Just Arrived: Leonetti and Cayuse, Donnhoff Beerenauslese 2015, Opus One 2013, Pian dell’Orino; New Reviews for Karthauserhof, Matello Fool’s Journey; Classics from Serafin, Thierry Germain, Guiberteau; Everyday Drinking: Freemark Abbey, Zorzal, Rodney Strong Symmetry; Pre-Arrival Specials: Maximin Grunhauser 2015, Ducru-Beaucaillou and Montrose 2014 plus more…
Washington Knock-Outs
Undisputed Classics!
JUST ARRIVED
Cayuse Vineyards Bionic Frog Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2007 750ML ($299.95) $269 special, 3 bottles available
Wine Advocate 99 points “The 2007 Bionic Frog Syrah surrenders a splendid aromatic array of forest floor, herbs, olives, bacon, underbrush, blueberry, and black cherry. This is followed by a voluptuous wine with gobs of succulent fruit, impeccable balance, enough fine-grained tannin to evolve for 5-7 years, and a lengthy, seductive finish. Give it 5-7 years of additional cellaring and drink it from 2015 to 2027.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $296
Cayuse Vineyards Bionic Frog Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2010 750ML ($319.95) $289 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 100 points “This insanely good 2010 Syrah Bionic Frog offers incredible notes of blood orange, liquid violets, cassis, seared meats, licorice and crushed rocks to go with full-bodied richness, ultra-fine tannic structure, perfectly integrated acidity and a blockbuster finish. Raised in roughly 20% new demi-muids and foudre, this is a heavenly Syrah that couldn’t get any better. Give it 2-4 years in the cellar and enjoy bottles through 2030.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
No Girls La Placiencia Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2010 750ML ($149.95) $128 special, 2 bottles available
Wine Advocate 95 points “Also brilliant and a superb example of Syrah from the Rocks region of the Walla Walla Valley, the 2010 Syrah La Paciencia Vineyard delivers classic aromas and flavors of ground pepper, steak tartar, wild herbs and assorted dark berry-styled fruit. A 100% Syrah that comes from a high density planting located just behind Cayuse’s Armada Vineyard, it is medium to full-bodied, rich and supple on the palate, with an elegant, seamless feel that’s hard to resist. Count me as a fan and this beauty will continue to shine for upwards of another decade. Drink now-2022.”
No Girls La Placiencia Vineyard Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2012 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 2 bottles available
96 Points Wine Advocate “A new cuvee that I absolutely loved from barrel last year, the 2012 Tempranillo La Paciencia Vineyard is brilliantly done and gives up a crazy bouquet of blackberries, black cherries, bouquet garni, roasted meats and dried violets. Full-bodied, seamless and elegant, with silky tannin and fabulous precision and length, it’s slightly more approachable than Cayuse’s Impulsivo, yet should still benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and evolve for 10-15 years after that. Drink 2017-2032.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Leonetti Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley 2011 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 4 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 points “The best of the 2011s, the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon is Pauillac-like with its gorgeous creme de cassis, lead pencil shavings, tobacco leaf and graphite styled aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied, pure, silky and layered on the palate, with a broad frame and sweet tannin, it’s already approachable, yet will evolve nicely for 5-7 years and hold for a decade after that.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $117
“At this price
I’d buy it by the case.
Super!” –Wine Advocate
In-Stock NOW
Zorzal Eggo Tinto de Tiza, Tupungato, Argentina 2014 750ML ($39.95) $26 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2014 Eggo Tinto de Tiza is a blend from three different vineyards in Tupungato Winelands in Gualtallary. It’s a blend of mostly Malbec with some Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. As is the case with the whole Eggo range, the wine didn’t see any oak, and in this case it was matured in egg-shaped cement vats for one year. There are violets, plums, dark cherries and something earthy. This is slightly riper than the 2013. The medium-bodied palate has is fresh with a silky texture, pure flavors and a mineral-driven finish. At this price I’d buy it by the case. Super!”
