In This Newsletter:

Brundlmayer Sale
Grape of the Week: Rieslaner


 
Austrian Gold
 
Stock Up & Save On:
 
Brundlmayer
 

Austria is home to such astounding producers as FX Pichler, Gobelsburg, and Nikolaihof. Somms get EXCITED when they see these selections on our shelves. Unfortunately, these wines rarely get the attention they deserve. If these wines came from France, those biodynamic, single-vineyard, Grand Cru, food-friendly, and ridiculously underpriced gems from thousand-year-old wineries they would be three times as expensive. Instead, we get the best value high end whites in the world.
 
The Kamptal region in Austrian is the slightly less famous brother to the Wachau. As a result, the best wines are somehow an even better value. The quality is on par, so the wines from the likes of Bründlmayer end up being the best deals across the Old World. (The bottlings from the Heiligenstein vineyard, likely the Kamptal’s most famous, are in a class by themselves.)
 
Bründlmayer’s wines are somewhere in the middle between the fruit-forward style of Hirsch and the heft and contemplative nature of Gobelsburg. These are probably the most subtle when young, but blossom with age. The wines reward attention and aging in spectacular ways. Don’t skip the Chardonnay, either: it’s famous due to its own Judgement of Paris-type discovery. In the 1980s, it was entered into the Vinitaly wine fair on a lark and won Best Chardonnay in the World.
 
In a world where the market (outside of sommeliers) realized how good these were, we’d be sold out. The reality is that they’re somehow on our shelves, so we’ll nudge you their way with our three-day sale.
 

5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Brundlmayer
10% off any 6+ or more in-stock bottles of Brundlmayer
 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
 
Sale ends Sunday, May 11th at 9 am Pacific.

 
We offer seven in-stock Bründlmayer options on sale now, including:
 
Weingut Bründlmayer Chardonnay Ried Steinberg 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 10 bottles in stock now
Falstaff Magazine 95 points “Light golden yellow, silver reflections. Fine wood spice, a touch of caramel, blossom honey and orange peel, vanilla echo as well as some papaya and spicy nuances. Juicy, elegant, salty, white tropical fruit, tobacco finish, mineral echo, very good persistency, reductive finish, will benefit from bottle age.”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

 
Weingut Bründlmayer Grüner Veltliner Ried Käferberg, Kamptal DAC Reserve 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $79, that’s $75.05 at 5% off and $71.10 at 10% off, 7 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (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.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2021 Grüner Veltliner Ried Käferberg 1ÖTW demonstrates immediately that loess terroir doesn’t necessarily mean it doesn’t bear mineral wines. This Veltliner is pure chalk, crystalline and Veltliner, so very authentic and, at least, exciting on the nose, which is deep, saline and rich yet pure and intermingling ripe pear with saline mineral notes. Vital, pure and saline, with a creamy-elegant texture built by sur lie aging in oak, this is a complex and elegant Käferberg with a remarkably dense, long and intense finish. This is a seriously structured wine doubtlessly from old vines and superb viticulture that is now certified organic. The finish is complex, saline and very long. There are not many wines that can stand up to a green curry, but this is one of them. 13% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted in January 2024.”
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

 
Weingut Bründlmayer Riesling Ried Steinmassl, Kamptal 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $37, that’s $35.15 at 5% off and $33.30 at 10% off, 16 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 95 points “At once intense and mellow, which is a weird thing to write, but this is a special wine. Delicate white-fruit aromas. Excellent structure and racy minerality make this really exciting. Very long, crystalline finish that promises a very long life. Drink or hold.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 94+ points “The 2019 Ried Steinmassel 1ÖTW Kamptal Riesling opens clear, intense and snappy on the nose, quite open and with floral fruit aromas but also a very ripe and dried raisin aroma intermingled with crystalline (para-gneiss and amphibolite) and black pepper notes. Dense and juicy on the palate, this is a concentrated, firmly structured, crystalline, very elegant and tensioned Riesling with a dried stone fruit aroma and very firm phenolics. A wine to age for at least 5-6 years. There are crunchy tannins on the finish that might come from the reduction rather than the pressing, which was whole clusters and pressed at 6 p.m. when they started to fill at 11 a.m. Picked on October 17th. 12.5% alcohol. Tasted at Schloss Gobelsburg in June 2021.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 
Weingut Bründlmayer Riesling Ried Steinmassl, Kamptal 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $37, that’s $35.15 at 5% off and $33.30 at 10% off, 10 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 94 points “Eye-poppingly fresh nose of ferns and savory notes with underlying, lemony fruit. Very tightly wound and energetic, this is a radically racy dry riesling for Austria. Very long, whiplash finish that will either turn you off or drive you wild, like us. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93+ points “From a south-southeast-facing cru on Gföhler gneiss soils and ranging from 240 to 340 meters in altitude, the 2021 Riesling Ried Steinmassl 1ÖTW was picked on October 18 and 19, then macerated and fermented in stainless steel tanks. The wine shows a clear and intense, pure and elegant nose with ripe and elegant fruit aromas intertwined with spicy and saline notes. Crystalline and savory on the palate, this is a medium-bodied yet supple and tightly structured Steinmassl with clear, defined fruit and fine tannins intermingled with the saline acidity. Very long and complex finish. It’s still on its way but very promising. 12.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted in October 2022.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 
Weingut Bründlmayer Riesling Ried Heiligenstein, Kamptal DAC 2015 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 93 points “Buddleia, lemon blossom and ocean spray rush from the glass, then provide alluring inner-mouth perfume and mineral nuance on a luscious, surprisingly buoyant palate saturated with ripe white peach and lime. This finishes with vibrant tingling of crystalline mineral impingements, an invigoratingly reductive hint of struck flint, seductive liquid floral perfume and saliva-drawing salinity. 2017-2028.”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

 
Weingut Bründlmayer Riesling Ried Heiligenstein, Kamptal DAC 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 94 points “Although this is still very young it begins dramatically with an intensely herbal and white fruits nose. Mineral power kicks in on the palate and drives it forward at a brisk clip. A slightly austere finish, but one that’s full of stony character and is very long and bright. Drink now.”
 
Weingut Bründlmayer Riesling Ried Heiligenstein, Kamptal DAC 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 9 bottles in stock now
Anne Krebiehl MW-Vinous 96 points “The 2022 Riesling Heiligenstein is from core parcels of the site, where cool Waldviertel air meets the warm Pannonian influence. This 2022 vintage is the first where the Lyra- and Guyot-trained vines were co-harvested and co-fermented. The nose has a subtle note of cypress, with a touch of smokiness and a suspicion of green citrus peel. The palate adds a riper notion of juicy white peach, but remains framed with tingling citrus. Both elements together result in immense juiciness, showing a svelte exuberance that, for now, skips over stony minerality, which will take time to reveal itself. This is beautiful, taut, long and serene. (Bone-dry).”

 
Shop our seven Bründlmayer selections now!



Grape of the Week:
 
Rieslaner
 

Rieslaner, the aptly named cross of Riesling and Silvaner, is an aromatic white grape well worth your time. It’s known (beloved, reviled?) for its ridiculously long growing season – it can struggle to fully ripen in cool years and demands prime sun exposure. Fortunately, between the ever-warming climate (well, that part’s not fortunate) and the sentimental inclinations of some of Germany’s top producers, we’re living in the glory days of Rieslaner.
 
