1/25/16
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Featured New Arrival; New Week, New Arrivals; Library Releases from Olga Raffault; Re-Arrivals; Arriving This Week; Hirsch
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Featured New Arrival:
Von Winning Pechstein Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Pfalz 2014 750ML ($119.95) $86 special
Wine Advocate 95 points “Very complex but also subtle and fresh in its purity and intensity, the 2014 Forster Pechstein Riesling trocken GG intertwines ripe but discreet fruit aromas with the stony basalt flavors form this prestigious vineyard. Full-bodied, pure, round and juicy, this is a nobly textured, piquant and very long Riesling; it has great power, tension and a very long and aromatic finish that displays ripe peach, as well as also some passion fruit aromas. The lingering and stimulating salinity is really characterizing this wine that will get even finer with age. ”
Terry Theise notes “Though it is clear that Kirchenstück is the greater and more profound wine, it’s also apparent that many Pfalz amateurs’ favorite wine is Pechstein. It scratches an itch almost no other wine can reach, that lysergic blend of riotous flowers and primordial salts is close to unique among wines. This has a sublime aroma, all sweet lilacs and wisteria and wintergreen; the palate is an apex of salt and mineral with notes of orchids; what a Cru this is! It makes a compelling case that Riesling is—vastly—in its own class.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $99.95
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This is the Week That Was:
New Wines
WASHINGTON
Owen Roe Sharecropper’s Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 2014 ($17.95) $14 special
Winery notes: “Everyone’s favorite go-to weeknight Cab does not disappoint in 2014. Sweet aromas of blackberry, candied fruit, vanilla and brown sugar leads to a more savory palate of pomegranate, green pepper and oil cured olives. This Cabernet finishes with bright acidity and lingering tannins. We recommend opening this wine now and enjoying it at a young age, however, this will age well for 4-6 years when properly cellared.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
CALIFORNIA
Urbanite Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
Vinopolvaluepick- A go-to, fun to drink California Cab with cedar aromas, dark fruits, earth, and spice. Winery notes: “100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes for Urbanite Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 were sourced from California coastal growing regions and the Sacramento River Delta region. The various lots were separately destemmed, crushed and fermented on the skins for two weeks in stainless steel tanks. After a full malo-lactic second fermentation to soften the acids and add complexity to the aroma, the base wines were aged for 10 months in second-use French oak. The various lots were then blended to taste and bottled. Urbanite Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon is a young wine intended for immediate enjoyment. The supple richness of Cabernet Sauvignon from different vineyards, blended together, creates a balanced, expressive, lush wine. Dark crimson color and spicy cedar aroma precede flavors of dark mulberry and ripe plum. Hints of vanilla and oak remain in the background, adding context and balance. Serve Urbanite Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon with ripe cheeses, whole grained breads, grilled sausages and steaks.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
FRANCE-BURGUNDY
Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Clos Cromin Meursault 2011 750ML ($69.95) $49 special
Antonio Galloni–Vinous 92 points “The 2011 Meursault Clos du Cromin is all about freshness, energy and vibrancy. Lemon, white flowers, jasmine and a hint of spice are supported by clean veins of minerality that add tension and brightness. With time in the glass, the wine becomes increasingly more focused, vibrant and persistent. I very much like the sense of energy here.” AG
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Les Cent Vignes, Beaune Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Antonio Galloni—Vinous 90 points “Sweet rose petals, rosewater, violets, mint, hard candy and crushed rocks are some of the many notes that take shape in the 2011 Beaune Cent-Vignes. Wonderfully pointed and pure, the 2011 impresses for its energy, tension and pure verve. There is plenty of potential here, but readers will need to give the 2011 a few years to soften.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Les Caillerets, Volnay Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($79.95) $59 special
Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Les Caillerets, Volnay Premier Cru 2011 1.5L ($179.95) $119 special
Antonio Galloni–Vinous 93 points “The 2011 Volnay Caillerets is one of the most explosive wines in this range. Black cherries, plums, licorice, smoke and tar literally jump from the glass. The 2011 is round and voluptuous on the palate, yet also backed up by considerable structure. Hints of cloves, new leather and sweet tobacco add the final layers of nuance. In 2011 there are just three barrels of Caillerets, one of which is new, a slightly higher ratio than is typically the case.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The magnum is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Les Aussy Volnay Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Antonio Galloni–Vinous 91 points “Plum, red cherry pit, mint, wild flowers and anise meld together in the 2011 Volnay Les Aussy. Here it is the wine’s energy and drive that stand out most. Today, the Aussy is a bit compact, but it should soften with time. Once again, I am impressed with the sheer depth and purity of the fruit, both of which the 2011 has in spades. At the same time, the wine retains its essential, mid-weight personality. All the elements are in balance in a wine that has really come together over the last year.” AG
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Les Chenes Volnay Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($79.95) $59 special
Antonio Galloni–Vinous 93 points “The 2011 Volnay Clos des Chênes is quite reticent today. There is plenty of depth and richness in the glass, even if all the elements aren’t fully formed just yet. Sweet tobacco, licorice, mint, spices and plums emerge over time, but only with great reluctance. The Clos des Chênes is going to require significant patience. Today, it is a bit compact.” AG
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Les Mitans Volnay Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Antonio Galloni–Vinous 92+ points “Black cherries, plums, cloves, menthol, licorice and tar wrap around the palate in the 2011 Volnay Mitans. A dark, imposing wine, the Mitans is the most reticent of these 2011s. The wine’s depth and broad shoulders are impressive, but today the Mitans comes across as a bit rough around the edges. The Mitans was the last of these wines to finish its malolactic fermentation and was also bottled a bit later than the other wines, both of which might explain some of its rawness today. Ideally the firm tannins need time to soften.” AG
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Pitures, Volnay Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($69.95) $49 special
Antonio Galloni–Vinous 91 points “Incisive and powerful, the 2011 Volnay Pitures is bright, focused and linear in its personality. Dark red cherries, plums, graphite, smoke, licorice and new leather flesh out in a broad, powerful wine endowed with tremendous depth and pure thrust. The Pitures opens up nicely in the glass, but it, too, will require a measure of patience. Still, the 2011 is likely to remain a bit rustic.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Les Taillepieds Volnay Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($79.95) $59 special
Antonio Galloni–Vinous 92 points “A model of precision and balance, the 2011 Volnay Taillepieds graces the palate with tons of pure energy, cut and tension. Sweet red berries, wild flowers, mint, crushed rocks and slate flow effortlessly from a vibrant, pulsating Taillepieds bursting with class. The precocious vintage gives a measure of early accessibility, but ideally the 2011 is best left alone for a handful of years. I very much like the sense of salinity here.” AG
Domaine Cecile Tremblay Morey-Saint-Denis Tres Girard, Cote de Nuits 2013 750ML ($99.95) $89 special
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 88-90 points “(vinified with 50% whole clusters): Medium red. Soil-driven aromas of mocha, earth and smoky, rocky minerality. Ripe and sweet, with a pungent mineral spine and sound acidity intensifying the wine’s red fruit flavors. Finishes with good mineral energy.” ST
This is the only listing in the USA today!
