The Best Value in the Shop?
Muga Reserva 2013
#Trending
Staff Pick
Rosé of the Day
Who Wore It Better?
2006 v 2008 Barolo
Elio Grasso Runcot Riserva
Chapoutier’s Ermitage Le Pavillon
“The Star of the Show”
August is for Austria
Call the Doctor!
2017 Thanisch is Inbound
Dujac 2016s
August Clearance Sale Recap
The Best Value in the Shop?
Muga Reserva 2013
The thing is, for a producer like Muga, that sort of vintage represents a tough choice. It’s probably good enough to make your best wines (the Prado Eneo, for instance), but those wines aren’t going to be their best. On the other hand, if you don’t make those bottlings and declassify the wines, you’re giving up a lot of money. But your remaining wine is going to be ridiculously better. That last option is what happened, and the 2013 Riserva is a Wine of the Vintage as a result. This has all of the juice of the tip-top wines blended in, yet is less than a third the going rate of the top wines.
Tasting the 2013 Riserva, you’d think it was a wine from a seriously excellent vintage—it’s a wine worth remarking upon, priced so you can drink it on more than just a special occasion. We secured as much of this as we could so we could offer you this special pricing. Don’t pass it up.
In Stock Now:
Bodegas Muga Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2013 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Case-12 Bodegas Muga Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2013 750ML ($299.95) $219 special (that’s only $18.25/bottle!)
James Suckling 92 points “This is an excellent 2013 with such purity and finesse. Cherry, stone and light cedar aromas follow through to a full body, very fine tannins and a fresh and clean finish. Hints of cedar. It shows a focused energy. Drink now.”
Wine Advocate 90 points “Jorge Muga told me he’s very proud of their 2013 Reserva, which he considers the most challenging vintage he’s seen: cold, rain, botrytis, vigor, mud … horrible! They only produced this Reserva, there’s no Selección Especial Torre Muga or Prado Enea, and they even produced less than the average volume of this bottling. This is the year they introduced optical sorting for the grapes, and they reckon that really helped to achieve the quality of this wine. In this price range and volume, it has to be one of the best wines in Rioja in 2013. It has the classical Muga character, polished and drinkable.“
#Trending
Orin Swift Mannequin, California 2015 750ML ($34.95) Was $21.90, Now $18 Clearance Price
Case-12 Orin Swift Mannequin, California 2015 750ML ($359.95) Was $229, Now $199 Clearance Price (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
Winery Note “Bursting aromatics of honeydew, honeysuckle and ripe peach are complemented by a hint of jasmine, pineapple and cream. With lots of weight and viscosity, the full-bodied palate brims with ripe stone fruit, wet stone and a touch of sweet Meyer lemon. The fleshy, golden mid-palate evolves into a pointed, textured finish that closes with lots of minerality.”
Now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $24.90
The average price is $31
Poderi Aldo Conterno Bussia, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($89.95) $59 special
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2010 Barolo Bussia is a gorgeous expression that hits all the high notes, both in terms of bouquet and mouthfeel. The nose is redolent of pressed cherries, tar, licorice, crushed granite and chopped mint. It offers the special characteristics that are so forth coming with the Nebbiolo grape. The wine caresses the palate with a fine and enduring sense of freshness and structure. The 2010 vintage is a stunner. Drink: 2016-2028.”
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “The 2010 Barolo Bussia is gorgeous and super-classic in every way. Dark red cherry, plum, spice, new leather and tobacco are some of the many notes that take shape in the glass. The 2010 is a beautiful version of the Bussia, with less of the approachability of some previous vintages, but tons of potential for the future. There is a lot to look forward to here. This is one of the best versions of the Bussia I can remember tasting. The 2010 stands out for its precision and crystalline purity. Readers looking for a great 2010 Barolo that won’t kill the budget should check out the 2010 Bussia.’
The next best price is $86.80
The average price is $91
Bright, fresh, back in stock. For now…
Scott Paul La Paulee Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2013 750ML ($39.95) $18 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Deep red. Bright and energetic on the nose, displaying intense red berry and blood orange scents, along with candied rose and allspice highlights. Silky, sweet and incisive on the palate, offering juicy strawberry and floral pastille flavors and a spicy kick of white pepper. Closes very long and nervy; fine-grained tannins lend shape and closing grip.”
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “Sophisticated and subtle, this lovely wine expresses varietal elegance, with a bouquet of roses and raspberries to begin. The jumble of pretty fruits is framed with citrus peel and a dusting of chocolate.”
