Midweek Vinopolis Addition 7-3-19

First Offer:

2017 Molitor

One of the Most Impressive Sets of Wine Ever

Whenever Germans visit our shop, they’re blown away at the selection of Markus Molitor wines more than anything.  In his native land, Molitor’s wines are tightly allocated and so to see so many different bottlings in one place is a bit jarring.  (Imagine piles of Sine Qua Non sitting around and you get the idea.)  These are brilliant, coveted wines and we’re always on the hunt for as many as we can get our hands on.

Enter the 2017’s—the best collection that Markus Molitor has ever produced.  The nature of the year (high acids, high extracts, little botrytis) make for a vintage that plays to the talented producer’s strengths and style (ie: long aging in fuder). Your eyes will start to water when you read the reviews—this is one of the most impressive sets of wine, from anywhere in the world, in any vintage.  We’ve gone as deep and as long as we can on these wines, buying the entire West Coast allocation for many bottlings.  You’d do well to buy all you can fit in your cellar—they’re delicious now and will age beautifully.

“In 2017, Markus Molitor has handcrafted another amazing, breathtaking series of Rieslings … Molitor’s 2017s, whose peaks are no less than 19 very fine (or two-starred) and 21 choice (or three-starred) Auslesen plus six Beerenauslesen (including a one-starred Zeltinger Sonnenuhr), are crystal clear, precise, lean, fresh, elegant and light-footed yet intense and concentrated and provided with acidity that is sharp as a laser beam. Even most of the Auslesen were fermented without any hints of botrytis. As you will see, it’s hard to recommend specific wines—too many are simply terrific, across all categories from dry to sweet. There are so many 100-pointers on the horizon, more than ever before.” – Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate

Arriving ETA Fall:

White Capsule (Dry) Wines:

Molitor Ockfener Bockstein Auslese *** White Capsule (Trocken), Mosel 2017 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2017 Riesling Ockfener Bockstein Auslese *** (White Capsule) is bright, deep and elegant on the nose, with perfectly ripe white-fleshed stone fruit and pineapple scents intertwined with very fine toast aromas. Concentrated, intense and juicy on the palate, with lots of flesh and the crystalline precision of broken slate, this is a generous but pure, close-meshed, highly elegant and finessed Auslese with pink grapefruit and raisin flavors on the persistently salty finish. This concentrated and densely textured Bockstein reveals great energy and finesse with filigreed mineral tension and lingering, mouthwatering salinity. The finish is intense and delicate at the same time. A fabulous, not really dry but dry-styled Riesling of great complexity. Tasted several times in March and April 2019.”

Molitor Urziger Wurzgarten “Kranklay” Auslese** White Capsule (Trocken), Mosel 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96+ points “Bottled with moderate 11% alcohol, the 2017 Riesling Ürziger Würzgarten Auslese ** (White Capsule) is crystalline and super precise on the clear and flinty nose that exhibits crunchy, iron-rich stone and lime zest aromas. It is lean and fresh but dense and intense on the palate, with ripe, round and concentrated Riesling fruit, some sweetness and refined acidity. This is an elegant, highly finessed and stimulating Würzgarten with a lingering, salty-piquant finish. This wine pairs its moderate alcohol level with great complexity and mineral tension. It’s a fabulous yet still very young Würzgarten of extraordinary class and style. Tasted in March and April 2019.”
Note from Mosel Fine Wines “The 2017er Ürziger Würzgarten Auslese ** (White Capsule) comes from the Estate’s parcel in the prime Kranklay sector.”

