Can you think of a wine more versatile than sweeter wines? There are few culinary experiences that can compare to eating something high in fat or exceptionally spicy with a sweeter style of wine. This is on account of the sweetness acting as a palate cleanser and the acid cutting through the fat. In addition to their organoleptic properties, acidity will act as a check and balance for the residual sugar (With some examples being perceptibly dry as a result!). For a more heightened experience, wines that have undergone botrytis and bottle age offer additional characteristics like crystallized ginger, Manuka honey, honeysuckle and caramel, in addition to greater complexity.

Eiswein is among the hardest wines to make on the planet, and is becoming rarer as climate change advances. This is on account of the time the Riesling grapes must spend on the vine as decreed by German law. During the extended hang time the grapes will freeze and thaw multiple times, further concentrating the sugars and acids. There’s an endless list of things that could go wrong for the selected clusters during this time. Between the risks of rotting, not freezing enough to be harvested as eiswein or simply eaten by passing critters you can see why production quantities are minuscule to say the least.

If that wasn’t herculean enough, the grapes are legally required to be harvested by hand and processed entirely frozen (Usually requiring harvest to be done between dusk and dawn). After all that the resulting wine features an entire kaleidoscope of flavors ranging from pineapple, lychee, guava, passionfruit, and Valencia orange. There’s also a definite mineral character on the finish, with an electric acidity that acts as a through line. These are among the most compelling sweet wines in the world, and one of the most endangered styles at that.          

Eiswein in stock now:

Weingut Korrell Johanneshof Kreuznacher Paradies Riesling Eiswein Nahe 2016 375ML ($99.95) $79 special, 23 half-bottles in stock now
***Half bottle***
Grapelive 94 points “Korrell is one of the Nahe’s latest break out stars and every wine I’ve tried from Martin Korrell has been absolutely stunning, including this Eiswein. Crafted from old vines at their estate monopole Paradies Vineyard in Bad Kreuznach, from those grapes that hang out until the first freeze and were individual berry picked off the vine. Concentrated in sugars, but still bristling with natural acidity the gorgeous and opulent 2016 Korrell Eiswein Paradies goes on and on in mouth. Even with the residual sugar levels off the carts, this wine stays incredibly balanced and doesn’t drink as sweet as you’d imagine, making for a heavenly experience from its perfumed nose to its lingering tropical fruits. This is entrancing stuff with layers of lychee, candied pineapple, apricot jelly, honeycomb, lime blossom, white roses, chamomile, a hint of spearmint, mineral spice and cool wet stone. A rare and exotic, this Korrell Eiswein is treat beyond words, and, while the Mosel is better known for sweet wines, I have found the Nahe in some vintages are more than equal. In fact I still think a contender for the greatest wine I ever tasted was one of Donnhoff’s version of Eiiswein from just up the river! While Tokaji and Sauternes grab sweet wine headlines, I honestly believe the Germans have them beat with TBA’s and Eiswein, because of the racy acidity that still remains in these Riesling beauties. Korrell used specially selected yeasts as there is no chance to do Sponti on the ultra-concentrated Paradies Eiswein, it needs extra special attention to detail, Korrell adds. It is pressed in a special small press for sweet wines with low quantity, read tiny production, but not wooden because they don’t want too much air contact [so as] to keep and preserve the exotic fruit aromas as much as possible as well as fresh details. Tasted from 375ml, half bottle, the 2016 Korrell Paradies Eiswein is an amazing product, and sadly isn’t listed in the United States as of yet, though their Trocken(s) should be available later this spring or early summer, so remember this one for if and when you get to Germany.”   
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Weingut Prinz Hallgartener Wurzgarten Riesling Eiswein 2016 375ML ($149.95) $119 special, 12 half-bottles in stock now
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Himmelreich Riesling Eiswein Mosel 2016 375ML ($119.95) $99 special, 2 half-bottles in stock now 
Super Subscriber Sale Wine!
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96 points “Picked on the 5th of December, the 2016 Zeltinger Himmelreich Riesling Eiswein (AP 14 17) has a very clear and concentrated bouquet of pineapples and weathered slate. Sweet yet piquant and elegant on the palate, this is a highly finessed and salty-piquant picture-book ice wine with lingering salinity and grip. This is super precise and perfectly balanced. Tasted February 2018.”
Mosel Fine Wines 96 points “The 2016er Zeltinger Himmelreich Eiswein was made from clean frozen grapes harvested at 135° Oechsle on December 5. It proves still rather reduced yet already hints at a vibrant array of fruits including cassis, pear, grapefruit and pineapple. The wine is still on the sweet side on the palate at this early stage but the great cassis infused fruity feel in the finish already shows the true greatness to come. This desperately needs a few years of bottle aging but should then prove a terrific example of fruit-driven Eiswein. 2021-2036+”

We carry an extensive collection of German dessert wines including Auslese, Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese!
 

Andre Clouet ‘Dream Vintage’ Brut Champagne 2008 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “Such a classic Blanc de Blancs champagne with the special elegance, brilliance and minerality of the 2008 vintage. Very well structured, but without the austere acidity structure that some 2008s have. Long and very clean finish that sends you back to the glass. 100% chardonnay. Drink or hold.”
 

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Charles Ellner Seduction Brut Millesime Champagne 2007 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 92 points “A toasty hint of grilled nut adds savory richness to this bright, light-footed Champagne. The firm acidity is well-meshed to notes of yellow plum, candied ginger and lemon curd. Not a powerhouse, but fresh and balanced. Drink now through 2027. — AN”     
 

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Ama No To ‘Heaven’s Door’ Tokubetsu Junmai Sake Japan 720ML ($39.95) $33 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Off-Dry + Floral
VinpolNote: Ama No To is A “Grower Saké” (Made by the farmers who grew the rice since the brewery’s founding in 1917) from Akita Prefecture, one of the most northerly areas of the Japanese Mainland. Translating to “Heaven’s Door” the name and magatama on the label is derived from Shinto scriptures regarding Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess and patron of rice cultivation. Tasting notes include dried chamomile, Arabian jasmine, cloves, golden apple and white miso with an off dry level of sweetness and light body.
 

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Clos Cibonne Cotes de Provence Cuvee Tradition Rose France 2019 750ML ($39.95) $30.50 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Wine & Spirits 94 points “Vinified in the estate’s 100-year-old foudres and aged under a veil of yeast, this tibouren-dominant blend is dense and butterscotch-scented, needing time in the glass to unpack. It slowly moves toward fruity notes of button mushrooms, then turns more savory, finishing on notes of wild thyme and bitter orange, limestone and sea air. Decant before serving, and pair with roasted fish dusted with za’atar.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Light, shimmering orange. Intensely perfumed aromas of fresh red berries, citrus pith and pit fruits are complemented by building floral and mineral notes. Supple and energetic on the palate, offering concentrated white peach, strawberry and kumquat flavors that show sharp definition and turn firmer on the back half. Shows firm tension the impressively long, focused finish, which leaves a suave floral note behind.”
De Maison Selections note “Clos Cibonne’s iconic Cuvée Tradition stands uniquely apart from other rosés as a classic, one-of-a-kind Côtes de Provence rosé featuring the tibouren grape in the lead role. Cuvée Tradition is legendary amongst experienced French wine collectors for its texture, substance, and ability to age gracefully for a decade or more. It is a limited wine made exclusively with estate-grown, organic tibouren grapes, and a bit of grenache to meet Côtes de Provence blending guidelines. The vineyard, one of 18 Crus Classés of Côtes de Provence, consists of traditional goblet trained vines located close to the Mediterranean Sea in the foothills of the Maures mountains, overlooking Toulon’s harbor. The microclimate of Clos Cibonne is especially important to the uniqueness of the wines, as the proximity of the ocean brings much needed cool air to the vineyards in the summer months. Their location at the foot of the Maures mountains ensures good east-west ventilation, which is ideal for the health and balance of the vineyard.
Vintage Notes – The 2019 Côtes de Provence vintage was low-yielding and high quality, a fine balance between fruit complexity and fresh thirst-quenching acidity. While the hot summer and ongoing dry season gave lower yields, the vines remained healthy and refreshed by their microclimate, providing an ideal marriage of fruit concentration and acidity.”

Chateau Fieuzal L’Abeille de Fieuzal Blanc Pessac Leognan 2018 750ML ($41.95) $34.50 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “The estate has made a reputation for its white wines. This second wine reflects the equilibrium and ripeness of the top white while having a lighter, more instantly accessible character. With judicious wood aging, it will be ready from 2022. -Roger Voss”
Importer note “Fieuzal’s historic terroir – known for exceptional whites – produces spectacularly balanced and structured wines with critical acclaim – and relative value.  Fieuzal has converted entirely to organic practices, in short becoming a completely sustainable ‘working wine farm’.  This very well-made second wine, ‘L’Abeille’ comes from the same estate fruit as the Grand Vin, albeit with slightly different cepage.  (54% Sauv Blanc, 46% Semillon) Abeille transports us into summertime with aromas of lime, dill, straw, acacia, white flowers and flint.  Richly textured, with fine balance and a touch of salinity on the finish.”
 

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De Venoge Louis XV de Venoge Brut Millésime, Champagne 2008 750ML ($299.95) $249 special, 16 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “This is really punchy and broad-shouldered with muscular structure and citrusy undertones. Full body. Lightly tannic and a fresh and vivid finish. This is the first vintage without malolactic fermentation ever. One for the cellar. Better in 2022.”
Wine Advocate 93+ points “The straw-yellow/white-golden colored 2008 Louis XV Brut Millésimé blends 50% Chardonnay (20 % from Avize, 15% from Oger and 15% from Mesnil) with 50% Pinot Noir (41.5% from Verzenay and 8.5% from Bouzy). Disgorged in January 2018 with a dosage of six grams per liter, the 2008 displays a clear, pure, fresh, chalky-tinged and vinous nose with lemon, white fruits, brioche, hazelnuts, white blossoms and some caramel notes. Pure, lean, fresh and elegant on the palate, with a lingering hazelnut flavor, this is a straight yet complex cuvée with grip and a long, well-structured and textured finish. This 2008 is still terribly fresh and should benefit from further bottle aging. For the moment, I am missing the mouth-filling generosity of the 2006 and 1995. Mind that this is the first vintage of de Venoge’s prestigious Louis XV where the base wines didn’t undergo malolactic fermentation! Total production: 10,326 bottles. Tasted October 2018.”
 

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De Venoge ‘Princes’ Tour Eiffel 130 Anniversary Edition Champagne  NV 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Envie de Champagne “The Maison De Venoge was founded in 1837 by Henri-Marc De Venoge. Innovation in the production and marketing of champagnes were the founding values of this of champagne house, which won the Excellence Price in Philadelphia in 1876. A few years later, in 1889, during the World Fair in Paris, the house became the partner of the event. This exhibition celebrated the centenary of the French Revolution and it is on this occasion that the Tower designed by Gustave Eiffel has been inaugurated. This monument, with a height of 312 meters during its construction can now 337 meters in 2019 following the installation of antennas. In addition to its cultural and tourist use, the Eiffel Tower is used as a transmitter for TV and radio programs. The Eiffel Tower, object of discord at the time of its creation has become today the most visited paying monument of France. It has about 7 million visitors a year. It is also inseparable from the history of the French capital. For the 130 years of this first collaboration, De Venoge signs a beautiful partnership with the company in charge of the exploitation of the iron lady (surname of the Eiffel Tower). This collaboration is obvious because of  the common history of both parties but also because of the characteristic shape of the bottles of the Princes cuvée. This limited edition vintage is named “Cuvée Princes Tour Eiffel”. Only 10,000 bottles have been marketed for this partnership.”
 

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Dr. Burklin-Wolf Wachenheimer Riesling Trocken Pfalz 2017 ($24.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 92 points “Slightly funky (from wild ferment) but also great citrus, pear and peach aromas. Good concentration for a village wine with quite a linear profile. Very clean finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
 

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Weingut Kunstler Riesling Feinherb Rheingau 2020 750ML ($27.95) $26 special, 13 bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 90 points “The Riesling Weiser-Künstler, as it is referred to on the main label (the reference to the vintage is left for the back label), is a barely off-dry wine (with 15 g/l of residual sugar) made from Estate’s holdings and from grapes sourced at a befriended organic grower in the Enkircher Steffensberg. It offers a stunning and pure nose which screams Mosel as beautifully scents of freshly cut flowers, white peach, a dash of whipped cream, a hint of blood orange, and slate emerge from the glass. The wine proves delicately off dry on the delicious and well-balanced palate and leaves a subtly ample feel of ripe fruits, zest of citrusy fruits, slate, and smoke. This is a truly remarkable Estate wine! Now-2030.”
 

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The Vertex of the Veneto:
Amarone Selections 
 

Have you ever wanted to try an Amarone wine but found the cost prohibitive? We carry selections across numerous price levels. The pride of the Veneto for hundreds of years, Amarone’s are among the most labor intensive and expensive wines to produce. This is attributable to a number of factors including the finicky nature of the grapes used for the blend, the months of drying prior to fermentation and extensive aging required prior to release.   

