In Today’s Newsletter:
6 Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2020
Available Now!
Italian Subscriber Specials
A Popular Subscriber Special Encore
Durand’s Distinguished Northern Rhônes
Staff Pick
Artuke Pies Negro
Santa Duc’s Regal Gigondas
Brovia’s Old-School Barolos
6 Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2020
Available Now!
Each year the Wine Spectator’s top 100 list is one of the industry’s most eagerly awaited announcements. And with one of the nation’s widest selections of fine wine, we always have a number of the fortunate wines in stock on announcement day. This year is no different, and we’re proud to offer several at national best pricing.
In Stock Now:
#9 in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 2020
Beaux Frères ‘The Beaux Frères Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2018 750ML ($109.95) $84 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95 points “Brilliant ruby. Intense red and blue fruit, floral and spice qualities on the highly perfumed nose, along with hints of cola and licorice. Juicy and precise, offering concentrated raspberry, boysenberry and floral pastille flavors that take on a five-spice-powder nuance with air. Plays power off delicacy with a sure hand and finishes extremely long and silky, with polished tannins framing lingering red fruit and candied rose notes. 45% new oak.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “A wine of presence and expression, impeccably structured yet elegantly layered, with evocative raspberry, rose petal and brown baking spice notes that pick up richness and tension toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2029. 3,088 cases made.”
James Suckling 96 points “This is a trademark, deeply rich impression with an unctuous, violet-flower layer, together with blueberries, cherries and sweetly toasty woody spices, as well as forest wood and fresh, leafy and sappy nuances. The palate has a very succulent, fresh and lithe, almost tangy feel, delivering such succulent, mouthwatering energy at the finish. Ready now, but better from 2024.”
#20 in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 2020
Caiarossa ‘Pergolaia’ Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($29.95) $26 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “Flavors of black cherry and blackberry stand up to the dense tannins in this fresh, deep and intense red, but this is equally about the vibrant acidity driving the fruit, wild herb nuances and spice-infused aftertaste. Sangiovese with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2022 through 2040. 4,700 cases made, 1,200 cases imported.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 92 points “Mostly Sangiovese with the other 30% composed of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the 2016 Pergolaia is all about matching grapes to soils, a tribute to Tuscany from a French-owned estate better known for its international approach. This vintage has slightly less Sangiovese than usual in order to create a more accessible wine, with more freshness and juiciness. It’s almost crunchy in texture, a full-bodied red that covers the whole mouth. The aging is spread out evenly between botte and tonneaux, as they reserved the big wood for the more delicate Sangiovese grape. The fruit here shows perfect ripeness with lots of primary intensity and freshness. It’s a versatile red to match with all kinds of pastas and meats. It’s ready to open now or to age for just a few more years.”
In Stock Now:
#9 in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 2020
Beaux Frères ‘The Beaux Frères Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2018 750ML ($109.95) $84 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95 points “Brilliant ruby. Intense red and blue fruit, floral and spice qualities on the highly perfumed nose, along with hints of cola and licorice. Juicy and precise, offering concentrated raspberry, boysenberry and floral pastille flavors that take on a five-spice-powder nuance with air. Plays power off delicacy with a sure hand and finishes extremely long and silky, with polished tannins framing lingering red fruit and candied rose notes. 45% new oak.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “A wine of presence and expression, impeccably structured yet elegantly layered, with evocative raspberry, rose petal and brown baking spice notes that pick up richness and tension toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2029. 3,088 cases made.”
James Suckling 96 points “This is a trademark, deeply rich impression with an unctuous, violet-flower layer, together with blueberries, cherries and sweetly toasty woody spices, as well as forest wood and fresh, leafy and sappy nuances. The palate has a very succulent, fresh and lithe, almost tangy feel, delivering such succulent, mouthwatering energy at the finish. Ready now, but better from 2024.”
#20 in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 2020
Caiarossa ‘Pergolaia’ Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($29.95) $26 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “Flavors of black cherry and blackberry stand up to the dense tannins in this fresh, deep and intense red, but this is equally about the vibrant acidity driving the fruit, wild herb nuances and spice-infused aftertaste. Sangiovese with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2022 through 2040. 4,700 cases made, 1,200 cases imported.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 92 points “Mostly Sangiovese with the other 30% composed of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the 2016 Pergolaia is all about matching grapes to soils, a tribute to Tuscany from a French-owned estate better known for its international approach. This vintage has slightly less Sangiovese than usual in order to create a more accessible wine, with more freshness and juiciness. It’s almost crunchy in texture, a full-bodied red that covers the whole mouth. The aging is spread out evenly between botte and tonneaux, as they reserved the big wood for the more delicate Sangiovese grape. The fruit here shows perfect ripeness with lots of primary intensity and freshness. It’s a versatile red to match with all kinds of pastas and meats. It’s ready to open now or to age for just a few more years.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
#39 in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 2020
Boscarelli Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Boscarelli Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($519.95) $419 special (that’s only $34.92/bottle!)
