September 9th, 2015
Flash Sale; Domaine Huet 2014 & Cellar Releases; Keller; Rodney Strong; Reynvaan Arriving Mid-September; K Vintners; Fabulous Foreau & Loire Valley Chenin
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
We Are Open Labor Day!
For our regularly schedule hours
10 am – 6 pm
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Flash Sale
Arriving Late September
Domaine Jamet Cote Rotie, Rhone 2012 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 94 points “(15% new oak): Deep ruby. Complex, highly perfumed bouquet evokes fresh red and dark berries, incense, violet and cracked pepper, along with a vibrant mineral overtone. Juicy and focused on the palate, offering intense blackberry, bitter cherry and floral pastille flavors that stretch out slowly with air. This concentrated yet lively Côte-Rôtie finishes with superb clarity and even tannins.” JR
Wine Advocate 92-95 points “Moving to the Cote Roties, the 2012 Cote Rotie, which was tasted from multiple barrels, shows the vintage beautifully, with the hallmark complexity of the estate, as well as plenty of pure fruit and texture on the palate. All of the samples show notions of olive tapenade, white pepper, tobacco and herbs to varying degrees, and it should end up being a medium to full-bodied, nicely textured effort that will be reasonably approachable on release, yet evolve gracefully. ” WA
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Mid-West, East & South
Summer Shipping Saver
Whisk your wine through warmer weather!
Beginning now, for the summer season we are offering UPS Three Day Select Service
for the price of UPS Ground for shipments normally travelling 4 or more business days.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014 Domaine Huet
Here tomorrow, gone soon!
Domaine Huet has been compared to a great number of things, including allusions to Bordeaux’s age-worthiness, Montrachet’s precision, Champagne’s seductiveness, and the royalty of Tokaji’s. In actuality, comparisons aren’t necessary in conveying the quality and distinctiveness of these wines; Huet is so great by virtue of nothing else than itself.
Nowhere else is the sumptuousness and graceful development over years – decades! – of Chenin blanc more apparent than here. Domaine Huet was established in 1928 in Vouvray along the northern bank of the Loire. Across four esteemed vineyards – Le Haut Lieu, Le Mont, Le Clos du Bourg, and Le Vodanis – vines are cultivated biodynamically, producing dry, semi-sweet, and sweet wines. Outside of the longevity, the wines of Huet are also known for their consistency from year to year.
Domaine Huet Wines Arriving Tomorrow
Domaine Huet Vouvray Clos du Bourg Sec 2014 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 pre-arrival special
Domaine Huet Vouvray Le Haut Lieu Sec 2014 750ML ($31.95) $26 pre-arrival special
Domaine Huet Vouvray Le Mont Sec 2014 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 pre-arrival special
Domaine Huet Vouvray Clos du Bourg Demi-Sec 2014 750ML ($41.95) $33 pre-arrival special
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $40
Cellar Releases – Also Arriving Tomorrow
Domaine Huet Vouvray Moelleux Clos du Bourg Premiere Trie 2008 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 95 points “Starts with a tangy crème fraîche note before giving way to green almond, green tea, chamomile, powdered ginger and mineral notes. So precise it almost comes off as dry in feel, but the finish belies its late harvest with a showy candied citrus peel note. Drink now through 2025. 880 cases made.” WS
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $72
Domaine Huet Vouvray Le Haut Lieu Moelleux 2005 375ML ($34.95) $26 pre-arrival special
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Weingut Keller
Insanely good German juice
The wines of Keller are as smart a choice as any – nigh, smarter – for someone who needs convincing that German wines are among the most exciting wines in the world. Thankfully, we’ve moved past the days of bulk wine and Blue Nun; the drinking public are largely aware that German wine isn’t always sweet and, still, it’s delicious when it is. With palates primed, we’re finally deserving of what Keller has to offer.
Winemaker Klaus Peter and his wife Julia occupy a number of great vineyards within the Rheinhessen and headquartered in Flörsheim-Dalsheim. Peter deftly maneuvers between allowing the wines to speak clearly and transparently and ensuring that the winemaking process allows that. In other words, he doesn’t look to get in the way while still being hands-on.
