Subscriber-Only Barolo Sale Ends Tonight!; April Sales – Part 1; New Week – Abundant New Arrivals; April Sales – Part 2; It’s Back: 2014 Bergstrom; Arriving This Week: Opus One – One Hundred Points!
And Breaking News: Spectacular Burgundy – Arriving Late April – Clos de Tart
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We promise we weren’t fooling on Saturday!
Subscriber-Only Barolo Sale
Ends Tonight
Your special discount: 10% off listed price on all in-stock Barolos
Discount does not apply to pre-arrival offers
Discount will not appear in online shopping cart
We will apply it here before charging
Sale Ends Tonight, Monday, April 3rd at 11:59 PM!
We offer 61 Barolos in-stock and available here now, such names as G. B. Burlotto, Giacomo Borgogno & Giacomo Conterno, Bruno Giacosa, Bartolo Mascarello & Giuseppe Mascarello, Domenico Clerico, Roagna, Scarpa to Roberto Voerzio & Vietti, you’re certain to find treasures! Top picks include:
Giuseppe Mascarello e Figlio Monprivato, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($159.95) Displayed price: $119, Your price: $107.10, 36+ bottles available
Wine Spectator 95 points “This is expressive, with alluring cherry, strawberry, floral and mineral flavors building to a long, expansive finish. The elegant profile belies the serious structure underneath, which should allow this red to develop over the next 15 to 20 years. Offers fine berry fruit and a minerally aftertaste. Best from 2018 through 2033.”
Jancis Robinson 18/20 points “Very pale ruby. More stony and liquorice-like than Villero. Brooding concentration but holding back on the nose. Lithe and very elegant palate with amazing tactile and fine tannins. Has the wow factor.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $145
Giacomo Conterno ‘Cerretta’, Barolo DOCG 2012 750ML ($249.95) Displayed price: $199, Your price: $179.10, 11 bottles available
Wine Spectator 96 points “A wealth of cherry flavor is surrounded by cut grass, tar, tobacco and iron notes in this complex, intense red. There is plenty of tension and a long aftertaste of licorice, tar and mineral. Balanced yet austere, this needs time to integrate fully. Best from 2023 through 2042.”
Antonio Galloni 94+ points “The 2012 Barolo Cerretta is intriguing to taste next to the Francia, as it is much more shut down and affected by its recent bottling. Today the tannins are searing and large-grained, a characteristic this wine did not show from barrel. The clay-rich soils in Cerretta tend to give a broader style of Barolo compared to Francia, where limestone is prevalent, and that is very much what comes through today. Hints of dark red cherry, plum, smoke, leather, tobacco and licorice struggle to emerge from a wall of tannin. Today, the Cerretta is a brute, with little of the perfume and finesse it showed in cask. Readers will have to be patient. The only question is how much.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “To be released in October 2016, the 2012 Barolo Cerretta opens to a profound and buoyant bouquet that is particularly driven by menthol freshness, as well as pretty nuances of balsam herb and forest fruit with licorice, tilled earth and truffle. The wine is balanced and ethereal. It’s so difficult to achieve this level of aromatic definition (especially in a warm year like 2012), but Roberto Conterno has done so with a deft hand. This is a complete expression of Barolo with aromatic intensity that is matched by an enduring sense of structure and medium-weight appeal.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $195
The average price is $219
G. B. Burlotto Barolo Acclivi, Barolo DOCG 2012 750ML ($59.95) Displayed price: $49, Your price: $44.10, 10 bottles available
Wine & Spirits 94 points “This wine combines the elegance and spice of Verduno’s Monvigliero cru with the darker color and more structured tannins that derive from vines growing on Rocche dell’Olmo’s clay-rch east-facing slopes. Fabio Alessandria harvest fruit from the steepest sections of those two vineyards to make Acclivi (which means ‘steep’), and he likens its tannins to ‘a tight-fitting dress.’ They seem more like a bustier, lifting the flavors of pomegranate, tamarind and orange peel in an upward direction, gathering power as they move to a long and spicy finish. Its lovely violet scents echo in flavors of black licorice that lend a dark velvet plushness to the wine.”
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2012 Barolo Acclivi is another aromatically lifted, precise Barolo endowed with tons of pedigree. Stylistically, the Acclivi is the Burlotto Barolo that most resembles Monvigliero because it is made from a blend of declassified fruit from that site along with important contributions from Rocche dell’Olmo and Neirane. Deceptively medium in body, the Acclivi possesses striking mid-palate depth and substance, while maintaining its classic sense of poise. A host of bright red cherry, raspberry and floral notes punctuate the refreshing finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $56
Roberto Voerzio Riserva Vecchie Viti dei Capalot e Brunate, Barolo DOCG 2004 1.5L ($699.95) Displayed Price: $569, Your Cost: $512.10, 12 magnums available
Antonio Galloni 98 points “Voerzio no longer makes his Barolo Riserva Vecchie Viti dei Capalot e delle Brunate. The 2004 is a great reminder of just how fabulous this wine was. A huge, vertical wine, the 2004 boasts magnificent depth and overall intensity. The flavors are boldly sketched in a dramatic Barolo built on pure muscle. A host of black cherry, cloves, smoke, menthol, tar and blackberry jam flow through to the intense finish. Beguiling and powerful, the 2004 will provide fascinating drinking for the next 10-15 years, perhaps longer. Of all the 2004s here, this is the wine that has had the most positive evolution in bottle.” (05/2015)
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Bruna Grimaldi Badarina Vigna Regnola, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) Displayed price: $38, Your price: $34.20, 36+ bottles available
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 92+ points “this 1.5-hectare plot, planted on shallow white soil at a high altitude of 420 meters in Serralunga, is the estate’s “original” vineyard, where Bruna Grimaldi’s grandfather was born; the only Barolo for which Grimaldi uses cappello sommerso for extraction): Medium-deep red. Complex aromas of raspberry, truffle, smoke and underbrush. Large-scaled, concentrated and rich, offering powerful, lightly medicinal flavors of raspberry and strawberry complicated by licorice and menthol. This very young wine finishes dry and broad, with serious granular tannins calling for extended aging. The Badarina spends a full 36 months in oak and is released a year later than the other Barolos of its vintage. (Grimaldi kept a bit of this fruit in both 2010 and 2009 to make a reserve bottling, but the 2009 will not be released until 2015.)” ST
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $43
Falletto di Bruno Giacosa ‘Falletto’, Barolo DOCG 2007 750ML ($249.95) Displayed price: $189, Your price: $170.10, 9 bottles available
Wine Spectator 96 points “An elegant, fruity style, boasting raspberry, cherry and floral aromas and flavors. This is pure and delicate for the commune, with fine intensity, finesse and depth. The tannins mesh beautifully with the wine’s silky texture, ending with an excellent finish. Just surprisingly open and approachable. Best from 2014 through 2032”
Stephen Tanzer 95 points “Good deep red. Perfumed, complex nose melds plum, red cherry, mocha, tobacco, wild herbs and spices. Sweet, silky and seamless, with almost painful intensity to its fruit if not yet as complex in the mouth as on the nose. Healthy acidity accentuates the wine’s perfume. Finishes with very suave tannins and outstanding floral persistence. Said Dante Scaglione: “I thought 2007 in Serralunga would be great from the moment of the harvest.”
