Saturday, July 30th, 2016
Brunello & Zorzal Sales End Tomorrow at Midnight; Treasured Wines – Newly Arrived from Cayuse, Harlan and Sloan – And Krug, Salon, Selosse and Opus Arriving in August; Staff Picks; Grosses Gewächs Subscriber-Only Sale; Exploring Burgundy: Chambolle Musigny; Trending; Alvaro Palacios; Burlotto; More Molitor – 2015 Vintage Offer; Late Breaking News: 2015 Willi Schaefer
Brunello di Montalcino Sale
Ending Sunday at Midnight
Subscriber-Only Brunello Sale
We’ll take 10% off on all in-stock Brunellos
We offer 38 Brunellos in-stock and available here now to choose from (that’s over 650 bottles!), including:
Altesino Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2010 750ML ($119.95) Displayed price $99, Your cost $89.10
James Suckling 97 points “A sexy and silky riserva with dried fruit, blueberry and cedar character. Full body, firm tannins and long and gorgeous finish. So linear and precise. Chocolate-covered cherry center palate. Terrific young wine. Best riserva ever from here. Better in 2018.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “Concentrated and elegant, featuring macerated cherry, raspberry, peony, iron, tobacco and chalk aromas and flavors. Structured and fresh, offering intensity, balance and a terrific finish. Youthful and elegant, yet powerful. Best from 2019 through 2036.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $112
Altesino Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) Displayed price $49, Your cost $44.10
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Altesino’s 2011 Brunello di Montalcino opens with beguiling aromatics. Sage, licorice, menthol and sweet tobacco flesh out nicely as the wine shows off its ample, broad personality. The tannins could use another year or two to soften, but all the elements are very nicely balanced throughout. This gracious, silky Brunello will drink well for the next decade-plus.”
James Suckling 92 points “This is long and delicious with lovely cherry, chocolate and fresh walnut flavors. Linear yet open with persistence and joy. Drink now.”
Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2011 750ML ($39.95) Displayed price $33, Your cost $29.70
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino is a terrific wine for the year. Sweet red cherry, plum, tobacco, mint, sweet spices and orange peel are all front and center. This is a gorgeous 2011 Brunello that represents everything the vintage can be; open-knit, accessible and polished. I don’t expect the 2011 will be a long-term ager, but it is exceptionally beautiful and delicious today.”
James Suckling 93 points “A ripe, juicy wine with blueberry, chocolate, walnut and cherry character. Round and savory. Silky tannins. Very close quality to the fabulous 2010. Delicious now.”
Casanova di Neri Tenuta Nuova, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2011 750ML ($119.95) Displayed price $79, Your cost $71.10
Wine Advocate 95 points “This is another fabulous wine from Giacomo Neri. The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova is a deeply layered expression with bold tones of dark fruit that are softened and enhanced by spice, leather, tobacco and balsam herb. The wine is very beautiful and polished with slightly less depth and complexity compared the outstanding (100 point) vintage that precedes it. Despite the vintage variation, this is a wine of enormous pedigree and importance. It is generous and confident with a presentation that offers purity, intensity and persistence.”
James Suckling 94 points “A red with earthy, meaty, salty, ripe fruit aromas and flavors. Full body with round, velvety tannins and a flavorful finish. So much richness and depth. Needs at least a year or two to come together.”
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova is dark, sensual and inviting, with lovely textural depth and fine balance. Macerated dark cherry, plum, smoke, lavender and spice flesh out in a succulent, expressive Brunello that should drink well with minimal cellaring.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $89
Tenute del Cerro ‘La Poderina’ Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2006 750ML ($74.95) Displayed price $59, Your cost $53.10
James Suckling 95 points “Blueberries, flowers and raspberries. Love the nose, like so many others. Full body, with fine tannins and a silky textured finish. So much going on here. Class”JS
For full reviews and descriptions, visit our web store at www.vinopoliswineshop.com
Complete list of wines at the end of this newsletter
Sale ends Sunday, July 31st at midnight
Does not apply to pre-arrival offers or case specials
Discount will not appear in online shopping cart
We will apply it here before charging
An Argentinian Tour de Force
Zorzal Zummer Zale
Sale Ends Midnight, July 31st
Zorzal Eggo Blanc de Cal, Tupungato, Argentina 2014 750ML ($29.95) Was $24, Now $20.90
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2014 Eggo Blanc de Cal is pure Sauvignon Blanc from two different vineyards in Gualtallary. The full clusters are pressed and the must was fermented and aged in contact with the lees for nine to ten months in their famous egg-shaped cement vats. This is more subtle and earthy, less Sauvignon, with the fruit expressing itself in a lower-pitched voice, more of a baritone. It’s also has a little wider, pungent and powerful character in the mouth. This is only around 13% alcohol, and even though in 2014 it didn’t go through malolactic fermentation, it’s still a very light and fresh wine. Groundbreaking Sauvignon. 4,800 bottles were produced, fruit of two eggs.” LG
This was already the lowest listed price in the USA today…
Now it’s even lower!