The Peters and their team have studied their vineyards to the extent of drilling between 50,000-75,000 holes in order to better understand soil composition. Harvest is done by hand, and extremely selectively. Only native yeasts partake in fermentation, with a mixture of stainless steel and oak barrels used. The resultant wines are uncompromising in quality, with a seemingly infinite lifespan.
Our upcoming shipments from Weingut Keller are not to be missed – all listed below. Act fast on these, as they’ll move!
Keller Wines Arriving in September
Weingut Keller Gruner Silvaner Trocken, Rheinhessen 2014 750ML ($24.95) $19 pre-arrival special
John Gilman 89+ points “The Grüner Silvaner Trocken from Weingut Keller is produced from thirty-seven yearold vines, which struggled with their flowering in 2014 and the crop was very short. The wine has half a gram of residual sugar and 6.5 grams of acidity and is really very refined this year, as it offers up a lovely bouquet of white cherries, grapefruit, wild yeasts, stony soil tones and a topnote of dried flowers. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and nascently complex, with a lovely core, ripe acids and fine length and grip on the finish. As I have noted in the past, most of the winery’s local clients gobble this lovely wine up as soon as it is released, as it is a Hügelland favorite with white asparagus. 2015-2025.” JG
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Keller ‘Von der Fels Riesling’ Trocken, Rheinhessen 2014 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
John Gilman 92+ points “Year in and year out, I am a huge fan of the von der Fels bottling and the 2014 vintage is another outstanding wine in the making. This is a touch fuller than the straight Riesling Trocken, coming in at twelve percent alcohol, and perhaps a bit more ageworthy as well. The excellent nose wafts from the glass in a mix of pink grapefruit, tangerine, petrol, a stunningly complex base of minerality, lemongrass and a topnote of orange peel. On the palate the wine is fullbodied, pure and very much defined by its complex soil tones, with a rock solid core, outstanding focus and grip and a very long, youthful and bouncy finish. This is still very early days for this outstanding wine, which is the same quality level of a lot of top estates Grosses Gewächs bottlings. 2019-2040.” JG
Keller Wines Arriving in November
Weingut Keller Dalsheimer Hubacker Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Rheinhessen 2014 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
John Gilman 94+ points “The 2014 Hubacker Grosses Gewächs is also brilliantly refined this year, as the inherent elegance of the vintage in the Hügelland has dovetailed beautifully with the style of this wine. This bottling can often be a touch more “broad-shouldered” out of the blocks than the other Grosses Gewächs in the Keller portfolio, but not this year, as it shares the same great elegance of the entire range. The outstanding bouquet really shows its yellow limestone signature, as it delivers scents of apple, tangerine, gentle notes of petrol, wild yeasts, orange peel, lovely smokiness and a gorgeously complex base of limestone minerality. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, pure and complex, with a fine core, vibrant acids and excellent focus and grip on the long, zesty and utterly seamless finish. A glorious Hubacker to celebrate its 225th anniversary! 2022-2060.” JG
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Keller Westhofener Kirchspiel Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Rheinhessen 2014 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
John Gilman 94+ points “The 2014 GG from the Kirchspiel is a great wine in the making, but I would want to allow this perfectly balanced and youthful wine to rest comfortably in the cellar for at least the next seven years before I start to drink it, as it has a ton to offer behind its suave, but serious structural elements. The stunning nose offers up a constellation of grapefruit, a touch of tart orange, wild yeasts, dried flowers, lime zest and a refined base of stony limestone minerality. On the palate the wine is deep, fullish and very pure and tightly-knit, with outstanding mid-palate depth, great cut and focus, impeccable balance and a very long, elegant and laser-like finish. At 12.5 percent alcohol, this is a touch lower in octane than many other recent top vintages, but this has just added to its refinement. A beautiful vintage of Kirchspiel. 2022-2060.” JG
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Keller Wine Arriving in April 2016
Weingut Keller Westhofener Brunnenhauschen Abts Erde Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Rheinhessen 2014 750ML ($149.95) $109 pre-arrival special
