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First Offer:
Dönnhoff 2020
Featured New Arrivals from Burgundy:
Pierre Morey & Chateau Beru
Featured New Arrivals from Maison Denuziere
Back in Town:
New Vintage of Freemark Abbey Chardonnay
Cult wine from Piedmont : Gaja
Rosé Feature
Magnum Feature
Staff Picks
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New Wine Spectator Insider Reviews
Anne-Sophie Dubois
New Reviews for 2019s & New Offer of 2020s
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First Offer:
Dönnhoff 2020
Dönnhoff 2020
“…the 2020s produced not only another excellent series of Grosses Gewächs but, above all, wonderfully clear, precise, finely fruity and spicy Kabinett and Spätlese Rieslings, as well as some fine Auslese wines.” –Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate
Interested in a style of Riesling that combines the elegance and minerality of the Mosel and the heft of the Rheingau? In spite of being one of the smallest growing districts in the country, the new generation of producers has jockeyed international attention from stalwarts like the Mosel. The Nahe is one of the most compelling growing regions in the entire country for a multitude of factors.
Easily the favorite district amongst the staff, these are some of the most “Bulletproof” wines you’ll ever find. It goes without saying that Dönnhoff is the King of the Nahe, with every single one of their wines being a work of art. Consistently delivering quality with every vintage, 2020 is shaping up to be no different. While not as powerful as the historic 2019 vintage, 2020 is being lauded as having more elegance and lift. This speaks well to long-term cellaring opportunity in addition to current enjoyment potential. If the success of our 2019 Germany Riesling is any indication, you’d better act quickly if you’re looking to experience the vintage.
2020 Donnhoff Wines Arriving ETA Late November:
Dry
Weingut Donnhoff Pinot Brut, Nahe 2016 750ML ($79.95) $66 pre-arrival special
No reviews for the 2016. 2014 review provided for reference.
David Schildknecht-Vinous 92 points “Hiding behind this wine’s two-word name is a fabulously fascinating méthode champenoise from Pinot Noir in the Roxheimer Höllenpfad, a wine about whose very existence I was only recently made aware (though there were vintage 2012 and 2013 predecessors) – and then not in the course of my annual tasting with Helmut Dönnhoff! When the estate acquired their Höllenpfad in 2010, there was Gewürztraminer, which after vinifying several vintages they ripped out; Chardonnay, which for a while, anyway, got blended into their Pinot Blanc; and Pinot Noir, which was the subject of at least two promising, albeit noncommercial reds. Now, that Pinot appears to have found its ideal format. Like a Höllenpfad Riesling, this is smoky, stony and pithy stuff, but with juicy fresh apple and grapefruit, the buffering effects of some five years on the lees taking the edge off any austerity. It finishes with sappy, tangy fruit concentration, smoky and stony inflections and a faintly sweaty salinity.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2020 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 100 points “The greatest wines are clear right from the very beginning, because not only is there a super abundance of perfect ripeness, but everything fits so beautifully that you’re instantly captivated. That’s exactly the way this dry riesling masterpiece is. The most ravishing, peachy fruit and the most perfect balance. Then comes the totally compelling, salty finish that just doesn’t want to stop. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 97 points “The Niederhäuser 2020 Hermannshöhle Riesling GG opens with a pure and fascinating mix of melting or crushed slate and ripe, concentrated white fruits. Vital and fresh on the palate, this is a racy, piquant and tensioned, almost irritatingly nervous but terroir-driven Riesling with stimulating salinity and a crystalline, very pure and challenging structure. 13% alcohol. Tasted at the domain in July 2021.”
Weingut Donnhoff Felsenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe2020 750ML ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 98 points “If you are a terroir fundamentalist, then this enormous depth of smoky and wild-herb character will light your fire, but otherwise approach with caution. With the second and third sip you feel the attractive, grapefruity side of the wine. Then comes the paradox. There is also a touch of grapefruit-pith bitterness at the radically mineral finish, and this adds to the excitement. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2020 Felsenberg GG is deep, intense and complex on the pure and elegant, well-defined and slightly flinty nose. Pure, intense and juicy on the palate, this is a crystalline, refined and salty Felsenberg with great terroir expression and length, even though the wine is still puristic or even ascetic in the finish. Not as charmingly fruity as Crusius’s interpretation but with the same length and tension. 13% alcohol. Tasted at the domain in July 2021 and again six weeks later in Wiesbaden during the GG tastings.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Weingut Donnhoff Norheimer Dellchen Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2020 750ML ($99.95) $85 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 99 points “Such a wide spectrum of super fine yellow-fruit aromas and a floral note that you struggle to take it in all at once. So sensual and silky that descriptors like “full” and “light” become redundant. Then the finish literally takes your breath and leaves you breathless for a long time. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96 points “From slate and porphyry soils, the Norheim 2020 Dellchen Riesling GG is clear, pure, fresh and flinty on the nose that reveals a ripe and concentrated seed-fruit aroma. Full-bodied, intense and salty on the palate, this is a pure, rich, elegant and powerful but refined Dellchen with a long, intense and sustainable finish. A great wine that just needs some years to shine in full brightness. 13% alcohol. Tasted at the domain in July 2021.”
Weingut Donnhoff Kreuznacher Kahlenberg Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2020 750ML ($44.95) $36 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 94 points “This is the right wine for anyone who thinks that dry riesling is always austere, Very generous and juicy with chalky character that neatly counterpoints the full, citrusy fruit. Long finish that’s stony, but far from tart. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2020 Kreuznacher Kahlenberg Riesling trocken is from a steep vineyard on loess-loam soils with gravel and quartzite. Pure and fresh yet also fruity on the nose, with dusty lemon and wet earth and stone aromas, this is a medium-bodied, round and piquant dry Riesling with juicy fruit, fine grip, fine tannins and grapefruit bitters on the finish. 12.5% alcohol. Tasted at the domain in July 2021.”
Weingut Donnhoff Roxheimer Hollenpfad Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2020 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 95 points “Intensely herbal and tightly wound, this tastes like a GG, thanks to the firm and complex structure. Long, ultra-mineral and herbal finish. This needs some time to unwind, but has great potential. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drinkable now, but best from 2022.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 94 points “From an open, south-facing vineyard on red sandstone, the 2020 Roxheimer Höllenpfad Riesling trocken is pure but ripe and intense on the nose that reveals ripe and stewed apple aromas with a fine phenolic spiciness and reductive richness. Juicy-piquant and salty-crystalline on the palate, this is an intense yet very elegant and still slightly astringent dry Riesling with fine tannic grip and good tension. 12.5% alcohol. Tasted at the domain in July 2021.”
Weingut Donnhoff Tonschiefer Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2020 750ML ($34.95) $27 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93 points “Predominantly from the Leistenberg plus first selections of the local crus, the 2020 Riesling Tonschiefer opens enormously pure and stony as well as citric on the earthy nose that is a terrific representative for the clayish slate terroir. Complex and juicy on the palate, this is a tensioned, finely reductive yet very intense and structured dry Riesling with fine phenolic grip and an expressive finish with salty-piquant and phenolic acidity. An impressive wine. 12% alcohol. Tasted at the domain in July 2021.”
