Madnum Madness – Five Exclusive Picks; Rule-Breaking Le Retout Blanc; Quinta do Ameal – 94 Points Wine Advocate – Rewriting Vino Verde; Krug 2003; J Christoffel Jr – Traditional Mosel; New Grapelive ReviewL Fresh/Exciting/Exotic Ganevat; Ultimate Washington Gift: Long Shadows Gift Pack In Stock Now; Champagne for the Holidays – Bottle & Case Deals; December Sales: Jump Start Preview/Wines Arrive Dec 2nd; Cavallotto: Old School 2010 Barolo; Eisele Vineyard New Release; Late Breaking News – Saint Cosme Condrieu; November Sales Recap
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Magnum Madness
Great Gifts/ Great Wines
Five picks exclusively in magnum at Vinopolis Wine Shop
Nicolas Maillart Champagne Premier Cru Brut Platine Degorgement Tardif NV NV 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special, 4 magnums available
Importer note “80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay. The Platine Brut degorgement tardif is exclusively comprised of Grand Cru and Premier Cru grapes primarily grown in Ecueil, as well as Villers Allerand and Bouzy. 40% Reserve wine. Slow, gentle pressing using gravity-flow techniques. Vinification in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats and a period in barrel for a certain amount of the reserve wines. Aged for an average of 8 years in bottle. Disgorged by hand and laid down for at least three months before release. Dosage: 6 g/liter. The Maillart family’s vine growing practices can be traced back to 1753, when their ancestors grew vines in the neighboring village of Chamery. It is now the turn of the ninth generation to take the reins, in the form of Nicolas, who returned in 2003 after completing his studies in engineering and oenology. He is thus perpetuating an almost three hundred year old tradition and maintains their house philosophy of bringing out the full potential of the terroir of Champagne in his wines all while maintaining strong biodiversity in the vineyards with minimal use of chemicals and nearly organic farming practices.”
This is the only listing in the USA for the magnum!
Cameron Winery Clos Electrique Blanc, Dundee Hills 2014 1.5L ($189.95) $159 special, 2 magnums available
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2014 Chardonnay Clos Electrique was tasted from barrel, although the final selection was still to be made. It has a stunning, tensile bouquet that ranks alongside many a white Burgundy that I have tasted – wonderful mineralité and tension here, one of the best you will encounter in Oregon. The palate is medium-bodied with fine definition, crisp acidity, hints of brioche tincturing the citrus fruit, a little nutmeg surfacing towards the long and sustained finish. This is a killer Chardonnay that should present many years of pleasure to those savvy enough to grab a few bottles.”
This is the only listing in the USA for the magnum!
Domaine Les Pallieres Gigondas Terrasses du Diable, Rhone 2012 1.5L ($89.95) $69 special, 2 magnums available
Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2012 Gigondas les Terraces de Diable is outstanding. Made from roughly 85% Grenache and the balance Mourvedre and Clairette (which also makes its way into the Racines) and coming all from the upper, cooler terraces of the appellation, it exhibits ample garrigue, dried spices, dried soil and toast to go with medium to full-bodied richness, beautiful depth and richness and building, fine tannin. It picks up a salty minerality with air, and while already drinking nicely, will benefit from short-term cellaring and drink well through 2024.” WA
This is the only listing in the USA for the magnum!
Matthieu Barret Domaine du Coulet Cornas Billes Noires 2011 1.5L ($199.95) $159 special, 6 magnums available
Wine Advocate 95 points “Even better, the 2011 Cornas Billes Noires, which spends one year in old wood followed by one year in concrete tank, offers blockbuster levels of black raspberry, smoked earth, chocolate, licorice and crushed rock on the nose and palate. Medium to full-bodied, long, elegant and with laser-like focus, it nevertheless does not lack for fruit or texture, and has fine-grained tannin framing the finish beautifully. With a scant 600 cases to go around, there’s not much of it, but don’t miss a chance to grab a couple of bottles if you can. It too will drink well for 10-15 years.”
This is the only listing in the USA for the magnum!
Produttori del Barbaresco Rabaja, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2008 1.5L ($219.95) $199 special, 13 magnums available
Wine Advocate 96+ points “The 2008 Barbaresco Riserva Rabaja is utterly magnificent in this vintage. Usually a powerhouse, the 2008 is incredibly refined to the point it seems to literally hover on the palate. It is a wine of exquisite grace and beauty. All the elements are in place. I could describe the aromas and flavors, but that would be doing this majestic Barbaresco a huge disservice. Ultimately, the 2008 Rabaja, is all about textural finesse and pure elegance. This is another breathtaking wine from the Produttori. A king among kings. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2048.” WA
This is the only listing in the USA for the magnum!
