4-11-22 Newsletter

Can you think of a wine more versatile than sweeter wines? There are few culinary experiences that can compare to eating something high in fat or exceptionally spicy with a sweeter style of wine. This is on account of the sweetness acting as a palate cleanser and the acid cutting through the fat. In addition to their organoleptic properties, acidity will act as a check and balance for the residual sugar (With some examples being perceptibly dry as a result!). For a more heightened experience, wines that have undergone botrytis and bottle age offer additional characteristics like crystallized ginger, Manuka honey, honeysuckle and caramel, in addition to greater complexity.

Eiswein is among the hardest wines to make on the planet, and is becoming rarer as climate change advances. This is on account of the time the Riesling grapes must spend on the vine as decreed by German law. During the extended hang time the grapes will freeze and thaw multiple times, further concentrating the sugars and acids. There’s an endless list of things that could go wrong for the selected clusters during this time. Between the risks of rotting, not freezing enough to be harvested as eiswein or simply eaten by passing critters you can see why production quantities are minuscule to say the least.

If that wasn’t herculean enough, the grapes are legally required to be harvested by hand and processed entirely frozen (Usually requiring harvest to be done between dusk and dawn). After all that the resulting wine features an entire kaleidoscope of flavors ranging from pineapple, lychee, guava, passionfruit, and Valencia orange. There’s also a definite mineral character on the finish, with an electric acidity that acts as a through line. These are among the most compelling sweet wines in the world, and one of the most endangered styles at that.          

Eiswein in stock now:

Weingut Korrell Johanneshof Kreuznacher Paradies Riesling Eiswein Nahe 2016 375ML ($99.95) $79 special, 23 half-bottles in stock now
***Half bottle***
Grapelive 94 points “Korrell is one of the Nahe’s latest break out stars and every wine I’ve tried from Martin Korrell has been absolutely stunning, including this Eiswein. Crafted from old vines at their estate monopole Paradies Vineyard in Bad Kreuznach, from those grapes that hang out until the first freeze and were individual berry picked off the vine. Concentrated in sugars, but still bristling with natural acidity the gorgeous and opulent 2016 Korrell Eiswein Paradies goes on and on in mouth. Even with the residual sugar levels off the carts, this wine stays incredibly balanced and doesn’t drink as sweet as you’d imagine, making for a heavenly experience from its perfumed nose to its lingering tropical fruits. This is entrancing stuff with layers of lychee, candied pineapple, apricot jelly, honeycomb, lime blossom, white roses, chamomile, a hint of spearmint, mineral spice and cool wet stone. A rare and exotic, this Korrell Eiswein is treat beyond words, and, while the Mosel is better known for sweet wines, I have found the Nahe in some vintages are more than equal. In fact I still think a contender for the greatest wine I ever tasted was one of Donnhoff’s version of Eiiswein from just up the river! While Tokaji and Sauternes grab sweet wine headlines, I honestly believe the Germans have them beat with TBA’s and Eiswein, because of the racy acidity that still remains in these Riesling beauties. Korrell used specially selected yeasts as there is no chance to do Sponti on the ultra-concentrated Paradies Eiswein, it needs extra special attention to detail, Korrell adds. It is pressed in a special small press for sweet wines with low quantity, read tiny production, but not wooden because they don’t want too much air contact [so as] to keep and preserve the exotic fruit aromas as much as possible as well as fresh details. Tasted from 375ml, half bottle, the 2016 Korrell Paradies Eiswein is an amazing product, and sadly isn’t listed in the United States as of yet, though their Trocken(s) should be available later this spring or early summer, so remember this one for if and when you get to Germany.”   
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Weingut Prinz Hallgartener Wurzgarten Riesling Eiswein 2016 375ML ($149.95) $119 special, 12 half-bottles in stock now
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Himmelreich Riesling Eiswein Mosel 2016 375ML ($119.95) $99 special, 2 half-bottles in stock now 
Super Subscriber Sale Wine!
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96 points “Picked on the 5th of December, the 2016 Zeltinger Himmelreich Riesling Eiswein (AP 14 17) has a very clear and concentrated bouquet of pineapples and weathered slate. Sweet yet piquant and elegant on the palate, this is a highly finessed and salty-piquant picture-book ice wine with lingering salinity and grip. This is super precise and perfectly balanced. Tasted February 2018.”
Mosel Fine Wines 96 points “The 2016er Zeltinger Himmelreich Eiswein was made from clean frozen grapes harvested at 135° Oechsle on December 5. It proves still rather reduced yet already hints at a vibrant array of fruits including cassis, pear, grapefruit and pineapple. The wine is still on the sweet side on the palate at this early stage but the great cassis infused fruity feel in the finish already shows the true greatness to come. This desperately needs a few years of bottle aging but should then prove a terrific example of fruit-driven Eiswein. 2021-2036+”

