In Today’s Newsletter:
New Review for New Quilceda Creek
Featured New Arrivals: Closeout Specials
Domaine Didier Dagueneau—New Arrivals
2013 Piancornello: “One of the Brunellos of the Vintage”
New Jeb Dunnuck Reviews for Washington Stalwarts
New Arrivals Including:
Ken Wright, Suenen Champagne, Mount Eden, Lapierre, Barroul-Lynch, and More!
Forge Cellars: A New Review for New York’s Finest
New Quilceda Creek,
New Review from Jeb Dunnuck
Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 2015 1.5L (licorice, unsmoked tobacco, and hints of chocolate and emerge from this beauty and it continues to gain depth and nuance with time in the glass. Full-bodied, deep, and layered with an incredible purity and elegance on the palate, it’s already accessible but has more than enough tannin, depth, and balance to evolve for two decades or more.”$449.95) $389 special
“The flagship is the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon mostly from Champoux with the balance from Palengat and Wallula vineyards. Crème de cassis, graphite, black
The average price nationally is $209
Featured New ArrivalsCloseout Special
We got several incredible closeout deals from our local distributor and want to pass the savings along to you. These are all unreal prices—the best in the country and not by a small margin. If you’re interested, grab them now–they won’t be around for long.
$19 special
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “Here’s a beautiful, brut Franciacorta that shows vibrant citrus, spice and bread crust aromas. It has a creamy palate that delivers flavors of baked apple and pastry cream balanced by crisp and energizing acidity.”
The next best price is $37.99
Wine Enthusiast 89 points “This sparkler offers an inviting fragrance of freshly baked sugar cookies and bread crust. The silky soft but vibrant palate shows citrus and almond notes. It’s a classic wine for toasts and celebrations.”
The next best price is $96.99
The next best price is $39.99
Antonio Galloni 95 points “In top vintages the estate’s Scrio makes a case for itself as Italy’s finest Syrah. The 2001 was utterly irresistible. It presented a seductive array of dark cherries, plums, mint, minerals and spices with extraordinary length and purity of expression, closing with a long, resonating finish. Though rich and concentrated it also came across as remarkably light on its feet.”
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2001 Scrio, 100% Syrah, with an expressive and expansive nose of blackberry fruit, cured meat, mint, and vanilla, is equally important on the palate, round and concentrated and with a warm, dense, and substantial finish. Drink: 2006-2018.”
The next best price is $148
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2008 Messorio is simply marvelous in this vintage. Layers of dark fruit take shape beautifully in the glass as this reticent Messorio shows off its pedigree. The 2008 is a decidedly inward wine that, once again, stands apart from some recent vintages. The 2008 is a mid-weight, refined Messorio endowed with tons of balance and sheer finesse. It will be a fascinating wine to follow in the coming years. The 2008 Messorio was aged for 14 months in the standard French oak barrique (75% new), a move away from the smaller barrels that had been used in past years.”
James Suckling 96 points “This is layered and juicy, with lots of chocolate and berries and loads of other stuff. Full and velvety, with a long finish. Racy, beautiful and vibrant. Pure Merlot. Give it another three years or so.”
Wine Advocate 95 points “This vintage marks another philosophical shift for this important Tuscan wine, especially in terms of tannin management. The 2008 Messorio sees 25% neutral oak. The idea was to return to mixed oak vessels, with new and neutral oak, for its 18-month aging period. This was also a difficult year that required very careful berry selection and lots of work to pick out the best fruit on the sorting table. Various vineyard parcels were harvested independently and vinified separately. But despite the fussiness, Le Macchiole had reached a point of winemaking maturity at this point that allows for more intelligent and innovative decisions. This wine has a long way to go and I’d venture that it’s just barely entering its drinking prime. The bouquet is dark and sophisticated, but it is fluid and ever-changing as well.”
The next best price is $199
“[Reviewed Apr 2014] Smoke, menthol, licorice, incense and grilled herbs all meld together in the 2000 Paleo Rosso. The 2000 retains good freshness and vibrancy, even if it lacks the personality of the years that follow. Grilled herbs, cassis and plums flesh out on the finish. Overall, the 2000 is a bit on the soft, delicate side, which suggests any remaining bottles should be enjoyed sooner rather than later. The 2000 is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Cabernet Franc, the highest amount of Franc ever in the blend up to this point.”
Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2000 Paleo, a classic Bordeaux blend in this vintage, shows a high toast, vanilla-laced nose of cassis, blackberries, and Cabernet Franc herbs, and a supple, well concentrated palate of ripe fruit, minerals, and tar. The depth and intensity of 1999 are not here, but no one else achieved them in 2000 either. Drink: 2005-2018.”
Wine Spectator 90 points “Rich currant, blackberry and bark aromas follow through to a full-bodied palate, with loads of fruit and round, velvety tannins. Very long and rich. Paleo is slowly changing to a classic Bolgheri Cab blend, and the wine is much better. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.”
The next best price is $80.99
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “This Cabernet Franc is beautiful, with incredible succulence, persistence, heat, power and a full plate of enticing fragrances. Coffee, root beer, chocolate, Nutella, graham cracker and cherry liqueur are only a few elements of the wine’s complexity.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Intense aromas of blackberry, rose and rosemary follow through to a full-bodied palate, with ultrafine tannins and a long, long finish. Supersilky and caressing. A gorgeous wine. Cabernet Franc. Best after 2009. 1,960 cases made.”
James Suckling 94 points “This is a big, juicy style of Macchiole, with lots of blueberries and fresh herbs. Full body, rich and round, with chocolate character. Lots going on here. Powerful. Better in 2016, or decant two or three hours before.”
Antonio Galloni 93 points “[Reviewed Apr 2014] The 2004 Paleo Rosso is shaping up beautifully, although it is quite intense and powerful within the context of a year that generally yielded wines on the more finessed side. Still, there is plenty to admire in the wine’s sheer depth and density. Early tertiary notes are right around the corner in a wine that should drink well over the next decade. The 2004 is a gorgeous Paleo Rosso. In this vertical, it is easy to see where the 2004 belongs in the evolution of Le Macchiole. The style is a bit over-extracted, heavy and oaky by today’s standards, but this is a well-made wine for its era.”
Wine Enthusiast 98 points “Made from 100% Cabernet Franc, Paleo opens with concentrated, sweet-smelling aromas of plum, cherry and cinnamon, which translate to the palate with added notes of spice, leather and tobacco. This is bold, opulent and delicious, and it’s guaranteed to please. Hold for 10 years or more.”
Ian D’agata 94 points “(100% cabernet franc): Good full red-ruby. Knockout nose combines fresh red cherry with richer, riper aromas of raspberry jam, strawberry syrup, milk chocolate, vanilla and candied violet. At once sappy and voluminous, with lovely sweetness and flesh to the red fruit flavors. Very smooth, velvety tannins leave an impression of lingering creaminess on the extremely long finish, which features a seamlesscherry liqueur-like quality. A very ripe, almost candied style of Paleo, but it’s a pretty irresistible wine that will offer plenty of early drinking appeal.”
The next best price is $104.98
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The 2009 Montefalco Rosso is another absolutely gorgeous entry-level offering from Giampaolo Tabarrini. Here the Sangiovese is particularly expressive. High-toned floral notes, spices and sweet red cherries all meld together gracefully. A hugely appealing wine, the Montefalco Rosso is best enjoyed over the next few years. The Rosso is predominantly Sangiovese, with some Sagrantino, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot added to the blend.”
The next best price is $30
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2008 Fumin is a striking wine laced with violets, tar, smoke and sweet dark cherries, all of which come together in a weightless, feminine style that is incredibly appealing. This highly unique, compelling red possesses gorgeous inner perfume and a silky, totally refined finish, both of which contribute to the wine’s fabulous overall balance.”
The next best price is $19.99!
This is the only listing in the USA today!
