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Category Archives: Newsletter Archive
Nick Room-Iwsc 97 Points “Excellent in all aspects. Caramel and molasses on the nose, palate abundant with deeper toffee, vanilla and ripe prune. Cedar spices combine with fine citrus fruit around a red fruit core. Balanced and with further evolution still to come. Seriously good.”2022 Willi Schaefer & Donnhoff Offers, Plus Close-Out Deals on in-stock Donnhoff Wines 12-5-23
In This Newsletter:
Special Features
2022 Willi Schaefer offer,
2022 Dönnhoff wines arriving Friday &
Dönnhoff Wines on our Close-Out Sale
2022 Willi Schaefer Rieslings:
The Apex of Classic Mosel
The reviews are in, and the wines nearly so: the 2022 Willi Schaefer Rieslings combine concentration and elegance in an utterly beguiling package. The only regret you’ll have is not buying more as these leave you speechless for decades.
Christoph and Andrea Schaefer craft some of the most authentic wine in all of the Mosel. This husband and wife duo are known for wines that are approachable when young with beautiful fruit components. However, like all of the valley’s finest exports, they always impress with the ability to maintain vitality and finesse for 15+ years.
Never fearing the delicious balance that subtle sugar and bright acid can bring, these wines are an educational tour de force on German Riesling. The Himmelreich vineyard tends to bring wines with slightly spicier, red fruit notes, while the Domprobst leads with cool, minty green herbs and delicate freshness.
“… these are the Ne Plus Ultra of Mosel wine, and they have attracted an almost religious following. Thus my most frustrating agency, as there is never enough wine…” – Terry Theise
Willi Schaefer Rieslings Arriving Today:
“Almost endless finish”
Weingut Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2022 750ml $49 pre-arrival special, only 13 bottles available
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 98 points “The staggering nose of fresh pineapple invites you to a voyage to the tropics with their rich colors and lush vegetation. Then comes the no less amazing palate which is simultaneously extraordinary in concentration yet miraculously feather light. Great citrusy freshness, but it’s impossible to say which citrus fruit it is because it seems to flicker from Amalfi lemon to bergamot and then to pomelo, and on and on. Almost endless finish with the merest hint of unfermented grape sweetness. Drink or hold.”
Decanter 95 points “Balances perfectly the richness of the slate terroir with fresh, zesty fruit. Aromatics show slightly reduced notes of flint, pencil lead and streaks of graphite. The palate matches this intensity with flavours of crushed stone, graphite and spice, and a zesty hint of greengage. There is an overall ethereal character that gives it so much freshness and laser focus.”
Anne Kreblehl MW-Vinous 95 points “The 2022 Riesling Graacher Domprobst Kabinett #01 opens with an initial, enticing whiff of tart but fully ripe passion fruit and a clarity that speaks of whistle-clean fruit. The palate is sweet, clear, bright and vividly rich with rounded but precise fruit. Wonderfully clean, with a slightly richer fruit appeal, there’s utter juiciness and mid-weight on the palate. The finish tones this down with subtle zestiness, but the fruit remains full, rounded and sweet on the long finish.”
“makes us swoon” “the body is sensational, beguiling”
Weingut Willi Schaefer Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2022 750ml $47.50 pre-arrival special, only 7 bottles available
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 95 points “Wonderful nose of spring meadows and ferns with delicate stone fruit aromas filling out the complex and very detailed picture. Astonishing silky elegance and a freshness that defies easy description, but makes us swoon. And in spite of the incredible depth this is so transparent and refined right through the very long finish. Drink or hold.”
Decanter 94 points “Great elegance and focus. The aromatics of lime zest and pronounced notes of spiced pear intermingle with notes of freshly cut nectarine. The Himmelreich is all about fruit character for the Schaefer wines. The palate is a blend of cardamom, nectarine flesh and honeyed pear. Its fleshy, textured fruit balances intensity with what Christoph calls ‘a light impression.”
Anne Kreblehl MW-Vinous 94 points “The 2022 Graacher Himmelreich Kabinett is a little subdued on the nose. The palate, however, is a tender veil of fruit: vivid citrus is expressed as tart lemon sorbet, gaining a slightly fuller sweetness and a hint of Mirabelle on the mid-palate. The lightness of the body is sensational, beguiling with lemony zestiness and brightness. This lightness is incredibly seductive.”
“The considerable power is so impeccably underplayed that you barely feel it.”
Weingut Willi Schaefer Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2022 750ml $59 pre-arrival special, only 6 bottles available
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 96 points “Lovely nose of white peach with just a whisker of caramel. Also a wealth of white flowers. Simultaneously succulent and super-elegant thanks to the thread of slatey minerality that runs through this sensual beauty. The considerable power is so impeccably underplayed that you barely feel it. Very long, pristine finish. Drink or hold.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96 points “Sourced in the same parcel as the legendary 1976 Auslese and picked rather early, the 2022 Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spätlese opens with a clear, precise and elegant nose of white fruits and flinty notes of coolish crushed slate. Intense and lush on the palate, this is mouth-filling and charming, very long and mineral/saline Spätlese that doesn’t show exceptionally high acidity but a ripe one that is completely interwoven with the mineral/phenolic structure. This is a hedonistically juicy but weightless and finessed, stimulating and saline Spätlese from the Himmelreich, which didn’t produce an Auslese in 2022. All the fully ripe and golden berries went into the Spätlese. 7.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in May 2023.”
“Astonishing finesse and slatey intensity for a village wine.”
Weingut Willi Schaefer Graacher Riesling Feinherb, Mosel 2022 750ml $34.50 pre-arrival special, only 4 bottles available
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 95 points “The freshness of spring and the fruits of fall. Astonishing finesse and slatey intensity for a village wine. Sleek and silky on the barely medium-bodied palate. Super-long and graceful finish that takes your breath away. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
“a gorgeous dry Riesling from [the village of] Graach”
Weingut Willi Schaefer Graacher Riesling Trocken, Mosel 2022 750ml $34.50 pre-arrival special, only 12 bottles available
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93 points “Sourced predominantly in the Himmelreich and racked from the lees until March due to a slow fermentation of the dry and feinherb wines, the 2022 Graacher Riesling trocken opens with a clear, deep and flinty, still nicely reductive bouquet of ripe, aromatic and juicy yellow stone fruits. Bottled in late April, this is a round and elegant, mouth-filling, juicy and well-balanced Graacher with savory acidity and a stimulating, saline and citric finish. This is a gorgeous dry Riesling from Graach that didn’t suffer any heatwaves like in 2018, 2019 or 2020, although it was an extraordinarily warm and dry vintage. 11.5% stated alcohol. Screw-cap closure. Tasted in May 2023. Drink: 2023-2040. “
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 93 points “Lovely nose of lemon blossom and lemon curd. Lovely balance of restrained creaminess and bright acidity with intense wet stone minerality. Long light-footed finish with excellent balance. Drink or hold.”
Browse our complete list of Willi Schaefer wines in-stock now and arriving December 5th below and jump to our webstore to buy!
WILLI SCHAEFER RIESLINGSVWS PRICE AVAILABLE REVIEW LINK
| GRAACHER HIMMELREICH KABINETT 2022 | $47.50 | 7 | 95JS | Link |
| GRAACHER HIMMELREICH SPATLESE 2022 | $59.00 | 6 | 96JS | Link |
| GRAACHER DOMPROBST KABINETT 2022 | $49.00 | 13 | 98JS | Link |
| GRAACHER RIESLING FEINHERB 2022 | $34.50 | 4 | 95JS | Link |
| GRAACHER RIESLING TROCKEN 2022 | $34.50 | 12 | 93WA | Link |
| GRAACHER DOMPROBST AUSLESE #11 2018 | $89.00 | 16 | 95JG | Link |
| GRAACHER DOMPROBST AUSLESE 14 2018 375ML | $69.00 | 18 | 96JG | Link |
| GRAACHER DOMPROBST SPATLESE #5 2018 | $69.00 | 4 | 94+JG | Link |
| GRAACHER DOMPROBST SPATLESE #5 2020 | $59.00 | 1 | 97JS | Link |
| GRAACHER DOMPROBST SPATLESE #10 2016 | $39.00 | 13 | 94WA | Link |
| GRAACHER HIMMELREICH KABINETT 2020 | $31.90 | 23 | 94MFW | Link |
| GRAACHER HIMMELREICH SPATLESE 2018 | $49.00 | 9 | 93+JG | Link |
| GRAACHER HIMMELREICH SPATLESE 2019 | $45.00 | 20 | 95JS | Link |
| GRAACHER HIMMELREICH SPATLESE 2020 | $56.00 | 16 | 96JS | Link |
Love German Riesling?
So do we!
We offer 474 options from over 50 producers (that’s 8,500 bottles) on our webstore now!
2022 Dönnhoff
Despite being one of the smallest growing regions in the country, the Nahe is one of the most compelling. Combining the heft of the Rheingau with the elegance and minerality inherent in the Mosel, the region offers something no other can boast: winemakers Helmut and Cornelius Dönnhoff. That’s a lot of faith we hoist on the shoulders of this family, but anyone who knows the wines knows that it is well deserved.
Dönnhoff is one of our favorite German producers (see exhibit A – list of all Dönnhoff wines we offer, rivaled only by our Molitor collection). They excel with both dry and off-dry wines, producing some of the top dozen Rieslings in nearly every vintage. Their privileged location in the Nahe, includes some of the finest and most geologically diverse vineyards in all of Germany. The other part is the exceptional drive and focus of this father and son duo, who will stop at nothing to produce the best wines in Germany.
Long-favorites of the staff, even the entry-level wines are nothing to shrug at, offering unrivaled complexity in the under $25 range. From there, they produce dozens of options from their vineyards, from bone dry to nobly sweet. The dry options top out at the GG, short for Grosses Gewächs, which is a dry and powerful wine from one of Germany’s Grand Cru vineyards.
These are wines for any occasion, at prices that still suggest the producer inhabits that weird status of insider secret despite receiving heaps of praise (and massive scores) for over a decade.
