October 3, 2015
Jump Start Sale; Featured Pre-Arrival Special; New Weekend – New Arrivals; Betz Family Winery; Marc Hebrart Champagne; Brovia; Karthauserhof
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Jump Start Sale
These were all the lowest listed prices in the USA today
Now they are even lower!
Deutz Blanc de Blancs Millesime 2007 1.5L ($159.95) Was $139, Now $119, 1 magnum available
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Light, bright straw. Lemon zest, green apple and chalky minerals on the fragrant nose. Dry and precise, offering energetic citrus and orchard fruit flavors that pick up anise and honeysuckle nuances with air. Closes stony and long, with lingering floral and iodine notes.” ST
Deutz Brut Millesime 2007 1.5L ($129.95) Was $109, Now $99, 1 magnum available
Wine Spectator 91 points “A sleek, minerally version, creamy in texture, with hints of chalk and smoke underscoring the subtle lemon meringue pie, crushed black currant and graphite notes. Drink now through 2022.”WS
Deutz Brut Rose NV 750ML ($59.95) Was $41.90, Now $39, 30 bottles available
Deutz Brut Rose NV 1.5L ($99.95) Was $89, Now $79, 1 magnum available
Deutz Brut Rose NV 375ML ($24.95) Was $21.90, Now $19, 38 half-bottles available
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The NV Brut Rosé is fabulous. A sweet, open bouquet leads to expressive fruit in this rich, textured wine. The Deutz Rosé is a serious wine that can be enjoyed as an aperitif, but it also has more than enough power in reserve to drink well at the dinner table. Floral notes reappear to round out the finish. The blend is 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay. This is Lot LA111D31410. — Antonio Galloni”
Wine Spectator 91 points “Firm and fresh, this is lightly chalky in texture, displaying a delicate mesh of white cherry, wild strawberry and white peach fruit, with notes of ground ginger, smoke and blanched almond. Elegant, with a lasting finish. Drink now through 2018.”WS
Deutz Cuvee William Deutz Brut Millesime 2000 750ML ($145.95) Was $99, Now $89, 16 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Deutz’s top cuvée is as good as ever. Bottle aging has helped it to throw off its youthful awakwardness and develop a rounded, ripe style that is now a pleasure to drink. Pear and apricot flavors are still vibrant, along with a hint of toast. Finely structured and elegant, it’s wonderful to drink now, but it will be good at least until 2018. ”
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Featured Pre-Arrival
Arriving Mid-November
Long Shadows Vintners Collection 2013 750ML ($399.95) $319 pre-arrival special
Contains one 750ML bottle each of Long Shadows’ six acclaimed red wines, packaged together in a beautifully etched wood box:
2013 Pirouette [Philippe Melka (Vineyard 29, Lail, Hundred Acre) & Agustin Huneeus, Sr. (Quintessa)]
2013 Feather [Randy Dunn (Dunn Vineyards)]
2013 Pedestal [Michel Rolland (International Wine Consultant)]
2013 Sequel [John Duval (Penfolds Grange, Plexus, Entity)]
2013 Saggi [Ambrogio & Giovanni Folonari (A & G Folonari Tenute, Tuscany)]
2012 Chester-Kidder [Allen Shoup (Chateau Ste. Michelle, CEO) & Giles Nicault (Woodward Canyon)]
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Feature New Arrival
Dow’s Vintage Port 2007 750ML ($299.95) $249 special, 3 bottles available
#14 Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines in 2010
Wine Spectator 100 points “Amazing aromas of lilac, violet, crushed blueberry and mineral that turn to black pepper and spices follow through to a full-bodied, medium-sweet palate, with a long, chewy finish. Evolves to tar and asphalt. Really held back, yet powerful grip slaps you—and makes you happy. This is mind-blowing in texture. The greatest Dow ever made.” WS
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New Weekend – New Arrivals
OREGON
Haden Fig Juliette Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2013 750ML ($47.95) $39 special
VinopolNote: A barrel selection of Chardonnay aged on the lees for 8-10 months.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Maison Roy et Fils Pinot Noir Petit Incline, Willamette Valley 2013 750ML ($39.95) $29 special
Maison Roy et Fils Pinot Noir Incline, Willamette Valley 2013 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Winery note “Domaine Roy et Fils mission is to produce wines of purity and transparency at the highest level from our land in Dundee and Carlton. Domaine Roy and Fils began in 2012 with Marc-Andre Roy and Jared Etzel who continue in their fathers’ footsteps whom partnered to establish Beaux Freres Winery in 1991. The Maison Roy et Fils wines are produced from non-estate fruit but made with the same uncompromising process.”
