New Week New Arrivals: Arriving Thursday
France- Chablis
Jean-Paul & Benoit Droin Montmains Chablis Premier Cru 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Neal Martin-Vinous 91 points “The 2015 Chablis Montmains 1er Cru is showing more oakiness on the nose than its peers, though the oak is neatly entwined with the tropical-tinged fruit. The palate has the fatness and weight you anticipate from a 2015 Chablis, if perhaps a little less acidity compared to other Montmains. A touch of orange zest and mandarin furnishes the satisfying finish. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting.”
Burghound 90 points “This too reflects notes of mineral reduction along with pretty pear, floral and iodine scents. There is good intensity to the more refined if less mineral-driven flavors that are rich, generous and delicious while offering fine depth and length on the balanced finale. This is another wine that should drink very well young yet repay a few years of keeping.”
Jean-Paul & Benoit Droin Vaulorent Chablis Premier Cru 2017 ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91-93 points “The 2017 Chablis 1er Cru Vaulorent was fermented and matured entirely in stainless steel this year, and it’s one of the stars of the portfolio, wafting from the glass with notes of mandarin oil, green apple and oystershell. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, pure and ample, with an elegantly satiny attack, a deep core of fruit and a precise, stony finish.”
Burghound 90-93 points “Outstanding. Smoky notes of apple and mineral reduction lead to less concentrated but finer medium weight flavors that possess a caressing mouth feel, all wrapped in a clean, dry, tension-filled and markedly stony finale. This too is really quite good and worth your interest.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 90-92 points “The 2017 Chablis Vauleront 1er Cru feels more muted than the Chablis Village, rather sultry at the moment and perhaps not coming out to play on the day of my visit. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, elegant and quite understated with some lovely peach skin and ginger notes dancing around on the finish. Very fine.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
William Fevre Beauroy Chablis Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2017 Chablis Beauroy 1er Cru is beautifully lifted and nuanced. Floral and citrus notes give the Beauroy striking lift as well as nuance. Readers will find a gracious, super-expressive Chablis that drinks well now and also has the potential to develop nicely in bottle.”
Burghound 88-91 points “There is a back wisp of exoticism to the ripe and fresh aromas of white orchard fruit, petrol and discreet honeysuckle nuances. The exceptionally rich flavors possess reasonably good verve if only average concentration though they offer good persistence on the citrusy, clean and balanced finale.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
William Fevre Bougros Chablis Grand Cru 2017 750ML ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2017 Chablis Bougros Grand Cru is a dense, phenolic and powerful wine that captures the tiny yields of the vintage. Lemon confit, pear, white flowers, mint and lightly honeyed notes explode from the glass in a Chablis endowed with tremendous character as well as persistence. This is an especially ample, full-bodied edition of this wine.”
Wine Advocate 93 points “I was unduly conservative with my assessment of Fèvre’s 2017 Chablis Grand Cru Bougros, as this bottle was showing very well indeed, unfurling in the glass with aromas of white flowers, fresh peach, Meyer lemon and crushed chalk. It’s full-bodied, deep and fleshy, with excellent concentration, racy acids and chalky structuring extract, concluding with a precise finish. While this Bougros is still quite demonstrative, it is showing more complexity and tension after another six months in bottle and is well worth seeking out.”
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William Fevre Les Lys Chablis Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2017 Chablis Les Lys 1er Cru is a dense, potent wine that will appeal most to readers who enjoy concentrated whites. Although not exactly subtle, the 2017 possesses superb depth and creaminess. Dried herbs, chamomile, crushed flowers and dried pear notes add character. There is no shortage of intensity, that much is clear. In this tasting, the 2017 comes across as a bit bombastic.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
William Fevre Montmains Chablis Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2017 Chablis Montmains 1er Cru is a dense, powerful wine that very much shows the low yields of the vintage in its sheer richness. Citrus, floral and savory notes are front and center, but more than anything else, the 2017 stands out for its concentration, power and persistence. This is impressive.”
William Fevre Vaillons Chablis Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2017 Chablis Vaillons 1er Cru brings together tremendous textural richness with striking layers of floral brightness and minerality that add complexity. Powerful and yet wonderfully finessed, the 2017 possesses superb energy and vibrancy, with pedigree to burn.”
William Fevre Valmur Chablis Grand Cru 2017 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
William Kelly – Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2017 Chablis Grand Cru Valmur was cropped at less than 20 hectoliters per hectare this year, but it remains quite classic in profile, unfurling in the glass with notes of green orchard fruit, lemon oil and anise, framed by light reduction. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, glossy and concentrated, with bright acids, a tight-knit core and a long, mineral finish. It’s a promising Valmur.”
Neal Martin – Vinous 91-93 points “The 2017 Chablis Valmur Grand Cru, harvested at less than 20hl/ha due to frost, has a clean and precise apple blossom, orange pith and white chocolate-tinged bouquet that gradually opens with time. The palate is well balanced with crisp acidity, full of tension and with good bite, leading to a saline finish that gets the taste buds going. Very classic in style, this should age nicely in bottle.”
Burghound 90-92 points “A citrus and mineral reduction tinged nose is comprised mostly of green fruit and honeysuckle nuances. The palate impression is much like that of the Bougros as the big-bodied flavors are dense and muscular while exhibiting excellent power on the only moderately complex if solidly persistent finish.”
France – Bordeaux
Chateau Malescot-St-Exupery Margaux 2014 750ML ($99.95) $59 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 96 points “Dark currants and berries with walnuts on the nose. Follows through to a full body, integrated tannins and a gorgeous finish. Exciting. Wow.”
