Vinopolpick Weekend Edition May 24

 May 24, 2014

Memorial Day Weekend Special
PRICING IN EFFECT NOW

New Arrivals from 

At Fèlsina it is widely recognized that the fame of Tuscan wines is based historically on the compelling character of wines produced from Sangiovese, and ever since opening in 1966, the estate has continued to champion this great varietal using only old “massale” selections cultivated from cuttings from their top old vineyards. Their elegant yet intensely flavored Chiantis place them firmly among the top handful of Chianti producers in terms of complexity and potential for longevity. In addition to their distinct bottlings of Chianti Classico, Fèlsina also produces one of Italy’s top Vino di Tavola’s (or IGTs), called Fontalloro. First produced by Giuseppe Mazzocolin in 1983 along with the Rancia wine, Fontalloro is also Sangiovese-based, and the wine is sourced from old vines in top vineyards that straddle the border of Chianti : “Classico” and “Colli Senesi”. It is produced from vines that are in excess of fifty years of age, and aged in small French oak barrels for fifteen to eighteen months prior to bottling. Because parts lie outside of the Classico borders the Fontolloro will never be labeled Chianti Classico, but rather a Super-Tuscan or IGT wine. Mazzocolin deliberately took the vineyard outside the zone because he felt that the mixture of soils provide the wine with a distinctive flavor. With the next generation in the Felsina family, Giovanni Poggiali at the helm, Felsina continues to win accolades year after year.

Felsina Chianti Classico DOCG 2011 ($24.95) $19 special 3+ cases available
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2011 Chianti Classico is absolutely impressive and is one of the best base Chianti Classicos I have tasted from 2011. You feel the ripeness and heat of the vintage, but this wine also delivers surprising finesse and complexity. Black cherry and baking spice mingle on the bouquet. Soft tannins wrap around the palate. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.”

Felsina Chainti Classico Riserva DOCG 2009 ($34.95) $24 special 3+ cases available
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2009 Chianti Classico Riserva is stunningly beautiful. It boasts a great core of dark red fruit, licorice, spices, new leather and herbs. The 2009 impresses for its mid-palate density and sheer power. This is a great showing. The 2009 can be enjoyed today, but it is rather muscular, and is probably best suited for aging a few years. This is a terrific showing. A recent bottle of the 1995 was stunning in its beauty. The Riserva is 100% Sangiovese aged in a combination of casks and smaller French oak barrels. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2029.”

Felsina Chianti Classico ‘Rancia’ 2009 ($59.95) $39 special 3+ cases available
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2009 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia emerges from the glass with freshly cut roses, sweet red berries, licorice, spices and tar. This is a mid-weight, silky Rancia that impresses for its textural beauty and finesse. The Rancia emerges from a high-altitude site planted from 1958 through1982 with Sangiovese. The wine is aged in French oak barrels, but the oak is never noticeable, even when the wine is young. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2029.”

Felsina Fontalloro Toscana 2009 ($69.95) $49 special 3+ cases available
Antonio Galloni 94 points “There is a lot to like in the 2009 Fontalloro (Sangiovese). For starters, the wine is rich, broad and ample on the palate. Hints of tobacco, savory herbs, licorice and menthol all add complexity over time. The over juiciness of the fruit is nicely balanced by clean veins of underlying acidity that give the 2009 much of its freshness. This is another wine endowed with superb balance and class.”

Felsina Maestro Raro Toscana 2007 ($59.95) $49 special 2 cases available
Wine Advocate 92 points “Felsina’s 2007 Maestro Raro (Cabernet Sauvignon) issimply beautiful in this vintage. A host of grilled herbs, plums, cassis and earthiness emerge from this distinctly Tuscan Cabernet. The fruit is soft, dark and opulent, but never heavy. A soft, caressing finish rounds things out nicely. This is a terrific effort from Felsina. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022.”

Felsina Maestro Raro Toscana 2008 ($59.95) $49 special 2 cases available
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2008 Maestro Raro is beautiful in this vintage, a year in which Cabernet Sauvignon varietal character reigns supreme. Plums, cassis, wild herbs, leather and licorice all come together gracefully in this gorgeous, expressive wine. The 2008 impresses for its length and striking, pure finish. This is a great showing. Maestro Raro is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Sangiovese, Trebbiano and Malvasia vines that were grafted over beginning in 1984. The 2008 is understated and classy, but its all there. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2028.”

