In This Newsletter:
JB Becker Sale
Close-Out Featurette: La Gerla
JB Becker Sale
Close-Out Featurette: La Gerla
Thrilling Rheingau Riesling
Stock Up & Save On
JB Becker
Stock Up & Save On
JB Becker
The Rheingau, once Germany’s finest winemaking region, fell into obscurity last century. Only recently has interest and investment brought the region back into the limelight. Quality-focused estates are becoming if not common names among most wine drinkers, better known among insiders. The German wine association, the VDP, has also helped elevate the region and its mostly-dry wines.
One such estate benefiting from renewed interest in the region and dry Rieslings is J.B. Becker. Despite crafting ultra-long-aging dry and mostly-dry Rieslings from his family’s estate for over fifty years, wasn’t until recently that the name became known among Riesling fans. Founded in 1893 by the grandfather (Jean Baptiste Becker) of the current owner (Hans-Joseph Becker or HaJo), this small estate is tucked away in the Rheingau.
HaJo took over the family estate in 1971, a glorious vintage and a good omen for things to come. He shifted production to mostly bone-dry wines and hasn’t looked back. Though he does produce some not-dry wines, they all (Auslesen included) fall around 20 grams/liter of residual sugar (RS). This number is lower than normal even for modern, sweet Kabinett, which are typically between 30-50 grams/liter. His lower amount of RS is due to fermentation of the sugars, not under-ripeness at harvest.
As the descendant of coopers, it’s no surprise that HaJo incorporates extended neutral barrel aging in the crafting of his wines. He’s a passionate advocate for natural yeast fermentation, as well. After a rapid fermentation using only natural yeast, much like at Keller and JJ Prum, the wines are aged for at least two years in traditional Rheingau barrels.
The resulting wines are structured and heavily-influenced by their terroir, often resulting in notes of saline and iodine that brings to mind classic Chablis. The longevity of the J.B. Becker wines in the cellar is hard to match; even the Kabinetts reliably cellar for decades. Or just pop a cork tonight and experiencing the thrill at your table.
One such estate benefiting from renewed interest in the region and dry Rieslings is J.B. Becker. Despite crafting ultra-long-aging dry and mostly-dry Rieslings from his family’s estate for over fifty years, wasn’t until recently that the name became known among Riesling fans. Founded in 1893 by the grandfather (Jean Baptiste Becker) of the current owner (Hans-Joseph Becker or HaJo), this small estate is tucked away in the Rheingau.
HaJo took over the family estate in 1971, a glorious vintage and a good omen for things to come. He shifted production to mostly bone-dry wines and hasn’t looked back. Though he does produce some not-dry wines, they all (Auslesen included) fall around 20 grams/liter of residual sugar (RS). This number is lower than normal even for modern, sweet Kabinett, which are typically between 30-50 grams/liter. His lower amount of RS is due to fermentation of the sugars, not under-ripeness at harvest.
As the descendant of coopers, it’s no surprise that HaJo incorporates extended neutral barrel aging in the crafting of his wines. He’s a passionate advocate for natural yeast fermentation, as well. After a rapid fermentation using only natural yeast, much like at Keller and JJ Prum, the wines are aged for at least two years in traditional Rheingau barrels.
The resulting wines are structured and heavily-influenced by their terroir, often resulting in notes of saline and iodine that brings to mind classic Chablis. The longevity of the J.B. Becker wines in the cellar is hard to match; even the Kabinetts reliably cellar for decades. Or just pop a cork tonight and experiencing the thrill at your table.
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of JB Becker
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of JB Becker
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Tuesday, February 18th at 9 am Pacific.
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of JB Becker
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Tuesday, February 18th at 9 am Pacific.
We offer ten in-stock JB Becker options on sale now, including:
J.B. Becker Wallufer Walkenberg Riesling Kabinett Trocken, Rheingau 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $33.50, that’s $31.83 at 5% off and $30.15 at 10% off, 20 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 92 points “Very clean and bright for such a warm vintage with delicate floral aromas, this is at once elegant and well structured thanks to the healthy tannins that give this serious presence at the long finish for just 11.5% alcohol. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
J.B. Becker Wallufer Oberberg Riesling Auslese Trocken, Rheingau 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $54.50, that’s $51.78 at 5% off and $49.05 at 10% off, 9 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 94 points “This wine combines a floral personality – think orange blossom and roses – with wonderful structure and elegant acidity. So energetic and straight, this is seriously mineral for a vintage that seldom went in that direction, the touch of tannin underlining this beautifully at the long, very straight and harmonious finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
J.B. Becker Wallufer Berg Bildstock Riesling Kabinett, Rheingau 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $33.50, that’s $31.83 at 5% off and $30.15 at 10% off, 8 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 90 points “Only for those seeking bone-dry wines will this seem anything other than dry. Appealing balance of ripeness, discreet tannin and lively acidity on the medium-bodied palate of this well-structured wine. Plenty of dried pear and apple ring character. Firm finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
J.B. Becker Eltviller Sonnenberg Riesling Kabinett, Rheingau 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $34.50, that’s $32.78 at 5% off and $31.05 at 10% off, 11 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 90 points “Only for those seeking bone-dry wines will this seem anything other than dry. Appealing balance of ripeness, discreet tannin and lively acidity on the medium-bodied palate of this well-structured wine. Plenty of dried pear and apple ring character. Firm finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
J.B. Becker Wallufer Oberberg Riesling Spatlese, Rheingau 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $36.50, that’s $34.68 at 5% off and $32.85 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 94 points “Either you want to be pleased or you search for a stricter experience that has great expression and this wine falls into exactly the latter group. Cool, herbal and lemony, this has a very cool climate personality at a time where this is becoming increasingly rare. Very racy and stony on the medium-bodied palate. Long, crisp, but by no means tart finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
J.B. Becker Eltviller Sonnenberg Riesling Spatlese, Rheingau 2008 750ml Displayed Price: $51.50, that’s $48.93 at 5% off and $46.35 at 10% off, 9 bottles in stock now
No reviews for the 2008. 2006 review provided for reference.
