Featured New Arrival
Domaine Fourrier’s 2017’s
The Mayor of Ambonnay Arrives
First Offer: The Perfect 2016 Masseto
Collector’s Corner: the Best of Vin Santo
Antonio Galloni Highlights Rosso di Montalcino
Rosés of the Day
Trending Wines
New Arrivals
Including Goodfellow, Bow & Arrow,
Nicolas Feuillatte, Gros’ Nore and More!
Jaboulet’s ’16 Hermitage (and Adjacent)
Domaine Fourrier’s 2017’s
When young they’re among the most impressive in Burgundy, combining succulent fruit with minerality and a complexity that’s nearly unmatched in newly released wines. They improve with age, as well, though we’ve always had a hard time keeping our hands off of the lower-tier wines in the first five years after the vintage. Fourrier works exclusively with old massale vineyards (anything from vines younger than 30 years is sold off) and that sort of soul really makes it into the bottle.
We’ve just finalized our allocation and pricing of the excellent 2017’s. Due to the extreme weather that Burgundy experienced that year, yields are once again down. When you combined those low yields with the estate’s ever increased popularity, quantities are down—and heading further down that road in future years. If you love the estate like we do, you ought to jump on these as soon as you can.
Just Arrived Today, In Stock Now:
Only six bottles available
Domaine Fourrier Clos Saint-Jacques, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($999.95) $469 special
Decanter 97 points “The Fourriers are one of only five owners of this superb premier cru, with a 0.89ha parcel that was planted in 1910. This is a wonderfully dense, layered expression of the terroir with flavours of liquorice, plum, black cherry and strawberry, granular tannins and laser-like focus and precision.”
Only two bottles available
Domaine Fourrier Les Champeaux Vieilles Vignes, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($279.95) $229 special
Decanter 94 points “Like many of the Fourrier holdings, this hails from the Brochon side of the village and shows corresponding zip and acidity. As ever, the 20% new oak is deftly handled, complementing the scented tobacco pouch and wild strawberry aromas and flavours.”
Domaine Fourrier Les Cherbaudes Vieilles Vignes, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($279.95) $219 special
Decanter 96 points “Cherbaudes is located just below Mazis-Bas, where Jean-Marie Fourrier’s 0.67ha parcel was planted in 1940. This has the richness and density of a grand cru, so maybe its neighbour has influenced the quality of the wine by osmosis. It’s spicy, sweet and brambly with a fine, nuanced finish.”
Only six bottles available
Domaine Fourrier La Combe Aux Moines Vieilles Vignes, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($279.95) $229 special
Decanter 96 points “Combe Aux Moines is something of a signature wine from Fourrier alongside his Clos-St-Jacques. Reflecting its elevated position, this is a bright, aromatic, wonderfully refreshing style with some ferrous notes and a smooth, balanced finish.”
Only three bottles available
Domaine Fourrier Les Goulots Vieilles Vignes, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($299.95) $219 special
Decanter 96 points “Aromas of summer pudding and Turkish Delight waft from the glass on this delicious premier cru bottling. Facing east, this 0.34ha parcel was planted in 1966 and has yielded an elegant, ethereal, scented Pinot with impressive balance and focus.”
Only one bottle available
Domaine Fourrier Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru Vieille Vigne, Cote de Nuits 2017 750ML ($1499.95) $799 special
Decanter 97 points “Its name may or may not have something to do with the fact that this was (allegedly) once a field of cherries, but there’s no denying that this is a wonderfully aromatic, zesty wine that combines palate-coating fruit sweetness with sappy acidity and a patina of vanilla spice. A very complete grand cru from a superb domaine.”
Only two bottles available
Domaine Fourrier Les Petits Vougeots Vieilles Vignes, Vougeot Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($399.95) $249 special
Decanter 94 points “Sometimes overlooked in tastings at Fourrier, this 0.34ha parcel contains vines that were planted in 1930 and 1955. Delicate, smooth and scented, it’s a focussed, floral, sweetly defined Pinot that wouldn’t look out of place in neighbouring Chambolle-Musigny.”
