In Today’s Newsletter:
A Lionnet Vertical: Hot Stuff from the Northern Rhone
2016 Marcus Molitor – First Offer, Incredible Wines
New April Sale Wines, Including: Jamet, Huet, Donnhoff and More!
You Better, You Better, You Betz: New Releases
New Arrivals Including:
New Rosé, Quilceda Creek, No Girls,
Louis Latour, Lapierre and More!
Last Chance at March Sale Prices on
Montevertine, Heymann-Loewenstein, Montraponi and 61 Others!
Featured New Arrival:
A Vertical of Lionnet Cornas
The New “It” Vigneron of the Northern Rhone
There’s no two ways around it—Cornas has become the hot AOC in the Northern Rhone, perhaps in France. Allemand, Clape, Ooka, Paris, etc—prices have been going up, demand has been going up, and wines are in stock for shorter and shorter periods of time. Against that backdrop, we were offered a vertical of Domaine Lionnet’s Cornas and couldn’t say yes fast enough. The wines are from Rosenthal, the official importer, and are in great condition. For some of you, we’ve already said enough—you can find the wines on our website (click here). If you want a little more info on the domaine, no fear, read on.
Lionnet is basically the Levet of Cornas—the heir to Robert Michel, stylistically. In fact, it was Levet that referred Lionnet to Neal Rosenthal, which tells you all you need to know. These are old-school Cornas, made with 100% whole clusters, fermented in cement vats and then aged in older, large barrels. No new wood, no pretension, and just one wine—the domaine only owns 2.2 hectares! We’re beyond excited to have these in the shop, though quantities are limited. If you’d like to purchase these wines (and secure what you want while we still have multiple vintages/2015 available), just click here to see them on our website or reply to this email.
Newly Arrived Wines from Domaine Lionnet:
Domaine Lionnet Cornas Terre Brulee, Rhone 2015 750ML ($79.95) $59 special
Domaine Lionnet Cornas Terre Brulee, Rhone 2015 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “The 2015 Cornas Terre Brûlée comes from a total of seven different lieux-dits throughout the appellation (all are granite soils) and was vinified in concrete tanks before spending 18 months in older demi-muids. It offers a classic, traditional feel in its blackberry, peppery herbs, bouquet garni and violets aromas and flavors. With full-bodied richness, nicely integrated acidity and superb concentration, it’s just another sensational Cornas from this vintage. Bravo to Corinne Lionnet and Ludovic Izerable!”
Grapelive 95+ points “One of my favorite wines and producers, Domaine Lionnet makes an incredible and authentic Cornas that never disappoints this Syrah geek. It’s always a nervy, stemmy wine, but with gracious fruit and textures to balance everything out. I find these wines to have a raw sex appeal and with a dark earthy seduction. In terms of pure Syrah it rarely gets much better than this! Corinne Lionnet’s family has been here and wine growing since 1575…. Ludovic’s style is all about nature, with 100% whole cluster, 100% stems and all organic farming. He ferments native and uses long maceration (three weeks) in cement vats before malos in large cask, all well used and never new, with lengthy elevate/aging. There are never any additions or adjustments with just a tiny amount of sulfur. Each parcel is between 40 and 100 years old, including four great lieu-dit sites: Chaillot, Combes, Brugeres and Mazards. [Each is] hand-picked and fermented individually. Each of these Crus add to the whole and give this wine its special personality and chemistry. Domaine Lionnet’s attention to detail really shows in the bottle.… This deep garnet hued Cornas lingers on and on recalling the violet and edgy stems for minutes in the aftertaste. This is a ridiculously great terroir-driven wine with stellar potential in 3 to 5 years. If you love Jamet or Allemand you’ll want this wine, and at almost half their price this wine is a rockstar value.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “A terrific wine, the 2015 Cornas Terre Brulee combines smoky notes of grilled plums and meat in a full-bodied format. It’s richly tannic and velvety at the same time, with a finish that’s simultaneously drying (from tannins) and mouthwatering (from juicy fruit). Farmed organically, vinified with stems in concrete and aged in used, large-format oak, Cornas doesn’t get more authentic (or better) than this!”