The 2022 Grosses Gewachs arriving Friday, December 8th:
Weingut Donnhoff Dellchen Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2022 750ml $95 pre-arrival special, only 33 bottles available
Weingut Donnhoff Dellchen Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2022 1.5L $219 pre-arrival special, only 3 magnums available
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 98 points “What an exquisite stone fruit nose this super-fine and filigree dry riesling has! Yes, it is also very concentrated, but this and the power are completely underplayed. The result is an almost weightless palate that hangs like a white cloud in the still air. Extraordinary purity and precision at the almost endless finish. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Weingut Donnhoff Felsenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2022 750ml $79 pre-arrival special, only 33 bottles available
Weingut Donnhoff Felsenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2022 1.5L $199 pre-arrival special, only 3 magnums available
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 95 points “Ripe and concentrated, but also quite austere with stacks of spice and grapefruit character; everything from the juice to the pith and zest! A seriously dry riesling, but with moderate acidity. Long crushed rock finish. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Weingut Donnhoff Hermannshohle Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2022 $99 pre-arrival special, only 33 bottles available
Weingut Donnhoff Hermannshohle Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2022 1.5L $228 pre-arrival special, only 3 magnums available
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.”
Weingut Donnhoff Hollenpfad Im Muhlenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe GG 2022 750ml $79 pre-arrival special, only 15 bottles available
Weingut Donnhoff Hollenpfad Im Muhlenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe GG 2022 1.5L $199 pre-arrival special, only 3 magnums available
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 97 points “What a dramatic wine this is, at once ripe and austere, super-stony and super-herbal with a touch of peppermint. Compact core in spite of the sleek and very focused body. Electric freshness at the vibrant finish although the acidity is anything but dominant. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
New Donnhoff releases also arriving Friday:
Weingut Donnhoff Kreuznacher Kahlenberg Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2022 750ml $41.90 pre-arrival special, only 21 bottles available
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 94 points “For a bone-dry riesling this has a stunning juiciness that is hard to resist. The spot-on balance of fruit, moderate alcohol and lively acidity makes you want to dance for joy! Wide spectrum of stone and citrus fruits. Then comes the very long and elegant finish that pulls you back for more. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, Nahe 2022 375ml $66 pre-arrival special, only 6 half-bottles available
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 97 points “What a nose of floral honey and dried flowers this fabulous Auslese has. In spite of the abundant richness what makes this stand out is the invigorating mineral freshness. And the further back the wine rolls over your palate the more amazing it becomes. Enormous aging potential. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Auslese, Nahe 2022 375ml $59 pre-arrival special, only 12 half-bottles available
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 97 points “Wonderful nose of exotic fruits and flowers. More than enough concentration, but what makes this stand out is the interplay of ripeness – floral honey as much as very ripe citrus – with a vibrant acidity that lights up the sky. Dazzling, diamond-bright finish! From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Weingut Donnhoff Riesling Brut Nature, Nahe 2018 750ml $56 pre-arrival special, only 11 bottles available
No reviews available. Previous review provided for reference.
Decanter 94 points “With 51 months on the lees, this is a serious wine. Disgorged in summer 2021, it is subtle in every way – as you would expect from this family. An initial nose of Red Delicious apple signals mellowness and merges seamlessly into creaminess. The mousse is superfine and the apple flavours on the palate are more tart, more slender. A wonderfully elegant and fine Blanc de Noirs, made from Pinot Noir grown on a steep site of red sandstone, as exacting in its nature as the Rieslings from this legendary producer. Taut, vivid, light yet creamy and so, so elegant. This will make a most enticing aperitif but will also work with fine charcuterie or hot-smoked fish. Wonderful.”
Shop our nine in-stock 2022 vintage selections, including the Oberhauser Leistenberg Kabinett and the Estate Trocken, on our webstore!
Donnhoff Wines On Our Close-Out Sale
Want to explore impeccably cellared examples from previous vintages, without paying auction fees (and rolling the dice on the condition of the bottles)? Regret not buying enough of previous vintages now that you’ve had a chance to taste them? Aim to back-fill your collection from one of the country’s top purveyors of German wines?
Shop our incredible close out sale on in-stock Donnhoff wines:
Weingut Donnhoff Felsenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2018 750ml Close-Out Sale Was $69 Now $56 special, 26 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 94 points “The 2018 Felsenberg GG is also absolutely outstanding this year. The bouquet is impressively expressive at this early stage, soaring from the glass in a blaze of pear, tart orange, a beautiful base of slate minerality, wild yeasts, a touch of fleur de sel and a potpourri of floral scents in the upper register. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, focused and seamless, with outstanding mid-palate depth, powerful mineral drive and great cut and grip on the long, perfectly balanced and youthful finish. This will be show stopping juice in the fullness of time. 2028-2070. 94.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93+ points “Bottled in July, just two days before I tasted the 2018 Schlossböckelheimer Felsenberg Riesling trocken –GG– for the first time, the nose was ripe and generous but fine and flinty-mineral. Lush and salty-piquant, this is a full-bodied, rich and powerful yet vital Riesling with lots of body but also tension, purity and grip. Tasted again in August 2019.”
David Schildknecht-Vinous 93 points “Huckleberry, crushed coriander seed and zesty lemon on the nose anticipate the piquancy, pungency and citricity that dominate on a firm, full, glossy palate. Stony and alkaline notes tug in an austere direction, though the gripping, penetrating finish conveys ample refreshing juiciness as well as an uncanny sense of energy. “Whatever might be your favorite from among these vintage 2018 Grosse Gewächse,” remarked Dönnhoff, “you can recognize the [taste of the] site, and that’s the goal.””
Weingut Donnhoff Felsenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2020 750ml Close-Out Sale Was $79 Now $66 special, 35 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 98 points “If you are a terroir fundamentalist, then this enormous depth of smoky and wild-herb character will light your fire, but otherwise approach with caution. With the second and third sip you feel the attractive, grapefruity side of the wine. Then comes the paradox. There is also a touch of grapefruit-pith bitterness at the radically mineral finish, and this adds to the excitement. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2020 Felsenberg GG is deep, intense and complex on the pure and elegant, well-defined and slightly flinty nose. Pure, intense and juicy on the palate, this is a crystalline, refined and salty Felsenberg with great terroir expression and length, even though the wine is still puristic or even ascetic in the finish. Not as charmingly fruity as Crusius’s interpretation but with the same length and tension. 13% alcohol. Tasted at the domain in July 2021 and again six weeks later in Wiesbaden during the GG tastings.”
Weingut Donnhoff Hollenpfad Im Muhlenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2018 750ml Close-Out Sale Was $59 Now $49 special, 14 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 93+ points “The Grosses Gewächs bottling from the filet section of the Höllenpfad im Mühlenberg is also very promising and again, shows the beautifully elegant refinement of all the dry Rieslings from the Dönnhoff family this year. Helmut estimates that this is thirteen percent octane or just under in this vintage. The bouquet wafts from the glass in a very refined and expressive blend of tangerine, blood orange, salty minerality, citrus peel, smoky overtones and a topnote of dried flowers. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and really packed at the core, with racy acids, great soil signature, laser-like focus and a very long, youthfully complex and very promising finish. 2028-2060+. 93+.”
Weingut Donnhoff Kreuznacher Krotenpfuhl Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2017 750ml Close-Out Sale Was $49 Now $41.90 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points “The 2017er Bad Kreuznacher Krötenpfuhl GG delivers a spicy and minty nose of ripe fruits including pear, apple, prune and grapefruit. But it is on the palate that this wine really shines, combining energy and finesse with beautifully flowery and grapefruit driven elements. A great salty side adds depth to the fully dry and superbly mineral after-taste. This is a great dry Riesling in the making. 2025-2037.”
Weingut Donnhoff Kreuznacher Krotenpfuhl Riesling Kabinett, Nahe 2020 750ml Close-Out Sale Was $28 Now $21.90 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2020 Kreuznacher Krötenpfuhl Riesling Kabinett is bright and finely stony on the clear and elegant nose with its ripe, almost tropical fruit notes. Lush and round on the palate, this is a mouth-filling Kabinett with delicate acidity and a stimulatingly salty finish and very good length. A wine to keep. 9% alcohol. Tasted at the domain in July 2021.”
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Leistenberg Riesling Kabinett, Nahe 2020 750ml Close-Out Sale Was $29 Now $24 special, 33 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 94 points “Some people think only the Mosel can produce stunning Kabinetts, but this is pristine and pure, so racy and uplifiting. You barely feel the natural grape sweetness, but its a vital element of this wine. Super-clean finish. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
Weingut Donnhoff Norheimer Kirschheck Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2017 750ml Close-Out Sale Was $39 Now $33 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 93 points “A juicy and elegant wine that turns really dry, thanks to the serious minerality that powers the long, delicate finish. From organically grown grapes. Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Weingut Donnhoff Norheimer Kirschheck Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2020 750ml Close-Out Sale Was $39 Now $33 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2020 Norheimer Kirschheck Riesling Spätlese is clear, pure and intense on the nose like a fine Italian perfume on wet, crushed stones. Lush and round on the palate, this is a dense yet very delicate and dangerously juicy and stimulating mineral Spätlese that is irresistible. Impossible to spit out. This long and salty Spätlese is singing. 8.5% alcohol. Tasted at the domain in July 2021.”
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2018 750ml Close-Out Sale Was $45 Now $38 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Decanter 95 points “The 1.1ha vineyard of Brücke is a monopole of the estate. The vines are planted in loess loam soils over a slate bedrock, and its sheltered location down by the river is perfect for producing spätlese. The 2018 has a ripe green apple character on the nose, joined by notes of white flowers and a touch of honey. The palate is incredibly intense and limey, sweet yet elegant and balanced. It almost appears to be drier than the Leistenberg Kabinett at this early stage, such is its impeccable harmony, absorbing its 85g/l of residual sugar effortlessly. Snap this up when you can, but don’t touch it for a good six years or more. Barrel sample.”
