In Today’s Newsletter:
Cayuse Mania Continues!
Super Subscriber Sale:
Thanisch, Erben Thanisch
Staff Pick:
Abbatucci Faustine
Vie di Romans
New Reviews from Wine Advocate
New Tuscan Arrivals
California Collector’s Corner
Cayuse Mania Continues!
New Arrivals
Horsepower Vineyards ‘Sur Echalas Vineyard’ Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($159.95) $138 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Anthony Mueller-Wine Advocate 97 points “Power and elegance. The 2017 Grenache Sur Echalas Vineyard bangs with bright red fruit character with fantastic clarity and a pure sense of underlying terroir at its core. Intoxicating floral aromas of Sakura, crushed rose petals and hints of lavender flood the senses first, followed by layers of wild strawberries, bright cherry skin and crushed raspberries in the glass. It is medium-bodied on the palate, with delicate savory and spice tones that fade in and out between the seductive red fruit and floral notes, giving way to an impeccably balanced structure with energetic acidity and a robust shine and gleam to the fruit. An instant success, the palate is full of flavor and mouth-watering juiciness without being overripe. Immensely pleasureful, the wine delivers an elongated yet compact finish that continues to evolve and unpack in the mouth with persistence. Hands-down, it’s a winner! 301 cases produced.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “Starting with the 2017 Grenache Sur Echalas Vineyard, this beauty is the spitting image of a great vintage of Rayas and offers a complex bouquet of black raspberries, white pepper, spring flowers, and sappy herbs. These all carry to a medium to full-bodied, ethereal Grenache that has a light, graceful texture, silky tannins, and a great finish. It shows the more elegant, almost Pinot Noir-like style of Grenache on the palate and is flawlessly balanced. Just a singular, remarkable wine, drink it any time over the coming 15 years or more.”
Cayuse Vineyards Cailloux Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($139.95) $115 special, 2 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 97 points “Lots of blackberry, tar and blueberry aromas with hints of dried earth. Full bodied, tight and focused with intensity and savoriness in the center palate. Plush and attractive at the end, but not overpowering. Drink or hold.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The only Syrah that includes some Viognier, the 2017 Syrah Cailloux Vineyard (this is the same site used for the Viognier) is always a great representation of the vintage as well as the wines of Christophe Baron. Ruby/purple-hued, with a rocking bouquet of black raspberries, smoked game, black pepper, and spring flowers, it has plenty of classic Rocks funkiness and meaty notes, medium to full body, a core of sweet fruit, and a great, great finish. It ranks with the top two to three wines in this vintage. It opens up nicely with time in the glass and shows well today, and it’s certainly going to cruise for 15+ years or more.”
Anthony Mueller-Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2017 Syrah Cailloux Vineyard begins generous and inky in the glass, with black fruit at its core and floral aromas of violets and lavender followed by a soft smokiness with layers of olive tapenade and dust-covered black raspberry. Full-bodied, the Cailloux Syrah is intensely complex and reveals layers of crunchy minerality and silky tannins that frame the elegant notions of cherry blossom in the mouth. Ending with a long-lingering and sophisticated finish, the wine continues to reveal its subtleties, expressing umami and savory characteristics. Proving to be yet another stellar bottling from the Cayuse team, the wine dares me to keep my hands off the glass. I can’t… 859 cases produced.”
Cayuse Vineyards Cailloux Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($139.95) $119 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Cayuse Vineyards Camaspelo, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($149.95) $115 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “Coming from the En Cerise and Cailloux vineyards, the 2017 Camaspelo doesn’t match the stunning 2016 but still offers a gorgeous perfume of red and black currants, toasted spices, flowery incense, and green tobacco that develops nicely with time in the glass. Playing in the medium to full-bodied end of the spectrum, with silky tannins and a great balance, it’s an ethereal, balanced Bordeaux blend (it’s mostly Cabernet Sauvignon) that’s going to develop even more complexity with 2-4 years of bottle age and have 15-20 years of prime drinking.”
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 94 points “Bright dark red. Sexy floral lift to the aromas of raspberry, woodsmoke, white pepper and spices. At once sweet, firm and concentrated on entry, with harmonious acidity and subtle salinity giving shape and lift to the middle palate. Not a blockbuster; in fact, a bit more delicate, delineated and high-pitched than The Lovers if not quite as plush. Superb intensity and floral perfume here. Still a bit youthfully imploded on the back end, but finishes very long, with refined tannins and sneaky juicy, floral persistence.”
Cayuse Vineyards Camaspelo, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Cayuse Vineyards God Only Knows Armada Vineyard Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($149.95) $138 special, 2 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 97 points “The subtlety of fruit here is mesmerizing with sweet strawberry, floral and tangerine aromas that follow through to a medium to full body, fine and soft tannins and a long, delicious finish. It shows such polish and fineness. Drink or hold.”
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 94 points “Moderately saturated dark red. Aromas of raspberry, red cherry, white pepper, rose petal and piquant spices, with mocha and fresh herb notes emerging with aeration. A suave, refined midweight offering a lovely combination of intense red fruits and savory soil tones accented by flowers and pepper. Still a bit tight but already beautifully delineated for New World Grenache; has just enough gamey funkiness to add some Old World nuance. Finishes with light tannins, intriguing peppery grip and slowly rising length. This outstanding Washington Grenache boasts superb subtlety and intensity–and a firm spine throughout. I love the balance of sweet and salty elements here. (13.8% alcohol)”
Cayuse Vineyards En Chamberlin Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “While I don’t think the 2017 Impulsivo matches the 2016, it’s certainly not far off. Showing the more elegant style of the vintage, it offers a gorgeous perfume of smoked black cherries, redcurrants, green tobacco, bloody meat, sandalwood, and Asian spices that opens up with time in the glass. Ethereal, medium to full-bodied, and seamless on the palate, it has flawless balance, polished tannins, no hard edges, and a great, great finish. It’s just beautifully put together and one of the more approachable vintages of this cuvée. It can be drunk with incredible pleasure today (give it an hour decant) or cellared for 15+ years or more.”
Anthony Mueller-Wine Advocate 94+ points “The 2017 Impulsivo begins with an expressive and aromatic nose with roasted blackberries, oak spice tones and charred cherry skin with elements of dusty purple flowers and baked earth. Full-bodied, the wine is expressive and deliciously balanced across the mid-palate before showing exotic spice elements, dried tobacco and cedar plank across the long-lingering finish. For Tempranillo lovers out there, this is a simply delicious wine that represents a New World-style expression of Tempranillo and a clear winner. Check it out. Only 262 cases were produced.”
Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Cayuse Vineyards Wallah Wallah Special Series No. 11 Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2017 1.5L ($319.95) $299 special, 1 magnum available
James Suckling 97 points “Soft and luxurious with plums, smoke, spice and hints of earth. Some chocolate, too. Full body, round and caressing tannins and a seductive finish. It’s a wine that develops beautifully on your palate. Drink or hold.”
Anthony Mueller-Wine Advocate 96 points “Made only in magnum, the 2017 Syrah Wallah Wallah Special #11 comes from some of the exceptional vineyards that go into making some of the bottlings for Cayuse and Horsepower. Displaying with a pale ruby-colored edge, the wine unfolds its wings in the glass showing the elegance of Pinot Noir but with the savoriness of Syrah. Elements of crushed violets, sweet raspberry, lavender and rose petal all capture the attention first before showing subtle savory notions of black pepper, crushed rock and worn leather. Medium to full-bodied, the wine is framed by a well-balanced structure, with energetic acidity and mouthwatering tannins, before ending with a long, lingering finish. A brilliant idea to only bottle in magnum, which forces you to select the appropriate time to open and consume the bottle. Regardless, this is a winner. 481 cases produced.”
