Monday, July 25th, 2016
Spanish Showdown – New Arrivals; New Week – New Arrivals; Staff Picks; Re-Stocks – New Friends Back Again; Trending; Arriving This Week; German Pre-Arrivals from Falkenstein & Clemens Busch; Exploring Burgundy: Morey-Saint-Denis; Rieslinger Alert: Auslese Sale Continues – Sale Ends Tuesday
Spanish Showdown
Featured New Arrivals
93 point Garnacha blend vs 93 point Tempranillo- we provide, you decide:
Representing Priorat:
Alvaro Palacios ‘Les Terrasses’ Velles Vinyes, Priorat DOCa 2013 750ML ($41.95) $28 special
Case-12 Alvaro Palacios ‘Les Terrasses’ Velles Vinyes, Priorat DOCa 2013 750ML ($449.95) $299 special (that’s only $24.92/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2013 Les Terrasses Velles Vinyes, from a rainy year and a late harvest that resulted in perfect ripeness and low yields, is a blend of 55% Garnacha and 45% Cariñena. You might find labels and literature referring Cariñena to as Samsó, something that is wrong and creates confusion since Samsó is the Catalan name for Cinsault. The grapes are sourced from different villages (Gratallops, La Vilella Baixa, Bellmunt, El Lloar, El Molar, Porrera, Scala Dei, Torroja and Poboleda) all of them grown on schist llicorella soils, fermented in a combination of oak and cement vats with natural yeasts and matured in barrique for one year. It has a meaty nose with aromas that transported me to the Northern Rhône, showing smoky bacon intermixed with violets and really well-integrated oak resulting in a very fine and elegant impression. It seems more refined than other vintages of Les Terrasses, lighter and more elegant with none of the volatility or oak of yesteryear. It is really fine, polished and is without edges. Somehow within the Atlantic vintage you can see the Mediterranean character. Awesome Terrasses and good value for Priorat. 95,500 bottles produced.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Brilliant ruby. A complex bouquet evokes raspberry and blackberry preserves, Indian spices, potpourri and smoky minerals. Deep, seamless and powerful, with lively fresh black raspberry, boysenberry and spicecake flavors, and a candied violet note that builds with air. The gently tannic finish shows excellent length and clarity.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $39
Representing Ribera del Duero:
Condado de Haza, Ribera del Duero 2012 750ML ($26.95) $18 special
Case-12 Condado de Haza Crianza, Ribera del Duero 2012 750ML ($299.95) $199 special (that’s only $16.58/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Wine Spectator 93 points “This rich red shows a deep core of plum, bramble and mineral, with notes of loam and game that impart a savory character. Solid tannins support a thick texture, while balsamic acidity keeps this balanced. Austere but harmonious. Drink now through 2024.”
New Week – New Arrivals
OREGON
Maysara Asha Pinot Noir, McMinnville AVA 2010 750ML ($39.95) $29 special
Winery note: “A jeweled glassful of garnets, Asha dances onto your palate with amarena cherries, pine nuts and a tantalizing wisp of a far away campfire.. Completely elegant and silken tannins have integrated perfectly to form a structure that allows the richness of the vintage to glow brightly, while still allowing for age-ability. Pair with dishes that utilize slow braised meats, complex layers of spices and caramelization, as the mid-palate is graced with layers of its own.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $39
Domaine Serene ‘Yamhill Cuvee’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2013 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special
Winery note “An ultra – premium Oregon Pinot Noir with consistency vintage to vintage due to the blending of Pinot Noir from each of our main estates. Named for the county where all of the Domaine Serene estates are found, the inaugural vintage of this blend pre-dates the designation of the Yamhill-Carlton AVA and includes grapes from the Dundee Hills and Eola-Amity AVAs. The 2013 Yamhill Cuvée offers a true bouquet rich with aromas of Bing cherry, blackberry, and dried herbs and spices. The aromas expand out onto the mid-palate to deliver some wonderfully intense red fruits. Polished and graceful, this wine is seamlessly integrated with playful tannins, finishing with spicy notes. The textural profile is refined, silky, persistent and incredibly pleasing for any occasion.”
Domaine Serene ‘Evenstad Reserve’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2013 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Winery note “The Evenstad Reserve Pinot Noir is our flagship wine, and is the defining standard by which all of our Pinot Noirs are measured. We hand select our best barrels each year to create a reserve wine that is consistent in both its superior quality, and flavor profile. A true illustration of the art of blending, the 2013 Evenstad Reserve Pinot Noir is a wonderfully complex and elegant wine that delivers intriguing notes of black cherry, currants, cloves and nutmeg. With some air, notes of allspice, cardamom and black tea emerge from the glass with a subtle lift of cocoa powder and vanilla. In the mouth, the wine shows elegance and finesse with brooding depth and concentration, vibrant red fruits, silky tannins and great persistence.”
WASHINGTON
COR Cellars McKinley Springs Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills 2014 750ML ($34.95) $28 special
Winery notes “This wine was made as a throwback to the old world Bordelais style. Seeking the balance of opulence and structure, fruit and length, this is a classic wine for which Napoleon would have invaded to reclaim Washington. Luxuriously ripe and aromatic, with black cherry, allspice and chocolate, this wine also holds its’ freshness on the palate and throughout the finish.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
CALIFORNIA
Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc, Napa County – Sonoma County 2013 750ML ($39.95) $28 special
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Bright lemon-yellow color. Vibrant nose combines pineapple, lemon, aromatic herbs, grass, anise and peppermint. At once ripe and pliant and energetic, displaying good grip to the flavors of white peach, green melon and cassis bud. Finishes dry and classic, with good length. Winemaker Aron Weinkauf noted that 2013 was a challenging vintage as the sugar accumulation came before flavor development, “but luckily the temperatures cooled off toward the end.” ST
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Carpe Diem Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2013 750ML ($27.95) $24 special
Winery notes “Grapes for the Carpe Diem Cabernet Sauvignon have been selected exclusively from the best vineyards in the world-renowned Napa Valley. Vinified under the strict supervision of Christian Moueix’s winemaking team in Yountville, Carpe Diem embodies the essence of Napa Valley classic Cabernet Sauvignon. It is a straightforward wine expressing its bountiful fruit with aromas of wild strawberries and soft tannins. Oak is used sparingly to keep Carpe Diem fresh and vibrant. Aged: 12 months in barrel. Fermentation: 15 days, stainless steel.”
Spottswoode Family Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon, St. Helena 2012 750ML ($179.95) $149 special
James Suckling 98 points “Incredible blueberry, blackberry, black walnut, mineral, black licorice and flowers. Full-bodied, very tight and structured with hints of hazelnut, fine chocolate, mineral and spice. Layered and very fine. A solid and classic-styled Napa Valley cab.”
