Saturday, March 19th, 2016
Ruinart Arrivals; New Arrivals from Delas Freres, Drouhin and Marc Hebrart; Bolgheri: Mini Focus; Vietti 2012s – Arriving Late April; Montille; 2010 Brunellos: Reservas and High Scorers Abound; Crazy Case Deals
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Ruinart:
Super Sleek Champagnes; Super Slick Sale Pricing
Newly Arrived
Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($79.95) $59 special
Wine Spectator 93 points “This deftly woven Champagne is all about finesse, offering a rich vein of smoky minerality and vivid acidity. The power is cloaked in a silky texture and notes of creamed pear, lemon confit, almond biscotti and fresh ginger. Drink now through 2021.” WS
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Pale yellow. Complex, high-pitched aromas of orange zest, lemon pith, iodine, smoky minerals, anise and jasmine. Sappy and tactile on the palate, offering impressive volume to its ripe citrus and orchard fruit flavors accented by smoke and minerals. Finishes tangy and long, with lingering smokiness and an echo of anise.” ST
Ruinart Brut Rose, Champagne NV 750ML ($79.95) $59 special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Chalky in texture, this firm rosé is finely integrated, with a rich, smoky underpinning and a subtle mesh of dried strawberry, orange peel, clover honey and ground ginger on the palate. Enjoy with light fare and charcuterie. Drink now through 2020.”
Arriving Friday, March 25th
Ruinart Brut Rose, Champagne 2002 750ML ($399.95) $289 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 97 points “Now with another year of bottle age, the 2002 Brut Dom Ruinart is even better than it was last year. A huge bouquet of smoke, roasted almonds, nutmeg and graphite melds into layers of huge, exotic, super-ripe fruit. The 2002 has more than enough pure density and richness to fill out its broad shoulders nicely. It remains a big, powerful wine endowed with tons of pure structure. I can’t wait to see how the 2002 ages. It is without question one of the truly great wines ever made at this historic maison. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2032.”WA
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95 points “Light, bright orange-pink. Heady mineral- and yeast-accented aromas of dried red berries, blood orange, buttered toast and tea rose. Densely packed and expansive on the palate, offering intense raspberry, cherry compote and floral pastille flavors and a smoky overtone that gains strength with aeration. The mineral quality comes back strong on the silky, focused finish, which goes on and on. An outstanding blend of power and finesse.”
Also Available Here Now from Domaine Ruinart
Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Brut 2004 750ML ($179.95) $139 special, 15 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2004 Dom Ruinart is just as brilliant and viscerally thrilling as it has always been. If anything, the 2004 has shut down considerably over the last six months. Tightly coiled and exceptionally beautiful, the 2004 boasts fabulous intensity, class and pedigree. The flavors are vibrant, chiseled and crystalline in their precision. Time in bottle is doing wonders for the 2004. This is a tremendous showing.” AG
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Just a reminder about our current shipping specials during this season:
We offer flat rate shipping on any size single order / single shipment
-to Oregon for $17,
-Washington & Idaho for $20,
-and California for $25
These rates do not apply to orders held in storage here for any reason.
Multiple orders consolidated into one shipment do not qualify for flat rate shipping.
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Newly Arrived…
…From Delas Freres
Winery-cellared gems and new releases
Delas Freres Crozes-Hermitage Le Clos 2004 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 89 points “Medium red. Strong mineral notes accent fresh cherry and earthier tobacco and floral aromas. Solid and firmly structured, with a racy quality to the bright cherry and rhubarb flavors. This should age very well.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Delas Freres Crozes-Hermitage Le Clos 2006 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Robert Parker 92 points “The stunning, dense ruby/purple-tinged 2006 Crozes-Hermitage Les Clos exhibits smoky, roasted meat, garrigue, blackberry, cassis, new saddle leather, and charcoal aromas, sweet tannins, full-bodied power, and reserves of concentration and fruit. Consume it over the next decade. This cuvee has become one of the top three or four wines of the appellation. ”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Very racy, with dark fig and black cherry fruit crushed together, while hints of iron, mesquite and tobacco fill out the finish. Shows great drive and precision, despite its ample toast.”
Delas Freres Hermitage Les Bessards 2004 750ML ($199.95) $149 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 94 points “Ruby-red. Very pungent, deep aromas of tobacco- and underbrush-laced red and blackcurrant. Powerful and rich, showing impressive sweetness to its potent cassis and blackberry flavors. Really stains the palate, finishing with exceptional purity and mineral tones. Whatever tannins are here (and you know there are plenty) are completely absorbed by the sheer fruit mass.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $159
Delas Freres Crozes-Hermitage Le Clos 2013 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Wine Advocate 93+ points “Similar to the Domaine des Grands Chemins, yet with additional structure, the inky purple/ruby colored 2013 Crozes Hermitage le Clos has lots of minerality in its smoky, meaty, dark fruited profile. Medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated, structured yet balanced, give it 2-4 years of cellaring and enjoy over the following decade or more.”