FRANCE-BEAUJOLAIS
Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Fleurie les Garants 2011 750ML ($27.95) $24 special
Wine Advocate 92 points “The mostly large barrel-raised Chermette 2011 Fleurie Les Garants exhibits a more vivid as well as char-roasted red meatiness than its Poncie counterpart, mingling earthy beet root with its lusciously ripe plum and cherry. More pronouncedly marked by fruit pit piquancy; firmer in feel than the corresponding Poncie; and with intensely peppery impingement, this is altogether more backward (“typically,” notes Chermette) but finishes with a striking sense of levity; incipient complexity, and outstanding sheer reach, cut and persistence. This outstanding value is apt to be irresistible between 2015 and 2020, but might well age with poise for longer.” DS
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92 points “Bright violet color. Pungent aromas of raspberry liqueur, fresh rose and licorice, lifted by a tangy mineral quality. Silky and pliant, boasting striking verve to its flavors of red berries, floral pastilles and spicecake. Youthfully energetic and stony on the finish, which shows appealing sweetness and just a hint of tannins. Lively in the style of the vintage, but showing surprising depth and power as well.” JR
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Coudert Pere ‘Clos de la Roilette’ Fleurie Cuvee Tardive 2014 750ML ($31.95) $28 special
Vinopolnote: From old Fleurie vines, this cuvee is partially raised in old oak barrels and has traditionally been more geared for aging than the estate’s other bottlings.
Coudert Pere ‘Clos de la Roilette’ Fleurie Griffe du Marquis 2013 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 93 points “Deep ruby. A heady blackberry liqueur- and potpourri-scented bouquet is complemented by suggestions of smoky Indian spices and candied flowers. Finely etched dark fruit and floral pastille flavors show excellent depth, with a spicy note of white pepper emerging with air and adding bite. Emphatically fruity and concentrated Fleurie with firm structure and mineral cut on the long, sappy, youthfully tannic finish. I was reminded more than a little of the northern Rhône by this compelling wine. This particular plot was planted in 1930, Alain Coudert told me.” JR
Chateau Lyonnat, Lussac-Saint-Emilion 2010 750ML ($29.95) $26 special
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “With Hubert de Bouard of Château Angélus in Saint-Émilion acting as consultant, this is an opulent wine. It has great fruits, big tannins that are well integrated into the fruit, and a fine future. Drink this dark and very ageworthy wine from 2017.
FRANCE-LOIRE
Marc Deschamps Pouilly-Fume Les Champs de Cri 2012 ($29.95) $24 special
Wine Advocate 94+ points “The 2.3-hectares parcel Champs de Cri in Les Loges produces the most complex, elegant and long-lived Fumé of the estate. From vines about 55 years old, the pale golden 2012 Pouilly-Fumé Champs de Cri was kept on the lees for several months more than the other cuvées of the domaine and it is released later. It is a very complex and tightly woven wine, which was totally closed but extremely promising when I tasted it in early August 2014. The nose disclosed most of all the extreme deep mineral foundation of this Fumé with subtle hints of citrons, bitter orange, straw, jasmine and elder flowers. On the palate this is a full-bodied, rich, concentrated and multilayered Pouilly-Fumé of great elegance and expression. It’s an aristocratic, extremely well-balanced, fresh and lingering monolith of natural beauty.” WA
Jean-Francois Merieau Touraine Cent Visage Cot 2012 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Vinopolnote: 100% Cot (Malbec) grown from 50 year old vines; the wine is aged in neutral oak for a year and boasts a touch of rusticity with plenty of dark fruits and spice with a floral kiss.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
FRANCE-RHONE
Les Hauts de Valcombe Ventoux 2013 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
Case-12 Les Hauts de Valcombe Ventoux 2013 750ML ($179.95) $149 special
Grapelive 91 points “The Valcombe vines are about 75 years old and sit low on the slopes of Mount Ventoux, they are farmed organic and are used to produce traditional wines of balance and finesse, they are crafted by Luc and Cendrine Guénard, a couple that want to grow the reputation here and have a great passion for their terroir. They studied under Paul Jeune of Domaine Monpertuis, famous for his gorgeous Chateauneuf du Papes, and they have Rosenthal imports firmly behind them and championing their wines here in the states, their estate in at 1,000 Feet and covers about 28 hectares of mostly old vine Grenache with Syrah, Carignan and Cinsault for reds and as well as a collection of white grapes. The 2013 Les Hauts de Valcombe is a sappy and spicy red with great detail and vitality, it is open, but brilliantly subtle and refined with loads of charm that highlight the chalky mix of soils that include blue clay and galets, the same round stones found in Chateaneuf, and the palate is easy with red spices, dried flowers, earth and light leather notes adding complexity to the black raspberry, plum and pomegranate fruit core along with cracked pepper and red spicy cinnamon. There is a stony and stylish savory side that comes through as well as a lingering blueberry and strawberry on the finish, and the whole is a pleasing and easy to love red from one of the most underrated areas of the Rhone, where you can discover real beautiful wines that offer superb value, like this one, drink the Les Hauts de Valcombe between 2015 and 2018, it’s lovely stuff.”