Giacomo Borgogno & Figli Barolo Vigna Liste, Barolo DOCG 2008 750ML ($119.95) Displayed price: $79, Your price: $71.10, 36+ bottles available
James Suckling 94 points “Wonderful aromas of balsamic, plum, grilled meat and spices. Full body, with round and chewy tannins. Excellent depth of fruit. The 2008 vintage shows that extra complexity to the 2009 in general. Better in 2015.”
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “Cool veins of bracing minerality form the backbone in Borgogno’s 2008 Barolo Liste. Today, the 2008 is virtually impenetrable, as the vintage and the site have combined to produce a big, powerful Barolo that will require considerable cellaring before it is ready to show all its cards. Still, there is a lot to like here, especially for those who can be patient. Tar, smoke, incense and scorched earth all add gravitas on the close, but with more time in the glass some of the sweeter notes begin to emerge. The 2008 Liste is shaping up to be magnificent.” AG
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 92+ points “Medium red. Lovely lift to the aromas of redcurrant, marzipan and rose petal. Sappy, sweet and concentrated; a step up in tangy, saline intensity and inner-mouth tension from the Fossati. Wonderfully silky and lush in texture but a bit youthfully unforthcoming today. Delivers terrific verve and energy to its red berry and floral flavors. Finishes with sweeter tannins than the Fossati, an enticing light touch and excellent length and life. This should evolve gracefully in bottle for 20 years or more.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The average price is $89
Want to see them all?
For full reviews and descriptions, visit our web store
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Search for the term ‘Barolo’
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Sale ends midnight of the 3rd!
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We will apply it here before charging
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April Sales
Here are two of the thirteen wines on sale through the month of April
View the other eleven below!
Matthews Winery Reserve, Columbia Valley 2013 750ML ($59.95) Was $51.90, Now $48, 31 bottles available
Wine Advocate 95 points “Another sensational wine is the 2013 Reserve, which is largely Cabernet Sauvignon blended with 28% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, aged 21 months in new French oak. It reveals fabulous purity of fruit and full-bodied richness, as well as textbook Bordeaux-like notes of black currants, cassis, lead pencil shaving and leafy herbs. It shows more and more tannin with time in the glass, but it never loses its overall sense of elegance and purity.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $59.99
Reynvaan Family Vineyards In The Hills Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2014 750ML ($79.95) Was $69, Now $61.90, 36+ bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 points “Another beauty is the 2014 Syrah In the Hills, which is this estate’s take on a Cote Rotie and incorporates 5% co-fermented Viognier. Raspberries, bacon fat, violets and olive all emerge from this medium-bodied, elegant, ethereally textured beauty. It too will drink beautifully for 10-15 years.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $71.99
The average price is $74
Keep reading for the complete list!
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New Week – Abundant New Arrivals
Oregon
Horsepower Vineyards ‘The Tribe Vineyard’ Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2014 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 3 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “In the same ballpark as the Sur Echalas Vineyard release, the 2014 Syrah The Tribe Vineyard gives up lots of minerality and gunpowder-like characteristics, as well as red fruits, pepper, and violets aromas and flavors. On the fuller side of medium to full-bodied, it has juicy acidity, fine tannin and impeccable balance. It will have two decades of longevity.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $175
The average price is $187
Cayuse Vineyards Bionic Frog Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2012 750ML ($319.95) $299 special, 9 bottles available
Wine Advocate 99 points “While a lot of the 2012s came in near the bottom of the barrel score, that wasn’t the case with the 2012 Syrah Bionic Frog and this beauty flirts with perfection. Inky colored and purple to the rim, it offers extraordinary notes of black fruits, wild mushrooms, smoked earth and salty minerality. These all flow to a full-bodied, thrillingly concentrated, focused, structured and lengthy 2012 that needs 4-5 years of cellaring, and will knock your socks off over the following 15 years or more.” JD
Cayuse Vineyards Wallah Wallah Special Series Syrah #5, Walla Walla Valley 2013 1.5L ($319.95) $279 special, 2 magnums available
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 93+ points “(bottled in magnum): Healthy, moderately saturated dark red. Musky aromas of dark berries, mocha and brown spices, plus a hint of creamy vanilla. Savory and youthfully tight; offering less early sex appeal than the 2012 version but this wine possesses an impressive thickness and finishes with big, broad tannins that suggest a slow evolution in bottle. Distinctly saline and backward–and perhaps less distinctive today than the single-vineyard Syrah bottlings from Cayuse. This wine represents Baron’s tribute to Jamet’s Côte-Rôtie, which is a blend of multiple sites.”
