In Today’s Newsletter:
Beat the Heat!
Cider Sale
New Bordeaux Arrival
Pontet-Canet’s High-Scoring 2015
Subscriber Special
Sub-$40 Magnums from Castello di Ama
Smith Haut Lafitte’s Masterful 2016
Arriving in July
Spotlight on Germany
JJ Prüm & Müller-Catoir
Collector’s Corner
Dominus’ Perfect (100-Point) 2018
Beat the Heat!
Cider Sale
Did you know that we have an excellent selection of cider, including options from Italy, Spain, and some of the United States’ most celebrated producers? Check out all of our thirst-quenching options below, or head straight to our web store. Stock up to take advantage of our limited time sales offer!
Buy Any 6-11 Bottles of Cider, save 5%
Buy Any 12+ Bottles of Cider, save 10%
Discount Will Not Display Online/In Cart
We Will Apply Discount Manually Before Finalizing Your Order
Sale Ends Sunday, June 27 at 6PM PDT
In-store pickup only
Shipping unavailable for ciders
Italy
In Stock Now:
Maley ‘Jorasses’ Methode Traditionnelle Cidre, Aosta Valley NV 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Cidery note “Maley Classic Method is made by the same technique used in the wine world, from over 300 years in Champagne region. The Cider process of fermentation are the same: obtained a basic cider we proceed to take the spume to make the second fermentation in bottle and a short building by the yeast (6 months). With a rich and persistent perlage, our cider has a beautiful flaxen colour with pale green nuances. At the sense of smell it reflects the Raventze apple, with notes of white flowers. [On the palate,] it appears rich and dry with a great minerality and flavour, low alcoholic rate (7,5% vol) highlights a great cleanliness that encourage greatly to drink.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Maley ‘Matterhorn’ Cidre, Aosta Valley NV 750ML ($21.95) $17.50 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Importer note “The name “Maley” comes from both an old Valdostano name for apple (Malus in Latin) and one of the pre-20th century names for Mont Blanc (Mont Malais). Maley is Gianluca’s revival of an old Valdostano tradition of cider-making that Mussolini quashed in the 1930s as part of his effort to eliminate anything not sufficiently “Italian” — cider being in the fascists’ view a French affectation. Maley is the only cider producer in Italy making artisanal cider with heirloom apples. (There are a few siderie in Alto Adige, but they are not using interesting apples and the results are ho-hum). Abandoned Alpine orchards planted upwards of 4000 feet, half of them in the French Alps surrounding Chamonix and half in nearly-deserted Alpine towns in the Italian Valle d’Aosta. No chemicals. Some of these sleepy apple trees haven’t been picked in decades.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Maley Cidre du Saint Bernard, Aosta Valley NV 750ML ($19.95) $16.60 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Cidery note “With the cider Maley, Aosta Valley reproposes an old drink which, for centuries, has been present on the tables of so many alpine villages. This innovative project is born from the passion for the effervescence in all its forms, from the love for the alpine scenaries, from the respect for the biodiversity cared by generations of gardeners and farmers from the Alps.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Spain
In Stock Now:
El Gaiteiro ‘Pomarina’ Sidra Brut, Asturias NV 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
United States
In Stock Now:
Roshambo ArtFarm ‘Art + Science’ Quince Cider, Oregon NV 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Winery note “[note on the 2017 vintage] 100% Quince- 50% of it was keeved in concrete and then aged and fermented in barrel for 10 months. Quince was an old homestead standby that was originally planted as a staple for jellies as it is naturally high in pectin. Although quince is in a renaissance, many older trees have not survived as they were no longer deemed useful. Since we forage for the fruit and it is rare, quantities are limited. This cider is as weird as the fruit is, floral and fruity yet dry and interesting. Wild yeast, bottle fermented, sugar added.