In This Newsletter:
Sicily
Trending Burgundy Whites
Grape of the Week: Zinfandel
Multitude of Magnums: German Edition
Sicily
Shop our twenty-five Sicilian selections now!
#Trending Burgundy Whites
Grape of the Week:
Zinfandel
Shop our seventeen in-stock California Zinfandel selections now!
Multitude of Magnums:
German Edition
Don’t miss our sales going on now:
Cayuse
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Cayuse
10% off any 6+ or more in-stock bottles of Cayuse
California Pinot Noir
5% off any 4-7 in-stock bottles of California Pinot Noir
10% off any 8+ or more in-stock bottles of California Pinot Noir
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Cayuse sale ends Friday, August 28th at 9 am Pacific. California Pinot Noir sale ends Saturday, August 29th at 9 am Pacific.
Sicily
Trending Burgundy Whites
Grape of the Week: Zinfandel
Multitude of Magnums: German Edition
Sicily
The Italian island of Sicily seems to have it all when it comes to wine: fun and fruity Frappato, serious Nero d’Avola that livens up with its aforementioned cousin, volcanic-influenced Nerellos from the perilous slopes of Mount Etna, iconic dessert wines, and that’s just the reds! With the recent, island-wide push for quality all across the price spectrum, there has never been a better time to explore these wines.
In Stock Now from Sicily:
Tenuta delle Terre Nere Etna Bianco 2024 750ml $31.90 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 90 points “A whiff of lemon oil mixes with sweet mint and crushed rocks as the 2024 Etna Bianco opens in the glass. This is juicy and playful in feel with ripe melon and a cascade of inner florals that swirl throughout. It leaves a salty sensation and nuances of candied citrus on the wickedly fresh finish.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Calabretta Nerello Cappuccio Terre Siciliane IGT 2019 750ml $33 special, 13 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 89 points “The 2019 Nerello Cappuccio is incredibly pretty, with a bouquet of musky cherry and raspberry complemented by stemmed roses and flowery undergrowth. This is silky yet lifted, leaning more toward the savory spectrum on the palate, as woodland berries mingle with saline-minerals under an air of inner florals. It’s a bit shorter than anticipated yet fresh, leaving nuances of waxy red fruits.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Cusumano Nero d’Avola Terre Siciliane IGT 2021 750ml $14.50 special, 24 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 90 points “A fruity nero d’avola with typical dark cherries, black plums and blackberry fruit. Juicy and round on the palate with a medium body and supple tannins. Easy, fruity finish with bright acidity. Drink now. Glass stopper.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Cusumano Alta Mora ‘Guardiola’ Etna Rosso 2014 750ml $59 special, 8 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “The crystal-clear nose of jasmine, slate, quartz, wild strawberries, blueberries and tons of orange rind, not to mention chocolate shavings and walnuts, is stunning. The full-bodied palate is expansive and fruit-forward yet so minerally and uplifted by a fresh line of acidity that culminates in a long finish. Tight and refined in terms of tannin texture. So good now but better in 2019.”
Arianna Occhipinti Il Frappato Terre Siciliane IGT 2023 750ml $54.50 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Arianna Occhipinti Il Frappato Terre Siciliane IGT 2023 1.5L $109 special, 3 magnums in stock now
Decanter 93 points “You can feel all of Arianna Occhipinti’s tremendous energy and passion in her wines. The 2023 Il Frappato marks the 20th vintage of this landmark wine for the region. A dark cherry fragrance predominates, while the tight and bright palate is wound around a sapid core with gentle phenolic grip, balanced by breezy herbs and a hint of strawberry on the finish. Pure class. Organic.”
Arianna Occhipinti SP68 Sicilia Rosso IGT 2024 750ml $33 special, 34 bottles in stock now
(No reviews for the 2024 vintage. 2023 review provided for reference)
Eric Guido-Vinous 91 points “The 2023 Rosso SP68 is pretty and perfumed, with a blend of crushed roses and violets accentuating blackberries, white smoke and wet stones. It washes across the palate with a liquid floral concentration and tart wild berry fruits, all guided by a core of brisk acidity. The 2023 leaves the mouth salivating as a tart cranberry crunchiness resonates and hints of blood orange slowly fade. resonates and hints of blood orange slowly fade. “
Tenuta delle Terre Nere ‘Bellacolonna’ 20th Anniversary Calderara Sottana Rosso Etna 2022 750ml $44.50 special, 20 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points ‘This is a special bottling for the 20th anniversary of the estate. It has depth and intensity with a medium to full body, a creamy stone and basalt texture, red fruits and a mushroom and bark undertone. The linear, vivid finish goes on and on. Needs time to open. Be patient.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Tenuta delle Terre Nere ‘San Lorenzo’ Etna Rosso 2023 750ml $69 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 97 points “The 2023 Etna Rosso San Lorenzo is surprisingly rich and spicy in this vintage. Cloves and cinnamon sticks combine with hints of cherry sauce and blood orange. This is elegant in style, with seamlessly silken textures and depths of ripe red berry fruits that saturate the palate in primary concentration. Powerful and potent, the 2023 finishes with extreme length and a staining of liquid lavender that lingers for well over a minute. The 2023 is unlike any San Lorenzo I’ve yet tasted. This has unbelievable depth.”
