Wine Articles
September 1, 2008
2007 German Vintage Report: Purity, Depth and Concentration Manifest
Just about everything you need to know about the 2007 German vintage, incorporating notes from Rudi Wiest, Therry Theise, Lars Carlberg of the Mosel Wine Merchant, Gernot Kollmann of Weingut Knebel and John Gilman of the newsletter A View from the Cellar.
Could it get any better than that?
Yes, it can because the great 2007ers of Germany are classics with just epic wines at the Kabinett and Spatlesen level while the Auslesen are good to very, very good. And unlike 2006 (not to mention 2005 and 2003) which produced opulent Auslesen and above at the expense of the featherweight Kabinetts, 2007 has it all. Shimmering Kabinetts, absolutely profound Spatlesen, Auslesens that are clean and sleek... Wow.
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Posted by Stephen Bitterolf at 7:11 PM
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July 21, 2008
2007 Muller-Catoir: The Tradition Survives
"Expressiveness bordering on the super-natural." - Terry Theise
The view within the Haardter Burgergarten vineyard; the Muller-Catoir estate is visible in the distance,
to the left, with the bright yellow awnings.
The 2007 collection at Muller-Catoir serves as a compelling testament to the survival of a level of craftsmanship once widely assumed to have deteriorated. Time to check your assumptions, because these are wines of stunning clarity and uniqueness.
The elite BAs and TBAs especially, are just absolutely psychotic (in a good way). They have a guillotine-like cut, an apocalyptic fireworks of bright fruits, herbs and flowers and minerals that glow like the neon blazing across Times Square. Words just don't do the singular uniqueness, and extraordinary quality of these wines, justice. So try one.
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Posted by Joe Salamone at 2:47 PM
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July 14, 2008
2007 Donnhoff: A Visit with the Master
The wines of Helmut Donnhoff have such power and complexity that their signature weightless feels seems nearly miraculous. One taste and you sense that magic. Donnhoff's wines are on par with the best of Germany in a very unique way - his sweet wines rival those of Prum and Egon Muller and the dry wines are mentioned in the same breath as luminaries such as Keller and Rebholz. Very few (any?) have this degree of versatility.
Approaching the estate in Oberhausen.
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Posted by Joe Salamone at 9:45 PM
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June 13, 2008
Vatan 2006
The 79-year-old Edmond Vatan has been making what is largely considered to be the world's top Sancerre for an entire generation. The Sancerres from his Clos la Neore vineyard are renowned for their purity, depth, expression of terroir, and surprisingly for Sancerre, their profound ageability. Though wonderful in their youth, a Vatan Sancerre will only improve over the next decade - or two or three?
He treasures his legendary vineyard, a tiny 2.5-acre plot (that's one-fifth the size of Central Park's Great Lawn and smaller than many Westchester back yards!) that Vatan himself planted over 60 years ago and that sits in the sweet spot of the steep slopes of the legendary "Damned Mountain" otherwise known as the Monts Damnes vineyard.
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Posted by Tom Stephenson at 4:26 PM
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May 29, 2008
Schilcher Sekt! Strohmeier Sensational for Summer Sipping
Schilcher Sekt: This may be your new favorite summer wine, if you can pronounce it! Howard Goldberg of the New York Times has fallen in love - now it's your turn.
Schilcher Sekt flows liberally in Austria; the charming sparkling rose is just about the perfect appetite-stimulating aperitif though it can also be paired with a hearty selection of local cheeses and cured meats. Whether you're in Schilcher's hometown of Styria, in southern Austria, or at a Viennese wine bar, in the shadow of the St. Stefan's Cathedral, Schilcher is the perfect summer sipper.
We're proud to carry two fantastic Schilchers: A serious vintage Schilcher (2000) with complex strawberry, potpourri fruits and a stylish acidity and the more rustic NV Schilcher with great fruits, spices, and a burly, textured acidity. Both are tremendous values.
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Posted by Stephen Bitterolf at 3:42 PM
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May 21, 2008
Chateau Chalon, Vin Jaune and Cotes du Jura
A Jura-nian Primer!
This is, admittedly, all a bit more complicated and esoteric than New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Here's what you should know.
