Feature on Ronan; New Arrival from Eyrie; Staff Picks; New Arrivals; Arriving Soon; Limited Release from Johan; Bitouzet-Prieur; 2011 Barbaresco & Produttori Crus; Goodfellow & Matello; Karthauserhof
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Wine Pick of the Day
Ronan by Clinet
Grand Bottles of Grand Vin de Bordeaux
Here now in limited supply:
Ronan by Clinet, Grand Vin de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Superieur 2010 3L ($149.95) $119 special
Ronan by Clinet, Grand Vin de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Superieur 2010 6L ($299.95) $268 special
James Suckling 91 points “Attractive nose with milk chocolate, caramel and blackberries. Some floral notes and vanilla. Full and nicely focused on the palate with dark fruit and fine tannins. Elegant medium-long finish with a touch of licorice. Drink from 2016.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
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Highlight Almost Arrival – Here Tomorrow!
The Eyrie Vineyards Estate Grown Chardonnay, Dundee Hills 2014 750ML ($27.95) $23.80 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 96 Points – Cellar Selection – “Even if winemaker Jason Lett tripled the price of this wine, it would still be a standout among its peers. This opens with intense aromatics of pineapple fruit, bracing acidity, and compelling length. On the second and third day after opening it remained quite fresh and expressive, with further details of fruit and mineral beginning to emerge. Drink now through 2035.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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Staff Picks
A. Margaine ‘Le Brut’ Premier Cru NV 750ML ($49.95) $36 special
Case-12 A. Margaine ‘Le Brut’ Premier Cru NV 750ML ($479.95) $379 special
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
If you are looking for a quality Champagne that comes at an excellent value, I recommend the A. Margaine Brut Cuvee Traditionelle. You don’t have to break the bank to enjoy the Champagne experience. Arnaud Margaine is a fourth generation vintner in the Montagne de Reims region of France. His 6 hectare parcels are mostly comprised of Chardonnay and a small plot of Pinot Noir in the village of Verzy.
The Cuvee Traditionelle is 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir. It is bursting with citrus notes and a freshness that lasts through the last sip, blending in flavors of raisins, cherry, and a violet bouquet. What I especially like about this cuvee, aside from the friendly price tag, is that it’s a bright and straightforward bottle of Champagne that can please just about any crowd.
– Tara
Domaine Cheveau Macon Davaye Les Belouzes, Burgundy 2014 750 ($24.95) $21.90 special
Case-12 Domaine Cheveau Macon Davaye Les Belouzes, Burgundy 2014 750ML ($279.95) 219 special
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Cheveau deliver two crucial things: value and terroir. Their cuvees succinctly and playfully get at the heart of what each vineyard is trying to say. With “Les Belouzes”, it’s a triangulation of honeysuckle, toast, and lemon which lingers on the palate without overstaying its welcome. This is the kind of bottle to convert Chardonnay-sayers over to the good side.
– Tyler
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New Week, New Arrivals
OREGON
Penner-Ash Wine Cellars Syrah 2013 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 special
Winemaker’s note: Enticing black fruits and dark rose petals pair with sweet leather and smoky barrel-spice aromatics. The palate boasts blackberry, currant and dark chocolate with a hint of black peppercorns. Dusty tannins with sweet earth and baking spices round out the finish.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $35.99
WASHINGTON
Tamarack Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 2013 750ML ($34.95) $27 special
Winemaker’s note: Full bodied with black currant jam, honey glazed dates and black peppered seasoned T-bone steak aromas intertwined with piercing boysenberry, rosemary rack of lamb, balsamic, blue cheese, bacon wrapped figs and intriguing tannins extended out over an intricate and balanced finish.
FRANCE-BORDEAUX
Chateau Perron, Lalande-de-Pomerol 2010 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Wine Spectator 88 points “This has nice plum, raspberry and cherry notes steeped together, with flecks of clove, bergamot and iron filling in the gentle, fine-grained finish.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Chateau Trebiac, Graves 2010 750ML ($27.95) $21.90
Importer notes: “Chateau Trébiac is the product of sandy, gravely soils with larger, outcropping cobbles. This is a classy wine, as betrayed by its beautiful ruby red hue. Its elegance is already expressed in the bouquet which covers a whole spectrum of aromas ranging from dark chocolate to toasty notes, combined with red fruit. After a mouthfilling, lush attack, the same red fruit flavours are found on the palate underpinned by velvety, silky tannins.”
FRANCE-BURGUNDY
Domaine Pierre Guillemot Les Narbantons, Savigny-les-Beaune Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Importer note: Pinot Noir from clay and limestone soils. Vines are 50 years in age. Aged in 10% new oak for 18 months and 6 months in bottle.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $49.99
Domaine Pierre Guillemot Savigny-les-Beaune Les Grands Picotins, Cote de Beaune 2013 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Importer note: Pinot Noir from clay and limestone soils. Vines are 50 years in age. Aged in barrel for 18 months and 6 months in bottle.
Domaine Pierre Guillemot Les Serpentieres, Savigny-les-Beaune Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Domaine Pierre Guillemot Les Serpentieres, Savigny-les-Beaune Premier Cru 2013 1.5L ($99.95) $89 special
Importer note: Pinot Noir from marl soils. Vines are 55 years in age. Aged in 10% new oak for 18 months and 6 months in bottle.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
FRANCE-RHONE
Domaine du Trapadis Rasteau 2013 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
Winemaker’s notes: 70% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre and 10% Carignan. It’s aged in cement tank for approximately 18 months. Certified biologique in 2010; Vine age averaging 35 years, with some planted in 1922.
Vignerons de Laudun-Chusclan Cotes du Rhone Villages Laudun Clos de Taman 2013 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 special
Winer notes: “The robe of this wine seduces with its intensity and its violet. It has a powerful and intense nose of red fruits (strawberry, blackcurrant, cherry…) and mocha and liquorice. The delight is extended in mouth with roundness and powerful tannins, but melted. The Clos de Taman will suit perfectly red meat dishes with sauce and cheese.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $13.99
FRANCE-LOIRE
Domaine de la Pepiere Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie Clos des Briord 2014 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Domaine de la Pepiere Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie Clos des Briord 2014 1.5L ($49.95) $39 special
Vinopolnote: From some of Marc Olivier’s oldest vines, planted in 1930, comes this lovely stunner of a Muscadet. “Clos des Briord”comes from a single plot of vines planted in schist soils; a very mineral-rich and surprising example of Melon which is built to age beautifully but also provides freshness and fun when drunk in youth.
