DECEMBER 2025
FEATURED HOLIDAY
SPARKLING & CHAMPAGNE
Champagne Lanson Père & Fils Brut NV
Regularly $55.99 Dec Price $47.99*
Founded in 1760, Lanson is one of the oldest Champagne houses, with its historical cellars located in the heart of Reims. Possessing an extraordinary collection of reserve wines and vintage bottles going back to 1904, the charm of Lanson is found in the art of blending – different varietals, vineyards, vintages and methods of vinification – to create a seamless Champagne that balances richness with freshness and a youthful vitality with the layered complexity of aged reserve wine.
This cuvée especially wowed us this year, thanks to time-consuming cellar work typically unheard of in this price range. A blend of ten different vintages, the base year is 2015 with 35% older Reserve wines. Five years aging on the lees in bottle has allowed plenty of time for the multitude of flavors to integrate and bloom. The result is a layered, warm-toned beauty whose core of sappy richness is balanced by zesty bright citrus and accents of flinty minerality, yeasty bread, ginger spiciness and a vanilla cookie decadence. 50% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Meunier.
Montgermont Crémant de Bourgogne Blanc de Noirs NV
Regularly $24.99+ Dec. Price $21.99*
Based in Savigny-les-Beaune in the heart of Burgundy’s Côte d’Or region, Samuel Montgermont is a one-man sparkling machine, on a mission to show that traditional method bubbles from Burgundy can be as worthy as Champagne, and with examples like this he might just convince you. He certainly convinced one prominent critic who raved “I can’t remember ever tasting a Crémant de Bourgogne this good [with] a spot-on balance of fruit, creaminess, mousse and freshness that’s so joyful and subtle! I can’t remember when I said this with so much conviction…drink now!” Wow, will do!
A blend of 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Gamay, this unique Blanc de Noirs cuvée delights in its fuller-flavored style and generous yet lively texture. Pinkish gold in color with expressive fruit tones of red berry, cherry and apricot, it lightens and brightens with air, the richness balanced by zesty lemon peel and a thrum of pinpoint bubbles that flow through the long finish, scented by brown baking spice and salted almonds.
Guerra Albano Ribolla Gialla Brut Friuli Colli Orientali NV
Regularly $25.99 Dec. Price $21.99*
Ribolla Gialla has been a major varietal in Italy’s Friuli region since at least the 1300’s (when a local poet listed ‘indulgence of Ribolla wines’ as one of the sins of gluttony) and is rarely seen elsewhere except for neighboring Slovenia where it is known as Rebula. Thanks to naturally high acidity and expressive floral, lightly earthy aromatics, it’s ideal for sparkling. This small-production, handcrafted interpretation is a hidden gem that delivers an appealing balance of luxe creaminess and persistent citrus lift. A warm-toned, autumnal feel offers a slowly meandering flavor parade of golden apple, Mirabelle plum and light peach wrapped in an aromatic halo of toasted oats, exotic Indian spice and dried flowers. Supple and caressing throughout, the fine mousse gently carries the flavors before finishing with a final blood orange lemon flourish.
Marqués de Cáceres Cava Brut NV
Regularly $16.50 Dec. Price $14.99
Called an “affordable Spanish stunner” by one review site earlier this year, this took top prize in our value-tier blind tasting thanks to its elegant balanced style, good tension, long-lasting small bubbles and focused citrusy flavors that brighten the clean, lightly toasty finish. Cáceres is a 5th generation Rioja winery whose emphasis on quality and value clearly extends to their project in Penedés, Spain’s bubbly heartland. 50% Xarel-lo, 30% Macabeo and 20% Parellada.