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “I put the 2014 Malescot Saint Exupery up with the crème de la crème of this vintage and it offers a wonderfully complete, balanced, concentrated style offers loads of class and personality. With loads of blackcurrant and black cherry fruits intermixed with notions of graphite/lead pencil, spring flowers, and damp earth, it’s medium to full-bodied, beautifully pure, layered, and ripe, with sweet tannin and rock-solid underlying acidity. This is a straight up gorgeous, classy, elegant Margaux that’s going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and shine for 15-20 years.”
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 93 points “The 2014 Malescot Saint Exupéry is powerful, rich and explosive. One of the more exuberant, flamboyant Margaux that readers will come across, the Malescot exudes serious depth and intensity. Black cherry, plum, smoke, licorice and dark spice meld into the deep, succulent finish. The 2014 needs time in bottle, but it is impressive and also highly promising.”
James Molesworth – Wine Spectator 93 points “Alluring, with lapsang souchong notes that weave around the core of gently steeped red and black currant and plum fruit flavors. A strong graphite edge marks the finish, giving this excellent cut and drive. Very suave.”
Germany
Markus Molitor Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Auslese Mosel *** GK 2017 375ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Markus Molitor Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Auslese Mosel *** GK 2017 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 98 points “Molitor’s 2017 Riesling Bernkasteler Badstube Auslese *** (Golden Capsule) offers a deep, pure, precise, smoky, highly concentrated yet refined and coolish nose of stewed stone fruits, candied lemons and grapefruits that intermingle with crushed stone and some leathery aromas. Lush and round on the generous but precise and highly finessed palate, this is an almost weightless Auslese with a honey-sweet yet piquant and salty finish. This is another laser-sharp but also sensual highlight of the vintage, not only at Markus Molitor. Tasted at the domain in April 2019.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Markus Molitor Erdener Treppchen Riesling Auslese Mosel *** GK 2017 750 ($139.95) $128 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 98+ points “The 2017 Riesling Erdener Treppchen Auslese *** (Golden Capsule) is bright and even floral (hyacinths) on the clear, slatey, highly refined but aromatic nose with its precise stone fruit and delicate flinty aromas. Silky, sweet and round, with great finesse, elegance and seamless, perfectly balanced texture, this is a lean but lush, incredibly fine and filigreed Auslese with a long, fresh, piquant and salty finish. A divine Riesling whose acidity is perfectly intermingled with the fruit and texture. Tasted at the domain in April 2019.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Markus Molitor Erdener Treppchen Riesling Beerenauslese Mosel 2017 375ML ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special
***Half bottle***
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 99 points “The 2017 Riesling Erdener Treppchen Beerenauslese shows a beautiful nose of white and juicy peaches intermixed with a delicate and crunchy slate aroma. What precision, finesse and purity here! The palate is correspondingly lush, highly refined and endlessly salty, with tickling crystalline acidity. A fabulous, precise and weightless Beerenauslese of great class and style. Tasted at the domain in April 2019.”
Mosel Fine Wines 97 points “The 2017er Erdener Treppchen Beerenauslese (Golden Capsule) offers a gorgeous nose of strawberry, coconut cream, almond paste and earthy elements. The wine is comparatively slender on the delicately oily palate but leaves a stunning feel of almond, grapefruit and ripe pear in the precise and pure finish. The whole thing finishes on the powerful side but everything is focused and superbly precise. This is a stunning BA in the making. 2027-2057.”
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Markus Molitor Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese Mosel *** green 2017 ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2017 Riesling Graacher Himmelreich Auslese *** (Green Capsule) is intensely yellow in color and, straight from the bottle, still has prominent smoky oak aromas but also highly intense yet refined fruit on the nose as it opens. This aromatic bouquet combines perfectly ripe and concentrated Riesling scents with the crunchy-coolish slate notes of the Himmelreich and, after a couple of days of aeration, adds concentrated lemon zest and pink grapefruit aromas. Rich and lush but highly elegant on the palate, this is a precise, finessed, nobly textured and juicy Himmelreich with very fine tannins and a long, complex and elegant finish. This is a nearly perfect, nearly dry Auslese, and the seamless texture makes this highly concentrated and refined Riesling flow down your throat without any effort. Give it air, give it time, give it years! This Auslese just flows. And one day, it will stay in your memories forever. Fabulous. Divine. Unforgettable. Tasted three times in April 2019.”
