In This Newsletter:
Petrolo
German Vintage Guide: 2017
Grape of the Week: Barbera
Wine As Art:
Petrolo
German Vintage Guide:
2017
“Did the Mosel hit the bull’s eye three times in a row? It seems so. The finest of the 2017 wines are simply amazing … and there is perfection at the top!” -Mosel Fine Wines
Grape of the Week:
Barbera
Shop our nine Barbera selections from Piedmont!
Don’t miss our sales going on now:
Marsannay
5% off any 4-8 in-stock bottles of Marsannay
10% off any 9+ or more in-stock bottles of Marsannay
Carl Loewen
5% off any 4-8 in-stock bottles of Carl Loewen
10% off any 9+ or more in-stock bottles of Carl Loewen
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Marsannay sale ends Friday, August 22nd at 9 am Pacific. Carl Loewen sale ends Saturday, August 23rd at 9 am Pacific.
Petrolo
German Vintage Guide: 2017
Grape of the Week: Barbera
Wine As Art:
Petrolo
In 2011, Italy approved one of Tuscany’s newest appellations: the Val d’Arno di Sopra (also written as Valdarno di Sopra). The quality of the region has been known for centuries: in 1715, a Medici duke decreed it one of only four regions notable for its high-quality wine grapes.
Petrolo is the most notable producer of these wines, drawing inspiration from ancient traditions of their regions and their belief that great wine is “nature as dreamed by man.” Petrolo’s wines provide a wonderful introduction to this undervalued corner of Tuscany due to both their quality, but also thanks to their forward-thinking. Their impressive single-vineyard wine, Bòggina, the wine and the name of the vineyard planted in 1952, is 100% Sangiovese. Not only do they produce classic bottlings, like the Bòggina C, but they also defy convention by fermenting wines from the vineyard in a variety of different ways. The goal is to show off the inherent quality of the terroir as a through-line between the different bottlings.
At the top of the line is their Galatrona, a glorious, single-vineyard Merlot that receives head-turning praise vintage after vintage and is frequently lauded as one of Italy’s finest. Long-admired by Antonio Galloni of Vinous, Monica Larner of the Wine Advocate, Bruce Sanderson of the Wine Spectator, James Suckling, and multiple reviewers at Decanter, Falstaff, the Wine Enthusiast, the Galatrona frequently scores 96-100 points across the board. But don’t expect a high cost to entry, unlike Petrus, to which is it often compared, the Galatrona hovers around $100/bottle.
These soulful wines capture the artistry and history of the region. You can experience the enchanting poetry of the place tonight!
In Stock Now from Petrolo:
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Petrolo Bòggina Anfora Valdarno di Sopra, Tuscany 2014 750ml $39 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 93 points “It’s interesting to taste the 2014 Bòggina Anfora (Bògginanfora), Petrolo’s Sangiovese done in amphora next to the same wine aged in oak. The amphora wine is initially a bit softer and creamier in its contours, but it also offers less development in the glass. Lavender, plum, menthol, sage and sweet herbs lead into the expressive finish. This is another very pretty wine from Petrolo and proprietor Luca Sanjust.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Petrolo Bòggina Classic Riserva Valdarno di Sopra, Tuscany 2019 750ml $79 special, 27 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 97 points “The 2019 Sangiovese Vigna Boggina is fabulous. Bright, gracious and light on its feet, the 2019 oozes class. Crushed red berry fruit, white flowers, mint and orange peel are some of the notes that grace this wonderfully translucent Sangiovese from Petrolo. The 2019 is one of the best wines I have ever tasted here.”
Petrolo Galatrona Valdarno di Sopra, Tuscany 2019 750ml $99 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 97 points “Made with organic Merlot grapes, the Petrolo 2019 Galatrona is soft and luscious, spreading evenly over the palate with elegance and sweeping intensity. The bouquet shows dark fruit, black cherry and sweet prune. Those dark fruit tones are woven into pretty layers of spice, leather and perfumed tobacco. I like the tight, compact, yet fundamentally rich quality that is part of the mouthfeel in this important vintage. This wine could be considered a bit lighter and more ethereal compared to recent past releases, but I found that all the wines in this batch of new releases go in this same direction.”