Back in Stock
The Inimitable Opus One
Opus One, Napa Valley 2013 750ML ($279.95) $249 special, 14 bottles available
James Suckling 100 points “The greatest Opus ever. Terrific aromas of crushed black currants, blueberries and flowers with hints of sweet tobacco. Roses continue to exude opulence and class. Full body, superb balance of ultra-fine tannins and vibrant acidity. Complex aftertaste of black fruits and citrus fruit. Extremely persistent. So approachable now and enjoyable. But will be even better in 2019 and beyond. 79% cabernet sauvignon, 7% cabernet franc, 6% merlot, 6% petit verdot, 2% malbec. This will always be beautiful to drink.” (01/2016)
Meanwhile, in Brunello, another 100-Point James Suckling wine awaits at the end of this newsletter…
Rodney Strong Symmetry 2012
In-Stock NOW
Rodney Strong shows no signs of weakness. Cuvees like Symmetry prove their worth year after year with mouth-filling concentration, power, and finesse. The Wine Enthusiast agrees: they picked Rodney Strong as American Winery of the Year in 2013. Family-owned and proud of their roots, Rodney Strong consistently offers one of the country’s best Meritage (Bordeaux-style blend). Easy enough to afford, and even easier to drink…
Rodney Strong Symmetry Meritage, Alexander Valley 2012 750ML ($59.95) $37 special
Wine Spectator 89 points “Dense and extracted, this serves up a complex range of flavors, from black cherry to wild berry to currant, all shaded with light oak and a touch of espresso. Shows a measure of finesse and refinement overall. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2026.”
Wine Advocate 89 points “The 2012 Proprietary Red Symmetry, a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, exhibits chocolaty, blackberry and black cherry fruit intermixed with earth and spice characteristics, medium body and a supple, round, seductive mouthfeel. Elegant and mid-weight, it is best drunk over the next 7-8 years.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $52
We’ve also got the 2011 in-stock
Rodney Strong Symmetry Meritage, Alexander Valley 2011 750ML ($59.95) $36 special
Winery note “The 2011 Symmetry greets you with an opulent bouquet of blackberries, cassis, and sweet spices. It unfolds on the palate with layers of black fruits, dark chocolate and spice. This mouth-filling wine is rich and silky in texture with a long, lingering finish and the structure for several years in the cellar. Intended to be enjoyable on release, the 2011 Symmetry is destined for evolution in the bottle.”
Our Current
Shipping Promos:
Welcome to the club, Colorado!
Along with Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California,
we now offer flat rate shipping to Colorado. Here’s the scoop:
Single orders of any quantity of wines qualify for the flat rate;
this does not apply to orders held in storage for any reason
or multiple orders consolidated into one shipment.
The flat reach for each state is, as follows:
-to Oregon for $17,
-Washington & Idaho for $20,
-and California & Colorado for $25
Take Advantage of the Flat Rate!
Donnhoff Beerenauslese 2015
ARRIVED
Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Beerenauslese, Nahe 2015 375ML ($179.95) $138 special, 12 bottles available
John Gilman 95 points “The 2015 Hermannshöhle BA is still a baby and was in its primary stage of development, but this will clearly be a great wine as well. The bouquet offers up scents of baked apple, tangerine, a touch of papaya, gentle smokiness, orange oil and honey. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, bright and very, very deep, with great focus and grip, a very long, perfectly balanced and nascently complex finish. This will of course be approachable from the moment that it is released, but I would strongly suggest giving it at least four or five years in the cellar to allow it to start to really blossom and show some of the secondary layers of complexity that will come with bottle age. 2016-2075+.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
We’ve also got a few half-bottles of the 2011 IN-STOCK NOW
Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Beerenauslese, Nahe 2011 375ML ($199.95) $149 special, 9 bottles available
Wine Advocate 96 points “Intriguingly musky and subtly fungal as well as piercing in its evocation of distilled pit fruits and botanicals, the nose of Donnhoff’s 2011 Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Beerenauslese – which was picked alongside its Auslese counterpart – promises an intense palate experience that the wine very much delivers. Distilled extracts of wormwood, woodruff and anisette; maraschino and serviceberry seem to lace the amalgam of quince jelly with pear and white peach nectars in a lusciously multi-layered yet animated palate performance. A spicy and tropical suggestion of mango chutney compounds the vibrantly penetrating effect of pungent herbal and pit fruit essences in a tonsil-gripping, mouth-shaking finish.” WA
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Our inventory is stocked deep for the new year, with one of the widest selections around…
Read on for more in-stock VinopolPicks and pre-arrival specials…
Matello Fool’s Journey 2012
New Josh Raynolds Review
Here NOW
Matello Fool’s Journey Deux Vert Vineyard [Syrah], Willamette Valley 2012 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Josh Raynolds- Vinous 92 points “Bright ruby-red. Sexy, highly perfumed red berry liqueur, five-spice powder and floral pastille scents show very good clarity and a hint of smokiness. Silky, sweet and focused, offering fresh raspberry and spicecake flavors that deepen slowly with aeration. Shows real northern Rhône aromatic and flavor character, with Pinot-like weight and texture. Suggestions of menthol and white pepper build steadily on the very long, gently tannic finish, which leaves a note of clove behind.”
