Vinopolis Tuesday Newsletter 11-3-2020

In Today’s Newsletter:

Closeout Wines Going, Going, Almost Gone…

Subscriber Special
Hundred Acres Wraith Cabernet


Sub-$40 Brunello that Over-Delivers

Nikolaihof Sale
Closeout Pricing on an Austrian Legend


Smart Buys From Tuscany
All Under $20


Trending

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Closeout Wines Going, Going, Almost Gone…


The bluest of blue chips in the Northern Rhône
Domaine Auguste Clape Cornas, Rhône 2008 750ML ($219.95) Was $179, Now $149, 9 bottles in stock now
Decanter 93 points
“600mm of rain in the summer, ‘never-ending rain’ according to Pierre Clape, leading to mildew in June, rot and dilution at harvest. But like many of the best 2008s, it’s surprisingly enjoyable now mature. It’s ready to drink now, with cigar box, white pepper and raspberry fruit, then sage and thyme on the palate. It lacks weight compared to an average vintage, but has a good sense of freshness. Aromatically a little faint, but it has complexity on the palate and textural interest.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


A wine that is only made in the best years
Schloss Gobelsburg Sekt Brut Réserve RD, Niederosterreich 2008 750ML ($119.95) Was $89, Now $69, 20 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 90 points
“Gobelsburg’s Vintage is only produced in top years and ages on the lees for at least ten years. The 2008 Extra Brut Vintage blends stainless steel-fermented Pinot Noir, Riesling and Grüner Veltliner whose cuvée has been aged in large oak. This 2008 has been disgorged in March 2018 and comes along with a clear, intense and nutty-scented bouquet of ripe white and yellow fruits. Intense and complex in the palate, this zéro dosage, bone-dry Sekt reveals nutty yet somewhat astringent flavors on the palate. The perlage is remarkably fine, though, and the finish is long and complex. However, the wine tastes restrained and firm and still doesn’t sing. Tasted September 2018.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


A balance of brightness and richness
André Clouet ‘Le Clos’ Bouzy Grand Cru Brut, Champagne 2006 1.5L ($379.95) Was $319, Now $299, 2 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni 93 points
“The 2006 is the first release of Clouet’s Clos de Bouzy, a 100% Pinot bottled only in magnum. Considering the year and the richness of Pinot from Bouzy, the Clos de Bouzy is surprisingly bright and floral in its aromas and flavors. The Pinot is mostly felt in the wine’s richness and texture. Dried pears, flowers, spices and anise emerge over time, but the 2006 is first and foremost a wine of subtlety. It will be interesting to see if the 2006 puts on additional weight in bottle. (Magnum only)”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


100% Grand Cru fruit
André Clouet ‘Le Clos’ Bouzy Grand Cru Brut, Champagne 2007 1.5L ($319.95) Was $279, Now $249, 13 magnums in stock now
VinopolNote
: A limited production bottling, all from one of the four walled Grand Cru vineyards in Champagne. 100% Pinot Noir.

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


A special and unique winery, in a region known for its historic estates
Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthäuserhofberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs 2013 750ML ($69.95) Was $47, Now $39, 25 bottles in stock now
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

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Elegant, complex, beautiful
Heymann-Löwenstein Kirchberg Riesling, Mosel 2015 750ML ($49.95) Was $39, Now $33, 4 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 92 points
“The 2015 Riesling Kirchberg ‘VDP Grosse Lage’ opens with a generous and warm, ripe Riesling aroma intertwined with some herbal and iron lemon flavors on the clear and elegant nose. This is a full-bodied, charming, finessed and elegant wine with fine tannin structure and a dry and persistent finish. Still young, the Kirchberg will benefit from further bottle aging.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Mineral-driven VDP Grosse Lage
Heymann-Löwenstein Kirchberg Riesling, Mosel 2016 750ML ($44.95) Was $39, Now $33, 5 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 91 points
“The 2016 Riesling Kirchberg ‘VDP Grosse Lage’ is super ripe and flinty on the nose, with caramelly aromas. Pure, fresh and mineral, with a fine, mineral structure and lingering salinity, this is a tensioned Riesling with good phenolic structure.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Looking for more Heymann-Löwenstein? Our entire selection of 11 Heymann-Löwenstein wines are currently being offered at closeout pricing on our web store.