Felsina Maestro Raro Toscana 2009 ($59.95) $49 special 2 cases available
Wine Spectator 95 points “Black currant, cherry, cedar, olive and coffee aromas and flavors are intense, yet match the refined structure in this classy red. The tannins are assertive and ripe, providing grip and focus. The finish evokes black currant, herb and spice notes. Best from 2015 through 2030.”

Felsina Vin Santo Chianti Classico 2004 375ml ($47.95) $36 special 3+ cases available
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2004 Vin Santo del Chianti Classico is fabulous. A reference point wine for the region, the 2004 captures the heart and intellect with its superb balance and pure pedigree. The style is moderately sweet and oxidative, in the best of the Vin Santo tradition. Savory herbs, dried flowers, leather and lightly burned sugar add complexity on the finish. Vin Santo? Felsina remains one of the 2-3 reference points, it’s as simple as that. As for the 2004, well, it is utterly majestic.”

Stonestreet and Atalon
New Arrivals

Jackson Family Wines, based in Sonoma County – in the heart of California’s wine country – is one of the few family-owned and operated winery groups of its kind. Founded in 1983 with a focus on artisanal wines of distinct character and quality, Jackson Family Wines’ portfolio of wineries includes Kendall-Jackson, La Crema, Freemark Abbey, Murphy-Goode, Stonestreet, Atalon and Cambria, as well as a collection of luxury wineries such as Cardinale and Verite. Today, the Jackson family carries the formidable legacy of founder Jess Jackson forward to the next generation, continuing to embrace his core values of land stewardship and inspired winemaking practices. All of JFW’s wineries reflect a unique quality story steeped in extraordinary vineyards, remarkable artisan winemaking and the dedication of hard working, talented individuals.

Stonestreet Broken Road Alexander Mountain Estate Chardonnay 2011 ($39.95) $29 special 3 cases available
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “(from an old Wente clone; all of these 2011s were fermented with wild yeasts):  Bright yellow.  Highly nuanced nose combines lemon custard, smoked meat, minerals and hazelnut complicated by a sulfidey quality.  Plush but very dry, with a lightly saline quality adding interest to the perfumed pineapple and mineral flavors.  Finishes stony, dry and long.  This is remarkably Burgundian for a California chardonnay in its price range.  A worthy successor to the outstanding 2010 bottling.”

Stonestreet Upper Barn Alexander Mountain Estate Chardonnay 2011 ($79.95) $59 special 3 cases available
Stephen Tanzer 95 points “(from a Hyde Wente clone):  Full bright yellow.  Ripe, deep aromas of lemon peel, tangerine, beeswax, crushed rock and dusty herbs, with hints of honey and tropical fruits.  Large-scaled, rich and tactile, with nearly viscous flavors of lemon, white peach and butterscotch.  Really compelling, ripe, vibrant fruit here, and wonderfully broad and dry.  Very complex and sexy wine, a brilliant rendition of this outstanding chardonnay vineyard.”

Stonestreet Legacy Alexander Mountain Estate Red 2008 ($69.95) $51.90 special 30 bottles available
Robert Parker 93 points “A blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Merlot made by Graham Weerts, this beauty reveals a deep purple hue along with abundant notes of blueberries, black currants and crushed rocks intertwined with toast and earth. It possesses superb purity, silky tannins and a concentrated, intense mouthfeel. It should drink well for two decades or more.”
 

Atalon Pauline’s Cuvee Napa Valley Red 2010 ($29.95) $19.90 special 3+ cases available
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “This Merlot-based blend is a huge success. It’s a big, tannic, tight wine, packed to bursting with black cherry liqueur, cola and spice flavors. Yet it maintains an exciting balance, with the tension between acids, tannins and oak in equilibrium. Seems like it wants 5-6 years in the cellar to let it throw some tannins and mellow.”

