Opus’ Opus; Store-wide Barolo Sale; Cayuse, Colgin and SQN; Top Tier Tignanello; Back Vintage Oreno; Beaujolais Killer T’s—On a Swarm; Case Deals For Sunny Days; Erdener Pralat—Red vs Blue Slate; Brunello You Don’t Want to Miss; Ulysse Collin; Terlato’s Peaks; Cascina delle Rose
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‘Omazing Opus Offer
Arriving This Week
Limited Second Tranche – from the perfect 2013 vintage:
Opus One Proprietary Red, Napa Valley 2013 750ML ($279.95) $259 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 100 points “The greatest Opus ever. Terrific aromas of crushed black currants, blueberries and flowers with hints of sweet tobacco. Roses continue to exude opulence and class. Full body, superb balance of ultra-fine tannins and vibrant acidity. Complex aftertaste of black fruits and citrus fruit. Extremely persistent. So approachable now and enjoyable. But will be even better in 2019 and beyond. 79% cabernet sauvignon, 7% cabernet franc, 6% merlot, 6% petit verdot, 2% malbec. This will always be beautiful to drink.” (01/2016)
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Barolo Sale
Subscriber-Only Special
Your special discount: 10% off listed price on all in-stock Barolos
Discount does not apply to pre-arrival offers
Discount will not appear in online shopping cart
We will apply it here before charging
Sale Ends Monday, April 3rd at 11:59 PM!
We offer 61 Barolos in-stock and available here now, such names as G. B. Burlotto, Giacomo Borgogno & Giacomo Conterno, Bruno Giacosa, Bartolo Mascarello & Giuseppe Mascarello, Domenico Clerico, Roagna, Scarpa to Roberto Voerzio & Vietti, you’re certain to find treasures! Top picks include:
Giacomo Conterno Francia Barolo DOCG 2003 750ML ($149.95) Displayed Price: $128, Your Cost: $115.20, 22 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2003 Barolo Cascina Francia is soft, silky and very nicely balanced, especially in its tannins, where the wine really stands out next to so many peers. Readers should open the 2003 at least an hour in advance to allow the aromatics to open up. This is a very sexy and open young Barolo from Conterno with very little signs of the challenging growing season.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $131
Roberto Voerzio Riserva Vecchie Viti dei Capalot e Brunate, Barolo DOCG 2004 1.5L ($699.95) Displayed Price: $569, Your Cost: $512.10, 12 magnums available
Antonio Galloni 98 points “Voerzio no longer makes his Barolo Riserva Vecchie Viti dei Capalot e delle Brunate. The 2004 is a great reminder of just how fabulous this wine was. A huge, vertical wine, the 2004 boasts magnificent depth and overall intensity. The flavors are boldly sketched in a dramatic Barolo built on pure muscle. A host of black cherry, cloves, smoke, menthol, tar and blackberry jam flow through to the intense finish. Beguiling and powerful, the 2004 will provide fascinating drinking for the next 10-15 years, perhaps longer. Of all the 2004s here, this is the wine that has had the most positive evolution in bottle.” (05/2015)
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Brovia ‘Brea Vigna Ca’ Mia’, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($89.95) Displayed Price: $69, Your Cost: $62.10, 28 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Lavender, mint, sage, smoke, tobacco and plums are all laced together in the 2011 Barolo Brea Vigna Ca’Mia. As always, the Ca’Mia is a decidedly vertical Barolo built on a spine of persistent tannin, but in 2011 there is a little bit of added polish that serves to soften the contours. Tucked off the main road, Brea remains one of the least well-known vineyards in Serralunga. The 2011 is a great wine to start exploring some of the nuances of this site. A huge finish that brings together power and voluptuousness captures the pure radiance of the year.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $76
Cordero di Montezemolo Enrico VI, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($119.95) Displayed Price: $85, Your Cost: $76.50, 16 bottles available
James Suckling 96 points “Wonderful aromas of crushed berries and flowers here. Particularly roses. Full body, with fine yet chewy tannins and a long intense finish. Needs four or five years to open. Best wine ever from here?” JS
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The estate’s Barolo Enrico VI, which emerges from the Villero vineyard in Castiglione Falletto, is one of the most beautiful wines I have tasted here in some time. Vivid and layered in the glass, the 2010 is all about polish, silkiness and pure nuance. Sweet, silky tannins support a core of dark red cherries, plums, tobacco, menthol and smoke, all in a textured, layered style that is hugely appealing. The Enrico VI is a wine of significant potential. I can’t wait to see how it ages.”