So, how does it taste? Given its parentage, it unsurprisingly offers up crisp acidity and bold aromatics (yellow fruit and berries) while taking nicely to botrytis and a range of sweetness levels. We’re lucky enough to have a few examples in stock, including a blend from Evesham Wood.
 
In Stock Now:
 
Evesham Wood Blanc du Puits Sec, Eola-Amity Hills 2024 750ml $19 special, 33 bottles in stock now
Winery Notes “Our Pinot Noirs have always grabbed the headlines, but this white field blend from our certified organic Le Puits Sec estate vineyard has been here from the beginning. Old vine Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer are co-fermented with our tiny plantings of Gruner Veltliner, Rieslaner, and Traminer. Sure, we’re biased, but the 2024 vintage of our Blanc is as good as it’s ever been–a powerful personality yet perfectly balanced.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 
Weingut Keller Pius Auslese, Rheinhessen 2022 375ml $54.50 special, 2 half-bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: A blend of mostly Riesling with Rieslaner and Schereube.
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

 
Weingut Keller Rieslaner Auslese, Rheinhessen 2019 375ml $49 special, 3 half-bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: As Keller moves to produce more off-dry and sweet wines, this is the “house” sweet wine. Rieslaner is a cross of Silvaner and Riesling. It’s a rare, late-ripening variety with high acidity, and Keller is one of the most renowned producers working with it.
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

 
Weingut Keller Rieslaner Auslese, Rheinhessen 2022 375ml $45 special, 10 half-bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: As Keller moves to produce more off-dry and sweet wines, this is the “house” sweet wine. Rieslaner is a cross of Silvaner and Riesling. It’s a rare, late-ripening variety with high acidity, and Keller is one of the most renowned producers working with it.
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

 
Weingut Keller Monsheimer Silberberg Rieslaner Beerenauslese Goldkapsel 2018 375ml $219 special, 6 half-bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: Silberberg, which name translates to silver mountain, was named after the mining the once occurred in the area. Rieslaner is a cross of Silvaner and Riesling. It’s a rare, late-ripening variety with high acidity, and Keller is one of the most renowned producers working with it. Soils of limestone, loess, flint, and clay. Klaus Peter Keller, in discussion with David Schildknecht of Vinous, explains that the gold capsule designation “no longer means more botrytis or a much higher must weight. It means [the grapes are] from the best part of a vineyard or its oldest vines.” Making this the finest example of Beerenauslese Rieslaner available from the winery, and likely the world.
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 
Muller-Catoir Haardter Herzog Rieslaner Trockenbeerenauslese, Pfalz 2018 375ml $89 special, 36+ half-bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 97 points “Corresponding to the most desiccated (yet still virtually botrytis-free) berries picked out from the material that otherwise became this year’s Beerenauslese, here we have one of those phenomenally concentrated Müller-Catoir essays in Rieslaner’s unique dessert wine potential. Take the pear drops, honey and vanilla cream of the corresponding B.A. in all their aromatic intensity and glossy, glowing richness, and add almost buttery textural creaminess and enhanced viscosity set against a blazingly bright and invigorating evocation of fresh pineapple, clementine and lemon. The tension is, to say the least, productive…yet almost unbearable as you work the wine around in your mouth. Any sense of caramelization – such as was prominent in the corresponding Auslese – has been left behind (though perhaps some decades from now it will emerge). Smoky black tea and citrus peels lend piquant counterpoint to a mouth-shakingly vibrant, preternaturally persistent finish. The qualitative curve has in my long experience never before been this steep from Rieslaner Auslese to TBA. ‘If you could have seen how dramatically the grapes differed for each of them,’ noted Franzen, ‘then this wouldn’t surprise you.’”

 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
Shop our six Rieslaner and Rieslaner blends selections now!

 

 
Don’t miss our additional sales going on now:
 
Bandol
 
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Bandol
10% off any 6+ or more in-stock bottles of Bandol
 
Azelia & Paitin
 
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Azelia & Paitin
10% off any 6+ or more in-stock bottles of Azelia & Paitin
 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
 
Bandol sale ends Friday, May 9th at 9 am Pacific. Azelia & Paitin sale ends Saturday, May 10th at 9 am Pacific.

In This Newsletter:

Azelia & Paitin Sale
Nerd Alert Featurette: Sake


 
On Sale Now from Piedmont:
 
Azelia & Paitin
 
Stock Up & Save!
 

Azelia – Barolo
 
Founded in 1920 by Cavalier Lorenzo Scavino, Azelia boasts sixteen hectares of old-vines in the picturesque Castiglione Falletto. Today, fourth-generation winemaker Luigi Scavino (interestingly, he’s the cousin of Enrico Scavino of Paolo Scavino) is joined by his wife, Lorella, and son, Lorenzo. They employ a combination of modern and traditional techniques to capture the essence of their land. Temperature-control is used during the spontaneous fermentation, while large oak barriques and casks hold the maturing wines.
 
The Bricco Fiasco is from the steep hill in Castiglione Falletto that he shares with his cousin. Vines average 65 years in age, and after aging in smaller oak barrels, the wine offers floral notes with ripe tannins. Margheria in Serralunga has vines averaging 50 years. The wine is aged for just over two years in large oak casks. In the glass, you can expect rich black fruit and spice notes with a backbone of earth. San Rocco is also a rich, lush wine, redolent in fruit, spice, and black licorice. The 55-year-old vines grow in clay and calcareous soils.
 
Paitin – Barbareso
 
The wines of Paitin are solid, deep, and built to last in your cellar – echoing the family’s tie to their home and spectacular holdings within the Serraboella cru. With Dante Scaglione of Bruno Giacosa fame serving as the Paitin’s family’s enologist, the incredible estate vineyards yield some of the greatest wines in all of Piedmont.
 
The winemaking here is all traditional (with just a brief flirtation with modern techniques in the 90’s). The wines undergo gentle pump over and cap submersion during the weeks-long maceration. The wines then undergo an extended aging in neutral barrels and botti from Slavonia and Austria for up to three years.
 
The results offer a glimpse into the future of the winery and the wines to come. Take a bottle or two for a spin tonight!
 

5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Azelia & Paitin
10% off any 6+ or more in-stock bottles of Azelia & Paitin
 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
 
Sale ends Saturday, May 10th at 9 am Pacific.

 
We offer nine in-stock Azelia & Paitin options on sale now, including:
 
Azelia di Luigi Scavino Bricco Fiasco, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 24 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 93 points “The 2017 Barolo Bricco Fiasco is bright and effusive from the very first taste. Crushed flowers, red berry fruit, orange peel, spice and mint all grace this nervy, mid-weight Barolo. Medium in body and translucent, the 2017 has quite a bit to offer. It is an especially savory, linear Barolo.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 
Azelia di Luigi Scavino Margheria, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 15 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94 points “The 2017 Barolo Margheria is gorgeous. Open, perfumed aromatics are immediately alluring. On the palate, the 2017 is a dark, mysterious wine, with layers of flavor that continue to develop over time. Dark cherry, blood orange, spice, leather, iron and scorched earth add striking layers of nuance. The tannins are potent – we are in Serralunga after all – but the 2017 has so much to offer. It’s a gorgeous Barolo to enjoy over the next two decades, maybe more.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 
Azelia di Luigi Scavino ‘San Rocco’, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 19 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94 points “The 2017 Barolo San Rocco is powerful and tightly wound. All of its energy is focused inward today. There is terrific brightness and focus to the red berry fruit, but the 2017 is not in a mood to show much today. Readers will have to be patient. I am encourage by the wine’s solid feel and pure power.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $83

