Vinopolis Newsletter – Friday 12/15/2023

Riojas to Write Home About: Marques de Murrieta
 
This Reserva represents an outstanding value in Spanish wine. This is a Rioja that is focused and fresh without being heavy or tightly wound.
Murrieta Reserva Rioja DOCa 2018 750ml $24 special, 24 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 Points “The flagship red 2018 Rioja Reserva was produced with a blend of 86% Tempranillo, 8% Graciano, 4% Mazuelo (a.k.a. Cariñena) and 2% Garnacha selected from their 300 hectares of vineyards that exemplifies the character of the vintage and the place. 2018 was a year with good rain and a cool season that resulted in a late harvest, which started on October 1 and was slow and delivered grapes with good freshness. Each variety and plot fermented separately in stainless steel. and the wines aged separately in American oak barrels for 21 months and then settled in concrete until bottling. It follows the path of the 2016, where I noticed a change that is taken further in this, controlling the power and increasing the freshness. It’s very aromatic, a year completely different from the 2017; it has less structure and more freshness and subtler balance and enough oomph, concentration and power neatly compensated by freshness. I believe 2018 was a very good vintage to implement this change. It’s perfumed, fresh, elegant and medium-bodied, with a velvety texture. Superb!”
Tim Atkin 94 Points “The 2108 release is the latest in a line of stylish Reservas from Marqués de Murrieta, all the more impressive when you know that 1.2 million bottles were made. Combining Tempranillo with 8% Graciano, 4% Mazuelo and 2% Garnacha, all of it aged in American oak. Structured, serious and intense, with lots of perfume, racy acidity, wild herb, plum and red berry fruit and a spicy finish. 2023-2032.”
James Suckling 94 Points “Savory cured-meat, tobacco and grilled-spice notes to the bright plum, red-date, cherry and green-olive aromas. Quite a juicy, medium-bodied Rioja with fresh and extremely silky tannins caressing the zesty orange and crunchy red-berry flavors. Nuanced, fluid and effortlessly drinkable. Long and extremely elegant. A vintage that highlights layering and freshness, rather than power and depth. 86% tempranillo, 8% graciano, 4% mazuelo and 2% garnacha. Delicious now, but will hold well.”
 

 
Murrieta “Castillo Ygay” Gran Reserva Especial, Rioja DOCa 2012 750ml $289 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 100 Points “So much dried flower, mushroom, iron, rust, sweet berry, and grilled orange. Full-bodied with very elegant and refined tannins that melt in the mouth and give a real sense of place and integrity. Balanced and harmonious. The finesse and finish is endless. Production was 30% less than in 2011. Already so drinkable. A wonderful future. This is the new 1934 or 1964, two legends. Drink or hold.”
 

 
Marques de Murrieta “Castillo Ygay” Gran Reserva Especial, Rioja DOCa 2011 750ml $189 special, 9 bottles available
James Suckling 98 Points “Extremely well-mannered, traditional character to this, showing layer upon layer of savory complexity on the nose, with iron, dried meat, tobacco, balsamic fruit, dried red berries, orange peel, leather and dried mushrooms. A medium-to full-bodied, linear and zesty Rioja that’s full of nuanced flavors that linger through the very long, savory finish. Floral, too. Yet, it remains bright and precise. Tempranillo with 16% mazuelo.”
Wine Enthusiast 97 Points “Deep violet-red to the eye, this wine has a nose of raspberry, white chocolate and juniper berry. Still youthful on the palate, it offers ever-present tannins supporting flavors of dark plum, black cherry, caramel and violet that slowly fade into a soft cherry-pie finish. Drink through 2042.”
Wine Advocate 97 Points “The 2011 Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial was produced with a blend of 84% Tempranillo and 16% Mazuelo (Cariñena) from a plot called La Plana that was planted in 1950 at 485 meters in altitude, the highest in the Ygay property. The grapes were picked between September 17 and 22, and the Mazuelo was later, on September 28. The bunches were destemmed and lightly crushed and put to ferment in stainless steel for 11 days with constant pump-overs and punch-downs. The Tempranillo matured for 28 months in American oak barrels and the Mazuelo for 28 months in French barriques. It’s 14% alcohol and has a pH of 3.65 with 5.6 grams of acidity (measured in tartaric acid per liter). It’s very tough to follow a vintage like 2010, and 2011 was not an easy year; the wine is possibly more powerful and concentrated but keeping the freshness, with a longer élevage but very young and lively, with an elegant texture and mouthfeel, great balance and elegance. The wine feels lively, and it seems impossible that it has been in bottle for over six years. It has the classical profile with the effect of the American oak barrels, cigar box, cedar wood, sweet spices—aromatic, intoxicating, complex. This should age very slowly and for a very long time. 131,668 bottles produced. It was bottled in February 2016. No 2013, 2014 or 2015 will be produced. They have a 2012, and they will jump from that to 2016. The 2012 will be released in late 2023 or early 2024 and the 2016 in 2027 or 2028. Finger crossed.”
 
