In Today’s Newsletter:
Rodney Strong Brothers Ridge
The Remarkable 2017 Domaine Huet Vouvrays
Trending Budget-Friendly Reds
Luce della Vite ‘Luce’
Benoit Dehu
Louis Roederer’s Brut Premier:
Bottled Elegance
La Chablisienne Delivers:
Classic Chablis at Throwback Pricing
Cream of the Crop
New Reviews for 2017 Donnhoff
And Last Call on 2017 Willi Schaefer
Late Breaking Offer on Janasse CDP Chaupin 2015
Rodney StrongBrothers Ridge
In 1959, celebrated American dancer Rod Strong followed his second passion and founded a winery in Sonoma County. It was only the 13th winery bonded in this new region. In 1974, he released the first single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon of Sonoma County: Alexander’s Crown. The Klein family continues Rod’s tradition of innovation and excellence. After purchasing the winery in 1989, they expanded and modernized the winery by adding temperature-controlled cellaring, new fermentation tanks, and even built solar panels to improve sustainability efforts. For over 30 years, Rick Sayre has been the head winemaker, first starting with Rod before working with the Klein family. He led the development of the single-vineyard wines, including the Brothers Ridge vineyard that was established in 1997 in the Alexander Valley. Today, David Ramey (of Chateau Petrus, Dominus, and Ramey acclaim) consults on the single vineyards.
The Brothers Ridge is on well-drained loam with sandstone, shale and ancient greenstone. The vineyard is located in a warm pocket of the Alexander Valley and climbs to over 1,000 feet in elevation. It yields reds with immense body, richness and structure.
Sure, offers for cult Napa Cabs seem to pop up every week or two, with prices that make your jaw drop (Screaming Eagle 2013 is averaging $3,069 nationally, just for your reference). Sometimes, you just want a bottle of Cali Cab you can drink, and afford to, for that matter. The Brothers Ridge fits that profile nicely: offering that bombastic/hedonistic expression that turns heads at a price that is downright reasonable.
Featured Wine In Stock Now:
Rodney Strong Brothers Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 2013 750ML ($79.95) $49 special
Robert Parker 92+ points “The single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from the highest elevation (400-1000 feet) is the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Brothers Ridge. It displays blacker fruit, loads of plums, blueberry and blackberry, a deep, full-bodied, mouthfeel, rich, concentrated, moderately high tannin, a nice minerality and plenty of black fruits. These are all well-built and potentially very long-lived wines of 25-30 or more years. This wine needs a good 4-5 years of cellaring.”
The average price nationally is $72
Robert Parker 94 points “A famous wine from the early days of The Wine Advocate, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander’s Crown Single Vineyard comes from a lower elevation of 250 to 360 feet. The wine displays broad, sweet crème de cassis, black cherry and blueberry fruit, some licorice, graphite, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and outstanding length and purity. This is a beauty, and makes me think back to the great 1974, which was the first one I remember tasting.”
The average price is $71
The Remarkable 2017 Domaine Huet Vouvrays
In Stock Now
& More on the Way!
Huet makes some of the most undervalued great wine in the world. Take any metric you’d use to adjudicate greatness (complexity, age-worthiness, aromatic intensity, etc) and Huet’s Vovray is on the list, at prices far below almost anything else in the world of wine. They own some of the greatest vineyards in the Loire and make sure that they reach their potential year in and out.
These are wines we stock year in and out and we’re excited to feature the exciting 2017 vintage (you can view the ’15 and ’16’s in stock on our website). 2017 looks to be an exciting year for the estate (as it is across France) with bright, mineral driven wines that showcase the prime terroirs Huet is known for.
If you’re new to the estate, know that they make wines from three vineyards (Le Haut Lieu, Le Mont and Clos de Bourg) at varying levels of sweetness. To that last point, don’t make the mistake of skipping anything past Sec—the Demi-Secs are especially useful at the table and long lived, with the sugar adding fruit and body but not much in the way of perceptible sweetness. Moelleux is a specialty of the Loire and is a beautiful wine that is a perfect partner for cheese and contemplation.