Domaine Fourrier Morey-Saint-Denis Clos Solon Vieilles Vignes, Cote de Nuits 2017 750ML ($99.95) $89 special
Arriving Mid-October:
Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes, Cote de Nuits 2017 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Decanter 92 points “Vieille Vigne (always singular at Fourrier) is sourced from 12 different parcels, most of them on the better, western side of the route nationale. This is always a pleasure to drink, and the 2017 is no exception, with supple, scented, alluring red berry notes, some vanilla oak and a zesty finish.”
The Mayor of Ambonnay Arrives
In Stock Now:
Eric Rodez Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru, Champagne NV (2013) 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “[Reviewed Apr 2019] Offering up aromas of smoky green orchard fruit, hazelnuts and waxy citrus that are delicately framed by their time in barrel, the latest rendition of Rodez’s NV Brut Blanc de Blancs is a medium to full-bodied, broad and fleshy wine with a bright spine of acidity, a frothy mousse and a long, vinous and subtly oak-inflected finish. Unsurprisingly, its Ambonnay origins and Rodez’s style mark it just as much as its cépage.”
Eric Rodez Grand Cru Cuvee des Crayeres Ambonnay Grand Cru Brut, Champagne NV (14) 750ML ($54.95) $47 special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 90 points “[Reviewed Apr 2019] The latest rendition of Rodez’s NV Ambonnay Cuvée des Crayeres wafts from the glass with an attractive bouquet of red apples, mint, anise and spices. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, broad and ample, with brisk acids and a youthfully frothy mousse. Open-knit but nicely defined, it’s a charming, expressive wine.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91 points “[Reviewed Apr 2019] Disgorged in March 2018, Rodez’s NV Brut Rosé Grand Cru Ambonnay exhibits notes of red berries, lemon zest, licorice and subtle spices. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, broad and vinous, with a generous core of sappy fruit, ripe acids and a deep, structured core, concluding with a saline, expansive finish.”
[The disgorgement date may not match review.]
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The Perfect 2016 Masseto
Arriving ETA Late October:
Only three bottles available
(Ornellaia) Masseto Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($849.95) $759 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 100 points “Masseto has pulled off back-to-back home runs. This is the first time that an Italian wine has earned 100 points in successive vintages. The 2016 Masseto is a thunderstorm of emotions, but it manages to keep them under perfect control. Like the 2015 Masseto before it, this vintage is a seamless wine of the highest pedigree. It represents an encore performance, continuing the string of successes that is bringing Italy to the forefront of the wine world. The first thing you’ll notice is the thickness and concentration of the fruit that makes an immediate impact on all the senses, in terms of appearance, aroma and mouthfeel. There is no overstating the sheer power and richness of this iconic vintage of Italy’s groundbreaking Merlot. Despite that considerable mass, this Masseto remains delicate and graceful. You gain better perspective as the wine opens in the glass and reveals deeper layers that were not immediately apparent on first nose: dark fruit, spice, sweet tobacco and black cherry. There is great tightness and laser focus to the fruit. I tasted the 2016 and 2015 vintages together for comparison when I scored this wine, and then I tasted this 2016 edition alone about a month later to confirm my impressions. These vintages are identical twins, two perfect wines.-ML”
James Suckling 100 points “This is so solid and powerful with incredible vertical dense that goes down and down on the palate. Compacted and thick with caressing and polished tannins that are powerful yet refined. Super concentration yet agile and energetic. This is a wine that needs time to come together and resolve all of its amazing components. Reminds me of the legendary 2001. Try after 2023.”
The Best of Vin Santo
We just picked up some of the exceedingly rare Occhio di Pernice bottling, made from Sangiovese (rather than white grapes) in both half bottles and the “sample size” 100ml bottles the estate produces. Plus, we added some 100ml bottles of the flagship Vin Santo—so sampling these wines is easier than ever.
