In This Newsletter:
Featured New Arrival:
Ambriel’s Stellar Sussex Sparkling
Featured Re-Arrival:
Cameron Wines + New Vintage of Cameron Spritz!
Featured New Arrival :
Calabretta’s Explosively Delicious portfolio
Coming this Summer:
New Vintage of RoseRock Zepherine Pinot Noir
Delightful Dönnhoff:
2021 Vintage arriving this July
South African Selections:
Collector’s Corner
Salubrious Salvestrin
Historic Napa Cabernet
Featured New Arrival:
Ambriel’s Stellar Sussex Sparkling
Featured Re-Arrival:
Cameron Wines + New Vintage of Cameron Spritz!
Featured New Arrival :
Calabretta’s Explosively Delicious portfolio
Coming this Summer:
New Vintage of RoseRock Zepherine Pinot Noir
Delightful Dönnhoff:
2021 Vintage arriving this July
South African Selections:
Collector’s Corner
Salubrious Salvestrin
Historic Napa Cabernet
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Featured New Arrival:
Ambriel’s Stellar Sussex Sparkling
What do Parmigiano-Reggiano, Scotch Whiskey and Stilton Cheese have in common? All three are protected in the E.U under PDO legislation. Standing for “Protected Designation of Origin” the legislation sets production standards and areas permitted to use the label, like the permitted practices and varietals seen in Champagne (Another PDO). Sussex in Southern England is now the first wine PDO in the country, joining with her rivals across the pond.
English Sparkling wine has been making waves for a number of years now, with exponential growth being seen in the southern areas of the country that share the chalk limestone shelf that Champagne is famous for. Crossing the Channel and jutting out of the sea as the White Cliffs of Dover among other sites, the area has become a hotbed for Methode Champanoise sparkling wines. Thanks to climate change the wines have progressed from thin and sharply acidic wines into iterations that rival Champagne. This had led to global captains of industry like Taittinger to invest in operations, in addition to the queen herself; her majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second.
While not connected to a house; Champagne or Royal, Ambriel has capitalized on the climates development by planting the main grapes of Champagne (Chardonnay with Pinots Noir and Meunier) on their dry-farmed and sustainable estate. Electing to not use herbicides or insecticides in favor of practices like Integrated Pest Management and grazing sheep, there’s demonstrable effort to reduce the environmental impact of their production. Their wines receive a minimum time of 3 years on the lees, with some cuvees receiving 5 or more.
Their Classic Suvee is intensely aromatic, with primary aromas of custard, lemon oil and Valerian Flower. With precipitous levels of acid, the flavors transform from fruits like Green apple, Pink Grapefruit, Lemon juice, green strawberry to seashell across the palate with a clean finish.
Ambriel Wines in stock now:
Ambriel English Sparkling Rose West Sussex 2014 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Notes of rose hip, white pepper, bergamot and hibiscus tea assail the nose to present an unusual but beguiling spectrum of aroma. The frothy palate continues to whirl these aromas around, filling the head with scent and spiciness. The slender palate anchors everything in a creamy, smooth core of fine but ripe freshness. Something brooding and wild slumbers here, teasing us with every tiny bubble burst. The finish is dry and gorgeous. -Anne Krebiehl MW”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Ambriel Classic Cuvee Sparkling West Sussex NV 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Decanter 95 points “A refined, elegant style of English sparkling wine with subtle nuances of green apple and floral notes on the nose. A gentle, persistent, mousse with fresh and driving acidity on the palate. Elegant finish with a hint of sweet fruit. Drinking Window 2021 – 2030.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Ambriel Blanc de Blancs West Sussex 2010 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Both ripe and tart red-apple notions perfume the nose against a subtle backdrop of yeasty richness. On the palate, a fine mousse disperses these flavors and adds the most subtle hint of honey to them. This is classy and restrained, rich but toned, tart but moreish with its sustained note of pure freshness. This wonderful rendition of really fine English fizz has a lasting finish. This will continue developing. Drink now–2025. -Anne Krebiehl MW”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Featured Re-Arrival:
Cameron Wines + New Vintage of Cameron Spritz!
Cameron Wines + New Vintage of Cameron Spritz!
