In This Newsletter:
New Week – New Arrivals
Grape of the Day: Nebbiolo
Nerd Alert Featurette: Cayuse’s Impulsivo
Arriving Friday: Turley’s Latest Releases
New Arrival Featurette:
Drouhin’s Roserock
New Week – New Arrivals
Grape of the Day: Nebbiolo
Nerd Alert Featurette: Cayuse’s Impulsivo
Arriving Friday: Turley’s Latest Releases
New Arrival Featurette:
Drouhin’s Roserock
Domaine Drouhin Oregon Roserock Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2023 750ml $39 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “Impeccably structured yet sleekly elegant, with raspberry and blueberry flavors accented by savory tea, stony mineral and dusky spice notes as this gathers tension toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2033.”
Domaine Drouhin Oregon Roserock Zephirine Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2022 750ml $64.50 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “A richer red hue, the 2022 Pinot Noir Zephine Roserock is also more floral and has some savory elements, but it also has a more pronounced dark stone mineral tone, with violets, black raspberries, tea leaf, and toasted spices. Medium-bodied, it’s ripe but has fantastic linear drive through its floral-noted finish, and the lift almost suggests whole cluster, yet it’s entirely destemmed. Drink it over the next 15 or more years.”
International Wine Review 97 points “One of the better wines that I’ve had from Roserock, this one the 2022 Zéphrine Pinot Noir. I gravitate towards wines from the Eola-Amity as I feel they are a little more elegant, fresh, and fruit-forward than their counterparts from other AVAs. Sporting a gorgeous medium ruby-purple core with a blue rim in the glass, the bountiful notes of mountain blueberries, blue plum skin, sweet allspice, Meyer lemon zest, toasted almonds, and cedary herbs take things to another level. Tannins are crunchy and incredibly balanced with near-perfect levels of acidity while the finish goes on forever. Better in 2025. Highly recommended and Editor’s choice.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Impeccably structured yet sleekly elegant, with raspberry and blueberry flavors accented by savory tea, stony mineral and dusky spice notes as this gathers tension toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2033.”
Domaine Drouhin Oregon Roserock Zephirine Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2022 750ml $64.50 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “A richer red hue, the 2022 Pinot Noir Zephine Roserock is also more floral and has some savory elements, but it also has a more pronounced dark stone mineral tone, with violets, black raspberries, tea leaf, and toasted spices. Medium-bodied, it’s ripe but has fantastic linear drive through its floral-noted finish, and the lift almost suggests whole cluster, yet it’s entirely destemmed. Drink it over the next 15 or more years.”
International Wine Review 97 points “One of the better wines that I’ve had from Roserock, this one the 2022 Zéphrine Pinot Noir. I gravitate towards wines from the Eola-Amity as I feel they are a little more elegant, fresh, and fruit-forward than their counterparts from other AVAs. Sporting a gorgeous medium ruby-purple core with a blue rim in the glass, the bountiful notes of mountain blueberries, blue plum skin, sweet allspice, Meyer lemon zest, toasted almonds, and cedary herbs take things to another level. Tannins are crunchy and incredibly balanced with near-perfect levels of acidity while the finish goes on forever. Better in 2025. Highly recommended and Editor’s choice.”
New Week – New Arrivals
Oregon
Evesham Wood Blanc du Puits Sec, Eola-Amity Hills 2024 750ml $19 special, 36 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.”
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!
Cameron Winery Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2023 750ml $36 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winery Note “[On last year’s cuvée] The ‘22 Dundee Hills blend includes fruit from Abbey Ridge and La Colina vineyards and punches well above its weight. Clean, dark and red fruit aromas and notes of black tea, earth, and allspice pair with a with subtle tannins and balanced acidity. This wine has a pleasant, round mouthfeel that may be thoughtfully quaffed or heartily slurped depending on the needs of the meal or the consumer.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $40
The next best price is $40
California
Amapola Creek Jos. Belli Vineyards Chardonnay, Russian River Valley 2019 750ml $24 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Winery Notes “The color of this wine is best described as pale straw with a slight tint of emerald green. The nose opens as a classic Chardonnay, with big aromas of pear and honeysuckle, accented with citrus zest and a tiny bit of flint. Stay with the glass a moment and you will note that the floral component opens up, delivering graceful notes of jasmine woven through with hints of butterscotch and oak. Completely accessible now, but if stored properly, it will continue to develop for at least the next decade.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $50
The next best price is $50
Amapola Creek Proprietary Red, Sonoma Valley NV 750ml $11.90 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Winery Notes “After more than 50 years making wine in Sonoma County, winemaker Richard Arrowood has perfectly refined his technique for producing exceptional hillside grown wines. This wine, a blend of Bordeaux-style and Rhone-style varietals, is produced in only a small amount from artisan farmed hillside vineyards in the Sonoma Valley and is the expression of Richard’s mastery of the art and science of winemaking, and ode to his love for this place and the wine it produces.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $16.98
The next best price is $16.98
Amapola Creek Cuvee Alis, Sonoma Valley 2016 750ml $19 special, 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 lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $45
The next best price is $45
Klipsun Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain 2022 750ml $54.50 special, 21 bottles in stock now
No reviews available for the 2022 vintage. 2020 review provided for context.