James Suckling 93 points “Very pristine and sleek with finely etched peach, nectarine and Amalfi lemon-zest character, as well as minerality that slowly builds at the long, very focused finish. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Off-Dry to Sweet
Weingut Donnhoff Norheimer Kirschheck Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2020 750ML ($44.95) $36 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2020 Norheimer Kirschheck Riesling Spätlese is clear, pure and intense on the nose like a fine Italian perfume on wet, crushed stones. Lush and round on the palate, this is a dense yet very delicate and dangerously juicy and stimulating mineral Spätlese that is irresistible. Impossible to spit out. This long and salty Spätlese is singing. 8.5% alcohol. Tasted at the domain in July 2021.”
James Suckling 95 points “Captivating aromas of a garden dripping with rain after a summer storm. Both very succulent and really elegant, the serious acidity lighting this up like fireworks. Brilliant and super-fresh, barely off-dry finish. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2020 750ML ($74.95) $69 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 100 points “Hit me with a flower! This starts very delicately with an incredibly subtle nose of fresh and dried flowers. Then comes the enormously concentrated yet totally filigree palate, which dazzles the senses with its thousand nuances and almost endless, super-silky finish. Decades of aging potential. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2020 Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Spätlese is magic. Pure, refined and aristocratic on the flinty, slate-dominated and slightly herbal nose that is populated by crushed stones and tiny mint leaves, while the bright fruit is perfectly interwoven with terroir-driven flavors. Racy, juicy-piquant and intense on the palate, this is a noble, highly elegant and complex Hermannshöhle with a long, intense and complex yet again very refined and floating finish. A genius of a Spätlese where everything is perfectly interwoven to an unspeakable beauty. “What is it that is so beautiful? That is the magic!,” says Helmuth Dönnhoff, describing his philosophy of beauty. 8.5% alcohol. Tasted at the domain in July 2021.”
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2020 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 97 points “Wonderful white-peach, mandarin and orange-blossom nose that also has something dark and “earthy” behind all the charm. So much depth and energy that it makes your bones rattle! Staggering intensity at the vibrant, lemony finish. The grape sweetness is there, but way in the background. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2020 Oberhäuser Brücke Riesling Spätlese is super clear, refined and fresh on the rather coolish but fruit-intense and elegant, slightly flinty nose. Salty-piquant and highly stimulating on the palate, this is a gorgeous, very elegant and juicy Riesling with a crystalline, laser-sharp acidity that is highly refined as well and carries this Spätlese to a long and intense finish. 8.5% alcohol. Tasted at the domain in July 2021.”
Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, Nahe 2020 750ML ($109.95) $99 pre-arrival special, only 6 bottles available
Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, Nahe 375ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special, only 12 half-bottles available
James Suckling 99 points “What a nose! This smells like essence of peach with a delicate, floral-honey overtone. Seems to vibrate on the palate, thanks to the staggering minerality and totally vibrant acidity. Extremely complex and energetic finish that goes on and on. Very limited production. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2020 Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Auslese is another beauty of the domain that has probably bottled one of the finest vintages in history with the 2020s. The nose is pure, fresh and concentrated, with ripe fruit and very fine raisin and citric aromas that are intertwined with sugared grapefruit and crushed slate notes. Mouth-filling, round and delicate on the palate, this is a rich and concentrated yet filigreed and seemingly fragile Auslese that reveals a firm and sustainable mineral structure on the finish that stays on the palate for minutes. Another fantastic, persistently crystalline and salty Auslese from the Hermannshöhle. 8% alcohol. Tasted at the domain in July 2021.”
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Auslese, Nahe 2020 750ML ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special, only 6 bottles available
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Auslese, Nahe 2020 375ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special, only 12 bottles available
James Suckling 98 points “Such an exotic nose with a slew of passion fruit, mangosteen and King Alfonso mango. Compact and concentrated, but the more important things are the coolness and gracefulness of this moderately sweet Auslese that turns in a dark, “earthy” direction at the powerful finish. Very limited production. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2020 Oberhäuser Brücke Riesling Auslese is super clear, precise and coolish on the concentrated but highly refined and flinty/stony nose. Round and refined on the palate, this Auslese has a highly refined raisin tone intertwined with crunchy slate aromas. The wine comes across as a very complex and juicy but always highly finessed Auslese with eternal beauty. Almost zero botrytis, but the most perfect berries of the vintage made it into this adorable Auslese. 8% alcohol. Tasted at the domain in July 2021.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today for the 750ml!
2020 Donnhoff Wines In Stock Now:
Weingut Donnhoff Estate Riesling, Nahe 2020 750ML ($26.95) $20.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92 points “Sourced in Oberhausen and Niederhausen (so from weathered slate and volcanic stones), the Dönnhoff estate 2020 Riesling is pure and refreshingly mineral on the nose that shows clear, bright and spicy fruit with crunchy slate aromas. Virtually a classic Kabinett, this is a round, only gently sweet Riesling with clear lemon fruit, a silky texture and very elegant, ripe and piquant acidity. This is a gorgeously fruity and stimulating Riesling to start with after a long night if you don’t have fresh fruit on the table. “We have to be careful that it doesn’t get too good for the price range,” says Helmut Dönnhoff, and he is right, because this is a Nahe classic or, as Dönnhoff puts it, “This is the light, pure optimism, a children’s choir. That is joie de vivre.” 10.5% alcohol. Tasted at the domain in July 2021.”
James Suckling 92 points “So effusive thanks to the cornucopia of white peach and yellow apple, but also floral notes. Super fresh and juicy on the medium-bodied palate and the brilliant finish is barely off-dry. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink now. Screw cap.”
Weingut Donnhoff Estate Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2020 750ML ($26.95) $20.90 special, 28 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92 points “Predominantly from the Oberhausen Kieselberg and Felsenberg, the 2020 Riesling Trocken opens with a clear, ripe, elegant and flinty bouquet of ripe Riesling fruit. Pure, linear and fresh on the palate, this is an intense and vital dry Riesling with stunning mineral expression, grip and salty length. A fabulous wine for small pockets. 11.5% alcohol. Tasted at the domain in July 2021.”
James Suckling 92 points “Very fresh, sleek and straight with a slew of summer-fruit and citrus aromas and a super-refreshing, crisp finish. Mostly from little-known vineyard sites in Oberhausen. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink now. Screw cap.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Weingut Donnhoff Kreuznacher Krotenpfuhl Riesling Kabinett, Nahe 2020 750ML ($34.95) $25.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2020 Kreuznacher Krötenpfuhl Riesling Kabinett is bright and finely stony on the clear and elegant nose with its ripe, almost tropical fruit notes. Lush and round on the palate, this is a mouth-filling Kabinett with delicate acidity and a stimulatingly salty finish and very good length. A wine to keep. 9% alcohol. Tasted at the domain in July 2021.”