We carry an extensive collection of German dessert wines including Auslese, Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese!
 

Andre Clouet ‘Dream Vintage’ Brut Champagne 2008 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “Such a classic Blanc de Blancs champagne with the special elegance, brilliance and minerality of the 2008 vintage. Very well structured, but without the austere acidity structure that some 2008s have. Long and very clean finish that sends you back to the glass. 100% chardonnay. Drink or hold.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Charles Ellner Seduction Brut Millesime Champagne 2007 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 92 points “A toasty hint of grilled nut adds savory richness to this bright, light-footed Champagne. The firm acidity is well-meshed to notes of yellow plum, candied ginger and lemon curd. Not a powerhouse, but fresh and balanced. Drink now through 2027. — AN”     
 

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Ama No To ‘Heaven’s Door’ Tokubetsu Junmai Sake Japan 720ML ($39.95) $33 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Off-Dry + Floral
VinpolNote: Ama No To is A “Grower Saké” (Made by the farmers who grew the rice since the brewery’s founding in 1917) from Akita Prefecture, one of the most northerly areas of the Japanese Mainland. Translating to “Heaven’s Door” the name and magatama on the label is derived from Shinto scriptures regarding Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess and patron of rice cultivation. Tasting notes include dried chamomile, Arabian jasmine, cloves, golden apple and white miso with an off dry level of sweetness and light body.
 

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Clos Cibonne Cotes de Provence Cuvee Tradition Rose France 2019 750ML ($39.95) $30.50 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Wine & Spirits 94 points “Vinified in the estate’s 100-year-old foudres and aged under a veil of yeast, this tibouren-dominant blend is dense and butterscotch-scented, needing time in the glass to unpack. It slowly moves toward fruity notes of button mushrooms, then turns more savory, finishing on notes of wild thyme and bitter orange, limestone and sea air. Decant before serving, and pair with roasted fish dusted with za’atar.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Light, shimmering orange. Intensely perfumed aromas of fresh red berries, citrus pith and pit fruits are complemented by building floral and mineral notes. Supple and energetic on the palate, offering concentrated white peach, strawberry and kumquat flavors that show sharp definition and turn firmer on the back half. Shows firm tension the impressively long, focused finish, which leaves a suave floral note behind.”
De Maison Selections note “Clos Cibonne’s iconic Cuvée Tradition stands uniquely apart from other rosés as a classic, one-of-a-kind Côtes de Provence rosé featuring the tibouren grape in the lead role. Cuvée Tradition is legendary amongst experienced French wine collectors for its texture, substance, and ability to age gracefully for a decade or more. It is a limited wine made exclusively with estate-grown, organic tibouren grapes, and a bit of grenache to meet Côtes de Provence blending guidelines. The vineyard, one of 18 Crus Classés of Côtes de Provence, consists of traditional goblet trained vines located close to the Mediterranean Sea in the foothills of the Maures mountains, overlooking Toulon’s harbor. The microclimate of Clos Cibonne is especially important to the uniqueness of the wines, as the proximity of the ocean brings much needed cool air to the vineyards in the summer months. Their location at the foot of the Maures mountains ensures good east-west ventilation, which is ideal for the health and balance of the vineyard.
Vintage Notes – The 2019 Côtes de Provence vintage was low-yielding and high quality, a fine balance between fruit complexity and fresh thirst-quenching acidity. While the hot summer and ongoing dry season gave lower yields, the vines remained healthy and refreshed by their microclimate, providing an ideal marriage of fruit concentration and acidity.”