Robert Parker 96+ points “The opaque purple-hued 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits a glorious bouquet of crème de cassis, spring flowers, a Pauillac-like lead pencil note, and background new oak. The overall impression is one of restraint combined with richness. This full-bodied effort possesses good acidity and ripe tannin. It has been crafted for the long-term. The hallmarks of great Spottswoode wines are their purity and elegance combined with serious power. The 2012 has that in abundance. This youthful, reserved Cabernet will benefit from 3-5 years of cellaring, and will keep for two decades or more.” RP
FRANCE-BURGUNDY
Domaine de la Bongran Vire-Clesse 2005 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Domaine de la Bongran Vire-Clesse 2005 1.5L ($119.95) $99 special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Fully mature, this white features caramel, honey, spiced apple and bacon fat flavors. Sinks into the palate, unfolding into a long, expansive aftertaste of spiced apple and caramel. Charming.” 9/2013
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine de la Bongran Vire-Clesse 2009 1.5L ($99.95) $79 special
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 91 points “Pale, bright, gold-tinged yellow. Full of life yet youthfully inexpressive on the nose, hinting at dried fruits, grapefruit, menthol and toasted biscuit; this very rich wine seems to be shutting down today. (Gautier Thévenet told me he’s finishing selling this wine now but will probably wait another five years to drink it.). The palate shows very ripe fruits along with smoke and saline nuances, with a hint of marzipan suggesting some evolution. Very rich but edgy wine, perhaps passing through an awkward stage today.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine de la Bongran Vire-Clesse 2010 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Domaine de la Bongran Vire-Clesse 2010 1.5L ($99.95) $79 special
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 92 points “Paler in color than the 2011: light yellow with gold highlights. Sexy aromas of orange, stone fruits and truffle lifted by tangy botrytis tones. Sweet, silky and voluptuous (14.2% alcohol), boasting outstanding concentration and saline minerality. Slowly saturates the palate on the very long, wonderfully harmonious back end. Possesses healthy acidity (4.3 grams per liter) but shows a texture of liquid velvet. This is already accessible but will last for a long time in bottle.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
FRANCE-ALSACE
Albert Boxler Gewurztraminer Brand, Alsace Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($89.95) $59 special
Ian D’Agata–Vinous 92 points “Pale bright yellow. Less explosive but more refined on the nose (fresh citrus, sweet spices) than the Gewürztraminer Réserve. Clean and fresh, but showing a viscous, mouthcoating quality to its sweet, honeyed tropical fruit and ripe citrus flavors. Finishes bright and long, with a hint of sweetness; this really isn’t a dry wine. Boxler likes to point out that he wants his Gewürztraminer to be a fun wine to drink early, while he looks for minerality and cellarworthiness in his Rieslings.”
Jancis Robinson 17.5/20 points “Richly scented, but not crude. Soap, lychee, cinnamon. Off dry, but clean and crisp. Gewurz with serious style.” (RH) (16-Jun-2014)
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $80
Albert Boxler Pinot Gris Brand, Alsace Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($89.95) $59 special
Jancis Robinson 16.5/20 points “Rather closed nose but suitably full on the palate. Not overweight but certainly plump – as classic Alsace Pinot Gris is wont to be.” (RH) (16-Jun-2014)
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Albert Boxler Pinot Gris Sommerberg Wiptal, Alsace Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($89.95) $59 special
Ian D’Agata–Vinous 88 points “Dark straw. Fresh, clean aromas of yellow flowers, honeyed peach and sweet spices. Suave, tactile flavors of canned peach, pear and apricot show a trace of finishing heat along with an enticing smoky nuance. Readers beware that this wine shows obvious sweetness.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Albert Boxler Riesling Brand, Alsace Grand Cru 2013 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
James Suckling 97 points “This is phenomenal with sliced apple, mineral, slate and stone. Full and powerful with fabulous depth and intensity. Mind-boggling. Drink now.” (26-Sep-2015)
Albert Boxler Riesling Reserve, Alsace 2013 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Orchard blossom and spice notes herald this lacy white, with a streak of minerality underscoring the mouthwatering palate of peaches and cream, verbena, spun honey and smoke. Lithe and lively, this shows richness and fine length. Drink now through 2028.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Albert Boxler Riesling Sommerberg, Alsace Grand Cru 2013 750ML ($79.95) $59 special
James Suckling 94 points “A riesling with wonderfully subtle, delicate and profound aromas of dried flowers, fruit and minerals. Full-bodied, tangy and layered with intense fruit. Bright and energetic. Drink now.” (26-Sep-2015)
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $70.99
Albert Boxler Riesling Sommerberg Grand Cru Vendange Tardive 2009 500ML ($79.95) $49 special
Wine Advocate 91 points “A heady, esterous nose of over-ripe cantaloupe, white peach, quince preserves, and fading lily informs the Boxler 2009 Riesling Sommerberg Vendange Tardive – harvested in the Dudenstein soon after the “regular” bottling from that site – leading to a lush and soothing palate on which quince preserves, peach, nutmeg, and liquefied lily are well-supported by sweetness. There is a fine sense of primary juiciness that – along with hints of fruit pit bitterness – helps moderate the sweetness of a sedate finish slightly less sustained and more diffuse than that of the corresponding “regular” bottling. Expect this to age well for at least 12-15 years.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
FRANCE-PROVENCE
Clos Sainte Magdeleine Cassis Rose, Provence 2015 750ML ($37.95) $33 special
Clos Sainte Magdeleine Cassis Rose, Provence 2015 1.5L ($89.95) $79 special
Winery note “Made from 45% Grenache (for strong and heady aromas), 40% Cinsault (for fresh fruit notes and to soften the acidity) and 15% Mourvèdre (for tannins and power), it is an attractive shade of coral pink. Shows delicate aromas of wild flowers. The palate is redolent of ripe, red berry fruits. There is a fresh underlying acidity and crisp finish.”
Importer note “40% Grenache, 40% Cinsault, 20% Mourvèdre sourced from 15-40 year old vines planted in clay/limestone soil. All grapes are de-stemmed and crushed before pressing; juice is delivered by gravity to a temperature-controlled stainless steel cuve, The lees are filtered off of the wine and then re-integrated back in before racking – wine is aged for 7 – 12 months in stainless steel and does not undergo malolactic fermentation.”
Clos Sainte Magdeleine Cassis Blanc, Provence 2014 750ML ($34.95) $28 special
40% Marsanne, 30% Ugni blanc, 25% Clairette, 5% Bourboulenc sourced from 20-30 year old vines planted in clay/limestone soil
Importer note: “Juice is delivered by gravity to a temperature-controlled stainless steel cuve; the lees are filtered off of the wine and then re-integrated back in before racking. Wine is aged for 14 – 18 months in stainless steel and undergoes malolactic fermentation in most years.”
