Sunday Night Newsletter 11-4-22

 In This Newsletter:

 
Prinz was originally started as a “garagiste” or home winemaker operation in 1991 as a hobby for the founder Fred Prinz. The critics were immediately enamored and an invitation to join the legendary VDP consortium followed in 2005. Their estate vineyards are farmed organically, with a house style that aims for “minerality, elegance, finesse and ageing ability and they reflect their origins perfectly”. 

With holdings in the Rheingau that are relatively high elevation they’re able to produce a full range of Riesling’s including the rarest style of them all: Eiswein. Eiswein is among the hardest wines to make on the entire planet, and is becoming rarer as climate change advances. This is on account of the time the Riesling grapes must spend on the vine as decreed by German law. There’s an endless list of things that could go wrong for the selected clusters during this time. Between the risks of rotting, not freezing sufficiently (it must reach at least -7 degrees Celsius), or simply eaten by hungry birds you can see why production quantities are minuscule to say the least.

Johannes Selbach, winemaker-owner of Selbach-Oster and tastemaker extraordinaire of German wines (he helped Terry Theise launch his portfolio and connect to new producers), was kind enough to connect us with the winery, so these releases are near-exclusive to our humble shop.

Weingut Prinz Wines in stock now: 

Weingut Prinz Riesling Trocken, Rheingau 2020 750ml $16 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott 92 points “Very cool herbal, reine-claude plum and green-apple nose. Firm and racy with a firm mineral core. Mountain freshness at the finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $19.95

Weingut Prinz Vom Bunten Schiefer Riesling Feinherb, Rheingau 2020 750ml $16 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott 92 points “Very clean, crisp and slatey, this has wonderful brightness and lightness of touch. Sleek and tight with a very dry balance for this (theoretically) medium-dry category. Firm finish that doesn’t let go. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Weingut Prinz Hallgartener Riesling Trocken, Rheingau 2020 750ml $19.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott 93 points “Still a bit closed, but this has serious depth and quite some weight for 12.5% alcohol. Complex mint, tarragon and candied-lime aromas, married to fine tannins and crisp acidity. Intense, but quite austere finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”

 
This is the only listing in the USA today!

Weingut Prinz Hendelberg Riesling Trocken, Rheingau 2020 750ml $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott 94 points “Quite funky nose that needs some air to open up, then ripe-quince, apricot and lilac notes develop. Excellent structure behind the ripeness and creaminess, the herbal and mineral notes cascading over the palate at the firm, dry finish. From organically grown grapes.”

 
This is the only listing in the USA today!

Weingut Prinz Hallgartener Jungfer Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Rheingau 2020 750ml $49 special, 34 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott 97 points “Very cool and reserved, but with great underplayed power, this is in every sense a very serious wine. Major structure crammed into a sleek package. Stunning depth at the very long, herbal and mineral finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $59.94

Weingut Prinz Jungfer Riesling Kabinett, Rheingau 2020 750ml $21.90 special, 34 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott 94 points “A stunning Kabinett that’s brimming with red apple, white peach and pomegranate. Very tense interplay of fruit, racy acidity and mountain-stream freshness. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

 
Weingut Prinz Hallgartener Jungfer Riesling Spatlese, Rheingau 2019 750ml $34.50 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott 97 points “Give yourself a holiday and forget all your cares! This super fine Spätlese has a stunning floral-honey, white-currant and dried-herb nose. Very succulent and concentrated with super bright acidity that interlocks beautifully. At the very mineral finish it’s almost dry. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”

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Weingut Prinz Hallgartener Wurzgarten Riesling Eiswein, Rheingau 2016 375ml $99 special, 12 half-bottles in stock now

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Need ideas? Shop our top picks below:

Domaine de Triennes Rosé, IGP Var 2021 750ml Displayed price $16, Sale price $14.40, 36+ bottles in stock now
Two of Burgundy’s greatest names – Jacques Seysses, founder of Domaine Dujac, and Aubert de Villaine, co-owner of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti – are the partners behind this pioneering property in Provence, northeast of Marseille and due east of Aix-en-Provence. In less than two decades, they have transformed this stunning 46-hectare site into one of the top wine estates in Southern France.

