04-25-22 Newsletter

Robert Parker calls Helmut Donnhoff “unquestionably one of the stars” in the world of German Rieslings. Situated between the villages of Niederhausen and Schlossbockelheim in the middle Nahe, the Dönnhoff family has been making wine since 1750, with Helmut Dönnhoff in charge of winemaking at the estate since 1971. While there are many who can attest to Donnhoff’s talent, there is no one better to describe Helmut than himself: “I want the wines I make to contain a story, and the story I can offer is that of me at home in my landscape. Winemaking alone cannot bring quality, it can only retain the available quality. The concentration of all the flavors of the grape, especially the mineral extract, gives the wine its real taste and structure.” It is his effortless spirit in winemaking that makes both Helmut and his wines so highly revered.

The 2018 vintage is considered one of the best in recent memory in spite of being overshadowed by the flashier 2019 year. Consistently warm temperatures during the daytime paired with cool nights allowed for incredibly lush and healthy grapes, while still having vibrant acidity. The warmer temperatures allowed for a downright relaxing growing season for those looking to harvest sweeter styles, with hardly any disease pressure.

Weingut Dönnhoff selections in stock now: 

Weingut Donnhoff Norheimer Dellchen Riesling Grosses Gewächs Nahe 2018 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 11 bottles in stock now
#12 – James Suckling’s Top 100 Wines Of The Year
Stuart Pigott – Jamessuckling 99 points “A dense and layered white with minerals, salt, white pepper, chalk, dried lemon and subtle pears. Pumice. Wow. Tiny film of oil. Creamy and insane. What a wine. Magic. One for the cellar. Drink or hold.”
David Schildknecht-Vinous 95 points “Scents of white peach and pear strongly marked by pit and seed arouse expectations of both juiciness and piquancy that are amply fulfilled on a full, glossy palate. A whiff of gentian anticipates bittersweet inner-mouth florality. There is a bit more gloss here and a bit less firmness than displayed by the other dry Dönnhoff 2018s, but also an inexplicable sense of lift despite close to 13% alcohol. The overall impression is impressively rich, but the superbly sustained finish delivers a pleasant sharpness of raw ginger, mouthwatering and lip-licking salinity and a riveting array of stony, alkaline and ineffable mineral notes. “In 1965,” noted Dönnhoff, referring to one of the most notoriously awful vintages for Riesling Germany in anyone’s memory, “Dellchen was the sole site from which it proved possible to render a Naturwein – to achieve completeness without having to do anything to the must – and that really impressed me. But at the same time, this site has an amazing ability to withstand even extreme drought, because there is a critical source of water beneath it. And if that weren’t the case, these sun-exposed terraces” – which also catch reflected light from unprecedented nearness to the Nahe’s surface – “would easily overheat.””
John Gilman 95 points “To my mind, the Dellchen often produces the most muscular Grosses Gewächs bottling from Weingut Dönnhoff, so I wondered how it might turn out this year, where there was already so much potential for power inherent in the vintage. Much to my surprise, the 2018 Dellchen is supremely elegant this year, offering up a sophisticated bouquet of sweet grapefruit, tart apple, wild yeasts, a beautiful base of minerality, orange blossoms and lemongrass. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, racy and utterly suave in its sense of balance and inner harmony, with bright acids and a very long, primary and promising finish. A great wine by any measure! 2030-2070. 95.”
 

