Wednesday, June 15th, 2016
German Pre-Arrivals from Loosen, Haag, Weil and Maximin Grunhaus; Giacosa Sale; Bethel Heights Arriving Friday; Wines Trending This Week; Merry Edwards Arriving Late June; Cantalupo; Massolino; Italian Case Price: Produttori 2011 Cru Pricing ends June 30th; Staff Picks
German Pre-Arrivals
Best 2014s from Dr. Loosen, Fritz Haag, Carl von Schubert/Maximin Grunhaus and Robert Weil
Wines Arrive Late July
Dr. Loosen
Two centuries of experience look good on a resume. So do 50 acres of Riesling vines planted in some of the Mosel Valley’s best vineyards. Such is the pedigree of the Dr. Loosen winery. Better than this, however, is having a fellow like Ernst Loosen at the helm of said estate. After taking over the family business in 1989, Ernst focused operations on making pure, terroir-expressive, concentrated Rieslings. Praise from reviewers and customers followed, and Ernst is something like a German wine superstar today.
To accomplish his vision for making distinguished wine, Ernst began in the vineyard, where organic viticulture let nature back into the game. He cut yields to concentrate flavors, and made sure harvesters selected only healthy, mature fruit. In the winery, Ernst kept technology at bay, preferring to let the wines develop naturally, without too much human intervention. Such was Ernst’s love for his family’s vineyards that he wanted their steep, blue slate soils to sing through the wines as loudly and clearly as possible, which they do, out of mutual respect.
Dr. Loosen Wines Arriving Late July
Dr. Loosen Erdener Treppchen Alte Reben Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Mosel 2014 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94 points “Born on red slate and sourced from the plot above the Prälat, which gives extremely small berries and results in just one fuder, the 2014 Erdener Treppchen Riesling trocken GG Alte Reben displays a deep and very dense, yet subtle bouquet of nectarines along with beautifully fine slate and flinty aromas. Round, intense and very elegant on the palate, this fully ripe and full-bodied Riesling is piquant and fresh. The wine is spectacular only in the finish, which reveals a noble, rested, perfectly balanced and highly expressive Riesling with an extremely long, complex finish. You can easily drink this beauty today, but you would waste most of its talents. I would not drink before 2022.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Dr. Loosen Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Alte Reben Grosses Gewachs, Mosel 2014 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2014 Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling trocken GG Alte Reben shows a lovely purity and flintiness on the deep nose, which displays notes of crushed stones, lemon juice and also ripe fruit pips. Rich, ripe and piquant on the palate, this full-bodied Würzgarten is very mineral, but also has a certain sweetness and juiciness that is almost rounder than round, and results in a big and more opulent Riesling.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Dr. Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Alte Reben Grosses Gewachs, Mosel 2014 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2014 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling trocken GG Alte Reben offers a noble, very clear, elegant, intense and subtle slate bouquet. Highly elegant and expressive on the palate this is a beautiful dry Riesling with perfect sweetness and balance. This wine is full-bodied, piquant and mineral, very complex and persistent. A great Mosel Riesling that would benefit from further bottle aging.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Dr. Loosen Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Offers lots of creamy accents to the pure, fresh flavors of apple cobbler, peach and dried apricot. The long, succulent finish echoes with rich, silky notes of dried green herbs and lemongrass. Drink now through 2034.”
Dr. Loosen Erdener Pralat Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, Mosel 2014 750ML ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Dr. Loosen Erdener Pralat Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, Mosel 2014 375ML ($59.95) $46 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 95 points “Spicy flavors (cumin, fennel seeds) underline the perfectly ripe peach and Riesling aroma on the highly elegant nose of the gold-capsuled 2014 Erdener Prälat Riesling Auslese GK that was – like all the 2014 Auslese Rieslings – picked before the rain and rot. Generous and highly elegant on the palate, this is a sweet but also very salty and finesse-full Riesling, with a rich and creamy texture and some nutty aromas, but also a stunning purity in the background, with a long and stimulating finish. This is a spectacular Auslese that needs another 10-15 years and will still be great even in 30 years. ”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Fritz Haag
The Fritz Haag estate and vineyards reach like vines into the annals of Mosel history. The municipality of Brauneberg, famous for its single-vineyard and Grand Cru Sonnenuhr wines, caught the attention of the Romans and Napoleon alike, and records of Fritz Haag exist since 1605. This is the middle Mosel, and Brauneberg’s vertiginous, south-facing slopes of brown slate soil drain well, producing wines of powerful character. Wines from the celebrated Sonnenuhr vineyard, surrounding the well-known sundial, abound with slate-like minerality, sweetness, and refreshing acidity, and they age for decades. The Brauneberger Juffer wines, by contrast, are lighter and more delicate, while the Brauneberger Kabinett comes from early-picked grapes from both the Juffer and Sonnenuhr vineyards. All of these wines exhibit the finesse and fruit-acidity balance that has kept Fritz Haag famous to this day.
