In This Newsletter:
New Arrival Special Feature: Racines
Crafted by all-star team Étienne de Montille, Rodolphe Péters, Brian Sieve, and Justin Willett
New Arrivals
Larmandier-Bernier, Cos d’Estournel, Leoville Poyferre, Troplong Mondot, Bernard Baudry,
and many more!
Close-Out Sales
Piedmont for your Pleasure: Barbaresco, Barbera, and Dolcetto
Grand Cru Collector’s Corner
Glorious Bâtards (and more) from Burgundy
We have a large, massive, gigantic, embarressing, ridiculous, amazing, awe-inspiring, and large (did I mention large?) collection of top end German wines on our webstore, including kult producer Keller, darling of the Nahe Donnhoff, and wicked good Willi Schaefer. Shop all 469 in-stock selections (469? Is that a typo? No??? Who the &$% does that? — WE DO!) here!
We’re open 10 AM – 6 PM daily
New Arrival Special Feature: Racines
Crafted by all-star team Étienne de Montille, Rodolphe Péters, Brian Sieve, and Justin Willett
New Arrivals
Larmandier-Bernier, Cos d’Estournel, Leoville Poyferre, Troplong Mondot, Bernard Baudry,
and many more!
Close-Out Sales
Piedmont for your Pleasure: Barbaresco, Barbera, and Dolcetto
Grand Cru Collector’s Corner
Glorious Bâtards (and more) from Burgundy
New Arrival Special Feature:
Racines
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Racines Wenzlau Family Vineyard Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills 2020 750ml $89 special, 24 bottles available
Decanter 95 points “Beguiling complexity, depth and beauty mark this outstanding Chardonnay from the Wenzlau Family Vineyard in the Sta Rita Hills. In a year when so many of California’s wine regions were devastated by smoke, this wine shows a fresh, airy poise—delicate and precise aromas of crushed chalk, petrichor, sweet white flower pollen and hints of seaspray. The palate is exquisite; a sophistication of flavors and textures collide. A savoury, briny minerality outlines apricot skin, early-season nectarine and subtle hints of bee pollen. The finish is fine, filigreed and fresh.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Racines Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills 2020 750ml $99 special, 6 bottles available
Decanter 95 points “The historic Chardonnay parcel of original and own-rooted plantings dates back to 1971. These Chardonnay vines are the oldest vines in the Santa Rita Hills Racy, yet richly textured and effusively aromatic, this wine shows a serious old vine complexity and the coastal influence of Santa Barbara county terroir. Aromatics of bruised apples and petrichor are punctuated by notes of sea foam and smoke. The palate is energized by savoury briny citrus and crushed chalk. Electric acidity amplifies the wines mineral character with hints of smoke and crushed limestone with hints of grilled lime and green mango. A revelatory California Chardonnay.”
Racines ‘Sta. Rita Hills Cuvée’ Pinot Noir 2020 750ml $54.50 special, 24 bottles available
Vinous 93 points “The 2020 Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills Cuvée is a terrific introduction to the range. Crushed red berry fruit, mint, spice, rose petal and a touch of whole cluster savoriness are all beautifully delineated. This is such a gorgeous and expressive Pinot.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Racines Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills 2020 750ml $115 special, 12 bottles available
Decanter 94 points “Sanford & Benedict vineyard is the Santa Rita Hills’ highest calling for Pinot Noir grapes. Made from three parcels within the site, including some own-rooted vines from 1971. This Pinot Noir is indelibly marked by pungent and stirring floral aromatics accented by frankincense, leather and smoke. The palate shows a generosity of fruit, but a significant amount of the whole cluster gives this wine savoury edges. Notes of crushed basalt, thyme and wild sumac envelop a core of blue and red fruits. Clove, five-star anise and a hint of cassia bark accompany this wine through its finish, measured in 5-minute intervals.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Racines La Rinconada Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills 2018 750ml $99 special, 6 bottles available
Decanter 96 points “This Santa Rita Hills-focused label between Justin Willett and Étienne de Montille takes a ‘low and slow’ approach to the winemaking process, contrasting the relatively delicate, high-toned style of the Tyler wines. Pinot Noir at La Rinconada Vineyard tends to exude a burly and structured style, as is the case with the 2018 Racines bottling. Sourced from a plot just feet away from that which supplies Tyler, a savoury and soft nose introduces a weighty, wide and tannic showing that is built to last. Drinking Window 2022 – 2045.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Racines ‘Sainte Rose’ Pinot Noir, Sta Rita Hills 2020 750ml $79 special, 12 bottles available
Decanter 94 points “From organic vineyards along the Santa Rosa Road corridor, this Pinot Noir from Racines is a straightforward cooler site Pinot Noir from Santa Rita Hills. Aromas of strawberry fruit leather give way to notes of turned earth and crushed black basalt. The palate is savoury, with underlying dried fruit flavors. Montmorency cherries, garden soil and clove, evolve into notes of savoury herbs and streaks of graphite minerality.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Shop our complete selection of California wines.
And while you’re there, don’t miss our massive Champagne selection!
Racines
When one of the preeminent names in Burgundy, Étienne de Montille of Domaine de Montille, sought out land on the West Coast of America to craft Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with a Burgundian sensibility, it was only natural that he focused on the Santa Rita Hills in Santa Barbara County. (It’s a region that seems to pull at French hearts, as it did with the late Philippe Cambie and his joint project with Adam Lee of Siduri, named Beau Marchais.)
And draw more Frenchmen, it did. Étienne shared the news with his friend Rodolphe Péters of Champagne’s top-class grower estate Pierre Peters, who quickly signed on and became the sparkling wine consultant for the project. Étienne partnered with Santa Barbara-area native and winegrower Justin Willett of Tyler Vineyards to manage the project on site.
The results? Exquisite and poised, these are wines that wowed even stodgy British palates with their complexity. To quote Beaune Imports, “the cool coastal climate and mineral based soils give [the project’s co-founders] confidence in light of global warming and it’s clear that Justin’s winemaking style would be at home in either Burgundy or Champagne.”
Newly Arrived from Racines:
What happens when a top grower Champagne house goes to California? Magic!
Racines Grand Reserve Sparkling Chardonnay, Sta Rita Hills NV 750ml $66 special, 36 bottles available
Decanter 96 points “This is the best American sparkling wine I’ve ever tasted. The 2019 vintage base also includes 25% reserve wines from the 2017 and 2018 harvests. This Grand Reserve Chardonnay made from the cool Sta Rita Hills is crafted with a Champagne pedigree, and it shows. This Blanc de Blancs from across renowned Sta Rita Hills vineyards has undeniable Old World charm and sophistication. The aromatics boast ample toasted biscuit notes and great yeasty complexity from the 30 months on lees. The palate has a fantastic depth of fruit, spiced pear, cardamom, nutmeg and bruised apples. There is a subtlety of savoury biscuits and hints of almond cream. Elegant, yet bold and wildly delicious.”
Racines ‘Sta. Rita Hills Cuvée’ Chardonnay 2020 750ml $55 special, 36 bottles available
Decanter 93 points “A wonderfully complex wine with ample texture. The Santa Rita Hills Cuvée is sourced from some of Santa Barbara’s top Chardonnay sites. The wine sees very little new oak and, as a result, shines forth with delicate brilliance—classically cool climate Chardonnay aromatics of soft white florals, crushed chalk and a touch of mint. The palate has verve and energy with savoury petrichor-driven minerality coming to the fore, followed on by bruised apples, a touch of cardamom and honey to finish adding depth and complexity along the way.”