Cameron is synonymous with the Willamette Valley and her wines, producing some of the best iterations of the Dundee Hills and Ribbon Ridge AVA’s. Transcending varietal, price point and vintage there is something to be enamored by in every bottling in how they express terroir and John Paul’s winemaking mastery. Each bottling represents a different facet of Oregon’s terroir with a thorough line of elegance. The 2021 bottlings of the Giuliano and Ramato exhibit the intense flavors brought on by the low yields and warm growing conditions.
His winemaking magic isn’t constrained to just Chardonnay and Pinot Noir either, with Cameron winery being one of the few producers in Oregon utilizing white grapes for field blends. Stylistically drawing from Northern Italy, these are among the most refreshing and food friendly wines in the valley. The only drawback is their limited production volumes, given that John Paul rarely sources beyond his estate vineyards.
Cameron Wines in stock now:
Cameron Winery Spritz Rose Willamette Valley NV 250ML CAN ($9.95) $7 special, 36+ cans in stock now
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Cameron Winery Giuliano White Oregon 2021 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Vinpol Note: A field blend of Friulano, Auxerrois, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Grigio and Muscat grapes that takes inspiration from the multidimensional white blends of Northeastern Italy with it’s perfumed aromatics and delightful texture.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Cameron Winery Pinot Gris Ramato Dundee Hills 2021 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Vinpol Note: Pinot Gris that spent time on it’s skins, contributing the barest hint of tannin, a dollop of color and a completely different interpretation of the classic Oregon varietal.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Featured New Arrival :
Calabretta’s Explosively Delicious portfolio
Etna has become the newest hottest region in Sicily, and for good reason. Jancis Robinson even called it “the Burgundy of the Mediterranean,” which is an apt description of most of the new wines coming off of the high altitude slopes of Sicily’s volcano. There is another traditional style of wine made on Etna as well, though, one that tends to have a foot in Barolo rather than in Burgundy, and its best practitioner is Calabretta. With Burgundy and Barolo prices climbing through the roof, now is a great time to explore those regions that seem to be lost in time.
Calabretta was founded in 1900 and for the majority of the time since then only sold wine in barrel or in demijohns to private customers (who would bottle the wine themselves) or to local restaurants. Since the beginning, the farming has been organic, without chemical pesticides or herbicides—dated for a majority of the life of the winery and suddenly in vogue now. In 1997, the third and fourth generation of the family decided that the future lay in bottling estate wines and releasing them under a family label.
The one thing that didn’t change when Calabretta started bottling was a commitment to old-school vinification and aging. Macerations of up to 60 days are common as is long aging in botti (often up to 6 years for the high end wine). The wines are powerful and structured but, unlike wines from lower altitudes, maintain a freshness and vibrancy to them.
Primary aromas of bay leaf, fennel, sandalwood and ‘A’a basalt that tantalize from the first smell, evocative of Barolo but with a persistent basaltic character. The flavors are just as compelling, exhibiting a range of black and red fruits. Grilled strawberry, Amarena cherries & black raspberry dance on the palate, backed by kirsch and anise. Light bodied, dry, pervasive and fine grained tannins integrate beautifully with high acid and a pervasive finish of cloves, sarsaparilla and potpourri. There’s a pervasive minerality that speaks to the lava the grapes are planted in, with an almost savory character on the finish. Pairing options are multifaceted, this would be perfect with a BBQ but could also with something more intimate like a homemade seafood pasta.
In stock now:
Calabretta Nerello Cappuccio Terre Siciliane IGT Sicily 2019 750ML ($41.95) $33 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 89 points “The 2019 Nerello Cappuccio is incredibly pretty, with a bouquet of musky cherry and raspberry complemented by stemmed roses and flowery undergrowth. This is silky yet lifted, leaning more toward the savory spectrum on the palate, as woodland berries mingle with saline-minerals under an air of inner florals. It’s a bit shorter than anticipated yet fresh, leaving nuances of waxy red fruits.”
Calabretta was founded in 1900 and for the majority of the time since then only sold wine in barrel or in demijohns to private customers (who would bottle the wine themselves) or to local restaurants. Since the beginning, the farming has been organic, without chemical pesticides or herbicides—dated for a majority of the life of the winery and suddenly in vogue now. In 1997, the third and fourth generation of the family decided that the future lay in bottling estate wines and releasing them under a family label.
The one thing that didn’t change when Calabretta started bottling was a commitment to old-school vinification and aging. Macerations of up to 60 days are common as is long aging in botti (often up to 6 years for the high end wine). The wines are powerful and structured but, unlike wines from lower altitudes, maintain a freshness and vibrancy to them.
