December 13, 2014
Veuve Clicquot
Arriving December 16th
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin is one of the world’s finer champagnes, the product of a winery founded by Phillipe Clicquot in 1772 in Reims. You could say Veuve is the first champagne house brought to recognition by a woman, Madame Veuve Clicquot, but this is an oversimplification. After her husband Philippe’s death in 1805, Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin (the Veuve or “widow” Clicquot) not only turned Veuve into the successful Champagne house it is today, but played a key role in transforming champagne from a cloudy product of fermentation into a clear bubbly. In short, she was the mother of the méthode champenoise, creating the Champagne we know and love today.
Before the early 1800s, champagne was consumed from a glass in an ice bath. You poured your champagne into the glass and would let it rest a few moments so all of the sediment in the wine could settle to the bottom. After drinking your champagne you would turn the glass upside down in the ice bucket to dump out the sludge left behind before your glass was refilled. As the story goes, Madame Clicquot had holes drilled in her dining room table and created the first riddling rack, a system still used in champagne production today to remove the sediment from the bottle, eliminating the monotonous process of rinsing your glass.
Madame Clicquot made strides in establishing her wine in royal courts throughout Europe and the method by which Veuve was made became the golden standard for all Champagne. By the time she died in 1866, Veuve Clicquot had become both a substantial champagne house and a respected brand easily recognized by its distinctive bright yellow labels. Veuve Clicquot’s top end Champagne, La Grande Dame, was first released in 1972 with the 1966 vintage to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the house and was produced in honor of the Grande Dame herself; Madame Clicquot. La Grande Dame Rosé was introduced in 1996 with the 1988 vintage. Both the Rose and Brut are created from a blend of eight Grand Crus, vineyards that Madame Clicquot chose and were purchased during her lifetime, and aged for an extended period in Veuve’s ancient chalk cellars.
Arriving Next Week
These are the lowest listed price in the USA!
The average price on both bottles is 30-35% higher elsewhere
Veuve Clicquot Champagne La Grande Dame Brut Rose 2004 ($319.95) $219 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 94 points “Broad on the palate, though well-knit and svelte overall, with seamless integration of the firm acidity, structuring flavors of smoke, poached plum, creamed almond, piecrust and lemon curd. Features a graceful, mineral-tinged finish. Drink now through 2025”
Veuve Clicquot Champagne La Grande Dame Brut Rose 1998 ($319.95) $219 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Exotic notes of toasted coconut and rum spice accent this fresh and elegant rosé, while flavors of macerated cherry and plum, pastry and pomegranate ride the delicate texture. Graceful, with a mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2020.”
~~~~
Serafin Wines
Arriving December 19th
Domaine Christian Serafin was founded in 1947 through the bootstrapping efforts of Polish immigrant Stanislaus Serafin. Serafin arrived in Gevrey-Chambertin from Poland in the late 1930s. In 1957, Stanislaus’ son, Christian, joined his father, and together they constructed a complete estate and gained a following for their rich, dark wines. Today the domaine is run by Christian’s daughter and his niece, Frederique Bachotet, has taken over the winemaking reigns. Working with only 4.3 hectares, Frederique produces low-yield wines on the estate making rare, hard to find and concentrated Pinot Noirs. These wines are designed to both age well but are extremely approachable at a young age too making them highly sought after for good cellaring wines. Produced organically, Serafin’s wines are not filtered and recently the levels of new oak have been on the increase with as much as 50%. The Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays of Domaine Serafin are known for their concentration and balance, loaded with sweet, spicy fruit and enticing toasty oak.
Serafin – Arriving Here Next Week
Lowest listed prices in the USA on all wines!
Expect to pay an average of 20% higher elsewhere
Serafin Bourgogne Rouge 2012 ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Serafin Gevrey Chambertin 2012 ($99.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer 88-90 points “Medium red. Smoky strawberry and a whiff of gibier on the nose. The palate shows an almost liqueur-like sweetness to the creamy flavors of red fruits, coffee and mocha. Sappy acidity and substantial tannins give shape to this lush village wine.”