Chateau Chalon is an appellation in the Jura, not to mention the name of the town. This is a tiny appellation - roughly 100 hectares total - and is only used for Vin Jaune. If a wine sourced from Chateau Chalon doesn't make it to Vin Jaune status, it must take the Cotes du Jura appellation. In other words, if it says Chateau Chalon, than it must be a Vin Jaune.
Vin Jaune literally means "yellow wine" and refers to an oxidized wine made from the Savagnin grape. Keep in mind that while the best Vin Jaunes come from Chateau Chalon, you'll also find Vin Jaune from Etoile, Cotes du Jura and Arbois.
Cotes du Jura is a larger appellation and is usually used for white wines based on either Chardonnay or Savagnin, though the two grapes are often blended and the Cotes du Jura does produce some very good Vin Jaunes.
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Posted by Joe Salamone at 3:02 PM
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May 1, 2008
California Classic: 2000 Mondavi Reserve
There is no doubt that Robert Mondavi changed the American wine psyche and in the process became one of the wine world's most powerful and controversial figures. His life, and the rise and fall of his empire, is a drama fit for the big screen. (Indeed, we're pretty sure the rights to the movie have been sold.)
That said, we're not really into the big egos and backdoor gossip. Instead, what we want to do is focus on what it was once all about: what's in the bottle. And this is where you really have to taste the wine in spite of, and irregardless of, any stereotypes or preconceived notions of what Mondavi is (or was), because the 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is a perfectly balanced and elegant Cali Cab that tips its hat to the greats of Bordeaux indulging in a silky finesse and even (gulp) enticing restraint!
At $68.53 - that's a discount of 30% - this quickly becomes one of the no-brainer buys of the season, a wine with real breed that one of those age-worthy Napa Cabs in the spirit of Togni, Mayacamas or even Dunn's Howell Mountain - though granted, it's softer and more supple even at this "young" age. Drink this Mondavi now and over the next decade while your Togni, Mayacamas and Dunn just begin to come into form!
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Posted by Stephen Bitterolf at 10:00 AM
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April 23, 2008
Dry German Rieslings at Crush: A Deep (Dry) Collection!
How happy were we to see a bottle of Hansjorg Rebholz's mind-blowing Riesling in a photo in Wednesday's New York Times! - not to mention the short but savvy article wine writer Eric Asimov penned about the great quality (and drinkability) of dry German Rieslings!
To see real-time inventory of our great German dry Rieslings, click here.
Von Buhl, Emrich-Schonleber, Weil and Kunstler stand proud and dry.
We've been passionately championing dry German Rieslings since the store opened over three years ago and it's gratifying to see the press, not to mention a growing audience of wine drinkers, get behind these great (and absurdly affordable) bottles. At this point, with a selection of nearly 30 dry German Rieslings from $16.95 and up, we must have one of the widest, deepest and surely the greatest selection of dry German Rieslings in the U.S.
Right now, we have amazing dry Rieslings from Donnhoff, Emrich-Schonleber, Furst, Karthauserhof, Knebel, Kunstler, Lang, Rebholz, Schafer-Frohlich, Spreitzer, Stein, Von Buhl, Weil, Wirsching and Wittmann! (And about 200 other German Rieslings of the sweeter variety.)
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Posted by Stephen Bitterolf at 2:11 PM
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April 22, 2008
FX Pichler's Riesling Unendlich - The Coolest Label Ever?
I love Austrian wine labels - they so often have this strange, playful modernist thing that I find really kooky and charming. Like the Bauhaus meets Playskool. Coming way out of left field then, is the label for FX Pichler's Riesling "Unendlich" - a super-rare bottling the Master puts together in great years. For those of you who know FX's pretty staid dark green labels, nothing prepares you for the Unendlich...
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Posted by Stephen Bitterolf at 10:04 PM
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December 14, 2007
2007 Crush Wine of the Year: Krug Grande Cuvee
Choosing any one wine, out of a year's worth of incredible experiences, is a daunting task.