Primary aromas of bay leaf, fennel, sandalwood and ‘A’a basalt that tantalize from the first smell, evocative of Barolo but with a persistent basaltic character. The flavors are just as compelling, exhibiting a range of black and red fruits. Grilled strawberry, Amarena cherries & black raspberry dance on the palate, backed by kirsch and anise. Light bodied, dry, pervasive and fine grained tannins integrate beautifully with high acid and a pervasive finish of cloves, sarsaparilla and potpourri. There’s a pervasive minerality that speaks to the lava the grapes are planted in, with an almost savory character on the finish. Pairing options are multifaceted, this would be perfect with a BBQ but could also with something more intimate like a homemade seafood pasta.
In stock now:
Calabretta Nerello Cappuccio Terre Siciliane IGT Sicily 2019 750ML ($41.95) $33 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 89 points “The 2019 Nerello Cappuccio is incredibly pretty, with a bouquet of musky cherry and raspberry complemented by stemmed roses and flowery undergrowth. This is silky yet lifted, leaning more toward the savory spectrum on the palate, as woodland berries mingle with saline-minerals under an air of inner florals. It’s a bit shorter than anticipated yet fresh, leaving nuances of waxy red fruits.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Calabretta Nerello Mascalese Vigne Vecchie Sicilia IGT Sicily 2012 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 94 points “The 2012 Nerello Mascalese Vigne Vecchie takes things to a darker, earthier yet ultimately thrilling level, as crushed black raspberry and plum sauce are complemented by hints of exotic brown spice, tobacco and underbrush. This gains freshness through notes of white smoke and roses that emerge with time in the glass. It’s silky, verging on fleshy and quite potent, ushering in textural waves of ripe wild berries and sweet spices, yet balance is maintained through a core of brisk acidity. This leaves a saturation of primary purple and blue-toned concentration upon the senses, becoming youthfully chewy through the dramatically long and lightly structured finale. There is no sign of the 16% abv that’s stated on the label, as the 2012 Vigne Vecchie comes across as completely harmonious, but in need of another year or two of cellaring.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Coming this Summer:
New Vintage of RoseRock Zepherine Pinot Noir
Who’s to complain about more Drouhin wine from Oregon? Few winemakers possess the talent, experience, and intuition of Véronique Drouhin, be it State-side or in France. Domaine Drouhin’s latest acquisition, Roserock, gives Véro a chance to tease beauty out of Chardonnay (and Pinot Noir) from the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, whose volcanic soils nourish wines with typically-Oregonian depth. Unsurprisingly the latter AVA is one of the most in-demand around the world, especially as Burgundy prices continue to climb. Their RoseRock estate is located in the southern part of the Eola-Amity Hills where the combination of Van Duzer winds and Volcanic soils create a completely different interpretation of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in relation to their other estates in France and Dundee Hills.
Zepherine Arriving ETA Mid-July, 2022:
Roserock Zephirine Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills 2019 750ML ($74.95) $64.50 pre-arrival special
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2019 Pinot Noir Zéphirine is so expressive this vintage! Matured for 14 months in 20% new oak, it has a pure fragrance of blueberries and lilac, aniseed and earth, gaining aromatic nuance and depth with time in the glass. Medium-bodied, the palate begins with bursts of acidity and a flourish of spices that glide seamlessly through the mouth for an incredibly persistent, floral finish.”
James Suckling 97 points “Redcurrant, sour cherry and smoke on the nose. Hibiscus, too. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and lively acidity. Vibrant and juicy on the palate with a bright core of redcurrants and dried herbs. Layered and balanced, with a long, savory finish. Very vertical and deep. Drinkable now, but best from 2023.”
Zepherine Arriving ETA Mid-July, 2022:
Roserock Zephirine Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills 2019 750ML ($74.95) $64.50 pre-arrival special
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2019 Pinot Noir Zéphirine is so expressive this vintage! Matured for 14 months in 20% new oak, it has a pure fragrance of blueberries and lilac, aniseed and earth, gaining aromatic nuance and depth with time in the glass. Medium-bodied, the palate begins with bursts of acidity and a flourish of spices that glide seamlessly through the mouth for an incredibly persistent, floral finish.”
