In Today’s Newsletter:
Isole e Olena’s Modern Marvels
Restocked
The Legendary Wines of Henri Gouges
Further Reduced
More Price Reductions from France, Italy & Beyond
Averaen’s Powerful Willamette Valley Pinots
Super Subscriber Special
An Incredible Value from Rhône Star Delas
Collector’s Corner
Charlopin’s Affordable Grand Crus Burgundy
Isole e Olena’s Modern Marvels
Restocked
No winery symbolizes the modern quality of Tuscany like Isole e Olena. Since the arrival of Paolo de Marchi in 1976, Isole e Olena has been a quality leader in the region. Stylistically, Isole e Olena occupies a place that is at once traditional and modern. Their Chianti Classico and flagship Cepparello are both firmly rooted in the primacy of Sangiovese and the idea of Tuscan typicity. Elegance wedded to power, both wines show the nuance and bright fruit you’d expect from a classic wine of the region combined with the density and complexity of top tier, noble wines.In a more modern sphere, de Marchi also produces mono-varietal Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Syrah, which are made in a modern idiom. Elegant and polished they represent wines that are at the top of their class for each of the respective grape varieties, no matter the origin of the wine. We just received an additional drop of these terrific wines (with more arriving this week), and are excited to feature them once again today.
Restocked & Already Moving:
Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2017 Cepparello is another in a series of stunningly beautiful Cepparellos from Paolo de Marchi. Bright and beautifully focused in the glass, with tremendous depth, the 2017 is positively stellar from the very first taste. Succulent dark cherry, plum, licorice, spice, menthol and coffee all open up with a bit of air. Here, too, Paolo De Marchi has done a tremendous job in preserving freshness in the wine. Readers who can muster the patience will be rewarded with a spectacular wine.”
James Suckling 95 points “A beautifully linear and refined sangiovese with polished tannins and super tight fruit. Yet, it shows subtle complexity of blackberries, black cherries and dark chocolate. Some hazelnuts. Intense, vibrant finish with a creamy texture. Extremely well done for this hot, dry vintage. Drink after 2023.”
Isole e Olena Collezione Privata Chardonnay Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2018 Chardonnay is so gorgeous. Lemon confit, white flowers, tangerine and apricot all grace this soft, beautifully polished Chardonnay from Isole e Olena. The 2018 is perfumed, gracious and incredibly expressive. It is also without question the finest Chardonnay made in Tuscany.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Isole e Olena Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Isole e Olena Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($359.95) $259 special (that’s only $21.58/bottle!)
James Suckling 93 points “A very pretty 2017 Chianti Classico with a beautiful core of ripe fruit and layers of round, lightly chewy tannins. Dark cherries, walnuts and chocolate. Drink or hold.”
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2017 Chianti Classico is fabulous. Bright, punchy and so full of character, the 2017 is absolutely delicious. Sweet berry, cedar, tobacco, rose petal and subtle earthy notes all grace the 2017, an exquisite wine that will drink well with minimal cellaring. More than anything, I am so impressed with the wine’s energy.”
Isole e Olena Collezione Privata Syrah Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 96 points “Isole e Olena 2017 Syrah is powerful, dense and savory. Readers should not plan on opening a bottle anytime soon. Black cherry, plum, licorice, espresso, chocolate and leather build as this brooding Tuscan Syrah shows off its considerable character. The 2017 is a real powerhouse. Give it a few years in bottle.”
Isole e Olena Vin Santo del Chianti Classico, Tuscany 2009 375ML ($59.95) $49 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2009 Vin Santo del Chianti Classico is so beautiful. Orange confit, dried figs, caramel, hazelnut and honeyed flavors abound. Medium in body, with striking depth and texture. It’s a classic Vin Santo from white grapes, as well as a reference-point for the region. It is at once rich, but not at all heavy.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Also in Stock from Isole e Olena:
Isole e Olena Collezione Privata Cabernet Sauvignon Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Collezione Privata is superb. A delicate, nuanced wine in this vintage, the Cabernet Sauvignon speaks in hushed tones. Silky tannins and highly expressive aromatics add to an impression of total finesse. In many vintages, the Cabernet can be quite big, but not in 2013. This is a brilliant showing from Isole and proprietor Paolo De Marchi.”
Isole e Olena Collezione Privata Cabernet Sauvignon Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2014 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 96 points “A regal wine, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Collezione Privata from Isole e Olena soars out of the glass with tremendous aromatic and palate intensity. Deceptive in its mid-weight structure, the 2014 has so much to offer. Once again, De Marchi crafted a Cabernet Sauvignon that exudes character. Today, the 2014 is vivid but also intensely saline and clenched. Another few years in bottle should do the trick. This fruit was brought in during the last week of October and first week of November, quite late, even by the standards of the year.”