New Arrivals
From Domaine Dagueneau
Didier Dagueneau Blanc Fume de Pouilly, Loire 2015 750ML ($89.95) $79 specialDidier Dagueneau Pouilly-Fume Silex, Loire 2015 750ML ($169.95) $149 special
Didier Dagueneau Pouilly-Fume Pur Sang, Loire 2015 750ML ($139.95) $119 special
Didier Dagueneau Les Jardins de Babylone Sec, Jurancon 2014 750ML ($119.95) $99 special
Didier Dagueneau Les Jardins de Babylone, Jurancon 2014 500ML ($149.95) $119 special
“One of the Brunellos of the Vintage”2013 Piancornello Brunello
Ian D’Agata just published his report in Vinous raving about the 2013 Brunellos. In it he described the 2013 Piancornello as one of the wines of the vintage, so we wanted to offer this wine (a Vinopolis staple) as soon as we were able to confirm pricing and allocation quantities with our importer. We expect this to be an incredibly popular wine, so if you’d like to secure pricing and quantities, now’s the time to jump in.
Arriving ETA July:
Piancornello Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($69.95) $56 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Piancornello Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($399.95) $299 pre-arrival special (that’s only $49.83/bottle!)
Case-12 Piancornello Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($799.95) $569 pre-arrival special (that’s only $47.42/bottle!)
Ian D’agata-Vinous 96 points “Deep red-ruby. Highly perfumed, mineral aromas of raspberry, red cherry, violet and iron. Wonderfully sappy but youthfully imploded in the mouth, this remarkably precise and well-delineated Brunello offers an extremely refined set of flinty red and black fruit herbal flavors. Finishes with a firm edge of tannins and very good floral and spicy lift. An outstanding, very pure and deep wine that really needs about a decade of patience. One of the Brunellos of the vintage.”
New Jeb Dunnuck Reviews
For Washington State Wines
Jeb , writer of the Rhone Report (and former Wine Advocate reviewer) has struck out on his own, which means we get his awesome insight a bit more frequently than we did before. He recently published a number of reviews on some Washington classic,s and we’re excited to share them with you.
Betz Family Winery Pere de Famille Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 2015 750ML ($89.95) $75 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The 2015 Père de Famille is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, and 4% Merlot that’s mostly from Red Mountain aged 20 months in 70% new French oak. This inky colored effort is packed and stacked, with deep blackberry and currant fruits intermixed with lots of graphite, crushed rock, and minerals as well as smoky, violets aromas and flavors. This full-bodied beauty has gorgeous purity and elegance. It needs 2-4 years of bottle age and will keep for two decades.”
Jeb Dunnuck 93+ points “Moving to the Bordeaux blends, the 2015 Clos de Betz is 75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot. This medium to full-bodied, nicely textured, elegant 2015 gives up lots of plum, chocolate, leafy herbs, and wet rock-like aromas and flavors. It’s going to drink nicely on release.”
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “As usual, the 2015 Syrah La Cote Rousse offers a more masculine, structured, mineral-driven style. This cuvée comes all from the warmer Red Mountain AVA and is a power-packed 2015 loaded with notions of black, black fruits, scorched earth, graphite, and charred meats. It’s a big, rich, inky effort, yet like all the wines from this estate has awesome purity of fruit and is impeccably balanced.”
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “Coming from the Boushey Vineyard in the Yakima Valley, the 2015 Syrah La Serenne is full-bodied, fresh and elegant, with classic cooler climate Syrah notes of peppery herbs, darker berry fruits, lavender, spring flowers, and smoked earth. It has terrific complexity and glides over the palate, making for a sensational Syrah from Washington State. Drink it anytime over the coming decade.”
Jeb Dunnuck 94+ points “Looking at the 2014 Chester Kidder Red Wine, it’s a blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Syrah, and 6% Petit Verdot that spent 30 months in 85% new French oak. This inky purple-colored beauty offers a rocking bouquet of blackcurrants, scorched earth, and dark chocolate, full-bodied richness, a stacked mid-palate, and ripe, polished tannin. It’s a big, rich, age-worthy red that styles impeccably balanced and lively, with notable purity. Count me in as a fan.”