Karthauserhof
New John Gilman Reviews
Here NOW
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2014 375ML ($39.95) $24 special
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2014 750ML ($59.95) $39 special
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2014 1.5L ($119.95) $79 special
John Gilman 94 points “I did not have a chance to taste the 2014 Auslese AP #12 on my trip last March and was very happy to have a chance to visit it prior to launching into the excellent vertical of Grosses Gewächs generously prepared by the estate. This is an absolutely superb bottle of young Auslese, wafting from the glass in a gently glazed blend of pear, white cherry, honeycomb, salty slate, orange zest and a pungent floral topnote redolent of cherry blossoms. On the palate the wine is fullish, racy and very long, with excellent focus and cut, excellent complexity and a long, vibrant and very poised finish. Classy juice. 2018-2050. 94.
This is the only listing for all three formats in the USA today!
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs Trocken, Mosel 2013 375ML ($39.95) $24 special, 4 bottles available
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs Trocken, Mosel 2013 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 35 bottles available
Case-6 Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs Trocken, Mosel 2013 750ML ($359.95) $269 special, 6 available
John Gilman 93+ points “The 2013 Grosses Gewächs is showing as beautifully this year as it did a year ago, wafting from the glass in a salty constellation of tart pear, pink grapefruit, plenty of smokiness, dried flowers, a touch of lemongrass and lovely slate-driven salinity. On the palate the wine is pure, fullish and absolutely seamless, with fine youthful complexity, a lovely core, bright acids and a very long, refined and racy finish. This is a touch lower in alcohol than the 2014 version (11.5 versus twelve percent), but is just a tad more tightly-knit and complete. A fine bottle in the making. 2020-2050. 93+.”
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 for both formats in the USA today!
The Subtle Perfection of
Serafin Pere et Fils
In-Stock NOW
In an arena as competitive as Gevrey-Chambertin, where celebrity names like Rousseau and Dugat make some of the world’s finest wine, a small estate could easily be overlooked. Perhaps this provides the incentive that keeps Christian Serafin’s Pinots among the village’s best. Besides organic viticulture, low yields, and old vines, Serafin sticks to an idiosyncratic recipe in the cellar: total destemming, long cuvaisons, lots of new oak. The wines exude terroir. Their richness and concentration beg cellaring, and the magic of the Cote de Nuits rewards such patience. This is serious Burgundy. If you can only get one, choose the Gevrey-Chambertin Vielles Vignes, a prodigy chez Serafin.