Atalon Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 ($34.95) $24 special 3+ cases available
Wine Enthusiast 92 points , Wine Advocate  91 points “Atalon’s 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon is fleshy and generous, with plenty of fruit and terrific overall balance, not to mention considerable early appeal. Hints of tobacco, dried herbs and incense add complexity on the finish. This is a very solid wine for the money. The 2010 is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 5% Malbec and 3% Petite Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2021.”

Byron Santa Barbara Chardonnay 2012 ($17.95) $10.90 special 3+ cases available
From the winery “The 2012 vintage included a very cool winter and spring. These conditions led to being fruitful with small clusters and small berries with flavors of stone fruit, fig, honey; hints of brown spice and mineral. The palate is both crisp and concentrated with a mineral finish.”

Byron Santa Barbara Pinot Noir 2012 ($19.95) $11.90 special 3+ cases available
From the winery “The 2012 vintage included a very cool winter and spring. These conditions led to being fruitful with small clusters and small berries with flavors of dark berry, cherry, hints of floral and mineral. This is a forward approachable wine that displays the beautiful floral/mineral character typical of Santa Barbara Pinot Noir.”

Newton Claret 2010 ($21.95) $16 special 3+ cases available
A blend of 2/3 Merlot and 1/3 Cabernet Sauvignon. From the winery: “The fruit used to make our Red Label wines is sourced from select vineyards throughout Napa Valley, from Los Carneros to Chiles Valley.Every year, we select grapes with a specific characteristic that will allow us to achieve the desired flavor profile of the final blend and create continuity vintage to vintage. “

 
Final Clearance Sale
Patricia Green Estate

Patricia Green began her winemaking career picking grapes at Hillcrest Vineyard outside of Roseburg. She worked her way up to winemaker within 2 years and, by 1993, was winemaker at Torii Mor Winery, where she created her reputation for outstanding Pinot Noir. Patricia Green Cellars is located on a 52-acre estate in the Ribbon Ridge district of Yamhill County. The winery was launched in 2000 and now produces 6,500 cases of a broad selection of Pinot Noir wines ( as many as 20) from far flung vineyards representing some of the better sites in the Dundee Hills, Chehalem Mountains, Eola Hills, and the Sonoma Coast (Hirsch Vineyard).

“The heart and true strength of the 2011 Estate is Pommard clone, which generally makes up around 60-70% of the wine. The density, darkness and tannic structure comes largely from the Dijon 114 vines that were planted in 2001. The polishing characteristics and beautiful aromatics are lent from the Wadensvil clone that was planted in 1997. This bottling is designed to show off the inherent power that younger vines display in the Ribbon Ridge Appellation.” – Patricia Green Cellars

Patricia Green Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir 2011 ($29.95) $24 special 30 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 90 points “Bright red.  Raspberry and cherry-cola aromas are complicated by rose oil and black tea.  Shows the vibrancy and cut of the vintage, offering lively red fruit flavors and a touch of pepperiness on the back half. Closes spicy and long, with very good clarity and no obvious tannins.  This pretty wine is drinking nicely now.”

“This is now our 12th vintage with this vineyard that we purchased in July of 2000. All the vines that go into this bottling were planted between 1984-1990. When we purchased this property there were issues with trellising, spacing, vine health, previous crop loads, soil management and so on. Agriculture is a slow process. Over the years we have cultivated, mulched, composted, cover- cropped, fertilized, ripped, tilled and done everything in our power to facelift this property to bring it up to the quality level that we knew existed here. The older vines required an incredible amount of patience, and we were nearly to the end of October by the time we finally had picked out these blocks. This has the savory characteristics of the vintage and the distinct minerality of the older vines on the site intertwined in a beautiful way.” – Patricia Green Cellars

Patricia Green Estate Old Vine Pinot Noir 2011 ($39.95) $26.60 special 24 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Brilliant red.  Smoky, sharply focused aromas of dried cherry, sassafras, potpourri and mocha.  Chewy, energetic and subtly sweet, offering very good depth to its bitter cherry and black raspberry flavors.  Tangy acidity gives lift and vivacity to the persistent finish, which features fine-grained tannins and  a lingering floral nuance.”