California
Hartford Family Winery Hartford Court Russian River Valley Chardonnay, Sonoma County 2014 750ML ($29.95) $20.90 special
California Grapevine 90 points –‘Very highly recommended’–“Medium-light golden yellow; assertive, citrussy, baked apple aroma with hints of vanilla and baking spices; medium to medium-full body; fleshy, apple and white peach flavors with spicy notes, and nicely balanced with bright acidity; lingering aftertaste. 14.5% alcohol; 100% barrel fermented; 100% malolactic fermentation.” (Jan 2016)
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $28
Colgin Cellars IX Estate Syrah, Napa Valley 2013 750ML ($349.95) $299 special, 3 bottles available
Robert Parker 98 points “The 2013 Syrah IX Estate may turn out to be better. It’s not as complex from a nuanced standpoint as the 2012, but it has possibly greater intensity than its sibling. Its blackberry fruit, charcoal, acacia flowers, grilled meats and beef tartare notes are all beautifully presented in a pure, succulent, opulent style. This is amazing stuff, and a great example of a singular style of Syrah from Napa Valley. Drink now-2028.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $314
The average price is $339
Sine Qua Non Piranha Waterdance Syrah, California 2014 750ML ($299.95) $269 special, 4 bottles available
Robert Parker 97-100 points “The 2014 Syrah Piranha Waterdance is young and unevolved (more than the Grenache) and sports an inky blue color to go with lots of minerality, notes of cassis, violets and pepper, full-bodied richness and a surprisingly serious, structured, even masculine vibe on the palate. A blend of 81% Syrah, 8% Petite Sirah and the rest Mourvedre, Touriga Nacional and Graciano, fermented with 26% whole clusters and aging in 54% new French oak, it will be bottled just after the Grenache, in April of next year.”
Sine Qua Non Rattrapante Grenache, California 2012 750ML ($899.95) $489 special, 4 bottles available
Robert Parker 100 points “A perfect wine any way you look at it, the 2012 Grenache Rattrapante comes all from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills and spent 33 months in 27% new French oak. My notes start – and end – with “Wow.” Giving up tons of black raspberries, peppery herbs, licorice, dried flowers and cured meats, it’s a massively concentrated, rich and layered Grenache that somehow manages to stay graceful, lively and fresh on the palate. There are roughly 800 cases of this elixir and any Grenache lover should do their best to latch onto a bottle (or two). It’s also worth noting that this cuvee saw 26% whole clusters, which is a small change from past vintages.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $499
The average price is $644
Sine Qua Non Touche Syrah, California 2012 750ML ($799.95) $499 special, 3 bottles available
Robert Parker 100 points “Lastly, the utterly perfect 2012 Syrah Touche reminds me of a great vintage of Guigal’s Cote Rotie La Landonne. A blend of 93% Syrah, 5% Petite Sirah and 2% Viognier, all from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills, it spent 40 months in 78% new French oak. Deep, concentrated, full-bodied and layered, with a multidimensional texture and to-die-for notes of camphor, cured meats, violets, smoke and assorted dark fruits, this beauty has fine, perfectly ripe tannin and blockbuster length. Give it 3-4 years and drink over the following two decades.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
The average price is $683
Sine Qua Non Shakti Grenache, California 2014 750ML ($299.95) $249 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 96-98 points “Leading off the 2014s from barrel, the 2014 Grenache Shakti (88% Grenache, 6% Mourvedre, 4% Petite Sirah and the rest Touriga Nacionale) comes largely from the Cumulus Vineyard, with smaller portions from Eleven Confessions, the Third Twin and Bien Nacido. Aged almost entirely in neutral barrels (6% new), it has a supple, sexy profile as well as killer base notes of black raspberries, cassis, ground herbs and violets. Deep, concentrated, full-bodied and laced with sweet tannin, I continue to be baffled why so few people in California get close to this level of quality with Grenache.”
France – Champagne
Ulysse Collin ‘Les Pierrieres’ Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2012) ($119.95) $89 special
John Gilman 92 points “The Ulysse Collin Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut all hails from the single parcel of Les Perrières, which is planted with thirty-five year-old vines. Like all of Olivier’s Collin’s wines these days, the vins clairs are barrel-fermented and aged for an extended period in older casks prior to bottling, after which the wine spends two to three years aging sur latte. The new release of Les Perrières, which is marked on the back label as Lot 12 (meaning it hails from the base year of 2012) offers up a lovely bouquet that shows just a touch of buttery oak influence in its blend of pear, delicious apple, pastry cream, a fine base of soil, buttery oak and a distinctly smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, crisp and quite dry, with lovely mousse, a fine core and lovely backend mineral drive on the long, balanced and nascently complex finish. The dosage on this bottling is between one and two grams and the balance is impeccable, making the wine eminently accessible right out of the blocks. Fine juice, where the gentle oak influence is very nicely done. 2016-2030.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Ulysse Collin ‘Les Maillons’ Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2012) ($119.95) $89 special
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
France – Burgundy
Domaine Georges Roumier Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2013 750ML ($1,199.95) $999 special, 1 bottle available
Burghound 95 points “This is quite floral with plenty of earth and assorted spice elements adding interest to the very fresh mix of green tea and red and dark berry fruit scents. There is outstanding power and concentration to the broad-shouldered flavors that possess a robust mouth feel and ample minerality, all wrapped in a moderately austere and hugely long finish. This is a big, indeed even opulent but balanced wine that is clearly built for longer-term cellaring.”
Domaine Armand Rousseau Pere et Fils Chambertin Grand Cru 2011 750ML ($1,499.95) $1,199 special, 1 bottle available
Burghound 96 points “This is completely different from the Bèze aromatically speaking as here the nose is brooding and recalcitrant and only aggressive swirling liberates fresh scents of spice, wet stone, game and dark berry fruits. There is outstanding richness to the powerful and impressively scaled flavors that possess an abundance of dry extract that imparts a velvety quality to the mid-palate while also buffering the tightly wound core of firm tannins on the driving mineral-inflected and hugely persistent finish. This is a stunner of a wine and one of the great wines of the 2011 vintage.”
Domaine Armand Rousseau Pere et Fils Chambertin Clos-de-Beze Grand Cru 2011 750ML ($1,499.95) $1,199 special, 1 bottle available
Burghound 95 points “A potently expressive nose blends both wood and natural spice together with distinctly cool, pure and ripe wild red berries, earth and underbrush. The palate impression is a gorgeous combination of power and refinement along with flat out superb complexity on the explosively long, focused and beautifully well-balanced finish. The supporting structure is dense but fine and this should prove to be a moderately long-lived example.”
Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Plateaux 2014 750ML ($69.95) $49 special
Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2014 Nuits Saint-Georges Les Plateaux comes from 45-year-old vines located just behind the Boisset winery. It has a clean and quite precise bouquet: raspberry and strawberry fruit, hints of marmalade tucked in just behind. The palate is medium-bodied, perhaps just a little rustic on the entry, but one can appreciate the freshness and the fineness of the tannin here, with tart red cherry and white pepper intermingling towards the bright and quite vivid finish. This is a very sound, well-crafted village cru that should offer a decade of drinking pleasure.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $58
Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret Les Boudots, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($99.95) $69 special
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2014 Nuits Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Boudots comes from 0.39-hectares of 30-year-old vine. It has a timid bouquet at first, one that demands encouragement from the glass. It eventually unfurls to reveal a precise, pretty, almost Vosne-like bouquet. The palate is very refined, again quite Vosne-like (which is no surprise as it is located on the same vein of terroir as Malconsorts), filigree tannin segueing into a precise, minerally finish. This is excellent and it may merit a higher score down the line.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $105.95
Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret Les Orveaux, Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($99.95) $69 special
Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2014 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Orveaux comes from the domaine’s 1.08-hectare of vines aged between 25 to 52 years that are orientated north to south. It has impressive delineation and terroir expression on the nose, quite feminine and understated at first, but unfurling in the glass to reveal attractive redcurrant, wild strawberry and cold limestone scents. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, quite firm tannin, crisp and tensile red berry fruit, and a taut, quite saline finish. This is worth seeking out – a Vosne-Romanée endowed with confidence.”
Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret Les Cras, Vougeot Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($99.95) $69 special
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2014 Vougeot 1er Cru Les Cras comes from the domaine’s 0.32-hectares of 35-year-old vine, which includes partial whole bunch fermentation. It has a very able bouquet with vivid raspberry coulis, wild strawberry and mineral scents; there is a hint of mint developing in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, quite tensile in the mouth, plenty of sappy red berry fruit and a long, sustained finish. This would be one of my picks from the domaine in this vintage.”
France – Bordeaux
Chateau Gloria, Saint-Julien 2009 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Robert Parker 93 points “Gloria has long been one of the most popular wines in America, but I do not believe they have ever made better wines than they have over the last decade, and the 2009 is one of their finest. While this estate is not a classified growth, it certainly performs like one in 2009. A dense ruby/purple color is accompanied by an expressive, flamboyant bouquet of black fruits, Christmas spices, licorice and roasted Provencal herbs. Fuller-bodied, more concentrated and extracted than most vintages with soft tannins, its low acidity and a sumptuous, plump style remind me of a modern day version of the 1982 (which is fully mature but still in great shape). The 2009 Gloria is a very smart purchase for those looking to maximize their buying power. In fact, this may be the value of the vintage.”
Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Sauternes 2003 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Wine Spectator 97 points “Very, very intense aromas of dried apricot and lemon. Honey, syrup and Golden Delicious. Full-bodied, viscous and very sweet. Pour it on pancakes. Love it. And drink it. Who can wait? Best after 2010.”
Chateau d’Arche, Sauternes 2005 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Wine Spectator 92 points “Apple pie and lemon tart aromas follow through to a full body, with medium sweetness and a lively, bright finish of citrusy acidity and spiciness. Very young. Powerful. Best after 2012. ”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Chateau d’Yquem, Sauternes 1995 750ML ($349.95) $299 special
Wine Advocate 95 points “Served from an ex-chateau bottle. The 1995 Chateau d’Yquem is moving into its secondary aroma phase. A deep golden color, it has a dense and almost Barsac-like bouquet with tangerine, apricot, acacia and melted candle wax. It displays good intensity, unfolding beautifully in the glass. The palate has a strident opening, with a slight bitter edge that lends this Yquem great tension. One can discern layers of marmalade infused with honey fruit, with a powerful, spicy finish that lingers long in the mouth. This is drinking perfectly now, but will surely age with style over many years. Tasted March 2014.”!
France – Beaujolais
Jean-Paul Thevenet Morgon Vieilles Vignes, Beaujolais 2015 750ML ($34.95) $26 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Brilliant magenta. Explosive red berry liqueur, incense and floral scents, along with hints of allspice and smoky minerals. Silky and seamless on the palate, offering deeply concentrated black raspberry, spicecake and violet and pastille flavors that put on weight and become sweeter with air. The balance of richness and vivacity here is extremely impressive. Closes with impressive, mineral-driven intensity and length; silky tannins sneak in late to add shape and grip. Thévenet is consistently one of the great producers of Beaujolais and in 2015 he produced one of the monuments of the vintage.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $30
France – Rhone
Domaine des Maravilhas Cotes du Rhone Villages Laudun ‘Bessalena’ 2012 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “Deep ruby. Blackberry, cherry liqueur, garrigue and candied lavender on the deeply perfumed nose. Focused red and blue fruit flavors coat the palate, showing excellent clarity and bright mineral lift. The cherry and floral qualities come back strong on the impressively persistent finish, which is given shape and gentle grip by smooth, harmonious tannins.”
