In Today’s Newsletter:
Ferdinando Principiano’s Majestic Barolo
Flash Sale!
Patz & Hall & You
NOAH and Cantalupo: Two Alto Piemonte Gems
One of Burgundy’s Top Values
The Wines of Domaine Collote Return Next Week
Staff Pick
De Venoge’s Perfectly-Aged Champagnes
Trending
Bodegas San Román’s
Powerful Spanish Treasure
Collector’s Corner
Torbreck RunRig Shiraz
Ferdinando Principiano’s Majestic Barolo
Ferdinando Principiano made one of the most remarkable sets of Barolos in 2016—and we’ve secured a pair of absolute stunners. Powerful, energetic, and finely detailed, these are traditionally made wines with a firm sense of place—and deservedly high scores. Unfortunately, quantities are exceptionally limited, so grab these while you see them.
In Stock Now:
Ferdinando Principiano Barolo Serralunga 2016 750ML ($69.95) $52.50 special
Case-6 Ferdinando Principiano Barolo Serralunga 2016 750ML ($349.95) $299 special (that’s only $49.83/bottle!)
Case-12 Ferdinando Principiano Barolo Serralunga 2016 750ML ($699.95) $569 special (that’s only $47.42/bottle!)
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Editor’s Choice. Rose petal, camphor, perfumed berry and forest floor are just some of the aromas you’ll find on this gorgeous, radiant red. It’s delicious and loaded with an earthy finesse, delivering succulent red cherry, ripe strawberry, licorice, game and almost salty mineral notes. Taut, refined tannins and fresh acidity keep it impeccably balanced. Drink through 2031.”
Arriving Friday, January 29th:
Ferdinando Principiano Barolo Ravera Monforte 2016 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 98 points “Cellar Selection. Menthol, new leather, pressed rose and forest berry aromas shape the enticing nose on this knockout red. Thoroughly delicious, the captivating, focused palate doles out succulent Marasca cherry, raspberry compote, truffle and tobacco while a minty note lingers on the long finish. Firm, fine-grained tannins and bright acidity provide beautiful balance and ageworthy structure. Drink 2024–2041.”
Flash Sale!
Patz & Hall & You
In Stock Now:
Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2016 750ML ($39.95) $21.90 special
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Rich and brooding with intensely perfumed oak, this is a layered white made from grapes grown throughout the appellation. It delivers medium-bodied weight and grip, with lush apple and gingersnap flavors. -Virginie Boone”
Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2013 750ML ($49.95) $21.90 special
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Pungent, spicy earth and cinnamon rise out of the wine’s bouquet, inviting one to enjoy a structured expression of cranberry, raspberry and black tea. The tannin structure is well managed and the oak strong, yet integrated. Gap’s Crown is among the vineyards that figure into the blend, along with several Dutton family properties. This is fresh and focused. -Virginie Boone”
Robert Parker-Wine Advocate 91 points “All the Pinot Noirs are bottled unfined and unfiltered. The biggest cuvée, the 2013 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast comes from many different sources, including Dutton Ranch, Martinelli Family, Chenoweth Vineyard, and a handful of others, that are blended together for a relatively consistent style from vintage to vintage. The lovely 2013 exhibits terrific blueberry and black raspberry fruit interwoven with notions of Chinese black tea, oak, earth and beet root in the background. This nicely textured, medium-bodied Pinot Noir possesses zesty acidity as well as admirable aromatics. Enjoy it over the next 5-8 years.”
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo ‘Cantalupo Anno Primo’, Ghemme DOCG 2012 750ML ($44.95) $36 pre-arrival special
“The 2012 Cantalupo Anno Primo is a powerful, dark potent wine. Wild cherry, spice, tobacco and menthol contribute to its brooding, somber rustic personality. The 2012 is very big and dense.” –Antonio Galloni
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Collis Breclemae, Ghemme DOCG 2013 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2013 Ghemme Collis Breclamae is fabulous. Deep, dark and also translucent, the 2013 possesses magnificent clarity as well as structure. Black cherry, lavender, truffle, mint, spice and new leather all develop in an ample, resonant Ghemme that hits all the right notes. A rich, substantial finish rounds things out in style. The 2013 can be enjoyed with minimal cellaring, but it also has the pedigree to develop in the cellar for many years to come. Each time I come back to the 2013 it is more impressive.”
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Collis Carellae, Ghemme DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2011 Ghemme Collis Carellae is another huge wine in this range from Cantalupo. Sweet red cherry, plum, cedar, tobacco, mint, dried flowers and licorice are all amped up here. Even with all of its natural intensity, the 2011 possesses just enough freshness and verve to keep things in check. The 2011 is very obviously a dramatic wine, but all of the elements are nicely balanced.”
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo ‘Mia Ida’ Spumante Brut Rosé, Piedmont NV 750ML ($21.95) $18 pre-arrival special
Ian D’agata-Vinous 92 points “Very pale pink. Boasts extremely refined floral nuances to the vanilla and red cherry aromas and flavors. Bright and clean, with a lovely creamy presence on the palate and boasting sneaky concentration and complexity, not to mention a long precise finish. Lovely.”
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Signore di Bayard, Ghemme DOCG 2011 750ML ($49.95) $44.50 pre-arrival special
Have Wine Ready to Pick Up?
Stop by our shop 10 am – 6 pm daily
Feel free to call ahead before you arrive or for curbside service:
#503-223-6002
(You’ll help free up some space for your next order!)
