Friday Newsletter 2-2-24

In This Newsletter:

Goodfellow Sale
New Week – New Arrivals
Schaller Chablis: Arriving Next Friday
Bonus Featurette:
Chateau de Saint Cosme’s Gigondas Bottlings:
New Offer, First In The Nation!



Goodfellow Family Cellars:

Terroir-Driven Sale

Marcus Goodfellow is one of the most talented winemakers in Oregon, joined by the equally talented and knowledgeable Megan Joy. The wines reflect the minds of this talented pair, showing microscopic understanding of the potential in the terroirs of the Willamette Valley.

These are profound wines, both white and red, that are made in a style that’s distinctly savory—no fruit bombs here. Together, Marcus and Megan craft wines that continually improve—both in the cellar and vintage to vintage. We love the wines for their coiled power and Burgundian structure, and we stack them abundantly in our personal cellars to adore for decades to come.

“2021 is that this is a stellar vintage, with the wines displaying an outstanding balance of ripeness, depth, and tension, with the top wines offering broad drinking windows… this is a vintage worthy of your investment of time and money. They offer tremendous value across all categories, frequently at a fraction of the price of wines from California and Burgundy, although they are often equally compelling.” -Audrey Frick, writing for Jeb Dunnuck
   

We’re proud to offer these latest releases, in stock and on sale now:

A winning white that’s drinking impeccably well now
Goodfellow Yamhill-Carlton Chardonnay 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $28 special, that’s $26.60 at 5% off and $25.20 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winery note “The 2021 Yamhill-Carlton Chardonnay is a puncheon from the Tsai Vineyard. The vines were planted in 2001, and the vineyard is on Jory soils, unusual in the Y-C AVA, and faces due south. The deeper soils match well with no till farming, and keeps the fruit balanced between ripening flavors without quick sugar accumulation leading to a very classic style of Chardonnay. It’s a native ferment, and the wine has an excellent length and weight. There is more minerality in the finish of the Y-C than the vineyard designate, but it is also a bit more rustic. I see this as a great match for white fish, like rockfish or sole, or flavorful chicken dishes.”

“Whistling Ridge Vineyard is the reason that we make wine.” -GFC
Goodfellow Family Cellars Whistling Ridge Vineyard Pinot Gris, Ribbon Ridge 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $28 special, that’s $26.60 at 5% off and $25.20 at 10% off, 11 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Fennel seed, orchard fruit, a hint of smoked meat, and green honey, with dried apricot and mandarin in the palate. The texture and nerve is tremendous, and this is one of the most delicious and serious Pinot Gris we have produced. Don’t let crappy Pinot Gris make you think you don’t like the grape…done well, it is refreshing and quenching, with lovely crispness while still having a dynamic, textural presentation. Fermented in neutral Acacia 820L puncheon, this is a delicious and serious aromatic white.”
 
Richard’s Cuvee wraps your palate in crushed minerals combining power and intensity with a bright acidity and low alcohol. This is apex Willamette Valley Chardonnay.
Goodfellow Family Cellars Richard’s Cuvee Chardonnay, Ribbon Ridge 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $69 special, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
Audrey Frick-Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “Sourced from Whistling Ridge, the 2021 Chardonnay Richard’s Cuvee is a rich golden color and offers a luxurious spectrum of aromas, including honeyed citrus, melon rind, baking spices, and ripe golden apple. Full-bodied while retaining a fresh undercurrent of acidity, it’s supple and long on the palate, with great purity and a mouthwatering finish. It is approachable and attractive now and will continue to drink well over the coming 6-8 years. Only 90 cases were produced.”
 