Domaine des Maravilhas Cotes du Rhone Villages Laudun ‘Maestral’ Rouge 2013 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 90 points “Deep ruby. Perfumed red fruits, candied lavender and peppery spices on the nose and palate; a mineral element adds vivacity. Appealingly sweet and seamless in texture, showing very good focus and cut to the intense black raspberry and cherry flavors. Finishes with slow-building tannins, delivering impressive clarity and strong, floral-driven persistence.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine des Maravilhas Lirac ‘Pradau’ Rouge 2013 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 90 points “Brilliant ruby. Ripe cherry, dark berries and cherry liqueur on the spice-accented nose and in the mouth. Sappy, sweet and expansive, offering intense blackberry and licorice flavors that tighten up slowly with air. Fleshy, seamless and nicely focused, displaying harmonious tannins, strong back-end thrust and lingering sweetness.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
France – Languedoc-Roussillon
Domaine de L’Oustal Blanc Naick Rouge, Languedoc-Roussillon 2012 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
Wine Advocate 92 points “Deep purple/ruby colored, the 2012 Naick Rouge offers a superb bouquet of sweet plum and dark fruits, licorice, tar and ground, peppery herbs. With air, more resinous herbs and truffle like qualities emerge, and this full-bodied effort has terrific character in its fruit loaded, complex, textured and balanced profile. Opening up with air, it shows the fruit forward nature of the vintage, yet backs it up with good underlying structure and depth. Enjoy this beauty anytime over the coming 5-7 years.” WA
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $18
Italy – Tuscany
Il Poggione Vigna Paganelli, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2010 750ML ($149.95) $99 special
Wine Advocate 98+ points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli is a phenomenal achievement and a wine that captures not only the spirit of this classic vintage, but the true essence of an age-worthy wine like Brunello. This single vineyard Riserva is sharp, pristine and immaculate. It starts slow and shy, but then blossoms to beautiful intensity and aromatic brilliance. It delivers a very authentic and genuine read of Sangiovese with wild berry aromas followed by pressed violets, wet earth, tobacco and lightly toasted spice. The bouquet is seamless and very long in persistence. The same holds true for the mouthfeel. The wine delivers a fine and silky texture with a good dose of power and personality at the rear.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli is magnificent. Huge swaths of tannin coat the palate as the 2010 shows off its power, breadth and overall intensity. Plum, black cherry, bittersweet chocolate, smoke, licorice and cloves are some of the many notes that hit the palate. The Riserva is dark, powerful and brooding. It will require at least a handful of years before it becomes approachable. These old vines, planted in 1964, confer weight, power and gravitas, all qualitites that come through loud and clear on the huge, explosive finish.” AG
Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
#4 Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2015
Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is a striking wine that shows uncompromising varietal pureness, albeit in a most concentrated and elaborate form. This is what great Sangiovese is all about. There’s so much happening on the nose and the wine brings you to cherry, spice, licorice, cured meat, pressed rose and grilled meat in equal measure. No one element overpowers the next. The mouthfeel is also tight and bright with the kind of fruit intensity that promises long cellar aging. This Brunello is only at the beginning of a long road ahead. The longer the wine stays in the glass, the more it offers in terms of complexity and intensity. This is a true standout that can be enjoyed for up to 20 years ahead.” ML
Wine Spectator 95 points “Rich, with excellent density, ripe cherry and plum fruit, and a well-integrated structure. Licorice, earth and tobacco notes add depth while this cruises to a long, tobacco- and mineral-tinged finish. Shows balance and grip. Best from 2018 through 2033.”
Marchesi Antinori Tignanello Toscana IGT 2013 375ML ($69.95) $55 special
#8 Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2015
James Suckling 97 points “This is amazing on the nose with blackberry, black truffle, dried cherry and hints of tobacco. So complex on the nose. Almost no need to taste it. Full body, soft and velvety tannins, and a persistent, fabulous finish. The mouthfeel is magic. 80% sangiovese and 20% cabernet sauvignon. Drink or hold.”
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2013 Tignanello represents the beginning of a new chapter for Italy’s ultimate game-changer wine. The blend remains 80% Sangiovese with 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc but Renzo Cotarella tells me “stylistically-speaking, this is what we wanted to achieve.” The winemaking formula remains the same, but one of the major differences and benefits to this wine is vineyard age. The celebrated Tignanello single vineyard is now reaching 15 years old. In other words, it is in its production prime. This is a harmonious and beautifully integrated wine that reveals black fruit and baking spice.”
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “The 2013 Tignanello is a real knock-out. Rich and intense, but also linear in style, the 2013 is endowed with superb energy from start to finish. In this vintage, the Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc character is especially evident, especially in the aromatics. Today, the 2013 is tightly wound and not ready to show all of its cards. Readers will have to be patient with the 2013, but the wine has plenty to say. Above all else, this is a remarkable level of quality for a wine with Bordeaux First Growth production (but not price) often in excess of 25,000 cases.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Aromas of graphite, smoke and tobacco introduce the cherry flavor in this expressive, focused red. Firm tannins and lively acidity balance the fruit and purity, while herbal, spice and mineral elements all gather steam as this plays out on the long finish. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2017 through 2027.”
Tenuta Sette Ponti Oreno Toscana IGT 2011 750ML ($69.95) $49 special
James Suckling 96 points “There is a purity of fruit in this young Tuscan red with flowers, citrus fruit and currants. Full body, with firm and silky tannins that are ultra-fine and wonderfully polished. The structure builds to a racy finish. This is a Bordeaux blend that is all in harmony. Give it time as the tannins and fruit melt together. Try in 2016.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2011 Oreno wraps around the palate with gorgeous resonance and silkiness. Mocha, cloves, leather and dark spices all add nuance to a core of voluptuous, racy fruit. This is a typical 2011 long on texture, resonance and early appeal. Readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off the 2011, as it is already striking. The style is ripe, intense and full-bodied, yet all the elements fall into place effortlessly.”
Le Cinciole Petresco, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2010 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “The 2010 Petresco shows the darker side of Sangiovese. Black cherries, plums, smoke, sage, tobacco and leather are all pushed forward in a big, powerful wine that is going to need time to soften and become fully expressive. Then again, the Cinciole wines have a way of blossoming in bottle, so it will be interesting to see what time brings.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Italy – Piedmont
G. B. Burlotto Langhe Freisa 2015 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
VinopolNote: “Freisa remains the lost red grape of Piedmont. Similar in some ways to Nebbiolo, it has the tannins and acidity of its cousin, but with richer fruit and a little bit of a wild side. Don’t expect anything too tame, but this is still Burlotto, so there’ll be an elegant edge.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $23
G. B. Burlotto Langhe Nebbiolo 2015 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
VinopolNote: “Made from younger vines, this shows the trademark elegant Burlotto style, with pretty black cherry and red plum fruit on the palate and signature orange zest and floral overlays on the nose. Bright, zippy and delicious.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $24.99
Germany
Joh. Jos. Prum Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2015 750ML ($29.95) $26 special
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points “This offers a gorgeous nose of white peach, cassis, grapefruit, smoke and herbs. The wine is very dynamic on the palate thanks to most zesty flavors of citrusy fruits as well as plenty herbal scents. The finish is off-dry in taste, very long and offers a great feel of freshness. This is a superb Kabinett to drink by the bottle. What a beauty! 2023-2035”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Joh. Jos. Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2015 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Joh. Jos. Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2015 1.5L ($99.95) $79 special
Mosel Fine Wines 92+ points “This is still quite reduced at first but already offers a gorgeous nose of dried herbs, spices, melon, almond (from reduction) and cassis. The wine reveals quite a playful side on the palate as its juicy fruits are wrapped into a mineral and smoky core of smoke. The wine is delicately ripe yet vibrant acidity brings freshness and liveliness to the long and mouth-watering finish. This is a superb Spätlese with even some upside potential. 2025-2045”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
This is the only listing in the USA today for the magnum!