Petrolo Galatrona Valdarno di Sopra, Tuscany 2020 750ml $99 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 98 points “The 2020 Galatrona is stunning. In fact, the 2020 is one of the best vintages of the Galatrona I can remember tasting. I am especially impressed by its vertical intensity and explosive energy. All the elements are so impeccably woven together. Dark-toned fruit, crushed rocks, menthol, licorice and spice build into the intense, palate-staining finish. The 2018 spent 18-20 months in French oak, about 25% new, with some larger barrels thrown into the mix. Magnificent.”
Petrolo Galatrona Valdarno di Sopra, Tuscany 2021 750ml $112 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 98 points “The 2021 Galatrona is a rich, deep, expansive wine endowed with striking textural depth and structure. Darkfruit, sage, lavender, mocha and grilled herbs are all amplified in this potent Merlot. Readers will have to be patient, as this will need a number of years to be at its finest. A complex, dynamic Galatrona, the 2021 is just superb.”
Petrolo Galatrona Valdarno di Sopra, Tuscany 2022 750ml $112 special, 11 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 100 points “The floral aromas are spellbinding, with aromas of violets, lilacs, orange peel, raspberries, rose petals, and some oranges. It’s medium- to full-bodied with crunchy and open-grain tannins that are creamy and caressing. It’s endless in the finish. Crunchy and energetic. A wine that is thoughtful and gives you such great pleasure. Such purity. It’s like eating perfectly ripened grape must. Pure merlot. Drinkable in many ways, but will come together beautifully. A new reference point for merlot in Italy. Drink after 2028.”
Petrolo is the most notable producer of these wines, drawing inspiration from ancient traditions of their regions and their belief that great wine is “nature as dreamed by man.” Petrolo’s wines provide a wonderful introduction to this undervalued corner of Tuscany due to both their quality, but also thanks to their forward-thinking. Their impressive single-vineyard wine, Bòggina, the wine and the name of the vineyard planted in 1952, is 100% Sangiovese. Not only do they produce classic bottlings, like the Bòggina C, but they also defy convention by fermenting wines from the vineyard in a variety of different ways. The goal is to show off the inherent quality of the terroir as a through-line between the different bottlings.
At the top of the line is their Galatrona, a glorious, single-vineyard Merlot that receives head-turning praise vintage after vintage and is frequently lauded as one of Italy’s finest. Long-admired by Antonio Galloni of Vinous, Monica Larner of the Wine Advocate, Bruce Sanderson of the Wine Spectator, James Suckling, and multiple reviewers at Decanter, Falstaff, the Wine Enthusiast, the Galatrona frequently scores 96-100 points across the board. But don’t expect a high cost to entry, unlike Petrus, to which is it often compared, the Galatrona hovers around $100/bottle.
These soulful wines capture the artistry and history of the region. You can experience the enchanting poetry of the place tonight!
In Stock Now from Petrolo:
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Petrolo Bòggina Anfora Valdarno di Sopra, Tuscany 2014 750ml $39 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 93 points “It’s interesting to taste the 2014 Bòggina Anfora (Bògginanfora), Petrolo’s Sangiovese done in amphora next to the same wine aged in oak. The amphora wine is initially a bit softer and creamier in its contours, but it also offers less development in the glass. Lavender, plum, menthol, sage and sweet herbs lead into the expressive finish. This is another very pretty wine from Petrolo and proprietor Luca Sanjust.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Petrolo Bòggina Classic Riserva Valdarno di Sopra, Tuscany 2019 750ml $79 special, 27 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 97 points “The 2019 Sangiovese Vigna Boggina is fabulous. Bright, gracious and light on its feet, the 2019 oozes class. Crushed red berry fruit, white flowers, mint and orange peel are some of the notes that grace this wonderfully translucent Sangiovese from Petrolo. The 2019 is one of the best wines I have ever tasted here.”
Petrolo Galatrona Valdarno di Sopra, Tuscany 2019 750ml $99 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 97 points “Made with organic Merlot grapes, the Petrolo 2019 Galatrona is soft and luscious, spreading evenly over the palate with elegance and sweeping intensity. The bouquet shows dark fruit, black cherry and sweet prune. Those dark fruit tones are woven into pretty layers of spice, leather and perfumed tobacco. I like the tight, compact, yet fundamentally rich quality that is part of the mouthfeel in this important vintage. This wine could be considered a bit lighter and more ethereal compared to recent past releases, but I found that all the wines in this batch of new releases go in this same direction.”
