Category Archives: Newsletter Archive

Pichler-Krutzler 5-6-24

Complexity Meets Affordability
 
On Sale Now
 
Elisabeth Pichler-Krutzler, daughter of Franz Xaver (F.X.) Pichler, married the highly-regarded Austrian winemaker Erich Krutzler. In 2007, the pair founded the estate of Pichler-Krutlzer. Their winery is based around the great vineyards of the Wachau and produces some of Austria’s most highly regarded wines.
 
The pair prefer brighter, fresher wines than the style classically produced at FX (which itself is increasingly tending towards lower ripeness and higher acidity). These wines tend to have a little less power and a lot more versatility at the table. They’re breathtakingly complex, soulful wines that, like the humble wines of Selbach-Oster, are designed to be enjoyed with food.
 
“The quality of the wines [is] undeniably high, even in 2021, a vintage that combines the ripeness of 2019 with the acidity of 2010 or even 2014. However, the extracts—and therefore the internal density—are higher in the new wines, whose alcohol levels range between a moderate 12% and 13.5%. As always in recent years, the Alte Reben selection from Pfaffenberg is one of the estate’s most impressive wines, led by the superb 2020. But the 2021 Rieslings from Loibenberg and Kellerberg are also fabulous and among the finest wines produced this year in the Wachau.” -Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate
 
5% off any 3-5 in-stock Pichler-Krutzler wines
10% off any 6 or more in-stock Pichler-Krutzler wines
 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your card.
 
Discount ends Thursday, May 9th at 9 am Pacific
 
We offer seven in-stock wines from Pichler-Krutzler, including:
 
Pichler-Krutzler Loibenberg Gruner Veltliner, Wachau 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $45, 2 bottles in stock now
Anne Krebiehl MW-Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Earth and salty yeast come together on the nose, promising texture and savoriness. The palate then adds a lovely Russet pear ripeness and roundness that sits well with the earthy, concentrated, yeasty backdrop that holds pithy concentration and lip-smacking freshness. This is lovely, round and expressive.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
 
Pichler-Krutzler Loibenberg Gruner Veltliner, Wachau 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 18 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2021 Loibner Grüner Veltliner Ried Loibenberg shows an intense yellow color and opens with a pure yet intense and slightly lactic (?) or yeasty bouquet of ripe and lush, yellow fruits intertwined with notes of crushed, crystalline stones and dark flinty notes. Round and mouth-filling on the palate, this an elegant, intense and textured, savory and finely tannic Loibenberg with a sustainable saline and crystalline finish. This is a fine and elegant, finely textured and fruit-intense Veltliner that fermented longer than the other wines (until the end of January), then aged in a 1,200-liter stück barrel and was bottled at the end of August this year with 13.5% stated alcohol. The wine doesn’t have the precision and finesse of the other Veltliners at this early stage, but it will find itself after years on the bottle. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in September 2022.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
Pichler-Krutzler Pfaffenberg Alte Reben Gruner Veltliner, Kremstal 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 94 points “Vinified in a new, untoasted 900-liter oak vat, the 2019 Ried Pfaffenberg Alte Reben Grüner Veltliner was only bottled in spring this year. The intensely citrus-colored wine shows a flinty, precise, fine and fresh bouquet with ripe stone fruit aromas and spices of crunchy crystalline stones. Creamy textured, ripe, lush and very elegant, with some attractive oak notes but fine tannins, this is a sensual, well-balanced and perfectly round Pfaffenberg that has to be marketed as Kremstal Reserve because the oak influence was too dominant for the DAC tasters in Krems. There is 14.5% alcohol, which you don’t feel due to the mineral freshness and elegance. Tasted at the domain in June 2021.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $79.98
 
Pichler-Krutzler ‘In der Wand’ Riesling, Wachau 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $33, that’s $31.35 at 5% off and $29.70 at 10% off, 3 bottles in stock now
Anne Krebiehl MW-Wine Enthusiast 94 points “A hint of creaminess creeps deliciously into the orange zest notes on the nose. The palate comes on light feet but is vibrant with zesty notes of ripe orange and Amalfi lemon. The body is slender but concentrated, almost fizzing with ripe and utterly fresh zestiness. The finish is clean, taut and dry with lasting, mouthwatering citrus. Drink by 2040.”
James Suckling 93 points “Lots of flint and gun metal with lemon and lime and some stone character. It’s medium-to full-bodied with lots of character and a dry, fruity finish. Already shows some bottle bouquet. Drink now.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
 
Pichler-Krutzler Kellerberg Riesling, Wachau 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 21 bottles in stock now
Anne Krebiehl MW-Wine Enthusiast 97 points “Cellar Selection. A still shy nose is not ready to give up its secrets easily, despite much swirling and air. It is the palate that lifts the veil on the citric depth and intensity at the heart of this wine. Tangerine and lemon seem to emanate from a deep, stony, steely and cool depth. That citrus heart is concentrated and seems to draw on a boundless energy that drives it forward with purpose. This is beautiful, chiseled and unbelievably vivid. Drink 2025–2050.”
James Suckling 96 points “Maybe I’m amazed, because this stunning dry riesling marries ravishing fruit aromas. The spectrum ranges from mirabelle to candied lemon via peach, also with wild-herb notes, plus stony minerality. The long finish flickers between lime zest and white chocolate. And all somehow remains delicate! Drink or hold.”
 
