Futures/Pre-Arrivals

Vineyard Gate is pleased to offer our customers Pre-Arrival and Future wines. This is a great opportunity to secure the wine in advance of delivery before supplies run out or prices go up. We always sift through the best deals so we could pass on the savings to you.

Any of these offerings are without engagement and subject to our confirmation.

Note that confirmed orders may still be canceled by us, in the VERY UNLIKELY EVENT that our suppliers fail to deliver the wines to us. We certainly do not expect this to happen, but events beyond our control (such as wines being lost in transit from abroad, breakage, etc.) could occur. These events rarely happen, but sometimes they do. In such a case, we will immediately notify you and credit back your credit card for the amount charged.

Hailed unanimously as a vintage-of-the-century by critics and producers alike, the 2009 Bordeaux Futures is the most anticipated offering of the year.

Terms: Estimated arrival is Spring-Fall 2012. Full payment upon order. Please, no reservations accepted without payment. Limited to stock available. We reserve the right to allocate quantities. All orders subject to confirmation. 3 bottle minimum order for each wine.

Cotes de Castillon, Clos des Lunelles (Futures) 2009
"This 20+-acre vineyard, acquired by Gerard and Chantal Perse in 2001, is planted on a clay and limestone plateau. The 2009, a blend of 80% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, was cropped at 22 hectoliters per hectare, and possesses 14.2% alcohol. One of the top wines of the Cotes de Castillon, it boasts an inky/purple color as well as tremendous opulence, body, purity, and density, plenty of sweet boysenberry and blackberry fruit, noticeable, but subdued wood, full body, and an unctuous texture. It should drink well for 12-15+ years. (Tasted four times.)" 92-94/100 Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
MINIMUM 3 BOTTLES PER ORDER $32.00

Barsac Second Growth, Chateau de Myrat (Futures) 2009
Highly regarded as historically being one of the best properties in Barsac, blessed with a terroir that can only be compared to Climens. After years of rebuilding this estate has finally produced a wine that realizes its full potential. Take advantage of the modest price of this amazing wine as this is a château that is finally on the rise!

“Dried apricot and citrus fruit aromas follow through to a full body, with a very sweet and intense palate. Finishes with lots of fruit and spicy nutmeg character.” 94-97/100 James Suckling, Wine Spectator
MINIMUM 3 BOTTLES PER ORDER $38.00

Pomerol, Château Tour Maillet (Futures) 2009
Outstanding Pomerol at a great price!

"There's a deep well of dark fruit on the nose, with crushed blackberry and hints of dark chocolate. Subtle and rich. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a long, long finish. Tight and powerful. Excellent length to this." 93-96/100 James Suckling, Wine Spectator
MINIMUM 3 BOTTLES PER ORDER $34.00

Haut-Medoc Cru Bourgeois, Château Lanessan (Futures) 2009
The venerable Château Lanessan offers classed growth breed and quality at cru bourgeois price! This is one of the best buys of the vintage.

"The excellent Lanessan ’09 sports a tightly-wound nose that is well defined with blackberry, plum and cedar,  earthy notes coming through with time. This demonstrated much more sense of terroir than other Medoc 2009s. The palate is full-bodied with good fruit concentration, fine balance with a rounded supple blackberry and cedar finish  that retains Médocian typicité. This is a great Lanessan that should drink well over 10-15 years." 90-92 Neal Martin, erobertparker.com
MINIMUM 3 BOTTLES PER ORDER $20.00

Margaux Grand Cru Classé, Château du Tertre (Futures) 2009
This fifth-growth Margaux is a winner. You wouldn’t find a better buy in ’09 classed growth Margaux.

