In This Newsletter:
Austrian Grüner Sale
Nerd Alert Featurette: Burgundy’s Mercurey
Stock Up & Save On:
Austrian Grüner
Austrian Grüner Sale
Nerd Alert Featurette: Burgundy’s Mercurey
Stock Up & Save On:
Austrian Grüner
It’s odd that it’s a shocking statement to point out that Austrian winemakers produce some of the greatest wines made anywhere in the world. They count among their ranks such luminaries as FX Pichler, Gobelsburg, and Nikolaihof, and such illustrious vineyards as Heiligenstein and im Weingebirge, the oldest named vineyard in the world.
Despite the adoration of diehard fans and sommeliers, the wines don’t always get the attention they deserve. If these wines came from France, these biodynamic, single-vineyard, Grand Cru, food-friendly gems from thousand-year-old wineries, they would be three times as expensive. These are the source of the best value high end whites in the world.
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. The reality is that they’re somehow on our shelves, so we’ll nudge you their way with our three-day sale.
Despite the adoration of diehard fans and sommeliers, the wines don’t always get the attention they deserve. If these wines came from France, these biodynamic, single-vineyard, Grand Cru, food-friendly gems from thousand-year-old wineries, they would be three times as expensive. These are the source of the best value high end whites in the world.
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. The reality is that they’re somehow on our shelves, so we’ll nudge you their way with our three-day sale.
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Austrian Grüner
10% off any 6+ or more in-stock bottles of Austrian Grüner
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Saturday, August 9th at 9 am Pacific.
10% off any 6+ or more in-stock bottles of Austrian Grüner
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Saturday, August 9th at 9 am Pacific.
We offer twenty-four in-stock Austrian Grüner options on sale now, including:
Weingut Leo Alzinger Loibner Loibenberg Grüner Veltliner Smaragd, Wachau 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
Anne Krebiehl MW-Vinous 93 points “The 2022 Grüner Veltliner Loibenberg Smaragd is picked from a loess island in the mid-slope of this rather large and warm site. Harvest point here is key. Yeasty creaminess is immediately evident on the nose, while more swirling brings some pear skin and pepper. The palate delves into this yeastiness but adds lovely tension to its fluid, slightly peppery core that has some pithy concentration. This sails on but without an ounce of fat—elegant, supple and smooth (Bone-dry).”
Weingut Leo Alzinger Mühlpoint Grüner Veltliner Federspiel, Wachau 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $36, that’s $34.20 at 5% off and $32.40 at 10% off, 15 bottles in stock now
Anne Krebiehl MW-Vinous 90 points “The 2023 Grüner Veltliner Mühlpoint Federspiel, a site just underneath Steinertal, in the lower reaches where there’s more loess in the gneiss deposits. It’s gently savory on the nose and delivers yeast and pepper. The palate has a lovely stoniness and a slender aspect, with the pepperiness shimmering on the yeasty mid-palate. Lemon, stone and pepper make for a juicy, light-footed Federspiel. (Bone-dry)”
Weingut E&M Berger Grüner Veltliner 2023 1 Liter Displayed Price: $18, that’s $17.10 at 5% off and $16.20 at 10% off, 14 liter bottles in stock now
Importer Note “[This wine] is a perfect foil for the infectious drinkability that this variety is known for but has an extra level of clarity and complexity that is sometimes missing from this category. Fermented entirely in stainless steel from estate grown. Loess dominated vineyards in the Kremstal.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Weingut Brundlmayer Käferberg Grüner Veltliner 1ÖTW, Kamptal DAC Reserve 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $79, that’s $75.05 at 5% off and $71.10 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2021 Grüner Veltliner Ried Käferberg 1ÖTW demonstrates immediately that loess terroir doesn’t necessarily mean it doesn’t bear mineral wines. This Veltliner is pure chalk, crystalline and Veltliner, so very authentic and, at least, exciting on the nose, which is deep, saline and rich yet pure and intermingling ripe pear with saline mineral notes. Vital, pure and saline, with a creamy-elegant texture built by sur lie aging in oak, this is a complex and elegant Käferberg with a remarkably dense, long and intense finish. This is a seriously structured wine doubtlessly from old vines and superb viticulture that is now certified organic. The finish is complex, saline and very long. There are not many wines that can stand up to a green curry, but this is one of them. 13% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted in January 2024.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
F.X. Pichler Durnsteiner Liebenberg Grüner Veltliner Smaragd, Wachau 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 2 bottles in stock now
Falstaff Magazine 94-96 points “Medium yellow-green, silver reflections. Mineral, fine herbal spice, nuances of yellow fruit, hints of apricot and mango, with fine honey blossom. Complex, substantial, fine white pear, fine acidity, salty touch on the finish, already well developed, a multi-faceted food wine, good maturity and with definite ageing potential.”