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Subscriber Special

Hundred Acre’s Wraith Cabernet


Hundred Acre’s wines are as unique and filled with personality as their winemaker, Jayson Woodbridge. Big, bold, rich and textured, they’re among the most coveted wines we offer. We were already offering their 100-point 2013 Wraith Cabernet Sauvignon well below any other listing in the USA, and now we’ve reduced the price even further. But this deal is only valid for 3 days, so act accordingly.

In stock and discounted until 10AM Friday, November 9th:

Hundred Acre ‘Wraith’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2013 750ML ($599.95) Was $549, Now $449
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 100 points
“Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Wraith leaps from the glass with gregarious black and red cherries, mulberries, black currant cordial, red roses and lavender scents with layers of crushed rocks and earthy sparks. Faint earth and exotic spice nuances unfurl slowly, growing in intensity and depth. The palate is full-bodied and solidly structured with firm, very finely grained, super ripe tannins and bold freshness. Finishing exquisitely perfumed, jaw-droppingly layered and with bags of sophistication and poise, this wine totally resets the benchmark for 100 points.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average national price is $591


Love California wine? We have over 85 wines from California currently available.
Shop our entire selection, including famous names like Colgin, Kapcsandy, Sine Qua Non and more on our web store!
 
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Sub-$40 Brunello that Over-Delivers


Brunello di Montalcino is one of the great wines of Tuscany. It is made exclusively from the Sangiovese Grosso clone along the warm and dry hills of Montalcino to the south of the Chianti region. This clone is known to produce thicker-skinned berries with high potential tannins and color concentration.

Already one of the most respected wine regions in Italy, Brunello received one of Italy’s first DOCGs in 1980, and over the decades the reputation of the wines has only continued to grow. Unsurprisingly prices have followed suit. Fortunately, there are still a handful of producers making exceptional Brunello at reasonable prices. Castello di Camigliano and Tenuta Fanti are two of those producers. Featured below, both producer’s flagship Brunellos from the fantastic 2015 vintage. Both are priced to pop, drinking beautifully, but built to age.

In stock now:

Castello di Camigliano Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($49.95) $38 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points
“The Camigliano 2015 Brunello di Montalcino sees fruit from a 50-hectare vineyard planted 300 to 350 meters above sea level. The soils show lots of variation with clay, sand, rock and marine fossils. The wine’s bouquet reveals classic Brunello characteristics of wild berry, forest floor, pressed rose petal, crushed stone and spice. You also get those typical balsam and herbal tones that are so specific to Montalcino. In fact, I argue that they come across with even more intensity in a beautifully balanced and sunny vintage such as 2015. This wine ages in 60-hectoliter botti for 24 months, making for a firm yet surprisingly streamlined mouthfeel. With 160,000 bottles made, the wine was released in January 2020.”
James Suckling 94 points “A bright and elegant Brunello that suggests sliced oranges, tulips and rose petals. Medium-to full-bodied and finely structured, drawing on silky layers of tannins and a vibrant edge of acidity. Drink now or hold.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “A focused, lively red, this exhibits cherry, strawberry, earth, mineral and Mediterranean herb flavors. Dense, staying fresh as this unwinds on the lingering aftertaste. Best from 2023 through 2042.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!


Tenuta Fanti Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
James Suckling 95 points
“There’s a beautiful interplay between bright, primary florals, such as rose petals and tulips and dust, hay bale and dried raspberries. The palate suggests a ripe, powerful persona with chewy, juicy tannins and a fine line of pretty acidity. Best ever. Drink in 2022.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!


Love wines from Montalcino? We have over 50 wines from Montalcino currently available.
Shop our entire selection, including famous names like Casanova di Neri, Il Poggione, Lisini, and more on our web store!
 
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Vinopolis Wine Shop Curbside Pick Up

Order Online / By Phone / By Email

When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car.