John Gilman 97 points “The 2014 Abtserde is also brilliant utterly seamless on the palate. The magical and still quite youthful nose delivers a complex blend of apple, grapefruit, lemon zest, a very refined base of chalky minerality, a touch of wild yeasts and a topnote of dried flowers. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and elegant, with great purity at the core, stunning transparency and brilliant length and grip on the focused and dancing finish. The acids here are ripe and the slightly lower octane found in the Keller GGs across the board in 2014 only seems to enhance the inherent elegance of this great young wine. 2025-2065+.” JG
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Keller Rieslings Available Here Now
Weingut Keller Riesling Trocken, Rheinhessen 2014 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 18 bottles available
John Gilman 91+ points “As is the case every year, there is nothing “basic” about the “basic” Riesling Trocken from Klaus-Peter Keller. In 2014, this wine finished up at 11.5 percent alcohol and eight grams per liter of acidity. The yields were very low this year for this wine and it has ended up with a rock solid core as a result, with the bouquet a fine, youthful blend of grapefruit, tart orange, petrol, chalky soil tones, lemon peel and a topnote of dried flowers. On the palate the wine is pure, fullish and quite deep, with lovely, nascent complexity, ripe, snappy acids and superb length and grip on the focused and serious finish. As Klaus-Peter noted, “perhaps this is the best basic Riesling we have made.” It deserves a few years in the cellar to start to unfold its secondary layers of complexity and is a great value in 2014. 2017-2030+.” JG
Weingut Keller ‘Von der Fels Riesling’ Trocken, Rheinhessen 2013 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 2 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Editors Choice – Keller’s Grosses Gewächs offerings are hard to come by, even in Germany, but the von der Fels offers GG quality fruit at a markedly gentle price. Orchestral in complexity, it’s dry, yet plump with stone fruit and a cashew-nut richness. Taut with acidity, it maintains a dancing, shimmering vitality throughout. It’s stunning already, but sure to gain power and density from 2020 on.” WE
Weingut Keller Westhofener Brunnenhauschen Abts Erde Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Rheinhessen 2013 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 6 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94-95 points “For the 2013 Westhofen Brunnenhauschen Riesling trocken Abts E (the spoken term Abtserde is officially not allowed) Keller harvested 40% less compared to 2012 but the 2013 is perhaps one of the greatest dry Rieslings he has produced so far. Lovely pure and fresh limes along with white-fleshed stone fruits (peaches, nectarines), wet chalk, white pepper and tobacco characterize the nose which is fresh, dense and fascinatingly precise. Obviously due to a higher tolerance for a certain amount of botrytis the palate is quite rich, creamy and juicy but less pure and naked than Wittmann’s corresponding Brunnenhäuschen. However, this is a dense, tightly woven and enormously complex dry Riesling whose taste is persistently dominated by lime and yellow-fleshed aromas as well as a lovely, stimulating piquancy. This is surely a galvanizing and elegant Riesling to keep for another 4 or 5 years at minimum and enjoy it for a decade.” WA
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
New Cuvée
from Rodney Strong
In 1959, celebrated American dancer Rod Strong followed his second passion and founded a winery in Sonoma County. It was only the 13th winery bonded in this new region. He pioneered planting varietals that would later put California on the winemaking map: Chardonnay in what would become Chalk Hill and Pinot Noir in the Russian River Valley. In 1974, he released the first single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon of Sonoma County: Alexander’s Crown.
Today, the Klein family continues Rod’s tradition of innovation and excellence: they expanded and modernized the winery, adding temperature-controlled cellaring, new fermentation tanks, and even built solar panels to improve their sustainability efforts. They added Symmetry, a Bordeaux-style red blend, to the illustrious lineup. The Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is produced from winemaker-selected lots from vineyards in the Alexander Valley. Each lot is hand-harvested, fermented separately and age in French oak barrels. Before being included in the final cuvee, each lot is tasted and graded before a final determination is made.