Spain
Isaac Cantalapiedra Cantayano Verdejo, VdT Castilla y León 2015 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Wine Advocate 89 points “The 2015 Cantayano is a blend of Verdejo grapes from different organically farmed vineyards in the village of La Seca, fermented with natural yeasts mostly in stainless steel vats, but 10% of the volume in 500-liter oak barrels. It was kept with the full lees for eight months before bottling. 2015 was a warm and dry year, and the vines yielded some 5,000 kilos of grapes per hectare. It combines balsamic notes with hints of tropical fruit. The palate is fresh and balanced, with imperceptible oak.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Guimaro Finca Meixeman, Ribeira Sacra 2014 750ML ($41.95) $36 special
John Gilman 94+ points “The Finca Meixemaìn bottling from Pedro Rodriìguez is produced from seventy-five year- old Menciìa vines, with the fruit foot-trodden and raised in old oak barrels. The 2014 vintage of this fine single vineyard wine is stunning, with great nascent complexity already in evidence on both the nose and palate. The beautiful bouquet offers up a wild and classy blend of mulberry, pomegranate, graphite, a bit of bonfire, a beautifully complex base of slate minerality, balsam bough and chicory. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and tangy, with a sappy core, great soil signature, suave tannins and outstanding focus and grip and beautiful balance on the very long and nascently complex finish. This is a beautiful example of Ribeira Sacra- deep, complex and still light on its feet, with simply gorgeous complexity. It is very easy to drink already, but it is still a puppy and will be far better five to ten years down the road, as the wine has enormous potential! 2017-2050+”
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Give the Gift that Never Expires!
Can’t decide on the perfect gift?
Let them!
We offer gift certificates in any amount with no taxes, fees or expiration date.
Gift certificates are not available through our web store. To order, please stop in, call or email. We are happy to mail gift certificates to any domestic address at no charge.
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April Sales
We would have published them in our Saturday newsletter, but didn’t want to seem the fool!
Wind Gap Woodruff Vineyard Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains 2014 750ML ($49.95) Was $41.90, Now $39, 14 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 92+ points “The 2014 Chardonnay Woodruff is one of the most distinctive wines in the Wind Gap range. Candied lemon, white flowers, mint and a subtle hint of reduction are some of the signatures in this precise, crystalline Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay. The 2014 needs a few years to come into its own, but it is undeniably attractive and full of potential.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The average price is $50
Wind Gap ‘Soif’ Red Wine, North Coast 2015 750ML ($34.95) Was $28, Now $19, 20 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 90-92 points “The 2015 Old Vine Red Soif is a bit darker and richer than the 2014 tasted alongside it, but it captures the same energy and vibrancy. Dark red cherry, plum, licorice and spice meld together in a racy, voluptuous wine. There is so much to like here. The 2015 includes all three barrels of the Bedrock Mourvèdr that in the past has been bottled separately, along with dollops of Petite Sirah, Zinfandel and Carignane.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $26
Wind Gap Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, California 2014 750ML ($49.95) Was $39, Now $29, 24 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2014 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) is deep, pliant and incredibly inviting, with a fabulous combination of pliant fruit, expressive aromatics and superb persistence. Rose petal, mint, savory herbs and game add the closing shades of inflection. There is something (a lot) to be said for the wisdom of blending fruit from different sites to make a complete, balanced wine. Wine Gap’s appellation-level wines often prove that point eloquently, as is very much the case here.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $35
Wind Gap Woodruff Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains 2014 750ML ($49.95) Was $41.90, Now $39, 12 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 91+ points “The 2014 Pinot Noir Woodruff Vineyard is wonderfully lifted and aromatic, as it so often is. A pretty citrus/blood orange note leads to white pepper, sweet dried cherry and mint, all of which give the Woodruff an exotic, perfumed personality that is compelling. Gracious and light on its feet, this feminine Pinot will drink well for the better part of the next decade. The Woodruff was done with 100% whole clusters. In this vintage, the Woodruff is a touch compact, perhaps owing to the heavy fog that is often present. If the wine fleshes out in bottle, it could turn out to be even better than this note suggests.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $52.50
Wind Gap Nellessen Vineyard Syrah, Russian River Valley 2014 750ML ($49.95) Was $39, Now $36, 19 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2014 Syrah Nellessen Vineyard is a much more typical wine for Wind Gap. A range of dark red cherry, plum, spice and lavender give the 2014 much of its sensual, inviting personality. Expressive floral and savory notes give the 2014 a kick of freshness on the finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $44
Charles Smith K Vintners The Hustler Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2012 750ML ($149.95) Was $138, Now $119, 9 bottles available
Wine Advocate 95-97 points “Still in barrel at the time of this tasting, the 2012 Syrah The Hustler is a blockbuster-styled Syrah that’s overflowing with notions of sweet red and black fruits, toasted bread, cured meats and cedar. Only made in special vintages (it was previously made in ’03, ’07 and ’09) and aged 38 months in French oak, it’s full-bodied, decadent and layered, with a weightless, elegant, seamless feel. Coming all from the Morrison Lane Vineyard (it’s actually the Morrison Lane Syrah with extended barrel aging), it should be ready to go on release and dish out tons of pleasure over the following decade or more. The extended elevage has given this a more upfront feel, yet I suspect it will also allow it age more slowly as well.”