The Heritage Collection
 
“Each of the Heritage Wine is selected from a single terroir and represents the very clearest expression of the vineyard. Paired with traditional winemaking techniques, these are wines that show their quality from the beginning but are unquestionably “vins de garde”- wines of time… These lots represent the fabric of the Heritage wines, and our very best efforts of the vintage.” -Goodfellow Family Cellars
 
“absolutely intoxicating [with a] seamless interplay between fruit, baking spice, loamy earth” -GFC
Goodfellow Family Cellars Heritage No. 17 Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $66.50 special, that’s $63.18 at 5% off and $59.85 at 10% off, 11 bottles in stock now
Audrey Frick-Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Moving to the reds, the 2021 Pinot Noir Heritage No. 17 comes from the east-facing Durant Vineyard in the Dundee Hills AVA and pours a transparent ruby hue. It needs a little time in the glass to blow off its slightly volatile aromas but reveals a spicy profile, with lifted notes of cracked pepper, crushed roses, and wild raspberry. Medium-bodied, it’s spicy with stemmy herbs, fine tannins, and fresh acidity and is toasty with cedar on the finish. It will benefit from another year or so in bottle. Drink 2025-2035. 115 cases were produced.”
 
“Clean pure entry with sweet dark fruit and velvety texture as it opens, and elegant, but with fine, firm tannins to finish” -GFC
Goodfellow Family Cellars Heritage No. 18 Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $66.50 special, that’s $63.18 at 5% off and $59.85 at 10% off, 4 bottles in stock now
Audrey Frick-Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “Also coming from the Temperance Hill Vineyard, the 2021 Pinot Noir Heritage No. 18 pours a rich transparent ruby and is expressive in its aromatics of raspberry preserve and anise, as well as loads of spices, cedar, and pressed wildflowers. Medium-bodied, it takes on a more grounded sensibility, with iron-rich earth, ripe tannins, and accents of bergamot and turned earth on the finish. Long on the palate, this is another age-worthy wine that will take time to unwind. Drink 2025-2035.”
 
“the wine is a joy to inhale, and shows the remarkable potential of the 2021 vintage” -GFC
Goodfellow Family Cellars Heritage No. 19 Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $66.50 special, that’s $63.18 at 5% off and $59.85 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Audrey Frick-Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Coming from the Whistling Ridge and pouring a deeper ruby hue, the 2021 Pinot Noir Heritage No. 19 is floral, ripe, and spicy with aromas of grenadine, violets, licorice candy, and sage. Medium-bodied and spicy, with stemmy forest herbs, dried orange peel, and smoky earth, it has gripping structure and a savory finish. Drink 2025-2035.”
 
Single-Vineyard Selections
 
Goodfellow Family Cellars Whistling Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $44.50 special, that’s $42.28 at 5% off and $40.05 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Whistling Ridge Vineyard is the reason that we make wine. Wild, with sedimentary soils that dry out quickly in the summer months. The vineyard is located right above Beaux Freres Estate, and next to the top of Patricia Greene, in the Ribbon Ridge AVA. Exposed on the ridge top, a strong wind blows in from the north and cools the vines every day in the late afternoon. In 2021 the only moisture of the summer pelted down right in the middle of bloom, rinsing off pollen and insuring a small set throughout the vineyard.”
 
Goodfellow Family Cellars Durant Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $44.50 special, that’s $42.28 at 5% off and $40.05 at 10% off, 18 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Durant Vineyard is planted on an eastern facing slope of the southern stretch of the Dundee Hills. It is the most moderate of climates that we work with, seeing the gentle morning sun, very little wind, deeper moisture holding volcanic soils, and almost always produces the most delicate of tannins, except of course for 2021. The intensity of the heat dome ensured that even the vines at Durant responded to the early season intensity with thickened skins and increased phenolics… the velvet glove is still very much wrapped around the iron fist.”
 

Walla Walla

Cayuse Vineyards En Cerise Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2021 750ml $119 special, 12 bottles in stock now

Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2021 750ml $149 special, 6 bottles in stock now

Horsepower Vineyards ‘High Contrast Vineyard’ Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2020 750ml $169 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Vinous 96 points “The 2020 Syrah High Contrast Vineyard is youthfully restrained, with blackberry and clove offset by wet stone and sage. This is soft and enveloping, with silken textures and ripe black fruits, all energized by brilliant acidity. This finishes with a salty flourish, gripping the palate with youthful tension. Spiced citrus mingles with silty tannins as savory hints of rosemary fade. This is so giving today, yet also beautifully balanced for the cellar.”
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “Similarly translucent purple-hued, the 2020 Syrah High Contrast Vineyard has a brilliant perfume of cassis, leafy herbs, ground pepper, and smoked meat, with some background iodine, lavender, and assorted Rocks funk all developing with time in the glass. The palate is terrific as well, with a dense, concentrated mid-palate, building tannins, and a great finish. This meaty, smoky, gamey, exotic Syrah will benefit from a few years of bottle age and evolve for 10-15 with ease.”


