Vinopolpick Monday Bonus 10-5-20

New Week – New Arrivals

 

Oregon

St. Innocent Freedom Hill Vineyard Pinot Blanc, Willamette Valley 2016 750ML ($21.95) $16 special
Wine Enthusiast “Editors’ Choice” 92 points “This delicious, sexy wine impresses with its leesy, textural mouthfeel, its mountain spring freshness, it’s crisp lemon and grapefruit flavors, and its underlying minerality. One-quarter was fermented in neutral French oak, the rest in stainless steel. A dash of minty wintergreen trails the finish.”
 

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Bow & Arrow Chenin Blanc, Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
 

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Cameron Winery Supernatural Rouge de Gris, Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Winery note “This supernatural wizard wine will knock you off your hairy hobbit feet. Made from late harvest Pinot gris fermented  for 1 month in amphora then aged in neutral barrels for 2 years, this light red wine has structure and pizzazz that will make your tastebuds smile. A wonderful cherry hue, with the aromatics of summer stone fruit, this wine will be a magical match with most cuisines.”
 

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Flaneur Wines Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($31.95) $24.40 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 90 points “Bright ruby. Spice-tinged cherry and black raspberry on the deeply perfumed nose. Smooth and nicely concentrated, offering bitter cherry and dark berry flavors that take on a floral quality with air. In an ample but energetic style, finishing supple and long, with repeating cherry and spice notes. 5% new oak.”
 

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Flaneur Wines Cuvee Constantin Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2017 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Vivid magenta. Fresh black raspberry, cherry, baking spices and a hint of mocha on the highly perfumed nose. Sweet, palate-caressing red and blue fruit and spicecake flavors show good depth and pick up floral pastille and smoky notes with aeration. Shows a seamless, velvety texture and turns spicier on a long, subtly tannic finish that echoes the red fruit and floral notes. 31% new oak.”
 

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California

Marietta Cellars Angeli Cuvee, Alexander Valley 2018 750ML ($39.95) $29 special
Antonio Galloni 91-94 points “Marietta’s 2018 Zinfandel Angeli is dark, sumptuous and super-expressive. Inky dark plum, blueberry, mint, spice, lavender and licorice infuse the 2018 with striking depth and character. Readers will find a powerful Zinfandel with the structure and personality to age gracefully for many years.”
 

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Quintessa Red, Rutherford 2016 750ML ($199.95) $149 special
James Suckling 98 points “Phenomenal aromas of crushed berries, forest fruit, mushrooms and iron. Medium to full body, with layers of soft and refined tannins that follow through to a beautiful finish. Extremely long and refined. This shows depth and structure with balance and harmony. Hard not to open the bottle now and drink it, but it appears to be closing down now. Needs four to five years to show it all.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97+ points “The 2016 Proprietary Red Wine is blended of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Carménère, with all fruit coming from the Quintessa estate, and it aged for 20 months in 73% new French oak. Very deep purple-black in color, it comes bounding out of the glass like a pedigree pup with exuberant notions of crème de cassis, warm blueberries and black cherries with hints of redcurrants, kirsch, candied violets, crushed rocks, cigar box and fallen leaves plus a waft of truffles. Full, rich and beautifully laced with layers of floral notes and fragrant earth, the profound black and blue fruits build slowly in the mouth, achieving great energy and depth with a beautiful velvety frame, finishing long and perfumed.”
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “The 2016 Proprietary Red is a beauty based on 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Carménère, all of which spent 20 months in just over 70% new French oak. This inky purple colored 2016 offers a perfumed, complex bouquet of sweet crème de cassis, Asian spices, lead pencil, and cedarwood. Full-bodied and plenty powerful, it shines even more for its flawless balance, polished tannins, and great finish. This is a quintessential, rich, elegant Napa Bordeaux blend to enjoy over the coming two decades or more.”
Decanter 95 points “Black cherry, grilled sage and cedar aromatics, smooth tannins and sweet black cherry fruits on the palate. Relatively low acidities but feels well in balance and this is structured and confident with flesh and laid back confident appeal. 70% new oak. Carménère and Petit Verdot complete the blend.”