Tenuta delle Terre Nere Prephylloxera ‘La Vigna di Don Peppino’ Calderara Sottana Rosso Etna 2022 750ml $165 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 96 points “Darkly alluring and youthfully backward, the 2022 Etna Rosso Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino Calderara Sottana smolders up with a blend of sweet spices, dusty violets and ash, giving way to dried black cherries, sage and cloves. This is velvety yet finessed, with a polished wave of ripe red and blue fruit that flows across a juicy stream of acidity. Hints of sour citrus add contrast toward the close. It finishes remarkably fresh and energetic, still tannic but lively, as crunchy tannins resonate and an air of lavender slowly fades. This is an elegant and genuinely harmonious edition of this cuvée. Simply stunning.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Feudo Montoni Passito Rosso Terre Siciliane IGT NV 375ml $39 special, 18 half-bottles in stock now
Ian D’Agata-Vinous 94 points “Bright deep red with an orange rim. The nose really opens with aeration to offer sweet red plum, dehydrated red cherry, cinnamon and raisins. Then similar flavors to the aromas lifted by juicy, harmonious acidity. Finishes very long and suave with saline nuances and repeating notes of raisins. Lovely, light on its feet dessert wine that seems less sweet than it really is thanks to its piercing acidity. One of the best sweet wines I have tasted so far this year. This is a blend of air-dried Nero d’Avola and Perricone aged in wood barrels for seven months and then twelve months in bottle prior to going on sale.”
In Stock Now from Sicily:
Tenuta delle Terre Nere Etna Bianco 2024 750ml $31.90 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 90 points “A whiff of lemon oil mixes with sweet mint and crushed rocks as the 2024 Etna Bianco opens in the glass. This is juicy and playful in feel with ripe melon and a cascade of inner florals that swirl throughout. It leaves a salty sensation and nuances of candied citrus on the wickedly fresh finish.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Calabretta Nerello Cappuccio Terre Siciliane IGT 2019 750ml $33 special, 13 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 89 points “The 2019 Nerello Cappuccio is incredibly pretty, with a bouquet of musky cherry and raspberry complemented by stemmed roses and flowery undergrowth. This is silky yet lifted, leaning more toward the savory spectrum on the palate, as woodland berries mingle with saline-minerals under an air of inner florals. It’s a bit shorter than anticipated yet fresh, leaving nuances of waxy red fruits.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Cusumano Nero d’Avola Terre Siciliane IGT 2021 750ml $14.50 special, 24 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 90 points “A fruity nero d’avola with typical dark cherries, black plums and blackberry fruit. Juicy and round on the palate with a medium body and supple tannins. Easy, fruity finish with bright acidity. Drink now. Glass stopper.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Cusumano Alta Mora ‘Guardiola’ Etna Rosso 2014 750ml $59 special, 8 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “The crystal-clear nose of jasmine, slate, quartz, wild strawberries, blueberries and tons of orange rind, not to mention chocolate shavings and walnuts, is stunning. The full-bodied palate is expansive and fruit-forward yet so minerally and uplifted by a fresh line of acidity that culminates in a long finish. Tight and refined in terms of tannin texture. So good now but better in 2019.”
Arianna Occhipinti Il Frappato Terre Siciliane IGT 2023 750ml $54.50 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Arianna Occhipinti Il Frappato Terre Siciliane IGT 2023 1.5L $109 special, 3 magnums in stock now
Decanter 93 points “You can feel all of Arianna Occhipinti’s tremendous energy and passion in her wines. The 2023 Il Frappato marks the 20th vintage of this landmark wine for the region. A dark cherry fragrance predominates, while the tight and bright palate is wound around a sapid core with gentle phenolic grip, balanced by breezy herbs and a hint of strawberry on the finish. Pure class. Organic.”