Rodney Strong Arriving Mid-September
Rodney Strong Rockaway Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 2012 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Rodney Strong Rockaway Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 2012 750ML ($419.95) $379 pre-arrival special (that’s only $63.17/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 94 points “A remarkable wine that exhibits the power of ripe currant, blackberry and cherry flavors along with cigar box, dried herb, green olive and tea notes. Ends with firm, dusty tannins and fine length. Drink now through 2028. ” WS
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $71
Rodney Strong Wines Available Here Now
Rodney Strong Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County 2011 750ML ($41.95) $31.90 special, 17 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “Lengthy and expansive, this wine offers cherry and herb on the nose, followed by a taste of chocolate and anise, with a jolt of spicy black pepper on the finish. Ready to drink now it’s also structured enough to age 2017-2019.” WE
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Rodney Strong Symmetry Meritage, Alexander Valley 2011 750ML ($59.95) $36 special, 36+ bottles available
Winery note “The 2011 Symmetry greets you with an opulent bouquet of blackberries, cassis, and sweet spices. It unfolds on the palate with layers of black fruits, dark chocolate and spice. This mouth-filling wine is rich and silky in texture with a long, lingering finish and the structure for several years in the cellar. Intended to be enjoyable on release, the 2011 Symmetry is destined for evolution in the bottle.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Rodney Strong Single Vineyard Alexander’s Crown Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 2009 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 36+ bottles available
Robert Parker 92+ points “The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander’s Crown bursts from the glass with dark cherry jam, blackberries, exotic spices, flowers, grilled herbs and graphite. It boasts gorgeous depth and a rich, sumptuous personality. Higher-toned floral notes add lift and brightness on the finish. The style is decidedly on the opulent side, yet all of the elements are nicely balanced. The 2009 is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 23 months in French oak barrels, 40% new. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024.” RP
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Reynvaan Family Vineyards:
The new Washington
Reynvaan Family Vineyards is a husband-wife team who have been making wine in the Walla Walla Valley since 2004. Spread across two vineyards – 37 hectares altogether – they make wines with the goal of showcasing their distinctive terroirs.
Their “In The Rocks” vineyard is used to make Syrah-Viogner and Syrah-Marsanne blends which are co-fermented in addition to Cabernet Sauvingnon, Viogner, Marsanne, and Grenche Blanc. Winemaking here borrows northern-Rhone sensibilities, with black fruit, meatiness, and herbal qualities lying alongside firm mineral structure. “Foothills in the Sun”, a newer vineyard planting, sits along one of Washington’s highest elevations under vine. Cabernet, Syrah, and Viogner are planted here; the southwest-facing hills allow ideal daily temperature fluctuation through intense sun and wind exposure.
The mailing list for Reynvaan now has a waiting list, and the wine is sold through allocations. We’re glad to be able to offer the wines – many of which at the lowest price on the market; these will arrive mid-September and are currently offered as pre-arrivals.
Reynvaan Wines Arriving Mid-September
Reynvaan Family Vineyards ‘Foothills in the Sun’ Reserve Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2013 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 95 points “Incorporating less stems than the 2012, the 2013 Syrah Foothills Reserve is more masculine and powerful than the Syrah In the Hills. I offers lots of black raspberry, cracked pepper, graphite and dried violet characteristics to go with a full-bodied, seamless, concentration profile on the palate. This is a thrilling Syrah that does everything right, and while it has the fruit and texture to drink nicely now, it will continue to knock your socks off for another 10-12 years.” JD
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Reynvaan Family Vineyards In The Hills Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2013 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94 points “Tasted as a barrel sample, the 2013 Syrah In The Hills is a blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier and is only the second vintage for this cuvee, which was first made in 2012. Sporting a distinctly northern Rhone style in its peppery herb, olive tapenade, violet and spice filled bouquet, this beauty is medium to full-bodied, elegant and layered, with striking purity of fruit. Reminding me of a quality Cote Rotie, enjoy this beauty over the coming decade.” JD
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Reynvaan Family Vineyards In The Rocks Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2013 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 92-95 points “A cofermented blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier, the 2013 Syrah In The Rocks, which saw 25% new oak, is another pretty, layered, medium to full-bodied and elegant 2013 that has perfumed raspberry, pepper, dried herbs and assorted floral aromas and flavors. Juicy and lively, with good acidity, it should be approachable on release and have 10-12 years of overall longevity.” JD
