New Arrivals: OREGON
Blend of Friulano, Auxerrois, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio and Moscato
Vinopolnote– this 2015 is the best rendition of Giuliano we’ve tasted.
The next best price is $27.99
A blend of Abbey Ridge and Clos Electrique vineyards. Limited supply, expect it to be gone in 1-2 weeks.
VinopolNote: Beaux Freres’ Les Cousins bottling is only made in select vintages from declassified estate fruit. Act quickly – this sells out fast!
The average price is $33
Winery note “The Abbey Ridge vineyard is surely one of the Willamette valley’s finest and most elegant. The vineyard shows a pure and refined expression of the Dundee Hills AVA, highlighting the bright floral and savory aroma characteristic of Jory soils, with a delicate and persistent finish on the palate. 100 cases produced.”
J. Christopher “J.J.” Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2013 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
Winery note “J.J is the little brother of the J. Christopher wines. It is a fruit-forward, easy-drinking Pinot Noir that’s affordable for everyday enjoyment. This value cuvee is a cellar selection of barrels that have been declassified from the main production, mostly because they didn’t have quite the mineral intensity and textural focus that Jay demands for the J. Christopher wines. The result is an easy-going, fruitier style of wine that works very well as an introduction to Oregon Pinot Noir.”
Winery note “Lia’s Vineyard is in the Chehalem Mountains AVA. Sourced from a block of mature vines of Wadensvil clone grown in volcanic soil. Engaging aroma of pure and delicate red fruits with an interesting hint of pine. It is fine and juicy on the palate with very subtle tannins and a finish that is long and supremely elegant.73 cases produced.”
The average price is $46
Winery note “A fresh, clean Chardonnay with no oak or malolactic fermentation.”
Winery note: “This powerful wine is from a very warm site not far from us on Chehalem Mountain, planted in marine sediment soil. This produces a riper, darker wine with full-bodied fruit flavors, a forceful mid-palate structure and firmer tannins. Oh, and higher alcohol, too (13.5%). 99 cases produced.”
J. Christopher ‘Sandra Adele’ Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2014 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special
Winery note “The J. Christopher Sandra Adele Pinot Noir is a cuvée named for Jay’s mother, Sandy. It is a blend of wines from two outstanding vineyards in the Dundee Hills AVA: Abbey Ridge and Charlie’s Vineyard. Simply gorgeous, this is both dark and bright in the aroma, intense and delicate on the palate. As is typical of this cuvée, it combines an earthy depth with an ethereal, floral lightness. It is delicate and fine, with the firm juicy acidity of the vintage, and a long, captivating finish. 110 cases produced.”
The average price is $46
Winery note “A highly aromatic Sauvignon Blanc, made in the clean, fresh style of France’s Loire Valley.”
Winery note “Four Winds is an ideal vineyard site for the fresh, acid driven and austere Chardonnay that we aspire to make. Located high in the foothills of the McMinnville Coast Range, these 20 year old Wente clone vines deliver pristine Chardonnay with personality and restrained elegance.”
VinopolNote “Outstanding! Aged on the lees with no stirring for 20 months in two neutral barrels and one second fill barrel. 100% Wente clone.”
Winery note “Never more than a few hundred cases, this micro-production showcases the beautiful mineral nature of the shallow sedimentary soils of the Whistling Ridge and Bishop creek vineyards. Bright, fresh, pear, lime blossom, hints of hazelnut, and a saline note.”
Winery note “Co-fermented from Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Gewurztraminer vines. The incredibly shallow soils at Whistling Ridge imbue this wine with transparency, minerality, and weightless power. A mélange of fruit flavors, it’s the minerality that sets it apart.”
Winery note “Dry-farmed chardonnay from a 1-acre parcel at Whistling Ridge, hand-picked, whole-cluster pressed. After a brief period settling the wine is racked into large French oak vessels. Fermentation and elevage lasts about 21 months on the gross lees. The shallow marine sediment soils and windy environs at Whislting Ridge produce a Chardonnay that is mineral, deep and long with chalky citrus fruit.”
Winery note “New to Oregon Chardonnay and want to see put your toes in the pool? This delightful wine raises its hand and asks that you pop the cork. Made with neutral wood, but full malo-lactic fermentation, it plays well with most food yet isn’t lacking in personality.”
Winery note “Produced from hand-picked Pommard and Dijon 114, planted in 1973 and 1993, the Durant Vineyard is often the first site at full ripeness. It is fermented in small lots with native yeasts with a good portion of whole clusters. The wine is aged for 18 months in 15%-25% new French oak barrels and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Durant is often tense, silken and delicate with spicy red-fruited purity and clean texture from one of the original Dundee Hills vineyards.”
Winery note “This bottle holds a special place in our portfolio as an introduction to the smallest AVA with a reputation of the highest regard. We are thrilled to work with this fruit, and pass it along to you. Enjoy deep flavors of clove, mulberry and a touch of strawberry with the structure we are known for.”
Winery note “With more than ten clones of Pinot Noir planted in the shallow marine sedimentary soils at Whistling Ridge, the clonal diversity here creates an expression of site totally removed from clonal character. Dry farming encourages deep roots and daily wind that blows in the afternoons and evening keeps the canopy fresh in the heat of the summer. Handpicked fruit sorted and fermented with native yeasts in small lots with varying amounts of whole clusters. Elevage takes place in 25% new French oak puncheons for 18-21 months and the wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered. The wines show off Ribbon Ridge character of dusty red and black fruit, sappy spice and firm, savory structure.”
Cristom Eileen Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2013 750ML ($69.95) Displayed price: $59, that’s $56.05 after our 5% discount or $53.10 after our 10% discount! Sale ends midnight Tuesday
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92 points “Bright red. Tightly wound red berry and Asian spice aromas pick up a suave floral nuance with air. Silky and precise, offering energetic raspberry and bitter cherry flavors with a touch of star anise. A suave, seamless Pinot with no excess weight. Closes tangy and very long, with silky tannins and lingering spiciness.”
Cristom Jessie Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2013 750ML ($69.95) Displayed price: $59, that’s $56.05 after our 5% discount or $53.10 after our 10% discount! Sale ends midnight Tuesday
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92 points “Ruby-red. Highly perfumed scents of dark berries, cola and rose oil. Fleshy, expansive black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors display a suave blend of richness and energy, picking up a spicy character with air. Finishes juicy and very long, with lingering dark fruit flavors and slow-building tannins.”
Cristom Louise Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2013 750ML ($69.95) Displayed price: $59, that’s $56.05 after our 5% discount or $53.10 after our 10% discount! Sale ends midnight Tuesday
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 94 points “Deep red. Hugely aromatic bouquet evokes ripe red fruits, incense and Asian spices, along with a bright mineral overtone. Juicy and precise on the palate, offering sweet raspberry preserve, rose pastille and spicecake flavors that deepen and spread out with air. Delivers a suave blend of power and elegance, finishing with harmonious tannins and remarkable clarity and length.”
Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2014 Mt Jefferson Cuvee Pinot Noir, which contains around 50% whole cluster fruit, has a lively, wild strawberry and candied orange peel scented bouquet, a touch of freshly sliced tangerine in the background. This is a vivacious bouquet with more intensity than the 2013. The palate is medium-bodied with fresh, lithe tannin. This is nicely balanced with good grip in the mouth, the 15% new oak nicely integrated with a subtle saline note towards the earthy finish. For thirty bucks, this is a great value.”
Cristom Marjorie Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2014 750ML ($79.95) Displayed price: $69, that’s $65.55 after our 5% discount or $62.10 after our 10% discount! Limit 2 bottles Sale ends midnight Tuesday
Winery note “Originally planted in 1982, the Marjorie Vineyard is one of the oldest vineyards in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA and home to some of the oldest vines we farm. Marjorie is a gently sloped East-facing hillside found between 480 feet and 615 feet above sea level. Named for Paul Gerrie’s mother, the first single vineyard estate Marjorie was released in 1994. A true example of terroir, the soil, elevation, climate, and vine age meet and produce a wine capable of great depth, complexity, and long-term age ability.”
New Arrivals: WASHINGTON
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “Checking in as a mix of 94% Syrah and 6% Marsanne, the 2014 Syrah The Contender is another elegant, medium to full-bodied, layered wine from this estate that offers plenty of texture and length. Blackberries, violets, plums, pepper and hints of iron all emerge from this beauty, which can be enjoyed on release or cellared for a decade or more.”
Reynvaan Family Vineyards ‘Foothills in the Sun’ Reserve Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2014 750ML ($89.95) $79 special
Wine Advocate 95 points “An early bottled effort that’s made from 100% Syrah, the sensational 2014 Syrah Foothills Reserve is a notch darker in color than the 2013 and offers layers of ripe Syrah dark fruits, olive tapenade, pepper and crushed rock like minerality. Coming from a cool site on the eastern edge of the Walla Walla Valley, where the Syrah is just on the edge of where it can get ripe, this medium to full-bodied, seamless, elegant beauty will stand toe to toe with the top wines of the northern Rhone. It will drink well for 10-15 years.”
Reynvaan Family Vineyards In The Hills Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2014 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “Another beauty is the 2014 Syrah In the Hills, which is this estate’s take on a Cote Rotie and incorporates 5% co-fermented Viognier. Raspberries, bacon fat, violets and olive all emerge from this medium-bodied, elegant, ethereally textured beauty. It too will drink beautifully for 10-15 years.”
Reynvaan Family Vineyards In The Rocks Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2014 750ML ($99.95) $88 special
Wine Advocate 95-97 points “From a warmer terroir and the estate’s vineyard in The Rocks region of Walla Walla, the 2014 In the Rocks Syrah (5% Viognier) sports an inky purple color to go with flat out gorgeous notes of liquid blackberries, violets, earth and spice. Concentrated, ripe and sexy, it should knock your socks off right out of the gate, yet cruise for 15 years in the cellar.”
Reynvaan Family Vineyards Stonessence Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2014 750ML ($119.95) $99 special
Wine Advocate 95-97 points “Reminiscent of a top Cornas with its iron, beef blood, floral and seriously mineral character, the 2014 Syrah Stonessence is the burliest, most structured and concentrated of the Syrahs releases. I love its balance, and its purity of fruit and ripe tannic spine all suggest short-term cellaring will be the name of the game.”
Reynvaan Family Vineyards The Unnamed Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2014 750ML ($79.95) $66 special
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “Incorporating 8% Grenache Blanc and from the Rocks region of Walla Walla, the 2014 The Unnamed Syrah offers a unique profile with pretty notes of white peach (from the Grenache Blanc no doubt), dried violets, plums and bouquet garni. Medium to full-bodied, supple, layered and beautifully balanced, it should shine right out of the gate, yet also evolve gracefully.”
New Arrivals: CALIFORNIA
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Bone dry and brisk in acidity, this elegant Chardonnay teases with hints of lemons, limes, green apples and apricots, then withdraws into a moody, tart minerality. Let it breathe and develop on the table, and don’t drink it too cold. It might even age through 2019.”
The next best price is $74.99
Yes, the next best price is almost double!
The average price is $80
Winery note “This late harvest is succulent, mouthwatering and breathtaking in its intensity. The aroma is packed with ripe fruit — nectarine, peach, mango and apricot. Deep layers reveal scents of crème brulée, poached pears, cardamom and honeycomb. Sweet on the entry, the palate is rich, expansive and superbly balanced, finishing with a hint of orange marmalade.”
The next best price is $43.99
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Bright purple. Displays sexy dark berry liqueur, cherry-cola, vanilla, violet and tobacco aromas and a hint of allspice. Broad, fleshy and sweet, offering palate-coating black and blue fruit flavors and a strong floral quality. Aeration brings up exotic Indian spice notes that carry through the sweet, gently tannic finish. Smooth, seductive and approachable now but will age effortlessly.” ST
Joseph Swan Vineyards Ziegler Vineyard Zinfandel, Russian River Valley 2011 750ML ($31.95) $28 special
Winery note “Tasting notes: Medium deep garnet color. Aromas of dark berry compote with hints of fig, baking spices and black pepper. In the mouth the aromas are echoed but with a bit more brightness due to its excellent acidity. Still fairly tannic. Decanting and/ or opening a couple of hours ahead of drinking is highly recommended for this young pup!”
Robert Parker 94 points “Lastly, the 2014 Zinfandel Black Chicken (its name coming from the code name used when ordering a jug of Zinfandel during the Prohibition era) is another relatively big-boned Zinfandel at 15.3% alcohol. Gorgeously proportioned, textured and almost chewy, this stunningly hedonistic and fleshy, flamboyant Zinfandel delivers abundant glycerin, fruit, quality and personality. Drink it over the next 7-8 years.”
Robert Parker 94+ points “From one of the most iconic vineyard sites in all of Northern California, the 2014 Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard kicks up the level of concentration. It finishes at 15% natural alcohol but has tremendous inner depth and richness. The color is a handsome, dense bluish purple. The wine officers a spectrum of blue and purple fruits along with earth. It is full-bodied, super-concentrated, with adequate acidity and nicely integrated, ripe tannins. This is a beauty to drink over the next 10-15 years.”