Markus Molitor Kinheimer Rosenberg Riesling Auslese Mosel *** GK 2017 ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 98+ points “The 2017 Riesling Kinheimer Rosenberg Auslese *** (Golden Capsule) is super fine and delicate on the concentrated and peach-scented nose, which reveals an unexpected subtleness for this terroir that normally leans toward ruthless opulence. On the palate, this is a lush, highly refined and salty Auslese with amazing purity, piquancy, finesse and elegance. The acidity is pronounced but also delicate and gives this very fine Auslese piquancy and precision. Tasted at the domain two times in April 2019.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Markus Molitor Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Auslese Mosel ** GK 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 97 points “According to Markus Molitor, the 2017 Riesling Ürziger Würzgarten Auslese ** (Golden Capsule) is made from entirely healthy grapes. It displays a highly attractive bouquet of fine grapefruit and raisin aromas intermixed with flinty-crystalline slate notes. Juicy on the palate, this is a dense, sweet, intense yet piquant, highly delicate Auslese with a long, refined and salty-crunchy finish. Tasted at the domain two times in April 2019.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Markus Molitor Zeltinger Himmelreich Riesling Auslese Mosel *** GK 2017 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2017 Riesling Zeltinger Himmelreich Auslese *** (Golden Capsule) offers a concentrated, super precise and refreshing bouquet of lemon chutney, candied grapefruit zests and spicy slate aromas. What piquancy and precision! It’s already sharp as a laser beam on the nose. The palate is concentrated, highly refined and elegant but nervy and salty in the vibrating underground. This Auslese has a seamless texture and reveals great finesse with stimulating salinity and crystal clear, even filigreed structure. This is an amazing, Eiswein-like Auslese that will last four or more decades. It is also a historical first for Markus Molitor, who hasn’t produced a three-starred Auslese in this cru before. Tasted at the domain in April 2019.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Markus Molitor Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Auslese Mosel, ** GK 17 375ML ($34.95) $29 pre-arrival special
***Half bottle***
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 97 points “Exclusively filled in 375-milliliter bottles (roughly 11,000 of them), the 2017 Riesling Zeltinger Schlossberg Auslese ** (Golden Capsule) is clear and bright in color and bouquet, intermingling citrus fruits with crushed slate aromas. Lush and highly delicate on the palate, this is a filigreed, very elegant, piquant and finessed Auslese with fine botrytis concentration and a long, salty finish. Great balance and finesse here. Tasted in April 2019.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Schatzel Nierstein Riesling Kabinett Rheinhessen 2017 750ML ($34.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Stuart Pigott-Jamessuckling 92 points “So much freshness and energy with tons of elderflowers and white fruit. Super-crisp and very clean palate and a breathtaking finish. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Schatzel Pettenthal Riesling Kabinett Grosses Gewächs Rheinhessen S 2017 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Stuart Pigott-Jamessuckling 95 points “Forget the rules, pack your bag, grab this bottle and leave your old life behind! Savage mineral beauty, combined with light body and enormous brightness. Drink or hold.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Austria
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Steiner Hund Reserve Riesling Wachau 2014 750ML ($79.95) $49 pre-arrival special
David Schildknecht 96 points “Like its remarkable Vom Stein counterpart, I tasted this wine after it had been racked to tank, a few months before its December 2017 bottling, then again from bottle in the course of 2018. The penetrating nose is dominated by white peach, white currant and lime, anticipating the brightly juicy palate impression. But suggestions of crushed stone, bittersweet iris, clam stock, radish, kelp and smoky black tea add increasing intrigue as the wine opens to the air and is worked over in the mouth. There is underlying firmness but also a suggestion of silkiness born of lengthy lees exposure in cask, and the sense of levity, remarkably, is that of a typical Nikolaihof Federspiel more than of a Smaragd. The vibrant finishing influx of alkali, crushed stone, iodine, mineral salts, mustard seed and white pepper is almost savagely intense, practically stinging – taking matters in an at once mouthwatering and invigorating but also slightly austere direction. Here’s further proof for any who remain skeptics that the 2014 vintage – its challenges and vicissitudes notwithstanding – has at its very best delivered some of the Wachau’s and neighboring Lower Austria’s most exciting and potentially ageworthy wines of the past two decades. Tasting the outstanding 2013 alongside, this 2014 came nipping right at its heels: attention au chien!”
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Cellar Selection. The beeswax, wet stone, hayflower and dried lemon notes on the nose of this wine suggest development. Its dry, slender yet concentrated palate has a weightless fluidity that echoes with eloquent beeswax and citrus oil flavors. The combination of lightness and beautiful depth make it so intriguing and moreish. Subtle, lovely, taut and fresh, it’s nowhere near its peak. The finish reveals a brilliant dash of mandarin. Drink 2028–2040.”
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Spain – Rioja
Granja Nuestra Senora de Remelluri ‘ Lindes de Remelluri Vinedos de San Vicente’ Rioja DOCa 2014 750ML ($34.95) $26 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 96 points “Some richer, darker and deeper fruit character with plums, blackberries and a dark, earthy streak. The tannins are more upright, more elevated, and the fruit is richer and darker than in the Labastida. This has real presence, grip and energy. Try from 2021.”
Grapelive 94 points “Telmo Rodriguez, one of the most iconic and best winemakers of his generation…. has accomplished himself as a champion of terroir over varietal and employs artisan craftsmanship in the cellar, with his wines hardly ever showing overt oak or aggressive alcohol, they always show distinctive purity and a sense of place, and these secondary wines known as Lindes de Remmelluri are magnificent expressions of Rioja, they are richly flavored and soulful wines crafted from old vine purchased fruit from vineyards that prior had got into the family’s main wine. These two vineyard select wines, Labastida and this San Vincente, coming from vineyards that used to go into the Remelluri Reserva are now separated into these two new single vineyard bottlings that are absolutely stunning values, especially in this 2014 vintage….The beautiful and deep Lindes de Remelluri Viñedos de San Vicente 2014, a field blend of 95% Tempranillo and 5% Garnacha, was fermented using all native yeasts in cool stainless steel tanks and then raised in barrel, 100% French oak, for 12 months before bottling where it is rested a good amount of time as well. San Vincente in the Rioja Alta just to the east of Haro is at about 50 meters up, but hotter than the higher sites at Labastida and at the main Remelluri estate located in Rioja Alavesa which are much cooler, making this wine seem more lush, riper in satiny tannin and with a softer acidity. Grown on hardened clay and calcareous limestone over a firm core of bedrock from organic vines that average at least 40 years of age this wine shows warm dark fruits, blackberry, cherry and plum lead the way along with hints of earthy mulberry and cranberry along with lilacs, cedar/sandalwood, a touch of vanilla and a subtle array of spices. 2014 was a slightly cooler year and that really helps this wine feel alive on the opulent and full bodied palate and it lingers on and on with a echoing aftertaste that is highly impressive. Telmo’s wines are always polished and textural, but distinctly authentic with terruño character and delivering substance along with some flair, which this one shows, it should age well too, I can imagine at least another decade plus with this 2014 San Vincente.”
