In Today’s Newsletter:
Subscriber Special #1
St. Innocent Best Pricing
Subscriber Special #2
Cameron Winery’s Nebbiolo
& Bonus Evesham Wood Offerings
Staff Pick
Trending
Featured New Arrival:
Spottswoode
Arriving in June
Caprili Brunello
Bonus Fun:
Hang Out with Cornelius Donnhoff (Seriously)
Subscriber Special #1
Oregon Hot Deal Alert!
St. Innocent remains one of the premier producers in the Willamette Valley, combining richness and power with clear terroir signatures in their top Pinots. They were founded in the late 80’s and Mark Vlossak (the winemaker/owner) has been one of the stars of the local Pinot Noir scene nearly since the start. The wines they’re making now are arguably the best they’ve ever produced—the resulting wines are the culmination of decades of experience and technique.
Perhaps no bottling better exemplifies St. Innocent’s style and craft than their Zenith Vineyard Pinot Noir. St. Innocent has made wine from the site since 1989 (when it was known as the O’Connor Vineyard) and the slightly bowl shaped Eola-Amity Hills site has produced some of the wines of the vintage for the winery every year since.
The vineyard is an outlier for the Eola-Amity Hills in some ways—a warmer, sheltered vineyard with marine sediments for soils, which separate it from its cooler neighbors (which include Cristom and Justice). The resulting wines are always rich and textured, but with enough snap and brightness to remind you of where it came from. We’ve secured an excellent price on the outstanding 2016 vintage (one of Vlossak’s favorite years) and are excited to offer it to you today.
Arriving Friday, May 1st:
St. Innocent Zenith Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2016 750ML ($39.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Case-6 St. Innocent Zenith Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2016 750ML ($243.95) $166 pre-arrival special (that’s only $27.67/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds 93 points “Deep, bright-hued red. Spice-accented cherry and black raspberry aromas are complemented by hints of woodsmoke, baking spices and pungent flowers. Densely packed and energetic on the palate, offering cherry, red berry and candied rose flavors that become sweeter as the wine opens up. Lingers with strong persistence and sneaky tannins, leaving behind sappy red fruit preserve and floral notes.”
James Suckling 93 points “This has attractive aromas and flavors of fresh red cherries with very well defined style in every regard. The oak is subtly played and delivers a swirling, spicy thread. The tannins are smooth and fine and there’s a superb sense of freshness driving the finish. Drink or hold.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Polished and multilayered, with expressive raspberry, rose petal and spiced tea flavors that gather richness toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2028. 968 cases made.”
Perhaps no bottling better exemplifies St. Innocent’s style and craft than their Zenith Vineyard Pinot Noir. St. Innocent has made wine from the site since 1989 (when it was known as the O’Connor Vineyard) and the slightly bowl shaped Eola-Amity Hills site has produced some of the wines of the vintage for the winery every year since.
The vineyard is an outlier for the Eola-Amity Hills in some ways—a warmer, sheltered vineyard with marine sediments for soils, which separate it from its cooler neighbors (which include Cristom and Justice). The resulting wines are always rich and textured, but with enough snap and brightness to remind you of where it came from. We’ve secured an excellent price on the outstanding 2016 vintage (one of Vlossak’s favorite years) and are excited to offer it to you today.
Arriving Friday, May 1st:
St. Innocent Zenith Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2016 750ML ($39.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Case-6 St. Innocent Zenith Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2016 750ML ($243.95) $166 pre-arrival special (that’s only $27.67/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds 93 points “Deep, bright-hued red. Spice-accented cherry and black raspberry aromas are complemented by hints of woodsmoke, baking spices and pungent flowers. Densely packed and energetic on the palate, offering cherry, red berry and candied rose flavors that become sweeter as the wine opens up. Lingers with strong persistence and sneaky tannins, leaving behind sappy red fruit preserve and floral notes.”
James Suckling 93 points “This has attractive aromas and flavors of fresh red cherries with very well defined style in every regard. The oak is subtly played and delivers a swirling, spicy thread. The tannins are smooth and fine and there’s a superb sense of freshness driving the finish. Drink or hold.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Polished and multilayered, with expressive raspberry, rose petal and spiced tea flavors that gather richness toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2028. 968 cases made.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
The average price across all vintages is $37/bottle!
Now Extended Through May!