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Dragon’s Head Crabapple Cider, Washington NV 750ML ($17.95) $14.50 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Cidery note “At Dragon’s Head Cider, we have a history of working with crabapples, coaxing these high acid, boldly flavored fruits into lovely fermented beverages. The Columbia Crabapple is our latest foray into the world of producing cider with crabapples, and it makes a bold statement. Dragon’s Head is known for producing dry ciders, and this cider is sweeter than any other we have produced before. The sweetness is countered by the tartness of the crabapple, producing a flavorful delight to the palate. While this cider drinks nicely on its own, we also find ourselves particularly inspired by it to create new and lovely cider cocktails. Alcohol 6.70%. Appearance – Clear, pale straw. Aroma – Rose, orange blossom, lemon rind. Taste – Bold sweet/tart contrasting flavors, lychee, kumquat. Mouthfeel – Light/medium body, lingering finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Dragon’s Head Heritage Cider, Washington NV 750ML ($19.95) $17 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Cidery note “Our heritage cider is crafted from a blend of more than 20 traditional English and French cider apple varieties grown in our orchard on Vashon Island, WA. These time-honored apples create a richness of flavor and character to cider that can’t be achieved with ordinary culinary apples. Alcohol 7.30%.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Dragons Head Kingston Black Cider, Washington NV 750ML ($21.95) $19.90 special, 30 bottles in stock now
Cidery note “Kingston Black apples are often considered the epitome of cider apples. They produce a cider rich in flavor, slightly bitter, and medium bodied. Kingston Black takes its name from the town of Kingston near Taunton in Somerset, England–the heart of cider in the UK. It is thought to have been originally identified in the 19th century. This is a limited bottling. Appearance – Golden color, slight haze. Aroma – Dried apricot, clover, resinous cedar. Taste – Dried apple, clementine, hints of honey, slightly bitter. Mouthfeel – Medium body, lingering astringent finish; lightly effervescent.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Dragon’s Head Perry Cider, Washington NV 750ML ($39.95) $28 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Cidery note “A 100% pear beverage, hand crafted with care in the traditional me´thode champenoise. Using fruit harvested in 2016, this perry was bottled for secondary fermentation in June 2018, and then disgorged in January 2019, more than two years after the fruit was harvested. Delicate and refined, Sparkling Perry is perfect for a celebration. Alcohol 7.50%.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Dragon’s Head Russet Cider, Washington NV 750ML ($19.95) $17 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Cidery note “Our Russet Cider is a blend of Russet apples, all grown here on Vashon. Russets are a category of apple that appear with a certain characteristic russeted skin (like a russet potato). They tend to be aromatic, create richly flavored juice, and have high levels of fermentable sugars. The Russets in the blend are: Roxbury Russet, Golden Russet, Ashmead’s Kernel, Egremont Russet, and Ribston Pippin. It’s a complex, aromatic, bold, semi-dry cider with hints of dried orange peel with a bright lingering finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Dragon’s Head Wild Fermented Cider, Washington NV 750ML ($17.95) $14.50 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Cidery note “This is the Dragon’s Head Cider version of a farmhouse cider. Rather than carefully selecting a yeast strain for the fermentation, we allowed the wild yeast present on the skin of the apples to ferment the cider. It’s a bit of a fun gamble, but one we believe is worth taking. Alcohol 6.90%. Appearance – hazy, straw color, some sediment may be present. Aroma – pineapple, green tea, apple blossom. Taste – lemon and young pineapple flavors are followed by mild spice and lingering grapefruit notes. Mouthfeel – medium body with mild astringency; lightly effervescent.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Dragon’s Head Winter Cider, Washington NV 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Distributor note “An intense apple cider aged in bourbon barrels.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Eden Specialty Ciders Brut Nature Cider, Vermont NV 750ML ($19.95) $12.50 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Eden Specialty Ciders Brut Nature Cider, Vermont NV 375ML ($9.95) $6.50 special, 36+ half-bottles in stock now