And draw more Frenchmen, it did. Étienne shared the news with his friend Rodolphe Péters of Champagne’s top-class grower estate Pierre Peters, who quickly signed on and became the sparkling wine consultant for the project. Étienne partnered with Santa Barbara-area native and winegrower Justin Willett of Tyler Vineyards to manage the project on site.
The results? Exquisite and poised, these are wines that wowed even stodgy British palates with their complexity. To quote Beaune Imports, “the cool coastal climate and mineral based soils give [the project’s co-founders] confidence in light of global warming and it’s clear that Justin’s winemaking style would be at home in either Burgundy or Champagne.”
Newly Arrived from Racines:
What happens when a top grower Champagne house goes to California? Magic!
Racines Grand Reserve Sparkling Chardonnay, Sta Rita Hills NV 750ml $66 special, 36 bottles available
Decanter 96 points “This is the best American sparkling wine I’ve ever tasted. The 2019 vintage base also includes 25% reserve wines from the 2017 and 2018 harvests. This Grand Reserve Chardonnay made from the cool Sta Rita Hills is crafted with a Champagne pedigree, and it shows. This Blanc de Blancs from across renowned Sta Rita Hills vineyards has undeniable Old World charm and sophistication. The aromatics boast ample toasted biscuit notes and great yeasty complexity from the 30 months on lees. The palate has a fantastic depth of fruit, spiced pear, cardamom, nutmeg and bruised apples. There is a subtlety of savoury biscuits and hints of almond cream. Elegant, yet bold and wildly delicious.”
Racines ‘Sta. Rita Hills Cuvée’ Chardonnay 2020 750ml $55 special, 36 bottles available
Decanter 93 points “A wonderfully complex wine with ample texture. The Santa Rita Hills Cuvée is sourced from some of Santa Barbara’s top Chardonnay sites. The wine sees very little new oak and, as a result, shines forth with delicate brilliance—classically cool climate Chardonnay aromatics of soft white florals, crushed chalk and a touch of mint. The palate has verve and energy with savoury petrichor-driven minerality coming to the fore, followed on by bruised apples, a touch of cardamom and honey to finish adding depth and complexity along the way.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Racines Wenzlau Family Vineyard Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills 2020 750ml $89 special, 24 bottles available
Decanter 95 points “Beguiling complexity, depth and beauty mark this outstanding Chardonnay from the Wenzlau Family Vineyard in the Sta Rita Hills. In a year when so many of California’s wine regions were devastated by smoke, this wine shows a fresh, airy poise—delicate and precise aromas of crushed chalk, petrichor, sweet white flower pollen and hints of seaspray. The palate is exquisite; a sophistication of flavors and textures collide. A savoury, briny minerality outlines apricot skin, early-season nectarine and subtle hints of bee pollen. The finish is fine, filigreed and fresh.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Racines Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills 2020 750ml $99 special, 6 bottles available
Decanter 95 points “The historic Chardonnay parcel of original and own-rooted plantings dates back to 1971. These Chardonnay vines are the oldest vines in the Santa Rita Hills Racy, yet richly textured and effusively aromatic, this wine shows a serious old vine complexity and the coastal influence of Santa Barbara county terroir. Aromatics of bruised apples and petrichor are punctuated by notes of sea foam and smoke. The palate is energized by savoury briny citrus and crushed chalk. Electric acidity amplifies the wines mineral character with hints of smoke and crushed limestone with hints of grilled lime and green mango. A revelatory California Chardonnay.”
Racines ‘Sta. Rita Hills Cuvée’ Pinot Noir 2020 750ml $54.50 special, 24 bottles available
Vinous 93 points “The 2020 Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills Cuvée is a terrific introduction to the range. Crushed red berry fruit, mint, spice, rose petal and a touch of whole cluster savoriness are all beautifully delineated. This is such a gorgeous and expressive Pinot.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Racines Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills 2020 750ml $115 special, 12 bottles available
Decanter 94 points “Sanford & Benedict vineyard is the Santa Rita Hills’ highest calling for Pinot Noir grapes. Made from three parcels within the site, including some own-rooted vines from 1971. This Pinot Noir is indelibly marked by pungent and stirring floral aromatics accented by frankincense, leather and smoke. The palate shows a generosity of fruit, but a significant amount of the whole cluster gives this wine savoury edges. Notes of crushed basalt, thyme and wild sumac envelop a core of blue and red fruits. Clove, five-star anise and a hint of cassia bark accompany this wine through its finish, measured in 5-minute intervals.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Racines La Rinconada Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills 2018 750ml $99 special, 6 bottles available
Decanter 96 points “This Santa Rita Hills-focused label between Justin Willett and Étienne de Montille takes a ‘low and slow’ approach to the winemaking process, contrasting the relatively delicate, high-toned style of the Tyler wines. Pinot Noir at La Rinconada Vineyard tends to exude a burly and structured style, as is the case with the 2018 Racines bottling. Sourced from a plot just feet away from that which supplies Tyler, a savoury and soft nose introduces a weighty, wide and tannic showing that is built to last. Drinking Window 2022 – 2045.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Racines ‘Sainte Rose’ Pinot Noir, Sta Rita Hills 2020 750ml $79 special, 12 bottles available
Decanter 94 points “From organic vineyards along the Santa Rosa Road corridor, this Pinot Noir from Racines is a straightforward cooler site Pinot Noir from Santa Rita Hills. Aromas of strawberry fruit leather give way to notes of turned earth and crushed black basalt. The palate is savoury, with underlying dried fruit flavors. Montmorency cherries, garden soil and clove, evolve into notes of savoury herbs and streaks of graphite minerality.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Shop our complete selection of California wines.
And while you’re there, don’t miss our massive Champagne selection!
New Arrivals
Champagne
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Pommery Grand Cru Brut Millesime, Champagne 2008 750ml $79 special, 18 bottles available
Decanter World Wine Awards 94 points “Melon, peach and toast bouquet. Superbly fresh palate with an elegant texture, mouthwatering acidity and confit lemon, dark chocolate and bitter orange flavours.”
Taittinger Brut Millesime, Champagne 2015 750ml $99 special, 20 bottles available
Wine Spectator 93 points “Vibrant and harmonious, with a pleasing range of ripe pear and nectarine, toast point and salted almond, candied lemon peel and spun honey riding the finely detailed bead. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Drink now through 2030. 500 cases imported.”
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “The 2015 Champagne Millésime Brut is equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The nose is fragrant with ripe peach and rose petal, and it has a rich texture, with a more viscous feel, and note of yellow flowers and Anjou pear. It speaks to the ripeness of the vintage, but it is long on the palate and has a light phenolic finish. I think this is ready to drink now.”
Chateau Soubian, Pessac-Leognan 2019 750ml $28 special, 36 bottles available
Importer Notes “This hidden gem of a property lies just to the west of the village of Léognan on a beautiful hillock of gravel, and noted historically for its unique setting and propensity for exceptional wines. The 2019 Soubian offers a quintessential expression of the velvety, ripe and fresh 2019 vintage, with its own individual expression of forward red and black fruits, with spicy, slightly-peppery aromas.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Chateau Beychevelle, Saint-Julien 2015 750ml $149 special, 11 bottles available
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94 points “The 2015 Beychevelle comes across as much more powerful and plush in bottle than it did as a barrel sample. The black cherry, smoke, leather, tobacco, spice and incense notes are all endowed with notable textural depth. Voluptuous but also quite tannic, the 2015 is going to need at least a few years to come into its own. Readers should expect a powerful, brooding Saint-Julien.”
Chateau Cos d’Estournel, Saint-Estèphe 2019 750ml $199 special, 7 bottles available
James Suckling 99 points “This is so aromatic with blackcurrants, black berries and raspberries. Pure fruit, together with coffee and nutmeg. Really fresh and clean with bright spices. Full-bodied, yet reserved and tight with fantastic structure. So long. This is a great Cos for the cellar. A real benchmark for the true character. Needs at least five or six years to open and come around.”
