Highly Anticipated Releases from Zind-Humbrecht Have Arrived; Clouet Champagne; K Vintners: New Fall Releases Are Here; Reynvaan Returns; New Reviews for Selbach-Oster; Arriving in December: Thierry Germain, and 2010 Cavallotto Barolo
Highly Anticipated New Arrivals from
Zind-Humbrecht
It’s been a few years since we’ve been able to get ahold of the Zind-Humbrecht wines and it’s certainly not for lack of trying. When we heard the wines were in the market again we dropped everything to snap them up. We are quite proud of the range – many of these new arrivals were initially not intended for release in the USA. You’ll be glad we did, though, when you see the unreal deal on these wines. The star of the show is the Vendanges Tardive Gewurztraminer – a late-harvest wine from gravelly vineyard parcels that line an ancient Roman path between the communes of Wintzenheim and Turckheim. Our offer for the 750ML bottle is well below the next best price on
the 375ML!
Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Herrenweg de Turckheim Vieilles Vignes Vendange Tardive, Alsace 2011 750ML ($69.95) $31.90 special
Case-6 Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Herrenweg de Turckheim Vieilles Vignes Vendange Tardive, Alsace 2011 750ML ($719.95) $179 special (that’s only $29.83/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 95 points “Lacy in texture and seamlessly integrated, this off-dry, lightly honeyed version features racy acidity, providing fine balance and enlivening notes of mango puree, lychee, grapefruit granita, honeycomb and apricot. Hints of smoke and wax linger on the lush, mineral-driven finish. Drink now through 2030. 40 cases imported.”
These bottles arriving directly from the Domaine cellar!
Best ever price in the USA!
The next best price is for the half-bottle: $34.96
Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Thann, Alsace 2013 750ML ($34.95) $28 special
Wine Spectator 91 points “Vibrant and zesty, a medium-bodied white with racy acidity reined in by the well-knit flavor range of yellow peach, candied pink grapefruit zest, blanched almond and ground pink peppercorn notes. The dense, mouthwatering finish echoes a streak of smoky minerality. Drink now through 2028. 350 cases made.”
VinopolNote: Average vine age is 30 years. Vineyard is south facing with a very steep slope. Soil is sedimentary volcanic rocks.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Thann, Alsace 2013 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 special
Wine Spectator 91 points “Lip-smacking acidity keeps this medium-bodied Pinot Gris lithe and light on its feet, offering a minerally underpinning and a hint of salinity accenting the palate of crunchy white peach, Mandarin orange, pickled ginger and pink grapefruit zest. Drink now through 2028. 140 cases made.”
VinopolNote: Average vine age is 29 years. Vineyard is south facing with a very steep slope. Soil is sedimentary volcanic rocks.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Calcaire, Alsace 2012 750ML ($41.95) $36 special
Wine Spectator 93 points “A seamless white, light-weight and silky in texture, with mouthwatering acidity enlivening the subtly honeyed flavors of peach skin, orange sorbet and ground ginger, all underscored by rich, minerally notes of stone and smoke that echo on the finish. Drink now through 2029. 500 cases made.”
Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Calcaire, Alsace 2012 750ML ($49.95) $36 special
Wine Spectator 91 points “A lithe Pinot Gris, with juicy acidity and zesty accents of citrus peel and ground spice enlivening the well-knit flavors of slivered almond, apricot, sea salt and honeysuckle. Offers a lasting, mineral-tinged finish. Drink now through 2024. 800 cases made.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $46
Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Rotenberg, Alsace 2012 750ML ($59.95) $41.90 special
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “A high-altitude vineyard has produced this delicious, crisp and cool wine. While it has weight and rich fruit, it’s the enticing acidity that sets this wine apart. There’s a poise to this wine that gives style while not losing any depth of apple, pear and spice flavors. Drink from 2017.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Crackling acidity defines this linear Pinot Gris, layered with stony minerality and offering a sleek mix of crunchy pear, honey, grapefruit zest, verbena and nut flavors. Finely balanced. Drink now through 2024. 260 cases made.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $53
Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Herrenweg de Turckheim, Alsace 2012 750ML ($49.95) $36 special
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “By rights, the Herrenweg vineyard in Turckheim should be a Grand Cru. Certainly in the hands of Zind-Humbrecht it behaves like one. This is a powerful, rich and totally spicy wine. It has weight and pepper in abundance, a complex wine that’s full of ripe fruits and an opulent aftertaste. Drink from 2017.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Compact, with firm cut, this offers tightly meshed flavors of white peach, beeswax, pickled ginger and crystallized honey, with a stony mineral undertow that pushes through on the finish. Accessible now, but should open up with short-term cellaring. Drink now through 2027. 1,050 cases made.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $46.99
The average price is $48
New Arrivals from Andre Clouet
Our top Thanksgiving Champagne pick for flexibility, value & pairing potential!