Domaine Les Aphillanthes Rosé Nyphea, Côte du Rhône 2021 750ml Displayed price $14, Sale price $12.60, 24 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 88 points “Bright orange. Ripe cherry, orange pith and floral qualities on the nose. Offers juicy red fruit and blood orange flavors. The warm, smooth finish echoes the cherry note and hangs on with good tenacity.”

Chateau Pradeaux Bandol Rosé, Provence 2021 750ml Displayed price $36.50, Sale price $32.85, 36+ bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinksi-Wine Advocate 91-93 points “Not bottled yet at the time of my spring visit to the region, the 2021 Bandol Rose nevertheless showed exceptional promise in my blind tasting. A blend of 80% Mourvèdre and 20% Cinsault, it’s a coppery flamingo-pink in color, with more extraction and tannin than your typical Bandol rosé. It’s round and ripe on the palate, medium to full-bodied, with cherry and lime notes and a long, softly dusty finish. The 2020 version, tried at the estate, is still going strong and might be even a little bit better. Don’t skip it just because it’s not called out on this list.”
Rosenthal Wine Merchant importer note “The Bandol Rosé from Pradeaux is perhaps the most serious wine in this category. Robust, rich, and complex with an ability to age gracefully, Etienne Portalis insists that the Domaine’s rosé is a gastronomic experience, not just an easy-drinking wine. We could not agree more, and tastings at Château Pradeaux have repeatedly demonstrated the graceful, profound future this wine encounters if not swallowed in its infancy.”

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Chateau Soucherie Cuvee L’Astree Rosé, Loire 2021 750ml Displayed price $26, Sale price $23.40, 36 bottles in stock now
Rosenthal Wine Merchant importer note “This dry, mineral-driven Rosé is produced from Grolleau (70%) and Gamay (30%). The vines are planted to clay, sandstone and schist soils. The wine is a product of the direct press method of vinification and the elevage is in cuve with bottling occurring usually in April of the spring following harvest. We purchase approximately 7800 bottles for the US market.”

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Clos Sainte Magdeleine Cassis Rosé, Provence 2018 3L Displayed price $199, Sale price $169.15, 1 three-liter bottle in stock now
Grapelive 93 points “The beautiful and richly flavored Clos Ste. Magdeleine Cassis Rosé from the 2018 vintage proves why it is one of the best with its fabulous array of wild strawberries, seeped rose petals, grapefruit, racy peach and sour cherries along with its seductive vinous quality and liquid mineral feel on the dense, but lively palate, this is serious stuff that delivers everything you could want from a Provence Rosé! Brilliant pale salmon/pink in the glass, this crisply refreshing Clos Ste. Magdeleine Rosé is a blend of 40% Grenache, 40% Cinsault and 20% Mourvèdre, which gives this gorgeous wine its complexity and nature. It comes from 15 to 40 year old vines on the region’s classic clay and limestone soils. Set in the picturesque ancient Provence fishing village of Cassis on the Mediterranean sea, Clos Ste. Magdeleine is a small family run estate winery that renown the world over for their white and rosé bottling, which are always delightful and profound wines that intensely sought after and limited, making them cherished treats that go especially well with seafood dishes.…This 2018 is ripe and generous and has stylish presence in the glass and has a touch of saline, stony and savory elements that sharpens the detail and enhances the pleasure, both for drinking now and for the future, for this Rosé can be short term aged as well. Drink this textured Clos Ste. Magdeleine Rosé over the next 3 years, and though hard to get and rare, it is really worth searching out!”

