In Today’s Newsletter:
July Sale Highlight
New Weekend – New Arrivals
July Sale
Trending
2016 JJ Prum
Staff Pick:
A Best Value Rosé Champagne
Rosé of the Day!
The Epic of Zind Humbecht
July Sale Recap
July Sale Highlight
Bereche’s sublime cuvee: based on a perpetual reserve started in ’85. A staff favorite. Only 17 magnums available!Bereche et Fils Reflet d’Antan Brut, Champagne NV 1.5L ($299.95) Was $249, Now $199 Clearance Price
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The flagship NV (2012) Reflet d’Antan is quite rich and intense, yet it also maintains striking translucence. Dried flowers, herbs and spices add aromatic nuance throughout, but, as is often the case, Reflet d’Antan is a wine of texture and feel above all else. Dosage is 6 grams per liter. Disgorged December 2016.”
Disgorgement date: 12/2016
Now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $246.99Read on to see more highlights from our July Sale!
New Weekend
New Arrivals
Cameron Winery Pinot Gris Ramato, Dundee Hills 2017 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Winery Note “2017, our 7th vintage of Ramato, is the best yet! This lovely copper-colored libation takes its name from the Italian word for copper: Rame. This year’s rendition has a complex palate of white peach juice, mint, cedar, white pepper, tangerine, jasmine and lime zest. Notes of peach follow through on the palate along with marzipan, green almonds and a refreshing acidity. There is plenty of structure to stand up to meat, but not a major earthquake.”Inspired by northeastern Italy, this is a nice blend of richness and tension.
Cameron Winery Giuliano White, Willamette Valley 2017 750ML ($27.95) $24 special
Winery Note “This complex white wine, inspired by the field blends of Northeastern Italy, expresses notes of lemon soufflé, spearmint and sea air. It has luscious, round, rich, mouth filling flavors of marzipan, peach and apricot with a slight bitter almond on the back of the palate. Oyster eaters, this is your wine! A blend of Friulano, Auxerrois, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris with a dash of Muscat.”
From southern Oregon but well balanced. This is an absolute beauty and a steal.
Twill Cellars Syrah, Oregon 2015 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Winery Note “This is a six barrel blend of 100% Steelhead Run Vineyard Syrah from 2015. Immediate aromas of blackberries, black olives, sweet violets, bitter chocolate, and espresso are noted. With air, ground coffee, pepper spice, citrus and hints of iron present in the background. On the palate, this wine is savory, bright, and from the get-go, delicious. Time will allow more nuances to emerge, though in it’s youth, the wine can be enjoyed for its primary characteristics.”
Only 3 magnums available!
Beaux Freres The Beaux Freres Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2016 1.5L ($219.95) $189 special
Wine Spectator 95 points “Remarkably and seamlessly complex, with a polished and refined core wrapped in silky raspberry and blueberry flavors, accented by savory spice and orange zest hints. The long finish builds toward polished tannins. Drink now through 2025. 2,686 cases made.”
Jacques Selosse Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Extra-Brut Millesime 2004 1.5L ($2199.95) $1999 specialThe 2004 vintage was bottled exclusively in magnum. Only 300 magnums were bottled. 100% Chardonnay from two parcels in the Grand Cru of Avise. Disgorged 26 April 2017.Krug Grande Cuvee 163eme Edition Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($219.95) $159 special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The NV Grand Cuvée 163 Edition is wonderfully open-knit and giving, qualities that make it a terrific choice for drinking now and over the next 30 or so years. Pastry, apricot, lemon confit, chamomile and white flowers, along with soft contours, give the wine its inviting, alluring personality. There is more than enough energy and overall freshness to support several decades of fine drinking. Even so, the 163 is virtually impossible to resist at this early stage.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “This mouthwatering Champagne shows a lovely sense of finesse, with firm acidity deftly married to a rich profile of crème de cassis, toasted brioche and lime blossom, accented by hints of café au lait, singed orange peel and exotic spice. Long and plush on the finish.” (10/2016)
Chateau Bel Air Marquis d’Aligre, Margaux 1995 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
Neal Martin – Vinous 91 points “[Reviewed May 2018] The 1995 Bel-Air Marquis d’Aligre has an exquisite, gentle, almost Burgundy-like bouquet with wonderful purity and delineation. This is a mixture of red and black fruit, developing pressed violet aromas that direct you back to Margaux. The palate is medium-bodied with a structured entry, a fine line of acidity, black fruit mixed with iodine and sea salt that leads to a linear, Pauillac-like finish. This is a very fine Margaux that is ageing gracefully at 23-years of age. Tasted at the Bel-Air Marquis d’Aligre dinner.”One of the best vintages this unique estate has produced.