Neal Martin-Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2013 Pinot Noir la Paulee comes from fruit sourced from Maresh and Nysa in the Dundee Hills, Azana in Chehalem and from the Ribbon Ridge, matured for ten months in neutral oak. It has a very natural, Côte de Beaune-like bouquet with ample brambly red fruit with hints of black tea developing with aeration. I appreciate the focus and definition here. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, smooth in the mouth with just a faint honeyed note. Tart red cherries mingle with redcurrant and strawberry, segueing into a poised and fulsome finish. This should drink well over the next 7-10 years and represents great value.”
A bit richer than the ’13. And just as hard to keep stocked!
Scott Paul La Paulee Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($39.95) $18 special
Winery Note “Brilliant red in color. The spicy nose starts with being savory and leads into an array of fresh raspberry, brambleberry, and marionberry. Finely pronounced tannins combine with layers of fresh elderberry and a great balance of acid are folded into razor focused tannins which has the palate finishing with class. Our home in Carlton, Oregon (a 1915 brick creamery) is an ideal spot to revel in the virtues of Pinot Noir, as we pursue Pinot Perfection. Our sustainably farmed vineyards are among the Willamette Valley’s finest (and dare we say, most perfect). Our 2014 bottling is a selection of superior lots from our blocks of Maresh and Nysa Vineyards in the Dundee Hills and Ribbon Ridge and Azana Vineyards on the Chehalem Mountains. Bold, bright berry flavors unite with a bounty of rose, spice and cherry aromas. Pure Oregon Pinot Noir.”
The “baby” of the single vineyards and surprisingly serious.
Schloss Gobelsburg Steinsetz Gruner Veltliner Reserve Erste OTW Lage, Kamptal 2016 750ML ($37.95) Was $28, Now $21.90 Clearance Price
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Fresh lime and ivy hits you first, followed by a leesy hint and some pear on the nose. The palate comes in with salty savoriness that suggests yeasty miso, chervil and lovage, with lots of white pepper accented by a little spritz. Brightened by fresh lemon notes, this makes for a spicy, elegant and slender wine with a light touch and real depth.”
The average price is $29
Xavier Vignon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Anonyme, Rhone 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Wine Advocate 95 points “The top wine of the estate, the 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Anonyme is a hidden gem in the vintage! A blend of Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Counoise and Vaccarese, from 90-year-old vines and aged in one-third new barrels (although you wouldn’t know it), it possesses fabulous notes of blackberry and currant fruit, big minerality, roasted meats and leather. Full-bodied, with beautiful freshness, big tannin and a layered, thrillingly concentrated mid-palate, it will be better in another year or two, and have over 15 years of longevity. Drink 2015-2026.”
Benchmark Producer / Favorite Child of the Winemaker / Highly Praised / Best Price in the USA
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas, Rhone 2016 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Case-6 Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas, Rhone 2016 750ML ($519.95) $219 special (that’s only $36.50/bottle!)
Case-12 Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas, Rhone 2016 750ML ($519.95) $419 special (that’s only $34.92/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92-93 points “Vivid ruby. Highly perfumed aromas of candied red and blue fruits, incense and peppery spices pick up a hint of potpourri as the wine opens up. Appealingly sweet and seamless on the palate, offering juicy raspberry, boysenberry and lavender pastille flavors and a spicy jolt of white pepper. Shows excellent clarity and mineral lift on the long, smooth finish, which is framed by slow-building tannins.”
And the case deals are even lower!
The average price is $54
Staff Pick
The reds of Saumur are some of the most profound in the Loire (and therefore, in France). They offer depth and complexity with a food-friendliness and savor that is a hard to beat, dollar for dollar. A wine like Thierry Germain’s Marginale is a prime example—100% Cabernet Franc from old vines on limestone vineyards and possessing both power and elegance. In the world where the Napafication of Bordeaux is common, it’s nice to find something that delivers like this, no matter the price. The fact that it’s half what a Bordeaux of its caliber would cost makes it even better. I’m drinking this with grilled foods or braised chicken, but also laying down a few bottles to enjoy over the next decade or so.