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Domaine du Vissoux Les Griottes Rosé, Beaujolais 2020 750ml Displayed price $16.60, Sale price $14.94, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 90 points “Translucent orange-pink. Lively and sharply focused on the nose, presenting ripe red berry and floral scents and a hint of botanical herbs. Smooth and broad on the palate, offering bitter cherry, red currant and candied rose flavors that firm up and become spicier with air. Closes long and silky, with resonating floral and spice notes and strong cling.”

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Chateau des Sarrins Rosé, Côtes de Provence 2021 750ml Displayed price $16, Sale price $14.40, 31 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Les Sarrins Rosé set out to leverage Bruno Paillard’s expertise in the region, to produce a wine that is pure Provence. A wine that shows off the best attributes of this appellation, making it synonymous with the greatest rosé in the world. Only grapes from the top parts of the AOP are selected for our production. The grapes are gently pressed producing a beautiful light pink color and vinification takes place in stainless steel tanks at moderate temperatures to reduce malolactic fermentation. The result is a fresh, bright, floral rosé of beautiful balance.  Tasting notes: color pale pink in color, pale rose petals, bright and clear aroma fine and delicate, with white fruit aromas combined with citrus notes and floral nuances. Taste: the attack is ample and fresh with notes of peach, strawberry, and a long finish with violet notes. Mourvèdre, Rolle, Cinsault, Grenache. Alcohol 13%.”

This was the lowest listed price in the USA today, 
Now it’s even lower!
The average price is $21

Proprieta Sperino ‘Rosa del Rosa’ Rosato Coste della Sesia, Piedmont 2021 750ml Displayed price $24, Sale price $21.60, 36+ bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 93 points “Good luck pulling away from the 2021 Rosa del Rosa, with its sweetly scented bouquet that mixes notes of dusty rose and ripe strawberries with enriching hints of butter cream and vanilla bean. This sets off all of the pleasure indicators with soft textures complemented by sweet red fruits, then contrasted by sour citrus and, finally, a bump of juicy acidity that keeps the energy high. There’s plenty of length to keep the palate reeling with mouthwatering pleasure, as the Rosa del Rosa, a varietal Nebbiolo Rosato, tapers off wickedly fresh and long. This is, yet again, one of the top Italian Rosès of the vintage.”

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Kopke, founded in 1638, makes what might be the most vibrant and long lived port wines available. Like many of their neighbors, they’ve been through adverse times in their near 400 year history, seeing dramatic shifts in the climate, swings in the popularity of their product, and the rise and fall of populist dictators. Through all of this, they’ve been consistent in their commitment to making the greatest Tawny and Colheita (vintage Tawny) Port available. 
 
We’re fortunate to have a tremendous lineup available: Colheita vintage selections dating back to 1937, and the 30 Year and 40 Year Tawnies. The vintage wines are stuffed with aromatics from across the spectrum; floral notes, fresh citrus, walnuts and fig with substantial but surprisingly silky tannins. You can experience the unbelievably youthful aged examples with concentration and depth, but the traditional Kopke freshness that keeps these so vibrant. Flickers of warmth are reminiscent of Cognac, but the clarity of the fruit and spice dominate the balance. We would strongly recommend this for the long haul (perhaps as a gift!), but if you can’t resist, take your time with it. Allow it to develop and fill your glass to the fullest. All of these will continue to show their highlights and develop rich spice and dried fruit characteristics for years to come. 
 
In Stock Now:
 
Kopke 30 Year Old Tawny Port 750ml $128 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “A very inviting, open style, with butterscotch and caramel notes framing the core of glazed pear, caramelized peach, golden raisin and warm fig flavors. The lush finish lets crème brûlée and ginger cream details hang, showing a flash of honeysuckle for lift. Drink now. 200 cases imported.”
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Dark gold in color, this Port relishes its age. Like an aged tawny, it has lost its fruit at this mature stage, while gaining the rich, intense character that comes from long wood aging. It has concentrated acidity and a long, lingering aftertaste. Drink now.”
Wine Advocate 93 points “The NV 30 Year Old Tawny Port  was bottled in 2017 with a bar-top cork and 130 grams per liter of residual sugar. The last release I saw of this was pretty fine. So, too, here. This adds a layer of depth and more complexity to the Burmester, although it lacks the Burmester’s elegance and sex appeal. While the finish here is bigger and more gripping, it is no more flavorful (actually, less so). Still, as this rolls around the mouth, it is impressive, not necessarily more exciting than the Burmester, but definitely different stylistically. They are good examples of the diversity you can get in one portfolio. As always, these last indefinitely, barring cork failures, but they are not really meant to be held.”