Chateau Clos de Sarpe, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2003 1.5L $119 special, 6 magnums available
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 92 points “Medium garnet-brick colored, the 2003 Clos de Sarpe has quite an opulent nose with notes of powdered cinnamon, cloves and fenugreek over a core of baked cherries and dried mulberries with a waft of dusty soil. Medium-bodied, finely crafted and surprisingly elegant, it has a chewy frame and loads of perfumed fruit, finishing long and refreshing.”
This is the only listing in the USA today for the magnum!
Chateau Clos de Sarpe, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2016 750ml $89 special, 35 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “An off-the-hook Saint-Emilion, the inky colored 2016 Château Clos de Sarpe is mostly Merlot but includes 15% Cabernet Franc. A beautiful, floral character gives way to more blueberry, raspberry, spice, and cedar notes, and it’s medium to full-bodied, fresh, and elegant on the palate, with thrilling purity of fruit. It’s still tight and reserved at the moment, with a focused feel on the palate, but has tons of potential. Give bottles 5-7 years of bottle age and enjoy over the following 15+.”
Chateau La Gaffeliere, Saint-Emilion 2018 750ml $99 special, 20 bottles available
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 99 points “The 2018 La Gaffelière is hands down one of the wines of the vintage. Towering in its stature and vertical lift, the 2018 dazzles right out of the gate. Inky dark fruit, mocha, spice, licorice and leather all run through this deep, wonderfully pliant Saint-Émilion. The 2018 is rich, deep and beautifully resonant, with tremendous depth and tons of stature that builds, all framed by beams of supporting minerality that confer vibrancy. La Gaffelière is distinctive, alluring and arresting right out of the gate. It is another magnificent showing from this reborn estate. The blend is 63% Merlot and 37% Cabernet Franc. Magnifique!”
Chateau Labegorce, Margaux 2019 750ml $41.90 special, 24 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “Gorgeous notes of red, blue, and black fruits as well as sandalwood, tobacco leaf, chocolate, and spicy notes emerge from the 2019 Château Labégorce, one of the richer, more opulent, and straight-up sexy wines in the vintage. A blend of 46% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, all raised in 40% new oak, it’s medium to full-bodied, has beautifully integrated oak, a stacked mid-palate, and one heck of a great finish. Drink this rich, sensationally textured Margaux any time over the coming two decades. It’s unquestionably in the same league as the 2015, 2016, and 2018.”
Chateau Gloria, Saint-Julien 2019 750ml $49 special, 36+ bottles available
Neal Martin-Vinous 96 points “The 2019 Gloria has a compelling nose: black fruit, crushed rocks, tobacco and very subtle marine scents that are all beautifully combined. Perhaps the most precise and delineated nose among an impressive array of Saint-Julien’s this year. The palate is medium-bodied with a lively opening. A touch of soy infuses the black fruit; fine-boned with wonderful sapidity on the finish. Extraordinary length. Serious.”
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “Showing beautifully, with the polished, pure, elegant style of the vintage, the 2019 Château Gloria sports a deeper ruby/purple color as well as great aromatics of cassis and assorted blue fruits to go with smoked tobacco, cedar pencil, damp earth, and floral notes. I love its purity, and it’s just a quintessential, medium to full-bodied, layered Saint-Julien that can be drunk today or cellared for a solid two decades. It should be a no-brainer purchase for the wine lovers out there.”
Jane Anson 95 points “So good, this is a vibrant mix of young and exuberant, luxurious, seriously creamy in texture, crushed stone, baked earth, smoked caramel, damson, sweet blackberry and damson fruits. This is pure pleasure, hard to resist.”
Chateau Leoville Poyferre, Saint-Julien 2018 750ml $169 special, 7 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “Every bit as good as the 2009, and I think better than the 2010 and 2016, the 2018 Château Léoville Poyferré is a total thrill that tops out my scale. Based on 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, its dense purple hue is followed by an incredible, full-bodied monster of a wine that, despite massive amounts of fruit, tannins, and extract, still stays weightless and ethereal, with incredible purity. Loaded with notions of crème de cassis, spring flowers, tobacco, violets, charcoal, and cedar pencil, it’s extraordinarily concentrated, flawlessly balanced, and has a finish that won’t quit. This is a legendary wine in the making. Give bottles 7-8 years, a decade would be even better, and it will keep for 40-50 years. Hats off to the Cuvelier family for another extraordinary wine!”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97 points “A blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc, aged in 80% new oak barriques, the 2018 Léoville Poyferré comes bounding out of the glass with exuberant scents of Morello cherries, plum preserves and blackberry pie, giving way to nuances of cedar chest, unsmoked cigars, vanilla pod and sassafras, plus a waft of crushed rocks. The palate is full-bodied, rich and decadent, delivering hedonic black fruits and lots of spicy accents with a velvety texture and seamless freshness, finishing long and satisfyingly savory. This is a very impressive showing that is delicious out of the gate but has the backbone to give a good 30 years or more of pleasure.”
Chateau Montrose, Saint-Estèphe 2019 750ml $219 special, 12 bottles available
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 100 points “The 2019 Montrose is very clearly one of the wines of the vintage. Rich, inky and towering in concentration, the 2019 possesses off the charts intensity and tons of structure to back it up. Succulent black cherry, plum, tobacco, gravel and licorice infuse the 2019 with striking depth. The 2019 is not quite as opulent as some recent vintages, and that’s a good thing. Readers will find a regal wine that marries elegance with power. Unforgettable. Tasted two times.”
Decanter 99 points “A generous and abundant nose full of fruit and aromatic intensity followed by a gorgeous mouthfeel showcasing fruit density and concentration wrapped up in soft, velvety-smooth tannins. Just so much depth but also refinement here, it feels well made with just the right amount of fruit, toasty spice, tannins, freshness and acidity. The overall structure is gently framing all the elements – big and bold but quietly confident. The tannin impact is also enjoyable giving a feeling of approachability despite the long life ahead. Just superb – one of the best in 2019. A blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. 12% press wine. 60% new oak. Drinking Window 2029-2046.”
Chateau Troplong Mondot, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2017 750ml $149 special, 12 bottles available
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 98+ points “The 2017 Troplong Mondot is stunning, just as it was en primeur. Rich and ample, yet endowed with striking energy as well, the 2017 is the first vintage made by new CEO Aymeric de Gironde and consulting winemaker Thomas Duclos. The 2017 takes hold of all the senses and never lets up. All of the power that is typical of this site is evident, it seems to come so naturally, and yet picking earlier and then using a lighter hand in the cellar yielded a Troplong of uncommon energy and vibrancy. The 2017 has been nothing short of thrilling on the four occasions I have tasted it from bottle so far. What a wine!”
Ex-Chateau release
Chateau Suduiraut, Sauternes 2010 750ml $79 special, 18 bottles available
Decanter 95 points “[Reviewed 2021] Tropical fruit flavours on the nose, caremelised pineapple with bright candied lemon alongside wonderfully sweet floral notes and a hint of burnt edges running through the wine from start to finish. This has a really characterful flavour with orange marmalade and a touch of enjoyable bitterness on the finish giving depth and roundness. Strong and robust, definitely a wine to enjoy with food be it sweet or savoury. A blend of 90% Semillon and 10% Sauvignon Blanc, aged 50% in new barrels, 50% from barrels of one vintage for 20 months. Drinking Window 2021 – 2048.”
