On Sale Now!
The Rheingau was once considered Germany’s finest winemaking region before falling into obscurity itself in the previous century. Today, interest and investment has brought the region back into the limelight. Quality-focused estates are becoming, if not common names among the average wine drinker, better known among insiders. The German wine association, the VDP, has also helped promote the region and its mostly-dry wines.
One such estate is benefiting from renewed interest in the region and dry Rieslings: J.B. Becker. Despite crafting ultra-long-aging dry or mostly dry Rieslings from his family’s estate for over 50 years, wasn’t until recently that the name became known among Riesling fans. Founded in 1893 by the grandfather (Jean Baptiste Becker) of the current owner (Hans-Joseph Becker or HaJo), this small estate is tucked away in the Rheingau.
HaJo took over the family estate in 1971, a glorious vintage and a good omen for things to come. He shifted production to mostly bone-dry wines and hasn’t looked back. Though he does produce some not-dry wines, they all (Auslesen included) fall around 20 grams/liter of residual sugar (RS). This number is lower than normal even for modern, sweet Kabinett, which are typically between 30-50 grams/liter. His lower amount of RS is due to fermentation of the sugars, not under-ripeness at harvest.
As the descendant of coopers, it’s no surprise that HaJo incorporates extended neutral barrel aging in the crafting of his wines. He’s a passionate advocate for natural yeast fermentation, as well. After a rapid fermentation using only natural yeast, much like at Keller and JJ Prum, the wines are aged for at least two years in traditional Rheingau barrels.
The wines are structured and heavily-influenced by their terroir, often resulting in notes of saline and iodine that brings to mind Chablis. Their longevity in the cellar is hard to match; even the Kabinetts reliably cellar for decades. With our three-day sale, it will be easy to fill your cellar for decades of enjoyment.
One such estate is benefiting from renewed interest in the region and dry Rieslings: J.B. Becker. Despite crafting ultra-long-aging dry or mostly dry Rieslings from his family’s estate for over 50 years, wasn’t until recently that the name became known among Riesling fans. Founded in 1893 by the grandfather (Jean Baptiste Becker) of the current owner (Hans-Joseph Becker or HaJo), this small estate is tucked away in the Rheingau.
HaJo took over the family estate in 1971, a glorious vintage and a good omen for things to come. He shifted production to mostly bone-dry wines and hasn’t looked back. Though he does produce some not-dry wines, they all (Auslesen included) fall around 20 grams/liter of residual sugar (RS). This number is lower than normal even for modern, sweet Kabinett, which are typically between 30-50 grams/liter. His lower amount of RS is due to fermentation of the sugars, not under-ripeness at harvest.
As the descendant of coopers, it’s no surprise that HaJo incorporates extended neutral barrel aging in the crafting of his wines. He’s a passionate advocate for natural yeast fermentation, as well. After a rapid fermentation using only natural yeast, much like at Keller and JJ Prum, the wines are aged for at least two years in traditional Rheingau barrels.
The wines are structured and heavily-influenced by their terroir, often resulting in notes of saline and iodine that brings to mind Chablis. Their longevity in the cellar is hard to match; even the Kabinetts reliably cellar for decades. With our three-day sale, it will be easy to fill your cellar for decades of enjoyment.
5% off any 3-5 in-stock wines from J.B. Becker
10% off any 6 or more in-stock wines from J.B. Becker
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Saturday, April 6th at 9 am Pacific.
10% off any 6 or more in-stock wines from J.B. Becker
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Saturday, April 6th at 9 am Pacific.
We offer ten wines from JB Becker on sale now, including:
J.B. Becker Wallufer Berg Bildstock Riesling Kabinett 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $29, that’s $27.55 at 5% off and $26.10 at 10% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2020 Wallufer Berg Bildstock Riesling Kabinett is deep and pure on the bright, fresh and crunchy, saline nose. Bottled with 24 grams per liter of residual sugar, this is lush and juicy yet also fresh and piquant, persistently salty Kabinett with a long and stimulatingly grippy finish. 11% stated alcohol. Glass stopper. Tasted at the domaine in July 2022.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
J.B. Becker Wallufer Berg Bildstock Riesling Auslese 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 95 points “A very cool and tightly-wound Rheingau Auslese that will needs some further bottle age to reveal its considerable depths. At the moment the main aromas are caramelized red apple brioche and mangosteen, which might sound like a weird combination, but works extremely well. Long, finely chiselled finish. From organically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but best from 2026. Glass stopper.”