Isole e Olena Collezione Privata Cabernet Sauvignon Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($99.95) $69 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine of elegance and finesse that shows the effects of rain during harvest in its decidedly mid-weight, lithe construction. Even so, the 2015 offers lovely aromatic presence and persistence. Grilled herbs, crème de cassis, licorice, violet, plum, spice and licorice all develop, but the 2015 remains decidedly delicate for this bottling. My impression is that it will age more on its freshness rather than on its concentration.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Decanter 98 points “Paolo de Marchi’s ‘study in Sangiovese’ is a selection of the vintage’s finest grapes from Isole e Olena’s oldest vineyards, high up in Chianti Classico’s western sector of Barberino Tavarnelle. Harvested in mid-October, it is a captivating tangle of earth, spring blossom, coffee, tobacco and cedar. Perfumed lavender and violet lift the generous dark fruit and the brilliantly tactile powdery texture lends further dimension. This reaches great depths while simultaneously soaring effortlessly to heady heights. Positively succulent and moreish on the finish.”
Antonio Galloni 97+ points “The 2016 Cepparello is dense, dark and also very closed in on itself. Those qualities bode well for the future, but readers will have to be patient, as the 2016 is going to need at least a few years to come into its own. Black cherry, plum, lavender, spice and new leather gradually open up in the glass, but the 2016 is not ready to show all of its cards. This fruit was brought in during the second week of October, which is pretty much optimal at Isole e Olena. The 2016 spent 20 months in French oak, with a bit less than 30% new oak, and a few months in cask prior to bottling. An explosion of floral and spice notes punctuates the super-refined finish. The 2016 is shaping up to be epic. Don’t miss it!”
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 97 points “The beautiful Isole e Olena 2016 Cepparello is a gorgeous and precise expression of Sangiovese. This is one of the icon wines of the vintage that shows a naked and transparent portrait of the grape on the one hand, with the complexity of the vintage and its territory on the other. Cepparello is like a crystal ball into the heart and soul of Sangiovese, Tuscany’s mighty red grape. It is fermented in conical oak casks and later aged 20 months in 95% French and 5% American oak, of which only one-third is new wood. The wine delivers ample structure and contouring, with a firm and silky consistency at its core. Some 42,000 bottles were made. This wine should age over the better part of the next 20 years.”
Isole e Olena Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany 2016 1.5L ($59.95) $49 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points “Broad and complex, delivering plum, black cherry, almond, leather and earth flavors. The tannins are dusty and well-integrated, while vibrant acidity keeps the flavors pumping through the long finish. Best from 2021 through 2036. 11,666 cases made, 4,166 cases imported.”
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2016 Chianti Classico is a gorgeous wine that very much captures the essence of the house style. Bright floral and savory notes, sweet red cherry fruit, tobacco and mint are all finely knit in this super-appealing, mid-weight Chianti Classico from Isole e Olena. As always, the Chianti Classico here is lithe, aromatically precise and all about elegance.”
Decanter 92 points “Despite being known for one of Tuscany’s top 100% Sangiovese wines – Cepparello – Paolo De Marchi believes in blending this grape. Here, he includes a generous portion of Canaiolo Nero to give some spice and also likes a pinch of Syrah, especially in lighter vintages. The aromas are very precise, with black raspberry, violet, heather and juniper. It’s dense without being rich or heavy, with a rousing core of appetising juiciness. Grainy, ripe tannins will support this effortlessly for at least a decade. Drinking Window 2019 – 2029.”
This is the lowest listed magnum price in the USA today!
Arriving Friday, February 5th:
Isole e Olena Collezione Privata Cabernet Sauvignon Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($99.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is among the finest Cabernet Sauvignons in Italy. High altitude sites in Barberino yield a distinctly mid-weight, elegant, savory Cabernet that is all about reserve. Dark plum, espresso, licorice, menthol and sage start to emerge with a bit of air, but the 2016 is a wine that demands cellaring. Over the years, I have had the good fortune to taste every vintage of the Isole e Olena Cabernet. It is one of the great under the radar wines of Tuscany. The 2016 takes its place with the very finest editions.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2017 1.5L ($199.95) $169 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2017 Cepparello is another in a series of stunningly beautiful Cepparellos from Paolo de Marchi. Bright and beautifully focused in the glass, with tremendous depth, the 2017 is positively stellar from the very first taste. Succulent dark cherry, plum, licorice, spice, menthol and coffee all open up with a bit of air. Here, too, Paolo De Marchi has done a tremendous job in preserving freshness in the wine. Readers who can muster the patience will be rewarded with a spectacular wine.”
James Suckling 95 points “A beautifully linear and refined sangiovese with polished tannins and super tight fruit. Yet, it shows subtle complexity of blackberries, black cherries and dark chocolate. Some hazelnuts. Intense, vibrant finish with a creamy texture. Extremely well done for this hot, dry vintage. Drink after 2023.”
This is the lowest listed magnum price in the USA today!
Love Tuscany? We have over 150 different wines from Tuscany in stock now. Shop the entire selection, including staff favorites like Castell’in Villa, Felsina, I Fabbri and more, on our web store now.