Cidery note “PROFILE: Bubbly, very dry, balanced flavors. APPLE VARIETIES: Kingston Black • Roxbury Russet • Esopus Spitzenburg • McIntosh • Dabinett • Yarlington Mill • Calville Blanc • Hudson’s Golden Gem • Orleans Reinette • Empire • Black Oxford • Blue Pearmain • Rhode Island Greening • Baldwin. GROWN BY: Scott Farm, Poverty Lane Orchards, Sunrise Orchards, Eden Orchards. METHOD: Champagne style – secondary fermentation, rested on lees at least 18 months, hand-disgorged, naturally sparkling and clean. TASTING NOTES: dried apples, biscuit, citrus, green hay. PAIRING SUGGESTIONS: Extremely versatile dinner cider, goes well with everything from oysters to steak-frites. Gluten free, vegan friendly.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Eden Specialty Ciders Imperial 11 Rosé Cider, Vermont NV 750ML ($17.95) $11.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Cidery note “PROFILE: Superbly juicy without being sweet, just off-dry and gently fizzy, with bright acidity and chewy tannic structure. APPLE VARIETIES: Esopus Spitzenberg, Calville Blanc, Hudson’s Golden Gem, Roxbury Russet, Blue Pearmain, Baldwin, Mcintosh, Empire, Ashmead’s Kernel, Black Oxford, Reine de Reinette, Orleans Reinette. GROWN BY: Scott Farms, Sunrise Orchards, Yates Family Orchard and Poverty Lane Orchard. METHOD: Naturally cold-concentrated before fermentation, infused with red currant and blended with a touch of ice cider. Filtered and carbonated. TASTING NOTES: Roses, strawberry, watermelon, citrus, slate. Gluten free, vegan friendly.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
New Bordeaux Arrival
Pontet-Canet’s High-Scoring 2015
Pontet-Canet’s High-Scoring 2015
Known for producing wines of impressive concertation and structure, balanced by freshness that has become all too rare in Bordeaux, Château Pontet-Canet makes some of the finest wines coming out of Paulliac today. A fifth growth according to the 1855 classification, the property is not lacking in history. However, unlike many of its classified peers, its best years are not behind it.
This fate was not preordained. The property was in near disrepair when the Tesseron family purchased it in 1975. The vineyards were slowly replanted and conditions in the cellar incrementally improved until the 1990s when Alfred Tesseron took over management of the estate. The improvements have been meteoric ever since, and many consider Château Pontet-Canet to be on par with many of the region’s first and second growths today. But thanks to their clearly outdated classification (a great deal has changed in 166 years!) their 98-point 2015 can still be yours for less than $150.
In Stock Now:
Château Pontet-Canet, Pauillac 2015 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 12 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 98 points “So much floral and dark-fruit character with almonds and walnut shell. Full body and ultra-fine tannins. Powerful. Classic style with a harmony and energy. Goes on for minutes. A superb wine with great fruit. Real Bordeaux.”
Vinous 97+ points “Proprietor Alfred Tesseron and winemaker Jean-Michel Comme produced an absolutely stellar Pontet-Canet in 2015. Sumptuous, racy and totally inviting, the 2015 is all class. Super-ripe dark cherry, plum, spice and exotic floral notes build as the 2015 shows off its alluring personality. Even with all of its raciness, the 2015 speaks with authority and power. Fine tannins extend the persistent, highly nuanced finish.”
Love red Bordeaux? We have 35 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Mouton Rothschild, Cos d’Estournel, Château Canon and more, on our web store now.
We’re Open for In-Store Shopping!
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10AM – 6PM Daily
Our maximum capacity is six customers at one time.
We also offer Curbside Pickup
Order Online / By Phone / By Email
10AM – 6PM Daily
Our maximum capacity is six customers at one time.
We also offer Curbside Pickup
Order Online / By Phone / By Email
Subscriber Special
Sub-$40 Magnums from Castello di Ama
Castello di Ama has emerged as one of the truly special estates of Chianti. Open to new ideas, always with quality in mind, Castello di Ama makes rich, textural wines that rival the region’s most sought-after. Because the only thing better than a bottle of delicious Tuscan wine is a magnum of delicious Tuscan wine, we’ve slashed our prices on two classics.
Castello di Ama’s 2015 Chianti Classico is an archetypal (tangy red fruit with herbal, floral, and earthy nuance) food-friendly Italian red, perfect for your next dinner party. While the Sangiovese-dominant Rosato is a crowd-pleaser that will undoubtedly be the first wine to disappear at your next outdoor gathering.