We offer 106 wines in magnum that are available here now:
9 from Oregon
1 from Washington
8 from California
41 from France
24 from Italy
6 from Germany
15 from Austria
2 from Spain
Browse the full selection online
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The Rule Breaking Le Retout Blanc
Chateau Retout existed for years as the kind of Haut-Medoc wine that we like but don’t think very hard about, then, out of the blue, they were informed that the estate did not sit within the boundaries of the appellation. The news came as a shock (the vines were planted with the INAO’s blessing) and forced a rethink of what the estate was and was going to be.
The result was a complete replanting of the Chateau’s vineyards to a carefully chosen yet unorthodox set of grapes for land that was basically in Bordeaux. The resulting wine, made from grapes native to all sorts of French regions, is like white Bordeaux in its seriousness and palate weight, it displays a freshness and exotic note that’s very special and unique to this estate
Chateau Retout Le Retout Blanc 2014 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Spectator 91 points “Alluring, with lemon curd, citrus oil, white peach and candied grapefruit peel notes streaking along together, backed by a twinge of quinine that beautifully offsets the rich feel. Gros Manseng, Sauvignon Gris, Savagnin and Mondeuse Blanche. Drink now through 2017.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $25
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Holiday Shipping Guide
Plan Ahead Now / Toast Your Forethought Later
No UPS shipping services on December 24th, 25th and 26th.
No UPS shipping services on December 31st, January 1st and January 2nd.
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When is Vinho Verde Not ‘Green Wine?’
The Exceptional Quinta do Ameal
Once in a while, we taste a wine that’s so far outside what we expect of a region that we’re forced to reconsider all of our preconceptions about a particular type of wine. That was the case for the Vinho Verde from Quinta do Ameal, in Portugal.
Most of the time, we think of Vinho Verde as light, slightly fizzy white wine, but in this case, the wine is still and much more serious. It’s made from 100% Loureiro and raised in stainless steel, but has depth and intensity not found in any other wine in the appellation. In many ways, this is closer to a great Albarino from Galicia than what you might think of as a classic Vinho Verde, but if you’re looking for a crisp, refreshing white wine, look no further and try this.
Quinta do Ameal Loureiro, Vinho Verde, Portugal 2015 750ML ($21.95) $16 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2015 Loureiro (bottled January 19, 2016) is unoaked, dry and comes in at 11.5% alcohol. I’ve been talking a lot about the great 2015s and also about how well this estate has performed over the years. (Check out the reviews of library wines this issue.) If it seems that the fates are pointing in this direction–you bet. The category, perhaps, also deserves some reevaluation upwards, but right here, right now, this has to go down as one of the best moments for the “regular” Loureiro in this fine estate’s history. (Admittedly, as I see some older ones continue to age and notably improve with age, the competition is increasingly stiff. They’ve exceeded expectations.) In any event, this 2015 is astonishingly wonderful, gloriously fresh and alive. It is one of the more aromatic wines I’ve had from Ameal. It is fun to just smell in its youth, very floral and almost exotic. It is also remarkably powerful. If it seemed quite nice on the first day, then on the second day the big acidic core took over, a hint of herbs popped up and it became even more powerful. The fine tension on the finish allows the fruit to linger and grip the palate. The juicy finish can make you drool. Reasonable in body for the grape, which in some years is more on the ethereal side, it seems multilayered, transparent and bursting with controlled flavor. As good as it was on the first two days, it seemed like the essence of Loureiro on the third day. As much as I preferred the library versions this issue for drinking now, here is an example of how delicious and exciting they can be when young, too. In that regard, this is built to age and we might have to wait a few years to be sure how truly great it is. If you don’t know top-end Vinho Verde and Ameal, you may be shocked at that. This will become more complex and (I suspect) flesh out over the next few years. It is, if anything, a bit too aggressive just now. You get this amazing value only because owner Pedro Araújo labors in Vinho Verde, where the top wines are undervalued. Take advantage. This is something you can buy a case (or two) of and likely drink happily over the next 15+ years. It will be something different and wonderful every time you come back to it.”
