In This Newsletter:
New Arrival Special Feature:
2019 Dönnhoff
New Week – New Arrivals
Staff Pick
Ameztoi Rubentis
Trending
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
California
Chris Bilbro was one of California wine’s unsung heroes. He founded and grew Marietta Cellars into one of the preeminent producers of excellent value, honestly made California wine. Although his son Scot now runs the winery (Chris sadly passed away), the wines are as good as they’ve ever been—delicious, gutsy wines that deliver exceptional value at all prices. These are fantastic wines from their sub-$20 Zinfandel and Cabernet bottlings all the way through their “Gibson Block” Syrah, which hails from a parcel of Syrah planted in the 1880’s and still producing (tiny quantities) of fruit today.
Marietta Cellars ‘Arme’ Cabernet, North Coast 2017 750ML ($21.95) $19 special
Antonio Galloni 91-93 points “The 2017 Armé is another gorgeous wine in this range from Marietta. Inky dark blue and purplish fruit, lavender, menthol and spice all grace this sumptuous racy and inky wine with great balance. The 2017 is a super value in California Cabernet Sauvignon. Wow.”
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Marietta Cellars Angeli Cuvee, Alexander Valley 2018 750ML ($39.95) $29 special
Antonio Galloni 91-94 points “Marietta’s 2018 Zinfandel Angeli is dark, sumptuous and super-expressive. Inky dark plum, blueberry, mint, spice, lavender and licorice infuse the 2018 with striking depth and character. Readers will find a powerful Zinfandel with the structure and personality to age gracefully for many years.”
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France – Burgundy
Lucien Le Moine is one of the hottest names in Burgundy. The rise has been meteoric due to the scarcity of the wines and also the fact that they work almost exclusively with grand and premier cru vineyards. To understand why Le Moine’s wines are so exceptional, the first thing to understand is that the house doesn’t make, or set out to make, anything close to average. Jaspar Morris MW calls them a “haute-coture negociant” and just like a high-end designer, they strive to make statement wines.
Lucien Le Moine En Remilly, Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($219.95) $169 special
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Lucien Le Moine La Grande Montagne, Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($189.95) $159 special
Lucien Le Moine Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, Côte de Beaune 2017 750ML ($319.95) $289 special
Wine Spectator 96 points “This intense version grabs your attention, with effusive aromas of lemon curd, pine forest, wood smoke and stone. There is something wild about this, yet at the core lies sweet, ripe peach and apple fruit, shaded by lanolin and peat notes. Bracing acidity keeps all the elements in line, driving the long finish. Best from 2022 through 2032. 25 cases imported.”
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France – Loire
Bernard & Benoit Landron Chartier Champtoceaux Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire 2016 750ML ($24.95) $17 special
Distributor note “Melon de Bourgogne. The Domaine’s organic vineyards are spread through the Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire region and vines continue through the lesser known region of Coteaux d’Ancenis where the Gamay grapes are turned into very intriguing red and rosé wines.. The passion for low-intervention winemaking is evident when speaking with Benoît. These family made wines offer great character and aliveness that can sometimes be lacking in Muscadet, where the majority of wine is bought by négociants and sold en masse. However, at Landron Chartier, quality of fruit and integrity in the cellar are paramount. Organic farming, hand harvesting, native fermentations, and low added sulfites maintain the purity of the wines.”
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Italy
Tenuta Col d’Orcia Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
James Suckling 92 points “A soft, delicious red with crushed berry and cherry character. Full body, round, velvety tannins and a flavorful finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
G.D. Vajra ‘Clare J.C.’ Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont 2019 750ML ($24.95) $19 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 92+ points “Although this wine has been produced since 2014, it is a new discovery to me—and a terrific one at that. I’ll start off with the beautiful graphics on the label that were inspired by the winemaking protocols penned in 1606 by Gian Battista Croce, a jeweler for the House of Savoia who dabbled in wine. The G.D. Vajra 2019 Langhe Nebbiolo Claré J.C. is a pure expression of Nebbiolo, with about one-fifth whole-cluster fermentation. Following suggestions to serve the wine slightly chilled, I tasted my sample at 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and I would recommend the same to you. This wine offers an innovative and playful look at the normally austere, long-term Nebbiolo grape. In fact, this Langhe Nebbiolo borrows from Beaujolais. You’ll love the vibrant, tonic and lively fruit that pops from the glass with focused intensity. The palate is lean and crisp. Some 12,000 bottles were released in March 2020, and that price point is unbeatable. I am absolutely smitten.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 92 points “Wow, the 2019 Vajra Clare JC explodes from the glass with masses of crushed raspberry and strawberry fruits, complicated by sweet and savory herbs, along with crushed stone minerality. On the palate, fleshy textures are quickly firmed up by a mix of tart red berries, with zesty acids, a slight frizzante spritz, and a coating of liquid violet florals. The finish is long and lightly structured, displaying a lasting and unmistakable note of red licorice with hints of spiced orange. This is wonderfully expressive and bridges the gap between Red and Rosé; please pour me another. Of note, the 2019 Claré JC was gently fermented with about 20% whole cluster fruit with malolactic completed in stainless steel, hence the perceivable effervescence.”
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The average price nationally is $23
G.D. Vajra Viola delle Viole Barbera d’Alba Superiore, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($37.95) $29 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93+ points “This wine carries the fantasy name “Viola delle Viole,” when in fact, its fruit comes from the Bricco delle Viole vineyard and the Bricco Bertone, two sites with different soil types, one adding structure and one adding aromatic purity. The G.D. Vajra 2017 Barbera d’Alba Superiore Viola delle Viole opens to an inky almost impenetrable appearance. The bouquet opens to robust aromas of blackberry jam and cherry preserves. You feel the heat and richness of the vintage, and there’s no way around it. The 2017 growing season produced very concentrated fruit with smaller berry size due to heat and drought. In effect, you get a super-sized Barbera that ups the ante in terms of extraction and intensity. There is a point of almost-sweetness on the close followed by good acidity. A pairing with marinated or spicy barbecued meat might work best. Some 12,000 bottles were released. Honestly, I’m not a fan of overripe wines, but I make an exception with Barbera because this grape handles the warmest growing seasons with grace and always offers enough acidity to balance things out.
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2017 Barbera d’Alba Superiore is plush, racy and flat-out delicious. Raspberry jam, cinnamon, dried flowers, sweet tobacco and cedar all flesh out in a forward, plush Barbera that will drink well right out the gate. The Superiore always needs a few years to fully emerge. I imagine that will be the case here as well. Even so, the 2017 is an especially open-knit version of this wine.”
