In This Newsletter:
Künstler Sale
Collector’s Corner: Morlet
Impeccable Riesling
Stock Up & Save On:
Weingut Künstler
Künstler Sale
Collector’s Corner: Morlet
Impeccable Riesling
Stock Up & Save On:
Weingut Künstler
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 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.
Gunter Künstler, owner and winemaker of Weingut Künstler since taking over from his father in 1992, makes fabulous Rheingau Riesling. He is based in Hochheim, where the river Main branches off of the Rhein River. The vineyards he works with, including the Hölle and Kirschenstück offer rich veins of limestone that impart chalky notes to the wines.
Gunter Künstler’s wines offer exoticism and nuance with aromatics often attributed to Gruner Veltliner instead of Riesling: doughy-savory, salty and dry. These beauties embody grace and openness. Terry Theise describes the wines as “very pure, clean and precise, without tasting as though they’ve been sanitized and had the character stripped out of them.” Kunstler’s best efforts remind us of the days when ‘hock’ wine of the Rheingau was prized above Bordeaux (and certainly far above the Mosel). Explore for yourself during our three-day sale.
“There’s a palpable intelligence across the range, and the craftsmanship that results from that intelligence, plus vision, perspective and know-how. In the next life when I’m king, I’ll give this guy a bunch of vineyards from across the Rheingau—most of which are in underperforming hands—and let him show what this region can do.” -Terry Theise
Gunter Künstler, owner and winemaker of Weingut Künstler since taking over from his father in 1992, makes fabulous Rheingau Riesling. He is based in Hochheim, where the river Main branches off of the Rhein River. The vineyards he works with, including the Hölle and Kirschenstück offer rich veins of limestone that impart chalky notes to the wines.
Gunter Künstler’s wines offer exoticism and nuance with aromatics often attributed to Gruner Veltliner instead of Riesling: doughy-savory, salty and dry. These beauties embody grace and openness. Terry Theise describes the wines as “very pure, clean and precise, without tasting as though they’ve been sanitized and had the character stripped out of them.” Kunstler’s best efforts remind us of the days when ‘hock’ wine of the Rheingau was prized above Bordeaux (and certainly far above the Mosel). Explore for yourself during our three-day sale.
“There’s a palpable intelligence across the range, and the craftsmanship that results from that intelligence, plus vision, perspective and know-how. In the next life when I’m king, I’ll give this guy a bunch of vineyards from across the Rheingau—most of which are in underperforming hands—and let him show what this region can do.” -Terry Theise
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Künstler
10% off any 6+ or more in-stock bottles of Künstler
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Sunday, May 4th at 9 am Pacific.
10% off any 6+ or more in-stock bottles of Künstler
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Sunday, May 4th at 9 am Pacific.
We offer four in-stock Künstler options on sale now, including:
Weingut Künstler Hochheimer Hölle Im Neuenberg Riesling, Rheingau 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $33, that’s $31.35 at 5% off and $29.70 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 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.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Künstler Hochheim Kirchenstück Riesling Grosses Gewächs, Rheingau 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 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.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $80.54
The next best price is $80.54
Weingut Künstler Hochheimer Hölle Riesling Grosses Gewächs, Rheingau 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 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.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $84.99
The next best price is $84.99
Weingut Künstler Kostheimer Weiss Erd Riesling Grosses Gewächs, Rheingau 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 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.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $58.44
Shop our four Kunstler selections now!
Collector’s Corner
Morlet
Since arriving in California, Luc Morlet has left a distinctive imprint on many superlative wineries such as Peter Michael (where he is still a consultant) before establishing his own winery, Morlet Family Vineyards.
Grapes are hand-harvested and double-sorted to maintain the highest quality before spontaneous fermentation and aging in French oak. These wines are stunningly focused and fractal-like in their complexity, drinking surprisingly well young despite their longevity.
In Stock & On Sale Now:
Morlet Family Vineyards Coteaux Nobles Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 2014 750ml $119 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Robert Parker-Wine Advocate 91 points “Morlet has a Midas touch when it comes to Pinot Noir. His 2014 Pinot Noir Coteaux Nobles, like the other Pinots, comes from the Ft. Ross-Seaview AVA. These are all 100% destemmed and given 5-7 day cold prefermentation macerations. The results are wonderfully fragrant, velvety and complex Burgundian-style Pinots. The 2014 Pinot Noir Coteaux Nobles, from a Vosne-Romanée clone, exhibits floral forest floor notes, wonderful sweet red and black cherries, a hint of raspberries, violets, good acidity and a medium to full-bodied, fleshy mouthfeel. Drink now-2030.”
Grapes are hand-harvested and double-sorted to maintain the highest quality before spontaneous fermentation and aging in French oak. These wines are stunningly focused and fractal-like in their complexity, drinking surprisingly well young despite their longevity.