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Krug 2003
2003 will go down as one of the great aberrations of a European vintage. It was intensely hot across the continent and dry as well, so grapes were concentrated and developed thick skins. For Champagne, that has translated to rich, powerful wines that have intensity to them that is fundamentally different in character from other warm vintages in the last few decades.
Not every house declared a vintage, but for a producer like Krug, the combination of house style and vintage character has yielded a wine which is rich and powerful but somehow manages to be light on its feet and zesty at the same time. It’s been nearly universally adored by critics and we’re happy to present it at one of the best prices in the country.
Krug Brut, Champagne 2003 750ML ($279.95) $199 special, 20 bottles available
Wine Spectator 95 points “Like taffeta in texture, this harmonious Champagne is finely honed and fresh. A wonderfully expressive version, with ample spice and graphite accents to the blackberry pâte de fruit, coffee liqueur, dried apricot, singed orange peel and crystallized honey notes. Hard to stop sipping.”
James Suckling 95 points “A rich nose with deep, ripe chardonnay and pinot noir, red fruits, some dark mushrooms and plenty of grilled nuts, plus caramel, some deep spices, dried citrus, lemon peel and bready aromas. The trademark complexity is here and it freshens with air. The palate is intricately detailed and stitched together like needlework; very precise, very even. The acidity is articulated with some finesse and yet it has much more in terms of phenolics as the leading structural component. The phenolics are rich and ripe, sitting polished and even around immensely concentrated fruit with flavors of peach, nectarine and white cherry. The finish is deep, even and resonant. Drink now but rest assured it will hold for a very long time, just like Krug has proven in other warm years like ’76.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95 points “Light yellow. Powerful, complex bouquet evokes fresh peach, pear, floral honey, green almond and smoky minerals. Deep, palate-staining citrus and orchard fruit flavors show outstanding vivacity for a hot vintage, picking up ginger and talc notes with air. The strikingly long, sappy finish features zesty orange pith, smoky minerals and an echo of honeysuckle. I’d be in no rush to drink this one. Speaking of waiting, I had the chance to revisit the 2000 Vintage Krug and it has begun to pick up the smoky, weighty and nutty character that long-time fans of this producer crave. It’s still plenty young but already unmistakably Krug, with a chewy texture and a sexy floral nuance dominating right now.”
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94 points “Soft, supple and delicate in the glass, the 2003 Vintage is super expressive today. Smoke, brioche, apple tart and spice notes flesh out in a resonant, impeccably layered Champagne loaded with personality. I can’t think of a young Krug Champagne that delivers this much pure pleasure at such a young stage in its life. The 2003 has developed nicely since I last tasted it about six months ago. This is class personified.”
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The Other Cristoffel
Like as in Burgundy, the estates of the Mosel are often interrelated through marriage and succession, leading to a number of wineries that have similar names. Sometimes, as a result, wineries slip through the cracks and aren’t as well-known as they should be.
That’s the case with Jos. Cristoffel Jr., which is a wonderful middle Mosel estate that makes very traditional wines and sells them for incredibly reasonable prices. All the wines here are fermented with natural yeasts and aged in the traditional 1000L Fuder casks. The resulting wines are complex and incredibly age-worthy, but like most Mosel Riesling, delicious today.
We offer 13 bottlings from Jos. Cristoffel Jr. available here now, with 17 more arriving in December. Below are three in-stock staff picks to enjoy now or cellar:
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Erdener Treppchen Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2014 750ML ($27.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles available
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate “Kajo Christoffel’s 2014 Erdener Treppchen Riesling Kabinett is clearly characterized by honey-sweet botrytis flavors along with dried fruit and overripe Riesling flavors on the nose. Light in alcohol (7.5%), round and racy on the palate, this is a lush and juicy, very aromatic Riesling with a delicate acidity and a lingering minerality in the finish. Should be cellared for six or ten years.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Urziger Wurtzgarten Riesling Spatlese Feinherb, Mosel 2014 750ML ($29.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles available
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate “Kajo Christoffel’s 2014 Erdener Treppchen Riesling Kabinett is clearly characterized by honey-sweet botrytis flavors along with dried fruit and overripe Riesling flavors on the nose. Light in alcohol (7.5%), round and racy on the palate, this is a lush and juicy, very aromatic Riesling with a delicate acidity and a lingering minerality in the finish. Should be cellared for six or ten years.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Erdener Pralat Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2014 750ML ($59.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles available
VinopolNote: “Erdener Prälat occupies a mere 2.2 hectares. Entirely south-facing, the vineyard is surrounded by cliffs which insulate the vines – as a result, Prälat is one of the warmest plots in the region. Over time, it has also become one of the most sought-after vineyards. Given the limited space, only a few winemakers have access to the vineyard.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
You can browse the full list of offerings from Jos. Christoffel Jr. below. Visit our web store to read review and order online
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Our Current
Shipping Promos:
Welcome to the club, Colorado!