Chateau d’Yquem Sauternes 2019 375ml $219 special, 6 half-bottles available
Decanter 97 points “The 2019 vintage of Château d’Yquem has the highest proportion (45%) of Sauvignon Blanc in any modern Yquem. The Sauvignon Blanc adds to the freshness, acting as a great balance to the succulent, sweet and voluptuous palate. Intense peach and apricot, combined with lemon and orange zest, make this highly appealing to drink right away – an ideal vintage with which to start Yquem’s ‘lighthouse’ project. However, it would be a shame not to give this 10+ years maturation to see how it develops. Very well, I suspect. The growing season was both warm and wet, with mildew a big threat. After a mostly dry September, 40mm rain came at the end of the month, leading to a very short harvest window. All of the Yquem grapes were picked in two tries within a one-week period. Residual Sugar: 138g/L.”
Wine Spectator 97 points “A special wine right from the start, this glistens with pure papaya, mango, white peach and mirabelle plum, joined by elderflower honey, toasted macadamia nut and orange blossom notes. Ends with a remarkably long finish. Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Drink now through 2050. 4,583 cases made.”
Chinon
Bernard Baudry Chinon La Croix Boissée Rouge, Loire 2017 750ml $54.50 special, 12 bottles available
Rebecca Gibb MW-Vinous 95 points “La Croix Boissée is a vineyard that slopes up from the valley floor to the Chinon plateau close to Baudry’s domaine. The result in the 2017 Chinon is a mid-weight, elegant style offering dried herbs and smoked bacon – it’s a hint reduction that needs air. The finish is much more powerful than anticipated; there’s no shortage of tannins here, but they have the finest of powdery textures, making you lick the inside of your mouth (that’s the limestone of Croix Boissée that you see year after year). The lengthy finish is infused with spices – expect a hint of herbs, tea leaf and smoke.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Bernard Baudry Chinon La Croix Boissée Rouge, Loire 2018 750ml $54.50 special, 12 bottles available
Rebecca Gibb MW-Vinous 96 points “The ripeness of the 2018 vintage gives an almost Syrah/Viognier character to the Chinon La Croix Boissée, which offers sweet black fruit and a creamy apricot note. Sumptuous yet never ever opulent, it’s almost as if the wine’s just done a yoga class. Plentiful tannins give the inside of your cheeks a chalky rub, while there’s surprising freshness considering the ripeness, leading to a lengthy finish. This is a baby that will turn out to be a great adult.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2018 Chinon La Croix Boissée displays a deep, intense and elegant bouquet of dark fruits intertwined with black tea aromas. Silky, crystalline and elegant on the palate, this is a full-bodied, fresh and refined Chinon that is slightly leathery toward the finish, which is long, intense and vivacious and has lingering salinity. The tannins are fine, elegant and well integrated yet still palatable. The 2018 might have some volatile acidity, but this makes it a true classic of the appellation and an authentic Baudry. Great aging capacity. Tasted in June 2021.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
The 2019 promises to be a stunner after a sleep in the cellar!
Bernard Baudry Chinon La Croix Boissée Rouge, Loire 2019 750ml $54.50 special, 6 bottles available
Don’t miss the additional back vintages we have in stock of this release.
Shop the complete lineup from Bernard Baudry on our webstore now!
Markus Molitor Kinheimer Rosenberg Auslese *** Gold Capsule, Mosel 2019 750ml $119 special, 24 bottles available
Stephan Reinhardt- Wine Advocate 99 points “The intensely lemon colored 2019 Kinheimer Rosenberg Auslese *** (Golden Capsule) is pure and salty on the nose that reveals pretty unique flint stone aromas intertwined with perfectly ripe and precise Riesling berry aromas. Dense yet lush and highly refined on the palate, this is an enormously salty Auslese that is irresistible in its finesse and stimulating crystallinity. Absolutely gorgeous and salivating! Tasted in May 2021.”
Muller-Catoir Haardt Riesling Trocken, Pfalz 2020 750ml $24 special, 36+ bottles available
Stuart Pigott 94 points “With aeration, this medium-bodied dry Pfalz riesling develops so many delicate spicy and floral notes. Compact structure and a long, tight finish suggest this has quite some aging potential. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Schafer-Frohlich Stromberg Grosses Gewachs Riesling, Nahe 2021 750ml $115 special, 8 bottles available
Schafer-Frohlich Stromberg Grosses Gewachs Riesling, Nahe 2021 1.5L $259 special, 5 magnums available
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 98-99 points “The 2021 Stromberg GG offers a bright and pure, enormously radiant and earthy/herbal bouquet of crushed porphyry rocks and concentrated Riesling berry aromas intermingled with iodine notes. Great purity mixed with intensity and complexity. Full-bodied, refined and enormously salty on the palate, this is a compact, fresh and challenging dry Riesling with elegant and rich fruit, great density and no makeup at all. This is a bone dry but juicy wine that represents a long-distance runner with salty grip and tension. Tasted as a sample at the domaine in July 2022. Drink: 2027-2070.”
Wagner-Stempel Heerkretz Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Rheinhessen 2022 750ml $99 special, 12 bottles available
Stuart Pigott 99 points “Still very young, but with a combination of great concentration, great tension and great minerality, this incredible dry riesling marries all of this with an astonishing gracefulness. With aeration in the glass aromas of a wide spectrum of exotic fruits, curry leaves and Thai basil develop. In spite of this extravagance on the mid-palate it is a prima ballerina standing en pointe. So pure and precise at the super-salty mineral finish you can’t resist. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Champagne
Larmandier-Bernier Les Chemins d’Avize Grand Cru Extra Brut, Champagne 2013 750ml $149 special, only 12 bottles available
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 96 points “Revisited from the October 2019 disgorgement, Larmandier-Bernier’s 2013 Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Les Chemins d’Avize continues to show brilliantly, offering up complex aromas of argan oil, fresh apricot and crisp yellow orchard fruit, complemented by hints of fresh walnuts and almond paste. Full-bodied, deep and vinous, it’s layered and elegantly fleshy, with a concentrated core of ripe fruit, racy acids and a long, mineral finish. As I wrote last year, Pierre Larmandier invariably excels in cool, late-growing seasons, so the 2013 vintage was perfectly adapted to his talents.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 96 points “Revisited from the October 2019 disgorgement, Larmandier-Bernier’s 2013 Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Les Chemins d’Avize continues to show brilliantly, offering up complex aromas of argan oil, fresh apricot and crisp yellow orchard fruit, complemented by hints of fresh walnuts and almond paste. Full-bodied, deep and vinous, it’s layered and elegantly fleshy, with a concentrated core of ripe fruit, racy acids and a long, mineral finish. As I wrote last year, Pierre Larmandier invariably excels in cool, late-growing seasons, so the 2013 vintage was perfectly adapted to his talents.”
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Pommery Grand Cru Brut Millesime, Champagne 2008 750ml $79 special, 18 bottles available
Decanter World Wine Awards 94 points “Melon, peach and toast bouquet. Superbly fresh palate with an elegant texture, mouthwatering acidity and confit lemon, dark chocolate and bitter orange flavours.”
Taittinger Brut Millesime, Champagne 2015 750ml $99 special, 20 bottles available
Wine Spectator 93 points “Vibrant and harmonious, with a pleasing range of ripe pear and nectarine, toast point and salted almond, candied lemon peel and spun honey riding the finely detailed bead. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Drink now through 2030. 500 cases imported.”
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “The 2015 Champagne Millésime Brut is equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The nose is fragrant with ripe peach and rose petal, and it has a rich texture, with a more viscous feel, and note of yellow flowers and Anjou pear. It speaks to the ripeness of the vintage, but it is long on the palate and has a light phenolic finish. I think this is ready to drink now.”