Petrolo Galatrona Valdarno di Sopra, Tuscany 2020 750ml $99 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 98 points “The 2020 Galatrona is stunning. In fact, the 2020 is one of the best vintages of the Galatrona I can remember tasting. I am especially impressed by its vertical intensity and explosive energy. All the elements are so impeccably woven together. Dark-toned fruit, crushed rocks, menthol, licorice and spice build into the intense, palate-staining finish. The 2018 spent 18-20 months in French oak, about 25% new, with some larger barrels thrown into the mix. Magnificent.”
Petrolo Galatrona Valdarno di Sopra, Tuscany 2021 750ml $112 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 98 points “The 2021 Galatrona is a rich, deep, expansive wine endowed with striking textural depth and structure. Darkfruit, sage, lavender, mocha and grilled herbs are all amplified in this potent Merlot. Readers will have to be patient, as this will need a number of years to be at its finest. A complex, dynamic Galatrona, the 2021 is just superb.”
Petrolo Galatrona Valdarno di Sopra, Tuscany 2022 750ml $112 special, 11 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 100 points “The floral aromas are spellbinding, with aromas of violets, lilacs, orange peel, raspberries, rose petals, and some oranges. It’s medium- to full-bodied with crunchy and open-grain tannins that are creamy and caressing. It’s endless in the finish. Crunchy and energetic. A wine that is thoughtful and gives you such great pleasure. Such purity. It’s like eating perfectly ripened grape must. Pure merlot. Drinkable in many ways, but will come together beautifully. A new reference point for merlot in Italy. Drink after 2028.”
German Vintage Guide:
2017
“Did the Mosel hit the bull’s eye three times in a row? It seems so. The finest of the 2017 wines are simply amazing … and there is perfection at the top!” -Mosel Fine Wines
2017 began and ended as a challenging year for grape growers. Spring frosts decimated the tender shoots, cutting yields an estimated 30-40%, and hail and rain forced growers to carefully sort. Fortunately, the cool temperatures in the fall helped lengthen harvest and reduced disease pressure at critical times. What berries made the cut were exceedingly high in quality with high concentrations of sugar and acidity. The wines will prove long-lived, especially from top estates such as those below.
Find out why Mosel Fine Wines calls this the “small but beautiful” vintage for yourself!
Highlights In Stock Now:
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Dr. Burklin-Wolf Wachenheimer Riesling Trocken, Pfalz 2017 750ml $18 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 92 points “Slightly funky (from wild ferment) but also great citrus, pear and peach aromas. Good concentration for a village wine with quite a linear profile. Very clean finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
These are the only listings in the USA today!
Weingut Korrell ‘Paradies’ Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2017 750ml $49 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Weingut Korrell ‘Paradies’ Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2017 1.5L $99 special, 1 magnum in stock now
Weingut Korrell ‘Paradies’ Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2017 3L $189 special, 1 double-magnum in stock now
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 94 points “Very clean and fresh, but behind the effusive, fruit-salad character that makes this so seductive, there is a lot of structure and the finish keeps pumping out the fruit and chalky minerality. Drink or hold.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Alfred Merkelbach Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Auslese #7, Mosel 2017 750ml $33 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points “The 2017er Ürziger Würzgarten Auslese was harvested at 97° Oechsle. It displays a superbly aromatic, ripe and fruity nose of yellow peach, pineapple, honey, anise and smoke. The wine coats the rather intense palate with juicy yellow and honeyed fruits pepped up by a nice whiff of acidity. The finish is delicately smooth and long. This gorgeous Auslese GK in all but name only needs a decade to blossom. 2027-2047.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Karlsmuhle Kaseler Nies’chen Riesling Auslese Lange Goldkapsel, Mosel 2017 750ml Was $41.90, Now $33 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 93 points “Stand back as this riesling fireball arrives! Full of energy with a dynamic interplay of citrusy acidity and aromatic sweetness, which ranges from peaches and blackcurrants to mint. With more length, this would have been rated even higher. Drink or hold.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Markus Molitor Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Auslese **, Mosel 2017 750ml $54.50 special, 13 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96+ points “Bottled with moderate 11% alcohol, the 2017 Riesling Ürziger Würzgarten Auslese ** (White Capsule) is crystalline and super precise on the clear and flinty nose that exhibits crunchy, iron-rich stone and lime zest aromas. It is lean and fresh but dense and intense on the palate, with ripe, round and concentrated Riesling fruit, some sweetness and refined acidity. This is an elegant, highly finessed and stimulating Würzgarten with a lingering, salty-piquant finish. This wine pairs its moderate alcohol level with great complexity and mineral tension. It’s a fabulous yet still very young Würzgarten of extraordinary class and style. Tasted in March and April 2019.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spatlese #10, Mosel 2017 750ml $59 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 96 points “Overwhelming, but not through raw power and much less through sheer volume. The combination of intensity, vibrancy, succulence and delicacy of this Spätlese must be tasted to be believed. I love the lemon-blossom character in the nose. Drink or hold.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Schafer-Frohlich Bockenauer Felseneck Riesling Spätlese, Nahe 2017 750ml $39 special, 10 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 93 points “Elder flower and peony, ripe quince and white peach on the nose presage a lusciously-fruity and profusely floral inner-mouth performance. The feel is glossy but buoyant. The succulent and superbly-concentrated finish remains transparent to floral nuances as well as revealing a shimmering sense of crystalline and flinty stoniness.”
