9/30/15
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Talley Chardonnay; Champagne Pre-Arrivals; Remoissenet; German Riesling Pre-Arrivals; Autumnal Rosés; New Arrivals
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Arriving Tomorrow
Californian Coastal Chardonnay
Talley Vineyards ‘Oliver’s Vineyard’ Chardonnay 2013 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2013 Chardonnay Oliver’s Vineyard is brilliant and one of the more racy, steel and lively whites in the lineup. Giving up lots of citrus blossom, salt block, mineral and a touch of white flowers, it’s medium-bodied, balanced and elegant, with beautiful tension and vibrancy. Completely barrel fermented and aged in 20% new French oak, it’s one serious, classy Chardonnay that represents a terrific value at this quality level.” WA
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Talley Vineyards Rincon Vineyard Chardonnay 2013 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94 points “Coming from loam and calcareous soils and aged on lees for 14 months in 20% new French oak, the 2013 Chardonnay Rincon Vineyard offers lots of saltiness and mineral characteristics to go with exotic green herbs, citrus and stone fruit-like aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, balanced, clean and classy, with both stunning freshness and notable length and depth of flavor, it’s another terrific white from this team that will have a decade or more of longevity.” JD
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Just a reminder about our current shipping specials during this season:
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.
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Champagne Season Has Begun!
Arriving October 6th
Gaston Chiquet Carte Verte Premier Cru Brut Tradition NV 375ML ($27.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Gaston Chiquet Carte Verte Premier Cru Brut Tradition NV 1.5L ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds 91 points “Light yellow. Suave, floral aromas of poached pear, blood orange, melon and honey. A dusty mineral quality adds lift to spicy red berry and citrus fruit flavors. Closes nervy and long, with resonating minerality and a touch of gingerbread.” ST
These are the lowest listed prices in the USA today!
Gaston Chiquet Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs d’Ay Brut NV 1.5L ($149.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds 92 points “Pale straw. High-pitched aromas of lime and lemongrass, with chalky mineral and floral notes adding complexity. Taut, incisive citrus fruit and mineral flavors show impressive clarity and pick up notes of green apple and honeysuckle with air. Clean and nervy on the mineral-driven finish.” ST
Wine Spectator 91 points “A chalky version, with bright acidity and a lively bead framing hints of pineapple, pastry cream, glazed apricot and fresh ginger. Focused and finely knit.” WS
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $138.98
Gaston Chiquet Special Club Grand Cru Brut Millesime 2005 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds 92 points “(70% chardonnay and 30% pinot noir; aged for more than six years on its lees and disgorged in September, 2012): Light yellow. Vibrant cherry pit, blood orange and smoky minerals on the nose. Dry, tightly wound and focused, offering deeply pitched red fruit and citrus zest flavors that pick up smokiness and energy with air. Closes with serious power and lift, leaving sexy floral and toasty lees notes behind.” ST
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $76
Pierre Gimonnet et Fils Cuvee Fleuron Millesime Premier Cru Brut 2006 1.5L ($149.95) $133 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds 93 points “Pale gold. Smoky pear and nectarine aromas are brightened by zesty minerals and deepened by hints of toasty lees and iodine. Intense orchard fruit and melon flavors stain the palate, picking up citrus pith and floral honey qualities with air. Turns firmer and more minerally with air, finishing with excellent lift and smoky persistence.” ST
Wine Spectator 93 points “A graceful blanc de blancs, with vibrant acidity that’s well-meshed with the velvety mousse and flavors of toasted brioche, apple puree, lemon confit and pickled ginger. Spring blossom and spice hints linger on the chalky, mouthwatering finish. Disgorged September 19, 2013. Drink now through 2029.”
Wine Advocate 92 points “Intense golden yellow in color, the 2006 Cuvée Fleuron 1er Cru from 100% Chardonnay offers a deep, rich and complex aroma of ripe apples, quinces and other autumn fruits. Full-bodied, rich and intense on the palate, this excellent Champagne is also very pure, elegant, fine and well balanced and finishes with a stunningly intense and ripe aroma of ripe apples. This is not only a real character but also a great value Champagne.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $139.95
Pierre Gimonnet et Fils Paradoxe Premier Cru Brut 2007 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “Bright yellow. High-pitched citrus fruit and floral aromas show very good clarity and pick up a leesy quality with aeration. Rich but lively and precise on the palate, offering intense tangerine and melon flavors and an undercurrent of chalky minerality. Carries the mineral and citrus fruit notes through on the finish, with a subtle anise quality sneaking in late.” JR
Pierre Gimonnet et Fils Blanc de Blancs Gastronome 2009 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds 91 points “Vivid yellow. A seductively perfumed bouquet of tangerine, pear skin, smoky lees, minerals and anise. Deeply pitched, supple orchard and citrus fruit flavors are braced by a dusty mineral quality and complemented by notes of buttery brioche and honey. The tangerine and mineral notes carry through a long, sappy finish that features a touch of gentle smokiness. Disgorged in November, 2013.”
