In Today’s Newsletter:
Henri Boillot
The Quintessence of White Burgundy
130 Years in the Making
De Venoge Cuvée Princes Tour Eiffel
Terrific Tuscan Values
All Under $20
Grand New Arrival from Argentina
Cuvelier Los Andes Malbec
Vintage of the Century
New 2016 CdP Lands Thursday
The Dry Side of German Riesling
$29 – $40
Collector’s Corner
Sale Pricing on Top-End 2016 Burgundy
Henri Boillot
The Quintessence of White Burgundy
Henri Boillot is an undisputed top producer of white Burgundy, vinifying wine after wine that turns heads and captures hearts. Rich, bold, textured and complex, with minerality to spare, these wines are the quintessence of white Burgundy. We recently received the first of our 2018 allocation and are eagerly anticipating the arrival of the rest this spring (including several arriving this week).
2018 already seems poised to be a legendary year in the Côte d’Or, inviting comparisons to 1947 (by Phillipe Pacalet, nonetheless!) and other vintages in the same class (2005, etc). 2018 was a warm, relatively easy year and producers could pick without fear of rot or mildew—there was barely any use for the sorting tables. Boillot seems to excel in these warm vintages and his whites offer richness with minerality, with good density and the balance to age.
In Stock Now:
Domaine Henri Boillot Les Genevrières, Meursault Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 9 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2018 Meursault 1er Cru Genevrières reveals aromas of crisp green orchard fruit, peach, spring blossom, honeycomb and praline, followed by a medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated palate that’s chalky and structured, built around lively acids and appreciable dry extract.”
Domaine Henri Boillot Les Poruzots, Meursault Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 11 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “Aromas of orange oil, fresh pear, almond paste, warm pastry and beeswax introduce the 2018 Meursault 1er Cru Les Poruzots, a medium to full-bodied, layered and multidimensional wine that’s concentrated, racy and beautifully defined, concluding with terrific back-end grip.”
Domaine Henri Boillot Les Perrières, Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 9 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “Aromas of citrus oil, white flowers, blanched almonds and crushed chalk preface the 2018 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Perrières, a medium to full-bodied, racy and incisive wine that’s chalky and tensile, with lively acids and a saline finish. This has turned out very well indeed.”
Arriving Thursday, April 8th:
Domaine Henri Boillot Bourgogne Chardonnay, Burgundy 2018 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
William Kelley, Wine Advocate “[no review for the 2018 Bourgogne blanc] Guillaume Boillot began his harvest in Volnay on August 27, finishing up two weeks later, around September 10, in the Côte de Nuits. This is once again an exemplary portfolio of wines, all of which come warmly recommended, but there have been a couple of changes that merit notice. In 2018, Boillot told me that he continued his practice of fermenting his red wines in barrel but that he shortened the time of maceration to avoid picking up too much oak-derived sucrosity. And certainly, this year’s collection of red wines shows a more completely integrated framing of new oak than last year’s. Indeed, the reds are so good that it’s appropriate to remember that, until Boillot’s father reoriented the estate toward white wine, this was a domaine best known for its reds. Mention of white wine is the cue to mention another development—that Boillot used a vertical press for all his whites in 2018. He’s very happy with the result, and I agree that these 2018 whites possess impressive chalky structuring extract that sets them apart in a vintage that can be somewhat facile. Boillot added that in 2018 he used a touch less new wood and fewer barrels from François Frères, which—reviewing my notes—does seem to have made for a range of white wines less marked by the toasty, nutty signatures that were once quite prominent at this address.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Domaine Henri Boillot Meursault, Côte de Beaune 2018 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91 points “Aromas of pear, green apple, white flowers, fresh pastry and toasted hazelnuts introduce the 2018 Meursault Village, a medium to full-bodied, satiny and incisive wine that’s chalky and structured, showing real depth and tension. As usual, it’s a blend of superior lieux-dits, including Narvaux, En la Barre, Limuzin and Clos du Cromin.”
Domaine Henri Boillot Les Charmes, Meursault Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “Offering up aromas of buttered citrus fruit, Anjour pear, dried white flowers and fresh pastry, Boillot’s 2018 Meursault 1er Cru Les Charmes is medium to full-bodied, layered and textural, with an ample core of exuberant fruit, lively acids and an expansive finish. This is a fleshy, fruit-driven Charmes that will offer a broad drinking window.”
Domaine Henri Boillot Les Perrières, Meursault Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($199.95) $179 pre-arrival special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94 points “Unwinding in the glass with aromas of white flowers, waxy citrus rind, green pear, fresh mint and nutmeg, the 2018 Meursault 1er Cru Les Perrières is medium to full-bodied, chalky and introverted, with terrific tension and structuring dry extract in this warm vintage, concluding with a long and mineral finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Arriving May 2021:
Domaine Henri Boillot Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, Côte de Beaune 2018 750ML ($299.95) $249 pre-arrival special
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 95 points “The most youthfully reserved wine in the cellar was the 2018 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, a promising bottling that opens up to reveal scents of citrus zest, dried white flowers, green apple and pastry cream. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, layered and multidimensional, with racy acids and prodigious levels of searingly chalky dry extract that lend this wine incredible structure.”
