Rosé Still Going Strong; Amazing Marcassin Whites; Back to the Vaults-Massolino; Our Favorite Natural Wines; VDP Auction Rieslings; Case deal White Wines Not to be Missed
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Rosés to Cool Down With
Although we’ve only got a couple months left of summer, rosé season is going strong. In case you were looking for inspiration, here are a few favorites to consider,
Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Rose, Rhone 2016 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “Bright orange-pink. Ripe red berries and blood orange on the fragrant nose. In a warm, fleshy style, offering juicy, nicely concentrated raspberry and orange zest flavors that turn livelier on the back half. Smooth and seamless on the impressively persistent and penetrating finish, which leaves a sappy red berry note behind.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Chateau de Manissy Tavel Cuvee des Lys Rose 2016 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 90 points “Brilliant orange-pink. Powerful, mineral-accented aromas of ripe red berries and citrus fruits, joined by a suave floral topnote that builds in the glass. Sappy and concentrated on the palate, offering fresh raspberry, bitter cherry and blood orange flavors and a hint of honeysuckle. Finishes long, chewy and precise, delivering strong mineral cut and lingering florality.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
M Plouzeau Chinon Rive Gauche Rose, Loire 2016 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 90 points “Vivid orange-pink. Cherry pit, red currant, pungent flowers and a suggestion of succulent herbs on the nose. Sappy and focused in the mouth, offering bitter cherry and orange flavors and a zesty hint of white pepper that adds back-end spiciness. Closes supple and long, featuring lingering florality and a sweet raspberry flourish. This wine has the heft to work with full-flavored food, but there’s also a raciness that makes it extremely easy to drink by itself.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
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Alternative Napa: How Massican
Brings the Magic of Friuli to Napa Valley
Dan Petroski leads two different winemaking lives. By day, he’s the winemaker at Larkmead, a historic California winery known for high point scores and powerful Cabernet-based reds. By night (proverbially), he runs his own tiny label, called Massican, and produces white wines inspired by the majestic whites of Friuli, in northeastern Italy. Starting in 2009, he’s produced these quietly-revolutionary white blends, challenging Napa orthodoxy with some stunning stuff.
Stylistically, the wines he makes are finely balanced between richness and freshness. Sauvignon Blanc, Ribolla Gialla and Friulano all have steely acidity, so either by themselves or paired with Chardonnay (which is a traditional grape in Friuli), the wines always have great brightness. Napa sun gives the wines richness and the resulting blend is a wine that is able to pair with a seemingly endless variety of foods. These are wines that are destined to become modern classics and we’re excited that they’re finally available outside the winery’s mailing list.
Arriving Friday:
Massican Annia White, Napa Valley 2016 750ML ($37.95) $33 pre-arrival special
“This is only the second vintage of annia that ribolla gialla takes the lead in the blend, 2012 being the other. there is a story that george vare liked to tell us about ribolla, according to the late, great stanko radikon, ribolla is the consummate supporting actor when blended into a wine under the 50% threshold. at that minority level, the grape will truly morph into the background, providing the floors, the walls and the ceiling for the other grapes to adorn. in our 2016 annia, the 60% of ribolla in the wine is flattering; stone fruit and baked apple with green almond on the palate that plays off the tocai’s citrus blossom and pear skin. the 9% of hyde chardonnay in the blend tightens the wine a bit, but in reality it just steps aside and gives the two friulian varieties a stage to play on; however, expect the chardonnay to get involved as the wine ages.”–Winery note
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Massican Hyde Vineyards Chardonnay, Napa Valley 2016 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
“We harvested our hyde vineyards chardonnay on two separate occasions in the 2016 growing season. there was an early august pick with the intention of these grapes being blended into annia to provide the wine with a hint of freshness and structure. the second harvest happened a bit later than expected due to the weather in carneros being moderate to slightly below average temps. as for the wine itself, this is an atypical hyde vineyards chardonnay that lands on the lighter, brighter side of vineyard’s potential of making some of the greatest chardonnays in california. next year we plan on putting a toe in the water, testing a little of the crop on the riper and richer side of hyde; so hang on for the ride but in the short term give this bottling a little time to settle into itself and start drinking in the fall of 2017.”–Winery note
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Massican Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 2016 750ML ($37.95) $33 pre-arrival special
“The vines that produce the sauvignon blanc for our wine were originally planted in 1993 for the robert mondavi winery and their napa valley fume blanc. we were excited to work with this fruit in our first vintage, but had no intention of making a 100% sauvignon blanc; the original goal was to blend a little into annia to support the tocai and ribolla. however, the blend didn’t work, the sauvignon was too intense for the subtle, floral notes of the annia. we were a bit disappointed at the time but we needed to let the wines be themselves, and since this sauvignon has become one of the stars of the line-up year in and year out. last year we extended our contract with the vineyard, not only for the next couple of years, but for a couple of more acres. this is the most wine we have ever bottled under the sauvignon label.”–Winery note
Massican Gaspare Bianco Colli Orientali del Friulii, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2015 750ML ($37.95) $33 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: This wine was produced in collaboration with (and at) legendary Friuli estate Ronco del Gnemiz. The blend is composed of 40% Chardonnay, 35% Ribolla Gialla and 25% Friulano, aged in French oak of varying age. A really stunning wine (especially for the price) and a perfect example of richness balanced with freshness and minerality.