We’ve got a wide range of Serafin bottlings from Gevrey, Chambolle, and Morey, regional to village to Premier Cru, even a bottle of Charmes, and in several different vintages. Think that’s a lot? Check the depth and breadth of our Burgundy selection as a whole at www.vinopoliswineshop.com …
Serafin Pere & Fils Les Corbeaux, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 21 bottles available
Wine Advocate 91-93 points “The 2012 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Corbeaux comes from 0.45-hectares of vines planted in 1968 by Christian’s father adjacent to Mazis-Chambertin. It has a precocious bouquet compared to the Vieilles Vignes, with scents of mulberry, dark plum and luscious black fruit that are tightly controlled. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly grainy entry. This is showing the oak a little more than the Vieilles Vignes at the moment, but there is sufficient concentration to absorb that with time. The linear finish, crisp and taut, bodes well for the future.” WA
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Serafin Pere & Fils Les Millandes, Morey-Saint-Denis Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($159.95) $99 special, 11 bottles available
Burghound 90-93 points –Outstanding — “Here too there is mild reduction which renders the nose difficult to assess in depth though again the underlying fruit appears to be ripe. There is excellent volume, power and a taut muscularity to the concentrated and mineral-tinged medium weight flavors that culminate in an austere, backward and highly persistent finish. This is very old school in style and will require ample patience for it to develop, yet will be well worth the wait.”BH
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $134
The average price is $137
Serafin Pere & Fils Les Baudes, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($199.95) $119 special, 15 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 92 points “Healthy dark red. Superripe black cherry, blueberry and menthol on the nose. Rich, creamy and sweet, in a rather powerful style for this cuvée, but with a medicinal minerality energizing the mid-plate. Finishes with substantial but suave tannins that will require patience.”ST
Serafin Pere & Fils Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 2012 750ML ($139.95) $99 special, 28 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 90-92 points “One of the real gems in this range, the Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes wraps around the palate with gorgeous depth and dimension. Violets, cloves and menthol meld into a core of dark fruit. The vintage has given the Vieilles Vignes an extra bit of volume that is hugely appealing. All the elements fall into place effortlessly. This voluptuous Gevrey should offer a wide window of fabulous drinking.” AG
Also in-stock from Serafin:
Pian dell’Orino
HERE NOW
Soldera. Biondi Santi. The two giants of Brunello. Pretty soon it looks like we might be able to add Pian dell’Orino to that list. Brunello insiders have known about the wines for several years now, but the secret seems to be getting out. We don’t get a lot of these wines, but we have enough to offer them today and we’re really excited.
Piano dell’Orino combines two things that make great wine estates: good land and obsessive ownership. Caroline Pobitzer and Jan Hendrik Erbach, the owners and driving force behind these wines, have a take-no-prisoners approach to ensure that they make the finest wines in Brunello. From careful, biodynamic farming to native yeast fermentions, the wines are traditional in style but made with the utmost care, so they have silky tannin and elegant structures. The estate is also the next ridge over from Biondi-Santi, which helps. The only thing we would change about the wines is the quantities we get!
Pian dell’Orino Bassolino di Sopra, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2007 1.5L ($349.95) $289 special, 6 magnums available
93 Points Antonio Galloni “The estate’s 2007 Brunello di Montalcino Bassolino di Sopra 1500 emerges from the glass with endless layers of fruit. A pure, voluptuous 2007, the Bassolino di Sopra 1500 is rich, round and seamless. Deeply spiced notes develop in the glass as the wine shows off its striking personality. I am not a huge fan of extended time in oak for wines of such purity, but the 2007 handles its 48 months in barrel quite nicely, although it is naturally shaped by its aging regime, especially from a textural perspective. The 2007 is made exclusively from the estate’s holdings in Pian Bossolino, but that site has also been trademarked by another winery, hence the slight name variation here.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next lowest listed price is $399.99!
Pian dell’Orino ‘Vigneti del Versante’, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2011 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 points “This wine is now identified by a single vineyard designation but was once the estate’s annata Brunello. The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino Vigneti del Versante (with vines planted in 1997) shows some signs of the vintage heat, but really only in terms of textural roundness and general softness. The bouquet sings loud and clear with red fruit aromas of cherry and blackberry. The fruit is nicely balanced by those elegant, ethereal notes of blue flower, balsam herb, cola and crushed pine nut that are characteristic of aged Sangiovese.”
Pian dell’Orino Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 18 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 93 points “Pian dell’Orino takes Rosso di Montalcino to another level with their sublime 2013. Bright, focused and wonderfully articulated, the Rosso literally bristles with energy. Sweet red cherry, raspberry, rose petals and blood orange are all beautifully delineated in the glass. What a striking, gorgeous wine this is.”
Pian dell’Orino Piandorino Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Advocate 90 points “This entry-level Sangiovese was first made in 1997. The 2013 Piandorino could be a Rosso di Montalcino but has remained an IGT expression out of choice. Grapes are sourced from vineyards with blue and gray-colored clay soils that sometimes lead to ripening problems in extreme temperatures. As a result, this simple red sees short maceration times (from seven to nine days). The results are fresh, clean and simple. There is a very nice and genuine quality here that is the wine’s most attractive quality.”
