AJ Adam and the Hidden Treasure of the Mosel Sale 12-9-24

In This Newsletter:
 
A.J. Adam Sale
&
Vinopolis Close-Out Featurette: Aldo Conterno
 


Out of the Valley, Into the Light
 
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A.J. Adam
 
In a virtually unknown side valley of the Middle Mosel, just south of Piesport, are the steep, south-facing vineyard slopes of Dhron. It’s an obscure area, despite archeological evidence showing it to be the Mosel’s oldest winegrowing area, dating back to 220 BCE. Few of the younger generation have taken over for the aging winemakers of this small region, leading the region to fall into obscurity during the 1980s and 90s.
 
One of the rare exceptions of younger winemakers is Andreas Adam. Though his family’s holdings had dwindled to one hectare and his parents had chosen not to make wine themselves, Adam restarted his family’s estate.
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Nikolaihof: Austria for the Holidays 12-8-24

Nikolaihof is a giant of Austrian wine—a producer whose history and quality are unrivaled even in a country full of esteemed producers. As Austria’s oldest operating winery, that history dates back to Roman times. Records first note winemaking occurring at the estate in 470, and the Saahs family has run the property for well over a century.
 
Much like how estates operated in previous centuries, Nikolaihof is farmed under polyculture, producing everything from honey to cut flowers in addition to wine. It was the first winery in the world to fully convert to farming biodynamically, having done so in the 1970s, a surprisingly easy task as no modern farming chemicals have touched the estate’s vines.
 
The wines are bright, precise and mineral-drenched with the power and density of the Wachau.
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Hermitage Sale – 12-7-24

In This Newsletter:
 
Hermitage
&
Vinopolis Close-Out Featurette: Domaine Dujac
 


Ascend to the Heights of the Northern Rhone
 
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Hermitage
 
Journey with us to Hermitage: one of the most prestigious hills in all of France. Here, one finds the noble Syrah grape at its finest – offering rich and robust reds that can age for decades.
 
Hermitage is a granite hill with shallow soils of limestone or sandy gravel. Vines are grown along the southern slope facing the Rhone River where they can soak up the sun during the long summer days. At the top of the slope is a chapel, which gives its name to Jaboulet’s top vineyard, La Chapelle. The vineyard of Les Bessards lies on the western side of the hill, the source of one of Delas Freres’ top bottlings.   
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Vinopolis Newsletter 12-6-24

Special Arrivals
Cayuse, Hors Categorie, and Sine Qua Non… need we say more?

New Arrivals
Showstopping Champagnes, Bodacious Burgundies, and more!

Recent Accolades
More Love for Arterberry Maresh!
 Special Arrivals
 
 
Cayuse and More: The Wines of Christoph Baron
 

“While the ship has long since sailed with regards to getting on the mailing list, these are singular wines well worth the effort to track down on the secondary market… As I’ve said numerous times, Christophe Baron and assistant winemaker Elizabeth Bourcier produce some of the most singular and impressive wines out there.” -Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate
 
“The Cayuse wines continue to set the benchmark for Rhône varieties in Washington State…” –Eric Guido, Vinous
 
Cayuse Vineyards Bionic Frog Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, USA 2022 750ml $219 special, 3 bottles available
(not reviewed yet, 2021 reviews provided  for reference)
Anthony Mueller-Wine Advocate 98+ Points “The 2021 Syrah Bionic Frog has a medium magenta core and offers a fresh, floral and spicy bouquet accompanied by elegant, savory notes.
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All Hail the Prinz Sale 12-5-24

In This Newsletter:
 
Prinz
&
Vinopolis Close-Out Featurette: Rocca di Montegrossi
 


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Prinz: A Johannes Selbach Selection
 
Johannes Selbach, winemaker-owner of Selbach-Oster and tastemaker extraordinaire of German wines (he helped Terry Theise launch his portfolio and connect with producers), was kind enough to recommend this winery to our shop. With Johannes’ guidance, we have selected a range of well-priced examples to share with you.
 
Fred Prinz originally started Weingut Prinz as a “garagiste” or hobbiest winemaker operation in 1991. The critics quickly became enamored, and an invitation to join the legendary VDP consortium followed in 2005. Their estate vineyards are farmed organically, with a house style that aims for “minerality, elegance, finesse and ageing ability” that expresses terroir.
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