In the 1980’s and 90’s when the German wine industry was still in terrible disarray, the Loewen family began buying up the steepest, most dilapidated, and unwanted vineyards in Mosel and rehabilitating them. In addition, many of these vineyards still retained super low-yielding, ungrafted, plantings up to 120 years old!
 
These wines present an authenticity that simply cannot be found from younger plantings or upstart wineries still trying to find their sea-legs.
 
This Riesling is named for the year of its vineyard’s planting, 1896, making these vines 127 years old when they were picked. When we say “old vines” In the wine industry, we’re not usually talking about 127 years old… this is an absolute rarity and supplies will not last!
 
Carl Loewen ‘1896’ Longuicher Maximin Herrenberg Alte Reben Riesling (Gray Label), Mosel 2023 750ml $119 special, 12 bottles available
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 100 Points “The beauty of this great dry Mosel wine is both overwhelming and seemingly timeless. Unbelievable concentration, yet everything about this wine is fine and precise, so that you wonder how such density and delicacy can coexist. And the brilliance of the finish is the most amazing thing about this great Mosel masterpiece. Vegan. Limited production. Drink or hold.”
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast

 
Looking for something on the more affordable side? We’ve got you covered!

Carl Loewen Herrenberg Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2023 750ml $27.50 special, 36 bottles available
James Suckling 94 Points “Very juicy and spicy, this light-bodied, off-dry Mosel riesling has terrific peachy fruit and slatey freshness. Such a beautifully clean finish. From a high-altitude parcel with 100-year-old vines. Vegan. Drink or hold.”
 
…also available from Carl Loewen:
 
Carl Loewen Herrenberg 1896 Riesling Trocken, Mosel  2021 750ml $46.50 special, 10 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 93 Points “The 2021er Maximin 1896 Herrenberg Alte Reben Trocken, as it is referred to on the front label, is a dry wine picked on un-grafted vines planted in 1896 in a plot at the lower end of the vineyard and was fermented and matured in Fuder. It proves quite smoky and herbal at first before delivering a pure nose of freshly cut pineapple, greengage, pear, and minty herbs, all wrapped into lime and may tree. The wine proves zesty and pure on the light-weighted yet complex palate. It leaves a very intense and smoky feel in the long and focused finish. The after-taste is all about lime, spices, and herbs, with a touch of salty elements in the background. This is a really great dry Riesling. 2025-2036.”
 
Carl Loewen Herrenberg Riesling Kabinett, Mosel  2023 750ml $27.50 special, 36 bottles available
James Suckling 94 Points “Very juicy and spicy, this light-bodied, off-dry Mosel riesling has terrific peachy fruit and slatey freshness. Such a beautifully clean finish. From a high-altitude parcel with 100-year-old vines. Vegan. Drink or hold.”
 
Carl Loewen Laurentiuslay Spatlese, Mosel  2022 750ml $31.90 special, 11 bottles available
James Suckling 94 Points “Wonderful nose of white peach, lemon zest and fresh mint. Very bright and zesty with impressive energy this is an extremely refreshing wine for a Spatlese with the conventional amount of unfermented grape sweetness, in fact it taste barely off-dry. Exciting purity and precision at the vibrant finish. Vegan. Drink or hold.”
 

We have 5 more wines from Carl Loewen to choose from. Click here to shop for them all!
 

 
 

 

 
The Loire Valley, known as the Garden of France, is a bountiful source of fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. It is also one of our favorite (and most versatile) wine regions. With wines that vary from excellent table wines to some of the very finest, most coveted bottles in the world, there is no occasion or budget that cannot be satisfied by the Loire.
 
This winery, Paris Simoneau, is a true find: a food friendly, handmade product from a centuries old family winery that emphasizes sustainability all while remaining a great value.
 
On top of all that, these are the only listings for these wines in the United States:
 
Paris Simoneau Oiso Touraine Sauvignon Blanc, Loire 2023 750ml $14 special, 24 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast” This crisp, tight wine is packed with young, vibrant fruits. It has lively acidity, a panoply of fresh fruit flavors and is ready to drink.”
 
Paris Simoneau Oiso Cabernet Franc, IGP Val de Loire 2023 750ml $14 special, 24 bottles available
Winery Note “Clearly fruity nose of violet, raspberry and redcurrant. A brilliant garnet colour with hints of purple. Typical character: balanced and fruity.”
 