Schafer-Frohlich Bockenauer Stromberg Grosses Gewächs Riesling, Nahe 2017 750ml $85 special, 4 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 96 points “White peach, gooseberry and lime are laced in the nose with chamomile, peppermint and pennyroyal. Those juxtapositions anticipate the dynamic of ripeness and citricity as well as of soothing and pungently invigorating elements that characterize this entire amazing performance. There is remarkable sheer succulence and intensity of glowingly pit-tinged white peach, zesty lime and crunchy, seedy gooseberry on the surprisingly silken palate. It’s as if concentration of fruit flavors were inversely proportional to the Stromberg’s rocky, virtually topsoil-free surface. But this is not to suggest that mineral flavor elements are short-changed. Far from it! That ‘dark minerality’ that Fröhlich deems can be unpacked as some combination of smoky peat and black tea with stone suffusion and alkaline accents. ‘As ripe as they might get,’ notes Fröhlich, ‘the berries on these old vines never lose their greenish tint or make the transition to deep gold,’ and that is reflected in the vivid freshness and juicy animation of a long, fugal finish that tingles the tongue and tugs at the cheeks. If Bockenau’s virtues went virtually unnoticed until the 21st century, those of today’s Stromberg sites were almost completely unknown until Schäfer-Fröhlich produced their first, vintage 2012 Grosses Gewächs showcasing them. ‘When we had to demonstrate to the VDP with historical evidence that this site was Grosses Gewächs-worthy,’ relates Fröhlich, ‘we uncorked a [nearly-dry] 1957 Spätlese from my grandfather that was unbelievably fresh and fine.’”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Schatzel Nierstein Riesling Kabinett, Rheinhessen 2017 750ml $29 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Decanter 92 points “This Riesling, from red slate soil on ultra-steep, south-facing slopes, ferments and matures in a 670-year-old cellar to produce a floral, fresh and pure vineyard wine, with just 7.5% abv, the 42g/l sugar and 11.5g/l acidity in perfect balance. Quite lovely.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Schätzel Ölberg Riesling Grosses Gewächs, Rheinhessen 2017 750ml $49 special, 7 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 94 points “At 11.5% alcohol, this mid-August bottling leads with hauntingly musky, bittersweet suggestions of iris, peony and narcissus, allied to whiffs of lemon and tangerine. The silken palate brims with peach and citrus, billowing with persistent floral perfume and proving strikingly transparent to the mineral nuances that supply smoky, stony and mouthwateringly saline complexity to a vibrant, delicate, umami-laden and sensationally persistent finish. Schätzel attributes his Ölberg’s animation and sheer juiciness and its immediate appeal to the fact that this site is relatively well-watered and moisture-retentive in comparison with other portions of Nierstein and Nackenheim’s famed Roter Hang.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Thorle Saulheimer Holle Riesling, Rheinhessen 2017 750ml $33 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 96 points “Still youthful, but this has a complex stone-fruit nose. Concentrated and racy with great energy at the very long, chalky finish. Great aging potential. Drink or hold.”
Find out why Mosel Fine Wines calls this the “small but beautiful” vintage for yourself!
Highlights In Stock Now:
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Dr. Burklin-Wolf Wachenheimer Riesling Trocken, Pfalz 2017 750ml $18 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 92 points “Slightly funky (from wild ferment) but also great citrus, pear and peach aromas. Good concentration for a village wine with quite a linear profile. Very clean finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
These are the only listings in the USA today!
