In This Newsletter:
Vinopolis Super Sale: 10% Off
In-Stock German, Italian, & Rhône Magnum Sale!
Pie Rupestris:
Masterpiece Barolo from Cappellano
Plus Burlotto Monvigliero Offer
Vinopolis Super Sale: 10% Off
In-Stock German, Italian, & Rhône Magnum Sale!
Pie Rupestris:
Masterpiece Barolo from Cappellano
Plus Burlotto Monvigliero Offer
Trending
Collector’s Corner:
Vatan
Collector’s Corner:
Vatan
10% Off In-Stock German, Italian, & Rhône Magnum Sale!
Subscriber-Only Special:
10% off any in-stock German, Italian, and/or Rhône 1.5L magnums!
Discount will not display online or in your cart, we will adjust before charging your card.
Sale Ends Thursday, December 1st at 6 PM Pacific
New ideas? Shop our staff picks below!
Germany:
Weingut Korrell Paradies Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2017 1.5L Displayed Price $79, Discount $71.10, 8 magnums in stock now
Grapelive 94 points “The radiant and graceful Korrell Paradies Trocken leads with expressive pure apple tones. [It] impresses for its elegance and subtle character. It’s a wine of great poise and delicacy, especially admirable for such a young Riesling. The monopole estate vineyard, Paradies, is the oldest Joh. Jos. Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese, Moselsingle site Korrell has and is the flagship wine from winemaker Martin Korrell. It comes from his family’s vines that are set on limestone and clay soils in Bad Kreuznach area of the Nahe region. The Paradies Riesling Trocken is a gorgeous white of depth and precise winemaking that takes advantage of this unique site in the Nahe. This wine is the heart and soul of Korrell and it is product of its unique climat,or terroir. It sees more sunshine and the limestone allows for serious concentration, while retaining acidity, though there is always great attention paid to pick dates to finely tune this signature bottling to place and vintage. Korrell mixes some traditional stainless fermentations with some native yeast and barrel ferments to craft his wines. The Paradies shows a beautiful leesy finesse that reminds me a bit of the Von Winning GG’s, with a long time on the lees adding a beautiful glycerin density to this gorgeous dry Riesling. Coming off Korrel’s incredible Riesling Cup win for his Von den Grossen Lagen (Grand Crus) Riesling Trocken, I was absolutely thrilled to be able to try this wine, and found this particular wine just as intriguing. Martin focuses on preserving heightened aromatics and crisp mineral tones, while allowing the mouth feel and depth to shine through. It is an amazing accomplishment to get it all right, and Korrell deserves his time in the limelight. This is complex and glorious stuff…”
Stuart Pigott 94 points “Very clean and fresh, but behind the effusive, fruit-salad character that makes this so seductive, there is a lot of structure and the finish keeps pumping out the fruit and chalky minerality. Drink or hold.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Joh. Jos. Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2016 1.5L Displayed Price $99, Discount $89.10, 4 magnums in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2016 Graacher Himmelreich Auslese (AP 09 17) shows very fine botrytis and orange tea character on the delicate and nicely concentrated nose. Very elegant, piquant and lush on the palate, with mineral expression, refreshment and persistent structure, this is a serious and complex Auslese of great class. Highly recommended.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Well-crafted, showing a bright and suave character, displaying ripe peach, mango and mineral nuances, this auslese sings harmoniously on the palate. Silky and full of energy, with a lingering aftertaste of lime and honey. Very delicious now, but will also age for years. Drink now through 2034.”