Andre Clouet Brut Millesime, Champagne 2008 750ML ($69.95) $49 special
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Clouet’s 2008 Brut Millesime shows quite a bit more tension and focus than the 2007, hardly a surprise given then personality of the vintage. Bright, saline notes frame expressive red fruits, flowers and sweet spices. The 2008 Brut is a gorgeous wine with plenty of appeal today, but it will also develop beautifully in bottle. Stylistically it is less overt than the 2007 but places more emphasis on length. Brut Millesime is mostly Pinot, with 30-40% Chardonnay.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $54.98
The average price is $62
Andre Clouet Grande Reserve Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $33 special
Case-12 Andre Clouet Grande Reserve Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($479.95) $359 special (that’s only $29.92/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The NV Brut Grande Reserve emerges from the glass with layers of hazelnut, pear, spice and dried flower aromas. This rich, creamy wine impresses for its balance and sheer richness. I loved it.” AG
Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $33 special
Case-12 Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, Champagne NV 750ML ($479.95) $359 special (that’s only $29.92/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
100% Grand Cru, 100% Pinot Noir, no dosage
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The NV Brut Nature Silver is naturally a very focused, driven wine given the no-dosage style. This shows wonderful nuance and depth all the way through to the long finish, with bright aromas and flavors but less of the toastiness than some of the house’s other wines. The mousse and finish are both utterly impeccable in their elegance.” AG
Andre Clouet Grand Cru Brut Rose, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92 points “Vivid orange-pink. Aromas and flavors of ripe red berries, candied rose and toasty lees. Fleshy but nervy and focused, with strong mineral cut and hints of bitter herbs on the very long, energetic finish. Smoothly blends richness and vivacity, making it extremely flexible with food or without.” JR
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $53
Andre Clouet Grand Cru Cuvee 1911 Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
Antoni Galloni 93+ points “The NV Grand Cru Cuvee 1911 emerges from the glass with the most haunting of perfumes. Sweet rose petal and jasmine are some of the nuances that emerge over time. Despite recent disgorgement, the purity of the fruit and the extraordinary elegance of the mousse are hard to miss. This is an exceptional, elegant version of the 1911 that should drink beautifully for years to come. The bottle I tasted needed quite a bit of air to open up, so readers should be patient with the wine at this stage.” AG
Champagnes Arriving Next Week
R. Dumont & Fils Solera Reserve Blanc de Blancs, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “(made from a blend of 20 vintages, with 1991 as its base; roughly 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay; 6 g/l dosage): Pale yellow. A wild, assertively perfumed bouquet displays scents of mineral-accented poached pear, honey, toasted nuts and smoky lees, with a suave floral element building in the glass. Stains the palate with ripe orchard and pit fruit flavors, along with suggestions of buttered toast, marzipan and bitter lemon pith. Shows excellent clarity and power on the finish, which clings with strong fruity persistence. This complex, concentrated Champagne would be fantastic with aged or blue cheeses.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Thierry Triolet Cuvee Grande Reserve Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($39.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “(11 g/l dosage): Pale gold. Intense citrus and orchard fruit aromas are complicated by notes of honeysuckle, tarragon and iodine. Chewy tangerine and pear skin flavors become silkier and spicier with aeration. Shows a seductive floral quality on the clinging finish, which features a dusty mineral nuance and a touch of buttered toast.” JR
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $34.98
The average price is $40
Jose Michel & Fils Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne 2007 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: The vintage Blanc de Blancs is produced only in the best years from the winery’s best parcels in and around Moussy. It is aged for five years in bottle before disgorgement.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Aubry Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $36 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Aubry Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($479.95) $399 pre-arrival special (that’s only $33.25/bottle!)
Wine & Spirits 92 points “This tastes of pure, pale white limestone transformed into crisp yellow apple. It’s appetite inducing in its zesty freshness, bright white floral notes and clean, lively length of flavor, especially if there are oysters nearby. The Aubry brothers maintain a reserve wine blend composed of vintages going back to 1998; that blend provides 50 percent of this Brut, with the other half from 2013. The varietal composition is also distinctive: pinot Meunier makes up 45 percent, with chardonnay and pinot noir each providing 25 percent and the remaining five percent made up of traditional local varieties including arbanne, petit meslier and fromenteau.”
