In This Newsletter:
First Offer:
Siro Pacenti
New Rosé Reviews
From Josh Raynolds of Vinous Media
Rosé:
Shades of Summer Part 2
Trending Wines
More Can’t-Miss Napa Cabs
Philip Togni, Mount Eden & More
Max Ferd. Richter
The Overlooked/Underpriced Great Mosel Estate
Collector’s Corner
The Amarone Genius of Dal Forno
Clement & Florian Berthier l’Instant Pinot Noir Rosé, Coteaux du Giennois, Loire Valley 2020 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 89 points “Shimmering orange. Spice-accented tangerine and raspberry aromas pick up a floral nuance with air. Chewy and focused on the palate, offering juicy red berry and orange zest flavors that show a refreshingly bitter edge. Finishes taut and dry, with a repeating floral note and a jolt of spicy white pepper.”
Domaine de la Bastide Blanche Rosé Bandol, Provence 2020 750ML ($31.95) $26 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Domaine de la Bastide Blanche Rosé Bandol, Provence 2020 750ML ($359.95) $288 special (that’s only $24/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Limpid orange-pink. Expressive red berry, blood orange and pit fruit aromas are accompanied by building mineral and floral nuances. Taut and energetic in the mouth, offering sappy strawberry, orange zest and lavender flavors braced by a spine of chalky minerality. Finishes silky and impressively long, with repeating mineral and floral notes.”
Chateau de Manissy ‘La Belle Etoile’ Rosé, Rhone 2020 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 89 points “Pale orange-pink. Lively and focused on the nose, displaying fresh strawberry, white peach and orange zest scents, with floral and mineral nuances. Red berry and pit fruit flavors show sharp detail and a bracing hint of juicy acidity. The floral note repeats on the tight finish, which lingers with good tenacity.”
Domaine Charvin Cotes du Rhone Rosé, Rhone 2020 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 35 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Light orange-pink. Mineral-driven red berry and pit fruit aromas are complemented by a suave floral topnote. Seamless and energetic on the palate, offering fresh strawberry, blood orange and nectarine flavors that deepen with air. Shows fine definition and spicy cut on the persistent finish, which leaves repeating pit fruit and floral notes behind.”
Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Les Griottes Rosé, Beaujolais 2020 750ML ($19.95) $16.60 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 90 points “Translucent orange-pink. Lively and sharply focused on the nose, presenting ripe red berry and floral scents and a hint of botanical herbs. Smooth and broad on the palate, offering bitter cherry, red currant and candied rose flavors that firm up and become spicier with air. Closes long and silky, with resonating floral and spice notes and strong cling.”
Pre-Arrival ETA July 30th:
Gerard Boulay Sancerre Chavignol Rosé, Loire 2020 750ML ($37.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Limpid orange-pink. Incisive, mineral-accented red berry, orange pith and floral aromas show bright clarity and spicy lift. Sharply delineated in the mouth, offering concentrated raspberry, cherry and tangerine flavors that deepen as the wine opens up. Concentrated yet lithe in character, finishing with strong, minerally tenacity and a lingering honeysuckle flourish.”
Don’t miss the white Sancerres from Gerard Boulay, also arriving Friday!
A standout deal for one of the most classic Champagne houses out there.
Deutz Brut Classic, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $34.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Deutz Brut Classic, Champagne NV 750ML ($299.95) $199 special (that’s only $33.17/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 91 points “Apple blossom and graphite aromas lace flavors of Asian pear, blanched almond and lemon curd in this sleek Champagne. Fresh and linear, with a fine, creamy mousse. Drink now through 2023. 150,000 cases made, 184 cases imported. — AN”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 90 points “Open and expressive, the latest NV Brut Classic from Deutz offers up aromas of green pear, peach, pastry cream and flowers. Medium to full-bodied and fleshy but precise, it’s elegant and charming, with a seamless profile and considerable immediate appeal.”
Wine Enthusiast 90 points “The elegance of this nonvintage cuvée sums up the style of the house, balancing acidity with a dosage that is just right. The white fruits and tangy edge are refreshing and intense. Drink the bottling now. -Roger Voss”
Cheap & cheerful, and wicked good.
Eden Specialty Ciders Imperial Rosé Cider, Vermont NV 750ML ($17.95) $9 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Cidery note “PROFILE: Superbly juicy without being sweet, just off-dry and gently fizzy, with bright acidity and chewy tannic structure. APPLE VARIETIES: Esopus Spitzenberg, Calville Blanc, Hudson’s Golden Gem, Roxbury Russet, Blue Pearmain, Baldwin, Mcintosh, Empire, Ashmead’s Kernel, Black Oxford, Reine de Reinette, Orleans Reinette. GROWN BY: Scott Farms, Sunrise Orchards, Yates Family Orchard and Poverty Lane Orchard. METHOD: Naturally cold-concentrated before fermentation, infused with red currant and blended with a touch of ice cider. Filtered and carbonated. TASTING NOTES: Roses, strawberry, watermelon, citrus, slate. Gluten free, vegan friendly.”
Quintessa Red, Rutherford 2013 750ML ($219.95) $179 special, 12 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 98 points “This is really fantastic on the nose with blackberry, blueberry, lavender, and violets. Even sage. Full body plus extremely integrated tannins that are polished and refined. The balance and harmony is phenomenal. Goes on for minutes. Beautiful now but will satisfy for decades. (5/3/16)”
Robert Parker 96 points “The 2013 Proprietary Red Wine has always been good, but I think they have re-positioned themselves at a much higher pinnacle with the 2013. This is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blend but has important component parts such as Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot from their gorgeous vineyards just off the Silverado Trail in Rutherford. The wine has a dense bluish/purple color and a beautiful nose of black raspberries, blueberries, lead pencil shavings, and touches of oak and spring flowers. The complexity of the fragrance is followed by a wine with terrific body, stunning purity, wonderful balance, and great depth and richness. This is certainly the most profound Quintessa made to date and should evolve gracefully for at least 20-25 years.”
Biggio Hamina Claygate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($39.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Biggio Hamina Claygate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($199.95) $159 special (that’s only $26.50/bottle!)
Case-12 Biggio Hamina Claygate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($399.95) $299 special (that’s only $24.92/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Bright red. An exotically perfumed bouquet displays intense red fruit, potpourri and incense qualities. Spice and savory herb nuances build as the wine opens up. Bright and energetic in the mouth, offering densely packed and appealingly sweet raspberry liqueur, cherry and spicecake flavors that pick up a smoky mineral note on the back half. Plays power off of finesse deftly and finishes extremely long and floral, with sneaky, fine-grained tannins and a touch of exotic spices.”
New review!
Valravn Pinot Noir, Sonoma County 2018 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 33 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Editor’s Choice. This is a high-toned, earthy and textured wine that overdelivers on its price point, presenting complex warm spice, black-tea and candied cherry and raspberry flavor. The tannins are soft and well integrated, as is the oak, allowing plenty of room for nuance and elegant composure. -Virginie Boone”
A classic and an “overachiever”
Joseph Phelps Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2016 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special, 4 magnums in stock now
James Suckling 94 points “This has very bright and juicy, brambly dark berries with a wealth of attractive and juicy dark-fruit presence. This has depth, detail and long, layered dark-fruit flavors. Impressively chiseled finish. Drink or hold.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is made up of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc aged for 18 months in 48% new French and American oak and bottled in May/June of 2018. Deep garnet-purple colored, it sings of crushed blackcurrants, blackberry pie and blueberry compote with suggestions of cigar box, menthol, rose hip tea and baking spices. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with vibrant black fruit laced with plenty of spicy sparks, framed by grainy tannins and oodles of freshness and finishing long with a menthol kick. 36,000 cases produced.”