Weingut Korrell ‘Paradies’ Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2017 750ml $49 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Weingut Korrell ‘Paradies’ Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2017 1.5L $99 special, 1 magnum in stock now
Weingut Korrell ‘Paradies’ Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2017 3L $189 special, 1 double-magnum in stock now
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 94 points “Very clean and fresh, but behind the effusive, fruit-salad character that makes this so seductive, there is a lot of structure and the finish keeps pumping out the fruit and chalky minerality. Drink or hold.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Alfred Merkelbach Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Auslese #7, Mosel 2017 750ml $33 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points “The 2017er Ürziger Würzgarten Auslese was harvested at 97° Oechsle. It displays a superbly aromatic, ripe and fruity nose of yellow peach, pineapple, honey, anise and smoke. The wine coats the rather intense palate with juicy yellow and honeyed fruits pepped up by a nice whiff of acidity. The finish is delicately smooth and long. This gorgeous Auslese GK in all but name only needs a decade to blossom. 2027-2047.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Karlsmuhle Kaseler Nies’chen Riesling Auslese Lange Goldkapsel, Mosel 2017 750ml Was $41.90, Now $33 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 93 points “Stand back as this riesling fireball arrives! Full of energy with a dynamic interplay of citrusy acidity and aromatic sweetness, which ranges from peaches and blackcurrants to mint. With more length, this would have been rated even higher. Drink or hold.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Markus Molitor Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Auslese **, Mosel 2017 750ml $54.50 special, 13 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96+ points “Bottled with moderate 11% alcohol, the 2017 Riesling Ürziger Würzgarten Auslese ** (White Capsule) is crystalline and super precise on the clear and flinty nose that exhibits crunchy, iron-rich stone and lime zest aromas. It is lean and fresh but dense and intense on the palate, with ripe, round and concentrated Riesling fruit, some sweetness and refined acidity. This is an elegant, highly finessed and stimulating Würzgarten with a lingering, salty-piquant finish. This wine pairs its moderate alcohol level with great complexity and mineral tension. It’s a fabulous yet still very young Würzgarten of extraordinary class and style. Tasted in March and April 2019.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spatlese #10, Mosel 2017 750ml $59 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 96 points “Overwhelming, but not through raw power and much less through sheer volume. The combination of intensity, vibrancy, succulence and delicacy of this Spätlese must be tasted to be believed. I love the lemon-blossom character in the nose. Drink or hold.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Schafer-Frohlich Bockenauer Felseneck Riesling Spätlese, Nahe 2017 750ml $39 special, 10 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 93 points “Elder flower and peony, ripe quince and white peach on the nose presage a lusciously-fruity and profusely floral inner-mouth performance. The feel is glossy but buoyant. The succulent and superbly-concentrated finish remains transparent to floral nuances as well as revealing a shimmering sense of crystalline and flinty stoniness.”
Schafer-Frohlich Bockenauer Stromberg Grosses Gewächs Riesling, Nahe 2017 750ml $85 special, 4 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 96 points “White peach, gooseberry and lime are laced in the nose with chamomile, peppermint and pennyroyal. Those juxtapositions anticipate the dynamic of ripeness and citricity as well as of soothing and pungently invigorating elements that characterize this entire amazing performance. There is remarkable sheer succulence and intensity of glowingly pit-tinged white peach, zesty lime and crunchy, seedy gooseberry on the surprisingly silken palate. It’s as if concentration of fruit flavors were inversely proportional to the Stromberg’s rocky, virtually topsoil-free surface. But this is not to suggest that mineral flavor elements are short-changed. Far from it! That ‘dark minerality’ that Fröhlich deems can be unpacked as some combination of smoky peat and black tea with stone suffusion and alkaline accents. ‘As ripe as they might get,’ notes Fröhlich, ‘the berries on these old vines never lose their greenish tint or make the transition to deep gold,’ and that is reflected in the vivid freshness and juicy animation of a long, fugal finish that tingles the tongue and tugs at the cheeks. If Bockenau’s virtues went virtually unnoticed until the 21st century, those of today’s Stromberg sites were almost completely unknown until Schäfer-Fröhlich produced their first, vintage 2012 Grosses Gewächs showcasing them. ‘When we had to demonstrate to the VDP with historical evidence that this site was Grosses Gewächs-worthy,’ relates Fröhlich, ‘we uncorked a [nearly-dry] 1957 Spätlese from my grandfather that was unbelievably fresh and fine.’”