Wednesday Night Newsletter 7-27-22

In This Newsletter:

Jump Start Offer:
2018 Figgins – Best Price Offer

Kumusha’s Evocative South African Wines

Beau Marchais

#Trending
Donnhoff’s Dry Elegance

Martin Woods:
Next Gen OR Winery with a Vision for the Far Flung Future

Rocca di Montegrossi

Please note: we will be closing at 5 pm tonight, July 27th

This shop never closes!


Jump Start Offer

2018 Figgins

Arriving Friday

Figgins Estate Red, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 97+ points “The 2018 Red Wine is another stunner from this talented team. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot aged 23 months in a mix of new and used barrels, it has an incredibly pure bouquet of both red and blue fruits as well as graphite, violets, and blood orange. Playing in the medium to full-bodied end of the spectrum, it stays tight and focused on the palate, with a beautiful mouthfeel, ripe yet firm, chalky tannins, plenty of mid-palate depth, and a great, great finish. It’s a gorgeous wine that will benefit from 3-5 years of bottle age and cruise for 15-20+ in cold cellars.”
Owen Bargreen-Vinous 97 points “The 2018 Red Wine Estate might just be the best edition ever of this incredible high-elevation bottling. It’s nothing short of a blending masterpiece by Chris Figgins and his winemaking team. This thing is massive monster of a wine that really needs several hours of air to get going. But once tamed, the aromatics explode out of the glass, unveiling dark currants, roasted figs, black rose petals and creosote tones with shades of green bell pepper from the Petit Verdot. The palate is soft and opulent in the mouth. Layers of crème de cassis, anise, violets, dark cherry cordial, graphite and espresso bean with green bell pepper undertones all brilliantly combine with a vibrant sense of tension, and firm tannins hold everything in place. While this is extraordinary to savor upon release, try your best to resist it for at least a few more years.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Top 100 Cellar Selection 2021. Aromas of macerated cherry, coffee, flower, licorice and date lead to cherry, cranberry and raspberry flavors that give a full impression on the palate. There’s plenty of precision and detail to be had, so much acidity and a quite firm tannic structure. A big, burly, beautiful wine, it will last and drink well as long as you care to keep it. Don’t go near it now. Best after 2032. -Sean P. Sullivan”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Kumusha’s Evocative South African Wines

Arriving Friday

Head sommelier at Africa’s top restaurant, The Test Kitchen, Tinashe Nyamudoka founded the Kumusha winery in 2017 with help from Attie Louw, winemaker for Opstal. In his native language of Shona (Nyamudoka is originally from Zimbabwe) “Kumusha” means “your roots, your home, or your origin.” In an interview with Nigerian business news journal BusinessDay, Nyamudoka describes how the name is a reference to how certain aromas in wine evoke memories of the wild fruits he ate in his youth. His focus is lower intervention and lower alcohol wines that showcase the terroir of the stunning South African regions where the grapes are grown. 

On launching his brand, he initially had difficulty selling to local restaurants unwilling to list Black-owned wines. His response? To create a Black-owned wine section on The Test Kitchen’s list. When challenged by a manager for including a Black rival somm’s wine, his response was to pour to it blind for a tasting menu to let it speak for itself (read the whole story here). Through his perseverance and drive, Nyamudoka broke barriers to entry into a wine and fine dining world that all too frequently underrepresents and suppresses Black voices. 

We’re offering a selection from the wide range he produces. From the premium range is the Flame Lily, a white blend meant to be enjoyed with food (a somm’s work is never done!). It offers a complex approach and persistent minerality to the finish and can pair with a range of dishes from heavily spiced stews to grilled veggies to fresh salads. Nyamudoka’s second range is intended to highlight unusual blends and the obscure and visually stunning winegrowing regions of South Africa.