Domaine de la Pepiere Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie Les Gras Moutons 2014 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
93+ points John Gilman The 2014 Las Gras Moutons from Domaine de la Pépière is a young and very promising bottle of Muscadet, but like so many of the single vineyard bottlings from Marc Ollivier and Rémi Branger these days, this wine will be even better with a few years’ worth of bottle age. The deep, pure and very fresh nose offers up a constellation of green apple, salty ocean breeze notes, really refined leesiness, straw and a beautifully complex base of minerally soil tones. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, focused and rock solid at the core, with superb backend grip, perfectly integrated acids and outstanding balance on the very long finish. This is very, very easy to drink now, but there are more layers here to unfold and it will not really blossom until it has seen at least a few years in the cellar. A really excellent bottle of Muscadet. 2015-2035.
FRANCE-CHAMPAGNE
Marie-Noelle Ledru Grand Cru Brut 2009 750ML ($89.95) $79 special
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Marie-Noelle Ledru Grand Cru Brut NV 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “(85% pinot noir and 15% chardonnay, all grown in Ambonnay and Bouzy): Light gold. Pungent aromas of pear skin, pit fruits, honey and smoky lees, with a spicy ginger note gaining strength with air. Broad, pliant orchard and pit fruit flavors are lifted by gentle acidity and complemented by hints of redcurrant and toasted nuts. A finishing jolt of smoky minerality suggests that this firmly structured Champagne will be even better with some bottle age.” JR
GERMANY
Von Winning Deidesheimer Riesling 2014 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Terry Theise notes “Riotous clone-90 aromas—this was a popular clone in the Pfalz about 40 years ago, giving almost Scheurebe-like exotics and passion-fruit scents—leading into a juice-bomb dry wine, addictive and just stupid-tasty. I thought it would be a simple palate cleanser, but nothing doing. So fruity the palate reads it “sweet” though it’s analytically very dry!”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Von Winning Forster Riesling Uk Trocken 2014 ($24.95) $21.90 special
Terry Theise notes “There’s some label silliness here, and when there’s label silliness the VDP can’t be far behind. “UK” stands for Ungeheuer Kabinett, but Forster Ungeheuer is a Grosses Gewâchs, see, and the VDP doesn’t want the name used for a “mere” dry Kabinett albeit the wine grew there, and only there. It’s a classic bullshit example of “marketing” logic that has the effect of denying important information to the drinker.
“The wine itself was the best in its class (“second” wines from classified sites), thicker, with the finest aroma, largest minerality, most balanced finish and most expressive Pfalz spiciness. It’s like getting the noodles with the black truffle sauce but without the shavings of black truffle on top. That would be the “GG.””
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Von Winning – Dr. Deinhard Deidesheim Riesling Trocken 2014 1L ($19.95) $16 special
Winery’s note: From vineyards in and around Deidesheim – a distinctive Riesling, easy-going in flavour yet satisfyingly good. All you need from a one-litre bottle of Riesling!
AUSTRIA
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Riesling vom Stein Federspiel 2014 750ML ($41.95) $33 special
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “This is so very young that the yeasty aromas of fermentation still cling on: There is earthiness and some funk—but underneath slumbers ripe stone fruit and wet stone. The palate is textured and tight, with a citric fault line of lemony acidity. The length is pure and thrilling, the body wonderfully light. Think sublimated lemon and you have it.” WE
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
SPAIN
Vega Sicilia Tinto Valbuena 5, Ribera del Duero 2010 750ML ($159.95) $108 special
Wine Advocate 96 points “Since the 2010 harvest, they ferment plot by plot, and it shows. This Valbuena has almost 100 components in it, smaller lots, all of them corresponding to a plot of vines. It has all the signs of being one of the best vintages ever for this second wine from Vega Sicilia, mostly Tempranillo but with 5% Merlot that matured five months in 20,000-liter oak vats, 18 months in new barriques (equal parts French and American oak), three months in used barrels and then five months in the vats again before being bottled in May 2013. 2010 seems to have the exuberance of the 2011 and the seriousness and elegance of 2009. It has the Burgundian philosophy of terroir, with all plots fermented and aged separately, giving each vineyard what it needs in terms of vinification and elevage resulting in something like 40 separate lots to blend. This wine has gained in precision and sharpness, and is very pure with delineated aromas and flavors. It is a world-class wine, possibly the best Valbuena ever.” WA
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Vega Sicilia Unico Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero 2007 750ML ($379.95) $249 special
Wine Advocate 95 points “They have kept 2005 and 2006 for now, and they are releasing the 2007 Único from a lighter vintage that is accessible already; they will even sell 2008 before 2005 and 2006. 2007 was a cold vintage in Ribera and it produced lighter, fresher wines (perhaps not as problematic as 2008, but there was also frost in 2007). The wine might be a tad lighter than other vintages, but it’s more structured than 2008; it combines elegance and power, is nicely balanced and should be able to develop in bottle for many years, although the quick evolution of the bottle once opened made me hesitate about its drinking window. Let’s hope I’m wrong. 80,000 bottles produced.” WA
Wine Spectator 94 points “This harmonious red is balanced and deep, offering ripe plum and currant flavors, with black pepper, tobacco, licorice and mineral accents. Delivers plenty of structure, with well-integrated tannins and lively acidity. The wine remains graceful through the long, spicy finish. Drink now through 2027”
Diez-Caballero Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2009 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Wine Advocate 91 Points “The 2009 Reserva is produced with Tempranillo grapes from their own vineyards in the zone known as El Gallo in Elciego on chalk and clay soils at 550 meters altitude. The grapes fermented in cement vats and the wine matured in French oak barrels for 18 months. It’s a little closed with shy aromas of ripe fruit and a good layer of spices and oak-related aromas. It is quite young and not showing much evolution. The palate feels balanced, serious and solid with good tannins and enough acidity to support a good depth of fruit. It’s approachable now but it has the stuffing and balance to develop in bottle. Very good value given the quality and the fact that they are offering a mature wine at the price of other bottles four years younger.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
ARGENTINA
Renacer Punto Final Reserva Malbec 2013 750ML ($24.95) $19 special
James Suckling 90 points “A fruity and velvety red with dried berry and chocolate character and a salty undertone. Full, rich and round textured. Drink now.” JS
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Jump Start on Soon-to-Arrive Wines
Doubleback and Jamet and Roilette, Oh My!