Made from the traditional blend of Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella; There are the classic flavors of Morello cherry, prunes and dark chocolate underscored by violets, pipe tobacco and roses with a finish of butterscotch. The body of the wine slightly edges out the acid and has an exceptionally long finish that goes on for minutes.     

Amarone Selections in stock now:

Cantine Pra Morandina Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso Veneto 2018 750ML ($39.95) $29 special, 35 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 92 points “Plenty of dried cherries, berries, figs, walnuts and hints of raisins. It’s full-bodied and chewy with polish and brightness at the same time. Drink or hold.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 89 points “The 2018 Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore Morandina captivatingly blends black cherries, sweet herbs and clove, all in a cloud of white smoke minerality. Its deep, silky textures usher in fleshy red fruits and spice, yet all remains fresh and vibrant throughout. Notes of dark chocolate and inner rose tones resonate while this tapers off, leaving the palate perfectly refreshed. Very nice.”

Ca’ La Bionda Valpolicella Classico Veneto 2020 750ML ($19.95) $17 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Winery note “70% Corvina, 20% Corvinone, 10% Rondinella and Molinara. From the historically classic zone of the Valpolicella. The wine opens with a nose of fresh red fruits and floral notes that recall violets. Elegant and light, this wine is all about freshness and easy drinking, a wine to drink everyday in good company and with a wide variety of Italian style foods from pasta to roast meats. This Valpolicella is fermented in stainless steel tanks at a maximum temperature of 25°C. Following fermentation the wine is left to rest on its skins for a period of 10 days. A further ageing period of 3 months follows before the wine is bottled and released commercially.”
 

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Farina Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG Veneto 2017 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “A nose of redcurrants, plums, spices, nuts and mocha. It’s medium-to full-bodied with chewy tannins. Balanced and focused with a nice structure and a creamy texture on the palate. Flavorful finish with delicious length. Supple. Drink or hold.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 91 points “The 2017 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico opens up with an inviting yet somewhat understated mix of peppery florals, cherry liquor, plums and sage. Here I’m finding silky textures offset by tart wild berry fruits, salty minerals and brisk acids in an expression that is much more savory than sweet. A coating of fine tannins lingers, along with a note of baker’s chocolate. I have to give Farina credit for creating such a versatile and balanced expression of Amarone.”

Garganuda Valpolicella Veneto 2018 750ML ($24.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Garganuda Valpolicella Veneto 2018 750ML ($299.95) $199 special, (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)

 

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Dal Forno Romano Valpolicella Superiore 2013 750ML ($119.95) $94.50 special, only 18 bottles in stock now
Decanter 97 points “From one of the most iconic wineries in the Orientale, this is aged for two years in oak and a further three in bottle. A proper meditation wine, great with game, strong cheeses or a cigar. It has a huge nose of stewed red fruits, ethereal bramble forest fruits and blackberry jam. Generous, with spicy, bitter cherry-stone freshness. Full-bodied with a rich, intense, spicy undertone.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “This is a terrific wine that stood out—and stood tall—despite the fact that it was tasted alongside some of Dal Forno’s most important vintages of the top-shelf Amarone. If that’s not a full-on recommendation, I don’t know what is…”

Dal Forno Romano Amarone 2010 750ML ($349.95) $319 special, only five bottles available
Decanter 98 points “2010 is a more considered vintage compared to the outright opulence of 2009, but it’s no shrinking violet, especially in Dal Forno’s hands…”
James Suckling 97 points “Aromas of roses and other flowers with a deep fruit intensity. Full-bodied, dense and ultra-fine with a beautiful texture. Lots of new wood now but this will amalgamate with time into the wine. Fabulous potential. Drink or hold.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Like a gymnast, this focused red shows both power and grace. Finely meshed flavors of blackberry puree, fig cake and Earl Grey tea leaf are framed by refined, dusty tannins, with a lasting finish expands on the palate with spice and smoky mineral details. Drink now through 2030. 450 cases imported. — AN”

Dal Forno Romano Amarone 2011 750ML ($419.95) $369 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Decanter 99 points “The strongest wine in my selection, yet this magnificent Amarone’s alcohol is barely visible thanks to its astonishing depth, texture and sumptuousness… Beautifully crafted, as dignified as any grand Barolo.”
Ian D’Agata-Vinous 95+ points “Fully saturated ruby. Very deep, intense aromas of blackcurrant, plums macerated in alcohol, soy sauce, coffee and underbrush on the complex nose. Rich, dense and balanced, with nicely focused flavors of dark berries and aromatic herbs that have a noteworthy savory tang. The long finish features repeating hints of soy sauce, espresso and underbrush. Dal Forno’s is the recognized master of a uniquely powerful, ripe, and concentrated style of Amarone.”

Dal Forno Romano Amarone 2012 750ML ($419.95) $319 special
James Suckling 97 points “A decadent nose of treacle tart, chocolate, tar, tons of black fruit such as blackberries and mulberries and even ash and licorice. A dense, layered mouthfeel makes for a full-bodied palate that’s explosive yet somehow so refined and pretty all at the same time. The finish goes on and on. Incredible now, but better to wait for this giant to settle well into 2020.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2012 Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta is a beautifully complete wine, even at this young stage in its life… It has only just started its evolutionary journey.”
Decanter 96 points “…Exuberant, dense and chewy with peppery black fruit flavours, while showing some delicacy of aroma. Intense and will develop further, perhaps offering more power than grace. Andrew Jefford: It’s not showy on the nose but is super-attractive, and it just grows more so the more time you spend with it. On the palate it’s rich, deep, magnificently tannic and long – an absolutely unbridled Amarone, yet at the same time of extraordinary resonance, authority and subtlety. An Amarone masterclass! Monty Waldin: Its evident concentration really comes through on the palate, with a mix of smooth and slightly more savoury, drier tannins that mingle amicably under some ripely sweet red fruit, while finishing with a distinct brightness.”

In many wine areas throughout the world, there are a handful of individuals or families who make “the” wine for their particular region – winemakers who define the style of the region. When it comes to Valpolicella, the Dal Forno family does just that. For more than 30 years, Dal Forno has been producing deeply concentrated Valpolicella, Amarone and Recioto.

Romano Dal Forno , the current winemaker/owner, took over the farm in 1983. Risking everything, he invested a large amount in 1990 to update the winery and refine Dal Forno’s process. The extremely bold flavor of the Valpolicella Superiore is a great example of Dal Forno’s commitment to perfection and their respect for traditional winemaking. Just short of an Amarone, it’s made entirely with fruit that has been dried, though for less time than that legally required for Amarone. A key to the Dal Forno style seems to be an incredibly low yield from their vineyard: each bottle of Valpolicella takes six vines worth of grapes to produce!

Amarone Arriving this summer: 

Dal Forno Romano Vigneto Monte Lodoletta Valpolicella Superiore Veneto 2015 750ML ($134.95) $119 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 96 points “Such a profound nose of fresh and dried fruit with blackcurrants, dates and prunes, together with lighter notes of mild spice and pomegranate seeds. The fresher elements provide the drive on the full palate and, together with very fine, bright, fine-grained tannins, give a long, chewy yet fresh and pruney finish. Hugely concentrated, but the balance and poise is impeccable. There’s no denying the classic quality of this. Delicious to taste now, but this needs a few years to integrate. Try from 2025.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94+ points “The 2015 Valpolicella Superiore Monte Lodoletta is a towering wine that shows impeccable concentration, richness and tight balance. Between Romano and his sons, the Dal Forno family has amassed many years of experimentation and expertise, and they know exactly how to farm in a hot vintage like 2015 without compromising on freshness and structure. This wine opens to deep layers of black fruit, spice, smoky mesquite and campfire ash. It shows big tannic structure that comes with lots of fruit weight and textural padding. But no matter, this is a wine you’ll want to put aside before drinking.”

Dal Forno Romano Vigneto Monte Lodoletta Valpolicella Superiore Veneto 2016 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
 

Who said that established wineries had to be expensive? Franco Serra has been making wine for over 100 years and still is one of the best buys in Piedmont. Founded in 1911 by Antonio Sperone, the wineries goal since their founding was to offer affordable wine. These goals reached their apex with the purchase of 75 acres in Piedmont, where they planted Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo in multiple villages. Their wines offer a budget friendly exploration into the region, with each of the wines featuring Piedmont’s classic “warm brick” minerality. These are perfect for wine education, gifting or a night with pizza.

Franco Serra wines in stock now: 

Franco Serra Barbaresco DOCG Piedmont 2018 750ML ($37.95) $30.90 special
James Suckling 91 points “Plenty of pretty, wild strawberries and boysenberries, as well as raspberries and spice undertones. Medium to full body, some attractive tannin bite and a medium-chewy finish. Drink from 2020.”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Franco Serra Barolo DOCG Piedmont 2014 750ML ($41.95) $38 special, 11 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 90 points “The rather ripe fruit on the nose and the cassis aromas belie the fact that this Barolo is from the 2014 vintage. Full-bodied and quite chewy on the palate with some good concentration. Drink now.”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Franco Serra Barolo DOCG Piedmont 2016 750ML ($41.95) $38 special
James Suckling 94 points “Aromas of plums, cherries and ash with hints of tea and toffee follow through to a full body with layered, chewy tannins and lots of chocolate and walnuts at the finish. Needs a number of years to soften and come together, but I am impressed. Try after 2022.”

Franco Serra Pinot Noir Piedmont 2020 750ML ($15.95) $14 special
Case-12 Franco Serra Pinot Noir Piedmont 2020 750ML ($189.95) $149 special, (that’s only $12.42/bottle!)
*Case price for in-store pickup only*
James Suckling 91 points “A nice core of red fruit here, together with some floral and fresh-herb notes. Medium-bodied with firm, slightly chewy tannins that close down the fruit a little for now. But shows promise and should even out with a little time. Try in 2022”

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Love Piedmontese Wine? We have over 214 bottlings available.

 

“To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield” – Alfred Lord Tennyson, Ulysses 

You’ve heard of Dominus and their multi-award winning Cabernet, but did you know that there’s a sister label just as storied? Ulysses is another single vineyard owned by Christian Moueix located in Oakville at the foot of the Mayacamas Mountain Range. Just like her sister, the Ulysses vineyard is organically farmed with no irrigation (No small feat given the rising temperatures as a result of climate change) and given as much pampering in the cellar as Dominus.

Primarily composed of Cabernet Sauvignon with a sprinkling of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, the resulting wine from 2018 has been called “Dark enough to write a letter with” by some reviewers. We’ve secured an allotment of various formats, but as you can expect quantities are in short supply given the restrictive growing conditions. The vintage was described as “Picture Perfect” with no heat spikes and cooler evenings that hadn’t been seen in years. Even fire season seemed to wait until harvest was complete, making this an especially kismet vintage.   

Ulysses Wines arriving Mid-April 2022: 

Ulysses Vineyard Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special, 36 bottles arriving
Ulysses Vineyard Napa Valley 2018 375ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special, 24 half bottles arriving  
Ulysses Vineyard Napa Valley 2018 1.5L ($399.95) $319 pre-arrival special, 12 magnums arriving
Ulysses Vineyard Napa Valley 2018 3L ($849.95) $699 pre-arrival special, 6 double-magnums arriving
Ulysses Vineyard Napa Valley 2018 2018 6L ($1999.95) $1599 pre-arrival special, 3 imperial bottles arriving
*Please note that the 6L offering is for in-store pickup only* 
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.”
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is the best wine off Christian Moueix’s Oakville ranch so far. Deep, creamy and generous, the 2018 captures the unqiue blend of fruit in a savoriness that is typical of the southern sector of Oakville where cooling winds from the south lend palpable freshness and vivacity to the vines. Black fruit, chocolate, spice, lavender and new leather are some of the many notes that build into the sumptuous finish.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Also in stock by Christian Moueix: 

Ulysses Vineyard Napa Valley 2017 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 2 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “Extremely aromatic with crushed berries, currants, flowers and hints of uncured tobacco leaf. Carnations. Medium to full body and extremely fine tannins that are firm and polished. Vertical tannins draw you down. Some blanched-walnut character to the blue fruit. Fresh and clean at the finish… So beautiful to drink now.”
Winemaker’s Notes “With black tea leaf and brioche, Ulysses 2017 delivers dense layers of deep cherry, balsamic, peat, forest berries and fresh walnut, woven through a finely grained texture, and a lingering warm cacao powder finish.”
 