Mosel Fine Wines 92+ points “This is still quite reductive at this early stage, however it already shows a quite rich and almost opulent nose made of candied peach, grapefruit, pineapple, cassis, pear, smoke, tar and almond paste. The wine delivers juicy honeyed fruity on the palate. The fruity side runs right into the long, smooth and fresh finish. This is still quite backward and full of potential. But it will ideally require more than a decade to fully shine.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Markus Molitor Zeltinger Sonnenuhr *** Riesling Auslese Golden Capsule, Mosel 2015 1.5L Displayed Price $199, Discount $179.10, 3 magnums in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 99 points “The 2015 Riesling Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese *** (Golden Capsule) is clear, fresh and concentrated on the nose nose where deep and smoky flavors of crushed stones are displayed, giving just a hint of the true potential of this wine. Round and seamless on the palate, with perfectly ripe but vital and fresh fruit, this has a gorgeous mineral raciness and tension. There is also a quiet stream of perfectly balanced and concentrated melting stones and very fine salts that flows over the palate. This is an exciting, very well structured and tightly woven Riesling legend that will still fascinate wine lovers in 50, 60, maybe 70 years. This is a laser beam of great Riesling, tight and concentrated but still not that open like the corresponding Wehlener.”
David Schildknecht – Vinous 96 points “A haunting nose conveys ripe white peach, rowan, and almond extract as well as a decadent suggestion of lily perfume. This sets up an expectation of creaminess and enveloping richness that is not entirely confounded on the palate, but an intense alliance of brightly juicy fresh lime and piquant peach kernel provides a remarkable sense of cut and energy. Hints of caramel and sorghum add allure to a whirl of finishing flavors that manages not to turn sweet-sour or otherwise unruly, while mineral salts contribute mouthwatering savor of a sort rare in a botrytized Auslese and otherwise displayed in the present collection only by the astonishing “two-star” Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese.”
Mosel Fine Wines 94-97 points “This offers a beautiful nose driven by baked pineapple, apricot, herbs and spices. The wine is beautifully elegant and, despite being creamy and oily on the palate, retains great vibrancy with zesty acidity wrapping passion fruit and other exotic fruits. This beautiful “Auslese lange GK”-styled wine proves superbly well-made as it leaves an ethereally long feel in the intense finish. 2030-2055+.”
This is the only listing in the USA today for the magnum!
Italy:
Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2014 1.5L Displayed Price $139, Discount $125.10, 10 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2014 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello is bright and piercing, as it so often is, and yet it also has more than enough fruit to fill out its mid-weight, energetic frame. Pine, mint, crushed rocks and sweet red plum build into the huge, piercing finish. The Ovello is another wine in this range that demands patience. Even in the early going it is super impressive. The 2014 s an unusually dense, packed Ovello. It should be terrific in another few years’ time.”
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 95 points “Always one of my favorite wines from Produttori del Barbaresco, the 2014 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello lays out a broad and soft mouthfeel, with tannins that have already been polished and integrated thanks to ample time in the bottle already. It’s safe to say that this Ovello cru loyally demonstrates the level of richness and textural softness that this site is known for. The bouquet is redolent of bright berry fruit with cherry, blackberry and plum. Also, the 2014 vintage was a warm one at the end of the growing season, and you taste a little bit of that ripeness here too.”
This is the only listing in the USA today for the magnum!
La Gerla Riserva gli Angeli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2016 1.5L Displayed Price $219, Discount $197.10, 9 magnums in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 96 points “Smoldering with remarkable depth, the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Gli Angeli makes itself known with a blend of spicy citrus peels and minty herbs giving way to masses of black cherry, strawberries, hints of iodine and smoke. This is a textural thrill ride, velvety and almost weighty in feel, while finding wonderful balance in its vibrant acidity and the tart wild berry fruits and savory spices that are unleashed upon the palate. Hints of mocha combine with sour cherry and almond paste through the impressively long and classically structured finale. In the end, the 2016 Gli Angeli is the total package. This Riserva is a single-vineyard bottling from La Gerla’s northern Montalcino vineyard, which was planted by Biondi-Santi in 1968.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Inviting aromas of wild berries, baking spice, new leather and charcuterie come to the forefront. Full-bodied and elegantly structured, the smooth palate features dried cherry, baked plum, vanilla and mocha framed in fine-grained tannins. Drink 2024–2031. Kerin O’Keefe”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The La Gerla 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva gli Angeli is polished and tightly knit with lots of silky inner shine. The fruit shows good primary intensity with dried cherry and cassis, but this Riserva also accommodates some tertiary or aged aromas of spice, leather and tar. Earthy tones, cola and wild rose are folded into this fresh and elegant Sangiovese. There are some smoky oaky tones that are a little aggressive at first, but they do largely subside.”