(Some Phillipe Pacalet, too…)
2013 Doubleback Cabernet – Winery Release Feb 1st, Here Feb 5th:
Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley 2013 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley 2013 750ML ($619.95) $559 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Bright, medium ruby-red. Sexy nutty oak complements ripe cassis, minerals, licorice and herbs on the nose. Wonderfully silky and refined, but with sexy herbal lift to the seamless berry and spice flavors. Very suave, youthful, classy Cabernet with sneaky depth of flavor and noble tannins. Sappy, subtle and long on the aftertaste. I find this wine much easier to taste today than the more backward 2012. Will it go into a shell or will it remain harmonious?” ST
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Jean-Paul Jamet Cote Rotie Arriving in March:
Domaine Jamet Côte Rôtie 2013 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Domaine Jamet Côte Rôtie 2013 1.5L ($319.95) $279 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 93-94 points “Tasted in components: #1, mostly Gerine, all destemmed: Zesty red fruit and floral aromas and flavors, with a mineral element providing spine and lift. Supple and seamless, with strong finishing cling. #2, mostly Gerine again but made with whole clusters: Spicy and precise, with bitter cherry and violet character and a deeper suggestion of licorice emerging with air. #3, a blend of Fontgeant, Leyat, Moutonne and Côte-Baudin: High-pitched red and dark berry scents, with complicating hints of incense, anise and smoky bacon. Very complex in the mouth, with sweet blackberry and cherry flavors picking up a minerally nuance on the finish, with the smoky note repeating. #4, from Le Plomb and Tartaras: Smoky and expansive on the nose and palate, offering black and blue fruit elements and a strong note of spicecake. Concentrated but lithe, finishing with strong thrust and sneaky tannins. #5, from Lancement, Côte-Rozier and Côte-Blonde: Heady, exotically perfumed bouquet of fresh dark fruits, pipe tobacco, Asian spices and incense, with a bright mineral flourish. Sappy, penetrating and pure, communicating excellent power to its sappy black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors. Harmonious and fruit-driven, with outstanding closing thrust. The final blend looks extremely promising, and the wine should show well within a few years of release. Having pretty extensive experience with Jamet’s wines I can vouch for their ability to age, even those from “lesser” vintages.” JR
…And the 2012 from Jamet Re-Arriving January 22nd:
Domaine Jamet Côte Rôtie 2012 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2012 Cote Rotie is smoking good and should be up with the top wines from this estate. Inky colored, full-bodied and beautifully concentrated, it offers classic pepper, violets, bacon fat, olive and sweet cassis-like fruits. Opening up with time in the glass, it has the approachable, supple feel of the vintage, yet has more than enough mid-palate depth and fine tannin to keep it drinking beautifully for another two decades.” WA
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 94 points “(15% new oak): Deep ruby. Complex, highly perfumed bouquet evokes fresh red and dark berries, incense, violet and cracked pepper, along with a vibrant mineral overtone. Juicy and focused on the palate, offering intense blackberry, bitter cherry and floral pastille flavors that stretch out slowly with air. This concentrated yet lively Côte-Rôtie finishes with superb clarity and even tannins.” JR
Clos de la Roilette Wine Arriving January 22nd:
Coudert Pere ‘Clos de la Roilette’ Fleurie Cuvee Tardive 2014 750ML ($31.95) $28 pre-arrival special
Coudert Pere ‘Clos de la Roilette’ Fleurie Cuvee Tardive 2014 1.5L ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Importer’s notes: Semi-carbonic maceration with submerged hat, temperature control and native yeasts, then aged in large oak foudres. Manganese granite and clay soils with 80-90 year old vines.
The magnum has the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Philippe Pacalet Wine Arriving in March:
Philippe Pacalet Moulin A Vent 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Philippe Pacalet Moulin A Vent 2014 1.5L ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Vinopolnote: A new Cru Beaujolais cuvee from the star Burgundian; Pacalet is a natural winemaker and negociant who carefully chooses his vineyard sources on a yearly basis, rejects industrial winemaking techniques, and takes close consideration of individual terroirs.
Both are the only listings in the USA today!
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Here Friday January 22 – Cellar Release from Johan Vineyard
From the winery: “The 2008 Pinot Noir – Nils Reserve – is made entirely from estate grown fruit. This is a barrel-‐selected blend made from grapes grown in block 1, 2, 4A, 5B and 7A – a selection of four Dijon clones (114, 115, 667 and 777). The grapes were fermented (both primary and malolactic) using exclusively native yeast, with approximately 50% whole-‐cluster. The wine was aged for 18 months in 100% French oak barrels; 40% were new.
“In line with the goals of Johan Vineyards, this Pinot Noir is made in a classic style, with a focus on balance, complexity and elegance. It clearly represents the characters and nuances of Johan Vineyards as well as the 2008 growing-‐season. After a cool spring, resulting in natural low yields, this vintage extended deep into October making it possible to let the fruit slowly mature. Rich and concentrated flavors were developed at unusually low sugar levels. 330 cases produced.”
Johan Pinot Noir – Nils Reserve Pinot Noir 2008 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92 points “Bright ruby. Black raspberry, cherry-cola and spicecake aromas show very good clarity and a suave hint of fresh rose. Bright and incisive on the palate, offering tangy red and dark berry flavors and a late note of blood orange. Finishes spicy, energetic and focused. This lithe, sexy pinot clocks in at 12.8% alcohol.” JR
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Blessed Burgundy: Bitouzet-Prieur
Arriving Friday January 22nd
Vincent Bitouzet and his son Francois hail from two centuries of deep winemaking roots in Burgundy, and one of the first family-owned domaines to bottle their wines. What you can expect is nothing short of classic age-worthy wines that are genuinely reflective of the terroir in each of their parcels.
Father and son work together to farm organically on all the holdings of their 12 hectare domaine, including 4 hectares to Chardonnay and the remaining 8 hectares to Pinot Noir plantings. Indigenous yeasts are used and all grapes are harvested manually.
2011 was a tricky growing season for Burgundy which necessitated extremely tedious and careful maintenance of the vines. But what had been revealed as the result of the hard work of the Bitouzet family for 2011 are classic wines of depth and structure.