California

Faust Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2021 750ml $49 special, 24+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Faust Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley2021 750ml $519 special (that’s only $43.25/bottle!)
Bottled at Quintessa by Huneeus Family
Vineyard notes “The defining flavor characteristics of Faust come from a core of fruit sourced from our Faust Vineyard in Coombsville, complemented by grapes from cooler subregions of Napa Valley. This combination of fruit sourcing delivers the unmistakable complexity and intensity of our Cabernet Sauvignon.”

Paso d’Oro Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 2021 750ml $21.90 special, 24+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Paso d’Oro Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 2021 750ml $219 special (that’s only $18.25/bottle!)
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “This new Terlato venture into Paso Robles fruit is bearing solid, immediate results. Aromas of cassis and toasted oak are rich on the nose. The palate is layered in dark fruit, elegant baking spices and a bold acidity that slides into the finish.”
 

Italy – Barbaresco

Ca’ del Baio ‘Autinbej’, Barbaresco DOCG 2020 750ml $27.50 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 92 points “The 2020 Barbaresco Autinbej is a gorgeous entry-level offering from Ca’ del Baio. Bright, translucent and full of energy, the 2020 impresses with its finesse and nuance. Crushed red berry fruit, blood orange, cinnamon, mint and new leather all grace this exquisite, vibrant Barbaresco from Ca’ del Baio. Vineyard sources are Marcarini, Montersino and Ferrere.”

Ca’ del Baio Asili, Barbaresco DOCG 2020 750ml $42.50 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 95 points “The 2020 Barbaresco Asili is one of the most beautiful, pure wines I have ever tasted from Ca’ del Baio. Lifted aromatics and bright red-toned fruits are classic Asili signatures. The tannins will need a bit of time to soften, but all the elements are impeccably balanced. This is impressive stuff, and a gorgeous wine.”

Ca’ del Baio ‘Vallegrande’, Barbaresco DOCG 2020 750ml $36.50 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94 points “The 2020 Barbaresco Vallegrande is a classy, elegant wine. Dark cherry, spice, leather, tobacco, incense, rose petal and gravel are all finely cut. Deceptive in its mid-weight structure, the 2020 packs quite a punch. Power and finesse come together here in grand style. Spice, menthol, melted road tar and licorice linger on the ample, imposing finish.”


Italy – Sicily

Tenuta delle Terre Nere Etna Bianco, Sicily 2022 750ml $26 special, 24 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 92 points “This shows attractive aromas of citrus and stone fruit with hints of seashell, with stony and ashy undertones. Medium-bodied, tangy and fresh with vivid acidity and a polished mineral backbone to it. Steady and focused with a crunchy finish. A blend of carricante, catarratto, grecanico and minnella. From organically grown grapes.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 91 points “The 2022 Etna Bianco is smoky in the glass, exciting the senses with a burst of crushed rocks and raw almonds before giving way to citrus-stringed peach. It’s soothingly soft and enveloping with weighty textures lifted by vibrant acidity. Masses of mineral-laden orchard fruits and sweet spices collide on the palate. The 2022 finishes remarkably fresh yet grippy and long, leaving the mouth watering for more. The level of complexity here is off the charts for an entry-level Etna Bianco. Yum!”