Champagne

Noel Bazin L’Unanime Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($59.95) $44 special
Winery note “[Translated and edited for clarity] 100% Montagne de Reims Chardonnay (a rarity). The wine is 50% 2017, 40% reserve wine from Solera, and 10% reserve wine raised in oak. The nose is floral. Acacia and Granny Smith apple notes give a beautiful impression of finesse and freshness. The palate is fresh, fruity and delicious with great elegance due to the Chardonnay from the village of Villers-Marmery.”


Marie Courtin Concordance Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut, Champagne 2015 750ML ($119.95) Was $75, Now $69 special
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2015 Extra Brut Concordance Sans Soufre (100% Pinot Noir) is bright, precise and absolutely gorgeous. Dominique Moreau seems to have really dialed in her approach over the last few years. I can’t remember tasting a Concordance with this much translucent energy. Pinot Noir in the Aube has rarely been this weightless and nuanced. The purity of the flavors is just striking. No dosage.”


Marie Courtin Efflorescence Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut, Champagne 2014 750ML ($99.95) Was $61.90, Now $59 special
No reviews yet for the 2014 vintage – Reviews for 2013 vintage provided for reference.
Antonio Galloni 94 points “A complete and wonderfully nuanced wine, the 2013 Extra Brut Efflorescence is fabulous. Bright and sculpted to the core, the 2013 exudes energy. Chalk, mint, jasmine and orchard fruit add complexity, but it is the wine’s overall balance that is most impressive. The Efflorescence offers striking translucence and energy from start to finish. The non-dosé style is especially successful here. Disgorged in April 2017 with no dosage.”
“Efflorescence is from an east-facing vineyard with 40-year-old vines (sélection massale) on Kimmeridgian soils. Fermented and aged for one year in pièces and 36 months on the second lees before the disgorgement…” –Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate, writing on the 2013 vintage
 

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Jean Lallement et Fils Reserve Grand Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($69.95) Was $59, Now $49 special
80% 2013, 20% 2014, Aug ’18 disgorgement
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The NV Brut Resérve is a gorgeous wine. Finely cut and chiseled, the Resérve captures the savory energy and tension that are such signatures of Verzenay and Verzy, the two Grand Cru villages that inform this cuvée. The interplay of rich Pinot fruit with chiseled style that is a signature of these sites makes for an absolutely compelling Champagne. Dried herbs, graphite, white pepper and game add striking Pinot inflections throughout. Lallement is a tiny domaine with just four hectares of vineyards. Because of that, the wines naturally don’t enjoy a ton of visibility. The Brut Resérve is absolutely brilliant though, and well worth your attention. Disgorged: August 21, 2018.”
 

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France

Clos Sainte Magdeleine ‘Marie de Magdala’ Rose, IGP Bouches-du-Rhone 2018 750ML ($47.95) $39 special
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 93 points “Shimmering salmon skin. Displays vibrant, mineral-accented red berry and blood orange scents, along with a sexy floral overtone that gains strength with air. Juicy and sharply focused on the palate, offering intense red currant, strawberry, orange peel and lavender flavors that deftly combine power and delicacy. Finishes with sharp delineation and superb, mineral-driven persistence, leaving a sexy floral note behind.”
Kermit Lynch Note “This is a 100% Grenache rosé—the only such rosé we import—from some of Clos Sainte Magdeleine’s highest-altitude vines. Notes of peaches, sea spray, and strawberries come together in a gorgeously balanced, medium-bodied wine that you will want to drink all year.”
 