Zorzal Eggo Franco Cabernet Franc, Tupungato, Argentina 2015 750ML ($34.95) Was $27, Now $21.90
No reviews yet on the 2015. Here is the Wine Advocate on the 2014: 94 points “There is a Cabernet Franc in the Eggo range, and I tasted the 2014 Eggo Franco, produced with grapes from Tupungato Winelands in Gualtallary, a place that defines itself as a wine country club that touts a combination of real estate, vineyards and sport facilities, including golf and polo! The vines were only planted in 2008 (everything in Gualtallary is really new). There are some 300 hectares of vines there, in one of the best parts of Gualtallary. They have three-hectare plots owned by mostly foreign investors and most of the highly sought after grapes are sold. Zorzal has agreements to buy grapes (and control the viticulture) of 20 of these plots. Incredibly perfumed for a Cabernet Franc, as the nose is very floral and made me think of a Malbec rather than a Cabernet Franc. The spiciness of all these Eggo wines comes from the grapes and the fermentation and aging in cement, as none of the wines see any oak. And I tell you one thing, you do not miss the oak or the complexity or anything, it’s all here. This is the first year for this vertical, fresh, tremendous Cabernet Franc. Well done, bravo! 2,200 bottles produced. The Michelini brothers keep producing fresh, elegant and terroir-driven wines from their base in Gualtallary. The range seems to be growing almost infinitely, as their creativity also seem to have no limits”
This was already the lowest listed price in the USA today…
Now it’s even lower!
Zorzal Eggo Filoso Pinot, Tupungato, Argentina 2014 750ML ($29.95) Was $24, Now $20.90
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2014 Eggo Filoso Pinot Noir is produced with fruit from Gualtallary. It fermented after carbonic maceration in cement vats and like the whole Eggo line, it matured in cement eggs for some nine months and never saw any oak. Pale-colored, floral and showing a lactic touch, it is earthier than the Gran Terroir. The palate is medium-bodied, with floral flavors, very good acidity and a fine texture.”
This was already the lowest listed price in the USA today…
Now it’s even lower!
Zorzal Eggo Tinto de Tiza, Tupungato, Argentina 2014 750ML ($39.95) Was $29, Now $26
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2014 Eggo Tinto de Tiza is a blend from three different vineyards in Tupungato Winelands in Gualtallary. It’s a blend of mostly Malbec with some Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. As is the case with the whole Eggo range, the wine didn’t see any oak, and in this case it was matured in egg-shaped cement vats for one year. There are violets, plums, dark cherries and something earthy. This is slightly riper than the 2013. The medium-bodied palate has is fresh with a silky texture, pure flavors and a mineral-driven finish. At this price I’d buy it by the case. Super!”
Zorzal Terroir Unico Pinot Noir, Tupungato, Argentina 2013 750ML ($17.95) Was $14, Now $11.90
Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2013 Terroir Unico Pinot Noir follows the idea of the Terroir Unico range, to show the pure expression of the grape and the place in a line of unoaked wines. This was 20-30% whole-cluster fermented and is very pale colored, almost a rose, very perfumed, with aromas of red fruit and flowers opening to a light to medium-bodied palate, high acidity (blood orange), and a pure, fresh finish. Highly drinkable. Can the price be real?”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Treasured Wines
Newly Arrived
Cayuse Vineyards Camaspelo, Walla Walla Valley 2012 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 3 bottles available
Wine Advocate 97 points “A blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Merlot, the 2012 Camaspelo is more refined and elegant than the Lovers release, showing a seamless, elegant profile to go with lots of dark fruits, savory herbs, graphite and hints of flowers. While the nose is terrific, the palate is where this really shines and it’s full-bodied, concentrated and ultra-pure, with lots of fine tannin that keep the finish going. It should be at it’s best from 2018-2032+.”
Cayuse Horsepower Vineyards ‘The Tribe Vineyard’ Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2013 750ML ($179.95) $138 special, 3 bottles available
Wine Advocate 96 points “Just ever so slightly richer and more textured than the Sur Echalas Vineyard, the 2013 Syrah The Tribe Vineyard is a blockbuster effort that is up there with the crème de la crème of the vintage. Concentrated, full-bodied, sexy and layered on the palate, it has to-die-for notes of black cherries, currants, olives, steak tartare and Hermitage-like scorched earth characteristics. Like the other 2013s here, it needs 4-5 years of cellaring and will have two decades of longevity.”
Cayuse Vineyards Flying Pig, Walla Walla Valley 2011 750ML ($199.95) $159 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 95 points “A Merlot-dominated blend, the 2011 Flying Pig checks in as 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 12 months in 50% new French oak before being moved to large oak puncheons. Deep-ruby in color, it has beautiful cassis, plum, licorice, olive tapenade and lead pencil shaving-like aromas and flavors that give way to a full-bodied, layered and concentrated 2011 that has beautifully integrated oak, plenty of mid-palate and a terrific finish. Enjoy it anytime over the coming 10-15 years.”
Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2012 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 2 bottles available
Wine Advocate 99 points “Another wine that flirts with perfection is the 2012 Impulsivo. Showing the heights Tempranillo can hit in Washington State, this blockbuster offers tons of purple fruits, crushed rocks, exotic spice and spring flower characteristics to go with a full-bodied, fabulously concentrated, structured feel on the palate. What really sets this apart is the purity of fruit. In addition, this cuvee ages brilliantly, and doesn’t start to really hit maturity until around age 8-10. This beauty will have 20-25 of overall longevity and is one thrilling drink!”
