We’re so excited that IPNC is back up and running this year. We usually have quite a few of our California friends pop in for their once a year visit to our (usually not so hot) city. If you’re in town for the fun, welcome! To those of you who have stopped in to say hello, thank you so much for making us a part of your wine vacation. 

Great Picks from Featured Wineries – In Stock Now:

The Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2018 750ML ($44.95) $41.90 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds 92 points “Vivid red. Ripe cherry and raspberry scents reveal building floral and succulent herb flourishes. Juicy and broad in the mouth, offering plush red fruit and candied rose flavors and a spicy topnote. The spiciness carries through a long, smooth finish framed by gentle, pliant tannins.”

J.K. Carriere Glass White Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2021 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 28 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Think summer patio and a turn-of-the-century dry rosé Champagne with no bubbles.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Lingua Franca Tongue’n Cheek Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2018 750ML ($69.95) $41.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine & Spirits 94 points “Tongue ’n Cheek is blended from two blocks with shallow soil at the estate’s hilltop, on a soil series known as Gelderman (drawn from Jory with additional basalt gravels). Of the four Lingua Franca pinots in 2018, this might be the tightest, with the most bound tension and reserved intensity. While it’s still years from peak expression, there is a propulsive energy and power that opens the dark fruit to a hint of red-tinged, cranberry brightness. Give it time. —P.J.C.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Deep garnet. Expansive cherry and red currant scents, along with hints of botanical herbs and candied flowers. Juicy and penetrating in the mouth, offering black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors that take a sweeter turn through the back half. Finishes very long and subtly chewy, with repeating florality and sneaky, framing tannins. All destemmed fruit; 20% new French oak.”
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “A mix of Pommard and Calera clones, this is a blend that attempts to forge a common ground between sweetly spicy pie-cherry fruit and the more herbal, tannic, austere nature of the Calera fruit. All the parts are there to build a complete and interesting wine. Just add some bottle age—another two or three years at least. -Paul Gregutt”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $62

Gran Moraine Brut Rose, Yamhill-Carlton District NV 750ML ($59.95) $47.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Gran Moraine Brut Rose, Yamhill-Carlton District NV 750ML ($299.95) $269 special (that’s only $44.83/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Wine Spectator 94 points “That rare domestic rosé that captures the vibrant acidity of Champagne, offering delicate strawberry, raspberry flavors laced with steely minerality and sprinkle of graham cracker on the finish. Drink now through 2022. 1,000 cases made. — TF”

The average price is $54

FEL Wines Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley 2018 750ML ($39.95) $28 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Concentrated but also nervy in texture, this full-bodied wine is driven by pure black-cherry and raspberry flavors while oak accents of cinnamon and nutmeg stay just under the surface. -Jim Gordon”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $39

Domaine Simon Bize et Fils Les Talmettes, Savigny-les-Beaune Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 90-92 points “The 2018 Savigny-lès-Beaune Les Talmettes 1er Cru has a fragrant bouquet of harmonious blackberry, cranberry and bilberry scents, plus light sea spray/brine in the background. The palate is very well defined with succulent tannins, very fine acidity and a precise, persistent finish. Superb.”

Roederer Estate L’Ermitage Brut, Anderson Valley 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “Classically styled and expressively vibrant, this bubbly opens to flavors of baked apple, roasted hazelnut, clove, nutmeg and other spices. The finish fans out, building a lingering richness. Drink now through 2023. —T.F.”
John Gilman 93+ points “I know that there are a lot of extremely good sparkling wines now made in the United States, but to my palate, the Roederer Estate “l’Ermitage” bottling is the finest. The 2015 vintage of this excellent wine is composed of a cépages of fifty-two percent chardonnay and forty-eight percent pinot noir. It was finished with a dosage of eight grams per liter in this vintage. The wine delivers a superb and very refined bouquet of tart pear, apple, fresh-baked bread, a complex base of soil, discreet smokiness and a topnote of dried flowers. On the palate the wine is deep, young, full-bodied and very elegant in profile, with a lovely core, excellent soil signature, bright acids, extremely elegant mousse and a long, complex and beautifully balanced finish. This is so seamlessly balanced that it is already drinking very well at six years of age, but it has the potential to blossom and improve with bottle age and I would love to drink it a decade down the road! The 2015 is clearly a very, very special vintage for the l’Ermitage bottling at Roederer Estate! 2021 – 2045.”