 
California
 

 
Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, California 2021 750ml $21.90 special, 36 bottles available
Wine Spectator 92 Points “Everything here fits together seamlessly, with pineapple, lemon curd and peach flavors backed by bright acidity, plus savory overtones of toasted, salted almond and a hint of candied ginger. There’s plenty of intensity on the fresh finish, where the flavors crescendo. Drink now. 7,400 cases made.”
 

 
Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains 2021 750ml $269 special, 6 bottles available
Jim Gordon-Jamessuckling.com 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.”
 

Lowest listed price in the United States

 

Italy

 
“You can’t beat this value.” –Monica Lerner, Wine Advocate
 
“The true Beauty of Albe is the caress of the sun that rises three times every morning over our vineyards. It’s the exceptional simplicity of nature that makes the awakening of life an everyday miracle.” -Milena Vaira

#9 IN WINE SPECTATOR TOP 100
G.D. Vajra Albe, Barolo DOCG, Italy 2020 750ml $39 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Spectator 94 Points “This effusive red displays cherry, raspberry, rose, iron, juniper and hay flavors, underscored by vibrant acidity. Harmonious and supple in texture, with a long aftertaste of red fruit, mineral and floral elements. Best from 2028 through 2049. 7,000 cases made, 3,500 cases imported.”

 

Collector’s Corner
 

Why does Kopke get so much love in our Newsletters? Because they’re great! So while Kopke is a truly iconic brand, they sometimes overshadow some of the other great wineries from the region.
 

 
#42 WINE OF THE YEAR – JAMES SUCKLING TOP 100 IN 2018
Quinta do Noval Vintage Port, Portugal 2016 750ml $119 special, 31 bottles available
James Suckling 98 Points “This is a superb baby Noval that reminds me of the 1966. Chewy yet so polished. The light sweetness suggests an overall dialing back of the sugar content. Stemmy and lightly green. A truly classic Noval. Almost all from Pinhao. Buy. Better in 2025.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 97 Points “The 2016 Vintage Port was picked mainly from 19 September in ideal conditions. It is more broody than the 2017 at the moment and demands a little more encouragement from the glass. I have been prudent with my reviews in the past, but this 2016 seems to have considerably improved in the four years since I last encountered it. More earthy in style, it offers lovely dusky black fruit, sage, a touch of menthol and star anise, unfolding in the glass with each swirl. The palate is medium-bodied with a velvety entry. Superb tension here, the acidity cuts through the richness of this Port with effortless ease. Linear, poised and mineral-driven, Vintage Port gets little better than this. Tasted at the Quinta do Noval tasting at Spring restaurant in London.”
Mark Squires-Wine Advocate 97 Points “The 2016 Vintage Port is a field blend, mostly Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinto Cão and Sousão, aged for 18 months in old wood” … “This was stunning from the first smell, promising concentration, intensity of fruit and great things to come. It had a 100-point nose that made me go “wow!” No wine I tasted had a better nose than this. Violets and blue fruits lead off, with a trace of eucalyptus. I tend to think Noval is a producer that always shows mid-palate finesse, but this seems pretty deep too. It is also intense. The tannins won’t sear your mouth because the balance is impeccable.”
 
#53 WINE SPECTATOR TOP 100 OF 2019
Quinta Do Noval Vintage Port, Portugal 2017 750ml $99 special, 22 bottles available
Wine Spectator 98 Points “This is well-packed, offering the vivid plum, boysenberry, cassis and açaí berry fruit profile of the vintage, along with a dark edge of tar, baker’s chocolate and salted licorice that courses underneath. The long finish lets the fruit play out, keeping singed alder and chai spice hints in the background. Smolderingly seductive. Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Cão, Sousão and Tinta Roriz. Best from 2035 through 2060. 3,500 cases made. — JM”
Neal Martin-Vinous 97 Points “The last time I tasted the 2017 Vintage Port, I posed the question of whether it was the best ever? Perhaps. Picked from 21 August to 28 September, it is beautifully-defined on the nose with layers of black cherries, allspice, violet and cassis, becoming more floral with time in the glass. Returning after 10 minutes and juxtaposed against the 2016, there is just a little more VA. The palate is well-balanced, very structured with wonderful tension. I love the texture of this Noval, which is slightly granular towards the finish and brims with life. Outstanding.”
 