Vom Boden importer note “Hans Josef says to me, ‘This is the Yquem of the Rheingau.’ And, again, a few lights go off and I understand a little more what he is seeking, the context in which an Auslese like this should be seen. This is a lovely, lovely wine, honeyed yet soaring, with restraint and acidity… and yes, some plush ribbons of alcohol and texture. There are only about 30 cases of this coming into the U.S. and you should have one.”
J.B. Becker Wallufer Oberberg Riesling Auslese Trocken 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $54.50, that’s $51.78 at 5% off and $49.05 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Vom Boden importer note “After about ten minutes of tasting this wine, in awe of its slick density, its unending length, its formidable structure, I say something like, ‘Hans Josef, how the fuck did you make a wine like this in 2021… an Auslese Trocken!’ He looks at me, bored as always, and says matter-of-factly: ‘I made two Auslese Trocken in 2021.’ And this fact is shocking, startling, without a doubt. Yet the real impact comes from the fact that he says absolutely nothing else… This story is relevant, perhaps, because he then does go get the Rödchen Auslese Trocken and having the two wines side-by-side is illuminating. The Oberberg is for sure the more impressive, the more powerful and textural. I suspect this will be the favorite for most people – it is just a bit more complete. Both Auslese Trocken, compared to the Walkenberg Spätlese Trocken, feel riper (which they are, both clock in at 13.5%) yet they also show more fruit, they are more perfumed – perhaps the higher alcohols make the wines more aromatic. There is plenty of stone fruit and citrus, dense and coating, in both Auslese Trocken.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
J.B. Becker Wallufer Oberberg Riesling Spätlese 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $33, that’s $31.35 at 5% off and $29.70 at 10% off, 4 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 95 points “White flower and white peach aromas pour from the glass of this stunning Rheingau Spätlese that reminds me very much of the youthful 1983s, particularly at the super-elegant, long finish where the balance is absolutely classic for this category. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Glass stopper.”
Vom Boden importer note “…no Kabinetts in 2021. Yet, also, Spätlesen like no Spätlese you’ve likely ever had before. All the “sweet” Prädikat wines have around 20 grams of residual sugar… these are very dry Prädikat wines… What’s really fascinating here is that these wines are a throwback to a style of wine that made the Rheingau famous in the 19th century – a style that most growers abandoned in the 20th century for any number of reasons. Yet I can’t say I’ve tasted anything like these wines in the Rheingau, or in Germany. They are so anachronistic that the standard critical engagement feels a bit ridiculous. This is just a whole different thing. You have to taste it. As noted in the Oberberg Auslese Trocken note, this is one of the more powerful vineyards Hans Josef farms. It also tends to have one of the higher acidities and that tracks here – compared to the Sonnenberg, the Oberberg is a bit more structured, a bit more linear and zippy.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
J.B. Becker Martinsthaler Rodchen Riesling Auslese Trocken 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $54.50, that’s $51.78 at 5% off and $49.05 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 97 points “Anyone who wants to know how the great dry Rheingau rieslings of a century ago tasted need look no further. Here is a masterpiece, marrying enormous concentration and minerality with fantastic elegance. Super-long finish. This is what extremely long fermentation can do when you start with grapes from old vines and everything works out well. Super-long and beautifully balanced finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Glass stopper.”
Vom Boden importer note “The Rödchen Auslese Trocken, which Hans Josef brings me only after I ask, is the leaner and more linear of the two. Hans Josef says the Oberberg is ‘more power.’ After a pause, he says, ‘the Rödchen is closer to Walkenberg… it is more…’ and then he makes a curious gesture with his hand, where it’s a fist that opens and then he shakes it around as if he’s writing a short note to a friend in the air. I can’t say I understand exactly what he meant, but I do write in my notes: ‘Honestly this wine is fucking awesome.’”
