Robert Parker calls Helmut Donnhoff “unquestionably one of the stars” in the world of German Rieslings. Situated between the villages of Niederhausen and Schlossbockelheim in the middle Nahe, the Dönnhoff family has been making wine since 1750, with Helmut Dönnhoff in charge of winemaking at the estate since 1971.In 1999 Helmut was awarded Gault Millau and Feinschmecker Winemaker of the Year, and in 2005 was named Wine Personality of the Year by Wine Advocate. While there are many who can attest to Donnhoff’s talent, there is no one better to describe Helmut than himself: “I want the wines I make to contain a story, and the story I can offer is that of me at home in my landscape. Winemaking alone cannot bring quality, it can only retain the available quality.… Read the rest
Camille Giroud – September 2015
Burgundy authority Clive Coats has proclaimed Camille Giroud’s David Croix a “genius.” Following a century and a half as a prestigious Burgundy house, the Girouds sold their estate in 2002 to an American group who placed the then 24 year old David in charge of winemaking. Giroud has always been known for wine destined for aging, but Croix, like many of his generation, turns to clarity of terroir above house style. David runs Camille Giroud with a hands-on approach, maintaining the health of the vines and approaching each vintage anew, hoping to encompass the best aspects of each year.
Camille Giroud Bourgogne Rouge 2012 750ML ($34.95) $28 special
Case-12 Camille Giroud Bourgogne Rouge 2012 750ML ($359.95) $299 special (that’s only $24.93/bottle!)… Read the rest
2010 Brunellos – Aug 2015
2010 Brunellos
“2010 is the top Brunello di Montalcino vintage of the new millennium because it shows the best traits of my other two favorite vintages, 2006 and 2007, in tandem. It beautifully combines the freshness, structure, linearity and aging potential of 2006 with the intensity, opulence, balsam distinctiveness and tannic richness of 2007. In 2010 you get it all.” -Wine Advocate’s vintage report
Below are three of the nineteen 2010 Brunello di Montalcinos we offer!
San Felice Campogiovanni Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
James Suckling 96 points “Perfect aromas to this red with licorice, stone, peach pit, plum, leather and iron. Full body, fine, silky tannins that support a deep, rich fruit concentration showing black fruit, Tuscan dust and oyster shell.
… Read the rest Canos and Cabriac – April 2015
Chateau de Cabriac and Clos Canos
Southern France Wines
First Time Available in the USA
Corbieres is an AOC within the Southern French region of the Languedoc-Roussillon: mostly known for its rich and herbal red wines. The Corbieres region produces only small amounts of white and rose wines. The northern portion, known as Alaric, has plains to the north and south-facing slopes along the Montagne d’Alaric. This is an excellent area for Mourvedre as well as other Southern French varietals such as Grenache and Carignan. In the center of the AOC is the Corbieres-Boutenac AOC, created in 2005. Corbieres-Boutenac is recognized for producing high quality wines from the ten communes that surround a limestone ridge covered in garrigue (a term for the scrubland herbs such as rosemary and lavender that is often used to describe aromas found in the wines).… Read the rest
2010 Brunello – April 2015
2010 Brunello di Montalcino
The 2010 vintage in Brunello is widely considered by professional reviews to be one of the greatest. The growing conditions were near perfect, with ideal warmth during ripening and strong diurnal temperature swings that allowed for phenolic ripeness with retained acidity. The best show lush fruit, bright acidity and strong tannins, suggesting an aging potential of 10-20 years.
“2010 is the top Brunello di Montalcino vintage of the new millennium because it shows the best traits of my other two favorite vintages, 2006 and 2007, in tandem. It beautifully combines the freshness, structure, linearity and aging potential of 2006 with the intensity, opulence, balsam distinctiveness and tannic richness of 2007. In 2010 you get it all.… Read the rest