Chateau Fieuzal L’Abeille de Fieuzal Blanc Pessac Leognan 2018 750ML ($41.95) $34.50 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “The estate has made a reputation for its white wines. This second wine reflects the equilibrium and ripeness of the top white while having a lighter, more instantly accessible character. With judicious wood aging, it will be ready from 2022. -Roger Voss”
Importer note “Fieuzal’s historic terroir – known for exceptional whites – produces spectacularly balanced and structured wines with critical acclaim – and relative value.  Fieuzal has converted entirely to organic practices, in short becoming a completely sustainable ‘working wine farm’.  This very well-made second wine, ‘L’Abeille’ comes from the same estate fruit as the Grand Vin, albeit with slightly different cepage.  (54% Sauv Blanc, 46% Semillon) Abeille transports us into summertime with aromas of lime, dill, straw, acacia, white flowers and flint.  Richly textured, with fine balance and a touch of salinity on the finish.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

De Venoge Louis XV de Venoge Brut Millésime, Champagne 2008 750ML ($299.95) $249 special, 16 bottles in stock now
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.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

De Venoge ‘Princes’ Tour Eiffel 130 Anniversary Edition Champagne  NV 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Envie de Champagne “The Maison De Venoge was founded in 1837 by Henri-Marc De Venoge. Innovation in the production and marketing of champagnes were the founding values of this of champagne house, which won the Excellence Price in Philadelphia in 1876. A few years later, in 1889, during the World Fair in Paris, the house became the partner of the event. This exhibition celebrated the centenary of the French Revolution and it is on this occasion that the Tower designed by Gustave Eiffel has been inaugurated. This monument, with a height of 312 meters during its construction can now 337 meters in 2019 following the installation of antennas. In addition to its cultural and tourist use, the Eiffel Tower is used as a transmitter for TV and radio programs. The Eiffel Tower, object of discord at the time of its creation has become today the most visited paying monument of France. It has about 7 million visitors a year. It is also inseparable from the history of the French capital. For the 130 years of this first collaboration, De Venoge signs a beautiful partnership with the company in charge of the exploitation of the iron lady (surname of the Eiffel Tower). This collaboration is obvious because of  the common history of both parties but also because of the characteristic shape of the bottles of the Princes cuvée. This limited edition vintage is named “Cuvée Princes Tour Eiffel”. Only 10,000 bottles have been marketed for this partnership.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Dr. Burklin-Wolf Wachenheimer Riesling Trocken Pfalz 2017 ($24.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 92 points “Slightly funky (from wild ferment) but also great citrus, pear and peach aromas. Good concentration for a village wine with quite a linear profile. Very clean finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Weingut Kunstler Riesling Feinherb Rheingau 2020 750ML ($27.95) $26 special, 13 bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 90 points “The Riesling Weiser-Künstler, as it is referred to on the main label (the reference to the vintage is left for the back label), is a barely off-dry wine (with 15 g/l of residual sugar) made from Estate’s holdings and from grapes sourced at a befriended organic grower in the Enkircher Steffensberg. It offers a stunning and pure nose which screams Mosel as beautifully scents of freshly cut flowers, white peach, a dash of whipped cream, a hint of blood orange, and slate emerge from the glass. The wine proves delicately off dry on the delicious and well-balanced palate and leaves a subtly ample feel of ripe fruits, zest of citrusy fruits, slate, and smoke. This is a truly remarkable Estate wine! Now-2030.”
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

 

 

The Vertex of the Veneto:
Amarone Selections 
 

Have you ever wanted to try an Amarone wine but found the cost prohibitive? We carry selections across numerous price levels. The pride of the Veneto for hundreds of years, Amarone’s are among the most labor intensive and expensive wines to produce. This is attributable to a number of factors including the finicky nature of the grapes used for the blend, the months of drying prior to fermentation and extensive aging required prior to release.   