Fritz Haag Wines Arriving Late July
Fritz Haag Brauneberger Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2014 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2014 Brauneberger Riesling Kabinett offers the lovely, clear and delicate slate aroma intermixed with smoky and herbal aromas, but also lovely stone fruit as well. Pure, salty and piquant on the palate, this is a nicely concentrated, round and fruity Riesling with lightness, intensity and finesse, as well as a long and persistent finish. This is great terroir Riesling with salt and minerals. Extremely stimulating. Great, great Mosel Riesling from the grand cru terroirs of Brauneberg!”
Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Trocken Grosses Gewachs, Mosel 2014 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2014 Brauneberg Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling trocken GG displays a lovey, pure and refreshing stony bouquet with lemon and bright fruit flavors, as well as very delicate slate aromas. This is a beautiful dry Riesling of great finesse and elegance that is light but intense in its mineral complexity. Very pure, salty and provided with a lovely intensity. The wine is bottled with 13% alcohol, but you don’t taste it. Very promising.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2014 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2014 Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese displays a stunningly clear, precise and mineral, flinty-flavored bouquet with lemon oil flavors on pure stones. This is a weightless, bright and finesse-full Auslese that tastes as piquant and refreshing in its bright citrus flavors as a candied grapefruit. Absolutely beautiful and elegant, and so long, stimulatingly pure and salty. Great, great Riesling!”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Carl von Schubert/Maximin Grünhäuser
Facing south and overlooking the Ruwer River just before it meets the Mosel, Weingut Maximin Grünhaus has produced extraordinary Rieslings since Medieval times. Roman ruins underlie today’s estate, but it was the Saint Maximin Abbey that made this area famous for wine. The Abtsberg vineyard, known for its concentrated yet supple and perfectly balanced wines, once supplied the Abbott himself, while the equally long-lived Herrenberg vineyard wines satisfied the Abbey’s choirmasters. Weingut Maximin Grünhaus continues the tradition of crafting wines fit for the elite. They farm the vineyards following organic principles, keep yields low, and harvest by hand. Large Fuder casks, made from oaks on the estate, help the wines achieve their greatness. Tasting a Riesling from Weingut Maximin Grünhaus means tasting a lineage of German winemaking history.
Carl von Schubert/Maximin Grunhauser Wines Arriving Late July
Carl von Schubert Maximin Grunhauser Herrenberg Riesling Alte Reben Trocken, Mosel 2014 750ML ($34.95) $27 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 91+ points “The 2014 Maximin Grünhäuser Herrenberg Riesling Trocken Alte Reben displays a very clear, subtle and elegant plum-brandy and white nectarine aroma. Full-bodied and very elegant on the palate, with intensity and minerality, this is a more concentrated, richer and round Riesling from the Herrenberg with a good mineral length. At this early stage, the juicy Alte Reben shows more of a GG-style than the Grünhaus character, though I wonder if not the ‘regular’ Herrenberg trocken is more drinking fun in the next five or 15 years. 11.5% alcohol is pretty Grünhaus though.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Carl von Schubert Maximin Grunhauser Abtsberg Superior Riesling, Mosel 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94 points “Very clear and smoky on the still discreet and yeasty-flavored, dense nose, the 2014 Maximin Grünhäuser Abtsberg Riesling Superior is a very elegant and round, finesse-full and persistent Riesling; it has a long and salty, very complex but beautifully fine, yet firmly structured and great finish. Impressive Riesling for the next 25 or 30 or more years.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Carl von Schubert Maximin Grunhauser Abtsberg Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2014 750ML ($34.95) $27 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2014 Maximin Grünhäuser Abtsberg Riesling Kabinett (AP #11) shows a super clear, deep and complex blue slate bouquet; this leads to a piquant and filigreed palate, with an ethereal lightness and transparency. It has a salty and slate-like finish, which is very stimulating, pure and long, but neither too fruity nor too intense. Divine!”