Decanter 94 points “Niccolò and Luca De Ferrari assemble their Riserva from the estate’s oldest vines, essentially 3 or 4 parcels that are more than 20 years old. For ageing, they have moved to slightly larger and used casks in order to preserve freshness and grace. The 2016 is indeed deftly proportioned and refined, though with a firm and muscular backbone. It opens with balsamic notes of cedar and rosemary on a backdrop of strawberry. Nuances of mint and leather chime in on the palate, which is layered with succulent fruit. Full, without being heavy, this will take time to reveal all of its charms.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Expressive and harmonious, this red exhibits cherry, blackberry, violet and mineral aromas and flavors. Pure and elegant, with an underlying tension and intensity that drives the lingering aftertaste of fruit, stone and earth, showing a hint of wild herbs. Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Mammolo and Colorino. Best from 2022 through 2038. 4,200 cases made, 800 cases imported.”
Kerin O’keefe-Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Editor’s Choice. Wild berry, blue flower, crushed herb, camphor and a whiff of tobacco mingle together on this vibrant red. Made with 85% Sangiovese as well as Canaiolo, Colorino and Mammolo, the radiant palate is loaded with finesse, delivering raspberry compote, Marasca cherry, licorice and Asian spice. Elegant, fine-grained tannins provide the framework while bright acidity keeps it balanced. Drink 2021–2031.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
#55 in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 2020
R. Lopez de Heredia Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva Rosado, Rioja DOCa 2009 750ML ($299.95) $149 special, 3 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “Attractive, sweetly aromatic, red-floral perfume with dried red cherries and some dried strawberries, too. Only hints of leather here. The palate has a beautifully fresh, succulent and elegantly focused feel with a long sleeve of dried-cherry flavor and gently nutty notes to close. Dry, long and mouthwatering finish. Drink now.”
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 94 points “Light bright amber-hued orange. Mineral- and spice-accented red currant and cherry scents, joined by building herb and floral nuances. Shows noteworthy depth as well as energy to the bitter cherry, succulent herb, spicecake and blood orange flavors, which turn sweeter as the wine stretches out. Finishes extremely long and chewy, with resonating floral and red fruit character and a lingering suggestion of fennel. Aged for four years in neutral American oak barrels and racked twice a year.”
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93+ points “The unique and personal 2009 Viña Tondonia Rosado Gran Reserva is a little darker than the 2008 I tasted next to it. It also feels a little riper and nuttier, with some traces of ripe apricots and flowers. It’s also fuller and not as sharp as the 2008 and has a dry, chalky/stony palate. These are unique wines that develop in bottle for a long time. 14,200 bottles were filled in April 2015.”
#86 in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 2020
Château Thivin Brouilly ‘Reverdon’, Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($34.95) $24.50 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds 92 points ” Deep, bright-hued violet. Fresh dark berries, candied flowers, allspice and a hint of blood orange on the expansive nose. Sappy and appealingly sweet, offering pliant cherry and black raspberry flavors that deepen and spread out quickly with air. Delivers a suave blend of power and finesse and finishes very long and smooth, with bright, mineral-driven thrust, silky tannins and lingering floral and spice notes.”
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 91 points “Richer, more voluptuous and larger-scaled than its 2017 counterpart, the 2018 Brouilly Reverdon unfurls with a ripe bouquet of mulberries, blackberries and licorice. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with broad shoulders and a generous, expressive profile. Richer, more voluptuous and larger-scaled than its 2017 counterpart, the 2018 Brouilly Reverdon unfurls with a ripe bouquet of mulberries, blackberries and licorice. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with broad shoulders and a generous, expressive profile.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Pre-Arrival ETA Winter 2020-21:
#90 in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 2020
Schäfer-Fröhlich Felsenberg Riesling Grosses Gewächs, Nahe 2018 750ML ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 95+ points “The 2018 Felsenberg Riesling GG opens with a deep, intense and rich, concentrated and aromatic but also flinty bouquet full of ripe Riesling fruits and coolish herbal/vegetal as well gooseberry aromas. On the palate, this is a lush, intense, very mineral, salty-piquant and tightly structured dry Riesling from volcanic rocks. It’s a powerful but elegant, fresh and precise Riesling with great complexity and lingering salinity. A fabulous Felsenberg with lots of vitality and youthful grip. 13% alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted in August and October 2019.”
John Gilman 94+ points “By picking early in the Felsenberg, Tim Fröhlich was able to keep around 7.5 grams of acidity in his GG here this year, and he estimates that the wine will end up just about 12.5 percent octane. It is an absolutely superb bottle in the making, with the nose delivering a beautiful young constellation of tart orange, pink grapefruit, flint, smoke, lemongrass, wild yeasts, citrus peel and a delicate topnote of white flowers. On the palate the wine is pure, fullbodied and very elegant and seamless in balance, with a superb core of fruit, lovely backend mineral lift, bright acids and a very long, complex and extremely promising finish. Great juice. 2024-2065.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Italian Subscriber Specials
Calabretta ‘Piede Franco’ Ungrafted Rosso, Sicily 2015 750ML ($54.95) Was $46, Now $39, 31 bottles in stock now
Ian D’agata-Vinous 91+ points “Bright dark red. Camphor and herbs complicate red cherry and berries on the nose. Dense and youthfully chewy with brooding flavors of red fruit and spicy herbs. Finishes long and savory with a tactile mouthfeel. This is deeper than the regular (not made from ungrafted vines) Rosso, but is also currently less well delineated. (12.5% alcohol)”
Ian D’agata-Vinous 91+ points “Bright dark red. Camphor and herbs complicate red cherry and berries on the nose. Dense and youthfully chewy with brooding flavors of red fruit and spicy herbs. Finishes long and savory with a tactile mouthfeel. This is deeper than the regular (not made from ungrafted vines) Rosso, but is also currently less well delineated. (12.5% alcohol)”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best listed price for any vintage is $54.99!
