In This Newsletter:
Two Best-Selling Brunellos
La Gerla & Lisini Arrive in September
New Arrival from Cayuse
2017 Widowmaker Cabernet
Your Backyard BBQ Red
Les Vignerons de Tautavel Silex
Elvio Cogno’s Iconic Barolo
Epic German Magnums
Dönnhoff & JJ Prüm
Collector’s Corner
Cellar Starters from France & Napa
Two Best-Selling Brunellos
La Gerla & Lisini Arrive in September
La Gerla & Lisini Arrive in September
You can tell a lot about a Brunello vintage by how early we start getting asked about it. In the case of the 2016s, well, let’s just say this is a pretty anticipated set of wines. A vintage that Wine Spectator described as “textbook”, the growing season yielded wines of elegance, freshness and harmony. More red fruited than Brunello’s excellent 2015 vintage, but offering similar levels of concentration, these are wines that are drinking beautifully young but will also age beautifully. To call 2016 Brunello’s ‘Vintage of the Century’ is no hyperbole, this is really special stuff.
We’ve already received a few 2016 Brunellos, and are eagerly anticipating arrivals from several more producers this year, including two of our favorites. Both La Gerla and Lisini are some of the bestselling wineries in Vinopolis history for good reason, producing fantastic wines year in and out. Their 2016s, though, are some of the finest bottles ever from each estate and will undoubtedly become customer favorites upon their arrival in September –at least for as long as we can keep them in stock.
Arriving in September:
La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($67.95) $56.50 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 96 points “Very pretty ripe and dried fruit with blackberries and sweet cherries. It’s full-bodied with depth of fruit and creamy, polished tannins. Extremely compact and long. Pure fruit at the end. A gorgeous wine. Drinkable now, but better after 2022.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Lisini Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($67.95) $56.50 pre-arrival special
Vinous Eric Guido 95 points “The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino excites the senses with a wonderfully pure and fruity display of wild strawberries, woodland herbs, wet stone and flowery undergrowth. Both savory and sweet, the textures are like silk, with waves of ripe red fruits and spices which give way to salty minerals, licorice, hints of black tea and a coating of fine tannin. While youthfully structured, there’s a juicy freshness to be found throughout, creating harmonious balance and symmetry that makes the 2016 Lisini so easy to like already. That said, the best is yet to come.”
Highlights, in Stock Now:
La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($69.95) $55 special, 21 bottles in stock now
La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special, 5 magnums in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “Black cherry and black currant fruit is accented by tobacco, earth and mineral flavors in this sleek yet dense red. Balsamic elements of juniper, thyme and olive add depth as this cruises to a long finish. The potential lies in the excellent length. Best from 2023 through 2042.”
Eric Guido – Vinous 94 points “La Gerla’s 2015 Brunello di Montalcino is gorgeous, showing depths of earthy moist soil, minerals and hints of animal musk up front, giving way to crushed strawberry and cherry, getting spicy with lifting minerals yet retaining a rich character throughout. On the palate, silky textures are matched by cool-toned acids and refreshing moist mineral tones, as zesty cherry and cedar come forward. It’s so balanced and smooth, with high energy lasting into the long finish, showing saturating spice and salty minerals, yet remaining cool-toned and precise. The 2015 is a beautifully balanced wine that’s firmly rooted in the earth.”
This is the lowest listed magnum price in the USA today!
La Gerla Riserva gli Angeli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2012 750ML ($99.95) $69 special, 30 bottles in stock now
La Gerla Riserva gli Angeli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2012 3L ($499.95) $319 special, 2 double magnums in stock now
Ian D’agata-Vinous 95 points “Bright medium ruby. Very clean and fresh aromas and flavors of red currant, cherry pit, flowers and blood orange jelly. Bright, juicy and very light on its feet, offering superb vinosity and clarity of flavor, this conveys an impression of real underlying density and a multilayered mouthfeel. A knockout wine of outstanding energy and class, finishing with polished tannins, uncanny sweetness and lovely subtle persistence, not to mention outstanding balance (it hides its 14.5% alcohol very well).”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “Here is a dense and meaty Tusan red that flaunts its immediate power, structure and intensity. The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva gli Angeli is robust and deep thanks to a generous offering of dark fruit, spice and tar-like aromas. Fruit is carefully selected for this wine, and the grapes are fermented in stainless steel. Post fermentation, the wine goes into large Slavonian oak casks for four years. The finish is soft and supple with sweet berry flavors. This wine has made an impressive jump forward in this vintage.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $94.93
The next best price is $94.93
Lisini Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Lisini Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($299.95) $279 special (that’s only $46.50/bottle!)