Delas Freres Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes-Marquise de la Tourette 2013 750ML ($119.95) $89 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “One of the gems in the vintage is the 2013 Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes, which comes from both the Bessards and Grandes Vignes lieux-dits on Hermitage Hill. Completely destemmed, then vinified in stainless steel and concrete tanks, the wine is aged 18 months in 30% new French oak; it offers terrific notes of dark fruits, graphite and ample minerality in a full-bodied, layered, ripe profile. It’s more approachable than the Les Bessards, yet will still have three decades of longevity.”
Delas Freres Hermitage Les Bessards 2013 750ML ($249.95) $199 special
Wine Advocate 94+ points “Closed, tight and backwards, the 2013 Hermitage les Bessards is a big, full-bodied, burly wine that offers first rate purity in its black raspberry, ozone, liquid rock, and creosote-like bouquet. It has plenty of material and density, but will need 7-8 years of bottle age to become approachable. As normal, it comes all from the “Bas de Coteau” portion of the Bessards lieu-dit, was completely destemmed and saw 18 months in 30% new French oak.”
…From Marc Hebrart
THE best-value grower in Champagne
Champagne Hebrart Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru Brut NV 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Terry Theise “I start to wonder whether there’s a better NV BdB than this one. I know of none. I did a tasting last Fall wherein this and the Special Club were shown, and the orders taken for this were vastly higher. Yes the Club costs more, but this wine COSTS A LOT LESS THAN IT’S WORTH. It’s stiffly chalky and only the tiniest bit green; the finish is perfect, bountiful but not “fruity”—the empty glass smells like toasted wheat bread. It’s 80% 2011 and 20% 2010-2009, only free-run, 20% Oiry and Chouilly and 80% Mareuil.”
Champagne Hebrart Cuvee Reserve Premier Cru Brut NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “(77% Pinot Noir and 23% Chardonnay; 8.2 g/l dosage; disgorged in March, 2014): Bright straw. Lively, mineral-driven aromas of fresh citrus fruits, melon and white flowers. Musky, nicely concentrated orchard and pit fruit flavors are given spine by juicy acidity, which adds cut to the back half. The floral quality repeats on the finish, which hangs on with strong stony persistence. Give this youthful Champagne a little air time, or even decant it, like the cool French and French-wannabe sommeliers often do.” JR
Champagne Hebrart Cuvee Rose Premier Cru Brut NV 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “Light orange. Sexy raspberry and orange gelato aromas are lifted by white pepper and fresh rose. Silky and seamless on the palate, offering juicy citrus fruit and red berry flavors and a touch of chalky minerals. Nicely balances richness and vivacity, showing no rough edges. Closes supple, floral and long, with a toasty leesy note coming in late.”
Champagne Hebrart Special Club Millesime Brut 2010 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Champagne Hebrart Special Club Millesime Brut 2010 1.5L ($219.95) $189 special
Terry Theise: “Hébrart represents a departure from the other producers in this portfolio, for Jean-Paul’s wines marry the top Pinot Noir sites of the Vallée de la Marne with Grand Cru Chardonnay sites in the Côte des Blancs. Hébrart’s wines are buoyant and lithe with deft integrations of minerality and juicy fruit. The fruit of Mareuil pinot noir I unlike any I know in Champagne: firmer and less malty than Aÿ, altogether less chunky than Bouzy, not unlike Verzy but richer, far more comme il faut than the savage power of Verzenay, less softly perfumey than Ambonnay, less smoky than Cumières. Indeed if it were Burgundy, Mareuil could well be Morey-St.-Denis”
These are the lowest listed prices in the USA today!
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SUPER SALE:
Arriving Tuesday from Angela Estate Winery
Angela Estate Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2013 750ML ($44.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 92 points –Cellar Selection– “The label does not bear the name Angela Vineyard, but the fruit is estate grown. This is a tight, focused, young red wine, with tangy raspberry fruit that touches on black cherry. Vivid and penetrating, it needs plenty of time to breathe, and as it does it reveals subtle layers of mocha and caramel. This has the bones to age. Drink now through 2030.”
Winery note “From our flagship vineyard, Angela Estate planted in 2006 on ancient marine sedimentary soils with Wadenswil, Dijon 777 & 115. This gorgeous 2012 vintage made by Ken Wright exhibits all of the beautiful floral and spice elements we typically see on this site; rose petal, plum, hibiscus, root beer / cherry cola, mouth-filling juicy red raspberry and a seamless white pepper finish. The body and tannins have a medium-plus intensity exhibiting flavors of white pepper spice, plum skin, stewed cherries, cedar shavings, root beer candy, nutmeg, wet fresh mulch and dried rose hips. A divine wine and perfect generous vintage. Ideal growing conditions, long hang time and perfectly ripe fruit has created a lush, full and velvety Pinot Noir.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $37.99
Angela Estate Abbott Claim Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2012 750ML ($59.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 94 points –Editor’s Choice–“Here is a powerful young wine with concentrated plum and cherry fruit. It’s beautifully built around perfectly ripened tannins that provide solid support without being intrusive. Compact and well proportioned, it lingers with highlights of espresso grounds, dark chocolate and black tea.”
Wine Spectator 91 points “This earthy style plays a woodsy, coffee and spice character against a core of black cherry, lingonberry and licorice flavors. The finish lingers against firm yet unobtrusive tannins.”