Virginie Boone-Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Editor’s Choice. This lovely wine shows exceptional quality and complexity within a bold, expansive package of thick, grippy tannin and layered flavors of blackberry, tobacco and smoked meat. It is blended with 7% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% each of Malbec and Petit Verdot.”
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is once again a huge overachiever. Plum, black cherry, spice, mocha and new leather are front and center. Pliant and giving, with striking purity of fruit and remarkable balance, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is a winner from Phelps. This Napa Valley Cabernet is a remarkable wine for many reasons, most notably the quality Phelps achieves with estate fruit and a production of 36,000 cases.”
A legend in the making
Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains 2017 375ML ($149.95) $119 special, 8 half-bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “Pure perfection, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Bello is a sensational effort from this estate that should be snatched up by drinkers and collectors. Based on 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc that was brought up mostly in new American oak, this saturated purple-hued beauty is legendary Monte Bello in the making and has a stunning yet primordial bouquet of crème de cassis, lead pencil shavings, graphite, chocolate, and chalky minerality. Full-bodied, incredibly powerful, and one of the most concentrated versions of this cuvée ever made (I’ve had most of them), it needs a solid decade of bottle age and will have 50-60 years of overall longevity. Despite the long drinking window, it offers plenty of pleasure even today. I followed this bottle for two days and it showed best right out of the gate, closing down and becoming more brooding and backward with air. It’s an incredible wine that I promise you won’t regret having in your cellar.”
A cellar pick
Philip Togni Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2016 750ML ($159.95) $125 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 96 points “A regal wine, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate has really shut down following its recent bottling, which is probably a very good thing for its long-term prospects, although it does make the wine harder to read. Today, the 2016 is dark, powerful and quite savory, with tremendous persistence and class to burn. Translucent, deep and exquisitely layered, the 2016 has a lot to offer. Dark red cherry, plum, wild herb, cedar, tobacco and smoke build as the 2016 starts to open up in the glass. This is a jewel of a wine from the Togni family.”
Wine Advocate 96+ points “Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate reveals a wonderfully spicy nose of cinnamon stick, cloves, fenugreek and cumin seed over a core of cassis, kirsch, black raspberries and spearmint with nuances of lavender and forest floor. Medium-bodied, the palate is laden with energetic red and black berry flavors, framed by ripe, finely grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing long and perfumed.”
One of the original Napa ‘cult’ producers, and a must-try for true Napa fans
Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($279.95) $249 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown – Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow is a blend of 78.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.4% Merlot, 8% Malbec and 5.1% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it slips effortlessly from the glass, singing of ripe black cherries, black raspberries and cassis, plus hints of red currants, roses, cinnamon stick and garrigue. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers lovely freshness, offering bags of perfumed black fruits in the mouth, beautifully supported by fine-grained tannins, finishing long with lots of soft-spoken floral and mineral whispers. This perfumed beauty wears the 2018 vintage stamp well, presenting a more delicate expression of this vineyard—one that I love! 647 cases were made.”
Bevan Cellars Tench Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa Valley 2016 750ML ($249.95) $199 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 97+ points “The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Tench Vineyard is very deep purple-black in color with an earthy, meaty, broody nose with notes of mocha over baked plums and crème de cassis plus wafts of spice box and mincemeat. The palate is full-bodied, concentrated, rich and earthy with great vibrancy on the finish. 839 cases produced.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “From a steep hillside in Oakville, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Tench Vineyard offers a more savory, masculine, layered style as well as a huge nose of red and black fruits, dried herbs, chocolate, and earth. It hits the palate with a full-bodied, mouthfilling style that carries plenty of tannins, a deep, concentrated mid-palate, and a great finish. I like it today, yet it’s going to continue drinking brilliantly for two decades.”
Love California wine? We have over 75 different options from the Golden State in stock. Shop the entire selection, including staff favorites like Arnot-Roberts, Bucklin , Pax and more, on our web store now.
First Offer:
Siro Pacenti
New Rosé Reviews
From Josh Raynolds of Vinous Media
Rosé:
Shades of Summer Part 2
Trending Wines
More Can’t-Miss Napa Cabs
Philip Togni, Mount Eden & More
Max Ferd. Richter
The Overlooked/Underpriced Great Mosel Estate
Collector’s Corner
The Amarone Genius of Dal Forno
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10 AM – 6 PM Daily
Masks are required for those not fully vaccinated.
We also offer Curbside Pickup
Order Online / By Phone / By Email
Please note that we will not be shipping out of our facility from July 20th until the 29th.
Arriving in September
First Offer:
Siro Pacenti
First Offer:
Siro Pacenti
“Giancarlo Pacenti is by far the leading exponent of the modern school of Brunello di Montalcino. No other producer has succeeded in crafting wines of this much textural beauty and refinement.” – Antonio Galloni
“Giancarlo Pacenti is the best winemaker in the appellation of Brunello di Montalcino. Everything is done in the best possible way and at the right time in his well-kept vineyards and the pristine small winery under his house. His Brunellos are usually a blend of different vineyards from both the south and north sides of the Montalcino hill, giving them great richness and structure as well as freshness. They are aged in French oak barrels yet show very little wood character, and their crystal clear style is one that ages extremely well.” – James Suckling (Wine Spectator)
You can tell a lot about a Brunello vintage by how early we start getting asked about it. In the case of the 2016s, well, let’s just say this is a pretty anticipated set of wines. A vintage that Wine Spectator described as “textbook”, the growing season yielded wines of elegance, freshness and harmony. More red fruited than Brunello’s excellent 2015 vintage, but offering similar levels of concentration, these are wines that are drinking beautifully young but will also age beautifully. To call 2016 Brunello’s ‘Vintage of the Century’ is no hyperbole, this is really special stuff. We’re excited to feature one of the most anticipated 2016 collections available: Siro Pacenti. These wines arrive in September, but the last few releases sold out before landing. With rave reviews across the professional spectrum, we expect a similar demand.
2016 Siro Pacenti Arriving ETA September
Siro Pacenti PS Pelagrilli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2016 750ML ($69.95) $54.50 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 97 points “A pure and focused version, with cherry, strawberry and currant fruit shaded by mineral and tobacco accents. Vibrant and harmonious, this is all about the fruit, with a well-integrated structure and terrific length on the finish. Best from 2024 through 2045. 2,000 cases made, 750 cases imported. — BS”
James Suckling 96 points “Wow. This is really rich and layered with velvety tannins that coat the palate. It’s full-bodied with ripe tannins and a finish of black cherries, cedar, walnuts, dried mushrooms and dried leaves. Needs time to soften. Better after 2024.”
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “The aromatics of the 2016 Pelagrilli are dark fruited and luxurious, with supple oak, warm baking spice, vanilla, and fresh black plum. The palate is consistent and inviting, with silky tannin and a rounded mouthfeel, with notes of cocoa and dried black cherry. Modern styled, it displays generous wood tones that are polished and which I believe will be well-integrated with some time. Enjoy over the next 15 years.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “Siro Pacenti is the estate behind some of the most contemporary and fruit-froward wines made in Montalcino. That said, the wines can sometimes feel a bit monotone and lacking in nuance because of the very powerful oak (especially when tasted this young). For sure, the Siro Pacenti 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Pelagrilli is decidedly more focused on black fruit aromas rather than red fruit brightness, and it follows through with a healthy delivery of cedar, toasted spice, pencil shaving and campfire ash. Blackberry, fresh prune and plum cede to those oak-driven aromas. Like the other wines from this producer, I found that the oak tannins are not approachable in the near term. You really need to give this wine more time in the bottle. Siro Pacenti farms beautiful and carefully manicured vineyards on the north side of Montalcino. This is a 25,000-bottle production.”