Along with Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California,
we now offer flat rate shipping to Colorado. Here’s the scoop:
Single orders of any quantity of wines qualify for the flat rate;
this does not apply to orders held in storage for any reason
or multiple orders consolidated into one shipment.
The flat reach for each state is, as follows:
-to Oregon for $17,
-Washington & Idaho for $20,
-and California & Colorado for $25
Take Advantage of the Flat Rate!
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New Grapelive Review:
Fresh & Exciting Wine
An eclectic blend from Jean-Francois Ganevat
Anne et Jean-Francois Ganevat ‘De Toute Beaute’ Nature, Vin de France NV (2014) 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special, 4 magnums available
Grapelive 93 points “The 2014 De Toute Beaute is a bright and vibrant red that shows the 50% Gamay from Fleurie (Cru Beaujolais) as the dominate force here at this moment, though the spice and earthiness of the Mondeuse is easily picked out as well, while the Syrah from Cote-Rotie in the Northern Rhone and the Alsace Pinot Noir are hard to see and add shyly to the mix. There is a chance they’ll shine through with more time, but overall this wild wine is a joy and pleasing in the glass. The acidity is gripping with tangy tart red berry, cherry, unripe plum and strawberry fruits leading the way with an orange zest, red peach and an impression of juicy floral elements. Mineral tones, white pepper, loam and flinty stones all unfold on the light and lean palate. The latest De Toute Beaute does get going a little more with air and works with food very well, though best to have with less spicy cuisine. It should prove more entertaining with holiday fare and roast chicken or turkey with a variety of sides, and cheese or salads. While nicely made and intriguing, I do prefer Ganevat’s more traditional Cotes du Jura red wines and his amazing old vine Chardonnays. Drink this De Toute Beaute Nature sooner v. later, as its vital fresh charm is its most appealing quality, still it’s too cool to pass up! This wine is crafted in the Jura by Jean-Francois Ganevat from grapes sourced from friends. The vines are in the 60 to 80 year old range on a mix of granite, marl and limestone soils mostly. Native ferments and little sulfur, all organic and used casks are used for this fresh and interesting wine. Since Ganevat’s estate Jura wines are from small parcels and very low yielding vines, he never makes enough wine to supply the world’s demand, let alone his creative energies. He does a series of fun wines that marry fruit from around France, like this one. The grapes make up an exotic mix and are done in the most natural way possible. The resulting wines are fresh, lively, expressive and wonderfully playful in a lighter style.”
This is the only listing in the USA today for the magnum!
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In Stock Now
The Ultimate Gift from Washington
(For Yourself or Someone Else!)
28 Shopping Days until Christmas
And we are kicking off the season with our annual best seller for gifting:
Long Shadows Gift Box 2014
Case-6 Long Shadows Vintners Collection, Columbia Valley, USA 2014 750ML ($449.95) $333 pre-arrival special
Note: Contains one 750ML bottle each of Long Shadows’ six acclaimed red wines, packaged together in a beautifully etched wood box:
Pirouette: A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Merlot. Richly layered and complex, the wine is unfiltered and unfined to allow for a generous spectrum of aromas and flavors including black cherry, sweet spices and a hint of earth. The wine’s refined texture provides a seductive mouth feel and lengthy finish.
Feather: Randy Dunn selects the Cabernet Sauvignon the Feather from a diversity of sites: the estate Benches Vineyards for dark fruit and earthiness, the Wahluke Slope for structure and ripe tannins, and two of Washington State’s oldest vineyards, Weinbau and Dionysus, for complexity. The wine is concentrated and beautifully balanced, offering an array of fresh berry aromas, complimented by spicy, dark cherry and dried current flavors that persist on the palate.