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 95 points “Medium-deep red. Musky aromas of raspberry, smoked meat, roast coffee and underbrush lifted by peppery herbs and rose petal. Boasts lovely sweet red berry fruit complexity complicated by savory soil tones, herbs and black pepper. Thick and savory but nicely delineated; in fact, a bit more penetrating than the 2016 version, with the energy and tannic structure to evolve slowly. This wonderfully smooth, fine-grained Syrah finishes with serious palate-dusting tannins and excellent grip and length. Not a particularly fruity style but has more than enough fruit to balance its savory soil, pepper and herb elements. A superb vintage for this bottling. (bottled in magnums)”
Super Subscriber Sale:
Thanisch, Erben Thanisch
Wwe Dr. H. Thanisch Erben Thanisch (VDP) Bernkasteler Badstube Kabinett 2017 750ML ($29.95) Was $28, Now $24 Super Subscriber Special, 13 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2017 Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Kabinett is fine and intense on the clear, elegant and floral-flinty nose. Lush and salty-piquant on the crystalline palate, this is a mouth-filling and textured Kabinett that probably includes some percentage of botrytis berries, which give it juicy, charming and mouth-filling character. The sweetness is round and fruity rather than sweet. It’s lovely to enjoy today, yet I’d recommend cellaring the 2017 for another 5-10 years. Tasted from AP 13 18 in March 2019.”
Wwe Dr. H. Thanisch Erben Thanisch (VDP) Bernkasteler Badstube Spatlese 2015 750ML ($31.95) Was $28, Now $24 Super Subscriber Special, 14 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 93 points “The 2015 Badstube Spätlese from Weingut Dr. Thanisch is a lovely wine, wafting from the glass in a complex and vibrant aromatic blend of white cherries, delicious apple,. slate, lime blossoms and a topnote of bee pollen. On the palate the wine is pure, medium-full and very elegant, with lovely filigree, racy acids and outstanding length and grip on the complex, vibrant and bouncy finish. I really love the structural tension of this wine.”
Wine Advocate 92+ points “The 2015 Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spätlese is perfectly ripe and elegant on the nose, with a clear and aromatic Riesling aroma intermixed with slate and noble sur-lie flavors. Lush and round, very elegant and precise, this is a very fine and delicate Spätlese with gorgeous fruit. The finish is long and intense, stimulatingly vital and finessed. This Spätlese is a wine to keep for two or three decades.”
Wwe Dr. H. Thanisch Erben Thanisch (VDP) Bernkasteler Badstube Spatlese 2016 750ML ($39.95) Was $33, Now $28 Super Subscriber Special, 22 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 92+ points “The 2016 Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spätlese offers a clear, elegant nose with bright fruit, green asparagus and flinty aromas. Racy and lush on the palate, this is a refreshing, elegant but still pretty sweet Spätlese with crystalline, piquant acidity and structure. The finish is long and complex, but the wine needs a decade to integrate all its components into a fine and elegant Spätlese. Tasted March 2018.”
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “The 2016er Badstube Spätlese offers a nice nose made of pear, white peach, cassis, minty herbs and a hint of whipped cream. The wine is nicely playful and loaded with white fruits and minerals on the palate. The finish is beautifully playful and complex. While still young, this hints at great potential. 2026-2041”
Wwe Dr. H. Thanisch Erben Thanisch (VDP) Bernkasteler Badstube Spatlese 2017 750ML ($39.95) Was $29, Now $24 Super Subscriber Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2017 Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spätlese is still pretty reductive but clear and elegant on the crunchy slate and floral nose. Lush and salty on the pure, refined and elegant palate, this is a concentrated, densely woven and sensual Badstube with the mineral grip and tension of this often underrated Grosse Lage. Tasted from AP 8 18 in March 2019.”
Wwe Dr. H. Thanisch Erben Thanisch (VDP) Bernkasteler Doctor Kabinett 2016 750ML ($49.95) Was $39, Now $36 Super Subscriber Special, 30 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2016 Berncasteler Doctor Riesling Kabinett has a lovely clear and aromatic stone fruit bouquet with coolish, flinty slate aromas. Lush, round and highly attractive on the palate, this is a very elegant and charming Doctor with a seriously mineral, stimulatingly salty finish. Tasted March 2018.”
David Schildknecht – Vinous 92 points “Musky, sweaty notes mingle with scents of ripe pear, white peach, decadent freesia and lily. The palate impression is lusciously fruity, subtly sweet, faintly creamy and extremely delicate – perfectly suited to the prominence of inner-mouth perfume. The finish features striking lift along with inhalative flavor retention. (Breathing in and out after spitting – or swallowing – it’s almost as if the wine hadn’t left your mouth.)”
Wwe Dr. H. Thanisch Erben Thanisch (VDP) Bernkasteler Doctor Kabinett 2017 750ML ($49.95) Was $39, Now $33 Super Subscriber Special, 24 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2017 Berncasteler Doctor Riesling Kabinett is clear, bright, fresh and still reductive on the flinty, coolish-crunchy nose that evokes crushed rocks. Silky textured and highly elegant, this is a gorgeously lush and finessed Doctor Kabinett with a long, salty and stimulatingly piquant but beautifully balanced finish. This is a noble Riesling with clear fruit and terroir expression. The sweetness is discreet, but the fruit is piquant and salty, the structure highly finessed and the whole architecture crystalline like a Gothic chapel. Highly recommended! Tasted from AP 2 18.”
Stuart Pigott – Jamessuckling 94 points “I love the ripe peachy fruit of this wine. Behind that, there’s a great mineral structure that effortlessly carries the long and elegant finish. Impeccable balance. Drink or hold.”
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points “The 2017er Berncasteler Doctor Kabinett offers a wonderfully complex and refined nose of white flowers, spices, whipped cream, minty herbs, earl grey and vanilla. The wine is ethereally light and refined on the palate, where it delivers some Kabinett precision and finesse with great multilayered complexity. The finish is all about finesse, delicacy and refinement. This is a great Kabinett in the making. 2027-2042.”
Wwe Dr. H. Thanisch Erben Thanisch (VDP) Bernkasteler Doctor Spatlese 2016 750ML ($59.95) Was $49, Now $45 Super Subscriber Special, 22 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2016 Berncasteler Doctor Riesling Spätlese shows a complex, smoky, fresh and elegant bouquet but is still slightly reductive. Piquant and mineral on the palate, with generous fruit, this is an elegant, crystalline and complex Doctor Spätlese with a dense, salty, very expressive and persistent finish. Keep this wine for at least a decade. Tasted March 2018.”
David Schildknecht – Vinous 92 points “A product of picking on three different days, this “regular” Doctor Spätlese bottling (there are two others from Thanisch in 2016) leads with alkaline, saline scents of sea breeze such as I can’t recall before from this site. With that comes a greenhouse-like allusion to flowering and leafing things, as well as intimations of the fresh apple, pear, and honeydew melon that dominate on the glossy palate. This is startlingly cool and northerly-fruited in personality for a Doctor Spätlese, which complements the sense of delicacy delivered on a lingering finish transparent to alkaline and stony nuances. And in enjoying it, I didn’t once think about sweetness, because its presence is modest and entirely supportive.”