Siro Pacenti PS Vecchie Vigne, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2016 750ML ($129.95) $104.50 pre-arrival special, only 12 bottles available
James Suckling 97 points “Such wonderful opulence and beauty. The nose shows dried flowers and minerals with blackberries and black cherries. Purity is the word. Full-bodied with incredible depth and structure and polished, silky tannins that envelop your palate. The length is really impressive. Try after 2025.”
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “The 2016 Vecchie Vigne Brunello is introspective and complex on the nose, with tobacco, baked earth, dried black plum, cedar, and lavender. The palate is concentrated and brooding, with cola, balsamic black fruit, and tea leaf, and the wine is full-bodied, with chiseled structure, powerful tannin, and balanced acidity. Spending two years in French oak of 225 liters, the oak influence is present but has finesse and is well-integrated for the style. This wine warrants time in the cellar and will be fantastic drinking for those who gravitate to a more polished, modern style. 2025-2040.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 95 points “The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Vecchie Vigne from Siro Pacenti is dark and youthfully folded in upon itself. This pulls you closer to the glass, as it slowly reveals a nuanced display of olive-tinged blackberry and plum, with hints of mocha, balsamic spice and tanned leather. It’s deeply textural, with velvety waves of ripe black fruits laced with tactile minerals, propelled by vibrant acids which carry its medium-bodied weight with ease. Youthfully dense, poised and geared for the long term, the 2016 Vecchie Vigne will require a good amount of cellaring to show all of its charms. Hints of licorice and violet florals echo throughout the long and structured finale.”
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Menthol, new leather, French oak and spiced blueberry aromas come to the forefront. Full bodied and concentrated, the firmly structured palate delivers dried cherry, grilled Porcini, vanilla and licorice set against assertive, close-grained tannins before closing on a coconut note. Give it time to flesh out in the bottle. Drink 2026–2036. Kerin O’Keefe”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “I tasted this wine from barrel a few years back, and it’s great to follow up on its evolution. Looking back at my notes, I remarked on the generosity, depth and fruit-driven bounty of the Siro Pacenti 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Vecchie Vigne. Those are the same words I would use to describe the wine today. Indeed, they could sum up the house style that underlines concentration, careful berry selection and an elaborate oak regimen with new French barrique. Fruit from old vines represents a blend of two sites, one with rocky soils to the south and another with clay soils to the north. This wine opens to a nicely saturated appearance with dark berry, spice and tobacco. The wine is structured and firm, owning its tannins to both the fruit and the barrique. I do find the tannins to be astringent at this young stage, so I would hold off from opening this 25,000-bottle release for a long while. Like many of the other producers in Montalcino, Giancarlo Pacenti has captured the linearity and focus of the vintage, but his house style ultimately leaves a bigger mark on the fruit.”
Take the estate for a test drive with their 2018 Rosso di Montalcino, in stock now:
Siro Pacenti Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Ian D’Agata-Vinous 92 points “Pale red; this wine’s very pretty color strikes me as being one of the less dark Rossos made by Pacenti in years. Inviting floral notes (rose, violet) complement strawberry, red cherry and delicate flint and herb aromas. Then very fresh and juicy, with a steely quality to the red fruit and herb flavors that are really perked up by a strong peppery component on the long, lively youthfully chewy finish. Made from 15 years old Sangiovese vines, this is a really lovely fruit-forward and also surprisingly spicy Rosso di Montalcino. 25% new oak for 12 -3 months.”
“Giancarlo Pacenti is the best winemaker in the appellation of Brunello di Montalcino. Everything is done in the best possible way and at the right time in his well-kept vineyards and the pristine small winery under his house. His Brunellos are usually a blend of different vineyards from both the south and north sides of the Montalcino hill, giving them great richness and structure as well as freshness. They are aged in French oak barrels yet show very little wood character, and their crystal clear style is one that ages extremely well.” – James Suckling (Wine Spectator)
You can tell a lot about a Brunello vintage by how early we start getting asked about it. In the case of the 2016s, well, let’s just say this is a pretty anticipated set of wines. A vintage that Wine Spectator described as “textbook”, the growing season yielded wines of elegance, freshness and harmony. More red fruited than Brunello’s excellent 2015 vintage, but offering similar levels of concentration, these are wines that are drinking beautifully young but will also age beautifully. To call 2016 Brunello’s ‘Vintage of the Century’ is no hyperbole, this is really special stuff. We’re excited to feature one of the most anticipated 2016 collections available: Siro Pacenti. These wines arrive in September, but the last few releases sold out before landing. With rave reviews across the professional spectrum, we expect a similar demand.
2016 Siro Pacenti Arriving ETA September
Siro Pacenti PS Pelagrilli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2016 750ML ($69.95) $54.50 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 97 points “A pure and focused version, with cherry, strawberry and currant fruit shaded by mineral and tobacco accents. Vibrant and harmonious, this is all about the fruit, with a well-integrated structure and terrific length on the finish. Best from 2024 through 2045. 2,000 cases made, 750 cases imported. — BS”
James Suckling 96 points “Wow. This is really rich and layered with velvety tannins that coat the palate. It’s full-bodied with ripe tannins and a finish of black cherries, cedar, walnuts, dried mushrooms and dried leaves. Needs time to soften. Better after 2024.”
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “The aromatics of the 2016 Pelagrilli are dark fruited and luxurious, with supple oak, warm baking spice, vanilla, and fresh black plum. The palate is consistent and inviting, with silky tannin and a rounded mouthfeel, with notes of cocoa and dried black cherry. Modern styled, it displays generous wood tones that are polished and which I believe will be well-integrated with some time. Enjoy over the next 15 years.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “Siro Pacenti is the estate behind some of the most contemporary and fruit-froward wines made in Montalcino. That said, the wines can sometimes feel a bit monotone and lacking in nuance because of the very powerful oak (especially when tasted this young). For sure, the Siro Pacenti 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Pelagrilli is decidedly more focused on black fruit aromas rather than red fruit brightness, and it follows through with a healthy delivery of cedar, toasted spice, pencil shaving and campfire ash. Blackberry, fresh prune and plum cede to those oak-driven aromas. Like the other wines from this producer, I found that the oak tannins are not approachable in the near term. You really need to give this wine more time in the bottle. Siro Pacenti farms beautiful and carefully manicured vineyards on the north side of Montalcino. This is a 25,000-bottle production.”
Siro Pacenti PS Vecchie Vigne, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2016 750ML ($129.95) $104.50 pre-arrival special, only 12 bottles available
James Suckling 97 points “Such wonderful opulence and beauty. The nose shows dried flowers and minerals with blackberries and black cherries. Purity is the word. Full-bodied with incredible depth and structure and polished, silky tannins that envelop your palate. The length is really impressive. Try after 2025.”
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “The 2016 Vecchie Vigne Brunello is introspective and complex on the nose, with tobacco, baked earth, dried black plum, cedar, and lavender. The palate is concentrated and brooding, with cola, balsamic black fruit, and tea leaf, and the wine is full-bodied, with chiseled structure, powerful tannin, and balanced acidity. Spending two years in French oak of 225 liters, the oak influence is present but has finesse and is well-integrated for the style. This wine warrants time in the cellar and will be fantastic drinking for those who gravitate to a more polished, modern style. 2025-2040.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 95 points “The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Vecchie Vigne from Siro Pacenti is dark and youthfully folded in upon itself. This pulls you closer to the glass, as it slowly reveals a nuanced display of olive-tinged blackberry and plum, with hints of mocha, balsamic spice and tanned leather. It’s deeply textural, with velvety waves of ripe black fruits laced with tactile minerals, propelled by vibrant acids which carry its medium-bodied weight with ease. Youthfully dense, poised and geared for the long term, the 2016 Vecchie Vigne will require a good amount of cellaring to show all of its charms. Hints of licorice and violet florals echo throughout the long and structured finale.”
