3rd QUARTER post off schedule
July: Sunday, June 30, 2024 - Saturday, August 3, 2024
The office will be closed on July 4th in observance of Independence Day
August: Sunday, August 4, 2024 - Saturday, August 31, 2024
September: Sunday, September 1, 2024 - Saturday, September 28, 2024
The office will be closed on September 2nd in observance of Labor Day
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Case Only
ARGENTINA
ARGENTINA
Piattelli
by Caymus
ARMENIA & GEORGIA
AUSTRALIA
AUSTRALIA AUSTRIA • BRAZIL CANADA
by Caymus
CHILE
Storm Cliff
ENGLAND
FRANCE alsace
Claire Chante CLAIRE
CHAMPAGNE & SPARKLING WINE
CHAMPAGNE & SPARKLING WINE
CHAMPAGNE & SPARKLING WINE
CALIFORNIA
MICHIGAN
UNSTOPPABLE LIONS
FIND OUT MORE
HARNESSING THE POWER OF NATURE
CHÂTEAU DE MEURSAULT
FRANÇOIS LABET
côstières de nîmes
Milou
Desloges
Domaine de Haut Fresne
Domaine du Fief aux Dames
Adolf Schmitt
Alfred Graf
Karl Kaspar
GERMANY GREECE HUNGARY
Markou
Semeli
Terra Olympus
Theopetra
Thymiopoulos
Tsiakkas
ISRAEL
emilia - romagna
friuli
Oynos
Petraio
Cappone
Cardeto
by Angelo Gaja
Fattoria di Pugliano
by Angelo Gaja
Decugnano dei Barbi
Anziano
Baci Dolci
Bellino
Latransa
NEW ZEALAND
NEW ZEALAND PORTUGAL
Eiko Fuji- Yamagata
Emishiki- Shiga
Choryo Shuzo- Nara
Ginkoubai- Fukui
- Niigata
HAKKAISAN
Between The Wines
RetroPerSpective DISCOVERY WINES
Rather than our usual ‘vertical’ tasting this issue, we decided to hold a different sort of tasting— equally interesting—a bunch of weird varietals, or better put: ‘Discovery wines’.
As we’ve noted in our musings previously, as we grow as wine consumers in America, we incresingly are looking beyond Chardonnay, Cabernet & Riesling for our varietal wines, and beyond the European classics of Burgundy, Bordeaux, and Chianti as well.
Just as with music or art, as one enjoys and explores the category, they tend to go deeper and deeper down the rabbit hole, and with wine, it’s a very deep hole. There are over 2,000 varieties used to make wine; according
to Jancis Robinson, there are 1,368 used to make ‘commercial’ wines. Though many of these grapes produce uninspiring wines, there are hundreds that DO make interesting wines. Wines that our readers may have never tasted… or even heard of. Note that these ‘off the radar’ wines are typically very good values for this very reason. Today, we tasted a few; please join us in the rabbit hole.
2022 Allegrini Lugana ‘Oasi Mantellina’, Veneto
Few travelers have been to the Verona/Lake Garda area of Italy and not enjoyed a Lugana wine, however until recently, seeing one in America was a rarity. The grape is Turbiana, long thought to be a clone of Marche’s Verdicchio, but recently found to be its own bio-type. The wines are typically lean, floral and medium-rich with green apple notes. Today’s version also had a very interesting petrol note and is long & delicious.
2022 Tenuta Spinelli Pecorino Offida ‘Artesimia’, Marche
Not a cheese. The pecorino grape is found mostly in eastern central Italy, most notably in Marche and Abruzzo. The grape can be a chameleon of sorts, making bright, citrussy, mineral-driven wines to funky, amphorae-based versions. Today’s version—a Pecorino Offida DOCG-is clearly from the first camp. With a bright, mineral-lemon nose and a sleek, dry, herbal-lemony palate. A great value!
