Prized West Coast Wines
(Colgin, Pride, Cayuse and More!)
The Cult Reds of Vérité – A California’s Crown Jewel
Staff Pick: An Easy Mid-Week White
The Best Price in the Country on a Benchmark Chianti Riserva
What Does the Savvy Piedmont Buyer Stock Up On?
Two Outstanding, Under the Radar, Willamette Pinot Deals
Library Grand Crus from Domaine Jacques Prieur
RoseRock “Zephrine” – First Offer
New Wine Spectator Review for a Prum Classic
A US Exclusive for a Riesling Cup Winning Sensation
Prized West Coast Wines
Just Arrived:
“A real tour de force once again”
Pride Mountain Vineyards Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, California 2013 750ML ($399.95) $349 special
Robert Parker 100 points “A real tour de force once again, and their second consecutive perfect score, is the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, which is 99% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Petit Verdot aged 22 months in 40% new French oak. It is a larger cuvée of 1,416 cases versus 450 for the Reserve Claret. The Cabernet is just under 15% alcohol. A fantastic wine, with great intensity, notes of graphite, forest floor, crème de cassis, white chocolate and blackberry, the wine hits the palate with a thunderous presence, has a multi-layered, skyscraper-like palate feel, a plush, intense texture, high but well-integrated tannin and acidity, and nicely disguised oak. This is a magnificent wine, with 79% of it coming from the Sonoma side of Spring Mountain and 21% from the Napa side. Drink it over the next 25-30+ years.”
“Sets a new standard of Syrah for California”
Colgin Cellars IX Estate Syrah, Napa Valley 2015 750ML ($399.95) $319 special
James Suckling 100 points “Smelling this takes my breath away. Cloves, floras, metal shavings, blackberries and smoked meat. Mandarin zest, too. Full body with a perfect balance of ultra-fine tannins and great complexity. Goes on for minutes. Sets a new standard of Syrah for California. Don’t wait to drink this.”
Wine Advocate 99 points “Very deep garnet-purple, the 2015 IX Syrah Estate opens with intense crushed black cherries, black plums and mulberries with underlying black pepper, peppered salami, violets and chocolate box plus a lovely star anise and sandalwood waft. Full-bodied, rich, concentrated and wonderfully soft and sexy, it gives tons of perfumed black fruit and spice cake layers, finishing very long.”
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2015 Syrah is a total knock-out. Super-ripe red cherry, plum, rose petal and mint are some of the notes that race out of the glass, but here, too, it is the wine’s stunning textural richness that stands out most. Full-throttle and intense in every dimension, the 2015 captivates all the senses with its magnificent, towering beauty. I would prefer to cellar the 2015 for at least a few years, but even today, in its primary stage, the 2015 is phenomenal.”
The average price is $350
Pride Mountain Vineyards Reserve Claret, California 2007 750ML ($179.95) $149 special
Robert Parker 95 points “The two most expensive offerings include the 2007 Reserve Claret. Its opaque purple color is followed by a beautiful flowery nose revealing notions of blueberry pie, blackberries, cassis and a hint of vanillin in the background. An opulent, full-bodied red with great depth, purity and richness, it is a blend of 82% Sonoma fruit and 18% Napa fruit. The texture is like a skyscraper and the wine is plush, opulent and ideal for drinking over the next 10-15 years.”
The next best price is $174.98
Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2014 750ML ($219.95) $179 special
Wine Advocate 98+ points “Road tar, shiitake mushroom, black cherry, crushed flowers and graphite all emerge from the 2014 Impulsivo, which is a full-bodied, ethereally textured, structured Tempranillo that has insane purity and length. While it started out downright earthy and umami, it gained more and more fruit as it sat in the glass, has a beautiful mid-palate and a finish that won’t quit. Nevertheless, this firm, tannic wine needs to be forgotten for at least 4-5 years.”
Christophe Baron takes on Bordeaux with this muscular blend.
Cayuse Vineyards Camaspelo, Walla Walla Valley 2014 750ML ($149.95) $119 special
Wine Advocate 96+ points “The 2014 Camaspelo is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (there’s a splash of Tempranillo). It offers lots of red and chocolate-covered black currants, black cherry, black olive, tobacco and leafy herbs. It shows more fruit with time in the glass, has a full-bodied, ultra-pure, layered style and plenty of fine tannin. Forget bottles for 4-5 years and drink over the following two decades.”