 
The Right Price is the Best Price
Below is a small portion of the wines we sell at the best price in the USA today

Poe Ferrington Vineyard Chardonnay, Anderson Valley 2012 ($47.95) $39 special, 3+ cases available
Winemaker Notes “The Chardonnay this year stands out for its purity and focus. The nose of white flowers, lemon oil, crushed rocks, and honey is enticing. This wine has beautiful bright acidity and envelopes the palate with flavors of peach, apricot skin, pear, quince and citrus. High-toned floral and stone fruit notes add lift on the linear, lengthy finish.”

Chateau Souverain Chardonnay, North Coast 2011 ($17.95) $9.90 special
Winemaker’s notes: “Inviting aromas of roasted pears, lemon citrus and subtle baking spice meet elegant layers of pineapple, lemon-lime and crème brûlée flavors. The full-bodied Chardonnay offers a lush texture and balanced acidity. The wine has a lengthy, flavorful finish.”

Failla Hudson Vineyard Chardonnay, Carneros 2012 ($59.95) $41.90 special, 24 bottles
available
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2012 Chardonnay Hudson Vineyard, from one of the great sites in Napa Valley, is also one of the most classic California Chardonnays in this range. Lemon peel, pastry, flowers and sweet spices meld together in a textured, inviting Chardonnay built on texture. A wine of stunning balance and pure voluptuousness, the 2012 boasts fabulous balance and tons of personality. This is pure Hudson, not to mention a drop-dead gorgeous beauty. After many years juggling duties at both Turley and Failla, Ehren Jordan is now focused solely on his estate, but he still makes a dizzying array of wines. These Chardonnays and Pinots are essays into many of the truly great terroirs of Napa Valley, Sonoma and Mendocino. Personally I tend to gravitate towards the Sonoma Coast wines in this range, but there are plenty of fabulous wines from which to choose here. All of the 2012s were in bottle at the time of my tastings, in January 2014.”

Amuse Bouche Proprietary Red Napa 2009 ($299.95) $149 special
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2009 Amuse Bouche is laced with freshly cut flowers, sweet spices and expressive red berries. Today, I find the 2009 beautifully expressive, with gorgeous aromatics, layers of fruit and lovely overall balance. This is a decidedly feminine, refined style, but it all works nicely. Layers of fruit continue to blossom through to the structured, powerful finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019.”

Failla Savoy Vineyard Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley 2012 ($59.95) $49 special, 20 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 94 points “An addition to the range, Failla’s 2012 Pinot Noir Savoy Vineyard, is fabulous. Dark red stone fruit, smoke tobacco and licorice jump from the glass in a vivid, structured Pinot endowed with stunning depth and nuance. The balance of fruit and minerality is simply compelling. Winemakers continue to be attracted to Savoy, Cliff Lede’s vineyard in Anderson Valley. Few have made such a gorgeous wine on their first try. This is a great start from Failla. After many years juggling duties at both Turley and Failla, Ehren Jordan is now focused solely on his estate, but he still makes a dizzying array of wines. These Chardonnays and Pinots are essays into many of the truly great terroirs of Napa Valley, Sonoma and Mendocino. Personally I tend to gravitate towards the Sonoma Coast wines in this range, but there are plenty of fabulous wines from which to choose here. All of the 2012s were in bottle at the time of my tastings, in January 2014.”

Chateau Souverain Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 2010 ($17.95) $9.90 special, 3+ cases available
Winemaker’s notes: “Deep ruby-purple in color, this Cabernet boasts bright and vivid aromas of roasted vanilla, mocha and baking spices which meet elegant layers of blackberry and ripe cherry flavors. The full mouth feel is extracted and rich and framed by thick mouth coating tannins. The fully balanced fruit, tannins and acidity, lead to a juicy and lengthy finish.”

Philipponnat Clos de Goisses 2001 ($249.95) $149 special 10 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93+ points “The 2001 Brut Clos des Goisses has begun to take on attractive early tertiary nuances. A big, broad-shouldered wine, the 2001 has gorgeous depth but not quite the finesse of the very best years. Even with all of the intense fruit and rich, palate-staining finish, some slightly rough edges remain. Dried apricots, spices, licorice, sweet herbs and tobacco add elements of exoticism on the finish. A spell of cold weather and rain during the harvest appears to have marked the 2001. This is going to be a fascinating wine to follow, although I don’t think it will reach the heights of the 2002. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2041.”