Chateau Bel Air Marquis d’Aligre, Margaux 2000 750ML ($119.95) $99 special
Neal Martin – Vinous 93 points “[Reviewed May 2018] The 2000 Bel-Air Marquis d’Aligre is like the 1986 on the nose: backward and broody, demanding coaxing from the glass. There are moss-like, undergrowth scents, a touch of morels emerging with time and then, after an hour, the nose blossoms and finds its groove. The fruit belatedly surfaces and you find yourself bewitched by the bouquet. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. This is not a complex millennial Margaux however there is a beguiling sense of effortless class and poise that plenty of its Margaux colleagues crave. Towards the finish there are subtle notes of tobacco and terracotta that lend another layer of complexity. I just love this wine – one of the best vintages from Jean-Pierre Boyer. Tasted at the Bel-Air Marquis d’Aligre dinner.”
A perfect weeknight half-bottle of Bordeaux—guilt free.
Chateau Larose Trintaudon, Haut-Medoc 2012 375ML ($14.95) $11.90 special
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “Editor’s Choice! One of the largest estates in the Médoc, this misses being in Pauillac by being—literally—on the wrong side of the rail tracks. Regardless, the location ultimately gives the wine depth and richness. It’s ripe, dark, dense and very structured, showing the new wood that will integrate. Drink from 2018.”
Domaine Auguste Clape Cornas, Rhone 2015 750ML ($199.95) $179 special
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “The grand vin of the estate is the 2015 Cornas, and it’s even more inky colored than the Renaissance, with a saturated purple/bluish color. It offers a truly profound bouquet of black cherries, melted asphalt, ground pepper, exotic flowers and graphite, as well as the classic iodine/bloodiness I always find in this cuvée. Full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, and seamless, with sweet tannin and a stacked mid-palate, it has an almost Hermitage-like liquid rock character, shocking elegance and purity, and a huge finish. This is Cornas at its finest – hats off to the Clape family! It’s relatively accessible now, yet I suspect it will close down with a few years of bottle age, so try one (or two) now and save the rest for after 2025.”
Wine Advocate 97 points “Clape’s flagship 2015 Cornas is enormously complex and compelling. Almond skin, cherries, blood and herbal notes all combine on the nose, while on the palate this medium to full-bodied wine is firmly tannic but ripe and balanced, with a rich, velvety and nearly endless finish.”
Pecchenino Siri d’Jermu, Dolcetto di Dogliani Superiore DOCG 2015 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Smoke, crème de cassis, plum, licorice, menthol, wild flowers and incense infuse the 2015 Dogliani Superiore Sirì d’Jermu. A gorgeous, beautifully layered wine, the 2015 is sumptuous and racy, but not at all overdone. There is no shortage of richness in this superb and super-expressive Dogliani from the Pecchenino brothers.”An iconic Italian wine in a rare format.
Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2013 1.5L ($249.95) $199 special
Importer Note “Emidio Pepe is a singular producer creating amazingly complex age worthy reds and whites in a region of mass produced, overly engineered versions of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo….The winemaking regime at Pepe follows an uber-natural and artisinal path as well. Grapes are grown biodynamically, hand-harvested, hand-destemmed, naturally fermented and aged 18-24 months in glass-lined tanks. The wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered, without added SO2, and aged in their cellar, in bottle, for continued development. Before release, the wines are decanted by hand into new bottles, and then labeled. An extensive stock of older vintages is kept at the cellar.”
Dr. Burklin-Wolf Deidesheimer Riesling, Pfalz 2014 750ML ($24.95) $16 special
Wine Advocate 91 points “Very clear and open, with lovely ripe peach and some flinty aromas on the nose starts the 2014 Deidesheimer Riesling trocken — announcing a more accessible wine compared to the Wachenheimer. The coolish/warm character of the nose is reflected on the palate, which is medium to full-bodied, very intense, concentrated and very expressive in the piquant and juicy finish. The wine is pure and powerful, very aromatic but not fat or big at all. It’s simply sexy in its piquant and racy richness.”