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Back Vintage Massolino Magic
Serralunga d’Alba would not be the same without the Massolino family. Giovanni Massolino brought electricity to the town in 1896 andhe also established the storied wine estate that bears his family name. The classic Massolino Barolo dates back to 1911, and the wines are still grown and produced by the Massolino family, now in its fourth generation of winemakers.
In all, Massolino owns 57 acres of vineyard, including four Barolo crus. With such a reputation to uphold, tradition still guides the way here: fermentation in cement tanks, ageing in large Slavonian oak casks. Yet modernity has its hand, too: Not at all rustic, the wines are smooth, clean, and extremely pleasurable. These are some of the finest Barolos around, unafraid of long cellar time.
We’re excited to present a collection of wines today from the 2009 and 2011 vintages—both warm years that are showing extremely well with a few years of age on them. One of the common complaints we hear is how hard it is to find wine with any sort of age on it and while these have a decade plus before they’re fully mature, the head start is significant.
Massolino Parussi, Barolo DOCG 2009 750ML ($89.95) $66 special, 8 bottles available
Case-6 Massolino Parussi, Barolo DOCG 2009 750ML ($449.95) $359 special, 1 case available (that’s only $59.83/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2009 Barolo Parussi sees fruit sourced from the Castiglione Falletto township and consequently shows the most ethereal and refined characteristics of these three vineyard-designate wines. Rosehip, forest berry and even a touch of stone fruit or apricot emerge at first, followed by heavier aromas of tar and black licorice. The wine shows impressive elegance, finesse, silky tannins and fresh acidity. Those overall attributes, melded so perfectly together, are rare to find in the warmer 2009 vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Massolino Margheria, Barolo DOCG 2009 750ML ($89.95) $66 special, 15 bottles available
Case-6 Massolino Margheria, Barolo DOCG 2009 750ML($449.95) $359 special, 1 case available (that’s only $59.83/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2009 Barolo Margheria, however, moves us over to the Serralunga d’Alba township where power and structure are the name of the game. This wine shows big bones with firmly rooted tannins and a bold, fleshy quality of fruit. Black currant, chopped mint and licorice are woven tightly within the fabric of the wine. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2028.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Massolino Vigna Rionda Riserva, Barolo DOCG 2009 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 19 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2009 Barolo Vigna Rionda Riserva burst from the glass with enormous confidence and personality. Nothing is understated here or otherwise hidden from view. This Riserva immediately puts its best assets forward with dark fruit nuances that are woven tight with veins of exotic spice and crushed mineral. The wine also reveals lovely aged characteristics of licorice, dried tobacco and balsam herb. The 2009 vintage is slightly broader and flatter compared to 2007 and 2006.”