Serafin Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 2012 ($139.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 90-92 points “One of the real gems in this range, the Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes wraps around the palate with gorgeous depth and dimension. Violets, cloves and menthol meld into a core of dark fruit. The vintage has given the Vieilles Vignes an extra bit of volume that is hugely appealing. All the elements fall into place effortlessly. This voluptuous Gevrey should offer a wide window of fabulous drinking.”
Serafin Gevrey Chambertin Les Corbeaux Premier Cru 2012 ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 91-93 points “The 2012 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Corbeaux comes from 0.45-hectares of vines planted in 1968 by Christian’s father adjacent to Mazis-Chambertin. It has a precocious bouquet compared to the Vieilles Vignes, with scents of mulberry, dark plum and luscious black fruit that are tightly controlled. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly grainy entry. This is showing the oak a little more than the Vieilles Vignes at the moment, but there is sufficient concentration to absorb that with time. The linear finish, crisp and taut, bodes well for the future.”
Serafin Morey St Denis Millandes Premier Cru 2012 ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer 91-93 points “Deep, spicy aromas of black cherry, violet, menthol and espresso. Densely packed and sappy, with a liqueur-like ripeness to the flavors of black cherry and mint. A rather rectilinear wine with a serious spine of dusty tannins that will require some aging. In a more structured, masculine style in 2012, like the Gevrey Vieilles Vignes and the Cazetiers.”
Serafin Gevrey Chambertin Le Fonteny Premier Cru 2012 ($199.95) $149 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 91-93 points “The 2012 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Fonteny comes from 0.33-hectares of vine planted in 1965. It has a somehow more “languid” bouquet, demonstrated a touch more fruit compared to the Corbeaux, the fruit erring more to red than black. The palate is rounded and velvety smooth on the entry with vibrant cassis and blackcurrant fruit, fine tannins and impressive presence towards the finish that continues long after the wine has departed. Excellent.”
Serafin Chambolle Musigny Les Baudes Premier Cru 2012 ($199.95) $149 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer 90-92 points “Bright dark red. Blueberry, menthol and minerals on the nose, plus a dusty violet quality. Juicy, dense and rather powerful, showing good energy and pronounced torrefaction notes of chocolate, mocha and coffee. There’s nothing hard about this wine’s tannins.”
Serafin Gevrey Chambertin Les Cazetieres Premier Cru 2012 ($249.95) $189 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer –Vinous 92-94 points “Good bright, deep red. Reticent aromas of black cherry, minerals, mint and menthol. Densely packed, fresh and energetic, showing a strong spice character to its black cherry and mineral flavors. Has the thickness of texture to carry its tannins. Finishes spicy and long, with a lingering note of chocolatey oak. From a crop level of 38 hectoliters per hectare: Serafin made four barrels, compared to a normal five.”
Serafin Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru 2012 ($349.95) $279 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 94-96 points “The 2012 Charmes-Chambertin represents a major step up from the rest of the wines in the range. Totally spherical and seamless on the palate, the 2012 captures the richness of the year, with impeccable polish and depth. A decidedly explosive Charmes, the 2012 isn’t especially subtle in showing off its pedigree. There is a lot to look forward to here. Sadly production is down 50%.”
Serafin – Available Here NOW at Vinopolis
ALL at the LOWEST Listed price in the USA!
Serafin Chambolle Musigny Les Baudes Premier Cru 2009 ($159.95) $109 special 17 bottles available
Wine Advocate 91-93 points “The 2009 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Baudes is one of the more open, radiant wines in this lineup. There is an unabashed sexiness to the fruit that is quite beautiful. This shows superb intensity and juiciness all the way through to the round, finish. The Baudes comes from a parcel next to de Vogue’s vineyards in Bonnes Mares. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2029.”
Serafin Chambolle Musigny Les Baudes Premier Cru 2011 ($149.95) $119 special 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Bright, moderately saturated red. Spicy aromas of blackberry, licorice and violet. Tight and serious in the mouth, with dark berry and violet pastille flavors accompanied by strong coffee/mocha torrefaction. At once feminine and firm, finishing with sound tannins and acids. Very different in style from the Gevreys here.”
Serafin Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru 2009 ($279.95) $219 special 5 bottles available
Wine Advocate 95+ points “The 2009 Charmes-Chambertin is striking, even if it is an infant today. Graceful and weightless through to the finish, the 2009 impresses for its balance, freshness and overall sense of structure. This is far from and easygoing 2009. It will require at least a decade to enter the early part of its drinking window. Here, too the integration of fruit and structure is superb. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2034.”
