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AJ Adam Sale
Nerd Alert Featurette: Daniel-Etienne Defaix
Experience the Rare Old-Vine Rieslings of Dhron
Stock Up & Save On:
AJ Adam
AJ Adam Sale
Nerd Alert Featurette: Daniel-Etienne Defaix
Experience the Rare Old-Vine Rieslings of Dhron
Stock Up & Save On:
AJ Adam
In a virtually unknown side valley of the Middle Mosel, just south of Piesport, are the steep, south-facing vineyard slopes of Dhron. Few of the younger generation have taken over for the aging winemakers of this small region, leading the region to fall into obscurity.
One of the rare exceptions of younger winemakers is Andreas Adam. He released his first wine from the 2000 vintage at 19 years-old after honing his craft at Heymann-Loewenstein. Not long after, he was discovered by Terry Theise, who imported his wines to the US, bringing international attention. His sister, Barbara, joined him in 2013 after having worked for Franz Keller in Baden and Klaus-Peter Keller in the Rheinhessen.
Their holdings have expanded to five hectares, including old vine parcels in two Grand Cru vineyards in Dhron: Hofberg and Has’chen. Here, the terroir of the area produces wines more similar to Saar than the Middle Mosel: the steepness, high altitude and cooling mountain breezes help the wines retain vibrant acidity, and the age of his parcels adds to the concentration and finesse. Older vines are a rarity in Dhron since much of the land was reformed, re-terraced, and replanted in the 1970s. In Hofberg, Adam has vines dating back to the 1950s, while in Has’chen, their vines are ungrafted and were planted in 1930.
In the winery, Adam hand sorts the grapes before they undergo natural yeast fermentation in stainless steel, fuder and halbfuder casks. He adds nothing to the fermenting wines. The result is wines of poise, energy and concentration: terroir-driven and supremely balanced. The wines are a reminder of the glory these once-prized vineyards held in decades past.
One of the rare exceptions of younger winemakers is Andreas Adam. He released his first wine from the 2000 vintage at 19 years-old after honing his craft at Heymann-Loewenstein. Not long after, he was discovered by Terry Theise, who imported his wines to the US, bringing international attention. His sister, Barbara, joined him in 2013 after having worked for Franz Keller in Baden and Klaus-Peter Keller in the Rheinhessen.
Their holdings have expanded to five hectares, including old vine parcels in two Grand Cru vineyards in Dhron: Hofberg and Has’chen. Here, the terroir of the area produces wines more similar to Saar than the Middle Mosel: the steepness, high altitude and cooling mountain breezes help the wines retain vibrant acidity, and the age of his parcels adds to the concentration and finesse. Older vines are a rarity in Dhron since much of the land was reformed, re-terraced, and replanted in the 1970s. In Hofberg, Adam has vines dating back to the 1950s, while in Has’chen, their vines are ungrafted and were planted in 1930.
In the winery, Adam hand sorts the grapes before they undergo natural yeast fermentation in stainless steel, fuder and halbfuder casks. He adds nothing to the fermenting wines. The result is wines of poise, energy and concentration: terroir-driven and supremely balanced. The wines are a reminder of the glory these once-prized vineyards held in decades past.
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of AJ Adam
10% off any 6+ or more in-stock bottles of AJ Adam
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Saturday, May 17th at 9 am Pacific.
10% off any 6+ or more in-stock bottles of AJ Adam
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Saturday, May 17th at 9 am Pacific.
We offer six in-stock AJ Adam options on sale now, including:
Weingut A.J. Adam Dhroner Has’chen Riesling Grosses Gewachs 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $66, that’s $62.70 at 5% off and $59.40 at 10% off, 11 bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points “The 2022er Häs’chen, as it is referred to on the consumer label (the reference to GG is provided in small print on the side of the label), is a dry wine fermented in oak cask with fruit picked on un-grafted vines planted in 1933. It offers a superb even if still slightly yeasty and backward nose which only gradually reveals its stunning scents grapefruit, elderflower, a hint of cassis, floral elements, whipped cream, and smoke. The wine develops a beautifully subtle feel on the palate where fresh fruit and fine spices make for a hugely enjoyable experience. The finish is incredibly alluring as it is not overly intense but oh-so subtle and refined. 2027-2037.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Weingut A.J. Adam Dhroner Hofberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points “The 2021er Hofberg, as it is referred on the consumer label (the reference to GG is provided in small print on the side of the label), was fermented in Fuder with fruit picked on up 55 to 60-year-old vines situated in classical parts on the main hill of the vineyard. It captures one’s attention with a bright, aromatic, and complex nose of white peach, greengage, grapefruit, lemon, fine spices, almond cream, and herbs. The wine is superbly structured on the palate, where some fine fruity elements join the party and add some Schmelz to the otherwise stony and herbal core. The finish is very long, pure, and fully dry with some salty notes coming through in the after-taste. 2024-2036.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Weingut A.J. Adam Dhroner Hofberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 10 bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points “The 2022er Hofberg, as it is referred on the consumer label (the reference to GG is provided in small print on the side of the label), was fermented in Fuder with fruit picked on up 55 to 60-year-old vines situated in classical parts on the main hill of the vineyard. It offers a superb nose made of citrusy fruit, mirabelle, whipped cream, laurel, carraway, and herbs. The wine proves subtle and playful on the palate and leaves a gorgeously long and spicy feel in the finish. The aftertaste is subtle, playful, and delicate. 2027-2037.”