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Dominus Estate Christian Moueix Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($449.95) $419 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator #1 Wine Of The Year 2021!!!
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “The flagship 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon checks in as 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot brought up in 40% new French oak. With an essence of Cabernet-like character in its darker currants, green tobacco, cedar, graphite, and floral aromas and flavors, this gorgeous wine is full-bodied and has bright yet integrated acidity, polished tannins, and a great, great finish. It’s just gorgeously put together and a magical, flawless wine. It’s going to take a decade to hit maturity but will evolve for 40-50 years in cold cellars. It is as good as it gets in classic, age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon!”
James Suckling 100 points “This is incredible on the nose, offering hot stones, blackcurrants, iodine and wet earth. Full-bodied with a tight center palate, then it opens with a tannin structure that is weightless and spreads across the palate. Totally integrated on the palate. This is a magic-carpet wine. Really incredible. One of the reference points for the vintage. Drinkable now and please try a bottle, but it’s one for the cellar.”
Wine Advocate 99+ points “Very deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Dominus slowly emerges from the glass with profound notes of blackcurrant cordial, ripe black plums, boysenberries and Black Forest cake with hints of violets, star anise, cracked black pepper, raspberry leaves and pencil lead, plus a touch of garrigue. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers impactful black fruit layers, creating a beguiling sense of richness that is beautifully countered by invigorating freshness and great poise, framed by super ripe, plush tannins and beautiful tension, finishing on a lingering fragrant earth note and, finally, lots of mineral sparks. For all that it is at the moment, one cannot help but feel that this 2018 is holding something back. Give it a good five years in bottle, at least, and then get set for what I suspect will be a mind-blowing transformation over the next 30 years+.-LPB”
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2018 Dominus is wild and exotic from the first taste. Lifted aromatics make a strong opening impression. There is something exuberant about the 2018 that is hard to describe. The 2018 is not a huge Dominus, nor is it massively structured, but the intensity of the flavors is remarkable just the same. Dark raspberry, spice, leather and cedar are some of the many notes that open over time.”

The Durand brothers are making it look easy. It’s hard to find Northern Rhône wines that combine soul and polish—it seems as if most of the new wines we taste are either hyper glossy or very rustic. To hit that sweet spot, crafting wines that speak very loudly of place but are elegant, drinkable and age-worthy—that’s special indeed.

“Consistently brilliant wines emerge from Domaine Durand, which is run with incredible talent and passion by Eric and Joël Durand… The brothers took over the estate in 1991, and while the winemaking is relatively modern, these are classic, pure, beautifully made wines that speak clearly to their region and terroir.” – Jeb Dunnuck

“Among the under-the-radar producers in the northern Rhône, this 20-hectare domaine, has been run by brothers Eric and Joël Durand since 1996. It’s a shame because the wines warrant more attention while pricing is quite friendly given the quality delivered. Domaine Durand produces a collection of generous, fruit-driven and polished wines that’s led by four Cornas bottlings consistently among the most approachable of the appellation…” – Josh Raynolds, Vinous

“Located in the tiny village of Châteaubourg, Joël and Eric Durand are quietly turning out some impressive wines from their family holdings in Saint-Joseph and Cornas.” – Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate

New Releases Arriving in June from Domaine Durand:

Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Saint-Peray 2020 750ML ($31.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 92 points “Readers looking for a great Saint-Péray that will offer pleasure any time over the coming 5-7 years or more should check out the 2020 Saint-Péray, an evenly split blend of Marsanne and Roussanne. Clean, pure pineapple and citrus fruits, some honeysuckle, sappy flower, and obvious chalky minerality all emerge from the glass, and this is medium-bodied, nicely textured, and impeccably balanced. It’s not a blockbuster, but it shows the more focused, fresh, salty style of this appellation beautifully.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 90 points “A seriously refreshing Saint-Péray, the 2020 Saint Peray features more citrus and chalk notes than most. A 50-50 blend of Marsanne and Roussanne fermented in a mix of stainless steel tank (70%) and barrique (30%), it’s medium to full-bodied but zesty, clean and charming, with a bright, lively finish marked by notes of lime and tangerine. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes.”

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Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Saint-Joseph Blanc 2020 750ML ($34.95) $26 pre-arrival special, only 12 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Caramelized peach, quince, honeyed flowers, and spice all emerge from the 2020 Saint Joseph Blanc, a medium to full-bodied, mouth-filling, pleasure-bent white that has notable purity, building richness, and a great finish. It’s another impeccably made wine from this terrific estate. The blend is 60% Marsanne and 40% Roussanne, aged in 15% new barrels, 15% once used barrels, and the rest in tank.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 90 points “Honeyed pineapple and pear aromas dominate the nose of the 2020 Saint Joseph Blanc, a 60-40 blend of Marsanne and Roussanne. It’s full-bodied and well-rounded but balances those attributes with ample citrus, a touch of bitterness and a silky feel on the long finish. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes.”

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Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Cornas Empreintes 2019 750ML ($49.95) $44.50 pre-arrival special
Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Cornas Empreintes 2019 1.5L ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special, only 12 magnums 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”

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Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Cornas Premices 2019 750ML ($41.95) $34.50 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 94 points “This is packed with dark fig and blackberry paste flavors that roll through slowly but steadily, unveiling extra dark olive, sweet bay leaf, singed alder and juniper accents along the way. There’s buried minerality that should rise to prominence with cellaring. Best from 2023 through 2035. 900 cases made, 140 cases imported.  –JM”
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “The base cuvée from this estate, the 2019 Cornas Prémices is all Syrah that was 80% destemmed. Up-front plum, blackberry, and blueberry fruits, graphite, and peppery herbs all emerge from the glass, and this medium to full-bodied beauty offers a wealth of fruit, no hard edges, and a great finish. It’s a perfect introduction to the wines of this high-quality estate.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 92 points “Almost liquourous, with concentrated notes of salted licorice, violets and cassis, the 2019 Cornas Premices is a much more serious wine than its entry-level positioning would suggest. Full-bodied and concentrated, it’s richly textured and tannic, with ample fruit to balance things out and a long, velvety finish. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes.”

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Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Saint-Joseph Lautaret 2019 750ML ($41.95) $34.50 pre-arrival special
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 94 points “Hints of mocha and roast meat add interest to the cassis and licorice in the 2019 Saint Joseph Lautaret. Big, tannic and concentrated, this full-bodied effort looks likely to improve with short-term cellaring and drink well for at least a decade thereafter. Plentiful ripe tannins frame the palate and linger in velvety-textured form on the finish. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes.”
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “The 2019 Saint Joseph Lautaret is terrific, and one of the top vintages of this cuvée I can remember. Revealing a deep purple hue as well as a textbook nose of blackberry fruits, ground pepper, violets, and subtle smoke, it shows a touch of gravelly earth on the palate, full body, and considerable depth and richness. All Syrah that was 85% destemmed, it saw a standard 3-week maceration and aging in just 15% new barrels.”

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In Stock Now from Domaine Durand:

Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Cornas Confidence 2018 750ML ($69.95) $54.50 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “One of my favorite Cornas, the 2018 Cornas Confidence comes from pure granite soils and was partially destemmed and brought up in 30% new French oak. The 2018 is a head-turner, revealing a dense purple color as well as sensational notes of crème de cassis, smoked bacon, graphite, bouquet garni, and liquid rock-like minerality. Rich, full-bodied, and opulent, with sweet tannins, this is one sexy Cornas that’s going to benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and cruise for 10-15 years in cold cellars.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 94 points “From the family’s mature vines (average of 30 years old) on granitic sites, the 2018 Cornas Confidence matured in 30% new oak, yet that has been “soaked up” by the wine to the point that nearly no cedar notes are discernible. Instead, there are scents of crushed stone, dark plum and dusty earth. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it’s concentrated and tannic but not unapproachable, with a silky, lingering finish and a sprinkling of ground pepper and aniseed.”

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Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Cornas Empreintes 2017 1.5L ($99.95) $89 special, 5 magnums in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “One of the flagship releases is the 2017 Cornas Empreintes, which comes from the steep, granite hillsides of Cornas, sees 25% stems, and is brought up in 20% new French oak. This full-bodied, concentrated effort boasts a deep purple hue, notes of peppery herbs, plums, blackberries, and smoked game, building tannins, and just about overflowing amounts of character. It’s a stunning, brilliant Cornas that’s going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and cruise for 15+ years. Bravo!”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Solidly built, with a strong chalky spine buried deep in the core of dark plum and blackberry fruit. Smoldering tobacco, dark olive and warm cast iron accents fill in throughout. Frankly grippy, so some patience in the cellar is required. Best from 2022 through 2040. 800 cases made, 90 cases imported.”

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Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Cornas Empreintes 2018 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 93+ points “The 2018 Cornas Empreintes offers a riper, more concentrated style, delivering lots of plum and darker currant fruits intermixed with notions of smoked herbs, ground pepper, violets, lavender, and spice box. It’s rich, full-bodied, and concentrated, yet the tannins here are more present, and it has a closed, angular style that’s going to benefit from bottle age. Give bottles 3-4 years at a minimum and it should have a solid decade of longevity after that.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 92-94 points “Nearly as good as the Confidence, the Durands’ 2018 Cornas Empreintes is more open and approachable, with sexy blueberry, blackberry and vanilla nuances. It’s full-bodied, creamy and plush, with a long, vibrant finish.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Lush and inviting, with crushed plum and warm blackberry compote notes leading the way, along with sweet bay, anise and violet accents. Has a buried iron hint but this is fairly plush overall for a Cornas. Drink now through 2032. 800 cases made, 90 cases imported.  –JM”

Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Cornas Premices 2017 750ML ($39.95) $29.70 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Lots of blueberries, jammy blackberries, violets, licorice, and floral notes emerge from the 2017 Cornas Prémices. This fleshy, sexy, full-bodied beauty is a quintessential, hedonistic Cornas that’s already hard to resist. Nevertheless, it has enough sweet tannins to keep for over a decade. This cuvée comes from slightly younger vines (15 to 30-year-old vines) and is aged in 20% new French oak.”

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Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Saint-Joseph Les Coteaux 2018 750ML ($36.95) $29 special, 27 bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 92 points “If the Lauteret bottling is a lovable puppy dog of a wine, the 2018 Saint Joseph Les Coteaux is a veteran bird dog—cool, taut and contained, with coiled energy and terrific poise. Scents of cedar and crushed stone appear on the nose alongside hints of mint, black cherries and cassis. It’s medium to full-bodied and sleek on the palate, with a lithe musculature and a graceful movement as it eases into a long, cool finish.”
Jeb Dunnuck 92 points “Starting off the two Saint Joseph releases, the 2018 Saint Joseph Les Coteaux is a deeply colored, ripe, opulent effort with rocking levels of black and blue fruits, peppery herbs, game, and violet aromas and flavors. Textured, medium to full-bodied, and balanced, it already offers pleasure yet should evolve for a decade.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Bright, pure style, with a beam of cassis and plum purée racing through, lined with violet and iron notes, ending with a dash of anise amidst an encore of fruit. Yummy. Best from 2021 through 2029. 2,000 cases made, 400 cases imported.  –JM”

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Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Saint-Joseph Lautaret 2018 750ML ($41.95) $33 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “Slightly more expensive, the 2018 Saint Joseph Lautaret offers more smoky minerality as well as impressive darker currants, blackberries, violets, and barbecued meat-like aromas and flavors. These carry to a rich, meaty, almost bloody/iron-laced Saint-Joseph that has full-bodied richness, ripe, polished tannins, wonderful balance, and a great finish. With moderate acidity and a fleshy, already hard to resist style, enjoy bottles over the coming 10-15 years.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 92+ points “The 2018 Saint Joseph Lautaret comes across as intense but slightly jammy, giving up scents of blueberry pie balanced against more savory notes of black olives and cracked pepper. Medium to full-bodied, with a ripe, supple feel and a long, silky finish, it’s a sexy Saint Joseph to drink over the near term, yet one that should also develop more complexity and improve over the next decade.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Alluring, with blackberry and raspberry pâte de fruit notes forming the core while anise, black tea and singed woodspice hints fill in throughout. Subtle floral and bay accents on the finish. Seductive style. Drink now through 2028. 340 cases made, 50 cases imported.  –JM”

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There are few producers with a portfolio as storied and extensive as Ridge Vineyards. Championing organic practices and limited inputs since 1962 they were among the first to recognize the potential of meticulously farmed old-vine sites. Their holdings include some of the oldest vineyards in all of California with their crown jewel being the Monte Bello Vineyard (Yes that Monte Bello from the landmark Judgement of Paris in 1976). We’ve recently confirmed our allocation for a number of their wines from the highly promising 2019 vintage. Fruit quality was noted for exceptional concentration and power, with lower acidities wines from the vintage promise early enjoyment and aging potential alike. 

Ridge Vineyards arriving April 29th:

Ridge Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Santa Cruz Mountains 2019 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special, 24 bottles arriving 

Ridge Vineyards Geyserville Alexander Valley 2020 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special, 24 bottles arriving 

Ridge Vineyards East Bench Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley 2020 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special, 24 bottles arriving
 

 

 

Best of the Iblei: Gulfi

 

Priorat remains one of the most sought after and highly lauded wine producing regions in all of Spain. The high concentration of old vines, cult level producers, high elevation and Mediterranean climate have made it a hotbed for Spain’s fine wine revolution. Priorat wines are largely based around Grenache and Carignan, grapes usually associated with being medium-to-full bodied and fruity. However they take on a whole new dimension on the terraced vineyards of martian-esque shale. Called llicorella by the locals it’s famous for the savory minerality that’s imparted to the grapes, in addition to ripening grapes faster by heat radiation. Pushing those bold flavors to the next level often involves colonizer grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah which Bobet has since added to their estate bottlings.  