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “Incorporating 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2015 Sequel Syrah wasn’t destemmed and spent 18 months in 65% new French oak. Its inky purple color is followed by a huge nose of blackberry liqueur, espresso roast, scorched earth, and dark chocolate. This is followed by a full-bodied, beautiful Syrah that has remarkable freshness and purity, fine tannin, and a great, great finish. It’s always a pedal-to-the-metal effort, yet the 2015 stays beautifully fresh and lively on the palate. This is certainly one of the finest vintages to date.”Quilceda Creek ‘CVR’ Red Wine, Columbia Valley 2015 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 2 bottles in stock now
*This wine is not listed on our website. Please call 503-223-6002 or email to order*
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “The 2015 CVR Columbia Valley Red Wine checks in as a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It’s a great introduction to the estate and offers a creamy, full-bodied, elegant, seamless style that just begs to be drunk. Crème de cassis, kirsch, violets, and incense notes all emerge from this sweetly fruited, pretty, elegant red that has incredibly sweet tannin.”
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “The 2015 Foothills Reserve is 100% Syrah from the estate vineyard located around the winery. It’s one of the more tight and reserved in the lineup, yet has tons of potential. Ripe red and black fruits, spice, smoked game, tapenade, and peppery notes all emerge from this full-bodied, rich, concentrated Syrah that has sweet tannin and moderate acidity. Give it a year or two and enjoy over the following decade.”Reynvaan Family Vineyards ‘The Contender’ Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2015 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “A blend of 94% Syrah and 6% co-fermented Marsanne, the 2015 Syrah The Contender offers more black fruits, black cherries, smoked herbs, and minerality, and it’s medium to full-bodied, beautifully textured and elegant on the palate. It picks up depth and richness with time in the glass, and moderate acidity, and polished tannin. I suspect it will gain a touch more depth with a year or two in bottle and drink nicely for a decade. 525 cases.”Reynvaan Family Vineyards In The Hills Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2015 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “The 2015 In The Hills is 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier (all cofermented) and it’s one of the larger production releases, with 600 cases made. Deep ruby/plum colored with notes of blackcurrants, scorched earth, tobacco, and pepper, this beauty hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, plenty of amplitude and depth, and a big finish that makes you salivate. It’s a complex, ripe, sexy wine from this estate to drink over the coming decade.”
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “The most expensive Syrah from Matt is the 2015 Syrah Stonessence and there’s a scant 325 cases made. Its deep ruby/plum color is followed by a salty, bloody Syrah that has loads of complexity, full-bodied richness, sweet tannin, and a big finish. Black raspberries, peppery herbs, dry aged beef, and hints of lavender all emerge from the glass and while it’s already singing, it’s going to evolve gracefully for 10-15 years.”
Jeb Dunnuck Bonus Round!
Newly Reviewed K Vintners Wines
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “The 2015 Syrah Motor City Kitty Old Field Boushey Vineyard comes all from this site (planted by Brennon and Dick Boushey in 2007) in 2015 and will come from this site going forward. The site is 8 acres consisting of Phelps, 383, 174 clones that are all co-fermented in concrete uprights. It offers crazy notes of smoke tobacco, charcoal, ripe black cherries, currants, and pepper. With medium to full-bodied richness, a lively, pure, pretty style on the palate, and fine tannin, it should put on weight with 2-3 years of bottle age and keep for a decade.”
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “The 2015 Syrah River Rock is another rock star Syrah from this estate and it’s just about overflowing with Rocks character. Currants, smoked herbs, olive brine and some peaty notes all give way to a ripe, concentrated, seamless beauty that has loads of charm and character. With fine tannin and a layered style, it will keep for 10-15 years.”
New ArrivalsNew Arrivals: Oregon
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Cellar Selection. This riveting wine displays the exceptional finesse and precision that fruit from this AVA can deliver. It’s Pinot Noir expressed in the most subtle and demanding way. Beautifully orchestrated red fruits, sappy acids, lush spices, perfect balance and an immaculate mineral-soaked finish are all on display. Drink 2018 through 2030.”Ken Wright Cellars McCrone Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Cellar Selection. This is one of the top vineyard selections in this vintage, among a select group, notable for its outstanding focus and concentration. Still compact, its purple fruits are lightly spiced and deftly balanced; leaving little doubt that further improvement is just around the corner. Drink now through 2035.”Ken Wright Cellars Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
New Arrivals: California
Antonio Galloni 94+ points “The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon is wine of real pedigree and class that is going to need at least a handful of years to enter the prime of its drinking window. Blackberry jam, grilled herbs, smoke and plum all resonate on the palate. Inky, deep and plush, the 2013 remains quite primary. I will not be surprised at all if the 2013 develops into an even better wine with time. That said, the 2013 is positively striking today, with compelling inner sweetness, tons of perfume and exceptional balance.”