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2010 Barolo Enrico VI sees fruit sourced from the celebrated Villero cru in Castiglione Falletto. It’s hard not to be enthusiastically impressed by this gorgeous effort. The fruit is stunning and dark with a deep, penetrating level of aromatic intensity that spans from creme de cassis to dried licorice root. In the mouth, it is extraordinarily bright and silky and the seamless finish can be counted in long, delicious minutes. A special nod goes the high energy and vibrant quality of this beautiful Barolo. Drink: 2016-2026.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The average price is $95
Giacomo Borgogno & Figli Cannubi, Barolo DOCG 2008 750ML ($179.95) Displayed Price: $119, Your Cost: $107.10, 15 bottles available
James Suckling 96 points “A dense, chewy wine with plum and dried fruit character. Lots of mineral, sandy and balsamic character. Full body, ripe tannins and a flavourful finish. Structured and rich. Serious Cannubi. Needs at least three or four years of bottle age.” JS
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Violets, tar, smoke, rose petals, spices and dark fruit are some of the many notes that emerge from the 2008 Barolo Cannubi. An intense, dramatic wine for the year, the 2008 boasts layered fruit and equally thrilling structure, even if at times it is a bit rustic. This is a decidedly burly wine from Cannubi, a vineyard mostly associated with finesse. It will be interesting to see how things come together in bottle. Today, it is the wine’s striking inner perfume that makes me most hopeful for the future.” AG
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The average price is $134
Falletto di Bruno Giacosa ‘Falletto’, Barolo DOCG 2005 750ML ($249.95) Displayed Price: $169, Your Cost: $152.10, 24+ bottles available
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2005 Barolo Falletto offers up a gorgeous bouquet of red cherries, flowers, spices and menthol. This is a relatively delicate, elegant Barolo Falletto yet it offers gorgeous balance, tons of inner perfume and a long, refined finish. It is one of the overachievers in 2005. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.”WA
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The average price is $222
Want to see them all?
For full reviews and descriptions, visit our web store at www.vinopoliswineshop.com
&
Search for the term ‘Barolo’
Does not apply to pre-arrival offers
Sale ends midnight of the 3rd!
Discount will not appear in online shopping cart
We will apply it here before charging
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Treasured Estates
New Arrivals from Cayuse, Colgin & Sine Qua Non
Horsepower Vineyards ‘The Tribe Vineyard’ Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2014 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 3 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “In the same ballpark as the Sur Echalas Vineyard release, the 2014 Syrah The Tribe Vineyard gives up lots of minerality and gunpowder-like characteristics, as well as red fruits, pepper, and violets aromas and flavors. On the fuller side of medium to full-bodied, it has juicy acidity, fine tannin and impeccable balance. It will have two decades of longevity.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $175
The average price is $187
Cayuse Vineyards Bionic Frog Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2012 750ML ($319.95) $299 special, 9 bottles available
Wine Advocate 99 points “While a lot of the 2012s came in near the bottom of the barrel score, that wasn’t the case with the 2012 Syrah Bionic Frog and this beauty flirts with perfection. Inky colored and purple to the rim, it offers extraordinary notes of black fruits, wild mushrooms, smoked earth and salty minerality. These all flow to a full-bodied, thrillingly concentrated, focused, structured and lengthy 2012 that needs 4-5 years of cellaring, and will knock your socks off over the following 15 years or more.” JD
Cayuse Vineyards Wallah Wallah Special Series Syrah #5, Walla Walla Valley 2013 1.5L ($319.95) $279 special, 2 magnums available
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 93+ points “(bottled in magnum): Healthy, moderately saturated dark red. Musky aromas of dark berries, mocha and brown spices, plus a hint of creamy vanilla. Savory and youthfully tight; offering less early sex appeal than the 2012 version but this wine possesses an impressive thickness and finishes with big, broad tannins that suggest a slow evolution in bottle. Distinctly saline and backward–and perhaps less distinctive today than the single-vineyard Syrah bottlings from Cayuse. This wine represents Baron’s tribute to Jamet’s Côte-Rôtie, which is a blend of multiple sites.”
Colgin Cellars IX Estate Syrah, Napa Valley 2013 750ML ($349.95) $299 special, 3 bottles available
Robert Parker 98 points “The 2013 Syrah IX Estate may turn out to be better. It’s not as complex from a nuanced standpoint as the 2012, but it has possibly greater intensity than its sibling. Its blackberry fruit, charcoal, acacia flowers, grilled meats and beef tartare notes are all beautifully presented in a pure, succulent, opulent style. This is amazing stuff, and a great example of a singular style of Syrah from Napa Valley. Drink now-2028.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $314
The average price is $339
Sine Qua Non Piranha Waterdance Syrah, California 2014 750ML ($299.95) $269 special, 4 bottles available
Robert Parker 97-100 points “The 2014 Syrah Piranha Waterdance is young and unevolved (more than the Grenache) and sports an inky blue color to go with lots of minerality, notes of cassis, violets and pepper, full-bodied richness and a surprisingly serious, structured, even masculine vibe on the palate. A blend of 81% Syrah, 8% Petite Sirah and the rest Mourvedre, Touriga Nacional and Graciano, fermented with 26% whole clusters and aging in 54% new French oak, it will be bottled just after the Grenache, in April of next year.”
