In This Newsletter: Arrivals Von Winning, St Cosme Oregon: More Than Just Pinot Noir The Wines of Peter William
Close-Out Sales
New discounts from Spain, Germany, and Tuscany
Rockin’ Rhone Sale– Ends In 2 Days
Save up to 10% on Chateau Rouanne
Collector’s Corner
Welcome to California
New Arrivals
Von Winning Herrenletten Riesling Erste Lage Trocken $39 special, 17 bottles availableImporter Note “Limestone, Loam, & Red Sandstone. Fermentation & Elevage: Stainless Steel.” Von Winning Jesuitengarten Riesling Grosses Gewachs 2021 750ml $119 special, 6 bottles available Von Winning Kalkofen Riesling Grosses Gewachs 2021 750ml $74.50 special, 12 bottles availableWine Advocate 95-96 Points “The 2021 Kalkofen Riesling trocken VDP. Grosse Lage comes from the plateau above Deidesheim and owes its density and complexity to 65-year-old vines growing on sandstone and limestone. The must is fermented spontaneously in 500-liter oak barrels, and the wine is maturing on the lees. The brilliantly clear and radiant sample opens with a deep, intense and elegant, still oaky but complex and fruit-intense bouquet that gives rise to the highest hopes. Rich and intense but also fresh and elegant on the palate, this is a full-bodied, mineral and textured Kalkofen that obviously wants to be a Meursault or Montrachet yet with the weapons of Riesling and also Buntsandstein. Whatever it is, this is an excellent and promising Kalkofen whose development and capacity I’d love to follow for at least a decade. The wine is dense and tight but also fresh and juicy and provided with very fine tannins and sustainable mineral acidity. Highly promising indeed.” Von Winning Kieselberg Grosses Gewachs 2021 750ml $74.50 special, 12 bottles availableWine Advocate 93-95 Points “The 2021 Kieselberg Riesling trocken VDP. Grosse Lage comes from a plateau above Deidesheim with sandstone and limestone in the soil. Fermented spontaneously in 500-liter oak vats and still maturing in them, the barrel sample shows a clear, elegant and savory nose of bright and ripe fruit aromas intertwined with oaky and yeasty notes. Creamy textured and very elegant on the palate, this is a full-bodied, tight and saline-finishing Riesling with fine and grippy tannins and lingering salinity and mineral tension. It’s still very young but worthy to be cellared for at least a decade.” Von Winning Langenmorgen Grosses Gewachs 2021 750ml $74.50 special, 12 bottles availableWine Advocate 93-94 Points “The 2021 Langenmorgen Riesling trocken VDP. Grosse Lage is grown in a cool area up by the forest on a light sandstone soil. It fermented spontaneously in 500-liter oak barrels, in which the wine is aging until today. The nose shows a brilliantly clear, fresh and flinty, very elegant GG with herbal and soil-driven, flinty-scented intensity and the coolish aromas of slow-ripening Riesling. Very elegant and refined on the palate, this is a round, lush and salty-savory Riesling classic that reveals a long, tight, saline and finely grippy finish. As per the vintage, this is a rather lean, straightforward but tensioned Riesling that will show its class in the years to come. Tasted as a sample at the domaine in November 2022. To be released sometime next year.” Von Winning Pechstein Riesling GG 2021 750ml $119 special, 6 bottles available Von Winning Ruppertsberger Riesling Trocken 2021 750ml $41.95 special, 12 bottles availableWine Advocate 92+ Points “The 2021 Ruppertsberger Reiterpfad Riesling trocken VDP. Erste Lage shows a deep, intense and elegant, well balanced and quiet bouquet of ripe white fruits and coolish earthy soil notes of crushed stones and hints of iodine. On the palate, this is a full-bodied, elegant and textured Riesling with serious tannins that intermingle with the saline acidity yet need more time to blend in with the fruit. The oak vat might have been newer or smaller here than in the other Erste Lage Rieslings of the vintage, but the richness and substance of the Reiterpfad can afford it.”
