Murphy Goode Cabernet Sauvignon
$25.99
Back in 1985, good friends, Tim Murphy, Dale Goode, and Dave Ready, were deep in their weekly game of liar’s dice when an idea was formulated. On that particularly lively night, the trio decided to make their love of wine official. They pooled their collective talents together and established Murphy-Goode, a serious winery built around a common concept: don’t take life so seriously. The three friends began their winemaking adventure by creating Fumé Blanc and Chardonnay from the Murphy Ranch and Murphy-Goode Vineyard in Sonoma County. Both Tim Murphy and Dale Goode were the growers of the team. They helped to pioneer Alexander Valley by bringing wire trellising, broad-scale drip irrigation, and leaf pulling to the area. Tim Murphy is also considered the father of Sonoma Sauvignon Blanc. Dave Ready was the marketer of the trio – bringing a fun personality to the winery, which it is still known for today.
Brick House Pinot Noir
$57.99
In 1990 Doug and Melissa Tunnell were relative newcomers to the Willamette Valley. They converted an old barn in one of the upper reaches of the Ribbon Ridge AVA (at 400–500 ft (120–150m elevation) to a winery. They set out right from the start to avoid chemical fertilizers and pesticides, eventually being certified as biodynamic by Demeter. The non-vintage House Red Pinot Noir has a medium ruby colour and savoury aromas of red and black berries, smoked meats, cranberry sauce and dark spices. The palate has concentrated, earthy fruits with decent length and a touch of chew.
Dujac Morey St Dennis F&P
$169.99
Jacques Seysses started Domaine Dujac in 1968. He was not born in Burgundy, but winemaking is his true vocation. His love for wine comes from his father, a gourmet with a passion for fine wines. Even as a young boy, Jacques would meet the greatest winegrowers of the time in the company of his father. From only 5 hectares in 1968, the estate gradually expanded to 11 hectares in 1977, and then reached 15.5 hectares in 2005. Over the years, the estate has expanded beyond the historic site of Morey-Saint-Denis. In 2014, with the acquisition of leased vineyards in Puligny-Montrachet (the Premier Crus Folatières and Combettes), the Domaine produces wines in both Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune. They are now among the most sought-after and collectable wines in Burgundy, although priced considerably less than the top wines.
Forjas Del Salnes Goliardo Tinto
$46.99
In the 1970s, most vintners in Rías Baixas were pulling up their old red grapevines to make way for the more productive, more en vogue, Albariño. Thankfully, the Méndez family was doing the exact opposite, planting more traditional vines, such as Caiño, Espadiero and Loureiro Tinto, in a successful attempt to preserve and revive this central element of Galician heritage.
This mission of preservation was kick-started in earnest during the early years of the 21st Century when Rodrigo Méndez and respected winemaker Raúl Pérez joined forces to produce not just some of the most astonishing Albariño available, but also the rare Galician reds that just a century beforehand were the pride of the region. Using traditional methods learnt over generations, Forjas del Salnés was born in a garage winery in 2005 and named after the ironworks set up by his grandfather, Francisco Méndez. Here they work the fruits from just 7.5 hectares of vines, grown in the villages of Meaño, Sanxenxo and Barro.
No amount of words can adequately describe the wines from Forjas del Salnés. To taste them is to taste true examples of Galician history, with the slight bite of Atlantic salinity reminding you of the coastlands from which they originate.
Marchand Tawse Beaune Tuvilains
$136.99
The story of the Maison Marchand-Tawse in Burgundy begins with the extraordinary story of Pascal Marchand, the French Canadian boy wonder, who in 1985 at 22 years old, took the reins of the Clos des Epeneaux in Pommard. He became an overnight sensation, and in the process pretty much defined modern Burgundy. The collaboration of Pascal with another French Canadian, Moray Tawse of the Tawse Winery in Niagara, one of Canada’s most recognized wineries, gave birth to the new Maison Marchand-Tawse in 2011. This domaine has reached the quality level in Burgundy where you can rely on every wine they make to be exceptional, even in difficult vintages.
Brumont Chateau Montus Madrian
$41.99
Chateau Montus is one of two estates led by Alain Brumont, one of the leading vignerons in Madiran. Alain Brumont bought Château Montus in 1980, on the basis of the terroir's reputation in the 18th century. With its large reddish pebbles, this terroir is one of the last traces of the beginning of the Pyrenees, dating back 40 million years. Today's Pyrenees deposit large black pebbles marbled with white in our rivers. Montus comes from steep slopes (20-40%) fully south-facing, intense sunshine, covered with large pebbles on yellow and red clay subsoil.
Felsina Fontalloro
$104.99
Felsina is one of Italy's best Chianti producers and Fontalloro is a special wine that gets classified as IDT Toscana simply because the two vineyards - which are adjacent - fall into different Chianti zones, the dividing line literally runs through the middle of their vineyard. As such it's always been considered a Super-Tuscan despite being made with 100% Sangiovese. Regardless, it's a stunner.
DuMol Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir
$161.99
Dumol produces top-drawer wines in both Sonoma and Napa Valleys although the winery is in Sonoma. They own vineyards and source fruit from some of the most desirable sites in northern California, the bulk of which is located in the Green Valley AVA. Winemaker/Co-owner Andy Smith made a name for himself at Littorai and Paul Hobbs and has become a star in the California wine realm.
Ochoa Gran Reserva Magnum
$91.99
Ochoa speaks for itself. A generational production that focuses on respecting every element of nature surrounding it. Today, Ochoa lies in the hands of the fifth and sixth generation of the Ochoa Family, Javier, Marivi, Adriana and Beatriz, who work together to continue the winery's legacy. This Gran Reserva is a product created by Javier Ochoa, a wine that is only produced in the best of years. It is a Tempranillo-focused blend, with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, that shows a powerful yet elegant character. Full of red fruits, wood spice and earth. It's big and rich with abundant black fruit, drinking well now but will continue to improve for another five years or so.