Casanova di Neri Cerretalto, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($379.95) $319 pre-arrival special, Here Friday, July 22nd, only 12 bottles available!
Wine Advocate 99+ points “This is a towering achievement. It is delightful on every level. The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto is an expressive, exuberant and stunning wine that opens to a dark ruby color and rich consistency. The bouquet is never-ending with immediate intensity that is followed closely by finely-tuned aromas of black cherry, spice, grilled herb, clove, tobacco, wet earth and white truffle. A gorgeous display of elegant mineral tones rises from the bouquet with time. Later, those aromas turn to cola, licorice and tar. This wine showed an impressive evolution over the 24 hours I tasted it and delivered solid improvements each time. The mouthfeel is silky and smooth, and there’s enough power here to move the wine over the palate in seamless fashion. This is a bottle for the back of your cellar.”
@VinopolisWineShop
Wines Currently Trending
Cameron Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2014 750ML ($31.95) $24 special
VinopolNote: This is all declassified Abbey Ridge and Clos Electrique Pinot Noir that shows its pedigree: there are classic notes of dusty Dundee spice with fresh thyme and black raspberry. It’s elegant. It’s age-worthy. And it’s simply the best value we’ve tasted from the 2014 vintage. Only 400 cases made.
Franciscan Estate Cuvee Sauvage Chardonnay, Carneros 2012 750ML ($37.95) $19 special, 25 bottles available
Case-6 Franciscan Estate Cuvee Sauvage Chardonnay, Carneros 2012 750ML ($159.95) $99 special, 4 half-cases available (that’s only $16.50/bottle!)
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “A classic Napa Valley Chardonnay, this is smooth, rich, balanced and well composed. Flowery aromas of honeysuckle open the way for lemon curd and ripe apple to compete with a depth of crème brûlée character that provides plenty of complexity, with additional accents of honey and spice.”
Case-12 Charles Smith K Vintners Milbrandt Vineyard Syrah, Wahluke Slope 2014 750ML ($369.95) $329 pre-arrival special (that’s only $27.42/bottle!), case deal arrives Friday
Wine Advocate 94 points “Probably the greatest vintage of this cuvee to date, the 2014 Syrah Milbrandt Vineyard is 100% Syrah, fermented with 100% whole clusters, that spent 15 months in 20% new French oak barrels and
puncheons. This beauty is overflowing with notes of cassis, caramelized meats, licorice and spice, which gives way to a full-bodied, concentrated, superbly textured Syrah that can be enjoyed today, or cellared for a decade.”
Felsina Berardenga Rancia, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2012 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 36+ bottles available
Felsina Berardenga Rancia, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2012 1.5L ($99.95) $89 special, 6 magnums available
Antonio Galloni 94+ points “A ripe, powerful wine, the 2012 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia offers a level of finesse that balances some of the more overt intensity of the year. Dark cherry, plum, spice, tobacco, menthol and licorice add shades of nuance as this beautifully delineated Rancia opens up in the glass. Because of its mid-weight structure, I expect the 2012 will give up its charms relatively early by Rancia standards, which means around age 15-20. The 2012 is not an obvious or explosive Rancia, rather is a wine built on compelling overall harmony.”