The next best listed price for any vintage is $54.99!
Tenuta delle Terre Nere ‘Moganazzi’ Etna Rosso, Sicily 2017 750ML ($59.95) Was $49, Now $37, 17 bottles in stock now
Ian D’agata-Vinous 92+ points “Bright red-ruby. Clean, very mineral and floral, with juicy red/black cherry aromas and flavors. A refined, mineral wine that is very well balanced and precise. This clocks in at 14.5% alcohol, but doesn’t taste warm at all. In fact, I like this wine’s austere, mineral-tinged, long finish. Will likely improve in the bottle.”
Wine & Spirits 92 points “Marco de Grazia first bought a tiny plot of vines in the Moganazzi contrade in 2007, dedicating its production to a charity project. He’s since expanded his holdings to nearly five acres, and this is the first release of some 3,000 bottles under the new label. A steeply terraced site with deep volcanic ash soils anchoring 80-year-old vines, Moganazzi produced a wine that feels more earthbound than some of Terre Nere’s more ethereal wines in the warm, dry 2017 growing season. With dense black-rock tannins and ripe and fleshy plum and black raspberry flavors, this ought to benefit from a year or two of cellaring before pairing with braised lamb shanks.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Tenuta delle Terre Nere Calderara Sottana Rosso Etna, Sicily 2017 750ML ($59.95) Was $66, Now $49, 16 bottles in stock now
Wine & Spirits 95 points “According to Marco de Grazia, Calderara Sottana is one of only two contrade with soils fully derived from lava flows and deposits that came out of the Ellittico eruptive center, dating back some 15,000 to 60,000 years (the other is San Lorenze, which produced a wine also recommended here). Fist-sized black pumice stones dot his vineyard, and the vines that produce this wine have survived on the stony soils for 50 to 100 years. In the warm and dry 2017 vintage, they gave a wine redolent of red roses and Bing cherries, with hints of tarragon. Rich, ripe tannins wrap around its juicy fruit while racy acidity draws the flavors upward, picking up notes of warm spice on the way to a long, harmonious finish.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “A fragrant red, offering lilac and sandalwood notes that lace the ripe raspberry, iron and Earl Grey tea flavors, echoing on the finish. Deftly knit, with a sense of grace and poise to the interaction of the fine-grained tannins and mouthwatering acidity. Drink now through 2030. 1,300 cases made, 1,000 cases imported.”
Ian D’agata-Vinous 91+ points “Bright deep red. Flinty floral nuances complement red cherry and herbal notes on the enticing nose. Bright, juicy and round on entry, then showcases a stiff tannic spine and building alcohol-derived warmth with red cherry nectar and smoky flavors lingering nicely. Repeating, vibrant red cherry and sweet spice notes add complexity on the close. Currently lacks a little balance: I would have scored this higher if it didn’t taste so hot (the bottle’s label declares 14.5% alcohol).”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
The average listed price nationally is $61
The average listed price nationally is $61
Cordero di Montezemolo Monfalletto, Barolo DOCG 2014 750ML ($49.95) Was $39, Now $33, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “A little lift with woody and floral aromas here. The base line red cherries run from nose to palate seamlessly. There’s also an attractive, compressed density to the tannins here. Good polish. This is promising. Try from 2022.”
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2014 Barolo Monfalletto is a powerful, deep wine, especially considering that it was bottled not long before this tasting. A somber, dark Barolo, the 2014 is laced with the essence of black cherry, spice, leather and underbrush. Although not massively tannic, it is inward, closed and also unusually potent. I would give it at least a few years to be at its best. The 2014 is a decidedly serious Monfalletto that speaks in a baritone register.”
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Intense aromas of raspberry compote, forest floor, eucalyptus and oak-driven spice drive the nose on this fragrant red. On the firm, youthfully austere palate, assertive, fine-grained tannins provide support for Marasca cherry, licorice, mint and a note of French oak. Drink 2021–2026.”
Decanter 92 points “From this long established La Morra estate comes this imposing wine, heralded by its intense and pungent sour cherry nose. It’s rich, broad and fleshy, highly concentrated and spicy, showing admirable force and power without being aggressive. Despite the grip on the long finish, there’s a soft core of fruit at the heart of the wine.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next lowest listed price is $69.99
The next lowest listed price is $69.99
A Popular Subscriber Special Encore
Durand’s Distinguished Northern Rhônes
The Durand brothers are making it look easy. It’s hard to find Northern Rhône wines that combine soul and polish—it seems as if most of the new wines we taste are either hyper glossy or very rustic. To hit that sweet spot, where your wines speak very loudly of place but are elegant, drinkable and age-worthy—that’s special indeed. To make those sorts of wines at the prices that the Durands charge seems almost unthinkable. Yet we’ve taken those prices and made them even better!
