Monday 04-04-22 Newsletter

Consejo Regulador is the governing body in Spain for each D.O or fine wine region in the country. In addition to their duties writing the laws governing production in their respective areas, they also rate each vintage for quality and age worthiness. As one of the first established in Spain, there are vintage ratings going back to 1925 in Rioja. The top mark is graded as “Excellent” with the rank being as rare as you’d expect. Since 1980 the rating has only been bestowed 6 times post-2000 with the latest being the 2019 vintage. With such promise we secured as much of our allocation as we could from Cune’s relatively new organic bottling.    

Cune Organic arriving Friday, April 8th:

CVNE ‘Cune’ Ecologico – Organic Rioja DOCa 2019 750ML ($17.95) $12.50 pre-arrival special
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 91 points “There is a new organic red, the debut of which is the 2019 Cune Organic, a blend of 60% Garnacha, 30% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano from external suppliers. That’s quite an unusual blend for them, as they tend to use more Tempranillo, and it brings a different combination of freshness and power. The grapes were handpicked and fermented separately by variety with indigenous yeasts, and the wine matured in used 300-liter oak barrels for six months. I nearly fell off my chair when I put my nose in the glass, as the wine screamed GARNACHA—but traditional Garnacha at its floral and herbal best, with the sweet cherry fruit, red licorice and the chalky tannins from the limestone soils. It’s balanced, tasty and juicy, truly delicious. The idea is to eventually produce this wine with their own grapes, as they are moving toward organic farming and removed herbicides years ago. They have never released a wine like this or such a young red. Amazing young Garnacha for the by-the-glass market. Bravo!”
 

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Cune Wines in stock now: 

CVNE Vina Real Crianza Rioja DOCa 2017 750ML ($19.95) $14.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 CVNE Vina Real Crianza Rioja DOCa 2017 750ML ($219.95) $166 special, (that’s only $13.83/bottle!)
*****IN-STORE PICK UP ONLY. SHIPPING NOT AVAILABLE*****
James Suckling 93 points “A Rioja with plum, blackberry, black truffle and hints of chocolate. Some walnut, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Drink or hold.”
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 91+ points “The popular red 2017 Viña Real Crianza is a gastronomical blend produced with grapes from Rioja Alavesa: 90% Tempranillo and the rest Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano fermented in stainless steel and matured in oak barrels for 13 to 14 months, during which time it was racked every five to six months. The first thing that is going to catch your attention is the new label, which takes things from the past but put in a new, more modern style, which also reflects what the wine is like. The Viña Real range (white, rosé and Reserva) is gradually going to adopt this same label but with the letters in different colors. The second thing that I also loved is the Garnacha character that clearly comes through, even if it represents a small percentage in the final blend (Garnacha and Graciano like heat and do well in warmer years). The oak is nicely folded and integrated into the fruit. Very enjoyable and fresh, in line with what consumers expect but with an extra spark of red fruit that is quite remarkable for the 2017 vintage. The palate is textured, fine and polished, with very fine tannins and high drinkability. I think this is one of the Crianzas that I have enjoyed the most in recent times. I love it. Remarkable for a year like 2017.”
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “Editor’s Choice. Full berry and plum aromas are complete as they lead to a racy palate with lively acidity and spirit. Cherry, plum and a dusting of cocoa are lead players on the flavor profile, while this crianza finishes long and fresh. This is everything you want from Rioja crianza. -Michael Schachner”
 

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CVNE ‘Imperial’ Gran Reserva Rioja DOCa 2012 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 95 points “The wine that represents the traditional and serious reds from Haro, the 2012 Imperial Gran Reserva is a classical blend of Tempranillo with 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo that matured in barrel for two years. It has a textbook serious Haro nose, with dark spices, ripe fruit, something balsamic and a round, full-bodied palate within the straight and serious style of the wine. 2012 was a warm year, but the wines are fresher than those from 2011. This has fine, slightly grainy tannins with good grip. A textbook Imperial Gran Reserva. 50,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2015.”
Josh Raynolds 94 points “(raised in new and used French and American oak barrels for two years) Vivid ruby-red. An intensely perfumed bouquet evokes ripe raspberry, cherry-cola, potpourri and exotic spices, with a suave vanilla topnote and a smoky mineral flourish. Sweet and broad in the mouth, offering lush red fruit, spicecake, mocha and coconut flavors that steadily tighten up on the back half. Finishes extremely long and spicy, with a resonating floral quality, well-knit tannins and lingering oak spice notes. This one is still quite young.”
James Suckling 94 points “A tight and beautiful wine with blackberries, bramble berries, rose petals and lemon grass. Medium to full body, ultra-fine tannins and a beautiful finish. Very fine-grained. Lovely now. Even better in 2020.”
 