One of Burgundy’s Top Values
The Wines of Domaine Collote Return Next Week
Ferdinando Principiano’s Majestic Barolo
Flash Sale!
Patz & Hall & You
NOAH and Cantalupo: Two Alto Piemonte Gems
One of Burgundy’s Top Values
The Wines of Domaine Collote Return Next Week
Staff Pick
De Venoge’s Perfectly-Aged Champagnes
Trending
Bodegas San Román’s
Powerful Spanish Treasure
Collector’s Corner
Torbreck RunRig Shiraz
Ferdinando Principiano’s Majestic Barolo
Ferdinando Principiano made one of the most remarkable sets of Barolos in 2016—and we’ve secured a pair of absolute stunners. Powerful, energetic, and finely detailed, these are traditionally made wines with a firm sense of place—and deservedly high scores. Unfortunately, quantities are exceptionally limited, so grab these while you see them.
In Stock Now:
Ferdinando Principiano Barolo Serralunga 2016 750ML ($69.95) $52.50 special
Case-6 Ferdinando Principiano Barolo Serralunga 2016 750ML ($349.95) $299 special (that’s only $49.83/bottle!)
Case-12 Ferdinando Principiano Barolo Serralunga 2016 750ML ($699.95) $569 special (that’s only $47.42/bottle!)
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Editor’s Choice. Rose petal, camphor, perfumed berry and forest floor are just some of the aromas you’ll find on this gorgeous, radiant red. It’s delicious and loaded with an earthy finesse, delivering succulent red cherry, ripe strawberry, licorice, game and almost salty mineral notes. Taut, refined tannins and fresh acidity keep it impeccably balanced. Drink through 2031.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $58.99
The next best price is $58.99
Arriving Friday, January 29th:
Ferdinando Principiano Barolo Ravera Monforte 2016 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 98 points “Cellar Selection. Menthol, new leather, pressed rose and forest berry aromas shape the enticing nose on this knockout red. Thoroughly delicious, the captivating, focused palate doles out succulent Marasca cherry, raspberry compote, truffle and tobacco while a minty note lingers on the long finish. Firm, fine-grained tannins and bright acidity provide beautiful balance and ageworthy structure. Drink 2024–2041.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Flash Sale!
Patz & Hall & You
Sonoma Coast Chard & Pinot on newly arrived blow out sale. Patz & Hall is one of the classic names in Somoma County for a reason—they make absolutely stunning wines up and down their line. We’ve got absurdly good pricing on their entry bottlings—the lowest in the country by a wide margin, both of which are perfect for drinking today.
In Stock Now:
Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2016 750ML ($39.95) $21.90 special
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Rich and brooding with intensely perfumed oak, this is a layered white made from grapes grown throughout the appellation. It delivers medium-bodied weight and grip, with lush apple and gingersnap flavors. -Virginie Boone”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $29.95
The average listed price is $38
The next best price is $29.95
The average listed price is $38
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Pungent, spicy earth and cinnamon rise out of the wine’s bouquet, inviting one to enjoy a structured expression of cranberry, raspberry and black tea. The tannin structure is well managed and the oak strong, yet integrated. Gap’s Crown is among the vineyards that figure into the blend, along with several Dutton family properties. This is fresh and focused. -Virginie Boone”
Robert Parker-Wine Advocate 91 points “All the Pinot Noirs are bottled unfined and unfiltered. The biggest cuvée, the 2013 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast comes from many different sources, including Dutton Ranch, Martinelli Family, Chenoweth Vineyard, and a handful of others, that are blended together for a relatively consistent style from vintage to vintage. The lovely 2013 exhibits terrific blueberry and black raspberry fruit interwoven with notions of Chinese black tea, oak, earth and beet root in the background. This nicely textured, medium-bodied Pinot Noir possesses zesty acidity as well as admirable aromatics. Enjoy it over the next 5-8 years.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $43.90
The average listed price is $46
The next best price is $43.90
The average listed price is $46
NOAH and Cantalupo
Two Alto Piemonte Gems
Two Alto Piemonte Gems
The Piedmont outside of Barolo and Barbaresco remains a bit of a paradox: lovers of elite, collectible Nebbiolo will readily concede that there are some amazing wines made there, but then turn around and proceed never to buy any. This despite the fact that the best wines are outstandingly well priced! If you love Barolo and Barbaresco, you should be paying real (fiscal) attention to the wines from Ghemme, Lessona, and Bramaterra—three top areas in Alto Piemonte.
In particular, the wines of NOAH and Cantalupo should be stacked high in your cellar—both producers make exemplary bottles of Nebbiolo that would easily command $80 price-tags if they were based in Barolo or Barbaresco, but are shockingly under-valued because they ‘re farther north.
Arriving Next Week:
NOAH Lessona 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2015 Lessona is all finesse. Dried flowers, mint, herbs, sweet dried cherry and mineral overtones all grace this sublime, ethereal red. The Lessona is much lighter than the Bramaterra, but its depth and energy are there, they are just expressed in a more understated manner. A whole range of bracing mineral and citrus notes drive the red berry flavors in an utterly beguiling, polished red. What a wine!”
NOAH Bramaterra 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2015 Bramaterra is rich and explosive in the glass. Blood orange, chalk, mint, white pepper and macerated cherry are some of the many aromas and flavors that develop in the glass. There is something incredibly wild and untamed about the 2015 that is so incredibly enticing. In the glass, the 2015 is deep, powerful and built for the long-haul. It is a wine of tremendous character and breeding.”