Kopke 40 Year Old Tawny Port 375ml $119 special, 5 half-bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “This offers a dreamy mix of caramelized pear, fig and peach flavors at the core, while caramel, sesame oil and date notes fill in through the expansive finish. At first glance this is quite lush, but the finish lingers with cut and drive. Drink now. 200 cases imported.”
Wine Advocate 93 points “The NV 40 Year Old Tawny Port was bottled in 2016 with a bar top cork and 145 grams per liter of residual sugar. This adds a bit more brandy as a nuance on the finish to the 30, reviewed this issue, but it still seems much like the 30 Year Old, surprisingly fresh and easy, beautifully balanced and on the lighter side in terms of mid-palate concentration. It is a lovely tawny on its own terms–I’m just not sure it delivers enough of an uptick to justify the price spike from the 30 (or, perhaps even the 20). On its own, though, it won’t disappoint. The price references a 750 milliliter bottle.”

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Kopke Colheita Tawny Port 1937 750ml $799 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Mark Squires-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 1937 Colheita Tawny Port comes in with 156 grams per liter of residual sugar. This is surprisingly fresh and surprisingly elegant for its age. It demonstrates its age when it finishes with power, showing remarkable grip and length, plus all those old Tawny flavors you want, the molasses, baked caramel. There’s a touch of brandy lurking here and there. While this has far more power and complexity than the 1967 this issue, it does lack that wine’s elegance and balance. The hard edge here is pretty hard, even if that intensity is sometimes very admirable. (I suspect it will show better if you come back in three days after opening it. They do change a little after pulling that cork, just a little, after that first rush.) At times, though, that hard edge makes it less attractive. The texture is smooth and unctuous. Overall, this is a fine experience in a blockbuster style. In some ways, I liked it no more than the 1967, though, perhaps less. To be sure, they are very differently styled as this, of course, emphasizes its power and that extra bit of complexity. Don’t drink this too warm—that can make all the difference.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Kopke Colheita Tawny Port, Portugal 1957 750ml $489 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Mark Squires-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 1957 Colheita Tawny Port was seen before, but it’s worth revisiting in the USA, since it’s a great wine. This is also the new 2015 bottling. It has 127 grams per liter of residual sugar. It is stunning how youthful this is. Lush and rich on opening, it has mature flavors that emerge, easily demonstrating the complexity and concentrated aromatics one expects. Gripping on the finish, this delivers fruit flavor and seems to linger indefinitely. When I first saw this, it was tasted next to even more brilliant Colheitas and a bit overshadowed. On its own, it is even more stunning. It was pretty fine next to some other greats here as well.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “There is a great balance between acidity and impressively fresh fruit considering the age of this venerable Port. Of course there are many flavors from the wood aging, but they are combined with orange marmalade, fig and raisin flavors in a riot of complex flavors that have created a very great wine. It comes from a year that was not generally declared as a vintage. -Roger Voss”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Baked pear, dried apricot and roasted apple flavors dominate in this mature yet fresh-tasting version. White pepper and lightly smoky notes show on the fresh finish. Rich and complex. Drink now. 200 cases imported. — KM” 