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Menthol, new leather, French oak and spiced blueberry aromas come to the forefront. Full bodied and concentrated, the firmly structured palate delivers dried cherry, grilled Porcini, vanilla and licorice set against assertive, close-grained tannins before closing on a coconut note. Give it time to flesh out in the bottle. Drink 2026–2036. Kerin O’Keefe”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “I tasted this wine from barrel a few years back, and it’s great to follow up on its evolution. Looking back at my notes, I remarked on the generosity, depth and fruit-driven bounty of the Siro Pacenti 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Vecchie Vigne. Those are the same words I would use to describe the wine today. Indeed, they could sum up the house style that underlines concentration, careful berry selection and an elaborate oak regimen with new French barrique. Fruit from old vines represents a blend of two sites, one with rocky soils to the south and another with clay soils to the north. This wine opens to a nicely saturated appearance with dark berry, spice and tobacco. The wine is structured and firm, owning its tannins to both the fruit and the barrique. I do find the tannins to be astringent at this young stage, so I would hold off from opening this 25,000-bottle release for a long while. Like many of the other producers in Montalcino, Giancarlo Pacenti has captured the linearity and focus of the vintage, but his house style ultimately leaves a bigger mark on the fruit.”
Take the estate for a test drive with their 2018 Rosso di Montalcino, in stock now:
Siro Pacenti Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Ian D’Agata-Vinous 92 points “Pale red; this wine’s very pretty color strikes me as being one of the less dark Rossos made by Pacenti in years. Inviting floral notes (rose, violet) complement strawberry, red cherry and delicate flint and herb aromas. Then very fresh and juicy, with a steely quality to the red fruit and herb flavors that are really perked up by a strong peppery component on the long, lively youthfully chewy finish. Made from 15 years old Sangiovese vines, this is a really lovely fruit-forward and also surprisingly spicy Rosso di Montalcino. 25% new oak for 12 -3 months.”
New Rosé Reviews
From Josh Raynolds of Vinous Media
From Josh Raynolds of Vinous Media
In Stock Now:
Marc Plouzeau Chinon Rive Gauche Rosé, Loire 2020 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 90 points “Bright salmon skin. Mineral-accented strawberry, tangerine and floral aromas are complemented by a subtle herbal flourish. Nervy red berry and orange zest flavors show fine definition, and a deeper cherry note emerges on the back half. Finishes long and chewy, displaying firm bite and repeating florality.”
Marc Plouzeau Chinon Rive Gauche Rosé, Loire 2020 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 90 points “Bright salmon skin. Mineral-accented strawberry, tangerine and floral aromas are complemented by a subtle herbal flourish. Nervy red berry and orange zest flavors show fine definition, and a deeper cherry note emerges on the back half. Finishes long and chewy, displaying firm bite and repeating florality.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average listed price is $17
The average listed price is $17
Clement & Florian Berthier l’Instant Pinot Noir Rosé, Coteaux du Giennois, Loire Valley 2020 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 89 points “Shimmering orange. Spice-accented tangerine and raspberry aromas pick up a floral nuance with air. Chewy and focused on the palate, offering juicy red berry and orange zest flavors that show a refreshingly bitter edge. Finishes taut and dry, with a repeating floral note and a jolt of spicy white pepper.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine de la Bastide Blanche Rosé Bandol, Provence 2020 750ML ($31.95) $26 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Domaine de la Bastide Blanche Rosé Bandol, Provence 2020 750ML ($359.95) $288 special (that’s only $24/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Limpid orange-pink. Expressive red berry, blood orange and pit fruit aromas are accompanied by building mineral and floral nuances. Taut and energetic in the mouth, offering sappy strawberry, orange zest and lavender flavors braced by a spine of chalky minerality. Finishes silky and impressively long, with repeating mineral and floral notes.”
Chateau de Manissy ‘La Belle Etoile’ Rosé, Rhone 2020 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 89 points “Pale orange-pink. Lively and focused on the nose, displaying fresh strawberry, white peach and orange zest scents, with floral and mineral nuances. Red berry and pit fruit flavors show sharp detail and a bracing hint of juicy acidity. The floral note repeats on the tight finish, which lingers with good tenacity.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Charvin Cotes du Rhone Rosé, Rhone 2020 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 35 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Light orange-pink. Mineral-driven red berry and pit fruit aromas are complemented by a suave floral topnote. Seamless and energetic on the palate, offering fresh strawberry, blood orange and nectarine flavors that deepen with air. Shows fine definition and spicy cut on the persistent finish, which leaves repeating pit fruit and floral notes behind.”
Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Les Griottes Rosé, Beaujolais 2020 750ML ($19.95) $16.60 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 90 points “Translucent orange-pink. Lively and sharply focused on the nose, presenting ripe red berry and floral scents and a hint of botanical herbs. Smooth and broad on the palate, offering bitter cherry, red currant and candied rose flavors that firm up and become spicier with air. Closes long and silky, with resonating floral and spice notes and strong cling.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
The average price nationally is $18
The average price nationally is $18
Pre-Arrival ETA July 30th:
Gerard Boulay Sancerre Chavignol Rosé, Loire 2020 750ML ($37.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Limpid orange-pink. Incisive, mineral-accented red berry, orange pith and floral aromas show bright clarity and spicy lift. Sharply delineated in the mouth, offering concentrated raspberry, cherry and tangerine flavors that deepen as the wine opens up. Concentrated yet lithe in character, finishing with strong, minerally tenacity and a lingering honeysuckle flourish.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Don’t miss the white Sancerres from Gerard Boulay, also arriving Friday!
Trending Wines
Weingut Dönnhoff Kreuznacher Krotenpfuhl Riesling Kabinett Nahe 2020 750ML ($34.95) $25.50 special, 9 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “Lovely fruit-salad and fresh-mint nose. Juicy and joyful, this has so much freshness, the hint of green apple at the crisp finish accentuating this. Good length. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink now. Screw cap.”
Nothing says summer like Muscadet, and nothing says Muscadet like Pepiere
Domaine de la Pepiere Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie ‘La Pepie’, Loire 2020 750ML ($19.95) $16.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Domaine de la Pepiere Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie ‘La Pepie’, Loire 2020 750ML ($219.95) $179 special (that’s only $14.92/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Importer note “The La Pépie cuvée is a blend of estate fruit from all of Pépière’s terroirs, 50% of which fall within the Muscadet Sèvre & Maine appellation and 50% within the crus. Since 2016, the cuvée is is supplemented with purchased fruit from neighboring parcels with similar characteristics. This decision was not made lightly and results from a series of unsustainably low crops.”
James Suckling 93 points “Lovely fruit-salad and fresh-mint nose. Juicy and joyful, this has so much freshness, the hint of green apple at the crisp finish accentuating this. Good length. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink now. Screw cap.”
Nothing says summer like Muscadet, and nothing says Muscadet like Pepiere
Domaine de la Pepiere Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie ‘La Pepie’, Loire 2020 750ML ($19.95) $16.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Domaine de la Pepiere Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie ‘La Pepie’, Loire 2020 750ML ($219.95) $179 special (that’s only $14.92/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Importer note “The La Pépie cuvée is a blend of estate fruit from all of Pépière’s terroirs, 50% of which fall within the Muscadet Sèvre & Maine appellation and 50% within the crus. Since 2016, the cuvée is is supplemented with purchased fruit from neighboring parcels with similar characteristics. This decision was not made lightly and results from a series of unsustainably low crops.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $18
The average price nationally is $18
A standout deal for one of the most classic Champagne houses out there.