Arriving ETA February:
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Colline Novaresi Nebbiolo 2018 750ML ($27.95) $20.90 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2018 Nebbiolo Colline Novaresi Agamium is a terrific introduction to these wines. Freshly cut flowers, sweet red berry fruit, mint and orange peel are beautifully delineated. The 2018s is vinous and fresh, but it also has plenty of depth too. All the elements are impeccably balanced.”
In particular, the wines of NOAH and Cantalupo should be stacked high in your cellar—both producers make exemplary bottles of Nebbiolo that would easily command $80 price-tags if they were based in Barolo or Barbaresco, but are shockingly under-valued because they ‘re farther north.
Arriving Next Week:
NOAH Lessona 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2015 Lessona is all finesse. Dried flowers, mint, herbs, sweet dried cherry and mineral overtones all grace this sublime, ethereal red. The Lessona is much lighter than the Bramaterra, but its depth and energy are there, they are just expressed in a more understated manner. A whole range of bracing mineral and citrus notes drive the red berry flavors in an utterly beguiling, polished red. What a wine!”
NOAH Bramaterra 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2015 Bramaterra is rich and explosive in the glass. Blood orange, chalk, mint, white pepper and macerated cherry are some of the many aromas and flavors that develop in the glass. There is something incredibly wild and untamed about the 2015 that is so incredibly enticing. In the glass, the 2015 is deep, powerful and built for the long-haul. It is a wine of tremendous character and breeding.”
Arriving ETA February:
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Colline Novaresi Nebbiolo 2018 750ML ($27.95) $20.90 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2018 Nebbiolo Colline Novaresi Agamium is a terrific introduction to these wines. Freshly cut flowers, sweet red berry fruit, mint and orange peel are beautifully delineated. The 2018s is vinous and fresh, but it also has plenty of depth too. All the elements are impeccably balanced.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo ‘Cantalupo Anno Primo’, Ghemme DOCG 2012 750ML ($44.95) $36 pre-arrival special
“The 2012 Cantalupo Anno Primo is a powerful, dark potent wine. Wild cherry, spice, tobacco and menthol contribute to its brooding, somber rustic personality. The 2012 is very big and dense.” –Antonio Galloni
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Collis Breclemae, Ghemme DOCG 2013 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2013 Ghemme Collis Breclamae is fabulous. Deep, dark and also translucent, the 2013 possesses magnificent clarity as well as structure. Black cherry, lavender, truffle, mint, spice and new leather all develop in an ample, resonant Ghemme that hits all the right notes. A rich, substantial finish rounds things out in style. The 2013 can be enjoyed with minimal cellaring, but it also has the pedigree to develop in the cellar for many years to come. Each time I come back to the 2013 it is more impressive.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Collis Carellae, Ghemme DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2011 Ghemme Collis Carellae is another huge wine in this range from Cantalupo. Sweet red cherry, plum, cedar, tobacco, mint, dried flowers and licorice are all amped up here. Even with all of its natural intensity, the 2011 possesses just enough freshness and verve to keep things in check. The 2011 is very obviously a dramatic wine, but all of the elements are nicely balanced.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo ‘Mia Ida’ Spumante Brut Rosé, Piedmont NV 750ML ($21.95) $18 pre-arrival special
Ian D’agata-Vinous 92 points “Very pale pink. Boasts extremely refined floral nuances to the vanilla and red cherry aromas and flavors. Bright and clean, with a lovely creamy presence on the palate and boasting sneaky concentration and complexity, not to mention a long precise finish. Lovely.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Signore di Bayard, Ghemme DOCG 2011 750ML ($49.95) $44.50 pre-arrival special
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Have Wine Ready to Pick Up?
Stop by our shop 10 am – 6 pm daily
Feel free to call ahead before you arrive or for curbside service:
#503-223-6002
(You’ll help free up some space for your next order!)
One of Burgundy’s Top Values
The Wines of Domaine Collote Return Next Week
“Collotte remains one of the most under the radar growers in Marsannay. At their best, these wines are striking for their purity of fruit and overall sense of harmony.” –Antonio Galloni
A vintage like 2018 isn’t just a great year in Burgundy—it’s a great buying opportunity if you know where to look. While the prices for the top wines from the best producers skyrocketed, the value producers’ prices barely budged.
Warm vintages, like 2018, are wonderful times to go exploring the less famous villages of Burgundy. Historically, the vineyard (and village) classifications have been based on consistent ripeness and power, as well as complexity, so in a warm year the “lesser” sites often show much more dramatic improvement over their baseline quality than a “great” vineyard will. Collottes’ 2018 are perfect examples of this—much better than you’d expect from the cru’s and prices involved.
A perfect example? Their wines from Marsannay and Fixin. You should be stocking up on these wines in 2018. They’re reasonably priced, from old vines on good soil and made by a real craftsman. In a cooler year, these wines might be a bit rustic compared to their more famous neighbor, Gevery-Chambertin, but in a warm year (like 2018) these are the real deal.
They always score well, especially from Wine Spectator (nearly the entire range was 91 points or higher in ’15), though the ’18’s have yet to be reviewed. Once the scores come out, these disappear off our shelves in a flurry, so try them now before it’s too late.
Arriving Friday, January 29th:
Domaine Collotte Marsannay Les Boivins 2018 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Weygandt-Metzler Importer note “The Marsannay Boivins is lieu-dit in Marsannay Villages, on vines over 40 years and varying limestone soil. Aged in oak, 25% new, to round the tannins.”
