Theme: Wines ready to drink for Summer
A focus on textured, complex white wines and lighter red wines right in their drinking window, covering a wide range of tariff-free European wines - some can be found only through us - first time we include a killer 1er cru white Burgundy, a dry Riesling 1er Cru, a famous Burgundy producer’s Jura Chardonnay that tastes just like white Burgundy, a cellar-aged, very classic 2015 Rioja, and a brilliant Californian Pinot from the legendary 2023 vintage! We are certain you will enjoy the diverse range of flavors as they pair with the vast ranges of food!
Wine 1: Rebholz Frankweiler “Biengarten” Erstes Gewächs 2022
Fact Sheet
Region: Pfalz, Germany
Grape Variety: 100% Riesling
Winemaking: Overnight skin contact and 100% Stainless steel
Key Flavor Word
Smoky minerality, apple, peach, lime, herbal, saline
About the Bottle
Rebholz is one of the top dry Riesling producers in Germany that receives the highest possible ratings from all three German wineguides: five grapes in Gault & Millau, five stars in Vinum wineguide and five stars in Eichelmann wineguide. The estate is famous for its dry Rieslings that are made in a very purist, linear and extremely age-worthy style. While young, they are austere with a lot of hidden concentration, but their energy, precision and liveliness rewards extended cellaring, for up to 30 years! This Biengarten, grown on shell limestone, is the most hidden gem of the producer that parallels its GGs (German Grand Cru) that is in the Majestic Duo price range (~$150). It is not available in the US and usually an insider wine for neighbours of the winery and professionals, and we managed to import this specifically for our members.
Serving Recommendation
If drinking now, serve at 48-52F, or take out from the fridge 10 minutes before drinking, decant for 20 minutes and sip slowly to let it open up. Can pair with raw seafood, Cantonese seafood dishes, fatty fish, fried chicken, or even pork chop or veal..
If I’d order the same type of wine in a restaurant, how much would it cost：
Ask the sommelier for a top example of German dry Riesling GG. $100-$160
Wine 2: 2022 Domaine de Pelican Chardonnay “Grand Curoulet”
Fact Sheet
Region: Jura, France
Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Winemaking: Fermented in wood, aged in 500L barrels with no new oak
Key Flavor Words:
Matchstick, wet rocks, savory, tart apple, yellow plum, citrus, hazelnut
Why do we choose the wine
Domaine de Pelican is founded by the famous Burgundy producer, Marquis d’Angerville based in Volnay. He was visiting Jura and asked the sommelier to pour him “anything but Burgundy”. They served him a glass of Jura Chardonnay, and he said “what the heck, I said anything but Burgundy”. Shocked to find out how similar Jura wines taste like Burgundy, he decided to start expanding his winemaking to Jura. The soils in Jura are very similar to Burgundy, geologically formed at the same time with limestones on the hilltop and marls on the foothills. This wine is from the hilltop vineyard “Grand Curoulet” with great density and minerality, with just a hint of meaty and nutty notes. You will be amazed by its versatility in food pairing.
Serving Recommendation
Slightly chilled, 50-55F. Take it out of the fridge 10 minutes before drinking. Can be enjoyed in the next several days (it may even get better with time!). Its saline and umami flavors allow for diverse possibilities including aged cheese like Comte, seafood stew, stir-fried crab and South Asian fish curries.
If I’d order the same type of wine in a restaurant, how much would it cost
Ask your sommelier to recommend a Jura white wine, in the “ouille” style. $120-180
Wine 3: Capiaux Russian River Valley “Widdoes” Vineyard 2023
Fact Sheet
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma, USA
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Winemaking: 20% whole cluster, aged in 30% new French oak
Key Aroma/Flavor Word:
Strawberry, black cherry, plum, floral, herbs, mint, spice, forest floor, silky tannins
About the Bottle:
Green Valley is the coolest sub-AVA of Russian River Valley, with the ability to retain fresher acidity and vibrant red and dark fruit flavors that distinguish it from usually big and blowsy pinot noirs from Russian River. Furthermore, the mild autumn of the magic 2023 vintage yielded this Pinot Noir of striking depth and purity. It’s a wine that echoes both the new and old world, where density and finesse walk hand in hand, and alcohol remains gracefully hidden. Drink or hold over the 5 years of cellaring time.
Serving Recommendation:
Cellar Temperature. 58-60F. No need to decant, but breathing in the glass for 5 minutes to let structure open up is recommended. Pair with roasted game birds, especially Peking style roast duck, roasted quail, soy sauce chicken, and Filipino roasted whole piglet and Vietnamese grilled meats.
If I’d order the same type of wine in a restaurant, how much would it cost：
Ask the Sommelier to recommend an elegant Sonoma or cooler climate new world Pinot Noir $90-130