Of the three vineyards, Le Haut Lieu produces wines with the most fruit and the softest texture, accessible young. Le Mont is the most mineral and often requires the most time to find itself as a wine and the Clos de Bourg is a bit of a combination of the two. Gaston Huet thought it the best terroir in Vouvray, but a bottle of well-aged Le Mont Demi is an effective counter argument. Whichever combination you go for, stock up—there have been three short harvests in a row in Vouvray and many producers’ reserves are running low.
In Stock Now
Domaine Huet Vouvray Le Mont Sec, Loire 2017 750ML ($41.95) $33 special
Importer note “For many insiders, the argument over Vouvray’s greatest vineyard comes down to two sites: Le Mont and Clos du Bourg. Undisputably a grand cru vineyard, Le Mont enjoys a choice site on the Première Côte. With less clay and more stone than Le Haut-Lieu, Le Mont yields young wines of intense minerality. With age, the wines develop great length and finesse.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Plump and lively, with a core of bold ginger, McIntosh apple and almond notes followed by quince and persimmon flavors. Shows buried minerality, but also an ever-so-slightly off-dry wink on the finish, making this especially fun to drink. Drink now through 2032.”Domaine Huet Vouvray Le Mont Demi-Sec, Loire 2017 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Wine Spectator 94 points “Delightfully ripe and lively, with a mix of white peach, ginger, yellow apple and quince flavors that are carried by bright minerality and mouthwatering acidity. Light floral hints gild the finish, while the fruit drives through. Thoroughly delicious, and built to age well. Drink now through 2033.”Domaine Huet Vouvray Clos du Bourg Demi-Sec, Loire 2017 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Wine Spectator 93 points “This glistens, with glazed pear, warm persimmon, green plum and quince flavors, all carried by elegant white ginger and verbena notes. A light gilding of piecrust adds to the flattering feel, though there’s ample acidity here for balance and drive. Drink now through 2032.”
Domaine Huet Vouvray Le Mont Moelleux, Loire 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Wine Spectator 96 points “A beauty, with an inviting display of succulent yellow apple, green plum, pear, persimmon and quince flavors that ripples lengthily through the finish, while light verbena, ginger and honeysuckle notes dart around. A long green tea echo runs through the finish. Shows terrific range and purity, with the sweetness easily harnessed for balance. Best from 2019 through 2040.”
Re-Arriving October 19th
Domaine Huet Vouvray Le Haut Lieu Sec, Loire 2017 750ML ($34.95) $28 pre-arrival special
Importer note “The original Huët vineyard is nearly 9 hA. It has the richest soils of the domaine’s three crus—a deep limestone-clay—and the wines are generally the estate’s most approachable. In some vintages, small quantities from nearby estate parcels may be added to Le Haut-Lieu.”
The average price is $37
Importer note “Gaston Huët believed this to be the greatest of all Vouvray vineyards. With the Première Côte’s shallowest, stoniest soils, its wines often synthesize Le Mont’s intense minerality with Le Haut-Lieu’s generous texture.”
The average price is $41
Chateau Saint-Roch ‘Chimeres,’ Cotes du Roussillon Villages 2015 750ML ($21.95) $16.60 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 93 points “Giving up jammy notes of black raspberries, licorice, smoked herbs and chocolate, the 2015 Cotes du Roussillon Villages Chimeres (aged in demi-muid and concrete vates) needs to be snatched up by savvy readers. Full-bodied, deep and layered with incredible texture, I actually called this a mini SQN. I would gladly pay three to four times the going rate. Bravo!”Bow & Arrow Gamay Noir, Willamette Valley 2017 750ML ($21.95) $17 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winery note “The Gamay Willamette Valley is our touchstone wine. This is the wine we’ve been making the longest and the one that embodies what we are about. It’s sourced from three Willamette Valley vineyards and then made in the old Beaujolais method of semi carbonic maceration. What does that mean? It means that it’s fucking electric and juicy and cranberry crunchy. As Gamay should be, in our opinion. Just a gorgeous version of this wine.”
