Newsletter
February 18, 2023 – March 19, 2023
From February 18th through March 19th
Solitude in the South
2020 Côtes du Rhône (Domaine de la Solitude)
Sale Price $14.99 – $143.90 case of twelve
St. Magdalener
2021 St. Magdalener (Colterenzio)
Sale Price $14.99 – $143.90 case of twelve
St. Magdalener is an underrated denominazione in the Alto Adige. Colterenzio’s 2021 is a blend of Schiava and Lagrein with surprising depth of berry fruit and chewy tannins. A wine destined for pasta and braised greens.
Troncone
2019 Toscana Rosso ‘Troncone’ (Le Ragnaie)
Sale Price $23.99 – $230.30 case of twelve
Our newest Tuscan red comes from Le Ragnaie, a respected Brunello producer with some of the highest elevation vineyards in Montalcino. Though the organic Sangiovese grapes in this Rosso come from vineyards within the borders of DOC Rosso di Montalcino and DOCG Brunello di Montalcino, at over 600m they are too high to qualify for either so must instead be labeled IGT Toscana. The 2019 Troncone is fragrant and elegant, with bay leaf aromatics, sapid red fruit, and supple tannins. Perfect with a plate of charcuterie and pecorino or a warm bowl of ribollita.
Saperavi
2019 Saperavi (Marnaveli)
Sale Price $14.99 – $143.90 case of twelve
Old School Médoc
2018 Cru Bourgeois Médoc (Château Blaignan)
Sale Price $17.99 – $172.70 case of twelve
Château Blaignan has been producing wine since the 14th century. The current owners also own the classed growth Gruaud Larose in St. Julien, and have invested in new equipment and improved the quality at Château Blaignan. The 2018 is a near equal blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon packed with dark fruit and suave tannins. Terrific with a stuffed pork loin in a blue cheese sauce.
Vila de Piedra
2019 Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y Leon ‘Vila de Piedra’ (Viñateros Santos)
Sale Price $19.99 – $191.90 case of twelve
Viñateros Santos is a new project highlighting Castilla y Leon’s many indigenous grapes and its high elevation, old vine vineyards. The Vila de Piedra is a true ‘field blend’ of grape varieties (including Bastardo and Mencía) grown in black slate soil and farmed organically and biodynamically. Medium-bodied and fresh with gentle tannins, the aromas of herbs, rocks, and earth are as prominent as the charming raspberry and pomegranate fruit. Serve with a light chill alongside a hearty lentil and mushroom stew.
Listed prices are honored through March 19th, 2023. We will not honor mistyped prices. Vol. 47, No. 3
The 2019 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is an extremely impressive wine from a great vintage. It is packed with dense Grenache fruit and peppery Syrah spice. It drinks well now but it has a long, bright future ahead. Have this with a roasted leg of lamb.
If not for Walter Massa, the Timorasso grape might have disappeared. Can you even imagine? Timorasso, native to Colli Tortonesi in southeast Piedmont, is not an easy grape to grow. Many producers began opting to grow Cortese as Gavi became all the rage. In the 1980s Massa stuck to his grape guns and is now considered the Maestro of Timorasso. The 2021 is complex and has a wonderful evolution as it opens up over the course of an evening and into the next day. You will find a weighty and structured white balanced with vibrant acidity, which makes this a versatile food pairing option. Notes of honey and stone fruit mingle with salinity. This is quite nice with a creamy vegetable red curry. 
Atma is an innovative white wine from Greek Macedonia. Some may be familiar with Thymiopoulos’ red made from young Xinomavro vines. Here they gently press and vinify the red Xinomavro grapes to make a white wine and blend it with Malagouzia. The mix of high acid Xinomavro combined with the aromatic, full-bodied Malagouzia creates a light (just 12%) and floral white that is perfect for sautéed sole and a salad.
It may be difficult (and pricy) to locate your favorite brand name Champagne these days, but if you’re slightly adventurous there are some excellent small houses making delicious wines. These family growers do it all themselves, from vineyard to cellar to marketing. Our latest revelation is the 100% pure Pinot Noir from Eric Maître. This has a very faint pink color, almost microscopic bubbles, and a delicate, long, dry finish. A delightful match with smoked seafood and deviled eggs.
Óbidos is a Portuguese DOC located north of Lisbon within a few miles of the Atlantic. Here Quinta Várzea da Pedra produces a pure varietal hand-harvested Arinto from clay and limestone soil. In the 2020 vintage they made just 325 cases of this wine, obtained from totally destemmed grapes pressed so gently that they call the process Mosto de Lágrima, or Teardrop Must. This results in delicate quince fruit along with a stony, almost salty finish. Have this lovely white with sardines and salad or cod with a green sauce.
These two wines from volcanic Mediterranean islands are fascinating examples of terroir and survival. Agriculture in Sicily has been incredibly productive for millennia, but wine from Etna on Sicily has only been recognized for its quality in just the last two decades. Last month we had Benanti’s delicious Etna Rosso. This month Barone di Villagrande’s white made from Carricante delivers a wonderful minerally and dry Etna Bianco. Its lemony fruit and earthy finish are terrific with baked swordfish in a tomato and olive sauce.
Also emerging from obscurity in the last two decades is the intense, deep Assyrtiko grown on the arid Greek island of Santorini. This cuvée from the Santo cooperative comes from vines between 60 and 80 years of age that absorb minerals from the volcanic rock to deliver a strong, dry, beautifully balanced white. Have this with a broiled branzino stuffed with fennel and lemon.
2020 Swartland Red (Stratigraphy)
2022 Pinot Grigio (Gorgo)
2020 Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes Syrah (Cave Saint Desirat)