Domaine Henri Boillot Puligny-Montrachet Les Combettes, Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2018 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Combettes offers up aromas of orange oil, waxy citrus rind, fresh pear and white flowers, followed by a medium to full-bodied, satiny and enveloping palate that’s supple and succulent, underpinned by lively acids and concluding with chalky grip. As usual, this was the first parcel Boillot harvested in 2018.”
Love white Burgundy? We have 35 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection on our web store now, including famous names like Dujac and Leflaive, as well as more from Henri Boillot.
130 Years in the Making
De Venoge Cuvée Princes Tour Eiffel
De Venoge Cuvée Princes Tour Eiffel
We’ve been beating the drum about Champagne de Venoge for some time. They have a strong following in Europe for good reason—they source from some of the best vineyards in the region and produce prestige cuvées of immense quality, built on long lees aging. The wines capture the essence of classical Champagne, and for that reason are in high demand in Europe’s top restaurants. Unfortunately their prestige cuvées are out of range for many casual drinkers. But for those Champagne lovers who have been dying to see what all the fuss is about, we have good news.
In 2019, to celebrate the 130th birthday of Paris’ Iron Lady, de Venoge released the Cuvée Princes Tour Eiffel. It’s a partnership 130 years in the making. De Venoge was the official Champagne partner at the 1889 Exposition Universelle, and over a century later they’ve created a beautiful tribute to one of the world’s most iconic buildings.
Best of all, we’re able to offer this special bottle for $79, the lowest price in the United States. So make this the centerpiece of your next celebration, and see for yourself why we’re so captivated by the wines of de Venoge.
Arriving Thursday, April 8th:
De Venoge ‘Princes’ Tour Eiffel 130 Anniversary Edition, Champagne NV 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Envie de Champagne “The Maison De Venoge was founded in 1837 by Henri-Marc De Venoge. Innovation in the production and marketing of champagnes were the founding values of this of champagne house, which won the Excellence Price in Philadelphia in 1876. A few years later, in 1889, during the World Fair in Paris, the house became the partner of the event. This exhibition celebrated the centenary of the French Revolution and it is on this occasion that the Tower designed by Gustave Eiffel has been inaugurated. This monument, with a height of 312 meters during its construction can now 337 meters in 2019 following the installation of antennas. In addition to its cultural and tourist use, the Eiffel Tower is used as a transmitter for TV and radio programs. The Eiffel Tower, object of discord at the time of its creation has become today the most visited paying monument of France. It has about 7 million visitors a year. It is also inseparable from the history of the French capital. For the 130 years of this first collaboration, De Venoge signs a beautiful partnership with the company in charge of the exploitation of the iron lady (surname of the Eiffel Tower). This collaboration is obvious because of the common history of both parties but also because of the characteristic shape of the bottles of the Princes cuvée. This limited edition vintage is named “Cuvée Princes Tour Eiffel”. Only 10,000 bottles have been marketed for this partnership.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Love Champagne? We have over 175 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including staff favorites like Bérêche, Eric Rodez, Pierre Péters and more, on our web store now.
Terrific Tuscan Values
All Under $20
In Stock Now:
Marchesi Frescobaldi ‘Remole’ Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($11.95) $9.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Marchesi Frescobaldi ‘Remole’ Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($139.95) $99 special (that’s only $8.25/bottle!)
Bruce Sanderson – Wine Spectator “This is fruity, sporting cherry, strawberry and subtle floral flavors. Light, finishing on a tangy note. Drink now. 20,000 cases imported.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Castello di Volpaia Citto Rosso Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($19.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Importer Note “In the Tuscan dialect, “Citto” means “a young boy.” In the tradition of Bordeaux Châteaux — Mouton Rothchild has its Mouton Cadet, Cheval Blanc has its Petit Cheval — Castello di Volpaia has its Citto. Mostly Sangiovese with some Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes were destemmed and crushed, then fermented in stainless-steel vats for 10 days at 26 C to 30 C (80 F to 86 F). After eight days, the juice was drained off the skins. This generous, silky wine displays ripe fruit aromas with intense cherry and red berry flavors on the palate.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Tenute Lunelli Podernovo Aliotto Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2014 750ML ($21.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Tenute Lunelli Podernovo Aliotto Toscana IGT, Tuscany2014 750ML ($119.95) $79 special (that’s only $13.17/bottle!)