FRANCE-PROVENCE
Domaine du Bagnol Cassis, Provence 2013 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Vinopolnote: A beautiful blend of Marsanne, Clairette, and Ugni Blanc grown along the Mediterranean coast.
Le Galantin Bandol, Provence 2012 750ML ($21.95) $18
Importer’s note: This organically-grown wine is a powerhouse of dark berry fruit flavors with a lingering, complex finish. Produced from 95% Mourvedre and 5% old-vines Grenache, the wine is aged for 22 months in oak cuves before release, which makes this tasty giant more approachable in its youth. Celine is employing 20% whole cluster fermentation and pressing after 20 days. A great pairing with red meat and grilled dishes, and ideal with game.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
ITALY-PIEDMONT
Montaribaldi Palazzina, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special
Importer’s note: 100% Nebbiolo from 30 year old vines planted in fine, calcareous southwest-facing slope. Alcoholic fermentation lasts at least one week at a controlled temperature. After racking, the wine remains in contact with its lees for at least two months while it completes malolactic fermentation. Then the wine is aged for 20 months in new and used oak.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Grignolino d’Asti, Piedmont 2014 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Winery notes: “Its colour is light ruby red. The smell is subtle with scent of rose. Its taste is fresh, flowery and mild to the palate. It perfectly matches with hors d’oeuvres, soups, fish and white meat. Fermentation in steel at a controlled temperature for about 8 days. Ageing in steel goes on for some months before bottling in spring.”
Bruna Grimaldi Briccola Nebbiolo d’Alba, Piedmont 2013 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Vinopolnote- ageworthy; could pass for a young Barolo. In fact it would be a young Barolo were it not for a few meters on the wrong side of the DOCG boundary line.
Winery note: The younger brother of Barolo, with a delicate perfume and a round taste, with robust tannins in the first years, which become gentler with ageing. It is produced from the grapes cultivated in Diano d’Alba; the vines were planted in 1940, and its name is Nebbiolo d’Alba Briccola. Calcareous soils at 1,000 feet above sea level; wines are aged in tonneau for 12-15 months and then held in bottle for 6 months.
La Miraja Le Masche Barbera D’Asti 2013 750ML ($24.95) $21.95 special
Importer’s notes: “The name “Le Masche” is a reference to pre-Christian deities who torment the souls of immoral human beings.100% Barbera from estate-grown fruit. Wine spends 12 months in oak (15-20 percent new barrique; 15-20 percent neutral barrique; 60-70 percent botti) High-toned aromatics transition to bright red fruits that form a serious mid-palate.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
ITALY-TUSCANY
Montepeloso Eneo Toscana IGT 2011 750ML ($49.95) $36 special
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Black cherries, raspberry jam, cloves lavender and violets are some of the many notes that take hold of the senses in the 2011 Eneo. This dark, brooding beauty possesses fabulous depth and intensity all the way through to the voluptuous finish. The Eneo is very ripe – in the style of the year – but all the elements are in the right place. The blend is 45% Sangiovese, 35% Montepulciano, 15% Alicante and 5% Marselan.” AG
ITALY-ALTO ADIGE/FRIUILI
Alois Lageder Pinot Bianco Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT 2014 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
James Suckling 92 points “The depth of fruit is so beautiful in this white with a solid core of fruit and phenolic texture and form. Full body, very flavorful and extremely long. Great value and well done for this vintage. Drink now.” JS
AUSTRIA
Weingut Hirsch Nr. 1 – Trinkvergnugen – Hirschvergnugen Gruner Veltliner 2014 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Terry Theise notes “This wine has a schwe-e-e-et aroma; total classic GV at its most winning and forthcoming…oh man, this is ridiculous quality for this echelon, the legume-lentil GV with loads of loessy charm. It is the BEST WINE IN ITS CATEGORY IN 2014, and an amazing piece of work.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Malat Gruner Veltliner, Kremstal 2014 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Wine Enthusiast 89 points “The 2014 vintage was cool and difficult in Austria but conscientious winemakers delivered wines of incredible refreshment and verve. This bottling offers citrus, white pepper, lemon zest and a touch of green pear. If you like it slender, sleek and refreshing, grab this now.”
Weingut Johanneshof Reinisch Pinot Noir, Thermenregion 2013 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Wine Enthusiast 90 points “High-toned, heady elements precede red currant notes on the nose. The slender palate reveals classic flavors of earthy Pinot fruit matured in the traditional large, used barrel. Wet earth, hay and cherry fruit take turns, although very pure notes of ripe red cherry appear over time. This is an exercise in subtlety and would be a perfect match for game.”
ARGENTINA
Renacer Enamore, Mendoza 2013 750ML ($31.95) $26 special
James Suckling 88 points “A little jammy and sweet with lots of fruit, soft tannins and a simple finish. A blend of malbec, cabernet sauvignon, bonarda and cabernet franc. Drink now.”
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New arrivals: Library Releases from Domaine Olga Raffault
“If you doubt that Chinon ages well, try Olga Raffault Les Picasses from the 1990 or 1989 vintages, which are not hard to find and are quite reasonably priced. They are delicious.” Eric Asimov, The New York Times; March 19, 2008
Notes from importer Louis/Dressner: Since Olga’s death a few years ago, Domaine Olga Raffault is currently run by her granddaughter Sylvie and her husband Eric de la Vigerie. The estate has terrific plots of land in the Savigny-en-Véron district hard by the Vienne riverbanks. The ‘les Picasses’ vineyard stands out from the rest: old vines of 50-ish years on a fairly steep slope from the riverbank that is alluvial clay with a chalk limestone base. The fruit is particularly expressive of dark fruits of cassis and dark cherries with a terrific mineral content and good acidity for structure.