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!
Marietta Cellars Angeli Estate Grown Zinfandel, Alexander Valley 2022 750ml $39.50 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2022 Angeli Zinfandel is bursting with scents of graham cracker, briar berries, violet, wild thyme and slowly emerging foresty undertones. The full-bodied palate is packed to the brim with ripe, juicy berry fruit. It has a pleasant touch of chew to its tannins to support its generous fruit, and it has a long, gently warm finish. 900 cases produced.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Rutherford Hill AJT Collection Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford 2021 750ml $49 special, 24 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 92 points “Notes of cassis, dark plums, pralines and mild spices on the nose follow through to a full body with creamy tannins and texture. Plenty of creamy berries and sweet spices on the palate, with a generous, chocolatey finish. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
France – Champagne
Billecart-Salmon Blanc de Blancs Brut NV 750ml $96 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Taut and mineral, this fine Blanc de Blancs Champagne brings out the crispness of Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs. Its croissant aroma suggests some bottle age, confirmed in the ripeness of the white fruits and acidity. Drink now.”
Billecart-Salmon Cuvee Louis Blanc de Blancs Millesime 2012 750ml $199 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Yohan Castaing-Wine Advocate 96 points “A 100% Chardonnay, sourced from vines planted in the communes of Mesnil-sur-Oger, Chouilly, Cramant, and Oiry, the 2012 Brut Blanc de Blancs Cuvée Louis Salmon evokes aromas of lemon oil, pastry, baked bread, walnuts and chalk. Medium to full-bodied, deep and seamless, it’s vinous, almost creamy, with a layered, delicate structure that leads to a delicately citrusy, long and delicate finish. This Champagne is built to age, thanks to the power of the 2012 vintage and the house’s signature tension. Disgorged in the second quarter of 2023 with 3.9 grams per liter dosage, it was matured 75% in stainless steel and 25% in barrels.”
Pertois-Lebrun ‘Derriere le Mont Aigu’ No. 15 Chouilly Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs NV 750ml $89 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Anne Krebiehl MW-Vinous 92 points “The 2015 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Derrière Le Mont Aigu No. 15 Grand Cru was picked from more than 50 years old vines in the eponymous mid-slope parcel in Chouilly, 82% of base wines were fermented in stainless steel, 18% in barrel. An initial note of dried chamomile flowers is followed by subtle maple syrup spiciness on the lemony, buttery nose. The palate comes in with a surprisingly soft, smooth mousse that underlines the bright freshness of this essentially chalky, slender wine. Evidently, very good decisions were made for the tricky and often overripe 2015 vintage. Here we have admirable freshness despite the looser structure. Saltiness defines the bright finish. Dosage is 2gr/L. (Drink between 2023-2033).”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Pierre Paillard ‘Les Terres Roses’ XVIII Bouzy Grand Cru Brut Rosé NV 750ml $69 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Composed of 65% Chardonnay and the rest Pinot Noir, the NV Champagne Grand Cru Bouzy Les Terres Roses (5% red wine) pours a bright pale pink hue and reveals aromatics of ripe strawberry, fresh bread dough, and candied roses. Juicy and inviting, with a fluffy mousse, it’s full-bodied and has a clean, supple, fruity texture. It’s fresh and savory on the palate, with salty lift and a note of orange zest that leaves a mouthwatering finish. Drink 2024-2040. One gram per liter dosage. Drink: 2024-2040.”
France – Burgundy
Back in stock!
Domaine Daniel-Etienne Defaix Cote de Lechet, Chablis Premier Cru 2010 750ml $64.50 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery Notes “In fascinating contrast to “Vaillon”, Defaix’s “Côte de Lechet” is a master class in mineral precision. This remarkably steep site (a 45% gradient) with very poor soil produces a wine that Danny describes as embodying “the real, true mineral expression of Chablis.” Freshly blasted chalk dominates the nose, with notes of lemon, honey, and fresh herbs lurking underneath; still, this is a wine of minerality first and foremost. The family owns a 3.5-hectare parcel of 45-year-old vines in this distinctive cru, most of which are planted within a parcel known as the Clos des Moines.”
