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Wine of the Week
Reserve Saint Dominique 2020
Gigondas
Rhone Valley, France
$24.99, $22.49 for Wine Club Members
I know, I know, the baby metaphor gets old very quickly. But, this wine totally over delivers. And if you're a Châteauneuf du Pape lover this is one for you at a fraction of the price.
Gigondas is one of those amazing villages in the Southern Rhone considered second in the hierarchy just behind Chateauneuf. It has the same grape combination––give or take––and tends to exist on similar terroir without the massive slope. So baby, toddler, senior citizen, who cares? As you will see once you purchase this wine, it is insane, off the charts for the price.
"The 2020 Gigondas offers a similar medium-bodied, balanced style as well as more complex, perfumed aromatics of blue fruits, violets, and orange blossom. I love its balance, its tannins are spot on, and it has a great finish. 90-93 points." - Jeb Dunnuck.
80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre
...let's go! Giddy up!
First-come-first-served until we are out! Only 10 cases available.
The vineyards of Gigondas are some of the most ancient in the Southern Rhône. Since Roman times, olive trees and fruit trees have always been planted beside the vines. In 1956, a particularly severe spring frost destroyed nearly all the fruit trees, leaving just the vines and forcing the producers to concentrate only on their wines. After much hard work, Gigondas gained appellation status (rising from the lower Côtes du Rhône status) in 1966. With just under 3,000 acres, the appellation has three main soil types: gravel and clay found more in the flat sections, gravel and sand at the bottom of the slopes, and rocky limestone/clay on the hillsides themselves. As elsewhere in the Southern Rhône, Grenache is the principal grape, and 50% of all wines must be Grenache. In the past, though most wine made here was red, white wine production was also permitted, but this is no longer the case. Some producers also make a little rosé.
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Holiday Gift Ideas
Notes by Hannah Green
Marques de Murrieta Rioja Reserva Vertical Gift Box:
2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Rioja, Spain
$299.99, $269.99 for Wine Club Members
The story of the Marqués de Murrieta winery is inextricably intertwined with the history of Rioja wine. The winer’s founder, the Marqués de Murrieta, imported production techniques into Spain from Bordeaux. In 1852 he produced his first wine in Logroño, moving into the Ygay Estate in the late 1870s. Located at the heart of La Rioja, the estate is home to Ygay Castle, headquarters of the Marqués de Murrieta wineries. The castle is surrounded by 740 acres of vineyards.
To honor their 170th anniversary, the winery has put together this special gift set containing 6 consecutive vintages of the Marques de Murrieta Reserva, their flagship wine. Beautifully packaged in an etched wooden box, this set includes a vertical of vintages from 2012 to 2017. Each bottle is its own cuvée of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo.
Long Shadows Vintners Collection 2018 Edition 6-Pack
Columbia Valley, Washington
$429.99, $386.99 for Wine Club Members
Long Shadows Vintners releases it's annual holiday gift box- the 2021 edition of the “Vintners Collection” wooden boxes! This collection offers 6 wines (Feather, Pedestal, Pirouette, Sequel, Chester-Kidder and Saggi) from some of the greatest winemakers from around the world. The style, pedigree and variety within the collection is unparalleled and a great addition to any holiday display or collector’s cellar.
2019 Feather Cabernet Sauvignon Feather
2018 Chester-Kidder Red Wine
2018 Pedestal Merlot
2019 Pirouette Red Wine
2019 Saggi Red Wine
2018 Sequel Syrah
 
The Devil is a Liar WeatherEye Vineyard
Grenache is King 2019
Box Set of 3
Red Mountain, Washington
$284.99, $256.49 for Wine Club Members
One of the unique wine brands in Washington State, The Devil Is A Liar (TDIAL) was created by winemaker Seth Kitzke to be an ultra-premium label that focuses on wines made from WeatherEye Vineyard fruit.