Domaine Font Sarade Vacqueyras Les Hauts de la Ponche, Rhone 2016 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Domaine Font Sarade Vacqueyras Les Hauts de la Ponche, Rhone 2016 750ML ($249.95) $199 special (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
Grapelive 93 points “The Domaine Font Sarade wines are crafted by the father and daughter team of Bernard and Claire Burle. They have done a masterful job of their Les Hauts de la Ponche Vacqueyras 2016. [It’s] a stunning wine from a stunning vintage, made from 50% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 25% Mourvedre. I’ve been wanting to try the wines from this small Domaine for a few years, so I’m glad I got my hands on some of this stuff, especially as 2016 is looking like a rockstar vintage, making this particularly good timing. The Burle’s are traditional in their winemaking and are looking to translate individual Lieu-Dits and showcase their unique terroirs. They make a few Cotes-du-Rhone(s), Ventoux, a Rose, Cru Gigondas and Vacqueyras from family owned and farmed vines. The 2016 Font Sarade Vacqueyras is 100% de-stemmed and is fermented and aged in cement vats for absolute purity and allows for the clay and limestone soils to shine through. With such a vintage as 2016 you get a massively appealing wine, rich in flavor, detail and life. Coming in at a full 14.5% natural alcohol this has as much impact as a Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge, but at a tiny fraction of the price, making it a steal! This 2016 is grapey fresh at first, [and] with air it gains a deeper almost chocolatey density with an appealing dark purple and garnet hue in the glass. It’s un-endowed by anything except fruit purity and terroir influences with layers of crushed violets, minty herbs, lavender and black currant, boysenberry and radiant kirsch, adding pepper, dusty plum, anise and tart strawberry with air, in an impressive, youthful and compact wine. The freshness combined with perfect ripeness makes this an outrageously good Vacqueyras that while tight expands on the medium/full palate, while the natural tannin keeps everything focused and well structured, this will be an intriguing wine to follow over the next 5 to 10 years, and while I usually like a bit of stem complexity, this wine seems to lack for nothing. It’s hard to imagine not to get a case or two, but harder to imagine not drinking as fast as you can either, this is everything you ever want from this region and more, I say get as much as you can, while you can!”
Feudi di San Gregorio ‘Rubrato’ Aglianico Irpinia, Campania 2015 750ML ($21.95) $17.75 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Feudi di San Gregorio ‘Rubrato’ Aglianico Irpinia, Campania 2015 750ML ($249.95) $184 special (that’s only $15.33/bottle!)
James Suckling 95 points “This shows such a beautiful density and texture with licorice and blackberry character. Full and layered yet always tight and focused. A fantastic young red. Drink or hold.”
Staff Pick: fun, quaffable, organic Sicilian wine
Gulfi Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG, Sicily 2016 750ML ($24.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winery note “Grape varieties: Nero d’Avola 70%, Frappato di Vittoria 30%. Nero d’Avola is named after Avola, a small town near Pachino in the province of Siracusa where it was selected by local growers several hundred years ago. Frappato di Vittoria is an old indigenous wine grape variety from the southeast part of Sicily. It likely originates in the territory of Vittoria where it has been grown since the XVIIth century.”
The average price is $20
Kelley Fox Wines ‘Ahurani’ Pinot Noir, McMinnville 2016 750ML ($27.95) $24 re-arrival special
Grapelive 94 points “One of Oregon’s talented new generation of winemakers Kelley Fox has released her latest Ahurani Pinot Noir from the biodynamic vines at Momtazi Vineyard in the McMinnville AVA. It’s a beauty. In 2016 (as in 2015) Fox used 100% whole cluster, and it’s produced from blocks on the top of the tallest hill of the vineyard. This block selection cuvee is remarkably fresh and vivid in a vintage that some found warm and even over-ripe in places… At 13% it’s as refined and bright as you’d want [and] wonderfully balanced. Fox, after long stints at Eyrie and Scott Paul wines, started her own winery with the 2007 vintage and has gained a stellar reputation ever since. [She] is one of the region’s rising stars with absolutely star quality wines with this offering of Ahurani being an exceptional value in her lineup… The ripe and warm year really allows the use of whole bunch and stems here and it shows that the total harmony found here in this gorgeously detailed Pinot. Fox’s wonderful touch and judgement are also on full display too, as there is the perfect amount of tension and stemmy thrill to go with the graceful and silky fruit. This is a wine that grabs your attention and seduces you with purity of flavor, texture, subtle perfume and dreamy length. The palate is surprisingly complex and mouth filling considering the restrained natural alcohol. This Ahurani retains an energy and acidity profile that is fresh and vibrant that provides an excellent stage to show the vivid layers of black cherry, pomegranate, wild plum and strawberry fruits, liquid mineral, a touch of earth, sweet/minty Thai basil/herbs, peppery cinnamon and a heady mix of floral elements and woodsy chanterelles. Air and time in the glass allows this youthful Pinot Noir to gain an even more intriguing and engaging charm. Its color seems to become even more translucent and glowing with a bright ruby and garnet core. [There’s] a touch of rose petal, a cut of orange tea, and a nice play of spice and sexy blue fruits on the aftertaste. This 2016 is easy to love even now, but I can really imagine things developing further over the next 2 or 3 years in bottle. I am absolutely blown away with this latest set of Kelley Fox wines. This not a label to miss, especially her Pinot Blanc and this Ahurani Pinot Noir!”