Tenuta delle Terre Nere Calderara Sottana Etna Bianco, Sicily 2022 750ml $49 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Decanter 94 points “This cru bottling from vines in Randazzo is youthfully creamy, offering little aroma other than that of the wood it has rested in along with stony flecks of mango and peach. Full, concentrated and with great acidity, this is a vital Carricante which has sufficient earthy yellow fruits – think pineapple, nectarine and yellow plum – to flesh out its backbone of stone and acid; a vertical yet full style which will only gain in power and weight as it ages. Impressive.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 94 points “With a bouquet like chiseling through sheer limestone with all of the smoky and flinty nuances that come with it, [it] is impossible to ignore. It’s silky upon entry yet quickly builds with mineral tension. A savory, sweet interplay of citrus and spice offsets ripe nectarines and apricots. The 2022 leaves the palate reeling with youthful tension and watering for more as it finishes with outstanding freshness. This may not be the longest-lived Calderara Sottana Bianco, yet there’s no rush. It’s a total charmer.”

Tenuta delle Terre Nere Montalto Etna Bianco, Sicily 2022 750ml $44.50 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 94 points “Spicy and full of tension, [this] bursts from the glass with a blend of lemon zest, minty herbs, young peaches and crushed rocks. This opens with a pretty inner sweetness and crisp minerality, rushing the palate with ripe orchard fruits elevated by candied citrus. The Montalto finishes with fantastic length and potency, lightly structured and tactile. This gorgeous Etna Bianco is drinking beautifully today yet with the balance to promote medium-term cellaring.”

Tenuta delle Terre Nere Santo Spirito Etna Bianco, Sicily 2022 750ml $44.50 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 93 points “This is silky and soothing, with depths of ripe apricot and nectarine complicated by sweet herbal tones and hints of candied lime, all lifted by a core of brisk acidity. It finishes long and lightly structured, leaving a mineral tinge and Asian pear traces slowly fading. Typically, I find the Santo Spirito to be the more forward and accessible Bianco from the Terre Nere portfolio, but in 2022, it’s holding its power in reserve. Cellaring is recommended.”

Tenuta delle Terre Nere Salice Etna Bianco Superiore, Sicily 2022 750ml $44.50 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 92 points “The 2022 Etna Bianco Superiore Le Vigne Niche Salice entices with a mineral laden bouquet that blends white flowers and pine with chalk dust and cardamon. Soft and round, it fills the palate with a savory herbal thrust and white pit fruits, taking on a salty flourish toward the close. The Saline finishes with medium length and salty flourish while. A gentle tension slowly fades.”

Tenuta delle Terre Nere Calderara Sottana Rosso Etna, Sicily 2021 750ml $69 special, 21 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “This is more vibrant with red berries, blood oranges, light spices and hints of terra-cotta. Medium-bodied, juicy and fruit-forward with tangy acidity and dusty tannins. Hints of bitter orange at the end. Long and chalky yet very attractive and enjoyable now. Drink or hold.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 94 points “From the moment the glass is tilted, [this] shines through as crushed stones, ash and sweet smoke give way to vivid black cherries and autumnal spice. The 2021 Etna Rosso is elegant, silky and deeply textural, with salty mineral tones and gobs of red and black fruits, all perfectly maintained by a core of vibrant acidity. This is complex yet full of energy and sultry depths, tapering off saline and structured with grippy tannins that frame a lasting resonance of licorice and plums. These old vines handled the drought of the vintage beautifully, showing only in the grit of its tannins. Otherwise, the 2021 is pure magic.”

Tenuta delle Terre Nere ‘Dagala di Bocca d’Orzo’ Etna Rosso, Sicily 2021 750ml $135 special, 5 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 97 points “This shows notes of ripe black cherries and wild berries with dark chocolate and spices. Hot stones and ashy notes, too. Almost tarry undertones. Full and intense and very complete with finely polished tannins and sleek, silky texture. Deep dark-fruited and chocolaty character with a lingering finish. Better in two or three years.”
Decanter 97 points “Proudly stating ‘Monopole’ on the bottle, Marco De Grazia explains that historically, Bocca D’Orzo was considered one of the best of all Etna’s contradas, but was almost completely buried by the eruption of 1981. In 2017, he discovered an outcrop of the original soil, surrounded by the lava flow but untouched, planted with Nerello Mascalese. After negotiations with the owners, he was able to purchase the 0.5ha site and, with the first vintage in 2019, added ‘Dagala’ to the name of the contrada on the label, meaning ‘island’ in Sicilian dialect. Fresh, fragrant and deep, this 2021 has wonderful, intense, earthy aromas of wild strawberry, raspberry, red and black cherry and wild herbs. Concentrated, textured and vertical, it is itself an island – a core of ripe fruit carved out by a wash of fresh acidity. The mid-palate is very stony, while the purity of the red and black fruits carries through to a long, herbal, slightly balsamic finish. Poised, sapid and timeless.”

