Wolves Above
Willamette Valley Blueberry Wine (Wolves Above)
Sale Price $34.99 – $356.90 case of twelve
Over the years we’ve tasted a number of wines made from blueberries and other fruits and this is undoubtedly the best one we’ve had. It’s no surprise considering the winemaking talent behind it, namely Kelley Fox of Kelley Fox Wines and Jim Anderson of Patricia Green Cellars. They applied the same principled winemaking techniques that they use on their single-vineyard Pinot Noirs. The blueberries are hand harvested from 35-year-old bushes and the wine is aged for eight months in French oak Burgundy barrels. As soon as you open the bottle, you’ll be hit with intense aromas of freshly crushed blueberries. The wine is dry and similar to Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs in weight and texture. There’s a surprising amount of structure in this wine as well as acidity, which has us tempted to stash a few bottles to see how it will age. At a lithe 11% alcohol, this wine can be enjoyed throughout a dinner, from starters to the cheese course. During the chilly nights of winter, it’ll also provide, as Kelley Fox says, “some Oregon summer for you in a glass.”

Trousseau
2020 Arbois Trousseau (Rolet)
Sale Price $24.99 – $254.90 case of twelve
We couldn’t resist dipping into the Domaine Rolet closeout well one last time. Observant readers will recognize this organic domaine, as we featured their Chardonnay and Poulsard in recent months. Thanks to a change of distributors, we were able to grab the last of its former distributor’s inventory at a cut-rate price. This is truly the last chance to enjoy Rolet’s Trousseau (or any Trousseau for that matter) at this low of a price. Their 2020 is a strawberry-scented light red that evokes mushrooms and cool, damp forests. Its pleasantly bitter finish makes it a perfect foil for all manner of cheeses and charcuterie as well as seared salmon on a bed of watercress.

Alberdi
2019 Rioja Reserva ‘Viña Alberdi’ (La Rioja Alta)
Sale Price $21.99 – $224.30 of twelve
Vintage after vintage Viña Alberdi is one of Rioja’s best values. This pure Tempranillo spends two years in barrel and emerges with bold fruit fused to an oaky frame. The 2019 is full bodied and will pair well with a roast leg of lamb studded with garlic and olives.

Felici
2023 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi (Andrea Felici)
Sale Price $17.99 – $183.50 case of twelve
Before committing to the family business, Leopardo Felici worked in some of Europe’s finest restaurants and fell in love with Chablis and white Burgundy. When he returned to Le Marche he converted the vineyards to organics and set out to make great Verdicchio. By several measures he has succeeded. He was named winemaker of the year in 2020 by Gambero Rosso and regularly gets Tre Bicchieri, their highest rating. This wine, their flagship, is an incredible value. The 2023 is laser focused, crisp, and dry with floral aromas and a long, minerally finish. A great bottle for a roasted branzino or a simple scampi.

Le Temps
2020 Côtes du Rhône ‘Le Temps est Venu’ (Stephane Ogier)
Sale Price $17.99 – $183.50 case of twelve
Stephane Ogier is a 7th generation Côte-Rôtie producer, so he knows his way around the Syrah grape. He has also ventured outside the roasted slope to produce an excellent Côtes du Rhône. Le Temps est Venu is a 60/40 blend of Grenache and Syrah. The 2020 is full bodied with a leathery texture and flavors of olives, herbs, and black cherries. A great match with a rib roast and a potato gratin.

Montenidoli
2022 Vernaccia di San Gimignano ‘Tradizionale’ (Montenidoli)
Sale Price $24.99 – $254.90 case of twelve
Last we saw Elisabetta Fagiuoli, she was conducting a tasting at the Union Square wine bar Rebel Rebel. But then, she’s always been a rebel. She arrived in San Gimignano as an outsider and has become one of Tuscany’s finest producers. All of her vines are grown organically and her Vernaccias have superb concentration and long, elegant flavors. The Tradizionale is macerated on the skins giving it weight and texture. The 2022 has a lovely nose of fresh herbs and almond oil. Great with broiled swordfish and all manner of shellfish.

Gamay on Granite
2022 Côte Roannaise ‘Eclat de Granite’ (Serol)
Sale Price $19.99 – $203.90 case of twelve
While the Côte Roannaise is officially part of the Loire Valley, its wines and geology are more closely related to the Beaujolais region. The Serols grow the Gamay St. Romain on granitic soils and the result is a lively and minerally red that is perfect for hearty bistro fare. This 2022 is a charmer. Bright raspberry fruit, juicy acidity, and its dry minerally finish make it perfect for a roast chicken and a salade frisée.

 

Specialty Foods

Great Gifts for Good People

We’ve all had those moments when the necessity of extending a small token of appreciation finds you unprepared and, in a moment of panic, you present your favorite yoga instructor with an unhealthy cactus that has been on your windowsill for two years. (Not that we’re referencing any personal experiences.) Fortunately, we have a great selection of gifts this season that sit comfortably in the $10 to $25 range that are guaranteed to be consumed and enjoyed, without adding to people’s piles of tchotchkes deemed slightly too sentimental to be immediately discarded. Theres no wrapping required either; all these items come in a handsome package or gift box!

Panettone is a seasonal cake imported from Italy with a moist, bready texture and dried fruits. Perfect with coffee or tea, and the leftovers make great French toast!

Dais — Sicily, Italy
• Classic Panettone (1kg) – $18 each
• Sicilian Lemon Cream (750g) - $18 each
• Chocolate Chip and Pistachio Cream (750g) - $22 each

Loison – Vicenza, Italy
• Classic Panettone Mini (100g) - $6 each

Cuna de Piedra – Monterrey, Mexico
60g Bars - $12 each
Rich and complex single-source chocolate bars from Mexico.
• 85% Dark
• 73% Ancient Spring Salt
• 73% Smoked Heirloom Chile
• 73% Hibiscus Flowers
• 73% Mezcal Reposado

Limited edition cacao bitters for cocktails, mocktails, or baking.
• Cacao (120ml) - $22 each
• Cacao with Smoked Heirloom Chile (120ml) - $22 each

Jose Gourmet – Portugal

We have long offered a wide range of Jose Gourmet tinned fish and savory patés. As it happens, though, they also make fabulous jams and fruit spreads that fit right in with their whimsical design sensibilities.
• Red Pepper Jelly (250g) - $14 each
• Carrot and Orange Jam (250g) - $14 each
• Mixed Red Berries (250g) - $14 each