December 1st Newsletter

 December 1, 2014

Tenuta Ornellaia Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore 2011 ($219.95) $169 special
Antonio Galloni 96+ points “The 2011 Ornellaia is another gorgeous wine. Mocha, plums, tobacco and licorice blossom from the glass in a rich, seamless wine endowed with stunning depth. Savory notes develop later, adding depth and resonance. The 2011 looks to have a broad drinking window that is sure to provide many stages of pleasure over the next 20+ years. The blend is approximately 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “A dark, inky red, featuring violet, black currant, cedar, sandalwood and iron aromas and flavors. Nonetheless, this comes across as elegant, even as the tannins prove formidable on the finish. A terrific young wine in the making. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2017 through 2035”
James Suckling 96 points “This shows incredible concentration with dark-berry, dark-chocolate, mint and rosemary character. Full body with a superb depth of fruit and polished tannins. It’s chewy but caressing. This needs at least four or five years to come around. Powerful and intense. Yet it remains fresh and bright.”

OREGON
Analemma Oak Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir Columbia Gorge 2012 ($39.95) $33 special

Vincent Pinot Blanc Willamette Valley 2013 ($21.95) $19 special
Vincent Pinot Noir Armstrong Vineyard Ribbon Ridge 2013 ($39.95) $33 special
Vincent Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge 2013 ($27.95) $24 special

Crowley Gehrts Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012 ($44.95) $36 special
Crowley Four Winds Pinot Noir 2012 ($59.95) $49 special
Crowley La Colina Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012 ($59.95) $49 special

CALIFORNIA
Rutherford Hill Barrel Select Napa Valley Red 2010 ($37.95) $16 special
Case-12 Rutherford Hill Barrel Select Napa Valley Red 2010 ($349.95) $166 special (that’s only $13.83 / bottle!)**
Wine Enthusiast “Blended from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, this is a good, full-bodied red wine. It’s dry and tannic, with blackberry, blueberry, tobacco, sweet red currant and oak flavors that finish sweet and spicy.”
Vinopolnotes– This is the lowest listed price in the USA! The average listed price is $36 / bottle.

Stag’s Leap Aveta Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2013 ($27.95) $14 special
Winery notes “2013 marks the inaugural vintage of AVETA, named for a water goddess often depicted carrying fruit. It is a fitting moniker to express the vibrant fruit flavors and minerality of our Sauvignon Blanc which is crafted from fruit grown in the alluvial soils of Stag’s Leap estate vineyards as well as other exceptional Napa Valley sites.”
Vinopolnotes– This is the lowest listed price in the USA! The average listed price is 72% higher at $24 / bottle

Jack Nicklaus Golden Bear Reserve Napa Valley 2010 1.5LITER ($399.95) $149 special
Vinopolnotes– Jack Nicklaus Wines, a line of handcrafted, limited-production wines from California’s famed Napa Valley is a partnership between Terlato Wines and golf legend Jack Nicklaus and his family. The Golden Bear Reserve Commemorative Series was inspired by the 50th anniversary of Jack’s first major championship. Each year for the next 18 years, Nicklaus wines will release a single limited-edition 1.5-liter bottle Napa Valley red blend to celebrate each one of Nicklaus’ major championships. Produced by Terlato Wine Group, each release will be limited to 1,000 bottles and each bottle will be packaged in an individual wooden display box and accompanied by a letter from Jack that includes his reflections on that major victory.
Vinopolnotes– This is the lowest listed price is the USA! The next best listed price is 98% higher at $249.95 / magnum. The average listed price is $184 / 750ml bottle

Terlato Family Pinot Grigio Russian River Valley 2011 ($21.95) $10.90 special
Case-12 Terlato Family Pinot Grigio Russian River Valley 2011 ($219.95) $99 special (that’s only $8.25 / bottle!)**
Wine Enthusiast 88 points “Ripe and forward with Meyer lemon, lime, green apple and honeysuckle flavors. The finish is off dry and zesty in acidity. What an easy wine to drink with Asian, Ethiopian, Indian or Mexican fare, or by itself as a cocktail sipper.”
Vinopolnotes– This is the lowest listed price in the USA! The average listed price is 74% higher than our bottle price at $19 / bottle

FRANCE-CHAMPAGNE
Vilmart Cuvee Rubis Brut Rose NV ($99.95) $69 special
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “(90% pinot noir and 10% chardonnay, from 2010 and 2009; aged on its lees for 15 months and disgorged in September, 2012):  Pale pink.  High-pitched raspberry, floral pastille and spicecake aromas are deepened by notes of iodine and anise.  Silky and seamless on the palate, offering intense red berry flavors and a hint of honeysuckle.  Finishes sappy and long, with exotic spice and floral nuances and lingering minerality.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Smoke and graphite notes underscore the ripe strawberry and cherry fruit in this lacy, finely meshed rosé Champagne, accented by ginger biscuit and ground clove notes. Fresh and mouthwatering, presenting a lasting, chalky finish.”
Vinopolnotes– This is the lowest listed price in the USA! The average listed price is 20% higher at $83/ bottle

