Rosenthal

[LaNiña]

Stopped by Rosenthal today on E. 84th St. - I know of their reputation, but I'm wondering which of you aficianados can tell me more about them...do they import only, distribute to retail and other trade, or only to individuals?

thanks.

[mogsob]

Rosenthal Wine Merchants, conveniently located a couple of blocks from my apartment, is quite simply the best place to buy wine in NY. While the bulk of their business is in wholesale/importing, they are (unlike most in their field), very willing to sell to individuals, even by the single bottle.

They are open during normal business hours, but not late like most wine shops as they are primarily a business not a retail shop. There is no need for an appointment. Essentially, you buzz to be admitted and led downstairs to the cellar, where you can browse and discuss wine with their knowledgeable staff (most likely William Helburn). They can tell you everything you wanted to know about their producers and their wine -- even some interesting stories about how they discovered them! Again, there is no need to buy by the case, or even 12 bottles, unlike most wholesale establishments.

Rosenthal's particular strenghts are in Burgundy and Italy, two of the most exciting wine regions around. Regional France is also becoming a strength.

[LaNiña]

Thanks!!! What do you think about their prices?

[mogsob]

Well, it's fair to say that the price of a Rosenthal wine is best at Rosenthal, but whether that represents good value is an entirely different matter that I cannot comment on.

They will email you their current price list (July email, so might be out of stock on some things).

Some favourites from Burgundy:

Ghislaine Barthod

BACM991 Chambolle Musigny 1999 $40.25

BACH991 Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru "Chatelots" 1999 $61.25

BACH981 Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru "Chatelots" 1998 $57.50

BACR991 Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru "Les Cras" 1999 $72.00

Hubert Lignier

LIGC991 Gevrey Chambertin 1999 $45.00

LIGC981 Gevrey Chambertin 1998 $43.25

LIMS991 Morey St. Denis 1999 $45.00

LIMC991 Morey St. Denis 1er Cru "Les Chaffots" 1999 $81.00

Bernard Bouvier

BUFX991 Fixin "Les Crais de Chene" 1999 $28.75

BUFX981 Fixin "Les Crais de Chene" 1998 $27.00

BUGC981 Gevrey Chambertin 1998 $30.25

Domaine Fourrier

FUCM981 Chambolle Musigny 1998 $39.50

FUCM971 Chambolle Musigny 1997 [ltd] $39.50

FUCM961 Chambolle Musigny 1996 $37.50

FUCG981 Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru "Les Gruenchers" 1998 $45.00

FUGC991 Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru "Cherbaudes" 1999 [ltd] $45.00

And some of my favourites from the south of France:

Chateau Pradeaux

PORF981 Bandol Rouge "La Rose Folle" 1998 $25.25

POLG981 Bandol Rouge "Cuvee Longue Garde" 1998 $36.00

POLG971 Bandol Rouge "Cuvee Longue Garde" 1997 $23.00

POLG961 Bandol Rouge "Cuvee Longue Garde" 1996 $28.75

Mas Jullien

MJRG991 Coteaux du Languedoc Rouge 1999 $25.25

Mas Cal Demoura

JULR991 Coteaux du Languedoc Rouge "Pierre d'Alipe" 1999 $16.50

JULR981 Coteaux du Languedoc Rouge 1998 $15.75

JUIF991 Coteaux du Languedoc Rouge "L'Infidele" 1999 $33.00

And Italy:

Paolo Bea (hands down my wife's favourite wine in the world)

BPSC011 "Santa Chiara", Vino da Tavola Bianco, 2001 $17.25

BPSS981 Sagrantino di Montefalco Secco "Pagliaro" 1998 $48.00

BPSM972 Sagrantino di Montefalco Passito 1997, 375ml [6/cs] $40.50

BPSM952 Sagrantino di Montefalco Passito 1995, 375ml [per bottle] $54.00

[Robert Nesta Marley]

nina,

hubert lignier's wines are in general fairly difficult to come by. his village morey st. denis is an excellent introduction to nuits st. george at that price.

[mogsob]

nestia, if you haven't tried Bouvier's Fixins, you really should. i had them for the first time at Alison on Dominick a year ago and they are really excellent for the price.

[Beachfan]

Sounds like a good tip.

I found this site; I assume it's the same folks.

Rosenthal list

[ajay]

Please forgive my ignorance, but are any of the wines on the list drinkable now, or would they require prolonged cellaring?

[LaNiña]

Sounds like a good tip.

I found this site; I assume it's the same folks.

Rosenthal list

Thank you for that!

[Fat Guy]

Ajay, perhaps there are some exceptions that are outside the range of my very limited wine knowledge, but just from looking at the list I'd say most of those could be opened and enjoyed right away.

[mogsob]

Ayjay, you can certainly enjoy these wines now. Will Helburn of Rosenthal suggested the following approach to young Chambolle. Decant a few of hours before serving (you might want to taste a little for reference). Stopper the decanter and open before sitting down (I take the stopper out about 30 minutes prior to sitting). I have also had the Bea Sagrantinos and Rossos young (both at home and at restaurants -- Etats Unis, GT and Il Buco). The sommelier at GT insisted on decanting and he is right (although you need to wait only about 30 minutes before the wine opens). The Beas are really funky out of the bottle, but are incredible once open.