R.H. Coutier Tradition Grand Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
R.H. Coutier Tradition Grand Cru Brut, Champagne NV 375ML ($27.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
Wine & Spirits 93 points “[$50 Best Buy] This takes the early, red-fruit richness of an Ambonnay Champagne and charges it with energy. It has stamina that seems to drive right along with the bubbles, the flavors firm and juicy, broadened by clay soils, cut by chalky soil acidity. Finely integrated and lasting.”
These are the lowest listed prices in the USA today!
R.H. Coutier Grand Cru Brut, Champagne 2008 750ML ($59.95) $46 pre-arrival special
R.H. Coutier Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Coutier’s NV Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru, 100% Chardonnay from Ambonnay, remains one of the most compelling, under the radar wines in Champagne, not to mention a fabulous value. Round, textured and supple in the glass, the Blanc de Blancs shows the more textured, side of Chardonnay. These soils in Ambonnay confer an unusual level of richness and breadth. In my view, this is Coutier’s best Champagne. Dosage is 6 grams per liter.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
R.H. Coutier Grand Cru Brut Rose, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 91 points “Elegant and pretty, with floral accents to the black cherry pie, blackberry coulis and spiced plum flavors. This is lightly creamy, with fine balance and a lingering, mineral-tinged finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Holiday Shipping Guide
Plan Ahead Now
Toast Your Forethought Later
No UPS Shipping service on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 24th
*Packages shipped to the East Coast by UPS Ground on Thursday, November 17th or Friday, November 18th will not reach their destination until the week of Monday, November 28th. For delivery by Thanksgiving, packages must be shipped by November 16th. Please note due to increased shipping volume during this time of year, UPS cannot guarantee on-time delivery for Ground shipments.
No UPS shipping services on December 24th, 25th and 26th.
No UPS shipping services on December 31st, January 1st and January 2nd.
New Fall Releases from K Vintners
The Rock Star of Washington Wine
All Twelve New Fall Releases are In-Stock Now
K Vintners The Cattle King Syrah, Snipes Mountain 2013 750ML ($89.95) $79 special
Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2013 Syrah Cattle King is a smokin’, layered, sexy, voluptuous Syrah that does everything right. Coming from the River Rock Vineyard in Walla Walla and the Upland Vineyard in Snipes Mountain, not destemmed and brought up all in larger barrels, this beauty offers a sensational perfume of smoked meats, pepper, licorice, black olives and assorted ripe black fruits. Deep, layered and concentrated, yet always light on its feet and elegant, this fabulous Syrah has a terrific mid-palate, a core of sweet fruit and blockbuster length. It’s a tour de force in vintage and certainly one of the top wines. It needs a decant if drinking anytime soon, but should be at its best from 2020 to 2038.”
K Vintners Charlotte, Walla Walla Valley 2013 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “A new, tiny production cuvee named after Charles’ Daughter, the 2013 Charlotte checks in as a blend of 45% Mourvèdre, 31% Grenache, 12% Syrah, 8% Counoise and the rest Grenache Blanc and Picpoul, which was all harvested at the same time and co-fermented. From two vineyards: Rock Garden and River Rock, they purposely hang a touch more crop on the Syrah to help the ripening even out. One of the more elegant, perfumed and complex releases in the lineup, it gives up perfumed notes of rose petals, kirsch, framboise, olives and dried herbs on the nose. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, seamless and downright silky, with fine, fine tannin and a great finish. This is high class stuff to enjoy anytime over the coming decade.”
K Vintners The Deal Sundance Vineyard Syrah, Columbia Valley 2013 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Wine Advocate 95 points “Coming all from the Sundance Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope, the medium- ruby colored 2013 Syrah The Deal Sundance Vineyard is a unique, singular Syrah that gives up beautiful notes of kirsch, blackberries, sandy, dried soils and hints of olive tapenade. Full-bodied, concentrated, with a great mid-palate and satin-textured tannins, it will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and cruise for a decade after that.”