The Legendary Wines of Henri Gouges
Further Reduced
Henri Gouges is one of the great names in Burgundy—a legendary domaine with wines that age beautifully and remains one of the best values in top-end Burgundy. To make those values even better, we’re dropping the prices on a bunch of great Gouges bottles from celebrated recent vintages. We have a broad assortment of these bottles—perfect picks for your cellar now.Henri Gouges, who founded the venerable estate, was one of the first in Burgundy to estate bottle—at the time the winery was founded most just sold grapes or wine to negociants. He also was instrumental in creating the AOC system in Burgundy and sorting out the vineyard classification system. The estate is based in Nuits, with holdings in most of the major crus and an incredible standard of quality across the board. The current generation, Christian and Pierre (grandsons of Henri) are making some of the finest wines in the estate’s history.
In Stock Now & Further Reduced:
Domaine Henri Gouges Nuits-Saint-Georges, Côte de Nuits 2016 750ML ($99.95) Was $79 Now $69, 18 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 91 points “The 2016 Nuits AC had just been racked the day before my visit and had its SO2 adjusted a touch as well, and yet the wine was in good form and easy to taste! The bouquet is deep and quite sappy this year (perhaps from the addition of some Chaignots?), jumping from the glass in a lovely mix of black cherries, sweet dark berries, woodsmoke, venison, dark soil tones and raw cocoa. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and sappy at the core, with fine focus and grip, ripe, seamless tannins and a long, vibrant and tangy finish. Fine, fine AC. 2024-2060+.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Henri Gouges Nuits-Saint-Georges, Côte de Nuits 2017 750ML ($79.95) Was $69 Now $59, 24 bottles in stock now
“The 2017 Nuits-Saint-Georges Village displays a somewhat high-toned bouquet of cedary red and black fruits and dark chocolate, followed by a medium to full-bodied palate with velvety structuring tannins and a tangy core of fruit. It’s acid-driven and middle-weight in style and it will drink well comparatively young.” –William Kelley, Wine Advocate
Burghound 88-90 points “Discreet wood serves as a relatively neutral backdrop for the fresh aromas of red currant and earth that are laced with plenty of sauvage character. The rich, mouth coating and sappy medium weight flavors possess fine volume while concluding in a nicely persistent finish that is, if not exactly refined, then certainly less rustic than usual.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Henri Gouges Les Saint-Georges, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($219.95) Was $199 Now $179, 20 bottles in stock now
Decanter 95 points “There will be less Les St-Georges in 2018, as 20% of the vineyard has been replanted – if you’re a fan of this wine, now is the time to stock up. It’s appealingly aromatic and not as dense and brooding as this wine can be, but it’s a stylish, spicy, savoury premier cru red with good focus and a backdrop of blood and iron.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93+ points “The 2017 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Saint Georges is showing well, wafting from the glass with aromas of smoky berry fruit, licorice, candied peel, nori and rich soil tones, having already almost entirely integrated its framing of new wood. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, ample and nicely layered at the core, with good concentration, fine-grained but firm tannins and a precise, stony finish.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 92-94 points “The 2017 Nuits Saint-Georges Les Saint-Georges 1er Cru has a refined, harmonious bouquet of blackberry and bilberry aromas penetrated by a slight flintiness. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin and beautifully integrated oak. Seamless in texture, leading to a poised, pure finish. This is easily the best of Gouges’s 2017s. Superb.”
Burghound – Outstanding 91-94 points “There is just enough wood to merit mentioning framing the aromas of plum liqueur, black raspberry, warm earth and a touch of the sauvage. There is excellent intensity to the overtly powerful and more mineral-driven medium weight flavors that culminate in a beautifully long and complex if markedly austere finish. This is even a bit firmer than the Vaucrains and as collectors of the Gouges wines know well, this will not make for especially accessible early drinking.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Henri Gouges Clos des Porrets Monopole, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2016 750ML ($119.95) Was $99 Now $89, 15 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “Earthy reduction in the aroma gives way to pure cherry, raspberry and stone flavors, revealing flashes of spice and dark, meaty elements. Dense and lush, with black fruit, spice and toast notes on the long finish. Powerful. Best from 2023 through 2042. 200 cases imported.”
Neal Martin – Vinous 92 points “The 2016 Nuits Saint-Georges Clos des Porrets St-Georges 1er Cru has an open and expressive bouquet with raspberry coulis, wild strawberry, orange pith and light rose petal aromas. I would just like a little more cohesion. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and well-judged acidity, slightly confit in style with suggestions of brown sugar sweetening the finish. But harmonious and quite persistent, this is a promising Nuits Saint-Georges. Tasted blind at the 2016 Burgfest tasting.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Domaine Henri Gouges Clos des Porrets Monopole, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($119.95) Was $89 Now $79, 20 bottles in stock now
Decanter 94 points “This hails from a mid-slope premier cru on the south side of Nuits and mixes clay and limestone soils within the Gouges’ 3.7ha monopole. It’s an intense, aromatic and comparatively early-drinking style with some chalky freshness, medium-weight tannins and a hint of volatility.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “Aromas of wild berries and forest floor mingle with notions of grilled game and raw cocoa in a complex bouquet, framed by cedary new oak, introducing the 2017 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Clos des Porrets Saint Georges. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, layered and decidedly velvety for a young Clos des Porrets, with ripe tannins, tangy acids and a long, succulent finish.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 90-92 points “The 2017 Nuits Saint-Georges Clos des Porrets-Saint Georges 1er Cru has an attractive bouquet of black cherries, bilberry jam, a touch of blue fruit and just a hint of licorice. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit. There is an initial burst and then everything clamps back down so that the second half is structured and grippy. Lacks a little charm at the moment, but give this time in bottle.”
