In This Newsletter:
Ried Heiligenstein Sale
Nerd Alert Featurette: Cristal’s Vinotheque
Austria’s Premier Vineyard
Stock Up & Save On:
The Wines from Heiligenstein
Ried Heiligenstein Sale
Nerd Alert Featurette: Cristal’s Vinotheque
Austria’s Premier Vineyard
Stock Up & Save On:
The Wines from Heiligenstein
“The best dry rieslings from the Heiligenstein are often dramatic due to their tremendous wet stone intensity, but this is married to considerable elegance. Tasted very young, the Heiligenstein rieslings from some producers can be quite austere, even steely.” -Stuart Pigott, writing for James Suckling
The Kamptal region in Austrian is the slightly less famous brother to the Wachau. Its quality is on par, so the best wines end up being the best deals across the Old World. The bottlings from the Heiligenstein vineyard, likely the Kamptal’s most famous, are in a class by themselves.
What makes this vineyard so profound? Heiligenstein’s soils are unique to the area. Comprising a steep slope overlooking the Kamp River, this formation is composed of reddish-brown sandstone rich in feldspar, silt, and 250-280-million-year-old fossils and studded with ancient volcanic rhyolite pebbles. While over forty wineries have holdings in the vineyard, some of its most famous producers include Weingut Brundlmayer and Schloss Gobelsburg. Benchmark producers for Austria as a whole, these estates are often cited as the best of the vintage.
In a world where the market (outside of sommeliers) realized how good these were, the prices would be triple and we still would have sold out ages ago. Despite the adoration of diehard fans and sommeliers, the wines don’t always get the attention they deserve. If these came from France, these biodynamic, single-vineyard, Grand Cru, food-friendly gems from thousand-year-old wineries, they would be three times as expensive. Or thirty. These are the source of the best value high end whites in the world. And even better on our three-day sale.
The Kamptal region in Austrian is the slightly less famous brother to the Wachau. Its quality is on par, so the best wines end up being the best deals across the Old World. The bottlings from the Heiligenstein vineyard, likely the Kamptal’s most famous, are in a class by themselves.
What makes this vineyard so profound? Heiligenstein’s soils are unique to the area. Comprising a steep slope overlooking the Kamp River, this formation is composed of reddish-brown sandstone rich in feldspar, silt, and 250-280-million-year-old fossils and studded with ancient volcanic rhyolite pebbles. While over forty wineries have holdings in the vineyard, some of its most famous producers include Weingut Brundlmayer and Schloss Gobelsburg. Benchmark producers for Austria as a whole, these estates are often cited as the best of the vintage.
In a world where the market (outside of sommeliers) realized how good these were, the prices would be triple and we still would have sold out ages ago. Despite the adoration of diehard fans and sommeliers, the wines don’t always get the attention they deserve. If these came from France, these biodynamic, single-vineyard, Grand Cru, food-friendly gems from thousand-year-old wineries, they would be three times as expensive. Or thirty. These are the source of the best value high end whites in the world. And even better on our three-day sale.
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of wine from Heiligenstein
10% off any 6+ or more in-stock bottles of wine from Heiligenstein
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Saturday, October 4th at 9 am Pacific.
10% off any 6+ or more in-stock bottles of wine from Heiligenstein
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Saturday, October 4th at 9 am Pacific.
We offer eight in-stock wines from Ried Heiligenstein options on sale now, including:
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Brundlmayer Ried Heiligenstein Riesling Erste Lage, Kamptal DAC 2015 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 93 points “Buddleia, lemon blossom and ocean spray rush from the glass, then provide alluring inner-mouth perfume and mineral nuance on a luscious, surprisingly buoyant palate saturated with ripe white peach and lime. This finishes with vibrant tingling of crystalline mineral impingements, an invigoratingly reductive hint of struck flint, seductive liquid floral perfume and saliva-drawing salinity. 2017-2028.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Weingut Brundlmayer Ried Heiligenstein Riesling Erste Lage, Kamptal DAC 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 94 points “Although this is still very young it begins dramatically with an intensely herbal and white fruits nose. Mineral power kicks in on the palate and drives it forward at a brisk clip. A slightly austere finish, but one that’s full of stony character and is very long and bright. Drink now.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Weingut Brundlmayer Ried Heiligenstein Riesling Erste Lage, Kamptal DAC 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 8 bottles in stock now
Anne Krebiehl MW-Vinous 96 points “The 2022 Riesling Heiligenstein is from core parcels of the site, where cool Waldviertel air meets the warm Pannonian influence. This 2022 vintage is the first where the Lyra- and Guyot-trained vines were co-harvested and co-fermented. The nose has a subtle note of cypress, with a touch of smokiness and a suspicion of green citrus peel. The palate adds a riper notion of juicy white peach, but remains framed with tingling citrus. Both elements together result in immense juiciness, showing a svelte exuberance that, for now, skips over stony minerality, which will take time to reveal itself. This is beautiful, taut, long and serene. (Bone-dry).”