Bold Holiday Reds- For Gift Giving
or Drinking Tonight
Livio Sassetti Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino 2019
$59.99 Normally $85+
One of the iconic names in Montalcino since the early 1900s, Sassetti’s vineyards are on the Montosoli hill located on the cooler northern side of the appellation. Their style is traditional yet sneakily hedonistic, with a racy underpinning bringing life to the dark wild fruit and spicy aromatic accents. Usually in short supply or even allocated, a recent distributor switch resulted in excess inventory, hence this golden discount opportunity from the great 2019 vintage no less. Although this will easily age a decade or longer, we were surprised at how delicious it already is – sultry, silky textured and packed with layers of complexity. Acclaimed with a string of 95-point reviews from top critics, this one describes the magic well:
“The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino is a spice box of a wine, opening with a burst of camphor and dried flowers, giving way to crushed blackberries, sage and cloves. This is surprisingly energetic and racy in style. Vibrant acidity propels depths of dark red fruits and inner floral as salty minerals saturate. The 2019 finishes structured and long yet still lively, leaving violet inner florals and hints of currant to taper off slowly. The combination of power, depth and energy makes this impossible to ignore.” -95 pts, Vinous
Klipsun Vineyard Red Blend Red Mountain 2022
$41.99/$33.60 by the case Normally $55+
A knockout single vineyard Bordeaux blend from Washington’s prestigious Red Mountain AVA, wines like this have given Red Mountain its enviable reputation. Bold and mouthfilling with serious presence and intensity, the saturated flavors cascade across the palate with polished tannins providing a sturdy framework. Mixed berries, black cherry and plum are joined by accents of tobacco, cedar shavings and crushed slate, appealingly wild aromas that meld beautifully with the dark fruit. Powerful and concentrated, this drinks well now – especially if decanted – but will evolve nicely for years to come. 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 17% Syrah, 7% Malbec, 1% Cabernet Franc.
Ayres Pinot Noir Perspective Ribbon Ridge 2023
$26.99/$21.60 by the case
We featured this back in May for Oregon Wine Month and it’s drinking even better now. Definitely one of the best fuller-bodied Pinot Noir under $30 currently in stock and a great value for 100% Ribbon Ridge fruit. The 20th anniversary of Ayres’ first release has winemaker Brad McLeroy doing what he has done since the beginning, quietly producing excellent value, true-to-terroir, deliciously-drinking Pinot Noir. This bottling is mostly estate fruit along with neighboring Armstrong Vineyard and delivers loads of spicy, soil-driven Ribbon Ridge character in a dark-fruited, powerfully punchy style. Aromas of bright red berry and elegant floral tones lead to a beefier core of tangy black raspberry, cherry and peppery black soil. Youthful and lively, the suave texture, juicy tannins and dark flavors makes this a great choice for those who like their Pinot Noir with some meat on the bone.
Monte Tondo "Campo Grande" Ripasso della Valpolicella 2020
$20.99/$16.80 by the case
A satisfying, velvety smooth option any time of the year, there’s something about the cold, early dark evenings of winter that makes the saturated richness of Ripasso style feel even more comforting and indulgent. Ripasso is sort of halfway-to-Amarone; after pressing the dried grapes from which Amarone is made, an already finished Valpolicella wine is passed over/through its pomace. The resulting wine is richer in body and flavor but not as over-the-top intense as the Amarone style it emulates. This one from our old friends at Monte Tondo is generous and sexy in style with plush waves of dark cherry, brighter raspberry and appealing shades of spiced raisin, cocoa and baking spice.
Previous Favorites Still Available
Terre di Sandro Toscana 2015
$25.99/$20.80 by the case Originally $75!
100% old vine Sangiovese, this is the estate’s flagship wine, named after their father, and meant to showcase the traditional flavors of Tuscany in a refined yet powerful style with Brunello di Montalcino being a clear inspiration. Ten years from harvest this is an elegant beauty, aging gracefully, with gorgeous aromatics and a silky supple texture. Bright cherry mingles with the perfume of early summer roses, blond tobacco and black tea with creamy oak notes and plush, fruit-encased tannins on the finish.
Alcide Toscana 2015
$25.99/$20.80 by the case Originally $65!