Great Northwest Wine “Why is this one of the finest wines in Oregon? Perhaps because Ken Wright is behind it. This won a unanimous double gold medal at the Great Northwest Wine Competition.”
Winery note “The site of a portion of the original John F. Abbott Donation Land Claim awarded on May 27, 1860. This 16-acre vineyard was planted in 2001 with Pinot Noir clones: Pommard, 777 and 115, on ancient Marine Sedimentary soils that were once ancient ocean bed. This wine is lush and plush, displaying rich fruit and deeply intense color with complex savory truffle notes. Flavors of red current, cherry cola, ripe raspberry, sweet pipe tobacco, rose petal make this a more collegiate compliment to our Angela Estate pinot noir. 1340 cases produced.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $50
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Bolgheri
Bargains and Treasures from Tuscany’s Coast
The Tuscan region of Bolgheri is awash with salty coastal breezes. The vineyards typically lie on gentle slopes not much higher than sea level. The clayey, sandy and pebbly soils are reminiscent of Bordeaux, and it is not surprising that Bordeaux varieties have found a second home in the region. Yet there are striking differences in climate and technique that allow the wines to offer a unique take on these grape varietals. The warmer, Mediterranean climate allows for consistent ripening and lush body and aromatics. Many winemakers, too, include some degree of Italian varietals – it is not uncommon to see a blend with Sangiovese – or other varietals such as Syrah make up the blend.
Bolgheri Wines Available Here Now
Marchesi Antinori Tenuta Guado al Tasso Il Bruciato Bolgheri 2013 750ML ($29.95) $18 special, 3 bottles available
Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2013 Bolgheri Rosso Il Bruciato is Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. The wine offers red earth nuances with pressed violet, terra-cotta, leather and tobacco. Il Bruciato makes a smooth and silky entry to the palate and imparts more luscious fruit flavors along the way. This wine was first produced in 2002.” ML
Winemaker’s note “From the Cabernet Sauvignon we seek structure; this is the backbone of the wine as well as its profound taste and persistence. From the Merlot, we seek a creaminess, a sweetness, power and aromatic notes. Then, with the Cabernet Franc, we seek harmony and balance, stretching the highest tannic concentration of the preceding two varieties, improving the pleasure of drinking. Finally the Petit Verdot confers, when present, a light touch of spice that completes the bouquet.”
Azienda Agricola Ceralti Scire Bolgheri Rosso 2012 750ML ($29.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles available
VinopolNote: Tucked away in the medieval village of Castagneto Carducci near Tuscany’s seaside, is the historical Ceralti estate. The family once sold its grapes to Ornellaia and Sassacaia. Recently, they have begun producing their own estate wines, which offer supreme value. Their 9 hectares of vineyards are located mostly on the hills surrounding Castagneto and Bolgheri. The grapes are grown using traditional methods to encourage low, concentrated yields and are hand-picked during harvest. The family is currently expanding its farm, planting olive trees for experimental cultivations and new vineyards using local grape clones. The Scire is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot grown in soils rich in clay. The winery describes it as having an intense fruit flavor with good balance and soft, sweet tannins. When we tasted the wine in store, we found it to be a well-balanced, medium bodied Bordeaux-style blend with good tannins. It opens with notes for red cherries and cranberries. There is a streak of woody herbs and underbrush, with a hint of campfire smoke on the finish.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Gaja Ca’Marcanda Bolgheri Magari 2012 750ML ($79.95) $49 special, 21 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 points “Upped to a Bolgheri status (previously this wine was identified as a Toscana IGT), the 2012 Bolgheri Magari is simply delightful. This vintage shows extra heft and dimension that allows the wine to spread smoothly over the palate. Merlot is blended with Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon, and the taste profile in the 2012 vintage definitely favors the Merlot component. Soft cherry and dark berry segue to spice and moist tobacco. The structure of the two Cabernet varieties shows in the mouth where the wine is elegant and tight. It needs more time for bottle evolution. Angelo Gaja’s Ca’Marcanda estate has hit its stride with this latest set of wines. His management of the 2011 heat is impressive, resulting in wines with power and finesse. Ca’Marcanda never seems to get the attention it deserves, and the wines are indeed pricy. Nonetheless, they are among the finest expressions on the Tuscan coast.” ML
James Suckling 93 points “Bright and firm with sliced-lemon, blueberry and almond character throughout. Full body, firm tannins and a clean finish. Clean and fresh. Better in 2016.” JS
Wine Spectator 92 points “Rich and bursting with cedar, licorice, black currant and sandalwood aromas and flavors, this red is dense and chewy. Balanced and long, this begs for grilled steak or a roast. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2022. ” WS
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $65.80
Bolgheri Wine Arriving This Month
Tenuta Sette Ponti Podere Orma ‘Orma’ Bolgheri 2010 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 96 points “There is something so subtle and rich here with chocolate, red chilies and ripe plums on the nose. Full body, with velvety tannins and a juicy finish. This is so delicious now but better in 2017. Best ever from here. A blend of 50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc. From Bolgheri. Just next door to Ornellaia.”JS
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Vietti 2012
New Vintage Arriving Late April
Vintage Report from Antonio Galloni:
“Two thousand twelve is a vintage of mid-weight Barolos that reflect the freshness and overall structure of a cooler year. In broad terms, the 2012s have bright acidities, forward fruit and are also lower in alcohol than the 2011s, a combination that gives the wines considerable early appeal. Given the ups and downs of the growing season, it won’t come as much of a surprise that the 2012 Barolos are also highly variable, not just in terms of overall quality, but also in style. This is the main reason why 2012 is virtually impossible to describe in just a few words or sentences.