Burghound 90-92 points “The wood treatment is a bit more evident than with any of the prior wines but not so much as to diminish the appeal of the earthier and cooler aromas of violet, plum and full-on sauvage notes. The delicious middle weight flavors are more refined than usual if not actually refined, all wrapped in detailed, focused and solidly powerful finish. Note that while this will certainly age, it’s sufficiently round to make for reasonably good early drinking.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Henri Gouges Les Pruliers, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($149.95) Was $119 Now $99, 22 bottles in stock now
Decanter 93 points “The age of the vines is quite diverse in this 1.8ha block, ranging from 20 to 80 years. It’s a comparatively forward red, especially for a Nuits from the south side of the village. Notes of summer berries and tobacco pouch mingle appealingly on the nose and palate with supporting acidity and scented oak, 20% new.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2017 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Pruliers wafts from the glass with an appealing bouquet of raspberries, red cherries, spiced plums, dried flowers and earthy forest floor. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, with a ripe core of fruit, tangy acids and a firm, stony finish. It’s a suave, nicely integrated rendition of a climat that can sometimes be forbiddingly structural in its youth.”
Burghound 90-93 points “Outstanding. This too is noticeably reduced and aromatically unreadable today. Otherwise there is more volume and mid-palate density to the bigger and mostly muscular flavors that possess a less refined mouthfeel on the powerful, driving and more obviously structured finale. This is really quite good though at least some patience will be required.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 90-92 points “The 2017 Nuits Saint-Georges Les Pruliers 1er Cru offers intense black cherry, boysenberry and blueberry on the ripe, candied, generous nose, becoming more floral with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red and black fruit laced with blood orange and spices. Quite dense and grippy, this is another Gouges 2017 that will require several years in bottle.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Henri Gouges Les Vaucrains, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($149.95) Was $119 Now $99, 21 bottles in stock now
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 91-94 points “Dark red-ruby. Tight, medicinal aromas of black cherry, bitter chocolate and menthol. Very rich and deep, with captivating sweetness cut by medicinal menthol and minerals. Highly concentrated, dense and broad but uncompromisingly dry. Finishes very long and perfumed, with serious saline tension. This very impressive premier cru has a big tannic structure and may well close down after the bottling.”
Burghound 91-94 points “Here too there is a subtle application of wood setting off the intensely spicy and overtly sauvage aromas of mostly cassis and black raspberry aromas that are also liberally laced with warm earth nuances. The muscular big-bodied flavors possess real power and punch along with ample minerality before terminating in a hugely long, complex and well-balanced finale. As it always is this is distinctly old school in style and will definitely require extended cellaring.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Domaine Henri Gouges Les Vaucrains, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($179.95) Was $149 Now $119, 12 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2017 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Vaucrains is another unusually suave offering from Gouges, offering up aromas of dark berry fruit, wild plums, baking chocolate and rich soil tones, subtly framed by cedary new wood. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, deep and dense, but notably open-knit and juicy at the core, concluding with a long, sapid finish. Given how forbidding Vaucrains can be, this is an almost disconcertingly charming effort.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 91-93 points “The 2017 Nuits Saint-Georges Les Vaucrains 1er Cru has a lovely, intense bouquet that combines blue and black fruit, crushed violet petals and incense. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, showing a little more cohesion than the Les Pruliers, if not quite the same mineral drive as Domaine Chevillon’s. Still, there is decent length and depth to this Les Vaucrains, though it will need several years in bottle.”
Burghound 91-93 points “Outstanding. Slightly riper aromas of plum liqueur, violet, warm earth and plenty of sauvage character lead to intense and notably dense broad-shouldered flavors that display first-rate power on the serious and youthfully austere finish. This is a big wine in the context of what is typical for the 2017 vintage and should age effortlessly.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Love the Côte de Nuits? We have 245 different red wines from the Côte de Nuits in stock now. Shop the entire selection, including additional options from Henri Gouges, on our web store now.