Bordeaux
Chateau Soubian, Pessac-Leognan 2019 750ml $28 special, 36 bottles available
Importer Notes “This hidden gem of a property lies just to the west of the village of Léognan on a beautiful hillock of gravel, and noted historically for its unique setting and propensity for exceptional wines. The 2019 Soubian offers a quintessential expression of the velvety, ripe and fresh 2019 vintage, with its own individual expression of forward red and black fruits, with spicy, slightly-peppery aromas.”
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Chateau Beychevelle, Saint-Julien 2015 750ml $149 special, 11 bottles available
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94 points “The 2015 Beychevelle comes across as much more powerful and plush in bottle than it did as a barrel sample. The black cherry, smoke, leather, tobacco, spice and incense notes are all endowed with notable textural depth. Voluptuous but also quite tannic, the 2015 is going to need at least a few years to come into its own. Readers should expect a powerful, brooding Saint-Julien.”
Chateau Cos d’Estournel, Saint-Estèphe 2019 750ml $199 special, 7 bottles available
James Suckling 99 points “This is so aromatic with blackcurrants, black berries and raspberries. Pure fruit, together with coffee and nutmeg. Really fresh and clean with bright spices. Full-bodied, yet reserved and tight with fantastic structure. So long. This is a great Cos for the cellar. A real benchmark for the true character. Needs at least five or six years to open and come around.”
Chateau Clos de Sarpe, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2003 1.5L $119 special, 6 magnums available
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 92 points “Medium garnet-brick colored, the 2003 Clos de Sarpe has quite an opulent nose with notes of powdered cinnamon, cloves and fenugreek over a core of baked cherries and dried mulberries with a waft of dusty soil. Medium-bodied, finely crafted and surprisingly elegant, it has a chewy frame and loads of perfumed fruit, finishing long and refreshing.”
This is the only listing in the USA today for the magnum!
Chateau Clos de Sarpe, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2016 750ml $89 special, 35 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “An off-the-hook Saint-Emilion, the inky colored 2016 Château Clos de Sarpe is mostly Merlot but includes 15% Cabernet Franc. A beautiful, floral character gives way to more blueberry, raspberry, spice, and cedar notes, and it’s medium to full-bodied, fresh, and elegant on the palate, with thrilling purity of fruit. It’s still tight and reserved at the moment, with a focused feel on the palate, but has tons of potential. Give bottles 5-7 years of bottle age and enjoy over the following 15+.”
Chateau La Gaffeliere, Saint-Emilion 2018 750ml $99 special, 20 bottles available
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 99 points “The 2018 La Gaffelière is hands down one of the wines of the vintage. Towering in its stature and vertical lift, the 2018 dazzles right out of the gate. Inky dark fruit, mocha, spice, licorice and leather all run through this deep, wonderfully pliant Saint-Émilion. The 2018 is rich, deep and beautifully resonant, with tremendous depth and tons of stature that builds, all framed by beams of supporting minerality that confer vibrancy. La Gaffelière is distinctive, alluring and arresting right out of the gate. It is another magnificent showing from this reborn estate. The blend is 63% Merlot and 37% Cabernet Franc. Magnifique!”
Chateau Labegorce, Margaux 2019 750ml $41.90 special, 24 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “Gorgeous notes of red, blue, and black fruits as well as sandalwood, tobacco leaf, chocolate, and spicy notes emerge from the 2019 Château Labégorce, one of the richer, more opulent, and straight-up sexy wines in the vintage. A blend of 46% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, all raised in 40% new oak, it’s medium to full-bodied, has beautifully integrated oak, a stacked mid-palate, and one heck of a great finish. Drink this rich, sensationally textured Margaux any time over the coming two decades. It’s unquestionably in the same league as the 2015, 2016, and 2018.”
Chateau Gloria, Saint-Julien 2019 750ml $49 special, 36+ bottles available
Neal Martin-Vinous 96 points “The 2019 Gloria has a compelling nose: black fruit, crushed rocks, tobacco and very subtle marine scents that are all beautifully combined. Perhaps the most precise and delineated nose among an impressive array of Saint-Julien’s this year. The palate is medium-bodied with a lively opening. A touch of soy infuses the black fruit; fine-boned with wonderful sapidity on the finish. Extraordinary length. Serious.”
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “Showing beautifully, with the polished, pure, elegant style of the vintage, the 2019 Château Gloria sports a deeper ruby/purple color as well as great aromatics of cassis and assorted blue fruits to go with smoked tobacco, cedar pencil, damp earth, and floral notes. I love its purity, and it’s just a quintessential, medium to full-bodied, layered Saint-Julien that can be drunk today or cellared for a solid two decades. It should be a no-brainer purchase for the wine lovers out there.”
Jane Anson 95 points “So good, this is a vibrant mix of young and exuberant, luxurious, seriously creamy in texture, crushed stone, baked earth, smoked caramel, damson, sweet blackberry and damson fruits. This is pure pleasure, hard to resist.”
Chateau Leoville Poyferre, Saint-Julien 2018 750ml $169 special, 7 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “Every bit as good as the 2009, and I think better than the 2010 and 2016, the 2018 Château Léoville Poyferré is a total thrill that tops out my scale. Based on 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, its dense purple hue is followed by an incredible, full-bodied monster of a wine that, despite massive amounts of fruit, tannins, and extract, still stays weightless and ethereal, with incredible purity. Loaded with notions of crème de cassis, spring flowers, tobacco, violets, charcoal, and cedar pencil, it’s extraordinarily concentrated, flawlessly balanced, and has a finish that won’t quit. This is a legendary wine in the making. Give bottles 7-8 years, a decade would be even better, and it will keep for 40-50 years. Hats off to the Cuvelier family for another extraordinary wine!”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97 points “A blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc, aged in 80% new oak barriques, the 2018 Léoville Poyferré comes bounding out of the glass with exuberant scents of Morello cherries, plum preserves and blackberry pie, giving way to nuances of cedar chest, unsmoked cigars, vanilla pod and sassafras, plus a waft of crushed rocks. The palate is full-bodied, rich and decadent, delivering hedonic black fruits and lots of spicy accents with a velvety texture and seamless freshness, finishing long and satisfyingly savory. This is a very impressive showing that is delicious out of the gate but has the backbone to give a good 30 years or more of pleasure.”
Chateau Montrose, Saint-Estèphe 2019 750ml $219 special, 12 bottles available
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 100 points “The 2019 Montrose is very clearly one of the wines of the vintage. Rich, inky and towering in concentration, the 2019 possesses off the charts intensity and tons of structure to back it up. Succulent black cherry, plum, tobacco, gravel and licorice infuse the 2019 with striking depth. The 2019 is not quite as opulent as some recent vintages, and that’s a good thing. Readers will find a regal wine that marries elegance with power. Unforgettable. Tasted two times.”
Decanter 99 points “A generous and abundant nose full of fruit and aromatic intensity followed by a gorgeous mouthfeel showcasing fruit density and concentration wrapped up in soft, velvety-smooth tannins. Just so much depth but also refinement here, it feels well made with just the right amount of fruit, toasty spice, tannins, freshness and acidity. The overall structure is gently framing all the elements – big and bold but quietly confident. The tannin impact is also enjoyable giving a feeling of approachability despite the long life ahead. Just superb – one of the best in 2019. A blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. 12% press wine. 60% new oak. Drinking Window 2029-2046.”