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We carry a number Reds from across Spain including Lopez Heredia, Telmo Rodriguez and Ferrer Bobet!
 

L’Aventure Cote a Cote Red Paso Robles 2019 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “Another magical wine from this estate is the 2019 Côte à Côte, a blend of 34% each of Grenache and Mourvèdre, with the balance Syrah. Brought up in 29% new French oak, it boasts a dense purple color as well as incredible aromatics of blue fruits, smoked game, violets, black pepper, and spring flowers. One of those incredibly complex, nuanced wines that still brings depth and richness on the palate, it’s perfectly balanced, has ultra-fine tannins, and a gorgeous finish. It’s the finest vintage of Côte à Côte ever produced. Drink it over the coming 15+ years.”

L’Aventure Estate Cuvee Paso Robles 2019 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “Pure perfection from Paso Robles, the 2019 Estate Cuvee checks in as 50% Syrah, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15% Petit Verdot that was raised in 81% new French oak. Incredible cassis and black berry fruits as well as violets, chocolate, graphite, and who knows what else emerges from the glass, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a concentrated yet weightless mouthfeel, building tannins, and a great finish. It’s more seamless and approachable than the more backward, structured 2018 and will have two decades of prime drinking.”

L’Aventure Optimus Paso Robles 2019 750ML ($69.95) $57.50 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 96 points “Extremely aromatic with ripe chery and berry aromas, as well as flowers and citrus. Medium to full body with fine, polished tannins and a long, caressing finish. This is really well done and one of the most balanced L’Aventures I have encountered. Syrah, cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot. Drinkable now, but better in two or three years.”
Decanter 94 points ” Lovely aromatic intensity, spicy and nuanced on the nose but incredibly well defined on the palate which is crisp and precise with flavours that glide across, so linear and straight. There’s a coolness to the fruit profile and a refreshing juiciness. Concentration and structure with good tannic grip – lots on offer here. A blend of 57% Syrah, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Petit Verdot. Wines are aged for 14 months in 89% new French oak and 11% one-year-old French oak with malolactic fermentation in barrel. No fining or filtering.”
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “The 2019 Optimus should be snatched up by savvy readers. Based on 57% Syrah, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot, it just about jumps out of the glass with gorgeous cassis, floral, pepper, and graphite-like aromas and flavors. As seamless as they come, this full-bodied, elegant, pleasure-bent 2019 is going to evolve for a decade.”

 

 

Astounding Albarino from Forja De Salnes: 
 

The DO Rias Baixas is famous for her exquisite seafood and spectacular vistas of where mountains meet the Atlantic Ocean. Consisting of several growing regions, the Val do Salnes is the closest to the sea out of the five sub-appellations. Some of the biggest contributors to the terroir of Salnes are the granitic mountains and blankets of sea fog found throughout the area, creating the building blocks for an invigorating and savory wine with surprising aging potential.

These features also have a meteorological effect, creating an exceptionally cool and oftentimes wet growing season with the average temperature being 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result of these challenges, there has been very little deviation from the traditional growing practices. The winemaker for Leirana named Rodrigo Mendez exemplifies this in spades, farming ancestral plots just as his family has done for five consecutive generations. Previous vintages have garnered worldwide attention, with the New York Times naming the 2012 vintage the best in the entire region!

With the average planting date being in 1967 the influence from the granitic bedrock is evident from first pour. Vinified in a combination of steel and neutral foudre, there’s a plethora of highly aromatic fruit and floral elements underscored by a saline and mineral finish. The fruit character ranges from green pineapple, papaya and guava with a topknot of geranium, honeysuckle and ‘ōhi‘a lehua. The extended hang time practiced by Rodrigo pays off in a richer texture than your standard Rias Baixas without overstaying or being cloying.