James Suckling 93 points “Lovely fruit-salad and fresh-mint nose. Juicy and joyful, this has so much freshness, the hint of green apple at the crisp finish accentuating this. Good length. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink now. Screw cap.”
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Leistenberg Riesling Kabinett, Nahe 2020 750ML ($34.95) $26 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93 points “Dönnhoff’s 2020 Oberhäuser Leistenberg Riesling Kabinett from a south-east facing site in the side valley of the Nahe opens with a very ripe, bright fruit aroma. The palate is round and lush as well as structured and driven by the fundamental minerality of this gorgeous Dönnhoff classic. 9% alcohol. Tasted at the domain in July 2021.”
James Suckling 94 points “Some people think only the Mosel can produce stunning Kabinetts, but this is pristine and pure, so racy and uplifiting. You barely feel the natural grape sweetness, but its a vital element of this wine. Super-clean finish. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
Shop the full selection of Donnhoff wines on our web store now!
Featured New Arrivals from Burgundy:
Pierre Morey & Chateau Beru
Pierre Morey & Chateau Beru
Pierre Morey:
Meursault is village synonymous with superstar talent. You can hardly throw a stone without hitting an iconic producer’s fields like Coche, Faiveley, Boillot. Equally as talented but still relatively unknown is Pierre Morey. With family roots in the village going back to the 18th century and a work history with the legendary house Lafon, these are the hidden gems in the treasure chest of Burgundy. The Morey portfolio features a “Royal Flush” of wines featuring Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. For a village that’s associated almost exclusively with Chardonnay, their Pinot offers a rare look into what Meursault’s terroir can do. As you can expect with a biodynamic producer with old vines, quantities are extremely limited, so get these before they’re only available on the auction block!
In stock and available now:
Pierre Morey Meursault Batard-Montrachet Cote de Beaune 2013 750ML ($599.95) $519 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Importer note “An upper parcel of .49 ha just under Le Montrachet with rich and shallow soils, planted in 1965. Gentle pneumatic pressing, fermented in barrel on fine lees and aged for 16-20 months in small barrels, some new.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Pierre Morey Meursault Batard-Montrachet Cote de Beaune 2018 750ML ($599.95) $519 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 96-98 points “The 2018 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru comprises three-and-a-half barrels this year. It has an absolutely killer bouquet of intense, mineral-rich citrus fruit that gains vigor with aeration. Wonderful delineation and precision here, with oyster shell and estuarine scents emerging with time. The palate is very well balanced, delivering a precise, intense entry and enormous depth and volume in the mouth, but with counterbalancing tension on a long, spicy finish that fans out wonderfully. Superb.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94-96 points “Aromas of green pear, almond paste, mandarin oil, honeyed yellow orchard fruit and pastry cream introduce the 2018 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru, a full-bodied, deep and muscular wine that’s layered and concentrated, with lovely mid-palate amplitude and serious chalky structuring extract. This is a long and powerful Bâtard that will require bottle age to fulfill all its potential. Readers should note that this wine is identical with the Bâtard-Montrachet released under the Morey-Blanc label.”
Domaine Pierre Morey Bourgogne Chardonnay Cote de Beaune 2018 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 90 points “Aromatic and floral, this white exudes lime blossom, green apple, pear and spice flavors allied to a vibrant structure. Evolves on the palate, ending with a creamy butterscotch and toasty aftertaste. Decant or open 30 minutes before enjoying. Drink now. — BS”
“The 2018 Bourgogne Blanc was not the total blend when I tasted it at the domaine, since a couple of barrels had not finished their malolactic (there will be seven barrels in total). It has an attractive nose with notes of lemon curd, white flowers and just a hint of nutmeg, quite Meursault-like in style. The well-balanced palate is slightly buttery on the opening. Quite generous and slightly honeyed in the mouth, with touches of lime cordial and tangerine toward the finish. Enjoy this as soon as it is bottled.” –
Importer note “All of the Bourgogne Chardonnay vines of Domaine Pierre Morey are located within Meursault on deep soils of limestone and clay on four parcels, planted in the late 1970s. Fermented on fine lees in older oak barrels, and aged 18 months.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Pierre Morey Bourgogne Pinot Noir Burgundy 2018 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 6 bottles in stock now
William Kelley, Wine Advocate “Soaring from the glass with aromas of ripe cherries and licorice, the 2018 Bourgogne Pinot Noir is medium to full-bodied, fleshy and generous, its expressive core of fruit framed by refined tannins. This is a delicious regional wine that will offer a broad drinking window.” –
Importer note “All of the vines for the Bourgogne Pinot Noir are located within Meursault, mainly in the north near Volnay. Sourced from four parcels on a total of .92 ha, including the lieux-dits of Au Village, Les Belles-Cotes, and En Vaux. Fully destemmed, gentle extraction, and fermented with native yeast. Aged 15-20 months in older barrels.”
Domaine Pierre Morey Perrieres Meursault Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($279.95) $249 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 94-96 points “The 2018 Meursault Les Perrières 1er Cru, matured in around one-third new oak, underwent a slightly later malolactic than other cuvées, not finishing until early summer, though Anne Morey cannot explain why. It has an exquisite bouquet that translates the mineralité of this vineyard with style and panache. Prudent use of new oak allows the terroir to shine through from the glass. The palate is beautifully balanced with an intense opening, quite spicy and peppery, and razor-sharp definition. This Perrières has wonderful length and the aftertaste is extraordinarily long. Superb.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93-95 points “The 2018 Meursault 1er Cru Les Perrières opens in the glass with notes of citrus oil, pear, oatmeal and struck flint, framed by a deft touch of smoky reduction. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, deep and intense, with racy acids and a searingly chalky finish. Anne Morey tells me that her father farmed this 0.55-hectare parcel before acquiring it at the end of the 1980s, and the composition of the soils suggests that this was the location where rejected stones from the quarry that lends the climat its name were discarded.”
Importer note “From the southern end of Meursault in ‘Perrièrres Dessous’, just next to Puligny-Montrachet. It is a small, stony Clos on the lower part of the slope, near to an old quarry. There is excellent sun exposure and protection from the wind. Fermented in barrel and aged for 16-20 months with some new wood.”
Domaine Pierre Morey Meursault Les Tessons Cote de Beaune 2018 750ML ($159.95) $139 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 91-93 points “The 2018 Meursault Les Tessons comes from a single parcel close to Jean-Marc Roulot’s. It has a very pure and very Meursault bouquet with all the leitmotifs one expects: grilled walnut, touches of almond and a little passion fruit. The palate is very well balanced with a fine bead of acidity. A subtle spiciness defines that finish, which offers just the right amount of salinity. Superb.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91-93 points “The 2018 Meursault Les Tessons reveals a lovely bouquet that mingles scents of citrus oil and green pear with hints of white flowers, blanched almonds and honeycomb. Medium to full-bodied, textural but racy, it’s beautifully seamless and complete, structured around lively acids and chalky dry extract.”