New Arrivals: FRANCE-CHAMPAGNE
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Light gold. Mineral-accented citrus fruits and white flowers on the fragrant nose and in the mouth. Shows impressive clarity and cut, with a smoky nuance emerging with aeration. Closes on a bright, stony note, with repeating smokiness and a hint of buttery brioche. Offers a nice blend of richness and nerve.” ST
Wine Spectator 91 points “A svelte version, with a lacy mousse, this shows finely knit flavors of slivered almond, spring blossom, yellow plum and chalk. Elegant, presenting a hint of anise on the finish. Drink now through 2019.” WS
New Arrivals: FRANCE-BURGUNDY
18/20 Jancis Robinson, Burghound 90-92 points “This is also mildly reduced aromatically. There is more size, richness and power to the broad-shouldered flavors that are notably less refined on the mineral-driven, intense and moderately austere finish that is both long and serious. There is solid depth and length but in 2012 the Preuses appears to have a slight edge, at least for now.”
The average price is $68
Winery note “Our Meursault 1er Cru “Château de Blagny” 2014 reveals a brillant yellow pale colour. The nose is really gourmet : fresh butter, vanilla, almond and fresh hazelnut notes dominate. The mouth is round, ample and reveals floral and brioché notes. Nice minerality on the finish.”
Winery note “Our Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru “Sous le Puits” 2014 reveals a nice pale yellow colour. The nose is complex with floral and almond paste aromas. The mouth is ample with flavours of white flowers and a light salinity. Nice mineral finish. The vineyard of Puligny-Montrachet « Sous les Puits » has a south-easterly exposure and is situated at the top of the hill of Blagny, just above « La Garenne “, near a source, hence the name of “Sous le Puits” (“Under the Well”).”
Winery note “Of a pale yellow colour, our Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru “Caillerets” 2014 offers a floral and elegant nose with vanilla notes. There is a beautiful liveliness with citrus and fresh almond notes. A nice persistency.”
James Suckling 94 points “A tangy red with sliced apple, citrus, plum, chocolate, and fresh herb. Full to medium body, beautiful core of fruit and a bright finish. Chewy and polished. Tight now. Give this time. Drink or hold.”
Louis Latour Chateau Corton Grancey Grand Cru 2010 750ML ($149.95) $119 special
James Suckling 95 points “Bright and intense with blackberry, blueberry, and lemon rind. Full-bodied, yet tight with tannin tension and form. Mineral and Asian mushroom too, plus a bright finish. Just about ready. Love tasting this.”
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “A firm, powerful wine, its tannins still very dominant. Acidity is a factor, along with deep red-plum fruit. Some sweetness will develop in the next several years, although this concentrated and complex wine will also have a solid core of dry, structured tannin. Age for at least five years.”
Domaine Fourrier Bourgogne Blanc 2014 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
VinopolNote: Once sold exclusively to Japan, the Bourgogne Blanc is produced in the same way as the Village, Premier and Grand Cru wines: minimal intervention to allow terroir and vintage to express themselves. Given the highly lauded vintage, the 2014 is a remarkable value from this hard-to-find estate.
Domaine Fourrier Bourgogne Rouge 2014 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
“A fresh, cool and attractively ripe nose features notes of red berries and earth that lead to punchy and delicious flavors that terminate in a mildly austere, balanced and persistent finale. This should age well but be approachable young.”-Burghound
Louis Jadot Les Suchots, Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru 2010 750ML ($179.95) $149 special
John Gilman 93+ points “The 2010 Suchots is another simply outstanding bottle of Vosne in the making. The deep, sappy and very classy nose offers up scents of cassis, dark berries, Asian spices, black soil tones, game, a touch of fresh nutmeg and cedar. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and very pure on the attack, with great complexity, a sappy core, a fine signature of soil, ripe tannins and exceptional length and grip on the laser-like finish…93+” JG
Regis Bouvier Marsannay Clos du Roy Rouge 2012 750ML ($34.95) $21.90 special
Importer note “Clos du Roy means ‘vineyard of the king.’ Vines average 40 years old and are grown in calcareous slopes with sand and red clay subsoil. Aged in barrel for 12-16 months, 30% new oak.”
The next best price is $27.93
Importer note “Les Longeroies means ‘alongside the king.’ Vines average 50 years old and are grown in calcareous slopes. Aged in barrel for 12-16 months, 30% new oak.”
The next best price is $31.97
New Arrivals: FRANCE-BORDEAUX
Wine Spectator 95 points “This is subtle and complex, showing blackberry, fresh tobacco and light vanilla, with a hint of Indian spices. Full-bodied, with super well-integrated tannins and a finish that lasts for minutes. Refined and classy. The best modern wine from this producer. Best after 2015.” WS
Robert Parker 98 points “The all-time greatest wine I have ever tasted from Saint-Pierre, this estate, the smallest of the grand cru classes of St.-Julien, has an opaque purple color and a spectacular nose of subtle charcoal, creme de cassis, blackberry, and incense. Full-bodied, with striking intensity and flamboyantly rich, exuberant flavors bursting with extract, the St. Pierre has no hard edges, but rather massive, incredibly well-endowed blockbuster style, which should prove to be monumental. Give it 6-8 years to take on more definition and calm down, but this is a 30- to 40-year wine. Bravo!”RP
Chateau Duhart-Milon, Pauillac 2009 750ML ($179.95) $149 special
Robert Parker 97 points “A blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon and 37% Merlot, it displays an inky/blue/purple color as well as a big, sweet nose of creme de cassis, forest floor, licorice, lead pencil, cedar and subtle barrique smells. Viscous and full-bodied, it is the most concentrated and broadest example of this cuvee I have tasted in over three decades. It will be ready to drink in 5-7 years and should last for three decades or more. Consumers looking to maximize value should be checking out Duhart Milon, as this may be the single smartest purchase in this great and historic vintage!”RP
Chateau Le Gay, Pomerol 2009 750ML ($199.95) $179 special
Robert Parker 96+ points “Tiny yields of 25 hectoliters per hectare and a final blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc have produced an enormously concentrated, black/purple-colored wine exhibiting notes of roasted meats, smoked game, blackberries, coffee, incense and forest floor. This distinctive, large-scaled, viscous, thick Pomerol may be as concentrated as some of this estate’s all-time classics (1947 and 1950). I am puzzled by why I could not see this a few years ago. In any event, this is one of the most profound Le Gay’s ever produced. Forget it for at least a decade and drink it over the following half century.” RP
Chateau La Gaffeliere, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2009 750ML ($179.95) $149 special
Robert Parker 94-96 points “One of the old, historic vineyards in St.-Emilion, owned by a family that goes back to the 1400s, this wine has gone from strength to strength over the last decade. Cropped at 33 hectoliters per hectare in 2009, during a harvest that took place between September 29 and October 9, the final blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc will never produce a massive wine, but rather one of great elegance. The difference in 2009 is that this wine also has compelling intensity of fruit, and more opulence and viscosity than usual. At 13.5%, the alcohol is relatively modest compared to what many St.-Emilions achieved in this vintage. Dense purple, with terrific purity and a thickness without heaviness, black cherry, black currant, and super-concentrated cranberry and kirsch notes as well as hints of spring flowers and minerals are all present in this medium to full-bodied wine. It also possesses fabulous purity, texture, and transparency. Drink it over the next 30-35 years. (Tasted four times.)” RP
Robert Parker 96 points “Ferocious extract, huge tannin, an opaque purple color, and enormous richness all make for a potentially brilliant wine from this vineyard, located on the plateau of Pomerol just adjacent to Petrus. Probably a late finisher of malolactic given its showing on three separate occasions, this wine, which is enormously endowed, very rich, and full-bodied, has a chance to be the best Gazin ever made. However, patience will be a virtue, as the wine will certainly need 5-8 years of cellaring” RP
New Arrivals: FRANCE-BEAUJOLAIS
Josh Raynolds 90 points “Youthful violet. Lively aromas of fresh red berries, lavender and allspice are joined by subtle mineral and anise nuances. Silky, gently sweet and focused, offering nervy red currant and raspberry flavors braced by zesty acidity and a subtle peppery note. Shows good depth but comes off as lithe, finishing with very good clarity and sneaky tannins.”