James Suckling 92 points “This has plenty of classic red cherries and herb character on the nose before following through to a medium- to full-bodied palate that is extremely fresh and elegant. Drink-me style. Drink now.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Il Poggione Rosso Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($24.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Il Poggione Rosso Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($299.95) $149 special (that’s only $12.42/bottle!)
Winery Note “A younger, more fruity wine, it is produced from Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet grapes. After the fermentation it ages in large French oak barrels and barriques. The winemaking and the combination of these three varieties, make this wine soft and ideal for the everyday enjoyment. Ruby red in colour; on the nose it is intense, with notes of red fruit, sweet spices and vanilla. On the palate it is soft and with a good and pleasant acidity. A wine for every meal, ideal with white meats, pasta and medium strength cheeses, and even a casual pizza.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Castello di Camigliano Poderuccio Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($21.95) $16 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Castello di Camigliano Poderuccio Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($249.95) $175 special (that’s only $14.58/bottle!)
James Suckling 90 points “Lots of blackberries and tar, together with black-olive character on the nose and palate. Full-bodied and structured. A little raw, but should come around nicely with bottle age. Drink from 2020.”
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Barone Ricasoli ‘Brolio’, Chianti Classico DOCG 2015 750ML ($29.95) $16 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 91 points “A ripe and juicy wine with plum and dried cherry character. Hints of lemon rind. Medium body, delicate tannins and a fruity finish. Drink now.”
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The 2015 Chianti Classico Brolio is a very pretty, gracious wine with lovely fruit purity and terrific balance. Sweet raspberry and floral notes give the wine freshness and aromatic lift. Soft, open-knit and silky, the 2015 has much to offer. I would prefer to drink it sooner rather later. Dollops of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon complement the Sangiovese nicely.”
Wine Spectator 90 points “An elegant, vibrant red, this exhibits floral, cherry and strawberry flavors that mesh nicely with the harmonious profile. The fine length echoes the fruit. Drink now through 2024. 60,900 cases made.”
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Marchesi Antinori Tenuta Guado al Tasso Vermentino di Bolgheri, Tuscany 2019 750ML ($24.95) $16 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Wine Spectator “This is very floral in aroma, with freesia and lilac notes complementing the apricot and wild herb flavors. There is good cut, and this white counters the juicy finish with a chalky feel. Drink now. 2,800 cases imported.”
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Gagliole Rubiolo, Chianti Classico DOCG 2018 750ML ($21.95) $16.60 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 89 points “The 2018 Chianti Classico Rubiolo is fresh, perfumed and absolutely delicious. Crushed red berry, rose petal, cedar and sweet pipe tobacco are all nicely lifted in this mid-weight, inviting wine. The Rubiolo is a gorgeous entry-level red from Gagliole.”
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Castell’in Villa Gazzarina Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2019 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Castell’in Villa Gazzarina Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2019 750ML ($239.95) $195 special (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
VinopolNote “Pure form Sangiovese vinified in stainless steel. Light, bright & fruity.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
La Gerla ‘Poggio gli Angeli’ Sangiovese Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 La Gerla ‘Poggio gli Angeli’ Sangiovese Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($249.95) $199 special (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
Eric Guido – Vinous 90 points “La Gerla’s 2017 Poggio gli Angeli displays a mix of fresh, wild red berries, savory, spicy herbs and hints of cedar. On the palate, soft textures give way to crushed raspberry and cherry, with hints of sweet spice and sage. The finish is long and fresh, elevated by zesty acids, and showing hints of strawberry and inner floral notes.”
Tenuta Fanti Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 89 points “The extroverted 2018 Fanti Rosso di Montalcino is showing masses of ripe strawberry, sweet spices and exotic florals with grounding notes of worn leather and hints of undergrowth. Silky textures meld into tart red berries with a peppery-herbal twist, in a soft and easygoing effort that’s energized by bright acids that only come forward toward the finale. A mix of red fruits resonate on the finish, along with wild herbs and florals, punctuating the experience on a Rosso that is very easy to like.”
Lisini San Biagio Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Lisini San Biagio Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($259.95) $199 special (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
Eric Guido – Vinous 90 points “What a wonderfully fresh and vibrant expression of Sangiovese, showing peppery herbs and florals up front and then giving way to crushed cherries with hints of leather and undergrowth. On the palate, the 2016 Lisini San Biagio is cool-toned and silky, while delivering a beautiful display of pure red berry fruits, laced with minerals and spice. The finish is long with a staining of cherry, as zesty acids and mineral tones sizzle upon the senses. Lisini never ceases to amaze.”
Tenuta di Arceno Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($34.95) $19.50 special, 13 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2016 Chianti Classico Riserva is a nicely integrated and seamless wine, with satisfying fullness and richness. It reveals a very contemporary bouquet with black cherry covered in chocolate. The wine is thinner in the mouth, and the tannins make their presence known. But overall, it shows a very streamlined construction. Pair it with a French onion soup. The blend is 90% Sangiovese and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in French barrique for 12 months. Some 29,000 bottles were released. Again, Tenuta di Arceno gives you great value for your money.
