In This Newsletter:
Bürklin-Wolf
Close-Out Featurette: Pichler-Krutzler
Bürklin-Wolf
Close-Out Featurette: Pichler-Krutzler
“…this may well be the best and most consistent producer of great dry Riesling in the world.” –Joel Payne, Vinous
The Doctor is In…
Stock Up & Save On
Bürklin-Wolf
The Doctor is In…
Stock Up & Save On
Bürklin-Wolf
It’s an open secret that dry German Riesling is one of the most complex white wines in the world, yet is also one of the most undervalued. There exist today some historic and well-respected producers that can turn heads and hearts without turning your wallet inside-out. One such estate is the innovative Dr. Bürklin-Wolf.
The estate of Dr. Bürklin-Wolf is a fixture in the Pfalz. Its quality and prestige have been lauded for centuries. Helmed since 1990 by Bettina Bürklin-von Guradze, she has only improved an already incredible winery. She oversaw the conversion to biodynamics and the shift to exclusively using estate-grown fruit.
Today the winery’s “Chef de Culture” Jan Hock manages 86 hectares including over a dozen different top vineyard sites in the region, all biodynamically. All bottlings regardless of premier cru (which the winery refers to as P.C.) or grand cru (G.C.) are crafted exclusively from handpicked, estate grapes. In the cellar, the wines receive detailed attention from Bürklin-von Guradze’s winemaker, Nicola Libelli. Libelli trained under the previous long-term winemaker, Fritz Knorr, who passed away suddenly in 2012. Skurnik describes Libelli as “young but extremely passionate and driven.” In keeping with Knorr’s legacy, Libelli employs natural fermentation and ages the wines in a combination of stainless steel and old oak casks. When selecting the casks for aging each wine, he is careful so as to ensure balance and to retain the character of the wines.
The results are wines of nuanced texture, thrilling acidity, and uncompromisingly unique character across different sites. These wines are peers of the Great biodynamic estates of France such as Lafite, Latour, and DRC in nearly every metric except price. Try to name one of their estate wines that runs for under $20. And stock your cellar with these incredible values.
The estate of Dr. Bürklin-Wolf is a fixture in the Pfalz. Its quality and prestige have been lauded for centuries. Helmed since 1990 by Bettina Bürklin-von Guradze, she has only improved an already incredible winery. She oversaw the conversion to biodynamics and the shift to exclusively using estate-grown fruit.
Today the winery’s “Chef de Culture” Jan Hock manages 86 hectares including over a dozen different top vineyard sites in the region, all biodynamically. All bottlings regardless of premier cru (which the winery refers to as P.C.) or grand cru (G.C.) are crafted exclusively from handpicked, estate grapes. In the cellar, the wines receive detailed attention from Bürklin-von Guradze’s winemaker, Nicola Libelli. Libelli trained under the previous long-term winemaker, Fritz Knorr, who passed away suddenly in 2012. Skurnik describes Libelli as “young but extremely passionate and driven.” In keeping with Knorr’s legacy, Libelli employs natural fermentation and ages the wines in a combination of stainless steel and old oak casks. When selecting the casks for aging each wine, he is careful so as to ensure balance and to retain the character of the wines.
The results are wines of nuanced texture, thrilling acidity, and uncompromisingly unique character across different sites. These wines are peers of the Great biodynamic estates of France such as Lafite, Latour, and DRC in nearly every metric except price. Try to name one of their estate wines that runs for under $20. And stock your cellar with these incredible values.
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Bürklin-Wolf
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Bürklin-Wolf
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Friday, January 17th at 9 am Pacific.
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Bürklin-Wolf
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Friday, January 17th at 9 am Pacific.