The average price is $63
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Inky ruby. Mineral-accented black raspberry, violet and a hint of game on the high-toned nose. Takes a darker turn in the mouth, offering boysenberry and cherry flavors along with smoky bacon and cracked pepper nuances. Finishes sweet, smoky and very long, displaying repeating mineral and spice qualities and youthful tannic grip.”
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Wine Spectator 92 points “Dark in profile, with a tarry edge to the core of steeped black currant and fig fruit, along with smoldering tobacco, licorice root and singed alder on the finish. Maintains ample grip and drive throughout. Best from 2018 through 2028. 200 cases imported.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “Made by Ludovic Izerable and crazy good, the 2012 Cornas Terre Brûlée is a stunning Cornas that spent 18 months in 2- to 8-year-old barrels and demi-muid. Offering up notes of black raspberry, cassis, currants, ground herbs, spice and insane minerality, it hits the palate with a full-bodied, rich, yet taunt and pure texture that carries vibrant acidity and length. Still reserved and backwards, give this beauty another 3-4 years and enjoy bottles through 2027+.”
First Offer:The Incredible 2016’s from Marcus Molitor
There may be no more ambitious winemaker in the world than Marcus Molitor. His determination and drive to make the best possible wines has made him a towering figure in the Mosel, with an impressive, modern winery and holdings in almost every important vineyard in the region. This drive also means there are a lot of different bottlings—Molitor believes that every single sub-parcel and selective pick should be vinified to its utmost potential.
This is the essence of the brilliance of Marcus Molitor. Most winemakers would pick once or twice (or three times) in a vineyard and vinify many lots together—it’s easier and the wines are good. Molitor, though, asks what each parcel and pick would be like on its own—treated as if it were a wine of distinction rather than a blending component. This is a lot of extra work and requires time and space that most winemakers would rather not spend, but the result is a dizzying number of bottlings that all strive toward perfection.
The critical praise backs this up—Marcus Molitor’s wines are some of the most lauded in the world. Whether white capsule (dry), green capsule (off-dry), or gold capsule (fruity to nobly sweet), he manages to produce wines that captivate and astound. 2016 is among the best vintages he’s produced—possibly better across the board than the lauded 15’s. They arrive in September and last year most of the top wines sold out before they arrived. We expect the same this year so just click here to see a list of all the wines on the way.
Some Highlights,
Arriving ETA September:
Markus Molitor Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese*** Feinherb (Green Capsule), Mosel 2016 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 99 points “From over 100-year-old vines and fermented in an eight-year-old 2,000-liter Stockinger vat and 15% in small oak barrels, the 2016 Riesling Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese *** (Green Capsule) offers a deep and concentrated, terribly fresh and oaky nose. Round and lush on the palate, this is a very elegant, intense and refined Sonnenuhr with super lush fruit, very fine tannins and ripe acidity. Molitor is extremely proud of all his Sonnenuhr bottlings, but they demand a much longer period of bottle aging. The richness (which is still elegant and fine) and the oak flavors (which are discreet but present) will surely integrate, so the wine has huge potential. Bottled in September 2017; tasted March 2018.”
Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2016 Riesling Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese ** (White Capsule) is a different style of Mosel Riesling compared to the other 2016 Auslesen. Fermented in different oak vats, from barrique size to 3,000-liter vats (including one big Stockinger vat that was new), this is clear, ripe and complex on the nose, with toasty as well as smoky-mineral notes framing the perfectly ripe and elegant stone fruit aromas. Full-bodied, round and complex, with gorgeous sweetness and mind-blowing silkiness and balance, this is a rich yet fine, elegant, highly complex and persistent Auslese from Markus’s most important single vineyard. The 2016 is concentrated yet very clear and elegant, revealing very fine tannins and a very long, complex finish. It already drinks with great wonder, and this wine will even gain more complexity though it’s already hard to resist.”