Thierry Germain (Domaine des Roches Neuves) Saumur-Champigny La Marginale, Loire 2015 750ML ($59.95) $33 special
Importer note “100% Cabernet Franc. Biodynamic. Marginale is Germain’s old-vines cuvée, drawn from parcels on the limestone Fosse de Chaintre (lieux-dits of les Dares and Clos Maurice) and from a small parcel of old vines on Turonian limestone in Les Poyeux. Made from the estates oldest and lowest yielding Cabernet Franc vines, the wine is given an extra 6 months élevage. Perhaps more than any other red, Marginale encapsulates the metamorphoses of Germain’s wines from powerhouse intensity to the profound elegance that today defines this domaine’s reds. The wine is now raised in large 25-hectolitre foudre ) for 12 months before finishing its elevage in three-year-old Burgundian piéces purchased from a grower in Vosne-Romanée. Since 2013, Germain has also managed his vines and harvest to deliver ripeness at lower beaume, as well as employing a shorter maceration. The resulting wines have been more balanced and comparatively low in alcohol.”
The next best price is $49
Rosé of the Day
Lafond Tavel
Tavel rosés have the enviable ability to pair with almost anything served alongside them. Their body and structure can go toe to toe against anything grilled or ‘qued and their complexity elevates any patio sipping experience. Pop some now and save a few bottles for the holidays!
The 2017 was Wine Advocate reviewer Joe Czerwinski’s top pink pick in the most recent issue. It’s got all the spice and red fruits you love in Tavel, with the presence and ageability of a great red wine. The fact that it’s pink just means saving for you!
Domaine Lafond Tavel Roc-Epine Rose, Rhone 2017 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Case-12 Domaine Lafond Tavel Roc-Epine Rose, Rhone 2017 750ML ($249.95) $189 special (that’s only $15.75/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Joe Czerwinski – Wine Advocate 93 points “A dependable producer of Tavel and Lirac (and Châteauneuf-du-Pape), the Lafonds have turned out a spice-driven 2017 Tavel that’s bottled under screwcap. Hints of allspice and clove accent watermelon and red berry flavors, while the palate is medium to full-bodied and richly textured, leading into a long, silky finish. Bravo!”
Who Wore It Better?
2006 v 2008 Barolo
Elio Grasso Runcot Riserva
The wines that Elio Grasso’s son, Gianluca, has been making over the last decade and a half have catapulted the estate into the very top tier of Piemontese producers. These are Barolos that are compelling, thrilling wines made in a style which bridges modern and traditional into something very much the estate’s own.
The highlight of the wines in the Elio Grasso portfolio is the Runcot Riserva, made only in the best years. This is their most flamboyant wine, made in new barrique, but it has the concentration and power to handle it. These are some of the most coveted wines in Barolo, and we managed to procure some stock of two of their greatest vintages yet. You simply cannot find wines of this pedigree at this sort of pricing from, say, Bordeaux or Burgundy.
Our suggestion?
Just get both.
Elio Grasso Runcot, Barolo Riserva DOCG 2006 750ML ($159.95) $119 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 96+ points “The 2006 Barolo Riserva Runcot is a huge, structured wine bursting at the seams with fruit. The French oak (100% new) is beautifully integrated. Today the wine is understandably quite reticent but its pedigree is hard to miss. Flowers, licorice and minerals linger on the finish. The 2006 Runcot needs time, most likely lots of it. Let me just say I can’t wait to taste this powerhouse once it has had more time in bottle. It is a dazzling effort.”
James Suckling 94 points “Racy wine with a leanness but elegance that makes my mouth water. Full to medium body with racy tannins and a long and salty finish. So beautiful. One of the best 2006s.”
Elio Grasso Runcot, Barolo Riserva DOCG 2008 750ML ($169.95) $119 special, 32 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 99 points “This is an absolutely fabulous red, with incredible concentration but polish and refinement. It’s full-bodied, with wonderful depth of fruit and length. Complex, with minerals, dark fruits, plums and currants. Speechless. It sends chills up my spine. What a wine. It goes on for minutes. Hard to believe that it’s better than the 2007, but it is. Better in 2020 but so amazing now.”
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2008 Barolo Riserva Rüncot is an exceptional wine that is only made in the best years. It was produced in 2008, 2010 and 2013. The wine undergoes a 40-day maceration time with four years in oak and one more year of bottle aging. The results are sublime and generous. Riserva Rüncot opens to a beautifully tempered and expressive bouquet that exhibits elements of wild berry, forest floor, candied fruit, licorice, cola and dried ginger. The balsamic signature is particularly beautiful and elegant. Smooth and silky tannins denote the mouthfeel and carry the wine forward over the palate. This is one of the top releases from Piedmont this year.”