The winemaking is most traditional. The grapes are, of course, handpicked and fermented in stainless-steel. The wines are then aged in larger, neutral oak and sometimes chestnut – a traditional barrel wood in the region. The ‘Picasses’ spends two to three years in oak, to reduce the wine and soften the tannins, and is usually released about 4 years after the vintage.
Olga Raffault Chinon Les Picasses 1990 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Vinopolnote: Fruit is handpicked, fermented in stainless steel, and aged in neutral barrel before being bottled roughly 18 months later. Limestone/clay soils with vines averaging 50 years in age.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Olga Raffault Chinon Les Picasses 1989 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Vinopolnote: Fruit is handpicked, fermented in stainless steel, and aged in neutral barrel before being bottled roughly 18 months later. Limestone/clay soils with vines averaging 50 years in age.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $72.
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Highlight Re-Arrivals
You Liked ‘Em So Much,
We’re Bringing Them Back
OREGON
Slow Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($31.95) $28 special, 21 bottles available
VinopolNote: This is a special cuvee crafted by Grochau Cellars in support of Slow Food Portland. The wine is a blend of single barrels submitted by eleven WV wineries including Ayres, Evesham Wood, J Christopher, Cameron and Westrey. The wine is bright, fresh, and balanced, showing aromas of cherries and anise.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Cameron Pinot Gris Ramato, Dundee Hills 2014 750ML ($27.95) $24 special
Winery note “Rame: Italian for copper, ramato: copper-colored. Ramato is a copper-colored Pinot grigio made in the tradition of north-eastern Italy. A very tricky wine to pull off. Very limited production.”
VinopolNote: 100% Pinot Gris from Abbey Ridge vineyard made as an ‘orange’ wine. Grapes are harvested just as the seeds begin to brown. The grapes are crushed and the juice is left on the skins for 4-5 hours to extract color before pressing. The wine is aged for 6-8 months in neutral barrique to stabilize color and to allow the proteins to settle out without filtration.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Cameron Dundee Hills Chardonnay 2014 750ML ($21.95) $19 special
Winemaker’s note “The wine got a full 12 months of lees contact which gives it exceptional mouth feel. The total production came from 35 year-old vines at Abbey Ridge Vineyard so I guess we could put “Vieille Vigne” if we wanted (except we’re not that obnoxious!).”
Owen Roe O’Reilly’s Pinot Noir 2013 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
Vinopolnote: A reliable and easy-drinking Oregon pinot with broad appeal and elegance.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Owen Roe Sharecropper’s Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Wine Enthusiast – Editors’ Choice 91 points “This deservedly popular value bottle gets the star Pinot treatment—nine months in French oak, 27% new. It’s spicy and full-flavored, with resonant blue plum fruit, buttery toast and a tannic frame.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $23
WASHINGTON
Owen Roe Abbot’s Table Red 2014 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
46% Zinfandel, 31% Sangiovese, 14% Blaufränkisch, and 9% Malbec
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 89 points “(the Zinfandel component comes from a very hot, rocky site): Good full red. Dark berries, black pepper and licorice aromas are lifted by a violet topnote. Very smooth and sweet but juicy as well, showing lovely peppery, spicy verve to the black fruit flavors. In a distinctly brisk style: O’Reilly picks this fruit at very reasonable sugars–as low as 22.5 degrees Brix for the Malbec component. An attractive, creamy wine with sappy freshness, this early-released “cash-flow blend” relies as much on its acidity as on its tannins for structure. Finishes with good persistence.”ST
ITALY-TUSCANY
Felsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2010 750ML ($34.95) $28 special
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2010 Chianti Classico Riserva is host to a beautiful mix of black mineral, fruit, dried mint and eucalyptus. The wine shows elegant evolution in the glass and backs it up with dry, polished tannins. This is a stunning effort available at a reasonable price. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2028. This is one of the nicest collections of new releases by Giuseppe Mazzocolin’s Felsina. At the edge of the Chianti Classico and Chianti Colli Senesi denominations, the estate counts 475 hectares, of which 61 are planted with vineyard.” WA
Antonio Galloni 92+ points “Classicists, on the other hand, will flip out over the 2010 Chianti Classico Riserva. Black cherry, plum, smoke and menthol notes all jump out of the glass. The 2010 is translucent yet also rich, powerful and impeccably balanced. Ideally readers should cellar the 2010 for at least a few years, but that is going to be difficult considering how beautiful the wine is today.” AG
Vinopolnote—This is the House of Felsina – we have eleven different wines from Felsina here now, five case deals, and one more coming soon. Have a look online: www.vinopoliswineshop.com
ITALY-VENETO
Pieropan Soave, Veneto 2013 750ML ($19.95) $14 special
Wine Spectator 90 points “Sleek and smoky, this light-bodied, silky white is packed with flavor. A smoky hint of minerality underscores the range of ripe apricot, blood orange, pickled ginger, Thai basil and verbena notes. Lovely, with a lasting streak of salinity on the aromatic finish. Drink now through 2020.” WS
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Highights Arriving Here This Week:
Wines In-Store January 29th
OREGON – here by Friday