“Their most limited cuvée for true connoisseurs”
Peter Michael ‘Clos du Ciel’ Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 2014 750ML ($199.95) $149 special
Robert Parker 94 points “Their most limited cuvée for true connoisseurs, and also the warmest site of the three coastal vineyards, is the 2014 Pinot Noir Clos du Ciel. This is a vineyard planted on clay with a lot of rocks and basalt. The result is a Pinot Noir with plenty of earth, firm tannins, a touch of underbrush, spring flowers, and loads of raspberries and black cherry fruit. The acids seem well-integrated and the tannins moderate, but fine. All of these Pinot Noirs have at least 15 years of life left.”
The next best price is $165
The Cult Reds of Vérité
“Jess Jackson has clearly positioned Verite as one of the two or three flagship wines in his impressive empire. These cuvees represent California versions of Bordeaux appellations, with the Merlot-dominated La Muse very Pomerol-like, the Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated La Joie a hypothetical California version of a Medoc, and the St.-Emilion look-alike, the Merlot and Cabernet Franc blend, Le Desir. These wines are fashioned from the finest Sonoma vineyard sites owned by Jackson, and are meant for long-term aging.” – Robert Parker
Vérité is one of the toughest wineries for us to source. Between the insanely high scores every vintage, the tiny supply and the winery trying to police the re-selling of their bottles, it’s always an adventure to acquire their wines.
In Stock Now:
Only two bottles available
Verite La Joie, Sonoma County 2001 750ML ($299.95) $249 special
Robert Parker 96 points “The 2001 La Joie (71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc) remains a backward, youthful wine revealing an inky/purple color as well as notes of graphite, licorice, creme de cassis, truffles and new saddle leather. It has fabulous fruit on the attack and mid-palate, a massive, concentrated, tannic mouthfeel and a long finish. Even younger than La Muse, it needs another decade of cellaring and should age for 40-50 years thereafter. Pierre Seillan told me that 44% of the grapes came from Alexander Valley, 35% from Knight’s Valley and the rest from Chalk Hill.”
Verite La Joie, Sonoma County 2002 750ML ($299.95) $249 special
Robert Parker 98 points “A spectacular blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec, over two-thirds of the fruit from the Alexander Valley Mountain Estate and the balance from Knight’s Valley and Bennett Valley, the 2002 La Joie exhibits a sweet, opulent bouquet of charcoal, burning embers, forest floor, blackberries and kirsch. Deep, full-bodied, supple-textured, flamboyant and extroverted, with undeniable purity as well as finesse, it should drink well for another 20-25 years. Interestingly, the pH is a normal 3.61 and the alcohol is only 14.1%.”
Only two bottles available
Verite La Muse, Sonoma County 2001 750ML ($349.95) $299 special
Bin Stained Labeled – Dusty
Robert Parker 100 points “2001 was the first truly great vintage for Jess Jackson and Pierre Seillan, and that is evidenced by the utterly perfect 2001 La Muse, a blend of 87% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Malbec. Over three-fourths of it came from the Alexander Mountain estate of Jess Jackson, and the rest from Chalk Hill, Knights Valley, and a tiny bit from Bennett Valley. This dense purple-colored effort exhibits notes of licorice, creme de cassis, plum sauce, violets and truffles. Full-bodied with magnificent density, overall equilibrium, stunning purity, sweet but abundant tannin and a fabulous finish, this profound wine remains a baby at age ten. Give it another 5-6 years of bottle age and drink it over the following 35-40+ years. It is very French in style even though one could argue that this level of concentration can only be achieved by a handful of wines from Pomerol and St.-Emilion.”