The 2016 vintage in Priorat is highly lauded even compared to her sister, the juggernaut of 2015 in that ripeness was also met with elegant levels of acid promising a long life in the bottle. The primary flavors are a plethora of black fruits with the most pronounced being blackberries and blackcurrant with additional fruits like Marionberry revealing themselves with time. 
  
The flavors continue to develop and refine after time in the glass; revealing grilled strawberry, sage, za’atar, wet slate and ash salt. Impressively lifted for how full bodied and tannic the other elements are but provides balance and synergy. This is beautiful now but promises to become a work of art after more time in the cellar to shed it’s baby fat.   

Ferrer Bobet in stock now: 

Ferrer Bobet Priorat DOCa 2016 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Ferrer Bobet Priorat DOCa 2016 750ML ($359.95) $279 special, (That’s $46.50 per bottle!) 
James Suckling 97 points “Such purity of ripe blackberries and dark cherries, as well as redder, cherry notes, really makes a striking impression on the nose. The fresh florals and leafy nuances are followed by such pure berries and red plums. The tannins are stunning, so polished and perfectly formed, holding super long and fresh. Wow. Drink or hold.” 
 

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Top Shelf Selections: 
 

Did you know that Tête de Cuvee’s can also be non-vintage? While it’s true that non-vintage bottlings are every champenois “Bread and butter” there can still be top offerings made from the style. Often done from an artistic decision rather than economic, Clouet cites blending masters Laurent Perrier and Krug for the inspiration behind the cuvee. Taking the concept of using assemblage to create “A perfect year” within the bottle and combining it with a solera of reserve wines is how Clouet has melded the two styles and has clearly succeeded.   

Andre Clouet crafts their 1911 cuvee from the 10 best plots in their portfolio in the Grand Cru village of Bouzy. The village shares borders with 3 other Grand Cru villages and specialized in powerfully structured Pinot Noir. As such, the 1911 is entirely Pinot Noir and exemplifies the village’s reputation beautifully. Comprised of a single vintage that’s at least 7 years old and a solera based reserve wine that was started in 1998, this is champagne that encapsulates both maturity and youthful vigor. Complex doesn’t begin to cover this wine with the solera aging for the reserve wine portion adding incredible nuance like white truffle, rose petal, ground coffee, and miso to the flavor profile. The aromas are equally compelling, delivering a spectrum of white flowers like jasmine and orange blossom against a chalky backdrop. 

In stock and available now: 

Andre Clouet Un Jour de 1911 Champagne, NV 750ML ($99.95) $74.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “[Review is for a prior disgorgement] The NV Grand Cru Cuvee 1911 emerges from the glass with the most haunting of perfumes. Sweet rose petal and jasmine are some of the nuances that emerge over time. Despite recent disgorgement, the purity of the fruit and the extraordinary elegance of the mousse are hard to miss. This is an exceptional, elegant version of the 1911 that should drink beautifully for years to come. The bottle I tasted needed quite a bit of air to open up, so readers should be patient with the wine at this stage.”
 

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La Jota’s roots in Howell Mountain date back to 1898, but their modern reincarnation began in 1982. Over the ensuing 40+ years, La Jota has secured its reputation as one of Howell Mountain’s benchmark producers. The combination of high elevation, mineral rich soil and some of the oldest Cabernet Franc vines in Napa make for an indelibly unique expression of the varietal. The vineyards positioning above the fog line allows for a lack of pyrazine in the finished wine, largely removing the “green” flavors commonly found in Cabernet Franc. Their Cabernet Sauvignon is equally as compelling, with the vineyard benefiting from their perch above Napa Valley’s stubborn fog line, resulting in wines that are not only more structured and fresh, but also (paradoxically) more generous. There’s a reason why many Napa enthusiasts remain so enchanted by the region’s hillside vineyards, with most examples having some of the longest aging trajectories in the appellation.

La Jota in stock now: 

La Jota Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain 2014 375ML ($59.95) $39 special, 36+ half bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 96+ points “Checking in as a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is another gorgeous wine from winemaker Chris Carpenter. Brought up in 90% new French oak, this classic, tight, focused beauty boasts sensational notes of crème de cassis, graphite, toasty oak, and ample minerality. These all flow to a full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, layered, tannic 2014 that has remarkable purity, impeccable balance, and a great, great finish. It’s classic, old-school, yet awesome Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that needs 3-4 years of bottle age and will keep for 2-3 decades.”
Robert Parker 95 points “The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is 75.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec, aged in 89% new French oak. The wine displays the great fruit that is possible from these two sites owned by the Jacksons. It has an opaque purple color, a big, sweet kiss of crème de cassis and blackberry with a touch of lead pencil shavings, vanilla and incense. It is full-bodied and dense, with moderately high tannins but beautiful sweetness and fruit. Drink it over the next 25-30 years.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Cellar Selection. Blended with small percentages of 12% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, and then aged in 90% new French oak for 19 months, this stellar effort offers reduced oak, bark, toast and clove aromas and flavors alongside sizable, structured tannin and hearty ripeness. Black currant and chocolate dust a layer of tobacco. Enjoy best 2024 through 2034. -Virginie Boone”

La Jota Vineyard Cabernet Franc Howell Mountain 2016 750ML ($109.95) $89 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97 points “The deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Cabernet Franc Howell Mountain (100% Cabernet Franc) gives up exuberant bramble fruits, baked raspberries, mulberries and wild blueberries with suggestions of pencil shavings, kirsch, rose hip tea and tobacco leaf. Full-bodied and with a very firm frame of ripe, grainy tannins, it has wonderful perfume and depth, finishing long and mineral laced. 537 cases produced.”
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Cellar Selection. This standout varietal wine is complex and lengthy in a wealth of juicy red and black fruit, with lasting accents of dried herb, sage, lavender and violet. Built to last, it should develop even more in bottle. Drink 2024–2026. -Virginie Boone”
Jeb Dunnuck 95+ points “Lots of spring flowers, chocolate, damp earth, and blue fruits emerge from the 2016 Cabernet Franc Howell Mountain, which is 100% varietal brought up in a mix of new and used barrels. With medium to full body, bright acidity, incredible elegance, and a still tight, focused style on the palate, hide bottles for 3-5 years and it should drink beautifully over the following 15-20 years.”
 

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La Jota Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain 2016 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown- Wine Advocate 97+ points “A blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, 7% Malbec, 5% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is deep garnet-purple colored and features gregarious crème de cassis, black cherry preserves and baked plums with touches of Indian spices, cigar box and charcuterie. Full, firm and decadently fruited, it has a fantastic foundation and very long, layered and expressive finish. 3,202 cases produced.”
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain checks in as a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Malbec, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. It offers a sensational bouquet of blackcurrants, blackberries, black cherries, savory herbs, bay leaf, and earth. It’s medium to full-bodied, beautiful, elegant, has vibrant acidity, fine tannins, and a smoking good finish. It’s another age-worthy wine from this terrific estate that needs short-term cellaring and will keep for 30+ years.”
 

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Tête de Cuvees are the crown jewel of any Champagne producer, and that goes double for a Grande Marque due to their roles as the region’s metaphorical “Face”. Of these houses, few are as synonymous with Chardonnay as Perrier-Jouët. Their first vintage of the Belle Époque was in 1964, and has only been made 30 times in decades since. In comparison Dom Perignon has been made 74 different times between Brut and Rose bottlings. Sourced from 5 different villages and aged for 6 years prior to disgorgement, there is meant to be both fruit and tertiary character present. We have released our final allotment of the 2011 bottling with no ETA on our next vintage!

Perrier-Jouët in stock now: 

Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque – Fleur de Champagne Millesime Brut Champagne 2011 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Always a light, ethereal style of wine, this is also very fresh and still young. It will age with its taut minerality from the Chardonnay in the blend. A softer background will become toasty over the next few years. The vintage date on this bottle is 200 years after the foundation of this producer. Drink from 2021.”

Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque – Fleur de Champagne Brut Rose Millesime Champagne 2005 750ML ($319.95) $279 special, only 2 bottles in stock now 
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “The palest of rosés, this crisp, bright and fruity wine is full of tight acidity, freshly picked raspberries and steely acidity. It could age a few more years to bring out a toastier character.”
 

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Founded in 1936, the Domaine is now under its third generation of grower-producer and has only improved since its founding. Farming their 32 acres organically and without any chemical input, Gelin’s crown jewels are a number of monopoles throughout Fixin. The wines made by Gelin are famous for their age worthiness, to the point of being quite shy in their early years. This is partly on account of the time the wines spend in oak, which Gelin does longer than most in the Côte de Nuits with a year minimum en elevage. 

With time in bottle, these are some of the most multidimensional Pinot Noir’s in Burgundy, encompassing both refinement and potency. With a house style they describe as “Pure and Honest” these are absolutely stunning examples of the textural lightness associated with Côte de Nuits, with the flavor intensity that comes from meticulous practices in the vineyard and cellar. The ripeness and intensity of fruit make these wines ideal for cuisine that emphasizes umami and multispectral flavor, such as Japanese, Korean, French and Ghanaian cuisines.  

Gelin in stock now: 

Domaine Pierre Gelin Clos Prieur Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($99.95) $69 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 91 points “Shows plenty of cherry and pomegranate flavors, along with a racy structure that defines the berry, spice and mineral notes. Stays firm on the finish but should settle down with time. 40 cases imported.”

 

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Domaine Pierre Gelin Clos de Meixvelle Gevrey-Chambertin 2010 750ML ($119.95) $79 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 89 points “A supple, expressive red, with aromas of cherry, licorice and cinnamon. On the chewy side, featuring dense tannins and a gripping, spicy finish. Best from 2016 through 2029. 250 cases imported.”

 

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Domaine Pierre Gelin Clos de Meixvelle Gevrey-Chambertin 2012 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 91 points “Rich, displaying candied cherry, currant, earth and spice flavors. This stays fresh and balanced on the long finish, with well-integrated tannins. Best from 2016 through 2028. 156 cases imported.”

Collector’s Corner:
Latour’s Romanee-Saint-Vivant
 

 

Have you ever wanted to try Pinot Noir from a Romanée-Conti site but didn’t want to shell out thousands of dollars? Romanée St. Vivant is among the most famous appellations in the entire world, most famously led by the legendary Domaine Romanée-Conti as the majority landholder. As a result of the site’s location near the bottom of the hill, the soil is largely comprised of decomposed limestone and clay.

These soil conditions lend themselves to a light and highly aromatic expression of Burgundian Pinot Noir. Thankfully Louis Latour possesses historical tonnage contracts, allowing for them to make some of the most affordable examples from this appellation on the market. 

Louis Latour Romanee-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru Les Quatre Journaux Cote de Nuits 2016 750ML ($699.95) $519 special, only 9 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 100 points “This is a grand cru that shows its intensity and complexity and greatness from the beginning. Blackberry, licorice and stone aromas. Full body and a center palate that shows ripe fruit and full richness. Then the tannins kick in. Great wine. Drink in 2024.”

Domaine Francois Merlin Broceliande Syrah IGP Collines Rhodaniennes  2018 750ML ($27.95) $17 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Grapelive 92 points “The brilliant, complex and meaty 2018 Broceliande Syrah from François Merlin is an absolute steal with pure terror and varietal character on full display, it is a medium to full bodied effort with layers of earthy blue fruits, bacon, smoky meat drippings, pepper, subtle floral tones and lingering creme de cassis and tarry licorice. Coming from vines between 20 and 60 years old and aged in used French oak barriques, François Merlin’s latest Broceliande gets better and better as it opens with boysenberry, damson plum, black cherry and an echo of currant fruits coming into focus on the palate along with snappy herbs and crushed violets, this is an old world Syrah that offers a tremendous value with a flavor profile that is very much inline with a Crozes-Hermitage that would cost you twice or three times the price. There is a lovely play between the supple fruit core and the savory elements, this is full of personality with rustic charms that does everything to tell you this is a Northern Rhone wines with its hints of sanguine iron rich mineral, a touch of funk and camphor, it is best to enjoy this with hearty cuisine, which would help bring out its pleasing fruit density. François has gained an admirable reputation as a grower producer in the Northern Rhone with some vineyards that he planted himself using ancient massele (Syrah) selections, in Saint-Joseph and in Cote-Rotie, he has refined his winemaking style, preferring riper de-stemmed fruit and an opulent elegance in his top bottlings.
François Merlin is a new discovery for me, this last year, and I’ve been very impressed by what I’ve tasted so far, this small domaine, run by Francois is a rarity here, being a first-generation Northern Rhône winemaker. He is the son of a chemical engineer, and he moved to Saint-Michel-sur-Rhône, just south of Condrieu, in 1989 to pursue a self taught dream of making wines in this historic region. He, as the winery notes, has officially never studied wine in school, but was mentored by some impressive names, including stints at Domaine René Rostaing, making Cote-Rotie, as well as learning about Condrieu at Georges Vernay, all of which shows in his wines. Now, François’s son Laurent, who studied viticulture has joined the family domaine in 2013 and has put in a huge effort in the vines here and it looks to have raised the game at Merlin, who now have a coveted array of parcels in top sites, including both Cote-Rotie and Condrieu, as well as vines in Saint-Joseph and areas without AOC status, like in this one. The farming is leaning towards organic, all sustainable with the grapes getting picked by hand, and, from I understand, the Merlin’s use of new oak has gradually been reduced, and they use the Austrian oak Stockinger demi-muids (mainly in their Condrieu) alongside the mostly used French barriques. The Broceliande is sourced from some sandy areas, some red clay, along with a galet stone covered mix of granite and decomposed gneiss soils. This dark garnet Syrah is too good to pass up on, I highly recommend these François Merlin wines, especially their Saint-Joseph Rouge, the Cote-Rotie which reviewed already, and this Syrah “Broceliande” IGP Collines Rhodaniennes that is itself a very tasty little treat!” 
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

After studying under Rene Rostaing, François Merlin planted his first vineyard in the late 1980s. Since then, he’s been meticulously caring for his tiny acreage and making exquisite, if under-the-radar, Rhône wines. Preferring to let the grapes speak for themselves, he ages the wines in mostly neutral oak and steel. These are fresh and vibrant wines that, coming from the warm 2018 vintage, are beautiful now with grippy tannins and balanced acids indicating a long life ahead of them, particularly the Côte Rôtie and the Saint Joseph. While the IGP Syrah is a winner and a staff pick for hearty meals.