Arriving Aug 18th
Château Saint Cosme is the benchmark for the Gigondas region. Wine has been produced on the site of Saint Cosme since Roman times, evident by the ancient vats carved into the limestone below the château. The Château itself has been in the hands of the Barruol family since 1490. Louis Barruol, the current owner and winemaker took over from his father in 1992,which marked a dramatic upswing in quality including the beginning of their négociant wines and converting biodynamic farming in 2010. Saint Cosme Gigondas Rouge 2021 750ml $45 special, 36+ bottles availableSaint Cosme Gigondas Rouge 2021 1.5L $99 special, 12 bottles availableVinous 92-94 Points “Deep magenta. High-toned cherry and blackberry aromas show veyr good clarity with black pepper and smoky mineral accents. Shows firm tension and a spicy cut to its gently sweet red and dark berry, bitter chocolate and succulent herb flavors. Youthfully gripping tannins lend framework to a long, smoky finish that echoes the spice and floral notes. This is textbook Gigondas, raised in a combination of one-third concrete tanks and two-thirds large oak barrels, 20% of those new.” Saint Cosme Gigondas Hominis Fides Rouge 2021 750ml $125 special, 30 bottles availableVinous 95-97 Points “Deep, vivid ruby-red. Intensely perfumed, mineral-tinged scents of medicinal cherry, redcurrant and cassis are complemented by suggestions of star anise, white pepper and pungent flowers. It offers densely packed bitter cherry, red berry liqueur, lavender and licorice flavors that open up very slowly with air. Extremely primary but highly promising, with a long, spice- and mineral-tinged finish shaped by youthfully firming tannins.” Saint Cosme Gigondas Hominis Fides Blanc 2021 750ml $66 special, 12 bottles available Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux Rouge 2021 750ml $125 special, 36 bottles availableVinous 95-97 Points “Brilliant violet color. Displays pungent, mineral- and spice-accented cherry, black raspberry, potpourri and licorice aromas, along with hints of savory herbs, vanilla and incense. Chewy and tightly focused on the palate, offering bitter cherry, dark berry and Moroccan spice flavors that unfurl slowly through the back half. It closes with firm tension, chewy tannins and excellent tenacity, leaving resonating cherry and floral notes behind.” Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Poste Rouge 2021 750ml $125 special, 30 bottles availableVinous 95-97 Points “Deep magenta. Expansive, spice-and mineral-tinged black raspberry, kirsch and boysenberry aromas are complicated by suggestions of incense, lavender and smoky minerals. Alluringly sweet and focused in the mouth, offering densely packed red and blue fruit preserve, floral pastille and exotic spice flavors that smoothly balance weight and finesse. This wine shows superb finishing clarity and mineral lift on the penetrating and impressively long finish, which features polished tannins and resonating fruit, floral and mineral notes.” Saint Cosme Le Poste Blanc 2021 750ml $66 special, 12 bottles availableVinopolnote “If there was an appellation for white wines in Gigondas, this would be labelled Gigondas Blanc, but as none exists, this 100% Clairette wine must be declassified to AOC Côtes-Du-Rhône. Vinified in used traditional demi-muids without malolactic fermentation and aged 10 months on lees, this is crisp and satisfying with excellent minerality and flint notes.”