Staff Picks
New Release from Crowley:
Crowley Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special, ETA July 26th
“The 2014 Willamette Valley is all first-press wine comprised mostly of Pommard clone Pinot with some Dijon and the last of the Gehrts Vineyard (now that Jadot has purchased the vineyard). The WV was aged in barrel for over 16 months before bottling. It’s a lighter styled Pinot meant for hot summer days. In the glass, there are highly perfumed notes of cranberries, garrigue and a touch of fresh iris and pine. It’s medium to light bodied with very finely grained tannins that coat the palate and a refreshing acidity. The entire range of 2014s from Crowley has benefitted from the new entry-level wine, A La Votre, made from 9 barrels of press wine. Consequently, each of the 2014s is a step up in quality.” -Suzanne
Domaine Philippe Tessier Cheverny Blanc, Loire 2015 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 21 bottles available
“Long a go-to producer of delicious and energetic wines, Tessier’s offerings are a benchmark for transparency and value. His Cheverny Blanc – an 80/15/5 blend of Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and de Arbois – is a study of freshness and purity. Ripe citrus elements and white floral notes lead into a lasting, bright finish. Cheverny is all about value and charm, and Msr. Tessier is perhaps its finest steward.” -Tyler
Profound Priorat Arriving Friday
Alvaro Palacios ‘Les Terrasses’ Velles Vinyes, Priorat DOCa 2013 ($41.95) $28 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Alvaro Palacios ‘Les Terrasses’ Velles Vinyes, Priorat DOCa 2013 ($449.95) $299 pre-arrival special (that’s only $24.92/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2013 Les Terrasses Velles Vinyes, from a rainy year and a late harvest that resulted in perfect ripeness and low yields, is a blend of 55% Garnacha and 45% Cariñena. You might find labels and literature referring Cariñena to as Samsó, something that is wrong and creates confusion since Samsó is the Catalan name for Cinsault. The grapes are sourced from different villages (Gratallops, La Vilella Baixa, Bellmunt, El Lloar, El Molar, Porrera, Scala Dei, Torroja and Poboleda) all of them grown on schist llicorella soils, fermented in a combination of oak and cement vats with natural yeasts and matured in barrique for one year. It has a meaty nose with aromas that transported me to the Northern Rhône, showing smoky bacon intermixed with violets and really well-integrated oak resulting in a very fine and elegant impression. It seems more refined than other vintages of Les Terrasses, lighter and more elegant with none of the volatility or oak of yesteryear. It is really fine, polished and is without edges. Somehow within the Atlantic vintage you can see the Mediterranean character. Awesome Terrasses and good value for Priorat. 95,500 bottles produced.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Brilliant ruby. A complex bouquet evokes raspberry and blackberry preserves, Indian spices, potpourri and smoky minerals. Deep, seamless and powerful, with lively fresh black raspberry, boysenberry and spicecake flavors, and a candied violet note that builds with air. The gently tannic finish shows excellent length and clarity.”
The average price is $40
Boxler Blowout
Arriving July 22nd
Boxler Wines Arriving July 22nd
Albert Boxler Gewurztraminer Brand, Alsace Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($89.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Ian D’Agata–Vinous 92 points “Pale bright yellow. Less explosive but more refined on the nose (fresh citrus, sweet spices) than the Gewürztraminer Réserve. Clean and fresh, but showing a viscous, mouthcoating quality to its sweet, honeyed tropical fruit and ripe citrus flavors. Finishes bright and long, with a hint of sweetness; this really isn’t a dry wine. Boxler likes to point out that he wants his Gewürztraminer to be a fun wine to drink early, while he looks for minerality and cellarworthiness in his Rieslings.”
Jancis Robinson 17.5/20 points “Richly scented, but not crude. Soap, lychee, cinnamon. Off dry, but clean and crisp. Gewurz with serious style.” (RH) (16-Jun-2014)
The next best price is $80
Albert Boxler Pinot Gris Brand, Alsace Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($89.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Jancis Robinson 16.5/20 points “Rather closed nose but suitably full on the palate. Not overweight but certainly plump – as classic Alsace Pinot Gris is wont to be.” (RH) (16-Jun-2014)
The next best price is $80
Ian D’Agata–Vinous 88 points “Dark straw. Fresh, clean aromas of yellow flowers, honeyed peach and sweet spices. Suave, tactile flavors of canned peach, pear and apricot show a trace of finishing heat along with an enticing smoky nuance. Readers beware that this wine shows obvious sweetness.”