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Auslese, Nahe 2020 750ml Close-Out Sale Was $99 Now $89 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Auslese, Nahe 2020 375ml Close-Out Sale Was $49 Now $39 special, 31 half-bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2020 Oberhäuser Brücke Riesling Auslese is super clear, precise and coolish on the concentrated but highly refined and flinty/stony nose. Round and refined on the palate, this Auslese has a highly refined raisin tone intertwined with crunchy slate aromas. The wine comes across as a very complex and juicy but always highly finessed Auslese with eternal beauty. Almost zero botrytis, but the most perfect berries of the vintage made it into this adorable Auslese. 8% alcohol. Tasted at the domain in July 2021.”
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Auslese, Nahe 2021 750ml Close-Out Sale Was $99 Now $89 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 97 points “Picked the same day as the GG and the Spätlese on November 8 but with finely shriveled botrytis berries, the 2021 Oberhäuser Brücke Riesling Auslese offers a clear and finely lemony bouquet with very fine botrytis tones, even though botrytis was less widely spread here than in the Felsenberg. On the palate, this is a rich and intense yet very precise and filigreed, refined and pure Auslese with an enormously saline and lively, long and energetic finish that shows piquant acidity. Superb. 8% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in July 2022.”
Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Beerenauslese, Nahe 2015 375ml Close-Out Sale Was $138 Now $125 special, 10 half-bottles in stock now
John Gilman 95 points “The 2015 Hermannshöhle BA is still a baby and was in its primary stage of development, but this will clearly be a great wine as well. The bouquet offers up scents of baked apple, tangerine, a touch of papaya, gentle smokiness, orange oil and honey. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, bright and very, very deep, with great focus and grip, a very long, perfectly balanced and nascently complex finish. This will of course be approachable from the moment that it is released, but I would strongly suggest giving it at least four or five years in the cellar to allow it to start to really blossom and show some of the secondary layers of complexity that will come with bottle age. 2016-2075+.”
We offer 28 wines on sale now from Donnhoff (of our 247 Close-Out Sale wines)!
Shop our entire range of 60 Donnhoff wines on our webstore now!
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Thank you from the team at Vinopolis!
Be well & drink well.
Vinopolis Newsletter – Monday 12/04/2023
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In This Newsletter:
Special Pre-Arrival Opportunuty! Grand Cru offerings from Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret and Coche-Dury New Arrivals Cristal, Pegau, Les Tourelles, Envinate, Bernabeleva, and more! Close-out Sales Rapturious Riesling Reductions Special Collector’s Arrival– Extremely Limited Domaine Dujac  Special Pre-Arrival Opportunity! Extremely Limited! “Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret” Arriving Friday  Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret Echezeaux Grand Cru, Côte de Nuits 2021 750ml $389 pre-arrival special, only 3 bottles arriving!
Winery Notes “Echezeaux wines are a clear garnet or ruby red, the exact hue often varying considerably. When young these wines have vanilla-scented, smoky, woody aromas or a hint of torrefaction, combined with suggestions of red fruits and spices. After a few years the nose becomes vegetable or animal, with scents of mushrooms, truffles or woodland undergrowth. The great complexity of the bouquet makes this a wine both rich and feminine; fat and mellow, with fine, delicate and fairly supple tannins. In the mouth the attack is spirited, the balance pleasant and there is a succulent fullness with aromas of red fruits.” Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru, Côte de Nuits 2021 750ml $619 pre-arrival special, only 3 bottles arriving! Winery Notes “To the Eye : A pure bright deep red, truly stunning. Clear and limpid, the shifting colour nuances often vary, though generally tending towards fairly dark shades of garnet or violet-purple: a colour that holds the eye. To the Nose : With age, the palette tends towards pepper and musk, animal pelts, leather and spices, prunes. Sometimes the bouquet hints at scents of woodland undergrowth, moss, mushrooms, damp earth, game, fruit preserved in alcohol and mulberries round off this range of aromas. Especially in young wines, one may well encounter scents of pine, dog roses, violets and fresh cherries. In the Mouth : Peaceful and dreamy, serene with age, subtle and refined, this wine fully reveals the complex nature of a really good Burgundy, all the art that can be achieved through the medium of pinot noir grapes grown on one particular terroir. The structure is outstanding: solid, full-bodied, rich and exceptionally harmonious.” “Coche-Dury”
Arriving Friday
“This is another terrific vintage for Raphael Coche, who exuded an easy confidence when I saw him in the aftermath of the 2020 vintage, which makes complete sense when one has the wines in the glass. Coche compares the style of 2020 with 1990, a comparison he isn’t the only producer to draw, and in the wines’ combination of flesh, precision, energy and immediate charm, it makes a lot of sense. In previous vintage reports, I’ve devoted much ink to the subtle stylistic evolution that has taken place at this address in the 21st century, so I won’t reprise all that now. Suffice it to say that this is a superb set of wines from one of Burgundy’s most perfectionist, passionate producers.” –William Kelley, The Wine Advocate
Coche-Dury Bourgogne Rouge 2020 750ml $299 special, 1 bottle available Coche-Dury Monthelie Rouge 2020 750ml $419 special, 1 bottle available Coche-Dury Meursault Rougeots 2020 750ml $1,499 special, 1 bottle available Coche-Dury Puligny-Montrachet Enseigneres 2020 750ml $1,349 special, 1 bottle available Coche-Dury Hospices Pommard Epenots Dom Goblet 2020 750ml $1,149 special, 2 bottles available Coche-Dury Hospices Grand Cru Corton Rouge Doc Peste 2020 750ml $1,899 special, 3 bottles available Available Now:
Coche-Dury Hospices Cuvee Chaudron Pommard 2019 $799 special, 1 bottle available New Arrivals
Champagne
“Louis Roederer”  “All the exceptional characteristics of the 2002 vintage have literally been captured in this 2002 Cristal, which is generous and lush, revealing perfect balance between concentration and finesse, freshness and vinosity, intensity and refinement.” -Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, Cellar Master
3 pack of Louis Roederer Cristal 2002 750ml $1,799 special, 1 case available A CASE OF 3 BOTTLES Vinous-Antonio Galloni 100 points (From Magnum) “Roererer’s 2002 Cristal, from magnum, is just off the charts…….The texture, breadth, and overall pedigree here is just remarkable, with layers of apricot, spice, dried flowers, and citrus conft that continue to build over time. The 2002 is neither old nor young; it is quite simply eternal…..” France
“Domaine du Pégau”
Pegau Chateauneuf De Pape Cuvee Reservee 2019 750ml $79 special, 21 bottles available Wine Advocate 95-97 points “The 2019 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Réservée looks set to rival the best examples of this bottling. Made up of approximately 80% Grenache, with 6% Syrah, 4% Mourvèdre and smaller amounts of other permitted varieties, it’s impressively complex on the nose, with scents of black cherries, blackberries and black olives, plus mysterious wafts of violets and garrigue. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated, it finishes long and velvety, a sure-fire bet for cellaring.” Also currently available from Pegau:
Pegau Chateauneuf De Pape Cuvee Reservee 2020 750ml $81.90 special, 18 bottles available Wine Advocate 96-98 points “I was even more impressed by the 2020 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Réservée than the 2019. Boasting crazily complex floral scents, garrigue, raspberries and cherries, this is one incredibly perfumed example of Pegau. Medium to full-bodied, silky, elegant and long, this is quintessential Pegau. My tastings during my evening visit to Domaine du Pegau included a number of other wines, both from Chateau Pegau and Selection Laurence Feraud. Those will be included in my follow-up coverage of other appellations of the Southern Rhône. For this report, I’ve focused on the current and upcoming releases from the property itself.” Vinous 96 points ” The 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée is one of the strongest vintages for this wine in recent history. It is magnificent, soaring from the glass with pungent aromas of crème de cassis, ripe raspberry and strawberry, cured meat, tobacco, licorice, iodine and garrigue. Full-bodied, vibrant to the core and offering a multidimensional profile, this wine is really, really good. The Féraud family and the entire team deserve a round of applause for this sublime Cuvée Réservée, which will still be kicking ass 20 years from now.” James Suckling 96 points “A layered and well-balanced Chateauneuf-du-Pape with aromas of wild berries, dried herbs, leather, roasted meat and stones. It’s full-bodied with fine, firm tannins. Lots of layers and poise with a restrained character on the palate, despite the generous nature of the vintage. Complex and velvety with lots of cherry character and dried herbs towards the finish. Funnelled and structured with great focus and length. Better after 2025.” “Les Tourelles De Longueville”
Les Tourelles De Longueville Pauillac 2018 750ml $49 special, 36 bottles available Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “The more Merlot-dominated 2018 Les Tourelles De Longueville (66% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot) is a rocking little Pauillac with loads of red and black currant fruits, toasted spiced, dried tobacco, and earthy goodness on the nose. Rich, medium to full-bodied, and beautifully textured, it’s well worth seeking out and is going to evolve for 10-15 years.” Vinous 92 points “The 2018 Les Tourelles de Longueville is loaded with character. A generous base of Merlot gives the Tourelles its flesh, while the Cabernets and Petit Verdot add aromatic savoriness to balance things out. Time in the glass brings out dark cherry, plum, spice, chocolate, dried herbs and menthol. I would give the 2018 a few years in bottle to fully come together. The Tourelles is just as inviting as it was en primeur.” Italy