Sine Qua Non Rattrapante Grenache, California 2012 750ML ($899.95) $489 special, 4 bottles available
Robert Parker 100 points “A perfect wine any way you look at it, the 2012 Grenache Rattrapante comes all from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills and spent 33 months in 27% new French oak. My notes start – and end – with “Wow.” Giving up tons of black raspberries, peppery herbs, licorice, dried flowers and cured meats, it’s a massively concentrated, rich and layered Grenache that somehow manages to stay graceful, lively and fresh on the palate. There are roughly 800 cases of this elixir and any Grenache lover should do their best to latch onto a bottle (or two). It’s also worth noting that this cuvee saw 26% whole clusters, which is a small change from past vintages.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $499
The average price is $641
Sine Qua Non Touche Syrah, California 2012 750ML ($799.95) $499 special, 3 bottles available
Robert Parker 100 points “Lastly, the utterly perfect 2012 Syrah Touche reminds me of a great vintage of Guigal’s Cote Rotie La Landonne. A blend of 93% Syrah, 5% Petite Sirah and 2% Viognier, all from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills, it spent 40 months in 78% new French oak. Deep, concentrated, full-bodied and layered, with a multidimensional texture and to-die-for notes of camphor, cured meats, violets, smoke and assorted dark fruits, this beauty has fine, perfectly ripe tannin and blockbuster length. Give it 3-4 years and drink over the following two decades.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
The average price is $678
Sine Qua Non Shakti Grenache, California 2014 750ML ($299.95) $249 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 96-98 points “Leading off the 2014s from barrel, the 2014 Grenache Shakti (88% Grenache, 6% Mourvedre, 4% Petite Sirah and the rest Touriga Nacionale) comes largely from the Cumulus Vineyard, with smaller portions from Eleven Confessions, the Third Twin and Bien Nacido. Aged almost entirely in neutral barrels (6% new), it has a supple, sexy profile as well as killer base notes of black raspberries, cassis, ground herbs and violets. Deep, concentrated, full-bodied and laced with sweet tannin, I continue to be baffled why so few people in California get close to this level of quality with Grenache.”
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Tig is in the House
Marchesi Antinori Tignanello Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 3 bottles available
Marchesi Antinori Tignanello Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2013 375ML ($69.95) $55 special, 14 half-bottles available
Wine Spectator #8 Wine of the Year in 2016
James Suckling 97 points “This is amazing on the nose with blackberry, black truffle, dried cherry and hints of tobacco. So complex on the nose. Almost no need to taste it. Full body, soft and velvety tannins, and a persistent, fabulous finish. The mouthfeel is magic. 80% sangiovese and 20% cabernet sauvignon. Drink or hold.”
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2013 Tignanello represents the beginning of a new chapter for Italy’s ultimate game-changer wine. The blend remains 80% Sangiovese with 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc but Renzo Cotarella tells me “stylistically-speaking, this is what we wanted to achieve.” The winemaking formula remains the same, but one of the major differences and benefits to this wine is vineyard age. The celebrated Tignanello single vineyard is now reaching 15 years old. In other words, it is in its production prime. This is a harmonious and beautifully integrated wine that reveals black fruit and baking spice.”
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “The 2013 Tignanello is a real knock-out. Rich and intense, but also linear in style, the 2013 is endowed with superb energy from start to finish. In this vintage, the Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc character is especially evident, especially in the aromatics. Today, the 2013 is tightly wound and not ready to show all of its cards. Readers will have to be patient with the 2013, but the wine has plenty to say. Above all else, this is a remarkable level of quality for a wine with Bordeaux First Growth production (but not price) often in excess of 25,000 cases.”
Wine Spectator 94 points –#8 Top 100 of 2016–“Aromas of graphite, smoke and tobacco introduce the cherry flavor in this expressive, focused red. Firm tannins and lively acidity balance the fruit and purity, while herbal, spice and mineral elements all gather steam as this plays out on the long finish. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2017 through 2027.”