Louis Roederer Cristal Millesime Brut, Champagne 2014 750ML ($379.95) $349 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 98 points “This vivid Champagne shows up-front and linear definition, thanks to rapierlike acidity, with finely meshed flavors of ripe black cherry and mandarin orange fruit, raw almond, anise and cardamom spice as well as a touch of honeycomb, which all unfurl and expand on the fine, creamy palate. Sleek acidity continues through to the finish, with additional racy character provided by a streak of minerally saline and chalk, which gains momentum through the midpalate and rings out on the well-cut, lasting finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Drink now through 2040”
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2014 Cristal is another in a long line of gorgeous wines from Roederer and long-time Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon. A dazzling, vibrant Champagne, the 2014 impresses with a stunning combination of fruit density and linear energy that brings to mind a hypothetical blend of 2012 and 2008. At times, the bubbles feel totally wrapped up in waves of creamy, resonant fruit to the point the mousse is barely perceptible, especially with aeration. The flavors are bright and finely sculpted, leaning very much into the citrus, floral and mineral end of the spectrum… The 2014 Cristal is a riveting Champagne. Don’t miss it.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2014 Cristal is a terrific effort that transcends the vintage. Bursting from the glass with expressive aromas of ripe citrus fruit, nectarine, white flowers, freshly baked bread and subtle hints of honeycomb, it’s medium to full-bodied, vinous and fleshy, with an exuberant core of fruit that’s girdled by racy acids, resulting in a wine that’s simultaneously chiseled and demonstrative, meaning that early appeal doesn’t come at the expense of the requisite tension for long-term cellaring. Concluding with a long, aromatic and intensely chalky finish, it is a brilliant Champagne that will offer a broad drinking window. This bottle was disgorged in June 2021 with seven grams per liter dosage.”
Simon Field MW-Decanter 95 points “The rollercoaster growing season of 2014 is reflected to perfection by the innate tension here; ripe citric fruit and even a touch of exoticism (mango and fig) tempered by a fine shard of acidity and a lifted ethereal character, described paradoxically by chef de caves Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon as ‘weightless density’. Purity, energy and power make for very happy bedfellows, courtesy the chalky terroir and its organic husbandry. The texture is silky, the bubbles joyfully integrated and the finish resourceful and precise, its salinity deferential to the deep-digging roots. Disgorged: June 2021. Dosage: 7g/L. Drinking Window 2022 – 2030.”

Shop our complete selection of Oregon Pinots on our web store now!

 

Rosé

Patricia Green Cellars ‘Helen Dusschee’ Tempranillo Rose, Willamette Valley 2021 750ML ($33.95) $29 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Years ago we committed to NOT making rosé because we liked drinking it too much to get into the business of crafting it. That was largely in part because of our belief that rosé should be made from red grapes that have more inherent muscularity than Pinot Noir and being up here in the Northern Willamette Valley means that access to grapes such as Mourvedre, Grenache, Carignan or Tempranillo was incredibly limited to non-existent. Little did we know that lurking within Freedom Hill Vineyard was a block of Tempranillo that they had planted in 2012 at the behest of another winery that has since left the scene.  This was picked while there were still berries that had not changed color on the cluster and accordingly this was picked at 20.3 brix (thus the 12.5% alcohol) and a TA of 7.2 which gives the wine its bright, lifted character. These gangly clusters were lightly whole-bunch pressed and racked a few times off the lees before permanently residing in a stainless steel tank for about six months before being bottled before finishing malolactic fermentation. This wine is bone-dry with plenty of acidity!”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $32

Commanderie de la Bargemone Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence Rose 2021 750ML ($24.95) $19.50 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Bright, onion-skin color. Fresh and incisive on the nose, displaying red berry, citrus fruit and floral qualities and subtle mineral and spice flourishes. Juicy and sharply focused, putting forward lithe strawberry, blood orange and honeysuckle flavors that deepen through the back half. Finishes long and silky, with the red fruit and floral notes lingering.”
    
Domaine des Cassagnoles Rose, IGP Cotes de Gascogne 2021 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grown on clay and limestone soils. Average vine age is 19 years old.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Oregon

Domaine Drouhin Oregon Roserock Zephirine Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2019 750ML ($74.95) $64.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2019 Pinot Noir Zéphirine is so expressive this vintage! Matured for 14 months in 20% new oak, it has a pure fragrance of blueberries and lilac, aniseed and earth, gaining aromatic nuance and depth with time in the glass. Medium-bodied, the palate begins with bursts of acidity and a flourish of spices that glide seamlessly through the mouth for an incredibly persistent, floral finish.”
James Suckling 97 points “Redcurrant, sour cherry and smoke on the nose. Hibiscus, too. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and lively acidity. Vibrant and juicy on the palate with a bright core of redcurrants and dried herbs. Layered and balanced, with a long, savory finish. Very vertical and deep. Drinkable now, but best from 2023.”

Nicolas-Jay Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($59.95) $45 special, 6 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “Crystal clear and precise with ripe strawberry, light spice and brightness. Sort of airy and ethereal on the nose. Full-bodied with tightness and focus, linearity and depth. Goes on for minutes. Unfined and unfiltered. Try after 2027.”
Wine & Spirits 92 points “Sleek and pure, this appellation wine has a scent of crushed plums and warm berries; a hint of tar and five-spice round it out. The flavors are focused and persistent, with a juicy midpalate and a pleasing, suede-like grip of tannins. —P.J.C. (495 cases)”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Washington

