Monday Newsletter May 20th 2019

In Today’s Newsletter:

New Vintage – New Offer – Dominus 2016

Exclusive Chapoutier

Ridge’s Baby Monte Bello

New Week – New Arrivals

I’m Kind of a Big Deal
Vinopolis Case Deals

New Week – New Reviews!

Pax – New Reviews

The Powerful and Complex Muller-Catoir ’17s

YOLO Sette Ponti Crognolo

New Vintage – New Offer – Napa Perfection

Dominus!

Arriving Friday, June 7th

Dominus Estate Christian Moueix, Napa Valley 2016 750ML ($319.95) $289 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 100 points
“A blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot and 8% Cabernet Franc aged in 40% new oak, the 2016 Proprietary Red Wine is deep purple-black in color and quite reticent at this youthful stage to begin, offering up subtle notions of potpourri, Indian spices, cigar box and iron ore over a core of crushed blackberries and black cherries with intermittent wafts of black and red currants, new leather and smoked meats. The palate is medium to full-bodied with a densely packed mid-palate and oodles of freshness framed by very ripe, finely grained tannins and laced with compelling earthy accents. It offers incredible vibrancy with tons of black and red fruit sparkle in the mid-palate leading to a provocative mineral element on the very long finish. If I could give more than 100 for this one, I would. To be released in May 2019.”
Jeb Dunnuck 98+ points “Another possible legend in the making is the 2016 Dominus, a classic blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot and the rest Cabernet Franc brought up in 40% new French oak. Pure, pristine notes of charcoal, cold fireplace, smoke tobacco, and both blue and black fruits all flow to a full-bodied 2016 that has incredible elegance and finesse, yet also depth and density. It’s more backward and reserved than the 2015 and needs 4-5 years of cellaring. It will unquestionably live for 25-30 years.”
James Suckling 98 points “The opulence of fresh flowers and dark fruit is so impressive. There’s so much going on, from flowers to currants. The palate is full and powerful, but what impresses most are the ripe tannins and the amazing poise at the finish. Tightens down at the end. A blend of 84 per cent cabernet sauvignon, eight per cent petit verdot and eight per cent cabernet franc. Drink in 2021.”
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2016 Dominus is a dark, somber wine. I don’t quite see the explosive energy of the 2013 or 2010, not the seductiveness of the 2012, but the 2016 has a distinct charm that is all its own. Quite frankly, I can’t remember a young Dominus with this combination of fruit density, freshness and polished tannins. A huge center of fruit emerge with time in the glass in a big, large-scaled Dominus that should provide readers with a long drinking window of pure pleasure once some of the baby fat wears off.”

Dominus Estate Napanook, Napa Valley 2016 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 96 points
“This is a flamboyant red that offers hazelnuts, dark berries and a hint of chocolate. Full-bodied with round and soft tannins. So fresh. So rich, enticing and layered. A blend of 84 per cent cabernet sauvignon, nine per cent petit verdot and seven per cent cabernet franc. Delicious now. Drink or hold. April 2019 release.”

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

Explore the Interaction of

Life and Land with Michel Chapoutier

With its warm-to-hot Mediterranean climate, rocky soils and old Syrah and Grenache vines, the Roussillon (in south/southwestern France) is the perfect place to make big, rich wines that lean into the New World attitude. One of the finest examples is from one of the most heralded names in the Rhone: Chapoutier. Michel Chapoutier purchased the Domaine de Bila-Haut estate in 1999 and has brought international acclaim to this ancient estate in a site first planted to grapevines thousands of years ago. The Rectificando Invenies represents one of their finest parcels and in the 2015 is fabulous.

These are old vines and Old World terroir, so you’d expect to pay more than similarly high scoring New World bottlings, of course. With the perennial well-appointed Sine Qua Non and Colgin Estate Syrahs averaging well north of $300 for recent releases, the Rectificando Invenies becomes a downright bargain.