The more internationally styled of the two, this blends 50% Sangiovese (from 70-year-old vines) with 50% Cabernet Sauvignon to produce a fuller bodied wine with darker, Cabernet-influenced flavors like cassis, black cherry and blackberry. Despite the more modern feel, the old vine Sangiovese still shines through adding a clear Tuscan flavor background of fennel seed, wild mushroom umami and a forest floor fragrant earthiness. With a great balance of lively acidity, food-friendly tannins and smooth rich fruit this is in a lovely spot right now and should continue to charm for another few years.
Tre Donne Barbera d’Alba 2021
$19.99/$15.99 by the case Originally $25
Following the wild success of last month’s Tre Donne Nebbiolo offer, we scooped up all of this, another of their delicious reds from the terrific 2021 vintage, also discounted to help clear out inventory from a closed Midwest distributor. The fruit here comes from 30 to 48-year-old hillside vines in Neive – in the heart of Barbaresco – and is made in a generous, plush style with light, food-friendly tannins rounding out the finish. The fruit leans dark yet lively, a mix of black raspberry, cherry and plum with classic Piedmont aromatic notes of cured tobacco, licorice, menthol and floral rose adding dimension and depth.
Abbey Road Farm Chardonnay Yamhill-Carlton 2021
$17.99/$14.40 by the case Originally $36
A slam dunk end of vintage deal, this terrific organic Chardonnay showcases the white Burgundy-inspired, lively style that Oregon is known for, married to a lightly creamy texture and a wealth of detailed flavors. Succulent apple and pear are accented with notes of toasted almond, warm spice and a hint of vanilla, while a precise beam of lemony acidity provides focus and lift. The finish is dry and supple, trailing notes of dried white fruit, jasmine and mandarin peel. With acclaimed winemaker Blair Trathen at the helm of this 82-acre working farm with an onsite B&B, the buzz around Abbey Road Farm keeps buzzing stronger and this is a great introduction to their wines.
L'Ecole No 41 Frenchtown Red Columbia Valley 2023
$21.99/$17.60 by the case
This Walla Walla icon likely needs no introduction. Founded in 1983 in a former schoolhouse on the edge of town, they were the third bonded winery after Leonetti and neighbor Woodward Canyon and have been making consistently great wine ever since; so consistent that sometimes we take them for granted. Tasting through the whole line up last month we were reminded just how rock solid they are and so fairly priced for Walla Walla-based wines.
This Bordeaux-meets-Rhône blend captures their balanced, flavorful style and totally overdelivers for the price, with a string of 90+ point reviews – a feat not often achieved by most $20 range WA reds. A blend of eight varietals, it melds richness and freshness, dark fruits and bright, with a lush juicy texture held in check by fine-grained tannins. The flavors are copious yet integrated with lots of red/black berry, crisp cherry and currant framed by purple floral and cedary mulling spice aromas.
Les Vignerons de Yura Jurançon Sec 2023
$19.99/$15.99 by the case
From a small, rarely seen appellation in southwestern France whose vineyards have a close-up view of the majestic Pyrenees, comes this marvel of a white wine, a super vibrant and expressive blend of Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng that balances aromatic intensity, generous delectable flavors and mouthwatering acidity. The appellation Jurançon is best known for its sweet wines (if it is known at all) and while we sometimes have a Jurançon Sec (dry) in stock, it is often overlooked, lost amongst the jumble of lesser-known southwestern French appellations like Tursan, Madiran or Sant Mont.
This one however deserves the spotlight – its flavor explosion will arouse your palate from the winter doldrums, and its ample body makes it a great choice for richer winter dishes. While our notes are littered with plenty of adjectives, this 97-point review from Decanter captures the essence: "Decadent aromas of mango, pineapple, orange peel and quince rustle over the sublime smoky wood character. Ripe and rounded with a mesmerizing salve of acidity and a lengthy mouth-watering finish. Brimming with style and finesse." – Decanter, World Wine Awards, 6/25.