The next best price is $20
July Sale
We’ve got a full list of the July Sale wines at the bottom of the newsletter, but until then, enjoy these highlights.
Delicious! A perfect patio red.
Norman Hardie County Unfiltered Cabernet Franc, Niagara Peninsula VQA 2015 750ML ($29.95) Was $24, Now $14 Clearance Price, 36+ bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: This wine is a dead ringer for a top-flight Chinon. Deep, ripe dark fruits with just a touch of herbaceousness to remind you that this is Cab Franc this is dangerously drinkable. It’s polished, but without any new wood—a really nice combo.
Now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $24.49
Belle Glos ‘Clark & Telephone’ Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley 2016 1.5L ($99.95) Was $79, Now $69 Clearance Price, 21 magnums in stock now
Winery note “The color is a deep scarlet-red with lush aromas of blackberry bramble, nutmeg, and hint of caramel. The wine is fresh and exuberant in the mouth with sumptuous strawberry jam, ripe black cherry, cranberry and warm gingerbread. It is perfectly balanced with refreshing acidity, velvety tannins and a hint of toffee carrying through its long finish. When asked to describe this wine, I simply say it’s like a taste of Christmas, all year long!”
Heck, the 750ML bottle is averaging $50 around the country…
This is a throwback—great Chateauneuf at late 90’s pricing.
Domaine de Saint-Siffrein Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone 2012 750ML ($49.95) Was $39, Now $29 Clearance Price, 14 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 90 points “Kicking off the 2012s, Saint Siffrein’s straight Châteauneuf du Pape offers loads of kirsch, mulled spice, blackberry and garrigue in its classic, medium to full-bodied, ripe and textured style. Made from 65% Grenache, 15% each of Mourvedre and Syrah and the rest Cinsault, aged 12 moths in stainless steel and foudre, it’s an outstanding, Provencal effort to drink over the coming 8-10 years.”
This Tuscan icon is always a wine of the vintage.
Montevertine Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2014 750ML ($59.95) Was $49, Now $39 Clearance Price, 18 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The gracious, perfumed 2014 Montevertine is a wine of pure finesse. Silky, slender and exceptionally beautiful, it is not the most obvious or powerful Montevertine, but it impresses with its balance, poise and class. Floral notes add nuance to the bright, sculpted finish.”
The next best price is $46
Cameron Winery Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2016 750ML ($29.95) $27 special
VinopolNote “This represents a step up from Cameron’s Willamette Valley bottling and is sourced exclusively from Abbey Ridge and Clos Electrique. It tends to be softer and more accessible than some of the higher end wines, but still shows loads of Dundee Hills character and Cameron personality. Yields were down for 2016, though, so our only complaint is that he didn’t make enough.”Domaine Collotte Bourgogne Cuvee de Noble Souche, Burgundy 2015 750ML ($29.95) $19 special
VinopolNote: Surprisingly for an entry-level red, this bottling is from a parcel planted with the oldest vines of the estate: 71 year old vines grown on pebbly Cailloux soil.
Importer note “Bourgogne ‘Noble Souché’ translates to the ‘noble vine’ from almost 70 year old vines planted in 1947 on Marsannay Cailloux soil from Champforeys. Entirely, de-estemmed, slow fermentation with 5 days of pre-maceration. Aged for 11 months 90% in stainless steel tank, this is a lovely, subtlety rich Côte de Nuits wine.”
The next best price is $23.99
Wine Advocate 92 points “The intensely citrus-yellow 2015 Forster Musenhang Riesling (AP 2416) shows a clear, aromatic, and slightly flinty nose with ripe pip fruit and refreshing lemon; there are even green paprika and apple flavors on the intense and elegant nose. This Musenhang is medium-bodied, clear, fresh and racy on the palate. It is a straight and mineral, edgy and merciless Riesling with no ornaments, no meat and no charm. But it does have a lot of freshness, raciness and character. This is probably not a wine for the U.S. market, whereas Wikings would probably die for it. Great finesse and purity here, this is an old-school Riesling from the pre-global warming area. Some would say it is unripe, while other would say it’s just ripe. I’d say: the ripeness is at maximum, but I like it due to its refreshing and mineral expression. This Riesling is 12.5% alcohol.”
Marques de Caceres Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2012 750ML ($29.95) $18.50 special
Case-12 Marques de Caceres Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2012 750ML ($299.95) $199 special (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
Marques de Caceres Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2012 1.5L ($59.95) $39 special
Case-6 Marques de Caceres Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2012 1.5L ($319.95) $219 special (that’s only $36.50/magnum!)
