In This Newsletter:
The Return of a Legend:
2013 Burlotto Monvigliero
Featured New Arrival:
Bastide Blanche Bandol Rosé
New Weekend – New Arrivals
New Review for Hamilton Russell’s South African Project
Get the Insider Scoop
With Wine Spectator Insider
New Reviews for Cayuse’s Horsepower Wines
Trending
La Ca’ Nova
Roagna’s Stunning 2015 Barbaresco
The First Growth of Hochheim:
New Kunstler Arriving in September
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The Return of a Legend:
2013 Burlotto Monvigliero
“A wine that will leave readers weak at the knees”
Burlotto is not the first name on many people’s lips when thinking of Barolo, and it’s a shame since G.B. Burlotto was considered among the absolute greatest winemakers in the world for the seventy plus years he was at the helm. After his passing in 1927, the winery and his hometown of Verduno slipped into obscurity. Now Fabio Alessandria, the great-great-grandson has taken over and Burlotto regained the place it deserves among the best small producers in the Piedmont.
Tradition is first and foremost for Fabio, going so far as to use gentle crushing by foot followed by a sixty day maceration period, once common but now virtually unheard of in Barolo. The technique is used for the home vineyard of Monvigliero and the soft touch develops a wine of remarkable character with notes of cedar, olives in herbs, and something rich – like truffles – the feel is structurally powerful, but so elegant as to be shimmery. All seems to going in the right direction for Burlotto, including a perfect 100 from Galloni on the 2013 Monvigliero, which we were able to secure for you today.
In Stock Now:
G. B. Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero, Barolo DOCG 2013 750ML ($799.95) $599 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Antonio Galloni 100 points “Burlotto’s 2013 Barolo Monvigliero is simply magnificent. In many vintages, a young Monvigliero can come across as disjointed, especially in the aromatics and the pungent, savory notes can be overpowering. Not in 2013. All the elements are in perfect balance. A wine of soaring aromatic intensity, pedigree and class, the 2013 is thrilling from the very first taste. Rose petal, lavender, violet, spice, orange peel, white pepper and cinnamon are some of the many notes that infuse the super-expressive finish. All of Burlotto’s 2013 Barolos are exceptional. But the Monvigliero, well, it enters the realm of the deeply moving. It is a wine that will leave readers weak at the knees.”
“In 2013, a cool growing season and late harvest produced gorgeous Barolos with striking aromatics, silky tannins, sculpted, vibrant fruit and mid-weight structures. Readers will find a number of thrilling, utterly captivating wines that speak to the pedigree and class that are the signatures of the best Barolo vintages… Overall, the 2013s are Barolos that speak to finesse above all else. These are wines that will hold considerable appeal to readers who enjoy classically built wines.” –Antonio Galloni
Tradition is first and foremost for Fabio, going so far as to use gentle crushing by foot followed by a sixty day maceration period, once common but now virtually unheard of in Barolo. The technique is used for the home vineyard of Monvigliero and the soft touch develops a wine of remarkable character with notes of cedar, olives in herbs, and something rich – like truffles – the feel is structurally powerful, but so elegant as to be shimmery. All seems to going in the right direction for Burlotto, including a perfect 100 from Galloni on the 2013 Monvigliero, which we were able to secure for you today.
In Stock Now:
G. B. Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero, Barolo DOCG 2013 750ML ($799.95) $599 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Antonio Galloni 100 points “Burlotto’s 2013 Barolo Monvigliero is simply magnificent. In many vintages, a young Monvigliero can come across as disjointed, especially in the aromatics and the pungent, savory notes can be overpowering. Not in 2013. All the elements are in perfect balance. A wine of soaring aromatic intensity, pedigree and class, the 2013 is thrilling from the very first taste. Rose petal, lavender, violet, spice, orange peel, white pepper and cinnamon are some of the many notes that infuse the super-expressive finish. All of Burlotto’s 2013 Barolos are exceptional. But the Monvigliero, well, it enters the realm of the deeply moving. It is a wine that will leave readers weak at the knees.”