Figgins Estate Red, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 35 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97+ points “The 2018 Red Wine is another stunner from this talented team. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot aged 23 months in a mix of new and used barrels, it has an incredibly pure bouquet of both red and blue fruits as well as graphite, violets, and blood orange. Playing in the medium to full-bodied end of the spectrum, it stays tight and focused on the palate, with a beautiful mouthfeel, ripe yet firm, chalky tannins, plenty of mid-palate depth, and a great, great finish. It’s a gorgeous wine that will benefit from 3-5 years of bottle age and cruise for 15-20+ in cold cellars.”
Owen Bargreen-Vinous 97 points “The 2018 Red Wine Estate might just be the best edition ever of this incredible high-elevation bottling. It’s nothing short of a blending masterpiece by Chris Figgins and his winemaking team. This thing is massive monster of a wine that really needs several hours of air to get going. But once tamed, the aromatics explode out of the glass, unveiling dark currants, roasted figs, black rose petals and creosote tones with shades of green bell pepper from the Petit Verdot. The palate is soft and opulent in the mouth. Layers of crème de cassis, anise, violets, dark cherry cordial, graphite and espresso bean with green bell pepper undertones all brilliantly combine with a vibrant sense of tension, and firm tannins hold everything in place. While this is extraordinary to savor upon release, try your best to resist it for at least a few more years.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Top 100 Cellar Selection 2021. Aromas of macerated cherry, coffee, flower, licorice and date lead to cherry, cranberry and raspberry flavors that give a full impression on the palate. There’s plenty of precision and detail to be had, so much acidity and a quite firm tannic structure. A big, burly, beautiful wine, it will last and drink well as long as you care to keep it. Don’t go near it now. Best after 2032. -Sean P. Sullivan”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $110

France – Champagne

Suenen ‘C+C’ Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 12 bottles in stock now
2018-base
No reviews available for the 2018-base release. 2016-base review provided for reference.
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “From Suenen’s holdings Cramant and Chouilly, where the soils are deeper than in Oiry, the NV Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru C + C is based on the 2016 vintage and was disgorged in June 2019 with three grams per liters dosage. Unwinding in the glass with scents of sweet pastry, yellow apples, spices, white flowers and almonds, it’s medium-bodied, precise and racy, with tangy acids and an attractively fleshy core of fruit, concluding with a saline finish.”

Suenen Oiry Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($79.95) $64 special, 24 bottles in stock now
2018-base
No reviews available for the 2018-base release. 2016-base review provided for reference.
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “Based on the 2016 vintage, complemented by 50% reserve wines, and disgorged in January 2020 with two grams per liter dosage, the NV Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Oiry (2016) is Suenen’s latest release. It mingles aromas of citrus oil, yellow apples, nougat, English walnuts and white flowers. Medium to full-bodied, pillowy and chiseled, it’s elegantly vinous, with a charming core of fruit and a long, saline finish. Vinified 50% in tank, 50% in barrels, this cuvée represents half the estate’s total surface area.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $77

Italy – Sicily

Arianna Occhipinti Passo Nero Passito, Sicily 2019 500ML ($69.95) $66 special, 3-500ml bottles available 
Winery note “Working with the land. Loving her, respecting her, talking to her. And from there finding the courage to make new experiences, to seek new routes, starting from well-established certainties. This is also a challenge. And so I reflected, and I thought that the Nero d’Avola evolution could also be the withering as it was once used to preserve grapes in winter. The Passo Nero was born, a non-too sweet passito that maintains its original acidity. 100% Nero d’Avola grown 280 meters above sea level on red sand, chalk, and limestone rocks. Organic. Unfiltered.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Germany

Weingut Brand The Electric Acid Test Chardonnay, Pfalz 2021 750ML ($19.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
It’s light, it’s lean, it’s zippy, it’s fruity. Is it the perfect white for summer? We think so!     