Forjas De Salnes in stock now: 

Bodegas Forjas del Salnes Leirana Albarino Rias Baixas 2020 750ML ($39.95) $26.60 special
Case-12 Bodegas Forjas del Salnes Leirana Albarino Rias Baixas 2020 750ML ($479.95) $299 special, (that’s only $24.92/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 94 points “The vibrant 2020 Leirana was produced with a blend of 60% wine matured in used oak foudre and the rest stainless steel, as the wine has very high acidity (9 to 9.5 grams with a pH of 2.99!) and doesn’t go through malolactic; so, it is very sharp, and the higher percentage of oak makes it a little rounder. It’s powerful and pungent, serious and with granite minerality, showcasing the serious style of the whites from 2020. It has moderate alcohol (12.9%) and an electric palate that is clean and tasty, with a stony finish.”
 

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Other Albarino in stock now: 

Nanclares y Prieto ‘Crisopa’ Branco Tradicional Galicia 2018 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez – Wine Advocate 94 points “The completely unusual “orange” wine is a bright amber Albariño macerated with skins during the fermentation. The 2018 Crisopa, produced with grapes from the same vineyard as Soberrivas, has a completely different nose and a brighter and deeper color than any previous vintage. Perhaps the grapes were smaller and there might be more skins for the juice, and the wine underwent malolactic (at least partially). There are notes of apple liqueur, pollen and beeswax, and the palate is finely tannic. Here, the process overpowers the variety and place. It has lower acidity than most of the wines from the winery, but this is one of the finest examples of the type. It should develop nicely in bottle. 636 bottles were filled in August 2019.”
Importer note “Crisopa Branco Tradicional comes from the same parcel as “Soverribas” (Paraje Manzaniña) but is picked one day earlier to select the best bunches. After a wet and cool spring and summer, it turned dry and hot in August, with hand-harvesting on Sept. 10th through Oct. 6th. The grapes were foot-trodden in open plastic vats with 100% whole-clusters, and then skin-fermented for 20 days in a steel vat. After a vertical press the wine is racked into a used 500L French oak cask, where it rests for 11 months on the lees with battonage for first 3 months, before being bottled on Aug. 21st (fruit day) without clarification, filtration and only modest amounts of SO2. A fascinating and extremely textured Vinho Branco made in the style of the ancients!”
 

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Shop our full selection of Spanish Whites today! 

 

Weingut Wwe. Dr. H. Thanisch Erben Thanisch is a classic German Riesling producer. Without being hyperbolic they have garnered as many awards as their name has syllables. Named after the widow (wwe being the German abbreviation) who inherited the estate in the 19th century, Thanisch has been producing wine since 1636. As one of Germany’s most exceptional producers, Thanisch was one of the first estates invited to join the VDP Consortium in 1910, has continued to pursue excellence ever since.

Thanisch holds the crown for highest price ever fetched at auction for a German producer thanks to working entirely with old vines and some of the most lauded vineyards in the Mosel. The wine in question? A bottle of 1921 Berncastler Doctor Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese that had been secretly hidden in their underground cellar for decades. It was sold in 1986 for over $16,000.

When one thinks of extreme vineyards, most point to the Northern Rhône, Liguria, or the Canary islands. But the verdant slopes of the Mosel hide some of the most dangerous and challenging sites in the world. Any slope over 30 degrees makes mechanized assistance nearly impossible, further exacerbating backbreaking work for farmhands.