Though in a way, this year is a bit easier for me. I've been a passionate drinker/collector of Champagne since I first began my adventure into wine over 17 years ago. 2007 is unquestionably the year Champagne came of age, both at the retail level and at auction. Collector/investor interest in top cuvees is at an all time high - Champagne has now joined the ranks of Bordeaux and Burgundy as one of the most sought-after and collectible wines in the world, with Krug and Dom Perignon leading the way.
With this in mind, my wine of the year came into sight as the obvious victor. This is a wine that takes tremendous amounts of time, care, labor and materials to produce - yet year in and year out it is consistent and complex. The 2007 Krug Grande Cuvee is the Crush Wine of the Year!
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Posted by Stephen Bitterolf at 7:29 PM
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December 13, 2007
Ian's Wine of the Year: 2005 Potel Cote de Nuits-Villages
So I have to begin this email with the embarrassing admission that I drank up most of the bottles we had in stock of my Wine of the Year - Nicolas Potel's delicious 2005 Cote de Nuits-Villages. (Sorry about that.)
As penance though, I'm happy to offer the final shipment, arriving in early 2008, at a special pre-arrival price that's discounted down to under $30. I've been on a 2005 Burgundy rampage for much of the year, going to just about every tasting I could find. At this price, Potel's Cote de Nuits is the most authentic and invigorating 2005 Burgundy I've experienced - an energetic and worthy mascot for this unbelievable vintage.
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Posted by Stephen Bitterolf at 12:22 PM
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December 12, 2007
Tom's Wine of the Year: 2002 Cazin "Cuvee Renaissance
The methods I used to determine my "Wine of the Year" have nothing to do with point scores or detailed comparisons of the thousands of wines I have tasted over the last 12 months. My metrics are much more simple and visceral - last year Forte Canto swayed me with its "Gulp-ability Factor."
This year I declare Cazin's 2002 Cour-Cheverny "Cuvee Renaissance" my Wine of the Year, citing the"Lemonhead Effect!"
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Posted by Tom Stephenson at 11:07 AM
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December 11, 2007
Joe's Wine of the Year: 2000 Fonbel
My choice for Wine of the Year is the 2000 Chateau de Fonbel.
The story here is simple: An innocent tasting where I was simply blind-sided by the wine's purity and elegance - aromatic with plentiful fruit wrapped in layers of great spice, minerality and florality. The mouthfeel is undeniably St-Emilion - luxurious and full, expansive and enveloping, yet with a seemingly nimble footprint.
At under $40, this is one of the best deals in Bordeaux I've come across all year.
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Posted by Stephen Bitterolf at 11:05 AM
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December 10, 2007
Stephen's Wine of the Year: Stadlmann Zierfandler Mandel-Hoh
When national publications name their "Wines of the Year," they are limited by many factors - the biggest of which is the wine's availability. It doesn't make sense for them to drive the public into a frenzy over a bottle of wine that is hardly available.
As a small independent retailer, we have more freedom!
Granted, we also use a different set of criteria. We want outrageous quality for the money, of course, but we also seek respectful winemaking, a wine that speaks of where it comes from and what we call the x-factor - that inexplicable, inexpressible, toe-curling sense of something extraordinary.
Stadlmann's 2006 Zierfandler Mandel-Hoh has all this and more - that's why it's my wine of the year!
No, you've probably never heard of Zierfandler. It's a largely unheard of grape that's basically only grown in Austria's tiny Thermenregion. The Mandel-Hoh vineyard is the world's top site for the grape - this wine should not to be confused with Stadlmann's regular Zierfandler bottling.
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Posted by Stephen Bitterolf at 11:45 AM
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August 21, 2007
Helmut Donnhoffs Profound 2006s - Pre-Arrival Offer
Fresh from a trip to Germany, David Schildknecht of the Wine Advocate recently noted: "Apropos 2006, I don't think word has really gotten out in sufficient detail and with appropriate perspective as to the qualitative nature of this remarkable year... the list of distinguished Nahe and Middle Mosel growers who consider their 2006 collections the best of their lifetime's alone demonstrates that this is a remarkable vintage with many truly mind-boggling wines."
These comments square exactly with the impressions that Joe and I had, when first tasting Helmut Donnhoff's 2006 line-up this Spring. Almost across the board Donnhoff's 2006s reveal pure, amazingly concentrated fruit with a fighter-jet sleekness that is simply thrilling.
