Bottle Shop of Spring Lake

Tuscan Treasures

Il Marroneto Brunello di Montalcino 2015

Owned by the Mori family since 1974, Il Marroneto is today run by Alessandro Mori, who makes the wine and does so with great love, care and passion; from picking to bottling he follows it day after day as if it was his child, and this can be understood in a moment, by watching him slowly tasting his Brunello or hearing him talking about it with great passion and enthusiasm. He only grows Sangiovese and works in purity. He does not intervene much on the vines, he does not use any type of herbicide or special products for the protection of the plant. Of his wine, he loves the ability it has to express the fruit aromas and flavors, to resist four years in wood – years that the specification of Brunello imposes – and after all this time to remain authentic, delicate and elegant. Today, Il Marroneto, after more than 30 years is regarded as one of the ten historic companies in Montalcino (Siena), among the most famous, important and well known. All this has been possible thanks to the long-term commitment and passion that Mori has always devoted to his work. Il Marroneto the Brunello is a traditional wine, aged in large oak barrels from Allier and Slovenia, vinified according to the traditional systems of Montalcino; the result is a very elegant wine, rich in aromas, classic, suitable for meditation.

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$99.99

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Baricci Brunello di Montalcino 2015

Although Altesino is credited with having the first Brunello di Montalcino that was a single vineyard bottling of their Montosoli site in 1978 – as it was used in their Riserva since 1975- Nello Baricci officially made his first Brunello di Montalcino in 1971 which was made from his vineyard in Montosoli but was not advertised to be a single vineyard as it was the only vineyard he owned. Francesco Baricci respects Altesino’s place when it comes to investing in and promoting the Montosoli cru, and he is grateful for their contributions to this ‘Grand cru’ through the years, but he points out that his grandfather’s importance is sometimes overshadowed: “Baricci couldn’t exist without Montosoli and Montosoli couldn’t exist without Baricci,” Francesco passionately exclaimed. Nello Baricci, the founder of the estate, was born in Montalcino in 1921. In 1955, with the few savings of a lifetime, he bought the Eastern slope of the Montosoli hill, a very special place with a long tradition of Sangiovese cultivation dating back to the Middle- Age. The Montosoli hill was already famous for the production of high-quality wines thanks to its exceptional combination of soil composition and micro-climate. When the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino was established in 1967, Nello Baricci was already considered a Master of Sangiovese. He put the first signature and received the badge #1. Moreover he registered the 1st hectare of Brunello at the Chamber of Commerce in Siena, a real pioneer in the history of Montalcino. The first bottle of Rosso di Montalcino was produced in 1968 and the first Brunello in 1971. Today Baricci is the only producer to have all his vineyards (5 Ha) in the Montosoli “Grand Cru”, plus the cellar. The estate is now managed by Nello’s grandsons, Federico and Francesco. In Montosoli the Pliocene marine-soil gives the Sangiovese vines great richness in mineral substances, plus its rocky structure (quartz, marnes, scist, fossils) guarantees a good drainage in the rainy seasons, which is a fundamental prerogative for a high-quality grape ripeness. The micro-climate is the other great component making this area so exceptional. The Montosoli Cru is located in the Northern area of Montalcino. The higher altitude works as a barrier from the heating and the warm winds coming from South. Moreover, the adjacent cooler and humid Valdarbia area to the North, contributes to lower the avarage temperature and to increase the humidity. This cooler climate makes the ripening process slower than in other areas of Montalcino. Here, usually the harvest is delayed of 15 days than in the warmer Southern sites. These characteristics give the wines perfect ripe tannins, great acidity and a very balanced sugar concentration, what translates in a Rosso full of freshness and fruitiness, and in a Brunello full of elegance, complexity, and smoothness. Made from very old vines (40+ years) planted in 1978, this is made of 100% Sangiovese in the elite Montosoli Cru, one of the Montalcino's finest. The e levation is at 280 - 300 meters, and the t rellising is s purrred cordon and Guyot. The soils are classic Galestro terrain, mixture of quartz, schist and sand, stone, generally loose. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats (21 days at 28 - 30°C), and the grapes and juice are macerated on the skins for 21 days with frequent pumping over. Aged 36 months in Slavonian oak barrels of 40 Hectoliters, plus 6 months in the bottle before the release. Please note this is made with very low sulfites. Ideal with roasted red meats, noble game and aged cheeses. Best served at a temperature of about 18/20 °C, opening it 3 hours before drinking.

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~~$99.99~~$84.99

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Fossacolle Brunello di Montalcino 2015

Owner Sergio Marchetti belongs to an old patriarchal family of the 18th century. The family’s descendants have lived and farmed on this land for generations. In the 1980s, the owner of the lands gifted Fossacolle to the family when he sold the properties. Fossacolle is four hectares of vineyards in the medieval town of Tavernelle in southern Montalcino. This area benefits from the wind of nearby Maremma which creates a perfect climate to grow and to mature grapes. Sergio and his family manage the vineyards and his son-in-law, Adriano Bambagioni, with the help of his son Stefano, carry out all the enological and commercial aspects of Fossacolle. The Fossacolle Brunello di Montalcino is made from 31-41 year old vines, very old, with spurred cordon trellising. The soils are m edium textured, soil tending to clay and limestone with some layers of tuff. Fermented in stainless steel tanks for 22 days (30-32°C), followed by a long maceration with frequent pumping over and delestages. Malolactic fermentation takes place in concrete vats, then the wine is aged in traditional Slavonian oak barrels (25 HL) and French oak barriques for 24 months, followed by 12 months in concrete and 8 months in bottle.

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$65.00

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La Poderina Brunello di Montalcino 2015

La Poderina is located just south of Montalcino in the Castelnuovo dell’Abate township, which is renowned for rich, elegant and balanced fruit. It is the area where power players Ciacci Piccolomini and Uccelliera are also located, and where we visited in 2009. La Poderina is owned by the same quality-driven folks who own Fattoria del Cerro. At La Poderina, 25 acres are dedicated to the cultivation of the Sangiovese Grosso for the production of this Brunello and 11 acres are designated for Rosso di Montalcino. Their vineyards have yields well below the 32 ql/acre dictated by the appellation’s regulations. The winemaker is the renowned Riccardo Cotarella who ages the wines in both French barriques and larger botti, giving the final wines restrained oak notes that still showcase unique characteristics of this region’s Sangiovese.

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$65.00

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Fattoria-Rodáno Chianti Classico 2017

New York Times 20 Reds under $20 (Jan. 30, 2020)… "This is a weighty, intense Chianti, rich and complicated, with a lot going on. It’s not the sort of focused wine that delivers sangiovese flavors with laser like clarity, but instead is a fascinating collection of fruit, herbal and earthy sensations that nonetheless make for a delicious wine. " Fattoria di Rodáno is a top source for classically made, user-friendly and complex Chianti. Located in Castellina in the heart of the Chianti Classico district, the estate dates back as a wine-producing property to the sixteenth century, belonging to the Pozzesi family ever since that time. Vittorio Pozzesi had been in charge of the estate since they first began to bottle wine on their own in 1967 but now his son, Enrico, handles the management of the winery. The domaine’s former winemaker was Guilio Gambelli, who passed away in 2012. Gambelli was one of the most legendary winemakers in Chianti, consulting for such estates as Montevertine and Gianfranco Soldera. The style of the Rodáno Chianti bottlings is quite traditional, with Sangiovese playing a dominant role in all of the estate’s various bottlings. The Chianti Classico “normale” is aged entirely in large Slovenian “botte,” and the Riserva is a combination of these large casks and used barriques. Like all great traditional Sangiovese-based wines, the Rodáno wines offer up lovely, bright acidity that adds freshness and focus on the palate, and makes them outstanding partners at the table. The heart and soul of their vineyard holdings is the beautifully situated vineyard of Viacosta, which is a perfect, south-facing bowl of old vines, that average between thirty-five and forty-five years of age. In top vintages, the Rodáno Riserva Chianti bottling is made from the Viacosta vineyard. The Classico is made of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo & Colorino (two local grapes used traditionally for Chianti), from certified o rganic vineyards in Castellina in Chianti. The o rientation of the vines is s outh, southwest and the s oils are limestone. All the grapes are h and-picked.

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$19.99

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Baricci Brunello di Montalcino 2014

Although Altesino is credited with having the first Brunello di Montalcino that was a single vineyard bottling of their Montosoli site in 1978 – as it was used in their Riserva since 1975- Nello Baricci officially made his first Brunello di Montalcino in 1971 which was made from his vineyard in Montosoli but was not advertised to be a single vineyard as it was the only vineyard he owned. Francesco Baricci respects Altesino’s place when it comes to investing in and promoting the Montosoli cru, and he is grateful for their contributions to this ‘Grand cru’ through the years, but he points out that his grandfather’s importance is sometimes overshadowed: “Baricci couldn’t exist without Montosoli and Montosoli couldn’t exist without Baricci,” Francesco passionately exclaimed. Nello Baricci, the founder of the estate, was born in Montalcino in 1921. In 1955, with the few savings of a lifetime, he bought the Eastern slope of the Montosoli hill, a very special place with a long tradition of Sangiovese cultivation dating back to the Middle- Age. The Montosoli hill was already famous for the production of high-quality wines thanks to its exceptional combination of soil composition and micro-climate. When the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino was established in 1967, Nello Baricci was already considered a Master of Sangiovese. He put the first signature and received the badge #1. Moreover he registered the 1st hectare of Brunello at the Chamber of Commerce in Siena, a real pioneer in the history of Montalcino. The first bottle of Rosso di Montalcino was produced in 1968 and the first Brunello in 1971. Today Baricci is the only producer to have all his vineyards (5 Ha) in the Montosoli “Grand Cru”, plus the cellar. The estate is now managed by Nello’s grandsons, Federico and Francesco. In Montosoli the Pliocene marine-soil gives the Sangiovese vines great richness in mineral substances, plus its rocky structure (quartz, marnes, scist, fossils) guarantees a good drainage in the rainy seasons, which is a fundamental prerogative for a high-quality grape ripeness. The micro-climate is the other great component making this area so exceptional. The Montosoli Cru is located in the Northern area of Montalcino. The higher altitude works as a barrier from the heating and the warm winds coming from South. Moreover, the adjacent cooler and humid Valdarbia area to the North, contributes to lower the avarage temperature and to increase the humidity. This cooler climate makes the ripening process slower than in other areas of Montalcino. Here, usually the harvest is delayed of 15 days than in the warmer Southern sites. These characteristics give the wines perfect ripe tannins, great acidity and a very balanced sugar concentration, what translates in a Rosso full of freshness and fruitiness, and in a Brunello full of elegance, complexity, and smoothness. Made from very old vines (40+ years) planted in 1978, this is made of 100% Sangiovese in the elite Montosoli Cru, one of the Montalcino's finest. The elevation is at 280 - 300 meters, and the trellising is spurrred cordon and Guyot. The soils are classic Galestro terrain, mixture of quartz, schist and sand, stone, generally loose. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats (21 days at 28 - 30°C), and the grapes and juice are macerated on the skins for 21 days with frequent pumping over. Aged 36 months in Slavonian oak barrels of 40 Hectoliters, plus 6 months in the bottle before the release. Please note this is made with very low sulfites. Ideal with roasted red meats, noble game and aged cheeses. Best served at a temperature of about 18/20 °C, opening it 3 hours before drinking.

we95
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~~$99.99~~$49.99

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Bordeaux in Stock

Chateau Lynch-Bages Pauillac 2009

World famous fifth-growth Lynch-Bages is planted to 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, with over 200 acres of vineyards. This large estate has remained essentially intact since the 16th century, and was named for the Bages plateau and the ownership of the estate by Thomas Lynch in the 17th and 18th centuries. The wine spends about 15 months in oak with 60% new oak, and tends to be a big, powerful wine. Robert Parker says that, 'Since the mid-1980s, Lynch-Bages has been performing well above its fifth-growth status, producing wines equivalent to a second-growth. Often referred to as the 'poor man's Mouton Rothschild,' it is a sure bet in most vintages.'

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~~$299.00~~$249.00

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Chateau Lynch-Bages Pauillac 2015

World famous Lynch-Bages epitomizes the power and elegance of a great Pauillac. Planted to 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, with over 200 acres of vineyards, this estate has remained essentially intact since the 16th century, and was named for the Bages plateau and the ownership of the estate by Thomas Lynch in the 17th and 18th centuries. The wine spends about 15 months in oak with 60% new oak, and tends to be a big, powerful wine. Robert Parker says that, 'Since the mid-1980s, Lynch-Bages has been performing well above its fifth-growth status, producing wines equivalent to a second-growth. Often referred to as the 'poor man's Mouton Rothschild,' it is a sure bet in most vintages.' Daring, innovative and with a reputation for often being the last to harvest, Jean-Charles Cazes defined the style of Lynch-Bages in the 1930's. The Cazes family's roots lie in the Médoc : Château Lynch-Bages and Château Ormes de Pez were the first estates acquired by Jean-Charles Cazes in the late 1930's. Today, the family group encompasses reputed wine estates, a wine merchant company, and a branch dedicated to hospitality, gastronomy and wine tourism. The wine's distinctive character has earned itself a place among Pauillac's greatest wines. It combines structure, finesse and elegance, offering generous aromas in its youth and developing deeper complexities with bottle age.

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~~$199.00~~$169.99

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Chateau Montviel Pomerol 2015

Chateau Montviel was the first Pomerol estate purchased by Catherine Pere-Verge. She bought Chateau Montviel in 1985. Chateau Montviel was created from vineyards belonging to three little known properties including; Bellevue-Montviel, La Croix des Templiers, and Montviel. Following her purchase and creation of the new vineyard for Chateau Montviel, Catherine Pere Verge continued adding to her holdings in Pomerol when she subsequently obtained Chateau Le Gay , located on the famous plateau of Pomerol. Her next two purchases were Chateau Tristan, Chateau Feytit-Lagrave and later, Chateau La Violette. La Violette is also located on the prized terroir of the Pomerol plateau. The same technical team that produces Chateau Le Gay and Chateau La Violette also works with Chateau Montviel as well. In fact, because there is no winery for Chateau Tristan, the wine is produced at Montviel. Starting with the 1988 vintage, Pere Verge brought in Michel Rolland as her consultant. The 10.1 hectare vineyard of Chateau Montviel is planted to 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. However, it is important to note that while the estate has 10.1 hectares of vines, only the 5 best hectares are used to produce Chateau Montviel. The vines for Chateau Montviel are placed in various parcels in the Pomerol appellation giving the estate two distinctly, different soil types.

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$49.99

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Chateau Bois Pertuis Bordeaux 2016

This is such an incredible value in classic red Bordeaux wine. Whether you enjoy Cabs, Merlots, Chianti or even fuller-bodied Pinots, this would be a terrific new discovery. Château Bois Pertuis is located just 20 km north of Saint-Emilion, in St Christophe de Double, near the Double forest, famous for its merrain oaks, used in barrel making. This area was formerly known as 'Les Hauts de Saint Emilion', and has had a very long tradition of wine-growing. The terroir at Château Bois Pertuis is made up of gravel and sand which brings finesse, and of clay which provides richness. Château Bois Pertuis produces a red Bordeaux wine that is well balanced and round. The blending of the noble varieties, mostly Merlot, results in a very fine wine, close to those of Pomerol and Saint-Emilion. The vineyard is planted to 86% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Cabernet Franc. Serve with your finest red meat dishes, French cheeses, especially Comté gruyere and pâté.

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$16.99

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Chateau Lanessan Haut Médoc 2016

Château Lanessan in the Haut-Médoc dates back to 1793 when it was founded by Jean Delbos. The classic château, with its Tudor-inspired influences was constructed in 1878. Eight generations later, Château Lanessan remains in the hands of the Bouteiller family, which are direct descendants of the founder. The 80 hectare, Haut Medoc vineyard of Château Lanessan has 45 hectares cultivated with vines. The vineyard is close to the St. Julien appellation. In fact, it’s just a bit south, as you drive up the D2, the Route de Medoc. The terroir is mostly gravel-based soils. The vineyard is planted to 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. On average, the vines are 30 years of age. To produce the wine of Château Lanessan, vinification takes place in traditional, concrete vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in vat. The wine is aged in a combination of 33% new, French barrels, 33% one year old, French oak barrels and 33% two year old, French oak barrels for an average of 12 months.

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$27.99

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Château de Ribebon Bordeaux Supérieur 2016

Owned by the Aubert family, this hidden gem of a property boasts clay-limestone, gravel and iron soils, classic Right Bank terroir, and is located on a rocky plateau overlooking the Dordogne River. The vines have a full southern exposure, allowing for maximum sun, helping bring the fruit to full ripeness, with plantings Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The estate has very old vines, averaging 60-years of age, which are tended to by hand and harvested parcel by parcel. The grapes are sorted at the vine and again at the winery, followed by 100% destemming. Merlot crafts a sophisticated and elegant wine with delicate yet admirable structure and refined red berry aromas. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc (this last one from 100 year-old vines, compared to the average vine age of 60 years) bring accents of ripe and supple fruit, with mineral undertones from the limestone supplying freshness. Oak-aged for eighteen months, this wine is all about elegance and balance. Easy to enjoy on its own, it also pairs well with grilled meats and vegetables.

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$15.99

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Chateau Tour Saint Christophe Les Terrasses 2016

Château Tour Saint Christophe is located in St-Christophe-des-Bardes at the border of St-Émilion. The vineyard is unique as it is partly planted on narrow terraces and tended in tight rows. The cascading landscape unfolds on the hillside of Cassevert overlooking the St-Laurent valley. The property is home to beautiful centuries-old dry stone terraces on a clay-limestone terroir. About 1.5 km of dry-stone terraces have been repaired by hand, a two-year process. The vineyard, with vines of an average age of 30 years, is orientated south-southwest and benefits from an ideal exposure to sun and perfect natural drainage conditions. Les Terrasses de Saint Christophe is the second label of Château Tour Saint Christophe.