FRANCE-RHONE
Domaine Vincent Paris Cornas Granit 30, Rhone 2014 750ML ($41.95) $38 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 90-92 points “Inky ruby. Deep-pitched aromas of cherry compote, cassis, licorice and smoky herbs gain vivacity from a peppery overtone. Sappy and precise, showing strong mineral lift and energy to the sappy dark berry and licorice flavors. Closes smoky and very long, with a whiplash of juicy dark berries and slow-mounting tannins.”
Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Girard 2013 750ML ($49.95) $33 special
Wine Advocate 90 points “Similar in quality to the standard cuvee, the 2013 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvee Girard has more spice and savory notes to go with plenty of dried cherry, lavender and violets. Nicely concentrated, medium-bodied and nicely textured, it’s an outstanding wine that will drink nicely through 2023.”
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 90 points “Vivid ruby-red. Aromas of smoke-accented red berries, lavender, licorice and garrigue enlivened by a peppery topnote. Chewy and focused on the palate, offering spicy red currant and bitter cherry flavors and a hint of licorice that sneaks in with air. A floral pastille quality emerges on the nicely persistent finish, which is given shape by youthful, dusty tannins.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $38.99
Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Imperiale 2013 750ML ($79.95) $39.90 special
Wine Advocate 93 points “Given the difficulty with Grenache in 2013, the Grenache-dominated 2013 Châteauneuf du Pape Imperiale (Vigne Centenaires) is a head-turner that offers terrific notes of plum, black cherries, mulberries, dried flowers and licorice. Brought up all in concrete tank, this medium to full-bodied, ripe, textured, yet structured Grenache will be better in a year or three, and drink well through 2025.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $48
Thierry Allemand Cornas Les Chaillots 2013 750ML ($179.95) $149 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 94 points “Deep ruby. Assertive, mineral- and spice-accented aromas of black and blue fruit, candied flowers and licorice, accented by slowly building smoky notes. Sappy, focused and pure, offering intense blackberry and boysenberry flavors that put on weight and become spicier with aeration. Shows outstanding vivacity and power on the penetrating finish, which features building tannins and an emphatic mineral quality.”
Thierry Allemand Cornas Reynard 2013 750ML ($199.95) $169 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 95 points “Saturated ruby. Candied black and blue fruits, potpourri, cola and smoky minerals on the explosively perfumed, sharply focused nose. Stains the palate with intense, deeply concentrated blackberry, boysenberry and floral pastille flavors, gaining weight and spiciness with aeration. Rich but energetic and graceful as well, finishing with superb clarity, power and mineral-driven persistence. This wine is destined for a very long, slow and positive evolution.”
ITALY-TUSCANY
Castello Colle Massari Melacce Montecucco Vermentino 2013 750ML ($24.95) $14 special
Winery note “Intense notes of herbs and wildflowers open the aromatic description of this wine, and then gives way to deeper hints of spice and sea and closes with notes of almond. Enters the mouth fresh and sweet, with a pleasant lively acidity and a fragrant varietal flavor. This wine is produced from new vineyards at 300 m where the soil is characterized by fractured sandstone. The climatic and territorial exposure is excellent for the selected type of grapevine. Vinification in stainless steel vats at low temperatures to better preserve the varietal aromatic expression.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Castello Colle Massari Rigoleto Montecucco 2013 750ML ($21.95) $14 special
Wine Spectator 90 points “This is pure, sporting cherry, strawberry, spice and earth flavors over a layer of dense tannins. Balanced and vibrant, finishing with length and grip. Sangiovese, Montepulciano and Ciliegiolo. Best from 2017 through 2024.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Casanova di Neri Cerretalto, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($379.95) $319 special
Wine Advocate 99+ points “This is a towering achievement. It is delightful on every level. The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto is an expressive, exuberant and stunning wine that opens to a dark ruby color and rich consistency. The bouquet is never-ending with immediate intensity that is followed closely by finely-tuned aromas of black cherry, spice, grilled herb, clove, tobacco, wet earth and white truffle. A gorgeous display of elegant mineral tones rises from the bouquet with time. Later, those aromas turn to cola, licorice and tar. This wine showed an impressive evolution over the 24 hours I tasted it and delivered solid improvements each time. The mouthfeel is silky and smooth, and there’s enough power here to move the wine over the palate in seamless fashion. This is a bottle for the back of your cellar.”
ITALY-PIEDMONT
Paitin di Pasquero-Elia ‘Sori Paitin’, Barbaresco DOCG 2012 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Antonio Gallnoi 93 points “Dark red cherry, plum, smoke, mint and leather are some of the notes that emerge from the 2012 Barbaresco Sorì Paitin. The Sorì Paitin is quite a bit more complex than it was from barrel, largely because the bottled wine is composed of approximately 30% wine that was originally destined for the Vecchie Vigne. As a result, this is one of the few 2012s I tasted that has real upside potential, even if it is relatively approachable today.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Paitin di Pasquero-Elia ‘Vecchie Vigne’ Sori Paitin, Barbaresco DOCG 2010 750ML ($89.95) $69 special
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “The 2010 Barbaresco Sorì Paitin Vigne Vecchie hits the palate with fabulous depth and intensity. Savory herbs, smoke, tobacco, incense, menthol and licorice race out of the glass in an intense, structured Barbaresco loaded with class, energy and pure power. There is plenty to look forward to, once the tannins soften a bit. The 2010 has closed down pretty dramatically since the last time I tasted it, about a year ago. Readers will have to be patient. The 2010 spent a total of 30 months in cask.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
ITALY-ALTO ADIGE
Alois Lageder Pinot Grigio Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Trentino-Alto Adige 2015 750ML ($21.95) $16 special
Winery note “Description: brilliant straw yellow with a green shimmer. Quite pronounced and expressive aroma with flowery and somewhat spicy notes. Rich flavoured in the mouth, with a slight smokiness at the back and a good, fresh finish. When properly cellared, this will drink well for 2 to 4 years.”
Vodopivec ‘Origine’ Vitovska Venezia Giulia IGT, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2009 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2009 Vitovska Origine is a bomb. Rich, powerful and structured, it captures the essence of what makes Vitovksa in the Carso district so incredibly appealing. Dried pears, flowers, spices and mint all flesh out as this deep, resonant white shows off its irrepressible personality. The finish is long, rich and resonant. A broad, expansive white, the Origine should drink well early, but it also has enough depth to age nicely for at least a handful of years. Overall, the style is a bit exuberant next to the more subtle Solo MM9. Both wines are striking, each in their own way. The Origine was fermented and aged in large Slavonian oak casks.”