Schloss Gobelsburg Ried Lamm Grüner Veltliner 1ÖTW, Kamptal DAC 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $79, that’s $75.05 at 5% off and $71.10 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93+ points “The intensely yellow-colored 2020 Ried Lamm 1ÖTW opens with an intense and elegant, refined bouquet of ripe and concentrated fruits intermingled with spicy iodine notes of crystalline rocks. On the palate, this is a dense and very elegant Grüner Veltliner with fine and crystalline acidity and a long elegant finish. The Lamm has more flesh and texture than the Grub as well as more suppleness and power, but it’s also more saturating in 2020. Definitely a wine to age, though. 13% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in September 2022.”
Schloss Gobelsburg Tradition Heritage Cuvee 10 Year NV 750ml Displayed Price: $179, that’s $170.05 at 5% off and $161.10 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 98 points “Based on 2010 Renner Grüner Veltliner, with a 5% part of Gaisberg Riesling, the intensely yellow-colored NV Tradition Heritage Cuvée 10 Years Edition 850 offers a deep, pure, intense, concentrated, beautifully aromatic, spicy-floral and Traminer-like bouquet of white and yellow stone fruits, yellow rose petals as well as cloves, wax and refreshing flinty aromas. Rich, intense and highly elegant on the beautifully balanced and aromatic palate, this is a pure, vital, finessed and salty-mineral as well as tensioned and sustainable cuvée with a young, still tannic texture and remarkable oak and nougat flavors. This finely tannic 10 Years cuvée seems to be much younger and bottled from smaller barrels than the “3 years edition” sibling. There is no wine on this planet that is similar in style. The fruit is Austrian, very charming and irresistible, but the structure and texture builds the bridge to France—or more precisely Alsace and Burgundy, regions that Michael Moosbrugger adores but never would try to copy. Tasted at the domain in June and again at home in July and August 2021.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Weingut Emmerich Knoll Loibner Ried Kreutles Grüner Veltliner Federspiel, Wachau 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
Anne Krebiehl MW-Vinous 90 points “The 2022 Grüner Veltliner Federspiel Kreutles is harvested at the foot of the Loibenberg, looking southeast, on eroded deposits of weathered gneiss mixed with loam and sand. Gentle notes of sage crushed with white miso and salt are imbued with yeastiness. More air brings notes that hint at wild carrot greens. The slender body rounds out on the mid-palate, presenting a yeasty, savory, herbal richness laced with lemon and backed with lemon pith. This is slender, structured, savory and svelte. (Bone-dry) (Drink between 2023-2035).”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof im Weingebirge Grüner Veltliner Smaragd, Wachau 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 3 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95+ points “Bottled in April this year, the 2017 Im Weingebirge Grüner Veltliner Smaragd is fascinatingly deep and refined on the complex, fresh, elegant and remarkably complex nose with its crystalline stone notes. On the palate, the wine reveals great finesse and elegance combined with substance, grip and sustainability. It is a full-bodied, powerful, rich and almost sweet, concentrated and tensioned terroir wine that is still young and ready to go a long distance. 13% alcohol. Tasted at the domaine in June 2021.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Weingut Nigl Ried Pellingen Privat Grüner Veltliner Erste Lage 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $79, that’s $75.05 at 5% off and $71.10 at 10% off, 3 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 96 points “What a pretty nose of apricots, honeysuckle, chamomile and lemon curd. Creamy and sweet-fruited, with a medium to full body. Wonderfully refreshing minerality to the yellow fruit. Slender, long finish. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
Weingut Bernhard Ott Ried Stein Grüner Veltliner 1ÖTW, Kamptal DAC 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $71.90, that’s $68.31 at 5% off and $64.71 at 10% off, 25 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95-96 points “Tasted as a sample, the 2021 Ried Stein 1ÖTW Engabrunn Grüner Veltliner offers a deep, fresh and flinty/stony bouquet of ripe fruits and smoky bacon. Full-bodied, rich and dense on the palate, this is an opulent but elegant, fresh, savory and salty Veltliner with spectacular grip and tension. A fascinating wine. Tasted as a sample in September 2022.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Pichler-Krutzler Pfaffenberg Alte Reben Grüner Veltliner 2019 750ml Was $69, Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 2 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 94 points “Vinified in a new, untoasted 900-liter oak vat, the 2019 Ried Pfaffenberg Alte Reben Grüner Veltliner was only bottled in spring this year. The intensely citrus-colored wine shows a flinty, precise, fine and fresh bouquet with ripe stone fruit aromas and spices of crunchy crystalline stones. Creamy textured, ripe, lush and very elegant, with some attractive oak notes but fine tannins, this is a sensual, well-balanced and perfectly round Pfaffenberg that has to be marketed as Kremstal Reserve because the oak influence was too dominant for the DAC tasters in Krems. There is 14.5% alcohol, which you don’t feel due to the mineral freshness and elegance. Tasted at the domain in June 2021.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Sektkellerei Madl Brut Nature 2018 750ml Was $49, Displayed Price: $44.50, that’s $42.28 at 5% off and $40.05 at 10% off, 3 bottles in stock now
Falstaff Magazine 92 points “Light greenish yellow with silver reflections and a delicate, fine bubbly mousse. A hint of tobacco underpins aromas of yellow apple and pear fruit, meadow herbs and lime zest. Medium complexity on the palate, with green apple and some pineapple fruit, fresh acidity, a fine minerality and a lemony touch on the finish. Typical Grüner Veltliner nuances and a pleasant aperitif.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Sektkellerei Madl Onothek ‘Von den Weissen’ Sekt Brut 2014 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
A blend of Welschriesling, Grüner Veltliner, Riesling with over 60 months en tirage.