Wine Spectator 93 points “Black cherry, currant and floral notes are expressive and alluring, balanced by loamy earth, tobacco and mineral elements that add a savory quality. Firm, well-integrated tannins give support to the polished texture, while orange peel acidity fuels the fresh finish. Drink now through 2027.”
2016 JJ Prum
Arriving This Wednesday!
The JJ Prum wines are reference points for Mosel Riesling. No other producer in the middle Mosel is as respected or collectible. Prum makes the wines that other estates are judged against, much the same way that Rousseau, Latour, or Leflaive is the benchmark for their respective appellations. These are some of the most profound and age-worthy white wines in the world and given the status Prum enjoys, are almost miraculous in their pricing. We’re getting the last of the ’16’s in on Wednesday and couldn’t be more excited.
The 2016 vintage is another marked success for the estate, producing Riesling of beautiful charm and deliciousness. There’s no reason to think that these won’t be wines that improve for three decades, but they’re uncommonly tasty for young JJ Prum. The old cliché is of a vintage to drink while others mature, but 2016 seems to have that ability (while also aging gracefully, of course). From top to bottom, these are brilliant wines and with the stern 2017’s in the pipeline, definitely the most immediately delicious vintage in many years. We’re excited for these to arrive over the next few weeks and although we have a broad array of wines, quantities are pretty limited on several items.
Arriving Wednesday:
Joh. Jos. Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2016 1.5L ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2016 Graacher Himmelreich Kabinett (AP 21 17) is deep, cool and flinty on the nose, pretty mineral though still a bit reductive. Round, intense and juicy, this is a densely woven Kabinett with ripe nectarine and plummy flavors as well as a tightly woven and refreshing mineral structure. The finish is pretty persistent and extremely stimulating. Compared to the Badstube, the Himmelreich is more aromatic and expressive. Tasted in March 2017.”
David Schildknecht – Vinous 92 points “Scents and juicy generosity of mint-tinged and honeysuckle-garlanded fresh apple and black currant are allied to a polished, glossy, buoyant palate presence, leading to a lusciously sustained, delicate finish tinged with crystalline stony inflections. The sweetness here is totally supportive and entirely discreet. This is one of those Kabinetts one seems to inhale in the finish, with floral perfume and wet stone prominent, and only sheer refreshment reminds you of its fluid nature.”
The next best price is $79
Joh. Jos. Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2016 1.5L ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2016 Graacher Himmelreich Spätlese (AP 08 17) is discreet and smoky on the deep, well-defined nose. Juicy-piquant and salty on the well-structured and refreshingly mineral palate, the Himmelreich is tight and expressive, with the sweetness superbly balanced by the spicy, grippy phenols/minerals. This is a really complex Spätlese that is highly stimulating today and will still be so in 20 or 30 years.”
David Schildknecht – Vinous 94 points “This is another Prüm 2016 seductively loaded with floral perfume, but here it’s bittersweet, suggesting gentian and iris as well as honeysuckle. The palate and superbly sustained finish deliver delicacy allied to silken richness and gloss, featuring intense pear, pineapple, quince and almond paste flavors together with striking transparency to stony and maritime mineral nuances.”
Joh. Jos. Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2016 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Joh. Jos. Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2016 375ML ($37.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Joh. Jos. Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2016 1.5L ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2016 Graacher Himmelreich Auslese (AP 09 17) shows very fine botrytis and orange tea character on the delicate and nicely concentrated nose. Very elegant, piquant and lush on the palate, with mineral expression, refreshment and persistent structure, this is a serious and complex Auslese of great class. Highly recommended.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Well-crafted, showing a bright and suave character, displaying ripe peach, mango and mineral nuances, this auslese sings harmoniously on the palate. Silky and full of energy, with a lingering aftertaste of lime and honey. Very delicious now, but will also age for years. Drink now through 2034.”
