March/April 2023 Mixed Sampler Case Special

Holy cow, do we have a fantastic new mixed case deal.  This latest mixed case sampler has lots of exciting new wines that we think you'll really enjoy trying.  Best of all, we've got them boxed up and ready to go in this unbelievable deal - over $120 off suggested retail price!

Ponte Vinho Verde (Portugal) – Vinho Verde from Portugal is one of the world’s spring and summer refreshers and this one is a classic.  An almost clear citrine color with intense and fresh aromas of citrus and tropical fruits. The palate is crisp and persistent and has a slight, natural carbonation which enhances the fresh natural flavors of green apples and lemon. Crafted from a blend of the local Loureiro and Trajadura grapes.

 

Hermann Moser Kermeliterberg Gruner-Veltliner (Austria) – Weingut Hermann Moser is run by Martin and his wife Carmen Moser, the 26th generation of the family producing wine from the family vineyards. The estate is nearly 400 years old and is located in the village of Rohrendorf in the Kremstal region of Austria.  On the nose, we are met with loverly nectarine, waxy pear, white pepper, and rhubarb aromas. As the refreshing and crisp wine dances across the mid-palate, a neatly wrapped parcel of citrus fruit is carefully delivered before the uplifting finish.

 

Bodegas Costers del Sio “Celistia Tierra Blanco” (Spain) – The story of Bodegas Costers del Sio began in 1992 when Juan de Porcioles and the Porcioles-Buixó family acquired the property and surrounding vineyards in Spain’s Costers del Segre district of Catalonia. The Celistia Tierra Blanco is a mostly Viognier blended with Macabeo and exibits fresh and penetrating aromas of peach and tropical fruits atop a floral background. Soft notes of peach and apricot are supplemented with hints of tropical fruits Structured and complex mouth feel with refreshing acidity.

 

LOLA Rose of Pinot Noir (California) – LOLA’s Rosé of Pinot Noir is made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes selected from the winery’s younger vines in Mendocino and Sonoma Coast. The grapes were picked slightly under-ripe and lightly crushed by foot, then pressed off the skins after 8 hours. Color and flavor are enhanced by adding small amount of skins and stems to the press juice during fermentation which adds a bit more vibrancy and structure to the finished wine.  The wine is vibrant, with a light pink color and aromas of strawberry, candied peach and watermelon. Its bright acidity and crispiness on the palate makes it a perfect wine for the upcoming warm days of spring.

 

Salentein Wines “Portillo” Merlot (Chile) – Established in the late 1990s, Bodegas Salentein is a privately-owned estate of almost 5,000 acres, of which 1,124 acres are planted to vine dedicated to producing wines of the highest quality while respecting the environment.  Their Portillo label was the first winery in South America to be certified carbon neutral.  Deep red with notes of cranberry and blackberry and an intriguing hint of spices. The palate bursts with soft cranberry and plum, followed by delicate, silky tannins. 

 

Via Revolucionaria “La C. Grande” (Argentina) – Via Revolucionaria is the passion project of winemaker and agronomist Matias Michelini.  Located in the Uco Valley area of Mendoza’s Tupungato district, Michelini strives to make experimental wines that express the terroir of this cooler climate. His wines aren’t overly expensive yet are extremely low production, drawn from multiple inspirations, regions, and styles, but each of the wines do have some things in common: they are all single vineyard, unconventional wines, crafted with maximum care yet minimal intervention and fermented with native yeast.  This particular bottling is 100% Criolla Grande, grown at 3,450 feet in alluvial, rocky soils. Macerated with the stems, then fermented with native yeasts; aged 5 months in concrete egg, the lifted and bright nose shows notes of cherry, strawberry, raspberry, dried rose petals, and milk chocolate. The palate is light and fresh with good acidity and bright red fruit shining through. The finish shows macerated raspberries with a hint of cinnamon, crushed dried leaves, and orange peel.