Vilmart Coeur De Cuvee Brut Premier Cru 2006 ($179.95) $129 special
Antonio Galloni 95 points“Explosive and powerful to the core, Vilmart’s 2006 Brut Coeur de Cuvée is once again superb. Rich, textured flavors abound in a Champagne that impresses for its resonance and depth. The flavor profile leans very much towards the brighter, Chardonnay side of the spectrum, while the Pinot is felt in the wine’s pliancy and overall depth. Readers who can find the 2006 are in for a real treat. This is a dazzling showing from Vilmart. The Coeur de Cuvée is 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot from Les Blanches Voies Hautes in Rilly-la-Montagne”

Vilmart Brut Grand Cellier d’Or Premier Cru 2009 ($99.95) $79 special
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Vilmart’s 2009 Grand Cellier d’Or is utterly striking in its beauty. Open and resonant, the 2009 is a wine that will drink well upon release given the warm, open personality of the year. Almonds, citrus, pastry and spice notes flesh out on the expressive, layered finish. The blend is 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir. All of the Vilmart Champagnes spend ten months in cask and do not undergo malolactic fermentation.”
Vinopolnotes– This is the lowest listed price in the USA! The average listed price is 22% higher at $97 / bottle

Vilmart Brut Grand Cellier Brut Premier Cru NV ($89.95) $59 special
Wine Spectator 92 points “Well-spiced, this Champagne is open-knit and airy in texture, with bright, juicy acidity and flavors of gingerbread, yellow plum, slivered almonds, chalk and citrus. A crowd-pleaser, with a long, mouthwatering finish. ”
Vinopolnotes– This is the lowest listed price in the USA!. The average listed price is 22% higher at $72 / bottle

Vilmart Brut Grand Cellier d’Or 2007 1.5LITER ($299.95) $228 special
Wine Spectator 94 points “A skein of ground spice unravels through flavors of black cherry coulis, crème de cassis, honeycomb and brioche in this elegant version. Mouthwatering acidity and a lightly chalky texture push through to the lasting finish. Drink now through 2025.”

Demarne-Frison Goustan Brut Nature NV ($59.95) $36 special
Distributor notes “50% pinot noir from Les Clos de la Cote, 50% Chardonnay from Les Cotannes, and all from 2007. As the bulk of a tiny production from a new producer Goustan is a superb first effort, showing a hearty core with vibrant acidity.”
Vinopolnotes– This is the lowest listed price in the USA! The next best listed price is 49% higher at $53.99 / bottle

Marie-Courtin Resonance Extra Brut NV (’11) ($59.95) $44 special
Vinopolnotes– Marie Courtin produces a range of single vintage, single vineyard Extra Brut Champagnes. The first produced is ‘Resonance,’ which represents the wine’s balanced relationship to its terroir. With grapes sourced from the top of the hill, it sees fermentation in stainless steel. The result is a crisp and lively wine with a great expression of its place.
Vinopolnotes– This is the lowest listed price in the USA! The average listed price is $55 / bottle

Gaston Chiquet Special Club 2007 ($89.95) $59 special
Vinopolnotes- Only winegrowers belonging to the “Club Trésors de Champagne” may produce a Special Club cuvée. Each creates their own blend using grapes harvested on their land, which is then submitted for Special Club selection. Gaston Chiquet’s 2007 Special Club is a blend of mostly Chardonnay (70%) with the remainder Pinot Noir.

FRANCE-BURGUNDY
Dujac Fils & Pere Chambolle Musigny 2011 ($119.95) $79 special
Stephen Tanzer 88 points “Good bright red.  More perfumed on the nose than the village Morey, offering cherry and floral aromas.  Juicy, fruity and energetic, with red fruit flavors accented but not dominated by pepper and herbs.  Finishes with firm, slightly dry-edged tannins and good lift.”

Dujac Fils & Pere Morey St Denis 2010 ($99.95) $79 special
Stephen Tanzer 88-90 points “(there are 25 barrels of this juice, vs. a normal 50, due in large part to the effects of the December ’09 frost):  Good deep red.  Pure, complex nose offers black raspberry, mocha, brown spices, mint and game.  Dense, spicy and fine-grained; creamy-sweet but given shape by harmonious ripe acidity.  This attractive midweight is more generous today than the Gevrey.”

Dujac Fils & Pere Morey St Denis 2011 ($99.95) $79 special

Domaine Dujac Gevrey Chambertin Aux Combottes Premier Cru 2011 ($249.95) $199 special
Stephen Tanzer 91+ points “Captivating aromas of pristine red fruits, minerals and underbrush, plus a whiff of porcini.  Juicy and penetrating on the palate, with terrific high-pitched precision to the red raspberry and cherry flavors.  Lovely cut here, as well as a tannic spine that calls for four or five years of aging.  Jeremy Seysses noted that with the estate’s clonal material, their grapes are riper.  “We start pulling leaves on the north side of the vines not long after the flowering, and we get thicker skins,” he told me, adding that the estate’s 2011s are tannic wines.”