A vintage like 2018 isn’t just a great year in Burgundy—it’s a great buying opportunity if you know where to look. While the prices for the top wines from the best producers skyrocketed, the value producers’ prices barely budged.
Warm vintages, like 2018, are wonderful times to go exploring the less famous villages of Burgundy. Historically, the vineyard (and village) classifications have been based on consistent ripeness and power, as well as complexity, so in a warm year the “lesser” sites often show much more dramatic improvement over their baseline quality than a “great” vineyard will. Collottes’ 2018 are perfect examples of this—much better than you’d expect from the cru’s and prices involved.
A perfect example? Their wines from Marsannay and Fixin. You should be stocking up on these wines in 2018. They’re reasonably priced, from old vines on good soil and made by a real craftsman. In a cooler year, these wines might be a bit rustic compared to their more famous neighbor, Gevery-Chambertin, but in a warm year (like 2018) these are the real deal.
They always score well, especially from Wine Spectator (nearly the entire range was 91 points or higher in ’15), though the ’18’s have yet to be reviewed. Once the scores come out, these disappear off our shelves in a flurry, so try them now before it’s too late.
Arriving Friday, January 29th:
Domaine Collotte Marsannay Les Boivins 2018 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Weygandt-Metzler Importer note “The Marsannay Boivins is lieu-dit in Marsannay Villages, on vines over 40 years and varying limestone soil. Aged in oak, 25% new, to round the tannins.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Collotte Marsannay Le Clos de Jeu 2018 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Weygandt-Metzler Importer note “The Clos de Jeu Marsannay comes from several parcels of 50 year old vines from Clos de Jeu on soft limestone crinoidal soil. Aged in oak, 25% new, this wine is harmonious in its flavors and tannins.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Collotte Marsannay Cuvee Vieilles Vignes 2018 750ML ($34.95) $28 pre-arrival special
Weygandt-Metzler Importer note “The Marsannay Cuvée Vieilles Vignes is assembled from five different terroirs of the appellation: “Combereau”, “Favières”, ” Grasses Têtes “, ” Boivin “and “Récilles” on vines of about 50 years old. Completely destemmed, the wine is fermented and aged in tank.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Collotte Fixin Les Crais de Chene 2018 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Weygandt-Metzler Importer note “The Marsannay Crais de Chene is from 40+ year old vines on clay-limestone soil. The vines face east to gather the sweet morning sun. Due to the old age of the vines, the grapes are very small and concentrated with flavor. Completely destemmed, the wine is aged in barrel, 30% new, for 12 months.”
Domaine Collotte Gevrey-Chambertin 2018 750ML ($69.95) $49 pre-arrival special
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Collotte Chambolle-Musigny Cuvee Vieilles Vignes 2018 750ML ($79.95) $51.90 pre-arrival special
Weygandt-Metzler Importer note “The Chambolle-Musigny is from 40+ year old vines in the lieu-dit “Aux Echanges”. Aged in oak, 30% new, to round the tannins and aged another year in bottle. Deep color, black currant and blackberry aromas and flavors.”
Domaine Collotte Bourgogne Cuvee de Noble Souche 2018 750ML ($27.95) $19 pre-arrival special
Weygandt-Metzler Importer note “Bourgogne “Noble Souché” translates to the “noble vine” from almost 70 year old vines planted in 1947 on Marsannay Cailloux soil from Champforeys. Entirely, de-estemmed, slow fermentation with 5 days of pre-maceration. Aged for 11 months 90% in stainless steel tank, this is a lovely, subtlety rich Côte de Nuits wine.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $25.50
The next best price is $25.50
Staff Pick
De Venoge’s Perfectly-Aged, Louis XV Champagnes
Andy:
Champagne De Venoge is an estate that does not have the splash in the US that it has in the EU, but with every year, it seems that a little more trickles into the market. I remember having a good amount of Cordon Bleu while in Italy, even 20 years ago, but I have only seen the higher end cuveés available in the US sporadically since then. The Louis XV and Louis d’Or are true benchmarks for the estate, especially in 1996 and 2008. The ’96 bottlings are quite special, having been kept on the lees for the better part of two decades serving to develop the absolute most complexity out of a powerhouse vintage. These are the wines to turn to when people describe notes of brioche, almond, mushroom, ginger, pepper, candied citrus peel and deep minerality. The Louis d’Or Millisme is described as bone dry, and while it certainly is lean, there is a deep, round note on the finish that leads you to believe that this will continue to develop for decades to come, developing more roundness with time. The Louis XV, built with the same structure, has more of the lush immediacy of the vintage, which amazingly still is clearly recognizable after all this time. This is the bottling for those looking for the creaminess and beautiful ripe aromatics of ’96. This too, will have a long life ahead of it if you’re patient, but honestly – why? I think the ’96 wines are coming full circle now, no matter when they were disgorged. Compared to other wines of the same vintage, this is practically a bargain.
For the cellar, you can stash away the ’06 and ’08. The ’06 will give you many years of joy, but the ’08 can be the hidden gem in your cellar, waiting for your 20th anniversary. I think the vintage continues to show that it will be the one to beat from the early part of this century. You’ll find much more direct channeling of the citrus and floral notes with a light nutty bite in the finish. My usual preference is something hiding a little pretty red fruit, but this could be a new favorite.