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

South Africa

Winery note: Evokes flavors of Matunduru (loquat), which tastes like peach / apricot / plum.
Kumusha The Flame Lily, Slanghoek 2020 750ML ($44.95) $34.50 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Winery note “White Blend. 48% Roussanne, 35% Chenin Blanc, 13% Colombard & 4% Semillon. Apple, white peach, lemon zest & winter melon flavours. Unabashed richness and sensuality in the fruit, balanced by a surprisingly taut and minerally acidity. A beautifully textured mouthfeel complementing rich white meat & asian inspired dishes. Drinks best for up to 6 years. Winemaking: Handpicked grapes. The Chenin blanc is from registered old vines. Gently pressed into a settling tank for 36 hrs. A component of Chenin blanc was fermented until dry on the skins. Racked into old French Oak where alcoholic and Malolactic fermentation occurs spontaneously. 10 months ageing before bottling. Unfined.”
Importer note “Certified Sustainable. Roussanne 48%, Chenin Blanc 35%, Colombard 13% and Semillon 4%. The vine age: Roussane 6-year-old, Chenin Blanc 37-year-old, Colombar 17-year-old, and Semillon 22-year-old. The vineyard is located at 370 meters and the soils are mostly ancient sandstone with some granite and high clay.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Winery note: Evokes flavors of black jack leaf, which tastes like black current leaf.
Kumusha Sondagskloof Sauvignon Blanc, Walker Bay 2020 750ML ($21.95) $19 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Decanter 90 points “Hailing from cool ward Sondagskloof, which forms part of the Cape South Coast delineation. Here temperatures rarely exceed 20°C, though the sunlight hours are long making for good ripening conditions while still retaining acidity. Its flavour profile speaks of its cool origins, with top notes of blackcurrant leaf, crushed lime and green strawberry. Winter melon on the restrained but long palate; the acid is crunchy, piquant with just the softest lick of cream to a good, dry finish. Drinking Window 2022 – 2026.”
Winery note “Aromas of melon and passion fruit, fynbos and buchu, with citrus undertones. The Sondagskloof region, which forms part of the Cape South Coast lends a beautiful minerality. The wine also has a real presence on the palate in terms of texture. Should open up nicely – trust the 2nd glass you’ll have of this. Complements seafood, sushi, pasta, chicken and veal dishes.”
Importer note “Certified Sustainable. 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Sourced from a 6-hectare vineyard on shallow duplex (Weathered shale on clay) at 300-400 meters. Hand-harvested early morning and hand-sorted before crushing.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Winery note: Evokes flavors of nhunguru, which tastes like red plums.
Kumusha Pinotage, Swartland 2020 750ML ($24.95) $20.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Uniquely South African wine. A wine with depth, balance, and delicious aromas reminiscent of dark cherries and mulberries on the nose. Notes of ripe plums and hints of spice on the palate with a savory finish. Pairs well with game, turkey, spicy dishes and curries. Winemaking: This wine was made from bush vine Pinotage from the Swartland planted in the early 1990’s and is dryland farmed. 80% was destemmed and 20% left whole bunch through fermentation and maceration. Only gentle actions through fermentation as to not over extract tannins and rather create an elegant and fine example of Pinotage. Aged for 12 months in big French casks and old 500L neutral barrels. No additions and minimal intervention is the philosophy here.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Winery note: Evokes flavors of hute (waterberries), which tastes like blackberries.
Kumusha Cabernet Sauvignon – Cinsault, Slanghoek 2021 750ML ($24.95) $19.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Ripe cherries and plums flavours, with hints of pomegranate and strawberry. Complements all types of juicy red meat dishes, especially slow cooked ones. Drinks best for up to 10 years. Winemaking: Handpicked grapes. Destemmed into open top fermenters; Cinsault in cement and Cabernet Sauvignon in old oak casks. Cinsault (of which 25% is wholebunch) spontaneously fermented for 10 days after which it is pressed and racked to concrete tank. Cabernet Sauvignon underwent extended maceration in the oak casks for 30 days after which it was pressed and the wine returned to the oak casks for 8 months. After the 8 month period the two components were blended and rested for a month before bottling and rested in bottle for another 4 months.”
Importer note “Certified Sustainable. 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Cinsault. 14-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon and 23-year-old Cinsault sourced from a vineyard at 350 meters. The Cabernet Sauvignon on Tukulu soils (granite, high clay content and standstone) and Cinsault on ancient sandstone with river pebbles.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Head sommelier at Africa’s top restaurant, The Test Kitchen, Tinashe Nyamudoka founded the Kumusha winery in 2017 with help from Attie Louw, winemaker for Opstal. In his native language of Shona (Nyamudoka is originally from Zimbabwe) “Kumusha” means “your roots, your home, or your origin.” In an interview with Nigerian business news journal BusinessDay, Nyamudoka describes how the name is a reference to how certain aromas in wine evoke memories of the wild fruits he ate in his youth. His focus is lower intervention and lower alcohol wines that showcase the terroir of the stunning South African regions where the grapes are grown. 

On launching his brand, he initially had difficulty selling to local restaurants unwilling to list Black-owned wines. His response? To create a Black-owned wine section on The Test Kitchen’s list. When challenged by a manager for including a Black rival somm’s wine, his response was to pour to it blind for a tasting menu to let it speak for itself (read the whole story here). Through his perseverance and drive, Nyamudoka broke barriers to entry into a wine and fine dining world that all too frequently underrepresents and suppresses Black voices. 

We’re offering a selection from the wide range he produces. From the premium range is the Flame Lily, a white blend meant to be enjoyed with food (a somm’s work is never done!). It offers a complex approach and persistent minerality to the finish and can pair with a range of dishes from heavily spiced stews to grilled veggies to fresh salads. Nyamudoka’s second range is intended to highlight unusual blends and the obscure and visually stunning winegrowing regions of South Africa.

“Historically, wine production has been associated with generational wealth and upper- class societies who are consumed with the exclusivity of the beverage’s culture. However, this young, black Zimbabwean is shattering this stereotype in epic proportions.” -Vimbai Mutinhiri Ekpenyong, BusinessDay

Arriving Friday from Kumusha Wines:

Winery note: Evokes flavors of Matunduru (loquat), which tastes like peach / apricot / plum.
Kumusha The Flame Lily, Slanghoek 2020 750ML ($44.95) $34.50 pre-arrival special
Winery note “White Blend. 48% Roussanne, 35% Chenin Blanc, 13% Colombard & 4% Semillon. Apple, white peach, lemon zest & winter melon flavours. Unabashed richness and sensuality in the fruit, balanced by a surprisingly taut and minerally acidity. A beautifully textured mouthfeel complementing rich white meat & asian inspired dishes. Drinks best for up to 6 years. Winemaking: Handpicked grapes. The Chenin blanc is from registered old vines. Gently pressed into a settling tank for 36 hrs. A component of Chenin blanc was fermented until dry on the skins. Racked into old French Oak where alcoholic and Malolactic fermentation occurs spontaneously. 10 months ageing before bottling. Unfined.”
Importer note “Certified Sustainable. Roussanne 48%, Chenin Blanc 35%, Colombard 13% and Semillon 4%. The vine age: Roussane 6-year-old, Chenin Blanc 37-year-old, Colombar 17-year-old, and Semillon 22-year-old. The vineyard is located at 370 meters and the soils are mostly ancient sandstone with some granite and high clay.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Winery note: Evokes flavors of black jack leaf, which tastes like black current leaf.
Kumusha Sondagskloof Sauvignon Blanc, Walker Bay 2020 750ML ($21.95) $19 pre-arrival special
Decanter 90 points “Hailing from cool ward Sondagskloof, which forms part of the Cape South Coast delineation. Here temperatures rarely exceed 20°C, though the sunlight hours are long making for good ripening conditions while still retaining acidity. Its flavour profile speaks of its cool origins, with top notes of blackcurrant leaf, crushed lime and green strawberry. Winter melon on the restrained but long palate; the acid is crunchy, piquant with just the softest lick of cream to a good, dry finish. Drinking Window 2022 – 2026.”
Winery note “Aromas of melon and passion fruit, fynbos and buchu, with citrus undertones. The Sondagskloof region, which forms part of the Cape South Coast lends a beautiful minerality. The wine also has a real presence on the palate in terms of texture. Should open up nicely – trust the 2nd glass you’ll have of this. Complements seafood, sushi, pasta, chicken and veal dishes.”
Importer note “Certified Sustainable. 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Sourced from a 6-hectare vineyard on shallow duplex (Weathered shale on clay) at 300-400 meters. Hand-harvested early morning and hand-sorted before crushing.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Winery note: Evokes flavors of nhunguru, which tastes like red plums.
Kumusha Pinotage, Swartland 2020 750ML ($24.95) $20.90 pre-arrival special
Winery note “Uniquely South African wine. A wine with depth, balance, and delicious aromas reminiscent of dark cherries and mulberries on the nose. Notes of ripe plums and hints of spice on the palate with a savory finish. Pairs well with game, turkey, spicy dishes and curries. Winemaking: This wine was made from bush vine Pinotage from the Swartland planted in the early 1990’s and is dryland farmed. 80% was destemmed and 20% left whole bunch through fermentation and maceration. Only gentle actions through fermentation as to not over extract tannins and rather create an elegant and fine example of Pinotage. Aged for 12 months in big French casks and old 500L neutral barrels. No additions and minimal intervention is the philosophy here.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Winery note: Evokes flavors of hute (waterberries), which tastes like blackberries.
Kumusha Cabernet Sauvignon – Cinsault, Slanghoek 2021 750ML ($24.95) $19.90 pre-arrival special
Winery note “Ripe cherries and plums flavours, with hints of pomegranate and strawberry. Complements all types of juicy red meat dishes, especially slow cooked ones. Drinks best for up to 10 years. Winemaking: Handpicked grapes. Destemmed into open top fermenters; Cinsault in cement and Cabernet Sauvignon in old oak casks. Cinsault (of which 25% is wholebunch) spontaneously fermented for 10 days after which it is pressed and racked to concrete tank. Cabernet Sauvignon underwent extended maceration in the oak casks for 30 days after which it was pressed and the wine returned to the oak casks for 8 months. After the 8 month period the two components were blended and rested for a month before bottling and rested in bottle for another 4 months.”
Importer note “Certified Sustainable. 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Cinsault. 14-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon and 23-year-old Cinsault sourced from a vineyard at 350 meters. The Cabernet Sauvignon on Tukulu soils (granite, high clay content and standstone) and Cinsault on ancient sandstone with river pebbles.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

“Cavallotto may very well be the greatest Barolo producer few people have ever heard of, something that continues to mystify me…Readers who appreciate a firm, classic style of Barolo will want to spend some time getting to know Cavallotto.” – Antonio Galloni

Cavallotto is a top tier, old school producer of Barolo.  They make wines that are impressively ageworthy and every bit as good as producers whose wines go for 50%-100% more per bottle than the top wines from Cavallotto, but somehow manage to stay at the edges of the mainstream Barolo drinker.  We notice that our customers who buy Cavallotto buy a lot of Piemontese wines—they’re very in the know drinkers.

Unfortunately (for everyone else) that enthusiasm hasn’t yet spread, which is something we’d like to change.  These are incredibly expressive wines and are very true to their vineyard terroirs. Antoni Galloni describes them as “made in a style that offers the fruit density of contemporary Barolos with the structural underpinnings that are found in more traditionally made wines.”  We agree—these are special wines and deserve a (major) place in your cellar.

