Mountains of Magnums Sale

Now through Sunday!

5% off any 3-5 in-stock magnums
10% off any 6+ in-stock magnums
Offer Ends Sunday, December 24th at 4:30 pm Pacific
 
Offer only applies to in-stock, non-sparkling wines.
Does not apply to Champagnes, other sparkling wines, or pre-arrivals.

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Oregon

The King of Oregon Pinot in a vintage that promises plenty of pleasure should you pop the cork early, but it’s well worth holding for a decade or more. This estate was founded by Michael Etzel in conjunction with his brother-in-law Robert Parker (thus the name) in what is now the Ribbon Ridge. It’s a beautiful, biodynamic spot with rolling hills and a working farm that supplies much of the compost and other inputs the vines need.
Beaux Freres ‘The Beaux Freres Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2021 1.5L Displayed Price: $269 special, that’s $255.55 at 5% off and $242.10 at 10% off, 3 magnums in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “Layered and graceful, the 2021 Pinot Noir The Beaux Freres Vineyard pours a ripe ruby hue and reveals a beautiful perfume of orange rind, fresh red plum, clove spice, and rocky earth. Medium-bodied, with tremendous energy, fine tannins, a mineral texture, and a great, lightly toasty finish, it’s a gorgeous wine to drink over the next 10-12 years. Absolutely beautiful.”
Wine Advocate 95+ points “Medium ruby-purple, the 2021 Pinot Noir The Beaux Frères Vineyard opens slowly on the nose to a core of wild blackberry and blueberry, revealing tones of forest floor, licorice, bitters and floral potpourri as it spends time in the glass. The light-bodied palate is soft and juicy with surprisingly concentrated flavors for its delicate frame, and it has a long, floral finish. This is elegant, expressive and easy to drink!”


California

This bottling is sourced mostly from the 11 Confessions Vineyard, which made the winery famous. A riveting wine to stun your friends whether you decide to cellar longer or share tonight.
Sine Qua Non Into The Dark Grenache, Sta Rita Hills 2004 1.5L Displayed Price: $1,399 special, that’s $1,329.05 at 5% off and $1,259.10 at 10% off, 1 magnum in stock now
Wine Advocate 99 points “More up-front and open-knit, the 2004 Into the Dark (Grenache) checks in as a blend of 84% Grenache, 8% Mourvedre, 7% Syrah and 1% Viognier that comes mostly from Manfred’s 11 Confessions Vineyard, yet includes small portions from Alban (10%) and Alta Mesa (9%) Vineyard. Reminding me of Clos Saint-Jean’s Sanctus Sanctorum with its incredible bouquet of sweet kirsch, licorice, dried baking spices, graphite and ground pepper, this beauty flows onto the palate with impeccable purity, perfect integration of its fruit, tannin and acidity, and blockbuster length. As is common with this estate’s wine, it’s the purity paired with serious richness that sets it apart. While still youthful and benefiting from a healthy decadence, I think it’s drinking at point and would aim to drink bottles over the coming 4-5 years. It will evolve gracefully for longer, but I see no reason to hold off.-JD”


France – Provence

Pink wine in the winter? Of course! It’s utterly flexible at table and a lively alternative to sparkling wines for your aperitif course. Chateau Peyrassol is a classic producer, both in Provence and in our shop. They craft elegant yet full-bodied roses from their vineyards that have been planted since the Knights Templar roamed the land.

The Chateau-bottling is, as the name suggests, all estate fruit from clay and limestone soils. This is a blend of indigenous and traditional varietals include Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, and Tibouren.
Peyrassol ‘Chateau Peyrassol’ Rose, Cotes de Provence 2022 1.5L Displayed Price: $99 special, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 5 magnums in stock now
Importer’s Note “Very pale, lychee pink in color. The nose is fine and elegant. Complex, releasing white fleshed fruit and citrus fruits aromas, along with white floral notes. The palate is straightforward and clean. Fine and silky, it is soft, delicate and lively. The freshness of the finish is balanced with a subtle hint of saltiness.”