2021 Cantina Kaltern Schiava, Alto Adige
Also known locally as Vernatsch, or Trollinger in Germany, Schiava makes lovely, high-toned idiosyncratic wine. Lovely aromas of black cherry & red licorice. Light-bodied with a crunchy freshness with a little stripe of tannin. A member of that group of red wines that shows well a bit chilled.
2021 Regaleali Perricone ‘Guarnaccio’, Sicily
Once the most planted red grape in western Sicily (it might still be) and played a role in Marsala production. Rarely seen varietally, but happily the noble Tasca D’Almerita family fixed that. Deep ruby red, with pepper, black olives & cherry cola. Lush on the palate with a green streak running thru it—reminiscent of a good Lagrein. Interesting + delicious.
2019 Feudi di San Gregorio Aglianico ‘Rubrato’, Campania
Wines based on Aglianico are a bit more represented than the others on this page—wines based on the grape—such as Aglianico del Vulture—are sometimes referred to as ‘the Barolo of the South’. This rendition from the famed Feudi di San Gregorio winery is from the Irpinia DOC in Campania where the grape reaches great heights. Deep ruby, beautiful, rich and suave. Notes of tomato, herbs and leather---with a brightness most southern Italian wines lack. A beauty.
Acclaim Recap
It’s the Acclaim! A brief list of scores our portfolio has received over the last few months. We know some don’t care about scores but they can be a good selling tool. If you like a wine but it doesn’t have a score, who cares? Sell it because you know it’s tasty but if indeed it has a score, go ahead and use it!
2019 Antinori Toscana Tignanello 96 Points Top 10 Wine
2019 Ashes & Diamonds Mnt Cuvée Saffron Vnyd 96 Points
2019 Banfi, Chanti Classico 91 Points Top Value Wine
2019 Buehler Cabernet Sauvignon 92 Points
2021 Beyra Red, Portugal 91 Points Top 100 Best Buys
2020 Bodegas Numanthia, Toro Termes 91 Points
2019 Bodegas Peñafiel ‘Miros de Ribera’, Crianza 92 Points
2020 Broadside ‘Blackletter’ Cabernet Sauvignon 95 Points
2019 Ca’ Marcanda ‘Magari’ Rosso, Bolgheri 91 Points
2019 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ 91 Points Smart Buy
2022 Cloudy Bay, Sauvignon Blanc 93 Points
2019 Cockburn Vintage Port Quinta da Gricha 92 Points
2020 Craggy Range ‘Te Muna’ 92 Points Smart Buy
2019 Darioush ‘Signature’ Chardonnay 91 Points
2019 Decoy Limited Red 91 Points Top Value
2022 Diatom Chardonnay 92 Points Smart Buy
2019 Domaine Carneros 93 Points
2019 Double Diamond, Cabernet Sauvignon 94 Points Top 10
2020 Drouhin Oregon Roserock Chardonnay 94 Points
2019 Drouhin Côte de Beaune 91 Points
2019 Drouhin Santenay 92 Points
2021 Dry Creek Vineyard, Fume Blanc 92 Points Editors Choice
2021 Dry Creek Vineyards, Sauvignon Blanc 91 Points
2019 DuMOL ‘Wester Reach’ Chardonnay 95 Points
2021 Grgich Hills Estate, Chardonnay 92 Points
2019 Grgich Hills Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon 94 Points
2019 Hall Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 90 Points
2021 Hanna Chardonnay 93 Points
2021 Hess ‘Allomi’ Chardonnay 92 Points
2021 Hess Collection ‘Lion Tamer’ Cabernet Sauvignon 95 Points