“Historically, wine production has been associated with generational wealth and upper- class societies who are consumed with the exclusivity of the beverage’s culture. However, this young, black Zimbabwean is shattering this stereotype in epic proportions.” -Vimbai Mutinhiri Ekpenyong, BusinessDay

Arriving Friday from Kumusha Wines:

Winery note: Evokes flavors of Matunduru (loquat), which tastes like peach / apricot / plum.
Kumusha The Flame Lily, Slanghoek 2020 750ML ($44.95) $34.50 pre-arrival special
Winery note “White Blend. 48% Roussanne, 35% Chenin Blanc, 13% Colombard & 4% Semillon. Apple, white peach, lemon zest & winter melon flavours. Unabashed richness and sensuality in the fruit, balanced by a surprisingly taut and minerally acidity. A beautifully textured mouthfeel complementing rich white meat & asian inspired dishes. Drinks best for up to 6 years. Winemaking: Handpicked grapes. The Chenin blanc is from registered old vines. Gently pressed into a settling tank for 36 hrs. A component of Chenin blanc was fermented until dry on the skins. Racked into old French Oak where alcoholic and Malolactic fermentation occurs spontaneously. 10 months ageing before bottling. Unfined.”
Importer note “Certified Sustainable. Roussanne 48%, Chenin Blanc 35%, Colombard 13% and Semillon 4%. The vine age: Roussane 6-year-old, Chenin Blanc 37-year-old, Colombar 17-year-old, and Semillon 22-year-old. The vineyard is located at 370 meters and the soils are mostly ancient sandstone with some granite and high clay.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Winery note: Evokes flavors of black jack leaf, which tastes like black current leaf.
Kumusha Sondagskloof Sauvignon Blanc, Walker Bay 2020 750ML ($21.95) $19 pre-arrival special
Decanter 90 points “Hailing from cool ward Sondagskloof, which forms part of the Cape South Coast delineation. Here temperatures rarely exceed 20°C, though the sunlight hours are long making for good ripening conditions while still retaining acidity. Its flavour profile speaks of its cool origins, with top notes of blackcurrant leaf, crushed lime and green strawberry. Winter melon on the restrained but long palate; the acid is crunchy, piquant with just the softest lick of cream to a good, dry finish. Drinking Window 2022 – 2026.”
Winery note “Aromas of melon and passion fruit, fynbos and buchu, with citrus undertones. The Sondagskloof region, which forms part of the Cape South Coast lends a beautiful minerality. The wine also has a real presence on the palate in terms of texture. Should open up nicely – trust the 2nd glass you’ll have of this. Complements seafood, sushi, pasta, chicken and veal dishes.”
Importer note “Certified Sustainable. 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Sourced from a 6-hectare vineyard on shallow duplex (Weathered shale on clay) at 300-400 meters. Hand-harvested early morning and hand-sorted before crushing.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Winery note: Evokes flavors of nhunguru, which tastes like red plums.
Kumusha Pinotage, Swartland 2020 750ML ($24.95) $20.90 pre-arrival special
Winery note “Uniquely South African wine. A wine with depth, balance, and delicious aromas reminiscent of dark cherries and mulberries on the nose. Notes of ripe plums and hints of spice on the palate with a savory finish. Pairs well with game, turkey, spicy dishes and curries. Winemaking: This wine was made from bush vine Pinotage from the Swartland planted in the early 1990’s and is dryland farmed. 80% was destemmed and 20% left whole bunch through fermentation and maceration. Only gentle actions through fermentation as to not over extract tannins and rather create an elegant and fine example of Pinotage. Aged for 12 months in big French casks and old 500L neutral barrels. No additions and minimal intervention is the philosophy here.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Winery note: Evokes flavors of hute (waterberries), which tastes like blackberries.
Kumusha Cabernet Sauvignon – Cinsault, Slanghoek 2021 750ML ($24.95) $19.90 pre-arrival special
Winery note “Ripe cherries and plums flavours, with hints of pomegranate and strawberry. Complements all types of juicy red meat dishes, especially slow cooked ones. Drinks best for up to 10 years. Winemaking: Handpicked grapes. Destemmed into open top fermenters; Cinsault in cement and Cabernet Sauvignon in old oak casks. Cinsault (of which 25% is wholebunch) spontaneously fermented for 10 days after which it is pressed and racked to concrete tank. Cabernet Sauvignon underwent extended maceration in the oak casks for 30 days after which it was pressed and the wine returned to the oak casks for 8 months. After the 8 month period the two components were blended and rested for a month before bottling and rested in bottle for another 4 months.”
Importer note “Certified Sustainable. 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Cinsault. 14-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon and 23-year-old Cinsault sourced from a vineyard at 350 meters. The Cabernet Sauvignon on Tukulu soils (granite, high clay content and standstone) and Cinsault on ancient sandstone with river pebbles.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!





