November Sales Expiring, December Sales Beginning; 2012 Burgundies from Jadot and Drouhin; Just Arrived 2010 Ducru-Beaucaillou and 2009 Calon Segur; VinopolPicks for daily drinking and pre-holiday parties; Here Friday: Peter Lauer 2015, Selosse 2003; Arriving in Spring: Magnums of Molitor, Reichsrat, Kesselstatt
Featured November Sales – Ending Tonight
With only 24 more shopping days until Christmas &
Hanukkah
Let us help you save!
F.X. Pichler M Gruner Veltliner Smaragd, Wachau, Austria 2013 750ML ($99.95) Was $89, Now $79, 24 bottles available
F.X. Pichler M Gruner Veltliner Smaragd, Wachau, Austria 2013 1.5L ($219.95) Was $189, Now $169, 5 magnums available
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.”
These are the lowest listed prices in the USA today!
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux, Rhone 2014 750ML ($99.95) Was $79, Now $69, 20 bottles available
Wine Spectator 94 points “Intense, with lots of grip along the edges, as rosemary, tobacco and charcoal notes coil around the core of steeped plum, blackberry and red currant fruit. Best from 2018 through 2024.”J.M.
Jeb Dunnuck – Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The most mineral-driven in the lineup, the 2014 Gigondas le Claux is almost 100% Grenache, and was fermented with 100% stems and aged in Burgundy barrels. Freshly crushed rocks, black currants, forest floor and truffle notes all flow beautifully to a medium to full-bodied, layered, sexy and nicely concentrated Gigondas that has enough fruit to drink well on release, yet the structure, balance and depth to evolve for 10-15 years. It’s an undeniable success in the vintage.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92-94 points “Vivid ruby-red. Highly perfumed red fruit liqueur, potpourri and Asian spice scents show impressive clarity and vivacity. Sappy, tangy and precise, offering lively raspberry and floral pastille flavors and a touch of spicecake. Closes on a smoky mineral note, displaying superb focus, silky tannins and emphatic, floral-driven persistence.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $81
Giuseppe Mascarello e Figlio Monprivato, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($159.95) Was $115, Now $105.75, 24+ bottles available
Wine Spectator 95 points “This is expressive, with alluring cherry, strawberry, floral and mineral flavors building to a long, expansive finish. The elegant profile belies the serious structure underneath, which should allow this red to develop over the next 15 to 20 years. Offers fine berry fruit and a minerally aftertaste. Best from 2018 through 2033.”
Jancis Robinson 18/20 points “Very pale ruby. More stony and liquorice-like than Villero. Brooding concentration but holding back on the nose. Lithe and very elegant palate with amazing tactile and fine tannins. Has the wow factor.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $144
See the complete list of November sales wines expiring tonight at the bottom of this newsletter!
Featured December Sales
Arriving this Friday
Louis Jadot Montrachet Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune 2012 750ML ($599.95) $428 special, 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 95 points “(13.9% natural alcohol, from vines on the Chassagne side): Bright, pale yellow. Knockout pure nose offers discreet notes of stone fruits, clove and iodiney minerality. At once powerful and vibrant in the mouth, offering great volume, depth and lift to its palate-staining spice and mineral flavors. The iodiney quality carries through to the very long, precise finish. Wonderfully juicy and energetic considering that it’s carrying a moderate four grams of acidity. This should evolve gracefully in bottle for a decade or more.”
Louis Jadot Beaune Premier Cru Anniversary, Cote de Beaune 2012 750ML ($69.95) $48 special, 30 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 92-94 points “Building off the considerable success of their 2009 Beaune 150th Anniversary 1er Cru, Jadot has decided to make the wine again in top years. One of the highlights in this range, the 2012 boasts stunning power, depth and harmony. The lifted aromatics recall the Ursules, but here the fruit possesses more volume and creaminess. An explosive, layered finish rounds things out in style. Some of the parcels in the blend are Avaux, Cent Vignes, Pertuisots, Vignes Franches, Perrières, Toussaints and Chouacheux.”