In Stock Now:
Only one half-bottle available
Avignonesi Occhio di Pernice Vin Santo di Montepulciano, Tuscany 2000 375ML ($299.95) $249 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 98 points “This wine is a celebrity in the world of Italian fine wine. The 2000 Vin Santo di Montepulciano Occhio di Pernice is a wine with no rivals in its native country or abroad. It opens to exaggerated thickness and extraction that is the result of an excruciating oxidative process that starts with air-dried fruit and ends with many years of aging in small oak barrel. It opens to a dark brown appearance with glimmering highlights of gold, copper and amber. The bouquet is intensity sweet and savory at the same time and the wine embodies both aromatic extremes with a profound sense of confidence and determination. Next to the aromas of candied fruit, brown sugar and almond paste are exciting tones of pencil shaving, tobacco, roasted chestnut and leather. The wine’s density and richness is off the scales.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “Caramel, licorice, orange peel and roasted walnut aromas give way to burnt molasses, smoke and mineral flavors in this thick, mouthcoating dessert wine. Stays balanced and long, with a fresh, light-footed finish. Drink now through 2035. 130 cases made.”
Avignonesi Occhio di Pernice Vin Santo di Montepulciano, Tuscany 1999 100ML ($119.95) $89 special
**100ml bottle**
Wine Spectator 98 points “Compelling and complete, this leads off with an aroma of mint, featuring flavors of treacle, toffee, graham cracker and brown butter. Thick and mouthcoating, with a pleasant cloying sensation on the finish. A unique dessert wine. Drink now through 2025. 10 cases imported.”
Avignonesi Vin Santo di Montepulciano, Tuscany 2000 375ML ($249.95) $179 special
Wine Advocate 97 points “When it comes to Vin Santo, nobody beats Avignonesi. The 2000 Vin Santo di Montepulciano is a wine of unlimited pleasure, decadence and opulence. This syrupy dessert wine pours into the glass in slow motion. It shows a level of richness and thickness that puts it closer to molasses or melted brown sugar in terms of consistency. The color is a deep shade of amber brown. The bouquet offers exciting tones of honey, candied fruit and marrons glacé. You also get knock out tones of Teriyaki sauce, white truffle and Indian spice that bring the wine’s inherent complexity into the stratosphere. The mouthfeel is rich, tangy and crisp. This is a work of vinous beauty.”
Avignonesi Vin Santo di Montepulciano, Tuscany 2001 100ML ($89.95) $59 special
Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2001 Vin Santo di Montepulciano (375 milliliters) is a divine and superbly delicious sweet blend of Trebbiano, Malvasia and Grechetto. The results are super concentrated and simmered down to a virtual reduction sauce of deliciousness. There are so many aromas to name, but some of the most evident highlights include candied orange peel, almond marzipan, caramel, toasted coffee bean, vanilla stick, mocha, dark honey and fragrant yellow rose. The mouthfeel is creamy, rich and deeply layered. I’m suggesting a slightly shorter drinking window here compared to the Occhio di Pernice. But, the truth is: I have no idea. I’m pretty sure these wines will outlive anyone of legal drinking age.”
The next best price is $229
Antonio Galloni Highlights Rosso di Montalcino
Newly Reviewed, In Stock Now:
“A powerful expression of Sangiovese from the southern part of the appellation.”-Antonio Galloni
Lisini Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($31.95) $26 special
Antonio Galloni 90 points “Lisini’s 2016 Rosso di Montalcino is such a fascinating wine. Delicate and floral in its first impression, the 2016 has plenty of the structural kick that is such a Lisini signature, but here it is expressed in more of an understated way. Dried rose petal, spice and gravel notes add lovely layers of nuance.”