In Stock Now & Priced to Move:
Castello di Ama ‘Castello di Ama’, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2015 1.5L ($69.95) Was $49 Now $39, 24+ magnums in stock now
James Suckling 92 points “So much sweet tobacco and cherry character here with hints of smoked meat. Medium body, fine tannins and a bright and fruity finish. Acid tension give this definition. Tangy. Drink now.”
Wine Spectator 90 points “The raspberry and cherry flavors are immediate in this elegant, balanced red, followed by accents of earth and spice. Not excessively long, but well-proportioned. Drink now through 2022. 900 cases imported.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Castello di Ama ‘Purple Rosato’ Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2017 1.5L ($69.95) Was $49 Now $39, 9 magnums in stock now
Ian D’agata – Vinous 90 points “Luminous red-pink. Fresh aromas of strawberry and flowers, then ripe and sweet with similar flavors to the aromas that show very good acid cut. This actually leaves a sweet impression on the long suave finish, but has so much acidity it seems less sweet than it is. Lovely. Winemaker Marco Pallanti has changed the winemaking so as to macerate the must on the skins for twelve hours and then ages the wine in used (one year) barriques to round it. A blend of mostly Sangiovese with a little Merlot.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Also in Stock Now:
Castello di Ama Vigneto La Casuccia, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2016 750ML ($219.95) $179 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2016 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto La Casuccia is rich, sensual and inviting, as it so often is. The addition of Merlot to Sangiovese yields a Chianti Classico built on textural resonance, with silky tannins, soft curves and tons of sheer allure. The 2016 won’t be ready to drink anytime soon, but it is unquestionably a great wine in the making. Succulent dark cherry, red plum, menthol, licorice, cloves and new oak infuse the creamy, voluptuous finish.”
Kerin O’keefe – Wine Enthusiast 97 points “Mature black-skinned berry, rose, tilled soil and a balsamic whiff of eucalyptus shape the nose. The bright, elegant palate has energy, tension and depth, delivering ripe wild cherry, red plum, licorice and crushed botanical herb. Taut, fine-grained tannins lend polished support while fresh acidity keeps it balanced. A gorgeous wine. Drink through 2031.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Castello di Ama L’Apparita Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($289.95) $249 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 100 points “The 2016 L’Apparita, 100% Merlot, is a breathtaking, riveting wine that captures all the potential of the vintage. In this vintage, L’Apparita is especially silky and refined. Layered, perfumed and wonderfully nuanced, L’Apparita is simply epic. Lavender, mint, sage, spice, new leather and cloves develop with time, but more than anything else, L’Apparita is wonderfully complete and magnificently beautiful.”
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 99 points “The 2016 L’Apparita is a standout wine. A true symbol of the vintage, the wine shows the classic lines and extreme precision we can expect from 2016, with the plump, ripe generosity of the Merlot grape (when farmed in the right hands of course). The wine is profound, rich and beautifully concentrated with power but no residual heaviness. I went back to this sample a few times in the 12 hours after I popped the cork, and the wine was more beautiful each time. It offers a profound sense of beauty, harmony and Merlot purity now, and it should evolve slowly and softly in the coming years.”
Wine Enthusiast Top 100 in 2018
Castello di Ama ‘San Lorenzo’, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2013 1.5L ($119.95) $99 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Kerin O’keefe – Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Fragrant and refined, this radiant wine opens with scents of violet, red berry, baking spice and a whiff of plum. The chiseled palate delivers succulent wild cherry, white pepper, cinnamon and star anise alongside firm, refined tannins. It boasts a long licorice finish while bright acidity lends balance. It’s already delicious but hold for even more complexity. Drink 2020–2033.”
James Suckling 95 points “Tight and super silky with a gorgeous density and precision that gives great polish to the tannins. Makes them almost dusty. Lots of subtle dark berry, mineral and spice. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Love Tuscany? We have over 165 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including staff favorites like Castell’in Villa, Fèlsina, Fontodi and more, on our web store now.