Pedestal: Produced by one of the world’s most famous winemakers, Michel Rolland. Rolland selects the Merlot from the Conner Lee, Dionysus and Benches Vineyards to produce an unusually complex Merlot. Tapteil Vineyards Cabernet from Red Moutain gives it its strength and extra richness. The wine shows intense, fruit-forward notes, bursting with fresh blueberries, ripe plum, cedar and spice. Good concentration in the wine adds to its pleasing mouth feel; balanced acidity enhances its appeal. Supple tannins are well-integrated on the entry, across the mid-palate and throughout a long, layered finish.
Sequel: John Duval, formerly the iconic Penfolds Grange, chose the Columbia Valley as his “Sequel” for the continuation of his life’s work with Syrah. He uses grapes from the Benches Vineyard for its dark flavored fruit, the Red Mountain Vineyard adds structure, and Boushey Vineyards add elegance. A generous and concentrated wine of great character. Almond, dark chocolate and cherry notes fill the glass, complemented by hints of black licorice, blackberry, cocoa powder and a touch of smoke.
Saggi: Father and son team Ambrogio and Giovanni Folonari produced a wine that showcases Washington’s terroir with plenty of Italian character. Saggi is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Syrah. The Folonaris selected Sangiovese from a 1993 planting which provides delicate flavors and silky tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon enhance the wine’s refined texture. Dark cherry aromas and raspberry flavors combine with a hint of nutmeg and smoky earthiness. An elegant entry in the front of the mouth reveals refined tannins with focused concentration, enhanced by the wine’s rich and supple mouth feel.
Chester-Kidder: Allen Shoup selected winemaker Gilles Nicault to produce his vision of a wine that says “this is how good Washington wine can be.” The back bone of this wine is Cabernet from Walla Walla and nearby Candy Mountain. Its deepness and darkness is Syrah from the estate’s Benches Vineyards in Horse Heaven Hills with a touch of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc from the Sagemoor farms. Aromas of dried figs and cocoa powder, along with hints of tamarind and toasty oak are followed by intense violent and blueberry jam flavors beautifully integrated around a spicy core.
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Champagne by the Case! Or by the Bottle…
Time to prepare for the Holidays
In-Stock Now
Andre Clouet Brut Millesime, Champagne 2008 750ML ($69.95) $49 special
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Clouet’s 2008 Brut Millesime shows quite a bit more tension and focus than the 2007, hardly a surprise given then personality of the vintage. Bright, saline notes frame expressive red fruits, flowers and sweet spices. The 2008 Brut is a gorgeous wine with plenty of appeal today, but it will also develop beautifully in bottle. Stylistically it is less overt than the 2007 but places more emphasis on length. Brut Millesime is mostly Pinot, with 30-40% Chardonnay.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $54.98
The average price is $62
Andre Clouet Grande Reserve Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $33 special
Case-12 Andre Clouet Grande Reserve Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($479.95) $359 special (that’s only $29.92/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The NV Brut Grande Reserve emerges from the glass with layers of hazelnut, pear, spice and dried flower aromas. This rich, creamy wine impresses for its balance and sheer richness. I loved it.” AG
Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $33 special
Case-12 Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, Champagne NV 750ML ($479.95) $359 special (that’s only $29.92/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
100% Grand Cru, 100% Pinot Noir, no dosage
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The NV Brut Nature Silver is naturally a very focused, driven wine given the no-dosage style. This shows wonderful nuance and depth all the way through to the long finish, with bright aromas and flavors but less of the toastiness than some of the house’s other wines. The mousse and finish are both utterly impeccable in their elegance.” AG
Andre Clouet Grand Cru Brut Rose, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92 points “Vivid orange-pink. Aromas and flavors of ripe red berries, candied rose and toasty lees. Fleshy but nervy and focused, with strong mineral cut and hints of bitter herbs on the very long, energetic finish. Smoothly blends richness and vivacity, making it extremely flexible with food or without.” JR
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $53
Andre Clouet Grand Cru Cuvee 1911 Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
Antoni Galloni 93+ points “The NV Grand Cru Cuvee 1911 emerges from the glass with the most haunting of perfumes. Sweet rose petal and jasmine are some of the nuances that emerge over time. Despite recent disgorgement, the purity of the fruit and the extraordinary elegance of the mousse are hard to miss. This is an exceptional, elegant version of the 1911 that should drink beautifully for years to come. The bottle I tasted needed quite a bit of air to open up, so readers should be patient with the wine at this stage.” AG
Champagnes Arriving Next Week