Josh Raynolds 91 points “Brilliant ruby. Mineral-tinged aromas of black raspberry, cherry and lavender pastille, along with a hint of white pepper in the background. Lithe and appealingly sweet, offering dark berry and spicecake flavors lifted by juicy acidity. Shows very good clarity and minerally cut on the finish, which is framed by sneaky, harmonious tannins.”
Guy Breton Morgon, Beaujolais 2014 1.5L ($69.95) $59 special
Josh Raynolds 93 points “Vivid ruby. Urgent aromas of fresh dark berries, licorice and incense are accompanied by a suggestion of smoked meat in the background. Sappy and broad on entry, then more taut in the midpalate, offering concentrated boysenberry, bitter cherry and violet pastille flavors and a hint of spicecake. A vibrant mineral flourish adds lift and cut to the finish, which lingers with excellent floral-tinged persistence.”
The next best price for the 750ML is $29.55
The next best price for the magnum is $71
John Gilman 92 points “The 2014 Cuvée Ancienne Vieilles Vignes bottling from Jean-Paul Brun is once again excellent, as this very consistently outstanding wine never seems to miss a beat. The bouquet wafts from the glass in a pure and classic constellation of black cherries, cranberries, fresh herb tones, a complex base of soil and a topnote of vinesmoke. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, focused and nicely structured for the long haul, with a good core, fine focus and balance, just a bit of backend tannin and lovely bounce on the long and soil-driven finish. This is another classic in the making and I would opt to give it a bit of bottle age before starting to drink it. 2018-2035.”
Wine Spectator – “A juicy, easy-to-drink red, with plenty of red berry, strawberry and cherry fruit, lifted by tangy acidity and hints of fresh herb and red licorice. The aromatic, floral finish is structured with light, easy tannins.”
New Arrivals: FRANCE-LOIRE
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 88 points “Bright orange. Ripe red berries, pungent flowers and a hint of spiciness on the nose. Plush and open-knit, offering gently sweet raspberry and cherry flavors that tighten up on the back half. Clings with good authority and a bit of heat, leaving a bitter cherry pit note behind.”
The next best price is $16.11
Wine Spectator 93 points “Richly layered but a rapier now, with green plum, green almond and quince notes that zip along, pushed by bright acidity and lilting floral accents. The long, mineral-filled finish has power in reserve. Very pure. Should unwind slowly and surely in the cellar. Drink now through 2025.”
The average price is $47
Importer note “This is the Breton’s greatest red, from one of the most prized hillside parcels in Bourgueil. The terroir is siliceous clay and limestone, and old vines give very low yields of 20 hectoliters/hectare on average. The maceration is done in open wood vats and the fermentation and élevage is done in 550-L barriques, a variable percentage of which are new. The wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered after two full years in wood.”
The next best price is $89.99
Winery note “The age of the vines (over 70 years) and its terroir of clay-silica mid-slope make this wine our flagship. The low yields and rigorous sorting produces a wine showing red berry notes and layers of tannin in a vibrant chalky frame. It needs a good decanting [or long ageing] to show all of its dimensions. A truly great wine.”
Wine Spectator 90 points “Lovely olive, bay and pepper notes stream forth, all well-embedded in a core of crushed plum and blackberry fruit. The bay detail lingers through the finish, showing a leathery echo in the background. Drink now through 2020. 495 cases imported.”
The average price is $22
Winery note “Coming from 15 parcels of old and young Cabernet Franc vines, Tuffe is a blend from different “terroirs”, scattered around Saumur and Dampierre/Loire. Here the common denominator is the tuffeau (around Saumur, we would say “la Tuffe”), which can be found at anything from 1 foot to a couple of yards underneath the surface. Differences in soils, exposition, age of the vines: this patchwork is the real nature of the Saumur-Champigny appellation, and we want “Tuffe” to be an example of the charm of our appellation. From a serious basis of really ripe Cabernet Franc grapes, this is a really serious wine… But which doesn’t take itself too seriously! Its delightful lack of pretention that will please one and all!”
Domaine Gramenon Cotes du Rhone La Sagesse 2014 750ML ($37.95) $27 special
Josh Raynolds 91 points “Vivid ruby-red. Potent, mineral-laced red berry liqueur and cherry aromas are complicated by suggestions of peppery spices and garrigue. Lively and alluringly sweet, offering juicy black raspberry and lavender pastille flavors that become deeper with air while maintaining vivacity. Fine-grained tannins build slowly on an impressively long, penetrating finish, which leaves behind suave spicecake and kirsch notes.”
Josh Raynolds 91 points “Deep ruby. A complex bouquet evokes musky red and dark berries, cherry pit, olive, dried flowers and pungent herbs. Chewy and focused on the palate, offering gently sweet raspberry, boysenberry, violet pastille and spicecake flavors that become livelier as the wine opens up. Pliant tannins give shape to a very long, spicy finish that features a lingering blue fruit note.”
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “Easily one of the top Cotes du Rhones in the vintage, the spectacular 2012 Cotes du Rhone Village Vieilles Vignes, which is a blend of 100% old vine Grenache, aged half in barrel and half in tank, sports off the hook aromas and flavors (garrigue, strawberry, spice), full-bodied richness and a seamless, silky textured that has to be tasted to be believed. Getting more than one “Wow” in my notes, this is one barrel sample I can’t wait to taste from bottle. It should be ready to go on release and evolve gracefully for 7-8 years.” WA
The average price is $28
New Arrivals: FRANCE-ALSACE
Importer note “60% Pinot Auxerrois, 20% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Blanc, 5% Pinot Noir. The grapes are harvested at a potential alcohol of around 11% and vinified in the méthode champenoise. Around mid-March, the first fermentation is finished and the wine is bottled for the second fermentation, which lasts two to three months. It is left in bottle for at least twelve months before disgorging, when a minimum of dosage is added.”