De Sousa Brut Rose NV ($69.95) $39 special, 11 bottles available
Josh Raynolds 91 points “Dark pink, with a hint of onion skin; the color of a red wine from Arbois, even darker than some. Deep and smoky on the nose, with a spicy, vinous raspberry and cherry tone verging on Burgundian in character. Quite spicy, the cherry and wild berry flavors tinged by notes of clove, mace, cracked pepper and cayenne. A singular wine that would go perfectly with pungent cheeses or cured meats.”

Ayala Brut Rose Majeur NV ($59.95) $33 special, 17 bottles available
Ayala Brut Rose Majeur NV Case of six ($199.95) $179 special, 5 half-cases available
Wine Spectator 92 points “There’s a firm, chalky edge to this minerally Champagne, and mouthwatering flavors of candied lemon peel, green apple, crystallized honey and biscuit. This has an elegant texture and an overall sense of style. Drink now through 2020.”

Didier Dagueneau Pouilly-Fume Silex 2011 ($149.95) $99 special, 12 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92-93+ points “A delightfully, pungently intense bouquet of hedge flowers and resinous herbs rises from the glass of Dagueneau 2011 Blanc Fume de Pouilly Silex, anticipating the bittersweet presence of herbal essences and inner-mouth floral perfume that are allied to nut and citrus oils on a dense, subtly oleaginous palate. This finishes with an authoritative sense of grip and I expect it will not only perform well for a decade but benefit from being left alone for the first several years in bottle.”

Philippe Foreau Domaine du Clos Naudin Vouvray Sec 2010 ($39.95) $26 special, 27 bottles available

Domaine Huet Vouvray Le Haut Lieu Moelleux 2008 ($59.95) $39 special, 20 bottles available
Wine Advocate 96 points “The grapes for my 2008 Vouvray Moelleux were very rich, golden, even a bit rose-colored, but not botrytized,” says Foreau, who picked it between October 15th and 20th. Vine flower, chestnut honey, Bartlett pear, and spiced pink grapefruit marmalade are suggested on the intoxicating nose and on a palate whose standoff of high acidity and high residual sugar permits free reign to its luscious, oily, honeyed richness; its spiciness; as well as its sheer refreshment. Nor does the almost endless finish of this beauty, lack for a subtly mineral dimension of salt, crustacean savor, and chalk. It should be worth following for at least a quarter century..”

Trimbach Pinot Noir Reserve 2009 ($29.95) $14 special 26 bottles available

Domaine Tempier Bandol 2009 ($41.95) $33 special, 2 cases available
Wine Spectator 91 points “This is focused on its graphite and slate flavors, with crisp accents of dried raspberry and cherry in the background. Cream and cocoa powder notes linger on the refined finish, supported by medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2018.”

Domaine Tempier Bandol 2010 375ML ($27.95) $18 special, 21 half-bottles available
Wine Spectator 90 points “Notes of sanguine and rosemary line the core of taut cherry preserves and red currant paste. A singed alder hint flitters through the finish, showing good persistence. Mourvèdre, Grenache, Cinsault and Carignan. Drink now through 2020.”

Frescobaldi Castelgiocondo Brunello 2006 ($69.95) $39 special 18+bottles available
James Suckling 95 points “Frescobaldi’s Brunello always delivers great quality in just about any vintage. Gorgeous nose of ripe berries and slice plums with an almost peach undertone. Full bodied, with a solid core of gorgeously clean and clear dark fruits. Dense and integrated tannins on the finish. So long and fascinating. Best after 2013”

Ruffino Modus Toscana 2007 ($59.95) $39 special 23 bottles available
Wine Spectator 96 points “This is phenomenal on the nose, with blueberry, light toasty oak, coffee and sweet tobacco. The palate is full and utterly capivating, with its combination of fruit and very subtle, silky tannins. Goes on and on. Best after 2014.”