Beau Marchais

Beau Marchais, a collaboration between Adam Lee and the late Philippe Cambie of France, builds off Lee’s work done at Siduri. Beau Marchais is sourced entirely from the Santa Rita Hills. One of the vineyard sources is right next door to the legendary Gary’s Vineyard and is managed by the same family. Stylistically these are Pinot Noirs that walk the line of Californian ripeness with an almost French elegance. As you can expect with their limited sourcing, these are highly allocated wines that are only being supplied to retail wine shops chosen by the winery. 

Beau Marchais wines in stock now: 

Beau Marchais Clos Pepe Vineyard Est Pinot Noir Sta Rita Hills 2020 750ML ($99.95) $85 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 94-96 points “While there won’t be any releases from Santa Lucia due to smoke, they were able to release their Clos Pepe Pinot Noirs. The 2020 Pinot Noir Clos Pepe Est Vineyard saw 25% stems, 48 days on stems, and aging all in new barrels. Lots of mulberry, chocolate covered strawberries, and plum fruits as well as notes of orange blossom and spice emerge from the glass, and it’s a rich, full-bodied, textured beauty that packs one heck of a mid-palate. With ripe tannins and an expansive, supple texture, drink this hedonistic, sexy Pinot Noir on release and over the following 7-8 years.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Beau Marchais Clos Pepe Vineyard Ouest Pinot Noir Sta Rita Hills 2020 750ML ($99.95) $85 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95-97 points “The 2020 Pinot Noir Clos Pepe Ouest Vineyard comes from the western side of the vineyard, which sees slightly smaller berries and yields due to being hammered by the winds. It tends to be a riper Pinot Noir yet always seems more structured and focused than the Est Pinot Noir. Similarly deep purple-hued, with a beautiful bouquet of blue fruits, iron, candied orange zest, and spice, it’s another rich, full-bodied, concentrated Pinot Noir that stays beautifully balanced and has ripe, building tannins as well as a great finish. While it’s not for the Burgundy lovers out there (although you might be surprised), it has depth, structure, and is a brilliant Pinot Noir!”
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94 points “The 2020 Pinot Noir Clos Pepe Vineyard Ouest is terrific. Powerful and ample in the glass, the 2020 possesses tremendous richness right out of the gate. Luscious red/purplish berry fruit, blood orange, spice and pomegranate are all dialed up. The super-sized Santa Barbara Pinot offers tons of immediacy and yet retains a good deal of energy as well. The Ouest is a noticeably bigger wine than the Est.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $99.95

Beau Marchais Soberanes Vineyard Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands 2019 750ML ($99.95) $85 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “I loved these wines from barrel last year, and they didn’t disappoint from bottle. Starting with the Santa Lucia Highlands release, the 2019 Pinot Noir Soberanes Vineyard has a deep, nuanced yet powerful style that offers impressive black raspberry and red currant fruits to go with lots of spice, loamy soil, spring flower, and earthy forest floor notes. Gorgeously textured on the palate, this medium to full-bodied Pinot has ripe, polished tannins, a great mid-palate, and the fruit and opulence to drink nicely today yet also evolve for a good 7-8 years, if you’re so inclined.”
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “This collaboration between California’s Adam Lee and the Rhône Valley’s Phillipe Cambie yields a rich, spicy wine. Heavy aromas of cola, root beer, baked cherry and boysenberry gummies lead into a multi-layered palate of cardamom, clove, nutmeg and baked fruit, framed by polished tannins.”
Wine Advocate-Erin Brooks 92-94 points “I tasted the 2019 Pinot Noir Soberanes Vineyard as a final blend while still in barrel, aging in about 90% new oak. Medium ruby-purple, it’s loaded with dark fruits and nuances of bitter chocolate, mint leaves, charcuterie and fragrant earth. In the mouth, it’s medium-bodied with a firm, grainy frame and good freshness, opening up to brighter fruits on the long finish. This is shaping up to be a concentrated, savory and structured Pinot Noir. This is due to be bottled sometime around August 2020.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $90

Trending

Hermit Ram is taking the wine world by storm with their field blends and Pinot Noir, hybridizing traditional Burgundian practices with “New wave” techniques like low intervention in the cellar, amphora for fermentation and stem inclusion over new oak. 