The average price is $22
Agathe Bursin Gewurztraminer Zinnkoepfle, Alsace Grand Cru 2015 750ML ($41.95) $33 special
Agathe Bursin L’As de B, Alsace 2015 750ML ($21.95) $16.60 special
Agathe Bursin Pinot Blanc Parad’ Aux 2015 750ML ($24.95) $19 special
Agathe Bursin Pinot Gris Dirstelberg 2015 750ml ($26.95) $21.90 special
Agathe Bursin Pinot Gris Zinnkoepfle Grand Cru 2015 750ML ($41.95) $33 special
Agathe Bursin Riesling Dirstelberg, Alsace 2015 750ML ($26.95) $21.90 special
Agathe Bursin Sylvaner Eminence Zinnkoepfle, Alsace Grand Cru 2015 750ML ($31.95) $28 special
Agathe Bursin Sylvaner Lutzeltal, Alsace 2015 750ML ($24.95) $19 special
These are all the only listings in the USA today!
Wine Advocate 95 points “From 30- to 75-year-old vines on red sandstone and volcanic sediments, Ostertag’s 2013 Riesling Grand Cru Muenchberg shows a clear, very precise and deep, multi-layered bouquet with flinty flavors intertwined with tropical aromas; it is absolutely fascinating in its ripeness and intensity. Very deep, rich and fleshy on the palate, with the dense and juicy texture of ripe Riesling mingled with the precisely mineral taste of pure stones and rocks, this is a firm, very complex, highly elegant and persistent Riesling, still fairly stringent in its mouth-watering and salty finish, but with an aging potential of 20+ years.”
James Suckling 94 points “A dense and rich white with a wonderful clarity and brightness plus flowers, strawberry and sliced apple character. Full body, fresh acidity and a mineral, citrus undertone. Made from biodynamically grown grapes. Dry. Drink now.”
Ian D’Agata – Vinous 93 points “Medium yellow. Aromas of fresh peach, orange zest, lemon verbena and flint. Big, fat and broad, with concentrated stone fruit, lime, brown spice and honey flavors. Conveys an element of oiliness buffered by musky herbs and minerality. Finishes long, spicy and honeyed; very Muenchberg! Still very youthful; I’d suggest cellaring it for at least another four years before pulling the cork.”
The average price is $55
Ian D’Agata–Vinous 90+ points “Bright straw-yellow. Slightly honeyed aromas of white peach, apricot and jasmine. Enters fresh and relatively dry (11 g/l residual sugar), with delicate acidity framing the white stone fruit and flint flavors. Albert Mann owns parcels at midslope in the Kirrenburg, which is actually separated from the main body of the Schlossberg grand cru, located to the northeast (but the terrain has the same geological origin as the rest of the cru). Maurice Barthelme told me that in 2011 there was a danger of water stress in this sector due to the excellent drainage of the soil. “You couldn’t make anything good with yields higher than 30 nectoliters per hectare,” he told me.”
New Arrivals: FRANCE- LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON
Robert Parker 92 points “A steal from Lafage is the 2014 Bastide Miraflors, which is a Cotes du Roussillon, and a blend of 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache, with the Grenache aged in concrete tanks and the Syrah in 500-liter demi-muids. Lafage makes more expensive wines than this, but certainly excels with his value lineup. He has really hit a home run with this 10,000-case cuvée. It is deep, ruby/plum/purple, with fresh notes of blackcurrants, plums, Provençal herbs as well as licorice. Deep, medium to full-bodied, with amazing fruit, the purity, authenticity and Mediterranean upbringing of this wine are obvious. Quite deep, round and succulent, this wine should drink well for another several years. This is one to buy by the case.”
Maxime Magnon Corbieres Campagnes, Languedoc-Roussillon 2014 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 special
Wine Advocate 93 points “Leading off the reds, the 2014 Corbieres Campagnes is terrific, and the greatest wine I’ve tasted from the estate in some time. It’s inky purple color is followed by textbook Carignan (it’s 100% Carignan) notes of black and blue fruits, liquid violets, plums, iodine and freshly crushed rock. This medium to full-bodied, elegant, seamless effort shows the potential of the variety and will benefit from 1-2 years of bottle age and keep through 2024.”
The average price is $37
Wine Spectator: “Savory notes of black olive and tobacco leaf lead the way in this medium-bodied red. The underlying plum and blackberry flavors are matched with fresh acidity and integrated tannins, with an easy, clean finish. Drink now. 190 cases imported.”
The next best price is $17.79
Importer note “Chardonnay from 50 year old vines grown in clay-limestone on gray marl. Biodynamic. Julien Mareschal, like several of the young vignerons in the Jura, was not born into a vine-owning family. In Julien’s case, he came to the Jura at the age of 23, from an agricultural family, after studying agronomy and then oenology at Dijon. He now has 5 hectares of vines in and around Pupillin, some at the highest elevations (550 meters) and all his vines are organic or in conversion to biodynamic. His Ploussard is made without the addition of any sulfites; other cuvees have only tiny amounts added at bottling. Only indigenous yeasts are used in the fermentations for all of his wines.”
The next best price is $27.99
Importer note “Savagnin from 30 year old vines grown in gray and blue marls with ‘schistes cartons.’ Biodynamic. Julien Mareschal, like several of the young vignerons in the Jura, was not born into a vine-owning family. In Julien’s case, he came to the Jura at the age of 23, from an agricultural family, after studying agronomy and then oenology at Dijon. He now has 5 hectares of vines in and around Pupillin, some at the highest elevations (550 meters) and all his vines are organic or in conversion to biodynamic. His Ploussard is made without the addition of any sulfites; other cuvees have only tiny amounts added at bottling. Only indigenous yeasts are used in the fermentations for all of his wines.”
The next best price is $29
Importer note “This ploussard sees partial carbonic maceration. Working with a traditional Jura line-up of Savagnin, Poulsard, Trousseau and Chardonnay, Loreline employs a pure and rustic approach to winemaking, working everything with her hands and her horse at the utmost respect for nature. Loreline has a mere 3.5 hectares total, acquired piece by piece in 2010, ’11, ’12’ 13, etc, and continuing to work hard to acquire what little she can each year. She has been working biodynamically since her beginning.”
The next best price is $24.99
New Arrivals: ITALY-TUSCANY
Winery note “Made from the finest Sangiovese grapes of the estate, this wine matures in oak for two years. Its tannins give the wine its extraordinary texture: they are as concentrated as the fruit is mellow. It has a distinct tangy quality on the palate and rich fruit on the nose, with evolved tones of fruit and dried flowers. It is a wine that expresses perfectly the terroir of Chianti Classico, whose very landscape it captures in the bottle. One can detect the high-altitude vineyards in its finesse, the heat of the earth in its depth and the nuances of woodlands in its extraordinarily persistent bouquet. It is a wine to serve with succulent, rich dishes, to be drunk with respect for history but also with the joy of discovery.”
