Category Archives: Newsletter Archive

Elvio Cogno: Steward of Greatness on Sale Now 9-21-25

 On Sale for up to 10% Off!


Azienda Agricola Cogno. Family members walking the vineyards.
 
Tucked into the rolling hills of Novello, the Elvio Cogno estate stands as one of Barolo’s most revered names—a house that seamlessly weaves deep tradition with a spirit of quiet innovation. Ravera is often considered among the greatest single vineyards in all of Barolo, and why the Cogno family has earned its reputation as its most devoted steward. Trying to describe the wines from this vineyard is a task doomed to do disservice to the wines themselves. You can’t mirror the sensory experience of a world class wine with words, you can only paint a picture of their shadow. The residue of flavor memory that you wish you could experience one again. Let us tell you about the history of these wines and the people that make them, and perhaps you’ll be compelled to source your first sip.

The story begins with Elvio Cogno himself, a visionary who spent years as the winemaker at La Morra’s Marcarini estate before striking out to create his own label in the 1990s. His dream was to return to his family’s roots in Novello, a village less recognized at the time but one that held immense potential for producing singular, terroir-driven Barolo. Elvio’s decision to invest in Ravera was bold, and history has proven him right—the vineyard is now regarded as the crown jewel of Novello. Today, the estate is guided with passion and precision by his daughter Nadia Cogno and her husband, Valter Fissore, who have become among the most respected custodians of traditional Barolo. Valter, in particular, is widely admired for his exacting vineyard work and his ability to translate Ravera’s soils into wines of breathtaking clarity.

At the heart of the Cogno philosophy lies a profound respect for the land. Farming is carried out sustainably, with careful attention paid to preserving biodiversity in the vineyards. The cellar, too, reflects a commitment to authenticity: fermentations unfold slowly in stainless steel, and élevage takes place in large Slavonian oak casks—an old-school approach that highlights Nebbiolo’s finesse while letting the nuances of Ravera shine through. The resulting wines are not just powerful but also supremely elegant, marked by fine tannins, lifted aromatics, and an uncanny ability to age for decades while gaining depth and complexity. Beyond Barolo, the estate has also championed the revival of the nearly forgotten Nascetta grape, demonstrating the family’s devotion to both heritage and exploration.

For collectors and enthusiasts alike, Elvio Cogno represents Barolo at its most soulful and site-expressive. Each bottle tells the story of Novello’s hills, of a family who risked everything to put Ravera on the map, and of a tradition that has been refined, not rewritten. The wines carry a rare balance: elegance without compromise, structure without heaviness, and a voice of place that resonates with every sip. Our current allocation of Cogno’s Barolos is an invitation to be part of that story—whether to tuck bottles away for the future or to experience now at the table, where their grace and vitality shine just as brightly.
 
5% off any 3-7 in-stock bottles of Elvio Cogno
10% off any 8+ or more in-stock bottles of Elvio Cogno

 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.

 
Sale ends Wednesday, September 24th at 9 am Pacific.
 
We offer five in-stock Elvio Cogno options on sale now, including:
 
Elvio Cogno Barolo Cascina Nuova, Barolo DOCG 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 28 bottles in stock now
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 94 points
 “Floral aromas of rose and iris mingle with red berry and tilled earth on this perfumed red. Elegantly structured, the vibrant palate offers juicy red cherry, crushed raspberry and star anise before a savory, almost salty finish. Taut, refined tannins and bright acidity keep it balanced. Drink through 2030.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2018 Barolo Cascina Nuova is fine-tuned with plenty of wild berry, cassis, grilled herb and crushed stone. The aromas are quite classic for Nebbiolo, but what stands out here is the directness and freshness with which they are delivered. The tannins are tucked carefully inside the smooth, silky character of this elegant wine.”

Elvio Cogno Ravera, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $94.50, that’s $89.78 at 5% off and $85.05 at 10% off, 17 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points
 “The 2017 Barolo Ravera makes a statement with its intense aromas of licorice, kirsch, pipe tobacco, and spice. Revealing a balanced and chiseled structure, the palate conveys dried raspberry, blood orange, and dried herbs. A great wine from the 2017 vintage, it feels like it will hold up to the test of time. Drink 2024-2042”
 
Elvio Cogno Ravera, Barolo DOCG 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $94.50, that’s $89.78 at 5% off and $85.05 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points 
“The Elvio Cogno 2018 Barolo Ravera is becoming one of the most important wines in Novello, and it performs very nicely in this more challenging vintage. In fact, 2018 helps to cement Ravera’s steadfast reputation precisely because it performs so well despite spells of humidity and heat. The wine shows small-berry detailing with rust and crushed stone at the back. There is a point of bitterness that accompanies the tannins of this full-bodied wine. Production is 15,000 bottles”
 
Elvio Cogno Ravera Bricco Pernice, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 97 points
 “Cellar Selection. Enticing scents of rose, iris, perfumed berry and an earthy whiff of truffle shape the fragrant nose on this dazzling wine. The delicious, full-bodied palate boasts structure and a weightless elegance, delivering juicy Marasca cherry, cherry compote, cinnamon and star anise. Taut polished tannins and fresh acidity provide balance and an elegant structure. It’s already irresistible but will also age well for years. Drink 2022–2035.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “The Elvio Cogno 2015 Barolo Ravera Bricco Pernice delivers the depth, richness and concentration that are a hallmark of this pretty vintage. This wine is a pure expression of the productive Lampia clone of Nebbiolo. Generous layers of blackberry, wild cherry, rose hip, ferrous earth and campfire ash are neatly folded together to build the wine’s intensity. Like the other wines from this estate, the tannic management is spot-on. You are aware of the wine’s youthful structure, but it is delivered without hard edges or sharp points. A mere 4,000 bottles were produced.”

Elvio Cogno Ravera Bricco Pernice, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $135, that’s $128.25 at 5% off and $121.50 at 10% off, 15 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points
 “This is a medium-bodied Nebbiolo from a hot vintage with a ruby-tinged appearance. The 2017 Barolo Ravera Bricco Pernice shows generous inner fiber and richness with dried cherry, blackberry, plum and dark spice. Fruit for this wine comes from a beautiful amphitheater of vines with the perched town of Novello high up on the skyline. I love the especially smooth and soft quality to what is a powerful and lasting wine. Only 3,500 bottles were made.”

Groovy Grenache Sale 9-20-25

In This Newsletter:

Groovy Grenache
Rosé of the Day


 
Groovy Grenache
 
Stock Up & Save On:

 
Twelve Select Grenache Wines

 
We’ve handpicked twelve Grenache wines to share with you on our three-day sale!
 
5% off any 3-7 bottles from our Groovy Grenache list below
10% off any 8+ or more bottles from our Groovy Grenache list below

 
Please note: Only the selected wines below are included in this sale. Click here to see the full list on our webstore.
 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.

 
Sale ends Tuesday, September 23rd at 9 am Pacific.
 
Shop our twelve Groovy Grenache options on sale now:
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Amapola Creek Cuvee Alis Rhone Blend, Sonoma Valley 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $19, that’s $18.05 at 5% off and $17.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 93 points
“Medium garnet-purple in color, the 2016 Cuvee Alis Estate Vineyard is a blend of 51% Grenache, 19% Syrah, 17% Mourvedre, 12% Petite Sirah and 1% Viognier. The nose sings of preserved Morello cherries, mulberries, fruitcake and Chinese five spice with touches of potpourri, black pepper and licorice. Full-bodied, rich and decadently fruited, the palate provides a solid structure of firm, velvety tannins and tons of freshness to lift all that opulent fruit to a very long, spicy finish.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Bosquet des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape ‘Les 7 de Pignan’, Rhone 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $89, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, 23 bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 96 points
“A new cuvée, there is a single foudre of the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Les 7 de Pignan, a pure Grenache named for the seven small vineyard parcels it emerges from, all on sandy soils in and around Pignan. It showcases the filigreed, floral side of Grenache on sand, with delicate notes of rose petals and resinous herbs, plus raspberries and strawberries. Full-bodied, it’s silky in texture and almost airy in feel, with a lingering, elegant finish.”
 
Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $95, that’s $90.25 at 5% off and $85.50 at 10% off, 31 bottles in stock now
Decanter 96 points
“A deep, quite herbal expression, with liquorice and crushed blueberries to the cassis fruit. Full-bodied, powerfully fruited, dense and deep. Really mouthcoating, intense fruit. The tannins are ripe, fine and plentiful, all saturated in blackberry juice on a long finish. Certainly one of the more successful Châteauneufs this year. Will age well. A Mourvèdre-led expression of Beaucastel – it contains more than usual, at least 35% and probably more. Grenache and Cinsault fermented in cement, Syrah and Mourvèdre fermented in foudre”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Daniel Gomez Jimenez-Landi ‘Cantos del Diablo’, Méntrida, Sierra de Gredos, Spain 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 8 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 95 points
“The single-vineyard 2018 Cantos del Diablo was produced with the grapes from 0.35 hectares of 70-year-old Garnacha in the village of El Real de San Vicente (Toledo) at 900 meters in altitude, the highest vineyard in the Méntrida appellation. It’s a north-facing plot on sandy granite soils with lots of silt that deliver chalky tannins and a citrus freshness in the wine. The whole clusters fermented with indigenous yeasts in oak vats with a long maceration followed by an élevage in a 1,400-liter oak foudre for 12 months. This was extremely closed, even after a long time in the glass. It’s a vineyard that delivers more reductive wines (matchstick) with a strict palate and a strong mineral sensation. 1,620 bottles were filled in March 2020.”
 
Domaine de la Solitude Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 16 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 94 points
“Very attractive nose of raspberries, licorice and oranges with a touch of summer flowers. Round and silky on the full-bodied palate, the ample tannins are beautifully integrated, making the long, refined finish velvety. A cuvee of 65% greanche, 20% syrah, and 5% each of mourvedre, counoise and cinsault from biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Espectacle del Montsant, Montsant, Spain 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $125, that’s $118.75 at 5% off and $112.50 at 10% off, 17 bottles in stock now
Catalonia Garnacha, furnished by Rene Barbier & Clos Mogador.
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 99 points
“It’s always an exciting moment tasting a new vintage of the wine from one of the most beautiful vineyards in Montsant, and the 2019 Espectacle del Montsant didn’t disappoint. It’s always Mediterranean, heady and ripe, decadent and hedonistic. 2019 was a warm and quite classical vintage in the zone, with good ripeness (the wine’s label lists 15.5% alcohol), and the wine is hedonistic, nuanced and complex, with very good acidity, which is one of the characteristics that makes this vintage so complete. Despite everything, the wine is medium to full-bodied and comes through as perfumed and ethereal. They do long macerations and long aging in foudre. 2019 is a very serious vintage for this wine; it’s a little closed and needs time in the glass, and it’s tight and seamless, a little austere for what this wine usually is. This is truly spectacular.”
 
Horsepower Vineyards Fiddleneck Vineyard, Walla Walla Valley 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $179, that’s $170.05 at 5% off and $161.10 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
Owen Bargreen 100 points
“‘Fiddleneck Vineyard’ Grenache shows very different flavor and aromatic profiles — yet is clearly equal in overall quality. This Grenache was sourced from this stony site first planted back in 2015. Exuding class, this delivers a Chateau Rayas quality to this wine in terms of its purity of red fruits. The nose takes on hauntingly good range, offering pomegranate seed, kelp and blood orange zest tones alongside wet rock and hints of beef drippings. The aromatic range is mind-bending. The palate is liquid silk in its red fruit purity, showing dizzying underlying finesse and a generous mouthfeel. A total stunner, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next eight years to come.”
 
K Vintners ‘The Boy’ Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 20 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 99 points
“Super smooth and mouth-filling but also lacy and filigreed, the wine combines powerful, broad and ripe strawberries, red plums and cedar on a full body blanketed in soft tannins but with fresh acidity. Aged 18 months on the lees in neutral, large-format barrels. Drink now or hold.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Imperiale, Rhone 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $59.50, that’s $56.53 at 5% off and $53.55 at 10% off, 22 bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 97 points
“The stunning 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Imperiale comes from old vines in two sandy parcels—one in Pied Long and one in la Crau. Exotic aromas of orange zest, Campari-like spice and exquisitely ripe cherries appear on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is silky and creamy in texture yet airy and vibrant, with a long, zesty finish. It’s a definite candidate for wine of the vintage, alongside its Mourvèdre-based stablemate, La Part des Anges.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine la Remejeanne ‘Les Arbousiers’, Cotes du Rhone 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $24, that’s $22.80 at 5% off and $21.60 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery Note
“Grenache (70%), Syrah (30 %). Wine with a beautiful deep ruby red color. Very intense nose reminiscent of small black fruits: blackcurrant, plum, burlat cherry, mixed with sweet notes of cuberdon candy. The palate turns out to be very elegant, enhanced by a beautiful liveliness, where floral and cherry notes are found. This friand wine is structured by fine and tight tannins. Les Arbousiers have a balanced Rhone character. Without heaviness or excessive generosity, this wine has a great future. A wine to serve with a Thai beef dish, with a Milanese veal escalope, with creamy dishes or even with autumn vegetable dishes. To drink within 3 to 8 years.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Saint Cosme Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $54.50, that’s $51.78 at 5% off and $49.05 at 10% off, 19 bottles in stock now
Nicolas Greinacher-Vinous 90 points
“Downright refined, the 2021 Chāteauneuf-du-Pape displays bright aromas of predominantly red fruits, black cherry, earth and cedar. Medium to full-bodied and spicy, the well-structured palate offers juicy fruit and concludes with a persistent finish. It checks in at 14.7% alcohol, one percent less than the 2020. (Drink between 2025-2036).”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Hominis Fides, Rhone 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $108, that’s $102.60 at 5% off and $97.20 at 10% off, 28 bottles in stock now
Nicolas Greinacher-Vinous 96 points
“The 2022 Gigondas Hominis Fides is an intricate elixir, bursting with ripe black fruits, blueberries, rose water, dried herbs and a bite of forest strawberry. The full-bodied and firmly structured Hominis Fides retains impressive freshness and boasts stunning verticality on its seamless palate. This is a truly stunning 2022 crafted to stand the test of time.”
Welcome in fall with these twelve rosés that match beautifully with classic seasonal dishes!
 
In Stock Now:
 
Ameztoi Rubentis Rosado, Getariako Txakolina, Spain 2024 750ml $24 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Producer Note
“Visual: pale pink with shades of fuchsia, his bright tone has a fine and elegant bubbles. Smelling: fine and sophisticated fragrance with notes of citrus and menthol. To taste: harmonious in the mouth, freshness reminiscent of strawberry sour caramel, and cheerful by their bubbles.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Domaine Les Aphillanthes Nymphea Rosé, Cotes du Rhone, France 2024 750ml $16 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Importer Note
“Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, and Counoise. Vine Age: Average 25 years old. Soil: Cailloux/Galets Roulets over clay-limestone.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Benanti Etna Rosato, Sicily, Italy 2024 750ml $24 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Importer Note
“Benanti Rosato is made from a select blend of grapes sourced from vineyards located on the northern, south-eastern, and south-western slopes of Mount Etna. The unique terroir of these volcanic slopes imparts the wine with a vibrant character, marked by crisp acidity and delicate minerality. The wine displays a beautiful balance of fresh red fruit flavors and subtle floral notes, offering a refreshing and elegant expression of Etna’s diverse landscapes. A Rosato that is both vibrant and singular capturing the essence of the mountains.”
 
Bodegas Muga Rosado, Rioja DOCa 2024 750ml $18 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Joaquín Hidalgo-Vinous 91 points
“The 2024 Rosado Muga, from Alto Najerilla, was aged for 16 weeks on lees. Pale pink, with cherry and mild sour cherry aromas accented by rose petals, it’s light and fresh with malic acidity. Expressive and lively, this is a crisp, uncomplicated Rosé.”
 