Importer note “From a steep site on rocky soils with limestone bedrock, close by to several famous 1er crus, and considered by many to be the one of the best village-level vineyards in Meursault and an honorary 1er cru (it wasn’t included because it was mostly unplanted after phylloxera). This vineyard is up high and harvested late, resulting in a more restrained and mineral Meursault. Gentle pneumatic pressing, fermented on fine lees in 20-50% new barrels and aged 16-20 months.”
Domaine Pierre Morey Santenots Volnay Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 91-93 points “The 2018 Volnay Les Santenots 1er Cru, matured with around 50% new oak, has a lovely, lilting bouquet of blueberry, raspberry and light cassis fruit, floral tones developing with time in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with supple but quite firm, Pommard-like tannins, and blessed with disarming purity of fruit and just the right amount of spiciness toward the finish to beckon you back for another sip. This will be wonderful once in bottle.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91-93 points “More reserved than the exuberant Volnay Pitures from Maison Morey-Blanc, the domaine’s 2018 Volnay 1er Cru Les Santenots unwinds to reveal notes of cherries, plums, burning embers, sweet soil tones and spices. Medium to full-bodied, it’s muscular and nicely concentrated, with powdery tannins and chalky grip on the finish.”
Importer note “From 48-year-old biodynamically-farmed vines from the lieu-dit ‘Les Pétures’ in the north of Meursault, purchased by the domaine in 2003. This parcel is in the center of the slope and is well protected from wind, and the soils are shallow, fine red clay. This is a more powerful Volnay. The grapes are fully destemmed and fermented in open vats with native yeasts. Aged for 15-20 months with a significant percentage of new wood.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Chateau Beru
Chateau de Beru has gone from an insider’s secret to one of the most in-demand Chablis producers in a matter of a decade. The reason for that rise is simple: winemaking talent. Athénaïs Beru is impeccably in tune with her vineyards (farmed biodynamically) and her assumption of winemaking duties in 2004 correlates precisely with the rise in esteem for the 400 year old estate. They’re most famous for their “Clos Beru” bottling—a wine that you’d confuse for Grand Cru in most vintages—but we’re highlighting their two more approachable wines today.
If you want your Chablis to be packed with rocks, citrus oil and an electric energy, you ought to be buying these wines. By all measures, Beru is on a trajectory that will soon take them into Dauvissat or Raveneau realms of pricing, but at the moment the wines are still relatively affordable, even if they’re no longer a secret. The combination of long term biodynamic farming, high elevation and minimal intervention during fermentation makes these masterpieces of terroir.
In stock and available now:
Chateau de Beru Chablis Clos Beru Monopole Burgundy 2018 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery note “A wall has singled out the Clos Béru for its very unique qualities, since the 13th Century. Year after year, the Clos keeps providing typical brilliant, powerful, round and mineral wines.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Chateau de Beru Chablis Montserre Burgundy 2018 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Winery note “This is the highest point in the hill of Béru. The name Montserre literally means the mount of the Serres, the «Serres » being a typical geological conformation made from piled up fossilized sharp lime layers. Wines from this terroir express a strong personality, marked by its texture and concentration, mineral, salty, smoky notes and hints of iodine.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Chateau de Beru Chablis Cote Aux Pretres Burgundy 2018 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Literally, the “Hill of the Priests”, this name refers to the nearby paths followed by pilgrims on their way from Vézelay to Santiago de Compostela. This spectacular vineyard, perched on the top of the hill of Béru, forms a dome beautifully exposed to sunlight and to the wine. The soil is characterized by the presence of small eroded Kimmeridgian rocks. The Côte aux Prêtres Chablis is a very nervous, sapid wine, with salty iodine mineral notes.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Chateau de Beru Chablis Terrois de Beru Burgundy 2018 750ML ($49.95) $44 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery note “The Terroirs De Beru cuvée is a blend of our different plots. It reflects the distinctive identity of Béru, within the Chablis Appellation. Because our vines are planted on top of the hill of Béru, they benefit from a unique micro-climate, influenced by a wide daily temperature variation and strong winds, which contribute to the specific balance of the wine. There, we grow small, concentrated and fully mature grapes which bring mineralogy to our wines.”
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You’ve heard of Rhone titans like Jamet, Delas and Levet but have you tried the work of Maison J Denuzière?
The Northern Rhone is one of the most popular wines on the market right now. Featuring some of the most inhospitable vineyards in the world, the whole region gives an interpretation of Syrah that cannot be replicated. Founded in 1876 the house is one of few to continuously produce and distribute wine into the modern era, with the general public replacing the Church as patrons. With less than 10 acres under their spade, production volumes are exceptionally small as you can imagine yet spans 3 appellations. With so little acreage, their wines provide a near-microscopic snapshot of their terroir in a way that’s virtually unseen today.
In stock and available now:
Maison Denuziere Cornas ‘En Sauman’ Rhone 2016 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Anna Lee C. Iijima Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Editor’s Choice. Ripe, robust blackberry and plum are edged by hints of candied violets, garrigue and tobacco box in this powerfully concentrated Syrah. It’s ample and velveteen on the palate yet held upright by fine, penetrating tannins. Stunning already but it should improve through 2035 and hold further.”
Maison Denuziere Cote Rotie Les Hauts Lieux Rhone 2015 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “Solidly built, with lots of savory and bay leaf notes out front, followed by lightly steeped raspberry, red currant and fig fruit flavors. Light leather, sanguine and iron details flash through the finish, adding length and range. Best from 2020 through 2035. 150 cases made, 50 cases imported. “
Anna Lee C. Iijima Wine Enthusiast 95 points “This profoundly perfumed Syrah offers heady notes of dried sage, thyme and arid earth against a backdrop of succulent baked plum. Densely concentrated black-fruit flavors seem edged by spicy notes of chocolate and cinnamon. It’s a taut, firmly structured wine with bristling acidity and fine-grained but chewy tannins. Best hold till 2021—it’s a wine that will improve over the long haul. – “
Maison Denuziere Saint-Joseph ‘Secret de Blacieux’ Rhone 2018 750ML ($39.95) $33 Special bottles in stock now
Anna Lee C. Iijima Jeb Dunnuck 92 points “Lots of earthy red and blue fruits, damp earth, and spring flower notes emerge from the 2018 Saint Joseph J. Denuzière. This pretty, peppery, complex Saint Joseph has wonderful purity of fruit, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It blossoms with time in the glass and is a pure, seamless 2018 with loads to love. Enjoy bottles over the coming 8-10 years.”