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More Price Reductions from France, Italy & Beyond
France
Germain Domaine du Château de Chorey Les Teurons, Beaune Premier Cru 2006 750ML ($69.95) Was $45 Now $39, 26 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Wine Advocate 91 points “The Germain 2006 Beaune Teurons displays a darker depth of fruit – blackberry, cherry, and plum – with decidedly tart and bitter elements woven in. Sandalwood, ginger, smoked meat and game emerge with air, along with a peppery bite, pungent spiciness, and palpable, dense sense of chalkiness. This finishes with real grip. Yet, the basic elegance and approachability of the vintage are by no means forgotten, and a sense of creaminess adds allure here as well. I would plan to follow this for at least half a dozen years, and it will probably taste significantly more complex at times along the way. Germain says he has a mind to experiment with vendange entier here, too, but did not this year”
Germain Domaine du Château de Chorey Les Teurons, Beaune Premier Cru 2006 750ML ($69.95) Was $45 Now $39, 26 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Wine Advocate 91 points “The Germain 2006 Beaune Teurons displays a darker depth of fruit – blackberry, cherry, and plum – with decidedly tart and bitter elements woven in. Sandalwood, ginger, smoked meat and game emerge with air, along with a peppery bite, pungent spiciness, and palpable, dense sense of chalkiness. This finishes with real grip. Yet, the basic elegance and approachability of the vintage are by no means forgotten, and a sense of creaminess adds allure here as well. I would plan to follow this for at least half a dozen years, and it will probably taste significantly more complex at times along the way. Germain says he has a mind to experiment with vendange entier here, too, but did not this year”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Chambeyron-Manin Côte Rotie Côte Brune, Rhône 2013 750ML ($119.95) Was $99 Now $89, 16 bottles in stock now
Importer notes “At the southern end of Ampuis, Christianne Manin and her family own and operate Les Jardins de la Côte-Rôtie, a small market offering locally produced meats, cheeses, and produce. Luckily for us, they also cultivate a tiny parcel of vines in Côte-Rôtie. The .5 hectare parcel of vines is located directly above their home and cellar. Dedicated exclusively to the Serine clone of syrah, these 40-50 year old vines grow on iron rich schist laden soils of the Côte Brune. All of the vineyard work is done by hand, as the 50% slope must be very cautiously navigated. In the cellar, the grapes are vinified as whole cluster and via native yeasts in concrete tanks. Upon the completion of fermentation, the wine is pressed off using a traditional basket press and transferred via gravity into 500L barrels (up to one third new, depending upon the vintage). The wine then ages for 18 months before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. Production is limited to approximately 165 cases per year.”
Domaine Chandon de Briailles Corton-Clos du Roi Grand Cru, Côte de Beaune 2015 750ML ($249.95) Was $199 Now $179, 5 bottles in stock now
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2015 Corton Clos du Roi Grand Cru is a magical wine in the making, opening in the glass with a deep and brooding bouquet of cherries, plum preserve, espresso roast, rich soil, dark chocolate and dried rose petals. On the palate, the wine is incredibly complete and multidimensional, with an ample chassis of fine-grained, chalky tannins, a bright line of acidity, and immense concentration and length. More deep and layered than the Corton Bressandes, this Clos du Roi is also finer-boned and more mineral, its aromas and flavors less wild and “sauvage,” and while the wine’s considerable structure will demand a decade of bottle age, this will be a benchmark Corton in the fullness of time.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Domaine Chandon de Briailles Corton-Clos du Roi Grand Cru, Côte de Beaune 2016 750ML ($249.95) Was $199 Now $179, 11 bottles in stock now
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 95+ points “The 2016 Corton Clos du Roi Grand Cru is immensely impressive, unfurling in the glass with aromas of wild blueberries, raspberries and cassis that mingle with notions of dark chocolate, musk, violets and ineffable savory bass notes. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, satiny and multidimensional, with superb concentration, tangy acids and a long, searingly mineral finish. It’s one of the two or three finest expressions of the hill of Corton to be found—with the domaine’s fleshier, more gourmand Corton Bressandes not far behind. As readers may know, the de Nicolays’ holdings in the Clos du Roi are located at the top of this large vineyard, where the soils are redder and sandier than those classified—in white—as Corton-Charlemagne but which feature the same type of marl.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon, Rhône 2013 750ML ($249.95) Was $219 Now $199, 27 bottles in stock nowWine Advocate 98+ points “The star of the show in 2013 is the 2013 Ermitage le Pavillon. Coming from the west and eastern edges of the Bessards lieu-dit and aged in 30% new French oak, its sensational black/blue color is followed by the awesome bouquet of cassis, smoked earth, graphite and caramelized meats that could come from no other terroir in the world. Full-bodied, massive, dense, sexy and with a liquid rock-like character that comes out with time in the glass, it has sweet tannin and a blockbuster finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. It needs 5-6 years of cellaring and will have 30-40 years of more of ultimate longevity.”