The next best price is $29.99
The average price is $33
Luce della Vite ‘Luce’“Beauty and Polish”
Arriving This Thursday, October 11th
Case-6 Luce della Vite ‘Luce’ Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($599.95) $359 pre-arrival special (that’s only $59.83/bottle!)
James Suckling 97 points “The beauty and polish to this are very impressive on the nose and the palate. Blackberry, blueberry and sandalwood character. Full body, ultra-fine tannins and an elegant finish. So crafted and fine.”
And our case-6 price is even lower!
The next best price is $74.94
The average price is $103!!
Benoit DehuArriving This Friday
Pinot Meunier is so frequently overlooked as the third grape of Champagne. At the hands of a rarified few (Prevost and Mignon come to mind alongside Dehu) the glory of this grape comes into its own. Think of it as Gamay: derided and overlooked in favor of Pinot and Chard, yet so full of minerality and charm. The ability of this grape to express terroir is so often ignored by grower, producer and drinker alike. Here, in these single-parcel Champagnes, one can truly appreciate the depth and complexity achieved in the hands(-off approach) of masters.
Benoit Dehu Champagnes Arriving This Friday, October 12th:
Benoit Dehu Rose De Saignee, Champagne NV (2015) 750ML ($149.95) $128 pre-arrival special
Winery note “82% Pinot Meunier, 18% Chardonnay + 17% red wine (mainly Pinot Meunier); aged for three years on the lees. On the palate, it is an explosion of crushed raspberry, wild strawberry and fresh mango. It is broad in the mouth and surprisingly smooth and fresh. As it warms, its aromas open into notes of pear and quince.”
Importer note “Benoit is an eighth generation vigneron that returned to the family estate after working for Bollinger. He is committed to natural farming and aims to craft unadultered, pure Pinot Meunier. He purchased this 1.7 hectare vineyard and farms it biodynamically. The results are exceptional and we are thrilled to introduce Benoit’s work to our clients. The Cuvee La Rue de Noyers, named for the walnut trees that line the parcel, is a wine that will keep you intrigued and coming back for more. Organically farmed Pinot Meunier, 1.7 hectares farmed biodynamically. A quarter of the property is worked with a horse named Violette. Vinified in oak barrels, many of which are made from trees from the forest of Fossoy. No malo, no dosage, unfined and unfiltered.”Benoit Dehu Champagne Initiation Brut, Champagne NV (2015) 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Importer note “Cuvée Initiation is the newest addition to the Déhu lineup. Made from his signature variety Pinot Meunier and 25% Pinot Noir, which Benoît planted using massale selection of Pommard clone from Burgundy. Oak vinification and ageing, unfined and unfiltered, low dosage. The wines is zippy and round with a persistent finish. Sourced from a small parcel at the bottom of the hill which Benoît planted using massale selection of Pommard clone from Burgundy.”
Louis RoedererBrut PremierBottled Elegance
New Release!
“The freshness, finesse, and brightness of Brut Premier make it the perfect wine for festive occasions. Its structured texture, richness, and length are distinctly winey. It is a full, complex wine that is both rich and powerful, whilst remaining a great classic.” –Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon, Cellar Master
Arriving October 19th
Louis Roederer Brut Premier, Champagne NV 750ML ($59.95) $41.90 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 92 points “An elegant Champagne in an aperitif style, with flavors of crushed blackberry, biscuit, spring blossom and Meyer lemon zest riding the finely detailed bead, underscored by a streak of salinity that emerges on the fresh finish. Drink now through 2022.”