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Domaine Vincent Paris Cornas La Geynale, Rhone 2018 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Josh Raynolds 95 points “Opaque ruby. Highly aromatic aromas of ripe black and blue fruits, incense, exotic spices, violet and a hint of olive. Densely packed and lively on the palate, offering intense dark berry liqueur, floral pastille and salty olive flavors, a hint of smoky minerality and building spiciness. Finishes chewy, focused and extremely long, with mounting tannins lending shape and grip to vivid dark fruit and floral notes.”
Jeb Dunnuck 94-96+ points “The 2018 Cornas La Geynale is largely in the same style as the Granit 60, only with the gamey, bloody and meaty character (as well as tannins) turned up a notch. Black and blue fruits, rare meat, ground pepper, and wild herbs all give way to a structured, tannic wine that has beautiful purity and elegance. It’s not for those looking for instant gratification, however. This cuvée comes from a single parcel, is not destemmed, and will see 16 months in 2- to 8-year-old barrels.”
 

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Italy

Siro Pacenti Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Ian D’Agata-Vinous 92 points “Pale red; this wine’s very pretty color strikes me as being one of the less dark Rossos made by Pacenti in years. Inviting floral notes (rose, violet) complement strawberry, red cherry and delicate flint and herb aromas. Then very fresh and juicy, with a steely quality to the red fruit and herb flavors that are really perked up by a strong peppery component on the long, lively youthfully chewy finish. Made from 15 years old Sangiovese vines, this is a really lovely fruit-forward and also surprisingly spicy Rosso di Montalcino. 25% new oak for 12 -3 months.”
 

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Siro Pacenti Pelagrilli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2015 750ML ($59.95) $47 special
James Suckling 96 points “Such lovely aromas of flowers and red fruit with some cedar and spice. Hot terra cotta. Full-bodied, very round and soft textured with beautiful fruit and balance. Fresh and vivid. Such balance and beauty. Drink or hold.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “The Siro Pacenti 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Pelagrilli is a rich and pleasing wine with very nice aromatics. Of these two new releases, the Pelagrilli is more characteristic of Tuscany and Sangiovese. The Vecchie Vigne expression tastes far more international or contemporary (read: it has more oak flavors) in comparison. I tend to prefer this wine especially in a vintage like 2015 that is so naturally expressive and powerful to begin with. The bouquet opens to dried cherry with dusty mineral notes and dried Mediterranean herb. On the the finish, you taste some of that sweetness that comes with aging in French barrique. Some 23,000 bottles were released in January 2020.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Effusive aromas and flavors of black currant, black cherry, plum and spice mark this generous, polished red. Well-structured, picking up earth and iron accents for good measure. Shows terrific balance and a long finish. Best from 2022 through 2042. 1,900 cases made, 680 cases imported.”
 

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Lisini Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Decanter 96 points “With vineyards between Sant’Angelo in Colle and Castelnuovo dell’Abate on the inner edge of the Sesta district, Lisini’s vineyards are cleansed by constant breezes from the Tuscan Coast. Stony soils with an important underpinning of limestone as well as elevations over 300 metres help preserve freshness in their wines. The 2015 is beautifully fragrant, almost exotic in character. Plump red fruit and sweet summer herbs fill the mouth but rather than being heavy, this is poised and transparent. Ample powdery tannins are fine and lead to a tangy marine finish.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “A serious, brooding red, with ripe cherry and strawberry flavors offsetting the beefy tannins. Loam, iron and almond notes chime in. Balanced and long overall. Best from 2023 through 2042. 2,500 cases made, 700 cases imported.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 94 points “The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino dark and rich, showing ripe black cherries and plum, with layers of haunting florals, exotic brown spice and smoky mineral tones. On the palate, a wave of polished textures wash across the senses, ushering in juicy black cherry with sweet herbal and floral undertones, with zesty spices and vibrant acidity adding a refreshing quality. The finish is long and remarkably fresh, an example of how the warmth of Sant’Angelo in Colle can be tempered by a deft hand, as fine tannins come forward, balanced by mouthwatering acidity and punctuated by residual pure red berry fruit. It’s a wine that’s very easy to love, with near term appeal and potential for the cellar.”
 