Arianna Occhipinti SP68 Sicilia Rosso IGT 2024 750ml $33 special, 34 bottles in stock now
(No reviews for the 2024 vintage. 2023 review provided for reference)
Eric Guido-Vinous 91 points “The 2023 Rosso SP68 is pretty and perfumed, with a blend of crushed roses and violets accentuating blackberries, white smoke and wet stones. It washes across the palate with a liquid floral concentration and tart wild berry fruits, all guided by a core of brisk acidity. The 2023 leaves the mouth salivating as a tart cranberry crunchiness resonates and hints of blood orange slowly fade. resonates and hints of blood orange slowly fade. “
Tenuta delle Terre Nere ‘Bellacolonna’ 20th Anniversary Calderara Sottana Rosso Etna 2022 750ml $44.50 special, 20 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points ‘This is a special bottling for the 20th anniversary of the estate. It has depth and intensity with a medium to full body, a creamy stone and basalt texture, red fruits and a mushroom and bark undertone. The linear, vivid finish goes on and on. Needs time to open. Be patient.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Tenuta delle Terre Nere ‘San Lorenzo’ Etna Rosso 2023 750ml $69 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 97 points “The 2023 Etna Rosso San Lorenzo is surprisingly rich and spicy in this vintage. Cloves and cinnamon sticks combine with hints of cherry sauce and blood orange. This is elegant in style, with seamlessly silken textures and depths of ripe red berry fruits that saturate the palate in primary concentration. Powerful and potent, the 2023 finishes with extreme length and a staining of liquid lavender that lingers for well over a minute. The 2023 is unlike any San Lorenzo I’ve yet tasted. This has unbelievable depth.”
Tenuta delle Terre Nere Prephylloxera ‘La Vigna di Don Peppino’ Calderara Sottana Rosso Etna 2022 750ml $165 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 96 points “Darkly alluring and youthfully backward, the 2022 Etna Rosso Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino Calderara Sottana smolders up with a blend of sweet spices, dusty violets and ash, giving way to dried black cherries, sage and cloves. This is velvety yet finessed, with a polished wave of ripe red and blue fruit that flows across a juicy stream of acidity. Hints of sour citrus add contrast toward the close. It finishes remarkably fresh and energetic, still tannic but lively, as crunchy tannins resonate and an air of lavender slowly fades. This is an elegant and genuinely harmonious edition of this cuvée. Simply stunning.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Feudo Montoni Passito Rosso Terre Siciliane IGT NV 375ml $39 special, 18 half-bottles in stock now
Ian D’Agata-Vinous 94 points “Bright deep red with an orange rim. The nose really opens with aeration to offer sweet red plum, dehydrated red cherry, cinnamon and raisins. Then similar flavors to the aromas lifted by juicy, harmonious acidity. Finishes very long and suave with saline nuances and repeating notes of raisins. Lovely, light on its feet dessert wine that seems less sweet than it really is thanks to its piercing acidity. One of the best sweet wines I have tasted so far this year. This is a blend of air-dried Nero d’Avola and Perricone aged in wood barrels for seven months and then twelve months in bottle prior to going on sale.”
Shop our twenty-five Sicilian selections now!
#Trending Burgundy Whites
In Stock Now:
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Albert Bichot Domaine Long-Depaquit Bougros, Chablis Grand Cru 2019 750ml $89 special, 7 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93-94 points “Super fragrant and attractively ripe peach aromas with a very lively and pure attitude. The palate offers such attractive and succulent ripe peaches and a sleeve of lemon, piercing right through to the long, fresh finish. Drink over the next five years.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Domaine Daniel-Etienne Defaix Chablis Vieilles Vignes 2021 750ml $39 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “This cuvée is sourced from vines the age of which is between 45 and 70 years. A wine of exceptional concentration for a village level appellation, this wine is always a true expression of the kimmeridgian soils that make Chablis so distinctive. Aged for thirty months before release, Defaix’s old vines Chablis is richly dense with a classic “pierre a fusil” bouquet and long mineral-infused finish.”
Domaine des Heritiers du Comte Lafon Viré-Clessé 2023 750ml $54.50 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 90 points “The 2023 Viré-Clessé has a lively bouquet with more yellow fruit than the other cuvées and touches of beeswax that develop in the glass. The palate is poised on the entry, lightly spiced with impressive harmony, a “fluid” Viré-Clessé with a persistent finish. A notch above the 2022.”
Top 100 Wine – Wine Spectator
Joseph Drouhin Saint-Veran 2022 750ml $26.50 special, 30 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 91 points “Peach and melon fruit is offset by a bitter citrus note in this tense, well-structured white. An intense version, with hints of wild herbs and a stony feel on the finish. Drink now through 2028. 3,000 cases imported.”
Jean-Philippe Fichet Meursault 2022 750ml $99 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 90 points “The 2022 Meursault Village has a lively struck flint- and petrichor-tinged bouquet, demonstrating good vigor—quite Puligny-like in style. The palate is fresh on the entry with just a touch of mint. There’s fine extract here, with ample weight and a pleasant, waxy texture on the finish. Recommended. Tasted at merchants’ 2022 Burgundy tastings in London.”