Deutz Brut Classic, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $34.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Deutz Brut Classic, Champagne NV 750ML ($299.95) $199 special (that’s only $33.17/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 91 points “Apple blossom and graphite aromas lace flavors of Asian pear, blanched almond and lemon curd in this sleek Champagne. Fresh and linear, with a fine, creamy mousse. Drink now through 2023. 150,000 cases made, 184 cases imported. — AN”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 90 points “Open and expressive, the latest NV Brut Classic from Deutz offers up aromas of green pear, peach, pastry cream and flowers. Medium to full-bodied and fleshy but precise, it’s elegant and charming, with a seamless profile and considerable immediate appeal.”
Wine Enthusiast 90 points “The elegance of this nonvintage cuvée sums up the style of the house, balancing acidity with a dosage that is just right. The white fruits and tangy edge are refreshing and intense. Drink the bottling now. -Roger Voss”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $47
The average price is $47
Cheap & cheerful, and wicked good.
Eden Specialty Ciders Imperial Rosé Cider, Vermont NV 750ML ($17.95) $9 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Cidery note “PROFILE: Superbly juicy without being sweet, just off-dry and gently fizzy, with bright acidity and chewy tannic structure. APPLE VARIETIES: Esopus Spitzenberg, Calville Blanc, Hudson’s Golden Gem, Roxbury Russet, Blue Pearmain, Baldwin, Mcintosh, Empire, Ashmead’s Kernel, Black Oxford, Reine de Reinette, Orleans Reinette. GROWN BY: Scott Farms, Sunrise Orchards, Yates Family Orchard and Poverty Lane Orchard. METHOD: Naturally cold-concentrated before fermentation, infused with red currant and blended with a touch of ice cider. Filtered and carbonated. TASTING NOTES: Roses, strawberry, watermelon, citrus, slate. Gluten free, vegan friendly.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Quintessa Red, Rutherford 2013 750ML ($219.95) $179 special, 12 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 98 points “This is really fantastic on the nose with blackberry, blueberry, lavender, and violets. Even sage. Full body plus extremely integrated tannins that are polished and refined. The balance and harmony is phenomenal. Goes on for minutes. Beautiful now but will satisfy for decades. (5/3/16)”
Robert Parker 96 points “The 2013 Proprietary Red Wine has always been good, but I think they have re-positioned themselves at a much higher pinnacle with the 2013. This is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blend but has important component parts such as Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot from their gorgeous vineyards just off the Silverado Trail in Rutherford. The wine has a dense bluish/purple color and a beautiful nose of black raspberries, blueberries, lead pencil shavings, and touches of oak and spring flowers. The complexity of the fragrance is followed by a wine with terrific body, stunning purity, wonderful balance, and great depth and richness. This is certainly the most profound Quintessa made to date and should evolve gracefully for at least 20-25 years.”
Biggio Hamina Claygate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($39.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Biggio Hamina Claygate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($199.95) $159 special (that’s only $26.50/bottle!)
Case-12 Biggio Hamina Claygate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($399.95) $299 special (that’s only $24.92/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Bright red. An exotically perfumed bouquet displays intense red fruit, potpourri and incense qualities. Spice and savory herb nuances build as the wine opens up. Bright and energetic in the mouth, offering densely packed and appealingly sweet raspberry liqueur, cherry and spicecake flavors that pick up a smoky mineral note on the back half. Plays power off of finesse deftly and finishes extremely long and floral, with sneaky, fine-grained tannins and a touch of exotic spices.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
New review!
Valravn Pinot Noir, Sonoma County 2018 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 33 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Editor’s Choice. This is a high-toned, earthy and textured wine that overdelivers on its price point, presenting complex warm spice, black-tea and candied cherry and raspberry flavor. The tannins are soft and well integrated, as is the oak, allowing plenty of room for nuance and elegant composure. -Virginie Boone”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
More Can’t-Miss Napa Cabs
Philip Togni, Mount Eden & More
Philip Togni, Mount Eden & More
With dozens of California Cabernet Sauvignons to choose from, we have no shortage of incredible options from the Golden State. Napa Valley continues to produce some of the world’s finest examples of the world’s most beloved grape. We’re thrilled to highlight some of our standout bottles today, including our remaining half bottles of Ridge’s iconic 2017 Monte Bello.
In Stock Now:
A true Bordeaux soul
Snowden Vineyards The Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2017 750ML ($54.95) $41.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon The Ranch is an attractive, mid-weight wine that shows the more gracious, understated side of the year. Floral and spice notes give the 2017 lovely aromatics to play off a core of sweet red berry fruit. This is a very pretty wine.”
In Stock Now:
A true Bordeaux soul
Snowden Vineyards The Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2017 750ML ($54.95) $41.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon The Ranch is an attractive, mid-weight wine that shows the more gracious, understated side of the year. Floral and spice notes give the 2017 lovely aromatics to play off a core of sweet red berry fruit. This is a very pretty wine.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $47.99
The next best price is $47.99
A classic and an “overachiever”
Joseph Phelps Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2016 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special, 4 magnums in stock now
James Suckling 94 points “This has very bright and juicy, brambly dark berries with a wealth of attractive and juicy dark-fruit presence. This has depth, detail and long, layered dark-fruit flavors. Impressively chiseled finish. Drink or hold.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is made up of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc aged for 18 months in 48% new French and American oak and bottled in May/June of 2018. Deep garnet-purple colored, it sings of crushed blackcurrants, blackberry pie and blueberry compote with suggestions of cigar box, menthol, rose hip tea and baking spices. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with vibrant black fruit laced with plenty of spicy sparks, framed by grainy tannins and oodles of freshness and finishing long with a menthol kick. 36,000 cases produced.”
Virginie Boone-Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Editor’s Choice. This lovely wine shows exceptional quality and complexity within a bold, expansive package of thick, grippy tannin and layered flavors of blackberry, tobacco and smoked meat. It is blended with 7% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% each of Malbec and Petit Verdot.”
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is once again a huge overachiever. Plum, black cherry, spice, mocha and new leather are front and center. Pliant and giving, with striking purity of fruit and remarkable balance, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is a winner from Phelps. This Napa Valley Cabernet is a remarkable wine for many reasons, most notably the quality Phelps achieves with estate fruit and a production of 36,000 cases.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $144.95
The next best price is $144.95
A legend in the making
Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains 2017 375ML ($149.95) $119 special, 8 half-bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “Pure perfection, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Bello is a sensational effort from this estate that should be snatched up by drinkers and collectors. Based on 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc that was brought up mostly in new American oak, this saturated purple-hued beauty is legendary Monte Bello in the making and has a stunning yet primordial bouquet of crème de cassis, lead pencil shavings, graphite, chocolate, and chalky minerality. Full-bodied, incredibly powerful, and one of the most concentrated versions of this cuvée ever made (I’ve had most of them), it needs a solid decade of bottle age and will have 50-60 years of overall longevity. Despite the long drinking window, it offers plenty of pleasure even today. I followed this bottle for two days and it showed best right out of the gate, closing down and becoming more brooding and backward with air. It’s an incredible wine that I promise you won’t regret having in your cellar.”
A cellar pick
Philip Togni Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2016 750ML ($159.95) $125 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 96 points “A regal wine, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate has really shut down following its recent bottling, which is probably a very good thing for its long-term prospects, although it does make the wine harder to read. Today, the 2016 is dark, powerful and quite savory, with tremendous persistence and class to burn. Translucent, deep and exquisitely layered, the 2016 has a lot to offer. Dark red cherry, plum, wild herb, cedar, tobacco and smoke build as the 2016 starts to open up in the glass. This is a jewel of a wine from the Togni family.”