Joseph Drouhin Cote de Beaune-Villages, Burgundy 2012 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles available
Antonio Galloni 88-89 points “The 2012 Côte de Beaune is another pretty, entry-level Burgundy from Drouhin. The 2012 impresses for its expressive aromatics, bright red fruit and terrific overall balance. There is a lot to like here.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
We’ve added 19 new wines to our December sales list. See the rest below and browse the full list online at www.vinopoliswineshop.com
Our Current
Shipping Promos:
Welcome to the club, Colorado!
Along with Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California,
we now offer flat rate shipping to Colorado! Here’s the scoop:
Single orders of any quantity of wines qualify for the flat rate;
this does not apply to orders held in storage for any reason
or multiple orders consolidated into one shipment.
The flat reach for each state is, as follows:
-to Oregon for $17,
-Washington & Idaho for $20,
-and California & Colorado for $25.
Take Advantage of the Flat Rate!
Wines (and Gift Ideas) for Collectors
Newly Arrived
Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou, Saint-Julien 2010 750ML ($319.95) $199 special, 12 bottles available
James Suckling 100 points ; Robert Parker 98+ points
“With loads of minerality, a terrific opaque purple color, and slightly more structure and tannin than either Poyferre or St.-Pierre (and that’s saying something), this is a blockbuster, fabulous Ducru Beaucaillou that should be at its best a good decade from now and last 40-50 years. The proprietor is not alone in thinking this is the finest Ducru Beaucaillou since the 1961. The classic wet rock, creme de cassis, subtle oak and gravelly stoniness of the vineyard come through in this spectacular, full-bodied, gorgeously pure and intense effort. This is wine for the ages that should be forgotten for at least a decade.” RP
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $301
Chateau Calon-Segur, Saint-Estephe 2009 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 12 bottles available
James Suckling 95 points “Superb richness on the nose of dark berries, shiitake mushrooms and flowers. Full body with soft, silky tannins and a refined, integrated tannin texture. This is a young wine with grace and intensity.”
Wine Spectator 93-96 points; Robert Parker 94+ points “The 2009 has the highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon (90%) ever included in a Calon-Segur (the rest is Merlot and Petit Verdot). Completely different from its St.-Estephe brethren, it is more backward and structured with a dense purple color, lots of black cherry, black currant, loamy earth, forest floor and spice notes, excruciatingly high levels of tannin, and a wonderful inner core of sweetness and concentration. It could behave like the 1982, which, at age 30, is just becoming mature. The 2009 is an uncompromising, masculine, massive style of wine that needs 15-20 years of cellaring even in this luscious, flashy, flamboyant vintage. It is super-tight and needs lots of coaxing and aeration. Anticipated maturity: 2025-2050+.” RP
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $120
Luce della Vite ‘Luce’ Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2008 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 12 bottles available
James Suckling 95 points “Blackberry, black currant and spice flavors hold court in this polished, international-style red. The tannins are dense, yet matched by sweet fruit, and the finish evokes tobacco and spice. Merlot and Sangiovese. Best from 2014 through 2020. 6,200 cases made” WS
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $95
Altesino Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2006 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 24 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 94 points “Medium red. High-pitched aromas of raspberry, blood orange, minerals, mocha and cocoa powder: I was reminded of Burgundy. Wonderfully tight and perfumed in the mouth, with superb youthful definition to the raspberry and floral flavors. Perfumed and light on its feet. Finishes sharply delineated, firmly tannic and impressively long. With three full days in the recorked bottle, this wine became denser and more minerally, offering a leathery hint and terrific sexy breadth.” ST
VinopolPicks In-Stock Now
For daily drinking and pre-holiday parties
Domaine Gramenon Cotes du Rhone Sierra du Sud 2014 750ML ($34.95) $24.40 special
VinopolNote: What happens when a mother and son collaborate to make southern Rhone reds and whites from their young- and old-vine estate? Organic and biodynamic viticulture combine with family dedication and the esprit of youth to create beautifully fragrant and pure Rhone wines, without over-use of sulphur. In a glass of Sierra du Sud, you’ll find enough ripe fruit, spice, and garrigue to imagine yourself on a holiday in the south of France.
Josh Raynolds 91 points “Deep ruby. A complex bouquet evokes musky red and dark berries, cherry pit, olive, dried flowers and pungent herbs. Chewy and focused on the palate, offering gently sweet raspberry, boysenberry, violet pastille and spicecake flavors that become livelier as the wine opens up. Pliant tannins give shape to a very long, spicy finish that features a lingering blue fruit note.”