Antonio Galloni 89 points “The 2013 Piandorino, the estate’s entry-level Sangiovese, is fabulous. Bright, punchy and forward, with plenty of Pian dell’Orino’s signature finesse, the 2013 is absolutely delicious today. It should drink nicely for another few years at a minimum”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
In a Post-Rougeard World
The Heirs to the Rougeard Throne:
Guiberteau and Germain
In-Stock NOW
With news breaking earlier this week that Clos Rougeard was sold to Martin Bouygues, a French billionaire, the hand wringing has already begun about the future of the jewel of Saumur. But rather than worry about a wine that only exists in miniscule quantities as it is, we thought it would be better to focus on two estates that are rising stars of the region and poised to become the next cult producer.
The lineage for Domaine Guiberteau make the Rougeard comparison easy. Romain Guiberteau was mentored by Dani Foucault and his wines clearly show the polish and class that you’d expect. Like Rougeard, Guiberteau also owns land in Brézé, the premier terroir in Saumur for Chenin Blanc, however they also make Chenin from a variety of other vineyards. To quote Becky Wasserman,“[He] makes dry chenins of punk rock violence, yet of Bach-like logic and profoundness. He is creating quite a stir.”
Thierry Germain also was influenced by the Foucaults, beginning his winemaking career in 1990 after spending some time in Bordeaux. His reds are elegant, precise expressions of Cabernet Franc and the whites show leaner than those previously mentioned. Both are worth paying for (even though the wines now command a premium), especially given the tiny quantities brought into the US.
Freemark Abbey:
The Resurrection of a California Classic
Founded in 1886 by the first female winemaker on record in Napa, Freemark Abbey’s modern era started in 1967, when the winery was purchased and it quickly transformed into one of the most recognized and prestigious wineries in the 70’s and 80’s. Unfortunately, over time, quality slipped and the reputation of the once legendary winery fell into a bit of obscurity.
After a few ownership changes, the winery was sold in 2005 to Jackson Family, who have poured money and attention into it in a way that hasn’t been seen since the original heyday of the winery in the 70’s and early 80’s. Winemaker Ted Edwards was brought in and the winery has been on a steady path upwards ever since. The wines are great and fairly priced, as well—they’re some of the best values in California Cab, Chard and Merlot. We’re happy to present these old, new wines to you today:
HERE NOW
Freemark Abbey Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, California 2012 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 special, 36 bottles available
Robert Parker 93 points ‘An absolutely fabulous value is the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa. This comes from multiple sources and there are 46,000+ cases of it. A stunning Cabernet Sauvignon and a classic example of Napa viticulture, this blend of 75.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec, was aged just over two years in oak. Loads of sweet blackcurrant fruit, cocoa, a touch of toast, earth, and baking spice are all present in this wine that has terrific fruit on the attack and mid-palate, a full-bodied mouthfeel, no hard edges and a luscious, opulent, gorgeously pure style. Drink it over the next 10-15 years. Although I wouldn’t be surprised to see it last longer. For old-time reader/subscribers, this might be the modern-day equivalent of the great 1974 Souverain Vintage Selection that I recommended back in the late 1970s and is still going strong today.”
The average listed price for this wine is $37!
Freemark Abbey Chardonnay, Napa Valley 2014 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 34 bottles available
Case-12 Freemark Abbey Chardonnay, Napa Valley 2014 750ML ($299.95) $239 special, 1 case available
That’s only $19.92/bottle! That’s the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Robert Parker 91 points “The 2014 Chardonnay is a non-malolactic 100% Chardonnay that’s 45% barrel-fermented. The wine is sensational. There are nearly 10,000 cases of this wine, which shows loads of white peach, honeysuckle, green apple and melon notes in a distinctive, clean, steely Chablis-like style. There is some tropical fruit, such as pineapple, but the overall character is one of great acid, medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, and no real oak influence. Drink it over the next 4-5 years.”
The average listed price for this wine is $26!
Freemark Abbey Merlot, Napa Valley 2013 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 22 bottles available
Robert Parker 88 points “I tasted two Merlots from Freemark Abbey. The 2013 Merlot Napa, which comes from multiple sources, is their biggest cuvée (89.1% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec aged almost 16 months in oak). A deep ruby color, with notes of mocha, white chocolate, black cherry and dried herbs, the wine is medium-bodied, shows loads of supple, lush fruit, easygoing soft tannin and a round juiciness. Isn’t this exactly what buyers of Merlot are looking for? Drink it over the next 7-8 years. “
The average listed price for this wine is $30!
