JANUARY/FEBRUARY “BEST OF 2024” CASE OF THE MONTH - $135
Château Ducluzeau Listrac Médoc 2018
Thanks to an importer deal we sold the 2014 in October at $20 and it was a huge hit. The importer scored again with the 2018 at an even lower price so we’re including Round 2 here.
Offering true Bordeaux character, depth and complexity, this is a much more serious wine than the price suggests; giving it plenty of air will help it come alive. Savory, woodsy and winey, it has a powerful pulsing intensity that animates the aromas and flavors and each sip seems to offer something different. Rosy potpourri, pipe tobacco and incense lead to dense red currant, cherry and plum on the palate while the finish brings fingers of tannin, savory and grippy. Produced by Bruno Borie of Second Growth superstar Ducru Beaucaillou, the Ducluzeau label is being replaced with a new “Madame de Beaucaillou” label so he agreed to sell older vintages for a fraction of their original price. $15.99
La Kiuva Rouge de Vallée Valle d’Aosta 2022
So popular it sold out after the first week in November, let’s try this again!
The Valle d’Aosta is Italy’s smallest wine region and boasts some of the highest elevation vineyards in all of Europe. Tucked in the mountainous area where NW Italy meets France and Switzerland, growing grapes here requires much physical effort with many vineyards needing to be terraced into the hillsides. Given that there aren’t many Aosta wines available and rarely in this price range, this is a nice chance to explore the unique charms of this little-known region. 70% Nebbiolo with 30% other very local varietals (Gros Vien, Neyret, Cornalin and Fumin), this is pretty and high-toned with a lilting supple texture and pure delicate flavors. Just-ripe Morello cherry and red plum are perfumed with floral wisps of amaro-like spicy herbal aromas, orange zest and finely ground pepper, while a light minerally grip pulls up on the finish. $13.99
Château Virgiles Costières de Nîmes Rouge 2023
A blend of 50% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre and 10% Marselan, the high percentage of Syrah gives this a darker, fuller-bodied profile than a typical Grenache-dominated Côtes du Rhône. Soft and voluptuous with smoky, rosy, brambly aromatics, ripe blackberry fruit and smooth fine-grained tannins adding punch. $12.99
Palamà Verdeca Salento Bianco 2023
Verdeca is a little-known ancient white varietal in Apulia that is sometimes found in blends but rarely bottled on its own. This 2023 showcases how its naturally high acidity is maintained even in the hot southern Italian climate. Aromatically engaging, this opens with clean fresh aromas of lemon verbena and light rosemary, a lovely introduction to the flavors of dried apricot and juicy kiwi. The texture is lively and vibrant while salted lime and cool spearmint ride out the finish. $13.99
Altano Douro Tinto 2021
Showing a classy sophistication uncommon to Douro reds in this price range, this is deeply flavored yet light on its feet with an energetic drive pushing the flavors along. 2021 was actually fairly cool in the Douro giving this a fresh, balanced feel despite the saturated dark red fruit and woodsy spice flavors. An unexpected yet appealing citrus note arrives on the finish adding dimension and length. 40% Touriga Franca, 30% Tinta Roriz and 30% Tinta Barroca. $12.50
Procedo Red Columbia Valley 2019
A popular Italian-inspired blend from local winery Lady Hill, this newly arrived vintage delivers plenty of new world style plushness and spicy oak flavors while maintaining the lively personalities of its varietal components, Sangiovese and Barbera. The fruit leans red but dark, with smoky cherry and deep cassis, while a vein of Chinese Five Spice and cinnamon adds an exotic flair. $12.50
Viña Gormaz Ribera del Duero Joven 2020
100% Tempranillo from 40-year old ungrafted vines this is a good winter drinker; dark and meaty yet open and juicy with smooth earthy tannins on the finish. The nose is subtle yet inviting with dusty clay and fragrant violet aromas leading to cherry and plum while warm-toned notes of terra cotta and spicy pimentón linger on the finish. $12.50
Domaine de la Mavette Vaucluse 2020
Tasting like it was drawn straight from the cask in its dusty cellar in sunny Provence, this is aromatic, youthful and boisterously untamed. The light herbal haze leads to vibrant boysenberry and fresh ripe blackberry before light tannins emerge on the finish. An honest country wine, a little unpolished but heartfelt, it reminds me of past visits to the region – and gets me looking forward to the next. 60% Grenache and 40% Caladoc, a rarely seen hybrid born of Grenache and Malbec. $11.99
Le Roc Bordeaux Blanc 2023
This deliciously exotic Bordeaux bargain packs a whole lot in there from its perfumed floral aromatics to its salt-laden crisp finish. In between is a parade of varied flavors – juicy green grapes, lime zest, pear, fresh cut herbs and bread yeast – that combine to offer a refreshing, coherent whole. 70% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Muscadelle. $10.99
Next Red Columbia Valley 2019
A Syrah/Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon blend made by King Estate, this super popular NW value red is helped by a few years in bottle giving it a more complex, integrated feel. Sappy and dense, the fruit leans to dark cherry and Italian plum, accented with cola and spiced fruitcake. Muscular to start, with air the texture gets creamy and smooth while the finish offers a kiss of balancing tannins and lingering aromas of fresh herbs and toasty oak. $12.99
La Quercia Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2022
A Dorian Gray of wines (minus the cursed part), this uber-popular Italian red is rock solid good vintage after vintage and the price has gone up one single dollar over the past twenty years. From a warm growing season, this 2022 is luscious with a velvety texture and rich dark fruit. As always, the flavors are deep and saturated yet buoyant and friendly, a mix of chocolate covered cherries and black plum sauce with an exotic Chinese Five Spice pepperiness. Amazingly still just $10.99
Vignerons de Mancey Mâcon Blanc 2021
Thanks to an importer deal, this Mâcon is a great value for white Burgundy. Sourced from limestone soil slopes around Mancey, Vers, Royer and Martailly-Les- Brancion and vinified in neutral barrel, it is a textbook example from the region. Medium-bodied and crisp, the nose offers hints of apple, shortbread and lemon, flavors that continue on the textured palate. Thanks to extended time on the lees, yeasty brown spice and toasted nut notes linger on the finish. Normally $17, now just $11.99
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