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Weingut Donnhoff ‘Felsenturmchen’ Schlossbockelheimer Felsenberg Riesling Grosses Gewächs Nahe 2018 750ML ($89.95) $59 special, 22 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 94 points “The 2018 Felsenberg GG is also absolutely outstanding this year. The bouquet is impressively expressive at this early stage, soaring from the glass in a blaze of pear, tart orange, a beautiful base of slate minerality, wild yeasts, a touch of fleur de sel and a potpourri of floral scents in the upper register. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, focused and seamless, with outstanding mid-palate depth, powerful mineral drive and great cut and grip on the long, perfectly balanced and youthful finish. This will be show stopping juice in the fullness of time. 2028-2070. 94.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93+ points “Bottled in July, just two days before I tasted the 2018 Schlossböckelheimer Felsenberg Riesling trocken –GG– for the first time, the nose was ripe and generous but fine and flinty-mineral. Lush and salty-piquant, this is a full-bodied, rich and powerful yet vital Riesling with lots of body but also tension, purity and grip. Tasted again in August 2019.”
David Schildknecht-Vinous 93 points “Huckleberry, crushed coriander seed and zesty lemon on the nose anticipate the piquancy, pungency and citricity that dominate on a firm, full, glossy palate. Stony and alkaline notes tug in an austere direction, though the gripping, penetrating finish conveys ample refreshing juiciness as well as an uncanny sense of energy. “Whatever might be your favorite from among these vintage 2018 Grosse Gewächse,” remarked Dönnhoff, “you can recognize the [taste of the] site, and that’s the goal.””
 

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Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Grosses Gewächs Nahe 2018 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, 25 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 97 points “Cornelius Dönnhoff has crafted one of the very best dry Rieslings that I tasted on this trip from the Hermannshöhle in 2018! The bouquet is deep, complex and again, so very elegant out of the blocks this year, delivering scents of pink grapefruit, tart tangerine, white flowers, a superb base of slate, lemongrass, citrus peel and just a dollop of upper register wild yeast tone. On the palate the wine is racy, focused, full-bodied and extremely mineral-driven, with a great core, laser-like focus and seamlessly balanced on the very, very long, very complex and utterly refined finish. Chapeau! 2033-2075+. 97.”
Wine Advocate 95+ points “The 2018 Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling trocken –GG– is fascinatingly pure and fragrant on the nose. Crystalline, lush and intense,  this is a full-bodied, crystalline, precise, salty and persistent wine with linear tension, great grip and intensity. Tasted in July 2019.”
David Schildknecht-Vinous 95 points “Bittersweet, smoky herbal and nutty notes, along with an ore-like sense of deep mineral earthiness, serve as ideal foils for generously juicy ripe white peach and bright Meyer lemon. The feel is full and firm, and the finish is superbly multileveled, but with a strong emphasis on darkly earthy and minerally low-tones whose resonance sets the tongue and tonsils quivering. (And yes, it also refreshes.)”
 

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Weingut Donnhoff Hollenpfad Im Muhlenberg Riesling Grosses Gewächs Nahe 2018 750ML ($89.95) $59 special, 24 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 93+ points “The Grosses Gewächs bottling from the filet section of the Höllenpfad im Mühlenberg is also very promising and again, shows the beautifully elegant refinement of all the dry Rieslings from the Dönnhoff family this year. Helmut estimates that this is thirteen percent octane or just under in this vintage. The bouquet wafts from the glass in a very refined and expressive blend of tangerine, blood orange, salty minerality, citrus peel, smoky overtones and a topnote of dried flowers. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and really packed at the core, with racy acids, great soil signature, laser-like focus and a very long, youthfully complex and very promising finish. 2028-2060+. 93+.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2018 Roxheimer Höllenpfad Im Mühlenberg Riesling trocken –GG– is super clear and flinty on the crystalline and herbal nose. On the palate, this is a medium-bodied, round and piquant dry Riesling that has been bottled with less than two grams of residual sugar, which underlines the crystalline purity and refreshing mineral character. The wine reveals a long and intense, quite powerful and textured as well as salty and piquant finish. This is the first release of the Im Mühlenberg, and it is an impressive wine that has been aged on the lees until the end of June. Tasted in July 2019.”
David Schildknecht-Vinous 92 points “This bottling from the stand of very old vines in Höllenpfad is full of juicy white peach fruit that I hadn’t expected from this site – but after all, we are talking about fruit-dominated vintage 2018. That’s not to say that certain elements conducive to austerity are absent: peach kernel piquancy, ash, crushed stone. On top of which, there is only one lone gram of residual sugar. The feel is full and firm, the minerally concentrated finish persistently pithy but juicy, and there is a welcome, saliva-inducing hint of salinity. “This is my new favorite child,” quipped Dönnhoff, “but it still has to finish school,” meaning not that these old vines need to be taught anything, but rather that he and Cornelius are still learning how to best channel this site’s and those vines’ potential. (For extensive background on this bottling and its site designation, consult my review of the inaugural vintage 2017 installment.)”

Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel Nahe 2018 750 ($99.95) $79 special, 19 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 98 points “The purity and precision of the 2018 Hermannshöhle Auslese is the stuff that legends used to be made from. The bouquet is complex and utterly refined, offering up scents of pear, white cherries, bee pollen, a touch of orange zest, lovely salinity and a mineral bath of slate. On the palate the wine is fullish, racy and utterly seamless in its balance, with great intensity of flavor, laser-like focus and truly stunning mineral drive on the backend (particularly for Auslese), with an endless and magical finish. 2032-2090+.”
David Schildknecht-Vinous 95 points “Like its Brücke counterpart, this Auslese reflects genuinely botrytis-free grapes, said Dönnhoff, but ones that were too numerous and too high in sugar to use elsewhere, “and certainly not in the Grosses Gewächs, which would then have ended up with 14% alcohol.” Sea breeze on the nose intimates the sweet-saline savor of raw scallop that emerges on this wine’s lusciously lingering, mouthwateringly umami-rich finish. White peach and quince preserves feature throughout, reinforced on the soothingly creamy palate by nougat-like nut essences. There is an animating, juicy fresh-fruit aspect as well, and a wonderful sense of both focus and transparency to stony and ore-like nuances.”
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2018 Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Auslese is deep and noble in its finesse and purity that is paired with notes of crushed stones but also perfectly ripe and healthy fruits. Lush and piquant on the palate, with lingering salinity and finesse, this is the more graceful Auslese, which is less challenging than the Brücke but very delicate and finessed. The acidity is finer and the sweetness smoother and more charming yet less dramatic right now. Tasted in July 2019.”
 

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We carry over 54 different bottlings of Dönnhoff from a number of years available both in store and online
 

Due to the precipitous slopes of the vineyards the vines are worked and harvested entirely by hand, with cover crops being extensively planted to help prevent erosion in addition to fixing nitrogen. With a portfolio spanning the entire Prädikatswein ladder, the vineyards see multiple passes through the vineyard based on the taste of the grapes and their sugar levels. Even in hotter vintages like 2018 and 2019 the Selbach-Oster clan does a masterful job of balancing residual sugar with the regions characteristic acidity. We carry a full assortment of their bottlings beyond their currant vintages elegant Riesling including Pinot Blancs, Sparkling Riesling and dessert offerings.      

Selbach Oster Wines in stock now: 

Selbach-Oster Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spatlese Mosel 2019 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2019 Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spätlese is very clear, pure and flinty on the intense, elegant, crunchy and slatey nose. Salty, piquant and lush on the palate, this is a crystalline, pure and salty Badstube that is juicier and rounder than the 2018. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.”
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “The 2019er Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spätlese was made from fruit picked at 90° Oechsle and was fermented down to sweet levels of residual sugar (69 g/l). It offers a very delicate and nicely perfumed nose of white flowers, rose petal, vineyard peach, apple, laurel, and herbs. The wine proves delicately juicy and refined on the smooth and slightly juicy palate and leaves a delicate sense of lightness in the more fruity-styled than really sweet-tasting finish. This is a joyful and remarkably easy-drinking expression of Spätlese. 2027-2044.”
 

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Selbach-Oster Riesling Feinherb Mosel 2019 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 18 bottles in stock now      
Winery note “Selbach-Oster Rieslings are not ‘Zeitgeist’-trendy wines that change according to the whims of fashion. Nor are they ‘made’ according to a recipe. Though they are deeply delicious, they do not seek to ‘seduce’ with short-term exotic aromas from specially cultured yeasts, aromatic enzymes or ice-cold fermentations. They are true characters, wines with structure, wines that display their heritage, rooted deep into the slate rock like our old vines – many of which are still on their own vitis vinifera roots.”
 