Wine Advocate 99 points “The 2016 Riesling Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese *** (Golden Capsule) indicates gorgeously ripe and lush Riesling fruit with very fine flinty slate aromas that add freshness, finesse and complexity. This nose is incredibly pure and precise and doesn’t indicate any botrytis. The palate is highly elegant and fine but, at the same time, lush and salty with a highly delicate but persistent structure. The finish is mouthwatering and enormously stimulating. This Wehlener Sonnenuhr is another extremely digestible yet complex Auslese that you can drink in large amounts without getting bored or tired. The acidity is so delicate and fine here and lets this gold-capsuled Auslese dance over your palate. I just love it. Bottled September 2017; tasted March 2018.”
Wine Advocate 95+ points “The 2016 Riesling Ürziger Würzgarten Spätlese (White Capsule) offers a deep and complex yet delicate and discreetly flinty nose with a very fine, fresh and bright citrus and stony aroma. Full-bodied, intense and lush on the palate, this is a silky textured, highly elegant and superbly balanced Würzgarten with an intense and powerful, very mineral and salty finish. The wine reveals great complexity along with serious grip and tensioned length but keeps its great finesse. Fermented and aged in large oak barrels until the bottling in September 2017. Tasted March 2018.”
New to the April Sale
J
ean-Luc Jamet, one of two brothers behind the legendary Domaine Jamet, left in 2013 to start his own winery. He took half of the Jamet Cote-Rotie holdings with him and has made his own wine ever since. We’ve got his first vintage in the store and are adding it to the April Clearance Sale now. This is a fantastic Cote Rotie from a great Northern Rhone vintage (it seems as though the Northern Rhone tends to correspond with Piemonte in that respect). What makes it even better is the price—a full $20 cheaper per bottle ’til the end of April (or the wine sells out).
Jean-Luc Jamet Cote Rotie ‘Terrasses’, Rhone 2013 750ML ($119.95) Was $99, Now $79 Clearance Price
VinopolNote: Made from vineyards originally belonging to Domaine Jamet (and kept in his split from the domaine). The 2013 is the first vintage for Jean-Luc Jamet and a promising start that shows the class of the terroir he’s working with.
The next best price is $84.99
The average price is $92
Wine Spectator 97 points “A stunner, with beautiful pear, green fig, yellow apple and quince notes that are creamy and flirtatiously sweet, yet seamless and refined in feel. The extremely long finish lets honeysuckle and verbena notes dance throughout, with a light echo of white ginger at the very end. Best from 2020 through 2040.”Domaine Huet Vouvray ‘Le Haut Lieu’ Moelleux, Loire 2016 750ML ($59.95) Was $46, Now $39 Clearance Price
Wine Spectator 95 points “Gorgeous crystallized ginger, dried quince, glazed pear and warm persimmon notes are seamlessly interwoven here, gliding through a lengthy finish that picks up a lilting green tea accent. Frankly off-dry but wonderfully pure. Drink now through 2035.”
Piancornello Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($59.95) Was $49, Now $39 Clearance Price
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 92 points “Darkly saturated and rich in personality, the 2012 Brunello di Montalcino offers an immediate and approachable expression of the grape. Your palate yearns for succulent bistecca alla fiorentina with roasted potatoes on the side—all of it drenched in olive oil. That’s because the wine is so upfront and soft even at this young stage in its evolution. This Brunello is soft in texture and mouthfeel, yet it offers loads of chewy fruit and enough bright acidity to pair with whatever you have on the menu tonight.”