Harlan Estate, Napa Valley 2011 750ML ($599.95) $479 special, 3 bottles available
James Suckling 97 points “Fabulous floral aromas of currants, flowers, stones and rosemary stem. Purity. Full body with a fabulous backbone of chewy tannins with a gorgeous austerity. Elegance with power. This needs at least three or four more years.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $756
Sloan Proprietary Red, Rutherford 2006 750ML ($349.95) $259 special, 6 bottles available
Robert Parker 98+ points “The 2006 is performing even better from bottle than it did from barrel. Sloan and McClellan decided to bottle it later than usual, recognizing the rugged, tough tannins of the vintage could be sweetened up with longer barrel aging. Their strategy worked. The wine’s dense ruby/purple color is followed by notes of white chocolate, burning embers, creme de cassis, coffee, and scorched earth (think Haut-Brion or La Mission Haut-Brion). It possesses terrific structure, melted, well-integrated tannins, full body, and is already bursting with complexity. A great success, it is one of the vintage’s most thrilling wines. Drink it over the next 20-25 years.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Treasured Wines
Arriving in August
Opus One Overture, Napa Valley 2012 750ML ($149.95) $99 pre-arrival special, ETA August 5th
VinopolNote: This wine is the 2012 vintage based multi-vintage blend; released by Opus One in October 2015
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Krug Grande Cuvee, Champagne NV 750ML ($199.95) $149 pre-arrival special, ETA August 5th
Wine Spectator 95 points “Rich, with smoky hints of roasted almond and toasted brioche, this crystalline Champagne offers a finely detailed mousse that carries the firm, citrusy acidity and flavors of patisserie apple, spun honey and tangy black cherry, accented by subtle, aromatic hints of ground cumin and clove, bergamot and chamomile.” (11/2015)
Salon Cuvee ‘S’ Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs, Champagne 2002 750ML ($499.95) $399 pre-arrival special, ETA August 5th
James Suckling 99 points “The 2002 Salon is phenomenal quality… I was mesmerized. It is a subtle and intense Champagne that shows complex character of lilac, minerals, sliced lemon, apple, and white pepper. It is full body and dense yet racy and agile with a lightness and freshness. It has a gloriously long finish. It changes every moment in the glass. It has such clarity. It’s magnificent to drink now, but shows great texture and structure for aging”. JS
Salon Cuvee ‘S’ Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs, Champagne 2004 750ML ($519.95) $399 pre-arrival special, ETA August 5th
Salon Cuvee ‘S’ Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs, Champagne 2004 1.5L ($1,499.95) $1,190 pre-arrival special, ETA August 5th
Antonio Galloni 97+ points “The 2004 Salon has been superb each time I have tasted it over the last year or so. Bright, tense and crystalline, with all of the energy that is typical of both Salon and the vintage in the Côte des Blancs, the 2004 bristles with superb precision and cool, pulsating minerality. The 2004 spent a dozen years on its lees. Over the last six months or so, it has gradually begun to open up, but it is very much a wine for the cellar. Two thousand four is remembered as a vintage with record high yields. Salon (and Delamotte) did a terrific job in keeping the vines well balanced. Production was just 46,000 bottles, as opposed to the 60,000 or so that is more typical. Chef de Caves Michel Fauconnet opted for a low dosage of just 4 grams per liter. This is a tremendous showing.”
Jacques Selosse Ambonnay Grand Cru Le Bout du Clos Extra Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($449.95) $379 pre-arrival special, ETA mid-August, 2 bottles available
VinopolNote: An incredibly rare, single-vineyard Pinot Noir bottling from famed Champagne producer Anselme Selosse. Produced as a perpetual solera. One of the six Lieux Dits bottlings created to showcase Champagne’s great terroirs. Previous disgorgements have scored 97 and 98 points from Antonio Galloni.
Jacques Selosse Les Carelles Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Extra Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($449.95) $379 pre-arrival special, ETA mid-August, 10 bottles available
VinopolNote: November 2015 disgorgement – no reviews yet but the February disgorgement was rate 97 points by Antonio Galloni… Les Carelles is a single block within the Grand Cru Les Mesnil sur Oger. The base wine is derived from a solera beginning with the 2003 vintage and the wine is aged a further 5-6 years.
Staff Picks
Daniel:
Louis Latour Chateau Corton Grancey Grand Cru 2008 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 10 bottles available
It’s not often that you come across a Grand Cru Burgundy that’s ready to drink. The 2008 vintage (see Antonio Galloni’s comments below) produced a fine crop of Grand Cru Pinot Noir on the Côte de Beaune, and is beginning to open up. Louis Latour’s Corton Grancey is a delicious example. The wine is a blend of four Grand Cru sites: Bressandes, Grèves, Perrières, and, best of all, Clos du Roi. Each is vinified separately, and only the best barrels of each will make it to the final blend. Latour makes this wine made exclusively in ripe years that deserve the Château Corton Grancey name. Corton reds are the biggest of the Côte de Beaune. Their depth, vigour, and ability to age set them apart from the reds to the south. Yet their unique soil and positioning on the wide-browed hill of Corton distinguishes their flavor profile from that of the Côte de Nuits reds. It’s the Côte de Beaune’s only Grand Cru red, at a far better price than its northern neighbors…
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Tyler:
M Plouzeau Chinon Rive Gauche, Loire 2014 750ML ($19.95) $14 special, 18 bottles available
Case-12 M Plouzeau Chinon Rive Gauche, Loire 2014 750ML ($199.95) $149 special, 2 cases available (that’s only $12.42/bottle!)