“In 2013, a cool growing season and late harvest produced gorgeous Barolos with striking aromatics, silky tannins, sculpted, vibrant fruit and mid-weight structures. Readers will find a number of thrilling, utterly captivating wines that speak to the pedigree and class that are the signatures of the best Barolo vintages… Overall, the 2013s are Barolos that speak to finesse above all else. These are wines that will hold considerable appeal to readers who enjoy classically built wines.” –Antonio Galloni
Featured New Arrival:
Bastide Blanche Bandol Rosé
“This cuvée is assembled by Peter Weygandt, of Weygandt-Metzler, at the domaine with the talented help of Stéphane Bourret, the winemaker, and the Bronzo family. This is delicious and very rewarding dry pink wine and, selling at almost half the price of Tempier’s Bandol Rosé, it is a real bargain!” –Kerry Winslow, Grapelive
Domaine de la Bastide Blanche Bandol Rose, Provence 2021 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winery note “[Translated] Mourvèdre, Grenache, Cinsault, Clairette and Ugni blanc from clay-limestone and gravelly soils. 28-year-old vines. Intensely colored rosé. Notes of citron, Sichuan pepper, and dried apricot on the complex nose, mixing floral and spicy notes. Ample, dense and structured mouth with complex aromatics (pomelo, peony, pepper).”
Weygandt-Metlzer Wine importer note “Rosé wine. Provence, France. Mourvèdre, Grenache, Cinsault. Organic. An absolute beauty of a rosé at this price point. Mouthwatering aromas of strawberry cream on the nose, followed by a silky, refined palate with delicate but distinct flavors of melon and peach. A relatively light wine for a southern French rosé, but with a texture and character of impressive weight and substance.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $27
New Weekend – New Arrivals
Oregon
Holocene Memorialis Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 93-95 points “Lots of wild strawberries, peppery herbs, mulberries, candied orange, and exotic floral notes emerge from the 2019 Pinot Noir Memorialis. Medium to full-bodied, it offers a terrific sense of purity, ripe, building tannins, and a focused, elegant style that’s going to drink nicely right out of the gate yet also evolve for a decade.”
Holocene Memorialis Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 93-95 points “Lots of wild strawberries, peppery herbs, mulberries, candied orange, and exotic floral notes emerge from the 2019 Pinot Noir Memorialis. Medium to full-bodied, it offers a terrific sense of purity, ripe, building tannins, and a focused, elegant style that’s going to drink nicely right out of the gate yet also evolve for a decade.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $63
California
Winery cellared release!
Dominus Estate Christian Moueix, Napa Valley 2013 750ML ($699.95) $619 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Robert Parker-Wine Advocate 100 points “The 2013 Dominus is, to my way of thinking, one of the most profound wines Christian Moueix has yet made in his rather brilliant winemaking history, both in France and in Napa Valley. This wine, with very low yields of only 3,500 cases and a final blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc, offers up notes of cedar wood, forest floor, loamy soil and oodles of blackberry and blackcurrant fruit. Very opaque purple in color, super-pure and intense, this wine has low acidity, but ripe, noticeable tannins. This is a 30- to 40-year wine and a profound effort from this famous vineyard in Yountville. Drink it over the next 40+ years.”
Antonio Galloni 100 points “The 2013 Dominus overwhelms all the senses with its magnificent overall balance and towering intensity. Deep and nearly impenetrable in the glass, the 2013 boasts off the charts dry extract and overall power. Violets, smoke, black cherries, menthol, incense, crème de cassis and dark spices are some of the many signatures that take shape in the glass. Even better in bottle than it was in barrel, the 2013 is utterly magnificent. This is a remarkably vivid, nuanced wine considering its sheer size.”
William Kelley-Decanter 100 points “A captivating bouquet of violets, lilac, black fruit, blood orange and meaty soil tones is striking for its extravagent range and amplitude; and on the palate, the wine is three-dimensional, sophisticatedly savoury, and massive but refined. Tod Mostero remarks that, having crafted the 2013 Dominus, he can die happy as a winemaker. Selection here was especially rigorous, as the team wanted to realise the vintage’s unparalleled potential as fully as possible, so only 3,500 cases were produced. A special label commemorates the 30th anniversary of Dominus Estate.”
