In This Newsletter:
New Arrivals and Pre-Arrivals
Featuring new releases by Duck Horn
Staff Pick
Contino Rioja Blanco 2017
Featured Winery
Weingut Willi Schaefer
Super Saver Sale
The Wines Of Chateau de Rouanne
March Magnum Sale
Ends soon!!!
Collector’s Corner
High Scores and High Volumes
New Arrivals
Oregon
Averaen Pinot Noir 2021 750ml $21.90 per bottle, 36+ available
Averaen Pinot Noir 2021 case of 12 $236, or $19.83 per bottle
Wine Enthusiast 92 “Cherry fans need to rally around this bottle. The wine’s sweet, black-cherry aroma is almost cassis like in its intensity. Notes of orange, pine needles and forest floor add interest, but from the backseat. The palate features a lighter cherry flavor—perhaps Bing or Rainier—with notes of thyme and seared steak. The wine feels fresh and lively in the mouth, with brilliant acidity.”
Kelley Fox Gruner Veltliner 2022 750ml $24 special, 24 bottles available
Kelley Fox Nerthus 2022 750ml $24 special, 24 bottles available
California
Postmark By Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 750ml $18 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 91 Points “Fresh and fruity aromas of cherry and strawberry meet with notes of French toast and light herbs on the nose of this bottling. Those juicy fruits come through on the palate as well, with a baked red-cherry flavor that is framed by cigar-box and nutmeg accents.”
Winemaker’s Note: “… you can taste the warm Napa Valley sun in this luxurious Cabernet. On the palate, hints of violet, lavender and dark chocolate add to the delicious depth of this wine, with a pleasing touch of acidity bringing brightness and poise to a lush fruit-driven finish.”
France
Pierre Peters Grand Cru Millesime L’Esprit de 2017 Brut 750ml $99 special, 12 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93+ Points Unwinding in the glass with scents of sweet orchard fruit, peach, honeycomb, warm biscuits and dried fruits, the 2017 Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Millésime L’Esprit de 2017 is medium to full-bodied, ample and satiny, with fine concentration, racy acids and a long, saline finish.”
Pol Roger Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill Brut 2013 750ml $319 special, 11 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 98 Points “Although ready to drink, this very fine Champagne has plenty of aging to go. With its rich Pinot Noir and ripe fruits, it is generous while also fully textured. Complex and balanced, mature fruit and toast working together, this is a great wine.”
Vinous 97 Points “Rich and remarkably pure, the 2013 is super-expressive right out of the gate. Bright saline notes cut through a core of lemon confit, dried flowers, apricot, tangerine peel, mint and sage… there is a feeling of transparency here that is so alluring. The 2013 is a terrific example of power with no excess weight in Champagne. I loved it.”
Meo-Camuzet Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2020 750ml $449 special, 3 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93-95 Points ” The 2020 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru is very promising, unfurling in the glass with aromas of wild berries, cherries, orange rind, potpourri and loamy soil.”
Meo-Camuzet Aux Brulees, Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru 2020 750ml $779 special, 3 bottles available
Vinous 95-97 Points “The 2020 Vosne-Romanée Aux Brûlées 1er Cru is very poised on the nose, quite intense although it is a slow-build, gradually adding another layer of fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fine acidity, quite elegant and pure with a judicious touch of spice towards the finish. Great tension and quite sophisticated, this Aux Brûlées should age with style.”
Meo-Camuzet Au Cros Parantoux, Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru 750ml $3,499 special, 2 bottles available
John Gilman 97+ Points “Jean-Nicolas’ 2020 Cros Parantoux is another stunning wine. The bouquet is pure, complex and still fairly primary, offering up a celestial combination of red and black plums, a touch of raspberry, black cherries, duck, Vosne spices, a complex base of stony soil tones and nutty new oak. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and very deep, with lovely sappiness buried in the core, exquisite mineral drive and grip, ripe, suave tannins and a very, very long, complex and perfectly balanced finish.”
Dutraive Lieu Dit Champaigne Fleurie 2020 750ml $36 special, 12 bottles available
La Revue du Vin de France 95 Points: “With a slight local accent, an enveloping hand and a joyful gaze, Jean-Louis Dutraive embodies a generation that has learned, then passed on. His endearing sensitivity allows him to give birth to exceptional cuvees where the finesse of the fruit competes with the elegance of the sunny terroirs of Fleurie. Vinified with indigenous yeasts, long macerations, barrel aging but also organic and a minimal use, even non-existent, of sulphur, his wines are models of purity of juice. If they can, once decanted, be drunk young, it is after five years that they dispense the nobility of their terroir… Champagne is slender, grandiose, with velvety tannins, deliciously reminiscent of candied cherries.”