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Lemon oil, almonds, white flowers and marzipan are all laced together in Gimonnet’s 2009 Brut Chardonnay Cuvée Gastronome. The 2009 captures an attractive stylistic middle ground of finely-cut, chiseled Chardonnay fruit and the warmth of the year. Floral notes add an attractive element of brightness on the finish. It’s hard to see the 2009 getting much better from here, but it is delicious today and should continue to drink well for a number of years. The Cuvée Gastronome is a blend of Chardonnay from four villages; Chouilly, Cuis, Cramant and Oger. Disgorged November 2013. Dosage is 6.5 grams per liter.”
Wine Advocate 90+ points “From the Côte des Blancs grands crus Cramant, Chouilly and Oger plus the premiers Cuis and Vertus, the 2009 Cuvée Gastronomique 1er Cru Brut opens very clear on the nose indicating fully ripe (partly brown), cooked and also baked apples, ripe pears, butter, some exotic spicy and limey flavors as well as tobacco and brazil nut along with discreet yeasty flavors and a mineral touch. Full-bodied and very rich, this well-structured and persistent Champagne develops an intense taste of cooked, brown apples with cinnamon but keeps its citric freshness also in the finish. I sniffed the bouquet for 15 minutes and the bouquet became more and more complex with every single minute. I was also impressed by the long lasting purity and minerality on the palate and this is why I recommend to spend more time with this excellent Champagne and to pour it into a big wine glass.”
Pierre Gimonnet et Fils Blanc de Blancs ‘Millesime de Collection Vieilles Vignes de Chardonnay’ 1.5L ($249.95) $199 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni, Vinous 94 points “The 2005 Brut Vintage Collection, tasted from magnum, is stunning. Intense, layered and drop-dead gorgeous, the 2005 covers every corner of the palate with layers of mineral-infused fruit. Smoke, slate, crushed rocks and flowers appear later, adding gorgeous dimensions of pure nuance. Still young, the 2005 appears to have a bright future. This is one of the best 2005 vintage Champagnes I have tasted. The 2005 is 100% Chardonnay from Cramant, Chouilly and Cuis. This bottle was disgorged in January 2013 after spending 84 months on its lees.” AG
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Arriving Late November
Jose Michel Brut Carte Blanche ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “(70% Pinot Meunier and 30% Chardonnay; 9 g/l dosage): Light yellow-gold. Fresh tangerine, pear and sweet butter on the fragrant nose. Smooth and weighty in the mouth, offering pliant orchard fruit and melon flavors and a bracing kick of bitter citrus zest. A minerally element adds lift and cut to the penetrating finish, which leaves a suave floral note behind.” JR
Thierry Triolet Grande Reserve NV ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “(11 g/l dosage): Pale gold. Intense citrus and orchard fruit aromas are complicated by notes of honeysuckle, tarragon and iodine. Chewy tangerine and pear skin flavors become silkier and spicier with aeration. Shows a seductive floral quality on the clinging finish, which features a dusty mineral nuance and a touch of buttered toast.” JR
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Remoissenet Pere et Fils
A French Renaissance
In 1877, the Remoissenet estate was founded from within a spectacular building in Beaune dating back to the 14th-century. In the ensuing years, they’ve earned a particularly strong base of followers for their white wines. Production of the reds did not always match the reds, particularly towards the end of Roland Remoissenet’s 30-year tenure at the estate. Upon being purchased to foreign developers along with Maison Louis Jadot, the house has enjoyed somewhat of a Renaissance.
Bernard Repolt, once the president of Louis Jadot, is new to the helm of Remoissenet. Aside from overseeing production of roughly 200,00 bottles per annum, Msr. Repolt controls the vast and treasured cellars which also changed hands during the estate’s purchase. The cellar is a bit of a time capsule, as its holdings include brilliant bottlings which span many decades.
The estate’s holdings of Beaune 1er Crus are supplemented with negociant purchases and some holdings from the Lanvin family across the Cote de Nuits. The current offerings offer a glance of Remoissenet at an intersection of history, connecting their old reserves and the family’s past with the future of Burgundy-at-large.