Pichler-Krutzler Loibenberg Riesling, Wachau 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 9 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95 points “Picked between October 16 and 18, the 2021 Loibner Riesling Ried Loibenberg opens with a spectacularly pure, fresh, precise and flinty as well as dense and perfectly ripe stone fruit aroma intermingled with lemon notes. On the palate, this is a salty, saline and savory Loibenberg with an elegant, intense and persistently saline finish with tension, salt and grip. 13.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in September 2022.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
Shop our 7 selections on sale now on our webstore!


 
Don’t miss our additional sale going on now:
 
Espectacle del Montsant
 
5% off any 6-11 bottles of in-stock Espectacle del Montsant
10% off any 12 or more bottles of in-stock Espectacle del Montsant
 
Chablis
 
5% off any 6-11 bottles of in-stock Chablis wines
10% off any 12 or more bottles of in-stock Chablis wines
 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
 
Chablis sale ends Tuesday, May 7th at 9 am Pacific.

Elite Garnacha On Sale Now! 5-5-24

Clos Mogador: Bodega Espectacle Vins Espectacle del Montsant Garnacha 2020 - Lobenbergs Gute Weine


We’re all familiar with the grenache based wines of Southern France. In fact, I’d imagine this is the first place that the wine nerd’s brain descends upon when discussing grenache as a varietal and the styles of wine we feel are emblematic of it. But this is actually not the grape’s true place of heritage! Ampelographical evidence suggests that the grape was first born in Spain’s Northeastern regions of Aragon & Catalonia, where seed remains of Garnacha have been carbon dated back to 153 BC. This predates written records in Europe. It was in the 1300s onwards that the grape began to expand its presence, taking root in outher parts of Southern Europe like Sardinia, Greece, and France.

Tasting a grape from its place of origin brings a sense of enormity and significance that cannot be replicated. When I enjoy wine, I see myself not only as someone that appreciates great flavor, but as an actual adventurer and witness to the history and culture of the broader world. The celebration of what makes any grape or style unique is what continuously pulls me back into the passion and forms the deep reverance I have for classic regions.

Which brings me to our offer today! On sale now is simply some of the best garnacha that Spain has ever made. Coming straight from the heartland of garnacha’s origins are the wines of Espectacle del Montsant. These wines are a project of Rene Barbier of Clos Mogador and other associates that are revitalizing the notion of high quality potential that the garnacha grape can achieve. The vineyards in the Sierras of Montsant are of very high altitude (upwards of 2300 feet above sea level), comprised of diverse soils including limestone, clay, granite, and slate. What truly makes the vine material special though is that its some of the most ancient in all of Spain, with much of it being 100 years old or more.

These are rich and textural red wines. The broad fruit potential of the garnacha is expressed here in combination with fresh acidity maintained from high altitude growing conditions and steep slopes. The Mediterranean climate is realized so intimately in the final product, with the all the warmth of the Spanish sun creating silky tannins and opulent structure. What’s striking is that the wines never feel top heavy in spite of their ripeness and higher alcohol; but rather show obvious elegance in the glance with very lifted aromas of flowers and delicate spice.

With our discount applied, these are practically the lowest prices you can find anywhere for these wines. We have 3 vintages on offer and it’s an amazing opportunity to assemble a miniature vertical for you to taste through by yourself or with guests. Discount available only through this coming Wednesday so act fast!
 

Buy any 3-5 bottles for a 5% discount

Buy any 6+ bottles for a 10% discount

Discounts will be applied after orders are received.

Offer ends on Wednesday May 8th at 9AM PST


 
Available Vintages of Espectacle:

Espectacle del Montsant 2018 750ml $119 special, 21 bottles available
Wine Spectator 98 points “As with other wines, I also tasted the 2018 Espectacle del Montsant next to the 2017 to catch up, as I last tasted the region some 16 months ago. 2018 was a cooler year of slow ripeness, and the grapes achieved an amazing 16% alcohol. The wine is truly spectacular, true to its name. It has tons of violet notes and aromatic herbs, the palate is gentler, and the tannins are rounder, polished and elegant. It has full body but isn’t heavy. There is a lot of complexity, and the wine developed slowly in the glass, showing nuances of cereals, kirsch, orange peel and lots of spices and herbs. It’s opulent and full, deep and complex. Amazing in its style. Some 6,500 bottles produced.”