“Cascina Baricchi”
This small producer is a true original and a must have for Piedmont lovers. Located near Gattinara and Ghemme, this wine is technically located outside of the modern Barbaresco boundaries, but is nevertheless grandfathered in. Additionally, their Rose delle Casasse is thought to be the only Barbaresco made exclusively with Nebbiolo Rose, a complexly flavored, elegantly perfumed, but lighter hued clone of Nebbiolo. Baricchi Riserva Rose delle Casasse, Barbaresco DOCG 2016 750ml $89 special, 12 bottles available Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2016 Barbaresco Riserva Rose delle Casasse is a fine follow up to the stellar 2015. A bit more austere than its older sibling, the 2016 presents a distinctly savory profile redolent of crushed flowers, herbs, mint, spice, leather and tobacco, while the fruit is pushed into the background. Naturally, it will be interesting to see if some of that inner sweetness emerges in time. A few months separating two tastings suggest that may very well happen. This is such a gorgeous wine.” Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “The 2016 Barbaresco Riserva Rose Delle Casasse is made entirely from the Rose clone of Nebbiolo and is fresh with wild raspberry, pine, and dark earth. Carrying to the palate with medium body and good concentration, it offers fine tannins and a good finish, with peppery spice and red cherry. Perfectly pairing with salumi and hard cheese, it is refreshing and cleanses the palate nicely.” “Giacomo Borgogno”
Borgogno Derthona Timorasso Colli Tortonesi, Piedmont 2018 750ml $29 special, 30 bottles available Grapelive 94 points “It delivers a polished and lively performance highlighting the grape’s best qualities with layers of peach, citrus and quince fruits, leesy notes, white flowers and an array of herb and spices along with a nice saline and wet stone element.” “Ca’ dei Zago”
Founded in 1924, this biodynamic producer crafts top-tier, terroir-driven sparkling wines from some of Veneto’s hilliest, naturally low-yield vineyards. This wine is produced in the champagne method instead of charmat and receives no dosage. A steal at this price! Hot Deal! Ca’ dei Zago Dosaggio Zero, Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG 2019 750ml $21.90 special, 12 bottles available Varietals “Glera 90%, Verdiso 5%, Perera and Bianchetta 5% from a single-vineyard located in Bastia di Mondeserto, Frazione di Saccol in Valdobbiadene.” Tasting Note “Light, but with beautiful tension, lively acidity and pleasant mineral notes: a touch of class. The traditional (or “champenoise”) method of secondary fermentation in bottle is not typical for the Prosecco area; Christian started experimenting with it in 2010 to see what the wine looked like when aged without the fondo. The result is definitely more delicate and subtler than the traditional style of Prosecco; however untraditional, the fine mineral notes, raciness and delicate tiny bubbles show that this method is useful for showcasing the terroir.” “Fattoria Carpineta Fontalpino”
Fattoria Carpineta Fontalpino Do ut des Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2016 750ml $39 special, 36+ bottles available Case of 6 Carpineta Fontalpino Do Ut Des 2016 $219 special, 7 bottles available [that’s just $36.50 per bottle!] James Suckling 95 points “The fruit here really takes your breath away with its intensity, as well as purity. Blackberry crumble, pressed violets, ink, iodine, charcoal, vanilla and resin. It’s the polish of the tannins that really makes this wine, carrying itself effortlessly over a shimmer of electric acidity to the long finish. Drink in 2023. Made from organically grown grapes.” Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2016 Do Ut Des (a blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon) exhibits a generous and expansive personality that hits the palate like a warm embrace from a favorite friend. This is a succulent and smooth red wine with thick layers of bold cherry, dried blackberry, leather, rose hip and scorched earth. In the mouth, the wine proceeds with medium- to full-bodied texture and elegantly contoured fruit flavors.” Wine Spectator 94 points “Sleek and focused, with black currant, black cherry, plum, iron and tobacco flavors coursing through from start to finish. Tightly wound and vibrant, this lingers with subtle licorice and spice elements. Shows fine harmony and length. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2023 through 2036. 1,650 cases made, 200 cases imported. — BS” “Fattoria Le Pupille”
An absolute must for fans of Italian Reds… Morellino di Scansano is still one of the most over-looked regions within Tuscany. Their coastal climate helps moderate heat spikes in the vineyard resulting in Sangiovese grown that is full-bodied, but never flabby. Hot deal! Fattoria Le Pupille, Morellino di Scansano DOCG 2018 750ml $14 special, 36+ bottles available Wine Advocate 93 points “The Fattoria le Pupille 2018 Morellino di Scansano Riserva is Sangiovese with an addition of 10% Cabernet Sauvignon (drawn from various vineyard sites, including the historic plot that makes Saffredi, the estate’s top wine). Fermentation occurs in stainless steel, just like with all the other estate reds, and this Riserva goes into oak casks for 15 months. The 2018 and 2019 vintages share similar characteristics in that they are both cooler, certainly compared to 2020. This is a solid, mid-weight red that boasts a very pretty and vibrant bouquet. There are floral notes and wild cherry capped by graphite or pencil shavings. The wine reveals a lovely, dark garnet color in the glass, and some of that oak spice comes out as well.” Lowest Listed price in the USA!
The next lowest is $1.99 more… Spain
 “Bodegas Bernabeleva” Alongside Daniel Landi, Comando G,and 4 Monos, these stellar wines are even more proof that the Sierra de Gredos (an un-official Spanish DO that spans multiple provinces) is the next big thing in Spanish wines. Bernabeleva began in 2006 when owner Juan Diez Bulnes, who had recently inherited land in the region planted with old vine Garnacha by his grandfather in the 1920’s, hired Raul Perez considered by many to be one of the best winemakers in the world. Together they created a winery worthy of his family’s land. If you have not had the opportunity to try these wines before, know that they are a far cry from the Grenaches of Southern France. Between the high-altitude and naturally low-yielding old vines these Garnachas are more Burgundian in spirit and character and truly representative of Spanish wine’s new wave. Bernabeleva Garnacha de Vina Bonita, Madrid 2021 750ml $69 special, 14 bottles available Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2021 Garnacha de Viña Bonita is pure Garnacha from a plot of very old vines planted in 1929 on very shallow and compact granite soils at 735 meters in altitude with north-facing exposure. It is always subtle and elegant. It fermented with 8% full clusters and indigenous yeasts in oak vats for over six weeks and matured in two well-seasoned 600-liter oak barrels. This has very low alcohol, 13%, lower than in other years, and the wine feels more delicate and fine-boned, floral and ethereal. The palate shows elegance and refinement, with the backbone of granite minerality that lifts it up. It has good freshness and balance that give it length. 1,500 bottles produced. It was bottled in April 2023.” Bernabeleva Arroyo del Tortolas, Madrid 2020 750ml $44.50 special, 5 bottles available Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2020 Arroyo del Tórtolas is from a plot they consider wilder than the one for the single-vineyard bottlings. It’s a north-facing slope, and the grapes ripen slowly. In 2020, this fermented with 80% full clusters and had over six weeks of maceration, then matured in three 500-liter barrels. The wine finished at a moderate 14% alcohol, with a pale color and a delicate nose, floral and spicy, with hints of rose hip and hibiscus. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and integrated acidity. 1,900 bottles were filled in May 2022.” Bernabeleva Arroyo del Tortolas, Madrid 2021 750ml $49 special, 9 bottles available Wine Advocate 94+ points “There is more complete ripeness in the 2021 Arroyo del Tórtolas, which shows a darker hue than the 2020 I tasted next to it. It has more clout, full development of aromas and flavors and 15% alcohol, but it also has more acidity and a livelier palate, with a stony, chalky sensation, fine tannins and a long, dry and clean finish. This is still a little austere and backward. They also produced a little more, with four 500-liter barrels maturing until bottling in April 2023. 2,500 bottles produced.” Bernabeleva Navaherreros Garnacha, Madrid 2021 750ml $24 special, 24 bottles available Wine Advocate 93 points “The pale, floral and aromatic 2021 Navaherreros Garnacha de Bernabeleva shows really elegantly, with a sophistication and complexity beyond its price point. It has contained ripeness, 14% alcohol and full development of aromas and flavors, with a fine thread in the nicely textured palate and very fine tannins. It’s the best Navaherreros to date and a real bargain. 25,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in April 2023.” “Envinate (Wine Yourself)”
Envinate ‘Albahra Chingao’, Castilla-La Mancha 2022 750ml $31.50 special, 12 bottles available Envinate ‘Albahra Chingao’, Castilla-La Mancha 2022 1.5L $89 special, 3 bottles available Jose Pastor Importer Note “100% Garnacha Tintorera. From a single parcel of 30-year-old Garnacha Tintorera vines planted on calcareous soils at 800m elevation. The vines are trained en vaso and the only vineyard treatments are with sulfur.” This is the lowest price in the United States today!