"A very sexy, seductive style of wine has been produced by Du Tertre in 2009. A dense ruby/purple color is accompanied by ripe notes of red and black fruits intermixed with subtle smoke, ink, and damp earth. The lusciousness continues on the palate with an opulent, layered, rich mouthfeel. Medium to full-bodied with not a hard edge to be found, but plenty of ripe tannins, the overall impression is one of a hedonistic and intellectually pleasing claret that should drink beautifully for 20+ years. This is a sleeper of the vintage among the classified-growths. (Tasted two times.)" 90-92/100 Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
MINIMUM 3 BOTTLES PER ORDER $39.00

Pessac-Leognan (Graves) Rouge, Château Haut-Bergey (Futures) 2009
Situated next to Domaine de Chevalier. Its owner, Sylviane Garcin-Cathiard, sister of Daniel Cathiard of Smith-Haut-Lafitte, clearly has very ambitious aims. At this price, it’s a steal in the Graves in this vintage.

"One of the best over-achieving, value-priced wines in Pessac-Leognan, Haut-Bergey’s vineyard enjoys a superb location near Malartic-Lagraviere and Domaine de Chevalier. Composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest primarily Cabernet Franc and a dollop of Petit Verdot, the opaque purple-hued 2009 reveals a big, exuberant nose of charcoal, black currants, sweet cherries, and graphite. Dense and full-bodied, with beautiful purity, texture, and length, it should drink well for 20+ years. (Tasted two times.) P.S. I also tasted the brilliant 2000 Haut-Bergey in March, 2010, and it was still a youngster in terms of its development." 92-94/100 Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate

"(a 60/40 blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot from vines averaging 40 years of age) Inky purple. Perfectly ripe but rather understated black plum and blackcurrant are complicated by floral notes of rose, gardenia and violet as well as a hint of tartar sauce. Easygoing and smooth on entry, with flamboyant ripe black fruit and Oriental spice flavors that come as a surprise following the nose. Finishes clean and long, with considerable tannic bite and a pleasant lingering flinty mineral note. This will need time to resolve its youthfully aggressive-but not drying-tannins. Terrific potential." 90-93/100 Ian D'Agata, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
MINIMUM 3 BOTTLES PER ORDER $35.00

Bordeaux Superieur, Chateau Le Pin Beausoleil (Futures) 2009
Made by top Bordeaux winemaker Stephane Derenoncourt. A sleeper of the vintage!

"Bright floral and berry aromas follow through to a medium body, with lively, clean fruit and a fresh finish. Balanced." 87-90/100 James Suckling, Wine Spectator
MINIMUM 3 BOTTLES PER ORDER $21.00

Saint-Estephe, Château Lilian Ladouys (Futures) 2009
"Dark color, with a spiced nose of cloves and cardamom. Tar too. Full-bodied, with round and velvety tannins and a rich, fruity aftertaste. Gorgeous young wine." 92-95/100 James Suckling Wine Spectator
MINIMUM 3 BOTTLES PER ORDER $23.00

Pauillac Fifth Growth, Château Pontet-Canet (Futures) 2009
Another blockbuster vintage for this superstar fifth growth estate. Pauillac (and Saint-Julien) is ground-zero in 2009.

"It's no surprise that proprietor Alfred Tesseron has produced a possibly perfect 2009. He’s been on a roll since 1994, and no other producer has done more work in the vineyard than Tesseron, who has moved to 100% bio-dynamic farming, reduced yields drastically, and instituted a draconian selection process. This vineyard, which sits on the high plateau of Pauillac adjacent to Mouton Rothschild, has produced a 2009 of extraordinary intensity and purity. It is outrageously concentrated, with silky tannin (the sweetest I have ever tasted in a Pontet-Canet as well as the highest measured), an opaque purple color, and copious notes of graphite, cassis, licorice, and subtle smoke and forest floor. Full-bodied and unctuously textured with striking purity and definition, it is a wine of colossal weight as well as elegance (in itself a poster boy for this paradox in 2009). This brilliant Pauillac requires a decade of cellaring despite its voluptuous texture. It should evolve for 50-75 years. (Tasted four times.)" 97-100 Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate

"Delivers aromas of blueberry skin, fresh flowers, licorice and raspberry sauce, with something exotic underneath it all. Full-bodied, with wonderful clarity and freshness. It¿s like looking at a full moon on a crystal-clear night in the country. This keeps coming at you, with tannins and ripe fruit. What balance, yet power to the wine. I love how the wine changes and challenges you with every sip." 95-98/100 James Suckling, Wine Spectator

"Dense colour and pure Cabernet blackcurrant fruit beautifully extracted with great length and perfect harmony, great purity of expression, exuberant yet restrained, great future. Drink 2016-30." 18.5/20 Five Stars (Highest Recommendation), Decanter
MINIMUM 3 BOTTLES PER ORDER $125.00

Margaux Third Growth, Château Cantenac-Brown (Futures) 2009
A superstar of the vintage! Modestly priced for its top quality. Very limited availability.

"The greatest Cantenac Brown I have ever tasted, this monumental effort possesses enormous concentration, with loads of black and blue fruits intermixed with damp earth and forest floor. I have never seen a Cantenac Brown so seamless, so powerful, yet at the same time, so elegant and densely complex. They have certainly done something here that has not been accomplished over the last three decades I have been tasting this estate's wines. Opaque purple in color and full-bodied, this big-time sleeper of the vintage merits serious attention for the first time in my professional career. Kudos to the new ownership and team at Cantenac Brown. This wine should evolve over a 30-year period. (Tasted two times.)" 94-96/100 Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate

"Fresh berry and currant, with mint and spices. Full-bodied, with supervelvety tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Toasted oak, ripe fruit, everything. A beauty. Best ever." 93-96/100 James Suckling, Wine Spectator
MINIMUM 3 BOTTLES PER ORDER $65.00

Margaux Third Growth, Château Malescot-Saint-Exupery (Futures) 2009
The star of Margaux in this vintage for its incredible performance. Nearly the equal of Château Margaux itself at less than one-fifth the price and rated higher than Château Palmer at less than one-third the price! Super-second in quality, but not in price.


"This is absolutely fabulous. I love the complex aromas of ripe fruit and fresh flowers that turn to mineral and raspberry, along with tannins on the finish. This changes all the time. Full-bodied and dense, but so beautiful and long. The layers of ultrafine tannins just turn off the tip of your tongue." 97-100/100 James Suckling, Wine Spectator

"It is going to take a lot for this wine to equal or eclipse the 2005, but it is a different style of wine. While the 2005 is slightly more structured, with more aggressive tannin, this has more fat, texture, and more tactile magnetism going for it. I suppose the best thing is to own both. Opaque ruby/purple, with a beautiful nose of charcoal, forest floor, and black fruits, the wine hits the palate with great intensity, a sumptuous texture, yet brilliant precision and purity. This is a superb wine that should drink well for 20-25 years. (Tasted three times.)" 95-97/100 Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate $98.00

Haut-Medoc Cru Bourgeois, Château Paloumey (Futures) 2009
The Haut-Medoc is filled with serious wines in this vintage. Most are pricey, but not this wine. Paloumey is situated near classified growths Cantemerle and La Lagune, excellent neighbors especially in this vintage. The gravelly soils produce wonderful fruit. Its owners are ambitious and have spent on lowering yields and improving the quality of the grand vin. Their investment has clearly paid off in this outstanding 2009. Not to be missed by smart Bordeaux buyers in this vintage!

"Gorgeous black currant on the nose, with tar and lead pencil. Pauillac-like. Full-bodied, with well-integrated tannins and a long finish. Serious." 90-93/100 James Suckling, Wine Spectator
MINIMUM 3 BOTTLES PER ORDER $19.00