Wine Advocate 96+ points “Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate reveals a wonderfully spicy nose of cinnamon stick, cloves, fenugreek and cumin seed over a core of cassis, kirsch, black raspberries and spearmint with nuances of lavender and forest floor. Medium-bodied, the palate is laden with energetic red and black berry flavors, framed by ripe, finely grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing long and perfumed.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average listed price is $150
The average listed price is $150
One of the original Napa ‘cult’ producers, and a must-try for true Napa fans
Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($279.95) $249 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown – Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow is a blend of 78.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.4% Merlot, 8% Malbec and 5.1% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it slips effortlessly from the glass, singing of ripe black cherries, black raspberries and cassis, plus hints of red currants, roses, cinnamon stick and garrigue. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers lovely freshness, offering bags of perfumed black fruits in the mouth, beautifully supported by fine-grained tannins, finishing long with lots of soft-spoken floral and mineral whispers. This perfumed beauty wears the 2018 vintage stamp well, presenting a more delicate expression of this vineyard—one that I love! 647 cases were made.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average listed price is $283
The average listed price is $283
Bevan Cellars Tench Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa Valley 2016 750ML ($249.95) $199 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 97+ points “The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Tench Vineyard is very deep purple-black in color with an earthy, meaty, broody nose with notes of mocha over baked plums and crème de cassis plus wafts of spice box and mincemeat. The palate is full-bodied, concentrated, rich and earthy with great vibrancy on the finish. 839 cases produced.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “From a steep hillside in Oakville, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Tench Vineyard offers a more savory, masculine, layered style as well as a huge nose of red and black fruits, dried herbs, chocolate, and earth. It hits the palate with a full-bodied, mouthfilling style that carries plenty of tannins, a deep, concentrated mid-palate, and a great finish. I like it today, yet it’s going to continue drinking brilliantly for two decades.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average listed price is $250
The average listed price is $250
Love California wine? We have over 75 different options from the Golden State in stock. Shop the entire selection, including staff favorites like Arnot-Roberts, Bucklin , Pax and more, on our web store now.
Max Ferd. Richter
The Overlooked/Underpriced Great Mosel Estate
When you talk about the Max Ferdinand Richter, the first thing that jumps out is the incredible real estate the winery holds. The Middle Mosel is where all the historic glory of German Riesling rests. Vineyards like Wehlener Sonnenhur, Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr and the Graach duo of Himmelreich and Domprost comprise some of the most heralded sites in the world for Riesling and perhaps no estate has better holdings than Max Ferd. Richter.
Based on their holdings and the quality of their wines, Richter deserves to be a name on par with JJ Prum, Fritz Haag, Willi Schaefer, etc. but poor distribution has prevented them from reaching the level of fame that they deserve (which, frankly, is great for pricing). These are gloriously complex wines, built for the cellar and affordable enough to buy in quantity.
“Constantin Richter was quite relaxed when describing his 2018 vintage: ‘…I like the 2018 wines as they are quite charming. They combine the ripe zest of 2012 with the roundness of 2011.’ The Richters did not defy the vintage as some of their colleagues. They played with the vintage to produce some gorgeous wines with a touch more ripeness and roundness than usual, but also with the playful side that has made the success of their Estate over the years. The sweet spot of the vintage are the fruity-styled wines, provided one takes into account that these wines sometimes kick at a level higher than their Prädikat indicated on the label….All in all,Max Ferd. Richter took the vintage and produced utterly enjoyable and playful wines. One could nearly say: As usual.” – Mosel Fine Wines
In Stock Now:
Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett Trocken, Mosel 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
John Gilman 93+ points “The 2018 Kabinett Trocken from the Himmelreich was produced from a parcel of vines that are eighty to ninety years of age, situated right up at the top of the slope. This is outstanding in 2018 and very delicately-styled and filigreed, with the wine topping out at eleven percent octane this year. This had not yet been bottled and was really lovely on both on the nose and palate, with the bouquet wafting from the glass in a mix of apple, lemon, superb minerality, a dollop of wild yeasts and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is pure, medium-bodied and beautifully mineral, with fine intensity of flavor, bright acids, excellent focus and superb cu Constantin Richter has been full-time back at the family estate since the 2012 vintage, and previous to this he did a few stages and cut and grip on the long and complex finish. This is first class juice! 2022-2060.”
Based on their holdings and the quality of their wines, Richter deserves to be a name on par with JJ Prum, Fritz Haag, Willi Schaefer, etc. but poor distribution has prevented them from reaching the level of fame that they deserve (which, frankly, is great for pricing). These are gloriously complex wines, built for the cellar and affordable enough to buy in quantity.
“Constantin Richter was quite relaxed when describing his 2018 vintage: ‘…I like the 2018 wines as they are quite charming. They combine the ripe zest of 2012 with the roundness of 2011.’ The Richters did not defy the vintage as some of their colleagues. They played with the vintage to produce some gorgeous wines with a touch more ripeness and roundness than usual, but also with the playful side that has made the success of their Estate over the years. The sweet spot of the vintage are the fruity-styled wines, provided one takes into account that these wines sometimes kick at a level higher than their Prädikat indicated on the label….All in all,Max Ferd. Richter took the vintage and produced utterly enjoyable and playful wines. One could nearly say: As usual.” – Mosel Fine Wines
In Stock Now:
Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett Trocken, Mosel 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
John Gilman 93+ points “The 2018 Kabinett Trocken from the Himmelreich was produced from a parcel of vines that are eighty to ninety years of age, situated right up at the top of the slope. This is outstanding in 2018 and very delicately-styled and filigreed, with the wine topping out at eleven percent octane this year. This had not yet been bottled and was really lovely on both on the nose and palate, with the bouquet wafting from the glass in a mix of apple, lemon, superb minerality, a dollop of wild yeasts and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is pure, medium-bodied and beautifully mineral, with fine intensity of flavor, bright acids, excellent focus and superb cu Constantin Richter has been full-time back at the family estate since the 2012 vintage, and previous to this he did a few stages and cut and grip on the long and complex finish. This is first class juice! 2022-2060.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Trocken Uralte Reben, Mosel 2018 750ML ($59.95) $39 special
Mosel Fine Wines 91+ points “The 2018er Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Trocken Uralte Reben GG was made in traditional Fuder cask from over 100 year-old un-grafted vines in the Brück part of the vineyard. It offers an intense nose made of grapefruit bitter, anise, herbs and some white flowers. The wine develops a rather intense but quite structured feel of lemon zest, camphor, herbs and fine spices on the palate. The finish is quite powerful and hugely tart. 2021-2028.”