Chateau Troplong Mondot, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2017 750ml $149 special, 12 bottles available
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 98+ points “The 2017 Troplong Mondot is stunning, just as it was en primeur. Rich and ample, yet endowed with striking energy as well, the 2017 is the first vintage made by new CEO Aymeric de Gironde and consulting winemaker Thomas Duclos. The 2017 takes hold of all the senses and never lets up. All of the power that is typical of this site is evident, it seems to come so naturally, and yet picking earlier and then using a lighter hand in the cellar yielded a Troplong of uncommon energy and vibrancy. The 2017 has been nothing short of thrilling on the four occasions I have tasted it from bottle so far. What a wine!”
Sauternes
Ex-Chateau release
Chateau Suduiraut, Sauternes 2010 750ml $79 special, 18 bottles available
Decanter 95 points “[Reviewed 2021] Tropical fruit flavours on the nose, caremelised pineapple with bright candied lemon alongside wonderfully sweet floral notes and a hint of burnt edges running through the wine from start to finish. This has a really characterful flavour with orange marmalade and a touch of enjoyable bitterness on the finish giving depth and roundness. Strong and robust, definitely a wine to enjoy with food be it sweet or savoury. A blend of 90% Semillon and 10% Sauvignon Blanc, aged 50% in new barrels, 50% from barrels of one vintage for 20 months. Drinking Window 2021 – 2048.”
Chateau d’Yquem Sauternes 2019 375ml $219 special, 6 half-bottles available
Decanter 97 points “The 2019 vintage of Château d’Yquem has the highest proportion (45%) of Sauvignon Blanc in any modern Yquem. The Sauvignon Blanc adds to the freshness, acting as a great balance to the succulent, sweet and voluptuous palate. Intense peach and apricot, combined with lemon and orange zest, make this highly appealing to drink right away – an ideal vintage with which to start Yquem’s ‘lighthouse’ project. However, it would be a shame not to give this 10+ years maturation to see how it develops. Very well, I suspect. The growing season was both warm and wet, with mildew a big threat. After a mostly dry September, 40mm rain came at the end of the month, leading to a very short harvest window. All of the Yquem grapes were picked in two tries within a one-week period. Residual Sugar: 138g/L.”
Wine Spectator 97 points “A special wine right from the start, this glistens with pure papaya, mango, white peach and mirabelle plum, joined by elderflower honey, toasted macadamia nut and orange blossom notes. Ends with a remarkably long finish. Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Drink now through 2050. 4,583 cases made.”
Chinon
Bernard Baudry Chinon La Croix Boissée Rouge, Loire 2017 750ml $54.50 special, 12 bottles available
Rebecca Gibb MW-Vinous 95 points “La Croix Boissée is a vineyard that slopes up from the valley floor to the Chinon plateau close to Baudry’s domaine. The result in the 2017 Chinon is a mid-weight, elegant style offering dried herbs and smoked bacon – it’s a hint reduction that needs air. The finish is much more powerful than anticipated; there’s no shortage of tannins here, but they have the finest of powdery textures, making you lick the inside of your mouth (that’s the limestone of Croix Boissée that you see year after year). The lengthy finish is infused with spices – expect a hint of herbs, tea leaf and smoke.”
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Bernard Baudry Chinon La Croix Boissée Rouge, Loire 2018 750ml $54.50 special, 12 bottles available
Rebecca Gibb MW-Vinous 96 points “The ripeness of the 2018 vintage gives an almost Syrah/Viognier character to the Chinon La Croix Boissée, which offers sweet black fruit and a creamy apricot note. Sumptuous yet never ever opulent, it’s almost as if the wine’s just done a yoga class. Plentiful tannins give the inside of your cheeks a chalky rub, while there’s surprising freshness considering the ripeness, leading to a lengthy finish. This is a baby that will turn out to be a great adult.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2018 Chinon La Croix Boissée displays a deep, intense and elegant bouquet of dark fruits intertwined with black tea aromas. Silky, crystalline and elegant on the palate, this is a full-bodied, fresh and refined Chinon that is slightly leathery toward the finish, which is long, intense and vivacious and has lingering salinity. The tannins are fine, elegant and well integrated yet still palatable. The 2018 might have some volatile acidity, but this makes it a true classic of the appellation and an authentic Baudry. Great aging capacity. Tasted in June 2021.”
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The 2019 promises to be a stunner after a sleep in the cellar!
Bernard Baudry Chinon La Croix Boissée Rouge, Loire 2019 750ml $54.50 special, 6 bottles available
Don’t miss the additional back vintages we have in stock of this release.
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Germany
Markus Molitor Kinheimer Rosenberg Auslese *** Gold Capsule, Mosel 2019 750ml $119 special, 24 bottles available
Stephan Reinhardt- Wine Advocate 99 points “The intensely lemon colored 2019 Kinheimer Rosenberg Auslese *** (Golden Capsule) is pure and salty on the nose that reveals pretty unique flint stone aromas intertwined with perfectly ripe and precise Riesling berry aromas. Dense yet lush and highly refined on the palate, this is an enormously salty Auslese that is irresistible in its finesse and stimulating crystallinity. Absolutely gorgeous and salivating! Tasted in May 2021.”
Muller-Catoir Haardt Riesling Trocken, Pfalz 2020 750ml $24 special, 36+ bottles available
Stuart Pigott 94 points “With aeration, this medium-bodied dry Pfalz riesling develops so many delicate spicy and floral notes. Compact structure and a long, tight finish suggest this has quite some aging potential. Drink or hold.”
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Schafer-Frohlich Stromberg Grosses Gewachs Riesling, Nahe 2021 750ml $115 special, 8 bottles available
Schafer-Frohlich Stromberg Grosses Gewachs Riesling, Nahe 2021 1.5L $259 special, 5 magnums available
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 98-99 points “The 2021 Stromberg GG offers a bright and pure, enormously radiant and earthy/herbal bouquet of crushed porphyry rocks and concentrated Riesling berry aromas intermingled with iodine notes. Great purity mixed with intensity and complexity. Full-bodied, refined and enormously salty on the palate, this is a compact, fresh and challenging dry Riesling with elegant and rich fruit, great density and no makeup at all. This is a bone dry but juicy wine that represents a long-distance runner with salty grip and tension. Tasted as a sample at the domaine in July 2022. Drink: 2027-2070.”
Wagner-Stempel Heerkretz Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Rheinhessen 2022 750ml $99 special, 12 bottles available
Stuart Pigott 99 points “Still very young, but with a combination of great concentration, great tension and great minerality, this incredible dry riesling marries all of this with an astonishing gracefulness. With aeration in the glass aromas of a wide spectrum of exotic fruits, curry leaves and Thai basil develop. In spite of this extravagance on the mid-palate it is a prima ballerina standing en pointe. So pure and precise at the super-salty mineral finish you can’t resist. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
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We have a large, massive, gigantic, embarressing, ridiculous, amazing, awe-inspiring, and large (did I mention large?) collection of top end German wines on our webstore, including kult producer Keller, darling of the Nahe Donnhoff, and wicked good Willi Schaefer. Shop all 469 in-stock selections (469? Is that a typo? No??? Who the &$% does that? — WE DO!) here!
Close-out Sales
Piedmont for your Pleasure: Barbaresco, Dolcetto, and Barbera
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Cantina del Pino Ovello, Barbaresco DOCG 2017 750ml WAS $59 NOW $49 special, 12 bottles available
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94+ points “Considering the untimely passing of Renato Vacca in March of 2020, there is a lot of emotion coming back to this wine: It has always been an expression of Barbaresco nostalgia and romanticism, even when its creator was alive and well, working in these vines located directly under his family house. The Cantina del Pino 2017 Barbaresco Ovello bears his winemaking imprint with balance and elegance that never misses a beat. This vintage offers more density and concentration for sure, and the positioning of the Ovello cru overlooking the Tanaro River Valley sets the wine up for open-knit characteristics and suave softness. Those impressions are amplified in this vintage but are not overblown.”