 

Rootdown “Es Okay” Red (California) – Owner/Winemaker Mike Lucia honed his craft at Ridge, then became assistant winemaker at Copain. With that pedigree and given that he’s actually a native of Healsburg, he’s practically Californian wine royalty. Rootdown is his project focusing on wines of place over process, and Es Okay acts as his second label and offers an affordable dive into California terroir. Historically this wine has been strictly Portuguese varieties, but continued drought conditions in 2021 led to a smaller than normal crop (again), so the blend is 80% Syrah with the remainder Tinta Caõ, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Tinta Francisca, and Tinta Barroca.  Mike says: “Here we go again…..I was supposed to receive 15 tons of these Portuguese varieties but because of the drought, only 5 came in. But Es okay, my friend Matt came through and let me poach some of his Syrah he was making in Hopland. The Syrah was destemmed and fermented in one large vat where the Tinta’s were fermented in one ton bins with half being fully carbonic. Not a very long elevage in barrel so this wine is young but very ready to drink!  Grapey, jammy and packed with enough black-pepper aromas to trigger a sneeze, this medium-bodied wine is fresh and gulpable. Light tannins and subtle acidity keep the texture lively.

 

Tour St Martin “Les Petites Cabanes” Syrah (France) – Tour St Martin is located in Peyrac-Minervois, not far from the esteemed region of Minervois and 30 minutes north of the medieval city of Carcassone.  The vines are dry farmed sustainably and grassed over and they are participants in a Europe-wide study of biodiversity, encouraging the nesting of native birds, insects and wildlife in the estate.  Expect soft dark fruit notes of blackberries and black cherry, plum and a touch of smoke and cured meat. Supple but with fresh acidity, this one would pair nicely with roasted pork shoulder or grilled eggplant.

 

Chateau de Pizay Beaujolais (France) – A thousand years of history, Gosmard, the first Seigneur or Lord of Pizay, had two towers built in 1030 A.D. His descendants lived in the Château until 1916. In 1981, Groupama Rhône Alpes Auvergne.  The group has been more than competent stewards of the historic property as demonstrated by the fact that in 2015, they became one of the first two hundred French estates to be awarded European High Environmental Value Certification.The Chateau de Pizay Beaujolais is made utilizing fruit grown within the AOC appellations of Beaujolais and Brouilly, known for producing the lighter and more perfumed styles of the Beaujolais wines. Made from 100% Gamay grapes, like most Beaujolais wines, the Chateau de Pizay shows arm floral and blackberry aromas with a fresh palate bursting with black fruits, florals and a hint of elderflower adding weight.

 

Enate Tempranillo/Cabernet Sauvignon Crianza (Spain) – Since 1992 Enate is a place where wine is art and at is wine, and the property functions as both a winery producing wines from their organically farmed estate vineyards and as an art museum. Each label features artwork from a famous artist in their collection and the 2015 Crianz is dressed up with a characteristic pink label designed by the painter Víctor Mira.  This blend of Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon is intense, with lively notes of red fruit, spices and a hint of smoke complimented by dim herbal undertones, alongside remembrances of licorice, coffee and tobacco. On the palate it is dense and meaty, has bold tannins, and a rock-solid structure with well-balanced acidity. Black fruit, green bell peppers, dry earth and graphite come through on the long, spicy finish.

 

Chateau Rouanne “Vinsobres” Rouge (France) – Chateau Rouanne is a deeply perfumed and dazzling  new project by Louis Barruol of Château de Saint Cosme in Gigondas.  Château de Rouanne is a historic estate with a 12th century medieval castle, situated on a classified Roman site located in the southern Rhône Valley. The name of the estate comes from "Rugius", which is said to be the name of the original Roman owner. The wine is a classic southern Rhone GSM blend (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre) that will give more expensive bottlings from Gigondas and Chateaunduf labels designation a run for the money, it is an incredible value.  The distinctive freshness and saltiness of this Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre blend makes it easy to pair with both rustic and sophisticated dishes. The smooth, red-fruit character of the wines make it a great choice for tomato-based dishes such as ratatouille, while the richness from the Syrah also allow it to pair with lamb, venison or beef. 

 

Hall Wines “Ellie’s” Cabernet Sauvignon (California) – This one doesn’t need much of an introduction as most of you have already heard of Napa’s Hall Wines.  You may not have heard of this new bottling from them called “Ellie’s” named for Craig Hall's mother, Eleanor “Ellie” Hall, who was an artist and a teacher who inspired Craig’s love of art and it is her artwork that graces this wine’s label.  Dark purple with ruby highlights, this wine opens with aromas of blackberry, olive tapenade, and freshly turned earth. The palate is dense and opulent with well-knit tannins that drive its unctuous texture. Blackberry, cassis, violet and olive dominate the flavor profile. The finish is long and smooth, with supple tannin and fresh acidity.