"A field blend of Grenache, Syrah and Viognier, this shows off beautiful white florals from the Grenache with worn leather, red cherry, cigar ash, green peppercorns and smoked meats on the nose. The palate is soft and seamless, with great viscosity and verve, alongside a serious underlying mouth-watering acidity. This is complex, novel and delicious, one of a kind, wine. Enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2022-2032. 95 points" Owen Bargreen
71% Grenache, 26% Syrah, 3% Viognier
Cayuse Hors Catégorie Syrah 2017 2-Pack
Walla Walla, Washington
$599.99, $539.99 for Wine Club Members
"Deep, bright ruby-red; darker than the 2016. Knockout aromatic perfume combines blackberry, cassis, crushed rock, black pepper, licorice and violet; conveys outstanding lift and urgency in a way that would be virtually impossible from Syrah in The Rocks (the steep Hors Categorie vineyard is planted in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, just nine miles southeast of The Rocks). Imploded and light on its feet yet already sweet, with dense, seamless black fruit, violet and mineral flavors displaying outstanding energy and intensity. One would never guess that this wine has a pH of 4.1. Utterly seamless wine but youthfully wound-up in an Hermitage way, and savory for all its fruit. The tannins here are firmer and more substantial than those of Christophe Baron's Syrahs from The Rocks, and this wine will take longer to reach full maturity. But it has the potential to gain in complexity and pliancy for the next 15 to 20 years. Really wonderfully concentrated, very pure wine with terrific spine for aging but no rough edges even today. The endless palate-staining finish perfumes the entire mouth, leaving behind Hermitage-like notes of black olive tapenade and crushed rock. Lay this one down. Is this now the best Syrah produced in North America? 97+ points." Stephen Tanzer, Vinous Media
Cayuse Magnum Party with Gift Box
3 Wines to Choose from
Walla Walla, Washington
Each of these is a Magnum, meaning it's 1.5 liters, the equivalent of 2 bottles of wine. Each comes with its own gorgeous wooden Cayuse box.
Cayuse Syrah Special #11 2017
$299.99, $269.99 for Wine Club Members
"Made only in magnum, the 2017 Syrah Wallah Wallah Special #11 comes from some of the exceptional vineyards that go into making some of the bottlings for Cayuse and Horsepower. Displaying with a pale ruby-colored edge, the wine unfolds its wings in the glass showing the elegance of Pinot Noir but with the savoriness of Syrah. Elements of crushed violets, sweet raspberry, lavender and rose petal all capture the attention first before showing subtle savory notions of black pepper, crushed rock and worn leather. Medium to full-bodied, the wine is framed by a well-balanced structure, with energetic acidity and mouthwatering tannins, before ending with a long, lingering finish. A brilliant idea to only bottle in magnum, which forces you to select the appropriate time to open and consume the bottle. Regardless, this is a winner." "97 Points" —Anthony Mueller, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Cayuse Syrah Special #12 2018
$299.99, $269.99 for Wine Club Members
"Earth, funk, smoked meat, ash, black olive, peat and medicinal aromas lead to a tour de force of fruit and savory flavors that are flat-out intense. It's the finish of this wine, however, that most impresses. It grabs you and shakes you and refuses to let go. It's shockingly good. 96 points." Editors' Choice, Wine Enthusiast
"Christophe often releases a special blend in magnum (he never says which vineyards it’s from), and the 2018 Syrah Special #12 is another gorgeous wine. Revealing a deep ruby/plum hue as well as classic Rocks notes of blue fruits, ground pepper, bacon fat, lavender, and violets, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a seamless, elegant texture, ripe yet certainly present tannins, and a great finish. It needs 4-5 years of bottle age and will cruise for two decades. 96 points." Jeb Dunnuck
Horsepower Syrah The Tribe Vineyard 2018
$399.99, $359.99 for Wine Club Members
"The 2018 Syrah The Tribe Vineyard opens with a smoky and stemmy nose of bacon fat, black pepper, dusty plum blossom, spicy cherry compote and black raspberry skin tossed in smoked herbs. Medium to full-bodied, this Syrah reveals a firm mineral tension and drying tannins that will be food-friendly in youth or allow it to age for more than a decade. The wine ends with a firm tannic grip that lingers with a spicy and stemmy expression. Give this a year or two in the cellar before opening, and decant for at least 30 minutes before enjoying. The wine rested for 24 months in neutral French oak barrels. 8,820 bottles produced. 95 points." Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Iwa 5 Saké Junmai Daiginjo Assemblage #3
Toyama Prefecture, Japan
$189.99, $170.99 for Wine Club Members
IWA 5, orchestrated by Richard Geoffroy, relies on an experimental assemblage (blending) process that challenges and stretches the boundaries of sake. We invite you to experience IWA 5 “Assemblage 3” as it launches in America. The amazing layered depth and long finish is a complex blend of “genshu” (undiluted sake) using three varieties of sake rice from four different origins, and five kinds of yeast. It is unlike any sake you’ve tasted before — a must-try for any sake lover.