(If another adult is picking up for you,
please let us know their name when placing your order.)

www.vinopoliswineshop.com

info@vinopoliswineshop.com

503-223-6002

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Nikolaihof Sale

Closeout Pricing on an Austrian Legend


Nikolaihof is a giant of Austrian wine—a producer whose history and quality are unrivaled even in a country full of great producers. The estate dates back to Roman times and the Saahs family has run the property for over a century and a quarter. They produce wines of deep resonant flavors, which have fresh brightness but standout for an undercurrent of vinosity. They’re bright, precise and mineral-drenched with the power and density of the Wachau. These are the heights of Austrian wine.

The products of a grossly underrated wine producing country, Nikolaihof’s wines are always a shrewd buy. However, at closeout pricing these are no brainers for anyone who appreciates bright, mineral-driven white wine. As with many of our current closeout specials however, quantities are limited, so don’t sleep on these unmissable deals.

In stock now:

Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Gut’s Riesling, Wachau 2013 750ML ($44.95) Was $31.90, Now $19, 7 bottles in stock now
Terry Theise
: “23 g/l of residual sugar, as it happened, and every wine here is as-it-happened. So Nikki declined to futz with it. The result tastes like something Florian Weingart would have made in the Wachau, all the mirabelle and herbs but with a different twangy terroir here. I don’t know what “use” you’ll make of it; I only know I like it.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Familie Saahs Nikolaihof im Weingebirge Smaragd Gruner Veltliner, Wachau 2012 750ML ($69.95) Was $59, Now $49, 3 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht–Vinous 92 points
“An intriguing, ethereal nose suggests iris, ginseng, moss, beet root and a hint of blond tobacco. Beet, turnip and kohlrabi inform a plushly textured, expansive yet for Smaragd amazingly buoyant palate. Alkalinity, stoniness and tincture of iodine lend cut and a certain austerity to a finish that flashes back to the complexity of the wine’s bouquet. Those with a predilection for Nikolaihof wines (such as I) are going to appreciate this bottling more than my score might suggest.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Gelber Muskateller, Wachau 2007 750ML ($49.95) Was $36, Now $27, 1 bottle in stock now
Terry Theise note
“The quick-&-dirty on the vintages: ’07 is good and ’08 is stunning and wonderful, ++ quality. ’09 is yellow-fruit, more vintage than Muscat. ’10 remains a favorite, sweet and giving, it nurses the palate. ++ ’11 is Muscat and then some! Even has some Riesling mojo going on. + ’12 is dense, almost tannic, herbal, another kind of complexity. Also +.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Gelber Muskateller, Wachau 2011 750ML ($59.95) Was $36, Now $27, 1 bottle in stock now
Terry Theise note
“The quick-&-dirty on the vintages: ’07 is good and ’08 is stunning and wonderful, ++ quality. ’09 is yellow-fruit, more vintage than Muscat. ’10 remains a favorite, sweet and giving, it nurses the palate. ++ ’11 is Muscat and then some! Even has some Riesling mojo going on. + ’12 is dense, almost tannic, herbal, another kind of complexity. Also +.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Neuburger, Wachau 2011 750ML ($39.95) Was $28, Now $21.90, 10 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht–Vinous 89 points
“This soft and (at only 12.5% alcohol) full-feeling rendition of Neuburger emphasizes that grape’s inherent nuttiness, though the usual resemblance to white asparagus still applies. A faintly smoky piquancy adds an intriguing counterpoint to an otherwise soothing finish.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Riesling vom Stein Smaragd, Wachau 2009 750ML ($69.95) Was $59, Now $49, 4 bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 91 points
“[Reviewed April 2019] The 2009er Riesling Smaragd vom Stein presents a ripe and quite advanced nose of toffee, cooked apple, mirabelle in alcohol, bread crust, apricot cream and camphor, as well as some wax polish. The wine is smooth and develops delicately ripe flavors of fruits and nut cream on the palate and leaves a nice feel of grip in the zesty finish. The after-taste of this ripe and slightly oxidative expression of dry Riesling is straight and herbal. Now-2024.”
Wine Spectator 91 points “Features a honeyed, floral aroma, with rich, decadent flavors of baked apple, licorice, dried pineapple and slate. Dried basil and mango notes linger on the complex and powerful finish. Drink now through 2018. 38 cases imported. “