Maison Remoissenet Pere & Fils Beaune Greves Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2011 Beaune Les Grèves is the most powerful and structured of these Beaune 1er Crus from Remoissenet. Graphite, violets, cloves, menthol and licorice are some of the many notes that emerge from the glass. Savory herbs, smoke and wild flowers add complexity and intrigue as the wine continues to open up. Readers will need to give the 2011 at least a few years in bottle, as today the tannins remain imposing.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $70
Maison Remoissenet Pere & Fils Gevrey-Chambertin 2011 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 88 points “Remoissenet’s 2011 Gevrey-Chambertin is a bit more reticent today than it usually is, as structural elements appear to dominate over the fruit. Crushed flowers, sweet tobacco and menthol add complexity on the slightly compact finish.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $81
Maison Remoissenet Pere & Fils Chambolle-Musigny Les Echanges 2011 750ML ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2011 Chambolle Musigny Les Echanges is juicy, open and expressive. Bright red/black fruit, freshly cut flowers, mint and sweet spices are all layered in the glass in a wine that captures the essence of the pure seduction of Chambolle. The Echanges is once again one of the most flat-out delicious wines in the Remoissenet range.” AG
Maison Remoissenet Pere & Fils Le Trio, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($119. 95) $89 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2011 Gevrey-Chambertin Le Trio is one of the most direct and focused of the 2011s here. Crushed rocks, graphite, mint and dark red berries are all laced together in a wine that impresses for its sense of harmony. Sweet floral notes add the final layers of nuance.” AG
Maison Remoissenet Pere & Fils Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru 2011 750ML ($279.95) $189 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2011 Clos de Vougeot is dense, compact and structured. Firm, chalky tannins support a core of bright red berries, mint, wild flowers and minerals. The 2011 possesses gorgeous clarity and focus, with more than enough underlying minerality to drink well for a number if years.” AG
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Maison Remoissenet Pere & Fils Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru 2011 750ML ($279.95) $199 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “The 2011 Chapelle-Chambertin is not lacking in personality, that much is obvious. A savory, almost wild Burgundy, the 2011 Chapelle is laced with dried herbs, tobacco, black cherries and cured meats are some of the notes that blossom in the glass. It will be interesting to see where the 2011 goes; will it always remain a bit gamy, or will it find a bit more finesse in bottle?” AG
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Maison Remoissenet Pere & Fils Chambertin Clos-de-Beze 2011 750ML ($349.95) $219 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2011 Chambertin Clos-de-Beze Grand Cru is less flamboyant than the Charmes-Chambertin ‘11 tasted alongside. The fruit here is darker, a touch more tertiary but still very well-defined. The palate is medium-bodied with fine definition, a masculine Clos-de-Beze that will need two or three more years in the cellar. Personally, I prefer the harmony and plushness of the Charmes-Chambertin, although this will repay bottle age thanks to its substance and structure. Drink 2018-2030.” WA
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2011 Chambertin Clos de Bèze isn’t ready to show all its cards just yet. This is a relatively delicate style for Bèze, with expressive floral notes that convey more finesse than power. The 2011 isn’t fully formed yet, but today my impression is that it will remain quite restrained in style.” AG
Maison Remoissenet Pere & Fils Ruchottes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2011 750ML ($279.95) $219 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2011 Ruchottes-Chambertin presents a classical expression of lifted, fragrant fruit to match its weightless personality. Today, the 2011 is incredibly expressive, with impeccable balance and a total sense of harmony that is hugely appealing.” AG
Maison Remoissenet Pere & Fils Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2011 750ML ($299.95) $249 pre-arrival special
This is the only listing in the USA today!
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German Riesling
Pre-Arrival Extraordinaire
Peter Lauer
Florian Lauer is a third-generation winemaker at his family’s estate. Their operations within the Saar pre-date many of the current vineyard nomeclature and, thus, carry dual names – designated by way of “fass”, or cask names, in addition to sub-parcel designations. This may not mean much to the layman, but those who obsess over Lauer’s wines enjoy a view into the specific, heralded plots of the Ayler Kupp which Lauer’s wines provides. The wines are rigorous and yet so pleasant, layered, and fun to drink. We’re happy to have a few in stock as well as add some more in the coming weeks.
Peter Lauer Wines Arriving in October:
Peter Lauer Ayler Kupp Riesling Auslese 2014 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Peter Lauer Ayler Kupp Riesling Kabinett 2014 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 pre-arrival special
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 only listing in the USA today!
Peter Lauer Ayler Kupp Riesling Spatlese 2014 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Peter Lauer Wines Currently Available In-Store:
Peter Lauer ‘Saarfeilser’ Fass 13 Riesling GG 2012 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 1 bottle available
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Peter Lauer ‘Schonfels’ Grosses Gewachs 2012 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 3 bottles available
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Peter Lauer ‘Kupp’ Fass 18 GG 2012 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 3 bottles available
Weingut Hermann Donnhoff
The Donnhoff family have occupied the Nahe for the past two centuries, slowly growing from a humble farm to a wine estate of world renown. Their terroirs include slate, volcanic rock beds, limestone, and loam; the vineyards remain non-irrigated and have been covered by straw and compost in order to enrich soil and discourage evaporation or erosion.
Harvest is performed by hand, across two or three passes, and the grapes are pressed within three hours of being picked. Large, traditional casks and stainless steel are both employed during elevage, with spontaneous fermentation. Across a wide range of vineyards, the estate produces some of the most brilliant wines to ever come out of the Nahe and out of Germany overall – these wines are contenders on a global scale, deserving of every bit of its unceasing acclaim.