In Stock & On Sale Now:
Morlet Family Vineyards Coteaux Nobles Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 2014 750ml $119 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Robert Parker-Wine Advocate 91 points “Morlet has a Midas touch when it comes to Pinot Noir. His 2014 Pinot Noir Coteaux Nobles, like the other Pinots, comes from the Ft. Ross-Seaview AVA. These are all 100% destemmed and given 5-7 day cold prefermentation macerations. The results are wonderfully fragrant, velvety and complex Burgundian-style Pinots. The 2014 Pinot Noir Coteaux Nobles, from a Vosne-Romanée clone, exhibits floral forest floor notes, wonderful sweet red and black cherries, a hint of raspberries, violets, good acidity and a medium to full-bodied, fleshy mouthfeel. Drink now-2030.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Morlet Family Vineyards Coteaux Nobles Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 2018 750ml $124 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 96 points “The Coteaux Nobles Pinot Noir comes from 27-year-old vines planted at the Nobles Ranch vineyard in Fort Ross-Seaview AVA. Medium ruby-purple colored, the 2018 Pinot Noir Coteaux Nobles pops with lifted floral notes of roses and lavender over a core of Morello cherries, ripe raspberries and fresh mulberries, plus wafts of wild thyme and tilled loam. The medium to full-bodied palate bursts with red berries and herbal accents, supported by soft, silky tannins and racy freshness, finishing long and fragrant. 400 cases were made.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Morlet Family Vineyards En Famille Pinot Noir, Fort Ross-Seaview 2018 750ml $124 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 96 points “The En Famille Pinot Noir comes from a vineyard planted in 1990 to Goldridge soils, right next door to the ‘Coteaux Nobles’ vineyard in Fort Ross-Seaview. Medium ruby-purple colored, the 2018 Pinot Noir En Famille sashays out of the glass with gorgeous scents of cranberry jelly, pomegranate and raspberry preserves, leading to suggestions of underbrush, dried lavender and orange peel. The full-bodied palate is densely laden with red fruit preserves and earthy layers, supported by very finely grained tannins and tons of freshness, finishing with a refreshing lift. 360 cases were made.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Morlet Family Vineyards Mon Chevalier Cabernet Sauvignon, Knights Valley 2016 750ml $169 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 96+ points “The estate-grown 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Mon Chevalier is a blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot. Very deep purple-black in color, it charges forth with intense notes of crushed black cherries, black berry preserves and cassis scents with touches of spearmint, Indian spices, espresso and dried lavender plus a waft of roses. Full-bodied, the palate reveals incredible restraint, slowly revealing earth and black fruit layers framed by firm, grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing very long and spicy. 750 cases produced, to be released in the fall of 2019.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Morlet Family Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, St Helena, Napa Valley 2015 750ml $179 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 95+ points “At this stage, the 2020 Pinot Noir Block 8 seems to have escaped impact from the season’s devastating heat and wildfires. It has complex aromas of strawberry jam, rhubarb, hibiscus, black tea, mushroom and mossy bark. The medium-bodied palate is silky and refreshing and boasts highly concentrated flavors and a very long, perfumed finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Morlet Family Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, St Helena, Napa Valley 2017 750ml $189 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 95+ points “Composed of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the “home” estate, very close to Colgin Tychson Hill vineyard, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Morlet Estate sports a very deep garnet-purple colored. It strolls nonchalantly out of the glass with carefree, effortless scents of warm cassis, preserved plums, boysenberries and blackberry tart with touches of cigar box, chargrill, lavender and iron ore plus a waft of dried Provence herbs. Medium-bodied, very refined, refreshing and elegant, it has wonderfully ripe, plush tannins and seamless acidity, finishing long and mineral laced. Loads of aging potential here! 390 cases were made.”
Morlet Family Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, St Helena, Napa Valley 2019 750ml $199 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 96 points “All Cabernet Sauvignon from Luc Morlet’s “home” vineyard, purchased in 2010, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Morlet Estate features elegant, minty accents over a bed of cassis and dark chocolate. It’s medium to full-bodied, rich and velvety yet lacy and savory on the lingering, elegant finish.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Morlet Family Vineyards Passionement Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville 2017 750ml $219 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 96 points “Composed of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 85% of the fruit in this barrel selection wine comes from Beckstoffer’s To Kalon and Missouri Hopper vineyards, while 10% is from the Morlet Estate vineyard in St. Helena, and 5% comes from the Mon Chevalier vineyard in Knights Valley. Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Passionnement gives up wonderfully fragrant notes of wilted roses, candied violets and black cherry compote with a core of crème de cassis, star anise, pencil shavings and unsmoked cigars plus a touch of bouquet garni. Medium to full-bodied, the palate offers impressive energy with a firm, grainy texture and plenty of freshness, finishing long with lots of earthy/mineral layers. Should age beautifully! 270 cases were made.”
Don’t miss our additional sales going on now:
Molitor’s Fully-Sweet Gold Capsule Wines
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of bottles of Molitor’s Gold Capsule wines
10% off any 6+ or more in-stock bottles of Molitor’s Gold Capsule wines
Déhu Champagne
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Benoît Déhu Champagne
10% off any 6+ or more in-stock bottles of Benoît Déhu Champagne
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Molitor’s Gold Capsule sale ends Friday, May 2nd at 9 am Pacific. Déhu sale ends Saturday, May 3rd at 9 am Pacific.