Wine Advocate 91 points “A smokin’ southern Rhone is the 2014 Côtes du Rhône la Sierra du Sud, which is 100% Syrah, from 15- to 35-year-old vines, that was destemmed and aged in a combination of tank and barrels. Ground pepper, wild herbs, black cherries and the essence of blackberry fruit all emerge from this medium to full-bodied, ripe, layered and beautifully textured 2014. It has more depth and richness than most in the vintage and will keep for upwards of a decade.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $30
Rio Madre Graciano, Rioja DOCa, Spain 2014 750ML ($14.95) $9.90 special
Case-12 Rio Madre Graciano, Rioja DOCa, Spain 2014 750ML ($149.95) $99 special
VinopolNote: Longtime a component in the classic Rioja recipe, the Graciano grape provides color and a beautiful perfume. So why not make an aromatically outstanding wine of only Graciano? Rio Madre exudes a bouquet of cherries and blackberries backed by hints of flowers and spice, without overwhelming the palate. It’s a wine to sip, to accompany lighter fare or cheeses, and at $9.90 a bottle (or $99 a case!) this is a Spanish red to serve at parties.
Josh Raynolds 90 points “Brilliant violet color. Intensely perfumed dark berry and floral pastille scents, along with suggestions of anise, violet and pipe tobacco. Sweet and expansive on the palate, offering sappy black and blue fruit flavors that put on weight with air. Shows very good energy and power on the long, gently tannic finish, leaving behind notes of blueberry and peppery spices.”
Bruna Grimaldi Camilla, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 special
VinopolNote: Barolos like this become very important in the cellar. While vintages like the 2010 take forever to come around, years like 2011 offer themselves for more immediate pleasure. Bruno Grimaldi’s Camilla 2011 serves as an example. Built around a traditional core of raspberry, pepper, rose, and tar, this wine sings the praises of Nebbiolo. And while it could last a handful of years in the cellar, it’s also ready to accompany a holiday ham later this month.
James Suckling 92 points “Aromas of minerals, walnut shells and dark fruits follow through to a full body. Fine tannins and a succulent finish. Drink or hold. Much better than 2010.”
Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Coeur de Vendanges, Beaujolais 2014 750ML ($24.95) $19 special
Case-12 Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Coeur de Vendanges, Beaujolais 2014 750ML ($249.95) $199 special
VinopolNote: The wines of Domaine Vissoux are some of the best in Beaujolais and the Coer Vendanges is consistently the best value in the lineup. Made from two plots of 100+ year old vines, it transcends the humble Beaujolais appellation that it comes from with bright, fruit and a power that isn’t tied to weight or body.
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “Lurid ruby-red. Pungent raspberry and cherry pit on the fragrant nose, with hints of white pepper and smoky minerals adding lift and complexity. Spicy and sharply focused, offering vibrant red berry and blood orange flavors that put on weight with air. Closes taut and gently sweet, with strong spicy lift and silky tannins coming in late.”
Wine Enthusiast 90 points “This “heart of the harvest” Gamay is produced from 100-year-old vines, a rarity in any appellation. With less than five acres to work with, this ripe and structured wine shows the potential even of “simple” Beaujolais-appellation wines. It has weight, spice and warm red fruits that are laced with acidity. Drink this wine from 2016. — R.V. (12/1/2015)
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Peter Lauer Fass 8 Ayler Kupp Kabinett, Mosel 2014 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 special
VinopolNote: Florian Lauer manages to extract every ounce of minerality from his plots in the Ayler Kupp. This wine, a traditional style Kabinett from a leaner, racy year, is proof of this. It’s full of classic lime-zest Saar-ishness allied to a tactile minerality and acidity that compels you to take another sip.