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Aldo Conterno: The Sultans of Serralunga
ETA Fall 2021
Can you think of a producer more integral to the modern success of Barolo? Aldo Conterno is synonymous with Barolo and the meteoric success of the region since their establishment in 1912. Much like the other growers in Barolo, the wines used to be sold by the cask or in large demijohn’s meant for quick consumption by locals. This all changed when Aldo Conterno was handed the reigns to the family operation by his father Giacomo in 1969. He expanded the estate holdings and ceased buying tonnage from elsewhere in Piedmont.
Already know for high quality across the country, Conterno began to introduce modern techniques to their otherwise steadfastly traditional vinification like temperature control during fermentation, machine assisted destemming and new fermenting mediums. Considered a modernist in winemaking, yet also evocative of “old school Barolo” this is a juxtaposition that has to be experienced.
Tradition still leads however, with Conterno practicing the same long maceration, cask aging, and delayed releases of at least 4 years for their Nebbiolos (Sometimes as many as a decade). Their crown jewel, the Gran Bussia rests for a minimum of 9 years and is made from earmarked clusters from the oldest vines across their portfolio. Easily their most famous offering, “Conterno ‘sGran Bussia is universally acknowledged as one of the finest interpretations of Barolo” according to the Wine Atlas of the Langhe.
With all of their estate holdings being located at least 1200 feet above sea level, and soil consisting of sandy limestone the wines display dark fruited character, refined tannins and multidimensional aromas across the board, reflecting their favorable soil aspect. That said, each of their wines stand out as being a benchmark for their pedigree. For example their Barbera is sourced from a hilly, old vine site in Bussia and remains one of the most sought after expressions of the varietal.
Arriving Friday, August 13th from Aldo Conterno:
Poderi Aldo Conterno Bussia Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($99.95) $85 pre-arrival special
Arriving ETA Fall 2021 from Aldo Conterno:
Poderi Aldo Conterno Conca Tre Pile Barbera d’Alba Piedmont 2018 ($34.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Poderi Aldo Conterno Conca Tre Pile Barbera d’Alba Piedmont 2018 750ML ($419.95) $319 pre-arrival special
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Poderi Aldo Conterno Bussia Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 92 points “The Poderi Aldo Conterno 2017 Barolo Bussia shows a dark but busy quality of fruit that speaks more to the power of this hot vintage than it does the nuanced side of Nebbiolo. In this respect, the wine is quite typical of the 2017 growing season. It takes a while before the wine finds focus in the glass, but it does slowly come together to reveal broad layers of dark cherry, cassis and plum. There is some tannic tightness that leads to sour berry. A bit awkward at this young stage, it needs a few more years of cellar age to flesh out and reach balance.”
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Poderi Aldo Conterno Bussia Cicala Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($219.95) $179 pre-arrival special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 91 points “The Poderi Aldo Conterno 2017 Barolo Bussia Cicala reveals a deep garnet color with some dark copper. Like the other 2017 wines from this celebrated producer, I can’t help but suspect that these areas of Bussia suffered from the heat and some of the other weather challenges associated with this growing season. A clear note of overt ripeness comes across as dried strawberry or sweet crème de cassis. The finish is similarly weighed down by the fruit weight and oak tannins.”
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Poderi Aldo Conterno Colonnello Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($219.95) $189 pre-arrival special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94+ points “The Poderi Aldo Conterno 2017 Barolo Bussia Colonnello shows good focus, structure and a sharper character that is often the distinguishing factor in this wine. The bouquet is redolent of dark fruit and plum, but it also shows a solid framing of iron ore and dark stony mineral. These give the wine greater lift and contoured edges. This is not the first time that Colonnello is my favorite wine in this lineup, and I suspect it won’t be the last.”
Poderi Aldo Conterno Granbussia Barolo Riserva DOCG 2012 750ML ($999.95) $899 pre-arrival special
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Poderi Aldo Conterno Romirasco Bussia Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($319.95) $289 pre-arrival special
Poderi Aldo Conterno ‘Il Favot’ Langhe Nebbiolo Piedmont 2017 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Poderi Aldo Conterno ‘Il Favot’ Langhe Nebbiolo Piedmont 17 ($599.95) $449 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 90 points “Pretty cherry, strawberry and wild fennel notes mark this elegant red. It’s succulent and vibrant, with refined tannins and lively acidity providing support. Picks up mineral and earth accents on the finish. Drink now through 2024. 800 cases made, 300 cases imported. –BS”
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Can’t Wait? In Stock Now from Aldo Conterno:
Poderi Aldo Conterno Conca Tre Pile Barbera d’Alba Piedmont 2017 ($37.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Poderi Aldo Conterno Conca Tre Pile Barbera d’Alba Piedmont 2017 750ML ($419) $359 special, (that’s only $34.92/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2017 Barbera d’Alba Conca Tre Pile is piled high with dark fruit intensity, soft tannins and a pinch of fresh acidity that breaks apart the wine’s rich fruit flavors. The hot vintage has taken well to the Barbera grape, accentuating its volume, richness and generosity. The bouquet offers black fruit, dried plum, spice, truffle-infused earth and toasted hazelnut. Some 20,000 bottles were made.”