Espectacle del Montsant 2019 750ml $125 special, 31 bottles available
Wine Advocate 99 points “It’s always an exciting moment tasting a new vintage of the wine from one of the most beautiful vineyards in Montsant, and the 2019 Espectacle del Montsant didn’t disappoint. It’s always Mediterranean, heady and ripe, decadent and hedonistic. 2019 was a warm and quite classical vintage in the zone, with good ripeness (the wine’s label lists 15.5% alcohol), and the wine is hedonistic, nuanced and complex, with very good acidity, which is one of the characteristics that makes this vintage so complete. Despite everything, the wine is medium to full-bodied and comes through as perfumed and ethereal. They do long macerations and long aging in foudre. 2019 is a very serious vintage for this wine; it’s a little closed and needs time in the glass, and it’s tight and seamless, a little austere for what this wine usually is. This is truly spectacular.”

Espectacle del Montsant 2020 750ml $135 special, 27 bottles available
Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2020 Espectacle del Montsant has 15% alcohol, lower than the two previous vintages despite being a warmer year, and it has power and concentration (from the weather and the low yields from mildew), reaching a good concentration with freshness, which is the key to having a balanced 2020. The wine is floral, and the profile of fruit is more primary. It also has abundant, fine-grained tannins that are going to require some more time in bottle. Espectacle always has the floral expression and the elegance of this unique vineyard in Montsant. Starting in 2022, Christian Barbier, who is leading the regenerative viticulture in the Priorat/Montsant zone, will be in charge of the viticulture here.”

Chablis Sale 5-4-24

Your Three-Day Discount Starts Now
 
Classically, Chablis is a crisp clean white Burgundy, made from vines grown in extremely chalky, limestone soil. With a cooler growing season than in the Côte-d’Or, unique soil composition and a plethora of exceptional sites, Chablis is an essential item for anyone’s cellar. Sure, the wines are more angular than the Cote d’Or, but for sheer terroir-infused bang for your buck, they’re impossible to beat.
 
With a tremendous amount of variance in terms of flavor expression, the best Chablis are characterized by their high acids, pervasive minerality and a fruit profile that tends to skew towards citrus and orchard fruit. As they age, the mineral and tertiary characters of the wines blossom, with the best examples having decades of potential bottle age.
 
Chablis became so popular in the 20th century that its good name was co-opted, most notably by big California jug wine producers. This legacy has left us with our current state: a once famous wine region, still beloved by a modest group of devotees, is now too often overlooked.
 
Today we’re offering our special three-day discount on all in-stock Chablis. Need some suggestions? Below, featuring a number of terrific options that represent everything we love about the region’s wines. We’ve made it easy to stock up on this perfect springtime white, and (re)discover what makes Chablis so timeless.
 
5% off any 6-11 bottles of in-stock Chablis wines
10% off any 12 or more bottles of in-stock Chablis wines
 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
 
Sale ends Tuesday, May 7th at 9 am Pacific.
 
We offer 28 in-stock wines from Chablis, including:
 
The Schaller family crafts honest, excellently made wines from a family with a long history of farming and a new generation bringing energy and commitment to the winemaking side of things. Though Schaller family has grown grapes in the region for generations, it wasn’t until Camille completed enology school that they started bottling on their own. These are wines to buy and winemakers to watch—we expect them to be considered one of the stars of Chablis in the next decade. The results are stunning—bright, mineral and with that Chablisienne quality.  Decanter Magazine recently reviewed a handful of their wines, so it seems as though the world is catching on to these beauties.
 
Domaine Camille et Laurent Schaller Chablis 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $26, that’s $24.70 at 5% off and $23.40 at 10% off, 10 bottles in stock now
Decanter 91 points “Very attractive, with a fine combination of ripe pear and stone fruit, citrus acidity and mineral notes to finish. Would appeal to lovers of traditional Chablis, as well as those looking for a bit more fruit ripeness.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
 
Domaine Camille et Laurent Schaller Vau de Vey, Chablis Premier Cru 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $39, that’s $37.05 at 5% off and $35.10 at 10% off, 36 bottles in stock now
Decanter 90 points “Plenty of cool, fresh sensations on both nose and palate; shows the personality of this premier cru. More green apple fruit in character with plenty of acidity on the finish, should gain a bit more weight and complexity with a further 12 months in bottle.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
Le Domaine d’Henri is a new producer with an old heritage. Michel Laroche has ancestors who farmed grapes in Chablis going back to the 17th century, but formed this star estate only after selling his interest in the Domaine Laroche in 2010. Named after his father, Henri, Michel kept only the oldest, most treasured vines in Fourchaume and some village level vineyards. His aim was to have a small, family business that focuses on farming and winemaking on an intimate scale.
 
The wines he’s making are some of the most beautiful in Burgundy, with rippling minerality, electric tension and pretty fruit framing the palate. They are classically Chablisienne in the best ways, practically the distilled essence of the region.
 