Domaine Kientzler Pinot Blanc Alsace 2023
$21.99/$17.60 by the case
We’re thrilled to have this back in stock after a six-month drought but given the current thirst for Alsatian Pinot Blanc it may not last long. This has been a favorite in the Kientzler line-up for years and again stood out among the new arrivals. The fruit comes from 35-year-old vines nestled in the hillsides around the storybook medieval village of Ribeauvillé, along the winding two-lane Route des Vins d’Alsace. Its aromatic and textural generosity is balanced by a driving energy and snappy vibe as white floral aromas lead to pear and dried mango edged with lemon and brown spice, flavors that melt gently on the dry, rounded finish.
Jean Foillard Beaujolais-Villages 2022
$25.99/$20.80 by the case
One of the original members of the legendary Gang of Four who in the 1980s advocated for Beaujolais to be made in the traditional way, Jean Foillard’s wines are as unmanipulated as the Beaujolais Nouveau of that era was manipulated. A longtime Kermit Lynch staple, his wines continue to be textbook examples of Gamay – transparent, pure and full of terroir-driven character. This is the last of the 2022 vintage – pre-tariff and drinking so deliciously right now that we were surprised it was still available.
Sourced from organic, granite soil vineyards on the boundaries of Morgon, Saint-Amour and Lancié, this Villages-level wine drinks better than many Cru-level Beaujolais. There’s a dense yet yielding core of spiced dark plum emitting aromatic waves of bright pomegranate, black raspberry and floral wild violet. The texture is velvety yet buoyant, gliding effortlessly across the palate as you ask yourself: do I make mental notes of this flavor complexity or just hedonistically chug this? Oh, so many decisions to make!
J.C. Somers Joie de Chien Gamay Noir Laurelwood District 2024
$20.99/$16.80 by the case
With over 30 years’ experience making Pinot Noir in the Valley winemaker Jay Somers (founder of J. Christopher and long-ago Cameron assistant) creates reds of balance, elegance and pleasure and he totally nailed this new arrival. Sourced from older Gamay vines in the Chehalem Mountain's Laurelwood District and aged in neutral wood, it offers the fresh drink-me-now juiciness that makes Gamay so charming, paired with a supple mouthfeel and color wheel complexity. A lively jumble of mixed berry flavors - red, black and blue - melts into softer plum, giving the palate a light cushiony roundness. A beam of spiced cranberry electrifies the back end before shifting into a faintly smoky, black tea crunch while the finish echoes with notes of pie cherry, dried blueberry and cinnamon stick.
Bodegas LAN D-12 Rioja Crianza 2021
$19.99/$15.99 by the case Normally $26
The 2019 version of this was our most popular Rioja last year, and with 2021 considered a great vintage – plus another flash sale price drop – we expect this to again take top prize. LAN makes a variety of cuvées and this D-12 bottling is one of their best. And that’s not just us saying it, the whole D-12 project, according to the winery, revives the tradition of Riojan vine growers choosing their best tank to keep for themselves (D-12 refers to that symbolic tank). Despite it being undoubtedly apocryphal and a bit of savvy marketing, this wine really is quite delicious, especially given an almost 25% discount. Made up of 100% Tempranillo from three older-vine vineyards, fermentation takes place in stainless to maintain aromatic purity and maximize color before aging in American and French oak. The balance between medium-bodied freshness and deeper, complex toasted notes is a big part of its charm. The nose is classic Rioja with loads of cola and brown spice, cocoa, sandalwood and vanilla oak aromas. The texture is creamy and mellow yet lively with airy flavors of cherry, red plum and dried currant. The finish is powerful yet elegant with fine tannins melting into the creamy oak-spiced fruit.
Sangouard-Guyot Mâcon-Vergisson La Roche 2023
$23.99/$19.20 by the case Normally $30
The new vintage from this longtime Mâcon favorite has finally arrived and the importer offered a one-month price break to help offset tariffs so we can load up at better pricing. Sanguourd-Guyot has been a family winery since 1799, farming around 30 acres mostly in Pouilly-Fuissé. This cuvée is a star of their line-up and arguably the best value. The vineyard sits on a steep limestone slope just below the dramatic Rock of Vergisson, right on the border with Pouilly-Fuissé. Fermented in tank then aged partially in neutral oak, it displays a crystalline purity cushioned by the gentlest of fruit texture. Bursting with tangy lemon, white flowers and just-ripe pear this has the racy intensity we want in white Burgundy, with the subtle background texture and depth of fruit more typical of higher-priced wines.
