Kapcsandy & Louis Latour Sale; Pegau on Sale/Plus Bonus: Best-Price Vieux Telegraphe Arriving Friday; Re-Arrival – Newly Reviewed: Quintessa 2013; Kapcsandy Sale; Gulfi: A Sicilian Hidden Gem; Saintsbury: Iconic Carneros Chardonnay; New Reviews from Wine Spectator: Barolo; Rare, Tuscan Treasure: Poggio Scalette’s Il Carbonaione; Louis Latour Sale; The Cadaster Master: Peter Lauer; Lunar Escape: Leon Barral; Torii Mor: Deals Arriving Next Week; Weinbach 2015: Arriving Feb 10th; Newly Reviewed Spanish Wines: ETA Feb; Burgundy Sales Recap: 89 Wines/In-Stock Now
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Great Wines of California
Just Became Great Bargains at Vinopolis
We’ve reduced our prices on all in-stock 750s & mags from Kapcsandy. Below is our featured sale wine. For the complete list, keep reading!
Kapcsandy Family Winery State Lane Vineyard Grand Vin Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2009 1.5L ($799.95) Was $699, Now $589, 3 magnums available
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vin opens with the most beguiling bouquet imaginable. Freshly cut flowers, mint, cinnamon and licorice all make an appearance as this vivid, beautifully delineated wine opens up in the glass. A model of total finesse and elegance, the 2009 wraps around the palate with what feels like endless layers of aromas and flavors. This totally seamless, polished Cabernet Sauvignon is virtually impossible to resist today, but it will be even better in another few years. The 2009 is 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc.”
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New Burgundy Sales!
We’ve just reduced our prices on eight wines from Louis Latour, including:
Louis Latour Corton Clos du Roi Grand Cru 2009 750ML ($149.95) Was $119, Now $99, 24 bottles available
Wine Spectator 93 points “An expressive red, whose floral, raspberry and cherry flavors match the elegant profile. Though silky and detailed, this is also tightly wound, evidenced on the long finish. A civilized, stylish Corton. Better than previously reviewed. Best from 2015 through 2033.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $110
Keep reading for the complete list of new sale wines from Louis Latour. You can see the full list of all 89 Burgundies on sale now at the bottom of this newsletter
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We’ve reduced our price on Domaine de Pegau
In-Stock & On Sale Now:
Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Reservee, Rhone 2013 750ML ($69.95) Was $53.50, Now $49, 36+ bottles available
Case-12 Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Reservee, Rhone 2013 750ML ($719.95) Was $588, Now $549, 3 cases available (that’s only $45.75/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 93 points “Deep ruby. Potent aromas of ripe dark berries, licorice pastille, woodsmoke, game and garrigue, plus a peppery nuance that adds spiciness and lift. Round and fleshy on the palate, offering intense blackberry and bitter cherry flavors that become livelier and sweeter with air. The very long, energetic, sharply focused finish features fine-grained tannins and subtle, lingering notes of dark berries and smoked meat.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $63
Need another reason to drink some CDP?
Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe at the best price in the country
$49!!
Arriving Friday, February 3rd
While Châteauneuf-du-Pape has evolved into something of a beast over the past decade, 2013 is a very welcome throwback to the brilliantly nuanced wines of the twentieth century. Some have described the vintage as “Burgundian” and this might be one of the best adjectives possible for such a terrific region. We loved the Vieux Telegraphe; a stunning ruby that compliments the layers of unmasked flavor. All of your favorite qualities of mineral, orange peel, juicy red fruit that make your mouth water. An alarm clock for palates fatigued by overwound wines. Come and get it.
Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Crau, Rhone 2013 750ML ($69.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 92 points “Limpid ruby. A highly expressive bouquet evokes ripe red berries, potpourri and peppery spices, and smoky mineral nuance gains strength as the wine opens up. Offers concentrated raspberry liqueur and spicecake flavors and deeper licorice and bitter chocolate flavors sharpened and given spine by juicy acidity. Effortlessly plays richness off elegance and finishes sweet, spicy and impressively long, with velvety tannins lending shape and grip.”
Wine Spectator – 92 points “Rather perfumy up front, with savory, mint and incense notes leading the way for silky cherry and raspberry coulis flavors. The finish is lined with subtle tobacco, warm stone and floral hints, ending with a light balsam twinge. This should put on some weight with age. Best from 2017 through 2026.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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New 98 Point Review
Newly Re-Arrived!