Other François Merlin wines in stock now: 

Domaine Francois Merlin Cote Rotie Rhone 2018 750ML ($79.95) $49 special, 26 bottles in stock now
Case-6 Domaine Francois Merlin Cote Rotie Rhone 2018 750ML ($479.95) $279 special, (That’s $46.50 per bottle!) 
Decanter 93 points “A very soft style, very ripe and juicy. Fairly tannic, but they’re ripe and yielding with flavours of black fruit coulis and touch of liquorice. It has fairly high alcohol with a saline finish – there’s freshness despite the very ripe fruit. This is a palate-coating, fairly opulent style but will be good when it’s ready – has length.”
Grapelive 93 points “The Domaine Merlin Francois of Lauent and Francois Merlin is totally new to me. This beautifully made Cote-Rotie was an excellent discovery and was perfect for celebrating the occasion, which was my 84 year old mother getting her second dose of the Pfizer Covid vaccine and a moment of great relief, taking a huge weight of stress and concern lifted, so a special bottle was indeed required. This one delivered a welcome and rewarding performance with deep layers of opulent dark fruits and an elegant textural mouth feel. Made in a polished and supple style the Domaine Merlin Francois Cote-Rotie is more Guigal like than say Jamet or Levet in style without the savory edgy thrill of the stemmy whole cluster versions. This is a not criticism, as the world is always a better place with an array of diversity and this wine is well crafted and pleasingly rich in depth with a full bodied palate of blackberry, blueberry, plum and dense fig fruit along with a kiss of smoky sweet cedary wood, anise, violette, mocha and lingering creme de cassis, making it a wine of hedonistic comforts rather than one of peaked excitement and great with meaty/gamey dishes. There is a subtle sense of mineral, spice and earth tucked into the background that adds complexity and reveals the purity of this Syrah and the granite slopes from where it comes from. This family winery is committed to putting the work in, in particular in the vineyard where these wines are really made, with Francois’ wife and younger son Julien also playing roles here. This property has been getting a lot more attention these days, as witnessed by their prestigious scores in Decanter Magazine in recent years, with this 2018, a classic vintage for Cote-Rotie, being a big stand out, and from my own experience with this bottle I can see why easily, this is a well-rounded wine that looks set to get even better with age with potential to impress for another decade or more. A little research has found that Francois Merlin, a self-taught winemaker, who has been joined full-time by his son Laurent in 2013, is a serious vigneron that studied under the legendary Rene Rostaing and has gained an admirable reputation as a grower producer in the Northern Rhone with a tidy collection of high quality parcels, some that he planted himself from ancient massele (syrah) selections, in Crozes-Hermitage, Saint-Joseph and here in Cote-Rotie as well, to name a few. Merlin, based in St-Michel-sur-Rhône since 1989, a commune just south of Condrieu, uses mostly organic and sustainable methods to farm his challenging sites. [They] are set on the regions mostly decomposed granite soils with areas of gneiss, gravel and schist… In his small cellars, Francois uses, interestingly, Austrian Stockinger 500L demi-muids for the aging of some of his wines, in particular the whites, while employing some Burgundy small barriques as well, with barrels that range from toasty brand new to six year old casks in combination to achieve a studied balance in his Cote-Rotie, while still being seriously luxurious in the glass. For his Cote-Rotie 2018, which is 100% Syrah, Francois and Laurent used all de-stemmed and carefully sorted fruit that saw about 30 days of maceration and primary fermentation with daily punch downs and pumpovers after 10 days before being gently pressed to barrel for aging, which lasted over a year and a half before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. There’s a lot to like and admire here and I am ready to explore more of these Merlin wines, especially after enjoying this Cote-Rotie and its impeccable detailing and savvy pricing, with their Saint-Joseph and Crozes-Hermitage next on my wish list!”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Domaine Francois Merlin Saint-Joseph Rhone 2018 750ML ($39.95) $26 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Grapelive 93 points “A stylish and pure example of Northern Rhone Syrah that delivers a fine performance in the glass and is a stellar value. The Saint-Joseph Rouge is made from various small plots with a mix of sandy soils and granite, with a bit of limestone and was all de-stemmed to promote elegance and opulence in the wine, which was easily achieved here in this 2018 version. The wine saw a short cold soak maceration and gentle hand punch downs while fermenting after which this dark purple/garnet Syrah is raised in a combination of wood casks with about 20% being new 228L barrels with the majority seeing neutral oak in various sizes to allow for freshness and balance to shine here. This is quite impactful Saint-Joesph in the glass with more than expected density and presence, in fact it is almost as impressive as the winery’s top Cote-Rotie with loads of blue and black fruits, delicate spices, perfume and textural pleasures. This is solid stuff with a classic medium to full bodied palate with lush layers of boysenberry, damson plum, kirsch and cedary wood notes, a touch of feral/earthy savoriness (the good kind of Syrah funk) and pretty violets, adding hints of anise, flinty mineral and a lingering sense of creme de cassis…. The Domaine gets exceptionally small yields from their vines and the concentration of fruit is utterly sensual and divine. Francois credits his son Laurent, for playing a big part in the vineyards, that has taken the quality to the next level, and this 2018 Saint-Joseph is proof.…With extended air, the 2018 Merlin Saint-Joseph gains depth and richness, but stays gracefully detailed and it is at its best with food, be sure to look for this bottling as it offers a ton of quality and personality for the price, this is a producer to add to your watch list, especially for Syrah lovers.”
Decanter 91 points “An approachable wine that has lifted cedar and incense on the nose. Very plush with soft fruits, slightly lacking in acidity perhaps, but it’s an authentic representation of the vintage, not overly corrected. Good natural sense to the fruit, it’s expressive, unrestrained. Not overly marked by oak spice. South-facing granite terroir, 70% of vines are 45-years-old, the rest are 15-years-old. All destemmed, 12 months in barriques and demi-muids, from 1 to 4 years-old.”
 

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You know the Maresh family for their stunning examples of old-vine Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. As one of the “Founding Families of Oregon Wine” they were one of the first producers to bring the Dundee Hills to national and later international attention. Practicing organic in addition to dry farming these are among the most transparent expressions of Pinot Noir in the entire Willamette Valley with a plethora of character that only improves with age. Considering how the majority of critics have billed 2019 especially  as “The last cool vintage in Oregon” these wines were collector’s items before they were even bottled.

Arterberry Maresh wines arriving Friday April 8th: 

Arterberry Maresh Pinot Noir Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2019 Pinot Noir Maresh Vineyard comes from Pommard and Wadenswil clone vines planted in 1974 and was matured for 23 months in oak. Proprietor Jim Maresh says that, “The 2019s needed that extra polish.” It’s extraordinarily expressive and complex this vintage, with detailed cranberry, raspberry and tangerine aromas and nuances of rose petals and aniseed. The palate has a weightless feel from its bright acidity, silky texture and surprising fruit concentration, finishing very long and pure.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 96 points “Shimmering magenta. Mineral-accented fresh red berries, sandalwood, exotic spices and rose oil on the expansive, seductively perfumed nose. Alluringly sweet and penetrating on the palate, offering vibrant cherry, raspberry, allspice and floral pastille flavors, along with a hint of blood orange. Fine-grained and seamless in texture, finishing with resonating spiciness, smooth tannins and superb, floral-driven persistence.”

Arterberry Maresh Weber Vineyard Pinot Noir Dundee Hills 2018 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2018 Pinot Noir Weber Vineyard comes from Pommard clone vines planted in 1983. It features pure aromas of cranberry and black raspberry with botanical and floral layers. The palate is seamless and complex, with powerful flavors, a silty texture and bright acidity, finishing with layer after layer of sweet berry fruit.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Deep crimson. Highly perfumed aromas of red and blue fruit preserves, cola, candied flowers and baking spices, along with a smoky mineral overtone. Concentrated yet lively on the palate, offering mineral-accented black raspberry, cherry liqueur, violet pastille and spicecake flavors that spread out slowly with air. Conveys a deft blend of power and finesse and finishes with steadily building tannins and strong, spicy persistence.”
 

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Arterberry Maresh Winemaker’s Reserve Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Erin brooks-Wine Advocate 97 points “medium ruby, the 2018 pinot noir winemaker’s reserve is super perfumed! It has layered aromas that range from crushed red berries to aniseed to lilac and forest floor, continually offering up more aromatic nuances as it spends time in the glass. The medium-bodied palate is powerfully fruited, with sweeping floral perfume, silty tannins and bright acidity that calls you in again and again for another sip. Wow!”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Dark, glistening red. Deeply perfumed aromas of red fruit liqueur, cherry cola, candied flowers and allspice, along with a smoky mineral accent. Concentrated yet lively on the palate, offering appealingly sweet raspberry, cherry liqueur, floral pastille and spicecake flavors that spread out steadily with air. Conveys a deft blend of power and finesse and finishes with well-knit tannins and strong, floral-driven tenacity.”


Other bottlings by Jim Maresh in stock now: 

Tan Fruit Dux Vineyard Chardonnay Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 98 points “The aromas of the 2019 Chardonnay Dux Vineyard are alluring and savory, with ripe peach layers, beeswax, roasted almonds and pastry. The palate has a singular satiny texture and impressive concentration, enlivened by tangy acidity and streaks of graphite and finishing with tremendous length and energy. Wow!”
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

Tan Fruit Maresh Vineyard Chardonnay Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2019 Chardonnay Maresh Vineyard comes from Dijon clones planted in 1991, and it was matured in about 35% new oak. This vintage is pure and tensile, with scents of tarragon and fragrant herbs, beeswax and almonds, with plush white peach fruit. The palate combines intense ripe fruit with a spine of tangy, tense acidity, and it finishes with tremendous length. Allow it another 3-5 years in bottle.”

Tan Fruit Oak Grove Vineyard Chardonnay Eola-Amity Hills  2019 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2019 Chardonnay Oak Grove Vineyard has a unique personality that combines powerful exotic fruit with tangy energy and a shimmery saline quality, derived from a year’s maturation in barrel and then stainless steel. Guava, peaches, lilac and beeswax aromas burst from the glass, and the textural palate, which continues to change and evolve as it spends time in the glass, demands your attention with its rich but precise fruit. This unabashedly hedonistic Chardonnay has the intensity and energy to age well, but that youthful, gregarious fruit is hard to resist!”

Tan Fruit ‘Tank Fruit’ Chardonnay Eola-Amity Hills 2019 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 99 points “The Chardonnay Tank Fruit comes from the same Oak Grove fruit as that vineyard designate, but was aged a bit longer, with 12 months in oak and another 12 months in stainless steel. It is pure, ultra perfumed, intense and layered, with alluring white peaches and lilac interwoven with cashews and honeycomb on the nose. The palate derives incredible energy from the push-pull of those deeper tones with salty, energetic acidity, and it finishes with extraordinary length.”
 

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Tan Fruit Vojtilla Vineyard Chardonnay Chehalem Mountains 2019 750ML ($79.95) $64.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 97 points “Vojtilla is a small, four-acre vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains that sits at around 500 to 600 feet in elevation and, says Jim Maresh, is influenced by the nearby Willamette River. Harvested in October this vintage, the 2019 Chardonnay Vojtilla Vineyard comes from Dijon clone vines planted in 1991, and it was matured in about 25% new Damy barrels. It has a stunning perfume of quince paste and mushrooms, pastry and flowers, and the palate is satiny, plush and pure, with a seamless tangy streak and long, powerful finish.”
 

 

St. Damien and the Glory of Grenache
 

What they lack in centuries of history and breadth of portfolio is a head-turning, traditionally-styled wine experience in the three reds on offer (and a “magnificently mustachioed Joël Saurel at the helm,” to quote Joe Czerwinski of the Wine Advocate). 