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “This stony, deeply mineral Syrah balances crisp cassis and black-cherry flavors against a deeply earthen core. It’s opulent in texture but stately, uplifted by tangs of salt, iron and granite. The finish is framed by soft, easing tannins making it approachable young but it should drink at peak through 2026. “
The Northern Rhone is one of the most popular wines on the market right now. Featuring some of the most inhospitable vineyards in the world, the whole region gives an interpretation of Syrah that cannot be replicated. Founded in 1876 the house is one of few to continuously produce and distribute wine into the modern era, with the general public replacing the Church as patrons. With less than 10 acres under their spade, production volumes are exceptionally small as you can imagine yet spans 3 appellations. With so little acreage, their wines provide a near-microscopic snapshot of their terroir in a way that’s virtually unseen today.
In stock and available now:
Maison Denuziere Cornas ‘En Sauman’ Rhone 2016 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Anna Lee C. Iijima Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Editor’s Choice. Ripe, robust blackberry and plum are edged by hints of candied violets, garrigue and tobacco box in this powerfully concentrated Syrah. It’s ample and velveteen on the palate yet held upright by fine, penetrating tannins. Stunning already but it should improve through 2035 and hold further.”
Maison Denuziere Cote Rotie Les Hauts Lieux Rhone 2015 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “Solidly built, with lots of savory and bay leaf notes out front, followed by lightly steeped raspberry, red currant and fig fruit flavors. Light leather, sanguine and iron details flash through the finish, adding length and range. Best from 2020 through 2035. 150 cases made, 50 cases imported. “
Anna Lee C. Iijima Wine Enthusiast 95 points “This profoundly perfumed Syrah offers heady notes of dried sage, thyme and arid earth against a backdrop of succulent baked plum. Densely concentrated black-fruit flavors seem edged by spicy notes of chocolate and cinnamon. It’s a taut, firmly structured wine with bristling acidity and fine-grained but chewy tannins. Best hold till 2021—it’s a wine that will improve over the long haul. – “
Maison Denuziere Saint-Joseph ‘Secret de Blacieux’ Rhone 2018 750ML ($39.95) $33 Special bottles in stock now
Anna Lee C. Iijima Jeb Dunnuck 92 points “Lots of earthy red and blue fruits, damp earth, and spring flower notes emerge from the 2018 Saint Joseph J. Denuzière. This pretty, peppery, complex Saint Joseph has wonderful purity of fruit, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It blossoms with time in the glass and is a pure, seamless 2018 with loads to love. Enjoy bottles over the coming 8-10 years.”
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “This stony, deeply mineral Syrah balances crisp cassis and black-cherry flavors against a deeply earthen core. It’s opulent in texture but stately, uplifted by tangs of salt, iron and granite. The finish is framed by soft, easing tannins making it approachable young but it should drink at peak through 2026. “
Back in Town:
New Vintage of Freemark Abbey Chardonnay
Freemark Abbey Chardonnay Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($34.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Freemark Abbey Chardonnay Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($199.95) $123 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Case-12 Freemark Abbey Chardonnay Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($299.95) $236 special (that’s only $19.67/bottle!)
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2018 Chardonnay is a very pretty, nuanced wine that deftly balances textural richness and vibrancy. Lemon peel, orchard fruit, mint and bright floral notes are finely sculpted in this classy, wonderfully polished Chardonnay from Freemark Abbey.”
Case-6 Freemark Abbey Chardonnay Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($199.95) $123 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Case-12 Freemark Abbey Chardonnay Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($299.95) $236 special (that’s only $19.67/bottle!)
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2018 Chardonnay is a very pretty, nuanced wine that deftly balances textural richness and vibrancy. Lemon peel, orchard fruit, mint and bright floral notes are finely sculpted in this classy, wonderfully polished Chardonnay from Freemark Abbey.”
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Cult wine from Piedmont: Gaja
Gaja Darmagi Langhe Piedmont 2017 750ML ($299.95) $249 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 94+ points “The 2017 Darmagi (Cabernet Sauvignon) is gorgeous. Ample, silky and voluptuous to its core, Darmagi offers tons of immediacy and sheer appeal. Today, the 2017 is all about fruit richness and texture. Readers who prefer to see a full range of Cabernet aromatics should plan on cellaring the 2017 for at least a few years. Hints of blackberry jam, mocha, licorice and spice linger, but more than anything else, the 2017 is all about flamboyance. This is an especially strong vintage.”
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “While a base Langhe release, the 2017 Darmagi is stunning stuff, offering a killer bouquet of ripe red and black fruits, hot asphalt, spring flowers, tobacco, and a touch of rocky, earhty minerality. With a rich, medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, a more supple, upfront style, and sweet tannins, it already offers loads of pleasure, yet its solid spine of tannins and acidity make me believe it will still be drinking nicely in 15-20 years.”
Rosé Feature
Rosé is wine for all seasons, or at least we think so. Nothing quite illustrates that better than Ameztoi’s Rosado. This is easily our best-selling rose in house, and rightly so! A blend of both Hondarribi Beltza and Zuri sourced from a series of organically farmed, high elevation sites in the Basque Region with the oldest vines being over 100 years old.
Fermented in the traditional style of the Basque region which leaves it slightly sparkling and naturally low in sulfur! Fully dry and incredibly nuanced yet delicate with a whole spectrum of fruits ranging from strawberry to white peach and a plethora of white flowers like orange and lemon blossom.
Ameztoi Rubentis Rosado, Getariako Txakolina 2020 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Ameztoi Rubentis Rosado, Getariako Txakolina 2020 750ML ($319.95) $239 special (that’s only $19.92/bottle!)
Importer note “The pink sibling of Ameztoi’s flagship white, this vibrant rosé is made from a mix of red and white indigenous grapes and is bottled with a little residual carbonation to give it a light spritz.”
Looking for a rosé that drinks like a light red? Easily the most full bodied rose I’ve tried in a long while, this is a deliciously rustic rosado made from another nearly extinct grape called Prieto Picudo. Traditionally farmed in a pruning style native to the village called rastra, which involves the grapes growing without any trellising just above the ground. This proximity reduces the amount of water lost during the incredibly dry growing season and helps the grapes ripen due to heat radiating from the ground. The vines used in this rosado are over 80 years old and grown at almost 3,000 feet above sea level at the base of the Cantabric Mountains. Grilled strawberry, cherry juice, copal resin and fennel flower make this a perfect accompaniment for BBQ, Smoked fish or Middle Eastern cuisine.
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Raul Perez ‘Los Arrotos del Pendon’ Rosado Leon 2020 750ML ($24.95) $19.90 special, 21 bottles available
Josh Raynolds Vinous 92 points “Light, amber-hued red. Pungent cherry, raspberry and floral aromas take on spice and smoky mineral nuances with air. Shows very good heft and chewy texture, offering sappy red berry, bitter cherry and spicecake flavors and a hint of licorice. As much a light red wine as a rosé. Finishes long and floral, with the spicy note adding final cut.”
Skurnik Wines note “100% Prieto Picudo. Very old vines in stony clay at high altitude (800m ASL). Macerated for two days on the skins before bleeding off. Fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel. Raised on the fine lees for four months in tank. Bottled without fining or filtration.”