Quintessa Red, Rutherford 2013 750ML ($189.95) Was $138, Now $119, 30 bottles available
James Suckling 98 points “This is really fantastic on the nose with blackberry, blueberry, lavender, and violets. Even sage. Full body plus extremely integrated tannins that are polished and refined. The balance and harmony is phenomenal. Goes on for minutes. Beautiful now but will satisfy for decades.”
Robert Parker 96 points “The 2013 Proprietary Red Wine has always been good, but I think they have re-positioned themselves at a much higher pinnacle with the 2013. This is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blend but has important component parts such as Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot from their gorgeous vineyards just off the Silverado Trail in Rutherford. The wine has a dense bluish/purple color and a beautiful nose of black raspberries, blueberries, lead pencil shavings, and touches of oak and spring flowers. The complexity of the fragrance is followed by a wine with terrific body, stunning purity, wonderful balance, and great depth and richness. This is certainly the most profound Quintessa made to date and should evolve gracefully for at least 20-25 years.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $183
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Kapcsandy Sale
Since 2000, when Lou Kapcsandy purchased the old Beringer State Lane vineyard, fame and accolades have been showered upon his wines. We’ve reduced our prices on these Californian treasures:
Kapcsandy Family Winery State Lane Vineyard Grand Vin Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2014 750ML ($499.95) Was $399, Now $369, 3 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 98 points “A powerful, tightly-wound wine, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vin is likely to require the better part of the next decade to come into its own. The most backward and brooding of these wines, the Grand Vin is also quite primary and closed in on itself. Still, the energy, drive and focus of the best vintages is very much in evidence. Today, the 2014 is dense, seamless and utterly impeccable, with no hard edges, beautifully integrated oak (100% new) and exceptional balance.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
Kapcsandy Family Winery Endre, Napa Valley 2010 1.5L ($219.95) Was $179, Now $159, 4 magnums available
Robert Parker 94 points “The less expensive 2010 Endre (53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc aged in both French and Hungarian oak) is very Bordeaux like. Notes of bouquet garni, red and black currants and loamy soil are present in this medium-bodied wine that seems to be a faster evolving effort than its siblings. With excellent texture as well as an elegant style, and I use that word in a positive sense, it should drink well for 10-15 years.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $225
Kapcsandy Family Winery State Lane Vineyard Estate Cuvee, Napa Valley 2014 750ML ($299.95) Was $199, Now $169, 3 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “The 2014 Estate Cuvée is vibrant, intense and beautifully delineated. Super-expressive aromatics and finessed tannins give the 2014 its exceptional balance. Tasted next to the 2013, the 2014 feels like it has more freshness, brighter acidity and a bit more energy as well, which may be partly attributable to the slightly higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend and a touch less new oak as well. That is of course splitting hairs, as both wines are superb, but I find the energy, tension and vibrancy here absolutely compelling.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Kapcsandy Family Winery State Lane Vineyard Roberta’s Reserve, Napa Valley 2012 1.5L ($799.95) Was $699, Now $619, 2 magnums available
Robert Parker 98 points “The 100% Merlot cuvée, the 2012 Roberta’s Reserve State Lane Vineyard is, once again, flirting with perfection. A stunning nose of chocolate fudge intermixed with coffee bean, black cherry and blackcurrant fruit is intense, and followed by a full-bodied, gorgeously textured, opulent style of wine with stunning richness and purity. This is a brilliant wine and only represents 12% of the production, as only 300 cases were produced. It should drink well for 20-25 years.”
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2012 Roberta’s Reserve (Merlot) is another drop-dead gorgeous wine from Kapcsándy. Mocha, black cherries, plums, licorice and menthol meld together in an effortless, seamless wine endowed with sublime grace and class. Lovely savory and mineral notes support the pliant finish. What a gorgeous wine this is.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
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Gulfi:
You waited 3000 years for this?
A Sicilian transformation
Expression and extraction in harmony: Gulfi has proven itself as an international star in the Sicilian wine scene. Known more for their single vineyard expressions of Nero d’Avola, the hidden gem is their Reseca, a 100% Nerello Mascalese grown on Mt. Etna. While wine grapes have been cultivated on Sicily for almost 3000 years, these wines are ready to take you into the current wine scene with ease.