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “The 2008 Barolo Riserva Runcot is a drop-dead gorgeous beauty. Smoke, tar, licorice, menthol, plums and spices form a tapestry of undeniable class. The sweet, perfumed fruit typical of the 2008s here is evident in the glass. A rich, sumptuous wine, the 2008 Runcot is fabulous. The 2008 spent 45 months in new French oak, all of which it has handled with superb grace. Even though the Runcot is one of the few Barolos that handles new French oak this well, once again I wonder what it might taste like if aged like the rest of the Grasso Barolos. Dark red/black fruit, spices, new leather and smoke add the last nuances of complexity.”
The next best price is $127.98
The average price is $138
Chapoutier’s Ermitage Le Pavillon
“The Star of the Show”
In Stock Now
Chapoutier is one of the hallmark producers of the Rhone. Only Jaboulet can match them for history and breadth, though Chapoutier’s wines have been much better in the last 20+ years. Founded in 1808, the winery has grown slowly and steadily ever since, with holdings in every major important vineyard in the Northern Rhone.
The wines are definitely powerful, the Chapoutier trademark, but with a depth and levity to them that makes them engaging and refreshing. These are wines that have a magnetic field around them—dense and complex. They have all of the qualities one expects from Syrah and are frequently cited by winemakers as being the source of inspiration. Their “Le Pavillon” bottling comes from the most privileged part of the Hermitage vineyard and is remarkable, year in and out.
In other words, a touchstone producer, a touchstone wine.
We’re pleased to present this wine at over $100 below the national average.
M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon, Rhone 2013 750ML ($249.95) $219 special, 24+ bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 98+ points “The star of the show in 2013 is the 2013 Ermitage le Pavillon. Coming from the west and eastern edges of the Bessards lieu-dit and aged in 30% new French oak, its sensational black/blue color is followed by the awesome bouquet of cassis, smoked earth, graphite and caramelized meats that could come from no other terroir in the world. Full-bodied, massive, dense, sexy and with a liquid rock-like character that comes out with time in the glass, it has sweet tannin and a blockbuster finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. It needs 5-6 years of cellaring and will have 30-40 years of more of ultimate longevity.”
A Golden Opportunity!
New Austrian Wines on our August Clearance Sale
Arriving Friday
Terry Theise describes the Hiedler wines as decidedly “analog” and we know what he means. These are wines that are chewy, rich and warm-toned. Compared to more modern producers’ compact and mineral wines, these feel savory and fleshy, with power that’s obvious yet doesn’t correspond with any loss of drinkability. They’re throwbacks in a good way.
Arriving This Friday:
Only 10 bottles available!
Weingut Hiedler Kittsmanberg Gruner Veltliner Reserve Erste OTW Lage, Kamptal 2016 750ML ($44.95) Was $36, Now $27 August Clearance Price
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “The first whiff of this wine, with its concentrated hit of pear peel and citrus pith, spells pleasure. The palate adds a softening, enriching touch of creamy yeast as a backdrop to the rich, fruit-driven flavors: pear, fern, sage and Meyer lemon. The finish is lasting and moreish.”
Terry Theise note “It’s always been the blue-eyed child in a family of brown eyes, a kind of neo-classical structure with Delphic columns and strong muscular lines. This vintage is also stern and serious and powerful, nettle-y and peppery, but right now it’s all yin, and I’m waiting to see if a sweet fruit develops.”
Only 24 bottles available!
Weingut Hiedler Loess Gruner Veltliner, Kamptal 2016 750ML ($21.95) Was $18, Now $14 August Clearance Price
Wine Spectator 92 points “A ripe style, this delivers apricot, peach and floral aromas and flavors on a creamy texture, picking up touches of lentil and celery root as citrusy acidity brings this into focus on the long finish. Drink now through 2024.”
James Suckling 90 points “A crisp and citrusy wine with plenty of depth. A little more freshness at the weighty finish would see a higher score. Drink or hold. ”
Terry Theise note “Among the starter-GVs I offer, this one is the creamiest, and I’d suggest it for the taster who isn’t sure he “likes Veltliner.” The ’16 is charming and fluid, lentilly and savory, not as opulent as the ’15 but much richer than the ’14.”
The average price is $17
Only 10 bottles available!
Weingut Hiedler Schenkenbichl Gruner Veltliner Reserve Erste OTW Lage, Kamptal 2016 750ML ($39.95) Was $33, Now $28 August Clearance Price
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “A whiff of passion fruit adds tropical allure to the ripe pear fruit on the nose of this wine. It’s tempered by rich yeastiness, which continues on the palate, softening the texture. A spike of lemon freshness brightens everything in this impressive, full-bodied wine.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2016 Langenlois Ried Schenkenbichl 1ÖTW Grüner Veltliner has a clear and elegant bouquet of bright fruits, lemon juice, crushed chalk, flint stone and some green herbs. Full-bodied, fresh and round, this is an elegant, vital, slightly mineral and, in any case, well-structured and salty Grüner Veltliner with tropical fruit flavors and a nicely piquant and grippy finish. Tasted as a sample in July 2017.”