Dutraive Clos Du Chapitre St Amour 2020 750ml $39 special, 12 bottles available
Lionnet Cornas Terres Brulee 2019 750ml $69 special, 36 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points “The 2019 Cornas Terre Brûlée showed brilliantly, with an exotic style in its darker fruits as well as notes of camphor, balsam wood, plums, and ground pepper. It has tons of minerality on the palate and is full-bodied, concentrated, and powerful, with enough tannins to warrant a solid 5-7 years of bottle age. It’s a beautiful, classic, impeccably made Cornas that will have two decades of longevity.”
Vinous 94-96 Points “Suave, mineral-accented blackberry, cassis, cherry compote and exotic spice qualities on the intensely perfumed nose, along with a slowly emerging floral nuance. Sappy and penetrating on the palate, displaying powerful lift to the concentrated black and blue fruit, floral pastille and spicecake flavors. Finishes extremely long and spicy, with pronounced mineral thrust, a hint of smoky bacon and gently chewy, well-knit tannins.”
Pre-Arrivals
Arriving 3/31
L’aventure Optimus Paso Red 2019 750ml $57.50 special, 21 bottles arriving
James Suckling 96 Points “Extremely aromatic with ripe cherry and berry aromas, as well as flowers and citrus. Medium to full body with fine, polished tannins and a long, caressing finish. This is really well done and one of the most balanced L’Aventures I have encountered. Syrah, cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot.”
L’aventure Côte A Côte Red 2020 750ml $109 special, 12 bottles arriving
Wine Advocate 98 Points “The 2020 Côte a Côte is a beautiful blend of 45% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 25% Mourvèdre and one of the most successful wines I tasted from the challenging 2020 vintage. Deep ruby-purple, it offers pure aromas of blackcurrant, boysenberry, tar and pipe tobacco, continually unfolding with each return to the glass. The full-bodied palate offers wave after wave of perfumed fruit and tremendous spicy accents. It’s powerful yet harmoniously structured with powdery tannins and seamless acidity, and it offers a very long, detailed finish.”
L’aventure Estate Cuvee 2019 750ml $119 special, 21 bottles arriving
Jeb Dunnuck 100 Points “… Incredible cassis and black berry fruits as well as violets, chocolate, graphite, and who knows what else emerges from the glass, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a concentrated yet weightless mouthfeel, building tannins, and a great finish. It’s more seamless and approachable than the more backward, structured 2018 and will have two decades of prime drinking.
Arriving in June
Casa Castillo Las Gravas Jumilla 2020 750ml $69 special, 36 bottles arriving
Wine Advocate 98 points ” The wine is super perfumed and floral, really showy, elegant, nuanced and refined, with the notes of pine needles and wet soil much subtler than in the 2019. There is an ethereal character to the 2020s that I haven’t found in any previous vintage here, but at the same time, the wines are very mineral and have lots of energy and light. There is precision, cleanliness, definition and elegance like I hadn’t seen before and refined tannins with a pungent mineral sensation in the textured finish. This is an incredible wine for the price asked…”
Staff Pick
CVNE Contino Blanco 2017 $49 special, 11 bottles
Vinous 92 Points “Limpid yellow. Vibrant Anjou pear and tangerine aromas show very good clarity and pick up suggestions of buttered toast, honey and chamomile with air. Juicy and broad on the palate, offering ripe citrus and orchard fruit flavors that slowly tighten up and take on a floral nuance with aeration. A vanilla flourish sweetens the finish, which hangs on with strong, spicy tenacity.”
Wine Advocate 91 Points “The wine is quite fresh and fruit-driven, with waxy apples and some aromatic herbs, with some restrain and not really exuberant, with the oak in the background. The palate is very tasty, the flavors are well-defined, and the finish is dry and a bit salty.
Joanna, Vinopolis “This wine is refreshing- great acid, pear, green apple. It has a lot of fruit notes while being dry and elegant. Recommended for pairing with spicy foods and curries or thai food.”
Tradition And Refinement in Mosel
The Great Wines of Weingut Willi Schaefer
Weingut Willi Schaefer is one of the most renowned wine producers based in Graach, in the Mosel region of Germany. The Schaefer family has been making wine in this area since the 16th century, and is now considered one of the best producers in the Mosel, consistently receving high scores from top wine periodicals.
The Schaefer family’s vineyards cover about 4 hectares and feature some of the steepest slopes in the region, creating a unique microclimate that allows for the production of exceptional sugar-dense grapes. While the estate has steadily increased its reputation over the centuries, it has not expanded its perimeter or branched out into new regions, allowing the family to obsess over and improve each single row over many generations.