Carl von Schubert Maximin Grunhauser Abtsberg Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2014 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2014 Maximin Grünhäuser Abtsberg Riesling Spätlese (AP #12) opens very clear and smoky on the deep and aromatic nose. It is piquant and intense on the palate, very juicy and concentrated, firm and potent, and far away from being ready to drink. It is lush and piquant, very mineral and racy, and needs at least 15 years to reveal its true talents. This is a great Spätlese in Grand Cru format. Bottled with 68 grams of residual sugar.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $34.25
Carl von Schubert Maximin Grunhauser Herrenberg Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2014 750ML ($37.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2014 Maximin Grünhäuser Herrenberg Riesling Spätlese (AP #7) offers a super clear and stony flavored bouquet with some yeasty flavors, which you can also find in the Kabinett. Sweet and filigreed on the weightless and highly elegant palate, this is a gorgeously fine and stimulating Spätlese with a beautiful salinity. Bottled with 72 grams of residual sugar per liter, you taste nothing but fruit. This is very precise and well articulated Riesling of great finesse and elegance, and probably the finest Herrenberg of the 2014 vintage. Lightness and goodness as character.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $34
Robert Weil
With its fourth generation in charge, Weingut Robert Weil has been making fine Riesling since 1875. Settled in the town of Kiedrich, Wilhelm Weil today continues to produce some of the Rheingau’s top wines from the family’s 222 acres, including bottlings from the celebrated Kiedrich Turmberg and Kiedrich Gräfenberg vineyards. Organic practices govern the steep, stony, Southwest-facing vineyards, where grapes can bask in relative warmth until late in the season. Harvesters will pass through the vine rows more than a dozen times to pick fruit at different maturity levels, and all care is taken in the winery to ensure that the wines reflect their Rheingau upbringing. Steady as she goes: Weingut Robert Weil has the art of winemaking figured out.
Robert Weil Wine Arriving Late July
Weingut Robert Weil Kiedricher Grafenberg Riesling Trocken Grosses Gewachs, Kiedrich 2014 750ML ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 95+ points “The 2014 Kiedricher Grafenberg Riesling trocken GG combines the fine and highly elegant Riesling fruit of the Klosterberg with the finesse-full and precise purity of the Gräfenberg phyllite terroir. Piquant and complex on the palate with great finesse and coolish precision, this is the aristocrat among the dry Weil Rieslings; its length is lovely, salty and full of tension. Great purity and elegance, as well as great aging potential. So much delicacy here and purity, so vital and elegant, well balanced. The length is not due to the alcohol, but the acidity and salinity.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Giacosa Barolo Sale
Special Pricing Ends Midnight Friday, June 17th
Falletto di Bruno Giacosa ‘Falletto’, Barolo DOCG 2005 750ML ($249.95) Was $179, Now $149, sale ends midnight Friday, June 17th
Wine Advocate & Stephen Tanzer 94 points “The 2005 Barolo Falletto offers up a gorgeous bouquet of red cherries, flowers, spices and menthol. This is a relatively delicate, elegant Barolo Falletto yet it offers gorgeous balance, tons of inner perfume and a long, refined finish. It is one of the overachievers in 2005. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.”WA
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $209
Falletto di Bruno Giacosa ‘Le Rocche del Falletto’ Riserva, Barolo DOCG 2008 750ML ($399.95) Was $279, Now $259, sale ends midnight Friday, June 17th
Wine Spectator 97 points “Pure cherry, rose and leather aromas and flavors emerge after about two hours of aeration. This is rich, with impressive depth and a firm structure for support. Elegant and graceful, showing excellent length on the finish. Best from 2017 through 2027.”
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2008 Barolo Riserva Le Rocche del Falletto (aged 36 months in botte grande) is a gorgeous wine from every perspective. Its 360-degree beauty shines comes through in terms of the intensity of the bouquet and the elegance of the mouthfeel. Again, super-finely textured tannins give the wine backbone and create a supporting structure for rich fruit flavors. There-s just enough consistency here to fill the palate, yet the wine is never heavy or flat. It shows vibrant energy thanks to the natural freshness and that beautiful note of garden fresh red rose that pops up as nostalgic sign-off. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2040. ”
James Suckling 97 points “Amazing nose of chocolate, orange peel, plums and hazelnut. Full-bodied, with super fine tannins and a long finish. Intense with a beautiful line of fine tannins that go on for minutes. Superb.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $365
Arriving Friday
Best of Bethel Heights
Bethel Heights Vineyard ‘Aeolian’ Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special, ETA June 17th
Bethel Heights Vineyard ‘Aeolian’ Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2014 1.5L ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special, ETA June 17th
Wine Spectator 95 points “Aromatically pure, with currant, plum, chocolate, mineral and floral notes mingling effortlessly and continuing into a long and expressive mouthful of open-textured intensity and depth. Has terrific presence and length. Best from 2017 through 2024.”