Grapelive 91 points “The jet black and purple hued Vajra Barbera d’Alba Superiore is a full bodied and luxurious wine. [Its] with ultra-supple tannin and creamy length highlights the warmth of the vintage in 2017 and makes for an exotic version of this wine with crushed blackberries, sweet plum, fig and black cherry pie filling fruits coming through on the smooth and gracious palate. At first big and fruit forward, this 2017 adds some depth and savory tones once the air kicks in and after 20 minutes in gains wonderful complexity and completes the transition into a much more serious and balanced wine with hints of mineral, anise, crushed violets and a mix of spice and herbs all putting in appearances. The acidity emerges to brighten things up. This change in the glass make this beautiful wine even more compelling. Vajra, taking what nature gave, masterfully guided this Barbera to bottle and spotlighted the best features of the year, the terroir and the grape, again proving they are one of the best wineries in the region. The sites Vajra uses for their Barbera Superiore, 100% Barbera, are at higher elevation, set on marl and sand and late ripening with as the winery note have very thick skins which require extra time on the vine to fully develop their character. [It] comes from old vines, some dating back to 1949, with low yielding estate vineyards from Bricco delle Viole, a great Barolo Cru and Bricco Bertone providing the grapes. Made from carefully sorted and 100% de-stemmed grapes fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel vats with a rather long 30 to 40 days maceration, then this Barbera d’Alba DOC Superiore saw up to two years in large Slavonian oak casks prior to release, plus, Vajra rests it a few more months in bottle to make sure the wine is fully integrated at release. This is an opulent edition of this wine and it deserves center piece attention at the table with extra care to get the best out of it, which should include some hearty country style cuisine. It is well suited for lamb, grilled meats and or sausages. This 2017 took a while to get going, but once fully awake it delivered a fine performance with a range of dark flavors and delicate earthy notes with just a touch of cedary wood influence. There is so much to admire in Vajra’s collection, especially with their gorgeous Barolo offerings, it sometimes is easy to overlook their Barbera and Dolcetto bottlings, but they should not be missed…”
Spain – Catalonia
Jaume Giro I Giro Elaboracion Reserva Brut Nature Cava, Catalonia 2015 750ML ($29.95) $17 special
Distributor note “Xarel-lo/Macabeo/Parellada/Chardonnay. Organic. The son of Jaume Giró i Giró and current proprietor is Ramon Giró y Gramona; he has a great sense of humor, is a world traveler, and makes friends wherever he goes. His family has been involved in growing Cava, producing the base wines or making and aging Cava since at least 1836, although that is just the earliest found documentation. They have likely been involved even longer. Ramon learned how to make Cava from his grandfather, the Gramona. His Cavas are aged on the lees for extended periods of time (for some bottlings, over 100 months), and he does not disgorge until he receives an order. The result are elegant, lees driven Cavas, with great intricacy, value and food friendliness.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Spain – Sherry
Alexander Jules 8/41 Manzanilla Sherry, Andalucia NV 500ML ($34.95) $24 special
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 91+ points “The June 2017 bottling of the NV Manzanilla 8/41 was firing on all cylinders when I tasted it. It’s a nine-year-old Manzanilla from the Pago del Hornillo with pungent aromas and flavors with very Sanlúcar character, a faintly reductive personality and lots of soil influence. It’s tasty, dry, long and saline. Simply delicious. This was bottled “en rama” into 1,600 half-liter bottles.”
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Alexander Jules 9/65 Fino Sherry, Andalucia NV 500ML ($39.95) $21.90 special
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Alexander Jules 3/10 Amontillado Sherry, Andalucia NV 375ML ($39.95) $19.90 special
17/20 Jancis Robinson
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The next best price is $39.99 for the 500ML
Germany
Weingut Carl Loewen Longuicher Herrenberg Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2019 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
James Suckling 94 points “Excellent ripeness and structure for Kabinett, but also the lightness and finesse that this category should have. Very long, crisp and mineral finish. Drink or hold.”
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points “The 2019er Longuicher Herrenberg Riesling Kabinett is made from grapes harvested at 83° Oechsle on over 100-year-old un-grafted vines situated high up the hill, and was fermented down to barely fruity-styled levels of residual sugar (42 g/l). This white-hay colored wine offers a deep and delicately broad nose made of white peach, gooseberry, smoky slate, and residual scents from its spontaneous fermentation. It proves superbly balanced on the palate, where gorgeous flavors of succulent white peach, minerals, and fine spices are delivered with Spätlese intensity and presence. The finish is beautifully balanced, vibrating and yet remarkably refined. While this gorgeous fruity-styled wine is dangerously easy to knock down now, it will only really reveal its full beauty in a decade or so. What a great success! 2029-2049”
Staff Pick
Ameztoi Rubentis
The average price is $23
New Arrival Special Feature:
2019 Dönnhoff
New Week – New Arrivals
Staff Pick
Ameztoi Rubentis
Trending
New Arrival Special Feature:
2019 Dönnhoff
Dönnhoff’s Best Vintage Ever?
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $24
Weingut Donnhoff Dellchen Riesling Grosses Gewachs 2019 1.5L ($199.95) $169 special, 2 magnums in stock now
James Suckling 100 points “Ravishing bouquet of a thousand golden fruits and a staggering interplay of diamond-bright acidity and great succulence. Then, just when you think you’ve processed all that, along comes a monster wave of minerality, which sweeps you off your feet. But you land on the beach, deliriously happy. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95-96 points “The 2019 Riesling GG Dellchen is enormously fine and elegant on the subtle but fascinatingly complex nose that intertwines stony notes with yellow-fleshed stone fruit aromas. On the palate, this is an intense, highly finessed and elegant Dellchen with incredibly refined juiciness and great balance and purity. The finish is very long and complex but keeps the finesse and purity. Very stimulating and salty—a great Dellchen GG and one of the finest I have had from Cornelius Dönnhoff! Tasted as a sample in Bremen, April 2020.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95-96 points “The 2019 Riesling GG Dellchen is enormously fine and elegant on the subtle but fascinatingly complex nose that intertwines stony notes with yellow-fleshed stone fruit aromas. On the palate, this is an intense, highly finessed and elegant Dellchen with incredibly refined juiciness and great balance and purity. The finish is very long and complex but keeps the finesse and purity. Very stimulating and salty—a great Dellchen GG and one of the finest I have had from Cornelius Dönnhoff! Tasted as a sample in Bremen, April 2020.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Donnhoff ‘Felsenturmchen’ Felsenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs 2019 375ML ($49.95) $39 special, 3 half-bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “Dense, grapefruit and sage aromas, then a wonderful combination of great power and stunning vibrancy on the palate. Very long, smoky-mineral finish with great clarity. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93-95 points “The 2019 Riesling GG Felsenberg is pure, fresh and flinty on the precise, perfectly ripe and complex nose. Lush and generous on the palate, this is a full-bodied, intense, salty, remarkably finessed and structured Felsenberg Riesling with lingering salinity and crystalline character. The finish is dense and very complex yet vital, fresh and long, with lots of expression. Tasted as a sample in Bremen, April 2020.”
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Weingut Donnhoff Hermannshohle Riesling Grosses Gewachs 2019 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, only 1 bottle available
James Suckling 99 points “The enveloping, peachy aroma with just a whisker of fresh pineapple leads into a mind-boggling micro-cosmos of flavor that’s simultaneously rich, yet also supernaturally delicate. Sublime balance through the enormously long finish. Great aging potential. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96-97 points “The 2019 Riesling GG Hermannshöhle offers a pure, intense, complex and flinty bouquet with dashes of lemon juice and crushed stones. On the palate, this is a full-bodied, intense and salty-mineral Riesling with great finesse, tension, balance and site expression. The finish is very long, salty and tight yet stimulating in its bright and precise nature. A fantastic Hermannshöhle! Tasted as a sample in Bremen, April 2020.”
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The next best price is $94.98
Weingut Donnhoff Kreuznacher Kahlenberg Riesling Trocken 2019 750ML ($41.95) $36 special
James Suckling 93 points “At once generous and crisp with plenty of pear and fresh-pineapple character, then a long chalky finish that reminds you of Chablis. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
John Gilman 92+ points “The Kahlenberg vineyard in Kreuznach is a due south facing slope with a soil foundation of gravelly loam, making it quite unique in terms of its soil composition in the pantheon of Dönnhoff vineyard holdings. The 2019 Kahlenberg Trocken is a svelte and utterly refined young Riesling, offering up a gorgeous bouquet of pink grapefruit, apple, orange peel, a complex base of soil tones, a touch of wild yeasts, fruit blossoms and a hint of lemongrass in the upper register. On the palate the wine is bright, fullish and laser-like, with a lovely core, fine soil signature, vibrant acids and outstanding length and grip on the nascently complex and energetic finish. This is truly outstanding juice! 2020-2060.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92-93 points “The 2019 Riesling trocken Kreuznacher Kahlenberg is clear, pure and flinty on the bright yet intense, concentrated, exciting and stony-scented nose. From pebbly loess and loam soils, this is a lush, salty, very fine and stimulating dry Riesling with very attractive fruit, lingering salinity and fine grip. Really stimulating. Tasted as a sample in Bremen, April 2020.”
Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel 2019 375ML ($69.95) $54.50 special, 5 half-bottles in stock now
James Suckling 99 points “Welcome to the Nahe Riesling deep end, from where you can look up and still see the sun. Enormous depth and complexity at the spectacular finish, but oh, so filigree! An absolute masterpiece of winemaking in the off-dry riesling style! Drink or hold.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2019 Riesling Auslese Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle is crystalline and flinty on the precise, ethereal and bright nose that represents the terroir of the Hermannshöhle beautifully and irresistibly. On the palate, this is a highly finessed, filigreed, playful and delicate Auslese with stimulating piquancy and salinity on the weightless and frisky but elegant finish. This is a fascinating Auslese with great detail and precision. Personally, I even prefer this clear and bright version (AP 17 20) to the richer, sweeter and more concentrated one that will be auctioned (AP 19 20) and possibly has the greater aging potential. However, both will live longer than I will anyway. Tasted in May 2020.”
Weingut Donnhoff Norheimer Kirschheck Riesling Spatlese 2019 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
James Suckling 95 points “This is a totally charming beauty with succulence that’s hard to resist and mineral freshness that lifts the wine beautifully. Long, complex finish with multiple moments of tension. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
John Gilman 93 points “The 2019 Norheimer Kirschheck Spätlese from Weingut Dönnhoff is utterly classical in profile and an outstanding wine. The bouquet is so precise and pure, jumping from the glass in a blaze of apple, pear, bee pollen, spring flowers, a lovely foundation of slate minerality and lilacs. On the palate the wine is crisp, refined and medium-full, with lovely intensity of flavor and bounce, zesty acids and outstanding focus and grip on the complex and perfectly balanced, seamless finish. A beautiful wine and tout en finesse. 2020-2060.”
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Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Auslese 2019 375ML ($69.95) $54.50 special
James Suckling 98 points “So pure, cool and refined on the nose and a spectacular interplay of ripeness and crystalline brilliance on the palate. Super crisp, super long finish that’s so delicate. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Wait, if you can, for this to really open up in 2023 or 2024. Drink or hold.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2019 Riesling Auslese Oberhäuser Brücke offers a bright fresh and very delicate raspberry and yellow plum aroma on the stunningly precise and finessed nose. On the palate, this is a juicy, highly elegant, refined and digestible Auslese with tension, piquancy, grip and salinity. This Auslese is well-concentrated but not overly sweet and almost impossible to mediate with. You simply drink it too fast. The finish is very subtle, clear, fresh and long. A gorgeous Auslese. Tasted as a sample in April, it was bottled in May 2020 (AP 16 20).”
John Gilman 96 points “Readers may recall that the 2018 Auslesen in the Dönnhoff cellars were non-botrytized wines, which is an extreme rarity at this estate. The 2019 Brücke Auslese is a return to the norm here, as this wine is glazed with an absolutely pristine coating of botrytis. The bouquet wafts from the glass in a celestial blend of apple, mango, honeycomb, apple pie spices galore, a fine touch of salty minerality and a potpourri of fruit blossoms in the upper register. On the palate the wine is pure, fullish and utterly seamless, with great focus and bounce, a lovely core of fruit, ripe, refined acids and stunning length and grip on the nascently complex and oh, so pure finish. This is stunning juice! 2029-2075.”
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Spatlese 2019 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
James Suckling 97 points “If you dream of the great German rieslings of the 1970s and 1980s, then this is a wine for you, even though it is riper and more concentrated than those icons of the past. In spite of the abundant generosity, this has a very long, distinctly cool finish. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
John Gilman 94+ points “The 2019 Brücke Spätlese from the Dönnhoff family is a superb follow-up to their stellar 2018 version. The wine offers up an outstanding and very complex nose of apple, passion fruit, a hint of blood orange, gorgeous minerality, bee pollen, apple pie spices, orange blossoms and a nice touch of citrus zest in the upper register. On the palate the wine is medium-full, focused and racy, with superb mineral undertow, a lovely core of pristine fruit, lovely focus and balance and a long, zesty and utterly refined and vibrant finish. This is another gorgeous Spätlese, but it is a bit more reserved out of the blocks than the Kirschheck Spätlese and deserves some time in the cellar to reach cruising altitude. 2024-2060+.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $52
Weingut Donnhoff Roxheimer Hollenpfad Riesling Trocken 2019 750ML ($47.95) $39 special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92-93 points “Tasted as a sample in April 2020, the 2019 Riesling trocken Roxheimer Höllenpfad is intensely fruity and even flinty on the nose. It comes from a steep, south-facing VDP Erste Lage vineyard on red sandstone soils. This is a juicy, round and intense dry Riesling with texture, power and grip—a mouth-filling wine with good mineral backbone and lingering salinity and vibrancy. Very stimulating!”
John Gilman 92 points “The beautiful red sandstone of the Höllenpfad vineyard in Roxheim makes this another quite unique bottling in the Dönnhoff family’s lineup. This is a very steep slope and the vines here are between ten and forty years of age. The 2019 Höllenpfad Trocken is beautifully spicy on both the nose and palate, with the bouquet jumping from the glass in a fine mix of pink grapefruit, tart orange, a wide array of spice tones, complex minerality, lemongrass and a topnote of dried flowers. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and complex, with a rock solid core of fruit, an excellent girdle of acidity, lovely focus and grip and a long, minerally and nascently complex finish. Though this is the same 12.5 percent octane as the Kahlenberg Trocken, this is the more muscular wine this year and I would opt for giving it at least a few years in the cellar to let it blossom a bit more completely before entertaining ideas of drinking it. The wine will be outstanding in due course. 2024-2060.”
Shop all the Donnhoff wines in stock now and arriving this month on our web store!
2019 Dönnhoff
Dönnhoff’s Best Vintage Ever?
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Woo boy—the hype train is here for the 2019 German vintage and it’s totally deserved. Many experts are calling it the best vintage since 2001 and some are going further than that. “The 2019 vintage is the best vintage I have ever tasted for German Riesling in my four-decade career” declares Stuart Pigott, who literally wrote a book devoted to the grape. Let that sink in: Best. Vintage. Ever.
Even in a region that’s been spoiled for good years this millennium, the level of praise we’re seeing for 2019 is off the charts, and so is demand for the wines. We’ve been hearing requests for top names for months and are finally able to offer these wines—at excellent pricing.
Dönnhoff needs little to no introduction, as one of the greatest producers of white wine in the world, but we’ll just pass along what Cornelius Dönnhoff said about the vintage. He described the year by saying “2019 is a classic German vintage with an acidity structure like 2001, but combined with much more ripeness.”
Say no more and sign us up.
Newly Arrived
Donnhoff Estate Riesling Trocken 2019 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
James Suckling 91 points “A basket full of summer fruit with tropical nuances on top, making this an extremely attractive, dry estate riesling with a satisfying hint of tannin and lively acidity at the finish. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink now. Screw cap.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 90-91 points “The 2019 Riesling Trocken is clear, bright and remarkably finessed in its fruit aromas and lovely stony notes. Medium-bodied this is a very elegant, refined and linear dry Riesling with stimulatingly piquant acidity and mineral purity. A gorgeous wine and a picture-book Riesling from the 2019 vintage. Stimulating lemon zest and juice flavors on the salty aftertaste. Highly recommended. Tasted as a sample in Bremen, April 2020.”
