In Today’s Newsletter:
Four Stunning Wines from a Legendary Austrian Producer
Staff Pick: Your New Favorite Weekday Italian White
Our Best Value Old-School Gingondas?
New GL Review for a New Classic Riesling Producer
New Standout Value Barolo
#Trending
Collector’s Corner
Four Stunning Wines from a Legendary Austrian Producer
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, that have fresh brightness but standout for an undercurrent of vinousity.
They’re bright, precise and mineral-drenched with the power and density of the Wachau, their nook on the Danube. More importantly, though, the estate maintains a sense of restlessness and invention about them—which is remarkable given how old the winery is. Whether that’s using a centuries old wooden press or reimagining what wine from the Wachau can be through extended cask aging, they take very traditional techniques to occasionally give us a beautifully refracted image of Austrian wine.
Today we wanted to highlight four wines from the venerable estate, two from the 2014 vintage and two which are much, much older. The aforementioned 2014’s are the top wines from their two prime vineyards, Steiner Hund and Vom Stein. Both wines are at the very top of the class in the Wachau and are held back much longer before release than their peers. Steiner Hund tends to be more austere, powerful and broad where Vom Stein shows a prettier, more lithe profile, but both wines are absolute knockouts. ’14 was a tough vintage for some estates, but not so for Nikolaihof, who made wines that compete with their legendary ’13’s for best-of-the-decade honors.
The other wines on offer today are the Vinothek bottlings—wines held in cask for unfathomably long times before bottling. We have the 1997 and 2002 in stock right now, which spent 17 and 16 years (respectively) in barrel before bottling. Magically, they don’t come across as particularly oxidative, just rich, full bodied and impressively savory. They’re unique wines and we’re always excited when a new Vinothek release is announced.
These wines are in stock now, but you can shop all 24 different Nikolaihof bottlings that we have in stock right now in our online store.
In Stock Now.
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Steiner Hund Reserve Riesling, Wachau 2014 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
CASE-6 Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Steiner Hund Reserve Riesling, Wachau 2014 ($479.95) $319 special
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.”
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Riesling vom Stein Smaragd, Wachau 2014 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
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.”
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Vinothek Riesling, Wachau 1997 750ML ($219.95) $149 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 97 points “Aged for 17 years in a domestic 3,500-liter cask before it was bottled in August 2014, the 1997 Riesling Vinothek is the best part of the regular 1997 Riesling Smaragd Im Weingebirge, which was bottled and marketed in late 1998. The aged Vinothek version offers a fascinatingly clear, bright, deep and multi-layered nose with iodine and ripe as well as intense white-fleshed fruit aromas. Full-bodied, full of finesse and elegant, this dry, transparent and mineral Riesling develops a great intensity, complexity and power on the palate, but never leaves its silky road of purity, finesse and transparency. There is a lot of Spiel and tension here, but the most exciting characteristic trait is the intense and very mineral, almost endless finish. How youthful this wine is! And its further aging potential is still terrific. The wine reminds me of certain sherries, white Riojas and Jura wines, although it is not less oxidative. But it spent a long time in cask and has the freshness, complexity and thrilling taste of those. It’s a great, unique and stimulating wine that was bottled with 12.8% of alcohol, 6 grams of residual sugar and 6.5 grams of acidity.”
David Schildknecht–Vinous 97 points “This successor to the almost supernaturally ethereal and haunting 1995 also has to live up to the reputation of a vintage-of-the-half-century. It manages, though! The bouquet is unearthly in its complex amalgam of bittersweetly floral (iris, gentian, buddleia), pungently nutty, subtly smoky (black tea) and elusively mineral (sea breeze, wet stone, faint fusel oil) components. Considering the secondary development signaled on the nose, a surprising intensity of pure white peach, apple and grapefruit emerges sumptuously on the silky palate. The buoyant finish, more tightly clinging and less ethereal than that of the 1995, represents a long, harmoniously undulating interaction of liquid floral perfume, diverse minerality and succulent fresh fruits. I tasted this shortly before its mid-2014 bottling (a rare exception to the Nikolaihof rule against unveiling wines from cask) and did not review that note before tasting seven months later. My first spontaneous word each time was “unearthly.” And happily, my impressions that followed demonstrated that this wine’s amazing personality, including its aromas and textural allure, had made it to bottle scarcely altered. The source vineyard here, incidentally, is the Im Weingebirge whereas the 1995 was from Vom Stein.”
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Vinothek Riesling, Wachau 2002 750ML ($219.95) $179 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 96 points “From the Im Weingebirge single vineyard, the 2002 Riesling Vinothek has been aged… for 16 years in a 6,000-liter oak cask. Bottled in July 2018, the brilliantly white-golden colored wine is fascinatingly clear and bright on the elegant and aromatic nose. Highly elegant and beautifully balanced on the palate, with some bitterness in the finish, this is a concentrated Riesling whose fine acidity is completely integrated. The finish is tight, intense, very complex and terribly long. The acidity is completely interwoven with the stony character, which gives the 2002 great elegance and finesse. Tasted at the Nikolaihof in Mautern/Wachau, September 2018.”