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Rose Feature: Shades of Summer from the E.U
Paolo De Marchi is the winemaker and owner of the legendary Isole e Olena in Tuscany, but he has also retained a small family estate in the foothills of the Italian Alps. Sourced from a combination of vineyards that begin at 1,000 feet above sea level, featuring vines between 30-90 years old, with the varietals being primarily Nebbiolo (Or Spanna as it’s called locally) with a splash of Vespolina. Loaded with a plethora of oranges ranging from Seville, Blood and Mandarin and accentuated by notes of crushed rose petal and white peach. There’s also a slight spice on the finish in addition to a refreshing muskmelon component. Absolutely delicious and incredibly versatile on the table, with this being especially good with fatty fish, fried chicken or South Asian curries.
Proprieta Sperino ‘Rosa del Rosa’ Rosato Coste della Sesia Piedmont 2020 750ML ($21.95) $19 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Eric Guido Vinous 92 points “The 2020 is an understated and delicate rendition of Rosa Del Rosa. Nuances of peach tea, chamomile, green apple and hints of ginger can all be found with coaxing. It’s silky and pliant in feel, the vibrant acids and mineral tones mixing to create a tug-of-war of sweet and salty tension, as notes of ripe melon give way to pretty inner florals. This tapers off persistent, lightly structured and buzzing with residual energy, completely refreshing the palate with a twang of sour citrus. The Rosa Del Rosa is a blend of Nebbiolo and Vespolina. It’s very enjoyable already, but it will likely blossom further with a bit more time in bottle. “
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Schloss Gobelsburg, a Cistercian monastic estate, is one of the oldest wineries in the Austrian Danube area with a documented history that dates back to 1171. All the vineyards are located on slopes and terraces around the valley of the river Kamp near the town of Langenlois and the village of Gobelsburg.
Gently vinified in steel and gravity fed in the winery, this is a rose that emphasizes the lighter and more delicate character of rose. There’s a mixed plate of fruits ranging from white nectarine and strawberry, with additional notes of cherry blossom, yarrow and cranberry. Compatible with flavorous cuisine at any stage in the meal like Tagines, Tabbouleh, Galbijjim, Ramen or Macarons.
Schlosskellerei Gobelsburg Cistercien Rose, Niederosterreich 2020 750ML ($21.95) $17 special, 26 bottles in stock now
Winery note “The valley of the Danube and its side-valleys belong to the ‘Cool climate’ areas of Austria. Some vineyards are even too cold for red wine making. Zweigelt, St. Laurent and Pinot Noir grapes grown in the cooler sites of Gobelsburg and Langenlois are used for this wine.”
Skurnik Wines note “Region: Kamptal. Zweigelt, St. Laurent, Pinot Noir. Appellation: Niederösterreich. Vineyard: Multiple cooler site vineyards. Soil Type Loess. Age of Vines (Average) 20 years. Sustainable. Fermentation and elevage in stainless steel.” Lafage
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2016 Produttori: Last call on single vineyards!
“The 2016s, wines from a potentially historic vintage, may very well put Barbaresco on the map big time. As I traveled from producer to producer, I experienced that sense of excitement and energy I always feel when in the presence of important vintages and wines.” –Antonio Galloni, Vinous
We’ve seen this vintage fly off the shelf, with a huge percentage of this allocation not even making it to the shelf. These are highly limited wines, with this being our only remaining stock until the next vintage.
Produttori del Barbaresco is revered for producing classically-styled Barbaresco and Riservas of uncompromising quality and transparency. It’s a miracle that these wines are still affordable and available, especially when compared to the skyrocketing prices of Barolo. You’d be hard-pressed to find such consistent quality and complexity out of such an extensive range of single-vineyard Nebbiolos anywhere else.
Effusive doesn’t begin to cover what the initial reports are saying about this wine, with the majority of critics being absolutely smitten. As usual Produttori has delivered in spades across their portfolio, with the 2016’s drinking incredibly well now with easily a decade of potential growth in the bottle. This is a vintage to grab in at least increments of three; one to drink now, another in 5 years, and the last to cellar long-term. Quantities are extremely limited as usual, so get them while you can!
In Stock Now:
Produttori del Barbaresco ‘Muncagota’, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2016 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94+ points “The 2016 Barbaresco Riserva Muncagota continues this tasting of frankly awe-inspiring wines. Rich, deep and super-expressive, the 2016 hits all the right notes. Black cherry, plum, spice, leather, licorice emerge, but only with great reluctance. The Muncagota is another wine in this range that clearly needs time.”
Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2016 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, only 6 bottles in stock now
Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2016 1.5L ($219.95) $189 special, only 4 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni 97+ points “The 2016 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello is the most severe and angular of these wines. It will appeal most to die-hard classicists. Chalk, white pepper, mint and sweet red cherry fruit all grace this chiseled, beautifully translucent Barbaresco. As always, the Ovello needs a number of years in bottle to reveal its charms, which in 2016 are many. It is a positively stellar wine in every way.”
Produttori del Barbaresco Pora, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2016 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 25 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2016 Barbaresco Riserva Pora is a brooding wine, its mid-weight structure notwithstanding. Iron, smoke, tobacco, cedar and dried flowers add a feral, earthy quality that is so appealing. Pora is often one of the more approachable Riservas in this range, but the 2016 is an exception. Readers should be prepared to cellar it for at least a few years.”