Special "pre-arrival" pricing on the entire 2006 lineup expires September 1!
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Posted by Stephen Bitterolf at 1:17 PM
August 8, 2007
Sancerre Sans the Scary Price
2004 Mellot Sancerre "Les Romains"
First off, I want to thank all of the Crush Crew for your support of the Gazela "Back Up the Truck" email. Keep in mind we have a few more cases available if you missed out on your $3.99 bottle of air conditioning or just need to reload.
Today's offer is in response to a number of requests we received for a similar summer steal whose style is more on the "serious side." Enter 2004 Sancerre 'Les Romains' from Alphonse Mellot, by far the best Sauvignon Blanc I've tasted this summer.
Mellot achieved absolute greatness in 2004, and due to the vagaries of the New York wholesale wine market, I am happy to offer this incredible bottling at 20-30% off its shelf price elsewhere, at a rate that is in-line with Sancerre prices of years past!
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Posted by Stephen Bitterolf at 11:55 AM
August 5, 2007
A $4 Bottle of Air Conditioning! Gazela Vinho Verde
This wine isn't about complexity, mouthfeel or minerality.
It's about an icy and refreshing glass of wine to fend off the overbearing heat and humidity of August. With temperatures peaking in the 90s for the inaugural weekend of August, this month promises heat with high humidity to boot. Yes, August is here.
Gazela is light in body and light in alcohol with bright citrus flavors - lime zest, floral notes and a bit of spritz to liven it up even more. Mix this wine with fresh fruits and spirits to create one of our obsessions when the weather kick's up - Sangria! (See Joe's great Sangria recipe below.)
At $60 a case - delivered anywhere in Manhattan - this is the best way we've found to beat the August NYC heat!
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Posted by Stephen Bitterolf at 2:47 PM
June 28, 2007
Austria 2006: A Legend in the Making?
(Click here to purchase any of the 2006 Austrian wines discussed in this article.)
You heard it here first:
The best values in serious white wines from $15 to $50 are the stellar 2006s from Austria which are arriving stateside throughout the summer and fall.
Make no mistake: You will be hearing a lot about the 2006 vintage in Austria. There's already plenty of buzz that this is probably the best vintage since 1997. In regions like the Kamptal, there are rumblings of "vintage of the century." While it may be a touch premature to make such pronouncements, the truth is that after tasting some 150+ different 2006s from all over Austria,
we are obsessed.
This is a vintage with everything, from crisp everyday sippers to rich, hauntingly deep terroir-driven whites (largely Gruner Veltliners and dry Rieslings).
What nature gave Germany in 2005, it bestowed on Austria for 2006. At their best, the 06 Austrians provide intense concentration and extract with a balancing acidity and a devastating minerality.
Interestingly, many of the wines that really dazzled us were at the lower price points - bottles at the $15-$20 range deliver so much personality and terroir. (That said, many of Austria's heavy-hitters, like Hirtzberger, Knoll, the Pichlers and Prager, have yet to offer many of their wines.)
The quality of the vintage has pushed many "lesser" wines up a notch - to the next level of quality and intensity - while avoiding the pitfalls of clumsy overripeness.
That's what is so captivating about these wines - while the luscious fruit means these grapes enjoyed plenty of good sun, the superb, ultra-clean minerality reminds one that the best vines had their roots planted firmly, and deeply, into the rocky soils.
The uber-level of ripeness seems the only stumbling block for a few wines; they showed a creamy lanolin-like texture, lower levels of acidity and, sometimes, alcohol that overwhelmed the classic varietal characteristics and heart-breaking purity of the most successful bottlings.
But, have no fear - through tireless tasting we've picked out the best - and the good wines are truly outstanding.
These are wines that deserve to be on everyone's dinner table - not to mention in everyone's cellar - and so we've put together a short list of many of the 2006 Austrian "legends of the future."
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Posted by Stephen Bitterolf at 12:00 PM
June 15, 2007
2004 Servin Chablis "Cuvee Massale"
Crush Staff Pick for June!
While 2005 Red Burgundy has been getting a lot of attention recently, it's important not to forget that the great 2004 White Burgundies are some of the best ever made.