Terry Theise “[++]This as you know is a concept whereby a Smaragd wine is left in (large) cask for fifteen years or longer, without sulfur. (There’s a parallel program called “Steinriesler” made from lighter material, but I wasn’t persuaded by the current vintage.) This is the best since the ’95; solid, powerful, smoky; strong but not heavy, an old iron stove of Riesling. The roast is reposing fragrantly, and the stove still smolders….”
Staff Pick
Our Best Value Old-School Gingondas?
Four Stunning Wines from a Legendary Austrian Producer
Staff Pick: Your New Favorite Weekday Italian White
Our Best Value Old-School Gingondas?
New GL Review for a New Classic Riesling Producer
New Standout Value Barolo
#Trending
Collector’s Corner
Four Stunning Wines from a Legendary Austrian Producer
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, that have fresh brightness but standout for an undercurrent of vinousity.
They’re bright, precise and mineral-drenched with the power and density of the Wachau, their nook on the Danube. More importantly, though, the estate maintains a sense of restlessness and invention about them—which is remarkable given how old the winery is. Whether that’s using a centuries old wooden press or reimagining what wine from the Wachau can be through extended cask aging, they take very traditional techniques to occasionally give us a beautifully refracted image of Austrian wine.
Today we wanted to highlight four wines from the venerable estate, two from the 2014 vintage and two which are much, much older. The aforementioned 2014’s are the top wines from their two prime vineyards, Steiner Hund and Vom Stein. Both wines are at the very top of the class in the Wachau and are held back much longer before release than their peers. Steiner Hund tends to be more austere, powerful and broad where Vom Stein shows a prettier, more lithe profile, but both wines are absolute knockouts. ’14 was a tough vintage for some estates, but not so for Nikolaihof, who made wines that compete with their legendary ’13’s for best-of-the-decade honors.
The other wines on offer today are the Vinothek bottlings—wines held in cask for unfathomably long times before bottling. We have the 1997 and 2002 in stock right now, which spent 17 and 16 years (respectively) in barrel before bottling. Magically, they don’t come across as particularly oxidative, just rich, full bodied and impressively savory. They’re unique wines and we’re always excited when a new Vinothek release is announced.
These wines are in stock now, but you can shop all 24 different Nikolaihof bottlings that we have in stock right now in our online store.
In Stock Now.
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Steiner Hund Reserve Riesling, Wachau 2014 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
CASE-6 Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Steiner Hund Reserve Riesling, Wachau 2014 ($479.95) $319 special
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.”
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Riesling vom Stein Smaragd, Wachau 2014 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
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.”
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Vinothek Riesling, Wachau 1997 750ML ($219.95) $149 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 97 points “Aged for 17 years in a domestic 3,500-liter cask before it was bottled in August 2014, the 1997 Riesling Vinothek is the best part of the regular 1997 Riesling Smaragd Im Weingebirge, which was bottled and marketed in late 1998. The aged Vinothek version offers a fascinatingly clear, bright, deep and multi-layered nose with iodine and ripe as well as intense white-fleshed fruit aromas. Full-bodied, full of finesse and elegant, this dry, transparent and mineral Riesling develops a great intensity, complexity and power on the palate, but never leaves its silky road of purity, finesse and transparency. There is a lot of Spiel and tension here, but the most exciting characteristic trait is the intense and very mineral, almost endless finish. How youthful this wine is! And its further aging potential is still terrific. The wine reminds me of certain sherries, white Riojas and Jura wines, although it is not less oxidative. But it spent a long time in cask and has the freshness, complexity and thrilling taste of those. It’s a great, unique and stimulating wine that was bottled with 12.8% of alcohol, 6 grams of residual sugar and 6.5 grams of acidity.”
David Schildknecht–Vinous 97 points “This successor to the almost supernaturally ethereal and haunting 1995 also has to live up to the reputation of a vintage-of-the-half-century. It manages, though! The bouquet is unearthly in its complex amalgam of bittersweetly floral (iris, gentian, buddleia), pungently nutty, subtly smoky (black tea) and elusively mineral (sea breeze, wet stone, faint fusel oil) components. Considering the secondary development signaled on the nose, a surprising intensity of pure white peach, apple and grapefruit emerges sumptuously on the silky palate. The buoyant finish, more tightly clinging and less ethereal than that of the 1995, represents a long, harmoniously undulating interaction of liquid floral perfume, diverse minerality and succulent fresh fruits. I tasted this shortly before its mid-2014 bottling (a rare exception to the Nikolaihof rule against unveiling wines from cask) and did not review that note before tasting seven months later. My first spontaneous word each time was “unearthly.” And happily, my impressions that followed demonstrated that this wine’s amazing personality, including its aromas and textural allure, had made it to bottle scarcely altered. The source vineyard here, incidentally, is the Im Weingebirge whereas the 1995 was from Vom Stein.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Vinothek Riesling, Wachau 2002 750ML ($219.95) $179 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 96 points “From the Im Weingebirge single vineyard, the 2002 Riesling Vinothek has been aged… for 16 years in a 6,000-liter oak cask. Bottled in July 2018, the brilliantly white-golden colored wine is fascinatingly clear and bright on the elegant and aromatic nose. Highly elegant and beautifully balanced on the palate, with some bitterness in the finish, this is a concentrated Riesling whose fine acidity is completely integrated. The finish is tight, intense, very complex and terribly long. The acidity is completely interwoven with the stony character, which gives the 2002 great elegance and finesse. Tasted at the Nikolaihof in Mautern/Wachau, September 2018.”