Dominus Estate Christian Moueix, Napa Valley 2019 1.5L ($799.95) $649 special, 1 magnum in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown- The Wine Independent 100 points “Composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Petit Verdot, the 2019 Dominus was harvested from September 29 to October 10. It was aged in 40% new oak. Deep garnet-purple colored, the nose slowly unfurls to unveil beguiling floral notes of candied violets and rose oil over a core of crème de cassis, blackberry pie, and plum preserves, giving way to notions of licorice, Indian spices, iron ore, and crushed rocks. Full-bodied, the palate is jam-packed with taut, muscular black fruit layers, intertwined with gorgeous floral and exotic spice accents, and framed by firm, finely grained tannins with seamless freshness, finishing long and mineral-laced. Tightly coiled with so much latent energy waiting to explode, this is a spectacular expression of the vintage and Napanook vineyard. Still tightly coiled, give it a good 6-7 years in the cellar before broaching, and allow it a few hours in a decanter if consumed before 2032.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2019 Dominus is blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc, aged in 40% new French oak. Impressively dark-hued in the glass, it yields scents of cherries and cassis on the nose—or is it black cherries and redcurrants? Subtle notes of mocha, pencil shavings and almost Graves-like earthiness wind through the concentrated, medium to full-bodied palate, giving it a sense of savory gravitas, while the finish is silky and long, leaving a lingering residue of soft tannins and mouthwatering freshness.”
France – Champagne
Louis Roederer Cristal Vinothèque Edition Brut Millesime, Champagne 1999 750ML ($1,499.95) $1,245 special, 3 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.” [Reviewed 2019]
Antonio Galloni 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.” [Reviewed 2020]
Disgorgement dates may vary from reviews
This is the only listing in the USA today for the 750ml!
France – Bordeaux
#2 Wine Spectator – Wine of the Year in 2021
Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Pauillac 2018 750ML ($299.95) $279 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 98+ points “The 2018 Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse De Lalande is a monster of a wine with an almost Château Latour-like stature and structure, offering deep, backward, slightly reductive notes of blackcurrants, crushed stone, scorched earth, lead pencil shavings, and tobacco leaf. Based largely on Cabernet Sauvignon mixed with 23% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, it’s full-bodied, concentrated, and powerful on the palate, with masses of tannins, beautiful mid-palate density, and a great finish. As I’ve commented previously, the up-front, sexy style of the past (due to the larger Merlot content, I believe) has been replaced by a more regal, at times austere profile. Nevertheless, it’s still its own wine and very Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in style. This 2018 is going to need 5-7 years of bottle age and will evolve for 40+ years.”
Wine Spectator 98 points “Offers a deep well of dark currant, blackberry paste and plum preserves fruit that needs time to unwind fully, as it’s shrouded in warm earth, tobacco, singed cedar, sweet bay leaf and savory notes. A ramrod of graphite adds to the strident, structured feel. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2030 through 2050. 13,000 cases made. — JM”
Wine Enthusaist 98 points “Cellar Selection. This famous estate at the southern end of Pauillac has produced a powerful wine. Packed blackberry fruits, laced with acidity, are just starting out on a long journey along with the tannins. The wine’s elegance is beautifully preserved within the structure. With considerable potential, the wine should not be drunk before 2027. -Roger Voss”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97+ points “The 2018 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot with a pH of 3.85, an IPT (total polyphenol index) of 87 and 14% alcohol. The grand vin represents 50% of the crop this year. Deep garnet-purple colored, it charges out of the gate with bold scents of baked plums, ripe blackcurrants and wild blueberries, followed by hints of cedar chest, pencil lead, bouquet garni and charcuterie, plus a waft of lilacs. The medium-bodied palate is beautifully crafted with its seamless freshness and firm, grainy tannins supporting the compelling, finely knit black fruits and savory nuances, finishing on a lingering fragrant-earth note. This will need a good 5 years to come around and should easily cellar for another 30 years or more.”
Chateau La Gaffeliere, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2018 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 99 points “The 2018 La Gaffelière is hands down one of the wines of the vintage. Towering in its stature and vertical lift, the 2018 dazzles right out of the gate. Inky dark fruit, mocha, spice, licorice and leather all run through this deep, wonderfully pliant Saint-Émilion. The 2018 is rich, deep and beautifully resonant, with tremendous depth and tons of stature that builds, all framed by beams of supporting minerality that confer vibrancy. La Gaffelière is distinctive, alluring and arresting right out of the gate. It is another magnificent showing from this reborn estate. The blend is 63% Merlot and 37% Cabernet Franc. Magnifique!”