Chateau Pradeaux Bandol Rose, Provence 2024 750ml $31.90 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Chateau Pradeaux Bandol Rose, Provence 2024 1.5L $69 special, 3 magnums in stock now
VinePair Review
“Château Pradeaux is a historic estate located on the outskirts of the town of Saint Cyr-sur-Mernear on the Mediterranean coast that has been making Bandol wines since the 18th century. This cuvée is a 50-50 blend of Mourvèdre and Cinsault, lending to a well-structured, medium- bodied palate. It has concentrated flavors of blood orange, watermelon, and strawberries, with subtle savory hints. A truly age-worthy expression of rosé.”
 
Domaines Ott Chateau de Selle Coeur de Grain Rosé, Cotes de Provence 2024 750ml $59 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Billy Norris-Vinous 92 points
“The 2024 Rosé Château de Selle is the brightest and most mineral-driven of the three estate Rosés from Ott. Vibrant and utterly refreshing, the 2024 smells like the sea, levitating from the glass with a briny, herbaceous, maritime-influenced bouquet highlighted by spikes of fresh jasmine and orange peel. The 2024 splashes across the palate with soft curves and palpable grip. Balance? You bet. This is a match made in heaven for freshly shucked oysters.”
 
Le Galantin Bandol Rose, Provence 2024 750ml $24 special, 29 bottles in stock now
VinePair Review
“Achille and Liliane Pascal started Domaine Le Galatin with a small production of rosé in 1972, and the Bandol-based estate is now run by the second generation. The winery’s flagship rosé prominently features Mourvèdre at 62 percent of the blend, with Grenache and Cinsault making up the remainder. The result is a generous, expressive rosé with notes of ripe peaches, orange zest, and grapefruit with a lingering mineral finish. It delivers everything one might want from a Bandol rosé, and at less than half the price of a bottle of Tempier.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Lucien Crochet Sancerre Pinot Rose, Loire 2024 750ml $34.50 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Importer Note
“Made exclusively of Pinot Noir harvested from several parcels, a mix of Oxfordian “caillottes” and Kimmeridgian “marne”. This Rosé is made using the direct press method with the whole berries entering the pressoir. The musts ferment in temperature-controlled cuves (85%) as well as a small percentage in older barrels (15%). The fermentation occurs over three weeks. The wines is bottled in the spring of the following year.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Chateau de Manissy Tavel Rose, Rhone 2024 750ml $21.90 special, 15 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 91 points
“A delicious, fresh and tangy rosé made of grenache, syrah, cinsault and clairette. It has aromas of red currants, dried raspberries and some melon. Medium-bodied with a bright and succulent character on the palate. Flavors of spices and frozen berries and a mouthwatering finish. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink now.”
 
Nervi Conterno ‘Il Rosato’, Piedmont, Italy 2024 750ml $29 special, 21 bottles in stock now
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!
Sivilli Wine Co. Poubelle Rose, Willamette Valley 2024 750ml $16.50 special, 16 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote:
This is a less austere interpretation of Pinot Noir Rosé than we often see in the Willamette. There is a welcoming whiff of fresh strawberry on the nose, with a soft (but nicely balanced) mouth feel, stone-fruit notes on the palette, and tart raspberry on the finish. This is the bargain Rosé of the summer!
 
Tenuta delle Terre Nere Rosato Etna, Sicily, Italy 2024 750ml $31.90 special, 27 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 91 points
“Dusty and floral, the 2024 Etna Rosato lifts up with a delicate mix of peach, ripe melon and minty herbs. It’s juicy in character with crisp white cherry-berry tones that resonate. The 2024 tapers off with a gentle tension as hints of wild strawberry slowly fade.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Torre dei Beati ‘Rosa-ae’ Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo, Italy 2024 750ml $24 special, 25 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 92 points
“The 2024 Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo Rosa-Ae is a deep translucent red hue with violet shadings. It lifts from the glass with an enticing bouquet of white cherries, wildflowers and chalk dust. The 2024 is energetic and crisply refreshing, with depths of ripe strawberry fruits and tactile mineral tones that add lovely traction toward the close. This has a long, tense finish, with pleasantly chewy tannins, nuances of cranberry and rosy inner florals. Vibrant and intense, the 2024 is a real winner.”
 
Browse our sixty in-stock rosé selections now!


 
Don’t miss our additional sale going on now:
 
Cheers to Chenin
 
5% off any 3-7 bottles from our Cheers to Chenin list
10% off any 8+ or more bottles from our Cheers to Chenin list

 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.

 
Our Cheers to Chenin sale ends Monday, September 22nd at 9 am Pacific

Cheers to Chenin Sale 9-19-25

In This Newsletter:

Cheers to Chenin
Collector’s Corner: Corton In Its Many Guises



Cheers to Chenin
 
Stock Up & Save On:

 
Twelve Select Chenin Wines

 
We’ve handpicked twelve Chenin wines to share with you on our three-day sale!
 
5% off any 3-7 bottles from our Cheers to Chenin list below
10% off any 8+ or more bottles from our Cheers to Chenin list below

 
Please note: Only the selected wines below are included in this sale. Click here to see the full list on our webstore.
 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.

 
Sale ends Monday, September 22nd at 9 am Pacific.
 
Shop our twelve Cheers to Chenin options on sale now:
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Dry Creek Vineyard Dry Chenin Blanc, Clarksburg 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $16, that’s $15.20 at 5% off and $14.40 at 10% off, 26 bottles in stock now
Winery Note
“We are proud to have produced Dry Chenin Blanc each and every year since our family winery was founded in 1972. Extremely versatile and food friendly, it is the perfect aperitif and one of our most beloved wines. Fermented in 100% stainless steel barrels, this beautiful wine is wonderfully bright and consistent vintage after vintage. At first swirl, aromatics of honeydew, watermelon and pineapple spring forward from the glass with floral notes of jasmine and honeysuckle. On the palate, the wine has refreshing flavors of cucumber, lime and nectarine with hints of geranium, sweet basil and ripe orange. The mouthfeel is soft but inviting, with a lively acidity. This classic, Loire Valley-style wine is excellent when paired with fresh oysters, seafood, or just about anything!”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Arnaud Lambert ‘Breze’ Saumur Blanc Clos David, Loire, France 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $41.90, that’s $39.81 at 5% off and $37.71 at 10% off, 11 bottles in stock now
Importer Note
“The wine starts out aromatically expressing the magic that limestone seems to impart to its wines. Pure and striking fruits, like sweet lime, meyer lemon with lemon curd, exotic spice and flint dart out of the glass and into the nose. If you can manage to keep it in the glass for a couple of hours of slow observation and drinking, the wine will take you on a rollercoaster of highs that seem only to climber higher with every passing minute. Acidity? More than you can imagine but somehow it presents itself gently on the finish after a somewhat overwhelming initial attack from the first sip.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Thibaud Boudignon Anjou Blanc ‘a Francoise..’, Loire, France 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $74.50, that’s $70.78 at 5% off and $67.05 at 10% off, 10 bottles in stock now
Rebecca Gibb MW-Vinous 93 points
“Made from a small parcel in the village of Saint-Lambert, the 2022 Anjou Blanc à Francois(e) is a mouth-filling style without any heaviness. The generosity of the 2022 season has been curbed, and there’s a nervousness and slightly reductive nature that keeps it tight. Expect an attractive sourness from the acidity and salinity. The finish has a nice twist of savory character with 20% new oak (500-liter and cigar format). Time is needed here to ameliorate.”
 
Thibaud Boudignon Savennieres Clos de la Hutte, Loire, France 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 10 bottles in stock now
Rebecca Gibb MW-Vinous 97 points
“Although it’s ungenerous on the nose, the 2022 Savennières Clos de la Hutte is tender and generous in the mouth, welcoming you in. There’s a cloud of gently handled fruit that embraces the palate, but it does so in an elegant and light-on-its-feet way. Texturally, it’s seamless and coats the mouth with fine texture. In terms of flavor, expect salty, briny notes and citrus tones alongside a touch of spice and nutty oak on the finish. This is a wine that seems to be able to take a deep, calming breath and become more complete.”
 
