In This Newsletter:

New Arrivals
Champagne Suenen, Decugnano dei Barbi, Remelluri, Stein, and more!
New Vintage from Brovia
Classic Barolos for your cellar
A Multitude of Magnums
Be the the life of the party with these large format wines
Johannes Selbach’s Profoundly Pourable Rieslings
Selbach-Oster on close out!
Collector’s Corner
Big and Bold and Beautiful: California Reds

New Arrivals

Champagne

“Aurelian Suenen, Côtes des Blancs”

Hot Champagne Producer Alert! This up-and-comer has long-time enthusiasts flocking to his wines. Elegant and striking, they thread the needle between the brisk minerality inherent in quality Côte des Blancs and the power and richness of (neutral) oak aging.

“One of the most notable rising stars in the Cote des Blancs is Aurelien Suenen, who took charge of his family’s Cramant estate in 2009… Inspired by his friend Pascal Agrapart, he has been committed to studying his terroirs and expressing their individual characters through conscientious work in both the vineyards and the cellar.” – Peter Liem

Suenen ‘C+C’ Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut NV (2019) 750ml $119 special, 12 bottle available
Importer’s Notes “Grapes sourced from Chouilly and Cramant grand cru vineyards. Alongside the Oiry bottling the C+C represents one of the two NV bottlings that Aurélien produces. In general the C+C is a bit richer with more breadth than the Oiry bottling.”
 
Suenen Oiry Grand Cru Blanc De Blancs Extra Brut NV (2019) 750ml $89 special, 24 bottles available
Suenen Oiry Grand Cru Blanc De Blancs Extra Brut NV (2019) 1.5L $199 special, 3 magnums available
No reviews for hte 2019 yet, 2018 review provided for reference
Wine Advocate “Including 50% reserve wines, Suenen’s NV Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Oiry (2018 base) offers up inviting aromas of sweet orchard fruits, dried white flowers, baking spices and fresh bread. Medium to full-bodied, racy and vibrant, with a fleshy core of fruit, excellent concentration and a sapid finish, it’s a terrific effort from one of the new stars of Champagne.”
Importer’s Notes “A single Cru bottling from Oiry located next to Cramant, originally the fruit from this site was blended along with what goes into the C+C bottling to produce a straight Blanc de Blancs. The single cru bottlings reflect Aurélien’s terroir driven focus of highlighting the uniqueness between all his plots. Fermented in neutral oak & enamel lined steel vats and aged around 9 months in neutral oak foudre, demi-muids & concrete eggs, and a further 2 years on the lees in bottle under cork.”
 

France

“Château Pichon-Longueville, Bordeaux”

“…it is the Merlots that were so extraordinary [in 2018]—magnificent, in fact!” -Christian Seely, Managing Director of AXA Millésimes, which owns Château Pichon Longueville-Baron, quoted in Vinous

Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron 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
 
“Decugnano dei Barbi, Umbria”

This historic Umbrian estate works with ancient marine soils dating back over three million years. Start with their refreshing “Casa Pica” bottling sourced from younger Vermentino vines (made famous in Sardinia yet tragically overlooked elsewhere in Italy), named for the century-old family farmhouse. Then look to their Orvieto Classico “Frammento,” which blends of fragrant indigenous and internationally famous grapes with more heft and complexity (recognized as a “Top Wine” by Slow Wine multiple years in a row). Finally for whites, we reach the apex: “Mare Antico” (ancient sea, a nod to the terroir). This Orvieto Classico Superiore includes Chardonnay in the blend for a truly thrilling taste-driven tour of the essence of the place. And that’s just the whites…

 HOT DEAL! 
Decugnano Dei Barbi Casa Pica Bianco, Umbria 2021 750ml $14 special, 27 bottles available
Case-12 Decugnano Dei Barbi Casa Pica Bianco, Umbria 2021 750ml bottles $149 special (that’s only $12.42/bottle!)
James Suckling “A simple and bright nose with wet stones, pomelo, lemon zest and sliced apples. Dry and a bit tart on the palate with medium intensity of lemon citrus. Drink now.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Save $19 when you purchase this wine by the case!

Decugnano Dei Barbi ‘Frammento’ Orvieto Classico 2021 750ml $16 special, 36 bottles available
James Suckling “Subtle minerality to the salted lemons and tarragon herbs. Linear and bright on the medium-bodied palate with a streamlined structure and creamy texture. Dry and tangy finish. 55% grechetto, 20% sauvignon blanc, 20% vermentino and 5% procanico. Drink now.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $20/bottle by the case

 
Decugnano Dei Barbi ‘Mare Antico’ Orvieto Classico 2021 750ml $21.90 special, 12 bottles available
Winery Note “Mare Antico is the wine that best represents Decugnano dei Barbi. The name itself refers to that ancient sea on which our vineyards grow today. The grapes come from our oldest vineyards, whose roots lie in sandy and shell-rich soils to capture the soul of the place and transform it into a delicious drop of wine.”

 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $25/bottle by the case

What’s not to love, from the wine in the glass to the price, and the fantastical label?
Decugnano Dei Barbi ‘Battito’ Umbria Rosso IGT 2020 750ml $17 special, 12 bottles available
James Suckling 91 points “Cherry stones, tomatoes, peppercorns and raspberries on the nose. It’s fresh, savory and peppery, with fine and well-integrated tannins and a medium body. Supple finish. Drink or hold.”
Wine Notes “Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, and Merlot… a traditional super-umbrian.”
  