James Suckling 97 points “This is phenomenal with sliced apple, mineral, slate and stone. Full and powerful with fabulous depth and intensity. Mind-boggling. Drink now.” (26-Sep-2015)
Albert Boxler Riesling Reserve, Alsace 2013 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Orchard blossom and spice notes herald this lacy white, with a streak of minerality underscoring the mouthwatering palate of peaches and cream, verbena, spun honey and smoke. Lithe and lively, this shows richness and fine length. Drink now through 2028.”
James Suckling 94 points “A riesling with wonderfully subtle, delicate and profound aromas of dried flowers, fruit and minerals. Full-bodied, tangy and layered with intense fruit. Bright and energetic. Drink now.” (26-Sep-2015)
The next best price is $70.99
Wine Advocate 91 points “A heady, esterous nose of over-ripe cantaloupe, white peach, quince preserves, and fading lily informs the Boxler 2009 Riesling Sommerberg Vendange Tardive – harvested in the Dudenstein soon after the “regular” bottling from that site – leading to a lush and soothing palate on which quince preserves, peach, nutmeg, and liquefied lily are well-supported by sweetness. There is a fine sense of primary juiciness that – along with hints of fruit pit bitterness – helps moderate the sweetness of a sedate finish slightly less sustained and more diffuse than that of the corresponding “regular” bottling. Expect this to age well for at least 12-15 years.”
Albert Boxler Riesling Brand, Alsace Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 2 bottles available
Ian D’Agata–Vinous 90 points “Vivid straw-green. Clean, fresh notes of jasmine, gin and minerals complicate aromas of quince, apple and pear. Rich, dense and suave, with has plenty of juicy acidity framing the ripe pear and yellow apple flavors. Finishes spicy, tactile and long. The Brand Riesling is always Boxler’s largest and most powerful wine, in keeping with this warm site’s DNA. Boxler mentioned that this release is especially concentrated compared to many other 2012 Rieslings because he harvested all of the Brand grapes before the October rains started falling.”
For the summer season we are offering UPS Three Day Select Service for the price of UPS Ground for shipments normally traveling 4 or more business days.
Free service upgrade only applies on single orders purchased and shipped during the promotional period. Additional fees will apply to orders held for any reason until after the promotional period and shipped by Three Day Select. Offer not valid on pre-arrival items that arrive after the promotional period.
We offer flat rate shipping on any size single order / single shipment
–Washington & Idaho for $20,
-and California for $25
These rates do not apply to orders held in storage here for any reason.
Multiple orders consolidated into one shipment
do not qualify for flat rate shipping.
Take 10% off on all in-stock Rosés
We offer 75 rosés in-stock and available here now to choose from!
– Sale ends Sunday at midnight
– Does not apply to pre-arrival offers or case specials
– Discount will not appear in online shopping cart
– We will apply it here before charging
Explore the full list below. For complete reviews and descriptions, visit our web store at www.vinopoliswineshop.com
Take 10% off on all in-stock Rosés
Sale ends Sunday at midnight
(Your final price will be 10% lower
than the displayed price above or online.)
Arriving in August
James Suckling 99 points “The 2002 Salon is phenomenal quality… I was mesmerized. It is a subtle and intense Champagne that shows complex character of lilac, minerals, sliced lemon, apple, and white pepper. It is full body and dense yet racy and agile with a lightness and freshness. It has a gloriously long finish. It changes every moment in the glass. It has such clarity. It’s magnificent to drink now, but shows great texture and structure for aging”. JS
Salon Cuvee ‘S’ Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs, Champagne 2004 750ML ($519.95) $399 pre-arrival special, ETA August 2016, only 8 bottles available!
Salon Cuvee ‘S’ Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs, Champagne 2004 1.5L ($1,499.95) $1,190 pre-arrival special, ETA August 2016, only 3 magnums available!