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$24.99

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Appellation Rhône

Chateau Mont-Redon Châteauneuf du Pape 2016 375ml

THIS IS A 1/2 BOTTLE The first vines found at Mont-Redon date back to Roman times. They were planted at the bottom of the hill, sheltered from the Mistral wind, that gave its name to the Mont-Redon property. In 1344, “Mourredon”, part of the Pope’s land holdings, was officially recognized as a vineyard. In 1923, Henri Plantin took over Château Mont-Redon and its 2.5 hectares of vines spread out across the appellation. He worked on grouping together as many parcels as possible, and had the foresight to plant on the wide open plateau, with its rocky soil and forest patches, never before cultivated, that looks over the Château. Alive with the same passion for their work, always in quest of the highest quality terroirs and the grape varieties that are best adapted to them, Henri Plantin’s descendants continue to search out the best pieces of land with which to ensure the domaine’s growth. For four generations, in the middle of their vines and through the centuries, the family has continually enhanced its wine-making knowledge, always in pursuit of greater quality. All of the grapes at Mont-Redon are handpicked to enhance this point. This has an intense nose with red fruit aromas combined with complex smokiness. Tight and focused tannins on the palate. Enjoyable now but requires a few years of bottle maturation to fully integrate aging notes. Very elegant and refined finish. THIS IS A HALF BOTTLE

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$29.99

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Guillaume Gonnet Le Virtuose Lirac 2018

3rd generation winemaker Guillaume Gonnet hails from the Côtes-du-Rhône area, in the south of France, farming with organic methods and minimal intervention, making pure, soil-rich wines with little to no oak, focusing upon the red fruit and flower-driven Grenache grape. His labels depict the local robins which fly around the vineyards and embody all that drives these wines - dreams, liberty and terroir. His Lirac here is made of handpicked grapes, 80% Grenache, 20% Syrah, from 40 year old vines, vinified in c oncrete tanks using natural yeasts and aged for a total of 12 months in concrete vats. The soils here are r ound pebbles on the surface with red clay and sandy underneath. The e xposition is a South-facing plateau. This wine has intense red and black fruits, lots of spices and garrigues (herbs from Provence), soft, elegant tannins, and delicious complexities of licorice, truffle and dark chocolate. Pair with fine French cheeses, such Fromage d'Affinois, Le Pico Goat, Comte Gruyere or P'tit Basque, or with meat roasts, stews, bean casseroles, bbq ribs and chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs and sausages on the grill.

$21.99

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Organic + Biodynamic

Tiamo Pinot Grigio 2018

The Pinot Grigio grape has its origins in France from the Pinot Gris variety, but today, this popular grape is best known for the crisp, dry whites coming from northern Italy. We were thrilled to find such a tasty, fresh and stylish one made in the hillside vineyards of Veneto from 100% organic grapes. The Veneto region is ideally suited for the Pinot Grigio grape, where the particular composition of the hilly soil, exposition to the sun and mild summer temperatures combine to provide excellent conditions. Made by Cantine Volpi which has been producing wine for over 50 years, Tiamo Pinot Grigio is produced from a 12 hectare, certified organic vineyard near the town of San Polo di Pave, in the heart of the Treviso countryside. The vines average 20-25 years, and all of the grapes are picked by hand. Tiamo Pinot Grigio is dry, clean and crisp with notes of apple, pear and citrus, and hints of flowers and minerals. Serve with white fishes, shellfish, green salads, lemon chicken and mild cheeses.

$14.99

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Antidoto Ribera del Duero 2018

We are so happy to have this wine back in stock! 'Antidoto' means Antidote... because the young, passionate French winemaker Bertrand Sourdais, created this wine to capture the essence of the Ribera del Duero region he so deeply loves, at a pricepoint that is affordable to many. The region has suffered from 'sticker shock' in recent years, in order for consumers to get the best wines. But Antidoto is made from the highest quality old vine sites in the renowned Soría zone. Bertrand first gained winemaking fame in this region for his pioneering wines made at Atauta. But when the winery was sold in 2009, his gaze shifted to his family’s Chinon estate in France’s Loire Valley so he returned home to make wine there. Yet all the while the 'pull' of Soría remained strong so he soon returned to the region to make a new wine with a more modest price tag which—like all of his work at Atauta—would be full of the soul of ancient-vine Tinto Fino. Wherever possible, he also employs organic and biodynamic methods. Bertrand poetically describes the Soría zone as 'sitting on the rooftop of Ribera,' where temperatures are cooler than in the rest of Ribera del Duero, giving the wines added freshness. There are numerous soil types, but most of them have two things in common: their poorness and an abundance of sand that has kept Phylloxera away for the past 150 years. As a consequence this is one of the largest concentrations of ungrafted vines in Europe. To Bertrand’s mind, the Soría sub-zone offers a transitional wine type that can—in the right hands—blend Rioja’s fragrance and finesse with Ribera del Duero’s traditional power and depth. He is using long, gentle macerations to minimize tannin extraction and no new barrels are employed for aging. The immediate goal is a wine with balance, perfume, and complete tannins.

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$24.99

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Colosi Ecolosi Nero d'Avola Rosé 2019

Organic, delicious and topped off with a screwcap ... sign me up!!! Made by the third generation Colosi family in Sicily, this is made of the native Sicilian grape, Nero d’Avola. It is crisp, clean and definitely dry, with wild strawberry, lovely rose petals, and saline-inflected minerals in the nose and mouth. You know this is an ‘island’ wine with its tangy flavors and sea breeze nuances. So delicious! Winemaker Pietro Colosi works with his father Piero.

$11.99

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Moraitis Sillogi White 2019

Sillogi is the quintessential Summer white from the Greek island of Paros. The fine quality Moraitis estate is owned by Manolis Moraitis whose grandfather founded the winery in 1910. Today Moraitis is the only privately owned wine estate on the island, and Manolis is working with his son Theo; soon he will also work with his son Savvas after his military duties are complete. Sillogi white, from the region of Cyclades on Paros Island, is made of Malagouzia and Assyrtiko grapes. Super fresh, dry, zesty and long in the mouth, this will immediately remind you of the sea and all of its seafood riches. Look for tangy citrus, lemon, lime, briny green olive, sea breeze and oregano accents and think of pairing this with raw oysters, shrimp cocktail with a squeeze of lemon or lime, mussels in garlic, oil and herbs, cold seafood salads, ceviches, gazpachos, salted fishes (cod/white anchovy/sardine), sheep's milk cheeses, green olives or simply on its own as an aperitif. The Greeks serve toasted bread with olive oil, sea salt and oregano on top which is an ideal accompaniment to this wine and perfect as you are waiting for your seafood dish or nibbling in between courses. If comparing this wine to something more familiar, I would say it reminds me of a cross between a fine Chablis and a Gruner. We visited Moraitis Winery in June of 2010 and hiked around their organic vineyards in different locations on the island, then visited the winery for a tasting of all of their wines. Father Manolis and sons Theo & Savvas were our hosts, and Manolis' wife whipped up a light lunch for us after the tasting. She served a super smooth, delicious Taramosalata, fresh Parsley and Onion spread on toast topped with a kalamata olive, rustic sunflower seeded breadsticks and chunks of Graviera cheese: Greece's 'other' sheep's milk cheese. Graviera seems to be used in Greece as their table cheese, and the Feta cheese is used in Greece's most famous salad of tomatoes, feta, olives, onion and crusty bread. Posted from an article about Greek wines on PunchDrink.com: "Moraitis is one of the historic properties in Naoussa, on the island of Paros, farther north in the Cyclades. Their Sillogi combines assyrtiko with malagousia, a fragrant grape from the mainland, both grown in organic vineyards on Paros. If there’s a bit less of the volcanic intensity found on Santorini, but a minty herbal side and slightly leesy richness give this both complexity and freshness. It’s the sort of wine that telegraphs the success Greek island whites could have, if just a few more pinot grigio drinkers made the switch."

$16.99

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Moraitis Dry Rosé 2019

When we visited Greece in the early summer of 2010, we fell in love with the wines from the Moraitis Estate located on the beautiful island of Paros. Owned by the Moraitis family, Manolis Moraitis' grandfather founded the winery in 1910 and today is working with one of his sons while his other son finishes school and the military. Moraitis is the only privately owned wine estate on the island and conducts all grape growing with organic methods. This luscious and lovely dry Rosé is made of a blend of indigenous Greek varieties: Mavraidano provides aromas of cherries and plums while the deeply colored Mandilaria grape gives lovely floral notes especially violets. This is clean, crisp and emminently drinkable. When we visited the estate, father Manolis and sons Theo and Savvas were our hosts, but their mom whipped up a light lunch for us including a super smooth, delicious Taramosalata (caviar spread), Parsley and Onion spread on toast topped with a kalamata olive and chunks of Graviera cheese (Greece's 'other famous' sheep's milk cheese). Graviera is more of their table cheese, and the Greek Feta cheese is used in the country's famous Tomato, feta, olive and crusty bread salad. This wine pairs well with all of the above! When you get it home, create something Greek-inspired and this wine will truly sing...

$17.99

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Colosi Ecolosi Catarratto Pinot Grigio 2019

Made by the third generation Colosi family in Sicily, this is made of the native Sicilian grape, Catarratto, blended with the classic Italian grape, Pinot Grigio. With 24 acres of vineyards in Salina, a small island in the Eolian Archipelago, Colosi’s volcanic soils are ideal for grape growing. Look for ripe lemon, lychee, peach, apricot and pineapple aromas and flavors. Serve with lemony seafood and fresh goat and sheep's milk cheeses in particular. Winemaker Pietro Colosi works with his father Piero to honor the family and continue the Sicilian traditions of winemaking.

$11.99

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Iuli Barbera del Monferrato Superiore Rossore 2017

This Barbera from Monferrato in Piedmont is an extraordinary, high quality Barbera made by winemaker Fabrizio Iuli. Rossore, named after the color Barbera puts in your cheeks, was in reality the first wine Fabrizio ever produced in 1998, and the predecessor to his Barabba label. He blends 100% organic estate fruit into the Rossore, including fruit from Barabba, his ancient plot of Barbera. The result is a wine with a ripe, chocolately nose followed by a palate packed with flavor, ripeness and underlying acidity and tannin. The Barabba vineyard is his oldest plot of Barbera, with vines planted in 1930 and 1960, located on a steep, rocky hill with a limestone core. The core of the blend is from vines planted between 1980-1998 from south-facing parcels. Rossore is aged in concrete and large French oak casks of 1700-2500L for 25 months, followed by 6 months in bottle. 11,000 bottles made. Fabrizio Iuli calls himself a barberista , for his love, focus and dedication to the Barbera grape. Located in the small town of Montaldo in Monferrato, which is the home of many of Piedmont's top Barbera wines . We had the incredible opportunity to visit Iuli, hike around the vineyards and taste wine out of barrel and bottle with Fabrizio. His wines clearly have a purity, honesty and joyfulness to them that we just love. They are also seriously complex at the same time. Rossore Barbera will be a flavorful crowd-pleaser with many types of foods. Grilled or roasted meats, oven roasted tomatoes, baby back ribs, pasta dishes with meat sauces, aged cheeses and salumi, a thick-cut bacon lettuce and tomato sandwich and more will pair amazingly. Iuli is set among the last band of dramatic hills and valleys before descending into the rich flatlands of the Po river valley, with the Alps as a backdrop on a clear day. If you're headed to Montaldo, chances are it is to see Fabrizio Iuli. His family figures prominently and colorfully in the town's history. In the 1920s, his grandfather, Gioacchino Natale Iuli, like many young men from the countryside, was courted by a factory job in Lombardia. In a twist of fate, Gioacchino heard that a burgeoning marching band had been formed in Montaldo, so he packed his bags and headed back to become its clarinetist and to start a family. The first vines were planted around 1930. Fabrizio's grandmother, Ernestina, established a little osteria in their living room, a place with warm food and warm hospitality that became a gathering point for the village. There was much conviviality and Iuli Barbera flowing. Though no longer an official restaurant, the feeling continues to this day with Fabrizio and his wife, Summer Wolff, cooking up a storm and popping bottles. It is a place that sucks you in, where time seems to stand still, if only temporarily. Today, Fabrizio is the only winegrower in the town. His first commerical vintage was 1998, with his Barbera called Rossore. The grapes found in his vineyards are Baratuciat (a nearly-extinct white variety from the Val di Susa), Slarina (a red Monferrato variety also almost lost), Grignolino, Nebbiolo, Pinot Nero, and, of course, Barbera. There are 35 contiguous hectares of land in one valley, with 16 hectares planted to vine. Certified organic, the land has never seen any chemicals. Despite being ridiculed by neighbors, Fabrizio's grandfather and father never succumbed to pressure to buy products they felt were meant to fix something that wasn't broken. The isolation of the place suits Fabrizio's desire to instigate and protect biodiversity. The thick surrounding woods keep the prospect of a monoculture at bay. They contain many white truffles in the season; they also house many wild boar, who can and do devour a crop of grapes. Some end up at Cascina Iuli in the form of 'Barbera Pig' stew. The wines are Piedmontese to the core, ultra-reflective of the poor, but limestone-rich soils and northernly climate with cool nights. Each wine has a reason for being; each wine has extreme drinkability without losing seriousness or intrigue. They are concentrated in their fruit, but also have a lightness and florality that feel very "Iuli." In the cellar, Iuli's trajectory over the years has become increasingly non-interventionist. Fermentations are carried out spontaneously, with a little so2 added after malolactic fermentations. The tradition in the area is to use concrete tank and large oak cask. Fabrizio wouldn't dream of deviating from that lineage. He adores, collects, and restores small concrete vessels. There's a room in the cellar in which they're lined up like little misfit robots waiting to be deployed. The wines are aged slowly and statically, bottled unfined and unfiltered, when taste and an auspicious moon deem they're ready. *** DON'T MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THE WINEMAKER -- FABRIZIO IULI --- VIP EVENT FRIDAY MARCH 27, 2020 FROM 4 - 6 PM ***

$26.99

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Patrice Colin Gris Bodin Rose 2019

This positively beautiful new staff favorite is made of 100% Pineau d’Aunis. The grapes come from 'Bodin', a 3 hectare parcel of flinty clay soil located on top of the plateau of Thoré la Rochette. The vines were planted in 1920 by Georges Colin, Patrice’s grand-father. The grapes are harvested at the beginning of October. Fermented and aged in barrels for 5 months, this is structured and deep while still being elegant and balanced, with notes of pink grapefruit, raspberry, white pepper and minerals. This is just such a lovely expression of dry rosé and a wonderful new discovery from an under-the-radar appellation in the Loire Valley. If you like Sancerre rosé or Chinon rosé or even if you are in a rut with your Provence rosé, try this. The obscure AOP of Côteaux du Vendômois was officially formed in 2001, but the history of wine production goes back as far as the 11th century. There is a large cooperative producing 60% of total AOP production and only 13 private producers in the appellation including Patrice Colin. Coteaux du Vendômois may not currently be as famous as their neighbors Sancerre and Chinon, but historical records show that Henri IV, the first Bourbon king of France, appreciated the region’s wines. So much so, he placed a royal order for Vendômois wine in the year 1000. The modern obscurity of the region dates back to when Coteaux du Vendômois vignerons were encouraged to rip out vines to plant grain crops after WWII, subsequently reducing the region’s vineyard area from 5,000 to 500 hectares. Although this number has whittled even further to just 152 hectares, Coteaux du Vendômois is experiencing renewed enthusiasm from wine aficionados and savvy sommeliers. The region specializes in light peppery red wines made principally from Pineau d’Aunis with the addition of Gamay and Pinot Noir. Locals recommend serving these wines slightly chilled. Pineau d’Aunis also provides the spicy edge found in the Vin Gris rosé wines. Vendômois white wines, produced from Chenin Blanc, display distinct minerality and pronounced citrus aromas.

$24.99

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Domaine Dominique Gruhier Bourgogne Epineuil Cuvée Juliette Rouge 2018

The village of Epineuil is located just northeast of Chablis, sharing the same Kimmeridgian soils. Bourgogne Epineuil is the regional AOC, created in 1993, for the reds which are 100% Pinot Noir. We tasted and positively adored this Cuvée Juliette, made from 50% whole cluster, 15 months in oak, only 10% new and no added sulfites. It’s ripe, velvety, delicious, and has oodles of violets, lavender, red berries…this is classic Burgundian Pinot Noir from a lesser-known AOC, and very worth seeking out. Dominique only makes about 600 cases of Juliette each year from his oldest vines. Dominique Gruhier hasn't had it easy, getting his domaine to this point. Throughout his many troubles which included frozen vineyards, fires and lawsuits, he remained one of the warmest, most charming, welcoming, well-mannered, and smiling men in Burgundy. As his domaine and his relatively obscure appellation began to attract more customers, he has been able to make the investments and changes that were necessary to let his talent shine. What beautiful wines have emerged! Fine, sexy, juicy, vivacious, saline and chalky. They are some of the greatest values we have tasted in Burgundy, and what we like to think of as 'Chablisien Pinot Noir'.

$39.99

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Francois Baur Sang du Dragon Pinot Noir 2017

This Pinot Noir from the Alsace region is an absolute beauty and a wonderful example from northern France. With its perfumed aromas of red and black fruits, mocha, vanilla, forest and stones., Sang du Dragon Pinot is smooth, silky and pure, with a perfect balance of fruit, acidity and gentle tannin. Pair at home with salmon in dried cherry sauce, roasted chicken or fine cheeses and charcuterie. Continuous vine growing in Alsace dates back to Roman times; viticulture in the Brand area was recorded in 1328 from documents of Paris and the abbeys of Munster. Red wines have been traditionally rare in Alsace because of the region's cool growing season and northerly location, but today we are seeing more and more reds produced with changing climates and organic winemaking methods. The name for this Pinot, 'Sang du Dragon' comes from an old legend...when the valley of the Rhine was still underwater, a dragon emerged from the waves to rest on the protruding Brand hilltop. The sun was too fierce, however, and its rays eventually pierced the dragon's scales, drawing blood. Gravely wounded, the dragon dragged itself to a cave where it then died. Many centuries later, wine growers came to plant vines in this area. Still fertile with the dragon's blood, legend has it that the vines even today produce a wine of fire. Today, Baur's wines carry the dragon's image. In an email we received from Virginie Baur, she told us : "Sang du Dragon means dragon's blood. There is a legend that a dragon was slain in this vineyard (the Brand vineyard), and the blood of the dragon made the vines strong. 'Brand' means "land of fire" in German and is a Grand Cru Vineyard but only Muscat, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and Riesling can have the Grand Cru Appellation according to the AC laws, so we named the wine 'Sang du Dragon'." The story is fun for sure, but the wine itself is amazing. We drink it at home often, it is a wonderfully terroir -driven treat! Over the past several years, Baur has converted his vineyards to fully biodynamic production--a totally natural approach to the cultivation of vines that makes every attempt to respect the plants, the soil and the environment. No weed killers or insecticides are used; instead, certain types of grasses are encouraged to grow between the vines which actually strengthen the soil. To provide aeration, the earth is plowed manually a few times a year. Only natural products are used on the leaves of the vine itself: Work is scheduled according to the phases of the moon, often at night while the vines are resting and not fatigued by the sun. Studying in the same biodynamics class as Jean-Michel Deiss, one notes the fervor with which Pierre Baur (Virginie's father) now addresses his work; it has become a religion to him and, he trusts nature explicitly in his vineyards.

$39.99

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Dominique Lafon Bourgogne Blanc 2018

Dominique Lafon is considered to be one of the best winemakers in France, making some of the most coveted white Burgundies in the Côte de Beaune and the Mâconnais. Though he is best known for his work with the family domaines, Domaine des Comtes Lafon and L’Héritiers du Comtes Lafon, he began producing his own label (separate from his family) beginning in 2008. His new project (4.5ha in total) may have the official status of a négociant, but the wines are from vineyards which Dominique owns or farms and bottled on a separate estate (just down the street from Comtes Lafon). The vineyards are farmed with the same principles of organics and biodynamics as Comte Lafon and are vinified with the same care and attention to quality that spurred Dominique’s reputation in the region and around the world. Dominique Lafon produces between 1000-1250 cases of this Bourgogne Blanc in each vintage. The grapes are sourced from 2 parcels; one in Meursault under the lieu-dit Le Limozin in "Les Grandes Coutures"; the second in Puligny-Montrachet lieu-dit Les Femelottes. The age of the vineyards are 50 years and 20 years with pebbly and clay soils in Meursault, while gray and sandy in Puligny. Lafon presses whole clusters, the must is then cold settled then racked into barrels (no new oak) and bottled after 12 months. Little to no battonage. Light fining and filtering.