Made from the traditional blend of Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella; There are the classic flavors of Morello cherry, prunes and dark chocolate underscored by violets, pipe tobacco and roses with a finish of butterscotch. The body of the wine slightly edges out the acid and has an exceptionally long finish that goes on for minutes.     

Amarone Selections in stock now:

Cantine Pra Morandina Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso Veneto 2018 750ML ($39.95) $29 special, 35 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 92 points “Plenty of dried cherries, berries, figs, walnuts and hints of raisins. It’s full-bodied and chewy with polish and brightness at the same time. Drink or hold.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 89 points “The 2018 Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore Morandina captivatingly blends black cherries, sweet herbs and clove, all in a cloud of white smoke minerality. Its deep, silky textures usher in fleshy red fruits and spice, yet all remains fresh and vibrant throughout. Notes of dark chocolate and inner rose tones resonate while this tapers off, leaving the palate perfectly refreshed. Very nice.”

Ca’ La Bionda Valpolicella Classico Veneto 2020 750ML ($19.95) $17 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Winery note “70% Corvina, 20% Corvinone, 10% Rondinella and Molinara. From the historically classic zone of the Valpolicella. The wine opens with a nose of fresh red fruits and floral notes that recall violets. Elegant and light, this wine is all about freshness and easy drinking, a wine to drink everyday in good company and with a wide variety of Italian style foods from pasta to roast meats. This Valpolicella is fermented in stainless steel tanks at a maximum temperature of 25°C. Following fermentation the wine is left to rest on its skins for a period of 10 days. A further ageing period of 3 months follows before the wine is bottled and released commercially.”
 

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Farina Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG Veneto 2017 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “A nose of redcurrants, plums, spices, nuts and mocha. It’s medium-to full-bodied with chewy tannins. Balanced and focused with a nice structure and a creamy texture on the palate. Flavorful finish with delicious length. Supple. Drink or hold.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 91 points “The 2017 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico opens up with an inviting yet somewhat understated mix of peppery florals, cherry liquor, plums and sage. Here I’m finding silky textures offset by tart wild berry fruits, salty minerals and brisk acids in an expression that is much more savory than sweet. A coating of fine tannins lingers, along with a note of baker’s chocolate. I have to give Farina credit for creating such a versatile and balanced expression of Amarone.”

Garganuda Valpolicella Veneto 2018 750ML ($24.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Garganuda Valpolicella Veneto 2018 750ML ($299.95) $199 special, (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)

 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Dal Forno Romano Valpolicella Superiore 2013 750ML ($119.95) $94.50 special, only 18 bottles in stock now
Decanter 97 points “From one of the most iconic wineries in the Orientale, this is aged for two years in oak and a further three in bottle. A proper meditation wine, great with game, strong cheeses or a cigar. It has a huge nose of stewed red fruits, ethereal bramble forest fruits and blackberry jam. Generous, with spicy, bitter cherry-stone freshness. Full-bodied with a rich, intense, spicy undertone.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “This is a terrific wine that stood out—and stood tall—despite the fact that it was tasted alongside some of Dal Forno’s most important vintages of the top-shelf Amarone. If that’s not a full-on recommendation, I don’t know what is…”