The 2019 vintage in the Rhone is being lauded as one of the rare vintages that captured both phenolic ripeness and elegance thanks to cool evenings and perfectly timed rains during the season. The exceptionally old vines on the St. Damien estate were able to weather the heat spells and drought conditions well. The house style of utilizing whole clusters during fermentation paid off tremendously this vintage, with the stems being perfectly ripe and contributing further tannic structure. Beyond additional resilience to climactic curveballs, old vines provide a more nuanced expression of varietal character as well as a longer aging trajectory. 

St. Damien wines in stock now: 

Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes Rhone 2018 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2018 Gigondas Classique Vieilles Vignes shows impressive levels of black cherry fruit, joined by hints of garrigue and licorice. It’s full-bodied, silky and easy to drink, finishing long, briny and savory.”
Jeb Dunnuck 92-94 points “The base Gigondas, the 2018 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes is a blend from both the La Louisiane and Pigière lieux-dits near the estate (due to the dismal yields, there’s no Souteyrade cuvée in 2018) and is 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah brought up in foudre. It has a wonderful flowery incense and blue fruit quality as well as medium to full body, a ripe, rounded mid-palate, and a great texture. It’s a more forward, charming, sexy wine that’s going to drink nicely in its youth yet also evolve gracefully.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes Rhone 2019 750ML ($34.95) $31.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “Moving to the 2019s, this is a great vintage for this estate, and all of the wines showed brilliantly. The 2019 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes is its usual 80/20 split of Grenache and Mourvèdre and has awesome dark fruits, ground pepper, licorice, truffle, and earthy mineral-like aromas and flavors. I love its mid-palate, it has elegance as well as power, ripe tannins, and a great finish. I finished my note with ‘Wow.'”

Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas La Louisiane Vieilles Vignes Rhone 2019 750ML ($39.95) $34.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “I think the standout of the three Gigondas is the 2019 Gigondas La Louisiane. This ripe, exotic, yet incredibly pure Gigondas offers incredible character and depth with no sensation of weight or heaviness. Wild strawberries, blueberries, mint, peppery herbs, and garrigue are just some of the nuances, and it has silky tannins and a full-bodied, powerful style that will evolve for 10-15 years.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate  94-96 points “The 2019 Gigondas La Louisiane hails from a south-facing slope of clay and sand and is a blend of 80% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre and 5% Syrah and Cinsault, all aged in foudre. Loaded with black cherries and mixed berries, it’s a big, full-bodied effort that drinks surprisingly well already yet has the concentration, length and structure that should enable it to age another 15 years or more.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas ‘Les Souteyrades Vieilles Vignes’ Rhone 2019 750ML ($39.95) $34.50 special, 33 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “Lastly, the 2019 Gigondas Les Souteyrades is more classic, with pure dark, peppery fruits as well as garrigue, cedar, and leather notes. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and perfectly balanced, it has impressive tannins and will benefit from short-term bottle age. As with the other Gigondas here, you should expect 10-15 years of prime drinking. This cuvée is 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre, aged all in foudre.”
Grapelive 96 points “The fabulous and sultry Grenache based 2019 Saint-Damien Les Souteyrades Gigondas has layers of black raspberry, boysenberry, plum and grenadine on the full bodied palate along with that anise, floral incense, baked cherry, chalky stones and peppery spices. This vintage is less gamy/earthy than the prior couple of years and there is a thrilling sense of energy and an exceptional sense of purity in this dark purple/garnet Rhone red. The good dose of Mourvedre does add a meaty and savory dimension to this outstanding version, making for wine that way over delivers for the price, competing with Chateauneufs that go for three times the cost of this Saint-Damien single Lieu-Dit bottling. This winery has become a must have to satisfy my personal Grenache and Rhone habit, along with Saint-Cosme’s legendary Gigondas. The aromatics and mouth feel are really seductive, and air only brings more excitement and complexity here with a heady mix of dark florals and grenadine going to the fore. The underpinning tannin is sweet, but there is some serious structure to this Les Souteyrades. This wine has tremendous potential for long term cellaring and is a savvy buy for bargain hunters…The Vieilles Vignes Gigondas lieu-dit “Les Souteyrades” sits on a small hill with the vineyard being a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre (and the wine here is the same percentage) with the main plot consisting of old Grenache Noir vines that were planted back in 1948 and 38 year old Mourvèdre vines that are set on an outcropping of pure grey clay soils with a scattering of stones. This cru site makes for deep fruit intensity and rich concentration, which this gorgeous 2019 shows with flamboyant hedonism in the glass. The Saint-Damien “Les Souteyrades” Gigondas is fermented traditionally with old school techniques with a long maceration, lasting for between 6 to 8 weeks on the skins, in concrete vats before moving to large oak foudres for about a year. This unfined and unfiltered and native yeast fermented cuvée sees all from organic grapes that are carefully handpicked and sorted to best show off the terroir here. While hefty and close to 15% natural alcohol, this Les Souteyrades doesn’t feel hot or flabby, in fact the balance is fantastic. This entertaining and rewarding Southern Rhone wine deserves a big robust meal to allow all its pleasures to shine through, and this vintage never puts a foot wrong. It is close to perfection in every way. I highly recommend these Saint-Damien 2019s, especially this one, along with their “La Louisiane” that has become their signature wine.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 93-95 points “Not as effusive on the nose as the La Louisiane, the 2019 Gigondas les Souteyrades is drier, sterner stuff—not as immediately approachable, with more savory notes of black olives and earth. There are still notes of ripe plums and raspberries in this full-bodied effort but also a firm core of dusty tannins to ensure more than a decade of longevity. It’s a blend of Grenache and Mourvèdre from a clay-rich, north-facing slope.”

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You’re familiar with Siduri and their state-spanning portfolio of California and Oregon Pinot Noir, but did you know there’s another boutique operation? Enter Beau Marchais, a collaboration between Adam Lee and the late Philippe Cambie of France. Building off the work done at Siduri, Beau Marchais is sourced entirely from the Santa Rita Hills. One of the vineyard sources is right next door to the legendary Gary’s Vineyard and is managed by the same family. Stylistically these are Pinot Noirs that walk the line of Californian ripeness with an almost French elegance. As you can expect with their limited sourcing, these are highly allocated wines that are only being supplied to retail wine shops chosen by the winery. 

Beau Marchais wines in stock now: 

Beau Marchais Clos Pepe Vineyard Est Pinot Noir Sta Rita Hills 2020 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 94-96 points “While there won’t be any releases from Santa Lucia due to smoke, they were able to release their Clos Pepe Pinot Noirs. The 2020 Pinot Noir Clos Pepe Est Vineyard saw 25% stems, 48 days on stems, and aging all in new barrels. Lots of mulberry, chocolate covered strawberries, and plum fruits as well as notes of orange blossom and spice emerge from the glass, and it’s a rich, full-bodied, textured beauty that packs one heck of a mid-palate. With ripe tannins and an expansive, supple texture, drink this hedonistic, sexy Pinot Noir on release and over the following 7-8 years.”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Beau Marchais Clos Pepe Vineyard Ouest Pinot Noir Sta Rita Hills 2020 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95-97 points “The 2020 Pinot Noir Clos Pepe Ouest Vineyard comes from the western side of the vineyard, which sees slightly smaller berries and yields due to being hammered by the winds. It tends to be a riper Pinot Noir yet always seems more structured and focused than the Est Pinot Noir. Similarly deep purple-hued, with a beautiful bouquet of blue fruits, iron, candied orange zest, and spice, it’s another rich, full-bodied, concentrated Pinot Noir that stays beautifully balanced and has ripe, building tannins as well as a great finish. While it’s not for the Burgundy lovers out there (although you might be surprised), it has depth, structure, and is a brilliant Pinot Noir!”
Vinous-Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2020 Pinot Noir Clos Pepe Vineyard Ouest is terrific. Powerful and ample in the glass, the 2020 possesses tremendous richness right out of the gate. Luscious red/purplish berry fruit, blood orange, spice and pomegranate are all dialed up. The super-sized Santa Barbara Pinot offers tons of immediacy and yet retains a good deal of energy as well. The Ouest is a noticeably bigger wine than the Est. “
 

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Beau Marchais Soberanes Vineyard Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands 2019 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points ” loved these wines from barrel last year, and they didn’t disappoint from bottle. Starting with the Santa Lucia Highlands release, the 2019 Pinot Noir Soberanes Vineyard has a deep, nuanced yet powerful style that offers impressive black raspberry and red currant fruits to go with lots of spice, loamy soil, spring flower, and earthy forest floor notes. Gorgeously textured on the palate, this medium to full-bodied Pinot has ripe, polished tannins, a great mid-palate, and the fruit and opulence to drink nicely today yet also evolve for a good 7-8 years, if you’re so inclined.”
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “This collaboration between California’s Adam Lee and the Rhône Valley’s Phillipe Cambie yields a rich, spicy wine. Heavy aromas of cola, root beer, baked cherry and boysenberry gummies lead into a multi-layered palate of cardamom, clove, nutmeg and baked fruit, framed by polished tannins.”
Wine Advocate-Erin Brooks 92-94 points “I tasted the 2019 Pinot Noir Soberanes Vineyard as a final blend while still in barrel, aging in about 90% new oak. Medium ruby-purple, it’s loaded with dark fruits and nuances of bitter chocolate, mint leaves, charcuterie and fragrant earth. In the mouth, it’s medium-bodied with a firm, grainy frame and good freshness, opening up to brighter fruits on the long finish. This is shaping up to be a concentrated, savory and structured Pinot Noir. This is due to be bottled sometime around August 2020.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 

 

 

Schaller is in the process of converting to organic farming methods with the majority of their fermentations taking place in steel and used oak in the case of Premier and Grand Cru bottlings. If that wasn’t enough they also do a champagne-method sparkling under the Cremant de Bourgone appellation, comprised of a blend of Chardonnay, Aligote and Pinot Noir. With the characteristic high acidity and tertiary salinity of Chablis juxtaposed against a delightfully refreshing Bosc pear and hazelnut character   

Trevor: A perfect Champagne-Alternative that’s refreshing and light with similar notes to classically styled champagnes. Subtle floral notes against red fruit, Golden Delicious apple, Lemon peel with beeswax  😉 

Sam: Yellow Apples that is delightful and fun, perfect for springtime!   

Schaller wines in stock now: 

Domaine Camille et Laurent Schaller Cremant de Bourgogne Brut Burgundy  NV ($29.95) $26 special, 32 bottles in stock now
55% Pinot Noir, 33% Aligote, 12% Chardonnay. Methode Traditionelle. 6.8 g/L dosage.
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

This is the only listing in the USA today!

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

This is the only listing in the USA today!

 

Did you know Vermouth was originally a medicinal product? The product we associate with modern vermouth was first made in Italy around 1786 by Antonio Carpano. The original formulation was derived from infusing wormwood and white wine together, with later formulations being what we now know as Carpano Antica and marketed as a general curative. In the centuries since there are now vermouths made all over the world, including Italy, South Africa, and France! We carry a vast array of styles in house from rich and spicy, light and botanical, and from syrupy sweet to bone dry. 

The legendary Carpano Antica is a mainstay in any professional’s bar cart for a variety of reasons beyond being the originator of the category. It is among the most versatile ingredients for cocktail mixing, and also possesses enough stuffing to be enjoyed on its own. Orange marmalade, allspice and date flavors are cushioned by a medium body and long finish that’s both sweet and bitter in a way that’s synergistic.  

Carpano in stock now: 

Carpano ‘Antica Formula 1786’ Vermouth Italy 1L ($49.95) $41.90 special, only 2 bottles in stock now
Kara Newman Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Rich, fruity and enticing, this sweet vermouth is warmed with notes of fig and dried cherries, and just faint hints of spiced gingerbread and bitter orange peel. Drinkable solo as an apéritif, or use it as a cocktail-mixing favorite.

Carpano ‘Punt e Mes’ Vermouth Italy 750ML ($39.95) $24 special, only 6 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Punt e Mes has a golden orange color with topaz tones, herby aromas and dark red, black dahlia with vermilion shades. The initial taste is one of sweetness, characterised by an intriguing accent of orange. This is followed by the characteristically bitter taste of the quina and ends on a sweet note. Punt e Mes is delicious served straight with a slice of orange peel but is also perfect as a base for cocktails such as the famous MITO, the Manhattan or the legendary 70’s Punt e Mes.”
 

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Credited with being the first white vermouth seen on the market, Comoz debuted in 1881 and was based in the alpine village of Chambéry, France. Comprised of wines and botanicals foraged on site the alpine character is evident in the cool finish and textured body. This was the original white vermouth used in the seminal 1915 cocktail bible, Manual del Cantinero and was used in drinks like the El Presidente. Blanc de Chambery is best mixed with clear spirits but also shines when married with Añejo tequila or Cachaça.   