Terry Theise “[++]This as you know is a concept whereby a Smaragd wine is left in (large) cask for fifteen years or longer, without sulfur. (There’s a parallel program called “Steinriesler” made from lighter material, but I wasn’t persuaded by the current vintage.) This is the best since the ’95; solid, powerful, smoky; strong but not heavy, an old iron stove of Riesling. The roast is reposing fragrantly, and the stove still smolders….”
Staff Pick
Matt:
Cortese (the white grape of Gavi) is not well-known outside of Piedmont, its spiritual home in Northwest Italy, and that’s a shame. One of the country’s classic white grapes, Cortese is a very useful variety at the dinner table. Its characteristic notes of citrus and orchard fruit, with floral nuances, are often understated. But Gavi is rarely, if ever, boring. And it is the wine’s delicacy that makes it such a great food wine. Simply put, it allows the dish to be the star, thus making it the wingman you didn’t know your expertly prepared chicken needed.
Francesco Rinaldi’s 2018 Gavi is a perfect example. A wine that overdelivers for it’s sub-$20 price tag. With classic Gavi flavors, an interesting and inviting texture, this wine is as serious or as gulpable as you’d like it to be. So, ditch the Pinot Grigio tonight and give Gavi a try, you may end up with a new favorite weekday Italian white.
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Gavi DOCG, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “100% Cortese. The color of the wine is pale straw-yellow; the aroma is fresh and fruity. The taste is dry and delicate. Fermentation takes place in the traditional manner, without the skins, and at a controlled temperature for approximately 10 days. The wine is then cold-stabilized and filtered before bottling.”
Cortese (the white grape of Gavi) is not well-known outside of Piedmont, its spiritual home in Northwest Italy, and that’s a shame. One of the country’s classic white grapes, Cortese is a very useful variety at the dinner table. Its characteristic notes of citrus and orchard fruit, with floral nuances, are often understated. But Gavi is rarely, if ever, boring. And it is the wine’s delicacy that makes it such a great food wine. Simply put, it allows the dish to be the star, thus making it the wingman you didn’t know your expertly prepared chicken needed.
Francesco Rinaldi’s 2018 Gavi is a perfect example. A wine that overdelivers for it’s sub-$20 price tag. With classic Gavi flavors, an interesting and inviting texture, this wine is as serious or as gulpable as you’d like it to be. So, ditch the Pinot Grigio tonight and give Gavi a try, you may end up with a new favorite weekday Italian white.
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Gavi DOCG, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “100% Cortese. The color of the wine is pale straw-yellow; the aroma is fresh and fruity. The taste is dry and delicate. Fermentation takes place in the traditional manner, without the skins, and at a controlled temperature for approximately 10 days. The wine is then cold-stabilized and filtered before bottling.”
Our Best Value Old-School Gingondas?
Arriving next month, a fantastic value from the Southern Rhone’s new ‘It’ region, Gigondas. And in case that wasn’t reason enough to pay attention, did we mention it’s a 2016?
2016 is of course widely considered the Southern Rhone’s finest on record. Cool nights produced reds with a level of freshness that is rare in Gigondas, and unheard of when paired with the ripeness achieved that year. This was truly a Goldilocks year.
As for Clos du Joncuas, this is an estate that is just starting to garner the attention it deserves. This can be attributed to the fact that Clos du Joncuas, unlike many of its neighbors, didn’t spend the past thirty years chasing scores with overly modern winemaking practices. Instead, it focused on improvements (like going organic in 1980) that have only recently come into vogue. This is authentic old-school Gigondas.
The new (high scoring, ironically) vintage arrives next week, and at under $30/btl by the case, it’s still reasonably priced enough to stock up on.
Arriving ETA March 6th:
Clos du Joncuas Gigondas, Rhone 2016 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Clos du Joncuas Gigondas, Rhone 2016 750ML ($479.95) $359 pre-arrival special (that’s only $29.92/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Vibrant ruby. Smoke-accented cherry and red berries on the highly perfumed nose, which takes on sexy incense and baking spice nuances with air. Smooth, concentrated and appealingly sweet, offering mineral- and spice-accented boysenberry, cherry and floral pastille flavors and a spicy touch of cracked pepper. Finishes silky, sweet and impressively long, with harmonious tannins and lingering spiciness.”