Plus, some of our other favorites from Rosso di Montalicino, in stock now:
Azienda Agricola La Torre Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Grapelive 95 points “The 2016 is going to be legendary in Tuscany. We are seeing the top wines already getting unbelievably good press, but there are also some killer deals on lesser known wines, especially wines like this gorgeous deep fruited and elegant La Torre Rosso di Montalcino. [Such wines] are incredible and offer a wonderful value for much less than their Brunello version. Lighter on its feet than the Brunello(s) the Rosso [shows] style and grace, it shows a complex array of flavors and a sense of never-ending length with a beautiful rose petal perfume and exotic spices. This La Torre has, what it is cliche to say, Burgundy class in the glass with ripe tannins and a gorgeous garnet/ruby hue that seduces the senses with layers of black cherry, raspberry, strawberry and plum fruits to begin on its open and generous palate with gains structure with air as well as highlighting the background elements, mineral notes and light earthiness. Additionally there is classic anise, fine cigar tobacco wrapper, sandalwood and lingering dried flowers and cranberry/currant, making for a lovely Sangiovese wine that gets even better with food, bringing out more depth and fruit intensity. There is almost nothing to fault here and the detailing and mouth feel is exceptional in this remarkable Rosso di Montalcino. This is a wine that needs to be taken out of the “Baby Brunello” box; it is really next level stuff on its own. The La Torre winery was founded not all that long ago by Italian standards back in 1976 by Giuseppe Ananìa, who purchased the La Torre estate from the famous Ciacci family of Montalcino. Now Luigi Anania, Giuseppe’s son, is the present owner and producer of the wines of La Torre. The estate is located in the commune of La Sesta, approximately 8 kilometers south of Montalcino, which is in the highest altitude section of the Brunello appellation. La Torre make four main wines, all from organic vines: Brunello di Montalcino (with a Riserva in the best years as well), Rosso di Montalcino, with the Brunello and Rosso being exclusively Sangiovese Grosso (Brunello Clone) by law, as well as a Rosso di Toscano and a Rosso di Toscano “Ampelio” which have touches of Ciliegiolo and Alicante added to a mainline of Sangiovese. The wines are all made from all grapes that are de-stemmed prior to fermentations and only indigenous yeasts are used before an extended 20 maceration on the skins. Ferments are done in a combination of steel and oak with an 18 month elevage being in large oak casks of French origin, with only about 10% of the ultimate cuvée being aged in small French barrels. Made for more early drinking pleasure and a sublime vintage really show here and I absolute love this stuff. Judging it purely on its intent and delivery it is fantastic, drink this brilliantly crafted beauty over the next 3 to 5 years.”
Case-6 Marchesi Antinori Pian delle Vigne Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($189.95) $144 special (that’s only $24/bottle!)
James Suckling 91 points “Shows good intensity on the nose and no shortage of fruitiness in the form of glazed cherries. Dried herbs and some ash, too. Full-bodied and chewy with a streak of refreshing acidity and bright red fruit. Drink now.”
Fuligni Ginestreto Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany 2014 750ML ($36.95) $24 special
Wine Spectator 90 points “Cherry, strawberry and cedar aromas and flavors abound, while the silky texture and finely grained tannins complement the fruit. Tobacco and earth notes grace the long finish. Drink now through 2019. 800 cases made.”
Importer note “aged for 18 months in large oak casks of French origin with about 10% of the ultimate cuvée being aged in small French barrels. The vines for this wine also face full-south. One thousand or so cases of the Rosso di Montalcino are produced annually.”
Piombaia Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Importer Note “The little brother of the Brunello di Montalcino, this young Sangiovese displays all the character and finesse of the Sangiovese cultivated in Montalcino, but in a fun, easy-to-drink style. Intense and fruity with lively notes of raspberries, cherries and red currants. A lush, yet soft Rosso di Montalcino with a vibrant, fruity core and a persistenty aftertaste with hints of Mediterranean herbs… Piombaia winery is set in the heart of the historic production area of Brunello di Montalcino, with its 12 hectares of vines placed around the main cellar “Piombaia”, to the southwest of Montalcino….This is one of the higher areas of Montalcino, with vines positioned between 400 and 600 meters a.s.l. in a deep soil, rich in alluvial rocks such as galestro, albariza and sandstone, favouring the production of elegant, ethereal wines.”
