Domaine Louis Michel & Fils Montée de Tonnerre, Chablis Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($44.95) $39 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 93 points “The 2018 Chablis Montée de Tonnerre is clean and precise on the nose, perhaps more in the vein of a traditional Chablis than, say, the Butteaux. The palate is fresh and lively with crisp acidity, impressive tension and a twist of sour lemon toward the finish that keeps this Chablis alert and alive. Excellent.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92+ points “The 2018 Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre is another success this year, delivering inviting aromas of citrus zest, crisp green apple, white flowers and oyster shell. Medium to full-bodied, with good depth and tension, it’s one of the more tightly wound, structured wines in the cellar.”
Domaine Frantz Chagnoleau Macon-Villages Clos Saint-Pancras, Mâconnais 2018 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 34 bottles in stock now
“Offering up aromas of pear, orange oil, toasted nuts and freshly baked bread, the 2018 Mâcon-Villages Clos Saint-Pancras is medium to full-bodied, round and succulent, with a lively but open-knit core and a nicely defined finish.”-William Kelley, Wine Advocate
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Italy – Piedmont
Giacomo Borgogno & Figli Dolcetto d’Alba, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Intense ruby red tending to purplish. Vinous, fresh, fruity bouquet of red fruits such as cherry, strawberry. Very pleasant.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Giacomo Borgogno & Figli Freisa Langhe, Piedmont 2015 750ML ($33.95) $29 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Light cherry red color, a delicate aroma recalling raspberries and roses and dry flavor that becomes delicately soft after a short ageing. Bitter tannins.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Italy – Tuscany
Tenuta di Arceno ‘Valadorna’ Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($79.95) $49 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95+ points “The 2015 Valadorna (65% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot) is a dark and thickly endowed red wine that boasts a rich and lasting grip on the palate. The bouquet offers depth and complexity with dark fruit, leather, cured tobacco and spice. There are also softer notes of chocolate and ground espresso beans. The wine’s seamless integration of flavors leads to increased momentum and intensity as the wine continues to open in the glass.”
New Zealand
Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 2019 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 35 bottles in stock now
Decanter 93 points “Herbaceous on the nose with bell pepper and pea shoots along with lime, guava and passion fruit. Some spice and exotic fruits on the palate and a smokey character that adds roundness. Elegant and balanced with a long finish.”
James Suckling 93 points “Very vivid, fresh passion fruit, lemon, yellow grapefruit and lime here with well cut, flinty elements in play. Some herb and lime-leaf notes, too. The palate has fresh, lively and assertively zesty lime and passion-fruit flavors with a succulent, fleshy feel and big impact. Drink now. Screw cap.”
Rebecca Gibb MW-Vinous 92 points “Lovely weight on the midpalate, providing a feeling of sumptuousness. This was whole-bunch-pressed and hand-harvested, and neutral yeast was used (20% wild), which has created an air of restraint. Yes, there are classic passion fruit and gooseberry flavors, but the volume is turned down, and a citrus backbone offers a fresh, composed conclusion.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 92 points “Perhaps the most complex regular Savvy I can recall from Dog Point, the 2019 Sauvignon Blanc offers up aromas that range from subtle notions of garden peas to melon, nectarine and pink grapefruit. It’s medium-bodied and silky in texture, generous yet crisp, with a focused, slightly chalky and deliciously lingering finish.”
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Nikolaihof’s Legendary Austrian Whites
At Closeout Prices
Nikolaihof is a giant of Austrian wine—a producer whose history and quality are unrivaled even in a country full of great producers. The estate dates back to Roman times and the Saahs family has run the property for well over a century. They produce wines of deep resonant flavors, which have fresh brightness, but standout for an undercurrent of vinosity. They’re bright, precise and mineral-drenched with the power and density of the Wachau. These are the heights of Austrian wine.
The products of a grossly underrated wine producing country, Nikolaihof’s wines are always a shrewd buy. However, at closeout pricing these are no brainers for anyone who appreciates bright, mineral-driven white wine.