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The average price is $68
Paitin di Pasquero-Elia ‘Serraboella’, Barbaresco DOCG 2018 750ml WAS $41.90 NOW $38 special, 35 bottles available
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “This wine draws its fruit from across the Serraboella vineyard in Neive with vines of various ages. The 2018 Barbaresco Serraboella has a broad reach, thanks to its balanced aromas of wild berry, dried cherry, crushed roses and violets. The wine spreads cleanly over the palate, thanks to the extra volume offered by its earthy and delicately mineral flavors. Like other releases from Paitin, the standout feature here is the silky nature of the mouthfeel.”
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Paitin di Pasquero-Elia ‘Sorì Paitin’, Barbaresco DOCG 2018 750ml WAS $59 NOW $49 special, 36+ bottles available
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “The family that owns the Paitin estate lost its patriarch, Secondo Pasquero Elia, as this wine was being readied for release, and he would have been proud of the way this turned out. The 2018 Barbaresco Serraboella Sorì Paitin is glossy and polished with a super fine and delicate quality of fruit. It just glides over the palate as if it were on skates. That beautiful forward momentum is driven by light cassis, dried cherry, iron skillet, candied orange peel and crushed flowers. The finish is exceptionally smooth and elegant. Complimenti.”
Rizzi Barbaresco Nervo, Barbaresco DOCG 2017 750ml WAS $59 NOW $49 special, 6 bottles available
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Rose, violet and perfumed berry aromas lead the nose followed by whiffs of camphor and culinary spice. Full bodied, supremely elegant and surprisingly fresh for the hot vintage, the savory palate delivers ripe Marasca cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and crushed mint alongside taut, refined tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it impeccably balanced. Drink 2022–2032.”
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Rizzi Boito, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2015 750ml WAS $99 NOW $89 special, 13 bottles available
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Cellar Selection. Camphor, pipe tobacco, iris and mature black-skinned fruit aromas shape the nose on this full-bodied red. Delicious and structured, the firm palate delivers succulent black cherry, raspberry and licorice framed in firm, tightly knit but noble tannins. Drink 2023–2030.”
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Francesco Rinaldi Barbera d’Alba 2017 750ml WAS $24 NOW $21.90 special, 13 bottles available
Winery Note “The vineyards located in Barolo, in the flatter areas of the Cannubi hill, have a sandier soil; in La Morra, in the areas of Zonchetta and Boiolo, the soil is more clayey with calcareous components. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled cement or stainless steel tanks with the skins contact for at least 15 days. After racking, the various lots from the different vineyards are blended and then aged in medium-capacity Slavonian oak barrels for at least a year. Refinement in bottles for several months gives the wine a vibrant red ruby color with violet reflections and an ethereal and intense bouquet. The taste is dry, robust and suitable for medium-term aging.”
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Piedmont for your Pleasure: Barbaresco, Dolcetto, and Barbera
Top value pick for your table!
Francesco Rinaldi Dolcetto d’Alba Roussot 2019 750ml WAS $21.90 NOW $18 special, 24 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The 2019 Dolcetto d’Alba Roussot is a beautifully, classically austere wine that will appeal most to readers who appreciate traditionally made wines. Savory, earthy and spice nuances dominate, while primary fruit is pushed into the background. The 2019 is super attractive, but it also needs food to shine.”
Cantina del Pino Albesani, Barbaresco DOCG 2017 750ml WAS $59 NOW $49 special, 15 bottles available
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “Fruit from Albesani shows nice sharpness and a compact or complete profile that is typical of Nebbiolo. This site has fared well in this hot and dry vintage with intact aromas of wild berry, mineral and blue violets. The Cantina del Pino 2017 Barbaresco Albesani turns in a strong showing in terms of aromas but tapers out a bit in the palate. In this release of 3,000 bottles, the wine is driven largely by the textural and structural power of the vintage, and the fruit is a bit leaner on the finish right now. It will likely flesh out with time.”
Francesco Rinaldi Dolcetto d’Alba Roussot 2019 750ml WAS $21.90 NOW $18 special, 24 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The 2019 Dolcetto d’Alba Roussot is a beautifully, classically austere wine that will appeal most to readers who appreciate traditionally made wines. Savory, earthy and spice nuances dominate, while primary fruit is pushed into the background. The 2019 is super attractive, but it also needs food to shine.”
Cantina del Pino Albesani, Barbaresco DOCG 2017 750ml WAS $59 NOW $49 special, 15 bottles available
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “Fruit from Albesani shows nice sharpness and a compact or complete profile that is typical of Nebbiolo. This site has fared well in this hot and dry vintage with intact aromas of wild berry, mineral and blue violets. The Cantina del Pino 2017 Barbaresco Albesani turns in a strong showing in terms of aromas but tapers out a bit in the palate. In this release of 3,000 bottles, the wine is driven largely by the textural and structural power of the vintage, and the fruit is a bit leaner on the finish right now. It will likely flesh out with time.”
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Cantina del Pino Ovello, Barbaresco DOCG 2017 750ml WAS $59 NOW $49 special, 12 bottles available
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94+ points “Considering the untimely passing of Renato Vacca in March of 2020, there is a lot of emotion coming back to this wine: It has always been an expression of Barbaresco nostalgia and romanticism, even when its creator was alive and well, working in these vines located directly under his family house. The Cantina del Pino 2017 Barbaresco Ovello bears his winemaking imprint with balance and elegance that never misses a beat. This vintage offers more density and concentration for sure, and the positioning of the Ovello cru overlooking the Tanaro River Valley sets the wine up for open-knit characteristics and suave softness. Those impressions are amplified in this vintage but are not overblown.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $68
Paitin di Pasquero-Elia ‘Serraboella’, Barbaresco DOCG 2018 750ml WAS $41.90 NOW $38 special, 35 bottles available
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “This wine draws its fruit from across the Serraboella vineyard in Neive with vines of various ages. The 2018 Barbaresco Serraboella has a broad reach, thanks to its balanced aromas of wild berry, dried cherry, crushed roses and violets. The wine spreads cleanly over the palate, thanks to the extra volume offered by its earthy and delicately mineral flavors. Like other releases from Paitin, the standout feature here is the silky nature of the mouthfeel.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
Paitin di Pasquero-Elia ‘Sorì Paitin’, Barbaresco DOCG 2018 750ml WAS $59 NOW $49 special, 36+ bottles available
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “The family that owns the Paitin estate lost its patriarch, Secondo Pasquero Elia, as this wine was being readied for release, and he would have been proud of the way this turned out. The 2018 Barbaresco Serraboella Sorì Paitin is glossy and polished with a super fine and delicate quality of fruit. It just glides over the palate as if it were on skates. That beautiful forward momentum is driven by light cassis, dried cherry, iron skillet, candied orange peel and crushed flowers. The finish is exceptionally smooth and elegant. Complimenti.”
Rizzi Barbaresco Nervo, Barbaresco DOCG 2017 750ml WAS $59 NOW $49 special, 6 bottles available
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Rose, violet and perfumed berry aromas lead the nose followed by whiffs of camphor and culinary spice. Full bodied, supremely elegant and surprisingly fresh for the hot vintage, the savory palate delivers ripe Marasca cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and crushed mint alongside taut, refined tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it impeccably balanced. Drink 2022–2032.”
This is the only listing in the USA today by the bottle!