Josh Raynolds 96 points “Saturated ruby. Pungent, spice- and mineral-accented aromas of dark fruits, candied violet and licorice pick up a peppery topnote in the glass. Sappy, incisive and pure, offering vivacious, deeply concentrated black raspberry and boysenberry flavors and a spicy topnote. The endless finish shows superb clarity and power, harmonious tannins and a strong mineral quality.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “Racy and tightly coiled in feel, with a bright iron spine and tangy sanguine and pepper notes amid the core of cassis, bitter cherry and damson plum fruit. Shows terrific cut and precision. Minerality courses through the finish. Best from 2019 through 2030.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Spain
Casa Castillo Vino de Finca, Jumilla 2017 750ML ($24.95) Was $21.90 Now $18.80, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Casa Castillo Vino de Finca, Jumilla 2017 750ML ($299.95) Was $219 Now $199 (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
Luis Gutierrez 93+ points “There is a big jump in depth, complexity and nuance between the Monastrell and the 2017 Vino de Finca, which is a blend of Monastrell with almost 25% Garnacha. This comes from four plots that were selected from what was previously used for the entry-level Monastrell; they aim was to find a wine with more finesse and elegance but with the inherent power of the zone. This is only the third vintage for this cuvée, and it feels quite established and different from the rest of the range; it has less varietal character and is more about the place, getting closer to the single-vineyard bottlings where they do not search for fruit character. The idea here is to ferment at temperatures that are quite so low and to stabilize the wine in oak barrels for a long-ish time (12 months in 500-liter barrels and 5,000-liter oak foudres). They are wines of sun and limestone. This is a good reflection of it with a perfumed and floral note on the finish (elegance!) that is quite remarkable. 31,000 bottles produced in 2017. It was bottled in November 2018.”
Italy
Alois Lageder ‘Löwengang’ Chardonnay Südtirol – Alto Adige, Trentino-Alto Adige 2016 750ML ($69.95) Was $59 Now $49, 9 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95+ points “Opening to creamy aromas of almond butter and poached pear, the 2016 Alto Adige Chardonnay Löwengang is a beautiful and sophisticated interpretation of this versatile grape. The wine opens to a luminous golden color with balanced fruit and spice aromas that are expertly folded together. This vintage is especially bright and polished, especially in terms of mouthfeel. Honey and quince flood the very long and silky finish. Grapes are harvested from vines that range from 22 to 72 years in age. The grapes are fermented in barrique with ambient yeasts and aged on the fine lees in oak for 11 months. Some 50,700 of various format bottles are produced. I just love this supremely elegant wine.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Pre-Arrival ETA February 12th:
Casanova di Neri Cerretalto, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2013 750ML ($359.95) Was $299 Now $289 pre-arrival specialMonica Larner-Wine Advocate 97 points “There are a handful of wines in Italy that make me nervous before I taste them because my expectations are so high. This is one of those wines. Indeed, previous editions of Cerretalto have earned the coveted 100 point score, and I am astutely aware of the pedigree and potential that comes forth with each new vintage. As enthusiastic as my assessment of the 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto is, I’m stopping short of that perfect score. This vintage is something of a moving target with wines that are beautiful, without a doubt, yet the growing conditions were not even across the appellation, and achieving optimal tannic management posed a challenge to many producers. If I were to make any criticism of this wine, it would fall along those lines. That aside, this is a beautiful Brunello that boasts deep intensity and bold black fruit flavors that are plummy and rich. Spice, toasted oak and tobacco frame that primary fruit. Cerretalto ages in oak for 30 months and that strong imprint has added to the structure, depth and contemporary character of this A-list Brunello. That oak imprint is also reinforced in the wine’s tannins. There’s no doubt that this wine needs more cellar aging. I would absolutely not suggest drinking it within the next five years. Any awkwardness it shows now should iron itself out with more bottle time. Only 9,771 bottles were made.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
California
Pre-Arrival ETA February 12th:
Bedrock Wine Co. Evangelho Vineyard Heritage Red, Contra Costa County 2018 750ML ($41.95) Was $34.90 Now $33 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2018 Evangelho Heritage Wine is so alluring. Sweet cherry, pomegranate, blood orange and perfumed red roses all grace this silky, captivating wine from Bedrock. Dollops of Mataro and Carignan round out this field blend, but it is the high percentage of Zinfandel, and its bright acid profile, that carries the day. This is such a gorgeous and expressive wine.”
Winery Note “2018 was our second vintage with full control of farming at our nearly 130-year-old estate site (still gives me chills to say that), and we enjoyed a mild and even vintage leading to a relatively late harvest at this amazing Delta site. This is a classic Evangelho, showing the bright and composed fruit we expect along with the savory bite inflected by the Mataro and Carignan, and one that should provide plenty of pleasure throughout the years.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Averaen’s Powerful Willamette Valley Pinots
If you’re unfamiliar with Averaen, you’d be excused—2016 was only the label’s second vintage. But in just a few short years Averaen has established itself as a top producer of rich, powerful, terroir-driven Pinot Noir in Oregon.Averaen is a project of Baron Ziegler, one of the founders of Banshee wines, and, like their California counterparts, the Averaen wines deliver exceptional value. These are exceptionally made, critically acclaimed wines that are a steal for the prices we’re offering them at.
Stylistically, they share a richness of fruit and an oak framing that makes them feel distinctly more premium than their prices would suggest. Lovers of Archery Summit, Domaine Serene and Penner-Ash should take note—these are alternatives that deliver real value to those brands. We only have a few bottles left of their 2016 single vineyard Pinots, and don’t expect them to last much longer. But don’t sleep on their sub-$20 flagship Willamette Valley Pinot (and Chardonnay). Both wines offer all the richness and polish, but at prices rarely seen in premium Oregon wine.