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“The 2015 Kreuznacher Krötenpfuhl Riesling Kabinett has a “cooler acidity” than the Kahlenberg, says Helmut Dönnhoff, so he considers it as the better vineyard to produce a fruity Riesling with more residual sugar. The wine has a clear and open nose of ripe apples along with some flinty aromas. On the palate, the wine is very clear and piquant, but also generous in its precise, elegant fruit. The finish has a certain intensity and minerality, and this will come out even clearer in two or more years.” Wine Advocate
Terry Theise note “Savory, caroby, not so much “long” as unending; brown bread and smoke and salts.”
John Gilman 95 points “The 2015 Hermannshöhle BA is still a baby and was in its primary stage of development, but this will clearly be a great wine as well. The bouquet offers up scents of baked apple, tangerine, a touch of papaya, gentle smokiness, orange oil and honey. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, bright and very, very deep, with great focus and grip, a very long, perfectly balanced and nascently complex finish. This will of course be approachable from the moment that it is released, but I would strongly suggest giving it at least four or five years in the cellar to allow it to start to really blossom and show some of the secondary layers of complexity that will come with bottle age. 2016-2075+.”Ewald Moseler Erdener Treppchen Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2016 750ML ($19.95) Was $16, Now $14 Clearance PriceVinopolNote: A barrel selection from the iron-rich slatey soils of the Erdener Treppchen Vineyard in the Mosel.
Now it’s even lower!
New Releases from the Washington BenchmarkYou Better, You Better, You Betz
“One of the reference-point estates in Washington is unquestionably Betz Family Winery. Bob Betz still takes a leading role, but the day to day winemaking is more and more being taken up by Louis Skinner, who’s taken up the helm brilliantly. In 2015, the estate made use of an optical sorter to eliminate raisins, and the wines show more freshness and focus, with a touch less voluptuousness and breadth. Anyone interested in Washington State wines, or just high-quality wines for that matter, owe it to themselves to try these!”– Jeb Dunnuck
Just Arrived:
Betz Family Winery Clos de Betz, Columbia Valley 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “Possessing even more Merlot than the 2014, the 2015 Clos de Betz is 75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot brought up in a mix of barrels. Its chocolatey plum, tobacco leaf, licorice and damp earth aromatics give way to a medium to full-bodied, polished, pretty style on the palate that shines for its elegance and freshness. One of the reference-point estates in Washington is unquestionably Betz Family Winery. Bob Betz still takes a leading role, but the day to day winemaking is more and more being taken up by Louis Skinner, who’s taken up the helm brilliantly. In 2015, the estate made use of an optical sorter to eliminate raisins, and the wines show more freshness and focus, with a touch less voluptuousness and breadth. The 2014s were sensational across the board. Anyone interested in Washington State wines, or just high-quality wines for that matter, owe it to themselves to try these!”
Wine Advocate 93-96 points “Tasted as a barrel sample, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Pere de Famille is a head turner offering a detailed, mineral-laced, full-bodied, fresh and elegant style that doesn’t lack for oomph or structure. It has classic notes of cassis, smoked tobacco and graphite, with nicely integrated acidity and a great, great finish. The team commented that the use of the optical sorter really helped with this vintage.”
New Arrivals
New Arrivals: Rosé
VinopolNote: Our most popular rose is back! La Mascaronne is the true Miraval. Yes Miraval, that delightful Provence Rose that tasted far above its price-point; until the winery was acquired by a certain Hollywood couple and the new management proceeded to stick the wine in a bulbous bottle and hike the price up and up. But we have a secret to share with you. TheCasa Rossa Rose, IGP Ile de Beaute 2017 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 special
Domaine Vetriccie Rose, Corse 2017 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
Winery Note “50% Nielluciu, 35% Scuaccarellu, 15% Grenache. Domaine Vetriccie is located in Aghione, in the heart of the Coriscan vineyards. This Domain is manage with respect of Corsican nature and tradition. This rose is a fresh and delicious wine.”