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Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Riesling Kabinett Trocken Mosel  2019 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 90 points “The 2019er Zeltinger Riesling Kabinett Trocken comes from Estate holdings mainly in the Himmelreich (90%) as well as Schlossberg (10%). It offers a beautifully refreshing and light nose of white peach, apple, mint, herbs, anise, and spices. The wine develops good presence and the intensity of a Spätlese on the palate and leaves a nicely herbal and spicy feel in the surprisingly assertive but very satisfying finish. This is a serious Village wine to age and enjoy. 2023-2029”
 

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Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Kabinett Mosel 2019 750ML ($29.95) $26 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2019 Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Kabinett is pure and flinty on the pure, elegant, terroir-driven nose. Piquant and crystalline on the palate, this is a crunchy and crispy, well-concentrated and nicely phenolic Schlossberg with juicy fruit but a crystalline and refined finish. Very long and stimulatingly salty. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.”
John Gilman 92 points “The 2019 Schlossberg Kabinett from Selbach-Oster is really a very pretty example of the vintage, but this is more Spätlese in terms of weight and breadth of shoulder than classical Kabinett. However, this takes away nothing from the charm here on both the nose and palate, with the bouquet delivering a lovely blend of white cherry, white peach, a touch of wild yeasts, a refined base of slate, bee pollen and a topnote of apple blossoms. On the palate the wine is medium-full, complex and nicely filigreed, with good acids, fine focus and grip and a long, complex and very nicely balanced finish. Think of this as a hybrid between Kabinett and Spätlese, but with personality to burn! 2020-2040+.”
 

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Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Himmelreich Riesling Sekt Extra Trocken Mosel 2018 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 18 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: Selbach-Oster is known as one of the best Riesling houses in the entire Mosel River Valley. Based in the Mittelmosel they estimate 55% of their grapevines are still ungrafted and entirely planted on mind-bendingly steep slopes. These factors converge with generations of winemaking talent to make some of the most compelling examples of Riesling in the world, be they sweet, dry or sparkling. Their Sekt is no exception, which undergoes champagne-style fermentation in the bottle as opposed to the more standard tank method. This creates a finer bubble, additional complexity and aging potential in the bottle, at half the price of what grower champagne is selling for these days!
 

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Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Sonnenhuhr Riesling Beerenauslese Mosel 2018 375ML ($89.95) $79 special, 24 half bottles in stock now 
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2018 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Beerenauslese displays an intense but very clear and radiant citrus color in the glass. The nose is concentrated and fresh, with lemon chutney and broken stone aromas. Pure and fresh on the palate, this is a dense, concentrated, rich yet very precise, fresh and elegant BA with a long, crunchy, terroir-driven finish that represents the delicate slate structure of the Sonnenuhr. Still young but not really sweet due to the crystalline acidity structure. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.”
Mosel Fine Wines 94-96 points “This 2018er Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling BA was harvested at approx. 130° Oechsle and was fermented down to noble-sweet levels of residual sugar (approx. 200 g/l). This cask sample offers a gorgeous and clean nose of candied grapefruit, pineapple juice, rhubarb, apricot, melon and honey. The wine is very juicy and sweet on the delicately viscous palate. The finish is quite intense and very long. This BA is still very sweet and juicy, and will please lovers of rich and intense dessert wines. 2028-2058.”
 

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Hype has surrounded Brunello di Montalcino’s 2015 vintage from the moment fruit began arriving in the region’s cellars. After 5 years of DOCG required anticipation-building, the wines were released to rave reviews, and the critical acclaim is well-deserved. These are some of the most spectacular Brunellos we’ve tasted in some time. Rich, dense, and possessing the structure to age gracefully, 2015 Brunellos are a requirement for any serious wine cellar.