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Riesling vom Stein Smaragd, Wachau 2011 750ML ($79.95) Was $59, Now $49, 5 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 94 points
“The 2011 Riesling Smaragd Vom Stein opens with the ripe charm and winning self-confidence of a warm vintage. Super clear, with ultra-ripe (not overripe though!) and concentrated fruit aromas on the nose along with floral and herbal flavors, there is no cool soul so far, since the baby-fruit takes it all. Full-bodied, rich and powerful on the palate, this is a very juicy but also pure and complex wine still full of finesse, fresh and very, very long. It is a mighty, firmly structured, but nevertheless, refreshing and very mineral as well as elegant Riesling full of energy and vibrancy. The finish is impressively long and filled with tension and the aging potential should be terrific. It’s a great drinking experience today, and I suppose it will always be in the next 20 or 25 years”
Terry Theise notes: “This is gorgeous. Fresh fruit but a cloistery silence around it. Hay and straw, the fresh profile only hinting at its murmury depths; a wine of the brightest morning, with decades ahead of it.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Riesling vom Stein Smaragd, Wachau 2012 750ML ($79.95) Was $69, Now $49, 8 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht–Vinous 92 points
“this lives up to its name with a stony, alkaline undertone. There is a faintly reductive hint of machine oil that, along with whiffs of gentian and iris, complements fresh and spirituous expressions of apple. The palate impression is fresh, juicy, and buoyant, with floral, mineral and herbal-spicy nuances. It’s a delightful example of the vintage paradox that despite high must weights and advanced flavor ripeness, the best 2012s can be elegant and light-footed. Coriander and fennel seeds add appeal to the sustained finish.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Riesling vom Stein Smaragd, Wachau 2013 750ML ($74.95) Was $59, Now $49, 2 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht–Vinous 93-94 points
“Whereas its 2012 predecessor was bottled in April 2015, this 2013 was still several weeks out from bottling when I last tasted it in June 2016. The combination of richness with juiciness and levity, as well as a complex array of scents and flavors including alkali, wet stone, almond, hazelnut, apple, white peach, sage, ginger, gentian and narcissus, render this a worthy exemplar of its profoundly successful vintage. Subtly waxy in feel, but refreshingly juicy, it finishes with animation and fascinating diversity.”
Terry Theise: “Not surprising how gorgeous this is—’13 rules! The wine is all a swollen umami middle, and all a complex and sweet mélange of grains, leaves, rock dust and flowers. Haunting smoky length, like summer squash on the grill. It’s melted the explicit high-notes of ’13 into a murmur of butter and powdered ginger. Who in the world makes wine like this? Radiance seen through frosted glass. Someone says she loves you, and you can’t believe your ears.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Riesling vom Stein Smaragd, Wachau 2014 750ML ($69.95) Was $49, Now $44
David Schildknecht 97 points
“In a departure from usual Nikolaihof practice – given that it had by then been filtered and assembled into tank – I was offered my first taste of this wine shortly before the initial, December 2017 bottling. The wine was exciting then, and when re-tasted repeatedly in the course of 2018 had only gained in stature. Moss, lemon zest, peach kernel and toasted grain on the nose put me in mind of a relatively austere white Burgundy. But that sense of kinship dims with the emergence of high-toned hints of lavender and mint, mouthwatering ocean breeze and a sappy, juicy abundance of fresh lime and white peach juiciness on the silken palate. There are also faint hints of kirsch and mothball such as one can encounter from time to time at this address and to whose volatility some tasters might object. The finish is transparent to a veritable carpet of mineral matter – albeit a levitating, vibrantly undulating one! Crushed stone, alkali, mineral salts and iodine combine with herbal and protein-rich flavors for something approximating a blend of oyster liquor and clam stock that set my salivary glands to palpitating. And now for the astonishing kicker: This remarkable stuff filled the largest cask in the Nikolaihof cellar, with a capacity of 12,000 liters! Half was bottled in 2017 and 2018; the rest will be held back – let’s hope eventually to inform a Vinothek offering. “The only sense in which this wine needed to be bottled,” noted Saahs, “was in order to avoid Vom Stein Smaragd temporarily dropping from our price list and to make room in the cellar. It wasn’t the phases of the moon calling the shots,” he added with a sly grin. (Re-tasted alongside, the corresponding 2013 showed at the upper end of my earlier projection. But despite issuing from one of the two finest Wachau vintages that it has been my privilege to taste as young wines, that 2013 doesn’t quite reach the complexity nor exhibit the clarity and energy of this 2014 – not for now, at least.)”
James Suckling 95 points “An intensely minerally riesling that combines considerable power with a slim silhouette. Finely etched dried-pear and candied-lemon flavors echo through the long, subtle finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Demeter certified. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Vom Stein Jungfernlese Riesling, Wachau 2006 750ML ($59.95) Was $39, Now $33, 2 bottles in stock now
Terry Theise notes
: “It means the virgin-vintage, the first crop from young vines. And it’s what the Germans would call Feinherb, and it’s what any sane person would call irresistible! A potion of iris and lavender, spicy and penetrating; very long, seductively earthy, like a really profound Nahe Spätlese, almost the 5-spice and wildflower of Dönnhoff’s Felsenberg.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Baumpresse, Wachau 2011 750ML ($129.95) Was $79, Now $69, 11 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht–Vinous 93 points
“Nicknamed for the 18th-century “tree press” recently reactivated by Nikki Saahs (the tree in question must have begun growing in the Middle Ages), and now also labeled for its vineyard of origin, this was bottled in 2013 (like the corresponding Smaragd), but only recently released. At 12.5 percent alcohol, this silken-textured Riesling manages, as did other Nikolaihof wines of its vintage, to avoid any sense of heaviness; although there is a rich foundation of succulently ripe white peach and Persian melon, white currant and transparent apple lend tart-edged tang and crunch. A hint of heliotrope hangs over the whole performance, its sweet perfume further pointing to the generous phenolic evolution characteristic of this vintage. There are significant albeit nicely integrated oxidative elements here as well – a legacy of the wine’s upbringing in smaller barrels than are otherwise utilized at the Nikolaihof – with moss, toasted grains and nuts, wet stone and quinine lending a slightly sinister aspect to the long, multilayered finish. As was the case with this wine’s predecessors, Nikki Saahs maintains that it will retain its current level of freshness for many years. I’m skeptical.”
Terry Theise: “It’s painfully spendy, but have you seen that massive press? Apart from which, truth is truth; the wine is superb. Grain and smoke and jasmine and turkey stock and fingerlings at their little sweet best. This wine is intense, though with all of 12.5% alc.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Steiner Hund Reserve Riesling, Wachau 2012 750ML ($89.95) Was $69, Now $59, 3 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht–Vinous 95 points
“Prominent lemony brightness and underlying alkalinity do not convey an immediate impression of such a ripe, sunny vintage as this was. Aromatically alluring sea breeze, fennel pollen, and green and black tea persist in the mouth, where this wine also grabs hold of the palate and salivary glands in an outpouring of lemon-drenched oyster liquor. The combination of polish and clarity on display is similarly striking, though by no means unusual in an installment of what is in effect the Nikolaihof’s iconic offering. The long, vibrant finish displays kaleidoscopic flavor interactions no less memorable or mesmerizing for their being nuanced and understated; nor is there any let-up in the onrush of marine salinity. The Saahs family bottled this wine in April 2015 and released it just as stocks of its 2010 counterpart were running low, leaving the 2011 behind in cask for now.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!


Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Steiner Hund Reserve Riesling, Wachau 2014 750ML ($79.95) Was $59, Now $49
James Suckling 98 points
“A huge dried apricot nose. In spite of the power this is super-elegant with a very long, radically mineral character that makes the wine swell in your mouth at the amazing finish. It may be too dry for some, but I find this spectacular. Drink or hold as long as you dare!”
David Schildknecht 96 points “Like its remarkable Vom Stein counterpart, I tasted this wine after it had been racked to tank, a few months before its December 2017 bottling, then again from bottle in the course of 2018. The penetrating nose is dominated by white peach, white currant and lime, anticipating the brightly juicy palate impression. But suggestions of crushed stone, bittersweet iris, clam stock, radish, kelp and smoky black tea add increasing intrigue as the wine opens to the air and is worked over in the mouth. There is underlying firmness but also a suggestion of silkiness born of lengthy lees exposure in cask, and the sense of levity, remarkably, is that of a typical Nikolaihof Federspiel more than of a Smaragd. The vibrant finishing influx of alkali, crushed stone, iodine, mineral salts, mustard seed and white pepper is almost savagely intense, practically stinging – taking matters in an at once mouthwatering and invigorating but also slightly austere direction. Here’s further proof for any who remain skeptics that the 2014 vintage – its challenges and vicissitudes notwithstanding – has at its very best delivered some of the Wachau’s and neighboring Lower Austria’s most exciting and potentially ageworthy wines of the past two decades. Tasting the outstanding 2013 alongside, this 2014 came nipping right at its heels: attention au chien!”
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Cellar Selection. The beeswax, wet stone, hayflower and dried lemon notes on the nose of this wine suggest development. Its dry, slender yet concentrated palate has a weightless fluidity that echoes with eloquent beeswax and citrus oil flavors. The combination of lightness and beautiful depth make it so intriguing and moreish. Subtle, lovely, taut and fresh, it’s nowhere near its peak. The finish reveals a brilliant dash of mandarin. Drink 2028–2040.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Magnums in stock now:

Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Steiner Hund Reserve Riesling, Wachau 2012 1.5L ($179.95) Was $149, Now $119, 2 magnums in stock now
David Schildknecht–Vinous 95 points
“Prominent lemony brightness and underlying alkalinity do not convey an immediate impression of such a ripe, sunny vintage as this was. Aromatically alluring sea breeze, fennel pollen, and green and black tea persist in the mouth, where this wine also grabs hold of the palate and salivary glands in an outpouring of lemon-drenched oyster liquor. The combination of polish and clarity on display is similarly striking, though by no means unusual in an installment of what is in effect the Nikolaihof’s iconic offering. The long, vibrant finish displays kaleidoscopic flavor interactions no less memorable or mesmerizing for their being nuanced and understated; nor is there any let-up in the onrush of marine salinity. “

This is the lowest listed magnum price in the USA today!


Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Riesling vom Stein Smaragd, Wachau 2012 1.5L ($149.95) Was $99, Now $89, 2 magnums in stock now
David Schildknecht–Vinous 92 points
“this lives up to its name with a stony, alkaline undertone. There is a faintly reductive hint of machine oil that, along with whiffs of gentian and iris, complements fresh and spirituous expressions of apple. The palate impression is fresh, juicy, and buoyant, with floral, mineral and herbal-spicy nuances. It’s a delightful example of the vintage paradox that despite high must weights and advanced flavor ripeness, the best 2012s can be elegant and light-footed. Coriander and fennel seeds add appeal to the sustained finish.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Love Austrian wine? We have over 50 wines from Austria currently available.
Shop our entire selection, including famous names like Alzinger, FX Pichler, Gobelsburg and more on our web store!

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Smart Buys From Tuscany

All Under $20


Seriously food friendly
Il Poggione Rosso Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($24.95) $14 special
Case-12 Il Poggione Rosso Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($299.95) $149 special (that’s only $12.42/bottle)
Winery Note
“A younger, more fruity wine, it is produced from Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet grapes. After the fermentation it ages in large French oak barrels and barriques. The winemaking and the combination of these three varieties, make this wine soft and ideal for the everyday enjoyment. Ruby red in colour; on the nose it is intense, with notes of red fruit, sweet spices and vanilla. On the palate it is soft and with a good and pleasant acidity. A wine for every meal, ideal with white meats, pasta and medium strength cheeses, and even a casual pizza.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Great value Chianti, perfect for pizza and pasta
Castello di Volpaia Citto Rosso Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($19.95) $14 special
Importer note
“This generous, silky wine displays ripe fruit aromas with intense cherry and red berry flavors on the palate.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


A modern interpretation of Chianti at a traditionally affordable price
Villa Nozzole Chianti Classico 2015 750ML ($27.95) $16 special
James Suckling 92 points
“A deep and rich Chianti Classico with dark berry and dark chocolate character. Hints of spice, too. Full body, solid core of fruit and a flavorful finish. Drink now.”