Thibaud Boudignon Savennieres Clos de Fremine, Loire, France 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $86, that’s $81.70 at 5% off and $77.40 at 10% off, 8 bottles in stock now
Thibaud Boudignon Savennieres Clos de Fremine, Loire, France 2021 1.5L Displayed Price: $179, that’s $170.05 at 5% off and $161.10 at 10% off, 1 magnum in stock now
Yohan Castaing-Wine Advocate 95 points
“The 2021 Savennières Clos de Frémine opens with aromas of pear, rose, green mango, ripe orchard fruits and spring flowers. It is a full-bodied, intense and bright wine with a chiseled, crystalline, elegantly tense palate. The flinty structuring extract adds a unique character to the wine, and its pure minerality is impressive. Hide bottles for seven to eight years and enjoy over the following decades.”
 
Nicolas Joly Clos de la Coulée de Serrant, Loire, France 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $141.90, that’s $134.81 at 5% off and $127.71 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
Rebecca Gibb MW-Vinous 95 points
“The 2021 Clos de la Coulée de Serrant is a dry, floral Chenin Blanc produced from late-picked grapes, done in 3 passes with around 1/10th affected by botrytis. Grown biodynamically and vinified with minimal intervention, the resulting wine is intriguing and idiosyncratic. With a rich golden color, there’s a sensation of sweetness allied with honeyed fruit and fullness of high alcohol. Low yields are reflected in the intense concentration. It is a serious, structured style with well-handled phenolics providing grip and contributing to its length, while the season’s bright acidity ensures freshness and tension. It is a much cleaner, less oxidative style in 2021, and for that, you have to be thankful. This will be a long-lived wine that would need decanting.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Perrault-Jadaud ‘Bacchanales’ Vouvray, Loire, France 2018 500ml Displayed Price: $33, that’s $31.35 at 5% off and $29.70 at 10% off, 10 bottles in stock now
Wine Terroirs Note
“Bacchanales, Vouvray 2018, back to the whites for the sweetest, the liquoreux and its 120 grams of residual sugar. Elevage in barrels. 11 % alcohol. Bottled in 50 centiliter bottles. Golden color, the maturity, and oxidation as well, ans as Anne-Cécile reminds me, the negligible doses of sulfites (high dosages of sulfites gives you colorless whites, that’s why commercial sweet wines are mostly colorless, it’s because of excessive SO2). Excellent wine which remains fresh in the mouth even with this sugar, there an acidulous feel which is very enjoyable. Anne-Cécile says that the fermentation stops by itself at one point, they don’t have to do anything. They often sell this wine in the wine fairs they attend in november or december, when people presumably look for wines to pair with foie gras and other Christmas/New Year delicacies. For me it’s a good apéritif wine as well, by itself.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Philippe Foreau Domaine du Clos Naudin Vouvray Moelleux, Loire, France 2015 750ml Displayed Price: $66, that’s $62.70 at 5% off and $59.40 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Neal Rosenthal Tasting Note
“The 2015 Moelleux is really a step up in concentration and complexity from the Sec and Demi-Sec. It is at this level where the ultimate potential of Vouvray begins to reveal itself. The dense aromas lean bitter, with notes of pear, pit fruits, and fresh honey. On the palate, the fruit is warm and leans toward plum and quince, with an undercurrent of sea foam and Indian spices. Wearing 70 grams of sugar, this wine’s intense minerality keeps it fresh and structured, which adds to its incredible persistence and surprisingly dry finish.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Huet Vouvray ‘Le Mont’ Moelleux, Loire, France 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 96 points
“Bright, even exuberant in feel, with a parade of Jonagold apple, green melon, Bosc pear and quince flavors streaming through, gilded with heather, honeysuckle and verbena notes on the long, lithe finish. Remarkably elegant despite the off-dry style. Drink now through 2035.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Huet Vouvray ‘Clos du Bourg’ Moelleux, Loire, France 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 34 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 97 points
“A stunner, with beautiful pear, green fig, yellow apple and quince notes that are creamy and flirtatiously sweet, yet seamless and refined in feel. The extremely long finish lets honeysuckle and verbena notes dance throughout, with a light echo of white ginger at the very end. Best from 2020 through 2040.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Huet Vouvray ‘Le Haut Lieu’ Moelleux, Loire, France 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points
“Gorgeous crystallized ginger, dried quince, glazed pear and warm persimmon notes are seamlessly interwoven here, gliding through a lengthy finish that picks up a lilting green tea accent. Frankly off-dry but wonderfully pure. Drink now through 2035.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Domaine Huet Vouvray ‘Clos du Bourg’ Premiere Trie Moelleux, Loire, France 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 96 points
“This is ripe and broad, taking a slightly more power-driven approach, with a mix of tropical mango and papaya fruit, backed by orchard fruit accents of yellow apple and peach. The long, heather honey–accented finish has light piecrust and crystalized ginger hints. Best from 2020 through 2035.”
 
Shop our Cheers to Chenin sale wines now!
 


Collector’s Corner
 

Corton In Its Many Guises
 
The Hill of Corton, or Montage de Corton, is a landmark in Burgundy, not just for its stunning appearance, but also for its stunning wines. This is a Grand Cru in the more southern Côte de Beaune subregion of Burgundy. Corton-Charlemagne (named for the demand of the wife of Charlemagne to grow white wines so her husband’s beard would not be stained) produces astonishing Chardonnay wines heralded for their longevity and complexity. The vines surround the trees at the very top of the hill.
 
The Grand Cru of Le Corton produces Pinot Noir wines known for their high tannins, longevity and richness. The larger-production Corton Les Bressandes produces highly regarded Pinot Noir from rocky soils in the more eastern side.
 
In Stock Now:
 
Bouchard Pere & Fils Le Corton Grand Cru 2020 750ml $199 special, 5 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93-95+ points
“The 2020 Le Corton Grand Cru is a worthy successor to the striking 2019 (which I probably underrated last year). Soaring from the glass with aromas of rose petals, orange rind, raspberries, rich soil tones and cinnamon, it’s full-bodied, velvety and seamless, with a deep and layered core of fruit, vibrant acids and fine, melting tannins, concluding with a long, saline finish. This emblematic cuvée has always been a solid bottling chez Bouchard, but in the last few years it seems to have attained a whole new level of quality. When I asked Frédéric Weber what might account for this shift, he explained that he picks later and includes more whole bunches in the vinification. Whatever the reason, readers are advised to take note, as I don’t think the market has yet factored in quite how good this wine is. “
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Joseph Drouhin Corton Grand Cru 2018 750ml $219 special, 6 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 94 points
“Cherry crushed-strawberry and rose aromas with notes of fresh herbs. It’s medium-to full-bodied with sleek tannins and lively acidity. Round and juicy with a bright core of fruit on the mid-palate. Fresh, with soft power and a flavorful finish. Needs two or three years to soften.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Jean-Marc Pillot Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2022 750ml $499 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Importer Note
“Jean-Marc Pillot typically makes two barrels a year from fruit purchased from his friend Blair Pethel of Domaine Dublère; Blair spent a year working alongside Jean-Marc and has generously allowed him access to a small part of his vineyard (a parcel formerly farmed by the Rollin family, our vignerons in Pernand-Vergelesses). Aromatically complex, honeyed, with wild herbs, mint and chamomile, the Corton-Charlemagne is massively scaled–both intensely mineral and nearly unctuous in its sappiness of fruit–and its 50% new oak is all but swallowed by the wine’s sheer concentration. We are fortunate to receive 5 cases of this a year for the US.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Michel Juillot Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2016 1.5L $289 special, 7 magnums in stock now
Burghound 91 points
“Generous wood dominates the otherwise fresh green apple, pear and white flower scents. There is ample minerality on the solidly dense and relatively powerful medium weight flavors that possess a caressing mouth feel that contrasts markedly with the powerful and impressively long finish where the wood is again quite prominent. I can’t say that the style appeals to me as the wood is more than I prefer but this should still make for fine drinking in a few years time.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Ponsot Corton-Bressandes Grand Cru 2013 750ml $449 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Jancis Robinson 18/20 points
“Mid crimson. Very expressive nose and savoury. Lip smacking and hugely appetising with its medium weight of red-fruit flavours – pomegranate? – and bone-dry finish. Most attractive. Great balance and very neat finish.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Vincent Girardin Quintessence de Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2017 750ml $219 special, 20 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93+ points
“The 2017 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru Quintessence de Corton-Charlemagne was one of the most introverted wines in the range when I revisited it from bottle, unwinding to reveal scents of pear, white flowers, confit citrus and a delicate top note of petrol. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, ample and satiny, with a deep and intensely concentrated core, but it’s still very reserved after its recent bottling. Some patience will be in order here, though at maturity, I’m sure my score will look conservative.”
 
