August/September Case Of The Month - $115
COM = a mixed case with one bottle each of these winners
– or you can buy them individually as well...
Li Veli Negroamaro 2015
From the southern tip of Italy, this dark brooding red is a picture of parched landscapes and stubborn vines. Warm in tone, the aromatics of Asian peppery spice and cured tobacco roll into a coulis of ripe blackberry and dark red plum, broad and mouthfilling, followed by the leathery chew of tannin on the finish. $11.50
Holzer Grüner Veltliner 2014
A bargain Grüner that actually tastes like one, this offers many of the typical flavors of Austria's signature varietal. Creamy and fullish in texture, the brown spice and white pepper aromatics fade to bread dough and baked apple on the palate finishing with a Meyer lemon snap. Dry, spicy and vaguely autumnal, this hints at the coming fall. $9.99
Cavatappi Sangiovese Columbia Valley 2015
Pretty, aromatic and expressive, this shows off Sangiovese's food-friendly versatility and floral personality. The medium-bodied soft cherry fruit is balanced by bright notes of fresh raspberry with just a hint of blue and the finish is long and smooth. A nice NW summer option when you want something richer than Pinot Noir but not quite Cab or Syrah. $11.99
Avaniel Tempranillo Rosado 2016
This pink Ribera del Duero was a pleasant surprise; 100% Tempranillo from the estate's young vines, there's loads of juicy watermelon and red cherry fruit with a dash of pithy lemon zest to keep it fresh. $9.99
Hayes Valley Meritage 2015
Brand new to Pdx, this Cabernet Sauvignon-based Bordeaux blend is a class act. Richly textured and almost gentle, the fruit shades from blue to black, all nicely accented with kisses of toasty oak. $11.99
Font Sarade Côtes du Ventoux 2016
Here's a fun 100% Carignan from the Mt. Ventoux region in the southern Rhône. Youthful and puppy-like with its plump purple-y fruit, it also shows its old vine heritage (40-50 years old) with a grippy brambly minerality on the finish. In between is a wash of ripe marionberry and blackberry, perfect for washing down a garlicky ratatouille made with the season's fresh tomatoes. $11.99
Beretta Bardolino 2015
Bardolino is Valpolicella's lighter-weight neighbor and is a lovely choice for warmer weather. This popular bottling offers plenty of Italian character in a medium-bodied open-knit style. The nose is meaty and peppery but subtle, like bresaola and uncracked peppercorn. The mixed plum fruit is generous and elegant with pops of dried cranberry and dried herb adding dimension on the finish. $9.99
Sharecropper's Chardonnay 2016
This Yakima Valley Chard shows a French-inspired style with a dose of creamy richness, courtesy of the great DuBrul Vineyard. Most of the wine was made in stainless steel keeping it bright and lively but a few leftover barrels from the DuBrul bottling add depth and texture. Almond aromatics turn to Asian pear on the palate with a kiss of nutmeg on the finish. $11.99
Indaba Mosaic 2015
Showing a sweet earthiness and from-the-farm funk, this Cabernet-dominant red is classic South Africa. Sappy but fresh and light on its feet, the marionberry fruit has a mildly gamey peppery edge before finishing with soft, fruit-encased tannins. 75% Cabernet Sauvignon with Petit Verdot and Merlot. $8.99
Toso Malbec 2015
This customer favorite is a good pick for late summer: rich in flavor but surprisingly elegant and medium-bodied, it would work for casual BBQs or even lighter veggie-based fare. The black plum fruit is soft and smooth with tangy black raspberry highlights and a dusting of baker's cocoa on the finish. $11.50
Lorgeril Syrah-Viogner 2016
Borrowing a technique from the northern Rhône, Lorgeril co-ferments 16% Viognier with his Syrah, resulting in a softer more aromatic red. The iris lavender aromatics are touched by dried thyme and the fruit on the palate is jumbled mix of wild berries that lean dark but stay fresh and juicy. $8.99
Cassagnoles Côtes de Gascogne 2016
Whites from Gascogne, located south of Bordeaux, typically offer excellent value and this Cassagnoles has been a favorite for years. Zippy and refreshing, it's similar to Sauvignon Blanc but more rounded and fleshy, with a white peach succulence softening the racy grapefruit core. Notes of lime zest and wet stone echo on the mouth-watering finish. $8.99
Recent GWB Newsletters
Here are current and back-issues of the Great Wine Buys Newsletter to help you print out this month or find a wine from past issues.