The “Le Clos” bottling is a single-vineyard rose bottled from a small parcel on the estate. These vines showcase the deep minerality of the region. It’s the top wine of the estate and receives well-deserved praise from reviewers year-in and year-out.
Peyrassol ‘Le Clos’ Rose, Cotes de Provence 2021 1.5L Displayed Price: $119 special, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 14 magnums in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Vivid onion skin color. A highly perfumed and complex bouquet evokes fresh citrus and pit fruits, strawberry and pungent flowers, along with building mineral and succulent herb elements. Shows excellent clarity and depth to its juicy red fruit, nectarine and mango flavors, which are sweetened by a background of vanilla note. Finishes impressively long and silky, with the mineral and floral note resonating.”
Wine & Spirits 93 points “In 2021, Petrassol credits the micro climate at their estate for the late budbreak that evaded late-April frosts, also escaping a fire (merci, le mistral), a hailstorm in nearby Pignan *blocked by hills) and flooding. More than a vintage survivor, this wine is chewy and immediately pleasurable; it captured our panel’s attention in the sweetness of its fruit. Its substantial weight would work well with a range of dishes, or stand as a meal on its own, letting it saturate your mouth, cherry-blossom accents peeking out around the edges of the finish. Its complexity is subtle but present, like a carefully-measured craft cocktail.”


France – Burgundy

Although best known for his intricate wines from Mercurey in the south of Burgundy, Michel Juillot crafts a pretty and remarkably well-priced Corton-Charlemagne. The vines were planted in 1965, making it old-vine even by France’s standards. The production is tiny, just 900 bottles, which is one reason why it’s under-the-radar this side of the Atlantic. With Weygandt-Metzler as their importer, you know this is solid stuff.
Domaine Michel Juillot Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2016 1.5L Displayed Price: $289 special, that’s $274.55 at 5% off and $260.10 at 10% off, 7 magnums in stock now


France – Bordeaux

Gloria is one of the most asked-for Bordeaux producers in our shop. The wines appeal to modern drinkers and drink exceptionally well right out of the gate, especially so in such top-notch vintages as 2016.
Chateau Gloria, Saint-Julien 2016 1.5L Displayed Price: $135 special, that’s $128.25 at 5% off and $121.50 at 10% off, 5 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 96 points “The 2016 Gloria is one of the undisputed stars of this vintage. Rich, deep and explosive, the 2016 possesses tremendous intensity in all of its dimensions. Sweet red cherry, tobacco, menthol, licorice and dried rose petal all add complexity. In 2016 Gloria is a real head-turner. It should be a fabulous value as well. There is not much else to say.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 94 points “The 2016 Gloria is noticeably deeper in color than its peers. It has a charming bouquet of blackberry, briar, brown spices and touches of sandalwood, complex and developing loamy elements with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and a fine bead of acidity. Quite mineral-driven, leading into a composed, precise finish that indicates careful winemaking from great terroir. Superb. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “This has a slightly chunky feel now, with bramble and tar notes jutting out a bit, but the core is saturated with cassis and blackberry fruit flavors and there’s fun energy throughout. Offers a lovely tug of sweet tobacco detail on the finish too. Just let this settle in the cellar. Best from 2024 through 2038. — JM”

What Saint-Julien lacks for in first growth estates, it more than makes up for it in the three Léovilles of Barton, Las Cases, and Poyferré. Beloved for centuries, these estates and this terroir offer an experience that, especially when price is considered, rivals the Moutons and Latours. Perhaps not a household name, Poyferré is known among Bordeaux insiders as producing a “voluptuous” wine, to quote Jane Anson of Decanter, which she attributes to its high proportion of Merlot. This is a hedonistic and deeply rewarding wine to convince the most stubborn of American-only Cab drinkers that there’s life and joy to be found in Bordeaux.
Chateau Léoville Poyferré, Saint-Julien 2015 1.5L Displayed Price: $249 special, that’s $236.55 at 5% off and $224.10 at 10% off, 8 magnums in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The 2015 Leoville Poyferre is cut from the same cloth as the 2016, yet is more sexy, rounded and opulent. Notes of cassis, licorice, crushed rocks, lead pencil shavings and graphite all emerge from this unctuous, ripe, pedal-to-the-metal beauty that’s absolutely loaded with fruit and texture. Reminding me of the 2003, yet only fresher, don’t miss this beauty. It should be drinkable in 3-4 years and last for 3-4 decades.”
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 97 points “The 2015 Léoville-Poyferré is spectacular. Inky, dense and explosive, the 2015 possesses off the chart richness, with soft contours, no hard edges and exceptional balance. All the elements are simply fused together. inky blue/purplish fruit, chocolate, new leather, blueberry jam, exotic spice and violet notes are all beautifully delineated throughout. Fresh, vibrant and totally sexy, Léoville-Poyferré is one of the wines of the vintage. Don’t miss it! Tasted two times.”