Envinate ‘Lousas’ Parcela Seoane, Galicia 2021 750ml $84.50 special, 6 bottles available Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2021 Lousas Parcela Seoane comes from a field blend of 90% Mencía and 10% other varieties on gneiss and quartz soils, with old vines, all fermented together with full clusters that were foot trodden, and then the wine matured in neutral 228-, 400- and 500-liter oak barrels. It has 13% alcohol and good freshness and acidity. It is a bit austere and closed, somehow with less energy than how the 2022 was showing today. 2,200 bottles were filled in November 2022.” Envinate Migan Chingao Tinto, Valle de la Orotava 2022 750ml $44.50 special, 6 bottles available Envinate Migan Chingao Tinto, Valle de la Orotava 2022 1.5L $94.50 special, 2 bottles available Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2022 Migan Chingao was produced with Listán Negro grapes from cordón trenzado braided ancient vines from a 1.4-hectare vineyard called La Habanera in the Valle de la Orotava at 550 to 600 meters in altitude on bland basalt soils and a north-facing exposition. It fermented with 100% full clusters in concrete for 17 days and matured in a 4,200-liter concrete vat without racking or any added sulfur at any point of the process. It was bottled directly from the vat unfined. “Equipo Navasos”
“Equipo Navazos, created in 2005 by Jesús Barquín and Eduardo Ojeda goes from strength to strength releasing unique, small lots of old rare Sherries and their regular Fino and Manzanilla that are among the best in their class.” -Luis Gutiérrez, The Wine Advocate What we love most about this project (and something that helps explain how they’ve cornered the market on high-end sherry for 15 years now) is that it started as a private club for some of the geekiest Jerez fans in Spain. It didn’t become a business until years later as word of mouth began to spread. When their “Bota de No 7” was declared the best Spanish wine of 2008 by one of Spain’s top wine magazines, their small club became an overnight phenomenon. You can still see the passion in every bottling they produce. Equipo Navazos La Bota de Fino Amontillado No. 85 Sherry, Andalucia NV 750ml $69 special, 7 bottles available Wine Advocate 96+ points “The extraordinary NV La Bota de Fino 85 “Un fino que va para amontillado…” is not a wine from Jerez but from Montilla-Moriles in the province of Cordova, an appellation where the majority of vines are Pedro Ximénez and the wines produced are similar to Jerez wines. In fact, Amontillado means “in the style of Montilla,” because the style originated there. This wine, from the same origin as edition 45 (and 24) that would be called Fino Amontillado if it wasn’t forbidden, has taken biological aging under flor to an extreme, and the wine has started its oxidative aging on its way to becoming an Amontillado. So, it has the saline complexity of the flor and the incipient notes of nuts and varnish. The grapes are picked extremely late, and this was never fortified. This has great finesse and can stand up to a lot of Palomino wines. It didn’t show any rusticity and was more about finesse. It’s from the same solera as the two previous bottlings, but this was somehow more biological, less concentrated or less oxidative. It might have a little more precision. As the wine sat in the glass and warmed up, the palate took off and revealed an unusual combination of power and elegance. This is really surprising and very good. 2,800 bottles were filled in December 2018.” Equipo Navazos La Bota de Amontillado No. 109 ‘Bota Punta’ Sherry, Andalucia NV 375ml $99 special, 5 bottles available Wine Advocate 98 points “The NV La Bota de Amontillado Bota Punta 109 is a very old wine they selected from the cooperative of Trebujena that had never been bottled before. The cooperative was created in 1970, but one of the members had these butts from before; their history was really unknown, but the wine has a profile of coastal Amontillado (from Sanlúcar or Trebujena) with less glycerin, sharp and saline, not as sharp or as bitter as the iconic NPI but with crazy numbers—alcohol, acidity, dry extract and everything. It’s very intense but very balanced. An amazing wine that should live forever. It was bottled into 1,200 half bottles (one bota) in October 2021.” Close-out Sales
Rapturous Riesling Reductions! Emrich-Schonleber Halenberg TBA Riesling 2018 375ml WAS $299 NOW $249 special, 21 Bottles Available
Wine Advocate 98+ Points “The 2018 Halenberg Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese is incredibly pure and aromatic on the nose where super ripe but clear peach aromas are displayed. Extremely rich and refined on the palate, this is a ripe, terribly sweet but refined, fresh and salty-piquant TBA with a stimulating finish. A fabulous wine.” David Schildknecht-Vinous 97 Points “Peach jam and orange marmalade are prominent in the bittersweet, cooked-fruit but zesty personality of this super-concentrate from a mere hundred liters’ worth of tightly shriveled berries gathered over an extended period and pressed with great difficulty. A white-bread-like aura of yeastiness serves as a noble aromatic expression of botrytis, while an influx of caramel further highlights the impression of botrytis ennoblement, complemented by a feel that is strikingly creamy as well as viscous. An aromatic evocation of sea breeze anticipates the mouthwatering salinity that, along with bright, juicy lemon and orange – testimony to the 13 grams of acidity that have, as it were, been held in reserve – informs this elixir’s superbly sustained finish. One’s mouth is left at once creamily coated and tingling as if from a lightning strike.” These are the best prices in the United States!
Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Auslese Gold Kapsel, Nahe 2018 750ml WAS $69 NOW $59 special, 36+ bottles available Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Auslese GK, Nahe 2018 375ml WAS $39 NOW $33 special, 24 half bottles available Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2018 Oberhäuser Brücke Riesling Auslese is perfectly clear and fresh but still intense and concentrated on the spicy and complex nose. Lush and piquant on the palate, this is a fresh, stunningly pure and playful Brücke that is singing and dancing on the knife’s edge. Fabulous in its purity, tension and finesse. Nevertheless, there is the ripeness you can expect from an Auslese. Tasted in July 2019.” These are the best prices in the United States!
Donnhoff Schlossbockelheimer Felsenberg Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, Nahe 2021 750ml WAS $99 NOW $89 special, 6 bottles available Donnhoff Schlossbockelheimer Felsenberg Riesling Auslese Gk, Nahe2021 375ml NOW $39 special, 10 bottles available Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96 Points “Pressed with whole bunches in a basket press for about five hours and vinified in a single halbstück (650 liter), the 2021 Schlossböckelheimer Felsenberg Riesling Auslese is one of the rare botrytis wines of the vintage, and it opens with a clear, precise and aromatic bouquet with candied pink grapefruit aromas. Lush and round on the palate, this is an intense, generous and salty, piquant and delicate yet also rich and sweet but light and lifted Auslese with great balance and elegance. A fabulous, delicate and fine, juicy and filigreed Auslese. 8% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in July 2022.” These are the best prices in the United States!
Max Ferd. Richter Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2018 750ml WAS $59, NOW $39 special, 34 bottles available 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 best price on the West Coast!
Molitor Urziger Wurzgarten Auslese** Trocken, Mosel 2017 750ml WAS $69 NOW $49 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Advocate 96+ Points “Bottled with moderate 11% alcohol, the 2017 Riesling Ürziger Würzgarten Auslese ** (White Capsule) is crystalline and super precise on the clear and flinty nose that exhibits crunchy, iron-rich stone and lime zest aromas. It is lean and fresh but dense and intense on the palate, with ripe, round and concentrated Riesling fruit, some sweetness and refined acidity. This is an elegant, highly finessed and stimulating Würzgarten with a lingering, salty-piquant finish. This wine pairs its moderate alcohol level with great complexity and mineral tension.” Molitor Wehl Klosterberg Riesling Auslese** Gold Kapsule, Mosel 2015 750ml CLOSE-OUT WINE WAS $59, NOW $49 special, 2 bottles available Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96 Points “The 2015 Riesling Wehlener Klosterberg Auslese ** (Golden Capsule) is very clear and precise on the nose where concentrated lemon and grapefruit aromas intermix with piquant slate flavors. On the palate, this is a round, lush, piquant, crystalline and very elegant Auslese with great precision and concentration as well as remarkable finesse. The wine reveals lingering salinity and grippy piquancy in the finish that swallows the sweetness with ease. A great and precise Auslese!” Special Collector’s Arrival—Extremely Limited
Domaine Dujac  “In 1967, Jacques purchased Domaine Graillet, a small domaine in the village of Morey-St-Denis. He renamed the winery whimsically after himself as the domaine of Jac, or Domaine Dujac. He became a leading advocate of including a good amount of stems in the fermentation process, His belief was that the mature stems actually reduced the amount of hard tannins in the resulting wine. In addition he wanted to avoid bruising the grapes during the destemming process. The cellars are underground and modest. They have been extended recently to achieve cooler temperatures which enable the malolactic fermentation to happen later thus reducing the number of rackings required.” -The Sorting Table Domaine Dujac Clos de la Roche Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2021 750ml $999 special, only 2 bottles available Neil Martin-Vinous 95-97 points “The 2021 Clos-de-la-Roche Grand Cru comes from five lieux-dits. This was slightly more reduced than the Clos Saint-Denis, dark berry fruit, briary; a faint touch of seaweed emerges with time. The palate is medium-bodied with finely-sculpted tannins, harmonious and tensile, again, discretely building with a transparent, lightly peppered finish that lingers in the mouth.” Also available from Domaine Dujac:
Domaine Dujac Les Gruenchers, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2021 750ml $499 special, only 1 bottle available Domaine Dujac Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2019 1.5L $1349 special, only 1 bottle available Domaine Dujac Clos St. Denis 2021 750ml $849 special, only 1 bottle available Domaine Dujac Gevrey-Chambertin Combottes 2021 750ml $449 special, only 1 bottle available Domaine Dujac Morey-St-Denis 2021 750ml $199 special, only 1 bottle available Domaine Dujac Morey-St-Denis 2021 1.5L $499 special, only 1 bottle available Domaine Dujac Puligny 1er Folatieres 2019 1.5L $599 special, only 1 bottle available Domaine Dujac Puligny 1er Folatieres 2020 1.5L $599 special, only 1 bottle available We’re open 10 AM – 6 PM daily
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Biondi-Santi: Rare Limited Time Sale 12-3-2023
Big Discounts on Biondi-Santi & Brunello Mags!
Biondi Brunello & Brunello Riserva:
1-3 bottles- 5% discount
4+ bottles- 10% discount
Biondi Rossos:
4-8 bottles- 5% discount
9+ bottles- 10% discount
All Brunello magnums special discount 5% off any 3 or more mags
Discounts will be applied when orders are received.
Offer ends Wednesday 12/6 @ 10AM PST
Biondi-Santi is quite literally the crème de la crème when it comes to high end Brunello. This winery, and the individuals that bore it into existence were the founders of the region of Brunello di Montalcino, and through their approaching ~200 year history have embodied the indentity of quality, tradition, and longevity. Long before it became standard practice, this winery committed to a vision of red wines based on quality and ageability, implementing racking and barrel-aging practices that were technological advancements of their time. Massal selection of unique high performing vines, and grafting only the best clones on American rootstock led to the creation of the Brunello Biondi-Santi, or BBS 11 clone, now considered the top example of its type that can be found anywhere. Early on (we’re talking early late 1800s) Ferruccio Biondi also made the iconic decision to bottle 100 percent Sangiovese wine, a choice whose reverberations and foresight can still be felt today with Tuscany reinventing itelf around the potential of its native varietal.
You should drink and collect the wines of Biondi-Santi not only because of how well they are received and what they represent, but also because there are fleeting opportunities in life to experience things that are both truly iconic and utterly delicious. Year after year these wines continue to remain firmly placed at the top of the Brunello wine pyramid and leave a lasting memory in the minds of those fortunate enough to open a bottle. Most often these bottlings are the territory of only elite closed-door collectors and Michelin star restaurants, but at Vinopolis we’re fortunate to receive a continuing allocation of these wines and back-vintages for offer to our loyal customers.