Willi Schaefer wines are known for their purity and finesse, as well as their ability to age gracefully. The winemaking philosophy is centered around minimal intervention and allowing the terroir and the grapes to express themselves fully. The grapes are still hand-harvested and sorted, and all fermentation is allowed to occur naturally with the area’s wild yeasts. These wines are characterized by their delicate aromas of white flowers and citrus, vibrant acidity, and long, mineral-driven finishes.
To hear more about the winery and German wines in general, here’s an interview with Christophe Schaefer, who has operated the property since 2015.
Please enjoy these current offerings from Weingut Willi Schaefer:
| 2021 | Graacher Trocken Riesling | 750ml | $29 special, 6 bottles available | 91 Points Mosel Fine Wines |
| 2020 | Graacher Himmelreich Kabbinett | 750ml | $36 special, 35 bottles available | 94 Points James Gilman |
| 2018 | Graacher Himmelreich Spatlese | 750ml | $49 special, 22 bottles available | 93 Points Wine Spectator |
| 2020 | Graacher Himmelreich Spatlese | 750ml | $56 special, 16 bottles available | 96 Points James Suckling |
| 2016 | Graacher Domprobst Spatlese #10 | 750ml | $39.99 special, 19 bottles available | 94 Points Wine Advocate |
| 2018 | Graacher Domprobst Spatlese #10 | 750ml | $49 special, 4 bottles remaining | 93+ Points John Gilman |
| 2018 | Graacher Himmelreich Spatlese | 750ml | $49 special, 12 bottles available | 93+ Points John Gilman |
| 2020 | Graacher Domprobst Auslese #11 | 750ml | $49 special, 3 bottles available | 97 Points Mosel Fine WInes |
| 2020 | Graacher Domprobst Spatlese #5 | 750ml | $59 special, 12 bottles available | 96 Points Mosel Fine Wines |
| 2018 | Graacher Domprobst Auslese #14 | 375ml | $69 special, 18 bottles available | 97 Points James Suckling |
| 2018 | Graacher Domprobst Auslese #11 | 375ml | $89 special, 16 bottles available | 96 Points John GIlman |
3 Day Super Saver Sale:
The Rocking Rhônes of Chateau de Rouanne
Although the vines in this old Vinsobres estate were planted in the 1960’s, the viticultural history of the site dates back to Gallo-Roman times built upon limestone marl soils originating in the Pliocene era. Spread between 72 hectares it is also the site of three lieu dits: “Guerin,” “Les Cotes,” and “Les Crottes.” A long-time admirerer of the finesse and elegance of Chateau de Rouanne’s wines Louis Barruol, the 14th generation owner of the Rhone’s own Saint Cosme winery, purchased it in 2019 and has been crafting wines of undeniable power and terroir since.
Vinsobres has been underrated wine region for decades, but with people like Barruol investing their money and know-how, it is finally beginning to get its due. Look for beauty and elegance in the “Guerin,” bold power in “Les Cotes,” and richness and intensity in the
We are offfering these wines at a low price for a very limited time
SALE ENDS Tuesday at 10AM!!!
Chateau de Rouanne Vinsobres 2019 750ML was $28, NOW $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 90 points “Looking at the reds, the 2019 Vinsobres is unquestionably outstanding and has lots of Syrah character in its dark, meaty fruits, peppery herb, violet, and chalky mineral-like aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, nicely textured, and balanced, it has plenty of structure and will keep for 8-10 years.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Chateau de Rouanne Vinsobres “Les Cotes” 2019 750ML was $69, NOW $59 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points “Winey and muscular, with cassis and bitter plum reduction notes leading the way, while baker’s chocolate, tobacco and warm humus fill in behind. Grippy and dark on the finish, with an old-school edge lingering. Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache. Best from 2023 through 2030. 350 cases made, 200 cases imported.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Chateau de Rouanne Vinsobres “Les Crottes” 2019 750ML was $69, NOW $59 special, 28 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points “Rich and well-built, this offers up a serious dark core of black currant and plum reduction flavors supported by graphite, humus and cast iron notes, with sweet bay leaf, violet and tobacco notes filling in the background. A wine with a smoldering intensity. Grenache and Syrah. Best from 2023 through 2032. 350 cases made, 200 cases imported.” — JM”
Jeb Dunnuck 91+ points “Lastly, the 2019 Rouanne Et Les Crottes is the same 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah, not destemmed, and brought up in demi-muids. It’s more straight, structured, and tannic, with lots of black fruits and chalky minerality. Fresh, focused, medium to full-bodied, and balanced, it needs 2-3 years of bottle age and will have 10-15 years of overall longevity.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Chateau de Rouanne Vinsobres “Guerin” 2019 750ML was $69, NOW $59 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 92 points “The Grenache-dominated single vineyard 2019 Vinsobres Lieu-Dit Guerin is brilliant as well. Concentrated, medium to full-bodied, and opulent, it has lots of red and black fruits, plenty of peppery herbs and meaty nuances, terrific balance, and outstanding length. It’s another gorgeous wine from this talented winemaker, and this is an estate to watch.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
March Magnum Sale
ENDS SOON!
