January Sale Part 1:
California Edition
Buzz-Worthy Champagne Offers
January Sale Part 2:
Champagne Edition
2004 Krug
Grace Under Glass
Greatest Deal in Cali Cab
Domaine Huet
The Glory of Chenin Blanc
Pure Brilliance:
Markus Molitor
New Year’s Day, January 1st: Closed
We will be open normal hours (10 AM – 6 PM) all other days this week.
Commences Today!
Part 1, California Edition
In Stock & On Sale Now:
Larkmead Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2014 750ML ($149.95) Was $119, Now $98 January Special, 23 bottles in stock now
Robert Parker 93 points “The 2014 “White Label” red wines include the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa, which is a beauty. An elegant, Pauillac-style wine with notes of chocolate, cedar wood, fruitcake, unsmoked cigar tobacco and underbrush, it is dense, full-bodied and rich. It is a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Petit Verdot aged 19 months in 75% new French oak. There are 2,705 cases of this wine, which finished at 14.7% natural alcohol. It should drink well for 20-25 years, but there’s no reason to defer your gratification.”
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Larkmead’s 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is a very pretty, understated wine. Bright red stone fruit, floral notes and spice give the 2014 its refreshing, vibrant personality. The fruit is nicely pushed forward, but the 2014 is light on its feet and gracious, especially for a Calistoga Cabernet. Even so, this is a relatively laid-back style built on finesse more than power.”
The average price is $126
Wine Advocate 95+ points “The “Black Label” wines include the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Dr. Olmo, which is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the clone of Cabernet that is also called Eisele. This wine spent 20 months in 62% new French oak. A magnificent wine by any standard of measurement, with notes of scorched earth, lead pencil shavings, charcoal embers, and blackberry and cassis fruit, this dense purple wine has undeniable minerality, a beautiful, full-bodied texture and a voluptuous finish. Drink it over the next 25 years.”
Antonio Galloni 92-95 points “The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Dr. Olmo is holding back quite a bit of its potential. Dark cherry, smoke, licorice, tar and menthol give the Dr. Olmo much of its brooding personality. The tannins are quite firm, but that should be less of an issue as the wine won’t be released for about a year.”
The next best price is $146.25
The average price is $183
Robert Parker 94 points “A blend of 72% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot, the 2014 Firebelle finished at 14.9% alcohol. It is a beautifully rich, chocolaty wine with notes of savory spices, black cherries and mulberries, some fudge and coffee bean. It has medium to full body, outstanding purity, concentration and length. It was aged in 66% new French oak for 19 months prior to bottling. Drink it over the next 15-20 years.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2014 Firebelle, Larkmead’s Merlot-based wine, is terrific. Succulent black cherry, lavender, mint and dark spices infuse this pliant, creamy wine. Expressive savory and mineral-infused notes punctuate the finish. The tannins need time to soften, but there is plenty to like and look forward to.”
The average price is $155
The Calling? We’re calling it the best deal in budget-friendly Cali wine. Stock up by the case and get it almost half the national average!
The Calling Dutton Ranch Chardonnay, Russian River Valley 2017 750ML ($29.95) $19 pre-arrival special
Case-12 The Calling Dutton Ranch Chardonnay, Russian River Valley 2017 750ML ($319.95) $199 pre-arrival special (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
The next best price is $24.92
The average price is $28
Case-12 The Calling Rio Lago Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 2016 750ML ($299.95) $189 pre-arrival special (that’s only $15.75/bottle!)
The next best price is $19.95
The average price is $25
Dom Perignon Re-Stocked!
Dom Perignon Brut, Champagne 2009 750ML ($199.95) $149 special Case-3 Dom Perignon Brut, Champagne 2009 750ML ($499.95) $399 special (that’s only $133/bottle!)