Biondi-Santi makes a small portfolio of several wines that we represent in-depth at Vinopolis. Whether you’re seeking to bask in a classic Montalcino Rosso over dinner, or drink to history with the Brunello and Brunello Riserva while celebrating a special moment with loved ones, you won’t be wrong. Tasting and comparing these wines side by side is an opportunity in wine education that should not be passed up.
Treated with the identical level of care and passion as the more elusive Brunellos, the rosso bottlings represent an earlier drinking opportunity for the Sangiovese Grosso grape. These wines are made from younger vines and exposed to less time in barrel, giving them remarkably fresh and fruity aromatics on top of rich palate.
Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany 2018 750ml $89 special, 27 bottles availableWine Advocate 94 points “Elegant, graceful and fine, the Biondi-Santi 2018 Rosso di Montalcino offers a delicate approach to the senses and it spreads over the palate with polished and silky intensity. The acidity is elevated in this vintage. A handful of historic producers in Montalcino are bringing the Rosso category up to the next level, and the venerable house of Biondi-Santi is one of them. This was a somewhat unusual vintage with prolonged cool spells alternating with moments of intense heat. However, this wine shows even ripening and is quite vibrant and tangy in terms of its acidity. In spectacular Sangiovese style, the wine ends with lingering tones of wild cherry, sweet earth, potting soil and perfumed violet.”
Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany 2019 750ml $99 special, 8 bottles available
Wine Advocate 95 points “This flight of three Biondi-Santi wines starts off on the right foot thanks to the pristine bouquet and lively fruit of the 2019 Rosso di Montalcino. This is the entry-level wine (although the price point certainly suggests otherwise). It shows very detailed and chiseled aromas of wild cherry, cassis, dried violet, rust and orange skin. The wine carries a strong structural frame; however, the mouthfeel is ethereal and light notwithstanding.”
James Suckling 94 points “Aromas of sliced citrus, cherry and flowers follow through to a medium body, with creamy tannins and crunchy fruit at the finish. Lovely combination of fruit and acidity. Very drinkable now but will age nicely. (10/5/22)”
Biondi’s estate bottlings are a masterclass in what classic Brunello should taste like. Deep and silky red fruits, wild Tuscan herbs & tobacco, tannins that refresh the palate with their strength and precision. Vinified in concrete and aged for 3 years in Slavonian oak barrels.
Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2017 750ml $212 special, 12 bottles available
Wine Advocate 96 points “A delicately sweet note of fresh summer cherry is a precursor to budding complexity and a very articulate bouquet that opens quickly in the glass. Immediately pleasing fruit is a characteristic of the 2017 growing season that had above average temperatures and drought throughout the summer. The resistant 2017 Brunello di Montalcino takes on these challenges without missing a beat. The wine’s celebrated acidity and its small berry nuances remain intact. The tannins are silky and the wine’s flavors fade slowly even after you have taken your last sip.”
James Suckling 96 points “Sweet berry orange peel cedar bark and forest flower aromas follow through to a medium to full body with linear and fine tannins and a crunchy undertone. It?s very subtle and fresh for a 2017. Crisp and vivid. It?s refined and acid-driven. Needs three to four years more to soften. Try after 2026.”
The Riservas are an exclusive selection of top quality fruit from Biondi’s best vineyard parcels. The wines are fermented in Slavonian oak to bring additional ageability and richness, followed by the standard 3 years of aging in barrel. These wines will keep for an eternity and will be unforgettable experiences as you open them over time from your cellar.
Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Riserva, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2008 750ml $649 special, 1 bottles availableWine Advocate 94 points “The delightful 2008 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is expressive and feminine with crushed chamomile, forest fruit, bramble, tar and licorice. It renders a stirring, melodic performance that plays out slowly but with determination. Drink: 2017-2030.
Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Riserva, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2011 750ml $419 special, 12 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Beautifully balanced, this opens with alluring scents of wild berry, rose, baking spice and whiffs of chopped herb. Seamlessly combining ripe fruit and the firm’s trademark finesse, the bright elegantly structured palate delivers juicy wild cherry, crushed raspberry, white pepper and a hint of black tea framed in polished tannins and fresh acidity. It’s already tempting but the best is yet to come. Drink 2021–2031.”
Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Riserva, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2012 750ml $599 special, 1 bottles available
Wine Advocate 97 points “You will notice the dedication printed below the label of the wine label. It reads: “Dedicato a Franco Biondi Santi.” Indeed, the Biondi-Santi 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is the last vintage made by the towering father figure of Brunello whom most everyone referred to as the “gentleman of Montalcino.” Il Dottore, as he was also respectfully addressed, died at age 91 in April 2013, and he was very active in the winery as this magnificent wine took shape. This Riserva is a true work of beauty. It is released one year later than usual. The wine reflects the natural heft and power of the 2012 vintage, and it also shows that distinctive open-knit and accessible personality that characterizes this warm and sunny growing season. Il Dottore’s magic touch is revealed in the level of fine detail and precision that transcends vintage, grape and territory. That extreme focus is an achievement of this estate alone located in the celebrated Il Greppo property. This Brunello pours from the bottle with a magnificent garnet color, and it evolves in the glass with dark fruit, candied orange peel, spice, licorice, anise seed, cola and balsam herb. The aromas are magical and ethereal, albeit slightly ripe and soft as expected of this vintage.”
Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Riserva, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2013 750ml $599 special, 1 bottles available
Wine Advocate 98 points “The Biondi-Santi 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a stunning wine from all points of view. Seamless integration and elegant complexity are what stand out, and it’s worth dedicating a few extra lines to the aromatic depth that is put so beautifully on display as the wine slowly unfolds. The bouquet starts off with wild cherry, earth, wet ash, crème de cassis and pruny chocolate. With extra time, there are hints of dried tobacco leaf, sandalwood and mossy forest floor. These lead to a fine tail of dried herb, bay leaf and a touch of rusty nail. The Riserva comes in numbered bottles, and I opened number 04277. To the palate, the wine is streamlined and silky with smooth tannins and a well-managed 13.5% alcohol content. The oak presence is reduced to a minimum, offering mild hints of spice and the delicate sandalwood or dried fig aroma I described above. Fresh acidity is the glue that gives the wine buoyancy and staying power. At this young stage, this 2013 vintage could be considered a bit shy or slow to start, but this will play out to great advantage in the long term as the wine continues its bottle evolution.”
Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Riserva, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2016 750ml $699 special, 6 bottles available
Wine Advocate 99 points “Wow, here is a vintage I’ve been anxiously waiting to try. The 2016 growing season was one of the best in recent memory in Montalcino, and if we look back in time, this vintage marks the year Biondi-Santi was sold to a French group. The prestigious 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva proves a mighty collector’s bottle that will undoubtedly gain in complexity and depth with careful bottle age. The wine offers wild nuances of forest berry and tart cherry, and there are herbal side notes as well as floral tones of dried violet and lilac. The tannins are soft, powdery and feel like they melt away on the palate.”
James Suckling 98 points “Aromas of strawberries flowers fresh mushroom forest flower sandalwood and hints of balsamic. Full-bodied and tight on the finish. This is a linear and fine-tannined red. Available in March 2023. Needs another five years or so to show its full potential. New classic. Better after 2026.”
Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Riserva, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 1983 750ml $1099 special, 1 bottles available
***Winery Cellared Release***
Wine Advocate 96 points “[Reviewed July 2021] This precious bottle is part of Biondi-Santi’s late-release program for collectors (I tasted bottle number 10,723). The 1983 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is showing beautifully on its aging timeline, although this bottle is slightly more evolved since I last tasted this vintage in 2019 before the pandemic. With slow and measured determination, the bouquet embraces dried fig, cured bresaola, burnt caramel, wet campfire, dried oregano and a familiar aroma that reminds me of the Florence leather market. However, there is a lot of life and vertical lift in this Riserva, thanks in great part to the beautiful freshness that keeps the tannins alive and adds a pop of pretty acidity to the close. The wine shows its age with pride and grace, and the final results are quite spectacular. In fact, I’m opening the drinking window up by an additional five years thanks to the latitude and depth shown here.”
| BIONDI SANTI WINES | VWS PRICE | AVAILABLE | REVIEWS | LINK |
| BIONDI SANTI BRUNELLO 2017 | $212.00 | 12 | WA 96 JS 96 | Link |
| BIONDI SANTI BRUNELLO RISERVA 08 | $649.00 | 1 | WA 94 | Link |
| BIONDI SANTI BRUNELLO RISERVA 11 | $419.00 | 12 | WE 96 | Link |
| BIONDI SANTI BRUNELLO RISERVA 12 | $599.00 | 1 | WA 97 | Link |
| BIONDI SANTI BRUNELLO RISERVA 13 | $599.00 | 1 | WA 98 | Link |
| BIONDI SANTI BRUNELLO RISERVA 16 | $699.00 | 6 | WA 99 JS 98 | Link |
| BIONDI SANTI BRUNELLO RISERVA 83 | $1,099.00 | 1 | WA 96 | Link |
| BIONDI SANTI ROSSO MONTALCINO 18 | $89.00 | 27 | WA 94 | Link |
| BIONDI SANTI ROSSO MONTALCINO 19 | $99.00 | 8 | WA 95 | Link |
Your Holiday Party Shopping Guide 12-2-2023
In This Newsletter:
Special Feature
Vinopolis Holiday Shopping Guide
Your Holiday Party Shopping Guide
Let us help you host your next holiday party under budget
without sacrificing quality!
Overwhelmed by underwhelming options at the grocery store? Let us help you make your holidays brighter with our party shopping guide. From rock-bottom to elite, we’ve put together a list for any budget and palate. Shop our curated selections below or hop to our webstore for a complete list of case discounts!
Sparkling Wines
Why overthink it when you can pour the favorite Cava on wine lists in restaurants in Portland? Let the somms do the heavy lifting – you reap the rewards!
Torre Oria Brut Cava NV $14 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Torre Oria Brut Cava NV $144 special (that’s only $12/bottle!)