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $20/bottle by the case

This wine evokes the phrase “Super Umbrian” – a powerful and rich exploration of reds from the Orvieto, at a don’t-miss price, especially when compared to Super Tuscans.
Decugnano Dei Barbi ‘A.D. 1212’ Umbria Rosso IGT 2019 750ml $24 special, 12 bottles available
James Suckling 91 points “Rich dark berries with dark earth and a hint of game. Tight and flavorful with dense tannins on the full-bodied palate. Very powerful and fine-grained. Need at least two years to soften more.”
Wine Notes “Blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Montepulciano.”
  

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Spain

 
Granja Nuestra Senora de Remelluri Blanco, Labastida de Alava, Rioja 2019  750ml $99 special, 3 bottles available

Wine Advocate 94+ Points “The white 2019 Blanco comes from a year that was marked by hail and frost in April and May, which resulted in a small crop that ripened early in a warm growing season. It fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured in used barriques, foudres and 1,200-liter concrete eggs. The wine is powerful at 14.4% alcohol but has good freshness showcased by a pH of 3.21. This is a very serious and complex white, with spice and smoke, balanced and harmonious, combining power with elegance. It’s a little more fluid, with more finesse and delicacy, despite the fact that they had low yields and the wine has natural concentration.”
VinopolNote: Made with certified organic grapes.
 

Germany

“Dr. Ulrich Stein is infamous for such lost causes as the reclamation of abandoned, frighteningly steep sites; and battling the entrenched 1971 German Wine Law. It seems, though, that he is more a David than a Don Quixote, because he has won them all.” – David Schildknecht, writing for The Wine Advocate

Wein-Erbhof Stein Riesling Himmelreich Kabinett Feinherb Alte Reben (Old Vine), Mosel 2022 750ml $36 special, 9 bottles available
AP #8
Vom Boden importer note “Consider this Stein’s “1er Cru” vineyard; though it’s a 1er Cru vineyard with 70 to 80+ year-old ungrafted vines and a serious terroir of mostly blue slate. This is the “other” Himmelreich and similar to its more famous sibling in Graach, the wines from this site always show a slimmer profile, a pronounced mineral fine-ness and lift.”

Wein-Erbhof Stein Riesling Palmberg Kabinett Trocken Alte Reben (Old Vine), Mosel 2022 750ml $36 special, 6 bottles available
AP #9
Vom Boden importer note “The Palmberg is Stein’s “Grand Cru” and a vineyard to measure against any other vineyard in the Mosel, period. It is an awesome site, an ancient wall of vines filled with ungrafted plantings that are 90+ years old. The Palmberg is cut on one side by a stream, so the vineyard angles away from the Mosel. In former times this was likely a liability, the cool wind pouring down the valley and the distance from the river keeping optimum ripeness in all but the top vintages just beyond grasp. This is no longer an issue and these cooler vineyards, especially when they have old vines, are a massive asset.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Move fast – Peter Lauer wines are quick sellers!

Peter Lauer Lambertskirch Kabinett, Saar 2022 750ml $49 special, 3 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 91 Points “The 2022er Lambertskirch Kabinett, as it is referred to in the central part of the label, was made from fruit harvested in this south-east facing Lieu-Dit overseeing the Saar, and was fermented down to fully fruity-styled levels of residual sugar (50 g/l). It offers a fully aromatic and appealing nose of pink grapefruit, candy floss, Conference pear, quince, minty herbs, and celery spices. The wine is nicely pure and light-weighted on the finely aromatic, refined, and smooth palate. There is good length and freshness in the finish. This is a superb drinking Kabinett.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Peter Lauer Fass 8 Ayler Kupp Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2022 750ml $36 special, 6 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 91 Points “The 2022er Kupp Kabinett N°8, as it is referred to in the central part of the label, was made from fruit harvested in the original Kupp hill and was fermented down to fruity-styled levels of residual sugar (49 g/l). Very smoky and herbal at first, but also slightly reductive, it reveals elegant and refined notes of white flowers, citrusy fruits, yuzu, anise, and white pepper. The wine is full of tension and spices in the comparatively off-dry and playful palate. The finish is herbal and nervy. This is a great drinking Kabinett with superb complexity.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Peter Lauer Ayler Kupp Fass 7 Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2022 750ml $44.50 special, 6 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 92 Points “The 2022er Kupp Spätlese N°7, as it is referred to in the central part of the label, was made from fruit harvested in the whole original Kupp hill and was fermented down to sweet levels of residual sugar (74 g/l). Smoky and finely herbal on the nose, it delivers notes of anise, minty herbs, vineyard peach, jasmine, rose, lavender, and green apple. The wine proves delicately smooth and rich on the nicely compact and focused palate. The finish is precise, clean, and full of energy. This is a splendid Spätlese.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Peter Lauer Ayler Kupp Fass 10 Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2022 375ml $49 special, 3 half-bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 94+ Points “The 2022er Kupp Auslese N°10, as it is referred to in the central part of the label, was made from partially (15%) botrytized fruit harvested on the whole original Kupp hill and was fermented down to fully sweet levels of residual sugar (95 g/l). This offers a still very primary yet superbly complex and layered nose of bakery elements, almond cream, candied pineapple, coconut cream, aniseed, smoky bacon, and yellow flowers. The wine is superbly smooth and sweet on the comparatively light-weighted and delicate palate. The finish proves juicy and smooth, yet the after-taste brings freshness and liveliness as plenty of candied citrusy fruits kick in. This needs at least a decade to fully integrate its sweetness and fully shine.”