In Stock Now:
De Venoge Louis XV de Venoge Brut Millesime 1996 750ML ($219.95) $189 special
James Suckling 96 points “This is really complex, old Champagne with puff-pastry, dried-apple, spice and salted-nut aromas and flavors. Full body. Ultra fine bubbles with an extremely fine and creamy mouth feel. Extreme edge to it. This spent 21 years on the lees. Disgorged in 2018. Every year they disgorge 3,000 bottles”
De Venoge Louis XV de Venoge Brut Millesime 2006 750ML ($219.95) $189 special
Wine Advocate 96 points “The assemblage of the 2006 Louis XV Brut Millésimé is about the same as the 1995 and 1996—composed of 50/50 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, all from grand cru villages. The only difference is that the Chardonnay from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger (10% of the assemblage) spent 12 months in oak barrels. Disgorged in January 2017 (dosage: six grams per liter), the 2006 has a golden color and opens with a deep, ripe, elegant and vinous bouquet with toasty and chalky lemon and fresh white fruit flavors. On the palate, this is an intense, round, fresh and complex Louis XV with great purity and finesse. The wine opens on the palate like a soufflé, coating the whole palate without any pressure or weight—gorgeous! This is a delicate and fresh yet well-structured and persistent Louis XV whose intense and long but weightless finish reveals lovely, almost juicy fruit concentration with perfectly integrated freshness and lasting minerality that seems to give additional structure. The 2006 shows a lot of Chardonnay features right now and drinks perfectly today; however, it can be kept under perfect conditions for decades. Just keep it in the box, because the bottle is white and nothing makes a Champagne age faster than exposure to daylight. (Tasted in November 2017 from Lot LL15067017BT.)-SR”
Champagne De Venoge is an estate that does not have the splash in the US that it has in the EU, but with every year, it seems that a little more trickles into the market. I remember having a good amount of Cordon Bleu while in Italy, even 20 years ago, but I have only seen the higher end cuveés available in the US sporadically since then. The Louis XV and Louis d’Or are true benchmarks for the estate, especially in 1996 and 2008. The ’96 bottlings are quite special, having been kept on the lees for the better part of two decades serving to develop the absolute most complexity out of a powerhouse vintage. These are the wines to turn to when people describe notes of brioche, almond, mushroom, ginger, pepper, candied citrus peel and deep minerality. The Louis d’Or Millisme is described as bone dry, and while it certainly is lean, there is a deep, round note on the finish that leads you to believe that this will continue to develop for decades to come, developing more roundness with time. The Louis XV, built with the same structure, has more of the lush immediacy of the vintage, which amazingly still is clearly recognizable after all this time. This is the bottling for those looking for the creaminess and beautiful ripe aromatics of ’96. This too, will have a long life ahead of it if you’re patient, but honestly – why? I think the ’96 wines are coming full circle now, no matter when they were disgorged. Compared to other wines of the same vintage, this is practically a bargain.
For the cellar, you can stash away the ’06 and ’08. The ’06 will give you many years of joy, but the ’08 can be the hidden gem in your cellar, waiting for your 20th anniversary. I think the vintage continues to show that it will be the one to beat from the early part of this century. You’ll find much more direct channeling of the citrus and floral notes with a light nutty bite in the finish. My usual preference is something hiding a little pretty red fruit, but this could be a new favorite.
In Stock Now:
De Venoge Louis XV de Venoge Brut Millesime 1996 750ML ($219.95) $189 special
James Suckling 96 points “This is really complex, old Champagne with puff-pastry, dried-apple, spice and salted-nut aromas and flavors. Full body. Ultra fine bubbles with an extremely fine and creamy mouth feel. Extreme edge to it. This spent 21 years on the lees. Disgorged in 2018. Every year they disgorge 3,000 bottles”
De Venoge Louis XV de Venoge Brut Millesime 2006 750ML ($219.95) $189 special
Wine Advocate 96 points “The assemblage of the 2006 Louis XV Brut Millésimé is about the same as the 1995 and 1996—composed of 50/50 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, all from grand cru villages. The only difference is that the Chardonnay from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger (10% of the assemblage) spent 12 months in oak barrels. Disgorged in January 2017 (dosage: six grams per liter), the 2006 has a golden color and opens with a deep, ripe, elegant and vinous bouquet with toasty and chalky lemon and fresh white fruit flavors. On the palate, this is an intense, round, fresh and complex Louis XV with great purity and finesse. The wine opens on the palate like a soufflé, coating the whole palate without any pressure or weight—gorgeous! This is a delicate and fresh yet well-structured and persistent Louis XV whose intense and long but weightless finish reveals lovely, almost juicy fruit concentration with perfectly integrated freshness and lasting minerality that seems to give additional structure. The 2006 shows a lot of Chardonnay features right now and drinks perfectly today; however, it can be kept under perfect conditions for decades. Just keep it in the box, because the bottle is white and nothing makes a Champagne age faster than exposure to daylight. (Tasted in November 2017 from Lot LL15067017BT.)-SR”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
De Venoge Louis XV de Venoge Brut Millesime 2008 750ML ($299.95) $249 special
James Suckling 95 points “This is really punchy and broad-shouldered with muscular structure and citrusy undertones. Full body. Lightly tannic and a fresh and vivid finish. This is the first vintage without malolactic fermentation ever. One for the cellar. Better in 2022.”