Hayfork Lewelling
Sixth Generation Striving Toward Perfection
(at a great value, too)
Hayfork Lewelling Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, St Helena 2012 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Robert Parker 96 points “The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Lewelling Ranch, which is actually a great value in the scheme of Napa pricing, is a blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot that was aged for 20 months in 70% new French oak. The wine displays gorgeous licorice, lead pencil shavings, black currants, loamy soil undertones and a touch of barrique. Dense purple, it has a full-bodied, multi-layered mouthfeel and a stunning finish with good acidity and velvety, well-integrated tannin, alcohol and wood. This is a scrumptious, full-throttle Cabernet Sauvignon to drink over the next 15 or so years.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $71
Classic. Barolo.
Bartolo Mascarello Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2011 Barolo is a very expressive wine with more determination and muscle than you usually get in the wines of Bartolo Mascarello. The bouquet opens to plush flavors of red fruit and cherry with grilled herb, tobacco and mineral delineation. Its structure is yielding and round and the finish is ripe with soft fruit flavors. Make no mistake, it doles out complexity and an ethereal sense of balsam herb, cola and licorice that is the hallmark of this historic estate with a tiny garage winery in the town of Barolo. The alcohol reading here is 14.5% compared to 14% in the 2010 vintage.”
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “Maria-Theresa Mascarello’s 2011 Barolo is one of the more refined wines of the year, with less size than many other 2011s, and plenty of immediacy. Racy and giving on the palate, but with good underlying structure, the 2011 impresses for its juxtaposition of the riper elements of the vintage and more classic attributes that are such signatures at this address. Bright red stone fruits, strawberries and crushed flowers are some of the notes that grace the exquisite finish. The 2011 is an excellent choice to drink while some of the more ageworthy recent vintages sleep in the cellar. I will not be surprised to see the 2011 improve from where it is today.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Just a reminder about our current shipping specials during this season:
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 offer flat rate shipping on any size single order / single shipment
-to Oregon for $17,
-Washington & Idaho for $20,
-and California for $25
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.
Wines Trending This Week
On the Radar, Off the Charts
Georges Duboeuf Domaine des Rosiers Moulin-a-Vent, Beaujolais 2014 750ML ($21.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles available
Neal Martin – Wine Advocate 89-91 points “The 2014 Moulin-à-Vent Domaine des Rosiers, which sees a judicious 15% oak barrel aging, has a precocious and lively bouquet of maraschino cherry, cola and mineral scents that are nicely defined and feminine. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, fine acidity and harmony with a mineral-driven finish that leaves the mouth tingling. This is just lovely.” NM
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $21/bottle!
Domaine du Pegau ‘Pink Pegau’ Rose, Vin de France 2015 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles available
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 90 points “Lurid orange-pink. Yeasty pear, white peach, jasmine and yellow apple scents are sharpened by a suggestion of white pepper. Highly floral and spicy in the mouth, offering round red berry and pit fruit flavors that show red-wine-like weight and texture. In a fleshy, broad, creamy style that reminds me of a Poulsard from the Jura. Closes on a candied lavender note, with blood orange and fennel notes lingering. Intriguing stuff, somewhere between pink, orange and red in character, and probably not for everyone.”
Vignobles Prissette Villa Symposia Coteaux du Languedoc l’Equilibre 2011 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 36 bottles available
Case-12 Vignobles Prissette Villa Symposia Coteaux du Languedoc l’Equilibre 2011 750ML ($249.95) $199 special, 3 cases available (that’s only $16.58/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Jeb Dunnuck – Wine Advocate 91 points “Offering up piercing notes of scrub brush, juniper, sage and some exotic wood qualities, with a core of dark cherry and black raspberry fruit, the 2011 Languedoc Pezenas Equilibre is medium to full-bodied, layered and pure, with fantastic richness that never comes across as heavy or cumbersome. Made from Syrah, Carignan and Grenache and aged in all larger oak, it’s a gorgeous red to drink over the coming 5-7 years.” JD
Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Arriving Late June
This 2013 vintage celebrated Merry’s 40th year as a wine-maker, for a career that began as the wine-maker of the 1973 vintage of Domaine Mount Eden!
Merry Edwards Georganne Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley 2013 750ML ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Cellar selection. Rustic earth and the aromatic sparks of a rose garden open this wine, named by combining the middle names of the producer and her husband. Tight, youthful tannins hover around chocolate, strawberry and blackberry notes, resulting in a velvety texture on the expansive palate. It finishes quietly and confidently, eager to develop further in bottle; enjoy through 2023.”