“Consistently brilliant wines emerge from Domaine Durand, which is run with incredible talent and passion by Eric and Joël Durand. Located in the tiny village of Châteaubourg, they pull from roughly 22 hectares of vines, 8.5 hectares in Saint Joseph, 9.5 hectares in Cornas and tiny amounts in Saint-Péray and Vin de Pays. The brothers took over the estate in 1991, and while the winemaking is relatively modern, these are classic, pure, beautifully made wines that speak clearly to their region and terroir.“ – Jeb Dunnuck
In Stock Now:
Domaine Eric et Joël Durand Cornas Empreintes 2017 750ML ($49.95) Was $39, Now $35.10, 11 bottles in stock now Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “One of the flagship releases is the 2017 Cornas Empreintes, which comes from the steep, granite hillsides of Cornas, sees 25% stems, and is brought up in 20% new French oak. This full-bodied, concentrated effort boasts a deep purple hue, notes of peppery herbs, plums, blackberries, and smoked game, building tannins, and just about overflowing amounts of character. It’s a stunning, brilliant Cornas that’s going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and cruise for 15+ years. Bravo!”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Solidly built, with a strong chalky spine buried deep in the core of dark plum and blackberry fruit. Smoldering tobacco, dark olive and warm cast iron accents fill in throughout. Frankly grippy, so some patience in the cellar is required. Best from 2022 through 2040. 800 cases made, 90 cases imported.”
“Consistently brilliant wines emerge from Domaine Durand, which is run with incredible talent and passion by Eric and Joël Durand. Located in the tiny village of Châteaubourg, they pull from roughly 22 hectares of vines, 8.5 hectares in Saint Joseph, 9.5 hectares in Cornas and tiny amounts in Saint-Péray and Vin de Pays. The brothers took over the estate in 1991, and while the winemaking is relatively modern, these are classic, pure, beautifully made wines that speak clearly to their region and terroir.“ – Jeb Dunnuck
In Stock Now:
Domaine Eric et Joël Durand Cornas Empreintes 2017 750ML ($49.95) Was $39, Now $35.10, 11 bottles in stock now Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “One of the flagship releases is the 2017 Cornas Empreintes, which comes from the steep, granite hillsides of Cornas, sees 25% stems, and is brought up in 20% new French oak. This full-bodied, concentrated effort boasts a deep purple hue, notes of peppery herbs, plums, blackberries, and smoked game, building tannins, and just about overflowing amounts of character. It’s a stunning, brilliant Cornas that’s going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and cruise for 15+ years. Bravo!”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Solidly built, with a strong chalky spine buried deep in the core of dark plum and blackberry fruit. Smoldering tobacco, dark olive and warm cast iron accents fill in throughout. Frankly grippy, so some patience in the cellar is required. Best from 2022 through 2040. 800 cases made, 90 cases imported.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
Now it’s even lower!
Domaine Eric et Joël Durand Cornas Prémices 2015 750ML ($39.95) Was $33, Now $29.70, 22 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “The 2015 Cornas Prémices comes from a mix of granite terroirs and was mostly destemmed (75%) and aged in 20% new barrels. It offers an incredibly rich, opulent style in its plum, blackberry liqueur, lavender and peppery herb aromas and flavors. Thick, unctuous, and incredibly broad and expansive on the palate, with sweet tannin, it’s the largest production cuvée from this estate and is going to be an incredible value! Don’t miss it.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Brilliant purple. Mineral- and spice-accented aromas of cherry pit, cassis and olive, along with a subtle floral quality that expands as the wine stretches out. Juicy, appealingly sweet black and blue fruit flavors show very good clarity, and a suggestion of cracked pepper adds spicy bite. Conveys a suave blend of power and delicacy and finishes with building sweetness and velvety, even tannins.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
Now it’s even lower!
Domaine Eric et Joël Durand Cornas Prémices 2016 750ML ($39.95) Was $33, Now $29.70, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “Warm fig, blackberry and black currant fruit gives this a decidedly dark profile, while licorice root, dark olive and bay leaf notes score the finish. A tarry edge adds grip and length. Shows range and depth, and begs for cellaring. Best from 2021 through 2035.”
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2016 Cornas Prémices, from relatively young vines, has turned out well. Menthol, leather and plum combine on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is supple and charming. Already easy to drink, it offers decent concentration and a long finish lined with soft, dusty tannins.”-JC
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
Now it’s even lower!
Domaine Eric et Joël Durand Cornas Prémices 2017 750ML ($39.95) Was $33, Now $29.70, 36+ bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Lots of blueberries, jammy blackberries, violets, licorice, and floral notes emerge from the 2017 Cornas Prémices. This fleshy, sexy, full-bodied beauty is a quintessential, hedonistic Cornas that’s already hard to resist. Nevertheless, it has enough sweet tannins to keep for over a decade. This cuvée comes from slightly younger vines (15 to 30-year-old vines) and is aged in 20% new French oak.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Offers a ripe, slightly toasty profile, featuring plum and blackberry fruit, tinged with ganache and alder notes. Shows some heft, with the toast clinging to the finish. A light violet echo gives this some needed lift at the end. Best from 2020 through 2030. 875 cases made, 120 cases imported.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
Now it’s even lower!
