Tonnerre
2022 Bourgogne Tonnerre ‘Le Clos du Château’ (Vignoble Dampt)
Sale Price $23.99 – $244.70 case of twelve
The Dampt family are Chablis producers who also own vines in the nearby commune of Tonnerre. Being only ten miles away, Tonnerre shares the same general climate and famed Kimmeridgian clay limestone soils with Chablis. These conditions, as local monks a millennium ago realized, were perfect for Chardonnay. The Le Clos du Château has lemony and wet slate aromas that lead into lime and orchard fruit backstopped by a saline, minerally finish. It somehow is both lush and focused. Delightful with a whole branzino roasted with lemon and fennel.

Beautiful Shore
2020 Médoc 'Beau Rivage de By' (Château La Tour de By)
Sale Price $14.99 – $152.90 case of twelve
For such a modest price, this red Bordeaux surprises with its Big Wine Energy. Intense graphite and mulberry hits you in the nose and is joined by dark plummy fruit and fine grained tannins on the palate. This juicy, savory red is the perfect house Bordeaux to have on hand for lamb burgers, stuffed portobellos, or an end-of-the-night glass.

Gigondas
2022 Gigondas ‘Les Terres’ (Domaine de Piéblanc)
Sale Price $27.99 – $285.50 case of twelve
There’s still time to get the grill out. Domaine de Piéblanc has delivered another beautiful Gigondas packed with deep, dark red and purple fruit and a twinkle of spice. Matthieu Ponson farms his 10 hectares of 50-year-old vines organically, and all harvesting is done by hand. In the cellar, the wine is fermented and matured in stainless steel for a clean and pure expression of fruit and the land (Les Terres). The 2022 is 80% Grenache plus 10% each Syrah and Cinsault. We recommend having this with burgers and spicy sausages off the grill.

Del Vulture
2021 Aglianico del Vulture (Grifalco)
Sale Price $19.99 – $203.90 case of twelve
Aglianico, along with Nebbiolo and Sangiovese, has long been recognized as one of the three great red grapes of Italy. But aside from the occasional Taurasi it is rare that we hear of an Aglianico on the scale of Barolo or Brunello. Then there is Aglianico del Vulture from Basilicata, which is virtually ignored. This could be because hardly anyone plans a vacation to Basilicata or opens a restaurant dedicated to the cuisine, but the Aglianico made here is impressive and very reasonably priced given the dedication it takes to produce. Mont Vulture, an extinct volcano, is located in Northern Basilicata and the grape harvest at these high elevations is later than in many Northern Italian regions. This yields powerful, aromatic, and respectfully tannic wines. Grifalco tames the tannins and keeps a wild fruitiness in this entry level wine. The blackberry and plum fruit is spiked with flavors of wild herbs and flowers. The finish is structured and dry. Have this gripping dry red with a spicy pasta with sausage and broccoli rabe.

Carmignano: The Original Super Tuscan
2020 Carmignano ‘Santa Cristina in Pilli’ (Ambra)
Sale Price $17.99 – $183.50 case of twelve
Carmignano lies to the west of Florence. The Medici Dukes of Florence built their hunting lodges here and took an interest in viticulture by bringing grapes from France to improve the wine. The French grape that thrived and has long been legally allowed in the blend, Uva Francesca, is none other than Cabernet Sauvignon. So, for centuries producers of Carmignano were essentially making the original Super Tuscan. Of course, the main grape is Sangiovese, so the wine remains firmly Tuscan. The 2020 from Ambra is a full-flavored red with rich cherry fruit, smooth tannins, and a mouth-coating dry finish. A great match with bean soup and a tomato and bread salad.

Barbera d’Alba
2023 Barbera d’Alba (Alessandria)
Sale Price $19.99 – $203.90 case of twelve
Fratelli Alessandria is located in Verduno, a commune in Barolo. And while they do make hearty Barolo, we were recently charmed by this 2023 Barbera d’Alba. Vinified and aged in stainless steel and concrete, this plummy red bristles with bright energy and vibrant cherry and berry fruit. This is just the kind of medium-bodied red you want as the leaves start to turn and you can tolerate having the oven on again. Open this wine to welcome fall with a roasted chicken and heaps of roasted vegetables alongside.

Mosel Trocken
2023 Brauneberger Riesling Trocken (Günther Steinmetz)
Sale Price $14.99 – $152.90 case of twelve
Looking at the forecast, there is still a need for light, crisp and refreshing white wines. We present you with a dry, citrusy Mosel Riesling. Günther Steinmetz is located in Brauneberg, and fifth-generation winemaker Stefan Steinmetz is now at the helm with the help of his wife, Sammie. Their 2023 Trocken Riesling has us daydreaming of a fisherman’s platter pile of fried seafood, with this light-bodied and tart wine working as the squeeze of lemon needed for bright refreshment.