So many beautiful wines are coming from Mt. Etna, and the Reseca is able to stand out in a very distinct way. Intensity in color and fruit come forward in a way that many other producers shy away from. The essence is still purely Etna, dried floral, brown spice and cherry aromas, silky tannins, and somehow still delicate in the end. Gulfi certainly turns up the power on these, but they are still pretty restrained when contrasted with the rest of the wines on offer.
Gulfi’s Nero d’Avola is typically extracted and rich, with subtle nuances reflecting the vineyard locations spread around the southeastern corner of the island. Variations in altitude and proximity to the sea influence the delicate aromatics, as ripeness is certainly not the issue. Salinity and sea breeze influences are present and add nuance to the ripe, roasty, smoky characteristics. These are great wines for those looking to add a little variety to a collection that might be a little too concentrated in the new world.
Featured In-Stock Wines from Gulfi:
Gulfi Reseca Rosso Sicilia IGT, Sicily 2006 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 24 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2006 Reseca is Nerello Mascalese from vineyards on Mount Etna. It is one of the darker, more overtly fruit driven wines I have tasted from the Etna. The finish turns a bit more delicate and ethereal, though. It will be interesting to see the direction Gulfi takes with this bottling in coming years.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Gulfi Reseca Rosso Sicilia IGT, Sicily 2007 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 25 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Gulfi’s 2007 Reseca, from a vineyard on the Etna, is full of Nerello Mascalese personality. Sweet dried cherries, crushed flowers, licorice and spices waft from the glass. The tannins are understated yet beautiful and nicely integrated. The delicate style is pure Etna and therefore totally different from the Nero d’Avolas Gulfi makes in Pachino.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Gulfi Reseca Rosso Sicilia IGT, Sicily 2008 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 26 bottles available
Wine Spectator “The ripe black cherry puree mixes with soft raisin, cocoa powder and loamy earth accents in this juicy, medium-bodied red. Light grip and a hint of black licorice drop shows on the finish. Nerello Mascalese.”
Also Available Here Now from Gulfi:
Gulfi Nerosanlore Sicilia IGT, Sicily 2010 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 36+ bottles available
Gulfi Nerosanlore Sicilia IGT, Sicily 2010 1.5L ($119.95) $99 special, 4 magnums available
Staff Pick: “The San Lorenzo vineyard, from which this wine hails, is 2.5 hectares and overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. It is densely planted with 40+ year-old vines all organically grown without irrigation to encourage the older vines to dig deep into the soil to reach for water and nutrients. The resulting with is sensuous wine with soft, silky tannins and lush aromatics. It suggests its marine heritage with delicate saline flavors underneath a core of ripe black fruits, violets, tar and cherries. The winery suggests pairing with richly flavored seafood dishes: those featuring tomatoes, capers and blue fish – I say bring on the wood-fired pizza and grilled meats!” – Suzanne
Ian D’Agata–Vinous 95 points “Fully saturated ruby. Pure, very deep aromas of black cherry, red plum, medicinal herbs and minerals. Rich, dense and suave, with complex flavors of saline red berries and dark plum complicated by repeating botanical herb and balsamic nuances. Finishes seamless an long. A wine of noteworthy purity, with an excellent balance of sweetness, acidity and tannins. This is Gulfi’s closest vineyard to the sea and almost always gives the estate’s most elegant, refined wine.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
This is the only listing in the USA today for the magnum!
Gulfi Nerobaronj Sicilia IGT, Sicily 2010 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 2 bottles available
Ian D’Agata–Vinous 92 points”Dark ruby-red. Plum and mineral aromas are lifted by a violet topnote. Then sleek, bright and juicy on the palate, offering refined mineral-driven flavors of black cherry and dark plum complicated by a delicate note of anchovy. Clean and persistent on the floral, saline finish. An extremely elegant version of Nerobaronj.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Gulfi Neromaccarj Sicilia IGT, Sicily 2005 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 13 available
Antonio Galloni 93 points “Gulfi’s 2005 Neromàccarj is a dark, brooding wine that shows the darker side of Nero d’Avola in its wild cherries, plums, scorched earth, melted road tar, minerals and smoke. Despite the wine’s imposing structure, there is plenty of clarity and definition. This dramataic, large-scaled wine should continue to offer superb drinking over the next few years.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Gulfi Nerosanlore Sicilia IGT, Sicily 2009 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 9 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 points “Sweet aromas of toasted oak and baking spice emerge from the bouquet of the 2009 Nerosanlorè. This is a very elaborate red wine that shows the craft and the labor of the winemaker. The bouquet is thickly layered with aromas of ripe fruit, blackberry compote, tobacco and loads of spice derived from long oak aging. In addition, the wine offers ample tertiary aromas of licorice, resin and tar. This is a very attractive red that offers the full force and sunshine of Sicily in your glass. There is power and determination here with 14.5% alcohol.”