Marques Murrieta Ygay Gran Reserva Especial, Rioja DOCa 2010 750ml $269 special, 6 bottles available
Wine Spectator #1 of Top 100 2020
Falstaff Magazine 100 Points “[Translated] Dark ruby garnet, violet reflections, subtle brightening of the edges. Fine mint, fine black cherries, fine herbs, fresh heart cherries, mineral and inviting, a multi-faceted, young bouquet. Juicy, complex, elegant, extract-sweet texture, fine round tannins, ripe heart cherries, delicate nougat, sticks for minutes, enormous future potential. Simple calculation: buy what is possible.”
James Suckling 99 Points “Marvelous aromas of crushed berries, tobacco, cedar and mushrooms. Some dried cheese. Then turns to flowers. Very complex. Full and intense with fantastic depth and power. It goes on for minutes. It is a wine that exudes tradition but gives a sense of modernity with precise winemaking. Two years in oak, one in concrete and three or four in bottle. Drink on release and age onwards.”
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 97 Points “I had very high expectations for the 2010 Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial, and the wine delivered as expected. 2010 was one of the finest vintages in Rioja in recent years, and this blend of Tempranillo with 15% Mazuelo (Cariñena) has to be one of the finest modern day Castillo de Ygays. The grapes come from a plot planted in 1966 at 485 meters in altitude, the highest in the estate, and the vines yielded 3,500 kilos per hectare. The two varieties fermented separately in stainless steel for 11 days, and the wine spent 26 months in a mixture of American and French oak barrels. I tasted the 2009 next to this 2010, and I had also had a bottle two nights before. So, I was able to compare this with the 2009, which was a very different year, as 2010 was a cooler year and a priori a more adequate year for long-aging wines like this Gran Reserva. The difference was the vegetative cycle, as the vinification and élevage was the same. This is sleeker and sharper, less developed and livelier than the 2009, which already shows some signs of “old wine” with aromas that remind me of the old classical Rioja reds. It has greatness and finesse and is a very attractive wine with all the stuffing and balance that is needed for a long (and positive) aging in bottle. This is one of the finest modern day vintages of Castillo Ygay. This is going to develop in the direction of the classical bottlings from yesteryear. 130,853 bottles produced. It was bottled in March 2015.”
Decanter 97 Points “Ygay these days is a blend of Tempranillo and Mazuelo, the later making up 15% in this vintage. 2010 will be remembered in the great vineyards of Europe as a classic year, elegant restraint and wonderful harmonious balance, even in youth, its key characteristics. The Ygay fits this template perfectly; plums and sloes, hints of blueberry and cassis, then figs, cocoa and sousbois, a distinct balsamic note to underline provenance. The Mazuelo etches fresh acidity and a powerful finish, leaving the Tempranillo the opportunity to dance flamboyantly on the mid-palate, the bringer of joy and harmony.”

 

Sequitur

Mike Etzel, the founder and winemaker of Sequitur, is a living legend in the Willamette Valley.  He co-founded Beaux Freres in the late 80’s and was the winemaker there until recently passing the duties to his son.  Never one to rest on his laurels or stay still, though, he began planting a vineyard adjacent to Beaux Freres in 2010—a project that became what we know as Sequitur.
 
It’s helpful to think of Sequitur as a distillation of everything Mike Etzel learned while starting and producing Beaux Freres over the decades.  The Sequitur vineyard sits right next to the Beaux Freres “Upper Terrace” but is planted to a wider array of clones at tighter spacing.  It’s been farmed biodynamically since the beginning and is sheltered with Douglas Fir—in short, it’s the fully realized vision of a man who’s helped define Willamette Valley Pinot.
 
The winemaking style is exactly what you’d expect—these are wines that are made by the same hand that delivered so many high scores to Beaux Freres (though his son, Mikey, is the day-to-day winemaker). Big, powerful and bold, these nevertheless have energy and grace that we think comes from the extra-attentive farming and unique clonal selection in the vineyard.  In short order, they’ve established themselves as one of the very best producers in the Willamette Valley and deserve your attention as such.
 
Sequitur Chardonnay, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ml $79 special, 14 bottles available
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 94 Points “Pale yellow-gold. Fresh and incisive on the nose, displaying intense citrus and orchard fruit scents complemented by suggestions of toasty lees, iodine and sweet butter. Sappy, penetrating and seamless in texture, offering concentrated pear nectar, peach, tangerine and honeysuckle flavors that deepen slowly on the back half while maintaining energy. Finishes with repeating pear and floral notes, with a late jolt of dusty minerality pulling things together.”
Wine Advocate 93+ Points “The 2016 Sequitur Chardonnay has a gregarious nose of spiced, baked yellow apples and warm pineapple with notes of toast, honey, hazelnut and hay. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the mouth with warm orchard and tropical fruits accented by nuances of baking spice, nuts and honey, with a touch of creaminess to the texture, juicy acidity and a long, mineral-laced finish. 85 cases produced.”