Wine Advocate 93+ points “The straw-yellow/white-golden colored 2008 Louis XV Brut Millésimé blends 50% Chardonnay (20 % from Avize, 15% from Oger and 15% from Mesnil) with 50% Pinot Noir (41.5% from Verzenay and 8.5% from Bouzy). Disgorged in January 2018 with a dosage of six grams per liter, the 2008 displays a clear, pure, fresh, chalky-tinged and vinous nose with lemon, white fruits, brioche, hazelnuts, white blossoms and some caramel notes. Pure, lean, fresh and elegant on the palate, with a lingering hazelnut flavor, this is a straight yet complex cuvée with grip and a long, well-structured and textured finish. This 2008 is still terribly fresh and should benefit from further bottle aging. For the moment, I am missing the mouth-filling generosity of the 2006 and 1995. Mind that this is the first vintage of de Venoge’s prestigious Louis XV where the base wines didn’t undergo malolactic fermentation! Total production: 10,326 bottles. Tasted October 2018.”
James Suckling 95 points “This is really punchy and broad-shouldered with muscular structure and citrusy undertones. Full body. Lightly tannic and a fresh and vivid finish. This is the first vintage without malolactic fermentation ever. One for the cellar. Better in 2022.”
Wine Advocate 93+ points “The straw-yellow/white-golden colored 2008 Louis XV Brut Millésimé blends 50% Chardonnay (20 % from Avize, 15% from Oger and 15% from Mesnil) with 50% Pinot Noir (41.5% from Verzenay and 8.5% from Bouzy). Disgorged in January 2018 with a dosage of six grams per liter, the 2008 displays a clear, pure, fresh, chalky-tinged and vinous nose with lemon, white fruits, brioche, hazelnuts, white blossoms and some caramel notes. Pure, lean, fresh and elegant on the palate, with a lingering hazelnut flavor, this is a straight yet complex cuvée with grip and a long, well-structured and textured finish. This 2008 is still terribly fresh and should benefit from further bottle aging. For the moment, I am missing the mouth-filling generosity of the 2006 and 1995. Mind that this is the first vintage of de Venoge’s prestigious Louis XV where the base wines didn’t undergo malolactic fermentation! Total production: 10,326 bottles. Tasted October 2018.”
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De Venoge Louis XV de Venoge Extra Brut Rose Millesime 2002 750ML ($219.95) $189 special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Harmonious, with fine intensity, offering rich notes of spice cake, toasted almond, dried cherry, grilled plum and smoky mineral. Almost velvety in texture, with juicy acidity that brings you back for another sip. Delicious. Drink now through 2022. 54 cases made.”
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Louis Roederer Cristal Millesime Brut, Champagne 2012 750ML ($299.95) $249 special
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2012 Cristal is another absolutely stellar wine this flight of recent releases. Rich, vinous and beautifully textured, the 2012 has been nothing short of magnificent on the three occasions I have tasted it so far. In the glass, the 2012 is radiant and luscious, yet it possesses remarkable transparency and striking aromatic depth. Light tropical notes develop in the glass, giving the 2012 a real feeling of exotic beauty. The 2012 is the first vintage of Cristal done with 100% organically-farmed fruit, an approach introduced gradually starting with the 2007 that has profoundly changes Cristal, especially in its aromatic breadth. Two thousand twelve is the vintage where endless trials and experiments in farming and winemaking are fully realized. The 2012 is just stunning. It’s as simple as that. Dosage is just over 7 grams per liter, the lowest it has even been for Cristal.”
Roger Voss-Wine Enthusiast 98 points “As the first 100% biodynamic Cristal, entirely from Roederer-owned vineyards, this is an important milestone. This latest incarnation is a great Champagne with its density, elegance and poise. Still impressively young, the wine is taut, tightly wound and textured. At the same time, it has pure, ripe white and citrus fruits that are perfumed, and an important part of this wine’s long-term future. Drink at the earliest from 2023.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 97+ points “Aromas of clear honey, crisp green orchard fruit, white peach, pastry cream and dried white flowers introduce the 2012 Cristal, a full-bodied, concentrated and powerful wine that’s built for the cellar. Broader, more textural and more muscular than the 2008 Cristal, with seemingly even greater reserves of structuring dry extract, the 2012 is incisive and searingly chalky. This is the first Cristal produced exclusively from organically farmed fruit, and it marks the opening of a new chapter for Louis Roderer. The blend is 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, vinified without malolactic fermentation and disgorged with 7.5 grams per liter dosage. Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon has once again excelled himself.”
Wine Spectator 97 points “A classic beauty, fresh-faced and focused today but with a harmonious grace of form suggesting a long career ahead. There’s a creamy, viscous quality to the mousse that swathes the palate, carrying finely detailed flavors of poached quince, Mandarin orange preserves, toasted almond and pickled ginger. Mouthwatering throughout, with a pleasing, soft zestiness to the mineral-laced finish. Drink now through 2035.
Powerful and rich—an exceptionally full-bodied red for under $17.
Triton Tinta de Toro, Toro 2017 750ML ($21.95) $16.60 special
Case-12 Triton Tinta de Toro, Toro 2017 750ML ($239.95) $179 special (that’s only $14.92/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Made from 100% Tinta de Toro aged a year in used barrels (and some demi-muids), the 2017 Tritón comes from multiple vineyards and is made in decent amounts. It’s a rich, powerful wine loaded with notions of blackcurrants, dark chocolate, licorice, crushed rocks, and crushed violets. It’s full-bodied, has impressive depth of fruit, sweet tannins, and a great finish. It’s a rocking wine that can be drunk today or cellared for 15 years or more.”
James Suckling 91 points “An array of ripe dark-berry and raspberry aromas with biscuity nuances, as well as boysenberries. The palate has a sleek, essence-like feel. Such richness. Open-knit with soft berries. Very long and very ripe. Drink or hold.”