Domaine Jean-Marc Pillot Bourgogne Aligoté 2022 750ml $36 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Rosenthal Wine Merchant Note “Jean-Marc owns a parcel of Aligoté in the village of Remigny planted in 2000. Vinified and aged entirely in stainless steel, this humble Bourgogne delights with brisk acidity and pure, tensile flavors of preserved lemon, sage, and musk melon. Nimble and easy-drinking, it nonetheless displays a modest degree of complexity for its variety, as well as a mouthwatering saline edge.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Hubert Lignier Bourgogne Aligoté ‘Aux Poirelots’ 2023 750ml $39 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Rosenthal Wine Merchant Note “The Lignier family owns a 0.4-hectare parcel of Aligoté in Gevrey-Chambertin proper, planted in 1944, and this wine offers a salty, racy profile of blasted chalk and golden fruit. It is a restrained, finely wrought Aligoté that avoids some of the variety’s occasionally coarse notes in favor of a prevailing mineral character. Vinified and aged in stainless steel on its fine lees, the wine is bottled without fining or filtration just prior to the next harvest.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Domaine Hubert Lignier Bourgogne Passetoutgrain ‘Aux Poirelots’ 2023 750ml $39 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Rosenthal Wine Merchant Note “Lignier’s Passetoutgrain is benchmark of its category, offering the finesse of far loftier appellations and embodying the authoritative depth of the house style in miniature form. The wine comprises 0.4 hectares worth of vines: 60% Gamay (from 1960) and 40% Pinot Noir (from 1998), planted within the confines of Morey-Saint-Denis proper in a site called Aux Poirelots. Aged entirely in used barrels, this cuvée is bottled without fining or filtration just before the next harvest.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
France – Rhone
Domaine Vincent Paris Cornas Granit 30 2023 750ml $41.50 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Nicolas Greinacher-Vinous 90-92 points “The 2023 Cornas Granit 30 is exquisite, unwinding with alluring rose water, blood orange, black cherry, licorice and stemmy subtleties. Round and refreshing, the 2023 is shaping up to be an accessible Cornas that’s packed with remarkable energy and freshness all the way through to the juicy finish.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Domaine Vincent Paris Cornas Granit 60 2023 750ml $64.50 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Nicolas Greinacher-Vinous 92-94 points “Juicy grapefruit, orange blossom, red plum, fresh violet and stemmy nuances introduce the 2023 Cornas Granit 60. Rose petal and graphite add more complexity. Built around well-rounded tannins, the 2023 is a full-bodied, seductive Cornas that shines with outstanding purity, freshness and complexity.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Domaine Vincent Paris Cornas La Geynale 2023 750ml $79 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Nicolas Greinacher-Vinous 90-92 points “The 2023 Cornas Granit 30 is exquisite, unwinding with alluring rose water, blood orange, black cherry, licorice and stemmy subtleties. Round and refreshing, the 2023 is shaping up to be an accessible Cornas that’s packed with remarkable energy and freshness all the way through to the juicy finish.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Domaine Vincent Paris Saint-Joseph Les Cotes 2022 750ml $34.50 special, 24 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “A lively, pure and succulent Saint-Joseph with aromas of dark cherries, currants, wild herbs and some peppercorns. It’s medium-bodied with finely grained tannins. Juicy and full of verve at the center, with bright acidity. Refreshing and well-crafted, with a delicious finish. Drink now.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Italy – Piedmont
ArPePe ‘Il Pettirosso’, Valtellina Superiore DOCG 2019 750ml $51.90 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “The pettirosso (robin redbreast) can be found everywhere in the woods that now look down on the Valtellina, which was once under vine far higher up. Robins rarely enter the cellar, but that day one came in and alighted on an old wooden barrel, as if warning us of something. A few days later, while she was tasting the wine, Isabella noticed there was a slight leak from one of the acacia staves. The wine appeared to be ready for bottling, but the barrel unfortunately needed replacing. There wasn’t enough to warrant a new label so she and Emanuele chose a few barrels of that ’97 – the most mature – and it became Il Pettirosso. Arturo designed the first labels and so, to continue the family tradition, Isabella asked her husband Enrico to do it, in view of the success of the first: the Rosso di Valtellina. On some special evenings, Il Pettirosso comes to dinner on the terraces above Sondrio, chirping merrily. Only in the case of some vintages, our cellar tastings suggest that we make a Valtellina Superiore as the unanimous expression of the three central areas of the DOCG. The maceration and ageing are decided on the spot, almost like an actor improvising the plot of a play. It seems that the plot written by Arturo provides the perfect ground for building up the wines of tomorrow.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Bruna Grimaldi Camilla, Barolo DOCG 2021 750ml $39 special, 24 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 94 points “Blueberries with lavender and a touch of raspberries. Medium- to full- bodied and precise, with a succulent, juicy fruit profile, accompanied by a marked set of grippy tannins that provide a precise, chewy finish. Better in 2029.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $63.99
The next best price is $63.99
Bruna Grimaldi Bricco Ambrogio, Barolo DOCG 2021 750ml $49 special, 12 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “Austere, if not raw feel on the nose, with citrus notes, lifted oranges, fresh small violets, sour redcurrants and hints of spices. The ripeness of the tannins is good, with medium body and zesty acidity. Fully focused on freshness, but it needs time to develop fully. Try after 2028.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Bruna Grimaldi Badarina, Barolo DOCG 2021 750ml $54.50 special, 12 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 94 points “A subtle and fresh Barolo with aromas of flowers, Parma violets, almonds, restrained red fruit and spices. Medium- to full-bodied with crisp acidity and velvety tannins that are well integrated with supple fruit. Dusty finish. Try from 2026.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Back in stock!