“In lieu of “Auslese trocken” or “Grosses Gewächs,” the Richters elected to name this dry Riesling “Age-Old Ungrafted Vines,” and if, as alleged, the vines in question really are 120 years old, one can hardly consider that title hyperbole.”-David Schildknecht, writing on the 2015 vintage
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Grosses Gewächs, Mosel 2018 750ML ($59.95) $45 special
James Suckling 94 points “I love the discreet mirabelle, spice and angelica notes of this finely chiseled dry Mosel riesling that has plenty of depth and structure, but doesn’t yet announce it loudly. Needs some time to open up, but the classic elegance is already very clear. Drinkable now, but better from 2022.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 91+ points “The 2018 Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling GG trocken is subtle and elegant on the refined, flinty and herbal nose that displays beautifully pure and fine, dark and iron-rich slate aromas typical for this magical terroir. Intense and rich yet pure and bone dry on the palate, this is a precise yet long and salty JSU with a stimulating, very elegant finish. It is stunningly pure and fresh for this vintage but also quite austere. From vines planted in the 1980s, which means they are about 100 years younger than those from the original part of the Wehlener Sonnenuhr. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett Feinherb Mosel 2018 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2018 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett Feinherb is sourced partly (two-thirds) from the old, central part of the vineyard (“Im Brück”) with 80- to 90-year-old vines and partly (one-third) from an upper plot with 20-year-old vines. Entirely vinified in traditional fuders, this is a bright, lush, warm and very fine Sonnenuhr with fine slate aromas intermixed with floral, flinty and perfectly ripe fruit aromas. The fruit aroma is almost endless. Lush, round and intense on the palate, the 2018 is perfectly ripe and concentrated but celebrates the finesse and mineral tension of the Sonnenuhr and finishes with lingering salinity and stimulating grip. Still reductive due to the addition of sulfur, this highly promising Sonnenuhr was bottled with 24 grams of well-packed residual sugar. Bottled in early March 2019 and tasted at the end of the month.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett Mosel 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93-95 points “Mostly from very old vines (80 to 90 years old) and vinified partly (one-third) in stainless steel, the 2018 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett offers a fine, flinty, super sensual, mind-blowing bouquet of perfectly ripe but coolish, precise and even quartzite-like aromas. On the palate, the wine is wide, pure, elegant and energetic—a powerhouse but in the most delicious and delicate way. The palate is complex, opening wide but always precise and very, very long, with great mineral grip and tension but also lush and sensual features. This is a great Mosel Riesling indeed. Tasted from the cask in March 2019.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Veldenzer Elisenberg Riesling Kabinett Mosel 2018 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2018 Elisenberger Riesling Kabinett is dense, cool, very precise and flinty-mineral on the nose, which is still reductive but exciting. Coming from a coolish side valley that was picked at roughly 84° to 85° Oechsle at the end of September, this is a gorgeously lush and mouth-filling Riesling with the mineral piquancy of quartzite soils. There is no aggressive acidity here, there is nice tartaric acidity that makes this a seductive Kabinett you can’t resist. This is a fabulous, very long and enchanting Riesling. The wine has slightly more than 50 grams of residual sugar and comes in at 8.5% alcohol. It was scheduled to be bottled a couple of days after I tasted it from the cask at the end of March 2019.”
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “The 2018er Veldenzer Elisenberg Riesling Kabinett was harvested at 84° Oechsle and was fermented down to fruity-styled levels of residual sugar (50 g/l). It offers a beautiful nose made of white peach, cassis, gooseberry, pear, laurel, herbs and spices. The wine develops the delicate creaminess of a Spätlese on the otherwise nicely crisp palate. The finish is long and nicely fruity. Ripe mirabelle and some herbs join the zesty side in the after-taste. 2028-2048.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Kabinett Mosel 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 94-96 points “The 2018 Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Kabinett is deep but bright and refined on the flinty nose that offers perfectly ripe Riesling and crunchy slate aromas with a warm iron touch. On the palate, this is a lush, refined, salty-piquant, even racy Riesling with generous fruit and a very long, salty-piquant and crystalline finish. This is a highly complex Riesling in the most delicate expression. It’s one of the wines you just have to buy—there won’t be any regrets, not today or in 30 years. Since this Brauneberger has slightly more sulfur compared to the Wehlener Sonnenuhr, which still hasn’t been filtered and was tasted from the lees, I will retaste the wines early next year, as I am convinced a Mosel Riesling needs two winters to unmask itself. Tasted in March 2019.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese Mosel 2018 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95-96 points “From 30- to 40-year-old vines, the 2018 Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese is flinty, precise and reductive on the coolish nose, with discreet and fine (but lush!) pineapple aromas and very fine notes of crushed, smooth slate. On the palate, this is a clear, fresh, lush, highly finessed, piquant and salty Riesling with very tannins and lingering salinity and piquancy. This is a fabulous Spätlese with piquant finesse and mineral tension that seems to be familiar with that of the Scharzhofberger and the Euchariusberg. I can hardly imagine any better Spätlese from 2018. Tasted from the cask in March 2019.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2018 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 94-96 points “From the two oldest plots (80-90 years old and 120 years old), the fuder-fermented 2018 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese offers great precision and aromas of tropical fruit intertwined with very fine slate on the nose. On the palate, the wine is mouth-filling and salty-piquant, with mango and slate flavors on the racy finish. This is dangerous stuff, very dangerous, yet it’s also tight and tensioned. This is, for the moment, the finest and most stimulating Wehlener Sonnenuhr. Dangerous. Really dangerous. Tasted in March 2019.”
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points “The 2018er Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese was made from clean grapes harvested at a full 95° Oechsle, and was fermented down to fully sweet levels of residual sugar (95 g/l). It offers a beautiful nose of bitter lemon, mirabelle, laurel and whipped cream. The wine delivers nice flavors of pear, ginger, Provence herbs, cream and herbs, and leaves the beautifully racy but unctuous structure of an Auslese in the finish. It remains beautifully playful in the after-taste. 2028-2048.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Mosel 2018 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96-97 points “The 2018 Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese is very fine, concentrated and beautifully clear, with blossom honey and very fine berry aromas on the nose. (The 20% to 25% of botrytis is very clear and precise, almost imperceptible.) Lush and piquant on the palate, this is a generous but highly digestible Auslese with orange, raisin and (pink) grapefruit flavors. The finish is incredibly racy-piquant, salty and highly digestible. This is still a baby, but it is highly promising. Tasted from cask in March 2019.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Arriving in August from Max Ferd. Richter:
Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Veldenzer Elisenberg Riesling Spatlese Mosel 2018 750ML ($39.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 94-96 points “Sourced from old vines, the 2018 Elisenberger Riesling Spätlese was harvested in the third week of October as the very last “regular” wine (so 3.5 weeks after the Kabinett). It is based on completely healthy fruit and was vinified entirely in traditional fuders. Offering a deep and flinty bouquet, this is a lush, elegant, highly refined and stimulating Spätlese with a salty-piquant finish. Tasted from the cask in March 2019.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese ***, Mosel 2018 375ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 97+ points “The first three-starred Auslese since 2005 (prior to that, it was 1993, 1983 and 1975), the 2018 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese *** was picked at about 145° Oechsle. This is incredibly clear, pure, fine and fresh on the lush, concentrated, herbal and grapefruit-scented nose. On the palate, this is a generously lush, refined and salty-piquant Auslese with a tight mineral structure and lingering salinity. This is highly refined and extremely stimulating. It already drinks all too well today, but Constantin recommends cellaring it for at least 10 years. Tasted in March 2019.”
Mosel Fine Wines 95 points “The 2018er Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese *** Fass 138 is a botrytis selection harvested at 138° Oechsle on old vines in the prime Sandpichter sector, and was fermented down to noble-sweet levels of residual sugar. It offers a gorgeous nose of date, pineapple, almond cream, raisin and smoky spices. The wine is beautifully creamy and yet zesty on the palate and leaves a gorgeous feel of ripe fruits and creamy almond in the long and suave finish. While intense, this noble-sweet Auslese retains an immensely satisfying playful side. 2033-2068.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Collector’s Corner
The Amarone Genius of Dal Forno
The Amarone Genius of Dal Forno
In many wine areas throughout the world, there are a handful of individuals or families who make “the” wine for their particular region – winemakers who define the style of the region. When it comes to Valpolicella, the Dal Forno family does just that. For more than 30 years, Dal Forno has been producing deeply concentrated Valpolicella, Amarone and Recioto.