2018 produced some incredible Pinot here in Oregon and this Maresh is near the top.
Arterberry Maresh Pinot Noir Maresh Vineyard, Dundee Hills 2018 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 95+ points “The 2018 Pinot Noir Maresh Vineyard is an incredible wine. It opens slowly to an arresting perfume of dusty earth, dried rose petals, tea leaves, licorice and amaro with a wealth of bright red berry fruit at the core. The palate is elegant, supple and juicy, with an expansive fan of layered, spicy flavors and a very long finish. It’s hard to resist now, but it will have more to offer with time in bottle.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $64.99
The next best price is $64.99
Fanti is one of many producers whose 2015 has since been described as their “best ever”.
Tenuta Fanti Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($49.95) Was $39, Now $33 subscriber special
James Suckling 95 points “There’s a beautiful interplay between bright, primary florals, such as rose petals and tulips and dust, hay bale and dried raspberries. The palate suggests a ripe, powerful persona with chewy, juicy tannins and a fine line of pretty acidity. Best ever. Drink in 2022.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $43
The average price is $43
It’s hard to think of a better value in Willamette Pinot right now.
Biggio Hamina Claygate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($39.95) $28 special
Case-6 Biggio Hamina Claygate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($199.95) $159 special (that’s only $26.50/bottle!)
Case-12 Biggio Hamina Claygate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($399.95) $299 special (that’s only $24.92/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Bright red. An exotically perfumed bouquet displays intense red fruit, potpourri and incense qualities. Spice and savory herb nuances build as the wine opens up. Bright and energetic in the mouth, offering densely packed and appealingly sweet raspberry liqueur, cherry and spicecake flavors that pick up a smoky mineral note on the back half. Plays power off of finesse deftly and finishes extremely long and floral, with sneaky, fine-grained tannins and a touch of exotic spices.”
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Fun, fresh, and delicious
G.D. Vajra ‘Clare J.C.’ Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont 2019 750ML ($24.95) $19 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 92+ points “Although this wine has been produced since 2014, it is a new discovery to me—and a terrific one at that. I’ll start off with the beautiful graphics on the label that were inspired by the winemaking protocols penned in 1606 by Gian Battista Croce, a jeweler for the House of Savoia who dabbled in wine. The G.D. Vajra 2019 Langhe Nebbiolo Claré J.C. is a pure expression of Nebbiolo, with about one-fifth whole-cluster fermentation. Following suggestions to serve the wine slightly chilled, I tasted my sample at 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and I would recommend the same to you. This wine offers an innovative and playful look at the normally austere, long-term Nebbiolo grape. In fact, this Langhe Nebbiolo borrows from Beaujolais. You’ll love the vibrant, tonic and lively fruit that pops from the glass with focused intensity. The palate is lean and crisp. Some 12,000 bottles were released in March 2020, and that price point is unbeatable. I am absolutely smitten.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 92 points “Wow, the 2019 Vajra Clare JC explodes from the glass with masses of crushed raspberry and strawberry fruits, complicated by sweet and savory herbs, along with crushed stone minerality. On the palate, fleshy textures are quickly firmed up by a mix of tart red berries, with zesty acids, a slight frizzante spritz, and a coating of liquid violet florals. The finish is long and lightly structured, displaying a lasting and unmistakable note of red licorice with hints of spiced orange. This is wonderfully expressive and bridges the gap between Red and Rosé; please pour me another. Of note, the 2019 Claré JC was gently fermented with about 20% whole cluster fruit with malolactic completed in stainless steel, hence the perceivable effervescence.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $23
The average price nationally is $23
A wine for L-I-V-I-N!
Ameztoi Rubentis Rosado, Getariako Txakolina 2019 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Case-12 Ameztoi Rubentis Rosado, Getariako Txakolina 2019 750ML ($319.95) $239 special (that’s only $19.92/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Grapelive 93 points “My Summer has definitely taken a Spanish turn and I’m perfectly okay with that, especially when sipping on the fresh and zippy Ameztoi Rubentis Rosé from the Basque region not far from San Sebastian, which is one of the world’s most unique and exciting pink wines and one of my favorites along with Clos Cibonne and of course Domaine Tempier, these are wines that really capture the season in the glass. This vintage is ultra zesty and refreshing with a pop of spritz and tart layers of red citrus, strawberry, distilled raspberry essence, wet stone, saline and delicate floral tones all in an incredible light and steely form that begs to be quaffed. The iconic Rubentis Getariako Txakolina Rosé, as noted in my prior reviews, was the region’s first pink wine, made from native grapes, both red and white, it is naturally fermented in refrigerated stainless steel tanks utilizing indigenous yeasts from the vineyard. The tanks are closed to preserve natural carbonation from fermentation, which is the preferred style of Getaria. The fermentation tanks, according to importer De Maison Selections, are kept chilled to near 32 degrees Fahrenheit before bottling, which preserves the wine’s delicate, effervescent character and signature electric (spritzy) mousse. Ameztoi does a fantastic lineup of Txakolina wines, White, Red, this thrilling Rosé and a true and seriously rare Champagne style cork finished Rosé as well, all are must try wines from this remote Atlantic influenced region. This Ameztoi Rubentis Rosé is a hyper addictive wine that I will glad push on anyone that is in search of the dry pink high…. This is a wine, as I’ve said before, that proves a wine doesn’t have to be heavy or dense to have a serious impact on the palate, and it delivers a wonderful performance that leaves you always wanting more.”