We offer 35 wines in stock now from Sicily. To see the complete list, visit our web store at www.vinopoliswineshop.com
Iconic Carneros Chardonnay
New Arrival
Saintsbury Chardonnay is such an iconic California wine that it probably doesn’t need much of an introduction, except to say that the wines being produced under the Saintsbury label are at the highest quality they’ve probably ever been. The winery recently spun off the “Garnet” label so that they could focus on their main wines, and the results have been fantastic—Saintsbury has a level of quality that hasn’t been seen since they first hit the scene. The high end wines are good, but their entry-level Chardonnay is always the thing to look for, especially at the pricing we have today:
Saintsbury Chardonnay, Carneros 2013 750ML ($27.95) $18 special
Case-12 Saintsbury Chardonnay, Carneros 2013 750ML ($299.95) $199 special (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “An approachable screwcap wine that is made in larger numbers than many of the producer’s vineyard-designates, this is just as impressive in flavor and presence, employing less oak to provide a honeyed, tropical and fresh sensibility of drying tannin and a tangy finish.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
And the case price is even lower!
The average price is $24
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New Reviews from Wine Spectator
Giacomo Conterno Francia, Barolo DOCG 2012 750ML ($219.95) $189 special, 10 bottles available
Wine Spectator 94 points “Richly textured and spiced, with cherry, licorice, tar and leather flavors. Direct and almost fleshy, featuring a lingering finish that echoes leather, tar, tobacco and cocoa notes. A firm grip of tannins seals the deal. Best from 2020 through 2040.”
Giacomo Conterno Cerretta, Barolo DOCG 2012 750ML ($249.95) $199 special, 11 bottles available
Wine Spectator 96 points “A wealth of cherry flavor is surrounded by cut grass, tar, tobacco and iron notes in this complex, intense red. There is plenty of tension and a long aftertaste of licorice, tar and mineral. Balanced yet austere, this needs time to integrate fully. Best from 2023 through 2042.”
Bartolo Mascarello Barolo DOCG 2012 750ML ($149.95) $125 special, 6 bottles available
Wine Spectator 95 points “A mélange of floral, berry, licorice, spice and tobacco aromas and flavors signals this stylish, well-structured red. Lively and intense, with a resonant aftertaste of fruit, iron and tar. Shows fine harmony and length. Best from 2022 through 2038.”
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Tuscan Treasure
Single Vineyard, Rare Clone
The experience of stumbling across a small vineyard or winemaker in Tuscany can be moment that forever changes your expectations of what Sangiovese can be. The first time we dipped into the Il Carbonaione from Poggio Scalette was just that special. Try it and see for yourself.
The estate, which had been largely abandoned to active cultivation after the death of the previous owner, come into new hands and the fortunate discovery of Sangiovese di Lamole, planted just after the First World War, reinvigorated the estate. The vineyard may be the only example planted primarily to this classic member of the Sangiovese family. In the early nineties Vittorio Fiore came to make the wines from this special place. The results, year after year, have been singular in their depth, spice and underlying fruit. From the winery, “This is the wine conceived and desired by Vittorio Fiore after long years of study and working experience, and it is the result of an exceptional pairing and synergy: Sangiovese and the Ruffoli vineyards in Greve in Chianti. The results of this synergy – grapes harvested in the Carbonaione vineyard – are worked with passion and dedication by Vittorio Fiore and his son Jurij in order to obtain a wine of great power and elegance, capable of expressing in all of its richness the terroir in which it is born.”
You can experience three vintages of this profound and rare wine, which Antonio Galloni calls “compelling,” “a stunner,” and having “a tremendous track record of aging very well.” In-stock now:
Podere Poggio Scalette Il Carbonaione Alta Valle della Greve IGT, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($69.95) $41.90 special, 36+ bottles available
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “The 2013 Il Carbonaione is compelling. That’s the good news. The bad news, if you can call it that, is that the 2013 is going to take the better part of the next decade to be at its best. Black cherry, plum, licorice and menthol are all fused together. Today, the 2013 is rich, deep and unctuous, with superb depth and striking balance. Opening a bottle anytime soon, though, is likely to be a mostly academic exercise, as the Carbonaione is so primary, it almost tastes like a barrel sample!”