The Hermit Ram Amphora Salty White North Canterbury 2020 750ML ($44.95) $38 special, 13 bottles in stock now
Julia Harding MW 17 points “Slightly cloudy very pale gold. Intensely citrus with a light herbal quality. Sour apricot and dried grasses are very subtle. This is complex, creamy, extremely salty. Great complexity and a lovely blend with nothing dominating. Dry, finely tannic, the best flavours of Sauvignon at the core, citrus and herbal and finally green fruits like greengage. Deep, long, salty, a wine for the evening. Good value. Drink 2021–2024”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

“‘I am committed to putting all my energy into making the best wines every day,’ Anita declares. ‘This is why I chose to opt for plot cultivation, which allows each bottle to reflect the character of each plot.’ She calls this whole exercise ‘Making the plots talk.'” –Importer note 

Domaine Anita Moulin-a-Vent ‘Les Caves’ Tres Vieilles Vignes, Beaujolais 2020 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 33 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 94 points “What a beautiful nose of violets and ripe (but not overripe) blackberries this has! So succulent, with a wonderful interplay of creaminess, fine tannins and mineral freshness on the concentrated, medium-bodied palate. Very long, velvety finish with so much finesse! Drink or hold.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

While Vinopolis doesn’t have a “house” Champagne, we seem to recommend Andre Clouet more than any others. While many zero dosage wines can seem austere, the Silver Brut Nature has clear notes of dried fruits and warm pie crust. And the Pinot Noir shines through with aplomb. While this wine is not shy, it is well-balanced and delivers delicious flavor without seeming flabby.

Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature Champagne NV 750ML ($39.95) $36 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature Champagne NV 750ML ($419.95) $389 special (that’s only $32.42/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Case-6 Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature Champagne NV 750ML ($239.95) $206 special (that’s only $34.33/bottle!)
Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature Champagne NV 1.5L ($119.95) $99 special, 9 magnums in stock now
Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature Champagne NV 3L ($349.95) $279 special, 20 double magnums in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92+ points “[Reviewed Apr 2021] Clouet’s NV Silver Brut Nature Grand Cru is a pure Bouzy Pinot Noir that was disgorged without any dosage. This disgorgement displays a medium intense golden color and a complex and refined bouquet of ripe and pureed apples and discreet chalky as well as brioche aromas. The palate is elegant, straight and fresh, very pure and salty on the finish. This is a challenging Brut Nature that needs to be aged for two or three years to gain complexity and finesse and to smooth its current edges. The finish is mineral, limestone and salty but also a bit drying at this moment.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $47

One of the great pillars of classical Rioja
Marques de Murrieta Reserva Rioja DOCa 2017 750ML ($29.95) $26 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Marques de Murrieta Reserva Rioja DOCa 2017 750ML ($179.95) $149 special (that’s only $24.83/bottle!) 
James Suckling 96 points “Incredible depth and intensity on the nose with chocolate, walnut, blackberry and wet-earth aromas. Some iodine, too. All this follows through to a full body with very silky tannins that give the wine depth and length. It’s really framed beautifully. Reserved and tight at the finish. A terrific wine for the cellar. Give this three to five years to open.”
Decanter 94 points “A great classic, with a unique Rioja character, bursting with chewy red fruits, counterpointed by minerality. Reconciling power and finesse, pleasure and style. Warm and intense. Benchmark for wines of style, high-end brands. Leaves a vibrant memory.”
Luis Gutierrez – Wine Advocate 93 points “The red 2017 Rioja Reserva is their flagship wine, of which they produce 900,000 bottles exclusively from grapes from their 300 hectares of estate vineyards. It’s a blend of 83% Tempranillo, 9% Graciano, 6% Mazuelo (Cariñena) and 2% Garnacha and has the character of the vintage, ripe and warm but without excess. The varieties fermented separately, even different plots fermented separately, and they also aged in barrel on their own. The blend is done at the end, after 20 months in American oak barrels. 2017 was a challenging year that they still consider a better vintage than 2018, as they see more concentration and power. The wine is quite lactic and creamy, still showing very young. It does feel undeveloped and in need of some time in bottle. The wine has concentration and clout, and I always consider it an ultimate example of an updated classical Reserva from Rioja. 2017 was the earliest harvest (started and finished in September), a warm and dry year when the Ygay estate miraculously escaped the terrible frost that decimated most of Europe. The challenge for this wine was to contain the ripeness and power, and they have done it. This will be released in spring 2021, so it should be a lot more integrated by then. This is always a sure value. Volumes are lower this year.”