There's just no denying the invigorating cut and precision of the 2004s. Since the wines were first released, the best 04s have been the darlings of critics and the Crush staff alike. 2004 is undeniably a purist's vintage: Wildly aromatic with laser-like intensity, pure citrus fruit, transparency and grip. Our Staff Pick for June, the 2004 Servin Chablis "Cuvee Massale," is electric - you can almost hear it crackling with tension...
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Posted by Tom Stephenson at 10:58 AM
May 17, 2007
THE Summer Sipper! 2005 Berlioz Chignin
The thermometer is finally rising - as are your requests for an imminently sippable, crisp and classic white wine to pair with the 80+ degree days that are already upon us.
Yes, it's time to "Back Up the Truck" for summer! From vineyards that date back to the 11th century and vines that are 30 to 80 years old, Berlioz's 2005 Chignin is a wine whose delicacy belies its searing intensity. While the wine is delicate and crisp, on the palate it unleashes powerful citrus fruits, lemon and green apple, touches of pear and a chalky minerality that's peppered throughout the long (long) midpalate.
This is a wine that, at under $20, is one of the best values going for summer sipping!
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Posted by Tom Stephenson at 12:28 PM
March 26, 2007
2005 Vatan Sancerre "Clos de Neore": Legendary Sancerre from Chavignol
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Edmund Vatan is thought of in many circles as the single greatest producer in Sancerre, tenderly fashioning a minute amount of wine that is renowned for its purity, depth, expression of terroir, and surprisingly for Sancerre, profound ageability. His masterpiece in Sancerre has been on the list at restaurant Taillevent in Paris for over 40 years.
Sadly, according to our sources, nearly 60 years after he planted his vines in Sancerre's most heralded vineyard, Monts Damnés (see sidebar), the Sage of Sancerre has decided to throw in the towel. This might be the last batch of his wine that ever reaches the public...
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Posted by Tom Stephenson at 9:06 AM
March 15, 2007
Domaine des Grecaux: Rhone has Fallen!?
Gone are the days when one could pick up top-notch Chateauneuf-du-Pape for under $30. Even Côtes du Rhônes, what can amount to the bargain-bin category of the region, are fast pushing $20-$25.For those who thrill to the berry and fig-packed flavors, loamy minerality and dried herbs so associated with the wines of this arid rolling landscape, there is relief. Turn up the Quality-to-Price Ratio by turning to one of France's undiscovered and undervalued territories: The Languedoc.
Domaine des Grecaux's 2003 "Terra Solis" drinks like a slender, sleeker, fresher version of the Southern Rhône's great wines...
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Posted by Stephen Bitterolf at 1:20 PM
February 15, 2007
A Great Case of the Clape: 2005 "Vin des Amis"
When the thermometer dips as it has over the past few weeks, I begin to hear frequent requests for a �hearty and smooth red wine under $20.�
Syrah from the northern Rhone is the logical pick � but the continued weakness of the dollar versus the euro has made it very challenging to find a bottle with fullness, complexity and that unmistakably warm northern Rhone elegance.
That�s why today�s offer is special - it's exceptional Syrah from one of the northern Rhone�s greatest winemakers at a more than reasonable price.
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Posted by Tristan Meador at 5:23 PM
February 2, 2007
Back to Scholium: A "Noble" Lesson for Sauvignon Blanc
Abe Schoener's Scholium Project is definitely one of the most interesting, outrageous and original Cult Wine endeavors taking place in California today.
We've previously offered a number of his sometimes luscious and always cerebral wines and have been blown away by the responses.
From the "Old School Wine Geek" to the "Napa Cabernet Afficianado," so many of you have enjoyed these wines and come back for more, only to find them sold out. The diversity of Scholium die-hards is a true indication that these wines uniquely mix California muscle with Old World finesse.
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Posted by Stephen Bitterolf at 4:05 PM
January 10, 2007
Simon Says: 1989 Ex-Cellars Riesling for Under $40
I have to admit, I struggled with the idea of yet another Riesling email so early into 2007. After your strong interest and support of the 2005 vintage led to its enormous success, I felt that perhaps we should take it easy with the Riesling offers - even though Germany, along with Burgundy and Champagne, is an area whose heat is currently immeasurable.