Smith Haut Lafitte’s Masterful 2016
Arriving in July
Arriving in July
The product of one of Bordeaux’s finest recent vintages (probably only eclipsed by 2010 during the previous decade), Smith Haut Lafitte’s 2016 Pessac-Léognan Rouge is everything we look for in high-end Bordeaux. It’s complex, yet approachable. It’s powerful, yet elegant. And it has all the hallmarks of a wine that’ll age beautifully. But don’t take it from us, Wine Enthusiast named it a ‘Cellar Selection’. So hide a few bottles of this masterpiece away, you’ll thank yourself in 10 years.
Pre-Arrival ETA July:
Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Pessac-Léognan 2016 750ML ($149.95) $138 pre-arrival special
Lisa Perrotti-Brown – Wine Advocate 98 points “Composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot and matured in 60% new oak for 18 months, the 2016 Smith Haut Lafitte has a very deep garnet-purple color, opening with sensuous scents of warm black cherries, blackberry pie, star anise and fragrant lilacs with hints of chocolate box, cigar box and pencil lead plus wafts of truffles and crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied, rich and seductive, it completely fills the palate with perfumed black berry preserves and superbly plush tannins, finishing epically long and beautifully layered.”
James Molesworth – Wine Spectator 97 points “Quite ripe, with lush waves of cassis, cherry preserve and raspberry puree flavors gliding through in no hurry, but maintaining definition and cut along the way as bramble, tar and melted licorice snap notes slowly emerge throughout. The finish features an intense echo of pastis and sweet tobacco, showing serious latent grip. Best from 2023 through 2038. 8,333 cases made.”
Roger Voss – Wine Enthusiast 97 points “Cellar Selection. This hugely dense wine is complex and full of juicy, succulent, smoky Cabernet Sauvignon. The tannins are at the service of the fruits. The wine still has a long way to go before maturity. Don’t think about drinking it before 2025.”
Spotlight on Germany
JJ Prüm & Müller-Catoir
JJ Prüm
Manfred and Katarina Prüm make some of the finest and most sought after wines of the middle-Mosel. The wines are high-wire acts of tension between fruit and intense minerality and display their terroir in the most expressive way. Part of this is that their parcels have lots of old, ungrafted vines, and part of it is spontaneous fermentation and whatever magic the Prüm family uses in the cellar. No matter what, these are always some of the finest and longest lived wines in Germany.
Highlights, in Stock Now:
Joh. Jos. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, Mosel 2016 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 97 points “What a fantastic bouquet! The 2016 Graacher Himmelreich Auslese Gold Capsule is super deep, intense and precise on the nose where flinty/stony notes and very fine (and slightly spicy) raisin and grapefruit aromas are displayed. Rich, lush and super sexy on the palate, with highly delicate but intense and persistent fruit and very fine salinity, this is a gorgeous Auslese from the winner of the 2016 vintage chez Prüm: Graacher Himmelreich. This gold-capsuled Auslese (AP 10 17) is rich, finessed and almost weightless in its intensity. The salty and piquant acidity is alive and kicking. You can hardly produce a better Auslese in this delicate and filigreed style. 8% alcohol.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Joh. Jos. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spätlese, Mosel 2016 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2016 Graacher Himmelreich Spätlese (AP 08 17) is discreet and smoky on the deep, well-defined nose. Juicy-piquant and salty on the well-structured and refreshingly mineral palate, the Himmelreich is tight and expressive, with the sweetness superbly balanced by the spicy, grippy phenols/minerals. This is a really complex Spätlese that is highly stimulating today and will still be so in 20 or 30 years.”
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2016 Graacher Himmelreich Spätlese (AP 08 17) is discreet and smoky on the deep, well-defined nose. Juicy-piquant and salty on the well-structured and refreshingly mineral palate, the Himmelreich is tight and expressive, with the sweetness superbly balanced by the spicy, grippy phenols/minerals. This is a really complex Spätlese that is highly stimulating today and will still be so in 20 or 30 years.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, Mosel 2015 750ML ($169.95) $149 special, 16 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 97 points “The most exotic and succulent of the 2015 Auslese Gold Caps from J.J., but also blessed with dazzling finesse and brilliance that you rarely encounter in sweet wines of any kind. What a finish! Best from 2020 and almost limitless aging potential. “
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2015 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese Gold Capsule (AP 20) is still pretty reductive and flinty on the nose and needs a lot of aeration. Sweet and concentrated, with a fine botrytis and grapefruit flavor, this Riesling has tight structure, mouth-watering fruit and good acidity. There is also an endless flow of salts and stones. This is a very promising Auslese, whose structure and mineral expression give the wine an almost dry taste. This is great Riesling to be served no earlier than 2027.”