$47.99

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Soulful Spain

Yá Cuvée 23 Brut Reserva 2015

‘Ya’ means ‘Yes!’ in Spain and we say ‘YES!’ to this estate grown sustainably farmed Cava, made from handpicked fruit, 100% free run juice (mosto flor) and high quality methods (i.e. aging 2 ½ years on the lees before disgorging like a true Champagne), making it especially perfect for 'good bubbly' drinkers looking for a tasty bargain. The Sumarroca family owns vineyards in the Penedes, planted to local grapes (Parrellada, Macabeu and Xarel-lo,) plus a little Chardonnay to enhance the delicacy of this Cava. Fresh, dry and clean with lemon citrus, white flower, mineral, anise and a hint of croissant in the nose and on the palate, this is simply delicioso and a truly elegant sparkler. Cava pairs particularly well with sautéed shrimp, fried calamari, fried artichoke hearts in lemon, cold asparagus salad, sheep's milk cheeses such as Manchego and Serrano Ham, and/or with a main course of fresh white fishes like Cod with yellow Spanish rice and vegetables.

$17.99

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Bodegas Alto Moncayo Garnacha 2017

Bodegas Alto Moncayo is a winery located in the area covered by the Campo de Borja Denominación de Origen (DO, wine quality standard). It was founded in 2002 with the aim of turning it into a world reference for Garnacha wines of the highest quality, prepared from native vine clones. From its privileged location in the highest part of the town of Borja (500m above sea level) can be seen the Santuario de la Misericordia (Shrine of Mercy) and La Muela de Borja to the northwest, with the Ebro Valley and the Pyrenees to the north, the Sierra de Tabuenca and Huecha valley to the south-east, while to the south-west in the foreground can be seen El Moncayo, which is the highest point in the Iberian Mountain Range (2,315m); this gives its name to the winery. The soil where the old strains of Garnacha are located is on the foothills glacis or slopes of the mountains of Ainzón, Fuendejalón and Tabuenca; very stony, with slightly rounded edges of limestone or marl, dolomite, quartzite and slate. These are highly permeable soils that allow the water to seep into the deeper layers of clay. Alto Moncayo began as a joint project between importer Jorge Ordonez and Barossa winemaker, Chris Ringland. Today the winemaker is Jose Luis Chueca. Five generations of vignerons have farmed 210 acres of primarily old vine Grenache at Alto Moncayo, a wine that is produced from incredibly low yields. Full-bodied, powerful and concentrated. If you are into flavor concentration and care about artisanal wines from great terroirs that have been ignored for centuries, this is the wine for you! The Garnacha grapes of Alto Moncayo undergo very strict vineyard selection, from vines planted as far back as the early 1900's through the 1970's. Only the most perfectly mature clusters are selected and carried in small crates to prevent crushing, where they are further sorted and selected at triage tables. Wines undergo malolactic fermentation in both French and American oak, and aged in new barrels between anywhere from 16-24 months. These practices, in combination with the unique microclimate of the area ensure superior quality Garnacha that is distinct from any other in the Campo de Borja D.O.

$47.99

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Antidoto Ribera del Duero 2018

We are so happy to have this wine back in stock! 'Antidoto' means Antidote... because the young, passionate French winemaker Bertrand Sourdais, created this wine to capture the essence of the Ribera del Duero region he so deeply loves, at a pricepoint that is affordable to many. The region has suffered from 'sticker shock' in recent years, in order for consumers to get the best wines. But Antidoto is made from the highest quality old vine sites in the renowned Soría zone. Bertrand first gained winemaking fame in this region for his pioneering wines made at Atauta. But when the winery was sold in 2009, his gaze shifted to his family’s Chinon estate in France’s Loire Valley so he returned home to make wine there. Yet all the while the 'pull' of Soría remained strong so he soon returned to the region to make a new wine with a more modest price tag which—like all of his work at Atauta—would be full of the soul of ancient-vine Tinto Fino. Wherever possible, he also employs organic and biodynamic methods. Bertrand poetically describes the Soría zone as 'sitting on the rooftop of Ribera,' where temperatures are cooler than in the rest of Ribera del Duero, giving the wines added freshness. There are numerous soil types, but most of them have two things in common: their poorness and an abundance of sand that has kept Phylloxera away for the past 150 years. As a consequence this is one of the largest concentrations of ungrafted vines in Europe. To Bertrand’s mind, the Soría sub-zone offers a transitional wine type that can—in the right hands—blend Rioja’s fragrance and finesse with Ribera del Duero’s traditional power and depth. He is using long, gentle macerations to minimize tannin extraction and no new barrels are employed for aging. The immediate goal is a wine with balance, perfume, and complete tannins.

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$24.99

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Viña Zorzal Garnacha Navarra 2019

Brothers Xabi, Iñaki and Mikel Sanz created Viña Zorzal in 2007, taking advantage of their long history and tradition as a winemaking family in Correla, Navarra. Their family winery, Bodegas Correlana, had been run by their grandfather and father to great success in the region, and they became a reference point in the industry. But while the older generation had been more preoccupied with having a viable and commercial trade, the current one decided to take a holistic approach to agriculture, and make artisanal wines, focusing on single-parcels and single-vineyards, and on the terroir of Fitero, this subzone of the D.O. Navarra. Their landscape differs from the much flatter areas of Navarra where Garnacha and Tempranillo are cropped in high volumes. Their vines grow on rocky and stony soils with variegated clays (heterogeneous), and limestone and composite soils. The fact that the clay-based soils are non-homogeneous makes them much more permeable and resistant to erosion than the soils of the Ebro Basin. They own 40 hectares, 25 of which planted with the traditional Garnacha of the land. The wild bush vines are old, many centenarian, and are farmed organically. The remaining land is planted with Graciano (which quickly made their fame), Tempranillo, and some Garnacha Blanca and Chardonnay. The wines are made in a remodeled part of the family’s old winery, and the work in the cellar follows the work on the land, which they summarize here: “We practice low intervention, environmentally-friendly viticulture; we do not till the vineyards, and all processes are carried out manually; we use selected native plants for ground cover fertilizing with compost to improve the vine’s resistance to diseases. This philosophy is carried through to the winery, where our wines ferment spontaneously. We avoid racking, and don’t filter nor clarify. No additives are used, only a sufficient, moderate amount of sulphur.” The fruit for this delightful little Garnacha comes from different plots in the Fitero village. Serve with cured meats and cheeses, stews, roasted vegetables, game and meat dishes.

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$10.99

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Bodegas y Vinedos Valderiz Ribera del Duero 2017

The vineyards at Bodega y Viñedos Valderiz were first planted by Tomás Esteban's father in 1932. Today the family's vineyards cover 60 hectares, distributed over more than 35 plots on different soil types. The vines are pruned as traditional low “goblet” bushes. The vines were grafted with cuttings from the family's oldest vineyards. In 1980, Tomás Esteban considered his options for making the most of their plots of land in Ribera del Duero. Located in Roa, the heart of this region, the vineyard began to take shape over the next 10 years with the efforts and devotion of his sons Juan and Ricardo Esteban. Bodegas y Viñedos Valderiz came into being in 1997, and it is now one of the most highly respected wineries in the Duero. The family is also one of the forerunners in organic agriculture in the Ribera del Duero area, using zero herbicides, pesticides nor fertilizers. This practice has led to some development of biodynamic viticulture and since 2000, a small area of land has been cultivated using biodynamic practices.

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$34.99

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Viña Zorzal Malayeto Garnacha 2018

Brothers Xabi, Iñaki and Mikel Sanz created Viña Zorzal in 2007, taking advantage of their long history and tradition as a winemaking family in Correla, Navarra. Their family winery, Bodegas Correlana, had been run by their grandfather and father to great success in the region, and they became a reference point in the industry. But while the older generation had been more preoccupied with having a viable and commercial trade, the current one decided to take a holistic approach to agriculture, and make artisanal wines, focusing on single-parcels and single-vineyards, and on the terroir of Fitero, this subzone of the D.O. Navarra. Their landscape differs from the much flatter areas of Navarra where Garnacha and Tempranillo are cropped in high volumes. Their vines grow on rocky and stony soils with variegated clays (heterogeneous), and limestone and composite soils. The fact that the clay-based soils are non-homogeneous makes them much more permeable and resistant to erosion than the soils of the Ebro Basin. They own 40 hectares, 25 of which planted with the traditional Garnacha of the land. The wild bush vines are old, many centenarian, and are farmed organically. The remaining land is planted with Graciano (which quickly made their fame), Tempranillo, and some Garnacha Blanca and Chardonnay. The wines are made in a remodeled part of the family’s old winery, and the work in the cellar follows the work on the land, which they summarize here: “We practice low intervention, environmentally-friendly viticulture; we do not till the vineyards, and all processes are carried out manually; we use selected native plants for ground cover fertilizing with compost to improve the vine’s resistance to diseases. This philosophy is carried through to the winery, where our wines ferment spontaneously. We avoid racking, and don’t filter nor clarify. No additives are used, only a sufficient, moderate amount of sulphur.” Serve with cured meats and cheeses, stews, roasted vegetables, game and meat dishes.

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$19.99

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Marques de Murrieta Rioja Reserva 2015

Marques de Murrieta has a long, meaningful history at the Bottle Shop. When we were first learning about wines, it was very important to our dad for us to know the best, most classic wines of every great winemaking region in the world. In Spain, Marques de Murrieta was at the top of his list. We had the opportunity to taste old wines from Murrieta from vintages such as 1968 and 1959 with him while we were still in the infancy of our wine training. The estate is very much a traditional estate in style. While rich and deep in flavor, the fruit is multi-layered but not 'New World jammy'. Red and black fruits, cedar, leather, hints of spices, even hints of tar are revealed. We would pair this with Spanish-inspired cuisine, especially pork or lamb dishes. WINE ADVOCATE reports: 'Yes, this is one of the oldest wineries in Rioja, created back in the 19th century, and they keep their traditions, but now but each wine is selected from specific plots, something that they have done since the year 2000, a year that marked a big change in the winery. I feel more balance and better integration of the oak with the wine in recent vintages. I really liked the wines I tasted and was very excited to be shown a tank sample of the 1986 Castillo de Ygay Gran Reserva Blanco. Yes, you have read it correctly, it was a tank sample which is waiting to be bottled after almost 21 years in wood and 6 years in tank that will be released sometime in the future. I simply loved it.'

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~~$29.99~~$24.99

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Top 20 Under $20

Bieler Family Born To Run Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

In 2005, the Bieler family sold Chateau Routas and established Bieler Père et Fils to focus solely on Dry Rosé in Provence. After a big success with that winery, the Bieler Family turned their attention to the U.S. and wanted to make wines from both Washington State and California. 'Born to Run' was born from 10+ years of experience crafting American wines, and is a blend of 50% Columbia Valley fruit and 50% Lodi California fruit -- 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. We tasted and loved its big, juicy, rich personality. The forward, soft, jammy California fruit is complemented by the dark, structured, brooding Washington State fruit. 'Part of the fun for me is making a wine that’s a little unexpected. A wine that’s equal parts edgy and traditional. It’s about phenomenal fruit and thoughtful winemaking, driven by the desire to craft wines with soul. To pull it off, I team up with like-minded winemakers who bring a sort of kinetic energy to the hard-won journey that begins in the vineyard and ends in the glass. People like venerable Washington State winemaker, Charles Smith. Comrades like Joel Gott and Roger Scommegna, who share my spirit of adventure. Together, we make the kind of wine we love to drink.' Charles Bieler When he was 22 Charles Bieler dropped out of school, painted a 1965 Cadillac Deville pink, and drove it straight into a wine industry he knew nothing about. For two years he lived out of his Caddy, touring the country and selling his father's Rosé out of the trunk. Over 20 years later and he still runs on that same passion and hustle. So grab a bottle and get in! Put the top down. And never look back...

$12.99

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Monte Degli Angeli Piemonte Pinot Noir 2018

From the region of Piedmont of northern Italy, this well-made Italian Pinot has red and black fruit flavors with hints of vanilla, chocolate and purple flowers. Quite complex and long for the price, this is smooth, ripe and supple. Made by two quality-driven brothers, Antonio and Paolo Sperone, who also produce delicious, well-priced Barolo which we also carry. Serve with grilled tuna, roasted chicken, lamb, or with light pasta dishes, especially topped with shrimp and plum tomatoes.

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$12.99

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Chateau Giscours Petit Sirene 2015

Petite Sirène was established in 2008 by the renowned Third Growth, Château Giscours of Margaux. Grapes are sourced from a trusted estate with exceptional terroir in Côtes de Bordeaux. The Giscours winemaking team meticulously controls every stage of the production from grape selection to bottling. To achieve final Giscours certification, each vintage undergoes a rigorous series of blind tastings that include a mix of professionals and enthusiasts alike that ensure the high standard of the Château is met every year. Château Giscours’ boasts a lengthy, rich history that can be traced back the 14th century. At that time the estate was merely a defensive tower which overlooked a wild, rather unwelcoming terrain. In 1552 Pierre de Lhomme, a wealthy Bordeaux draper, purchased a nobleman’s house called “Guyscoutz.” He revitalized the property and converted it into a vast estate, planted vines, and soon after, wine production began. As the years passed, little by little, Pierre’s successors added their own contributions to the estate. In the 19th century, under the control of the Pescatore and Cruse families, Giscours gained much of its grand appearance. Architect, Eugene Bülher transformed the château into a neoclassical palace, modernizing the winemaking facilities and constructing additional buildings including the famed, Ferme Suzanne, a large, lavish space used for banquets today. The name Petite Sirène translates to “The Little Mermaid,” a nod to a legend surrounding Château Giscours. At the end of the 19th century the Cruse family had created a wine label for Château Giscours utilizing their coat of arms. However, in 1919 the family sold the estate to Emile Grange, who wanted to adjust the labels to reflect his own personal influence. He was contemplating how best to execute this while sitting in front of a fire at Château La Houringue, whose vineyards are part of Chateau Giscours now, on a damp evening when he claimed to see the outline of a siren in the flames. This vision haunted him and prompted his addition of a beautiful mermaid carrying a branch of vines (the symbol of the Médoc) to the labels. It has been considered over the years that Château La Houringue’s Irish roots may have played a part in this mystery. In the 1800’s Château La Houringue was owned by John O'Byrne, a merchant and shipper whose family was part of a group of Irish Catholic soldiers who fled English tyranny in the late 17th and early 18th centuries after their defeat. John’s ancestors had a dark past, weaved thickly with plots and conspiracies that were entangled with the Irish monarchy. These deeds allowed them to rise to become Barons of Ireland, sporting a coat of arms which coincidentally depicted a siren.

$16.99

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Ercole Barbera del Monferrato 2019 1L

We were very excited to find this Barbera which is pure, round, medium bodied, and quite simply, a joy to drink. Pronounced AIR-KOH-LAY, Ercole is from the famed Monferrato designation known for the highest quality Barbera (where experts have traced the origin of Barbera to its very hills), this unoaked red has an easy-sipping 12.5 % alcohol, and is housed in a fun Liter bottle, making it a total winner to buy by the case. Ercole (Italian for 'Hercules') is produced by a generations-old cooperative of local growers in the Monferrato area. Every Fall, this group of small estates who have soils of calcareous-clay, cultivate bright and balanced fruit to blend together under one label, allowing them to make authentic wines that are transmitters of time and place. Many folks know the Barbera grape for its bright acidity, and this wine is no exception to the rule. With its freshness, it is also known for ripe, red fruits with a floral, mineral core. Extremely charming, food-friendly and delicious, Barbera has been one of our personal favorites for 20 years.

~~$16.99~~$14.99

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Viña Zorzal Malayeto Garnacha 2018

Brothers Xabi, Iñaki and Mikel Sanz created Viña Zorzal in 2007, taking advantage of their long history and tradition as a winemaking family in Correla, Navarra. Their family winery, Bodegas Correlana, had been run by their grandfather and father to great success in the region, and they became a reference point in the industry. But while the older generation had been more preoccupied with having a viable and commercial trade, the current one decided to take a holistic approach to agriculture, and make artisanal wines, focusing on single-parcels and single-vineyards, and on the terroir of Fitero, this subzone of the D.O. Navarra. Their landscape differs from the much flatter areas of Navarra where Garnacha and Tempranillo are cropped in high volumes. Their vines grow on rocky and stony soils with variegated clays (heterogeneous), and limestone and composite soils. The fact that the clay-based soils are non-homogeneous makes them much more permeable and resistant to erosion than the soils of the Ebro Basin. They own 40 hectares, 25 of which planted with the traditional Garnacha of the land. The wild bush vines are old, many centenarian, and are farmed organically. The remaining land is planted with Graciano (which quickly made their fame), Tempranillo, and some Garnacha Blanca and Chardonnay. The wines are made in a remodeled part of the family’s old winery, and the work in the cellar follows the work on the land, which they summarize here: “We practice low intervention, environmentally-friendly viticulture; we do not till the vineyards, and all processes are carried out manually; we use selected native plants for ground cover fertilizing with compost to improve the vine’s resistance to diseases. This philosophy is carried through to the winery, where our wines ferment spontaneously. We avoid racking, and don’t filter nor clarify. No additives are used, only a sufficient, moderate amount of sulphur.” Serve with cured meats and cheeses, stews, roasted vegetables, game and meat dishes.

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$19.99

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BlanCat Estate Parcel Selection Malbec 2018

The family of Javier Catena has grown vines in the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Mendoza for four generations. The great grandfather of Javier Catena, President of Bodega Cuarto Dominio, was born in the little town of Tolentino in Italy at the end of the 1800’s. He was a vineyard worker there until he sailed from Italy to Argentina in 1898. When he arrived to Mendoza, he was taken aback by the splendor of the Andes, by its landscapes and by the people that received him so warmly. He was convinced he wanted to follow his dream here and planted his first Malbec vineyard in 1902. Up until that point, Malbec was a blending grape in Bordeaux, but Nicola supposed it would find its perfect place in Mendoza. Domingo, Javier’s grandfather, decided to continue fulfilling his father’s dream and took the family winery to the next level, becoming one of the largest vineyard owners and building one of the biggest wineries in Argentina. During this time, Javier’s father, Jorge Catena, studied enology in Mendoza and started working in the family winery in the mid 1960’s. Jorge specialized in winemaking and oenology. At the end of the 1970’s, Jorge believed that in order to produce the best wines of Argentina and to be able to compete against the greatest wines in the world, he must learn the latest technologies and winemaking techniques, so he decided to travel to California to study at the University of California at Davis. He also traveled several times to Europe and to Australia, and focused the majority of his studies on the French winemaking techniques. When he returned, Jorge continued working in the family winery, following his father’s dream. In 2006, Jorge decided to pursue a different path and started a new project with his sons. In 2008, Bodega Cuarto Dominio was born, to which Javier Catena was named President. For this wine, fruit is sourced from both the family's estate vineyards and trusted vineyard partners in the Uco Valley. Within these selected vineyards, the top parcel is selected to create BlanCat Parcel Selection Malbec. All fruit is hand harvested. The wines spend 10-12 months in 100% French Oak; 2nd and 3rd use barrels for subtle, integrated oak influence. Wines are filtered and cold stabilized prior to bottling and release.