We’re having a huge month long sale ending March 31st at 6pm.
5% off 3-5 Magnum bottles
10% off 6 or more Magnum bottles
Reichsrat Von Buhl Deidesheimer Maushohle 2015 1.5L $51.90 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 93 points “Round, fresh and elegant on the palate, this full-bodied and well-balanced Riesling is tightly woven, but fine and very mineral. It displays ripe yellow apple flavors in the finish, as well as nice and stimulating grip. The finish is pure and salty, really vitalizing in its freshness and clarity. “
Donhoff Estate Riesling 2021 1.5L $59 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 88 points “The 2021 Riesling is pure, clear and refined yet also intense on the nose that is immediately attractive. Lush on the palate, this is a round and charming yet also stimulating, piquant and grippy Riesling.”
Kesselstatt Schwarzhofberger Auslese 2015 1.5L $149 special, 4 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 94 Points “This Auslese harvested at 102° Oechsle is still marked by some residual notes from spontaneous fermentation at first. However, these quickly give way to exotic scents of mango and papaya as well as mint, candied grapefruit and pineapple. The wine proves juicy and creamy even if still on the sweet side on the palate at this early stage. However, the finish already hints at greatness to come as grapefruit zest brings freshness in the long finish of this superb Auslese from the Scharzhofberg.”
JJ Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese GK 2012 1.5L $279 special, 2 bottles available
Wine Advocate 96+ Points “… combines its deeper mineral character with a perfect expression of highly noble botrytis. The finish is piquant and firm and also more grippy and stringent due to the reductive style. The wine lacks the finesse and elegance of the Himmelreich at the moment, but is provided with the density and complexity for a long flight over the years.”
A magnum is 1.5L. 3L bottles will be the equivalent of 2 bottles applied to the discount.
Champagnes are not included in this sale.
Discount will not display online, we will adjust your invoice before charging your card.
Discount does not apply to pre-arrival wines or to case discounts.
This is first come / first served and limited to stock on hand.
This sale applies to large format wines. That’s over 150 wines and thousands of bottles discounted! This week we are highlighting the stellar wines of Long Shadows… now in family gathering friendly magnums!
Shop our magnum selection on our website
Collectors Corner:
High Scores and High Volumes
It’s well known in the fine wine trade that bigger is better when it comes to aging. More stable over time due to a lower proportion of oxygen per bottle, magnum wines are regarded as more expressive when theyre finally opened.
As we come to the end of our Month long sale on Magnum sized wines, it’s never been a better time to cellar one of these high scoring wines in a large format:
Bond Estates Melbury 2003 1.5L $849, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 98+ Points “From a higher site in the Pritchard Hill area, the 2010 Melbury appears to be prodigious, but is currently extremely backward. My notes indicate it should be forgotten for 7-10 years. With coaxing, this structured 2010 offers up aromas of blueberry liqueur, black currants, charcoal and spring flowers. It possesses gorgeous purity and remarkable incremental richness, but it is quite brooding and backward. Everything it needs for a great future is present, but patience will definitely be required.”
Angelus St Estephe 2016 1.5L $899, 19 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast “Top 100 Cellar Selection, 2019”
Wine Enthusiast 100 Points “This is a rich, perfumed wine, with dense tannins and intense layers of black plum and spice. The palate is firmly built yet broadened out by plump dark-fruit tones and honed by a solid, dry core.”
Wine Advocate 98+ Points “Sporting a deep garnet-purple color, the 2016 Angélus erupts from the glass with powerful notes of blackberry pie, ripe black cherries and juicy black plums with an undercurrent of star anise, rose petals, chocolate mint, pencil shavings and woodsmoke plus a waft of allspice. The palate is pure decadence. Medium to full-bodied,
rich and generously fruited, this wine is by no means heavy—it positively glimmers with freshness and vivacity, lending an ethereal nature to all that richness and power, beautifully framed by velvety tannins and finishing with epic length. The generosity, layers and plushness make for an absolutely DELICIOUS drink right now, but I’d suggest waiting 3-5 more years for the fireworks to really begin.”