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 96 points “A really great Rheingau wine for this often disappointing vintage that has fantastic honeyed richness and elegant acidity, these elements beautifully interlocking and driving this across the palate in the direction of a lobster dinner. Barely off-dry finish with energy and spice. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Shop our ten JB Becker selections now!
Vinopolis Close-Out Sale Featurette:
La Gerla
La Gerla makes fantastic and approachable traditional Brunello. The wines always have a striking purity of fruit and elegant structures, without the new oak flavors common to many modernist Brunellos. Their fantastic success can in part be credited to their estate, which they purchased in 1976 from the Biondi Santi family. Their original vineyard, Gli Angeli, includes plantings by the famous previous owners. It rests high in the hills of the Canalicchio zone, just north of the village of Montalcino, yet is in an isolated pocket that shields the vines from adverse weather. The Riserva Gli Angeli comes entirely from a one-hectare parcel of old vines within this vineyard.
This long-time Vinopolis customer favorite is on our Close-Out Sale, so you can discover for yourself why La Gerla is considered one of the great growths of Tuscany.
In Stock and On Close-Out Now:
La Gerla Riserva Gli Angeli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2016 1.5L Was $219, Now $189, 3 magnums in stock now
La Gerla Riserva Gli Angeli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2016 3L Was $449, Now $399, 2 double-magnums in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 96 points “Smoldering with remarkable depth, the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Gli Angeli makes itself known with a blend of spicy citrus peels and minty herbs giving way to masses of black cherry, strawberries, hints of iodine and smoke. This is a textural thrill ride, velvety and almost weighty in feel, while finding wonderful balance in its vibrant acidity and the tart wild berry fruits and savory spices that are unleashed upon the palate. Hints of mocha combine with sour cherry and almond paste through the impressively long and classically structured finale. In the end, the 2016 Gli Angeli is the total package. This Riserva is a single-vineyard bottling from La Gerla’s northern Montalcino vineyard, which was planted by Biondi-Santi in 1968.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Inviting aromas of wild berries, baking spice, new leather and charcuterie come to the forefront. Full-bodied and elegantly structured, the smooth palate features dried cherry, baked plum, vanilla and mocha framed in fine-grained tannins. Drink 2024–2031. Kerin O’Keefe”
This long-time Vinopolis customer favorite is on our Close-Out Sale, so you can discover for yourself why La Gerla is considered one of the great growths of Tuscany.
In Stock and On Close-Out Now:
La Gerla Riserva Gli Angeli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2016 1.5L Was $219, Now $189, 3 magnums in stock now
La Gerla Riserva Gli Angeli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2016 3L Was $449, Now $399, 2 double-magnums in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 96 points “Smoldering with remarkable depth, the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Gli Angeli makes itself known with a blend of spicy citrus peels and minty herbs giving way to masses of black cherry, strawberries, hints of iodine and smoke. This is a textural thrill ride, velvety and almost weighty in feel, while finding wonderful balance in its vibrant acidity and the tart wild berry fruits and savory spices that are unleashed upon the palate. Hints of mocha combine with sour cherry and almond paste through the impressively long and classically structured finale. In the end, the 2016 Gli Angeli is the total package. This Riserva is a single-vineyard bottling from La Gerla’s northern Montalcino vineyard, which was planted by Biondi-Santi in 1968.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Inviting aromas of wild berries, baking spice, new leather and charcuterie come to the forefront. Full-bodied and elegantly structured, the smooth palate features dried cherry, baked plum, vanilla and mocha framed in fine-grained tannins. Drink 2024–2031. Kerin O’Keefe”
These are the only listings in the USA today!
We offer 172 wines on our Close-Out Sale in stock now.
Shop the sale on our webstore now!
Don’t miss our additional sale going on now:
Chablis
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Chablis
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Chablis
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Chablis sale ends Sunday, February 16th at 9 am Pacific.