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2016 Gigondas is a blend of 80% Grenache and the rest Mourvèdre and Cinsault. It’s full-bodied, plush in texture and maybe even a bit warm, but this big and balanced wine offers plenty of black cherry fruit and hints of cinnamon and allspice. Velvety and long on the finish, it should drink well for 6-7 years.”
Decanter 93 points “Pure stewed damsons on the nose, really enlivening, with some wild strawberry within. The palate is medium-bodied, with gentle, textural wet-clay tannins and vibrant damson acidity. Drinkable, svelte and very well put together and in good balance.”
2016 is of course widely considered the Southern Rhone’s finest on record. Cool nights produced reds with a level of freshness that is rare in Gigondas, and unheard of when paired with the ripeness achieved that year. This was truly a Goldilocks year.
As for Clos du Joncuas, this is an estate that is just starting to garner the attention it deserves. This can be attributed to the fact that Clos du Joncuas, unlike many of its neighbors, didn’t spend the past thirty years chasing scores with overly modern winemaking practices. Instead, it focused on improvements (like going organic in 1980) that have only recently come into vogue. This is authentic old-school Gigondas.
The new (high scoring, ironically) vintage arrives next week, and at under $30/btl by the case, it’s still reasonably priced enough to stock up on.
Arriving ETA March 6th:
Clos du Joncuas Gigondas, Rhone 2016 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Clos du Joncuas Gigondas, Rhone 2016 750ML ($479.95) $359 pre-arrival special (that’s only $29.92/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Vibrant ruby. Smoke-accented cherry and red berries on the highly perfumed nose, which takes on sexy incense and baking spice nuances with air. Smooth, concentrated and appealingly sweet, offering mineral- and spice-accented boysenberry, cherry and floral pastille flavors and a spicy touch of cracked pepper. Finishes silky, sweet and impressively long, with harmonious tannins and lingering spiciness.”
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2016 Gigondas is a blend of 80% Grenache and the rest Mourvèdre and Cinsault. It’s full-bodied, plush in texture and maybe even a bit warm, but this big and balanced wine offers plenty of black cherry fruit and hints of cinnamon and allspice. Velvety and long on the finish, it should drink well for 6-7 years.”
Decanter 93 points “Pure stewed damsons on the nose, really enlivening, with some wild strawberry within. The palate is medium-bodied, with gentle, textural wet-clay tannins and vibrant damson acidity. Drinkable, svelte and very well put together and in good balance.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
New GL Review for a New Classic Riesling Producer
Korrell is a rising star Nahe producer. The Weingut goes back to 1832, but it’s only with young Martin taking over the cellar that the family has attained their current standing. Their name has been ringing in insider circles for several years now, but their “Von Den Grossen Lagen” just won at the Riesling Cup and they’re officially blowing up now.
The best vineyard that Korrell owns (and the backbone for all their Rieslings) is a monopole site called, appropriately, “Paradis.” Paradis is a limestone-heavy site (a rarity, much like Keller’s Kirschspiel GG), with shallow soils and privileged exposition—in short, everything you could ask of a Riesling vineyard, especially to produce dry wines. The revitalization of the site, combined with Martin’s work in the cellar, has vaulted Korrell into the top tier of producers both in the Nahe and across Germany.
Grapelive recently reviewed the entry level dry Riesling, which is a steal under $20. It’s a perfect entry point into the estate’s style (which is almost exclusively focused on dry wines) and one that we’re excited to drink on a regular basis. We’d also encourage you to explore the entire range, as well—these are wines that any serious drinker of dry white wines should be paying attention to.
Newly Reviewed, In Stock Now:
Weingut Korrell Johanneshof Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2016 750ML ($24.95) $19.50 special, 34 bottles in stock now
Grapelive 91 points “The Korrell estate in the Nahe has been a beautiful addition to my lineup of fine Riesling producers and I have been impressed by all the wines I have had so far. I really enjoy this 2016 Trocken, which I missed in my first exploration into these wines, with its crisp detail, tangy fresh stone fruits and vitality of form…This 2016 is brightly fruited with layers of white peach, grapefruit, tart apricot, quince, melon and green apple fruits all of which are in a transparent loop on the medium bodied palate with plenty zing from natural acidity and mouth watering saline, this is classy dry Riesling that is accented by hints of orange blossom, minty herb, clove, dried spicy ginger, crushed stones and intense liquid mineral. There’s a light smoky and petrol note and a touch of reduction, letting you know you are drinking Riesling, but overall there is an open and easy feel to the Korrell Trocken that invites joyous abandon and it can be easily enjoyed as a refreshing sipper and or with a more serious meal, this stuff will not let you down. The texture comes through as it warms in the glass and the steely edgy quality here fades to allow the fruit to flow… Martin Korrell, the sixth generation of the Korrell family, is the talent behind this ambitious and innovative estate, he has a wonderful palate of diverse soils to work with here, not far from the likes of Donnhoff, Schlossgut Diel, Hexamer, Gut Hermannsberg, Kruger-Rumpf and Schäfer-Fröhlich. There is volcanic, slate, quartz and gravel in the Nahe, plus Korrell has their prized single vineyard monopole Paradies cru vineyard which is set on mineral intense clay and fossilized limestone, that gives Korrell’s flagship Riesling a fantastic textural richness and depth that reminds me of some of the great Pfalz GG’s.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Also Available:
Weingut Korrell Kreuznacher Paradies Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2017 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Weingut Korrell Kreuznacher Paradies Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2017 1.5L ($99.95) $79 special
Weingut Korrell Kreuznacher Paradies Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2017 3L ($199.95) $179 special
Stuart Pigott-JamesSuckling 94 points “Very clean and fresh, but behind the effusive, fruit-salad character that makes this so seductive, there is a lot of structure and the finish keeps pumping out the fruit and chalky minerality. Drink or hold.”