Oregon: More Than Just Pinot NoirThe Wines of Peter William
Since 2013, husband and wife team Peter Adesman and Robin Miller have been making their single vineyard focused estate wines in Medford, Oregon. It’s already common knowledge that areas like Milton-Freewater in Eastern Oregon are producing some of the best Rhône varietals outside of the Rhône, now Southern Oregon is finally getting its due, even seeing recognition in top publications like Wine Enthusiast.Peter William Grenache 2019 750ml $24 special, 24 bottles availableGold Medal Winner! Oregon Wine Experience 2022 CompetitionWine Enthusiast 92 Points “ Editor’s Choice. This is an exquisite example of the variety. The aromas pop, with pure notes of raspberry, orange twist and white pepper. Plump, pillowy fruit flavors follow. The purity is captivating. It’s an outrageous value.” Peter William Malbec 2019 750ml $30.90 special, 24 bottles availableWinery Note “Our only Bordeaux Varietal, most often seen on its own from Argentina. This is a big, bold mouth-filling wine of great depth.” Peter William Extravagance PWV Reserve Red 2018 750ml $39 special, 24 bottles availableWine Enthusiast 92 Points “This is a 50-50 blend of Tempranillo and Syrah from the estate vineyard. Showcasing what are arguably the top two red grapes from the Rogue, this does not shy away from new oak (50% for 22 months) but has the muscle and fruit to stand up to it. Toasty, dark and tannic, it’s loaded with black cherry, mocha and smoky cedar flavors. It’s a big, bold red that’s ready for anything you put on the smoker.” Peter William Rose Grenache 2022 750ml $24 special, 24 bottles availableWinery Note: “The wine shows bright, pretty strawberry & light cherry fruit on the nose and palate. Ample acid brightens the fruit flavors and will allow this wine to hold up in the bottle.” Peter William Syrah Lot B-42 2018 750ml $24 special, 24 bottles availableWine Enthusiast 92 Points “Briary black fruits are backed by a toasted cashew note in this rich red. The overall balance is spot-on, with ample acidity and tannins but nothing dominating. Drink this supple and tasty wine through 2026.” Peter William Tempranillo “Lot W” 2017 750ml $24 special, 24 bottles availableWine Enthusiast 91 Points “Editor’s Choice. Tempranillo shows lots of promise in Rogue Valley and this is a lovely example. ” Peter William Viognier Daisy Creek Vyd 2022 750ml $24 special, 24 bottles availableNot yet reviewed, Review of the 2021 vintage provided for contextPaul Gregutt “Following on the heels of the outstanding 2020 this Southern Oregon winery nails another great Viognier. It’s a precise mix of fruit and botanicals, with cut and verve. Made at the Barrel 42 incubator, this is less peaches and creamy than the 2020, but just as good in its own way.”
Close-out Sale – Price Reductions
Spain
Bodegas Maranones 30,000 Maravedies 2016 750ml WAS $24 NOW $20.90 special, 24 bottles availableWine Advocate 91+ Points “The fully developed, aromatic and open 2016 30.000 Maravedíes, with nice aromatics and a very pleasant palate. It’s fragrant and elegant, with pungent flavors and very good persistence. This is a superb showing for this bottling.” Daniel Landi Las Uvas De La Ira 2018 750ml WAS $39 NOW $31.90 special, 36+ bottles availableWine Advocate 93 Points “The red 2018 Las Uvas de la Ira has been produced with Garnacha from the same five vineyards since the initial vintage (2012) in the village of El Real de San Vicente, which is one of the villages from Méntrida (Toledo) that are part of the Gredos Mountains. The vines range between 40 and 65 years of age, and they are located at around 750 meters in altitude on sandy granite soils with lots of silt. The different vineyards are fermented separately in oak vats with indigenous yeasts and a very gentle vinification, one-third with very long macerations to provide structure and depth, one-third with a very short maceration to provide fragrance, and the remaining third finished the fermentation without skins (like a white) to add juiciness. The élevage is in oak foudres of different sizes, from 1,500 to 4,000 liters. This is a little less aromatic and more austere but very focused and bright, from a village where the wines are serious and have a chalky texture, less floral but more citrus, a bit more backward. It has a compact palate, with very fine tannins and a more chalky finish. It’s interesting to taste it next to wines from other villages, as you clearly see the difference.”