GERMANY
Weingut Keller Westhofener Kirchspiel RR Riesling, Rheinhessen 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
John Gilman 94 points “There was no 2014 RR bottling from Weingut Keller, but happily, the 2015 vintage allowed for this cuvée and what an amazingly fine wine it is! The bouquet is very pure, very precise and nascently complex, as it soars from the glass in a stunning blend of tart orange, very complex, crystalline minerality, blood orange, petrol, gentle notes of wild yeasts and a topnote of citrus zest. On the palate the wine is fullish, complex and electric in its vibrancy, with a superb core of fruit, great mineral lift on the backend and laser-like focus on the very, very long and utterly refined finish. The best RR vintage I have yet tasted from KP! 2016-2040.” (Mar/Apr 2016)
Weingut Markus Molitor Bernkasteler Lay Riesling Auslese *** Goldkapsel, Mosel 2013 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
Wine Advocate 98 points “Stunningly clear and pure on the citric-perfumed nose, the sweet 2013 Bernkasteler Lay Riesling Auslese *** is characterized by its laser-like precision and elegance, which is perfectly paired with its vibrant acidity and piquant minerality that lingers and makes this Auslese a memorable one.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Weingut Markus Molitor Erdener Treppchen Riesling Auslese ** Goldkapsel, Mosel 2013 750ML ($59.95) $41.90 special
Wine Advocate 96 points “Even purer and perhaps more sophisticated than the Bockstein is the sweet 2013 Erdener Treppchen Riesling Auslese ** with its cool, slate purity and springlike citrus and blossom aromas, which are delivered as lime chutney on the nose. This again is a kind of pure Armani perfume and the cool character of a true gentleman who turns out to be a notorious rake, elegant and balanced as it is. The texture is nobly concentrated and juicy, and there is no single botrytis berry in this stunning wine. Drink it now, but drink it slowly, or store it for a decade or two.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Weingut Markus Molitor Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese *** Goldkapsel, Mosel 2013 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
Wine Advocate 98+ points “More tropical fruit aromas such as juicy pineapples and macerated ginger dominate the nose of the richer yet still pure and subtle 2013 Graacher Himmelreich Auslese ***. Quite sweet, intense and densely textured on the palate, this wine neither lacks elegance nor piquancy nor balance. It is just more generous, sweeter and lush than the Würzgarten ***-Auslese, but at the same time its is absolutely delicate and full of finesse.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Weingut Markus Molitor Kinheimer Hubertuslay Riesling Auslese *** Goldkapsel 2013 375ML ($59.95) $39 special
Weingut Markus Molitor Kinheimer Hubertuslay Riesling Auslese *** Goldkapsel 2013 750ML ($89.95) $69 special
Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2013 Kinheimer Hubertuslay Auslese *** needs a little but of time to open up and show its finest, intense raisin aromas indicating grapefruit/lemon and pineapples on a piquant background. Rich, oily textured and extremely elegant on the palate, the wine offers a lavish tropical juiciness quoting pineapples, but is stunningly pure and piquant. The finish is beautifully balanced and highly elegant. This is perfectly made.”
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AUSTRIA
F.X. Pichler M Gruner Veltliner Smaragd, Wachau 2013 750ML ($99.95) $89 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “Lucas Pichler’s monumental 2013 Grüner Veltliner Smaragd M opens with an ultra-ripe, concentrated and slightly speck-y yet still precise and even mineral-scented bouquet on the nose. Very rich and intense on the palate, this elegant, full-bodied, densely textured and powerful Veltliner from late-harvested grapes reveals an aromatic and juicy fruit core along with a stunningly vibrant acidity that gives structure, length and a lifting as well as lingering salinity and piquancy. Maracuya and other tropical fruit flavors dominate the aromatic aftertaste. Although I have no experience with matured samples of this Austrian icon Veltliner, I suspect it has an aging potential of 5-10 years and should be cellared at least for another 2 or 3 years.”
David Schildknecht–Vinous 93 points “Made with fruit from Loibenberg (a 50% share), Kellerberg, Liebenberg, with a small bit of Kollmütz, this installment of “M” enjoyed the longest pre-fermentation skin contact of any Pichler 2013, and was raised in a new large oval, then moved to tank shortly before bottling, which is when I last tasted it. Its impressive features include imposing richness of peach, melon and pineapple; an expansive and flatteringly creamy palate; high-toned inner-mouth allusions to almond extract; peach kernel piquancy; and pronounced smokiness and stoniness that suggest a mingling of Szechuan peppercorn, black tea and ash. The bright, Riesling-like juiciness characteristic of so many Grüner Veltliners from this vintage is absent here. But the finish of this static, statuesque wine (recall that “M,” after all, stands here for “monumental”) glows persistently in its evocation of peach kernel and pepper.”
SPAIN
Browse our new arrivals from Spain in the previous section!
ARGENTINA
Renacer Punto Final Clasico Malbec, Mendoza 2015 750ML ($14.95) $10.90 special
Importer note “Dark ruby red in color with violet tones, this Malbec has aromas of red currants, blackberries, and plums, with notes of pepper and clove. Flavors of black cherries, red and black currants, and juicy plums fill the mouth with hints of wood spice and vanilla on the finish.”
Staff Picks
Domaine Robert Chevillon Bourgogne Passe-tout-grains, Burgundy 2013 750ML ($36.95) $18 special
Case-12 Domaine Robert Chevillon Bourgogne Passe-tout-grains, Burgundy 2013 750ML ($359.95) $189 special
Passetoutgrain wines have a special place in my heart. For one, throwing a little Gamay into the Pinot terrain makes for a more playful, textured wine. To be frank, it’s not all that fashionable a wine, which is fine by me: the underdog status keeps the price down!
Domaine Robert Chevillon is a time-tested, reliable producer whose Nuits-Saint-Georges single-vineyard bottlings exhibit a wonderfully diverse taste of various terroirs. The Bourgogne PTG in question is a 2/3’s-to-1/3 blend of Gamay and Pinot derived from 45-year-old vines planted in clay and limestone soils. Cherry-fruited accents come to the forefront, with a hint of smoke and earth rounding out the wine nicely. The bottle is tasty, if a little tight at the moment, and will carry on aging with real grace. A pretty fabulous bargain, here! – Tyler
Bodegas Muga Reserva, Rioja DOCa, Spain 2011 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Case-12 Bodegas Muga Reserva, Rioja DOCa, Spain 2011 750ML ($299.95) $236 special
Imagine you are sitting in the hot Spanish sierra, eating handfuls of cherries with ripe, tart and sweet frutas del bosque (berries) from a satchel that smells of spicy leather, with hints of fresh-rolled tobacco on your fingertips. A breeze carries floral notes under your nose, and suddenly you realize that you’re not in the hills at all, or even in Spain. You’re sniffing a glass of 2011 Muga Reserva, and when you take a sip its fruit-forward character unfolds alongside rounded tannins, warming the mouth and begging for a bite of cochinillo (suckling pig, a Riojan specialty) and for another sip of this classic-yet-modern Rioja red. Open another bottle, after indulging in a siesta, and continue basking in Spain’s unique cornucopia of vibrant flavors. This is a wine to enjoy regularly. – Daniel
Just a reminder about
our current shipping specials:
For the summer season we are offering UPS Three Day Select Service for the price of UPS Ground for shipments normally traveling 4 or more business days.