Graves Rouge, Clos Floridene (Futures) 2009
The Graves performed tremendously in this vintage as demonstrated by La Mission Haut-Brion (wine of the vintage), Smith-Haut-Lafitte, Haut-Bailly, Pape-Clement, and Haut-Brion itself. But these are all super ridiculously expensive wines. But here’s overachiever Floridène selling at less than 20 bucks! This is awesome, serious wine. Ya gotta get some of this!
MINIMUM 3 BOTTLES PER ORDER
"(a blend of 60% cabernet sauvignon and 40% merlot) Good deep red. Vibrant aromas of raspberry, dark plum and spicy oak. On the palate, the sweet blackcurrant and dark plum flavors show an almost liqueur-like creaminess, but a peppery element and good minerality lend grip. The finish features dusty tannins, a pretty violet note and a calcaire persistence. This atypically fat Clos Floridene will probably be at its best during its first ten years of life. About 40% of the merlot used for this wine is grown on limestone, as is half of the cabernet sauvignon (the other half is on gravel), which Dubourdieu notes is rare in this area." 88-91/100 Ian D'Agata, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

"Offers blueberry, violet and mineral on the nose. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a clean, silky finish. This has lots of finesse" 88-91/100 James Suckling, Wine Spectator
MINIMUM 3 BOTTLES PER ORDER $18.00

Margaux Second Growth, Château Rauzan-Ségla (Futures) 2009
A beautiful Rauzan-Segla. So classic and very Margaux, unlike many of its rivals, which taste more like right bank wines. Aromatic, rich, and so well proportioned. Absolutely classy! If you love classic Margaux, this is it.

"Composed of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon and 42% Merlot, this large estate appears to have produced their greatest wine since the 1986. The alcohols came in at 13.9%, and the wine reveals extraordinary density, power, and richness as well as explosive fruit, and terrific acidity, intensity, and power. Yet it tastes like a crisp, delicate Margaux. Yields were 40 hectoliters per hectare. This outstanding 2009 should age nicely for 35-40+ years. (Tasted two times.)" 92-95/100 Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate

"Shows a lovely concentration of currant and blackberry. Hints of vanilla follow through to a full body, with layers of ripe fruit and fine, fruit-coated tannins. I love the ripe and pretty fruit to this. Very fruit-forward. The château cut back on the new wood, and went for a fruitier style. I like that." 93-96/100 James Suckling, Wine Spectator
MINIMUM 3 BOTTLES PER ORDER $105.00

Haut-Medoc Grand Cru Classé, Château La Lagune (Futures) 2009
One of the greatest and most flattering vintages of this exceptional third-growth estate. The quality is undoubtedly overachieving and rivals that of second-growths priced two to three times more! The high proportion of Petit Vedot (15%) in the blend created a most extraordinary and expressive wine. One of the greatest buys of the vintage. Don't miss this!

"I don't think anyone could possibly rate this higher than the 2005, which is certainly the greatest wine made at this estate since 1982. However, this is another blockbuster, gorgeously aromatic, with notes of subtle oak interwoven with perfumed black, blue, and red fruits. Its opaque purple color, the gorgeous elegance allied to compelling intensity of flavor, and its full-bodied opulence make for the quintessential expression of this terroir. This is beauty that will be relatively approachable in 3-4 years and evolve for 20 or more years. (Tasted three times.)" 94-96/100 Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate

"Floral and precise fruit, with blackberry-skin character and mineral undertones. Full-bodied, with superfine tannins and a fresh, clean finish. Long and tight. Racy. Lovely texture. 60 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 25 percent Merlot and 15 percent Petit Verdot. This property is really on a roll now, delivering racy and structured reds; it gives much more freshness and character to the wine." 93-96/100 James Suckling, Wine Spectator
MINIMUM 3 BOTTLES PER ORDER $63.00

Haut-Medoc Grand Cru Classé Fifth Growth, Château Cantemerle (Futures) 2009
Perhaps the greatest Cantemerle ever! One of the greatest buys of this monumental vintage.