Winery note “Our brut sparkling wine is the signature beverage of Torre Oria. Its our most demanded wine worldwide and the top exporting wine of our cellars. Its a delicate selection of the best Macabeo and Chardonnay from our region. We pursued a secondary fermentation in the bottle, which may take up to 9-10 months. This results in a complex wine with a sweet, citric, tropical and enjoyable fresh taste. It also has a well-balance bubbling that ascends beautifully in the glass. And also leaves a lovely time lasting memory.”
A blend of Garnacha, Pinot Noir, and Trepat, this pink bubbles is loaded with fruit and character.
Mont Marcal Brut Rosado Cava, Catalonia, Spain 2020 750ml $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Mont Marcal Brut Rosado Cava, Catalonia, Spain 2020 750ml $99 special (that’s only $16.50/bottle!)
Winery note “Tasting notes: Colour: Intense and attractive redcurrant with violet tones. Fine bubbles and mousse. Bouquet: Dominated by berries such as cherries and blackberries, with a base of plum and fig compote and slight evolution of the lees. Palate: On the palate it is young, fruity, fresh, soft and above all very elegant. This is an ideal cava to drink as an aperitif and with a great variety of dishes, from croquettes, soft creamy cheeses, light white fish dishes, pasta, salads of red berries, carpaccios, to dishes made with cured sausages, white meats (veal, rabbit, milk fed lamb), poultry (quails, chicken wings), strong spiced and smoked food and a great variety of cakes. The fine mousse makes it refreshing and an ideal complement to help the digestion.”
What does the staff serve at their holiday soirees? Gasparini Prosecco. It combines the complexity of a Champagne in an oh so easy to swallow price. We buy it by the case (it even ages well!)
Loredan Gasparini Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG, Veneto, Italy NV 750ml $16 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Loredan Gasparini Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG, Veneto, Italy NV 750ml $168 special (that’s only $14/bottle!)
James Suckling 92 points “[Reviewed Oct 2021] Lots of initial froth here, which takes a while to subside and allow the lovely lemon and lemon blossom aromas to rise out of the glass. There are hints of licoricy chalk here, too. On the rather dense palate, the chalk turns to fresh cream and the lemon is absorbed into the creamy mineral texture with enough fizz to keep the sparkle up. Lovely, enduring and creamy yet biting finish. This is very fine Prosecco. Drink now.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 89 points “[Reviewed December 2022] The NV Brut Prosecco Superiore lifts from the glass with a savory and smoky mix of flinty stone, crushed green apple and fresh tobacco leaf. It floods the palate with a crystalline bead of fine bubbles as sweet spice and notes of baked pear settle upon the senses. This finishes a bit short yet crisp, leaving nuances of candied citrus to linger.”
This zero dosage Champagne offers bold berry and warm pie crust notes. Never austere or shy, this wine delivers delicious flavor with precision and poise.
Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature Champagne NV 750ml $39 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature Champagne NV 1.5L $89 special, 13 magnums in stock now
Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature Champagne NV 3L $279 special, 17 double magnums in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92+ points “[Reviewed Apr 2021] Clouet’s NV Silver Brut Nature Grand Cru is a pure Bouzy Pinot Noir that was disgorged without any dosage. This disgorgement displays a medium intense golden color and a complex and refined bouquet of ripe and pureed apples and discreet chalky as well as brioche aromas. The palate is elegant, straight and fresh, very pure and salty on the finish. This is a challenging Brut Nature that needs to be aged for two or three years to gain complexity and finesse and to smooth its current edges. The finish is mineral, limestone and salty but also a bit drying at this moment.”
A sister estate to Salon offering wines at a fraction of the price, Champagne Delamotte is enchanting and captivating. Share at your next party and you might just stun your most talkative guest into silence.
Delamotte Brut, Champagne NV 750ml $59 special, 33 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 90 points “Pillowy and charming, the latest rendition of Delamotte’s NV Brut offers up attractive aromas of orchard fruit, fresh bread and citrus oil. Medium to full-bodied, seamless and elegant, with a pretty pinpoint mousse and lively balancing acids, it’s drinking well out of the gates but will also develop gracefully for a few years in the cellar.”
Wine Spectator 90 points “A creamy Champagne with a delicate mousse, featuring a subtle range of poached raspberry, lemon curd, oyster shell and almond paste flavors. Sleek and mouthwatering. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Drink now. –AN”
Importer note “Assemblage : 60% chardonnay – 35% pinot noir – 5% pinot meunier (MAJ Septembre 2021). Villages : Le Mesnil, Avize, Oger, Cramant, Ambonnay, Tours sur Marne, Vallée de la Marne. Vin de base : 2017. FML faite. Vieillissement sur lies : 36 mois. Dégorgement : Juin 2021. Dosage : 8g/l.”
A lesser-known producer but a bottle to crave, this elegant Champers is moderate in body and anything but in complexity.
Comte Audoin de Dampierre Grande Cuvee Brut, Champagne NV 750ml $49 special, 33 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 91 points “A vivacious, balanced Champagne, with the lively mousse and mouthwatering acidity framing notes of Asian pear, salted almond, verbena and ground ginger. Chalky finish. Drink now through 2024. 9,000 cases made, 800 cases imported. — AN”
This energetic Tête de Cuvée Champagne will leave lovers of light-bodied and delicately-colored pinks in awe.
Pommery Cuvee Louise Brut Rosé Millesime, Champagne 2004 750ml $219 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “This is a new release and shows wonderful finesse and beauty. You know that the moment you see the pale-amber color. It’s medium bodied with freshness and energy and a long, vivid finish. A joy to taste. Drink now.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Ripe strawberry and baked white cherry flavors are set on the creamy mousse of this bright rosé Champagne, underscored by hints of almond biscotti and candied pink grapefruit peel. Clean-cut and minerally on the zesty finish. Drink now through 2027. 416 cases made, 12 cases imported.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
The average price world-wide is $243
White / Rose Wines
Rich and crisp, this Rhone white offers a lot of punch in a small package.
Saint Cosme ‘Micro-Cosme’ Sauvignon – Viognier, Vin de France 2022 750ml $14 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
50 % Viognier, 50 % Sauvignon.
Importer note “Sauvignon Blanc brings acidity to the blend while Viognier provides fleshiness and texture. Blending the two varieties results in an aromatic and fresh-tasting wine with aromas and flavors of lemon, grapefruit, boxwood, elderflower and mango. Micro-Cosme Blanc’s crisp and fruity flavors can be enjoyed simply on its own or with a wide range of foods. Try this wine with garden salads, ceviche, and grilled fish. Micro-Cosme Blanc is an unconventional blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier. Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc are traditionally grown in different regions but Louis Barruol believes them to be complementary. The wine is vinified in stainless steel tanks.”
A fruit-forward white with verve and panache that will entertain from cocktail hour through the main course. And at only $10.75/bottle by the case? A must!
MAN Family Wines ‘Free-Run Steen’ Chenin Blanc, Coastal Region, South Africa 2022 750ml $11.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 MAN Family Wines ‘Free-Run Steen’ Chenin Blanc, Coastal Region, South Africa 2022 750ml $129 special (that’s only $10.75/bottle!)
Decanter 93 points “A slightly smoky, granitic expression with more of the fynbos, dried herbs and subtle reductive notes. The acidity is perceived only slowly, but builds in the mouth to a refreshing finale that is lemony, mineral and long.”
Winery Notes “The 2022 MAN Family Wines Chenin Blanc is a light straw color. Vibrant notes of quince, pear and pineapple on the nose. White peach, green apple and a burst of citrus, with well-rounded acidity, minimality and a rich mouthfeel. Crisp and fresh, rounded acidity and medium texture on the palate.”
We’ll hand the mic off to Stephan Reinhardt of the Wine Advocate: “This is one of the finest two-starred Auslesen I have tasted from Markus Molitor, and it kisses the three-star level. I can only recommend buying some cases and enjoying this beauty over the next 20 to 30 years.”
Markus Molitor Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese ** White Capsule (Dry), Mosel, Germany 2017 750ml $66 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Markus Molitor Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese ** White Capsule (Dry), Mosel, Germany 2017 750ml $369 special (that’s only $61.50/bottle!)
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 97 points “From 80- to 120-year-old vines, the intensely citrus-yellow colored 2017 Riesling Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese ** (White Capsule) offers an absurdly deep, highly intense, complex and concentrated bouquet with lime confit, perfectly ripe white stone fruits and flinty notes of crushed stones and lemon zest. On the palate, this is a dense, rich and powerful yet highly elegant and seamlessly textured Sonnenuhr with very fine tannins and a tightly woven structure that channels the immense power of this dry Riesling. ‘Physical drinking starts here,’ Markus Molitor says with a smile, and indeed, this is a spectacularly strong and concentrated Riesling. Despite its power, density and tension, the 2017 is super elegant and silky and reveals perfectly ripe, interwoven acidity and spicy piquancy. This is a fascinating Riesling with outstanding finesse and a very long, promising finish. This is one of the finest two-starred Auslesen I have tasted from Markus Molitor, and it kisses the three-star level. I can only recommend buying some cases and enjoying this beauty over the next 20 to 30 years. Tasted in March and April 2019.”
Crafted by Domaine Drouhin Oregon, Cloudline’s rosé will leave you dreaming of summer while the snow falls. Flexible at table, enjoy with goat cheese tarts, savory apple dishes, and roasted chicken or pork.
Cloudline Cellars Rosé of Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2021 750ml $11.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Cloudline Cellars Rosé of Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2021 750ml $119 special (that’s only $9.92/bottle!)
Winemaker’s Notes (Drouhin) “The 2021 Cloudline Rosé of Pinot Noir expresses a floral nose of strawberry blossom and hawthorns. A beautiful salmon color, the wine has the lively texture of classic rosé and a flavor palate that includes strawberry, kiwi and a touch of lemongrass. Consider this a summer dream for any time of the year!”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $17 (yikes!)
Red Wines
Marries the food-friendliness of Pinot with the explosively delicious flavor of Grenache.