The 1989 Bert Simon Serrig W�rtzberg Gold Capsule Auslese convinced me otherwise.
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Posted by Tristan Meador at 3:26 PM
December 15, 2006
Bob's Wine of the Year: 1981 L�pez de Heredia Vi�a Bosconia Gran Reserva
Arriving at a singular wine, one that I would anoint as the Wine of the Year, is a daunting task. Obviously, my choice would have to be a wine that truly stands apart from the hundreds of great experiences that weve offered at Crush throughout 2006.
I also knew that it would be derived from my personal passion for wines that display an authentic sense of place, such as my terroir-laden favorites in Burgundy, Piedmont, Champagne and Germany.
However, after much thought and deliberation, my choice had to be the López de Heredia Viña Bosconia Gran Reserva 1981 from Rioja, Spains oldest and grandest winemaking region.
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Posted by Tom Stephenson at 7:32 AM
December 12, 2006
Wine of the Year: Sch�fer-Frohlich Bockenauer Felseneck Spatlese
Obviously, my wine of the year had to be a Riesling. I love Riesling and this year I tasted more Rieslings than one could possibly shake a stick at.
This summer I went to Germany with importer extraordinaire Rudi Wiest and tasted over 400 Rieslings in nine days. (My dentist will be able to retire early.) It was a thrilling ride hitting all the great winemaking regions in Germany: The Mosel, Nahe, Rheingau, Pfalz, Baden, Franken and more.
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Posted by Bob Schagrin at 12:32 AM
December 11, 2006
Stephen's Wine of The Year: Montesecondo Rosso
I knew Silvio Messana痴 2004 Montesecondo would be my "Wine of the Year" the first time I had it.
A Tuscan red with supercharged fruit, fresh acidity and a thrilling vibrancy, it痴 one of the greatest food wines I致e tasted in 2006. It is honest and unpretentious, a wine that doesn稚 overpower a meal, but perfectly complements it.
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Posted by Stephen Bitterolf at 12:21 AM
November 16, 2006
Thanksgiving for Charter Oak: The Great American Zinfandel
With one week to go, you're gearing up for the Thanksgiving holiday. The folding card-table has been dusted off for the kids, the turkey has been ordered, and uncle Bob has been reminded not to drink too much. Preparations are well under way.
The wine, however, needs to be selected. While I am busy collecting staff recommendations for your holiday table, today I want to offer a bottle Ive been waiting all year to recommend. We were confirmed on this wine today, just in time for Thanksgiving!
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Posted by Tristan Meador at 3:33 PM
November 15, 2006
Magnum Force: The Ultra-Rare 2005 J.J. Prum 1.5s
Due to your groundbreaking support of our �Riesling Futures� campaign and our corresponding support for some of Germany�s best vintners, we have secured some serious rarities that seldom see the American market.
It certainly helped that we were visiting these same winemakers this summer and was able to taste (and deal) while he was there.
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Posted by Tristan Meador at 3:43 PM
November 9, 2006
Back Up the Truck #3: Baileyana Pinot Noir
We get an amazing number of requests for affordable New World Pinot Noir.
Despite our constant search, it is rare that we come across anything that is strong enough for us to recommend in the under-$40 price range. Case in point: It has been nearly 4 months since our last New World Pinot email (River Bend), and the re-order calls continue to roll in. (Note to all: regrettably, we are sold out.)
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Posted by Tristan Meador at 7:02 PM
November 2, 2006
Ragnaud-Sarbourin Cognac Paradis
Paradis Found
We've been helping you stock your cellar all year with a healthy mix of some of the most sought after wines in the world across the price spectrum. Now it's time to raise the "bar."
For those of you who are not familiar with Ragnaud-Sarbourin's Cognac Paradis, listen up. This small estate is the odd-man-out in a region better known for its monolithic commercial houses and the billions of bottles they churn out every year.
The fact is, the "big four" Cognac producers (Remy Martin, Courvoisier, Hennessey, and Martell) account for over 90% of the region's production. Ragnaud-Sarbourin couldn't be more different than the "big four." They own and farm their own small vineyard - "la Voute" - entirely themselves. You would too if you controlled some of the oldest vines in the entire World.