New Grapelive Review:
Hamilton Russell’s South African Project
Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley 2020 750ML ($54.95) $44 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Grapelive 94 points “The impeccably made and beautifully balance Hamilton Russell Chardonnay, a longtime favorite, especially this 2020 vintage marries lush New World style concentration and opulence with Old World flavor and stony elegance… Everything folds nice together in mouth and goes on and on, after this Chard comes up to drinking temp, be sure not to serve it too cold and it really benefits from food. It is less an aperitif or cocktail wine, rather a wine that shows its full character and class with a meal, with some substance and flesh being best, like swordfish, lobster and roast poultry dishes bringing out its most rewarding charms. This part of the Cape has become an excellent source of both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, these are some of South Africa’s most desirable wines, in particular I have been thrilled by what this world famous winery has done with these classic Burgundian varietals over the years . This vintage really shines, I highly recommend this one…”
Shop our South African selections in stock now including:
Hamilton Russell Ashbourne Pinotage, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley 2016 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Decanter 93 points “For those who are sceptical of the ability of Pinotage to make fine wine, this is an eye-opener. From a 1.3ha single-vineyard, planted in 1996, this is an ultra-classy wine. There’s a hint of smoke on the nose and the palate is full of juicy, ripe, dark-berry fruit with fine acidity and a graphite driven dryness to finish. A hint of oak is evident, imparting extra layers of fine tannins and density to the palate. Drinking Window 2020 – 2025.”
Grapelive 94 points “The impeccably made and beautifully balance Hamilton Russell Chardonnay, a longtime favorite, especially this 2020 vintage marries lush New World style concentration and opulence with Old World flavor and stony elegance… Everything folds nice together in mouth and goes on and on, after this Chard comes up to drinking temp, be sure not to serve it too cold and it really benefits from food. It is less an aperitif or cocktail wine, rather a wine that shows its full character and class with a meal, with some substance and flesh being best, like swordfish, lobster and roast poultry dishes bringing out its most rewarding charms. This part of the Cape has become an excellent source of both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, these are some of South Africa’s most desirable wines, in particular I have been thrilled by what this world famous winery has done with these classic Burgundian varietals over the years . This vintage really shines, I highly recommend this one…”
Shop our South African selections in stock now including:
Hamilton Russell Ashbourne Pinotage, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley 2016 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Decanter 93 points “For those who are sceptical of the ability of Pinotage to make fine wine, this is an eye-opener. From a 1.3ha single-vineyard, planted in 1996, this is an ultra-classy wine. There’s a hint of smoke on the nose and the palate is full of juicy, ripe, dark-berry fruit with fine acidity and a graphite driven dryness to finish. A hint of oak is evident, imparting extra layers of fine tannins and density to the palate. Drinking Window 2020 – 2025.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
The wines of Morgenster are definitively South African, with a clear nod to Giulio’s Italian heritage and Bertrand’s winemaking know how. The 2014 delivers layers of blackcurrant, cassis, fynbos and tarragon with a deep minerality that’s evocative of warm earth, cinnamon and antique wood. The years in bottle have paid off tremendously with the acid, tannins and body featuring picture-perfect integration. Delightful as a solo act, and compatible with a variety of cuisines.
Morgenster Lourens River Valley Stellenbosch 2014 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 92 points “The 2014 Lourens River Valley is a Bordeaux blend that offers light blackberry, tobacco and smoky scents on the nose; a hint of hickory develops with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied, fleshy and ripe, with supple tannins and a pinch of sour cherry and balsamic toward the finish. Quite mellow, so much so that you almost overlook the concentration here. Excellent.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Cinsault is rapidly becoming one of the top red varietals in South Africa and the world on account of it’s drought tolerance and ability to retain acidity during heat waves. As a single varietal there is often a spectrum of blue and red fruits with high acidity and perfumed aromatics. Cinsault pairs beautifully with various cuisines including Nigerian, Lebanese, Greek and BBQ on account of the fruit tea-esque tannins and refreshing acidity.