K Vintners The Hidden Syrah, Wahluke Slope 2013 750ML ($89.95) $79 special
Wine Advocate 97 points “Reminding me of a Northern Rhone Syrah from the Le Meal lieu-dit on Hermitage Hill, the 2013 Syrah The Hidden Northridge Vineyard comes entirely from the Northridge Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope, was fermented with 100% whole clusters and aged in mostly neutral oak. It offers thrilling notes of black raspberries, toasted bread, caramelized meats and licorice in a full-bodied, ultra-pure, supple, incredibly sexy style. Possessing building, fine tannin, it needs a lengthy decant if drinking anytime soon, but this utterly seamless, perfectly balanced beauty will offer upward of two decades of overall longevity.”
K Vintners The Hustler Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2012 750ML ($149.95) $138 special
Wine Advocate 95-97 points “Still in barrel at the time of this tasting, the 2012 Syrah The Hustler is a blockbuster-styled Syrah that’s overflowing with notions of sweet red and black fruits, toasted bread, cured meats and cedar. Only made in special vintages (it was previously made in ’03, ’07 and ’09) and aged 38 months in French oak, it’s full-bodied, decadent and layered, with a weightless, elegant, seamless feel. Coming all from the Morrison Lane Vineyard (it’s actually the Morrison Lane Syrah with extended barrel aging), it should be ready to go on release and dish out tons of pleasure over the following decade or more. The extended elevage has given this a more upfront feel, yet I suspect it will also allow it age more slowly as well.”
K Vintners ‘King Coal’ Stoneridge Vineyard Cabernet – Syrah, Columbia Valley 2013 750ML ($119.95) $99 special
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon King Coal Stoneridge Vineyard, which is always a 70/30 mix of Cabernet and Syrah, is a beauty. Giving up lots of black currants, smoked earth, olive and background meatiness, it’s rich, voluptuously textured and concentrated, with tons to love. It’s approachable now due to all the fruit, but this puppy will cruise in the cellar over the coming couple of decades.”
K Vintners Klein Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2013 750ML ($89.95) $79 special
Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2013 Syrah Klein got a big “wow” in the notes and from a difficult vintage for Syrah, it’s an incredible blockbuster, full-bodied beauty that readers should beg, borrow or steal to get a hold of. Giving up layers of kirsch, blackberries, graphite, lavender and dried earth, this puppy hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a layered, silky texture and fine tannin that keeps the finish going. I love it. Give bottles 2-3 years of cellaring and enjoy through 2028+.”
K Vintners Morrison Lane Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2013 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Wine Advocate 95 points “Another wine that overachieves is the 2013 Syrah Morrison Lane. Easily the best vintage of this cuvee to date, it has a killer bouquet of olive tapenade, grounded, peppered meats and a core of darker fruits. Medium to full-bodied, seamless, elegant and with fine tannin, it’s terrific and will drink nicely for 10-15 years.”
K Vintners ‘Royal City’ Syrah, Washington 2013 750ML ($179.95) $149 special
Wine Advocate 98 points “A candidate for the wine of the vintage, the 2013 Syrah Royal City is as expansive, sexy and voluptuous as they get in the vintage, hands down. It’s deep ruby/purple color is followed by incredible notes of wild herbs, lavender, gamey meats, olive paste and sweet dark berry fruits. Full-bodied, relatively forward and charming, it still packs a wealth of material and has building tannin, all suggesting it will drink nicely for 10-15 years.”
K Vintners The Beautiful Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2014 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Wine Advocate 94-97 points “A blend of Syrah co-fermented with 2-3% Viognier, aged all in puncheons, the 2014 Syrah The Beautiful (which now comes all from the Powerline vineyard in Walla Walla… it previously included grapes from Phil Lane and The Rocks) reveals an inky purple color as well as classic Syrah notes of aged beef, olive tapenade, chocolate and ripe dark fruits. Full-bodied, pure, layered and elegant, it lives up to its name and will be up with the top handful of wines in the vintage.”
K Vintners The Boy Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Wine Advocate 95-97 points “There’s 300 cases of the potentially profound 2014 The Boy, which is mostly Grenache from the Powerline Vineyard in Walla Walla. Fermented with 100% whole clusters and aged in neutral oak, it offers sensational ripeness and depth in its meaty, olive, pepper, currant and kirsch scented bouquet. This gives way to a massive, concentrated and voluptuously textured Grenache that has a great mid-palate, ripe tannin and a finish that just won’t quit.”
K Vintners Milbrandt Vineyard Syrah, Wahluke Slope 2014 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “Probably the greatest vintage of this cuvee to date, the 2014 Syrah Milbrandt Vineyard is 100% Syrah, fermented with 100% whole clusters, that spent 15 months in 20% new French oak barrels and puncheons. This beauty is overflowing with notes of cassis, caramelized meats, licorice and spice, which gives way to a full-bodied, concentrated, superbly textured Syrah that can be enjoyed today, or cellared for a decade.”