Easily our best-selling rose in house, and rightly so. The Ameztoi Rubentis is a blend of Hondarribi Beltza and Zuri sourced from a series of organically farmed, high elevation sites in the Basque Region with the oldest vines being over 100 years old. This pink is fermented in the traditional style of the Basque region, which leaves it slightly sparkling and naturally low in sulfur. Fully dry and incredibly nuanced yet delicate with a whole spectrum of fruits ranging from strawberry to white peach. 

Ameztoi Rubentis Rosado, Getariako Txakolina 2020 750ML ($24.95) Was $21.90, Now $19 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 92 points “Shimmering orange-pink. Pungent cherry and red berry scents take on floral and spice nuances with air. Shows silky texture and good depth to the zesty red currant and bitter cherry flavors, which turn sweeter through the midpalate. Smoothly blends heft and energy and finishes long and nervy, with a hint of bitter orange pith adding final bite.”
Importer note “The pink sibling of Ameztoi’s flagship white, this vibrant rosé is made from a mix of red and white indigenous grapes and is bottled with a little residual carbonation to give it a light spritz.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $35

With holdings encompassing almost 300 acres at almost 1000 feet above sea level Caruso & Minini wines are some of the best examples of “New Sicily.” Their portfolio is entirely composed of indigenous Sicilian varietals, including the exceedingly rare Perricone. Liked to Barbara by wine writer and critic, Jancis Robinson it’s a juicy yet herbaceous red that is spectacular with pizza or anything else based in red sauce. 

Caruso & Minini ‘Naturalmente Bio’ Perricone Terre Siciliane IGT Sicily 2019 750ML ($21.95) $16 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winery notes “The Perricone [grape], or the so-called pignatello, had been the undisputed leader of the red grapes in western Sicily. Rich with red fruits…Wine of great power and harmony while expressing…fresh and lively character.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $21






Donnhoff’s Dry Elegance

Donnhoff is perhaps our favorite German producer.  They excel with both dry and off-dry wines, producing some of the top dozen Rieslings in nearly every vintage.  Part of that is a privileged location—they own some of the best vineyards in the Nahe, one of the most geologically diverse parts of Germany.  Decanter notes that “the estate owns 25ha of vines, including plots in nine Grosse Lage vineyards – the highest quality classification as set out by the VDP,” a wealth of resources that few wineries in the world can draw from. The other part is the exceptional drive and focus of Helmut and Cornelius Dönnhoff, who will stop at nothing to produce the best wines in Germany.

Need some help selecting from our impressive 45+ Donnhoff wines in stock? Browse our highlights below for superb dry examples:

Weingut Donnhoff Riesling Estate Trocken, Nahe 2020 750ML ($26.95) $20.90 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92 points “Predominantly from the Oberhausen Kieselberg and Felsenberg, the 2020 Riesling Trocken opens with a clear, ripe, elegant and flinty bouquet of ripe Riesling fruit. Pure, linear and fresh on the palate, this is an intense and vital dry Riesling with stunning mineral expression, grip and salty length. A fabulous wine for small pockets. 11.5% alcohol. Tasted at the domain in July 2021.”
James Suckling 92 points “Very fresh, sleek and straight with a slew of summer-fruit and citrus aromas and a super-refreshing, crisp finish. Mostly from little-known vineyard sites in Oberhausen. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink now. Screw cap.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Weingut Donnhoff Roxheimer Hollenpfad Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2020 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 13 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “Intensely herbal and tightly wound, this tastes like a GG, thanks to the firm and complex structure. Long, ultra-mineral and herbal finish. This needs some time to unwind, but has great potential. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drinkable now, but best from 2022.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 94 points “From an open, south-facing vineyard on red sandstone, the 2020 Roxheimer Höllenpfad Riesling trocken is pure but ripe and intense on the nose that reveals ripe and stewed apple aromas with a fine phenolic spiciness and reductive richness. Juicy-piquant and salty-crystalline on the palate, this is an intense yet very elegant and still slightly astringent dry Riesling with fine tannic grip and good tension. 12.5% alcohol. Tasted at the domain in July 2021.”

Weingut Donnhoff Felsenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2018 750ML ($89.95) $59 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
John Gilman 94 points “The 2018 Felsenberg GG is also absolutely outstanding this year. The bouquet is impressively expressive at this early stage, soaring from the glass in a blaze of pear, tart orange, a beautiful base of slate minerality, wild yeasts, a touch of fleur de sel and a potpourri of floral scents in the upper register. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, focused and seamless, with outstanding mid-palate depth, powerful mineral drive and great cut and grip on the long, perfectly balanced and youthful finish. This will be show stopping juice in the fullness of time. 2028-2070. 94.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $68

Weingut Donnhoff Krotenpfuhl Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Weingut Donnhoff Krotenpfuhl Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2017 1.5L ($179.95) $133 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Stuart Pigott-Jamessuckling 95 points “This might have happened by accident, due to the high level of ripeness that resulted from the frost damage and very low yield, but it works really well. Ripe citrus and peach aromas, but there’s great freshness and very lively acidity that animates the medium-full body and lifts the long finish. From organically grown grapes. Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Multilayered, featuring well-sculpted and concentrated flavors of baked apple, gooseberry, roasted pineapple and vanilla bean. Acidity cuts through, delivering freshness midpalate and presenting ripe melon and quinine notes on the finish. Best from 2022 through 2030.”
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points “The 2017er Bad Kreuznacher Krötenpfuhl GG delivers a spicy and minty nose of ripe fruits including pear, apple, prune and grapefruit. But it is on the palate that this wine really shines, combining energy and finesse with beautifully f lowery and grapefruit driven elements. A great salty side adds depth to the fully dry and superbly mineral after-taste. This is a great dry Riesling in the making. 2025-2037.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $74.99 for the 750ml

Shop our full selection of Donnhoff wines here, or browse our complete inventory of German Rieslings!



Martin Woods:

Next Gen OR Winery

with a Vision for the Far Flung Future

Evan Martin, winemaker and owner of Martin Woods, is worth seeking out the next time you’re in the Valley. And fortunately, as the owner of HiFi Wine Bar in McMinnville, it’s pretty easy (and delightful) to do so. Despite his relative youth, he’s one of the most thoughtful and dedicated winemakers we’ve met. He has the poise of a master craftsman and, given his resume, it’s well earned. Our only regret is that we waited so long to share these with you. 

Fortunately, he’s the patient type. Case in point? He uses 250-350 year old fallen oak trees from his property for barrel staves. These staves must rest for several years to properly season before holding wine for its subsequent slumber. Much like Beckham Estate’s house-made amphora, these vessels offer a narrower lens through which Oregon terroir can be expressed. These don’t produce the vanilla spice impact of new French oak, but instead impart a synergy more akin to the aforementioned amphora. By building a market for Oregon oak, he’s encouraging the planting of the species for winemakers far, far in the future. But you can enjoy the fruits of his labor now:

In Stock Now: 

Chablis-esque Chard crafted from tiny berries
Martin Woods Yamhill Valley Vineyard Chardonnay, McMinnville 2019 750ML ($59.95) $45 special, 11 bottles in stock now
No reviews available for the 2019. Recent review provided for reference.
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2017 Chardonnay Yamhill Valley Vineyard was aged entirely in Oregon oak barrels, one of them new. It gives up baked apples, toasted cashews, lemon meringue, honey toast and marshmallow hints with notes of hay and warm earth. The palate is medium-bodied and rounded with rich, savory flavors and tangy acidity, finishing with great length and texture. Very classy. About 130 cases were made.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