Charles Smith K Vintners Rock Garden Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2013 750ML ($69.95) Was $59, Now $47, 31 bottles available
Wine Advocate 95 points “More Northern Rhone in style, with lots of red and black fruits, olive, peppered meats and sweet fruit, the 2013 Syrah Rock Garden is seamless, downright sexy and layered on the palate, with a voluptuous, yet classy and focused texture. Like all of the Rhone blends from this estate, it was fermented with 100% whole clusters and aged mostly in neutral barrels and puncheons. Give bottles a year or two and enjoy over the following decade.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Reynvaan Family Vineyards The Unnamed Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2014 750ML ($79.95) Was $59, Now $49, 36+ bottles available
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “Incorporating 8% Grenache Blanc and from the Rocks region of Walla Walla, the 2014 The Unnamed Syrah offers a unique profile with pretty notes of white peach (from the Grenache Blanc no doubt), dried violets, plums and bouquet garni. Medium to full-bodied, supple, layered and beautifully balanced, it should shine right out of the gate, yet also evolve gracefully.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Reynvaan Family Vineyards ‘The Contender’ Syrah – Marsanne, Walla Walla Valley 2014 750ML ($99.95) Was $89, Now $59 – yes $59!, 36+ bottles available
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “Checking in as a mix of 94% Syrah and 6% Marsanne, the 2014 Syrah The Contender is another elegant, medium to full-bodied, layered wine from this estate that offers plenty of texture and length. Blackberries, violets, plums, pepper and hints of iron all emerge from this beauty, which can be enjoyed on release or cellared for a decade or more.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
J. Christopher ‘Abbey Ridge’ Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2014 750ML ($69.95) Was $59, Now $49, 8 bottles available
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “(25 percent new oak) Brilliant red. Powerful, spice-laced red berry and rose pastille scents are complemented by hints of smoky minerals and star anise. Juicy and precise on the palate, offering sappy bitter cherry and raspberry flavors that deepen and become sweeter on the back half. Delivers a serious punch of red fruit flavor but comes off lithe and elegant, finishing with impressive persistence and sneaky, fine-grained tannins.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
J. Christopher Lia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains 2013 750ML ($49.95) Was $41.90, Now $33, 9 bottles available
Winery note “Lia’s Vineyard is in the Chehalem Mountains AVA, just up the hill from the Olenik vineyard, but has a completely different style. Sourced from a block of mature vines of Wadensvil clone grown in volcanic soil. Engaging aroma of pure and delicate red fruits with an interesting hint of pine. It is fine and juicy on the palate with very subtle tannins and a finish that is long and supremely elegant. 73 cases produced.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The average price is $46
Poe Manchester Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir, Mendocino 2014 750ML ($57.95) Was $49, Now $39, 22 bottles available
Grapelive 93 points “The talented Samantha Sheehan’s POE wines are beautifully and artfully crafted wines from expressive cool climate sites, most in and around Anderson Valley and Mendocino County, except for her powerful Van der Camp Vineyard from Sonoma Mountain, her focus is classic Burgundy style Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Her 2014 wines offer everything that is lovely and graceful about these varietals, they are richly flavored, layered with poise, silky tannins and vibrant acidity, these pure and mineral driven wines make it hard to pick a favorite in the lineup, but I decided to highlight this gorgeous Manchester Ridge Vineyard Pinot from Mendocino Ridge, just because, honestly all of them are great, this is a label to get into! The nose has flinty spices, wonderful rose petal florals and red fruit, it shows a pure ruby and garnet hue in the glass and the satiny medium body gives the mouth a sublime textural feel without heaviness, while still being alive and full of energy, this is a top drawer effort from Sheehan. Black cherry, tangy plum and a hint of blueberry flow across the palate with dusty/chalky stones, rose hip tea spice, hints of cedar and a touch of cinnamon and smoky vanilla linger with wild raspberry and tart currant on the lengthy finish. This pretty Pinot Noir is a real charmer and seduces completely with stylish and classic detail, it should prove a winner in the cellar too, and while I think the firmer Van der Camp might go longer in distance, this beauty will gain with age, drink from, well, now until 2029 at least!”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $53.99
Poe Van der Kamp Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sonoma Mountain 2014 750ML ($49.95) Was $41.90, Now $36, 11 bottles available
Winery note “The Van der Kamp Vineyard lies at the very top of Sonoma Mountain, at a 1,400 foot elevation looking down on the town of Glen Ellen to the east and Bennett Valley to the northwest. It is possibly the oldest planting of Pinot Noir in the state, planted in the early 1950s. The Van der Kamp family handpicks the grapes at night, and we deliver it to the winery just before sunrise. Depending on the vintage, we ferment a percentage of the grapes whole cluster. We allow the fermentation to begin with native yeast, and gently foot tread the fermentation two to three times per day. The wine is aged on the lees for 12 months in 30% new French oak, 70% neutral French oak before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. Effortless, charming and feminine—this wine is sure to impress.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The average price is $49
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It’s Back, Baby
Final Release of ‘14
From Bergstrom
Bergstrom Wines Gregory Ranch Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2014 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 12 bottles available
Wine Spectator 94 points -Hot Wines- “Broad and spicy, with pepper, white chocolate and bay leaf overtones to the rich cherry and raspberry fruit. Glides into a generous and open-textured finish. Drink now through 2024.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Bright ruby-red. Assertively perfumed, displaying aromas of fresh red fruits, potpourri and Asian spices, and an exotic incense note that emerges with air. Juicy, penetrating and lithe, especially for the vintage, offering palate-staining raspberry and bitter cherry flavors complemented by sweet cola and smoky mineral qualities. The mineral note drives a very long, focused, vibrant finish, which is given grip by smooth tannins.”
James Suckling 92 points “Rich wine with velvety tannins and lots of fruit. Full body and round and juicy fruit. Tar and dried-fruit undertones here. Drink now.”
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Our Current
Shipping Promos:
We offer flat rate shipping to Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California, and Colorado. Here’s the scoop:
Single orders of any quantity of wines qualify for the flat rate;
this does not apply to orders held in storage for any reason
or multiple orders consolidated into one shipment.
The flat rate for each state is, as follows:
-to Oregon for $17,
-Washington & Idaho for $20,
-and California & Colorado for $25
Take Advantage of the Flat Rate!
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Arriving This Week
Opus One Proprietary Red, Napa Valley 2013 750ML ($279.95) $259 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 100 points “The greatest Opus ever. Terrific aromas of crushed black currants, blueberries and flowers with hints of sweet tobacco. Roses continue to exude opulence and class. Full body, superb balance of ultra-fine tannins and vibrant acidity. Complex aftertaste of black fruits and citrus fruit. Extremely persistent. So approachable now and enjoyable. But will be even better in 2019 and beyond. 79% cabernet sauvignon, 7% cabernet franc, 6% merlot, 6% petit verdot, 2% malbec. This will always be beautiful to drink.” (01/2016)
More from James Suckling: “Our Wine of the Year — Opus One Napa Valley 2013 — is a point of reference for America’s greatest reds…Beyond its impressive availability, the 2013 Opus One is of superb quality and character. The balance and density of the wine harkens back to classics like Heitz Martha’s Vineyard 1974 and Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1958. The Opus One 2013 is a shining star for Napa Valley and proves why this place is one of the most exciting winemaking regions in the world. No longer is the region obsessed with crude power and muscular wines. Napa has instead turned towards a new classicism of vibrant fruit and tension. Opus has all that and more.”