“The 2015 vintage is a historical year for Brunello di Montalcino that nobody should miss. The wines show impressive precision of vivid fruit, fine tannins and freshness in acidity despite their ripeness and richness which makes them some of the most exciting in years. Winemakers in Montalcino were never better prepared to produce outstanding wines in a year like 2015 with their exactness in their vineyards and cellars from fine-tuned canopy management and crop thinning to optical sorting and soft fermentations. So many wine producers in Montalcino made excellent wines in 2015… These are Brunellos that will age beautifully for decades ahead making them historical in every sense of the word.” – James Suckling

2015 Tenuta Fanti Arriving Wednesday, April 27th: 
 
Tenuta Fanti Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Tuscany 2015 750ML ($54.95) $45 Pre-Arrival special, 36 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “There’s a beautiful interplay between bright, primary florals, such as rose petals and tulips and dust, hay bale and dried raspberries. The palate suggests a ripe, powerful persona with chewy, juicy tannins and a fine line of pretty acidity. Best ever. Drink in 2022.”
 

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With social gatherings becoming part of regular activity again, this might be a time to revisit the concept of a magnum or other larger format. After all there’s nothing worse than pouring wine for guests and running out of the crowd favorite! Beyond the heighted liquid capacity there are a litany of benefits to having magnums, including holding the wine at serving temperature for longer and a much more graceful aging timeline. We’ve compiled a list of magnums and other large formats that would be perfect for any social occasion. If 8-10 glasses per bottle still isn’t enough, we carry a number of Jeroboams and a handful of Methuselahs for those wanting to bring the Bacchanalia.    
   
Magnums in stock and available now: 

Perfectly drinkable as most experts recommend drinking Vintage Ports 10-30 years after the vintage date.
Churchill’s Vintage Port Portugal 1994 1.5L ($199.95) $89 special, 24 magnums in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points “A gorgeous, voluptuous young Port, best Churchill ever. Intense aromas of dark chocolate and grapes. Full-bodied, with powerful, chewy tannins, yet it’s sweet and fruity on the finish. Try after 2010. — JS”
 

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Hand-picked Riesling from one of the most precipitous vineyards in the world and a perfect illustration of why the varietal is a “Universal Paring”  
Markus Molitor Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Mosel ** GK 2017 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special, 3 magnums in stock now 
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 98+ points “The 2017 Riesling Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese ** (Golden Capsule) displays a concentrated yet highly refined bouquet of orange, lemon and grapefruit aromas intermixed with delicate and refreshing slate notes. Lush, piquant and salty on the elegant, pure, even weightless palate, this is a crystalline Auslese with great finesse, grip, tension and highly stimulating salinity. This is a finessed, gorgeous beauty, and it almost makes me fear the other Auslesen listed here. 7.5% alcohol. Tasted at the domain two times in April 2019.”
 

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Other Large formats in stock now: 

One of the oldest wine houses in the United States and best examples of California Sparkling on the market. 
Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs North Coast 2016 9L ($999.95) $899 special, 1 Salmanazar bottle in stock now 
*****IN-STORE PICK UP ONLY. SHIPPING NOT AVAILABLE*****
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Complexity and layering make this wine especially interesting as it goes from aromas of apple, butter and vanilla to deeper toast and baked apple on the palate. It’s medium in body, has tantalizing acidity and a lingering finish. Best through 2026. -Jim Gordon”
Wine Spectator 91 points “Sleek, with pinpoint focus, offering harmonious Meyer lemon, candied almond and fresh ginger flavors that fan out on the crisp finish. Drink now. 36,209 cases made. — TF”
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 90 points “The nose of the 2016 Blanc de Blancs is bright and fresh, with scents of quince peel, red apples, floral perfume, brioche and a nutty undercurrent. The light-bodied palate is dry with energetic mousse and a nice balance of mineral and tirage character, finishing with fantastic freshness. 36,209 cases produced. The Blanc de Blancs was the first cuvée Schramsberg produced, in 1965.”