Domaine d’Henri L’Homme Mort Vieilles Vignes, Chablis Premier Cru 2017 1.5L Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 2 magnums in stock now
Winery Note “Planted in 1970, this parcel reflects the nobility of the Fourchaume appellation, with notes of forest floor and a racy, balanced palate, underlined by a good acidity. The Kimmeridgian escarpment of Fourchaume is reputed to produce some of the best Chablis wines and the South West exposure of the vines means that they bask in the warm afternoon sun. Vinified in stainless steel tanks (75%) to preserve the minerality and freshness, and in oak barrels (25%) of 228-litres so as to add more complex notes, this wine will continue to improve for the next 15 years or so. Serve at 14-15°C, this wine will benefit from being decanted 15 minutes before serving to allow the aromas to develop. The perfect partner for turbot or a grilled côte de veau.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
Domaine Moreau-Naudet Vaillons, Chablis Premier Cru 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $58.50, that’s $55.58 at 5% off and $52.65 at 10% off, 8 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 90-93 points “The 2018 Chablis Vaillons 1er Cru is another wine in this range with quite a bit of promise. Exotic and tropical, with terrific depth, the 2018 has a lot to offer, even if it is clearly an adolescent today.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
 
“This venerable 66-hectare Chablis estate, owned by Beaune’s Maison Albert Bichot, boasts enviable holdings—including fully 25 hectares of premier and grand cru land, the fruit of which is harvested by hand—that are complemented by purchased fruit… Cécilia Trimaille—a former assistant vineyard manager at Château Margaux—took the reins here in 2018 and disclaims any intention to radically alter an aesthetic that emphasizes purity and incisiveness, while simultaneously displaying plenty of appetite to make incremental improvement in the vineyards and cellar… I’m looking forward to following Long-Depaquit’s evolution over the years to come.” –William Kelley, Wine Advocate
 
Albert Bichot Domaine Long-Depaquit Bougros, Chablis Grand Cru 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $89, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, 19 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93-94 points “Super fragrant and attractively ripe peach aromas with a very lively and pure attitude. The palate offers such attractive and succulent ripe peaches and a sleeve of lemon, piercing right through to the long, fresh finish. Drink over the next five years.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
Albert Bichot Domaine Long-Depaquit Les Clos, Chablis Grand Cru 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 13 bottles in stock now

 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
 
Domaine Christian Moreau Pere & Fils Les Clos, Chablis Grand Cru 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $135, that’s $128.25 at 5% off and $121.50 at 10% off, 24 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 95 points “”The 2020 les Clos from the Moreau family is an excellent wine in the making. The nose is deep, pure and nascently complex, delivering scents of pear, apple, flinty, chalky soil tones, beeswax, a nice touch of vanillin oak and a topnote of lime blossoms. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, poised and rock solid at the core, with superb mineral drive and focus, bright, snappy acids, laser-like focus and a very, very long, very precise finish. All this beautiful example of les Clos will need is time in the cellar to start hitting on all cylinders.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
 
Domaine Laroche Les Blanchots, Chablis Grand Cru 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $149, that’s $141.55 at 5% off and $134.10 at 10% off, 10 bottles in stock now
Winery note “The favourite Grand Cru of Domaine Laroche, offering much finesse and charm. Les Blanchots is a unique terroir made of a layer of white clay on Kimmeridgian limestone with ammonites. This is the ideal combination to keep the right amount of water for roots. The South-East exposure allows slow ripening and favours aroma development. Blanchots is delicate, silky and shows its charm after 5 years in bottle. At peak after 10 to 12 years.”

Domaine Vocoret et Fils Les Clos, Chablis Grand Cru 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $79, that’s $75.05 at 5% off and $71.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winemaker Notes “Moderate lemon-yellow in color with intense aromas of fresh lime and mango. On the palate, fresh citrus, lemon and lime with tropical fruit nuances.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
 
The Domaine William Fevre wines are marked by their chalky, smoky intensity. A character branded into the vineyards by Kimmeridgian soil, clay and sea floor sediment; a strata that reaches from Chablis, through Champagne and out to the Loire. The acidity is preserved by a growing zone at the edge of being too cool, yet this has been challenged with warmer vintages creeping in more recently. How does a winery who rests their very brand upon a hallmark style change with the climate? Diversify and reinvent Chablis, bien sur. Play with ripeness and judiciously incorporate more oak regime into the mix, but make certain that the heart of Chablis is preserved. Some purists cry foul; Fevre just keeps on their course.
 
William Fevre Bougros, Chablis Grand Cru 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 16 bottles in stock now
Jasper Morris-Inside Burgundy 94 points “This is not the legendary Côte de Bouguerots bottling, but the regular Bougros – which still stood out alongside its peers. The fruit shows grand cru weight and the sunshine quality of the vintage, juicy but well balanced, while the crystalline purity of the finish sets this wine apart.”

 
Don’t miss our additional sale going on now:
 
Max Ferd. Richter
 
5% off any 6-11 bottles of in-stock Max Ferd. Richter wines
10% off any 12 or more bottles of in-stock Max Ferd. Richter wines
 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
 
Max Ferd. Richter sale ends Sunday, May 5th at 9 am Pacific.

Max Richter Sale 5-2-24

In This Newsletter:
 
Our Favorite 2018s: Max Ferd. Richter Three-Day Sale
&
Gaultallary in Profile:
Explore the Extremes of Argentine Terroir with Altos Las Hormigas

 
Max Out Your Savings on

Max Ferd. Richter Wines
 
Your Three-Day Discount Starts Now
 
We’re slashing our already rock-bottom prices on all in-stock wines from this uber-classical estate!
 