This is the only listing for this wine in the USA today!

Sequitur Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ml $99 special, 24 bottles available
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 96 Points “Glimmering red. A hugely aromatic bouquet evokes fresh red fruits, Asian spices and potpourri, along with a bright mineral overtone and a touch of smokiness. Juicy, seamless and precise on the palate, offering potent, mineral-laced raspberry preserve, rose pastille and spicecake flavors that deepen and spread out steadily on the back half. Delivers a compelling blend of power and finesse and finishes with silky tannins, outstanding clarity and floral- and mineral-driven persistence.”
Wine Advocate 94+ Points “Pale to medium ruby-purple in color, the 2016 Sequitur Pinot Noir has a lovely, open nose of black and red cherries and blackberries with notions of wood smoke, turned earth, autumn leaves, cardamom and potpourri. Medium-bodied, it floods the mouth with ripe black and red fruits with wonderful earthy/spicy accents, very fine, grainy tannins and mouthwatering acidity, finishing long with spice and floral layers. 480 cases produced.”
 
“The 2018 growing season was warm and dry, resulting in yet another remarkable vintage on Ribbon Ridge. Towards the end of the summer, just before harvest, Jack was born. With the arrival of our first grandchild, we felt for the first time the presence of a new generation on the farm, reminding us of the cycle of renewal and growth. This vintage has the bright freshness of new breath—we hope you enjoy it!” Winery Note
Sequitur Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2018 750ml $91.90 special, 24 bottles available
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95 Points “Bright ruby-red. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe red and blue fruits, cherry pie, potpourri and exotic spices, all sharpened by a smoky mineral overtone. Deeply concentrated and energetic in the mouth, offering sappy, mineral- and spice-drenched black raspberry, cherry cola and rose pastille flavors that spread out steadily on the back half. Shows fine definition and finishes extremely long and sappy, with polished tannins and lingering floral and blue fruit liqueur notes. 25% new oak.”
James Suckling 97 Points “A very succulent, concentrated pinot with a strong (40%) whole-cluster influence, delivering sappy, fresh and aromatic lift to the blueberry and ripe-cherry aromas. The palate has such succulent and assertive tannin drive, yet the textural interface remains silky and fluid. It has depth and volume and a very commanding finish. Give this some time. Try from 2024.”

 
Sequitur Pinot Noir, 2021 Ribbon Ridge 750ml $85 special, 31 bottles available
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 94-96 Points “I tasted the 2021 Sequitur Pinot Noir about three weeks before it was bottled. Medium ruby-purple in color, it has intense aromas of pomegranate, rhubarb and even boysenberry, plus accents of garrigue, conifer and orange peel. The medium-bodied palate is chalky and refreshing with addicting bursts of juicy acidity, generous, nuanced fruit and a very long, layered finish.”
 

These are the lowest prices for these wines in the USA!

Cool and rare! Geeky AND good!
Sequitur Pinot Noir Amphora 2019, Ribbon Ridge 750ml $119 special, 12 bottles available
Wine Spectator 95 Points “Impressively detailed and expressive, with raspberry and guava flavors that draw in dusky spice and orange peel accents as this builds richness on the long, polished finish. Drink now through 2030. 46 cases made.”
 

 

 

“This Vertus domaine numbers among my favorite addresses on the Côte de Blancs, and the Doyard family’s vinous, incisive Champagnes deserve a place in any well-stocked cellar. Deep, concentrated and characterful, everything that bears the Doyard label is well worth serious attention.”

-William Kelley, Wine Advocate
 
Elegance to the extreme! This luscious Millésimé is made from 75% Pinot Noir from Aÿ Grand Cru which is fermented and aged in stainless steel and 25% barrel-fermented Chardonnay from Avize Grand Cru.
Doyard Oeil de Perdrix Grand Cru Brut Rose, Champagne 2018 750ml $169 special, 5 bottles available
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 95 Points “The 2018 Extra-Brut Grand Cru Millésimé Œil de Perdrix is lovely, wafting from the glass with scents of orange blossom, mirabelle plum, sweet citrus fruit and red berries. Medium to full-bodied, ample and pillowy, with a fleshy core of fruit and lively acids, it’s an elegant, charming wine that offers demonstrative drinking out of the gates.”
 

This is a who’s who of Cru Côte de Blancs in one bottle! Most of the is coming from Vertus Premier Cru with a nice helping of Grand Cru parcels in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger , Oger, Avize, and Cramant.
Doyard Cuvee Vendemiaire Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ml $62.50 special, 16 bottles available
Wine Spectator 93 Points “[Reviewed 2023] A graceful Champagne, with a satiny mousse, revealing ripe apricot, mirabelle plum, preserved lemon, white blossoms and a streak of salty minerality enriched by hints of toasted hazelnut and pastry cream, all framed by well-knit, chiseled acidity on the long finish.”
 