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Posted by Tristan Meador at 1:41 PM
October 26, 2006
Betts & Scholl Hermitage 2001
To my mind, the reference point Hermitage is from Jean-Louis Chave. If I were to own only one producer, he would be it. His legendary wines are, without a doubt, the most collectible bottlings from the appellation (the ultra-low production 2003 is currently trading between $600-900/btl, if you can find it).
The wine is sought out year after year due to its consistency, greatness, and scarcity. The Chave family's uncanny ability to turn out great Hermitage for the last half-century has been absolutely unmatched.
In the great 2001 vintage, Chave produced yet another masterpiece - a textbook, traditionally crafted Hermitage, now selling for $200-$300 per bottle.
Enter: Betts & Scholl
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Posted by email offers at 12:41 PM
October 25, 2006
Cambra "Uno" 2003
Imagine the following:
You're a 50-year-old vine. Every year, feet in the dry, infertile dirt, you're exposed to a blistering 2,160 hours of sunlight with summer temperatures pushing 105 degrees Fahrenheit. You're burning up, and the young enigmatic genius who tends to you won't give you a single drop of water.
The irony is that it's exactly because of this life and death struggle that you produce a grape of almost unimaginable intensity and concentration.
Yes, Rafael Cambra, one of the most innovative young winemakers in Spain, is pushing you to the limits of your existence to make a wine of other-worldly richness.
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Posted by email offers at 2:13 PM
October 18, 2006
Peacock Family Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
One of our specialties at Crush is finding rare, high-quality New World Cabernet Sauvignon for under $100. These are wines that have the palate impact of bottlings that sell for 50-200% more.
Small production wonders from this difficult-to-navigate category have been delighting our customers for the last year and a half.
Of note lately is the 2002 Peacock Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.
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Posted by Bob Schagrin at 4:16 PM
October 17, 2006
Shelter Sauvignon Blanc 2005
We can�t tell you too much about this wine because its exact origins must be kept a secret. Yes, this is 007 meets the wine business.
What we do know is that 2005 Shelter Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley is blended from the top vineyards of one of the most famous winemakers in the region. Superstar vintners obviously don't want you to know where their extra juice goes, so it is sold with the promise that its identity will kept on the DL.
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Posted by Bob Schagrin at 3:06 PM
October 12, 2006
Guigal Côte-Rôtie Chateau d'Ampuis 2001
Ripe. Rich. Huge. Monstrous. But Elegant. Palate coating - teeth staining. What else would you expect from the famed Rhône Valley appellation Côte-Rôtie?
After all, it translates as "Roasted Slope." Unlike its southern neighbor Chateauneuf-du-Pape, wine from this region is nearly 100% Syrah - and I might add, this is the Syrah that defines Syrah.
The family estate of Guigal has defined Côte-Rôtie for many decades and is consistently the benchmark for all other winemakers in this region. They produce the three most revered and collectible bottlings of Syrah-based wine on the face of the earth: La Turque, La Landonne and La Mouline (collectively known as the "La-La" wines).
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Posted by Bob Schagrin at 12:33 PM
October 4, 2006
Vare Vineyards Bianco 2004
What do the following all have in common: Thomas Keller of restaurants Per Se and French Laundry, famed Californian winemakers John Kongsgaard and Abe Schoener, and eccentric Italian winemakers Josko Gravner and Stanto Radikon? They're all friends and fans of Vare Vineyards, a miniscule Napa Valley estate focusing on the "great whites" of Italy - Pinot Grigio, Ribolla Gialla and others. The results were so dazzling in 2004 that Per Se and French Laundry bought almost the entire production. But not all of it!
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Posted by email offers at 12:07 PM
October 3, 2006
Foreau Domaine du Clos Naudin Vouvray 2005
Today's Crush offer features the stunning wines of Vouvray's Phillipe Foreau. Foreau (along with Gaston Huet) *defines* Vouvray in the same overpowering way Penfolds Grange defines Australian reds, or Dom. Romanée-Conti defines Burgundy, or Chateau d'Yquem defines Sauternes. And while the wines just mentioned sell for hundreds of dollars a bottle, the legendary and mind-twisting wines of Phillipe Foreau sell for under $50!