This is the only listing in the USA today for the magnum!
Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2017 1.5L Displayed Price $169, Discount $152.10, 22 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2017 Cepparello is another in a series of stunningly beautiful Cepparellos from Paolo de Marchi. Bright and beautifully focused in the glass, with tremendous depth, the 2017 is positively stellar from the very first taste. Succulent dark cherry, plum, licorice, spice, menthol and coffee all open up with a bit of air. Here, too, Paolo De Marchi has done a tremendous job in preserving freshness in the wine. Readers who can muster the patience will be rewarded with a spectacular wine.”
James Suckling 95 points “A beautifully linear and refined sangiovese with polished tannins and super tight fruit. Yet, it shows subtle complexity of blackberries, black cherries and dark chocolate. Some hazelnuts. Intense, vibrant finish with a creamy texture. Extremely well done for this hot, dry vintage. Drink after 2023.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
Now it’s even lower!
Castello di Ama ‘Ama’, Chianti Classico DOCG 2015 1.5L Displayed Price $39, Discount $35.10, 17 magnums in stock now
James Suckling 92 points “So much sweet tobacco and cherry character here with hints of smoked meat. Medium body, fine tannins and a bright and fruity finish. Acid tension give this definition. Tangy. Drink now.”
Wine Spectator 90 points “The raspberry and cherry flavors are immediate in this elegant, balanced red, followed by accents of earth and spice. Not excessively long, but well-proportioned. Drink now through 2022. 900 cases imported.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $65.99… and that’s for the 750ml!
The next best price is $65.99… and that’s for the 750ml!
Rhône:
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas, Rhône 2018 1.5L Displayed Price $79, Discount $71.10, 30 magnums in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Moving to the wines from bottle, the base Gigondas from this estate is a perennial winner and readers can safely buy bottles of this in just about every vintage. Giving up a Provençal bouquet of red and black currants, peppery herbs, leather, and loamy soil, the 2018 is medium to full-bodied, has a forward, sexy style, no hard edges, and a great finish. It’s terrific today yet still has enough tannins to evolve for 10-15 years if you’re so inclined.”
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “Blended on the spot from several different barrels, the 2018 Gigondas looks very promising. Asphalt, black cherries and tapenade feature on the nose, while the palate is almost painfully intense, with ample weight, great richness and a long, velvety finish.-JC”
This is the only listing in the USA today for the magnum!
Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Cornas Empreintes, Rhône 2019 1.5L Displayed Price $99, Discount $89.10, 12 magnums in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “Iron, peppered game, smoked black and blue fruits, and new leather notes emerge from the 2019 Cornas Empreintes, and it’s medium to full-bodied and wonderfully balanced, with ripe tannins and one hell of a great finish. It’s another pure, balanced, fruit-loaded beauty from this estate that has tons of character. This cuvée comes from hillside parcels (a mix of granite and limestone) and 30-year-old vines. It was 75% destemmed and spent a year in 20% new barrels.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 95 points “Sure, the 2019 Cornas Empreintes is lightly cedary up front, but those notes are more than balanced by crushed stone, salted licorice, and bold cassis and blueberry flavors. Full-bodied and concentrated, this is a rock-solid Cornas with a long, dusty finish, capable of aging and improving up to two decades. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Youthfully compact, but it’s all there, with a core of steeped red and black currant and cherry fruit inlaid with a chalky spine that stays in the background while black tea, sanguine and alder notes linger. There’s good latent energy too. Best from 2023 through 2036. 950 cases made, 150 cases imported. –JM”
This is the only listing in the USA today for the magnum!