These are the listed prices in the USA today!
CALIFORNIA
Stonestreet Alexander Mountain Estate Bear Point Chardonnay, Alexander Valley 2012 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Robert Parker 95 points “From the lowest elevation (1,000 feet) vineyard, the 2012 Chardonnay Bear Point reveals lots of orange and apricot marmalade, pineapple and honeysuckle notes along with wonderful acidity and a fresh, lively style. Enjoy it over the next 5-7 years.” RP
Stonestreet Alexander Mountain Estate Chardonnay, Alexander Valley 2013 750ML ($39.95) $29 special
Case-12 Stonestreet Alexander Mountain Estate Chardonnay, Alexander Valley 2013 750ML ($419.95) $299 special (that’s only $24.92/bottle!)
Robert Parker 92-94 points “The 2013 Chardonnay Estate Vineyards reveals lots of tropical fruit, especially tangerine oil. Situated high on Alexander Mountain, Stonestreet has put together their finest portfolio of wines since I have been tasting them. Winemaker Lisa Valtenberg appears to have reduced the overt oakiness displayed by many wines in the past. At the same time, she has increased their nuances, complexity and textural richness. The numerous Chardonnay vineyards are planted at 800 to as high as 1,800 feet (in the case of the Gravel Bench, Upper Barn and Broken Road vineyards). All are 100% Chardonnays largely made from the Old Wente clone with a small percentage of the Hyde clone, and are fermented with indigenous yeasts. Almost all of them spend 10-11 months in various percentages of new French oak, ranging from a low of 44% (the Estate Chardonnay) to a high of 100% (the Gravel Bench Chardonnay. The differences between the various cuvées are very subtle as they are all relatively full-bodied, rich, and aromatic with natural textures. As the scores attest, they are far more alike than dissimilar.” RP
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Stonestreet Alexander Mountain Estate Rockfall Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 2010 750ML ($99.95) $69 special
Case-6 Stonestreet Alexander Mountain Estate Rockfall Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 2010 750ML ($479.95) $379 special (that’s only $63.17 bottle!)
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “This is an awesome Cabernet, that’s so packed with blackberries and cassis, it blows your mind. The richness is superbly balanced by fine acidity and sweet, complex tannins that rein everything into a focused structure. Feels velvety, refined and ageable. Hold until 2018 and drink it for an additional decade or beyond.” WE
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $88
FRANCE-CHAMPAGNE
A. Margaine ‘Le Brut’ Premier Cru (Cuvee Traditionelle) NV 375ML ($27.95) $24 special
Wine Spectator 92 points “Refined, with aromatic anise, almond and raisin notes that are finely layered with berry, cassis, candied lemon peel and smoke flavors. Lip-smacking acidity keeps this fresh and lively through to the mineral-tinged finish.” WS
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Chartogne-Taillet Cuvee Sainte Anne Brut NV 375ML ($31.95) $24 special
Wine Spectator 91 points “Finely knit, with tea rose and ground anise notes wafting through flavors of white raspberry, glazed apricot, pastry dough and lemon peel. Balanced and well-structured by mouthwatering acidity. Disgorged December 2012. Drink now through 2020.” WS
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Pierre Peters Cuvee de Reserve Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut NV 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Wine Spectator 91 points “Fresh and floral, with dogwood and spring blossom accents, this mouthwatering blanc de blancs offers a lively bead, carrying flavors of white cherry, fresh ginger, slivered almond and yellow plum. Disgorged February 2015. Drink now through 2018. 900 cases imported.” WS
Pierre Peters Cuvee Speciale Les Chetillons Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut 2009 1.5L ($299.95) $269 special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2009 Cuvée Spéciale Les Chétillons is remarkably polished and balanced throughout, with plenty of vintage 2009 radiance. Apricot pit, smoke, peach and spice overtones take shape in a striking Champagne. Although quite open and expressive today, the 2009 is also holding back a considerable amount of pure, unbridled power as well as potential. Ripe and racy to the core, yet with no excess weight, the 2009 stands out for its exceptional balance. Dosage was 4.7 grams per liter, a bit higher than normal. Péters told me he thought the drier vintage needed a little bit more sugar.” AG
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Just a reminder about our current shipping specials during this season:
We offer flat rate shipping on any size single order / single shipment
-to Oregon for $17,
-Washington & Idaho for $20,
-and California for $25
These rates do not apply to orders held in storage here for any reason. Multiple orders consolidated into one shipment do not qualify for flat rate shipping.