Mosel Fine Wines 96 points “This delivers a stunning nose of infused pear, slate and white flowers which give way to coconut and pineapple. A deliciously exotic side runs through the wine on the palate. This, combined with zesty acidity, gives the wine great freshness, vibrancy and finesse. The finish is all about whipped cream, pear puree and candied grapefruit. What a beauty! 2030-2055”
Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, Mosel 2016 750ML ($129.95) $109 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2016 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese (Gold Capsule) is clear, fine and subtle yet concentrated, with vegetal and ripe fruit aromas. Rich, round and piquant, this is an intense and densely woven Auslese (AP 14 17) with a long, tensioned and refreshing mineral finish that lifts the sweet fruit. Gorgeous but made for another decade.”
Stuart Pigott – jamessuckling 96 points “Super elegant and filigree with a delicacy that you don’t find in many other high-end white wines regardless of grape variety and region of origin. A very long and clean finish. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $119.99
The next best price is $119.99
Joh. Jos. Prüm Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese, Mosel 2016 750ML ($41.95) $33 special, 36 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht – Vinous 93 points “Fresh apple garlanded in honeysuckle and heliotrope sets the tone for a generously juicy, subtly creamy palate seductively loaded with inner-mouth floral perfume and leading to an inhalative, delicate but seriously sustained finish vividly underlain with wet stone and tinged with bittersweet, smoky nut oils and mouthwatering salinity.”
Stuart Pigott – jamessuckling 93 points “There are delicate spices and very attractive succulence to this Spätlese. The acidity is very much in the background until the finish lifts off. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Müller-Catoir
From grand and aristocratic Riesling, to wild and exciting Scheurebe, to arguably the best Pinot Blanc (Weissburgunder) we sell, Müller-Catoir’s wines are top-class in every category. Hailing from Pfalz, a region less famous than the Mosel but no less exciting, Müller-Catoir was focused on dry wines long before it was fashionable in Germany. Müller-Catoir owns some of the greatest vineyards in the region and has a special touch with them, and the results are some of the best values in the world for breathtakingly mineral-driven wines.
Riesling Highlights, in Stock Now:
Müller-Catoir Haardter Burgergarten ‘Im Breumel’ Riesling Grosses Gewächs, Pfalz 2017 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott 98 points “Stand back for the arrival of a giant! Super-fresh nectarine, vanilla and Thai-basil aromas that don’t leave you in any doubt that this is a very remarkable dry riesling. Then the tidal wave of minerality comes through at the finish and sweeps everything away. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Müller-Catoir Haardter Burgergarten Riesling Spätlese, Pfalz 2017 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 29 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott – jamessuckling 95 points “Stunning nectarine, peach and papaya character, together with lovely succulence and enormous vitality, make this a breathtaking sweet Spätlese with a finish that’s straight as a laser beam and super-clean. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Müller-Catoir Gimmeldingen Riesling, Pfalz 2017 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 27 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott – jamessuckling 93 points “Ripe white and yellow peaches and just enough acidity to lift the medium-full body and give the long finish some real drive. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Scheurebe Highlights, in Stock Now:
Müller-Catoir Haardt Scheurebe, Pfalz 2017 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott – jamessuckling 93 points “The whiff of smoke gives the cassis nose of this wine an extra dimension. Concentrated and racy with a dangerous amount of energy. So juicy and vibrant with a long and very clean finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
Müller-Catoir Haardter Mandelring Scheurebe Trocken, Pfalz 2017 750ML ($59.95) $39 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott – jamessuckling 95 points “Why drink a dry white called scheurebe? Here’s the answer. An enormously complex nose of grapefruit, cassis and pineapple, then breathtaking purity and elegance on the palate and a totally uplifting and super-long finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weissburgunder, Arriving in July:
Müller-Catoir Haardt Weissburgunder Trocken, Pfalz 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Winery Note “This versatile accompaniment to many types of food has a delicate, lively bouquet of ripe apple and pear topped by a cool minerality, elegant body and full finish.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Müller-Catoir Haardter Herrenletten Weissburgunder, Pfalz 2018 750ML ($37.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Stephen Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 92 points “Entirely fermented in oak (500-liter barrels), the 2018 Weissburgunder Herrenletten “VDP. Erste Lage” is intense and fruity on the bright and elegant yet deep nose that displays some ginger and hazelnut blossom notes. Intense and round on the palate, this is a dense, structured and still extremely young Pinot Blanc with lush fruit, good freshness and mineral grip. Very elegant, persistently salty and very long and promising. Tasted in Haardt, December 2019.”