Isole e Olena Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2006 1.5L ($499.95) $389 special
Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2006 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is a controversial wine and for good reason. Proprietor Paolo De Marchi was initially opposed to the idea of introducing the Gran Selezione category above the Chianti Classico Riserva. But more than a year ago, the Institute of Masters of Wine held a special dinner in Florence and producers were invited to pour only Gran Selezione wines. Paolo had an amazing barrel of Sangiovese put aside for a commemorative wine to celebrate his 30th anniversary as a winemaker. He hoped to dedicate that wine as a special limited release. Because he also wanted to pour something of his at the Masters of Wine dinner, he declassified the wine and re-registered it as a Gran Selezione. This also explains why it is from an older vintage. Most of his peers inaugurated this new category with the 2010 vintage. Only 1,800 bottles were made (of which 500 are put aside for the family’s personal use) and the blend consists of Sangiovese with 12% Cabernet Franc and 8% Syrah. “I love Chianti Classico and I love super Tuscans,” says Paolo De Marchi. “This wine is a crossover of the two.” The wine shows gorgeous ripeness with brooding dark fruit, depth and extreme balance. This is a wine that makes a statement upfront both in terms of the quality of the aromas and its overall integrity and persistency.”
The average price is $204
Wine Spectator 96 points “This is phenomenal on the nose, with blueberry, light toasty oak, coffee and sweet tobacco. The palate is full and utterly capivating, with its combination of fruit and very subtle, silky tannins. Goes on and on. Best after 2014.”WS
New Arrivals: ITALY-PIEDMONT
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “(the vines here are 60 to 70 years old; done entirely in stainless steel): Bright ruby. Primary aroma of medicinal black cherry. Concentrated, rich and sweet, with dark fruit flavors lifted by a floral element and pungent white soil notes. Smooth, ripe and very long. A terrific dolcetto.”
New Arrivals: ITALY-VENETO
Importer note “The Scamperle family has cultivated vineyards for generations. Le Salette currently consists of 49 acres in the best areas of the Valpolicella Classico. Varietals: Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Sangiovese, Molinara. Color: Ruby red. Bouquet: Fresh, fruit nose with cherry notes. Flavor: Soft with balanced acidity. Pairings: Versatile wine that can be enjoyed throughout a meal.”
The average price is $16
New Arrivals: ITALY-SICILY
Case-12 Cantine Ermes ‘Vento di Mare’ Nerello Mascalese Terre Siciliane IGT 2013 750ML ($149.95) $119 special (that’s only $9.92/bottle!)
Winery note “In the Belice Valley, where the ancient manor houses preserve the historical memory of the industrious presence of workers, we cultivate the vineyards that produce the VENTO DI MARE wines. The fertile soils and mild temperatures provide the unique and essential conditions that allow the best grapes to reach a perfect state of ripeness, fully integral and healthy. Thanks to the wind, which blows from the sea to the highest hills of the hinterland to mitigate and refresh the bunches of grapes in the hot Sicilian summers, we find in our wines features that are unique and distinctly Mediterranean combined with important structures, all imbued with outstanding freshness, high acidity and balanced flavour.”
The next best price is $14
New Arrivals: ITALY-FRIUILI
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2009 Vitovska Origine is a bomb. Rich, powerful and structured, it captures the essence of what makes Vitovksa in the Carso district so incredibly appealing. Dried pears, flowers, spices and mint all flesh out as this deep, resonant white shows off its irrepressible personality. The finish is long, rich and resonant. A broad, expansive white, the Origine should drink well early, but it also has enough depth to age nicely for at least a handful of years. Overall, the style is a bit exuberant next to the more subtle Solo MM9. Both wines are striking, each in their own way. The Origine was fermented and aged in large Slavonian oak casks.”
New Arrivals: SPAIN
Josh Raynolds 90 points “Brilliant violet color. Intensely perfumed dark berry and floral pastille scents, along with suggestions of anise, violet and pipe tobacco. Sweet and expansive on the palate, offering sappy black and blue fruit flavors that put on weight with air. Shows very good energy and power on the long, gently tannic finish, leaving behind notes of blueberry and peppery spices.”
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “(made from vines that were planted between 1935 and 1970): Bright purple. An exotically perfumed bouquet displays scents of fresh black and blue fruits, licorice, vanilla and peppery spices. Juicy and incisive on the palate, offering sweet boysenberry and cassis flavors that flesh out on the back half. Sappy and concentrated, yet quite lively, finishing with smooth, shaping tannins and a strong punch. This sexy wine went through malolactic fermentation and was aged in French oak barrels for 20 months.”
New Pierre Peters Releases
Arriving Next Week
Wine Advocate 95 points: “The 2000 Brut Cuvee Speciale “Les Chetillons” is a sumptuous, opulent wine that flows with layers of smoke, licorice, lime, minerals, ripe fruit and spices, all of which are supported by a gorgeous streak of minerality. This is an exciting, racy wine that I find completely irresistible and sensual. Needless to say, the 2000 Cuvee Speciale “Les Chetillons” is highly recommended. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2020.
Stephen Tanzer 93 (Nov/Dec 08): “Light, bright gold. Bright lemon and orange aromas give way to richer pear and white peach with air. Round and sappy, offering candied lemon and honeysuckle flavors, with impressive mineral snap on the back. Becomes richer on the finish, which repeats the lemon and mineral notes. Put this youthful, impressively pure wine in a cool spot for another five years or so.”
Pierre Peters Cuvee Speciale ‘Les Chetillons’ Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut 2008 750ML ($149.95) $136 pre-arrival special
Pierre Peters Cuvee Speciale ‘Les Chetillons’ Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut 2008 1.5L ($319.95) $299 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 95 points “This harmonious Champagne offers fine interplay between power and finesse, with ripe poached apricot, rich lemon meringue pie and spun honey flavors married to chalky minerality and focused acidity. The overall impression is elegant and fresh. Drink now through 2030.”
Pierre Peter Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut 2010 ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2010 L’Esprit Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut Millésime is 100% stainless steel-fermented Chardonnay from the crus Le Mesnil, Oger, Avize and Cramant. Disgorged in November with a dosage of 4.7 grams, this intensely golden-yellow colored Esprit de 2010 is very complex on the nose; there are iodine flavors along with candied lemons, shortly stewed apples and a touch of nougat. Round and complex, but light and delicate on the palate, this is an extraordinary Champagne with a firm structure and a long, grippy, tension-filled finish. This is highly recommended.”
Pierre Peters ‘Reserve Oubliee’ Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut NV 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special
Pierre Peters Cuvee Rose for Albane Brut NV 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 93 points: “The NV Brut Rosé per Albane is drop-dead gorgeous. Perfumed, ethereal and beguiling, the Albane is both incredibly delicate and full of flavor. Sweet floral notes, red berries, mint and crushed rocks linger on the bright, crystalline finish. The long, brilliant finish leaves a lasting impression. The Albane is 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Meunier, an unusual combination.” AG
The Pieri family has owned Piancornello since 1950, but it wasn’t until the 1990 vintage that they began estate-bottling their wines. Their organic viticulture, patient and traditional winemaking style, and stewardship of the land and Montalcino name earned a Slow Food award in 2014. No doubt the accolades will keep coming for Piancornello, just as summertime will continue to inspire the uncorking of their wines.