Subscriber Special #2
Cameron Winery’s Nebbiolo
Special Pricing End Friday, May 1st at 6 PM Pacific!
Scoop up the best Nebbiolo from outside Italy. This is a fantastic new release from Cameron Winery, showcasing the savory side of Nebbiolo. John Paul may humbly suggest it’s his homage to the Alto Piemonte, but we’re reminded of Produttori’s normale bottling, too, with its classic cherry, tobacco and floral aromas and likely cellar-ability. It’s getting to the point where we can’t find better Barolo for the price. We’re excited to stick a few bottles in our cellars, and know that you will be, too. We’re knocking down our pricing until the day the wine is delivered, so pre-order now for the best price in the USA.
Cameron Winery Nebbiolo, Dundee Hills 2016 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Cameron Winery Nebbiolo, Dundee Hills 2016 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Love local wine? So do we.
Don’t miss these remarkable bottlings from Erin Nuccio of Evesham Wood & Haden Fig arriving Friday:
Evesham Wood Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: A rare, one-off bottling from Evesham Wood. Erin Nuccio crafted this wine from Archery Summit estate fruit. A one of a kind wine and an exceptional value.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Evesham Wood La Grive Bleue Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($33.95) $26 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: All estate fruit from a 1996 planting of Dijon clone
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Haden Fig Le Puits Sec Rose, Eola-Amity Hills 2019 750ML ($21.95) $19.90 pre-arrival special
Distributor note “2 barrels of Pinot Gris and 2 barrels of Gewürztraminer from Le Puits Sec, both planted in 1986. Destemmed and fermented on the skins in open top fermenters for 3 days then pressed and finished in neutral barrel.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Staff Pick
Andy:
Nice weather has driven our cooking out to the grill. I try to keep the fires lit all winter, but this year we did a lot more slow-cooker experimentation. I had prepared some really pretty pork with salt & pepper, some heavy ginger, garlic, and dried Korean pepper supplied by Suzanne. I love tinkering with this spice blend, but this time accidentally went a little heavy handed. When I tried a bite, I realized that I needed to put away the Pinot. I saw a bottle of the 2017 Casa Castillo Vino de Finca that I had been meaning to dip into for quite some time. What a happy coincidence!
Usually, Monastrell from Jumilla can be a little overwhelming for me. What a great surprise in the youthful freshness of the nearly 25% Garnacha to liven up the blend. There is something snappier in the minerality, reflecting the sandy soils and limestone in the area. The floral notes and light brown spice aromas were much brighter and exciting than I had expected. Fruits are concentrated but not heavy; blackberry, early plum, raspberry. I had this right out of the cellar, which I keep a little cooler than most so the wine was almost chilled at first. It opened up as it warmed up and took off. I enjoyed this wine over the next two nights and it just got better and better. It is still very much a Spanish thumbprint to the wine, but easily could hold its own against some Southern Rhone stars. The slightly more humble price tag doesn’t hurt either. Should show well over the next five years, possibly longer, but it was a lovely bottle to enjoy right now.
Casa Castillo Vino de Finca, Jumilla 2017 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Casa Castillo Vino de Finca, Jumilla 2017 750ML ($299.95) $219 special (that’s only $18.25/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Luis Gutierrez 93+ points “There is a big jump in depth, complexity and nuance between the Monastrell and the 2017 Vino de Finca, which is a blend of Monastrell with almost 25% Garnacha. This comes from four plots that were selected from what was previously used for the entry-level Monastrell; they aim was to find a wine with more finesse and elegance but with the inherent power of the zone. This is only the third vintage for this cuvée, and it feels quite established and different from the rest of the range; it has less varietal character and is more about the place, getting closer to the single-vineyard bottlings where they do not search for fruit character. The idea here is to ferment at temperatures that are quite so low and to stabilize the wine in oak barrels for a long-ish time (12 months in 500-liter barrels and 5,000-liter oak foudres). They are wines of sun and limestone. This is a good reflection of it with a perfumed and floral note on the finish (elegance!) that is quite remarkable. 31,000 bottles produced in 2017. It was bottled in November 2018.”
Arriving in July from Casa Castillo:
Casa Castillo Las Gravas, Jumilla 2017 750ML ($37.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Casa Castillo Las Gravas, Jumilla 2017 750ML ($419.95) $369 pre-arrival special (that’s only $30.75/bottle!)