In Stock and On Sale Now:

Cavallotto Bricco Boschis, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($89.95) Was $68.50, Now $61.90 Three Day Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “The 2017 Barolo Bricco Boschis is highly aromatic with anise, dried leather, and burnt orange. Ripe and structured, it offers ripe cherry, turned forest floor, and a long finish. The warmth of the vintage is felt while remaining fresh. Drink 2024-2042.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Aromas of rose, wild berries, leather and sunbaked underbrush come to the forefront. The wine was made with organically farmed grapes, and the palate shows an earthy elegance, featuring ripe cherry, blood orange, star anise and hints of truffle before closing on an iron note. Firm but refined tannins provide support. Drink 2027–2032. “
Decanter 94 points “In 2017, Cavallotto’s Bricco Boschis debuts a new label reporting the precise quantity of bottles produced. All but a monopole since 2014, today Alfio Cavallotto manages 15.4 of the Bricco’s 17 hectares. A fiercely traditional Barolo, it has a rather rustic, meaty profile, with dark fruits and earthy, tarry tones softened by rose. The assertive palate of firm, muscular and dusty tannins is well supported by great fruit concentration. A true Barolo, rather old fashioned yet with great potential for the long haul.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “Available in numbered bottles, the organic Cavallotto 2017 Barolo Bricco Boschis is a generous and fleshed out expression that opens to immediate aromas of cherry, wild plum and cassis. There are floral notes as well, and some spice, licorice and grilled herb. Like many of the Barolos I tasted from this vintage, the bouquet is accessible and generous now, but the wine is tannic and more austere in terms of mouthfeel, requiring extra bottle age. The hope is that both the bouquet and the palate will evolve at the same pace. From 45-year-old vines, this was a release of exactly 19,410 bottles and 999 magnums.”

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Cavallotto Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe, Barolo Riserva DOCG 2015 750ML ($189.95) $139 special, 28 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 98 points “The 2015 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe is ripe with dried plum, saddle leather, crushed rock, and tar. Revealing a mineral-rich earth and full structure, with black tea, dried porcini, and cherry pit, it is warming with a wintery feel. This is a great one to lay down and check in on in 4-6 years. Drink 2025-2050. Located in Castiglione Falletto, Cavallotto has owned the estate Tenuta Bricco Boschis. It is operated today by the fourth generation of the estate, Laura, Alfio, and Giuseppe. In the cellar, they utilize 20- to 100-hectoliter untoasted Slavonian oak botti.”
Wine Enthusiast 98 points “Aromas of underbrush, camphor, new leather and woodland berries mingle with a whiff of pressed rose petal on this compelling red. Still youthfully austere but already incredibly delicious, it delivers raspberry compote, truffle, tobacco and licorice framed in tightly knit, noble tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it balanced. Another fantastic showing from this wonderful estate. Drink 2025–2040. -Kerin O’Keefe”
Antonio Galloni 96 points “Cavallotto’s 2015 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe rounds out this trio of new releases. A big, strapping wine, the 2015 possesses remarkable intensity to match its classic, mid-weight frame. Like all of these Barolos, it seems to have less overt fruit and more classicism. Camphor, licorice, menthol, pine, underbrush and scorched earth all run through the 2015, a big, brawny Riserva that will delight for many years to come. The 2015 San Giuseppe is what Barolo is all about. It’s a must for Cavallotto fans.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “The flagship wine from the talented Cavallotto family, comprising 8,938 bottles and 666 magnums, the 2015 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe is still quite young but equally promising at its release. This is one of my favorite vineyard sites, and Castiglione Falletto, located at the center of the appellation, boasts prime positioning that unites the best qualities of its surroundings. Keeping in line with the vintage characteristics, the wine is generous in terms of aromas and fleshed out in terms of mouthfeel. There is plenty of red and purple fruit, and the wine gains complexity, thanks to pretty appearances of blue flower, spice, toast and powdery earth. The 2015 vintage is slightly softer and more accessible overall compared to the tightly knit 2013 and 2010 editions, two classic vintages for this Riserva.”
Decanter 96 points “Alfio Cavallotto, a well known organic producer in Castiglione Falletto, owns 15.5 hectares of Bricco Boschis from its total of 17ha – it was a monopole of the estate until 2014. Vigna San Giuseppe is located at the top of the cru, where the soils are even sandier than in other parts of the MGA, due to the simultaneous presence of Diano sandstones and sandy Sant’Agata Fossili marls. His 2015 is as much austere as detailed: rose, plum and prune aromas are joined by smoky woodland and a depth of forest floor. Prunes appear on the palate too, with an earthy minerality and muscular yet ripe, sweet tannins due to old vines (around 50 years old). This also displays refreshing acidity and balanced alcohol. Extremely consistent with the vintage, it is now available and ready for the long haul. Drinking Window 2021 – 2040.”

