2MB - Bacchus

Kalifornien
Oberndorfer Str. 2 · D-78628 Rottweil
Tel. 0741 / 1 72 06 · Fax 0741 / 1 72 07
[email protected]
www.bacchus-vinothek.com
Aktualisiert am 16. Mai 2016
Sehr geehrte Kunden, liebe Weinfreunde,
warum Kalifornien?? Das werde ich heute eigentlich nur noch von den Kunden gefragt, die noch keinen oder nur wenige Weine aus dem Golden State
getrunken haben.
Weine aus Kalifornien sind fett, plump und überholzt. Stimmt – auch diese
Phase gab es. Aber für die Weine, um die es uns geht, ist dies schon lange
Vergangenheit. Weine aus Frankreich, allen voran die Rotweine aus
Bordeaux, sind auch heute noch der Inbegriff für Finesse, Struktur und
Komplexität. Bei den Weißweinen steht vor allem der deutsche Wein und
die weißen Burgunder für feine Nuancen und Eleganz. Und es ist deshalb
sicher kein Zufall, dass es vor allem Winzer, Châteaubesitzer und Oenologen aus Bordeaux und Deutschland sind, die sich seit Jahrzehnten in Kalifornien engagieren und die besten Weine erzeugen. Namen wie Schug,
Krug oder Moueix, Rothschild, Derenoncourt, Stephane Asseo oder Pierre Salin,….
Die ersten vinologischen Schritte unternahmen spanische Missionare auf dem trockenen Weg von Mexiko nach
Mendocino. 21 Missionsstationen wurden errichtet und überall musste für Messwein gesorgt werden. Es folgte eine
turbulente Geschichte für Kalifornien und den kalifornischen Weinbau. Goldrausch, Prohibition, Weltwirtschaftskrise,
Weltkriege,.. Auch dem Weinbau blieb nichts erspart. Aber der amerikanische Geist gibt nicht auf. Nach jedem Hurricane scheint die Sonne wieder und man beginnt, zerstörte Häuser wieder aufzurichten und möglichst bald wieder
zum normalen Leben überzugehen. So auch beim kalifornischen Weinbau.
Noch in den 50er und 60er Jahren des letzten Jahrhunderts wurden einfache und einfachste Weine erzeugt. Nur wenige Winzer konzentrierten sich auf die Erzeugung von wirklichen Qualitätsweinen. Als aber der kalifornische Weinbau durch „the judgement of Paris“ 1976 über Nacht zu internationaler Anerkennung kam, stand fortan die Qualität im
Vordergrund. Kalifornische Chardonnay und Cabernet belegten die ersten Plätze vor Mouton, Haut-Brion, Ramonet
oder Leflaive.
Aus heutiger Sicht sehe ich den „“Wettkampf“ zwischen Kalifornien auf der einen und den besten französischen Weinen auf der anderen Seite als Initialzündung, das große Potential zu wecken, welches in der kalifornischen Weinregion schlummerte. Mehr nicht. Ständig Vergleiche zu ziehen, wird den Weinen nicht gerecht. Klingt Bach besser als
Mozart? Malte Van Gogh besser als Cézanne? Keine Konkurrenz. Genuss in unterschiedlicher Art auf höchstem
Niveau.
Französische Rebsorten wie Cabernet oder Merlot, Pinot Noir und Chardonnay trafen auf optimales Terroir gepaart
mit amerikanischem Pioniergeist.
Bordeaux war Lehrer. Seit mehr als 200 Jahren blicken die Winzer weltweit auf diese Region und die Weine sind
Nimbus und Ziel. Auch im Westen der USA orientierte sich alles an diesen großen Weinen. Kalifornien war Schüler.
Aber dieses Weinbauland hat sich entwickelt, ist erwachsen geworden. Die USA sind ein verhältnismäßig junges
Land und heute Großmacht. Kalifornien ist eine verhältnismäßig junge Weinbauregion, aber zählt heute zur absoluten Weltspitze. Nur selten lernt der Lehrer aber auch vom Schüler. In diesem Fall ist es so. Bordeaux bewegt sich
heute auf Kalifornien zu. Warme Frucht, reife Tannine, frühere Trinkreife, ohne an Lagerfähigkeit einzubüßen. Dies
war lange Jahre ein Attribut der kalifornischen Weine. Nun zieht Bordeaux nach. Gibt es eine größere Anerkennung
für die Qualität der kalifornischen Weine und das Engagement der Winzer???
Die Weine beider Provenienzen kitzeln offensichtlich dieselben Stellen am Gaumen. Denn unsere besten Bordeauxkunden sind auch unsere besten Kunden für kalifornische Weine und umgekehrt. Wenn Sie also ohnehin schon Kalifornienliebhaber sind, so sollten Sie sich doch einmal einen Bordeaux einschenken und als Bordeauxliebhaber sollten
Sie sich die großartige Qualität der heutigen Kalifornier nicht entgehen lassen.
Ihr Michael Grimm
Art.
Jahr
Wein
Weingut
Einh.
EUR/Fl. EUR/Fl.
netto
brutto
Roederer Estate Anderson Valley - Sparkling
11384
Quartet Brut Sparkling Brut
0,75
25,13
29,90
Roederer Estate Brut, the California sparkling wine produced by Champagne Louis Roederer, builds upon a
200-year tradition of fine winemaking that has made Roederer Champagne among the most sought-after
wines in the world. Roederer Estate's winemaking style is based on two elements: ownership of its own vineyards and the addition of oak-aged reserve wines to each year's blend or cuvée. All the grapes for the Anderson Valley wines are grown on the Estate. Oak-aged wines from the Estate's reserve cellars are added to the
blend, creating a multi-vintage cuvée in the traditional Louis Roederer style. Only the cuvée (first pressing of
120 gallons/ton) is used; no premiere or deuxieme taille. The fermentation takes place in high-grade stainless
steel tanks at 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Zero to minimal malolactic fermentation is used in order to ensure the
wines age well and retain the fresh, precise and well-defined style that is one of the characteristics of
Roederer Estate wines.
12339
Quartet Rose Sparkling Brut
0,75
25,13
29,90
As with most rosés primarily made with more Pinot Noir than Chardonnay, the Roederer Estate Rosé is a blend of
60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. For color, the winemaker prepares a small portion of Pinot Noir with extended
maceration and adds about 5 percent to the blend before secondary fermentation, imparting a subtle salmon tinge.
Both the 60/40 blend and addition of the small amount of red wine create a charming wine of discreet finesse.
Trentadue – North Coast
8142
2013
Trentadue Old Patch Red
0,75
13,36
15,90
Cooper Henderson: „…Old Patch Red- Lot #41 is comprised of 48% Zinfandel, 29% Petite Sirah and 23%
Carignane. This is a delicious "bistro" blend with an elegant smooth mouthfeel. Flavors of black cherries and plums
followed by a little pepper and spice! This wine is guaranteed to please all palat”
Greystone Cellars – California
Im Herzen des Napa
Valley befindet sich
das
beeindruckende
“Steinhaus”,
welches
1889 gebaut wurde und
in welchem zwischen
1950 und 1990 das Weingut Christian Brothers beheimatet war. Heute ist
darin das Culinary Institute of America untergebracht. Das Nachbarweingut, Markham Vineyards, erzeugt unter dem label Greystone Cellars
eine kleine Selektion an kalifornischen Klassikern für das Culinary Institute. Viel Wein “fürs” Geld.
6788
6787
2009
2011
Merlot
Sauvignon Blanc
0,75
0,75
8,32
8,32
9,90
9,90
Backhouse – California
In 1994, Roy and Rachael Cecchetti purchased a two and a half acre parcel in the Sonoma Valley, one mile east of
the Plaza. On that parcel, situated next to the grand willow tree and the natural spring fed pond, was an old backhouse. Through some research of the property, it was discovered that the old backhouse was once home to vintners,
writers, artists and those who craved the solitude and enjoyment of nature. Backhouse wines were created to bring
these memories back to life for a new generation.
3635
7288
2013
2013
Cabernet Sauvignon
Chardonnay
0,75
0,75
8,32
8,32
9,90
9,90
Silver Palm - North Coast
At Silver Palm, our passion is creating extraordinary wine. We select choice grapes from the finest wine valleys of
northern California and with traditional and cutting-edge artisan winemaking techniques, craft sumptuous, seamless
wines that beautifully enhance the dining experience. Some consider us obsessed with quality — decorating each of
our bottles with platinum, for example — but beauty is in the details
Silver Palm winemaker Matt Smith sources small lots of grapes from outstanding vineyards in California’s leading
North Coast wine regions. Using cutting-edge and traditional artisan winemaking techniques, Matt meticulously fashions this superb fruit into delicious wines
1891
2012
Zinfandel
0,75

10,84
12,90
Mother Nature was kind in 2009! Here on the North Coast, we had cool, mild weather,
which caused grape ripening to develop slowly and evenly. This resulted in above average
fruit quality and full, opulent flavors.
"For the premier release of our Chardonnay, made from selected grapes from Sonoma
County and Mendocino County, I chose to present the varietal in a chic and elegant manner. By fermenting in stainless steel, I was able to preserve delicate fruit characteristics and
avoid any overbearing flavors that an oak barrel might impart. Purpose-built to enhance the
dining experience, this wine pairs exceptionally well with a wide variety of light fish and
shellfish dishes."
Our debut Chardonnay (98% Chardonnay & 2% Viognier) glistens in the glass and greets
the nose with the perfume of apple blossom & pear. On the palate, ripe flavors of white
peach, Gravenstein apple & Meyer lemon glide seamlessly like a silk ribbon. A near flinty
finish provides balanced acidity & leaves the palate yearning for another sip. 13.5%”
JC Cellars – Kalifornien
Als ich vor vielen Jahren (1992 = echt vielen) mit den Napa-Valley Vintners auf Tour von Frankfurt nach Stuttgart
war, war dies das Motto - Everything Goes!
Aber nur wenige leben so sehr nach diesem wie Jeff Cohn. Nach College und Uni-Abschluss arbeitete er sehr bald
bei Rosenblum als winemaker. Schnell machte er sich einen Namen und gründete 1996 seine eigene Kellerei. In
Oakland bei San Francisco. Waren Sie schon einmal in Oakland?
Weinberge gibt es da nicht. Aber eine klimatisierte Lagerhalle mit
Barriques, Gärtanks und es gibt Jeff Cohn. Everything goes! Ein Qualitätsfanatiker. Nur die besten Lagen und Trauben sind ihm gut genug.
Eigene Weinberge auf dem Niveau, wie Jeff dies für seine Weine
benötigt, kann sich in Kalifornien niemand mehr leisten oder sind einfach nicht zu kaufen. Fred Schrader, Stephane Derenoncourt, Realm,
Jonathan Maltus,….sie alle beziehen ihre Trauben von Weinbergen,
die bspw. von Legenden wie Andy Beckstoffer ua. bewirtschaftet
werden.
Jeff hat lange Kontrakte mit “growern” von feinsten Weinlagen wie
Rockpile in Sonoma County, Fess Parker in Santa Barabra oder
Stagecoach in Napa. "The Rhône stuff is my passion," sagt Jeff Cohn
"but right now we are looking at some Zin vineyards including Dusi Ranch, Sweetwater Springs, Iron Hill, and the
remarkable St. Peter’s Church”
Seine besten Weine sind deshalb auch die Rhone-Rebsorten und Zinfandel. Mit seinem 2003er Rockpile Road Zinfandel schaffte er es auf den 3. Platz in der TOP 100 Liste des Magazins Winespectator. Ein Durchbruch. Für Jeff
und vor allem auch für die Rebsorte Zinfandel, die es bis zu diesem Zeitpunkt noch nie so weit nach vorne geschafft
hatte. Und nun konnten wir uns einen Anteil an seinen großen 2012er Zinfandel sichern. Wer noch keinen Jeff Cohn
getrunken hat, kennt nur einen Teil von Kalifornien.
Robert Parker: „…Jeff Cohn makes a dizzying array of wines, all of which have enormous appeal and character.
Sadly, he still does not own any vineyards, but he manages to source fruit from some of the most interesting sites in
California, and when they are not mono-cépage wines, he assembles fascinating blends. Cohn is definitely a source
for high-quality, full-flavored, pedal-to-the-metal wines. Kudos to Jeff Cohn who has put together 13 riveting wines
from fabulous sources that reflect his impeccable craftsmanship. As it says on his labels, “You’ll never know unless
you try it.”
Bild links. Nina und Michael Grimm mit Jeff Cohn
2012 Jeff Cohn Cellars Zinfandel Rosendin Vyd
Parker (95): „…The sensational 2012 Zinfandel Rosendin Vineyard possesses abundant quantities of blackberry and blueberry fruit, licorice and
floral notes, a meaty, full-bodied, opulent mouthfeel, and fabulous purity
as well as length. Drink this magnificent Zin over the next 7-8 years
2012 Jeff Cohn Cellars Zinfandel Cassata Vineyard
Robert Parker (95): „…The super-rich, nicely structured, pure, fullbodied, opulent 2012 Zinfandel Cassata Vineyard possesses a heady
15.6% alcohol. This dense purple-colored effort is as good as this varietal
can be. Now-2022.”
2012 Jeff Cohn Cellars Iron Hill Vineyard
Robert Parker (94): „…The 2012 Zinfandel Iron Hill Vineyard exhibits
licorice, blackberry, cassis, jammy cherry, earth and spring flower characteristics. Full-bodied and decadently rich with terrific purity and density, this stunning offering can be drunk over the
next decade”
8155
6163
6935
10474
6064
5243
7963
7962
7669
7053
1443
2012
2012
2012
2009
2009
2009
2009
2009
2008
2007
2011
Casseta Zinfandel – 95 Parker
Iron Hill Zinfandel – 94 Parker
Rosendin Vineyard Zinfandel – 95 Parker
Syrah - Fess Parker
Syrah - Rockpile Buffalo Hill
Syrah - Rockpile Haley
The Impostor
Zinfandel - St.-Peter's Church
Misc. Stuff
Petite Syrah - Eaglepoint Ranch
Stagecoach Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
32,77
29,41
32,77
19,92
58,74
39,92
39,92
32,77
29,83
25,13
57,98
39,00
35,00
39,00
23,70
69,90
47,50
29,00
39,00
35,50
29,90
69,00
0,75
25,13
29,90
Atalon – Napa Valley
4832
2004
Cabernet Sauvignon
Parker (90): “…The impressive 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon comes primarily from a hillside vineyard above Lake Hennessy as
well as Howell Mountain, Spring Mountain, and a tiny quantity from Mt. Veeder and Oakville. Its deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by a big, sweet bouquet of creme de cassis, spicy new oak, graphite, and licorice. Full-bodied, powerful, and long in the
mouth, it will benefit from 1-3 years of bottle age, and last for 12-15 or more years.“
Atalon is pure Napa, sourced and
blended exclusively from a handful
of the valley’s most historically
significant vineyards. These sites
include Keyes Vineyard (Howell
Mountain), Stagecoach Vineyard
(Atlas Peak), Veeder Peak Vineyard (Mount Veeder), To Kalon
Vineyard (Oakville Bench) and
Caranalli Vineyard (Saint Helena
Bench). Having access to fruit from
these sites represents a tremendous quality statement, and in the hands of Tom Peffer, the fruit is blended to create
a wine of purpose and intensity that is seldom found at all, much less at a moderate price. These wines are truly an
insider’s choice, selected from top vineyard sites and blended by a master.
Tom’s approach is straight-forward: Select vineyards with individuality, those that naturally provide color and concentration; use a basket press to minimize skin tearing and allow for flavor fractioning, primarily use indigenous yeast to
provide nuance to the wines, select vineyards with naturally high levels of color and extraction mitigating need for
saignée, use only French oak.
Create a blend that offers the structural elements necessary for longevity and balance, with an eye out for a lush full
mid-palate and finish. In this way, Tom builds a wine much as we would throw a great party. Fruit is selected based
on quality and personality and each component is introduced to the others in such a way that they all get along. The
result is a memorable event.
Caymus - Napa Valley
10139
11418
6148
2012
2012
2013
Cabernet Sauvignon - Special Selection
Cabernet Sauvignon - Special Selection
Cabernet Sauvignon
0,75
3,0
0,75
166,39
718,49
63,03
198,00
855,00
75,00
Blankiet - Napa Valley
Blankiet Estate is nestled high on the western foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains above Yountville. The vineyard,
named Paradise Hills, is planted on one of the most acclaimed viticultural areas of the Napa Valley. The Estate was
created in 1996 by Claude & Katherine Blankiet with the single vision of producing wines in the tradition of the great
Bordeaux First Growth. The Goal to produce world-class wines at Blankiet Estate has been accomplished, combining
the extraordinary power of the site with unbelievable elegance and definition.” Robert Parker
“…Claude and Katherine Blankiet have refined their approach over the last few years. Under the direction of Denis
Malbec, the vines are now being farmed with the goal of keeping a more robust canopy in an effort to places less
stress the vines than has been the case in the recent past. In the cellar, Malbec is focusing on longer macerations
and gentler extractions. He is also aging the component wines separately for a longer period of time, as opposed to
Michel Rolland’s approach, which was to create the blends earlier. It will be fascinating to see what develops here.
These hillside vineyards are some of the most pristine in the Valley” Antonio Galloni
Prince of Hearts Red Wine – 91 Parker
0,75
57,98
69,00
Prince of Hearts Red Wine – 93 Parker
0,75
66,39
79,00
Parker (93): “… Blankiet's 2010 Prince of Hearts Paradise Hills Vineyard offers up gorgeous aromatics, refined fruit and a total
sense of harmony from the very first taste. Juicy red berries, plums, roses and cinnamon meld together in this effortless, gracious
wine. In 2010 the Prince of Hearts boasts lovely depth and roundness backed by the acidity and vibrancy of this great vintage. All
of the Blankiet hallmarks are in the glass. If that sounds appealing, believe me, it is. This is a fabulous effort. At many estates,
this would be the top wine, here it is the second label. Incidentally, Prince of Hearts is the most fairly priced among the second
wines of Napa Valley's elite properties. The 2010 is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and a drop of
Petit Verdot.”