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You Betz!
For 28 years, Bob Betz worked for Chateau St. Michelle, one of Washington State’s most well-known wineries. Bob and his wife Cathy founded the Betz Family Winery in 1997 with assistance with friends that volunteered their time during crush. The winery moved to a permanent home in Woodinville and has been recognized and awarded by many wine publications.
Stylistically, they lean toward producing wines of elegance and character. There is rigorous attention to detail in the wines that begins in each vineyard block selection, sorting during harvest, to careful cellaring. The resulting wines showcase the ripe fruit notes Washington is famous for while maintaining structure that allows for longer aging.
Arriving October 9th
Betz Family Winery Besoleil, Columbia Valley 2013 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Betz Family Winery Besoleil, Columbia Valley 2013 1.5L ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 92 points “Bottled last November, the 2013 Grenache Besoleil has slightly more Syrah, with the final blend being 49% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 16% Cinsault, 9% Mourvedre and the rest Counoise. Aged 11 months in a combination of different sized barrels, 25% being new, it’s a elegant, medium to full-bodied, Provencal-styled effort that has lots of sweet red and black fruits, garrigue and hints of cured meats. It’s a total charmer that will have 10-12 years of overall longevity.” WA
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Betz Family Winery La Cote Rousse Syrah, Red Mountain 2013 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Betz Family Winery La Cote Rousse Syrah, Red Mountain 2013 1.5L ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 95+ points “Much more mineral driven than the La Serenne release, the 2013 Syrah la Cote Rousse comes all from Red Mountain and is always 100% Syrah. Like the other Syrahs here, it saw 11 months in barrel and won’t be released until the fall of 2015. Exhibiting lots of blackberry, black raspberry, graphite, smoke and crushed rock, it’s beautifully concentrated, has top-notch purity of fruit and a great finish. I love its mid-palate density, and while it has a lot of tannins, they’re nicely integrated into the body of the wine. Give it 2-3 years in the cellar and enjoy bottles through 2033. It should be one of the longest-lived Syrahs in the vintage.” WA
These are the only listings in the USA today!