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2017 Las Gravas is surprisingly floral and ethereal, perfumed and elegant. Syrah has disappeared from the blend of this wine—it now has 20% Garnacha to complement the Monastrell—and they think this is going to be the blend that stays in this wine, which has seen more changes in its life than the rest of the portfolio. This is for sure the most elegant vintage for this bottling; the wine matured in 500-liter barrels and then spent four months in 5,000-liter vats after the blend was done. There are no aromas of oak whatsoever, and the wine is surprisingly fresh, as if the Garnacha helps to contain the power of Monastrell on the gravel soils, adding texture and perfume. This is beautiful. 26,500 bottles were filled in March 2019.”
Nice weather has driven our cooking out to the grill. I try to keep the fires lit all winter, but this year we did a lot more slow-cooker experimentation. I had prepared some really pretty pork with salt & pepper, some heavy ginger, garlic, and dried Korean pepper supplied by Suzanne. I love tinkering with this spice blend, but this time accidentally went a little heavy handed. When I tried a bite, I realized that I needed to put away the Pinot. I saw a bottle of the 2017 Casa Castillo Vino de Finca that I had been meaning to dip into for quite some time. What a happy coincidence!
Usually, Monastrell from Jumilla can be a little overwhelming for me. What a great surprise in the youthful freshness of the nearly 25% Garnacha to liven up the blend. There is something snappier in the minerality, reflecting the sandy soils and limestone in the area. The floral notes and light brown spice aromas were much brighter and exciting than I had expected. Fruits are concentrated but not heavy; blackberry, early plum, raspberry. I had this right out of the cellar, which I keep a little cooler than most so the wine was almost chilled at first. It opened up as it warmed up and took off. I enjoyed this wine over the next two nights and it just got better and better. It is still very much a Spanish thumbprint to the wine, but easily could hold its own against some Southern Rhone stars. The slightly more humble price tag doesn’t hurt either. Should show well over the next five years, possibly longer, but it was a lovely bottle to enjoy right now.
Casa Castillo Vino de Finca, Jumilla 2017 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Casa Castillo Vino de Finca, Jumilla 2017 750ML ($299.95) $219 special (that’s only $18.25/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Luis Gutierrez 93+ points “There is a big jump in depth, complexity and nuance between the Monastrell and the 2017 Vino de Finca, which is a blend of Monastrell with almost 25% Garnacha. This comes from four plots that were selected from what was previously used for the entry-level Monastrell; they aim was to find a wine with more finesse and elegance but with the inherent power of the zone. This is only the third vintage for this cuvée, and it feels quite established and different from the rest of the range; it has less varietal character and is more about the place, getting closer to the single-vineyard bottlings where they do not search for fruit character. The idea here is to ferment at temperatures that are quite so low and to stabilize the wine in oak barrels for a long-ish time (12 months in 500-liter barrels and 5,000-liter oak foudres). They are wines of sun and limestone. This is a good reflection of it with a perfumed and floral note on the finish (elegance!) that is quite remarkable. 31,000 bottles produced in 2017. It was bottled in November 2018.”
Arriving in July from Casa Castillo:
Casa Castillo Las Gravas, Jumilla 2017 750ML ($37.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Casa Castillo Las Gravas, Jumilla 2017 750ML ($419.95) $369 pre-arrival special (that’s only $30.75/bottle!)
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2017 Las Gravas is surprisingly floral and ethereal, perfumed and elegant. Syrah has disappeared from the blend of this wine—it now has 20% Garnacha to complement the Monastrell—and they think this is going to be the blend that stays in this wine, which has seen more changes in its life than the rest of the portfolio. This is for sure the most elegant vintage for this bottling; the wine matured in 500-liter barrels and then spent four months in 5,000-liter vats after the blend was done. There are no aromas of oak whatsoever, and the wine is surprisingly fresh, as if the Garnacha helps to contain the power of Monastrell on the gravel soils, adding texture and perfume. This is beautiful. 26,500 bottles were filled in March 2019.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Casa Castillo El Molar Tinto, Jumilla 2017 750ML ($24.95) $19.50 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Casa Castillo El Molar Tinto, Jumilla 2017 750ML ($299.95) $219 pre-arrival special (that’s only $18.25/bottle!)