Analemma Atavus Vineyard Blanc de Noir, Columbia Gorge 2011 750ML ($54.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Winery note “Of citrine color and brilliant clarity to the eye, this vintage offers aromas of fresh pear, green apples and underripe strawberries. This wine is precise with vibrant acidity and hints of autolytic character, showing long aging potential. An expression of a single variety, single vineyard and single vintage, our Blanc honors the individuality of a historic site. Alcohol 12.7%. Proudly featuring Columbia Gorge AVA fruit. Organically grown by our team from nearly 50 year old vines. Harvested October 21, 2011. This wine was gently whole cluster pressed and aged on its lees for six months before bottling. A true Methodé Champenoise, this Blanc de Noir is 100% Pinot Noir aged sur lie for 42 months and disgorged October 13, 2015.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Johan Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2013 ($31.95) $27 pre-arrival special
Winery note “The goal behind the Estate bottling is to make a wine that is representative of the whole farm. We achieve this on a micro scale by selecting small parcels of fruit from every combination of rootstock/scion, slope, soil profile, and vine age on the property. We then vinify, age, and bottle this wine separately from our other lots. This bottling is always the most representative of the growing year as it incorporates fruit from the whole farm. It is the most accurate representation of Johan Vineyards’ terroir.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today! ($28.94)
WASHINGTON
Bergevin Lane Vineyards Moonspell Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 2011 750ML ($29.95) $23.50 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 92 points “Supple, focused and distinctive, with mineral and pepper overtones to the core of blueberry and dark plum flavors. Has depth and elegance, and plenty of room to expand and grow. Best from 2016 through 2020.” WS
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $30
K Vintners B. Leighton Petit Verdot, Olsen Brothers Vineyard, Yakima Valley 2012 750ML ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94+ points “The star of the show, Leighton’s 2012 Petit Verdot Olsen Vineyard (100% Petit Verdot aged 22 Months in 50% new French oak) is still painfully backward and unevolved, yet has tons of personality and potential. Loaded with notions of dark fruits, peach pit, creamy licorice and violet-like aromas and flavors, it’s full-bodied, thrillingly concentrated, yet fresh and elegant, with plenty of focus to its texture and length on the finish. It’s a brilliant wine. Give it 2-3 years and drink bottles over the following decade.” JD
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 92 points “(made entirely from whole, uncrushed berries): Deep, saturated ruby. Knockout nose combines redcurrant, crystallized blackberry, iron, dried flowers and licorice. Sweet, supple and pliant in the mouth, with lovely saline soil tones complicating the plush flavors of red berries, flowers, minerals and spices. Already long on personality, this wine finishes with wonderfully smooth, horizontal tannins and terrific length. Incidentally, I scored this wine 93+? last year, but the wine had not yet been bottled. It’s a lot more open to inspection today.”
K Vintners B. Leighton Syrah, Olsen Brothers Vineyard, Yakima Valley 2012 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 94+? points “(vinified entirely with whole clusters and aged entirely in puncheons, 25% new): Healthy dark red-ruby. Knockout nose combines raspberry, minerals, smoked meat, fresh blood and black pepper; shows the wildness I associate with Cornas from a generation ago. Silky, sappy and pure on the palate, offering superb intensity and rocky minerality to the vibrant flavors of black fruits, cured meat, orange rind and spices. Very long on the aftertaste, with suave tannins disappearing into the wine’s fruit. A stunner.”
Wine Advocate 93 points “Seeing 18 months in 20% new oak, the 2012 Syrah Olsen Vineyard exhibits lots of meaty, dark fruits, olive, damp earth and distinct minerality to go with a full-bodied, nicely concentrated style on the palate. There’s lots of classic Syrah olive and meatiness here, and while it’s already approachable, it will have 10-12 years of overall longevity.” JD
CALIFORNIA
Januik Klipsun Vineyard Merlot, Red Mountain 2012 750ML ($34.95) $31.90 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Januik Klipsun Vineyard Merlot, Red Mountain 2012 750ML ($189.95) $169 pre-arrival special (that’s only $28.17/bottle!)
Case-12 Januik Klipsun Vineyard Merlot, Red Mountain 2012 750ML ($359.95) $319 pre-arrival special (that’s only $26.58/bottle!)
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 93+ points “(100% Merlot): Bright, dark red. Dark fruits, graphite, mocha, menthol and musky oak on the compelling nose, along with a hint of caraway seed. Alluring pliant, elegant wine with beautifully integrated acidity framing the dark plum and cassis flavors. Conveys a rare combination of intensity and finesse of texture. Finishes with fine-grained tannins–especially for a wine from Klipsun vineyard–and outstanding length. This stunning Merlot spent just seven days on its skins, according to Januik.”
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Araujo Estate Altagracia Red, Napa Valley 2012 750ML ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Robert Parker 91 points “The 2012 Proprietary Red Altagracia is 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot, 8% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot and Malbec. A beautiful nose of red and black cherries, blackcurrants, spice box and earth jumps from the glass of this expressive, fragrant, medium-bodied wine that has velvety tannins, a burgeoning complexity and a savory, lush mouthfeel. This is a strong second wine from this famous vineyard. It can be drunk now or cellared for up to 15 or more years. It’s pure seductiveness.” RP
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The next best price is $125
The average price is $137
Snowden Vineyards The Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2013 750ML ($59.95) $44 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Snowden Vineyards The Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2013 750ML ($599.95) $479 pre-arrival special (that’s only $39.92/bottle!)