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Kopke Colheita Tawny Port, Portugal 1967 375ml $139 special, 10 half-bottles in stock now
Mark Squires Wine Advocate 95 points “The 1967 Colheita Tawny Port comes in with 142 grams per liter of residual sugar. This is a nice step up compared to the younger parts of the lineup, elegant and focused, with a precise finish, a fresh feel, little discernible brandy and a long, long finish. The classic old tawny flavors of molasses and caramel wash over the palate. This isn’t big and thick, but some may very well prefer its elegant and brighter feel. In many ways, it is fresher than the 1981 or 1999 reviewed this issue, and it is better balanced than the 1937. It is very pretty.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Kopke Colheita Tawny Port 1978 750ml $119 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Mark Squires-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 1978 Colheita Tawny Port was bottled in 2015 with 119 grams per liter of residual sugar and a bar top cork (typical for the house). It is very graceful for its age, finishing with a wave of sweetness, fruit and sugar. Emphasizing the caramel more than the molasses, this is irresistibly delicious, but it becomes more complex and puts on weight as it airs and warms. The wine shows off its power and hints of Brandy on the rather tense finish, too. Overall, this is a beauty that becomes more impressive the longer you sit with it. Then, you realize that its balance is simply perfect, yet it stands out in most every category. This is very fine and the price is pretty nice for the age and the quality.”
Roger Voss-Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Not one of the generally declared vintages for Port, this year produced some ripe, sweet single quinta vintages. It also was a good year for rich, sweet tawnies. This is ripe, toffee-like in character packed with ripe raisin and sultana flavors. It is a luxurious wine, of course ready to drink.” 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $137.99

 
Kopke Colheita Tawny Port, Portugal 2005 750ml $49 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine & Spirits 93 points “Cool and refined upfront, this is polished and posh with sweet plum and vanilla scents in the middle. Then it gets a sunny lift in the end, lasting on honeycomb and notes of dried apricots. A gracious and refined way to end a holiday meal.”

Kopke Colheita Tawny Port 2007 750ml $49 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 91 points “Warm toffee, cinnamon and ginger notes glide through, enhanced by a light streak of juniper. Ends with accents of dark tea and a flash of bitter almond. Drink now.”

Kopke Colheita Tawny Port 2011 750ml $33 special, 6 bottles in stock now
No reviews available. 2011 vintage report from Vinous: ” Near-perfect weather conditions yielded concentrated, powerful yet elegant vintage Ports with outstanding aromatic complexity and the acid backbone and tannic grip for a glorious, slow evolution in bottle. One of the half dozen finest port vintages of the past 50 years.”

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Kopke Colheita White Port 2010 750ml $41.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Kopke Colheita White Port 2010 375ml $28 special, 11 half-bottles in stock now
Winery note “An orangey-straw colour. Rich and intense on the nose, with notes of fresh tropical fruit, orange blossom and honeycomb enveloped in notes of smoke from its ageing in wood. In the mouth flavours of molasses, tangerine, apricot and raisins stand out, with a spicy edge making the finish balanced and lingering.”

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Looking for red Ports?

Kopke Vintage Port 2016 750ml $89 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “This is a luscious wine, with tannins that are cushioned by the ripe plum and prune fruits. That doesn’t mean it is likely to develop too quickly, but is ready to take its time, bringing out the opulent character of the wine as well as its structure. Drink from 2028. -Roger Voss”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $104.99

Kopke Quinta Sao Luiz Vintage Port 2015 750ml $59 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 92 points “A flattering style, with a generous feel to the mix of raspberry, boysenberry and blackberry puree flavors that glide through. Light fruitcake and red licorice accents infuse the finish, which has a nice kick of freshness. Best from 2028 through 2045. 200 cases imported. — JM”
Mark Squires-Wine Advocate 90-92 points “The 2015 Vintage Port Quinta S. Luiz is a single-quinta Porto that is a 50/50 blend of Touriga Nacional and a field blend from old vines (over 50 years old). It comes in at 102 grams per liter of residual sugar. This is elegant and shows excellent finesse. There’s not a lot of concentration, perhaps, but this delicious Kopke does have fine structure. It finishes with tension and increasingly assertive tannins as it airs out. Nicely done overall, this shows the potential to age well and improve in the cellar. This single-quinta Porto is more or less as good as its declared vintage sibling (the Cálem, this issue, also from Sogevinus). This is a bit pricier, though, and the styles are rather different, that Cálem feeling fuller in the mouth, while this feels harder edged. This was a tank sample, out of barrel and the final blend, when tasted.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $71.99