This is the only listing on the West Coast!

Peter Lauer Kern Ayler Kupp Fass 9 Riesling, Mosel 2022 750ml $49 special, 6 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 93 Points “The 2022er “Kern” N°9, as it is referred to in the central part of the label, is a fully off-dry wine (with 33 g/l of residual sugar) made from fruit picked in a complete cross section (bottom to top) of a prime south-west-facing old-vine parcel (called Kern) situated well into the side valley on the original Ayler Kupp hill. It offers a beautifully refined and herbal nose of wild spices, orange blossom, mint, lime, and white pepper, as well as slightly riper notes of vineyard peach candied grapefruit, and almond. The wine is superbly playful on the elegantly zesty and spicy palate. The finish proves energetic, refined, and straight. The after-taste is already dryish in style. This is a great just off-dry tasting Riesling.”

Peter Lauer Neuenberg Fass 17 Riesling, Mosel 2022 750ml $52.50 special, 6 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 90+ Points “The 2022er Neuenberg N°17, as it is referred to in the central part of the label, is a barely off-dry wine (with 12 g/l of residual sugar) made from fruit picked in this prime Lieu-Dit forming the south-southwest facing, central part of the original Kupp hill (at the foot of the hill). It offers a very aromatic and rich nose of William’s pear, smoke, anise, thyme, violet, lime tree, and cherry. The wine is both juicy but also directly zesty and spicy, with a touch of tartness and earthy spices. There is good presence and structure and the finish proves intense and broad. It is a great barely off-dry Riesling, which needs a few years to reveal its facets. It even has some upside potential with time.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Peter Lauer Stirn Ayler Kupp Fass 15 Riesling, Mosel 2022 750ml $49 special, 6 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 92 Points “The 2022er “Stirn” N°15, as it is referred to in the central part of the label, is a fully off-dry wine (with 36 g/l of residual sugar) made from fruit picked in the prime south-west-facing, upper-front part of the original Ayler Kupp hill. It reveals a fully aromatic and appealing nose of yellow fruits (pineapple, Conference pear, and quince), candied grapefruit, tangerine, green apple, anise, oriental spices, and smoke. The wine proves fully off-dry on the palate as plenty of sweet and ripe fruits come through. The finish is structured and has more mineral elements with zesty and minty elements. This beautiful fully off-dry Riesling needs a few years to fully deliver.”

Peter Lauer Ayler Kupp Unterstenberg Fass 12 Riesling, Mosel 2022 750ml $49 special, 6 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 91 Points “The 2022er Unterstenberg N°12, as it is referred to in the central part of the label, is a dry wine (with 8 g/l of residual sugar) made from fruit picked in the similarly-named prime Lieu-Dit forming the south-southwest facing, front part of the original Kupp hill (at the foot of the hill). It has a beautifully complex and smoky nose of candied lime, grapefruit zest, smoky bacon, ginger, almond, yuzu, and white flowers. The wine is superbly playful and refined on the palate, where some light creamy and juicy elements make for an appealing touch. The finish is beautifully spicy and herbal and already fully dry.”

 

South Africa

 HOT DEAL! 
MAN Family Wines ‘Free-Run Steen’ Chenin Blanc, Coastal Region 2022 750ml $11.90 special, 36 bottles available
Case-12 MAN Family Wines ‘Free-Run Steen’ Chenin Blanc, Coastal Region 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.”

Save $13.80 when you purchase by the case

 
Man Family ‘Skaapveld’ Syrah 2020 750ml $11.90 special, 36 bottles available
Decanter 90 points “Lifted nose of herbs and mint, with notes of coconut and rich red berries. Vibrant and moreish on the palate.”
Winery Notes “An elegant and distinctive style of Syrah with well-rounded fruit on the palate and soft juicy tannins. Skaapveld refers to the grazing land for sheep that adjoins many of the Syrah vineyards in our region.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

New Vintage of Classical Barolos from Brovia

Arriving Friday

 
For traditionally made Barolo, Brovia makes some of the best wines you can buy at any price. Made and farmed using traditional methods, they hit all the right notes in terms of thoughtful vineyard management and unapologetically old-school winemaking. Brovia’s superb assortment of vineyard holdings include household names like Rocche and Villero, but don’t sleep on other gems like Brea “Ca’Mia”, a vineyard which produces wines with a distinctive combination of power and elegance. Don’t sleep on this first-class producer.

Brovia Barolos Arriving Friday, October 27th:

Brovia Brea Vigna Ca’ Mia, Barolo DOCG 2019 750ml $145 pre-arrival special, 5 bottles available
Brovia Brea Vigna Ca’ Mia, Barolo DOCG 2019 1.5L $319 pre-arrival special, 1 magnum available
Wine Advocate 98 Points “With the cream-colored label, the 2019 Barolo Brea Vigna Ca’ Mia is another standout wine from one of the most collectible producers in the appellation. The wine from vintners Elena Brovia and Alex Sanchez is especially sharp, focused and polished. You get a lot of satisfaction here and sophistication too, with an amazing sense of clarity and depth. Wild berry, cassis, blood orange, iris and campfire ash emerge from the bouquet. There is drying mineral on the silky close. This is one of my favorite wines of the vintage.”