Free service upgrade only applies on single orders purchased and shipped during the promotional period. Additional fees will apply to orders held for any reason until after the promotional period and shipped by Three Day Select. Offer not valid on pre-arrival items that arrive after the promotional period.
We also offer flat rate shipping on any size single order / single shipment
-and California for $25
-Washington & Idaho for $20,
-to Oregon for $17,
These rates do not apply to orders held in storage here for any reason.
Multiple orders consolidated into one shipment do not qualify for flat rate shipping.
Back in Stock
These favorites just re-arrived
Westrey Reserve Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon 2011 750ML ($31.95) $28 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 89 points “Bright red. Dried cherry, redcurrant and peppery spices on the incisive nose. Tangy and precise, offering lively red berry and bitter cherry flavors and a hint of blood orange that builds with air. Finishes with good tangy cut, a hint of cherry pit and lingering spiciness.” JR
Bereche et Fils Brut Reserve, Champagne, France NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Wine Spectator 92 points “Firm and sleek, with crisp acidity structuring flavors of Gala apple, raisin bread, quince paste and almond cream. Well-knit, with a fine bead and fresh finish.” WS
Savart Premier Cru Brut L’Ouverture Blanc de Noirs, Champagne, France NV 750ML ($49.95) $37 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 90 points “(100% Pinot Noir; 9 g/l dosage; disgorged on August 28, 2014): Light yellow. Pungent mineral- and spice-accented aromas of ripe orchard and pit fruits, with a sexy floral overtone. Fleshy but focused and dry, offering vibrant nectarine and melon flavors with a refreshingly brisk jolt of lemon zest adding grip and lift. Closes on a smoky, minerally note, with very good energy and persistence.” JR
Wine Advocate 90 points “The NV L’Ouverture Premier Cru Brut offers very clear and lovely aromatics of Pinot fruit on the nose. Coming from younger vines on sandy soils gives this wine elegance and finesse. This is a delicately fruity Champagne with a firm structure and great transparency. It is light, but serious.”
Vietti Tre Vigne, Barbera d’Asti DOCG, Piedmont, Italy 2014 750ML ($21.95) $16 special
Winery Notes–“Ruby purple color with ripe red cherry aromas with hints of mineral and vanilla. A dry, medium bodied red wine with refreshing acidity (making it perfect to pair with food) and soft tannins, the Barbera d’Asti Tre Vigne is well balanced with good integration of oak, good complexity and a finish of more red cherries.”
Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand 2015 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 92 points “This utterly compelling New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc delivers a rare combination of sweet fruit, captivating piquancy and salty grip. Musky aromas of white peach, ginger and quinine lead to ripe, broad stone fruit and spice flavors that dust the palate with no impression of austerity.”
Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2015 Sauvignon Blanc has a fragrant nose of elderflower, lavender, lemongrass and fresh herbs with hints of struck match and ground stones. Medium-bodied with a lovely satiny texture and great intensity, it has a lively acid backbone and long savory finish.”
Trending
Domaine des Cassagnoles Gros Manseng, IGP Cotes de Gascogne 2015 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 special
Case-12 Domaine des Cassagnoles Gros Manseng, IGP Cotes de Gascogne 2015 750ML ($149.95) $119 special (that’s only $9.92/bottle!)
Winery Notes–“The Gros Manseng produces fleshier, more ample wines with fruity apricot and pear aromas. It is a lively wine, but not to excess, with a persistent final. It may be kept for several years and should be drunk chilled, at a temperature of 50-53°”
Thomas Pico Domaine Pattes Loup Chablis 2014 750ML ($34.95) $29 special
Thomas Pico Domaine Pattes Loup Les Beauregards, Chablis Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Thomas Pico Domaine Pattes Loup Butteaux, Chablis Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Thomas Pico Domaine Pattes Loup Cote de Jouan, Chablis Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49
special
VinopolNote: Thomas Pico began working in Chablis in 2005. His father, also a winegrower, would rent him land for his own use while Thomas also worked part-time for him. By 2007, he convinced his father to convert his 22 hectares to organic farming, gaining certification in 2010 – a rarity in Chablis! Harvest is done entirely by hand at the estate, with hand sorting done at the domaine. All wines are fermented from native yeasts, with the Chablis bottlings fermenting 30-40% in concrete eggs and the rest in stainless steel. The Premier Crus are all raised in old oak barrels; Pico aims for 14-16 month periods of elevage for the wines. No fining or filtration, and incredibly layered, concentrated wines to show for it. Things are going well now, and the future is going to be great for Thomas – for one, he’s young and already quite experienced. Already, the wines have won great deals of well-deserved acclaim. This is one to watch out for.”
Maison Joseph Drouhin – Domaine des Hospices De Belleville Brouilly 2014 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Burghound 91 points “Like the Fleurie this is exceptionally pretty and actually a bit spicier and more complex if otherwise similar. There is equally good punch and delineation to the delicious, supple and seductively textured flavors that deliver very fine depth and length. This isn’t quite as refined as the Fleurie but the depth is even better.”
“The 2014 Brouilly ($23) is, predictably, the lightest of the three wines, but lightness and freshness can be very much an asset in Beaujolais wines. With floral and peppery aromas, red fruit flavors, supple tannins and a slight earthy note on the finish, this wine is delicious and delightful.” –Mary Ewing-Mulligan WineReviewOnline.com
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Maison Joseph Drouhin – Domaine des Hospices De Belleville Fleurie 2014 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Burghound 91 points “An exceptionally pretty nose features notes of spicy cherry, raspberry and soft earth nuances. There is good vibrancy and lovely detail to the utterly delicious middle weight flavors that terminate in a dusty, cool and nicely balanced finale that exhibits just a trace of youthful austerity. This will need a few years to add depth but it is already quite pretty and very Fleurie.”