Rizzi Boito, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2015 750ml WAS $99 NOW $89 special, 13 bottles available
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Cellar Selection. Camphor, pipe tobacco, iris and mature black-skinned fruit aromas shape the nose on this full-bodied red. Delicious and structured, the firm palate delivers succulent black cherry, raspberry and licorice framed in firm, tightly knit but noble tannins. Drink 2023–2030.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Francesco Rinaldi Barbera d’Alba 2017 750ml WAS $24 NOW $21.90 special, 13 bottles available
Winery Note “The vineyards located in Barolo, in the flatter areas of the Cannubi hill, have a sandier soil; in La Morra, in the areas of Zonchetta and Boiolo, the soil is more clayey with calcareous components. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled cement or stainless steel tanks with the skins contact for at least 15 days. After racking, the various lots from the different vineyards are blended and then aged in medium-capacity Slavonian oak barrels for at least a year. Refinement in bottles for several months gives the wine a vibrant red ruby color with violet reflections and an ethereal and intense bouquet. The taste is dry, robust and suitable for medium-term aging.”
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Collector’s Corner:
Burgundy Grand Cru: Glorious Bâtards and More
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Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2020 750ml $699 special, 1 bottle available
Neal Martin-Vinous 95-97 points “The 2020 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru is the first vintage where neither of the two barrels are new (both are a year old), as Damien Colin felt the 50% new oak was excessive. This results in a more austere nose, quite reserved, with enticing scents of greengage, wet pavement and freshly sliced grapefruit emerging. The palate is very well balanced with fine intensity on the entry, a very slight touch of white chocolate infusing the citrus fruit, and a harmonious and persistent finish. Excellent.”
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Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2021 750ml $799 special, 1 bottle available
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93-95 points “The 2021 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru unwinds in the glass with aromas of pear, confit orange, lemon zest, white flowers, crisp green apple and buttery pastry. Full-bodied, satiny and multidimensional, it’s rich but chiseled, with chalky structuring extract and a long, expansive finish.”
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Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Montrachet Grand Cru 2019 750ml $1,699 special, 1 bottle available
Jasper Morris 96-99 points “The 2019 production consists of one normal 228l barrel and one of 285 litres neither, brand new. There are some toasty notes from the wood while the detailed elements of fruit remain covered by the intensity. This wine is sitting back on its haunches, really promising. There is a huge sweetness of fruit through the middle, a very proper toastiness, a fine acidity. This massive Montrachet still retains enough lightness on its feet despite the majesty of the vineyard. Long too. Of course!”
Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Montrachet Grand Cru 2020 750ml $1,999 special, 1 bottle available
Jasper Morris-Inside Burgundy 97-99 points “Two barrels of one year old wood, racked yesterday but not sulphured. Clear noble lemon and lime. I think the racking has brought the bouquet forward: this certainly is more immediately readable than the Bâtard. Sublime, racy with such depth of character, picks out all the best bits of the preceding wines. Nothing super ripe, nothing over tense, just the correct balance at a majestic scale. Tasted: October 2021.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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Burgundy Grand Cru: Glorious Bâtards and More
Domaine Leflaive Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2020 750ml $1,899 special, 1 bottle available
Burghound 95-97 points “Don’t Miss! A wonderfully floral-suffused nose reflects additional notes of petrol, citrus, white orchard and a hint of oak toast. The bigger and richer flavors also possess a gorgeous mouthfeel that is almost delicate yet racy with excellent delineation on the youthfully austere and beautifully balanced finish that just goes on and on. This is potentially a magnificent Bâtard and it’s going to be interesting to compare this with the Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet in a decade’s or so time. In sum, I would offer the same advice – if you can find it, buy it.”
Domaine Leflaive Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru 2020 750ml $2,499 special, 1 bottles available
Burghound 96-98 points “Don’t Miss! Strikingly elegant, cool and restrained aromas are comprised by notes of citrus confit, mineral reduction, anise, exotic tea and the classic acacia blossom nuances. The almost painfully intense medium-bodied flavors are at once succulent yet chiseled while the practically pungent minerality adds a sense of lift to the hugely long finish that is youthfully austere and Zen-like in its harmony. This is quite simply majestic in its class and grace and is a wine that should age effortlessly for years.”
Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2019 750ml $699 special, 1 bottle available
Burghound 95 points “A cool, pure and very pretty and stylish nose freely offers up its array of various floral elements that include rose petal and acacia blossom as well as a variety of spice nuances on the pear and apple scents. The gorgeously textured, intense and concentrated larger-scaled flavors possess superb depth and persistence on the beautifully well-balanced finale. This is really quite classy and is more a Bâtard of refinement than raw power and muscle.”
Burghound 95-97 points “Don’t Miss! A wonderfully floral-suffused nose reflects additional notes of petrol, citrus, white orchard and a hint of oak toast. The bigger and richer flavors also possess a gorgeous mouthfeel that is almost delicate yet racy with excellent delineation on the youthfully austere and beautifully balanced finish that just goes on and on. This is potentially a magnificent Bâtard and it’s going to be interesting to compare this with the Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet in a decade’s or so time. In sum, I would offer the same advice – if you can find it, buy it.”
Domaine Leflaive Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru 2020 750ml $2,499 special, 1 bottles available
Burghound 96-98 points “Don’t Miss! Strikingly elegant, cool and restrained aromas are comprised by notes of citrus confit, mineral reduction, anise, exotic tea and the classic acacia blossom nuances. The almost painfully intense medium-bodied flavors are at once succulent yet chiseled while the practically pungent minerality adds a sense of lift to the hugely long finish that is youthfully austere and Zen-like in its harmony. This is quite simply majestic in its class and grace and is a wine that should age effortlessly for years.”
Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2019 750ml $699 special, 1 bottle available
Burghound 95 points “A cool, pure and very pretty and stylish nose freely offers up its array of various floral elements that include rose petal and acacia blossom as well as a variety of spice nuances on the pear and apple scents. The gorgeously textured, intense and concentrated larger-scaled flavors possess superb depth and persistence on the beautifully well-balanced finale. This is really quite classy and is more a Bâtard of refinement than raw power and muscle.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2020 750ml $699 special, 1 bottle available
Neal Martin-Vinous 95-97 points “The 2020 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru is the first vintage where neither of the two barrels are new (both are a year old), as Damien Colin felt the 50% new oak was excessive. This results in a more austere nose, quite reserved, with enticing scents of greengage, wet pavement and freshly sliced grapefruit emerging. The palate is very well balanced with fine intensity on the entry, a very slight touch of white chocolate infusing the citrus fruit, and a harmonious and persistent finish. Excellent.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2021 750ml $799 special, 1 bottle available
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93-95 points “The 2021 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru unwinds in the glass with aromas of pear, confit orange, lemon zest, white flowers, crisp green apple and buttery pastry. Full-bodied, satiny and multidimensional, it’s rich but chiseled, with chalky structuring extract and a long, expansive finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Montrachet Grand Cru 2019 750ml $1,699 special, 1 bottle available
Jasper Morris 96-99 points “The 2019 production consists of one normal 228l barrel and one of 285 litres neither, brand new. There are some toasty notes from the wood while the detailed elements of fruit remain covered by the intensity. This wine is sitting back on its haunches, really promising. There is a huge sweetness of fruit through the middle, a very proper toastiness, a fine acidity. This massive Montrachet still retains enough lightness on its feet despite the majesty of the vineyard. Long too. Of course!”
Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Montrachet Grand Cru 2020 750ml $1,999 special, 1 bottle available
Jasper Morris-Inside Burgundy 97-99 points “Two barrels of one year old wood, racked yesterday but not sulphured. Clear noble lemon and lime. I think the racking has brought the bouquet forward: this certainly is more immediately readable than the Bâtard. Sublime, racy with such depth of character, picks out all the best bits of the preceding wines. Nothing super ripe, nothing over tense, just the correct balance at a majestic scale. Tasted: October 2021.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Shop our complete selection of white Burgundies and Chablis on our webstore now!
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