The first thing that jumps out about Max Ferd. Richter wines is the incredible real estate the winery holds. It is ancient, dating back over 300 years and now under the helm of 10th-generation winemaker Constantin Richter. Vineyard management is focused on maximizing quality. Harvest is completely by hand with multiple, meticulous passes through the vineyard to ensure only the finest grapes are harvested. As an example, botrytized grapes are hand-selected at the single berry level.
 
The Middle Mosel is where all the historic glory of German Riesling rests. Based on their holdings and the quality of their wines, Richter deserves to be a name on par with JJ Prum, Fritz Haag, Willi Schaefer, etc. but poor distribution has prevented them from reaching the level of fame that they deserve (which, frankly, is great for your budget). 
 
The stars of show are the Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr wines. Here, the soil is heavy in iron, imparting a darker sense to its minerality. In 2018, the wines seemed to show the most balance and knocked the socks off quite a few reviewers. Stephan Reinhardt from the Wine Advocate wrote of the Spatlese that its “piquant finesse and mineral tension [evoked] that of the Scharzhofberger and the Euchariusberg,” noting too that he “can hardly imagine any better Spätlese from 2018.” If that’s not enough for you, don’t sleep on the more decadent Wehlener Sonnenhur wines, including the dry Uralte Reben GG, aged in traditional fuder and crafted from vines over 125 years old, and the Kabinett, which we suggest as pairings with fresh fruit or cream pies.
 
In 2018, the Richters leaned in to what Mother Nature provided in the moderately warm and dry vintage. The results are utterly delicious now, but with sugar and acid levels that will do well in the cellar. To quote Mosel Fine Wines’ take on these 2018s, the wines are simply amped up versions of their classic style. These wines show “a touch more ripeness and roundness than usual, but also with the playful side that has made the success of their Estate over the years… All in all, Max Ferd. Richter took the vintage and produced utterly enjoyable and playful wines. One could nearly say: As usual.”
 
These are gloriously complex wines, built for the cellar and affordable enough to buy in quantity, especially on our three-day sale. 
 
“I like the 2018 wines as they are quite charming. They combine the ripe zest of 2012 with the roundness of 2011.” – Constantin Richter, as quoted by Mosel Fine Wines
 
5% off any 6-11 bottles of in-stock Max Ferd. Richter wines
10% off any 12 or more bottles of in-stock Max Ferd. Richter wines
 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
 
Sale ends Sunday, May 5th at 9 am Pacific.
 
We offer 10 wines from Max Ferd. Richter, including:
 
Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett Trocken, Mosel 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $24, that’s $22.80 at 5% off and $21.60 at 10% off, 10 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 93+ points “The 2018 Kabinett Trocken from the Himmelreich was produced from a parcel of vines that are eighty to ninety years of age, situated right up at the top of the slope. This is outstanding in 2018 and very delicately-styled and filigreed, with the wine topping out at eleven percent octane this year. This had not yet been bottled and was really lovely on both on the nose and palate, with the bouquet wafting from the glass in a mix of apple, lemon, superb minerality, a dollop of wild yeasts and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is pure, medium-bodied and beautifully mineral, with fine intensity of flavor, bright acids, excellent focus and superb cu Constantin Richter has been full-time back at the family estate since the 2012 vintage, and previous to this he did a few stages and cut and grip on the long and complex finish. This is first class juice! 2022-2060.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2018 750ml Displayed Price $24, that’s $22.80 at 5% off and $21.60 at 10% off, 35 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 94-96 points “The 2018 Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Kabinett is deep but bright and refined on the flinty nose that offers perfectly ripe Riesling and crunchy slate aromas with a warm iron touch. On the palate, this is a lush, refined, salty-piquant, even racy Riesling with generous fruit and a very long, salty-piquant and crystalline finish. This is a highly complex Riesling in the most delicate expression. It’s one of the wines you just have to buy—there won’t be any regrets, not today or in 30 years. Since this Brauneberger has slightly more sulfur compared to the Wehlener Sonnenuhr, which still hasn’t been filtered and was tasted from the lees, I will retaste the wines early next year, as I am convinced a Mosel Riesling needs two winters to unmask itself. Tasted in March 2019.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Mosel 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $36, that’s $34.20 at 5% off and $32.40 at 10% off, 23 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 94 points “I love the discreet mirabelle, spice and angelica notes of this finely chiseled dry Mosel riesling that has plenty of depth and structure, but doesn’t yet announce it loudly. Needs some time to open up, but the classic elegance is already very clear. Drinkable now, but better from 2022.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $44.99
 
Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $33, that’s $31.35 at 5% off and $29.70 at 10% off, 10 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95-96 points “From 30- to 40-year-old vines, the 2018 Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese is flinty, precise and reductive on the coolish nose, with discreet and fine (but lush!) pineapple aromas and very fine notes of crushed, smooth slate. On the palate, this is a clear, fresh, lush, highly finessed, piquant and salty Riesling with very tannins and lingering salinity and piquancy. This is a fabulous Spätlese with piquant finesse and mineral tension that seems to be familiar with that of the Scharzhofberger and the Euchariusberg. I can hardly imagine any better Spätlese from 2018. Tasted from the cask in March 2019.”
Mosel Fine Wines 94 points “The 2018er Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese was made from clean grapes harvested at a full 95° Oechsle, and was fermented down to sweet levels of residual sugar (90 g/l). It offers a gorgeous and delicately exotic nose made of pineapple, coconut, herbs and smoke on the nose. The wine develops great focus on the gorgeously creamy and zesty palate. It leaves one with the creaminess of an Auslese and the raciness of a Spätlese in the remarkably multi-layered yet playful finish. 2028-2048.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
Already reduced on our close-out sale, now even lower!
Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $39, that’s $37.05 at 5% off and $35.10 at 10% off, 23 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96-97 points “The 2018 Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese is very fine, concentrated and beautifully clear, with blossom honey and very fine berry aromas on the nose. (The 20% to 25% of botrytis is very clear and precise, almost imperceptible.) Lush and piquant on the palate, this is a generous but highly digestible Auslese with orange, raisin and (pink) grapefruit flavors. The finish is incredibly racy-piquant, salty and highly digestible. This is still a baby, but it is highly promising. Tasted from cask in March 2019.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Veldenzer Elisenberg Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $21.90, that’s $20.81 at 5% off and $19.71 at 10% off, 15 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2018 Elisenberger Riesling Kabinett is dense, cool, very precise and flinty-mineral on the nose, which is still reductive but exciting. Coming from a coolish side valley that was picked at roughly 84° to 85° Oechsle at the end of September, this is a gorgeously lush and mouth-filling Riesling with the mineral piquancy of quartzite soils. There is no aggressive acidity here, there is nice tartaric acidity that makes this a seductive Kabinett you can’t resist. This is a fabulous, very long and enchanting Riesling. The wine has slightly more than 50 grams of residual sugar and comes in at 8.5% alcohol. It was scheduled to be bottled a couple of days after I tasted it from the cask at the end of March 2019.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Uralte Reben Grosses Gewachs, Mosel 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $39, that’s $37.05 at 5% off and $35.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 91+ points “The 2018er Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Trocken Uralte Reben GG was made in traditional Fuder cask from over 100 year-old un-grafted vines in the Brück part of the vineyard. It offers an intense nose made of grapefruit bitter, anise, herbs and some white flowers. The wine develops a rather intense but quite structured feel of lemon zest, camphor, herbs and fine spices on the palate. The finish is quite powerful and hugely tart. 2021-2028.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $24, that’s $22.80 at 5% off and $21.60 at 10% off, 17 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93-95 points “Mostly from very old vines (80 to 90 years old) and vinified partly (one-third) in stainless steel, the 2018 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett offers a fine, flinty, super sensual, mind-blowing bouquet of perfectly ripe but coolish, precise and even quartzite-like aromas. On the palate, the wine is wide, pure, elegant and energetic—a powerhouse but in the most delicious and delicate way. The palate is complex, opening wide but always precise and very, very long, with great mineral grip and tension but also lush and sensual features. This is a great Mosel Riesling indeed. Tasted from the cask in March 2019.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $33, that’s $31.35 at 5% off and $29.70 at 10% off, 33 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 94-96 points “From the two oldest plots (80-90 years old and 120 years old), the fuder-fermented 2018 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese offers great precision and aromas of tropical fruit intertwined with very fine slate on the nose. On the palate, the wine is mouth-filling and salty-piquant, with mango and slate flavors on the racy finish. This is dangerous stuff, very dangerous, yet it’s also tight and tensioned. This is, for the moment, the finest and most stimulating Wehlener Sonnenuhr. Dangerous. Really dangerous. Tasted in March 2019.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
Already reduced on our close-out sale, now even lower!
Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese ***, Mosel 2018 375ml Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 36+ half-bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 97+ points “The first three-starred Auslese since 2005 (prior to that, it was 1993, 1983 and 1975), the 2018 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese *** was picked at about 145° Oechsle. This is incredibly clear, pure, fine and fresh on the lush, concentrated, herbal and grapefruit-scented nose. On the palate, this is a generously lush, refined and salty-piquant Auslese with a tight mineral structure and lingering salinity. This is highly refined and extremely stimulating. It already drinks all too well today, but Constantin recommends cellaring it for at least 10 years. Tasted in March 2019.”
Mosel Fine Wines 95 points “The 2018er Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese *** Fass 138 is a botrytis selection harvested at 138° Oechsle on old vines in the prime Sandpichter sector, and was fermented down to noble-sweet levels of residual sugar. It offers a gorgeous nose of date, pineapple, almond cream, raisin and smoky spices. The wine is beautifully creamy and yet zesty on the palate and leaves a gorgeous feel of ripe fruits and creamy almond in the long and suave finish. While intense, this noble-sweet Auslese retains an immensely satisfying playful side. 2033-2068.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
 
Shop our 10 selections on sale now on our webstore!
 