Antonio Galloni 93 points “Snowden’s 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon The Ranch is bold, delicious and juicy. Black cherry, plum, licorice and smoke all meld together effortlessly. The tannins could use another year or two to soften, but the Ranch Cabernet is going to drink well with minimal cellaring next to most wines of the vintage.” AG
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The average price is $53
FRANCE-BURGUNDY
Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Meursault Charmes, Meursault Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Meursault Charmes, Meursault Premier Cru 2011 1.5L ($199.95) $149 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni–Vinous 91 points “The 2011 Meursault Les Charmes wraps around the palate with gorgeous depth and nuance. There is plenty of Charmes richness and depth in the glass. At the same time, the wine’s structural elements are front and center, at least today. The firm, slightly dry finish suggests the fruit may have been brought in a little early.” AG
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Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Les Perrieres, Meursault Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni–Vinous 92 points “The 2011 Meursault Les Perrières is surprisingly rich and viscous for Perrières. Honey, almonds, mint, dried flowers and dried pears flesh out in the glass. With air the wine’s minerality becomes more apparent. Ideally, the 2011 is best left alone for at least another year or two to allow all the elements to come together.” AG
Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Meursault Santenots, Meursault Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni–Vinous 93 points “The 2011 Meursault Les Santenots is first and foremost a wine of texture. Gracious and layered in the glass, the 2011 is endowed with considerable personality. White stone fruits, flowers anise and crushed rocks emerge over time, but the overall impression is one of pure silk. The style is rich, deep and resonant, while the balance is first-rate.” AG
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FRANCE-BEAUJOLAIS
Domaine Marcel Lapierre Raisins Gaulois, Vin de France 2014 750ML ($17.95) $14 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator – “A crisp, light-bodied red, with a distinctive profile of fresh earth, raspberry, dried herb and licorice drop notes lined with a tangy edge. Zesty, mineral-laced finish. For fans of the style. Drink now. ”
Coudert Pere ‘Clos de la Roilette’ Fleurie, Beaujolais 2013 750ML ($21.95) $18 pre-arrival special
Importer note “The Clos de la Roilette, in the village of Fleurie, covers nine hectares of one of the best slopes in the Beaujolais Crus. The clos has an eastern exposure, borders the Moulin-à-Vent appellation, and produces wines that are beautiful when young and have the capacity to age 5-10 years, depending on the vintage. Semi-carbonic maceration with submerged hat, temperature control and native yeasts, then aged in large oak foudres. Vines are 30-40 years old grown in manganese granite and clay soil.”
FRANCE-BORDEAUX
Chateau La Peyre, Haut-Medoc 2012 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
Importer’s note: “The vineyards cover about 1.2 hectares and sit on gravel-infused soil. The vines are of an average age of 25 years (as of 2011). The grape blend for the Haut-Médoc is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. After a manual harvest, the alcoholic fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks; at the conclusion of that phase of the vinification, the wine is racked into small barrels to clarify for an additional year before bottling.”
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Chateau Moulin de Tricot, Margaux 2011 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Importer’s note: “This small jewel of an estate produces a mere 15,000 bottles of Margaux per annum. We are fortunate to have access to at least 3600 bottles per year (plus a small number of magnums and double magnums!) of this superb wine. Heavily dependent on Cabernet Sauvignon (at least three-fourths of the cuvée), this wine has a distinguished structure and complex flavors that beg for additional aging in the bottle. The elevage in barrel extends for eighteen months at which point the wine is bottled without filtration.”
Chateau Aney, Haut Medoc 2010 750ML ($31.95) $27 pre-arrival special
Importer note “Château Aney was built in 1850 by the family that gave it its name, just five years before the wine classification system was initiated in Bordeaux. The domaine thrived and earned Cru Bourgeois status, but by the mid-twentieth century the land was no longer being farmed and the château had fallen into disrepair. In 1972 Jean Raimond and his son, Pierre, bought the property, rehabilitated the vineyards, and refurbished the winery and cellars. This marked a new era for Château Aney; which fittingly achieved Cru Bourgeois status for a second time in 1978. Today Pierre runs the estate along with his son, David, producing wines of class and elegance. The wine is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot planted in 1976.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today! ($27.99)
FRANCE-RHONE
Eric Texier Cotes du Rhone 2013 750ML ($19.95) $16 pre-arrival special
Importer note “Eric Texier became a winemaker after a first career and without any family background in vines or wines. After giving up the idea of buying vineyards, which was too costly a proposition for a beginner with his ambitions, he started a small négoce where he selected particularly interesting vineyard plots and the sincere, hard-working farmers who grew the healthy grapes he wanted to buy and vinify. He rediscovered nearly forgotten areas of ancient fame, like Brézème in the northern Côtes-du-Rhône, and nurtured relationships with people who tend their vines with passion and care. Like all good winemakers, Eric strongly believes that wines are made in the vineyard, and that his work, after the harvest, consists in following the lead of the vintage, and accompanying the wines so they fulfill their potential. For his red wines, he does the same sorting at harvest, 100% destemming most of the time, bringing the grapes to the press by conveyer belts, cold maceration under a CO2 blanket for aromatic extraction, natural yeasts, pigeage and remontage twice a day, during maceration and fermentation. The temperatures are controlled not to exceed 34 degrees C (93F), aging is done in 2 to 5 year old barrels of 228L and demi-muids of 450L, with only limited use of new oak, no filtration and egg white fining only when necessary.”
FRANCE-ALSACE
Kuentz-Bas Riesling Tradition, Alsace 2013 750ML ($21.95) $16 pre-arrival special
Ian D’agato – Vinous 89 points “Pale, bright straw-yellow color. Lemon, orange, pepper and pungent herbs on the nose. Bright and juicy in the mouth, with clean flavors of grapefruit pith, oregano and talc. Finishes firm-edged and citrussy, with the lemony acidity providing persistent finishing zip. This easygoing wine will go great with oysters and shellfish in general. “This wine was hard work because our growers didn’t want to wait to harvest given the forecast of heavy October shower activity,” Totolli told me, “so we had to reassure them continuously and let them know we were behind them.””
ITALY-PIEDMONT
De Forville Langhe Arneis, Piedmont 2013 750ML ($17.95) $14 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 89 points “Full-bodied but refreshing, it boasts juicy green apple, white pear and mineral sensations. The creamy palate is brightened by fresh acidity, giving this a clean, fresh finish. Sip as an apéritif or pair with pasta topped with vegetable sauces.” WE
De Forville Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont 2014 750ML ($24.95) $19 pre-arrival special
Winery note: “Obtained from vineyards cultivated in a wide area at the border with the Barolo and Barbaresco districts, this wine is immediately ready to drink, but it is also suitable for ageing. After five years in the bottle it still preserves its best features. Good structure, with a tannic and spicy finish.”