From a vineyard shared with Hundred Suns, these are self-rooted Pommard clones on marine sedimentary soil
Martin Woods Bednarik Vineyard Pinot Noir, Tualatin Hills 2019 750ML ($59.95) $45 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Glistening magenta. Highly fragrant aromas of red berry liqueur, pungent spices and potpourri, along with a hint of botanical herbs. Concentrated yet lively as well, offering sweet raspberry, kirsch and floral pastille flavors that slowly unfurl through the back half. Fine-grained tannins add delicate grip to a juicy, sharply focused and very persistent finish that displays repeating floral and spice qualities.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Delicate and persistent from a 1989 planting
Martin Woods Hyland Vineyard Pinot Noir, McMinnville 2019 750ML ($59.95) $45 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Bright ruby-red. Vibrant, spice- and mineral-accented cherry and black raspberry scents take on musky earth, floral and herb nuances as the wine opens up. Juicy, appealingly sweet red and blue fruit preserve and floral pastille flavors show firm tension and spicy back-end lift. The long, energetic finish echoes the cherry note and is framed by steadily building, nicely polished tannins.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

A medium-bodied expression of the grape with finesse and dark aromatics
Martin Woods Syrah The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater, Oregon 2019 750ML ($59.95) $44 special, 6 bottles in stock now
No reviews for the 2019. 2018 review provided for reference.
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 93 points “Medium to deep ruby-purple in color, the nose of the 2018 Syrah is super fresh, offering blackcurrants, mint leaves, dark chocolate, blueberries, violet and olive. The palate is expressive, lively and ultra fresh, with a silky frame, pure, perfumed fruits and a long, lifted finish. It’s a gorgeous, cool-climate style of Syrah.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!
 


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Rocca di Montegrossi

Rocca di Montegrossi’s family history in their home village of Monti dates back to the year 700. Credited with the “Original Chianti” recipe, they’re a benchmark producer like no other, and are located on one of the highest elevation sites in the entire appellation. Half of their estate is still blanketed in the ancestral forest, all of which has been farmed organically since 2006. These factors converge to create Chianti of unmatched refinement, delivering the classic sour cherry, espresso, and leather with a backbone of terra cotta and dusty loam. These are big, rich versions of Chianti, with texture and density to spare, all while retaining a refreshing acidity due to the high elevation and dramatic diurnal temperature swings.  You’d swear these were Brunello/Rosso di Montalcino—except their pricing is 20% below what they’d be if they had those labels. 

Never content to sit on their laurels, Montegrossi also produce a super Tuscan inspired blend derived from the small plantings of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon that grow onsite. In comparison to the cask aging seen by the Chianti Classico, the Geremia sees a “modern” vinification with entirely French oak barrels. It captures so much of what we love about the estate with big, rich fruit and a surprising amount of elegance.  This is a wine that would be twice as expensive if it were from Bordeaux (and probably thrice if it were from Napa), but the wines of Montegrossi offer superb value. 

Highlights In Stock Now:

Rocca di Montegrossi Chianti Classico DOCG 2019 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 33 bottles in stock now
Decanter 92 points “Owner Marco Ricasoli recalls the harvest of 2019 as unusually calm – one of the few in which he didn’t have to base his picking strategy on the weather forecast. While his wines never lack freshness, the 2019 is positively racy! Scents of blackberry and fennel are interlaced with smoke, and the palate brings together brambly fruit with fleshy red plum. This is mouthfilling and clean, with ripe, smooth tannins that are chalky textured – plus all of that vibrant acidity. Drinking Window 2022 – 2028.”
James Suckling 92 points “Plums, spices, mushrooms and dried herbs on the nose. It’s full-bodied with fine tannins. Juicy and textured with tangy acidity and spicy character. Flavorful finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink now.”
Antonio Galloni 91+ points “The 2019 Chianti Classico is an elegant, polished wine. Lifted aromatics, silky tannins and mid-weight structure give the 2019 its gracious personality. In 2019, the Chianti Classico is a bit restrained and less overt than it can be. That means it needs time in bottle to truly blossom. I would cellar the 2019 for at least a few years. The 2019 is so distinctive.”