Case-6 Dom Perignon Brut, Champagne 2009 750ML ($999.95) $769 special (that’s only $128.17/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2006 Dom Pérignon is a beautifully balanced, harmonious Dom Pérignon that strikes an incredibly appealing stylistic middle ground. Rich, voluptuous and creamy, the 2006 shows off fabulous intensity in a style that brings together the ripeness of 2002 with the greater sense of verve and overall freshness that is such a signature of the 2004. Bass notes and a feeling of phenolic grip on the finish recall the 2003, as the Pinot Noir is particularly expressive today. After an irregular summer that saw elevated temperatures in July followed by cooler, damp conditions in August, more favorable weather returned in September, pushing maturation ahead and leading to a long, protracted harvest. The 2006 falls into the family of riper, more voluptuous Dom Pérignons, but without veering into the level of opulence seen in vintages such as 2002.”
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2006 Dom Pérignon comes from a very rich vintage with an early ripeness that brought a lot of aromatic maturity. The white-golden prestige cuvée contains a bit more Chardonnay than Pinot Noir and opens with a deep and seductive, pretty accessible nose with intense yet fresh fruit aromas of pineapples, with peaches and tangerines. Lively and elegant on the palate, this is a full-bodied, unusually aromatic and fruity DP with a long and tension-filled expression.”
This rare demi-sec Champagne is the perfect go-to for dessert!
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Demi-Sec, Champagne NV 750ML ($69.95) $39 special
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Demi-Sec, Champagne NV 375ML ($37.95) $21.90 special
Winery note “Veuve Clicquot Demi-Sec pays homage to the taste of the 19th century. The higher presence of Chardonnay enhances its sweetness and silkiness. It is best served in a carafe, allowing the flavors to fully expand and develop. After additional cellaring (two to three years, or even more in the right conditions), Demi Sec develops even richer notes of praline or toasts. It is then ideal with caramel or praline based desserts: Paris-Brest, tarte Tatin, pears with caramel, etc…”
The average price for the 750ml is $60
Arriving Friday & On Sale Now!
Ruinart
Dom Ruinart Rose Millesime, Champagne 2002 750ML ($349.95) $219 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 96+ points “A mysterious, beguiling beauty, the 2002 Dom Ruinart Rosé boasts fabulous intensity and pure resonance. Tangerine, exotic spices, mint, crushed rose petals and sweet red berries blossom in the glass. Still, my impression is that the 2002 is holding back much of its ultimate potential, as it remains tight and much less expressive than so many other wines of the year. When the 2002 finally emerges fully, it is going to be truly monumental.” [Review is for Sept 2012 disgorgement]
Wine Spectator 95 points “($350) This is subtle up front, with delicate aromas and flavors of pink grapefruit granita, pickled ginger, spun honey and biscuit. The smoky underpinning of minerality gains momentum, riding the lacy mousse to a fresh and persistent finish. Drink now through 2027. 92 cases imported.”
James Suckling 95 points “With a true “eye of partridge” nose, this has the boldness of the 2002 vintage and is unique in that the wine is based on 80% chardonnay as a top rosé Champagne. The aromas are floral with sweet decayed rose hip and a clear toasty edge showing through, as well as fine wild red fruits and some peach and stone fruits. There’s a completely unique style here in terms of the chardonnay making a statement of gentle nougat, while some dried red berries lurk beneath. The palate has precise, sleeve-like long texture and is really focused and even. The freshness is startling, meanwhile, and this really looks very young and unevolved. There’s some very gentle tannin in the mix here, adding nutty toasted hazelnut elements on the finish. Acidity is pronounced and, having the last say, keeps everything really fresh. Drink now.”