France – Loire

Check the cellar of any bottle shop employee and you’ll find at least a few bottles from Pepiere, especially from cooler vintages such as 2017. The Clisson bottling is lees-heavy, so rich, creamy, and a rival to any white Burgundy at double the price.
Domaine de la Pepiere Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Clisson 2017 1.5L Displayed Price: $61.90 special, that’s $58.81 at 5% off and $55.71 at 10% off, 7 magnums in stock now
Rebecca Gibb MW-Vinous 93 points “The 2017 Clisson from this organic estate has been wild fermented and has spent two years in cuve on lees (the minimum for this cru). While ripe and rounded, which is a character of the Clisson cru, and redolent of lees-derived character, this retains a lovely precision and vivacity. Appealing clarity of apple and citrus fruit and light in body. This is a fresher, more defined style of Clisson from a cooler season. It’s pure, clean and provides definition.”

The Vatan that can be told is not the eternal Vatan.
Edmond Vatan Sancerre Clos la Neore 2018 1.5L Displayed Price: $699 special, that’s $664.05 at 5% off and $629.10 at 10% off, 2 magnums in stock now
Vinous 96 points “Clarity is a term that accurately describes the 2018 Sancerre Clos La Neore. It has a pure and intense core of fruit. But it’s not fruity. It’s a sophisticated style with a distinctive aromatic profile– chamomile tea, lemon, honey, and almond meal and an almost tonic-like edge. While showing the ripeness of the 2018 season, it retains its shape with a corset of acidity and phenolics that guide the wine on and on.”


France – Rhone

This small producer makes spectacular reds from the Northern Rhône, and some of the best values we stock. From top to bottom, the Darnaud wines over-perform, with density, power and drinkability. The stellar 2018s are chalk full of the power and richness of the vintage.
Emmanuel Darnaud Saint Joseph La Dardouille 2018 1.5L Displayed Price: $95 special, that’s $90.25 at 5% off and $85.50 at 10% off, 6 magnums in stock now
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 96 points “Every bit as good as I thought it was from barrel, the monumental 2018 Saint Joseph La Dardouille is one of the best Saint Josephs to have ever crossed this taster’s lips—certainly in the Top 10. Hints of cedar accent deep notes of blackberry liqueur, underlain by a bed of crushed granite. Full-bodied, richly concentrated and textured, it’s a prodigious effort that must be tasted to be believed. Despite the size and extract, there’s a sense of cool restraint and even a bit of refreshment on the lengthy finish. Give it another year or two; it should drink well for at least a decade beyond that.”

Chocolate and blueberries and spices, oh my!
Emmanuel Darnaud Crozes-Hermitage Au Fil du Temps 2018 1.5L Displayed Price: $89 special, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, 9 magnums in stock now
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 94 points “Marked by intense aromas of licorice and seared beefsteak, Darnaud’s 2018 Crozes Hermitage Au Fil du Temps backs those up with notes of blueberries and black olives. Full-bodied, richly concentrated and tannic—but supple and ripe—with a bright, refreshing and lengthy finish, it’s a beauty of a Crozes to drink over the next decade.”
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “More chocolatey black and blue fruits, violets, damp earth, and bouquet garni-like notes emerge from the 2018 Crozes-Hermitage Au Fil Du Temps. This rich, powerful, full-bodied Crozes shows the classic balance, elegance, and purity that are present in all of Emmanuel’s wines. With plenty of mid-palate depth, ripe, mouth-coating tannins, and outstanding length, this brilliant effort will keep for 10-15 years.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “On the exotic side, with a mix of açaí, blueberry and boysenberry reduction flavors entwined with licorice root and singed alder notes. Everything knits wonderfully through the finish, letting the fruit drip while the background notes flicker. Drink now through 2028. 210 cases made, 40 cases imported. –JM”