Also available:
 

A non-sparkling wine from the Coteaux Champagnois. Made from Chardonnay, this lively wine features all the complexity you would expect from Doyard.
Doyard Coteaux Champenois Blanc ‘En Vieux Fombres’, Champagne 2017 750ml $119 special, 3 bottles available
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91 Points “The 2017 Coteaux Champenois Blanc En Vieux Fombrés has turned out nicely, offering up aromas of pear, walnuts, lemon, nutmeg and spices. Medium-bodied, elegantly fleshy and incisive, it’s bright and chalky, with a mineral, delicately oak-inflected finish.”

 

R. Dumont
 

R. Dumont & Fils Cuvee Brut Nature Blanc de Noirs, Champagne NV 750ml $41.90 special, 12 bottles available
Importer note “Dumont’s Brut Nature is produced without a dosage or “liqueur d’expédition”. It is therefore without cover-up and must succeed quite naturally on its own qualities. In order to produce such a champagne, Dumont chooses wines that are perfectly balanced and pristine. The wine is a blend of 100% Pinot Noir from 3 vintages. The Brut Nature is matured 4+ years “sur lattes” before being disgorged. This serves to soften the acidity and enrich the palate. This cuvee wonderfully expresses the special terroir of the Dumont vineyard.”
VertdeVin “The nose is fruity and quite gourmand. It reveals notes of lemon associated with a touch of lime, flowers, red fruit (discreet) and white fruit. The palate is fruity, mineral, harmonious, suave and offers freshness and a chalky minerality. The effervescence is very fine and well conducted. In the mouth this Champagne expresses notes of lemon, apple and slight notes of lime associated with a touch of exotic fruit, pear as well as slight touches of limestone / saline minerality on the finish. Good length.”

 

Full-bodied and generous, one of the best values in Champagne that we offer.
R. Dumont & Fils Tradition Brut, Champagne, France NV 750ml $33 special, 36+ bottles available
R. Dumont & Fils Tradition Brut, Champagne, France NV 375ml $21.90 special, 16 half-bottles available
Importer note “The Dumont Brut NV is a blend of 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay. The grapes from their vineyard have qualities that seem less aggressive and more sumptuous than those from the northern districts. In addition, vinification of whole berries at low temperatures enhances this quality of soft elegance. The NV is a blend of vintages typically between two and five years old. It is aged for two years on the lees before disgorgement. Dosage is 7 grams.”

 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price is $44
 

For lovers of a rich and bold style with generous fruit!
R. Dumont & Fils Cuvee Rose Brut, Champagne NV 750ml $39 pre-arrival special, 33 bottles available
Importer note “The Dumont Brut Rosé is made exclusively from Pinot Noir. A selection is made in the vineyard from parcels that are particularly ripe and from bunches with deeply colored skins. Fermentation proceeds as with red wines but the wine is drawn off the skins after a day or so with the Dumonts looking carefully at the balance of extraction, color and tannin. This method, known as “saignée”, is a tricky art but one that can produce the most natural and delicately complex style of Rosé champagne. The Brut Rosé NV is aged for two years on the lees before disgorgement and dosage is 10 grams.”

 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $46
 
Italy

Paulo Scavino
 

A lively and sumptuous expression of what’s shaping up to be a classic vintage in Piedmont.
Paolo Scavino Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2019 750ml $44.50 special, 9 bottles available
Kerin O’keefe 96 Points “Absolutely gorgeous, the 2019 Barolo from Paolo Scavino stuns with its fragrance of perfumed berry, dark spice, Alpine herb and dog rose. One of best entry level Barolos from the vintage, it’s focused, vibrant and savory, delivering crushed mint, star anise, cranberry, red cherry and blood orange. Elegant and taut, it boasts polished tannins while bright acidity imparts vibrancy and tension.”
James Suckling 95 Points “The fresh flowers, like roses, really come through here. Perfumed. Sliced strawberry and citrus. Full-bodied with linear and tight tannins. Bright acidity gives it drive and focus. Give it four or five years to soften and come together.”

 
Best price in On West Coast today!
Average price is $50
 
France

Domaine Saint Damien
 
Domaine Saint Damien Cotes du Rhone Le Blanc, Rhône 2022 750ml $16 special, 36+ bottles available
Importer’s Note “White wine. Southern Rhône, France. Organic. Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Viognier. Notes of white peach and citrus on the nose and palate. After some time in the glass, fines herbs and hints of almond complement the citrus and fruit flavors. Full-bodied, but shows good and balanced acidity and minerality.”
 
Domaine Saint Damien Cotes du Rhone La Bouveau, Rhône 2022 750ml $18 special, 36+ available
Importer’s Note “Red wine. Southern Rhône, France. Organic. 80% Syrah, 15% Cinsault, 5% Viognier. A terrific value in just about every vintage, the Côtes du Rhône le Bouveau from this terrific estate offers lots of jammy raspberry and black cherry nuances intermixed with hints of olives, truffle and farmyard. Fruity, rounded and mouth-filling, with tons of charm, it’s ideal for drinking over the coming 3-4 years. With food this is a versatile wine, it can stand against a rib-eye or work well with a pork roast. Where it will do best is with meats like lamb, or duck, particularly seared chops or breast.”
 