 
Dow Vintage Port, Portugal 2016 750ml $99 special, 17 bottles available
Wine Spectator 98 Points “This packs a lot of fun, with a wallop of blackberry, fig, boysenberry and açai berry compote flavors working together, laced with a mouthwatering licorice snap note and driven by a fresh, well-detailed finish. A roasted apple wood accent is integrated as well, lending textural contrast through the vivacious finish. Best from 2030 through 2055.”
 
Dow Vintage Port, Portugal 2017 750ml $99 special, 16 bottles available
Dow Vintage Port 2017 1.5L $219 special, 3 magnums available
Dow Vintage Port 2017 375ml $59 special, 5 half bottles available
Neal Martin-Vinous 98 Points “The 2017 Dow’s Vintage Port showed a slight reduction and required more time to really open in the glass. Typical of Dow’s it has a more backward and introspective bouquet compared to its peers, scents of blackberry, clove, wild mint, cassis and vanilla, gradually gaining more intensity with aeration. The palate is simply glorious. It is built around a compelling tannic frame that seems finer than any Dow’s I have encountered apart from the ethereal 2011. There is so much energy coiled up in this Port, a sense of symmetry that is enthralling and yet you just know that it needs to be cellared for 15-20 years for it to reveal its full potential. For serious Port-lovers. One of the vintages most cerebral offerings. Total production is 5,250 cases.”
James Suckling 98 Points “Pure grape aromas that remind me of fermenting must but then goes to stems and dried flowers. Full-bodied, medium sweet with fine-grained tannins that coat your palate. Powerful and muscular yet remains agile and beautiful. Grows on your palate. Wonderful ripe fruit in the middle palate. Try after 2030.”
 

 
Cockburn Vintage Port, Portugal 2017 750ml $74 special, 16 bottles available
James Suckling 98 Points “Insane aromas of crushed berry, flowers and lifted ester like a fermenting lager. Full body, tannic yet so finely grained in texture. Extremely long and beautiful. It goes on for minutes. 2,500 cases. Try in 2026.”

 
 

 
 

“You can’t beat this value.” –Monica Lerner, Wine Advocate

G.D. Vajra Albe, Barolo DOCG, Italy 2020 750ml $39 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Spectator 94 Points “This effusive red displays cherry, raspberry, rose, iron, juniper and hay flavors, underscored by vibrant acidity. Harmonious and supple in texture, with a long aftertaste of red fruit, mineral and floral elements. Best from 2028 through 2049. 7,000 cases made, 3,500 cases imported.”

 

 
France
 

 
Boasting seven generations of winemaking experience in the Côtes de Catalanes sub region of the Languedoc-Roussillon. Vinopolis Loyalists will recognize these wines as some of the best values on the market!
 
Domaine Lafage Bastide Miraflors, IGP Cotes Catalanes 2020 750ml $16 special, 36 bottles available
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate “Tasted twice, two months apart, with consistent notes, the 2020 Côtes du Roussillon Bastide Miraflors is a 70-30 blend of Syrah and Grenache, aged in demi-muids and concrete tanks, respectively. There’s a hint of peppermint, but the primary focus here is on the fruit, ranging from blueberries and mulberries into darker notes of plum and dark chocolate. It’s full-bodied and creamy in texture, with deliciously supple, soft tannins, which make it exceptionally easy to drink now, but maybe not particularly long-lived.”
 
Domaine Lafage Cote Est Blanc, IGP Cotes Catalanes 2021 750ml $16 special, 36 bottles available
Winemaker Notes “Côté Est, as the name suggests, comes from vineyards planted on the gentle slopes facing the Mediterranean just a few kilometers inland from the sea. Benefiting from the thermal breezes that refresh these vineyards every afternoon in the summer— which preserves a high level of natural acidity in the grapes—this is a lively blend of old vine Grenache Blanc with Chardonnay and Rolle. Floral and aromatic, it is an excellent example of the open and friendly whites you can find all along the Catalan coast from Perpignan to the Penedès.”
 
Domaine Lafage Novellum Chardonnay, IGP Cotes Catalanes 2022 750ml $16 special, 36 bottles available
(Not reviewed yet, 2020 review provided for reference)
Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points “…the 2020 Chardonnay Novellum has a medium gold hue as well as a rich, powerful bouquet of caramelized lemon, honeyed almonds, candle wax, and toasted bread. Rich, medium to full-bodied, beautifully textured, and balanced, this is another no brainer purchase.”
 