“One of the greatest wines coming from the Roussillon is Chapoutier’s 100% Syrah release from the granite soils around the village of Lesquerde. The quality of the l’Esquerda continues to improve and I think the 2015 will be the best vintage of this cuvee to date. The top single parcel bottles of RI and VIT are made in tiny quantities, but these are up with the finest wines coming from the south of France. In short, these are fabulous wines that show classic characters (most are aged all in concrete) and represent incredible values. Don’t miss them.” –Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate

A Vinopolis Exclusive, In Stock Now:

“uber sexy, incredibly layered and decadent palate”
Chapoutier Domaine de Bila-Haut Cotes du Roussillon Villages R.I. Rectificando Invenies 2015 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 24+ bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 98 points
“As always, the 100% Syrah 2015 Cotes du Roussillon Villages Lesquerde Rectificando Invenies (Ri) shows more minerality than the VIT release and offers blockbuster styled aromas and flavors of blackcurrants, crushed rocks, toasted bread and chocolate. Made in a voluptuous, pedal-to-the-metal style, with huge fruit and texture, it has building tannin and an uber sexy, incredibly layered and decadent palate. Drink it anytime over the coming decade. This cuvee was completely destemmed and aged 18 months in demi-muids.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Ridge’s Baby Monte Bello

The best values in the Ridge lineup are their Santa Cruz Mountain Estate wines, known informally as  the “baby Monte Bello” bottlings.  Made from Monte Bello vines and a few adjoining vineyards, these capture all of the personality and style of Monte Bello at a much lower price tag.  Sure they’ll only age for 15 instead of 30 years, but who has that kind of patience anyway?

Newly Arrived 

Ridge Vineyards Estate Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Wine Spectator 92 points
“A big, rich and showy white, filled with spicy notes to the ripe apple, pear and wild herb flavors. Minerally and buttery accents emerge on the contoured finish. Drink now through 2024.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
The average price nationally is $53
Ridge Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains 2016 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Winery Notes
“Saturated purple in color. Aromas of cassis, blueberry, cola, licorice, and sweet oak. Ripe blackberry fruit entry, full bodied, rich textures, exotic spice and toasted oak. Complex, long, sensuous finish. EB (1/19) A mild winter resulted in early bud-break, but the return to cool weather in spring slowed vine growth. Summer warmth was offset by unseasonably cold nights and fog, resulting in greater acidity and firm tannins. Shortened fermentations helped balance the tannin structure. This wine combined lots with appealing fruit and elegance. Enjoyable now, this excellent vintage will reach full maturity within fifteen years. ”

Also In Stock Now from Ridge:

Ridge Vineyards Geyserville Zinfandel, Alexander Valley 2017 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Wine Advocate 93-95 points
“A first look at the 2017 Geyserville Proprietary Red Wine revealed immense promise. Despite having been in barrel for a mere six months, it’s already offering up complex aromas of raspberries, blackberries and exotic spice. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, pure and succulent, with superb concentration, a lovely line of ripe acidity and a chalky, fine-grained finish. The wine attained 14.7% alcohol, and Baugher believes it will be one of the best renditions of Geyserville in a decade.”

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

New Week – New Arrivals

Kelley Fox Wines Freedom Hill Vineyard Pinot Blanc, Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($33.95) $29 special
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Kelley Fox Wines Maresh Vineyard Pinot Gris Rose, Dundee Hills 2018 750ML ($31.95) $27 special
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Re-arrived Friday, already halfway gone!
Ameztoi Rubentis Rosado, Getariako Txakolina 2018 750ML ($24.95) $19.90 special
VinopolNote:
The long-awaited and lightly fizzy pink from the Basque region in Spain! A staff favorite. Always light, bright, fresh, salty and fun. The perfect aperitif wine for spring and summer.
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
The average price nationally is $22
Ameztoi Txakoli di Getaria Hondarribi Zuri, Getariako Txakolina 2018 750ML ($24.95) $19.90 special
A salty sea breeze in a glass
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
The average price nationally is $22
I’m Kind of a Big Deal

Vinopolis Case Deals

You already know how trendy our case prices on the Chablisienne, Domaine Huet, Donnhoff, and Scott Paul wines are (we may have mentioned them a time or two…) Don’t miss these hot picks, too!