A touch more muscle than the Chinon found atop zinc tables across Paris, Plouzeau’s ‘Rive Gauche’ offers an animated and reliable example of Cabernet Franc. Tobacco, damp earth, red fruits, and a touch of mushroom make for a transparent and versatile wine which would appeal to Francophiles, those who enjoy Washington State blends, and pretty much anyone who falls in the in-between. A beaut!
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Subscriber-Only Grosses Gewächs Sale
We’ll take 10% off on all in-stock Grosses Gewächs wines
Sale ends Tuesday, August 2nd at midnight
Despite the prominence of sweetness in fine German wines, dry wines have a long history in Germany. The labeling and promotion of dry (trocken) wines in the country dates back to 1910, and today the esteemed VDP (translation: Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates) carries that torch. The VDP, however, has no governmental authority. Rather, it is a membership-based consortium that guarantees quality of producer and terroir. Its classification system for vineyards resembles that of Burgundy, with the Grosse Lage serving as Grand Cru: a dry Grosse Lage, however, is labeled as a Grosses Gewächs, or GG.
The requirements for GG classification are strict, and the wines must pass a panel tasting. The VDP classifies each vineyard according to its geography and geology (e.g. slope, aspect, soil type, mesoclimate), terroir definition, history, and the ageing ability of its wine, which is typically made from Riesling. Low yields and sustainable viticulture are required, along with hand harvesting. The grapes must be picked at Spätlese ripeness, and the wines bottled at the estate.
Grosses Gewächs wines are often credited for displaying terroir without any cloying sweetness in the way. Their sense of place, richness, and elegance equal that of their Kabinett, Spätlese, and Auselese counterparts from the same vineyard. But the GG offer brisk minerality, too, and they pair with food as excellently as do wines like Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay: try one with seafood, fowl, cheese, or vegetables.
The system of labeling fine German wines may seem as complex as the wines themselves, but with GG on the bottle, you know exactly what you’re getting: dry, terroir-driven, and well-made wine. It’s a new way to appreciate an old tradition, and to taste even more from Germany’s top vineyards. Some days call for sweet. Others call for trocken, which means Grosses Gewächs if you want the best.
We offer 25 Grosses Gewächs in-stock and available here now to choose from (that’s 256 bottles!). For complete reviews and descriptions, visit our web store.
We’ll take 10% off our price:
Sale ends Tuesday, August 2nd at midnight
Your final price will be 10% off our listed price
Does not apply to pre-arrival offers or case specials
Discount will not appear in online shopping cart
We will apply it here before charging
Exploring Burgundy:
Chambolle Musigny
If the Côte de Nuits were a garden, the wines of Chambolle-Musigny would be its roses. Silky smooth, opulently perfumed, and delicately structured (for the Côte de Nuits), yet just as intense as the best of Burgundy, Chambolle wines stand out for their luxurious beauty. The history here is just as rich. Called Cambola in AD 1110, around the time of the vignerons Cistercian monks’ arrival, Chambolle benefitted from the monastic fascination with winegrowing, whose epicenter lay in neighboring Vougeot.
Only two Grands Crus fall in Chambolle’s borders, but its 24 Premiers Crus offer more than their share of finesse: above all Les Amoureuses and Les Charmes. As for the Grands Cru of Chambolle-Musigny, Bonnes Mares makes for a fabulously deep, dense, and velvety wine that enjoys time in the cellar. But Le Musigny, oh Le Musigny… The Pinot Noir finds one of its truest, most breath-taking expressions in this 25-acre vineyard above the Clos de Vougeot. Musigny wine assimilates and amplifies all that is great about Chambolle. Its color, bouquet, texture, balance, breadth, and amazingly long finish put Le Musigny at the top of Burgundy’s Grands Crus, alongside Le Chambertin, Clos de Bèze, La Tâche, and La Romanée-Conti. Indeed, Chambolle-Musigny, from village-level to the Grands Crus, provides some of the most ethereal and seductive wines of all the Côte d’Or.