Joh. Jos. Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, Mosel 2016 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 97 points “What a fantastic bouquet! The 2016 Graacher Himmelreich Auslese Gold Capsule is super deep, intense and precise on the nose where flinty/stony notes and very fine (and slightly spicy) raisin and grapefruit aromas are displayed. Rich, lush and super sexy on the palate, with highly delicate but intense and persistent fruit and very fine salinity, this is a gorgeous Auslese from the winner of the 2016 vintage chez Prüm: Graacher Himmelreich. This gold-capsuled Auslese (AP 10 17) is rich, finessed and almost weightless in its intensity. The salty and piquant acidity is alive and kicking. You can hardly produce a better Auslese in this delicate and filigreed style. 8% alcohol.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “A bit creamy, yet elegant, showing lots of freshness and vibrancy, with juicy acidity cutting through the ripe flavors of peach and apple, combined with notes of Key lime pie and sweet spice. Features a vivid structure, showing terrific integration and a long, detailed, velvety finish. Drink now through 2038.”
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2016 1.5L ($89.95) $77 pre-arrival special
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “This delivers a beautiful nose of flowers, whipped cream, herbs, smoke, vineyard peach, and apricot blossom. The wine is delicate, light weighted and has good presence with ripe fruits including peach, pear and a touch of toffee on the palate. It develops quite some Spätlese presence and intensity in the hugely long finish.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2016 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Kabinett (AP 22 17) is bright, deep, firm and flinty on the nose, which is still a bit reductive in early March 2018. Pure, fine and piquant on the palate, this is a light and very delicate Kabinett with a salty-piquant, lush finish that reveals ripe stone fruit and tropical fruit flavors.”
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2016 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 pre-arrival special
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2016 1.5L ($119.95) $96 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2016 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spätlese (AP 23 17) is still discreet, floral and finely mineral rather than fruity on the nose compared to the other 2016 Spätlesen. Lush, piquant and juicy on the palate, this is a firm but sensual Sonnenuhr with remarkable finesse, lightness and lingering salinity. Tasted March 2018.”
Mosel Fine Wines 92+ points “This proves quite closed at first. A hint of volatile acidity quickly gives way to beautiful flavors of canned yellow peach, apricot blossom, grapefruit and a touch of toffee on the nose. The wine develops ripe aromas on the creamy, intense and smooth palate. The finish is full of honeyed fruits, roasted pineapple and butter cream. This Auslese-styled expression of Wehlener Sonnenuhr will need quite some time to integrate its richness, but could then turn out even better than anticipated as the fresher side emerges at maturity.”
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2016 1.5L ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2016 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese (AP 13 17) is clear, fresh and vegetal/floral on the pretty complex but clear and refreshingly flinty nose. Bottled with 8.5% alcohol, this is a lush, piquant and well-structured Spätlese with good grip and a perceptible sweetness. The finish is intense and complex and reveals a firm mineral structure.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Pure, flying like a butterfly across the palate, this starts with mineral and floral notes up front, but unfolds to show multiple layers of flavor, remaining seductive throughout. The peach, glazed pear and honey flavors are perfectly balanced, with power and force seemingly reserved. Shows wonderful expression. Drink now through 2037.”
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, Mosel 2016 750ML ($129.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, Mosel 2016 375ML ($79.95) $66 pre-arrival special
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, Mosel 2016 1.5L ($279.95) $249 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2016 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese (Gold Capsule) is clear, fine and subtle yet concentrated, with vegetal and ripe fruit aromas. Rich, round and piquant, this is an intense and densely woven Auslese (AP 14 17) with a long, tensioned and refreshing mineral finish that lifts the sweet fruit. Gorgeous but made for another decade.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Lush and thick in texture, combining power and grace, with a firm backbone of acidity and mineral details. Stunning on the palate, featuring different nuances that keep emerging with each sip. Slate, apricot jam, flan, honeysuckle and kumquat fruit notes are the most prominent, leading to a long, mineral-laced finish. Drink now through 2040.”
Staff Pick
A Best Value Rosé Champagne
Arriving This Wednesday
Saul:
Inexpensive wines in prestige categories can be tricky. We taste wines all the time from regions like Barolo and Champagne whose producers are content to ride the coattails of the appellation, producing wines that are mediocre and cheap. That makes finding a diamond in the rough an extra fun—when we discover a delicious and inexpensive Champagne, we want to shout about it to the heavens.
Such is the case for the new Alain Bailly rosé Champagne that’s arriving later this week—it’s a fun, delicious bottle of Champagne for barely more than you’d pay for a bottle of “sparkling wine.” Rosé Champagne in particular seems to command a premium in the marketplace, so to find something dry, interesting and correct for under $30 (and under $25 by the six-pack) is an absolute steal. This is not the most complex or serious bubbly in the world, but we all were really impressed with the quality for the price. Delicious stuff.