Betz Wines Available Here Now
Betz Family Winery Pere de Famille Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 2012 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 8 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “More Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated, the 2012 Pere de Famille incorporates 6% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. Sporting the standard Bob Betz preferred inky-purple color, this knockout effort has masculine, earthy notes of black currants, smoke, graphite, crushed rock and dusty soil to go with a full-bodied, powerful and focused feel on the palate. Give it 4-5 years in the cellar and enjoy over the following decade or two.” WA
Stephen Tanzer 94 points “(14.5% alcohol; includes 2.5% each Merlot and petit verdot; aged in 70% new oak): Bright red-ruby. Ineffable wild aromas of blackberry, espresso, licorice, pepper, mint tea and cinnamon, complicated by a whiff of game. Boasts an utterly aristocratic texture and great lift but shows little obvious sweetness in the early going. Great incipient complexity to the suave, fine-grained flavors of red fruits, spices, flowers and minerals. More taut and backward on the end than the Clos de Betz but not at all hard, this seriously structured cabernet displays a slow-building, inexorable finish, with tannins buried in flavor.”ST
Betz Family Winery Clos de Betz, Columbia Valley 2012 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 12 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93-95 points “Tasted as a barrel sample and Betz’s take on a right bank Bordeaux, the 2012 Clos de Betz is 67% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Petit Verdot. Inky-purple in color (has anyone seen a Betz wine not inky purple?), if offers impressive cassis, plum liqueur, spring flowers and underbrush-style aromas and flavors to go with a mouth-filling, layered and voluptuous style on the palate. I love the mid-palate here, and the tannin builds through the finish, so, while it should have plenty of up-front appeal, it should also evolve for 15+ years.” WA
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “(14.5% alcohol; 66% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% petit verdot): Dark red-ruby. Aromas of blackcurrant, cocoa powder, bitter chocolate, licorice and burnished oak, lifted by a violet topnote. Densely packed but light on its feet, with perfectly integrated acidity energizing the fine-grained flavors of black raspberry, black cherry, cocoa powder and violet. Boasts a rare combination of bullet-proof, youthfully impenetrable tight grain and outstanding floral, white-peppery lift. Superb noble tannins dust the front teeth on the very young, long, juicy finish. An outstanding 2012 blend built for a long and graceful evolution in bottle. This is the first vintage of this wine to include Merlot from DuBrul Vineyard; incidentally, Betz noted that Merlot on Red Mountain was extremely successful in 2012.”ST
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Marc Hébrart
“Hébrart’s wines have a broad appeal: if you like to think about your wines, they’re intellectually engaging enough to satisfy you; on the other hand, if you’re just looking to drink, they’re simply delicious. The wines are full and generous without being weighty, complex and soil-driven without being demanding. Overall, the entire range is of consistently high quality, and represents excellent value for the money.” – Peter Liem, ChampagneGuide.net
Jean-Paul Hébrart took over Marc Hébrart Champagne when his father retired, consolidating his own estate into the family’s. His father founded the estate in 1964 and has been a member of the Special Club since 1985. Hébrart produces wines from 14 hectares scattered across 6 villages in 65 different sites, including premier cru and grand cru holdings. Recently, he has begun fermenting the old vine parcels in neutral barrique, though he typically ferments without blocking malo in glass-lined stainless steel and ceramic. Importer Terry Theise regards the Marc Hébrart Champagnes as one of the finest, offering forward fruit and youthful pleasure married with the ever elusive serious depth and ageability for those drinkers wanting more. To quote Theise “Does Champagne really get any better than this?”
Marc Hébrart Champagnes Arriving in November 2015
These are all the lowest listed prices in the USA today!
Champagne Marc Hébrart Cuvee Reserve Premier Cru Brut NV 750ML ($49.95) $36.60 pre-arrival special
Champagne Marc Hébrart Cuvee Reserve Premier Cru Brut NV 375ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “(77% Pinot Noir and 23% Chardonnay; 8.2 g/l dosage; disgorged in March, 2014): Bright straw. Lively, mineral-driven aromas of fresh citrus fruits, melon and white flowers. Musky, nicely concentrated orchard and pit fruit flavors are given spine by juicy acidity, which adds cut to the back half. The floral quality repeats on the finish, which hangs on with strong stony persistence. Give this youthful Champagne a little air time, or even decant it, like the cool French and French-wannabe sommeliers often do.” JR
The average price is $47/ 750ML bottle
Champagne Marc Hébrart Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru Brut NV 750ML ($59.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Terry Theise notes “I start to wonder whether there’s a better NV BdB than this one. I know of none. I did a tasting last Fall wherein this and the Special Club were shown, and the orders taken for this were vastly higher. Yes the Club costs more, but this wine COSTS A LOT LESS THAN IT’S WORTH. It’s stiffly chalky and only the tiniest bit green; the finish is perfect, bountiful but not “fruity”—the empty glass smells like toasted wheat bread. It’s 80% 2011 and 20% 2010-2009, only free-run, 20% Oiry and Chouilly and 80% Mareuil.”