Below are 12 selections of the 4 Village, 12 Premier Crus and 8 Grand Crus that we have in stock from Chambolle Musigny. You can browse the full list online at www.vinopoliswineshop.com
Village AC
Domaine Cecile Tremblay Chambolle-Musigny Les Cabottes 2013 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 5 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 89-91 points “(from three parcels of vines, in Les Fremières, Aux Echanges and Les Maladières, ranging in age from 6 to 95 years): Good medium red. Fresh aroma of wild raspberry complicated by exotic notes of peach and lees. Juicy and fresh on the palate, and tighter than the village Morey; less opulent but more gripping. Still a bit youthfully clenched on the back end but I find the notes of vineyard peach and blood orange fascinating.” ST
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Frederic Magnien Chambolle-Musigny Vieilles Vignes 2013 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 9 bottles available
Wine Advocate 89-91 points “The 2013 Chambolle-Musigny Vieilles Vignes has a ripe, quite generous bouquet with “billowing” scents of wild strawberry and raspberry preserve that is well defined. The palate is vibrant on the entry with primal dark cherry and cassis fruit. The tannins feel succulent in the mouth, the acidity quite racy and lending the finish the tension that it needs. This should be very interesting once bottled.” NM
Louis Jadot Chambolle-Musigny 2012 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 8 bottles available
From the winery “Louis Jadot produces a deeply coloured wine which develops a red berries fruits – and undergrowth aromas when older. Full bodied, delicate this wine has a silky finish. The soil is responsible for Chambolle Musigny’s exceptional delicacy and a character not possessed by any other wine of the Côte de Nuits. It will perfectly match with delicate dishes, not too spicy like red meat, game and quite strong cheeses.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Premier Cru
Serafin Pere & Fils Les Baudes, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($199.95) $119 special, 16 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 92 points “Healthy dark red. Superripe black cherry, blueberry and menthol on the nose. Rich, creamy and sweet, in a rather powerful style for this cuvée, but with a medicinal minerality energizing the mid-plate. Finishes with substantial but suave tannins that will require patience.”ST
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Maison Remoissenet Pere & Fils Les Echanges, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($119.95) $79 special, 8 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2011 Chambolle Musigny Les Echanges is juicy, open and expressive. Bright red/black fruit, freshly cut flowers, mint and sweet spices are all layered in the glass in a wine that captures the essence of the pure seduction of Chambolle. The Echanges is once again one of the most flat-out delicious wines in the Remoissenet range.” AG
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine de la Pousse d’Or Les Amoureuses, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2009 750ML ($399.95) $319 special, 3 bottles available
Burghound 94 points –Sweet Spot – Outstanding– “A spicy, pure and expansive nose features a ripe mix of red currant, blue berry, plum and violet aromas that slide seamlessly into rich, generous and well-detailed mineral-inflected flavors that are shaped by very firm but phenolically mature tannins. There is an impeccable sense of balance to the serious, firm and mouth coating finish. This stylish and classy effort should repay well 12 to 15 years of cellar time.”
Domaine Faiveley Les Charmes, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($149.95) $138 special, 8 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 90-93 points “Good bright red. Complex nose melds red berries, cardamom, flowers and soil tones. Ripe, smooth and lightly saline, with an earthy complexity giving this wine much more flavor interest than the Beaux-Bruns. In a rather feminine style, finishing with ripe tannins and subtle length.” ST
Burghound 90-93 points “An ultra-elegant and intensely floral nose of red currant and raspberry aromas is trimmed in just enough wood to notice. There is a lacy and pure mouth feel to the lightly mineral-inflected medium weight flavors that possess plenty of energy on the balanced, cool and beautifully persistent finish. A classic Charmes of harmony and grace”
Domaine Faiveley Aux Beaux Bruns, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 12 bottles available
Burghound 90-92 points “A completely different aromatic expression is present here with its spicy and perfumed nose of black raspberry, red cherry and plum. As one might reasonably expect there is a more refined mouth feel to the mineral-inflected medium-bodied flavors that display a hint of austerity on the balanced and lingering finish. Beaux Bruns is often a rather butch Chambolle and this example is consistent with that tendency.” BH
Grand Cru
Joseph Drouhin Musigny Grand Cru 2011 750ML ($799.95) $549 special, 4 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 92-95 points “Good deep red. Captivating aromas of blueberry, violet, coffee bean, white pepper and crushed stone. Juicy on entry, then tight and imploded in the middle, with an energetic core of fruit currently dominated by the wine’s structure. Most impressive today on the rising, expanding back end, which saturates the mouth with dusty minerality. This will need eight to ten years of cellaring.” ST
Burghound 93-95 points “Don’t miss! A highly spiced, cool and reserved nose features superb breadth with a wonderfully appealing array of plum, violets, wet stone and essence of red berry fruit. The exceptionally rich, focused and intensely mineral-inflected broad-shouldered flavors evidence focused power and a sleek muscularity before terminating in an explosive and palate saturating finish of genuinely stunning length. This is a knockout in every respect.” BH
Laurent Ponsot ‘Domaine & Selection’ Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2009 750ML ($349.95) $319 special, 4 bottles available
Vinopolnote: Domaine et Selection wines are a rare find. Sold mostly at the Hôtel de Beaune in the heart of Burgundy, their production is left entirely in the hands of talented winemakers like Laurent Ponsot (of Domaine Ponsot in Morey-Saint-Denis). The 2009s are notable for their fine quality, perfectly represented and respected by the amazing Mr. Ponsot.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Philippe Charlopin-Parizot Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2013 750ML ($249.95) $219 special, 12 bottles available
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!