Domaine Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc 2021 750ml $149 special, 13 bottles in stock now
Burghound 87-90 points “A deft but still easily perceptible dollop of wood sets off cool, airy and attractively fresh aromas of various white orchard fruit and just sliced lemon. There is excellent volume to the medium-bodied and sappy flavors that coat the palate with dry extract on the beautifully long, balanced, dry and complex finale. This is an excellent and ageworthy Bourgogne and worth checking out.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Bourgogne Chardonnay 2023 750ml $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
“The 2023 Bourgogne Chardonnay comes from two parcels in Chassagne and Puligny-Montrachet, aged in 5-10% new oak. This is quite punchy on the nose, with touches of lanolin tincturing the citrus fruit. The palate is well balanced and lightly spiced with a keen bead of acidity, fine depth and a hint of honey on the finish. This is a delightful regional white from Damien and Caroline Colin for early consumption.” -Neal Martin, Vinous
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Pinson Freres Mont de Milieu, Chablis Premier Cru 2021 750ml $56.50 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 91 points “The 2021 Chablis Mont de Milieu 1er Cru is the largest cuvée from Pinson thanks to their 4.5-hectares of vines planted between 18 and 40 years ago. Fermented in 10% new oak and then aged in barrel, it has an expressive bouquet, outlined with lemon peel, clementine and light pear aromas. The palate is well-defined with a crisp line of acidity, taut and fresh with a saline finish, I would just like a little more persistence to develop during its élevage. Fine.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Vocoret et Fils Blanchot, Chablis Grand Cru 2022 750ml $79 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “Floral, dense and infused with white flowers and minerality. Ripe and warming tones come from this intensely fused, generous on the palate.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Vincent Girardin Quintessence de Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2017 750ml $219 special, 20 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93+ points “The 2017 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru Quintessence de Corton-Charlemagne was one of the most introverted wines in the range when I revisited it from bottle, unwinding to reveal scents of pear, white flowers, confit citrus and a delicate top note of petrol. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, ample and satiny, with a deep and intensely concentrated core, but it’s still very reserved after its recent bottling. Some patience will be in order here, though at maturity, I’m sure my score will look conservative.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Albert Bichot Domaine Long-Depaquit Bougros, Chablis Grand Cru 2019 750ml $89 special, 7 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93-94 points “Super fragrant and attractively ripe peach aromas with a very lively and pure attitude. The palate offers such attractive and succulent ripe peaches and a sleeve of lemon, piercing right through to the long, fresh finish. Drink over the next five years.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Domaine Daniel-Etienne Defaix Chablis Vieilles Vignes 2021 750ml $39 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “This cuvée is sourced from vines the age of which is between 45 and 70 years. A wine of exceptional concentration for a village level appellation, this wine is always a true expression of the kimmeridgian soils that make Chablis so distinctive. Aged for thirty months before release, Defaix’s old vines Chablis is richly dense with a classic “pierre a fusil” bouquet and long mineral-infused finish.”
Domaine des Heritiers du Comte Lafon Viré-Clessé 2023 750ml $54.50 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 90 points “The 2023 Viré-Clessé has a lively bouquet with more yellow fruit than the other cuvées and touches of beeswax that develop in the glass. The palate is poised on the entry, lightly spiced with impressive harmony, a “fluid” Viré-Clessé with a persistent finish. A notch above the 2022.”
Top 100 Wine – Wine Spectator
Joseph Drouhin Saint-Veran 2022 750ml $26.50 special, 30 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 91 points “Peach and melon fruit is offset by a bitter citrus note in this tense, well-structured white. An intense version, with hints of wild herbs and a stony feel on the finish. Drink now through 2028. 3,000 cases imported.”
Jean-Philippe Fichet Meursault 2022 750ml $99 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 90 points “The 2022 Meursault Village has a lively struck flint- and petrichor-tinged bouquet, demonstrating good vigor—quite Puligny-like in style. The palate is fresh on the entry with just a touch of mint. There’s fine extract here, with ample weight and a pleasant, waxy texture on the finish. Recommended. Tasted at merchants’ 2022 Burgundy tastings in London.”
