Newsletter
November 16, 2020 – December 14, 2020
Averæn of Oregon
2018 Willamette Valley Chardonnay (Averæn)
Sale Price $17.99 – $183.50 case of twelve
Of course you were expecting the Pinot Noir, but Averæn has crafted an excellent Chardonnay from grapes grown in the Willamette Valley. Balancing New World richness with Old World dryness, this is concentrated with a crisp, lively, and long finish.
La Organic Barbera
2017 Barbera d’Alba (Cascina Bruciata)
Sale Price $17.99 – $183.50 of twelve
Megalithic Red
2017 Chinon ‘Le Dolmen’ (Domaine Jaulin-Plaisantin)
Sale Price $15.99 – $163.10 case of twelve
We’ve had a good run these last few months with Chinons. Our latest is this organic and low-sulfur Chinon from Domaine Jaulin-Plaisantin. Named after local pre-historic dolmens that dot the region, this Loire red has wonderful autumnal scents of crushed leaves, graphite, and even a little gaminess. There are hints of smoke and spice underneath the juicy raspberry fruit. For a charming and seasonal match, have this with a seared duck breast with mushrooms and wild rice.
Kind of Blau
2016 Burgenland Blaufränkisch (Heinrich)
Sale Price $11.99 – $122.30 case of twelve
Wild Ferment
2018 Peloponnese Assyrtiko ‘Wild Ferment’ (Skouras)
Sale Price $14.99 – $152.90 case of twelve
Greek Assyrtiko is here to stay, but the popularity and rising prices of bottles from Santorini has forced us to look off island. Skouras’ Wild Ferment from the Peloponnese comes as advertised with a zany complexity of fruit and stones. A great wine for seafood.
Lambrusco di Sorbara
2019 Lambrusco di Sorbara ‘Radice’ (Paltrinieri)
Sale Price $17.99 – $183.50 case of twelve
Listed prices are honored through December 14th, 2020. We will not honor mistyped prices. Vol. 44, No. 12
Thanks to producers like Montirius, a 5th-generation family domaine, wines from Gigondas in France’s Southern Rhône Valley are now sought after for their own merits, and no longer seen merely as affordable alternatives to neighboring Châteauneuf-du-Pape. La Tour is a particularly elegant (and biodynamic) Gigondas—ripe and sweet aromas of kirsch and red licorice are offset by more savory flavors of violets, herbs, and black olives. This is a fabulous price, as they only keep rising for this appellation. On a chilly night, this will be a salve with a rosemary and garlic lamb stew. 
In our opinion this is the best deal in aged Rioja. Viña Real is a delicious wood-aged Tempranillo from the high elevation, high quality Rioja Alavesa district. The 2016 is beautifully balanced with its gentle oak aromas, mellow fruit, and earthy dryness. This is a wonderful red wine to match with roasted salmon and asparagus. 
Originally a monastery dating back to the ninth century, San Giusto a Rentennano today is a leading producer of Chianti Classico. While $40 seems like a tall price for Chianti, we feel that this estate’s devotion to pure Sangiovese puts it stylistically closer to Brunello di Montalcino. The 2018 is still young, but beautifully aromatic, with cherry fruit and sandalwood leading the way. The palate is equally striking, with ripe tannins and a lovely mouthfeel. Clearly a candidate for aging, this wine will benefit from decanting for a couple of hours to release more aromas and flavors. And with its rich load of tannin, it will taste even better with a grilled porterhouse and a chunk of Pecorino Toscano. 
Hailing from the hamlet of Chaudoux in the greater village of Verdigny, the Girard family makes superb Sancerre. The 2018 La Garenne cuvée is a textbook Sauvignon Blanc, with bright aromas and a palate etched in stone. This is a great match for roasted cod served on a bed of wilted spinach. 
We find Loire Valley Chenin Blanc fascinating. In the short stretch from Anjou to Tours, there are delicious yet affordable wines that show off the noble origins of this grape and its ability to absorb the various terroirs. Domaine Richou’s Chauvigné exploits the black volcanic schist in Anjou to an exceptional degree. The 2018 is a fine, minerally, dry white with compelling taste and texture throughout. Fantastic with shellfish. 
Portugal is a treasure trove of grape varieties. Here Broadbent has crafted a stainless steel fermented, dry white from the Dão region. Encruzado, Malvasia Fina, Bical, and Gouveio grapes comprise this perfumed and citrusy white. Great with a spicy shrimp dish.
This Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is packed with ripe, fleshy fruit, and its soft tannins lead to a gentle, dry finish. Wonderful with a spicy chili or a favorite lasagna.