John Gilman 91-92 points ‘The 2014 Ayler Kupp Kabinett from Florian Lauer is really a lovely and quite classic example of this Prädikat, with lovely acidity and minerality providing a fine filigree to the wine and a nice sense of reserve out of the blocks as well. The very classy nose wafts from the glass in a mix of green apple, tart orange, slate, lovely smokiness and a touch of dried flowers in the upper register. On the palate the wine is medium-bodied, pure and focused, with a good core, bright acids, a nice touch of sweetness on the attack and lovely length and grip on the elegant and nascently complex finish. This is quite approachable now, but still a touch primary, and I would be inclined to give it at least a few years in the cellar to develop its secondary layers of complexity. 2019-2035+.” JG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Buil & Gine 17-XI, Montsant, Spain 2014 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Case-12 Buil & Gine 17-XI, Montsant, Spain 2014 750ML ($249.95) $199 special
VinopolNote: Montsant is the value alternative to Priorat. It surrounds its more famous sibling and much of the things we love about Priorat wines (the grapes, the old vines) are very true about the wines of Montsant as well. This wine, from Buil & Gine, is a classic example of what we dig about the region—rich, but not too much, with a lot of dark fruit and spice. The best part? The price tag.
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “Brilliant ruby. Highly perfumed, evoking ripe cherry and blackcurrant that are complemented by slowly emerging aromas of cured meat, lavender and minerals. Enlivened by a spicy nuance, the silky, sweet and penetrating palate offers intense dark fruit and floral pastille flavors. Seamless and very nicely concentrated, with smooth tannins lending shape to a very long, fruit-driven finish.” JR
New December Sales
In-Stock
Felsina Berardenga Maestro Raro Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($59.95) Was $49, Now $44, 24+ bottles available
Antonio Galloni 94+ points “Fèlsina’s 2012 Maestro Raro (Cabernet Sauvignon) is a real head-turner, although it is also an infant and in need of considerable cellaring. A bold, dark wine, the 2012 is vivid in the glass, with remarkable detail for such a big wine and exceptional overall balance. The 2012 is sweeping and dramatic in style, with plenty of that year’s exotic fruit and opulence, along with plenty of sweet tobacco, rosemary, sage and cedar notes that add nuance. The 2012 needs time to fully meld together, but it is fabulous, even today.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $44
Castell’in Villa ‘Poggio delle Rose’, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2009 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 23 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “Castell’in Villa’s 2009 Chianti Classico Riserva Poggio delle Rose captures the generosity of the vintage while retaining a gorgeous sense of freshness and energy. Red stone fruit, tobacco, menthol, sage and leather nuances are bright and nicely focused, but with the additional breadth provided by the warm vintage. A long, silky finish rounds things out in style.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $73.06
Castello di Ama ‘San Lorenzo’, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2011 750ML ($57.95) Was $39, Now $29, 22 bottles available
James Suckling 96 points “This has a dusty character on the nose with soil, dried fruit and blueberry. Flowers too. Full body, firm tannins and a fresh finish. Tight and structured. Shows wonderful depth of fruit and beauty. Chewy. Better in 2016.” JS
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Nino Negri Vigneto Fracia, Valtellina Superiore DOCG 2010 750ML ($39.95) Was $33, Now $29, 16 bottles available
Wine Spectator 90 points “Floral and tobacco notes lead the way in this light-bodied version, with supple tannins. Tangy acidity backs flavors of macerated mulberry and plum fruit, incense and iron. Drink now through 2020.” WS
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Allegrini La Grola Veronese IGT, Veneto 2011 750ML ($29.95) Was $26, Now $21.90, 36+ bottles available
Winery note: La Grola is the extraordinary result of the meeting of two great personalities: the hill of La Grola and the Valpolicella’s autochthonous grapes. The excellent exposure of the vineyards, which enjoy the sun’s warm rays and the cool breezes that come from nearby Lake Garda, allows the grapes to produce their very best. Careful, craftsman-like ageing in the cellar yields a red wine with great elegance, harmony and finesse that can evolve positively for over a decade.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Lauer Power
Arriving Friday
Florian Lauer (of Weingut Peter Lauer) is one of the rising superstars in the German wine scene and we’re super stoked to announce that we’re getting in a number of his wines in this Friday! The wines are racy and bright with exceptional quality from dry to sweet in a way that is only found at addresses like Donnhoff and Keller.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with the Lauer wines, you owe it to yourself to try them. All of the wines featured today come from the Ayler Kupp vineyard, which is located in the Saar valley, near the Mosel. There are a bunch of single-parcel wines, which are dry, that carry the name of the specific part of the vineyard on them—and these are the ones that you should try to see the full glory of dry Riesling from the Saar.