J.B. Becker Eltviller Sonnenberg Riesling Spätlese 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $33, that’s $31.35 at 5% off and $29.70 at 10% off, 11 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 95 points “Enticing nose of peaches, apricots and orange blossom. Barely off-dry, but with a wonderful rich texture and precisely nuanced fruit. Beautifully balanced, almost dry finish that makes you want to take this to the dining table right away. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Glass stopper.”
Vom Boden importer note “…The Sonnenberg is perhaps the most famous vineyard Hans Josef farms; von Simmern made some legendary wines from the site in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. The wines have undeniable elegance, including this one, yet part of the stock and trade of these wines is their textural quality matched to the brightness of Riesling, matched with the powerful acids of this vintage.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
J.B. Becker Wallufer Walkenberg Riesling Kabinett Trocken 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $31.90, that’s $30.31 at 5% off and $28.71 at 10% off, 4 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2020 Wallufer Walkenberg Riesling Kabinett trocken offers a clear and delicately fruity bouquet with floral-scented apricot aromas. Pure, straight and fresh on the palate, this is a bone dry, crunchy and youthful Kabinett with crunchy phenols and just-ripe stone fruit. Stimulatingly crisp and salty on the finish. 12% stated alcohol. Glass stopper. Tasted at the domaine in July 2022.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
J.B. Becker Wallufer Walkenberg Riesling Spätlese Trocken 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $33, that’s $31.35 at 5% off and $29.70 at 10% off, 9 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 95 points “This youthful dry Riesling is old school in the best sense of the word, the substantial power elegantly underplayed, the greatness all tucked away in the detail of the finely-nuanced medium-bodied palate. From organically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but best from 2025. Glass stopper.”
Vom Boden importer note “Both of the dry Spätlesen – the “Spätlese Trocken” – are monuments to Becker and to his style. Not since the 2015 vintage have I had these wines with such depth and force and structure. To be fair, 2015 was a riper vintage and so the wines tend to have more fruit. I’ve tasted the 2021 three times – twice in cask and once in bottle – and every time the wine is stark and essential. A deep, earthy citrus glow, yet really more primordial and mineral. It is just structure and depth, but uncommonly pure. This is a great wine and it has the bones to go a very long time. Decant now, or let’s talk in ten years.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
J.B. Becker Wallufer Walkenberg Alte Reben Riesling Spätlese Trocken (“AR”) 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $37, that’s $35.15 at 5% off and $33.30 at 10% off, 4 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2020 Wallufer Walkenberg Riesling Spätlese trocken Alte Reben offers a pure, intense and complex, highly refined bouquet with clear and elegant fruit intertwined with very fine terroir aromas. Pure and enormously salty on the palate, this is a dense and tensioned yet also finessed and highly elegant Walkenberg with fine tannins and a long, complex finish. This is another highlight of the 2020 vintage that is shining bright and pure here. 13% stated alcohol. Glass stopper. Tasted at the domaine in July 2022.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
J.B. Becker Wallufer Walkenberg Alte Reben Riesling Spätlese Trocken (“AR”) 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $39, that’s $37.05 at 5% off and $35.10 at 10% off, 9 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 95 points “This youthful dry Riesling is old school in the best sense of the word, the substantial power elegantly underplayed, the greatness all tucked away in the detail of the finely-nuanced medium-bodied palate. From organically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but best from 2025. Glass stopper.”
Vom Boden importer note “I’ve also tasted the ‘Alte Reben’ or ‘old vine’ Spätlese Trocken three times and this wine is even more linear and cut – you could say it was austere if it didn’t have such obvious depth and texture. This is simply a great wine in its extreme youth. Decant now, or let’s talk in fifteen years? Honestly who knows. I had a 1979 Kabinett Trocken from Hans Josef probably in 2020 that tasted like spring water so who knows. How about this: Drink 2025 to 2381?”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Shop our ten selections on sale now on our webstore!
Don’t miss our additional sale going on now:
Pascal Doquet
5% off any 3-5 in-stock wines from Pascal Doquet
10% off any 6 or more in-stock wines from Pascal Doquet
April Fool’s Close Out Sale
5% off any 3-5 in-stock Close-Out Sale wines
10% off any 6 or more in-stock Close-Out Sale wines
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Close-Out wine sale ends Thursday, April 4th at 9 am Pacific. Doquet sale ends Friday, April 5th at 9 am Pacific.