Grapelive 94 points “The radiant and graceful Korrell Paradies Trocken leads with expressive pure apple tones. [It] impresses for its elegance and subtle character. It’s a wine of great poise and delicacy, especially admirable for such a young Riesling. The monopole estate vineyard, Paradies, is the oldest single site Korrell has and is the flagship wine from winemaker Martin Korrell. It comes from his family’s vines that are set on limestone and clay soils in Bad Kreuznach area of the Nahe region. The Paradies Riesling Trocken is a gorgeous white of depth and precise winemaking that takes advantage of this unique site in the Nahe. This wine is the heart and soul of Korrell and it is product of its unique climat,or terroir. It sees more sunshine and the limestone allows for serious concentration, while retaining acidity, though there is always great attention paid to pick dates to finely tune this signature bottling to place and vintage. Korrell mixes some traditional stainless fermentations with some native yeast and barrel ferments to craft his wines. The Paradies shows a beautiful leesy finesse that reminds me a bit of the Von Winning GG’s, with a long time on the lees adding a beautiful glycerin density to this gorgeous dry Riesling. Coming off Korrel’s incredible Riesling Cup win for his Von den Grossen Lagen (Grand Crus) Riesling Trocken, I was absolutely thrilled to be able to try this wine, and found this particular wine just as intriguing. Martin focuses on preserving heightened aromatics and crisp mineral tones, while allowing the mouth feel and depth to shine through. It is an amazing accomplishment to get it all right, and Korrell deserves his time in the limelight. This is complex and glorious stuff. Layers of green apple, peach, mixed fresh citrus and melon fruits are lifted by liquid rock, steely mineral and faint perfume of white flowers along with a silkiness of mouth feel. While still delightfully crisp, [this delivers] an exciting energy filled performance. This is a winery that about to break out and join some elite company, in fact they are riding high after winning, as mentioned, the famous Riesling Cup award with their unique multi (Grand) cru Von den Grossen Lagen Trocken Riesling. This wine is just extra proof there is real quality here! The lightly golden hued and generously textured Paradies will age well. It’s full of charm, class and potential. Best to let this one have another 3 to 5 years, though it certainly is delicious right now.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Korrell “Von Den Grossen Lagen” Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2017 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Stuart Pigott-JamesSuckling 94 points “What a beautiful nose of leaves and white flowers, dripping after rain. With aeration, peach, nectarine and mandarin-orange notes emerge. Concentrated, racy and very polished, this is a stunning dry riesling with a long, mineral finish. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “This fruity yet dry Riesling is filled with flavors of currant and gooseberry, while juicy, orangelike acidity cuts through, carrying freshness and providing balance. The complex finish is long and inviting. This nicely sculpted white is ready to drink now, but will only get better with age. Drink now through 2027. 1,500 cases made.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
New Standout Value Barolo
Veglio Michelino is a new producer to us here, despite their long and venerable history. How they escaped our notice for such a long time, we don’t know (we’ll blame their local distribution), but when we found out they made a well scoring (92 point) traditional Barolo for under $30, we were all in. We were only able to get ten cases of their 2015, arriving a week from Friday, so if you love Barolo (and not paying too much for it) you ought to go long while you can.
Arriving Friday, March 6th:
Veglio Michelino & Figlio Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2015 750ML ($39.95) $28 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 92 points “Some swanky, glossy oak adds toffee aromas to the ripe red cherries. Plenty of vanilla here, too. The palate delivers a fullish and round impression with plenty of oak again in the mix. Praline and ripe red cherries in abundance here. Try from 2022.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
#Trending
A Vinopolis staff favorite from Gigondas
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux, Rhone 2017 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 96 points “Brilliant violet. Highly perfumed black raspberry and cherry liqueur aromas are accompanied by potpourri, mocha, vanilla and baking spice nuances, along with a smoky mineral flourish that builds in the glass. Juicy and appealingly sweet, displaying palate-staining red and blue fruit, spicecake and floral pastille flavors that show superb depth and a smooth, seamless texture. Deftly balances richness and vivacity and finishes extremely long and spicy, with smooth, harmonious tannins and a subtle echo of candied flowers and kirsch.”