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Reynvaan Family Vineyards Stonessence Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2013 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 93-96 points “Also lacking some of the weight found in the ’12, the 2013 Syrah Stonessence saw only 5% stem inclusion to go with a similar elevage as the ’12. It’s still full-bodied and concentrated, however, and offers classic raspberry, big minerality, cracked pepper and some Cornas-like iron and bloody notes. Shining for its complexity and elegance, it should merit a score in the upper end of this range if it puts on weight in bottle.” JD
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Reynvaan Family Vineyards ‘The Contender’ Syrah – Marsanne, Walla Walla Valley 2013 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “Blended with 3% Marsanne, the 2013 Syrah The Contender is still aging in 35% new French oak, some of which are larger puncheons. Showing the purity and focus of the vintage, it gives up lots of cassis, black raspberry, licorice and some meatiness to go with a full-bodied, elegant and fabulously textured feel on the palate. I’m not sure it matches the awesome 2012, but it’s no lightweight and will certainly impress on release and over the following decade.” JD
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Reynvaan Family Vineyards The Unnamed Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2013 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “Tasted out of barrel, the 2013 The Unnamed Syrah, which also incorporates 10% Grenache Blanc, has a Pinot Noir vibe in its rose petal, forest floor, kirsch, blackberry and dried herb-laced bouquet. Medium to full-bodied, elegant and seamless, I’ve liked past vintages slightly more, but this is still a pretty, elegant Syrah to drink over the coming 8-10 years.” JD
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Reynvaan Wines Available Here Now
Reynvaan Family Vineyards Grenache Blanc Estate White, Walla Walla Valley 2013 750ML ($59.95) $51.90 special, 5 bottles available
Winery note “The Grenache Blanc grapes began as simply a co-ferment grape that primarily goes into our Unnamed Syrah. However, in recent years I was able to have enough extra to make very small amounts of straight GB. The wine is extremely aromatic, in some years almost Burgundian notes, very mineral driven and has a fresh, clean, mouthfeel. The wine spends its time in a combination of new and used French oak and is usually aged between 11 and 13 months before being bottled. This wine sees full primary and secondary malolactic fermentation.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Reynvaan Family Vineyards Foothills in the Sun Vineyard Viognier Estate White, Walla Walla Valley 2013 750ML ($59.95) $51.90 special, 5 bottles available
Winery note “This hillside vineyard is one of the most densely planted and highest elevation sites in the State of Washington. With vineyard density, the vines seek out water and nutrients, become stronger and produce clusters of small berries with intense concentration. A southwest facing hillside vineyard at this elevation has several advantages: maximum exposure to the sun; substantial temperature variation between day and night; and beneficial wind patterns. The vineyard currently is planted in two red varietals: Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon; and one white: Viognier. Working with the highest quality Walla Walla grapes grown meticulously in our own vineyards allows the family to control virtually every aspect of farming and wine production and ultimately to respect the natural expression of the soils of the vineyards.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $63
Reynvaan Family Vineyards In The Rocks Vineyard Viognier Estate White, Walla Walla Valley 2013 750ML ($59.95) $51.90 special, 2 bottles available
This is the only listing in the USA today!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
K Vintners:
A Madman in the Cellar
Charles Smith nimbly occupies the space between entrepreneur and madman. Early on, he left Sacramento for Denmark, where he chased women and managed rock bands for nearly a decade. An appreciation for food and wine grew from sojourns on the road. Upon returning to the United States, he capitalized on a hunch that wine would be a worthwhile next step. He opened a shop on Bainbridge Island, Washington, further exploring the grapes and regions which inspired him.
While traveling around his new state, Smith met a French winemaker living in Walla Walla – a small town in southeastern Washington lying along the Columbia Valley. Through a shared love for wine – and for Syrah, in particular, the winemaker was able to coerce Charles Smith into moving to Walla Walla to make wine. Drawing from the winemaking culture in his new town, Smith taught himself how to make wine and – come 2001 – released just over 300 cases of his inaugural effort, the ’99 K Syrah. Since then, Smith and his team have grown to produce intense, age-worthy wines which have enlivened the Washingtonian wine scene. The wines – bottled behind simple yet confident labels in black and white, have earned great critical acclaim while remaining edgy and unpredictable.