Wwe Dr. Thanisch wines in stock now: 

Wwe Dr. H. Thanisch Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Kabinett Mosel 2016 750ML ($34.95) $24 special, 22 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht – Vinous 91 points “Ripe pear and apple dominate on the nose as well as on a silken, buoyant palate, supported by subtle sweetness. Mouthwatering salinity and transparency to crystalline stony nuances give the long, refreshingly juicy finish a fascinating and delightful sense of shimmer.”
Mosel Fine Wines 90 points “The 2016er Badstube Kabinett was harvested at 88° Oechsle. It offers a delicately ripe nose of pear, earthy spices, slate and smoke. The wine comes to life on the palate as acidity peps up some succulent pear right into the long finish and gives it a gorgeously lively and well-balanced side. The after-taste is elegantly playful. 2026-2041” 
 

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Wwe Dr. H. Thanisch Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spatlese Mosel 2019 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 14 bottles in stock now 
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93 points ” Vinified in old fuder vats until May and bottled at the end of August this year, the 2019 Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spätlese is clear, precise and elegant on the flinty and crunchy nose. On the palate, this is a perfectly round, textured, finessed and stimulatingly salty Spätlese of great elegance and finesse. I tried to spit it three times and always failed. There is this very rare reflex that you can’t avoid, and before you even think about it, you want to swallow it. Gorgeous. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.”
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points “The 2019er Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spätlese is a sweet wine with a refined and floral nose of whipped cream, vineyard peach, smoke, herbs, orange blossom, and fine spices. It proves gorgeously playful and creamy on the palate and leaves a great feeling of energy and finesse in the finish. This is a great and juicy Spätlese in the making. 2029-2049.”
 

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Wwe Dr. H. Thanisch Bernkastel-Kues Alte Reben Mosel 2019 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 90 points ” The 2019er Bernkastel-Kues Riesling Alte Reben is a barely off-dry wine (with 12 g/l of residual sugar) made from grapes harvested from 40-year-old vines in the Kueser part of the city. It offers a superbly complex and refreshing nose of anise, pink grapefruit, orange peel, tangerine, mint, lead pencil, and smoke. The wine proves hugely enjoyable thanks its animating presence on the palate and leaves a precise and dry-tasting feel in the long finish. The wine develops more weight and presence with airing, but retains a great sense of grip and playfulness in the animating and beautifully balanced after-taste. Now-2034.”
 

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Wwe Dr. H. Thanisch Bernkasteler Graben Riesling Grosses Gewächs Mosel 2019 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 91+ points “The 2019 Bernkasteler Graben Riesling GG is adjacent to Thanisch’s Doctor parcel yet a bit less warm. From 60- to 70-year-old-vines, this is a smoky, intense and elegant Riesling with very fine, precise and crunchy gray slate aromas. Medium-bodied, intense and complex on the palate, this is a tight, long and structured dry Graben Riesling with a refreshing lemon aroma on the concentrated and refreshing finish. This is complex but very promising and currently pretty closed, although the bottle was opened two days earlier. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.”
 

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See the complete list of wines in stock now from Thanisch on our web store.

While you’re there, browse other classic Mosel producers such as Max Richter, Merkelbach, JJ Prum and more!
 

 

 

Paolo De Marchi is the winemaker and owner of the legendary Isole e Olena in Tuscany, but he has also retained a small family estate in the foothills of the Italian Alps. Sourced from a combination of vineyards that begin at 1,000 feet above sea level, featuring vines between 30-90 years old, with the varietals being primarily Nebbiolo (or Spanna as it’s called locally) with a splash of Vespolina. Loaded with a plethora of oranges ranging from Seville, blood and mandarin and accentuated by notes of crushed rose petal and white peach. There’s also a slight spice on the finish in addition to a refreshing muskmelon component. Absolutely delicious and incredibly versatile on the table, with this being especially good with fatty fish, fried chicken or South Asian curries.       

Proprieta Sperino ‘Rosa del Rosa’ Rosato Coste della Sesia Piedmont 2020 750ML ($21.95) $19 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Eric Guido Vinous 92 points “The 2020 is an understated and delicate rendition of Rosa Del Rosa. Nuances of peach tea, chamomile, green apple and hints of ginger can all be found with coaxing. It’s silky and pliant in feel, the vibrant acids and mineral tones mixing to create a tug-of-war of sweet and salty tension, as notes of ripe melon give way to pretty inner florals. This tapers off persistent, lightly structured and buzzing with residual energy, completely refreshing the palate with a twang of sour citrus. The Rosa Del Rosa is a blend of Nebbiolo and Vespolina. It’s very enjoyable already, but it will likely blossom further with a bit more time in bottle. “
 

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Schloss Gobelsburg, a Cistercian monastic estate, is one of the oldest wineries in the Austrian Danube area with a documented history that dates back to 1171. All the vineyards are located on slopes and terraces around the valley of the river Kamp near the town of Langenlois and the village of Gobelsburg. 