Domaine Eric et Joël Durand Saint-Joseph Les Coteaux 2017 750ML ($39.95) Was $29, Now $26.10, 16 bottles in stock now
Decanter 93 points “Sourced from 15- to 30-year-old vines on granite soils towards the south of the appellation, the fruit for this wine is all destemmed, spending 12 months maturing in barriques and demi-muids, 15% new. It has a lovely purity of expression, the fruit using the oak for support, not influence. It’s a medium-bodied, very fresh expression with no overextraction and an elegant finish. It has refined tannins and good persistence. An unforced, easy to drink with with good typicity.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Bright and juicy, with lots of blackberry and plum compote flavors, inlaid with licorice and singed apple wood notes. A lively briar accent through the finish offsets the toast. Best from 2021 through 2030. 2,000 cases made, 450 cases imported.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Bright purple. Spice-accented blue fruit and floral scents, along with hints of cured tobacco and olive. Broad and fleshy in the mouth, offering sappy boysenberry and bitter cherry flavors that turn sweeter on the back half. Youthful, gripping tannins add shape to the finish, which hangs on with strong, dark-fruit-driven tenacity.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Domaine Eric et Joël Durand Saint-Joseph Lautaret 2017 750ML ($39.95) Was $33, Now $29.70, 17 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points “Fleshy and forward in feel, with a hint of ganache leading steeped plum and raspberry fruit along, accented by singed alder and licorice root notes. The solidly grippy finish pulls everything together. Needs a touch of cellaring. Best from 2022 through 2032. 340 cases made, 50 cases imported.”
Jeb Dunnuck 92+ points “The top Saint Joseph, the 2017 Saint Joseph Lautaret comes from older vines from the southern part of the appellation (near the village of Châteaubourg) and was brought up in 15% new French oak. It has a juicy, fresh, yet concentrated style to go with vivid dark berry fruits, crushed rock, graphite, and ground pepper notes. This terrific wine will benefit from short-term cellaring and keep for over a decade.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
Now it’s even lower!
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Staff Pick
Artuke Pies Negro
Andy:
Rioja can be a tough call for someone who loves traditional, lighter wines. Recent vintages and modern techniques have put forth jammy, over the top wines which can be delicious, but tiresome. Treading the fine line between traditional and modern is the 2018 Artuke Pies Negros. It’s a fun wine that shows the earthiness and lightness of old-world producers while simultaneously offering a little more fruit and tannin that move the wine into something slightly more hedonistic. Superb cherry and red berry notes swirl with light cocoa and violets. The tannins are substantial yet silky, and they will likely mellow out with a few years’ time.
The Artuke was a great pair with dried chorizo, good olives, and jamon. The second night, the wine continued to show full gas, and we had it with a spicy mezze platter that also played well with the fruit. It is a wine that will definitely be easier to enjoy if you’re looking to fall towards the modern palate, but if one takes the time to really taste through the layers, there is a lovely snap to this wine. I consider the vintage to be a big difference, too. 2018 had an overall lightness that treated this wine well. The 2015 I had a couple of years ago was definitely a bit rich, so this was a great surprise.
In Stock Now:
Bodegas y Viñedos Artuke ‘Pies Negros’, Rioja DOCa 2018 750ML ($24.95) $19.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Bodegas y Viñedos Artuke ‘Pies Negros’, Rioja DOCa 2018 750ML ($299.95) $215 special (that’s only $17.92/bottle!)
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2018 Pies Negros was produced with grapes from the Sierra Cantabria in the village of Ábalos, so another village wine, even if it won’t get the official qualification, as they don’t have a winery in Ábalos! It’s a blend of Tempranillo with 15% Graciano fermented with destemmed but uncrushed grapes with indigenous yeasts, and it matured in 500-liter oak barrels for 12 months, except for 10% of the volume that was kept in concrete for that time. This didn’t stop growing in the glass, and the aromas are subtle and elegant. Since they started working with larger oak containers, they had to learn to work under more reductive conditions; they now seem to have mastered it, at least in some of the wines, like this one. The wines are subtler and less immediate than the wines aged in barrique, and this long-cycle vintage has a tendency toward this profile of wines. The palate is very balanced and fresh, with a core of red fruit, with bright flavors and very good precision. 70,000 bottles produced.”
Rioja can be a tough call for someone who loves traditional, lighter wines. Recent vintages and modern techniques have put forth jammy, over the top wines which can be delicious, but tiresome. Treading the fine line between traditional and modern is the 2018 Artuke Pies Negros. It’s a fun wine that shows the earthiness and lightness of old-world producers while simultaneously offering a little more fruit and tannin that move the wine into something slightly more hedonistic. Superb cherry and red berry notes swirl with light cocoa and violets. The tannins are substantial yet silky, and they will likely mellow out with a few years’ time.