Wwe Dr. H. Thanisch Erben Thanisch (VDP) Bernkasteler Doctor Spatlese 2017 750ML ($54.95) Was $46, Now $39 Super Subscriber Special, 24 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 95+ points “The coolish, precise and elegant 2017 Berncasteler Doctor Riesling Spätlese (AP 3 18) opens to very fine tropical fruit aromas intermixed with the smoky scents of crushed black rocks. Lush and finessed on the palate, this is a firmly structured, very elegant and persistently mineral Doctor Spätlese whose salty-piquant finish and fine, crystalline structure develops enormous length and tension but also finesse and a highly elaborate style. Highly stimulating. Tasted in March 2019.”
We’re offering 219 wines on our Super Subscriber Sale. Shop the selections, including selections from Clos de la Chapelle, Casanova di Neri, Donnhoff, Faiveley, Chapoutier, Gouges, Huet, Saint Cosme, and more on our web store!
Domaine Comte Abbatucci Cuvee Faustine Vieilles Vignes Blanc 2017 750ML ($49.95) Was $29 Now $26, 15 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Summing up Jean-Charles Abbatucci’s contagious energy in just a few lines is virtually impossible. The best way to experience it is to stand in his vineyards in central Corsica and feel it radiate through your body from the ground up. Luckily, that energy finds its way into every bottle he makes, and this gentle, breezy white from old-vine Vermentinu delivers it without compromise—each sip is like a gust of warm Mediterranean air flooding your senses with a perfume of flowers and wild maquis.”
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Vie di Romans:
New Reviews from Wine Advocate
Cayuse Mania Continues!
Super Subscriber Sale:
Thanisch, Erben Thanisch
Staff Pick:
Abbatucci Faustine
Vie di Romans
New Reviews from Wine Advocate
New Tuscan Arrivals
California Collector’s Corner
Cayuse Mania Continues!
New Arrivals
Cayuse is one of the most in-demand wineries in North America, producing wines from both Rhône and Bordeaux varieties that are among the finest in the world.
Newly Arrived from Cayuse:
Horsepower Vineyards ‘High Contrast Vineyard’ Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($219.95) $169 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 96 points “Showing with a deep ruby core that fades to a purple edge, the 2017 Syrah High Contrast Vineyard explodes from the glass with pronounced smoky aromas that waft with delicate notes of dark chocolate-covered blackberries, then show hints of roasted coffee bean, notions of petrichor, baked earth and dried herbs. Medium to full-bodied, the wine is elegantly powerful, showcasing a balanced chassis of youthful tannins that evolve with the complex nature of the wine. There is a velvety firmness to the mid-palate before moving onto an elongated finish that grows in complexity and amplitude as the expression resonates harmoniously, confirming yet another blockbuster Syrah from the ever-so-talented Christophe Baron. Only 386 cases made.”
Wine Enthsuast 96 points “[#69 Top 100 Cellar Selections 2020] The aromas explode from the glass, with notes of fire pit, potpourri, black olive, wet stone, dried porcini and stone. The palate is sumptuous, layered, elegant and intensely flavorful, showing abundant savory notes. A lingering black olive and earthy finish caps it off. Best after 2025.”
Jeb Dunnuck 95+ points “The 2017 Syrah High Contrast Vineyard is more wound up and tight, with backward notes of chocolaty black fruits, toasted spice, mulled plums, cured ham, and sweet mulch all developing with time in the glass. Full-bodied and concentrated on the palate, with plenty of tannins, this is one 2017 that’s going to reward bottle age. Do your best to hide bottles for 4-5 years if possible, and it should see its 20th birthday in fine form. This is certainly for those who like a big dose of funk in their Syrah!”
James Suckling 95 points “Aromas of brambleberries and wet earth with some smoke and green cloves. Full body, round and succulent tannins and a juicy, earthy aftertaste. Savory. Delicious now or hold.”
Newly Arrived from Cayuse:
Horsepower Vineyards ‘High Contrast Vineyard’ Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($219.95) $169 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 96 points “Showing with a deep ruby core that fades to a purple edge, the 2017 Syrah High Contrast Vineyard explodes from the glass with pronounced smoky aromas that waft with delicate notes of dark chocolate-covered blackberries, then show hints of roasted coffee bean, notions of petrichor, baked earth and dried herbs. Medium to full-bodied, the wine is elegantly powerful, showcasing a balanced chassis of youthful tannins that evolve with the complex nature of the wine. There is a velvety firmness to the mid-palate before moving onto an elongated finish that grows in complexity and amplitude as the expression resonates harmoniously, confirming yet another blockbuster Syrah from the ever-so-talented Christophe Baron. Only 386 cases made.”
Wine Enthsuast 96 points “[#69 Top 100 Cellar Selections 2020] The aromas explode from the glass, with notes of fire pit, potpourri, black olive, wet stone, dried porcini and stone. The palate is sumptuous, layered, elegant and intensely flavorful, showing abundant savory notes. A lingering black olive and earthy finish caps it off. Best after 2025.”
Jeb Dunnuck 95+ points “The 2017 Syrah High Contrast Vineyard is more wound up and tight, with backward notes of chocolaty black fruits, toasted spice, mulled plums, cured ham, and sweet mulch all developing with time in the glass. Full-bodied and concentrated on the palate, with plenty of tannins, this is one 2017 that’s going to reward bottle age. Do your best to hide bottles for 4-5 years if possible, and it should see its 20th birthday in fine form. This is certainly for those who like a big dose of funk in their Syrah!”
James Suckling 95 points “Aromas of brambleberries and wet earth with some smoke and green cloves. Full body, round and succulent tannins and a juicy, earthy aftertaste. Savory. Delicious now or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $187
The average price nationally is $187
Horsepower Vineyards ‘Sur Echalas Vineyard’ Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($159.95) $138 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Anthony Mueller-Wine Advocate 97 points “Power and elegance. The 2017 Grenache Sur Echalas Vineyard bangs with bright red fruit character with fantastic clarity and a pure sense of underlying terroir at its core. Intoxicating floral aromas of Sakura, crushed rose petals and hints of lavender flood the senses first, followed by layers of wild strawberries, bright cherry skin and crushed raspberries in the glass. It is medium-bodied on the palate, with delicate savory and spice tones that fade in and out between the seductive red fruit and floral notes, giving way to an impeccably balanced structure with energetic acidity and a robust shine and gleam to the fruit. An instant success, the palate is full of flavor and mouth-watering juiciness without being overripe. Immensely pleasureful, the wine delivers an elongated yet compact finish that continues to evolve and unpack in the mouth with persistence. Hands-down, it’s a winner! 301 cases produced.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “Starting with the 2017 Grenache Sur Echalas Vineyard, this beauty is the spitting image of a great vintage of Rayas and offers a complex bouquet of black raspberries, white pepper, spring flowers, and sappy herbs. These all carry to a medium to full-bodied, ethereal Grenache that has a light, graceful texture, silky tannins, and a great finish. It shows the more elegant, almost Pinot Noir-like style of Grenache on the palate and is flawlessly balanced. Just a singular, remarkable wine, drink it any time over the coming 15 years or more.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $165
The average price is $165
Cayuse Vineyards Cailloux Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($139.95) $115 special, 2 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 97 points “Lots of blackberry, tar and blueberry aromas with hints of dried earth. Full bodied, tight and focused with intensity and savoriness in the center palate. Plush and attractive at the end, but not overpowering. Drink or hold.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The only Syrah that includes some Viognier, the 2017 Syrah Cailloux Vineyard (this is the same site used for the Viognier) is always a great representation of the vintage as well as the wines of Christophe Baron. Ruby/purple-hued, with a rocking bouquet of black raspberries, smoked game, black pepper, and spring flowers, it has plenty of classic Rocks funkiness and meaty notes, medium to full body, a core of sweet fruit, and a great, great finish. It ranks with the top two to three wines in this vintage. It opens up nicely with time in the glass and shows well today, and it’s certainly going to cruise for 15+ years or more.”