We offer eight Bürklin-Wolf options on sale now, including:
Dr. Burklin-Wolf Wachenheimer Riesling Trocken 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $18, that’s $17.10 at 5% off and $16.20 at 10% off, 25 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 92 points “Slightly funky (from wild ferment) but also great citrus, pear and peach aromas. Good concentration for a village wine with quite a linear profile. Very clean finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Dr. Burklin-Wolf Estate Riesling Trocken 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $19.50, that’s $18.53 at 5% off and $17.55 at 10% off, 9 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 92 points “Open pear and reine-claude plum nose with delicate baking-spice aromas!. Generous and well-structured palate with a long, refreshing finish that’s supported nicely by a touch of chalky tannin. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Dr. Burklin-Wolf Deidesheimer Riesling 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $24, that’s $22.80 at 5% off and $21.60 at 10% off, 3 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 93 points “Such a classic Pfalz dry riesling, with all the juiciness of the region, thanks to the ripe white-peach and guava aromas. Yet, there’s nothing loud about it at all. Real finesse and elegance, the animating acidity, subtle minerality and a touch of tannins melding together beautifully in the long, properly dry finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Dr. Burklin-Wolf Ruppertsberger Gaisböhl G.C. Riesling 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 11 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95 points “The Ruppertsberger 2020 Gaisböhl G.C. is very clear, dense and elegant on the citric, aromatic and concentrated nose that indicates mineral substance and healthy, ripe Riesling fruit. Pure and saline, with dense and concentrated ripe fruit (apples) and ripe phenolics, this is a full-bodied, refined and fresh, vital and mineral Rupperstberger Gaisböhl Riesling with a long, intense and substantial finish that reveals power that is turned into energy by tension-giving minerals. It’s a great, age-worthy Riesling and possibly the finest you can find from Ruppertsberg 12.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted in June 2023.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Dr. Burklin-Wolf Ruppertsberger Gaisböhl G.C. Riesling 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $89, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, 21 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 96 points “What a fragrant nose this has! Effusive Amalfi lemon and ripe yellow grapefruit aromas. Concentrated and beautifully balanced, this really stands out due to the finesse and polish on the generous palate. Long, silky finish in spite of healthy acidity. From biodynamically grown grapes. Vegan. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Dr. Burklin-Wolf Wachenheimer Goldbachel P.C. Riesling Trocken 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 3 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 94 points “An immediately attractive, elegant dry white that’s got a wonderful interplay between juicy stone-fruit character and very bright, refreshing acidity that drives the long, delicately chalky finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
Dr. Burklin-Wolf Ruppertsberger Hoheburg P.C. Riesling Trocken 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92+ points “Of the total of 20 hectares of vines in this Ruppertsberg top site, Bürklin holds 4.68 hectares. Located at the foot of the Mittelhaardt on red and white sandstone, the premier cru benefits from favorable microclimatic advantages. The 2021 Ruppertsberger Hoheburg P.C. is intense but also coolish and clear, with cold, gravelly notes intertwined with ripe yellow apple aromas. Full-bodied, intense and textured yet structured by vivacious acidity and phenolic grip, this is a young and untamed dry Riesling with an intense, saline and still biting finish. 12.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork stopper. Tasted in November 2022.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Dr. Burklin-Wolf Reiterpfad G.C. Riesling 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $89, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, 26 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 96 points “This powerful dry white has an enormously expressive personality. The fine-grained minerality drives this very concentrated riesling along at a very brisk clip. Very intense and slightly austere finish. Great aging potential! From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
Shop our eight selections now from Bürklin-Wolf!
Vinopolis Close-Out Sale Featurette:
Pichler-Krutzler
Elisabeth Pichler-Krutzler, daughter of Franz Xaver (F.X.) Pichler, married the highly-regarded Austrian winemaker Erich Krutzler. In 2007, the pair founded the estate of Pichler-Krutlzer. Their winery is based around the great vineyards of the Wachau and produces some of Austria’s most highly regarded wines.
The pair prefer brighter, fresher wines than the style classically produced at F.X. (which itself is increasingly tending towards lower ripeness and higher acidity). These wines tend to have a little less power and a lot more versatility at the table. They’re breathtakingly complex, soulful wines that, like the remarkable wines of Selbach-Oster, are designed to be enjoyed with food.