(Formerly labelled as Rocche dei Brovia)
Brovia Rocche di Castiglione, Barolo DOCG 2019 750ml $139 pre-arrival special, 5 bottles available
Brovia Rocche di Castiglione, Barolo DOCG 2019 1.5L $299 pre-arrival special, 1 magnum available 
Wine Advocate 97 Points “Brovia hits it out of the ballpark with this set of wines from the 2019 vintage. The 2019 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione is a darker, broader expression that stands on its own thanks to that special intensity. This expression veers toward dark fruit and black cherry, and there is a lot of iron ore or rusty nail at the back. The wine is almost sanguine in character, but in a manner that enhances all the other beautiful characteristics on hand. The mouthfeel is slightly more open-knit and rich, making this a better pairing partner to hearty meat dishes.”

Brovia Villero Barolo DOCG 2019 750ml $135 pre-arrival special, 5 bottles available
Brovia Villero Barolo DOCG 2019 1.5L $289 pre-arrival special, 1 magnum available
Wine Advocate 96 Points “With fruit from one of the top growing sites in Castiglione Falletto, the 2019 Barolo Villero shows a slightly ripe and soft side with cherry and dried raspberry followed by licorice, tar and rusty metal. This is an elegant expression, with a terrific sense of focus, that delivers complexity and depth, especially in this excellent vintage.”

Love Brovia?
So do we.
Shop our in-stock selections here!

A Multitude of Magnums

Looking to make a grand entrance? These large format wines are perfect for Friendsgivings, family get-togethers, and holiday celebrations. What’s more fun than sharing a special bottle of wine for a special gathering? Sharing an enormous bottle of special wine for a special gathering, of course!

In-Stock Now:

Clos i Terrasses Clos Erasmus ‘Laurel’, Priorat DOCa 2018 1.5L $149 special, 3 magnums available
Clos i Terrasses Clos Erasmus ‘Laurel’, Priorat DOCa 2018 750ml $59 special, 32 bottles available
Wine Advocate 96 Points “… 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… I love it.”

This is the only listing in the USA today for the magnum!

A staff favorite for years – Andre Clouet is the Vinopolis House Champagne, and it always over-delivers for the price.
Andre Clouet Grande Reserve Brut Champagne NV 1.5L $89 special, 13 magnums available
Andre Clouet Grande Reserve Brut Champagne NV 3L $279 special, 5 jeroboams available
Andre Clouet Grande Reserve Brut Champagne NV 750ml $39 special, 20 bottles available
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 90 points “The latest release of André Clouet’s NV Brut Grand Réserve Grand Cru is showing well, exhibiting a nicely integrated bouquet of red apple, ripe citrus fruit, honeycomb and blanched almonds, followed by a medium to full-bodied, enveloping palate with a fine mousse, ripe but racy acids and an elegant, understated profile, concluding with a well-defined finish. This is a stylish, harmonious wine that makes for a fine introduction to the Clouet portfolio.

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today for the magnum!
This is the only listing in the USA today for the double-magnum!

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 $79 special, 7 magnums available
Weingut Korrell Johanneshof Kreuznacher Paradies Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2017 3L (Was $179) Now $149 special, 3 double-magnums available
Weingut Korrell Johanneshof Kreuznacher Paradies Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2017 750ml $39 special, 29 bottles available
Grapelive 94 points “The radiant and graceful Korrell Paradies Trocken leads with expressive pure apple tones. [It] impresses for its elegance and subtle character. It’s a wine of great poise and delicacy… Martin focuses on preserving heightened aromatics and crisp mineral tones, while allowing the mouth feel and depth to shine through. It is an amazing accomplishment to get it all right, and Korrell deserves his time in the limelight. This is complex and glorious stuff. Layers of green apple, peach, mixed fresh citrus and melon fruits are lifted by liquid rock, steely mineral and faint perfume of white flowers along with a silkiness of mouth feel. While still delightfully crisp, [this delivers] an exciting energy filled performance… The lightly golden hued and generously textured Paradies will age well. It’s full of charm, class and potential.”
Stuart Pigott 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.”

These are the only listings in the USA today for all formats!

Domaine Eric & Joel Durand Cornas Empreintes, Rhone 2019 1.5L $99 special, 11 bottles available
Domaine Eric & Joel Durand Cornas Empreintes, Rhone 2019 750ml $44.50 special, 36+ bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points “Iron, peppered game, smoked black and blue fruits, and new leather notes emerge from the 2019 Cornas Empreintes, and it’s medium to full-bodied and wonderfully balanced, with ripe tannins and one hell of a great finish. It’s another pure, balanced, fruit-loaded beauty from this estate that has tons of character. This cuvée comes from hillside parcels (a mix of granite and limestone) and 30-year-old vines. It was 75% destemmed and spent a year in 20% new barrels.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 95 points “Sure, the 2019 Cornas Empreintes is lightly cedary up front, but those notes are more than balanced by crushed stone, salted licorice, and bold cassis and blueberry flavors. Full-bodied and concentrated, this is a rock-solid Cornas with a long, dusty finish, capable of aging and improving up to two decades. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Youthfully compact, but it’s all there, with a core of steeped red and black currant and cherry fruit inlaid with a chalky spine that stays in the background while black tea, sanguine and alder notes linger. There’s good latent energy too. Best from 2023 through 2036. 950 cases made, 150 cases imported.  –JM”

This is the only listing in the USA today for the magnum!