Importer note “The younger brother of Brunello di Montalcino, the Rosso di Montepulciano from Piancornello is a versatile, medium bodied Sangiovese with lots of varietal fruit, including cherries and fresh plums.”
James Suckling 93 points “This is a soft, delicate and succulent red with dried strawberry, walnut and light cream aromas and flavors. Full body, polished tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Subtle and gorgeous. Drink or hold.” (15-Feb-2016)
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino is one of the more successful wines of the vintage. Sage, lavender, iron, smoke and dark red cherry notes flesh out in a supple, inviting Brunello. A kick of Mediterranean warmth gives the 2011 its generous texture, with all of the elements very much in the right place. I would prefer to drink the 2011 over the next handful of years or so. This is a strong showing from Piancornello.”
The next best price is $47.95
Thomas Pico Magnums
Arriving Late September
“Aromas of fresh apricot, exotic fruits and a spicy hint of ginger. Rich and ripe but with lively acidity and a hint of salinity and stone.”
our current shipping specials:
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.
-Washington & Idaho for $20,
-to Oregon for $17, and California for $25
Multiple orders consolidated into one shipment do not qualify for flat rate shipping.
Wines Currently Trending
Case-6 Vouette et Sorbee Cuvee Fidele Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2012) 750ML ($479.95) $336 special (that’s only $56/bottle!)
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The NV (2012) Extra Brut Fidele is another fabulous wine from Vouette & Sorbée. Here, the richness of Pinot Noir comes through loud and clear in the wine’s depth and overall richness. Creamy and beautifully layered throughout, the 2012 hits all the right notes. Red berry, mint, flowers, sweet spices and candy fill out the wine’s broad frame effortlessly. What a gorgeous wine this is. Simply put, the 2012 is a total knock-out.”
Case-6 Vouette et Sorbee Cuvee Blanc d’Argile Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2012) 750ML ($599.95) $438 special (that’s only $73/bottle!)
Vouette et Sorbee Cuvee Blanc d’Argile Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2012) 1.5L ($199.95) $179 special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Vouette & Sorbée NV (2012) Extra-Brut Blanc d’Argile is superb. Deep, rich and powerful, the 2012 shows just how compelling Champagnes can be. A Champagne of baritone depth and intensity, the 2012 flows effortlessly throughout the mid-palate as the flavors and textures crescendo on the expressive finish. Readers who enjoy rich, vinous Champagnes will adore the 2012.”
Robert Parker 99+ points “Yields continued to increase in 2013, with just over 4,000 cases of wine from a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. This is another killer effort from Spottswoode. Inky bluish purple to the rim, it has hints of violets intermixed with sweet foresty notes, blackcurrants, chocolate and a touch of subtle smoke and earth. It is dense, with higher acidity and more noticeable structure than the 2012, but is as concentrated, dense and promising. Some patience is warranted in 2013, and I would suggest waiting another 5-6 years before pulling the cork on one. It is a 50-year wine at the very minimum and a great classic.”
2014 Dujac
Arriving September 23rd
Wine Advocate 86-88 points “The 2014 Morey-Saint-Denis Blanc has a refined bouquet with almond and white peach scents. The palate is well balanced, quite rich in the mouth with a brush of clear honey and almond towards the rounded finish. This is a commendable white Morey.”
John Gilman 93-94+ points “The 2014 Charmes-Chambertin was also late finishing up its malo, and unlike the Eche´zeaux, it was not all that happy about being tasted. This wine had not yet absorbed all its new wood and was showing a bit chewy, but all the constituent components are in place for this wine to snap into place with a bit more elevage. The nose is a promising blend of black cherries, cassis, grilled meat, espresso, dark soil tones and spicy new oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, long and rock solid at the core, with fine focus and soil signature, ripe tannins and a long, chewy and adolescent finish.”
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2014 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru has an exquisite bouquet with blackberry, bilberry and cassis fruit. This is very elegant and linear, great precision here. The palate is very well balanced, structured with citrus-infused blackcurrant fruit. There is that titillating prickle of salinity on the finish, a Mazoyères-like Charmes that should age well over the next 15-20 years.”
John Gilman 96 points “In contrast to the Charmes, the 2014 Dujac Clos de la Roche was in fine spirits and showing enormous potential. The brilliant bouquet offers up scents of cherries, red plums, pomegranate, gamebirds, superb soil tones, woodsmoke, raw cocoa and vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and very suave on the attack, with a sappy core, fine transparency and a very, very long, fine-grained and elegant finish. A great vintage of Clos de la Roche from the Seysses family this year!”
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 92-95 points “Bright, dark red. Pure, vibrant, perfumed aromas of raspberry, red licorice, rose petal and spices. Silky, seamless and pristine, with terrific mineral energy to the raspberry, saline and earth flavors. Conveys an impression of sucrosité but this youthfully imploded wine is classically dry. Diana Snowden ventured the opinion that 2014 is a great year for Clos de la Roche.”
The next best price is $987.99
John Gilman 97 points “The style of the 2014 vintage perfectly dovetails with the great elegance inherent in this terroir, so it is not surprising that the Domaine Dujac version is utterly stunning this year. The wine soars from the glass in a blaze of cherries, red plums, cocoa powder, fresh nutmeg, a fabulous base of soil tones, woodsmoke, lovely spice tones and vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and utterly seamless, with a velvety attack, a sappy core of red fruit, stunning transparency and a supremely elegant, fine-grained and tangy finish. Hauntingly beautiful Clos St. Denis in 2014!”
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 93-95 points “Bright ruby-red. Subtle perfume of raspberry, red cherry, rose petal and flinty minerality. Silky on entry, then less sweet and more soil-driven in the mid-palate than the Clos de la Roche. But this impeccably balanced wine boasts an insidiously tactile mouth feel and opens out spectacularly on the back end. Finishes wonderfully juicy and suave, with noble tannins and a sneaky whiplash of flavor. I’d love to try this wine next to the Clos de la Roche again in ten years.”
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 87-89 points “(vinified with 70% whole clusters): Bright, dark red. Musky black raspberry and mineral aromas and flavors are lifted by herbs and spices. Nicely energized by the stem component. Finishes with substantial dusty tannins and a hint of salty minerality.”
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 87-90 points “Bright, medium ruby-red. Aromas of black raspberry and smoke show attractive perfumed lift. Nicely concentrated and sweet, with a chocolatey ripeness and a rather pliant texture that should give this wine earlier drinkability than the village Gevrey.”