Podere Poggio Scalette Il Carbonaione Alta Valle della Greve IGT, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($69.95) $44 special, 21 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2012 Il Carbonaione comes across as quite shy and reserved today, with less of its typical exuberance. That just makes me think the wine is going to need a few years to blossom. Sweet red cherry, plum, kirsch, spice and rose petal nuances gradually emerge from the glass, but the 2012 remains reticent and not fully expressive. I would not be surprised to see the market look past the 2012, as it is not at all showy, but that will just create an opportunity for savvy consumers. There is plenty to look forward to. Readers will have to be patient, though. Over the years, Il Carbonaione has built a tremendous track record of aging very well. Next to Chianti Classico’s other 100% Sangioveses, Carbonaione is made in a sweeter, jammier style with more mid-palate opulence. Although showy in its youth, Carbonaione needs time in bottle to show at its best.”
Podere Poggio Scalette Il Carbonaione Alta Valle della Greve IGT, Tuscany 2010 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 8 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2010 Carbonaione (Sangiovese) is a stunner. Deep, rich and utterly impeccable, the 2010 boasts breathtaking richness, energy and power. The flavors remain incredibly primary in a wine that will require years to develop. Graphite, crushed rocks, blue/black fruit, plums and smoke emerge over time. As phenomenal as the 2010 is today, it really should be cellared for at least a few years. This is a drop dead gorgeous wine from Vittorio and Jurij Fiore.” AG
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Louis Latour Sale
We’ve reduced prices on eight wines from Louis Latour, bringing our total list of on-sale in-stock Burgundies up to 89! You can see the full list of Latour sales below. To read full reviews or shop our great deals, visit our web store!
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The Cadaster Master:
Single Cask Wines from Peter Lauer
Florian Lauer (of Weingut Peter Lauer) is one of the rising superstars in the German wine scene. The wines are racy and bright with exceptional quality from dry to sweet in a way that is only found at addresses like Donnhoff and Keller.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with the Lauer wines, you owe it to yourself to try them. All of the wines featured today come from the Ayler Kupp vineyard, which is located in the Saar valley, near the Mosel. There are a bunch of single-parcel wines, which are dry, that carry the name of the specific part of the vineyard on them—and these are the ones that you should try to see the full glory of dry Riesling from the Saar.
They also make some traditional Kabinett and Spatlese, as well as a wine called “Senior” that’s made in the style that Florian’s grandfather loved to drink. All the wines have a Fass (cask) number on them, which should give you an idea on how much of this wine is made (not a lot).
Below are four of the twelve Peter Lauer wines that are in-stock now. See the complete list below!
Peter Lauer ‘Barrel X’ Saar Riesling, Mosel 2015 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 36+ bottles available
Case-12 Peter Lauer ‘Barrel X’ Saar Riesling, Mosel 2015 750ML ($279.95) $219 special, 8 cases available (that’s only $18.25/bottle!)
Importer note “You all know by now the stratospheric work Florian is doing in the Saar. This has always been the ambassador wine from the winery but this vintage elevates to Senior levels of complexity.”
Peter Lauer Senior Fass 6 Riesling, Mosel 2015 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 89+ points “This offers bright and delicately flowery scents of ginger, candied grapefruit peel, Provence herbs and slate. The wine is mineral and delicately fruity on the palate and leaves a clean and linear feel in the still slightly hard finish. This is best left alone for a year to give it time to integrate. 2017-2025.”
Peter Lauer Ayler Kupp Unterstenberg Fass 12 Riesling, Mosel 2015 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 33 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “This offers ample and inviting scents of kumquat, grapefruit, yellow peach and dried herbs on the nose. The wine is smooth and elegant on the palate, where more minerals blend beautifully well into yellow fruits and herbs. The finish is smooth and intense without ever being over-powering. This hugely gains from airing as it sheds its initial touch of CO2 and gains in complexity and finesse by the day, even after 10 days. This is a little masterpiece of delicately off-dry Riesling, and it is worth waiting for its maturity window.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Peter Lauer Fass 8 Ayler Kupp Kabinett, Mosel 2015 750ML ($37.95) $29 special, 36+ bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 91+ points “This offers a delicately ample nose of yellow fruits, ginger and spices. The wine starts off on the round side before fiery acidity brings zest and vibrancy to the finish. This is refreshing, light and elegant and one magically goes for more. The tart side in the finish will disappear with a few years of bottle aging, and it could then easily warrant an even higher rating.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Below is a complete list of in-stock wines from Peter Lauer. We offer 242 German Rieslings in-stock now – to read reviews and order online, visit our web store!