They also make some traditional Kabinett and Spatlese, as well as a wine called “Senior” that’s made in the style that Florian’s grandfather loved to drink. All the wines have a Fass (cask) number on them, which should give you an idea on how much of this wine is made (not a lot).
Peter Lauer Senior Fass 6 Riesling, Mosel 2015 750ML ($27.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Mosel Fine Wines 89+ points “This offers bright and delicately flowery scents of ginger, candied grapefruit peel, Provence herbs and slate. The wine is mineral and delicately fruity on the palate and leaves a clean and linear feel in the still slightly hard finish. This is best left alone for a year to give it time to integrate. 2017-2025.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Peter Lauer Ayler Kupp Unterstenberg Fass 12 Riesling, Mosel 2015 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “This offers ample and inviting scents of kumquat, grapefruit, yellow peach and dried herbs on the nose. The wine is smooth and elegant on the palate, where more minerals blend beautifully well into yellow fruits and herbs. The finish is smooth and intense without ever being over-powering. This hugely gains from airing as it sheds its initial touch of CO2 and gains in complexity and finesse by the day, even after 10 days. This is a little masterpiece of delicately off-dry Riesling, and it is worth waiting for its maturity window.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Peter Lauer ‘Neuenbersch- Neuenberg’ Fass 17 Riesling, Mosel 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “The 2015er Ayler Kupp Neuenberg Fass 17 is fermented off-dry from parcels in the former single vineyard Neuberg situated just below the Ayler Herrenberger. It offers a gorgeous nose of white and yellow peach, ginger, herbs and spices. The wine is beautifully balanced on the palate, where grip provides great structure and adds to the saline feel in the long finish. This only needs a few years to develop its inner balance and shine.”
Peter Lauer Fass 8 Ayler Kupp Kabinett, Mosel 2015 750ML ($37.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Mosel Fine Wines 91+ points “This offers a delicately ample nose of yellow fruits, ginger and spices. The wine starts off on the round side before fiery acidity brings zest and vibrancy to the finish. This is refreshing, light and elegant and one magically goes for more. The tart side in the finish will disappear with a few years of bottle aging, and it could then easily warrant an even higher rating.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Peter Lauer ‘Stirn’ Ayler Kupp Fass 15 Riesling, Mosel 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Mosel Fine Wines 93+ points “This offers a pure and gorgeously cool nose of ginger, grapefruit and herbs. The wine starts off on the vibrant and zesty side on the palate, before a touch of smoothness kicks in which cuts right through the crisp finish. The after-taste is seemingly endless as grapefruit and ginger linger on for minutes. Although fermented to off-dry levels, the wine tastes almost dry. This is plain gorgeous and a huge success in an intense yet playful style. We would not be surprised if this proves even better than anticipate at maturity. It is that impressive!”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Peter Lauer ‘Lambertskirch’ Ayler Kupp Kabinett, Mosel 2015 750ML ($41.95) $36 pre-arrival special
Mosel Fine Wines 91 points “This offers a gorgeous nose of passion fruit and a hint of coconut and ginger. The wine is delicately creamy and quite richly fruity on the palate and leaves a zesty feel in the long finish. This is nicely made in a delicately creamy expression of racy Kabinett.”
Peter Lauer Ayler Kupp Fass 2 Riesling, Mosel, 2015 750ML ($31.95) $27 pre-arrival special
Mosel Fine Wines 89-91 points “This cask sample hints at a rich and round feel of greengage, mirabelle, quince and pear on the nose. The wine is gorgeously elegant and precise on the palate, with a ripe and round feel (the wine has actually gone through some malolactic fermentation). The finish is fully dry and outstandingly long and refined. This is a gorgeous wine in the making if it keeps its promises in the bottle.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Peter Lauer Ayler Kupp Fass 7 Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points “This offers a stunning nose of canned yellow peach, exotic fruits and dollops of herbs and minerals. The wine is gorgeously racy and vibrant on the palate as zesty grapefruit and more minerals come through in the gloriously mouthwatering finish. There is quite some intensity at play here yet this remains superbly playful and animating. What a beauty!”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Looking for Some GG?