Dal Forno Romano Amarone 2010 750ML ($349.95) $319 special, only five bottles available
Decanter 98 points “2010 is a more considered vintage compared to the outright opulence of 2009, but it’s no shrinking violet, especially in Dal Forno’s hands…”
James Suckling 97 points “Aromas of roses and other flowers with a deep fruit intensity. Full-bodied, dense and ultra-fine with a beautiful texture. Lots of new wood now but this will amalgamate with time into the wine. Fabulous potential. Drink or hold.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Like a gymnast, this focused red shows both power and grace. Finely meshed flavors of blackberry puree, fig cake and Earl Grey tea leaf are framed by refined, dusty tannins, with a lasting finish expands on the palate with spice and smoky mineral details. Drink now through 2030. 450 cases imported. — AN”

Dal Forno Romano Amarone 2011 750ML ($419.95) $369 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Decanter 99 points “The strongest wine in my selection, yet this magnificent Amarone’s alcohol is barely visible thanks to its astonishing depth, texture and sumptuousness… Beautifully crafted, as dignified as any grand Barolo.”
Ian D’Agata-Vinous 95+ points “Fully saturated ruby. Very deep, intense aromas of blackcurrant, plums macerated in alcohol, soy sauce, coffee and underbrush on the complex nose. Rich, dense and balanced, with nicely focused flavors of dark berries and aromatic herbs that have a noteworthy savory tang. The long finish features repeating hints of soy sauce, espresso and underbrush. Dal Forno’s is the recognized master of a uniquely powerful, ripe, and concentrated style of Amarone.”

Dal Forno Romano Amarone 2012 750ML ($419.95) $319 special
James Suckling 97 points “A decadent nose of treacle tart, chocolate, tar, tons of black fruit such as blackberries and mulberries and even ash and licorice. A dense, layered mouthfeel makes for a full-bodied palate that’s explosive yet somehow so refined and pretty all at the same time. The finish goes on and on. Incredible now, but better to wait for this giant to settle well into 2020.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2012 Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta is a beautifully complete wine, even at this young stage in its life… It has only just started its evolutionary journey.”
Decanter 96 points “…Exuberant, dense and chewy with peppery black fruit flavours, while showing some delicacy of aroma. Intense and will develop further, perhaps offering more power than grace. Andrew Jefford: It’s not showy on the nose but is super-attractive, and it just grows more so the more time you spend with it. On the palate it’s rich, deep, magnificently tannic and long – an absolutely unbridled Amarone, yet at the same time of extraordinary resonance, authority and subtlety. An Amarone masterclass! Monty Waldin: Its evident concentration really comes through on the palate, with a mix of smooth and slightly more savoury, drier tannins that mingle amicably under some ripely sweet red fruit, while finishing with a distinct brightness.”

In many wine areas throughout the world, there are a handful of individuals or families who make “the” wine for their particular region – winemakers who define the style of the region. When it comes to Valpolicella, the Dal Forno family does just that. For more than 30 years, Dal Forno has been producing deeply concentrated Valpolicella, Amarone and Recioto.

Romano Dal Forno , the current winemaker/owner, took over the farm in 1983. Risking everything, he invested a large amount in 1990 to update the winery and refine Dal Forno’s process. The extremely bold flavor of the Valpolicella Superiore is a great example of Dal Forno’s commitment to perfection and their respect for traditional winemaking. Just short of an Amarone, it’s made entirely with fruit that has been dried, though for less time than that legally required for Amarone. A key to the Dal Forno style seems to be an incredibly low yield from their vineyard: each bottle of Valpolicella takes six vines worth of grapes to produce!