Cavallotto Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe, Barolo Riserva DOCG 2013 1.5L ($419.95) $349 special, 3 magnums in stock now
Cavallotto Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe, Barolo Riserva DOCG 2013 3L ($849.95) $699 special, 2 double-magnums in stock now
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 100 points “Cellar Selection. A dazzling showing that combines Old School structure with finesse, this stunning red offers sublime aromas of rose, camphor, dark-skinned berry and new leather. Full bodied and delicious, the compelling palate delivers fruit purity and complexity, featuring ripe Marasca cherry, raspberry compote, star anise and tobacco. A backbone of noble tannins and vibrant acidity keeps it impeccably balanced. 2025–2053.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 99 points “The Cavallotto 2013 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe feels magically cool even as the wine warms in the glass. Eucalyptus, menthol and medicinal herbs rise from the bouquet, with dark fruit and savory spice in tow. When you first open the bottle, it shows a distinct mineral character with crushed aspirin, limestone and graphite. I opened a second bottle a few days before this tasting and had both bottles side by side to compare. Both showed impressive results with a pristine level of focus, sharpness and linearity. With aeration, those dark fruit nuances come to the forefront, showing dried cherry, plum and candied orange peel. A few hours later, you pick up on leather, tobacco and cedar wood. This is a fluid and ever-changing wine that is well worth adding to your cellar selection. What a beauty.”
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2013 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe is fabulous. The aromatics alone are thrilling. This is what Barolo is all about. Rose petal, holiday spice cake, leather, blood orange and macerated cherry abound. Silky and powerful, the 2013 shows tons of density on the palate and yet remains light on its feet for such a big wine. The wine’s sensuality offers a mirage of accessibility, but the 2013 is best cellared for at least a handful of years. There is nothing like Barolo, and this is a terrific example. The 2013 saw 36-38 days on the skins followed by five years in cask, with a preference for larger and more neutral oak that allows for a more gradual pace of aging in the cellar than smaller casks.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “A classically proportioned Barolo, featuring cherry, plum, tar, iron and eucalyptus flavors, with floral hints. Dense and tannic, offering balance and a long, mouthwatering finish. Solid tannins are offset by ripe fruit and fresh acidity. Best from 2023 through 2046. 777 cases made, 300 cases imported. — BS”

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“The team at Corliss continues to pretty much knock it out of the park in every vintage. These aren’t shy wines by any measure, yet they hold onto a terrific sense of elegance and freshness and are beautiful wines readers will love.” –Jeb Dunnuck 

Corliss Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 2016 750ML ($109.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 97 points “Dark medium ruby. Multidimensional nose melds crushed currant, blueberry, blackberry, violet, licorice and coffee. Boasts extraordinary grain and textural density: plush, broad and savory, saturating every square millimeter of the mouth without leaving any impression of weightiness. Utterly classic Cabernet with serious inherent sweetness to its dark berry, licorice and floral flavors. Finishes with noble tannins, an element of sexy oak spices and incredible mounting length. I found myself wondering if this impeccably balanced wine (the pH is 3.8 at the most, according to assistant winemaker Elliott) will ever really shut down in the bottle. Still, it would be a shame not to give it at least a couple years of cellaring when it’s released in the fall of 2021. (this Cabernet Sauvignon actually contains tiny percentages of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, but the two varieties make up less than 5% of the wine).”
Anthony Mueller-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2016 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon opens with a deep core of fruit and dusty minerality on the nose, with underlying aromas of rich red cherries, black plum, cassis and a soft, savory tone. Full-bodied on the palate, the wine is still youthfully tight, with a firm, structured and broad-shouldered core and long, complex finish. Boldly structured tannins and a firm crunchiness to the wine make this serious Cabernet a special treat. You can bet that once it’s released, this is going to be a collector’s wine. Just give it time—it’s going to age like a champion. 955 cases produced.”
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “All varietal and aged in 70% new oak, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon sports a deep purple color as well as impressive Cabernet notes of blackcurrants, tobacco leaf, chocolate, and cedar pencil. It’s a rich, powerful, full-bodied wine with plenty of mid-palate depth, ripe, polished tannins, and a great finish. It needs 3-5 years of bottle age but is a beautiful wine that’s going to age gracefully. Hats off to winemaker Andrew Trio for another beautiful set of wines!”

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Sommelier and Riesling Legend Paul Greico once said, “If F.X. was a guitarist, Jimmy Page would stand aside” and no truer hyperbole has ever been uttered in the world of wine.  F.X. Pichler stands as one of the two or three most important Austrian producers and hands down the winery crafting the most powerful, complex and bombastic dry Riesling and Gruner Veltliner on the planet.

In spite of being the birthplace of biodynamic farming and the strictest farming standards in the European Union, the wines of Austria remain critically undervalued. There is no better example of this than that of FX Pichler, one of the best producers in the country. Take your pick between the multigenerational team of family winemakers, picture perfect estate, and exceptionally old vines and you’ll see their exceptional reputation evidenced in spades. 

The wines are unique in that no one else seems to wrangle power, freshness and complexity into a single package quite like this wizard of the Wachau. These wines are legendary for their combination of richness and electric minerality. With a combination of intensive viticulture, native fermentations and great terroir, the wines are unlike anything else in the world. Broad and powerful, with a cut and minerality that’s unique, these are wines to drink now and to age, as well.  These are perfect wines for any celebratory occasion and will also age beautifully for the next decade or two.

In Stock Now from F.X. Pichler:

F.X. Pichler Loibner Gruner Veltliner Federspiel, Wachau 2019 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now    
Stuart Pigott 91 points “Positively green aromas with so much freshness and energy, but still far removed from anything sauvignon blanc-like. Lovely juicy fruit, but also good depth at the finish. Drink now.”

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The average price nationally is $34

F.X. Pichler Loibner Klostersatz Gruner Veltliner Federspiel, Wachau 2019 750ML ($41.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “Very fresh with great summer-meadow and herbal aromas, married to a medium body that’s full of energy and wet-stone character. Crisp and deep at the finish. Drink now.”

