2005 Domaine du Vieux Chêne Cuvée des Capucines, Côtes du Rhône
Shelf Price $21.50 / Offer Price $19.50 / Dozen Unit Price $18.25

“This grenache comes from a Côtes du Rhône vineyard that has been certified organic for a decade. It smells and tastes unmistakably of where it’s from: earthy aromas of squashed baked plum and sticks and leaves lead onto a lovely, spicy mouthful of medium-bodied red wine, with pretty, juicy red fruit and some powdery, fine-grained tannins. Exactly the kind of wine you want to discover being poured by the glass in some out-of-the-way bistro in Paris or Lyons.” Best Buy Wines, Gourmet Traveller Wine, June/July 2008 -

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Fritz Haag, Alsace

"But now 2006 seems to be putting everything else in the shade. Rarely have we tasted such a sensational collection on the Mosel. 13 wines with 90 or more points, eight of which are amongst the best the entire country has to offer – when did that last happen? For that, the award of “Collection of the year” goes without saying..." Armin Diel & Joel Payne, Gault Millau 2008

The “sensational collection” referred to above belongs to none other than Fritz Haag, winner of “Collection of the Year” from both wine publications Gault Millau and Wein Gourmet. Oliver Haag took over from his father, Wilhelm, in 2005 and is successfully continuing the family’s philosophy: the production of fine, fruity, delicate Mosel Rieslings of unmistakable character. The Fritz Haag vineyard looks back on a long history: it was first mentioned in records in 1605 when the village was still called Dusemond. The classified, top vineyard locations of Brauneberger Juffer and Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr lie on the left bank of the Mosel opposite the village, and in 1925, in order to even further promote the reputation of these world-famous sites, the Dusemond village was renamed Brauneberg.

The 10.5ha Juffer-Sonnenuhr vineyard lies on a steep, south-facing slope which forms a kind of concave depression in the hillside. The soil (sometimes deep, sometimes slate rocks) consist of pure, very fine and well-weathered Devonian slate, which can seem almost “greasy”. These factors contribute to the all-important absorption and retention of heat, and here the Riesling grape reaches its pinnacle: the wines are ripe and full-flavoured, with great minerality and unmistakable potential. Surrounding the central Juffer-Sonnenuhr, lies the Juffer vineyard, with heavier soils and less slate - though somewhat less complex, wine quality here remains very high.

Overall the Fritz Haag wines continue to impress (as they did the two gentlemen quoted earlier!). Possibly the most striking aspect of these wines is the authenticity with which they display their heritage and locality. Drinking these, it is easy to imagine standing next to the Mosel, staring at the soaring Brauneberger vineyards...

2006 Riesling Qba / Shelf Price 36.50 / Offer Price $31.00
"An aromatic style, with floral, apricot and passion fruit flavors allied to a fresh structure. Firms up a little on the finish. Drink now through 2012." 87 Points Wine Spectator

2006 Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Kabinett / Shelf Price $51.00 / Offer Price $43.50
"A lovely kabinett, sleek and elegant, with lime, pineapple and mineral aromas and flavors. Vibrant and focused, with a long finish. Fine dimension and complexity. Drink now through 2020." 92 Points, Wine Spectator

2006 Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese / Shelf Price $96.00 / Offer Price $81.50
"Pale golden yellow. Discreet aromas of white peach, quince and mint, plus a hint of honeyed botrytis. Rich, juicy apricot fruit and understated acidity are in delicate balance. Creamy lemon curd and salty minerality mingle on the long finish." 91 points, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Jan/Feb 08

2006 Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Gold Capsule #9 375ml / Shelf Price $89.50 / Offer Price $76.00
"Golden yellow. Sumptuous aromas of peach skin, ripe apricot and clove waft over a firm bed of brown spice botrytis. The rich, dense passion fruit flavor is creamy and silky, enlivened by an ethereal minerality. This is fruit concentration with angel's wings and one of the ten best ausleses of the vintage, topped only by Haag's two rare auction wines." 95 points, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Jan/Feb 08

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