Louis Jadot Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2011 750ML ($279.95) $219 special, 12 bottles available
John Gilman 94+ points “Vineyards such as Bonnes-Mares really have taken advantage of the elegant side of the 2011 vintage, and this is doubly true of this stunning wine from Maison Jadot. The deep, sappy and simply gorgeous nose wafts from the glass in a mélange of black cherries, dark berries, woodsmoke, game, espresso, fresh herbs, stunningly complex soil tones and cedar. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and quite plush on the attack, with great mid-palate depth, laser-like focus, ripe, firm tannins and simply stunning length and grip on the still very young finish. Profound juice….94+”
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Bright, deep red. Initially explosive aromas and flavors of cherry, menthol, incense and spices subsided in favor of blueberry, crushed stone and peppermint tea: very Bonnes-Mares! Wonderfully silky and scented in the mouth, displaying very good breadth but a light touch. Finishes with a broad, fine dusting of tannins and excellent length and lift. A compellingly perfumed and pure wine: am I greedy for wanting the flesh and sweetness of a warmer year?” ST
Mid-West, East & South
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Trending
Beat the Heat:
Andre Dezat & Fils Domaine Thibault Pouilly-Fume 2014 750ML ($24.95) $18.80 special, 36+ bottles available
Case-12 Andre Dezat & Fils Domaine Thibault Pouilly-Fume 2014 750ML ($249.95) $199 special, 2 cases available (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
Winery note: “Our Pouilly Fumé 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!
Domaine des Cassagnoles Gros Manseng, IGP Cotes de Gascogne 2015 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 special, 36+ bottles available
Case-12 Domaine des Cassagnoles Gros Manseng, IGP Cotes de Gascogne 2015 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 10+ cases available (that’s only $9.92/bottle!)
Winery Notes–“The Gros Manseng produces fleshier, more ample wines with fruity apricot and pear aromas. It is a lively wine, but not to excess, with a persistent final. It may be kept for several years and should be drunk chilled, at a temperature of 50-53°”
Chateau de Calavon Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence Rose, Provence 2015 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles available
Winery note “[Translated] This Rose, made mostly from Grenache and Cinsault, is obtained by saignee and undergoes temperature-controlled fermentation. It has discreet aromas of red fruits, fuller body and a long finish. It is an ideal wine for light summer dishes.”
Cellar-Worthy Find:
Weingut Keller Westhofener Kirchspiel RR Riesling, Rheinhessen 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles available
John Gilman 94 points “There was no 2014 RR bottling from Weingut Keller, but happily, the 2015 vintage allowed for this cuvée and what an amazingly fine wine it is! The bouquet is very pure, very precise and nascently complex, as it soars from the glass in a stunning blend of tart orange, very complex, crystalline minerality, blood orange, petrol, gentle notes of wild yeasts and a topnote of citrus zest. On the palate the wine is fullish, complex and electric in its vibrancy, with a superb core of fruit, great mineral lift on the backend and laser-like focus on the very, very long and utterly refined finish. The best RR vintage I have yet tasted from KP! 2016-2040.” (Mar/Apr 2016)
Tuscan Trendspotting:
Isole e Olena Chianti Classico DOCG 2013 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 32 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The 2013 Chianti Classico brings together the fresh aromatics of a cool year along with lovely mid-palate pliancy. The flavors are bright, high-toned and decidedly leaning towards the red-fruit end of the spectrum. Crushed flowers, herbs and anise grace the soft, aromatic finish. The overall impression is of lovely mid-palate juiciness, even if the technical stats suggest a lighter-bodied wine. That is why wine can never be measured by numbers alone.”
Ruffino Modus Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($27.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles available
James Suckling 94 points “A silky and refined red with currant, berry, mineral and dried flower aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, flavorful and delicious. A blend of sangiovese, cabernet sauvignon and merlot. Drinkable now but better in 2017.” JS
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $26
Light & Bright Reds:
Vignoble du Loup Blanc ‘Soif de Loup’ Rouge, IGP Aude Val de Cesse 2013 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 special, 24 bottles available
Vinopolnote: A crazily fragrant nose of red fruit, cedar, and paprika-like spices. On the palate, crushed berries collide with figs, plums, and a touch of earty. Lovely.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Matello Fool’s Journey Deux Vert Vineyard, Willamette Valley, 2011 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 special, 36+ bottles available
VinopolNote: 90% Syrah, 10% Viognier from the Deux Vert vineyard (planted 1994) in Yamhill-Carlton. Deeply colored, with fountains of dark fruit and spice, and smooth tannins. Only 130 cases were produced from these non-irrigated vines. Bottled at 12.7% alcohol, at Matello’s new winery in McMinnville.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Alvaro Palacios
A Rioja Bloodline
If you’ve heard of Priorat, and especially if you’ve enjoyed its sublime Grenache blends, you have Alvaro Palacios to thank. Born into a centuries-old Rioja wine family, Palacios carries wine in his blood. Not surprisingly, he ended up studying wine in Bordeaux, and working at Pétrus, where his palate first tasted Europe’s greatest wines. In 1989, none other than Rene Barbier accompanied Palacios to Priorat, and a year later Palacios’ Finca Dofí began. Then, three years later, Palacios bought the steeply terraced vineyard he would name L’Ermita, and luxury Priorat began. Refusing to stop here, Palacios set out with his nephew to revive another formerly-monastic wine region in Spain: Bierzo, land of the Pinot-like Mencía grape, where Descendientes de J. Palacios makes stellar wines today. The recipe at each estate is the same. Old vines and low yields meet super-modern, high-tech winemaking, to craft stunningly balanced and concentrated wines like Corullón and Terrasses from Priorat, and the pure refreshment of Pétalos from Bierzo. The Rare Wine Co., importer of Palacios wines, suggests that “since the first vintage in 1999, Descendientes has proven that it is Spain’s closest kin to the great domaines of Burgundy’s Côte d’Or.”