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La Miraja Grignolino d’Asti, Piedmont 2019 750ML ($24.95) $18.50 special
Importer note “Beautiful floral notes of rose hip, violet, and geranium. Delicate, bright red fruit dominated by bing cherry mingles with fresh mushroom. An underlying vein of stony minerality lends both texture and levity to this delightful bottling.”
 

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Ca’ La Bionda Valpolicella Classico, Veneto 2019 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
Winery note “70 % Corvina, 20% Corvinone, 10% Rondinella and Molinara. The wine opens with a nose of fresh red fruits and floral notes that recall violets. Elegant and light, this wine is all about freshness and easy drinking, a wine to drink everyday in good company and with a wide variety of Italian style foods from pasta to roast meats.”
 

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Paolo Scavino Rocche dell’Annunziata Riserva, Barolo DOCG 2013 750ML ($219.95) $199 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2013 Barolo Rocche dell’Annunziata Riserva was released in January of 2019, and once again it looks to be a top prize. Licorice and flowers dominate the bouquet, and its beautiful red fruit is generous throughout. This wine has always been a beauty and consistently has had a high price tag to reflect that quality, going back to the first vintages of the 1990s. It has regularly sold for about $200 every year for the last decade. These vines are old, some of them very old (reaching the ripe age of 60 years old in 1990s, when many of them were replanted with carefully selected clones), producing an elegance and concentration that brings intensity and a high standard of aromas. This Barolo without a doubt shows its pedigree and a quality of noble perfumes that demonstrate characteristics of the greatest Nebbiolo vintages, all delivered with excellent concentration. The magic lingers on the palate, right up to the finish.”
James Suckling 95 points “Aromas of white truffles and dried red cherries here with an earthy nuance that makes for a complex and compelling nose. The palate has a deep and dense shape and delivers a wide array of rich cherry and plum flavors. Some handy spice here, too. Drink or hold.”


Paolo Scavino Cannubi, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($119.95) $99 special
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 99 points “Perfumed berry, fragrant purple flowers, chopped mint and baking spice are just some of the aromas you’ll find on this drop-dead gorgeous wine. Impeccably balanced, structured, and loaded with finesse, it boasts a smooth texture, doling out juicy Marasca cherry, raspberry compote, licorice and white pepper alongside a backbone of polished tannins and fresh acidity. Drink 2024–2036.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 97 points “The Paolo Scavino 2016 Barolo Cannubi is another wine that should greatly interest avid collectors. It will not be produced after the 2018 vintage, but this 2016 vintage awards us with first-rate quality and precision, making for a memorable send-off. This expression from Cannubi offers tight and aromatic fruit with wild cherry, rose petal and powdered licorice root. It also shows a slightly dusty or mineral quality with finely nuanced tannins and a tapered or streamlined mouthfeel that adds to its delicate elegance. The effect here is polished with glossy intensity.”
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2016 Barolo Cannubi is a striking wine. Deep, rich and beautifully layered, the 2016 has it all. Rose petal, mint, star anise, blood orange and raspberry open up first, followed by a cascade of red fruit and floral notes that literally soar out of the glass. The Cannubi possesses tremendous textural resonance in a style that balances the sensuality of this site with a good deal of structure. It is also one of the wines in this lineup that was aged entirely in cask.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “A bright, elegant red, delivering pure cherry, strawberry and rose aromas and flavors, with a hint of wild herb. Though harmonious and delicate, this has a firm structure underneath, and the finish is long and resonant. The aftertaste echoes with fruit and floral notes, adding spice to the mix. Best from 2022 through 2042. 275 cases made, 100 cases imported.”