ITALY-PIEDMONT
G.D. Vajra Barolo DOCG Albe 2010 ($49.95) $39 special
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “The 2010 Barolo Albe has begun to close down in bottle. Today, the tannins dominate over the fruit, although from time to time the wine’s personality begins to emerge. Rose petal, mint, sage and licorice meld together in a supple, racy Barolo endowed with both tons of near-term appeal and the potential to develop beautifully in bottle. Vajra crafts the Albe to be accessible young, but 2010 is a vintage in which a few years in bottle will only help. The Albe is one of the very finest Barolos in its price range.”

G.D. Vajra Barolo DOCG Bricco Delle Viole 2010 ($89.95) $79 special
Antonio Galloni 96+ points “The 2010 Barolo Bricco delle Viole is going to need quite a bit of time to fully come together. Dark cherries, plums, tobacco and spices burst from the glass in an intense, structured Barolo that hits all the high notes. Next to the Ravera, the Bricco delle Viole is more floral, lifted and finessed, especially with time in the glass. Rose petals, savory herbs and sweet spices add the last nuance of complexity. The 2010 is fabulous; it’s as simple as that.”

ITALY-TUSCANY
Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli 2007 ($119.95) $99 special
Antonio Galloni 96 points “Il Poggione’s 2007 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli is utterly stunning, but it is surprisingly tannic and huge for a vintage in which so many wines are much more approachable. Layers of dark red stone fruit open up on the palate, followed by sweet spices, savory herbs and mint. Beautifully perfumed and expressive throughout, the 2007 is a jewel of a wine. The only thing it needs is time.”
Wine Advocate 95 points “The estate’s 2007 Brunello di Montalcino has developed beautifully over the last year. Freshly cut flowers, dark raspberries, spices and mint all take shape in a 2007 that impresses for its freshness and pure energy. Sweet roses and violets linger on the finish. I imagine the 2007 will enjoy a very broad drinking window. Today it is drop-dead gorgeous. The combination of dry extract above 34 and acidity north of 6% is exceedingly rare and suggests the wine will age for several decades. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2047.”

Biondi Santi Castello di Montepo Sassoalloro Toscana IGT 2009 ($39.95) $26.60 special
Case-12 Biondi Santi Castello di Montepo Sassoalloro Toscana IGT 2009 ($399.95) $289 special (that’s only $24 / bottle!)**
Wine Advocate 91 points “A landmark wine in the landscape of Italian enology, the 2009 Sassoalloro is a pure expression of the special Sangiovese Grosso clone BBS11 that the Biondi Santi family has safeguarded in the Tuscan territories of Montalcino and Scansano respectively. The 2009 vintage still needs time to flesh out and find its footing. Red rose, dried blackberry, moist clay and button mushroom all make subtle appearances on the feminine bouquet. Firm structure is present to carry this wine forward over the years. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2022. ”
Vinopolnotes– This is the lowest listed price in the USA! The average listed price is $33 / bottle.

Frescobaldi Luce Della Vite Luce Toscana IGT 2011 ($99.95) $69 special
Wine Spectator 95 points –#47 TOP 100 2014--“Highly recommended. Polished and complex, featuring ripe black cherry, plum, mint, vanilla, chocolate, leather and tobacco aromas and flavors. Dense and tannic, with concentrated sweet fruit for balance. Finishes long and harmonious. Merlot and Sangiovese. Best from 2017 through 2035.”
Vinopolnotes– This is the lowest listed price in the USA! The average listed price is 36% higher at $94 / bottle

Castello Banfi Chianti Classico DOCG 2011 ($17.95) $9.90 special
Wine Spectator 88 points “Aeration reveals cherry, plum, tea and tobacco flavors. Starts out rich, turning leaner and tighter on the finish. Needs time. Best from 2015 through 2021.”
Vinopolnotes– This is the lowest listed price in the USA! The average listed price is 41% higher at $14 / bottle

Castello Banfi Pinot Grigio San Angelo Toscana IGT 2013 ($21.95) $14 special
CASE-12 Castello Banfi Pinot Grigio San Angelo Toscana IGT 2013 ($219.95) $128 special (that’s only $10.66 / bottle!)**
Winery notes “100% Pinot Grigio from the southern part of the Montalcino region. Excellent as an aperitif, or accompaniment to light dishes such as grilled vegetables and pasta primavera, as well as a range of seafood.”
Vinopolnotes– This is the lowest listed price in the USA! The average listed price is $17 / bottle