Schloss Gobelsburg Heiligenstein Riesling Reserve Erste OTW Lage, Kamptal DAC 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 22 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96 points “Gobelsburg’s 2020 Ried Heiligenstein opens with a clear, bright and savory bouquet of sandstone, salt, ripe stone fruits and tea. Lush and round on the palate, this is a textured, very elegant and balanced Heiligenstein Riesling with a lingering, fine salinity on the highly elegant and aromatic finish. This is again an excellent, quiet and perfectly balanced Riesling from one of the greatest Riesling sites along the Danube River. The 2020 already drinks beautifully but can be aged for two or three decades.”
Weingut Hirsch Ried Heiligenstein-Rotfels Riesling Erste Erste OTW Lage, Kamptal DAC 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 100 points “Lose yourself in this cloud of wildflower, stone-fruit and wet stone-aromas. This incredibly graceful dry riesling has both concentration and brilliance. A youthfully effusive but mind-blowing expression of the great Heiligenstein vineyard, refined from the word go. From biodynamically grown grapes with Respekt certification. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
Nerd Alert!
Cristal Vinothèque
House Roederer is widely considered one of the greatest of the Grand Marque Champagne producers. Their name is synonymous with quality and sustainability. These are meticulously farmed plots that are each vinified separately for precision blending. Favoring Chardonnay, the resulting wines are among the most age-worthy and elegant on the market.
Roederer’s Cristal is one most sought-after bottlings in Champagne—a tête du cuvée that always lives up to the (enthusiastic) hype. Cristal Vinothèque—a late released bottling—represents the pinnacle of Champagne, a true insider’s must-have.
In Stock Now:
Louis Roederer Cristal Vinothèque Edition Brut Millésime, Champagne 1999 750ml $1,245 special, 2 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 98 points “The nose has such beautiful, autolysis character with brown-mushroom and toasted-almond aromas. The nose has still-fresh lemons and oyster shell. Very smooth, pastry-like texture on the palate with even layers and a core of fresh lemons and peaches. The striking thing here is the balance and melted-together complexity. In a very great place. This spent seven years sur latte, seven sur pointe and was disgorged in 2014. Drink now.”
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 97 points “Roederer’s 1999 Cristal Vinothèque is endowed with tremendous power and concentration, especially for a Champagne of its age. Palate staining minerals, chalk, white pepper, mint, citrus and orchard fruit soar out of the glass. Tasted next to the Rosé the Blanc has a slightly more toasty character along with more body and a stronger presence of the mousse, which in this wine wraps around the fruit. At the time, Cristal was made from 37 parcels. The Pinots were a blend from Aÿ (where the wines are naturally riper) and Verzenay, Verzy and Beaumont-sur-Vesle, (where Pinots are nervy and taut), while the Chardonnay was sourced from Avize, Mesnil and Cramant. Dosage is 7-8 grams per liter.”
(Disgorgement dates may vary from reviews)
Roederer’s Cristal is one most sought-after bottlings in Champagne—a tête du cuvée that always lives up to the (enthusiastic) hype. Cristal Vinothèque—a late released bottling—represents the pinnacle of Champagne, a true insider’s must-have.
In Stock Now:
Louis Roederer Cristal Vinothèque Edition Brut Millésime, Champagne 1999 750ml $1,245 special, 2 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 98 points “The nose has such beautiful, autolysis character with brown-mushroom and toasted-almond aromas. The nose has still-fresh lemons and oyster shell. Very smooth, pastry-like texture on the palate with even layers and a core of fresh lemons and peaches. The striking thing here is the balance and melted-together complexity. In a very great place. This spent seven years sur latte, seven sur pointe and was disgorged in 2014. Drink now.”
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 97 points “Roederer’s 1999 Cristal Vinothèque is endowed with tremendous power and concentration, especially for a Champagne of its age. Palate staining minerals, chalk, white pepper, mint, citrus and orchard fruit soar out of the glass. Tasted next to the Rosé the Blanc has a slightly more toasty character along with more body and a stronger presence of the mousse, which in this wine wraps around the fruit. At the time, Cristal was made from 37 parcels. The Pinots were a blend from Aÿ (where the wines are naturally riper) and Verzenay, Verzy and Beaumont-sur-Vesle, (where Pinots are nervy and taut), while the Chardonnay was sourced from Avize, Mesnil and Cramant. Dosage is 7-8 grams per liter.”
(Disgorgement dates may vary from reviews)
Shop our 128 Champagne selections now!
Don’t miss our additional sale going on now:
Rioja Wines
5% off any 3-7 in-stock bottles of wine from Rioja
10% off any 8+ or more in-stock bottles of wine from Rioja
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Rioja sale ends Friday, October 3rd at 9 am Pacific.