1694
2010
Blankiet MERLOT Rive Droite
0,75
133,61
159,00
Parker (96+): “… The 2010 Rive Droite Paradise Hills Vineyard is endowed with serious richness and depth, all backed up by
an equally serious core of pure, saline-infused minerality. The Rive Droite is far from an easygoing Merlot-based wine, rather it is
endowed with tons of structure and pure power. Today, the 2010 is incredibly young. I don't see it giving much pleasure before
the age of ten, but its balance is beyond impeccable. This is a dazzling effort that stands out for its pure energy. The 2010 is 90%
Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, with a drop of Petit Verdot“
6704
2364
2009
2010
7629
7035
2009
2009
Blankiet Estate Proprietary Red - Paradise Hill – 95 Parker
Blankiet Estate Proprietary Red - Paradise Hill – 95 Parker
0,75
1,5
166,39
334,45
198,00
398,00
Parker (95): “… The 2009 Proprietary Red Paradise Hills Vineyard (81.8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16.7% Merlot and the rest
Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot that achieved 14.9% alcohol) exhibits a beautiful perfume of scorched earth, chocolate, espresso beans, creme de cassis, plums and Asian spices. Full-bodied, deep and just beginning to strut its stuff, with formidable tannins in the finish, it has 20-25 years of upside potential.
The Blankiet Estate owned by Claude and Katherine Blankiet is beautifully situated on the lower hillsides of the Mayacamas
Mountains, just behind the large Napanook estate of Dominus. An enviable group of talented people have provided assistance
here, beginning with David Abreu, Helen Turley and John Wetlaufer, followed by Michel Rolland, Martha McLellan, and more
recently Denis Malbec. Production remains between 1,800 and 2,500 cases with nearly half of that devoted to their second wine,
the Prince of Hearts. The other cuvees include the Proprietary Red (Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated) and the Rive Droite (a
Pomerol / St.-Emilion look-a-like wine), and in 2012, they added a tiny, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon cuvee called Mythicus. I could
be wrong, but it seems to me these wines, which performed very well, and are among the finest of the so-called “cult” wines of
Napa Valley, remain under-the-radar. Perhaps that is due to the small production. The 2009s are all stunning. In the challenging
2011 vintage, the Blankiets along with their winemaker Denis Malbec have fashioned very good examples, although they are
much lighter and less concentrated and authoritative than the top vintages. The 2012s are among the finest wines Blankiet has
yet made“
Beringer - Napa Valley
Napa Valley History: The peculiar thing about passion is that it rarely knows any bounds. It
has the uncanny power to turn mere objects into an obsession, to transform everyday tasks into
art. At Beringer Vineyards, we have been living this passion for over 134 years, and just like our
wine it gets better with each passing day. From a humble start as one of the first vineyards in
the Napa Valley, our passion for the fine art of winemaking continues to make us a brand synonymous with unsurpassed standards of quality. Furthermore, it is with an equal sense of pride
that we share our story, replete with the ups and downs, accomplishments and challenges, with
our patrons. We hope you enjoy reading the history of Beringer Vineyards as much as we enjoy
recollecting it.
The Beginning: Our history dates back to the year 1868, when Jacob Beringer, enticed by the
splendid opportunities of the new world, sailed from his home in Mainz, Germany to New York.
However, New York did not appeal to Jacob and after hearing that the warm and Mediterranean
plains of California were quite similar to the vineyards back home, he soon made his way to the Napa Valley. It was here that
Jacob Beringer, along with his brother, Frederick Beringer, purchased land for the first Beringer Vineyard in 1875.
Today: Beringer Vineyards holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating winery in the Napa Valley. It is also
one of the very few wineries that survived the draconian prohibition of 1922, which lasted over a decade. The estate is also in the
National Register for Historic Places as a historic district, a status it has held since 2001. With its perfect blend of modern technology and age old traditions, Beringer still produces memorable wines that continue to bring recognition to the company and all
of Napa Valley
6000
2011
Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley – 95+ Punkte Decanter
0,75
37,82
45,00
Das Weinmagazin DECANTER hat sich dem nicht ganz einfachen Kalifornien-Jahrgang 2011 angenommen und eine Vielzahl an Weinen verkostet. Auf Platz 1 landete mit 95+ Punkten der 2011er Cabernet Sauvignon von Beringer.
Decanter (95+ score): “...Under its celebrated, long-term winemaker, Ed Sbragia, the historic Beringer winery
established a reputation for big powerful Cabernets and Chardonnays at the expensive Private reserve end of its
range. Under his successor Laurie Hook, the wines are more refined. This regular Napa Valley bottling has long
been excellent (notably in 2009), although it is mid-tier rather than bargain basement. Aged for about 20 months
in barriques, it cuts no corners. Beringer owns or leases high-quality vineyards throughout the valley. The best
fruit is destined for the Private reserves, but whatever is left over, together with purchased fruit, will end up in
the Napa bottlings.
Romain Bourger Very perfumed nose of baked plum, mint and florals. Lovely, delicate palate with great concentration but not overextracted. A long finish with lingering tannins. A hint of bitterness brings lively freshness.
Stephen Brook Charred oak dominates the nose with plum and black cherry fruit behind. Rich and voluptuous
with surprising acidic lift. Intense, peppery and a bit linear, but has fine tension. Impeccable balance and a
toasty finish.
Angela Mount Very Napa: dark, rich, seductive. Powerful and textured with complex layers and depth of black
fruits. Tannins are well integrated. Super concentration and balance. Incredibly bright sweet finish. A gorgeous
wine.
7296
2010
Cabernet Sauvignon - Knights Valley - Sonoma
0,75
19,92
23,70
Parker (91+): “…Beringer’s 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon (Knights Valley) is endowed with serious minerality and tension. Firm
tannins support an expressive core of dark red fruit, grilled herbs, asphalt and savory herbs, all of which come to life in a vibrant
Cabernet Sauvignon long on personality and character. This is a serious wine for the money. Like so many wines in this vintage,
it has tons of energy and vibrancy. If opened within the next few years, the 2010 is likely to require decanting to open up. The
blend is 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2020.
This lineup from Beringer is full of highlights. The top Cabernet Sauvignon bottlings are terrific, but I am just as drawn to the
entry and mid-tier offerings for their superb value and wide availability in the market“
Joseph Phelps, Napa Valley
6109
5034
8951
8952
1508
2008
2012
2012
2013
2013
Cabernet Sauvignon "Insignia"
Cabernet Sauvignon "Insignia"
Cabernet Sauvignon "Insignia"
Cabernet Sauvignon "Insignia"
Cabernet Sauvignon "Insignia"
– 96 Parker
– 96 Parker
– 96-100Parker
– 96-100 Parker
0,75
0,75
1,5
0,75
1,5
142,01
192,44
394,12
217,65
415,65
169,00
229,00
469,00
259,00
495,00
Robert Parker (96-100): “…The flagship wine of the estate in reds is their Insignia, which has been one of the great Bordeaux
blends made in California since the debut vintage in 1974. It usually has 30+ years aging potential, even in lighter vintages, of
which the 2012, 2013 and 2014 are decidedly not. The 2013 Proprietary Red Insignia was scheduled for bottling after my visit. A
blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest smaller proportions of Petit Verdot, Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc, this is a
smaller cuvée of about 12,300 cases. This could turn out even better than the 2012, although the final judgment will have to take
place from bottle. An amazing, inky purple color offers up notes of pen ink, white flowers, blueberry and blackberry liqueur. Nicely
coiled, its tense, but rich and extracted palate is full-bodied with layers of concentrated fruit, well-integrated wood, acidity and
tannin, and a finish of a good 40-45 seconds. This stunner should hit its prime in 5-6 years and last 30-40 years.
The venerable Joseph Phelps Vineyards Napa facility has undergone a complete facelift and renovation. They started their Sonoma Coast Freestone project in 1998, and it’s hard to believe it’s nearly 17 years of age. They are making some very Burgundian, cool-climate Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs from sites they own, and the wines merit considerable attention. Most of the Chardonnay vineyards are planted with the Old Wente selection, along with some of the newer Dijon clonal material. With the Pinot
Noir, it is both California clones and Dijon clones”
Diamond Creek, Napa Valley
10003
1990
Red Rock Terrace
0,75
150,42
179,00
0,75
66,39
79,00
Château Montelena, Napa Valley
2026
2012
Cabernet Sauvignon Estate
Schrader Cellars - Napa Valley
…what started as a dream has become a reality for Napa Valley vintner Fred
Schrader — to produce world-class wines that bear his name.
It all started back in 1988, when Fred attended the Napa Valley Wine Auction with
good friend and Chrisitie's auctioneer, Brian Cole. At the time, Fred simply wanted
to come out to the valley, have a great time and enjoy fine wines. Twenty years
later, in a ddition to having a great time and enjoying fine wines, Fred produces
namesake Cabernets that consistently garner top-ratings from America's most renowned critics.
After his visit to the wine auction, Fred was captivated by the wine business and in
soon cofounded the now legendary Colgin-Schrader Cellars and ensconced the
husband-and-wife team of Helen Turley and John Wetlaufer at the winemaking
helm. In Helen and John, Fred found a stellar team absolutely committed to making
the highest quality wines possible.
Following the success of Colgin-Schrader Cellars, Fred founded his namesake Schrader Cellars in 1998 with the
finest vineyard resources and winemaking talents available. Today, along with his wife Carol and gifted winemaker
Thomas Brown, Fred creates benchmark wines from the Napa Valley's premier vineyard estates. According to Fred,
"Every year is a new child. We come out on a yearly basis with both guns blazing, no-holds-barred, to make the purest and finest wines possible. Wines we love to enjoy. That's what makes it so interesting and so exciting."
Along with his passion for wine, Fred is an avid collector and dealer fine art and antiques, aficionado of fine cigars,
and most recently, an accomplished racer of vintage sports cars.
6299
2009
Vieux Os Zinfandel "Black Sears"
0,75
32,77
39,00
Robert Parker: “…The Schraders, working with well-known winemaking consultant Thomas Rivers Brown, continue to farm and
produce some of the world’s greatest Cabernet Sauvignons from three
fabulous Beckstoffer-owned vineyards: the To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville, the Georges III Vineyard in Rutherford and the Las Piedras
Vineyard in St. Helena. To Kalon is gravelly, eluvial, loamy soils;
Georges III Vineyard is an old creek bed; and Las Piedras Vineyard in
St. Helena is planted on old river rock and gravelly loam. All of these
blocks utilized for Schrader’s wines encompass over 25+ acres and
are custom-farmed – as Fred Schrader likes to say, essentially “virtual
vineyards,” even though they’re not owned by the Schraders. Their
initial focus, which has proven so successful, is essentially a
microscopic study of different clones planted in different blocks with
exactly the same philosophy of viticulture, harvesting, winemaking,
élevage and bottling. Production of all the 2012s, which was a slightly
more generous and later harvest than 2013 with bigger berries, ranges
from 200 cases for the Old Sparky and Georges III, to 520 for the CCS, 420 for the T6, 625 for the RBS, 370 for the Schrader,
620 for the LPV and 100 cases for the newest baby, the Colesworthy, which is a selection of the best barrels of their Las Piedras
offering. Some of the other characteristics of these wines are that they all spend about 20 months in barrel, but the percentages
of new Darnajou and new Taransaud varied from cuvée to cuvée, although the CCS is 100% new Darnajou, as are the Old
Sparky and the Colesworthy. Finished alcohol on the 2012s is in line with other vintages, at 14.4%-14.6%. And in 2013, virtually
identical numbers of 14.4%-14.6% were achieved. The consistency and the analytical aspects of the wines is mirrored in the
incredible quality that Schrader has produced.
3373
6021
6253
4881
2463
4286
5896
8195
6062
8922
2506
2011
2011
2011
2012
2012
2012
2013
2013
2013
2012
2010
Cabernet Sauvignon "CCS"
Cabernet Sauvignon "RBS"
Cabernet Sauvignon "Las Piedras"
Cabernet Sauvignon "Las Piedras" – 98 Suckling
Cabernet Sauvignon "To Kalon" – T6 – 95 Parker
Cabernet Sauvignon "Colesworthy"
Cabernet Sauvignon "To Kalon" – T6 – 98 Parker
Cabernet Sauvignon "RBS" – 98 Parker
Cabernet Sauvignon "Las Piedras" – 94 Parker
Pinot Noir Boar’s View – Sonoma Coast – 95 Parker
Aston Pinot Noir
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
1,5
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
250,42
250,42
250,42
250,42
250,42
670,59
315,13
315,13
298,32
199,16
58,74
298,00
298,00
298,00
298,00
298,00
798,00
375,00
375,00
355,00
237,00
69,90
Stunningly rich and complex with voluminous fruit aromas and flavors, tremendous body and silky mouthfeel, this
wine is the epitome of New World Pinot Noir. Handcrafted from grapes grown on our prime site in the heart of California's "True" Sonoma Coast, the 2010 Aston Estate brilliantly delivers on the promise of this spectacular vineyard
estate
Derenoncourt California - Napa Valley
Selbst den absoluten Kalifornienliebhabern unter Ihnen wir dieses „Weingut“ kaum etwas
sagen. Aber vielleicht sagt Ihnen der Name Stéphane Derenoncourt etwas. Aber sicher haben Sie schon über die großartigen Weine Canon La Gaffeliere, La Mondotte, Aiguilhe, Pavie-Macquin oder Larcis Ducasse gehört. Der Oenologe hinter all diesen Spitzenweinen ist
Stéphane.
Stéphane kam Anfang der 1980er Jahre nach Bordeaux - als blutiger Anfänger, aber voller
Ergeiz und Neugier. Als Autodidakt hat verkrustete Strukturen aufgebrochen und sich schnell
einen sehr gute Namen erarbeitet. Er respektiert die Terroir-Vielfalt ebenso wie die Natur
selbst, weshalb er auf einen naturnahen Anbau größten Wert legt. 1999 verwirklichte er dann
auch seinen Traum von einem eigenen Weingut - Domaine de l'A in Castillon. Im letzten
Jahr besuchte ich das Weingut Arkenstone in den Howell Mountains, Napa Valley, in welchem Stéphane, zusammen
mit der Oenologin Helene, die Weine für Derenoncourt California vinifiziert. Wie bei Schrader, so selektioniert auch
Stéphane die Trauben ganz bestimmter Parzellen und baut diese aus. All dies geschieht auf Aktenstone.
The story of Stéphane Derenoncourt’s career is one of a man
mastering his craft the right way – from the bottom up. Considered by many to be one of the greatest winemakers in France and
Bordeaux’s most sensitive vintner, Stéphane comes from humble
origins. Born the son of a steel worker in northern France, Stéphane developed a taste for manual labor and a love for nature
early in life. In 1982 at the age of nineteen, he hitchhiked to Bordeaux on a whim, taking a job as a vineyard worker in Fronsac.
For the next decade, Stép hane lived, worked, and breathed in
the vineyards of Bordeaux’s Right Bank, becoming intimately
familiar with the life of the vine and each plot of land’s capacity to
stamp its unique qualities on its grapes.
Stéphane’s first opportunity to prove his mettle in the cellar came in the early 1990s at Saint- Émilion’s venerable
Chateau Pavie Macquin. His success there – notably during the difficult 1993 vintage in which Stéphane made a
highly regarded wine – drew attention to his skill. Soon thereafter he was recruited to be winemaker for La Mondotte,
a new micro-cuvée from a tiny limestone plot near Pavie Macquin. La Mondotte’s first vintage, 1996, stunned the
wine world, receiving unprecedented acclaim from critics and consumers alike. La Mondotte quickly became one of
the most collectible Bordeaux on the market.
Stéphane credits his success to the many years he spent working in the vineyard, learning the subtleties of soil, vine
and climate that are essential to crafting wine that is fresh, sensual and – above all – honest. An avid proponent of
natural viticultural methods and minimal intervention in the cellar, Stéphane seeks through each of his wines to “draw
out the identity of the locality and imprint it on the fruit,” in order to present the wine enthusiast with a pleasurable and
profound terroir experience. The 2006 vintage of Derenoncourt California – Stéphane’s own wine, not a consulting
project – marks the first grapes-to-bottle wine he has ever made in the United States.
WINEMAKING AND TERROIR
Stéphane Derenoncourt has a profound commitment to terroir,
the French term that invokes the subtlety, artistry and mystery of
deeply respectful vine-tending. Stéphane’s devotion to the interaction between site, soil and climate that gives a wine its defining
character is the touchstone of his quest to find authenticity in each
wine he makes.This quest always begins with singular vineyards,
lovingly tended by skilled vineyard workers who share Stéphane’s
passion for growing the purest fruit nature can offer. Stéphane
seeks out parcels with ideal soil composition, ample sun exposure,
high elevation and low yields. Uncompromising in his belief that
he must be attentive to the land in order to make compelling wine,
Stéphane spends countless hours among the vines becoming
intimately familiar with each plot from which his grapes come. The
result is intensely concentrated but delicately sophisticated fruit
that reflects the soul of the vineyard.
After hand-sorting the harvested grapes with the utmost care,
Stéphane employs only those vinification methods that ensure
absolute respect for the fruit and do not interfere with nature’s
ability to express itself. He believes that the more discrete the
human influence, and the more pronounced the natural, the better. Stéphane thinks of the winemaking process as
sculpting liquid – taking what nature provides and carefully shaping it into a pleasurable form that shows the inner
beauty of the rough material. Accordingly, Stéphane adapts his winemaking to the demands of each vintage, using
traditional techniques designed to preserve the grapes’ inherent freshness and elegance including slow whole-berry
fermentation at cool temperatures and punch-down extraction.