Bitouzet-Prieur Releases Arriving January 22nd:
Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Meursault Clos du Cromin 2011 750ML ($64.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni–Vinous 92 points “The 2011 Meursault Clos du Cromin is all about freshness, energy and vibrancy. Lemon, white flowers, jasmine and a hint of spice are supported by clean veins of minerality that add tension and brightness. With time in the glass, the wine becomes increasingly more focused, vibrant and persistent. I very much like the sense of energy here.” AG
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Les Perrieres, Meursault Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni–Vinous 92 points “The 2011 Meursault Les Perrières is surprisingly rich and viscous for Perrières. Honey, almonds, mint, dried flowers and dried pears flesh out in the glass. With air the wine’s minerality becomes more apparent. Ideally, the 2011 is best left alone for at least another year or two to allow all the elements to come together.” AG
Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Meursault Santenots, Meursault Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni–Vinous 93 points “The 2011 Meursault Les Santenots is first and foremost a wine of texture. Gracious and layered in the glass, the 2011 is endowed with considerable personality. White stone fruits, flowers anise and crushed rocks emerge over time, but the overall impression is one of pure silk. The style is rich, deep and resonant, while the balance is first-rate.” AG
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Meursault Charmes, Meursault Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Meursault Charmes, Meursault Premier Cru 2011 1.5L ($199.95) $149 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni–Vinous 91 points “The 2011 Meursault Les Charmes wraps around the palate with gorgeous depth and nuance. There is plenty of Charmes richness and depth in the glass. At the same time, the wine’s structural elements are front and center, at least today. The firm, slightly dry finish suggests the fruit may have been brought in a little early.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $74
Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Les Aussy, Volnay Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni–Vinous 91 points “Plum, red cherry pit, mint, wild flowers and anise meld together in the 2011 Volnay Les Aussy. Here it is the wine’s energy and drive that stand out most. Today, the Aussy is a bit compact, but it should soften with time. Once again, I am impressed with the sheer depth and purity of the fruit, both of which the 2011 has in spades. At the same time, the wine retains its essential, mid-weight personality. All the elements are in balance in a wine that has really come together over the last year.” AG
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Les Caillerets, Volnay Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Les Caillerets, Volnay Premier Cru 2011 1.5L ($179.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni–Vinous 93 points “The 2011 Volnay Caillerets is one of the most explosive wines in this range. Black cherries, plums, licorice, smoke and tar literally jump from the glass. The 2011 is round and voluptuous on the palate, yet also backed up by considerable structure. Hints of cloves, new leather and sweet tobacco add the final layers of nuance. In 2011 there are just three barrels of Caillerets, one of which is new, a slightly higher ratio than is typically the case.” AG
Both are the only listings in the USA today!
Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Clos des Chenes, Volnay Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni–Vinous 93 points “The 2011 Volnay Clos des Chênes is quite reticent today. There is plenty of depth and richness in the glass, even if all the elements aren’t fully formed just yet. Sweet tobacco, licorice, mint, spices and plums emerge over time, but only with great reluctance. The Clos des Chênes is going to require significant patience. Today, it is a bit compact.” AG
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Les Mitans, Volnay Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni–Vinous 92+ points “Black cherries, plums, cloves, menthol, licorice and tar wrap around the palate in the 2011 Volnay Mitans. A dark, imposing wine, the Mitans is the most reticent of these 2011s. The wine’s depth and broad shoulders are impressive, but today the Mitans comes across as a bit rough around the edges. The Mitans was the last of these wines to finish its malolactic fermentation and was also bottled a bit later than the other wines, both of which might explain some of its rawness today. Ideally the firm tannins need time to soften.” AG
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Pitures, Volnay Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($69.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni–Vinous 91 points “Incisive and powerful, the 2011 Volnay Pitures is bright, focused and linear in its personality. Dark red cherries, plums, graphite, smoke, licorice and new leather flesh out in a broad, powerful wine endowed with tremendous depth and pure thrust. The Pitures opens up nicely in the glass, but it, too, will require a measure of patience. Still, the 2011 is likely to remain a bit rustic.” AG
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Taillepieds, Volnay Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni–Vinous 92 points “A model of precision and balance, the 2011 Volnay Taillepieds graces the palate with tons of pure energy, cut and tension. Sweet red berries, wild flowers, mint, crushed rocks and slate flow effortlessly from a vibrant, pulsating Taillepieds bursting with class. The precocious vintage gives a measure of early accessibility, but ideally the 2011 is best left alone for a handful of years. I very much like the sense of salinity here.” AG
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Les Cent Vignes, Beaune Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni–Vinous 90 points “Sweet rose petals, rosewater, violets, mint, hard candy and crushed rocks are some of the many notes that take shape in the 2011 Beaune Cent-Vignes. Wonderfully pointed and pure, the 2011 impresses for its energy, tension and pure verve. There is plenty of potential here, but readers will need to give the 2011 a few years to soften.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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2011 Barbaresco
featuring the Magnificent Crus
of Produttori
“Overall, the 2011 Barbarescos are racy and seductive. The richness and intensity of the year are perceptible, but the wines retain plenty of site-specific signatures, albeit with softer edges than is typically the case. My impression is that the 2011s will drink well pretty much out of the gate, which should be welcomed by readers cellaring wines from more structured Barbaresco and Barolo vintages.”– Antonio Galloni – Vinous
“In Barbaresco, the 2011s combine opulent textures and mostly refined tannins. From what I’ve tasted to date, they have more personality than the 2009s.” – Stephen Tanzer
2011 Barbaresco Available Here Now
Cantina del Pino Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 8 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92 points “Cantina del Pino’s 2011 Barbaresco offers a classic interpretation of both territory and grape at an excellent price point. The wine is pristine and forthcoming with dark berry nuances followed by coffee, tar, licorice and fragrant garden herb. In the mouth, it shows sweet tannins and rich texture. It still must undergo further evolution. This wine is still in its infancy. ” ML
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Cantina del Pino Albesani, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 24 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2011 Barbaresco Albesani is the wine that surprised me most among Cantina del Pino’s new releases. It shows an exceptional level of focus and clarity with tight tannins at the back that keep it stitched together tightly. It shows an impressive level of unity and precision. The bouquet is slow to start, but once it does it delivers a steady stream of dark fruit, licorice, balsam herb and crushed mineral. The Albesani cru, with its thick clay soils, evidently had enough underground moisture to avoid heat stress on the vines during the hot summer.” ML
This is the only listing in the USA today!
De Forville Vigneto Loreto, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($41.95) $38 special, 4 bottles available
Winery note “Color: ruby red with bright garnet reflections that prevail with the ageing. Perfume: typical, ethereal, pleasant. Hints of violet. Taste: dry and round, thanks to its powerful structure and balanced tannins.”