Winery Note “Characters need time. Like his partner, the Grauburgunder from the Herrenletten, this Weissburgunder speaks to you only at the second glass. Tropical fruits of ripe pineapple and banana. Fresh walnuts and a touch of marzipan. Full and round in taste. Austere and herbal with a very long finish. A powerful Weissburgunder that goes well with veal, poulards or scallops that are served with a sauce refined with cream, Weissburgunder and herbs.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Love Germany? We have over 350 different options (not a typo!) in stock. Shop the entire selection on our web store now, including famous names like Dönnhoff and Molitor, as well as more from JJ Prüm and Müller-Catoir.
Collector’s Corner
Dominus’ Perfect (100-Point) 2018
Dominus’ Perfect (100-Point) 2018
Dominus was founded by Christian Moueix, proprietor of the legendary Château Petrus in Pomerol and his vision has shaped Dominus into the force that it’s become. Despite its French heritage, the wine is definitely California in tone and style, combining waves of rich fruit and beautiful aromatics with enough tannin to ground the wine. We recently received our allocation of the 2018—the product of a near-perfect growing season in Napa.
There’s a consensus brewing that this is one of the greatest editions of Dominus yet, and Jeb Dunnuck has awarded it a perfect 100-point score. As with the previous several vintages, we don’t expect these iconic bottles to last long, so California enthusiasts should take note. We also have six magnums available, should you be looking for cellar-centerpiece.
In Stock Now:
Dominus Estate Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($349.95) $299 special, 30 bottles in stock now
Dominus Estate Napa Valley 2018 1.5L ($749.95) $649 special, 6 magnums in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “The flagship 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon checks in as 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot brought up in 40% new French oak. With an essence of Cabernet-like character in its darker currants, green tobacco, cedar, graphite, and floral aromas and flavors, this gorgeous wine is full-bodied and has bright yet integrated acidity, polished tannins, and a great, great finish. It’s just gorgeously put together and a magical, flawless wine. It’s going to take a decade to hit maturity but will evolve for 40-50 years in cold cellars. It is as good as it gets in classic, age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon!”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown – Wine Advocate 99+ points “Very deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Dominus slowly emerges from the glass with profound notes of blackcurrant cordial, ripe black plums, boysenberries and Black Forest cake with hints of violets, star anise, cracked black pepper, raspberry leaves and pencil lead, plus a touch of garrigue. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers impactful black fruit layers, creating a beguiling sense of richness that is beautifully countered by invigorating freshness and great poise, framed by super ripe, plush tannins and beautiful tension, finishing on a lingering fragrant earth note and, finally, lots of mineral sparks. For all that it is at the moment, one cannot help but feel that this 2018 is holding something back. Give it a good five years in bottle, at least, and then get set for what I suspect will be a mind-blowing transformation over the next 30 years+.”
Love California Cabernet? We have over 30 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Bevan Cellars, Diamond Creek, Mount Eden and more, on our web store now.
Vinopolis is an independent wine shop in Portland that opened in 2004. Our goal has always been to offer the finest, broadest, and largest selection of wines at the best prices to our customers in Portland, in Oregon, across the West Coast, and throughout the United States.
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