Also Arriving This Week:
Marchesi Antinori Tignanello Toscana IGT 2013 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
#8 Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2015
James Suckling 97 points “This is amazing on the nose with blackberry, black truffle, dried cherry and hints of tobacco. So complex on the nose. Almost no need to taste it. Full body, soft and velvety tannins, and a persistent, fabulous finish. The mouthfeel is magic. 80% sangiovese and 20% cabernet sauvignon. Drink or hold.”
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2013 Tignanello represents the beginning of a new chapter for Italy’s ultimate game-changer wine. The blend remains 80% Sangiovese with 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc but Renzo Cotarella tells me “stylistically-speaking, this is what we wanted to achieve.” The winemaking formula remains the same, but one of the major differences and benefits to this wine is vineyard age. The celebrated Tignanello single vineyard is now reaching 15 years old. In other words, it is in its production prime. This is a harmonious and beautifully integrated wine that reveals black fruit and baking spice.”
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “The 2013 Tignanello is a real knock-out. Rich and intense, but also linear in style, the 2013 is endowed with superb energy from start to finish. In this vintage, the Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc character is especially evident, especially in the aromatics. Today, the 2013 is tightly wound and not ready to show all of its cards. Readers will have to be patient with the 2013, but the wine has plenty to say. Above all else, this is a remarkable level of quality for a wine with Bordeaux First Growth production (but not price) often in excess of 25,000 cases.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Aromas of graphite, smoke and tobacco introduce the cherry flavor in this expressive, focused red. Firm tannins and lively acidity balance the fruit and purity, while herbal, spice and mineral elements all gather steam as this plays out on the long finish. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2017 through 2027.”
Terlato Family Vineyards Pinot Grigio Colli Orientali del Friuli, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2015 750ML ($24.95) $16 pre-arrival special
The Tasting Panel 93 points “No doubt this prestigious region in northeast Italy shines when it comes to white wines; an envious position on the world wine stage. This pretty, crisp white certainly shows ripeness in its concentrated notes of pear, peach and grapefruit but its stoney frame is a nod to the iconic mineral rich sloped terraced vineyards responsible for its pizazz and charm. The finish is clean, punctuated with an apricot accent.”
James Suckling 90 points “A rich and lightly oily pinot grigio with sliced mango and light banana aromas and flavors. Dense and flavorful. It’s a white that offers plenty of flavor and interest for the buck. Delicious finish. Drink now.”
Ulysse Collin ‘Les Maillons’ Rose de Saignee Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2013) 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: A cult rosé Champagne like no other – richly vinous and textural in expression. Tiny release! Olivier Collin spent his life working to free his family vines from a strict lease – even studying law with the intent to reclaim the vineyards. When he accomplished this goal in 2003, he quickly became a rising, if divisive, star in Champagne. His wines are profoundly introspective and challenge preconceived notions about what Champagne should be. At the forefront of the new wave of ultra-terroir-driven Champagnes, Olivier produces deeply vinous, mineral and near-tannic wines. True to their terroir, these are reflections of the individual parcels and a tribute to a decades-long struggle to reclaim the land.
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Domaine Jean Foillard Morgon Les Charmes Eponym, Beaujolais 2014 750ML ($39.95) $36 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 93 points “Ruby-red. Vibrant black raspberry, cherry and lavender scents, along with suggestions of star anise, smoky minerals and blood orange. Concentrated yet lithe and precise, offering bitter cherry and red and dark berry flavors enlivened by tangy acidity. Silky tannins shape the finish, which lingers with strong, spicy persistence and resonating florality.”
Domaine Jean Foillard Morgon Cuvee Corcelette, Beaujolais 2015 750ML ($39.95) $36 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 93 points “Subtle and earthy with perfumed plum and cherry aromas that follow through to a full body, juicy fruit and a lovely finish. Subtle center palate of fruit here. Beautiful balance. From one of the the light climats in Morgon. Made from organic grapes. Drink now.”
Domaine Jean Foillard Morgon Cote du Py, Beaujolais 2015 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 95 points “Gorgeous aromas of stems and spices with crushed berries and beautiful florals. Coffee beans and charcoal, too. Medium body, firm and silky tannins and lovely caressing fruit. Very long and delicious. Made from organic grapes. Very drinkable now but better in a year or two.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Galerie Wines ‘Pleinair’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2012 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Robert Parker 91 points “The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Pleinair spent 18 months in 58% new French oak before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. This elegant, stylish Cabernet Sauvignon, created from four different sources in Napa, exhibits a deep ruby/purple color as well as textured, blueberry, red and blackcurrant fruit, cedarwood and background toast, and a medium to full-bodied, plush style. There are 1,100 cases of this beauty that sells at a realistic price. Drink it over the next decade or more.”
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Spectacular Burgundy
ONLY 6 BOTTLES AVAILABLE
Arriving Late April
Domaine du Clos de Tart ‘Clos de Tart’ Grand Cru Monopole 2014 750ML ($519.95) $438 pre-arrival special
Neal Martin – Wine Advocate 95-97 points “The 2014 Clos de Tart Grand Cru will contain 40% whole bunch fruit in the final. It was picked from September 17 until September 22. This blend that I tasted included the young vines at the bottom of the vineyard that may or may not be deselected to make a Forge de Tart (the decision will be made next year). It is also the first vintage that does not include old vines at the northwest corner that were pulled up in spring 2014, due to be replanted in four years’ time. It has a very well defined bouquet with cranberry and wild strawberry fruit, fine mineral tones and is quite harmonious with hints of wet limestone. The palate is medium-bodied and I feel this has tightened up since I tasted it in September 2015. The fruit also seems a little darker. Blackberry and wild cherry, with a hint of cola and certainly more tangible mineralité on the finish, as you can feel the mouth tingling long after it has bid adieu.”
Decanter 96 points “Vibrant, ripe blackberry plus delicate notes of rose, a gorgeous silky texture and sweet-spice finish. I tasted the seven parcels that make-up this final wine and it’s clear there’s a sensational synergy in the blending.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $449
The average price is $481
Thank you for reading!