Château Angelus Saint Emilion Grand Cru 2016 1.5L $899 special, 19 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 100 Points “Top 100 Cellar Selection in 2019. This is a rich, perfumed wine, with dense tannins and intense layers of black plum and spice. The palate is firmly built yet broadened out by plump dark-fruit tones and honed by a solid, dry core. Drink from 2025. -Roger Voss”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 98+ Points “Sporting a deep garnet-purple color, the 2016 Angélus erupts from the glass with powerful notes of blackberry pie, ripe black cherries and juicy black plums with an undercurrent of star anise, rose petals, chocolate mint, pencil shavings and wood-smoke plus a waft of allspice. The palate is pure decadence. Medium to full-bodied, rich and generously fruited, this wine is by no means heavy—it positively glimmers with freshness and vivacity, lending an ethereal nature to all that richness and power, beautifully framed by velvety tannins and finishing with epic length. The generosity, layers and plushness make for an absolutely DELICIOUS drink right now, but I’d suggest waiting 3-5 more years for the fireworks to really begin.”

This is the only listing on the West Coast!

Domaine Ghislaine Barthod Les Cras, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2019 1.5L $879 special, just 1 magnum available
Wine Advocate 96 Points “The 2019 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Cras is similarly compelling, soaring from the glass with aromas of red berries, exotic spices, orange rind, musk and rose petals. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and tightly wound, with a deep and vibrant core of fruit that’s framed by fine, powdery tannins, it concludes with a long, penetrating and intensely mineral finish. This is a magical Chambolle-Musigny worth a special effort to seek out.”

This is the only listing in the USA today for the magnum!

Anne-Sophie Dubois Fleurie Les Labourons, Beaujolais 2021 3L $199 special, just 1 double-magnum available!
Anne-Sophie Dubois Fleurie Les Labourons, Beaujolais 2021 750ml $33 special, 23 bottles available
Neal Martin-Vinous 90 Points “The 2021 Fleurie Les Labourons has a very pure and pretty bouquet that blossoms in the glass: black cherries, wilted iris petals, hints of blood orange– this is wonderful. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly candied entry. It’s fleshy for a Fleurie, maybe just missing the delineation on the finish that Dubois can achieve in a more benevolent season. Yet this remains a quite delicious proposition.”

This is the only listing in the USA today for the double-magnum!

Only bottled in magnum, Christophe’s Champagnes sing with energy. Pair with light appetizers, mushroom dishes, and soft cheeses.
Christophe Baron ‘Les Alouettes’ Brut Nature Charly-sur-Marne, Champagne 2017 1.5L $259 special, 7 magnums available
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2017 Brut Nature Les Alouettes is excellent, bursting with aromas of golden orchard fruit, warm spices, honeycomb, plums and toasted bread. Full-bodied, fleshy and vinous, it’s rich and sapid, with a layered core of fruit, a pretty pinpoint mousse and a long, saline finish. Seamless and complete, this bottling is particularly strong this year.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2017 Brut Nature Les Alouettes (Magnum) is the most potent and tightly wound of these three Champagnes from Christophe Baron. It offers up a beguiling mix of graphite, orange confit, dried flowers, earthiness, chamomile and spice, all in a dense, inward style that demands cellaring. The Alouttes shows the more earthy, savory side of Meunier. Disgorged: May, 2021.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $295

Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Crau Rouge, Rhône 2020 3L $489 special, 1 double-magnum available
Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Crau Rouge, Rhône 2020 6L $899 special, 1 six-liter bottle available *In-store pick up only. Shipping not available for the six-liter.*
James Suckling 96-97 Points “Such a deep and meaty nose with a slew of wild-herb, savory and subtle balsamic notes. Then comes the expansive and very concentrated palate, which reveals so many spicy nuances as it rolls over the palate, the stunning fine tannins pushing the finish out even further. A grenache-based blend from 60-year-old vines.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today for the double-magnum!
This is the only listing in the USA today for the six-liter!

Shop all large format wines on our webstore now!

Johannes Selbach’s Profoundly Pourable Rieslings

On our close out sale!

These hand-picked wines were ushered to our shop by Johannes Selbach himself. Light and ethereal, these are wines meant for the table, not to grow dusty and forgotten in a cellar (though we can personally attest that they do cellar exceedingly well). We’re proud to carry a wide selection of his fantastically priced wines, and to share them with you at profound discounts!

“If you had to sum up Selbach’s wines in just a few words they would be ‘brilliant, complex, classic, and balanced’. These are classic wines both the way that they taste (balanced and less “sweet”) and in the way that they’re produced; grapes are gently pressed at low pressure; the juice settles by gravity and is then fermented in naturally cool cellars at low temperatures, predominantly in traditional oak Fuder with wild yeasts.” –Skurnik Wines 

This is Grand Cru German Riesling, not metaphorically, but literally. This is the top echelon of dry Riesling made by one of the most thoughtful winemakers in the area. Why, oh why is it under $40/bottle? Few are looking for classically-styled German Rieslings these days: those wines that quietly complement food without ego or sharp elbows, leaving plenty for us to share with you at an outrageous deal. 
Selbach-Oster Schlossberg Riesling GG, Mosel 2019 750ml Was $44.50, Now $37.50 close out special, 32 bottles available
James Suckling 94 points “This has the mandarin and yeasty aromas from long fermentation, but with some aeration, mirabelle and quince notes develop. A powerful dry wine that retains the classic Mosel vitality and crispness. Long, intense mineral finish. Better from 2021.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