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Classic Vintage Oreno
High Points, Low Price
Sette Ponti’s Oreno is one of the most recognizable names in the Super-Tuscan field. Year after year, Oreno delivers rich, dense wines from the clayey and limestone soil that are delicious on release but evolve into really spectacular drinks with a few years of age on them. We managed to get our hands on a small set of 2011 Oreno, which is from a really good vintage and is drinking well right now. It’s got points to back it up and at this price won’t be around for long.
Tenuta Sette Ponti Oreno Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2011 750ML ($69.95) $49 special
James Suckling 96 points “There is a purity of fruit in this young Tuscan red with flowers, citrus fruit and currants. Full body, with firm and silky tannins that are ultra-fine and wonderfully polished. The structure builds to a racy finish. This is a Bordeaux blend that is all in harmony. Give it time as the tannins and fruit melt together. Try in 2016.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2011 Oreno wraps around the palate with gorgeous resonance and silkiness. Mocha, cloves, leather and dark spices all add nuance to a core of voluptuous, racy fruit. This is a typical 2011 long on texture, resonance and early appeal. Readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off the 2011, as it is already striking. The style is ripe, intense and full-bodied, yet all the elements fall into place effortlessly.”
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Our Current
Shipping Promos:
We offer flat rate shipping to Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California, and Colorado. Here’s the scoop:
Single orders of any quantity of wines qualify for the flat rate;
this does not apply to orders held in storage for any reason
or multiple orders consolidated into one shipment.
The flat rate for each state is, as follows:
-to Oregon for $17,
-Washington & Idaho for $20,
-and California & Colorado for $25
Take Advantage of the Flat Rate!
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The Gang’s All Here
And Best Prices Abound!
New Arrival from Jean-Paul Thevenet
Jean-Paul Thevenet Morgon Vieilles Vignes, Beaujolais 2015 750ML ($34.95) $26 special, 36+ bottles available
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Brilliant magenta. Explosive red berry liqueur, incense and floral scents, along with hints of allspice and smoky minerals. Silky and seamless on the palate, offering deeply concentrated black raspberry, spicecake and violet and pastille flavors that put on weight and become sweeter with air. The balance of richness and vivacity here is extremely impressive. Closes with impressive, mineral-driven intensity and length; silky tannins sneak in late to add shape and grip. Thévenet is consistently one of the great producers of Beaujolais and in 2015 he produced one of the monuments of the vintage.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $30
Don’t miss other great Beaujolais producers in-stock now, including wines from Thivin, Lapierre, Guy Breton and Jean Foillard – see the complete list online at www.vinopoliswineshop.com. You can browse all Beaujolais selections by visiting the shopping portion of our web page and selecting “Beaujolais” from the categories menu!
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Trending Case Deals
Deals by the half or full dozen, below are our most popular picks!
Search ‘case-12’ or ‘case-6’ to see all the listings on our web store at www.vinopoliswineshop.com
The Frescobaldis began producing wine in 1300 and Brunello in 1800. From the beginning, the family has demanded that their wines be of quality and that they reflect the uniqueness of their terroirs. The Frescobaldi Castelgiocondo results from severe selection of vineyard sites, with carefully selected soils, exposure and altitude. A wine recognized all over the world for its value and consistent quality, year after year. Truly a great value, especially by the six-pack!
Case-6 Marchesi de Frescobaldi Castelgiocondo, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2011 750ML ($359.95) $219 special (that’s only $36.50/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Marchesi de Frescobaldi Castelgiocondo, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2011 750ML ($69.95) $39 special
James Suckling 93 points “A firm, silky red with blueberry, blackberry and mineral aromas. Hints of chocolate. Full body, pretty fruit and a long, flavorful finish. Very refined. A standard-bearer.”
Wine Advocate 91 points “Boasting an elaborate style, the 2011 Brunello di Montalcino is a plump, juicy and opulent red wine from southern Tuscany. The wine is packed tight with the sunshine and the brilliant luminosity of its birthplace. The quality of fruit is quite ripe and soft. The tannins are similarly textured. This is an immediate wine that can be consumed within the next few years. Or, if you have the patience to wait, it promises a steady medium-term evolution. The bouquet is redolent of red fruit, cherry cola and grilled herb.”
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino is a very pretty wine. Succulent, open-knit and racy, the 2011 offers lovely purity of fruit in a racy, forward style that is best enjoyed sooner rather than later, while the flavors retain their brightness. Sweet red cherry, flowers and spices reappear on the finish, adding a closing burst of energy.”