Serafin Gevrey Chambertin Les Cazetieres Premier Cru 2007 ($159.95) $136 special 16 bottles available
Burghound 92 points “This is a classic Cazetiers with a distinct animale element to the ripe red berry, violet and underbrush tones that continue on the earth-inflected, sappy, precise and moderately concentrated flavors that possess real character and excellent power on the impressively long, balanced and textured finish. This has another dimension relative to all of the prior wines.”
Serafin Gevrey Chambertin Les Cazetieres Premier Cru 2011 ($219.95) $169 special 12 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Moderately saturated medium red. Very reticent but pure aromas of redcurrant, dark cherry, earth, leather and spices. A dense, nicely balanced midweight, with ripe acidity giving shape to the cherry, licorice and espresso flavors. Firmly tannic but with plenty of thickness of texture to support its backbone. Finishes chewy and long but youthfully tight, with lovely aromatic persistence. I’d hold this until 2020.”
Serafin Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 2009 ($99.95) $69 special 12 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 90 points “Medium red. Full-blown aromas of coffee, mocha and game. Less fruity than the basic village wine but dense, sweet and nicely fresh, with a deep middle and plenty of medicinal reserve. Finishes with substantial dusty tannins and persistent notes of chocolate, coffee and underbrush.”
Serafin Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 2011 ($119.95) $89 special 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Bright medium red. Cherry, raspberry, smoke, minerals and pungent spices on the expressive nose. Sexy, tangy, sharply delineated flavors of red fruits and spices complicated by a whiff of game. Less dense than the 2012 version but displays lovely cut and vivacity. Finishes brisk and persistent. Serafin describes his 2011s as elegant and less tannic than his 2012s, and made from bigger grapes. Crop levels were off only about 10% from average, making this vintage the closest to normal of the last four.”
Serafin Gevrey Chambertin Les Corbeaux Premier Cru 2011 ($119.95) $99 special 6 bottles available
Burghound 89-92 points, Stephen Tanzer 89-91 points “Bright, full medium red. Raspberry, blueberry and blackberry fruit aromas are complicated by smoky minerality. Quite closed in the mouth, with brisk acidity contributing to an impression of firm structure. Not a silky style, but serious and persistent. The high level of CO2 is no doubt responsible for some of the wine’s present hardness.”
Serafin Gevrey Chambertin Le Fontenys Premier Cru 2009 ($159.95) $109 special 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2009 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Fontenys is layered with dark cherries, flowers, spices and menthol. This is an especially fleshy, textured Gevrey. The showy personality of the vintage comes through, but there is also plenty of underlying structure and vibrancy. I especially like the intensity of the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2029.”
Serafin Gevrey Chambertin Le Fontenys Premier Cru 2011 ($159.95) $119 special 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91 (+?) points “Moderately saturated medium red. Black cherry, raspberry and a whiff of meat on the nose, lifted by pungent pepper and blood orange treble notes. Less open than the village wine, showing lovely spicy lift to the flavors of red fruits and flowers. Juicy, elegant Gevrey with serious length and lingering spice character.”
Serafin Morey St Denis Millandes Premier Cru 2009 ($159.95) $99 special 20 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2009 Morey St. Denis Millandes is fabulous. It boasts a great combination of rich, dark fruit and powerful structure. Today the wine is already starting to shut down, something that bodes quite well for the future. Mint, flowers, spices and licorice stain the palate on the deep, resonant finish. This is a brilliant showing from Christian Serafin. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2029.”
Serafin Morey St Denis Millandes Premier Cru 2011 ($159.95) $119 special 12 bottles available
Burghound 92 points “An almost invisible background soupçon of oak does not interfere with the warm earth and mineral-suffused cool red berry fruit aromas that introduce pure and beautifully detailed middle weight flavors that are notably more robust and structured than those of the Baudes, all wrapped in a delicious if slightly less complex finish. This muscular effort will also need at least a decade to shed its firm but not rustic tannins.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
JJ Prum
Arriving Next Week
“Few estates in the world can claim to have maintained the highest quality standards uninterrupted for half a century and more. Joh Jos Prüm, the most famous of the many Mosel wine estates bearing the Prüm name, is one estate that can. Since the early 1920’s its wines have been among Germany’s best, Rieslings with the Mosel’s vivacious aroma and racy elegance in its highest form.”