Mazzoni Vermentino Chardonnay Tuscany 2012 ($17.95) $8.50 special
Case-12 Mazzoni Vermentino Chardonnay Tuscany 2012 ($179.95) $89 special  (that’s only $7.40 / bottle!)**
Vinopolnotes– Two of the world’s greatest wine-making families are behind the wines from Mazzoni – wines that offer true Italian style for great value. Mazzoni represents a historic collaboration between the Franceschi family from Tuscany and Terlato family from Napa. Blending Italy’s old world hand-crafted approach with California’s innovative wine-making technology results in some truly elegant and still affordable wines. Mazzoni Vermentino-Chardonnay wine is blend of two white varieties: Vermentino (75%) a classic Tuscan variety, gives the wine a crisp, refreshing flavors, Chardonnay (25%) provides acidity a body, making this wine an ideal pairing with light fish and Mediterranean flavors.
Vinopolnotes– This is the lowest listed price in the USA! The average listed price is $16 / bottle

Spotlight Highlight
Special Re-Arrivals

Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta 2010 ($79.95) $59 special
Wine Spectator 94 points Top 100 of 2014 #42 “Big and rich, this red is filled with powerful flavors of blackberry, dark currant, black olive and dark chocolate that are built on an ironclad frame. Notes of cocoa powder and cream chime in as well, and the muscular finish lingers with hints of savory herb. Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2014 through 2022.”

Bollinger Brut Special Cuvee NV ($69.95) $49 special
Case-6 Bollinger Brut Special Cuvee NV ($359.95) $282 special (that’s only $47 / bottle!)**
Wine Spectator 93 points “This is firm and tightly knit, with a backbone of steely acidity, showing a fine, creamy texture that imparts an overall sense of finesse to the layers of poached apple, mille-feuille, black currant, kumquat and honey, showing hints of ground spice and smoky mineral. Drink now through 2020.”

Brick House Evelyn’s Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2012 ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 95 points “Focused, juicy, precise and expressive, this offers a gorgeously balanced mouthful of plum, currant, red berry and floral flavors that come together harmoniously and persist into the long finish. Has depth and distinction. Best from 2016 through 2022.”

Hudelot-Baillet Bourgogne Rouge 2012 ($34.95) $28 pre-arrival special

Hudelot-Baillet Chambolle Musigny Vieilles Vignes 2012 ($79.95) $66 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 91-93 points “The 2012 Chambolle-Musigny Vieilles Vignes comes from four lieux-dits to the south of Chambolle, courtesy of vines aged between 55 and 70-years. It has a very elegant bouquet that needs a little more encouragement than the regular Chambolle, opening to reveal brambly black fruit, cold stone and a touch of forest floor. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, supple tannins matched with good acidity. There is fine depth here, adorned with rounded blackcurrant and raspberry fruit and perhaps just requiring a little more tension right on the finish. Still, this is very fine.”

Hudelot-Baillet Chambolle Musigny Les Charmes Premier Cru 2012 ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “From two parcels of 60+ year old vines totalling 0.63-hectares, the 2012 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Charmes has an entrancingly beautiful bouquet with blackberry, wild hedgerow, iris and cold stone that has wonderful definition. The palate has very good structure and mineralite: real tension here with a taut, linear finish that goes on and on. This is one of the best Chambolle premier crus this year.”

Hudelot-Baillet Bonnes Mares Grand Cru 2012 ($279.95) $219 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 95-97 points “The 2012 Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru comes from a 0.29-hectare parcel of 70-year old vines that this year yielded just two barrels, one of them new. It has a very perfumed, quite floral bouquet with crystalline, red berry fruit intermingling with rose petals and just superb delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine fruit concentration on the entry (black cherries, blueberry and raspberry) with supple yet fine tannins. It fans out wondrously towards the finish that is surfeit with energy and mineralite. This is a superb Bonnes-Mares–though it will be difficult to find!”

Ornellaia Masseto Toscana IGT 2011 ($649.95) $599 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 100 points “Wow. Fabulous aromas of currants, rosemary, mint and orange peel. Perfect nose. Full body with perfectly integrated tannins. It’s long and incredible with tangerine, toasted-oak, berry, terracotta and chocolate flavors. It lasts for minutes on the palate. This needs at least five years to soften but so spellbinding now.”

Vietti Barolo DOCG Ravera 2010 ($399.95) $299 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 100 points ” The 2010 Barolo Ravera is one of the greatest wines I have ever tasted from Vietti. Stunning. It’s as simple as that Freshly cut flowers, mint, spices, crushed rocks and pine jump from the glass in a vivid, crystalline wine endowed with captivating purity, clarity and finesse. The 2010 takes hold of the palate and never lets up, gaining body, breadth and volume over time. A breathtaking, perfumed finish rounds out the finish. The Ravera represents a bit of a stylistic departure for Vietti and a return to a more traditional style of winemaking. The 2010 was done entirely in cask, with minimal racking. In its early years, it was virtually impossible to taste as the reductive winemaking style gave a wine with closed aromatics and searing tannin. Today, the 2010 is beginning to blossom into an epic Barolo. The 2010 Ravera may well be the single greatest Barolo Luca Currado has ever made. It is also a wine that, along with the Barolos of Elvio Cogno, show just how much potential the hills of Ravera have to offer. Readers who can find the 2010 Ravera should not hesitate. It is a legendary, benchmark Barolo in the making. As an aside, a bottle of the 1999 I tasted last year was extraordinary, and it was made in the slightly more modern style that was typical at Vietti during that era.”