Molitor Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese** White Capsule (Trocken), Mosel 2017 750ML ($69.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 97 points “From 80- to 120-year-old vines, the intensely citrus-yellow colored 2017 Riesling Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese ** (White Capsule) offers an absurdly deep, highly intense, complex and concentrated bouquet with lime confit, perfectly ripe white stone fruits and flinty notes of crushed stones and lemon zest. On the palate, this is a dense, rich and powerful yet highly elegant and seamlessly textured Sonnenuhr with very fine tannins and a tightly woven structure that channels the immense power of this dry Riesling. “Physical drinking starts here,” Markus Molitor says with a smile, and indeed, this is a spectacularly strong and concentrated Riesling. Despite its power, density and tension, the 2017 is super elegant and silky and reveals perfectly ripe, interwoven acidity and spicy piquancy. This is a fascinating Riesling with outstanding finesse and a very long, promising finish. This is one of the finest two-starred Auslesen I have tasted from Markus Molitor, and it kisses the three-star level. I can only recommend buying some cases and enjoying this beauty over the next 20 to 30 years. Tasted in March and April 2019.”

Green Capsule (Feinherb) Wines:

Molitor Graacher Himmelreich Auslese*** Green Capsule (Feinherb), Mosel 2017 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2017 Riesling Graacher Himmelreich Auslese *** (Green Capsule) is intensely yellow in color and, straight from the bottle, still has prominent smoky oak aromas but also highly intense yet refined fruit on the nose as it opens. This aromatic bouquet combines perfectly ripe and concentrated Riesling scents with the crunchy-coolish slate notes of the Himmelreich and, after a couple of days of aeration, adds concentrated lemon zest and pink grapefruit aromas. Rich and lush but highly elegant on the palate, this is a precise, finessed, nobly textured and juicy Himmelreich with very fine tannins and a long, complex and elegant finish. This is a nearly perfect, nearly dry Auslese, and the seamless texture makes this highly concentrated and refined Riesling flow down your throat without any effort. Give it air, give it time, give it years! This Auslese just flows. And one day, it will stay in your memories forever. Fabulous. Divine. Unforgettable. Tasted three times in April 2019.”

Molitor Zelt Sonnenuhr Auslese*** Green Capsule (Feinherb), Mosel 2017 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 99 points “The 2017 Riesling Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese *** (Green Capsule) opens with an oaky, pretty Burgundian aroma, leading to a deep, pure, concentrated, wonderfully aromatic and elegant bouquet of subtle crunchy slate scents, great intensity and mineral freshness. This has a mind-blowing nose, and it gains more lime zest and lemon confit aromas as it takes more air. The palate is silky, lush and enormously piquant, with firm tannins and highly stimulating citrus concentration. This is a very rich, round, generous and beautifully concentrated Auslese with an endlessly juicy, salty-piquant, tensioned and crunchy finish. A sleeping giant, this three-starred Zeltinger Sonnenuhr is richer and sweeter than the glorious Graacher Himmelreich. For my taste, it needs at least 10 years in the cellar, but for many readers, this will already be perfect to drink today. Tasted four times in March and April 2019.”

Gold Capsule (Off-Dry/Sweet) Wines:

Molitor Bernkasteler Badstube Auslese*** Gold Capsule, Mosel 2017 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Molitor Bernkasteler Badstube Auslese*** Gold Capsule, Mosel 2017 375ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 98 points “Molitor’s 2017 Riesling Bernkasteler Badstube Auslese *** (Golden Capsule) offers a deep, pure, precise, smoky, highly concentrated yet refined and coolish nose of stewed stone fruits, candied lemons and grapefruits that intermingle with crushed stone and some leathery aromas. Lush and round on the generous but precise and highly finessed palate, this is an almost weightless Auslese with a honey-sweet yet piquant and salty finish. This is another laser-sharp but also sensual highlight of the vintage, not only at Markus Molitor. Tasted at the domain in April 2019.”

Molitor Erdener Treppchen Auslese *** Gold Capsule, Mosel 2017 750ML ($139.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 98+ points “The 2017 Riesling Erdener Treppchen Auslese *** (Golden Capsule) is bright and even floral (hyacinths) on the clear, slatey, highly refined but aromatic nose with its precise stone fruit and delicate flinty aromas. Silky, sweet and round, with great finesse, elegance and seamless, perfectly balanced texture, this is a lean but lush, incredibly fine and filigreed Auslese with a long, fresh, piquant and salty finish. A divine Riesling whose acidity is perfectly intermingled with the fruit and texture. Tasted at the domain in April 2019.”