Romano Dal Forno , the current winemaker/owner, took over the farm in 1983. Risking everything, he invested a large amount in 1990 to update the winery and refine Dal Forno’s process. The extremely bold flavor of the Valpolicella Superiore is a great example of Dal Forno’s commitment to perfection and their respect for traditional winemaking. Just short of an Amarone, it’s made entirely with fruit that has been dried, though for less time than that legally required for Amarone. A key to the Dal Forno style seems to be an incredibly low yield from their vineyard: each bottle of Valpolicella takes six vines worth of grapes to produce!
In Stock Now from Dal Forno:
Dal Forno Romano ‘Vigna Sere’ (Rosso Passito) 2004 375ML ($279.95) $199 special, only 2 half-bottles available
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 99 points “The 2004 Passito Rosso Vino Dolce Vigna Seré (500-mililiter) is a masterpiece that is impossible to … The aging window is impossible to predict, but the wine is surely built to last. I can think of no other wine that comes close to matching this unique style.”
Antonio Galloni 98+ points “The 2004 Vigna Serè is the perfect conclusion to a vintage that will go down as one of Dal Forno’s most magical… At eight years of age the 2004 remains an infant. (375 ml)”
Decanter 98 points “A Recioto in all but name, as Dal Forno withdrew from the appellation after the 2003 was rejected by the Consorzio for its atypical astringency. This is a profound sweet red wine that will probably live forever. The superb floral nose features violet lift, with a macerated cherry character in the mouth which heralds plum, crushed berries and sweet spice. This is so well balanced it’s almost savoury in nature, the clean line of acidity sweeping away all before it. There’s some creaminess on the finish, reminding you of its startling youth.”
Dal Forno Romano Amarone 2008 750ML ($349.95) $319 special, only 2 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2008 Amarone della Valpolicella is compelling. With a little air, the tannins begin to soften, releasing a myriad of intense dark aromas and flavors. Bittersweet chocolate, cloves, violets, plums and blackberry jam cover every inch of the palate in a stunning, headspinning Amarone that captures all of the best qualities of the year. When Romano Dal Forno’s wines are on, there is nothing quite like them, and that is certainly the case here…”
James Suckling 97 points “Wonderful aromas of rose petal, blackberry, sugared walnut and hints of sea salt. Full body, ultra-fine tannins and a warm, enticing palate with dried fruits, blackberry, black olive and freshly cracked slate. Fabulous Amarone.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “…Indeed, this wine is balanced and elegant with fruit that is still crunchy and very much alive. The tannins are firm and nicely integrated into the wine’s thick, fleshy consistency. This vintage is characterized by a very elegant and graceful approach, which must be taken into context given the enormity of a wine of this caliber. Happily, there is no doubt that this vintage should still evolve steadily over time.”
Dal Forno Romano Amarone 2010 750ML ($349.95) $319 special, only five bottles available
Decanter 98 points “2010 is a more considered vintage compared to the outright opulence of 2009, but it’s no shrinking violet, especially in Dal Forno’s hands…”
James Suckling 97 points “Aromas of roses and other flowers with a deep fruit intensity. Full-bodied, dense and ultra-fine with a beautiful texture. Lots of new wood now but this will amalgamate with time into the wine. Fabulous potential. Drink or hold.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Like a gymnast, this focused red shows both power and grace. Finely meshed flavors of blackberry puree, fig cake and Earl Grey tea leaf are framed by refined, dusty tannins, with a lasting finish expands on the palate with spice and smoky mineral details. Drink now through 2030. 450 cases imported. — AN”
Dal Forno Romano Amarone 2011 750ML ($419.95) $369 special, only seven bottles available
Decanter 99 points “The strongest wine in my selection, yet this magnificent Amarone’s alcohol is barely visible thanks to its astonishing depth, texture and sumptuousness… Beautifully crafted, as dignified as any grand Barolo.”
Ian D’Agata-Vinous 95+ points “Fully saturated ruby. Very deep, intense aromas of blackcurrant, plums macerated in alcohol, soy sauce, coffee and underbrush on the complex nose. Rich, dense and balanced, with nicely focused flavors of dark berries and aromatic herbs that have a noteworthy savory tang. The long finish features repeating hints of soy sauce, espresso and underbrush. Dal Forno’s is the recognized master of a uniquely powerful, ripe, and concentrated style of Amarone.”
Dal Forno Romano Amarone 2012 750ML ($419.95) $319 special, only eight bottles available
James Suckling 97 points “A decadent nose of treacle tart, chocolate, tar, tons of black fruit such as blackberries and mulberries and even ash and licorice. A dense, layered mouthfeel makes for a full-bodied palate that’s explosive yet somehow so refined and pretty all at the same time. The finish goes on and on. Incredible now, but better to wait for this giant to settle well into 2020.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2012 Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta is a beautifully complete wine, even at this young stage in its life… It has only just started its evolutionary journey.”
Decanter 96 points “…Exuberant, dense and chewy with peppery black fruit flavours, while showing some delicacy of aroma. Intense and will develop further, perhaps offering more power than grace. Andrew Jefford: It’s not showy on the nose but is super-attractive, and it just grows more so the more time you spend with it. On the palate it’s rich, deep, magnificently tannic and long – an absolutely unbridled Amarone, yet at the same time of extraordinary resonance, authority and subtlety. An Amarone masterclass! Monty Waldin: Its evident concentration really comes through on the palate, with a mix of smooth and slightly more savoury, drier tannins that mingle amicably under some ripely sweet red fruit, while finishing with a distinct brightness.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 96 points “There is a massive amount of pleasure to be found in the 2012 Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta. It blends elegance with power while contrasting rich dark fruits against sweet herbal tones and spices to create a seductive expression from start to finish…This is firing on all cylinders yet with medium-term cellaring potential – but good luck keeping your hands off of it today.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “A velvety, full-bodied version, loaded with blackberry coulis, baked black cherry and tar-tinged smoke flavors that ripple across the palate. Offers lovely accents of dried mint, tobacco, iron and anise that echo on the firm finish. A powerhouse, with plenty in reserve. Best from 2022 through 2032. 250 cases imported. — AN”
Dal Forno Romano Amarone 2013 750ML ($419.95) $319 special, only 11 bottles available
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2013 Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta is my favorite wine in the retrospective, along with the amazing 2011, 2009 and 1996 vintages…The effect is graceful and focused. Put this bottle aside in your cellar for the decades to come.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 97 points “…Wow. The 2013 is built for the cellar and with tons of upside potential. If you dare to delve into one of these while young, I’d suggest opening your bottle a number of hours prior to enjoying. That said, this will be worth the wait.”
Case-6 Dal Forno Romano Valpolicella Superiore Vertical 11/12/13 ($699.95) $599 special
Mixed case: 2x 2011, 2x 2012, 2x 2013. No substitutions. Only 1 available
Dal Forno Romano Valpolicella Superiore 2013 750ML ($119.95) $94.50 special, only 29 bottles in stock now
Decanter 97 points “From one of the most iconic wineries in the Orientale, this is aged for two years in oak and a further three in bottle. A proper meditation wine, great with game, strong cheeses or a cigar. It has a huge nose of stewed red fruits, ethereal bramble forest fruits and blackberry jam. Generous, with spicy, bitter cherry-stone freshness. Full-bodied with a rich, intense, spicy undertone.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “This is a terrific wine that stood out—and stood tall—despite the fact that it was tasted alongside some of Dal Forno’s most important vintages of the top-shelf Amarone. If that’s not a full-on recommendation, I don’t know what is…”
Thank you from the team at Vinopolis!
Be well & drink well.