One of the most historic wineries in the world as well as one of the most loved. Saint Cosme IS Gigondas: a benchmark for centuries. 2019 is phenomenal. Why look elsewhere when you can have the very best?
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas 2019 1.5L Displayed Price: $99 special, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 10 magnums in stock now
Grapelive 95+ points “As readers of this website will most certainly know, Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas is one of my personal favorites and a wine I drink for my own pleasure and try to review every vintage. It always seems to get better and better. Even with such expectations this wine, especially this stunning 2019, [it] continues to thrill me and impress for the depth and quality for the price. There may not be a better wine value anywhere!“
Wine Spectator 95 points “Dark and winey, this structured offering packs red and black currant paste flavors together with threads of charcoal, warm stone, bay leaf and savory, ending with a long tug of cast iron through the finish. A blue chip for cellaring. Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault. Drink now through 2035.”.—J.M.
Matt Walls-Decanter 94 points “Great sense of concentration and vibrancy with acidity that is marked for the vintage and the oak well integrated. Extremely vibrant, dark fruited this year, damson, shot through with very fine tannins. All whole bunch fermented in concrete with natural yeasts, then aged in concrete, recently used barriques and some new ones (around 20%).”

This is a mainstay of our shop and an exceptional value, combining complexity, value, finesse, and structure. A home run at the price.
Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone Les Deux Albion 2020 1.5L Displayed Price: $39 special, that’s $37.05 at 5% off and $35.10 at 10% off, 36+ magnums in stock now
Wine Spectator 92 points “Ripe and polished yet fresh, this red seduces with ripe, generous anise, vanilla-laced blackberry and cherry flavors, then turns dark and brooding on the palate, with smoldering iron, garrigue, menthol, black pepper and dark earth notes framed by fine-grained tannins. Syrah, Grenache, Carignan, Mourvèdre and Clairette. Drink now through 2027”


Italy – Piedmont

Brovia’s wines are wonderful and expressive,s made in traditional methods (no small barrels, native ferments, etc) from some of excellent vineyard holdings that are mostly in Serralunga. The Garblèt Sue’ is from Castiglione Falletto and wows for the price and drinks exceptionally well in the short term.
Brovia Garblet Sue Barolo DOCG 2015 1.5L Displayed Price: $189 special, that’s $179.55 at 5% off and $170.10 at 10% off, 3 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94 points “The 2015 Barolo Garblèt Sue’ is dense and powerful in the glass. A rush of black cherry, plum, lavender, iron and sage literally burst from the glass. Ample, full-bodied and intense, the Garblèt Sue’ is another stellar wine in this range. The typically incisive Garblèt Sue’ tannins are nearly buried by the sheer richness of the fruit. Today, the Garblèt Sue’ is distinguished by its wild, feral profile and huge core of fruit. In this vintage, the Garblèt is the overachiever in the range relative to how it shows in most vintages.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “Showing some immediate softness, the 2015 Barolo Garblèt Sue’ is beautifully approachable and generously accommodating, even at this early stage in the wine’s drinking window. Bring it out with a selection of goat cheeses. It’s interesting to note that, at 40 years old, the vines of this cru in Castiglione Falletto actually rank as some of the youngest held by the Brovia estate, founded in 1863, before the unification of Italy.”

Giacomo Conterno wines are among the top tier of wines in all of Italy. The wines are always powerful and traditional, but with an elegance and grace that seems to transcend the immediate impact of flavor and leave you searching for descriptors to capture what you’ve tasted.  We love the wines and if you are thinking about trying them—do it sooner than later.  The way these wines have become collectable, it’s going to be harder and harder to source them going forward.