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.
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.”
 

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Did you know that Franciacorta predates the creation of modern Champagne? Agostino Gallo is largely credited as the originator of the style in a 1654 missive on villa management, but experts suspect the style might go back as far as the Renaissance Period. Originally comprised of indigenous varietals Schiava, Trebbiano and Erbamat, the style is now largely defined by Pinot Noir (Called Pinot Nero if you’re feeling Italian) and Chardonnay. Grown in the rocky loess sent down the Italian Alps after the Ice Age, Franciacorta offers incredible depth, finesse and character at a fraction of the cost of contemporary champagne.

In Stock now: 

Berlucchi ’61 Rose Brut Franciacorta DOCG NV 750ML ($44.95) $26 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Bright and savory, this refreshing, polished sparkler boasts alluring aromas of juicy raspberry, wild cherry, baking spice and a whiff of bread crust. The inviting aromas follow over to the vibrant palate along with a continuous refined perlage. A tangy candied nectarine note closes the finish.”
Wine Spectator 91 points “Enticing aromas and flavors of ripe strawberry and raspberry fruit are set on the fine, lively bead in this clean-cut, mouthwatering rosé, with a chalky underpinning. Lightly spiced on the lingering finish.”
#93 Wine Spectator Top 100 Of 2021 “Classic (Champagne) Method Rose from the most important quality sparkling region in Italy… Pinot Nero, Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay. It’s just killer! This producer created the Franciacorta sparkling wines in 1961, hence ’61 on the label.”

Pleasantly dimensional with a plethora of oranges ranging from Seville, blood and Mandarin and accentuated by notes of crushed rose petal and white peach. There’s also a slight spice on the finish in addition to a refreshing melon component on the finish. 

Proprieta Sperino in stock now: 

Proprieta Sperino ‘Rosa del Rosa’ Rosato Coste della Sesia Piedmont 2020 750ML ($21.95) $19 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Vinous 92 points “The 2020 is an understated and delicate rendition of Rosa Del Rosa. Nuances of peach tea, chamomile, green apple and hints of ginger can all be found with coaxing. It’s silky and pliant in feel, the vibrant acids and mineral tones mixing to create a tug-of-war of sweet and salty tension, as notes of ripe melon give way to pretty inner florals. This taper off persistent, lightly structured and buzzing with residual energy, completely refreshing the palate with a twang of sour citrus. The Rosa Del Rosa is a blend of Nebbiolo and Vespolina. It’s very enjoyable already, but it will likely blossom further with a bit more time in bottle. – Eric Guido”

Sourced entirely from organic, estate grown Monastrell or Mourvèdre as it’s known elsewhere in the world  this is a delightfully refreshing yet dimensional rose featuring juicy red fruit, a plethora of citrus and a good finish. Perfect for those who prefer their wine to have more body and texture while still having aromatic lift.  
Bodegas Bleda Castillo de Jumilla Rosado Jumilla 2020 750ML ($12.95) $10.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winery note “From a harvest in early September, this Monastrell rosé displays an intense array of strawberry and rose notes, woven between a harmony of crisp, blood-orange acidity and a giving, mineral texture. Fresh, tasty and well balanced. Good acidic structure. Excellent with seafood and all types of fish and light meats.”
 

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Pago Casa Gran ‘Casa Benasal’ Rosado Valencia 2020 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Staff pick! Our favorite vintage yet.
Winery note “Refreshing wine, young and dry. It’s pleasant with enough body to sustain it. Great acidity. 60% Monastrell and 40% Syrah.”
 

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One of the most regarded wineries in the Eola-Amity appellation sourced from one of their new plantings. Fruit and floral character tends toward on the dried spectrum with an earthy finish. 
Evening Land ‘Seven Springs Vineyard’ Rose of Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills 2020 750ML ($29.95) $20.90 special, 26 bottles in stock now
Winery note “The Seven Springs Rosé comes from the young Pinot Noir vines planted up on the vineyard’s East Ridge. These densely planted vines grow in well-drained soils and receive a full day of sunshine during the growing season. This cuvée offers a lively acidity, fresh fruit flavors and subtle floral characteristics.”
Region: Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon. Biodynamic.