Donnhoff Wines Arriving in October:
Weingut Donnhoff Norheimer Dellchen Riesling Grosses Gewachs 2014 1.5L($149.95) $125 pre-arrival special
Weingut Donnhoff Norheimer Dellchen Riesling Grosses Gewachs 2014 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
John Gilman 94+ points “The 2014 Dellchen GG is another really stunningly focused young wine, with superb aromatic and flavor precision to go along with excellent structural elements and impeccable balance. The bouquet is a mix of grapefruit, tart orange, wild yeasts, plenty of smokiness, a fine base of slate and again, a distinct topnote of lemongrass. On the palate the wine is pure, fullbodied and rock solid at the core, with lovely focus and balance, racy acids and a long, refined and utterly seamless finish. Outstanding juice this year. 2022-2060+.” JG
Terry Theise notes “All of these had remarkable aspects and potentials but none of them was ready to rock. Felsenberg has tremendous aroma, almost fiercely smoky, with lemon and Indonesian peppers. Dellchen is fleshier but also, as is its wont, more inscrutable. Hermannshöhle was still on its first lees but was already showing depth and fragrance. If my “plusses” matter to you, and if I let myself prognosticate, it’s two for Felsenberg and Hermannshöhle and one for Dellchen. The wines will surely make a fool of me.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $64.99
Weingut Donnhoff ‘Felsenturmchen’ Schlossbockelheimer Felsenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs 2014 1.5L ($149.95) $125 pre-arrival special
Weingut Donnhoff ‘Felsenturmchen’ Schlossbockelheimer Felsenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs 2014 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
John Gilman 93+ points ‘The 2014 Felsenberg Grosses Gewächs bottling form the Türmchen section of the vineyard this year has turned out beautifully, wafting from the glass in a classic constellation of white cherries, pink grapefruit, complex floral tones, a fine base of slate, wild yeasts, lemongrass and orange peel. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and very refined, with a rock solid core, ripe, zesty acids, laser-like focus and a long, youthful and energetic finish. A beautiful bottle of dry Riesling in the making. 2020-2055″ JG
Terry Theise notes “All of these had remarkable aspects and potentials but none of them was ready to rock. Felsenberg has tremendous aroma, almost fiercely smoky, with lemon and Indonesian peppers. Dellchen is fleshier but also, as is its wont, more inscrutable. Hermannshöhle was still on its first lees but was already showing depth and fragrance. If my “plusses” matter to you, and if I let myself prognosticate, it’s two for Felsenberg and Hermannshöhle and one for Dellchen. The wines will surely make a fool of me.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Donnhoff Grosses Gewachs 6-Pack 2014 750ML ($419.95) $379 pre-arrival special
[2 bottles each of the 3 Grosses Gewachs bottlings from 2014: Dellchen, Felsenberg, and Hermannshohle]
Terry Theise notes “All of these had remarkable aspects and potentials but none of them was ready to rock. Felsenberg has tremendous aroma, almost fiercely smoky, with lemon and Indonesian peppers. Dellchen is fleshier but also, as is its wont, more inscrutable. Hermannshöhle was still on its first lees but was already showing depth and fragrance. If my “plusses” matter to you, and if I let myself prognosticate, it’s two for Felsenberg and Hermannshöhle and one for Dellchen. The wines will surely make a fool of me.”
Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Grosses Gewachs 1.5L ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special
Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Grosses Gewachs 2014 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
John Gilman 94+ points “The Grosses Gewächs from the Hermannshöhle in 2014 is another outstanding wine in the making, offering up a superb and utterly suave aromatic mélange of grapefruit, tart orange, slate, wild yeasts, citrus peel and a lovely, discreet topnote of white flowers. On the palate the wine is deep, pure and full-bodied, with a superb core of fruit, ripe, seamless acids and superb length and grip on the tightly-knit finish. A really superb and suave young Hermannshöhle GG. 2022-2060+” JG
Terry Theise notes “All of these had remarkable aspects and potentials but none of them was ready to rock. Felsenberg has tremendous aroma, almost fiercely smoky, with lemon and Indonesian peppers. Dellchen is fleshier but also, as is its wont, more inscrutable. Hermannshöhle was still on its first lees but was already showing depth and fragrance. If my “plusses” matter to you, and if I let myself prognosticate, it’s two for Felsenberg and Hermannshöhle and one for Dellchen. The wines will surely make a fool of me.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Weingut Donnhoff Kreuznacher Kahlenberg Riesling Trocken 2014 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 pre-arrival special
John Gilman 91 points “The 2014 Kahlenberg Trocken hails from grapes with Spätlese must weights this year and is a notable step up from the first two, very good wines. The bouquet wafts from the glass in a classy blend of white cherries, apple, spring flowers, a lovely base of soil and a youthful topnote of orange peel. On the palate the wine is medium-full, bright and nicely reserved on the attack, with a fine core, bright acids and superb backend energy and cut on the long finish. This is really high class juice that would age long and happily under cork, though I cannot remember which closure it was destined to receive. 2017-2035.” JG
Terry Theise notes “The Kreuznach site is a gentle slope on gravelly loam, but has long been regarded as an excellent vineyard. I’d been leaving it out of the offering in a fruitless attempt to keep it tidy, but tidiness has no place in either rock & roll or the fine wine business. So: I found this ’14 to be really deft, stern but breathy, wonderfully fragrant, mineral, hint of maize or wet cereal; a determined finish but really, only 70% of this note has any chance of being accurate six months from now.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $42.
Weingut Donnhoff Kreuznacher Krotenpfuhl Riesling Kabinett 2014 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
John Gilman 89-90+ points “The 2014 Krötenpfuhl Kabinett had just been bottled as well- this time only a few days before my visit and was a bit out of sorts as a result. The nose is open and juicy at the present time, offering up scents of apple, peach, lovely soil tones, a touch of beeswax and a topnote of citrus blossoms. On the palate the wine is medium-full, accessible and succulent on the attack, with a nice core of fruit, good complexity and a slightly pinched finish at the present time, from the very, very recent bottling. I am sure this will be very tasty, but it was not entirely on form at the time of my visit. 2015-2025.”