Terry Theise note “Ludwig says it’s ‘pure gneiss’ but the standard reference says otherwise-amphibolite with ‘siliceous material’-and in any case these are the first vintages where this vineyard’s wine is being bottled by itself. With the ’16 we find a contained but massive opulence, more baroque now; wet cereal and ore, nettles and mustard and quite Wachau-like. Forthcoming and easy to grab but also with unfolding layers of complexity.”
Only 12 bottles available!
Weingut Hiedler Thal Gruner Veltliner Reserve Erste OTW Lage, Kamptal 2016 750ML ($29.95) Was $24, Now $19 August Clearance Price
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92 points “From a terraced vineyard on loess, Hiedler’s 2016 Langenlois Ried Thal 1ÖTW Grüner Veltliner is clear, fresh and slightly flinty on the nose that is remarkably well defined and precise. Full-bodied, piquant and elegant on the palate, this is a stunningly fresh, vital and finessed Grüner Veltliner from pure loess soils. It has a nice, stimulating grip and reveals a well structured, mineral finish. An impressive Thal! Tasted at the Loisium Hotel in Langenlois in July 2017.”
James Suckling 91 points “Pear drops, yellow apples, chamomile, nectarine, mangoes and some spice. The palate is full but driven by some pretty acidity, lots of mouthfeel and a fruit-forward finish. Drink now.”
Wine Spectator 90 points “This is high-toned, exuding elderflower, lemon, white peach and lentil flavors. Vibrant, with the bracing acidity driving the long finish. Drink now through 2023. 45 cases imported.”
Terry Theise note “A superb vintage for this! Swollen, exotic aromas suggest Semillon or Viognier as much as GV, but the palate is markedly focused, even more vertical than usual though still luscious; like a semi-freddo of vinosity, as fluid as a Styrian wine and as spicy as a Gumbo. Lissome and rippling.”
The average price is $26
Only 6 bottles available!
Weingut Hiedler Gaisberg Riesling Reserve Erste OTW Lage, Kamptal 2016 750ML ($44.95) Was $36, Now $29 August Clearance Price
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Citrus foliage, conifer resin and pure lemon zest aromas create an enticing nose in this wine. On the linear palate, riper Mandarin and Meyer lemon notions take hold, creating an immensely juicy, zesty sensation. It’s refreshing now, but if you can resist drinking it right away, it will develop beautifully. Drink 2018–2028.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92–93 points “The 2016 Kammern Ried Gaisberg 1ÖTW Riesling is very clear, precise, fresh and smoky on the nose, indicating crystalline aromas of white and concentrated white stone and fresh citrus fruits intermixed with crushed stone flavors. Round, lush, pure and piquant on the palate, this is a full-bodied, gorgeously juicy, finessed and elegant Gaisberg with complexity, good concentration, fine tannins, tension and lingering salinity. Tasted as a sample in July 2017.”
Terry Theise note “This Gaisberg is a riot of white flowers and honeysuckle, leading into a juicy minty palate, replete with mineral as a side-note in a stream of lavish yet focused fruit; Asian pear, mirabelle, strawberry. You can call it exquisite; I won’t argue.”
The average price is $36
Only 12 bottles available!
Weingut Hiedler Ried Kogelberg Riesling Reserve Erste OTW Lage, Kamptal 2016 750ML ($49.95) Was $39, Now $31.90 August Clearance Price
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “A tart kind of ripeness recalling zesty orange and crisp yellow apple creates immediate appetite on the nose of this wine. The palate follows through with fizzing lemon and lime zestiness, great concentration and a rich, leesy texture. The finish is dry, lipsmacking and wonderfully refreshing.”
James Suckling 93 points “The freshest and most vibrant 2016 from Hiedler, this has plenty of energy and drive. The whiplash mineral finish may be too much for some. Drink now.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 91-92 points “The 2016 Zöbing Ried Kogelberg 1ÖTW Riesling opens with a bright, pure, nicely piquant and elegant nose with refreshing mineral aromas. Full-bodied, round and juicy on the palate, this is a nicely finessed and vital Riesling that is not as complex as the Gaisberg or Heiligenstein, but it is vivacious and charmingly fruity. Tasted as a sample in July 2017.”