– Stuart Pigott, The Wine Atlas of Germany
The wine region of Mosel, officially shortened from Mosel-Saar-Ruwer in August 2007, is home to the prestigious JJ Prum estate. The region runs along the Mosel River and its Saar and Ruwer tributaries. Its top sites are located in the middle section of the Mosel River (the mittelmosel) between the villages of Bernkastel-Kues and Erden. The cool, northern continental climate necessitates planting along slopes as steep as 65 degrees for maximum sun exposure. These steep Mosel sites are highly labor intensive to farm, requiring hand harvesting. The vines are aided in the best sites by the sun reflecting off of the river as well as the ability of the slate soil to absorb heat during the day and release it during the night. Mosel white wines are considered some of the best white wines in the world with decades-long aging potential. They are noted for an elegant balance between sweetness and acidity, with expansive floral and stone fruit notes. Mosel wines are typically lighter in body and lower in alcohol than examples from other German regions.
The JJ Prum winery and its top vineyard sites are located in the village of Wehlen in the center of the mittelmosel; their other vineyards are in the surrounding towns of Zeltingen-Rachtig, Graach an der Mosel, and Bernkastel-Kues. The Prum family has a long history in the region dating as far back as the 12th century. In 1911, Johann Josef Prum founded the winery from a share of his grandfather’s 42 acre estate (the estates of S. A. Prum, J. Christoffel Jr., and Dr. Loosen, among others, were founded or expanded in part by other branches of the Prum family tree). Only a few years after its foundation, JJ Prum’s son Sebastian took over the estate due to his father’s illness. Sebastian’s son Dr. Manfred Prum took the helm in 1969 and he passed the role to his daughter, Dr. Katharina Prum, in 2007.
The JJ Prum estate is one of the most highly respected of the region. Many aspects of their production contribute to the complexity and ageability of their distinctive wines. Their 33.5 acres of vineyards are composed of 70% ungrafted vines benefitting from phylloxera’s inability to survive in slate soil. They specifically maintain old vines that produce low, concentrated yields, and they practice rigorous berry selection. The wines are produced with minimal intervention and fermented with naturally present yeasts under reductive conditions (in a low-oxygen environment). They rarely produce completely dry wines and only at special request. Their practices results in wines that benefit greatly from cellar aging to allow the wine to slowly absorb and interact with the minute amounts of oxygen that cork allows into a bottle. Even the Kabinett level, wines benefit from about 5 years of cellaring to fully develop their fruit and floral aromas, according to Dr. Manfred Prum. At present, the family prefers their own wines no younger than the 2008 vintage. Their suggested ideal wine and food pairing is a bottle-aged Auslese with roast venison or wild boar. But we’d suggest that Mosel Riesling wines not only pair very well with almost all North European based cuisine, but also are the ideal wines alongside a broad array of Asian, Caribbean, and Mexican foods.
In general, the 2013 vintage was cooler and wetter than recent years, which resulted in higher acidity and more botrytis. For JJ Prum, yields and overall production were down considerably, and no Kabinett or Spatlese wines were produced. In a way, this was a good occurrence for consumers: the family decided to release several library wines to make up for the small volume. The majority will be arriving in our store next week. Mature Riesling can be a thing of beauty, and the Prum family produces some of the longest-aging Rieslings available. With time and development, fruit and sugars have the ability to integrate with the acid, creating subtle yet exotic fruit characteristics, in addition to flavors of honey, petrol, toast and nuttiness. The body becomes fuller with the marriage of these components creating a silky richness, without becoming flabby. The family suggests that, even at the Kabinett level, their wines be aged at least five years. And with these library releases, they’ve done the cellaring for you.
The JJ Prum estate is known for four benchmark sites that have been under vine for about two millennia. Their premier vineyard site is Wehlen Sonnenuhr, the VDP-classified Erste Lage (First Growth) vineyard. The vineyard is extremely steep at 35 degrees, faces south-west and is composed entirely of Devonian blue slate. It is known for producing wine of freshness, structure, focus and lively minerality. From these vineyards, JJ Prum produces its top wines which achieve notable depth and which age with profound grace.