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 89-91 points “Healthy dark red. Lovely lift to the aromas of blackberry, blackberry and spicy underbrush. Densely packed, broad and sweet; spreads out horizontally on the palate but retains a juicy quality to its dark berry and spice flavors. Finishes with substantial ripe tannins and very good length.”
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2014 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru les Beaux Monts has a very attractive bouquet, pure and sensual with black cherries, boysenberry and a touch of blueberry. Understated but quite compelling. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, silky in texture, beautifully balanced with very well judged acidity with a touch of salinity towards the finish. This is a very well crafted Beaumonts that deserves several years in bottle.”
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 91-94 points “Bright red-ruby. Very pure aromas of raspberry, red licorice and smoky minerals, plus a hint of animal fur. Plush, rich and fine-grained, offering a silky, spherical texture to its expressive flavors of raspberry, smoke, minerals, game and mocha. Finishes with broad, building tannins and terrific persistence.”
Ultra-Classic, Ultra-Coveted Aged Rieslings
As Well as New 2015 Vintage Releases
Arriving in November
Fine Rieslings with Cellar Age:
Wine Advocate 93 points “Lowenstein’s 2010 Winninger Uhlen Riesling Auslese Gold Capsule Roth Lay – destined for auction – displays an almost sweaty aromatic alliance of salinity and musky pungency, along with nose-prickling lemon rind such as one might expect from an Eiswein. Suggestions of marigold and narcissus add to the exotic, pungent muskiness on display here. Fig and peach preserves; pear drops; marzipan and salted caramel intensely mark the palate, while zesty, musky, and saline mineral impingement serve for strikingly persistent stimulation. Despite its lower (7.5%) alcohol, though, this comes off not only as more viscous but also less buoyant (let alone “uncannily” so) than its Rottgen counterpart. That wine is an example of botrytis performing its magic and leaving nary a fingerprint behind, whereas here, prints are quite evident, even if fascinatingly smudge-free. This compellingly complex concentrate will not be everybody’s cup of nobly rotten Riesling, but ought to merit at least the better part of two decades attention.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “Candied citrus, jujube, sweet spice and quince paste aromas and flavors mark this sweet, bracing Riesling, which is light on its feet and resonates on the finish with a mouthwatering feel and echoes of citrus. Best from 2012 through 2045.”
Wine Advocate 95 points “Lowenstein’s 2007 Winninger Uhlen Riesling Auslese Gold Capsule Roth Lay (as in the corresponding dry wines, the letter “R” is prominent on the label of this A.P.#9) benefits from counterpoint and collaboration among bright citrus, rich pit fruit essences, and the honey of botrytis. For all of its enormous sheer ripeness and concentration, this retains a striking sense of delicacy. A snappy, spicy, pungent streak – taken together with vivid, diverse pit fruits and citrus – serves for exhilaration in a finish of memorable length and energy, with a vivid impression of crushed stone one hardly expects in a wine of such sweetness and prominent botrytization. There seems to be something of a personality role reversal at work this year, because the corresponding Rottgen Auslese is cool and refined whereas this Uhlen displays more of the piquancy and (as French growers might say) nervosite that I associate with Rottgen. But then, botrytis is always something of a wild card, so that a wine like this is profoundly and unpredictably influenced by the precise microclimatic conditions for and differences in the nature of that fungus. No doubt this too will be worth following for two or more decades.”
The next best price is $74.99
Wine Advocate 96 points “The Heymann-Lowenstein 2007 Winninger Rottgen Riesling Auslese Gold Capsule (for the record, A.P. #4) displays aromas of ripe nectarine, white peach, orange blossom, and lily, with hints of wet stone as well as smoke. Lusciously ripe and with a haunting, wafting diversity of inner-mouth floral nuances, this uncannily creamy, buoyant, delicate Riesling elixir draws on wet stone, smoke, subtle bitterness of fruit pits, and hints of pit fruit distillate for contrast and further complexity. The long finish here preserves – for all of the wine’s creaminess and complexity – an astonishingly vivid sense of juicy, fresh fruit. This should be worth savoring over a 25 or more year period.”WA
Wine Spectator 95 points “Superconcentrated and influenced by botrytis, this dessert white features intense honey, apricot, mango and orange flavors. It’s all backed by racy acidity, and the finish goes on forever. Drink now through 2040.”
Wine Advocate 95 points “Persian melon, nectarine, quince, licorice, heliotrope, honeysuckle, sweet lime, and pistachio extract by turns seductively inform the nose and silken, buoyant palate of Heymann-Lowenstein’s 8.5% alcohol 2010 Winninger Rottgen Riesling Auslese Gold Capsule, an elixir picked out at the same time as the corresponding dry wine, at the beginning of the harvest (and on whose label the initials “G.K” appear in small print). Uncannily buoyant; refined; headily-perfumed; endlessly, infectiously juicy, this boasts a finish that will leave you unable to resist the next sip. It all adds up to an expression of botrytis purity such as one won’t often experience, even at this address. Don’t think that its not having been labeled with an extra “L.” or labeled “Beerenauslese” is somehow a demotion; that’s merely an indication of relative ripeness. I would expect this to dazzle for 25 years of more.”
Also arriving in November
A Collection of 2015’s:
These are the only listings in the USA today!
VinopolNote: A blend of parcels from various slate soils
Heymann-Loewenstein ‘von Blauem Schiefer’ Riesling Trocken, Mosel 2015 750ML ($44.95) $33 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: Soil is blue slate, brownish clay with iron oxide
Heymann-Loewenstein Kirchberg Erste Lage Riesling Trocken, Mosel 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: Soil is Reddish slate, sandy-quarzite rich in iron
Heymann-Loewenstein Röttgen Erste Lage Riesling Trocken, Mosel 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: Soil is blue slate
Heymann-Loewenstein Stolzenberg Erste Lage Riesling Trocken, Mosel 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: Soil is grey-brown slate with sandy silt
Heymann-Loewenstein Uhlen Blaufüsser Lay Riesling Trocken, Mosel 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: Soil is blue-grey slate with silt and clay
Heymann-Loewenstein Uhlen Laubach Lay Riesling Trocken, Mosel 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: Soil is grey slate with silt and sand rich in limestone fossils
Another 2004 Gem From Voerzio
Arriving in November
98 Points James Suckling; 97 points Wine Advocate; 96 Points Antonio Galloni
“The 2004 Barolo Fossati Case Nere Riserva 10 anni comes from a more balanced vintage (without big heat spikes) that shows a pretty garnet color. The structure is there and the bouquet is ever changing and fluid. There’s a hint of dark fruit followed by spice, cola, dark truffle with tar notes of black granite and pencil shaving. This is second year this wine is produced. The wine is bottled after 24 months in oak and rests in bottle for six to seven years. There’s a lot a fresh fruit left, despite its age. Drink: 2016-2034.” WA