Rosés of the Day
In Stock Now:
Lucien Crochet Sancerre Pinot Rose, Loire 2018 750ML ($34.95) $29 special
Importer Note “Indeed, the 2018 Sancerre Rosé—clocking in just shy of 14%–is deeper in color than usual, as well as more vinous and commanding on the palate. Pure Pinot Noir produced solely from direct-press juice and aged on its lees in stainless steel, this ’18 manages to carry its weight very well, with ultra-bracing acidity and a sense of lift on the nearly viscous palate. While this wine often drinks much like Crochet’s epic whites—steely and mineral, with enormous cut—one feels the Pinot Noir a bit more in this vintage, but it is ultimately a very interesting and delicious rosé”
Pascal et Nicolas Reverdy Sancerre Terre de Maimbray Rose, Loire 2018 750ML ($27.95) $24 special
Case-12 Pascal et Nicolas Reverdy Sancerre Terre de Maimbray Rose, Loire 2018 750ML ($299.95) $249 special (that’s only $20.75/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 92 points “Pale, shimmering pink. Vibrant, mineral-accented red currant, strawberry and blood orange aromas are complemented by a suave floral nuance. Shows impressive energy and precision on the palate, which displays intense citrus fruit, red berry and floral pastille flavors supported a bracing spine of dusty minerality. The floral note comes back strong on the bright, focused finish, which leaves a building mineral note behind.”
Raimbault Sancerre Rose, Loire 2018 750ML ($27.95) $24 special
Case-12 Raimbault Sancerre Rose, Loire 2018 750ML ($299.95) $249 special (that’s only $20.75/bottle!)
Domaine Andre Neveu Sancerre Le Grand Fricambault Rose, Loire 2018 750ML ($27.95) $24 special
Winery note “The colour of ripe redcurrants, with the faintest of hints of orange, perfectly limpid. The smell is delicate and the aromas reveal themselves more upon aeration. There are some lactic notes on the first nose, which then develops into aniseed and mint. The attack is round and supple. Overall it is soft and well balanced by a touch of tannin at the finish. The lingering finish shows spicy notes of pepper and thyme.”
K Vintners Rock Garden Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2016 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “Coming from a site in the Rocks region of the Walla Walla Valley, the 2016 Syrah Rock Garden boasts a deep ruby/purple color as well as a sweet nose of red fruits, spring flowers, ground pepper, and assorted leafy, herbal notes. Ripe, medium to full-bodied, and just a straight-up sexy wine, drink it any time over the coming decade.”
Wine Spectator 93 points ” Expressive river stone and blueberry aromas open to silky and refined raspberry, licorice and black olive flavors that build on the dynamic finish. Drink now through 2026. 598 cases made. — TF”
Winery note “Purity speaks! A creature of its vineyard. Stone, Asian five spice, game, cocoa, dried herbs and cold riverbed aromas that waft up from the glass and fill your senses with the most amazing perfume. WOW. 100% Syrah / 100% whole cluster pressed / Native yeast / 35 days on skins / 21 mo. barrel-aged on lees.”
Flaneur Wines Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2017 750ML ($31.95) $27 special
Grapelive 93 points “The expressive and dynamic Flaneur Willamette Valley Pinot has that crunchy, semi carbonic like fruit intensity and exotic spices with layers of racy red cherry, briar laced raspberry, pomegranate, plum and strawberry fruits along with cinnamon, cola bean, tea and peppery herbs, plus a juicy Moro orange note, along with a faint wood shading. Flaneur hasn’t been on the scene very long, but if they continue with wines like this they are heading in the right direction and should pick up a serious following within a short time….This 2017 Willamette Valley cuvee by Flaneur is youthfully flamboyant and vibrant, but there’s a lot to come here, and for the price I highly recommend getting a few to enjoy now and some to age. One of the under the radar, but great values in Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, Flaneur Wines, made by Grant Coulter, who recently moved on from being winemaker at the famous Beaux Freres Vineyard, and maker of his own label Hundred Suns, his overseeing the vineyards and hand crafting these wines for Flaneur gives them instant street cred…. he looks to work organic and biodynamic where he can as well as using natural methods with native yeast fermentations and less new oak, with this Flaneur seeing only about 11% new French oak, all to preserve clarity, purity and freshness. This year saw 68% of the grapes sourced from La Belle Promenade and 32% from the Flanerie vineyard and ended up being about 36% whole cluster, the finished alcohol came it at 13.7%, though it feels less and it is a wonderfully balanced wine. I love it as is, but it will be a wine to follow for the next 3 to 5 years when it hits its sweet spot.”