Domaine Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc 2021 750ml $149 special, 13 bottles in stock now
Burghound 87-90 points “A deft but still easily perceptible dollop of wood sets off cool, airy and attractively fresh aromas of various white orchard fruit and just sliced lemon. There is excellent volume to the medium-bodied and sappy flavors that coat the palate with dry extract on the beautifully long, balanced, dry and complex finale. This is an excellent and ageworthy Bourgogne and worth checking out.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Bourgogne Chardonnay 2023 750ml $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
“The 2023 Bourgogne Chardonnay comes from two parcels in Chassagne and Puligny-Montrachet, aged in 5-10% new oak. This is quite punchy on the nose, with touches of lanolin tincturing the citrus fruit. The palate is well balanced and lightly spiced with a keen bead of acidity, fine depth and a hint of honey on the finish. This is a delightful regional white from Damien and Caroline Colin for early consumption.” -Neal Martin, Vinous
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Pinson Freres Mont de Milieu, Chablis Premier Cru 2021 750ml $56.50 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 91 points “The 2021 Chablis Mont de Milieu 1er Cru is the largest cuvée from Pinson thanks to their 4.5-hectares of vines planted between 18 and 40 years ago. Fermented in 10% new oak and then aged in barrel, it has an expressive bouquet, outlined with lemon peel, clementine and light pear aromas. The palate is well-defined with a crisp line of acidity, taut and fresh with a saline finish, I would just like a little more persistence to develop during its élevage. Fine.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Vocoret et Fils Blanchot, Chablis Grand Cru 2022 750ml $79 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “Floral, dense and infused with white flowers and minerality. Ripe and warming tones come from this intensely fused, generous on the palate.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Vincent Girardin Quintessence de Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2017 750ml $219 special, 20 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93+ points “The 2017 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru Quintessence de Corton-Charlemagne was one of the most introverted wines in the range when I revisited it from bottle, unwinding to reveal scents of pear, white flowers, confit citrus and a delicate top note of petrol. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, ample and satiny, with a deep and intensely concentrated core, but it’s still very reserved after its recent bottling. Some patience will be in order here, though at maturity, I’m sure my score will look conservative.”
Grape of the Week:
Zinfandel
Red Zinfandels are hearty wines packed with spicy flavor and jammy fruit. The grape might as well be considered a Californian variety – it certainly boasts an impressive number of old and ancient vines. Plantings date back over 150 years, with some ancient vines still in production. Additional plantings began in earnest in the 1970s when an off-dry rosé style known as “blush” or “white Zinfandel” exploded in popularity.
We have those 1970s plantings to thank for why dry red Zins are so delicious yet still affordable. Dozens of these heritage sites are still producing, preventing scarcity from inflating prices. Those roughly 50-year-old vines offer concentration and complexity not found in young vine plantings.
In Stock Now:
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Marietta Cellars Angeli Estate Grown Zinfandel, Alexander Valley 2022 750ml $39.50 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2022 Angeli Zinfandel is bursting with scents of graham cracker, briar berries, violet, wild thyme and slowly emerging foresty undertones. The full-bodied palate is packed to the brim with ripe, juicy berry fruit. It has a pleasant touch of chew to its tannins to support its generous fruit, and it has a long, gently warm finish. 900 cases produced.”
Marietta Cellars OVR Old Vine Ranch Lot 75 Red NV 750ml $19 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 91 points “The NV Old Vine Red Lot 75 has a medium ruby-purple color is scented of red and black plums, raspberry candy, powdered sugar, prosciutto and floral potpourri. The medium-bodied palate is rounded and bright with understated, earth-laced fruit and a softly spicy finish. That herbal edge and juicy acidity make this wonderfully easy to drink! 25,000 cases produced.”
Marietta Cellars ‘Roman’ Estate Grown Zinfandel, North Coast 2022 750ml $24 special, 30 bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2022 Román Zinfandel is a blend of 93% Zinfandel, 4% Barbera, 3% Petite Sirah. It has pure, layered scents of apricot, graham cracker, raspberry jam, mossy bark and spice. The palate is light-bodied, soft and juicy with a core of nuanced berry fruit and a mouthwatering, perfumed finish. This is ideal for spicy food! 2,000 cases produced.”
Ridge Vineyards East Bench Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley 2023 750ml $38 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “A 100% Zin from a single-vineyard estate of organically grown grapes in iron-rich soils, the 2023 Zinfandel East Bench is one of the producer’s only 100% Zins, and it is special at that, with mind-blowing structure. Medium-bodied and remarkably light on its feet, it has classic brambly berry fruit, dusty tannins, and seasonings of baking spice, a fantastically elegant representation of the appellation when in the right hands. Enjoy now through 2033.”
Turley Wine Cellars Juvenile Zinfandel 2023 750ml $26 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 92 points “Brimming with verve, offering fresh flavors and aromas of black cherry, raspberry, briar patch and savory pepper that end with snappy tannins. Drink now through 2033”
Turley Wine Cellars Pesenti Vineyard Zinfandel, Paso Robles 2023 750ml $45 special, 13 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 92-94 points The 2023 Zinfandel Pesenti Vineyard is a classic Paso Robles Zinfandel. It emerges from a site planted in 1923. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, new leather, licorice and cloves blast across the palate. A wine of substance and forward, luscious fruit, the 2023 is alluring from start to finish.”
We have those 1970s plantings to thank for why dry red Zins are so delicious yet still affordable. Dozens of these heritage sites are still producing, preventing scarcity from inflating prices. Those roughly 50-year-old vines offer concentration and complexity not found in young vine plantings.