In Stock Now:
Averaen Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Averaen ‘Eola Springs Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2016 750ML ($49.95) $36 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds 93 points “(50% whole clusters and 50% new French oak) Vivid red. Spice-tinged black raspberry and cherry scents are complicated by hints of cola, pungent flowers and smoky minerals. Sweet and seamless on the palate, offering energetic red and dark berry and vanilla flavors along with suggestions of rose pastille and blood orange that add complexity. Concentrated but vibrant and precise in character, delivering strong finishing thrust, interwoven tannins and excellent, floral-driven persistence.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Averaen Meredith Mitchell Vineyard Pinot Noir, McMinnville 2016 750ML ($49.95) $36 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds 92 points “(20% whole clusters and 50% new French oak) Lurid red. Blackberry and boysenberry aromas are complicated by suggestions of cola and candied violet, and a smoky mineral note lends nervy lift. Incisive dark berry and bitter cherry flavors slowly gain flesh and become sweeter in the midpalate. Impressively precise and energetic, delivering strong finishing thrust and dusty, building tannins that make a late appearance.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Averaen Nysa Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2016 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Josh Raynolds 93 points “(30% whole clusters and 50% new French oak) Deep vivid red. A highly aromatic bouquet evokes red fruit liqueur, mocha and Asian spices, along with a smoky mineral overtone. Juicy, seamless and precise on the palate, offering sweet raspberry, rose pastille and spicecake flavors that deepen and spread out steadily with air. Conveys a suave blend of richness and finesse and finishes with supple, harmonious tannins and outstanding clarity and floral-tinged persistence.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Also in Stock from Averaen:
Averaen Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 35 bottles in stock now
Paul Gregutt-Wine Enthusiast 92 points “It would be hard to find a better Chardonnay at this price. A blend of grapes from two AVAs, it’s been given reserve-level care, including aging in 10% new French oak. Toasty, tasty and well balanced, it offers ripe apple fruit accented with nut butter and caramel.”
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 91 points “Light, glistening gold. Spice- and smoke-accented pear, melon and tangerine on the nose, along with a building hint of vanilla. Silky, palate-coating citrus and orchard fruit and fennel flavors smoothly blend depth and energy. Shows strong tenacity on the incisive finish, which features subtle vanilla and bitter citrus pith qualities.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Love supporting local wineries? We have over 250 options from Oregon and Washington in stock now. Shop the entire selection, including staff favorites like Cameron, Crowley, Goodfellow and more, on our web store now.
Super Subscriber Special
An Incredible Value from Rhône Star Delas
An Incredible Value from Rhône Star Delas
Delas makes some of the most powerful, intense wines in the Northern Rhône at prices that make them one of the superior values in the region. Density and richness are a hallmark—there are no shrinking violets in the lineup. Star Champagne house Louis Roederer owns Delas and has been pushing the quality upwards each year. For whatever reason, the market has yet to catch up to the quality coming out of Delas’ cellar. The Northern Rhône has turned into one of the hottest markets in the wine world, with many wineries getting expensive overnight. That hasn’t happened to Delas—yet.In Stock Now & Priced to Move:
Delas Frères Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon, Rhône 2015 750ML ($44.95) Was $36, Now $28 Super Subscriber Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Delas Frères Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon, Rhône 2015 750ML ($279.95) Was $199, Now $156 Super Subscriber Special (that’s only $26/bottle!)
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.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA
Now even lower!
The average price nationally is $51
Now even lower!
The average price nationally is $51
Also in Stock from Delas:
Delas Frères Crozes-Hermitage Le Clos, Rhône 2013 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 93+ points “Similar to the Domaine des Grands Chemins, yet with additional structure, the inky purple/ruby colored 2013 Crozes-Hermitage le Clos has lots of minerality in its smoky, meaty, dark fruited profile. Medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated, structured yet balanced, give it 2-4 years of cellaring and enjoy over the following decade or more.”
Delas Frères Hermitage Les Bessards, Rhône 2004 750ML ($199.95) $119 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 94 points “Ruby-red. Very pungent, deep aromas of tobacco- and underbrush-laced red and blackcurrant. Powerful and rich, showing impressive sweetness to its potent cassis and blackberry flavors. Really stains the palate, finishing with exceptional purity and mineral tones. Whatever tannins are here (and you know there are plenty) are completely absorbed by the sheer fruit mass.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Delas Frères Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes – Marquise de la Tourette, Rhône 2011 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck-Wine Advocate 95+ points “Starting off the 2011s, both of which were tasted out of bottle numerous times, the 2011 Hermitage Domaine de Tourettes is another blockbuster from this producer. Full-bodied, rich, layered and voluptuously textured, it offers up a beautiful bouquet of smoked herbs, leather, ground pepper and assorted meaty nuances that are grounded by a rich core of cassis and darker berry fruit. While a big wine, it has remarkable freshness and purity, serious mid-palate depth and silky tannin, all of which allow it to dish out loads of pleasure, even now. Enjoy it over the coming 15-20 years.”