Classic Chablis at Throwback PricingLa Chablisienne Delivers
La Chablisienne is the classic co-op in the heart of Chablis. Much like the Produttori del Barbaresco, they deliver classic renditions of their appellation in an affordable price point. We’ve got several of their Premier Cru wines arriving in October and they’re exactly what you look for in classic Chablis. Fermented in stainless and from a crisp, cool vintage (we can’t get enough 2014), these have all of the stony, green apple qualities we look for in wines from the AOC.—even better, the pricing is throwback. These are premier cru wines of high quality for the price of many decent growers regional bottlings. The combination is pretty spectacular and we’ve loaded up. You should too.
Arriving in November
“comes from one of the coolest Premier Cru vineyards”-WE
La Chablisienne Cote de Lechet, Chablis Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($31.95) $26 pre-arrival special
Case-6 La Chablisienne Cote de Lechet, Chablis Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($189.95) $144 pre-arrival special (that’s only $24/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Decanter 95 points “Flowers with a bit of lemon curd on the nose, giving way to a lively palate with white flowers, herbs and a fine-grained mineral seam running through to the racy, spicy finish.”
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “This wine comes from one of the coolest Premier Cru vineyards, giving it an initial austerity that then fills out as the wine breathes. It’s crisp and bright with white fruit and intense, lemony acidity. Age it for a few more months and drink from 2018.”
Burghound 91 points “Outstanding. A spicy and super-fresh array of citrus, pear and tidal pool serves as an elegant introduction to the impressively intense and precise middle weight flavors that exude a fine bead of minerality on the lingering and complex finale where a hint of austerity surfaces. Lovely.”
“a classic Les Lys of finesse”-BH
La Chablisienne Les Lys, Chablis Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Case-6 La Chablisienne Les Lys, Chablis Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($219.95) $179 pre-arrival special (that’s only $29.83/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Burghound 92 points “Outstanding! A subtle touch of wood sets off airy and elegant aromas of cool wet stone, tidal pool, algae and green apple. There is an equally cool and restrained mouth feel to the delicate, intense and delineated middle weight flavors that deliver excellent length on the lacy and chiseled finale. This is a classic Les Lys of finesse.”
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Grapes from this lesser known Premier Cru are often blended with those from Vaillons, yet La Chablisienne has bottled it as a separate wine. The coolness of the site translates beautifully into a crisp fruit expression that’s tight with acidity and minerality, ready to age. Drink from 2019.”
“All the pieces of the Chablis puzzle are in place here”-Decanter
La Chablisienne Vaulorent, Chablis Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Case-6 La Chablisienne Vaulorent, Chablis Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($219.95) $179 pre-arrival special (that’s only $29.83/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Decanter 95 points “An exuberant, complex nose packed full of exotic fruits, asparagus and elderflower with well integrated oak. The palate has a very strong fruity expression with an oily depth and harmony and very impressive length. All the pieces of the Chablis puzzle are in place here.”
Burghound 92 points “Outstanding. As is usually the case this is more elegant, particularly on the floral and white orchard fruit suffused nose that is nuanced by plenty of classic Chablis elements and in particular mineral reduction. There is also a bit more volume to the caressing, intense and voluminous flavors that drip with minerality on the refined but powerful finale where a discreet touch of wood arises. This offers ample development potential and should be lovely with time. Drink: 2021+”
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Sometimes blended with grapes from the Fourchaume Premier Cru, this Vaulorent bottled on its own is a bit crisp–bright with citrus and toasty from wood aging. It will develop slowly over several years, so drink from 2019.”
New Reviews for 2017 DonnhoffAnd Last Call on 2017 Willi SchaeferArriving in November
The 2017 vintage in Germany is one of massive highs from the top estates (and unfortunately a few crushing lows from the lower tier growers). The best wines from 2017 are going to be all time greats, with a seriousness and intensity that’s unmatched in recent vintages. You’re going to want to own and cellar these wines—but only the cream of the crop, which you should buy heavily.