Browse our 233 selections from Burgundy now!


 
Don’t miss our additional sale going on now:
 
Bubbly Bargains
 
5% off any 3-7 bottles from our Bubbly Bargains list
10% off any 8+ or more bottles from our Bubbly Bargains list

 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.

 
Our Bubbly Bargains sale ends Saturday, September 20th at 9 am Pacific.

Thursday Newsletter 9-18-25

In This Newsletter:

Faiveley
4 Monos
Trending Gruner
Wine of the Week: Sherry
Multitude of Magnums: Italian Edition


 
Faiveley
 
The seventh generation Faiveley siblings Eve and Erwan have transformed the winemaking, retaining the age-worthiness that defined the domaine, while coaxing out more youthful charm.
 
The wines of Faiveley, while always of superlative quality, were more often described as concentrated, stern, and ageable instead of approachable and charming. It could be why they tended to capture the hearts in their native country than in America: the French people and restaurants have more patience and inclination for cellaring.
 
Even small changes to the style of a domaine dating back to 1825 is considered revolutionary in Burgundy, and there were a number of people who were afraid that the transition would ruin one of the anchors of the region. Fortunately, when the first wines of the new generation started to appear, the results were reassuringly delicious, and the changes not nearly as drastic as anticipated.
 
In general, the whites are simultaneously silky and muscular and the reds are exceptionally pure and elegant. Many show heightened aromatics and a softer feel on the palate. Village level wines were easy to enjoy immediately, and even most Premier Cru wines were showing themselves well after a brief introduction of air. The Grand Cru holdings were still built for the long haul, with power and intensity.
 
From vintage to vintage and village to village you’ll find that Faiveley’s bottlings will rank among the best.
 
In Stock Now from Faiveley:
 
Faiveley Clos des Myglands Monopole, Mercurey Premier Cru 2022 750ml $64.50 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Decanter 94 points
“Faiveley’s monopole Clos des Myglands on the northern edge of the village has delivered a delightful wine in 2022, with a lovely raspberry and plum fruit character, and a hint of rose petals and earth. The wine has a pronounced sweetness and a gratifyingly silky texture on the palate. Jérôme Flous remarked that despite the lack of water in 2022, the vines of the Côte Chalonnaise had a noticeably lower pH than those of the Côte d’Or in general, which helps keep this lively and fresh. A genuinely delightful success. Drinking Window: 2025-2040. “
 
Faiveley Aux Beaux Bruns, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2019 750ml $179 special, 15 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 94 points
“An unusually firm and structured wine that breaks the mold for this village, usually associated with finesse and delicacy. Deep forest-berry aromas, but also savory and earthy notes. Imposing body that’s brimming with healthy tannins. Bright, mineral finish with excellent complexity.”
 
Faiveley Les Porets-Saint-Georges, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2019 750ml $119 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 92 points
“Aromas of spearmint and cinnamon accent the core flavors of black cherry and blackberry in this firm red, which is more linear on the finish, where dark fruit mingles with oak spice and mineral elements”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Faiveley Les Pruliers, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2019 750ml $99 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 92 points
“Aromas of spearmint and cinnamon accent the core flavors of black cherry and blackberry in this firm red, which is more linear on the finish, where dark fruit mingles with oak spice and mineral elements. The tannins are a touch dry in the end. Best from 2025 through 2040.”
 
Faiveley Les Cazetiers, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2021 750ml $235 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points
“Alluring for its exotic spice aromas and strawberry, cherry and floral flavors, this silky, inviting red is balanced, with vanilla and toasty oak notes lingering on the aftertaste. Approachable now, this should improve in the next year or two. Drink now through 2032. 56 cases imported.”
 
Faiveley Volnay-Santenots, Volnay Premier Cru 2019 750ml $119 special, 4 bottles in stock now
No reviews for the 2019 vintage. 2018 provided for reference.
Wine Spectator 93 points “Dark and concentrated, displaying blackberry, black cherry, tar and charred oak flavors. Feels rustic yet there is a solid core of fruit that emerges on the finish, along with a sweetness. Best from 2023 through 2038.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Faiveley Latricières-Chambertin Grand Cru 2022 750ml $519 special, 6 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 95-97 points
“The 2022 Latricières-Chambertin Grand Cru is once again one of the high points of the range chez Faiveley, wafting from the glass with aromas of raspberries, rose petals, Indian spices, blood orange and coniferous forest floor, followed by a full-bodied, ample and layered palate that’s cool, concentrated, vibrant and perfumed, concluding with a long, saline finish.”
 
Shop our twenty-one Faiveley selections now!



4 Monos
 
The friends behind the Spanish winery “4 Monos” (4 Monkeys) fell in love with the Spanish region of the Sierra de Gredos during a hiking trip. They returned to establish what would quickly become one of the region’s leading producers.
 
Equal parts Mediterranean and Alpine, the region spans three viticultural regions (Méntrida, Vinos de Madrid, and Castilla y León) but represents a terroir all their own. 4 Monos’ wines are tense and evocative, crafted with a minimalist winemaking approach to ensure that the terroir they fell in love can speak for itself.
 
In Stock Now:
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
4 Monos Viticultores GR-10 Blanco, Sierra de Gredos 2022 750ml $28 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 91 points
“The 2022 GR-10 Blanco has a deeper color but lower alcohol (13.5%) than the 2023 I tasted next to it. Both years had similar cycles, and this one feels a little fresher, with notes of pollen and honey denoting the additional age. It’s round and juicy, with supple flavors and the characteristic bitter twist in the finish. 1,850 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2023.”
 