Antonio Galloni 97+ points “The 2004 Salon has been superb each time I have tasted it over the last year or so. Bright, tense and crystalline, with all of the energy that is typical of both Salon and the vintage in the Côte des Blancs, the 2004 bristles with superb precision and cool, pulsating minerality. The 2004 spent a dozen years on its lees. Over the last six months or so, it has gradually begun to open up, but it is very much a wine for the cellar. Two thousand four is remembered as a vintage with record high yields. Salon (and Delamotte) did a terrific job in keeping the vines well balanced. Production was just 46,000 bottles, as opposed to the 60,000 or so that is more typical. Chef de Caves Michel Fauconnet opted for a low dosage of just 4 grams per liter. This is a tremendous showing.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Elegant, featuring up-front, ripe aromas and flavors of dried apricot, crystallized honey and candied kumquat, giving way on the creamy palate to more subtle notes of raw almond, fleur de sel and star anise. Mouthwatering, with a chalky underpinning and a lovely, satiny finish. Drink now through 2026.”AN
Domaine & Selection Le Chambertin Grand Cru, Elevage Laurent Ponsot 2009 750ML ($379.95) $319 pre-arrival special, ETA mid-August 2016
VinopolNote: A rare, micro-negociant Grand Cru wine produced and bottled by Laurent Ponsot for l’Hôtel de Beaune. A true deal when you consider that Domaine Ponsot Grand Crus sell in the range of $500- $1,000 per bottle.
German Extravaganza
At 249 German wines and counting (4,536 bottles), we like to think of ourselves as the USA’s best resource for German wines. We’ve pulled together a list of high-scoring new arrivals, familiar faces from the 2015 vintage and only-available-here wines.
Newly Arrived
Molitor of Mosel
Riesling without Compromise
(Prices Without Match)
Molitor took over the vineyard from his father in 1984 – at the ripe age of 20! Many of the vineyards are poised along extraordinarily steep slopes of 80% or greater inclines, necessitating work done carefully and manually. Vines and soils are worked organically, with dense leaf cover over the vines and relative few grapes per vine in order to maximize nutrient supply and extract yield.
Harvest is, perhaps, the most crucial step in the process. “Time is a decisive factor,” Molitor states. “Despite the increased risk, we harvest quite late. This gives the grapes time to ripen physiologically – the most important criterion to develop the optimum balance of the wines with increased extract values and animating acidity.”
Markus is a firm believer in spontaneous fermentations from natural yeasts, with elevage taking place in a three-storey cellar built out from the slate soils – the constantly cool climate and high humidities ensure a slow and steady fermentation. Upon completion, the wines rest for several months on the fine lees, imbuing character and the domaine’s signature fuller-bodied style.
Newly Arrived from Markus Molitor:
Weingut Markus Molitor Bernkasteler Lay Riesling Auslese *** Goldkapsel, Mosel 2013 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
Wine Advocate 98 points “Stunningly clear and pure on the citric-perfumed nose, the sweet 2013 Bernkasteler Lay Riesling Auslese *** is characterized by its laser-like precision and elegance, which is perfectly paired with its vibrant acidity and piquant minerality that lingers and makes this Auslese a memorable one.”
Wine Advocate 96 points “Even purer and perhaps more sophisticated than the Bockstein is the sweet 2013 Erdener Treppchen Riesling Auslese ** with its cool, slate purity and springlike citrus and blossom aromas, which are delivered as lime chutney on the nose. This again is a kind of pure Armani perfume and the cool character of a true gentleman who turns out to be a notorious rake, elegant and balanced as it is. The texture is nobly concentrated and juicy, and there is no single botrytis berry in this stunning wine. Drink it now, but drink it slowly, or store it for a decade or two.”
Wine Advocate 98+ points “More tropical fruit aromas such as juicy pineapples and macerated ginger dominate the nose of the richer yet still pure and subtle 2013 Graacher Himmelreich Auslese ***. Quite sweet, intense and densely textured on the palate, this wine neither lacks elegance nor piquancy nor balance. It is just more generous, sweeter and lush than the Würzgarten ***-Auslese, but at the same time its is absolutely delicate and full of finesse.”