Terry Theise notes “Best! Ever! Vintage! Spritzy, brilliant, seeming to show every green thing (lime-zest, verbena, anise hyssop, wintergreen) atop the salumeria savor. Somehow this has fallen in love and is telling everyone in the world.”
Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Spatlese 2014 1.5L ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Spatlese 2014 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
John Gilman 94+ points “As is the case with the Brücke Spätlese, the 2014 Hermannshöhle Spätlese is a superb bottle that may always live just a bit on the shadow of the pure magic of the 2013 version. The wine offers up an excellent and complex aromatic constellation of pink grapefruit, white cherries, slate, a hint of petrol, wild yeasts, orange peel and a topnote of lemongrass. On the palate the wine is medium-full, focused and very suave on the attack, with a fine core, ripe acids and outstanding length and grip on the still very primary, but utterly seamless finish. Fine, fine juice. 2020-2050.” JG
Terry Theise notes “A loving beaming grinning-like-a-dope vintage of this perennial masterpiece, transparent and lucid; indeed it’s a dialectical explication of Hermannshöhle; it reminded me of the ’08 but it’s more Eiswein-y, that sorcerous syrup.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel 2014 1.5L ($249.95) $199 pre-arrival special
Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel 2014 750ML ($119.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel 2014 375ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
John Gilman 93+ points “The 2014 Hermannshöhle Auslese is the only bottling at this Prädikat level in the cellars this year, and it is a very pretty and elegant example of the vintage. The wine delivers a refined and gently-glazed nose of pineapple, apple, bee pollen, wild fennel, tangerine and a lovely base of slate. On the palate the wine is fullish, elegant and beautifully balanced, with a very good midpalate
depth, impeccable focus and balance, vibrant acids and lovely grip on the long and zesty finish. 2023-2060+.” JG
Terry Theise notes “This may sport a “goldcapsule” but there’s only this Auslese plus maybe one other small lot destined for the auction—undecided in March when I visited. Vis-à-vis the Spätlese, they seem to run neck-and-neck, but the Auslese will draw ahead in the later laps. For now it concentrates the Spät without layering six coats of botrytis over it. In fact is has all the snap and vigor of the Spät with more overripe plum, more compote, and also verbena and spearmint, yet it’s the green flavors that are (at least now) most expressive, so an improbable Auslese with enormous lift and buoyance, and with a lacy richness.”
Weingut Donnhoff Norheimer Kirschheck Riesling Spatlese 2014 1.5L ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Weingut Donnhoff Norheimer Kirschheck Riesling Spatlese 2014 750ML ($44.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Terry Theise notes “Not so girlish or sweet-natured as usual; this is serious and wants to make a point—how strong and proud this terroir can be. A megalith of mineral here! Its cherry-dimples are discreet. Seems drier than usual, less comely, more complex, and utterly vivid and dazzling.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Spatlese 2014 1.5L ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Spatlese 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
John Gilman 93 points “The 2014 Brücke Spätlese is really a lovely wine this year, but it cannot quite compete with the really classic example of this bottling crafted here in 2013. The wine offers up a lovely and quite complex bouquet of tangerine, apple, a classy base of slate, wild yeasts, a nice touch of Brücke spice tones and a topnote of apple blossoms. On the palate the wine is deep, fullish, pure and seamless, with a rock solid core, ripe acids and excellent length and grip on the focused and vibrant finish. This is really a lovely bottle of Spätlese. 2020-2050.” JG
Terry Theise notes “It’s usually their ur-riesling, the one that feels Edenic or primordial, and the one that’s often inscrutable in its youth. Not this year. I’ve never experienced a young Brücke that’s so psychedelic and in-your-face, perhaps because it’s the only wine from Brücke this year (no Auslese nor Eiswein) and so all the best fruit is in here. After four weeks of tasting, hundreds if not thousands of wines, it is this one that haunts me, like the very map of your soul that you put down somewhere and now can’t locate.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Leistenberg Riesling Kabinett 2014 1.5L ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Leistenberg Riesling Kabinett 2014 750 ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
John Gilman 90-92 points “In the past there has been versions of the Leistenberg Kabinett under both screwcap and natural cork, but this year, it is all under the screw, and this wine too had only been bottled for a few days prior to my visit. The bouquet is a very stylish blend of apple, pear, slate, lilacs and a touch of wild yeasts in the upper register. On the palate the wine is medium-full, long and succulent, with a good core, beautiful balance, ripe acids and very good length and grip on the finish. This too is a bit unsettled from its recent bottling, but will be very good. Pity about the closure…2015-2025.” JG
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Weingut Donnhoff Roxheimer Hollenpfad Riesling Trocken 2014 1.5L ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Weingut Donnhoff Roxheimer Hollenpfad Riesling Trocken 2014 750ML ($47.95) $36 pre-arrival special
John Gilman 91+ points “I did not take note on the alcohol level of the Kahlenberg this year, but the Höllenpfad Trocken bottling comes in between twelve and 12.5 percent alcohol, and I have to assume it is the same for the Kahlenberg. The 2014 Höllenpfad is really lovely in this vintage and very, very reflective of its unique, red sandstone soils on both the nose and palate. The lovely nose offers up scents of pink grapefruit, tart orange, lemongrass, a dollop of wild yeasts and a very complex base of minerality. On the palate the wine is medium-full, pure and more filigreed, with a lovely core, bright acids and lovely focus and grip on the long, vibrant and really quite elegant finish. This is a touch more feline than the Kahlenberg and gets the slight nod in 2014 as a result. 2018- 2035+.” JG
Terry Theise notes “It means, basically, “Highway To Hell.” I kid you not. It’s from the cadaster parcel Mühlberg, which could be a GG, but this is a famously tardy wine—Kahlenberg gives you a chummier greeting. I’m starting to sense this wine needs to attain at least some of its tertiary notes before we see what it is, and why it’s made dry. Helmut and Cornelius counsel patience as I sat kind of lost at the wine’s forbidding exterior.”