Italy
Meleto Chianti Classico Gr Selezione Poggiarso 2018 750ml WAS $51.90 NOW $44.50 special, 12 bottles available“Tre Bicchiere”-Gambero RossoWine Advocate 93 Points “Once a Riserva and now moved up to the top appellation designation, the Castello di Meleto 2018 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Poggiarso sees fruit selected from across a 1.6-hectare vineyard site. Made with 100% Sangiovese and aged in oak for 27 months, the wine offers some tertiary definition with spice and smoke at the back of purple fruits. The oak spice is integrated (50-hectoliter barrels are used), and the wine concludes with elegant minerality.” Meleto Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Trebbio 2018 750ml WAS $51.90 NOW $44.50, 23 bottles availableWine Advocate 94 Points “Here’s a new submission from the stunning Castello di Meleto, which has stone walls and towers in Gaiole in Chianti. The 2018 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Trebbio is a terrific discovery. Made with all Sangiovese from a single vineyard, this wine offers fruit brightness, balance and evident mineral definition. These results are linear and sharp, and the fruit is slightly more vibrant here compared to the Poggiarso.” Fattoria Luiano CC Ottantuno 2015 750ml WAS $59 NOW $49 special, 26 bottles availableWine Spectator 95 Points “Heady aromas of kirsch, black cherry, violet, tar and iron signal this firm, dense red. Creates fine tension between the ripe, sweet fruit and bitter, savory elements, finding balance as this plays out on the long finish.” Marcarini Barolo Brunate 2015 750ml WAS $69 NOW $59 special, 25 bottles availableWine Enthusiast 96 Points “From one of the most celebrated vineyards in the denomination, this stunning red opens with enticing scents of rose, camphor, aromatic herbs and a whiff of sandalwood. The succulent, elegant palate delivers juicy Marasca cherry, crushed pomegranate, licorice and sweet tobacco framed by taut, polished tannins. It’s nicely balanced by fresh acidity.”
Austria and Germany
Max Ferd. Richter Veld Elisenberg Spatlese 2018 750ml WAS $29 NOW $24 special, 36 bottles availableWine Advocate 94-96 Points “Sourced from old vines, the 2018 Elisenberger Riesling Spätlese was harvested in the third week of October as the very last “regular” wine (so 3.5 weeks after the Kabinett). It is based on completely healthy fruit and was vinified entirely in traditional fuders. Offering a deep and flinty bouquet, this is a lush, elegant, highly refined and stimulating Spätlese with a salty-piquant finish.” Max Ferd. Richter Juffer Sonnenuhr Auslese 2018 750ml WAS $49 NOW $39 special, 36+ bottles availableWine Advocate 96-97 Points “The 2018 Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese is very fine, concentrated and beautifully clear, with blossom honey and very fine berry aromas on the nose. (The 20% to 25% of botrytis is very clear and precise, almost imperceptible.) Lush and piquant on the palate, this is a generous but highly digestible Auslese with orange, raisin and (pink) grapefruit flavors. The finish is incredibly racy-piquant, salty and highly digestible. This is still a baby, but it is highly promising.” Max Ferd. Richter Juffer Sonnenuhr GG 2018 750ml WAS $45 NOW $36 special, 36+ bottles availableJames Suckling 94 Points “I love the discreet mirabelle, spice and angelica notes of this finely chiseled dry Mosel riesling that has plenty of depth and structure, but doesn’t yet announce it loudly. Needs some time to open up, but the classic elegance is already very clear.” Max Ferd. Richter Wehlener Sonn Auslese *** 2018 375ml WAS $59 NOW $49 special, 36+ bottles availableWine Advocate 97+ Points “The first three-starred Auslese since 2005 (prior to that, it was 1993, 1983 and 1975), the 2018 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese *** was picked at about 145° Oechsle. This is incredibly clear, pure, fine and fresh on the lush, concentrated, herbal and grapefruit-scented nose. On the palate, this is a generously lush, refined and salty-piquant Auslese with a tight mineral structure and lingering salinity. This is highly refined and extremely stimulating.” Leitz Rudesheimer Klosterlay Riesling Kabinett 2018 750ml WAS $24 NOW $19, 16 bottles availableWine Advocate “The first Rieslings of the very dry and warm as well as early 2018 vintage are also promising and stunningly precise and elegant due to the conditions of the vintage that brought nothing but perfectly ripe and healthy grapes. Leitz pressed the grapes in fractions, so he was able to keep the acidity fine and fresh even though it is naturally lower