$16.99

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Monte Antico Rosso 2015

This is a delicious Tuscan red made of 85% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot. Monte Antico means 'Ancient Mountain,' and the wine is made from hillside vineyards with at least 25 years of age from Pisa, Maremma and Chianti Classico. Monte Antico is the proprietary label of respected Italian wine importers, Neil and Maria Empson who have been promoting Italian wines for over 30 years. Their winemaker is Franco Bernabei who fashions the wines from vineyards which have the perfect combination of complex soils including fine limestone, rich clay, and the famous Tuscan galestro (a unique rocky soil). Although this is considered a Super Tuscan, due to the addition of Cab and Merlot, we thought it tasted traditionally Italian, and that the expression of Sangiovese was perfectly enhanced by the Bordeaux varieties. It has warm aromas of red fruits, vanilla and hints of spice and earth with more of the same on the palate. Serve with pasta, pizza, steak and arugula salad, or after-dinner with fine Italian cheeses.

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$11.99

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Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc 2019

The new vintage 2018 just arrived of this tasty Sauvignon Blanc! Southern Right is a small production estate located in the cool, maritime, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley appellation of South Africa. Founded by Anthony Hamilton Russell in 1994, Southern Right's Sauvignon Blanc remains a local and international best seller with its classic minerality complementing the variety's grapefruit and tropical fruit. It has been rated the best South African Sauvignon Blanc in the Wall Street Journal and has won numerous Gold and Silver Medals. The wines are named after the rare Southern Right whales, which frequent the cool South Atlantic Walker Bay, 3 kilometres from the vineyards. With each bottle sold, Southern Right makes a contribution to Southern Right whale conservation.

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$15.99

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Rhiannon Red 2018

As one of our top selling reds in the shop, and in celebration of Saint Patrick's Day, we are recommending Rhiannon Red, named for the Goddess Rhiannon from Celtic mythology. A flavorful red made of Syrah, Petite Sirah and Barbera, this was made by Rutherford Wine Co., named Family Owned Winery of the Year at the 2012 New York International Wine Competition. 'Rhiannon' pays homage to the family's Welsh roots. The Goddess Rhiannon is a figure of power and mystery in Celtic mythology, associated with magical birds and horses and the contrasting qualities of change and steadfastness. Crafting a distinctive blend, likewise, balances change and steadfastness: the uniqueness of each harvest must consistently express the winemaker's personal vision. Rhiannon 2018 is the eight vintage of this luscious, red fruit-driven red which Robert Parker has called ‘a mind-boggling value’. Aged in French and American oak, it has red and black currant fruit, sweet dark cherries, licorice and soil nuances. It's a fullly loaded, jammy, California fruit-bomb. Serve with white and red meats, stews, chili and soups, or with hard aged sheep's milk cheeses and aged Gouda-style cow's milk cheeses topped with Fig Jam and/or black olive tapenades.

$13.99

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Castello d'Albola Chianti Classico 2016

The Castello d'Albola state is situated in Radda at the heart of the Chianti Classico DOCG appellation, where grape cultivation has a legacy dating back to the time of the Etruscans. In the 15th century, the Acciaiuoli family commissioned Castello d'Albola to plant the highest vineyard in Chianti Classico because it was perceived as a symbol of status. Over the centuries, many noble Tuscan families have owned the property and the estate has earned many accolades for its wines. In 1979, the Zonin family acquired Castello d'Albola promising to uphold the estate's excellence for future generations. Castello d'Albola wines have earned the iconic 'Gallo Nero' symbol from the Chianti Classico Wine Consortium that guarantees the highest winemaking standards. The estate is planted to Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Canaiolo, Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia del Chianti and this Chianti is made of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Canaiolo. The estate is also a stunning example of Tuscan Renaissance architecture. The Zonin family owns important vineyard sites across the Italian peninsula, but this property is where Gianni Zonin, his wife and three sons enjoy an intimate family connection. With some of the most historically important vineyards in the Chianti Classico denomination, Castello d’Albola represents the tip of the Zonin- quality pyramid. The 2011 vintage was named TOP 100 WINE OF THE YEAR 2015 #46

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~~$19.99~~$14.99

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Tortoise Creek Mission Grove Pinot Noir 2018

This delightful Pinot Noir made by the Masters family in California is the perfect red to serve for Easter. Supple, charming, medium-bodied and delicious, it will not only be a crowd pleaser, but it will also pair well with traditional dishes such as spiral ham, pork tenderloin, leg of lamb or roasted turkey. Pinot Noir is a delicate grape variety that requires optimum growing conditions so the Masters' are careful to source fruit from the best vineyards. 60% comes from the Clarksburg region where the clay and loam soils coupled with the cool weather of the Sacramento Delta balances the acidity and the fruit. 40% is from Monterey with its sunshine, Pacific winds and Santa Lucia Mountain influence. Look for violets, red berries, cherries and vanilla. Aged 12 months in French oak, pair with salmon, chicken, sushi rolls and cheeses in addition to 'Easter' fare, and its handy screwcap makes it super convenient for large family gatherings.

$13.99

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Cavicchioli 1928 Prosecco

The Cavicchioli family has been cultivating vines in the San Prospero province of Modena in the Sorbara DOC for over 100 years. Then in 1928, Umberto Cavicchioli began bottling the wine under his family name; today, it is Umberto’s two grandsons, brothers Sandro and Claudio, who are in charge. Claudio looks after the commercial side of the family business and Sandro is the winemaker. The family’s focus on vineyard ownership, low yields and DOC production has been instrumental in establishing Cavicchioli as one of a leader in high-quality Lambrusco and Sparkling wines. This Prosecco is a DOC Spumante Extra Dry. Spumante simply means sparklilng in Italian, and Extra Dry is usually fruitier than a Brut. But in this case, this Prosecco is actually on the drier side, making it crisper and more food-friendly. Made of 100% Glera grapes in the province of Treviso, the grapes are handpicked in the vineyard before heading to the winery for temperature controlled fermentations. Look for ripe lemon, white flower, ginger and bread aromas followed by a crisp, thirst quenching palate of more citrus, flowers and green apple with hints of mint and minerals on the finish. Serve as an aperitif or with white fishes, shellfish, goat and sheep's milk cheeses and more... As seen on the The Today Show Author: Edward Deitch Date: Monday, November 24, 2014 'To lighten things up on Thanksgiving, have it with a glass of bubbly, such as Cavicchiolis 1928 Extra Dry Prosecco from Italy. The 1928 refers to the year the Cavicchioli family started to bottle the wine under its own name. This refreshing sparkler has just a touch of sweetness (extra dry in the sometimes odd parlance of wine) with apple, lemon and herb notes that will easily invite you to pour yourself another glass. Consider it as an aperitif before dinner as well.'

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$15.99

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Matias Riccitelli Hey Malbec! 2018

Hey Malbec! is SUCH a fun and delicious wine from Mendoza. Winemaker Matías Riccitelli is the son of legendary Argentine winemaker, Jorge Riccitelli, who made the wines at Catena for many decades. A breakout star from a young age, Matías was born in Cafayate, Salta, a small village in northern Argentina where winemaking is an omnipresent trade and way of life. He grew up between Cafayate and Mendoza, studying and working with his dad, who was his winemaking mentor. From there, he went on to travel much of the wine world, learning along the way, and returned to Mendoza to serve as chief winemaker for two of Argentina’s top wineries, Fabre Montmayou and Bodega Norton. Matías Riccitelli started his boutique winery in 2009, located in Las Compuertas at 1100 meters above sea level. It is the highest area of Lujan de Cuyo, and here he tends 20 hectares of ungrafted old vineyards. Matías also works with small, independent growers that own their lands at the bottom of the Andes halfway between 1000 and 1700 meters above sea level - in Gualtallary, Chacayes, Altamira and La Carrera. All harvests are conducted by hand and fermentation takes place in small concrete vats and concrete eggs. Purity and delicacy in winemaking are prized by Matías and great care is taken in preserving the fruit’s singularity in order to obtain vibrant wines. Hey Malbec! is made of 100% Malbec from Compuertas and Uco, harvested manually in small cases around 20 kg to ensure the integrity of each bunch. Whole-bunch fermentation takes place in open tanks, crushed by foot twice a day and then aged in concrete vats for 8 months.

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$19.99

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Iuli Barbera del Monferrato Umberta 2018

Fabrizio Iuli calls himself a barberista , for his love, focus and dedication to the Barbera grape. Located in the small town of Montaldo in Monferrato, which is the home of many of Piedmont's top Barbera's, the Iuli estate is organically farmed by Fabrizio, and his old vine vineyards have a strong core of limestone which adds a distinctive terroir . We had the incredible opportunity to visit Iuli, hike around the vineyards and taste wine out of barrel and bottle with Fabrizio. His wines clearly have a purity, honesty and joyfulness to them that we just love. They are also seriously complex at the same time. This 'Umberta' is the first wine of the estate; the name comes from the fact that 'Umberto' is one of the most common names in Piedmont. 'King Umberto' who was born in Torino was the son of the first King of unified Italy in 1861. The 'Umberta' is made of 100% certified organic Barbera and aged in stainless steel. Unfined and unfiltered, Fabrizio only makes about 1000 cases per year. Rich, ripe and zesty red and black fruit aromas lead to plush black raspberry, licorice and plum flavors on the palate. This is one of my house reds to serve with just about anything calling for a red. I have officially become obsessed with Barbera, naturally from Piedmont, and I hope the world will discover its virtues! Quick note on the label: Fabrizio decided in the 2013 vintage to finally stop the exhausting process ( aka madness !) of proving to the Italian government that his wine was 'real Monferrato'. Maybe his tiny hometown of Montaldo is too small for even fellow Italiano's to know about! But we were there, and we walked his vineyards, and this wine is indeed made of 100% Barbera in Monferrato, regardless of the VdT designation versus the DOC. Iuli is set among the last band of dramatic hills and valleys before descending into the rich flatlands of the Po river valley, with the Alps as a backdrop on a clear day. If you're headed to Montaldo, chances are it is to see Fabrizio Iuli. His family figures prominently and colorfully in the town's history. In the 1920s, his grandfather, Gioacchino Natale Iuli, like many young men from the countryside, was courted by a factory job in Lombardia. In a twist of fate, Gioacchino heard that a burgeoning marching band had been formed in Montaldo, so he packed his bags and headed back to become its clarinetist and to start a family. The first vines were planted around 1930. Fabrizio's grandmother, Ernestina, established a little osteria in their living room, a place with warm food and warm hospitality that became a gathering point for the village. There was much conviviality and Iuli Barbera flowing. Though no longer an official restaurant, the feeling continues to this day with Fabrizio and his wife, Summer Wolff, cooking up a storm and popping bottles. It is a place that sucks you in, where time seems to stand still, if only temporarily. Today, Fabrizio is the only winegrower in the town. His first commerical vintage was 1998, with his Barbera called Rossore. The grapes found in his vineyards are Baratuciat (a nearly-extinct white variety from the Val di Susa), Slarina (a red Monferrato variety also almost lost), Grignolino, Nebbiolo, Pinot Nero, and, of course, Barbera. There are 35 contiguous hectares of land in one valley, with 16 hectares planted to vine. Certified organic, the land has never seen any chemicals. Despite being ridiculed by neighbors, Fabrizio's grandfather and father never succumbed to pressure to buy products they felt were meant to fix something that wasn't broken. The isolation of the place suits Fabrizio's desire to instigate and protect biodiversity. The thick surrounding woods keep the prospect of a monoculture at bay. They contain many white truffles in the season; they also house many wild boar, who can and do devour a crop of grapes. Some end up at Cascina Iuli in the form of 'Barbera Pig' stew. The wines are Piedmontese to the core, ultra-reflective of the poor, but limestone-rich soils and northernly climate with cool nights. Each wine has a reason for being; each wine has extreme drinkability without losing seriousness or intrigue. They are concentrated in their fruit, but also have a lightness and florality that feel very "Iuli." In the cellar, Iuli's trajectory over the years has become increasingly non-interventionist. Fermentations are carried out spontaneously, with a little so2 added after malolactic fermentations. The tradition in the area is to use concrete tank and large oak cask. Fabrizio wouldn't dream of deviating from that lineage. He adores, collects, and restores small concrete vessels. There's a room in the cellar in which they're lined up like little misfit robots waiting to be deployed. The wines are aged slowly and statically, bottled unfined and unfiltered, when taste and an auspicious moon deem they're ready. *** DON'T MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THE WINEMAKER -- FABRIZIO IULI --- VIP EVENT FRIDAY MARCH 27, 2020 FROM 4 - 6 PM ***

$19.99

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Cloudline Pinot Noir 2018

Cloudline is one of the best values for high quality Pinot that we have found. With its pure, ripe fruit flavor, balanced acidity and a silky, smooth texture, Cloudline is an exuberant glass of wine. The talented winemaker Veronique Drouhin-Boss oversees the production of Cloudline, as well as making the wine at her family's estate Domaine Drouhin Oregon in the Willamette Valley. Look for a ripe core of cherries, raspberries and red plums with accents of violets, vanilla and roses. Veronique Drouhin-Boss' family has been growing and making fine Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in France's Burgundy region since 1880 under Maison Joseph Drouhin. She herself has been making wine in Oregon's Willamette Valley for over 20 years… serve this fine quality value with salmon, chicken, cheeses, beet salads, baby lamb chops and more.

$19.99

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Domaine du Salvard Cheverny Blanc 2019

Made by two fifth generation, quality-conscious brothers, this is a Cheverny Blanc from the Loire Valley, made of Sauvignon Blanc and a small percentage of Chardonnay (85/15), which is required by law in this appellation. The complex soils of deep limestone and chalk give this white incredible complexity and Loire-style terroir with 10 - 65 year old vines. Domaine du Salvard has been a working domaine since 1898 in the Delaille family. Today, all forty-two hectares of vineyards are farmed by the capable brother team of Emmanuel and Thierry Delaille, with help from their father Gilbert. To our delight, they have carried on the traditions established by their ancestors, producing a true, classic Cheverny that is both simple and elegant. The Delaille brothers have focused their attention on growing fresh, lively Sauvignon Blanc, deeply rooted in northeastern Touraine. Pinot Noir, Gamay, and Cot constitute their red grape holdings, creating youthful reds with great aromatics. Until finally achieving A.O.C. status in 1993, Cheverny was widely regarded as one of the best V.D.Q.S. (Vin de Qualité Superieur) of the Loire. However, some argue that this A.O.C.-in-waiting designation was a political maneuver by the I.N.A.O. to keep Cheverny’s delicious, sprightly Sauvignon Blanc out of competition with the other more famous appellations of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé. Kermit was the first to discover the charm and value of Cheverny back in 1978 when he imported the Domaine Jean Gueritte. He took on the Cheverny of Domaine du Salvard in 1992, a year before the status change in the appellation.

$16.99

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El Jefe [grande] Tempranillo 2019 1L

We tasted and loved El Jefe (Grande) which translates to 'the Big Boss'! This is an honest, solid red wine from Spain, authentic in taste and charming in style. Made by a family dedicated to high quality (like us! the Murray family is always looking for high quality wine with a great quality/price ratio!), El Jefe is deep, fresh and flexible enough to handle a wide variety of foods. Made of 100% Tempranillo, the main grape of Rioja, this is sourced from a single family estate in the northern table lands called ‘La Meseta’ which is farmed with sustainable and organic methods. Traditionally fermented in cement to preserve purity of fruit and fresh tannins, look for berry, white cherry, plum, stone and mocha notes. Serve this unoaked, lower alcohol (12.5%) red with Spanish-inspired foods such as grilled meats, beans, sausages, cured ham and/or sheep's milk cheeses, and/or with pizza, pasta and appetizers. Or use it to make the most delicious RED SANGRIA! Comes in a handy liter bottle, too, so you really get an amazing value...

$14.99

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Berger Gruner Veltliner 2019 1L

This is our all-time Best Selling Grüner! Erich Berger is a humble grower in the Kremstal, located in the village of Gedersdorf. The majority of the vineyards that he farms are devoted to Grüner Veltliner, the principle white variety of the Danube river valley. “Erich no doubt suffers from journalistic underappreciation compared with his immediate neighbors” writes David Schilknecht in Vinous. Erich has become an ambassador for sustainable agriculture, becoming a member of Fair’n Green, a sustainable organization with members in France, Germany and Austria. Erich’s Liter bottling of Grüner Veltliner has steadily improved over the last decade. It’s a perfect foil for the drinkability (wines called 'glou glou' in wine circles) that this variety is known for, but it also has an extra level of clarity and complexity that is sometimes missing from this category. Fermented entirely in stainless steel from estate grown fruit in Loess dominated soils in the Kremstal. Dry, zingy, crisp and clean with pure, frisky green fruit flavors of lime, melon and pear, this is a terrific alternative for Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio lovers. Sealed with a screwcap in the handy liter bottle, this pairs well with white fish, chicken and veggies, especially asparagus, string beans, artichokes and brussel sprouts, or veggie pâté, hummus, cheese & spring onion crackers.

$14.99

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Stafford Hill Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2018

Stafford Hill is the 'second label' of famed Holloran Vineyard Wines, and is an outstanding value for handcrafted, small production wines. The Stafford Hill wines are produced from the same vineyard sources and use the same hands-on, traditional winemaking approach as the Holloran wines. Made from p rimarily Holloran Le Chenaie Vineyard with volcanic soils in the Eola Amity Hills located near Salem, Oregon. These are elegant Oregon wines made in a classic style. The Pinot Noir has limited use of new oak to keep the wine fresh and approachable for everyday drinking. Beautiful wines and great, everyday values. Small lots, mix of indigenous yeast and cultivated yeasts. 100% destemmed, hand punch downs. Malolactic fermentation is also natural and occurs in barrel. Aged 11 months in 100% french oak barrels (medium toast), 10% new. Only 1200 cases made. The lots used for this wine are aged for 11 months in up to 15% new French oak. The nose offers sweet cherry fruit and forest underbrush, with food-friendly acidity and structure on the palate, and a floral perfume in the mouth and finish. Made in the style of traditional Burgundy, the fruit is sourced from non-irrigated vines with fermentation occurring in small open-top tanks that are punched down by hand. Many of the lots are fermented with native yeasts, and all malolactic fermentation occurred naturally. This wine is both unfined and unfiltered. Natural sediment may occur over time.