G.D. Vajra Viola delle Viole Barbera d’Alba Superiore 2021 750ml $31.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 93+ points “Just bottled, the 2021 Barbera d’Alba Superiore is fabulous. Rich and inky, with tremendous depth, the 2021 is so vibrant in the glass. Red/purplish fruit, lavender, sweet spice and mocha are all dialed up, with a kiss of French oak that adds raciness.”
Produttori del Barbaresco Langhe Nebbiolo 2023 750ml $28 special, 35 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 92 points “This wine was bottled approximately one month before I tasted it in October and was set to hit the market in November 2024. The Produttori del Barbaresco 2023 Langhe Nebbiolo shows a shiny ruby appearance and offers crunchy fruit flavors with blueberry and tart raspberry. Fruit is collected from the sites and the warmer microclimates that don’t end up in the Barbaresco program, and the wine sees a shorter maceration time, lasting 21 days.”
Vietti Villero, Barolo Riserva DOCG 2016 750ml $549 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 98 points “Complex aromas and flavors of cherry, raspberry, rose, wild herbs, stony mineral and autumn woods are the hallmarks of this elegant red, which is beginning to reveal all of its facets yet is still structured. Leaves a chalky feel of refined tannins on the long finish. Best from 2026 through 2045. 370 cases made, 60 cases imported.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 98 points “I spent a good amount of time huddled over this fantastic bottle over the course of a few days. This is another masterpiece in a long line of masterpieces from the Villero site in Castiglione Falletto that is definitely a personal MGA favorite. The Vietti 2016 Barolo Riserva Villero can be summed up in a single word: seamless. You immediately recognize the strong personalized style of the wine despite the Vietti ownership changes, although in truth this vintage was still under the guide of Luca and Elena Penna-Currado because the estate was sold in July 2016 and they stayed on to make wines for a few more years to follow. The smoothness of the wine represents a continuum across various chapters of dark fruit, roasted chestnut, iron ore, blood orange, aniseed and white truffle. It does not have the weightlessness of some of today’s top Barolo; in fact, quite the opposite: this is a wine of depth, full-bodied texture and smooth transitions. Production is exactly 5,146 bottles, 330 magnums and 15 double magnums.”
Italy – Sicily
Cusumano Nero d’Avola Terre Siciliane IGT 2021 750ml $14.50 special, 36 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 90 points “A fruity nero d’avola with typical dark cherries, black plums and blackberry fruit. Juicy and round on the palate with a medium body and supple tannins. Easy, fruity finish with bright acidity. Drink now. Glass stopper.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Cusumano Syrah Terre Siciliane IGT 2021 750ml $16 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “In the Presti e Pegni estate in Monreale, where a small flower typical of the Mediterranean area grows, Nero d’Avola and Syrah quality grapes are cultivated and produce Cusumano Syrah. The aromas and palate structure that are typical of this grape variety, are enhanced by the warmth of Sicily, which allows the grapes to reach a perfect ripening.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Germany
Peter Lauer ‘Kern’ Ayler Kupp Fass 9 Riesling, Saar 2023 750ml $46.50 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Anne Krebiehl MW-Vinous 95 points “The 2023 Riesling Ayler Kupp Kern No. 9 was harvested across the Ayler Kupp extension, from deeper soils at the bottom to poor stone at the top. Facing southwest, it benefits from evening sun and experiences significant diurnal swing. The nose remains funky and reductive, but vivid, juicy passionfruit dominates both nose and palate, filling everything with its mouthwatering tart tropical aroma. The finish is wonderfully zesty and strikes a disarming balance.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Peter Lauer ‘Stirn’ Ayler Kupp Fass 15 Riesling, Mosel 2023 750ml $46.50 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Anne Krebiehl MW-Vinous 96 points “The 2023 Riesling Ayler Kupp Stirn No. 15, picked on the crest of the Ayler Kupp at almost 275 meters, benefits from a south-facing but cool and ventilated location. Old vines yield tiny grapes and an airy sense of ripe peach and apricot rises dreamily from the glass. The palate frames this in rock and salty savor, yet the bright, sunny note of stone fruit shines and charms with immense purity. Deeply anchored in stone, it takes off. Absolutely lip-smacking.