Wine Advocate 92+ points “The 2013 Pinot Noir Georganne Vineyard comes from a vineyard on Westside Road and is planted with Merry Edward’s favorite clone of Pinot Noir, UCD 37. Slightly more earthy and large-boned than her other cuvées, the wine is tannic, firm and Pommard-like in its masculinity muscle. There is a lot going on, with plenty of black cherry and blackcurrant fruit, underlying earthiness and spice. Forget this for several years and drink it over the following 15 years. This could be her Pommard Premier Cru from the Russian River.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Merry Edwards Meredith Estate Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley 2013 750ML ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “From the producer’s Sebastopol Hills hillside vineyard, this is a perfumy, elegant wine, a combination of lavender and roses with sizable tannins and a backbone of acidity. Dark black fruit and game swirl together with a complex addition of dried herb and violet. This is a lovely wine now, but will benefit from further cellaring through 2023.”
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2013 Pinot Noir Meredith Estate has a saturated ruby/purple color, beautiful black raspberry and blueberry-like fruit, underlying loamy soil tones, medium to full body, beautiful ripeness purity and depth. Like its siblings it is young, and still somewhat unformed but bursting with upside potential. Forget it for another year or so and drink it over the following 15+ years.”
Cantalupo
Must-Know Nebbiolo
In the Nebbiolo country of northern Piedmont – removed from the star-studded Langhe – exist a few regions whose wines render that noble grape in a beautiful, more delicate style, at approachable prices. Gattinara is one, and Ghemme is another. From here in Ghemme, beneath the imposing Alpine peak of Monte Rosa, come the wines of Cantalupo. With 84 acres under vine, family-owned Cantalupo has been making Nebbiolo wines since 1969. Soils here are alluvial, from glacial moraines retreated during the last Ice Age, a change from the Langhe. Cantalupo performs all of the vineyard work, including harvest, by hand, and uses traditional Slavonian oak along with some French oak. The wines are raised in a cellar cut into the hillside, and they show plenty of elegance and red fruit, with a medium-full body. Any fan of Nebbiolo ought to know the name Cantalupo, and its cooler-clime version of Italy’s premier red grape.
Cantalupo Wines Available Here Now:
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Il Mimo Nebbiolo Rosato Colline Novaresi, Piedmont 2015 750ML ($19.95) $16.60 special, 11 bottles available
VinopolNote: The juice is pressed after one night on the skins followed by a slow, temperature-controlled fermentation. The wine is left to settle and bottled after about 5 months. It is bright and fresh with classic Nebbiolo nuances.
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo ‘Agamium’ Colline Novaresi 2009 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles available
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2009 Colline Novaresei Agamium is floral, bright and deeply expressive, with plenty of lift and red stone fruit character. Feminine and gracious throughout, the 2009 offers considerable grace and plenty of near to medium-term appeal. A final burst of Chambolle-like fruit rounds out the finish.”
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Collis Carellae, Ghemme DOCG 2009 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 36 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 94 points “A big, dense wine, the 2009 Collis Carellae shows the wilder, gamier side of Ghemme. Leather, smoke, cedar, tobacco and menthol make a strong first impression. The 2009 possesses tons of depth and vertical structure. Some of the initial elements of rusticity blow off with air, so readers should be ready to open the 2009 in advance. There is no shortage of personality. That much is clear.”
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo ‘Cantalupo Anno Primo’ Colline Novaresi 2008 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 10 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The 2008 Cantalupo Anno Primo is built on a serious spine of tannin and energy, both of which give it considerable power. Dark red cherry, tobacco, smoke, herbs and leather are all expressed with quite a bit of intensity. The 2008 offers solid balance in a virile style that is probably best enjoyed at the dinner table.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Collis Breclemae, Ghemme DOCG 2007 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 8 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 92+ points “The 2007 Ghemme Collis Breclamae shows the deeper, slightly wilder side of Ghemme. Game, smoke, licorice, cedar and tobacco are expressed with elements of burliness and rusticity. There is more than enough depth to fill out the wine’s broad shoulders. Still, what comes through most is the wine’s virile, imposing personality.” AG
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Arriving in August
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo ‘Cantalupo Anno Primo’ Colline Novaresi 2009 750ML ($44.95) $38 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo ‘Cantalupo Anno Primo’ Colline Novaresi 2009 750ML ($479.95) $399 pre-arrival special (that’s only $33.25/bottle!)