John Gilman 90 points “The 2019 Estate Riesling Trocken is all sourced from fruit grown on volcanic soils in and around the village of Oberhäusen. The 2019 version comes in at 11.5 percent alcohol and offers up a beautifully refined bouquet of apple, tart orange, wild yeasts, floral tones redolent of iris blossoms and lilacs, a fine foundation of minerality and a touch of upper register smokiness. On the palate the wine is bright, full-bodied, focused and racy, with a fine core, outstanding mineral drive and grip and a long, complex and beautifully balanced finish. I loved the 2018 version of this wine, but the 2019 is even a touch more refined than that lovely bottle! 2020-2040.”
Even in a region that’s been spoiled for good years this millennium, the level of praise we’re seeing for 2019 is off the charts, and so is demand for the wines. We’ve been hearing requests for top names for months and are finally able to offer these wines—at excellent pricing.
Dönnhoff needs little to no introduction, as one of the greatest producers of white wine in the world, but we’ll just pass along what Cornelius Dönnhoff said about the vintage. He described the year by saying “2019 is a classic German vintage with an acidity structure like 2001, but combined with much more ripeness.”
Say no more and sign us up.
Newly Arrived
Donnhoff Estate Riesling Trocken 2019 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
James Suckling 91 points “A basket full of summer fruit with tropical nuances on top, making this an extremely attractive, dry estate riesling with a satisfying hint of tannin and lively acidity at the finish. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink now. Screw cap.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 90-91 points “The 2019 Riesling Trocken is clear, bright and remarkably finessed in its fruit aromas and lovely stony notes. Medium-bodied this is a very elegant, refined and linear dry Riesling with stimulatingly piquant acidity and mineral purity. A gorgeous wine and a picture-book Riesling from the 2019 vintage. Stimulating lemon zest and juice flavors on the salty aftertaste. Highly recommended. Tasted as a sample in Bremen, April 2020.”
John Gilman 90 points “The 2019 Estate Riesling Trocken is all sourced from fruit grown on volcanic soils in and around the village of Oberhäusen. The 2019 version comes in at 11.5 percent alcohol and offers up a beautifully refined bouquet of apple, tart orange, wild yeasts, floral tones redolent of iris blossoms and lilacs, a fine foundation of minerality and a touch of upper register smokiness. On the palate the wine is bright, full-bodied, focused and racy, with a fine core, outstanding mineral drive and grip and a long, complex and beautifully balanced finish. I loved the 2018 version of this wine, but the 2019 is even a touch more refined than that lovely bottle! 2020-2040.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $24
Weingut Donnhoff Dellchen Riesling Grosses Gewachs 2019 1.5L ($199.95) $169 special, 2 magnums in stock now
James Suckling 100 points “Ravishing bouquet of a thousand golden fruits and a staggering interplay of diamond-bright acidity and great succulence. Then, just when you think you’ve processed all that, along comes a monster wave of minerality, which sweeps you off your feet. But you land on the beach, deliriously happy. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95-96 points “The 2019 Riesling GG Dellchen is enormously fine and elegant on the subtle but fascinatingly complex nose that intertwines stony notes with yellow-fleshed stone fruit aromas. On the palate, this is an intense, highly finessed and elegant Dellchen with incredibly refined juiciness and great balance and purity. The finish is very long and complex but keeps the finesse and purity. Very stimulating and salty—a great Dellchen GG and one of the finest I have had from Cornelius Dönnhoff! Tasted as a sample in Bremen, April 2020.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95-96 points “The 2019 Riesling GG Dellchen is enormously fine and elegant on the subtle but fascinatingly complex nose that intertwines stony notes with yellow-fleshed stone fruit aromas. On the palate, this is an intense, highly finessed and elegant Dellchen with incredibly refined juiciness and great balance and purity. The finish is very long and complex but keeps the finesse and purity. Very stimulating and salty—a great Dellchen GG and one of the finest I have had from Cornelius Dönnhoff! Tasted as a sample in Bremen, April 2020.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Donnhoff ‘Felsenturmchen’ Felsenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs 2019 375ML ($49.95) $39 special, 3 half-bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “Dense, grapefruit and sage aromas, then a wonderful combination of great power and stunning vibrancy on the palate. Very long, smoky-mineral finish with great clarity. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93-95 points “The 2019 Riesling GG Felsenberg is pure, fresh and flinty on the precise, perfectly ripe and complex nose. Lush and generous on the palate, this is a full-bodied, intense, salty, remarkably finessed and structured Felsenberg Riesling with lingering salinity and crystalline character. The finish is dense and very complex yet vital, fresh and long, with lots of expression. Tasted as a sample in Bremen, April 2020.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Weingut Donnhoff Hermannshohle Riesling Grosses Gewachs 2019 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, only 1 bottle available
James Suckling 99 points “The enveloping, peachy aroma with just a whisker of fresh pineapple leads into a mind-boggling micro-cosmos of flavor that’s simultaneously rich, yet also supernaturally delicate. Sublime balance through the enormously long finish. Great aging potential. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96-97 points “The 2019 Riesling GG Hermannshöhle offers a pure, intense, complex and flinty bouquet with dashes of lemon juice and crushed stones. On the palate, this is a full-bodied, intense and salty-mineral Riesling with great finesse, tension, balance and site expression. The finish is very long, salty and tight yet stimulating in its bright and precise nature. A fantastic Hermannshöhle! Tasted as a sample in Bremen, April 2020.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $94.98
Weingut Donnhoff Kreuznacher Kahlenberg Riesling Trocken 2019 750ML ($41.95) $36 special
James Suckling 93 points “At once generous and crisp with plenty of pear and fresh-pineapple character, then a long chalky finish that reminds you of Chablis. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
John Gilman 92+ points “The Kahlenberg vineyard in Kreuznach is a due south facing slope with a soil foundation of gravelly loam, making it quite unique in terms of its soil composition in the pantheon of Dönnhoff vineyard holdings. The 2019 Kahlenberg Trocken is a svelte and utterly refined young Riesling, offering up a gorgeous bouquet of pink grapefruit, apple, orange peel, a complex base of soil tones, a touch of wild yeasts, fruit blossoms and a hint of lemongrass in the upper register. On the palate the wine is bright, fullish and laser-like, with a lovely core, fine soil signature, vibrant acids and outstanding length and grip on the nascently complex and energetic finish. This is truly outstanding juice! 2020-2060.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92-93 points “The 2019 Riesling trocken Kreuznacher Kahlenberg is clear, pure and flinty on the bright yet intense, concentrated, exciting and stony-scented nose. From pebbly loess and loam soils, this is a lush, salty, very fine and stimulating dry Riesling with very attractive fruit, lingering salinity and fine grip. Really stimulating. Tasted as a sample in Bremen, April 2020.”
Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel 2019 375ML ($69.95) $54.50 special, 5 half-bottles in stock now
James Suckling 99 points “Welcome to the Nahe Riesling deep end, from where you can look up and still see the sun. Enormous depth and complexity at the spectacular finish, but oh, so filigree! An absolute masterpiece of winemaking in the off-dry riesling style! Drink or hold.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2019 Riesling Auslese Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle is crystalline and flinty on the precise, ethereal and bright nose that represents the terroir of the Hermannshöhle beautifully and irresistibly. On the palate, this is a highly finessed, filigreed, playful and delicate Auslese with stimulating piquancy and salinity on the weightless and frisky but elegant finish. This is a fascinating Auslese with great detail and precision. Personally, I even prefer this clear and bright version (AP 17 20) to the richer, sweeter and more concentrated one that will be auctioned (AP 19 20) and possibly has the greater aging potential. However, both will live longer than I will anyway. Tasted in May 2020.”