Stéphane does not seek to imprint any particular “style” on his wines. Instead, by harvesting the highest quality fruit
from the best sites and by using a sensitive hand in the cellar, Stéphane consistently crafts distinctive, terroir-driven
wines that exhibit freshness, precision and balance while possessing a palate-pleasing sensuality. Because of his
dedication to care and quality, Stéphane has ensured that a trusted colleague and kindred spirit, Hélène Mingot, is on
the ground full-time in Napa to oversee every detail in the vineyards and the cellar. Hélène collaborated with
Stephane on projects in Europe after working as a winemaker in Bordeaux and Tuscany. Stéphane selected Hélène
to be his hands and feet in Napa when his other responsibilities call him away because of their common commitment
to the art of terroir expression. Stéphane and Hélène are pleased to bring to Napa’s distinguished terroir their sensibility – a tireless pursuit of transparency that reminds us to stay humble before the complex work of nature.
Having enjoyed fifteen years of winemaking success in Europe, Bordeaux-based vigneron Stéphane Derenoncourt
set out to make his first-ever American wine, Derenoncourt California. Stéphane was drawn to California because of
its increasing potential to produce great wine. Exploratory trips to the area convinced Stéphane of the possibility of
crafting high quality wines that are marked by Napa’s distinctive terroir but retain the balance and freshness for which
he is known.
Made from small plots specifically chosen by Stéphane for their cool microclimates, high elevations, and volcanic
soils, the 2006 Derenoncourt California wines exude a rich sensuality while possessing the sort of refinement you
expect from an accomplished Bordeaux vintner. Expressing a pitch-perfect harmony between New World power and
Old World elegance, each of these vineyard-designate wines offers not only a memorable drinking experience, but
also a fresh perspective into the beauty and diversity of Northern California’s dynamic terroir.
9727
2006
Syrah
0,75
49,58
59,00
Der 2006er Syrah war für mich der erstaunlichste Wein beim wine&dine am 14. Juni im Pauly Saal Berlin (paulysaal.com). Zusammen mit Stephane Derenoncourt und ihm Rahmen eines Menüs verkosteten wir alle 2006er und
2009. Der 2006er Syrah präsentierte sich unglaublich frisch und mit großer Finesse.
2494
2009
Cabernet Sauvignon Red Hills
0,75
41,93
49,90
Michael Grimm „…sehr schöne,ganz klare Frucht, sauber, super Nase, sher schöne Struktur, Kirschen satt, weich,
soft, kräftige Säure im Finish, Power und viel Schmelz, spicy und kräftige Tannine; 18,5+“
8023
2006
Cabernet Franc
0,75
98,32
117,00
Wine-Spectator (94): „..A bold, rich, fleshy style, this is deep, concentrated and focused on full-bodied currant and loamy
earth, with scents of herb and sage. Ends with a long, mouthcoating, chocolaty finish. Drink now through 2017. »
7723
2006
Cabernet Sauvignon
0,75
166,39
198,00
Wine-Spectator (94): „..Bold, rich, layered, intense and concentrated, with full-bodied currant, earth, mineral, sage and cedary
oak notes that are big yet balanced, gaining depth and ending with a long, persistent finish and fine-grained tannins. Drink now
through 2017. 100 cases made ».
Shafer Vineyard - Napa Valley
Vor einigen Jahren hatte ich Besuch von Doug Shafer - Shafer Vineyards, NapaValley. Spontanes Recall. Ich erinnere mich gerne zurück an die Tasting-Tour der
Napa Valley Vintners im Jahre 1994. Ich betreute damals für Mövenpick die Stände von Newton und Storybook. Auf dem Weg von Frankfurt nach Stuttgart saß ich
neben John Shafer, dem Vater von Doug und Gründer von Shafer Vineyards. Seine Persönlichkeit hat mich sehr beeindruckt. Auch von seinen Weinen war ich
stets begeistert, jedoch bekommt man diese so gut wie nie zu Gesicht, geschweige denn, ins Glas. Ein Weingut, welches chronisch ausverkauft ist.
Parker:
“…One of Napa’s most prominent and respected wineries, Shafer is a poster
boy for remarkable and consistent quality across the board. All of this is the work of the
brilliant father and son team of John and Doug Shafer as well as their long-term winemaker and vineyard manager, Elias Fernandez. With over 200-plus acres of estate holdings, and 55 surrounding their winery in Stags Leap, this is a winery that never
seems to disappoint.”
5096
10974
7474
11544
9731
3570
9582
8166
2012
2013
2012
2012
2013
2012
2005
2010
Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay - Carneros
Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay - Carneros
Merlot – 92-95 Parker
Cabernet Sauvignon - One Point Five – 94 Parker
Cabernet Sauvignon - One Point Five – 94 Parker
Syrah Relentless – 94-97 Parker
Cabernet Sauvignon "Hillside Select"
Cabernet Sauvignon "Hillside Select"
100 Parker
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
37,82
41,93
46,22
49,58
74,79
74,79
284,87
334,45
45,00
49,90
55,00
79,00
89,00
89,00
339,00
398,00
Parker (100): “… The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select offers a mindblowing display of blue, red and black fruits along
with licorice and floral notes. The prodigious aromatics are followed by a precise, rich, pure blast of inky black currant, blueberry
and mulberry flavors. The oak is virtually undetectable, and the wine, for all its power, richness and depth, is incredibly light on its
feet and ethereal. It should drink well for 3 to 4 decades. Those who might argue that wines over 14% alcohol are hot, loathsome
and heavy really need to objectively taste these wines rather than bloviate.
This was a fascinating tasting with one of the superstar reference point/iconic wineries in all of California. Shafer-s Relentless
project has been a huge success since the debut. Blending Syrah and Petite Sirah, aging it for a long time in French oak, and not
compromising on any element of the winemaking process has put them at the top of the Rhone Ranger sweepstakes. From the
Stags Leap District, the Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five was named by the Shafers to honor the generation and a half of the
family that has been involved in this winery-s success. Turning to Shafer-s Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon is akin to entering
one of the world's museums of liquid art. This is unquestionably one of California-s, and the world's, most iconic and greatest
wines. When Chateau Latour bought the Araujo estate, I thought the entire value of the Shafers and of this particular vineyard
probably jumped by 30-50% because of that purchase. This is a first-growth wine from a magical site, and it has been one of the
top half dozen or so California Cabernet Sauvignons in every vintage since the early nineties. That's a remarkable track record. In
every vintage it is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged an uncommonly long time (32 months) in 100% French oak, yet you would
never know that. The Shafers remain disarmingly modest about what they have achieved, but this is utterly profound, world-class
wine that any wine lovers who enjoy Cabernet Sauvignon need to sample at least once in their life.
6814
10189
3854
2011
2011
2011
Cabernet Sauvignon "Hillside Select"
Cabernet Sauvignon "Hillside Select"
Cabernet Sauvignon "Hillside Select"
0,75
1,5
3,0
226,05
269,00
469,75
559,00
1172,27 1395,00
Robert Mondavi Winery, Napa Valley
Viele Weinpersönlichkeiten habe ich bisher getroffen, die mich sehr beeindruckten und mich für ihre Weine begeisterten. In Bordeaux waren dies bspw. Jean-Michel Cazes von Lynch-Bages, Anthony Barton von Leoville-Barton oder
Charles Chevalier von Lafite-Rothschild.
Aber ein Mann hat ein Feuer in mir entfacht. Für seine Weine und die gesamte Region, der er half, auf eigenen Füssen zu stehen. Robert Mondavi.
1993 traf ich ihn anläßlich es Harvest Seminars auf der Robert Mondavi Winery.
Nun verbrachte ich Ende April wieder ein paar Tage auf Mondavi. Das Thema war vor allem der Weinberg To Kalon.
To Kalon kommt aus dem Griechischen und bedeutet soviel wie „der/die Schönste“. Dieser Weinberg wurde bereits
1868 bepflanzt und zählt heute zu den weltweit besten Lagen.
Robert Mondavi: „…Walking through To Kalon, admiring its contours and vines,
smelling the richness of its soil, I knew this was a very special place. It exuded an
indefinable quality I could not describe, a feeling that was almost mystical.”
6152
10772
2049
2012
2012
2012
Chardonnay
Fumé Blanc
Fumé Blanc Reserve - To Kalon
0,75
0,75
0,75
19,92
19,92
49,58
23,70
23,70
59,00
Sind Sie auch der Meinung, ein Fumé Blanc ist kaum haltbar? Wir sind größter Opus-One-Importeur in Deutschland.
Und natürlich nutzte ich meinen Bordeauxbesuch Im April, um mit dem International Sales Vice President, der für
Opus One in Bordeaux ein Büro unterhält, ein Glas Opus One zu trinken. Erfreulicherweise hat er eine ausgesprochen gut ausgestattete Küche. Als Gastgeschenk brachte ich eine 91er Fumé Blanc von Mondavi mit (siehe Bild
unten). Ich wusste nicht, was uns erwarten würde, aber die Flasche war leer, bevor der St.-Pierre verspeist war. Immer noch frisch und unglaublich komplex. Rechnen Sie nicht. Der Wein hatte 23 Jahre auf dem Buckel.
6733
2646
2011
2010
Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville
0,75
33,53
39,90
Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - 95 Parker
0,75
82,35
98,00
Parker (95): “…The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (a blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc) exhibits a dense purple color, more tannin, structure and spice, terrific richness and plenty of black currant, vanillin
and loamy soil characteristics. Given past track records, this full-bodied, impressive Reserve should easily age for 25-35 years“
Opus One, Napa Valley
Für meinen ehemaligen Arbeitgeber Mövenpick (1991 bis 1995) hatte ich Kalifornien mehrmals
bereist und stets war ich von Opus One und den Weinen beeindruckt. Wie zu erwarten, habe ich
die kalifornischen Weine mit der Gründung der Bacchus-Vinothek etwas aus den Augen verloren. Ein Glück, dass der Vertrieb immer noch hauptsächlich über den Platz Bordeaux abgewickelt wird, Rothschild sei Dank, und so ist mir Opus One immer wieder begegnet. Natürlich sicherte ich mir immer 20 bis 30 Kisten. Aber so richtig angefressen war ich erst wieder nach einer
Vertikalprobe im Adlon, Berlin, zu welcher Opus One im Januar 2007 geladen hatte. Es waren
vor allem die älteren Jahrgänge 1979 und 1983, welche mir einmal mehr zeigten, wie großartig
das Potenzial dieses Weingutes ist. Mein Interesse und Engagement explodierte förmlich und
heute sind wir der größte Importeur in Deutschland.
Im Mai 2014 verbrachten Nina und ich eine Woche in der Maremma. Die Restaurants dort pflegen großartige Weinkarten mit Weinen aus jeder Ecke Italiens. Aber es finden sich auch viele
Weine aus Frankreich udnw einige aus Kalifornien auf manchen Karten. Offensichtlich genießen die Gäste ausschließlich die Italiener. Auch gut. Der 97er Opus One im Ristorante I Due Cippi - Da Michele, Saturnia, (siehe unten)
war beeindruckend. Halten Sie Ausschau nach älteren Jahrgängen von Opus One.
2401
5117
4793
1er Präsentpack Opus One
2010
Opus One
2011
Opus One
1,5
0,75
4,96
584,03
226,05
5,90
695,00
269,00
Antonio Galloni (94): „…The 2011 Opus One comes across as quite powerful and intense. Raspberry jam, rose
petals, savory herbs and mint, all come together beautifully in the glass. The tannins are going to need a few years to
soften, but the 2011 continues to develop very nicely in bottle. This is a very strong showing, especially within the
context of the year. The 2011 is dark and even a bit rough round the edges, particularly when tasted alongside the
surrounding vintages. The lithe, mid-weight, savory style is at times more Old World than New, yet all the elements
are in the right place“
11244 2012
Opus One
0,375
125,21
4579
2012
Opus One
0,75
250,42
Michael Grimm (19+): “…dichte, kompakte und komplexe Nase, tolle, reife Frucht, Blaubeeren, Kröäuter, Bleistift,
Pflaumen, ganz tolle balance, feine Süße, sehr viel Charakter und Charme, sehr viel Struktur.
149,00
298,00
Antonio Galloni (96): „…Rich, powerful and seductive, the 2012 Opus One blossoms in the glass with superb textural richness and volume. Dark red and black fruit, smoke, cedar, new leather and tobacco all meld together as the
2012 shows off its personality. Fine, silky tannins support the huge, creamy finish. The 2012 has just been bottled,
but it is superb. I expect the 2012 will offer a long and broad drinking window of pure pleasure“
James Suckling (97): „…Glorious purity of fruit here with black currants, blueberries, dark chocolate, fresh herbs and
forest floor. Hints of mint too, plus hazelnut and chocolate. Full body with seamless tannins and balance. Tight and
compacted tannins with beautiful fruit and great length. Goes on for minutes. One of the best Opus' in years. Hard
not to drink now but better in 2018. October 2015 release. This is 79% cabernet sauvignon, 7% cabernet franc, 6%
merlot, 6% petit verdot and 2% malbec“
Philip Togni, Napa Valley
10747
2009
Cabernet Sauvignon – 95 Parker
0,75
82,35
98,00
0,75
133,61
159,00
0,75
192,44
229,00
Paul Hobbs, Napa Valley
6180
2012
Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard – 98 Parker
Outpost, Napa Valley
1219
2007
Cabernet Sauvignon „Howell Mountain“
Ulysses Estate, Napa Valley
6793
1174
4135
2012
2012
2012
Ulysses – Chritian Moueix
Ulysses – Chritian Moueix
Ulysses – Chritian Moueix
0,75
1,5
6,0
133,61
159,00
298,32
355,00
1924,37 2290,00
Odysseus (französisch Ulysses) war doch glatt 10 Jahre auf Irrfahrt, bevor er wieder in Ithaka landete und
dem Freier seiner Penelope die Lichter ausknipste.
Beinahe ebenso lange mussten wir Weinfreunde auf den „release“ des 1. Jahrgangs des „neuen“ Weinguts
von Christian Moueix warten – Ulysses. Allerdings war er nie auf Irrfahrt. Christian hatte die Möglichkeit,
diesen historischen Teil der Charles Hopper Ranch 2008 zu erwerben und wusste die gesamte Zeit genau,
wohin die Reise gehen sollte.
Michael Grimm (18,5-19): „…sehr dichte Farbe, komplex, Aromen von Cassis und Kirschen, spicy, feine
Röstnoten, alles noch sehr jung aber in großer Balance, lang mit sehr guten Tanninen.“
James Suckling (97): „…Subtle aromas of crushed berries and tile. Mushrooms. Almost dusty. Full to
medium body, powdery tannins and mouthfeel. Bright
acidity that gives the wine beautiful and enticing
freshness. Gentle and ethereal red. The first vintage of
the new wine from the owners of Dominus. The vineyard
is located in Oakville near Vine Hill. Drink or hold“
Robert Parkler (93): „…The 2012 Ulysses (800 cases) is
95% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest other Bordeaux
varietals. A structured, dense purple wine that displays
plenty of cedar wood, crème de cassis, licorice and
graphite, the wine is full-bodied, rich, backward and
dense, but beautifully pure fruit and an almost PontetCanet-like purity and density are hallmarks of this
brilliant wine. Forget it for 4-5 years and drink it over the
following 20-25.
I had the privilege to taste this new estate vineyard wine from Christian Moueix several months before the
2012 would be released. Moueix purchased the old Schmidt Ranch, which is just to the north of his iconic
Napanook vineyard. The AVA is different, as he is on the southern border of the Oakville appellation. This is
pure valley floor soil with great drainage, just to the south of Martha's Vineyard and the famous To Kalon of
both Mondavi and Andy Beckstoffer. Several vintages have been made, but not yet released. The first official
release is the 2012. This is a completely different style of wine than those produced at Dominus. While the
property is much smaller (40 acres vs. the very large Napanook vineyard), a similar élevage is employed,
with 40% to 50% new French oak, and bottling after the wine spends 20 months in wood. Moueix told me that
the site, even though it is so close to Napanook, is warmer in the summer by several degrees and colder in
the winter, Additionally, the soils are deeper. What Moueix has done is produce a wine that is in complete
contrast to Dominus. The wines of Dominus are known for their silky complexity, and even though there is
virtually no Merlot in any of the top vintages, they always have an almost Pomerol-like lushness and
opulence. Ulysses, on the other hand, is a Napa version of a first or second growth Pauillac. The crème de
cassis, the licorice, the purity and the graphite notes are present in all three of these vintages, just in varying
degrees.“
http://www.ulyssesvineyard.com/
Christian Moueix: „…Our team’s intention is to
produce a wine reflecting the exceptional potential
and individuality of the Ulysses Vineyard. Our
approach is minimalist, with attentive observation
and restrained intervention. Harvested at perfect
ripeness and with the utmost care, the grapes
undergo both cluster and berry selection before a
gentle vinification and aging. The wine, estate
bottled, calls to mind “authenticity, purity and
radiance.”
Ulysses is a distinctive Cabernet Sauvignon with a
touch of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It should
be decanted prior to serving. Our first vintage,
Ulysses 2012, is a finely sculpted wine with
elegance and lift.
Along the Napa Valley’s Oakville bench and
extending over an alluvial fan at the foot of the Mayacamas Range, the site is exceptional for winegrowing.
The soil is composed of deep, gravelly, clay loam and is particularly well-suited to growing Cabernet
Sauvignon.
Since the acquisition, Christian Moueix and his team have pursued an in-depth understanding of the soil
and microclimate and have undertaken a lengthy and meticulous vineyard restoration.