Only two bottles available
Verite La Muse, Sonoma County 2002 750ML ($299.95) $249 special
Robert Parker 99 points “A blend of 93% Merlot / 7% Cabernet Franc (92% from the Alexander Mountain Estate, 6% from Bennett Valley and 2% from Knight’s Valley), the 2002 La Muse is a ‘kissing cousinâ?? of the 2001, only softer and more flamboyant. Classically Californian in its exuberant, flamboyant, super-rich, unctuously textured style, the tannins are softer than in the 2001, but the wine unquestionably has the potential to last for another quarter of a century. It exhibits an opaque plum/purple color along with abundant notes of cassis, licorice, graphite, coffee cake and spice box. More approachable than the 2001, the 2002 will offer phenomenal drinking over the next 25 years. “RP
An Easy Mid-Week White
The Selbach-Oster Rieslings are my go-to when I want a mid-week, pair with anything white. These are wines that are crafted for the table, not the points. (Though, that said, they do quite well in that department.) This 2016 Kabinett is hard not to love, especially at this price. It’s an unobtrusive wine that just wants to be friends: light, nearly bone-dry, refreshingly tart and minerally, with plenty of fruit undertones and a long finish to keep you coming back for more. The entire lineup of Selbach wines seem perfectly balanced, and this is no exception.
Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett Halbtrocken 2016 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2016 Zeltinger Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett Halbtrocken has a lovely clear and flinty-scented white stone fruit aroma with refreshing slate notes. Clear, lush and intense on the palate, this is a light but pretty complex and remarkably well-defined Kabinett in the off-dry style. Very digestible and with stimulating grip and salinity. 10.5% alcohol.”
The next best price is $24.99
The Lowest Price in the Country
On a Benchmark Chianti Riserva
Arriving Tomorrow:
Tenuta Tignanello ‘Marchese Antinori’ Riserva, Chianti Classico DOCG 2012 750ML ($31.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Tenuta Tignanello ‘Marchese Antinori’ Riserva, Chianti Classico DOCG 2012 750ML ($349.95) $219 pre-arrival special (that’s only $18.25/bottle!)
Antonio Galloni 91+ points “The 2012 Chianti Classico Riserva Marchese Antinori is distinguished in this lineup for its freshness and aromatic intensity, both signatures of the Tignanello estate. Freshly cut flowers, sweet red berries, mint and cinnamon are some of the notes that meld together. Lithe, medium in body and gracious, the 2012 is wonderfully refined from start to finish. Today, my sense is that the 2012 still has room for improvement.”
Wine Advocate 91 points “Here is the ultimate wild card in the thick stack of aces that make up the Marchesi Antinori portfolio. It is the proverbial “jolly” (the name for the joker card in Italian) or the jack of all trades. The 2012 Chianti Classico Riserva Tenuta Tignanello can been seen as a huge provocation and that’s the way I’ve decided to interpret it. When the Gran Selezione category was created in the Chianti Classico appellation, many important leaders hoped that the Antinori family would convert their landmark super Tuscan Tignanello into a Chianti Classico Gran Selezione wine. The Antinori clan indicated that they had no intention of removing Tignanello from its IGT Toscana status. Instead, they dedicated some fruit from the same vineyard site to this wine. The Riserva category is often seen as a stepping stone to Grand Selezione and I wonder if that is the direction this wine is headed? Will there one day be two wines from this historic vineyard: The IGT Tignanello and a Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Tenuta Tignanello? There’s some food for thought. The wine is very balanced and nuanced with pretty mineral notes, followed by red cherry flavors and mild spice.”
(It’s even lower by the case!)
The average price listed price is $29
Burlotto’s “Other” Reds
Alessandria has a classical palate and a traditional winemaking style, and the Langhe’s diversity flourishes in his hands. His Langhe Nebbiolo captures the grape’s affinity for the region, while the Barbera d’Alba brings out this variety’s inherent charm. The Freisa is a trip: think Nebbiolo’s wild & crazy cousin. These are easily some of the best value in Piedmont wines, combining real soul and character with prices that make case purchases easy. The Burlotto Barolos keep getting more expensive and allocated, but these wines remain available must-buys.
In Stock Now:
G. B. Burlotto Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($24.95) $19 special
Importer Note “Fresh and savory, this opens with aromas of dark berry, ground cooking spice and whiff of chopped herb. The vibrant palate doles out juicy black cherry, clove, star anise and blood orange accompanied by racy acidity.”
The average listed price is $24
Importer Note “Mores is a co-fermanted blend of 50% Nebbiolo and 50% Barbera. The Barbera functions very well in softening the tannins of the Nebbiolo and contributing bright acidity and berry flavors. This is a stunning red wine, whether you are a Barolo lover or not, it has all the depth, body, length of finish and finesse you would expect from a glass of fine red. Give it a try!”