Case-12 Lisini Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($579.95) $539 special (that’s only $44.92/bottle!)
Decanter 96 points “With vineyards between Sant’Angelo in Colle and Castelnuovo dell’Abate on the inner edge of the Sesta district, Lisini’s vineyards are cleansed by constant breezes from the Tuscan Coast. Stony soils with an important underpinning of limestone as well as elevations over 300 metres help preserve freshness in their wines. The 2015 is beautifully fragrant, almost exotic in character. Plump red fruit and sweet summer herbs fill the mouth but rather than being heavy, this is poised and transparent. Ample powdery tannins are fine and lead to a tangy marine finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Lisini Ugolaia, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2012 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 96 points “A bright and elegant yet taut and structured version, this red features buried cherry, plum, earth, iron and tobacco flavors. Dynamic despite the firm grip of tannins, this should come around in a few years. Licorice and ripe cherry notes mark the finish. Best from 2020 through 2038.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Love Brunello? We have 47 different options in stock, including more from the 2016 vintage. Shop the entire selection on our web store now.
New Arrival from Cayuse
2017 Widowmaker Cabernet
2017 Widowmaker Cabernet
Cayuse is one of the most in-demand wineries in North America, producing wines from both Rhône and Bordeaux varieties that are among the finest in the world. Because Cayuse sells almost exclusively through their mailing list, even current releases can be difficult to find.
We’re proud to maintain the country’s best selection of Cayse, and add to it on Wednesday with the arrival of the 2017 Widowmaker Cabernet. A Wine Enthusiast ‘Cellar Selection’, it’s a wine that shows what’s possible when one of the best winemakers in the world gets their hands on some of Washington’s best fruit. The perfect marriage of Walla Walla terroir and Old World-inspired winemaking, Jeb Dunnuck called it a “Bordeaux look-alike”. And this description seems apt when you consider the wine’s combination of elegance and power. We were only able to get our hands on six bottles, so act accordingly.
Arriving Wednesday, July 7th:
Only 6 bottles available!
Cayuse Vineyards ‘Widowmaker’ En Chamberlin Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($179.95) $138 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 97+ points “The 2017 The Widowmaker En Chamberlin is another Bordeaux look-alike (it reminds me of a wine from the Graves region) that has loads of blackcurrant and cassis as well as leafy tobacco, cedar pencil, chocolate, cold fireplace and Asian spices on both the nose and palate. Rich, full-bodied, and concentrated, it has a wonderfully seamless texture, ultra-fine tannins, and a great, great finish. This beautiful, elegant yet powerful Cabernet Sauvignon will drink well for 20-30 years or more.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Highlights, in Stock Now:
Cayuse Vineyards God Only Knows Armada Vineyard Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($149.95) $138 special, 5 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 97 points “The subtlety of fruit here is mesmerizing with sweet strawberry, floral and tangerine aromas that follow through to a medium to full body, fine and soft tannins and a long, delicious finish. It shows such polish and fineness. Drink or hold.”
Wine Enthusiast #69 Top 100 Cellar Selections 2020
Horsepower Vineyards ‘High Contrast Vineyard’ Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($219.95) $179 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 96 points “Showing with a deep ruby core that fades to a purple edge, the 2017 Syrah High Contrast Vineyard explodes from the glass with pronounced smoky aromas that waft with delicate notes of dark chocolate-covered blackberries, then show hints of roasted coffee bean, notions of petrichor, baked earth and dried herbs. Medium to full-bodied, the wine is elegantly powerful, showcasing a balanced chassis of youthful tannins that evolve with the complex nature of the wine. There is a velvety firmness to the mid-palate before moving onto an elongated finish that grows in complexity and amplitude as the expression resonates harmoniously, confirming yet another blockbuster Syrah from the ever-so-talented Christophe Baron. Only 386 cases made.”
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “#69 Top 100 Cellar Selections 2020. The aromas explode from the glass, with notes of fire pit, potpourri, black olive, wet stone, dried porcini and stone. The palate is sumptuous, layered, elegant and intensely flavorful, showing abundant savory notes. A lingering black olive and earthy finish caps it off. Best after 2025.”
Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($179.95) $135 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “Showing beautifully, with pure cassis and black raspberry fruits as well as loads of dried flowers, cedar, tobacco, and dried herbs, the 2018 Impulsivo is medium to full-bodied and has a seamless, elegant texture, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. It shows more meaty, almost bloody nuances with time in the glass, and it’s certainly a singular expression of Tempranillo. The tannins are present yet polished and ripe, and it has a great mid-palate as well as the balance and elegance to drink nicely today yet also improve with short-term cellaring and keep for two decades.”
Love Washington wine? We have over 40 different options in stock. Shop our entire selection on our web store now, including famous names like Leonetti and Quilceda Creek, as well as more from Cayuse.
Your Backyard BBQ Red
Les Vignerons de Tautavel Silex
There are wine cooperatives, and then there are wine cooperatives. Much of the world’s forgettable, bottom-shelf plonk is produced in Europe’s numerous wine co-ops, and as result serious wine drinkers look at co-op produced wines with suspicion. Fortunately there are exceptions to every rule, and great co-ops do exist (think Produttori), and often offer some of the fine wine world’s smartest buys. Les Vignerons de Tautavel, one of France’s most respected co-ops, is one such example.
The outcrop of a merger between two of Southern France’s best co-ops, Tautavel and Vingrau, Les Vignerons de Tautavel makes classically apportioned wines from the country’s sunny southern coast. We’re anticipating the arrival of this Grenache-based blend, a wine that is destined to rank as one of the shop’s best values. Order your case today, because this perfect summer red is set to arrive Friday, just in time for backyard BBQ season.
Arriving Friday, July 9th:
Les Vignerons de Tautavel Silex, Côtes du Roussillon Villages 2017 750ML ($27.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Les Vignerons de Tautavel Silex, Côtes du Roussillon Villages 2017 750ML ($159.95) $136 pre-arrival special (that’s only $22.67/bottle!)
Case-12 Les Vignerons de Tautavel Silex, Côtes du Roussillon Villages 2017 750ML ($319.95) $259 pre-arrival special (that’s only $21.58/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 93-95 points “The 2017 Côtes Du Roussillon Villages Tautavel Silex might end up matching (or even surpassing) the 2016. The same 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 10% Carignan brought up in tank, it offers a ripe, medium to full-bodied, straight-up sexy style to go with complex notes of kirsch, black olives, black licorice, and dried garrigue. It’s a powerful yet elegant red that has tons of potential.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 93 points “A blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Carignan from old vines, the 2017 Côtes du Roussillon Villages Tautavel Silex is partly aged in barrel and part in tank. It delivers just enough cedar on the nose to let you know there’s barrel influence, without overwhelming the terroir-derived hints of crushed stone or the varietal notes of dark berries. Full-bodied, concentrated and supple, it’s a terrific bottle of Roussillon wine, with a long, elegant finish.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Elvio Cogno’s Iconic Barolo
Elvio Cogno was instrumental in putting the Ravera cru on the map. Born and raised in Novello, the village associated with the famous vineyard, he left his partnership with Marcarini in his sixties to start his namesake winery in 1990. He purchased Cascina Nuova, an underperforming but historic estate, and started making classically-styled wines under his own name from the Ravera cru.
The resulting wines have been stupendous ever since, prompting a rush on land in Novello (and Ravera in particular), but no wineries have surpassed the original master and his son-in-law (winemaker since 1996 Valter Fissore—who is arguably even more talented than Elvio). From their entry level “Cascina Nuova” Barolo up to his Riservas from the choicest parts of his holdings, these are wines that will appeal to every lover of Barolo.
In Stock Now:
Elvio Cogno Bricco Pernice Barolo 2015 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 28 bottles in stock now
Case-6 Elvio Cogno Bricco Pernice Barolo 2015 750ML ($719.95) $619 special (that’s only $103.17/bottle!)
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 97 points “Cellar Selection. Enticing scents of rose, iris, perfumed berry and an earthy whiff of truffle shape the fragrant nose on this dazzling wine. The delicious, full-bodied palate boasts structure and a weightless elegance, delivering juicy Marasca cherry, cherry compote, cinnamon and star anise. Taut polished tannins and fresh acidity provide balance and an elegant structure. It’s already irresistible but will also age well for years. Drink 2022–2035.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “The Elvio Cogno 2015 Barolo Ravera Bricco Pernice delivers the depth, richness and concentration that are a hallmark of this pretty vintage. This wine is a pure expression of the productive Lampia clone of Nebbiolo. Generous layers of blackberry, wild cherry, rose hip, ferrous earth and campfire ash are neatly folded together to build the wine’s intensity. Like the other wines from this estate, the tannic management is spot-on. You are aware of the wine’s youthful structure, but it is delivered without hard edges or sharp points. A mere 4,000 bottles were produced.”