Kopke Quinta Sao Luiz Vintage Port 2019 750ml $79 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “This has some flash, with bright cassis, plum and boysenberry purée flavors that have a nice, caressing feel. Loads of anise, red tea, fruitcake and melted licorice notes entwine themselves to the fruit, leading to a seductive finish. Best from 2040 through 2060. 350 cases made, 10 cases imported. — JM”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

 
Please note that bottling year may vary from reviews.

Love Port? We have 35+ different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Taylor Fladgate and Dow, on our web store now.

 

Kumeu River is one of New Zealand’s preeminent Chard producers and always a fan favorite at the shop. 

Kumeu River Coddington Chardonnay, Kumeu 2021 750ml $51.90 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Rebecca Gibb MW 93 points “Jazz hands at the ready, the Kumeu River Chardonnay Coddington is always ready to welcome you in with its full, svelte figure and no hard edges, and the 2021 is no different. However, this year there’s an additional touch of purpose that keeps it fresh and full of intention. Good depth and weight here, perhaps due to the lower crop after frost made for small yields. There’s a sense of feel, a sense of wanting to chew on the finish. Savory characters, festive spices and nutty notes, likely derived from its 25% new oak and time on lees in barrel, join the restrained white stone fruit.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay, Kumeu 2021 750ml $33 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Rebecca Gibb MW 90 points “The 2021 Chardonnay Estate is an open, flowing white. It has a rich fragrance speaking of its time in the cellar – oak-derived nutty notes and vanilla meet sweet pastry characters often found when wines are left on their lees. The lightly cooked apple fruit in this young wine sits underneath. Gentle acidity leaves a tender rather than taut finish.”

Kumeu River Hunting Hill Chardonnay, Kumeu 2021 750ml $64.50 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Rebecca Gibb MW 95 points “The 2021 Chardonnay Hunting Hill is its usually sinewy, taut and lightly floral self. Often in the shadow of Maté’s Vineyard, Hunting Hill seems to be becoming more and more serious as the vines age – they’re around 20 years old. Expect a muscular, unyielding wine that has lemon and lime bitter notes, nectarine and even a whiff of seaside – all salty and briny.”

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Kumeu River Mate’s Vineyard Chardonnay, Kumeu 2021 750ml $69 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Rebecca Gibb MW 97 points “The 2021 Chardonnay Maté’s Vineyard offers greater tension and sapidity compared with how the more relaxed 2020 did upon release. It will need time in bottle to shake off the rawness of youth. It is focused, concentrated and precise. There’s sophisticated use of oak, which integrates seamlessly within the package. I got a cold the day after this was first opened, and almost a week later, when my senses returned, it remained impeccable, focused and compact.”

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Kumeu River Rays Road Chardonnay, Hawke’s Bay 2021 750ml $39 special, 10 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “Mangoes, lemon curd, baked apples, hazelnuts, custard and some salted caramel. Ripe and creamy with a full body. Tropical fruit and buttery layers balanced by bright acidity. Drink now. Screw cap.”
Rebecca Gibb MW 90 points “The 2021 Chardonnay Rays Road is bright, refreshing and almost salty. I’m even tempted to say mineral; it’s certainly not a fruity Chardonnay. The finish is lightly savory with fresh white pear and floral notes. There’s a sense of pithiness and citrus line followed up with an almost chalky texture.”

 

Hubert Lignier is one of the finest names in Burgundy. The wines have been a core of the Neal Rosenthal portfolio since the 1978 vintage and have always been one of its jewels. These are some of the defining wines of Morey-St. Denis, different from Dujac stylistically but no less profound.