Wine Advocate 96 points “Leading off the 2014s, the 2014 Grenache la Paciencia Vineyard was partially destemmed, vinified in concrete tanks and aged all in neutral foudres and 600-liter barrels. It’s a totally gorgeous red that gives up complex notes of rose petals, black cherries, olive brine, underbrush and ample salinity that literally makes you salivate. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and yet ethereally textured and elegance, give bottles a couple years and enjoy through 2026.”No Girls La Placiencia Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2014 750ML ($149.95) $138 specialWine Advocate 96 points “The 2014 Syrah la Paciencia Vineyard was also vinified in concrete and aged in neutral barrels. Its deep ruby/mostly opaque color is followed by a deep, slightly closed bouquet of smoked black fruits, cured meats, black olive and violet/floral aromas and flavors. Like all of the wines here, it’s seamless and elegant on the palate, yet has plenty of authority, depth and length.”No Girls La Placiencia Vineyard Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2014 750ML ($149.95) $119 special
Wine Advocate 95+ points “Deeper ruby/purple in color, the 2014 Tempranillo la Paciencia is vinified in concrete tank, then moved to take tank for malolactic fermentation, then into 20% new French demi-muids. Charcoal, beef blood, black currants, roasted herbs and smoked meats all emerge from this rich, full-bodied, concentrated and tannic beauty that has incredibly finesse, elegance and length. It’s another wine that builds with time in the glass, has ample fruit authority, and is going to keep for two decades.”
Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 2015 750ML ($219.95) $179 special
Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 2015 1.5L ($449.95) $389 special
*This wine is not listed on our website. Please call 503-223-6002 or email to order*
New Arrivals: California
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “This intriguing wine is stainless-steel fermented and aged in stainless and concrete tanks. It deceives in its toasty undertones and its velvety, creamy texture, allowing for an edge of voluptuous body and weight. Fig, yellow apple and lemon peel provide flavor and depth, followed by a dry, focused and ultimately bright finish.”Trinchero Napa Valley Mario’s Cabernet Sauvignon, St Helena 2013 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Wine Spectator 91 points “A rich, sturdy, muscular style, with plenty of finesse and refinement. Offers a dark fruit core, with spice, cedar, dusty herb and earth notes. Taut tannins add to the texture and mouthfeel. Drink now through 2028. 3,673 cases made.”
New Arrivals: France – Burgundy
James Suckling 97 points “So perfumed with exotic, tropical-fruit aromas that draw you into the glass. Full-bodied, layered and textured with soft creamy tannins and light stone and walnut undertones. Gun flint. Always a fantastic white. So constant. Drink or hold.”
James Suckling 97 points “So much dried-flower character on the nose with dark fruit and zest of orange peel. Full body, soft and velvety tannins and a long and flavorful finish. So sexy and delicious already. A little more than 100 cases made. Drink or hold.”
James Suckling 95 points “Subtle aromas of bark, mushrooms and light strawberries follow through to a medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and light vanilla-bean character, even chocolate. Glorious. Drink in 2020, but this is already gorgeous.”
James Suckling 98 points “So perfumed and aromatic with fabulous character of flowers, dark berries and chalk. Full-bodied and voluptuous. Ripe and velvety tannins and a long and flavorful finish. A wine with great potential and depth. Flamboyant. Drink in 2022.”
James Suckling 95 points “Incredible aromas of crushed strawberries, blueberries and flowers. Full body, full and linear tannins and a silky, caressing finish. Always compressed and refined. Drink in 2021.”
Josh Raynolds 93 points “Lurid ruby. A complex, highly perfumed bouquet evokes fresh red/blue fruits, incense and candied flowers, with a smoky mineral overtone that gains power with air. Offers palate-staining black raspberry and boysenberry flavors, along with suggestions of allspice and candied licorice. Concentrated yet lithe in style, showing excellent finishing clarity and a impressive mineral-driven persistence.”