Tenuta delle Terre Nere Moganazzi Etna Rosso, Sicily 2021 750ml $49 special, 4 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “This has a fresh and fragrant nose with beautiful cherries and raspberries as well as rose petals, licorice and crushed stones. It’s firm and linear on the palate with a medium body and vivid acidity. It’s hard to draw a line between the tannins and the earthy, mineral aspect as both build a chalky mouthfeel and lead to a long textural finish. I like the finesse here despite being still quite tight and firm. Drink or hold.”

Tenuta delle Terre Nere San Lorenzo Etna Rosso, Sicily 2021 750ml $49 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Decanter 96 points “…Due to its uniqueness, Terre Nere have dubbed their San Lorenzo bottling (from 70- to 100-year-old vines) as ‘Grande Terroir Ellittico’ and consider it one of their grand crus. Fresh, floral and fragrant, it offers wafts of violet and lavender, cocoa, earth and black cherry. In the mouth its fine web of tannins and razor-sharp acidity provide tension for the ripe, balsamic hedgerow fruits to bounce off. Succulent and sapid with a very stony mid-palate, it displays excellent balance and depth, with incredible freshness and staying power.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 94+ points “The 2021 Etna Rosso San Lorenzo seduces with its perfumed blend of roses, sour cherries, tangerine and a cinnamon dusting. This is pure elegance, lifted and refined, with dazzling acidity and a wave of pure mineral-tinged fruits that crackle and pop across the palate. It’s complex yet truly delicious and maintains marvelous energy, even as a web of fine-grained tannins reminds the taster of its youthful state. Even today, the 2021 San Lorenzo is dreamy and a total pleasure. That said, the future remains very bright.”

Tenuta delle Terre Nere Feudo di Mezzo Etna Rosso, Sicily 2021 750ml $49 special, 23 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “Pure cherry fruit here, reminiscent of kirsch, with orange peel and an ashy, mineral backbone to it, almost like cracked flint or gunpowder. Similar aromas and flavors on both the nose and on the palate. Medium- to full-bodied, really tense and firm with chalky tannins and a lingering crushed granite and rock sensation on the palate. Seashells, too. Long. Try after 2025.”
Decanter 94 points “Il Quadro delle Rose is a favoured parcel in Feudo di Mezzo, always the first Nerello Mascalese site to be harvested by the estate. It’s situated at 600m on shallow, ashy soil and planted with 60- to 80-year-old vines, and offers a lovely rich fragrance of blackberry, blackcurrant, black cherry and herbs. Rich and silky, it combines fruit forwardness with lip-smacking sapidity in a glorious way, backed by fine, ripe, grippy tannins, an undertow of fresh acidity, and some licks of wood and spice on the long finish. Lovely.”

Tenuta delle Terre Nere Guardiola Rosso Etna, Sicily 2021 750ml $49 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Decanter 97 points “Guardiola, adjacent to Santo Stefano but higher up the slope, hitting the limit of 1,000m stipulated by the DOC, produced Terre Nere’s first wine back in 2002. It was also the first Etna red to include the name of a contrada on the label, and the first to be bottled in a Burgundy-style bottle; an important wine in laying out the direction Etna wines were to go in the following years. After 14 months in French oak barriques and tonneaux, the wine finishes for one month in stainless steel before bottling. Delicate earth, cocoa, spice and dark berry aromas lead to a super-precise, chalky textured palate of wild strawberry, raspberry, wood and spices supported by featherweight yet sturdy tannins and high acidity. Stony on the mid-palate and long in length, this should fill out with age and those lovely wild fruits will gain in succulence.”
James Suckling 95 points “This has a dusty nose showcasing notes of vivid red cherries, candied orange peel and pomegranate skins with crushed terra-cotta brick and dried flowers. Textured and polished with dusty tannins that are evenly distributed across the palate and provide a mineral, granite-like presence on the palate, with attractive red fruit underneath. Tense and persistent. Drink or hold.”

