AUGUST INTO SEPTEMBER CASE OF THE MONTH - $140

Filodivino ‘Diana’ Lacrima di Morro d’Alba 2021
A rare, highly aromatic red varietal limited to a tiny appellation in the Marche region, Lacrima was close to extinction with only a few known acres remaining until being resurrected in the mid-1980s. In this cuvée, floral perfumed notes of iris, violet and a cinnamon woodsiness envelope wild dark berry and cherry fruit while an exotic Chinese five spice mix hangs in the background. Tannins creep in on the finish but overall this stays juicy, medium-bodied and playful. Lacrima is a rarity in Portland, making this a fun detour off the beaten path. $13.99

Château Castagnac Bordeaux Supérieur ‘Cuvée Prestige’ 2022
Delivering great value for the price, this is made in an open-knit accessible style, designed for drinking young either in the bistros of Paris or on your own back deck. A blend of 60% Merlot, 30% Cab Franc and 10% Cab Sauv, it is dark and flowing with ripe blackberry and Bing cherry made cheerier by highlights of raspberry and wild strawberry. Medium-bodied and juicy, the finish brings soft tannins and a final flourish of spicy cola. $12.99

L.A. Cetto Petite Sirah 2022
One of the oldest wineries in the Guadalupe Valley in Baja California, the roots of L.A. Cetto began in the 1920s although the label was not introduced until 1975. Petite Sirah thrives in the region’s sandy loam soils and warm dry climate, delivering a lusty mouthful of brambly ripe fruit to pair with late summer BBQs. A concentrated mash-up of blackberry, boysenberry and plum is shaded by earthy brambly savory notes, with lightly smoky peppery notes riding out the finish. $12.99

Bedouet Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine Sur Lie 2023
100% organic Melon de Bourgogne grown in schist and granite soils near the mouth of the Loire River, this picks up extra texture and aromas thanks to aging on the lees (expired yeast cells). Aromatics of salted lemon peel and baking bread lead to supple rounded flavors of melon and pear, the gentle fleshiness balanced by classic Muscadet minerality and vibrant acidity. $13.99

Varvaglione Primitivo Puglia 2023
A delicious example of the Italian relative (parent, sibling?) of American Zinfandel, this drinks rich yet lively, balancing a soft ripe fruitiness with a black tea and fresh thyme-scented lemony lift. The blueberry/blackberry flavors are satisfyingly decadent while the finish is tangy and bright, making it a versatile late summer red. Not only is it tasty, Var-vag-li-o-nay is fun to say! $11.99

Lone Birch Red Blend Yakima Valley 2024
A plush velvety mouth coater in the fine Washington tradition, this opens with spicy vanilla oak and warm hickory aromatics that melt into a creamy pool of dark berry and black currant with appealingly bitter notes of dark chocolate and espresso lingering on the finish. A blend of 40% Syrah, 39% Merlot, 19% Cab Sauv and 2% Malbec, this is super solid for just $12.99  

Tenuta Principe Alberico Appia Antica “400” Lazio Bianco 2022
Named after the Appian Way, one of the most important roads of ancient Rome and the road on which the winery sits, this intriguing blend of Malvasia and Semillon is grown in volcanic soils just outside of Rome. Intensely aromatic and exotic, notes of citrus, grilled pineapple and pear mingle with toasted bread, brown spice and creamy shortbread before finishing dry and lemony. We don’t see many wines from the Lazio region, making this a nice treat. Normally $18, end-of-vintage deal makes it just $11.99 

Luzon Verde Organic Monastrell Jumilla 2024
A shoulder season red from Spain’s southeastern Jumilla region, this showcases the spicy dark power of Monastrell (Mourvèdre) with flashes of sunny southern Spain. It opens meaty and dense with black raspberry, currant, licorice and black olive notes before smoothing out into a pool of concentrated kirsch flavors. With air it gets a veneer of polish and juicier red berry, but the spicy wildness is always there lurking below. $12.99

Mi Terruño Malbec Uvas Mendoza 2024
This popular direct import is lively and youthful with pretty, high-toned strawberry and marionberry that sail across the palate finishing with suave tannins and a kiss of dark earthy spice. Medium-bodied yet concentrated, the sticky flavors hang on the long finish. $12.99 

Flaco Tempranillo Vinos de Madrid 2023
This reminded us of a wine you might casually drink while traveling in Spain – from a lesser-known appellation, youthfully fruit-forward and easy-drinking in style, surprisingly good and cheap! Medium to full-bodied with a lacy curtain of acidity wrapped around the sticky fruit, the dried cherry, plum and late blueberry flavors are accented by earthy briar and hints of coffee and cola. $10.99

Sagemoor Estate White Blend White Bluffs 2022
A blend of 87% Sauvignon Blanc and 13% Semillon, much of it from old vines in the heralded Bacchus and Dionysus Vineyards, this drinks more seriously than the price suggests, with an old-vine intensity and complexity from three different aging vessels – stainless, amphora and a little French oak. The Sauv Blanc is linear, citrus-y and a little spicy while the Semillon brings a creamy texture, dried apricot and a light acacia-scented earthiness. Normally $18, end-of-vintage closeout deal makes it just $11.99

Peyrassol La Croix Rosé Méditerranée 2025
Located in the heart of Provence and existing as a winery (allegedly) for almost 800 years, Peyrassol is as iconic as they come. This La Croix cuvée comes from organic vineyards just outside the Côtes de Provence appellation and tastes like a classic Provence rosé, with a peachy plumpness balanced by racy acidity and accented with delicate aromas of herbes de Provence, white pepper, strawberry and raspberry. The finish is dry, stony and lightly spicy. Normally $21, this month just $16.99

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