Comoz in stock now: 

C. Comoz Vermouth Blanc de Chambery Savoie NV 750ML ($19.95) $16 special, only 3 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Established in 1856, Comoz was the second-oldest of Chambéry vermouth producers after Dolin, and was the first to produce in a crystal-clear style. (Dolin preceded with a sweet pale, rather than crystal clear, blanc vermouth.) Introduced in 1881, Comoz Vermouth Blanc expressed Claudius Comoz’s selection of wines, plants and fruits, many of which come from the hills above Chambéry. Comoz came to fame as the essential vermouth in the El Presidente cocktail in Cuba. Comoz is less sweet than other vermouth blanc, with notes of stone fruits, alpine flowers and a deep, resonant undercurrent of wormwood. This deeper profile marries with whiskey better than any other pale vermouth.”

Hammer & Tongs Sac’Resine Vermouth Oregon 750ML NV ($39.95) $29 special, only 4 bottles in stock now
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. In my youth, my grandmother would bring us to the old mission where she used to attend mass and they would burn incense made from these resins. For more than a century, the monks and other devotees would ritually burn these very same resins as ceremonial incense, leaving the essence behind to permeate the stone walls and wood of the structure, as well as the memories of countless children accompanying their elders. A compound of these powerfully pungent saps with delicate herbs and flowers, is blended with a lightly fragrant wine and fortified with spirits to make a unique style of vermouth best categorized as something between a Bianco and a Rosso.  Loosely inspired by the most ubiquitous vermouth in the world, this light, citrusy and distinctly aromatic draft is meticulously crafted using both traditional and innovative methods.”

Archival Spirits Vin D’Orange Vermouth, Oregon NV 750ML ($28.95) $24 special, only 6 bottles in stock now
Producer note “Pulled from the pages of early 20th French winemaking journals, this aperitif wine aims to reproduce the classic Provencal vin d’orange.  It combines aromatic white wine varietals with seville oranges and a quantity of botanicals like coriander and rose petals.  Several months of aging yields a golden orange color, floral bouquet, and well-balanced bitter finish to rival the best aperitif wines of Europe.  Seasonal ingredients dictate that our vin d’orange is available in limited quantities.”
Distributor note “As a young chef Alex Morrow spent time cooking in restaurants in the South of France and in Northern Italy. He became intrigued by the culture of Aperitivo and Digestivo from these areas. Alex later went back to school and finished a PhD in History where, as an archivist, he was able to research historic texts and recipes for these Aperitivo and Digestivo. He spent 10 years experimenting with these in his garage until he perfected his own recipes based on these historic texts.”
Double Gold – Oregon Wine Competition 2021.

Lillet Rose Aperitif France 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, only 6 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Like Lillet Blanc, the main grape variety in Lillet Rosé is Sémillon. These wines are combined with natural liqueurs, handcrafted in Podensac from sweet and bitter oranges and berries. It is this meticulously balanced blend that gives Lillet Rosé its delicate aromas.  Tasting note: Light aromas of berries, orange blossom and grapefruit. Fresh, lively and fruity. Balanced structure. Slightly acidic.”
 

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Lillet Blanc Aperitif France 750ML ($23.95) $18 special, only 4 bottles in stock now
Winery note “The main grape variety in Lillet Blanc is sémillon, which gives it a full, fleshy structure. Lillet is a range of refreshing aperitifs with a smooth, fruity taste.  Tasting note: Aromas of candied oranges, honey, pine resin and exotic fruits. Full and fleshy on the palate.”

Bonal Gentiane-Quina France NV 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, only 4 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Since 1865, this spicy, earthy aperitif has been known as ‘ouvre l’appetit’ – the key to the appetite. Serious in its role as aperitif, and then popular with sportsmen, Bonal became an early sponsor of the Tour de France. It is made by an infusion of gentian, cinchona (quinine) and renowned herbs of the Grande Chartreuse mountains in a mistelle base. While tradition is to drink neat with a twist, Bonal also mixes well with fresh or hard cider, sparkling wine, and Scotch or American whiskies. Excellent with hard, salty cheeses, salted nuts, or earthy, spicy foods.”
 

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L.N. Mattei Cap Corse Quinquina Blanc Aperitif Corsica NV ($24.95) $21.90 special, only 4 bottles in stock now
Importer note “A true Quinquina Blanc, and unique among aperitif wines. The profile of the Cap Corse Mattei Blanc aperitif wine is defined by its distinctly Corsican components. Its all-mistelle base is of Vermentinu and Muscat Petit Grains, lending a terrific minerality, acidity and floral tones. The local Cedrat (aka citron) adds unique citrus aroma and a silky texture. Since its creation in 1872 by Louis-Napoléon Mattei, Cap Corse Mattei is the oldest and best known aperitif of Corsica. Still today family owned, and all macerations, aging and bottling are done in house. As a quinquina, Cap Corse Mattei BLANC is flavored with cinchona bark (quinine), which adds spice and depth in the mid and back palate. Fantastic on ice with tonic or soda, and even more so with a pour of gin or an agave spirit.”
 

 

Müller-Catoir is a star in the world of German Riesling and is on their way to becoming the face of the Pfalz wine scene as a whole. Founded in 1744 their family holdings fall on some of the most premium terroir in the area, encompassing 5 different “Grand Cru” level holdings and giving them access to the entire spectrum of Pfalz terroirs. These terroirs include multiple types of sandstone, fossilized shell limestone, gravel and loess, allowing for a dizzying spectrum of Riesling to be made across the Prädikatswein spectrum. The “House style” is characterized by minimal intervention in the cellar with extended lees aging to emphasize crisp minerality, aromatic complexity and a refreshing salinity British wine critic and writer Jancis Robinson describes the Pfalz as “One of Germany’s most exciting regions” and it’s clear to see why!       

Müller-Catoir in stock now: 

Muller-Catoir Haardter Burgergarten ‘Im Breumel’ Riesling Grosses Gewächs Pfalz 2017 750ML ($79.95) $49 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott 98 Points “Stand back for the arrival of a giant! Super-fresh nectarine, vanilla and Thai-basil aromas that don’t leave you in any doubt that this is a very remarkable dry riesling. Then the tidal wave of minerality comes through at the finish and sweeps everything away. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
Stephen Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 94+ Points “From a 2.8 hectare clos that is the highest, coolest and stoniest (sandstone/gravel) plot of the Bürgergarten, the 2017 Riesling Bürgergarten “Im Breumel” GG offers a deep, ripe, lush and intense bouquet with fascinating flavors of crushed stones and ripe fruits. Lush and intense on the palate, this is a deep, dense, very complex and powerful dry Riesling with lingering salinity and very fine tannins. Great but way too young. Tasted in Haardt, December 2019.”
Wine Spectator 94 Points “Extremely elegant and precisely crafted, with notes of star anise and lavender framing the core of crunchy pear and blood orange flavors. The acidity is appreciable, fueling the flavors and spice accents. Savory mineral details linger on the finish. Best from 2021 through 2031.”
 

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Muller-Catoir Haardter Burgergarten Riesling Spatlese, Pfalz 2017 750ML ($49.95) $33 special, 26 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott – Jamessuckling 95 Points “Stunning nectarine, peach and papaya character, together with lovely succulence and enormous vitality, make this a breathtaking sweet Spätlese with a finish that’s straight as a laser beam and super-clean. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.” 
 

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Muller-Catoir Haardter Burgergarten Riesling Trocken, Pfalz 2017 750ML ($49.95) $29 special, 25 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott 94 Points “Effusive aromas of apricots and lemon zest with hints of summer flowers. At once succulent, graceful and finely nuanced on the palate, then very long and filigree at the finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
Grapelive 93 Points “The Burgergarten in the Haardt vineyard as used by the famed Mueller-Catoir, or hill garden, is a Premier Cru site that is composed of weathered yellow sandstone interspersed with layer of loess and clay giving the perfect conditions to make a lush, but crisply dry Riesling of refined elegance and with a concentrated underlying power, which in 2017 is incredible and joyously perfumed. ….The 2017 Burgergarten Trocken [has] exotic tropical fruit and floral aromas with plumeria, jasmine, dried pineapple, gingery/peppery notes and grilled citrus leading the way on the racy palate, this Riesling feels a bit like Trimbach’s Cuvee Frederic Emile, adding layers of wild peach, while cherry, tangy apricot and zesty lime notes along with loads of tannin like structure, zippy acidity, chalky stones and a Chablis like steely edge! Air brings more body out and clears the touch of reduction that easily blows and this Riesling becomes in fact more white Burgundy like in some ways, while also gaining hints of spearmint, chamomile and verbena, which clearly are Riesling influences and it is strikingly impressive for keeping its tension , clarity and severity, like a firm GG should…This area can produce monumental dry Riesling, as witnessed here with this Erste Lage Trocken from Mueller-Catoir….Terry Theise, Mueller-Catoir’s famous importer, says the estate produces wines of outstanding transparency and density, and remains emblematic of Riesling at its most sophisticated, and I totally agree, these are amazingly pure wines that are both wildly entertaining in expression and wines of remarkable class and finesse…. This Burgergarten grows on you with every sip and should get even more intriguing with 3 to 5 years more are on it, patience I think will be well rewarded, and I hope I get to revisit it a few more times.”
Stephen Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92+ Points“From yellow-colored sandstone soils, the 2017 Riesling Bürgergarten “VDP. Erste Lage” is intense yet fine and pure on the slightly salty/stony, very elegant nose with its ripe and concentrated yellow-fleshed fruit aromas. The palate is pure and salty, very long and intertwines weathered terroir aromas with an airiness and lingering, very stimulating salinity. The wine is less textured than the Haardter but even more pure, deep, finessed and salty. Bone dry, with less than three grams of residual sugar, this is a concentrated yet still young Riesling that will shine in five years. Tasted in Haardt, December 2019.”
 

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Muller-Catoir Gimmeldingen Riesling, Pfalz 2017 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, 27 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott-Jamessuckling 93 Points “Ripe white and yellow peaches and just enough acidity to lift the medium-full body and give the long finish some real drive. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
 

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Muller-Catoir Haardter Muskateller Trocken Pfalz 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott-Jamessuckling 92 Points “Wonderful pink-grapefruit and muscat nose that bowls you over. So joyful and really rather subtle for a seriously aromatic grape variety. Very bright finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink now.”

Muller-Catoir Haardter Riesling Trocken Pfalz 2017 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott-Jamessuckling 94 Points “A stunning, bone-dry riesling for this moderate price level! Fine nose of sliced pears and honeysuckle. Stunning freshness and purity on the medium-full palate. The finish is subtlety reminiscent of Mosel. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
Grapelive 92 Points “The 2017 Müller-Catoir Haardt Trocken is exotic and highly aromatic with lovely fruit and mineral intensity, it is a wonderful and crisply dry Riesling that reflects the vintage and its remarkable Pfalz terroir.… the talented Martin Franzen [is] running the cellar here. Franzen, who in the past ran the operations at Schlossgut Diel, employs a strict program with a move to organic practices and severe selections in the vineyards, where everything is worked and picked by hand now and focuses on ultra-transparency in the wines with a reductive approach, with every wine getting a hand crafted attention to detail. The Haardt, a village bottling is a pure example with expressive bright flavors and a heavenly floral perfume, while being brisk, tangy and dusty dry on the light framed palate. Müller-Catoir does a gentle crush and gives the juice plenty of time on the skins before a slow and soft pressing before an stainless steel fermentation and aging, all to preserve vibrancy and purity, the wines are always stylish and evocative.…The Haardt Riesling Trocken is all from organic grapes that were grown on standstone soils, which gives this wine its pretty nose and steely form, and this 2017 is absolutely seducing with a complex array of sensations that ranges from tropical essences to flinty wet stones, it is clear and with a tiny hint of sunshine in the glass. In the mouth this calcareous influenced Riesling shows jasmine, oyster shell, peach, tart apricot, green apple and saline notes, adding guava/papaya, rosewater and hint of zesty lime.…this one itself is fabulous and a true value offering from this great estate. I am glad I got a few bottles of Müller-Catoir from 2017, they are looking like classics. This is a great Summer refresher, but serious enough to hang out with haute cuisine, it gets more intriguing with matching food, it can go with a wide variety of foods from fresh shellfish, spicy prawns, sushi as well as cured meats, picnic fare, street tacos and Moroccan lemon chicken even. This vivid and zippy young Riesling is a quality white that makes for a nice alternative for Chablis, Kiwi Sauv Blanc and or Albarino, drink it over the next 3 to 5 years.”
Stephen Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 90 Points “From younger vines and partly from sandier soils than the regular, yellow-colored Buntsandstein, the 2017 Riesling Haardt is deep, fine and ripe on the elegant and balanced nose. Full-bodied, lush and intense on the palate, this is a deep, dry, well-balanced and textured Riesling with a ripe but salty-mineral acidity and a long, well-structured and slightly salty finish with nice bitters and citrus flavors. This is an excellent vin de terroir that slowly opens up. It’s an impressive wine in the lower/medium price range. Tasted in December 2019.”
 