The Artuke was a great pair with dried chorizo, good olives, and jamon. The second night, the wine continued to show full gas, and we had it with a spicy mezze platter that also played well with the fruit. It is a wine that will definitely be easier to enjoy if you’re looking to fall towards the modern palate, but if one takes the time to really taste through the layers, there is a lovely snap to this wine. I consider the vintage to be a big difference, too. 2018 had an overall lightness that treated this wine well. The 2015 I had a couple of years ago was definitely a bit rich, so this was a great surprise.
In Stock Now:
Bodegas y Viñedos Artuke ‘Pies Negros’, Rioja DOCa 2018 750ML ($24.95) $19.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Bodegas y Viñedos Artuke ‘Pies Negros’, Rioja DOCa 2018 750ML ($299.95) $215 special (that’s only $17.92/bottle!)
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2018 Pies Negros was produced with grapes from the Sierra Cantabria in the village of Ábalos, so another village wine, even if it won’t get the official qualification, as they don’t have a winery in Ábalos! It’s a blend of Tempranillo with 15% Graciano fermented with destemmed but uncrushed grapes with indigenous yeasts, and it matured in 500-liter oak barrels for 12 months, except for 10% of the volume that was kept in concrete for that time. This didn’t stop growing in the glass, and the aromas are subtle and elegant. Since they started working with larger oak containers, they had to learn to work under more reductive conditions; they now seem to have mastered it, at least in some of the wines, like this one. The wines are subtler and less immediate than the wines aged in barrique, and this long-cycle vintage has a tendency toward this profile of wines. The palate is very balanced and fresh, with a core of red fruit, with bright flavors and very good precision. 70,000 bottles produced.”
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Santa Duc’s Regal Gigondas
We’ll save you the Kris Kringle pun and get straight to the point. Gigondas is the finest source of value for profound wine in the Rhône. The top estates deliver wines that compete with the very best wines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but at prices that are a fraction of their competition. Our feature today, Santa Duc, is one of the very best in the region, and our pricing on most of their wines is the best in the country—a killer combination.
Santa Duc is perhaps the only estate who can match Saint Cosme as the “Most Important Winery in Gigondas”. Owners of some of the finest vineyards in the Southern Rhône, Santa Duc is a legendary producer that more than lives up to their reputation. Unlike Saint Cosme, though, their top wines aren’t yet commanding triple-digit pricing. In fact, their most expensive Gigondas bottling is still under $50—and is an absolute stunner.
These are wines that manage the neat trick of being absolutely delicious now while having a track record of aging gracefully. Recent notes for older bottles like the 1995 and 1998 Hautes Garrigues are glowing, yet the wines will impress on your table tonight. We recommend buying in quantity—you’re going to want to drink a lot of these now, while still having some in your cellar a decade from now.
In Stock Now:
Domaine Santa Duc Gigondas Clos Derrière Vieille, Rhône 2015 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 20 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 94 points “Mostly (80%) grenache with 10% each of mourvèdre and syrah. There’s a very impressive, sheer and crunchy texture to the palate and a peppery edge. Tannins drive a long, powerful finish. Best from 2020.”
Jeb Dunnuck 92-94 points “The 2015 Gigondas Clos Derrière Vieille (80% Grenache and 10% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre) comes from the wall vineyard located just beside the village. It offers terrific notes of dusty earth, dried cherries and herbes de Provence, medium to full-bodied richness, silky tannin and a beautiful texture. Like the other 2015s, it’s going to drink nicely for 10-15 years.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92-93 points “Deep ruby. Ripe raspberry, cherry liqueur, violet and a hint of garrigue on the deeply perfumed nose. Fleshy, appealingly sweet and expansive in the mouth, offering plush red and blue fruit flavors and a subtle note of candied licorice that builds in the glass. Becomes more energetic with air and finishes on a sweet red berry note, showing powerful thrust, harmonious tannins and impressive persistence.”
Santa Duc is perhaps the only estate who can match Saint Cosme as the “Most Important Winery in Gigondas”. Owners of some of the finest vineyards in the Southern Rhône, Santa Duc is a legendary producer that more than lives up to their reputation. Unlike Saint Cosme, though, their top wines aren’t yet commanding triple-digit pricing. In fact, their most expensive Gigondas bottling is still under $50—and is an absolute stunner.
These are wines that manage the neat trick of being absolutely delicious now while having a track record of aging gracefully. Recent notes for older bottles like the 1995 and 1998 Hautes Garrigues are glowing, yet the wines will impress on your table tonight. We recommend buying in quantity—you’re going to want to drink a lot of these now, while still having some in your cellar a decade from now.
In Stock Now:
Domaine Santa Duc Gigondas Clos Derrière Vieille, Rhône 2015 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 20 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 94 points “Mostly (80%) grenache with 10% each of mourvèdre and syrah. There’s a very impressive, sheer and crunchy texture to the palate and a peppery edge. Tannins drive a long, powerful finish. Best from 2020.”