Domaine Fond Croze Cairanne 2022
$19.99/ $15.99 by the case
Last summer/fall we featured two southern Rhône village cuvées from this unpretentious gem of a family winery, the Vaison La Romaine followed by their Rasteau. After recently tasting this, another outstanding village bottling in their line-up, we loaded up at its pre-tariff price. A blend of 50% Grenache and 25% each Mourvèdre and Carignan, its personality lands somewhere between the other cuvées mentioned above. Offering an irresistible juiciness balanced by a concentrated core of fruit, it’s energetic and lively with a cascade of rich, pure flavors. The texture is silky, loaded with red and blue berry and cherry fruit, all perfumed by light notes of herbes de Provence and subtle ground pepper. If you liked the now sold out Crous Saint Martin Cairanne, this is an awesome follow up.
Fento Albarino Rias Baixas 2024
$23.99/$19.20 by the case
The new vintage of this beloved mineral-driven Spanish white arrived last month and we’re thrilled to say it’s as good as ever. A personal family project of winemaker Eulogio Pomares (Bodegas Zarate) and wife Rebeca Montero, the fruit comes from organic, dry-farmed vineyards composed of mica and granite. With minimal intervention during winemaking – native yeast, stainless steel, low sulfur – the essence of the fruit and rocky terroir shines through. Expressive and brimming with a youthful energy, the nose offers a floral perfume of salted lime, white flowers and summer melon. The palate is snappy yet roundly supple, dripping with Meyer lemon and fresh pear, flavors that remain supercharged through the crisp spearmint-laced finish.
Belle Pente Pinot Noir Yamhill-Carlton 2022
$34.99/$28 by the case
We’ve long been fans of Brian O’Donnell’s Pinot Noirs, wines that effortlessly combine elegance, detailed complexity and an overall flavor saturation that gives them their own personality, while still tasting like a quintessential Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. His Yamhill-Carlton cuvée is all declassified estate fruit, an intentional blend of early pick, late pick and press wine that delivers classic Yamhill-Carlton character in a drink now, accessible style. As always the aromatics here are lovely, an enticing mix of floral violet, dusty blueberry, tangy rhubarb and savory spice. The palate is refined and delicate, with high tone raspberry cherry and fertile soil notes unfurling on a bed of light tannins. Aeration does wonders for this youthful new release, so let it breathe to take advantage of all it has to offer.
La Fond de Notre Dame Gigondas “Le Mas” 2022
$23.99/$19.20 by the case
Sourced directly last fall just as the 2022 vintage excitement was beginning, this marries youthful power and graceful beauty, packed with all the flavors/aromas we love in southern Rhône reds. With an average vine age of 70 years, there’s a deep intensity hiding below the polished, glossy surface. The dark cherry/blackberry fruit is perfumed by the many sunny scents of southern France – floral lavender, savory herbes de Provence, umami black olive tapenade – while the finish brings enough of Gigondas’ classic hearty earthiness to show this is no mere Côtes du Rhône.
Ferrando Canavese Rosso 2022
$20.99/$16.80 by the case
Ferrando was the first winery imported by legendary importer Neal Rosenthal back in 1980, from an area that even today very few wine drinkers know about. Based in the tiny Carema appellation (about 50 acres in total), they also make wine from the larger Canavese region, about 45 minutes north of Torino on the border with the Valle d’Aosta, in the shadow of Europe’s highest peak Monte Bianco (Mont Blanc). The wines from here are classic cool-climate in style – bright, fresh and energetic with delicate tannins and pretty, pure fruit flavors.