 
Paitin di Pasquero-Elia ‘Basarin’, Barbaresco DOCG 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 2 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “The Paitin 2018 Barbaresco Basarin, which spends two years in large oak barrels, pours to a lean appearance and a dark ruby hue. The wine is subtle and fine, prizing the delicate and ethereal nuances of the grape, with dried cherry, crushed flowers, campfire ash and iron ore. Crushed white pepper also appears. The Basarin cru in Neive is one of the most beautiful in the appellation, located on a hill that rises high enough to enjoy the surrounding panorama of tightly planted vineyards. The tannins are especially polished in this vintage.”
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

 
Paitin di Pasquero-Elia ‘Sori Paitin’, Barbaresco DOCG 2004 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 8 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 92 points “The 2004 Barbaresco Sori Paitin is intense and powerful in its expression of dark fruit, spices, earthiness and tar. Made in a pure, bold style, it is one of the more closed, shut down 2004 Barbarescos and will require at least a few years in bottle before revealing its truest potential.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 
Paitin di Pasquero-Elia ‘Sori Paitin’, Barbaresco DOCG 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 11 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “The family that owns the Paitin estate lost its patriarch, Secondo Pasquero Elia, as this wine was being readied for release, and he would have been proud of the way this turned out. The 2018 Barbaresco Serraboella Sorì Paitin is glossy and polished with a super fine and delicate quality of fruit. It just glides over the palate as if it were on skates. That beautiful forward momentum is driven by light cassis, dried cherry, iron skillet, candied orange peel and crushed flowers. The finish is exceptionally smooth and elegant. Complimenti.”
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

 
Paitin di Pasquero-Elia ‘Sori Paitin’, Barbaresco DOCG 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $57.50, that’s $54.63 at 5% off and $51.75 at 10% off, 3 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “Alluring aromas and flavors of cherry, raspberry, leafy underbrush, tar, iron and hay mark this luscious red, which is fresh and firm at once, with a chalky, minerally essence on the long finish. Best from 2026 through 2042. 974 cases made.”
 
Paitin di Pasquero-Elia ‘Sori Paitin’ Vecchie Vigne, Barbaresco DOCG 2004 750ml Displayed Price: $149, that’s $141.55 at 5% off and $134.10 at 10% off, 3 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94 points “The 2004 Barbaresco Sori’ Paitin Vecchie Vigne is marvelous. Dark red berries, crushed flowers, smoke, ash and tar are just some of the notes that emerge from this big yet beautifully articulated Vecchie Vigne. The 2004 shows superb class and fabulous overall balance. As always this is a fairly large-scaled Barbaresco, but all of the elements meld together beautifully. A long, sensual finish rounds things out in style. With air the 2004 is approachable today, but it clearly has the stuffing and freshness to drink well to age 25, perhaps beyond. The Vecchie Vigne captures the essence of this great Piedmontese vintage in spades. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2029.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 
Paitin di Pasquero-Elia ‘Sori Paitin’ Vecchie Vigne Riserva, Barbaresco DOCG 2008 750ml Displayed Price: $128, that’s $121.60 at 5% off and $115.20 at 10% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94 points “The blackest of cherries, spices, incense, tar and scorched earth are some of the many nuances that emerge from the 2008 Barbaresco Sori’ Paitin Vecchie Vigne. This dark, brooding Barbaresco is all about power. The 2008 impresses for its fabulous balance and pure length. With time in the glass, the wine becomes increasingly more refined. It is a striking Barbaresco to drink now and over the next 10-15 years, perhaps longer. The 2008 was aged in 25-hectoliter cask and bottled in June 2012. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2028.”

 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
 
Shop our nine Azelia & Paitin selections now!



Nerd Alert!
 
Sake
 

Check out our in-stock selection of sake. We offer several examples of this classic Japanese beverage.
 
Sake is produced from milled rice that is then fermented with yeasts and fungi (known as kōji). The level of polish of the kernels can indicate quality, as it strips away the bran, fat, and proteins that would mar the sake.
 
Kōji plays a role in everything from soy sauce to miso production. Its fungi convert starch and other carbohydrates into fermentable sugars the yeast can break down. Water is also added, oftentimes from mountain runoff or underground springs.
 
Browse our picks below!

In Stock Now:
 
Harada Gengetsu Muroka Junmai Ginjo Sake 720ml $46.50 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Brewed using Yamada Nishiki (Koji) & Seito no Shizuku (Kake) rice polished 55% and K1801 yeast. Unfiltered. THE CHARACTER: Overall: Powerful, rich & structured. Aromas: Honeycrisp apples and layered umami. Mouthfeel: Fresh & crisp. Tasting Notes: Aromas of fresh green apple and crisp fruit is followed by smooth flavors of honeyed red crisp apple flavor with layers of umami flavors. The clean and crisp finish with a hint of fruitiness. Pairings: Thai & Indian curries.”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

 
Imayo Tsukasa ‘Black’ Extra Dry Junmai Sake 720ml $39 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “Sharp, smooth sake with easy drinkability. The cool, all-black bottle makes it stand out. Rice Polishing Ratio: 65%. Alc.by Vol: 16%”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 
Koshitsukano Hirai Junmai Sake 720ml $26 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Importer Tasting Note “HIRAI Junmai Sake is clean, crisp, dry, and elegant. Named for the swans that migrate to the local lake, HIRAI is an ideal sake for those who are new to sake but appreciate a quality hand-crafted style. Local ingredients include wild yeast that the brewery propagates itself and very soft water from the on-site well. The savory aroma of freshly cooked rice with hints of tropical fruit leads to a balanced mouthfeel and a clean and crisp finish. The brewery was established in 1781 in the Niigata prefecture on the west coast of Japan. The purity of HIRAI Junmai Sake is a reflection of freshly fallen snow covering beautiful Niigata villages.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 
Maboroshi ‘Kurobako’ Junmai Daiginjo Genshu Sake 720ml $169 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Importer Note “This is an undiluted (genshu) Junmai Daiginjo brewed with top class Yamada Nishiki rice from Hyogo Prefecture, its home ground. Yamada Nishiki rice does not break even if polished to a high degree. After steaming, the rice has a high water content and is very elastic, so that it can produce outstanding koji. Especially when the koji-making process takes longer than 50 hours and is carried out for a long time at high temperatures, Yamada Nishiki shows its strength. When the 3rd generation president and brewmaster of the Nakao family discovered an apple yeast, for making sake after experimenting with 2,000 sources of yeast, it was this product that he made. It was served at the Imperial Palace for the Emperor’s New Year’s celebration for three years and received a gold medal at the Japanese National Sake Competition. It is soft and billowing, yet powerful and full.”

Sekai Itto ‘Minakata’ Extra Dry Junmai Sake 720ml $33 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “This is a classic dry style Junmai sake with restrained fruit balanced with a light nutty and umami earthiness. An easy-drinking sake with a crisp and bone-dry finish, perfect with seafood.”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

 
Shimizu-No-Mai Pure Snow Junmai Nigori Sake 720ml $21.90 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “Elegant sweetness and well-balanced acidity have a soft taste. Putting a piece of fruits on cold pure snow turns into fancy cocktail easily. You can enjoy the mild palatable taste and clear aftertaste.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 
Kinmon Sekaitaka Tengu no Doburoku ‘Mountain Warrior’ Nigori Sake 720ml $27 special, 13 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “A full-bodied unrefined sake that retains the rice Umami with a rich sweetness. You can enjoy the good old plain Umami of Japanese Sake and its authentic taste.”