Reynvaan Returns
Way back in 2007, who would have thought a start-up could rocket into the first ranks of Walla Walla wine? Considering the quality geology, geography, and talent in the area, it hardly came as a surprise for Reynvaan. Family-owned and -run, this is a hands-on operation that dedicated itself from the start to producing the finest wines from some of the region’s best vineyard sites. Reynvaan owns two vineyards: In the Rocks recalls the Rhone valley with its rocky ancient riverbed soil, while the Foothills in the Sun vineyard enjoys south-southwest exposure on one of Washington’s highest-elevation vineyards, at 1600 feet: good ripening in the day, with acidities preserved at night. Once in the winery, the pursuit of terroir and Washington style becomes Reynvaan’s modus operandi. Are the wines good? Well, Reynvaan now has a waiting list, but we are a proud authorized dealer, and we have a special fall offering, as the holidays approach…
On Sale & Available Here Now from Reynvaan:
Reynvaan Family Vineyards The Unnamed Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2014 750ML ($99.95) Was $89, Now $59 special, 38 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “Incorporating 8% Grenache Blanc and from the Rocks region of Walla Walla, the 2014 The Unnamed Syrah offers a unique profile with pretty notes of white peach (from the Grenache Blanc no doubt), dried violets, plums and bouquet garni. Medium to full-bodied, supple, layered and beautifully balanced, it should shine right out of the gate, yet also evolve gracefully.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $67
Reynvaan Wines Available Here Now:
Reynvaan Family Vineyards ‘Foothills in the Sun’ Reserve Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2014 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 3 bottles available
Wine Advocate 95 points “An early bottled effort that’s made from 100% Syrah, the sensational 2014 Syrah Foothills Reserve is a notch darker in color than the 2013 and offers layers of ripe Syrah dark fruits, olive tapenade, pepper and crushed rock like minerality. Coming from a cool site on the eastern edge of the Walla Walla Valley, where the Syrah is just on the edge of where it can get ripe, this medium to full-bodied, seamless, elegant beauty will stand toe to toe with the top wines of the northern Rhone. It will drink well for 10-15 years.”
Reynvaan Family Vineyards In The Hills Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2014 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 37 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 points “Another beauty is the 2014 Syrah In the Hills, which is this estate’s take on a Cote Rotie and incorporates 5% co-fermented Viognier. Raspberries, bacon fat, violets and olive all emerge from this medium-bodied, elegant, ethereally textured beauty. It too will drink beautifully for 10-15 years.”
Reynvaan Family Vineyards In The Rocks Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2014 750ML ($99.95) $88 special, 11 bottles available
Wine Advocate 95-97 points “From a warmer terroir and the estate’s vineyard in The Rocks region of Walla Walla, the 2014 In the Rocks Syrah (5% Viognier) sports an inky purple color to go with flat out gorgeous notes of liquid blackberries, violets, earth and spice. Concentrated, ripe and sexy, it should knock your socks off right out of the gate, yet cruise for 15 years in the cellar.”
Reynvaan Family Vineyards ‘The Contender’ Syrah – Marsanne, Walla Walla Valley 2014 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, 38 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “Checking in as a mix of 94% Syrah and 6% Marsanne, the 2014 Syrah The Contender is another elegant, medium to full-bodied, layered wine from this estate that offers plenty of texture and length. Blackberries, violets, plums, pepper and hints of iron all emerge from this beauty, which can be enjoyed on release or cellared for a decade or more.”
Reynvaan Family Vineyards ‘The Classic’ Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley 2013 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 19 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “First made in 2012, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon The Classic comes from vines planted in 2008 and is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in 40% new French oak, it sports an inky purple color to go with awesome notes of cassis, jammy blackberries, wild herbs and graphite. Full-bodied, fresh and elegant, yet with rocking concentration, this is a serious Cabernet that has the class to drink nicely in its youth, yet the balance, depth and structure to evolve for upward of two decades.”
New Reviews for Selbach-Oster
With a mere four centuries under its winemaker’s belt, the Selbach family honors tradition, nature, and the benefits of un-mechanized vineyard work. Selbach-Oster wines respond to such care by delivering minerality, sweetness, and crisp acidity in harmonious balance, vintage after vintage.