This Rosso has become a real favorite here, comprised mostly of Nebbiolo with roughly 25% Barbera and a splash of the rare local variety Neretta. Vinified in stainless to preserve aromatic complexity, it opens with fragrant notes of crushed mint, wild strawberry and cherry, delicately succulent flavors that ride a gentle spine of lively acidity. The Barbera adds darker plum and a softening touch while cola, fine ground pepper and cinnamon spice linger on the smooth yet crisp finish.
Domaine Les Gryphées Beaujolais Cuvée Centenaire Les Balmes 2023
$16.99/$13.60 by the case
A silly value for a wine coming from low-yielding 103 year-old vines, this marries the easy-going, insouciant charm of young Gamay to a richer texture and concentration level more typical of pricier Cru Beaujolais. The vineyard sits on a steep slope (balmes in local dialect) in a mix of limestone, clay and golden chalk, a mineral-rich soil that helps define the region. Winemaking is old school – hand harvests, indigenous yeast fermentation and aging in old large barrels (foudres) – to produce a wine of character and place. The nose is all purple flowers and mixed wild berries, with deeper cherry and appealing baking spices joining on the palate as Gamay’s trademark acidity keeps the flavors sailing along, high, crunchy and bright.
Château Jacques Noir Saint-Emilion 2020
$19.99/$15.99 by the case
Bordeaux lately has been a fertile hunting ground for character-filled wines at great prices. Add this new arrival to the list – a serious, impressively endowed 100% Merlot from a 10-acre vineyard at the eastern edge of this famous appellation. The nose is spot on, a mix of savory woodland aromas and loamy graphite, followed by loads of black cherry and currant fruit. The texture is weighty, smooth and almost plush, sitting on just the edge of sappiness while fine tannins provide a balancing structure. 2020 was a great vintage and this is just getting going; drinking it over two days showed it to evolve and gain complexity the longer it was open, while maintaining its dense powerful fruit. An excellent value for true Saint-Emilion.
Amalie Robert Pinot Noir The Uncarved Block Willamette Valley 2016
$30.99/$24.80 by the case
Allow me to let the late, great wine critic Josh Raynolds make the introduction here: "Dena Drews and Ernie Pink have been quietly producing some of Oregon's most elegant and perfumed Pinots since the 2004 vintage. Their 30-acre vineyard outside the town of Dallas, abutting the famed Freedom Hill vineyard, is painstakingly farmed and yields are kept low so production of these wines is limited. Winemaking includes abundant use of whole clusters, which is no doubt responsible for the wines' exotic bouquets and sneaky structure…"
Dena and Ernie clearly love what they do and seem in no hurry to push their progeny from the nest. Multiple past vintages are still available; we currently stock 2010, 2012 and this lovely 2016 which is a blend of all the different blocks of their vineyard, a balanced reflection of varied soil types, microclimates and clonal selection. Dark fruited and spicy, it’s a perfect combination of the winery’s elegant style and a warm vintage, with its generous yet silky texture and deep well of flavors. At eight years from harvest, it has a mellow, integrated feel as subtle sandalwood and pipe tobacco aromas perfume the dark cherry fruit and linger on the long juicy finish. As I wrote simply in my tasting notes, “delicious older vintage, very cool for the price.”
Secret Squirrel Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2019
$20.99/$16.80 by the case
Without a doubt our best-selling NW Cab over the past six months, the vintage recently rolled into 2018 and the cases keep rolling out the door. The well-known secret here is that this is made by Corliss Cellars, one of Walla Walla’s most prestigious wineries. But… if you don’t know that or don’t like animal labels you might not pick this one up. The quality and taste, however, are exactly what you would expect from a winery like Corliss and this new vintage tastes a lot like the 2017, just a bit bolder and more concentrated. Full-bodied and polished, the blackberry, black currant and cherry kirsch flavors are accented by bass notes of cedar, dark chocolate and spicy oak. Despite its age there’s still plenty of power and muscle below; with air it softens and gets prettier revealing brighter red berry, rosy floral aromas and even a subtle lemony lift. A much nicer wine than the price suggests, the Wine Advocate minced no words in their review: "this wine over-delivers for the price and will outperform the competition once it's released. Buy it by the case.”
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