Giacomo Conterno Cerretta, Barolo DOCG 2018 1.5L Displayed Price: $599 special, that’s $569.05 at 5% off and $539.10 at 10% off, 1 magnum in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95-97 points “Tasted from barrel, the Giacomo Conterno 2018 Barolo Cerretta is shaping up to be a beauty. What stands out most at this very young stage is the quality and the elegant tightness of the tannins. Cerretta fruit from Serralunga d’Alba makes for powerful, structured and concentrated Nebbiolo that is delivered with naked clarity and outstanding purity. These qualities are clearly linked to the vineyard site and less to the conservative efforts executed at the winery. You taste the crunch or the nervous quality of the grape skins and pulp with dark and purple berry nuances and rusty or mineral overtones that hint at the more significant presence of clay in these soils”

Giacomo Conterno Francia Barolo DOCG 2018 3L Displayed Price: $1,349 special, that’s $1,281.55 at 5% off and $1,214.10 at 10% off, 1 3-liter in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 95+ points “The 2018 Barolo Francia is powerful, deep and also a touch austere. It shows the edginess of all the 2018s, but also has a feeling of textural creaminess that adds tons of character. Spice, menthol, leather and a whole range of balsamic overtones build into the deep, imposing finish. Roberto Conterno decided to forego his Barolo Monfortino in 2018, opting instead to blend all the casks into his Francia bottling. When that happens, Francia often surprises down the road. That could very well turn out to be the case here.”

A hallmark wine for sure, and one of the first single-vineyard Barolos ever produced.
Paolo Scavino Bric del Fiasc, Barolo DOCG 2019 1.5L Displayed Price: $249 special, that’s $236.55 at 5% off and $224.10 at 10% off, 4 magnums in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 98 points “The 2019 Barolo Bric del Fiasc is the hallmark wine of the estate, and it shows. Taking on more concentration, it is pure and generous with kirsch, star anise, nutmeg, and menthol and moves impressively to the palate with ease and nobility. It offers fantastic depth while remaining true to the vintage and propels forward through an arch of acidity, while having grounded notes of Earl Grey tea, black cherry, and crushed stones as well as ripe tannins. Drink 2026-2046.”


Italy – Tuscany

As the pinnacle of Felsina’s portfolio, Felsina Rancia is a true masterpiece. Crafted from a rigorous selection of Sangiovese grapes grown in the renowned Rancia vineyard, this single-vineyard Chianti Classico Riserva embodies elegance, complexity, and age-worthiness. This wine is a must-try for enthusiasts seeking a truly extraordinary Chianti Classico experience.
Felsina Berardenga Rancia, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2018 1.5L Displayed Price: $115 special, that’s $109.25 at 5% off and $103.50 at 10% off, 8 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 97 points “The 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia is an absolutely stunning wine. The archetype of Rancia in the past has been of a big, potent Chianti Classico but in 2018, Rancia is a wine of mind-blowing elegance and finesse. Silky, perfumed and indescribably finessed, the 2018 dazzles from start to finish. It’s a magical wine in every way.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2018 is an unusual vintage that shows an especially austere character. Off the bat, it must be said that the Fèlsina 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia would certainly benefit from more cellar time and a long drinking window. The Rancia is elegant and streamlined with a medium-bodied style that breaks from some of the more concentrated vintages we’ve seen in the past. The bouquet reveals a lot of dark or black character with blackcurrant, tar, resin, iron ore and a dusty hint of dry graham cracker (which reminds us of the vintage heat). Structurally, the wine offers a solid and firm footing, but it would benefit from further evolution.”

Another gem from Felsina Winery, this wine showcases the winery’s commitment to expressing the unique character of their property and the potential greatness achieved in blending. This Tuscan IGT wine is crafted from a blend of Sangiovese and Merlot, sourced from vineyards in the heart of the Chianti Classico region. With its rich, velvety texture, enticing aromas of ripe black fruits, herbs, and tobacco, and a long, satisfying finish, Fontalloro embodies the perfect marriage of tradition and innovation.
Felsina Berardenga Fontalloro Toscana IGT 2018 1.5L Displayed Price: $128 special, that’s $121.60 at 5% off and $115.20 at 10% off, 11 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 95 points “The 2018 Fontalloro is bright, floral and full of energy. In most vintages, Fontalloro is quite open, but the 2018 is especially nervy and taut. That won’t be an issue in time, of course, but readers should plan on being patient. Sangiovese is so expressive here. A whole range of floral and savory accents lingers on the close.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “To my palate, the 2018 vintage sometimes feels a little too ripe or baked. I was reminded of those characteristics when tasting the Fèlsina 2018 Fontalloro. There is plenty of dark fruit at its core, but this wine also reveals dry tones of jarred oregano, grilled Mediterranean herb, crushed aspirin and graham cracker. The mouthfeel is pleasantly lean and silky, and perhaps the wine delivers more in terms of length than it does weight or texture. A little more bottle age should help flesh out and soften these results.”