Molitor Kinheimer Hubertuslay Auslese*** Gold Capsule, Mosel 2017 750ML ($119.95) $99 special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 99 points “The 2017 Riesling Kinheimer Hubertuslay Auslese *** (Golden Capsule) is clear and concentrated, on the deep and complex nose with stewed peach aromas intertwined with spicy notes of a fleeting kiss of oak and nougat. It has a highly elegant, refined and salty-piquant palate with fine grip and mineral tension. This Hubertuslay is rich, lush and sweet, with remarkable concentration but also weightless finesse and a lean, salty-piquant finish that tickles the palate. Lemon chutney flavors intertwined with the crystalline salinity characterize the long finish of this beauty. Tasted at the domain in April 2019.”

Molitor Kinheimer Rosenberg Auslese*** Gold Capsule, Mosel 2017 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 98+ points “The 2017 Riesling Kinheimer Rosenberg Auslese *** (Golden Capsule) is super fine and delicate on the concentrated and peach-scented nose, which reveals an unexpected subtleness for this terroir that normally leans toward ruthless opulence. On the palate, this is a lush, highly refined and salty Auslese with amazing purity, piquancy, finesse and elegance. The acidity is pronounced but also delicate and gives this very fine Auslese piquancy and precision. Tasted at the domain two times in April 2019.”

Molitor Saarburger Rausch Auslese** Gold Capsule, Mosel 2017 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2017 Riesling Saarburger Rausch Auslese ** (Golden Capsule) is intense and concentrated on the fresh and piquant nose that indicates fine botrytis with lemon confit and pumpernickel notes. Lush and smooth as well as refined and piquant on the palate, this is an incredibly fruity and mouth-filling Auslese with great finesse and a lightweight but intense and aromatic body. The finish is intense but delicate, full of layers and finesse. A gorgeous Auslese from the Rausch in Saarburg. Tasted in April 2019.

Molitor Saarburger Rausch Auslese*** Gold Capsule, Mosel 2017 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 99 points “Like the Bockstein, the 2017 Riesling Saarburger Rausch Auslese *** (Golden Capsule) is also enormously concentrated on the nose, where fine botrytis aromas intermingle with dried apricots, peaches, notes of quince, lime and lemon chutney and even fig mustard. Concentrated and velvety on the viscous palate, this is a pretty sweet but highly refined and salty-piquant Auslese with an enormously long and concentrated finish. This is a wine to be served in 20 or 30 years, unless you like this bigger but balanced style at this early age. The wine seems to be less racy because the acidity is already integrated and provides structure for the sweet, stewed fruit, but it comes back on the finish and reveals the piquancy and precision of an Eiswein with botrytis. Tasted at the domain in April 2019.”

Molitor Urziger Wurzgarten Auslese** Gold Capsule, Mosel 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 97 points “According to Markus Molitor, the 2017 Riesling Ürziger Würzgarten Auslese ** (Golden Capsule) is made from entirely healthy grapes. It displays a highly attractive bouquet of fine grapefruit and raisin aromas intermixed with flinty-crystalline slate notes. Juicy on the palate, this is a dense, sweet, intense yet piquant, highly delicate Auslese with a long, refined and salty-crunchy finish. Tasted at the domain two times in April 2019.”

Molitor Urziger Wurzgarten Auslese*** Gold Capsule, Mosel 2017 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 98+ points “The 2017 Riesling Ürziger Würzgarten Auslese *** (Golden Capsule) is a very intense and concentrated yet pure and fruity Auslese provided with refreshing crunchy, herbal and iron-rich, clayey slate aromas. This displays perfect botrytis on a bright, pure, fresh and delicate bouquet full of ripe stone and citrus fruits as well as notes of crushed stones. It is fascinatingly fresh and salty-piquant on the palate, with pronounced acidity; this is a sweet but weightless Auslese with acidity that cuts through fruit and slate and tickles the tongue. This is a highly stimulating and crystalline Auslese that is impossible to spit out. Simply amazing! Tasted at the domain in April 2019.”