Anthony Mueller-Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2017 Syrah Cailloux Vineyard begins generous and inky in the glass, with black fruit at its core and floral aromas of violets and lavender followed by a soft smokiness with layers of olive tapenade and dust-covered black raspberry. Full-bodied, the Cailloux Syrah is intensely complex and reveals layers of crunchy minerality and silky tannins that frame the elegant notions of cherry blossom in the mouth. Ending with a long-lingering and sophisticated finish, the wine continues to reveal its subtleties, expressing umami and savory characteristics. Proving to be yet another stellar bottling from the Cayuse team, the wine dares me to keep my hands off the glass. I can’t… 859 cases produced.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $134
The average price is $134
Cayuse Vineyards Cailloux Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($139.95) $119 special, 2 bottles in stock now
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $137
The average price is $137
Cayuse Vineyards Camaspelo, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($149.95) $115 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “Coming from the En Cerise and Cailloux vineyards, the 2017 Camaspelo doesn’t match the stunning 2016 but still offers a gorgeous perfume of red and black currants, toasted spices, flowery incense, and green tobacco that develops nicely with time in the glass. Playing in the medium to full-bodied end of the spectrum, with silky tannins and a great balance, it’s an ethereal, balanced Bordeaux blend (it’s mostly Cabernet Sauvignon) that’s going to develop even more complexity with 2-4 years of bottle age and have 15-20 years of prime drinking.”
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 94 points “Bright dark red. Sexy floral lift to the aromas of raspberry, woodsmoke, white pepper and spices. At once sweet, firm and concentrated on entry, with harmonious acidity and subtle salinity giving shape and lift to the middle palate. Not a blockbuster; in fact, a bit more delicate, delineated and high-pitched than The Lovers if not quite as plush. Superb intensity and floral perfume here. Still a bit youthfully imploded on the back end, but finishes very long, with refined tannins and sneaky juicy, floral persistence.”
Cayuse Vineyards Camaspelo, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 8 bottles in stock now
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $140
The average price is $140
Cayuse Vineyards God Only Knows Armada Vineyard Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($149.95) $138 special, 2 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 97 points “The subtlety of fruit here is mesmerizing with sweet strawberry, floral and tangerine aromas that follow through to a medium to full body, fine and soft tannins and a long, delicious finish. It shows such polish and fineness. Drink or hold.”
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 94 points “Moderately saturated dark red. Aromas of raspberry, red cherry, white pepper, rose petal and piquant spices, with mocha and fresh herb notes emerging with aeration. A suave, refined midweight offering a lovely combination of intense red fruits and savory soil tones accented by flowers and pepper. Still a bit tight but already beautifully delineated for New World Grenache; has just enough gamey funkiness to add some Old World nuance. Finishes with light tannins, intriguing peppery grip and slowly rising length. This outstanding Washington Grenache boasts superb subtlety and intensity–and a firm spine throughout. I love the balance of sweet and salty elements here. (13.8% alcohol)”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $145
The average price nationally is $145
Cayuse Vineyards En Chamberlin Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 1 bottle in stock now
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Also In Stock Now from Cayuse:
Cayuse Vineyards Bionic Frog Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2010 750ML ($599.95) $419 special, 2 bottles in stock now
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.”
Cayuse Vineyards Bionic Frog Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2010 750ML ($599.95) $419 special, 2 bottles in stock now
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 only listing in the USA today!
Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “While I don’t think the 2017 Impulsivo matches the 2016, it’s certainly not far off. Showing the more elegant style of the vintage, it offers a gorgeous perfume of smoked black cherries, redcurrants, green tobacco, bloody meat, sandalwood, and Asian spices that opens up with time in the glass. Ethereal, medium to full-bodied, and seamless on the palate, it has flawless balance, polished tannins, no hard edges, and a great, great finish. It’s just beautifully put together and one of the more approachable vintages of this cuvée. It can be drunk with incredible pleasure today (give it an hour decant) or cellared for 15+ years or more.”
Anthony Mueller-Wine Advocate 94+ points “The 2017 Impulsivo begins with an expressive and aromatic nose with roasted blackberries, oak spice tones and charred cherry skin with elements of dusty purple flowers and baked earth. Full-bodied, the wine is expressive and deliciously balanced across the mid-palate before showing exotic spice elements, dried tobacco and cedar plank across the long-lingering finish. For Tempranillo lovers out there, this is a simply delicious wine that represents a New World-style expression of Tempranillo and a clear winner. Check it out. Only 262 cases were produced.”
Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Cayuse Vineyards Wallah Wallah Special Series No. 11 Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2017 1.5L ($319.95) $299 special, 1 magnum available
James Suckling 97 points “Soft and luxurious with plums, smoke, spice and hints of earth. Some chocolate, too. Full body, round and caressing tannins and a seductive finish. It’s a wine that develops beautifully on your palate. Drink or hold.”
Anthony Mueller-Wine Advocate 96 points “Made only in magnum, the 2017 Syrah Wallah Wallah Special #11 comes from some of the exceptional vineyards that go into making some of the bottlings for Cayuse and Horsepower. Displaying with a pale ruby-colored edge, the wine unfolds its wings in the glass showing the elegance of Pinot Noir but with the savoriness of Syrah. Elements of crushed violets, sweet raspberry, lavender and rose petal all capture the attention first before showing subtle savory notions of black pepper, crushed rock and worn leather. Medium to full-bodied, the wine is framed by a well-balanced structure, with energetic acidity and mouthwatering tannins, before ending with a long, lingering finish. A brilliant idea to only bottle in magnum, which forces you to select the appropriate time to open and consume the bottle. Regardless, this is a winner. 481 cases produced.”
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 95 points “Medium-deep red. Musky aromas of raspberry, smoked meat, roast coffee and underbrush lifted by peppery herbs and rose petal. Boasts lovely sweet red berry fruit complexity complicated by savory soil tones, herbs and black pepper. Thick and savory but nicely delineated; in fact, a bit more penetrating than the 2016 version, with the energy and tannic structure to evolve slowly. This wonderfully smooth, fine-grained Syrah finishes with serious palate-dusting tannins and excellent grip and length. Not a particularly fruity style but has more than enough fruit to balance its savory soil, pepper and herb elements. A superb vintage for this bottling. (bottled in magnums)”
Super Subscriber Sale:
Thanisch, Erben Thanisch
It can be easy to forget why the vineyards around the town of Bernkastel are so famous—there are very few producers today whose wines are “relevant” that make wines from Doctor or Lay. Historically, though, the Bernkasteler Doctor is one of the most important vineyards in the Mosel, named for its supposed life-giving properties to a 13th century Archbishop. The vineyard is only 8.1 acres (a little less than 1/10th the size of Beaux Freres, to put that into local perspective). The wines from these vines are exceptionally prized in Germany, so it’s always tough for us to acquire any.