Castello di Ama Chianti Riserva 2008 ($41.95) $28 special
Stephen Tanzer 92+ points “Good medium-deep red.  Black cherry, redcurrant, licorice and menthol aromas are lifted by a floral element that carries through on the palate. Flavors of dark cherry, licorice and underbrush are complicated by a tarry quality.  Finishes suave and smooth, with harmonious tannins and good subtle, spicy length.  I was impressed by the purity of the sangiovese fruit, given the fact that the wine also includes cabernet franc and merlot components; chalk up another winner to the dynamic duo of Lorenza Sebaste and Marco Pallanti.”

Marziano Abbona Barolo Terlo Ravera 2007 ($79.95) $39 special
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2007 Barolo Terlo Ravera is a little more reserved than the Pressenda. It comes across as rather inward, with lovely definition in its sweet red fruit, mint and floral notes. The Terlo Ravera impresses for its length and energy rather than for its sheer power. It, too, is dazzling, though, and should drink well for a number of years. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.”

Joh. Jos. Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2008 ($31.95) $24 special, 3+ cases available
Wine Advocate 91 points “The Prum 2008 Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett smells of green tea, fresh apple, honeysuckle, and acacia; offers boundless refreshment and gravity-defying buoyancy with pungent invigoration of citrus peel and apple skin; and finishes with its pure fruit and effusive, persistent inner-mouth floral perfume allied to saline, stony, smoke, iodine-like and remarkably savory manifestations of things mineral. It will reward 20-25 years of cellaring for the few who put that claim to the test–or who are already convinced by their past experience with Prum Rieslings.”

Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2012 375 ML ($29.95) $19 special, 17 half-bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91(+?) points “Crisp aromas of passion fruit, nut oils and cinnamon. Rich, sleek and invigorating, but with creamy tropical fruit flavors remaining light and ethereal. Well-balanced, elegant and impeccably long. This does not have the depth of the auction wine, but at present more it offers greater drinkability.”

Selbach-Oster Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2012 ($31.95) $21.90 special, 3+ cases available
“Full-bodied and rich, with minerals and lemony finish”-Importer notes

Joh. Jos. Prum Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Auslese 2012 ($44.95) $31.90 special, 33 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “($49) Pale golden yellow. Rich, musky aromas of yellow plum and sweet herbs. Possesses good depth of rich tropical fruit, but is more noteworthy for its velvety texture and supple, pleasing style. Finishes with salty minerality and excellent persistence.”

Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2012 ($29.95) $21.90 special, 28 half-bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points ” Pale golden yellow. Candied papaya, persimmon, clove and a vague hint of smoky botrytis on the nose. Luscious, creamy peach nectar flavor is nicely framed and accented by a splash of salty minerality. Richer and denser than the spätlese, showing excellent length, but not necessarily much better.”

Joh. Jos. Prum Graacher Himmelriech Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, Mosel 2012 375 ML ($59.95) $39 special, 19 half-bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points “This offers a comparatively ripe feel on the nose as well as a long and fresh finish. The wine is quite driven by minerals and herbs on the palate and leaves an airy and smoky feel in the long and smooth finish. The wine develops a cool, zesty and minty side with airing. 2027-2047.” MFW

Von Winning Forster Pechstein Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Pfalz 2012 ($119.95) $89 special, 11 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 (+?) points “($110) Exotic aromas of apricot pit, muskmelon, nutmeg and lemon oil. Rich and dense in texture, with pleasing depth to its peach pit and smoky spice flavors on the mineral lattice typical of the site. With its tantalizing herbal lift on the finish and impressive length, this is certainly the estate’s best dry riesling this year.”

F.X. Pichler Frauenweingarten Gruner Veltliner Federspiel, Wachau 2012 ($39.95) $33 special, 23 bottles available
Falstaff 92 points

Familie Saahs Nikolaihof im Weingebirge Gruner Veltliner Federspiel, Wachau 2012 ($34.95) $27 special, 10 bottles available
Terry Theise notes: “Markedly lissome and chiseled, slate-blue eyes and high cheekbones; even a little phenolic and certainly mineral, especially for this estate. The finish is clipped but the alc is below 12%, and the clarity and oyster grip is almost more typical for Hefeabzug.”