Dry farming, the foundation of Ulysses’ sustainable farming practices, enhances root depth and resistance
to drought, resulting in a wine that is a pure expression of its terroir“
Dominus Estate, Napa Valley
Das Weingut mit 55 Hektar Rebfläche liegt in Yountville im
Napa Valley (Kalifornien). Vorher hieß es "Napanook
Vineyard" - das sind die ältesten Weinberge im Napa Valley. Es wurde im Jahre 1982 von Christian Moueix (Besitzer vom Château Petrus im Pomerol) in einem Joint Venture mit der John Daniel Society (Erben des berühmten
Spirituosen-Herstellers) gegründet, seit dem Jahre 1994 ist
Moueix alleiniger Besitzer. Dort wurde der BordeauxVerschnitt "Dominus" auf Basis Cabernet Sauvignon kreiert, der sich vor allem durch den überragenden Jahrgang
1990 zu einem wahren Kultwein entwickelte.
Jean-Marie Maureze - der aus Bordeaux stammende und langjährige Manager von Christian Moueix hier in
Napa.
3722
6438
2460
2012
2003
2008
Othello
Napanook
Napanook
0,75
0,75
0,75
31,01
37,82
37,82
36,90
45,00
45,00
3603
1138
5423
8021
8407
8710
6795
8657
8492
10281
2012
2012
2003
2006
2008
2009
2011
2011
2012
2012
Napanook
Napanook
Dominus
Dominus
Dominus
Dominus
Dominus
Dominus
Dominus
Dominus
0,75
1,5
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
1,5
0,75
0,75
49,58
108,40
116,81
166,39
189,08
175,63
116,81
242,86
293,28
634,45
59,00
129,00
139,00
198,00
225,00
209,00
139,00
289,00
349,00
755,00
2012 Napanook
Michael Grimm (18,5+):
„…Sehr
schöne, dunkle, frische Frucht, klassisch herb,
Kirschen, lang, sehr gute Struktur, kein Softie,
klassisch“
Robert Parker (93): „…The second wine, the
2012 Napanook Proprietary Red Wine has a
similar profile, but certainly comes across as
less nuanced and slightly less concentrated
and profound compared to its bigger sister. It
is a blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5%
Petit Verdot. It does reflect the fact that the
selection process has gotten so severe that the
second wine at Dominus is really special in top
vintages such as 2012 or 2013. The wine has
low acidity, beautiful ripe black cherry and
blackcurrant fruit, a hint of unsmoked cigar
tobacco and a touch of roasted herbs in the
finish. This is a beauty to drink over the next
15-20 years.
Christian Moueix has probably had his two
greatest back-to-back vintages to date with the
2012 and 2013. The 2012s, which are just being released, include the unbelievable Dominus, made of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon
and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc and coming in at 14.3% natural alcohol. I said last year that it reminded me somewhat of the 1991 and the 1994, which are both still very strong efforts and, while fully mature, showed no signs of decline if
well-stored“
2012 Dominus
Michael Grimm (19,5+):
„…Sehr komplexe, süße Nase, tolle Frucht, schwarzbeerig, Cassis, großer Frische, ganz große
Balance und Struktur, feine Bitterschoko im Finish, ganz großer Kalifornier. Aber immer auf der feinen und eleganten Seite. Nie
ein Blockbuster“
Robert Parker (99): “…Flirting with perfection, the 2012 Dominus is composed of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot
and 2% Cabernet Franc. Five thousand cases were produced, a relatively modest amount from this large vineyard’s big crop.
Christian Moueix told me that there was plenty of heat in 2012, but there were no excessive hot spells that can plague Napa Valley vintners during the growing season and harvest. This wine’s opaque plum/purple color is accompanied by a beautiful nose of
sweet crème de cassis, a touch of background oak (only 40% new oak is used), spice box, cedarwood, black cherries and a hint
of spring flowers. The complex, intense aromatics are followed by a deep, opulent, multidimensional, full-bodied wine with not a
hard edge to be found. Everything is seamlessly crafted in this beauty and the vintage’s abundant richness is well-displayed. This
2012 can be drunk in its exuberant youthfulness or cellared for another 20-25 years.
The California outpost of Pomerol and St.-Emilion’s famed proprietor, Christian Moueix has been working at this iconic vineyard,
Yountville’s Napanook, for over twenty years. Many decades ago this was the origin of some of the great Inglenook Cabernet
Sauvignons..“
Antonio Galloni (98-100 score): „…Iron, smoke, tobacco, incense and white pepper are some of the many notes
that explode from the 2012 Dominus. An insanely nuanced and impeccable wine, the 2012 is explosive and totally
harmonious from the very first taste. Hints of orange peel and wild flowers add an exotic dimension as layers of fruit
build to the textured, totally inviting finish. The 2012 is simply breathtaking“
Harlan Estate, Napa Valley
5555
5040
2008
2009
Harlan Estate
Harlan Estate
0,75
0,75
839,50
999,00
915,97 1090,00
0,75
0,75
192,44
125,21
Stag’s Leap Cellars, Napa Valley
3362
2306
2012
2013
Cabernet Saufvignon Cask 23
Cabernet Saufvignon SLV
229,00
149,00
Staglin, Napa Valley
1133
2009
Cabernet Saufvignon – 95 Parker
0,75
125,21
149,00
0,75
226,05
269,00
Cardinale, Napa Valley
2345
2012
Cardinale
STOP for Cardinale
Cardinale ? Schon wieder ein neues Weingut? Ja
und nein. Auf alle Fälle eines der Juwelen im Portfolio der Jackson-Wein-Familie. Weine der Weingüter
Verité oder Lokoya habe ich Ihnen bereits vorgestellt
und vielen von Ihnen bereits in den Keller geliefert.
Mit der Verkostung der 2012er Lokoya (siehe Homepage) wuchs mein Interesse am winemaker Chris
Carpenter, der für Jackson die Weine der NapaValley-Güter erzeugt. Und was für Weine. Mt.-Brave,
La Jota, Lokoya ( 2 Weine mit 99 und 100 Parker) und
eben auch Cardinale. Nina und ich besuchten Cardinale im August. Kurz vor der Einfahrt zu Opus One hiess es STOP. Stop für Cardinale. Wir verkosteten La
Jota und Mt.-Brave. Aber es war Cardinale, der uns wirklich begeisterte.
Auch als perfekten Kontrast zum Konzept von Lokoya interessierte mich dieser Wein. Bei Lokoya werden 4
Weine der 4 besten wirklichen Weinberge des Napa-Valleys erzeugt: Mount Veeder,
Howell Mountain, Springs Mountain und Diamond Mountain. 4 Weine von 4 hills.
Bei Cadinale wird aus den besten Trauben ebenfalls dieser vier Mountains ein einziger Wein komponiert – Cardinale. Somit 4 hills und ein Wein. Zwei Philosophien.
Robert Parker (98): “…Cardinale’s 2012 Proprietary Red, the flagship wine from the
Jackson Family, was looked after and put-together by winemaker Chris Carpenter
from numerous vineyard sites traversing Napa Valley. The 2012's final blend was
84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Merlot with 94% new French oak used. Terroirists undoubtedly lament the fact that nine different vineyards and seven different
appellations were utilized, but the resulting wine is prodigious. A dense purple
color is accompanied by notes of graphite, blackberries, blackcurrants, roasted
coffee, vanillin, baking spices and forest floor. With enormous complexity and
richness as well as full-bodied power and voluptuousness, it is a wine of exceptional purity, intensity, and well-integrated acidity, alcohol, tannin and wood. This
seamless, majestic Napa Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated 2012 should drink well
for two decades”
Der 2012er Cardinale kommt in der 6er HK. Aber wie immer, sind Sie frei in der Anzahl der Flaschen, die Sie begehren.
2012 Cabernet Sauvignon - Cardinale
"Cardinale is a collection of individual voices
that tell a story, in this case the characters are
the appellations and the story is the vintage.
The individuality of the vineyards is there to
enrich the experience. In 2012, the number of
characters increased as the vintage was such
that the quality of the expression of each appellation soared to the level of Cardinale’s expectation. Blackberries, shale, hints of earth,
currant, Asian spice and mountain minerality
reside alongside a breadth of structural tannins
and weight from the concentration of fruit...”
CHRISTOPHER
CARPENTER,
Winemaker
84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot
Lokoya, Napa Valley
…mir ist Lokoya erstmals 2011 in einem Restaurant in Carmel aufgefallen ( highlandsinn.hyatt.com ). Der Sommelier
hatte mir diesen empfohlen und wir waren begeistert. Es war der 2001er Jahrgang. Seither sichere ich mir Jahr für
Jahr einige Kisten der kleinen Produktion….Bei 2012 war es mehr ein Kampf um jede Flasche!!
Chris Carpenter hatte es sogar mit dem nicht ganz einfachen Jahrgang 2011 geschafft, Weine mit 96 und 98 Parker-Punkten zu erzeugen. Im Moment plane ich den Besuch bei Chris für
Ende August, um die 2012er und 2013er zu verkosten. Im Moment kann ich Ihnen deshalb
noch keine eigenen Eindrücke der 2012er liefern. Aber ich kann Ihnen diese wenigstens anbieten:
Parker: „…It will be hard to eclipse the quality of this quartet of 100% Cabernet Sauvignons
from the Jackson Family boutique winery of Lokoya, fashioned by their brilliant winemaker,
Chris Carpenter. Lokoya’s offerings are consistently among the greatest Cabernet Sauvignons
made, and their 2012s represent the pinnacle of what Chris Carpenter has been
accomplishing from these vineyards. Production ranges from a low of 320 cases for the
Diamond Mountain, to just over 1,300 cases for the Mt. Veeder. All four wines are aged in 100% new oak and are
bottled with minimal clarification. They are extraordinary expressions of their terroirs. The late Jess Jackson’s firm
convictions in mountain vineyards is vindicated by these prodigious wines.“
7636
9721
9720
3693
1657
10827
1275
1372
3743
10707
10709
10760
12335
5368
2012
2012
2012
2012
2012
2012
2012
2012
2007
2011
2012
2012
2012
2012
Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain
Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain
Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain
Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain
Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder
Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder
Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder
Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder
Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain
Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain
Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain
Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain
Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain
Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain
98 Parker
98 Parker
96 Parker
96 Parker
100 Parker
100 Parker
100 Parker
100 Parker
97 Parker
96 Parker
99 Parker
99 Parker
99 Parker
99 Parker
0,75
1,5
0,75
0,75
0,75
1,5
3,0
5,0
0,75
0,75
0,75
1,5
3,0
5,0
331,93
836,13
331,93
836,13
377,31
983,20
1928,57
3357,14
284,87
310,08
331,92
836,13
1844,54
3189,00
395,00
995,00
395,00
995,00
449,00
1170,00
2295,00
3995,00
339,00
369,00
395,00
995,00
2195,00
3795,00
2012 Lokoya Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder
Michael Grimm (19,5+): „…Großartige, komplexe Nase, spicy, Eukalyptus, Kardamon, Lakritze, Cassis,
Schoko, schöne Mineralität, ganz große Balance, lang, lang, …“
Parker (100): „…The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder is as compelling a Cabernet Sauvignon as one could ever hope to
taste. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from a high-elevation site boasts an inky/purple color, and smells of ink, blueberry liqueur,
blackberries, black raspberries, mulberries, licorice, charcoal and camphor. With magnificent fruit richness, a layered, full-bodied
mouthfeel, and incredible length, this seamlessly constructed 2012 should provide immense pleasure for 25+ years. Kudos to
winemaker Chris Carpenter as he is clearly at the top of his game.
2012 Lokoya Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain
Parker (99): „…From a high-elevation vineyard that was replanted in 2006, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain
reveals an opaque purple color as well as notes of mulberries, graphite, blackberries and a hint of charcoal. This dramatic, ostentatious 2012 is in keeping with the stylistic characteristics of this vintage. Multidimensional, stunningly pure and rich, it is a beauty that flirts with perfection. Drink now-2032.“
World’s End, Napa Valley
World's End by Jonathan Maltus . Seit Jahren
führen wir mit Le Dôme einen der interessantesten „Garagenweine“ aus St.-Emilion. Jonathan Maltus war und ist
fasziniert von Weinen wie Le Pin oder Valandraud. Eine
Vision wurde zum Traum und 1994 zur Realität. Jonathan
kaufte Château Teyssier und legte damit den Grundstock
für seine „single vineyards“ Les Asteries, Le Carré oder
eben Le Dôme.
Dieses Jahr schickte er mir eine Einladung, seine Weine
doch auf Château Teyssier zu verkosten. Aber gerne. Nach
der Verkostung der 2011 (ganz großartig. Siehe Primeursofferte!!) sah ich auf einem Nebentisch einige Kalifornier
stehen – World’s End. Neugierig verkostete ich auch diese
zusammen mit Jonathan. Ich war extrem beeindruckt. 2009
ist erst der 2. Jahrgang. Noch im Flugzeug von Bordeaux
nach Strassburg schickte ich meinen Erstauftrag.
Es sind in Bordeaux ausgebildete Oenologen wie bspw. Neil Whyte, welche für Jonathan auch die Weine im Napa
Valley erzeugen. Es ist deshalb kein Wunder, dass die französischen Einflüsse wie Eleganz, Finesse oder Frische
deutlich zu spüren sind. Seine Crew arbeitete auf Châteaux wie Cheval Blanc oder Léoville Las Cases.
1873 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon "Crossfire"
0,75
49,58
59,00
Grimm (18,5+): „..sehr würzige, exotische Nase, sexy, spicy, elegant, sehr schön am Gaumen, klasse Struktur, toll“
7010 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon "Crossfire"
0,75
57,98
69,00
2879 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon "If Six was Nine"
0,75
29,41
35,00
Michael Grimm (18,5+): „…Dichte Frucht, Brotkruste, Power, süße Frucht, fleischig, beeindruckende Struktur,
Kirschen, viel Süße, großes Finale“
3202 2008 Syrah&Cabernet Franc "Wavelength"
0,75
41,18
49,00
4493 2009 Syrah&Cabernet Franc "Wavelength"
0,75
49,58
59,00
WAVELENGTH is named after Van Morrison's epic track and album of the same name - and it is gloriously complex,
weaving 50 per cent Syrah and 50 per cent Cabernet Franc, and a superb, blockbuster-style wine.
Michael Grimm (18+-18,5): „…sehr schöne Frucht, exotische Würze, komplex, sehr schön am Gaumen, viel Finesse
und Eleganz, schöner Syrah-touch im Finale“
4732 2009 Merlot Reserve "Little Sister"
0,75
29,41
35,00
Michael Grimm (18-18,5): „…tolle Nase, dunkle Beeren und Kirschen, fleischig, mollig, ganz warm am Gaumen“
8898 2010 Merlot Reserve "Little Sister"
0,75
32,77
39,00
Waterstone, Napa Valley
5747
2009
Merlot
0,75
14,20
16,90
5841
2010
Merlot
0,75
13,36
15,90
8429
2008
Zinfandel
0,75
16,72
19,90
1901
2009
Cabernet Sauvignon
0,75
19,92
23,70
James Suckling (93): „…"This is amazing value in
California Cab. It’s hard to believe. Aromas of fresh
herbs with currants and blueberries as well as mint.
It's full body with velvety tannins and a juicy finish.
Lots of fruit but not overdone and not over alcoholic.
Drink and don't worry."
7265
2012
Rose of Cabernet Sauvignon
0,75
9,83
11,70
A collaboration between winemaker Philip Zorn and Brent Shortridge, Waterstone Winery was founded in 2000 when the two men
discovered a shared interest in creating luxury wines at affordable prices.
"Waterstone is quickly becoming known for producing top-quality Napa Valley wines that delight the palate."
By sourcing grapes from Napa Valley's climatic zones that best suit their development, Waterstone produces balanced wines that
are earnest expressions of both the grape and the land from which it comes.
Realm, Napa Valley
Vor meiner letzten Kalifornienreise erhielt ich ein mail von einem meiner Agenten
mit der Einladung zu einer Verkostung eines interessanten Weingutes im privaten
Rahmen in St.-Helena. Es würde sich lohnen. Neugierig bin ich immer. Um welches
Weingut es sich handelt, ließ er nicht raus.
Also hin und mit Juan Mercado, Scott Becker und dem Kellermeister Benoit Touquette verkostet. Die Verkostung war überwältigend. Ich hatte zu diesem Zeitpunkt
schon etliche 2012er Kalifornier verkostet. Ein für Kalifornien ganz großer Jahrgang. Aber Realm? Es war mir beinahe unheimlich, Wein für Wein so hohe Bewertungen geben zu „müssen“. Nach der Verkostung wollte ich sofort eine Allokation.
Verblüffte Gesichter. Man hätte schon viel Gutes von mir und meinem Engagement
für kalifornische Weine gehört und wollte mir einen Gefallen erweisen und mich an
der Verkostung der eben abgefüllten 2012er teilnehmen lassen. Zu verkaufen? Zu
verkaufen habe man nichts. Das geht alles in zwei Angeboten über die „mailinglist“
weg. Na prima. Also wieder einmal in die Waden beißen. Geht wohl immer nur auf
die Art. Nach 2 Stunden hatten wir ein Paket für mich und Sie geschnürt. Ob Juan
mich nochmals einlädt? In jedem Fall ist die Bacchus-Vinothek nun außerhalb der
USA der einzige Anbieter von 2012 Realm.
Und jüngst kam Parker mit den Bewertungen der 2012er. Ganz oben dabei –
Schrader und Realm (1 x 99 und 2 x 100 Punkte). Jetzt nach einer Allokation zu
fragen, wäre total aussichtslos gewesen. Lesen Sie die interessante Geschichte von
Realm Cellars. Am Abend belohnten wir uns im RED (Yountville) mit einer Flasche
Realm 2001.
https://www.realmcellars.com
Interessant ist vor allem, dass Juan seine ersten Trauben 2002 von Andy Beckstoffer aus dem To Kalon- und von
Christian Moueix aus dem Napanook-Weinberg erhielt. So schließt sich ein Kreis.
Robert Parker: „…Realm Cellars boasts an impressive team of highly motivated men and women led by Juan Mercado and
winemaker Benoit Touquette. The consulting winemaker is Michel Rolland. Realm accesses some outstanding vineyard sources,
particularly those owned by the omnipresent, bigger-than-life force of Napa Valley, Andy Beckstoffer. Fate was not kind to Realm
in the beginning with their first vintage, 2003, completely destroyed by a fire in a Vallejo warehouse where it was being stored.