Weingut Markus Molitor Kinheimer Hubertuslay Riesling Auslese *** Goldkapsel 2013 375ML ($59.95) $39 special
Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2013 Kinheimer Hubertuslay Auslese *** needs a little but of time to open up and show its finest, intense raisin aromas indicating grapefruit/lemon and pineapples on a piquant background. Rich, oily textured and extremely elegant on the palate, the wine offers a lavish tropical juiciness quoting pineapples, but is stunningly pure and piquant. The finish is beautifully balanced and highly elegant. This is perfectly made.”
Weingut Markus Molitor Brauneberger Klostergarten Pinot Noir ** Trocken, Mosel 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94 points “Fine, beautifully fragrant, almost floral Pinot aromas emerge from the glass of the 2011 Brauneberger Klostergarten Pinot Noir **, quoting wild strawberries, redcurrant and caramel intertwined with subtle slate and most delicate, smoky flavors. Full-bodied, intense and powerful, but also elegant and balanced, this sweet and ripe Pinot has a remarkable finesse and freshness leading to a persistent finish of great delicacy and aging potential. This Pinot speaks with a French accent and should develop over the next 10-15 years.”
The average price is $73
Wine Advocate 94+ points “The 2011 Trarbacher Schlossberg Pinot Noir ** offers a deep, intense, pure, dark, smoky, slate-like bouquet of blackcurrant, dark cherries, chocolate, mocha and crushed rocks. The wine is powerful and quite ripped on the palate but also fresh, silky and very fine in its tannins and texture. The finish is powerful yet pure and almost salty and displays besides licorice aromas a great finesse and firmness. Is that the Gevrey-Chambertin from the Mosel? Let’s discuss that in ten years from now. The wine has surely a great aging potential.”
The average price is $78
Wine Advocate 97 points “The sweet 2013 Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Auslese ** is somewhat remote in its cool and aristocratic smokiness, which delivers a fragrant perfume of lemons, limes and crushed stones to the nose. Quite juicy, yet subtle and elegant on the palate, this is a highly concentrated, minerally piquant and persistently salty Auslese with a stunning delicacy in the aftertaste. The wine is very firm and piquant, but its concentration and vibrancy will take it through decades.”
Wine Advocate 96 points “Compared to the dry Sonnenuhr Spätlese, the dry 2013 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese ** is significantly more refined and detailed in its subtle, slightly fumy mineral flavors on the nose, but as clear and healthy in its citrus aromatic, which is completed by delicate pineapple flavors. The wine is absolutely elegant and delicate on the palate and the concentration has nothing to do with power or richness here, but with purity, finesse, complexity and length. The mineral or slate taste is remarkably fine and densely woven which gives this Auslese a great elegance and the finish of a world-class Riesling. The finish is not only very persistent but also aromatic, piquant and salty plus full of needles. This is a great wine made for decades and there is perhaps just one competitor in the Mosel and that’s Markus’ own 2013 Auslese ***. “
The next best price is $74.94
Peter Lauer
Arriving July 29th & Newly Reviewed
Case-12 Peter Lauer Senior Fass 6 Riesling, Mosel 2015 750ML ($299.95) $259 pre-arrival special (that’s only $21.58/bottle!)
Mosel Fine Wines 89+ points “This offers bright and delicately flowery scents of ginger, candied grapefruit peel, Provence herbs and slate. The wine is mineral and delicately fruity on the palate and leaves a clean and linear feel in the still slightly hard finish. This is best left alone for a year to give it time to integrate. 2017-2025.”
The average price is $27
Jos. Christoffel Jr.
Exclusively available at Vinopolis
Case-12 Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Erdener Treppchen Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2014 750ML ($299.95) $219 pre-arrival special (that’s only $18.25/bottle!)
“Kajo Christoffel’s 2014 Erdener Treppchen Riesling Kabinett is clearly characterized by honey-sweet botrytis flavors along with dried fruit and overripe Riesling flavors on the nose. Light in alcohol (7.5%), round and racy on the palate, this is a lush and juicy, very aromatic Riesling with a delicate acidity and a lingering minerality in the finish. Should be cellared for six or ten years.” –Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate
VinopolNote: Erdener Treppchen slops southward, allowing long stretches of exposure. The soil comprises of deep layers of iron-infused slate, steeply terraced from the river’s banks up to the rough and rocky summit of nearby hills. The vineyard’s terrain inspired the name, based off of ‘treppe’, or ‘staircase’, in German.