Weingut Donnhoff Norheimer Kirschheck Riesling Spatlese 2019 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
James Suckling 95 points “This is a totally charming beauty with succulence that’s hard to resist and mineral freshness that lifts the wine beautifully. Long, complex finish with multiple moments of tension. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
John Gilman 93 points “The 2019 Norheimer Kirschheck Spätlese from Weingut Dönnhoff is utterly classical in profile and an outstanding wine. The bouquet is so precise and pure, jumping from the glass in a blaze of apple, pear, bee pollen, spring flowers, a lovely foundation of slate minerality and lilacs. On the palate the wine is crisp, refined and medium-full, with lovely intensity of flavor and bounce, zesty acids and outstanding focus and grip on the complex and perfectly balanced, seamless finish. A beautiful wine and tout en finesse. 2020-2060.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Auslese 2019 375ML ($69.95) $54.50 special
James Suckling 98 points “So pure, cool and refined on the nose and a spectacular interplay of ripeness and crystalline brilliance on the palate. Super crisp, super long finish that’s so delicate. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Wait, if you can, for this to really open up in 2023 or 2024. Drink or hold.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2019 Riesling Auslese Oberhäuser Brücke offers a bright fresh and very delicate raspberry and yellow plum aroma on the stunningly precise and finessed nose. On the palate, this is a juicy, highly elegant, refined and digestible Auslese with tension, piquancy, grip and salinity. This Auslese is well-concentrated but not overly sweet and almost impossible to mediate with. You simply drink it too fast. The finish is very subtle, clear, fresh and long. A gorgeous Auslese. Tasted as a sample in April, it was bottled in May 2020 (AP 16 20).”
John Gilman 96 points “Readers may recall that the 2018 Auslesen in the Dönnhoff cellars were non-botrytized wines, which is an extreme rarity at this estate. The 2019 Brücke Auslese is a return to the norm here, as this wine is glazed with an absolutely pristine coating of botrytis. The bouquet wafts from the glass in a celestial blend of apple, mango, honeycomb, apple pie spices galore, a fine touch of salty minerality and a potpourri of fruit blossoms in the upper register. On the palate the wine is pure, fullish and utterly seamless, with great focus and bounce, a lovely core of fruit, ripe, refined acids and stunning length and grip on the nascently complex and oh, so pure finish. This is stunning juice! 2029-2075.”
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Spatlese 2019 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
James Suckling 97 points “If you dream of the great German rieslings of the 1970s and 1980s, then this is a wine for you, even though it is riper and more concentrated than those icons of the past. In spite of the abundant generosity, this has a very long, distinctly cool finish. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
John Gilman 94+ points “The 2019 Brücke Spätlese from the Dönnhoff family is a superb follow-up to their stellar 2018 version. The wine offers up an outstanding and very complex nose of apple, passion fruit, a hint of blood orange, gorgeous minerality, bee pollen, apple pie spices, orange blossoms and a nice touch of citrus zest in the upper register. On the palate the wine is medium-full, focused and racy, with superb mineral undertow, a lovely core of pristine fruit, lovely focus and balance and a long, zesty and utterly refined and vibrant finish. This is another gorgeous Spätlese, but it is a bit more reserved out of the blocks than the Kirschheck Spätlese and deserves some time in the cellar to reach cruising altitude. 2024-2060+.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $52
Weingut Donnhoff Roxheimer Hollenpfad Riesling Trocken 2019 750ML ($47.95) $39 special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92-93 points “Tasted as a sample in April 2020, the 2019 Riesling trocken Roxheimer Höllenpfad is intensely fruity and even flinty on the nose. It comes from a steep, south-facing VDP Erste Lage vineyard on red sandstone soils. This is a juicy, round and intense dry Riesling with texture, power and grip—a mouth-filling wine with good mineral backbone and lingering salinity and vibrancy. Very stimulating!”
John Gilman 92 points “The beautiful red sandstone of the Höllenpfad vineyard in Roxheim makes this another quite unique bottling in the Dönnhoff family’s lineup. This is a very steep slope and the vines here are between ten and forty years of age. The 2019 Höllenpfad Trocken is beautifully spicy on both the nose and palate, with the bouquet jumping from the glass in a fine mix of pink grapefruit, tart orange, a wide array of spice tones, complex minerality, lemongrass and a topnote of dried flowers. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and complex, with a rock solid core of fruit, an excellent girdle of acidity, lovely focus and grip and a long, minerally and nascently complex finish. Though this is the same 12.5 percent octane as the Kahlenberg Trocken, this is the more muscular wine this year and I would opt for giving it at least a few years in the cellar to let it blossom a bit more completely before entertaining ideas of drinking it. The wine will be outstanding in due course. 2024-2060.”
Shop all the Donnhoff wines in stock now and arriving this month on our web store!
New Week – New Arrivals
Washington
Luke Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope 2018 750ML ($24.95) $19 special
Winery note “LUKE Cabernet Sauvignon offers aromas dominated by marionberry and dark chocolate, accented by hints of mint and molasses. Supple, focused and expressive, layering coffee-accented blackberry and currant flavors with polished tannins and hints of cedar and smoke. Wahluke Slope AVA, Columbia Valley. Vineyards: Weinbau, Ravenscliff, Stonetree, Rosebud, Clifton Hill Varietals: 96% Cabernet Sauvignon 3% Petit Verdot 1% Malbec.”
Luke Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope 2018 750ML ($24.95) $19 special
Winery note “LUKE Cabernet Sauvignon offers aromas dominated by marionberry and dark chocolate, accented by hints of mint and molasses. Supple, focused and expressive, layering coffee-accented blackberry and currant flavors with polished tannins and hints of cedar and smoke. Wahluke Slope AVA, Columbia Valley. Vineyards: Weinbau, Ravenscliff, Stonetree, Rosebud, Clifton Hill Varietals: 96% Cabernet Sauvignon 3% Petit Verdot 1% Malbec.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
California
Chris Bilbro was one of California wine’s unsung heroes. He founded and grew Marietta Cellars into one of the preeminent producers of excellent value, honestly made California wine. Although his son Scot now runs the winery (Chris sadly passed away), the wines are as good as they’ve ever been—delicious, gutsy wines that deliver exceptional value at all prices. These are fantastic wines from their sub-$20 Zinfandel and Cabernet bottlings all the way through their “Gibson Block” Syrah, which hails from a parcel of Syrah planted in the 1880’s and still producing (tiny quantities) of fruit today.
Marietta Cellars ‘Arme’ Cabernet, North Coast 2017 750ML ($21.95) $19 special
Antonio Galloni 91-93 points “The 2017 Armé is another gorgeous wine in this range from Marietta. Inky dark blue and purplish fruit, lavender, menthol and spice all grace this sumptuous racy and inky wine with great balance. The 2017 is a super value in California Cabernet Sauvignon. Wow.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Marietta Cellars Angeli Cuvee, Alexander Valley 2018 750ML ($39.95) $29 special
Antonio Galloni 91-94 points “Marietta’s 2018 Zinfandel Angeli is dark, sumptuous and super-expressive. Inky dark plum, blueberry, mint, spice, lavender and licorice infuse the 2018 with striking depth and character. Readers will find a powerful Zinfandel with the structure and personality to age gracefully for many years.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
France – Burgundy
Lucien Le Moine is one of the hottest names in Burgundy. The rise has been meteoric due to the scarcity of the wines and also the fact that they work almost exclusively with grand and premier cru vineyards. To understand why Le Moine’s wines are so exceptional, the first thing to understand is that the house doesn’t make, or set out to make, anything close to average. Jaspar Morris MW calls them a “haute-coture negociant” and just like a high-end designer, they strive to make statement wines.