Luigi Giordano Cavana, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 2 bottles available
“Brilliant garnet red colour with orange highlights developing with age; ample and intense perfume with fruity, jammy and spicy notes; dry, full and aristocratic flavour.”–Winery Notes
Paitin di Pasquero-Elia ‘Serra’, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($41.95) $33 special (was $36), 36+ bottles available
Case-12 Paitin di Pasquero-Elia ‘Serra’, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($419.95) $359 special (was $399), 9 cases available
Wine Spectator 94 points “Rich and velvety, yet also vibrant and complex, this red boasts floral, berry, anise, leather and mineral flavors. Harmonious, this turns slightly chewy in texture on the lingering finish. Best from 2017 through 2027. 1,000 cases made.” WS
Antonio Galloni 93 points “Crushed flowers, sweet red berries, spices and mint race across the palate in the 2011 Barbaresco Serra. This is one of the most intense, tannic 2011 Barbarescos readers will come across. Far from an easygoing wine, the 2011 is going to need considerable patience. Hints of sweet tobacco, mint and anise add nuance on the layered, super-expressive finish. The 2011 Serra spent two years in 50-hectoliter casks.” AG
Produttori del Barbaresco, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($37.95) $29 special, 36+ bottles available
Produttori del Barbaresco, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 1.5L ($69.95) $59 special, 11 magnums available
Wine Spectator 93 points “Marked by ripe cherry, strawberry, floral and tar flavors, this red is graceful and detailed, with the fruit intensity persisting on the finish. This is well-integrated, and just needs time for the tannins to soften. Excellent length. Best from 2018 through 2030.” WS
Sottimano Cotta, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 15 bottles available
Wine Spectator 92 points “Rich and fleshy, exhibiting flavors of plum and black cherry, buoyed by vivid acidity and beefy tannins. Exhibits a sweet character and plenty of tannins on the finish, so be patient. Best from 2017 through 2027.” WS
Sottimano Fausoni, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 21 bottles available
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 93 points “The 2011 Barbaresco Fausoni is unusually supple, sexy and radiant. Freshly cut flowers, sweet red berries, tobacco and mint all lift from the glass. Fausoni often shows firmer, livelier tannins, but the warm 2011 vintage has softened the contours and yielded an inviting, resonant Barbaresco to drink now and over the next handful of years. Sweet floral notes from these soils rich in sand add the final nuances of complexity. What a gorgeous wine this is.”
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Crushed raspberry, blue flower, tilled soil and graphite aromas lead the nose on this firmly structured wine. It’s still very young and needs to open up fully, but the palate already displays breeding and class. It offers ripe black cherry, ground black pepper, licorice and grilled sage alongside tightly wound but fine tannins. Drink 2018–2026.”
Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2011 Barbaresco Fausoni is initially slow to show its aromatic potential. As it evolves in the glass, it begins to reveal dark cherry, blackberry, cinnamon spice and dark cola. The style here is bold and thick. This wine also shows noticeable power with tight tannins and some astringency. It still needs time to unwind.”
Sottimano Pajore, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 12 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Ripe and delicious, this starts off with aromas of fresh violet, rose, perfumed berry, exotic spice and tilled earth. It’s still young but the palate already delivers a great depth of flavors including juicy black cherry, crushed raspberry, clove and black pepper alongside chewy tannins. Drink 2016 to 2021.” WE
2011 Barbaresco Wines Arriving in January 2016
Cantina del Pino Barbaresco DOCG 2011 375ML ($24.95) $19 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 92 points “Cantina del Pino’s 2011 Barbaresco offers a classic interpretation of both territory and grape at an excellent price point. The wine is pristine and forthcoming with dark berry nuances followed by coffee, tar, licorice and fragrant garden herb. In the mouth, it shows sweet tannins and rich texture. It still must undergo further evolution. This wine is still in its infancy. ” ML
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Cantina del Pino Gallina, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2011 Barbaresco Gallina is slightly more subdued than both the Ovello and the Albesani this year. The bouquet exhibits pretty aromas of wild berry, blue flower, licorice, cola and flinty mineral. Barbaresco Gallina reveals an etched style and a high degree of inner elegance. Tight astringency makes for a solid backbone and the wine shows delicate contours.” ML
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Cantina del Pino Ovello, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2011 Barbaresco Ovello does not disappoint. Vintner Renato Vacca prefers to release his wines later than most and that extra year of bottle aging has been very good to this 2011 expression. The wine has had time to find focus and sharpness despite the warmth of the vintage. Bold fruit flavors of blackberry and cassis are followed by balanced tones of spice and balsam herb. The fruit shows a soft and extra plush quality. Ovello is one of the greatest crus in the Barbaresco township.” ML
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Produttori del Barbaresco 2011 Crus Arriving in February 2016
Produttori del Barbaresco Asili, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special, ETA February
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Asili, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($699.95) $649 pre-arrival special (that’s only $54.08/bottle!), ETA February
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Asili is one of the most refined wines in this range. Here the fruit shows more distinctly red-toned notes, with plenty of Asili creaminess, silkiness and overall texture, not to mention considerable density. There is plenty of Asili sexiness and radiance, but at the same time, there is also more tannin and overall brightness than I expected. Not that those things are bad. Far from it. I imagine the 2011 will reward readers with many years of exceptional drinking. This is one of the most polished wines in the range of 2011 Riservas. Then again, it’s Asili.” AG
VinopolNote: In Asili, the grapes are from calcium-rich limestone vineyard land. The vineyard produces exceptionally rich and age-worthy wines.
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Produttori del Barbaresco Montefico, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special, ETA February
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Montefico, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($699.95) $619 pre-arrival special (that’s only $51.58/bottle!), ETA February
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Montefico is another of the highlights in this range from the Produttori. Imagine the precision of Ovello, but with slightly darker fruit and more density and power through the middle. That’s the Montefico. A regal, towering Barbaresco, the Montefico should provide thrilling drinking for the next several decades. A rush of dark cherry, plum, smoke, licorice and tobacco add nuance on the powerful, structured finish.” AG
VinopolNote: The Montefico vineyard produces intensely mineral wines with spicy fruit and exceptional ageing potential from the calcareous limestone.