“The 2014 Fleurie ($25) is spicier and more savory than the Morgon, with a bit more tannin and a bit less exuberance. The aromas are floral first and then red-berried, with peppery notes on the palate; the texture shows some grip compared to the utter fluidity of the Morgon. This Fleurie to me seems to be holding back a bit, and I am curious to taste how it will develop over the next year.” –Mary Ewing-Mulligan WineReviewOnline.com
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Arriving This Week
B. Leighton ‘Gratitude’ Olsen Brothers Vineyard, Yakima Valley, Washington 2013 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 93 points “Inspired by the wines of Domaine Tempier in Bandol, Leighton’s 2013 Gratitude checks in as a Mourvèdre dominated blend that incorporates 25% Grenache and 5% Syrah, all of which was aged in two- to three-year-old puncheons. Cured meats, spice-box, black currants and blackberry nuances all emerge from this sweetly fruited, layered, downright sexy Mourvèdre that has fine, polished tannin and a great finish. Not harvested until the last week of October, drink this rock star 2013 over the coming decade, and I certainly wouldn’t be surprised to see it evolve for longer.”
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B. Leighton Syrah Olsen Brothers Vineyard, Yakima Valley, Washington 2013 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94 points “Lastly, and from tiny yields, the 100-case 2013 Syrah Olsen Vineyard was fermented with 100% whole clusters and aged in 20% new puncheons for 18 months. Gamey, spice and complex, with gorgeous crème de cassis fruit and a touch of graphite, this beauty is full-bodied, layered and elegant, with ripe tannin, a stacked mid-palate and a great finish. This is a serious wine that will benefit from short-term cellaring and drink well through 2028.”
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Domaine Vacheron Sancerre, Loire 2015 750ML ($37.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Importer note “100% Sauvignon Blanc raised organically/biodynamically. Selected from estate-owned hillside vineyards around the town of Sancerre, with a mix of chalk and flint (silex) soils. Average age of vines from 30 to 50 years. Hand-harvested. Fermeneted on indigenous yeasts and aged exclusively in tank. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.”
Domaine Vacheron Sancerre Les Romains, Loire 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Named in honor of the Romans who first planted vines in Sancerre, this wine has its feet firmly in the chalk soil that gives it richness as well as minerality. Ripe with touches of yellow fruits as well as lime and other citrus flavors, it is structured, dense and likely to age well. Drink from 2018.”
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The next best price is $60.99
Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 95 points “Lots currants, blueberries, vanilla and floral character on the nose and palate. Full body, fine tannins and a fresh finish. Edgy contrast of acidity, ripe fruit and wood. Stylish, savory and delicious. A blend of sangiovese and merlot. One of the best values amongst Super Tuscan reds. Drink in 2016.” (20-Oct-2015)
Tenuta Sette Ponti Oreno Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2010 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2010 Sette Ponti is drop-dead gorgeous. Tar, licorice, incense, plums and graphite jump from the glass in a wine that impresses for its nuance, delineation and sheer class. The tannins are firm, but also beautifully balanced. Readers should give the 2010 a few years in bottle to come around, but even today, the wine’s balance is utterly impeccable. This is a great showing from Sette Ponti.”
James Suckling 96 points “Love the aromas to this red with currants, blackberries and hints of dark truffles. Full-bodied, with beautifully crafted tannins that are creamy and seamless. Fabulous refinement and length. Leave it in your cellar for at least four or five years. But impressive to taste or drink now. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. One of best Orenos ever made since its inception in 1999.”
German Pre-Arrivals from
Falkenstein & Clemens Busch
Arriving Fall 2016
Hofgut Falkenstein Krettnacher Euchariusberg Riesling Kabinett AP #8, Mosel 2015 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Hofgut Falkenstein Krettnacher Euchariusberg Riesling Kabinett, Mosel AP #8 2015 750ML ($249.95) $219 pre-arrival special (that’s only $18.25/bottle!)
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points “The Estate produced two casks of fruity-styled Kabinett from the Euchariusberg, whose labelling only differs by the AP number. This AP 8 comes from a parcel still planted with un-grafted vines in the prime Gross Schock sector of the vineyard which was classified in the highest category on the old taxation maps. It exhibits a show-stopping nose of herbs, white peach and spices. The wine is stunningly playful and elegant on the palate and leaves a stunning feel of fresh mint, herbs and spices in the long and mouth-watering finish. This is a great zesty Kabinett in the making. 2025-2040”
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Hofgut Falkenstein Niedermenniger Herrenberg Spatburgunder Spatlese Trocken, Mosel 2015 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Importer note “It’s a rare dry red wine in that it naturally doesn’t go through malolactic fermentation and, like all their wines, is never chaptalized. The wine has—as one would expect—a mineral taste, lean texture, and wonderful bite.”
Weingut Clemens Busch Pundericher Marienburg Fahrlay Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2014 750ML ($59.95) $46 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2014 Riesling Auslese Fahrlay is a very juicy and fruity, piquant and delicate Riesling with fine acidity and sensual sweetness. The wine is extremely sappy and its sweetness is countered by the piquant and racy acidity. This is a gorgeous Auslese with great aging potential.”
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Weingut Clemens Busch Pundericher Marienburg Fahrlay-Terrassen Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Mosel 2014 750ML ($79.95) $66 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 95 points “From almost 100-year-old vines in a 1,600 square meter plot (small grapes, loose berries, thicker skins), the 2014 Riesling GG Fahrlay Terrassen opens with a deep, concentrated, very complex, stony/dusty bouquet of almonds and ripe, healthy Riesling berries. Full-bodied, round and complex, with fully ripe and juicy, well concentrated, yellow-fleshed fruit and a great purity, this is a very complex and persistent Riesling of great expression. A cultural monument rolling over the palate. Very long. Memorable.”
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Weingut Clemens Busch Pundericher Marienburg Falkenlay Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Mosel 2014 750ML ($69.95) $53.50 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2014 Riesling GG Falkenlay shows a very clear and elegant, quite open bouquet of highly ripe but healthy Riesling flavors along with marjoram aromas. Round and elegant on the palate, very pure and delicate with a gentle minerality that is remarkably persistent but never loud, this is Busch’s most sensual and finesse-full dry Riesling with a very long finish. Perfectly balanced and intense, there is no need to store this beauty, but some will want to do so. Don’t buy bottles, buy cases, because you will always drink a bottle of it from time to time.”