The Dezat family name is basically etched into the historical record of Sancerre; municipal records refer to the Dezats as early as 1550. In 1948, André Dezat took over his family’s vineyard holdings and took an active role in promoting the domaine as well as Sancerre-at-large. His sons Louis and Simon joined him in the 1970’s, and in the ensuing years have expanded to now include Sancerre, Menetou Salon, and Pouilly Fume. Delicious & carefree warm weather wine:
Case-12 Andre Dezat & Fils Domaine Thibault Pouilly-Fume, Loire 2015 750ML ($249.95) $199 special, 2 cases available
Andre Dezat & Fils Domaine Thibault Pouilly-Fume, Loire 2015 750ML ($24.95) $18.80 special, 36+ bottles available
Winery note “Our Pouilly Fumé originates from the Sauvignon Blanc grape variety. It is made from a blend of grapes from three terroirs: the marl soils referred to as “little oysters”, Villiers limestone and siliceous-clayey soils. This blend provides aromatic complexity characterized by a range of aromatic notes which include citrus, peaches, pears and acacia.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Delas is one of the most notable landholders in the Northern Rhone, with holdings in some of the best vineyards in every major AOC, yet they still manage to be overlooked when people put together collections of wine from the region. Delas makes wines that are a) delicious and well-made and b) more than reasonably priced. Try this modern-styled complex red with your next bbq:
Case-6 Delas Freres Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon, Rhone 2013 750ML ($199.95) $149 special, 2 six-packs available
Delas Freres Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon, Rhone 2013 750ML ($44.95) $28 special, 21 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92 points “Similar to the Saint Epine release quality-wise, the 2013 St Joseph Cuvee Francois de Tournon offers more richness, breadth and layer compared to the tighter, more focused, granite-influenced Saint Epine. Plum, black raspberry, licorice, cracked pepper and graphite flows to a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, structured 2013 that needs 3-4 years of cellaring; it will have two decades of longevity. Coming mostly from vineyards around Tournon and Mauves, it spent 12 months in 30% new French oak.”
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92 points “Vivid ruby. Highly perfumed, exotic scents of black raspberry and blueberry preserves, incense and smoky minerals carry a spicy topnote. At once ripe and lively on the palate, offering palate-staining red and dark berry and cherry cola flavors and subtle floral character. Finishes spicy and very long, displaying harmonious tannins and a lingering violet note.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Ripe and concentrated without sacrificing cut, this lets a pure beam of raspberry and blackberry coulis rush forth, backed by mouthwatering anise, black tea and iron notes. Latent grip allows the finish to linger. Best from 2016 through 2022.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $38
Two ridiculously popular by-the-case or -bottle buys: Last call!
Case-12 Chateau Bel-Air, Pomerol 2009 750ML ($419.95) $299 special, 3 cases available (that’s only $24.92/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Chateau Bel-Air, Pomerol 2009 750ML ($37.95) $29 special, 7 bottles available
“Owned by the Martin family (who also own Gloria), this dense ruby/plum-colored sleeper of the vintage displays oodles of fruit as well as some notes of Christmas fruitcake and roasted herbs along with loads of cassis. Tasty, round, generous, and ripe, this 2009 has a lot going for it.”–Robert Parker
Case-12 Chateau Bel-Air, Pomerol 2010 750ML ($419.95) $299 special, 1 case available (that’s only $24.92/bottle!)
Chateau Bel-Air, Pomerol 2010 750ML ($37.95) $29 special, 8 bottles available
Grapelive 92 points “The vintage shows through here without question, a great year makes this lovely Pomerol a terrific value and wonderfully textured wine from Chateau Bel-Air. This dark and full bodied Pomerol hits all the right notes and does so with class, vitality and verve. It shows beautiful detail and complexity in a forceful, but elegantly pure Merlot. This is really seductive stuff in the glass, holding its own against far more expensive labels with ease and poise. The rich layers of fruit, mineral tones and sweet tannin give decadence and refined structure, highlighting Merlot’s promise in a world that sometimes lacks the respect of this often maligned varietal. Chateau Bel-Air has captured in the bottle the right bank’s charm and beauty in this 2010, it shows terroir, with subtle loamy/earth, plummy dense mouth feel and stylish silken length with a wine that has the potential to age another 10 to 15 years, but is pretty darn good right now too. The lead off here is dark floral tones a hint of smoky cedar and black cherry fruit with blackberry, plum, dark kirsch liqueur along with a touch of mint, dried clay, a touch of cigar wrapper and vanilla. This fine Bordeaux delivers well beyond its price and is wonderful with food choices that range from duck breast, lamb, roast pork, wild mushroom dishes to prime rib, and or any comforting winter fare really, and it can also be enjoyed with cheeses or on its own. This is the kind of wine that brings you back to Bordeaux, and certainly makes you wonder why you don’t drink more Merlot. Drink this Chateau Bel-Air Pomerol from 2016 to 2028.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Arriving in April
Our Favorite Budget-Friendly Brunello:
Case-6 Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($229.95) $179 pre-arrival special (that’s only $29.83/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 91+ points “Caparzo’s 2012 Brunello di Montalcino is a mid-weight expression with bright berry aromas and a traditional approach stylistically speaking. This Brunello aged in large oak casks made from Slavonian and French oak. In fact, it shows a streamlined and compact texture with buoyant aromatic intensity. The focus is on raspberry, cherry and plum with distinct shadings of spice, licorice, tar and blue flower at the back. The overall effect is inviting and genuine. The mouthfeel is thin, but the wine offers nice freshness instead.”