than in 2017… Doubtlessly, Leitz is one of the region’s best Riesling producers. Having said that, he is also one of the best Riesling ambassadors in the wine world, with regular tastings in the US as well as in Norway, two of his most important export markets.” Leitz Magdelenenkreuz Riesling Spatlese 2018 750ml WAS $26 NOW $21.90, 11 bottles availableImporter Note “Further east and upstream of the Klosterlay is the Magdalenenkreuz. The name translates to “the cross of Mary Magdalene,” named after a red sandstone cross that can be found amongst the vines. Here the soils are comprised of sandy loam—fatter and ideal for ripe expression; the riesling grown here is always textured, opulent and forward. Though the wine is of Spätlese quality it perceivably drinks more like a Kabinett.” Loewen Thornicher Ritsch Riesling Auslese 2018 750ml WAS $44 NOW $36, 17 bottles availableMosel Fine Wines 94 Points “The 2018er Thörnicher Ritsch Riesling Auslese was made from almost fully clean fruit harvested at 95° Oechsle and was fermented down to fully sweet levels of residual sugar. The wine offers a rather discreet and herbal nose where the fruity elements (including pear, lemon, starfruit, passion fruit and a hint of coconut) only gradually emerge from the glass. The wine may still be on the sweet side on the palate, but it already shows beautifully alluring and multi-layered flavors of pear, lemon, melon, lemoncello and coconut, all wrapped into some apricot blossom in the finish. This is a ripe but complex sweet wine in the making.”
United States
Melka Estates CJ Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 750ml WAS $79 NOW $69 special, 17 bottles availableWine Spectator 91 Points “Open-knit, offering a gush of steeped plum and açaí berry flavors laced with licorice and ganache hints. Lightens up just a bit through the finish, as the structure is on the modest side, but the fruit is a joy to drink.”
Rockin’ Rhone Sale– Ends In 2 Days
Chateau Rouanne 
Although the vines in this old Vinsobres estate were planted in the 1960’s, the viticultural history of the site dates back to Gallo-Roman times built upon limestone marl soils originating in the Pliocene era. Spread between 72 hectares it is also the site of three lieu dits: “Guerin,” “Les Cotes,” and “Les Crottes.” Louis Barruol, the 14th generation owner of the the winery Saint Cosme, was a long-time admirer of the finesse and elegance of Chateau de Rouanne’s wines, purchasing it in 2019 and has been crafting wines of undeniable power and terroir since.
Vinsobres has been underrated wine region for decades, but with people like Barruol investing their money and know-how, it is finally beginning to get its due. Look for beauty and elegance in the “Guerin,” bold power in “Les Cotes,” and richness and intensity in the “Les Crottes.”
Buy 6-11 bottles for a 5% discount
Buy 12+ bottles for a 10% discount
Chateau de Rouanne Vinsobres 2019 750ml $24 special, 36+ bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 90 points “Looking at the reds, the 2019 Vinsobres is unquestionably outstanding and has lots of Syrah character in its dark, meaty fruits, peppery herb, violet, and chalky mineral-like aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, nicely textured, and balanced, it has plenty of structure and will keep for 8-10 years.”
Chateau de Rouanne Vinsobres “Les Cotes” 2019 750ml $59 special, 20 bottles available
Wine Spectator 93 points “Winey and muscular, with cassis and bitter plum reduction notes leading the way, while baker’s chocolate, tobacco and warm humus fill in behind. Grippy and dark on the finish, with an old-school edge lingering. Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache. Best from 2023 through 2030. 350 cases made, 200 cases imported.”
Chateau de Rouanne Vinsobres “Les Crottes” 2019 750ml $69 special, 27 bottles available
Wine Spectator 93 points “Rich and well-built, this offers up a serious dark core of black currant and plum reduction flavors supported by graphite, humus and cast iron notes, with sweet bay leaf, violet and tobacco notes filling in the background. A wine with a smoldering intensity. Grenache and Syrah. Best from 2023 through 2032. 350 cases made, 200 cases imported.” Jeb Dunnuck 91+ points “Lastly, the 2019 Rouanne Et Les Crottes is the same 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah, not destemmed, and brought up in demi-muids. It’s more straight, structured, and tannic, with lots of black fruits and chalky minerality. Fresh, focused, medium to full-bodied, and balanced, it needs 2-3 years of bottle age and will have 10-15 years of overall longevity.”