 
Altos Las Hormigas’ Appellation:
 
Malbec In The Extremes
 
Two Tuscans, enthralled by the potential of Malbec on the high slopes of Gualtallary, crafted this wine from the limestone- and gravel-rich soils. The founded their winery in 1995, built on the then-revolutionary idea that Malbec could be as expressive as Pinot Noir in conveying its terroir. Today the winery crafts a broad range of wines, from every day to premium (yet affordable).
 
This “Appellation” bottling highlights the tiny region of Gualtallary. Here, vines are planted at the very limit of altitudes possible while still allowing for perfect ripeness. Vineyards reach up to nearly 5,250 feet above sea level. At these heights, grapes grow tough, thick skins to withstand the extreme UV rays, intensifying the tannic profile, color, and ageability in the resulting wines.
 
This wine combines a dense, calcium-rich minerality with the gentle spice and fruit of Malbec, tied together with a subtle kiss of oak. We consider this be the best buy out of Argentina given its quality to price, and we know you will, too.
 
In Stock Now:
 
Altos Las Hormigas ‘Appellation Gualtallary’ Malbec, Tupungato, Argentina 750ml $41.90 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Patricio Tapia-Guida Descorchados 96 points “Appellation comes from a small parcel of just under a hectare planted on soils rich in limestone. 65% was aged in concrete, and the rest, in oak barrels, an important change, because in the past, it was 100% oak aged. According to Las Hormigas, the decision was based on the fact that the season was cool, and that red fruit had to be maintained without allowing it to oxidize through the pores of the wood. And what they’ve obtained is a vibrant floral red wine marked by acidity and sharp tannins that’s clearly a much more austere, more controlled approach in comparison with the exuberance of other wines from area”
James Suckling 95 points “Blackberries, blueberries, terra cotta, brick and white pepper on the nose. Medium-bodied with very tight and polished tannins that spread beautifully across the palate. Savory. Lightly chewy at the end. Drink now or hold.”
 

 
Don’t miss our additional sales going on now:
 
Jonathan Didier Pabiot
 
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of wine from Pabiot
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of wine from Pabiot
 
Vinopolis Close-Out Wines
 
(That’s 214 wines to choose from!)
 
5% off any 6-11 in-stock Close-Out Sale wines
10% off any 12 or more in-stock Close-Out Sale wines
 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
 
Pabiot sale ends Friday, May 3rd at 9 am Pacific. Close-Out Wines sale ends Saturday, May 4th at 9 am Pacific.

Wednesday Library Selections 5-1-24

 In This Newsletter:

Wednesday Library Selections
Featuring Domaine Drouhin, Shafer Vineyards, Bond Estates,  Ridge, Sin Qua Non, and more!
 
Wine Of The Week

 
Marchesi Mazzei.
 
#23 Wine Of The Year – Wine Spectator Top 100, 2017
 
Mazzei Tenuta Belguardo Maremma Toscana Rosso, Tuscany, Italy 2013 750ml $59 special, 12 bottles available
Wine Spectator 95 Points “A red of great purity and polish, offering black cherry, blackberry, spice and herb flavors, this evokes tobacco, graphite and leather nuances as it builds nicely on the palate. Finishes with grip, harmony and complexity, as well as terrific length. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2028.”
 
Lowest listed price on the West Coast. Average price is $61!
 
Featured Wines
 

Domaine Drouhin.
 
Domaine Drouhin Louise Drouhin Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, USA 2014 750ml $149 special, 6 bottles available
Vinous 94 Points “Dark red. Musky, deep-pitched aromas of black raspberry, cherry liqueur and incense, plus a smoky nuance and a suggestion of vanilla. Sappy, pliant and penetrating on the palate, offering bitter cherry, dark berry and spicecake flavors complemented by licorice and mocha nuances. Becomes sweeter and more lively with air and finishes spicy and extremely long; smooth tannins frame the intense fruit.”
 
Domaine Drouhin Louise Drouhin Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, USA 2016 750ml $159 special, 6 bottles available
Vinous 95 Points ” …displaying a suave blend of heft and focus to the concentrated red and blue fruit, lavender pastille and spicecake flavors. Shows impressive energy on the gently tannic, penetrating finish, which hangs on with serious, floral-driven tenacity.”
 
Hundred Acre Wines.
 
Hundred Acre ‘Ark Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain, USA 2015 750ml $599 special, 3 bottles available
Wine Advocate 100 Points “Medium to full-bodied, the palate is charged with amazing energy, packing wonderfully vibrant black fruits, red berries and mineral flavors into a firm, finely grained frame, finishing very long and beautifully lifted.”
 
Lowest listed price in the USA. Next lowest price is $625.
 