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2009 Cantalupo Anno Primo is a gorgeous, super-classic Ghemme. Rosewater, bright red cherry, geranium, tobacco, pine and mint are beautifully delineated throughout. Aromatically intense and focused, the 2009 shows exactly what makes Nebbiolo from Ghemme so delicious. This is an absolutely gorgeous wine that won’t break the bank. At times, the aromatic signatures are quite reminiscent of Mascarello’s Barolo Monprivato, although the tannic and acid signatures are very much those of Ghemme.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Massolino
Electric Barolo
Serralunga d’Alba would not be the same without the Massolino family. Besides the fact that Giovanni Massolino brought electricity to the town in 1896, he also established the storied wine estate that bears his family name. The classic Massolino Barolo dates back to 1911, and the wines are still grown and produced by the Massolino family, now in its fourth generation of winemakers.
In all, Massolino owns 57 acres of vineyard, including four Barolo crus. With such a reputation to uphold, tradition still guides the way here: fermentation in cement tanks, ageing in large Slavonian oak casks. Yet modernity has its hand, too: Not at all rustic, the wines are smooth, clean, and extremely pleasurable. These are some of the finest Barolos around, unafraid of long cellar time. With or without electricity, Serralunga and the Langhe have the Massolinos to thank.
We are thrilled to offer a wide range of the classic Massolino wines, available as pre-arrivals and arriving late June.
Massolino Wines Arriving Late June:
Massolino Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont 2013 750ML ($31.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Massolino Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont 2013 750ML ($359.95) $249 pre-arrival special (that’s only $20.75/bottle!)
Vinopolnote: A classic, easy-drinking, younger-vine bottling of Nebbiolo from the Serralunga.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $26
Massolino Barolo DOCG, Serralunga d’Alba 2011 750ML ($49.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 92 points “A tightly coiled version, with a solid core of black cherry framed by licorice and spice accents. Though locked up for now, this shows the potential for a long evolution. Delivers fine ripeness and midpalate density. Best from 2019 through 2033.”
James Suckling 92 points “Lots of pretty, ripe yet subtle fruit in this wine with plum, dried strawberry and spice character. Full body, silky tannins and a fresh finish. Better in 2018.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $45
Massolino Margheria, Barolo DOCG 2009 750ML ($89.95) $66 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2009 Barolo Margheria, however, moves us over to the Serralunga d’Alba township where power and structure are the name of the game. This wine shows big bones with firmly rooted tannins and a bold, fleshy quality of fruit. Black currant, chopped mint and licorice are woven tightly within the fabric of the wine. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2028.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $84
Massolino Barolo Parafada, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Structured and focused, this gorgeous wine offers enticing scents of pressed violet, woodland berry, baking spice, tilled soil and leather. The firm palate delivers ripe black cherry, licorice, mint, tobacco and ground clove alongside youthfully assertive but refined tannins. Give this time to fully develop—it should blossom into a beauty. Drink 2018–2026.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “A mix of ripe cherry, raspberry, plum, tobacco and tea aromas and flavors are the hallmarks of this well-defined red. A stiff backbone of tannins and vivid acidity keeps this moving toward the lingering, earth-tinged aftertaste. Best from 2019 through 2032”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $82
Massolino Parussi, Barolo DOCG 2007 750ML ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 94 points “Warm and inviting, featuring macerated cherry, leather, tobacco and spice flavors. The balance leans toward the tannic side, yet this shows an extra level of ripeness and integration, with excellent length. Best from 2015 through 2032.”
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 93 points “Bright medium red. Compelling perfume of strawberry, raspberry, red cherry, flowers, minerals and wild herbs. Dense, sappy and concentrated; wonderfully silky Barolo but also much more vibrant than the 2008. The tannins are a bit youthfully aggressive but the wine’s lingering mineral and wild herb perfume suggests it will be a beauty with another four to six years in the cellar.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $70.23
Massolino Parussi, Barolo DOCG 2009 750ML ($89.95) $66 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2009 Barolo Parussi sees fruit sourced from the Castiglione Falletto township and consequently shows the most ethereal and refined characteristics of these three vineyard-designate wines. Rosehip, forest berry and even a touch of stone fruit or apricot emerge at first, followed by heavier aromas of tar and black licorice. The wine shows impressive elegance, finesse, silky tannins and fresh acidity. Those overall attributes, melded so perfectly together, are rare to find in the warmer 2009 vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.”
Massolino Parussi, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 93 points “With fruit from Castiglione Falletto, the 2011 Barolo Parussi is an epic wine with thick layers of dark fruit, spice and pressed rose. This expression is absolutely irresistible in terms of its generosity, overall intensity and silky smoothness. It presents a more immediate style with soft lines and a generous, fruity texture. Massolino has produced an impressive line of new releases.”