Case-12 Cameron Winery Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge 2017 750ML ($299.95) $259 special (that’s only $21.58/bottle!)
Cameron Winery Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge 2017 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $26/bottle
New Review! 2019 Best in Show; 2019 Best Value – James Suckling
Case-12 Chateau Routas Coteaux Varois en Provence Rose 2018 750ML ($219.95) $169 special (that’s only $14.08/bottle—save 12%!)
Chateau Routas Coteaux Varois en Provence Rose 2018 750ML ($19.95) $16 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points
“The nose here is immediately captivating with its freshness, focus and interest. It suggests sea salt, thyme, freshly squeezed nectarines and a touch of well-executed, lifted citrus. The palate shows some good density and the fruit/acid balance is played out nicely. Medium-bodied and sleek and refreshing. Makes you come back for more. Routas on the money as always. Drink now.”

New review!
Case-6 Domaine Marcel Lapierre Morgon, Beaujolais 2017 750ML ($219.95) $165 special (that’s only $27.50/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Domaine Marcel Lapierre Morgon, Beaujolais 2017 750ML ($41.95) $29 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 94 points
“Some very stony and flinty aromas with graphite. Red and dark plums, too. Smells fresh and very complex already. The palate has great density and a fine, compressed tannin texture, as well as a very focused finish. Spiced black cherries and blackberries, cassis and dark chocolate to close. Short carbonic maceration and juice is racked off during the carbonic process. A captivatingly powerful but focused Morgon. No Côte du Puy due to the hail in 2017. Best from 2020”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $36
Many points/Not much money.
Case-12 Casarena Owen’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Agrelo, 2015 750ML ($359.95) $279 special (that’s only $23.25/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Casarena Owen’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Agrelo 2015 750ML ($31.95) $26 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 94 points
“Tasted side by side with the 2014, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Owen’s Vineyard feels a lot fresher. This is an old, balanced, traditional vineyard that yields wines with very good depth and natural balance. There is perfect ripeness here and a notable absence of those green pepper aromas that often mask the personality of many Cabernets. These old vines yield very concentrated juice and it shows in the tannins and acidity, which show in perfect harmony. 30,000 bottles produced.”
The average price nationally is $28
Vinsobres is an unusual region in the Rhone and produces this stunning wine.
Case-6 Famille Perrin Vinsobres Les Hauts de Julien, Rhone 2015 ($299.95) $219 special (that’s only $36.50/bottle!)
Famille Perrin Vinsobres Les Hauts de Julien, Rhone 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points
“The 2015 Vinsobres Les Hauts De Julien comes from the Vinsobres region, which is a cooler terroir located in the northern part of the southern Rhône. Based largely on very old vine Syrah blended with Grenache, it offers a vibrant purple color as well as a sensational bouquet of blueberries, cracked pepper, violets, lavender, and exotic spices. Incredibly textured, full-bodied, deep, and opulent, with awesome purity of fruit, it’s another sensational vintage for this cuvée that would pass undetected in a blind lineup of top Cornas. Drink it anytime over the coming decade.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $42
The top Gigondas from the Beaucastel family.
Case-6 Famille Perrin Gigondas Domaine du Clos des Tourelles, Rhone 2015 750ML ($359.95) $279 special (that’s only $46.50/bottle!)
Famille Perrin Gigondas Domaine du Clos des Tourelles, Rhone 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points
“The finest vintage to date, the 2015 Gigondas Le Clos des Tourelles comes from a tiny vineyard located just inside the village of Gigondas. Incorporating a touch of Syrah, this Grenache dominated beauty reveals a deep ruby/purple color as well as off the chart notes of black raspberries, black cherries, pepper, garrigue, and tons of that classic Gigondas spice. I wrote “Wow” more than once in my notes and this full-bodied 2015 has ultra-fine tannin, perfect balance, and a stacked mid-palate. Give bottles 2-3 years and drink over the following 15+ years.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Case Picks Arriving Wednesday

