October Case Of The Month - $118
COM = a mixed case with one bottle each of these winners
– or you can buy them individually as well
Château Saint-Roch Côtes du Rhône 2016
A distributor-switch deal shaves $5 off this jazzy drinker from the great 2016 vintage. Based in Lirac, Saint-Roch makes fresh elegantly styled reds that still show off the appealing richness of the southern Rhône. Lithe and perfumed, the flavors here lean dark red, from raspberry to marionberry to red licorice spice. Despite its sleek profile it feels full-bodied and satisfying with enough structure to stand up to fall/winter dishes. $12.99
Canon 13 Pinot Noir 2014
Another not-from-Oregon Pinot Noir deal to savor, this Santa Lucia Highlands (Monterey) bottling is normally $17 and tastes like it. The nose suggests a savory elegance with delicate notes of dried rose petal, oolong tea and a loamy earthiness. On the palate however its California roots shine through with a plump juicy texture and ripe fruit flavors of black cherry and plum. An orange zest snap of acidity balances the rich fruit while notes of strong black tea and light caramel add nuance on the finish. Here just $10.99.
Col d’Orcia Spezieri Toscana 2015
Named after the blenders of spices in Renaissance Florence this Sangiovese-dominated red is made with organic fruit from the estate’s own vineyards located at the southwest border of the Brunello di Montalcino appellation. A serious value, this is weighty and dense with layers of dark plum, dried strawberry and earthy gamey mushroom notes all jumbled together. Alternately juicy then powerful with a long finish, this is a multifaceted sturdy Italian red that will be good company as we leave the warmth of summer behind. $12.99
Sharecropper’s Red Blend 2017
This popular NW red is showing well right now. Sappy yet lively, the fragrant raspberry aromas roll into woodsy red plum on the palate, finishing with toasted spices, cedar and juicy tannins. $11.99
Pajzos Dry Furmint 2017
Always a favorite as we head into cooler weather, this unique Hungarian dry white offers a lively burst of ripe Asian pear and juicy nectarine followed by more unusual subtle brown spice notes, hinting at mustard seed and ground cumin. Fleshy and smooth on the palate in an Alsatian Pinot Gris sort of way, the richness is balanced by a vibrant tanginess making it a good wintertime white. $10.99
Almacruz Tinto Colchagua 2017
26% Carmenère and this elegant? What a nice surprise. An inspired blend from Chile, this mix of Cab Sauv, Carmenère, Malbec and Petit Verdot is crisp and bright in texture with an unexpected finesse. Sure, there’s a smoky guttural edge hiding in there and aromatic flashes of damp fall leaves but mostly the red berry and dried plum fruit is clean and perky, gliding along the palate right through the gentle finish. $9.99
Quiles Monastrell Alicante 2017
Old world and traditional in style, this concentrated Spanish red offers flavors of just-ripe blackberry and dried currant while aromas of meaty cured black olives, thyme and old wood dance in the background. Hearty and comforting with dusty tannins lingering on the finish. $9.99
Le Paradou Viognier 2018
Plump and floral with honeysuckle and freshly peeled mandarin aromas, this southern French white is a fun, rollicking mouthful of fruit- juicy ripe pear, white peach, even a splash of pineapple papaya- before exiting the palate with a dry snappy burst of citrus zest acidity. $11.50
Xiloca Garnacha 2018
This young Spanish red delivers a rich punch of ripe red fruit, from high-toned raspberry to baked warm cherry before diving into a damp underbrush finish, taut and smoky at the edge. A lot of wine for the money; big, brawny but friendly. $12.50
Château Laroque Cabernet Franc 2017
This old favorite from the southern French walled city of Carcassonne shows the mixed personality of a wine whose varietal is Bordeaux (or Loire) but whose vineyard is Mediterranean. On one hand it shows classic Cabernet Franc notes of leafy greens, tobacco, black tea and dusty black plum. Then the sunny Mediterranean side comes out: roasted red berry, warm terra cotta tiles and a wild beefy sanguine note that speaks of the surrounding countryside. $9.99
Ippolito Ciro Bianco 2018
This direct import Greco di Calabria is such a cool wine. Its exotic nose overflows with blooming white flowers, kiwi and other warm weather scents while the flavors on the palate are energetic and bracing- salted lime and cold melon. The texture softens briefly mid-palate, hinting at richness before finishing taut and crisp. $12.50
Dumanet Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 Cheap and cheery, if you look hard enough you can sense its French provenance with wisps of fresh herb and light earthy tannins but mostly this is a user-friendly party wine: medium-bodied, fruity and clean. The flavors are ripe and spot on for Cab, a mix of macerated berries and black cherry with a hint of appealing hickory smoke on the juicy finish. $7.99
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.
Coming Soon