4 Monos Viticultores GR-10 Tinto, Sierra de Gredos 2022 750ml $26 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 92+ points
“The red 2022 GR-10 Tinto is a blend of 85% Garnacha and 15% Cariñena that fermented with full clusters and matured in barrels of different sizes and one 4,200-liter oak vat for seven months. It’s fruit-driven, the profile of the year, with 13.5% alcohol, good freshness and some more austere tannins as the grapes come from the lower part of Cadalso and Cenicientos. It’s expressive, aromatic and clean, with a medium-bodied palate that is juicy and tasty, with a supple finish. This is delicious and really impressive for the year. It represents very good value for money and a great introduction to the elegant style of the Garnachas from Gredos. They produced some 31,000 bottles. It was bottled in late August and early September 2023.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
4 Monos Viticultores ‘Aguja del Fraile’ 2021 750ml $49 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 95 points
“The 2021 Aguja del Fraile is their village red from Cadalso de los Vidrios and comes from a number of vineyards (five). It contains around 5% Cariñena and fermented with full clusters and had a longer maceration of 45 days. It matured in 400- and 500-liter oak barrels and five months in a 1,780-liter foudre. It has 14% alcohol and a pH of 3.25 and is fresher and cooler than the previous year. It has contained ripeness but keeping the fruit and the juiciness, with the fine-grained tannins and the strong granite sensation from the village. There’s one more plot in this 2021 from the La Isilla lieu-dit, and they believe this has improved the wine, making it narrower and finer-boned. 1,850 bottles and six magnums produced. It was bottled in June 2023.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
4 Monos Viticultures La Danza del Viento ‘Arroyo de las Ánimas’ 2021 750ml $59 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 95+ points
“The new single-vineyard red 2021 La Danza del Viento Arroyo de las Ánimas (bottled in 2020 but sold almost exclusively to the Mugaritz restaurant) comes from a plot between the lieux-dits of La Alberca and Lancharrasa between Cadalso and Cenicientos at 960 meters above sea level, with a west exposure but very shady, as it’s on a forest slope. The soil is very shallow degraded gray granite. The wine is perfumed and ethereal, with floral and citrus notes and is structured but with silky tannins. It was picked at the end of September and fermented with 100% uncrushed grapes, mostly full clusters and indigenous yeasts, and the wine matured in 500-liter barrel for 15 months. It has an expressive nose that is floral, with the herbal side from Cenicientos. It has a solid palate with great harmony, fine tannins and supple flavors and a long, clean and focused finish; this is closer to the La Isilla than Molino Quemado but doesn’t quite reach the same refinement and elegance. It has a moderate 13.5% alcohol, with a pH of 3.31 and 5.85 grams of acidity. Only 654 bottles produced. It was bottled in June 2023.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
4 Monos Viticultures La Danza del Viento ‘La Isilla’ 2021 750ml $64.50 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 96+ points
“My favorite wine this time was the 2021 La Danza del Viento La Isilla, the single-vineyard red from Cadalso de los Vidrios. It has an ethereal and floral personality that transcends the style of the village. It showcases the vintage with its firm tannins balanced by the tension, length and complexity of the wine. This comes from a vineyard at 860 meters above sea level on very fine sandy soils that they have been recovering since 2013; the grapes were picked in mid-September and fermented with full clusters and a 47-day maceration. It has 2% Cariñena in addition to a majority of Garnacha. The wine matured in 500-liter French oak barrels for 15 months. It has terrific tension, freshness and balance, velvety tannins and a vibrant, symmetric and crystalline finish. It has 13.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.25 denoting very good freshness and 5.56 grams of acidity. This is superb. Only 630 bottles produced. It was bottled in June 2023.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
4 Monos Viticultores ‘Cien Lanzas’ Cenicientos 2020 750ml $33 special, 13 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 94 points
“The 2020 Cien Lanzas was produced with Garnacha (and around 5% Cariñena and Garnacha Blanca) from four plots in Cenicientos. It fermented in concrete and oak vat with a long maceration, and it matured for five months in oak vats and 500-liter barrels and then in a 4,800-liter foudre for another 12 months. It has 14.5% alcohol but doesn’t show it. The expressive nose is very floral coupled with good freshness and mellow acidity. The tannins are similar to previous vintages, but the nose has gained in detail and refinement, which also comes back on the finish. This is the best vintage so far for this bottling. 6,400 bottles and four magnums produced. It was bottled in June 2022.”

 
Grape of the Week:

Grüner Veltliner

 
It’s odd that it’s a shocking statement to point out that Austrian winemakers produce some of the greatest wines made anywhere in the world. They count among their ranks such luminaries as FX Pichler, Gobelsburg, and Nikolaihof, and such illustrious vineyards as Heiligenstein and im Weingebirge, the oldest named vineyard in the world.
 
Despite the adoration of diehard fans and sommeliers, the wines don’t always get the attention they deserve. If these wines came from France, these biodynamic, single-vineyard, Grand Cru, food-friendly gems from thousand-year-old wineries, they would be three times as expensive. These are the source of the best value high end whites in the world.
 
Their signature grape variety, Grüner Veltliner, is a reason for this greatness. Offering unique aromatics with a fresh and mineral flair, it’s hard not to fall in love upon release. But many of these beauties can age gracefully into haunting, soulful wines that surpass description. Given their value, it’s a surprise how few take notice. Discover Austria’s not-so-secret secret for yourself.
 
Highlights In Stock Now:
 
Weingut Leo Alzinger Mühlpoint Grüner Veltliner Federspiel, Wachau 2023 750ml $36 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Anne Krebiehl MW-Vinous 90 points
“The 2023 Grüner Veltliner Mühlpoint Federspiel, a site just underneath Steinertal, in the lower reaches where there’s more loess in the gneiss deposits. It’s gently savory on the nose and delivers yeast and pepper. The palate has a lovely stoniness and a slender aspect, with the pepperiness shimmering on the yeasty mid-palate. Lemon, stone and pepper make for a juicy, light-footed Federspiel. (Bone-dry)”
 
Weingut E & M Berger Grüner Veltliner, Niederosterreich 2023 1 Liter $18 special, 7 liter-bottles in stock now
Importer Note
“[This wine] is a perfect foil for the infectious drinkability that this variety is known for but has an extra level of clarity and complexity that is sometimes missing from this category. Fermented entirely in stainless steel from estate grown. Loess dominated vineyards in the Kremstal.”
 
Weingut Brundlmayer Kaferberg Grüner Veltliner, Kamptal DAC Reserve 2021 750ml $79 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 96 points
“What a lovely nose of apricots, lemons, nutmeg, orange zest and white chocolate. It’s creamy and medium- to full-bodied, with zesty acidity cutting through. Fantastic balance, length and intensity. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
 
Schloss Gobelsburg Ried Lamm Grüner Veltliner Erste OTW Lage, Kamptal DAC 2020 750ml $79 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93+ points
“The intensely yellow-colored 2020 Ried Lamm 1ÖTW opens with an intense and elegant, refined bouquet of ripe and concentrated fruits intermingled with spicy iodine notes of crystalline rocks. On the palate, this is a dense and very elegant Grüner Veltliner with fine and crystalline acidity and a long elegant finish. The Lamm has more flesh and texture than the Grub as well as more suppleness and power, but it’s also more saturating in 2020. Definitely a wine to age, though. 13% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in September 2022.”
 
Weingut Emmerich Knoll Loibner Ried Trum Grüner Veltliner Federspiel, Wachau 2022 750ml $59 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 93 points
“Plenty of mirabelle and bergamot fruit fill out the ripe and structured palate that’s at the upper end of medium-bodied. Long, quite firm finish for this category with a ton of dried herb and tobacco leaf character. Drink or hold.”
 
Lenzmark ‘New Chapter’ Grüner Veltliner, Niederosterreich 2022 750ml $19 special, 30 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 93 points
“This excellent Austrian dry white combines freshness, depth and character in a very 21st century way. The abundant citrus, yellow apple, garden herb and floral aromas are wrapped around a very solid core in which the acidity and minerality neatly interlock. Crisp finish with so much positive energy! Drink or hold.”
 
Weingut Bernhard Ott Feuersbrunner Spiegel Grüner Veltliner Erste OTW Lage, Wagram 2021 750ml $79 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Anne Krebiehl MW-Vinous 94 points
“The 2021 Grüner Veltliner Spiegel was picked on well-ventilated terraces of loess on top of calcareous, iron-rich Danubian gravels. On the nose, yeast blends into the gentle woodland scent of moss, edged with just a little pepper. The palate is rounded, with a heightened sense of pepper on a very airy, smooth, almost ethereal body. Soaring towards the sky, this is fresh and bright, all reaching upwards. At once light-footed and sprightly yet profound, the entire wine is vivid with white pepper. (Bone-dry).”
 
Weingut Bernhard Ott Engabrunner Stein Grüner Veltliner Erste OTW Lage, Kamptal DAC 2021 750ml $71.90 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95-96 points
“Tasted as a sample, the 2021 Ried Stein 1ÖTW Engabrunn Grüner Veltliner offers a deep, fresh and flinty/stony bouquet of ripe fruits and smoky bacon. Full-bodied, rich and dense on the palate, this is an opulent but elegant, fresh, savory and salty Veltliner with spectacular grip and tension. A fascinating wine. Tasted as a sample in September 2022.”


 
#Trending Sherry
 
Offering dueling styles of fresh, subtle and saline versus oxidized, nutty and intense (and subtypes of each), sherry is a fascinating category worthy of exploration. Start your journey today!
 
In Stock Now:
 
Alvear Pedro Ximenez Solera 1927, Montilla-Moriles NV 375ml $29 special, 23 half-bottles in stock now
Robert Parker-Wine Advocate 98 points
“The NV Pedro Ximenez Solera 1927 is non-vintage, but does have some 1927 material in it. This is totally dark brown/amber with notes of figs, toffee, caramel syrup, molasses and coffee. It is dense, super sweet, intense, rich and an amazingly, unctuously textured, thick beverage to consume slowly and introspectively after a meal. Drink now through 2050, or even longer.”
 