“This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with the Cabernet dominating, looks to be the best they have ever produced, even eclipsing the 2005. Dense purple in color, with extraordinarily elegant floral notes intermixed with raspberry, black currant, cherry, and spice box, it is medium to full-bodied, not massive, but again, very seamless, with beautiful precision, sweet tannins, and an endearing fleshiness and depth of flavor that are neither heavy nor fatiguing. This wine will be relatively approachable in 3-5 years and drink well for 25-30. (Tasted two times.)” 92-94/100 Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate

“Tasted at a negociant. The Cantemerle ’09 has a well defined, quite pure nose that shows more precision and essence of terroir than the Camensac sampled alongside. A very nice marriage between exuberant ripe, rounded fruit and Bordeaux austerity. The palate is medium-bodied, quite smoky and meaty on the entry, just a hint of leafiness that here lends the wine freshness and vitality. Unashamedly classic in style, but I think they pulled off a lovely, traditional Haut-Medoc here. Excellent. Tasted March 2010.” 91-93/100 Neal Martin, erobertparker.com Wine Journal
MINIMUM 3 BOTTLES PER ORDER $37.00

1999, 2001, and 2004 are some of the greatest vintages for Brunello di Montalcino. Yet, some producers overachieved in 2000, 2003, and 2005, making beautiful Brunello for earlier drinking and at very good values.

Terms: Arriving within a month. Full payment upon order. Please, no reservations accepted without payment. Limited to stock on hand. We reserve the right to allocate quantities.

Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, Canalicchio di Sopra (Pre-Arrival) 2004
A mere 5,000 bottles or about 400 cases were produced of this unbelievably good Riserva! Made in the traditional style, the wine was aged for 3 years in large Slavonian oak barrels (30,000 liters), followed by 7 to 8 months in small French oak barriques, and finally at least one year in bottle. Though the character of the 2004 regular Brunello clearly carries on in this Riserva, it is darker, denser, more powerful and concentrated. The nose shows strong notes of resin and menthol-like spice. Stuffed with dark red fruit flavors, almost massive, yet beautifully structured, perfectly balanced, with silky, superfine tannins. A stupendous Riserva!
($150.00 regular) $118.00

Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, Castello Romitorio (Pre-Arrival) 2004
From Sangiovese Grosso vines that are about 40 years-old. Aged for two years in large Slavonian oak casks and for one year in French barrique. The strict selection from such a great vintage resulted in fabulous depth and concentration. Clearly, the best riserva produced by this estate since the debut 1997. Crafted by Italy's leading oenologist, Carlo Ferrini.

"This is a wine with a beautiful density of blueberry and blackberry fruit on the nose and palate. I am impressed with the fruit struc- ture and ripe tannins. Long and intense, with loads of new wood, but seems to hold together beautifully. Best wine ever from here. Best after 2012. 250 cases imported." 96/100 James Suckling, Wine Spectator $119.00

Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG "Madonna del Piano", Valdicava (Pre-Arrival) 2004
This single-cru Brunello Riserva is one of the most famous and highly regarded Brunello. Each release is an outstanding expression of Brunello, but this 2004 is truly exceptional, really classic in style. Its nose is perfumed by scents of fresh herbs, cedar, and cherries. In the mouth it’s dense and sweetened by ripe black cherries, but it moves gracefully, its tannins are rich and mouthcoating, and the finish is incredibly long. It should age beautifully.

"Intense aromas of blackberries, blueberries and minerals, with just the right amount of licorice and minerals. Full body, with silky tannins and a beautiful finish. So much going on here. Best after 2012." 96/100 James Suckling, Wine Spectator Hot Wines

"Valdicava's 2004 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Madonna del Piano is an incredibly nuanced, refined Brunello made in a less obvious style than the 1999 or the 2001 although it shares some stylistic similarities with those vintages. Today the wine presents a weightless, almost Burgundian personality, although it should fill out over the next few years. This is an utterly convincing, spellbinding Madonna del Piano that relies more on elegance and finesse rather than sheer power. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2026." 93-96/100 Antonio Galloni, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate $186.00

Top Barolo producers made some of their finest Barolos in 1998. Classic wines with generous fruit, freshness, and structure for long-term aging. These are great buys!

Terms: Estimated arrival is Fall 2010, between September-November. Very limited availability. Full payment upon order. Limited to stock on hand. We reserve the right to allocate quantities. All orders subject to confirmation.