In Stock Now:
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Marietta Cellars Angeli Estate Grown Zinfandel, Alexander Valley 2022 750ml $39.50 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2022 Angeli Zinfandel is bursting with scents of graham cracker, briar berries, violet, wild thyme and slowly emerging foresty undertones. The full-bodied palate is packed to the brim with ripe, juicy berry fruit. It has a pleasant touch of chew to its tannins to support its generous fruit, and it has a long, gently warm finish. 900 cases produced.”
Marietta Cellars OVR Old Vine Ranch Lot 75 Red NV 750ml $19 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 91 points “The NV Old Vine Red Lot 75 has a medium ruby-purple color is scented of red and black plums, raspberry candy, powdered sugar, prosciutto and floral potpourri. The medium-bodied palate is rounded and bright with understated, earth-laced fruit and a softly spicy finish. That herbal edge and juicy acidity make this wonderfully easy to drink! 25,000 cases produced.”
Marietta Cellars ‘Roman’ Estate Grown Zinfandel, North Coast 2022 750ml $24 special, 30 bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2022 Román Zinfandel is a blend of 93% Zinfandel, 4% Barbera, 3% Petite Sirah. It has pure, layered scents of apricot, graham cracker, raspberry jam, mossy bark and spice. The palate is light-bodied, soft and juicy with a core of nuanced berry fruit and a mouthwatering, perfumed finish. This is ideal for spicy food! 2,000 cases produced.”
Ridge Vineyards East Bench Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley 2023 750ml $38 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “A 100% Zin from a single-vineyard estate of organically grown grapes in iron-rich soils, the 2023 Zinfandel East Bench is one of the producer’s only 100% Zins, and it is special at that, with mind-blowing structure. Medium-bodied and remarkably light on its feet, it has classic brambly berry fruit, dusty tannins, and seasonings of baking spice, a fantastically elegant representation of the appellation when in the right hands. Enjoy now through 2033.”
Turley Wine Cellars Juvenile Zinfandel 2023 750ml $26 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 92 points “Brimming with verve, offering fresh flavors and aromas of black cherry, raspberry, briar patch and savory pepper that end with snappy tannins. Drink now through 2033”
Turley Wine Cellars Pesenti Vineyard Zinfandel, Paso Robles 2023 750ml $45 special, 13 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 92-94 points The 2023 Zinfandel Pesenti Vineyard is a classic Paso Robles Zinfandel. It emerges from a site planted in 1923. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, new leather, licorice and cloves blast across the palate. A wine of substance and forward, luscious fruit, the 2023 is alluring from start to finish.”
Shop our seventeen in-stock California Zinfandel selections now!
Multitude of Magnums:
German Edition
They’re bold and striking – and full of the best wines imaginable: German magnums!
In Stock Now:
Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt Scharzhofberger Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2015 1.5L $149 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 94 points “This Auslese harvested at 102° Oechsle is still marked by some residual notes from spontaneous fermentation at first. However, these quickly give way to exotic scents of mango and papaya as well as mint, candied grapefruit and pineapple. The wine proves juicy and creamy even if still on the sweet side on the palate at this early stage. However, the finish already hints at greatness to come as grapefruit zest brings freshness in the long finish of this superb Auslese from the Scharzhofberg.”
Weingut Donnhoff Dellchen Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2022 1.5L $219 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 98 points “What an exquisite stone fruit nose this super-fine and filigree dry riesling has! Yes, it is also very concentrated, but this and the power are completely underplayed. The result is an almost weightless palate that hangs like a white cloud in the still air. Extraordinary purity and precision at the almost endless finish. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Weingut Donnhoff Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2023 1.5L $75 special, 3 magnums in stock now
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 93 points “Fantastic brilliance and a wealth of delicate stone-fruit and citrus aromas, also floral notes! Barely medium-bodied, but with all the attributes that make a dry Nahe riesling a thing of beauty to behold. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
Weingut Donnhoff Felsenberg Riesling Spätlese “R”, Nahe 2018 1.5L $139 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 97 points “Here’s a breathtakingly vivid riesling Spatlese for the hot and sunny 2018 vintage, that’s just beginning to pick up some toasty complexity from bottle age, but also notes of dried flowers and herbs plus hints of licorice and candied citrus. It expands and expands with aeration. Staggering grapefruit and lime zest freshness at the very long smoky finish. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2022 1.5L $228 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 99 points “The restrained beauty of the peachiness in the nose is hard to describe, but easy to be overwhelmed by! On the compact palate this has staggering concentration yet still manages to be very light on its feet. The finish is blade-runner sharp, but the blade also flashes in the sun. Breathtaking drive and energy for the very warm and dry vintage. Then comes the remarkable wet-stone minerality and you can’t wait for the next sip. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2023 1.5L $99 special, 3 magnums in stock now
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 98 points “When worlds collide. The tension between the cool, dark side (think Darth Vader) and the enormous brightness of the stone fruit (think Luke Skywalker) makes this astonishing riesling Spatlese extremely compelling. The most beautiful pineapple and grapefruit aromas. Fabulous freshness at the stunningly straight and pure finish. Drink or hold.”