Produttori del Barbaresco Rio Sordo, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2016 750ML ($89.95) $75 special, 22 Bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2016 Barbaresco Riserva Rio Sordo is a serious, somber wine. Black cherry, plum, lavender, spice and menthol show off the darker side of Nebbiolo to great effect. In most vintages, Rio Sordo is an easygoing wine, but not in 2016. Readers will find a potent, brooding yet mid-weight Barbaresco that screams with character. What a way to start this tasting!”
Shop our xxxxxxxx wines in stock now from Produttori, including back vintages and large formats, or explore all xxxx options from Piedmont on our web store!
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Germany : Rheinhessen
Much like German wine in general, the Rheinhessen is in the midst of a wine renaissance. Being credited with the first traded vineyard in the entire country dating back to the house of Charlemagne in Holy Roman Empire era, the majority of the area was previously too cold to produce Riesling at a satisfying level of ripeness. As a result; the region became largely devoted to bulk wine production post-WW II (most notably the infamous Liebfraumilch). That is no longer the case for the areas production, with red grapes now making up a significant proportion and expected to grow as climate change continues.
The best wines in the Rheinhessen have historically come from an area known as the Roter Hang (Red Slope) and have been compared to the terraces of Côte-Rôtie and the Mosel due to their steepness and distinctive soil. Composed of bright red slate, quartzite and veins of limestone that reflects and absorbs heat to assist in ripening, this is the “Grand Cru” of the Rheinhessen.
With the new generation of winemaking talent in the Rheinhessen, there have also been stellar examples coming from the surrounding hillside vineyards which are locally known as “Rheinterasse”. Because of the warmer growing conditions compared to neighboring areas, the styles of Riesling that come from the Rheinhessen feature rich, developed flavors.
This level of ripeness combined with the terroir often presents like yellow, red or baked apples with additional notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, elderflower and hyacinth. Wines from the Roter Hang especially are famous for their crystalline and spice notes like sugared pineapple, candied ginger and anise.As a whole the Rheinhessen features medium body and lower acid, with soft and developed fruit character with a mineral finish. We carry a number of exemplary producers from the Rheinhessen including Schätzel , Keller and Thörle!
In Stock Now:
Weingut Schatzel Hipping Riesling Trocken Rheinhessen 2017 ($49.95) $39 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott-Jamessuckling 94 points “Could a white wine be fresher than this? Fabulous white-peach and herbal character with lots of mineral power at the complex, racy finish.”
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Weingut Schatzel Nierstein Silvaner Rheinhessen 2017 ($34.95) $29 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Honeydew melon, white fruits and earthy undertones. Slightly reductive, herbal, nutty and mineral character. Bone dry and juicy on the palate. Extremely complex for 11% vol.”
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Weingut Schatzel Olberg Riesling Grosses Gewächs Rheinhessen 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott-Jamessuckling 94 points “Considering this has only 11.5 per cent alcohol, there is extraordinary depth and vitality. The long finish is sleek and fine-grained, without any hint of edginess. Attractive white-fruit aromas, too. Drink or hold.”
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Weingut Schatzel Reinschiefer Riesling Rheinhessen 2017 ($34.95) $29 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott-Jamessuckling 92 points “Delicate white-fruit character and a delightful lightness of touch make this rather charming, in spite of its slightly eccentric personality. Long, lemon and mineral finish. A blend of wines from the top sites in Hipping, Ölberg and Pettentha. Screw cap.”
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Weingut Schatzel Nierstein Riesling Kabinett Rheinhessen 2017 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott-Jamessuckling 92 points “So much freshness and energy with tons of elderflowers and white fruit. Super-crisp and very clean palate and a breathtaking finish. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
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Weingut Schatzel Pettenthal Riesling Kabinett Grosses Gewächs Rheinhessen 2017 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott-Jamessuckling 95 points “Forget the rules, pack your bag, grab this bottle and leave your old life behind! Savage mineral beauty, combined with light body and enormous brightness. Drink or hold.”
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Weingut Keller Gruner Silvaner Trocken Rheinhessen 2019 750ML ($34.95) $26 special, 20 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 90+ points “The 2019 Grüner Silvaner Trocken from Weingut Keller comes in at 12.5 percent alcohol in this vintage, so this is a bit riper than the lovely 2018 version. This bottling is also now focusing more and more on old vines, so that they are now fully forty years of age going into this cuvée. The wine offers up a lovely, precise bouquet of sweet grapefruit, green apple, an almost crystalline base of chalky soil tones, lemongrass, a touch of wild yeasts and a topnote of orange blossoms. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, complex and rock solid at the core, with racy acids, excellent focus and grip and a long, vibrant and very classy finish. This is outstanding this year! While it is approachable already (and probably, local winery customers have probably already drunk up their yearly allocation with the white asparagus crop), I would be inclined to give it a couple of years in the cellar before opening it, as this wine is coiled like a spring and will blossom beautifully with just a bit of bottle age! 2022-2040+.”