Importer note “The pink sibling of Ameztoi’s flagship white, this vibrant rosé is made from a mix of red and white indigenous grapes and is bottled with a little residual carbonation to give it a light spritz.”
VinopolNote: Hands down, this is the most popular rosé at this shop every year. Why? Cause it’s that freakin’ good. Nuff said.
Wow the socks off of Cali-Cab-only-thanks wine drinkers
Ferrer Bobet Vinyes Velles, Priorat DOCa 2015 750ML ($74.95) $36 special
Case-12 Ferrer Bobet Vinyes Velles, Priorat DOCa 2015 750ML ($699.95) $389 special (that’s only $32.42/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “The old vine 2015 Vinyes Velles checks in as a Carignan-dominated blend from vines just outside the village of Porrera that includes one-third Grenache, all of which spent over a year in French oak. It’s a bigger, riper, sexier wine than the Ferrer Bobet cuvée and boasts a deep purple color as well as rocking notes of black plums, black licorice, ground pepper, violets, and new leather. Ripe and full-bodied, with moderate acidity and terrific balance, it’s a seamless Priorat to enjoy over the coming 7-8 years or so.”
James Suckling 94 points “This really captures the freshness of the carignan grape with its bright cherry character. Medium-to full-bodied with spice from the grenache and excellent vitality on the long, crisp finish. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $59.94
The next best price is $59.94
Bodegas San Román
Spanish Treasure
“The Toro region of Spain has been famous for centuries. Its rich, robust Tempranillos are loaded with complexity, in part because of the dramatic temperature swings during the scorching summer days and frigid evenings in the high elevation vineyards. Despite the fame and the obvious appeal to modern day drinkers, like most Spanish regions, the wines still fly under the radar and thus are insane values. Consider the flagship eponymous wine from Bodegas San Román. Despite the famed founding winemaker, despite the consistent high praise, despite the knife-edge balance, this wine is just $40. Try to find a bargain like that in Napa. I have been absolutely enchanted by this wine since I first tried it while in graduate school more than a decade ago. The combination of richness and poise was just amazing to me. The wine can be quite powerful but maintains an amazing sense of balance and terroir. Simply put, it is one of the great wines of the world.” –Dr. Owen Bargreen, Washington Wine Blog
In Stock Now:
(Maurodos) Bodegas San Román, Toro 2013 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 93 points “(aged for two years in 75 percent French and 25 percent American oak barrels, half of them new) Inky purple. Heady cherry, dark berry, vanilla and violet pastille qualities on the oak-accented nose. At once rich and energetic; a firm spine of acidity provides lift to sweet cassis, blueberry and vanilla flavors. Closes with youthful tannic grip and impressive persistence, leaving dark berry and licorice candy notes behind.”
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2013 San Román was produced with fruit from older vineyards in Toro. In 2012 they started reducing the amount of the new oak in this wine and the change is quite noticeable. There is something leafy and floral showing elegance within the power that the place provides naturally. 2013 was quite different in Toro from Ribera del Duero, here the cooler years are a plus, as they balance the extra ripeness the place provides. In 2013 there was no rain during the harvest and the grapes were very healthy. There are some fine tannins and the profile of a more austere and transparent vintage, a mineral year. But it does have the smokey and slightly wild character of Toro. 87,000 bottles produced.”
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Collector’s Corner
Torbreck RunRig Shiraz
Torbreck is one of the truly iconic Australian wineries. They produce wines at every price-point, but in their native land Torbreck is a legendary name thanks to their ‘RunRig’ Shiraz—a towering bottling that sits with Penfold’s Grange and Henschke’s Hill of Grace as one of the country’s best wines. Both the 2015 and 2016 iterations combine the raw power of Barossa with enough polish to take these wines into transcendent realms. Unsurprisingly they have been heralded by both critics (Wine Advocate 98 and 100 points respectively) and consumers alike. These are apex examples of Australian Shiraz, bottlings that should not be missed by any collector of prestige new world reds.
In Stock Now:
Torbreck RunRig Shiraz – Viognier, Barossa Valley 2015 750ML ($199.95) $166 special, 13 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 98 points “Who would’ve thought that in the context of Barossa Shiraz, the 2015 RunRig would seem like a relative bargain? It’s certainly much less expensive than Grange or Hill of Grace will be when they’re released. It’s also more approachable in its youth, with enormously appealing aromas of grilled fruit, savory complexities and rich, velvety tannins. Of course, it’s full-bodied and concentrated, with the stuffing to age for up to a couple of decades, and it has a long, licorice-tinged finish. Winemaker Ian Hongell, who joined Torbreck from Peter Lehmann, may not have made this wine, but he deserves a lot of credit for the blending and finishing of this tour de force.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Torbreck RunRig Shiraz – Viognier, Barossa Valley 2016 750ML ($219.95) $189 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 100 points “A blend of 98% Shiraz and 2% Viognier made just prior to bottling, the 2016 RunRig is a complete masterpiece. It kicks off with elegant notes of pencil shavings accenting blueberries and blackberries on the nose, then shows incredible, palate-staining intensity of fruit in the mouth. It’s full-bodied, plush and velvety without being unstructured and manages to be fruit-forward yet savory on the long-lasting finish, where it picks up hints of mocha and black olives. This should be drinkable with pleasure throughout its entire two-decade life (it may live longer from cold cellars or in larger formats), but if I were lucky enough to have a bottle or two, I’d try the first one about 10 years out.”
Thanks for reading!