Elvio Cogno Cascina Nuova Barolo 2016 750ML ($69.95) $54.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Elvio Cogno Cascina Nuova Barolo 2016 750ML ($419.95) $299 special (that’s only $49.83/bottle!)
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Rose, woodland berry and baking spice shape the nose along with crushed mint notes on this fragrant red. The savory, polished palate boasts succulent raspberry, ripe strawberry and white pepper before taut tannins and bright acidity reveal a firm, elegant structure. Star anise lingers on the finish. Drink 2023–2036.”
Elvio Cogno Montegrilli Langhe Rosso, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Elvio Cogno Montegrilli Langhe Rosso, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($419.95) $319 special (that’s only $26.58/bottle!)
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2017 Langhe Nebbiolo Montegrilli is a very pretty wine. The warm, dry vintage has give Cogno’s Nebbiolo an extra kick of richness, but without robbing the wine of its personality. Sweet dried cherry, mint, tobacco, crushed flowers and anise all flesh out in an expansive, inviting Nebbiolo that will drink nicely for at least a number of years.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Elvio Cogno Langhe Nebbiolo Montegrilli 2019 750ML ($31.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Elvio Cogno Langhe Nebbiolo Montegrilli 2016 750ML ($179.95) $149 special (that’s only $24.83/bottle!)
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 92+ points “This is a terrific Piedmont red to pair with a classic quiche Lorraine. The Elvio Cogno 2019 Langhe Nebbiolo Montegrilli is a delicate and fragile expression with bright accents of chopped mint and medicinal herb that hover over a core of wild cherry and dried raspberry. The wine delivers soft and smooth aromas that define the character of this pretty wine. Dusty tannins and some lingering mineral notes frame a polished finish. A portion of the wine sees whole-cluster fermentation, and winemaking is straightforward in stainless steel. Some 10,000 bottles were released.”
Elvio Cogno Ravera, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Kerin O’keefe-Wine Enthusiast 99 points “Cellar Selection. From the estate that proved the extraordinary quality of the Ravera subzone, this compelling wine opens with heady scents of rose, iris, perfumed berry, new leather and camphor. Focused and full bodied, the precise palate is delicious and firmly structured, featuring ripe red cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and tobacco framed in tightly knit fine-grained tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it beautifully balanced and lends youthful tension. Drink 2024–2056.”
Love Barolo? We have over 65 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Brovia, Cappellano, Vietti and more, on our web store now.
Epic German Magnums
Dönnhoff & JJ Prüm
Dönnhoff & JJ Prüm
Weingut Dönnhoff
In Stock Now:
Weingut Dönnhoff ‘Felsentürmchen’ Schlossböckelheimer Felsenberg Riesling Grosses Gewächs, Nahe 2018 1.5L ($179.95) $149 special, 3 magnums in stock now
John Gilman 94 points “The 2018 Felsenberg GG is also absolutely outstanding this year. The bouquet is impressively expressive at this early stage, soaring from the glass in a blaze of pear, tart orange, a beautiful base of slate minerality, wild yeasts, a touch of fleur de sel and a potpourri of floral scents in the upper register. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, focused and seamless, with outstanding mid-palate depth, powerful mineral drive and great cut and grip on the long, perfectly balanced and youthful finish. This will be show stopping juice in the fullness of time. 2028-2070.”
Weingut Dönnhoff Kreuznacher Krötenpfuhl Riesling Grosses Gewächs, Nahe 2017 1.5L ($179.95) $133 special, 3 magnums in stock now
Stuart Pigott-jamessuckling.com 95 points “This might have happened by accident, due to the high level of ripeness that resulted from the frost damage and very low yield, but it works really well. Ripe citrus and peach aromas, but there’s great freshness and very lively acidity that animates the medium-full body and lifts the long finish. From organically grown grapes. Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed magnum price in the USA today!