Amarone Arriving this summer: 

Dal Forno Romano Vigneto Monte Lodoletta Valpolicella Superiore Veneto 2015 750ML ($134.95) $119 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 96 points “Such a profound nose of fresh and dried fruit with blackcurrants, dates and prunes, together with lighter notes of mild spice and pomegranate seeds. The fresher elements provide the drive on the full palate and, together with very fine, bright, fine-grained tannins, give a long, chewy yet fresh and pruney finish. Hugely concentrated, but the balance and poise is impeccable. There’s no denying the classic quality of this. Delicious to taste now, but this needs a few years to integrate. Try from 2025.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94+ points “The 2015 Valpolicella Superiore Monte Lodoletta is a towering wine that shows impeccable concentration, richness and tight balance. Between Romano and his sons, the Dal Forno family has amassed many years of experimentation and expertise, and they know exactly how to farm in a hot vintage like 2015 without compromising on freshness and structure. This wine opens to deep layers of black fruit, spice, smoky mesquite and campfire ash. It shows big tannic structure that comes with lots of fruit weight and textural padding. But no matter, this is a wine you’ll want to put aside before drinking.”

Dal Forno Romano Vigneto Monte Lodoletta Valpolicella Superiore Veneto 2016 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
 

Who said that established wineries had to be expensive? Franco Serra has been making wine for over 100 years and still is one of the best buys in Piedmont. Founded in 1911 by Antonio Sperone, the wineries goal since their founding was to offer affordable wine. These goals reached their apex with the purchase of 75 acres in Piedmont, where they planted Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo in multiple villages. Their wines offer a budget friendly exploration into the region, with each of the wines featuring Piedmont’s classic “warm brick” minerality. These are perfect for wine education, gifting or a night with pizza.

Franco Serra wines in stock now: 

Franco Serra Barbaresco DOCG Piedmont 2018 750ML ($37.95) $30.90 special
James Suckling 91 points “Plenty of pretty, wild strawberries and boysenberries, as well as raspberries and spice undertones. Medium to full body, some attractive tannin bite and a medium-chewy finish. Drink from 2020.”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Franco Serra Barolo DOCG Piedmont 2014 750ML ($41.95) $38 special, 11 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 90 points “The rather ripe fruit on the nose and the cassis aromas belie the fact that this Barolo is from the 2014 vintage. Full-bodied and quite chewy on the palate with some good concentration. Drink now.”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Franco Serra Barolo DOCG Piedmont 2016 750ML ($41.95) $38 special
James Suckling 94 points “Aromas of plums, cherries and ash with hints of tea and toffee follow through to a full body with layered, chewy tannins and lots of chocolate and walnuts at the finish. Needs a number of years to soften and come together, but I am impressed. Try after 2022.”

Franco Serra Pinot Noir Piedmont 2020 750ML ($15.95) $14 special
Case-12 Franco Serra Pinot Noir Piedmont 2020 750ML ($189.95) $149 special, (that’s only $12.42/bottle!)
*Case price for in-store pickup only*
James Suckling 91 points “A nice core of red fruit here, together with some floral and fresh-herb notes. Medium-bodied with firm, slightly chewy tannins that close down the fruit a little for now. But shows promise and should even out with a little time. Try in 2022”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

Love Piedmontese Wine? We have over 214 bottlings available.

 

“To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield” – Alfred Lord Tennyson, Ulysses 

You’ve heard of Dominus and their multi-award winning Cabernet, but did you know that there’s a sister label just as storied? Ulysses is another single vineyard owned by Christian Moueix located in Oakville at the foot of the Mayacamas Mountain Range. Just like her sister, the Ulysses vineyard is organically farmed with no irrigation (No small feat given the rising temperatures as a result of climate change) and given as much pampering in the cellar as Dominus.

Primarily composed of Cabernet Sauvignon with a sprinkling of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, the resulting wine from 2018 has been called “Dark enough to write a letter with” by some reviewers. We’ve secured an allotment of various formats, but as you can expect quantities are in short supply given the restrictive growing conditions. The vintage was described as “Picture Perfect” with no heat spikes and cooler evenings that hadn’t been seen in years. Even fire season seemed to wait until harvest was complete, making this an especially kismet vintage.   