Hundred Acre ‘Morgan’s Way’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA 2012 750ml $549 special, 5 bottles available
Wine Advocate 99 Points ” …opens with the most beautiful red roses and lilacs scents with red and black cherry compote and hints of cinnamon stick, earth, stewed tea, cigar box and forest floor. The palate is full-bodied, rich and seductive with incredibly perfumed fruit and a satiny texture, finishing very long.”
 
Shafer Vineyards.
 
Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District, USA 2012 750ml $349 special, 5 bottles available
Wine Advocate 100 Points “Shafer’s flagship wine, and one of the world’s greatest Cabernet Sauvignons … The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is a perfect wine. It elicits more than a few “wows” when you smell the incredible notes of charcoal, graphite and subtle toast, buttressed and dominated by blackcurrant, blackberry and blueberry fruit.”
 
Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District, USA 2013 750ml $289 special, 6 bottles available
Wine Advocate 98+ Points ” …Fabulous potential of 30-50 years is evident in this profound bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon that is inky blue/black to the rim and offers up notes of charcoal embers, scorched earth, blackberries, cassis, blueberries, a hint of coffee, and background barrique smells … Try not to consume a bottle for at least another 4-5 years and then watch the magic unfold.”
 
Limited Quantities

Don’t Miss Out on These Rare Wines!
 

Bond Estates.
 
These are the only listings for these wines in the United States today:

Bond Melbury, Napa Valley, USA 2002 750ml $549 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 100 Points ” …the wine has an extraordinary aromatic profile of smoky meats intermixed with blackberry, crème de cassis, charcoal, lead pencil shavings and espresso … This extraordinary effort displays oodles of glycerin and fabulous purity, while the oak has been completely absorbed.”
 
Bond St. Eden, Napa Valley, USA 2002 750ml $549 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 100 Points ” …showing incredible elements of cedarwood, licorice, chocolate and creme de cassis as well as exquisite texture, full-bodied intensity, and unbelievable purity and length. It is only the second vintage for this vineyard, leased by Bill Harlan for several decades, and it has turned out to be a killer Cabernet Sauvignon and a great classic of Napa. It should drink well for 20-25 years.”
 
Bond Vecina, Napa Valley, USA 2002 750ml $499 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 97 Points “Intense aromas of mint, fine leather and ripe cherries emerge on the nose of the 2002 Vecina, which comes from a site near Harlan Estate, in the western hills of Oakville. It’s full-bodied, supple and charming, with a long, long finish… “
 
Levy & McClellan.
 
Levy & McClellan Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA 2005 750ml $399 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 95+ Points “On the palate, the wine combines considerable substance, power, and extract with a sense of harmony as well as elegance. Black currant, blackberry, and gamy, meaty notes are also present in this full-bodied effort with an incredibly long finish.”
 
Peter Michael Winery.
 
Peter Michael ‘Les Pavots’ Estate Red, Knights Valley, USA 2016 750ml $179 special, 1 bottle available
James Suckling 99 Points ” …Extremely poised and powerful. Finishes with so much fresh leather and blueberries. Goes on for minutes.”
 
Peter Michael ‘Le Moulin’ Rouge Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands, USA 2010 750ml $149 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 94 Points ” …The 2010 reveals lots of cassis, black raspberry jam, spring flower and loamy, dusty soil notes as well as a full-bodied, opulent style. It should drink well for a decade.”
 
Peter Michael ‘Le Moulin’ Rouge Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands, USA 2011 750ml $79 special, 1 bottle available
Vinous 90-92 Points ” …Another finely shaped, chiseled wine, the 2011 shows lovely precision and plenty of nuance.”
 
Rhys Vineyards.
 
These are the only listings for these wines in the United States today:
 
Rhys Vineyards Home Vineyard Pinot Noir, San Mateo County, USA 2019 750ml $99 special, 1 bottle available
Vinous 94 Points “The 2019 Pinot Noir Home Vineyard is one of the more savory wines in the range … A Pinot of subtlety and nuance, the Home Vineyard, will appeal most to readers who enjoy understated wines.”
 
Rhys Vineyards Horseshoe Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains, USA 2018 750ml $119 special, 1 bottle available
Vinous 97 Points “The 2018 Pinot Noir Horseshoe Vineyard is dense and brooding. Black cherry, licorice, spice, leather, herbs and mineral accents shape this ample, beautifully resonant Pinot Noir.”
 
Ridge Vineyards.
 
Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains, USA 2015 750ml $219 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 95 Points “Supple and elegantly generous on the palate, its structure has started to soften, but fine-grained tannins are still apparent on the saturated, chewy finish.”
 
Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains, USA 2019 750ml $219 special, 1 bottle available
Vinous 98 Points “The 2019 Monte Bello is a wild, exotic wine … In a word: magnificent.”
 
Sine Qua Non.
 
Sine Qua Non ‘Lightmotif’ White, California, USA 2014 750ml $189 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 97 Points ” …a rich, layered profile that carries tons of ripe peach, honeycomb, pineapple, flowers and citrus. Pure, elegant and silky on the palate, with full-bodied richness, it never puts a foot wrong, is ethereally textured and has a great finish.”
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