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“No one appreciates the moonscape that is Faugeres”- Dan
Leon Barral
Faugeres is a small appellation in southwestern France that bears more than a little resemblance to Chateauneuf du Pape. The soils are rocky, really rocky, in the same way (you may ask yourself, “how did anyone decide to plant vines there?”) and the wines are made from similar grapes. The wines, though, seem to have a bit more elegance and a little less alcohol than their Rhone cousins. This, given the way the climate in Southern France is changing, is a good thing to us, and the wines of Leon Barral stand apart as the best in Faugeres, without question.
Kermit Lynch imports them and has this to say: “Domaine Léon Barral is a beacon of revolutionary winegrowing. Didier farms thirty hectares of vineyards, and this is no small feat. Incorporating biodynamic practices into a vineyard means working the soil rigorously, and with so much land to farm, it is fortunate that he has so much help…. The grapes benefit the most from this environment, which ultimately translates to tremendously powerful, complex, and age-worthy wines. Most of Didier’s vines get full southern sun exposure. In this Mediterranean climate where summer heat waves and drought are constant during the growing season, pruning in the gobelet style shelters the grapes from the blistering sun. Most of his vines are very old, but vary up to ninety years of age, keeping yields naturally low. Once in the cellar, Didier’s harvest is cared for with the same zeal, although he would consider the wine all but finished once it leaves the vineyard. This level of artisanry was once nearly extinct had it not been for Didier and the profound influence he is having over other viticulteurs who now see how his work ethic and ideology translates to results.”
Domaine Leon Barral Faugeres wines available here now:
Domaine Leon Barral Faugeres, Languedoc-Roussillon 2013 750ML ($37.95) $33 special, 12 bottles available
Kermit Lynch notes: “50% Carignan, 30% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, from 40 to 70 year old vines grown on schist soils. Grapes are biodynamically farmed and all grapes are harvested by hand and then sorted. Depending on the variety, grapes are de-stemmed (in general, grapes from the youngest vines), however whole clusters are also used. No SO2 is added. Wine is vinified in gravity-fed, cement cuves with native yeasts.”
Domaine Leon Barral Faugeres Jadis, Languedoc-Roussillon 2013 750ML ($54.95) $49 special, 12 bottles available
Kermit Lynch notes: “50% Carignan, 30% Syrah 20% Grenache from 30 to 60 year old vines grown on schist soils. Grapes are biodynamically farmed and all grapes are harvested by hand and then sorted. Depending on the variety, grapes are de-stemmed (in general, grapes from the youngest vines), however whole clusters are also used. No SO2 is added. Wine is vinified in gravity-fed, cement cuves with native yeasts.”
Domaine Leon Barral Faugeres Valiniere, Languedoc-Roussillon 2013 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 12 bottles available
Kermit Lynch notes:”80% Mouvedre 20% Syrah from 15 to 30 year old vines grown on schist soils. Grapes are biodynamically farmed and all grapes are harvested by hand and then sorted. Depending on the variety, grapes are de-stemmed (in general, grapes from the youngest vines), however whole clusters are also used. No SO2 is added. Wine is vinified in gravity-fed, cement cuves with native yeasts.”
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Torii Mor:
Look out for hot deals with both “I’s”
Arriving January 31st
Torii Mor is one of the established names in high quality Oregon Pinot Noir, making a splash ever since they made their first vintage in 1993. Starting off with a mere 1,000 cases that first year, they’ve grown steadily since but have always managed to make impressively high quality wines. The style here is for richer, more powerful Pinot Noir, though they make wines which are still lively and energetic. These wines today are from the acclaimed 2014 vintage, so we’re very excited to offer them to you with the lowest pricing in the country!