David Schildknecht just released several new reviews for the under-the-radar 2014 vintage from Selbach-Oster. The 2014 vintage is quite a contrast in style to the 2015s that will be arriving this month… One could compare the ‘14s to a study in quiet contemplation versus the party animals of the ‘15s: “The treats in store [from the 2014 vintage] are diverse: a bevy of Kabinetts whose sheer levity we have scarcely encountered since the early 1990s; Spätlesen that range from quite delicate and transparent to rich and botrytis-tinged; an impressive array of minerally complex, alcoholically modest and impeccably balanced dry offerings.”
The name of the game was careful selection on the table once the warm weather and rains hit at the end of harvest. Resulting wines were either lighter than typical for their classification or, if left to ripen under the nerve-wracking conditions, were botrytis affected with ample richness.
Levity and minerality abound! And who better to capture the secret joy in a cooler vintage or to master the fine line in ’14 between underripeness and rot than Selbach?
Selbach-Oster Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2014 750ML ($27.95) $18 special
David Schildknecht—Vinous Media 92 points “Decadent lily and heliotrope mingle with intimations of ripe apple and quince in a head-turning aromatic display that presages a subtly creamy, juicy and perfumed palate performance. Luscious and expansive, this nonetheless finishes with exemplary clarity and lift. Amid the extra richness and perfume here vis-à-vis its Zeltinger counterparts, one only misses the mineral nuance of those two siblings.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $25.19
Selbach-Oster ‘Anrecht’ Zeltinger Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2014 750ML ($49.95) $33 pre-arrival special
David Schildknecht—Vinous Media 93 points “This product of block-picking (as opposed to selective picking) conveys a sense of ripeness and botrytization that could as easily have been captured in the word “Auslese.” Candied lemon, mint and anise mingle in the nose with suggestions of the quince, apple and Persian melon that come to dominate on a lush and expansive yet animatedly juicy palate. A hint of white raisin testifies delectably to the share of shriveled berries. Sweaty salinity lends mouthwatering intrigue while the fruit retains an invigoratingly tangy edge in a finish that readily stimulates the desire to take the next seductive, by no means overly sweet sip.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $39.15
Selbach-Oster ‘Schmitt’ Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling, Mosel 2014 750ML ($59.95) $44 pre-arrival special
David Schildknecht—Vinous Media 93 points “This block-picked (as opposed to selectively picked) offering leads with a heady and complex nose of musky faded narcissus, fennel pollen, pear preserves, papaya and candied lime. The lush yet stone-lined and shimmeringly mineral-tinged palate impression is correspondingly multifaceted and exotically ripe, backed by an amazingly high yet only modestly sweet-tasting 86 grams of residual sugar. The contribution of botrytis is similarly subtle, engendering enormous concentration while leaving behind no fungal spores or smudgy fingerprints. A prodigious finish welcomes the next sip.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $47.99
Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Spatlese*, Mosel 2014 750ML ($34.95) $28 pre-arrival special
David Schildknecht—Vinous Media 93 points “Selbach admitted to having been swayed by marketing considerations to label this wine as “one-star” Spätlese rather than as Auslese. By whatever name, it represents a luscious, silken-textured amalgam of ripe quince and honeydew melon tinged with mint and cress and drizzled with fresh lime for a simultaneously soothing and stimulating performance, capped by a finish of remarkable clarity and sheer refreshment for what is in effect a lightly botrytized Auslese. Riper and more seductively textured than the already superb corresponding “no-star” Spätlese, this is, however, less recognizably a product of its site. (It originated in a lower, deeper-soiled section of the Einzellage.)”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
And don’t miss these great offers on 2015s arriving this December!