James Suckling 94 points “There’s cedar and sandalwood undertone to this Barolo with ripe fruit and milk chocolate as well. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and a long, flavorful finish. A late release from a fine producer of Barolo showing energy and tension. Drink now.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Massolino Barolo Parafada, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 8 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Structured and focused, this gorgeous wine offers enticing scents of pressed violet, woodland berry, baking spice, tilled soil and leather. The firm palate delivers ripe black cherry, licorice, mint, tobacco and ground clove alongside youthfully assertive but refined tannins. Give this time to fully develop—it should blossom into a beauty. Drink 2018–2026.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “A mix of ripe cherry, raspberry, plum, tobacco and tea aromas and flavors are the hallmarks of this well-defined red. A stiff backbone of tannins and vivid acidity keeps this moving toward the lingering, earth-tinged aftertaste. Best from 2019 through 2032”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Massolino Parussi, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 15 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 points “With fruit from Castiglione Falletto, the 2011 Barolo Parussi is an epic wine with thick layers of dark fruit, spice and pressed rose. This expression is absolutely irresistible in terms of its generosity, overall intensity and silky smoothness. It presents a more immediate style with soft lines and a generous, fruity texture. Massolino has produced an impressive line of new releases. ”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
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It’s Only Natural
Some of Our Favorite Natural Wine Picks
“Natural Wine” is one of the most divisive phrases in the industry today. We get it—no one wants their wine to be thought of as “unnatural” (though it’s not like we think of most produce as “inorganic”). Nevertheless, the term seems to be here to stay and we’ve got a few of our picks below.
If you aren’t familiar with the Natural Wine thing, what we’re talking about is a set of wines sourced from Organically or Biodynamically farmed vineyards and made using as little intervention as possible. Now, how little? That’s a good question (and probably the source of most of the controversy about the term) but generally means native yeast fermentations, no new oak and minimal (or no) use of sulfur in the winemaking process. Like most cool kids clubs, some of the wines under the ‘Natural’ umbrella are poseurs without much to recommend them (we try not to carry those), but there are also some truly excellent bottles. Here are a few of our favorites:
Sparkling:
Domaine La Grange Tiphaine Montlouis Nouveau Nez, Loire 2014 750ML ($31.95) $27 special, 15 bottles available
VinopolNote: We’ll keep this simple: this is one of the two or three best pet-nats we’ve tried. Made from 100% Chenin Blanc and sparkling as a the result of a single fermentation, this is bubbly (though not as much as Champagne) and flat out delicious.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Philippe Tessier Phil’en Bulle, Loire NV 750ML ($29.95) $26 special, 24 bottles available
Importer note “Philipe’s fizzy “pet-nat” is the least serious but perhaps the most fun wine in the Tessier lineup. To be enjoyed fresh and frothy. 90% Romorantin and 10% Orbois.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
White:
Bow & Arrow Melon Johan Vineyard, Oregon 2015 750ML ($24.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles available
Grapelive 91 points “Inspired by the Loire Valley’s Muscadet Sevre et Maine, the natural and stylish biodynamic Melon de Bourgogne by Bow & Arrow delivers brisk and bright salty flavors with a touch of New World richness, but remains faithful to the French version with driving acidity and steeliness making for a vibrant example of this varietal. Scott Frank’s Portland based micro winery has gained a great reputation for unique and interesting wines taking Bow & Arrow in its own direction, away from the only Burgundy influenced path that most of the Willamette Valley follows. The winery is enjoying success by paying homage to France’s Loire Valley (and especially the Touraine and Muscadet regions) with some stellar Gamay, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc wines as well as this pretty, very dry and slightly raw Melon de Bourgogne. Bow & Arrow’s Johan Vineyard Melon starts with an austere nose of saline, ether, crushed earthy stones, straw bale and zesty citrus leading to a pithy palate of lemon/lime, unripe melon and a core of stone fruit, making it a superb seafood companion. Frank’s touch is brilliant here, as with Johan’s fruit giving loads of energy and character. It opens to fleshy peach and kiwi along with some bitter herb and spice offering a fruity vs savory balance. The hint of brioche/lees offers mouth feel and substance. This white impresses for its zip and restraint while still giving texture and layers. The vintage shines through in all of the Bow & Arrow wines. These are wonderful efforts. Don’t miss them, in particular the Gamay/Pinot Rhinestones blend, the Gamay and the straight Pinot Noirs, all of which are standouts. Bow & Arrow’s Melon is a fun and refreshing white that will compliment oysters, clams, mussels as well as raw milk cheeses. It is a great alternative to the sea of less exciting whites out there.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Philippe Tessier Cheverny, Loire 2015 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 16 bottles available
VinopolNote: Mostly Sauvignon Blanc with Chardonnay and de Orbois (Arbois an obscure Loire varietal). From 20 year old vines grown in sandy/poor clay soil. Natural primary and malolactic fermentation. Aged in tank for 6 months.