The challenge is worth it, though, as the best wines from the Doctor, including these from Thanisch, are spectacular indeed. Every year we fight and scrap to secure as much as we can from Thanisch, who’s turned into a cult classic producer. They make bottlings from the Doctor and from the Badstube, which incorporates a few different vineyards in and around Bernkastel. These wines are the essence of thrilling Mosel wines, with a richness and stature that only the Doctor can bring. We’ve placed a selection on sale so you can experience these profound wines.
In Stock & On Sale Now:
Wwe Dr. H. Thanisch Erben Thanisch (VDP) Bernkasteler Badstube Kabinett 2016 750ML ($34.95) Was $28, Now $24 Super Subscriber Special, 29 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht – Vinous 91 points “Ripe pear and apple dominate on the nose as well as on a silken, buoyant palate, supported by subtle sweetness. Mouthwatering salinity and transparency to crystalline stony nuances give the long, refreshingly juicy finish a fascinating and delightful sense of shimmer.”
Mosel Fine Wines 90 points “The 2016er Badstube Kabinett was harvested at 88° Oechsle. It offers a delicately ripe nose of pear, earthy spices, slate and smoke. The wine comes to life on the palate as acidity peps up some succulent pear right into the long finish and gives it a gorgeously lively and well-balanced side. The after-taste is elegantly playful. 2026-2041”
The challenge is worth it, though, as the best wines from the Doctor, including these from Thanisch, are spectacular indeed. Every year we fight and scrap to secure as much as we can from Thanisch, who’s turned into a cult classic producer. They make bottlings from the Doctor and from the Badstube, which incorporates a few different vineyards in and around Bernkastel. These wines are the essence of thrilling Mosel wines, with a richness and stature that only the Doctor can bring. We’ve placed a selection on sale so you can experience these profound wines.
In Stock & On Sale Now:
Wwe Dr. H. Thanisch Erben Thanisch (VDP) Bernkasteler Badstube Kabinett 2016 750ML ($34.95) Was $28, Now $24 Super Subscriber Special, 29 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht – Vinous 91 points “Ripe pear and apple dominate on the nose as well as on a silken, buoyant palate, supported by subtle sweetness. Mouthwatering salinity and transparency to crystalline stony nuances give the long, refreshingly juicy finish a fascinating and delightful sense of shimmer.”
Mosel Fine Wines 90 points “The 2016er Badstube Kabinett was harvested at 88° Oechsle. It offers a delicately ripe nose of pear, earthy spices, slate and smoke. The wine comes to life on the palate as acidity peps up some succulent pear right into the long finish and gives it a gorgeously lively and well-balanced side. The after-taste is elegantly playful. 2026-2041”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA,
Now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $32.99
Now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $32.99
Wwe Dr. H. Thanisch Erben Thanisch (VDP) Bernkasteler Badstube Kabinett 2017 750ML ($29.95) Was $28, Now $24 Super Subscriber Special, 13 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2017 Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Kabinett is fine and intense on the clear, elegant and floral-flinty nose. Lush and salty-piquant on the crystalline palate, this is a mouth-filling and textured Kabinett that probably includes some percentage of botrytis berries, which give it juicy, charming and mouth-filling character. The sweetness is round and fruity rather than sweet. It’s lovely to enjoy today, yet I’d recommend cellaring the 2017 for another 5-10 years. Tasted from AP 13 18 in March 2019.”
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Wwe Dr. H. Thanisch Erben Thanisch (VDP) Bernkasteler Badstube Spatlese 2015 750ML ($31.95) Was $28, Now $24 Super Subscriber Special, 14 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 93 points “The 2015 Badstube Spätlese from Weingut Dr. Thanisch is a lovely wine, wafting from the glass in a complex and vibrant aromatic blend of white cherries, delicious apple,. slate, lime blossoms and a topnote of bee pollen. On the palate the wine is pure, medium-full and very elegant, with lovely filigree, racy acids and outstanding length and grip on the complex, vibrant and bouncy finish. I really love the structural tension of this wine.”
Wine Advocate 92+ points “The 2015 Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spätlese is perfectly ripe and elegant on the nose, with a clear and aromatic Riesling aroma intermixed with slate and noble sur-lie flavors. Lush and round, very elegant and precise, this is a very fine and delicate Spätlese with gorgeous fruit. The finish is long and intense, stimulatingly vital and finessed. This Spätlese is a wine to keep for two or three decades.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Wwe Dr. H. Thanisch Erben Thanisch (VDP) Bernkasteler Badstube Spatlese 2016 750ML ($39.95) Was $33, Now $28 Super Subscriber Special, 22 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 92+ points “The 2016 Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spätlese offers a clear, elegant nose with bright fruit, green asparagus and flinty aromas. Racy and lush on the palate, this is a refreshing, elegant but still pretty sweet Spätlese with crystalline, piquant acidity and structure. The finish is long and complex, but the wine needs a decade to integrate all its components into a fine and elegant Spätlese. Tasted March 2018.”
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “The 2016er Badstube Spätlese offers a nice nose made of pear, white peach, cassis, minty herbs and a hint of whipped cream. The wine is nicely playful and loaded with white fruits and minerals on the palate. The finish is beautifully playful and complex. While still young, this hints at great potential. 2026-2041”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Wwe Dr. H. Thanisch Erben Thanisch (VDP) Bernkasteler Badstube Spatlese 2017 750ML ($39.95) Was $29, Now $24 Super Subscriber Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2017 Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spätlese is still pretty reductive but clear and elegant on the crunchy slate and floral nose. Lush and salty on the pure, refined and elegant palate, this is a concentrated, densely woven and sensual Badstube with the mineral grip and tension of this often underrated Grosse Lage. Tasted from AP 8 18 in March 2019.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Wwe Dr. H. Thanisch Erben Thanisch (VDP) Bernkasteler Doctor Kabinett 2016 750ML ($49.95) Was $39, Now $36 Super Subscriber Special, 30 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2016 Berncasteler Doctor Riesling Kabinett has a lovely clear and aromatic stone fruit bouquet with coolish, flinty slate aromas. Lush, round and highly attractive on the palate, this is a very elegant and charming Doctor with a seriously mineral, stimulatingly salty finish. Tasted March 2018.”
David Schildknecht – Vinous 92 points “Musky, sweaty notes mingle with scents of ripe pear, white peach, decadent freesia and lily. The palate impression is lusciously fruity, subtly sweet, faintly creamy and extremely delicate – perfectly suited to the prominence of inner-mouth perfume. The finish features striking lift along with inhalative flavor retention. (Breathing in and out after spitting – or swallowing – it’s almost as if the wine hadn’t left your mouth.)”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Wwe Dr. H. Thanisch Erben Thanisch (VDP) Bernkasteler Doctor Kabinett 2017 750ML ($49.95) Was $39, Now $33 Super Subscriber Special, 24 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2017 Berncasteler Doctor Riesling Kabinett is clear, bright, fresh and still reductive on the flinty, coolish-crunchy nose that evokes crushed rocks. Silky textured and highly elegant, this is a gorgeously lush and finessed Doctor Kabinett with a long, salty and stimulatingly piquant but beautifully balanced finish. This is a noble Riesling with clear fruit and terroir expression. The sweetness is discreet, but the fruit is piquant and salty, the structure highly finessed and the whole architecture crystalline like a Gothic chapel. Highly recommended! Tasted from AP 2 18.”
Stuart Pigott – Jamessuckling 94 points “I love the ripe peachy fruit of this wine. Behind that, there’s a great mineral structure that effortlessly carries the long and elegant finish. Impeccable balance. Drink or hold.”