The average listed price is $30
Importer Note “The Langhe Nebbiolo is a delicious wine to drink now and over the next few years. Sweet floral and tobacco notes meld into a core of bright red stone fruits, mint and anise.”
Importer Note “Deep red color. Intense and fine nose with hints of roses, cherries, raspberries and minerals. Powerful in the mouth. Much fruit – scents of tobacco and dark berries. Fine acids and long taste, dry and some tannin in the back makes the structure very nice. A powerful and well balanced Freisa.”
From Under the Radar Winemakers
Grochau is a true winemaker’s winemaker—a former bicycle racer turned assistant at Brick House turned small producer on his own. His wines have richness and power coupled with grace—you can see the stylistic connection with Brick House. We’re getting some of his 2013 Zenith Vineyard Pinot in next week for an absolute steal of a price.
Johan is better known for selling grapes to some of the best wineries in the Valley from their prime location in the (new) Van Duzer Corridor AVA. They also make some really interesting Pinot from their vineyards in a bright, savory style that marries the site’s high acidity to lots of whole cluster fermentation. Their Estate Pinot is as good as it’s ever been in 2015 and we’re getting in a few cases tomorrow.
These are two producers who need to be on your radar and at these sorts of prices (both wines are sub $30) you can afford to go both broad and deep. The pricing is limited to the quantities we’ve already secured, so stock up quickly!
Arriving Tomorrow:
Johan Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($31.95) $28 pre-arrival special
John Gilman 93+ points “The 2015 Estate Vineyard pinot noir from Johan Vineyards comes in at a cool 12.5 percent octane, was fermented with a bit more than forty percent whole clusters and was raised in thirty percent new oak in this vintage. The wine offers up a beautifully youthful bouquet of cherries, red berries, beet root, a fair bit of youthful sweet stem tones, a complex base of soil, a touch of mustard seed and a discreet framing of cedary oak. On the palate the wine is pure, tangy and full-bodied, with a lovely core of fruit, excellent mineral drive, moderate tannins and a very long, complex and youthful finish. This needs four or five years of bottle age to allow its stems to morph into the spice spectrum (unless one is not deterred by the more savory side of whole clusters), but it is going to be flat out stunning when it really starts to settle into its plateau of maturity. 2024-2055+”
Grochau Cellars Zenith Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2013 750ML ($47.95) $28 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 93 points
The next best price is $38
That’s a difference of $10/btl!
(Musigny, Chambertin & Clos Vougeot)
From Domaine Jacques Prieur
We’re offering verticals of some of the Domaine’s finest wines today, from Chambertin, Clos Vougeot and Musigny. These are do-not-miss wines if you are serious about Burgundy–top vintages from these vineyards don’t often hit the market like this.
Arriving ETA March:
Only one bottle available
Domaine Jacques Prieur Chambertin Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2005 750ML ($469.95) $419 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer 93-96 points “Full ruby. Brooding, deep aromas of blackberry, black cherry, minerals, violet and earth. Pure, precise and superconcentrated, with uncanny density and strength of blackberry and floral flavor. This saturates the entire palate, finishing with very firm tannins, a lightly mentholated quality and great persistence. Will need extended aging to express its inherent complexity.”
Burghound 93-95 points “A supremely classy, refined and regally reserved nose of a simply amazing panoply of aromas that run the entire gamut of fruit from red to black and includes spice, game, leather, tea, underbrush and plenty of Gevrey earth that can also be found on the rich, full, powerful and robustly structured flavors that are perhaps a bit more new world in style than the rest of the range yet it sacrifices no sense of detail on the textured and hugely long finish. This isn’t really my style but there is no question that the ’05 Cham is a genuinely great wine.”
Domaine Jacques Prieur Chambertin Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2007 750ML ($349.95) $299 pre-arrival special
Burghound 94 points “This is also extremely fresh with notably cool and reserved densely fruited aromas that marry into dense, serious and intensely mineral-suffused flavors that possess a really lovely mouth feel before culminating in a powerful and tautly muscled finish that completely stains the palate. A knock out and this has an interesting note of salinity on the incredibly long finish.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Only one bottle available
Domaine Jacques Prieur Chambertin Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2009 750ML ($399.95) $359 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Dark and smoky, with black cherry and plum flavors accented by spicy oak and licorice. This is classy and needs time to settle down, but all the elements are there and the finish is long. Best from 2014 through 2025. 10 cases imported.”