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You’d be hard pressed to find a winery more committed to sustainability than Ostatu. Based in the Cantebrian Mountains of Rioja Alavesa, they are one of the few carbon neutral wineries in the entire world. Their portfolio is comprised entirely of old vines grown organically in high elevation, with their Rosado being no exception. Deliciously crisp with a medium body and full spectrum of flavors. Aromas are decidedly alpine and fresh with a fruit character evocative of candied grapefruit peel, Seville orange and strawberries.
Bodegas Ostatu Rosado Rioja DOCa 2020 750ML ($19.95) $14.50 special, 7 bottles in stock now
De Maison Selections note “Ostatu Rosado is an incredible value and introduction to their range of wines. It says something about a winery when they pursue excellence from the beginning of their range to the top. For this reason, Ostatu Rosado is one of the most beloved pink Rioja Alavesa wines, offering a very different experience than many other rosado wines from Rioja that are often made as an afterthought… Grapes are farmed organically, and only native yeasts are utilized to ferment in stainless steel tanks, yielding a light, refreshing rosé from Rioja with substance, as well as charm.”
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\Magnum Feature
Did you know how Pol Roger came to name their top cuvee after Sir Winston Churchill? As the story goes Sir Churchill had a lifelong taste for Champagne that started during his service in WW1. He is quoted with saying “Remember, gentlemen, it’s not just France we are fighting for; it’s Champagne.” when on the frontlines of Epernay. After the World Wars, Odette Pol Roger became personal friends with Sir Winston Churchill and they remained friends for decades until his death. He was reputed to be one of the largest buyers of Pol Roger in the world, drinking an average of two bottles of Vintage Pol Roger per day.
His passing sparked the creation of the Sir Winston Churchill cuvee, meant to serve as their new Tête de Cuvee. In honor of its namesake the cuvee is made in the style that Churchill preferred; with at least 10 years of aging on the lees, a Grand Cru assemblage that is Pinot Noir dominant, and built to age. Judging from critical reception, this bottling is only getting better with age. This Tête de Cuvee is perfectly suited for holiday meals, special gifts, cellaring or personal consumption if you’re feeling aristocratic.
Pol Roger Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill Brut 2002 1.5L ($899.95) $699 special, 5 magnums in stock now
Wine Advocate 96 points (In 2019) “The 2002 Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill is developing superbly in bottle, and the wine is beginning to show wonderful complexity, wafting from the glass with scents of green apple, orange rind and pear that mingle with hints of warm biscuits, freshly baked bread and iodine. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, broad and fleshy, with ripe acids, appreciable structuring dry extract and concentration and a long, vinous and expansive finish. Readers with the 2002 Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill in their cellars should be very happy indeed.”
Antonio Galloni Vinous- 95 points (In 2015) “The 2002 Brut Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill is wonderfully open, expressive and resonant. The richness of the vintage comes through nicely, yet the more overt elements are very nicely balanced by a good deal of freshness. Baked apple, pastry, candied lemon, dried flowers and warm, toasty notes shape the generous, resonant finish. With time in the glass, the 2002 takes a on a striking, vinous character. Readers might want to consider opening the 2002 a few hours in advance, as it really blossoms with air. “
His passing sparked the creation of the Sir Winston Churchill cuvee, meant to serve as their new Tête de Cuvee. In honor of its namesake the cuvee is made in the style that Churchill preferred; with at least 10 years of aging on the lees, a Grand Cru assemblage that is Pinot Noir dominant, and built to age. Judging from critical reception, this bottling is only getting better with age. This Tête de Cuvee is perfectly suited for holiday meals, special gifts, cellaring or personal consumption if you’re feeling aristocratic.
Pol Roger Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill Brut 2002 1.5L ($899.95) $699 special, 5 magnums in stock now
Wine Advocate 96 points (In 2019) “The 2002 Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill is developing superbly in bottle, and the wine is beginning to show wonderful complexity, wafting from the glass with scents of green apple, orange rind and pear that mingle with hints of warm biscuits, freshly baked bread and iodine. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, broad and fleshy, with ripe acids, appreciable structuring dry extract and concentration and a long, vinous and expansive finish. Readers with the 2002 Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill in their cellars should be very happy indeed.”
Antonio Galloni Vinous- 95 points (In 2015) “The 2002 Brut Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill is wonderfully open, expressive and resonant. The richness of the vintage comes through nicely, yet the more overt elements are very nicely balanced by a good deal of freshness. Baked apple, pastry, candied lemon, dried flowers and warm, toasty notes shape the generous, resonant finish. With time in the glass, the 2002 takes a on a striking, vinous character. Readers might want to consider opening the 2002 a few hours in advance, as it really blossoms with air. “
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Staff Picks
Aglianico, also known as “The Nebbiolo of the south” has largely flown under the radar since its heyday in the Ancient Era. Thought to have been imported by Greek visitors to Campania, the Roman Empire used Aglianico to create an exclusive wine consumed by Rome’s elite. This particular wine called Falernum was mentioned by Pliny, Aurelius and Horace in literature and can even be seen advertised in the ruins of Pompeii’s bars. Fast forward a few thousand years and we have Contrade di Lonardo, one of the best kept secrets of Campanian wine, known for their commitments to traditional varieties and farming practices.
Lonardo’s vineyards are based in the Taurasi region with Aglianico planted at an average of 1300 feet above sea level and farmed organically. With vine ages ranging from 30 to 125 years old, they are pruned in the traditional tall pergola style and planted in in ancient volcanic ash with a base of limestone and clay. This commitment is evident in the finished product, featuring aromatics of violets, pipe tobacco, cedar and Bing cherries that command your full attention. There’s a characteristic “Italian Rusticity” to the wine that is evocative of new leather and antique wood, not unlike high end cologne.
On first taste there are extensive tannins that bring to mind Pu-erh, dark chocolate and blackberry seed, knit together with a lifted acidity. Primary flavors of roasted poblano, oregano oil, dried blueberry and fresh redcurrant contribute to an impressively long flavor presentation and finish. This is a wine made for anything roasted, braised or red sauce based. Peking duck, Grilled Cabbage, Lasagna or Venison would all perform incredibly with this wine. Get at least two of these wines, one for short term consumption and the other for longer aging.
In stock and available now:
Contrade di Taurasi Cantine Lonardo Aglianico Rosso Irpinia Campania 2016 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Contrade di Taurasi Cantine Lonardo Aglianico Rosso Irpinia Campania 2016 750ML ($319.95) $259 special (that’s only $21.58/bottle!)
Ian D’Agata-Vinous 92 points “Deep ruby. Lively aromas of red fruits, minerals and herbs. Juicy and fruity in the mouth, showing hazelnutty nuances to the red fruit flavors. Finishes with good acid-fruit balance and nice tannins. A lovely wine that will age well, but provides irresistible drinking right now.”
Contrade di Taurasi Cantine Lonardo Coste Taurasi DOCG 2011 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Ian D’Agata-Vinous 94+ points “Deep ruby. Floral nuances complicate the red and dark berry, ink, sweet spice and flinty aromas and flavors. Dense and seamless, showing a multilayered personality and remarkable complexity of flavor. Finishes very long and with repeating, lingering hints of ink and flint.”