The next best price is $42.99
Champagne Marc Hébrart Selection Premier Cru Brut NV 750ML ($59.95) $41.90 pre-arrival special
Champagne Marc Hébrart Selection Premier Cru Brut NV 1.5L ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Terry Thiese notes “The SMART MONEY is on this; if it isn’t the ABSOLUE BEST VALUE in the offering it’s in the top two or three. It’s all free-run, 70% old-vines Mareuil PN and 30% CH from Oiry and Chouilly. 75% 2010, and 25% 09-08. Deg 10/2014. More lemon and mirabelles; fantastically chalky, bright, salty, the dosage is just perfect; finish of chalk dust, jasmine, brown butter, endlessly singing. A certain tensile pull will delight lovers of bracing Champagne—but those guys never get fruit like this.”
The average price is $53/ 750ML
The next best price for a magnum is $101.94
Champagne Marc Hébrart Rose Premier Cru Brut NV 750ML ($59.95) $44 pre-arrival special
Terry Theise notes “After a slight dip (based on the available vintages) this is not only back in form, it exceeds the prevailing form by quite a measure. Striking length and a high wire act of fruit and chalk, moving to zones of clarity and beauty that aren’t well populated. It’s some mind meld of high-cheekboned statuesqueness and full-lipped sensuality that makes this Rosé so compelling. 50% CH from Mareuil, of 2012. 41.5% PN Mareuil from 2010-2009. 8.5% still PN from Mareuil, a year in barrel, all 2011. Free-run only. Deg 09/2014”
The next best price is $51.99
Champagne Marc Hébrart Special Club Brut 2009 750ML ($99.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 93 points “Greenish yellow. Intense lemon curd and pear aromas are complicated by suggestions of anise, green tea and buttered toast. Vibrant, deep, mineral-laced citrus and orchard fruit flavors pick up a sexy floral quality with aeration. Quite nervy for a hot-year Champagne, finishing sappy, incisive and very long. Disgorged in March, 2014.” JR
The next best price is $74.97
Champagne Marc Hébrart Gauche Rive Droite Grand Cru Extra Brut 2008 750ML ($159.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 94 points “Light, bright gold. Deeply pitched aromas of melon, nectarine, vanilla and lemon curd, with a smoky mineral nuance adding vivacity. At once rich and lively, offering intense, oak-spiced honeydew, pit fruit and anise flavors and a zesty jolt of candied ginger. This really stains the palate while showing superb clarity and lightness of touch. The mineral and vanilla notes recur on the tenacious, sharply focused finish.” JR
The average price is $160
Champagne Marc Hébrart Gauche Rive Droite Grand Cru Extra Brut 2010 750ML ($159.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Terry Theise notes “This is his nod to the old school. Another Coeur de Cuvée, made in barrels, natural yeast, unfiltered and never cold stabilized. It’s 50% PN Aÿ (Pruche, Cheuzelles, Longchamp, Chauffour) and 50% CH old-vines from Chouilly, Avize and Oiry (Justice, Montaigu, Les Robarts). The Avize parcel is new for Jean-Paul. Deg 10/2014 He feels the wood regime is the best homage to the Grand Cru material, and time may prove him right. When young, the wood is “expressive” after the Club, but the wine is about as fine as wood-aged Champagne can be, and it’s less oaky than recent bottles of Bollinger NV. Less vanilla-brioche than Vilmart, less plump than Billiot’s “Julie,” less mealy than the (very fine wines of) Roger Pouillon; it has his scrupulous delineation and the rectilinear nature of 2010, but the sandalwood and honey-mushroom notes in the empty glass are quite attractive. Why’s your glass empty?”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Looking for more?