Burghound 92-95 points “Moderate reduction renders the nose difficult to read though there is good energy to the cool, reserved and tight broad-shouldered flavors that are stunningly complex and hugely long on the mineral-driven finish. This is a seriously impressive effort that just oozes class.”
Domaine Jacques Prieur Chambertin Clos de Beze Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 1999 750ML ($459.95) $399 pre-arrival special
Domaine Jacques Prieur Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2005 750ML ($359.95) $299 pre-arrival special
Burghound 92-95 points “The ripest wine to this point with a distinctly floral component adding nuance to the cassis and blackberry aromas that precede the rich, full, serious and sleekly muscled flavors that are supported by a concentrated, tannic and hugely long finish. This is not an elegant wine or even especially sophisticated yet it’s an absolutely serious wine built for the very long haul. Don’t even think of cracking a bottle for at least a decade and even that will be too early.”
Stephen Tanzer 91-94 points “Good bright red-ruby. Very closed, primary aromas of black cherry, mint and minerals, with a hint of peppery spice that comes from vinification with 5% whole clusters (the rest of the fruit was destemmed but not crushed). Sweet, lush and stuffed with ripe black fruit and mineral flavors. There’s nothing hard about this Clos Vougeot, despite the late end to its malolactic fermentation. A violet note contributes to the impression of finesse. Broad, dusty tannins arrive late.”
Domaine Jacques Prieur Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2006 750ML ($299.95) $249 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer 92+ points “Good full red. Perfumed nose offers black cherry, menthol and fresh herbs. Vibrant and aromatic in The mouth but evolving very slowly. Densely packed, juicy and tactile wine, with a penetrating minerality contributing energy. Finishes with real length and cut, the tannins reaching the incisors. Here’s another case where I prefer the 2006 to the young 2007.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Flashy oak is matched by dense black cherry and blackberry flavors in this powerful red. The tannins are slightly rustic, but the fruit is focused and pure. Needs some time. Best from 2012 through 2022. 50 cases imported.”
Domaine Jacques Prieur Musigny Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2005 750ML ($799.95) $699 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer 95 points “Bright ruby-red. Very ripe, pure aromas of black raspberry, cocoa powder, flowers, spices and minerals. At once thick and lively on entry, then wonderfully sweet and harmonious in the middle palate, with a spherical shape and seamless texture I have rarely noted in the past from this estate’s red wines. There’s an almost liqueur-like warmth to this suave, silky wine but underlying minerality keeps it fresh and delineated. Finishes with superb finesse of tannins and explosive fruit and minerality. This may be a hotter site than Prieur’s Echezeaux, but this cuvee too is a major success in 2005.”
David Schildknecht 94-95 points “The Prieur 2005 Musigny delivers a gorgeous bouquet of diverse, sweet flowers, cassis laced, with lemon zest, spices and humus. Sleek, polished and silken-textured in the mouth, this wine offers superb concentration of super-ripe fruit with marrowy meatiness, but with more refinement and youthful class than the Chambertin, not to mention a buoyancy and dynamism and a sheer infectious juiciness in its finish, loaded with bitter-sweet florals.”
Burghound 93-96 points “This is also exceptionally classy and refined with spicy and fresh black and blue berry fruit aromas that complement to perfection the rich, powerful and massive flavors that manage to retain a wonderful sense of detail on the almost sternly structured finish yet the sap buffers any austerity. This is a big Musigny but for all the size and weight, the balance is impeccable. Potentially the best wine in the range if only barely.”
Domaine Jacques Prieur Musigny Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2006 750ML ($599.95) $499 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer 93+ points “Good deep, bright red. Captivating, soil-driven aromas of red fruits, violet, spices, smoky herbs, licorice and earth. Suave on entry, then sappy and gripping in the middle, with complicated mineral, floral and saline elements all accentuating the wine’s tactile quality. Builds nicely on the back half, finishing with firm but ripe tannins and excellent grip and energy. Less ample and more tightly wound than the young 2007, but I find more intensity and energy here: I’d bet on this one in the long run.”