Mother Rock ‘Force Majeure – Force Celeste’ Cinsault Swartland 2020 750ML ($19.95) $16 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Importer note “A medium-bodied red with ripe tannins, depth and drinkability from whole bunch fermentation. A great addition to the Force Majeure range.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
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New Reviews for Cayuse’s Horsepower Wines
Horsepower Vineyards Fiddleneck Vineyard, Walla Walla Valley 2019 750ML ($219.95) $199 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “There’s a lot going on in this red, which is explosively expressive with notes of wild game, smoked pepper, blackberry and garrigue that lead to multilayered and richly textured flavors, building polish and intensity toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2032. —T.F.”
Horsepower Vineyards ‘Sur Echalas Vineyard’ Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2019 750ML ($219.95) $189 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “Impressive for its bold expression yet elegant complexity, this red explodes with raspberry, smoky bacon, garrigue, crushed stone and black olive flavors that soar on the rich and polished finish. Drink now through 2032. —T.F.”
Shop our complete selection of Cayuse, Horsepower Vineyards, and No Girls wines now!
Trending
Cameron produces some of the best wines of the Dundee Hills from fun and silly Italian-esque wines to serious and ageworthy Pinots and Chards. Transcending varietal, price and vintage there is something to be enamored by in every bottling in the way they express terroir and John Paul’s winemaking mastery. Each bottling represents a different facet of Oregon’s terroir with a thorough line of elegance, and the same is true in cans.
Cameron Winery Spritz Rose Willamette Valley NV 250ML CAN ($9.95) $7 special, 36+ cans in stock now
This is the only listing in the USA today!
The considerable altitude of the volcano Mt Etna in Sicily contributes to some of the largest diurnal temperature variations in the world, creating juxtaposition of ripe fruit and prominent acids. I Custodi capitalizes on this in their rosé bottling especially by sourcing from the two red indigenous varietals: Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio. Following traditional practices to the letter, I Custodi grows their vines in the traditional bushvine of Sicily called Alberello and makes their rosato by performing a gentle pressing and racking of the wines. The high elevation of the vineyard and marginal growing conditions of Etna create a zippy yet still juicy rose that delivers fruit punch, sumac and rosemary in spades.
I Vigneri I Custodi delle Vigne dell’Etna ‘Alnus’ Etna Rosato Sicily 2020 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winery note “Alnus is the wine we dedicate to hundreds of generations of Etnean winegrowers that have built what we are preserving. The original plan was to make a rosé. But it would be disparaging to just put this wine into a category. It is fresh and sharp-edged like a great white, and at the same time full and comforting as only a good red Etna can be. Only a few thousand bottles to share: too little for a rosé that is no rosé.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $26
Sette Ponti makes some of the finest Super Tuscans out there. While they’re best known for Oreno, their top-end bottling, the wine of note in most years is their value-priced Crognolo. Made with every bit the same care as the flashier Oreno, Crognolo’s Sangiovese dominant blend provides a beautiful drink-now option at less than half the price of the flagship wine.
Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo Toscana IGT Tuscany 2019 750ML ($39.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo Toscana IGT Tuscany 2019 750ML ($219.95) $159 special (that’s only $26.50/bottle!)
James Suckling 94 points “Sweet berries, flowers and cedar on the nose. Some leather, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with lightly chewy tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Shows tension and brightness. Excellent structure. Drinkable now, but better in 2023.”
Nin-Ortiz is probably best known for their “Nit de Nin” single vineyard bottling, however their ‘Planetes’ releases are also excellent. Stylistically they are gentler and more elegant, perfect for drinking now. And unlike the estate’s top wines you don’t have to spend a lot to enjoy some of the most exciting wines coming out of Spain today.
Familia Nin-Ortiz ‘Planetes de Nin’, Priorat DOCa 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 subscriber special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Familia Nin-Ortiz ‘Planetes de Nin’, Priorat DOCa 2017 750ML ($299.95) $279 subscriber special (that’s only $46.50/bottle!)
Case-12 Familia Nin-Ortiz ‘Planetes de Nin’, Priorat DOCa 2017 750ML ($579.95) $539 subscriber special (that’s only $44.92/bottle!)