These are some of the best, most serious wines we’ve tasted from Donnhoff and Willi Schaefer in years, with dizzying complexity and drenched in minerality, and the reviewers are taking notice, too. Any lover of German wine needs these in their cellar.
Though we added some additional stock, 2017 was a small vintage and the wines are scarce. We’ve sold through a few skus, so don’t hesitate any longer if you’re considering!
Newly Reviewed 2017 Donnhoff Wines Arriving in November:
“mind-blowing concentration… limited production”
Donnhoff Norheimer Dellchen Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2017 750ML ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Donnhoff Norheimer Dellchen Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2017 1.5L ($219.95) $189 pre-arrival special, only 5 magnums available!
Stuart Pigott-JamesSuckling.com 100 points “An enormous spectrum of fruit aromas, from peaches through grapefruit to wild strawberries and pineapple. However, that doesn’t prepare you for the mind-blowing concentration and brilliance on the palate. Extremely filigree finish, in spite of the profound minerality. From organically grown grapes. Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold. Limited production.”
Donnhoff ‘Felsenturmchen’ Felsenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2017 750ML ($69.95) $55 pre-arrival special
Donnhoff ‘Felsenturmchen’ Felsenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2017 1.5L ($189.95) $159 pre-arrival special, only 3 magnums available!
Case-6 Donnhoff ‘Felsenturmchen’ Felsenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2017 750ML ($359.95) $299 pre-arrival special (that’s only $48.83/bottle!)
Stuart Pigott-JamesSuckling.com 95 points “Lovely fresh-pineapple and yellow-grapefruit notes with hints of smoke and flint. The palate is concentrated, cool and dry with a very long, mineral finish. From organically grown grapes. Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
The next best price is $69.99
Donnhoff Hollenpfad Im Muhlenberg Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2017 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special, only 5 bottles available!
Donnhoff Hollenpfad Im Muhlenberg Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2017 1.5L ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special, only 3 magnums available!
Stuart Pigott-JamesSuckling.com 98 points “A star is born! Stunning white-peach and herbal nose, then a sensational combination of ripeness and freshness that whips this forward like a jockey driving a racehorse towards the winning post. From organically grown grapes. Fair’n Green certification. This has enormous aging potential. Drink or hold.”
Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2017 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special, only 18 bottles available!
Stuart Pigott-JamesSuckling.com 98 points “This defines high elegance. Everything you look for in a dry white wine with very fine aromas of white and yellow peaches, but also a thousand wild herbs and flowers. Enormous delicacy at the very long finish. From organically grown grapes. Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Stuart Pigott-JamesSuckling.com 92 points “Generous fruit-salad character and floral notes make this the easiest of this producer’s dry rieslings to understand and to enjoy right now. Yet, behind the juiciness, the palate has quite a firm structure and the finish is anything but short. From organically grown grapes. Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
The next best price is $36.99
Donnhoff Kreuznacher Krotenpfuhl Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2017 1.5L ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special, only 3 magnums available!
Stuart Pigott-JamesSuckling.com 95 points “This might have happened by accident, due to the high level of ripeness that resulted from the frost damage and very low yield, but it works really well. Ripe citrus and peach aromas, but there’s great freshness and very lively acidity that animates the medium-full body and lifts the long finish. From organically grown grapes. Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Stuart Pigott-JamesSuckling.com 94 points “This is no top GG for its weight or power, but it’s got enormous, herbal intensity and super minerally acidity that keeps pumping out the flavors at the very fresh finish. From organically grown grapes. Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
The next best price is $37.99
Stuart Pigott-JamesSuckling.com 93 points “At once elegant and juicy, this has a wonderful interplay of mandarin oranges and nectarines with lively acidity. Very clean and invigorating finish. From organically grown grapes. Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
The next best price is $29.99
Donnhoff Oberhauser Leistenberg Riesling Kabinett, Nahe 2017 750ML ($31.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Stuart Pigott-JamesSuckling.com 94 points “Maybe this isn’t the most concentrated riesling on planet wine, but the balance is so perfect that you don’t think about sweetness or acidity. Yet, that’s exactly what this wine is all about – an exact balance of the two. From organically grown grapes. Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
The average price nationally is $28
Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2017 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2017 1.5L ($169.95) $149 pre-arrival special, only 9 magnums available!