 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
Shop our seven Sake selections now!

 

 
Don’t miss our additional sale going on now:
 
Bandol
 
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Bandol
10% off any 6+ or more in-stock bottles of Bandol
 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
 
Bandol sale ends Friday, May 9th at 9 am Pacific.

In This Newsletter:

Domaine Tempier & Bandol Sale
Close-Out Featurette: Dal Forno


 
Stock Up & Save On:
 
Domaine Tempier and Bandol
 

Let’s journey to the south of France to the Provencal wine region of Bandol. Here is the second home of Mourvèdre (known as Monastrall in its home country of Spain). This bold red results in one of the biggest and richest wines in the world that still manages impeccable balance.
 
Domaine Tempier is the most famous producer in the region, best known for its mineral-driven and cellar-friendly rosé. The reds, though, are criminally underrated and underappreciated, especially to lovers of bold, full-throttle wines. They represent the pinnacle of Mourvèdre-based blends that could convince even the most die-hard Rhone or Cali Cab lovers to expand their horizons, if only one could manage to convince them to try.
 
Bandol reds in general offer a distinct earthiness and a spicy, bright finish. And they age remarkably. Mourvèdre effortlessly transcends its decades much like Nebbiolo. So, pick up a few and prepare to have your mind blow now and for decades to come.
 

5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Bandol
10% off any 6+ or more in-stock bottles of Bandol
 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
 
Sale ends Friday, May 9th at 9 am Pacific.

 
We offer thirteen in-stock Bandol options on sale now, including:
 
Domaine Tempier Bandol Blanc 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “Tempier’s Blanc, with its delicate florals, subtle note of anise, and stony finish, tastes perfect alongside shellfish or grilled seafood. After a few years in your cellar, pair it with cheeses or serve it alone to appreciate the “honeyed and marine aromas” that develop with age.”
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

 
Domaine Tempier Bandol Blanc 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 9 bottles in stock now
Yohan Castaing-Wine Advocate 93 points “A blend of 60% Clairette and 30% Ugni Blanc complemented with Rolle, Bourboulenc and Marsanne, the 2023 Bandol Blanc exhales a complex, perfumed bouquet of ripe orchard fruits, lemon, acacia flowers, spring flowers and confit citrus. Medium-bodied, textured and enveloping, it’s delicate with a fleshy mid-palate, bright acids and a long, mineral finish. This is a stunning white wine that will offer a broad drinking window.”
 
Domaine Bunan Chateau de la Rouviere Bandol Rosé 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $31.90, that’s $30.31 at 5% off and $28.71 at 10% off, 3 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “[Translated] Frank and intensly floral. Full and rich in the mouth with a pale color.”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

 
Domaine Tempier Bandol Pour Lulu 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $56, that’s $53.20 at 5% off and $50.40 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 91-93 points “Tasted from foudre, the 2020 Bandol Cuvee Classique had been blended the week before my visit. Already showing classic notes of tree bark and truffle layered against cherries and raspberries and a touch of olive, it looks relatively precocious. In the mouth, it’s medium to full-bodied, concentrated and rich, with a long, plush finish.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 
Domaine Tempier Bandol 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Falstaff Magazine 93 points “Vivid notes of ripe strawberry immediately hit the nose with red-fruited charm, opening up into aromatic notes of summer pudding. The palate is smooth and just as fruity. This is rounded and medium bodied, brimming with that ripe, fresh berry fruit and an ample, full-fruited yet utterly fresh, summery richness.”
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

 
Domaine Tempier Bandol ‘Lulu & Lucien’ 2022 1.5L Displayed Price: $135, that’s $128.25 at 5% off and $121.50 at 10% off, 3 magnums in stock now
Winery Note “The Estate’s prominent cuvée blends the discrete strength of Bandol with the elegance and finesse which characterize Tempier. This complexity is a result of different terroirs of the estate and the variety of its clay-limestone soil located around the Estate but also in La Cadière, Sainte Anne d’Evenos, and Ollioules. There are sandy marls, limestone greseux from santonien, rudist limestone and recent barely deep horizons of colluvions. Plus, there are various sun or wind exposures. Composition: Mourvèdre (~ 75%) with Grenache and Cinsault and a smaller proportion of Carignan and Syrah. Average age of the vines: 35 – 40 years.”
 

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

 
Domaine Tempier Bandol Cuvée Cabassaou 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $128, that’s $121.60 at 5% off and $115.20 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “The Cabassaou cuvée (ça cabasse = gives a hefty punch) is from a terroir with small stone walls, at the bottom of the Tourtine, protected from the Mistral wind. The vines benefit from a very warm micro-climate with thermal winds. Paradoxically the vines are located at the bottom of the hill but the soil is not deep and the yields are very small. They give a very dense, tight wine, typically Mourvèdre , with an exceptional aging potential. Composition: Mourvèdre (92 to 94%), with Syrah and a bit of Cinsault. Average age of the vines : 60 years minimum.”
 
Domaine Tempier Bandol La Migoua 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $81.80, that’s $77.71 at 5% off and $73.62 at 10% off, 20 bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2020 Bandol la Migoua—tasted from foudre—is a bit tarry and rubbery (expected, to some degree, in young Mourvèdre-based wines) but opens up to reveal seductive, ripe notes of blackberries and mulberries. A blend of approximately 55% Mourvèdre, 25% Cinsault, 15% Grenache and 5% Syrah, it’s medium to full-bodied on the palate, concentrated but silky in feel and elegant on the long finish.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 
Domaine Tempier Bandol La Migoua 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $84.50, that’s $80.28 at 5% off and $76.05 at 10% off, 7 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “In 2021, this cuvée recalls the classique above, but with everything dialed up a notch. Savory and structured, it evokes Provençal garrigue, licorice, and a hint of black olive. This bottling is a strong candidate for your cellar but also open enough to pair wonderfully with a ribeye today.”
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

 
Domaine Tempier Bandol La Tourtine 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $89, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, 20 bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 94-96 points “Mainly Mourvèdre (85%), with Cinsault and Grenache, the 2020 Bandol la Tourtine was still in foudre at the time of my visit last year. Scents of cola, smoke and red berries provide ample complexity on the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is concentrated and almost creamy in texture while remaining fresh and dynamic on the lengthy finish.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 
Domaine Tempier Bandol La Tourtine 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $84.50, that’s $80.28 at 5% off and $76.05 at 10% off, 17 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “At this stage, La Tourtine is the most open, fruit-forward, and alluring of the three reds here. Zesty and vibrant, with notes of black cherries, blood orange, and iron, this bottle will be hard to keep your hands off now. But do yourself a favor and grab at least a few bottles to revisit in five, ten, and twenty years from now. There are few pleasures like aged Bandol rouge from Tempier.”
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

 
Domaine Ray-Jane Bandol Rouge 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $39, that’s $37.05 at 5% off and $35.10 at 10% off, 2 bottles in stock now
“Cooked dark fruit, mocha, rich chocolate and interesting farmyard notes, before a smoky finish.” -Decanter Magazine

 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
Shop our thirteen Bandol selections now!



Vinopolis Close-Out Sale Featurette:
 
Dal Forno
 

For over thirty years, the Dal Forno family has been crafting deeply concentrated expressions of Valpolicella and Amarone. Their name practically defines the style of wines from this northeastern portion of the Veneto.
 
Established in 1983 by Romano Dal Forno, the estate vaulted to the heights of perfection in the Venato. The family employs traditional winemaking techniques, such as extended drying of the grapes before pressing, to craft their serious and seriously concentrated wines.
 