Five White Wines
Worth Tasting in 2017
In-Stock NOW
Chateau de Saint Cosme Condrieu, Rhone 2014 750ML ($69.95) $54.50 special
Wine Spectator 95 points “Gorgeous, with papaya, white peach, mango, persimmon and Cavaillon melon notes seamlessly stitched together, lined with light honeysuckle and jasmine accents and backed by a twinge of bitter citrus oil and well-buried minerality. An exemplary display of large-scale fruit and precision. Drink now through 2019. 416 cases made”
Domaine Michel Lafarge Meursault, Cote de Beaune 2010 750ML ($89.95) $79 special
Burghound 89-91 points “This is also quite pretty though aromatically very different as here the nose speaks of distinct Meursault-like scents that run the gamut from classic hazelnut to yellow orchard fruit to pear to floral hints. There is excellent richness to the attractively textured, sappy and mouth coating medium-bodied flavors that possess excellent complexity for a villages level wine. Worth considering.” BH
Charles Smith ‘Sixto’ Moxee Chardonnay, Washington State 2012 750ML ($69.95) $49 special
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2012 Chardonnay Moxee Vineyard comes from a site that lies at 1,400 feet in elevation and a mix of basalt and limestone soils. More exotic than the Frenchman Hills Chardonnay, with lots of chamomile, lemon, spice and toasty notes, it has lively acidity, plenty of texture and a clean, brilliantly focused finish. It’s another terrific Chardonnay to enjoy over the coming couple of years.”
Chateau du Retout ‘Le Retout Blanc’, Bordeaux 2014 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special
Wine Spectator 91 points “Alluring, with lemon curd, citrus oil, white peach and candied grapefruit peel notes streaking along together, backed by a twinge of quinine that beautifully offsets the rich feel. Gros Manseng, Sauvignon Gris, Savagnin and Mondeuse Blanche. Drink now through 2017.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Agathe Bursin Sylvaner Eminence Zinnkoepfle, Alsace Grand Cru 2013 750ML ($31.95) $28 special
Ian D’agata–Vinous 92 points “Gold-tinged straw. Delicate aromas of peach, apricot and poached apple. Rich and dense on the palate, with lively acidity lifting the sweet flavors of orchard and tropical fruits. Finishes very long, with impeccable balance. These Sylvaner vines grow in the grand cru Zinnkoepflé, the soils of which are marked by calcaires à entroques. Planted in 1930 with a southeast exposure, these vines give the description vieilles vignes real meaning, but Bursin doesn’t care to use this wording on the label since she believes the term has been reduced to mainly marketing purposes. “In France, vieille vigne wines are made with vines ranging anywhere from as little as 20 years to as much as 100 years of age, so what‘s the point?” she asks.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Maximin Grunhauser
One of Our Favorite German Wineries
Arriving in March
Carl von Schubert Maximin Grunhauser Abtsberg Riesling Trocken, Mosel 2015 750ML ($39.95) $29 pre-arrival special, 36 bottles available, arriving in March
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Carl von Schubert Maximin Grunhauser Abtsberg Riesling GG, Mosel 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special, 24 bottles available, arriving in March
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “This offers a stunning even if backward nose of slate, grapefruit, cassis, mint and herbs. The wine is gorgeously elegant and refined on the palate, with superb acidity coming through in the finish. This is still on the sharp side but only needs some bottle rest to shine. 2020-2030+”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Carl von Schubert Maximin Grunhauser Abtsberg Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2015 750ML ($31.95) $26 pre-arrival special, 36 bottles available, arriving in March