2018 Il Poggione, Brunello di Montalcino 94 Points
Featured Review
2021 J Vineyard & Winery Pinot Gris 91 Points Top Value
2021 Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc 91 Points Top Value
2019 Joseph Phelps, Cabernet Sauvignon 94 Points
2019 Joseph Phelps ‘Insignia’ 98 Points
2019 Juve Y Camps, Brut Nature Cava Reserva 91 Points
2019 Kendall Jackson Merlot 90 Points Top Value
2019 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Frenchtown’ Red 90 Points
NV Moët & Chandon ‘Impérial’ Brut 90 Points
NV Moët & Chandon ‘Impérial’ Brut Rosé 91 Points
2019 Mollydooker ‘Blue-Eyed Boy’ Shiraz 94 Points
2019 Mollydooker ‘The Boxer’ Shiraz 92 Points
2019 Mollydooker ‘The Maître D’ 92 Points
2019 Mollydooker ‘Two Left Feet’ 91 Points
NV Nicolas Feuillatte, Réserve 91 Points Smart Buy
2019 Paul Hobbs Beckstoffer ‘To Kalon Vineyard’ 96 Points
2020 Penfolds Bin 389 90 Points
2020 Pieropan Soave Classico 91 Points Smart Buy
2022 Portlandia Pinot Noir 91 Points
2021 Ridge Zinfandel ‘Pagani Ranch’ 93 Points
2019 Robert Mondavi ‘The Estates’, Cabernet Sauvignon 94 Points
2020 Rochioli Sauvignon Blanc 93 Points
2022 Seaglass Sauvignon Blanc 91 Points Top 100 Buy
2022 Shortbread Chardonnay 90 Points
2020 Six Eight Nine, Red Wine, California 92 Points
2019 Soter Pinot Noir 94 Points
2020 Stags’ Leap ‘The Investor’ 97 Points Cellar Collection
NV Stel + Mar, Rosé 92 Points
2020 Talbott Vineyards Tali Hart Chardonnay 90 Points
NV Valdo Marca Oro Prosecco 91 Points
NV Veuve Clicquot Brut
NV Veuve Clicquot Brut Rosé
Ashes & Diamonds 2019 Mountain Cuvée No. 4
Saffron Vineyard Red (Mount Veeder)
This well-proportioned wine blended from Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon offers good black-fruit flavors, nice hints of cinnamon and toasted oak, and a slightly firm texture due to fine-grained tannins and balancing acidity. It’s an elegant wine that won’t tire you out.
— Jim Gordon 93 points WE
90 Points
90 Points
-Hyogo
Jozen- Niigata
Hiro Sake- Niigata
Kaguyahime- Kyoto
Kaori-
Yamaguchi
Suehiro-
Fukushima
SAKE & MORE
- Hyogo
Kubota - Niigata
- Niigata
Miyozakura - Gifu
Nakano- Wakayama
Nanburyu- Iwate
Nezumi- Tottori
Oyaji- Tottori
Oze No Yukidoki
Ryo- Tottori
Ryujin
Suijin- Iwate
Thymiopoulos
SOUTH
Tatenokawa- Yamagata
Tengumai -
AFRICA
de Fuendejalon
UNITED STATES
UNITED STATES
Baker & Hamilton
UNITED STATES
UNITED STATES •CALIFORNIA
UNITED STATES •CALIFORNIA
CANS
CANS
STOLI
UNITED STATES •CALIFORNIA
DOMAINE
UNITED STATES •CALIFORNIA
by Duckhorn
ENROUTE
HALF BOTTLES
UNITED STATES
UNITED STATES •CALIFORNIA
Henry
UNITED STATES •CALIFORNIA
UNITED STATES
The Gang’s All Here!
©2024 Ménage à Trois Winery, St. Helena, CA 94574
UNITED STATES •CALIFORNIA
UNITED STATES
Robert Biale
UNITED STATES •CALIFORNIA
UNITED STATES •CALIFORNIA
ZIATA
KOSHER
HILL WINERY
HERON
Chateau Bianca
BROWNE
Purple Hands
Toil
ECONOMY SELECTION VERMOUTH
COCKTAILS & SELTZERS
COCKTAILS & SELTZERS
UPTOWN
COCKTAILS & SELTZERS
COCKTAILS & SELTZERS
MODIFIERS
MODIFIERS
OWEN’S CRAFT MIXERS
JIMMY
MODIFIERS •BITTERS
ANGOSTURA BITTERS
Sutterhome
BIODYNAMIC ETC. BIODYNAMIC ETC.