But Juan Mercado, a former medic in the first Gulf war, and someone who learned his trade from the likes of Thomas Rivers
Brown, Michel Rolland, John Kongsgaard and Les Behrens, stuck with it, and is now producing incredible wines. These 2012s
represent the finest efforts Realm has produced to date. The heart of the Realm philosophy is to access some of Napa Valley’s
finest vineyards and put together either single-vineyard bottlings or creative proprietary blends. All of these 2012s were outrageously delicious, and I can’t recommend them highly enough.
2012 Realm The Tempest Napa Valley
Robert Parker (96): „…The 2012 Proprietary Red Blend The Tempest (55% Merlot from the Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard,
22% Cabernet Franc from the Kenefick Vineyard, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon from Farella Vineyard and 5% Petit Verdot from the
Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard) possesses a complex bouquet of licorice, barbecue smoke, incense, blueberries and black cherries infused with mocha and a whiff of freshly brewed coffee. With a beautiful texture, superb intensity, and an opulent, ful l-bodied
style, it is a dramatic and ostentatious 2012 to drink over the next decade or more.
Michael Grimm (19) „…intensive, komplexe Frucht, blaubeerig, sehr schöne floreale Töne, Mandeln, Marzipan, sehr elegant, lang, ganz feines Finish“
2012 Realm Cabernet Sauvignon Farella Vineyard
Robert Parker (96+): „…The single-vineyard 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Farella Vineyard comes from a hillside, cool-climate
site in the Coombsville AVA in the eastern Vaca Mountains. In the past, much of this fruit went into early vintages of Opus One.
This is a tannic, opulent, backward, primary effort displaying an inky/purple color along with notes of incense, camphor, toast and
abundant black fruits. Full-bodied, dramatic, slightly tannic and structured, this masculine-styled 2012 will benefit from several
years in the cellar, and should drink well for two decades. A true first-growth vineyard is the Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard,
which is located in the heart of St. Helena just off Route 29. The vineyard is planted primarily with Cabernet Sauvignon and two
small parcels of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. For whatever reason, anyone who gets fruit off this vineyard tends to make
wines that hit every sweet spot on the palate.
Michael Grimm (19+): „…Extrem komplexe Nase, Mandeln, zermahlene Kirschkernaromen, Bleistifttöne,
mineralisch, extrem komplex auch am Gaumen + Power, schwarzbeerig, süße Früchte im Finish, viel Charme
und Schmelz“
2012 Realm Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard
Robert Parker (97+): „…The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon
Beckstoffer To Kalon emerges from another first-growth
vineyard that was acquired by Andy Beckstoffer in 1993, and
planted with multiple clones of Cabernet Sauvignon and a
small amount of Cabernet Franc. The original vineyard was
planted in 1868, but the present one consists of nearly 90
acres. The 2012 reveals incredible complexity and density
with notes of Christmas fruitcake, baking spices, licorice,
crème de cassis and forest floor. Full-bodied with the vintage’s opulence and drama, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
was fashioned from Clones 4 and 337. It should age effortlessly for 25-30 years.
Michael Grimm (18,5-19): „…Feine vegetale Töne,
aber auch viel Frucht, komplex, kühl, Bitterschoko,
wieder sehr komplex am Gaumen, noch etwas
kantig.
11631
7786
3414
6686
5230
9956
10222
2014
2012
2012
2013
2012
2013
2013
Sauvignon Blanc "Farella Vineyard"
CIRQ Treehouse Vineyard Pinot Noir
Tempest - Merlot based Blend - 96 Parker
Tempest - Merlot based Blend
Cabernet Sauvignon – Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard – 100 Parker
Cabernet Sauvignon – Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard - 98+ Parker
Cabernet Sauvignon based Blend – BARD - 100 Parker
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
133,61
74,79
74,79
108,40
284,87
284,87
214,29
159,00
89,00
89,00
129,00
339,00
339,00
225,00
Lail Vineyards, Napa Valley
Im Frühjahr importierten wir unsere erste Allokation Lail Vineyard. Einer der Weine hatte 100 Punkte bei
Parker erhalten und etliche Kunden fragten bei mir nach Lail an. Sich nach einer solchen Bewertung jedoch beim Weingut um eine Zuteilung zu bewerben, ist aussichtslos. Trotzdem haben wir auch vom J.
Daniel Cuvee (100 Punkte) 24 Flaschen erhalten. Sie werden sich fragen, wie hat er das nun wieder geschafft. Ehrlich? Gar nicht ich alleine. Maximilian Wilm, Sommelier im Seaven Seas in Hamburg (2 Michelin Sterne), hatte sich schon vor mir nach einer Zuteilung Lail bemüht. Aber Maximilian war mehr am
Sauvignon Blanc und dem Blue Print Cabernet interessiert. Weingüter sind immer scharf darauf, auf die
Weinkaten von Michelin Restaurants zu kommen. Lail suchte nun nach einem Importeur in Deutschland mit bester Reputation in Kalifornien und Deutschland und kam in dem Moment auf uns zu, als
ich meine Anfrage wegen einer Allokation an Lail richtete. Die Weine waren, bis auf wenige Restflaschen, schnell vergriffen. Und nachdem ich die Weine schon nach der Ankunft in unserem Lager
verkostete, war mir schnell klar, dass ich Lail weiterführen wollte. Also vereinbarte ich einen Termin
während meiner diesjährigen Kalifornienreise. Und nun ist mir auch klar, warum ich die weiterführen
will.
Lail Vineyards wurde vor 20 Jahren von
Robin Lail gegründet. Robin ist nach aussen kein A-Promi unter den winemakern
und sicher den wenigsten Winliebhabern
bekannt. Aber schaut man sich die Geschichte von heute bedeutenden Weingütern wie Dominus, Inglenook, Merryvale,
Harlan…etc an, so waren es Robin und vor
allem ihr Vater John Daniels jr, die hier
eine wichtige Rolle im Aufbau spielten.
John erbte Inglennook von seinem Onkel und sein Erfolg brachte nicht nur dieses Weingut and
die Spitze des Tals, sondern gleich das Napa Valley auf die
Karte der weltbesten Weinregionen. Zusammen mit ihrer
Schwester und Christian Moueix gründete sie Dominus
Estate (Bild links). Heute eines der besten Weingüter im
Napa Valley und eines meiner „favorites“. Zusammen mit
Bob Harlan gründete sie Merryvale und war General Manager im Meadowood Resort (1 Michelin Stern). Viele Jahre war sie die persönliche Assistentin von Robert Mondavi.
Soll ich weitermachen? Die Liste ist noch lang.
Mit all der Erfahrung und dem family backgrund kam Anfang der 90er Jahre die Idee auf, einen eigenen großen
Wein zu machen. Sie gründete Lail Vineyards und brachte
mit dem 95er den ersten Jahrgang auf den Markt. Sie sicherte sich Philippe Melka als winemaker von Beginn an.
Und Philippe ist es noch heute, der für die Qualität verantwortlich zeichnet. Robert Parker ernannte ihn im
Food&Wine Magazin zum American Winemaker of the
Year.
Der Blueprint Sauvignon Blanc soll ein im Stile eines
Sancerre interpretierter Wein sein. Mit einem nur 3 monatigen Kontakt zum Holz und dem anschließenden weiteren Ausbau im Stahltank erinnert er mich aber mehr an einen
weniger Barrique betonten Graves oder Péssac wie Malartic Lagraviere oder Olivier. In jedem Fall ein toller Sauvignon Blanc.
Der Sauvignon Blanc Giorgia ist sicher der erstaunlichste Sauvignon Blanc, den ich je aus Kalifornien getrunken
habe. Philippe arbeitete lange Jahre in Bordeaux. Unter anderem auf Petrus und Haut Brion. Cabernet und Merlot
waren seine täglichen Begleiter. Seine große Liebe galt jedoch dem Haut Brion Blanc. Einen Wein mit dieser
EXPRESSION wollte er im Napa Valley erzeugen. Eine heftige Debatte zwischen Robin und Philippe entstand. Am
Ende ließ Robin Philippe gewähren und das Ergebnis gab ihm Recht. Vergärung im Barrique, Batonage mit langer
Lagerung auf der Hefe und ein 30 monatiger Ausbau im Barrique formen einen ganz großen Sauvignon Blanc. Die
Trauben für den Giorgia stammen aus dem kleinen Dreieck
am Ausgang von Yountville Richtung Oakville. Der Weinberg hat den Namen Totem Vineyard, da hier einst ein
solch indianischer Stamm stand. Der Weinberg war ursprünglich Teil von Inglenook
Die Trauben für die Cabernets stammen aus einem kleinen
Weinberg ganz oben in den Howell Mountains.
Zusammen mit Michael Updegraff, dem General Manager
von Lail, verkostete ich die aktuellen Jahrgänge und kämpfte um eine weitere Zuteilung.
4305
1604
2014
2014
Blue Print Sauvignon Blanc
Blue Print Sauvignon Blanc
0,375
0,75
19,92
32,77
23,70
39,00
Michael Grimm (18+-18,5): “…knackige, tolle Frucht, keine laute Sauvignon Blanc-Nase, Balance, Struktur,
sehr schöne Säure, nur “Kiss Of Wood”
Georgia Sauvignon Blanc – 94 Parker
0,75
82,35
98,00
Georgia Sauvignon Blanc
0,75
82,35
98,00
Parker (92-94): “…The 2013 Sauvignon Blanc Georgia, which was made identically to the 2012, shows lots of fig, caramelized
melons, orange blossom and lemon oil in a medium to full-bodied, rich and elegant style with terrific, purity and acidity, with
amazing minerality and depth. It should turn out to be spectacular“
3112
3528
2012
2013
Michael Grimm (18,5-19+): “…die Trauben stamen aus dem nur 1,2 Hektar kleinen Weingarten Toem Estate
Vinyard. Sehr komplexe, tolle Nase, sehr feine Holznoten, Vanille, sehr komplex, feine Süße, sehr gute Säure,
sehr langes Finale. 18 Monate Barrique, Nur 600 6er Kisten warden erzeugt”
Blue Print Cabernet Sauvignon – 92-94 Parker
0,375
32,77
39,00
Blue Print Cabernet Sauvignon – 92-94 Parker
0,75
57,98
69,00
Parker (92-94): “…The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Blueprint with similar vineyard sources is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The
wine is dense, opaque purple color, exhibits a note of meaty, crème de cassis fruit mixed with a hint of background oak, licorice
and forest floor. This is a terrific wine, ripe and generously endowed, but with that great purity and precision that this vintage
showcases“
10766
5635
2013
2013
Michael Grimm (18,5+): “…vollreif+, schwarzbeerig, dunkle Kirschen, Brombeeren, dahiner sehr schöne
Cassis, sehr gute Säure, lang am Gaumen, grioße Finesse und Balance”
J. Daniel Cuvée – 99 Parker
0,375
91,60
109,00
J. Daniel Cuvée – 99 Parker
0,75
192,43
229,00
J. Daniel Cuvée – 100 Parker
0,375
98,32
117,00
Robert Parker (100): „…Absolutely perfect and one of the monumental wines of my long tasting trip in Napa is the 2012
Cabernet Sauvignon J. Daniel Cuvée. I didn’t see this from barrel last year. Aged 20 months in 75% new French oak and representing 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from three vineyard sources: one in Calistoga, one in Oakville and one in Howell Mountain.
6633
5995
10873
2013
2013
2012
Robin Lail and winemaker Philippe Melka hit pay dirt with a wine that has an inky purple color, an almost amazing bouquet that
reminded me of 1989 Chateau Montrose when it was young. Sweet almost truffle-infused earth, graphite, forest floor, blackcurrant and black cherry notes are followed by a full-bodied wine with a hint of mocha and licorice. Superb purity, an incremental,
yet full-bodied mouthfeel, and an extravagant, layered texture and finish make for the finest wine Robin Lail has produced to date
at her winery. Drink it over the next 25-35 years.
Michael Grimm (19,5+): “…Extrem komplexe Frucht, schwarzbeerig,
Mandeln, Vanille, Marziopan, Süße und Power und Finesse und
Blance, alles perfekt, sehr lang. 97% Cabernet Sauvignon und 3%
Petit Verdot, 6.000 Flaschen”
The Lail Family can trace their wine history back five generations to 1879, when
their great-granduncle Gustave Niebaum founded none other than the iconic
Inglenook Vineyards. Robin Lail, who is essentially the force and face of Lail
Vineyards, was also a co-partner of Dominus with Christian Moueix until he
purchased her interest. They produce four wines, Blue print Sauvignon Blanc, a
Cabernet Sauvignon and their flagship wines, Georgia Sauvignon Blanc and J. Daniel cuvée of Cabernet Sauvignon. This winery,
with winemaking consultant Philippe Melka, continues to have the Midas touch“
Sebastiani, Sonoma Valley
10044
2010
Cabernet Sauvignon
0,75
15,04
17,90
Parker (91): “…The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley comes primarily from alluvial terroirs in the northern part of
Alexander Valley. It exhibits an opaque purple color along with gorgeous layers of black currant and black cherry fruit intermixed
with hints of licorice, subtle oak and forest floor. Full-bodied, rich and impressive, this supple, voluptuously textured Cabernet
Sauvignon can be drunk now and over the next 15+ years.
7568
2010
Merlot
0,75
14,20
16,90
7494
2010
Zinfandel
0,75
14,20
16,90
1716
2012
Chardonnay
0,75
12,52
14,90
Blue Rock - Alexander Valley (Sonoma County)
Blue Rock liegt im hintersten
Winkel des Sonoma County im
Alexander Valley. Dieses Tal liegt
zwischen Healdsburg und Cloverdale. Francis Ford Coppola,
Jordan, Verité oder Silver Oak
sind Weingüter, welche zur
Spitze des kalifornischen Weinbaus zählen und welche ebenfalls
in diesem Tal ihre Heimat haben.
Wie entdeckt man so ein Weingut ? Schwer zu finden. Ich war
dort. Ich weiß, wovon ich
spreche. Also per Zufall somit
nicht. Laufkundschaft gibt es auf
Blue Rock auch nicht. Ein Tipp
und die Verkostung der Musterflaschen brachte die erste Palette
Blue Rock in meinen Keller. In
den letzten Wochen und Monaten
haben wir immer wieder und mit
wachsender Begeisterung eine
Flasche Blue Rock oder Baby
Blue geöffnet und es war klar,
dass wir Blue Rock in diesem Jahr auf alle Fälle besuchen wollten.
Kenny « …Blue Rock was first settled by poor Italian immigrants who were drawn to work at the Italian Swiss Colony
Winery down the road. Fortunately, they brought with them olive trees, vine cuttings, and knowledge of grape
growing.
The stone house, winery and vineyards were built around 1880 and once housed a winery known as Villa Maria.
However, prohibition brought an end to the winery and vineyards until the rebirth of the American wine industry in the
late 1970's.
Blue Rock was reborn in 1987 when the rundown property was
purchased by Cheryl and Kenny Kahn. The vineyard was replanted to the 5 Bordeaux varietals plus a small hillside of Syrah. The Estate consists of 100 acres and the original house,
gardens and stone winery have all been rebuilt with a respect for
the unique history. We will produce only small quantities of luxurious red wines that express their sense of place. Blue Rock,
therefore, will always make wine from grapes grown exclusively
on the 100 acre Estate in Sonoma, Alexander Valley. We believe that small is beautiful. In our experience, the finest, most individually expressive wines come from small places.
We believe that place is paramount, "...a memorable wine is as much a map as a taste. A place where man and plant
and planet meet. A kind of liquid geography..." Blue Rock will always come from the blue rocks, pebbles and boulders
that make this hillside property so unique and special.
Blue Rock is located in the Alexander Valley next door to Silver Oak Winery. The hillside vineyard, consisting of 46
acres, was replanted in 1982 to the 5 Bordeaux varietals. In 1993, an additional 3 acres of Beaucastle-clone Syrah
were planted in the hills. The ancient olive trees are beautiful and still produce tiny amounts of organic oil.
Bordeaux varietals are adaptable to many soil and climate conditions but develop great character and longevity in
relatively few locations. Blue Rock is blessed with cool mornings and warm days that make it one of those special
places where Bordeaux varietals develop clarity and finesse. The vineyard elevation is between 300 and 600 feet
above the valley floor. As a result, the soils are shallow, generally no more than 18 inches deep, before the roots hit a
layer of clay and serpentine rock. The vines are small and densley planted producing yields that average a modest
2.5 tons per acre. Further complexity is derived from the multiplicity of root stocks and clones. We respect the soil
knowing that the vineyard is the foundation of our legacy. We pursue a sensitive, low-input cultivation policy that is
reliant upon compost and natural amendments rather than chemical fertilizers. Every farming practice is tempered by
the specific requirements of Blue Rock's varied microclimates and the knowledge that comes from a historical relationship with every vine. We do not make wine, we raise it. We employ the same small crew year after year in order
to build a relationship with each vine. We all know that our future depends on creating finer wines with every passing
vintage. Achieving increasingly higher quality is our only goal.
We changed from a chemically dependent monoculture of grapes and only grapes to a holistic, diversified Estate that
is now home to wildlife, gardens, goats, and olives. The garden is a sanctuary for good insects that go out into the
surrounding vineyard and eat the bad bugs reducing our dependency on chemical sprays as a result. We farm this
way because we are convinced that the vineyard will both be more expressive of its terroir (soil, climate, aspect) and
produce better tasting wines. »
8704
8049
4920
2756
4399
2012
2009
2010
2007
2009
Baby Blue
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon Best Barrel
Cabernet Sauvignon Best Barrel
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
21,76
33,53
32,77
66,39
66,39
25,90
39,90
39,00
79,00
79,00
0,75
0,75
57,98
57,98
69,00
69,00

Kenny & Cheryl hatten uns zum Lunch eingeladen.