 

 

Castell’in Villa

Pre-Arrivals & Back Vintages from a Tuscan Classic
 

 

In Chianti, there are the producers who you know you can reliably produce a beautiful example of Sangiovese. We talk about our favorites regularly, and we’ve flown the Castell’in Villa flag before, but with every release that trickles out of the cellar we feel we the need to remind collectors that these wines follow a very old school flavor profile, and will last for decades. The history of Castell’in Villa under Principessa Coralia Pignatelli della Leone is not terribly long by Chianti standards, but the quality is undeniable. Even the entry level Rosso will age for up to five+ years, the Riserva continuing on for decades further. The single vineyard selection, Poggio della Rosa is downright hedonistic in the 10-15 year window, and shows incredible care in the vineyard and cellar. The Santacroce, their only blended wine shows a beautiful and judicious use of Cabernet Sauvignon, grafted over their Canaiolo that was eliminated from the vineyard. 

There is a moment when you’re studying for blind tasting when a certain wine clicks: color, aromatics, flavor profile, and finish all seem to imprint indelibly. Dried tart cherries, herbs and floral notes, all backed up with a red earth dustiness that adds so much character with time. They seem timeless and perfect on the table with anything you’d like to throw together. This being said, it has become easy to find Chianti that is rushed to market, disjointed and flabby, missing the fresh acidity that is a hallmark of this food friendly wine. This is not the case with Castell’in Villa; the Principessa prides herself on how long the wines age for and the winery keeps (and releases) significant library wines. They’re significant both in age and also in importance—it’s very hard to find older Chianti in the secondary market (most collectors who buy Castell’in Villa are loathe to sell it). These are reference point wines, capable of lasting decades, and being utterly profound experiences.

We’ve got several cellar releases on hand, but we’re receiving the 2016 Classico Riserva and 2019 La Gazzarina Rosso in December. The 2019 Rosso will lift any dinner with perfect acidity and structure. And the $18 price point makes it one to enjoy all the time. If you’ve had any of the 2016 Chiantis released from other producers, you know it is Sangiovese on another level. The harmony between the structured, athletic fruit and spot on acidity will be the building blocks for possibly one of the best Riservas from a vintage full of incredible wines. We secured as much as we could get our hands on, knowing that the 2016 Riserva will be one for the ages. Putting six to twelve down for twenty years will be something you will never regret at only $29 per bottle. Try finding a comparable Burgundy or even Bordeaux at that price point and see which is the star of the show. 

These wines are truly a gift to enjoy over the long haul. Cracking the Gazzarina now won’t disappoint, but if you want to fully enjoy the Riserva, expect them to take a day to truly show the full depth of what is in the bottle. Better yet, buy a case of the Gazzarina and stash 6 Riserva away till the mid-Thirties. Truly a fantastic experience.


Pre-Arrivals ETA December:

Castell’in Villa Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($34.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Castell’in Villa Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($219.95) $165 pre-arrival special
 

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Castell’in Villa La Gazzarina Rosso, Tuscany 2019 750ML ($21.95) $18 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Castell’in Villa La Gazzarina Rosso, Tuscany 2019 750ML ($239.95) $195 pre-arrival special
 

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Back Vintages in Stock Now from Castell’in Villa:

Castell’in Villa ‘Poggio delle Rose’, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2006 750ML ($149.95) $119 special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “[Reviewed Jun 2012] The 2006 Chianti Classico Riserva Poggio delle Rose brings together all of the best elements of this site and house style. Firm tannins frame a core of deeply expressive, opulent fruit in this full-throttle, huge Chianti Classico. Threads of sweet perfumed fruit run through the 2006 as it shows off its class and personality. Mint, flowers and sweet red berries punctuate the explosive finish. This is a dazzling showing from Castell’in Villa.”
 

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Castell’in Villa ‘Poggio delle Rose’, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2009 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 1 bottle in stock now
***Label shows significant wear***
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “Castell’in Villa’s 2009 Chianti Classico Riserva Poggio delle Rose captures the generosity of the vintage while retaining a gorgeous sense of freshness and energy. Red stone fruit, tobacco, menthol, sage and leather nuances are bright and nicely focused, but with the additional breadth provided by the warm vintage. A long, silky finish rounds things out in style.”
 