Wines Currently Available from Palacios:
Descendientes de J. Palacios Petalos, Bierzo 2013 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 17 bottles available
Case-12 Descendientes de J. Palacios Petalos, Bierzo 2013 750ML ($249.95) $199 special, 5 cases available
#53 Wine Spectator Top 100 In 2015
Wine Advocate 92 points “Always among the best values of Spain, the 2013 Pétalos del Bierzo has an extra degree of freshness in a cool vintage, and some time in bottle always does this wine wonders. It’s aromatic, open and expressive, with floral aromas and bright fruit, wild strawberries and violets. This is always a subtle, medium-bodied wine, with fine tannins, sleek acidity and a fine minerality. Ready now. ”
Wine Spectator 91 points “Expressive black cherry, currant, licorice, mineral and smoke flavors mingle in this focused red. The texture is gentle but firm, with well-integrated tannins and racy acidity providing structure. A compact wine that shows good intensity. Drink now through 2023.”TM
Alvaro Palacios ‘Les Terrasses’ Velles Vinyes, Priorat DOCa 2012 750ML ($44.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Brilliant ruby. Potent, mineral-laced raspberry and cherry aromas are complicated by exotic floral and spice qualities, picking up white pepper and mocha accents with air. Seamless and sweet, offering silky red berry preserve flavors with a touch of allspice. Closes lively and precise, with sneaky tannins and a jolt of bitter cherry.” ST
Alvaro Palacios ‘Les Terrasses’ Velles Vinyes, Priorat DOCa 2013 750ML ($41.95) $28 special, 10 bottles available
Case-12 Alvaro Palacios ‘Les Terrasses’ Velles Vinyes, Priorat DOCa 2013 750ML ($449.95) $299 special, 1 case available
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2013 Les Terrasses Velles Vinyes, from a rainy year and a late harvest that resulted in perfect ripeness and low yields, is a blend of 55% Garnacha and 45% Cariñena. You might find labels and literature referring Cariñena to as Samsó, something that is wrong and creates confusion since Samsó is the Catalan name for Cinsault. The grapes are sourced from different villages (Gratallops, La Vilella Baixa, Bellmunt, El Lloar, El Molar, Porrera, Scala Dei, Torroja and Poboleda) all of them grown on schist llicorella soils, fermented in a combination of oak and cement vats with natural yeasts and matured in barrique for one year. It has a meaty nose with aromas that transported me to the Northern Rhône, showing smoky bacon intermixed with violets and really well-integrated oak resulting in a very fine and elegant impression. It seems more refined than other vintages of Les Terrasses, lighter and more elegant with none of the volatility or oak of yesteryear. It is really fine, polished and is without edges. Somehow within the Atlantic vintage you can see the Mediterranean character. Awesome Terrasses and good value for Priorat.”
Alvaro Palacios Camins del Priorat, Priorat DOCa 2015 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 5 bottles available
Importer notes: “All the vineyards are in and around the village of Gratallops. The grapes are destemmed and sofly crushed. Fermentation is in stainless steel, cement and large wooden vats. Remontages and punching down. 8 months in barrels and wooden vats. 40% Garnacha, 30% Samso, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah”
Descendientes de J. Palacios Villa de Corullon, Bierzo 2013 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 35 bottles available
Wine Advocate 95 points “If I was impressed with the 2012 vintage, the 2013 Corullón is otherworldy, especially for the vintage. The wine is tight and solid, a little exotic, extremely balsamic with lots of smoky notes and aromas that reminded me of a cypress, developing very classical aromas of pear and blood orange. Subtle and elegant. The palate is medium-bodied, sharp, very fresh, serious, with good concentration. Very consistent and compact, sometimes these wines from a mélange of vineyards can be extremely complete, and this is a good example. This could very well be the surprise of 2013. Drinkable and approachable, but with the stuffing and balance to live and develop for a good decade (or more). The price is very reasonable for the quality it delivers; wines of this quality are very often double the price asked here. 11,448 bottles produced, one of the shortest vintages of Corullón, where they had to sort and discard plenty of grapes.”
G. B. Burlotto
Wines Arrive August 12th
Winemaker Fabio Alessandria has reinvigorated the Burlotto Barolo estate with the energy and respect of this once heralded estate. The estate was originally founded in the village of Verduno in the 1800s by Giovan Battista Burlotto, Alessandria’s great-great-grandfather. It became world famous when Burlotto’s wine was named the official Barolo of the Royal House of Savoy which ruled over the region. After Burlotto’s death, the house faded from the limelight until it was revitalized by Alessandria. Today, Alessandria manages the 30 acres of vineyard land. He prefers to produce his Barolos in the more traditional style to showcase the complexity and femininity of the estate’s terroir.