Ulysses Wines arriving Mid-April 2022: 

Ulysses Vineyard Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special, 36 bottles arriving
Ulysses Vineyard Napa Valley 2018 375ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special, 24 half bottles arriving  
Ulysses Vineyard Napa Valley 2018 1.5L ($399.95) $319 pre-arrival special, 12 magnums arriving
Ulysses Vineyard Napa Valley 2018 3L ($849.95) $699 pre-arrival special, 6 double-magnums arriving
Ulysses Vineyard Napa Valley 2018 2018 6L ($1999.95) $1599 pre-arrival special, 3 imperial bottles arriving
*Please note that the 6L offering is for in-store pickup only* 
James Suckling 98 points “Aromas of terra cotta, chocolate and hazelnut with iron and ink. Dusty. Full-bodied and round. Layered. Flamboyant and juicy. Rather soft and gorgeous. Some walnut and chocolate at the end. persistent. Always there. Drinkable now, but will age wonderfully.”
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is the best wine off Christian Moueix’s Oakville ranch so far. Deep, creamy and generous, the 2018 captures the unqiue blend of fruit in a savoriness that is typical of the southern sector of Oakville where cooling winds from the south lend palpable freshness and vivacity to the vines. Black fruit, chocolate, spice, lavender and new leather are some of the many notes that build into the sumptuous finish.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Also in stock by Christian Moueix: 

Ulysses Vineyard Napa Valley 2017 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 2 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “Extremely aromatic with crushed berries, currants, flowers and hints of uncured tobacco leaf. Carnations. Medium to full body and extremely fine tannins that are firm and polished. Vertical tannins draw you down. Some blanched-walnut character to the blue fruit. Fresh and clean at the finish… So beautiful to drink now.”
Winemaker’s Notes “With black tea leaf and brioche, Ulysses 2017 delivers dense layers of deep cherry, balsamic, peat, forest berries and fresh walnut, woven through a finely grained texture, and a lingering warm cacao powder finish.”
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

Dominus Estate Christian Moueix Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($449.95) $419 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator #1 Wine Of The Year 2021!!!
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “The flagship 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon checks in as 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot brought up in 40% new French oak. With an essence of Cabernet-like character in its darker currants, green tobacco, cedar, graphite, and floral aromas and flavors, this gorgeous wine is full-bodied and has bright yet integrated acidity, polished tannins, and a great, great finish. It’s just gorgeously put together and a magical, flawless wine. It’s going to take a decade to hit maturity but will evolve for 40-50 years in cold cellars. It is as good as it gets in classic, age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon!”
James Suckling 100 points “This is incredible on the nose, offering hot stones, blackcurrants, iodine and wet earth. Full-bodied with a tight center palate, then it opens with a tannin structure that is weightless and spreads across the palate. Totally integrated on the palate. This is a magic-carpet wine. Really incredible. One of the reference points for the vintage. Drinkable now and please try a bottle, but it’s one for the cellar.”
Wine Advocate 99+ points “Very deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Dominus slowly emerges from the glass with profound notes of blackcurrant cordial, ripe black plums, boysenberries and Black Forest cake with hints of violets, star anise, cracked black pepper, raspberry leaves and pencil lead, plus a touch of garrigue. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers impactful black fruit layers, creating a beguiling sense of richness that is beautifully countered by invigorating freshness and great poise, framed by super ripe, plush tannins and beautiful tension, finishing on a lingering fragrant earth note and, finally, lots of mineral sparks. For all that it is at the moment, one cannot help but feel that this 2018 is holding something back. Give it a good five years in bottle, at least, and then get set for what I suspect will be a mind-blowing transformation over the next 30 years+.-LPB”
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2018 Dominus is wild and exotic from the first taste. Lifted aromatics make a strong opening impression. There is something exuberant about the 2018 that is hard to describe. The 2018 is not a huge Dominus, nor is it massively structured, but the intensity of the flavors is remarkable just the same. Dark raspberry, spice, leather and cedar are some of the many notes that open over time.”