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2017 Planetes de Nin comes from the four hectares of 20-year-old Garnacha and 11-year-old Cariñena in the Planetes vineyard in Porrera at 450 meters in altitude. It’s 60% Garnacha (some of it Peluda) and the rest Cariñena, harvested early. It fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured in 3,200-liter oak vats and one 1,000-liter amphora for 17 months. It has depth and harmony, and the vines are getting older and seem to be better and better balanced. This is not that different from the 2016; it feels quite stable and has its style and character, especially since the 2015 vintage. 9,704 bottles were filled in April 2019.”
From the low to the high end, everything Matthieu Baudry makes is beautiful, expressive and delicious. At the higher end are his single vineyard bottlings (Croix Boissee, Clos Guillot and Grezeaux) which are all ageworthy and delicious. His entry-level wine, Les Granges, is a wonderful value bottling.
Bernard Baudry Chinon Les Granges 2020 750ML ($25.95) $20.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Rebecca Gibb MW-Vinous 89 points “Sourced from a single block on the valley floor, where the vines have their feet in free-draining sandy/gravel soils, the 2020 Chinon Les Granges is made a lighter, fruit-driven style with a fine-grained tannic profile. This flows easily with no sense of anything being forced. It’s full of bright raspberry, violets and a hint of blackberries and cream; there’s a mere whiff of reduction on opening, so give it a little bit of air. Easy to like, bright and fresh and can be enjoyed in youth.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $23
Produttori del Barbaresco is revered for producing classically-styled Barbaresco and Riservas of uncompromising quality and transparency. It’s a miracle that these wines are still affordable and available, especially when compared to the skyrocketing prices of Barolo.
Produttori del Barbaresco ‘Barbaresco DOCG’, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 24+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Produttori del Barbaresco ‘Barbaresco DOCG’, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($299.95) $239 special (that’s only $39.83/bottle!)
Decanter 96 points “Aromatic notes of dried sage and rosemary combined with juicy, ripe red cherries, tar and red roses. Silky, ripe, approachable, with a great fine-grained tannic structure. Nominated by Justin Knock MW. Wines of the Year 2021: the top Classic wines. Drinking Window 2022 – 2040.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2017 Barbaresco shows just how appealing this vintage can be. In 2017, the warm, dry growing season gave the Barbaresco an extra kick of richness that fills out its frame and adds so much immediacy. Sweet red berry fruit, cinnamon, rose petal and mint are open in the glass, but it is the wine’s seductive radiance that wins the day. Pora, Ovello, Montestefano, Muncagota and Rio Sordo are the main vineyards used for the straight Barbaresco. The 2017 is such an inviting and expressive wine. Don’t miss it!”
Wine & Spirits 94 points “The Produttori del Barbaresco lost about 20 percent of their crop in the 2017 growing season due to frost and hail in the spring and a long drought in the summer, but what remained gave a fresh and exuberant wine packed with flavors of vibrant red cherry and zesty notes of orange peel. The Produttori typically offer one of the best quality-price ratios for Barbaresco, and the exciting 2017 version is no exception.”
La Ca’ Nova
“La Ca’ Nova has been one of the hottest wineries in all of Piedmont over these last few years… Stated simply, I can’t recommend these wines highly enough, especially for readers who enjoy deep, classically structured Barbarescos.” -Antonio Galloni, Vinous
In Stock Now from La Ca’ Nova:
La Ca’ Nova Loreto Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2018 Barbera d’Alba shows the mid-weight, restrained style of the year nicely. Silky, aromatic and understated, the Barbera is a winner. Raspberry, spice, mint and leather linger beautifully.”
In Stock Now from La Ca’ Nova:
La Ca’ Nova Loreto Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2018 Barbera d’Alba shows the mid-weight, restrained style of the year nicely. Silky, aromatic and understated, the Barbera is a winner. Raspberry, spice, mint and leather linger beautifully.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
La Ca’ Nova Dolcetto d’Alba, Piedmont 2019 750ML ($21.95) $16.60 special, 30 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 88 points “The 2019 Dolcetto d’Alba is an attractive mid-weight wine with a super-classic profile of blue/purplish fruits, cloves and licorice, and that slightly bitterish note that is typical of Dolcetto.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $19.99
La Ca’ Nova Montefico Vigna Bric Mentina, Barbaresco DOCG 2017 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2017 Barbaresco Montefico balances the structural framework typical of this site with the radiance of the year so well. Powerful and intensely mineral, the Montefico is a bit wild in its first approach, yet it has so much character. Bright red berry fruit, chalk, mint, sage and white pepper give the Montefico a brilliant upper register to play off its natural cut. I would plan on cellaring the 2017 for at least a few years.”