Josh Raynolds 93 points “Bright violet. Potent, mineral-accented dark berry, licorice candy and floral aromas are complemented by a hint of allspice. Fleshy and appealingly sweet, offering concentrated black raspberry and violet pastille flavors underscored by an enlivening mineral nuance. Shows excellent clarity and lift on an impressively long, floral-dominated finish framed by smooth, harmonious tannins.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The finest vintage to date, the 2015 Gigondas Le Clos des Tourelles comes from a tiny vineyard located just inside the village of Gigondas. Incorporating a touch of Syrah, this Grenache dominated beauty reveals a deep ruby/purple color as well as off the chart notes of black raspberries, black cherries, pepper, garrigue, and tons of that classic Gigondas spice. I wrote “Wow” more than once in my notes and this full-bodied 2015 has ultra-fine tannin, perfect balance, and a stacked mid-palate. Give bottles 2-3 years and drink over the following 15+ years.”Domaine de Beaurenard Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone 2015 750ML ($59.95) $39 special
#58 Wine Of The Year – Wine Spectator Top 100 2017
Wine Spectator 94 points “A beautiful wine, with dark fig, warm boysenberry reduction and alluring creamed raspberry flavors streaming forth, accented by graphite, black tea and pastis. There’s a healthy dose of singed apple wood through the finish, but it’s well-embedded as everything pulls together. Best from 2020 through 2040.–JM “
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
When April arrives, these prices leave. There isn’t much time left, so check out some highlights below and go to our website to see a full list of all of the wines on sale (just click here). Don’t blame us if you miss out on a great deal that ends this weekend.
Arrowood Winery Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, California 2014 750ML ($34.95) Was $27, Now $24 Clearance Price
Wine Advocate 92 points “Very deep garnet-purple in color, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, composed of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot and 4% Malbec, is scented of red currants, blackberries and wild blueberries with touches of olives and underbrush. Medium-bodied, tightly wound and packed with tense red and black fruits, it has a fine-grained texture and savory finish. 9,600 cases were produced.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2012 Le Pergole Torte is brilliant. In fact, this is one of the best showings of the 2012 that I can recall. The flavors are bright, focused and pulsing with energy. Because of its mid-weight structure and not overly complex personality, the 2012 looks like it will start drinking well sooner rather than later. Even today, the 2012 is extremely beautiful. This is a terrific showing for the 2012.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “Candied citrus, jujube, sweet spice and quince paste aromas and flavors mark this sweet, bracing Riesling, which is light on its feet and resonates on the finish with a mouthwatering feel and echoes of citrus. Best from 2012 through 2045.”Wine Advocate 95 points “Lowenstein’s 2007 Winninger Uhlen Riesling Auslese Gold Capsule Roth Lay (as in the corresponding dry wines, the letter “R” is prominent on the label of this A.P.#9) benefits from counterpoint and collaboration among bright citrus, rich pit fruit essences, and the honey of botrytis. For all of its enormous sheer ripeness and concentration, this retains a striking sense of delicacy. A snappy, spicy, pungent streak – taken together with vivid, diverse pit fruits and citrus – serves for exhilaration in a finish of memorable length and energy, with a vivid impression of crushed stone one hardly expects in a wine of such sweetness and prominent botrytization. There seems to be something of a personality role reversal at work this year, because the corresponding Rottgen Auslese is cool and refined whereas this Uhlen displays more of the piquancy and (as French growers might say) nervosite that I associate with Rottgen. But then, botrytis is always something of a wild card, so that a wine like this is profoundly and unpredictably influenced by the precise microclimatic conditions for and differences in the nature of that fungus. No doubt this too will be worth following for two or more decades.”
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2012 Chianti Classico Riserva Il Campitello is a very pretty wine, especially for the vintage. Mid-weight and translucent in style, the 2012 captures the essence of Radda, with sweet, floral aromatics, chiseled fruit and lovely energy. Red berry, spice, tobacco, cedar and rose petal all open up in the glass. A hint of oak comes through on the finish, but otherwise this is a classic-feeling Riserva that will appeal to readers with more traditionally leaning palates. The Campitello emerges from the estate’s oldest vineyard.”
The next best price is $79.99