“Some 2012s are light, lifted and also a touch diluted, while others are deep and richly textured. Many wines feel as though they aren’t fully formed, which may be the result of a slightly compact growing season caused by the delayed flowering.”
Reflections on Vietti’s 2012 Barolos from Antonio Galloni:
“Vietti is one of the handful of estates in Barolo that has managed to successfully thread the needle between traditional and more contemporary leanings. To be sure, the wines are much more classic today than they were fifteen years ago. One of the most recent changes have been a move towards doing more of the malolactic fermentations in cask, the approach taken with the Ravera, and, increasingly, with the Castiglione. The Lazzarito, which was once the most modern Barolo in the range, is now giving the better-known single-vineyard Barolos here a real run for the money. Vietti’s 2012s are some of the most powerful, rich wines of the vintage. I tasted the 2012s twice, once in the summer as they were being bottled, and a second time in November. The wines were impressive on both occasions. Once again, the Ravera is utterly riveting in its sheer beauty and overall purity…”
2012 Vietti Barolos Arriving Late April
Vietti Brunate, Barolo DOCG 2012 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 97 points “The aromas of licorice, violets and bramble berries impress. Full body, incredible length and texture. Lasts for minutes on the palate. Give it at least five years to soften.”
Antonio Galloni 94+ points “A dark, powerful wine, the 2012 Barolo Brunate is the most brooding and inward of these wines. With time and a good bit of air, the Brunate becomes a bit more precise and nuanced, yet it remains a bit monolithic next to the other wines in the range. A host of savory herbs, licorice, tobacco and dark fruits meld into the huge, explosive finish. There is no shortage of depth or character, but increasingly the Brunate is being outclassed by some of its siblings. The competition is pretty tough at Vietti these days.”
Vietti Lazzarito, Barolo DOCG 2012 750ML ($179.95) $159 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2012 Barolo Lazzarito impresses for its precision and class, two qualities that aren’t easy to find in wines from this Serralunga site. Iron, smoke and white pepper lift from the glass in a vertical, structured Barolo endowed with real pedigree. A rush of pomegranate, red cherry jam, wild flowers and blood orange meld into the huge, bright finish. In 2012, the Lazzarito reconciles power and finesse like few vintages in the past. For the last few years, the Lazzarito has been knocking on the door of the big boys in this lineup, the Rocche and Ravera. Today, the Lazzarito makes a strong statement that it has arrived.”
Vietti Ravera, Barolo DOCG 2012 750ML ($179.95) $159 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2012 Barolo Ravera is once again a star. Finely cut and chiseled throughout, the 2012 boasts striking precision and nuance. Rose petal, chalk, white pepper, cranberry and pomegranate burst forward in a brilliant, exceptionally polished Barolo built on pure, sculpted elegance. Over the last few years Vietti has done a tremendous job in taming the intense Ravera tannins while preserving all of the focus that makes the wines from this site so alluring. The Ravera has been fabulous on the two occasions I have tasted it so far.”
James Suckling 96 points “The tar and asphalt comes through here with ripe plum and berry character too. Full body, tight and muscular. Deep and thought-provoking. Give it two or three years to open but already impressive to taste.”
Vietti Rocche di Castiglione, Barolo DOCG 2012 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 97 points “Wow. The rose petal aroma is gorgeous with ripe strawberry and cherry undertones. Full body, dense and powerful. Chewy and rich tannins. Lasts for minutes on the palate. Best in 2022 but already stunning.”
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “The 2012 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione is one of the bigger, richer wines in the lineup, which is a bit atypical. Readers should expect a huge, dramatic Rocche built on power, intensity and volume. At the same time, the Rocche is incredibly precise and layered. It is that very interplay of richness and finesse that makes the Rocche so alluring. Rose petal, mint and sweet red berries build to a crescendo of aromas, flavors and textures that takes over all the senses.”
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Domaine de Montille
Hubert de Montille, a well-regarded lawyer from Dijon, began the Domaine de Montille estate in 1951. Beginning with 2.5 hectares, the operation sold only to negociants initially. As de Montille developed the estate further to over 17 hectares’ worth of land under vine, the wine began to be bottled under the family name. Winemaking here includes partial destemming and lengthened macerations; wines are aged in old barrique – roughly 25% new oak – and bottled unfiltered.
The domaine’s reach has been greatly expanded through purchasing vineyards across some of the finest subsections of Burgundy including Clos Vougeot, Pommard Les Epenots, and Meursault Les Perrieres. Hubert’s son Etienne now runs the estate, continuing over a half-centurie’s tradition of winemaking while earning great acclaim. Most of Domaine de Montille’s cuvees will benefit from at least short-term cellaring and are by all means built to age.