Barolo DOCG "Briccho Rocche", Ceretto (Pre-Arrival) 1998
A terrific vintage for this Barolo! Excellent concentration and solid structure. It will age for decades. An amazing buy! Very limited availability.

"Dense and rich, with coffee, tobacco and toasty oak character, as well as very ripe fruit. Full and velvety, with a decadent flavor of meat, ripe berries and toasty oak. A year or two would make it even better, but the opulence is so attractive now. 1998 Piedmont blind retrospective (2008). Best after 2010. 580 cases made." 93/100 James Suckling, Wine Spectator

"Ceretto's finest Barolo of the vintage appears to be the 1998 Barolo Bricco Rocche. An incredibly complex perfume of creosote, minerals, smoke, soy, black cherries, and incense is accompanied by a full-bodied, sweet, layered, powerful wine with outstanding balance. Long as well as elegant, this beauty will be at its finest between 2002-2017" 92/100 Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate

"Medium-full red. Very sweet aromas of mocha, truffle, game, smoke and flinty minerals. Lush and sweet, with deep, insinuating flavor and perfectly integrated acidity. Very suave, silky and fine. Finishes very long and bright, with lush, fine tannins. This has a pH of 3.6, significantly higher than the '99's 3.45." 92/100 Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar! $88.00

Barolo DOCG "Vigneto La Villa", Fratelli Seghesio (Pre-Arrival) 1998
An excellent vintage for this top Barolo cru! Concentrated, big and muscular with pure Nebbiolo aromas and a velvety texture. Situated in the Castelleto subzone of Monforte, where the most concentrated and structured Barolos are made, the La Villa cru is one of the best sites in all of Barolo.

"The 1998's saturated dense plum/garnet color is accompanied by a stunningly ostentatious, brilliantly aromatic nose of smoky tobacco, cedar wood, plums, cherry liqueur, coffee, and dried herbs. A rich, full-bodied, and opulent wine, it possesses fabulous spice and fruit, as well as a fresh, high-toned character. Powerful, full, and beautifully delineated, it can be consumed over the next 10-15 years." 94/100 Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate $75.00

Barolo DOCG le Rocche del Falleto, Bruno Giacosa (Pre-Arrival) 2005
“The 2005 Barolo Le Rocche del Falletto is a massive, towering Barolo loaded with tons of rich, primary fruit. The wine remains powerful, dense and muscular with superb length even if it is a smaller-scaled Barolo compared to previous great vintages. That said, when I came back to the wine after it had been in the glass for an hour or so, I found that the wine had grown remarkably. While the 2005 doesn’t have the explosive personality of the 2004, it remains an awesome achievement in this vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2035.” 96+/100 Antonio Galloni, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate $143.00

2006 is another outstanding vintage in Saumur. The Cabernet Franc ripened perfectly in the long, sunny weather. Hence, this vintage is most anticipated release again for Clos Rougeard.

Terms: Expected arrival is September 2010. Extremely limited availability. Full payment upon order. Please, no reservations accepted without payment. Limited to stock on hand. We reserve the right to allocate quantities. All orders subject to confirmation.

Saumur-Champigny Rouge "Clos", Clos Rougeard (Pre-Arrival) 2006
This comes from parcels planted with over 30-year-old Cabernet Franc vines. It is aged in 2-3 year-old barrel after a long six-week cuvaison. It’s bottled unfined and unfiltered and released only after 6-12 months of further aging in bottle.

“This, the Foucault brothers' entry-level bottling, is aged in 2-5 year old barrels, after a long fermentation and maceration.  Vine age is 25-30 years old.  It is always bottled unfined and unfiltered, and normally released only after 6-12 months in the bottle.  Yields are normally 35hl/hectare.

The nose is of black currents, earth and iron, classic Cabernet Franc aromas.  Texture in the mouth is quite tense, but with good richness and very full-bodied with good length.  This is a wine that shows great class now, but will age gracefully for at least 10 years.” Michael Sullivan, Beaune Imports (regular $56) $44.00