Weingut Clemens Busch Pundericher Marienburg Rothenpfad Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Mosel 2014 750ML ($59.95) $46 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 93 points “From 85-year-old vines, Busch’s 2014 Riesling GG Rothenpfad opens with a refined yet deep and intense bouquet that displays dusty/smoky aromas of crushed stones along with white fruits, almonds and lemon flavors. Full-bodied, round and intense on the palate, this is very well concentrated and structured Riesling with a clear aroma and a long and piquant, lovely salty and tension-filled finish with excellent terroir expression. This has a great combination of salt and fruit, of minerals and texture. This is a very convincing and filigreed 2014 Mosel Riesling, and it is so delicate and less opulent than it used to be in other vintages. Clemens Busch says it is the minerality that makes his wines leaner in 2014, especially the wines from the Rothenpfad (including the “vom roten Schiefer”).”
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Weingut Clemens Busch Pundericher Marienburg Raffes Riesling, Mosel 2013 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 95+ points “This is my second rating of the 2013 Riesling Raffes, almost one year after I tasted it for the first time. The wine shows a good fruit intensity and ripeness today (oranges), along with nice and pure slate-like flavors. Rich, pure and juicy on the palate, this is a full-bodied Riesling with a juicy texture and a very sensual sweetness, but only 12.5% alcohol. The acidity is really piquant here and you might think it’s like a dry Auslese with a higher degree of sweetness. The finish is enormous and very promising. Don’t drink this wine too soon.”
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Exploring Burgundy:
Morey-Saint-Denis
Despite a long lineage with the Cistercian monks of nearby Cîteaux, the village and wines of Morey-Saint-Denis have been overlooked in modern times. Blame the towering reputations of Morey’s neighbors—Gevrey-Chambertin to the north, and Chambolle-Musigny to the south—which have kept the spotlight off of this stretch of the Côte de Nuits, for the good of wine collectors. After all, the village possesses five Grands Crus and twenty Premiers Crus, but prices remain modest. Wine-wise, the reds of Morey (a white does exist) resemble those of Gevrey and Chambolle: more pliant and less structured than Gevrey, sturdier yet without quite the perfume of Chambolle. The bouquet blends dark fruit like blueberry and cassis with cherries, bramble, violets, and carnations. Fairly full-bodied, yet singing with fruit, and graced by round tannins, Morey makes very appealing wines. The village’s symbol is the wolf: outliers, yes, and not to be underestimated!
We offer 21 Morey-Saint-Denis wines, at Village, Premier Cru and Grand Cru levels. We’ve listed a selection from each category below. You can browse the entire list on our web store
Morey-Saint-Denis Village:
Domaine Forey Pere et Fils Morey-Saint-Denis 2010 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 4 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 88 points “Bright medium red. Plum, rust and brown spices on the nose. Round, supple and vinous, with ripe redcurrant fruit showing good sweetness and plenty of early appeal. Finishes with a hint of oaky bitterness but the tannins are nicely enrobed by fruit.”
Domaine Forey Pere et Fils Morey-Saint-Denis 2013 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 9 bottles available
Burghound–“A discreet touch of wood sets off notes of more complex and more deeply pitched aromas of dark berries, humus and plum along with a similar hint of herbal tea. Here too there is an appealing texture to the velvety and solidly concentrated medium weight flavors that possess good tension on the acceptably balanced and lingering finish that also exhibits a very mild edginess that will probably round off with a year or two of bottle age.”
Domaine Cecile Tremblay Morey-Saint-Denis Tres Girard 2013 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, 7 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 88-90 points “(vinified with 50% whole clusters): Medium red. Soil-driven aromas of mocha, earth and smoky, rocky minerality. Ripe and sweet, with a pungent mineral spine and sound acidity intensifying the wine’s red fruit flavors. Finishes with good mineral energy.” ST
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Domaine Hubert Lignier Morey-Saint-Denis Tres Girard 2012 750ML ($99.95) $69 special, 8 bottles available
Wine Advocate 88-90 points “The 2012 Morey-Saint-Denis Tres Girard comes from a parcel behind the winery close to the cemetery. It has a light but fragrant, well-defined, pretty bouquet that some might argue is missing a little vigor. The palate is medium-bodied with chalky tannins on the entry. Nicely balanced with good backbone on the finish that carries the 20% new oak well. Fine.” WA
Morey-Saint-Denis Premier Cru:
Domaine Hubert Lignier Les Chaffots, Morey-Saint-Denis Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($219.95) $149 special, 5 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93-95 points “The 2012 Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Les Chaffots is more backward and coy than the La Riotte out of barrel, but it unfurls with a little coaxing to reveal some lovely, broody black fruit infused with forest floor aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with a crisp, mineral-rich opening. At its core is structured, tertiary black fruit but it displays impressive intensity before leading you down a dark alley on the introspective finish. This will require several years to spring open. Cellar this whilst enjoying the La Riotte.” WA
Serafin Pere & Fils Les Millandes, Morey-Saint-Denis Premier Cru 2009 750ML ($159.95) $119 special, 12 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2009 Morey St. Denis Millandes is fabulous. It boasts a great combination of rich, dark fruit and powerful structure. Today the wine is already starting to shut down, something that bodes quite well for the future. Mint, flowers, spices and licorice stain the palate on the deep, resonant finish. This is a brilliant showing from Christian Serafin. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2029.”WA
Serafin Pere & Fils Les Millandes, Morey-Saint-Denis Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($159.95) $99 special, 11 bottles available
Burghound 90-93 points –Outstanding — “Here too there is mild reduction which renders the nose difficult to assess in depth though again the underlying fruit appears to be ripe. There is excellent volume, power and a taut muscularity to the concentrated and mineral-tinged medium weight flavors that culminate in an austere, backward and highly persistent finish. This is very old school in style and will require ample patience for it to develop, yet will be well worth the wait.”BH
Serafin Pere & Fils Les Millandes, Morey-Saint-Denis Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($149.95) $99 special, 13 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91-93 points “Deep, spicy aromas of black cherry, violet, menthol and espresso. Densely packed and sappy, with a liqueur-like ripeness to the flavors of black cherry and mint. A rather rectilinear wine with a serious spine of dusty tannins that will require some aging. In a more structured, masculine style in 2012, like the Gevrey Vieilles Vignes and the Cazetiers.” ST
Morey-Saint-Denis Grand Cru:
Domaine Philippe Charlopin-Parizot Clos Saint Denis Grand Cru 2013 750ML ($249.95) $219 special, 9 bottles available
Wine Spectator 94 points “Draws you in, with beautifully fragrant cherry, floral and spice aromas. The oak spice is more dominant on the palate, integrating with the cherry and blackberry fruit and lush texture. Impressive and should come together with time. Best from 2020 through 2034.”