Toll. Pizza. Selbstgemacht. Natürlich. OK, wo sind
die Zustaten? « …geht mal raus in den Garten und
erntet ! Hündin Leica ist zwar auf dem Bild, war
aber keine Hilfe. Beste Pizza ever.
ACAIBO, Sonoma Coast
3522
6399
2012
2013
ACAIBO
ACAIBO
Sie kennen meine Vorliebe für Kalifornische Weine mit französischem Esprit. Fushion im Weinbau. Wenn sich die
„Sprösslinge“ zwei der bedeutendsten bordelaiser Familien, Lurton und Merlaut/Villars, zusammentun, um ihr Können
auch in kalifornien anzuwenden, kann es nur gut werden. Oder? Das Ehepaar Claire und Gonzague Lurton erzeugen in
Bordeaux große Weine auf Durfort-Vivens, Ferriere, Haut-Bages-Liberal, la Gurgue und Domeyne. Sie haben vielleicht
einige Jahrgänge dieser Châteaux im Keller? Glückwunsch. Aber dann sollten Sie auch unbedingt ACAIBO verkosten.
Mehr Infos folgen.
Kistler, Sonoma Coast
2634
7871
5667
2010
2012
2013
Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
0,75
0,75
0,75
66,39
66,39
66,39
79,00
79,00
79,00
Vérité (Sonoma County)
"When my wife and I moved
to Sonoma County in 1998,
we knew we had come
home. Here was a place
where we could craft pure,
mountain vineyard expressions, wines that would
reflect the region's diverse
micro-crus with integrity.
Vérité, tucked into the rolling hills of Chalk Hill, is the
perfect spot for a vigneron
— one who seeks, through
wine, to give voice to the
truth of the soil."
– Pierre Seillan
When Pierre Seillan accepted Jess Jackson's invitation to come to Sonoma County more than a decade ago, he was
inspired by the region's exceptional terroir. "Jess said he wanted to make a Merlot as good as Petrus," says Pierre,
"and I took one look at Sonoma County soils and said, 'Why not better?' Every hillside, every elevation and aspect
offers us a different micro-cru, and the pure expression of these unique sites has from the beginning defined our
winemaking philosophy."
Now at home here following that fateful conversation, Pierre likes to say that the warm people of Sonoma remind him
of Gascony in southwestern France, where he was raised and tended vines from an early age, while the land offers
soils and climates reminiscent of Bordeaux, where he has made award-winning wines for decades.
Pierre first began working with Cabernet Franc and Merlot more than four decades ago at his family's estate in Armagnac, later moving on to Château de Targé in the Saumur-Champigny AOC of the Loire Valley. And while Pierre
enjoyed the Loire, Bordeaux beckoned, and he then spent two decades as Technical Director and Winemaker for
seven Bordeaux châteaux in Lalande de Pomerol, St. Emilion, St. Estèphe, Haut-Médoc, Premières Côtes de Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur.
The 2011 vintage is Pierre's fourteenth harvest at Vérité. Guided by his micro-cru philosophy — the conviction that
wine should honor its vineyard soils with beautiful transparency — he applies his wealth of experience to create pure
Sonoma expressions of traditional Bordeaux varieties. Since their first releases, critics have consistently placed Vérité wines among the finest selections from the most established Bordeaux chateaux.
At Vérité, we're dedicated to crafting Bordeaux-inspired blends that stand among the world's finest — and that express our Sonoma County terroir with beautiful transparency. To this end, Vigneron Pierre Seillan works closely with
our vineyard managers throughout the year, following the fruit from bud break to crush in order to intimately understand its personality and potential to contribute to our three wines.
No expense is spared in ensuring we allow our terroir to transmit its full potential: Lots are first vinified by micro-cru
— or "vineyards within vineyards" — then transferred to barrels to settle and begin maturation. As the wine evolves,
Pierre tastes each lot individually over a period of months and ultimately decides where it's destined to go — into La
Muse, La Joie or Le Désir. Once Pierre
creates the final blend for each wine, he
returns the finished wines to barrels to
further integrate and develop in our winery.
In keeping with the quality and aging potential of our wines, each spends between
15-18 months in new French oak barrels —
which soften and lend depth to the wine
without contributing excessively strong
flavors. Pierre likes to say that oak in wine
"should be like a ghost — you sense its
presence, but you don't actually perceive
it." In a word: it allows our terroir to speak
with outstanding clarity. It also lends our
wines impeccable balance and texture upon release, along
with the potential to gain still more complexity in the cellar for
decades to come.
From river benches to rugged peaks, the dramatic landscape
of Sonoma County is teeming with geographical diversity. This
diversity is mirrored in our estate vineyards, where soils, aspects and microclimates in our mountain and hillside vineyards
vary dramatically from block to block, creating what we like to
think of as small vineyards within vineyards. No one alike, we
call these special places micro-crus, and they are the heart
and soul of our terroir philosophy at Vérité. Everything we do
here — from the vineyard to the bottle — we do with the goal
of allowing these micro-crus to transmit the message, or truth,
of our soil here in Sonoma County.
Our vigneron, Pierre Seillan, understands this better than
anyone else. Each year he carefully selects fruit from microcrus within our premier Mayacamas Mountains vineyards that
are destined to create the singular styles of our three Vérité
wines: La Muse, La Joie and Le Désir. This intimate involvement with micro-cru selection is why Pierre prefers the
term vigneron to winemaker — because vigneron not only
encompasses decisions made in the cellar, but also those
made in the vineyard throughout the year, where the true character of our wines originates.
2004 Le Desir (siehe Bild mit dem spicy Tunatartar)
Michael Grimm (19,5+): „…unglaublich komplexe
Nase, feine Cassis, Trüffeln, Schoko, dicht aber
nicht konzentriert, sehr balanciert, ewig lang im
Nachhall, Potential für viele weitere Jahre, zählt
ohne Zweifel zu den besten 2004ern aus Kaliforniern, die ich bisher getrunken habe. Waren
nicht wenige“
Robert Parker : “…With Bordeaux winemaker Pierre Seillan in charge, owner Jess Jackson has clearly positioned Verite as
one of the two or three flagship wines in his impressive empire. These cuvees represent California versions of Bordeaux appellations, with the Merlot-dominated La Muse very Pomerol-like, the Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated La Joie a hypothetical California
version of a Medoc, and the St.-Emilion look-alike, the Merlot and Cabernet Franc blend, Le Desir. These wines are fashioned
from the finest Sonoma vineyard sites owned by Jackson, and are meant for long-term aging. In 2007, the Bordeaux varietals
(Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot) grown in California’s North Coast exhibit sweet tannins as well
as superb fragrance and purity. Yet, Verite’s wines are among the more structured, dense, and powerfully backward of the vintage.“
10678
8197
2724
2606
11254
3151
2606
2643
10004
3399
11118
10260
2064
1723
4909
3753
12357
9958
8309
4572
2002
2003
2004
2005
2007
2008
2010
2010
2010
2010
2012
2012
2012
1998
2004
2005
2007
2008
2010
2010
La Joie - Cabernet Sauvignon dominant
La Joie - Cabernet Sauvignon dominant
La Joie - Cabernet Sauvignon dominant
La Joie - Cabernet Sauvignon dominant
La Joie - Cabernet Sauvignon dominant
La Joie - Cabernet Sauvignon dominant
La Joie - Cabernet Sauvignon dominant
La Joie - Cabernet Sauvignon dominant
La Joie - Cabernet Sauvignon dominant
La Joie - Cabernet Sauvignon dominant
La Joie - Cabernet Sauvignon dominant
La Joie - Cabernet Sauvignon dominant
La Joie - Cabernet Sauvignon dominant
La Muse – Merlot based – 98 Parker
La Muse – Merlot based – 98 Parker
La Muse – Merlot based – 98 Parker
La Muse – Merlot based – 100 Parker
La Muse – Merlot based – 100 Parker
La Muse – Merlot based
La Muse – Merlot based
- 98 Parker
- 99 Parker
- 100 Parker
- 100 Parker
- 99 Parker
- 100 Parker
- 100 Parker
- 100 Parker
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
1,5
3,0
5,0
0,75
1,5
3,0
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
3,0
394,12
166,39
385,00
357,14
377,31
377,31
334,45
651,26
1302,50
2516,81
357,14
798,32
2983,20
133,61
385,71
357,14
394,12
368,91
334,45
1302,50
469,00
198,00
459,00
425,00
449,00
449,00
398,00
775,00
1550,00
2995,00
425,00
950,00
3550,00
159,00
459,00
425,00
469,00
439,00
398,00
1550,00
4242
8264
10271
10829
11025
4401
1302
7604
8900
10680
4443
5282
9301
2689
4043
1872
10272
11648
2010
2012
2012
2012
2012
2003
2004
2005
2007
2008
2010
2010
2010
2010
2012
2012
2012
2012
La Muse – Merlot based
La Muse – Merlot based – 97 Parker
La Muse – Merlot based – 97 Parker
La Muse – Merlot based – 97 Parker
La Muse – Merlot based – 97 Parker
Le Désir - Cabernet Franc-Merlot Blend
Le Désir - Cabernet Franc-Merlot Blend
Le Désir - Cabernet Franc-Merlot Blend
Le Désir - Cabernet Franc-Merlot Blend
Le Désir - Cabernet Franc-Merlot Blend
Le Désir - Cabernet Franc-Merlot Blend
Le Désir - Cabernet Franc-Merlot Blend
Le Désir - Cabernet Franc-Merlot Blend
Le Désir - Cabernet Franc-Merlot Blend
Le Désir - Cabernet Franc-Merlot Blend
Le Désir - Cabernet Franc-Merlot Blend
Le Désir - Cabernet Franc-Merlot Blend
Le Désir - Cabernet Franc-Merlot Blend
3708
2005
Sortiment je 2 x Le Désir – La Muse & La Joie
- 98 Parker
- 100 Parker
- 100 Parker
- 100 Parker
- 100 Parker
- 100 Parker
- 100 Parker
- 100 Parker
5,0
0,75
1,5
3,0
5,0
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
1,5
3,0
5,0
0,75
1,5
3,0
5,0
2516,81
357,14
718,49
1592,44
2768,91
250,47
385,71
357,14
377,31
385,71
334,45
651,26
1302,50
2516,81
357,14
798,32
1676,47
2983,20
2995,00
425,00
855,00
1895,00
3295,00
298,00
459,00
425,00
449,00
459,00
398,00
775,00
1550,00
2995,00
425,00
950,00
1995,00
3550,00
6x0,75
2006,72 2388,00
Keller Estate – Sonoma County
Keller Estate is a true
Estate: from vine to
bottle, everything is
done at our property.
Over 25 years ago,
Arturo Keller and his
wife Deborah were driving the meandering
Sonoma roads in a
vintage car when they
discovered a beautiful
property
overlooking
the Petaluma Valley in
Sonoma County. Located just 45 minutes from
San Francisco and
boasting unique growing conditions, they
knew that this was the
place to plant their
vineyards. Soon after, Ana Keller joined in the idea of creating a magnificent family winery in Petaluma, and together
they embarked on the mission of producing the most expressive and elegant wines from the property.
In 1989, the first Chardonnay vineyard was planted in what has become known as our La Cruz vineyard. Our first
vintage was sold to Rombauer, who rapidly became excited with the potential of the site. By 1999, a few acres of
Pinot Noir had been planted, and we knew we had the potential to make some very interesting wines. The Keller Estate label became a reality in 2000. Soon after, the family in collaboration with the prestigious firm of Legorreta+Legorreta, designed and built our artistic and dramatic winery.
The terroir at Keller Estate is defined by an area known as the Petaluma Gap, which is subject to two major maritime
influences. The San Pablo Bay lies immediately to the south, while to the northwest is an opening in the coastal hills
which allows masses of fog from the coast to flow freely towards the Petaluma Valley. This geographical signature is
unique and creates a cool and long growing season for our vineyards. Keller Estate's Pinot Noir grows particularly
beautiful in these foggy conditions.
Today Keller Estate has some of the oldest vineyards in the area and a thorough knowledge of its potential as one of
the finest winery Estates in Northern California. Our limited production of sustainably grown Chardonnay, Pinot Noir,
Pinot Gris and Syrah continue to reach new levels of elegance and finesse
8478
6076
4344
2009
2009
2010
Chardonnay – Keller Estate
Chardonnay “Oro de Plata”
Chardonnay “La Cruz Vineyard”
0,375
0,75
0,75
13,36
19,92
25,13
15,90
23,70
29,90
5813
6352
9969
6131
2009
2010
2009
2010
Casa de la Cruz Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir "La Cruz Vineyard"
Syrah “La Cruz Vineyard”
Rôtie
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
16,72
31,51
25,13
37,73
19,90
37,50
29,90
44,90
WineSpectator (92): “…A stylish Rhône-style blend, offering classy aromas and flavors, with roasted dark berry, hot
brick, gravelly earth, spice, dried herb, leather and tobacco notes. The finish sails on, picking up game and roasted
herb nuances, ending with firm, fine-grained tannins. Syrah and Viognier. Drink now through 2022. 429 cases”.
The winemaking philosophy at Keller Estate is simple: we respect the terroir that is characteristic of our vineyard
estate. Our winemaking at this Petaluma Gap winery ensures that we minimize handling and manipulation to preserve the quality and thus produce wines of the highest distinction. Keller Estate’s winemaker spends considerable
time in the vineyard, following, learning and understanding the strength of each block and giving input as to ways to
improve quality. The most important decision comes from tasting the ripening fruit and determining the optimal time
to harvest.
Since the planting of our first vineyards in 1989, we have pursued a blueprint of clonal, or grape sub-variety, diversity
based on the altitude, orientation and soil composition of each vineyard block, determining the ideal site for each
individual clone. The clonal diversity gives us the textures, flavors and aromas with which to build complexity into the
wines. With these elements Alberto Rodriguez is able to craft wines of complexity, richness and elegance. Together
with Ana Keller, they work closely at determining the blends for each wine so that each Keller Estate wine has the
family imprint.
The state-of-the-art winery at Keller Estate contains several gravity flow features that allow us to be gentle to the
wine: two tanks on hydraulic lifts which raise and lower as needed. Our bottling tanks are located on an elevated tank
pad which allows us to fill barrels smoothly. Using gravity to transfer wine is much gentler than traditional pumps and
preserves the quality of the wine.
Yet with all the technology available to winemakers today, we’ve learned that the most important task -- and sometimes the most difficult one – is to do nothing. Nothing but respect the fruit, the vineyard and the wines themselves.
At Keller Estate, we place a high value on creating elegant wines exemplifying the elements of our terroir. We are
committed to our land and to taking part in sustainable practices.
Our expansive property allows us to select the ideal growing area for each clone, a sub-variety of grape type. Each
clone has unique characteristics; some have more color and tannins, while others have more fruit flavor or aromatics.
One analogy likens them to colors on the artist’s palette; the more hues and shades, the greater the depth and complexity.
Ridge Vineyards – Santa Cruz
6846
6694
2012
2014
Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Bello
Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Bello
en primeur
0,75
0,75
142,02
116,81
169,00
139,00
Stolpman Vineyards - Santa Ynez Valley (C Coast)
Auf Stolpman aufmerksam wurde ich aufgrund der Empfehlung des Sommeliers im Bouchon in Santa Barbara im
Sommer 2010. Leider reichte die Zeit im letzten Jahr nicht mehr aus, Stolpman zu besuchen. Und es war auch gar
nicht einfach, Peter Stolpman davon zu überzeugen, dass er etwas von seiner kleinen Produktion an die BacchusVinothek und Deutschland abtreten sollte. Aber wir haben ihn überzeugt und mittlerweile haben wir schon einen festen Freundeskreis für die Stolpman-Weine. Den Besuch holten wir natürlich dieses Jahr nach.
Peter Stolpman leitet das Weingut, welches ein Vater gründete, um eigentlich Trauben an andere Weingüter and der Central Coast zu verkaufen. Ursprünglich interessierte sich sowohl die Familie Perrin (Beaucastel
und heute auch Tabals Creek in Paso Robles) für das großartige Weinbergsareal im Ballard Canyon (Santa Ynez Valley). Irgendwie hatte aber
Stolpman senior die Nase vorn und die Perrins bezogen Quartier im etwas
nördlicheren Paso Robles. Die große Leidenschaft von Stolpman senior
ist der Côte Rôtie und seine Vision. Nur mit einer Vision lässt sich auch
etwas Großes erreichen. Und so kam bei der Anpflanzung der Weinberge
der Syrah eine besondere Bedeutung zu und diese erhielt die besten Lagen. Daneben werden Grenache und Cinsault angebaut und als Weißweine Sauvignon Blanc und Rousanne (L’Avion).
Nach etlichen Jahren der Erfahrung mit den Weinbergen und den Rebsorten zeigten sich zwei Dinge ganz deutlich.
Mit der aufwändige Arbeitsweise (biologisch-dynamisch/organisch, reine Handarbeit, strenge Selektion bei der Lese,
uvm) ließ sich beim Verkauf der Ernte an andere Weingüter nicht kostendeckend arbeiten. Und was noch bedeutender war, die Qualität des Lesegutes war so hoch, dass andere Weingüter wie Sine Qua Non, Ojai Vineyards, Qupe,
Jaffurs, Kunin, etc. Schlange standen, um vom Stolpman Vineyard etwas zu bekommen. Noch heute gibt es Verträge
mit einzelnen Weingüter, an welche Trauben verkauft werden. Häufig bauen diese die Trauben separat aus und
füllen den Wein zwar unter Ihrem Weingutsnamen aber mit dem Qualitätshinweis „Stolpman Vineyard“ ab. Die Konsequenz aus diesen beiden Punkten lag auf der Hand – Stolpman baut nicht nur an, sondern auch aus und füllt unter
Stolpman auf die Flasche.