Gently vinified in steel and gravity fed in the winery, this is a rose that emphasizes the lighter and more delicate character of rose. There’s a mixed plate of fruits ranging from white nectarine and strawberry, with additional notes of cherry blossom, yarrow and cranberry. Compatible with flavorous cuisine at any stage in the meal like Tagines, Tabbouleh, Galbijjim, Ramen or Macarons.   

Schlosskellerei Gobelsburg Cistercien Rose, Niederosterreich 2020 750ML ($21.95) $17 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Winery note “The valley of the Danube and its side-valleys belong to the ‘Cool climate’ areas of Austria. Some vineyards are even too cold for red wine making. Zweigelt, St. Laurent and Pinot Noir grapes grown in the cooler sites of Gobelsburg and Langenlois are used for this wine.”
Skurnik Wines note “Region: Kamptal. Zweigelt, St. Laurent, Pinot Noir. Appellation: Niederösterreich. Vineyard: Multiple cooler site vineyards. Soil Type Loess. Age of Vines (Average) 20 years. Sustainable. Fermentation and elevage in stainless steel.” 
 

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Thanks to the recommendation of Johannes Selbach, we were able to find a local gem that’s rarely discussed outside of German wine media. The Ruwer is one of the most unique of the Mosel sub-regions, in that it does not receive the benefits of refracted sunlight off the surface of the river like her sisters Bernkastel or Terrassenmosel due to the smaller size of the Ruwer river. Climatologically speaking this slows ripening and requires longer hang time on the vine, as seen in the wines produced with higher sugar levels and pronounced floral aromatics. You’d be hard pressed to find a producer that better exemplifies these qualities than Peter Geiben’s work at the Karlsmuhle estate. 

Karlsmuhle is based in the Ruwer and has an estate blessed with exceptionally steep vineyards and old vines. These factors considered it’s little surprise that his wines have won “Best in Germany” multiple times and have been mentioned by the likes of Terry Theise. In four years of competing, Karlsmuhle won nine medals across multiple categories. Karlsmuhle is one of only a handful of producers in all of Germany that make Riesling at all levels of the Prädikatswein ladder. 

This was one of the most favored winegrowing areas by the Romans, with archeological sites showing wine production dating back to the first century (making it one of the first colonized and planted by the empire!) If you appreciate the delicate and ethereal qualities of Riesling, this is a sub-region to try! The soil here is deeper than other sub-regions and contains veins of iron but still featuring a base of slate like the rest of the Mosel. Examples from this area usually feature generous amounts of fruit, refreshing herbaciousness, high acidity and a slightly spicy finish. 

  
Karlsmuhle wines in stock now:  

Weingut Karlsmuhle Lorenzhofer Riesling Kabinett Trocken Mosel 2019 750ML ($24.95) $19 special
 

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Weingut Karlsmuhle Kaseler Nies’chen Kabinett Riesling Mosel 2019 750ML ($24.95) $19 special
 

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Weingut Karlsmuhle Kaseler Nies’chen Spatlese Riesling Mosel 2019 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
 

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Weingut Karlsmuhle Kaseler Nies’chen Riesling Auslese Lange Goldkapsel Mosel 2019 750ML ($44.95) $38 special
 

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Alvear is a house that is synonymous with Spanish history. Family records indicate their first step into the wine industry was in 1729 with the construction of their family bodega in Andalucía. The family’s fame continued to rise for the next century, reaching its apex when Diego de Alvear y Ponce de León established a Spanish colony in what is now Uruguay and Argentina. The family has stayed busy throughout their centuries in business, with their Sherries from Montilla-Morales being some of the best examples of their region’s output. On the eve of the new millennium the Alvear clan decided to expand outside of the Sherry triangle and establish a new winery in the Extremadura, a Spanish desert region famous for her agricultural output.