In Stock Now from Domaine Hubert Lignier:

Domaine Hubert Lignier Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2017 750ml $299 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Tim Atkin MW – Decanter 95 points “Laurent Lignier’s Charmes comes from a tiny 0.1ha parcel in Mazoyères, close to the Aux Combottes premier cru. It’s an intensely perfumed, come-hither Pinot that’s floral, silky and svelte, with 20% whole-bunch spice and 30% new wood adding further complexity. 2024-2029. (Nov 2018)”
Neal Martin – Vinous 92-94 points “The 2017 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru includes 20% whole bunches, matured in one-third new oak. It has a gorgeous bouquet of cranberry and raspberry fruit with veins of cassis; later, brown spices emerge. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, good depth and fine grip, perhaps just missing a little precision toward the finish but still very fine.”
Burghound 91-93 points “An agreeably discreet application of wood sets off the attractively fresh and markedly floral aromas of black cherry, plum and abundant earth scents. There is a subtle minerality and vibrancy to the sleek and intense middle weight flavors that possess a caressing mouthfeel that contrasts somewhat with a mildly austere finale that exhibits fine depth and persistence. This is both stylish and pretty and like the Griotte, could be approached with pleasure on the younger side if that’s your preference.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $382

Domaine Hubert Lignier Clos de la Roche Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2018 750ml $519 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Domaine Hubert Lignier Clos de la Roche Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2018 1.5L $1,049 special, 1 magnum in stock now
Decanter 96 points “Laurent Lignier uses 0.8ha of his two holdings in the climats of Les Fremières and Monts Luisants to produce this refined expression of Clos de la Roche. Savoury and sweet, with 30% whole clusters adding aromatic spices and extra structure in 2018, this is graceful, subtle and concentrated with palate-caressing summer berry fruit and refreshing palate length. Drinking Window 2026 – 2036.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 95+ points “Revisited in bottle, Lignier’s 2018 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru lives up to its fine performance in barrel, wafting from the glass with aromas of dark berries, cherries and orange rind mingled with truffle, espresso roast, loamy soil and dark chocolate. Full-bodied, concentrated and seamless, it’s layered and vibrant, with a deep core of pure fruit that largely conceals impressive reserves of fine, powdery tannins. Concluding with a long and saline finish, it will merit and reward at least a dozen years’ patience, likely hitting its stride around age 20.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 94-96 points “The 2018 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru comprises one-third whole bunch and 30% new oak. The nose is uncharacteristically backward, though with coaxing it offers enticing dark cherries, blackberry, sous-bois and pine aromas that gain intensity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red berry fruit and a fine bead of acidity. Taut and linear, leading to a very precise, persistent finish that is a pure joy. Divine.”

Domaine Hubert Lignier Gevrey-Chambertin, Cote de Nuits 2017 750ml $81.80 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Rosenthal Note “The Ligniers purchased the fruit for this wine, but they oversee the vineyard work from July onward, as well as the harvest itself. Produced from parcels in two lieu-dits—15-year-old vines in “Epointures” and 60-year-old vines in “Reniard”—this is pitch-perfect Gevrey-Chambertin: meaty and succulent, with classic Lignier poise and a long, mineral-drenched, driving finish.”

Domaine Hubert Lignier Gevrey-Chambertin Les Seuvrees, Cote de Nuits 2017 750ml $89 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Neal Martin – Vinous 89-91 points “The 2017 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Seuvrées contains around 20% whole bunch fruit. It has a fresh, generous bouquet, hints of brown spice infusing the red fruit. The palate is well balanced with sappy red fruit laced with orange peel, quite firm grip in the mouth and a slightly austere finish at the moment. Give this three or four years.”
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 89-91 points “The 2017 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Seuvrées is showing very well, unfurling in the glass with suggestions of cassis, raspberries, sweet soil tones and spices. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, ample and nicely concentrated, with good depth at the core and fine-grained but firm, even chalky, structuring tannins. This should evolve well in bottle.”