These are the lowest priced listings in the USA as of today!

 
Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes, Rhône 2021 750ml $34.50 special, 36+ bottles available
Vinous 93-95 Points “Vivid ruby. A highly fragrant bouquet evokes candied red fruits, smoky minerals and lavender; a spicy nuance builds as the wine opens up. Sappy and penetrating on the palate, juicy raspberry, cherry and floral pastille flavors show good heft, seamless texture and real energy. It finishes spicy and impressively long, with sneaky tannins adding a final grip. This is shaping up to be a highly impressive entry-level bottling, which is not surprising given that this is the only Gigondas that will be bottled this year, so all the juice from the Louisiane and Souteyrades is going into this wine. Get it, lots of it, if you can. Raised in neutral, 50 hectoliter oak foudres.”

 
Germany
 

 

“Frank Schönleber, who took over his parental estate in 2005, is the third generation of his family to farm vineyards in Monzingen after his grandfather started to focus on wine only and his father Werner recultivated historic sites… The wines are bone dry, yet a light touch marks them. There is much elegance and subtle savouriness here.”

“…the “1er Cru” Niederberg bottling is the only single-vineyard bottling of this site, and one of those wines I think we’ll hear more and more about.” -Vom Boden importer notes
Weingut Emrich-Schonleber Monzinger Niederberg Erste Lage Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2022 750ml $59 pre-arrival special, only 6 bottles available
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 95 points “Complex nose of bergamot, lime zest and mint. Diamond bright and laser beam straight. Only medium-bodied, but compact with stacks of wet stone minerality and salty complexity. Super-mineral finish. Delicious already, but excellent potential. Drink or hold.”

“The Frühlingsplätzchen has veins of red slate and always seems more expansive, diffuse, lighter and finessed. It is a wine with a stunning florality and vivid aromatics; it is more expressive in youth.” -Vom Boden importer notes
Weingut Emrich-Schonleber Monzinger Fruhlingsplatzchen Riesling Grosses Gewächs, Nahe 2022 750ml $79 pre-arrival special, only 6 bottles available
Weingut Emrich-Schonleber Monzinger Fruhlingsplatzchen Riesling Grosses Gewächs, Nahe 2022 1.5L $189 pre-arrival special, only 1 magnum available
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 98 points “One of the stars of the vintage in the Nahe! Cool and uplifting with a wealth of fresh and dried herbs and the whole spectrum of citrus. Powerful and compact on the palate which has breathtaking herbal and mineral intensity. Expands and expands at the super-long finish. Excellent aging potential, but you can drink it from release.”

“The upper part of the Nahe, where the three grand vineyards of Emrich-Schönleber are, is a world of slate, both blue-gray and red. The Halenberg… is largely the former, with blue-gray slate that shapes a wine of rigor, density and power. This is perhaps the more mineral, more ageworthy of the two Grand Crus.” -Vom Boden importer notes
Weingut Emrich-Schonleber Monzinger Halenberg Riesling Grosses Gewächs, Nahe 2022 750ml $89 pre-arrival special, only 6 bottles available
Weingut Emrich-Schonleber Monzinger Halenberg Riesling Grosses Gewächs, Nahe 2022 1.5L $199 pre-arrival special, only 1 magnum available
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 95 points “Very attractive nose of peach and spice with just a touch of exotic fruits. Rich and ripe with a touch of mid-palate creaminess as it rolls gently over you, the power very understated. Delicate slatey minerality at the long silky finish. Drink from release.”
Anne Krebiehl MW-Vinous 93-95 points “The 2022 Riesling Monzinger Halenberg Grosses Gewächs comes with a timid nose. A subtle tropical top note and a serene aroma of iced mint appear teasingly, captivating in its shimmering and subtle aromatic spectrum. The palate has this cool aspect, too. Freshness is buffered by a gentle yeasty creaminess that verges into a soft white citrus pith. The 2022 is smooth, slender, elegant, beautifully textured and vivid. The finish is incisive and elegant, with lasting lemon length. (Bone-dry).”

Weingut Emrich-Schonleber Monzinger Niederberg Riesling Kabinett, Nahe 2022 750ml $41.90 pre-arrival special, only 3 bottles available
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 93 points “Brimming with spring blossom aromas plus a touch of flint. This may be a light-bodied wine, but it also has very good structure and stacks of wet stone character at the long, crisp and crystalline finish. Drink or hold.”
Anne Krebiehl MW-Vinous 92 points “The 2022 Riesling Monzinger Niederberg Kabinett is the second vintage of this wine, whose fruit used to be the main component of Monzinger Kabinett. Niederberg is the name for the parcels above Halenberg and on the hillside behind Halenberg, which benefit from warm airflows but are a week later in vegetation. This extra week helps with flavor development and allows for an early harvest. The nose is still reductive, but the palate is of candied lemon intensity, pervasive and bright, with edges of lusciousness on the sweet and invigoratingly tart palate. The finish is lip-smacking and zesty with Amalfi lemon.”