We offer 11 bottlings from Montille, all available on our web store
Below are 5 of our offerings:
Domaine de Montille Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru 2011 750ML ($199.95) $125 special, 4 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91-93 points “(vinified entirely with whole clusters; 40% new oak): Good full red. Lovely high-pitched aromas of black cherry, blackberry, licorice and violet. Deep, sappy and vinous, with an enticing savory/sweet quality to the intense flavors of wild dark berries, violet and graphite. Finishes with firm-edged tannins, a very primary medicinal black cherry note, and lovely floral lift. This will need at least four or five years of bottle aging. Chef de cave Sieve noted that the domain owns parcels on either side of the tower in Clos Vougeot, with part of its vines located in a frost pocket that was hit hard in December of 2009.” ST
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $179
Maison Deux Montille Soeur et Frere Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($449.95) $369 special, 1 bottle available
Burghound 91-94 points “This is also quite firmly reduced at present. There is good verve and plenty of underlying tension to the unusually big-bodied flavors that display an abundance of both mouth coating dry extract along with ample amounts of the hallmark minerality that helps to shape the intensely saline and beautifully persistent finish. This is quite dry and exhibits slightly better overall complexity than the Corton-Charlemagne.” BH
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $449
Domaine de Montille Les Perrieres, Meursault Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 2 bottle available
Burghound 90-92 points “Here too strong sulfur and reduction render the nose impossible to assess. As one would reasonably expect this is intensely mineral-driven with an excellent sense of energy and tension to the saline-inflected flavors that display only moderate depth on the otherwise wonderfully long and well-balanced finish. My range offers the benefit of the doubt that more depth will develop with age.” BH
Domaine de Montille Les Rugiens, Pommard Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($199.95) $159 special, 3 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 91-93 points “Savory herbs, wild flowers, mint and black fruit all take shape in the 2012 Pommard Les Rugiens. The aromatics are nicely lifted, while there is plenty of vintage 2012 fruit and tannin to fill out the wine’s frame. Here it is the wine’s balance that impresses most of all.” AG
Domaine de Montille Les Mitans, Volnay Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($129.95) $89 special, 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 90-92 points “(100% vendange entier; 20% new oak; small, concentrated berries from old vines): Good medium red. Lovely subtle perfume of cherry and raspberry liqueur lifted by a peppery element. Sweet, dense and lively but restrained on the palate, with distinctly dark flavors of blueberry, licorice and bitter chocolate. The brooding finish features broad, palate-coating tannins. I like the peppery stem element here as it contributes energy without overpowering the wine’s fruit.” ST
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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2010 Brunello
The 2010 vintage in Brunello is widely considered by professional reviews to be one of the greatest. The growing conditions were near perfect, with ideal warmth during ripening and strong diurnal temperature swings that allowed for phenolic ripeness with retained acidity. The best show lush fruit, bright acidity and strong tannins, suggesting an aging potential of 10-20 years. At a recent tasting event, Italian wine expert Antonio Galloni had a chance to revisit several of the 2010 Brunellos he had reviewed in February 2015. With almost a full year it bottle, it was clear that although most of the wines are showing even better than upon release, these wines have lasting potential.
“2010 is the top Brunello di Montalcino vintage of the new millennium because it shows the best traits of my other two favorite vintages, 2006 and 2007, in tandem. It beautifully combines the freshness, structure, linearity and aging potential of 2006 with the intensity, opulence, balsam distinctiveness and tannic richness of 2007. In 2010 you get it all.” -Wine Advocate’s vintage report
“The year 2010 for Brunello di Montalcino is the greatest modern vintage of Italy’s most famous red wine region. Never have the wines been so profound in quality, character, and quantity from the best hillside vineyards of Montalcino. They represent a new paradigm for Tuscany’s unique sangiovese-based red.” -James Suckling
With many reserve bottlings arriving over the next several weeks, we thought we’d take another look at our lengthy selection of Brunellos from the impressive 2010 vintage. You’ll be hard pressed to find a more universally lauded group of wines outside of Bordeaux…
2010 Brunellos Available Here Now
Fattoria dei Barbi Cinelli Colombini Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $44.50 special, 12 bottles available
Case-12 Fattoria dei Barbi Cinelli Colombini Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($599.95) $479 special, 1 case available (that’s only $39.92/bottle!)
James Suckling 96 points “Aromas of burnt orange peel and cherry with hints of dried bark and mahogany. Full-bodied and very tight and dense, with a beautiful fruit, tannin and acid balance. Finesse and strength. Best wine from here for ages. Needs until 2018 to show its true quality.” JS
Wine Advocate 94 points “Fattoria dei Barbi’s 2010 Brunello di Montalcino starts with a tightly wound personality that begins to unravel slowly, one delicate layer at a time. As it does, you become aware of dried fruit, cigar box, crushed mineral, plum, tar and cola. The wine puts on a beautiful display. I also loved the mouthfeel of this beautiful wine: It is tonic, tight and brimming with energy. Well-integrated oak notes give the wine a spot of softness and velvety spice. This is one beautiful Sangiovese.” ML
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “A deep, powerful wine, the 2010 Brunello di Montalcino possesses notable depth and intensity. Dark cherry, plum, smoke, tobacco, new leather and incense meld together in a muscular, resonant wine built on structure. This is a 2010 that is going to need time to fully come together, but it is impressive just the same.”