Lucien Le Moine En Remilly, Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($219.95) $169 special
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Lucien Le Moine La Grande Montagne, Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($189.95) $159 special
Lucien Le Moine Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, Côte de Beaune 2017 750ML ($319.95) $289 special
Wine Spectator 96 points “This intense version grabs your attention, with effusive aromas of lemon curd, pine forest, wood smoke and stone. There is something wild about this, yet at the core lies sweet, ripe peach and apple fruit, shaded by lanolin and peat notes. Bracing acidity keeps all the elements in line, driving the long finish. Best from 2022 through 2032. 25 cases imported.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
France – Loire
Bernard & Benoit Landron Chartier Champtoceaux Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire 2016 750ML ($24.95) $17 special
Distributor note “Melon de Bourgogne. The Domaine’s organic vineyards are spread through the Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire region and vines continue through the lesser known region of Coteaux d’Ancenis where the Gamay grapes are turned into very intriguing red and rosé wines.. The passion for low-intervention winemaking is evident when speaking with Benoît. These family made wines offer great character and aliveness that can sometimes be lacking in Muscadet, where the majority of wine is bought by négociants and sold en masse. However, at Landron Chartier, quality of fruit and integrity in the cellar are paramount. Organic farming, hand harvesting, native fermentations, and low added sulfites maintain the purity of the wines.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Italy
Tenuta Col d’Orcia Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
James Suckling 92 points “A soft, delicious red with crushed berry and cherry character. Full body, round, velvety tannins and a flavorful finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
G.D. Vajra ‘Clare J.C.’ Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont 2019 750ML ($24.95) $19 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 92+ points “Although this wine has been produced since 2014, it is a new discovery to me—and a terrific one at that. I’ll start off with the beautiful graphics on the label that were inspired by the winemaking protocols penned in 1606 by Gian Battista Croce, a jeweler for the House of Savoia who dabbled in wine. The G.D. Vajra 2019 Langhe Nebbiolo Claré J.C. is a pure expression of Nebbiolo, with about one-fifth whole-cluster fermentation. Following suggestions to serve the wine slightly chilled, I tasted my sample at 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and I would recommend the same to you. This wine offers an innovative and playful look at the normally austere, long-term Nebbiolo grape. In fact, this Langhe Nebbiolo borrows from Beaujolais. You’ll love the vibrant, tonic and lively fruit that pops from the glass with focused intensity. The palate is lean and crisp. Some 12,000 bottles were released in March 2020, and that price point is unbeatable. I am absolutely smitten.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 92 points “Wow, the 2019 Vajra Clare JC explodes from the glass with masses of crushed raspberry and strawberry fruits, complicated by sweet and savory herbs, along with crushed stone minerality. On the palate, fleshy textures are quickly firmed up by a mix of tart red berries, with zesty acids, a slight frizzante spritz, and a coating of liquid violet florals. The finish is long and lightly structured, displaying a lasting and unmistakable note of red licorice with hints of spiced orange. This is wonderfully expressive and bridges the gap between Red and Rosé; please pour me another. Of note, the 2019 Claré JC was gently fermented with about 20% whole cluster fruit with malolactic completed in stainless steel, hence the perceivable effervescence.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $23
G.D. Vajra Viola delle Viole Barbera d’Alba Superiore, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($37.95) $29 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93+ points “This wine carries the fantasy name “Viola delle Viole,” when in fact, its fruit comes from the Bricco delle Viole vineyard and the Bricco Bertone, two sites with different soil types, one adding structure and one adding aromatic purity. The G.D. Vajra 2017 Barbera d’Alba Superiore Viola delle Viole opens to an inky almost impenetrable appearance. The bouquet opens to robust aromas of blackberry jam and cherry preserves. You feel the heat and richness of the vintage, and there’s no way around it. The 2017 growing season produced very concentrated fruit with smaller berry size due to heat and drought. In effect, you get a super-sized Barbera that ups the ante in terms of extraction and intensity. There is a point of almost-sweetness on the close followed by good acidity. A pairing with marinated or spicy barbecued meat might work best. Some 12,000 bottles were released. Honestly, I’m not a fan of overripe wines, but I make an exception with Barbera because this grape handles the warmest growing seasons with grace and always offers enough acidity to balance things out.
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2017 Barbera d’Alba Superiore is plush, racy and flat-out delicious. Raspberry jam, cinnamon, dried flowers, sweet tobacco and cedar all flesh out in a forward, plush Barbera that will drink well right out the gate. The Superiore always needs a few years to fully emerge. I imagine that will be the case here as well. Even so, the 2017 is an especially open-knit version of this wine.”
Grapelive 91 points “The jet black and purple hued Vajra Barbera d’Alba Superiore is a full bodied and luxurious wine. [Its] with ultra-supple tannin and creamy length highlights the warmth of the vintage in 2017 and makes for an exotic version of this wine with crushed blackberries, sweet plum, fig and black cherry pie filling fruits coming through on the smooth and gracious palate. At first big and fruit forward, this 2017 adds some depth and savory tones once the air kicks in and after 20 minutes in gains wonderful complexity and completes the transition into a much more serious and balanced wine with hints of mineral, anise, crushed violets and a mix of spice and herbs all putting in appearances. The acidity emerges to brighten things up. This change in the glass make this beautiful wine even more compelling. Vajra, taking what nature gave, masterfully guided this Barbera to bottle and spotlighted the best features of the year, the terroir and the grape, again proving they are one of the best wineries in the region. The sites Vajra uses for their Barbera Superiore, 100% Barbera, are at higher elevation, set on marl and sand and late ripening with as the winery note have very thick skins which require extra time on the vine to fully develop their character. [It] comes from old vines, some dating back to 1949, with low yielding estate vineyards from Bricco delle Viole, a great Barolo Cru and Bricco Bertone providing the grapes. Made from carefully sorted and 100% de-stemmed grapes fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel vats with a rather long 30 to 40 days maceration, then this Barbera d’Alba DOC Superiore saw up to two years in large Slavonian oak casks prior to release, plus, Vajra rests it a few more months in bottle to make sure the wine is fully integrated at release. This is an opulent edition of this wine and it deserves center piece attention at the table with extra care to get the best out of it, which should include some hearty country style cuisine. It is well suited for lamb, grilled meats and or sausages. This 2017 took a while to get going, but once fully awake it delivered a fine performance with a range of dark flavors and delicate earthy notes with just a touch of cedary wood influence. There is so much to admire in Vajra’s collection, especially with their gorgeous Barolo offerings, it sometimes is easy to overlook their Barbera and Dolcetto bottlings, but they should not be missed…”
Spain – Catalonia
Jaume Giro I Giro Elaboracion Reserva Brut Nature Cava, Catalonia 2015 750ML ($29.95) $17 special
Distributor note “Xarel-lo/Macabeo/Parellada/Chardonnay. Organic. The son of Jaume Giró i Giró and current proprietor is Ramon Giró y Gramona; he has a great sense of humor, is a world traveler, and makes friends wherever he goes. His family has been involved in growing Cava, producing the base wines or making and aging Cava since at least 1836, although that is just the earliest found documentation. They have likely been involved even longer. Ramon learned how to make Cava from his grandfather, the Gramona. His Cavas are aged on the lees for extended periods of time (for some bottlings, over 100 months), and he does not disgorge until he receives an order. The result are elegant, lees driven Cavas, with great intricacy, value and food friendliness.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Spain – Sherry
Alexander Jules 8/41 Manzanilla Sherry, Andalucia NV 500ML ($34.95) $24 special
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 91+ points “The June 2017 bottling of the NV Manzanilla 8/41 was firing on all cylinders when I tasted it. It’s a nine-year-old Manzanilla from the Pago del Hornillo with pungent aromas and flavors with very Sanlúcar character, a faintly reductive personality and lots of soil influence. It’s tasty, dry, long and saline. Simply delicious. This was bottled “en rama” into 1,600 half-liter bottles.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Alexander Jules 9/65 Fino Sherry, Andalucia NV 500ML ($39.95) $21.90 special
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Alexander Jules 3/10 Amontillado Sherry, Andalucia NV 375ML ($39.95) $19.90 special
17/20 Jancis Robinson
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $39.99 for the 500ML
Germany
Weingut Carl Loewen Longuicher Herrenberg Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2019 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
James Suckling 94 points “Excellent ripeness and structure for Kabinett, but also the lightness and finesse that this category should have. Very long, crisp and mineral finish. Drink or hold.”