Vines hail from the foothills at around 1,000 feet above sea level. Here, the family’s 65 acres are planted to indigenous varieties such as Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella, grown and pruned according to ancient traditions.
  
In Stock & On Sale Now:
 
Dal Forno Romano Vigneto Monte Lodoletta Valpolicella Superiore 2007 750ml Was $179, Now $149 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2007 Valpolicella Superiore from the celebrated Monte Lodoletta vineyard is rock-tight with a midnight black appearance and aromas that emerge with fierce determination. The fascinating aromatic medley includes dark spice, prune, Spanish cedar, tar, black licorice, balsam herb and blackberry tart. The mouthfeel is plush and rich with super-tight tannins that grip nervously to the finish. It has only started its bottle evolution and requires more time to soften and develop. Drink 2017-2035.”
 
Dal Forno Romano Vigneto Monte Lodoletta Valpolicella Superiore 2008 750ml Was $169, Now $149 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94 points “A dark, super-ripe wine, the 2008 Valpolicella Superiore is fabulous in this vintage. Smoke, tar, incense, licorice and blackberry jam hit the palate in a massive, intense Valpolicella loaded with class and personality. Even with all of the concentration, the 2008 is quite a bit less tannic than some recent vintages have been, which makes it accessible even today, especially if given a little air. There is a lot to admire in this drop-dead gorgeous Valpolicella from Romano Dal Forno.”
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

 
Dal Forno Romano Vigneto Monte Lodoletta Valpolicella Superiore 2009 750ml Was $149, Now $125 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94+ points “Built like a tank, the 2009 Valpolicella Superiore Monte Lodoletta is a masterful achievement. This wine shows so beautifully, especially in a warm but balanced vintage like 2009. The fruit is expressive and articulate with deep layers of blackberry preserves, dried cherry, dark chocolate, espresso bean, mesquite smoke and soy sauce. The mouthfeel is super rich and concentrated as the Dal Forno signature style would dictate. The tannic bite is still strong and this wine needs a few more years to stretch out its muscular build. I’d suggest drinking it after 2018.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 
Dal Forno Romano Vigneto Monte Lodoletta Valpolicella Superiore 2016 750ml Was $135, Now $112 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 95 points “The 2016 Valpolicella Superiore Monte Lodoletta is intense, with a captivating bouquet that blends cedar shavings, savory herbs and balsamic spices with rum-soaked cherries, sweet lavender and dark chocolate. This sweeps across the palate with silken textures, delivering masses of tart red and black fruits along with hints of espresso bean. Crunchy mineral tones and zesty acidity add dramatic lift. The 2016 tapers off long and staining, sporting a pleasantly bitter tinge of cocoa as grippy tannins resonate. The 2016 is a well-muscled dancer yet still youthfully coiled.”
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

 
Dal Forno Romano Vigneto Monte Lodoletta Valpolicella Superiore 2017 750ml Was $138, Now $119 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 95 points “Taking in the 2017 Valpolicella Superiore Monte Lodoletta reminds me of all of the desserts spices and confections experienced on Christmas day. An array of medicinal cherries plum sauce ginger cookies cloves cinnamon and dried roses captivate. There’s tremendous depth here but it maintains fantastic freshness. This is wildly spicy and intense yet deep with brilliant acidity adding energy seldom found in Valpolicella which enlivens the crunchy red fruits and pretty inner florals within. The 2017 finishes dramatically long and perfumed resonating on sour blackberries currants and a bitter hint of cocoa. This goes far beyond the expectation of Valpolicella with the power and aromatics of an Amarone but with a liveliness that will allow it to excel at the dinner table.”
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

 
Dal Forno Romano Vigneto Monte Lodoletta, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2012 750ml Was $379, Now $329 special, 12 bottles in stock now
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.”
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

 
Dal Forno Romano Vigneto Monte Lodoletta, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2015 750ml Was $419, Now $379 special, 12 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 100 points “This is black as pitch in the glass and, yes, there’s a light, tarry edge to the super-concentrated prune, date and currant fruit. But even more interesting are the complex notes of bitter-orange liqueur, aged balsamic, fresh roasting herbs, cinnamon, roasted chestnuts, black tea and licorice. The more you decant in advance, the more nuances will emerge. It’s full-boded with huge concentration and lots of chewy tannin that is managing to hold the fruit back for now. This needs plenty of time to develop in the bottle. Just superb. One of the greatest Dal Forno’s ever.”
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

 
Dal Forno Romano Vigneto Monte Lodoletta, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2017 750ml Was $449, Now $399 special, 4 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 98 points “The current release. A tour de force, despite the sheer morass of palate-staining fruit. The malty oak is evident, yet operates as a welcome adjunct to corral and compress the swashbuckle of coffee grinds, beef bouillon, mint, leather varnish and saturated dark cherry liqueur, into a sheath of tension as much as sheer power. Grapes are dried for 70-80 days. This may seem obvious initially, but as one works it out in the glass and across the inner gums, the multitudinous layers become evident. A wine that shape-shifts and beguiles, as much it wrestles with the senses. Excellent. Drink or hold.”

 
We offer 86 wines on our Close-Out Sale in stock now.
 
Shop the sale on our webstore now!

 

 
Don’t miss our additional sale going on now:
 
Faiveley
 
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Faiveley
10% off any 6+ or more in-stock bottles of Faiveley
 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
 
Faiveley sale ends Wednesday, May 7th at 9 am Pacific.

In This Newsletter:

New Week – New Arrivals
MAN Family Wines
Horsepower/No Girls
Ridge



Don’t miss our additional sales going on now:
 
French Magnums
 
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of French magnums and large formats
10% off any 6+ or more in-stock French magnums and large formats
 
Faiveley
 
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Faiveley
10% off any 6+ or more in-stock bottles of Faiveley
 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
 
French magnum sale ends Tuesday, April 6th at 9 am Pacific.
Faiveley sale ends Wednesday, May 7th at 9 am Pacific.

New Week – New Arrivals
 

Oregon
 
Kelley Fox Wines Albarino, Willamette Valley 2024 750ml $24 special, 24 bottles in stock now
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

 
Jachter Family Wines Raindance Foothills Chardonnay, Chehalem Mountains 2020 750ml $24 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “A bright medium straw hue. Notes of pineapple, toasted brioche, white peach, and minerality. Bright, medium-bodied, and fresh. This chardonnay awakens the palate with bright acidity, tropical citrus flavors, and a ribbon of salinity with a lingering finish. Dijon Clone 76 in New French Oak for 10 months. More about the vineyard: While growing up in Newberg, Foothills Christmas Tree Farm was the place that wine grower, Ken Austin and his family visited each year to get their tree. When Ken and his wife Celia purchased the tree farm, it had gone untouched for many years. Thirty-plus-year-old Christmas trees were cleared to make way for the vineyard, revealing an amazing view! Once the vineyard was planted, Ken & Celia decided to honor that memory and kept the name, Foothills.”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

 
Jachter Family Wines Raindance Foothills Chardonnay, Chehalem Mountains 2021 750ml $44.50 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2021 Chardonnay from Jachter comes from Rain Dance Vineyards in the foothills of the Chehalem Mountains. It’s scented of baked apples, poached pears, pie crust and top notes of lemon peel. The light-bodied palate features crunchy, citrusy fruit, bright acidity and a touch of texture to anchor the mineral-driven finish. This easy-to-drink, refreshing Chardonnay will pair widely at the table.”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