Weingut Dönnhoff Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Grosses Gewächs, Nahe 2018 1.5L ($219.95) $199 special, 3 magnums in stock now
John Gilman 97 points “Cornelius Dönnhoff has crafted one of the very best dry Rieslings that I tasted on this trip from the Hermannshöhle in 2018! The bouquet is deep, complex and again, so very elegant out of the blocks this year, delivering scents of pink grapefruit, tart tangerine, white flowers, a superb base of slate, lemongrass, citrus peel and just a dollop of upper register wild yeast tone. On the palate the wine is racy, focused, full-bodied and extremely mineral-driven, with a great core, laser-like focus and seamlessly balanced on the very, very long, very complex and utterly refined finish. Chapeau! 2033-2075+.”
Weingut Dönnhoff Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Spätlese, Nahe 2017 1.5L ($169.95) $149 special, 5 magnums in stock now
Stuart Pigott-jamessuckling.com 99 points “Most people who drink wine know what a ripe peach tastes like. However, this wine gives you a completely new appreciation of the meaning of the word “peach”. Beyond that, it possesses subtlety that is extremely rare anywhere in the world of food and wine. From organically grown grapes. Fair’n Green certification. Absolutely delicious now, but could be held for decades.”
This is the only magnum listing in the USA today!
Weingut Dönnhoff Oberhäuser Brücke Riesling Spätlese, Nahe2017 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special, 4 magnums in stock now
Stuart Pigott-jamessuckling.com 96 points “So light and filigree with such a delicate white-peach note. Yet, behind the almost weightless exterior is enormous depth and an almost savage mineral freshness at the finish. From organically grown grapes. Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
This is the only magnum listing in the USA today!
Weingut Dönnhoff Oberhäuser Brücke Riesling Auslese, Nahe 2015 1.5L ($199.95) $149 special, 2 magnums in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 95 points ”Buddleia and lily perfume, red raspberry and white peach headily entice the nose – then billow across a subtly creamy palate, set-off by a stony undertone and enhanced by animatingly bright fresh lime, tart apple and jammy but invigoratingly seedy berries. While the sweetness here is rather obvious, it doesn’t interfere with – and perhaps even enhances – the ripeness of fruit flavors in a luscious, refreshingly-sustained finish that is startlingly penetrating, almost as if this were an Eiswein, though in fact it represents a botrytis selection picked-out ahead of the corresponding Spätlese.”
This is the only magnum listing in the USA today!
Joh. Jos. Prüm
In Stock Now:
Joh. Jos. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2016 1.5L ($119.95) $99 special, 5 magnums in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2016 Graacher Himmelreich Auslese (AP 09 17) shows very fine botrytis and orange tea character on the delicate and nicely concentrated nose. Very elegant, piquant and lush on the palate, with mineral expression, refreshment and persistent structure, this is a serious and complex Auslese of great class. Highly recommended.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Well-crafted, showing a bright and suave character, displaying ripe peach, mango and mineral nuances, this auslese sings harmoniously on the palate. Silky and full of energy, with a lingering aftertaste of lime and honey. Very delicious now, but will also age for years. Drink now through 2034.”
This is the only magnum listing in the USA today!
Joh. Jos. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, Mosel 2015 1.5L ($219.95) $199 special, 4 magnums in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2015 Graacher Himmelreich Auslese Gold Capsule (AP 18) displays a very intense and perfectly ripe, but healthy stone fruit aroma intermixed with delicate flinty/slate-like flavors. On the plate, this Gold Capsule is as lush as it is pure, piquant and salty; it is provided with remarkable precision and concentration, with a still stimulatingly fresh and vibrant finish. This is a great Auslese, indeed.”
Mosel Fine Wines 95 points “This offers a gorgeous nose of melon, grapefruit, spices, herbs and honey. The wine develops a superbly clean feel of aniseed fruits, pear and a hint of apricot and honey on the palate, which gives way to a delicately creamy sense of fruits and herbs in the delicately honeyed finish. This is a beautifully elegant and superbly balanced wine in the making. 2030-2055”
Joh. Jos. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2016 1.5L ($79.95) $69 special, 9 magnums in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2016 Graacher Himmelreich Kabinett (AP 21 17) is deep, cool and flinty on the nose, pretty mineral though still a bit reductive. Round, intense and juicy, this is a densely woven Kabinett with ripe nectarine and plummy flavors as well as a tightly woven and refreshing mineral structure. The finish is pretty persistent and extremely stimulating. Compared to the Badstube, the Himmelreich is more aromatic and expressive. Tasted in March 2017.”