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Castell’in Villa ‘Poggio delle Rose’, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 1996 750ML ($159.95) $128 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points “[Reviewed Jun 2012] The 1996 Chianti Classico Riserva Poggio delle Rose emerges from the glass with generous fruit, which is given additional volume and richness from the French oak. The 1996 is a big, big wine, especially within the context of the vintage. Because 1996 is the debut vintage, the percentage of new barrels is higher than in subsequent years, and the wine remains marked by the oak. Smoke, licorice and tar wrap around a muscular finish supported by firm, insistent tannins.”
 

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Castell’in Villa Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2005 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “[Reviewed Jun 2012] The 2005 Chianti Classico Riserva is an impressive wine for the vintage. It boasts a serious core of fruit backed up by considerable structure. The sheer purity and delineation is fabulous. I won’t at all be surprised if the 2005 blossoms into an even better wine than this note suggests. There is no shortage of potential. Ideally the 2005 should be cellared for at least a few years.”
 

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Castell’in Villa Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2008 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Ian D’agata–Vinous 92+ points “Good bright red. Nose began closed and brooding, but showed vibrant notes of redcurrant, mint and dried flowers with aeration, complicated by a strong mineral quality. Sweet and nicely lush in the mouth, with suave flavors of redcurrant, herbs and tobacco joined on the back end by a very strong element of gunflint. The long finish features a firm acid spine and youthfully chewy but noble tannins.”
 

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Castell’in Villa Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2010 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Decanter 95 points “Susan Hulme MW: Initially reticent on the nose, with an edgy, nervy, vibrant style on the palate. Tenacious and assertive. Andrew Jefford: Its aromatic profile is soft and refined but very tempting, while on the palate it’s smooth, elegant and fine, offering great ripeness and tenderness. Gorgeous stuff. Monty Waldin: Well-constructed and offering lots of depth while being focused and bright, with a notable ‘Chiantiness’. Tannins are quite dense but it has the fruit to match. Drinking Window 2019 – 2024. Castell’in Villa is a small estate in the commune of Castelnuovo Berardenga, at the southern end of the Chianti Classico region. While the estate has a long history, dating back to the 13th century, its present reputation for long-lived wine stems from the current owner, Princess Coralia Pignatelli della Leonessa, who bought the estate in 1968. With a firm commitment to local, traditional winemaking, this riserva is made entirely of Sangiovese from the best plots on the property. The wine is aged in traditional botti (large oval barrels) for two to three years, depending on the vintage. “
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “The 2010 Chianti Classico Riserva is fabulous. Powerful and classically austere, the 2010 oozes with class. A host of black cherry, plum, licorice, sage and lavender overtones develop with time in a complex wine that is going to need quite a few years to be at its best. The 2010 Riserva will thrill readers who appreciate firm, structured wines built for cellaring.”
 

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Castell’in Villa Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 1993 750ML ($249.95) $219 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points “[Reviewed Jun 2012] The 1993 Chianti Classico Riserva is another stunning wine. It boasts gorgeous depth and purity, not to mention fabulous overall balance. Sweet dark cherries, licorice, mint and spices are woven together in this fleshy, supple Riserva. The firm tannins are there, but the 1993 has more than enough fruit to stand up to the wine’s structural components. Today the 1993 comes across as slightly smaller scaled version of the 1990. This is a fabulous wine with at least another decade of fine drinking ahead of it.”
 

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Castell’in Villa Santacroce Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2004 750ML ($119.95) $99 special
Antonio Galloni 93 points “[Reviewed Jun 2012] The 2004 Santacroce is silky, layered and impeccably balanced. Sweet red roses, red berries and spices are all woven together beautifully in this refined, expressive wine. This is a lovely showing. The 2004 captures the essence of the 2004 vintage in a relatively soft, supple style built for near and mid-term enjoyment.”
 

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Love Chianti?  We have over 30 wines from Chianti currently available.
Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Castello Di Ama, Felsina, Isole e Olena and more, on our web store!
 