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Peter Lauer Schonfels Fass 11 Grosses Gewächs, Mosel 2023 750ml $56.50 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Anne Krebiehl MW-Vinous 94 points “The 2023 Riesling Ayler Schonfels Grosses Gewächs No. 11 comes from a well-ventilated, exposed cliff above the Saar. A wonderfully complex nose offers a hint of cocoa butter with a touch of cumin. The rounded palate delivers lemon-filled freshness with a slight phenolic frame, flowing with energy that tapers towards a lemon zestiness on the long finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Peter Lauer Biebelhausener Feils Riesling Fass 13 Grosses Gewächs, Mosel 2023 750ml $54.50 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Anne Krebiehl MW-Vinous 94 points “The 2023 Riesling Biebelhausener Feils Grosses Gewächs No. 13 comes from a warmer south-facing site on the river. Beautiful creaminess of peach with a touch of passionfruit foliage and lemon balm charms in the glass. The palate mirrors this smooth creaminess and purity of flavors, exuding serenity. Very elegant with just a touch of pithiness on the finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Peter Lauer Ayler Kupp Fass 18 Grosses Gewächs, Mosel 2023 750ml $54.50 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Anne Krebiehl MW-Vinous 95 points “The 2023 Riesling Ayler Kupp Grosses Gewächs No. 18 entices with a lifted zestiness and a lovely perfume of crushed citrus foliage and conifer. The slightly creamy palate features a bright, clean-cut vein of lemon that defines its brightness and freshness. Yet, it remains smooth, light-footed and graceful, showcasing slate finesse.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Peter Lauer Ayler Kupp Fass 7 Riesling Spätlese, Mosel 2023 750ml $49 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Anne Krebiehl MW-Vinous 93 points “The 2023 Riesling Ayler Kupp Spätlese No. 7 offers a restrained nose with a hint of passionfruit and beautifully ripe peach accented by tangerine. The palate is fine and graceful, showcasing its slate nature with filigree and brightness. It finishes with serene peach, taut acidity and a lovely sense of orange peel.”
Peter Lauer Ayler Kupp No. 77 Riesling Spätlese, Mosel 2023 750ml $34.50 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points “The 2023 Ayler Spätlese N°77, as it is referred to in the central part of the label, was made from clean but overripe fruit harvested at 87° Oechsle from vineyards on the different hills in Ayl and was fermented down to sweet levels of residual sugar (70 g/l). This yellow-hay-colored wine offers a rather ostentatious and hugely appealing nose made of pineapple, coconut, rose water, whipped cream, and fine earthy spices. It is gorgeously engaging and racy on the palate, where the exotic side is joined by some fresh apricot. The finish is precise, engaging, and hugely long. This exotic expression of Spätlese is hugely appealing. 2038-2043.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
New Zealand
Loveblock Pinot Noir, Central Otago, New Zealand 2021 750ml $29 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Cedar shavings, tree sap, bay leaf and other savory herbs and spices are at the fore on this distinctive Pinot. Underneath lurk ripe, red and black fruit and some smoky oak. The palate is tightly wound in chalky tannins. There’s a good deal of drying, toasty barrel influence. But there’s also lovely crisp acidity and densely packed fruit. Drink 2024-2030.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Featurette:
Nebbiolo & Nebbiolo Rose
Featurette:
Nebbiolo & Nebbiolo Rose
Alongside Sangiovese, the Italian grape variety of Nebbiolo is responsible for some of Italy’s finest and greatest red wine. Deep red in its youth, it uniquely becomes pale and brick-orange as it matures. While the classic scent profile is tar (asphalt) and roses, Nebbiolo offers rich red fruit and spice-forward perfume notes. Typically crafted as a red, the variety is grown almost exclusively in the Piedmont and Alto Piemonte in the northwest of Italy.
We’re featuring two examples of the grape’s expansive profile as well as a bonus cousin bottling. Our first example hails from Bramaterra, a less-known subregion in the Piedmont between Lessona and Gattinara. The 2016 from Le Pianelle is a great vintage, offering more depth and expression than is typically found in the region. If you’ve never explored the region, this is your best entry, and if you’re old hat, this is one of its finest.
The first Barbaresco is Luigi Giordano’s Montestefano bottling. The vineyard is best known as the source of one of Produttori del Barbaresco’s most sought-after wines. Though Luigi Giordano is a less well known producer, his bottling is worth seeking out not only because we’re able to offer it at about half the price of Produttori’s, but also because it it’s a superb and delicious wine in its own right.
We’re including a unique wine in this lineup: the Rose delle Casasse Riserva from Cascina Baricchi. The importer Polaner Selections discovered this tiny estate, which crafts this Barbaresco Riserva from vines dating as far back as 1913. It’s uniquely the only Barbaresco crafted from the Nebbiolo Rose variety, once thought to be a clone but is a distinct, though genetically related, variety.
Explore the wonders of Piedmont with these three picks!