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Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Leistenberg Tonschiefer Riesling Trocken 2014 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
John Gilman 89+ points “The 2014 Tonschiefer is a lovely wine, with a bit different expression of minerality than the Estate Trocken, as these grapes hail entirely from the Leistenberg and are a on a bed of carbon-slate that is geological outlier of the coal beds in the Saar. The nose offers up a lovely constellation of tangerine, a hint of white cherry, wild yeasts, slate, citrus peel and a gentle topnote of lemongrass. On the palate the wine is medium-full, crisp and quite suave on the attack, with lovely focus and grip, ripe, well-integrated acids and a long, balanced and quite classy finish. Lovely juice and a fine value. 2015-2025+.” JG
Terry Theise notes “This is the dry wine from the (Oberhäuser) Leistenberg, on sandy slate. It’s pure mineral in 2014. Crisp almost to the point of brittleness, yet it’s so breathy and silky I know it will shine as it sheds its immaturity.”
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Wines from Donnhoff Currently In-Store:
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Leistenberg Tonschiefer Riesling Trocken 2013 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 5 bottles available
Case-12 Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Leistenberg Tonschiefer Riesling Trocken 2013 750ML ($319.95) $249 special, 1 case available (that’s only $20.75/bottle!)
The Wine Advocate “The 2013 Riesling Trocken Tonschiefer is more sophisticated than the Gutsriesling, displaying pure, flinty slate aromas along with bright fruit aromas. Quite round and intense on the palate, this is medium-bodied, slightly piquant Riesling with a certain power, juice and length. A mouthful of wine with Spätlese level.”
Terry Theise notes “The estate wine from (mostly) Leistenberg which grows on a sandy slate called Tholeyer Schiefer. This is as limpid as spring-water, until it rears up with radicchio and with a slatey char. It’s for connoisseurs of the art of bitterness, in a jacket of cool freshness and the gleam of sunlight on the surface of the water.”
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Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel 2013 375ML ($49.95) $39 special, 3 half-bottles available
Wine Spectator 91 points “Balanced, with good focus to the juicy peach, apple and melon flavors, all supported by fresh acidity and lively spiciness. Hints of cream and anise show on the finish. Drink now through 2035.” WS
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Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Beerenauslese 2011 375ML ($199.95) $149 special, 15 half-bottles available
Wine Advocate 96 points “Intriguingly musky and subtly fungal as well as piercing in its evocation of distilled pit fruits and botanicals, the nose of Donnhoff’s 2011 Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Beerenauslese – which was picked alongside its Auslese counterpart – promises an intense palate experience that the wine very much delivers. Distilled extracts of wormwood, woodruff and anisette; maraschino and serviceberry seem to lace the amalgam of quince jelly with pear and white peach nectars in a lusciously multi-layered yet animated palate performance. A spicy and tropical suggestion of mango chutney compounds the vibrantly penetrating effect of pungent herbal and pit fruit essences in a tonsil-gripping, mouth-shaking finish.” WA
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Weingut Donnhoff Kreuznacher Krotenpfuhl Riesling Kabinett 2010 750ML ($34.95) $29.50 special, 8 bottles available
Wine Advocate 91 points “Honeysuckle, green tea, and apple blossom in the nose of Donnhoff’s 2010 Kreuznacher Krotenpfuhl Riesling Kabinett set the tone for a buoyant, pure-fruited palate and a lip-smacking, dynamically interactive finish of flowers, herbs, apple, plus a saline, meat stock- and soy-like savor. Something about the gravel that here overlays volcanic stone seems to conduce (hypothesizes Donnhoff) to a floral, forwardly fruity, and buoyant personality. “And that would probably be rendered kaput if the wine were vinified trocken,” he adds. (Though flowers and levity, in fact, seem to be common themes in this year’s collection.) Expect this fine value to delight for 12-15 years.”WA
Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Grosses Gewachs 2011 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 6 bottles available
John Gilman 97+ points “Not to be outdone by the Dellchen, the 2011 Hermannshöhle Grosses Gewächs is also profound! The deep and completely kaleidoscopic nose soars from the glass in a magical blend of white cherries, pink grapefruit, crystalline minerality, citrus peel, lemongrass and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, pure and Porsche-like in the passing lane, with stunning mid-palate depth, ripe, racy acids, brilliant focus and grip and a very, very pure and very long and elegant finish. A seamless and utterly stunning young wine! 2020-2050.” JG
Weingut Donnhoff ‘Felsenturmchen’ Schlossbockelheimer Felsenberg Riesling Spatlese 2012 750ML ($39.95) $29 special, 2 bottles available
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Weingut Donnhoff Schlossbockelheimer Felsenberg Riesling Beerenauslese 2007 375ML ($199.95) $179 special, 2 half-bottles available