Burghound 92-94 points “An elegant yet reserved and admirably layered nose features red and blue pinot fruit, rose and violet notes plus subtle spice aromas that are in perfect keeping with the round, intense, precise and pure medium full flavors that possess excellent mid-palate concentration and a discreetly mineral-infused finish that both coats the mouth and lingers beautifully. There is enough sap here that the mouth feel is actually rounder at present than the wine will be once the baby fat melts away. In a word, gorgeous.”
Domaine Jacques Prieur Musigny Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2007 750ML ($599.95) $499 pre-arrival special
Burghound 94 points “An ultra elegant nose of pure violet, earth, stone and red pinot fruit that will probably quickly transform into a floral-dominated aromatic profile merges seamlessly into balanced, precise and minerally big-bodied flavors that possess a satin and silk mouth feel and a linear, intense and mouth coating finish that seemingly goes on for minutes. This is a strikingly pretty wine that should age for years.”
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Good bright, dark red. Tangy, perfumed aromas of raspberry, crushed rock and smoke. Smoky and silky-sweet but quite backward; comes off as thick yet refined, with great charm. The longest of these 2007s, finishing with lovely energy and lift and a real whiplash of flavor-not to mention greater sweetness than the Echezeaux.”
Domaine Jacques Prieur Musigny Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2009 750ML ($599.95) $499 pre-arrival special
Burghound 93-95 points “Very mild reduction reduces the expressiveness of the nose yet it is still relatively easy to discern that the dark berry fruit is ripe and nuanced by plenty of spice notes that can also be found on the rich and palate staining velvety flavors that possess imposing size and weight as well as a seemingly endless reserve of dry extract that buffers the firm tannic spine on the wonderfully long finish. This is a big yet balanced wine that possesses excellent energy with plenty of underlying tension and about the only nit is a hint of warmth on the powerful and driving finish. This should be most impressive in time if you have the patience to wait.”
Stephen Tanzer 93+ points “Good medium red. Slightly reduced, reserved aromas of kirsch, minerals and clove. Quite taut in the mouth, and showing much more energy in bottle than it displayed from barrel in November of 2010. The medicinal redcurrant and red cherry fruit flavors are complemented by saline and pronounced spice qualities. Ultimately silky and classy wine, with a long, clinging finish that shows continuing spice character. This needs a good eight to ten years of bottle aging.”
The Coveted “Zephirine”
Arrives Next Month
The top wine that Drouhin Oregon makes under the RoseRock label is called Zephrine and it’s a monument to everything we love about Willamette Valley Pinot, especially from the Eola-Amity Hills. Dark fruited, with beautiful floral and spice accents, it’s a wonderful wine that’s only going to get better in your cellar.
Arriving Early April:
Top 100 Wine in 2018 – jamessuckling.com
Drouhin Roserock “Zephirine” Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2016 750ML ($69.95) $51.90 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Drouhin Roserock “Zephirine” Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2016 750ML ($399.95) $299 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 97 points “Super pure aromas of vibrant, red and darker cherries and subtle, foresty complexity. The palate has a very supple, lithe and juicy feel with abundant and intense, concentrated and very pure, red and black-cherry flavors. Drink or hold.”
For a Prum Classic
Arriving ETA March:
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 95 points “Give this some air if you must drink it now, but better to wait for a decade or so. Seductive guava and mango flavors are offset by vivifying citrusy acidity, creating a firm frame on which glazed apricot and star anise notes emerge. Powerful yet elegant, this is built for the cellar. Best from 2022 through 2039. From Germany.—A.Z.”
For a Riesling-Cup Winning Sensation
Korrell is a rising star Nahe producer. The Weingut goes back to 1832, but it’s only with young Martin taking over the cellar that the family has attained. Their name has been ringing in insider circles for several years now, but their “Von Den Grossen Lagen” just won at the Riesling Cup and they’re officially blowing up now.
The best vineyard that Korrell owns (and the backbone for all their Rieslings) is a monopol site called, appropriately, “Paradis.” Paradis is a limestone-heavy site (a rarity, much like Keller’s Kirschspiel GG), with shallow soils and privileged exposition—in short, everything you could ask of a Riesling vineyard, especially to produce dry wines. The revitalization of the site, combined with Martin’s work in the cellar, has vaulted Korrell into the top tier of producers both in the Nahe and across Germany. These are wines that any dry Riesling lover needs to have in their cellar and we’re proud to be the first in the US to offer these wines.