Louis Jadot Domaine Gagey Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru 2009 750ML ($249.95) $219 special, 3 bottles available
Burghound 91-94 points “(from 90+ year old vines that are worked by horse). A ripe and notably somber but attractively spicy nose blends both red and blue berry fruit with earth nuances that can also be found on the rich, round, supple and refined medium-bodied flavors that possess moderately good, if not truly special, depth and length. However, like the Clos de Vougeot, it just feels as though there is more here than is presently being reflected and again, my score reflects this optimism that it will surface in time.”BH
Domaine Arlaud Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru 2013 750ML ($249.95) $199 special, 8 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93-95+ points “The 2013 Clos St Denis Grand Cru possesses an outstanding bouquet that has wonderful delineation and complexity, a melange of red and black fruit, each infused with mineral/cold stone scents. There is an effortless element about the palate that is harmonious and supremely focused. The filigree tannin and wrapped in a silky texture and there is frisson and energy on the finish. There is plenty of substance here and so it will deserve several years in bottle. It may merit a higher score in the future.” NM
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Louis Jadot Clos de la Roche Grand Cru 2009 750ML ($219.95) $199 special, 5 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92-95 points “The 2009 Clos de la Roche comes across as big, powerful and a touch heavy-handed. This shows tons of richness and depth but lacks the sheer excitement of the estate’s finest wines. The Clos de la Roche is made from purchased wine. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2034.”WA
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Domaine des Lambrays Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru 2011 750ML ($199.95) $179 special, 8 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92-94 points “Bright, deep red. Showy nose melds cherry, raspberry, white pepper, coffee, spices and smoky underbrush. Utterly suave, silky and fine-grained, but with firm tannins giving the fairly full mid-palate plenty of support for two decades or more of positive development in bottle. Most impressive today on the very long, subtle, rising finish, which leaves the mouth feeling refreshed.”
Burghound 93 points “This offers a further step up in aromatic complexity with its ripe and expressive nose of red berry fruit liqueur, cassis, plum and violets. There is a very suave and seductive texture to the medium weight plus flavors that possess an abundance of mouth coating extract, all wrapped in a long, balanced and delicious finish where a touch of wood is in evidence. This is certainly very good but somewhat curiously it does not seem to separate itself as much as usual from the Les Loups though it is clearly more structured.”
Domaine des Lambrays Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru 2013 750ML ($249.95) $189 special, 9 bottles available
Wine Spectator 94 points “Spicy and aromatic, featuring sandalwood, green olive, cedar and nutmeg notes, framing cherry and currant flavors. Crisp, taut and balanced. Best from 2019 through 2035”
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 92-95 points “(production of the estate’s grand cru was just 25 hectoliters per hectare in 2013, according to Brouin): Healthy bright red. A sexy earthy perfume makes for a deep, mellow nose; smells thick! Then lush and deep on the palate, but with surprising energy and shape to the highly complex flavors of cherry, clove, espresso, dried flowers, licorice pastille, underbrush and minerals. Wonderfully plush and voluminous without any excess weight. The penetrating finish is gripping and very long. Superb, terroir-driven grand cru with a long future ahead of it.” ST
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2013 Clos des Lambrays is whole bunch as usual (whereas the Morey Saint Denis is destemmed) and raised in 50% new oak. Thierry Brouin assembled my sample from four barrels scattered around the cellar, since the ventilation at one end creates variance in maturation. It has a refined bouquet with crisp leafy red berry fruit, harmonious and gaining intensity in the glass, fine mineralité underneath. The palate is well balanced with fine tannins and very well-judged acidity. This feels very harmonious with more energy and tension than the 2012, structured with a bright and vivacious finish that lingers long in the mouth. This is a classy Clos des Lambrays 2013 that should age with panache.” NM
Rieslinger Alert:
Subscriber-Only German & Austrian Auslese Sale
Continues to Tuesday Midnight
Take 10% off on all in-stock Auslese wines
We offer 44 Auslese wines in-stock and available here now to choose from.
Wines like these:
Joh. Jos. Prum Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2012 750ML ($44.95) Was $31.90, Now $28.71 with the discount!, 16 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “($49) Pale golden yellow. Rich, musky aromas of yellow plum and sweet herbs. Possesses good depth of rich tropical fruit, but is more noteworthy for its velvety texture and supple, pleasing style. Finishes with salty minerality and excellent persistence.” ST
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The average price is $39
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2014 750ML ($59.95) Was $49, Now $44.10 with the discount!, 12 bottles available
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2014 375ML ($39.95) Was $31.90, Now $28.71 with the discount!, 24 half-bottles available
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2014 1.5L ($119.95) Was $89, Now $80.10 with the discount!, 6 magnums available
Wine Advocate 89+ points “Deeply yellow in color, the 2014 Riesling Karthäuserhofberg Auslese (AP #12) displays an intense yet pretty clear and piquant, yellow-fleshed fruit and botrytis on the nose (pineapples). Sweet and concentrated on the palate, with a racy acidity (10.8 grams per liter of total acidity!) and bittersweet grapefruit flavors in the finish, this is a classic Ruwer Auslese. It is dense and pretty rich – the sugar free extract of 39.9 grams per liter – but neither too sweet (67 grams per liter of residual sugar) nor too opulent (8% alcohol). You can easily drink it, but shouldn’t do so before 2020. The aftertaste detects that the botrytis could have been selected even more carefully.”
Jean Fisch & David Rayer, Mosel Fine Wines #28: “Vineyard selections of botrytis-affected grapes only delivered 500 liters of Auslese harvested with a comparatively low 94° Oechsle. This Auslese starts off with a beautifully complex nose of fresh fruits, with pineapple, star anise and spices providing depth to the experience. The wine is superbly playful on the palate, where mouth-watering acidity adds to the aromatic precision. A riper side comes through in the finish tough, with almond, saffron and honey giving the wine a definitive Auslese GK style. 2024-2044”
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The average price is $60 for the 750ML
Selbach-Oster Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2012 750ML ($49.95) Was $24, Now $21.60 with the discount!, 28 bottles available
“Very fine, elegant and long finish.”-Importer notes
Weingut Eugen Muller Forster Kirchenstuck Riesling Auslese, Pfalz 2012 500ML ($34.95) Was $29, Now $26.10 with the discount!, 36+ 500ML-bottles available
Terry Theise: “Every year for the last fifteen or more, this wine has been a masterpiece, and I can think of few if any parallels in the wine world- or in my wine world- of such sustained stellar performance year after year. 2011 is and remains a masterpiece of the exotic flowery style, “a city made of cherry blossom” as I wrote last year. Bearing in mind that these wines are never very sweet, this one is more typical for the “Auslese” idiom. The 2012, though, is a swollen subterranean wave of mineral. You start at OMG and end with WTF, because even in the context of so many great years this is singular and amazing. Fantastically salty and cherry-blossomy, with obdurate length and deeply embedded mineral.”
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Sale ends Tuesday at midnight
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For a complete list including reviews and descriptions, visit our web store!