German wine is confusing - what can we say? Let's try to simplify a touch...

A Gold Capsule for a wine is sort of like getting a "gold star" back in grade school.

German winemakers give these only to certain bottlings they think are very special.

See, in Germany, a number of different wines are often made from the same vineyard. Technically, the only way to legally differentiate wines from the same vineyard is by the AP number - it's like the social security number every wine gets. It's why, for example, you'll see a Graacher Domprobst Spätlese #12 and a Graacher Domprobst Spätlese #5 from a producer like Willi Schaefer. The #12 and #5 are the AP numbers.

But if a producer feels a certain bottling is very special, he/she can also give the wine a "Gold Capsule" - literally. In German, the word is "Kapsul," so you'll often see this abbreviated to "GK."

GKs usually have higher levels of ripeness and are both more expensive and much rarer than their normal counterparts.

Tim's Most Ethereal and Elegant GK to Date
2009 Schäfer-Fröhlich Felseneck Spätlese GK
Rare German Collectible - Lowest Pricing Ever!

Can a luxury be a necessity? (Because this bottle is both.)

Tim Fröhlich's Felseneck Spätlese Gold Capsule (GK) is one of Germany's greatest Spätlese, year in and year out - it's that simple.

This is most decidedly NOT the regular Spätlese bottling (click here to learn more about Gold Capsules!), and the 09 takes this benchmark to a whole new level.

What's more is that at as low as $42.50, this is the sharpest price on Tim's GK we've *ever* been able to offer. Call it a luxury bottle for all its beauty and the sheer pleasure it offers, and call it a necessity for the cellar of anyone who takes Riesling seriously - we've priced 3-packs for just this reason.

View from the Top of Chambolle
2008 Roumier Chambolle 1er Cru Les Cras
In Stock - at the Lowest Price in the Nation

"In sum, this is one of Burgundy's greatest domaines and Christophe Roumier is one of its most intelligent and knowledgable wine-makers. The combination of the two produces magic." - Clive Coates

Going into my visit with Christophe Roumier this summer in Burgundy, I knew that his wines were, as Coates says, magical. This is indisputably one of the very best estates in all the Côte d'Or.

Razor-Sharp, Outright Hedonistic Krug Steal
1995 Krug MAGNUMS
The Last Great Champagne Deal of 2010

"The vibrant, refreshing finish makes it impossible to resist a second taste. Among recent vintages, the 1996 has rightly received a ton of attention here, while the 1995 is likely to remain an insider's wine that is available at more favorable pricing." - Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate

This is it: The last great Champagne deal of 2010.

We saved this monster Champagne for this final week of the decade, just before the big countdown. And perfect timing, too, as Galloni JUST re-tasted the 95 and posted those notes this month.

Edoardo Valentini: "The Lord of the Vines"
2005 Valentini Trebbiano
2006 Valentini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
2007 Valentini Cerasuolo
Cult Wines of Abruzzo - Razor Sharp Pricing

Edoardo Valentini was a shy man, a quiet, Italian eccentric along the lines of Josko Gravner or Prince Ludovisi of Fiorano. Yet the wines he crafted are lavish, extroverted, brimming with a flavor and texture that is absolutely unique.

For these reasons, the wines of Eduordo Valentini are cult treasures of Abruzzo. Only Valentini's friend and neighbor, Emidio Pepe, has achieved a comparable level of fame and respect.

Emails on wines like these are so hard to write - these are bottles that have created their own categories. There is simply no way to quickly define this estate, or these wines. So, if you're snowed in, grab another cup of coffee and continue reading... it'll be worth it.

The White Burgundy for Riesling Fanatics
or
The Riesling Fanatic's White Burgundy
2007 De Montille Puligny 1er Cailleret
In Stock: Ready to Gift, Drink or Stash Away

White Burgundy, gone Riesling.

Outside of Chablis, this is one of my favorite white Burgundies. Why? If the answer had to be reduced to one word, it would be "clarity."

Cult Grower Champagne MAGS - In Stock!
2004 Vilmart et Cie Grand Cellier d'Or 1.5Ls
Lowest Price in the Nation
For a Bigger, Better New Year's Eve

This will definitely be one of them.

Although, I should preface: If you want to lay these down for a good 25 years instead, go right ahead. This is fabulous juice that WILL LAST.

Phenomenal Back-Vintage Burgundy Value
1999 Domaine Robert Arnoux Echézeaux
"Much like a smaller scale Musigny" - The Burghound
The Only Bottles Available in the World

This is not the perfect Christmas gift or the ideal bottle to drink on New Year's (the wine arrives in 2011). But that doesn't change the fact that this may well be one of our very best values of 2010...

Today we present the 1999 Domaine Robert Arnoux Echézeaux at $169.95 a bottle - the only pricing in the world.

We've all got a lot going on today, so I’ll keep this very short and sweet - the pricing is such that our few cases will move faster than I can think of something extra-clever to say. The Burghound’s full rave is below, and if you haven’t brushed up on the latest on domaine Arnoux, here’s what you need to know:

More Cedric Bouchard to Slake Your Thirst
Les Ursules, La Haute-Lemblé, La Parcelle,
*Rare* Pinot Blanc Bolorée
All Bottles In Stock!
Among the Lowest Pricing in the Country

As predicted, our parcel of Cedric Bouchard Val Vilaine flew. So for those of you who bought that yesterday, we say happy holidays and share with you a few choice bottles of his other wines from that same small parcel...

Champagne Shock Waves
2008 Cedric Bouchard Inflorescence Val Vilaine
Lowest Pricing Ever - In Stock!

"The explosive, kaleidoscopic Champagnes of Cedric Bouchard are some of the most compelling wines coming out of the region today... Readers should do whatever they can to experience these magnificent wines."
- Antonio Galloni, The Wine Advocate

Whatever you can.

Today, with the holidays LITERALLY around the corner, we begin a week of very special pricing...  a small parcel of the Inflorescence Val Vilaine - now in stock! - at the lowest price we’ve ever been able to offer single bottles: $49.95 a bottle.

What says "Happy Holidays" better than this? (Keep in mind, this special price is good this week only!)