Suenen Oiry Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($59.95) $46 special
Wine Spectator 93 points “A seamless, mouthwatering white, offering a finely detailed and expressive mix of ripe plum and dried apricot fruit, candied lemon zest and hints of minerally saline and spice. Features a long, lacy finish. Drink now through 2028.”Domaine Marcel Lapierre Morgon Roche du Py ‘Cuvee Camille’, Beaujolais 2016 750ML ($44.95) $38 special
Domaine Marcel Lapierre Morgon Roche du Py ‘Cuvee Camille’, Beaujolais 2016 1.5L ($89.95) $79 special
Josh Raynolds 94 points “Brilliant ruby-red. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes fresh red fruits, Asian spices and minerals, along with an exotic touch of incense in the background. In a distinctly elegant style, offering appealingly sweet raspberry, lavender pastille and spicecake flavors that show very good depth as well as finesse. A spine of juicy acidity adds support and cut to an impressively long, floral-driven finish that’s shaped by silky, harmonious tannins.”Louis Barruol (Kermit Lynch) Cote Rotie Neve, Rhone 2013 750ML ($59.95) $44 special
Josh Raynolds 93 points “(made from fruit grown on a single site of the same name on the schist soils of the northern Côte Brune sector of the appellation; vinified entirely from whole clusters): Bright purple. Smoke- and mineral-tinged dark fruit aromas complement floral, olive and spice elements that gain strength with air. Sappy and focused on the palate, offering lively blackberry and bitter cherry flavors and a touch of candied licorice. Puts on weight with air and finishes spicy, broad and very long, with fine-grained tannins adding shape and grip.”
The next best price is $56.25
Jeb Dunnuck – Wine Advocate 92 points “From the Cote Brune side of the appellation, from the lieu-dit la Viaillere, the 2013 Cote Rotie la Viaillere is more ripe, sexy and textured than the Neve releases, and has fabulous notes of kirsch, black raspberries, peppery spice, licorice and garrigue. Not destemmed and raised in used barrels, this beauty bucks the vintage stereotype and is medium to full-bodied, has ripe tannin and a seamless, forward texture that makes it already hard to resist. Nevertheless, it will have 10-12 years of overall longevity.”
The next best price is $56.25
Josh Raynolds 91 points “Bright violet. Aromas of fresh dark berries, candied flowers and smoky minerals take on a hint of game as the wine opens up. Sweet and pliant in the mouth, offering juicy boysenberry and cherry flavors that put on weight with air. Finishes sappy and smooth, displaying very good persistence, a repeating gamy note and fine-grained tannins that sneak in slowly. Here’s a Beaujolais that shows a slightly wild streak, in a good way.”
Case-12 El Cep Marques de Gelida Gran Reserva Brut Cava, Catalonia 2012 750ML ($219.95) $119 special (that’s only $9.92/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 90 points “(aged on its lees for 40 months prior to disgorgement) Limpid yellow. Aromas of ripe pear, peach and honeydew melon on the nose; a subtle ginger nuance emerges with air. Supple and broad on entry, then more taut in the midpalate, offering juicy orchard and pit fruit flavors and a refreshing hint of bitter quinine. Finishes dry and spicy, delivering a touch of bitterness, strong mineral cut and very good cling.”
The next best price is $18.74
El Cep Marques de Gelida MIM Natura Reserva Brut Cava, Catalonia 2010 750ML ($21.95) $11.90 special
The next best price is $20.18
Forge Cellars—New York’s Finest?With a New Review from Grapelive
When a winemaker like Louis Barruol (St. Cosme) decides that an up and coming wine region is the place to put down new roots, the international wine community keeps a close eye on how that project develops. Well, with Forge Cellars, the project that Barruol has helmed in the Finger Lakes region of New York, the results have been conclusive: this is a winery to pay attention to and a region that deserves more acclaim.
It’s not as though the Finger Lakes are incredibly obscure—Hermann Weimer and Konstantin Frank have been producing excellent wines for quite some time, but it’s not a region in the forefront of attention in the wine industry. We think that needs to change and that the Forge wines are going to be the catalyst.