Stuart Pigott-JamesSuckling.com 99 points “Most people who drink wine know what a ripe peach tastes like. However, this wine gives you a completely new appreciation of the meaning of the word “peach”. Beyond that, it possesses subtlety that is extremely rare anywhere in the world of food and wine. From organically grown grapes. Fair’n Green certification. Absolutely delicious now, but could be held for decades.”Donnhoff Norheimer Kirschheck Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2017 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Stuart Pigott-JamesSuckling.com 93 points “A juicy and elegant wine that turns really dry, thanks to the serious minerality that powers the long, delicate finish. From organically grown grapes. Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2017 1.5L ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special, only 6 magnums available!
Case-6 Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2017 750ML ($359.95) $279 pre-arrival special (that’s only $46.50/bottle!)
Stuart Pigott-JamesSuckling.com 96 points “So light and filigree with such a delicate white-peach note. Yet, behind the almost weightless exterior is enormous depth and an almost savage mineral freshness at the finish. From organically grown grapes. Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
“there’s no way of denying the excellence of this filigree masterpiece”
Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, Nahe 2017 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, Nahe 2017 375ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Stuart Pigott-JamesSuckling.com 100 points “Some truths are hard to believe and this is one of them; it won’t let you go, so there’s no way of denying the excellence of this filigree masterpiece. Almost endless finish that simply could not contain any more mineral freshness. From organically grown grapes. Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold. Very limited production.”
The next best price is $119.99!
Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, Nahe 2017 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, Nahe 2017 375ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Stuart Pigott-JamesSuckling.com 98 points “Hold on to your hat! This is so concentrated and so filigree. Somewhere in this tightly coiled maelstrom of flavors is a bunch of sweetness. Yet, every time you think you’ve got it, it slips away. Breathtakingly long and fresh finish. From organically grown grapes. Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold. Very limited production.”
This is the only listing in the USA today for the 750ml!
Stuart Pigott – JamesSuckling.com 95 points “Amazingly concentrated for a Kabinett, but it is also cool and finely nuanced with an entire spectrum of fruit and herbal notes. Hints of smoke and flint, too. The crystalline clarity of the long finish is literally breathtaking. Drink or hold.”Weingut Willi Schaefer Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2017 750ML ($59.95) $45 pre-arrival special, only 4 bottles available!
Stuart Pigott – JamesSuckling.com 95 points “So Mosel wines are light? Yes they are and this one only has 7% alcohol, but it is staggeringly concentrated for that figure. In spite of having a slew of citrus and stone-fruit aromas, it is also very subtle and graceful. The finish is as pure and straight as a laser beam. Drink or hold.”
Weingut Willi Schaefer Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special, only 5 bottles available!
Stuart Pigott – JamesSuckling.com 95 points “A ton of floral and peachy charm on the nose. In spite of the high acidity of the vintage, this has a playful personality. Another stunning wine from this producer. A long lemon, gooseberry and mineral finish. Drink or hold.”
Late Breaking News!Janasse’s Chaupin CDP
Arriving This Friday, October 12th
Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Chaupin, Rhone 2015 750ML ($89.95) $52.50 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Chaupin is all Grenache, 40% whole cluster, aged in two-thirds foudre and one-third demi-muids and drawn exclusively from sandy sites. It showcases incredibly lush, silky fruit. Raspberries and cherries of incredible purity add hints of chocolate on the long finish but never seem heavy or warm.”
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “The 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Chaupin is another elegant, seamless example of this cuvée that shines for its complexity and length. Black raspberries, black cherries, dried flowers, incense, and spice note all emerge from this incredibly pretty, nuanced and silky beauty. With polished tannin and solid length, it’s going to keep for 10-15 years. It lacks the depth of a truly great year but is a fabulous wine that just sings of Grenache.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Pretty, with cassis and warm raspberry puree notes carried by silky but persistent structure, while rooibos tea, blood orange and incense accents fill in the background. The streamlined finish pulls everything together, letting the silky, perfumy feel sail on. Best from 2020 through 2040. 392 cases imported.”
The next best price is $59.94
The average price is $72