Rocca di Montegrossi ‘Geremia’ Toscana IGT 2017 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Rocca di Montegrossi ‘Geremia’ Toscana IGT 2017 1.5L ($179.95) $149 special, 3 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2017 Geremia is a revelation. It might be even better than the 2015 or 2016, which is saying a lot. Soaring aromatics make a strong first impression. In 2017, the fruit profile leans more into the red fruit end of the spectrum. The warm, dry year yielded a Geremia that is unusually open. I doubt too many of the estate’s fans will have a problem with that given how long these wines usually take to open. Today, the 2017 Geremia is a total pleasure bomb. Don’t miss it.”

Rocca di Montegrossi ‘Ridolfo’ Toscana IGT 2015 1.5L ($199.95) $179 special, 21 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni 98+ points “The 2015 Ridolfo is a new Cabernet Sauvignon/Pugnitello blend from Marco Ricasoli bottled only in magnum. Vibrant and finely sculpted, the 2015 impresses right out of the gate. A whole range of savory aromatics, lavender, spice, licorice and mocha open with time in the glass. Sweet rose petal and cinnamon appear later, adding brightness and lift. Cabernet Sauvignon and Pugnitello are not obvious varieties to blend, as they are, on paper, more similar than complementary. Even so, the combination works so well. I can’t wait to see how this ages. The 2015 is a total knock-out!”
Wine & Spirits 96 points “Marco Ricasoli’s inaugural release of Ridolfo marries the elegance of cabernet sauvignon with pugnitello’s bright and spicy notes in a unique interpretation of Tuscan terroir. Its penetrating flavors of blackberry and cherry are crunchy and vibrant even in the warm 2015 vintage, those fruit tones underlined by notes of graphite that create a cool mineral sensation. The wine almost crackles with energy, its schistous tannins firm and flavorful. An exciting new addition to the realm of Tuscan red blends, this will be fascinating to follow as it develops over the next decade. Available only in magnum—a nod toward its expected aging potential.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Rocca di Montegrossi Gran Selezione Vigneto San Marcellino, Chianti Classico DOCG 2016 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Rocca di Montegrossi Gran Selezione Vigneto San Marcellino, Chianti Classico DOCG 2016 1.5L ($179.95) $149 special, 3 magnums in stock now
Decanter 96 points “Vigna San Marcellino is both youthfully fresh and maturely complex. It includes a healthy dose of the deeply coloured Pugnitello grape, and both this and the Sangiovese saw long post-fermentation macerations of over 30 days in 2016. Liquorice, tarragon and broom interlace with exuberant plum and understated toasted nuances that are seductive. Laden with black cherry and rich, velvety tannins, the palate is creamy in texture, while underlying chalkiness and saline minerality lend energy, leading to a sappy, refreshing finish. Drinking Window 2023 – 2038.”
Wine & Spirits 96 points “Chianti Classico’s superb 2016 vintage yielded some excellent wines, and Marco Ricasoli-Firidolfi’s Gran Selezione is among the best we’ve tasted. The wine stands out for its combination of firm structure, elegant texture and vibrant flavors. The fruit tones are dark and plummy, a nod to the six percent of pugnitello in the blend, and the wine unfolds to reveal layers of licorice, tobacco and subtle spice. Fine tannins give shape to those rich flavors, and well-integrated acidity lifts the finish.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2016 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto San Marcellino is a dense, packed wine. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2016 is an infant. Super-ripe blue/purplish fruit, spice, leather, tobacco and menthol build in the glass. The 2016 is dense and opulent, and yet the acids pulse with energy, lending a feeling of translucence that becomes especially apparent on the finish. That combination makes for a compelling Gran Selezione that should age well for 15-20 years or more.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “A meaty, muscular version, this red displays black cherry, blackberry, tar, leather and iron aromas and flavors, offering a beam of fruit within a tightly wound, vibrant structure. Fine length. Sangiovese and Canaiolo. Best from 2024 through 2045. 1,450 cases made, 500 cases imported. — BS”

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