Emmanuel Darnaud Crozes-Hermitage Au Fil du Temps, Rhône 2018 1.5L Displayed Price $89, Discount $80.10, 12 magnums in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “More chocolatey black and blue fruits, violets, damp earth, and bouquet garni-like notes emerge from the 2018 Crozes-Hermitage Au Fil Du Temps. This rich, powerful, full-bodied Crozes shows the classic balance, elegance, and purity that are present in all of Emmanuel’s wines. With plenty of mid-palate depth, ripe, mouth-coating tannins, and outstanding length, this brilliant effort will keep for 10-15 years.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 94 points “Marked by intense aromas of licorice and seared beefsteak, Darnaud’s 2018 Crozes Hermitage Au Fil du Temps backs those up with notes of blueberries and black olives. Full-bodied, richly concentrated and tannic—but supple and ripe—with a bright, refreshing and lengthy finish, it’s a beauty of a Crozes to drink over the next decade.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “On the exotic side, with a mix of açaí, blueberry and boysenberry reduction flavors entwined with licorice root and singed alder notes. Everything knits wonderfully through the finish, letting the fruit drip while the background notes flicker. Drink now through 2028. 210 cases made, 40 cases imported. –JM”
This is the only listing in the USA today for the magnum!
Sale Ends Thursday, December 1st at 6 PM Pacific
Orders must be finalized before that time to receive the discount.
Pie Rupestris:
Masterpiece Barolo from Cappellano
On Sale Now!
One the most heralded names in traditional Barolo is Cappellano, a producer known for old-school, age-worthy wines that are some of the most profound bottlings in the region. Fifth generation owner and winemaker Augusto Cappellano uses long macerations and ages his wines only in large botti (casks). The results can often be austere in youth, but blossom over the decades into sensual wines that are intellectually and hedonistically satisfying, if you can find them.
Case in point is the Pie Rupestris. Cappellano produces only about a dozen barrels of this glorious wine in a typical vintage, so just a handful of cases make their way to the States every year. Unlike investment wines that seem like a permanent fixture in online auctions, collectors of these bottles tend to cellar to drink rather than resell. It’s a miracle to find any bottles for sale, or even on sale, especially multiple vintages of excellent provenance from this old vine parcel.
“The vineyards in Gabutti in Serralunga d’Alba are unanimously regarded as one of the most prestigious ‘crus’ of the Barolo-producing area. They are located at the centre of a land with an extraordinary vocation for growing nebbiolo, a vine which produces wines with remarkable character and structure perfect for ageing. This is the birthplace of Barolo OtinFiorin Piè Rupestris: it is 100% Serralunga in its character ‒ a paradigmatic wine thanks to its severe and authoritative tone, with an austere but also generous and sharing manner ‒ as well as in the organoleptic characteristics: liquorice, juniper, tar, balsamic notes, spices and undergrowth are just the most recognisable and typical expressions of an aromatic patrimony which sketches, year after year, a veritable narration of the land…” –Winery note
Please Note: Cappellano is adamantly opposed to the idea of numeric score being attached to a wine and requests his wines not be reviewed. As a result, these wines lack the scores we usually publish. We encourage you to read Antonio Galloni’s praise and take note of the long drinking windows. Though the reviews may lack digits—we’re sure you’ll find drinking these precious bottles to be an off the charts experience.