R. Dumont & Fils Solera Reserve Blanc de Blancs, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “(made from a blend of 20 vintages, with 1991 as its base; roughly 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay; 6 g/l dosage): Pale yellow. A wild, assertively perfumed bouquet displays scents of mineral-accented poached pear, honey, toasted nuts and smoky lees, with a suave floral element building in the glass. Stains the palate with ripe orchard and pit fruit flavors, along with suggestions of buttered toast, marzipan and bitter lemon pith. Shows excellent clarity and power on the finish, which clings with strong fruity persistence. This complex, concentrated Champagne would be fantastic with aged or blue cheeses.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Thierry Triolet Cuvee Grande Reserve Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($39.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “(11 g/l dosage): Pale gold. Intense citrus and orchard fruit aromas are complicated by notes of honeysuckle, tarragon and iodine. Chewy tangerine and pear skin flavors become silkier and spicier with aeration. Shows a seductive floral quality on the clinging finish, which features a dusty mineral nuance and a touch of buttered toast.” JR
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $34.98
The average price is $40
Jose Michel & Fils Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne 2007 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: The vintage Blanc de Blancs is produced only in the best years from the winery’s best parcels in and around Moussy. It is aged for five years in bottle before disgorgement.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Aubry Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $36 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Aubry Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($479.95) $399 pre-arrival special (that’s only $33.25/bottle!)
Wine & Spirits 92 points “This tastes of pure, pale white limestone transformed into crisp yellow apple. It’s appetite inducing in its zesty freshness, bright white floral notes and clean, lively length of flavor, especially if there are oysters nearby. The Aubry brothers maintain a reserve wine blend composed of vintages going back to 1998; that blend provides 50 percent of this Brut, with the other half from 2013. The varietal composition is also distinctive: pinot Meunier makes up 45 percent, with chardonnay and pinot noir each providing 25 percent and the remaining five percent made up of traditional local varieties including arbanne, petit meslier and fromenteau.”
R.H. Coutier Tradition Grand Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
R.H. Coutier Tradition Grand Cru Brut, Champagne NV 375ML ($27.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
Wine & Spirits 93 points “[$50 Best Buy] This takes the early, red-fruit richness of an Ambonnay Champagne and charges it with energy. It has stamina that seems to drive right along with the bubbles, the flavors firm and juicy, broadened by clay soils, cut by chalky soil acidity. Finely integrated and lasting.”
These are the lowest listed prices in the USA today!
R.H. Coutier Grand Cru Brut, Champagne 2008 750ML ($59.95) $46 pre-arrival special
R.H. Coutier Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Coutier’s NV Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru, 100% Chardonnay from Ambonnay, remains one of the most compelling, under the radar wines in Champagne, not to mention a fabulous value. Round, textured and supple in the glass, the Blanc de Blancs shows the more textured, side of Chardonnay. These soils in Ambonnay confer an unusual level of richness and breadth. In my view, this is Coutier’s best Champagne. Dosage is 6 grams per liter.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
R.H. Coutier Grand Cru Brut Rose, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 91 points “Elegant and pretty, with floral accents to the black cherry pie, blackberry coulis and spiced plum flavors. This is lightly creamy, with fine balance and a lingering, mineral-tinged finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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December Sales
We’re kicking starting the holiday shopping fever with fifteen new sales for the month of December. Sure, we’re early, but there’s only 28 more shopping days until Christmas so we’re giving you a chance to get ahead on your holiday shopping list!
Below are three of the fifteen wines on sale through December. These wines arrive December 2nd:
Louis Jadot Montrachet Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($599.95) $428 pre-arrival special, 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 95 points “(13.9% natural alcohol, from vines on the Chassagne side): Bright, pale yellow. Knockout pure nose offers discreet notes of stone fruits, clove and iodiney minerality. At once powerful and vibrant in the mouth, offering great volume, depth and lift to its palate-staining spice and mineral flavors. The iodiney quality carries through to the very long, precise finish. Wonderfully juicy and energetic considering that it’s carrying a moderate four grams of acidity. This should evolve gracefully in bottle for a decade or more.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $449.94
The average price is $498
Louis Jadot Beaune Premier Cru Anniversary 2012 750ML ($69.95) $48 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 92-94 points “Building off the considerable success of their 2009 Beaune 150th Anniversary 1er Cru, Jadot has decided to make the wine again in top years. One of the highlights in this range, the 2012 boasts stunning power, depth and harmony. The lifted aromatics recall the Ursules, but here the fruit possesses more volume and creaminess. An explosive, layered finish rounds things out in style. Some of the parcels in the blend are Avaux, Cent Vignes, Pertuisots, Vignes Franches, Perrières, Toussaints and Chouacheux.”