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Lola Wines California Pinot Noir 2017

Lola Pinot Noir from California, embodies an easy-going, charismatic, full of flavor style which will be ultra tasty at Memorial Day BBQ's, PLUS it's an American wine to honor our veterans on the holiday with friends & family. Aged six months in oak, Lola Pinot has sexy, opulent flavors of ripe cherry, rose petals, chocolate and crème de cassis, and will please everybody in the backyard. Lola conveniently has a screwcap closure which we LOVE, especially outside in the summer when things are fun, casual and unpretentious...perfect with grilled chicken, burgers, hot dogs and more! Founded by winemaker Seth Cripe in 2008, Lola Wines offers incredible values in classic California wines. A Napa Valley-based boutique winery with the vision of creating high quality, but approachable wines, the winemaking approach at Lola pays tribute to the old-world tradition with carefully selected vineyards and handcrafted in small batches. Lola’s portfolio consists of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Dry Riesling from Russian River, Sonoma Coast, Mendocino and Santa Lucia Highlands. At Lola, Seth does not believe in reinventing the wheels—he just makes lovely wines that are genuinely good, honestly priced, and simply delicious. His Pinot Noir here is made in a traditional manner with 20% whole clusters in open top fermenters and punch downs by hand. Only 2200 cases made.

$19.99

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Smith and Hook Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

In the mid-1970’s, the Smith horse ranch and Hook cattle ranch located in the highlands of Montery County became a winery when Nicky and Gaby Hahn founded Hahn Estate and Smith & Hook wineries. Smith Vineyard, home to their namesake winery, and Hook Vineyard, just to the southeast, are located above the Salinas Valley in California’s rugged Central Coast appellation. Among the family’s inaugural releases in 1980 was a Cabernet Sauvignon produced from those two vineyards and Smith & Hook Cabernets are still going strong today. This wine here has become of our best-selling Cab's in the shop. The fruit for this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon comes from four prestigious appellations of the Central Coast: Arroyo Seco for structure and backbone; San Antonio Valley for rich plum and currant flavors; Hames Valley for dark skin color and intense blackberry and spice aromas; and Paso Robles for black cherry notes and seductively round and supple tannins. The result is a spirited, layered and luscious Cabernet Sauvignon. After harvest, the Hahn's barrel-ferment Smith & Hook in French oak, beautifully melding each vineyard’s distinctive flavors into a robust and richly layered blend. It is then aged in French oak up to 10 months. Fragrant aromas of plum and black cherry find balance with hints of vanilla, cola, cloves and cocoa dust. Right on the heels of all that aromatic intensity are interwoven layers of blackberry, boysenberry, black currant, dark plums and mocha. This wine is full bodied with supple tannins and a long, generous finish.

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~~$19.99~~$16.99

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St. Francis Chardonnay 2018

This classic California Chardonnay hails from Sonoma and Carneros. Hand picking and whole cluster pressing give the wine rich and concentrated fruit flavors, while barrel aging for 6 months in French and American oak, and malolactic fermentation give the wine the creamy and buttery vanilla flavors that Chardonnay drinkers love and crave. Just over 50% of the fruit for the wine comes from the cooler appellation of Russian River Valley. Look for pear, citrus and toast flavors, and serve this Chardonnay on its own, or with buttery shellfish dishes, grilled salmon with tropical fruit salsa, or creamy cheeses with fresh pears and citrus fruit spreads.

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Best Buys

Famiglia Castellani Sangiovese Toscana 2014

If you want to drink the best pizza red ever , you must try this tasty little Sangiovese! The historic Tuscany region of Italy has been making wines since the 13th century. This red made by the Castellani family of Chianti Classico fame, is a great value and total crowd-pleaser. Made of 100% Sangiovese, this will be perfect to pair with pizza, dried salumi, assorted cheeses, oven roasted tomatoes and olives, or bring a couple bottles to your favorite local Italian BYO and Buon Appetito !

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$12.99

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Tenuta Rapitala Nuhar Nero d'Avola 2014

Nuhar, meaning flower, is made from Nero d’Avola, which develops rich tannins and body, with Pinot Noir, King of Burgundy, responding well to the warmth of Sicily giving color, ripeness and finesse. Look for a bouquet of dried fruits, flowers and berry. The palate is warm and full with a balanced acidity and elegant tannins. The finish is long and lingering. This pairs well with meats, game, pasta, truffle dishes, cheese and pizza. Rapitalà, much like Sicily itself, is a mosaic of influences that comes together to create its unique identity. A marriage of Sicilian soul and French know-how, Rapitala showcases the power and personality of Sicilian terroir with an elegant, French winemaking style. In 1968, the French-born Count Hugues Bernard de la Gatinais, and his wife, Gigi Guarrasi from Palermo, inherited this estate from the Guarrasi family after it was destroyed by an earthquake. The winery was soon rebuilt and vineyards were replanted to include not only indigenous varieties, but beloved French varieties as well. At the forefront of the quality revolution in Sicily, Rapitala was one of the first five producers on the island to offer estate bottled wines, starting with the 1976 vintage. Today, Rapitala’s over 550 contiguous acres are divided into 180 unique vineyard parcels. Each parcel is managed, harvested and vinified separately, crafting optimal terroir expressions. As a result, Rapitala has one of the longest harvest seasons, starting in August and ending in November, to ensure that each variety and parcel is picked at the right moment. The work, started by Hugues de la Gatinais and his wife Gigi, is now carried on by their son, Laurent, with the same care and passion. He oversees Rapitala’s continuing mission to integrate and improve sustainable practices and new technologies into the property in order to achieve the purest expression of this region’s distinct terroir. Pushing beyond sustainability, Rapitala is starting to certify some of its vineyards as organic.

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$19.99

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Chateau Lanessan Haut Médoc 2016

Château Lanessan in the Haut-Médoc dates back to 1793 when it was founded by Jean Delbos. The classic château, with its Tudor-inspired influences was constructed in 1878. Eight generations later, Château Lanessan remains in the hands of the Bouteiller family, which are direct descendants of the founder. The 80 hectare, Haut Medoc vineyard of Château Lanessan has 45 hectares cultivated with vines. The vineyard is close to the St. Julien appellation. In fact, it’s just a bit south, as you drive up the D2, the Route de Medoc. The terroir is mostly gravel-based soils. The vineyard is planted to 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. On average, the vines are 30 years of age. To produce the wine of Château Lanessan, vinification takes place in traditional, concrete vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in vat. The wine is aged in a combination of 33% new, French barrels, 33% one year old, French oak barrels and 33% two year old, French oak barrels for an average of 12 months.

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$27.99

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Cune Rioja Crianza 2016

The Cune winery is situated in Rioja where the oldest wineries of Rioja are established in the sub-region of Rioja Alta. In 1879, two brothers set up C.V.N.E., Compañía Vinicola del Norte de España (The Northern Spanish Wine Company) or la Cuné, as it is commonly known in Haro, to produce fine Spanish wines. The Cuné winery in Haro, is made up of a group of buildings, mostly from the 19th century and arranged around a courtyard surrounded by pavilions for the purpose of wine production, aging, and bottling. The Crianza is made of 85% Tempranillo and 15% Garnacha and Mazuelo. Hand harvested, de-stemmed, and short macerated, followed by fermentation in stainless steel tanks at a temperature between 26 and 28ºC to retain varietal aromas. Following alcoholic fermentation the wine was transferred to American oak casks where it remained for at least 12 months, with regular rackings to develop its finesse.

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~~$13.99~~$11.99

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Neirano Barolo 2015

Even in the throws of summer, this full-bodied Barolo has been one of our top selling wines. Tenute Neirano is a small DOCG estate, and part of the company founded in 1911 by Antonio Sperone beginning with fortified wines and vermouth in a small cellar just outside of Turin. Sperone wanted to focus on high end wines in Piemonte in the 1980's so the family purchased a 25 hectare property in the heart of Monforte d'Alba, a region famous for its compressed sandstone soils, crafting intense, structured wines with great power and longevity. It is there, in an ancient 17th century villa, that this fine Barolo is produced. It spent 3 years in large Slovenian oak barrels and 1 year in bottle before leaving the winery for export. The 4th generation of the family is now making the wine.

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$24.99

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Cecchi La Mora Maremma Toscana 2015

The region of Maremma in Tuscany is known for its warm, sun drenched vineyards and the sandy, feldspathic quartz soils. At their best, Maremma Toscana DOC wines possess a Mediterranean soul, and a fruity character drawing on the combination of the native Sangiovese grape, with international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The Maremma region is loved for its food, sunshine, culture and beauty, and especially its wines. Serve with grilled meats and medium-aged cheeses. In 2018 Cecchi celebrated its 125th anniversary. Dedicated to bringing out the best of the Chianti Classico terroir since 1893, the Cecchi family is today headed by Cesare and Andrea, the fourth generation of the family. In addition to their fame in Chianti, the family produces wine in San Gimignano, with Vernaccia whites, and the Maremma, with its Morellino and red blends such as this one.

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$11.99

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Cellier des Dauphins Cotes du Rhone Reserve 2018

The Cellier des Dauphins vineyards lie in the Rhône Valley, with the foothills of the southern Alps rising in the distance. In these terroirs, sun-drenched vines swaying in the southern breeze, grow the renowned grape varieties that have made the Côtes du Rhône famous: Syrah, Grenache, Viognier and other local grapes. Such diversity enables the winemakers at Dauphins to produce aromatic blended wines of great complexity. This Côtes du Rhône Reserve is made from grapes g rown on sunny slopes and harvested at the peak of ripeness from the villages of Richerenches, Vinsobres, Puyméras, Tulette and Saint Maurice. Made of Syrah and Grenache, look for a deep ruby red color and a rich mix of sun-baked black fruits on the palate and soft ripe tannins on the long finish. *** DECANTER MAGAZINE GAVE THE DAUPHINS 2018 CÔTES-DU-RHÔNE RÉSERVE 97 POINTS AND A PLATINUM MEDAL AT THE 2019 DECANTER WORLD WINE AWARDS *** This is an elegant French café style red wine…easy-to-drink yet full of flavor. Côtes-du-Rhône is typically made of mostly Grenache, a red fruit-driven grape which picks up hints of thyme, pepper and purple flowers from the soils of the beautiful sun drenched vineyards in the south of France. Serve with chicken with Provencale herbs, Mediterranean fare, spicy bean soups, cheeses, olives, rosemary flatbreads and more.

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$16.99

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Cloudline Pinot Noir 2018

Cloudline is one of the best values for high quality Pinot that we have found. With its pure, ripe fruit flavor, balanced acidity and a silky, smooth texture, Cloudline is an exuberant glass of wine. The talented winemaker Veronique Drouhin-Boss oversees the production of Cloudline, as well as making the wine at her family's estate Domaine Drouhin Oregon in the Willamette Valley. Look for a ripe core of cherries, raspberries and red plums with accents of violets, vanilla and roses. Veronique Drouhin-Boss' family has been growing and making fine Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in France's Burgundy region since 1880 under Maison Joseph Drouhin. She herself has been making wine in Oregon's Willamette Valley for over 20 years… serve this fine quality value with salmon, chicken, cheeses, beet salads, baby lamb chops and more.

$19.99

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Fleur Pinot Noir Carneros Select 2017

With an enthusiasm for the red wines of Burgundy and a confidence in northern California’s potential for producing good Pinot Noir, Francis & Kathy Mahoney have realized their dream. On a modest budget, a small, functional winery was built in 1972. Francis knew that his best tool was his palate. Calling on his experience in the cellars of Burgundy, the profile of superb Pinot Noir was in his memory, soon to be expressed at Fleur de California Winery. Veteran Pinot Noir winemaker Ken Foster oversees production at Fleur de California. Foster was Winemaker/Production Manager at David Bruce Winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains, California where he held positions in winemaking and production for 15 years. During that period, he helped to convert the focus of the winery from Chardonnay to Pinot Noir, Petite Sirah, and Zinfandel. This Pinot's expansive array of fresh, ripe red fruit aromas are accentuated by a spicy perfume note. Generous flavors envelop the palate with similar spicy red fruit flavors. This is a richer, denser Pinot than you expect at this price.

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$19.99

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Luigi Voghera Barbera d'Alba 2017

The Voghera family have been farmers in Neive in Barbaresco for many, many generations. They grew grapes for a modest production of family wine, but also cultivated grain and fruit trees. The estate as we know it today was born in 1974, when Luigi Voghera, the father of the current owner, dedicated his farm entirely to the production of grapes and started to vinify and bottle his own production. Luigi’s son Livio adheres to his father’s old-school and time-tested methods of production: longer maceration on the skins, and aging in large oak cask. All of Livio’s offerings are estate bottled, and across the board tremendous values. Made of 100% Barbera from vines up to 30 years of age, this is sourced from three hectares in the Cotta cru of Neive and grown at an elevation of 200-250 meters above sea level. Cotta is one of our favorite vineyards for Barbaresco, always very pretty and fresh, so we love this expression of the Barbera from this great site. Fermentation and maturation occur in stainless steel tanks. 1,600-2,000 cases produced annually.

$16.99

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Eisacktaler Kellerei Cantina Valle Isarco Sauvignon Alto Adige 2018

Tasted and loved by our staff, this is clean, fresh, dry, aromatic and thirst quenching, filled with mineral, lemon/lime citrus and herb flavors. Made by Cantina Produttori Valle Isarco, which is high quality co-operative founded in 1961. Located in the Isarco Valley of Alto Adige in northern Italy, this Cantina has 130 members from 11 municipalities of Alto Adige: Varna, Bressanone, Funes/Tiso, Velturno, Chiusa, Laion, Castelrotto, Villandro, Barbiano, Fié and Renon. The grapes for each bottling are blended to express the classic nature of the wines of this region, known for its exceptional white wines. Originally from France, the Sauvignon Blanc grape variety was brought to Alto Adige about 100 years ago but only much more recently to the Valle Isarco. The porphyry-rich, warm, frost-protected soils of the lower Valle Isarco with their SE exposure are perfect for this variety, and express its noble character. Serve with asparagus, snails, poached or grilled fish, or as the perfect aperitif. Substitute your Friday night Sancerre with this, you will be very happy.

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$17.99

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Shannon Ridge High Elevation Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Owner of Shannon Ridge Family of Wines, Clay Shannon has transformed his ranch into one of the agricultural icons of California’s North Coast, and in doing so is changing the face and substance of grape-growing in the USA. Clay grew up on a farm in Healdsburg in Sonoma County. He began his career as a vineyard manager in St. Helena, traveling the wine regions of California managing the company’s vineyards. A short time later he started his own vineyard management company, growing grapes for some of the top wineries and fruit companies in Northern California. In 1995, Clay discovered a magnificent piece of property in the hills overlooking Clear Lake in Lake County, thirty-five miles north of Napa’s famed vineyards. He quickly set out to develop vineyards, Clay’s vision was simple: “We wanted to grow the best fruit in the world,” says Clay, “and we wanted to do it in a way that made us happy living there.” This Cabernet here is part of Clay's High Elevation Collection series, from sustainably farmed mountain vineyards, adding layers of flavor and richness to their wines.Aged 9 months in oak, 80% American and 20% French, this has abundant blackberry and dried cranberry characters with notes of pepper and allspice. The lengthy finish shows hints of cedar along with ripe fruit and toasted oak. Serve with steaks, burgers, chili and cheeses, especially cheddars and cotswold.

$12.99

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Monte Degli Angeli Piemonte Pinot Noir 2018

From the region of Piedmont of northern Italy, this well-made Italian Pinot has red and black fruit flavors with hints of vanilla, chocolate and purple flowers. Quite complex and long for the price, this is smooth, ripe and supple. Made by two quality-driven brothers, Antonio and Paolo Sperone, who also produce delicious, well-priced Barolo which we also carry. Serve with grilled tuna, roasted chicken, lamb, or with light pasta dishes, especially topped with shrimp and plum tomatoes.

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$12.99

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Caparzo Rosso di Montalcino 2018

This is an incredibly delicious Tuscan Sangiovese, in essence a 'baby Brunello', made by an Italiana, the quality-driven Elizabetta Gnudi Angelini. Caparzo was first established towards the end of the 1960’s. The company has grown and adapted with the times all while maintaining and respecting the traditions of the terroir. The rustic and elegant Caparzo villa, La Casa, located at the bottom of Montalcino is available for rent for those who want to fully experience the beauty and tranquillity of the Tuscan countryside. This is Rosso di Montalcino is from the acclaimed 2018 vintage. Rosso di Montalcino is typically made from the younger vines of the Sangiovese Grosso, which also make each estate's Brunello wines. Therefore, Rosso di Montalcino has earned the nickname of 'baby Brunello.' Also, Rosso di Montalcino wines spend less time in wood compared to Brunello di Montalcino, and are perfect for more simple meals of classic Tuscan fare and/or Italian cheeses and olives. Caparzo was listed by Wine Spectator as one of Brunello di Montalcino's 'Cream of the Crop' producers. The estate is comprised of 475 acres, with 125 total acres planted to vineyards on all 5 sides of the hill of Montalcino, the only estate with this benefit. This gives owner Elizabetta Gnudi Angelini, with her winemaker Massimo Bracalente, access to all of the different terroirs of the appellation, from soil differences to unique microclimates to varying altitudes of vineyards.

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~~$24.99~~$18.99

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Stafford Hill Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2018

Stafford Hill is the 'second label' of famed Holloran Vineyard Wines, and is an outstanding value for handcrafted, small production wines. The Stafford Hill wines are produced from the same vineyard sources and use the same hands-on, traditional winemaking approach as the Holloran wines. Made from p rimarily Holloran Le Chenaie Vineyard with volcanic soils in the Eola Amity Hills located near Salem, Oregon. These are elegant Oregon wines made in a classic style. The Pinot Noir has limited use of new oak to keep the wine fresh and approachable for everyday drinking. Beautiful wines and great, everyday values. Small lots, mix of indigenous yeast and cultivated yeasts. 100% destemmed, hand punch downs. Malolactic fermentation is also natural and occurs in barrel. Aged 11 months in 100% french oak barrels (medium toast), 10% new. Only 1200 cases made. The lots used for this wine are aged for 11 months in up to 15% new French oak. The nose offers sweet cherry fruit and forest underbrush, with food-friendly acidity and structure on the palate, and a floral perfume in the mouth and finish. Made in the style of traditional Burgundy, the fruit is sourced from non-irrigated vines with fermentation occurring in small open-top tanks that are punched down by hand. Many of the lots are fermented with native yeasts, and all malolactic fermentation occurred naturally. This wine is both unfined and unfiltered. Natural sediment may occur over time.