"Richard Geoffroy — who was for 28 years the charismatic face of Dom Pérignon, overseeing the production of the luxury Champagne and traveling the world to promote it — was so drawn to sake that, in 2019, he left the company to create, with Japanese partners, his own sake. Though impeded by the Covid pandemic, they built their own brewery and made their first sake, IWA, in 2020. It was released in New York and California last year, and, now past the depths of the pandemic, Mr. Geoffroy has resumed his globe-trotting, proselytizing the beauty of sake and IWA.
He hopes to bring IWA to a wine-drinking audience. IWA is terrific, smooth and light in the mouth, with a floral, lightly fruity aroma but savory, too — fresh and crystalline, with a sense of tension and energy." Eric Asimov, New York Times
Quinta da Romaneira Vintage Port 2017
Duoro Valley, Portugal
$54.99, $49.49 for Wine Club Members
Romaneira is one of the great historic Quintas of the Douro Valley in Northern Portugal, on a spectacularly beautiful site overlooking the Douro river facing south, its rocky soil lending its particular character to the wines. The 2017 Vintage Port is mostly Touriga Nacional (70%), with the rest Touriga Franca, aged for 20 months in neutral tonels. It comes in with 89 grams of residual sugar.
"Juicy and energetic in feel, this brims with cherry, blackberry and plum compote flavors, backed by red licorice, briar and chocolate notes. The long finish reveals a lush coating around an inner cable of refined tannins. 94 Points" The Wine Spectator.
"A full-bodied Romaneira with plums, blackberries and dried fruits. Shows the heat of the vintage. Full and sweet with lots of candied plum character. Uniformly declared year. 95 Points" James Suckling.
Dow’s 10 year Tawny Port, 3 Liters
Duoro Valley, Portugal
$145.99, $134.99 for Wine Club Members
This 3 liter bottle is equivalent to a double magnum, or 4 regular bottles of wine
“10 Years" indicates an average age—this aged tawny port is a blend of older wines, which offer complexity, and younger wines, which bring fresh fruit flavors and vibrancy. During their long maturing period in oak casks, aged tawnies undergo subtle color changes: the deep red hue that characterizes port's youth gradually gives way to a paler reddish amber color. This aging process also protects the wine once opened; unlike traditional wines, once you open the bottle this port will last for months.
Dow's is known for its characteristically drier house style. This 10 Year has a full, nutty bouquet with citrus and vanilla accents on the palate and a soft, lingering finish.
"Solid, with hazelnut, fig, plum cake and dried cherry notes in lockstep from start to finish. A streak of hazelnut husk tilts to the drier side of the tawny spectrum, resulting in a mouthwatering cut on the finish. Drink now." 92 pt Wine Spectator
 
Bodegas Yuste Conde de Aldama
100 Year Old Solera Amontillado Sherry, 500 ml
Jerez, Spain
$179.99, $161.99 for Wine Club Members
Francisco Yuste bought an old Amontillado solera in 1927 that had been established in the Barrio Alto district of Sanlúcar de Barrameda in 1740. Today, the Yuste family believes that the average age of the wines in this solera is more than 100 years, making the wine one of the oldest marketed in all of Jerez. This Amontillado, blended from those casks, is a trip. First it evokes the seashore, with its flavors of salt, shells and iodine; then it reveals the lime and mushroom scents the wine developed as it matured under the veil of flor. With air, there are notes of walnuts, smoked almonds and spices. While the aromas are as delicate and nuanced as a perfume, in flavor, with its direction and strength, it is a bullet.
The Durand Vintage Cork Pull
$135, $121.50 for Wine Club Members
"The Durand – go ahead and complain about the cost but if you struggle to open old wines with dicey corks, and especially valuable old bottles worth far more than the cost of this device, this is worth every penny. It combines the virtues of a regular corkscrew and an ah-so, and is far better than either of them when they are used alone. It doesn’t just extract the cork – it prevents it from breaking, crumbling or shredding. The machine tooling on the Durand is excellent and once you get the hang of it it is a pleasure to use." The Most Essential Wine Gifts & Gadgets by Paul Gregutt.
Gabriel-Glas StandArt Stemware
$33.99, $30.59 each for Wine Club Members
Simplify life with the “One for All” wine glass! Ideal for every type of wine and made of lead-free crystal, each StandArt glass is molded as one-piece, seamless, with no stress points.