Planting indigenous clones of Tempranillo and Grenache with other warm-climate varietals like Syrah and Petit Verdot, the idea was to best exemplify the terroir of Extramadura. The Envinate Group of Canary Island and Ribera Del Duero fame were tapped to lead the winemaking and viticulture programs. Their imprint is clearly evident in the finished products, with no pesticides or synthetic inputs used in the vineyard and minimal intervention being practiced in the cellar.  

Alvear Wines in stock now: 

Alvear Pedro Ximenez Solera 1927 Montilla-Moriles 1927 NV 375ML ($39.95) $29 special, 2 half bottles in stock now 
Robert Parker 98 points “[Reviewed 2015] The NV Pedro Ximenez Solera 1927 is non-vintage, but does have some 1927 material in it. This is totally dark brown/amber with notes of figs, toffee, caramel syrup, molasses and coffee. It is dense, super sweet, intense, rich and an amazingly, unctuously textured, thick beverage to consume slowly and introspectively after a meal. Drink now through 2050, or even longer.”
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “[Reviewed 2017] One of the world’s best PX wines is Solera 1927, the pride of Alvear. Whatever solera stocks went into this bottling were well selected. Aromas of maple and fine wood turn to fig and caramel. Saturation and weight on the palate are expected, but this has some (though not a lot) acidic cut. Deep flavors of fig and Nutella finish with nuttiness and warmth. Drink or hold. -Michael Schachner”

Alvear 3 Miradas Ladera de Benavente Montilla-Moriles 2019 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Alvear 3 Miradas Ladera de Benavente Montilla-Moriles 2019 750ML ($324.95) $239 special, (that’s only $19.92/bottle!)
Bianca- 100% pedro jimenez; from one of the crus described below.
The Tres Miradas project is the latest collaboration between Bodegas Alvear & Envinate. It represents a goal of the Alvear family and Envinate to express the terroir that has been historically known as the Sierra de Montilla, with a winemaking approach that focuses more on the vineyard and less on the ageing process in the cellar. The Tres Miradas Vino de Pueblo, classified as a village wine in the Burgundian classification, is a selection of grapes a variety of plots that are directly pressed without maceration and fermented in tinajas, traditional concrete amphora of 4800L. With Tres Miradas, they followed the Burgundian classification by producing one village wine, and three single vineyards or “crus.”
 

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Alvear Palacio Quemado La Raya Vino de la Tierra de Extremadura Spain 2016 750ML ($34.95) $27 special 
Case-12 Alvear Palacio Quemado La Raya Vino de la Tierra de Extremadura Spain 2016 750ML ($419.95) $299 special (that’s only $24.92/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Dark garnet. Intensely perfumed, mineral-driven red and blue fruit, potpourri and incense scents show excellent clarity and spicy lift. Palate-staining raspberry, boysenberry, spicecake and floral pastille flavors deepen steadily through the back half. Manages to come off powerful as well as lithe and shows no rough edges. Finishes smooth and extremely long, featuring sneaky tannins and lingering red fruit, mineral and floral notes.”
Vinopolnote– A vineyard blend of the rich and dark Port grapes Trincadeira Prieta and Touriga Nacional in addition to Garnacha and Syrah
 

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Alvear Palacio Quemado La Zarcita Vino de la Tierra de Extremadura Spain 2018 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Case-12 Alvear Palacio Quemado La Zarcita Vino de la Tierra de Extremadura Spain 2018 750ML ($299.95) $199 special (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Opaque magenta. Red and blue fruit, floral and spice qualities on the expressive nose. Supple and appealingly sweet, offering spice-accented raspberry and boysenberry flavors and a musky hint of licorice. Finishes long and juicy, with repeating florality and gentle tannins adding final grip.”
Vinopolnote– A vineyard blend of the rich and dark Port grapes Trincadeira Prieta and Touriga Nacional in addition to Garnacha and Syrah
 