Giacomo Conterno Barbera d’Alba Cascina Francia 2012 750ml ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Giacomo Conterno Barbera d’Alba Cascina Francia 2012 1.5 LITER ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 94 points“The 2012 Barbera d’Alba Cascina Francia stands out for its exceptional finesse and delicacy. Sweet rose petals, mint, cinnamon and red berries are all laced together in a soft, polished Barbera long on class and finesse. Perfumed notes continues to open up in the glass, while brighter, more saline-inflected notes give the wine its sense of energy and tension. This is a magnificent showing. Ideally, readers will be able to give the 2012 at least another year or two in bottle.”

Producing wines from some of the most famous vineyard sites in the Nuits-Saint-Georges, this eighty-year old family estate is widely considered the top producer in the area.  The Domaine was founded by Henri Gouges, who was known

Domaine Henri Gouges Bourgogne Blanc 2012 ($37.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 88 points “The 2012 Bourgogne Pinot Blanc is gorgeous in this vintage. White flowers, white peaches, lemon and mint all take shape in the glass. The flavors are bright and focused, but texturally the wine is pretty, supple and very nicely put together. The style is high-toned and aromatically expressive, which is quite typical of whites from the Hautes Côtes de Nuits.”

Domaine Henri Gouges Les Perrieres, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru Blanc 2012 ($159.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 91 points “Smoke, slate, lemon oil, crushed rocks and graphite are some of the many notes that meld together in the Nuits Saint Georges Les Perrières Blanc, which emerges from a parcel planted with Pinot Blanc rather than Chardonnay. A rich, explosive wine, the 2012 impresses for its power, minerality and intensity. The style is broad, creamy and beautifully expressive throughout.”

Domaine Henri Gouges Clos des Porrets Monopole, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru Blanc 2012 ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special

Domaine Henri Gouges Bourgogne Rouge 2012 ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 88 points “Gouge’s 2012 Bourgogne shimmers on the palate with gorgeous freshness and cut. Sweet red cherries, mint and spices wrap around the palate in an inviting, layered wine to drink over the next few years.”

Domaine Henri Gouges Nuits-Saint-Georges 2012 375ML ($41.95) $33 half-bottle pre-arrival special
Domaine Henri Gouges Nuits-Saint-Georges 2012 ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 89-91 points “The 2012 Nuits St. Georges is utterly exquisite. Sweet floral and spice notes lift out of the glass, followed by a host of blue/black fruits, spices, mint and licorice. The flavors are classic Nuits but the villages is surprisingly weightless, aromatic and polished. I especially like the freshness of the finish.”

Domaine Henri Gouges Les Chaignots, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2012 ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 89-91 points “Beams of bright acidity and minerality run through the 2012 Nuits St. Georges Les Chaignots. Freshly cut flowers, mint, dark raspberries and chalk flow effortlessly. This is a decidedly vertical Nuits built on energy. The style is a bit compact, but pretty all the same.”

Domaine Henri Gouges Les Chenes Carteaux, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2012 ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 90-92 points “Blue and purple fruit, smoke, licorice, violets and cloves flesh out in the 2012 Nuits St. Georges Les Chênes Carteaux. This is an especially round, supple Chênes Carteaux with tons of near and medium-term appeal. The round, silky finish is polished and beautifully resonant, all of which suggest the 2012 will drink better earlier than some of the other wines in this range.”
Stephen Tanzer 90-92 points “Bright, full red.  Red cherry and smoke on the nose.  Juicy, vinous and fine-grained but also with good volume to the sweet red fruit flavors.  Lovely peppery acidity gives lift to the wine.  Finishes with pliant tannins and excellent saline persistence.  Nicely concentrated wine from the south side of the village.”

Domaine Henri Gouges Clos des Porrets Monopole, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2012 375ML ($59.95) $49 half-bottle pre-arrival special
Domaine Henri Gouges Clos des Porrets Monopole, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2012 ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 92-94+ points “The 2012 Nuits St. Georges Clos des Porrets Saint-Georges is beautifully round and supple. Here the fruit is distinctly red-toned, with hints of iron, earthiness, smoke and tobacco that add complexity. The 2012 will be highly appealing young because of its pure density, but it also appears to have the stuffing to age well for a number of years. This is a great showing from Gouges.”