 

Fabulous Fornacina
 

Looking for Biondi Santi but aren’t looking to spend hundreds a bottle? Consider the 2016 Fornacina Brunello from their eponymous estate in the Montalcino Hills. Located at 1300 feet above sea level the estate is divided between two hillside plantings in the southeastern section of Montalcino and farmed organically. Much like other vineyards in the south of Montalcino the soil is primarily composed of Galestro, a type of fragile mudstone. Unlike Albarese which is comprised of limestone and credited with heightened aromatics, Galestro is famous for creating much darker and broodier wines. 

Steadfastly traditional, Fornacina does their aging entirely in oak botti after a customary long ferment. The 2016 vintage is largely considered to be perfect, with a wet and cold winter transitioning to a luxurious growing season without any of the heat spikes of the previous year. Perfectly ripe with elegant aromatics and acidity to age for decades, You’d be hard pressed to find a better deal for your cellar or dinner table.

Fornacina in stock now: 

Fornacina Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Tuscany 2016 750ML ($54.95) $39 special
Case-6 Fornacina Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Tuscany 2016 2016 750ML ($319.95) $219 special
James Suckling 96 points “This is a ripe and full red with complex aromas of cedar, cloves, tobacco and dried mushrooms. Distinct, earthy quality underneath ripe plums and licorice. Layers of chocolatey tannins. Black truffles, too. From organically grown grapes. Better after 2024.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “The Fornacina 2016 Brunello di Montalcino opens to a darkly saturated appearance and toasted aromas of roasted nut backed by dark blackberry fruit. Made with organic fruit, this Brunello is fermented in stainless steel and aged in large oak casks in a traditional and straightforward manner. Production in this vintage is 10,000 bottles. There is lot of intensity here, and the wine draws its power not only from the fruit, but also in large part from the oak aging. Indeed, its fruit-driven aromas share equal billing with campfire ash and smoked cedar or mahogany.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 91 points “The 2016 Fornacina is a dark and earthy expression of Brunello di Montalcino. Ashen soils, crushed stone and animal musk dominate its bouquet, with hints of black cherry buried deeply beneath. It’s silky and pliant, casting an array of black fruits and exotic savory spices across a medium-bodied frame. Balance is well maintained, and there’s a blending of sour citrus and nervous tension here that keeps you coming back to the glass. The Fornacina is quite unique yet highly enjoyable, and it won’t require much time to come fully into focus.”
 

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Collector’s Corner:  

Chalky Mountain High 

Vatan’s Benchmark Sauvignon Blanc 
 

France is a country known for her Grand Crus but more often than not it’s the winemakers who catapult their appellations to the top of the global buying lists. Edmond Vatan is definitively one of those, with his Sancerre from his Clos La Neore vineyard putting the appellation on the map. The estate’s farming is entirely chemical free and was one of the first producers in the region to convert to organics. Vatan is considered the most age-worthy example of the varietal on Earth, with an austerity that lasts for years after release. 

Practicing severe pruning and exactingly low intervention in both the vineyard and cellar, this is the gold standard for Sauvignon Blanc. The Clos La Neore is produced from a single hectare of 45+ year old vines on a south facing slope of pure chalk in Mont Damnes. Vatan practices extended hang time on the vine, resulting in a textural and aromatic punch far beyond what other producers deliver. After retiring to a consulting winemaker role in 2007, Edmond’s daughter Annie now holds the reigns with their production still remaining exceedingly small. Our allocation won’t last long, so act while you still have a chance! 

Vatan in stock now:  

Edmond Vatan Sancerre Clos la Neore Loire 2016 750ML ($599.95) $499 special, 10 bottles in stock now    
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!