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Alvear Palacio Quemado Los Acilates Vino de la Tierra de Extremadura Spain  2016 750ML ($27.95) $24 special 
Case-12 Alvear Palacio Quemado Los Acilates Vino de la Tierra de Extremadura 2016 750ML ($359.95) $259 special (that’s only $21.58/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Deep, shimmering ruby. A pungent, mineral-accented bouquet evokes fresh cherry, boysenberry and exotic spices, along with a suave floral overtone. Sappy and expansive on the palate, offering appealingly sweet red and blue fruit and floral pastille flavors and a suggestion of baking spices. The impressively long, sweet, floral-tinged finish is shaped by fine-grained tannins that fold smoothly into the wine’s vibrant fruit.”
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 92 points “The elegant, floral and perfumed 2016 Los Acilates reflected a cooler year with a longer growing season, which resulted in higher yields that achieved perfect ripeness. The aromas and flavors are precise and pure, and there is a sense of harmony that I like very much. The spectrum of aromas is about red fruit and flowers with just a pinch of spices. The palate is very elegant, with fine-grained tannins and a dry, chalky texture that I often associate with limestone soils. Delicious! 7,000 bottles produced.”
Vinopolnote– A vineyard blend of the rich and dark Port grapes Trincadeira Prieta and Touriga Nacional in addition to Garnacha and Syrah
 

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You’ve heard of sister regions Barolo and Barbaresco but did you know that there is a third sibling that also specialized in Nebbiolo? The Italian Alps are home to some of the most ethereal and mineral driven expressions of wine in the entire world. Naturally insulated from the rest of the country due to the topography, the villagers practice winemaking exactly as they have for centuries. Alto Piemonte as it’s known by the locals was formed during the shift of the African and European tectonic plates millions of years ago, creating one of the most diverse mix of soils in the world. 

You see everything from prehistoric marine sediment, schist, fractured limestone, granite and even sandstone. There is so much complexity that only the locals have dared to try classifying the contents of their soil. Located near the Italian-Swiss border Arpepe does exactly that, producing Chiavennasca (The local name for Nebbiolo) from terraced vineyards that have been in their family for generations. Known as a benchmark producer for the regions wines, Ar.Pe.Pe. is a fantastic introduction to the particular stylings of Chiavennasca in way that draws comparisons to Barolo and Barbaresco of years past. Considering the advancement of climate change these wines are well on their way to becoming the next hotbed for Nebbiolo in Italy, as freshness and elegance become more elusive further south. 

Ar.Pe.Pe. wines in stock now: 

Ar.Pe.Pe. Buon Consiglio Riserva Valtellina Superiore Grumello DOCG 2013 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95+ points “One of two late-release wines from Ar. Pe. Pe., the 2013 Valtellina Superiore Grumello Riserva Buon Consiglio is a beautifully light and delicate expression of Nebbiolo with a lean, ruby-tinged appearance. The wine ages to silkiness and extreme suppleness, and I cannot help but notice the unique aromas of toasted hazelnut, mountain flower and balsam herb that rise so delicately from the bouquet. These results are exquisite and ultra delicate, giving the wine a lithe or ethereal personality. What a beauty. Only 6,000 bottles were released.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “A perfumed red, exuding aromas and flavors of crushed raspberry and pureed strawberry, exotic spice and graphite, dried marjoram and thyme. It’s finely knit, with silky tannins and mouthwatering, citrus peel acidity. A graceful version with a lasting, mineral-laced finish. Drink now through 2028. 500 cases made, 175 cases imported.  –AN”
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Camphor, wild rose and botanical herbs mingle with a whiff of wet granite. On the elegantly structured, still youthfully austere palate, tight, refined tannins lithely support sour cherry, orange zest and star anise. It’s vibrant and balanced, with bright acidity. Drink 2023–2033. -Kerin O’Keefe”
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