Domaine Henri Gouges Les Pruliers, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2012 ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 93-96 points “Gouge’s 2012 Nuits St. Georges Les Pruliers is less immediate than some of the other wines in the range. Here it is the crystalline purity of the aromas and flavors that stands out most. Violets, plums, licorice, sweet spices and tar are all woven together in a wine that shows the finesse Nuits can at times achieve. The tannins are firm yet also impeccable in their silkiness. Structurally quite classic, the 2012 will reward cellaring.”

Domaine Henri Gouges Les Vaucrains, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2012 ($169.95) $149 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95-97 points “The 2012 Nuits St. Georges Les Vaucrains explodes onto the palate with a heady melange of dark red berries, freshly cut roses, cinnamon and new leather. The tannins are there, but they are nearly buried by the intensity of the fruit. The sheer luxuriousness of the fruit will tempt readers early, but those who can wait will be rewarded with an extraordinary Burgundy. This is a great showing.”

Domaine Henri Gouges Les Saint-Georges, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2012 ($219.95) $199 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95-97+ points “A dark, brooding wine, the 2012 Nuits St. Georges Les Saint-Georges boasts stunning depth, power and richness. Smoke, black fruit, tar, tobacco, licorice and menthol all take shape in the glass. The 2012 is classic Saint Georges; explosive, tannic and built for the long haul. Cloves, menthol, licorice and plums reappear on the huge, enveloping finish. Readers who can find the 2012 should not hesitate. It is a gem of a wine.”

Domaine Henri Gouges Clos des Porrets Monopole, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2011 ($89.95) $79 special 33 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 90 points “Bright medium red. Liqueur-like aromas of cherry and raspberry. Sweet red fruit and spice flavors are lifted by notes of rose petal, herbs and pepper. Has the freshness and balance to give early pleasure. Finishes with lingering pepper-and-spice perfume and very good length.”

Domaine Henri Gouges Nuits-Saint-Georges 2010 ($69.95) $44 special 13 bottles available
Burghound 87-89 points “Here too there is mild reduction that renders the nose difficult to read. There is by contrast good freshness and punch to the supple middle weight flavors where the supporting tannins are unusually fine, especially for the appellation, all wrapped in a lingering finish where only a trace of rusticity surfaces. A good if not distinguished villages.”

Domaine Henri Gouges Nuits-Saint-Georges 2011 375ML ($.95) $33 special 8 half-bottles available
Domaine Henri Gouges Nuits-Saint-Georges 2011 ($69.95) $49 special 23 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 87-89 points “Good bright, deep red. Strong animal reduction along with black and red fruits on the nose. Silky and supple for a Nuits villages owing to ripe acidity, with a lovely restrained sweetness to its dark fruit flavors. Finishes with suave tannins and good breadth and length. Very nicely balanced.”

Domaine Henri Gouges Les Chaignots, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2010 ($89.95) $79 special 24 bottles available
Burghound 88-91 points “Reduction. The round, supple and already readily accessible medium-bodied flavors possess subtle spice notes before the expected punch and focus arrives on the finish where everything immediately tightens up on the mouth coating finish. This is one of those wines that will very likely drink well all of its life.”

Domaine Henri Gouges Les Chaignots, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2011 ($99.95) $79 special 3 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 89-91 points “Bright medium red. Precise aromas and flavors of blackberry, violet, licorice, minerals and musky chocolate. Juicy and sharply delineated, with noteworthy intensity of flavor. Spreads out nicely and vibrates on the long, firm finish.”

Domaine Henri Gouges Les Chenes Carteaux, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2010 ($79.95) $79 special 21 bottles available
Burghound 89-92 points “Reduction. This is also quite supple and relatively forward but the middle weight flavors retain good delineation and excellent complexity on the persistent finish. This is presently on the tangy side though I attribute this more to the presence of substantial amounts of gas rather than under ripe phenolics. This should amply reward 10 to 12 years of cellar time.”

Domaine Henri Gouges Les Chenes Carteaux, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2011 ($79.95) $69 special 33 bottles available
Burghound 89-92 points “A discreet touch of wood surround the ripe and well-layered mix of red berry fruit scents that are liberally laced with earth and underbrush nuances. There is good ripeness to the suave, even seductive middle weight flavors that possess really lovely depth on the persistent, balanced and harmonious finish. This is really quite good and worth considering.”

Domaine Henri Gouges Les Pruliers, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2011 ($99.95) $89 special 21 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Bright medium red. Reticent high-toned aromas of slightly jammy red fruits and earth. Sweet and ripe; richer and deeper than the Porrets Saint-Georges, with silky red cherry, currant and spice flavors enlivened by pungent peppery acidity. Nicely balanced, round wine with good buffering extract.”

Domaine Henri Gouges Nuits St Georges Les Vaucrains 2005 ($199.95) $179 pre-arrival special
Burghound 93 points –OUTSTANDING--“Extremely primary yet multi-dimensional black fruit and earthy aromas introduce rich, full and massive flavors that are powerful, robust and muscled with so much mid-palate sap that the extremely firm tannic spine is almost, if not completely masked. However, as it always does, the tannins will come out with time and I expect that this will always have a certain chewy quality and will require more than a decade of time in bottle to really begin to round out. Wonderful potential but for the very patient.”