Tenuta delle Terre Nere Santo Spirito Rosso Etna, Sicily 2021 750ml $49 special, 23 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “This shows notes of darker berries with red licorice and fresh ripe peaches. Intense with hints of moist clay soil and bark undertones. Full and steady on the palate with a firm backbone of chalky tannins that go on for minutes. Lot of tension and energy. Stays long on the palate, turning to a more smooth and powdery mouthfeel. Needs some time. Try after 2025.”
Decanter 95 points “From 80- to 100-year-old vines at 700 to 850 metres above sea level, Santo Spirito is defined by its large terraces and deep, ashy soils. Vinified in stainless steel then undergoing malo and ageing for 14 months in French oak barriques and tonneaux, with one final month in stainless steel, this is a deeply fragrant wine with spicy, earthy and floral perfume allied to dark berry notes, a fine, chalky texture and lovely verticality. Really fresh “slightly balsamic” and ethereal, it dances across the tongue carrying bundles of finely woven hedgerow fruits, black pepper spice and wood. It’s still very young but you can expect this to reveal some succulent fruits with time.”


Austria

Weingut Leo Alzinger Ried Loibenberg Grüner Veltliner Smaragd, Wachau 2022 750ml $69 special, 6 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 Hollerin Riesling Smaragd, Wachau 2022 750ml $61.90 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Anne Krebiehl MW-Vinous 94 points “The 2022 Riesling Hollerin Smaragd is a Riesling site with deeper loam soils mixed with weathered gneiss, facing southwest. The subtle nose hints at tangerine and Navel orange peel. That riper citrus vibe comes to the fore with full juiciness on the smooth, defined, slender palate, where Navel orange expands with both fragrance and zestiness. Taut, full-fruited, and aromatic, this shows notable length. (Bone-dry)”
James Suckling 93 points “A peachy and creamy riesling showing open aromas of apricots, peach pits, orange curd and meadow herbs. It’s medium- to full-bodied, fleshy and juicy, with a fresh and zesty finish. Drink now or hold.”

Weingut Leo Alzinger Loibenberg Riesling Smaragd, Wachau 2022 750ml $69 special, 6 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 97 points “White grapefruit aromas greet you first, followed by lemongrass, green papayas, anise and flint stones. Mineral and driven, a little austere for now, with a medium body and tight, linear structure. Very precise. This has a long way to go. Drink or hold.”
Anne Krebiehl MW-Vinous 96 points “The 2022 Riesling Loibenberg Smaragd is from one steep, convex parcel at higher elevation, shaded by a higher ridge in the late afternoon. For the warm Loibenberg, this is a rather cool spot. The nose is shy at first, with the merest crackle of reduction still hovering in the background. The palate is a picture of clarity, displaying pure, absolutely translucent citrus that shimmers with tangerine one moment and zestier Meyer lemon next. A slight backdrop of yeast buffers the undeniable stoniness and adds body and gentleness to this essentially taut, bright, smooth but super slender wine. The finish rings with zestiness—gentle and quiet but oh so definite. Purity and elegance characterize this wine absolutely. (Bone-dry)”


Portugal – Port
 
Graham’s 10 Year Old Tawny Port 750ml $34.50 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Winery note “About: Aged for an average of 10 years in seasoned oak casks, this wine represents a wonderful expression of tawny port – the perfect pairing for sweet pastries such as apple pie with cinnamon. Tasting: On the nose, it shows complex nutty aromas combined with hints of honey and figs. On the palate, rich mature fruit flavours, beautifully mellowed with a luscious long finish. Serving: To be enjoyed slightly chilled. Once open, enjoy within 4-6 weeks.”