The average price is $325
Veuve Clicquot
“[The Yellow Label Clicquot] has moved up dramatically in quality from where it was ten years ago and is a harbinger of even better things to come from this Grand Maison in the not too distant future.” –John Gilman
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Brut Gift Box, Champagne NV 750ML ($69.95) $36 pre-arrival special
John Gilman 89+ points “The new release of Veuve Clicquot’s ‘Yellow Label’ bottling of non-vintage Brut is approximately a blend of fifty percent Pinot Noir, twenty percent Pinot Meunier and thirty percent Chardonnay. The wine offers up a bright and precise bouquet of lemon, apple, bread dough, a nice touch of minerality and a topnote of dried flowers. On the palate the wine is crisp, full-bodied and nicely balanced, with a good core, pinpoint bubbles, good backend mineral drive and a long, brisk and focused finish. This is not the most complex non-vintage Brut on the market, but it has moved up dramatically in quality from where it was ten years ago and is a harbinger of even better things to come from this Grand Maison in the not too distant future. (Drink between 2017-2030)”
Grace Under Glass
“There’s a controlled power to this poised, vinous, linear 2004… It has a luminous freshness and good density” –Decanter
“There is marvelous precision here on both the nose and palate, not to mention a sense of harmony and grace” –John Gilman, A View from the Cellar
Krug Brut, Champagne 2004 750ML ($299.95) $248 special
Krug Brut Gift Box, Champagne 2004 750ML ($299.95) $259 special
Antonio Galloni 97+ points “Krug’s 2004 Vintage is absolutely mesmerizing. Layers of bright, chiseled fruit open up effortlessly as the wine fleshes out with time in the glass. Persistent and beautifully focused, with a translucent sense of energy, the 2004 captures all the best qualities of the year. Moreover, the 2004 is clearly superior to the consistently underwhelming 2002 and the best Krug Vintage since 1996. Readers who can find it should not hesitate, as it is a magical bottle.”
Decanter 97 points “… It has a luminous freshness and good density without heaviness. There’s a controlled power to this poised, vinous, linear 2004, displaying candied fruits, minerals, gingerbread, white chocolate, caramel and marzipan. This has a long, dry autolytic finish, great balance and lovely bead…”
John Gilman 97 points “The new release of 2004 Krug is absolutely beautiful and is already quite elegant and open on both the nose and palate and is drinking with great finesse. I had expected this wine to be a bit more steely in structure out of the blocks, but the refinement of the blend this year has produced a wine that is already a joy to drink at age thirteen, though it will continue age gracefully for many, many decades to come…”
James Suckling 97 points “This is an extremely fresh edition and remains in a restrained mode with an intense serve of Chardonnay’s lemon citrus dominating the nose alongside lime zest, bright florals, grassy elements, fresh dough, white stones and very subtle background spice. The palate has a svelte and elegant shape…”
Everyone is chasing the cult bottle or the newest flash-in-the-pan, but what’s a wine-lover to do when they want a Cabernet to drink?
Grab a six pack of Rodney Strong Brothers Ridge Vineyard for drinking now and cellaring!
Rodney Strong Brothers Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 2013 750ML ($79.95) $49 special
Case-6 Rodney Strong Brothers Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 2013 750ML ($299.95) $259 special (that’s only $43.17/bottle!)
Robert Parker 92+ points “The single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from the highest elevation (400-1000 feet) is the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Brothers Ridge. It displays blacker fruit, loads of plums, blueberry and blackberry, a deep, full-bodied, mouthfeel, rich, concentrated, moderately high tannin, a nice minerality and plenty of black fruits. These are all well-built and potentially very long-lived wines of 25-30 or more years. This wine needs a good 4-5 years of cellaring.”
The next best price is $59.95
The average price is $74
The Glory of Chenin Blanc
They seemingly age forever, gaining complexity and density, but impressively are priced like low-tier white Burgundy. It’s this last part that’s so perplexing. You can put well-aged Huet on the table with any top tier white Burgundy and it has a chance of being not only in the same league, but the best wine on the table. It often costs 1/2-1/5th that of the Burgs. That’s insane.
Markus Molitor
The critical praise backs this up—Marcus Molitor’s wines are some of the most lauded in the world. Whether white capsule (dry), green capsule (off-dry), or gold capsule (fruity to nobly sweet), he manages to produce wines that captivate and astound.
And we have a captivating and astounding selection of 2013, 2015 and 2016 vintages. See the complete list below or click here to shop!
Thanks for reading!