We offer 122 Champagnes, including this selection arriving in early November:
P. Lancelot-Royer Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut Millesime 2005 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “Light, bright gold. Vibrant lemon, orange zest and floral aromas are complemented by deeper notes of anise, pear skin, iodine and chamomile. Picks up a smoky nuance with air and shows an array of intense citrus and orchard fruit flavors, along with a touch of bitter quinine. Closes on a smoky note, with very good clarity and lingering floral character.” JR
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
P. Lancelot-Royer Cuvee des Chevaliers Blanc de Blancs NV 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Lemon peel, crushed rocks and floral notes abound in Lancelot-Royer’s NV Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Cuvée des Chevaliers. Wonderfully bright and alive, the Cuvée des Chevaliers stands out for its precision, balance and class. This is a terrific showing…” AG
Jean Vesselle Oeil de Perdrix Blanc de Noirs Brut NV 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Jean Vesselle Oeil de Perdrix Blanc de Noirs Brut NV 375ML ($29.95) $26 pre-arrival special
Jean Vesselle Oeil de Perdrix Blanc de Noirs Brut NV 1.5L ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 93 points “Jean Vesselle’s NV Brut Oeil de Perdrix is fabulous. Rich and textured to the core, the Oeil de Perdrix captures the beauty of Bouzy Pinot to the core. Bright chalky notes give the wine its sense of energy and tension. Red berries, stone fruits, chalk, white pepper and crushed flowers are some of the notes that inform the finish. There is so much to like here” AG
The 375ML & the 1.5L are the lowest listed prices in the USA today!
Michel Turgy Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut NV 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “Light yellow. Intensely perfumed aromas of poached pear, tangerine, candied fig and white flowers, with an piquant spicy element adding vivacity. Smooth, sweet and expansive on the palate, offering powerful orchard and pit fruit flavors and a touch of smokiness. The broad finish features excellent clarity and building spiciness.” JR
Michel Turgy Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut 2005 750ML ($79.95) $66 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92 points “Vivid yellow. Musky pear, yellow apple and anise scents are complemented by hints of chamomile and smoky minerals. Fleshy and focused on the palate, offering pliant orchard and pit fruit flavors and a touch of anise. A subtle underpinning of minerality carries through a long, sappy finish that leaves gingery spice and floral notes behind.” JR
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $69
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Brovia
“Brovia remains one of the most impressive estates in Piedmont. Even after a string of impressive recent vintages, the wines remain less well known than quality would suggest. The 2011s will give Brovia fans plenty to enjoy while the epic 2010s rest in the cellar. The Brovia Barolos remain quite classic in style.” — Antonio Galloni
Giacinto Brovia found the Brovia estate in 1863 in the village of Castiglione Falletto. In 1953, the grandchildren of Giacinto, brothers Giacinto and Raffaele, took over the winery and brought it back up the full production after the trials of phylloxera, war and economic difficulties that rocked Italy.
Giacinto studied as an oenologist and oversees the production of the wine. Raffaele, an agronomist, oversaw the vineyards until his passing in 2011. His daughters, Cristina and Elena, have stepped into his role and assist generally with the estate. The estate’s vineyards are located in the village and the neighboring village of Serralunga d’Alba and include holdings in the Rocche, Villero, Garblet Sue and Brea vineyards. They farm organically without certification and use techniques to limit yields such as pruning and thinning excess grapes during the summer. The wines are lightly crushed before fermentations that can last up to a month or more depending upon grape variety. The wines are aged in barrel for an average of two years before being bottled unfiltered. The wines are aged in bottle for 18-24 months before release.