The maze of “green” wine practices is a little overwhelming. Certified organic grapes and/or vineyards don’t necessarily mean that the wine is produced organically. The same with biodynamic grapes. Then there are wineries that follow all of the practices needed for certification but don’t actually get certified, holding out in case of dire circumstance. Add to that the variety of “green” certifications, sustainable farming practices, environmentally safe farming and certification differences from country to country and you might want to throw your hands in the air and give up.
The following is our way of making it just a little bit easier for you to navigate this strange world. As we learn more this list shall grow.
A to Z Wineworks
Certified sustainable winery.
Alexander Valley Vineyards Certified sustainable
Alta Luna.....................................
Sustainably farmed, renewable energy, conservation projects
Angeline...................................... Certified sustainable
Apaltagua ...............................Biodynamically farmed
Araldica ...................................... Sustainably farmed
Argiano Biodynamic, waiting on certification
Argyle ......................................... LIVE certified; “Salmon-Safe” and sustainably farmed; certified sustainable winery and estate vineyards
Beaulieu Vineyards, ................... Certified Fish Friendly Farms and SWP - estate vineyards only
Rutherford
Benziger ..................................... All vineyards are certified sustainable, organic or biodynamic
Bergström .................................. All estate vineyards are certified biodynamic
Bertani........................................ Sustainably farmed, free of pesticides
Bogle .......................................... Sustainably farmed
Broglia ........................................ Sustainably farmed
Ca’ del Bosco ............................. Certified organic
Callia .......................................... Sustainably farmed, renewable energy, conservation projects
Cakebread Cellars ...................Sustainably farmed, Green Metal Award for Business
Camigliano Certified organic (2017)
Campo alle Comete .................... Sustainably farmed; converting to organic processes in winery
Cantina di Caldaro ..................... Organic and sustainable practices
Carmel Road............................... Certified sustainable
Castello dei Rampolla ................ Certified organic grapes
Cataldi Madonna ........................ Certified organic
Cerro .......................................... Sustainably farmed
Change ....................................... Certified organic grapes - Agriculture Biologique
Chateau Grand Traverse ............ MAEAP (Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program) Qualified Farmstead System
Cherries & Rainbows.................. Organic grapes; vegan
Col d’Orcia.................................. Organically farmed, biodynamic, sustainably farmed, free of pesticides, renewable energy, conservation projects
Colosi.......................................... Certified organic
Colpetrone.................................. Sustainably farmed
Dancing Vines .........................Organic grapes
Darioush ..................................... Sustainably farmed
Davis Bynum Sustainably farmed; certified “Fish Safe”; carbon neutral winery
DeLoach...................................... The Estate vineyards are certified biodynamic
Dolce Organic and sustainable, not certified
Domaine Carneros Certified organic
Domaine de la Quilla .................. Sustainably farmed
Domaine Drouhin Biodynamic, not certified; certified “Salmon-Safe”; LIVE certified; certified sustainable winery
Domaine Zind-Humbrecht .......... Certified organic, certified biodynamic
Drappier ..................................... Organically farmed
Drouhin Vaudon .......................... Biodynamically farmed
Dry Creek Vineyard .................... Certified sustainable
DuMol.......................................... Sustainably farmed
Eppa............................................ Certified organic
Etude .......................................... Napa Green Certified Winery; Certified Fish Friendly
Fanetti ........................................ Sustainable practices, uses indigenous yeast.