Weingut Donnhoff Hollenpfad Im Muhlenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2022 1.5L $199 special, 3 magnums in stock now
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 97 points “What a dramatic wine this is, at once ripe and austere, super-stony and super-herbal with a touch of peppermint. Compact core in spite of the sleek and very focused body. Electric freshness at the vibrant finish although the acidity is anything but dominant. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2023 1.5L $145 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Anne Krebiehl MW-Vinous 97 points “The 2023 Riesling Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Spätlese, grown on shale, has equal notions of moss and lemon. More air makes this smell simply of wet stone. The palate carries gentle sweetness but is absolutely precise and slender. Citrus frames everything with the clearest precision. Everything is serene, zesty, tender, yet so very serious. The 2023 is glorious in its lightness and disarming in its elegance. (Sweet) (Drink between 2034-2070).”
Weingut Emrich-Schonleber Monzinger Halenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2022 1.5L $199 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 95 points “Very attractive nose of peach and spice with just a touch of exotic fruits. Rich and ripe with a touch of mid-palate creaminess as it rolls gently over you, the power very understated. Delicate slatey minerality at the long silky finish. Drink from release.”
Schafer-Frohlich Bockenauer Stromberg Grosses Gewachs Riesling, Nahe 2021 1.5L $259 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 98-99 points “The 2021 Stromberg GG offers a bright and pure, enormously radiant and earthy/herbal bouquet of crushed porphyry rocks and concentrated Riesling berry aromas intermingled with iodine notes. Great purity mixed with intensity and complexity. Full-bodied, refined and enormously salty on the palate, this is a compact, fresh and challenging dry Riesling with elegant and rich fruit, great density and no makeup at all. This is a bone dry but juicy wine that represents a long-distance runner with salty grip and tension. Tasted as a sample at the domaine in July 2022.”
Weingut Willi Schaefer Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2023 1.5L $175 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2023 Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett opens with substantial depth and a brilliant bouquet of wet slate. The fruit is intense but not dominating, thanks to the flintiness and savoriness of the Himmelreich terroir. On the palate, this is a mouth-filling, dense and complex Kabinett with ripe, elegant and juicy fruit intertwined with very fine phenols and an ethereal slate thread that gives this Kabinett an enormous length and animation. This will be a superb gastronomic wine after a decade of bottle age, although the 2023 already drinks beautifully today. 7.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in August 2024 from AP 2 24.”
Weingut Wasenhaus Spatburgunder Mohlin, Baden 2022 1.5L $279 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Vom Boden Importer Note “The Wasenhaus Möhlin is grown from a very shallow and poor limestone clay parcel of the Ehrenstetter Ölberg, positioned below the Kanzel with a more southeastern exposure. Thus the site is quite a bit hotter and more exposed to the sun than the Kanzel; the wine is among the most powerful, most lavish and expansive of the Wasenhaus Pinot Noirs. Perhaps this is the most complete of the Pinots? The Möhlin is mainly German clones with different ages and origins and some French selection massale; due to the steepness here the site is worked completely by hand. Fermented 60% with whole clusters, with a bit of carbonic fermentation and then transferred to an open-vat for a classic fermentation with minimal punchdowns. The wine was aged in mainly used French oak barrels for about 16 months.”
In Stock Now:
Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt Scharzhofberger Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2015 1.5L $149 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 94 points “This Auslese harvested at 102° Oechsle is still marked by some residual notes from spontaneous fermentation at first. However, these quickly give way to exotic scents of mango and papaya as well as mint, candied grapefruit and pineapple. The wine proves juicy and creamy even if still on the sweet side on the palate at this early stage. However, the finish already hints at greatness to come as grapefruit zest brings freshness in the long finish of this superb Auslese from the Scharzhofberg.”