We’ve also some Keller bottlings arriving Friday
Weingut Keller Westhofener Kirchspiel Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Rheinhessen 2015 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 93-94 points “From 51-year-old vines on very barren rocks, Keller’s 2015 Westhofen Kirchspiel Riesling Trocken GG is clear, intense and precise on the nose. It is very ripe and concentrated, provided with refreshingly chalky lemon and even discreet mocha/nougat flavors. Great purity and vitality on the palate, but it also has lots of power! Its power is very well captured by the concentration of everything: fruit, minerals and acidity. The 2015 Kirchspiel is full of terroir and vintage expression, a dense and round, yet tension-filled and vitalizing Riesling. This wine has a very linear and straight-forward character, with an enormous complexity and power, as well as finesse, grip and minerality. Keller’s Kirchspiel was picked in two passes: one earlier and one later. “It was important to keep the grapes shadowed and to not pick too early,” says Keller, who was still full of fear in August, due to the drought and heat. But he is pretty happy with the result, today.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Keller Dalsheimer Hubacker Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Rheinhessen 2015 750ML ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94-95 points “Citrus-colored, the 2015 Dalsheim Hubacker Riesling Trocken GG has a really ripe, intense, yet elegant and almost tropical-flavored bouquet. It does not lack the precision and chalky lemon flavor of the “Hubi” limestone rock terroir. Powerful, dense and complex on the palate, this has the grip and mineral tension of a great wine. This is probably the most vital and concentrated “Hubi” I have tasted so far. It is enormously salty and tension-filled, but at the same time very fine and as fruit-drive as it is chalk-driven. The finish is tight, long, pure and powerful, and its endless salinity, piquancy and tension make it incredibly stimulating. This is a great dry German Riesling or, as Keller puts it: “This is how Hubacker should taste.””
Also Arriving Friday
Superb Champagne
Disruptively Priced!
Jacques Selosse Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Millesime, Champagne 2003 750ML ($519.95) $399 pre-arrival special, 13 bottles available
James Suckling 97 points “A wine that has an absolutely unique character, Selosse has interpreted a truly extraordinary vintage with poetic insight. He describes the double stresses of an April frost that claimed 75% of the yield in Avize, coupled with a very hot and dry June and August. He speaks of the evapotranspiration and the effect of depositing an immense amount of mineral residue into the plant, which has manifested in this striking wine, and compares it to a chef reducing and concentrating a sauce. The smoky, toasty notes are more than autolysis; you can smell the heat of the vintage here. It has profound stony and chalky aromas, gentle spices, grilled hazelnuts and dehydrated stone fruits. The minerals explode onto the palate. It’s electric, hitting like an ionic blast before rolling out dark nutty flavors ahead of plush orange and ripe nectarine, peach and big, rich phenolics. It has many layers through the finish. Extremely long, balanced and resolved. Drink now or age confidently for a fascinating savory journey – this has a sturdy nature.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $345
The average price is $498
December Sales Recap
We’re already up to 19 wines on sale this December! Hurry, these prices expire with the New Year!
Read reviews and browse the full selection of sale wines by searching for “December Sale” on our web store – we’re also happy to talk you through the offerings if you email us at info@vinopoliswineshop.com or call 503-223-6002.
November Sale Grand Finale Recap
Don’t Hesitate – These Sales Expire TONIGHT!
Act now – our November sale prices expire tonight at midnight.
Read reviews and browse the full selection of sale wines by searching for “November Sale” on our web store – we’re also happy to talk you through the offerings if you email us at info@vinopoliswineshop.com or call 503-223-6002.
It’s Never Too Early
German Magnum Mania—Arriving Next Spring!