Peter Stolpman hat längere Zeit auf italienischen Weingütern gearbeitet und verliebte sich in die Finesse und Eleganz von Nebbiolo und Sangiovese. Und da das Klima im Santa Ynez Valley für den Anbau geeignet war, ergänzen
diese Rebsorten heute das Sortiment.
Die Weinberge verfügen über eine ausgezeichnete Drainage und da Stolpman großteils nicht bewässert, sind die
Reben gezwungen, tief zu wurzeln. Zusammen mit der sehr strengen Weinbergsarbeit erzielen Peter und sein Team
eine sehr kleine Ernte aber mit großartiger Konzentration und Balance. Die Lese findet in den kühlen Nachstunden
statt, um das Maximum an Frische und Frucht zu bewahren. Sämtliche überreifen Beeren (Rosinen) oder unreifen
Beeren werden von Hand aussortiert. Die Gärung findet in 500 bis 2000 kg fassenden Gärbehältern/-fässern statt.
Der Ausbau erfolgt in bis zu 100% neuen Fässern von 300 Liter „Flutes“ bis 500 Liter „Puncheons“.
Sozial und effektiv. 1994 übernahm Ruben Solorzano das Weinbergsmanagement. Schnell
wurde ihm klar, wie bedeutend das sorgfältige
Arbeiten der mexikanischen Weinbergscrew, La
Cuadrilla, für die Qualität der Trauben ist. 2003
übertrug der Crew und deren Familien einen 2
acre großen Block, = cuadra, den sie eigenverantwortlich bewirtschaften mussten. Die Trauben aus dem Block werden auf Stolpman verarbeitet und über die üblichen Kanäle verkauft.
Der Ertrag kommt zu 100% den mexikanischen
Familien zgute. Das Team, die Crew, die Cuadrilla, sind somit daran interessiert, beste Qualität zu erzeugen, um den höchsten Preis zu erzielen. Niemand erklärt ihnen was in ihrem
Weinberg zu tun ist. Aber Weinbergsarbeit ist
ihr täglich Brot. Aber plötzlich führen Sie eine
Anweisung nicht nur nur aus, sondern passen
genau auf, was zu tun ist und was der Weinbergsmanager
damit
erreichen
möchte.
Dadurch profitieren alle davon. Der Wein heißt wie die Crew – La Cuadrilla. Eine meiner Lieblingsweine.
Schon die 2008er Stolpman’s sind großartig und Ausdruck eleganter, feiner Syrah-Impressionen. Aber nun die
2009er!? Wow! Sofort sicherte ich mir eine Allokation. Mal wieder einen guter Riecher gehabt, Grimm! Peter sandte
mir zwei Tage nach meinem Besuch eine mail nach Carmel und schrieb von extrem großer Nachfrage nach dem
2009er. Zwei Tage nach meinem Besuch auf Stolpman wurde der 2009er Jahrgang bei Parker veröffentlicht. 92
Punkte für den „einfachen“ Estate Syrah und 93 für den Syrah Originals.
6217
2009
Sangiovese La Coppa
0,75
14,20
16,90
5842
2009
Syrah Estate Grown- 92 Parker
0,75
19,92
23,70
Superleckere Frucht, süß in der Nase, elegant, tolle Syrah-Nase, Charme, lang; P18+-18,5
Robert Parker (92): “…The 2009 Syrah is a powerful wine endowed with considerable depth. Black fruit, licorice, leather and
tar are some of the notes that wrap around the palate in this intense, muscular Syrah. Sweet floral notes add lift and a measure
of balance on the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022.“
9050
2008
Syrah Originals
0,75
25,13
29,90
5817
2009
Syrah Originals - 93 Parker
0,75
25,13
29,90
Tolle Frucht, intensive Nase, Schoko, Süße, Cassis, rote Grütze, kräftige Tannine, viel Power und Balance, sehr gut; 18,5
Robert Parker (93): “…The 2009 Syrah Originals is cool, inward and beautifully delineated. An open, expressive bouquet leads
to blueberry jam, crushed rocks and violets in this silky, textured Syrah. The finish is long and exceptionally polished. Today the
Original is rather inward and brooding, but it will be a jewel once the tannins start melting away. This is an impressive showing
from Stolpman. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024.
7949
2011
Syrah Originals
0,75
24,37
29,00
11405 2008
Hilltops Syrah
0,75
33,53
39,90
4484
2009
Hilltops Syrah
0,75
33,53
39,90
3499
2009
Angeli Syrah
0,75
41,93
49,90
8658
2010
Angeli Syrah - 95 Tanzer
0,75
41,93
49,90
6760
2011
Angeli Syrah
0,75
41,18
49,00
7511
2009
La Croce
0,75
41,93
49,90
7897
2011
La Croce 50% Sangiovese & 50% Syrah
0,75
41,18
49,00
7348
2009
La Cuadrilla 50% Grenache-50% Syrah
0,75
13,36
15,90
6903
2011
La Cuadrilla 60% Sangiovese 32% Syrah 8% Grenache
0,75
13,36
15,90
2904
2010
Sauvignon Blanc
0,75
15,04
17,90
Sine Qua Non (Santa Barbara - Central Coast)
So sieht das Weingut vom Zaun aus. Also soweit war ich schon.
Aber näher nicht. Wir kaufen sehr viel Sine Qua Non und natürlich
MUSS ich sehen, was da passiert. Und seit Jahren bemühe ich
mich um einen Termin bei Elaine und Manfred Krankl. Aber Nina und ich sind Ende August bzw. Anfang September in Kalifornien
und Manfred nimmt ab Anfang August keinen Besucher an. Egal, wer anklopft. Im letzten Jahr dachte ich mir aber, fahr einfach
mal hin. Wird dir schon nicht die Tür vor der Nase zuschlagen. Hat er auch nicht. Wurde erst gar nicht geöffnet. Aber die Weine
sind halt der Hammer und deshalb führe und empfehle ich diese. Übrigens kauft Manfred auch Trauben von Stolpman, weil
dieser so großartige Syrah hat!! Vielleicht mal bei Pete Stolpman nen „kleinen“ SQN verkosten? Und in kürze werden wir die
Weine von Maggie Harrison aufnehmen. Maggie hat 9 Jahren mit Manfred und Elaine auf SQN gearbietet. Seien Sie gespannt!
10402
8876
1955
8852
7680
10473
4413
2007
2007
2011
2012
2013
2013
2013
Syrah "Labels“
Grenache "Picture“
Dark Blossom Syrah
Syrah "Stock“
Sine Qua Non MAG BOX - 1 MAG Grenache & 1 MAG Syrah“
Syrah
Grenache
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
284,87
339,00
250,42
298,00
250,42
298,00
377,31
449,00
2142,86 2550,00
331,93
395,00
331,93
395,00
Domaine de la Côte & Sandhi (Santa Barbara)
http://sandhiwines.com
http://domainedelacote.com
…Pinot Noir ist eigentlich nicht meine
bevorzugte Rebsorte. Ich würde unsere
Beziehung eher als Hass-Liebe bezeichnen. Alte Burgunder liebe ich. Bestimmte 1er Crus und etliche Grand Crus liebe
ich auch. Aber im für das Burgund „unteren“ Preisbereich bis ca. 35-50 EUR
wird es für mich schwierig, in Euphorie
auszubrechen. Es braucht etwas mehr
an Qualität, um mich zu begeistern.
Unser Sortiment an französischen Burgundersorten ist deshalb auch sehr überschaubar. Für Sie und mich habe ich aber nun „Burgunder“ gefunden, die
mich sehr beeindruckt haben. Pinot Noirs und Chardonnay aus Kalifornien, die auf Finesse und große Balance setzen
und trotzdem Charme, Dichte, Wärme (beim PN) und Frische besitzen….für die bin ich zu haben. Vor Jahren haben
wir deshalb schon Keller Estate aus Sonoma aufgenommen. Aber auf einem Bein ist nicht leicht stehen. Und so war
ich seit ca. 2 Jahren auf der Suche nach einem weiteren, großartigen Erzeuger für Pinot Noir.
Ulrich Sautter (Weinverstand und Falstaff) hatte mich gebeten, ihm einige Überraschungen aus Kalifornien zum
Thema Pinot Noir zu senden. Die mail erreichte mich in Santa Barbara und direkt am Vorabend meines Termins bei
Rajat Parr und Sashi Moorman von Domaine de la Cote und Sandhi-Wines. Sashi ist Oenologe und Kellermeister bei
Stolpman (führen wir seit 8 Jahren) und somit ein alter Bekannter. Rajat Parr ist/war Headsommelier aller Michael
Mina Restaurants und ihn ich traf ich in seinem Stammrestaurant in San Francisco vor einigen Jahren. Während seiner Zeit als Sommelier hat er die roten Burgunder (aus Frankreich) schätzen und vor allem lieben gelernt. Mehrfach
im Jahr besucht er die Hügel und Domainen in der Bourgogne. Große Namen und große Freunde von ihm. Sein Ziel
war es, eines Tages einen Wein in Kalifornien zu erzeugen, welcher die Komplexität, Finesse und Eleganz, gepaart
mit Frucht und Tiefe eines großen Côte de Nuits mit sich bringt.
2010 war es soweit. Zusammen mit Charles Banks, dem
ehemaligen Besitzer von Screaming Eagle, und Sashi
Moorman als Oenologen und winemaker gründete
Rajat Sandhi Wines. Das Ziel: eine kleine, exklusive
Produktion von besten Trauben aus den
Weinbergen der Santa Rita Hills. 2013 konnten Sashi und Rajat dann die Domaine de la
Côte erwerben. Ca. 10 ha, verteilt über 6
beste Cru Lagen.
Nun also traf ich beide in ihrem „Weingut“
in Lompoc und mitten in der Lese. Rajat
war auf dem Sprung zum Flughafen und
auf dem Weg nach Oregon, wo er sein
zweites Projekt, „Seven Springs (Evening
Land)“, betreut. Aber er nahm sich die Zeit und wir fuhren in den steilen Weinberg Santa Rita Hills.
Verkosten wollte ich aber in Ruhe und Rajat und Sashi hatten ohnehin alle Hände voll zu tun. Also
nahm ich etliche Flaschen Chardonnay und Pinot Noir mit ins Hotel und Nina und ich verkosteten die
darauffolgenden Tage. Noch vor Ende der Reise verhandelte ich wegen einer Allokation für Deutschland. War nicht einfach. Die Nachfrage in den USA ist zu groß. Schauen Sie sich die Weinbeschreibungen auf der Homepage von Sandhi und Domaine de la Côte an. Hinter jedem Wein steht – ausverkauft. Eine Flasche Domaine de la Cote nahm ich mit nach Deutschland und schickte Sie Ulrich Sautter. Wie ich selbst, war auch er begeistert und es war für ihn der beste kalifornische Pinot Noir (94
Punkte) in dieser umfangreichen Probe.
Unter dem label „Sandhi-Wines“ erzeugen Sashi und Rajat aber auch große Chardonnay im Stile eines Chassagne
Montrachet. Dem Magazin Weinwirtschaft fehlten im April noch einige Chardonnays aus Kalifornien und so wurde
ich gebeten, einige Empfehlungen zu senden. Ich schickte zwei Weine von Sandhi und einen Keller Estate (91 Punkte). Der Organisator schrieb mir nach der Verkostung eine mail und bat um mehr infos. Solche Chardonnays hätte er
aus Kalifornien überhaupt noch nie verkostet. Das Ergebnis der Probe: drei Weine erhielten die Bestnote von 93
Punkten. Zwei davon waren Sandhi. Die Weinwirtschaft richtet sich vor allem an Fachhändler und Sommeliers. Und
gleich zwei Restaurants mit zusammen 3 Michelin-Sternen sicherten sich ihren Chardonnay bei uns. Es bleibt somit
schon wieder nicht mehr allzu viel übrig. Aber wir werden bald die 2013er importieren. Hier können Sie sich gerne
vormerken lassen.
Rajat Parr: “…Domaine de la Côte is a collection of 6 vineyards planted over 40 acres on the furthest western edge of
the Sta. Rita Hills appellation: Memorious (3.5 acres), Bloom’s
Field (7.5 acres), Siren’s Call (3 acres), Clos Juliet (1 acre), La
Côte (9.5 acres), and 15.5 acres of appellation Sta. Rita Hills.
Dramatically rising to an elevation of 700 feet above the Santa
Ynez River, the Domaine lies on an ancient 25 million year old
siliceous (silex) and diatomaceous seabed 7 miles from the
Pacific Ocean.Originally part of the Evening Land Vineyards
program, the Domaine was purchased by Raj Parr and Sashi
Moorman, along with their partner, at the beginning of 2013.
Sashi Moorman discovered the site and developed the vineyards with Chris King in 2007. Under his direction, the vineyards were planted entirely to California heritage selections at
extremely high vine densities between 4,000 and 7,000 vines per acre, unprecedented at the time for the appellation.
Although the Domaine spans a mere 40 acres, the diversity of its climats is staggering: each vineyard has a unique
geology, aspect, elevation and microclimate. Such distinct expression of site, or terroir, in such close proximity, is
unparalleled in California.
The Domaine organically farms its vineyards and makes its wines with the philosophy of “add nothing; take nothing
away.” All the wines are produced and bottled at the winery in the town of Lompoc in Santa Barbara County, three
miles from the domaine.” “Breathtakingly delicious and captivating.”
-JH, jancisrobinson.com
2012 Chardonnay Sandorf&Benedict
2013 Chardonnay Barbara County
2013 Chardonnay Santa Rita Hills
Sandhi Wines
Sandhi Wines
Sandhi Wines
41,18
29,41
31,09
49,00
35,00
37,00
2012 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills
Domaine de la Côte
32,77
Ganz feine Nase, komplex, Rosen, Beeren, am Gaumen sehr schön, elegant, sehr gute Säure, feine Süße; 18+
39,00
Falstaff : 94: „…Betont frischfruchtig: Sauerkirsche, Heidelbeere, aber auch Tabak und etwas Neuholz. Hohe Verdichtung am Gaumen, spannungsvoller Säurebogen, fleischiges Tannin in gut dosierter Menge, homogene Frischfrucht bis in den Abgang, in den Proportionen sehr nahe an Burgund. Geradezu schmal und dicht, mit Biss. Hält sich
offen über Tage“
Parker (J. Dunnuck - 90-92): „…Incorporating 50% stems, Sashi’s 2012 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills should be
outstanding, as well as a solid value. Showing ripe, yet juicy aromas and flavors of berry fruit, crushed herbs
and spring flowers, it has a solid core of fruit, beautiful purity and terrific finish. As with most 2012s, it should be
approachable on release and drink nicely for 4-6 years.
Galloni (93): „…The 2012 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills wraps around the palate with serious depth and
intensity. Crushed flowers, mint, pine and anise meld into a resonant mid-palate. The 2012 is wonderfully complete, with expressive aromatics and plenty of density to balance some of the more savory,
floral notes. The vineyard sites are Mesa, La Côte, Bloom's Field and Sirens Call, vinified with 50%
whole clusters and aged in neutral oak.“
Sashi Moorman: “…After the difficult 2011 vintage, 2012
was one that played beautifully to the natural attributes of
Domaine de la Côte. Balanced yields and low potential
alcohols with high maturity of the tannins presented few
challenges to the winemaking team. Harvest commenced
in September under cool weather and the grapes were
harvested with bright acidity and beautiful fresh flavors
and aromas. Due to the healthy crop, 2012 was also the
first vintage where we removed the use of sulfur dioxide
from the winemaking at harvest, and as a result we believe we’ve developed more complexity and transparency
in the Domaine’s wines. Preserving and promoting the natural yeasts from the vineyard has become one of the Domaine’s most important goals as we believe that the translation of our terroir is closely linked to work of these unassuming and often under appreciated microorganisms.
The appellation Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir comes predominately from 15 acres of vineyards planted at 200 feet above
sea level in silty-clay loam; 25% of the vines are own-rooted at a vine density of over 4,000 vine/acre. Similar to last
year’s wine, the 2012 is 50% whole bunches with 0% new oak used in the elevage. This wine has a brilliant red color
and is perfumed, balanced and elegant. Currants, pomegranate and elderflowers fill the nose and hints of wild mushrooms and fresh garden herbs appear on the palate. The mouthfeel is round, but focused and finishes with savory
tannins. We believe the wines will have a long life in the bottle if properly cellared and should develop aromas and
flavors of great complexity over the next 5+ years.
2100 cases bottled. 50% stem inclusion. 12.5% alcohol. Neutral oak barrels. Sold out on the Estate.
2013 Pinot Noir
2013 Pinot Memorious
2013 Pinot Noir Bloom’s Field
Lompoc Wine Co
Domaine de la Côte
Domaine de la Côte
24,39
41,93
56,30
29,00
49,90
67,00
Rajat Parr: “…The single vineyard Bloom’s Field is from a 7 1/2 acre parcel of iron laden clay loam over shale that lies
on the western edge of Domaine. Bloom’s Field faces gently to the south but has a clear view west to the Pacific
Ocean and therefore is unprotected from the marine influences of wind and fog. The environmental pressures have a
profound impact on the growth of the vines, the morphology of the clusters and the textures, flavors and aromas of
the wine. These unusually small clusters and berries produce a Pinot Noir of concentration and depth of flavor while
the constant cooling winds preserve high levels of natural acidity that give the wines great energy. Aromas of fresh
crushed rose petals, geraniums and alpine strawberries are matched with flavors of fresh game, cracked green peppercorns and hints of salt and nori. Bloom’s Field is always 100% whole bunches and aged in 0% new oak for 20
months. This wine will live a decade or longer and will continue to gain in complexity and sleekness.500 cases bottled.