In stock now:
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Gut’s Riesling, Wachau 2013 750ML ($44.95) $19 Closeout Special, 3 bottles in stock now
Terry Theise: “23 g/l of residual sugar, as it happened, and every wine here is as-it-happened. So Nikki declined to futz with it. The result tastes like something Florian Weingart would have made in the Wachau, all the mirabelle and herbs but with a different twangy terroir here. I don’t know what “use” you’ll make of it; I only know I like it.”
The products of a grossly underrated wine producing country, Nikolaihof’s wines are always a shrewd buy. However, at closeout pricing these are no brainers for anyone who appreciates bright, mineral-driven white wine.
In stock now:
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Gut’s Riesling, Wachau 2013 750ML ($44.95) $19 Closeout Special, 3 bottles in stock now
Terry Theise: “23 g/l of residual sugar, as it happened, and every wine here is as-it-happened. So Nikki declined to futz with it. The result tastes like something Florian Weingart would have made in the Wachau, all the mirabelle and herbs but with a different twangy terroir here. I don’t know what “use” you’ll make of it; I only know I like it.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $34.98
The next best price is $34.98
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof im Weingebirge Smaragd Gruner Veltliner, Wachau 2012 750ML ($69.95) $49 Closeout Special, 2 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht–Vinous 92 points “An intriguing, ethereal nose suggests iris, ginseng, moss, beet root and a hint of blond tobacco. Beet, turnip and kohlrabi inform a plushly textured, expansive yet for Smaragd amazingly buoyant palate. Alkalinity, stoniness and tincture of iodine lend cut and a certain austerity to a finish that flashes back to the complexity of the wine’s bouquet. Those with a predilection for Nikolaihof wines (such as I) are going to appreciate this bottling more than my score might suggest.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average listed price is $60
The average listed price is $60
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Neuburger, Wachau 2011 750ML ($39.95) $21.90 Closeout Special, 7 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht–Vinous 89 points “This soft and (at only 12.5% alcohol) full-feeling rendition of Neuburger emphasizes that grape’s inherent nuttiness, though the usual resemblance to white asparagus still applies. A faintly smoky piquancy adds an intriguing counterpoint to an otherwise soothing finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Riesling vom Stein Smaragd, Wachau 2009 750ML ($69.95) $49 Closeout Special, 1 bottle in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 91 points “[Reviewed April 2019] The 2009er Riesling Smaragd vom Stein presents a ripe and quite advanced nose of toffee, cooked apple, mirabelle in alcohol, bread crust, apricot cream and camphor, as well as some wax polish. The wine is smooth and develops delicately ripe flavors of fruits and nut cream on the palate and leaves a nice feel of grip in the zesty finish. The after-taste of this ripe and slightly oxidative expression of dry Riesling is straight and herbal. Now-2024.”