Torii Mor Arriving January 31st
Torii Mor ‘Dundee Hills Select’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($49.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 90+ points “The 2014 Pinot Noir Dundee Hills Select comes from four vineyards fermented separately and matured in 20% new oak. It has quite a lively bouquet with small red cherries, redcurrant and cranberry, although I would have liked more complexity to show through given the vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannin. This is well balanced though toward the finish it tends to clam up a little and feel somewhat “rigid.” Give this another 12-18 months to loosen its tie.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Torii Mor ‘Olson Estate Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2014 750ML ($59.95) $38 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “Brilliant violet. Dark berries, cola, musky herbs and a subtle floral nuance on the fragrant nose. Fleshy and expansive on the palate, offering gently sweet blackberry and spicecake flavors that tighten up steadily with air. Shows an appealing blend of power and vivacity and finishes very long and spicy, displaying repeating florality and smooth tannins.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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Weinbach 2015
Pre-Arrival February 10th
A vintage marked by transition
The 2015 vintage was terribly difficult for the Faller family of Domaine Weinbach; losing the matriarch, Colette, in February, and the talented and very personable daughter and winemaker, Laurence, the year prior. This meant a year of transition of the estate to Catherine and Theo, winemaking responsibilities falling on Ghislain Berthiot. From all appearances the move should be seamless, though the charm and style of Colette will be missed by anyone who is fortunate enough to make the trip to the estate. Ghislain’s experience working with Laurence for so many years means the expectations are high, as always, for amazing wines.
The Weinbach style, marked by stunning acidity adding backbone to some of the purest fruit, much of it of the Schlossberg Grand Cru vineyard, is the standard by which Alsace should be judged. It has a lush feel, but with a smoky minerality and citrus vibrancy that brings life to the glass and any food lucky enough to be alongside. Be it the classic Rieslings, rich Pinot Gris, or perfumed Gewürztraminer, these wines will be virtually electric upon release, and will age with grace, developing honeyed, floral aromatics that can fill a room.
Domaine Weinbach Arriving February 10th:
Domaine Weinbach Gewurztraminer Altenbourg, Alsace 2015 750ML ($59.95) $41.90 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “A note of flinty reduction still hovers above the nose, signaling a wine still needing bottle age. Underneath, juicy peaches are enlivened with notes of fresh, tart passion fruit. The final picture is one of balanced poise and lasting, juicy aroma. Drink 2017–2025.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Weinbach Gewurztraminer Reserve Personelle, Alsace 2015 750ML (34.95) $27 pre-arrival special
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Weinbach Pinot Blanc Reserve, Alsace 2015 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 90 points “White summer blossoms and ripe green pears make for a fresh scent. The palate lifts these notions with bright lemon acidity. All is buoyed by some residual carbon dioxide. Drink soon while this is at its aromatic height.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Weinbach Riesling Schlossberg Cuvee Sainte Catherine, Alsace Grand Cru 2015 750ML ($69.95) $49 pre-arrival special
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Weinbach Riesling Schlossberg Cuvee Sainte Catherine L’Inedit, Alsace Grand Cru 2015 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Domaine Weinbach Riesling Schlossberg, Alsace Grand Cru 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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Newly Reviewed Spanish Wines
Arriving in February
Bodegas Muga ‘Prado Enea’ Gran Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2009 750ML ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special, ETA February 2017
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95 points “(aged for 16 months in large French oak vats, followed by three years in 85 percent French and 15 percent American oak barrels and then held in bottle for three years before release) Brilliant ruby-red. Heady aromas of smoke-accented red berries, potpourri, incense and vanilla show superb clarity and pick up cedar and pipe tobacco nuances in the glass. Sweet, seamless and broad in the mouth, offering concentrated yet vibrant red currant, cherry liqueur and floral pastille flavors that fan out steadily on the back half. A spicecake quality emerges on the impressively persistent, red-fruit- and floral-driven finish, which is given shape by smooth, harmonious tannins.”
Bodegas Muga Seleccion Especial Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2011 750ML ($49.95) $36 pre-arrival special, ETA February 2017
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “(aged for 26 months in French oak casks) Bright ruby. Fresh red berry, cherry, mocha and floral scents are complicated by suggestions of cola and vanilla. Intense black raspberry, bitter cherry and rose pastille flavors deepen and pick up a sweet hint of mocha on the back half. The lively, emphatically fruity, impressively long finish displays very good finishing clarity; dusty, firming tannins lend shape and gentle grip.”