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Looking for a wine with the rusticity of Italy, the versatility of Pinot Noir and priced like a Barbera? Check out our Pelavergas! Once nearly extinct, this Piedmontese rarity is found in a minuscule village called Verduno where it was historically blended with Nebbiolo. It was once the favorite wine of the royal family of Piedmont, with local farmers using the grapes and wine as payment for taxes according to historical records from the 1800’s.
Only a handful of producers are still working with this grape, and we happen to carry 2 in house! A bright garnet color in the glass with expressive botanical aromas of Kampot peppercorn, Italian Oregano, Greek thyme and strawberry leaf that are perceptible even slightly chilled. Primary flavors of strawberry, dried cranberries and redcurrants with a medium body and slightly higher acid, this is a perfect food wine. Traditionally paired with charcuterie and mushroom based dishes, Pelaverga would also pair fantastically with blackened chicken, gumbo, pizza or cedar plank salmon. For a less than ideal weather day, this is also a wine for a hot bowl of soup like bouillabaisse, ramen or minestrone. Perfectly suited for pinot noir lovers, this would be perfect for blind tasting that one friend who thinks they can guess any and everything you put in their glass.
Castello di Verduno Basadone Pelaverga Piedmont 2019 750ML ($34.95) $26.60 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Pelaverga is indigenous to the village of Verduno, it produces red wines that are light in color but savory and distinctive on the palate… This one is aged in stainless steel before bottling without filtration. The winery’s website cannot be improved on for a description: ‘Soft, though bright ruby red. Intense fragrant nose, showing clear spicy overtones of black pepper and nutmeg, as well as fruity sensations reminiscent of cherries in spirit and strawberries. Nicely-balanced, lingering dry flavour.'”
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Cascina Melognis ‘Divicaroli’ Pelaverga Colline Saluzzesi Piedmont 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Importer note “The grapes for “Divicaroli” are sourced from 30-year-old pelaverga vines. Pelaverga (distinct from the pelaverga piccolo variety of Verduno) is characteristic of the area around Saluzzo. Here it was long a staple in blends, but its importance shrank over time, until it nearly vanished in the 1970s. Today, careful site selection and pruning are bringing about a small and welcome renaissance for the grape. Its peppery, high-toned freshness, and delicate floral and herbaceous notes are quintessentially Alpine. It is still rare to find monovarietal pelaverga from anywhere in the Piedmont, let alone the Colline Saluzzesi. This wine is macerated for ten days before undergoing spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel, where it remains for 6 months before being bottled. “Divicaroli” means “belonging to Saint Charles” in Latin and is named such because the pelaverga comes from a vineyard named after St. Charles.”
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German Riesling is probably the favorite wine category amongst the staff here at Vinopolis, and for good reason. You’d be hard pressed to find so many styles of wine in one place, with sparkling being the latest to make waves. Sekt, as it’s called in Germany, has been around for a while, but most examples have historically been panned internationally for being too acidic (or worse, under ripe). That’s all changing with the climate with Germany experiencing some of the best yields and growing seasons ever recorded.
Never one to settle for a standard portfolio, Von Winning makes a dizzying assortment of wines ranging from the more typical Riesling and Pinot Noir to Sauvignon Blanc and a sparkling Riesling. Fermented in tank to preserve the fruitiness, with secondary fermentation in bottle this is a sparkling wine with endless potential. In addition to a fruit salad of red apples, white peach and Meyer lemon there’s a beautiful minerality that is reminiscent of slate and baking spice. The minimal sugar input is noticeable as the acid provides a clean and persistent finish, making this food friendly but can still be enjoyed by itself. Built for any occasion, budget or activity.
Von Winning Riesling Sekt Extra Brut Pfalz, Deidesheim NV 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Grapelive 92 points “I’m lucky to have enjoyed this exciting Riesling Sparkler on a few occasions now. I love its intensity, crisp detail and briskly dry profile that make it celebratory but sublime with meals especially first courses or as an aperitif to whet the palate. German bubbles are incredible and this one is a classy example at a reasonable price, not to be outdone by Prosecco, the Cremants of Alsace, the Loire and Burgundy, and Champagne even, these modern Sekt(s) are stylish, elegant and full of personality. This one [is] in the mold of one of my favorite small Champagne house, Agrapart, with its cool invigorating mineral tones and extreme dry flavors. Von Winning is one of Germany’s top wineries, based in the chalky sandstone soiled Pfalz region, with an exceptional range of wines, especially their absolutely awesome series of Grosses Gewachs (Grand Cru) Rieslings, though there is excellence throughout the collection here and as I have noted in my prior reviews, Von Winning does one of the finest Sauvignon Blanc(s) in the world, too. The Extra Brut Riesling Sekt is vibrant and steely from the start with a mix of zesty citrus and peachy fruits, a hint of wet stones, leesy/yeasty notes and a faint floral element all of which folds together nicely and vigorously on the energy driven light to medium bodied palate that gains texture with air, but stays firmly taut with an expressive, subtly luxurious small bubbled mousse…”
Primarily working with Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Muscat and Pinot Blanc Ovum is fantastic at demonstrating the versatility of the component grapes, further demonstrated by their multifaceted vinification practices. Most impressive of their practices is their absolute refusal to add anything to their wines; be that cultivated yeast, sulfur, sugar, enzymes or yeast nutrients. From a technical perspective this is what wines from Alsace, Central Europe and Northern Italy tasted like prior to the 19th century and subsequent industrialization.
Old Love is a co-fermentation of all the varietals and vineyards they work with. Encompassing 5 AVA’s across Oregon, all of which are organically farmed and in possession of old vines; this is a marvel of both the winemaking and winegrowing at play in the State. Incredibly full bodied considering the parent varietals, there is a pervasive salinity with a food friendly integration of floral and botanical characteristics. The use of concrete egg and amphora across their portfolio shows in the textural component all their wines have, evocative of Bai Mudan tea, white peach skin and mandarin orange peel.
Ovum Old Love White Blend, Oregon 2020 750ML ($24.95) $18.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Grapelive 93 points “The Ovum Old Love dry white wine is a blend of grapes that sing in the glass with a range of heady and perfumed scents along with a brisk salty palate that will remind people of the beautiful and textural mixed varietal Alsatian wines of Marcel Deiss, Marc Tempe and Albert Boxler’s… The Old Love is about 45% Riesling, 35% Gewürztraminer, 10% Pinot Blanc and 10% (Dry) Muscat, though maybe 1% is other varietals depending on the year and what is co-planted in the vineyards, which are located throughout Oregon on a unique combination of soils, it is certainly one of the most eccentric of the state’s white wines and the better for it. The 2019 Old Love is fresh and lively with green apple, white peach, tangerine and dried apricot fruits on the lithe and crystalline palate, which is racy, saline and mineral laced with a bracing kick of acidity and showing hints of wet stone, ginger, rosewater and wild herbs. This white gives quite a rush to the senses and has a feeling of grip to it with crisp extract lingering well on in the aftertaste, very impressive and a great wine with food, in particular white fish, poultry, light pork dishes and even fresh briny oysters. The straw and light golden Old Love white keeps you guess throughout the glass, but drinks impeccably well balanced and rewarding without any obvious varietal domination taking charge, it truly is a wine that is better because of the sum of all parts, consider me intrigued! I am looking forward to exploring the rest of the Ovum lineup and the new vintages that have just now been released.”
