AUGUST/SEPTEMBER CASE OF THE MONTH - $140

 
 

Martin Ray Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2020
An end-of-vintage deal knocks 25% off this California beauty whose medium-bodied texture and lively personality are a great match for the remaining dog days of summer. Rich yet elegant with a high-toned core of raspberry cherry fruit accented by an appealing rhubarb, brambly spiciness. It shades darker with air as the silky mouthfeel melts into a soft floral perfumed finish. Originally $20, now just $14.99

Guerra Albano Friulano Friuli Colli Orientali 2021
A Small Vineyards deal, this is a local specialty of Italy’s northeastern Friuli region along the border with Slovenia. Offering a plump, rounded texture and a slightly exotic personality, this rolls through rich flavors of baked apple, citrus-y grilled pineapple, creamy pecan shortbread and lemon cream before finishing with suggestions of ginger, bread yeast and a crisp minerality. Originally $23, now $14.99 

Guerra Albano Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso Friuli Colli Orientali 2021
One can find sub-varieties of Refosco across Slovenia, Croatia and northeastern Italy; arguably the best expression comes from the Peduncolo sub-variety in Friuli’s Colli Orientali. Dark in profile yet light on its feet with a rounded, bouncy texture, its flavors are a jumble of mixed wild berries, black plum, perfumed violets and peppery Asian spice. Fine grained tannins emerge on the finish adding foundation and calling out for a plate of flavorful antipasti. If you like Piedmont reds this is definitely one to try. Originally $23, now $14.99

Isle Saint Pierre Mediterranean Rouge 2023
Located on an island in the Rhône River fifteen kilometers from the Mediterranean, the winery of the same name hosts hundreds of grazing sheep and an unexpected Bordeaux varietal mix; apparently Grenache, Syrah, etc. did not fare well in the sandy, silty soil. 20% each Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Carmenère and Arinarona (a Petit Verdot/Carmenère hybrid), this tastes like neither Bordeaux nor Rhône but is curiously delicious all the same. Medium-bodied with a tangy, purple-y nose and a breezy summery feel, the flavors are saturated yet airy, a lively mash up of just-ripe blueberry, boysenberry, lemon-spiked black tea, floral fresh thyme and dried oregano. $13.50

Cantine Madaudo Cerasuolo di Vittoria 2022
Sicily’s only DOCG, the Cerasuolo di Vittoria appellation requires a marriage of somewhat opposite yet complementary varieties: the darker denser Nero d’Avola and the lighter aromatic Frappato. Like well-made blends anywhere, the result can offer more range and complexity than either variety alone. This one comes from organic vineyards located just outside the Etna Rosso zone whose volcanic soils add a spiny, minerally energy to the cascade of disparate flavors. A silky topcoat of bright strawberry and raspberry gives way to darker beefier notes below, with plum and black cherry amping up the power toward the finish. Aromas of cured tobacco, black tea, lemon zest and potpourri spice linger throughout. $14.99  

Les Petites Sardines Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie 2023
A dry minerally white from vines near the mouth of the Loire River, Muscadet pairs beautifully with fish of all kinds or other light summer dishes. This one captures the spirit of the appellation while also delivering a more supple, toothsome mouthfeel making it even more versatile. Dappled pear and lemon flavors are shaded with notes of warm-toned yeasty bread dough, fresh green herb and a brisk sea spray freshness. $13.99

Château Roquegrave Médoc 2021
Despite tariffs, we’re continuing to find crazy deals out of Bordeaux. Roquegrave is a respected longtime Cru Bourgeois property in the heart of the Médoc whose wines typically sell for $25+. Tasting this over two days was an eye-opening experience, it’s like two wines in one! It initially offers an elegant, fine-boned profile, with a silky, lightly succulent texture and pretty cherry/marionberry flavors. A tug of acidity keeps it fresh while gentle tannins linger on the clean finish. Day 2 brought a fuller-bodied texture, old school in style with powerful black currant and plum fruit layered with loamy soil and savory herb notes. We recommend decanting to enjoy the full range of flavors or if you routinely enjoy a bottle over two days, this is one that you might just actually like more on day 2. Either way this is a steal at just $11.99.

Mano Mano Tempranillo 2017
A big bold style from the sunbaked vineyards of la Tierra de Castilla, this older vintage delivers a deep blackberry richness and smooth velvety texture with enough aged notes creeping in to add interest. Notes of dried cherry, dusty pimentón and spicy oak ply the edges, bit players to the dark luscious fruit. $10.99

Scaia Rosato Veneto 2024
An easy summer slammer and a bargain to boot, this crowd-friendly pink is 100% Rondinella, a minor variety in Valpolicella that is rarely bottled on its own. It offers a breezy, carefree vibe balancing juicy cherry watermelon decadence with snappier lemon zest and tangy kiwi before finishing dry and brisk. Note: this has a glass stopper, no corkscrew required.  $12.99.

Evodia Garnacha 2021
Charming, pretty and all too easy to knock back, this is a good example of why Grenache is so widely planted across northern Spain and southern France. From steep vineyards in Spain’s Aragon region, this is reminiscent of a clean gentle Côtes du Rhône but softer and juicier than most; the fruit is all happy fresh strawberry and red cherry with a light dusting of sage and green peppercorn for accent. $12.99

Quinta dos Currais Beira Interior 2020
This Portuguese red was a favorite last year and the 2020 is finally hitting its stride. Bass note and dark in profile, it’s a dense jumbled mix of blackberry, fig, Italian plum and cocoa with aromatics of clove and hickory wood. Despite the dark flavors the texture is medium-bodied and smooth with a graham cracker mocha creaminess and fruit-encased tannins. A good example of the virtues of blending: 40% Aragonez, 35% Touriga Nacional, 15% Castelão and 10% Rufete. $11.99

Rippa Dorii Rueda Verdejo 2022
Rippa Dorii’s Ribera del Duero red was a huge hit last month and this white from the neighboring Rueda appellation keeps their hot streak going. 100% Verdejo from organic limestone soils, the pluot, white peach and tropical flavors are broad and palate-enveloping, balanced by zestier notes of lemon oil, smoky flint and fragrant aniseed. $11.99


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