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points “The 2017er Berncasteler Doctor Kabinett offers a wonderfully complex and refined nose of white flowers, spices, whipped cream, minty herbs, earl grey and vanilla. The wine is ethereally light and refined on the palate, where it delivers some Kabinett precision and finesse with great multilayered complexity. The finish is all about finesse, delicacy and refinement. This is a great Kabinett in the making. 2027-2042.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $40
The average price is $40
Wwe Dr. H. Thanisch Erben Thanisch (VDP) Bernkasteler Doctor Spatlese 2016 750ML ($59.95) Was $49, Now $45 Super Subscriber Special, 22 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2016 Berncasteler Doctor Riesling Spätlese shows a complex, smoky, fresh and elegant bouquet but is still slightly reductive. Piquant and mineral on the palate, with generous fruit, this is an elegant, crystalline and complex Doctor Spätlese with a dense, salty, very expressive and persistent finish. Keep this wine for at least a decade. Tasted March 2018.”
David Schildknecht – Vinous 92 points “A product of picking on three different days, this “regular” Doctor Spätlese bottling (there are two others from Thanisch in 2016) leads with alkaline, saline scents of sea breeze such as I can’t recall before from this site. With that comes a greenhouse-like allusion to flowering and leafing things, as well as intimations of the fresh apple, pear, and honeydew melon that dominate on the glossy palate. This is startlingly cool and northerly-fruited in personality for a Doctor Spätlese, which complements the sense of delicacy delivered on a lingering finish transparent to alkaline and stony nuances. And in enjoying it, I didn’t once think about sweetness, because its presence is modest and entirely supportive.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Wwe Dr. H. Thanisch Erben Thanisch (VDP) Bernkasteler Doctor Spatlese 2017 750ML ($54.95) Was $46, Now $39 Super Subscriber Special, 24 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 95+ points “The coolish, precise and elegant 2017 Berncasteler Doctor Riesling Spätlese (AP 3 18) opens to very fine tropical fruit aromas intermixed with the smoky scents of crushed black rocks. Lush and finessed on the palate, this is a firmly structured, very elegant and persistently mineral Doctor Spätlese whose salty-piquant finish and fine, crystalline structure develops enormous length and tension but also finesse and a highly elaborate style. Highly stimulating. Tasted in March 2019.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
We’re offering 219 wines on our Super Subscriber Sale. Shop the selections, including selections from Clos de la Chapelle, Casanova di Neri, Donnhoff, Faiveley, Chapoutier, Gouges, Huet, Saint Cosme, and more on our web store!
Staff Pick
Andy:
Good Vermentino is a delight, but it is often hard to come by. I was so happy to see the Abbatucci Faustine in stock (in two vintages!) as it is one of my favorite Corsican wines and one of my favorite Vermentino. Flowers, herbs, bright citrus and stoniness with a whiff of smoke. These are top level white wines and might be one of the best wines for fish with rich sauces. I also enjoy these with langoustine (or crawdads) when summer arrives.
Domaine Comte Abbatucci Cuvee Faustine Vieilles Vignes Blanc 2016 750ML ($49.95) Was $29 Now $24, 21 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “At the domaine, Jean-Charles Abbatucci often greets his guests with copious platters of Corsican charcuterie: heaping piles of coppa, lonzu, panzetta, and prisuttu saturated with wild, smoky, gamy flavors. Made from nustrale black pigs, a breed exclusive to the island, these meats feature savory, salty flavors that inspire gulp after gulp of crips, stony Vermentinu or spicy, juicy reds from native grapes. This delicate, floral white guarantees palate-cleansing refreshment when heavenly Corsican meats and cheeses are on the table.”
Good Vermentino is a delight, but it is often hard to come by. I was so happy to see the Abbatucci Faustine in stock (in two vintages!) as it is one of my favorite Corsican wines and one of my favorite Vermentino. Flowers, herbs, bright citrus and stoniness with a whiff of smoke. These are top level white wines and might be one of the best wines for fish with rich sauces. I also enjoy these with langoustine (or crawdads) when summer arrives.
Domaine Comte Abbatucci Cuvee Faustine Vieilles Vignes Blanc 2016 750ML ($49.95) Was $29 Now $24, 21 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “At the domaine, Jean-Charles Abbatucci often greets his guests with copious platters of Corsican charcuterie: heaping piles of coppa, lonzu, panzetta, and prisuttu saturated with wild, smoky, gamy flavors. Made from nustrale black pigs, a breed exclusive to the island, these meats feature savory, salty flavors that inspire gulp after gulp of crips, stony Vermentinu or spicy, juicy reds from native grapes. This delicate, floral white guarantees palate-cleansing refreshment when heavenly Corsican meats and cheeses are on the table.”
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The next best price is $42.99
Domaine Comte Abbatucci Cuvee Faustine Vieilles Vignes Blanc 2017 750ML ($49.95) Was $29 Now $26, 15 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Summing up Jean-Charles Abbatucci’s contagious energy in just a few lines is virtually impossible. The best way to experience it is to stand in his vineyards in central Corsica and feel it radiate through your body from the ground up. Luckily, that energy finds its way into every bottle he makes, and this gentle, breezy white from old-vine Vermentinu delivers it without compromise—each sip is like a gust of warm Mediterranean air flooding your senses with a perfume of flowers and wild maquis.”
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The next best price is $39
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Vie di Romans:
New Reviews from Wine Advocate
“Year after year, Vie di Romans makes some of my favorite Italian Chardonnays… Gianfranco Gallo’s Vie di Romans is one of the most accomplished, quality-minded estates in Italy. I am always impressed by their offerings” –Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
The whites of Friuli are some of the best kept secrets in the wine world. With complexity and power that can match great white Burgundy and a freshness and mineral drive all their own, whites from the northeast corner of Italy are absolutely world-class—but not priced like it.
If you want a prime example look no further than Vie di Romans, named after the Roman roads that mark the region as a long-time wine capital. The estate produces stunning, world-class examples of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, along with incredible takes on grapes that are grown only in Friuli, like their star Friulano.
What all of the Vie di Romans wines have in common is a maniacal attention to detail from owner Gianfranco Gallo and a perfect combination of soil and climate. Vie di Romans sits in the plain of Isonzo, with deep, well-drained gravelly soils, ideal for forcing vine roots deep into the ground in search of water—and flavor. The influences of the warm Adriatic Sea and cool air from central Europe create perfect conditions for grapes to ripen while retaining the acidity so crucial to the brightness and character of the finished wine.
The resulting wines are some of the finest in Europe—whites with texture, richness and power, but beautifully detailed aromatics. Their Sauvignon Blanc can go toe-to-toe with the finest bottles of Sancerre and Pouilly Fume—names like Cotat and Dagueneau spring to mind—and their Chardonnays exist between white Burgundy and California in style and temperament.
Best of all, the pricing on the wines make them shrewd buys. Their “Vieris” Sauvignon Blanc, a 95-point bottling with complexity to spare, costs just $33 per bottle—the price of entry-level Sancerre these days. We could say the same things about their Chardonnays and their Friulano, all of which are world-class bottles that are still south of $35.