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Weingut Keller Limestone Riesling Rheinhessen 2020 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Weingut Keller Rieslaner Auslese Rheinhessen 2018 375ML ($59.95) $39 special, 4 bottles in stock now
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Weingut Keller Rieslaner Auslese Rheinhessen 375ML ($69.95) $44 special, 12 bottles in stock now
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Weingut Keller Monsheimer Silberberg Rieslaner Beerenauslese Rheinhessen GK 18 375M ($319.95) $249 special, 10 bottles in stock now
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Weingut Keller Limestone Riesling Rheinhessen 2018 750ML ($31.95) $28 special, 13 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 91 points “The Limestone Riesling QbA this year is essentially the same wine as the Riesling Trocken bottling, except this cuvée has one full gram higher acidity and finished its fermentation at twenty-one grams of sugar. The wine is superb, offering up a complex bouquet of pink grapefruit, passion fruit, pulverized limestone, apple blossoms and a delicate topnote of wild yeasts. On the palate the wine is pure, fullish, complex and beautifully balanced, with a lovely core of fruit, fine focus and grip and lovely bounce on the long, succulent and flat out delicious finish. Just a lovely wine. 2020-2045.”
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Weingut Keller Limestone Riesling Rheinhessen 2020 750ML ($33.95) $29 special, 6 bottles in stock now
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Weingut Keller Riesling Trocken Rheinhessen 2020 ($36.95) $29 special, 10 bottles in stock now
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Thorle Saulheimer Holle Riesling Rheinhessen 2017 750ML ($44.95) $39 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Case-6 Thorle Saulheimer Holle Riesling Rheinhessen 2017 750ML 750ML ($259.95) $219 special (that’s only $36.50/bottle!)
Stuart Pigott – Jamessuckling 96 points “Still youthful, but this has a complex stone-fruit nose. Concentrated and racy with great energy at the very long, chalky finish. Great aging potential. Drink or hold.”
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Thorle Saulheimer Probstey Silvaner Rheinhessen750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 25 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott – Jamessuckling 94 points “Still quite yeasty from long maturation on lees, but that accentuates the smoky and herbal complexity of this remarkable dry silvaner. Just a hint of oak in support of the creamy, mid-weight body and long, silky finish. Drink or hold.”
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Staff Pick: Roussillon Rose
Grant
There are few areas in the world that have been cultivating wine grapes as long as the South of France. Originally planted by the Corinthians in the 7th century, the region is famous for her almost constant sunshine, warm temperatures, refreshing breeze and spectacular vistas of the Mediterranean Sea and amphitheater of mountains.
These elements converge to make it a veritable paradise, and exceptional terroir for wine. The best sites have often been cultivated since the Roman Empire, and oftentimes still feature the original stone terraces made by them to prevent erosion. Domaine Lafage is lucky enough to have one of these sites, with the oldest vines being over 80 years old.
Comprised of Grenache Noir and its mutation Grenache Gris (Which only occurs naturally when the vine reaches 50-60 years of age) with a sprinkling of younger Mourvèdre vines, this is a quintessential Roussillon rose. With a flavor profile that brings to mind apricots, peaches and river rock minerality, the sites proximity to the sea is evident in the glass with a refreshing salinity that is reminiscent of ocean air accentuated by oregano blossom, wormwood and marmalade.
Domaine Lafage Cotes du Roussillon Miraflors Rose France 2020 ($21.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 91 points “White peach, orange blossom, and white flower notes emerge from the 2020 Miraflors. It’s another clean, balanced, beautiful effort with bright acidity and a clean, dry finish.”
Eric Solomon Imports note “Mourvedre, Grenache Gris, Grenache Practicing Organic 80 yr old vines. Light Pink-colored with beautiful white peach, orange zest and salty sea breeze aromas and flabros in its vibrant, crisp profile. Pure and vibrant as it gets, a classic, provencal-style beauty.”
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Tokaji : Royally Delicious Sale begins Saturday
There are only a handful of wines in the world considered “Immortal” in terms of it’s life in the bottle. The most famous of these is without a doubt Tokaji. The confluence of high acid, prodigious sugar levels, perfect terroir and masterful cellarwork is what makes these wines so long lived, with bottles that are hundreds of years old still being drinkable. They’re also among some of the highest selling wines at auction, with 500ml bottles selling for tens of thousands of dollars or more!
Have you ever had something that tasted so good you thought there was a secret ingredient? Marzio Galeotto, an Italian merchant in the 1460’s widely proclaimed that Tokaji contained flecks of actual gold. This sparked a centuries long obsession with the region, with an inexhaustible list of historical figures who proclaimed their love for the wines including Thomas Jefferson, Catherine the Great, Tolstoy and the Sun King himself, Louis the 14th who made it the court wine of Versailles. We offer two single vineyard examples from Royal Tokaji Co, a producer credited with reintroducing Tokai to the world of fine wine after the elimination of the Iron Curtain. These are benchmark wines that you should try at least once in your lifetime, and have at least one in the cellar.
Royal Tokaji ‘Betsek’ Single Vineyard Aszu 6 Puttonyos Tokaj 2016 500ML ($149.95) Was $115, now $99
Neal Martin-Vinous 96 points “The 2016 Betsek First Growth Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos contains the most residual sugar this vintage, at 185.8g/L. The clean, pure bouquet offers dried honey, a light adhesive note, lanolin and candle wax, very complex and mercurial in the glass. The elegant, well-balanced palate features apricot, quince, marmalade and a touch of ginger. What I adore is the manner in which this Betsek builds in the mouth and fans out like a great Tokaji ought to. Another outstanding single-vineyard offering from the Royal Tokaji Company. “
Royal Tokaji ‘Nyulaszo’ Aszu 6 Puttonyos Tokaj 2016 500ML ($149.95) Was $119, now $105
Neal Martin-Vinous 95 points “The 2016 Nyulászó First Growth Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos, which delivers 180g/L residual sugar, has a deep, honeyed, slightly more introverted bouquet compared to the Ste. Tamás. It gradually reveals scents of manuka honey, orange pith and quince jus, yet it clearly deserves several years to really open. The palate is very well balanced, harmonious and brimming with tension. Pears, Seville orange marmalade, hints of mandarin and fresh figs vie for attention. This is a powerful, intense Tokaji, but razor-sharp, delivering real precision and “bite” toward the finish. Outstanding.”