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “Harvested at 86° Oechsle, this offers a rather smooth Spätlese-styled nose of pear, cassis, ginger, star anise, flowers and flinty slate. The wine is on the rich and round side on the palate (by Kabinett standards of this Estate) but already hints at the elegance and finesse to come. This offers a long and beautifully refined nose of herbs and spices. The overall structure is still rather reduced and backward and we expect this beauty to only truly shine at maturity. So patience is required! 2025-2040.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Carl von Schubert Maximin Grunhauser Abtsberg Riesling 24 Auslese, Mosel 2015 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special, 12 bottles available, arriving in March
Mosel Fine Wines 95 points “This offers gorgeous scents of peach and herbs on the nose. Star anise, ginger and coconut join the flavors on the creamy yet racy palate and leave a superbly racy, cassis and mint-infused feel in the long finish. What a beauty! 2025-2050.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Carl von Schubert Maximin Grunhauser Abtsberg Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2015 750ML ($37.95) $29 pre-arrival special, 36 bottles available, arriving in March
Mosel Fine Wines 93+ points “Harvested at 93° Oechsle, this offers a rather reduced nose of spices, herbs and cassis. The wine is gorgeously elegant and fresh on the palate and leaves a stunning feel of herbs and zesty citrusy fruits in the long and mouth-watering finish. This is a superb effort with great upside potential. 2025-2045.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Carl von Schubert Maximin Grunhauser Herrenberg Riesling 31 Auslese, Mosel 2015 750ML ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special, 12 bottles available, arriving in March
Mosel Fine Wines 95+ points “Harvested at approx. 110° Oechsle, this offers a gorgeous and vibrant nose of pear, grapefruit, quince, cassis and mint. The wine is gorgeously zesty and smooth on the palate, with lively scents of grassy herbs and cassis providing a superb freshness in the long and mineral finish. This is a racy expression of Auslese which should age beautifully well. We would not be surprised if it ultimately even exceeds our high expectations wen reaching maturity. 2025-2045”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Carl von Schubert Maximin Grunhauser Herrenberg Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2015 750ML ($69.95) $49 pre-arrival special, 24 bottles available, arriving in March
Mosel Fine Wines 94 points “This offers some grapefruit, melon, pear and minty herbs on the nose. The wine has some creamy pear at first which gives way to racy cassis and spices. The finish is elegant and to die for as mouth-watering minerals play with one’s senses. This will enter its maturity window in a good decade and will then prove a great expression of “feine Auslese.” 2025-2040”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Left-Bank Luxury
Revolutionary Prices
Bordeaux 2014s
Arriving This Fall
Chateau Leoville-Las Cases ‘Grand Vin de Leoville’, Saint-Julien 2014 750ML ($199.95) $129 pre-arrival special, arriving this Fall
Wine Spectator 95 points “Densely packed, with cassis, steeped plum and blackberry coulis notes that are compressed with layers of cold charcoal and graphite. Very pure, giving this a long, sleek and racy feel, while a terrific iron underpinning drives the finish. Best from 2020 through 2040.”—J.M.
Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou, Saint-Julien 2014 750ML ($149.95) $105 pre-arrival special, arriving this Fall
Wine Spectator 95 points “Opulent, with layers of warmed fig, boysenberry and blackberry confiture that loll along, yet are kept going by a terrific graphite note that is well-buried throughout. Alluring black tea, singed mesquite and bittersweet cocoa accents add to the panache. A head-turner. Best from 2020 through 2040.”—J.M.
Chateau Montrose, Saint-Estephe 2014 750ML ($149.95) $118 pre-arrival special, arriving this Fall
Wine Spectator 95 points “This is seriously built, with an admirable core of red and black currant paste and bitter plum fruit inlaid with notes of tobacco, bay and smoldering charcoal. The finish is ramrod straight thanks to an iron girder supporting everything with ease. A tremendous effort for the vintage. Best from 2020 through 2035.”—J.M.