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points “The 2019er Longuicher Herrenberg Riesling Kabinett is made from grapes harvested at 83° Oechsle on over 100-year-old un-grafted vines situated high up the hill, and was fermented down to barely fruity-styled levels of residual sugar (42 g/l). This white-hay colored wine offers a deep and delicately broad nose made of white peach, gooseberry, smoky slate, and residual scents from its spontaneous fermentation. It proves superbly balanced on the palate, where gorgeous flavors of succulent white peach, minerals, and fine spices are delivered with Spätlese intensity and presence. The finish is beautifully balanced, vibrating and yet remarkably refined. While this gorgeous fruity-styled wine is dangerously easy to knock down now, it will only really reveal its full beauty in a decade or so. What a great success! 2029-2049”
Staff Pick
Ameztoi Rubentis
Andy:
Why is it that when the skies open up, and we’re under a near constant deluge, do I crave Pulpo a la Gallega, good olives, and a glass of the crispest rosé? Grilled octopus has a sea freshness that makes me miss San Sebastian and the Basque coastline, the salt air, and the little cafés where you could find Txakoli for your refreshment needs. The rose seems like it might be made especially for the US market, but who’s complaining? It is simply the most invigorating rosé you can find even in an Oregon winter. We secured as much as we could over the summer, and though we sold so much, we’re lucky to have some to transport all of us off to a rocky shore, squinting through the sunlight at the sparkling Atlantic. Try making the octopus or secure some delicious oysters and punch that ticket today.
In Stock Now:
Ameztoi Rubentis Rosado, Getariako Txakolina 2019 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Ameztoi Rubentis Rosado, Getariako Txakolina 2019 750ML ($319.95) $239 special (that’s only $19.92/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Grapelive 93 points “My Summer has definitely taken a Spanish turn and I’m perfectly okay with that, especially when sipping on the fresh and zippy Ameztoi Rubentis Rosé from the Basque region not far from San Sebastian, which is one of the world’s most unique and exciting pink wines and one of my favorites along with Clos Cibonne and of course Domaine Tempier, these are wines that really capture the season in the glass. This vintage is ultra zesty and refreshing with a pop of spritz and tart layers of red citrus, strawberry, distilled raspberry essence, wet stone, saline and delicate floral tones all in an incredible light and steely form that begs to be quaffed. The iconic Rubentis Getariako Txakolina Rosé, as noted in my prior reviews, was the region’s first pink wine, made from native grapes, both red and white, it is naturally fermented in refrigerated stainless steel tanks utilizing indigenous yeasts from the vineyard. The tanks are closed to preserve natural carbonation from fermentation, which is the preferred style of Getaria. The fermentation tanks, according to importer De Maison Selections, are kept chilled to near 32 degrees Fahrenheit before bottling, which preserves the wine’s delicate, effervescent character and signature electric (spritzy) mousse. Ameztoi does a fantastic lineup of Txakolina wines, White, Red, this thrilling Rosé and a true and seriously rare Champagne style cork finished Rosé as well, all are must try wines from this remote Atlantic influenced region. This Ameztoi Rubentis Rosé is a hyper addictive wine that I will glad push on anyone that is in search of the dry pink high…. This is a wine, as I’ve said before, that proves a wine doesn’t have to be heavy or dense to have a serious impact on the palate, and it delivers a wonderful performance that leaves you always wanting more.”
Importer note “The pink sibling of Ameztoi’s flagship white, this vibrant rosé is made from a mix of red and white indigenous grapes and is bottled with a little residual carbonation to give it a light spritz.”
VinopolNote: Hands down, this is the most popular rosé at this shop every year. Why? Cause it’s that freakin’ good. Nuff said.
Why is it that when the skies open up, and we’re under a near constant deluge, do I crave Pulpo a la Gallega, good olives, and a glass of the crispest rosé? Grilled octopus has a sea freshness that makes me miss San Sebastian and the Basque coastline, the salt air, and the little cafés where you could find Txakoli for your refreshment needs. The rose seems like it might be made especially for the US market, but who’s complaining? It is simply the most invigorating rosé you can find even in an Oregon winter. We secured as much as we could over the summer, and though we sold so much, we’re lucky to have some to transport all of us off to a rocky shore, squinting through the sunlight at the sparkling Atlantic. Try making the octopus or secure some delicious oysters and punch that ticket today.
In Stock Now:
Ameztoi Rubentis Rosado, Getariako Txakolina 2019 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Ameztoi Rubentis Rosado, Getariako Txakolina 2019 750ML ($319.95) $239 special (that’s only $19.92/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Grapelive 93 points “My Summer has definitely taken a Spanish turn and I’m perfectly okay with that, especially when sipping on the fresh and zippy Ameztoi Rubentis Rosé from the Basque region not far from San Sebastian, which is one of the world’s most unique and exciting pink wines and one of my favorites along with Clos Cibonne and of course Domaine Tempier, these are wines that really capture the season in the glass. This vintage is ultra zesty and refreshing with a pop of spritz and tart layers of red citrus, strawberry, distilled raspberry essence, wet stone, saline and delicate floral tones all in an incredible light and steely form that begs to be quaffed. The iconic Rubentis Getariako Txakolina Rosé, as noted in my prior reviews, was the region’s first pink wine, made from native grapes, both red and white, it is naturally fermented in refrigerated stainless steel tanks utilizing indigenous yeasts from the vineyard. The tanks are closed to preserve natural carbonation from fermentation, which is the preferred style of Getaria. The fermentation tanks, according to importer De Maison Selections, are kept chilled to near 32 degrees Fahrenheit before bottling, which preserves the wine’s delicate, effervescent character and signature electric (spritzy) mousse. Ameztoi does a fantastic lineup of Txakolina wines, White, Red, this thrilling Rosé and a true and seriously rare Champagne style cork finished Rosé as well, all are must try wines from this remote Atlantic influenced region. This Ameztoi Rubentis Rosé is a hyper addictive wine that I will glad push on anyone that is in search of the dry pink high…. This is a wine, as I’ve said before, that proves a wine doesn’t have to be heavy or dense to have a serious impact on the palate, and it delivers a wonderful performance that leaves you always wanting more.”
Importer note “The pink sibling of Ameztoi’s flagship white, this vibrant rosé is made from a mix of red and white indigenous grapes and is bottled with a little residual carbonation to give it a light spritz.”
VinopolNote: Hands down, this is the most popular rosé at this shop every year. Why? Cause it’s that freakin’ good. Nuff said.
The average price is $23
Trending
We have a feeling this will be trending on Wednesday…
Louis Roederer Cristal Millesime Brut, Champagne 2012 750ML ($299.95) $249 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2012 Cristal is another absolutely stellar wine this flight of recent releases. Rich, vinous and beautifully textured, the 2012 has been nothing short of magnificent on the three occasions I have tasted it so far. In the glass, the 2012 is radiant and luscious, yet it possesses remarkable transparency and striking aromatic depth. Light tropical notes develop in the glass, giving the 2012 a real feeling of exotic beauty. The 2012 is the first vintage of Cristal done with 100% organically-farmed fruit, an approach introduced gradually starting with the 2007 that has profoundly changes Cristal, especially in its aromatic breadth. Two thousand twelve is the vintage where endless trials and experiments in farming and winemaking are fully realized. The 2012 is just stunning. It’s as simple as that. Dosage is just over 7 grams per liter, the lowest it has even been for Cristal.”