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Domaine Hubert Lignier Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2016 750ml $459 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Stephen Tanzer 91-94 points “(the Ligniers do not do the harvest here; made from 50-year-old vines; 100% destemmed): Healthy full red. Pungent aromas of purple fruits, menthol and crushed rock. Quite pliant on entry, then precise and perfumed in the middle palate, showing noteworthy energy and lift to its flavors of small wild red fruits, minerals and spices. Not a particularly tannic wine but juicy, refined and long.”
William Kelley-Decanter 92 points “This year’s Griotte is an elegant middle-weight, offering up notes of creamy red cherry and meaty soil tones, followed by a supple, reserved wine with nice detail and a chalky, mineral finish. A pretty wine but, like the Charmes, this very much plays second fiddle to the superb Clos de la Roche in 2016.”

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Domaine Hubert Lignier Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2017 750ml $519 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Burghound 91-93 points “There is much more moderate oak influence framing the cool and perfumed nose that offers up essence of various red berries and floral nuances along with a hint of the sauvage. The well-detailed and solidly concentrated flavors possess fine size and weight as well as plenty of sleek muscle and minerality on the stylish and classy finish. This is built to age yet it’s not so structured that it couldn’t be approached after a few years of bottle age.”
Neal Martin – Vinous 91-93 points “The 2017 Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru comes from purchased fruit. It has a well-defined bouquet of blackberry, raspberry coulis and light cassis aromas, and the one-third new oak is neatly integrated. The fleshy, generous palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin and fine acidity, leading to a smooth, sensual finish. This might be earlier-drinking than Lignier’s other two Grand Crus.”

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Domaine Hubert Lignier La Riotte, Morey St Denis Premier Cru 2017 750ml $159 special, 1 bottle in stock now
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 90-93 points “The supplest, most open-knit of Lignier’s premiers crus from Morey, the 2017 Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru La Riotte bursts with aromas of plummy fruit, red currants, subtle spices and rose hip. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, supple and expansive, with a layered mid-palate, fine but chalky tannins and a saline finish. This will win friends in its youth.”
Neal Martin – Vinous 90-92 points “The 2017 Morey-Saint-Denis La Riotte is aged in one-third new oak and includes 20% whole bunches. It has an expressive bouquet with touches of mint that infuse the vibrant red fruit. The dense, fresh palate is medium-bodied with gentle grip on the entry and hints of sour cherry toward the edgy finish. Good potential here.”

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Domaine Hubert Lignier Morey-Saint-Denis Tres Girard, Cote de Nuits 2017 750ml $89 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Neal Martin – Vinous 89-91 points “The 2017 Morey-Saint-Denis Très Girard has a refined bouquet of ample red berry fruit, nicely defined and revealing hints of orange blossom. The palate is well balanced with supple tannin, nice focus and a caressing texture toward the finish. Lovely.”

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Domaine Hubert Lignier Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Poisets, Cote de Nuits 2017 1.5L $199 special, 1 magnum in stock now
Tim Atkin MW – Decanter 92 points “This is comparatively new to the Lignier portfolio as the family only bought this vineyard in 2010. The impressive village site sits below the Les Cailles premier cru on the south side of Nuits-St-Georges. Old-vine concentration, 25% whole bunches and 20% new wood all contribute to the quality of this sappy, intense, mineral-edged red. Drink between 2021-2027.”
John Gilman 91+ points “The 2017 les Poisets includes twenty-five percent whole clusters this year and is a superb Nuits villages. The bouquet is deep and very precise, wafting from the glass in a fine blend of roasted black cherries, gamebird, dark soil tones, bitter chocolate, a nice touch of spice from the stems, gently savory elements and a bit of cedary oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, soil-driven and quite elegant in structural chassis, with a fine core of fruit, lovely soil signature, ripe tannins and a long, complex and very well-balanced finish. Laurent noted that tis wine was one of the few to have a fairly late malo, as it finished up in June, so the wine was a bit behind the others in evolution and may well be hiding a bit of the sappiness that is so much on display in the other villages level wines this year. In any event, this is going to be excellent. 2025-2060.”

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