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Erdener Pralat Riesling Auslese ***, Mosel 2014 750ML ($59.95) $41.90 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: Erderner Prälat occupies a mere 2.2 hectares. Entirely south-facing, the vineyard is surrounded by cliffs which insulate the vines – as a result, Prälat is one of the warmest plots in the region. Over time, it has also become one of the most sought-after vineyards. Given the limited space, only a few winemakers have access to the vineyard.
Urziger Wurzgarten Releases
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Spatlese Feinherb, Mosel 2014 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Spatlese Feinherb, Mosel 2014 750ML ($319.95) $249 pre-arrival special (that’s only $20.75/bottle!)
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2014 750ML ($34.95) $28 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2014 750ML ($399.95) $299 pre-arrival special (that’s only $24.92/bottle!)
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2014 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Auslese***, Mosel 2014 750ML ($59.95) $41.90 pre-arrival special
Now boarding from Brauneberg…
Weingut Willi Haag
Weingut Willi Haag Qualitatswein Riesling Trocken 2014 750ML ($19.95) $14 pre-arrival special
Weingut Willi Haag Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Kabinett Feinherb, Mosel 2015 750ML ($21.95)
$18 pre-arrival special“Stony, almost dusty note on the nose over light citrus. Tastes drier than you might expect from feinherb thanks to an assertive lime-citrus streak.” –Jancis Robinson
Weingut Willi Haag Alte Reben (Old Vine) Spatlese Trocken 2013 750ML ($29.95)
$21.90 pre-arrival special
Selbach-Oster
Winery note “Selbach-Oster Rieslings are not “zeitgeisty” wines that change according to the whims of fashion. Nor are they “made” according to recipe. Though they are deeply delicious, they do not seek to “seduce” with short-term exotic aromas from specially cultured yeasts, aromatic enzymes or ice-cold fermentations. They are true characters, wines with structure, wines that display their heritage, rooted deep into the slate rock like our old vines – many of which are still on their own vinifera roots.”
Terry Theise note “A little bit of new-Fuder here. I’ll share the numbers…. acid about 9.2g/l and RS 35-ish (many Mosel grower’s Kabs are twice that sweet.) ’15 is the best vintage EVER of this utter Mosel paradigm.”
Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett Halbtrocken, Mosel 2015 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
Terry Theise note “Our old perennial favorite! The ’15 shows the most fetching aroma; the palate is spicy as always and yet creamier than usual—2015 is kind to this wine. Almost rasping with mintiness but also a wet cereal inner sweetness.”
Terry Theise note “Acidity, for the first time, shows. Aromas are sharply spicy and wildly herbal, an id-attack of Schlossberg, but you will need to tolerate a brazen acidity.”
Selbach-Oster Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2015 750ML ($34.95) $28 pre-arrival special
Terry Theise note “Classic kirsch and flint, and the knee-buckling wash of salty sweetness characteristic of the best ‘15s; crescendos through its mid-palate and finishes as a sonnet of sparks and blossoms.”
Importer note “Zeltinger Sonnenuhr: is the Premier Grand Cru. Slate, lime, apple, butter-vanilla, rich, almost chewy earthiness, great depth. Some parcels are prized by locals as the best sites in the entire Bernkastel-Zeltingen ramp-Doktor notwithstanding! These wines are fullbodied. Selbachs are now the primo owners in this great site, and have inaugurated an era of elective harvesting and a quality potential such as we have never before seen.”
VinopolNote: blue devonian slate soil.