Though Smith & Co. have gone on to created other labels and side-projects, the K Vintners wines remain the marquee effort. Focusing on single-vineyard bottlings of Syrah in addition to various field blends (Cabernet, Grenache, Syrah, Tempranillo, Viogner…), the grapes are hand-harvested and crushed by foot, basket-pressed, and employ only naturally-occuring yeasts in fermentation.
We’re proud to stock a rather wide variety of K Vintners’ offerings, listed below.
Charles Smith K Vintners The Boy Grenache – Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2013 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 11 bottles available
Winery notes “88% Grenache, 12% Syrah from the Northridge & River Rock Vineyards. A regal wine. A beautiful ruby robe, velvety and revealing – layer upon layer of supple and refined fruit. Layers of ‘je ne sais quoi,’ complex, sophisticated and elegant wine.”
Charles Smith K Vintners Northridge Vineyard Merlot, Wahluke Slope 2012 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 4 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92-95 points “The 2012 Merlot Northridge comes from the Wahluke Slope and is made from 100% Merlot that was aged in 60% new French oak. Vibrant and up-front, with pure layered aromas and flavors of plum liqueur, graphite, mineral and assorted wild flowers, it is full-bodied, sweetly fruited and downright sexy on the palate, with a voluptuous, hard to resist profile. Loaded with fruit, it nevertheless stays graceful and very drinkable. It should drink nicely on release and evolve nicely for upward of a decade.” WA
Charles Smith K Vintners ‘El Jefe’ Stoneridge Vineyard Tempranillo 2012 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 5 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “Aged in 80% new French oak, the 2012 El Jefe Tempranillo Stoneridge Vineyard gives up classic Christmas spice, cedar and graphite to go with a core of both red and black styled fruit. Medium to full-bodied, elegant and with the tannic grip of the variety, this solid effort will benefit from short-term cellaring and evolve gracefully for over a decade.” WA
Charles Smith K Vintners The Cattle King Syrah, Snipes Mountain 2011 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 4 bottles available
Wine Advocate 95 points “The first vintage for the 2011 Syrah Cattle King, it’s a blend of 100% Syrah that’s all from Snipes mountain AVAs and vines planted in 2001. Offering up fabulous purity, with notes of black cherry, big minerality, earth and subtle underbrush aromas and flavors, it offers full-bodied richness, sweet tannin and thrilling length on the finish. Drink over the coming decade or more.” WA
Charles Smith K Vintners Rock Garden Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2012 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 9 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93-95 points “The first vintage for the cuvee, the 2012 Syrah Rock Garden has fabulous aromas and flavors of plum, pepper, earth, spiced meats and underbrush that flow seamlessly to a full-bodied, layered and decadently textured Syrah that has polished tannin, no hard edges and a great finish. Given the amount of fruit and texture, it should be approachable on release, yet evolve gracefully for 10 to 15 years.” WA
Charles Smith K Vintners The Creator Cabernet – Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2012 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 23 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93-95 points “Moving to the Bordeaux styled releases and a blend of 70% Cabernet and 30% Syrah, the 2012 The Creator offers up a classic bouquet of cassis, lead pencil shavings and hints of herbs to go with a full-bodied, layered and balanced profile on the palate. Possessing fabulous Cabernet character, with rock star texture and building tannin, it will have another 12-15 years of prime drinking.” WA
Charles Smith K Vintners The Hidden Syrah, Wahluke Slope 2011 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 3 bottles available
Wine Advocate 95 points “Aged in 100% new 500 liter barrels, the 2011 Syrah The Hidden Northridge Vineyard is an incredible Syrah that gives up pure aromas and flavors of blackberry, ground pepper, minerality, and dried spices and hints of vanilla in its full-bodied, elegant and seamless profile. Slightly more mid-weight than prior vintages, yet with beautiful concentration and solid mid-palate depth, it has enough tannin and richness to evolve gracefully for over a decade as well.” WA
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Fabulous Foreau
& other Loire Chenin gems
Beyond Domaine Huet, Philippe Foreau of the neighboring Domaine du Clos Naudin is making some of the most dynamic and pure wines available on the market. We’re excited also offer a number of his wines in addition to other Chenin blanc worth exploring, all seen below. Chenin can be such a refreshing change of pace in terms of white wines, lending body and structure to the genre of white wines. Here are some of our favorites:
Domaine le Capitaine Vouvray Les Perrieres Sec 2014 750ML ($19.95) $16 special, 8 bottles available
From the winery “Exclusively made from the chenin blanc grape, the cuvée “Les Perrières” 2012, a dry white wine was born on the northern bank of the loire within the Vouvray appellation in the Touraine district ‘the garden of France.’”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine La Grange Tiphaine Touraine Amboise Cuvee Bel Air Sec 2012 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 6 bottles available
Winery note “Dry. Expresses freshness, tension and limestone. This cuvee is created to express the terroir of Amboise through a fruity, fresh wine.”