~~$24.99~~$19.99

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Lyrarakis Kotsifali 2018

New Greek Red! This may be new to the Bottle Shop, but Lyrarakis Kotsifali is made from an ancient grape variety grown since around 3000 BC. A native grape of Crete, Kotsifali is a dry red, with medium-full body, and a terrific red for grilled meats, Greek lamb dishes, pasta, pizza, cheeses, and all kinds of Mediterranean foods. We tasted and loved the Lyrarakis family's Kotsifali here, with its excellent purity and balance of fruit, acidity and tannin. Traditionally, the Kotsifali grape has a black color, and comes from vigorous, high yielding vines that have a medium burst period and a medium ripening time. The grapes usually ripen between the end of August and early September in Crete. The resulting wines are high in alcohol and have a low acidity. However, Lyrarakis has produced a red wine with a nice balanced level of alcohol and a nice burst of acidity in a juicy, smooth style. This is no doubt due to their hard work in the vineyards, and their gentle approach to the winemaking. Farming is sustainable and organic, and the wines are made with certified Vegan methods. Look for c lassic Kotsifali aromas and flavors of spices, herbs, plums, blackberry, beetroot, salinity and 'Mediterranean' nuances. #welovethis!!! Vintage 2018—2019 JancisRobinson.com, 16.5 points

$19.99

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Paul Jaboulet Aine Viognier 2018

In 1834, a full 100 years before the introduction of the A.O.C. system, Antoine Jaboulet began to transform a sleepy region into one of the most important quality winegrowing terroirs in the world. Since that time, Paul Jaboulet Aîné has become the benchmark in the Northern Rhône, with the iconic Hermitage ‘La Chapelle’ being responsible for some of the greatest wines ever produced. Ten years ago, the Frey family purchased this historic property and committed tremendous effort and resources to improve upon the already legendary estate. They immediately started converting the estate vineyards to organic biodynamic principals and encouraging sustainable practices from every family grower they work with. With each successive vintage the purifying effects of these natural agricultural improvements can be felt and tasted. This is one of France’s finest estates, the crown jewel of the Rhône Valley. Oenologist and proprietor Caroline Frey, alongside Winemaking Director Jacques Desvernois, are producing the authentic standard for quality Syrah across the Northern Rhône. Brimming with perfumed aromas of peach, pear and citrus all balanced by a salty minerality, this is a Condrieu at a fraction of the price. Great with Asian fare, sushi, mango Chicken, spicy white fish dishes and ginger apricot pork loin.

$14.99

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Viña Zorzal Garnacha Navarra 2019

Brothers Xabi, Iñaki and Mikel Sanz created Viña Zorzal in 2007, taking advantage of their long history and tradition as a winemaking family in Correla, Navarra. Their family winery, Bodegas Correlana, had been run by their grandfather and father to great success in the region, and they became a reference point in the industry. But while the older generation had been more preoccupied with having a viable and commercial trade, the current one decided to take a holistic approach to agriculture, and make artisanal wines, focusing on single-parcels and single-vineyards, and on the terroir of Fitero, this subzone of the D.O. Navarra. Their landscape differs from the much flatter areas of Navarra where Garnacha and Tempranillo are cropped in high volumes. Their vines grow on rocky and stony soils with variegated clays (heterogeneous), and limestone and composite soils. The fact that the clay-based soils are non-homogeneous makes them much more permeable and resistant to erosion than the soils of the Ebro Basin. They own 40 hectares, 25 of which planted with the traditional Garnacha of the land. The wild bush vines are old, many centenarian, and are farmed organically. The remaining land is planted with Graciano (which quickly made their fame), Tempranillo, and some Garnacha Blanca and Chardonnay. The wines are made in a remodeled part of the family’s old winery, and the work in the cellar follows the work on the land, which they summarize here: “We practice low intervention, environmentally-friendly viticulture; we do not till the vineyards, and all processes are carried out manually; we use selected native plants for ground cover fertilizing with compost to improve the vine’s resistance to diseases. This philosophy is carried through to the winery, where our wines ferment spontaneously. We avoid racking, and don’t filter nor clarify. No additives are used, only a sufficient, moderate amount of sulphur.” The fruit for this delightful little Garnacha comes from different plots in the Fitero village. Serve with cured meats and cheeses, stews, roasted vegetables, game and meat dishes.

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$10.99

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Pierre Andre Bourgogne Chardonnay Reserve 2018

Founded in 1923, the firm of Pierre André was born at the foot of the hill of the grand cru Corton vineyard. Today Pierre André continues to produce top grand cru wines, along with village wines from up and down the Côte d'Or. The overall house style is one that represents the terroir of each village and vineyard, while also exposing concentration of fruit flavors, and balancing the classic acidity and tannin of Burgundy. All of the grapes are handpicked by vineyard manager Jacques Briday's team, and minimal intervention is used by winemaker Mathieu Carrara. We tasted and positively loved this Bourgogne Blanc from the charming 2018 vintage. Dry, crisp and ripe in style, the citrus, white flower and mineral flavors dance on the palate with a hint of acidity. Serve with shellfish, lemony white fish dishes, creamy cow's milk cheeses and Marcona almonds.

$19.99

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High Note Malbec 2018

High Note is a wonderful new discovery here at the Bottle Shop. Crafted from a blend of the finest vineyards in Uco Valley including Vista Flores, La Consulta, Altamira, Eugenio Bustos and Gualtallary, when it comes to vineyard locations, Altitude is everything. Altitude is essential to providing the vineyards with intense sunlight and cool temperatures. This perfect paradox allows the winemaker at Vista del Sur in Mendoza to craft a Malbec with a deep violet hue, smooth velvety texture & vibrant fruit flavors, and name it 'High Note'. Vista del Sur is a state-of-the-art winery high in the Andes foothills of Argentina’s famed Uco Valley of Mendoza. Ranging in altitude from 3,300 to 5,000 feet, Vista del Sur’s vineyards are among the highest in the world and enjoy the perfect combination of elements for growing the finest Malbec. Intense desert sunlight, very cool nightly temperatures, low humidity and dry, sandy soil with excellent drainage provide the fruit with extended hang times that result in a slow, balanced ripening cycle with good acidity and concentrated flavors without excessive sugar. These conditions also help reduce vine disease and provide a long, dry growing season producing low yields of small grapes with concentrated flavor, color and tannins. While other wineries around the world are planned to create multiple varietals using the same equipment, Vista del Sur was designed from vine to bottle to enhance the quality of the Malbec it produces. Grapes are sourced from five vineyards with sandy loam soils, ranging in elevation 3,300 - 5,000 feet above sea level. Vista Flores vineyard has flavors of spice, red fruits and minerality. La Consulta adds black fruit and mid-palate weight while Altamira's fruit has notes of violets. Eugenio Bustos vineyard offers racy acidity and floral notes while adding to the violet color. Gualtallary vineyard, at the highest altitude, brings deep purple color and additional floral and black fruit notes balanced with acidity. Fernando Buscema is a fourth-generation winemaker whose early childhood memories are set in his grandfather’s vineyards. Buscema earned his bachelor's degree in enology and food science from the Universidad Maza in Mendoza, where he graduated top of his class. His winemaking experience was gained through his work at reputable wineries all over the world including Vicenza, Italy; Napa Valley, California; and Mendoza, Argentina. At Vista del Sur, Buscema is devoted exclusively to Malbec where he remains at the forefront of oenological research and development.

$11.99

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Mauro Molino Nebbiolo 2018

Italy's best source for wine reviews, the Gambero Rosso , raves about the family-owned and managed Mauro Molino estate: 'The Molinos again showed why they are among the top Langhe producers. Credit goes in particular to Mauro and his son, Matteo, who is partly responsible for the estate's enormous critical success. For the basic Barolo, the estate ages the wine in large Slavonian oak barrels, which is a classic practice in the region, and the wine is known for its delicate nose of violets and roasted fruits, and concentrated, harmonious palate.' Mauro Molino founded this estate and today works alongside his son Matteo and daughter Martina. In 1973 Mauro graduated from enology school in Alba, and then followed that with five years of winemaking experience in Emilia Romagna. In 1979 after his father’s passing, he returned home to the family farm in La Morra and began consulting for local wineries while building up his own estate. 1982 was the first vintage from the famed family parcel in Conca dell’Annunziata, the conch-shaped parcel pictured above, and the rest is history. In 2003 Matteo joined the company, and then in 2009, Matteo’s sister also joined the gang. Today they manage approximately 12 hectares of vineyards, 50% dedicated to Nebbiolo for Barolo, and the rest mostly Barbera, and Dolcetto. This estate practices sustainable organic viticulture. This Nebbiolo is made from 10-30 year old vines in Monforte d’Alba and Guarene. Fermentation in stainless steel, then aging six months in large French oak casks coopered in Austria. Only 1000 cases produced.

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$19.99

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Chateau-Siaurac Lalande de Pomerol 2015

Our family has had a long-time love affair with Ch â teau Siaurac in Lalande-de-Pomerol. The estate has been producing beautiful wines for 200 years, in the 'satellite' appellation of Lalande-de-Pomerol. Long associated and marketed with Château Pétrus in Pomerol, we always considered Siaurac such an incredible value for an authentic, velvety, delicious red Bordeaux. As a 'satellite' of the esteemed Pomerol area, Lalande-de-Pomerol has a similar climate and similar soils to its famous, luxurious neighbor. The owners of Siaurac are oriented toward quality, not quantity, and strive to express the unique typicity of the soils and climate (which we call the terroir ) . The Ch â teau has also been certified organic since January 2009. The average age of the vineyard is between 25 and 30 years. Today, Siaurac is owned by the owner of Château Latour, Francois Pinault and the Artemis group. It i s therefore made by an exceptional, world class team : the technical director from Chateau Latour, Penelope Godefroy, has worked with Jean-Claude Berrouet, the winemaker at Pétrus for 40 years. The 2015 Siaurac is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. It tastes rich, velvety and pure with notes of cherry, mocha, licorice and rose petals. We have enjoyed many bottles at home over the last 25 years of this under-the-radar, classic Bordeaux red. Pair with filet mignon, lamb chops, roasted pork, Comté Gruyere cheese, Petit Basque sheep's milk cheese, meat pâté and/or cured meats.

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$27.99

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Marques de Murrieta Rioja Reserva 2015

Marques de Murrieta has a long, meaningful history at the Bottle Shop. When we were first learning about wines, it was very important to our dad for us to know the best, most classic wines of every great winemaking region in the world. In Spain, Marques de Murrieta was at the top of his list. We had the opportunity to taste old wines from Murrieta from vintages such as 1968 and 1959 with him while we were still in the infancy of our wine training. The estate is very much a traditional estate in style. While rich and deep in flavor, the fruit is multi-layered but not 'New World jammy'. Red and black fruits, cedar, leather, hints of spices, even hints of tar are revealed. We would pair this with Spanish-inspired cuisine, especially pork or lamb dishes. WINE ADVOCATE reports: 'Yes, this is one of the oldest wineries in Rioja, created back in the 19th century, and they keep their traditions, but now but each wine is selected from specific plots, something that they have done since the year 2000, a year that marked a big change in the winery. I feel more balance and better integration of the oak with the wine in recent vintages. I really liked the wines I tasted and was very excited to be shown a tank sample of the 1986 Castillo de Ygay Gran Reserva Blanco. Yes, you have read it correctly, it was a tank sample which is waiting to be bottled after almost 21 years in wood and 6 years in tank that will be released sometime in the future. I simply loved it.'

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~~$29.99~~$24.99

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Montes Classic Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

This Cabernet has been a huge success at the Bottle Shop. Made of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot, this was aged for 6 months in French oak, and has good body with cassis, black cherry, mint and spice complexities. Made from grapes grown in Chile's Colchagua Valley, which has become famous for good Cabernet's, this is one of the greatest value in Cabernet in the market. Winemaker/Owner Aurelio Montes was named "Winemaker of the Year" by Wine Spectator in the years 2002 and 2006. Montes and his partners run a great, quality-driven operation in both Chile and in Argentina at Kaiken.

$11.99

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Our Favorite Picks

Lucien Albrecht Cremant d'Alsace Brut Rosé

Having a party this New Year's Eve??? This is such a delightful, elegant, crowd-pleasing sparkling wine for serving 4 - 400 people! Made of 100% Pinot Noir using the classic methode champenoise , this has strawberry red raspberry and vanilla suggestions that are enhanced by the wine's wonderful ripeness and freshness, with saline and toast notes on the creamy, lush finish. The history of the Albrecht family as winegrowers can be traced back to 1425 with Romanu Albrecht, who lived in the town of Thann in the Haut-Rhin department of Alsace. During this time in the fifteenth century, Alsace experience a golden era. The Winegrowers Guild of Alsace was founded and each year, the most deserving wine grower was elected by the guild as Bangard, a highly respected position. Between 1520 and 1698, it was held by 8 generations of Albrecht's. Domaine Albrecht experienced a major development under the guidance of Lucien Albrecht, the father of Jean, to become one of the most important in Alsace with holdings in 9 villages surrounding Orschwihr. In 1972 Lucien Albrecht was also a pioneer of Cremant d'Alsace. Today the Cremant is one of the house's specialties. The cellar dates back to 1772 and houses large oak barrels, some of which are over 100 years of age…

we90

$19.99

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Arvero Limoncello

The quality of this all natural product is determined by the high quality of the lemons. Árvero is exclusively crafted with Sorrento lemons which have a uniquely ripe and balanced flavor. To retain the great aromas and color of these lemons, they are hand-picked and processed locally, early in the morning to preserve the right humidity. They are never frozen or stored, so as not to lose to fresh, vibrant flavors of the lemons. The result is a limoncello with rich aromas, a naturally vivid yellow color and a vibrant flavor that distinguishes it a true, high quality limoncello. Tasted and loved by our staff, this is exceptional.

we91

$24.99

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Flaneur Wines Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2017

Historically one of our favorite wines to drink on Easter Sunday is Pinot Noir. Whether you are serving classic ham, lamb or turkey dishes, Pinot is a perfect pairing. This Pinot Noir is one of our under-the-radar discoveries from Oregon. A flâneur is defined as a leisurely wanderer, a worldly explorer, and a connoisseur of life. The word, hailing from 19th-century France, captures the idea that the mind functions best at a slow pace, and that curiosity can uncover a life of significance. It is, as Charles Baudelaire wrote so eloquently, a life of juxtaposition: alone yet surrounded by bustle, slow yet continuously moving forward. The owners of Flâneur Wines are flâneurs at their core, passionate artisans joined together by the desire to slow down, observe the world, and create delicious wines. Sourced from their two estate vineyards in Ribbon Ridge and Chehalem Mts., this Willamette Pinot Noir was fermented in a combination of stainless steel tanks and one large oak vessel. After a native yeast fermentation the wines were aged in barrel for 11 months - 11% new oak. A combination of 228 lt, 600 lt, and 2300 lt oak barrels were used. Light and fresh, and boasting a balance of tart red fruit and earthy characteristics, this Pinot Noir is an ideal match for many meals....or simply enjoyed by itself.

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$32.99

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Maracame Tequila Reposado Tequila

Maracame is produced by one of the finest tequila makers in Mexico, Tequila Supremo. Commercially known as Casa Camarena, Tequila Supremo is owned and operated by La Familia Camarena of Arandas, Jalisco. Founded originally by Augustin Camarena in 1938, the Camarena family has built Tequila Supremo into one of the largest and most successful producers of tequila. Tequila Supremo has also developed and patented a process known as Zero D, which ensures that the distillery emits no waste charges. Tequila Supremo was the first tequila producer to be 100% environmentally friendly. This tequila known as Maracame is named for the spiritual guide of the Huichol people. More than just a medicine man, the Maracame serves as priest, historian, and even as a civil servant within the community. In order to become a great Maracame, long years of intense physical, mental, and spiritual preparation is required. This premium tequila pays homage to the spirit of such effort and cultural importance. Many of the savviest Tequila aficionados have come to love and trust the spirits of Tequila Supremo,. In Arandas, the epicenter of Highland tequila production, the Camarena family (Augustin Camarena), has been growing, harvesting and distilling the prized Blue Weber Agave, since 1938. But the history runs even deeper, as the Camarena family co-founded the town of Arandas in 1761. Only the biggest, sweetest, agaves are used in Maracame, Tequila Supremo’s, plato fuerte. Sugar, acid and water levels are carefully checked in the field and the distillery. A 100 year old volcanic oven is used only for Maracame, and the care taken for each expression shows. This Reposado which we tasted and absolutely loved, was aged 9 months in American oak barrels. It has a beautiful pale golden yellow color (no coloring added here, this is an all natural tequila), and rich aromas of citrus marmalade, vanilla, spices, orange peel and golden baked fruits such as apples. Incredibly smooth and refined, this has a gently sweet yet peppery mid-palate and a classy sandalwood finish. Truly, a handcrafted tequila and a fantastic gift with its beaded necklace and colorful gift box.