Molitor Urziger Wurzgarten Spatlese Gold Capsule, Mosel 2017 750ML ($34.95) $28 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2017 Riesling Ürziger Würzgarten Spätlese (Golden Capsule) is complex and mineral on the densely woven yet fresh and crunchy-herbal nose. It’s a dense, concentrated, piquant and structured Spätlese with lush and ripe fruit whose sweetness is nearly completely absorbed by the Würzgarten raciness and iron-rich terroir character. This is a fabulous Spätlese! Tasted in April 2019.”

Molitor Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese*** Gold Capsule, Mosel 2017 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 99 points “The 2017 Riesling Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese *** (Golden Capsule) is subtle and discreet yet concentrated and deep on the delicate nose, with clear (white) peach, spicy lemon chutney and crystalline slate notes. Lush, piquant and silky, with very clear, elegant fruit and great finesse, this is a rich but lean and precise Wehlener Sonnenuhr whose acidity is terribly fine but defined and merciless as a laser beam. This is a gorgeous and already stimulating Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese of great class and style. Tasted at the domain in April 2019.”

Molitor Zeltinger Himmelreich Auslese*** Gold Capsule, Mosel 2017 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2017 Riesling Zeltinger Himmelreich Auslese *** (Golden Capsule) offers a concentrated, super precise and refreshing bouquet of lemon chutney, candied grapefruit zests and spicy slate aromas. What piquancy and precision! It’s already sharp as a laser beam on the nose. The palate is concentrated, highly refined and elegant but nervy and salty in the vibrating underground. This Auslese has a seamless texture and reveals great finesse with stimulating salinity and crystal clear, even filigreed structure. This is an amazing, Eiswein-like Auslese that will last four or more decades. It is also a historical first for Markus Molitor, who hasn’t produced a three-starred Auslese in this cru before. Tasted at the domain in April 2019.”

Molitor Zeltinger Schlossberg Auslese** Gold Capsule, Mosel 2017 375ML ($34.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 97 points “Exclusively filled in 375-milliliter bottles (roughly 11,000 of them), the 2017 Riesling Zeltinger Schlossberg Auslese ** (Golden Capsule) is clear and bright in color and bouquet, intermingling citrus fruits with crushed slate aromas. Lush and highly delicate on the palate, this is a filigreed, very elegant, piquant and finessed Auslese with fine botrytis concentration and a long, salty finish. Great balance and finesse here. Tasted in April 2019.”

Molitor Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese** Gold Capsule, Mosel 2017 1.5L ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Molitor Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese** Gold Capsule, Mosel 2017 3.0L ($279.95) $219 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 98+ points “The 2017 Riesling Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese ** (Golden Capsule) displays a concentrated yet highly refined bouquet of orange, lemon and grapefruit aromas intermixed with delicate and refreshing slate notes. Lush, piquant and salty on the elegant, pure, even weightless palate, this is a crystalline Auslese with great finesse, grip, tension and highly stimulating salinity. This is a finessed, gorgeous beauty, and it almost makes me fear the other Auslesen listed here. 7.5% alcohol. Tasted at the domain two times in April 2019.”

Molitor Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese *** Gold Capsule, Mosel 2017 750ML ($249.95) $219 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 100 points “As always, Molitor’s 2017 Riesling Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese *** (Golden Capsule) is one of the ripest and most concentrated Auslesen of the vintage. Incredibly clear and intense notes of ripe peaches and mangoes on the nonetheless delicate and fresh nose intertwine with noble slate, fine oak and nougat aromas. The wine is round and elegant on the palate, with stunning vivacious, filigreed acidity that gives it lightness, great finesse, lots of salt and tension and stimulating grip. This is still a baby, but in terms of complexity and finesse, it’s one of the finest wines Markus Molitor has produced in 2017. I cannot remember having tasted a three-starred Auslese from the Zeltinger Sonnenuhr that was so fresh, lean and filigreed. This 2017 Sonnenuhr is precise as a Swiss watch. Tasted at the domain in April 2019.”