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Both Blue and Red:
The Unifying Power of the Pralat
The Erdener Pralat is one of the tiniest, most privileged parcels in the grand section of the middle Mosel. The vineyard is only 4 acres, yet its name is known far and wine because of the quality and style of the wines it produces, which is unique even in a this famed region known for exceptional wine.
Erdener Pralat is a geologic anomaly in that the vineyard has two different kinds of slate which, rather than being intermingled, are actually fused with each other. As a result, the surface of the vineyard has the bright red character of the Urziger Wurzgarten, but the underlying soil of the blue-slate Treppchen. The resulting wines have the exotic spice and fruit of the Ur-Wurz, but with more mineral and a crunchier texture than you’d expect—in many ways the best of both worlds.
Being so small, there are only a few holders of the Pralat. Our favorite for quality and price is the estate of J. Christoffel Jr. They are a wonderful middle Mosel estate, run by Karl Josef Christoffel, who makes very traditional wines and we are able to acquire them for incredibly competitive prices. All the wines here are fermented with natural yeasts and aged in the traditional 1000L Fuder casks. The resulting wines are complex and incredibly age-worthy, but like most Mosel Riesling, they are delicious today.
The best part about the winery, however, is that Karl-Josef has an extensive library of wines that they release after considerable in-bottle aging, giving wine lovers a chance to see what these wines can do as they become mature. We’ve acquired a vertical of these special wines and so if you want to see how they age, now you have a rare chance to do so direct from the winery cellar.
Also, a quick note on ratings—up until the 2015 vintage, the winery and its various importers did not generally submit bottles to critics for review, so we’ve included some notes on the various vintages. The 2015 review from Mosel Fine Wines, though, should give you some idea of the wines’ quality relative to their peers.
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Erdener Pralat Riesling Auslese*** Goldkapsel, Mosel 2003 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 24 bottles available
2003 Vintage: Wine Spectator 94 points “Ripe, opulent wines; best in Mosel, Nahe and Rheingau. Terrific BA and TBA, though not much botrytis.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Erdener Pralat Riesling Auslese*** Goldkapsel, Mosel 2007 750ML ($54.95) $33 special, 18 bottles available
2007 Vintage: Wine Spectator 95 points “Classically proportioned, with ripe, complex fruit and mineral flavors; density with elegance.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Erdener Pralat Riesling Auslese*** Goldkapsel, Mosel 2014 750ML ($59.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles available
2014 Vintage: Wine Spectator 91 points: “Mostly cool and wet growing conditions led to a warm September and a short harvest, producing an average-size crop of racy and herbal-inflected whites”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Erdener Pralat Riesling Auslese*** Goldkapsel, Mosel 2015 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 14 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 96 points “A slightly reduced nose of grilled pineapple, citrus and grapefruit gives way to fresh flavors of anise, flowers and coconut. The wine starts off on the compact side of things as ripe and exotic fruits greet one on the palate. The finish proves deliciously creamy and gains in presence and energy as a joyful touch of acidity come through. This is a very delicate and hugely complex Prälat in the making, which only needs to be left alone for more than a decade in order to blossom. 2030-2065.”
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This is the only listing in the USA today!
Give the Gift that Never Expires!
Can’t decide on the perfect gift?
Let them!
We offer gift certificates in any amount with no taxes, fees or expiration date.
Gift certificates are not available through our web store. To order, please stop in, call or email. We are happy to mail gift certificates to any domestic address at no charge.