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Massolino Vigna Rionda Riserva, Barolo DOCG 2009 750ML ($149.95) $108 pre-arrival special
Luca Gardini 98 points, Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2009 Barolo Vigna Rionda Riserva burst from the glass with enormous confidence and personality. Nothing is understated here or otherwise hidden from view. This Riserva immediately puts its best assets forward with dark fruit nuances that are woven tight with veins of exotic spice and crushed mineral. The wine also reveals lovely aged characteristics of licorice, dried tobacco and balsam herb. The 2009 vintage is slightly broader and flatter compared to 2007 and 2006.”
James Suckling 94 points “There’s cedar and sandalwood undertone to this Barolo with ripe fruit and milk chocolate as well. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and a long, flavorful finish. A late release from a fine producer of Barolo showing energy and tension. Drink now.”
Massolino Barolo Vigna Rionda X Dieci Anni Riserva, Barolo DOCG 2004 750ML ($249.95) $199 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: The Dieci is a special reserve bottling released by the winery after 10 additional years.
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2004 Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda reveals superb complexity and nuance in a never-ending display of aromas and flavors that saturate the palate. Tobacco, truffles, spices, licorice and dark fruit swirl around in the glass as the wine continues to gain volume and depth with air. The tannins are massive yet beautifully balanced and the stage seems set for the 2004 to develop into one of the finest Vigna Riondas crafted here. Constantly changing in the glass, the wine captures that characteristic Rionda elusiveness that invites a second taste and then a third. In sum, it is a Barolo that will provide endless fascination for many years to come. Incredibly, it tastes almost as youthful as it did from barrel a few years ago! Anticipated maturity: 2016-2031.”
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Italian Case Price:
Produttori 2011 Cru Case Special Pricing Ends June 30th
Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Cellars
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Montefico, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($699.95) $619 special, 1 case available (that’s only $51.58/bottle!)
Produttori del Barbaresco Montefico, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 25 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Montefico is another of the highlights in this range from the Produttori. Imagine the precision of Ovello, but with slightly darker fruit and more density and power through the middle. That’s the Montefico. A regal, towering Barbaresco, the Montefico should provide thrilling drinking for the next several decades. A rush of dark cherry, plum, smoke, licorice and tobacco add nuance on the powerful, structured finish.” AG
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Montestefano, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($599.95) $519 special, 3 cases available (that’s only $43.25/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Produttori del Barbaresco Montestefano, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles available
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano is one of the least expressive of these wines. Inward, powerful and explosive, the 2011 is not in a mood to show much today, that is pretty clear. Still, there is an obvious energy here that is impossible to miss. A firm spine of tannin gives the wine much of its signature power. Dark red cherry, smoke, pomegranate and scorched earth blossom on the dramatic finish. A wine of real density and gravitas, the 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano stands out for its pure, unbridled energy and overall intensity.” AG
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco ‘Muncagota’, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($469.95) $419 special, 3 cases available (that’s only $34.92/bottle!)
Produttori del Barbaresco ‘Muncagota’, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 36+ bottles available
Antonio Galloni 90 points “Soft, caressing and voluptuous, the 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Muncagota is the sweetest and most open of these 2011 Riservas. Hard candy, wild flowers, mint and sweet spices meld together in a sensual, inviting Barbaresco that will drink nicely pretty much upon release. The 2011 strikes an attractive middle ground of raciness, texture and structure. As such, it will be one of the best early drinkers in this range. This is a gorgeous Muncagota.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $51
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($599.95) $519 special, 2 cases available (that’s only $43.25/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 22 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 94+ points “The 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello, from one of the coolest zones in Barbaresco, is superb. Here it is the wine’s precision and energy – both hard to come by in 2011 – that really stand out. Pine, mint, chalk, bright red berries, blood orange and white pepper are some of the signatures in a brilliant, finely-cut Barbaresco that captures the best of both the vintage and this site. Don’t miss it!” AG
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco ‘Paje’, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($599.95) $519 special, 2 cases available (that’s only $43.25/bottle!)