ITALY-TUSCANY
Castello di Ama ‘San Lorenzo’, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2011 750ML ($57.95) $41.90 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Castello di Ama ‘San Lorenzo’, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2011 750ML ($259.95) $233 pre-arrival special (that’s only $38.83/bottle!)
Case-12 Castello di Ama ‘San Lorenzo’, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2011 750ML ($549.95) $432 pre-arrival special (that’s only $36/bottle!)
James Suckling 96 points “This has a dusty character on the nose with soil, dried fruit and blueberry. Flowers too. Full body, firm tannins and a fresh finish. Tight and structured. Shows wonderful depth of fruit and beauty. Chewy. Better in 2016.” JS
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Castello di Ama Haiku Toscana IGT 2010 750ML ($69.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 93 points “Beautifully vivid and nuanced in the glass, the 2010 Haiku impresses for its purity and clarity. Sweet tobacco, licorice, mint, cedar and dark red stone fruits are all woven together in a fabric of sensual elegance and total finesse. The 2010 is gorgeous today, but my sense is it also has enough pedigree to develop nicely in bottle. The style is built on grace and finesse.” AG
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ColleMassari ‘Lombrone’, Montecucco Sangiovese Riserva DOCG 2008 750ML ($69.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2008 Montecucco Sangiovese Riserva Lombrone is gorgeous. Crushed flowers, spices, sweet red cherries and herbs waft from the glass from this delicate, beautifully scented Sangiovese. This is a feminine, gracious style, but it works, and nicely.” AG
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ITALY-FRIULI
Stanislao Radikon Pinot Grigio Venezia Giulia IGT, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2013 750ML ($47.95) $41.90 pre-arrival special
Winery note “Radikon philosophy in the vineyards is the same as in the cellar: since the early Nineties we have not used chemical manures, but only organic products, allowed by the Code for organic farming. New vineyard systems are very dense (7000 – 10000 vines per hectare) so that the grapevine is forced to produce a smaller amount of increased-quality grape. The vineyards in the farming business (about 12 ha) are laying on steeply sloping soil, typical for the Collio Goriziano, with excellent South, South-east exposure. On this type of soil almost all farming works are hand-made.”
Importer note “2 weeks of skin maceration. Aged in barrel one year, then bottled and released.”
Stanislao Radikon ‘Slatnik’ Venezia Giulia IGT, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2013 750ML ($47.95) $41.90 pre-arrival special
Importer note “80% Chardonnay, 20% Tocai. Vinification: 3 weeks of skin maceration. Aged in barrel one year, then bottled and released.”
ITALY-LIGURIA
Punta Crena Ca da Rena Pigato Riviera Ligure di Ponente, Liguria 2013 750ML ($24.95) $18 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 89 points “A rich style, sporting peach and melon flavors, with accents of herb and white pepper. Vibrant acidity keeps this lively and extends the saline finish. Drink now through 2018. 377 cases imported.”BS
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SPAIN
Bodegas Hermanos Sastre ‘Vina Sastre’ Roble, Ribera del Duero 2013 750ML ($21.95) $19 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Brilliant ruby-red. Assertive aromas of fresh raspberry, spicecake and floral pastilles, with a peppery element adding lift and spiciness. Sweet and expansive on entry, then tighter in the middle, conveying a seductively perfumed quality to its red berry, cherry-cola and allspice flavors. Finishes energetic and long, with fine-grained tannins adding shape and grip. In a distinctly elegant style and quite appealing already after a bit of aeration. This wine was aged for nine months in used French and American oak barrels.”
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Hirsch
Ascending Austrian Superstar
Vinopolnote: Juicy, spicy, and fresh wines; animated, complex, and very much deserving of the attention they’ve been getting!
Johannes Hirsch is one of the top young winemakers in Austria, producing Grüner Veltliner and Riesling bottlings from his renowned vineyards in the Kamptal. He was recognized as “Winemaker of the Year” by Falstaff Magazine in 2011. His focus is single site, single terroir wines and is dedicated to precise and natural winemaking: using ambient yeast fermentation, slow vinification and long aging before release. His top vineyards are Lamm (which has loess and loam soils with south-facing slopes that produces wines of power, focus and structure), Gaisberg (with fertile brown earth and crystalline soils that produces dense wines of great minerality showing exotic floral notes) and Heiligenstein. Heiligenstein is considered one of the best vineyards in Europe, producing wine of great purity from its soils of desert sandstone, decomposed volcanic rock and carbonized vegetation. It is bowl-shaped with a southern exposure.
Wines Arriving Late January from Hirsch:
Weingut Hirsch Kammerner Grub Gruner Veltliner Erste OTW Lage Reserve, Kamptal 2013 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Weingut Hirsch Kammerner Grub Gruner Veltliner Erste OTW Lage Reserve, Kamptal 2013 1.5L ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
David Schildknecht—Vinous 91 points “After following this pithy, piquant, tightly coiled and firm yet lees-inflected bottling for a year, it seems to clearly be the Hirsch 2013 that has the farthest to travel before it reveals its full potential. Burly tobacco and black tea convey a smoky aura that intriguingly complements flavors of roasted beet root, apple and kohlrabi. The finish is impressively gripping and stony if as yet slightly undifferentiated.”
Terry Theise notes “This is a heat-trap in the declivity between the Gaisberg and Heiligenstein hills, and it gives a very meaty wine, often too meaty for me. Gobelsburg offers it also, and I show you maybe one in three vintages. This one is a big, dense boulder of minerality, stocky and brooding. It has some of the power of the 2003 Lamm, and is loaded with brown-bread and sorghum. More Wachau than Kamptal, but curiously compelling.”
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Weingut Hirsch Kammerner Heilegenstein Gruner Veltliner Erste OTW Lage, Kamptal 2014 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Terry Theise notes “I put it in quotes because it is actually (and inexplicably) the general-site, not the single-site, and to try to explain it would involve all the Talmudic intricacy of bureaucratic thought—or, “thought.” In any case, beginning with vintage-2015 this wine will be known as “Kammern,” and will thus take its more explicable place as a village-wine. It has always been the perfect medium-weight GV, and this ’14 is a pristine version of this perennially tasty fellow. That’s all. But consider: how many times have I used a word like “pristine” to describe a ’14 wine?”