Made from the younger vines in Castelnuovo, this wine is basically a baby declassified Brunello
La Gerla ‘Poggio gli Angeli’ Sangiovese Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Case-12 La Gerla ‘Poggio gli Angeli’ Sangiovese Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($249.95) $199 special (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
Eric Guido – Vinous 90 points
“La Gerla’s 2017 Poggio gli Angeli displays a mix of fresh, wild red berries, savory, spicy herbs and hints of cedar. On the palate, soft textures give way to crushed raspberry and cherry, with hints of sweet spice and sage. The finish is long and fresh, elevated by zesty acids, and showing hints of strawberry and inner floral notes.”


A can’t miss value from a staff favorite producer
Castello di Camigliano Poderuccio Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Case-12 Castello di Camigliano Poderuccio Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2018 ($249.95) $189 special (that’s only $15.75/bottle!)
James Suckling 90 points
“Lots of blackberries and tar, together with black-olive character on the nose and palate. Full-bodied and structured. A little raw, but should come around nicely with bottle age. Drink from 2020.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!


Lots of drink-now, classic Chianti character at a very attractive price
Barone Ricasoli ‘Brolio’, Chianti Classico DOCG 2015 750ML ($29.95) $18 special
James Suckling 91 points
“A ripe and juicy wine with plum and dried cherry character. Hints of lemon rind. Medium body, delicate tannins and a fruity finish. Drink now.”
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The 2015 Chianti Classico Brolio is a very pretty, gracious wine with lovely fruit purity and terrific balance. Sweet raspberry and floral notes give the wine freshness and aromatic lift. Soft, open-knit and silky, the 2015 has much to offer. I would prefer to drink it sooner rather later. Dollops of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon complement the Sangiovese nicely.”
Wine Spectator 90 points “An elegant, vibrant red, this exhibits floral, cherry and strawberry flavors that mesh nicely with the harmonious profile. The fine length echoes the fruit. Drink now through 2024. 60,900 cases made.”

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Just austere enough to be classic, this Sangiovese massively over-delivers
Lisini San Biagio Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($24.95) $19 special
Case-12 Lisini San Biagio Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($259.95) $199 special (that’s only $16.58/bottle)
Eric Guido – Vinous 90 points
“What a wonderfully fresh and vibrant expression of Sangiovese, showing peppery herbs and florals up front and then giving way to crushed cherries with hints of leather and undergrowth. On the palate, the 2016 Lisini San Biagio is cool-toned and silky, while delivering a beautiful display of pure red berry fruits, laced with minerals and spice. The finish is long with a staining of cherry, as zesty acids and mineral tones sizzle upon the senses. Lisini never ceases to amaze.”

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Love Tuscan wine? We have 150 wines from Tuscany currently available.
Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Isole e Olena, Montevertine, Ornellaia and more, on our web store!

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Pacific Northwest

“Real wine for the money”
Substance ‘Cs’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 2018 750ML ($17.95) $14.50 special
Case-12 Substance ‘Cs’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 2018 750ML ($219.95) $159 special (that’s only $13.25/bottle)
James Suckling 93 points
“This has the wonderful, dark-fruit and olive character of a ripe cabernet sauvignon, but the polished tannins fold over the wine. It’s full-bodied, yet agile and focused at the finish. Real wine for the money. Drink now.”


“Don’t let the playful nature of the wine’s label fool you”
Bow & Arrow Air Guitar, Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24.40 special
Winery note
“Like Rhinestones, the name Air Guitar is a self deprecating poke at attempting French style wines in America.  The “least likely to exist” of all of our Willamette Valley sourced wines, this is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon from Borgo Pass Vineyard and Cabernet Franc from Johan Vineyard.  Don’t let the playful nature of the wine’s label fool you -this is our most profound expression of red wine from this region and the one that rewards the most patience.  Aged 10 to 12 months in puncheon.”