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New Grapelive Reviews:
Arnaud Lambert Clos de Midi Saumur Blanc 2020 750ML ($26.95) Was $21.90, Now $19.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Arnaud Lambert Clos de Midi Saumur Blanc 2020 ($249.95) $212 special (that’s only $18.25/bottle!)
Grapelive 92 Points “The latest Clos di Midi is a fresh, bright and energy filled version that shows mineral driven intensity and an ever expanding textural pleasure on the medium bodied palate with classic white peach, citrus and green apple fruits, wet stones, delicate herb and spice with just a hint of honeycomb and melon. This is a wine that can be really enjoyed now, its youthfulness is not a penalty at all, such is the quality and completeness here and its dry nature and chalky salty element makes it very cleansing and excellent with food, while still joyous as a solo sipper, especially for the Chenin enthusiasts. The all organic Clos de Midi, a southeast facing parcel that was planted in 1985, was fermented using Indigenous yeasts and was done in 50% in stainless steel tanks and 50% in older Burgundian barrels, after which is was aged for 12 months. This was the first time I’ve had this wine under this label and I was incredibly impressed by Arnaud’s touch and subtly here, this is an exceptional value for what you get in the glass….Arnaud Lambert, who began as part of a father and son team with his dad Yves, made a name for himself when he took over at the historic estate of the Château de Brézé, one of France’s great properties and one that the French royals, as noted by the winery, used to exchange wines of Brézé annually for Château d’Yquem Sauternes…. Brézé is a unique site due to its relatively high elevation and Tuffeau, the chalky limestone soils here that gives these wines their distinct character. “
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G.D. Vajra ‘Coste di Rose’ Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Grapelive 96 Points “The Coste di Rose Cru Barolo from a unique vineyard site high in the hills and set on deep sands, so sandy in fact the Vajra’s call this site the beach, over marl and clay soils that gives this Nebbiolo its awesome perfume and amazing texture. The estate of GD Vajra is situated in Vergne, the highest village in the Commune of Barolo with Nebbiolo, being the main varietal, but also planted with Dolcetto, Barbera, Freisa, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and of course their legendary Riesling, which is one of my favorites, to name a few. The vineyards are at heights of 350-400 meters, which plays a big part in the wines’ complexity and aromatic quality that winemaker Giuseppe Vajra achieves with his amazing collection of offerings. I first tasted the Coste di Rose at last years Slow Wine Tasting in San Francisco and reviewed the 2015 vintage here, so I knew this was going to be a special wine, coming from a vintage that will certainly go down as one the legendary years in the Barolo region, and I was not let down, this is a gorgeous Nebbiolo that should get better and better over the next two decades. The Vajra Barolo wines, like this one, see about (a) 30-40 day cuvaison, which allows for a gentle extraction the tannins from the skins, also Vajra notes, that there is a small percentage of stems are left in durning the maceration and primary fermentation depending on the vintage, riper years see more. The G.D. Vajra wines are not adorned with flashy sweet/toast French barriques, these wines are exceptionally pure and transparent versions of Barolo and the wines are aged in large (mostly older) Slovenian oak barrels for between 42-48 months before bottling. While every release of these Vajra Barolo offerings merit your attention, I highly recommend chasing down these 2016s and getting them into your cellar! I hope to re-visit the Vajra 2016s in a decade somehow, they should be even more amazing at that point and in the meantime I suggest drinking the 2013 and 2015 versions, both of these vintages offer exceptional quality and can be drug now without penalty, plus I highly recommend the Vajra Albe Barolo, the entry level offering, as it is a hugely rewarding wine and a great value….”
Hundred Suns Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir Yamhill-Carlton District 2019 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
93 Points Grapelive “One of my favorite Oregon wines, the Hundred Suns Shea Pinot, is a knockout in this worrisome vintage and is way over performing for such a young and fresh wine with pretty aromatics, depth of flavor and complexity, all which highlights the special nature of this vineyard in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA of the Willamette Valley. This dark ruby hued Pinot Noir bursts from the glass with bright red fruit intensity, spices and floral tones which leads to a firmly detailed medium bodied palate of black cherry, bramble berry, tart plum, lingonberry and pomegranate fruits as well as a touch of whole cluster pop with mineral, fennel, blood orange, a touch of stony saline and black tea notes. Winemaker, Grant Coulter, the ex Beaux Freres star, who along with Renée Saint-Amour started their own label Hundred Suns in 2015, with a focus on small lot Pinots, of which the Shea Vineyard is one of the signature wines. While this 2019 might not be as good as the 2018, it is still rockstar stuff and a fabulous wine in its own right, it has its own charm, its own personality and the incredible attention to detail that goes into each vintage and wine here at Hundred Suns, these are wines that remind me of the wines of Philippe Pacalet and Jean Foillard, expressive, authentic and with energetic class. Oregon is producing a lot of new labels of merit and there’s tons to be exited by, with Hundred Suns being one not to miss…”
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We love our Oregon wines; check out some of our favorite producers including Crowley, Sequitur and Goodfellow today!