Chateau Cos d’Estournel, Saint-Estephe 2014 750ML ($199.95) $109 pre-arrival special, arriving this Fall
Wine Spectator 94 points “Intense, with a roiling core of luscious loganberry, blackberry and black currant fruit. Singed spice, apple wood and black tea accents emerge steadily on the finish. Has a rare combination of density and precision. Will cruise in the cellar. Best from 2020 through 2035.”—J.M.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Chateau Leoville Barton, Saint-Julien 2014 750ML ($99.95) $59 pre-arrival special, arriving this Fall
Wine Spectator 94 points “This has a solid core of cassis, blueberry confiture and plum sauce flavors, wrapped with warm ganache and licorice snap notes, kept honest by graphite rivets along the finish. This has lots of muscle, but stays lean and long. Best from 2020 through 2035.”—J.M.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Chateau Lynch-Bages, Pauillac 2014 750ML ($149.95) $79 pre-arrival special, arriving this Fall
Wine Spectator 94 points “This has beguiling hints of plum cake and melted licorice peeking out, while a core of cassis and blackberry confiture waits in reserve. There’s ample grip, but this remains very polished and integrated, with lovely echoes of anise and fruitcake showing through the very lengthy finish. Will be hard to keep your hands off this while it ages. Best from 2019 through 2035.”—J.M
And Finally… The Finest Yet
Casanova di Neri Brunello Cerretalto 2010
Re-Arriving January 13th
Casanova di Neri Cerretalto, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($379.95) $319 pre-arrival special, 30 bottles available
James Suckling 100 points “This is very tannic and powerful with loads of currants, spices and hints of wood. So much stone and mineral character to this. Violets, too. Full-bodied, tight and structured. Massively dense yet agile and bright. It goes on for minutes. Needs at least three or four years to soften. Try in 2020.”
Wine Advocate 99+ points “This is a towering achievement. It is delightful on every level. The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto is an expressive, exuberant and stunning wine that opens to a dark ruby color and rich consistency. The bouquet is never-ending with immediate intensity that is followed closely by finely-tuned aromas of black cherry, spice, grilled herb, clove, tobacco, wet earth and white truffle. A gorgeous display of elegant mineral tones rises from the bouquet with time. Later, those aromas turn to cola, licorice and tar. This wine showed an impressive evolution over the 24 hours I tasted it and delivered solid improvements each time. The mouthfeel is silky and smooth, and there’s enough power here to move the wine over the palate in seamless fashion. This is a bottle for the back of your cellar.”
But you don’t necessarily need to spend over $300 for a life-changing bottle of Casanova Brunello!
We’ve also go these beauties from Casanova di Neri:
In-Stock NOW:
Casanova di Neri Cerretalto, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2008 750ML ($279.95) $199 special, 5 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2008 Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto comes from a more challenging vintage for Casanova di Neri with a cooler growing season and more moisture. In fact, the mouthfeel here is noticeably thinner compared to the stunning wines made from this vineyard in 2007 and 2006. Cerretalto is so immensely soft and luscious it is almost too much of a good thing. Rich spice, cherry, chocolate and crushed granite wrap thickly around the palate. Drink: 2017-2026.” WA
Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles available
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Casanova di Neri’s 2011 Brunello di Montalcino is a very pretty and expressive wine. Sweet red cherry, menthol, rose petal and mint open up first, followed by a touch of blood orange that adds lovely aromatic lift and brightness throughout. Although not especially complex, the 2011 should drink beautifully for at least a handful of years. Today, it is quite pretty and expressive.”
Wine Advocate 92 points “Giacomo Neri has produced a very approachable wine in this warm vintage. The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino is plump and juicy with loads of dark fruit and mild spice at the back. It doesn’t have the depth or complexity of the gorgeous 2010 vintage, but the wine does a very good job presenting the main traits you look for in Brunello. The fruit is lively and the acidity gives the wine a sense of buoyancy and brightness. The tannins are very well integrated. It doesn’t reach Brunello greatness, but it is a good Brunello.”
Casanova di Neri Tenuta Nuova, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2011 750ML ($119.95) $79 special, 25 bottles available
Wine Advocate 95 points “This is another fabulous wine from Giacomo Neri. The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova is a deeply layered expression with bold tones of dark fruit that are softened and enhanced by spice, leather, tobacco and balsam herb. The wine is very beautiful and polished with slightly less depth and complexity compared the outstanding (100 point) vintage that precedes it. Despite the vintage variation, this is a wine of enormous pedigree and importance. It is generous and confident with a presentation that offers purity, intensity and persistence.”
James Suckling 94 points “A red with earthy, meaty, salty, ripe fruit aromas and flavors. Full body with round, velvety tannins and a flavorful finish. So much richness and depth. Needs at least a year or two to come together.”
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova is dark, sensual and inviting, with lovely textural depth and fine balance. Macerated dark cherry, plum, smoke, lavender and spice flesh out in a succulent, expressive Brunello that should drink well with minimal cellaring.”