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 94 points “There is a high-pitched red fruit note on the nose of the 2017 El Molar, and it’s a wine with a lot of light, something that is quite remarkable for a warm and Mediterranean year like 2017. This is a Garnacha that feels like a wine from a cool year, with plenty bright red fruit. I tasted it two weeks after it was bottled, and it felt completely harmonious and relaxed. As with most of the 2017s, this seems like the finest vintage for this wine. It has a lighter color and a more fragrant nose, and it’s immediately identifiable within the Casa Castillo range. 28,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in February 2019.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Trending
In 2015 Marcus Goodfellow produced a Syrah Reserve bottling—and boy is it fantastic. The Reserve bottling spent longer in barrel (over 30 months) and was selected for structure, savoriness and power. Like most of Marcus’ wines, there’s a lot of whole-cluster fermentation in this bottling and it definitely reads as more “serious” as a result.
Goodfellow Family Cellars Deux Vert Reserve Syrah, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($47.95) Was $36, Now $31.90 Subscriber Special, 35 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 91+ points “Marcus Goodfellow’s 2015 Deux Vert Vineyard (Reserve) bottling of Syrah includes five percent viognier, which grows alongside these syrah vines, which were the first to be planted in the Willamette Valley in 1994. The 2015 version comes in at 13.8 percent octane and delivers a refined and red fruity bouquet of raspberries, pepper, woodsmoke, roasted meats, lovely soil tones, plenty of spice elements and a nice framing of cedary oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, tangy and rock solid at the core, with excellent transparency and grip, ripe tannins and a long, focused and nascently complex finish. This will be a lovely bottle in due course, but it needs some time in the cellar to allow its backend tannins to resolve a bit. Fine juice. 2030- 2055+. 91+.”
VinopolNote: The Reserve bottling spent longer in barrel (over 30 months) and was selected for structure, savoriness and power. Like most of Marcus’ wines, there’s a lot of whole-cluster fermentation in this bottling and it definitely reads as more “serious” as a result. While the wine is rich and intense, don’t expect over-the-top fruit here. This reminds us of high quality Northern Rhone wines, with dark, fresh fruits and a distinct meaty, savory overtone. One for the table with some air or for the cellar.
Goodfellow Family Cellars Deux Vert Reserve Syrah, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($47.95) Was $36, Now $31.90 Subscriber Special, 35 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 91+ points “Marcus Goodfellow’s 2015 Deux Vert Vineyard (Reserve) bottling of Syrah includes five percent viognier, which grows alongside these syrah vines, which were the first to be planted in the Willamette Valley in 1994. The 2015 version comes in at 13.8 percent octane and delivers a refined and red fruity bouquet of raspberries, pepper, woodsmoke, roasted meats, lovely soil tones, plenty of spice elements and a nice framing of cedary oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, tangy and rock solid at the core, with excellent transparency and grip, ripe tannins and a long, focused and nascently complex finish. This will be a lovely bottle in due course, but it needs some time in the cellar to allow its backend tannins to resolve a bit. Fine juice. 2030- 2055+. 91+.”
VinopolNote: The Reserve bottling spent longer in barrel (over 30 months) and was selected for structure, savoriness and power. Like most of Marcus’ wines, there’s a lot of whole-cluster fermentation in this bottling and it definitely reads as more “serious” as a result. While the wine is rich and intense, don’t expect over-the-top fruit here. This reminds us of high quality Northern Rhone wines, with dark, fresh fruits and a distinct meaty, savory overtone. One for the table with some air or for the cellar.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Trending Pre-Arrivals
Evening Land “Brasserie 19” Chardonnay, Eola-Amity Hills 2016 750ML ($39.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special, ETA May 1st
Case-12 Evening Land “Brasserie 19” Chardonnay, Eola-Amity Hills 2016 750ML ($419.95) $219 pre-arrival special (that’s only $18.25/bottle!)
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Evening Land “Brasserie 19” Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2014 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special, ETA May 1st
Case-12 Evening Land “Brasserie 19” Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2014 750ML ($419.95) $249 pre-arrival special (that’s only $20.75/bottle!)
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Drappier Carte d’Or Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $34.50 pre-arrival special, ETA May 1st
Case-6 Drappier Carte d’Or Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($299.95) $199 pre-arrival special (that’s only $33.17/bottle!)