These are dynamic wines, both Riesling and Pinot Noir, which capture the cool-climate nature of the Finger Lakes, but with enough ripeness and fruit to give the wines real gravitas and power. The Rieslings are dry, with more extract and power than you’d expect. Compared to the other wines in the region they have weight that’s nearly unmatched.
These are wines you must try, at prices that are beyond reasonable for the quality of the bottles.
New Review!
Forge Cellars Classique Dry Riesling, Finger Lakes 2015 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 13 bottles in stock now
Grapelive 90 points “The Finger Lakes outpost of Rhone legend Louis Barruol, famed Gigondas producer, Forge Cellars is a new project focused on dry Riesling from vineyards around mostly Seneca and Cayuga Lakes. [Soils are] a mix of shale, gravely loam and clay with some limestone which gives the Finger Lakes its character and terroir influences. Along with his local partners, Richard Rainey and Justin Boyette, Barruol’s Forge Cellars crafts limited release, single site Riesling offerings as well as this 1,800 case production regional dry Riesling Classique cuvee, which has only 0.4% RS and is as trocken as it gets! There is a lot of excitement about Finger Lakes Riesling. Paul Hobbs and Johannes Selbach (Selbach-Oster) [are] also joining in here, too. Local hotshots [include] Ravines, Hermann J. Wiemer, Boundary Breaks and Dr. Konstantin Frank, all [of] which make wonderful wines. The Forge Cellars 2015 Dry Riesling Classique starts with an intense youthful expression of mouth waveringly dry and brisk fruit, a light petrol note, white roses and zesty citrus along with delicate layers of green apple, liquid shale, pithy peach pit, lemon oil, almond, marzipan, lime peel and verbena. It has a dusty dry mouth feel and tangy acidity that almost reminds me a bit of some Australian Rieslings like Gosset, Rolf Binder and Pewsey Vale, but with a smoky mineral and austere wet rock core. At 13% it does have a subtle density and gains a textural presence in the glass with air. I can’t wait to try the Cru offerings and will no question enjoy more bottles of this one. It has a severe impact, but really grows on you, and it will be a lovely summer wine and great with a variety of cuisine. It’s a great value to enjoy now.”
Also in stock now from Forge Cellars:
Forge Cellars ‘Les Allies’ Riesling, Finger Lakes 2015 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 31 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 91 points “Rich, with good intensity to the mix of apricot, nectarine and peach flavors, lined with bitter almond and ginger notes through the lengthy finish. Has weight and zip. Drink now through 2020. 262 cases made. “
Winery notes: “Every year Les Alliés evolves naturally by “uncovering” itself. Our indigenous yeast fermentations proceed very slowly. It’s not in spring, but in the summer after the vintage that we are finally able to move toward bottling the wines. Once fermentations are complete, our team begins diligently tasting through each of our 70 barrels and two tanks, giving each a detailed rating and review, and writing personal tasting notes. When we talk about small batch and individualized fermentations, we really mean it — 70 separate, small French barriques from 10 individual vineyards, each with its own story and personality. Along the way, we decide that some very special barrels are stand-outs, and by consensus, the most exceptional of our Rieslings and Pinots. This is the consensus that makes up Les Alliés — the allies, the partners, the united ones. We don’t “make” Les Alliés, we discover it together, and it’s an easy decision because it tells us what it wants to be.”
Forge Cellars Leidenfrost Vineyard Dry Riesling, Finger Lakes 2015 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 37 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 91 points “On the richer side, with a mix of nectarine, tangerine and peach flavors that are broad but still have ample cut thanks to quinine, orange zest and honeysuckle notes zipping through the finish. Distinctive. Drink now through 2021.”
Forge Cellars ‘Les Allies’ Pinot Noir, Finger Lakes 2014 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 31 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 92 points – Cellar Selection “Patience will reward those who wait for this stunning wine to reveal itself. It’s initially smoky and closed, but time and aeration bring out penetrating black-cherry and berry flavors. It’s such a seductively perfumed wine with a lingering finish nuanced by spice and violet petals. High-toned acidity and fine upright tannins will keep this wine lively for many years to come.”