In Stock Now:
Cappellano Otin Fiorin Pie Rupestris – Nebiolo, Barolo DOCG 2003 750ml Was $219, Now $199 special, 1 bottle in stock now
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $499.95
The next best price is $499.95
Cappellano Otin Fiorin Pie Rupestris – Nebiolo, Barolo DOCG 2007 750ml Was $299, Now $279 special, 3 bottles in stock now
“Cappellano’s 2007 Barolo Otin Fiorin Piè Rupestris-Nebioli is a real head-turner. Gloriously ripe and opulent, the 2007 fleshes out beautifully in the glass, with ample fruit to match its broad, sweeping personality. Simply put, the 2007 Rupestris embodies all the best qualities of the year. I imagine the 2007 will reward readers with many years of fine drinking. Today, it is exceptional. Drink 2017-2042.” Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Not Rated, Tasted May 2017
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Cappellano Otin Fiorin Pie Rupestris – Nebiolo, Barolo DOCG 2008 750ml Was $369, Now $319 special, 1 bottle in stock now
“One of the wines of the night, the 2008 Barolo Otin Fiorin Piè Rupestris-Nebioli is dazzling. All of the best qualities of this great Barolo vintage come through in the Barolo Rupestris. A wine of precision and crystalline, weightless beauty, the 2008 will leave readers weak at the knees. It is a wine to own, cellar and savor for the next thirty years. The translucency and vibrancy of the fruit is pure 2008. Drink 2018-2048.” Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Not Rated, Tasted May 2017
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Cappellano Otin Fiorin Pie Rupestris – Nebiolo, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ml Was $379, Now $359 special, 8 bottles in stock now
“This third flight comes to a rousing finish with the 2010 Barolo Otin Fiorin Piè Rupestris – Nebioli. A towering, statuesque Barolo, the 2010 dazzles from the very first taste. It is, of course, too young, but it is a wine I chose for this tasting because I wanted Vinous readers to have a chance to experience it. When all is said and done, 2010 is the greatest young vintage I have tasted at Cappellano. Drink 2025-2060.” Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Not Rated, Tasted October 2020
Cappellano Otin Fiorin Pie Rupestris – Nebiolo, Barolo DOCG 2013 750ml $399 special, 1 bottle in stock now
“The 2013 Barolo Barolo Rupestris is insanely beautiful. Here the flavors are dark and intense. Black cherry, plum, lavender and menthol add to the wine’s sense of gravitas. The 2013 is endowed with serious power and intensity, and yet it has an element of inner sweetness that adds sensuality. In many ways, it reminds me of the 1989, which remains a tremendous Barolo. Powerful, explosive and tannic, the 2013 has much to offer. Drink 2023-2053.” Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Not Rated, Tasted February 2018
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Love Barolo?
We have 85 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like GD Vajra, Paolo Scavino, Vietti, and more, on our web store now, including:
G. B. Burlotto’s Monvigliero
Tradition is first and foremost for Fabio, going so far as to use gentle crushing by foot followed by a sixty day maceration period, once common but now virtually unheard of in Barolo. The technique is used for the home vineyard of Monvigliero and the soft touch develops a wine of remarkable character with notes of cedar, olives in herbs, and something rich – like truffles – the feel is structurally powerful, but so elegant as to be shimmery.
The Monvigliero is not listed online per winery request. To order, please call or email.
G. B. Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero, Barolo DOCG 2018 750ml $439 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 98 points “This wine is just stunning, starting with aromas of fragrant blue flower, red berry, camphor, dark spice and underbrush. Reflecting the aromas, the smooth, delicious palate delivers raspberry compote, ripe cherry, and licorice accompanied by polished tannins while fresh acidity offers youthful tension. Drink 2024–2038.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96+ points “Within the context of this set of new releases from Comm. G.B. Burlotto, this wine stands far apart. The 2018 Barolo Monvigliero is linear and light, but it also shows good fruit weight. This is exactly the classic duality of Monvigliero (a village that traditionally incorporates whole clusters in fermentation). Spice, cola, licorice, grilled herb and dried cherry appear to lift over a fine and delicately tapered mouthfeel.”
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2018 Barolo Monvigliero is the most reticent of these 2018 Barolos, but it was also bottled nearly a year later. All the signatures are there, though, starting with the effusive bouquet that makes the Burlotto Monvigliero so alluring. Rose petal, spice, orange peel, kirsch and raspberry unfurl gradually in the glass. The 2018 is understated and mysterious today. I can’t wait to see how it ages.”
This is the lowest price on the West Coast as compared to Wine-Searcher results!
Trending
Château Pesquie is one of the hidden gems of the greater Rhône. Based in Ventoux, the estate is best known for its excellent value bottling Terrasses, but today we’re featuring their higher end wines, Artemia and Ascensio. These are absolutely stunning (and deals compared to nearby Châteauneuf). They have depth, complexity and power to spare, with a balance and earthiness that’s unique to Pesque.