Dominio Pingus Flor de Pingus Ribera del Duero 2011 ($99.95) $79 special, 3+ cases available
Wine Advocate 93-95 points “The 2011 Flor de Pingus demonstrates wonderful purity on the nose, perhaps more feminine and wily than the 2010 with luscious raspberry, blackberry and forest floor notes. The palate is full-bodied with filigree tannins and a little more volume than the 2010. It seems generous and very supple at this early juncture with a caressing, peppery finish that is extremely well focused. There 2011 has awesome potential and I cannot wait to taste this after two or three years in bottle.”

Bodega Riojanas Monte Real Rioja Gran Reserva 1998 ($59.95) $39 special, 3+ cases available
Josh Raynolds 93 points “Dark red with a pale rim. Pungent, spicy nose shows pure cherry, redcurrant and plum complemented by succulent herbs, vanillin oak spice and a hint of dried flowers. Supple, lush and deep, with sweet red fruit flavors framed by gentle, harmonious tannins. Fleshy and sweet on the back end, with impressive concentration and focus. This should age well.”

Alion Ribera del Duero 2008 ($89.95) $66 special 35 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Deep ruby. Expressive aromas of candied cherry and cassis, with complicating notes of cola, anise and violet. Plush and seamless on the palate, offering sweet red and dark berry flavors and slow-building oak spice and licorice nuances. Closes on a smoky note, with spiciness and very good persistence. Pretty impressive for the year.”

Alvaro Palacios Finca Dofi Priorat 2008 ($74.95) $57 special 2 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Deep ruby. Rich, complex aromas of raspberry, Asian spices, smoky minerals and violet. Focused and precise but also lush and sappy, with a texture of liquid silk and strong minerality adding to its intense red and dark berry flavors. Finishes impressively long, with resonating minerality and very suave tannins.”

Alvaro Palacios Finca Dofi 2010 ($69.95) $59 special 34 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “The 2011 Finca Dofi is a blend of 95% Garnacha and 5% Syrah. It has another exuberant bouquet, like the older sister of the 2011 Gallotrops, endowed with beautifully defined floral aromas. There are hints of broom and fennel infusing the scintillating red fruit and a sorbet-like freshness. The palate is medium-bodied with a vibrant peppery entry, fanning across the mouth with succulent red currant and wild strawberry fruit. The acidity maintains superb balance, countering the 14.8% alcohol with ease. There is a firm underlying structure that is only exposed towards the long persistent, mineral-rich finish. Wonderful. Drink 2016-2030+”

Descendientes de J Palacios Bierzo Corullon 2010 ($49.95) $33 special, 16 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Bright violet color.  Pungent, youthful aromas of dark berry preserves, cherry-cola and candied violet, with a mineral topnote.   Offers an array of sappy red and dark fruit flavors, with spicecake and anise nuances building with air.  Silky tannins give shape and grip to a long, penetrating finish.”

Descendientes de J Palacios Bierzo Las Lamas 2011 ($119.95) $79 special 12 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2011 Las Lamas is a true expression of both the vintage and the vineyard, which is usually the most powerful of all the wines produced by the winery. Perhaps 2011 imprinted more character in the wine than 2010 did. The nose is full of blueberries, peach and gunpowder, wet slate, peat and smoke notes. It’s a powerful wine, this is the only vineyard where they have some clay mixed with the slate. Some fine-grained tannins hint at the need of a couple of years in bottle.”

Artadi Santa Cruz de Artazu Garnacha 2007 ($39.95) $24 special 7 bottles available
Jamie Goode (Wine Anorak) 93 points “A single-vineyard wine made from 80 year old vines at an elevation of 750 metres. Bright red/purple colour. Lovely pure, sweet nose of bright raspberry and cherry fruit. The palate is fresh, elegant and pure with lovely sweet fruit. Sleek and refined, this is really polished but still has great definition and freshness. A really lovely wine, which carries the spicy oak so well. Give it a few years, I reckon”

Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta 2008 ($99.95) $59 special, 15 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Clos Apalta, depending on your point of view, is arguably Chile’s best wine. And this vintage is outstanding! Earth, minty spice, ripe berry, minerality and smoky aromas cover the bases. It’s superbly structured, with a fine texture and depth. Tastes lush and complex, with blackberry, crème de cassis, fine herbs and tobacco. Finishes classy. Drink now through 2016.”

You can find these wines and others
at our convenient NW Glisan and 16th location
in Portland, OR.