$55.00

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Matias Riccitelli Hey Malbec! 2018

Hey Malbec! is SUCH a fun and delicious wine from Mendoza. Winemaker Matías Riccitelli is the son of legendary Argentine winemaker, Jorge Riccitelli, who made the wines at Catena for many decades. A breakout star from a young age, Matías was born in Cafayate, Salta, a small village in northern Argentina where winemaking is an omnipresent trade and way of life. He grew up between Cafayate and Mendoza, studying and working with his dad, who was his winemaking mentor. From there, he went on to travel much of the wine world, learning along the way, and returned to Mendoza to serve as chief winemaker for two of Argentina’s top wineries, Fabre Montmayou and Bodega Norton. Matías Riccitelli started his boutique winery in 2009, located in Las Compuertas at 1100 meters above sea level. It is the highest area of Lujan de Cuyo, and here he tends 20 hectares of ungrafted old vineyards. Matías also works with small, independent growers that own their lands at the bottom of the Andes halfway between 1000 and 1700 meters above sea level - in Gualtallary, Chacayes, Altamira and La Carrera. All harvests are conducted by hand and fermentation takes place in small concrete vats and concrete eggs. Purity and delicacy in winemaking are prized by Matías and great care is taken in preserving the fruit’s singularity in order to obtain vibrant wines. Hey Malbec! is made of 100% Malbec from Compuertas and Uco, harvested manually in small cases around 20 kg to ensure the integrity of each bunch. Whole-bunch fermentation takes place in open tanks, crushed by foot twice a day and then aged in concrete vats for 8 months.

bot93

$19.99

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Iuli Barbera del Monferrato Umberta 2018

Fabrizio Iuli calls himself a barberista , for his love, focus and dedication to the Barbera grape. Located in the small town of Montaldo in Monferrato, which is the home of many of Piedmont's top Barbera's, the Iuli estate is organically farmed by Fabrizio, and his old vine vineyards have a strong core of limestone which adds a distinctive terroir . We had the incredible opportunity to visit Iuli, hike around the vineyards and taste wine out of barrel and bottle with Fabrizio. His wines clearly have a purity, honesty and joyfulness to them that we just love. They are also seriously complex at the same time. This 'Umberta' is the first wine of the estate; the name comes from the fact that 'Umberto' is one of the most common names in Piedmont. 'King Umberto' who was born in Torino was the son of the first King of unified Italy in 1861. The 'Umberta' is made of 100% certified organic Barbera and aged in stainless steel. Unfined and unfiltered, Fabrizio only makes about 1000 cases per year. Rich, ripe and zesty red and black fruit aromas lead to plush black raspberry, licorice and plum flavors on the palate. This is one of my house reds to serve with just about anything calling for a red. I have officially become obsessed with Barbera, naturally from Piedmont, and I hope the world will discover its virtues! Quick note on the label: Fabrizio decided in the 2013 vintage to finally stop the exhausting process ( aka madness !) of proving to the Italian government that his wine was 'real Monferrato'. Maybe his tiny hometown of Montaldo is too small for even fellow Italiano's to know about! But we were there, and we walked his vineyards, and this wine is indeed made of 100% Barbera in Monferrato, regardless of the VdT designation versus the DOC. Iuli is set among the last band of dramatic hills and valleys before descending into the rich flatlands of the Po river valley, with the Alps as a backdrop on a clear day. If you're headed to Montaldo, chances are it is to see Fabrizio Iuli. His family figures prominently and colorfully in the town's history. In the 1920s, his grandfather, Gioacchino Natale Iuli, like many young men from the countryside, was courted by a factory job in Lombardia. In a twist of fate, Gioacchino heard that a burgeoning marching band had been formed in Montaldo, so he packed his bags and headed back to become its clarinetist and to start a family. The first vines were planted around 1930. Fabrizio's grandmother, Ernestina, established a little osteria in their living room, a place with warm food and warm hospitality that became a gathering point for the village. There was much conviviality and Iuli Barbera flowing. Though no longer an official restaurant, the feeling continues to this day with Fabrizio and his wife, Summer Wolff, cooking up a storm and popping bottles. It is a place that sucks you in, where time seems to stand still, if only temporarily. Today, Fabrizio is the only winegrower in the town. His first commerical vintage was 1998, with his Barbera called Rossore. The grapes found in his vineyards are Baratuciat (a nearly-extinct white variety from the Val di Susa), Slarina (a red Monferrato variety also almost lost), Grignolino, Nebbiolo, Pinot Nero, and, of course, Barbera. There are 35 contiguous hectares of land in one valley, with 16 hectares planted to vine. Certified organic, the land has never seen any chemicals. Despite being ridiculed by neighbors, Fabrizio's grandfather and father never succumbed to pressure to buy products they felt were meant to fix something that wasn't broken. The isolation of the place suits Fabrizio's desire to instigate and protect biodiversity. The thick surrounding woods keep the prospect of a monoculture at bay. They contain many white truffles in the season; they also house many wild boar, who can and do devour a crop of grapes. Some end up at Cascina Iuli in the form of 'Barbera Pig' stew. The wines are Piedmontese to the core, ultra-reflective of the poor, but limestone-rich soils and northernly climate with cool nights. Each wine has a reason for being; each wine has extreme drinkability without losing seriousness or intrigue. They are concentrated in their fruit, but also have a lightness and florality that feel very "Iuli." In the cellar, Iuli's trajectory over the years has become increasingly non-interventionist. Fermentations are carried out spontaneously, with a little so2 added after malolactic fermentations. The tradition in the area is to use concrete tank and large oak cask. Fabrizio wouldn't dream of deviating from that lineage. He adores, collects, and restores small concrete vessels. There's a room in the cellar in which they're lined up like little misfit robots waiting to be deployed. The wines are aged slowly and statically, bottled unfined and unfiltered, when taste and an auspicious moon deem they're ready. *** DON'T MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THE WINEMAKER -- FABRIZIO IULI --- VIP EVENT FRIDAY MARCH 27, 2020 FROM 4 - 6 PM ***

$19.99

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Iuli Malidea Vino Rosso 2017

Located in the town of Montaldo in the far north of Monferrato, Iuli is an organic farm and winery, owned by Fabrizio Iuli. Today only 92 people live in his little hometown, a charming, soulful place where we had the good fortune of visiting on one of our European wine buying trips. Monferrato is the home of many of Piedmont's top Barbera wines, which Fabrizio crafts from his old vine organic vineyards, but he also makes this gem made of 100% Nebbiolo. Named Malidea, which translates to 'Bad Idea', since who would wish to make Nebbiolo in the 'Land of Barbera'? But Fabrizio wanted the challenge so in 1999 he planted these vines. The south-facing vineyard was harvested in mid-September in 2017, nearly a month earlier than usual due to the drought conditions of the vintage. Vinified in concrete with 21 days of maceration, aged 16 months in large French oak 2500 L casks, then aged in bottle for 6 months before release. Only 4200 bottles made. The Iuli estate is organically farmed by Fabrizio, and his old vine vineyards have a strong core of limestone which adds a distinctive terroir. We had the incredible opportunity to visit Iuli, hike around the vineyards and taste wine out of barrel and bottle with Fabrizio. His wines clearly have a purity, honesty and joyfulness to them that we just love. They are also seriously complex at the same time. Iuli is set among the last band of dramatic hills and valleys before descending into the rich flatlands of the Po river valley, with the Alps as a backdrop on a clear day. If you're headed to Montaldo, chances are it is to see Fabrizio Iuli. His family figures prominently and colorfully in the town's history. In the 1920s, his grandfather, Gioacchino Natale Iuli, like many young men from the countryside, was courted by a factory job in Lombardia. In a twist of fate, Gioacchino heard that a burgeoning marching band had been formed in Montaldo, so he packed his bags and headed back to become its clarinetist and to start a family. The first vines were planted around 1930. Fabrizio's grandmother, Ernestina, established a little osteria in their living room, a place with warm food and warm hospitality that became a gathering point for the village. There was much conviviality and Iuli Barbera flowing. Though no longer an official restaurant, the feeling continues to this day with Fabrizio and his wife, Summer Wolff, cooking up a storm and popping bottles. It is a place that sucks you in, where time seems to stand still, if only temporarily. Today, Fabrizio is the only winegrower in the town. His first commerical vintage was 1998, with his Barbera called Rossore. The grapes found in his vineyards are Baratuciat (a nearly-extinct white variety from the Val di Susa), Slarina (a red Monferrato variety also almost lost), Grignolino, Nebbiolo, Pinot Nero, and, of course, Barbera. There are 35 contiguous hectares of land in one valley, with 16 hectares planted to vine. Certified organic, the land has never seen any chemicals. Despite being ridiculed by neighbors, Fabrizio's grandfather and father never succumbed to pressure to buy products they felt were meant to fix something that wasn't broken. The isolation of the place suits Fabrizio's desire to instigate and protect biodiversity. The thick surrounding woods keep the prospect of a monoculture at bay. They contain many white truffles in the season; they also house many wild boar, who can and do devour a crop of grapes. Some end up at Cascina Iuli in the form of 'Barbera Pig' stew. The wines are Piedmontese to the core, ultra-reflective of the poor, but limestone-rich soils and northernly climate with cool nights. Each wine has a reason for being; each wine has extreme drinkability without losing seriousness or intrigue. They are concentrated in their fruit, but also have a lightness and florality that feel very "Iuli." In the cellar, Iuli's trajectory over the years has become increasingly non-interventionist. Fermentations are carried out spontaneously, with a little so2 added after malolactic fermentations. The tradition in the area is to use concrete tank and large oak cask. Fabrizio wouldn't dream of deviating from that lineage. He adores, collects, and restores small concrete vessels. There's a room in the cellar in which they're lined up like little misfit robots waiting to be deployed. The wines are aged slowly and statically, bottled unfined and unfiltered, when taste and an auspicious moon deem they're ready. *** DON'T MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THE WINEMAKER -- FABRIZIO IULI --- VIP EVENT FRIDAY MARCH 27, 2020 FROM 4 - 6 PM ***

$34.99

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Mongarda Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Brut 2018

Looking for a premium, well-priced Prosecco for your favorite cocktail :: Aperol Spritz? Look no further! This vintage dated, dry-style is from the best area in all of Italy for Prosecco. Mongarda is a small, family-owned, nature-oriented producer of Prosecco. At the beginning of 2020 when we were on the hunt for new Prosecco, this Mongarda blew us away. The family's story began in 1978, when Bruno Tormena decided to dedicate himself full-time to the career of vignaiolo. As a youngster he learned the art of vine cultivation while working with his grandfather in family vineyards in the locality of Mongarda, from which the estate takes its name. Bruno transmitted his passion to his son, Martino, who has run the estate since 2011. Martino is a recent graduate of the enology school in Conegliano and he has intensified his family’s commitment to their land and the quality of their wines. Today, Mongarda has 3 hectares of woods and 10 hectares of vines, spread between the villages of Col San Martino, Farra di Soligo, Miane, and Valdobbiadene. This is the heart of the Valdobbiadene-Conegliano Prosecco Superiore zone, and Mongarda’s vineyards are on extreme slopes with old vines and poor, rocky soils, a situation which forces them to be worked manually. The main varietal is, of course, Glera, but the Tormena family has also kept the local heirlooms of Perera, Verdiso, Bianchetta, and Boschera, which are interspersed through the parcels and co-harvested and co-fermented with the Glera. The vines, some dating back to 1950, are pampered: no weedkillers (undesired plants are mowed or removed by hand) and no synthetic fertilizers (instead, a biodynamic compost of grape skins, vine cuttings, and manure from grass-fed cows is made in-house). In 2015, only copper and sulfur were used to combat disease pressure, and though Martino has set organic certification as a goal, he is also concerned with elevated use of copper, whose toxicity is perhaps the ‘elephant’ in the organic viticulture room, especially in wet, cool, climates. In the cellar, the objective is to let the vintage and vineyards speak for themselves. Grapes are pressed whole cluster, softly enough to avoid extracting bitterness. All primary fermentations are spontaneous. The use of dosage is not formulaic, but is adjusted according to each vintage and disgorgement. So consumers can be assured that this Prosecco is a low sugar option, especially this Brut, which is always more dry than an Extra Dry (contrary to the terminology confusion!). Made of 90% Glera and 10% Verdiso and Bianchetta, 100% harvested by hand, this is from a vineyard named Farra di Soligo in the lieu-dit of San Gallo, about 2 hectares in size at 350-370 meters above sea level, planted in 1950 with southern Exposure and Suolo marcuola soils (calcareous marl and composite rocks). Winemaking: Whole-cluster pressed; primary fermentation with indigenous yeasts in 30HL stainless steel vats, secondary fermentation in autoclave according to the Charmat method. Light filtration before bottling. Dosage: 4 g/l. Production: 8,000 bottles.

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$17.99

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Le Ragose Valpolicella Classico 2018

Le Ragose is a small, high quality, family-run estate. Just to the north of Verona, at the highest point in the Valpolicella zone, lies this 30 acre estate, founded in 1969 by Arnaldo and Marta Galli. Their children, Paolo, Marco and Marina have now joined them to oversee every aspect of the estate, along with Paolo's daughter, and all the picking and care of the vineyards is done by hand in the steep, high altitude, old vine, dry-farmed (no irrigation) vineyards. Le Ragose Valpolicella Classico is produced from 100% estate vineyards sitting about 1,200 feet in elevation. The vineyards are ideally situated with a southwest exposure and soils of red and brown clay, on Eocene limestone. Vines average 30-60 years old at the estate. Made from de-stemmed grapes, 50% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, 20% Corvinone and 10% other authorized grapes, the Valpolicella juice is fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks with indigenous yeasts. Fermentation is 12-14 days. Look for a brilliant ruby red color, fresh scents of cherry, berry and pomegranate. Serve with starters, Pasta, Soup, White and Red meats at r oom temperature or slightly chilled in Summer.

$24.99

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Luca Malbec 2017

Laura Catena, daughter of Argentine wine pioneer Nicolás Catena, is fulfilling her vision of creating a new breed of Argentine wines: small quantities, artisan quality, and true to their individual terroirs. She starts with some of Argentina’s best fruit from low-yield, high elevation vineyards. State-of-the-art winemaking and oak aging (primarily French) elevate the wines to a quality level demanded by true wine connoisseurs. The final varietal blends deliver power along with complexity and finesse. They are the ultimate expression of rigorous vineyard management, viticultural experimentation, strict irrigation controls, skilled winemaking, and a quest for quality at any cost. Luca is named after Laura Catena’s son. The family crest (the McDermott family) that appears in the label’s background is that of Laura’s husband, Dan. Laura is continually inspired by the synthesis of cultures in her own family, and this international inspiration infuses the style and quality of her wines. Luca is made from Malbec vineyards located in the Uco Valley: Altamira, La Consulta and Gualtallary. The s oils is these premium high-elevation vineyards are very poor with l imestone in Altamira and La Consulta. All the vines are ungrafted and average 44 years in age. All work is done by hand including the harvest.

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v90

$34.99

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Lyrarakis Symbolo 2014

Talk about a show stopper... if you enjoy rich, concentrated reds, whether you reach for Napa Cabs, Big Bordeaux or Super Tuscans, this is the red for you. Symbolo is a very special reserve wine hailing from Crete and the quality-driven Lyrarakis family. Its inaugural release was a celebration of the great vintage of 2005, marking an important milestone in the history of the Lyrarakis Estate. They have since kept the commitment to release this wine only in the very best vintages . The 2008 and 2012 were also deemed worthy of the "Symbolo" title as is this recent vintage of 2014. Beautifully ripened and concentrated grapes of Syrah, Mandilari and Merlot were sourced from the family's finest sustainable and organic vineyard sites, macerated gently and aged for 17 months in French and American oak barrels. Symbolo 2014 is full of ripe dark fruits supported by oak spices and cocoa butter with a hint of coconut milk. On the palate, it is a powerful wine, full of chewy tannins with an incredibly long and savory finish. Pair it with juicy steaks, slow-smoked ribs and more.... this will impress you! The Lyrarakis Estate was founded in 1966 by brothers Manolis and Sotiris Lyrarakis. It is surrounded by the Lassithi mountains and focuses on rare local varieties and single variety wines. The Lyrarakis family is credited with the revival of two ancient white Cretan varieties, Dafni and Plyto while a third “vineyard treasure”, the indigenous Melissaki, was recently added to their credit. Kotsifali and Mandilari are our favorite local red wines they make, and Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon go into their special Symbolo bottling. The winery is situated in one of the most noteworthy vineyard regions of Crete, namely at Alagni, Heraklion, the most mountainous village of the appellation area (AOC) of PEZA. The company only started bottling wines under the Lyrarakis name in the early nineties, and 1992 was the first vintage. Today, the company is managed by the second generation: Bart (CEO and now our good friend:), George (Chairman) and Manolis (viticulturalist). The estate vineyards spread over 14 hectares, at an average altitude of 550 meters. The soil is composed of gravel and limestone. The farming is sustainable and they are in conversion to organic farming - certain vineyards are already certified. Biodynamic viticulture in selected vineyards. Member of the People4soil initiative - European Citizens Initiative (ECI) - aiming at lobbying for the creation of a specific European legislation that will recognize soil as a common good and will establish regulations for its protection. An organic community garden produces part of the vegetables used for the meals served during the meetings of various groups (employees, members of St August winegrowers group and others).

~~$59.99~~$49.99

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Austin Hope Quest 2017

If you are a fan of Caymus Cabernet, this would be a great wine for you to discover. Made by winemaker Austin Hope with his good friend Charlie Wagner from Caymus, Quest embodies the spirit of Paso Robles red wine. Lush Cabernet Sauvignon is the foundation, blended with Merlot, Petit Verdot and Petite Sirah. Aged in American oak, 65% new, for 21 months, look for mouthfilling, ripe berry flavors, velvety tannins, toasty oak, French vanilla, cassis and caramel notes. Super rich and decadent, this will be an amazing value for Caymus Cab drinkers for serving just about anytime.

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~~$34.99~~$24.99

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Lyrarakis Voila Assyrtiko 2019

This tastes like s ummer in a bottle with its thirst quenching style, but we will drink it all year long now that it is here in the U.S.! Made of 100% Assyrtiko from dry-farmed vineyards located in the area of Vóila, in the eastern part of Crête, at 580 meters above sea level. The soil is composed of loam and the grapes are hand-harvested then fermented on the skins for 16 hours at 12C (53F). Slow fermentation (around 2 weeks) in stainless steel tanks follows. Serve with all kinds of seafood, white meat cooked with lemon and oregano, goat and sheep's milk cheeses, salads or on its own as an impeccable aperitif. This wine is part of the Lyrarakis family's Single Area series, which highlights the place where each wine is grown. The Lyrarakis Estate was founded in 1966 by brothers Manolis and Sotiris Lyrarakis. It is surrounded by the Lassithi mountains and focuses on rare local varieties and single variety wines. The Lyrarakis family is credited with the revival of two ancient white Cretan varieties, Dafni and Plyto while a third “vineyard treasure”, the indigenous Melissaki, was also recently added to their credit. Indigenous reds such as Kotsifali and Mandilari are highlights at the estate, as well as Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, for which the great Symbolo is produced (also in stock at the Bottle Shop). The winery is situated in one of the most noteworthy vineyard regions of Crete, namely at Alagni, Heraklion, the most mountainous village of the appellation area (AOC) of PEZA. The company only started bottling wines under the Lyrarakis name in the early nineties, and 1992 was the first vintage. Today, the company is managed by the second generation: Bart (CEO and now good friend of the Bottle Shop), George (Chairman) and Manolis (viticulturalist). The estate vineyards spread over 14 hectares, at an average altitude of 550 meters. The soil is composed of gravel and limestone.

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jr16.5

$22.99

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Lyrarakis Mandilari Plakoura Vineyard 2017

This is a beautiful, balanced, refined Greek red made of 100% Mandilari, an indigenous ancient greek variety. The rare low-yielding Plakoura vineyard is the equivalent of a premier cru, with a slope at 500 meters. This high altitude, with sandy, stony soils breeds complex red wines. The head-trained pruning in combination with the north-east exposure of the vineyard and plenty of sunshine, ensures that the grapes reach optimum ripeness at the time of harvest. Very thorough cultivation helps the Lyrarakis family achieve extremely low yields, succeeding in crafting a very concentrated wine with a deep red color and an excellent structure, which will age for a long time. The Lyrarakis Estate was founded in 1966 by brothers Manolis and Sotiris Lyrarakis. It is surrounded by the Lassithi mountains and focuses on rare local varieties and single variety wines. The Lyrarakis family is credited with the revival of two ancient white Cretan varieties, Dafni and Plyto while a third “vineyard treasure”, the indigenous Melissaki, was also recently added to their credit. Indigenous reds such as Kotsifali and Mandilari are highlights at the estate, as well as Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, for which the great Symbolo is produced (also in stock at the Bottle Shop). The winery is situated in one of the most noteworthy vineyard regions of Crete, namely at Alagni, Heraklion, the most mountainous village of the appellation area (AOC) of PEZA. The company only started bottling wines under the Lyrarakis name in the early nineties, and 1992 was the first vintage. Today, the company is managed by the second generation: Bart (CEO and now good friend of the Bottle Shop), George (Chairman) and Manolis (viticulturalist). The estate vineyards spread over 14 hectares, at an average altitude of 550 meters. The soil is composed of gravel and limestone.

jr16.5

$29.99

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Domaine Yves Martin Sancerre Chavignol 2019

Domaine Martin, a traditional and respected domaine located in the grand terroir of Chavignol, is owned and run by the young Pierre Martin. After working alongside his father, Yves, he started his own domaine from a scant 4 ha of vines in the best village of Sancerre, Chavignol. The vines are raised using sustainable agriculture, using absolutely no herbicides or pesticides. The soil found in these beautiful, high altitude vineyards are a mixture of caillottes (stony, chalky pebbles) and terres blanches (a mixture of clay and limestone). The average age of his vines are 35+ years old. All vinification is done in temperature controlled stainless steel tank, with 4-6 month aging on fine lees with minimal batonnage. Made of 100% Sauvignon Blanc from the famed village of Chavignol, grown on caillottes (chalky white pebbles), with clay and limestone soils, and 30+ year vines, this is made with indigenous yeasts, and indigenous yeasts, and fermented and aged in tank (100% unoaked).