Winery note “Our exceptional vineyard sites have been treasured by generations of connoisseurs and are located in the heart of the Middle Mosel. The vines themselves are mostly old, ungrafted Rieslings growing on the 21 hectares (51 acres ) of steep slate slopes on the “golden mile” from Zeltingen, Wehlen, Graach to Bernkastel.”
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2014 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese indicates a higher proportion of botrytis, which delivers a rich and concentrated, yet very clear fruit with coffee bean and ripe pip aromas. Very elegant and finely piquant on the palate, this is a nicely succulent and perfectly balanced Spätlese with a long, salty finish–and a good complexity and structure. I would recommend drinking this excellent Sonnenuhr no earlier than 2021.”
The average price is $29
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 12.5% alcohol 2014 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr R Riesling Spätlese trocken was picked on October 20 — so almost one month later than the regular Spätlese — from 80+ year-old, ungrafted vines in and next to the Rotlay plot, with a higher percentage of well selected botrytis. The wine displays a ripe and intense fruit aroma intermixed with coolish stony and flinty, as well as herbal flavors on the nose. Full-bodied, rich and elegant, with a mouthful of concentrated Riesling fruit, a piquant acidity and minerality, this is an expressive and “big,” ripe yet pure and very terroir-driven Riesling of remarkable complexity and length that can go for up to 15 years.”
Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Spatlese*, Mosel 2014 750ML ($34.95) $28 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 92 points “The one-starred 2014 Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Spätlese * is clear, fine and spicy on the nose, very elegant but still discreet. Although picked in the high 90° Oechsle sphere, this is a very elegant, cool, clear, nicely piquant and mineral-scented Spätlese with grapefruit flavors. This fuder selection has more finesse and purity than the regular Spätlese, but was still restrained in January when I tasted it.”
Wine Advocate 93 points “Bottled with 8% alcohol, the 2014 Zeltinger Himmelreich Riesling Spätlese Anrecht (erroneously designated as Spätlese instead of Auslese) opens with a super ripe and intense, stunningly bright and clear bouquet of very fine Riesling flavors; there are apple and pip aromas due to a higher proportion of golden and green grapes, and a lesser proportion of botrytis, due to the higher altitude of the Anrecht plot. There is so much finesse and piquancy in this juicy, elegant and well concentrated Riesling, which reveals a long and complex finish, as well as great finesse.”
The average price is $37
Wine Advocate 91 points “Pure and flinty, with very fine and concentrated Riesling aromas on the aristocratic nose opens the 2014 Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spätlese. Very juicy and piquant on the palate, this is a very elegant and finesse-full Spätlese that reveals an enormous salty and mouthwatering finish. Just lovely and expressive.”
Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese Rotlay Riesling, Mosel 2014 750ML ($59.95) $44 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94+ points “The 2014 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Rotlay offers a superbly clear and concentrated bouquet with tropical fruit aromas (mango, pineapples) and fine botrytis. Picked with 110° Oechsle, this is a sweet, piquant, highly elegant and refined Riesling with a lingering purity and salinity, as well as the repetition of the tropical fruit aromas of the nose. With great finesse and concentration, this is quite noble and expressive Riesling.”
The average price is $49
Wine Advocate 95 points “Picked with 105° Oechsle, the 2014 Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Auslese Schmitt displays a stunning freshness and purity on the slightly spicy-toned nose, where stony and flinty flavors–but less botrytis flavors–are indicated compared to the Rotlay. Piquant and salty on the palate, with a nice grip and more purity and freshness, this is the finest and most piquant of the single parcel crus; the finish is as long as it is stimulatingly salty and grippy. White peach and nectarine flavors in the long aftertaste. Great Riesling.”
Six Case-Six Deals
Including New Arrivals from Bordeaux
Case-6 Mullan Road Cellars Red, Columbia Valley, Washington 2013 750ML ($239.95) $199 special, 2 half-cases available (that’s only $33.17/bottle!)