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Hiyu Winery Smock Shop Band White, Hood River, Oregon 2014 750ML ($31.95) $28 special, 6 bottles available
Winery note “This wine is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Gris from Anne and Mike Dzubinski’s vineyard. The site is situated just to the east of Hiyu on a south facing bench above the Hood River. This was the vineyard’s first crop and the translucent, golden colored grapes were pressed very gently overnight before spending the next two years slowly fermenting in barrel. This is a wine for autumn and the depths of winter. It is burnished gold in color and smells of pear custard, honey and hazelnut. The texture is seamless, gentle and finishes with a surprising flourish of herbs.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Red:
Domaine La Grange Tiphaine Touraine Amboise Ad Libitum, Loire 2015 750ML ($21.95) $19 special, 14 bottles available
VinopolNote: A midweight to light red that is super gulpable. It’s a blend of the three big grapes for the Touraine—Gamay, Cab Franc and Cot—and goes down too easily. Don’t buy just one bottle. We warned you.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Bow & Arrow Vitae Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($37.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles available
Case-12 Bow & Arrow Vitae Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($419.95) $299 special (that’s only $24.92/bottle!)
VinopolNote: The selection for the Vitae Springs bottling comes from the highest block in the vineyard at an elevation of 800 feet. It was planted to the Pommard clone in 1999. The wine is fresh and inviting, showing a spicy nose with notes of violets, red roses and oolong tea. It has a refreshingly sappy persistence to the finish.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Jean Francois Ganevat Cotes du Jura Cuvee Julien 2010 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 9 bottles available
Wine Advocate 89-90 points “From what he calls a “pinot fin” selection planted not long after World War II, Ganevat’s 2010 Cotes du Jura Pinot Noir Cuvee Julien – which I assessed from tank just before bottling – went into its conical wooden fermentor with its stems having been removed by hand and with scissors! “It’s not supposed to be structured grand vin,” he cautions, “but rather about minerality, droiture, and the finesse of Pinot.” Well, it certainly wouldn’t have fooled me even without that introduction! But if you approach this the way you might a really top-notch Sancerre Pinot from old vines (say, Gerard Boulay’s rose or Edmond Vatan’s “red”) it may seem faintly familiar, not to mention distinctively delicious. Fresh sour cherry, rose hip, hibiscus, and toasted almond inhabit the nose and palate of this delicate, infectiously juicy libation whose salinity, piquancy, and tart fruit skin tang make for a delightfully exhilarating as well as persistent finish…” DS
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Domaine Gramenon Cotes du Rhone Sierra du Sud, Rhone 2014 750ML ($34.95) $24.40 special, 36+ bottles available
Josh Raynolds 91 points “Deep ruby. A complex bouquet evokes musky red and dark berries, cherry pit, olive, dried flowers and pungent herbs. Chewy and focused on the palate, offering gently sweet raspberry, boysenberry, violet pastille and spicecake flavors that become livelier as the wine opens up. Pliant tannins give shape to a very long, spicy finish that features a lingering blue fruit note.”
Wine Advocate 91 points “A smokin’ southern Rhone is the 2014 Côtes du Rhône la Sierra du Sud, which is 100% Syrah, from 15- to 35-year-old vines, that was destemmed and aged in a combination of tank and barrels. Ground pepper, wild herbs, black cherries and the essence of blackberry fruit all emerge from this medium to full-bodied, ripe, layered and beautifully textured 2014. It has more depth and richness than most in the vintage and will keep for upwards of a decade.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Paolo Bea Pagliaro Secco, Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG 2008 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 6 bottles available
Importer note “The fabled local grape of Montefalco is the Sagrantino and the Pagliaro vineyard, situated at 1300 feet in altitude, is dedicated in large part to this grape variety. The harvest of Sagrantino normally occurs during the second half of October. The cuvaison extends for forty to fifty days. The wines is then aged for one year in stainless steel, another two years in large Slavonian oak barrels and, finally, spends one more year in bottle (the wine, like all Bea wines, is unfiltered) before release. Annual production from the Pagliaro vineyard is 15,000 to 20,000 bottles.”