Zeltinger Sonnenuhr is the northern-most site for JJ Prum and is considered the best vineyard near the twin villages of Zeltingen and Rachtig. It has slightly less topsoil than the bordering Wehlener Sonnenuhr vineyard and produces lower yields with less acidity. JJ Prum’s vines are between 60-70 years old and the resultant wines are marked by their complex mineral notes of rocks and smoke.
The Graach Himmelreich vineyard is planted along the right bank of the Mosel on a slate mountain facing south-west. The soil is a mix of clay and slate. Wines from the area are noted for their racy acidity and strong minerality. The Bernkasteler Badstube vineyards are in the greater region around the village of Bernkastel. The slopes are west-facing and at a more shallow angle than other sites. The wines are floral and delicate.
JJ Prum Wines – Available Here Now
Joh. Jos. Prum Bernkasteler Riesling Kabinett 2011 ($21.95) $17 special 3+ cases available
Joh. Jos. Prum Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Kabinett 2012 ($27.95) $19 special 3+ cases available
Stephen Tanzer 89 points “This delivers a simple yet attractive nose of citrus, white peach and smoke, in which one notices a great touch of herbs and ground spices. The finish is balanced yet powerful. The sweetness is nicely framed by the structure of the wine. Now-2022.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
The average listed price is over 40% higher at $27 / bottle
Joh. Jos. Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett 2008 ($31.95) $24 special 7 bottles available
Wine Advocate 91 points “The Prum 2008 Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett smells of green tea, fresh apple, honeysuckle, and acacia; offers boundless refreshment and gravity-defying buoyancy with pungent invigoration of citrus peel and apple skin; and finishes with its pure fruit and effusive, persistent inner-mouth floral perfume allied to saline, stony, smoke, iodine-like and remarkably savory manifestations of things mineral. It will reward 20-25 years of cellaring for the few who put that claim to the test–or who are already convinced by their past experience with Prum Rieslings.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
The average listed price is 29% higher at $31 / bottle
Joh. Jos. Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett 2012 ($29.95) $21.90 special 8 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “This offers a gorgeous nose of lemon, peach, white orchard fruits and some herbs. The wine is deliciously well balanced on the palate and delivers a stunningly long and well-balanced finish. 2019-2032.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
The average listed price is 27% higher at $28 / bottle
Joh. Jos. Prum Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spatlese 2012 ($34.95) $24 special 3+ cases available
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “($39) Easygoing aromas of cling peach, sweet lime and wild herbs. The rich depth of velvety passion fruit is animated by an elegant acid backbone that gives the wine poise. Ends on a delicately spicy note.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
The average listed price 29% higher at $31 / bottle
Joh. Jos. Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese 2012 ($37.95) $27 special 3 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “($42) Apricot pit, lime zest and clove on the nose. The delicate nectarine fruit and creamy texture is held aloft by nutmeg and mineral salts. An element of slate provides spice on the enticing finish of this bright, lively wine.”