Why so inexpensive? Chenin Blanc (the main white grape in Vouvray) simply isn't well known. Additionally, as Eric Asimov wrote in his New York Times blog the other week (lamenting Chenin's obscurity), Vouvray is one of the few places in the world suited to transform the grape into a wine of such complexity and finesse.
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Posted by Joe Salamone at 2:35 PM
August 16, 2006
Spain Lives! Grand Cru Mencia from Bierzo
Today's "under the radar" offer comes from not-so-anonymous winemaker Alvaro Palacios and nephew Ricardo Perez, who are making absolutely stunning wines from tiny ancient vine sites in the Bierzo town of Corullon (see below).
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Posted by Tom Stephenson at 12:42 PM
August 1, 2006
Sancerrely Yours... Great Chavignol
Sancerre is the most elegant expression of Sauvignon Blanc, and its recent surge in prices reflect its growing popularity. That's why we're thrilled to offer you not just a Sancerre, but one from Chavignol.
Yves Martin Sancerre has all the classic aspects of great Chavignol: a creamy, rich texture, wonderfully pure citrus fruit, stony minerality and uncommon depth.
Those of you who found Sancerre from the 2003 vintage to be too soft and overripe will be relieved � other vintages offer profound complexity and a "stalactite" personality; simply put, this wine�s got some serious, mouthwatering acidity that pairs beautifully with a range of foods.
While it�s incredibly tempting to drink the wine right away, we strongly encourage you to squirrel away a few bottles. In 5 to 8 years, this Sancerre will go through a remarkable transformation.
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Posted by Tom Stephenson at 1:42 PM
July 25, 2006
2005 J.J. Pr�m: Epic Wines,
After our initial 2005 Riesling futures campaign lauded the incredible conditions in the middle-Mosel, we received a huge number of inquiries about our omission of some of the best vineyard sites for Riesling in the whole world; specifically the wines of the legendary Joh. Jos. Prüms.
How are the wines in '05?
Let's start with the opinion of the man himself, the historically tight-lipped Manfred:
In a recent conversation with Rudi Wiest, Herr Prüm called it his "best vintage in the past four decades," and said he was "blown away with 2005." Most convincing of all, he is confident that the vintage will stand up to the legendary wines of 1949 (!) ... Quite an early endorsement from a man who waited three years to comment on the 2003 vintage before comparing it to the celebrated vintage of '59.
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Posted by Tom Stephenson at 12:54 PM
May 17, 2006
Bagnol Cassis Rose: Unheralded Elegance from Provence!
As you know, we go to lengths to find details on the wines and winemakers that we are in love with. However, we have less information on today's rosé from Domaine du Bagnol than any wine to date, despite a lengthy search.
Why? The appellation of Cassis is tiny, with only 13 winemakers covering a miniscule 182 hectares, only 1/3rd of which is used for rosé. (points of reference: the average vineyard area for individual first growth Bordeaux chateaux is 90+ hectares and Central Park is 341 hectares!!!).
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Posted by Tom Stephenson at 2:12 PM
April 4, 2006
Araujo Estate: Incredible Wine from Legendary Terroir
Araujo Eisele is considered one of the top classic California wines along with Shafer Shafer Hillside Select, Caymus Special Selection, and Phelps Insignia, not only because of the limited production and attention to detail in their winemaking, but because of the storied terroir that its fruit comes from.
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Posted by email offers at 12:20 PM
January 12, 2006
2004 Germans - Back to Business!
We are back to business in Germany after the highly unusual, very hot and dry 2003 vintage that produced wines akin to those from New Zealand or Alsace. The 2004 vintage is classic German with crisp acids, pure fruit and concentrated minerality.
What makes 2004 exceptional? From the QBAs (entry-level estate bottlings) to the super-ripe Auslesen, the wines are consistently excellent and give you all the balance between sweetness, fruit and acidity you could want from a Riesling. Plus, these wines will stick around. The high-toned acids will ensure the wines long lives. Their clean, ripe flavors will make them a pleasure to enjoy today, in 20 years or any day in between.
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Posted by email offers at 2:56 PM