Over the last two decades, the Nahe has been the vanguard region in Germany, with producers like Dönnhoff, Schäfer-Frölich, and Diel producing some of the top wines in Germany, year and out. Situated between the chilly Mosel and the sun-drenched Rhine, Nahe wines combine everything we love about German Riesling. Korrell have established themselves as top producer in the region and we’re beyond thrilled that we can add these wines to our collection—and your cellars.
Arriving ETA June:
Weingut Korrell Kreuznacher Paradies Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2017 750ML ($49.95)
$39 pre-arrival special
Weingut Korrell Kreuznacher Paradies Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2017 1.5L ($99.95)
$79 pre-arrival special
Weingut Korrell Kreuznacher Paradies Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2017 3L ($199.95)
$179 pre-arrival special
Stuart Pigott-JamesSuckling.com 94 points “Very clean and fresh, but behind the effusive, fruit-salad character that makes this so seductive, there is a lot of structure and the finish keeps pumping out the fruit and chalky minerality. Drink or hold.”
Grapelive 94 points “The radiant and graceful Korrell Paradies Trocken leads with expressive pure apple tones. [It] impresses for its elegance and subtle character. It’s a wine of great poise and delicacy, especially admirable for such a young Riesling. The monopole estate vineyard, Paradies, is the oldest single site Korrell has and is the flagship wine from winemaker Martin Korrell. It comes from his family’s vines that are set on limestone and clay soils in Bad Kreuznach area of the Nahe region. The Paradies Riesling Trocken is a gorgeous white of depth and precise winemaking that takes advantage of this unique site in the Nahe. This wine is the heart and soul of Korrell and it is product of its unique climat,or terroir. It sees more sunshine and the limestone allows for serious concentration, while retaining acidity, though there is always great attention paid to pick dates to finely tune this signature bottling to place and vintage. Korrell mixes some traditional stainless fermentations with some native yeast and barrel ferments to craft his wines. The Paradies shows a beautiful leesy finesse that reminds me a bit of the Von Winning GG’s, with a long time on the lees adding a beautiful glycerin density to this gorgeous dry Riesling. Coming off Korrel’s incredible Riesling Cup win for his Von den Grossen Lagen (Grand Crus) Riesling Trocken, I was absolutely thrilled to be able to try this wine, and found this particular wine just as intriguing. Martin focuses on preserving heightened aromatics and crisp mineral tones, while allowing the mouth feel and depth to shine through. It is an amazing accomplishment to get it all right, and Korrell deserves his time in the limelight. This is complex and glorious stuff. Layers of green apple, peach, mixed fresh citrus and melon fruits are lifted by liquid rock, steely mineral and faint perfume of white flowers along with a silkiness of mouth feel. While still delightfully crisp, [this delivers] an exciting energy filled performance. This is a winery that about to break out and join some elite company, in fact they are riding high after winning, as mentioned, the famous Riesling Cup award with their unique multi (Grand) cru Von den Grossen Lagen Trocken Riesling. This wine is just extra proof there is real quality here! The lightly golden hued and generously textured Paradies will age well. It’s full of charm, class and potential. Best to let this one have another 3 to 5 years, though it certainly is delicious right now.”
Stuart Pigott-JamesSuckling.com 94 points “What a beautiful nose of leaves and white flowers, dripping after rain. With aeration, peach, nectarine and mandarin-orange notes emerge. Concentrated, racy and very polished, this is a stunning dry riesling with a long, mineral finish. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “This fruity yet dry Riesling is filled with flavors of currant and gooseberry, while juicy, orangelike acidity cuts through, carrying freshness and providing balance. The complex finish is long and inviting. This nicely sculpted white is ready to drink now, but will only get better with age. Drink now through 2027. 1,500 cases made.”
Weingut Korrell Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2016 750ML ($24.95) $19.50 pre-arrival special
Stuart Pigott-JamesSuckling.com 91 points “Brimming with tart peach, lemon and apples plus a hint of vanilla this has so much appeal on the nose. The juicy palate ends with a wave of herbal freshness that fulfills all the promise of the nose. 70% from the Paradies top site, i.e. from paradise! Drink now. Screw cap.”