Wine Advocate 99 points “The over-ripe pear and quince featured in other nobly sweet wines of this collection are very much present in Donnhoff’s 2007 Schlossbockelheimer Felsenberg Riesling Beerenauslese, along with aromas of distilled gentian, gardenia, lemon oil, freshly baked bread, and white truffle. The intensity of inner-mouth perfume here – orchard fruit, floral, and herbal distillates – is nearly beyond belief. Pear nectar, quince preserves, apple jelly, liquid gardenia, brown spices, and a certain saline and smoky suggestions of things mineral inform a finish of trance-inducing duration. This amazing elixir – harvested largely in the Turmchen section of the site – should be worthy of 40 years cellaring. When Donnhoff laughingly referred to this as the year of Felsenberg, he was not in fact kidding, nor was he referring just to the sheer number of bottlings!”WA
Weingut Donnhoff Riesling 2013 750ML ($24.95) $18.80 special, 36 bottles available
Case-12 Weingut Donnhoff Riesling 2013 750ML ($279.95) $199 special, 1 case available (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
The Wine Advocate “The 2013 Riesling is quite coolish and mineral on the nose, very clear with white stone fruit aromas. Light-bodied, salty and piquant, this is a sexy Riesling, a dying sort of Riesling, a Oberhausen Kabinett off-dry, a delicious, stimulatingly piquant wine which is almost completely exported. An extremely quaffable wine.”
Terry Theise notes “I think these wines show a paradox analogous to the thread-count in linens: the more there are, the smoother it feels. Each of these wines has so much sheer material the result is they feel not soft but caressing. That said though, this ’13 has greener flavors than usual, in keeping with the vintage character. It remains the world’s greatest wine value, and it seems that some of you have also made this discovery, as we have very few cases unspoken for as I write.”
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Eiswein 2011 375ML ($239.95) $149 special, 9 half-bottles available
Wine Advocate 92 points “Musk and leather; prickly radish and lemon rind; caramel apple and honey; passion fruit and mango inform an intense aromatic as well as ultra-concentrated palate performance. Unlike with so many other 2011s rendered from frozen grapes in early 2012, one can’t complain here about a lack of Eiswein-like acidity – but it takes-on a somewhat detached, slightly metallic and strident edge. Perhaps this extreme wine’s caramelized and animal aspects will reconcile themselves in time with its sharp citricity and radish-like sizzle, but the ways of Eiswein in the bottle are capricious.” WA
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Autumnal Rosés
Changing gears while staying pink
As the summer months fold into fall, bolder reds and fuller whites take the place of those annual rosés we all love so much. Even so, many rosés boast flavor profiles which make them quite the serendipitous pair with autumnal cuisines and cooler weather. Thanksgiving is a great time to test the adaptability of a good Tavel or rosato, but you shouldn’t feel limited for when and where to add a dash of pink. Here are a few of our favorites which will be great from now ‘til next year (and beyond!)…
Here are ten rosés currently on offer; check the website or stop by to see all 24!
Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Les Griottes Rose ($19.95) $14 special, 34 bottles available
Wine Advocate 88 points “A delicious effort, the light salmon/pink colored 2014 Les Griottes Beaujolais Rose has pretty orange blossom, framboise, citrus and underbrush characteristics in its soft, forward, supple and highly quaffable profile. Dry and clean on the finish, it’s about as easy-drinking as they come and should be consumed over the coming summer months.”
Domaine Collotte Marsannay Rose 2014 750ML ($21.95) $16 special, 36 bottles available
Wine Advocate 88 points “Collotte’s 2014 Marsannay Rose is a pretty, perfumed release that offers ample black cherry, strawberry and wild herb characteristics to go with a medium-bodied, supple, lightly textured and juicy style on the palate. More pretty and delicate than rich and textured, it’s shines for its sheer drink-ability and should be consumed over the coming 6-12 months.” WA
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Ameztoi Rubentis Rosado, Getariako Txakolina 2014 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles available
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 91 points “Pale, very bright pink. Vibrant, high-pitched strawberry and orange zest aromas show a subtle floral overtone. Dry, racy and sharply focused in the mouth, offering tangy red berry and blood orange flavors and a suggestion of white pepper. Closes spicy, dry and long, with the floral note repeating.” JR
Seehof Pinot Noir Rose 2014 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 9 bottles available
Importer note: “All the grapes come from Westhofen (one of the most famous villages in the southern Rheinhessen…think Morstein, Kirchspiel, Absterde, these are all here in this remarkable little town). Westhofen’s soils are various renderings of limestone, thus there is a certain, natural affinity for Pinot Noir. The grapes macerate for about 4-6 hours on the skins, are fermented entirely in stainless steel then rest on the lees for 3-4 months.”