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Muller-Catoir Haardt Scheurebe Pfalz 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 12 bottles in stock now 
Stuart Pigott-Jamessuckling 93 Points “The whiff of smoke gives the cassis nose of this wine an extra dimension. Concentrated and racy with a dangerous amount of energy. So juicy and vibrant with a long and very clean finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”

Muller-Catoir Gimmeldinger Mandelgarten Riesling Auslese Pfalz 2015 375ML ($39.95) $31.90 special, 7 half-bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 94 Points “The 2015 Riesling Auslese Gimmeldinger Mandelgarten is super pure and fine on the nobly concentrated, stony nose with its honey and bright fruit aromas. Rich, sweet, lush and piquant on the palate, this is an excellent Auslese with great finesse and a lingering piquancy. Despite its sweetness, this is a very stimulating and pure Auslese with great ageing potential.”
 

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Muller-Catoir Haardter Mandelring Scheurebe Trocken Pfalz 2017 750ML ($59.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott-Jamessuckling 95 Points “Why drink a dry white called scheurebe? Here’s the answer. An enormously complex nose of grapefruit, cassis and pineapple, then breathtaking purity and elegance on the palate and a totally uplifting and super-long finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
Grapelive 93 Points “I love Scheurebe and this Mueller-Catoir is one of, if not the, best dry version, with this ripe and expressive 2017 showing everything the grape has to offer, it delivers intensity and aromatic quality.  It’s a thrilling German white wine from one of the most admired wineries in the Pfalz. This vintage is bursting from the glass with jasmine, liquid roses and spearmint lifting to the nose while the light to medium bodied palate delivers tangy grapefruit, white peach, quince, sour apple and pineapple fruits along with chalky mineral, saline, clove spice, wild fennel and the crisp, lip smacking finish keeps things severe and refreshing.… Scheurebe grows best in Calcareous soils, with Muller-Catoir’s Pfalz version regarded as maybe the greatest expression of this grape, in particular their Trocken single Cru Haardter Mandelring example. The full range of wines at this property are amazing from the thrilling dry wines to the finely balanced sweet wines, everything at Mueller-Catoir is class, when it comes to the Pfalz, this and Von Winning are must try wines….Müller-Catoir has gone holistic in recent years and farm mostly organic, but remain very practical with absolute quality demanded of the grapes here, there is no compromise at this place, they focus on purity and terroir. The vineyards in Haardt, where this wine comes from, are composed of primary rock (urgestein) and sandstone, with an increasing proportion of gravel lower on the slopes. This estate and the region has a long history of winegrowing with the Burgergarten site being first planted close to 700 years ago, and, as the winery notes. Mueller-Catoir which has a tradition of reductive winemaking implementing a gentle crush, a long skin contact, slow gentle pressing, and then ferments at warmer, according to the winery again, than customary fermentation temperatures in stainless steel to promote transparency, which this lovely Scheurebe shows, drink it over the next 3 to 5 years.”
 

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Check out our full selection of Müller-Catoir wines on our web store today!

 

 

We now carry Saké! Our offering encapsulates a range of styles from some of the most lauded production regions of Japan. For those unfamiliar with Saké let us provide some context. Fundamentally different in production and classification than the wines that we carry, Saké is produced from milled rice that is then fermented with yeasts and fungi (known as kōji). This process leads to higher levels of residual sugar on average, with lactic acid providing movement on the palate and lessening the perception of sweetness. The higher alcohol content of 16-20% also creates a dryer perception, making the majority of Saké taste off-dry.   
Kōji is ubiquitous in East Asian food production and plays a role in everything from soy sauce to miso production due to the fungi’s ability to convert starch and other carbohydrates into sugars. Because rice doesn’t contain juice like winegrapes water is also added, oftentimes from mountain runoff or underground spring water. The primary variables that lend to the difference of flavors, aromas and sugar range from the constitution of the water used, yeast cultivar, rice varietal and most importantly: the polishing ratio or amount of milling that occurs prior to fermentation.  

Saké in stock now: 

Ozeki Taruzake Sake Japan 300ML ($13.95) $10.90 special, 
Cedar aged
Vinpol Note: “Founded in 1711 Ozeki roughly translates to “Master” in Japan’s national sport: Sumō and is the highest rank one can achieve without regularly competing. Based in Hyogo Prefecture the house’s biggest asset is their access to the regions legendary mineral water, called miyamizu. A type of hard water containing a variety of minerals it’s one of the most prized in sake brewing for the additional flavors that are imparted due to the aforementioned mineral content. The flavors of the saké are taken to the next level with élevage in Yoshino cedar barrels (A Traditional medium dating back centuries when sake was sold by the cask).The resulting sake is highly mineral driven with notes of woodsy spice though not as aromatically dominant as incense cedar that many associate with the cultivar. Additional characteristics include lemon pith and honeydew melon with a fuller body and off dry level of sweetness.”   
 

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Ama No To ‘Heaven’s Door’ Tokubetsu Junmai Sake Japan 720ML ($39.95) $33 special, 
Vinpol Note: “Ama No To is A “Grower Saké” (Made by the farmers who grew the rice since the brewery’s founding in 1917) from Akita Prefecture, one of the most northerly areas of the Japanese Mainland. Translating to “Heaven’s Door” the name and magatama on the label is derived from Shinto scriptures regarding Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess and patron of rice cultivation. Tasting notes include dried chamomile, Arabian Jasmine, cloves, golden apple and white miso with an off dry level of sweetness and light body.”

Akishika Omachi Yamahai Nama Genshu Sake Japan  720ML ($54.95) $44 special, 
Region: Osaka. Rice Variety: Omachi. Type: Junmai Muroka Nama Genshu. Ingredients: rice, water, koji. Brewing: Yamahai slow ferment, unpasteurized, undiluted, unfiltered. Serving Temperature: lightly chilled to lightly warmed.
Vinpol Note: “One of the few Biodynamic growers of Saké rice in the world, the house specializes in Heritage varietals, primarily Omachi (Of which most modern varietals descend from). Founded in 1886 and based in Osaka Prefecture, the brewery is considered a cult producer within Japan. Eschewing any additives or post-industrial practices the idea is to present a highly traditional sake as seen in centuries past. Slow fermented to dryness and bottled without any pasteurization, dilution or filtration the resulting Saké is earthy, weighty and loaded with umami with additional tasting notes of huángchá tea, grapefruit rind, and lily flower.”
 

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Chateau Angelus Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2015 750ML ($479.95) $419 pre-arrival special, only 5 bottles arriving 
Jeb Dunnuck 97+ points “A total blockbuster is the 2015 Angelus and it’s reminiscent of a slightly more elegant 2009. Made from 62% Merlot and 38% Cabernet Franc brought up in new barrels, this rich, opulent beauty boast killer notes of blackcurrants, blackberry liqueur, truffle, chocolate and scorched earth. With full-bodied richness, building, ripe tannin and a stacked profile on the palate, this hedonistic Bomb of a wine from Hubert de Boüard needs 4-5 years of cellaring and will keep for three decades or more.”

Chateau Angelus Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2016 1.5L ($1049.95) $899 special, only 8 magnums in stock now 
Case-6 Chateau Angelus Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2016 1.5L ($5999.95) $5099.95 special, (that’s $849.83 per magnum)
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”

Duffau-Lagarrosse Chateau Beausejour Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2008 750ML ($149.95) $99 special, 13 bottles in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 95 points (tasted in 2018) “The 2008 Beauséjour Héritiers Duffau-Lagarrosse is evolving into one of the standout wines of the vintage. From a modest showing in barrel, it seemed to improve when I last tasted it in 2012 and now at a decade old, it has upped the ante further. Intense wild strawberry and blackberry notes struck through with minerals and graphite, all beautifully defined and immediately take you aback and yet you know there is much more to come. The palate is very well balanced with a firm but not imposing structure. The acidity is beautifully judged and it counterbalances the impressive fruit concentration, whilst there is a killer sorbet-like freshness on the finish that leaves the mouth tingling. Sometimes this Saint Émilion can surpass your expectations and whilst the 2008 might not be as spectacular as the 1990, it is one of the hidden gems of the vintage. (Tasted at the château.)”
 

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Duffau-Lagarrosse Chateau Beausejour Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2017 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 97 points “Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Beausejour (Duffau Lagarrosse) prances out of the glass with energetic notes of crushed black and red plums, black cherries and black raspberries plus wafts of potpourri, oolong tea and lavender. The medium-bodied palate is oh-so-pretty with bags of fragrant fruit and a firm, plush frame, finishing long and perfumed.”

Chateau Bourgneuf Pomerol 2016 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2016 Bourgneuf is composed of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. Medium garnet-purple colored, it opens with very pretty notions of crushed red cherries, blackberry pie, wild blueberries and potpourri plus hints of tapenade, camphor and tobacco leaf. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers a great intensity of perfumed black fruits, framed by rounded tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and perfumed.”

Chateau Branaire-Ducru Saint-Julien 2016 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, only 6 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 96 points “The core of this red is loaded with pure plum, blueberry and black currant fruit flavors. The polished structure is integrated, with alluring ganache, anise and sweet tobacco notes throughout, all in a polished and balanced frame. A very classy red that isn’t shy about its power but pushes its purity to the fore.

Chateau Calon-Segur Saint-Estephe 2009 750ML ($199.95) $169 special, only 2 bottles in stock now
Decanter 96 points “This strikes exactly the right note aromatically: it’s wonderfully sexy, smoky, intriguing and tantalising. On the palate it follows up these aromatics perfectly with silky-smooth tannins and well brushed damson and black cherry fruits. It’s fully ripe but still with give and subtlety. Great stuff! 2009 saw the highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon ever included in this wine. (JA) ‘(2/2019)

Chateau Canon la Gaffeliere Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2015 750ML ($179.95) $135 pre-arrival special only 9 bottles arriving
James Suckling 100 points “Seductive. The nose draws you in deep: It’s like staring into a well of pristine dark cherries, dark plums, blackberries and mulberries. All the oak is perfectly subsumed. The palate’s flawless with immense depth and power and it’s so balanced as to appear to float. Immaculate fresh dark-berry and plum flavors. Silky and deep, ribbon-like finish. Perfect. Best from 2022.”

Chateau Canon Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2010 750ML ($199.95) $179 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 96+ points “[Reviewed in 2020] Deep garnet colored, the 2010 Canon features wonderfully expressive notes of dried mulberries, stewed plums and baked black cherries with hints of mocha, bay leaves and fallen leaves. Full-bodied, opulent and super spicy, it has a plush texture with a racy line supporting the hedonic fruit, finishing with jaw-dropping persistence.”

Chateau Canon Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2014 750ML ($159.95) $135 special, only 10 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “Intense aromas of minerals, chalk, bright cherries and stones. Full-bodied, tight and silky; very linear. Like a straight shot. Give it three to four years to soften. Vibrant is the word.”

Chateau Canon Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2015 750ML ($399.95) $349 special, 31 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 100 points “From the very beginning, the 2015 Canon has made an eloquent case for itself as one of the wines of the vintage. Multiple tastings from bottle only confirm what several early tastings hinted at: the 2015 Canon is simply extraordinary in every way. Sumptuous and exotic, with no hard edges and exceptional balance, the 2015 grabs hold of all the senses and never lets up. A rush of red fruit intermingled with floral notes, spice and smoke notes effortlessly runs up the wine’s vertical structure as the 2015 thrills with every twist and turn. The 2015 Canon is a rare wine that is both hedonistic and intellectual – well, maybe it is a bit more hedonistic-leaning. It doesn’t matter. Don’t miss it. This 2015 is masterpiece from General Manager Nicolas Auderbert and his team at Canon.”

Chateau de Chantegrive ‘Benjamin de Chantegrive’ Graves 2015 750ML ($34.95) $26 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Chateau de Chantegrive ‘Benjamin de Chantegrive’ Graves 2015 750ML ($199.95) $149 special (That’s $24.83 per bottle) 
Importer note “Another beautiful 2015, seductive, complex bouquet, ripe fruit balanced with earth, leather and spice and all things Bordeaux.  Medium to full bodied, yet silky smooth tannins – very well balanced, not a fruit bomb.”
 

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Chateau de Chantegrive Henri Leveque Graves 2010 750ML ($41.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
“A stunning vintage / aged release.  This near perfect 50/50 Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot blend is the ‘flagship’ cuvee from their very best vineyard plots, paying homage to Henri Leveque, founder of Château de Chantegrive. Cold pre-fermentation followed by alcoholic fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. Malo-lactic fermentation in 100% new oak then barrel aged at least 15+ months, and obviously aged in bottle for several additional years in accordance with their desire to offer an ‘aged release.’    As a result, immediately present is a beautiful intense ruby color with a touch of dark plum. On the nose, lots of fruits with hints of chocolate and a slight suggestion of vanilla. Full-bodied and polished on the palate, a rich, generous wine with refined silky tannins.” –Importer note
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

La Chapelle d’Ausone Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2009 750ML ($279.95) $249 special, only 5 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “This is always made with the young vines. Full-bodied, with super velvety tannins and gorgeous mineral, dark berry and spice character. Lovely velvet texture. Amazing quality for a second wine. Best in 2017.”