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Get the Insider Scoop
New Wine Spectator Insider Reviews
ETA Mid October
Saint Cosme Cote Rotie Rhone 2019 750ML ($79.95) $66 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 95 points” A racy, high-pitched, mineral-driven style, with raspberry and damson plum coulis notes pierced with savory and sanguine accents. The long, tight-grained, iron-edged finish resonates. Best from 2022 through 2034. -JM”
Saint Cosme Cote Rotie Rhone 2019 750ML ($79.95) $66 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 95 points” A racy, high-pitched, mineral-driven style, with raspberry and damson plum coulis notes pierced with savory and sanguine accents. The long, tight-grained, iron-edged finish resonates. Best from 2022 through 2034. -JM”
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Saint Cosme Condrieu Rhone 2019 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 94 points “This is densely packed, with rich white apricot and nectarine flavors laced with additional mirabelle, verbena and quince accents. There’s enough underlying juicy energy for balance, with a long, lingering green plum accent adding nice lift. Drink now through 2025. -JM ”
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Saint Cosme Saint-Joseph Rhone 2019 750ML ($37.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Very stylish, with perfumed red and black cherry coulis notes infused with dried rose petal, sanguine, sandalwood and white pepper. Silky and fresh through the finish, with lingering minerality. A wine of nuance. Drink now through 2030. 250 cases imported. -JM “
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Shop the full selection of Saint Cosme wines arriving mid-October and in stock now on our web store!
Anne-Sophie Dubois
New Reviews for 2019s & New Offer of 2020s
Traditional has different definitions in Beaujolais, and it really has to do with how far you’re willing to look back in time. If your definition of Beaujolais starts and stops with gaudy bottles of plonk, I implore you to seek help immediately. If you consider yourself an enlightened beaujo drinker who looks to the Gang of Four for inspiration and thinks that semi-carbonic techniques offer the freshest view of the new wines of the region, you might update your G4 rolodex with a contact list of the dozens of new producers who are taking Gamay to new levels. With parcel specific soil maps recently released and winemakers looking to highlight the characteristics of the terroir of their own vineyards, older techniques more similar to Burgundian winemaking have taken hold, resulting in wines that are still juicy and lovely, but with added depth and mineral crunchiness. This is how the vanguard of winemakers is shaping one of the most exciting areas in France, if not the world.
Anne-Sophie Dubois, a Champenois native with her training in Volnay, is making some of the most perfumed and elegant wines off of her 20-acre hilltop vineyard in Fleurie. While she makes a ‘young vine’ semi-carbonic wine (Les Cocottes – delicious in its own right), her two wines of note are the Alchemiste and Les Labourons. The wines come from 40 and 60+ year old parcels, respectively. Alchemiste is fully destemmed fruit, macerated for approximately 3 weeks with native yeasts, then aged for 13 months in both cement tanks and some larger, oak casks. Les Labourons, formerly known as Clepsydre, marks the transition to fully organic (mostly biodynamic) practices in her vineyard. This wine is comprised of the best fruit from the oldest parcel of vines on the estate. The vinification is the same, though the wine is aged completely in neutral barrels rather than partially in tank. Anne-Sophie says that the wine shows more concentration and depth due to the age of the vines and the truly beautiful fruit that is available. While both will age nicely, the Labourons should be the wine you lay down for 10+ years.
2020 was a vintage defined by spectacular weather throughout the growing season, if a bit dry. Thankfully producers like Dubois that possessed old vines were able to coast through due to the greater access to water the root systems provide. Much like the 2019 vintage these are incredibly good drinking right out of the gate, featuring accessible heft and lower acid.
Arriving ETA Late Fall:
Anne-Sophie Dubois Fleurie Les Cocottes Beaujolais 2020 750ML ($35.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Anne-Sophie Dubois Fleurie Les Cocottes Beaujolais 2020 2020 1.5L ($99.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Anne-Sophie Dubois, a Champenois native with her training in Volnay, is making some of the most perfumed and elegant wines off of her 20-acre hilltop vineyard in Fleurie. While she makes a ‘young vine’ semi-carbonic wine (Les Cocottes – delicious in its own right), her two wines of note are the Alchemiste and Les Labourons. The wines come from 40 and 60+ year old parcels, respectively. Alchemiste is fully destemmed fruit, macerated for approximately 3 weeks with native yeasts, then aged for 13 months in both cement tanks and some larger, oak casks. Les Labourons, formerly known as Clepsydre, marks the transition to fully organic (mostly biodynamic) practices in her vineyard. This wine is comprised of the best fruit from the oldest parcel of vines on the estate. The vinification is the same, though the wine is aged completely in neutral barrels rather than partially in tank. Anne-Sophie says that the wine shows more concentration and depth due to the age of the vines and the truly beautiful fruit that is available. While both will age nicely, the Labourons should be the wine you lay down for 10+ years.
2020 was a vintage defined by spectacular weather throughout the growing season, if a bit dry. Thankfully producers like Dubois that possessed old vines were able to coast through due to the greater access to water the root systems provide. Much like the 2019 vintage these are incredibly good drinking right out of the gate, featuring accessible heft and lower acid.
Arriving ETA Late Fall:
Anne-Sophie Dubois Fleurie Les Cocottes Beaujolais 2020 750ML ($35.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Anne-Sophie Dubois Fleurie Les Cocottes Beaujolais 2020 2020 1.5L ($99.95) $69 pre-arrival special
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Arriving Spring 2022:
Anne-Sophie Dubois Fleurie l’Alchimiste Beaujolais 2020 1.5L ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Anne-Sophie Dubois Fleurie l’Alchimiste Beaujolais 2020 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 pre-arrival special
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Anne-Sophie Dubois Fleurie Les Labourons Beaujolais 2020 1.5L ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Anne-Sophie Dubois Fleurie Les Labourons Beaujolais 2020 750ML ($39.95) $36 pre-arrival special
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Anne-Sophie Dubois ‘Sans Detour’ Vin de France 2020 750ML ($34.95) $27 pre-arrival special
Gamay/Gamaret blend
Gamay/Gamaret blend
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Vinopolis is an independent wine shop in Portland that opened in 2004. Our goal has always been to offer the finest, broadest, and largest selection of wines at the best prices to our customers in Portland, in Oregon, across the West Coast, and throughout the United States.
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Stay safe, be well, & drink well.
Thank you for reading and for continuing to support our team!
Stay safe, be well, & drink well.