The Wines of This Week's Tasting:
One Good Sale Deserves Another
September 25, 2019
White
2015 Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett
Crisp Riesling from the Master
“Lily and heliotrope garland cidery apple on the enticing nose, while the palate impression is snappy, tart-edged, and even a bit spare. I like the tang, invigoration and refreshment of the finish, though, which predictably features fresh lime and apple over a bed of wet stone.”- David Schildknecht, Vinous
Was 25.99, NOW 18.99; 6-11 bottles, 17.09; 12 or more, 16.14 three cases
2017 Albino Rocca La Rocca Cortese
Cortese mostly grown in Gavi. But the Roccas thought they had a perfect site in Barbaresco and made a rich and zesty flavored wine with good structure. Apple and honeydew with a touch of lemon zest Fresh acidity with notes of almond in the finish. Very Good to Excellent
Was 31, NOW 22.99; 6-11 bottles, 20.69; 12 or more, 19.5 three cases
2015 Kumeu River Chardonnay Coddington
Kumeau River makes some of New Zealand’s richest burgundy styled Chardonnays
Aroma: heady and broad, very dense, clean; Mouth: clean very rich very dense, weighty and sweetly astringent, bright with a light wood accent, lemony and rich, ; Very Good - Excellent
Was 53, NOW 35; 6-11 bottles, 31.5; 12 or more, 29.75 one case
2016 Michel Niellon Chassagne Montrachet Blanc
A Classic White Burgundy from a Fine Vintage
Alan Meadows, Burghound - Hints of petrol and quinine can be found on the essence of white orchard fruit-suffused nose. There is fine richness and mid-palate concentration to the saline and utterly delicious flavors that possess excellent complexity and persistence. There is a touch of rusticity but overall, this too is worth checking out. - Outstanding Top Value”
Was 90, NOW 55; 6-11 bottles, 49.5; 12 or more, 46.75 two cases
Red
2016 Lucien Le Moine Bourgogne Rouge
An Overlooked Bottling with the best Upbringing
Burgundy critics raved about micro-negociants Mounir and Rotem Saouma’s 2016 Grand crus, but no one reviewed his Bourgogne Rouge made from the humbler environs of Pernand, Cote de Nuits Villages, Hautes Cotes and Givry. No sow's ears those, but he used the same painstaking care to fashion thesis wine as made his grand crus so desired. There is power here but something silken about it, too. Color: red black in a lighter hue; Aroma: a caress of mingled sweet oak and wild cherry segues into black cherry, later with air becomes sexy & unctuous; Mouth: Like the nose a high toned drive direct and high toned, sweet tempered with an underlying touch of steel that gives it character, very good length; Very Good - Excellent
Was 60, NOW 39; 6-11 bottles, 35.1; 12 or more, 33.15 three cases
2016 Catherine Marshall Pinot Noir Sandstone Elgin, South Africa
Dense Cool Climate South African Pinot
John Platter Guide “Balanced, ‘feminine’ elegance reflects the soil; understated intensity reflects cellar handling. 2016 signature perfumed black cherry profile,”
Was 40, NOW 29.99; 6-11 bottles, 26.99; 12 or more, 25.49 two cases
2015 Clos de Los Siete Argentina
Michel Rolland makes Malbec with Seven Bordelais
“more than 50% Malbec with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petit Verdot. … a regular and harmonious wine with a commercial profile, approachable, polished and sleek. The palate is medium to full-bodied with round, lush tannins and clean flavors. Wine Advocate
Was 27, NOW 18.99; 6-11 bottles, 17.09; 12 or more, 16.14
2015 Delas Crozes Hermitage Le Clos
Grand Cru in all but Appelation
Delas takes special pride in their single parcel wines from Crozes and St. Joseph, which can approach in power that of their Hermitage. This wine does.
“Deep ruby. Powerful black raspberry and cherry liqueur aromas pick up suave floral, incense and spicecake nuances with air, along with a touch of smoky minerality. Rich, chewy and broad on the palate, offering concentrated blackberry, cassis and spicecake flavors that are energized by a core of juicy acidity. Finishes smooth, sweet and very long, with velvety tannins and a strong final kick of peppery spices.” Josh Raynolds Vinous
- Organic; Color: dark concentrated; Aroma: initial touch of reduction, firm, heady and rich, framed by leather and wood, reserved; Mouth: pure direct dark toned, somewhat tannic fruit, brooding with power and drive , finishes long and strong with black pepper notes, ; Very Good - Excellent
Was 66, NOW 37; 6-11 bottles, 33.3; 12 or more, 31.45 five cases
2016 St. Cosme Cote Rotie,
“a sexy, supple Côte Rôtie, with notes of hickory smoke, wood ash and bacon balanced by lush dark-fruit flavors. Slurp it down it over the next 7-8 years while waiting for some of the more tannic examples of the appellation to mature.” Wine Advocate
Was 90, NOW 59; 6-11 bottles, 53.1; 12 or more, 50.15 Three cases
2013 Burgess Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley,
A Monumental Napa Mountain Cab
2013 is a strong Napa vintage, this barrel selection from Burgess’s Howell Mountain Vineyards is massive and intense, very powerful, best for the long-term cellar Excellent
Was 140, NOW 99; 6-11 bottles, 89.1; 12 or more, 84.15 two cases
mix any 6- 11 above wines for 10% off
any 12 or more for 15% off
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- Len Rothenberg