Weingut Hirsch Kammerner Renner Gruner Veltliner Erste OTW Lage, Kamptal 2013 750ML ($41.95) $36 pre-arrival special
Weingut Hirsch Kammerner Renner Gruner Veltliner Erste OTW Lage, Kamptal 2013 1.5L ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
David Schildknecht–Vinous 93 points “With a diversity of mineral nuances more familiar from Riesling, this Grüner Veltliner projects an infectiously juicy and crunchily invigorating alliance of fresh lime, orange, pea tendrils, corn shoots and ginseng, with beet root earthiness joining wet stone on the bass line. A penetrating, almost severely but downright mouth-shakingly intense finish perpetuates the full range of diversity displayed on the firm palate, accompanied by hints of iodine, black tea smokiness plus saliva-inducing salinity and animality akin to oyster liquor. This weighs in at just 12.7% alcohol, permitting a lovely sense of levity to boot. A new parcel in Renner was added this year and Hirsch’s already owned vines had reached what he judged to be proper maturity for producing a wine dedicated to and worthy of this site. He was certainly right! (For further indications of this vineyard’s potential check out my accompanying review of Schloss Gobelsburg’s 2013 rendition.)”
Terry Theise notes “It’s mineral! Oleander and scree; salty grip focused to a keen point yet also wholly dispersed over the sides of the palate. Earthier and less hi-def than Gobelsburg’s; more rocks-and-twigs but also analog and warm. Gets better month by month.”
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Weingut Hirsch Nr. 1 – Trinkvergnugen – Hirschvergnugen Gruner Veltliner, Kamptal 2014 750ML ($21.95) $18 pre-arrival special
Terry Theise notes “The label will change to something less whimsical, as ‘Hannes started to feel it was too “supermarket-y,” and it will also stay the same each year. End of an era, alas, though I seem to have been the only guy who liked those silly funny labels and liked that they changed every year. If I ever am asked to guest-lecture for some class in marketing, I will ask the eager students to take extremely careful note of each thing I say, every pearl of genius I strew upon them, every suggestion and every holy principle— and then do precisely the opposite. I am a little waif among wiser elders who have better suits than I do. I am one.wrong.dude. when it comes to marketing. I shall retreat proudly though! Even as they revoke my parking permit… This wine has a schwe-e-e-et aroma; total classic GV at its most winning and forthcoming…oh man, this is ridiculous quality for this echelon, the legume-lentil GV with loads of loessy charm. It is the BEST WINE IN ITS CATEGORY IN 2014, and an amazing piece of work.”
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Weingut Hirsch Zobinger Gaisberg Riesling, Kamptal 2013 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Weingut Hirsch Zobinger Gaisberg Riesling, Kamptal 2013 1.5L ($149.95) $109 pre-arrival special
David Schildknecht–Vinous 92 points “Ocean spray-like alkalinity and salinity are signaled in the nose, along with faint struck flint and intriguingly sweaty, musky hints. Palate stoniness along with citrus pip and peach kernel piquancy make for pithiness and slight austerity to this firmly textured and impressively persistent bottling. An intriguing wafting floral element suggestive of iris and narcissus is also bitterly shaded in comparison with the effusive perfume of the corresponding Heiligenstein. There is a dynamic sense of finishing interaction between the aforementioned elements and a bright citric juiciness, with coiled energy emerging as faintly electric tingling. I hope that bottling in screwcap doesn’t lock in the bit of reduction here.”
Terry Theise notes “This is in the subdued state following its pre-bottling giddiness, but it’s serious and expressive and refined. A blushing bride of iris and white tea with a firm core of menthol and spice and an even firmer core of deep compact mineral.”
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Weingut Hirsch Zobinger Heiligenstein Riesling Erste Lage, Kamptal 2013 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
David Schildknecht–Vinous 93 points “Seductive wisteria and gentian perfume wafts from the glass, presaging a sweet sense of inner-mouth florality that perfectly complements this Riesling’s luscious depth of succulent peach, pineapple, orange and lime. A shimmering exchange with stony, saline and alkaline notes plays out on a silky palate, while the finish introduces an invigorating impression of crunched raspberry seeds, subtly integrating their bitterness and that of citrus oils into the floral, fruity, mineral mélange.”
Terry Theise notes “As always compared to Gaisberg this is more Cajun and abandoned and entirely more untamed, but it’s coming on wonderfully, with lavish mineral, salts and fruit-sweetness. I mean, really—2013! Riesling! Heiligenstein! What are you waiting for??”
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Weingut Hirsch Zobing Riesling, Kamptal 2014 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Terry Theise notes “The village-wine, basically young vines from the two Crus. It’s clean, nubby and mineral in ’14; iris-y but less riotously floralsweet than, say, the 13 was; it needs air, and after a few minutes the wisteria scents started appearing, and the minerality clarified.”
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La Gerla Riserva gli Angeli
Brunello di Montalcino 2007
Pre-Arrival Special
Wines Arriving Mid-February
La Gerla Riserva gli Angeli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2007 750ML ($599.95) $499 pre-arrival special
Case-6 La Gerla Riserva gli Angeli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2007 750ML ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 97 points “Spicy oak aromas greet the nose, while concentrated flavors of cherry, currant and tobacco are buried underneath. Very vibrant, with refined tannins and a lingering finish of fruit, spice and mineral. Builds on the finish, with a long aftertaste. A combination of power and finesse. Best from 2015 through 2030.” WS
James Suckling 95 points “Intense aromas of dried fruits and Christmas pudding. Turns to plums and raspberries. Full and concentrated with an intense palate of dried fruits and vanilla. Powerful and concentrated style here.”
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