 
Jachter Family Wines Case Vineyard Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains 2021 750ml $49 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “The 2021 Pinot Noir Case Vineyard pours a bright ruby hue and will need a strong decant in a blender if opening any time soon, as it’s holding onto youthful reduction that will take time to resolve. As it opens in the glass, it reveals a fantastic core of framboise, cracked pepper, and a gorgeous floral rose petal bouquet. Medium-bodied, it is the most linear and focused wine in the range, with fine tannins and a coiled backbone of fresh acidity. This is a completely different beast from the rest of the wines from Jachter, but for lovers of Burgundy, this will be one worth waiting for. Drink 2024-2034.”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

 
Jachter Family Wines Cuvée Karen Ann Pinot Noir Styring Vineyard, Ribbon Ridge 2019 750ml $74.50 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2019 Pinot Noir Cuvée Karen Ann has a medium ruby color and layered aromas of cranberry, pomegranate, forest floor, tobacco leaves, cinnamon and aniseed. Light-bodied, chalky and refreshing, it has a bright core of crunchy red fruit, generous spicy layers and a long, ethereal finish. This barrel-selection Pinot Noir is easy to drink without sacrificing complexity and detail.”


California
 
Carol Shelton ‘Wild Thing’ Chardonnay, Mendocino County 2022 750ml $19.50 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “Ripe and plump, this unusual blend of Chardonnay plus 10% Roussanne and 8% Viognier is full bodied, almost thick-textured, and lays on the vanilla, cream and butter flavors. Seeming low in acidity, the mouthfeel is viscous and soft but a hint of lemon peeks through to keep it balanced.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 
 
France – Champagne
 
Franck Bonville Unisson Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs NV 750ml $59 special, 24 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 lowest listed price in the USA today!

 
Italy
 
Loredan Gasparini Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG NV 750ml $16 special, 24 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 92 points “[Reviewed Oct 2021] Lots of initial froth here, which takes a while to subside and allow the lovely lemon and lemon blossom aromas to rise out of the glass. There are hints of licoricy chalk here, too. On the rather dense palate, the chalk turns to fresh cream and the lemon is absorbed into the creamy mineral texture with enough fizz to keep the sparkle up. Lovely, enduring and creamy yet biting finish. This is very fine Prosecco. Drink now.”
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

 
Nino Franco Rustico, Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG NV 750ml $21.90 special, 25 bottles in stock now
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 94 points “[Reviewed November 2021] This lovely sparkler never disappoints. It’s fragrant, with delicate scents of white spring flowers and white stone fruits while the dry, refreshing palate offers ripe pear, apple and white peach alongside a hint of fennel seed. An elegant perlage and fresh acidity provide the backdrop.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

 
Mario Schiopetto ‘Pompiere’ Friulano Fuili, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2021 750ml $19 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “White peaches and cooked apples with flint and matchstick undertones. Some iron shavings, too. Full-bodied, yet compacted, tight and fresh. Very minerally, with dried-peach, citrus and mineral undertones and a bright finish. Very solid. Drink or hold.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 
Roccolo Grassi Valpolicella Superiore, Veneto 2016 750ml $29 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 94+ points “An enticing mix of incense, black tea, cracked pepper and red wild berries emanate from the 2016 Valpolicella Superiore. This is undeniably elegant, with its silky textures that seem to coat the entire palate in a seductive layer of violet-tinged fruits and suave lavender and chocolate notes. That said, this is not sweet nor overly rich; in fact, the 2016 is truly harmonious and poised, boasting tremendous concentration that’s lifted by saline-infused acids. It leaves the palate completely saturated with cloves and allspice, as it tapers off structured and long. This is next-level Valpolicella Superiore, and it may even one day warrant a higher score. Marco Sartori uses 30% appassimento grapes in his Valpolicella, which are dried for twenty days. This wine is refined in a 50% – 50% mix of large oak cask and barrique, of which only about 20% are new.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 
 
Italy – Piedmont
 
Pio Cesare ‘Ornato’, Barolo DOCG 2020 750ml $179 special, 6 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 98 points “This is very focused with lots of ripe tannins in the center palate. Very velvety and fine-textured with a pointed character. Medium to full body. Aromas of plums and spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg to the fruit. Bitter citrus. Chewy at the end. Taut muscles. Sophisticated. Needs four or five years to come around. Best after 2030.”
 
 
Italy – Tuscany
 
Petrolo Galatrona Valdarno di Sopra, Tuscany 2021 750ml $112 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 98 points “The 2021 Galatrona is a rich, deep, expansive wine endowed with striking textural depth and structure. Darkfruit, sage, lavender, mocha and grilled herbs are all amplified in this potent Merlot. Readers will have to be patient, as this will need a number of years to be at its finest. A complex, dynamic Galatrona, the 2021 is just superb.”
 
Petrolo Galatrona Valdarno di Sopra, Tuscany 2022 750ml $112 special, 12 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 100 points “The floral aromas are spellbinding, with aromas of violets, lilacs, orange peel, raspberries, rose petals, and some oranges. It’s medium- to full-bodied with crunchy and open-grain tannins that are creamy and caressing. It’s endless in the finish. Crunchy and energetic. A wine that is thoughtful and gives you such great pleasure. Such purity. It’s like eating perfectly ripened grape must. Pure merlot. Drinkable in many ways, but will come together beautifully. A new reference point for merlot in Italy. Drink after 2028.”
 
 
Germany – Mosel
 
Weingut Clemens Busch Riesling Trocken 2023 750ml $24 special, 24 bottles in stock now
“The 2023er Riesling Trocken comes from fruit picked on at least 30-year-old vines from various sectors in Pünderich. It offers a smoky and herbal nose of almond, minty herbs, aniseed, greengage, and spices. The wine has nice lightness but also some grip, and leaves a straight, pure, and bone-dry feel of herbs in the finish. The aftertaste is even racy, salty, and sharp. This is a very nice, light and zesty dry Riesling. 2026-2031.” -Mosel Fine Wines
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

 
Weingut Clemens Busch Marienburg Riesling Kabinett 2023 750ml $36 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “The 2023 Marienburg Riesling Kabinett, as it is referred to on the main part of the label, is a fruity-styled wine which proves slightly reduced at first and only gradually reveals superb and attractive nose of William pear, yellow peach, almond cream, jasmine, and smoke. The wine proves quite juicy and creamy on the palate, with a moderate feeling of acidity. The finish is fine, light-weighted, and has very good length. 2031-2038.”
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

 
Weingut Clemens Busch Marienburg Fass 33 Riesling Spätlese 2022 750ml $41.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “From the grey slate portion(s) of the Marienburg hill, facing south, southwest, and southeast. The vines are over 30 years old, which helps them to thrive, even in dry periods. The wines are getting more and more concentrated as the vines get older. The grapes for the Spätlese are handpicked, fully ripened fruit, some of which is infected by noble rot. The wines ferment spontaneously in old Fuder (Oak barrel of 1000L). When they reach 7.5% vol they get chilled and racked off their lees.”
 
 
Portugal – Port
 
Quinta do Infantado White Port NV 750ml $21.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winemaker Notes “White Port is a rare type of fortified wine. This amber-colored bottle shows lots of nut-driven character and could easily pass for a lighter-styled Madeira. The fruit is fresh and full of citrus and almond notes. This Port is on the dry side, but still has a touch of residual sugar. Certified organic.” Importer Notes “The fruit is hand harvested, partly destemmed and fermented in lagar and tank with indigenous yeasts and some skin contact. Fermentation is stopped with 77% ABV grape brandy. The wine is aged in a combination of very old tonel or balseiro (tall wooden tanks from 3,000-60,000 liters with thick staves that slow down oxidation) and the classic Port pipa (550-liter horizontal casks with thinner staves that promote oxidation). It finishes at a modest 19.5% alcohol and 30 grams per liter of residual sugar, rendering it legally dry or seco. Average age in bottle is between three and four years before release.”
 