Love Rhône reds? We have 160 in stock now. Shop the entire selection, including additional options from Delas, on our web store now.
Collector’s Corner
Charlopin’s Affordable Grand Crus Burgundy
Philippe Charlopin first made name for himself in Gevrey Chambertin as a member of Burgundy’s new class of dynamic wine growers. In the years since he burst onto the scene, he has developed a devoted following in the United States thanks to his more modern style. He also sources from some of the finest vineyards in the Côte d’Or, including iconic climats like Chambertin and Échezeaux. We have several of his highly coveted Grand Cru bottling in stock now. These are incredible deals, but limited to the case (or less) we have of each wine.In Stock Now:
Domaine Charlopin Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru, Côte de Nuits 2013 750ML ($249.95) $199 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “There’s a lot of oak here, lending char, vanilla and whisky elements to the core of black cherry and black currant flavors. Fresh and firm, though the finish absorbs the oak better than the initial attack. Vibrant and long, this just needs time to integrate. Best from 2020 through 2036.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Charlopin Chambertin Grand Cru, Côte de Nuits 2013 750ML ($349.95) $249 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Burghound 93-95 points “Dont miss! Reduction flattens the fruit. Here too there is excellent volume and almost painful intensity to the broad-shouldered, concentrated and mineral-driven flavors that culminate in an explosively long, driving and highly persistent finish. This is a seriously impressive effort and as it often is chez Charlopin, it’s the best wine in the range in 2013.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Charlopin Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru, Côte de Nuits 2013 750ML ($249.95) $199 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “Bright and focused, exhibiting spicy black cherry, raspberry, earth, smoke, vanilla and toast aromas and flavors. Bracing acidity offsets the lush texture, driving this to a long, expansive finish. Best from 2019 through 2030.”
Domaine Philippe Charlopin-Parizot Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru, Côte de Nuits 2015 750ML ($299.95) $249 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Neal Martin – Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2015 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru, which is a 50/50 blend from Mazoyères and Charmes, has an elegant and pure bouquet that unfolds in the glass, delivering both red and black fruit with fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with fleshy ripe red berry fruit matched with fine acidity and harmony, long and almost languorous towards the finish. Very fine – one of Philippe’s best offerings in 2015.”
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 92-94 points “(13.3% natural alcohol; half from Charmes and half from Mazoyères, with both parcels planted 60 years ago): Saturated deep ruby! Black fruit aromas convey an almost candied ripeness. Very rich, sweet and deep, filling the mouth with ripe black fruit flavors. Finishes very long, with huge but ripe tannins. In contrast to the Bonnes-Mares, this is clearly a wine from a sun-drenched growing season. Very impressive but almost too much.”
Burghound 91-94 points “From a 50/50 split of Charmes and Mazoyères. A pungent nose of reduction and wood is difficult to assess though by contrast there is excellent volume and richness to the sleek, focused and extract-rich big-bodied flavors that possess terrific complexity on the balanced and mouth coating finish. This is really quite good and should be approachable after only a few years of bottle age.”
Domaine Charlopin Clos Saint Denis Grand Cru, Côte de Nuits 2013 750ML ($249.95) $189 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “Draws you in, with beautifully fragrant cherry, floral and spice aromas. The oak spice is more dominant on the palate, integrating with the cherry and blackberry fruit and lush texture. Impressive and should come together with time. Best from 2020 through 2034.”
Burghound 92-94 points “A restrained, elegant and airy nose displays both red and blue pinot fruit as well as plum and spice nuances. There is good richness and tension to the medium-bodied and velvety flavors that possess fine mid-palate density, all wrapped in an energetic and refined finish where a touch of mocha surfaces. While this will almost certainly repay extended cellaring it should also be a reasonably good candidate for enjoyment young.”
Domaine Philippe Charlopin-Parizot Échezeaux Grand Cru, Côte de Nuits 2015 750ML ($299.95) $249 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 92-94 points “(from the lieu-dit En Orveaux): Full red with ruby tones. Sexy, slightly high-toned aromas of red raspberry and smoked meat, plus a whiff of cooked strawberry that Charlopin says is typical of this cool site, which he picks ten days after his Clos Vougeot. Fine-grained and surprisingly sappy on the palate, showing terrific depth to its raspberry and saline mineral flavors. Finishes with savory tannins and excellent lingering sweetness. As much red- as black-fruit in style, this soil-driven wine really stains the palate.”
Burghound 91-93 points “From En Orveaux. Mild reduction doesn’t completely mask the background aromas of floral and spice nuances. There is both good richness and a lovely sense of energy to the refined and seductive middle weight flavors that possess good but not exceptional depth and length. On the plus side there is fine underlying material and this may very well develop more complexity than I imagine and if it does, my preliminary range may be too conservative.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
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