“This is one of the (if not the) best collections we have tasted so far by Johannes Selbach.” –Mosel Fine Wines
“…the vintage was a dream. The harvest was pleasantly uneventful. You could graze and take your time. It was balm for the soul of a winemaker after the stressful 2014 and 2013 vintages. We started on September 30 and finished on November 1. The sugar levels were good but not outrageously high: Our Kabinett came in at 88° Oechsle and our Spätlese were made with 90-95° Oechsle fruit. The sweet spot of the vintage was the Spätlese and Auslese fruit. When nature hands you such a gift on a plate, you have to take it.” – Johannes Selbach
Selbach-Oster Riesling Trocken, Mosel 2015 750ML ($24.95) $18 pre-arrival special
Mosel Fine Wines “This bottling offers a gorgeous nose of pear, melon and white minerals. The wine is nicely fresh and easy on the palate. Bright fruits and herbs bring some pep to the finish of this nice and easy-drinking wine. Now-2018”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Selbach-Oster Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2015 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
Mosel Fine Wines 89 points “This fruity-styled Kabinett was fermented to a low 30 g/l of residual sugar. It offers a rather reduced but very fresh nose of green apple, some under-ripe white peach and aniseed herbs on the nose. The wine delivers a gorgeously zesty feel on the slender palate and a really crispy Kabinett feel in the finish. Now-2025”
Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett Halbtrocken, Mosel 2015 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
Mosel Fine Wines 89+ points “This offers a rather delicate nose of green grass, grapefruit and white minerals. The wine is nicely light and beautifully balanced on the palate and leaves a mouth-watering and tart feel in the finish. While enjoyable now, we would not be surprised if this will even improve with age. 2017-2025+”
Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2015 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “This offers a nice nose of herbs, grapefruit and spices. The wine is gorgeously fruity and elegant on the palate, with some Spätlese presence but also true Kabinett character and lightness. The wine is gorgeously long and elegant. 2023-2040”
Selbach-Oster Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2015 750ML ($34.95) $28 pre-arrival special
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “This delivers a zesty and restrained nose of laurel, a hint of fresh yellow fruits and spices. The wine is delicately creamy and fruity on the palate with great acidity cleansing the mouth-watering finish. This is plain gorgeous and hard to resist at this early stage. It will gain in finesse with age though. 2025-2040”
Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2015 750ML ($34.95) $28 pre-arrival special
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “Notes of spontaneous fermentation give way to candied grapefruit, cassis and peach, with herbs and spices firmly pushed to the background. The wine delivers a slightly Auslese creamy feel on the palate and leaves a clean fruity feel in the long finish. 2025-2040”
Selbach-Oster Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2015 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: blue devonian slate soil.
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points “This offers a beautiful nose of cassis, grapefruit, greengage, apricot tree flower, white flowers and herbs. A more yellow fruit driven side comes through on the palate with yellow peach playing with acidity to produce a mouth-watering cocktail of Mosel charm. A hint of sweetness in the finish is still in need of integration of this gorgeous Auslese in the making. 2025-2045”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Our Current
Shipping Promos:
Welcome to the club, Colorado!
Along with Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California,
we now offer flat rate shipping to Colorado. Here’s the scoop:
Single orders of any quantity of wines qualify for the flat rate;
this does not apply to orders held in storage for any reason
or multiple orders consolidated into one shipment.
The flat reach for each state is, as follows:
-to Oregon for $17,
-Washington & Idaho for $20,
-and California & Colorado for $25
Take Advantage of the Flat Rate!
The Bio-D Giant of Saumur
Since fine wine begins in the vineyard, and tall-guy Thierry Germain tends some of France’s healthiest, oldest, and best-situated vines, you’d expect his Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc to impress. They do. Finesse, freshness, intensity, concentration, balance, and vitality are descriptors often used by reviewers of Germain’s bottlings at Domaine des Roches Neuves. These Saumur and Saumur-Champigny, one might argue, deserve appellations of their own.
Biodynamics rule in the vineyard and winery. Thierry’s are happy, thriving vines, and his deep, chilly cellar, built into the tuffeau rock, serves as magician’s lair. His Cabernet Franc, which accounts for ninety percent of his 70-acre vineyard, defies the variety’s reputation: no rusticity, hard tannins, or vegetal flavors here, thanks to early picking. Instead, fresh fruit and soft tannins prevail, plus the balance, vitality, intensity, etc. cited above. Meanwhile, Germain’s Chenin Blanc tastes bone dry, with notable acidity and minerality—drink it young, or let it fatten up over the course of a decade. If you have never experienced a wine from Thierry Germain, here is a rare opportunity to explore the essence of both red and white Saumur. And if you have had his wines, well, you know what to do.
NB: Thierry collaborates with his longstanding vineyard manager and right-hand-man Michel Chevré on certain bottlings, and these bear both men’s names rather than Domaine des Roches Neuves.
Arriving December 9th from Thierry Germain – Domaine Roches Neuves
Thierry Germain & Michel Chevre Saumur Bulles de Roches 2015 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Importer note “Sparkling wine. Méthode Traditionnelle, aged for 3 months in 228L barrels, then bottle aged, sur latte, for 9 months, no dosage.”
