October Case Of The Month - $115
COM = a mixed case with one bottle each of these winners
– or you can buy them individually as well
Cottonwood Syrah Yakima 2011
Five years in bottle gives this a polished complex profile that unfolds nicely as the wine airs. Mellow black plum comes alive and turns to red berry and cherry and the sappy texture is nicely balanced by a thrum of acidity. Notes of pepper, toasted oak and camphor ride out the supple finish. $12.99
Mazzoni Rosso di Toscana 2013
A delicious Super Tuscan that we got a deal on, this is made in Montalcino by the famed Brunello producer Il Poggione. 2013 was a terrific vintage there and it shows here as the flavors boomerang back and forth between more traditional Sangiovese notes and a plusher more new world vibe. The texture is waxy smooth and caressing, an easy drinker for casual pizza night but rich enough to stand up to hearty pastas. Aromatics of cinnamon and baker’s cocoa lead to black cherry and plum on the palate finishing with a cured tobacco earthiness. Normally $16, here $10.99
Chateau Argadens Bordeaux 2012
Elegant and classy, this Cabernet Sauvignon-based red offers a Margaux-like nose of dried flowers and fresh strawberries, a lovely prelude to the supple, red-fruited flavors on the palate. The fruit shades from cherry to dark raspberry, all accented by tones of warm wood, graphite and a bite of cured black olive on the finish. Argadens is part of the Sichel family, who also own a share of the famous Chateau Palmer in Margaux. Regularly $18, special buy this month for $10.99
Clos des Grand Primos Muscadet 2015
Tasting almost as if the vineyards were in the sea and not simply close by, this end-of-the-Loire River white offers a salty blast of sea spray and oyster shell brininess. The organic vines are planted in a mix of gneiss, mica and schist giving great minerality. Bread dough yeasty notes add depth and a perfume of freshly squeezed lime completes the fish-friendly picture. $10.99
Ca Sa Padrina Mantonegro 2015
An uncommon sight, this red comes from the Spanish island of Mallorca. 85% Mantonegro and 5% Callet, two native varietals, with 10% Cab Sauv, this tastes more southern French than Spanish and is a fun step off the beaten path. Aromatically familiar yet distinct, it opens with Mediterranean savory herb aromas and a rustic funkiness before dusty minerally blackberry flavors take over. Growing conditions are cooler than one might think and this shows a fine-boned texture, slightly firm and grippy. $12.99
Reverdito Barbera d’Alba 2015
It’s been a while since tasting this old friend and we’re glad to see it again. Such a nice Piedmont red for the money, it has a seasonally appropriate woodsy fall feel to it with crunchy crisp fruit and wispy aromatics of distant woodsmoke and fallen leaves. The flavors are bright, juicy and generous bouncing from plum boysenberry to macerated raspberry, all sailing along on a wave a fresh acidity. $12.99
Starmont Sauvignon Blanc 2014
A distributor-change deal shaves 1/3 off the price of this classically styled Napa white. Weighty and expressive, the musk melon/tropical flavors are balanced by plenty of grapefruit and tangerine while a whiff of white pepper adds bite on the finish. $9.99
Hawk Crest Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Anyone remember this? A second label of Napa winery Stags’ Leap, this delivered good Cab value at its original price of $15. Then it was $7.99 on a vintage closeout deal, an outrageous value. Apparently it wasn’t all gone, just buried in the warehouse so here’s some more! Remarkably intact, this is a fun (cheap) blast from the past. Rosy cherry cola aromatics lead to mellow black currant and mixed berry fruit on the palate while mild tar and briary wet earth notes add a European feel. Surprisingly tannins are still there, giving the wine structure and lingering on the finish. $7.99
Trapadis Esprit Vin de France 2016
Despite its simple vin de France designation, the 100% Grenache fruit here comes from certified biodynamic vineyards in the heart of Côtes du Rhône country, just outside the village of Rasteau. Medium-bodied and bistro in style, it’s a versatile country wine with a distinctly French edge. The dark strawberry and boysenberry fruit is juicy and refreshing, dusted with enough pastoral garrigue spice notes to be legit. $9.99
Cono Sur Carmenère 2016
True to its varietal character, this organic Chilean red offers a touch of the green to spice up the otherwise soft enveloping berry fruitiness as peppery savory notes flash and pop amid the blue and blackberry flavors. Sappy yet medium-bodied, this flavor train rolls coolly along, finishing with a light leather/espresso funk. $8.99
Herencia Altes Garnatxa Blanca 2017
Usually blended with other varietals, here’s a tasty example of what flavors Grenache Blanc can offer when bottled on its own. Round and highly polished in texture, there’s a satisfying fleshiness to the fruit, all nicely balanced by a youthful freshness. Mild flavors of soft white peach and ripe honeydew glide across the palate finishing dry and almondy. $11.50
Basel Claret Columbia Valley 2013
Its’ back, and cheaper! See Newsleter Features tab for comments. $12.99
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.
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