Mullan Road Cellars Red, Columbia Valley, Washington 2013 750ML ($44.95) $36 special, 12 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “Tasted out of barrel and a perfumed, floral, lively blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and a splash of Malbec, the 2013 Columbia Valley Red Wine offers ample black raspberry, sweet cassis, spring flowers and sappy herb-like aromas and flavors. Coming from a mix of Stillwater Creek, Seven Hills and Lawrence vineyards, this rock-star barrel sample has medium to full-bodied richness, fabulous purity and fine tannin that frame the finish. It should be relatively civilized on release, yet evolve gracefully for 15 years.”
Case-6 Chateau du Fort Pontus, Fronsac 2010 750ML ($149.95) $99 special, 6 half-cases available (that’s only $16.50/bottle!)
Chateau du Fort Pontus, Fronsac 2010 750ML ($24.95) $18 special, 33 bottles available
Winery note “100% Merlot. Tasting Notes : Intense first nose, opening up to reveal subtle spicy aromas when swirled in the glass. Opens with a hint of sweetness, which soon gives way to a smooth, warm mid-palate capped with the crisp, tannic finish so typical of Fronsac. Once home to French artist René Princeteau, tutor to the no less celebrated Henri de Toulouse–Lautrec, the imposing Château du Fort Pontus stands proudly overlooking the Fronsac appellation. For many centuries the exceptional terroir of this appellation made Fronsac the wine of kings and the king of wines. The Pradel de Lavaux family has maintained this tradition of excellence, crafting a wine of superior pedigree which strikes a delicate balance between elegance and vivacity. Dominated by red fruit aromas and delicate spicy notes, evolving and maturing with time to reveal the noble character of this fine terroir.”
Case-6 Chateau La Fleur Penin, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 6 half-cases available (that’s only $24.83/bottle!)
Chateau La Fleur Penin, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($34.95) $26 special, 34 bottles available
Winemaker’s notes: A dense wine, with a rich nose with nuanced ripe fruit and spices; all in harmony on the palate with a long finish.
Case-6 Chateau Vaillart la Mongie, Bordeaux 2010 750ML ($99.95) $76 special, 6 half-cases available (that’s only $12.67/bottle!)
Chateau Vaillart la Mongie, Bordeaux 2010 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 21 bottles available
Vinopolnote: An aromatic and silky Cabernet-Merlot blend geared towards everyday enjoyment.
I Vigneri I Custodi delle Vigne dell’Etna ‘Pistus’ Etna Rosso, Sicily 2013 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 9 bottles available
Wine Advocate 90+ points “I Custodi’s entry-level red is the beautiful 2013 Etna Rosso Pistus with fruit sourced from various points on the north side of the volcano. The blend is a traditional cut of 80% Nerello Mascalese and 20% Nerello Cappuccio and the wine sees no oak aging. I loved the vibrant freshness and fruity concentration of this wine. It opens to a luminous dark ruby color and an ambitious bouquet with bramble, spice, wild fruit, licorice and dark mineral. There is little fruit as most of the bouquet is occupied by ethereal volcanic tones. Stylistically speaking, this wine shows austerity and a masculine approach with tight, firm tannins. Pistus is a stubborn, but ultimately charming Etna Rosso.” ML
Case-6 Achaval Ferrer Quimera, Mendoza, Argentina 2012 750ML ($199.95) $159 special, 6 half-cases available (that’s only $26.50/bottle!)
Achaval Ferrer Quimera, Mendoza, Argentina 2012 750ML ($39.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles available
James Suckling 93 points “There’s a minerality and intensity to this wine with limestone and salt. Full-bodied yet so refined. Sexy and beautiful. Mostly malbec with cabernet franc, merlot and a bit of petit verdot. Drink or hold.”
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous Media “(aged in French oak, 40% new, for 12 months; 50% Malbec, 24% Cabernet Franc, 16% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot): Dark red-ruby. Ripe aromas of blackberry, blueberry and bitter chocolate. Dense and fine-grained, showing attractive spicy lift to its dark berry flavors. Ripe, harmonious acidity gives this wine a seamless quality. Classy juice.”