Far Niente Organic and sustainable, not certified
Faust........................................... Biodynamically, organically and sustainably farmed, not certified
Ferrari Organic farming, free of pesticides
Fontanafredda............................ Sustainably farmed, organic farming, free of pesticides, rewewable energy, conservation projects
Fonterutoli.................................. Sustainably farmed, free of pesticides, conservation projects
Fossacolle .................................. Sustainably farmed
Gagliole ...................................... Sustainably farmed, converting to organic
Gérard Bertrand ......................... All Estates biodynamic
Gianni Gagliardo......................... Certified organic, sustainable practices, indigenous yeast
Giovanni Rosso ........................... Sustainably farmed; Sicilian winery certified organic (2019)
Greenbar .................................... Certified organic; gluten free
Grgich Hills Estate...................... Organic, certified; Demeter certified
Grimaldi ...................................... Sustainable practices
Heitz Cellar................................. Martha’s Vineyard and Trailside Vineyard are certified organic
Illumination Biodynamically, organically, and sustainably farmed - not certified
Il Poggiolo .................................. Sustainable practices, indigenous yeast
Joseph Drouhin ........................... Organic and biodynamic viticulture techniques
Joseph Phelps
Biodynamically farmed - not certified; certified Fish Friendly; sustainably farmed
Kaltern ............................................Organic and sustainable practices
Kamen
Kathryn Kennedy
Lamole di Lamole
Lemelson
Leone de Castris
Certified organic
The Estate vineyard is certified organic; all sustainably farmed.
Certified organic
Certified organic vineyards
Sustainably farmed
Lolea 1 item - Sangria made with organic Garnacha
Loveblock
M. Chapoutier
MacRostie
Maison Joseph Drouhin
Marenco
Martin Ray
Maso Poli
Mazzei
McManis
Natura
Naturalis
Newton Vineyard
Neyers
Nickel & Nickel
Pacific Rim ................................
Certified organic; certified sustainable
The estate wines are certified biodynamic; Belleruche wines are biodynamic - not certified
Certified sustainable; certified Bay Area Green Business
Biodynamically farmed
Organically farmed
Certified sustainable
Sustainably farmed
Sustainably farmed
Certified sustainable winery and farming
Certified organic grapes, vegan friendly
Certified organic grapes; gluten free; vegan-friendly
Sustainably farmed
Sustainably farmed
Organic and sustainable - not certified
Wallula Vineyard is certified biodynamic (the first and only WA State); certified organic producer; offices are LEED Platinum; Salmon Safe
Palladino .................................... Sustainable practice and indigenous yeast
Pecchenino
Pederzana
Penner-Ash
Planet Oregon
Planeta
Produttori del Barbaresco
Purato
Organically farmed
Organically farmed
LIVE certified winery
Certified sustainable
Sustainably farmed, renewable energy, conservation projects
Sustainably farmed
Certified organic wines; vegan
Quintessa Biodynamically, organically, and sustainably farmed - not certified
Castello dei Rampolla
Ramona Wine Spritz
Biodynamic - not certified
Certified organic
Raeburn .................................Sustainably farmed
Ridge
Rodney Strong
Sustainably farmed. East Bench Zinfandel organically farmed from 2015 vintage.
The estate, single vineyard and Symmetry are certified sustainable; certified “Fish Safe”; carbon neutral winery.
Rombauer ...............................Certified California Sustainable Winery
Ronchi di Pietro ......................... Organic practices, sustainable practices, indigenous yeast
Round Barn Winery
MAEAP verified
RoseRock LIVE certified; sustainably farmed
San Leonardo
Santa Margherita
Santa Tresa
Sella & Mosca.............................