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Produttori del Barbaresco Montestefano, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special, ETA February
Produttori del Barbaresco Montestefano, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 1.5L ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special, ETA February
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Montestefano, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($599.95) $519 pre-arrival special (that’s only $43.25/bottle!), ETA February
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano is one of the least expressive of these wines. Inward, powerful and explosive, the 2011 is not in a mood to show much today, that is pretty clear. Still, there is an obvious energy here that is impossible to miss. A firm spine of tannin gives the wine much of its signature power. Dark red cherry, smoke, pomegranate and scorched earth blossom on the dramatic finish. A wine of real density and gravitas, the 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano stands out for its pure, unbridled energy and overall intensity.” AG
VinopolNote: The Montestefano vineyard produces a dark, ripe and rich wine with thick texture.
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Produttori del Barbaresco Muncagota, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special, ETA February
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Muncagota, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($469.95) $419 pre-arrival special (that’s only $34.92/bottle!), ETA February
Antonio Galloni 90 points “Soft, caressing and voluptuous, the 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Muncagota is the sweetest and most open of these 2011 Riservas. Hard candy, wild flowers, mint and sweet spices meld together in a sensual, inviting Barbaresco that will drink nicely pretty much upon release. The 2011 strikes an attractive middle ground of raciness, texture and structure. As such, it will be one of the best early drinkers in this range. This is a gorgeous Muncagota.” AG
VinopolNote: Muncagota has a South-Eastern exposure and produces elegant and floral wines with lingering tannins.
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Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special, ETA February
Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 1.5 ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special, ETA February
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($599.95) $519 pre-arrival special (that’s only $43.25/bottle!), ETA February
Antonio Galloni 94+ points “The 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello, from one of the coolest zones in Barbaresco, is superb. Here it is the wine’s precision and energy – both hard to come by in 2011 – that really stand out. Pine, mint, chalk, bright red berries, blood orange and white pepper are some of the signatures in a brilliant, finely-cut Barbaresco that captures the best of both the vintage and this site. Don’t miss it!” AG
VinopolNote: Expect the Ovello wines to be full with rich red fruit.
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Produttori del Barbaresco Paje, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special, ETA February
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Paje, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($599.95) $519 pre-arrival special (that’s only $43.25/bottle!), ETA February
Antonio Galloni 95 points “One of the highlights in this range, the 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Pajè is also one of the most classic of these 2011 Riservas. Beams of underlying acidity and minerality give the flavors considerable thrust and brightness. Sweet mentholated notes wrap around a core of plush, red-fleshed plum and pomegranate fruit, leading to a brisk, refreshing finish. What is left to say? The 2011 Pajè is absolutely gorgeous. It’s as simple as that. Pajè is one of the cooler micro-climates the Produttori work with, and that was a help in 2011.” AG
VinopolNote: With its South-Western and Western exposure, the Paje vineyard produces complex wines with bright fruit aromas.
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Produttori del Barbaresco Pora, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $44 pre-arrival special, ETA February
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Pora, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($519.95) $459 pre-arrival special (that’s only $38.25/bottle!), ETA February
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Pora is sweet, round and sensual. Beautifully layered in the glass, the Pora is absolutely exquisite, with plenty of sweet red cherry, plum, mint and spice notes woven throughout. The Pora is typically the most open of the Produttori’s nine Riservas, as it is once again this year. There is so much to like here.” AG
VinopolNote: Pora vineyard wines are lighter, with rich fruit and earthy notes, and integrates tannin more quickly.
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Produttori del Barbaresco Rabaja, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special, ETA February
Produttori del Barbaresco Rabaja, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 1.5L ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special, ETA February
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Rabaja, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($699.95) $679 pre-arrival special (that’s only $56.58/bottle!), ETA February
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “The 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà is quite backward today, with intense, salivating tannins that cut through the fruit. The trademark Rabajà balsamic flavor profile is there, with notable darkness and plenty of structure that add complexity to a core of crystalline fruit. Energetic and powerful, with searing tannin and exceptional balance, the Rabajà is going to require considerable patience. The only question is how much.” AG
VinopolNote: Wines from the Rabaja vineyard are complex with silky tannins and dark fruit aromas.
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Produttori del Barbaresco Rio Sordo, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $44 pre-arrival special, ETA February
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Rio Sordo, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($519.95) $459 pre-arrival special (that’s only $38.25/bottle!), ETA February
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Rio Sordo is a bit darker and more ample than it usually is, a signature of the year. With time in the glass, the typical soaring floral/spiced Rio Sordo bouquet emerges. Dark, sensual and beautifully expressive, the Rio Sordo is another wine that will drink well with minimal cellaring.”
VinopolNote: The Rio Sordo vineyard produces elegant, lingering wines with silky tannins and medium body.
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Matello & Goodfellow
Born to Farm
Matello Winery, located in Oregon’s Willamette valley, was founded in 2002 by winemaker Marcus Goodfellow. Growing up on a 20 acre farm in Oregon, Goodfellow has an inherent gift for sourcing grapes from small family owned farms whom share the same philosophy as his; being hands-on with the land and hand-harvesting. His winemaking education includes apprenticing at both Evesham Wood and Westrey where he mastered the art of making wines, reflecting the unique terroirs found throughout Oregon’s Northern Willamette Valley.
Matello wines have developed a steady following and a great deal of respect over the years by wine lovers and growers of Oregon, and are a member of the Deep Roots Coalition.
In 2014, Marcus created a more principal label, Goodfellow Family Cellars, which focuses on Oregon’s traditional varietals from single sites. He’s retaining the Matello label (Italian for fool) and will pilot those wines more towards blends and fun experimental wines.
2013 Vintage Report from Marcus Goodfellow: “2013 is one of the truly interesting and amazing vintages in Oregon’s viticultural history. history. A warm spring and optimal weather at bloom resulted in good crop. There was plenty of early sunshine, followed by a warm summer. As warmer sites reached maturity, weather held and grapes were picked with fruit character of a very warm vintage. Then, 6.5″ of rain in three days followed by a return of sunny, but cooler, weather. Fruit quality depended upon the unique characteristics of site to survive and produce good quality fruit. Older vines, with shallow soils, and a high exposure to breeze held together well. While early picks lacked hang time the later picks more than surpassed the 100 days required for optimal flavor development. The resulting fruit contained the intensity, acid, and structure perfect for great Pinot Noir. The best later picked wines may be the closest parallel to Burgundy I have seen in my career. Fruit contained the intensity, acid, and structure perfect for great Pinot Noir.”