Decanter 91 points “[Reviewed 10/2019] Described by Drappier as ‘almost a blanc de noirs’, this Pinot Noir-dominant wine sourced from the Côte des Bar is the house’s calling card. 5% of the cuvée is matured in barrels for a year for added complexity and texture, and it’s bottled unfiltered with a fairly low dosage of 7g/l. There are some melon and apple scents on the nose along with a splash of red fruits, while the palate is intense, with notes of apple, quince and grape wrapped in a red-fruit veil. It’s full-bodied and long, with a lovely texture from the red wine tannins and oak-matured portion.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91 points “[Reviewed 4/2019] The latest release of the NV Carte d’Or Brut was disgorged in November 2017, and it’s showing well today, wafting from the glass with notions of waxy lemon rind, hazelnuts, fresh peaches and lily pollen. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, pure and vibrant, with pinpoint bubbles, brisk acids and good length and definition on the chalky finish. Attractively balanced, it will gain depth with bottle age.”
[Disgorgement may vary from reviews]
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Vinopolis Wine Shop Curbside Pick Up
Order Online / By Phone / By Email
When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car.
(If another adult is picking up for you,
please let us know their name when placing your order.)
www.vinopoliswineshop.com
info@vinopoliswineshop.com
503-223-6002
When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car.
(If another adult is picking up for you,
please let us know their name when placing your order.)
www.vinopoliswineshop.com
info@vinopoliswineshop.com
503-223-6002
Featured New Arrival:
Spottswoode
Spottswoode
Spottswoode makes one of the most iconic wines in Napa from their beautiful estate vineyard. Their wines have been some of the most collectable, age-worthy wines in Napa since the 80’s and are sold almost exclusively to their mailing list. The wines easily compete with cult bottlings twice their price and are worth the trouble we have to go through to secure even these modest allocations—these are stunning bottles. The new vintage, 2016, is a double-hundred pointer and one of the best wines of the vintage in Napa—at any price.
Newly Arrived:
Only 4 bottles available!
Spottswoode Family Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon, St. Helena 2016 750ML ($249.95) $219 special
Wine Advocate 100 points “Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is still very tight and youthful, slowly unfurling to reveal a multifaceted wine with tons of black, blue and red fruit sparks—plums, cherries, black currants and red currants—with dark chocolate, cedar chest, black tea and red roses in the background plus wafts of pencil lead and prosciutto. Medium-bodied and firmly textured by superbly ripe, grainy tannins, it has a fantastic core of intense, complex layers, finishing on an edifying mineral note. Wow!”
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “A perfect wine is the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, composed of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Petit Verdot, which is a classic blend from this incredible estate. Sporting a deep purple color as well as an extraordinary bouquet of ultra-pure creme de cassis, blueberries, camphor, scorched earth, and licorice, with subtle background oak, it hits the palate with a full-bodied, deep, powerful texture that carries sweet tannins and blockbuster length. With a stacked mid-palate, straight-up awesome purity of fruit, and a huge finish, it’s as classic and brilliant as it gets. Reminding me of the 2013 with its pure yet backward style, give bottles 4-5 years of bottle age and it will keep for 3-4 decades. Hats off to the team at Spottswoode for this legend in the making!”
Karen Macneil-Decanter 97 points “Spottswoode, nudged about against Spring Mountain is situated on an ancient alluvial fan. The tiny vineyard has been owned and run by the Novak family since 1972. President Beth Novak and winemaker Aron Weinkauf are known for crafting Cabernets that paradoxically possess gentility and vivid concentration at the same time. The reverberating flavours always remind me of the sound of a church bell that someone has just struck hard. Wonderful exotic, spicy mulberry and cranberry notes. Fine tannin. Drinking Window 2019 – 2045.”
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is elegant, plush and silky, like the 2012, but with a little more of everything. Dark cherry, plum, licorice, leather and espresso are all nicely lifted by the natural freshness of the year. At present, the 2016 is a bit shy, but it undoubtedly has a very bright future. Floral, perfumed notes add the closing shades of nuance. Spottswoode’s Cabernet is quite gracious in 2016, not to mention incredibly delicious.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “Beautifully rendered, with a focused beam of gently mulled red and black currant fruit that glides through atop a subtle but persistent loamy structure. Light tea and alder notes fill in throughout, ending with a wave of fruit that is alluringly lined with latent mineral tension. Best from 2021 through 2040. 4,030 cases made.”