Ar.Pe.Pe. Sesto Canto Riserva Valtellina Superiore Inferno DOCG 2013 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points “There’s a lovely juiciness to the crushed black raspberry and strawberry fruit on display in this elegant, medium- to full-bodied red, yet sleek tannins are well-integrated and provide fine definition. Fragrant notes of tea leaf, pomegranate and hot stone chime on the silky finish. Drink now through 2033. 500 cases made, 175 cases imported.  –AN”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Ar.Pe.Pe. Vigna Regina – Nuova Regina Riserva Valtellina Superiore Sassella DOCG 2013 750ml ($119.95) $99 Special, 22 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Loaded with finesse and energy and still youthfully austere, this linear, structured red offers tart cranberry, blood orange and star anise sensations. A vein of salty mineral provides the backdrop while fine-grained tannins provide elegant structure and support. Racy acidity keeps it balanced. Give it time to fully develop and blossom into even more of a beauty. Drink 2025–2035. -Kerin O’Keefe”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “A release of about 6,000 bottles, the Ar. Pe. Pe. 2013 Valtellina Superiore Riserva Sassella Nuova Regina draws its fruit from terraced vineyards delineated by rocky drywalls. The vines are at least 50 years old and planted in friable metamorphic rock or gneiss shaped by glaciers. This wine is made in a highly traditional manner with extended skin maceration in oak casks, and all the harvest work is done by hand. This is a true beauty with enormous finesse and a deep well of aromatic nuances that center around wild berries, blue flowers and iron ore. The wine is carefully aged with fine and silky tannins. It tastes great, so if you have a bottle you can drink it now or wait longer if that is your pleasure.”
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

Ar.Pe.Pe. ‘Il Pettirosso’ Valtellina Superiore DOCG 2016 750ML ($54.95) $45 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Decanter 93 points “Il Pettirosso, or ‘robin redbreast’, is a dedication to Ar Pe Pe’s founder, Arturo who first created this bottling in 1997. A selection of casks ready to be bottled after relatively minimal ageing, it brings together parcels in the subzones of Sassella and Grumello. Piercing pure rose, cherry blossom and tobacco lead the way to a nucleus of sweet raspberry, red cherry and subtle flintiness. It’s fine-boned in frame and zesty in acidity, with silky-smooth tannins that glide effortlessly across the palate. The epitome of elegance. Drinking Window 2021 – 2028.”
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2016 Valtellina Superiore Il Pettirosso is a terrific choice for readers who want to explore the Ar.Pe.Pe. wines before delving into some of the more pricey bottlings. Dried autumn leaves, cedar, pipe tobacco, herbs and licorice are some of the many notes that grace this wonderfully expressive, super-classic Valtellina Nebbiolo. Aging in cask brings out the nuances of these old vines so well. The transparency of Nebbiolo comes through beautifully.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 92 points “Here’s a beautiful wine with a great human story behind it. Fruit from 50-year-old vines planted in friable granitic mountain soils is carried down to the winery in small cassettes on the hearty shoulders of the harvesters. With some 24,000 bottles made, the Ar. Pe. Pe. 2016 Valtellina Superiore Nebbiolo Il Pettirosso is perfumed with rosebud, wild berry, sour cherry and crushed stone. All that backbreaking human labor leads to a soft and gently polished red wine to pair with a classic buckwheat pasta from this ski-loving region.”
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Bright and tangy, this fragrant wine offers head scents of red rose, pine forest, wet flint and Alpine herb. Vibrant and savory, the racy palate has lovely mineral energy and tension, doling out juicy Marasca cherry, ground clove and a hint of hazelnut alongside taut, refined tannins and bright acidity. Drink through 2026. -Kerin O’Keefe”
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

Ar.Pe.Pe. Grumello Rocca de Piro Riserva Valtellina Superiore Grumello DOCG 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special,  12 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “Fruit for this wine comes from the high altitudes of the Rhaetian Alps, where decomposed granite soils make for a dark contrast against brilliant white ice and snow falls. The Ar. Pe. Pe. 2015 Valtellina Superiore Nebbiolo Grumello Rocca de Piro reveals a long succession of dried raspberry, cassis, pressed violets, iron ore and crushed stone. This wine promises to make a terrific pairing with a simple plate of thinly sliced Valtellina bresaola. Some 30,000 bottles were made.”
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Initially shy, the subtle nose eventually reveals new leather, Alpine herb and wild berry. The savory palate has an understated elegance, offering Marasca cherry, pomegranate and graphite alongside refined tannins. Drink through 2027. -Kerin O’Keefe”
Wine Spectator 92 points “An elegant light- to medium-bodied red, with fine tannins creating a supple frame for flavors wild strawberry, black tea leaf and a ferrous, minerally underpinning. It’s fresh and focused, with a lingering, lightly spiced finish. Drink now through 2030. –AN