Brovia Wines Arriving November 2015
Brovia ‘Brea Vigna Ca’ Mia’, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($89.95) $77 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Lavender, mint, sage, smoke, tobacco and plums are all laced together in the 2011 Barolo Brea Vigna Ca’Mia. As always, the Ca’Mia is a decidedly vertical Barolo built on a spine of persistent tannin, but in 2011 there is a little bit of added polish that serves to soften the contours. Tucked off the main road, Brea remains one of the least well-known vineyards in Serralunga. The 2011 is a great wine to start exploring some of the nuances of this site. A huge finish that brings together power and voluptuousness captures the pure radiance of the year.” AG
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Brovia Garblet Sue Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2011 Barolo Garblèt Sue’ is remarkably polished and sophisticated, two qualities that are rarely found in this Castiglione Falletto site, where the wines tend to be much more sinewy and virile. White pepper, pomegranate and sweet red cherries are some of the notes that open up in the glass. The flavors remain bright, focused and beautifully delineated in the glass. I very much like the sense of energy here, although I have to admit, the softer edges of 2011 are incredibly alluring.” AG
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Brovia Rocche dei Brovia, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2011 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione is sweet, floral and wonderfully expressive, all Brovia signatures. Silky tannins provide the backdrop as this sensual, polished Barolo shows off its class. Perfumed notes are woven throughout, but it is the wine’s exceptional textural finesse that stands out most. Hints of hard candy, mint, cinnamon and succulent red cherries add the final shades of dimension. In 2011, the Rocche stands out for its total sense of class.” AG
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Brovia Villero, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($89.95) $77 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2011 Barolo Villero is one of the most structured wines in the range. Here the firm tannins and ample frame both suggest the 2011 will drink well for many years, once the tannins start softening. Orange peel, wild flowers, red stone fruits and spices flesh out on the creamy finish. It’s always interesting to taste the Villero next to the Rocche, as the two sites are pretty close to the other, yet the wines are remarkably different. Here the heat of the year is quite evident, while the Rocche benefits from greater ventilation and therefore a bit more freshness.” AG
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Brovia Wines Available Here Now
Brovia Sori del Drago Barbera d’Alba 2013 750ML ($31.95) $28 special, 8 bottles available
Case-12 Brovia Sori del Drago Barbera d’Alba 2013 750ML ($349.95) $289 special, 2 cases available (that’s only $24.08/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
“Perennially, this is my favorite Barbera I represent. These 70 year old vines are from the famed “Garblet Sué” parcel (more commonly referred to as “Bricco del Fiasc”) in Castiglione Falletto. Any other estate would have long since cashed in by planting Nebbiolo. This vineyard is planted at almost 1,000 feet elevation which is about as high as Falletto gets. As always, juice is fermented at a relatively brisk temp and then racked into stainless steel for 18mos. Simple, perfect Barbera. 120 cases imported to the USA.” –Importer note
Brovia Valmaggione Nebbiolo d’Alba 2011 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 special, 12 bottles available
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Brovia Valmaggione Nebbiolo d’Alba 2012 750ML ($37.95) $33 special, 13 bottles available
Case-12 Brovia Valmaggione Nebbiolo d’Alba 2012 750ML ($419.95) $349 special, 2 cases available (that’s only $29.08/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
“Sorry to double down with the superlatives, but for me, this is the most exciting wine the Brovia family bottles. It is the cheapest, lowest abv%, highest elevation, most northerly, most north facing Nebbiolo bottling in the family’s lineup — and the most limited production wine they make. Always a huge winner for me. “Valmaggione” (the actual name of the vineyard is ValmaggioRe, but the printer misspelled the label during the first vintage and the Brovia family decided to stick with it as a joke) is a parcel in Vezza d’Alba that produces some very expensive and sought after wines by more modernist producers like Sandrone. Super steep, sandy soils with great drainage that make for a wine with pronounced freshness and lift. No oak, no extended élevage. Pure, great wine.”–Importer Notes
Brovia Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 16 bottles available
James Suckling 91 points “This is spicy, with meat, chocolate and dried-fruit character. Medium body, dense fruit and chewy tannins. Needs two years to soften: better in 2016.”
Brovia Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 8 bottles available
Case-12 Brovia Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($619.95) $519 special, 1 case available (that’s only $43.25/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Antonio Galloni 90-92 points “The 2011 Barolo is sumptuous and expressive, with all of the immediacy that is so typical of the year. Dark red cherry, plums, hard candy, spice and tobacco are all woven into a layered finish graced with soft contours and fabulous overall balance for a straight Barolo. As Brovia fans know, the straight Barolo is 70% young-vine fruit from Brea (above 20 years of age), plus the wine that is left over when the single-vineyard Barolos go into cask.” AG
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“The Karthauserhof wines are wines for finesse-drinkers.” –Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate
Karthauserhof
The history of the Karthauserhof Estate dates back to the year 1335, when the Holy Roman Empire gifted the vineyards to Carthusian monks. When secularism hit under Napolean’s rule, the land was auctioned off in Paris and purchased by the family who owns it to this day.