Chateau de Rouanne Vinsobres “Guerin” 2019 750ml $59 special, 27 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 92 points “The Grenache-dominated single vineyard 2019 Vinsobres Lieu-Dit Guerin is brilliant as well. Concentrated, medium to full-bodied, and opulent, it has lots of red and black fruits, plenty of peppery herbs and meaty nuances, terrific balance, and outstanding length. It’s another gorgeous wine from this talented winemaker, and this is an estate to watch.”
These are the lowest listed prices for these wines on the West Coast!
SALE ENDS @6PM Wednesday
Collector’s CornerCalifornia Wines We Cherish
Abreu Madrona Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 750ml $599 special, only 1 bottle availableRobert Parker 100 Points ” While I am not surprised that the 2001 Thorevilos turned out to be perfect, the 2001 Madrona Ranch was more of an eye-opener in that it has become even more extraordinary than I predicted eight years ago. A prodigious wine, with complex notes of subtle barbecue smoke intermixed with blueberry pie, black currant liqueur, acacia flowers, lead pencil shavings, and sweet foresty floor notes, this wine builds incrementally with layer upon layer of fruit, glycerin and concentration. The finish goes well past a minute, and the wine is full-bodied and deep, with wonderfully sweet tannin. It is still an adolescent in terms of its total evolution, but it is irresistible simply because of the flawless nature of the wine and incredible perfume and flavor intensity. Simply amazing!” Aubert Pinot Noir UV-SL Vineyard 2016 750ml $159 special, 4 bottles availableJeb Dunnuck 99 Points “The 2016 Pinot Noir UV-SL Vineyard flirts with perfect and is another incredible effort from the Sonoma Coast. Deeply colored, with ripe cherries, underbrush, black currants, graphite, blood orange, and forest floor notes, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, ample tannin, a big mid-palate, and a blockbuster finish. Despite being a rich, powerful wine, it shows remarkable elegance and purity, as well as a weightless, seamless texture. Brought up in 70% new French oak, drink it over the coming decade.” Blankiet Paradise Hills Vyd Mythicus Cabernet 2013 $249 special, only 1 bottle availableWine Advocate 96+ Points “The 2013 Mythicus is so backward, but a wine of extraordinary intensity. Loads of tannin, massive extract, a blue/purple color, gorgeous purity and overall depth make for a compelling wine, but this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon effort is one for patient connoisseurs. Forget it for 5-7 years, and drink it over the following three decades.” Blankiet Paradise Hills Vyd Proprietary Red 2016 750ml $219 special, only 1 bottle availableVinous 98 Points “The 2016 Proprietary Red Paradise Hills Vineyard is magnificent. Deep and expressive on the palate, the 2016 possesses tremendous intensity but delivered in an understated voice. Dark cherry, plum, mocha, new leather and spice develop with time, but it is the wine’s total sense of poise that once again is truly impressive.” Hundred Acre Kayli Morgan Vineyard Cabernet 2009 750ml $529.95 special, 3 bottle availableWine Advocate 96 Points “Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Kayli Morgan Vineyard gives up bold blackcurrant cordial, blackberry compote and raspberry pie scents with hints of chocolate-covered cherries, roses and lilacs plus hints of charcuterie and yeast extract. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is wonderfully elegant, with wonderful vivacity and perfume and a satiny texture with a very long finish.” Melka Estates La Mekerra Proprietary Red 2012 750ml $149 special, only 1 bottle availableRobert Parker 98 Points “This is Philippe Melka’s Northern California version of Cheval Blanc and he has pulled it off brilliantly. A real look-alike for that great estate in St.