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Brunello
New Arrival:
Il Poggione Vigna Paganelli, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG ($149.95) $99 special
Wine Advocate 98+ points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli is a phenomenal achievement and a wine that captures not only the spirit of this classic vintage, but the true essence of an age-worthy wine like Brunello. This single vineyard Riserva is sharp, pristine and immaculate. It starts slow and shy, but then blossoms to beautiful intensity and aromatic brilliance. It delivers a very authentic and genuine read of Sangiovese with wild berry aromas followed by pressed violets, wet earth, tobacco and lightly toasted spice. The bouquet is seamless and very long in persistence. The same holds true for the mouthfeel. The wine delivers a fine and silky texture with a good dose of power and personality at the rear.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli is magnificent. Huge swaths of tannin coat the palate as the 2010 shows off its power, breadth and overall intensity. Plum, black cherry, bittersweet chocolate, smoke, licorice and cloves are some of the many notes that hit the palate. The Riserva is dark, powerful and brooding. It will require at least a handful of years before it becomes approachable. These old vines, planted in 1964, confer weight, power and gravitas, all qualitites that come through loud and clear on the huge, explosive finish.” AG
New Pre-Arrival Offers
A Blast From the Past
Arriving Mid-April:
Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($149.95) $89 super pre-arrival special
James Suckling 99 points “Absolutely stunning aromas of nectarine, orange peel, sweet black cherry, plums and flowers. Licorice and mushroom It’s full body, with layers of ultra-fine tannins and hints of tangy acidity. Such beautiful length and beauty to this wine. It’s powerful and structured yet shows a gorgeous finesse and length. Truly wondrous. So long and refined. The texture is phenomenal. Better in 2016.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “Effusive aromas of incense, green olive, sweet strawberry and cherry, licorice and leather mark this structured version. The tannins are on the beefy side, but this finishes long, with enough fruit and spice for balance. Best from 2018 through 2032. 5,500 cases made.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $125
Acclaimed 2012 — Arriving Late April:
“…2012 Brunellos are characterized by impeccable balance, vibrant acidity and fine-grained tannins. They are not especially luscious or fleshy, but they are blessed with precise aromas and flavors of mainly red fruits, blood orange and minerals, and will prove very ageworthy…” – Ian D’Agata
La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2012 750ML ($47.95) $36 pre-arrival special
Ian D’Agata 92+ points “Deep red. Spicy aromas of redcurrant, cherry, mocha and licorice. Chewy and firmly tannic, offering spicy red cherry and milk chocolate flavors sexed up by a strongly flinty, almost smoky element. The noble tannins gain strength on the finish, which feature outstanding length and insidious sweetness.”
Wine Advocate 92+ points “The La Gerla 2012 Brunello di Montalcino reminds me of the vintage that precedes it (although I like this edition better). Like with the 2011 vintage, this estate has done a great job in capturing as much of the primary fruit as possible, given the warm vintage conditions. Dark fruit with black currant and wild blueberry come into focus. Those fruit tones are aged and evolved for sure, but they don’t show tired or flat characteristics at this point. Delicate notes of cola, licorice and blue flower add complexity. The tannic presence is reduced and the mouthfeel delivers silkiness and softness instead. La Gerla puts its Brunello annata into large oak casks for three years. This Brunello is ready to drink now.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $53
See the complete list of all pre-arrival Brunello offers below!
Read full reviews and shop online at www.vinopoliswineshop.com
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Ulysse Collin
Champagne Redefined
New Arrivals
Olivier Collin spent his life working to free his family vines from a strict lease – even studying law with the intent to reclaim the vineyards. When he accomplished this goal in 2003, he quickly became a rising, if divisive, star in Champagne. His wines are profoundly introspective and challenge preconceived notions about what Champagne should be. At the forefront of the new wave of ultra-terroir-driven Champagnes, Olivier produces deeply vinous, mineral and near-tannic wines. True to their terroir, these are reflections of the individual parcels and a tribute to a decades-long struggle to reclaim the land.
Ulysse Collin ‘Les Pierrieres’ Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2012) ($119.95) $89 special, 7 bottles available
John Gilman 92 points “The Ulysse Collin Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut all hails from the single parcel of Les Perrières, which is planted with thirty-five year-old vines. Like all of Olivier’s Collin’s wines these days, the vins clairs are barrel-fermented and aged for an extended period in older casks prior to bottling, after which the wine spends two to three years aging sur latte. The new release of Les Perrières, which is marked on the back label as Lot 12 (meaning it hails from the base year of 2012) offers up a lovely bouquet that shows just a touch of buttery oak influence in its blend of pear, delicious apple, pastry cream, a fine base of soil, buttery oak and a distinctly smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, crisp and quite dry, with lovely mousse, a fine core and lovely backend mineral drive on the long, balanced and nascently complex finish. The dosage on this bottling is between one and two grams and the balance is impeccable, making the wine eminently accessible right out of the blocks. Fine juice, where the gentle oak influence is very nicely done. 2016-2030.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Ulysse Collin ‘Les Maillons’ Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2012) ($119.95) $89 special, 12 bottles available
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Arriving April 7th:
Ulysse Collin ‘Les Maillons’ Rose de Saignee Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2013) 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special, 12 bottles available
A cult rosé Champagne like no other – richly vinous and textural in expression. Tiny release!