100% stem inclusion. 12.5% alcohol. Sold out on the Estate
2013 Pinot La Côte
Domaine de la Côte
66,39
79,00
Rajat Parr: “…The single vineyard La Côte is from a small section of a 9 acre parcel that faces south-east on a steep
slope of broken shale. La Côte lies behind a massive cliff of diatomaceous earth and is protected from the direct influence of the cold marine air from the Pacific ocean. With its south-east exposition the vineyard absorbs the energy
of the morning sun and the exposed shale quickly warms the vines from the night time chill. As a result, La Côte is
the first vineyard that we harvest and always produces our most opulent wine. Aromas of sandalwood, spruce oil and
black plums are followed by flavors of fresh summer cherries, cloves, and hints of orange. Like Bloom’s Field, La
Côte is always fermented with 100% whole bunches and aged in 0% new oak for 20 months. In terms of approachability, La Côte is later to open up than Bloom’s Field and will greatly reward those with patience and cool cellars.
300 cases bottled. 100% stem inclusion. 13.0% alcohol. Sold out on the Estate
Und natürlich war ich auch an den Weinen von Rajat aus Oregon interessiert. Rajat sandte mir Muster und beeindruckte mich erneut. Notizen habe ich verlegt. Werden nachgereicht. Aber ich denke, auch mit den Bewertungen
von WineSpectator lässt sich abschätzen, welche Qualität hier erzeiugt wird. Ein halbes Jahr kämpfte ich um eine
Zuteilung. Und ich bekam sie. Die Weine werden im Moment verschifft und treffen in ca. 6-7 Wochen ein. Im August
werde ich die Weinberge besuchen und Ihnen danach mehr berichten können.
Rajat Parr: “…Historically, Seven Springs Vineyard has produced some of the finest grapes grown in the United States and
was selected as one of the Top 10 Vineyards in America
by Food and Wine Magazine. The Wine Advocate has regarded
it as “one of Oregon’s finest, most consistent vineyards.” Since
acquiring the vineyard in 2007, Seven Springs has become Evening Land's largest. Taking advantage of the unique
and distinctive terroir, the vineyard's potential is explored by
mixing old vines and new plantings, blending disti nct blocks and
experimenting with micro-cuvees that lie on the volcanic soils in
the heart of the Seven Springs hill… At Evening Land, our goal
is to explore great terroir and reflect that greatness in every
bottle that we produce. This begins in the vineyard with a constant stewardship of the land. We strive to make wines that
reflect only the essence of the vineyard – the unique conjunction between a place, nature and time. Nothing is
added; nothing is removed. We practice precision viticulture and let the land express itself. We embrace the
unique character of every vintage. Our wines are created with energy, purity, transparancy and elegance with
insistence on true appreciation of site”
2013 Chardonnay La Source
Seven Springs (Evening Land) - Oregon
57,98
69,00
Seven Springs (Evening Land) - Oregon
74,79
89,00
Seven Springs (Evening Land) - Oregon
32,77
39,00
Wine-Spectator (94): “…”
2012 Chardonnay Summum
Wine-Spectator (95): “…”
2012 Pinot Noir Eola Amity Hills
Wine-Spectator (93): “…Silky, expressive and minerally, this medium-weight red layers its blackberry, black cherry,
tar and river stone flavors and aromatics on an open frame, lingering easily on the polished finish. Drink now through
2022. 770 cases made”
2012 Pinot Noir Seven Springs
Seven Springs (Evening Land)
41,18
49,00
Wine-Spectator (96): “…Sleek and silky, brimming with raspberry, blackberry, pear and licorice flavors that come
together seamlessly on the long, polished finish. This has depth and presence. Drink now through 2022. 3,149 cases
made”
2013 Pinot Noir La Source
Seven Springs (Evening Land)
Tablas Creek, Paso Robles
Tablas Creek Vineyard was founded by the Perrin family of Château de Beaucastel and Robert Haas, longtime importer and
founder of Vineyard Brands. They chose the hilly Las Tablas district of west Paso Robles for its similarities to Châteauneuf du
Pape: limestone soils, a favorable climate, and rugged terrain.
Vines Imported from France
The partners imported the traditional varietals grown on the Perrins' celebrated estate, including Mourvèdre, Grenache Noir, Syrah, and Counoise for reds, and Roussanne, Viognier, Marsanne,
and Grenache Blanc for whites. These imported vines passed a
57,98
69,00
rigorous 3-year USDA testing program, and are propagated and grafted in an on-site nursery. All Tablas Creek wines
are estate grown and organically farmed on our vineyard.
Minimum Intervention in Winemaking
Tablas Creek follows the centuries-old Châteauneuf du Pape tradition of blending chosen varietals, which produces
wines that are more complex, better balanced, and richer than single varietal wines. Each varietal is hand-harvested
when completely ripe and fermented separately. Winemaking, including native yeast fermentation and neutral French
oak barrels, preserves the wines' ties to their soil, climate, and varietal character.
Wines: Esprit de Beaucastel
The signature red Esprit de Beaucastel is a richly intense wine, with aromatics of roasted meats, licorice and currants,
and flavors of ripe cherries, blackberries, leather, earth and spice, held together in a velvety tannic structure. The
signature white Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc is spicy and complex, with aromatics of peaches, pears, honeysuckle and
anise, and flavors of honey, green apple, pear, and licorice, balanced by crisp acidity on the finish
9089
2009
Esprit de Beaucastel RED - 94 Parker
0,75
32,77
39,00
5652
2008
Panoplie – 96 Parker
0,75
57,98
69,00
Robert Parker (96): „…The 2008 Esprit de Beaucastel ‘Panoplie’ flows with the essence of dark plums, black cherries, licorice
and leather. It is bigger, richer and darker than the straight Esprit, with more inner palate sweetness and sheer power. Tar, spices, iron, crushed rocks and a host of other dark aromas and flavors give the Panoplie much of its distinctive brooding, inward
personality. In 2008 the Panoplie is 54% Mourvedre, 29% Grenache and 17% Syrah. This is a fabulous effort from Tablas
Creek.:”
3674
3595
9091
2007
2009
2010
Esprit de Beaucastel WHITE - 93 Parker
Esprit de Beaucastel White
Cotes de Tablas
L’Aventure - Paso Robles -
0,75
0,75
0,75
20,92
22,61
16,72
24,90
26,90
19,90
Rhône Ranger Stephane Asseo
…im Jahr 2006 besuchten wir Stephan Asseo zum ersten Mal. Stephan entstammt einer alten Winzerfamilie aus Bordeaux. Ein Qualitätsfanatiker, dem das
Rebsortenkorsett in Bordeaux zu eng war und der deshalb nach Kalifornien ausgewandert ist, um große Weine zu erzeugen. Geschafft!! Hier in Paso Robles, wo
schon der Name der Weinregion nach Freiheit riecht, hat er Syrah, Grenache,
Cabernet Sauvignon und Franc, Petit Verdot,… einfach alles, was sein Herz begehrt und unseren Gaumen kitzelt.
Seine Weine haben stets die bordelaiser Finesse und Komplexität und jede
Menge Gefolgschaft unter meinen Kunden.
Schon früh kündigte sich an, dass die 2012er von Stephane aussergewöhnlich gut sein werden.
Jeb Dunnock schrieb bei Parker: “….This was another incredible lineup by winemaker Stephan Asseo, and
both his 2012s and 2013s are at the top of the vintage. Looking at the 2012s, this vintage reminds Stephan of
2004, and the wines show incredible purity, as well as blockbuster levels of depth and richness. The tannin
quality here is also off the charts, and this is what puts his 2012s a notch above the 2013s. For the reds, we
started the tasting with 2013s from barrel. At the moment, the 2013s have more obvious tannin structure, yet
they don’t lack for fruit or texture either. It will be interesting to see how these continue to develop in barrel.
Either way, both of these vintages deserve a place in your cellar and it will be thrilling stuff to follow these
wines over the coming decade or longer.“
Schon seit Anfang des Jahres habe ich immer wieder mein Interesse angemeldet und die zwei Agenten genervt, über
die ich beziehen kann/muss. Ende August wurde mir angekündigt, dass die Weine Anfang September zugeteilt
werden würden. Na klar, während meinem Urlaub. Aber günstigerweise war ich vorort, um mir ein eigenes Bild zu
machen. Und so kam es, dass ich am Dienstag hart um meine Allokation kämpfte und auf dem Weg von Marina
nach Santa Barbara einen Einkehrschwung bei Stephan machte, um die 2012er zu verkosten. Mit seine Tochter
Chloe verkosteten wir erst den 2013er Rose. Ich erspare Ihnen meinen großartigen Eindruck, da ich Ihnen den Wein
ohnehin nicht anbieten kann. Es gibt zu wenig. Und anschließend die 2012er. Hier meine Eindrücke.
2012 Optimus
Michael Grimm (18+-18,5): “…Intensive aber nicht parfümierte Nase, Syrah, ganz warme Frucht mit den
Aromen ganz dunkler Früchte, sehr schöne Balance, lang, knackige Früchte im Finish, super.”
Jeb Dunnock (Parker) (94): “…The 2012 Optimus is similarly sexy and polished, with brilliant blackberry, black cherry, licorice, chocolate and charred earth-like aromas and flavors, full-bodied richness and a seamless, forward and hard-to-resist style.
Made from a blend of 53% Syrah, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Petit Verdot, it will dish out loads of pleasure through 2022.“
2012 Cote a Cote
Michael Grimm (18,5-19): “…Châteauneuf-Style, 60% Grenache, wow, extrem vielschichtig und elegant
zugleich, tiefe, komplexe Frucht, ganz schwarzbeerig, konzentriert und balaciert zugleich, Schoko im Finish,
der Hammer”
Jeb Dunnock (Parker) (96): “…The terrific 2012 Cote a Cote is 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah that was
aged in a combination of new and used French oak barrels. Seamless and elegant, with full-bodied richness, it has awesome
notes of kirsch and black raspberry-styled fruits, toasted spice, licorice and roasted meats all emerging from the glass. This
beauty shows the purity of the vintage, and backs that up with rock star concentration, perfect balance and serious length. It will
have over a decade of longevity
2012 Estate Cuvée
Michael Grimm (19+): “…unglaublich komplexe Nase, alles da, Cuvée ähnlich wie
Optimus aber alles noch etwas perfekter,
Kirschen satt, fleischig und sexy, sehr lang,
tolle, warme Cabernet-Aromatik, ganz
groß!”
Jeb Dunnock (Parker) (98): “…Even better, yet
more forward and open, the 2012 Estate Cuvee
checks in as a blend of 57% Syrah, 31% Cabernet
Sauvignon and 12% Petit Verdot. It’s another awesome release form Stephan that possesses thrilling purity in its creme de cassis, licorice, toast,
chocolate, and roasted meat-like aromas and flavors. Full-bodied and seamlessly constructed, with
perfect integration of its fruit, tannin and alcohol,
this beauty can be consumed anytime over the
coming 15 years or so.
Jeb Dunnuck hat für Parker auch die 2010er neu bewertet und seine Bewertungen nach oben korrigiert.
Robert Parker: „… Stephan Asseo is one of the most intriguing characters in the Paso Robles scene. A native of Pomerol, Asseo was attracted
to Paso for its soil, microclimate and, most importantly of all, an opportunity to pursue the American dream with none of the constraints imposed by French regulations. Not surprisingly, Asseo’s wines show a
clear connection to Bordeaux in the use of Cabernet Sauvignon and
Petit Verdot, which are not widely planted in Paso. Most importantly,
though, Asseo is one of the few producers in the area who is obsessed
with the way his wines age, and in this respect a little Old World perspective can only be a good thing for a region just starting to write the
first chapters of its present day history. The 2009s at L’Aventure were
picked starting in September 3, on the early side for this property. The
wines show plenty of radiant fruit and silky, textured personalities that
are the result of a year with even, strong heat but no temperature
spikes. Asseo describes the vintage as ‘very California.’ The reds were
all aged in French oak and were bottled without fining or filtration just prior to my early June visit. The handful of 2010s I tasted from barrel also showed great promise. All of the L’Aventure wines are now made exclusively from estate-owned fruit and the property is in the process of being converted to biodynamic farming.“
L'Aventure
July 29, 2014
Easily one of the reference point producers in California, L'Aventure is run by French transplant (St. Emilion
to be exact) Stephan Asseo, who began making wine in 1982 in Burgundy. He and his family later purchased
Château Fleur Cardinal (St. Emilion) and Château Robin (Côtes de Castillion) in the Bordeaux region, where
he stayed until 1996. Frustrated with the strict AOC regulations, he traveled through numerous wine regions
looking for n ew terroir, and ended up falling in love with the rolling hills and limestone soils on the west
side of Paso Robles, California.
Today, Asseo focuses on a number of blends from
his estate vineyards located just off of Highway 46,
west of the 101. In most vintages, he produces an
entry level Optimus, which is based largely on Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot; a Cuvée
Côte à Côte, which is always a GSM blend; and his
Estate Cuvée, which is a mix of Syrah, Cabernet
Sauvignon and Petit Verdot (Stephan loves Petit
Verdot). In addition, he often releases a straight
Cabernet Sauvignon, a Cuvée Chloe (Syrah/Grenache), and a few other one off releases,
which are sometime bottled only in magnum. He
also produces a smoking rosé and a top-class white
that's based largely on Roussanne.
For this retrospective, we focused on the Côte à Côte and the E state Cuvée, and all of the bottles were
shipped to Colorado, where I was able to follow the wines for multiple days. Even the older releases held up
beautifully to air, and frankly, there were no duds here and they've all aged gracefully. This is just another
example showing that th ese rich, hedonistic wines age just fine. Both cuvées show similar aging curves,
with the wines benefiting from a handful of years in the cellar and then drinking well for a decade, which is
as far as this retrospective went back. In general, the Côte à Côte release will evolve nicely for 15 years after
the vintage (certainly longer depending on your preferences), and the Estate Cuvée will have over two decades of longevity.
Without a doubt, Asseo is one of the Central Coast superstars and the results speak for themselves.
—Jeb Dunnuck
Stephan bohrt sich im ¾ Kreis tief in das Gestein unter einem seiner Weinberge. Voller Stolz zeigte der mir das Projekt.
2826
3487
8045
7241
11980
11981
2009
2010
2012
2013
2007
2009
L'Aventure Optimus
L'Aventure Optimus
L'Aventure Optimus – 94 Parker
L'Aventure Optimus – 93 Parker
L'Aventure Estate Cabernet
L'Aventure Estate Cabernet
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
39,50
39,92
39,50
49,58
49,58
49,58
47,00
47,50
47,00
59,00
59,00
59,00
2972
8496
6287
8468
3250
2009
2012
2013
2013
2013
L'Aventure - Côte a Côte
L'Aventure - Côte a Côte – 96 Parker
L'Aventure – Côte a Côte – 94 Parker
L'Aventure – Estate Cuvee – 97+ Parker
L'Aventure – Cuvée CHLOE
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
0,75
66,39
74,79
82,35
91,60
116,81
79,00
89,00
98,00
109,00
139,00
0,75
0,75
0,75
66,39
57,98
74,79
79,00
69,00
89,00
Quilceda Creek, Washington
5160
3138
8789
2009
2010
2012
Red Wine Columbia Valley
Red Wine Columbia Valley
Red Wine Columbia Valley
Wölffer Estate, Long Island (New York)
Im April des Jahres 2005 besuchte mich ein Jugendfreund und stellte mir
„seine“ Weine vor. Zwischen dem 7. und 14. Lebensjahr sangen Roman
Roth und ich zusammen bei den Rottweiler Münstersängerknaben. Mit
dem Beginn der Ausbildung verloren wir uns allerdings aus den Augen
und schlugen, ohne voneinander zu wissen, denselben Weg ein. Was aus
mir wurde, wissen Sie ja bereits. Romans Weg führte ihn nach der Ausbildung erst nach Australien und anschließend nach Long Island.
Michael Grimm und Rom
Und ich staunte nicht schlecht, als Roman mir mitteilte, dass er seit einigen Jahren Oenologe und technischer Direktor auf Wölffer-Estate, Long
Island, sei. Dass es in beinahe allen amerikanischen Bundesstaaten
Weinbau gibt, war mir bekannt, aber New York? Ich wurde aber hellhörig,
als Roman mir erzählte, dass das Klima auf Long Island starke Ähnlichkeit mit dem von Bordeaux habe und mit Merlot auch die im Bordelais
wichtigste Rebsorte kultiviert wird. Wir verkosteten die Weine, vom „einfachen“ La Ferme Martin bis hin zum Spitzen-Merlot des Hauses – dem
Premier Cru. Christian Wölffer, Kosmopolit, Hamburger und BordeauxLiebhaber, erkannte das Potenzial von Long Island und gründete das
nach ihm benannte Weingut. Er hat ein Gespür für Land und „Leute“, denn er stellte mit Roman Roth einen großartigen Oenologen und Menschen ein.
Long Island war seit frühester Zeit eine Halbinsel der Fischer, vornehmlich der Walfänger. Heute ist es vor allem das Naherholungsgebiet wohlhabender New Yorker. Aber, da kaum touristisch erschlossen, haben sich die vielen kleinen Ortschaften, vornehmlich die Hamptons, ihren ganz besonderen „südenglischen Küstenstädtchen-Charme“ bewahrt. Lange Sandstrände, nette
Restaurants, viele kleine Boutiquen, überaus freundliche Menschen und natürlich der Weinbau sind die Wesenszüge von Long
Island. Das machte neugierig. Ende August 2005 besuchten wir Roman Roth und Wölffer Estate. Die Finesse und Eleganz der
Wölffer Weine waren mit ausschlaggebend, einzigster Importeur in Deutschland für diese Weine zu werden.
6692
7058
6790
2004
2005
2003
Premier Cru
Christian's Cuvée
Merlot
The Grapes of Roth
0,75
0,75
0,75
57,98
57,98
39,92
Die Bruttopreise verstehen sich pro Flasche und inkl. Mehrwertsteuer. Das Angebot ist freibleibend. Zwischenverkauf vorbehalten. Es gelten die üblichen Zahlungs- und Lieferbedingungen (siehe Homepage unter www.bacchus-vinothek.com) .
69,00
69,00
47,50