Quinta do Infantado Ruby Port NV 750ml $20.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Importer note “The fruit is hand-harvest, partly destemmed and fermented in lagar and tank. Fermentation is muted with 77% ABV grape brandy. The wine is aged in a variety of tonel and balseiro, the names for tall wooden tanks from 3,000-60,000 liters with thick staves that slow down oxidation. It finishes at a modest 19.5% alcohol and 70 grams per liter of residual sugar, in other words considerably drier and more vinous than most Ruby Ports. The average age in bottle is two to three years.”
 
Quinta do Infantado Tawny Port NV 750ml $21.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Importer note “The fruit is hand-harvest, partly destemmed and fermented in lagar and tank. Fermentation is muted with 77% ABV grape brandy. The wine is aged in very old pipas. It finishes at a modest 19.5% alcohol and 84 grams per liter of residual sugar, in other words considerably drier and more vinous than most Tawny Ports. The average age in bottle is four to five years.”
 
Quinta do Infantado Vintage Port 2015 750ml $59 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Mark Squires-Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2015 Vintage Port is a field blend from old vines (50+ years) that comes in at 85 grams per liter of residual sugar. This is lighter styled, fresh and easy, but with fine intensity of flavor. The freshness just now is actually rather glorious. Its fine acidity lifts the fruit on that flavorful finish, but it does lack some concentration for a top VP. This producer does tend to emphasize elegance in general and the vintage does as well. Its structure is average. This is a great deal of fun, but I’m not sure it will develop much. That said, its acidity will help preserve it and it is very tasty—impossible to dislike.”
 
 
New Zealand
 
Jules Taylor Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 2024 750ml $19 special, 36 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 91 points “Vibrant and fresh aromas of passion fruit, cut grass and pineapple. The light-bodied palate has a creamy mouthfeel and focused acidity, giving notes of peaches, nectarines and lychees. Tropical fruit-driven with a generous texture. Drink now. Screw cap.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 

 
Three young winemakers with a passion for budget-friendly beverages (they had limited funds, after all), they founded their own, named it after their wives (Marie, Anette and Nicky ironically spell “man”), and set out to make the best dang bottle a few bucks could buy.
 
In Stock Now:
 
Named for the whirlwinds that occur in the vineyard, this wine will sweep you off your feet.
MAN Family Wines ‘Warrelwind’ Sauvignon Blanc, Western Cape 2023 750ml $11.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “A refreshing and balanced wine with an abundance of flavors from both sides of the Sauvignon Blanc spectrum. This wine has tropical fruit aromas with just a hint of herbaceousness. Rich tropical fruit on the palate complemented by a crisp and well integrated acidity.”

Crisp and zesty with just a dash of new oak.
MAN Family Wines ‘Padstal’ Chardonnay, Coastal Region 2022 750ml $11.90 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “This delicate Chardonnay strikes the perfect balance between fruit flavours and a light touch of oak. Pale straw in appearance, this wine has marmalade, pineapple and butterscotch aromas on the nose, with hints of citrus, lime and peach flavours on the palate.”
 
One of the finest examples of Pinotage for the money, this is full of jammy fruit and spice.
MAN Family Wines ‘Bosstok’ Pinotage, Paarl 2021 750ml $11.90 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “A clean, modern-style Pinotage with enticing aromas of mocha, chocolate and roasted coffee beans, coupled with well-integrated flavours of berries, nutmeg and vanilla spice on the palate. Bush-vine vineyards contribute to exceptionally flavourful grapes.”

A mineral-driven Cab blend that punches well above its 13.5% weight.
MAN Family Wines ‘Ou Kalant’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Coastal Region 2021 750ml $11.90 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “A perfect marriage of new world vibrant fruit and old world elegance. Deep garnet in colour, this wine has aromas of dark cherries followed by cassis and red-currant fruit on the palate. Silky tannins and a long smooth finish characterize this versatile Cabernet Sauvignon.”

Featurette:
 
Horsepower/No Girls
 

We adore the wines from Christophe Baron. His cuvees have been some of the most allocated and in-demand wines from Walla Walla for over twenty years. Representing the pinnacle of the region’s reds, we’re pleased as punch that we continue to be able to offer you these mailing list-mostly gems:
 
Arriving in Early May:
 
Horsepower Vineyards Fiddleneck Vineyard, Walla Walla Valley 2022 750ml $179 pre-arrival special, 6 bottles available
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.”
 
Horsepower Vineyards ‘Sur Echalas Vineyard’ Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2022 750ml $179 pre-arrival special, 6 bottles available
Owen Bargreen 100 points “Translucent in the glass, the 2022 ‘Sur Echalas Vineyard’ is sourced from this tightly-spaced location laden with cobblestones just outside the town of Milton-Freewater. Aromatically enchanting, this yields beautiful red rose petals with Asian spices, prosciutto ham, Nori and shades of smoldering stones with bacon grease accents. The palate is impeccably balanced, round and generous, with serious underlying tension that will make your mouth water. Showing great depth and a delightfully long finish, enjoy this novel, one of a kind wine now and over the next eight years.”
 
Horsepower Vineyards ‘High Contrast Vineyard’ Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2022 750ml $179 pre-arrival special, 6 bottles available
Owen Bargreen 98 points “The 2022 Horsepower Vineyards ‘High Contrast Vineyard’ Syrah is sourced from vines set on a combination of ancient cobblestones and silty loam soils. Stored for 15 months in all neutral oak barrels, this opens with suggestions of black tea, Mandarin orange zest and exotic spices alongside beef brisket, Kalamata olive, charcuterie and smoldering stones. The palate is plush and soft with a pillowy texture and beautiful underlying acidity. Salty and savory, enjoy this beauty now and over the next eight years.”
 
Horsepower Vineyards ‘Sur Echalas Vineyard’ Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2022 750ml $179 pre-arrival special, 6 bottles available
Owen Bargreen 100 points “A world-class Syrah, the 2022 ‘Sur Echalas Vineyard’ is without a doubt one of the finest wines I have tasted over the past year. A stunning achievement by Horsepower Vineyards Director of Winemaking, Elizabeth Bourcier, this takes the lead with black truffle shavings and oyster sauce notes on the nose alongside cured meats, coffee grounds and wet stone accents. This has excellent power considering the coolness of the vintage, but the mouth-watering acidity really holds things neatly in place. The palate is plush and beautifully textured, showing beautiful weight and verve. Seamless throughout the drinking experience, with a gracious core of black and red fruits, alongside the salty and stony nuances, this is delicious, beautifully-textured Syrah that will cellar well over the next decade.”
 
Horsepower Vineyards ‘The Tribe Vineyard’ Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2022 750ml $179 pre-arrival special, 6 bottles available
Owen Bargreen 98 points “An amazing edition of this wine, the 2022 Horsepower Vineyards ‘The Tribe Vineyard’ Syrah comes from this stony location outside of the town of Milton-Freewater. Hoisin sauce and BBQ beef rib aromatics parade with shades of lavender, bay leaf and rich boysenberry fruits on the nose. The palate is polished and soft with a seamless texture and excellent sense of weight despite the coolness of the vintage. Concentrated and intense, enjoy this heady version of ‘The Tribe’ now and over the next eight to ten years.”
 