 

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In Stock Now:

Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone 2019 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
Grapelive 93 points “The deep purple/blue/garnet 100% Syrah Cotes du Rhone from Saint Cosme is without question one of the world’s greatest values and this 2019 vintage is thrillingly delicious with wonderful purity and layers of boysenberry, black cherry, plum and blueberry coulis along with some spicy accents, a hint of earth, graphite and salty melted black licorice. Louis Barruol’s Chateau de Saint Cosme is one of the Rhone’s finest producers, most famous for the estate’s classic Gigondas bottlings from his ancient and historic cellars at the site of a Gallo-Roman villa from the 1400s….The latest vintage of Saint Cosme’s Co^tes du Rho^ne Rouge was crafted using Syrah grapes that were partially de-stemmed with some whole cluster from vines set on sandy limestone, red clay and pebbles on Villafranchian terraces and it was fermented and aged solely in tank. This 2019 is concentrated and impressive in the mouth adding pretty touches of violets and wild sage to its array of opulent dark fruits and lingering creme de cassis, this little Cotes du Rhone is simply outstanding, as goes without saying it’s a steal at the price. Even Barruol is saying the 2019 is one of the best versions he’s made, rivaling his 2010, and I couldn’t agree more, this is a vintage you’ll want to stock up on. Known as a Grenache specialist, Barruol is quite handy with Syrah, he also has made some fantastic Northern Rhone wines from purchased grapes, these include a brilliant collection of Hermitage, Saint-Joseph, Cote-Rotie and Crores-Hermitage bottlings, all which are worth searching out. Most recently, Barruol added the Chateau de Rouanne in Vinsobres to his lineup and this property is very exciting, with the first efforts here showing amazing potential. There’s so to admire in Saint Cosme’s latest set it’s hard to stay focused, but this edition of their Cotes du Rhone deserves a lot of attention, be sure not to miss it!”
Importer Note “Saint Cosme Côtes-du-Rhône is produced from 100% Syrah and is from the rocky and cool vineyards of Vinsobres and the stony Villafranchian terraces of the Gard. Vinsobres brings freshness and complexity while the terraced vineyards of the Gard contribute color and power. The wine is partially destemmed, fermented with natural yeasts, and vinified in concrete vats. Syrah requires a warm climate to fully ripen but enough moderating effect to produce intense, aromatic wines that are not overwhelmed by sweetness and alcohol. This Syrah grows in ideal terroirs of the southern Rhône and shows the varietal’s typical spicy notes of sandalwood, violets, and black pepper.”


Domaine Vincent Paris Cornas Granit 60, Rhone 2018 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Wine Advocate 95-97 points “Paris’s 2018 Cornas Granit 60 boasts remarkably pure notes of cracked pepper, blueberries and raspberries. Full-bodied, lush and creamy, it perfectly captures the ripe essence of Syrah, then adds a firm grounding of crushed stone and firm tannins on the finish. It should have close to two decades of longevity.”
Josh Raynolds 94 points “Saturated violet. Spice-tinged dark berries, potpourri, olive and exotic spices on the highly perfumed nose. Juicy, focused and appealingly sweet, offering densely packed black raspberry, cherry and candied violet flavors supported by a spine of juicy acidity. Gently chewy tannins add grip to an impressively persistent, mineral- and spice-tinged finish that strongly repeats the floral note.”
Jeb Dunnuck 94-96 points “More peppery, granite, and, meaty notes emerge from the 2018 Cornas Granit 60, and it too is full-bodied, beautifully textured, and layered. It’s more focused and serious than the fruit-forward Granit 30 and is going to benefit from bottle age. Coming from 50-year-old vines, this cuvée is 70% destemmed and brought up in used barrels.”