Dessert Wines:

Molitor Erdener Treppchen Beerenauslese, Mosel 2017 375ML ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 99 points “The 2017 Riesling Erdener Treppchen Beerenauslese shows a beautiful nose of white and juicy peaches intermixed with a delicate and crunchy slate aroma. What precision, finesse and purity here! The palate is correspondingly lush, highly refined and endlessly salty, with tickling crystalline acidity. A fabulous, precise and weightless Beerenauslese of great class and style. Tasted at the domain in April 2019.”
Mosel Fine Wines 97 points “The 2017er Erdener Treppchen Beerenauslese (Golden Capsule) offers a gorgeous nose of strawberry, coconut cream, almond paste and earthy elements. The wine is comparatively slender on the delicately oily palate but leaves a stunning feel of almond, grapefruit and ripe pear in the precise and pure finish. The whole thing finishes on the powerful side but everything is focused and superbly precise. This is a stunning BA in the making. 2027-2057.”

Molitor Kinheimer Hubertuslay Beerenauslese, Mosel 2017 375ML ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 99 points “The 2017 Riesling Kinheimer Hubertuslay Beerenauslese is very concentrated and fresh and needs time to open up and unfold its flavors. Salty-piquant and terribly fresh on the palate, this is another exciting discovery from the Hubertuslay, a former highly regarded cru that Molitor has brought back onto the track of the Mosel’s finest terroirs. His 2017 BA is, of course, sweet and concentrated but also stunningly precise and fresh, crystalline and salty and reveals great energy and finesse. It’s a gorgeous wine and almost too good to be true. Tasted at the domain in April 2019.”
Mosel Fine Wines 96+ points “The 2017er Kinheimer Hubertuslay Beerenauslese (Golden Capsule) offers a hugely complex and big nose of pear, grapefruit, orange blossom, candied pineapple and fine spices. The wine is beautifully playful and superbly precise on the palate, where gorgeous fruity and exotic flavors of pear, mango and apricot mingle with some almond paste and minerals. The finish is long, suave and above all very precise. Sweetness still dominates the after-taste. But give this beauty ideally more than a decade and it will prove utterly irresistible. 2032-2067.”

Molitor Urziger Wurzgarten Beerenauslese, Mosel 2017 375ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 100 points “The 2017 Riesling Ürziger Würzgarten Beerenauslese opens with a very clear, elegant, highly aromatic and finessed bouquet of ripe tropical and domestic fruits intermixed with stony notes. On the palate, this is a lush and salty-piquant BA with great mineral vitality and lingering energy on the finish. What a filigreed, lean, finessed and light-footed sweet wine with refreshing grapefruit notes on the nose and palate. This is incredibly elegant and refined, and I can’t imagine this BA could have been done any better. It’s incredibly charming and will tickle your palate now and forever. Tasted at the domain in April 2019.”

Molitor Zeltinger Sonnenhuhr Beerenauslese*, Mosel 2017 375ML ($249.95) $199 pre-arrival special
Molitor Zeltinger Sonnenhuhr Beerenauslese*, Mosel 2017 750ML ($499.95) $399 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 100 points “The 2017 Riesling Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Beerenauslese * (Golden Capsule) is intense, fine and flinty on the highly precise nose with crunchy slate and grapefruit notes. Dense and concentrated on the palate, it has sweet but elegant and highly refined fruit intertwined with salty-finessed slate salinity and delicate acidity. This is a beautifully balanced BA from Molitor’s most important grand cru vineyard. Many readers might prefer its sweet and charming richness to the delicate finesse and crystallinity of the Würzgarten BA, which will be ready to drink sooner. But this Zeltinger Sonnenuhr in turn will gain even more finesse and drinkability over the years. Tasted at the domain in April 2019.”