Wine Spectator 91 points “Polished and sleek yet elegantly structured with appealing cherry, bramble and savory spice flavors that build toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2025. 2,059 cases made.—T.F.”
G.D. Vajra Bricco delle Viole, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94+ points “The 2015 Barolo Bricco Delle Viole is a delicate and pure expression of Nebbiolo. The wine shows its naked beauty with pride, provocatively semi-dressed in lacy, floral aromas of wild rose and pressed violets. At this young age, the wine exhibits a gentle mix of fruity and floral characteristics that merge into the bouquet with intrepidness. The fruit from this vineyard within the Barolo township has maintained its freshness and crispness despite the heat of the 2015 growing season. I think it would be a lovely match for a veal piccata and cream sauce, with parsley and capers.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Enticing aromas and flavors of plum, cherry, iron and menthol are folded harmoniously into the lush texture and broad tannins of this long and vibrant red, with licorice, mineral and tobacco elements lingering. Best from 2022 through 2040. 1,200 cases made.”
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “The flagship Barolo Bricco delle Viole is quite understated and gracious in 2015. Medium in body, with the persistent tannins that are so typical of this site, the 2015 is lithe, focused and full of energy. The warm vintage notwithstanding, in 2015, Vajra’s Bricco delle Viole is distinctly sinewy and tense. It will offer considerable appeal to readers who find some of the other 2015 Barolos too open and giving in their youthful stage. Kirsch, rose petal, mint and chalky notes build into a finely cut finish. Time in the glass softens some of the youthful, austere contours, but this remains a 2015 Barolo that needs time in bottle to be at its very best.”
Sea Smoke Southing Pinot Noir, Sta Rita Hills 2017 750ML ($134.95) $99 special
Winery Note “Southing refers to the south-facing hillside bluffs found on our estate vineyard. Each year, our goal for this wine is to create the ideal marriage of complexity and elegance. Southing is a true expression of the terroir of Sea Smoke Vineyard: seductive flavors and fine tannins complimented by cool climate acidity. The ever-changing nose of the2017 Southing exhibits baked strawberry, floral scents of rose and violet; and subtle spices. The fine tannins and minerality are enhanced by our estate vineyard’s characteristic cool climate acidity.”
The next best price is $120
Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Cornas Empreintes, Rhone 2016 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Wine Spectator 95 points “Ripe and focused, with mouthwatering acidity driving the core of steeped red currant, raspberry and blackberry fruit along. A bright iron note zings through the finish, pulling in light anise, savory and sanguine hints. Best from 2020 through 2035.”
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2016 Cornas Empreintes features hints of cedar, brown sugar and dried spices layered over its plummy fruit (it was aged in 20% new oak, with the bulk in older wood). Full-bodied, supple and ripe, it’s charming but with more stuffing than that word suggests, showing ample concentration and soft, dusty tannins on the long finish. It’s a terrific Cornas to drink over the next 10-12 years.”
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “Deep purple-colored, the 2016 Cornas Empreintes is a smoking good effort. Blackberries, plums, cured meats, pepper, and earthy notes all flow from this rounded, sexy, powerful Cornas that has beautiful mid-palate depth and density as well as a great finish. Drink this smoking good 2016 any time over the coming decade.”
Winery note “Chalk, salinity, rock dust, and fresh grain. Meyer lemon curd, kumquats, orange pith, almond flower, and new spring growth. Linear body, briny and citrusy, stoney and salty in the finish. This balances broadness with enough structure and acidity to be enjoyable, refreshing, and age worthy. There are similarities to Chablis in the weight, drive, and mineral finish (at least to the classicist producers who still ferment in barrel). 12.8% alcohol, 113 cases produced. Drink now to 2030.”