Domaine Lafage Cotes du Roussillon ‘Tessellae’ Old Vines GSM, France 2021 750ml $16 special, 36 bottles available
James Suckling 93 Points “Grilled spices, stones and hints of graphite and wild herbs to the red and black berry fruit. Excellent intensity and freshness to the center-palate with svelte but supportive tannins. Really poised. Grenache, syrah and mourvedre. Drink now or hold.”

 

 
 
Oregon
 
Lingua Franca ‘Avni’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2022 750ml $39 special, 12 bottles available
Wine Spectator 94 Points “Dynamic and precise, this features a core of steely acidity that frames expressive flavors of raspberry and guava, laced with crushed stone, forest floor and dusky spice notes that gather tension and richness toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2033. 18,000 cases made.”
Decanter 94 Points “The Avni Pinot Noir delivers on precision and freshness all with a savoury lift. Sourced from both the Lingua Franca estates and a variety of neighbouring Eola-Amity Hills vineyards, as well as those from south of the AVA and north to Yamhill-Carlton. It’s reflective of the volcanic soils that make the appellation perfectly paired with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Crushed stone minerality and a vibrant note of marine air float alongside spicy notes of blood orange. The palate is concentrated in its savoury lift as dried lavender, smoky clove and sea salt lift notes of cherry flesh and a herbaceous kiss of raspberry leaf. A wine of great complexity at a very approachable price point.”
 
Cameron Winery Dundee Hills Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2023 750ml $24 special, 35 bottles available
Winery Notes “Vinified from Abbey Ridge & Clos Electrique fruit, this is the best Chardonnay in its price range on the market. Lime leaf and orange blossom aromatics with a light touch of vanilla make me think of lemon tart! A lovely rich mouth with some tartness and a long, mineral finish allows it to be both an aperitif while you’re cooking and it will go with the meal afterward, though if you drink enough while you’re cooking, this latter point will be unimportant!”

 

 

 
“The 2021 Monte Bello is right up there with the greats, benefitting from a drought-riddled growing season and developing superior concentration and mid-palate density.” -Vinous Media
 
Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains 2021 750ml $269 special, 6 bottles available
Jim Gordon-Jamessuckling.com 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.”
 
 
France
 
Domaine Renardat-Fache Bugey Cerdon Rose, Savoie 2023 750ml $27 special, 12 bottles available
Producer Note “Delicate, fresh berry-scented, with a soft kiss of sweetness, low alcohol: refreshing and mineral! The wine pours a pleasing shade of magenta in the glass and offers up vivid aromas of purple wild flowers, raspberry patch, and mouth-watering grapefruit zest. The palate is light and fresh with flavors of sweet strawberries, raspberries and crunchy blueberries on the attack then finishes with thirst-quenching mineral acidity. It shows remarkable purity of flavor and balance of sweetness and lightness. 100% gamay – 8% alc. – Méthode ancestrale.”
 
Clos du Tue-Boeuf Vin Rouge, Loire, Vin de France 2023 750ml $21.90 special, 7 bottles available
Importer’s Note “60% Gamay/40% Côt. The Vin Rouge is typically mainly from locally sourced, organically farmed Gamay; in 2022, there is Tue Boeuf estate Côt as well, thanks to a bumper crop. As for all Tue B reds, the whole clusters go through a semi-carbonic maceration and spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts and without sulfur in vat. The wine is briefly aged in tanks and bottled unfiltered and–as for the entry-level Vins Blanc & Rosé–with a tiny dose of sulfur.”
 
Ruppert-Leroy Puzzle Brut Nature, Champagne NV 750ml $89 special, 6 bottles available
Importer’s Note “An ephemeral cuvée, made with grapes from the domaines own plots and those kindly donated by our organic winegrower friends on the Cote des Bar following a devastating spring frost.”
 
 
Germany
 
Donnhoff Roxheimer Hollenpfad Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2023 750ml $49 special, 24 bottles available
Grapelive 94 Points “The pristine and steely medium bodied palate shows of lime blossom, green apple, tart apricot, quince and tangerine, along with quinine, chamomile, almond, herb, flinty mineral spice, wet rock, lemon oil and saline. Zingy and youthfully energetic this Riesling also has the signature purity and elegance you’d expect of a Dönnhoff and it is complex enough to thrill the most jaded of Riesling lovers. There’s more to come with patience I believe and while I might be hard pressed not to enjoy this one right away, there should be extra rewards for those who wait, it should get another few years in bottle to fully express itself.”
 