Newly Arrived:
Only 4 bottles available!
Spottswoode Family Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon, St. Helena 2016 750ML ($249.95) $219 special
Wine Advocate 100 points “Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is still very tight and youthful, slowly unfurling to reveal a multifaceted wine with tons of black, blue and red fruit sparks—plums, cherries, black currants and red currants—with dark chocolate, cedar chest, black tea and red roses in the background plus wafts of pencil lead and prosciutto. Medium-bodied and firmly textured by superbly ripe, grainy tannins, it has a fantastic core of intense, complex layers, finishing on an edifying mineral note. Wow!”
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “A perfect wine is the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, composed of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Petit Verdot, which is a classic blend from this incredible estate. Sporting a deep purple color as well as an extraordinary bouquet of ultra-pure creme de cassis, blueberries, camphor, scorched earth, and licorice, with subtle background oak, it hits the palate with a full-bodied, deep, powerful texture that carries sweet tannins and blockbuster length. With a stacked mid-palate, straight-up awesome purity of fruit, and a huge finish, it’s as classic and brilliant as it gets. Reminding me of the 2013 with its pure yet backward style, give bottles 4-5 years of bottle age and it will keep for 3-4 decades. Hats off to the team at Spottswoode for this legend in the making!”
Karen Macneil-Decanter 97 points “Spottswoode, nudged about against Spring Mountain is situated on an ancient alluvial fan. The tiny vineyard has been owned and run by the Novak family since 1972. President Beth Novak and winemaker Aron Weinkauf are known for crafting Cabernets that paradoxically possess gentility and vivid concentration at the same time. The reverberating flavours always remind me of the sound of a church bell that someone has just struck hard. Wonderful exotic, spicy mulberry and cranberry notes. Fine tannin. Drinking Window 2019 – 2045.”
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is elegant, plush and silky, like the 2012, but with a little more of everything. Dark cherry, plum, licorice, leather and espresso are all nicely lifted by the natural freshness of the year. At present, the 2016 is a bit shy, but it undoubtedly has a very bright future. Floral, perfumed notes add the closing shades of nuance. Spottswoode’s Cabernet is quite gracious in 2016, not to mention incredibly delicious.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “Beautifully rendered, with a focused beam of gently mulled red and black currant fruit that glides through atop a subtle but persistent loamy structure. Light tea and alder notes fill in throughout, ending with a wave of fruit that is alluringly lined with latent mineral tension. Best from 2021 through 2040. 4,030 cases made.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $241
Also In Stock Now
Spottswoode Family Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon, St. Helena 2015 750ML ($249.95) $225 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 100 points “Composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, the deep purple-black colored 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon has a beautiful nose of dried roses, lavender and Chinese five spice over a core of warm blackcurrants, kirsch and wild blueberries, plus wafts of fallen leaves and dusty earth. The medium to full-bodied palate features the most amazing intensity of perfumed red, black and blue fruit flavors supported by exquisitely fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with epic length and depth. Truly stunning.”
Jeb Dunnuck 99 points “A more exuberant, sexy wine than the 2014, yet still in the house style emphasizing elegance and purity, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate knocks it out of the park with its huge nose of crème de cassis, plums, Asian spices, scorched earth, tobacco leaf and graphite. This flows to a full-bodied, opulent, incredibly concentrated wine reminiscent of the 2013 on steroids. Full-bodied, with building tannin, integrated acidity, a stacked mid-palate, and a great finish, this is a tour de force in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from one of the greats. It has three to four decades of life ahead of it.”
Antonio Galloni 96+ points “The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon possesses off the charts ripeness as well as a level of exoticism that recalls the 2010. An infusion of dark red cherry, plum, white flowers, leather, tobacco and menthol accompany this super-expressive, sumptuous Cabernet Sauvignon. Violet, licorice and a host of spiced nuances develop with time in the glass. In 2015, Spottswoode’s Cabernet is decidedly luscious and flamboyant, but I would give it a few years to shed some baby fat. There is plenty to look forward to.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $243
Spottswoode Family Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon, St. Helena 2014 750ML ($199.95) $169 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Robert Parker 96+ points “This first-growth estate in St. Helena has produced a 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon that is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. It is certainly one of the wines of the vintage. Gorgeously opaque purple, it offers up notes of spring flowers, blueberries, blackcurrants, some baking spice and graphite. It is full-bodied, concentrated and rich, with layers of fruit. The wine builds and builds on the palate, with a great finish of 45+ seconds. This is a sensational 2014 to drink over the next 20+ years.”