Chateau d’Epire Savennieres 2013 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 4 bottles available
Winery notes “Leave it to legendary importer Kermit Lynch to find an outstanding Savennieres that doesn’t break the bank. Recently dubbed best value in the NY Times, wine writer Eric Asimov called it “deep and complex,” and praised its “beautiful floral and wax aromas.” Glowing review aside, this delicious Chenin Blanc sings with fresh seafood and savory poultry dishes.”
Domaine des Baumard Savennieres Clos du Papillon 2009 750ML ($41.95) $36 special, 6 bottles available
Wine Spectator 93 points “Captivating, with a lively quinine streak leading the way, followed by Jonagold apple, honeysuckle, green almond and plantain notes that race through the pure, mineral-driven finish. Intense, with enough in reserve to warrant cellaring. Best from 2014 through 2020.” WS
Philippe Foreau Domaine du Clos Naudin Vouvray Brut 2010 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 5 bottles available
Joel B. Payne–Vinous 89 points “Bright yellow. A pure bouquet evokes candied citrus fruits, wild spices, pear skin and quinine. Juicy and penetrating on the palate, offering lively orange zest and orchard fruit flavors along with hints of anise and honeysuckle. Finishes on a chalky mineral note, with good focus and length.” JP
Philippe Foreau Domaine du Clos Naudin Vouvray Sec 2011 750ML ($41.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2011 Vouvray Sec is a bright-colored, rather lean and greenish flavored Vouvray with precise and very subtle aromas of lemons, green apples, white peach, mushrooms, weed, herbs (fennel blossoms) and a dusty, almost mealy terroir character. On the full-bodied palate the wine is extremely pure and vibrant and the tension and agility of this only superficially lean wine is almost electrifying and full of finesse and elegance. The finish is very long and gives an aging potential of 20 or more years. Bottled with 3.8 grams of residual sugar, this is a very digestible wine in a very personal Foreau-style.” WA
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $35.24
Philippe Foreau Domaine du Clos Naudin Vouvray Sec 2012 750ML ($41.95) $33 special, 20 bottles available
Joel B. Payne–Vinous 89 points “Bright yellow. Salty aromas of yellow apple, pear skin, citrus zest and pistachio. Juicy on the palate, with herbal flavors of apricot, melon and chalky minerals exhibiting good intensity through the finish. Crisp and balanced, this would be lovely with snails.” JP
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $37.04
Philippe Foreau Domaine du Clos Naudin Vouvray Demi-Sec 2011 750ML ($41.95) $36 special, 15 bottles available
Importer note “Foreau does not produce a Demi-Sec every year. All depends on the level of ripeness at time of harvest. When a Demi-Sec is released by the domaine, it can carry somewhere between 8 and sometimes as much as 20 grams or so of residual sugar but, more often than not, a Foreau Demi-Sec will be at the 8 to 12 grams RS level. Obviously, each year develops from its own unique circumstances. As indicated in the general description above, Foreau NEVER chapitalizes to achieve the Demi-Sec level and malo-lactic fermentations are never permitted to occur. All still wines at Foreau are bottled during the spring season following the harvest.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Philippe Foreau Domaine du Clos Naudin Vouvray Moelleux 2008 750ML ($59.95) $44 special, 2 bottles available
Wine Advocate 96 points “The grapes for my 2008 Vouvray Moelleux were very rich, golden, even a bit rose-colored, but not botrytized,” says Foreau, who picked it between October 15th and 20th. Vine flower, chestnut honey, Bartlett pear, and spiced pink grapefruit marmalade are suggested on the intoxicating nose and on a palate whose standoff of high acidity and high residual sugar permits free reign to its luscious, oily, honeyed richness; its spiciness; as well as its sheer refreshment. Nor does the almost endless finish of this beauty, lack for a subtly mineral dimension of salt, crustacean savor, and chalk. It should be worth following for at least a quarter century..” WA