Weingut Emrich-Schonleber Monzinger Fruhlingsplatzchen Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2022 750ml $47.50 pre-arrival special, only 3 bottles available
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 97 points “Bursting with wild berry and herb aromas with a touch of basil and some floral notes this amazing Spatlese has an Alpine freshness! Only medium-bodied, but very concentrated and structured. On the mid-palate this is really compact, but the finish is uplifting thanks to the super-racy and minerally acidity that drives it relentlessly forward. Great aging potential! Drink or hold.”
Anne Krebiehl MW-Vinous 94 points “The 2022 Riesling Monzinger Frühlingsplätzchen Spätlese is made without any botrytis. It was whole-bunch pressed with different press fractions fermented separately to maintain absolute tone. A touch of reduction is followed by candied Amalfi lemon peel inflected with gentle lemon balm notions. The palate is slender, beautifully tart, almost fizzing with lemon freshness. There is serenity, immense charm and exquisite lightness here. A cooling, like mint, note seems to rest on all the intense lemon flavors. Exquisitely balanced, wonderfully tart and lemony, the 2022 is only just sweet. Lemon brightness and ripeness echo long. Lovely.”

 
Close-Out Sales

 

 

“This Champagne is made with our vineyards from Mancy and Cuis, with a chalky-clay soil. It is produced 100% from Pinot Noir.” -Winery Note
Guy Charlemagne Brut Rose NV 750ml WAS $59, NOW $49 special, 6 bottles available
Roger Voss-Wine Enthusiast 90 Points “A beautifully balanced wine, this has great freshness from the red-currant flavors along with a tight, zesty texture and finishes with great acidity. This bottling is ready to drink now.”

 
Best price on the West Coast!
 

Guy Charlemagne Mesnillesime Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut, Champagne 2014 WAS $119, NOW $99 special, 29 bottles available
Winery Note “A Grand Champagne with character from the Côte des Blancs terroir, specifically from Le Mesnil sur Oger (limestone parcels averaging 60 years of age). This champagne produced from first press of Le Mesnil sur Oger Grand Cru juices, highlights the exact characteristic of our village. Jewel of the Charlemagne house, this vintage wine combines both authenticity and the search for perfect quality. Persistent mousse with very fine bubbles. Powerful yet elegant nose dominated by acacia honey eventually shows notes of candied lemon, smoke and a blend of pepper. Unctuous, lightly oaked and complex on the palate, candied fruit and citrus aromas pave the way to a fresh, vanilla finish.”

 
This is the only listing in the USA today!

 

 

Waris-Hubert Blanche Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Extra Brut Millesime, Champagne 2012 750ml WAS $79, NOW $69 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Sorting Table importer note “To the eye, a luminous champagne, wrapped in a yellow robe with pronounced golden highlights. The first scents encompass the universe of herbal and garrigue flowers like lime blossom, eucalyptus and mint. Then, they give way to exotic fruits: pineapple, lychee and mango. On the palate the wine is tender and voluptuous. This gives it a silky, full-bodied dimension, thanks to yellow peach and apricot flavors. It is a profound wine with fine harmony and perfect balance. The heady complexity of the 2012 vintage is perfectly expressed in this 2012 Blanche Millésime Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs from Waris-Hubert.”

 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 

Waris-Hubert Albescent Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru, Champagne NV 750ml WAS $59, NOW $49 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Sorting Table importer note “It has the finesse and exceptional potential of the Chardonnay Grand Cru of Côte des Blancs. To the eye, a pale golden robe with discrete green highlights. The wine’s aromas announce its extreme purity, airy dimension and elegance. Timid at first. Then hazelnut and almond characterize the rich, creamy dimension of this cuvee. The mouthfeel is just as elegant as the aromas: one begins with lemon zest and white fruits’ aromas and tastes. Chrystalline, with barley sugar accents, it highlights our preferred grape variety, Chardonnay. An excellent dinner and aperetif wine.”
From the villages of Avize, Oger, and Cramant; 35-year-old vines on calcareous clay.

 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $64
 

Waris-Hubert ‘Lilyale’ Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Zero Dosage, Champagne NV 750ml WAS $59, NOW $49 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Sorting Table importer note “Pale golden colour with intense glints of emerald green. Fine and lively effervescence; lasting beads of bubbles. The aromas are elegant and expressive with a floral and springlike tone. Notes of lime blossom, mint and freshly mown grass develop, which evolve to white fruit and fresh Mirabelle plum. The scent of Viennese pastries and brioche fill the senses. The palate is full and with a rich attack. Firm and powerful. Dense in the evolution phase with lively lemon flavors, complimented by minerality and hints of wild citrus fruits. It’s the purity, and elegance of the chardonnay grand cru of the Côte des Blancs. Elegant and expressive.”
From the village of Avize, Oger, and Cramant; 35-year-old vines on calcareous clay.
 