-Emilion, this wine has beautiful mulberry, black cherry and blackcurrant fruit mixed with licorice, forest floor and incense. Terrific in texture, opulent, full-bodied mouthfeel, stunning purity, yet a freshness and liveliness that is just remarkable.” Ridge Monte Bello Santa Cruz Mountains 2012 750ml $279 special, 2 bottles availableVinous 97+ Points “The 2012 is a racy, voluptuous Monte Bello built on a core of sweet red fruit, with striking perfume, silky tannins and fabulous overall balance. The 2012 is of course an infant, and the new oak is still evident. As Vinous readers know, Monte Bello is a wine that really should not be touched until its tenth birthday, and even that requires an optimistic view. The 2012 has been a consistently brilliant wine. Today, it is once again stellar.” Ridge Monte Bello Santa Cruz Mountains 2013 750ml $349 special, only 1 bottle availableWine Advocate 100 Points “The 2013 Monte Bello is a very special vintage for this great wine. Amazingly, it has yet to shut down, unfurling in the glass to reveal a bouquet of black raspberries, cassis, rich espresso roast, cigar wrapper, subtle black truffle and burning embers that has already integrated its 100% new oak remarkably completely. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, powerful and multidimensional, with a lavishly textural attack that segues into a stunningly layered, richly structured mid-palate endowed with incredible depth and concentration underpinned by succulent acids. The finish is long, vibrant and beautifully delineated. The 2013 is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot, and it attained 13.6% natural alcohol. Analytically, this ranks as one of the most tannic vintages of Monte Bello ever produced, but the tannins are of such high quality and cloaked in such a wealth of fruit that Ridge forwent their habitual egg white fining this year—beginning a trend that has continued since. This profound Monte Bello will begin to blossom as it reaches age ten and should prove practically immortal.” Rudd Oakville Estate Red 2015 750ml $179 special, only 1 bottle availableWine Advocate 98+ Points ” …has a very deep purple-black color and is scented of freshly crushed black currants, blackberries and black cherries with touches of cedar chest, pencil lead, menthol, Chinese five spice and violets, plus a waft of sandalwood. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is very finely crafted with amazing freshness and vivacity, framed by firm, ripe, fine-grained tannins and finishing with lingering exotic spice notes.” Sine Qua Non Grenache Female 2013 750ml $319 special, 2 bottles availableWine Advocate 98 Points “Showing similar to a previous bottle tasted in Colorado, the 2013 Grenache Female (78% Grenache, 19% Syrah and 3% Mourvedre) is more high toned and pretty than the 2014, with perfumed notes of black raspberries, licorice, herbes de Provence and violets. Similar on the palate to the 2014, yet perhaps with a touch more tannin, give this beauty a few years and drink it through 2033.” Sine Qua Non Inaugural Grenache Eleven Conf Vineyard 2003 750ml $3199 special, only 1 bottle availableJeb Dunnuck 100 Points “In addition to these new releases, I was also able to taste through a number of older vintages, including the 2001 Albino, 2006 Hoodoo Man, 2003 The Inaugural, 2004 Ode to E, 1998 E Raised, 2001 On Your Toes, 2005 Nail in My Cranium and 2007 Syrah Dangerous Birds. To say I came away impressed would be an understatement. Anyone who claims this big, rich style can-t age needs to taste these wines. I opted to just list my scores for the older releases as I find Bob-s initial write-ups spot on.” Sine Qua Non Inaugural Syrah 2003 750ml $1499 special, only 1 bottle availableRobert Parker 100 Points “The mind-boggling 2003 The Inaugural Syrah is an emotional experience to taste as well as drink […] Awesomely long, I still tasted this wine 60 seconds after I had spit it out – no easy task, even for a professional. This majestic Syrah should be a modern day legacy for Sine Qua Non, ranking alongside the other stunning Syrahs they have produced, such as the two 2002 cuvees, Just For The Love Of It and Heart Chorea. This is a nuanced, complex wine, whereas the 2004 Poker Face is more exuberant and flamboyant. It should age beautifully for 10-15+ years.” Sine Qua Non Into The Dark Grenache 2004 1.5L $1399 special, only 1 bottle availableWine Advocate 99 Points “More up-front and open-knit, as is common with this estate’s wine, it’s the purity paired with serious richness that sets it apart. While still youthful and benefiting from a healthy decadence, I think it’s drinking at point and would aim to drink bottles over the coming 4-5 years. It will evolve gracefully for longer, but I see no reason to hold off.”
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