Terry Theise note “A relatively high-elevation site on mica-schist and amphibolite, the wine is firm and aristocratic, standing at attention. It reminded me of Rüdesheimer Berg, actually. Not so much minerals as rocks and not so much rocks as BOULDERS. It isn’t in the least austere—it has a ton of flavor, grill-marks and shoe-polish and physalis, and for all it’s an upstanding-citizen it is also generous.”
Wines Arriving August 24th
Only 14 bottles available!
Weingut Hiedler Langenlois Riesling, Kamptal 2016 750ML ($24.95) Was $21.90, Now $18 August Clearance Price
James Suckling 95 points “A dense and dry riesling with so much dried apple, pear, spice and sea salt character. Layered mouthfeel. A breathtaking finish. This village wine beats so many single-vineyard bottlings from here. Drink now.”
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “The nose is aromatic and zesty, with alluring grapefruit-peel spice. On the palate these flavors relax and coalesce into a juicy but concentrated whole made up of lemon and ripe Mirabelle plum—an irresistible contrast between juicy flesh and tart zest. The body of this invigorating wine is dry, brisk and slender.”
Terry Theise note “The name has shifted from Urgestein to the village-designation, but the wine is the same as before. The ’16 is a total sweetheart; iris and white lilac, lacy and winsome yet spicy and herbal; companionable and articulate and abidingly flavory, gliding between marjoram-sorrel and iris and other spring flowers.”
Now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $24.65
The average price is $27
Only 20 bottles available!
Weingut Hiedler Steinhaus Riesling Reserve Erste OTW Lage, Kamptal 2016 750ML ($37.95) Was $28, Now $24 August Clearance Price
James Suckling 93 points “The nose here heads into tropical fruit territory with mangoes and papaya but also apricots and blossom as well as pink grapefruit. The palate is really dense yet structured and refined with a full body, driven acidity and a long, tangy finish that keeps your mouth watering. Drink now.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92 points “Hiedler’s 2016 Langenlois Ried Steinhaus 1ÖTW Riesling has a clear, precise and stony-mineral bouquet of bright but perfectly ripe white stone fruits. Pure and fresh on the palate, this is a tight, finessed and stimulating Riesling with concentrated and lingering fruit. The 2016 is straight, elegant, stimulatingly salty and piquant in the finish. In short: a true Riesling classic and at this price a real bargain. Don’t miss it!”
Terry Theise note “WTF is it with this site? Is there a more remarkable Riesling anywhere in the world?? The wines are like some hybrid of Albariño, Chenin and Sauv-Blanc, herbal, limey, sorrel, aloe vera, hyacinth and herbs. It is my subjective fave among Ludwig’s Rieslings. The site is steep with myriad little terraces, amphibolite and gneiss higher up, loess lower down, giving a Riesling for people who love Scheurebe, or you might say it’s Riesling having birthday sex. For me this is a not-to-be-missed wine in this offering because it gives you all its warm-hearted kinky generosity for a reasonable price. Fragrances are refined, lime and verbena, but the palate is explosive, completely delicious and almost shatteringly complex; hyperactive interplay of herbs, ripe citrus, exotic fruit all blasted together in a Hadron-collider buzz of life-force, a twitching spazzy dance of herbal ripeness. No one—no damn one on earth could have made a Riesling like this. Give it up for individuality! And take a deep bow Mr. Hiedler.”
Now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $29.99
The average price is $31
See the complete list of all August Clearance Sale wines at the bottom of this newsletter!
Call the Doctor!
2017 Thanisch is Inbound
ETA November
The challenge is worth it, though, as the best wines from the Doctor, including these from Thanisch, are spectacular indeed. Every year we fight and scrap to secure as much as we can from Thanisch, who’s turned into a cult classic producer. They make bottlings from two vineyards. One is from the Doctor and the other from the Badstube, which incorporates a few different vineyards in and around Bernkastel. These wines are the essence of thrilling Mosel wines, with a richness and stature that only the Doctor can bring. We have an assortment of 2016’s in stock now and just secured an allocation of the highly anticipated 2017’s, arriving in November.
In Stock Now:
David Schildknecht – Vinous 91 points “Ripe pear and apple dominate on the nose as well as on a silken, buoyant palate, supported by subtle sweetness. Mouthwatering salinity and transparency to crystalline stony nuances give the long, refreshingly juicy finish a fascinating and delightful sense of shimmer.”