“I recommend buying what’s available from Selbach-Oster now” –Stephan Reinhardt, writing on the 2019 vintage
Selbach-Oster (Estate) Riesling Feinherb, Mosel 2019 750ml Was $21.90, Now $17.50 close out special, 35 bottles available
Winery Note “Selbach-Oster Rieslings are not ‘Zeitgeist’-trendy wines that change according to the whims of fashion. Nor are they ‘made’ according to a recipe. Though they are deeply delicious, they do not seek to ‘seduce’ with short-term exotic aromas from specially cultured yeasts, aromatic enzymes or ice-cold fermentations.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

A dry, village-level bottling, crafted from all estate fruit.
Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Riesling Kabinett Trocken 2019 750ml Was $28,  Now $21.90 special, 36+ bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 90 Points “The 2019er Zeltinger Riesling Kabinett Trocken comes from Estate holdings mainly in the Himmelreich (90%) as well as Schlossberg (10%). It offers a beautifully refreshing and light nose of white peach, apple, mint, herbs, anise, and spices. The wine develops good presence and the intensity of a Spätlese on the palate and leaves a nicely herbal and spicy feel in the surprisingly assertive but very satisfying finish.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate “The 2019 Zeltinger Riesling Kabinett trocken is bright yet intense and ripe on the nose yet coolish, refined and even floral, with some flinty notes of crushed slate. Piquant, lush and straightforward on the palate, this is a quite intense and charming Kabinett with a certain power and richness but just 12% alcohol and concise acidity.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

A quick glance at CellarTracker lets you know this is drinking fabulously now with decades of life left.
Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2019 750ml Was $29, Now $22.50 close out special, 36+ bottles available
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2019 Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Kabinett is pure and flinty on the pure, elegant, terroir-driven nose. Piquant and crystalline on the palate, this is a crunchy and crispy, well-concentrated and nicely phenolic Schlossberg with juicy fruit but a crystalline and refined finish. Very long and stimulatingly salty. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.”
John Gilman 92 points “The 2019 Schlossberg Kabinett from Selbach-Oster is really a very pretty example of the vintage, but this is more Spätlese in terms of weight and breadth of shoulder than classical Kabinett. However, this takes away nothing from the charm here on both the nose and palate, with the bouquet delivering a lovely blend of white cherry, white peach, a touch of wild yeasts, a refined base of slate, bee pollen and a topnote of apple blossoms. On the palate the wine is medium-full, complex and nicely filigreed, with good acids, fine focus and grip and a long, complex and very nicely balanced finish. Think of this as a hybrid between Kabinett and Spätlese, but with personality to burn! 2020-2040+.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $27

“a joyful and remarkably easy-drinking expression of Spätlese” –Mosel Fine Wines
Selbach-Oster Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2019 750ml Was $33, Now $28 close out special, 36+ bottles available
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2019 Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spätlese is very clear, pure and flinty on the intense, elegant, crunchy and slatey nose. Salty, piquant and lush on the palate, this is a crystalline, pure and salty Badstube that is juicier and rounder than the 2018. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.”
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “The 2019er Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spätlese was made from fruit picked at 90° Oechsle and was fermented down to sweet levels of residual sugar (69 g/l). It offers a very delicate and nicely perfumed nose of white flowers, rose petal, vineyard peach, apple, laurel, and herbs. The wine proves delicately juicy and refined on the smooth and slightly juicy palate and leaves a delicate sense of lightness in the more fruity-styled than really sweet-tasting finish. This is a joyful and remarkably easy-drinking expression of Spätlese. 2027-2044.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $37

A winery-cellared release!
Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese ** 2017 750ml Was $59, Now $49 close out special, 30 bottles available
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96 points “From the lower part of the site and made with more botrytis grapes than the regular Auslese, the 2017 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese ** is clear and elegant on the perfectly ripe, intense and spicy nose. Lush and generous on the mouth-filling palate, this is a vibrantly fresh, salty-piquant and sensual Auslese with remarkable tannin structure and expression. A great, food-friendly wine that should be cellared for 10 to 15 years, even though it already drinks extremely well. Tasted in March 2019.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Selbach-Oster ‘Schmitt’ Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2021 750ml Was $69, Now $59 special, 19 bottles available
Wine Advocate 95-96 Points “The 2021 Zeltinger Schlossberg Auslese Schmitt exhibits a very clear, coolish and piquant bouquet with concentrated white (stone) fruit and crushed stone aromas with some hints of caramel. Very delicate and finessed on the palate, this is a piquant and saline, crystalline and playful Auslese in a digestible sweet style. The finish is crunchy, crystalline and slatey, which gives iodine flavors and lots of tension that uplifts the richness of this promising beauty.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Sip this alongside rose water-scented rice pudding or goat cheese and marmalade tartelettes. Or really go wild and pair with mustard-braised rabbit or spicy stewed greens.
Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Sonnenhuhr Riesling Beerenauslese, Mosel 2018 375ml Was $79, Now $69 close out special, 22 half-bottles available
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2018 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Beerenauslese displays an intense but very clear and radiant citrus color in the glass. The nose is concentrated and fresh, with lemon chutney and broken stone aromas. Pure and fresh on the palate, this is a dense, concentrated, rich yet very precise, fresh and elegant BA with a long, crunchy, terroir-driven finish that represents the delicate slate structure of the Sonnenuhr. Still young but not really sweet due to the crystalline acidity structure. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.”
Mosel Fine Wines 94-96 points “This 2018er Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling BA was harvested at approx. 130° Oechsle and was fermented down to noble-sweet levels of residual sugar (approx. 200 g/l). This cask sample offers a gorgeous and clean nose of candied grapefruit, pineapple juice, rhubarb, apricot, melon and honey. The wine is very juicy and sweet on the delicately viscous palate. The finish is quite intense and very long. This BA is still very sweet and juicy, and will please lovers of rich and intense dessert wines. 2028-2058.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

J & H Selbach Zeltinger Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2019 750ml Was $18, Now $14 close out special, 36+ bottles available
VinopolNote: Purchased fruit from the one of the “Grand Cru” vineyards of the Mittelmosel.