Review is for the early release version of this wine, not the extended tirage:
Falstaff Magazine 93 points “Light yellow green, silver reflections. Lively, fine mousse, delicate yeasty note, white fruit nuances of peach and fresh apple, some blossom, and backed by lime zest. Taut, tightly meshed, fine sweet fruit, integrated acidity, finely radiant and very youthful, with a mineral finish. It is a stimulating aperitif.”
The Côte Chalonnaise in Burgundy is a region worth getting to know better, and especially its prized village of Mercurey. This village is home to Burgundies best values: the quality regulations are similar to the stringent Cote de Nuits and Cote de Beaune, but the pricing has yet to catch up. With a long, dry growing season that rarely results in disease pressure, the fruit is pristine. The wines show more fruit and bolder profiles due to the warmer temperatures, but the hills and elevation keep freshness in check. The results are delicious and delightful on release. Enjoy these charming examples from one of Burgundy’s most esteemed domaines!
In Stock Now:
Domaine Faiveley Mercurey Vieilles Vignes, Cote Chalonnaise 2021 750ml $44.50 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Producer Note “Our ‘vieilles vignes’ (old vines) are over thirty years old and produce an exceptionally aromatic wine that offers a true reflection of its Mercurey terroirs. The palate reveals a smooth, fruity attack and evolves towards notes of ripe red berries and a touch of vanilla. An intensely aromatic wine with a delicate structure and silky smooth tannins that will win over wine experts and amateurs alike.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Domaine Faiveley Domaine de la Framboisière Mercurey La Framboisière Monopole, Cote Chalonnaise 2021 750ml $59 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 89 points “The 2021 Mercurey Framboisière has a pretty, airy, redcurrant and raspberry-scented bouquet. The palate is medium-bodied with supple red fruit, orange rind and a touch of allspice. Good, solid, fresh finish, rustic in a good way. (Drink between 2023-2033)”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Faiveley Le Clos du Roy, Mercurey Premier Cru, Cote Chalonnaise 2021 750ml $69 special, 2 bottles in stock now
16.5/20 Jancis Robinson “Drink 2024-2030.”
Importer Note “This small parcel, known as a ‘clos’, formerly belonged to the Kings of France. It was considered one of the appellation’s best parcels and was purchased by the Faiveley family in 1971. This wine could be compared to a Côte de Nuits village in terms of its delicate tannins and length on the palate. Tasting Notes: The nose exudes small red fruits combined with notes of oak and spice. The palate offers good balance, rich aromas, and delicate tannins resulting in a very distinctive wine with exceptional aromatic persistence.”
In Stock Now:
Domaine Faiveley Mercurey Vieilles Vignes, Cote Chalonnaise 2021 750ml $44.50 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Producer Note “Our ‘vieilles vignes’ (old vines) are over thirty years old and produce an exceptionally aromatic wine that offers a true reflection of its Mercurey terroirs. The palate reveals a smooth, fruity attack and evolves towards notes of ripe red berries and a touch of vanilla. An intensely aromatic wine with a delicate structure and silky smooth tannins that will win over wine experts and amateurs alike.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Domaine Faiveley Domaine de la Framboisière Mercurey La Framboisière Monopole, Cote Chalonnaise 2021 750ml $59 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 89 points “The 2021 Mercurey Framboisière has a pretty, airy, redcurrant and raspberry-scented bouquet. The palate is medium-bodied with supple red fruit, orange rind and a touch of allspice. Good, solid, fresh finish, rustic in a good way. (Drink between 2023-2033)”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Faiveley Le Clos du Roy, Mercurey Premier Cru, Cote Chalonnaise 2021 750ml $69 special, 2 bottles in stock now
16.5/20 Jancis Robinson “Drink 2024-2030.”
Importer Note “This small parcel, known as a ‘clos’, formerly belonged to the Kings of France. It was considered one of the appellation’s best parcels and was purchased by the Faiveley family in 1971. This wine could be compared to a Côte de Nuits village in terms of its delicate tannins and length on the palate. Tasting Notes: The nose exudes small red fruits combined with notes of oak and spice. The palate offers good balance, rich aromas, and delicate tannins resulting in a very distinctive wine with exceptional aromatic persistence.”
Shop our 246 Burgundy selections now!
Don’t miss our additional sale going on now:
Bandol & Tempier
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Bandol wine
10% off any 6+ or more in-stock bottles of Bandol wine
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Bandol sale ends Friday, August 8th at 9 am Pacific.