Mosel Fine Wines 90 points “The 2016er Badstube Kabinett was harvested at 88° Oechsle. It offers a delicately ripe nose of pear, earthy spices, slate and smoke. The wine comes to life on the palate as acidity peps up some succulent pear right into the long finish and gives it a gorgeously lively and well-balanced side. The after-taste is elegantly playful. 2026-2041”
Dr. H. Thanisch (Erben) Bernkasteler Doctor Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2016 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2016 Berncasteler Doctor Riesling Kabinett has a lovely clear and aromatic stone fruit bouquet with coolish, flinty slate aromas. Lush, round and highly attractive on the palate, this is a very elegant and charming Doctor with a seriously mineral, stimulatingly salty finish. Tasted March 2018.”
David Schildknecht – Vinous 92 points “Musky, sweaty notes mingle with scents of ripe pear, white peach, decadent freesia and lily. The palate impression is lusciously fruity, subtly sweet, faintly creamy and extremely delicate – perfectly suited to the prominence of inner-mouth perfume. The finish features striking lift along with inhalative flavor retention. (Breathing in and out after spitting – or swallowing – it’s almost as if the wine hadn’t left your mouth.)”
Dr. H. Thanisch (Erben) Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2016 750ML ($39.95) $33 specialStephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92+ points “The 2016 Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spätlese offers a clear, elegant nose with bright fruit, green asparagus and flinty aromas. Racy and lush on the palate, this is a refreshing, elegant but still pretty sweet Spätlese with crystalline, piquant acidity and structure. The finish is long and complex, but the wine needs a decade to integrate all its components into a fine and elegant Spätlese. Tasted March 2018.”
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “The 2016er Badstube Spätlese offers a nice nose made of pear, white peach, cassis, minty herbs and a hint of whipped cream. The wine is nicely playful and loaded with white fruits and minerals on the palate. The finish is beautifully playful and complex. While still young, this hints at great potential. 2026-2041”
Dr. H. Thanisch (Erben) Bernkasteler Doctor Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2016 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2016 Berncasteler Doctor Riesling Spätlese shows a complex, smoky, fresh and elegant bouquet but is still slightly reductive. Piquant and mineral on the palate, with generous fruit, this is an elegant, crystalline and complex Doctor Spätlese with a dense, salty, very expressive and persistent finish. Keep this wine for at least a decade. Tasted March 2018.”
David Schildknecht – Vinous 92 points “A product of picking on three different days, this “regular” Doctor Spätlese bottling (there are two others from Thanisch in 2016) leads with alkaline, saline scents of sea breeze such as I can’t recall before from this site. With that comes a greenhouse-like allusion to flowering and leafing things, as well as intimations of the fresh apple, pear, and honeydew melon that dominate on the glossy palate. This is startlingly cool and northerly-fruited in personality for a Doctor Spätlese, which complements the sense of delicacy delivered on a lingering finish transparent to alkaline and stony nuances. And in enjoying it, I didn’t once think about sweetness, because its presence is modest and entirely supportive.”
Stuart Pigott – JamesSuckling.com 92 points “This charming and filigree Kabinett has an attractive white-peach and mineral character. A [m]edium-dry finish of some delicacy. Drink or hold.”
Stuart Pigott – JamesSuckling.com 94 points “I love the ripe peachy fruit of this wine. Behind that, there’s a great mineral structure that effortlessly carries the long and elegant finish. Impeccable balance. Drink or hold.”
Dujac 2016s
Arriving in September
August Clearance Sale Recap
“One of the great wines of the vintage!”
Selbach-Oster ‘Schmitt’ Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling, Mosel 2014 750ML ($59.95) Was $41.90, Now $36 August Clearance Price
Grapelive 95+ points “The brilliant and exotic Schmitt comes from the steep slate hill above the church, set back from the Mosel. There is great southern exposure here and it less affected by noble rot, a big plus in 2014. It allowed this rich and lush wine to remain crystalline and focused. This is one of the great wines of the vintage! Johannes Selbach’s top wines are not Trocken/Grosses Gewachs, but are single block wines from Cru sites. They are also heavy weighted, dense and medium sweet, but it is not about the sugar: it is all about the terroir and overall balance. These are wines of hedonism, power, textural pleasure and vitality, especially the Schmitt in 2014. It explores the boundaries of perfection in a fantastically difficult vintage. The was a savage thinning of the crop and a tiny window to get the grapes in to make this masterpiece from the old vines at Zeltinger Schlossberg. It is truly amazing with all the problems and heartbreak endured here that a wine of this quality and gorgeous detail managed to happen at all. Somehow this block come through and made one of the most glorious Riesling wines of the year. The 2014 Schmitt by Selbach-Oster starts with a sweet perfume. This wine shows white roses, dripping jasmine, hints of gardenia and tropical essences that lead to a full bodied, Auslese weight palate with apricot, green apple, lime and mango fruits leading the way along with a mix of spicy mineral and flinty stones, briny sea shore notes, soft honey decadence, creamy verbena and sweet peach flesh. The finish carries over the core of fruit and richness, but there is a burst of dynamic acidity and vibrancy. This is not a flabby wine and you are left with a dreamy/haunting impression with lingering tangerine sorbet, crushed stone and wet steeliness. This is fabulous Riesling and one you’ll want in the cellar. This has 100 Point potential and it will also drink well young. It already has poise and elegance, but should last two or three decades! Don’t be afraid of its sugar levels, it drinks like a lavish Grand Cru Corton-Charlemagne and is a spectacular wine from Selbach-Oster!”