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese 2012 375ML ($29.95) $19 special 5 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91(+?) points “Crisp aromas of passion fruit, nut oils and cinnamon. Rich, sleek and invigorating, but with creamy tropical fruit flavors remaining light and ethereal. Well-balanced, elegant and impeccably long. This does not have the depth of the auction wine, but at present more it offers greater drinkability.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
Joh. Jos. Prum Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Auslese 2012 ($44.95) $31.90 special 23 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “($49) Pale golden yellow. Rich, musky aromas of yellow plum and sweet herbs. Possesses good depth of rich tropical fruit, but is more noteworthy for its velvety texture and supple, pleasing style. Finishes with salty minerality and excellent persistence.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
The average listed price is 30% higher at $43 / bottle
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 2012 1.5L ($149.95) $89 special 8 magnums available
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 2012 375ML ($29.95) $21.90 special 8 half-bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Pale golden yellow. Candied papaya, persimmon, clove and a vague hint of smoky botrytis on the nose. Luscious, creamy peach nectar flavor is nicely framed and accented by a splash of salty minerality. Richer and denser than the spätlese, showing excellent length, but not necessarily much better.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
The average listed price is over 20% higher for both formats
Joh. Jos. Prum Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 2012 ($47.95) $33 special 19 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “($51) Pale golden yellow. Lively aromas of peach pit, honeysuckle and candied lemon. Bright and spicy, with sweet, plush papaya fruit showing a velvety texture and a note of creaminess. Herbal essences heighten the pleasing finish. Not a show reserve, but a lovely auslese.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
The average listed price is 24% higher at $31 / bottle
Joh. Jos. Prum Graacher Himmelriech Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel 2011 375ML ($49.95) $41.90 special 10 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92 points “Candied, spiced apple and overripe Persian melon dominate the Prum 2011 Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese gold capsule, with honeyed impingement both aromatically and on the palate reinforcing the sense of relative opacity and rounded richness that the other Graachers in this year’s collection displayed. Here the sense of delicacy is nearly weightless; intriguing and enticing notes of liquid peony and lily enter the picture mid-palate after the wine takes on air; and for all of the botrytization in effect, there is a welcome retention of primary juiciness, spurring a lusciously long finish. Look for four decades or more of luxuriant satisfaction.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
Joh. Jos. Prum Graacher Himmelriech Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel 2012 375ML ($59.95) $39 special 15 bottles available
Joh. Jos. Prum Graacher Himmelriech Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel 2012 ($99.95) $79 special 9 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points “This offers a comparatively ripe feel on the nose as well as a long and fresh finish. The wine is quite driven by minerals and herbs on the palate and leaves an airy and smoky feel in the long and smooth finish. The wine develops a cool, zesty and minty side with airing. 2027-2047.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
The average listed price is $94 / 750ml bottle
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel 2007 ($149.95) $119 special 4 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 96 points “Golden yellow. Christmas fruitcake with cherry, white raisin and honeyed botrytis on the nose. Glossy, creamy and rich on the palate, with fine slate, brown spice and floral elements woven into a braid of flavors. The botrytis component adds complexity on the complex, mineral-driven finish. What an auslese!.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel 2011 375ML ($59.95) $46 special 6 bottles available
Wine Advocate 95 points “A delightful hint of salted caramel creeps into the nose and onto the palate of Prum’s 2011 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese gold capsule, which when combined with apple jelly, honey and nougat not to mention a creamy and almost taffy-like texture, makes for a decidedly confectionary aura. Sweet liquid essences of lily, musky peony and gardenia as well as a faint oiliness and high glycerol enhance the luxuriantly seductive effect of this long-lingering performance, yet there remains a critical modicum of fresh apple and melon juiciness (if less efficacious than that of the corresponding Bernkasteler) to complement the sense of levity in this elixir’s finish and to render the next sip virtually irresistible.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel 2012 1.5L ($249.95) $179 special 6 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points “This offers a deliciously rich and soft feel of flowers, herbs and ripe fruits, in which a hint of apricot, mango and also honey come through on the palate and in the finish. The wine is quite rich and smooth and leaves an airy and spicy feel in the long aftertaste. It lives from the fascinating botrytis complexity and it will be fascinating to see how it will develop in the coming decades. 2022-2042.”
This is the lowest (and only) listed price in the USA!
