Wines

96+ Points! The 2023 Graacher Domprobst Riesling Kabinett #3 opens with a clear and coolish, very precise and flinty as well as vegetal bouquet of dark, crushed slate. Very elegant and mouthwatering on the palate, with lively, mineral acidity and stimulating salinity, this is an almost dry-tasting Domprobst Kabinett due to its continuous mineral character and grippy phenols. The wine is full of finesse yet still discreet in its hedonistic compounds. The Domprobst is the aristocrat of the Mosel Kabinett world yet also offers a certain charm. Very subtle and long, this will be a classic in a decade, especially when served with very fine dishes. 7.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in August 2024 from AP 3 24 (thus the #3 on the label). - Stephan Reinhardt, robertparker.com

96 Points! The 2023 Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett opens with substantial depth and a brilliant bouquet of wet slate. The fruit is intense but not dominating, thanks to the flintiness and savoriness of the Himmelreich terroir. On the palate, this is a mouth-filling, dense and complex Kabinett with ripe, elegant and juicy fruit intertwined with very fine phenols and an ethereal slate thread that gives this Kabinett an enormous length and animation. This will be a superb gastronomic wine after a decade of bottle age, although the 2023 already drinks beautifully today. 7.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in August 2024 from AP 2 24. - Stephan Reinhardt, robertparker.com

98 Points! The 2023 Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spätlese #10 is very clear, fresh and precise on the spring-like nose. Flavors of crushed rocks, salts and lime zest drag into the glass, and the wine, once on the palate, is full of energy and very fine raisin, even blueberry and wax leaf aromas. This beautifully balanced and silky Domprobst Spätlese is full of finesse and reveals a playful, irresistible character with perfectly ripe fruit that is like an idea of fruit rather than material on the palate. This is a subtle stunner and one day will probably be even finer than the gorgeous Himmelreich Spätlese. 7.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in August 2024. - Stephan Reinhardt, robertparker.com

95 Points! For this light-bodied category this has a remarkable concentration of stone fruit, honeysuckle and slate character. But it’s the combination of this with the elegance of the mineral acidity that makes it stand out. Glides over your palate in the very graceful finish. Fermented and matured in two 1,000-liter Fuder barrels, of which one was new. Drink or hold. - Stuart Pigott, JamesSuckling.com

94 Points! There’s no denying that this very elegant Mosel riesling Spatlese has some natural grape sweetness, as is normal for the category. This sweetness is married to understated fresh acidity that makes it very cool, minty, lively and elegant. Plenty of white tree fruit and shrub notes. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

93 Points! The 2023 Riesling Bernkasteler Badstube Spätlese has a touch of flint on the nose before chervil, lemon and dead nettle kick in. The palate brings in notes of Reine, Claude plum greengage, white peach and candied lime peel. Sweetness is cut by acid and vice versa-they are equal elements creating their own, quiet, delicious drama. It has wonderful length. (Sweet)" - Anne Krebiehl MW, Vinous Media

From the importer: A tiny production of just 3,500 bottles, this is a balanced Viognier that leans towards fresh fruit and acid, rather than any tropical notes. The grapes are sourced from a partially-terraced 1.05ha parcel in Verin, located 2km from Condrieu. The Malolactic fermentation is blocked, keeping a high level of acidity in this sharp expression of granite-infused soil. The dominant notes are white flowers, violets, with persistent minerality through the finish.

Impressive wine from the tiny Yannick Cadiou domaine. Yannick organically farms only 5 hectares after 27 years working as the vineyard manager at Domaine Laroche.

Yannick Cadiou Petit Chablis 2022 is characterized by a bright, golden yellow color and a fresh, fruity nose with aromas of white fruits, citrus, and floral notes like hawthorn and acacia. The palate is typically described as supple and lively, with a balance of fruitiness and minerality, underscored by refreshing acidity. Some may also detect hints of peach, honey, and a subtle flinty minerality. 

97 Points! Decadent aromas of mango, pineapple, orange peel and quince rustle over the sublime smoky wood character. Ripe and rounded with a mesmerising salve of acidity and a lengthy mouth-watering finish. Brimming with style and finesse. - Decanter World Wine Awards

92 Points! A step up, the 2021 Saint Joseph Le Lombard Blanc is more rounded and complete, with beautiful honeyed quince, spice, and dried herbs in a medium-bodied, round, supple package that's already a joy to drink. - Jeb Dunnuck

From the winery: 

Gemischter Satz is a very special field blend, containing at least three grape varietals. These varietals are not only grown together in the same vineyard but harvested and fermented together. Using this method, we’re able to take advantage of the special characteristics of each grape and unify them in one bottle.

Gemischter Satz itself has a long tradition and not only in Vienna. In the past, winemakers frequently cultivated a small, single vineyard and depended on its fruits for their livelihood. With its multiple varietals, “gemischt” or field blend style planting provided stability in terms of yield and quality while making the vineyards less vulnerable to bad weather, diseases and pests. Although the practical aspects of vineyard biodiversity still benefit us today, we have come to value the uniquely harmonious wines that result from a blend of grapes that co-exist from vine to bottle. Our winemaking process aims to preserve the natural balance of aromas, ripeness and acidity that results from this method of winegrowing.

From the winery: Like Trousseau Gris, Chenin is a Heritage white grape that was once widely planted in CA. From over 2000 acres of Chenin planted in Napa in the 1980's, there are now only 16 acres! Finding it is difficult, but rewarding. This is our ninth bottling of Chenin Blanc from a small vineyard in St. Helena. It was picked in late September 1, 2022, and was fermented and aged sur lie in used French Oak barrels for a total of 8 months.

Made from 100% Trebbiano di Lugana harvested from the San Benedetto parcel on the south shore of Lake Garda. The grapes are fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks and refined for six months before being released.

97 Points! There’s nothing obvious about this intensely spicy gewurz. In fact, studying the aromas is like solving an intricate puzzle. Very powerful and creamy with succulent tropical-fruit character, the bold minerality balancing the touch of sweetness. The palate is no less intriguing, thanks to the cool depths that are ever more revealed on the very refined finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold. – JamesSuckling.com