Weingut Donnhoff Dellchen Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2022 1.5L $219 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 98 points “What an exquisite stone fruit nose this super-fine and filigree dry riesling has! Yes, it is also very concentrated, but this and the power are completely underplayed. The result is an almost weightless palate that hangs like a white cloud in the still air. Extraordinary purity and precision at the almost endless finish. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Weingut Donnhoff Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2023 1.5L $75 special, 3 magnums in stock now
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 93 points “Fantastic brilliance and a wealth of delicate stone-fruit and citrus aromas, also floral notes! Barely medium-bodied, but with all the attributes that make a dry Nahe riesling a thing of beauty to behold. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
Weingut Donnhoff Felsenberg Riesling Spätlese “R”, Nahe 2018 1.5L $139 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 97 points “Here’s a breathtakingly vivid riesling Spatlese for the hot and sunny 2018 vintage, that’s just beginning to pick up some toasty complexity from bottle age, but also notes of dried flowers and herbs plus hints of licorice and candied citrus. It expands and expands with aeration. Staggering grapefruit and lime zest freshness at the very long smoky finish. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2022 1.5L $228 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 99 points “The restrained beauty of the peachiness in the nose is hard to describe, but easy to be overwhelmed by! On the compact palate this has staggering concentration yet still manages to be very light on its feet. The finish is blade-runner sharp, but the blade also flashes in the sun. Breathtaking drive and energy for the very warm and dry vintage. Then comes the remarkable wet-stone minerality and you can’t wait for the next sip. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2023 1.5L $99 special, 3 magnums in stock now
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 98 points “When worlds collide. The tension between the cool, dark side (think Darth Vader) and the enormous brightness of the stone fruit (think Luke Skywalker) makes this astonishing riesling Spatlese extremely compelling. The most beautiful pineapple and grapefruit aromas. Fabulous freshness at the stunningly straight and pure finish. Drink or hold.”
Weingut Donnhoff Hollenpfad Im Muhlenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2022 1.5L $199 special, 3 magnums in stock now
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 97 points “What a dramatic wine this is, at once ripe and austere, super-stony and super-herbal with a touch of peppermint. Compact core in spite of the sleek and very focused body. Electric freshness at the vibrant finish although the acidity is anything but dominant. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2023 1.5L $145 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Anne Krebiehl MW-Vinous 97 points “The 2023 Riesling Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Spätlese, grown on shale, has equal notions of moss and lemon. More air makes this smell simply of wet stone. The palate carries gentle sweetness but is absolutely precise and slender. Citrus frames everything with the clearest precision. Everything is serene, zesty, tender, yet so very serious. The 2023 is glorious in its lightness and disarming in its elegance. (Sweet) (Drink between 2034-2070).”
Weingut Emrich-Schonleber Monzinger Halenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2022 1.5L $199 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 95 points “Very attractive nose of peach and spice with just a touch of exotic fruits. Rich and ripe with a touch of mid-palate creaminess as it rolls gently over you, the power very understated. Delicate slatey minerality at the long silky finish. Drink from release.”
Schafer-Frohlich Bockenauer Stromberg Grosses Gewachs Riesling, Nahe 2021 1.5L $259 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 98-99 points “The 2021 Stromberg GG offers a bright and pure, enormously radiant and earthy/herbal bouquet of crushed porphyry rocks and concentrated Riesling berry aromas intermingled with iodine notes. Great purity mixed with intensity and complexity. Full-bodied, refined and enormously salty on the palate, this is a compact, fresh and challenging dry Riesling with elegant and rich fruit, great density and no makeup at all. This is a bone dry but juicy wine that represents a long-distance runner with salty grip and tension. Tasted as a sample at the domaine in July 2022.”
Weingut Willi Schaefer Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2023 1.5L $175 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2023 Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett opens with substantial depth and a brilliant bouquet of wet slate. The fruit is intense but not dominating, thanks to the flintiness and savoriness of the Himmelreich terroir. On the palate, this is a mouth-filling, dense and complex Kabinett with ripe, elegant and juicy fruit intertwined with very fine phenols and an ethereal slate thread that gives this Kabinett an enormous length and animation. This will be a superb gastronomic wine after a decade of bottle age, although the 2023 already drinks beautifully today. 7.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in August 2024 from AP 2 24.”
Weingut Wasenhaus Spatburgunder Mohlin, Baden 2022 1.5L $279 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Vom Boden Importer Note “The Wasenhaus Möhlin is grown from a very shallow and poor limestone clay parcel of the Ehrenstetter Ölberg, positioned below the Kanzel with a more southeastern exposure. Thus the site is quite a bit hotter and more exposed to the sun than the Kanzel; the wine is among the most powerful, most lavish and expansive of the Wasenhaus Pinot Noirs. Perhaps this is the most complete of the Pinots? The Möhlin is mainly German clones with different ages and origins and some French selection massale; due to the steepness here the site is worked completely by hand. Fermented 60% with whole clusters, with a bit of carbonic fermentation and then transferred to an open-vat for a classic fermentation with minimal punchdowns. The wine was aged in mainly used French oak barrels for about 16 months.”
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5% off any 4-7 in-stock bottles of California Pinot Noir
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Cayuse sale ends Friday, August 28th at 9 am Pacific. California Pinot Noir sale ends Saturday, August 29th at 9 am Pacific.