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Schatzel Nierstein Riesling Kabinett, Rheinhessen 2017 750ml $29 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Decanter 92 points “This Riesling, from red slate soil on ultra-steep, south-facing slopes, ferments and matures in a 670-year-old cellar to produce a floral, fresh and pure vineyard wine, with just 7.5% abv, the 42g/l sugar and 11.5g/l acidity in perfect balance. Quite lovely.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Schätzel Ölberg Riesling Grosses Gewächs, Rheinhessen 2017 750ml $49 special, 7 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 94 points “At 11.5% alcohol, this mid-August bottling leads with hauntingly musky, bittersweet suggestions of iris, peony and narcissus, allied to whiffs of lemon and tangerine. The silken palate brims with peach and citrus, billowing with persistent floral perfume and proving strikingly transparent to the mineral nuances that supply smoky, stony and mouthwateringly saline complexity to a vibrant, delicate, umami-laden and sensationally persistent finish. Schätzel attributes his Ölberg’s animation and sheer juiciness and its immediate appeal to the fact that this site is relatively well-watered and moisture-retentive in comparison with other portions of Nierstein and Nackenheim’s famed Roter Hang.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Thorle Saulheimer Holle Riesling, Rheinhessen 2017 750ml $33 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 96 points “Still youthful, but this has a complex stone-fruit nose. Concentrated and racy with great energy at the very long, chalky finish. Great aging potential. Drink or hold.”
Grape of the Week:
Barbera
Barbera deserves more respect. Often overlooked for Nebbiolo, Barbera is a more food-friendly, easier-drinking, less expensive, and makes a more immediately drinkable wine. What’s not to love? It can range in style from Pinot Noir-light with red cherry and pink floral notes to Cabernet Sauvignon-bold with notes of dried plums and autumn leaves, depending upon the vintage and producer. With gentle tannins and bright acidity, it loves being shared amongst friends alongside a good pizza or pasta dish. Shop some of our favorites below!
In Stock Now:
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Bruna Grimaldi ‘Scassa’ Barbera d’Alba Superiore 2022 750ml $21.90 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 90 points “A mix of fruit and floral elements, this Barbera is perfumed and expressive. Raspberry, cherry, rose and violet notes pervade its elegant frame. Charming, harmonious and long. Drink now. 2,000 cases made, 500 cases imported.”
Cappellano Gabutti Barbera d’Alba 2021 750ml $59 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous “(Many years ago Baldo Cappellano asked me not to score his wines, so all Cappellano wines show up on our database as NR.) The 2021 Barbera d’Alba marries juicy dark fruit with quite a bit of supporting structure. Black cherry, gravel, menthol, licorice, spice and mocha build nicely. The 2021 is deep and mysterious, but also a bit rustic in its contours, with less finesse than is typical of the estate Barbera here. Many years ago Baldo Cappellano asked me not to score his wines, so all Cappellano wines show.”
G.D. Vajra Barbera d’Alba 2023 750ml $21.90 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 90 points “The 2023 Barbera d’Alba is packed with succulent dark red fruit. Plush, silky contours add to its immediacy and overall appeal. Plum, mocha and cedar build into the soft, succulent finish.”
G.D. Vajra Viola delle Viole Barbera d’Alba Superiore 2021 750ml $31.50 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 93+ points “Just bottled, the 2021 Barbera d’Alba Superiore is fabulous. Rich and inky, with tremendous depth, the 2021 is so vibrant in the glass. Red/purplish fruit, lavender, sweet spice and mocha are all dialed up, with a kiss of French oak that adds raciness.”
Giacomo Conterno Cerretta Barbera d’Alba 2022 750ml $89 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94 points “The 2022 Barbera d’Alba Vigna Cerretta is superb. Dark, ample and expressive, the 2022 is irresistible. Succulent black cherry, lavender, menthol, licorice, hard candy and new leather fill out the layers. This really blossoms nicely in the glass, showing the best this tricky vintage had to offer.”
Giacomo Conterno Vigna Francia Barbera d’Alba 2022 750ml $85 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 92+ points “The 2022 Barbera d’Alba Vigna Francia is a delicate, understated wine, surprisingly so in this intensely warm, dry year. Sweet red-toned cherry/plum fruit, blood orange and oral top notes are beautifully delineated. Silky tannins wrap it all together in style. I expected to see a more opulent Barbera here. Instead, the 2022 is a bit compact today. That may serve it well over the coming years, hence my optimism about its future prospects.”