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“Powerful, full-bodied, concentrated”
Charles Smith K Vintners ‘M.C.K. Motor City Kitty’ Syrah, Washington 2017 750ML ($41.95) $33 special
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points
“Coming from the Oldfield and Boushey Vineyards (basically the same vineyard), the 2017 Syrah Motor City Kitty Oldfield-Boushey Vineyard is slightly darker colored and, as with all the Rhônes here, wasn’t destemmed and was brought up in mostly neutral puncheons. Blackberries, smoked earth, game, chocolate, and chalky minerality all emerge from this beauty, and it’s a powerful, full-bodied, concentrated effort that will evolve positively for 2-4 years and keep for a decade.”

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Italy

“A superb introduction to Etna Rosso”
Tenuta delle Terre Nere Rosso Etna, Sicily 2018 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special
Wine & Spirits 92 points
“Best Buy. Produced from a mix of young and old vines on Etna’s north slope, this wine unfolds with flavors of wild strawberry and blood orange accented by notes of crunchy herbs. High-toned and transparent, it gains depth with air, developing a dark current of smoke and tar that offers a superb introduction to Etna Rosso.” 
Winery note “Made from very fine Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio from low yielding vineyards (35 Hl. Per hectar), both young and old. The grapes are macerated until the end of fermentation. The wine then continues its life in wood until bottled roughly one year after harvest. Even young it is a distinguished wine. Fresh, fragrant, beautifully slender and with a fine grip, it has a natural polish, a stage presence, as it were. And, in aging, as its weave gathers into rich complexity, it is a wine for gentlemen. It is an aristocratically liberal wine: enjoy it with whatever food you wish, as long as its properly cooked.”


“Ethereal and intense bouquet”
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2016 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Winery Note
“The vineyards located in Barolo, in the flatter areas of the Cannubi hill, have a sandier soil; in La Morra, in the areas of Zonchetta and Boiolo, the soil is more clayey with calcareous components. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled cement or stainless steel tanks with the skins contact for at least 15 days.  After racking, the various lots from the different vineyards are blended and then aged in medium-capacity Slavonian oak barrels for at least a year.  Refinement in bottles for several months gives the wine a vibrant red ruby color with violet reflections and an ethereal and intense bouquet.  The taste is dry, robust and suitable for medium-term aging.”

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Wine Enthusiast ‘Editor’s Choice’
G.D. Vajra Albe, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($41.95) $33 special
Case-6 G.D. Vajra Albe, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($249.95) $189 special (that’s only $31.50/bottle)
Wine Spectator 94 points
“Elegant and expressive, this red evokes cherry, raspberry and floral notes, aligned to a refined structure. This is balanced and leaves an aftertaste of fruit, tobacco and iron. Best from 2023 through 2043.”
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Aromas of woodland berry, new leather, camphor and pressed rose waft out of the glass. Juicy and delicious, the chewy palate doles out succulent Marasca cherry, crushed raspberry and white pepper. Polished tannins and fresh acidity give it an immediate appeal but this also offers several years of drinking pleasure. Drink through 2028. Editor’s choice. – Kerin O’Keefe”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “If you were to consider the entire portfolio of wines made in the Barolo appellation, this wine always stands in its own little corner. Albe is a brand on its own, and it represents one of the most versatile, accessible and well-priced Baroli to emerge from the appellation. The G.D. Vajra 2016 Barolo Albe sets off on the right foot, offering forthcoming intensity with forest fruit, wild cherry, crushed stone and blue flowers. Winemaking is straightforward in stainless steel, and the wine finishes in Slavonian oak casks. Some 40,000 bottles are hitting the market now.
Antonio Galloni 91 points “Vajra’s Barolo Albe is bright, floral and wonderfully lifted in 2016. Sweet tobacco, cedar, blood orange, mint, licorice, dried red cherry and sage give the 2016 lovely savory brightness to match its mid-weight structure. Gracious and light on its feet, the Albe has so much to offer.”

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