Jeb Dunnuck 92-94 points “The 2015 Gigondas Clos Derrière Vieille (80% Grenache and 10% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre) comes from the wall vineyard located just beside the village. It offers terrific notes of dusty earth, dried cherries and herbes de Provence, medium to full-bodied richness, silky tannin and a beautiful texture. Like the other 2015s, it’s going to drink nicely for 10-15 years.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92-93 points “Deep ruby. Ripe raspberry, cherry liqueur, violet and a hint of garrigue on the deeply perfumed nose. Fleshy, appealingly sweet and expansive in the mouth, offering plush red and blue fruit flavors and a subtle note of candied licorice that builds in the glass. Becomes more energetic with air and finishes on a sweet red berry note, showing powerful thrust, harmonious tannins and impressive persistence.”
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Domaine Santa Duc Gigondas Prestige des Hautes Garrigues, Rhône 2012 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Saturated ruby. Powerful, deeply pitched black and blue fruit aromas are complicated by suggestions of licorice, woodsmoke and incense. Broad, palate-coating blackberry and cherry compote flavors open up slowly with aeration. Distinctly rich but showing surprising vivacity, with velvety tannins coming in late to shape the wine’s sweet finishing fruit.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “This has a solid core of raspberry, bitter cherry and plum fruit, liberally laced with iron, violet and bay leaf notes. The long, sleek finish lets the iron edge play out, revealing a hint of blood orange in the background. Best from 2016 through 2020. 100 cases imported.”
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Domaine Santa Duc Gigondas Prestige des Hautes Garrigues, Rhône 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 94-97 points “Lastly, the 2015 Gigondas Hautes Garrigues (60/40 Grenache and Mourvèdre) is a beauty boasting killer notes of dark fruits, crushed rocks, pepper, garrigue and scorched earth. This seriously good 2015 has building richness, a stacked mid-palate and a huge finish, all suggesting short-term cellaring will be your friend. It will keep for two decades of more.”
James Suckling 93 points “Mourvèdre steps up to one third of the blend while the balance is grenache. This has an attractive array of ripe dark cherry and blue plum fruits. The tannins are framed up with a deeper, wider shape. Try from 2020, this needs time.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93-95 points “Full ruby. Smoke-accented aromas of red and dark berry liqueur, incense, spicecake and candied flowers show outstanding energy and clarity. Sweet, seamless and broad in the mouth, offering concentrated black raspberry, boysenberry and lavender pastille flavors that fan out steadily with air. Rich but nervy and precise as well, carrying no excess fat. Velvety tannins frame an extremely long, incisive finish that leaves behind notes of sweet dark berries and candied flowers.”
Wine Advocate 92-95 points “I loved the 2015 Gigondas Hautes Garrigues and this flagship cuvee is made from 65% Grenache and 35% Mourvèdre that’s brought up in foudre. It’s a full-bodied, concentrated, yet brilliantly proportioned Gigondas that has classy notes of blackberries, plums, garrigue and leather. It’s going to need 3-5 years of cellaring.”
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Domaine Santa Duc Gigondas Aux Lieux-Dits, Rhône 2015 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 12 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “A fluid, fleshy and deeply structured wine with dark cherry and blackberry fruit flavors amid sturdy yet supple tannins. Good weight and presence. Drink now.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Ripe but fresh, with a slightly high pitch to the mix of damson plum, cherry and rooibos tea aromas and flavors, backed by singed vanilla, tobacco and licorice root notes that give this a darker shade through the finish. Best from 2020 through 2030. 2,400 cases made, 700 cases imported.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 90-92 points “Ruby-red. Ripe red fruit and floral pastille aromas show very good detail and an energizing suggestion of white pepper. Palate-caressing raspberry and bitter cherry flavors blend depth and energy with a smooth hand and show no rough edges. Fine-grained tannins lend shape to a very long, red-fruit-dominated finish that features a subtle touch of star anise.”
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Love Rhône reds? We have over 170 red wines from the Rhône Valley in stock now. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Château de Vaudieu, Henri Bonneau, Vieux Télégraphe and more, on our web store now!
Brovia’s Old-School Barolos
For traditionally made Barolo, Brovia makes some of the best wines you can buy at any price. Made and farmed using traditional methods, they hit all the right notes in terms of thoughtful vineyard management and unapologetically old-school winemaking. Brovia’s superb assortment of vineyard holdings include household names like Rocche and Villero, but don’t sleep on other gems like Brea “Ca’Mia”, a vineyard which produces wines with a distinctive combination of power and elegance.
Brovia’s wines are consistently excellent; however the 2015 Barolos are true standouts. Their normal style is lean and coiled, so the extra warmth of the vintage pushed the wines to be a little grander than usual. The 2015s are shaping up to be epics, the type of wines that you’ll look back and wish you’d purchased more of. And this is especially true as we watch Brovia’s star/prices continue to soar with each passing year.
In Stock Now:
Brovia ‘Brea Vigna Ca’ Mia’, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($99.95) $88 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Brovia ‘Brea Vigna Ca’ Mia’, Barolo DOCG 2015 1.5L ($249.95) $199 special, 6 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94+ points “The 2015 Barolo Brea Vigna Ca’ Mia captures all the best the vintage has to offer. Black cherry, plum, espresso, sage, menthol, licorice and leather are all kicked up a few notches in a decidedly dark, strapping Barolo that screams with Serralunga character. Exotic, dark and totally alluring, the 2015 has a very bright future, but readers should be prepared to be patient, as the tannins clearly need time to soften.”