James Suckling 97 points “Redcurrant, sour cherry and smoke on the nose. Hibiscus, too. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and lively acidity. Vibrant and juicy on the palate with a bright core of redcurrants and dried herbs. Layered and balanced, with a long, savory finish. Very vertical and deep. Drinkable now, but best from 2023.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Delightful Dönnhoff:
2021 Vintage arriving this July
Robert Parker calls Helmut Donnhoff “unquestionably one of the stars” in the world of German Rieslings. Situated between the villages of Niederhausen and Schlossbockelheim in the middle Nahe, the Dönnhoff family has been making wine since 1750, with Helmut Dönnhoff in charge of winemaking at the estate since 1971. While there are many who can attest to Donnhoff’s talent, there is no one better to describe Helmut than himself: “I want the wines I make to contain a story, and the story I can offer is that of me at home in my landscape. Winemaking alone cannot bring quality, it can only retain the available quality. The concentration of all the flavors of the grape, especially the mineral extract, gives the wine its real taste and structure.” It is his effortless spirit in winemaking that makes both Helmut and his wines so highly revered.
Weingut Donnhoff Riesling Nahe 2021 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
Weingut Donnhoff Riesling Nahe 2021 1.5L ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Weingut Donnhoff Riesling Trocken Nahe 2021 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
Weingut Donnhoff Riesling Trocken Nahe 2021 1.5L ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Donnhoff Kreuznacher Krotenpfuhl Riesling Kabinett Nahe 2021 750ML ($34.95) $26 pre-arrival special
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Weingut Donnhoff Norheimer Kirschheck Riesling Spatlese Nahe 2021 750ML ($44.95) $38 pre-arrival special
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Leistenberg Riesling Kabinett Nahe 2021 750ML ($34.95) $28 pre-arrival special
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Leistenberg Tonschiefer Riesling Trocken Nahe 2021 750ML ($34.95) $28 pre-arrival special
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
This is the only listing in the USA today!
South African Selections:
First planted to grapevines in 1655 by the Dutch East India Company, the country has been a wine exporter since the 18th century. The climate is definitively Mediterranean, with the day’s heat being mitigated by the mixing of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans offshore. The soils are some of the oldest on earth and largely comprised of decomposed granite, shale and mica. The soils’ advanced age also puts grapevines in contact with bedrock due to erosion, imbuing the wines with a distinctive minerality. Combined with the indigenous plants and flowers, known as fynbos South African wines are among the most distinctive in the world.
Mullineux is easily one of the best producers in the entire country of South Africa, and is one of the most in-demand around the world as a result. Working exclusively with old vines around their farm in Swartland, their oldest vines are almost 70 years old and are a snapshot of the Country’s winemaking history. Fermenting with native yeasts and minimal sulfuring, the resulting wines are quintessentially South African in their multidimensional character.
Primarily Chenin Blanc, the rest of the blend is comprised of Clairette Blanche, Verdelho, Grenache Blanc and Semillion Gris. The Semillion Gris is one of the rarest grape varietals in the world, only being found in a few pockets in the world of wine. As you can expect with the component grapes there is a cornucopia of flowering herbs and citrus like Lavender and Orange Blossom against a mineral spine only found with well-tended old vines with a beeswax esque texture.
Mullineux wines in stock now:
Mullineux Old Vines White Swartland 2020 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 90+ points “The 2020 White Old Vines has a minimalist bouquet that offers fleeting glimpses of citrus peel and beeswax, although I would have liked a little more Chenin character to come through. The palate is well balanced with a lovely texture and hints of brioche and walnut. A subtle lemongrass note emerges toward the finish. Give this 2–3 years in bottle for the aromatics to develop.”
The wines of Morgenster are definitively South African, with a clear nod to Giulio’s Italian heritage and Bertrand’s winemaking know how. The 2014 delivers layers of blackcurrant, cassis, fynbos and tarragon with a deep minerality that’s evocative of warm earth, cinnamon and antique wood. The years in bottle have paid off tremendously with the acid, tannins and body featuring picture-perfect integration. Delightful as a solo act, and compatible with a variety of cuisines including barbeque, roasted Brussel’s sprouts, Italian and Lebanese.
In stock now:
Morgenster Lourens River Valley Stellenbosch 2014 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 92 points “The 2014 Lourens River Valley is a Bordeaux blend that offers light blackberry, tobacco and smoky scents on the nose; a hint of hickory develops with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied, fleshy and ripe, with supple tannins and a pinch of sour cherry and balsamic toward the finish. Quite mellow, so much so that you almost overlook the concentration here. Excellent.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Johan Meyer is one of the biggest names in the “New School” of South African wine. Working exclusively with old vines in Swartland, he strives to be as low intervention as possible. That philosophy is present from grape to glass as it were; with irrigation and chemical input not practiced in the vineyard and the finished wines receiving no filtration, fining and minimal sulfur. As you can expect after almost a year of not exporting, South African wine has become a rarity in the United States market with what remains being in highly limited quantities.