Weighing 5 oz (145 grams), the Gabriel-Glas StandArt glass is elegant, yet amazingly durable and dishwasher safe. The StandArt glass is ideal for any “Monday night wine” and perfect for collectible wine. Simply life with the “One for All” Gabriel-Glas." -Producer notes
Lead-free crystal and dishwasher safe.
Zalto Carafe No. 75
$89.99, $80.99 for Wine Club Members
“The current gold standard”
Eric Asimov
“The Stradivarius among the wineglasses”
Stuart Pigott, wine writer and critic
We generally recommend decanting almost all wines. Young and old wines alike benefit greatly from aeration and will quickly develop more complexity. Zalto’s hand-blown carafe from the finest European crystal is a slender, versatile shape that allows for more gentle aeration.
“Especially for mature wines, we recommend these elegant decanters as they have less oxidative impact. As all of our glasses have a large surface area at the normal fill level, they also aerate the wine and enhance its aromas. With older vintages, the two in combination make it possible to enjoy every wine at its peak.” Zalto
Holds 820 ml. Lead-free crystal. Suitable for storage in the refrigerator and dishwasher safe.
GIFT OUR WINE CLUB
Looking for your next best gift idea?
How about a 3, 6 or 12 month subscription of wine?
This gift has the elements of surprise, education and great taste long after the paper and bows have been swept away.
We offer three levels:
World Wine Club at $29 per month
Northwest Club at $49 per month
Grand Cru Club at $99 per month
Sake Club $35 per month-one bottle
Natural Club $49 per month
Bubbles Club $99 per month
Each club receives 2 bottles monthly that are hand selected by Ted and Hannah and accompanied by Hannah's informative tasting notes for each. Membership includes the exclusive 10% shop discount, the opportunity to receive Club Member Only special offers and one free ticket to all tasting events.
We ship to specific states that legal regulations allow.
Additional shipping rates do apply.
More info
Gift Cards
My father-in-law, Jon, knows what he's going to get for every occasion every time-WINE! And he's glad of that.
It's the perfect gift for the wine enthusiast or that person that already has everything they need in your life. We went old-school with our cards, hand pressed and printed.
You have the choice of picking up the card or we will happily mail it for you. You provide the gift recipient's name and mailing addressed we'll handle the rest.
FRIDAY TASTING
Marie Copinet Champagne Tasting
Meet the Importer
With William Woodruff, Chloe Imports
Friday, December 1st 2-5:30 pm
Just 30 miles southwest of Eperney lies the quiet village of Montgenost, land of the great Chardonnay vineyards of Sazannais. Marie and her husband stepped into the bubbles game back in 1975 and now are considered a power house team that grows and makes fabulous Chardonnay-based Champagne. We will have local Seattle importer William Woodruff from Chloe Imports pouring these fine, fine bubbles.
Friday, December 1st. 2-5:30 pm. $5 fee. Wine Club Members receive one free tasting per membership at each event.
The Line up
Copinet Brut Nature Blanc de Blanc NV (zero dosage) $47.99
Copinet Extra Quality Brut NV $49.99
Copinet Caractere Rose Brut NV $49.99
Copinet Blanc de Noir NV $47.99
Copinet Blanc de Blancs Selections NV $49.99
$5 fee. Wine Club Members receive one free tasting per membership at each event.
Upcoming Tastings
Copinet Champagne Tasting
with William Woodruff of Chloe Imports
Friday, December 1st 2-5:30
Holiday Wines
with Daniel Soloff, Domaine & Estates Imports
Friday, December 8th 2-5:30
Eric Solomon Selections-Meet the Importer
with Robbie Davis, President
Friday, December 15th 2-5:30
Sake Saturday
Exploring Daiginjo Sake
with Nancy Seifert
Saturday, December 16th 2-5:00.
Amavi Cellars & Pepperbridge Winery
Walla Walla, Washington
with Katie Schneider, Regional Sales Manager
Friday, December 22nd 2-5:30
$5 fee. Wine Club Members receive one free tasting per membership at each event.
CLICK TO READ MORE
THANK YOU, BELLINGHAM!!
VOTED 8 YEARS RUNNING "BEST WINE SHOP"
Extended December Hours
Monday-Saturday
10-6 PM
Sunday, Christmas Eve 12-5 pm.
Closed Christmas Day
Sunday, New Years Eve 12-5 pm.
Mid Winter Break-CLOSED January 1st-15th.
360-393-3271
In-Store Shopping / Door Service / Store pick up / Curb side
ORDER ON-LINE
Email: ted@sjwinemerchants.com
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