This is the only listing in the USA today!

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Collector’s Corner:

Big and Bold California Reds

 
It’s sweater season again, and what better time of year for big cuts of roasts, hearty stews, and big & hearty reds to help keep you warm?
 
Aubert Wines UV Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 2016 750ml $149 special, 1 bottle available
Jeb Dunnuck 100 Points “Leading off the Pinot Noirs, this is unquestionably the finest set of releases from the estate I’ve ever tasted, and it appears some of the magic Mark finds with his Chardonnays is finding its way over to the Pinot Noirs. The 2016 Pinot Noir UV Vineyard is 100% Calera clone (which reportedly comes from Vosne-Romanée) from a site in the Sonoma Coast and was brought up in 60-70% new French oak. It also saw around 10-20% whole clusters. Incredible ripe cherries, strawberries, exotic spices, blood orange, and floral notes all soar from this transparently colored, multi-dimensional, layered Pinot Noir that has no hard edges, ultra-fine tannin, and a finish that just won’t quit. It’s the finest Pinot Noir ever made from this address.”
Winery note “The unique clay composition of the soils at the UV site is exhibited in this Pinot Noir’s perfumed aromatics and voluptuous texture.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Aubert Wines UV-SL Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 2016 750ml $159 special, 1 bottle available
Jeb Dunnuck 99 Points “The 2016 Pinot Noir UV-SL Vineyard flirts with perfect and is another incredible effort from the Sonoma Coast. Deeply colored, with ripe cherries, underbrush, black currants, graphite, blood orange, and forest floor notes, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, ample tannin, a big mid-palate, and a blockbuster finish. Despite being a rich, powerful wine, it shows remarkable elegance and purity, as well as a weightless, seamless texture. Brought up in 70% new French oak, drink it over the coming decade.”
Winery note “The vineyard’s proximity to the ocean is deceptive, as the notably warm climate allows the grapes to reach our optimal ripeness.”

Blankiet Estate Paradise Hills Vineyard ‘Mythicus’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2013 750ml $249 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 96+ Points “The 2013 Mythicus is so backward, but a wine of extraordinary intensity. Loads of tannin, massive extract, a blue/purple color, gorgeous purity and overall depth make for a compelling wine, but this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon effort is one for patient connoisseurs. Forget it for 5-7 years, and drink it over the following three decades.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $279

Blankiet Estate Paradise Hills Vineyard Proprietary Red, Napa Valley 2016 750ml $219 special, 1 bottle available
Vinous 98 Points “The 2016 Proprietary Red Paradise Hills Vineyard is magnificent. Deep and expressive on the palate, the 2016 possesses tremendous intensity but delivered in an understated voice. Dark cherry, plum, mocha, new leather and spice develop with time, but it is the wine’s total sense of poise that once again is truly impressive.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $268

 
Continuum Proprietary Red, Napa Valley 2017 375ml $119 special, 10 half-bottles available
Wine Advocate 97+ Points “A blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 9% Petit Verdot and 9% Merlot, the deep garnet-purple 2017 Proprietary Red soars out of the glass with notions of baked blueberries, plum preserves and blackcurrant cordial, backed up by nuances of chocolate mint, wild sage, violets and pencil shavings, plus an earthy hint of Chinese five spice. The rich, seductive, full-bodied palate is jam-packed with spicy black fruit preserves, framed by wonderfully plush tannins and a lively backbone, finishing long and opulent.”

This is the only listing in the USA today for the 375ml!
But it’s still a best-value: the average price for the 750ml is $293

New vintages are labeled ‘Morgan’s Way’ 
Hundred Acre Kayli Morgan Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2009 750ml $499 special, 3 bottle available
Wine Advocate 96 Points “Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Kayli Morgan Vineyard gives up bold blackcurrant cordial, blackberry compote and raspberry pie scents with hints of chocolate-covered cherries, roses and lilacs plus hints of charcuterie and yeast extract. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is wonderfully elegant, with wonderful vivacity and perfume and a satiny texture with a very long finish.”

“a “wow” wine that should drink beautifully young and last 20-30+ years” -Robert Parker Jr.
Kapcsandy Family Winery Rapszodia Proprietary Red, Yountville, Napa Valley 2015 750ml $419 special, 1 bottle available
Robert Parker 98-100 Points “Their 100% Cabernet Franc cuvee, the 2015 Rapszodia Proprietary Red, spent its whole life in 100% new French oak and is an exhilarating wine with off-the-charts richness, an exquisite bouquet of spring flowers, forest floor, rich blue and black fruits, voluptuous texture, incredibly fine, silky tannins, and, for a Kapcsandy wine, relatively elevated alcohol at 14.5%. This is a “wow” wine that should drink beautifully young and last 20-30+ years.”

Sine Qua Non Grenache Female 2013 750ml $319 special, 1 bottles available
Wine Advocate 98 Points “Showing similar to a previous bottle tasted in Colorado, the 2013 Grenache Female (78% Grenache, 19% Syrah and 3% Mourvedre) is more high toned and pretty than the 2014, with perfumed notes of black raspberries, licorice, herbes de Provence and violets. Similar on the palate to the 2014, yet perhaps with a touch more tannin, give this beauty a few years and drink it through 2033.”