Jeb Dunnuck 94-96 points “Notes of camphor, dried soil, crushed rocks, and loads of red and black fruits define the 2017 Gigondas Le Claux, which is 100% Grenache from a site just down the road from the estate. I always find a certain Burgundian character in this cuvée and it’s certainly present in the 2017. With medium to full body, a beautiful elegance and purity, and fine tannins, give bottles a few years and enjoy over the following decade or more.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2017 Gigondas le Claux features deep blue and black fruit on the nose. It’s full-bodied in the mouth, with a generous, silky mouthfeel and an expansive, voluptuous finish that folds in hints of dark chocolate and salted licorice. All Grenache, from vines planted in the 19th century, it’s a terrific Gigondas.”
One of the Southern Rhone’s finest winemaking talents
Xavier Vignon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Anonyme X, Rhone 2015 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck – Rhone Report 96 points “The inky colored 2015 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Anonyme is a serious winner in the vintage. A blend of 60% Grenache, 25% Mourvedre and the rest counoise, Vaccarese and Muscardin, it offers a huge nose of blackberry jam, garrigue, crushed violets, and incense. Ripe, unctuous and opulent, yet not over the top, it reminds me of the Trois Source cuvee from Vieille Julienne. This is a smoking good release that will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and shine of over a decade.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “Xavier Vignon is one of the Rhône’s leading winemaking consultants, and so it’s no surprise he had access to some great fruit for his 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Anonyme. Tellingly, the blend entirely omits Syrah, containing 60% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre, 8% Counoise, 4% Vaccarèse and 3% Muscardin. Floral notes and ripe cherries appear along licorice and vanilla (one-fourth of the wine was matured in new barriques), yet this is no drink-now version of CdP. This full-bodied wine boasts broad shoulders, a plush, creamy center and a muscular finish loaded with ripe tannins and spice. Give it a few years to mellow, and drink it over the next 15.”
A Burgundian approach to Chinon
Domaine Charles Joguet Chinon Les Petites Roches, Loire 2016 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special
Case-12 Domaine Charles Joguet Chinon Les Petites Roches, Loire 2016 750ML ($359.95) $219 special (that’s only $18.25/bottle —the lowest listed price in the country!)
Domaine Charles Joguet Chinon Les Petites Roches, Loire 2016 1.5L ($59.95) $49 special
Importer Note “When Charles Joguet took over the family vineyards in 1957, he set out to do something that was unheard of in the Loire Valley. Rather than blending all the fruit from his varied parcels, he opted for a more Burgundian approach and began vinifying each individually, highlighting Chinon’s diversity of soils and exposures and playing with the nuances of vine age to propose a gamut of different wines of unique character. It is in this spirit that the domaine’s current vigneron, Kevin Fontaine, crafts the cuvée Les Petites Roches, named for the estate’s gravelly terroirs. Given light treatment in the cellar, this wine shows off Cabernet in its most delicate, charming form, rife with aromas of roses, damp earth, and little red berries, along with a gentle tannin holding it all together. This classic representation of Cabernet Franc from Chinon can be enjoyed over the next five or so years with roast chicken, pork chops, or game.”
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux, Rhone 2017 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 96 points “Brilliant violet. Highly perfumed black raspberry and cherry liqueur aromas are accompanied by potpourri, mocha, vanilla and baking spice nuances, along with a smoky mineral flourish that builds in the glass. Juicy and appealingly sweet, displaying palate-staining red and blue fruit, spicecake and floral pastille flavors that show superb depth and a smooth, seamless texture. Deftly balances richness and vivacity and finishes extremely long and spicy, with smooth, harmonious tannins and a subtle echo of candied flowers and kirsch.”
Jeb Dunnuck 94-96 points “Notes of camphor, dried soil, crushed rocks, and loads of red and black fruits define the 2017 Gigondas Le Claux, which is 100% Grenache from a site just down the road from the estate. I always find a certain Burgundian character in this cuvée and it’s certainly present in the 2017. With medium to full body, a beautiful elegance and purity, and fine tannins, give bottles a few years and enjoy over the following decade or more.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2017 Gigondas le Claux features deep blue and black fruit on the nose. It’s full-bodied in the mouth, with a generous, silky mouthfeel and an expansive, voluptuous finish that folds in hints of dark chocolate and salted licorice. All Grenache, from vines planted in the 19th century, it’s a terrific Gigondas.”