La Ca’ Nova Montefico Vigna Bric Mentina, Barbaresco DOCG 2018 750ML ($54.95) $41.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2018 Barbaresco Montefico Vigna Bric Mentina is fabulous. Most producers would dream of making a wine like this in a strong vintage, much less one that presented so many challenges. Rose petal, goudron, lavender, spice and blue/purplish fruit open first. The 2018 is relatively soft and supple, but that is not a bad thing for a wine from Montefico, where the Barbarescos are often searing in intensity. The 2018 finishes with real weight and intensity.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Ripe berry and dark spice aromas come to the forefront along with earthy truffle notes. On the savory, elegant palate, firm, refined tannins support raspberry compote, mature cherry and baking spice. It’s nicely balanced, with fresh acidity. Drink through 2030. -Kerin O’Keefe”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $46
Roagna’s Stunning 2015 Barbaresco
Roagna has joined the very upper echelon of Piedmont producers over the past decade and a half. These resolutely traditional, benchmark wines hail from some of the best parcels in Paje and Pira (a Roagna monopole), plus recently acquired vineyards including Albasani. Perennial staff favorites, the entire lineup is absolutely brilliant.
In Stock Now:
Roagna Albesani, Barbaresco DOCG 2015 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points “A combination of spicy cherry, iron, tobacco and tar aromas and flavors are woven into the dense tannins in this sinewy red. There’s an essence of ripe fruit, yet this requires time to reconcile its gripping structure. Best from 2024 through 2043. 218 cases made. — BS”
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2015 Barbaresco Albesani is gracious, floral and lifted, which is not common in Albesani, where the wines tend to be more powerful. Bright acids and lively tannins give the 2015 its shape and energy. This translucent, inviting Barbaresco has so much to offer.”
In Stock Now:
Roagna Albesani, Barbaresco DOCG 2015 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points “A combination of spicy cherry, iron, tobacco and tar aromas and flavors are woven into the dense tannins in this sinewy red. There’s an essence of ripe fruit, yet this requires time to reconcile its gripping structure. Best from 2024 through 2043. 218 cases made. — BS”
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2015 Barbaresco Albesani is gracious, floral and lifted, which is not common in Albesani, where the wines tend to be more powerful. Bright acids and lively tannins give the 2015 its shape and energy. This translucent, inviting Barbaresco has so much to offer.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $128
Roagna Faset, Barbaresco DOCG 2015 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “This red shows some breadth and muscle, with lively cherry, strawberry, iron, tobacco and earth flavors. Taut yet balanced, with plenty of sweet fruit offsetting the tannins on the finish. Combines grace with power. Best from 2022 through 2040. 172 cases made. — BS”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Roagna La Pira, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “Supple and polished, featuring the essence of cherry and strawberry fruit, accented by menthol, mineral and sage flavors. This shows intensity, with a tightly wound structure that is so well-integrated you don’t notice it at first. Plays out on the linear profile with echoes of fruit, mineral and Langhe scrub. Best from 2022 through 2045. 148 cases made. — BS”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $126
The First Growth of Hochheim:
New Kunstler Arriving in September
While the Mosel Valley captures the majority of press about German wine, the Rheingau was once the face of the entire country’s production with production and prestige dating back to the Roman era. The topographic isolation provided by confluence of the Taunus Mountains and Rhein River creates an oasis for growing Riesling. In contrast to other growing regions that feature a high percentage of slate, the Rheingau is characterized by high proportions of sandstone and quartzite.
Kunstler makes fabulous Rheingau Riesling of grace and openness that “are very pure, clean and precise, without tasting as though they’ve been sanitized and had the character stripped out of them. They are detailed and meticulous, but also delicious and satisfying,” to borrow more from Theise. Kunstler’s best wines reminds us of the days when ‘hock’ wine was prized above Bordeaux.