Case-6 R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2006 750ML ($249.95) $199 pre-arrival special (that’s only $33.17/bottle!)
R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2006 750ML ($44.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 95 points
“The red flagship 2006 Viña Tondonia Reserva was inspired by the vineyards of the Médoc but produced with local grapes, 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacho, 5% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo, which achieved 13% alcohol in 2006. It always matures in used American oak barriques for some six years. The oldest of all the reds I tasted, it was also the one with more freshness, which speaks to the quality of the vineyard. This takes the lion’s share of the 400,000 bottles the winery produces, with some 220,000 bottles filled over a period of 12 consecutive days in May 2014.”
James Suckling 94 points “This is a remarkably lively wine for a 12-year-old Rioja with notes of licorice and dried cherries and a very elegant tannin structure that runs through the medium to full body of this red like a silk thread. The dry finish is long and polished. Drink or hold.”

Case-6 R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Cubillo Crianza, Rioja DOCa 2009 750ML ($179.95) $133 pre-arrival special (that’s only $22.17/bottle!)
R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Cubillo Crianza, Rioja DOCa 2009 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 92 points
“The red they say was born to go with tapas and sold in local restaurants is the 2009 Viña Cubillo Tinto Crianza. 2009 was a warm and ripe year, and this blend of Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha (or the masculine Garnacho they like to use) plus 5% each Graciano and Mazuelo from limestone soils with quite a lot of clay, feels juicy and soft. It fermented with natural yeasts in large oak vats and matured in used barriques for three years. This is a bottling that has grown and improved a lot since 2004-2005. It shows very good balance between fruit and more developed aromas, with hints of leather and cherries, spices and smoke, very clean and with good volume in the palate. It’s usually a little riper and with higher alcohol than Tondonia or Bosconia, with the character, finesse and elegance of a classical Reserva. 93,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in April 2013.”

Favorite Case Pick Re-Arriving Friday

Case-12 Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone 2017 750ML ($189.95) $149 pre-arrival special (that’s only $12.42/bottle!)
Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone 2017 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
Grapelive 92 points
“Saint Cosme’s Cotes-duRhone, grown on a mix of soils, including red clay, pebbles and limestone sands all hillside vines is partial whole cluster and all tank raised. Always a wine of value and purity it gives a ton of character, personality and never disappoints in any vintage, and this one is an exceptional year. In 2017, low yields produced wines with lots of intensity and depth with hedonistic density, but with vibrant fresh detail, with what Barruol notes, adds crunchiness and salinity to this beautiful red wine. This 2017, which is an amazing follow up to the great 2015 and 2016 versions that I loved, delivers boysenberry, sweet blueberry and plum fruit as well as savory spices, a touch of meat, black licorice and a inner perfume of violets and lavender. Rounded tannins give structure, making this wine perform at a higher level than one would expect and this vintage in particular will age well, maybe a decade or more, impressive for the price!”
James Suckling 91 points “Beautiful, garrigue herbs and flowers across fragrant, red berries. The palate has a very deep-set, plush and ripe core of dark-berry flavors, amid glossy, ripe tannins. Great value. Drink or hold.”
Wine Advocate 90 points “The 100% Syrah 2017 Cotes du Rhone is a bargain superstar, offering hints of smoke, cracked pepper, blueberries and black olives. It’s medium to full-bodied, with a long, supple finish. For the $20 (or less) I’ve seen it selling for, you’re not going to find a better Syrah.”

New Week – New Reviews!

Early reviews are in – 2017 Beaujolais is looking to be a phenomenal year:

“The 2017 vintage has been much anticipated, even on the heels of the highly regarded 2016… But while the best cru Beaujolais are capable of improving in bottle, with such a run of good vintages and an ever-improving army of growers and makers assembling throughout the region, there is also no need to wait. Choose your wines to cellar and drink the rest of these excellent 2017 wines with gusto. They really are so good.” — Nick Stock, JamesSuckling

Newly Reviewed 2017 Beaujolais Wines In Stock Now:

Chateau Thivin Cote de Brouilly Cuvee Zaccharie, Beaujolais, 2017 750ML ($54.95) $47 special, 11 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points
“Stunning, concentrated black cherries and plenty of the characteristic acidity of the vintage, both seamlessly interwoven with the gentle tannins and the minerality through the very long, super clean finish. Exemplary use of oak. Almost endless finish. Drink or hold.”

Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Coeur de Vendanges, Beaujolais 2017 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points
“This has attractive depth and richness with seamlessly delivered tannins and fruit on the deceptively powerful palate. Understated, long and pure finish. Drink or hold.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $22
Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Brouilly Pierreux, Beaujolais 2017 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 32 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points
“Some flinty and stony aromas add interest to the fresh strawberries and red cherries. The palate has finely detailed tannins that carry a very fine core of fresh-fruit flavors. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $24
Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Fleurie les Garants, Beaujolais 2017 750ML ($31.95) $27 special, 30 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 92 points
“A deep and spicy expression of Fleurie with impressive complexity already. The palate has a lithe, juicy and layered style with fresh, fine-grained tannins, holding long and fresh. Drink or hold.”

Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Moulin-a-Vent Les Trois Roches, Beaujolais 2017 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 34 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points
“A super expressive, exultant nose with attractive, ripe strawberries, wild cherries and raspberries on offer. The palate has wildly attractive fruit presence with a very impressive air of purity and focus. Great length and detail here. Great wine. Drink or hold.”

Pax

New Reviews

Wines Arrive Friday

Pax Mahle is a true superstar in the world of California wine.  His eponymous label, Pax, achieved widespread acclaim and then imploded due to a dispute between the principal partners.  Pax went on to form Wind Gap and again his wines drew the spotlight and press—this time in part because he was moving away from the ripe, powerful wines he had made his early name with.

He’s finally restored his namesake brand, Pax, to the market. The latest incarnation offers wines that might be described as a hybrid of the two styles that brought him to fame.  Bright, refreshing and electric, these nonetheless have more richness and power than Wind Gap.  We just received his rare Trousseau Gris and have a few more bottlings arriving at the beginning of next month—don’t miss out.

“Pax Mahle’s new releases are terrific. My impression is that a focus under just the Pax label after the sale of Wind Gap is bringing a greater sense of clarity and purpose to the wines in this lineup.” -Antonio Galloni, May 2019

Pax Mahle Griffin’s Lair Syrah, Sonoma Coast 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95 points
“One of the many highlights of this range, Pax’s 2015 Syrah Griffin’s Lair Vineyard is powerful and explosive in the glass, conveying a compelling sense of vertical energy. Dried flowers, tobacco, menthol, licorice, spice and leather add myriad shades of nuance to a beautifully delineated, expressive Syrah. This cool site in the Petaluma Gap gracefully handled the rigors of the warm vintage while yielding a wine endowed with terrific freshness and structure.”

Pax Mahle Castelli-Knight Ranch Syrah, Russian River Valley 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 93 points
“The 2015 Syrah Castelli-Knight Ranch is sensual, open-knit and quite inviting. Blood orange, star anise and spice add gorgeous aromatic nuance to the rich, layered fruit. Ample, silky and creamy, the 2015 is a real pleasure to taste today. The combination of a north-facing site with a warm microclimate yields a wonderfully complete and nuanced wine. All the elements simply fall into place in a refined, gracious Syrah that will drink well upon release.”

Pax Mahle North Coast Syrah 2017 750ML ($41.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 92 points
“The 2017 Syrah (North Coast) is a new wine in the range that essentially replaces The Hermit. Ripe, open-knit and expressive, the North Coast is made in a radiant, inviting style that can be enjoyed with minimal cellaring. Moreover, it is a real overachiever, as Pax only bottled the Armagh as a vineyard-designate in 2017. Vineyard sites in the North Coast Syrah are Nellessen Vineyard, Castelli-Knight Ranch, Griffin’s Lair, Walker Vine Hill, Alder Springs Vineyard, Montgomery Road Ridgetop, and Majik Vineyard.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $37.99
Pax Mahle Valdiguie Quail Run Vineyard, Solano County 2018 750ML ($31.95) $28 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 90-92 points
“Another very pretty wine in this range, the 2018 Valdiguie is bright, focused and wonderfully energetic. Rose petal, lavender and sweet dark cherry all grace this exquisite, vibrant Valdiguie from Pax. The 2018 is shaping up to be a gem. I tasted it from tank just prior to bottling.”