Guy Breton Morgon Vieilles Vignes, Beaujolais 2015 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 36+ bottles available
Guy Breton Morgon Vieilles Vignes, Beaujolais 2015 1.5L ($79.95) $69 special, 4 magnums available
Case-12 Guy Breton Morgon Vieilles Vignes, Beaujolais 2015 750ML ($419.95) $319 special, 5 cases available (that’s only $26.58/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 94 points “Limpid violet. A seductively perfumed bouquet evokes fresh red berries, Asian spices and potpourri, and subtle cola and licorice nuances emerge with aeration. Juicy and pure on the palate, offering intense raspberry, lavender pastille and spicecake flavors and a refreshingly bitter touch of blood orange. Delivers a serious payload of vibrant berry and spice character without excess weight, and finishes extremely long and nervy, displaying no rough edges and lingering florality.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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Cream of the Crop
A Selection of VDP Auction Riesling
Since 1910, the German association of top wine estates (VDP) has hosted wine auctions. These are not your typical wine auctions; instead they offer German wine fans and collectors a unique opportunity to experience wines that will not make it to the regular market. Each estate can submit their best wines from the best vintages (all strictly unchaptalized) exclusively to the auction directly from their cellars.
We’re thrilled to offer our first foray into the exciting world of German auction wines. These are highly exclusive wines only available to auction winners and bids must be placed by authorized wine brokers. Each wine was hand-selected by our German wine insider.
Due to the highly limited amount of production from many of these estates and the exclusivity of the auction, it’s rare to find reviews for many bottlings (let alone the wines themselves!). We’re fortunate to have the folks at Mosel Fine Wines on our side – and doing the all the hard work! You can browse the full reviews below:
Weingut Bastgen Kestener Paulinshofberg Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 9 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 90 points “This offers a rather ripe nose of grapefruit, pineapple, Limoncello, bergamot, herbs, almond and spices. The wine is nicely made and fruity on the palate and leaves a clean and fresh feel in the zesty but powerful finish. This is nicely made in a very enjoyable style! 2023-2035”
Carl Loewen Leiwener Laurentiuslay Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2011 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 11 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 90 points “This is a special selection of partially botrytis affected berries which is only being commercialized now, via the 2016 Auction. The wine offers a rather ripe nose of pear, herbs and spices. The wine is nicely ripe but also delicately playful on the palate, leaving one with a fleeting feel of almond, pear and slate in the long, rich yet comparatively airy finish. This is nicely made with good complexity and nice presence. Now-2026”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Reinhold Franzen Bremmer Calmont Riesling Kabinett 2015 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 9 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “This beautiful Kabinett offers a rather reduced but elegantly floral nose of white pear, herbs and spices. The wine proves gorgeously well balanced on the palate, where some firm grip brings structure and the mineral side finesse to the experience. The finish is incredibly long and airy. This proves a gorgeous wine made in an irresistibly off-dry (rather than full fruity) style! 2020-2030+”
Kees-Kieren Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spatlese**, Mosel 2015 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 17 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 90 points “This offers a rather gorgeous nose of fresh white minerals, passion fruit, pineapple and a touch of honey. The wine is delicately powerful and rich on the palate and leaves a gorgeously long feel of passion fruit and minerals. Zesty acidity comes through in the after-taste and cleanses the palate. 2025-2040”
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Weingut Kerpen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese*, Mosel 2015 750ML ($31.95) $28 special, 17 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “This special bottling of Spätlese * (there is also one offered via regular channels) offers a very elegant and flowery nose of white peach, herbs and spices. The wine is gorgeously fruity and loaded with herbs on the palate. It is lively, fresh and elegant and gradually gains in presence and richness. The finish is however light, airy and incredibly long. What a beautiful wine! 2025-2040”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Meulenhof Erdener Pralat Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 34 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 89+ points “This offers a slightly sharp nose of brown sugar, mirabelle, herbs and spices. The wine is on the sweet and delicately rich side on the palate, where minerals, delicate yellow fruits and apricot come through. The finish is sweet and more of Auslese presence. This needs time to develop its full potential. We would not be surprised if this exceeds our initial expectations. 2025-2040”
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Weingut Johann Peter Reinert Wiltinger Klosterberg Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2015 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 10 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 89+ points “The bright-white colored wine offers a piquant nose of lime, white minerals, aniseed seeds and herbs. The wine is fruity and focused on the palate and the finish is rather sharp. This slender expression of Spätlese will need time to develop harmony and blossom aromatically. 2025-2040”
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Weingut Johann Baptist-Schafer Burg Layer Schlossberg Riesling Spatlese 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 35 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “Made from a 25-year-old parcel and harvested at 94° Oechsle, this delivers a nice set of fruity and juicy aromatics including yellow peach, quince star anise, rose water and grapefruit juice. The wine starts off on the light side on the palate but creamy fruits paired with rich Auslese GK styled sweetness quickly take over before some pear, pineapple and peach lead the way to a juicy and creamy long finish. This is a nicely creamy and clean Auslese GK styled Riesling. 2022-2035”
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Dr. Crusius Schlossbockelheimer Felsenberg Riesling Beerenauslese Goldkapsel, Nahe 2015 375ML ($179.95) $159 special, 12 half-bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 98 points “Harvested at a full-on 153° Oechsle (i.e. sugar levels technically qualifying for TBA), this auction BA starts off on the primary and discreet side at first before rapidly exhibiting huge finesse, complexity and depth with honeyed notes of apricot, pineapple, mango, vanilla cream and other exotic fruits. The botrytis gives the wine a great exotic, luscious and unctuous texture with plenty of juice, creamy viscosity and smoothness on the palate. The wine is, of course, still very sweet at this stage (it has no less than 229 g/l of residual sugar), but the interplay with some gorgeously playful acidity makes for a superbly clean and focused feel in the long finish. The only drawback of this little masterpiece of a BA is that it is still a good decade away from maturity. Patience is required! 2030-2085.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
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13 Days, 3 Whites
Cases of White While You Wait For the Eclipse
The eclipse is only 13 days away, so with the heat of the summer, we figured that you’re going to need (at least) a case of white wine to hold you until the sun takes the morning off.