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel 2012 375ML ($69.95) $44 special 18 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Rich golden yellow. Heady aromas of strawberry and nut oils, with only a gentle hint of honeyed botrytis. White peach fruit essences and mineral salts animate the creamily rich yet delicate palate. More concentrated than the other ausleses and showing a distinctly aristocratic personality. One of the most impressive ausleses of the vintage.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
The average listed price is $50 / 375ml bottle
Joh. Jos. Prum Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel 2012 ($99.95) $69 special 11 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “Made exclusively from the parcel forming the original Sonnenuhr, this delivers a great fresh nose of bergamot, quince and mango which turn into more botrytized and homeyed flavors of exotic fruits including passion fruit and pineapple on the palate. The zesty and fruity finish makes one magically go for another sip. This is gorgeously made. 2022-2042.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
The next best listed price is $99.99 / bottle
JJ Prum Wines – Arriving Next Week – All New Winery Cellar Releases
Joh. Jos. Prum Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spatlese 2007 ($41.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 92 points “Bearing a strong family resemblance to the corresponding Kabinett, the Prum 2007 Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spatlese is redolent of cherry, pear, lime, and mint; is satiny yet refreshing; palate-saturating yet almost weightless; and finishes with infectious fruit intensity, pungently zesty citricity, and mysterious peaty, saline, savory, faintly animal nuances. Like the other Spatlese bottlings in this collection, this should perform admirably for at least a quarter century.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
Joh. Jos. Prum Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spatlese 2008 ($41.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 92 points “Lime, mint, and dark cherry village-typically dominate the Prum 2008 Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spatlese, with impingements of orange zest, fresh ginger, and wet stone adding further interest on a palate that manages in 2008-specific fashion to both sooth and invigorate. This finishes with an intensity that goes beyond that of the corresponding Kabinett, yet preserves the same sense of uncanny buoyancy. Look for three decades of satisfying evolution here.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
Joh. Jos. Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese 2008 ($44.95) $38 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 92 points “The Prums’ 2008 Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese is less obviously rich but even more remarkably delicate than the corresponding Zeltinger Sonnenuhr. Here too, we have creaminess of texture allied to refreshing brightness. Iris, buddleia, apple, and pineapple are tinged with enticing salinity, and one is drawn back infectiously for the next sip, as this wine’s intrigue and understated charm work their magic. Over the next three decades, I predict that this will remain the most intimate and delicate of the vintage’s Prum Spatlesen.”
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “($44) Apricot pit, lime zest and clove on the nose. The delicate nectarine fruit and creamy texture are held aloft by nutmeg and mineral salts. Finishes bright, lively and satisfying, with a spicy character provided by the slate.”
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese 2007 ($59.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 93 points “The Prum 2007 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spatlese is intriguingly- as well as gorgeously-scented with peony, narcissus, heliotrope, mint, and fresh apple. Creamy and buoyant on the palate, it caresses and seduces with suggestions of lemon chiffon and vanilla flan, but then leaves a surprisingly adamant, stony, subtly zesty finish as if to put the taster on notice that there is a lot more here than meets the palate at such a youthful juncture.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Floral, peach, lime and herb aromas and flavors really sing in this elegant, silky Riesling. Beautifully integrated with the bright structure, showing intensity and length in a seamless, effortless manner. Mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2035.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese 2008 ($49.95) $41.90 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 93+ points “The Prum 2008 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spatlese – as with the corresponding Kabinett – is aromatically more marked by the residues of fermentation than are its immediate siblings. Hints of mango, quince, and musk added to the more predictable apple, vanilla, and liquid floral perfume and lend this an exotic touch, while its mineral side is dominated by striking salinity that enhances the savory stimulation of a long finish as well as offering a fascinating foil to the wine’s creaminess of texture and sheer ripeness. And while the nose needs to clear up here, the palate displays a remarkable sense of clarity to a wealth of flowers and spices. The wine seems to coat the palate while hovering above it, to seduce without touching. This should put on quite a show over the next 30 or more years.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
The average listed price is $45 / bottle
Joh. Jos. Prum Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese 2007 ($44.95) $36 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 93 points “There could scarcely be a more dramatic contrast than that between the Prums’ 2007 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese and their Bernkasteler Badstube Spatlese. Whereas the latter-for all of its delicacy-is energetic, bright, and invigorating, this Zeltinger is a soothing, creamy essence of liquid flowers, accompanied by orchard fruit essences, vanilla, malt, and nut oils. Naturally-this being archetypal Mosel-there is something here too that one is practically compelled to describe as “stone”. If this wine doesn’t put you in a dream state, then you must suffer from genuine agitation!”
Joh. Jos. Prum Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Auslese 2007 ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94 points “Yeasty, fermentative notes to some extent shroud the true aromas of the Prums’ 2007 Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Auslese, which with patience reveals high-toned herbal essences, fresh lime, and gardenia. In the mouth this is intensely saline and lime-fruited, making for a refreshing and enervating character one seldom finds at Auslese level, and that offers dynamic counterpoint to the wine’s wafting floral notes and its rich flavors of cherry preserve and honey. As Manfred Prum is the first to point out, this Auslese is more than a little Saar-like. It also finishes straight and penetrating as an arrow, with suggestions of peat, salt, and wet stone adding a fascinating mineral dimension.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Gorgeous aromas and flavors of tropical fruit salad stay vivid and etched across the finish thanks to the vibrant structure. Ethereal yet intense, with a snappy finish that makes you want more. Drink now through 2035.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
Joh. Jos. Prum Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Auslese 2013 ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Joh. Jos. Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese 2013 ($51.95) $39 pre-arrival special
This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 2003 ($69.95) $51.90 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 94 points: “Stunning. Very aromatic and expressive, offering rose, apricot, lime and mineral notes allied to a clear, gossamer frame. Well-balanced, though somewhat soft in structure. Forward today, the finish should pick up more intensity with age. Best from 2008 through 2028.”