The average price is $65

 

Pierre Gerbais
 

Pierre Gerbais L’Originale Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2013) 750ml WAS $89, NOW $79 special, 2 bottles in stock now
No reviews for the 2013-base. Reviews provided for reference.
Antonio Galloni 91 point “One of the most surprising wines in this range, the 2014 Extra Brut L’Originale is 100% Pinot Blanc from vines that mostly date back to 1904. Pinot Blanc is increasingly seen in Champagne, but very rarely on its own. Creamy and ample in feel, with striking aromatic top notes, L’Originale has so much to offer. Citrus peel, orchard fruit, mint and bright floral notes are all laced throughout. Dosage is 3-4 grams per liter. Disgorged: May, 2018.” [Disgorgement date may vary.]
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “There can’t be many, if any, other 100% Pinot Blanc Champagnes. Allowed in the appellation, the grape is only really found in this southern Aube region. It comes to the fore with Aurélien Gerbais (fourth generation), produced from vines planted in 1904. This wine is a soft, creamy and immediately drinkable, with ripe apple and pear flavors.”
Importer note “Disgorged January 2018. 100% Pinot Blanc. Vine Age: Majority planted in 1904. Terroir: Kimmeridgian, mostly from lieu-dit Les Proies. Viticulture: Certified sustainable (Ampelos) since 1996, no synthetic chemicals. Vinification: Indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled, stainless-steel tanks, full malos, aged on fine lees. 36 months sur lattes with organic yeast. Extra-brut dosage of 3-4 g/L, about 30 mg/L total sulfur.”

 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $89.99
 

Pierre Gerbais L’Unique Pinot Blanc Doux, Champagne NV (2015) 750ml WAS $94, NOW $89 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Dessert-style Champagne (Doux).
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “A sweet Champagne produced from late-harvested Pinot Blanc from a parcel of ancient vines, the 2015 Doux L’Unique exhibits aromas of pear, fresh apricot and white flowers, followed by a medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy palate that’s sweet but lively. Youthful and expressive, this would make for a beautiful dessert wine.”
Importer note “2015. 100% Pinot Blanc. Vine Age: Majority planted in 1904. Terroir: Kimmeridgian, mostly from lieu-dit Les Proies (marl and limestone soils, 10,000 vines per hectare plantation density). Viticulture: Certified sustainable (Ampelos) since 1996. 62 g/L dosage, 3 years on the lees.”

 

Charles Ellner
 

Charles Ellner Seduction Brut Millesime, Champagne 2007 750ml WAS $69, NOW $59 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 92 points “A toasty hint of grilled nut adds savory richness to this bright, light-footed Champagne. The firm acidity is well-meshed to notes of yellow plum, candied ginger and lemon curd. Not a powerhouse, but fresh and balanced. Drink now through 2027.”

 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
 

Charles Ellner Cuvee de Reserve Brut, Champagne NV 375ml WAS $28, NOW $24 special, 20 half-bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 90 points “Refined in texture, with persimmon, lemon meringue pie, pickled ginger and almond paste flavors focused by tang of saline minerality and well-cut acidity. Offers a fresh, open-knit finish.”

 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
 

Charles Ellner Brut Rose, Champagne NV 375ml WAS $28, NOW $24 special, 22 half-bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 91 points “A finely balanced, mouthwatering rosé Champagne, with firm acidity backing flavors of tangy cherry, candied strawberry, toast, smoke and spiced plum. Bright and lively, with a clean mineral finish.”

 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 

 

Vietti is not just a winery. It’s a cultural institution that is practically synonymous with Barolo itself in the minds of many Wine lovers. It has even been named a “Historical Brand of National Interest” by the Italian Minister of Economic Development and it’s easy to see why.
 
Taste a few bottles and see for yourself… Vietti seems to represents Italian wine itself: expressive, dramatic, and graceful with nearly infinite depth as it comes of age.
 
It can’t hurt that it’s all made in a winery that looks like a Fairy Tale castle (see above). It certainly helps that they pull fruit from Barolo’s top Crus to craft their masterpieces.
 
In order to highlight the myriad amazing wines they produce, let’s take a quick look at some of their top Crus:
 
“The grapes come from the MGA “Lazzarito” vineyard in the municipality of Serralunga d’Alba, a fabulous amphitheatre-shaped plot with a south-western exposure. The soil is rich in limestone and clay, and the altitude is between 260 and 390 m asl. The average age of the Guyot-cultivated vines is 42 years, and there is a density of around 4500 plants per hectare. The total area occupied by Vietti is around 2 hectares.” –Note from Vietti
Vietti Lazzarito, Barolo DOCG 2019 750ml $239 special, 24 bottles available
Wine Advocate 98 Points “With fruit from Serralunga d’Alba, the Vietti 2019 Barolo Lazzarito is a historic cornerstone wine of this mighty portfolio. It is also one of the Vietti Barolos that consistently delivers extreme quality and pleasure with each new release. Like the other wines presented here, winemaking is straightforward, with submerged cap fermentations lasting 30 to 35 days (although those times were reduced in 2019 because this vintage was not suited to long maceration times). Serralunga d’Alba always delivers power and richness. There are aromas of dried tobacco leaf, perfumed tea, crushed rose and iron ore. The bouquet is extremely expressive.”
Vinous 97 Points “The 2019 Barolo Lazzarito continues a trend seen in recent years in which the focus has been more about finesse than raw power. Intense red fruit, iron, dried herbs, chalk, dried rose petal and white pepper all run through this deep, virile Barolo. The power and intensity of Serralunga really come alive on the heady, explosive finish. Bright saline notes linger on the deep, resonant finish. A Barolo of raw, unbridled power, the Lazzarito demands patience.”
 