Donnhoff Weissburgunder Trocken, Nahe 2023 750ml $24 special, 12 bottles available
No reviews for the 2022 vintage. 2020 review provided for reference.
Stuart Pigott 91 Points (JamesSuckling.com) “Excellent interplay of citrus and pear fruit with some nice creaminess on the medium-bodied palate, all this supported by a touch of tannin. Nice citrusy freshness at the bright, elegant finish. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. “
 

 Portugal
 
Kopke Colheita Port, Porto 2013 750ml $39 special, 15 bottles available
Importer Notes “Red hue with brownish tones. Rich and intense nose where the aromas of ripe fruit combine with notes of nuts and spice. In the mouth it is intense and full of flavours, where the sweetest flavours combine with notes of nuts and some white pepper. Fresh and intense aftertaste.”

 

 

 

Deeply rooted in Barbaresco since the 1850’s, Gaja is one of Piedmont’s most celebrated and groundbreaking wineries. Angelo Gaja was among Barbaresco’s earliest adopters of French oak and varietals. In the vineyard, he reduced yields to concentrate flavor and began producing only single estate bottlings to bring a greater focus to the terroir of their sites.
 
Now producing wines in Barbaresco, Barolo, and even Tuscany, several generations of forward thinking Gajas have transformed the winery from a regional innovator into a winemaking empire— and all without sacrificing quality or integrity.
 
WAS $125
Gaja Dagromis Barolo 2019 750ml $108 special, 3 bottles available
Winery Note “2019 Dagromis has a garnet color with violet highlights. On the nose, this wine showcases floral and fruity notes of violet, cherry, plum, sweet licorice, ginger, and marzipan. On the palate, delicate showing juicy, cherry-like mouthfeel leads to a savory, yet sweet entry with a subtle tannin structure all characteristics of the vintage. This is a classic Barolo with great aging potential.”
 
WAS $249
Gaja Darmagi Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 750ml $219 special, 2 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 94+ Points “The 2017 Darmagi (Cabernet Sauvignon) is gorgeous. Ample, silky and voluptuous to its core, Darmagi offers tons of immediacy and sheer appeal. Today, the 2017 is all about fruit richness and texture. Readers who prefer to see a full range of Cabernet aromatics should plan on cellaring the 2017 for at least a few years. Hints of blackberry jam, mocha, licorice and spice linger, but more than anything else, the 2017 is all about flamboyance. This is an especially strong vintage.”
 
WAS $259
Gaja Pieve Santa Restituta Brunello Sugarille 2018 750ml $219 special, 5 bottles available
Wine Spectator 95 Points “A dark, brooding 2018, with accents of smoke, vanilla, iron and tar surrounding a core of cherry and plum flavors. Reveals balsamic elements of eucalyptus and wild herbs on the lingering finish. On the austere side now, with a core of fruit and mineral. Best from 2025 through 2043.”
 
WAS $115
Gaja Santa Restituta Brunello di Montalcino 2018 750ml $89 special, 1 bottle available
Wine & Spirits Magazine 92 Points “This is the most high-toned of Gaja’s three 2018 Brunellos, a portion of the fruit coming from the Torrenieri vineyard in Montalcino’s cooler northeastern corner. Hints of oregano and citrus peel accent the tangy red cherry flavors, with lingering hints of smoke and spice on the finish.”
 
WAS $236
Gaja Pieve Santa Restituta Brunello Rennina 2018 750ml $199 special, 5 bottles available
Wine Spectator 94 Points “Harmonious and bordering on creamy in texture, this red features cherry, raspberry, plum, loam, almond and black pepper aromas and flavors. Reveals pleasant bitterness as this winds down on the lingering aftertaste. Best from 2026 through 2045.”
 
WAS $75
Gaja Sito Moresco Rosso Langhe 2021 750ml $64.50 special, 4 bottles available
Importer Note “A beautiful violet color atypical of Nebbiolo but reflective of the 2021 vintage where fullness and richness are even present to the eye. The wine has bold notes of blackberry, cherry, blood orange, and bergamot with a touch of flintiness. Medium-structured with lots of juiciness and harmony on the palate all lead to well-balanced acidity and tannin structure with a long finish.”