“This is an outstanding set of new releases from Vie di Romans. These wines represent one of the greatest value to price propositions found anywhere in Italy. I cannot recommend them more enthusiastically. Gianfranco Gallo and his team have a few other exciting surprises in store. First is a new expression of Pinot Nero to debut with the 2016 vintage (which I have not yet been able to taste) that opens the estate portfolio to an early-ripening red grape that is well suited to the local climate. Speaking of climate change, the estate has also worked on a new project called I Climat (first made in 2015) that is a special selection of fruit from within the Chardonnay plantings of the Vie di Romans and the Ciampagnis parcels. Six wines representing these micro selections within the single vineyards were releases in 2019. The Merlot Voos dei Ciamps was not made in 2017.” –Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
Newly Reviewed & In Stock Now Vie di Romans Wines:
Vie di Romans Chardonnay Friuli Isonzo (Vie di Romans), Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2018 750ML ($34.95) $29.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “Polished, clear and silky, the Vie di Romans 2018 Friuli Isonzo Chardonnay Vie di Romans is a beautifully balanced wine that gives equal weight to the intensity and quality of the fruit and the abundantly enriched texture of the mouthfeel. This is Chardonnay presented in 360-degree splendor with peach, melon, honey, pastry crust and cream custard. Ten months of aging on the yeasts gives the wine added dimension and opulent richness. Saffron, spice, cumin and fragrant sandstone are intermingled on the long and silky finish.”
The whites of Friuli are some of the best kept secrets in the wine world. With complexity and power that can match great white Burgundy and a freshness and mineral drive all their own, whites from the northeast corner of Italy are absolutely world-class—but not priced like it.
If you want a prime example look no further than Vie di Romans, named after the Roman roads that mark the region as a long-time wine capital. The estate produces stunning, world-class examples of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, along with incredible takes on grapes that are grown only in Friuli, like their star Friulano.
What all of the Vie di Romans wines have in common is a maniacal attention to detail from owner Gianfranco Gallo and a perfect combination of soil and climate. Vie di Romans sits in the plain of Isonzo, with deep, well-drained gravelly soils, ideal for forcing vine roots deep into the ground in search of water—and flavor. The influences of the warm Adriatic Sea and cool air from central Europe create perfect conditions for grapes to ripen while retaining the acidity so crucial to the brightness and character of the finished wine.
The resulting wines are some of the finest in Europe—whites with texture, richness and power, but beautifully detailed aromatics. Their Sauvignon Blanc can go toe-to-toe with the finest bottles of Sancerre and Pouilly Fume—names like Cotat and Dagueneau spring to mind—and their Chardonnays exist between white Burgundy and California in style and temperament.
Best of all, the pricing on the wines make them shrewd buys. Their “Vieris” Sauvignon Blanc, a 95-point bottling with complexity to spare, costs just $33 per bottle—the price of entry-level Sancerre these days. We could say the same things about their Chardonnays and their Friulano, all of which are world-class bottles that are still south of $35.
“This is an outstanding set of new releases from Vie di Romans. These wines represent one of the greatest value to price propositions found anywhere in Italy. I cannot recommend them more enthusiastically. Gianfranco Gallo and his team have a few other exciting surprises in store. First is a new expression of Pinot Nero to debut with the 2016 vintage (which I have not yet been able to taste) that opens the estate portfolio to an early-ripening red grape that is well suited to the local climate. Speaking of climate change, the estate has also worked on a new project called I Climat (first made in 2015) that is a special selection of fruit from within the Chardonnay plantings of the Vie di Romans and the Ciampagnis parcels. Six wines representing these micro selections within the single vineyards were releases in 2019. The Merlot Voos dei Ciamps was not made in 2017.” –Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
Newly Reviewed & In Stock Now Vie di Romans Wines:
Vie di Romans Chardonnay Friuli Isonzo (Vie di Romans), Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2018 750ML ($34.95) $29.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “Polished, clear and silky, the Vie di Romans 2018 Friuli Isonzo Chardonnay Vie di Romans is a beautifully balanced wine that gives equal weight to the intensity and quality of the fruit and the abundantly enriched texture of the mouthfeel. This is Chardonnay presented in 360-degree splendor with peach, melon, honey, pastry crust and cream custard. Ten months of aging on the yeasts gives the wine added dimension and opulent richness. Saffron, spice, cumin and fragrant sandstone are intermingled on the long and silky finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Vie di Romans Dessimis Pinot Grigio Friuli Isonzo, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2018 750ML ($33.95) $29 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94+ points “The Vie di Romans 2018 Friuli Isonzo Pinot Grigio Dessimis boasts a pale copper color with amber and peachy pink highlights. This vintage is not as wide or as texturally generous as the 2017 vintage also tasted in this report. However, the 2018 offers lifted, sharp fruit that is delineated and pure. Those subtle mineral nuances also appear with more clarity. There is tart berry, white cherry, wild mint and bitter almond. I also taste a mild tannic crunch. That structure comes from extended maceration on Pinot Grigio skins, as does the wine’s pretty color. It would be interesting to check in on its evolution in five year’s time. The wine ages on the lees for two months in French barrique.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $32
The average price nationally is $32
Vie di Romans ‘Dolee’ Friulano Friuli Isonzo, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2018 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 31 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “The Vie di Romans 2018 Friuli Isonzo Friulano Dolée reveals a wide spectrum of aromas with stone fruit, citrus, wild sage, rain-soaked sandstone and honey. The bouquet is pure and fine, but the Friulano grape—especially in the hands of a winery of these credentials—is especially impressive in terms of mouthfeel and texture. There is a sweet softness and textural creaminess that gives the wine solid, mid-weight appeal. Then, all of that abundant fruit comes to an elegant close with a pristine note of salty mineral. This wine is aged on the lees in stainless steel containers for 10 months.”
Vie di Romans Flors di Uis Friuli Isonzo, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2018 750ML ($31.95) $27 special, 27 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The Vie di Romans 2018 Cuvée Friuli Isonzo Flors di Uis is an assembly of Malvasia, Riesling and Friulano that builds beautiful intensity on both the nose and the palate. Attempting to dissect the bouquet is not easy because there are so many elements to take under consideration, from orchard fruit and ripe apple to custard cream. The protagonist of the blend is Malvasia, and the wine’s floral notes of honeysuckle and yellow rose are quite amplified as a result. Thanks to nine months of aging on the lees, the wine is broad, rich and generous to the end.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $32
The average price nationally is $32
Vie di Romans Vieris Sauvignon Friuli Isonzo, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2017 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “This was a vintage that saw reduced yields across the board with quite a few climatic challenges thrown at winemakers in Friuli. The team at Vie di Romans was evidently undeterred by the bad weather, instead producing a wine with some hot-vintage aromas of ripe apricot and honey that are well balanced against the fleshy richness of the mouthfeel. The 2017 Friuli Isonzo Sauvignon Blanc Vieris (which is aged on the lees in oak) shows softness and silkiness, all capped by abundant stone fruit, melon and pear. The results are impressive, and 33,753 bottles were released.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
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New Tuscan Arrivals
We view Mazzei as one of the most exciting producers in Italy. Despite being a historic producer, Mazzei has a newfound ambition, embracing innovation and speaking proudly of their investments in R&D. And the results have been obvious. All of the wines that we’ve sourced in recent years have been outstanding. Mazzei’s pioneering “Super Tuscan” Siepi is a bold and concentrated blend of Sangiovese and Merlot.