Cepparello is the flagship wine of legendary Tuscan winemaker, Paolo De Marchi. Made from 100% Sangiovese from his best and oldest vines.
Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana IGT 2017 1.5L Displayed Price: $169 special, that’s $160.55 at 5% off and $152.10 at 10% off, 21 magnums in stock now
Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana IGT 2017 3L Displayed Price: $379 special, that’s $360.05 at 5% off and $341.10 at 10% off, 3 3-liters in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 97 points “The 2017 Cepparello is another in a series of stunningly beautiful Cepparellos from Paolo de Marchi. Bright and beautifully focused in the glass, with tremendous depth, the 2017 is positively stellar from the very first taste. Succulent dark cherry, plum, licorice, spice, menthol and coffee all open up with a bit of air. Here, too, Paolo De Marchi has done a tremendous job in preserving freshness in the wine. Readers who can muster the patience will be rewarded with a spectacular wine.”

La Gerla makes fantastic Brunello in a traditional (yet approachable) style. The wines always have striking purity of fruit and elegant structures, but are free of the sweet tinted oak that masks many “easy drinking” Brunellos. The Angeli Riserva comes entirely from a one hectare parcel of old vines within the family’s estate vineyard, and enjoys 4 years of aging in 50hl oak casks before bottling.
La Gerla Riserva gli Angeli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2016 1.5L Displayed Price: $219 special, that’s $208.05 at 5% off and $197.10 at 10% off, 9 magnums in stock now
La Gerla Riserva gli Angeli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2016 3L Displayed Price: $449 special, that’s $426.55 at 5% off and $404.10 at 10% off, 2 3-liters in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 96 points “Smoldering with remarkable depth, the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Gli Angeli makes itself known with a blend of spicy citrus peels and minty herbs giving way to masses of black cherry, strawberries, hints of iodine and smoke. This is a textural thrill ride, velvety and almost weighty in feel, while finding wonderful balance in its vibrant acidity and the tart wild berry fruits and savory spices that are unleashed upon the palate. Hints of mocha combine with sour cherry and almond paste through the impressively long and classically structured finale. In the end, the 2016 Gli Angeli is the total package. This Riserva is a single-vineyard bottling from La Gerla’s northern Montalcino vineyard, which was planted by Biondi-Santi in 1968.”
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Inviting aromas of wild berries, baking spice, new leather and charcuterie come to the forefront. Full-bodied and elegantly structured, the smooth palate features dried cherry, baked plum, vanilla and mocha framed in fine-grained tannins. Drink 2024–2031. Kerin O’Keefe”


Spain

Clos Erasmus wines are crafted in the tiny, ancient village whose rustic charms first attracted winemaker, Daphne Glorian, and her cohorts Rene Barbier and Alvaro Palacios to the region in 1989. The parcels are scattered across the wild terrain near Gratallops in the heart of the Priorat. Here the slate soils collect in colorful fans that resemble smashed pottery. The varying aspects of each parcel’s microclimate are where the magic lies, spanning shallow valleys or climbing rough, terraced hillsides.
Clos i Terrasses Clos Erasmus ‘Laurel’, Priorat DOCa 2018 1.5L Displayed Price: $149 special, that’s $141.55 at 5% off and $134.10 at 10% off, 3 magnums in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 96 points “The second wine here and one that is easier to drink, the 2018 Laurel was produced with fruit from the younger vines, a couple of barrels that are declassified from Clos Erasmus and the Cabernet Sauvignon, more or less 70% Garnacha and 15% each Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. It has good ripeness and still a pH of 3.3. It fermented mostly in oak vats and 2,000-liter concrete vats with indigenous yeasts and matured for 18 months in 20,000-liter oak and concrete vats, second use barriques and some clay amphorae. It’s a bright translucent ruby color and has a perfumed and delicate nose with notes of orange peel and flowers; this is the most elegant and ethereal vintage of Laurel as far as I can remember, with red rather than black fruit and a kind of cranberry quality. The palate is medium-bodied, textured and fluid, with subtleness, balance and very fine tannins. The oak is perfectly integrated, and the wine is easy to drink, approachable and very pleasurable right now. It’s a fresh vintage with energy and finesse, quite different from previous vintages. I love it. 22,825 bottles and 515 magnums produced. It was bottled in May 2020.”

