APRIL CASE OF THE MONTH - $140

Un Autre Monde Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2024
A second label from Roots Wine Co., winemaker Chris Berg selects barrels from his top vineyards in Yamhill-Carlton, Chehalem Mountains and Ribbon Ridge. The fruit quality is silly at this price and the winemaking sees the same handcrafted touch as Chris’ top bottlings. This shows the curb appeal and fruit-forward quality of the ’24 vintage, delivering a mouthwatering wave of richly textured fruit and lively acidity. Darker flavors of black cherry are balanced by brighter notes of red berry while cedar, tea and cinnamon spice dance in the background. $15.99

Domaine Cabirau ‘Serge & Marie’ Maury Sec 2021
Maury is a small French appellation near the Spanish border that until 2011 only produced fortified Grenache-based dessert wines. This dry version is a stunning value thanks to the retirement of Cabirau’s owner. 68% Grenache with 32% Carignan, it offers classic Languedoc-Roussillon flavors in a surprisingly elegant style. The texture is supple, seamless and invitingly soft, with juicy dark raspberry and cherry enveloped in a heady perfume of dried strawberry, rose petal and earthy peppery spice. Originally $20+, here just $11.99.    

Tenuta Ponte Taurasi 2017
A Taurasi in the Case of the Month? Yes indeed, we are working hard to find you the best deals out there! Widely viewed as the flagship appellation of southern Italy (nicknamed the Barolo of the South), Taurasi is where the local varietal Aglianico finds its ultimate expression, as the volcanic-laced soils produce powerful, ageworthy wines with vibrant acidity, firm tannins and wild, savory-scented flavors. This 2017 is in a great spot, developed and expressive with its once-mighty tannins melting away but still providing a brooding backdrop for the parade of disparate aromas. Minerally graphite, licorice, orange zest, brambly tobacco, cola and more accompany the lively cherry and darker berry fruit with a blast of crushed black pepper on the rumbling finish. Originally $50+, here just $15.99.    

FAAA! Albariño Canelones Uruguay 2025
Albariño from Uruguay? Sure why not, especially when it’s this tasty. Balancing a lively zestiness with creamy generosity, this overflows with flavors of dried pineapple, juicy pear and succulent white peach. A vein of crunchy lemon-lime electrifies the richness as tropical fruit aromas echo on the crisp lemon drop finish. $13.99

Miguel Torres Andica Carménère 2023
An expressive, shape-shifting version of Chile’s signature varietal, this opens with an energetic burst of lively red berry, boysenberry and spicy pimentón. With air it flashes darker and lengthens as Italian plum and fig ride a velvety wave into a soft finish filled with aromas of cocoa powder, tobacco leaf and roasted red pepper. $13.99

Barahonda Carro Yecla Tinto 2024
Yecla is a small appellation on a high plateau in southeastern Spain. Similar to its neighbor Jumilla, Monastrell (Mourvèdre) dominates as that varietal thrives in the hot, dry climate. This over-achieving blend offers the dark peppery richness of 50% Monastrell balanced by 25% each Syrah and Merlot that bring brighter red berry and floral aromatics, all delivered with a supple, polished texture. $10.99

Ercole Barbera del Monferrato 2023
Easily recognized by its one-liter size and jaunty, red-splashed label, this popular Italian seems even better this vintage and given the state of the world, 1000ml may be a welcome upgrade over a mere 750ml. By design this is juicy and friendly, a daily drinker house wine versatile enough to pair with a variety of dishes. The sappy dark berry is brightened by tangy red plum with light aromas of dried herb and white pepper trailing on the gentle finish. $14.99 

Tintero Langhe Arneis 2024
A Kermit Lynch-imported Barbaresco winery, Tintero is best known around here for their delicious Barbera-dominated Rosato, a slightly spritzy summer favorite. Arneis is an old local white varietal that was almost lost to history; by the 1970s only two wineries were making any real quantity of it. Happily saved from extinction it offers a unique personality and taste of Piedmont. This one starts floral and snappy with aromas of white flowers, raw almond and white pepper. The texture is polished smooth like Colorado mountain spring water flavored with lemon oil, dried apricot and lime zest, while prickly juniper berry notes linger on the soft finish. $13.99

Board Track Speed Racer Red (by Mark Ryan) 2022
Highly regarded for his big Washington reds, Mark Ryan founded his eponymous winery in 1999 and his years of experience and access to quality fruit are obvious even in this value red. Reviewing this in the Wine Enthusiast, local writer Michael Alberty opines “Speed Racer belongs in the bang for the buck Hall of Fame.” A blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Malbec and 20% Merlot, this is medium-bodied and smooth with bright cherry/blueberry on high with darker plum/currant notes below, all laced with vanilla-scented oaky spice. $13.99

Tor del Colle Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva 2020
Wow, what a wild and complex nose for a $12 wine – heady and woodsy, it pumps out a potent perfume of dried black fruits, incense-y cedar shavings and amaro-like dark spices. After this robust intro, the palate is surprisingly open-knit and casually juicy, full of sappy black cherry and dark chocolate notes streaked with pops of tangy cranberry and spicy cinnamon. $11.99

Casa Santos Lima Bons Ventos Lisboa 2022
A rock-solid Portuguese bargain red, this opens with brambly spicy notes of potting soil and freshly ground pepper followed by a wave of dark marionberry and boysenberry fruit. Sappy and smooth on top with an underlying power below, it's juicy and friendly with enough side flavors to hold your interest. $11.99

Hanna Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2023
A "need to hit our sales goal" deal from the local distributor shaves almost 50% off this classic cooler-climate Cali Chard from the northern reaches of Sonoma. We offered this deal last fall but it sold out quickly leaving many customers wanting more. Well, it’s back and amazingly a dollar cheaper! Hanna was founded in 1985 and is still family owned and operated with second-generation Christine Hanna currently running the winery. With a delicious balance of lemony freshness and creamy mouthfeel, this offers the generous charm of California with a nod to France with its dry, lively structure and clean, focused profile. A recent Wine Spectator review sums it up nicely: "Bright and fresh, showing a mix of citrus notes up front, with fresh-cut apple and fresh ginger flavors, plus a touch of hard lemon candy. Offers crisp acidity and spice details on the finish." $16.99

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