In Stock Now:
Luigi Giordano Montestefano, Barbaresco DOCG 2016 750ml $49 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points “A beam of cherry, strawberry and rose aromas and flavors permeates this vibrant red. Hints of thyme, menthol and tar add depth as this builds to a long, resonant finish. Shows fine energy and intensity on a slim frame. Best from 2023 through 2042. 500 cases made, 150 cases imported.”
We’re featuring two examples of the grape’s expansive profile as well as a bonus cousin bottling. Our first example hails from Bramaterra, a less-known subregion in the Piedmont between Lessona and Gattinara. The 2016 from Le Pianelle is a great vintage, offering more depth and expression than is typically found in the region. If you’ve never explored the region, this is your best entry, and if you’re old hat, this is one of its finest.
The first Barbaresco is Luigi Giordano’s Montestefano bottling. The vineyard is best known as the source of one of Produttori del Barbaresco’s most sought-after wines. Though Luigi Giordano is a less well known producer, his bottling is worth seeking out not only because we’re able to offer it at about half the price of Produttori’s, but also because it it’s a superb and delicious wine in its own right.
We’re including a unique wine in this lineup: the Rose delle Casasse Riserva from Cascina Baricchi. The importer Polaner Selections discovered this tiny estate, which crafts this Barbaresco Riserva from vines dating as far back as 1913. It’s uniquely the only Barbaresco crafted from the Nebbiolo Rose variety, once thought to be a clone but is a distinct, though genetically related, variety.
Explore the wonders of Piedmont with these three picks!
In Stock Now:
Le Pianelle Bramaterra, Piedmont 2016 750ml $48 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94-97 points “The 2016 Bramaterra is drop-dead gorgeous. Utterly captivating in its aromatics and inner sweetness, the 2016 is insanely beautiful. Sweet red cherry, candy, iron, graphite, rose petal and blood orange are some of the many notes that come alive with a bit of aeration. I tasted the 2016 from two core lots, separarely, and then in a hypothetical blend. It is a hugely promising wine.”
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94-97 points “The 2016 Bramaterra is drop-dead gorgeous. Utterly captivating in its aromatics and inner sweetness, the 2016 is insanely beautiful. Sweet red cherry, candy, iron, graphite, rose petal and blood orange are some of the many notes that come alive with a bit of aeration. I tasted the 2016 from two core lots, separarely, and then in a hypothetical blend. It is a hugely promising wine.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Wine Spectator 93 points “A beam of cherry, strawberry and rose aromas and flavors permeates this vibrant red. Hints of thyme, menthol and tar add depth as this builds to a long, resonant finish. Shows fine energy and intensity on a slim frame. Best from 2023 through 2042. 500 cases made, 150 cases imported.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Cascina Baricchi Rose delle Casasse Riserva, Barbaresco DOCG 2017 750ml $79 special, 35 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 95 points “The 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Rose delle Casasse is a rich, heady wine that is going to need a number of years to come into its own. Time in the glass releases gorgeous aromatics to play off a core of dark red/purplish fruit, spice and licorice notes. There’s tons of depth and character, but this is an uncharacteristically reticent 2017. Give this exotic beauty time. The aromatics alone are so inviting.”
Cayuse’s Impulsivo:
Give in to the Urge
Cascina Baricchi Rose delle Casasse Riserva, Barbaresco DOCG 2017 750ml $79 special, 35 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 95 points “The 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Rose delle Casasse is a rich, heady wine that is going to need a number of years to come into its own. Time in the glass releases gorgeous aromatics to play off a core of dark red/purplish fruit, spice and licorice notes. There’s tons of depth and character, but this is an uncharacteristically reticent 2017. Give this exotic beauty time. The aromatics alone are so inviting.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Cayuse’s Impulsivo:
Give in to the Urge
It’s no secret that we’ve long admired the wines from Christophe Baron (and the man himself). This Champagnois-turned-Oregonian more or less put The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater on the map.
His Walla Walla portfolio now includes Grenache, Syrah, Cabernet, and the Spanish star grape variety, Tempranillo, which he crafts as a single-vineyard bottling he calls “Impulsivo.” The bottling hails from the En Chamberlin Vineyard within Walla Walla. Planted in 1998 on silty loam and basalt cobblestone, the vineyard rests at 875 feet in elevation. The wines from this vineyard are dense, nervy, and full of potential. With five vintages in stock now, you’re sure to find a winner!
In Stock Now:
Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ml $149 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “While I don’t think the 2017 Impulsivo matches the 2016, it’s certainly not far off. Showing the more elegant style of the vintage, it offers a gorgeous perfume of smoked black cherries, redcurrants, green tobacco, bloody meat, sandalwood, and Asian spices that opens up with time in the glass. Ethereal, medium to full-bodied, and seamless on the palate, it has flawless balance, polished tannins, no hard edges, and a great, great finish. It’s just beautifully put together and one of the more approachable vintages of this cuvée. It can be drunk with incredible pleasure today (give it an hour decant) or cellared for 15+ years or more.”
Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2019 750ml $149 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Anthony Mueller-Wine Advocate 96 points “Rocketing out of the glass with a generous, robust and concentrated inky core, the 2019 Impulsivo is juicy and broad-shouldered as it displays exotic spices with notions of plum jus. Full-bodied and fresh, this gorgeous Tempranillo somersaults across the mid-palate, offering a balanced structure with fine-grained tannins and succulent acidity before concluding with a generous and long-lingering finish. Give it one more year in the bottle, and enjoy it over the next 15 years. Bravo! I’m not spitting this out.”
Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2020 750ml $138 special, 23 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “Enticing aromas of black cherries, blackberries, licorice, cloves, green chilis and dark chocolate. It’s full-bodied with fine-grained tannins. Beautifully deep, fleshy and inky, with excellent freshness, too. Spicy and attention-grabbing. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2021 750ml $159 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “Another expressive red from this estate, the 2021 Impulsivo (100% Tempranillo) has a great nose of both red and black fruits as well as iron, sandalwood, and violets. A rich, medium to full-bodied, structured wine on the palate, it has building tannins, a nicely balanced, layered mouthfeel, and plenty of meaty, gamey, umami character on the finish. It will benefit from just a few years in the cellar and will evolve for at least two decades.”
New review!
Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2022 750ml $149 special, 12 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “Very expressive and savory, this offers wild berries, plum skins, crushed coffee beans, wet forest floor and hints of raw mushrooms. It’s full-bodied, meaty and structured yet layered with delicious fruit, the mineral freshness adding vibrancy and energy. Firm and tightly packed in the finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Try from 2029.”
His Walla Walla portfolio now includes Grenache, Syrah, Cabernet, and the Spanish star grape variety, Tempranillo, which he crafts as a single-vineyard bottling he calls “Impulsivo.” The bottling hails from the En Chamberlin Vineyard within Walla Walla. Planted in 1998 on silty loam and basalt cobblestone, the vineyard rests at 875 feet in elevation. The wines from this vineyard are dense, nervy, and full of potential. With five vintages in stock now, you’re sure to find a winner!
In Stock Now:
Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ml $149 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “While I don’t think the 2017 Impulsivo matches the 2016, it’s certainly not far off. Showing the more elegant style of the vintage, it offers a gorgeous perfume of smoked black cherries, redcurrants, green tobacco, bloody meat, sandalwood, and Asian spices that opens up with time in the glass. Ethereal, medium to full-bodied, and seamless on the palate, it has flawless balance, polished tannins, no hard edges, and a great, great finish. It’s just beautifully put together and one of the more approachable vintages of this cuvée. It can be drunk with incredible pleasure today (give it an hour decant) or cellared for 15+ years or more.”
Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2019 750ml $149 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Anthony Mueller-Wine Advocate 96 points “Rocketing out of the glass with a generous, robust and concentrated inky core, the 2019 Impulsivo is juicy and broad-shouldered as it displays exotic spices with notions of plum jus. Full-bodied and fresh, this gorgeous Tempranillo somersaults across the mid-palate, offering a balanced structure with fine-grained tannins and succulent acidity before concluding with a generous and long-lingering finish. Give it one more year in the bottle, and enjoy it over the next 15 years. Bravo! I’m not spitting this out.”
Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2020 750ml $138 special, 23 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “Enticing aromas of black cherries, blackberries, licorice, cloves, green chilis and dark chocolate. It’s full-bodied with fine-grained tannins. Beautifully deep, fleshy and inky, with excellent freshness, too. Spicy and attention-grabbing. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2021 750ml $159 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “Another expressive red from this estate, the 2021 Impulsivo (100% Tempranillo) has a great nose of both red and black fruits as well as iron, sandalwood, and violets. A rich, medium to full-bodied, structured wine on the palate, it has building tannins, a nicely balanced, layered mouthfeel, and plenty of meaty, gamey, umami character on the finish. It will benefit from just a few years in the cellar and will evolve for at least two decades.”
New review!
Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2022 750ml $149 special, 12 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “Very expressive and savory, this offers wild berries, plum skins, crushed coffee beans, wet forest floor and hints of raw mushrooms. It’s full-bodied, meaty and structured yet layered with delicious fruit, the mineral freshness adding vibrancy and energy. Firm and tightly packed in the finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Try from 2029.”
Shop our complete selection of in-stock wines from Cayuse & Christophe Baron!
Arriving Next Week
Turley’s New Releases
Few wineries have the name recognition and body of work of Turley. Founded by Larry Turley (co-founder of Frog’s Leap/Helen’s Brother/etc) with a devotion to single vineyard, old-vine Zinfandel, they became one of California’s defining wineries in the 90’s.
Today, Turley is one of those producers who could make as much wine as they’d like and still have people thirsty for it. The gorgeous wines are hugely expressive and can be aged with ease. Though we never feel like there’s enough, the following are arriving Friday.