Caprili Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 8 bottles available
Case-12 Caprili Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($549.95) $419 special, 1 case available (that’s only $34.92/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 93 points “Caprili’s 2010 Brunello di Montalcino shows unique aromas with undertones of forest floor and wet earth with grilled herbs and dark fruit. You also get a heavier tone of dried fig and Graham cracker that distinguishes this particular expression of Sangiovese. The wine is smooth and polished with a nice sense of inner elegance. Silky tannins give Giacomo Bartolommei’s Brunello more immediacy and a more approachable drinking window. I very much appreciated the wine’s overall elegance.” ML
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $49.98
Tenuta di Collosorbo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 17 bottles available
Case-6 Tenuta di Collosorbo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($319.95) $259 special, 1 six-pack available (that’s only $43.17/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 94 points –#43 Top 100 2015–“Coffee and chocolate aromas signal this exotic and fragrant red. The cherry and plum notes are almost afterthoughts, while spice, leather and tobacco flavors come to the fore, with vivid acidity through the lingering finish. Best from 2019 through 2035.” WS
Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 8 bottles available
James Suckling 94 points “Very perfumed with flower, truffle, light wet earth and cherry character. Full body and full integrated ripe tannins and caresses your palate. Very fine and pretty. Slight soya undertone. Succulent and enticing. You want to drink this.” JS
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is a great example of the Ciacci house style. Rich, layered and ample, the 2010 blossoms with notable depth and amplitude. This is a classic Brunello from Castelnuovo dell’Abate, where the wines are typically resonant and generous. Readers will find a gorgeous, highly expressive Brunello that will deliver considerable near and medium-term pleasure. Crushed flowers, tobacco and cherry pit add nuance on the soft, open finish. The 2010 spent two and a half years in barrel.”
La Fortuna Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 36+ bottles available
James Suckling 96 points “Aromas of wet earth, meat and dried fruits. Some nuts and spices. Complex. Full body, with super fine tannins and fabulous intensity and richness. Dried cherry and candied citrus fruit. Fabulous finish. You want to drink this now. But shows superb finesse and intensity. Why wait? (1/15)” JS
Wine Spectator 95 points “Saturated with cherry, raspberry, spice and tobacco aromas and flavors, this strikes a balanced between the supple texture, succulent acidity and refined yet gripping tannins. Really sings on the lingering finish. Best from 2019 through 2035.” WS
Tenuta Brunelli ‘Martoccia’ Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 11 bottles available
Wine Spectator 93 points “This concentrated style shows cherry and raspberry fruit along with peppery greens such as arugula, mustard and shiso, graced with tobacco accents. The tannins leave a firm coating on the finish. Shows the potential for aging. Best from 2019 through 2032. 1,250 cases made.”
Flavio Fanti La Palazzetta Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 4 bottles available
James Suckling 92 points “Lots of dried cherry and strawberry character follows through to a full body with fine tannins and a tangy finish. Bright and lively red. Better in 2016 when the fruit, acidity and tannins come more together.” JS
Pian dell’Orino ‘Vigneti del Versante’, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 24 bottles available
Pian dell’Orino ‘Vigneti del Versante’, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 1.5L ($249.95) $219 special, 2 magnums available
Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Vigenti del Versante takes us back to a classic profile for Brunello (the local name for Sangiovese). The wine is forthcoming and confident with power and heft at the back. The bouquet shows enormous complexity that starts off with bright red fruit and opens slowly to reveal more detailing with etched mineral, crushed oyster shell, balsam herb, cola, licorice and red rose petal. There’s a tight firmness of the tannins that should be very important to the future aging of this wine. The acidity is bright and balanced as well. It contributes to a very long and polished finish. This is a gorgeous Brunello.”
Antonio Galloni 97+ points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Vigne del Versante from Pian dell’Orino is one of the most powerful wines of the night. Rich, dense and explosive, the Vigne del Versante Amiata is a wine for the patient. Although most 2010 Brunellos have not begun to shut down, this is one wine that is a bit less expressive than it was the last time I tasted it. Still, the potential here is both significant and evident.” AG
San Felice Campogiovanni Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 34 bottles available
James Suckling 96 points “Perfect aromas to this red with licorice, stone, peach pit, plum, leather and iron. Full body, fine, silky tannins that support a deep, rich fruit concentration showing black fruit, Tuscan dust and oyster shell. Needs four or five years to soften but an amazing finish.” JS
Antonio Galloni 93 points “Dark red cherries, mocha, smoke, new oak, tobacco and spices are some of the notes that flesh out in the 2010 Brunello di Montalcino from Campogiovanni. Fleshy and seductive on the palate, the 2010 possesses terrific depth, richness and volume, all in a round, supple style that offers plenty of near and medium-term appeal. This is an excellent choice for drinking over the next decade or so.”