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 2013 1.5L ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 2013 ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Joh. Jos. Prum Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 2013 ($51.95) $39 pre-arrival special
This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
Joh. Jos. Prum Graacher Himmelriech Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel 2013 375ML ($59.95) $47 pre-arrival special
Joh. Jos. Prum Graacher Himmelriech Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel 2013 750ML($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
This is the lowest listed price in the USA for both formats!
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel 2013 375ML ($69.95) $51.90 pre-arrival special
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel2013 750ML($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
This is the lowest listed price in the USA for both formats!
~~~~~~~~~~~
Servin 2012 Chablis
Arriving December 19th
Domaine Servin, first imported to the U.S. in the 1940’s, is one of the oldest and largest estates in the region, with 32 hectares of vines spread throughout Chablis, much of it in top vineyards. The Servin family has been in the Chablis region since 1654 and involved in the wine industry for much of that time. Today, Francois Servin runs the domaine with the assistance of his Australian brother-in-law, Mark Cameron.
François, while appreciating the great traditions that are very important to the Servin family, has taken big steps to bring this domaine into the forefront of Chablis. He is resuming the practices of hand harvesting and replanting with top Chardonnay vines when necessary. The wines are aged in a mix of stainless steel and wood, depending on the cuvee, and bottled without filtration. With a long history in Chablis, Domaine Servin owns some great parcels through the area, including Grand and Premier Crus. Francois said of the 2012 vintage “… straightforward, a reflection of the classic style of Chablis. The wines are intense; the maturity is well-balanced, while showing a nice acidity… powerful, express beautifully the terroir with mineral, chalky characters as well as fresh fruit and citrus notes.”
All wines below are the lowest listed price in the USA!
Average prices elsewhere are 15-45% higher!
Servin Available Here Now
Servin Chablis Butteaux Premier Cru 2012 ($37.95) $29 special 12+ bottles available
Wine Advocate 91-92+ points “Fresh lime and lemon brightness typical for this vintage and this relatively cool, clay-rich site are wreathed in iris and gentian on the nose of Servin’s 2012 Chablis Butteaux. A firmer palate and more restrained subtlety of floral and mineral elements than in most of the other wines of its collection, gives way to an impressively focused and pure-fruited finish transparent to chalk and flowers and tinged with mouthwatering salinity. Look for outstanding showings through at least 2020.”
Servin Chablis Vaillons Premier Cru 2012 ($34.95) $26 special 12+ bottles available
Wine Advocate 90-91+ points “The tank-raised Servin 2012 Chablis Vaillons features very ripe pear, peach, and pineapple with faintly volatile and distilled fruit overtones juxtaposed with stone and ash, and laced with welcome salinity that helps guarantee a mouthwatering extension.”
Newly Arriving Here Next Week
Servin Chablis Mont De Milieu Premier Cru 2012 ($39.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 91 points “This is creamy, boasting lemon cake, melon and spice flavors, all supported by a vibrant structure. Leaves a tangy, mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2020. 75 cases imported.”
Servin Chablis Vaucoupin Premier Cru 2012 ($39.95) $36 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 92 points “Stony and bracing, offering apple, melon, lemon and spice flavors. Very dry and intense, this stays balanced and lingers pleasantly on the finish. Best from 2015 through 2023. 75 cases imported.”
Servin Chablis Les Clos Grand Cru 2012 ($99.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2012 Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos has a tightly wound chalky bouquet with fine mineralite coming through, although it does not quite have the pizzazz of the 2013 at this early stage. The palate is clean, harmonious and fresh with good acidity, and hints of tangerine and grapefruit appear on the finish, which remains tight and linear at the moment, but should unfurl wonderfully with continued bottle age.”