Arriving Friday, May 2nd:
Turley Wine Cellars Juvenile Zinfandel 2023 750ml $26 pre-arrival special, 35 bottles available
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 90 points “The 2023 Zinfandel Juvenile is bold, juicy and super-expressive, all of which make it a fine choice for drinking now and over the next handful of years. Bright red/purplish fruit, lavender, spice and new leather build nicely in this tasty, mid-weight offering from Turley. “
Turley Wine Cellars ‘Buck’ Cobb Vineyard Zinfandel, Amador County 2023 750ml $36 pre-arrival special, 12 bottles available
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 90-92 points “The 2023 Zinfandel Buck Cobb Vineyard is bold, juicy and expressive. Dark cherry, plum, gravel, spice, herbs and lavender are front and center. This shows terrific depth and plenty of character to match its exuberant personality .”
Today, Turley is one of those producers who could make as much wine as they’d like and still have people thirsty for it. The gorgeous wines are hugely expressive and can be aged with ease. Though we never feel like there’s enough, the following are arriving Friday.
Arriving Friday, May 2nd:
Turley Wine Cellars Juvenile Zinfandel 2023 750ml $26 pre-arrival special, 35 bottles available
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 90 points “The 2023 Zinfandel Juvenile is bold, juicy and super-expressive, all of which make it a fine choice for drinking now and over the next handful of years. Bright red/purplish fruit, lavender, spice and new leather build nicely in this tasty, mid-weight offering from Turley. “
Turley Wine Cellars ‘Buck’ Cobb Vineyard Zinfandel, Amador County 2023 750ml $36 pre-arrival special, 12 bottles available
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 90-92 points “The 2023 Zinfandel Buck Cobb Vineyard is bold, juicy and expressive. Dark cherry, plum, gravel, spice, herbs and lavender are front and center. This shows terrific depth and plenty of character to match its exuberant personality .”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Turley Wine Cellars Cedarman Vineyard Zinfandel, Howell Mountain 2023 750ml $45 pre-arrival special, 12 bottles available
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 91-93 points “The 2023 Zinfandel Cedarman is a very serious wine in this vintage. Dark and imposing, with serious gravitas, the 2023 packs an intense punch. Wild cherry, lavender, licorice, menthol, mocha and dried herbs all power through. This is a stellar botting and a great value, too.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Turley Wine Cellars Dragon Vineyard Zinfandel, Howell Mountain 2023 750ml $56 pre-arrival special, 12 bottles available
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 90-92 points “The 2023 Zinfandel Dragon Vineyard is a seriously forbidding wine with tons of mountain structure, acid and tannin. Unyielding and imposing, the Dragon is searing in its intensity. Red fruit, blood orange, chalk, mint and white pepper all race across the palate, supported by incisive, pointy tannins. Iron, white flowers and slate lend notable tension through the finish.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Turley Wine Cellars Del Barba Vineyard Zinfandel, Contra Costa County 2023 750ml $36 pre-arrival special, 12 bottles available
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 91-93 points “The 2023 Zinfandel del Barba is ripe, boisterous and super-expressive. Floral overtones and bright acids run through a core of red/purplish fruit. Sandy soils confer lovely aromatic presence to this pure Zinfandel. This is an especially accessible offering from Turley. “
Turley Wine Cellars Kirschenmann Vineyard Zinfandel, Lodi 2023 750ml $46 pre-arrival special, 12 bottles available
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 92-94 points “The 2023 Zinfandel Kirschenmann Vineyard is one of the best wines I have tasted from this site, as it has more textural depth and resonance than is typically the case. As always, the Kirschenmann Zinfandel is aromatic and lifted. In 2023, it is a bit more complex and nuanced than it often is. Bright red-toned fruit and floral overtones linger. This is such a pretty wine.”
Turley Wine Cellars Pesenti Vineyard Zinfandel, Paso Robles 2023 750ml $45 pre-arrival special, 24 bottles available
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 92-94 points The 2023 Zinfandel Pesenti Vineyard is a classic Paso Robles Zinfandel. It emerges from a site planted in 1923. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, new leather, licorice and cloves blast across the palate. A wine of substance and forward, luscious fruit, the 2023 is alluring from start to finish.”
Shop our complete selection of Turley wines now!
Don’t miss our additional sales going on now:
Molitor’s Feinherb Rieslings
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of bottles of Molitor’s Green Capsule wines
10% off any 6+ or more in-stock bottles of Molitor’s Green Capsule wines
Château Léoville Poyferré
5% off any 3-7 in-stock bottles of Château Léoville Poyferré
10% off any 8+ or more in-stock bottles of Château Léoville Poyferré
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Molitor’s Feinherb sale ends Tuesday, April 29th at 9 am Pacific. Léoville Poyferré sale ends Wednesday, April 30th at 9 am Pacific.