In Stock Now:
Pichler-Krutzler Loibenberg Grüner Veltliner 2021 750ml Was $49, Now $39, 16 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2021 Loibner Grüner Veltliner Ried Loibenberg shows an intense yellow color and opens with a pure yet intense and slightly lactic (?) or yeasty bouquet of ripe and lush, yellow fruits intertwined with notes of crushed, crystalline stones and dark flinty notes. Round and mouth-filling on the palate, this an elegant, intense and textured, savory and finely tannic Loibenberg with a sustainable saline and crystalline finish. This is a fine and elegant, finely textured and fruit-intense Veltliner that fermented longer than the other wines (until the end of January), then aged in a 1,200-liter stück barrel and was bottled at the end of August this year with 13.5% stated alcohol. The wine doesn’t have the precision and finesse of the other Veltliners at this early stage, but it will find itself after years on the bottle. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in September 2022.”
The pair prefer brighter, fresher wines than the style classically produced at F.X. (which itself is increasingly tending towards lower ripeness and higher acidity). These wines tend to have a little less power and a lot more versatility at the table. They’re breathtakingly complex, soulful wines that, like the remarkable wines of Selbach-Oster, are designed to be enjoyed with food.
In Stock Now:
Pichler-Krutzler Loibenberg Grüner Veltliner 2021 750ml Was $49, Now $39, 16 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2021 Loibner Grüner Veltliner Ried Loibenberg shows an intense yellow color and opens with a pure yet intense and slightly lactic (?) or yeasty bouquet of ripe and lush, yellow fruits intertwined with notes of crushed, crystalline stones and dark flinty notes. Round and mouth-filling on the palate, this an elegant, intense and textured, savory and finely tannic Loibenberg with a sustainable saline and crystalline finish. This is a fine and elegant, finely textured and fruit-intense Veltliner that fermented longer than the other wines (until the end of January), then aged in a 1,200-liter stück barrel and was bottled at the end of August this year with 13.5% stated alcohol. The wine doesn’t have the precision and finesse of the other Veltliners at this early stage, but it will find itself after years on the bottle. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in September 2022.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Pichler-Krutzler Pfaffenberg Alte Reben Grüner Veltliner 2019 750ml Was $69, Now $59, 3 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 94 points “Vinified in a new, untoasted 900-liter oak vat, the 2019 Ried Pfaffenberg Alte Reben Grüner Veltliner was only bottled in spring this year. The intensely citrus-colored wine shows a flinty, precise, fine and fresh bouquet with ripe stone fruit aromas and spices of crunchy crystalline stones. Creamy textured, ripe, lush and very elegant, with some attractive oak notes but fine tannins, this is a sensual, well-balanced and perfectly round Pfaffenberg that has to be marketed as Kremstal Reserve because the oak influence was too dominant for the DAC tasters in Krems. There is 14.5% alcohol, which you don’t feel due to the mineral freshness and elegance. Tasted at the domain in June 2021.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Pichler-Krutzler Kellerberg Riesling 2021 750ml Was $69, Now $59, 19 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2021 Dürnsteiner Riesling Ried Kellerberg is extremely concentrated and deep on the finely flinty and substantial nose. On the palate, this is a full-bodied, rich and savory, finely tannic and grippy Kellerberg with ripe and concentrated fruit but also a firm and saline finish. The acidity is enormous here (9.4 grams per liter), and the piquancy is well interwoven here with the extract. This is a wine to be cellared for at least 3-4 years. 13.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in September 2022.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Pichler-Krutzler Loibenberg Riesling 2021 750ml Was $59, Now $49, 5 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95 points “Picked between October 16 and 18, the 2021 Loibner Riesling Ried Loibenberg opens with a spectacularly pure, fresh, precise and flinty as well as dense and perfectly ripe stone fruit aroma intermingled with lemon notes. On the palate, this is a salty, saline and savory Loibenberg with an elegant, intense and persistently saline finish with tension, salt and grip. 13.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in September 2022.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
We offer 184 wines on our Close-Out Sale in stock now.
Shop the sale on our webstore now!
Don’t miss our additional sales going on now:
Pingus
5% off any 4-8 in-stock Pingus wines
10% off any 9 or more in-stock Pingus wines
Dal Forno
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Dal Forno
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Dal Forno
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Pingus sale ends Wednesday, January 15th at 9 am Pacific. Dal Forno sale ends Thursday, January 16th at 9 am Pacific.