Produttori del Barbaresco ‘Paje’, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 13 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 95 points “One of the highlights in this range, the 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Pajè is also one of the most classic of these 2011 Riservas. Beams of underlying acidity and minerality give the flavors considerable thrust and brightness. Sweet mentholated notes wrap around a core of plush, red-fleshed plum and pomegranate fruit, leading to a brisk, refreshing finish. What is left to say? The 2011 Pajè is absolutely gorgeous. It’s as simple as that. Pajè is one of the cooler micro-climates the Produttori work with, and that was a help in 2011.” AG
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Pora, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($519.95) $459 special, 3 cases available (that’s only $38.25/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Produttori del Barbaresco Pora, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $44 special, 36+ bottles available
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Pora is sweet, round and sensual. Beautifully layered in the glass, the Pora is absolutely exquisite, with plenty of sweet red cherry, plum, mint and spice notes woven throughout. The Pora is typically the most open of the Produttori’s nine Riservas, as it is once again this year. There is so much to like here.” AG
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Rabaja, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($699.95) $679 special, 2 cases available (that’s only $56.58/bottle!)
Produttori del Barbaresco Rabaja, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 29 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “The 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà is quite backward today, with intense, salivating tannins that cut through the fruit. The trademark Rabajà balsamic flavor profile is there, with notable darkness and plenty of structure that add complexity to a core of crystalline fruit. Energetic and powerful, with searing tannin and exceptional balance, the Rabajà is going to require considerable patience. The only question is how much.” AG
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Rio Sordo, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($519.95) $459 special, 3 cases available (that’s only $38.25/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Produttori del Barbaresco Rio Sordo, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $44 special, 33 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Rio Sordo is a bit darker and more ample than it usually is, a signature of the year. With time in the glass, the typical soaring floral/spiced Rio Sordo bouquet emerges. Dark, sensual and beautifully expressive, the Rio Sordo is another wine that will drink well with minimal cellaring.”
Staff Picks
Spilling the Beans!
Crowley Rose of Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($24.95) $18 special
“Welcome summer with the first ever release of Crowley Rose! This wine shows poise, balance and thought. It opens with a bright, fresh nose of white cranberries and dried ginger. On the palate is again a lovely red berry note with touches of fresh milk and black tea. This rose is from the coolest single block in the Four Wines Vineyard. It was whole cluster pressed and underwent a slow malolactic fermentation (finishing at 13.68% alcohol and 3.4-3.5 pH for those inquiring minds).
“The Four Winds Vineyard is within the McMinnville Coast Range. Planted in 1990 to 100% Pommard clone, the vines are all own-rooted. The soil is Jory-Nekiah (uplifted marine sedimentary loam and silts with alluvial overlays – an ideal soil type for Oregon Pinot Noir). The vineyard, as with all vineyards Crowley Winery works with, is dry-farmed (not irrigated).
“Winemaker Tyson Crowley is the current president of the Deep Roots Coalition or ‘drc:’ The drc was formed around the idea that irrigation is unnecessary to successful (and classic) grape growing and negatively impacts resulting wines (pumping up alcohol and watering down the essence of the terroir, pun intended). The drc takes the firm stance for dry-farmed (non-irrigated vines). These vines are forced to dig their roots deep to search for water, thus delving into the truer terroir of the region while being less prone to the vagaries of day to day weather. As water scarcity across the West Coast grows in urgency, this mission of sustainability is becoming increasingly important. We are proud to carry the wines from many members, including (but not limited to): Ayres, Belle Pente, Brick House, Cameron, Crowley, Matello/Goodfellow and Westrey.” –Suzanne
Aubry Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
“The Aubry line of winegrowers dates back to the late 18th century, to when France still had a king. As a nod of respect to their forefathers, though probably not to the royals, the modern-day Aubry brothers, Pierre and Philippe, set out to revive a few ancient Champagne grapes. In 1989, they took cuttings from a few remaining vines, and planted some Arbanne, Petit Meslier, Fromenteau, and Enfumé. Vive la tradition!
“These rare varieties compose only 5% of Aubry’s Brut Premier Cru Champagne, but it’s the thought that counts. The rest of the blend includes 45% Pinot Meunier, 25% Pinot Noir, and 25% Chardonnay. Such a dominance of red grapes gives this Champagne a bold mouth feel, with plenty of backbone. At play with this are notes of white flowers, lemon, a stony minerality, and some toastiness on the finish. Balanced, fresh, and très Champagne… What’s not to like about a revisit to the Ancien Régime?!” – Daniel
Belle Pente Cuvee Contraire Rose, Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
“You might be led to believe that Tavel corners the market on deep-hued and delicious roses. Au contraire! Brian & Company over at Belle Pente craft this beautiful, layered ruby beauty from 90% Pinot and 10% Gamay and my-oh-my, is it a perfect hundred-degree-weather-wine!?! The wine tastes like freshly-cut strawberries with a flirtatious little cranberry underbelly. Summer heat seems less frightening with a great bottle of pink like this one. Enjoy it!” – Tyler