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
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Terlato Family Vineyards
Here Now & Later
Terlato’s homage to the right bank of Bordeaux, specifically Pomerol. We scored a deep closeout deal on this one and are excited to bring it to you for an especially great price.
Terlato Family Vineyards Angel’s Peak, Napa Valley 2009 750ML ($69.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Spectator 90 points “Soft and fleshy on entry, showcasing fine depth, focus, purity and a range of flavors, with crushed rock, red berry, spice and mineral notes that turn elegant and silky on the finish. Drink now through 2022.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $39.17
The average price is $46!
Terlato Family Vineyards Angel’s Peak, Napa Valley 2007 750ML ($69.95) $21.90 special, 32 bottles available
Wine Spectator 88 points “Loaded with toasty oak aromas, this features appealing layers of red currant, dill and mocha coffee flavors, which linger toward ripe tannins. Merlot and Cabernet Franc.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $48
Teaming up with a true master of Syrah, Terlato and Chapoutier have won the hearts and minds of the Wine Spectator reviewers year-in, year-out for their Australian project. We’re pleased to offer their bottling that scored a Top 100:
Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier Shiraz – Viognier, Central Victoria, Australia 2012 750ML ($24.95) $11.90 special, 23 bottles available
Wine Spectator #98 Wine of the Year in 2014
Wine Spectator 90 Points “Vibrant, expressive and distinctive, with citrus and mineral overtones around a core of blueberry and spice, lingering on the taut finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $19
Arriving New Week:
From the family that introduced the USA to Pinot Grigio comes a crisp, refreshing & flavorful Grig’ from all-estate grown fruit:
Terlato Family Vineyards Pinot Grigio Colli Orientali del Friuli, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2015 750ML ($24.95) $16 pre-arrival special, ETA April 4th
The Tasting Panel 93 points “No doubt this prestigious region in northeast Italy shines when it comes to white wines; an envious position on the world wine stage. This pretty, crisp white certainly shows ripeness in its concentrated notes of pear, peach and grapefruit but its stoney frame is a nod to the iconic mineral rich sloped terraced vineyards responsible for its pizazz and charm. The finish is clean, punctuated with an apricot accent.”
James Suckling 90 points “A rich and lightly oily pinot grigio with sliced mango and light banana aromas and flavors. Dense and flavorful. It’s a white that offers plenty of flavor and interest for the buck. Delicious finish. Drink now.”
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An Estate by Any Other Name
Cascina delle Rose
Cascina delle Rose makes wines that are ready to drink, open and accessible. A touch of age won’t hurt, adding a little note of wild forest floor to the mix. These are the definition of wines that want to be a part of dinner. The wines are pressed extremely gently and Davide, the winemaker and son of the owner Giovanna, seems to want to avoid taking these wines past the minimum extraction necessary to make them recognizable as Piedmont classics. Their Tre Stella Barbaresco is the weightiest of all of the offerings, but even so, the wine is translucent and lifting, seemingly ready to knife through some braised lamb shank or fatty coppa.
Arriving in May from Cascina delle Rose:
Cascina delle Rose Barbaresco Rio Sordo, Barbaresco DOCG 2014 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Cascina delle Rose Barbaresco Rio Sordo, Barbaresco DOCG 2014 1.5L ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Winery note “Barbaresco Rio Sordo was born through a severe selection in a vineyard of Nebbiolo grapes. The immediate characteristics are its complexity and deepness accompanied with elegance and finesse. The colour is garnet red with slight orange flecks. The taste is intense and persistent and its intriguing perfume as slight hint of wild fruit, spicy with sensations of leather and pepper. It combines perfectly with important red meats dishes, roasts, mature cheeses.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Cascina delle Rose Tre Stelle, Barbaresco DOCG 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Cascina delle Rose Tre Stelle, Barbaresco DOCG 2014 1.5L ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Cascina delle Rose Tre Stelle, Barbaresco DOCG 2014 3.0L ($249.95) $219 pre-arrival special
Winery note: “The Barbaresco Tre Stelle is the result of better exposure of this geographical appellation, 100% Nebbiolo grapes. Great character, undoubted delicacy and femininity together for a long-lived wine and amazing pleasure even from young , thanks to the weave of tannins, sleek and silky. Bright garnet red with orange highlights, live and balanced tannins, notes of roses and violets, ripe plum, licorice, tobacco and chocolate. Finally spicy with elegant ethereal notes. Remarkable persistence.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
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