Giuseppe Mascarello e Figlio Scudetto Barbera d’Alba Superiore 2021 750ml $59 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “Vineyard: Scudetto® is downside the Chapel of Santo Stefano of Perno, in the commune of Monforte d’Alba (CN). Grape Harvest: Beginning of October. Wine-making process: Traditional-style, floating cap fermentation of estate-grown grapes for 15/20 days. The wine is then matured in medium-sized oak barrels for few months or sometimes stabilized in inert tank. Expected cellar life: 10/15 years. Bottling: After three years following the vintage. Tasting notes: Colour: deep ruby-red, tending to purplish; Nose: fruity aroma of ripe grapes, intense, varietal; Taste: powerful stuffing and excellent body, well-balanced, varietal character.”
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Bruna Grimaldi ‘Scassa’ Barbera d’Alba Superiore 2022 750ml $21.90 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 90 points “A mix of fruit and floral elements, this Barbera is perfumed and expressive. Raspberry, cherry, rose and violet notes pervade its elegant frame. Charming, harmonious and long. Drink now. 2,000 cases made, 500 cases imported.”
Cappellano Gabutti Barbera d’Alba 2021 750ml $59 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous “(Many years ago Baldo Cappellano asked me not to score his wines, so all Cappellano wines show up on our database as NR.) The 2021 Barbera d’Alba marries juicy dark fruit with quite a bit of supporting structure. Black cherry, gravel, menthol, licorice, spice and mocha build nicely. The 2021 is deep and mysterious, but also a bit rustic in its contours, with less finesse than is typical of the estate Barbera here. Many years ago Baldo Cappellano asked me not to score his wines, so all Cappellano wines show.”
G.D. Vajra Barbera d’Alba 2023 750ml $21.90 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 90 points “The 2023 Barbera d’Alba is packed with succulent dark red fruit. Plush, silky contours add to its immediacy and overall appeal. Plum, mocha and cedar build into the soft, succulent finish.”
G.D. Vajra Viola delle Viole Barbera d’Alba Superiore 2021 750ml $31.50 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 93+ points “Just bottled, the 2021 Barbera d’Alba Superiore is fabulous. Rich and inky, with tremendous depth, the 2021 is so vibrant in the glass. Red/purplish fruit, lavender, sweet spice and mocha are all dialed up, with a kiss of French oak that adds raciness.”
Giacomo Conterno Cerretta Barbera d’Alba 2022 750ml $89 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94 points “The 2022 Barbera d’Alba Vigna Cerretta is superb. Dark, ample and expressive, the 2022 is irresistible. Succulent black cherry, lavender, menthol, licorice, hard candy and new leather fill out the layers. This really blossoms nicely in the glass, showing the best this tricky vintage had to offer.”
Giacomo Conterno Vigna Francia Barbera d’Alba 2022 750ml $85 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 92+ points “The 2022 Barbera d’Alba Vigna Francia is a delicate, understated wine, surprisingly so in this intensely warm, dry year. Sweet red-toned cherry/plum fruit, blood orange and oral top notes are beautifully delineated. Silky tannins wrap it all together in style. I expected to see a more opulent Barbera here. Instead, the 2022 is a bit compact today. That may serve it well over the coming years, hence my optimism about its future prospects.”
Giuseppe Mascarello e Figlio Scudetto Barbera d’Alba Superiore 2021 750ml $59 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “Vineyard: Scudetto® is downside the Chapel of Santo Stefano of Perno, in the commune of Monforte d’Alba (CN). Grape Harvest: Beginning of October. Wine-making process: Traditional-style, floating cap fermentation of estate-grown grapes for 15/20 days. The wine is then matured in medium-sized oak barrels for few months or sometimes stabilized in inert tank. Expected cellar life: 10/15 years. Bottling: After three years following the vintage. Tasting notes: Colour: deep ruby-red, tending to purplish; Nose: fruity aroma of ripe grapes, intense, varietal; Taste: powerful stuffing and excellent body, well-balanced, varietal character.”
Shop our nine Barbera selections from Piedmont!
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Marsannay
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Marsannay sale ends Friday, August 22nd at 9 am Pacific. Carl Loewen sale ends Saturday, August 23rd at 9 am Pacific.