Case-12 Domaine Camille et Laurent Schaller Chablis Vieilles Vignes, Burgundy 2015 750ML ($359.95) $259 special, 3 cases available (that’s only $21.58/bottle!)
Domaine Camille et Laurent Schaller Chablis Vieilles Vignes, Burgundy 2015 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 17 bottles available
Decanter 90 points “Reticent lime nose. The palate has a rich attack, and is firm and concentrated. It shows impressive depth and weight of fruit for a village wine, with density and some chewiness. Textured and long.”
Importer note “Domaine Camille & Laurent Schaller is a family estate based in Préhy, a village in the heart of the Chablis vineyard. Laurent and his son Camille cultivate three grape varieties: Chardonnay, Aligoté and Pinot Noir. Their parcels are located in the villages of Préhy, Courgis, Chablis, Poilly sur Serein, Chichée (Premier Cru Vaucoupin) and Beine (Premier Cru Vau de Vey). The vines are planted in a clay and limestone soil which is typical of Chablis. It brings to wines great finesse, minerality and purity.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Case-12 Hubert Rousseau Domaine des Trois Toits Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie, Loire 2015 750ML ($219.95) $169 special, 8 cases available (that’s only $14.08/bottle!- this is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!)
Hubert Rousseau Domaine des Trois Toits Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie, Loire ($19.95) $16 special, 15 bottles available
“After harvest the grapes are pressed and the juice is placed in underground cuves in typical and ancient fashion in the Muscadet district. The alcoholic fermentation proceeds at low temperatures for three to five weeks. Afterwards the wine is racked off the gross lies and is left to age on the fine lies until bottling. During the period of elevage, the wines are in constant contact with the lies, with frequent batonage. The result is a fresh, mineral-driven wine that occasionally carries an almost imperceptible effervescence. Bottling normally occurs during the period of March through May of the year following harvest.”–Importer note
Case-12 Zorzal Eggo Blanc de Cal, Tupungato 2014 750ML ($319.95) $249 special, 2 cases available (that’s only $20.75/bottle!)
Zorzal Eggo Blanc de Cal, Tupungato 2014 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 33 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2014 Eggo Blanc de Cal is pure Sauvignon Blanc from two different vineyards in Gualtallary. The full clusters are pressed and the must was fermented and aged in contact with the lees for nine to ten months in their famous egg-shaped cement vats. This is more subtle and earthy, less Sauvignon, with the fruit expressing itself in a lower-pitched voice, more of a baritone. It’s also has a little wider, pungent and powerful character in the mouth. This is only around 13% alcohol, and even though in 2014 it didn’t go through malolactic fermentation, it’s still a very light and fresh wine. Groundbreaking Sauvignon. 4,800 bottles were produced, fruit of two eggs.” LG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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Summer Shipping Special:
Midwest, East, & South
For the summer season we are offering UPS Three Day Select Service for the price of UPS Ground for shipments normally traveling 4 or more business days by ground.
Free service upgrade only applies on single orders purchased and shipped during the promotional period. Additional fees will apply to orders held for any reason until after the promotional period and shipped by Three Day Select. Offer not valid on items purchased before the promotional period or on pre-arrival items that arrive after the promotional period ends.