Joseph Drouhin Cote de Beaune-Villages 2012 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 88-89 points “The 2012 Côte de Beaune is another pretty, entry-level Burgundy from Drouhin. The 2012 impresses for its expressive aromatics, bright red fruit and terrific overall balance. There is a lot to like here.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $24.19
The average price is $28
You can browse the full list of December sale wines arriving December 2nd below. Read full reviews or order online at www.vinopoliswineshop.com
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Old School Barolo
Fresh From Wine Spectator’s ‘Hot Wines’ List
Arriving December 9th
Cavallotto Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe, Barolo Riserva DOCG 2010 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Cavallotto Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe, Barolo Riserva DOCG 2010 1.5L ($299.95) $249 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 97 points “An old-school style, this complex red features an array of cherry, berry, leather, tobacco and underbrush flavors, backed by a dense, beefy structure. Long and powerful, with a savory, saline aftertaste. Shows ample fruit up front, but should be better in two to three years. Best from 2019 through 2036.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “A dramatic wine, the 2010 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe hits the palate with seemingly never-ending array of aromas, flavors and textures. Dark-fleshed stone fruits, graphite, smoke, licorice and tar are some of the many nuances that emerge as the 2010 continues to take shape in the glass. This big, strapping Barolo is likely to require a good bit of patience. As it often does, the San Giuseppe shows the more brooding side of Nebbiolo.”
Cavallotto Bricco Boschis Vignolo, Barolo Riserva DOCG 2010 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “The 2010 Barolo Riserva Vignolo is dark, mysterious and inviting, with serious depth and layers of flavors that unfurl in the glass. Rose petal, sage, rosemary, licorice and mint wrap around a core of dense red cherry and pomegranate-infused fruit. This is a decidedly plush, powerful Riserva. There is plenty of tannin lurking beneath, though, so readers need to be patient. Incense, tobacco and hints of game add the closing shades of complexity.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $114
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Arriving Early December
100 Point Wine
From Eisele Vineyard
Chateau Latour’s newest venture into Napa is the Eisele Vineyard, an ancient Napa vineyard in the New World sense. First planted in 1880 by Spanish missionaries, the vineyard has seen several illustrious names work the land over the years, including most recently the Araujo family. We’re happy to announce the arrival of the first release under Latour’s stewardship, arriving in early December:
Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2013 750ML ($599.95) $499 pre-arrival special
Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2013 375ML ($299.95) $259 pre-arrival special
Robert Parker 100 points “Both 2013s are clearly the finest Eisele wines made under the administration of François Pinault and his top lieutenant, Frédéric Engerer, who also runs the show at Château Latour. The utterly compelling 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon in this vintage and 1,800 cases were made. The wine is off-the-charts great, with an opaque bluish/purple color to the rim, an aroma of pen ink, graphite, blackberry and blueberry fruit, a hint of licorice, camphor and incense. The wine is full-bodied, with extraordinary concentration, remarkable equilibrium and noticeable, but sweet, well-integrated tannin. This is a large-scaled Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, but flawless and with no edges. It is an amazing effort and a great achievement from this incredible terroir. Drink it over the next 30-40 years…Readers should note that the relatively new owners of what was formerly known as the Araujo Estate have finally changed the name to the Eisele Vineyard.”
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Late Breaking News
Chateau de Saint Cosme Condrieu 2014 750ML ($69.95) $54.50 pre-arrival special, ETA December 2nd
Wine Spectator 95 points “Gorgeous, with papaya, white peach, mango, persimmon and Cavaillon melon notes seamlessly stitched together, lined with light honeysuckle and jasmine accents and backed by a twinge of bitter citrus oil and well-buried minerality. A exemplary display of large-scale fruit and precision. Drink now through 2019. 416 cases made”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $66.99
The average price is $68
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November Sales Recap
We’re up to 56 wines on sale this November! These prices expire November 30th!
Read reviews and browse the full selection of sale wines by searching for “November Sale” on our web store – we’re also happy to talk you through the offerings if you email us at info (AT) vinopoliswineshop.com or call 503-223-6002.