Antonio Galloni 96 points “Spottswoode 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is striking. Black cherry, plum, graphite, spice and menthol are some of the signatures. Intensely mineral and savory, the 2014 comes across as a slightly restrained version of the 2013. The flavor and tannin profiles are both quite similar, but the 2014 is a bit smaller-scaled in all of its dimensions. That is not a bad thing, as the 2014 will be ready to drink sooner. This is an impressive showing.”
James Suckling 96 points “Amazing burnt-orange and currant aromas with tar and lead pencil. Blackberries, too. Changes all the time. Mesmerizing. Full-bodied and powerful with super-polished tannins and a long and intense finish. The polished and fine tannins coat your mouth. Glorious. Needs three to four years to soften.”
Arriving in June
Caprili Brunello
Caprili has become one of the most notable names when talking about Brunello producers whose star is on the rise. Founded relatively recently for a Tuscan estate, in 1965, the small family producer has continued to turn out some of the most exciting, traditionally styled wines from the Brunello appellation, though only recently has their name become a buzzword in industry circles.
Stylistically, these are powerful wines, with rich full textures and intense aromatics. Fermentations here are long and in stainless, with grapes spending 25+ days on the skins before going into large format, old Slavonian oak barrels for a full three years before botting. We’re excited for the latest release – the fantastic 2015 release, arriving in June!
Caprili Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($59.95) $45 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 95 points “Offering cherry, plum, iron, earth and floral aromas and flavors, this is vibrant and beautifully balanced. Well-structured, with the harmony and concentration to develop. Best from 2023 through 2043. 4,000 cases made, 3,000 cases imported.”
Ian D’Agata-Vinous 95 points “Vibrant red. Minerals and violet complement lively red cherry and raspberry aromas on the incisive nose. Then enticingly fresh and well-balanced, with captivating violet inner-mouth perfume to the steely red and black fruit flavors that linger impressively. The delicately peppery finish features polished if youthful tannins and noteworthy purity of fruit. Knockout 2015 Brunello, one of the top half dozen of the year.”
James Suckling 95 points “This is a very decadent Brunello with dried stems, charcuterie, bay leaf, Thai basil and earth. Full-bodied and dense, the deeply interlocked layers of dark fruit nearly tripping over the ropey, chewy tannin structure. Drink from 2026.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “The Caprili 2015 Brunello di Montalcino offers warm-vintage aromas of dark fruit and dried cherry followed by earthy tones of leather and moist potting soil. This is a classic rendition of Sangiovese that shows the opulence and richness of this sunny vintage, as well as the elegant restraint that you normally associate with the mighty Montalcino growing area. The palate reveals a spot of fruity sweetness, but you also get the savory and spicy elements that come with extended barrel aging. Overall, this is an easy and accessible expression of Brunello for near- and medium-term drinking.”
Stylistically, these are powerful wines, with rich full textures and intense aromatics. Fermentations here are long and in stainless, with grapes spending 25+ days on the skins before going into large format, old Slavonian oak barrels for a full three years before botting. We’re excited for the latest release – the fantastic 2015 release, arriving in June!
Caprili Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($59.95) $45 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 95 points “Offering cherry, plum, iron, earth and floral aromas and flavors, this is vibrant and beautifully balanced. Well-structured, with the harmony and concentration to develop. Best from 2023 through 2043. 4,000 cases made, 3,000 cases imported.”
Ian D’Agata-Vinous 95 points “Vibrant red. Minerals and violet complement lively red cherry and raspberry aromas on the incisive nose. Then enticingly fresh and well-balanced, with captivating violet inner-mouth perfume to the steely red and black fruit flavors that linger impressively. The delicately peppery finish features polished if youthful tannins and noteworthy purity of fruit. Knockout 2015 Brunello, one of the top half dozen of the year.”