Kunstler Wines Arriving in September:
Kunstler Hochheimer Holle Im Neuenberg Riesling Erste Lage, Rheingau 2020 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Stuart Pigott 95 points “Enormous concentration and power for just 12.5% alcohol, the ripe peach, apricot and mirabelle aromas still restrained. Then comes the full-bodied, densely packed palate that is still so clean. So much depth at the spectacular, wide-screen finish. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92 points “The Riesling trocken 2020 Hochheimer Hölle Im Neuenberg VDP. Erste Lage opens with a deep, rich, intense, elegant and yeasty scented bouquet of ripe and dense but coolish Riesling fruits intertwined with earthy notes. Remarkably fine, fresh and elegant on the palate for a Hölle Riesling, this is a medium rather than full-bodied wine with refreshing, vivacious and finely racy acidity. Good grip on the mouthwatering finish. 12.5% stated alcohol.”
Kunstler makes fabulous Rheingau Riesling of grace and openness that “are very pure, clean and precise, without tasting as though they’ve been sanitized and had the character stripped out of them. They are detailed and meticulous, but also delicious and satisfying,” to borrow more from Theise. Kunstler’s best wines reminds us of the days when ‘hock’ wine was prized above Bordeaux.
Kunstler Wines Arriving in September:
Kunstler Hochheimer Holle Im Neuenberg Riesling Erste Lage, Rheingau 2020 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Stuart Pigott 95 points “Enormous concentration and power for just 12.5% alcohol, the ripe peach, apricot and mirabelle aromas still restrained. Then comes the full-bodied, densely packed palate that is still so clean. So much depth at the spectacular, wide-screen finish. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92 points “The Riesling trocken 2020 Hochheimer Hölle Im Neuenberg VDP. Erste Lage opens with a deep, rich, intense, elegant and yeasty scented bouquet of ripe and dense but coolish Riesling fruits intertwined with earthy notes. Remarkably fine, fresh and elegant on the palate for a Hölle Riesling, this is a medium rather than full-bodied wine with refreshing, vivacious and finely racy acidity. Good grip on the mouthwatering finish. 12.5% stated alcohol.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Kunstler Hochheimer Holle Riesling Grosses Gewächs, Rheingau 2020 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Stuart Pigott 98 points “The deep, peach and apricot nose leads you into this enormously concentrated yet graceful dry riesling that’s got the stature to stand next to almost any Grand Cru white Burgundy. Enormously long, beautifully balanced finish that pulls your hand magnetically back to the glass. Drink or hold.”
Weingut Kunstler Hochheim Kirchenstuck Riesling Grosses Gewächs, Rheingau 2020 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Stuart Pigott 96 points “Very complex nose of white chocolate, white peaches and fresh herbs. Sleek and very finely delineated, this is a super-elegant dry Rheingau riesling with a long, cool finish that ripples with notes of fennel and parsley. Drink or hold.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93+ points “Künstler’s 2020 Hochheim Kirchenstück GG VDP. Grosse Lage opens clear, pure and fresh with an intense white fruit bouquet that is still more reductive than many of the other crus, though. Lush and refined on the palate, this is an elegant, vibrantly fresh, finely textured and balanced Kirchenstück that reveals an uplifting, persistent, saline and juicy finish that indicates great aging potential, even though it’s already a great pleasure drinking the 2020 today. Also from its moderate weight and its lingering salty purity, this is a rather classic Hochheim Riesling despite the warm vintage. 12.5% stated alcohol.”
Weingut Kunstler Kostheimer Weiss Erd Riesling Grosses Gewächs, Rheingau 2020 750ML ($69.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Weingut Kunstler Kostheimer Weiss Erd Riesling Grosses Gewächs, Rheingau 2020 750ML ($359.95) $279 pre-arrival special (that’s only $46.50/bottle!)
Stuart Pigott 97 points “A masterpiece from an almost unknown vineyard site. The cool and deep nose pulls you into this very concentrated and supple dry riesling GG that has so much power, packed into a sleek silhouette. Long, silky and chalky finish. Drink or hold.”
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