$24.99

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Pursued by Bear Bear Cub Red Blend 2016

The debut release of Bear Cub Red from Kyle MacLachlan in Washington State, is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blend with Merlot and Syrah. Grapes are selected from eight distinct vineyards, including sites located in the Horse Heaven Hills, Wahluke Slope, Red Mountain and Walla Walla Valley. The grapes are hand-pruned throughout the growing season, and hand-harvested in the fall. The Cabernet and Merlot grapes are whole-berry pressed, then gently fermented and aged in tight grain French oak barrels with thick staves to allow the fruit and oak to integrate slowly. Syrah, aged in 600L Taransaud puncheons, adds richness and depth to the mid-palate. Aged for 28 months in barrel and 3 months in bottle prior to release. Black cherry and cola, with hints of vanilla bean and shaved cocoa, fill the glass. Soft and lush on the midpalate, inviting dark fruit flavors, notably wild blackberry, blueberry pie and cassis, linger across a silky finish. Actor and Yakima native Kyle MacLachlan has been producing Pursued by Bear Cabernet Sauvignon for 10+ years, making top notch Washington State Cabernets and Syrahs. The project (which takes its cheeky name from a stage direction, "Exit, pursued by bear," in Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale) was rooted in Kyle's birthplace of Yakima and his friendship with the late Eric Dunham, a great Washington State winemaker who inspired him to start the project. His wines are truly exciting, well-made, complex and a pleasure to drink.

~~$39.99~~$29.99

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Lyrarakis Dafni Psarades Vineyard White 2019

Made of 100% Dafní, an indigenous greek variety saved from extinction in the early 90’s by the Lyrarakis family and planted in their “Psarades” estate vineyard. It is located in central Crête, at 480 meters above sea level. The soil is clay and loam. “Dáfni” means laurel (bay leaf) in Greek. The eponymous wine evokes its aromas. This goes through s kin contact for 10 hours. 5% of the juice comes from grapes that are fermented for an extended time on the skins in order to balance the acidity. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks, aging on the lees for 4 months. Aromas of laurel, rosemary, citrus notes in the background, refreshing mouthfeel and intensely aromatic finish. Sustainable and organic farming practices, and this is vegan. The Lyrarakis Estate was founded in 1966 by brothers Manolis and Sotiris Lyrarakis. It is surrounded by the Lassithi mountains and focuses on rare local varieties and single variety wines. The Lyrarakis family is credited with the revival of two ancient white Cretan varieties, Dafni and Plyto while a third “vineyard treasure”, the indigenous Melissaki, was also recently added to their credit. Indigenous reds such as Kotsifali and Mandilari are highlights at the estate, as well as Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, for which the great Symbolo is produced (also in stock at the Bottle Shop). The winery is situated in one of the most noteworthy vineyard regions of Crete, namely at Alagni, Heraklion, the most mountainous village of the appellation area (AOC) of PEZA. The company only started bottling wines under the Lyrarakis name in the early nineties, and 1992 was the first vintage. Today, the company is managed by the second generation: Bart (CEO and now good friend of the Bottle Shop:), George (Chairman) and Manolis (viticulturalist). The estate vineyards spread over 14 hectares, at an average altitude of 550 meters. The soil is composed of gravel and limestone. This wine's story just gets better and better, found this : Daphne was the dazzlingly beautiful nymph of Greek mythology who was turned into a laurel tree when she begged to be saved from Apollo’s advances. Daphne, or dafni, means laurel. It is also the name of an extremely rare white grape, native to the island of Crete, that is so-called because it makes wine that has a distinctive whiff of bay. According to Bart Lyrarakis of Domaine Lyrarakis, wine made from Dafni was likely to have been drunk by the Minoans. “A copper vessel dating back to the late Minoan period was found in the Cave of Ilithias [goddess of childbirth and fertility]. It’s inscribed – in ancient Linear A writing – with the words dafnitis oinos – laurel wine.”

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wa89
jr16.5

$24.99

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Gérard Boulay Sancerre Rosé Sibylle 2019

This small family domaine of 9 hectares located in Chavignol can trace its history back to 1380. The land records for that year mention Jean Boulay as owner of vineyards in Chavignol. At the time, the Clos de Beaujeu in Chavignol was already known for the quality of its white wine which is remarkable since Sancerre was known as a red wine area until after phylloxera invaded it. In the 14th century the Clos de Beaujeu supplied the Cathedral of Bourges with white wine. Of the 9 hectares owned by Gerard Boulay, 8 of the hectares are on the slopes of Chavignol on Kimmeridgian or “terre blanche” soils (similar to the soils in Chablis), which he works manually and has farmed organically since 1990. The youngest vines at the domaine were planted by Mr. Boulay in 1972 and the average vine age is approximately 45 years old. The wines ferment naturally in tank and with the exception of the Chavignol tradition which is also aged in tank, the parcellaire wines are aged in in a mix of Foudres and used 300L barrels. Gerard adds no yeast and little to no SO2 during vinfication. He describes his role as one of “surveillance” to make sure nothing goes wrong. In general he works by instinct, “au feeling” because he wants to “let the wine live” and tries not to interfere with the natural process. “C’est la nature qui fait le vin” (Nature makes the wine). Boulay and Mother Nature team up to produce beautiful Sancerre wines. This gorgeous Sancerre Rosé is created from 35-40 year old Pinot Noir vines on the steep clay hillsides in front of the Boulay home in Chavignol. Gerard works the soil manually and lets nature make the wine. Tank fermented. Boulay adds no yeast and minimal amounts of SO2. Only 200 cases made per year. U nlike many Sancerre Roses, Gerard harvests his Pinot specifically to make rose by direct press, then into tank. It is not a selection of young vines as he has no young Pinot vines. What makes the rosé one year could make red another, and vice versa, depending on what the vintage gives.

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$34.99

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Iuli Barbera del Monferrato Superiore Rossore 2017

This Barbera from Monferrato in Piedmont is an extraordinary, high quality Barbera made by winemaker Fabrizio Iuli. Rossore, named after the color Barbera puts in your cheeks, was in reality the first wine Fabrizio ever produced in 1998, and the predecessor to his Barabba label. He blends 100% organic estate fruit into the Rossore, including fruit from Barabba, his ancient plot of Barbera. The result is a wine with a ripe, chocolately nose followed by a palate packed with flavor, ripeness and underlying acidity and tannin. The Barabba vineyard is his oldest plot of Barbera, with vines planted in 1930 and 1960, located on a steep, rocky hill with a limestone core. The core of the blend is from vines planted between 1980-1998 from south-facing parcels. Rossore is aged in concrete and large French oak casks of 1700-2500L for 25 months, followed by 6 months in bottle. 11,000 bottles made. Fabrizio Iuli calls himself a barberista , for his love, focus and dedication to the Barbera grape. Located in the small town of Montaldo in Monferrato, which is the home of many of Piedmont's top Barbera wines . We had the incredible opportunity to visit Iuli, hike around the vineyards and taste wine out of barrel and bottle with Fabrizio. His wines clearly have a purity, honesty and joyfulness to them that we just love. They are also seriously complex at the same time. Rossore Barbera will be a flavorful crowd-pleaser with many types of foods. Grilled or roasted meats, oven roasted tomatoes, baby back ribs, pasta dishes with meat sauces, aged cheeses and salumi, a thick-cut bacon lettuce and tomato sandwich and more will pair amazingly. Iuli is set among the last band of dramatic hills and valleys before descending into the rich flatlands of the Po river valley, with the Alps as a backdrop on a clear day. If you're headed to Montaldo, chances are it is to see Fabrizio Iuli. His family figures prominently and colorfully in the town's history. In the 1920s, his grandfather, Gioacchino Natale Iuli, like many young men from the countryside, was courted by a factory job in Lombardia. In a twist of fate, Gioacchino heard that a burgeoning marching band had been formed in Montaldo, so he packed his bags and headed back to become its clarinetist and to start a family. The first vines were planted around 1930. Fabrizio's grandmother, Ernestina, established a little osteria in their living room, a place with warm food and warm hospitality that became a gathering point for the village. There was much conviviality and Iuli Barbera flowing. Though no longer an official restaurant, the feeling continues to this day with Fabrizio and his wife, Summer Wolff, cooking up a storm and popping bottles. It is a place that sucks you in, where time seems to stand still, if only temporarily. Today, Fabrizio is the only winegrower in the town. His first commerical vintage was 1998, with his Barbera called Rossore. The grapes found in his vineyards are Baratuciat (a nearly-extinct white variety from the Val di Susa), Slarina (a red Monferrato variety also almost lost), Grignolino, Nebbiolo, Pinot Nero, and, of course, Barbera. There are 35 contiguous hectares of land in one valley, with 16 hectares planted to vine. Certified organic, the land has never seen any chemicals. Despite being ridiculed by neighbors, Fabrizio's grandfather and father never succumbed to pressure to buy products they felt were meant to fix something that wasn't broken. The isolation of the place suits Fabrizio's desire to instigate and protect biodiversity. The thick surrounding woods keep the prospect of a monoculture at bay. They contain many white truffles in the season; they also house many wild boar, who can and do devour a crop of grapes. Some end up at Cascina Iuli in the form of 'Barbera Pig' stew. The wines are Piedmontese to the core, ultra-reflective of the poor, but limestone-rich soils and northernly climate with cool nights. Each wine has a reason for being; each wine has extreme drinkability without losing seriousness or intrigue. They are concentrated in their fruit, but also have a lightness and florality that feel very "Iuli." In the cellar, Iuli's trajectory over the years has become increasingly non-interventionist. Fermentations are carried out spontaneously, with a little so2 added after malolactic fermentations. The tradition in the area is to use concrete tank and large oak cask. Fabrizio wouldn't dream of deviating from that lineage. He adores, collects, and restores small concrete vessels. There's a room in the cellar in which they're lined up like little misfit robots waiting to be deployed. The wines are aged slowly and statically, bottled unfined and unfiltered, when taste and an auspicious moon deem they're ready. *** DON'T MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THE WINEMAKER -- FABRIZIO IULI --- VIP EVENT FRIDAY MARCH 27, 2020 FROM 4 - 6 PM ***

$26.99

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Luigi Voghera Dolcetto d'Alba Vigna Basarin 2018

This is literally one of the greatest values in all of Italy at this very moment. Made of 100% Dolcetto sourced from two hectares of 30-year-old vines in the illustrious Basarin cru of Neive, the vines grow at 250-300 meters above sea level at a southeastern exposure. After pressing, the must macerates on the skins for 4 to 5 days in stainless steel, then is racked off and aged in steel for 7 to 8 months. Only about 400 cases are produced each year. The Voghera family have been farmers in Neive in Barbaresco for many, many generations. They grew grapes for a modest production of family wine, but also cultivated grain and fruit trees. The estate as we know it today was born in 1974, when Luigi Voghera, the father of the current owner, dedicated his farm entirely to the production of grapes and started to vinify and bottle his own production. Luigi’s son Livio adheres to his father’s old-school and time-tested methods of production: longer maceration on the skins, and aging in large oak cask. All of Livio’s offerings are estate bottled, and across the board tremendous values. His Dolcetto is a faithful companion to any ragù, or with savory pasta dishes, roasted meats, cheeses and salumi, pizza and Italian sandwiches.

$19.99

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J.J. Vincent Pouilly Fuissé Marie Antoinette 2018

If you like flavorful, elegant, dry whites with a discreet touch of wood, this Pouilly-Fuissé is the perfect wine for you. This Pouilly-Fuissé is outstanding, exhibiting real terroir coupled with fresh, pure fruit flavors. It is our favorite vintage in 10+ years! Made of 100% Chardonnay, 'Marie Antoinette' Pouilly Fuissé is made from grapes grown in several parcels belonging to the Vincent family, and the wine is named after winemaker Antoine Vincent's grandmother, Marie Antoinette Vincent. The soils of the different vineyards impart their own special characteristics into the wine. The stony soils of the Vergisson Vineyards provide the beautiful acidity, elegance and minerality, while the clay soils in the Fuissé vineyard give the wine its full-bodied structure and generous fruit character. The wine is vinified separately in small oak barrels by Antoine, and then blended to achieve a well-balanced Pouilly Fuissé, combining all the wonderful characteristics of the different 'terroirs'. The 'Marie Antoinette' is one of the wines under the 'JJ' label, named for Jean-Jacques Vincent, Antoine's father. I sold this wine to restaurants in NYC for many years while working for Frederick Wildman and Sons, and my clients loved it for the quality and the price! Also a New York Times favorite, they called it 'deliciously focused and refreshing...the Marie-Antoinette is weighty yet focused with smoky fruit and mineral flavors. 3 Stars.'

~~$29.99~~$24.99

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Domaine Dominique Gruhier Bourgogne Epineuil Cuvée Juliette Rouge 2018

The village of Epineuil is located just northeast of Chablis, sharing the same Kimmeridgian soils. Bourgogne Epineuil is the regional AOC, created in 1993, for the reds which are 100% Pinot Noir. We tasted and positively adored this Cuvée Juliette, made from 50% whole cluster, 15 months in oak, only 10% new and no added sulfites. It’s ripe, velvety, delicious, and has oodles of violets, lavender, red berries…this is classic Burgundian Pinot Noir from a lesser-known AOC, and very worth seeking out. Dominique only makes about 600 cases of Juliette each year from his oldest vines. Dominique Gruhier hasn't had it easy, getting his domaine to this point. Throughout his many troubles which included frozen vineyards, fires and lawsuits, he remained one of the warmest, most charming, welcoming, well-mannered, and smiling men in Burgundy. As his domaine and his relatively obscure appellation began to attract more customers, he has been able to make the investments and changes that were necessary to let his talent shine. What beautiful wines have emerged! Fine, sexy, juicy, vivacious, saline and chalky. They are some of the greatest values we have tasted in Burgundy, and what we like to think of as 'Chablisien Pinot Noir'.

$39.99

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Ricci Curbastro Franciacorta Brut

The Curbastro family dates back in farming in Lombardy to the 13th century. Riccardo Curbastro’s first son, Gualberto, is the 18th generation, and their heritage is well represented in the wine museum they opened in 1986. They run agricultural estates in Lugo di Romagna (Ravenna), Rontana di Brisighella (Ravenna), and the homonymous farm estate in Capriolo (Brescia, Franciacorta). Riccardo’s father was among the 11 founders of the Appellation Franciacorta in 1967 , and Riccardo was the President of the Consorzio Vini Franciacorta when they achieved DOCG status in 1995. Since 1998, he also is the President of Federdoc, the interprofessional organization for wine denominations of origin in Italy. The Ricci Curbastro labels feature the family's coat of arms, with 2 hedgehogs (ricci in Italian) around an oak tree (Curbastro in Italian). The domaine in Capriolo (about 50 minutes east of Milan) spreads over 32 hectares, of which 27.5ha are planted according to the strict guidelines of the Consorzio. The underground cellar is built under the main house, Villa Evelina. Vinification is controlled by enologists Annalisa Massetti and Riccardo Curbastro. For f arming, they have long used organic and sustainable practices, and they have been certified organic since 2018 , after practicing Low Impact Farming since 1992. Riccardo Curbastro is concerned about the use of copper sulfite in organic viticulture. so he planted a vineyard with a hybrid resistant to fungal diseases, in which he is experimenting zero treatment. The winery is Carbon Footprint certified since 2012. For electricity, it is completely self-sufficient, using solar cells, LED lamps, etc. This delightful Franciacorta is made of 60% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Bianco and 10% Pinot Nero from vineyards located in the towns of Capriolo and Iseo. The grapes are fermented in stainless steel vats, then a second fermentation happens in bottle. The wine is aged on the lees for at least 30 months (24 months are required by law, including 19 months on the lees), giving it texture and a complex bouquet. After disgorgement, dosage is added (8g/l) and the wine rests in the cellar for several extra months. This is all the same time-consuming tradition methods which are used in the Champagne region of France. 12.5% alcohol. 40,000 bottles produced. CERTIFIED ORGANIC. VEGAN. MADE WITH TRADITIONAL CHAMPAGNE METHODS.

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$36.99

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Francois Baur Sang du Dragon Pinot Noir 2017

This Pinot Noir from the Alsace region is an absolute beauty and a wonderful example from northern France. With its perfumed aromas of red and black fruits, mocha, vanilla, forest and stones., Sang du Dragon Pinot is smooth, silky and pure, with a perfect balance of fruit, acidity and gentle tannin. Pair at home with salmon in dried cherry sauce, roasted chicken or fine cheeses and charcuterie. Continuous vine growing in Alsace dates back to Roman times; viticulture in the Brand area was recorded in 1328 from documents of Paris and the abbeys of Munster. Red wines have been traditionally rare in Alsace because of the region's cool growing season and northerly location, but today we are seeing more and more reds produced with changing climates and organic winemaking methods. The name for this Pinot, 'Sang du Dragon' comes from an old legend...when the valley of the Rhine was still underwater, a dragon emerged from the waves to rest on the protruding Brand hilltop. The sun was too fierce, however, and its rays eventually pierced the dragon's scales, drawing blood. Gravely wounded, the dragon dragged itself to a cave where it then died. Many centuries later, wine growers came to plant vines in this area. Still fertile with the dragon's blood, legend has it that the vines even today produce a wine of fire. Today, Baur's wines carry the dragon's image. In an email we received from Virginie Baur, she told us : "Sang du Dragon means dragon's blood. There is a legend that a dragon was slain in this vineyard (the Brand vineyard), and the blood of the dragon made the vines strong. 'Brand' means "land of fire" in German and is a Grand Cru Vineyard but only Muscat, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and Riesling can have the Grand Cru Appellation according to the AC laws, so we named the wine 'Sang du Dragon'." The story is fun for sure, but the wine itself is amazing. We drink it at home often, it is a wonderfully terroir -driven treat! Over the past several years, Baur has converted his vineyards to fully biodynamic production--a totally natural approach to the cultivation of vines that makes every attempt to respect the plants, the soil and the environment. No weed killers or insecticides are used; instead, certain types of grasses are encouraged to grow between the vines which actually strengthen the soil. To provide aeration, the earth is plowed manually a few times a year. Only natural products are used on the leaves of the vine itself: Work is scheduled according to the phases of the moon, often at night while the vines are resting and not fatigued by the sun. Studying in the same biodynamics class as Jean-Michel Deiss, one notes the fervor with which Pierre Baur (Virginie's father) now addresses his work; it has become a religion to him and, he trusts nature explicitly in his vineyards.

$39.99

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