Roger Voss-Wine Enthusiast 98 points “As the first 100% biodynamic Cristal, entirely from Roederer-owned vineyards, this is an important milestone. This latest incarnation is a great Champagne with its density, elegance and poise. Still impressively young, the wine is taut, tightly wound and textured. At the same time, it has pure, ripe white and citrus fruits that are perfumed, and an important part of this wine’s long-term future. Drink at the earliest from 2023.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 97+ points “Aromas of clear honey, crisp green orchard fruit, white peach, pastry cream and dried white flowers introduce the 2012 Cristal, a full-bodied, concentrated and powerful wine that’s built for the cellar. Broader, more textural and more muscular than the 2008 Cristal, with seemingly even greater reserves of structuring dry extract, the 2012 is incisive and searingly chalky. This is the first Cristal produced exclusively from organically farmed fruit, and it marks the opening of a new chapter for Louis Roderer. The blend is 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, vinified without malolactic fermentation and disgorged with 7.5 grams per liter dosage. Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon has once again excelled himself.”
Wine Spectator 97 points “A classic beauty, fresh-faced and focused today but with a harmonious grace of form suggesting a long career ahead. There’s a creamy, viscous quality to the mousse that swathes the palate, carrying finely detailed flavors of poached quince, Mandarin orange preserves, toasted almond and pickled ginger. Mouthwatering throughout, with a pleasing, soft zestiness to the mineral-laced finish. Drink now through 2035.”
Wow the socks off of Cali-Cab-only-thanks wine drinkers
Ferrer Bobet Vinyes Velles, Priorat DOCa 2015 750ML ($74.95) $36 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Ferrer Bobet Vinyes Velles, Priorat DOCa 2015 750ML ($699.95) $389 special (that’s only $32.42/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “The old vine 2015 Vinyes Velles checks in as a Carignan-dominated blend from vines just outside the village of Porrera that includes one-third Grenache, all of which spent over a year in French oak. It’s a bigger, riper, sexier wine than the Ferrer Bobet cuvée and boasts a deep purple color as well as rocking notes of black plums, black licorice, ground pepper, violets, and new leather. Ripe and full-bodied, with moderate acidity and terrific balance, it’s a seamless Priorat to enjoy over the coming 7-8 years or so.”
James Suckling 94 points “This really captures the freshness of the carignan grape with its bright cherry character. Medium-to full-bodied with spice from the grenache and excellent vitality on the long, crisp finish. Drink or hold.”
Louis Roederer Cristal Millesime Brut, Champagne 2012 750ML ($299.95) $249 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2012 Cristal is another absolutely stellar wine this flight of recent releases. Rich, vinous and beautifully textured, the 2012 has been nothing short of magnificent on the three occasions I have tasted it so far. In the glass, the 2012 is radiant and luscious, yet it possesses remarkable transparency and striking aromatic depth. Light tropical notes develop in the glass, giving the 2012 a real feeling of exotic beauty. The 2012 is the first vintage of Cristal done with 100% organically-farmed fruit, an approach introduced gradually starting with the 2007 that has profoundly changes Cristal, especially in its aromatic breadth. Two thousand twelve is the vintage where endless trials and experiments in farming and winemaking are fully realized. The 2012 is just stunning. It’s as simple as that. Dosage is just over 7 grams per liter, the lowest it has even been for Cristal.”
Roger Voss-Wine Enthusiast 98 points “As the first 100% biodynamic Cristal, entirely from Roederer-owned vineyards, this is an important milestone. This latest incarnation is a great Champagne with its density, elegance and poise. Still impressively young, the wine is taut, tightly wound and textured. At the same time, it has pure, ripe white and citrus fruits that are perfumed, and an important part of this wine’s long-term future. Drink at the earliest from 2023.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 97+ points “Aromas of clear honey, crisp green orchard fruit, white peach, pastry cream and dried white flowers introduce the 2012 Cristal, a full-bodied, concentrated and powerful wine that’s built for the cellar. Broader, more textural and more muscular than the 2008 Cristal, with seemingly even greater reserves of structuring dry extract, the 2012 is incisive and searingly chalky. This is the first Cristal produced exclusively from organically farmed fruit, and it marks the opening of a new chapter for Louis Roderer. The blend is 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, vinified without malolactic fermentation and disgorged with 7.5 grams per liter dosage. Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon has once again excelled himself.”
Wine Spectator 97 points “A classic beauty, fresh-faced and focused today but with a harmonious grace of form suggesting a long career ahead. There’s a creamy, viscous quality to the mousse that swathes the palate, carrying finely detailed flavors of poached quince, Mandarin orange preserves, toasted almond and pickled ginger. Mouthwatering throughout, with a pleasing, soft zestiness to the mineral-laced finish. Drink now through 2035.”
Wow the socks off of Cali-Cab-only-thanks wine drinkers
Ferrer Bobet Vinyes Velles, Priorat DOCa 2015 750ML ($74.95) $36 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Ferrer Bobet Vinyes Velles, Priorat DOCa 2015 750ML ($699.95) $389 special (that’s only $32.42/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “The old vine 2015 Vinyes Velles checks in as a Carignan-dominated blend from vines just outside the village of Porrera that includes one-third Grenache, all of which spent over a year in French oak. It’s a bigger, riper, sexier wine than the Ferrer Bobet cuvée and boasts a deep purple color as well as rocking notes of black plums, black licorice, ground pepper, violets, and new leather. Ripe and full-bodied, with moderate acidity and terrific balance, it’s a seamless Priorat to enjoy over the coming 7-8 years or so.”
James Suckling 94 points “This really captures the freshness of the carignan grape with its bright cherry character. Medium-to full-bodied with spice from the grenache and excellent vitality on the long, crisp finish. Drink or hold.”
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“Giancarlo Pacenti is by far the leading exponent of the modern school of Brunello di Montalcino. No other producer has succeeded in crafting wines of this much textural beauty and refinement. Over the years, Pacenti, along with the help of Bordeaux consultant Eric Boissenot has moved towards earlier blending of his wines with the goal of aging a complete blend rather than components. There is little question, the young wines here have never been better balanced and harmonious from the outset.” –Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Siro Pacenti Pelagrilli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2015 750ML ($59.95) $47 special, 14 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “Such lovely aromas of flowers and red fruit with some cedar and spice. Hot terra cotta. Full-bodied, very round and soft textured with beautiful fruit and balance. Fresh and vivid. Such balance and beauty. Drink or hold.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “The Siro Pacenti 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Pelagrilli is a rich and pleasing wine with very nice aromatics. Of these two new releases, the Pelagrilli is more characteristic of Tuscany and Sangiovese. The Vecchie Vigne expression tastes far more international or contemporary (read: it has more oak flavors) in comparison. I tend to prefer this wine especially in a vintage like 2015 that is so naturally expressive and powerful to begin with. The bouquet opens to dried cherry with dusty mineral notes and dried Mediterranean herb. On the the finish, you taste some of that sweetness that comes with aging in French barrique. Some 23,000 bottles were released in January 2020.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Effusive aromas and flavors of black currant, black cherry, plum and spice mark this generous, polished red. Well-structured, picking up earth and iron accents for good measure. Shows terrific balance and a long finish. Best from 2022 through 2042. 1,900 cases made, 680 cases imported.”
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