Winery Note “Muscadet is often considered the biggest underdog in the world of wine. Another way to say it is Melon, the grape that makes Muscadet, is the poor man’s White Burgundy. Made in a similar fashion but in humbler vessels, Melon expresses terroir in a subtle and complex way just like it’s famous friend. It has an affinity for granite, and Johan is the only vineyard in the Willamette Valley with both. So drink your young Burgundies if you like and age your Melon. You will be rewarded with one of the biggest transformations you’re likely to experience in a cellared white wine. The 2018 vintage is a standout in the lineage of Johan Melon; not surprising as all the wines emerging from the cellar are benchmark in our opinion. Drink now or hold up to 15 years!”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Only twenty four bottles available
Bow & Arrow Johan Vineyard Gamay, Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($35.95) $31.90 special
Winery note “A first for us at Bow & Arrow: a vineyard designate Gamay. Tasting through our winery over the course of élevage, we noticed a particular puncheon of Gamay that stood out to us. I know, I know…I have spoken on several occasions about my dislike for the expression of Gamay in oak, tending to work solely with stainless steel and concrete when vinifying said variety. But this old puncheon of Johan Gamay had such a beautiful and singular expression, we felt we had to run with it. Rustic fruit, with the spice and graphite we have come to love from Johan. So here it is, stepping out into the world for the first time! Only 42 cases of this were produced. Get it while you can.”
Winery Note “Gamay is the first red wine to emerge from the fantastic 2018 vintage. Although time has ravaged my memory somewhat, I cannot recall a better expression of Willamette Valley Gamay coming from our cellar in the eight vintages we’ve produced. At it’s best, Gamay walks a high wire balancing the best of gluggable and fresh traditions with the seriousness of regions to the north of Beaujolais (aka Burgundy). The 2018 Gamay feels like crunchy red fruit locked inside a savory, herbal shell…with miniature lightning bolts coming out the sides.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2016 Chardonnay White Hill is beautifully layered, creamy and expressive. Lees stirring adds lovely textural depth to a core of orchard fruit, chamomile, tangerine and lightly honeyed notes. Ample and impeccably balanced, the White Hill is a wine of real distinction and class.”
“The 2016 Chardonnay gives up delicate grapefruit, honeydew melon and lemon tart notes with suggestions of peach blossoms and marzipan. Medium to full-bodied with plenty of uncomplicated citrus and melon flavors, it has a racy backbone and good length. 60,000 cases produced.” -Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate
Winery Note “As one of California’s finest Chardonnay producers, Ferrari-Carano showcases their newest release. This beautifully complex wine, from over 60 individual Chardonnay lots, is gently destemmed, pressed, then cold settled before moving into French barrels for fermentation, the sur lie aged and stirred every two weeks until blending. Ripe aromas of apple, citrus and pear are perfectly balanced by flavors of peach, quince and hazelnut with lingering, creamy, toasted oak notes.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Refined and focused, this sleek version offers ripe flavors of poached apple, ground anise, almond financier, cassis and candied lemon zest, carried by the fine, silky finish to a lightly smoky finish. Drink now through 2025.”
Josh Raynolds 92 points “Vivid yellow-gold. Ripe orchard and pit fruits complicated by flowers, smoke and spices on the nose and palate. Broad and fleshy but lively as well, with gentle acidity adding back-end lift and cut. Spreads out very nicely on the leesy finish, which hangs on with strong toasty persistence. This hefty Champagne could handle the richest foods.”
Wine Advocate 93 points “One of my favorite 2016s, Gros Noré’s 2016 Bandol is a complex, savory offering with at least 15 years of life ahead of it. Dark, plummy fruit picks up notes of mocha, roasted meat and mushrooms on the medium to full-bodied palate. Rich and velvety from start to long, long finish, this is nice, nice stuff, a blend of 80% Mourvèdre with 15% Grenache and 5% Cinsault aged in foudres.”
Very few wines in the Northern Rhone, or anywhere else for that matter, offer the sort of value that Jaboulet’s Thalabert does. From old vines in a privileged parcel in Crozes, this wine always drinks closer to its Hermitage cousins than most other wines that it shares and AOC with. This is a wine that offers serious structure, complexity and age-worthiness—at less than $30/bottle by the six pack! It’s no wonder that the 2015 was one of our fastest selling wines, a feat we expect the ’16 to follow up on with aplomb.