One of the Southern Rhone’s finest winemaking talents
Xavier Vignon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Anonyme X, Rhone 2015 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck – Rhone Report 96 points “The inky colored 2015 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Anonyme is a serious winner in the vintage. A blend of 60% Grenache, 25% Mourvedre and the rest counoise, Vaccarese and Muscardin, it offers a huge nose of blackberry jam, garrigue, crushed violets, and incense. Ripe, unctuous and opulent, yet not over the top, it reminds me of the Trois Source cuvee from Vieille Julienne. This is a smoking good release that will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and shine of over a decade.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “Xavier Vignon is one of the Rhône’s leading winemaking consultants, and so it’s no surprise he had access to some great fruit for his 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Anonyme. Tellingly, the blend entirely omits Syrah, containing 60% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre, 8% Counoise, 4% Vaccarèse and 3% Muscardin. Floral notes and ripe cherries appear along licorice and vanilla (one-fourth of the wine was matured in new barriques), yet this is no drink-now version of CdP. This full-bodied wine boasts broad shoulders, a plush, creamy center and a muscular finish loaded with ripe tannins and spice. Give it a few years to mellow, and drink it over the next 15.”
A Burgundian approach to Chinon
Domaine Charles Joguet Chinon Les Petites Roches, Loire 2016 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special
Case-12 Domaine Charles Joguet Chinon Les Petites Roches, Loire 2016 750ML ($359.95) $219 special (that’s only $18.25/bottle —the lowest listed price in the country!)
Domaine Charles Joguet Chinon Les Petites Roches, Loire 2016 1.5L ($59.95) $49 special
Importer Note “When Charles Joguet took over the family vineyards in 1957, he set out to do something that was unheard of in the Loire Valley. Rather than blending all the fruit from his varied parcels, he opted for a more Burgundian approach and began vinifying each individually, highlighting Chinon’s diversity of soils and exposures and playing with the nuances of vine age to propose a gamut of different wines of unique character. It is in this spirit that the domaine’s current vigneron, Kevin Fontaine, crafts the cuvée Les Petites Roches, named for the estate’s gravelly terroirs. Given light treatment in the cellar, this wine shows off Cabernet in its most delicate, charming form, rife with aromas of roses, damp earth, and little red berries, along with a gentle tannin holding it all together. This classic representation of Cabernet Franc from Chinon can be enjoyed over the next five or so years with roast chicken, pork chops, or game.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
This is the lowest listed price for a magnum in the USA today!
This is the lowest listed price for a magnum in the USA today!
Top quality fruit at a value price
CVNE ‘Cune’ Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2013 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Case-12 CVNE ‘Cune’ Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2013 750ML ($279.95) $219 special (that’s only $18.25/bottle—the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 90 points “Brilliant ruby. Energetic, mineral-accented raspberry and cherry aromas reveal hints of rose, vanilla and woodsmoke. Silky and expansive on entry, offering nicely concentrated red fruit flavors that gain energy and a smoky mineral quality with air. Floral pastille and cracked pepper notes linger on the juicy, focused finish, which shows very good clarity and sneaky, fine-grained tannins. Much of the juice that would normally go into the high-end Imperial bottlings wound up in here this vintage.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Collector’s Corner
Domaine Fourrier makes some of the most captivating wines in Burgundy. To Burgophiles, this isn’t much of a claim—the wines that Jean-Marie has produced since taking over from his father have become hot tickets in the Burgundy world. If you aren’t familiar, though, these are wines to put on your radar. Fourrier’s style is heavily influenced by his time working under Henri Jayer and the wines show this.
When young they’re among the most impressive in Burgundy, combining succulent fruit with minerality and a complexity that’s nearly unmatched in newly released wines. They improve with age, as well, though we’ve always had a hard time keeping our hands off of the lower-tier wines in the first five years after the vintage. Fourrier works exclusively with old massale vineyards (anything from vines younger than 30 years is sold off) and that sort of soul really makes it into the bottle.
We’ve secured an astounding array of back-vintage Fourrier, all arriving this month. It’s far too many to feature, so today we want to focus on two village Gevrey-Chambertin bottlings.
The wines that most people know Fourrier for are his Gevrey-Chambertin “Aux Echezeaux” and his Gevrey-Chambertin Vielle Vigne. Although the wines are priced like premier crus, they still manage to over-deliver for the money. The VV bottling is sourced from some of his oldest vines, while the Aux Echezeaux comes from a prestigious parcel bordering the Grand Cru Mazoyeres-Chambertin. Shop our highlights below!
Highlight Fourrier Wine In Stock Now:
Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes, Cote de Nuits 2017 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Decanter 92 points “Vieille Vigne (always singular at Fourrier) is sourced from 12 different parcels, most of them on the better, western side of the route nationale. This is always a pleasure to drink, and the 2017 is no exception, with supple, scented, alluring red berry notes, some vanilla oak and a zesty finish.”
Highlight Fourrier Wines Arriving This Month:
Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes, Cote de Nuits 2005 750ML ($199.95) $179 pre-arrival special, only 1 bottle available
Stephen Tanzer 88-91 points “Good bright, deep red. Wilder, musky nose hints at roast coffee. Sweet on entry, then sappy and imploded in the middle, showing less fat than the Echezeaux and a more muscular texture. Ultimately much less sweet than the south-side example. Finishes with substantial building tannins.”