Sine Qua Non ‘The Inaugural’ Eleven Confessions Vineyard Grenache, Sta Rita Hills 2003 750ml $2,499 special, 1 bottle available
Jeb Dunnuck-Wine Advocate 100 Points “In addition to these new releases, I was also able to taste through a number of older vintages, including the 2001 Albino, 2006 Hoodoo Man, 2003 The Inaugural, 2004 Ode to E, 1998 E Raised, 2001 On Your Toes, 2005 Nail in My Cranium and 2007 Syrah Dangerous Birds. To say I came away impressed would be an understatement. Anyone who claims this big, rich style can-t age needs to taste these wines. I opted to just list my scores for the older releases as I find Bob-s initial write-ups spot on.” 

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The next best price is $2,999.99

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 In This Newsletter:

New Arrivals
Champagne Vouette, Durant Vineyards, and Peter Lauer
Pre-Arrivals
Brovia Barolo
Staff Pick
Andre Clouet
Close-out Sales
All-American Savings: California, Washington, and Oregon!
Collector’s Corner
What were you doing ten years ago? (The wines of 2013 in review)

 

Staff Pick
Champagne
 

 

NEW!  Caballus Cellars Pinot Noir WV 2014 750ml WAS $79 NOW $59 special, 31 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 95 Points “Co-winemakers Véronique Drouhin-Boss and Isabelle Dutartre call this “the story of our friendship in a bottle,” and what a fine bottle it is. It’s a full throttle wine, thoroughly expressing the richness and power of the best Oregon Pinot Noirs. Dense and detailed around potent black cherry fruit, it extends itself with lovely threads of toast and coffee, from fermentation with native yeasts, and aging in roughly one-third new French oak.” -Paul Gregutt
 
Caladan Cabernet Franc 2017 750ml WAS $219 NOW $199 special, 12 bottles available
An offshoot of the famed Cardinale wines
Wine Enthusiast 96 Points “A top bottling of the variety, this small-production wine is structured and strong, opening reductively, with elements of tobacco leaf, oak and sage. The savory character persists in the form of leather and black pepper, allowing just a touch of sharp red fruit to enter and complement. This wine has further secrets to be revealed; enjoy best from 2027–2032.”
 
Hammer & Tongs Vermouth Sac’resine 750ml WAS $19 NOW $14.50 special, 5 bottles available
From the Producer “Sac’Resine is an original formula vermouth crafted with botanical resins of antiquity. These “Sacred Resins” were used as perfumes in rituals from birth to burial, prescribed medicinally both internally & externally, and were among the most valuable commodities dominating the ancient trade routes of South Asia and China.”
 
Hanna Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley 2020 750ml WAS $39 NOW $33 special, 23 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 93 Points “Black pepper and black olive nuances blend with black cherries and dark chocolate in this medium- to full-bodied wine that includes 24% Malbec. An elegant feel, silky texture and nicely restrained flavors give the wine a charm all its own.”
 
Melka Estates CJ Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 750ml WAS $79 NOW $69 special, 10 bottles available
Wine Spectator 91 Points “Open-knit, offering a gush of steeped plum and açaí berry flavors laced with licorice and ganache hints. Lightens up just a bit through the finish, as the structure is on the modest side, but the fruit is a joy to drink. Drink now through 2027.”
 
Postmark By Duckhorn Paso Robles Cabernet 2019 750ml NOW $16 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 91 Points “Fresh and fruity aromas of cherry and strawberry meet with notes of French toast and light herbs on the nose of this bottling. Those juicy fruits come through on the palate as well, with a baked red-cherry flavor that is framed by cigar-box and nutmeg accents.”
 
Snowden Cabernet Brothers Vineyard Napa 2017 750ml WAS $75 NOW $66 special, 19 bottles available
Vinous 93+ Points “The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Brothers Vineyard is gorgeous. In this vintage, the Brothers has a bit more tannin and overall structure than normal, but in 2017 a power outage resulted in the wine staying in tank for an extra ten days. In the end, that looks to have been a help, as the 2017 offers a terrific combination of fruit density and structure, within the mid-weight style of the year at Snowden. This is a beguiling wine that may very well turn out to be a surprise in time. Super classic, old-school, medium-bodied wine with good depth and resonance alongside notes of black cherry, leather, tobacco, licorice and gravel.”
 
Ulysses Vineyard Cabernet Oakville Napa 2018 750ml WAS $169 NOW $145 special, 18 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 99 Points “Just about pure perfection and the finest wine I’ve tasted from this address, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon yet includes smaller amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, all from a site just north of Dominus. This deep, inky hued beauty offers up a beautiful, full-bodied, richly textured, and incredibly concentrated style that carries ample black and blue fruit as well as notes of crushed stone, scorched earth, graphite, and lead pencil. It has the focused, structured style of the 2018 vintage and is going to benefit from 4-6 years (if not a decade) of bottle age and will be a 30+ year wine.”
James Suckling 98 Points “Aromas of terra cotta, chocolate and hazelnut with iron and ink. Dusty. Full-bodied and round. Layered. Flamboyant and juicy. Rather soft and gorgeous. Some walnut and chocolate at the end. Persistent. Always there. Drinkable now, but will age wonderfully.”
 

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