Now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $43.99
The average price is $50
Domaine Huet Vouvray Le Haut Lieu Sec, Loire 2016 750ML ($39.95) Was $33, Now $29 August Clearance Price
Wine Advocate 90 points “From the nine-hectare original vineyard of the Huet family, the 2016 Vouvray Le Haut-Lieu Sec shows a citrus color followed by an intense, fresh and chalky-mineral bouquet with lemon and some blossom aromas. Aged in demi-muids and bottled in April 2017, this is a medium-bodied, round, elegant, remarkably lush and delicate Chenin Blanc from calcareous clay soils. The residual sugar of seven grams per liter gives a beautiful exotic fruitiness and balance, the fine tannins a good structure. The 2016 is truly a pleasant Vouvray that already drinks perfectly. Tasted February 2018.”
The average price is $37
Christophe Mignon Brut Nature Pur Meunier, Champagne NV 750ML ($59.95) Was $49, Now $39 Clearance Price
Grapelive 94 points “Of Champagne’s new generation of natural/biodynamic winegrowers, Christophe Mignon is one of my favorite grower producers. His latest Brut Nature is a gorgeous sparkler. It comes from a blend of 2013 and 2014 vintages with no dosage. Christophe Mignon is an absolute Pinot Meunier specialist. He comes from a long line of family farmers in the Le-Mesnil-le-Huttier area….[This] terroir suits the Meunier and allows for complex ripe flavors, which makes it easier for him to use almost non dosage on all of his dry offerings. These are beautiful and detailed Champagnes with finesse, elegance and yeasty brioche notes that are not severe in style. They are wonderfully pleasing examples and show Pinot Meunier at its finest. Mignon is guided by holistic farming and follows the lunar cycle in working the vines and in the cellar, [and] he ferments in temperature controlled epoxy lined vats. Each terroir parcel is vinified separately at each sites’ perfect ripeness in a fermentation that lasts up to 30 days. This Brut Nature [was] aged 24 months in bottle, raised with lees, and as mentioned with no dosage. This… 100% Pinot Meunier and is drinking great right now with lovely white flowers, subtle red berry aromas and toasty notes along with layers of lemon, golden figs, hazelnut and white cherry elements all lifted by vital acidity and a luxurious, but vigorous mousse that delivers a divine textural or vinous mouth feel and lingering finish. This is brilliant grower fizz [has] a perfectly balanced sense of density/body and vibrancy. It finishes with a grip of dry extract making this an enthusiast all Meunier bubbly that is sublime with cuisine, but also opulent and easy to love on its own. Very impressive again from Christophe Mignon.”
The average price is $51
Avignonesi Grandi Annate, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG 2012 750ML ($99.95) Was $77, Now $69 Clearance Price
Wine Advocate 93 points “You’ll notice that this wine is no longer labeled “Riserva.” Avignonesi wanted to reduce the time it spends in oak and made the name adjustment accordingly. This seems like a good idea to me. The 2012 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Grandi Annate gives new life to one of Tuscany’s most historic wines. There is more elegance and finesse here. I must say that past vintages have been a disappointment, but this expression seems to break all ties with the past. Fruit is sourced primarily from the Banditella vineyard that tends to produce more austere and concentrated Sangiovese. Indeed, this wine is highly redolent of black fruit, tar, licorice and even a touch of white mushroom. Everyone loves a comeback story and that’s what you get here.”
James Suckling 93 points “A chewy and silky wine with just ripe fruit, chocolate and hazelnut character. Fresh earth undertone too. Medium body, fresh finish. Drink now or hold.”
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