Petrolo Torrione Valdarno di Sopra, Tuscany 2014 750ML ($39.95) $21.90 special
Case-12 Petrolo Torrione Valdarno di Sopra, Tuscany 2014 750ML ($449.95) $236 special
James Suckling 92 points “A refined and silky rendition of this wine with pretty berry, citrus and light chocolate. Medium body. Chilled and delicious. Drink now.”
 

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Delas Freres Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon, Rhone 2015 750ML ($44.95) $31.90 special
Case-6 Delas Freres Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon, Rhone 2015 750ML ($279.95) $179 special
Wine Advocate 93 points “Inky and concentrated, the 2015 Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon is no easy-drinking Saint-Joseph. It’s smoky, herbal and ashy all at once, yet it’s buoyed by ample black cherry fruit and vibrant acidity. This medium to full-bodied Syrah has plenty of tannins, but they’re ultimately silky and most apparent on the long, licorice-tinged finish. This is approachable now but should be even better in 3 years and should drink well for at least another 10 after that.”
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Both Saint Joseph releases are brilliant in 2015. The 2015 Saint Joseph François De Tournon comes vines around Tournon, Mauves, Saint-Jean-de-Muzols, and Vion, and is always destemmed and aged in 30% new barrels. This full-bodied, rounded, sexy beauty shows the power and fruit of the vintage. With classic notes of black and blue fruits, violets, incense and pepper, drink this textured, expansive, terrific Saint Joseph over the coming 10-15 years.”
 

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Domaine Vincent Paris Cornas Granit 30, Rhone 2016 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92-94 points “(no new oak) Opaque ruby. Potent, mineral-accented dark berry scents are complicated by floral oil and peppery spice nuances. Smooth and seamless on the palate, offering gently sweet black raspberry, blueberry and violet pastille flavors that become livelier with air. Sappy and open-knit, closing with solid thrust, silky, even tannins and strong persistence.”
Jeb Dunnuck 91 points “The 2016 Cornas Granit 30 is another winner from this estate. Ultra-pure notes of cassis, blackberries, leafy herbs, liquid violets and pepper all emerge from the glass. It’s balanced, medium to full-bodied, and textured on the palate, with the balance and purity that this estate has become known for front and center.”
Wine Advocate 90-92 points “The 2016 Cornas Granit 30 had been blended and was in tank awaiting bottling during my visit. Medium to full-bodied, it’s already almost drinkable, showing attractive and classic notes of crushed stone, blood and cherries, reasonably supple tannins and charming blueberries on the finish.”
 

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Familia Nin-Ortiz ‘Nit de Nin’ Mas d’en Cacador, Priorat DOCa 2017 750ML ($119.95) $99 special
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 97+ points “The 2017 Nit de Nin Mas d’en Caçador is a vintage they talk about like this: “We will remember this vintage as one of the most extreme of the decade, along with that of 2012. It is in years like these that the work we do in the field is rewarded. In spite of the climatic exceptionality, we have acidity and pH that seem like a miracle to us. Our vines did not suffer the severe frosts of this 2017.” The wine has lower alcohol than the 2016 but the same pH of 3.3; insultingly young and tender, it doesn’t feel like the wine had a long élevage in oak. It has kept very good freshness and great balance. It’s tasty, pungent and long, with power and elegance and all the components to develop nicely in bottle. 1,440 bottles were filled in April 2019.”
 

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Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Grosses Gewächs, Nahe 2019 750ML ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 99 points “The enveloping, peachy aroma with just a whisker of fresh pineapple leads into a mind-boggling micro-cosmos of flavor that’s simultaneously rich, yet also supernaturally delicate. Sublime balance through the enormously long finish. Great aging potential. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96-97 points “The 2019 Riesling GG Hermannshöhle offers a pure, intense, complex and flinty bouquet with dashes of lemon juice and crushed stones. On the palate, this is a full-bodied, intense and salty-mineral Riesling with great finesse, tension, balance and site expression. The finish is very long, salty and tight yet stimulating in its bright and precise nature. A fantastic Hermannshöhle! Tasted as a sample in Bremen, April 2020.”
 

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