Castello di Argiano Sesti Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($99.95) $75 special, 27 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “This pure expression of Sangiovese opens with aromas of rose petal, leather, game, Mediterranean herb and wild berry. The vibrant, full-bodied palate delivers layers of crushed Morello cherry, raspberry, cinnamon and grilled herb alongside firm, polished tannins and bright acidity. It boasts character and depth. Drink 2017–2030.” WE
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Sesti’s 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is a wine of real class and personality. In fact, the 2010 is one of the best wines I have tasted from this estate in Sant’Angelo in Colle. Iron, sweet red cherries, wild flowers and earthiness are some of the many notes that inform a juicy, plump Brunello that already drinks well. The 2010 is quite forward and fruit-driven, but there is good underlying complexity as well as enough acidity to ensure a decade-plus of fine drinking. My only quibble is that the aromatics could be a little more focused, but that is a relatively small critique for a wine that delivers this much pleasure.” AG
2010 Brunellos Arriving Late March
Altesino Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2010 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 97 points “A sexy and silky riserva with dried fruit, blueberry and cedar character. Full body, firm tannins and long and gorgeous finish. So linear and precise. Chocolate-covered cherry center palate. Terrific young wine. Best riserva ever from here. Better in 2018.”
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is going to need a few years to soften, as the tannins are imposing today. There is plenty of textural depth and richness, but readers will have to be patient. Attractive scents to tobacco, cedar, smoke, licorice, sage, violet and orange peel add myriad shades of nuance. A kick of warming alcohol accentuates the finish.”
Casanova di Neri Tenuta Nuova, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($219.95) $189 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 100 points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova is a protagonist of the vintage. The fruit is deep and dark with rich levels of extract, intensity and flavor. It goes far beyond your standard cherry and blackberry to include plum cake, spice bread and bacon-wrapped prune. Nothing is obvious or monochromatic about this wine. Everything is nuanced and ethereal. Tenuta Nuova is also distinguished by the linear mineral notes that are characteristic of this single-vineyard site. In 2010, those traits are especially well-defined and pronounced. The tannins reach a level of suppleness that is almost impossible to find in the sometimes prickly and acidic Sangiovese grape. If there is one thing Giacomo Neri has mastered, it is harvesting at optimal ripeness: He knows his property and his vines better than most and it shows. Collectors will want to put this wine aside ten years or longer.” WA
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Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 1.5L ($199.95) $179 pre-arrival special
#4 Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2015
Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is a striking wine that shows uncompromising varietal pureness, albeit in a most concentrated and elaborate form. This is what great Sangiovese is all about. There’s so much happening on the nose and the wine brings you to cherry, spice, licorice, cured meat, pressed rose and grilled meat in equal measure. No one element overpowers the next. The mouthfeel is also tight and bright with the kind of fruit intensity that promises long cellar aging. This Brunello is only at the beginning of a long road ahead. The longer the wine stays in the glass, the more it offers in terms of complexity and intensity. This is a true standout that can be enjoyed for up to 20 years ahead.” ML
Wine Spectator 95 points “Rich, with excellent density, ripe cherry and plum fruit, and a well-integrated structure. Licorice, earth and tobacco notes add depth while this cruises to a long, tobacco- and mineral-tinged finish. Shows balance and grip. Best from 2018 through 2033.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Il Poggione’s 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is the single best value in top-flight Brunello di Montalcino. If there was any doubt about that, this tasting makes it clear that Il Poggione belongs right up there along with the best of them. A towering, massively endowed wine, the Poggione is simply marvelous. (Dec 2015). Il Poggione’s 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is a remarkably beautiful wine. Rose petal, mint, cinnamon, sweet dark cherries and smoke lift from the glass in a translucent, wiry Brunello built on energy and power. This is an especially lifted, precise and nuanced Brunello from Il Poggione, with more emphasis on length and mid-weight structure rather than overt volume. In many ways, the 2010 comes across as a modern-day version of the 1982 Riserva. Readers who have tasted that wine know just how special that is. For the money, there is not a single better wine being made in Montalcino than Il Poggione’s Brunello. Truth is, it is also better than many far more expensive offerings. There are two Brunellos I would buy confidently in any vintage. This is one of them. (Feb 2015).”
2010 Brunellos Arriving in May
Il Poggione Vigna Paganelli, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2010 750ML ($149.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Il Poggione Vigna Paganelli, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2010 1.5L ($249.95) $219 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 98+ points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli is a phenomenal achievement and a wine that captures not only the spirit of this classic vintage, but the true essence of an age-worthy wine like Brunello. This single vineyard Riserva is sharp, pristine and immaculate. It starts slow and shy, but then blossoms to beautiful intensity and aromatic brilliance. It delivers a very authentic and genuine read of Sangiovese with wild berry aromas followed by pressed violets, wet earth, tobacco and lightly toasted spice. The bouquet is seamless and very long in persistence. The same holds true for the mouthfeel. The wine delivers a fine and silky texture with a good dose of power and personality at the rear.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli is magnificent. Huge swaths of tannin coat the palate as the 2010 shows off its power, breadth and overall intensity. Plum, black cherry, bittersweet chocolate, smoke, licorice and cloves are some of the many notes that hit the palate. The Riserva is dark, powerful and brooding. It will require at least a handful of years before it becomes approachable. These old vines, planted in 1964, confer weight, power and gravitas, all qualitites that come through loud and clear on the huge, explosive finish.” AG
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Crazy Case Deals from Around the World!