The grapes come from one of the oldest vineyards in the entire Barolo region, in Rocche di Castiglione Falletto. Vineyard with vines planted in 1940, 1950 and 1968, with a southern exposure and steep, sloping terraces. Marly soil with a yellow-blue tinge. Guyot training system and a density of around 4600 plants per hectare. – Note from Vietti
Vietti Rocche di Castiglione, Barolo DOCG 2019 750ml $299 special, 4 bottles available
Vinous 99 Points “The 2019 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione is all class. Deep and sensual, the 2019 once again shows how magical this site is. A Barolo with no hard edges and tons of sensuality, the 2019 is positively stellar. Silky tannins wrap around a core of bright red-toned fruit. The purity of the flavors is remarkable. Sweet floral and spice notes lend tons of lift as the Rocche gains in dimension with time in the glass. Resonant, expansive and sensual to the core, the Rocche will thrill Vietti fans.”
Wine Advocate 99 Points “For lovers of timeless Nebbiolo, the Vietti 2019 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione hits all its marks. Yes, Vietti makes beautiful Barolo from some of the best cru sites from across the appellation, but I confess a preference for this outstanding wine. Rocche di Castiglione has the home team advantage with vines located not too far from the winery that is nestled into the outer stone wall and urban fabric of the Castiglione Falletto village. This site is characterized by freshness, extreme precision (that always stands out), linearity, structure and balanced freshness. This naturally concentrated vintage also shows a juicy or succulent quality that is outstanding. Pretty mineral notes add to the balance and elegance. The vineyard site measures about one hectare. Rocche di Castiglione is an oddly shaped and elongated MGA with singular southeast exposures along a steep ravine, with Bussia to the west and Perno to the east.”
   
“The grapes come from the famous MGA “Ravera” vineyard located in the municipality of Novello. Limestone- and clay-rich soil with Marls of Saint Agatha present. Ravera in Novello is a fabulous hillside vineyard with a western/south-western exposure. Altitude around 400 m asl; the average age of the vines is 34 years and there is a density of around 4500 plants per hectare over a total area of around 2.1 hectares. The oldest part was planted in 1935.” –Vineyard note from Vietti
Vietti Barolo Ravera 2018 750ml $199 special, 12 bottles available
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 95+ Points “The 2018 Barolo Ravera is a wine of real depth and vertical structure. As always, the Ravera is a taut, nervy Barolo built on energy more than volume. Readers will have to be patient, as the Ravera is likely to require a number of years to be at its most expressive. Even in the early going, it is vibrant and full of life. Rose petal, chalk, blood orange and white pepper lend striking exotic top notes that are quite suggestive of what the future is going to bring. What a gorgeous Barolo this is.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 Points “Vietti is one of a handful of estates to bring the Ravera MGA of Novello to the current popularity it enjoys now. Their 2018 Barolo Ravera has a smoky personality with crushed stone and pencil shavings. There is plenty of dark fruit at the back, ripe cherry and blackberry mostly, and the wine is tonic and firm in terms of its structure and tannins. The Ravera is a wine of enormous length and a finely tuned texture. Exactly 7,560 bottles were made.”
   

MUGA WINES	VWS PRICE	AVAILABLE	REVIEWS	LINK
VIETTI ARNEIS ROERO 2022	$24	14		Link
VIETTI BARBARESCO RONCAGLIE 2018	$119	3	95 VINOUS	Link
VIETTI BAROLO BRUNATE 2017	$169	3	96 JD	Link
VIETTI BAROLO BRUNATE 2018	$199	6	95 WA	Link
VIETTI BAROLO CEREQUIO 2018	$199	7	97 VINOUS	Link
VIETTI BAROLO CEREQUIO 2019	$249	4	98 VINOUS	Link
VIETTI BAROLO LAZZARITO 2017	$169	7	97 JD	Link
VIETTI BAROLO RAVERA 2017	$169	4	98 JD	Link
VIETTI BAROLO RISERVA 2015	$149	5	96 JD	Link
VIETTI BAROLO ROCCHE 2017	$169	1	90 VINOUS	Link
VIETTI BAROLO ROCCHE CASTIG 2018	$219	3	97+ WA	Link
VIETTI TIMORASSO DERTHONA 2021	$38	36+	92 JD	Link