Thierry Germain Domaine des Roches Neuves Saumur L’Echelier Blanc 2015 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Importer note “100% Chenin Blanc from 70 year old vines. Soil is sand, clay, and Turonien Superieur limestone.”
Thierry Germain Domaine des Roches Neuves Saumur Clos Romans Blanc 2015 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Importer note “100% Chenin Blanc from 8 year old vines. Soil is sand, clay, and Senonien limestone.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Thierry Germain & Michel Chevre Saumur Blanc Le Clos du Moulin 2015 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Importer note “100% Chenin Blanc from 80 year old vines. Soil is sand, clay, and Senonien limestone.”
Thierry Germain & Michel Chevre Saumur Clos de l’Ecotard Blanc 2015 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Importer note “100% Chenin Blanc from 8 year old vines. Soil is clay and active limestone with limestone outcroppings.”
Thierry Germain & Michel Chevre Saumur L’Insolite Blanc 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Importer note “100% Chenin Blanc from 90 year old vines. Soil is silex, clay, red limestone and sandstone.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Thierry Germain & Michel Chevre Saumur Terres Blanc 2014 750ML ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Importer note “100% Chenin Blanc from 90 year old vines. Soil is silex and clay.”
Thierry Germain Domaine des Roches Neuves Saumur-Champigny Terres Chaudes, Loire 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Importer note “100% Cabernet Franc from 45 year old vines. Soil is clay and tuffeau limestone.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Thierry Germain Domaine des Roches Neuves Saumur-Champigny Cuvee Domaine 2015 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Importer note “100% Cabernet Franc from vines between 4 and 70 years old. Soil is sand, clay and tuffeau limestone.”
Thierry Germain Domaine des Roches Neuves Saumur-Champigny Franc de Pied 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Importer note “100% Cabernet Franc from 12 year old vines. Soil is sand and limestone.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Thierry Germain Domaine des Roches Neuves Saumur-Champigny Clos de l’Echelier 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Importer note “100% Cabernet Franc from 40 year old vines. Soil is clay and Turonien Superieur limestone.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Thierry Germain Domaine des Roches Neuves Saumur-Champigny Marginale 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Importer note “100% Cabernet Franc from 45 year old vines. Soil is clay and Turonien Superieur limestone.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Thierry Germain Domaine des Roches Neuves Saumur-Champigny Memoires 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Importer note “100% Cabernet Franc from 112 year old vines. Soil is silex scree and Turonien Superieur limestone.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Thierry Germain Domaine des Roches Neuves Saumur-Champigny Outre Terre 2014 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Importer note “100% Cabernet Franc from 20 year old vines. Soil is clay and limestone.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Look Out!
Fresh From Wine Spectator’s ‘Hot Wines’ List
Arriving December 9th
Cavallotto Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe, Barolo Riserva DOCG 2010 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Cavallotto Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe, Barolo Riserva DOCG 2010 1.5L ($299.95) $249 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 97 points “An old-school style, this complex red features an array of cherry, berry, leather, tobacco and underbrush flavors, backed by a dense, beefy structure. Long and powerful, with a savory, saline aftertaste. Shows ample fruit up front, but should be better in two to three years. Best from 2019 through 2036.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “A dramatic wine, the 2010 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe hits the palate with seemingly never-ending array of aromas, flavors and textures. Dark-fleshed stone fruits, graphite, smoke, licorice and tar are some of the many nuances that emerge as the 2010 continues to take shape in the glass. This big, strapping Barolo is likely to require a good bit of patience. As it often does, the San Giuseppe shows the more brooding side of Nebbiolo.”
This is the lowest listed price for the 750 ML in the USA today!
Also arriving December 9th from Cavallotto
Cavallotto Bricco Boschis Vignolo, Barolo Riserva DOCG 2010 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “The 2010 Barolo Riserva Vignolo is dark, mysterious and inviting, with serious depth and layers of flavors that unfurl in the glass. Rose petal, sage, rosemary, licorice and mint wrap around a core of dense red cherry and pomegranate-infused fruit. This is a decidedly plush, powerful Riserva. There is plenty of tannin lurking beneath, though, so readers need to be patient. Incense, tobacco and hints of game add the closing shades of complexity.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $114
November Sales Recap
We’re up to 56 wines on sale this November! Hurry, sale ends in 12 days!
Read reviews and browse the full selection of sale wines by searching for “November Sale” on our web store – we’re also happy to talk you through the offerings if you email us at info@vinopoliswineshop.com or call 503-223-6002.