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Burgundy Sales Recap
We have a lot of great wines on sale this January here at Vinopolis, including wines from Louis Jadot, Faiveley, Domaine de Montille and Robert Chevillon. We don’t have the space or time to list them all here (visit www.vinopoliswineshop.com to see all of them) but we figured we’d share a few highlights to pique your interest!
Domaine Robert Chevillon Nuits-Saint-Georges Vieilles Vignes, Cote de Nuits 2011 750ML ($69.95) Was $49, Now $39
Burghound 87-89 points “A discreet touch of wood sets off equally fresh and bright red berry fruit and soft earth aromas that give way to mouth coating, delicious and vibrant medium-bodied flavors that possess good mid-palate concentration, all wrapped in a seductively textured, balanced and solidly persistent finish.”BH
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Faiveley Chambertin Clos de Beze Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2011 750ML ($349.95) Was $249, Now $197.10
Stephen Tanzer 94 (+?) points “Medium red. Highly nuanced yet quite primary on the nose, offering scents of raspberry, underbrush, dried rose, ginger and smoky oak. Juicy, saline and quite dry, with dark berry and strawberry flavors complicated by an earthy perfume. Finishes with substantial dusty tannins and excellent length. With 24 hours in the recorked bottle, this beauty showed a silkier texture and chewy, deep flavors of raspberry and spices that saturate the palate without leaving any impression of weight. A great effort for the vintage.” ST
Domaine Faiveley Corton ‘Clos des Cortons’ Faiveley Monopole Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune 2011 750ML ($199.95) Was $149, Now $107.10
Antonio Galloni 95 points “Faiveley’s 2011 Corton Clos des Corton is a fitting conclusion to this great night of wine and food. Intensely saline and pointed, the 2011 impresses for its pure energy and tension. The flavors are vibrant and impeccably delineated in a Burgundy that is all about finesse. This is a great showing from the Clos des Corton.” AG
Stephen Tanzer 94 points “Medium red. Ineffable nose and palate offer red fruits, minerals, spices and flowers, complicated by game, earth and leather. Sweet, concentrated and very intense, boasting outstanding density and a fine-grained texture, with salty minerality giving the wine a weightless impression that’s remarkable considering its density. A strong tannic spine and brisk acidity energize and draw out the finish of this sharply delineated, pristine grand cru.” ST
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Louis Jadot Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2011 750ML ($279.95) Was $219, Now $197.10
John Gilman 94+ points “Vineyards such as Bonnes-Mares really have taken advantage of the elegant side of the 2011 vintage, and this is doubly true of this stunning wine from Maison Jadot. The deep, sappy and simply gorgeous nose wafts from the glass in a mélange of black cherries, dark berries, woodsmoke, game, espresso, fresh herbs, stunningly complex soil tones and cedar. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and quite plush on the attack, with great mid-palate depth, laser-like focus, ripe, firm tannins and simply stunning length and grip on the still very young finish. Profound juice….94+”
Domaine de Montille Nuits-Saint-Georges Aux Saints Juliens, Cote de Nuits 2013 750ML ($79.95) Was $49, Now $39
Burghound 88-91 points “A subtle application of wood frames the attractively floral suffused nose of earth, sauvage and plum aromas. There is fine mid-palate concentration to the delicious and robust middle weight flavors where the supporting tannins are mildly rustic, all wrapped in a long, serious and balanced finish. This is a relatively big Nuits villages that should amply reward up to a decade of cellaring.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Familia Nin-Ortiz ‘Nit de Nin’, Priorat DOCa 2013 750ML ($119.95) Was $99, Now $79.10
Wine Advocate 96+ points “The 2013 Nit de Nin matured in 3,200-liter oak foudres for some 16 months, and wants to be an old-style blend of grapes from slope vineyards showcasing the typicity of Priorat. The full clusters from ancient vineyards fermented with indigenous yeasts and produced some 4,000 bottles that were filled in March 2015. I previously had the opportunity of tasting the wine just after being bottled and was somehow reduced and dizzy. Now it’s a completely different story. The 16 months in bottle have polished the wine and the reductive character is completely gone. However, everything is subtler, it’s not as explosive as when it is really young and shows its exuberance, there is a calmed beauty. The palate is always very refined with fantastic freshness and subtle minerality, pure and fresh, even if it’s also very powerful.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
You can see the complete list of on-sale Burgundy wines below. Visit our web store to see the full list, including wines from Sine Qua Non, Lopez de Heredia, Selosse, and Montevertine, read full reviews or order online!