Wine Spectator 91 points “Features a honeyed, floral aroma, with rich, decadent flavors of baked apple, licorice, dried pineapple and slate. Dried basil and mango notes linger on the complex and powerful finish. Drink now through 2018. 38 cases imported. “
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Riesling vom Stein Smaragd, Wachau 2011 750ML ($79.95) $49 Closeout Special, 5 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2011 Riesling Smaragd Vom Stein opens with the ripe charm and winning self-confidence of a warm vintage. Super clear, with ultra-ripe (not overripe though!) and concentrated fruit aromas on the nose along with floral and herbal flavors, there is no cool soul so far, since the baby-fruit takes it all. Full-bodied, rich and powerful on the palate, this is a very juicy but also pure and complex wine still full of finesse, fresh and very, very long. It is a mighty, firmly structured, but nevertheless, refreshing and very mineral as well as elegant Riesling full of energy and vibrancy. The finish is impressively long and filled with tension and the aging potential should be terrific. It’s a great drinking experience today, and I suppose it will always be in the next 20 or 25 years”
Terry Theise notes: “This is gorgeous. Fresh fruit but a cloistery silence around it. Hay and straw, the fresh profile only hinting at its murmury depths; a wine of the brightest morning, with decades ahead of it.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Riesling vom Stein Smaragd, Wachau 2012 750ML ($79.95) $49 Closeout Special, 7 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht–Vinous 92 points “this lives up to its name with a stony, alkaline undertone. There is a faintly reductive hint of machine oil that, along with whiffs of gentian and iris, complements fresh and spirituous expressions of apple. The palate impression is fresh, juicy, and buoyant, with floral, mineral and herbal-spicy nuances. It’s a delightful example of the vintage paradox that despite high must weights and advanced flavor ripeness, the best 2012s can be elegant and light-footed. Coriander and fennel seeds add appeal to the sustained finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Riesling vom Stein Smaragd, Wachau 2014 750ML ($69.95) $44 Closeout Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht 97 points “In a departure from usual Nikolaihof practice – given that it had by then been filtered and assembled into tank – I was offered my first taste of this wine shortly before the initial, December 2017 bottling. The wine was exciting then, and when re-tasted repeatedly in the course of 2018 had only gained in stature. Moss, lemon zest, peach kernel and toasted grain on the nose put me in mind of a relatively austere white Burgundy. But that sense of kinship dims with the emergence of high-toned hints of lavender and mint, mouthwatering ocean breeze and a sappy, juicy abundance of fresh lime and white peach juiciness on the silken palate. There are also faint hints of kirsch and mothball such as one can encounter from time to time at this address and to whose volatility some tasters might object. The finish is transparent to a veritable carpet of mineral matter – albeit a levitating, vibrantly undulating one! Crushed stone, alkali, mineral salts and iodine combine with herbal and protein-rich flavors for something approximating a blend of oyster liquor and clam stock that set my salivary glands to palpitating. And now for the astonishing kicker: This remarkable stuff filled the largest cask in the Nikolaihof cellar, with a capacity of 12,000 liters! Half was bottled in 2017 and 2018; the rest will be held back – let’s hope eventually to inform a Vinothek offering. “The only sense in which this wine needed to be bottled,” noted Saahs, “was in order to avoid Vom Stein Smaragd temporarily dropping from our price list and to make room in the cellar. It wasn’t the phases of the moon calling the shots,” he added with a sly grin. (Re-tasted alongside, the corresponding 2013 showed at the upper end of my earlier projection. But despite issuing from one of the two finest Wachau vintages that it has been my privilege to taste as young wines, that 2013 doesn’t quite reach the complexity nor exhibit the clarity and energy of this 2014 – not for now, at least.)”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Baumpresse, Wachau 2011 750ML ($129.95) $69 Closeout Special, 9 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht–Vinous 93 points “Nicknamed for the 18th-century “tree press” recently reactivated by Nikki Saahs (the tree in question must have begun growing in the Middle Ages), and now also labeled for its vineyard of origin, this was bottled in 2013 (like the corresponding Smaragd), but only recently released. At 12.5 percent alcohol, this silken-textured Riesling manages, as did other Nikolaihof wines of its vintage, to avoid any sense of heaviness; although there is a rich foundation of succulently ripe white peach and Persian melon, white currant and transparent apple lend tart-edged tang and crunch. A hint of heliotrope hangs over the whole performance, its sweet perfume further pointing to the generous phenolic evolution characteristic of this vintage. There are significant albeit nicely integrated oxidative elements here as well – a legacy of the wine’s upbringing in smaller barrels than are otherwise utilized at the Nikolaihof – with moss, toasted grains and nuts, wet stone and quinine lending a slightly sinister aspect to the long, multilayered finish. As was the case with this wine’s predecessors, Nikki Saahs maintains that it will retain its current level of freshness for many years. I’m skeptical.”