No Girls La Placiencia Vineyard Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2021 750ml $128 pre-arrival special, 3 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 98 points “This fantastic Grenache could reunite America if served everywhere with beef stew and crusty bread. Garrigue-like aromas of rosemary and thyme unite with the salinity of a Mediterranean sea breeze and a dollop of black cherries. Boysenberry, barbecued pork and white-button mushroom flavors join with a clean mouthfeel and crisp acidity.”
 
No Girls La Placiencia Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2021 750ml $123 pre-arrival special, 3 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 97 points “Acidity that induces shivers pairs up with fine, grainy tannins to give the palate a thrill of a lifetime. This Syrah is packed with aromas and flavors of dark cherry, orange peel, black tea and interesting touches of jicama, turmeric and ginger. Pair with steamed pork buns.”
 
No Girls La Placiencia Vineyard Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2021 750ml $128 pre-arrival special, 3 bottles available
Owen Bargreen 96 points “An outstanding Tempranillo wine, the 2021 No Girls ‘La Paciencia Vineyard’ Tempranillo shows off a velvety texture with dark currants that mingle well with black cherry compote, kumquat zest, oyster sauce, wet stone and violets. Full-bodied and filled with freshness, and gorgeous flavor range, this. Tempranillo has a long life ahead of it.”

 
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Ridge
 

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 and most storied 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).
 
Arriving This Friday:
 
Ridge Vineyards Estate Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains 2023 750ml $74.50 pre-arrival special, 12 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “The 2023 Chardonnay Estate is a unicorn wine, with the acids naturally occurring with ease in this cool, long, extended growing season that the wine world is rightfully excited about, producing wines of tremendous elegance and balance, sourced entirely from Monte Bello Estate. The minerality is off the charts, exuberantly defining the wine after a barrel fermentation of nine months on the lees in 85% American and 15% French oak, 15% of it new. Gorgeously lengthy and bright, winemaker John Olney recommends that for primary fruit, it’s best to drink through the first 7-8 years; for fans of later-aging wines, wait 20 years. I adore this wine.”
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

 
Ridge Vineyards ‘Three Valleys’ Red, Sonoma County 2023 750ml $33 pre-arrival special, 24 bottles available
Wine Spectator 93 points “Generous and robust yet retains a sense of polish, with expressive raspberry and blueberry flavors highlighted by licorice and pepper, plus a whiff of dill as this builds toward fine-grained tannins. Zinfandel, Carignane, Petite Sirah, Mataro and Alicante Bouschet. Drink now through 2034. 25,000 cases made.”
 

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Ridge Vineyards Geyserville, Alexander Valley 2023 750ml $51.90 pre-arrival special, 24 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “A perennial standout for the winery that is produced for wider distribution, the 2023 Zinfandel Geyserville is a blend of 70% Zinfandel, 18% Carignane, 9% Petite Sirah and 3% Alicante, the 2023 a highly ageable vintage with great acidity. That freshness helps to define the wine’s juicy core of well-mannered, supple tannins and oak, the wine aged entirely in 100% air-dried American oak, 15% of it new. It truly offers the perfect balance of dark fruit and freshness, within a full-bodied richness and structure still built for aging, as with all Ridge wines. Enjoy now through 2033.”

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Ridge Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains 2022 750ml $89 pre-arrival special, 12 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “Blending 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot and 5% Merlot, and lovingly referred to as Baby Monte Bello, designated as Monte Bello since the 2008 vintage, the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Monte Bello Vineyard is known for its weightlessness, made to be approachable in its youth with great intention. Barrel-aged for 17 months in 50-60% new oak to integrate and soften the tannins, it still has another 15-20 years of aging, if not 25.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 
Ridge Vineyards Paso Robles Zinfandel, San Luis Obispo County 2023 750ml $43.50 pre-arrival special, 24 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “The 2023 Zinfandel Paso Robles is made from 100% Zinfandel grown at Benito Dusi Ranch, the vines old and established; Ridge’s first vintage was 1967. Featuring full-bodied, jammy red fruit, it is juicy, broad, and fleshy while also offering a high-toned, restrained style. A hallmark of the vineyard is its great acidity, with brightness a consistent characteristic across vintages. Round, it’s not sweet but allows enough sweetness from the fruit to be lush and appealing from start to finish, spending 12 months in 15% new American oak. Drink now through 2033.”
 

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Ridge Vineyards East Bench Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley 2023 750ml $38 pre-arrival special, 24 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “A 100% Zin from a single-vineyard estate of organically grown grapes in iron-rich soils, the 2023 Zinfandel East Bench is one of the producer’s only 100% Zins, and it is special at that, with mind-blowing structure. Medium-bodied and remarkably light on its feet, it has classic brambly berry fruit, dusty tannins, and seasonings of baking spice, a fantastically elegant representation of the appellation when in the right hands. Enjoy now through 2033.”
 
Can’t Wait? In Stock Now from Ridge:
 
Ridge Vineyards Grenache Blanc, Paso Robles 2023 750ml $36 special, 5 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “Brilliant acidity backs up subtle, savory and fresh citrus flavors in this full-bodied and well-balanced Rhone-style white. Aromas like a hay field, lanolin and dry earth meet tangy apricot, lime zest, mineral and almond flavors on a broad but lively texture. Includes 14% picpoul and 2% roussanne grapes. Drink now or hold.”
 
Ridge Vineyards Lytton Estate Petite Sirah, Dry Creek Valley 2020 750ml $45 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Owen Bargreen 94 points “The 2020 ‘Lytton Estate’ Petite Sirah is a fantastic wine made in a tough vintage. The wine is loaded with concentrated huckleberry, black tea, blackberry cobbler and Turkish coffee flavors the combine with a fantastic mineral backbone and firm tannins. A slumbering giant right now, this needs a few more years of bottle aging to be fully awoken but the potential is there. Drink 2025-2035.”
 
Ridge Vineyards Lytton Estate Petite Sirah, Dry Creek Valley 2021 750ml $44.50 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Decanter 93 points “The Ridge Petite Syrah from 115-year-old, gnarly, bush-trained vines at the Lytton Springs estate. Farmed organically and with a deference to the site’s tremendous history. The tannins are undeniable in this variety, known for its prominent structure, but Ridge manages to coax elegance from this burly big grape. That said, it is a wine meant to be drunk in time and is likely best after 2030. Big violet aromatics, boysenberries and dashes of white pepper leap forward. The palate shows a depth of fruit, a black peppery character aided by the tannins, with black tea, ripe, juicy fig flesh and notes of tart early-season blackberries finishing long and fresh.”
 
Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains 2020 750ml Was $249, Now $199 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Winemaker’s Note “Opaque ruby color with ripe cassis, plum and red currant fruit, toasty oak, vanilla, fennel, juniper berry and bay laurel. Well-integrated velvety tannins, full mid-palate, firm acid, and a long, sumptuous finish. 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc. Organically Grown.”
 
Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains 2021 750ml $269 special, 6 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 100 points “Tightly wound at this stage, the wine is massively concentrated, taut, yet trim and medium-bodied. Aged in 100% new oak, predominantly American, it offers espresso, blackberry, black cherry and vanilla bean flavors with a linear intensity and drive. Known to age and improve for several decades, this is one of California’s most collectible cabs and from a classic, age-worthy vintage. Best from 2031.”

 
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