Case-12 Domaine Servin Montee de Tonnerre, Chablis Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($349.95) $299 special, 1 case available (that’s only $24.92/bottle!)
Domaine Servin Montee de Tonnerre, Chablis Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 10 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 90-93 points “(from particularly healthy, high-quality fruit in 2014, noted Marc Cameron): Pale yellow with green reflections. Subtly complex aromas of lime leaf, minerals and peppermint. Then rich, round and generous in the mouth, offering salty flavors of lime, white flowers and crushed stone. This seriously broad dry wine is strong in dusty extract. A step up in length from the foregoing premier crus, finishing dry and classic, with no austerity.” ST
Case-6 Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs Trocken, Mosel 2013 750ML ($359.95) $269 special, 7 six-packs available (that’s only $44.83/bottle!)
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs Trocken, Mosel 2013 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles available
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs Trocken, Mosel 2013 375ML ($39.95) $28 special, 15 half-bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 points “Very clear, discreet and refined on the nose – where the 2013 Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling GG displays fine stone and fruit aromas of lemons and green apples. Lean and vital but also intense, rich and juicy on the palate, this is a lovely pure, straightforward, piquant and very salty expression of the Karthäuserhofberg terroir and the 2013 vintage. This long-distance runner has more fruit intensity than the Edition and reveals a very fine raciness and a complex finish with lingering lemon aromas.” WA
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Case-12 Chateau Quinault L’Enclos, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2009 750ML ($599.95) $499 special, 2 cases available (that’s only $41.58/bottle!)
Chateau Quinault L’Enclos, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2009 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 12 bottles available
James Suckling 93 points “A soft and fruity wine, with orange peel and berries and plums. Full body, with super fine tannins and a fruity finish. Refined and very pretty. Structured in the end. Fresh. Succulent. A style away from the over extracted one a few years ago. Try after 2018.” JS
Case-12 M. Plouzeau Chinon Rive Gauche, Loire 2014 750ML ($199.95) $149 special, 6 cases available (that’s only $12.42/bottle!)
M. Plouzeau Chinon Rive Gauche, Loire 2014 750ML ($19.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles availbale
VinopolNote: From organically farmed vineyards. 100% Cabernet Franc.
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Case-12 CVNE Compania Vinicola del Norte de Espana ‘Imperial’ Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2008 750ML ($499.95) $299 special, 2 cases available (that’s only $24.92/bottle!)
CVNE Compania Vinicola del Norte de Espana ‘Imperial’ Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2008 750ML ($47.95) $29 special, 15 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2008 Imperial Reserva is my favorite of the three Imperial Reservas that I tasted together as it has the perfect balance between ripeness, acidity and tannins, in a wine that is eminently elegant, but will require some time in bottle to gain complexity. The fruit leans more towards the red varieties (raspberries and strawberries), it is very spicy but the wood is almost fully integrated. Very balanced palate, with high-toned flavors that make it vibrant. Drink 2015-2021.” WA
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Case-6 Achaval Ferrer Quimera, Mendoza 2012 750ML ($199.95) $159 special, 6 six-packs available (that’s only $26.50/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Achaval Ferrer Quimera, Mendoza 2012 750ML ($39.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles available
James Suckling 93 points “There’s a minerality and intensity to this wine with limestone and salt. Full-bodied yet so refined. Sexy and beautiful. Mostly malbec with cabernet franc, merlot and a bit of petit verdot. Drink or hold.”
“(aged in French oak, 40% new, for 12 months; 50% Malbec, 24% Cabernet Franc, 16% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot): Dark red-ruby. Ripe aromas of blackberry, blueberry and bitter chocolate. Dense and fine-grained, showing attractive spicy lift to its dark berry flavors. Ripe, harmonious acidity gives this wine a seamless quality. Classy juice.” Stephen Tanzer-Vinous Media
Case-6 Tyrus Evan Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Claret, Columbia Valley 2010 750ML ($199.95) $99 special, 2 six-packs available (that’s only $16.50/bottle!)
Tyrus Evan Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Claret, Columbia Valley 2010 750ML ($39.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles available
The vineyard Ciel du Cheval lies in the heart of the tiny Red Mountain American Viticultural Area (AVA) in southeast Washington. Initially planted to just three acres in 1975, the vineyard now encompasses 120 acres and provides outstanding fruit to 26 wineries in the northwest. As owner Jim Holmes puts it, “This is a hobby that has gone crazy.” 27% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 12% Petit Verdot
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Case-12 Alvaro Palacios ‘Les Terrasses’ Velles Vinyes, Priorat DOCa 2012 750ML ($419.95) $349 special, 3 cases available (that’s only $29.08/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Alvaro Palacios ‘Les Terrasses’ Velles Vinyes, Priorat DOCa 2012 750ML ($44.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Brilliant ruby. Potent, mineral-laced raspberry and cherry aromas are complicated by exotic floral and spice qualities, picking up white pepper and mocha accents with air. Seamless and sweet, offering silky red berry preserve flavors with a touch of allspice. Closes lively and precise, with sneaky tannins and a jolt of bitter cherry.” ST
Have a wonderful weekend!