Terry Theise: “It’s painfully spendy, but have you seen that massive press? Apart from which, truth is truth; the wine is superb. Grain and smoke and jasmine and turkey stock and fingerlings at their little sweet best. This wine is intense, though with all of 12.5% alc.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Steiner Hund Reserve Riesling, Wachau 2014 750ML ($79.95) $49 Closeout Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 98 points “A huge dried apricot nose. In spite of the power this is super-elegant with a very long, radically mineral character that makes the wine swell in your mouth at the amazing finish. It may be too dry for some, but I find this spectacular. Drink or hold as long as you dare!”
David Schildknecht 96 points “Like its remarkable Vom Stein counterpart, I tasted this wine after it had been racked to tank, a few months before its December 2017 bottling, then again from bottle in the course of 2018. The penetrating nose is dominated by white peach, white currant and lime, anticipating the brightly juicy palate impression. But suggestions of crushed stone, bittersweet iris, clam stock, radish, kelp and smoky black tea add increasing intrigue as the wine opens to the air and is worked over in the mouth. There is underlying firmness but also a suggestion of silkiness born of lengthy lees exposure in cask, and the sense of levity, remarkably, is that of a typical Nikolaihof Federspiel more than of a Smaragd. The vibrant finishing influx of alkali, crushed stone, iodine, mineral salts, mustard seed and white pepper is almost savagely intense, practically stinging – taking matters in an at once mouthwatering and invigorating but also slightly austere direction. Here’s further proof for any who remain skeptics that the 2014 vintage – its challenges and vicissitudes notwithstanding – has at its very best delivered some of the Wachau’s and neighboring Lower Austria’s most exciting and potentially ageworthy wines of the past two decades. Tasting the outstanding 2013 alongside, this 2014 came nipping right at its heels: attention au chien!”
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Cellar Selection. The beeswax, wet stone, hayflower and dried lemon notes on the nose of this wine suggest development. Its dry, slender yet concentrated palate has a weightless fluidity that echoes with eloquent beeswax and citrus oil flavors. The combination of lightness and beautiful depth make it so intriguing and moreish. Subtle, lovely, taut and fresh, it’s nowhere near its peak. The finish reveals a brilliant dash of mandarin. Drink 2028–2040.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Nikolaihof magnums in stock now:
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Steiner Hund Reserve Riesling, Wachau 2012 1.5L ($179.95) $119 Closeout Special, 2 magnums in stock now
David Schildknecht–Vinous 95 points “Prominent lemony brightness and underlying alkalinity do not convey an immediate impression of such a ripe, sunny vintage as this was. Aromatically alluring sea breeze, fennel pollen, and green and black tea persist in the mouth, where this wine also grabs hold of the palate and salivary glands in an outpouring of lemon-drenched oyster liquor. The combination of polish and clarity on display is similarly striking, though by no means unusual in an installment of what is in effect the Nikolaihof’s iconic offering. The long, vibrant finish displays kaleidoscopic flavor interactions no less memorable or mesmerizing for their being nuanced and understated; nor is there any let-up in the onrush of marine salinity. “
This is the only magnum listing in the USA today!
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Riesling vom Stein Smaragd, Wachau 2012 1.5L ($149.95) $89 Closeout Special, 2 magnums in stock now
David Schildknecht–Vinous 92 points “this lives up to its name with a stony, alkaline undertone. There is a faintly reductive hint of machine oil that, along with whiffs of gentian and iris, complements fresh and spirituous expressions of apple. The palate impression is fresh, juicy, and buoyant, with floral, mineral and herbal-spicy nuances. It’s a delightful example of the vintage paradox that despite high must weights and advanced flavor ripeness, the best 2012s can be elegant and light-footed. Coriander and fennel seeds add appeal to the sustained finish.”
This is the only magnum listing in the USA today!
Love Austrian wine? We have over 50 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Alzinger, FX Pichler, Gobelsburg and more, on our web store now.
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Vinopolis is an independent wine shop in Portland that opened in 2004. Our goal has always been to offer the finest, broadest, and largest selection of wines at the best prices to our customers in Portland, in Oregon, across the West Coast, and throughout the United States.
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