Newly Arrived and Recently Re-Arrived
Matello Deux Vert Vineyard Viognier, Yamhill-Carlton District 2012 750ML ($17.95) $11.90 special, 21 bottles available
Case-12 Matello Deux Vert Vineyard Viognier, Yamhill-Carlton District 2012 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 4 cases available (that’s only $9.92/bottle!)
Winery note “One finds classic aromatics of ripe peach and honey. The palate is lush and loaded with ripe peach on the attack, with overtones of apricot and brioche that are swept up in the texture. Deux Vert Vineyard is sustainably farmed and a member of LIVE. Our farming philosophy is to take the best practices from various farming approaches (organic, bio-dynamic, etc.) but not be restricted by any one of them. It is a dry farmed, non-tilled vineyard.”
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Matello Caprice, Fircrest Vineyard, Yamhill-Carlton 2014 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 11 bottles available
VinopolNot: 80% Pinot Blanc & 20% Pinot Gris
Winery note “The Caprice white wine is produced from a single block of fruit planted to Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. The vineyard soils are from the oldest marine sedimentary deposits in Oregon, and they hold little water through the long, dry summers in Oregon, forcing the plants to dig deeply into the earth in their struggle to find for moisture. This causes the vines to form berries with intense flavors, minerality, and higher acidity. While the name may seem lighthearted, Caprice is a more serious wine. Maintaining primary fruit purity, malolactic is blocked to keep the wine vibrant, and then the wine was aged for 14 months on the fine lees before bottling to allow complex, nuanced flavors time to develop. Caprice has white flower notes, a slight smokiness, and hints of mango and passionfruit in the nose. The palate is sturdy and intense, with stone fruit and tropical notes, a rich texture and mouth-watering acidity. It’s a perfect wine for pairing with almost anything that swims. This wine will evolve for the next several years in bottle and can be drunk anytime between now and 2020.”
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Goodfellow Clover Pinot Gris Reserve, Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 12 bottles available
Winery note “Pinot Gris in the style of white Burgundy, from the older vines at the highest point of the Bishop Creek vineyard (which is dry farmed). Fermented in neutral wood (30% Acacia, 70% French oak), then aged for 15-17 months on the lees.”
Goodfellow Chardonnay Richard’s Cuvee 2013 750ML ($37.95) $33 special, 10 bottles available
Winery note “Planted in the Dundee Hills in 1973, only 8 years after the original Pinot Noir vines were planted in the Willamette Valley, this is one of Oregon’s pioneer vineyards. Soils are volcanic (Jory), iron rich, and provide intense flavor and an innate silkiness to the fruit. Clone is Dijon 95, vine age is 21 years though, well into the adaptive portion of the vines life cycle. This block of Chardonnay vines sits at the base of the slope, a perfect spot for white wines. Cool air settles among the vines keeping sugars moderate, acids high, and let flavors develop.”
Goodfellow Durant Vineyard Chardonnay, Dundee Hills 2013 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 12 bottles available
Winery note “Planted in the Dundee Hills in 1973, only 8 years after the original Pinot Noir vines were planted in the Willamette Valley, this is one of Oregon’s pioneer vineyards. Soils are volcanic (Jory), iron rich, and provide intense flavor and an innate silkiness to the fruit. Clone is Dijon 95, vine age is 21 years though, well into the adaptive portion of the vines life cycle. This block of Chardonnay vines sits at the base of the slope, a perfect spot for white wines. Cool air settles among the vines keeping sugars moderate, acids high, and let flavors develop.”
Matello Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2013 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 24 bottles available
Winery note “The Willamette Valley cuvee is a blend of each of our vineyards, highlighting the terroir of the northern Willamette Valley. All are dry farmed vineyards (of which 2 are certified LIVE), with vines averaging above 20 years of age. Ferments are in small bins with indigenous yeast and no temperature control. Foot treading is employed as well as punching down the cap by hand. Wines are racked directly to barrel at the end of fermentation and remain so until just prior to bottling. Aged 17 months in barrel this cuvee highlights the elegant character of the vintage. The 2013 Willamette Valley will develop well for the next 5 years.”
Goodfellow Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2013 750ML ($24.95) $18 special, 22 bottles available
Matello ‘Hommage A&D’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 12 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Light red. Aromas of pungent red berries, cherry skin and dried rose, with a hint of musky underbrush in the background. Tangy redcurrant and rose pastille flavors show good focus and a hint of bitter rhubarb, which adds refreshing bite to the back half. Finishes on a gently tannic note, with repeating florality and very good focus and length.” ST
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Matello ‘Souris’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 750ML ($41.95) $37 special, 12 bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 93 points “Vivid ruby-red. Heady, complex scents of fresh red and dark berries, incense and Asian spices, with a bright mineral overtone. Intense black raspberry and spicecake flavors convey a shapely, seamless quality. Fleshes out and deepens with aeration and finishes sweet and extremely long, with lingering smokiness and harmonious tannins.”
Goodfellow Family Cellars Durant Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013 750ML ($41.95) $37 special, 12 bottles available
Winery note “Planted in the Dundee Hills in 1973, only 8 years after the original Pinot Noir vines were planted in the Willamette Valley, this is one of Oregon’s pioneer vineyards. Soils are volcanic (Jory), iron rich, and provide intense flavor and an innate silkiness to the fruit. The heart of the vineyard is 400 feet in elevation, an optimal situation for air flow, and similar in aspect to many of the Grand Cru vineyards of Burgundy. Clones are Pommard, planted in 1973, and 114, planted in 1993.”
Goodfellow Family Cellars Bishop Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012 750ML ($37.95) $33 special, 13 bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “Deep, bright red. Ripe cherry and black raspberry on the nose, with complicating notes of candied rose and anise. Sappy and incisive, offering gently sweet red and dark berry flavors and a hint of cola. Shows very good lift and energy on the long, spice-tinged finish, with the cola and berry notes echoing emphatically.”
Wine Enthusiast 90 points “Sourced from 25-year-old vines, this shows traces of dried leaf, along with tart rhubarb and wild cherry fruit. A light dusting of cinnamon and coffee completes a wine that is balanced throughout, medium in length, and finished with an elegant flair.” WE
Winery note “Bishop Creek Vineyard sits on an outcrop of the coastal foothills of the Yamhill Carlton AVA. The vines are own rooted (not grafted), clones are Pommard and Wadensville, and the vineyard is farmed using low input viticulture and a combination of cover crops to help prevent loss of soil moisture from the shallow sedimentary soils. This is an isolated vineyard that expresses itself in deep purple tones of fruit, laced with forest floor, coffee, and anise. Typically a high intensity vineyard, the 2012 is stunning and should age for 15-20 years.”