F.X. Pichler Durnsteiner Liebenberg Gruner Veltliner Smaragd, Wachau 2019 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 9 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “A very striking gruner veltliner that’s seriously introverted, offering so much herbal and licorice character, but almost no fruit. The power is underplayed, the body restrained and the salty finish is still tightly wound. Great aging potential here. Drink or hold.”

F.X. Pichler “M” Gruner Veltliner Smaragd, Wachau 2019 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 8 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 98 points “Very full-bodied with Grand Cru Burgundy-like personality, but there’s still only a hint of exotic fruit. The tannin-mineral-acidity structure is really extraordinary, because not only does it give the wine such sharp contours, but it also provides a very clean, intense finish. Drink or hold.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96+ points “The 2019 Grüner Veltliner Smaragd M is from Lucas Pichler’s top Veltliner sites (alone, the Loibenberg makes 50% of the assemblage, but there is also fruit from the Kollmütz and the Mühlpoint), predominantly vinified in oak, but with a monthly bâtonnage to manage the higher alcohol. It has an intense citrus color and opens with a deep, intense and fresh, finely mineral and lemony, refreshingly flinty bouquet with just a very attractive hint of toast and oak. Fine and juicy on the palate, this is a full-bodied, rich, intense, dry and elegant M with a lovely roundness but also mineral tension and this fascinating crystalline acidity that lifts the candied pineapple aromas and the alcohol on the aftertaste. This is a generous but elegant M that has the body and texture of a Rhône wine but the sharp and crystalline acidity of the Wachau. A great wine to enjoy over many years. 14.5% alcohol. Tasted at the domain in June 2021.”

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F.X. Pichler Loibner Burgstall Riesling Federspiel, Wachau 2019 750ML ($41.95) $36 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 92 points “Super crisp and crunchy with a slightly tart peach character that is so invigorating. Great mineral freshness at the finish. Drink or hold.”

F.X. Pichler Loibner Loibenberg Riesling Smaragd, Wachau 2019 750ML ($74.95) $66 special, 5 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 97 points “It’s hard to imagine a more attractive and enticing dry riesling than this cornucopia of peach, apricot and mandarin that’s so curvaceous and seductive. However, behind all this extravagance is a firm core and that’s why it doesn’t seem in any way too much. The long, elegant finish teases you gently back to the glass. Drink or hold.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2019 Ried Loibenberg Riesling Smaragd is beautifully clear and radiant in its lime-green color. The nose is terrific in its refreshing mineral and stunningly coolish aromas of limes and lemons, white peach and apricots and crisp paprika notes. Round and lush but refined and crystalline on the palate, this is a tight and crisp, beautifully phenolic and stimulating Riesling with super ripe and almost sweet fruit (extract) but also fine tannins and a crisp and grippy finish. Very elegant. A classic! 13.5% alcohol. Tasted at the domain in June 2021.”

F.X. Pichler Loibner Loibenberg Riesling Smaragd, Wachau 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 92 points “Warm and intense on the nose, ripe and concentrated white fruit aromas open the 2015 Riesling Smaragd Loibner Loibenberg, which is pure and citric on the nose and very inviting. Pure, fresh and piquant on the palate, this is rather coolish and stunningly lean and pure Loibenberg compared to the corresponding Grüner Veltliner. Lucas believes that Riesling has eventually stopped the ripening process during the vegetation period. This 2015 has grip and tension and a rather coolish character.”
David Schildknecht-Vinous 92 points “Offering a predictably riper impression than the corresponding Steinertal, this delivers peach, Persian melon and banana, with a garland of rose petals that could have come from Gewürztraminer. Yet for all of its ripeness and the expansiveness of a glycerol-rich palate, it manages to convey a lovely sense of lift, while hints of peach kernel and grapefruit zest lend welcome, stimulating counterpoint to the impressively sustained finish.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “A concentrated, peach-flavored white, with accents of honey, anise and apple exuding ripeness, while citrusy acidity reigns everything in. Stretches out lazily on the finish. Drink now through 2020.”

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F.X. Pichler “M” Riesling Smaragd, Wachau 2015 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 2 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht–Vinous 91-92 points “Reliance on late-harvested Loibenberg fruit resulted in a bottling that finished with too much residual sugar to qualify as Smaragd. (More thoroughly shriveled Loibenberg fruit resulted in a B.A. and T.B.A.) Lusciously ripe peach is tinged with banana and mingled with almond extract and liquid heliotrope perfume. Fortunately, a measure of grapefruit is not only pungently fragrant but also brightly juicy and piquantly zesty, helping – along with piquancy of peach kernel – to offset this bottling’s enveloping richness and sheer surfeit of ripe, sugar-reinforced fruit. The impressively sustained finish is, however, not at all overtly sweet.”

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F.X. Pichler Loibner Steinertal Riesling Smaragd, Wachau 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 18 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht–Vinous 93-94 points “White peach and grapefruit aromas mingle with honeysuckle on an enticing nose, and the three reunite on a glossy palate lusciously ripe and loaded with liquid floral perfume but simultaneously exuberantly and invigoratingly bright. The finish offers prolonged counterpoint of fruity, floral and stony elements. This bottling displays a combination of penetration, refinement and balancing acidity that is rare for an Austrian Riesling of its vintage.”

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