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 93 points “The Brovia 2015 Barolo Brea Vigna Ca’ Mia offers good balance and an authentic representation of the vintage. You can sense some of the heat of the growing season here, thanks to the wine’s open and accessible persona; it enters the palate with softness and elegance. This was the first of the single-vineyard wines from Brovia released this year that I tasted in a flight meant to increase in intensity.”
Brovia’s wines are consistently excellent; however the 2015 Barolos are true standouts. Their normal style is lean and coiled, so the extra warmth of the vintage pushed the wines to be a little grander than usual. The 2015s are shaping up to be epics, the type of wines that you’ll look back and wish you’d purchased more of. And this is especially true as we watch Brovia’s star/prices continue to soar with each passing year.
In Stock Now:
Brovia ‘Brea Vigna Ca’ Mia’, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($99.95) $88 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Brovia ‘Brea Vigna Ca’ Mia’, Barolo DOCG 2015 1.5L ($249.95) $199 special, 6 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94+ points “The 2015 Barolo Brea Vigna Ca’ Mia captures all the best the vintage has to offer. Black cherry, plum, espresso, sage, menthol, licorice and leather are all kicked up a few notches in a decidedly dark, strapping Barolo that screams with Serralunga character. Exotic, dark and totally alluring, the 2015 has a very bright future, but readers should be prepared to be patient, as the tannins clearly need time to soften.”
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 93 points “The Brovia 2015 Barolo Brea Vigna Ca’ Mia offers good balance and an authentic representation of the vintage. You can sense some of the heat of the growing season here, thanks to the wine’s open and accessible persona; it enters the palate with softness and elegance. This was the first of the single-vineyard wines from Brovia released this year that I tasted in a flight meant to increase in intensity.”
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Brovia Garblet Sue Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2015 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Brovia Garblet Sue Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2015 1.5L ($219.95) $189 special, 6 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2015 Barolo Garblèt Sue’ is dense and powerful in the glass. A rush of black cherry, plum, lavender, iron and sage literally burst from the glass. Ample, full-bodied and intense, the Garblèt Sue’ is another stellar wine in this range. The typically incisive Garblèt Sue’ tannins are nearly buried by the sheer richness of the fruit. Today, the Garblèt Sue’ is distinguished by its wild, feral profile and huge core of fruit. In this vintage, the Garblèt is the overachiever in the range relative to how it shows in most vintages.”
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 94 points “Showing some immediate softness, the 2015 Barolo Garblèt Sue’ is beautifully approachable and generously accommodating, even at this early stage in the wine’s drinking window. Bring it out with a selection of goat cheeses. It’s interesting to note that, at 40 years old, the vines of this cru in Castiglione Falletto actually rank as some of the youngest held by the Brovia estate, founded in 1863, before the unification of Italy.”
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Brovia Rocche di Castiglione, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Brovia Rocche di Castiglione, Barolo DOCG 2015 1.5L ($269.95) $219 special, 3 magnums in stock now
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 95 points “The Brovia 2015 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione (the last wine I tasted in this series of cru expressions) opens to the darkest color of this series, with a firm core of black fruit. This wine is silky and satiny in terms of texture—one of the trademarks of this sandy-soil cru in Castiglione Falletto—but don’t underestimate that structural firmness that holds it tightly together. It would take nicely to veal involtini with asparagus.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Brovia’s flagship 2015 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione is a decidedly full-bodied wine. The richness of this warm vintage comes through loud and clear in an ample, resonant Barolo endowed with serious textural depth. Lifted floral and spice notes add an attractive upper register as the 2015 starts to open up in the glass. Even so, the Rocche stands out for its volume and sheer size, both of which are unusual for this Castiglione Falletto site, where the wines tend to be more lithe. The Rocche appears to be the Barolo most shaped by the growing season in this range.”
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Brovia Villero, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($99.95) $88 special, 27 bottles in stock now
Brovia Villero, Barolo DOCG 2015 1.5L ($249.95) $199 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2015 Barolo Villero offers richness and darkness with fruit from Castiglione Falletto, and it’s one of the more intense wines I tasted within this selection. The Villero is a balanced and polished Barolo that opens to nicely integrated fruit and spice tones, expertly interwoven and united. The wine has a beautiful entry to the palate. Indeed, this pretty wine presented a united front, with seamless and graceful integration.”
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “The 2015 Barolo Villero is a very pretty, mid-weight wine. Silky tannins and beautifully expressive aromatics give the Villero considerable finesse. On the palate, though, the 2015 is far less expressive. That is not entirely surprising, as the Villero often needs a few years to truly blossom. Sweet floral and spice notes start to open with time in the glass, but the Villero is not an especially forthcoming 2015 Barolo.”
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Love Barolo? We have 85 Barolos in stock now. Shop the entire selection, including additional options from Brovia, on our web store now!
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