In Stock Now from Pax:

Pax Mahle Fannuchi-Wood Road Vineyard Trousseau Gris, Sonoma County 2018 750ML ($31.95) $28 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 89-91 points
“I tasted the 2018 Trousseau Gris Fanucchi Wood Road Vineyard from tank prior to filtration and bottling. Today, the 2018 appears to have a bit more energy and verve than the 2017, but some of that may be attributable simply to the wine’s youth. In any event, the 2018 is shaping up to be another very pretty and delicious wine from Pax Mahle.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Arriving Wednesday

The Powerful and Complex Muller-Catoir ’17s 

Every wine region in the world has one or two estates that immediately come to mind when you hear the name of the region: Chateau Margaux in Margaux, Romanee-Conti in Vosne-Romanee, and Donnhoff in the Nahe. Muller-Catoir occupies that space in the Pfalz region of Germany.

The Pfalz as a region focused on powerful, dry wines long before it was fashionable.  The wines we’re highlighting today are some of the best values in the world for breathtakingly mineral wines.  Muller-Catoir owns some of the greatest vineyards in the region and has a special touch with them.

From grand, aristocratic Riesling to wild and exciting Scheurebe to the best Pinot Blanc (Weisburgunder) in the world, Muller-Catoir’s wines are top of the class in every category—and excellent value as well.  2017 was an exceptional vintage, even by recent German standards, and the wines are powerful, focused and intense—the perfect sort of year for the Pfalz.  The second tranche arrives Wednesday, just in time for spring drinking or a sleep in the cellar.

Highlights In Stock Now:

Muller-Catoir Haardter Burgergarten ‘Breumel in den Mauern’ Riesling Auslese, Pfalz 2015 375ml ($49.95) $39 special, 24+ half-bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 96 points
“The 2015 Riesling Auslese Haardter Bürgergarten Im Breumel is very clear and concentrated on the nose, but also shows the brown seed aromas of ripe Riesling. Great class and precision here, with some minty flavors. The wine is very concentrated, lush and round on the palate; it reveals a super sweet raisin flavor, as well as great finesse and vitality. This is a gorgeous Auslese with salinity and grip.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!
Muller-Catoir Haardter Burgergarten ‘Im Breumel’ Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Pfalz 2017 750ML ($59.95) $45 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott – JamesSuckling 98 points
“Stand back for the arrival of a giant! Super-fresh nectarine, vanilla and Thai-basil aromas that don’t leave you in any doubt that this is a very remarkable dry riesling. Then the tidal wave of minerality comes through at the finish and sweeps everything away. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Extremely elegant and precisely crafted, with notes of star anise and lavender framing the core of crunchy pear and blood orange flavors. The acidity is appreciable, fueling the flavors and spice accents. Savory mineral details linger on the finish. Best from 2021 through 2031.”
Terry Theise note “A eucalyptus angularity and a chile-thread bite-not heat, as it only has 13% abv, but simply expressiveness. It’s rather a wild ride, not (at least now) ‘elegant’ but splashy and energetic; not quite ‘mineral’ but rocky, a clamber up a rocky chute in a bearclaw scratch landscape. It’s a departure for this wine, which has always been more comme il faut.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $59.99
Muller-Catoir Haardter Riesling Trocken, Pfalz 2017 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 29 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott – JamesSuckling 94 points
“A stunning, bone-dry riesling for this moderate price level! Fine nose of sliced pears and honeysuckle. Stunning freshness and purity on the medium-full palate. The finish is subtlety reminiscent of Mosel. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
Terry Theise note “‘Haardt’ is the village wine. And quite the wine it is; dense and salty, an excellent Pfalz Riesling and an atypical Catoir wine, more suede than silk, but generous and solid and pineappley.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $29.99
Muller-Catoir Haardter Mandelring Scheurebe Trocken, Pfalz 2017 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott – JamesSuckling 95 points
“Why drink a dry white called scheurebe? Here’s the answer. An enormously complex nose of grapefruit, cassis and pineapple, then breathtaking purity and elegance on the palate and a totally uplifting and super-long finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
Terry Theise note “Over 50-year vines now, and this is outsized Scheu, dense and grand, spiciness to the intersection of space and time; salty and regal, and in its delightfully gnarly way gorgeous, erecting a megalith on your palate. Forget spitting; you can’t get rid of it.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Arriving Wednesday, May 22nd:

Muller-Catoir Haardter Burgergarten Riesling Spatlese, Pfalz 2017 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 pre-arrival special
Stuart Pigott – JamesSuckling 95 points
“Stunning nectarine, peach and papaya character, together with lovely succulence and enormous vitality, make this a breathtaking sweet Spätlese with a finish that’s straight as a laser beam and super-clean. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!
Muller-Catoir Gimmeldingen Riesling, Pfalz 2017 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Stuart Pigott – JamesSuckling 93 points
“Ripe white and yellow peaches and just enough acidity to lift the medium-full body and give the long finish some real drive. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Muller-Catoir Haardter Muskateller Trocken, Pfalz 2017 750ML ($29.95) $27 pre-arrival special
Stuart Pigott – JamesSuckling 92 points
“Wonderful pink-grapefruit and muscat nose that bowls you over. So joyful and really rather subtle for a seriously aromatic grape variety. Very bright finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink now.”
Terry Theise note “I’ve often said you have to go to the Grand Cru Goldert from ZH to fins a Muscat equal to Catoir’s, but lately the Alsace wine’s been flirting with overripeness, while the Catoir never does. Clearly I adore Muscat, but if it has a claim to stake on greatness, this is where. The ’17 is clean, brisk, shimmering, salty and gigglesome. Forget the sleek salty substance; just suck on the Thai-basil leaf while you wiggle your toes….”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Muller-Catoir Haardt Scheurebe, Pfalz 2017 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Stuart Pigott – JamesSuckling 93 points
“The whiff of smoke gives the cassis nose of this wine an extra dimension. Concentrated and racy with a dangerous amount of energy. So juicy and vibrant with a long and very clean finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
Terry Theise note “A gooseberry note feints towards Sauvignon Blanc but pink grapefruit pulls it back; finely angular, with a sort of woodruff-like charred-leaf thing; obdurate length; the finish is like the embers of a campfire in your mouth.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Muller-Catoir Haardter Herrenletten Weissburgunder, Pfalz 2017 750ML ($37.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Stuart Pigott – JamesSuckling 95 points
“All the heads turned when this beauty walked into the room. Ripe and fresh, deep yet very clean and delicate, this is a superb pinot blanc. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!

See the complete list of Muller-Catoir wines on our web store!

Arriving Wednesday

A Top Value Super Tuscan

In an Excellent Vintage

Sette Ponti makes some of the finest Super Tuscans out there.  While they’re best known for Oreno, their top-end wine, the wine of note in most years is their value-priced Crognolo.  Made with every bit the same care as the flashier Oreno, Crognolo’s Sangiovese dominant blend provides a beautiful drink-now option at less than half the price of the flagship wine.  The 2016 arrives this winter and looks to be an absolute knockout—the warm year bestowed it with more fruit and softer tannins than usual, making this value an early drinker, as well.

Arriving Wednesday, May 22nd:

Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo, Toscana IGT 2016 750ML ($39.95) $26 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 95 points
“Aromas of rosewood, cherries and blueberries follow through to a full body, tight and focused tannins and a long and flavorful finish. This is linear and bright. The tannins are wonderfully polished and poised. Hard not to drink now, but it will improve beautifully in the bottle. A blend of mostly Sangiovese with a touch of Merlot. Drink or hold.”

Thank you for reading!