Philippe Foreau Domaine du Clos Naudin Vouvray Moelleux 2009 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, 9 bottles available
Wine Advocate 96+ points “The golden yellow 2009 Vouvray Moelleux offers an awesome rich bouquet of a full basket of super ripe white and yellow-fleshed fruits with pure and mineral highlighted aromas as well as colored blossoms, yellow paprika, ginger, coriander, white pepper, toasted peanuts and speck. Bottled with 80 grams of residual sugar, this is a full-bodied, complex, and very elegant almost perfect moelleux à la Foreau, a really rich, ripe, sweet and perfectly balanced wine of great finesse and a persistent freshness due to the lingering salinity and piquancy. This great Moelleux is surely made from healthy berries and for all Chenin lovers and their following generations this is a must buy.” WA
Philippe Foreau Domaine du Clos Naudin Vouvray Moelleux 2010 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 24 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93+ points “Straw yellow the 2010 Vouvray Moelleux offers a rather pure but rich nose with aromas of tuffeau, mushrooms, yellow-fleshed plums, honeydew melon, super ripe pears, cooked peaches, ripe and succulent mangos as well as hints of caramel, honey and new oak. On the full-bodied palate this is an extremely elegant and superbly balanced Chenin of great finesse, piquancy and precision with aromas of figs, cooked peaches and pears along with a lingering salinity. To those of you who love the incomparable nature of 2010 this is a wine you should buy.” WA
Philippe Foreau Domaine du Clos Naudin Vouvray Reserve Moelleux 2003 ($89.95) $69 special, 21 bottles available
Wine Spectator 94 points “Jaw-dropping fruit—guava, quince, mango and persimmon—is extremely concentrated and lushly layered. That’s followed by ginger, cream, green almond and smoke notes on a superlong finish, which has a nice bit of earthy grip as well.” WS
Philippe Foreau Domaine du Clos Naudin Vouvray Reserve Moelleux 2009 ($119.95) $89 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Advocate 97 points “What there was in this vintage of botrytis, Foreau reports, essentially went into his 2009 Vouvray Moelleux Reserve. Brown-spiced pear liqueur and quince preserves dominate the proceedings – wreathed in perfume of freesia and lily – and there are buoyancy and elegance, despite viscosity, enormous richness of texture and residual sweetness, that indeed point to the magic nobility rot can convey. Its sense of lift – when combined with luscious, still juicy suggestions of grapefruit and blood orange familiar from the corresponding demi-sec – wards off any risk of palate fatigue. Mysterious botrytis manifestations of stale bread, truffle, and white raisin emerge from the empty glass. This extraordinary achievement will stand with such past great Foreau moelleux reserves as 2005, 2003, and 1989-90 and is likely to merit 30 or more years of consideration. In direct comparison, what strikes one about the 2005 today is its more obvious sense of botrytis and its slightly diminished sense of acidity and lift. But it maintains the edge in sheer complexity.” WA
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Philippe Foreau Domaine du Clos Naudin Vouvray Moelleux ‘Goutte d’Or’ 2011 ($319.95) $269 special, 6 bottles available
VinopolNote: Foreau’s rare top bottlings. Only three vintages have ever been bottled (1947, 1990 and 2011). 230g/L RS
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $279.99
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~