Dönnhoff - Riesling "Tonschiefer" Trocken (Dry), Nahe, Germany 2020 WA93/JS93 Wine Advocate 93 Points - "Predominantly from the Leistenberg plus first selections of the local crus, the 2020 Riesling Tonschiefer opens enormously pure and stony as well as citric on the earthy nose that is a terrific representative for the clayish slate terroir. Complex and juicy on the palate, this is a tensioned, finely reductive yet very intense and structured dry Riesling with fine phenolic grip and an expressive finish with salty-piquant and phenolic acidity. An impressive wine. 12% alcohol. Tasted at the domain in July 2021." Newsletter Special - $24.99 "Tonschiefer" refers to the grey, carbon-laced decomposed argillaceous slate located primarily in the famed Oberhauser Leistenberg vineyard which this wine is predominately made from. Essentially, this is the dry version of the Oberhäuser Leistenberg. The hill just to the left of the vineyard is called the Lemberg, and with the Leistenberg on the other side, these hillsides form a valley. Cold air from the Hunsrück blows through the area, passing by the Leistenberg making it impossible for botrytis to develop. Further, the exposition is southeast rather than due south like the Hermannshöhle. This means longer ripening and lower potential alc (12%), perfect for Kabinett style wines. This is the original vineyard for the family and holds a very special place. From the Skurnik Portfolio: The estate was started by Helmut Dönnhoff’s grandfather, Hermann, in the 1920s. Helmut took over from his father, Hermann Jr. in 1966; at that time there were only four hectares under vine and still quite a bit of farmland, which was rented out. In 1971, the farmland was sold and Helmut turned his full attention to producing quality wine. Helmut is a very instinctive winemaker with a natural touch that he’s clearly passed on to his son Cornelius, who joined him at the winery 2007. The Dönnhoffs believe in craft and workmanship with the understanding that “winemaking alone cannot bring quality; it can only retain the available quality.” In the 40+ years that have passed since Helmut began his work some things have changed and shifted, but the commitment to excellence and transparency above all has remained constant from one generation to the next. Bodegas Ondarre - Rioja Gran Reserva, Spain 2011 93 Points - International Wine Competition The Ondarre Gran Reserva is easily one of the greatest values out of Rioja. A complex wine with mature aromas of rich blueberries, dark chocolate, earthy leather, coconut, and a depth of barrel spice which warms the palate and rounds out the brightness of the fruit. This Gran Reserva represents only the finest fruit of the vintage, aged in barrel for 28 months and bottle conditioned for an additional 32 months, the emphasis on quality through patience is paramount. This wine is drinking absolutely fantastic with 11 years of age, a true no-brainer best buy under $20. Newsletter Special - $16.99
L'Esprit De Chevalier, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux 2018 93-95 Point 60/40 Cabernet/Merlot Blend - Incredible Value 2nd Wine to the Revered Domaine De Chevalier Cru Classe! JD94/JS95/WE93 Jeb Dunnuck - 94 Points - "The second wine of this terrific estate in the Graves region of Bordeaux, the 2018 L'Esprit De Chevalier checks in as a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot that will spend 14 months in barrel. It offers a full-bodied, rounded, incredibly satisfying and sexy style as well as some exotic characteristics in its kirsch, blackcurrant, orange blossom, and liquid violet-like aromas and flavors. Elegant yet with ample fruit and texture, it’s ideal for drinking over the coming decade or more." Newsletter Special - $29.99
Cheers! -Alex Alexander Knechel - Certified Sommelier Wine Sales Manager - Plucky Wines alexanderknechel@pluckywines.com
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