92-Point Barolo for $23.79

Plus 97-Points for Ornellaia!

On the 20th Anniversary of the opening of our Highland Park store, we present one of the most outstanding Barolo values in Vin Chicago history.

The 2010 Franco Molino "Cascina Rocca" Barolo comes from a tiny producer whose wines rarely make their way outside of Italy. It found its way to us courtesy of a small Chicago-based importer who in recent years has developed a close relationship with the Molino family. The family sells their wine to the importer for a much-lower-than-usual-for-Barolo price, the importer passes the savings on to us and we, of course, pass the savings on to you. The result is a 92-Point Barolo for an atypically low price of $23.79 per bottle.

Just over 800 cases of this wine were produced. We currently have 56 of them in stock. Given the quality of this wine and our special price, we expect them to go fast!

Scroll down for complete tasting notes on the 2010 Cascina Rocca and for information on a pair of even more limited-supply wines, both of which we are offering for what looks to be the lowest prices in the country. To place your order, simply click on the Big Yellow Button.

- Around the World in 40 Wines -

A 20th Anniversary Tasting in Highland Park!

Twenty years ago today, owner Bud Schwarzbach and manager Jim Buckley unlocked the doors of our Highland Park store for the first time. In the intervening years, Jim spent time managing our other locations but now he's back in Highland Park and has put together a special lineup of of wines to celebrate our 20th Anniversary!

Join us this Friday, October 17th, from 7:30pm - 9:00pm for an around-the-world tour of outstanding bottlings from Napa Valley, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Willamette Valley, Rioja, Piedmont, Tuscany and more of the globe's greatest wine regions.

The powerful wines will be paired with succulent empanadas and rice & beans from Longitud315. Cost is $30 per person. Whether you've been with us for all 20 years or just discovered us a few months ago, we hope you'll join us for this celebration! To reserve your spot, click here or call Jim or Alex at 847-831-1049.

2010 Franco Molino "Cascina Rocca"

Barolo, Piedmont, Italy

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"Simply put, 2010 is the greatest young Barolo vintage I have tasted in 18 years of visiting the region and a lifetime of buying, cellaring and drinking these wines."

- Antonio Galloni, Vinous

Wow! That is a HUGE quote from Antonio Galloni. The 2010 vintage is indeed a superlative one for Barolo. From top to bottom, the wines are outstanding. A bottling the quality of this sub-$25 effort from Franco Molino would simply not be possible from a lesser vintage.

In the glass, a beautiful light cherry-skin color fades out to the characteristic orangey/pink rim associated with youthful Nebbiolo. Gorgeously perfumed and expressive aromatics of fresh tea leaf, rose petal, dried cherry and dried fig immediately awaken the senses along with notes of fresh wild mint and hard rocky earth. The texture and mouthfeel are absolutely superb.

The optimal 2010 growing conditions allowed the Molino family to produce a complexly layered wine with a harmonious balance of ripe, round tannins and fresh, super bright acidity. All of this is wrapped in a long, silky finish that will quickly entice you to go back for another sip.

This is a seriously impressive wine that offers up tremendous drinking pleasure. On our scale, it is a solid 92 points - unbelievable for a Barolo at this price. We enjoyed our sample bottle over a period of three days and recommend you do the same. Pop a bottle on a Thursday night and enjoy a small glass. Pour another bit on Friday when you get home from work and be intrigued by how it has opened. On Saturday, drink the remainder of the bottle with dinner and get a glimpse of the wine's full potential. As for the rest of the case, lay it in your cellar for at least a few more years. Trust us, it will be worth the effort.

According to an online search, we are the first ones on the planet to be offering this 2010 bottling. Despite the increased quality, our price beats all four listings for the prior vintage! A wine to buy by the case and enjoy over the next decade.

Vin Chicago Price: 23.79 ($285.48 per case of twelve)

2006 Franco Molino "Villero" Riserva

Barolo, Piedmont, Italy

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There are only a handful of producers that bottle a Barolo from the Villero cru. Located in the commune of Castiglione Falletto, right in the center of Barolo, the Nebbiolo grown there produces wines that combine the deep concentration and power associated with the vineyards of Serralunga d'Alba with the softer characteristics and perfumed aromatics found in wines from La Morra. This vineyard offers the best of both communes and the wines usually need extended bottle age to soften and show off their generous and complex flavors.

Most connoisseurs associate Villero with Vietti, its most famous producer. Vietti's 2006 Villero Riserva bottling earned 97 points from the Wine Advocate. It also happens to sell for around $300 a bottle. Yep, two zeros in that price! This bottling from Franco Molino comes from the same vintage and the same vineyard, but for a very small fraction of that price.

When poured in a glass you'll notice a deeper and richer color to the core that fades out to a lighter and more translucent orange rim. The aromas are serious, with dark tones of tar, deep black cherry, wild mushroom and hard white rock. These captivating aromas lead to a structured palate that, despite already being eight years old, is still powerful with big grippy tannins and mouthwateringly high acidity. This is hard-core Barolo and we award it a 93+ point score.

While approachable to drink now with a two to three hour decant, this beauty will continue to age gracefully in your cellar for the next 10 to 15 years. It is a wine with qualities comparable to Baroli that command prices of $75 and upward. At $34.99, it is an absolute steal. Order a case, hunt down some fresh truffles and drink like a king!

Vin Chicago Price: 34.99

Only 16 cases available

Ornellaia 2011 has Arrived at Vin Chicago!

2011 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia "Ornellaia"

Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy

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One of the world's most sought-after and collectible wines, Ornellaia is modeled after the great First Growths of Bordeaux. Think of it as a cross between Phelps Insignia and Lafite, with a bit of Italian flair!

A blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot, the 2011 is a real blockbuster. In their 97 and 96 point reviews, Antonio Galloni, James Suckling and Wine Spectator are completely consistent in recommending at least 3 to 5 years before digging in. We're pleased today to be offering it for a very, very aggressive price!

As a special treat for buyers of the 2011 vintage, each wooden case contains five bottles with the regular label plus a single golden labeled bottle.

"Another dark, intense wine, the 2011 Ornellaia boasts superb depth, richness and power. Here, too, the 2011 has tightened up quite a bit over the last six months. Today, the searing tannins are quite prominent, giving the 2011 an element of gravitas and muscle that argues for cellaring. How long? I am not sure, but the 2011 is built for the long haul. Savory herbs, new leather, menthol and cloves resonate on the huge finish."

-97 Points, Antonio Galloni. (September 2014)

"This shows incredible concentration with dark-berry, dark-chocolate, mint and rosemary character. Full body with a superb depth of fruit and polished tannins. It's chewy but caressing. This needs at least four or five years to come around. Powerful and intense. Yet it remains fresh and bright."

- 96 Points, James Suckling. (September 2014)

"A dark and inky red, featuring violet, black currant, cedar, sandalwood and iron aromas and flavors. Nonetheless, this comes across as elegant, even as the tannins prove formidable on the finish. A terrific young wine in the making. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2017 through 2035. 2,200 cases imported."

- 96 Points, Wine Spectator. (August 2014)

Wine Spectator quotes a release price of $240. Median online retail is $200. Our price on this iconic red beats all 118 online listings!

Vin Chicago Price: 169.97 per bottle

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