Weingut Markus Molitor Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese GK, Mosel 2015 1.5L ($79) $59 pre-arrival special
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “This offers a gorgeous nose of yellow fruits, spices and herbs. The wine is delicately creamy on the palate and leaves the rich and hauntingly complex side of a full-blown Auslese in the smooth and delicate finish. 2025-2045.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Markus Molitor Alte Reben Mosel Riesling Trocken WK, Mosel 2015 1.5L ($69.95) $51.90 pre-arrival special
Mosel Fine Wines 90 points “The 2015er Mosel Riesling Alte Reben delivers an attractive nose of white peach, flowers and minerals. The wine proves elegantly fresh and deliciously smooth on the palate and leaves a very attractive feel of minerals and fruits in the long finish. This is nicely made in a ripe yet very satisfying style.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Markus Molitor Alte Reben Saar Riesling Trocken WK, Mosel 2015 1.5L ($69.95) $51.90 pre-arrival special
Mosel Fine Wines 88 points “The 2015er Saar Riesling Alte Reben offers melon, white peach, pear and white minerals on the nose. The wine is elegant and delicately zesty on the palate and leaves a nice feel of herbs in the medium-long finish.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Reichsrat von Buhl Forster Musenhang Riesling Trocken, Pfalz 2015 1.5L ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 92 points “The intensely citrus-yellow 2015 Forster Musenhang Riesling shows a clear, aromatic, and slightly flinty nose with ripe pip fruit and refreshing lemon; there are even green paprika and apple flavors on the intense and elegant nose. This Musenhang is medium-bodied, clear, fresh and racy on the palate. It is a straight and mineral, edgy and merciless Riesling with no ornaments, no meat and no charm. But it does have a lot of freshness, raciness and character. This is probably not a wine for the U.S. market, whereas Vikings would probably die for it. Great finesse and purity here, this is an old-school Riesling from the pre-global warming area. Some would say it is unripe, while other would say it’s just ripe. I’d say: the ripeness is at maximum, but I like it due to its refreshing and mineral expression. This Riesling is 12.5% alcohol.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Reichsrat von Buhl Forster Riesling Trocken, Pfalz 2015 1.5L ($69.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 92 points “The citrus/golden-colored 2015 Forster Riesling is dense, clear and aromatic on the nose and shows flinty aromas along with ripe Riesling flavors. Very vital and pure on the palate, the wine reveals a great grip and tension. Its power comes from the depth, not from the alcohol. The finish is long, complex and very salty, revealing a pure, concentrated and firmly-structured baby Riesling. This has great expression and talents. The finish and aftertaste reveal some refreshing white and lemony aromas; it does not have the rich and opulent stone fruit flavor you often find in Pfalz, as well as in Forst Rieslings. The finish is long, pure, salty and enormously vital.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Reichsrat von Buhl Deidesheimer Leinhohle Riesling, Pfalz 2015 1.5L ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 91 points “The golden/yellow-colored 2015 Deidesheimer Leinhöhle Riesling (AP 1416) has an intense nose with pretty ripe, but also refreshing and slightly greenish fruit aromas with sur-lie characteristics. Round and elegant on the palate, this is a balanced, fruit-intense and well-structured Riesling with nice concentration and a long, intense finish. Pretty accessible already, but also with tension. This is a very well-made Riesling from a warmer terroir in a warm vintage. The acidity is ripe and well integrated, and the creamy texture and long lees aging make this a pretty Burgundian Riesling, with 13.5% alcohol.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Reichsrat von Buhl Deidesheimer Maushohle Riesling Trocken, Pfalz 2015 1.5L ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2015 Deidesheimer Mäusehöhle Riesling (AP 2216) opens with a pure and refreshing, rather coolish aroma (compared to the Leinshöhle) of ripe yellow fruits intertwined with stony aromas. Round, fresh and elegant on the palate, this full-bodied and well-balanced Riesling is tightly woven, but fine and very mineral. It displays ripe yellow apple flavors in the finish, as well as nice and stimulating grip. The finish is pure and salty, really vitalizing in its freshness and clarity. According to the label, this is 12.5% alcohol.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt Scharzhofberger Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2015 1.5L ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special
Mosel Fine Wines 94 points “This Auslese harvested at 102° Oechsle is still marked by some residual notes from spontaneous fermentation at first. However, these quickly give way to exotic scents of mango and papaya as well as mint, candied grapefruit and pineapple. The wine proves juicy and creamy even if still on the sweet side on the palate at this early stage. However, the finish already hints at greatness to come as grapefruit zest brings freshness in the long finish of this superb Auslese from the Scharzhofberg.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!