Chateau Pesquie Ventoux Artemia, Rhone 2017 750ml $39 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “A blend of 75% Syrah and 25% Grenache that saw roughly 20% stems and a year in 50% new, larger format oak, the 2017 Artemia has a Côte Brune-like perfume of dark fruits, smoked meats, black olives, and chocolate. Full-bodied, smoky, meaty, and powerful, it’s another rock star of a Syrah from the Chaudière family that has incredible character.”
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “A tank sample of the 2017 Ventoux Artemia looked promising, although a bit different in character from previous vintages. It’s 75% Syrah and only 25% Grenache, with peppery, cool-climate Syrah notes, blueberryish fruit, ample weight and a clean, crisp, lively finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Ambriel Classic Cuvee Sparkling, Sussex, England NV 750ml $29 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Decanter 95 points “A refined, elegant style of English sparkling wine with subtle nuances of green apple and floral notes on the nose. A gentle, persistent, mousse with fresh and driving acidity on the palate. Elegant finish with a hint of sweet fruit. Drinking Window 2021 – 2030.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Nin-Ortiz is probably best known for their “Nit de Nin” single vineyard bottling, however their ‘Planetes’ releases are also excellent. Stylistically they are gentler and more elegant, perfect for drinking now. And unlike the estate’s top wines you don’t have to spend a lot to enjoy some of the most exciting wines coming out of Spain today.
Familia Nin-Ortiz ‘Planetes de Nin’, Priorat DOCa 2017 750ml $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Familia Nin-Ortiz ‘Planetes de Nin’, Priorat DOCa 2017 750ml $279 special (that’s only $46.50/bottle!)
Case-12 Familia Nin-Ortiz ‘Planetes de Nin’, Priorat DOCa 2017 750ml $539 special (that’s only $44.92/bottle!)
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2017 Planetes de Nin comes from the four hectares of 20-year-old Garnacha and 11-year-old Cariñena in the Planetes vineyard in Porrera at 450 meters in altitude. It’s 60% Garnacha (some of it Peluda) and the rest Cariñena, harvested early. It fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured in 3,200-liter oak vats and one 1,000-liter amphora for 17 months. It has depth and harmony, and the vines are getting older and seem to be better and better balanced. This is not that different from the 2016; it feels quite stable and has its style and character, especially since the 2015 vintage. 9,704 bottles were filled in April 2019.”
You cannot talk about Lebanese wine without mentioning Chateau Musar – a standard bearer!
Chateau Musar ‘Hochar Pere et Fils’ Red Bekaa Valley 2017 750ml $28 special, 27 bottles in stock now
Decanter 91 points “This single-vineyard wine, from Aana, is made in a modern style: concentrated and slightly reductive. It shows notes of new oak barrels, lovely red berry fruit (reminiscent of Grenache) and garrigue aromas. So Mediterranean on the palate, with sweet tannins, spices and a meaty hint on the aftertaste. A very friendly, easy-to-drink and enjoyable wine. It becomes even better and more refined a day after the bottle is opened. I would recommend decanting it.”
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The 2017 Hochar is powerful and dense in the glass. Ripe flavors and incisive tannins give the 2017 much of its brooding personality. Readers should plan on opening the 2017 at least an hour or two in advance, as the tannins are rather grainy at the outset. With time ripe black cherry, spice, leather and licorice flavors emerge nicely. The blend is 55% Cinsault, 35% Grenache and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $35
The average price nationally is $35
You’d be hard pressed to find a winery more committed to sustainability than Ostatu. Based in the Cantebrian Mountains of Rioja Alavesa, they are one of the few carbon neutral wineries in the entire world. Their portfolio is comprised entirely of old vines grown organically in high elevation.