James Suckling 95 points “This is a very decadent Brunello with dried stems, charcuterie, bay leaf, Thai basil and earth. Full-bodied and dense, the deeply interlocked layers of dark fruit nearly tripping over the ropey, chewy tannin structure. Drink from 2026.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “The Caprili 2015 Brunello di Montalcino offers warm-vintage aromas of dark fruit and dried cherry followed by earthy tones of leather and moist potting soil. This is a classic rendition of Sangiovese that shows the opulence and richness of this sunny vintage, as well as the elegant restraint that you normally associate with the mighty Montalcino growing area. The palate reveals a spot of fruity sweetness, but you also get the savory and spicy elements that come with extended barrel aging. Overall, this is an easy and accessible expression of Brunello for near- and medium-term drinking.”
Donnhoff Fun
We love the wines from Donnhoff, and know you should (or do!) Die-hard, newbies and yet-to-be-fans take note: Skurnik Imports is inviting you to a free Zoom tasting event on Saturday, May 2nd with Cornelius Donnhoff himself!
Details are below. Be sure to sign up in advance!
Details are below. Be sure to sign up in advance!
Virtual Seminar:
Cornelius Dönnhoff from Weingut Dönnhoff in the Nahe
Please submit any questions to: Events@skurnikwines.com
Date Time: May 2, 2020 04:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Here’s the link to register through Zoom!
Cornelius Dönnhoff from Weingut Dönnhoff in the Nahe
Please submit any questions to: Events@skurnikwines.com
Date Time: May 2, 2020 04:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Here’s the link to register through Zoom!
And don’t miss our extensive selection of Donnhoff wines, in stock and arriving soon. Shop our 56 available Donnhoff wines on our web store or browse some of our top picks below.
Here are some of our top picks:
Weingut Donnhoff Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2018 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 26 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 89 points “The 2018 Estate Trocken had been bottled three days before my visit, but was still showing very nicely. The fruit for this bottling hails from volcanic soils in and around Oberhäusen and the 2018 version comes in at 11.5 percent octane. The bouquet is bright and quite elegant in its constellation of lemon, grapefruit, a touch of wild yeasts, a lovely base of minerality and a topnote of citrus peel. On the palate the wine is crisp, fullish and nicely focused, with fine mineral undertow, good balance and grip and a long and classy finish. This is a really good entry level wine! 2019-2040.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Weingut Donnhoff Hollenpfad Im Muhlenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2017 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Weingut Donnhoff Hollenpfad Im Muhlenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2017 1.5L ($159.95) $133 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Stuart Pigott 98 points “A star is born! Stunning white-peach and herbal nose, then a sensational combination of ripeness and freshness that whips this forward like a jockey driving a racehorse towards the winning post. From organically grown grapes. Fair’n Green certification. This has enormous aging potential. Drink or hold.”
These are the lowest listed prices in the USA today!
Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Beerenauslese, Nahe 2015 375ML ($179.95) $138 special, 13 half-bottles in stock now
John Gilman 95 points “The 2015 Hermannshöhle BA is still a baby and was in its primary stage of development, but this will clearly be a great wine as well. The bouquet offers up scents of baked apple, tangerine, a touch of papaya, gentle smokiness, orange oil and honey. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, bright and very, very deep, with great focus and grip, a very long, perfectly balanced and nascently complex finish. This will of course be approachable from the moment that it is released, but I would strongly suggest giving it at least four or five years in the cellar to allow it to start to really blossom and show some of the secondary layers of complexity that will come with bottle age. 2016-2075+.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $150
The next best price is $150
Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2017 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2017 1.5L ($169.95) $149 special, 6 magnums in stock now
Stuart Pigott 99 points “Most people who drink wine know what a ripe peach tastes like. However, this wine gives you a completely new appreciation of the meaning of the word “peach”. Beyond that, it possesses subtlety that is extremely rare anywhere in the world of food and wine. From organically grown grapes. Fair’n Green certification. Absolutely delicious now, but could be held for decades.”
David Schildknecht-Vinous 95 points “Lily perfume on the nose of this Hermannshöhle reminds me both of the corresponding 2016 and of this year’s Kirschheck. That is accompanied by ripe, fresh and high-toned, distillate-like notes of pear and quince. The glossy palate is lusciously fruited, billowingly perfumed, as well as seductively glossy and creamy in texture. Piquancy of pear pip and hints of anise add counterpoint, while fresh grapefruit and white peach contribute welcomed bright juiciness en route to a ravishingly-sustained, impeccably-balanced finish. The covering term “mineral” will for now have to serve the strikingly transparent finish, which becomes more intriguing the longer the wine takes on air.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Stay safe, be well, & drink well.