Moving South from Wehlen, we come to Graach, located on the Mosel river between Bernkastel and Wehlen. With a total of 333 acres (135ha) of vineyards, Graach is part of an expansive slate mountain-side that rises above the right bank of the Mosel at Bernkastel and stretches on North to Zeltingen.  The largest, and two of the most revered, vineyards are Graacher Dompropst and Graacher Himmlereich.  The abundant minerality of the Devonian slate soil (pictured below) that Graach vineyards share embodies subtle differences at each site, but all wines from Graach have excellent aging potential in common. Will Schaefer, with his small 4ha winery based in Graach, is one of the area’s most prominent producers, his wines know for their precision and clarity of terroir.

Graacher Domprobst, with 70 acres of south-west facing vineyards on entirely Devonian slate soil, is one of two Erste Lages in Graach (the other, a tiny monopole Graacher Josephshöfer , is a rarity in most markets). The name Dompropst (‘provost’) itself refers to the Trier cathedral, which at one time received one-third of the total taxes raised in Graach. Domprobst is the more powerful, sometimes asutere, of the two vineyards, with an overt minerality imparted by the slate soil. These are wines that reward the patient owner, decidely linear and in need of time to show their full potential.

The second great vineyard in Graach is Graacher Himmelreich. Though not classified as an Erste Lage, the wines from this area are celebrated, a long standing fact given the name Himmelreich (Heavenly Domain), implying that this is a vineyard that will fulfill the winegrower’s hopes and dreams. The largest vineyard in Graach, Himmelreich consists of 215 acres of steep, weathered slate with a small amount of clay. In Himmelreich, with the higher component of clay, the fruit is to the forefront and the wines are lighter in minerality, often full-bodied and juicy depending on the vintage. Though the wines from both areas are capable of long term aging, Graacher Himmelreich Riesling is said to have a sense of accessibility and immediate pleasure in its youth.

Emil Reichart Riesling Graacher Dompropst Spatlese 2011 ($21.95) $14 special 12 bottles available

Willi Schaefer Riesling Graacher Domprobst Auslese #14 ’12 375ml ($59.95) $44 special 7 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 94 points “($56) Pale golden yellow. Pear, peppermint and vanilla on the seductive nose, complicated by a hint of nut oil. Glazed apricot and honey provide a luscious texture that’s stimulated by bright acidity and insistent slate. Luxuriant but nonetheless elegant, with a pronounced spiciness on the extremely long finish, this is one of the great ausleses of the vintage.”

Willi Schaefer Riesling Graacher Domprobst Beerenauslese 2011 375ml ($209.95) $169 special 5 half-bottles available
Wine Advocate 97 points “The Schaefer 2011 Graacher Domprobst Riesling Beerenauslese restores the brightness, vivacity, penetrating and interplay of flavors that characterized the two magnificent Domprobst Spatlesen in the present collection but had receded as one made one’s way through the Spatlesen. Never has Willi Schaefer’s repeated mantra that green-golden ripe berries must be well-represented in a B.A. been more deliciously illustrated. Juicy and candied lemon, apple jelly and fresh apple concentrate, quince paste, white raisin, vanilla cream, and salted caramel all inform a rich yet exuberant palate performance that enervates even as it envelops. This should have half a century of adventure in store.”

JJ Prum Riesling Graacher Himmelreich Auslese GK 2011 375ml ($49.95) $41.90 special 10 half-bottles available
Wine Advocate 92 points “Candied, spiced apple and overripe Persian melon dominate the Prum 2011 Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese gold capsule, with honeyed impingement both aromatically and on the palate reinforcing the sense of relative opacity and rounded richness that the other Graachers in this year’s collection displayed. Here the sense of delicacy is nearly weightless; intriguing and enticing notes of liquid peony and lily enter the picture mid-palate after the wine takes on air; and for all of the botrytization in effect, there is a welcome retention of primary juiciness, spurring a lusciously long finish. Look for four decades or more of luxuriant satisfaction.”

JJ Prum Riesling Graacher Himmelreich Auslese GK 2012 375ml ($59.95) $39 special 15 half-bottles available
JJ Prum Riesling Graacher Himmelreich Auslese GK 2012 750ML ($99.95) $79 special 9 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points “This offers a comparatively ripe feel on the nose as well as a long and fresh finish. The wine is quite driven by minerals and herbs on the palate and leaves an airy and smoky feel in the long and smooth finish. The wine develops a cool, zesty and minty side with airing. 2027-2047.”