Mazzei Castello di Fonterutoli ‘Siepi’ Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 12 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 98 points “What a beautiful nose of elderberries, freshly picked blackcurrants, citrus, herbs, licorice and crushed stones, amidst a backdrop of coffee beans, cedar and vanilla. Full-bodied and very subtle and refined with tightly wound tannins and an impressive balance of fruit and acidity. Long, grainy and elegant on the finish. A masterpiece. Drink in 2020.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “A blend of Merlot and Sangiovese in equal parts, the 2016 Siepi is a luscious and soft wine that oozes forth with dark berry intensity. The fruit is compact and dense. This wine performs beautifully in terms of aromas, but the mouthfeel is especially fine-tuned and elegant in this classic vintage. Dark fruit is followed by spice, tar, rose bud and sharp mineral nuances that recall the gravel and limestone-rich soils of Chianti Classico. This is perhaps the best vintage of Siepi I have tasted thus far.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2016 Siepi, the estate’s Sangiovese/Merlot blend, is a big, rich wine. In 2016, the Merlot is especially prominent. Black cherry jam, torrefaction, spice, leather, menthol and new French oak are all pushed forward. Time in the glass brings out a good bit of aromatic freshness to balance things out. Readers should expect a potent, seriously concentrated wine.”
A super Tuscan indeed. This is just entering its drinking prime.
Castello del Terriccio Lupicaia Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2009 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 points “Beautifully resonant in the glass, the 2009 Lupicaia is a standout. Sweet red cherries, flowers, mint, anise, savory herbs and spices all ring out in a supple, gracious wine loaded with class. The 2009 needs a few years for some of the contours to soften, but it is a gorgeous wine with tons of personality. This is a decidedly round, sexy Lupicaia that is going to offer plenty of enjoyment over the course of the next fifteen years or so.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The balsamic notes are really starting to open up here in the 2009 Lupicaia. This wine has begun to come of age. This was a slightly cooler growing season, and this wine shows little of the ripe, fruit-forwardness that marked many of the following vintages. There is a velvety side to this Lupicaia, with more textural looseness and openness in general.”
Mazzei Castello di Fonterutoli ‘Siepi’ Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 12 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 98 points “What a beautiful nose of elderberries, freshly picked blackcurrants, citrus, herbs, licorice and crushed stones, amidst a backdrop of coffee beans, cedar and vanilla. Full-bodied and very subtle and refined with tightly wound tannins and an impressive balance of fruit and acidity. Long, grainy and elegant on the finish. A masterpiece. Drink in 2020.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “A blend of Merlot and Sangiovese in equal parts, the 2016 Siepi is a luscious and soft wine that oozes forth with dark berry intensity. The fruit is compact and dense. This wine performs beautifully in terms of aromas, but the mouthfeel is especially fine-tuned and elegant in this classic vintage. Dark fruit is followed by spice, tar, rose bud and sharp mineral nuances that recall the gravel and limestone-rich soils of Chianti Classico. This is perhaps the best vintage of Siepi I have tasted thus far.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2016 Siepi, the estate’s Sangiovese/Merlot blend, is a big, rich wine. In 2016, the Merlot is especially prominent. Black cherry jam, torrefaction, spice, leather, menthol and new French oak are all pushed forward. Time in the glass brings out a good bit of aromatic freshness to balance things out. Readers should expect a potent, seriously concentrated wine.”
A super Tuscan indeed. This is just entering its drinking prime.
Castello del Terriccio Lupicaia Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2009 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 points “Beautifully resonant in the glass, the 2009 Lupicaia is a standout. Sweet red cherries, flowers, mint, anise, savory herbs and spices all ring out in a supple, gracious wine loaded with class. The 2009 needs a few years for some of the contours to soften, but it is a gorgeous wine with tons of personality. This is a decidedly round, sexy Lupicaia that is going to offer plenty of enjoyment over the course of the next fifteen years or so.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The balsamic notes are really starting to open up here in the 2009 Lupicaia. This wine has begun to come of age. This was a slightly cooler growing season, and this wine shows little of the ripe, fruit-forwardness that marked many of the following vintages. There is a velvety side to this Lupicaia, with more textural looseness and openness in general.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
California Collector’s Corner
New Arrivals
Colgin Cellars IX Estate Syrah, Napa Valley 2017 750ML ($349.95) $319 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 98+ points “Very deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 IX Syrah Estate opens with the most beautiful nose of crushed black berries, boysenberries, mulberries, chocolate-covered cherries, star anise and red roses with touches of garrigue, mandarin peel and fragrant earth. Medium-bodied, the palate is very firm and elegant with approachably ripe, rounded tannins and layer upon layer of perfumed flavors. It has a long pepper and spice-laced finish. Very impressive!”
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2017 Syrah IX Estate is rich and ample on the palate, with tremendous aromatic and flavor intensity. Savory herb, iron, mint, licorice, blood orange and exotic spice infuse the 2017 with tons of character as well as nuance. Inky and sumptuous, with plenty of structural depth, the 2017 hits all the right notes. Like all of the 2017s here, the Syrah needs cellaring. It is such a gorgeous wine.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 98+ points “Very deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 IX Syrah Estate opens with the most beautiful nose of crushed black berries, boysenberries, mulberries, chocolate-covered cherries, star anise and red roses with touches of garrigue, mandarin peel and fragrant earth. Medium-bodied, the palate is very firm and elegant with approachably ripe, rounded tannins and layer upon layer of perfumed flavors. It has a long pepper and spice-laced finish. Very impressive!”
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2017 Syrah IX Estate is rich and ample on the palate, with tremendous aromatic and flavor intensity. Savory herb, iron, mint, licorice, blood orange and exotic spice infuse the 2017 with tons of character as well as nuance. Inky and sumptuous, with plenty of structural depth, the 2017 hits all the right notes. Like all of the 2017s here, the Syrah needs cellaring. It is such a gorgeous wine.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average is $351
The average is $351
Next of Kyn (Sine Qua Non) Cumulus Vineyard Red Blend, Central Coast 2017 750ML ($349.95) $299 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97+ points “Next of Kyn is the label of Elaine and Manfred Krankl (owners/creators of Sine Qua Non), based entirely on fruit from their home vineyard in Oakville, called Cumulus vineyard. This 2017 vintage is composed of 48% Syrah, 24.8% Grenache, 10.6% Petite Sirah, 12.7% Mourvèdre, 1.7% Roussanne and 2.2% Petit Manseng, using 23% whole clusters. It spent around 32 months in French oak barrels, 68% new.”
Antonio Galloni 94-96 points “The 2017 Next of Kyn is dense, plush and explosive right out of the glass. Black cherry, plum, licorice, chocolate, cloves and leather meld together in a wine of remarkable depth and intensity. The 2017 is decidedly somber and dense in feel. I tasted it just prior to bottling. Naturally, it will be interesting to see how it turns out in bottle. The 2017 is 48% Syrah, 24.8% Grenache, 12.7% Mourvèdre, 10.6% Petite Sirah, 2.2% Petit Manseng and 1.7% Roussanne, done with about 23% whole clusters. Aging is expected to be 32 months or so in barrel, 68% new.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average is $549
The average is $549
Joseph Phelps Vineyards Insignia, Napa Valley 2005 750ML ($199.95) $179 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Robert Parker 96 points “[Reviewed 2015] The 2005 Proprietary Red Insignia (14.5% alcohol and typically aged 24 months in new French oak) is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot and 1% Merlot. Juicy, fresh and vibrant, with a dense, ruby/purple color, and a classic nose of licorice and crème de cassis as well as hints of new saddle leather and earth, the wine is a brilliant blend that after ten years shows no evidence of the 24 months it spent in new French oak. Full-bodied, opulent, but still youthful, this wine looks set for another 25-30 years of aging. The wine’s best elements are its finesse and elegance allied to great richness and intensity. This wine is accessible now, as most Insignias tend to be, but much of its greatness will be revealed over the next two decades.”
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