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Love Tuscany? We have over 160 different options in stock. Shop our entire selection, including famous names like Casanova di Neri, Isole e Olena, Montevertine and more, on our web store now.
Grand New Arrival from Argentina
Cuvelier Los Andes Malbec
It’s been 20 years since Bordeaux Second Growth Château Léoville Poyferré put down roots in Argentina. Today, assisted by the world-renowned expertise of Michel Rolland, Cuvelier Los Andes crafts wines that deliver on their grand ambition. But unlike the Château’s namesake wine, Cuvelier Los Andes’ 2015 Grand Vin can be yours for under $32 a bottle. So if you like unapologetically extroverted red wine, don’t miss this bold beauty.
Arriving Thursday, April 8th:
Cuvelier Los Andes Grand Vin, Vista Flores 2015 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 93 points “Bright medium ruby. Inviting aromas of blackcurrant, dark raspberry, bitter chocolate, licorice and cedary French oak. Plush, velvety and sweet, with its shapely flavors of black fruits and chocolatey oak carrying through to a harmonious, unflagging finish featuring noble tannins that saturate the front teeth. Generous, sweet, broad wine with lovely mineral support contributing to an impression of balance and thrust. Seems clearly riper than the 2016 version, not to mention easier to taste today. My sample became more exotic with 48 hours in the recorked bottle without losing its grip.”
Shop the entire selection from South America and beyond on our web store now.
Vintage of the Century
New 2016 CdP Lands Thursday
“This truly rare vintage is a new benchmark. The growing season was warm during the day but cool at night, with an unusually large diurnal swing that led to slow, even ripening across all varieties while maintaining acidity. Reds are laden with fruit, yet extremely racy and fresh in feel; whites are pure, brimming with energy.” – Wine Spectator
Arriving Thursday, April 8th:
Clos Saint-Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône 2016 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Moving to the reds and 85% Grenache and the rest Syrah and Mourvèdre, the base 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a beauty and boasts appealing notes of spiced red and black fruits, cedar, and garrigue. Full-bodied, ripe and undeniably sexy, it’s going to benefit from a year or three in the cellar and drink nicely for over a decade.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 92 points “The lush, fruit-forward 2016 Châteauneuf du Pape is a good introduction to the domaine’s Grenache-dominated style, boasting copious amounts of cherry and apricot fruit. It’s full-bodied and velvety in texture, with attractive hints of licorice emerging on the long finish. With its slightly more prominent acidity, it should drink well for longer than the 2015 or 2017 versions.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Roger Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve, Rhône 2016 750ML ($59.95) $44 pre-arrival special
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 95 points “Full-bodied and velvety, Sabon’s 2016 Châteauneuf du Pape Reserve is a step up from the les Olivets bottling and probably represents the best value in the 2016 lineup. Tasted blind, it showcases ripe dark plum and cola but also super ripe Grenache notes of apricot and delicate hints of garrigue, then it turns rich and chewy on the long finish. It’s 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah, matured in a mix of foudres and oak vats.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Editor’s Choice. Musky notes of fur, earth and violet lend seductive perfume to ripe but pristine blackberry in this stately wine. A powerful blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre, it’s unctuously fruity but also firmly anchored by fresh mineral tones and chewy, gripping tannins. The finish lingers on hints of coffee grinds and violet candy. -Anna Lee C. Iijima”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Château Sixtine Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône 2016 1.5L ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Château Sixtine is the finest vintage of this cuvée ever made, surpassing the 2003, 2007, and 2010. Deep purple/ruby-colored, with a full-bodied, deep, powerful bouquet of blackcurrants, ground pepper, crushed violets, and spice, it’s full-bodied, has a voluptuous, powerful texture, sweet tannin, and a great, great finish, all while staying light and graceful. A blend of 50% Grenache and 25% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, it’s going to keep for two decades.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Sappy and intense, with a terrific beam of dark plum, boysenberry and blackberry fruit. The long finish shows a gorgeous graphite underpinning while flashes of Turkish coffee, licorice snap and roasted apple wood fill in. Great energy. Best from 2020 through 2040. 2,500 cases made, 500 cases imported.”
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Editor’s Choice. This is a forward, fleshy wine full of sun-drenched blackberry and plum flavors edged by violet and lavender perfume. While rich and concentrated, it has an invigorating crush of minerals that lends freshness to the midpalate. Ripe, seamlessly integrated tannins make it immediately appealing but it should also reward cellaring through 2036.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Love Rhône reds? We have over 150 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Clos des Papes, Henri Bonneau and Vaudieu, on our web store now.