Stuart Pigott – jamessuckling.com 93 points “Very youthful, but brimming with white fruits and minerals. This is easy to enjoy right now. However, in the background of this sleek beauty, there’s a note of wet stones that grows through the long and cool finish. Drink or hold.”
This is the only magnum listing in the USA today!
Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2016 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special, 3 magnums in stock now
Stuart Pigott – jamessuckling.com 95 points “Stunning succulence and subtlety. The concentration and power are completely underplayed until you get to the brain-rattling finish of this Mosel masterpiece. Drink or hold.”
Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, Mosel 2016 1.5L ($279.95) $229 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2016 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese (Gold Capsule) is clear, fine and subtle yet concentrated, with vegetal and ripe fruit aromas. Rich, round and piquant, this is an intense and densely woven Auslese (AP 14 17) with a long, tensioned and refreshing mineral finish that lifts the sweet fruit. Gorgeous but made for another decade.”
Stuart Pigott – jamessuckling.com 96 points “Super elegant and filigree with a delicacy that you don’t find in many other high-end white wines regardless of grape variety and region of origin. A very long and clean finish. Drink or hold.”
Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2016 1.5L ($89.95) $75 special, 5 magnums in stock now
Stuart Pigott – jamessuckling.com 94 points “Still a little funky from the wild ferment, but there are also beautiful notes of floras and ripe white peaches. Very elegant and polished with a super vibrant finish that makes you reach out for the glass again. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed magnum price in the USA today!
Love German wine? We have over 350 different options (not a typo!) in stock. Shop the entire selection on our web store now, including staff favorites like Keller and Peter Lauer, as well more from Dönnhoff and JJ Prüm.
Collector’s Corner
Cellar Starters from France & Napa
Cellar Starters from France & Napa
France
In Stock Now:
Philipponnat Clos des Goisses Extra Brut, Champagne 2006 750ML ($299.95) $249 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni – Vinous 96 points “The 2006 Clos des Goisses is stellar, but it is also going to need quite a bit of time to come into its own. Powerful and ample in the best of the Goisses style, the 2006 hits the palate with serious intensity. Orchard fruits, lemon oil, white flowers and almonds are some of the many notes that open up in the glass, but, as is often the case with young Goisses, it is the wine’s gravitas that is front and center. Even with all of its overtness, though, the 2006 retains striking, crystalline purity. I imagine the 2006 will reward Champagne lovers with many decades of truly exceptional drinking. The only thing the 2006 needs is time. The question is: How much?”
Comte Armand Clos des Épeneaux Monopole, Pommard Premier Cru 2009 750ML ($249.95) $189 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni – Vinous 94 points “The 2009 Pommard Clos des Épeneaux is flat-out beautiful. Layers of racy, exotic fruit caress the palate as the wine opens up in the glass. The 2009 is quite typical of the year, yet possesses fabulous overall harmony. Although exuberant today, the Clos des Épeneaux will deliver tons of pleasure for many years.”
Burghound 94 points “This is also very fresh and bright with pure aromas of ripe red currant, warm earth, violets and subtle spice hints that are in keeping with the energetic, intense and admirably rich full-bodied flavors that envelope the palate with velvety sap on the beautifully balanced and impressively persistent finish. I very much like the sense of underlying tension because despite this being a big wine with plenty of concentration, the balance is impeccable and there is absolutely nothing ponderous about this complete effort that is well-structured but not so much so that it is in the “buy and forget” category. In short, buy it.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Dujac Echézeaux Grand Cru, Côte de Nuits 2009 1.5L ($1,499.95) $1,199 special, 1 magnum in stock now
Wine Advocate 92-95 points “The 2009 Echézeaux (from one of the cooler sites in the vineyard) hovers on the palate in a weightless expression of grace and class. It is impeccably refined from start to finish, with delicate layers of white flowers and sweet spices that add complexity and nuance to the fruit. The wine’s gorgeous inner fragrance and impossibly fine tannins are first-rate. This is another dazzling wine from Dujac. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2034.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Napa Valley
In Stock Now:
Quintessa Red, Rutherford 2013 750ML ($219.95) $179 special, 12 bottles in stock nowJames Suckling 98 points “This is really fantastic on the nose with blackberry, blueberry, lavender, and violets. Even sage. Full body plus extremely integrated tannins that are polished and refined. The balance and harmony is phenomenal. Goes on for minutes. Beautiful now but will satisfy for decades.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $199.99
The next best price is $199.99
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