Chateau de Beaucastel
$101.99
Always highly anticipated and highly rated, and 93 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate for the 2013 vintage: "The 2013 Châteauneuf du Pape is a beauty and has a rare level of concentration and depth in the vintage. Blueberry, crushed flowers, pepper, and violet aromas and flavors flow nicely to a medium to full-bodied, structured and tannic Beaucastel that has impressive purity and plenty of length. It’s not massive, but still needs 4-5 years of cellaring and will keep for a decade after that."
Fontodi Chianti Classico DOCG
$71.99
Giovanni Manetti, with the masterful help of Franco Bernabei's winemaking skills makes some of Tuscany's finest Chianti in a style that shows a modern approach to Chianti without abandoning the character of the past. It is made with 100% Sangiovese grapes and ageing is done is small French barriques for 12 months. It's full bodied and shows classic red berry with undertones of spice.
Rodney Strong Sonoma Merlot
$32.99
Rodney Strong recognized the Alexander Valley as an ideal place to grow Cabernet Sauvignon as far back as 1971, when he planted his first Cabernet vineyard, the Alexander's Crown. The Merlot is classic California, big and juicy in the red berry realm.
Noemia Malbec A Lisa
$61.99
We love this Argentine red for its high score low price ratio. See what the critics have to say: "Hans Vinding-Diers’ aim was to “capture the energy” of the 2016 vintage and he certainly succeeded. This is a step up on the 2015, with added finesse and perfume, youthful, floral, summer berry fruit and a long, mineral-edged finish. Very Burgundian". Drink 2019-24 93 Points Tim Atkin
Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc
$26.99
Chenin Blanc is the Cape’s signature variety, and the Mulderbosch winery has the largest planting of this variety in the world — the grape has been grown at Mulderbosch since the 1600s. Look for fruity aromas typical to the variety: mango, papaya and ripe grapefruit, while a subtle oak character lends depth to the profile. The taste is of tangy acidity leading into to a succulent and weighty mouthful. Enjoy with shellfish; grilled tuna; grilled sardines, lemon and herb roast chicken.
Usseglio Chateauneuf Imperiale
$134.99
While up to 13 different grape varietals can be blended together in making Chateauneuf du Pape red wine, the Domaine Raymond Usseglio CNDP Cuvee Imperiale is composed almost entirely of very old vine Grenache (90-plus percent in most vintages). The grapes for this tremendous and age-worthy red are harvested from estate vines in the Chateauneuf du Papes holdings of the Domaine - most of which are more than a century old and were originally planted in 1902.
From The Winery
"La Cuvée Imperiale is from our oldest vines, most of them 100 years old (planted in 1901-1902.) Extremely low yields (16-18 h/h) guarantee a wine that is dense and profound. The ancient Grenache vines bring to this cuvee their finesse and elegance. Will age for dozens of years. To be carafed during the first years. Because it is bottled without any filtration, some sediment – natural and beneficial to the aging process – is possible."
Vina Cobos Bramare Malbec
$57.99
Viña Cobos was created more than 25 years ago by winemaker Paul Hobbs, with the intention of achieving sublime wines of outstanding quality, highlighting Malbec as the emblematic variety of Mendoza.
Bramare Vineyard wines capture the aromatic richness, intensity and complexity of prominent lots in key vineyards, highlighting the unique voice of a very small plots of land. This 100% Malbec, grown at very high elevations between 3,330 to 3,845 feet, offers up intense aromas of red fruits, plum, cherry, and cassis. Delicate floral hints of violet complemented by spices like tobacco and cinnamon. Firm, sweet tannins. A very silky and elegant wine. 92 Points Wine Spectator, 91 points Wine Enthusiast.
La Kiuva - Rouge de Vallee
$40.99
A blend of 70% Picotendro (local Nebbiolo clone), 30% Gros Vien, Neyret, Cornalin and Fumin.
La Kiuva is a tiny co-op in the Vallée d'Aoste, whose headquarters are in Pied de Ville. It was created in 1975 and its first vintage was 1979. Today, it consists of just 60 growers comprising 25 hectares of vines (18 in DOC) and producing around 8000 cases total. In this way it is more akin to a fine small winery with each grower tending their small plot like in Burgundy with the co-operative's agronomist ensuring the highest quality of viticulture. Most of the grower members farm organically. Kiuva means a bale of chestnut leaves used to feed animals during the winter.
All the vineyards are located between 380 and 500 meters above sea level, with the white and aromatic varieties being planted at the higher levels and the vineyards at the lower levels producing wine with greater structure and body that is aged in wood. The older vineyards are pergola-trained but the newer vineyards are cane-trained along wires. The diurnal difference is greater than in Piemonte, due to the proximity of the Alps and thus the harvest period is prolonged. The higher elevation is also advantageous when there is excessive rain.
Heartland Cabernet Langhorne Creek
$24.99
The Heartland story began in the late 1990’s when winemaker Ben Glaetzer (of Amon Ra fame) became excited about the outstanding quality of fruit being grown in some of South Australia’s lesser-known regions, in particular Langhorne Creek. Together with industry veterans Scott Collett, Grant Tilbrook and more recently, Nick Keukenmeester, they grew Heartland into an award-winning winery. It offers blackcurrant and berry fruits wrapped in a neat parcel of dried herbs, and a hint of eucalyptus. A touch firmish in the mouth, but the finish is long and seemingly endless.