Equipo Navazos La Bota de Manzanilla Pasada “La Bota 100–Botas NO” Sherry, Andalucia 500ml $99 special, 6 500ml-bottles in stock now
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 97 points
“The next of the single-cask Manzanilla Pasada (80, 60, 50, 40 and 20) is the NV La Bota de Manzanilla Pasada 100 Botas NO, selected from three butts (botas, in plural) to have more volume of the wine number 100. It’s a bottling that always had more demand than supply. So, they made more bottles—2,700 half-liter ones and some larger formats. It was bottled in October 2020. Like in previous bottlings, it’s bottled at 16.5% alcohol at an estimated average age of 15 years, the first 10 years under flor and the subsequent five with the barrels fully topped up, following an oxidative aging. This has more concentration and extract than the 110 I tasted next to it, but I favored the elegance and finesse of that other one. Still, it’s a stratospheric wine, an explosion of concentration, flavors and minerality, a little more oxidative.”
 
Equipo Navazos La Bota de Oloroso “La Bota 108–Bota NO” Sherry, Andalucia NV 375ml $119 special, 4 half-bottles in stock now
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 97 points
“As they run out of 98 pretty quickly, they soon bottled a similar NV La Bota de Oloroso Bota NO 108, another butt from the same group, which has a more civilized nose, with hints of orange and somehow gentler (relatively speaking) and polished. Each barrel is different and the wines are so old, so this specific one seems to have a softer personality but is still pungent and powerful. These wines, as they are aged in Trebujena, cannot be labeled as sherry, but in the future that should change. They filled 1,200 half bottles in October 2021.”
 
A.R. Valdespino Coliseo Amontillado VORS Sherry, Andalucia 375ml $179 special, 3 half-bottles in stock now
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 99 points
“The NV Amontillado Coliseo VORS, is an extremely old (much older than the 30 years certified by the VORS classification) and concentrated wine. It is unique, as its origin is from Sanlucar de Barrameda, mainly from the Pago Miraflores, which produced very sharp wines. Dark mahogany colored, with a bright green border, is very aromatic, balsamic and complex, with wild herbs, candied orange rind, spices and dates. The palate is extremely concentrated, dry, and intense but it has no edges, with lively acidity and an eternal finish. It’s an extreme wine, some might find it too much, but it’s certainly unique and among the greatest wines in the world, to be sipped slowly and in tiny quantities. One of the greatest Amontillados in existence today. Drink 2013-2025.” WA
 
A.R. Valdespino ‘La Especial’ Manzanilla Pago de Miraflores Sherry, Andalucia 2016 750ml Was $33, Now $28 special, 32 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 94 points
“Decadent aromas of flor, nuts and creamy cheese, as well as honey and dried lemon and apple. Focused and precise, with a dense, compact palate and a flavorful finish. Nutty and spicy at the end. Bottled in a hock bottle, which is different and fun and from the Miraflores area. Drink and enjoy.”
 
Shop our Sherry selections now!


 
Multitude of Magnums
 
Italian Edition


In Stock Now:
 
This is the only listing in the USA today for the magnum!
Foradori ‘Fuoripista’ Pinot Grigio Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Trentino-Alto Adige 2020 1.5L $119 special, 4 magnums in stock now
James Suckling 95 points
“…So much caramelized-orange aroma, plus pomegranate, oolong tea and rose-petal character. Bone-dry and incredibly lively, this makes you feel glad to be alive! From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today for the magnum!
Produttori del Barbaresco Montestefano, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2019 1.5L Was $179, Now $169 special, 4 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 95 points
“The 2019 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano is perhaps the most complete of the 2019 Riservas at this stage. It offers fine depth, plenty of tannin and nascent emerging inner sweetness to tie it all together. A wine of stature and textural depth, the Montestefano is my early favorite in this lineup.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today for the magnum!
Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2017 1.5L Was $169, Now $159 special, 6 magnums in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94+ points
“One of the bigger productions (with 17,744 bottles) in the Produttori del Barbaresco’s portfolio is the 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello. All of the Riservas in this vintage are characterized by especially exuberant and bold aromas, and this bottle is a prime example. Cassis, wild cherry, tobacco, rusty nail and licorice build intensity. The wine is tapered and silky in texture, but it also offers a good amount of power (and 15% alcohol) to carry it through the aging process.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Rocca di Montegrossi ‘Ridolfo’ Toscana IGT 2015 1.5L Was $179, Now $159 special, 14 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 98+ points
“The 2015 Ridolfo is a new Cabernet Sauvignon/Pugnitello blend from Marco Ricasoli bottled only in magnum. Vibrant and finely sculpted, the 2015 impresses right out of the gate. A whole range of savory aromatics, lavender, spice, licorice and mocha open with time in the glass. Sweet rose petal and cinnamon appear later, adding brightness and lift. Cabernet Sauvignon and Pugnitello are not obvious varieties to blend, as they are, on paper, more similar than complementary. Even so, the combination works so well. I can’t wait to see how this ages. The 2015 is a total knock-out!”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today for the magnum!
Arianna Occhipinti Il Frappato Terre Siciliane IGT, Sicily 2023 1.5L $109 special, 3 magnums in stock now
Decanter 93 points
“You can feel all of Arianna Occhipinti’s tremendous energy and passion in her wines. The 2023 Il Frappato marks the 20th vintage of this landmark wine for the region. A dark cherry fragrance predominates, while the tight and bright palate is wound around a sapid core with gentle phenolic grip, balanced by breezy herbs and a hint of strawberry on the finish. Pure class. Organic.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Paolo Scavino Bric del Fiasc, Barolo DOCG 2019 1.5L $249 special, 4 magnums in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 98 points
“The 2019 Barolo Bric del Fiasc is the hallmark wine of the estate, and it shows. Taking on more concentration, it is pure and generous with kirsch, star anise, nutmeg, and menthol and moves impressively to the palate with ease and nobility. It offers fantastic depth while remaining true to the vintage and propels forward through an arch of acidity, while having grounded notes of Earl Grey tea, black cherry, and crushed stones as well as ripe tannins. Drink 2026-2046.”
 
Shop our thirty-four Italian magnum selections now!


 
Don’t miss our sales going on now:
 
Sangio Selections
 
5% off any 3-7 bottles from our Sangio Selections list
10% off any 8+ or more bottles from our Sangio Selections list
 
Bubbly Bargains
 
5% off any 3-7 bottles from our Bubbly Bargains list
10% off any 8+ or more bottles from our Bubbly Bargains list

 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.

 
Our Sangio Selections sale ends Friday, September 19th at 9 am Pacific. Our Bubbly Bargains sale ends Saturday, September 20th at 9 am Pacific.

Bubbly Bargains Sale 9-17-25

In This Newsletter:

Bubbly Bargains
Nerd Alert Featurette: Klipsun



Bubbly Bargains
 
Stock Up & Save On:

 
Twelve Select Sparkling Wines

 
We’ve handpicked twelve sparkling wines to share with you on our three-day sale!
 
5% off any 3-7 bottles from our Bubbly Bargains list below
10% off any 8+ or more bottles from our Bubbly Bargains list below

 
Please note: Only the selected wines below are included in this sale. Click here to see the full list on our webstore.
 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.

 
Sale ends Saturday, September 20th at 9 am Pacific.
 
Shop our twelve Bubbly Bargains options on sale now:
 
De Venoge Louis XV de Venoge Brut Millesime, Champagne 2008 750ml Displayed Price: $249, that’s $236.55 at 5% off and $224.10 at 10% off, 28 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.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Nowack ‘Les Bauchets’ Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut, Champagne 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 19 bottles in stock now
Importer Note
“Estate fruit. From single parcel “Les Bauchets” on pure Marne soils. 45 year old vines. Vinification & Aging Base wine is from 2019 – fermented with native yeasts, aged in small oak barrels, unfiltered and unfined. Tirage 5/2020. No dosage. Disgorged 1/2024. 2g/L RS. Importer’s Notes Producer Profile The only 100% fully sparkling Pinot Noir produced at the domaine.”
 