The Dry Side of German Riesling
$29 – $40
Schlossgut Diel
In Stock Now:
Schlossgut Diel Eierfels Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2018 750ML ($41.95) $33 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 90-91 points “The 2018 Riesling Eierfels is deep, intense and flinty on the ripe and lemon-scented nose. Intense and lush on the palate, this is a medium to full-bodied, well-structured and concentrated dry Riesling whose grapes are sourced in the Burgberg and Goldloch. Elegant and yeasty, this has a refined and elegant texture with lingering crystallinity, power and mineral tension. Tasted as a sample in July 2019.”
Terry Theise note “This is like “Der Ott,” the top dry wine below the GGs, using (mostly) the material deemed insufficient for those lofty boys, but this vintage is ideal; more generous now, and with a toasted scree and conifer profile, a minerally German Riesling in a more yielding matrix; it’s still a most-particular kind of wine, but it’s welcoming rather than forbidding.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Schlossgut Diel Eierfels Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2015 750ML ($44.95) $33 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Wine Advocate 91+ points “The 2015 Dorsheim Riesling Trocken Eierfels is the negative selection of the Dorsheim grands crus Burgberg and Goldloch. It comes along as a pretty rich and intensely flavored Riesling with spicy/stony notes and ripe fruit aromas. Full-bodied and complex, this is a piquant and salty Riesling with impressive intensity and length. It is pretty accessible already.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Dönnhoff
In Stock Now:
Weingut Dönnhoff Kreuznacher Kahlenberg Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2017 750ML ($41.95) $33 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott-jamessuckling.com 92 points “Generous fruit-salad character and floral notes make this the easiest of this producer’s dry rieslings to understand and to enjoy right now. Yet, behind the juiciness, the palate has quite a firm structure and the finish is anything but short. From organically grown grapes. Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Weingut Dönnhoff Kreuznacher Kahlenberg Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2019 750ML ($41.95) $36 special, 3 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “At once generous and crisp with plenty of pear and fresh-pineapple character, then a long chalky finish that reminds you of Chablis. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
John Gilman 92+ points “The Kahlenberg vineyard in Kreuznach is a due south facing slope with a soil foundation of gravelly loam, making it quite unique in terms of its soil composition in the pantheon of Dönnhoff vineyard holdings. The 2019 Kahlenberg Trocken is a svelte and utterly refined young Riesling, offering up a gorgeous bouquet of pink grapefruit, apple, orange peel, a complex base of soil tones, a touch of wild yeasts, fruit blossoms and a hint of lemongrass in the upper register. On the palate the wine is bright, fullish and laser-like, with a lovely core, fine soil signature, vibrant acids and outstanding length and grip on the nascently complex and energetic finish. This is truly outstanding juice! 2020-2060.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92-93 points “The 2019 Riesling trocken Kreuznacher Kahlenberg is clear, pure and flinty on the bright yet intense, concentrated, exciting and stony-scented nose. From pebbly loess and loam soils, this is a lush, salty, very fine and stimulating dry Riesling with very attractive fruit, lingering salinity and fine grip. Really stimulating. Tasted as a sample in Bremen, April 2020.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Weingut Dönnhoff Roxheimer Höllenpfad Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2017 750ML ($44.95) $33 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott-jamessuckling.com 94 points “This is no top GG for its weight or power, but it’s got enormous, herbal intensity and super minerally acidity that keeps pumping out the flavors at the very fresh finish. From organically grown grapes. Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Weingut Dönnhoff Roxheimer Höllenpfad Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2018 750ML ($44.95) $36 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Grapelive 94 points “These 2018 Dönnhoff’s are gorgeous wines. They offer a high level of pleasure as well as having taut structures with precise detailing, especially this fabulous Höllenpfad Trocken. [This] shows its terroir distinction to near perfection with a mineral driven palate and expressive Riesling fruit character with an array of citrus, peppery spices, zest ginger, clove, stone fruit and a subtle tropical element. At first, you’d be forgiven if you were reminded of Chablis with the steely start and expansive lemon/lime, before the Riesling energy takes over and it reveals apricot, kumquat, chamomile, verbena and orange blossoms. This Höllenpfad is chiseled from stone and is crisply focused, but allows for textural density without sweetness or heaviness. It shows remarkable clarity of form and transparency. This Riesling is so good, it could easily be mistaken for a GG! The Roxheimer Höllenpfad was acquired in 2010 and has quietly risen in fame within Dönnhoff’s mighty selection of top sites, all of which are individually distinct in flavors. This site [is] noted for its charming, less severe profile, but don’t get the wrong idea, this is a serious site and while easy to love this is profound Riesling. The Nahe region is coming on strong with a string of great years and majestic wines, with this dry Riesling highlighting the incredible talents of the winegrower and the quality of this particular vineyard in a south-facing side valley just off the river… The Roxheimer Höllenpfad is uniquely set on a mix of limestone along with mineral and iron rich veins of red sandstone. It is a prestigious VDP Erste Lage Cru (Premier Cru) with 10-40 year old vines. Handcrafted by Cornelius Dönnhoff, one of Germany’s most outstanding winemakers, the Höllenpfad Riesling trocken saw a combination of stainless and used large oak Fuder for fermentation (spontaneous) and aging to express freshness and complexity, making for a wine that drinks great upon release yet has the substance and depth to age decades. At the price, this is one of the best values in Dönnhoff’s awesome collection and I highly recommend grabbing a few bottles, it will certainly be a rewarding venture. Dönnhoff, which is notably one of the greatest wineries in the world, is a must have in this vintage (2018) and from what I have tasted so far again in 2019, which looks set to a legendary year.”