Subscriber-Only Special

10% Off All In Stock Marcus Molitor

Out with the old, in with the new—in addition to offering you the superb 2017 vintage from Molitor, we’re dropping the price on all of his wines that are in stock right now.  Now through the end of the day on Friday, email subscribers (ie: you) will save 10% off of all in-stock (ie: not 2017) Marcus Molitor wines.  These are great bottles to drink while you wait for your ’17’s and with 49 different bottlings in stock right now, you’ve got plenty to choose from.  We’ve got some the full list below in spreadsheet form, but you can see all of the Molitor wines (including the brilliant ’17’s, which are not 10% off) in our webstore, as well.

Subscriber Special Pricing Will Not Display Online

We Will Adjust Pricing Manually Before Finalizing Your Order

Subscriber Special Price Expires at 11:59PM (PT) on Friday, July 5th

Subscriber Special Pricing Will Not Display Online

We Will Adjust Pricing Manually Before Finalizing Your Order

Subscriber Special Price Expires at 11:59PM (PT) on Friday, July 5th

Produttori del Barbaresco Muncagota, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2014 750ML ($79.95) $59 special
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2014 Barbaresco Riserva Muncagota is beautifully polished and bright, with dark berry fruit, ripe cherry, crushed stone and pressed flowers. The wine is compact and firm, and you feel the tannins and power in the mouth. The Muncagota remains slightly more closed in terms of the bouquet, but this will open up with some time.”

Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2014 750ML ($89.95) $65 special
Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2014 1.5L ($189.95) $139 special
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 95 points “Always one of my favorite wines from Produttori del Barbaresco, the 2014 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello lays out a broad and soft mouthfeel, with tannins that have already been polished and integrated thanks to ample time in the bottle already. It’s safe to say that this Ovello cru loyally demonstrates the level of richness and textural softness that this site is known for. The bouquet is redolent of bright berry fruit with cherry, blackberry and plum. Also, the 2014 vintage was a warm one at the end of the growing season, and you taste a little bit of that ripeness here too.”

Produttori del Barbaresco Pora, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2014 750ML ($79.95) $59 special
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 94 points “I had tasted this vintage last year as a barrel sample. Now a fully complete wine, the 2014 Barbaresco Riserva Pora did not disappoint, and even jumped up a few points. The Riserva Pora opens to dark fruit intensity with a slightly more accessible quality. Those lovely floral tones of lavender and violet are ever present. After having spent three years in oak and another year in the bottle, this wine offers a looser mouthfeel in terms of tannic structure, making it a bit more open and immediate in personality. You could uncork this bottle in 2020 if you just can’t wait, but ideally, it is meant for the longer haul.”

Produttori del Barbaresco Rio Sordo, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2014 750ML ($79.95) $59 special
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2014 Barbaresco Riserva Rio Sordo represents a jump forward in structure compared to the other three vineyards (Pora, Pajè and Ovello) that were tasted before this wine. The Riserva Rio Sordo shows a dark and solid personality, with a tight core of black fruit that will relax and unwind with more bottle aging in the cellar. It is also slightly sharper and more focused in terms of mouthfeel, with the kind of tannic tightness you always get with young Nebbiolo in the cooler vintages such as 2014. Barbaresco lovers should jot this one down.”

Cascina delle Rose Barbaresco Rio Sordo, Barbaresco DOCG 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 92 points “Cascina delle Rose is a winery that deserves your attention. It is specialized in very classic, elegant and fine expressions of Nebbiolo executed according to local tradition. The 2015 Barbaresco Rio Sordo walks with delicate footsteps. In a vintage that shows many overripe wines from this appellation, Cascina delle Rose gets it right. You do, however, feel the 14.5% alcohol on the finish.”

Cascina delle Rose Tre Stelle, Barbaresco DOCG 2015 750ML ($79.95) $66 special
Cascina delle Rose Tre Stelle, Barbaresco DOCG 2015 1.5L ($149.95) $128 special
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2015 Barbaresco Tre Stelle is a balanced and well-tempered expression of Nebbiolo. This pretty wine opens to bright aromas of blue violets, rose hip and forest berry. The main theme here is finesse, and it is fully explored from start to finish, from nose to palate. This is a lean-bodied wine with silky, long intensity.”