Social Sake Cocktails
Sokol Blosser
Soter Vineyards
St. Francis
Certified organic (2018)
Sustainably farmed
Certified organic wines; vegan
Sustainably farmed, organic farming, free of pesticides
Certified organic
Certified organic; certified “Salmon-Safe”
Certified sustainable winery; Mineral Springs Ranch -
certified biodynamic
Certified sustainable
Speri ......................................Certified organic
Spinelli........................................ Sustainable practices
Staglin Family Vineyard
Statti
Sterling Vineyards
Tabor Hill Winery
Terredora di Paolo
Torresella
Tres Agaves Mixers
Tribute
Vie Romans
Wither Hills
ZD
Certified organic vineyard
Certified organic; sustainably farmed; vegan
Certified Fish Friendly Farms and SWP; estate vineyards only
MAEAP verified
Sustainably farmed
Sustainably farmed
Certified organic
Certified sustainable
Sustainably farmed
Certified sustainable; estate vineyards are certified organic.
Estate vineyards are certified organic
Italy’s Killer B’s
2019 is an AMAZING Vintage for Barolo, Brunello, & Bolgheri!
Italy’s best wines have rightly earned their spot in the upper levels of the world’s most collectible wines. Though there is a long list of Italian wines that can compete on the world stage, it is Barolo, Brunello, and Bolgheri that make everyone’s list of Italy’s top wines.
Vintage generalizations are just that: a general summary of the macro vintage characteristics and successes of a specific area’s wines in a specific year. And of course, a great vintage in Barolo does not mean it would be a great vintage on Mt. Etna—a different grape and 880 miles can change outcomes. But serendipitously (and happily), 2019 WAS an outstanding vintage for all three of Italy’s most noble red wine zones.
First up: Barolo (and Barbaresco). Geek knows this region better than any other having visited there regularly since the early 80’s. The area has enjoyed a string of mostly good to great harvests in the 2010 decade, with 2016 being the overwhelming favorite…until the 2019’s. Due to the pandemic, we were not able to taste the Nebbiolo-based wines from the zone until the fall of 2021, and when we did, we were simply blown away. We have been waiting ever since to get these wines to our customers & friends. Great, classic bones with bright acidity and oozing with fruit. Simply spectacular wines. Look for: Gaja, Renato Ratti, Michele Chiarlo, Ceretto, G.D. Vajra, G.B. Burlotto, Produtorri del Barbaresco.
Next, look to Brunello di Montalcino. They too have had a good run of vintages in the 2010’s, and the local Consorzio makes it easier (sorta) to determine which vintages are best with their rating system—rating the vintage in general from 1 star to 5 stars. However, since it’s the producers themselves that decide on the ratings, one must be at least a little suspect of the veracity of the ratings. For example, we never thought 2015
2019 WAS an outstanding vintage for all three of Italy’s most noble red wine zones
was a 5-star vintage as declared by the Consorzio. But there hadn’t been a 5-star rating since 2010 (which could have received 6 stars!), so we think they had an itchy trigger-finger. Then when 2016 came out, it was clear that 2015 was a step below. And now we have the 2019’s: no disagreement here! A superlative vintage, providing almost uniformly great wines: Rich, complex, balanced wines. Showy already, but with decades of growth ahead for the best wines. If there are any children/grandchildren born in this vintage do them (and grandpa) a favor and BUY SOME. Most notable wines: Il Poggione, Argiano, Col d’Orcia, Piave di Santa Restituta, San Polo, Le Potazzine, Il Marroneto.
And finally, the insider’s appellation of Bolgheri. We say insider mostly because while there are around 250 producers of Brunello and several hundred producers in the Langhe (and even more growers), in Bolgheri there are fewer than 75. And based on our experience, they ALL
make great—and expensive—wine (we cannot say the same about Barolo and Brunello sadly). Here the vintage was NOT the most stellar of the decade— that would fall to 2015. But 4.5 stars is pretty good. Since these are mostly Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant wines, they too are extremely long-lived, yet like the Brunello’s this vintage, they are fleshy and showy already—the best of both worlds. Best producers: Ca Marcanda, Guado al Tasso, Poggio al Tesoro, Tenuta San Guido.
Though the wines from all three of these appellations cost a bit more than they did twenty, or even five years ago, they are increasingly popular and that means prices wont be going down. Load up now, you’ll thank us!
Hard Seltzer