The estate resides along the Ruwer River, a small tributary to the Mosel River. A mere 200 hectares lay under vine, making the Ruwer Valley among the smallest wine regions in all of Germany. The importer of Karthauserhof for the US describes the area quite poetically: “(the area) feels like a dense, old pine forest. Vineyards seem something of an afterthought. The Ruwer is wild, as much a home to horses and wild boars as it is to vines and vineyards. With so many forests, the valley has a unique shadow-dotted quality to it.”
Soils across the 19 hectares which Karthauserhof occupy consist of oxidized blue and gray slate. Under head winemaker Christian Vogt, the estate bottles a handful of distinct cuvees of various levels of ripeness; surprisingly enough, almost 70% of the estate’s production is of dry wines. Vogt worked under the incredibly esteemed Ludwig Breiling for many years, and Breiling continues to consult with Vogt.
In thumbing through the tasting notes from recent Karthauserhof vintages, one thing is clear: these are serious, empirically age-worthy wines. We’re excited to carry a wide array of the estate’s wines, as listed below.
From the importer: “The 2014 Karthauserhofs are bonkers, maybe even better than the gossamer-fine 2013ers, though only time will tell. John Gilman flipped out (see quote above); Mosel Fine Wines called the 2014ers “a gorgeous collection.” Winemaker Christian Vogt is finding his serious groove and the wines he is crafting are superb: restrained, focused, rigorous and feather-weight.”
Arriving in December
These are all the only listings in the USA today!
Weingut Karthauserhof ‘Ruwer’ Riesling Trocken, Mosel 2014 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
Weingut Karthauserhof Riesling Feinherb, Mosel 2014 750ML ($31.95) $26 pre-arrival special
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2014 750ML ($34.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2014 1.5L ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Spatlese Grosse Lage, Mosel 2014 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Spatlese Grosse Lage, Mosel 2014 1.5L ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Tyrells Edition Riesling Trocken, Mosel 2014 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Tyrells Edition Riesling Trocken, Mosel 2014 1.5L ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Weingut Karthauserhof Alte Reben Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Spatlese Trocken 2014 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2014 375ML ($39.95) $31.90 pre-arrival special
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2014 1.5L ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Karthauserhof Wines Available Here Now
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Mosel 2013 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 36+ bottles available
Case-6 Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Mosel 2013 750ML ($359.95) $319 special, 7 six-packs available (that’s only $53.17/bottle!)
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Mosel 2013 375ML ($39.95) $33 special, 23 half-bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 points “Very clear, discreet and refined on the nose – where the 2013 Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling GG displays fine stone and fruit aromas of lemons and green apples. Lean and vital but also intense, rich and juicy on the palate, this is a lovely pure, straightforward, piquant and very salty expression of the Karthäuserhofberg terroir and the 2013 vintage. This long-distance runner has more fruit intensity than the Edition and reveals a very fine raciness and a complex finish with lingering lemon aromas.” WA
These are the lowest listed prices in the USA today!
The next best price for the 750ML is $64.99
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Spatlese Grosse Lage 2012 750ML ($34.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “This Wine is quite open and expressive at this early stage and explodes with juicy flavors of yellow peach, quince and some flowers on the palate. This offers everything one could expect from a juicy Spatlese. The fact that it does deliver the goods without too much richness (it has technically less than 60 g/l of residual sugar) makes it utterly delicious also at this ealrly stage. 2017-2032” MFW
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $39.99
Weingut Karthauserhof Alte Reben Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Spatlese Trocken 2012 750ML ($39.95) $29 special, 1 bottle available
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $40
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Schieferkristall Riesling Kabinett Feinherb 2012 750ML ($37.95) $29 special, 14 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 91 points “Schieferkristall refers to the Kabinett-styled wines at the Estate (the reference to Kabinett is pushed to the back label). A whiff of wild yeasts gives quickly way to a very attractive and floral bouquet of rose-water, grapefruit and mint. The round and fruity feel from the residual sugar (20 g/l) is nicely balanced by some zesty acidity and a pure and spicy feel in the long finish. This is a deliciously fresh and lively off-dry Riesling made with a small 9.5% of alchohol. 2014-2020”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $34.99
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Thank you for reading!