Heymann-Löwenstein
In Stock Now:
Heymann-Löwenstein Kirchberg Riesling, Mosel 2015 750ML ($49.95) $33 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2015 Riesling Kirchberg ‘VDP Grosse Lage’ opens with a generous and warm, ripe Riesling aroma intertwined with some herbal and iron lemon flavors on the clear and elegant nose. This is a full-bodied, charming, finessed and elegant wine with fine tannin structure and a dry and persistent finish. Still young, the Kirchberg will benefit from further bottle aging.”
Mosel Fine Wines 92+ points “This wine is rather reduced but offers a gorgeously flowery nose of pear and Provence herbs. It proves superbly elegant on the palate where grip and saltiness define the aromatics. Great multi-layered complexity already comes through in the long and airy finish. This is still very primary and in need of bottle age to balance out but this beauty will easily turn into the most complete and elegant expression of Kirchberg we have taste to date. This is hugely impressive and has even some upside potential. 2018-2025.”
VinopolNote “Soil is Reddish slate, sandy-quarzite rich in iron”
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Heymann-Löwenstein Kirchberg Riesling, Mosel 2016 750ML ($44.95) $33 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2016 Riesling Kirchberg ‘VDP Grosse Lage’ is super ripe and flinty on the nose, with caramelly aromas. Pure, fresh and mineral, with a fine, mineral structure and lingering salinity, this is a tensioned Riesling with good phenolic structure.”
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Heymann-Löwenstein Rottgen, Mosel 2016 750ML ($59.95) $39 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2016 Riesling Röttgen ‘VDP Grosse Lage’ is pure and flinty on the nose, with bright fruit and mineral aromas on the nose. On the palate, this is a piquant, fresh and well structured as well as intense and persistent Riesling with cacao flavors in the finish. Terribly fresh and piquant, this is a remarkable Riesling. Tasted February 2018.”
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Peter Lauer
In Stock Now:
Peter Lauer Ayler Kupp Faß 2 Riesling Trocken, Mosel 2019 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2019 Ayler Riesling Faß 2 is very clear and delicate on the pure, floral and flinty nose with its bright, graceful and precise fruit aromas. Intense and juicy on the palate, this is a very aromatic, elegant and refined Riesling with a somewhat untamed but concentrated and sustainable character. The wine is still very young but will age very well over a decade. 12.5% alcohol. Tasted in April 2020.”
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Peter Lauer ‘Kern’ Ayler Kupp Faß 9 Riesling, Mosel 2017 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 27 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott-jamessuckling.com 94 points “Tropical and creamy, but it also shows a very firm core — Kern means core in German. This is another stunningly original wine from Peter Lauer. A lot of power at the finish. Drink or hold.”
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points “The 2017er Kern Faß 9 comes from old vines in a prime south-west-facing part of the original Ayler Kupp hill situated well into the side valley and was fermented down to almost fruity levels (40 g/l of residual sugar). It offers a delicately vibrant nose of candied grapefruit, cassis, lemon zest, ginger and fine herbs. The wine is beautifully focused and just fruity-styled on the palate and leaves a vibrant feel of zesty acidity and bitter lemon in the long and delicately tart finish. This is a beautiful expression of fully off-dry tasting Riesling in the making! 2022-2032.”
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Von Winning
In Stock Now:
Von Winning Deidesheimer Paradiesgarten Riesling Trocken, Pfalz 2019 750ML ($36.95) $31.90 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92-93 points “The 2019 Deidesheimer Paradiesgarten Riesling is very fine and sublime as well as complex on the deep, multi-layered and coolish, terroir-driven and slightly flinty nose that is really spectacular for this price point. It comes from vines grown on the eastern slope of the 1er cru (an extension of the Langenmorgen Grand Cru) on deep, calcareous loam and red sandstone. This is an elegant, juicy, very fine and salty-piquant Riesling with a core of white stone fruits and notes of peach stone. The finish is long and intense and is carried by vivacious, structuring acidity. The aftertaste reveals flavors of white vineyard peach. This is a beautiful wine and by far the best Paradiesgarten I have tasted from this producer. Tasted as a sample in May 2020.”