Alain Bailly Brut Rose Reserve, Champagne NV 750ML ($37.95) $28 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Alain Bailly Brut Rose Reserve, Champagne NV 750ML ($209.95) $149 pre-arrival special (that’s only $24.83/bottle!)
The next best price is $34.99
Rosé of the Day!
Sancerre is easy to sell but often under-delivers, unfortunately. This very much includes the rosés from the AOC, which can coast on a wave of insipidness, using the name of the region to ensure they head out the door. When you drink a good bottle, though, you’re reminded why the wines get so much love—and there is no Sancerre rosé better than Lucien Crochet’s.
The Crochet wines (in all colors) are characterized by bright, steely backbones and his rosé is no exception. This is an intense, dry and powerful bottle of Sancerre rosé with palpable minerality and incredible energy. As you might expect, quantities are limited, but our allocation for the summer just arrived.
Lucien Crochet Sancerre Pinot Rose, Loire 2017 750ML ($34.95) $29 special
Lucien Crochet Sancerre Pinot Rose, Loire 2017 1.5L ($79.95) $61.90 special
Importer note “Always among our most coveted rosés (and for very good reason), Gilles Crochet’s 2017 Sancerre Rosé (100% direct-press Pinot Noir) is wonderfully classic in character, with tangy strawberries and punchy chalk on the nose, and a soft, mellow, pale pink color in the glass. The fruit is very cool and pure this vintage, with great drive and persistence on the acid-driven yet scrumptious palate. While Sancerre overall experienced around 15% losses due to frost in 2017, Crochet was thankfully spared completely.”
The Epic of Zind Humbecht
Towering Wines, Unbeatable Prices
The Zind-Humbrecht winery only dates back to 1959, but the family has been growing and making wine since the 1600s, and it shows. Old wisdom prevails at this Alsatian estate: Get it right in the vineyard. Meticulous vineyard management throughout the year, biodynamics and ploughing by horse, and exclusion of any grapes that don’t do justice to the names Zind-Humbrecht and Alsace, such are the roots of fine wine. In the cellar, the wines stay on their lees until bottling, and Z-H abandoned chaptalization in 1993. They make only serious, concentrated examples of Alsace and its grape varieties here, including superb Grand Crus: Zind-Humbrecht serves as a reference estate for their beloved region.
We went a few years without being able to get ahold of the Zind-Humbrecht wines and it’s certainly not for lack of trying. They left their old importer and were homeless (in that sense) for a while. When we heard the wines were in the market again we dropped everything to snap them up and are pleased to offer them for a second year in a row. We are quite proud of the range – many of these new arrivals were initially not intended for release in the USA. You’ll be glad we kept at it when you see the unreal deal on these wines and have them in your glass!
Special Highlights In Stock Now:
Newly reviewed!
Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Roche Calcaire, Alsace 2015 750ML ($49.95) $33 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 92 points “This bright, tangy Pinot Gris shows ground spice, herb and smoke aromatics, with flavors of white peach and candied pink grapefruit zest. Medium-bodied and finely knit, offering a lasting finish of chalky mineral and spice. Drink now through 2029. 1,000 cases made.”
The next best price is $42.80
James Suckling 96 points “A dense and linear riesling with sliced limes, lemons and flint. Bright and precise. Full-bodied, layered and beautiful. Great finish to this. Big and flavorful. Yet not showy. Drink now.”
The next best price is $89.94
James Suckling 93 points “Love the lemon rind and hints of cream and stones. Some flinty undertones. Full-bodied, bright and beautiful. Tangy, lime finish. Drink now.”
The next best price is $69.99
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2015 Gewurztraminer Clos Windsbuhl is in fact a Vendange Tardive that was picked at 16.66% potential alcohol, since it stopped fermentation at 12.5% and 70.7 grams of residual sugar. However, Oliver did did not announce that he would produce a VT in the Windsbuhl, so he isn’t allowed to sell this wine as a such. Even without the Vendange Tardive predicate, the 2015 is a great and age-worthy Gewurz that is rich, sweet and concentrated but enormously well structured. It is made for long-term bottle aging of 10, 20 or 30 years. Tasted in February 2017.”
The next best price is $86.97
See the complete list of wines on our July Clearance Sale below or click to shop the sale on our web store!