Arriving ETA Fall:
Jaboulet Aine Domaine de Thalabert Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone 2016 750ML ($47.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Jaboulet Aine Domaine de Thalabert Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone 2016 750ML ($279.95) $179 pre-arrival special (that’s only $29.83/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “The 2016 Crozes Hermitage Domaine De Thalabert offers a rocking (and classic) bouquet of ripe black fruits intermixed with notions new saddle leather, pepper, garrigue, and hints of bacon fat. This ripe, medium to full-bodied, silky wine has remarkable purity, is already complex, and finishes with serious length. Drink it over the coming 10-15 years.”
Wine Advocate 93 points “The classically styled 2016 Crozes Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert boasts savory scents of black olive and leather. Medium to full-bodied, it’s plummy and rich, creamy and ripe but savory and earthy, not jammy at all, with a lingering, velvety-textured finish. It drinks well now, but it should continue to evolve and drink well through 2035.-JC”
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 92-94 points “(20% new oak) Bright violet. Highly perfumed, mineral-accented dark berries, cherry liqueur and candied violet on the nose. At once rich and energetic, offering juicy, focused black raspberry and cherry cola flavors along with a hint of smokiness. Turns sweeter on the lively, penetrating finish, which features sneaky tannins and a strong echo of smoky minerality.”
Plus, Don’t Miss Jaboulet’s Incredible Hermitage “La Chappelle”
The hill of Hermitage is both one of the most famous wine landmarks in the world and also so much more interesting than common lore purports it to be. The story goes that the hill of Hermitage was the home of a knight seeking solace from the horrors of the Crusades upon his return home. He planted the vineyards that would become Hermitage and then built a chapel to pray in and that building, the Chapel of Saint Christopher, is the defining marker of the hillside. The name, Hermitage, takes the name of the hermit’s refuge.
Jaboulet purchased the Chapel of Saint Christopher and the surrounding plot of land in 1919—possibly the choicest part of the whole appellation. This is the core of their blend for La Chapelle, which for many defines what Hermitage can be. The 2016 version is a true legend in the making and we expect this will be a wine that is talked about reverentially in twenty years.
Arriving ETA Fall:
Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Chapelle, Rhone 2016 750ML ($269.95) $225 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The 2016 Hermitage La Chapelle is slightly denser than the 2017 and is a bigger, richer, more structured wine than the La Maison Bleue. Crème de cassis, blackberries, crushed rocks, ozone, scorched earth, and violet notes all emerge from this beautifully classic, elegant, seamless wine that carries full-bodied richness, building tannins, and a big finish, all while staying in the classic, elegant, balanced style of the vintage. It has plenty of tannins and is a quintessential La Chapelle that will have three decades of longevity.”
James Suckling 97-98 points “Very spicy and peppery with blue-granite aromas plus hints of grilled and smoked meat. Cloves and nutmeg. Full body, round and juicy tannins and a super spicy finish that almost burns with so much character yet turns fine and focused at the end. A beauty.”
Josh Raynolds 96-98 points “(raised in 20% new oak) Dark purple. A highly expressive, mineral-accented bouquet evokes fresh blackberry and blueberry, candied flowers, incense and exotic spices. Sweet, palate-staining black and blue fruit liqueur and violet pastille flavors are complicated by suggestions of cracked pepper and bitter chocolate; a spicecake nuance gains strength with aeration. Steadily building tannins add shape and grip to the extremely long, incisive finish, which emphatically repeats the floral and mineral notes. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this wine turn out as well as the amazing 2015 version.”
Wine Advocate 96 points “Sourced from the granitic western portion of the appellation, the 2016 Hermitage La Chapelle features mouthwatering aromas of black olives and charred beef. It’s full-bodied and creamy-velvety in texture, incredibly lush without being overtly fruity. In fact, it’s largely savory, with elegant shadings of leather and spice on the long, silky finish. Yet despite being delicious now, this still has the granite backbone to age through 2040.-JC”