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Wein-Erbhof Stein Rose Trocken 2014 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 18 bottles available
Importer note “Ulli Stein’s Rosé bottlings are predominantly Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder) but also include some Cabernet and Merlot grown on the steep slopes in St. Aldegund.”
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Cameron Pinot Gris Ramato 2014 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 20 bottles available
Winery note: “Rame: Italian for copper, ramato: copper-colored. Ramato is a copper-colored Pinot grigio made in the tradition of north-eastern Italy. A very tricky wine to pull off. Very limited production.”
VinopolNote: 100% Pinot Gris from Abbey Ridge vineyard made as an ‘orange’ wine. Grapes are harvested just as the seeds begin to brown. The grapes are crushed and the juice is left on the skins for 4-5 hours to extract color before pressing. The wine is aged for 6-8 months in neutral barrique to stabilize color and to allow the proteins to settle out without filtration.
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Love & Squalor Rose of Gewurztraminer “A Frayed Knot” 2014 750ML ($19.95) $16 special, 12 bottles available
Winery note: “Love & Squalor 2014 ‘A Frayed Knot’ Rosé of Gewurztraminer is truly a singular wine from the 1971 Sunnyside Vineyard. The color is a pale coral from a long cold skin maceration and was fermented dry in Pinot barrels. It has a floral and sweet nose, medium weight body and a nice mineral finish.”
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Tenuta delle Terre Nere Rosato Etna 2014 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 29 bottles available
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 89 points “Orange-pink color. Pungent aromas of pear, orange, almond flowers and minerals. Soft and easygoing in the middle palate but also floral and aromatic in typical Nerello Mascalese fashion. This juicy, spicy, intense rosato boasts harmonious acidity and a solid structure, as well as a sweet floral finish, but I would have liked a little more generosity of fruit.” JR
Chateau de Manissy Tavel Cuvee des Lys Rose 2014 750ML ($19.95) $16 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Advocate: “Seemingly slightly evolved, with notions of sweet cherries, raspberry, lavender and dried Provencal herbs, the 2014 Tavel Cuvee des Lys Tavel is a richer, fuller style of rosé that has medium to full-bodied richness, plenty of heft to its fruit and texture, and a good finish…certainly has great texture and will be food friendly.”
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Elevee Winegrowers “Three Martins” Rose 2014 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, 12 bottles available
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New Wines!
Arriving Friday
Baileyana Winery Grand Firepeak Cuvee Firepeak Vineyard Chardonnay 2013 750ML ($27.95) $16 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Baileyana Winery Grand Firepeak Cuvee Firepeak Vineyard Chardonnay 2013 750ML ($259.95) $169 pre-arrival special (that’s only $14.08/bottle!)
Winery Note: “A bright but complex Chardonnay, this wine has upfront favors of crisp pear, lemon zest, and pineapple. It has great acid and layers of citrus and minerality throughout. The wine is smoothly textured and is well balanced from start to finish.”
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Bodega Gaintza ‘Gaintza’, Getariako Txakolina 2013 750ML ($27.95) $16 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Bodega Gaintza ‘Gaintza’, Getariako Txakolina 2013 750ML ($259.95) $169 pre-arrival special (that’s only $14.08/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 90 points “(90% hondarrabi zuri and 10% gros manseng): Light, green-tinged yellow. Fresh pear and nectarine aromas are brightened by chalky minerals and a hint of lemon pith. Taut orchard fruit and melon flavors show good clarity and lift, picking up citrus fruit and bitter quinine qualities as the wine opens in the glass. Turns spicier with air, finishing with good tangy lift and mineral-driven persistence.” JR
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Aderezo Tinto, Ribera del Duero 2013 750ML ($19.95) $11.90 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Aderezo Tinto, Ribera del Duero 2013 750ML ($169.95) $119 pre-arrival special (that’s only $9.92/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 89 points “Vivid red. Lively raspberry and cherry aromas show a touch of jamminess along with subtle cracked pepper and floral nuances. Supple and open-knit, offering pliant red fruit flavors and a late jolt of tangy acidity. The juicy finish features good length and very soft tannins.” JR
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Vina Broco Mencia2012 750ML ($19.95) $11.90 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Vina Broco Mencia 2012 750ML ($169.95) $119 pre-arrival special (that’s only $9.92/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 89 points “(made from vines that are reportedly between 70 and 100 years of age): Bright purple. Primary aromas of boysenberry, cassis, dark chocolate and smoky minerals. Broad, lush and sweet, with aromatic flavors of black and blue fruits and bitter chocolate. A seamless, deep rendition of mencia, with a spine of acidity adding lift and cut to the finish.” JR
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Spanish Vines Amarte Mas Albarino 2013 750ML ($19.95) $11.90 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Spanish Vines Amarte Mas Albarino 2013 750ML ($169.95) $119 pre-arrival special (that’s only $9.92/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 89 points “Light yellow-gold. Lively citrus and orchard fruit scents are given depth by honey and a subtle leesiness. Supple and broad on entry, then more taut in the mid-palate, offering bitter quince and Meyer lemon flavors and a zesty kick of candied ginger. Closes spicy and tight, with good clarity, lift and cut.” JR
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Happy Autumn!