Goodfellow Family Cellars Heritage Pinot Noir, Whistling Ridge Vineyard, Willamette Valley 2012 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 14 bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 93 points “Brilliant red. Vibrant, expansive red and dark berry and rose pastille scents are deepened by notes of cola and vanilla. Smooth and concentrated on the palate, with gently sweet black raspberry and cherry-cola flavors showing surprising vivacity for their heft. Pure, focused and sweet on the impressively long finish, which is framed by velvety tannins that fold smoothly into the wine’s plush fruit.”
Winery note “Over millennia, we have learned that the great sites for Pinot Noir require years of cellaring before they offer up their true nature. These Pinot Noirs, consumed at the right point, move us like few other wines are capable of doing. Cellaring for ourselves, and our children, is a necessary part of creating a legacy for our region. Heritage Bottling #1 is from a single micro-climate of old vines. Though delicious now, it will be years before the peak arrives.”
Goodfellow Family Cellars Whistling Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013 750ML ($37.95) $33 special, 9 bottles available
Winery note “Whistling Ridge Vineyard is located in the heart of Oregon’s Willamette Valley wine country, in the small Ribbon Ridge AVA. The vineyard was planted in 1990 to Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris. As of 2012, there are 15 planted acres at Whistling Ridge. Soils are 100% marine sedimentary, very shallow, and have a low moisture holding capacity. The vineyard is named after the persistent evening breeze that arrives every afternoon through the late summer and fall. These influences provide our most complex, structured, and savory fruit.”
Matello Fool’s Journey Syrah Deux Vert Vineyard, Willamette Valley 2011 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 special, 26 bottles available
90% Syrah, 10% Viognier
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Matello Fool’s Journey Syrah Deux Vert Vineyard, Willamette Valley 2012 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 3 bottles available
Winery note “From the Willamette Valley’s first planting of Syrah, this cool climate, low alcohol wine will redefine your idea of the possibilities of new-world Syrah. If you like your Syrah French, here is a kindred but one of a kind wine from Oregon. 90% Syrah, 10% Viognier.”
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“The Karthauserhof wines are wines for finesse-drinkers.” –Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate
Karthauserhof
The German Elite
The history of the Karthauserhof Estate dates back to the year 1335, when the Holy Roman Empire gifted the vineyards to Carthusian monks. When secularism hit under Napolean’s rule, the land was auctioned off in Paris and purchased by the family who owns it to this day.
The estate resides along the Ruwer River, a small tributary to the Mosel River. A mere 200 hectares lay under vine, making the Ruwer Valley among the smallest wine regions in all of Germany. The importer of Karthauserhof for the US describes the area quite poetically: “(the area) feels like a dense, old pine forest. Vineyards seem something of an afterthought. The Ruwer is wild, as much a home to horses and wild boars as it is to vines and vineyards. With so many forests, the valley has a unique shadow-dotted quality to it.”
Soils across the 19 hectares which Karthauserhof occupy consist of oxidized blue and gray slate. Under head winemaker Christian Vogt, the estate bottles a handful of distinct cuvees of various levels of ripeness; surprisingly enough, almost 70% of the estate’s production is of dry wines. Vogt worked under the incredibly esteemed Ludwig Breiling for many years, and Breiling continues to consult with Vogt.
In thumbing through the tasting notes from recent Karthauserhof vintages, one thing is clear: these are serious, empirically age-worthy wines. We’re excited to carry a wide array of the estate’s wines, as listed below.
From the importer: “The 2014 Karthauserhofs are bonkers, maybe even better than the gossamer-fine 2013ers, though only time will tell. John Gilman flipped out (see quote above); Mosel Fine Wines called the 2014ers “a gorgeous collection.” Winemaker Christian Vogt is finding his serious groove and the wines he is crafting are superb: restrained, focused, rigorous and feather-weight.”
Karthauserhof Wines Available Here Now
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Mosel 2013 750ML ($69.95) $49 special (was $59), 36+ bottles available
Case-6 Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Mosel 2013 750ML ($359.95) $269 special (was $319, 7 six-packs available (that’s only $44.83/bottle!)
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Mosel 2013 375ML ($39.95) $28 special (was $33), 22 half-bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 points “Very clear, discreet and refined on the nose – where the 2013 Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling GG displays fine stone and fruit aromas of lemons and green apples. Lean and vital but also intense, rich and juicy on the palate, this is a lovely pure, straightforward, piquant and very salty expression of the Karthäuserhofberg terroir and the 2013 vintage. This long-distance runner has more fruit
intensity than the Edition and reveals a very fine raciness and a complex finish with lingering lemon aromas.” WA
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Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Spatlese Grosse Lage 2012 750ML ($34.95) $24 special, 34 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “This Wine is quite open and expressive at this early stage and explodes with juicy flavors of yellow peach, quince and some flowers on the palate. This offers everything one could expect from a juicy Spatlese. The fact that it does deliver the goods without too much richness (it has technically less than 60 g/l of residual sugar) makes it utterly delicious also at this ealrly stage. 2017-2032” MFW
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Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Schieferkristall Riesling Kabinett Feinherb 2012 750ML ($37.95) $29 special, 10 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 91 points “Schieferkristall refers to the Kabinett-styled wines at the Estate (the reference to Kabinett is pushed to the back label). A whiff of wild yeasts gives quickly way to a very attractive and floral bouquet of rose-water, grapefruit and mint. The round and fruity feel from the residual sugar (20 g/l) is nicely balanced by some zesty acidity and a pure and spicy feel in the long finish. This is a deliciously fresh and lively off-dry Riesling made with a small 9.5% of alchohol. 2014-2020”
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The next best price is $34.99
Arriving in January
Weingut Karthauserhof ‘Ruwer’ Riesling Trocken, Mosel 2014 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
Weingut Karthauserhof Riesling Feinherb, Mosel 2014 750ML ($31.95) $26 pre-arrival special
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2014 750ML ($34.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2014 1.5L ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Spatlese Grosse Lage, Mosel 2014 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Spatlese Grosse Lage, Mosel 2014 1.5L ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Tyrells Edition Riesling Trocken, Mosel 2014 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Tyrells Edition Riesling Trocken, Mosel 2014 1.5L ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Weingut Karthauserhof Alte Reben Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Spatlese Trocken 2014 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2014 375ML ($39.95) $31.90 pre-arrival special
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2014 1.5L ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special