JJ Prum Riesling Graacher Himmelreich Kabinett 2008 ($31.95) $24 special 14 bottles available
Wine Advocate 91 points “The Prum 2008 Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett smells of green tea, fresh apple, honeysuckle, and acacia; offers boundless refreshment and gravity-defying buoyancy with pungent invigoration of citrus peel and apple skin; and finishes with its pure fruit and effusive, persistent inner-mouth floral perfume allied to saline, stony, smoke, iodine-like and remarkably savory manifestations of things mineral. It will reward 20-25 years of cellaring for the few who put that claim to the test–or who are already convinced by their past experience with Prum Rieslings.”

JJ Prum Riesling Graacher Himmelreich Kabinett 2012 ($29.95) $21.90 special 16 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “This offers a gorgeous nose of lemon, peach, white orchard fruits and some herbs. The wine is deliciously well balanced on the palate and delivers a stunningly long and well-balanced finish. 2019-2032.”

JJ Prum Riesling Graacher Himmelreich Spatlese 2012 ($37.95) $27 special 10 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “($42) Apricot pit, lime zest and clove on the nose. The delicate nectarine fruit and creamy texture is held aloft by nutmeg and mineral salts. An element of slate provides spice on the enticing finish of this bright, lively wine.”

Willi Schaefer Riesling Graacher Himmelreich Auslese #9 ’12 375ml ($59.95) $44 special 12+ bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “($51) Pale golden yellow. Enticing aromas of raspberry, mint and sassafras mingle with a faint hint of spicy botrytis. Ripe and full yet discreet, this auslese is both dense and light on the palate. Finishes complex and long.”

Willi Schaefer Riesling Graacher Himmelreich Spatlese 2010 ($41.95) $36 special 2 bottles available

Willi Schaefer Riesling Graacher Domprobst Kabinett 2013 ($27.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Terry Theise notes: “Very spicy and salty and the acids are quite prominent; ginger and tropical fruit are emphatic, but this is still pre-filtration and it has many more tartrates to precipitate—so hard to judge right now.”

Willi Schaefer Riesling Graacher Domprobst Spatlese #5 2013 ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Terry Theise notes: “Highly complex aromas in a strong-willed rendition of this perennially great wine. Pure force of self and no desire (or need) to charm. Swollen acidity engulfed in turn by massively dense fruit and perfectly balanced RS; the wine seems creamy, clotted, you could ladle it as much as pour it.”

Willi Schaefer Riesling Graacher Domprobst Auslese #14 2013 ($109.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Terry Theise notes: “Candied ginger. Rather into BA-territory now. The first of these to taste discretely “sweet.” Already balanced, albeit turbulent, but this is glaringly brassy and brilliant. The customary Schaefer serenity is elsewhere. Impressive finish here, and fathomless miles to go.”

JJ Prum Riesling Graacher Himmelreich Auslese 2013 ($51.95) $41.90 pre-arrival special

JJ Prum Riesling Graacher Himmelreich Auslese GK 2013 375ml ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
JJ Prum Riesling Graacher Himmelreich Auslese GK 2013 750ML ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special

JJ Prum Riesling Graacher Himmelreich Spatlese 2008 ($44.95) $38 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 92 points “The Prums’ 2008 Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese is less obviously rich but even more remarkably delicate than the corresponding Zeltinger Sonnenuhr. Here too, we have creaminess of texture allied to refreshing brightness. Iris, buddleia, apple, and pineapple are tinged with enticing salinity, and one is drawn back infectiously for the next sip, as this wine’s intrigue and understated charm work their magic. Over the next three decades, I predict that this will remain the most intimate and delicate of the vintage’s Prum Spatlesen.”
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “($44) Apricot pit, lime zest and clove on the nose. The delicate nectarine fruit and creamy texture are held aloft by nutmeg and mineral salts. Finishes bright, lively and satisfying, with a spicy character provided by the slate.”

Willi Schaefer Riesling Graacher Himmelreich Auslese #4 2013 ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Terry Theise notes: “Sleek, tangy, streamlined version of Himmelreich, angular and quince-y. Acids are pointed and botrytis is high-toned and gingery. At the moment depth is obscured by the glaring brilliance; there’s little apparent middle, yet there must be, so judgment of necessity deferred.”

Willi Schaefer Riesling Graacher Himmelreich Kabinett 2013 ($27.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Terry Theise notes: “It’s limpid though some botrytis is present through the gently polished texture; as is often the case with ’13s the fruit emerges with air, as does the salty concentration; the delicate (and moderate) sweetness is welcome. Which wine is it, the salty botrytisey one or the semi-solid fruity one? We shall see.”

Willi Schaefer Riesling Graacher Himmelreich Spatlese 2013 ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Terry Theise notes: “Again quite backward, a concatenation of stubbornness! At first only botrytis shows, and the sweetness seems too low. Patience… and after about five honest minutes it starts to smell like itself, and really good; lots of lime, wintergreen and empire apples, and now with fruit showing the sweetness seems correct, but the acidity gives the wine a Feinherb  profile.”