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Von Winning Deidesheimer Paradiesgarten Riesling Trocken, Pfalz 2018 750ML ($37.95) $29 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Stephen Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2018 Riesling Deidesheimer Paradiesgarten “VDP. Erste Lage” opens with a clear and fragrant bouquet of white and yellow-fleshed fruits and floral and delicate fresh oak aromas. On the palate, this is a medium-bodied, tight, fresh and lush dry Riesling with edges and a grippy character. Green apples on the aftertaste. Tasted in Deidesheim, December 2019.”
Terry Theise note “The best vintage I recall of this surprising wine; curvaceous and leafy, the often-noted caraway seed nuance, along with ‘18s beaming plum-blossom aromas and the fennel and mirabelle-drenched palate could hardly be more fetching. The salty finish also doesn’t hurt!”
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Von Winning Ruppertsberger Reiterpfad Riesling, Pfalz 2018 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Terry Theise note “Many growers would bottle this wine as a GG; it’s probably the best site in Ruppertsberg (though Bürklin has a claim with its monopole Gaisböhl); this ’18 is peachy, sweet white corn, chervil and tarragon; it’s more melodic than Paradiesgarten but with an aloe vera and sorrel note common to good ‘18s; it’s the most appealing of the 1er Lages, sweet-natured and with a lovely grace.”
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When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car.
(If another adult is picking up for you,
please let us know their name when placing your order.)
www.vinopoliswineshop.com
info@vinopoliswineshop.com
503-223-6002
Collector’s Corner
Sale Pricing on Top-End 2016 Burgundy
Olivier Bernstein
“Incredible, singular wines that will stand with the pinnacles of Burgundy.” –Jeb Dunnuck
Rarity and quality drive the Burgundy market. There’s no other way around it—high quality, scarce wines appreciate and become scarcer and more expensive. A prime example: Olivier Bernstein’s high flying Grand and Premier Crus.
Olivier Bernstein founded his micro-negociant in 2007, choosing to buy grapes from only the best vineyards he could find. As a result, they’ve become incredibly hot items, reference points, really, in the Burgundy world. These are wines for serious collectors looking for the pinnacle of Burgundy (or for excellent arbitrage opportunities). For those planning on drinking the wines, the 2016s are stunning. We’ve recently reduced pricing on our few remaining bottles, and don’t expect them to remain available much longer.
In Stock Now & Priced to Move:
Olivier Bernstein Clos de la Roche Grand Cru, Côte de Nuits 2016 750ML ($729.95) Was $649 Now $619, 1 bottle in stock now
Wine Spectator 96 points “Boysenberry, plum, black cherry, earth and underbrush flavors are allied to an opulent texture and muscular structure in this beefy red. Impressive, but will need time for all the components to fall into place. Offers big tannic grip on the finish. Best from 2023 through 2047. From France.”
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 93-95 points “(the fruit Bernstein buys comes from lower down in this grand cru, where vine yields are always around 30 hectoliters per hectare, and thus he didn’t notice “a clear reduction in production” in 2016): Bright, dark red. Musky raspberry, spicy underbrush and flowers on the expressive, terroir-driven nose. At once thick and sappy, conveying outstanding subtle intensity to its flavors of bitter cherry, spices and minerals. Finishes with very fine-grained tannins. This elegant young Clos de la Roche really dances on the palate. It should evolve positively in bottle for a long time.”
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Olivier Bernstein Les Cazetiers, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2016 750ML ($349.95) Was $299 Now $259, 3 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “Pure aromas and flavors of currant, cherry and violet are shaded by the sweet smoke of burning vine cuttings and graphite in this intense red. Shows tension and a solid structure that remains long, while earth, tobacco and mineral elements linger. Best from 2023 through 2042.”
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Olivier Bernstein Les Champeaux, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2016 750ML ($319.95) Was $299 Now $279, 5 bottles in stock now
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 92-94 points “(the crop level here was 35 hectoliters per hectare): Medium red. Complex, alluring scents of raspberry, animal fur and pepper. A step up in finesse of texture from the village Gevrey, but still with terrific nuance and inner-mouth lift to its youthfully tight flavors of raspberry, crushed rock and flowers. The energetic yet edge-free finish is juicy, palate-cleansing and very subtle.”
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Domaine Chandon de Briailles
The wines of Chandon de Briailles are old-school Burgundies and brilliant because of it. Made with lots of whole clusters and an age-worthy approach, they are wines that need time but pay off in a big, big way. The estate has been a bit of an insider secret for years, as these wines are fantastic for their prices.