Bodegas Ostatu Escobal, Rioja DOCa 2018 750ml $24 special, 15 bottles in stock now
De Maison Selections note “In their continual push for sustainability and regenerative farming, the Saenz de Samaniego siblings have been working towards their organic farming certification. As a start, they have organically certified one of their larger contiguous vineyards, called Escobal, which lies at 550m in Rioja Alavesa with clay-calcareous soils under a layer of sand and gravel, and made a single-vineyard wine from there aged in a large foudre. Made from 100% destemmed tempranillo grapes, fermented with indigenous yeast in temperature-controlled stainless steel. Aged in a large foudre until bottling after one year with minimal sulfur dioxide.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Bright & nuanced
Tenimenti Angelini Val di Suga Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ml $49 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Decanter 92 points “As of the 2015, all of Val di Suga’s wines spend less time in wood to curb Sangiovese’s tendency to oxidise. This wine brings together grapes from all three of Val di Suga’s distinct vineyard sites in equal proportions. Fragrant orange and raspberry notes progress into darker, earthier nuances. There is a saline edge and a gentle grip holding together lush fruit. It’s a touch short but still bright and tangy on the finish.”
James Suckling 92 points “A dense and linear red with medium to full body, chewy tannins and a slightly extracted finish. Needs time to soften. Better after 2022.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
A staff favorite producer, this is a stunning white sure to over deliver!
Thibaud Boudignon Anjou Blanc, Loire 2020 750ml $44 special, 26 bottles in stock now
Rebecca Gibbs MW-Vinous 91 points “Unlike his Savennières, the fruit for Boudignon’s 2020 Anjou Blanc is purchased. The result is a pure, clean wine with delectable purity. There are delicate flavors of just-ripe pineapple, citrus, nettles and a subtle hint of vanilla. It is fermented and aged in both 500-liter barrels and oval Stockinger ‘cigars’. A line of acidity pulls this wine through to a refined conclusion. It can be approached now for its fine fruit but will go on.”
Trendy new estate that just landed – this is the most requested wine of the week!
Te Mata Estate ‘Awatea’ Cabernets – Merlot, Hawke’s Bay 2018 750ml $36.50 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “This is an excellent bottling of Awatea, the younger brother of Te Mata’s top red, Coleraine. From a long, warm growing season, this feels like a complete wine. Winter warming notes of plump plums, dark cherries and chocolate are complemented by a bounty of dried herbs, spices and graphite. The palate is similarly dense and structured but with elegance and balance. Tannins are powdery and fine, winding through dark, tangy fruit and herbs. Like many of Te Mata’s wines, it has an old school Bordeaux vibe that will appeal more to some than to others. Christina Pickard”
Rebecca Gibbs MW-Vinous 92 points “From the home of New Zealand’s most famous Bordeaux-style blend, Coleraine, its sibling Awatea is always consistent in offering classic Bordeaux aromas and flavors with the rich vibrancy of the Southern Hemisphere – and with a reasonable price tag. This offers classy, primary fruit with cassis, dried raspberries and plum richness allied with a cool Cabernet Sauvignon expression that’s herbal, verging on spearmint, while the Franc proportion offers pencil-lead-like characters. Integrated oak-derived flavors of cedar from 16 months in French oak, as well as tobacco, ensure this is a more serious expression. Fine, grainy tannins linger on the lengthy finish. The final blend is 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, and 15% Cabernet Franc.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 92 points “A blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Awatea Cabernets-Merlot is a bit leafy on the nose, with herbal, tobacco-tinged aromas accenting cassis and black cherries. It’s medium to full-bodied and supple on the palate, finishing long, silky and mouthwatering.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Collector’s Corner:
Vatan
Vatan
Arriving in December
Edmond Vatan Sancerre Clos la Neore, Loire 2018 1.5L $799 pre-arrival special, only 9 magnums available
Edmond Vatan Sancerre Clos la Neore, Loire 2018 1.5L $799 pre-arrival special, only 9 magnums available
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $1,015
The next best price is $1,015
Winery cellar release!
Edmond Vatan Sancerre Clos la Neore, Loire 2010 750ml $599 pre-arrival special, only 3 bottles available
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Can’t wait? In stock now:
Edmond Vatan Sancerre Clos la Neore, Loire 2016 750ml $449 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Thank you from the team at Vinopolis!
Be well & drink well.
Be well & drink well.