Franck Bonville Unisson Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs, Champagne NV 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 15 bottles in stock now
Yohan Castaing-Wine Advocate 90 points
“Based on 2018 vintage and complemented with some vins de réserve from 2017, the NV Unisson Grand Cru is showing well today, evoking aromas of white fruits, flowers, chamomile and almonds. Medium-bodied, round and vinous, with a juicy core of fruit and a pinpoint mousse, it’s long and delicate with bright acids and a fresh, ethereal finish. Dosage: five grams per liter.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Goodfellow Family Cellars Whistling Ridge Vineyard Blanc de Gris NV 750ml Displayed Price: $47.50, that’s $45.13 at 5% off and $42.75 at 10% off, 16 bottles in stock now
Winery Note
“Like walking through an orchard blossoming out in the spring. Then mandarins and orange zest, nectarine and lime leaf, subtle and fine, with a hint of salt & fennel pollen. Kumquats in the palate, stony and dry (not austere), mineral, finishes with citrus skin. The impetus to make traditional method sparkling wines from Pinot Gris came from years of watching the quality of Pinot Gris that has consistently come out of the Whistling Ridge Vineyard, and specifically with tasting some of the older examples of our bottlings with extended barrel aging and with extended skin-contact. Brut Nature (no dose) but with a yeasty textural aspect that suggests otherwise. Delicious. 12.6% ABV. 77 cases produced, bottled April 2023 and disgorged this past December.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
H. Billiot Fils Grand Cru Brut Millesime, Champagne 2014 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 31 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 93 points
“The 2014 Brut Millésime is a beautiful wine that shows the Billiot style off to great effect. Fresh, vibrant and also wonderfully deep, the 2014 hits all the right notes. Red plum, kirsch, flowers, mint and sweet spice all come together in a Champagne that marries tension with volume. That’s a pretty appealing combination in my book. Dosage is 0.6 grams per liter.”
 
Legras & Haas ‘Intuition’ Brut, Champagne NV 750ml Displayed Price: $44.50, that’s $42.28 at 5% off and $40.05 at 10% off, 17 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 90 points
“Fresh apricots and pears on the nose, as well as hazelnuts, lemon curd and melba toast. It’s fresh, creamy and silky with fine bubbles. 64% chardonnay, 22% pinot noir and 14% meunier. Based on 2021. Drink now.”
 
Louis Roederer Collection 245 Brut, Champagne NV 750ml Displayed Price: $64.50, that’s $61.28 at 5% off and $58.05 at 10% off, 33 bottles in stock now
Kristaps Karklins-Wine Advocate 92 points
“Based on the 2020 vintage, Louis Roederer’s NV Brut Collection 245 is stylistically somewhat comparable to the two previous editions, which were based on the 2018 and 2019 vintages. Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon explains that the personality of the wine will change depending on the base year. By identifying the wine with a number, they do not intend to produce the same profile year in and year out, but rather, they will embrace the singularity of each vintage, accepting the different personalities of the base year. It is complemented by a perpetual reserve initiated in 2012, which is stored in large tanks without lees; the reserve provides balance to the warm years like this, as the perpetual component did not go through malolactic fermentation. While a considerable portion of the fruit comes from Louis Roederer’s own estates, for this bottling, the blend incorporates purchased fruit as well, particularly Pinot Meunier, which they do not own. Including approximately 43% Chardonnay, the new Brut Collection offers notes of pear, peach and candied orange zest. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied, textural and fleshy, laden with vibrant acidity and concluding with a nicely defined, delicately saline finish, even with 7.5 grams per liter dosage.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Pommery Cuvee Louise Brut Rosé Millésime, Champagne 2004 750ml Displayed Price: $249, that’s $236.55 at 5% off and $224.10 at 10% off, 28 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points
“This is a new release and shows wonderful finesse and beauty. You know that the moment you see the pale-amber color. It’s medium bodied with freshness and energy and a long, vivid finish. A joy to taste. Drink now.”
 
Roederer Estate L’Ermitage Brut, Anderson Valley, California 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $74.50, that’s $70.78 at 5% off and $67.05 at 10% off, 11 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 100 points
“If sunshine could be bottled it would be this. Aromas of fresh succulent stone fruit, a hint of yeast, citrus blossoms and notes of quince on the nose. The mousse is creamy and light with baked red apples, blood orange zest, white grapefruit, sticky caramel and layered salinity with a mouthwatering finish. It will bring a smile to your lips.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Valentin Leflaive Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil Sur Oger Grand Cru Extra Brut Millésime, Champagne NV (2015) 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 9 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 94 points
“[Review is for different disgorgement] Aromas of apple pie with lemon curd and stone. Full-bodied with a solid palate of layered fruit and phenolics. Dense and focused with lots of fruit, yet composed and focused. Structured. Almost tannic. Dosage 5g/L.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Villa Crespia Francesco Iacono Dosaggio Zero Riserva, Franciacorta DOCG 2008 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 17 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 92 points
“Villa Crespia’s 2008 Franciacorta Francesco Iacono Dosaggio Zero Riserva shows careful signs of evolution with apricot, honey, saffron and dried rose petal. The complexity is subtle at first but builds in intrigue as the wine takes shape in the glass. In the mouth, this layered sparkling wine exhibits fine perlage and medium texture that feels weighty without being heavy. This is a Pinot Nero-based sparkler that ages on the lees for eight months and is partially aged in oak.”
 
Vilmart & Cie ‘Cuvee Rubis’ Brut Rosé, Champagne NV 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 13 bottles in stock now
Audrey Frick-Jeb Dunnuck 92 points
“The NV Champagne 1er Cru Cuvee Rubis Brut Rose is a bright pale pink color, and is fruity and inviting on the nose, with notes of strawberries, pastry cream, candied grapefruit, and fresh roses. Medium-bodied, it is refreshing and approachable on the palate, with a refined and rounded mousse and a quaffable nature to drink on its own or at the table. This crowd pleaser will drink well over the coming 5-7 years, but I like it where it is now for its fresh style. (Drink between 2024-2032).”



Nerd Alert!

Klipsun
 
Considered one of Washington’s “Great Growths,” Klipsun crafts their estate wines with care and craft. A tribute to Bordeaux, yes, but a tribute to the majesty of the Red Mountain AVA.
 
In Stock Now:
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Klipsun Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain 2020 750ml $99 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Anthony Mueller-Wine Advocate 95 points
“With 4% Merlot added to the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain, the nose is big and juicy, erupting from the glass with a hedonistic profile. Hints of coconut macaroon and crème brûlée linger over the robust fruit-forward finish, accompanied by lasting flavors of black raspberry and blueberry tartlet with an intense vanilla expression. Give it time; your patience will be rewarded. The wine aged for 20 months in 100% new oak and spent an additional 14 months in the bottle. A total of 9,804 bottles were produced.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Klipsun Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain 2022 750ml $54.50 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Claire Nesbitt-James Suckling 93 points
“Graphite, tobacco, blackcurrants, blue plums and cedar on the nose of this polished and full-bodied red. It’s focused and firm, with dark fruit framed by tight-knit tannins. Tight for now. Better after 2027.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Klipsun Vineyard Red Wine, Red Mountain 2022 750ml $39 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Claire Nesbitt-James Suckling 91 points
“Full-bodied and compact, this has aromas and flavors of chocolate, cedar, baked plums and sweet spices. It’s plush and ripe, although the tannins are firm and dusty at the moment. 55% cabernet sauvignon, 20% merlot, 17% syrah, 7% malbec and 1% cabernet franc.”



Don’t miss our additional sale going on now:
 
Sangio Selections
 
5% off any 3-7 bottles from our Sangio Selections list
10% off any 8+ or more bottles from our Sangio Selections list

 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.

 
Our Sangio Selections sale ends Friday, September 19th at 9 am Pacific.