Most unique out of the Mother Rock wines is their Pet-Nat. Comprised of Chenin Blanc and Pinotage sourced from a single farm. Grown at over 1,000 feet above sea level, the wine is bottled before fermentation completes, creating bubbles from the last of the remaining sugars. Pinotage takes on a spectrum of blue, black and purple fruits underscored by a tertiary plethora of smoke and earth, with the Chenin contributing beeswax, honeysuckle, chamomile, quince and yellow apple. If one had to summarize the wine in a word: Crushable.
Mother Rock in stock now:
Mother Rock ‘Force Majeure – Force Celeste’ Cuvee PN Pet Nat Swartland 2021 750ML ($27.95) $24 special
Importer note “A Pet-Nat that puts Pinotage in the spotlight. South Africa’s native grape is best known for its bright fruit and deep earthy character, which translate beautifully in this joyful rosé fizz. Slightly hazy salmon-pink in the glass, with aromas of raspberries, blood orange and earthy rhubarb. Fresh in the mouth, with crunchy cranberry fruit and a savoury edge. Delicious and dangerously drinkable at only 11%!”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
This is the lowest listed price in the world today!
This is the lowest listed price in the world today!
Collector’s Corner
Salubrious Salvestrin
Historic Napa Cabernet
Dr. Crane Vineyard is one of Napa’s heritage vineyards, with its first planting dating to the 1920’s. Replanted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot in the late 90’s the site is famed for the high portions of gravel throughout the 21 planted acres. Soils are comprised of a thin layer of loam before giving way to bedrock, with the site originally housing a quarry in the 18th century. We are lucky enough to secure two different bottlings of Cabernet from the same vineyard, with both delivering on the vineyards storied reputation.
Salvestrin Winery Dr. Crane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon St Helena 2018 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, 12 bottles in stock now
#9 Wine Spectator Wine of the Year in 2021
Wine Spectator 95 points “Bright and fresh, with lots of red currant, plum and black cherry fruit notes driving along nicely, while a subtle tug of iron runs underneath. Late floral and warm earth flashes on the finish add more range and contrast. Focused, detailed and really well built. To be released October 2021. Best from 2022 through 2035. 1,260 cases made. — JM”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 94+ points “The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Dr. Crane Vineyard is a blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it strides confidently out of the glass with notions of crushed black and red currants, ripe blackberries and black raspberries plus hints of dried Mediterranean herbs, tilled soil and pencil lead. The medium to full-bodied palate is chock-full of crunchy black and red berries, framed by firm, grainy tannins and a lively backbone, finishing long with loads of minerals and an herbal lift.”
Salvestrin Winery Dr. Crane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon St Helena 2018 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, 12 bottles in stock now
#9 Wine Spectator Wine of the Year in 2021
Wine Spectator 95 points “Bright and fresh, with lots of red currant, plum and black cherry fruit notes driving along nicely, while a subtle tug of iron runs underneath. Late floral and warm earth flashes on the finish add more range and contrast. Focused, detailed and really well built. To be released October 2021. Best from 2022 through 2035. 1,260 cases made. — JM”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 94+ points “The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Dr. Crane Vineyard is a blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it strides confidently out of the glass with notions of crushed black and red currants, ripe blackberries and black raspberries plus hints of dried Mediterranean herbs, tilled soil and pencil lead. The medium to full-bodied palate is chock-full of crunchy black and red berries, framed by firm, grainy tannins and a lively backbone, finishing long with loads of minerals and an herbal lift.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Salvestrin Winery ‘Three D’ Cabernet Sauvignon St Helena 2018 750ML ($219.95) $189 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown – Wine Advocate 98 points “Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon 3D Dr. Crane Vineyard prances out of the glass with a gorgeous perfume of warm cassis, black cherries and black raspberries, plus hints of roses, lavender, underbrush and camphor, with an exotic touch of sandalwood. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is tightly wound with a rock-solid frame of firm, grainy tannins and lovely freshness to support the muscular black fruits, finishing epically long and beautifully earthy.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!