Envínate is a small group of winemaking friends (Alfonso Torrente, José Ángel Martínez, Laura Ramos, and Roberto Santana) that seek to highlight the individual terroirs of the Canary Islands and Ribeira Sacra. The friends produce wines of purity with low-intervention winemaking and vineyard management using ancient vineyards.  The wines are highly sought after as authentic expressions of their terroirs and forerunners of the “New Spanish” wine movement. This is the “village” wine from Lousas, but not to be snubbed. It is composed of at least 60-year-old vines in the Ribeira Sacra region.
Envinate ‘Lousas’ Vina de Aldea, Galicia 2021 1.5L Displayed Price: $99 special, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 3 magnums in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “Excellent depth with a vibrant lift of pepperiness to the wild and airy bramble fruit and minerality. Chalky and broad on the palate but really weightless with chalky tannins and a fresh, refined finish. Delicious now.”


Germany

Donnhoff or do not. There is not try.
Weingut Donnhoff Hermannshohle Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2022 1.5L Displayed Price: $228 special, that’s $216.60 at 5% off and $205.20 at 10% off, 2 magnums in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 99 points “The restrained beauty of the peachiness in the nose is hard to describe, but easy to be overwhelmed by! On the compact palate this has staggering concentration yet still manages to be very light on its feet. The finish is blade-runner sharp, but the blade also flashes in the sun. Breathtaking drive and energy for the very warm and dry vintage. Then comes the remarkable wet-stone minerality and you can’t wait for the next sip. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”

JJ Prüm’s reference-point Mosel Rieslings are some of the most profound and age-worthy white wines in the world. No other producer in the middle Mosel is as respected or collectible.
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, Mosel 2012 1.5L Displayed Price: $279 special, that’s $265.05 at 5% off and $251.10 at 10% off, 2 magnums in stock now
Wine Advocate 96+ points “More reductive on the nose than the Himmelreich Auslese Gold Capsule, the 2012 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Gold Capsule (AP #19 13) combines its deeper mineral character with a perfect expression of highly noble botrytis. The finish is piquant and firm and also more grippy and stringent due to the reductive style. The wine lacks the finesse and elegance of the Himmelreich at the moment, but is provided with the density and complexity for a long flight over the years.”

Korrell’s most celebrated vineyard is a monopole site called, appropriately, “Paradis.” Paradis is a limestone-heavy site (a rarity, much like Keller’s Kirschspiel GG), with shallow soils and privileged exposition—in short, everything you could ask for in a Riesling vineyard, especially to produce dry wines. We’re proud to be the first and only shop in the USA to offer these wines.
Weingut Korrell Johanneshof Kreuznacher Paradies Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2017 1.5L Displayed Price: $79 special, that’s $75.05 at 5% off and $71.10 at 10% off, 7 magnums in stock now
Weingut Korrell Johanneshof Kreuznacher Paradies Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2017 3L Displayed Price: $149 special, that’s $141.55 at 5% off and $134.10 at 10% off, 3 3-liters in stock now
Grapelive 94 points “The Paradies Riesling Trocken is a gorgeous white of depth and precise winemaking that takes advantage of this unique site in the Nahe. This wine is the heart and soul of Korrell and it is product of its unique climat,or terroir… This is a winery that about to break out and join some elite company, in fact they are riding high after winning, as mentioned, the famous Riesling Cup award with their unique multi (Grand) cru Von den Grossen Lagen Trocken Riesling. This wine is just extra proof there is real quality here! The lightly golden hued and generously textured Paradies will age well. It’s full of charm, class and potential. Best to let this one have another 3 to 5 years, though it certainly is delicious right now.”
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 94 points “Very clean and fresh, but behind the effusive, fruit-salad character that makes this so seductive, there is a lot of structure and the finish keeps pumping out the fruit and chalky minerality. Drink or hold.”