Weingut A.J. Adam Dhroner Hofberg Riesling Spätlese 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 8 bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points “The 2022er Hofberg Spätlese, as it is referred to on the front label, was made from fruit harvested at 86° Oechsle in the backside of the main hill and was fermented down to fruity-styled levels of residual sugar (67 g/l). It offers a beautiful nose made of whipped cream, citrusy elements, melon, herbs, and smoke. The wine proves nicely smooth and creamy on the palate and leaves a gorgeously playful feel with perfectly integrated acidity in the long finish. A touch of sweetness still needs to integrate in the aftertaste, something which will have happened in a decade or so. 2032-2047.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Weingut A.J. Adam Dhroner Hofberg Riesling Auslese * 2016 375ml Displayed Price: $39, that’s $37.05 at 5% off and $35.10 at 10% off, 10 half-bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “The 2016er Auslese * was made from the second pressing of the Eiswein grapes harvested on November 30. This already golden-colored wine delivers a rather ripe and exotic nose of grapefruit, candied passion fruit and backed pineapple. It is nicely balanced on the palate and does not exhibit the usual “Eiswein bite” of such wines but proves more luscious in style. The acidity comes eventually through in the sweet and complex finish. 2023-2036.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Shop our six AJ Adam selections now!
Nerd Alert!
The Chablis Wines of Daniel-Etienne Defaix
Classically, Chablis is a crisp, clean white Burgundy, made from Chardonnay vines grown in extremely chalky, limestone soil. With a unique soil composition and a plethora of exceptional sites, Chablis is an essential item for anyone’s cellar. Or, you can always just let the winery do the work for you.
Daniel-Etienne Defaix releases Chablis when he believes the wines are ready. This can mean 15 years past their release. They’re not really library release, but represent the current vintage on offer (and imported by Rosenthal, so you know it’s top notch). These are magnificent bottlings that have just reached their peak maturity window.
In Stock Now:
Domaine Daniel-Etienne Defaix Chablis Vieilles Vignes 2021 750ml $39 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Importer Notes “This cuvée is sourced from vines the age of which is between 45 and 70 years. A wine of exceptional concentration for a village level appellation, this wine is always a true expression of the kimmeridgian soils that make Chablis so distinctive. Aged for thirty months before release, Defaix’s old vines Chablis is richly dense with a classic “pierre a fusil” bouquet and long mineral-infused finish.”
Daniel-Etienne Defaix releases Chablis when he believes the wines are ready. This can mean 15 years past their release. They’re not really library release, but represent the current vintage on offer (and imported by Rosenthal, so you know it’s top notch). These are magnificent bottlings that have just reached their peak maturity window.
In Stock Now:
Domaine Daniel-Etienne Defaix Chablis Vieilles Vignes 2021 750ml $39 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Importer Notes “This cuvée is sourced from vines the age of which is between 45 and 70 years. A wine of exceptional concentration for a village level appellation, this wine is always a true expression of the kimmeridgian soils that make Chablis so distinctive. Aged for thirty months before release, Defaix’s old vines Chablis is richly dense with a classic “pierre a fusil” bouquet and long mineral-infused finish.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Domaine Daniel-Etienne Defaix Cote de Lechet, Chablis Premier Cru 2010 750ml $64.50 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Winery Notes “In fascinating contrast to “Vaillon”, Defaix’s “Côte de Lechet” is a master class in mineral precision. This remarkably steep site (a 45% gradient) with very poor soil produces a wine that Danny describes as embodying “the real, true mineral expression of Chablis.” Freshly blasted chalk dominates the nose, with notes of lemon, honey, and fresh herbs lurking underneath; still, this is a wine of minerality first and foremost. The family owns a 3.5-hectare parcel of 45-year-old vines in this distinctive cru, most of which are planted within a parcel known as the Clos des Moines.”
Domaine Daniel-Etienne Defaix Vaillon, Chablis Premier Cru 2013 750ml $59 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Importer Notes “The astute reader will notice the singular “Vaillon” instead of the more commonplace “Les Vaillons” on Defaix’s label. The boundaries of this vineyard were extended in 1976 to take advantage of its popularity in the market, but the Defaix family owns a prime parcel of old vines (45 years of age) in the original cru–the Vaillon. The steep 28-degree gradient and iron-rich soils of this southeast-facing site render a wine of spicy richness, and Danny’s is a real powerhouse. Showing both remarkable concentration and excellent acidity, this wine has a luscious quality that contrasts gently with the more chiseled crus in his lineup.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Shop our complete collection of in-stock Chablis here!
Don’t miss our additional sale going on now:
Bruna Grimaldi
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Bruna Grimaldi
10% off any 6+ or more in-stock bottles of Bruna Grimaldi
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We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Bruna Grimaldi sale ends Friday, May 16th at 9 am Pacific.