Burlotto Wines Arriving August 12th
G. B. Burlotto Elatis Vino da Tavola Rose, Piedmont 2015 750ML ($21.95) $17 pre-arrival special
G.B. Burlotto Verduno Pelaverga, Piedmont 2015 750ML ($21.95) $18 pre-arrival special
Importer note “One of the most unique Burlotto wines is the beautiful red Pelaverga—from an ancient variety grown by the family since 1800… Like everything else bearing the Burlotto name, it is the essence of a noble winemaking tradition.”
G. B. Burlotto Barolo DOCG 2012 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2012 Barolo is a gorgeous entry-level offering from Burlotto and a fabulous introduction to the house style. Lifted, precise and translucent, the 2012 is a pure joy to taste today. This mid-weight, refined Barolo is pure class. Sweet red berry, mint and spice nuances are laced into the super-expressive, inviting finish. Most of this fruit is sourced from Breri.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
G. B. Burlotto Barolo Acclivi, Barolo DOCG 2012 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2012 Barolo Acclivi is another aromatically lifted, precise Barolo endowed with tons of pedigree. Stylistically, the Acclivi is the Burlotto Barolo that most resembles Monvigliero because it is made from a blend of declassified fruit from that site along with important contributions from Rocche dell’Olmo and Neirane. Deceptively medium in body, the Acclivi possesses striking mid-palate depth and substance, while maintaining its classic sense of poise. A host of bright red cherry, raspberry and floral notes punctuate the refreshing finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $55
G. B. Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero, Barolo DOCG 2012 750ML ($79.95) $66 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “The 2012 Barolo Monvigliero is a wine of extraordinary finesse. Sculpted, precise and beautifully delineated throughout, the Monvigliero possesses striking precision from the very first taste. Vinification with whole clusters gives the Monvigliero its characteristic aromatic lift, but it is the overall finesse of the tannins and the wine’s overall balance that stand out most. All the elements are perfectly balanced in a sublime Barolo endowed with tons of personality. The 2012 is pure pleasure to drink today, but it should develop beautifully for the next several decades. Next to some of the other recent versions, the 2012 is gracious and light on its feet.”
Burlotto Wines Available Here Now
G. B. Burlotto Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont 2014 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 12 bottles available
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
G. B. Burlotto Barbera d’Alba 2014 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 4 bottles available
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
G. B. Burlotto Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 22 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Burlotto’s 2011 Barolo is a gorgeous entry-level offering and a real overachiever in its category. Small red berries, sweet tobacco, mint, spices and orange rind are all laced together in a pretty, delicate Barolo that will offer considerable pleasure upon release. A weightless, super-refined finish rounds things out. There is so much to like here. Readers who want to dip their toes into the wines of Burlotto should start here. There is so much to like. The vineyard sources are Breri, which sits next to Monvigliero, Rocche dell’Olmo and Neirane.” AG
G. B. Burlotto Barolo Acclivi, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $51.90 special, 14 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 93 points “What a joy it is to taste Burlotto’s 2011 Barolo Acclivi. The Acclivi occupies a very attractive middle ground in the Burlotto range. It is made from a handful of parcels, but is more structured and overtly tannic than the straight Barolo, but obviously does not convey the signature of a specific piece of dirt, as the Cannubi and Monvigliero do. A wine of contrasts, Acclivi is dark yet translucent, tannic and weightless. In other words, it is a wine that captures the full spectrum of complexity Nebbiolo is capable of. The warmth of the vintage has given the Accilvi a little more ripeness and volume than is typically the case, but all the elements are deftly balanced.” AG
More Molitor!
2015 vintage arrives in February – no scores yet, but expect fireworks: previous vintages have garnered scores in the 96-100 point range and the 2015 vintage in general is racking up critics’ praise.
Late Breaking News
2015 Willi Schaefer
Winemaker Willi Schaefer and his son Christophe Willi are an elusive pair. They do not have a website or rely on flashy marketing. They instead allow their fine Mosel Rieslings to speak for themselves. Willi Schaefer wines offer consistent quality and approachable prices. This is in part due to their long tradition of family viticulture and winemaking. The family estate dates back to 1121 and is named after the grandfather of the current Willi. With a mere four hectares (about 10 acres), Willi Schaefer is a tiny producer, making a very large impression that involves quite the following (and obsession) of Mosel Riesling lovers. Located in the town of Bernkastel-Graach, the limited parcels are planted exclusively with Riesling, mostly grown on Devonian slate. They are highly sought after, and with such small quantities and no plans of increasing production, now is the time to gobble these wines up before they disappear.
Their distinctly delicious Rieslings and the obscure nature of Willi Schaefer has led to a cult following of their wines. Terry Thiese explains the difficulty of getting your hands on these wines with the following; “Part of it is they’re so scarce, with no desire to grow. Part of it is the wines themselves; they’re silly with deliciousness. And as crystalline as they are, as ethereally complex and limpidly clear they have a quality of calm; they don’t fuss at you how amazing they are.” These wines are known to be approachable when young with beautiful fruit components, while impressing us with their ability of maintaining their finesse 15+ years from now. There really is only one solution to this sort of ‘problem:’ drink one on arrival and lay the other down.
These 2015s are arriving fall 2016:
Brunello di Montalcino Sale
Ending Sunday at Midnight
Subscriber-Only Brunello Sale
We’ll take 10% off on all in-stock Brunellos:
For full reviews and descriptions, visit our web store
Have a lovely weekend!