Burghound 88-91 points – Outstanding Top Value “There is no reduction here however as the very fresh, bright and exuberant nose features briar, red and blue fruit and iron-infused earth aromas that complement to perfection the round, rich and sweet flavors that are unusually well-detailed and finish with punch and power. This too is recommended.”
When young they’re among the most impressive in Burgundy, combining succulent fruit with minerality and a complexity that’s nearly unmatched in newly released wines. They improve with age, as well, though we’ve always had a hard time keeping our hands off of the lower-tier wines in the first five years after the vintage. Fourrier works exclusively with old massale vineyards (anything from vines younger than 30 years is sold off) and that sort of soul really makes it into the bottle.
We’ve secured an astounding array of back-vintage Fourrier, all arriving this month. It’s far too many to feature, so today we want to focus on two village Gevrey-Chambertin bottlings.
The wines that most people know Fourrier for are his Gevrey-Chambertin “Aux Echezeaux” and his Gevrey-Chambertin Vielle Vigne. Although the wines are priced like premier crus, they still manage to over-deliver for the money. The VV bottling is sourced from some of his oldest vines, while the Aux Echezeaux comes from a prestigious parcel bordering the Grand Cru Mazoyeres-Chambertin. Shop our highlights below!
Highlight Fourrier Wine In Stock Now:
Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes, Cote de Nuits 2017 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Decanter 92 points “Vieille Vigne (always singular at Fourrier) is sourced from 12 different parcels, most of them on the better, western side of the route nationale. This is always a pleasure to drink, and the 2017 is no exception, with supple, scented, alluring red berry notes, some vanilla oak and a zesty finish.”
Highlight Fourrier Wines Arriving This Month:
Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes, Cote de Nuits 2005 750ML ($199.95) $179 pre-arrival special, only 1 bottle available
Stephen Tanzer 88-91 points “Good bright, deep red. Wilder, musky nose hints at roast coffee. Sweet on entry, then sappy and imploded in the middle, showing less fat than the Echezeaux and a more muscular texture. Ultimately much less sweet than the south-side example. Finishes with substantial building tannins.”
Burghound 88-91 points – Outstanding Top Value “There is no reduction here however as the very fresh, bright and exuberant nose features briar, red and blue fruit and iron-infused earth aromas that complement to perfection the round, rich and sweet flavors that are unusually well-detailed and finish with punch and power. This too is recommended.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes, Cote de Nuits 2010 750ML ($199.95) $179 pre-arrival special, only 9 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Good bright, full red. High-pitched aromas of tangy red and darker berries and rose petal, complemented by lower-toned earth and smoke notes. Boasts terrific volume for village wine: dense, salty and soil-driven, with raspberry fruit complicated by earth and minerals. Really stimulates the taste buds on the smooth, long, lightly saline finish. Terrific village wine.“
Antonio Galloni 90-92 points “The 2010 Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes is striking. Attractive floral aromatics meld into expressive fruit in this sweet, perfumed wine. Dark red cherries, freshly cut flowers, mint and hard candy wrap around the sensual, fragrant finish. This is a very classy showing. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.”
Burghound 89-91 points – Outstanding “This is also exceptionally fresh and complex and the composition of the aromas is much the same as the Aux Echézeaux except perhaps here they are ever-so-slightly more elegant. The textured, intense and solidly well-concentrated medium weight flavors possess real verve on the delineated, balanced and focused finish. This also is an excellent villages that is built to age and is also worthy of your consideration.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Echezeaux Vieilles Vignes, Cote de Nuits 2008 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special, only 4 bottles available
David Schildknecht-Wine Advocate 89 points “Fourrier’s 2008 Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Echezeaux (from nearly 90 year-old vines) is intensely scented with kirsch, herbs, and sea spray, which adumbrate its bright, saline, firm but not hard or angular palate impression. Strong cherry pit, stone, and charred meat notes lend this energetic but athletically lean and bright Gevrey a hint of austerity, but it has me salivating uncontrollably. For those who like the style and pair the wine creatively, this should give plenty of pleasure over at least the next 6-8 years, though as Fourrier is eager to concur with me, following the course of 2008s in bottle is bound to mean venturing into relatively uncharted territory.”
Burghound 87-90 points “An intensely, even pungently earthy nose of red and dark berry fruit is very much in keeping with the firm, precise and layered flavors that possess a lovely sense of relief and tension on the solidly long finish. This is very Gevrey in character and offers fine quality for a villages.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Echezeaux Vieilles Vignes, Cote de Nuits 2013 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special, only 6 bottles available
Burghound 89-91 points – Outstanding Top Value “An expressive nose of relatively high-toned red currant, floral and warm earth scents precedes the equally refined and delineated middle weight flavors that culminate in a balanced, complex and beautifully persistent finish. This is notably finer than the old vines cuvée if not quite a long or concentrated. Still this is lovely and also worth your consideration as it should drink reasonably well young.”
See the complete grand selection of Fourrier wines, including rare back vintages, arriving in February. Browse our offer below or shop on our web store.
Thanks for reading!