Saint Cosme ‘Micro-Cosme’ Grenache – Pinot Noir, Vin de France NV 750ml $13.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
60% Grenache, 40% Pinot Noir. Aged in concrete tanks.
Importer note “This fusion of Grenache and Pinot Noir delivers aromas and flavors of strawberry, gingerbread, almond, cinnamon and heirloom rose. Micro-Cosme Rouge carries the Vin de France designation due to its unique production method. The wine is made from blending wines from multiple vintages in concrete tanks starting with the 1999 vintage. The result is a wine that is both vibrant and complex. Delicious with stews, grilled meats, dark fish, and tomato-based dishes such as ratatouille.”
A whole-cluster co-ferment of primarily Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre that offers big and bold flavors with lively tannins. Lovers of hearty American and French wines will never tire of this!
Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone Les Deux Albion, Rhone, France 2020 750ml $20.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone Les Deux Albion, Rhone, France 2020 750ml $225 special (that’s only $18.75/bottle!)
Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone Les Deux Albion, Rhone, France 2020 1.5L $39 special, 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.”
This light-bodied (and low alcohol) red makes an excellent pairing with appetizers; perfect for those looking for an outside of the box Pinot-alternative!
Garganuda Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy 2018 750ml $18 special, 24+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Garganuda Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy 2018 750ml $199 special (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
Producer note “Light and agile to the palate. Fine astringency. Well balanced freshness and sapidity. Rich red berries aroma and palate.”
Importer note “Organic & biodynamic-practicing. Low sulfite. Fermented spontaneously using low-intervention. Unfined & unfiltered. 80 % Corvina; 20% Rondinella. Garganuda is a project by Andrea Fiorini who from an early age cultivated an interest in wine, thanks to the passion transmitted by his grandparents winemakers. In him, the desire to produce a wine as was once done, recovering the historical characteristics of Soave, far from conventional homologations and schemes, began to manifest itself. A desire that came true following the meeting with Stefano Menti who, with his support, allowed him to introduce into the vineyards an agriculture from biodynamic model and in the cellar spontaneous fermentation. The same school of thought Andrea applied it also when he began to cultivate black grapes and to vinify his Valpolicella. Garganuda was the first company to obtain the DOC Soave certification from the production of natural wines.”
What do the French elite pour for their parties? This Côte de Brouilly Beaujolais is sourced from twelve acres of the estate’s best parcels and is poured in French embassies worldwide, thus the name “Ambassades.”
Domaine du Pavillon de Chavannes Cote de Brouilly Cuvee des Ambassades, Beaujolais, France 2020 750ml $25 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Domaine du Pavillon de Chavannes Cote de Brouilly Cuvee des Ambassades, Beaujolais, France 2020 750ml $142.50 special (that’s only $23.75/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Brilliant violet. Expansive, spice- and mineral-accented red fruit and spicecake scents show fine delineation and pick up a suave floral note with air. Juicy, sharply focused and alluringly sweet, offering vibrant raspberry, boysenberry and five-spice powder flavors that deepen slowly through the midpalate. Shows superb energy and finishes seamless and impressively long, with polished and reverberating mineral and floral notes.”
Consistently one of our fastest-selling red wines, this beloved producer is at the front wave of the new generation of modern Spain: crafting terroir-driven wines that still reflect the incredible value Spain offers. This offers the nuance of Pinot or Syrah through the lens of Mencia, a Spanish native grape.
Raul Perez Ultreia Saint Jacques, Bierzo, Spain 2021 750ml $22.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Raul Perez Ultreia Saint Jacques, Bierzo, Spain 2021 750ml $249 special (that’s only $20.75/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 93 points “The biggest volume of the winery is the 2021 Ultreia Saint Jacques, which represents some 170,000 bottles, and according to Raúl Pérez, it’s the most difficult wine to make here. They now work a lot to produce this wine, a blend of 11 wines selected from the 17 they made. It’s a wine that represents Bierzo and is from a year when they used more grapes from sandy soils. It has 13.16% alcohol and a pH of 3.66; it’s serious and restrained but juicy and easy to drink. Seventy percent of the wine matured in barrel and the rest in troncoconic oak vats.”
This Chateau was revamped in 2005 to focus on quality, with smaller yields and organic agricultural practices. Merlot-based, with Cab Franc and Sauv as spice, this wine has a moderate addition of new oak giving hedonistic hints of vanilla to the bold red and black fruit notes.
Chateau Goubau ‘La Source’, Cotes de Castillon, Bordeaux, France 2015 750ml $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Chateau Goubau ‘La Source’, Cotes de Castillon, Bordeaux, France 2015 750ml $99 special (that’s only $16.50/bottle!)
Winery note “The second wine of Chateau Goubau comes from the vineyard parcels facing south and south-west on the slopes bordering the domain’s natural source. Made from a blend of 95% Merlot grapes and 5% Cabernet Franc grapes, the wine is spicy and fresh with aromas of red fruits, plums and spice. On the palate the wine is crunchy and fruity with black fruit flavours and a touch of spice; the finish is lively and appealing. Drink now for next three years.”
A cellar-worthy red that will knock your socks off now. Bold and expressive, this is a Frenchman’s vision of a Spanish superstar grape through the lens of American terroir: worldly and captivating.
Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ml $129 special, 6+ bottles in stock now
Case-3 Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ml $375 special (that’s only $125/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “Showing beautifully, with pure cassis and black raspberry fruits as well as loads of dried flowers, cedar, tobacco, and dried herbs, the 2018 Impulsivo is medium to full-bodied and has a seamless, elegant texture, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. It shows more meaty, almost bloody nuances with time in the glass, and it’s certainly a singular expression of Tempranillo. The tannins are present yet polished and ripe, and it has a great mid-palate as well as the balance and elegance to drink nicely today yet also improve with short-term cellaring and keep for two decades.”
Fruit-forward with gentle tannins, this 2018 Barbaresco offers the best of both worlds: immediacy and complexity. Why wait?
Giuseppe Nada Casot, Barbaresco DOCG, Italy 2018 750ml $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Giuseppe Nada Casot, Barbaresco DOCG, Italy 2018 750ml $359 special (that’s only $29.92/bottle!)
Case-6 Giuseppe Nada Casot, Barbaresco DOCG, Italy 2018 750ml $189 special (that’s only $31.50/bottle!)
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2018 Barbaresco Casot is a fragrant and immediate wine that shows a good amount of ripeness and richness up front. This was a cool vintage overall, although the fruit ripened quickly toward the end of the growing season. There are sweet cherry aromas with spice and licorice. The wine drapes over the palate with silky and smooth intensity. The Casot vineyard is distinguished by layers of bluish tufo soil and layers of looser sand. Production is 10,000 bottles.”
Sweet Wines
Sugar and spice and everything nice, this lightly sweet Riesling plays well with fruit tarts and cheese courses, without the cloying richness of a true dessert wine (you know, the bottles that you never seem to have an occasion to open!)
Weingut Emrich-Schonleber Monzinger Halenberg Riesling Spatlese, Nahe, Germany 2020 750ml $41.90 special, 24+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Weingut Emrich-Schonleber Monzinger Halenberg Riesling Spatlese, Nahe, Germany 2020 750ml $238 special (that’s only $39.67/bottle!)
James Suckling 98 points “A giant Spätlese that’s packed to the gills with peach and berry fruit, salty minerality and supernaturally vibrant acidity. Such complexity that it’s hard to express in such a string of adjectives. Breathtaking freshness at the finish. Decades of aging potential. Drink or hold.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2020 Halenberg Riesling Spätlese is wild and spicy on the clear, fresh and elegant as well as aromatic nose. Full-bodied, piquant and juicy on the palate, this is a gorgeously aromatic Halenberg that needs years to open up and gain finesse. The Halenberg is richer, more sumptuous and sweeter than the Frühlingsplätzchen but still reductive on the finish. 8.5% alcohol. Tasted at the domain in July 2021.”
Want more options? Shop highlights of our case deals In Stock Now @ VWS:
FEATURED CASE DEALSVWS PRICEAVAILABLEReviewLINK
| BEAU BUISSON ROUGE 2020 CS-12 | $119.00 | 5 | Silver | Link |
| CAPBERN SAINT-ESTEPHE 2018 CS-6 | $199.00 | 2 | 94JD | Link |
| CORDERO MONTEZ ENRICO 17 CS-12 | $969.00 | 2 | 96JS | Link |
| CORDERO MONTEZ ENRICO 17 CS-6 | $512.00 | 2 | 96JS | Link |
| FERRAND CHATEAUNEUF 2019 CS-6 | $333.00 | 3 | 94-96JD | Link |
| GUIBERTEAU SAUMUR ROUGE 19 CS-6 | $219.00 | 3 | 91WA | Link |
| JC SOMERS WHOLE LOT RSE 22 CS-12 | $149.00 | 2 | 90WE | Link |
| MT EDEN WOLFF VYD CHARD 20 CS-12 | $259.00 | 4 | 91VM | Link |
| MULLER-CATOIR GIMMEL TRK 17 CS-6 | $125.00 | 2 | 93JS | Link |
| PACO & LOLA ALBARINO 2021 CS-12 | $225.00 | 5 | 92WE | Link |
| PRODUTTORI BARBARESCO 2018 CS-12 | $479.00 | 1 | 93WA | Link |
| SAINT COSME CHATEUN 2019 CS-12 | $528.00 | 3 | 93WS | Link |
| SAINT COSME CHATEUN 2019 CS-6 | $279.00 | 5 | 93WS | Link |
| SCHAFER-FROHLICH STRM GG 17 CS-6 | $419.00 | 2 | 96VM | Link |
| SUBSTANCE CS CABERNET 19 CS-12 | $149.00 | 6 | 92JS | Link |
| VAGLIO BLANCO TUPUNGATO 20 CS-12 | $149.00 | 4 | Link | |
| VAGLIO CHACRA MALBEC 2018 CS-12 | $149.00 | 3 | 93JS | Link |
| VAGLIO TEMPLE MALBEC 2018 CS-12 | $149.00 | 3 | 93JS | Link |
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