Portugal – Port

Nothing says Christmas like a bottle of Port, so why not bring enough to share with all the friends, family, cousins, in-laws, half-sisters, third cousins twice removed, great aunts, favorite neighbors, and anyone else who might drop by?

2017 is an astoundingly good year for vintage Port. Since 2016 was a declared vintage in Port among the houses, it was assumed 2017 would only be declared if it was a legendary, beyond-top-class vintage. And it was…

A glorious Port for pondering.
Dow’s Vintage Port 2017 1.5L Displayed Price: $219 special, that’s $208.05 at 5% off and $197.10 at 10% off, 3 magnums in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 98 points “The 2017 Dow’s Vintage Port showed a slight reduction and required more time to really open in the glass. Typical of Dow’s it has a more backward and introspective bouquet compared to its peers, scents of blackberry, clove, wild mint, cassis and vanilla, gradually gaining more intensity with aeration. The palate is simply glorious. It is built around a compelling tannic frame that seems finer than any Dow’s I have encountered apart from the ethereal 2011. There is so much energy coiled up in this Port, a sense of symmetry that is enthralling and yet you just know that it needs to be cellared for 15-20 years for it to reveal its full potential. For serious Port-lovers. One of the vintages most cerebral offerings. Total production is 5,250 cases.”
James Suckling 98 points “Pure grape aromas that remind me of fermenting must but then goes to stems and dried flowers. Full-bodied, medium sweet with fine-grained tannins that coat your palate. Powerful and muscular yet remains agile and beautiful. Grows on your palate. Wonderful ripe fruit in the middle palate. Try after 2030.”
Decanter 97 points “Based on fruit from the predominantly south-facing Quinta do Bomfim in the Cima Corgo and Quinta Senhora da Ribeira in the Douro Superior, with Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca making up 80% of the blend. This is opaque and closed in but powerfully ripe with underlying pure berry fruit. It’s seemingly quite introverted compared to some of its peers at this stage, but it’s still full, rich and opulent on the palate. It also shows the latent power of the vintage, made as it is in a slightly drier style (3.4 Baumé), with lovely minty fruit and full, ripe sinewy tannins all the way through the finish. Long and lithe, and very fine.”

A flamboyant Port versus the Dow, this is vibrant and bold.
Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port 2017 1.5L Displayed Price: $199 special, that’s $189.05 at 5% off and $179.10 at 10% off, 6 magnums in stock now
James Suckling Top 100 Wines #28
James Suckling 99 points “Complex aromas of tar, wet earth, dark berry and flowers follow through to a full body, medium sweet and amazing compacted concentration. Vertical and so deep. It goes on for minutes. Truly excellent. Better after 2027.”
Mark Squires-Wine Advocate 99 points “Rich, concentrated and often sensational, this is well structured, even better in its fruit profile. While the fruit is terrific, it is also wonderfully fresh. This is arguably a great Taylor’s, but it still needs to prove its final case in the cellar. I don’t think that will be a problem…”
Neal Martin-Vinous 98 points “…The first impression is one of freshness, completely disguising that summer’s dryness and warmth, a disarming finesse built around the frame of tannins that would have been impossible years ago. It is a silky-smooth Taylor’s, one of the most polished 2017 Vintage Ports with energy and tension flooding through the finish. Aristocratic as ever, totally Taylor’s, yet still translating the growing season with aplomb.”
Decanter 97 points “A blend from predominantly north-facing Quinta de Vargellas in the Douro Superior and quintas Terras Feita and Junco in the Pinhão valley. This has lovely ripe mulberry fruit on the floral nose, also showing lovely concentration. It’s dense and fleshy initially on the palate, displaying silky-velvety damson fruit and broad, fine-grained tannins which rise in the mouth and lead to a big peacock’s tail of a finish. It’s a bold wine with great finesse, already beautifully integrated.”