Graham’s Late Bottled Vintage Port 2017 750ml $27 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Complex, youthful, and expressive, our 2017 Late Bottled Vintage offers vintage-quality wine that is ready to enjoy now. About: Our LBVs are matured in wood for five years prior to being bottled ready for drinking. The Graham’s 2017 can be enjoyed anytime and pairs wonderfully with dark chocolate desserts as well as semi-cured and cured cheeses like Cheddar and Manchego. Tasting: A lovely honeysuckle fragrance as well as hints of mint, often present in Graham’s wines, along with bright, attractive tropical fruit notes in the background. Sumptuous ripe black fruit flavours on the palate combining with hints of kirsch. The fine-grained tannins give the wine balance and structure, whilst good acidity underscores the wine’s freshness. Serving: Serve at room temperature. Once open enjoy within 4-6 weeks.”

Graham’s Ruby Port NV 750ml $19.50 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Full-bodied with a youthful freshness and aromas of luscious fruit. About: Very deep-coloured and intensely aromatic, our Fine Ruby Port is bottled young so as to retain the assertiveness of the fruit, a recognisable Graham’s hallmark. Tasting: Ruby colour, packed with ripe red and black fruit aromas, on the palate luscious black cherry flavours, with excellent balance and an intense finish. Serving: Once open enjoy within a month.”

Graham’s Tawny Port NV 750ml $20.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery note “A versatile and lightly textured port suitable for drinking on any occasion. About: Our Fine Tawny offers a fine balance of fruitiness and nuttiness, derived from maturation in seasoned oak casks. Tasting: Reddish tawny colour, with ripe fruit aromas nicely balanced by hints of dried fruits, and on the palate slightly dry, elegant and smooth. Serving: Serve slightly chilled. Once open, enjoy within 4-6 weeks.”

Cockburn’s ‘Porto Branco’ Fine White Port NV 750ml $17.50 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery note “A versatile and lightly textured port suitable for drinking on any occasion. About: Our Fine Tawny offers a fine balance of fruitiness and nuttiness, derived from maturation in seasoned oak casks. Tasting: Reddish tawny colour, with ripe fruit aromas nicely balanced by hints of dried fruits, and on the palate slightly dry, elegant and smooth. Serving: Serve slightly chilled. Once open, enjoy within 4-6 weeks.”

Camille and Laurent Schaller are bright, young and talented and committed to making a name for themselves in the world of Chablis.  The Schaller family has grown grapes in Chablis for generations, but it wasn’t until Camille went through enology school that they started bottling any on their own.  Initially they only made one wine (an AOC Chablis) but as grape contracts to negociants have ended they have increased the number of bottlings produced under their own label.  The results are stunning—bright, mineral and with that Chablisienne quality.  Snap up your supply before they’re discovered…

Domaine Camille et Laurent Schaller Bourgogne Chardonnay 2022 750ml $21.90 pre-arrival special, 36+ bottles available

Domaine Camille et Laurent Schaller Petit Chablis 2022 750ml $24 pre-arrival special, 36 bottles available

Domaine Camille et Laurent Schaller Chablis 2022 750ml $26 pre-arrival special, 36 bottles available

Domaine Camille et Laurent Schaller Chablis Vieilles Vignes 2022 750ml $29.50 pre-arrival special, 36 bottles available

Domaine Camille et Laurent Schaller Vau de Vey, Chablis Premier Cru 2022 750ml $39 pre-arrival special, 36 bottles available

Domaine Camille et Laurent Schaller Vaucoupin, Chablis Premier Cru 2022 750ml $39 pre-arrival special, 36 bottles available

Domaine Camille et Laurent Schaller Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2022 750ml $24 pre-arrival special, 36+ bottles available

Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone Hominis Fides Blanc 2022 750ml $59 pre-arrival special, 24 bottles available

Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas 2022 750ml $44.50 pre-arrival special, 36+ bottles available
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas 2022 1.5L $88 pre-arrival special, 24 bottles available

Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Hominis Fides 2022 750ml $108 pre-arrival special, 24 bottles available

Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux 2022 750ml $108 pre-arrival special, 30 bottles available

Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Poste 2022 750ml $108 pre-arrival special, 24 bottles available