In Stock Now & Priced to Move:
Domaine Chandon de Briailles Corton-Clos du Roi Grand Cru, Côte de Beaune 2016 750ML ($249.95) Was $199 Now $179, 11 bottles in stock now
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 95+ points “The 2016 Corton Clos du Roi Grand Cru is immensely impressive, unfurling in the glass with aromas of wild blueberries, raspberries and cassis that mingle with notions of dark chocolate, musk, violets and ineffable savory bass notes. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, satiny and multidimensional, with superb concentration, tangy acids and a long, searingly mineral finish. It’s one of the two or three finest expressions of the hill of Corton to be found—with the domaine’s fleshier, more gourmand Corton Bressandes not far behind. As readers may know, the de Nicolays’ holdings in the Clos du Roi are located at the top of this large vineyard, where the soils are redder and sandier than those classified—in white—as Corton-Charlemagne but which feature the same type of marl.”
Domaine Des Lambrays
Clos de la Roche, Clos St.-Denis, Clos de Tart, Clos des Lambrays—this quartet represents the heralded set of Grand Crus in Morey-St. Denis. The main difference between the first three and the Clos des Lambrays? Price. All of the other major Grand Crus in Morey are easily $150-200 per bottle more expensive for new releases. Lambrays, on the other hand, is every bit the wine of the more heralded names, especially over the last decade or so, but costs less than half of some of its neighbors.
These are wines that show all of the glory and power of Morey St. Denis—the vineyard sits in between the Clos St. Denis and Clos de Tart—with elegant textures and rapturous aromatics. Domaine des Lambrays, as you might expect, is the majority holder and best producer of the vineyard, and the 2016 is spectacular.
In Stock Now & Priced to Move:
Domaine des Lambrays Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru, Côte de Nuits 2016 750ML ($319.95) Was $269 Now $249 special, 13 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 96 points “The grand cru here was raised in fifty percent new oak this year and is one of the stars of the 2016 vintage. The stunning bouquet delivers a complex combination of red and black cherries, black plums, pigeon, dark soil tones, raw cocoa, woodsmoke and a touch of nutty oak. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and shows off beautiful depth at the core, with plenty of sappiness in reserve, a great soil signature, ripe, suave tannins and a very, very long, nascently complex and vibrant finish. I love this wine’s potential!”
Wine Spectator 96 points “A racy style, defined by bracing acidity propelling the black currant, blackberry, iron, earth and spice flavors to a lingering conclusion. Balanced and full of energy, this needs time to really settle in and reveal all its facets in a harmonious way.”
Decanter 94 points “Vinified with 85% whole cluster fruit, the 2016 Clos des Lambrays wafts from the glass with a brooding bouquet of blueberry, wild berries, smoked duck, spice and rosehip. The wine is sappy, with lovely depth and concentration, a fine but firm structural chassis, succulent acids, and a long, penetrating finish. An elegant rendition of this wine in its largest harvest since 1999.”
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Domaine Faiveley
“This is a seriously impressive effort that should age effortlessly.” – Burghound
In Stock Now & Priced to Move:
Domaine Faiveley Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Les Ouvrées Rodin Grand Cru, Côtes de Nuits 2016 750ML ($1,499.95) Was $1,199 Now $1,049, 3 bottles in stock now
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2016 Chambertin Clos de Bèze Grand Cru Les Ouvrées Rodin is showing brilliantly from bottle, unfurling in the glass with a rich bouquet of cassis, cherries, red berries, grilled game, licorice, spices and smoky new oak. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, ample and expansive, with a deep and intense core of sapid fruit that cloaks its satiny but abundant structuring tannins, underpinned by succulent acids and concluding with a seriously long, penetrating finish. This special cuvée hails from a parcel of vines planted in 1966 on the Chambertin side of Clos de Bèze, and its name commemorates a Faiveley family connection with the sculptor Rodin.”
Stephen Tanzer 95-98 points “(like the “regular” Clos de Bèze, this special cuvée from 60+-year-old vines on the Chambertin side of the cru was totally destemmed): Dark red-ruby. Less expressive but slightly riper aromas of purple and black fruits and pungent spices. Then utterly seamless and suave on the palate, offering a lacy, feminine texture with great energy and sophistication. The penetrating red berry and white pepper flavors are amplified by the wine’s mineral underpinning. The endless rising finish combines serious power and refined tannins. Ultimately a bit less expressive and tight-grained than the classic Clos de Bèze but this is even deeper.”
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Louis Latour
In Stock Now & Priced to Move:
Louis Latour Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru Les Quatre Journaux, Côte de Nuits 2016 750ML ($699.95) Was $599 Now $519, 4 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 100 points “This is a grand cru that shows its intensity and complexity and greatness from the beginning. Blackberry, licorice and stone aromas. Full body and a center palate that shows ripe fruit and full richness. Then the tannins kick in. Great wine. Drink in 2024.”
Love red Burgundy? We have227 different options from the Côte de Nuits and 88 different options from the Côte de Beaune in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Fourrier, Roumier, Armand Rousseau and more, on our web store now.
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