Wines of the Month
These are wines that are hand-selected by the staff every month, typically one lighter in style and one fuller in body, that pair with the time of the year. Always outstanding, sometimes great deals, never disappointing.
July 2020
Wines of the Month for July 2020
2019 Domaine des Bérioles Gamay Rosé
100% Gamay
Saint-Pourçain, Auvergne, France
A dry rosé from South-Central France, this beautiful interpretation of Gamay rosé by Jean Teissèdre is a summertime stunner in the glass. A bright pink-to-peach color, with aromas of red raspberries and forward hints of minerality. On the palate, this rosé showcases strawberries up front, with a bright minerality mid-palate and a lingering finish. A wonderful warm weather wine that can pair easily with light fare or anything off the grill.
13.5% ABV
$23.99
2014 Alain Brumont Château Bouscassé Grand Vin de Madiran
50% Tannat, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Cabernet Franc
Madiran, Gascony, France
“From the home estate of the Brumont family, certainly the leaders in Madiran, this wine is dominated by Tannat, with additions of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The blend produces rich tannins and broadens the palate to bring in a black-currant flavor, with a crunchy, juicy texture. This wine will age well and should be ready to drink from 2023.
13.5% ABV
$28.99
Wine Enthusiast #13 Wine of 2018
94 Points WE
June 2020
Wines of the Month for June 2020
2019 Hubert Brochard Sancerre Tradition
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Sancerre, Loire Valley, France
Sancerre Tradition comes from six different communes in the Sancerre appellation from approximately 40% limestone, 30% flint, and 30% clay. All the parcels are estate-owned and have an average vine age of 30 years. Grapes are destemmed and pressed pneumatically with vinification entirely in stainless-steel tanks. Sancerre Tradition is intended as a classic expression of the appellation with aromas and flavors of citrus, fresh herbs, and elderflower. The wine’s medium weight and texture are lifted by firm acidity. Components of flint and limestone lend a strong mineral character to the finish, making it an appetizing wine for the table.
Top of Form
13.5% ABV
$26.99
2017 Obsidian Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon
96% Cabernet Sauvignon 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec
Red Hills Lake County, California
Your nose is teased with coffee nibs, blueberries and black pepper, but a shy side emerges after time in the glass: blackberries and a gentle floral lift. Flavors of dark chocolate, coffee and fresh blackberry are carried on silky tannins—they speak clearly, but don’t shout. Aged for 18 months in 45% New, Medium Toast Plus and Heavy Toast Kádár Barrels
14.6% ABV
$30.99
May 2020
Wines of the Month for May 2020
2019 Prá Otto Soave Classico
100% Garganega
Soave Classico DOC, Italy
A pale yellow color, its bouquet bursting with notes of flowers (hawthorn and jasmine) and yellow fresh fruits (drupe, peach and apricots). On the palate, the wine is medium bodied and flavorsome, full of fruit, with clear mineral notes. The grapes are pressed softly before undergoing fermentation at 16 °C-18 °C. The wine is fermented and matured in stainless steel vats. Really good as an aperitif paired with delicate nibbles or sweet Parma ham and fresh cheese. Excellent with pasta or rice based fish dishes and vegetable soups.
13% ABV
$21.99
2018 Prá Morandina Valpolicella Red
Blend of traditional Valpolicella grapes Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Oseleta
Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy
Bright red color with tints of purple. The mineral notes in the wine are accentuated with the period of maturation in the bottle. The nose is of sharp spice and berries. On the palate it has good acidity and freshness. The persistent tannins give harmony to the wine. An aftertaste of black pepper and currant. The grapes undergo a light drying period of 20 days. The grapes are destemmed, pressed and vinified with délestage method. Alcoholic fermentation followed by malolactic one in vertical stainless steel vats. 3-6 months aging in 20 hl oak cask of Allier.
12.5% ABV
$21.99
April 2020
Wines of the Month for April 2020
2019 Peay Cep Vineyards Hopkins Sauvignon Blanc
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Russian River Valley, California
This Sauvignon Blanc is unique and may be easiest to understand by comparing it to other regions. It does not have the fruity sweetness found in New Zealand or the melon and gooseberry oak inflected fatness of most California Sauvignon Blanc. It is also not grassy like a typical Sancerre but there is bright acidity, mineral, citrus and green notes.
12.6% ABV
$22.99
2015 Ridgeback Cabernet Sauvignon
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Paarl, South Africa
Ridgeback Cabernet Sauvignon shows classic upfront cassis, dark plum and a hint of mint evolves to notes of cigar box and dried herbs. Firm, ripe tannin, wood spice and minerality lingers on the finish. Maturation in 24% new, 52% second fill and 24 third fill French oak barrels lasted for 17 months. Would pair well with roasted lamb legs with rosemary and thyme.
14% ABV
$22.99
March 2020
Wines of the Month for March 2020
2017 Baileyana Firepeak Chardonnay
100% Chardonnay
Edna Valley, California
A bright but complex Chardonnay, this wine has upfront favors of crisp pear, lemon zest, pineapple, and hints of vanilla. Aromas of citrus and honeydew melon highlight the chalky minerality that runs throughout. This wine is smooth and balanced with refined acid structure, and a nice creamy finish. Fermented in 30% new French Oak for 9 months, no malolactic fermentation.
13.9% ABV
$22.99
2017 Domaine Chapelle & Fils Bourgogne Pinot Noir
100% Pinot Noir
Bourgogne, France
Cherries and spice, brilliant ruby red color in the glass with black fruit and juniper berry. Aged for 12 months in stainless steel vats, put in bottles without gluing or filtration. In total, Domaine Chapelle covers 20 hectares, the vast majority of which is planted with Pinot Noir. The domain has a production of 110,000 bottles annually with only 5% of this is exported out of France.
13% ABV
$22.99
February 2020
Valentine's Wines
We have stumbled across quite the Champagne deal, just in time for Valentine's Day! The 1.5L magnums are $59.99
(two 750ml bottles would be $73.98, before tax)
It's a deal not to miss!
Wines of the Month for February 2020
N/V Jacquart Mosaique Brut Champagne 1.5L Magnum
40% Chardonnay 35% Pinot Noir 25% Pinot Meunier
Reims, Champagne, France
Pale yellow with tints of white gold and a stream of fine bubbles. Aromas of fresh pear, fig and almond, with hints of orange blossom. A light swirl of the glass brings out richer notes of honey and freshly baked bread. Fresh and supple. Full, with a long fruity finish. Dosage: 9 g/L
Ageing: 3 years' maturation in the cellar in bottle
12.5% ABV
$59.99
2015 Domaine Aubaï Mema “La Douzieme”
95% Syrah & 5% Viognier
Gard IGP, France
Certified organic. The grapes are hand-picked, de-stemmed and vinified together in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to pursue a complete vinification with natural yeasts only. The wine is then matured in French oak barrels for 9 months. Deep, young color. Refined nose driven by plum, cherry and peach with a spicy touch of garrigue. Chewy, powerful palate with aromatic depth placing rich, suave Mediterranean flavors to the fore.
$25.99
January 2020
Wines of the Month for January 2020
N/V Jacquart Mosaique Brut Champagne
40% Chardonnay 35% Pinot Noir 25% Pinot Meunier
Reims, Champagne, France
Pale yellow with tints of white gold and a stream of fine bubbles. Aromas of fresh pear, fig and almond, with hints of orange blossom. A light swirl of the glass brings out richer notes of honey and freshly baked bread. Fresh and supple. Full, with a long fruity finish. Dosage: 9 g/L
Ageing: 3 years' maturation in the cellar
12.5% ABV
$36.99
2017 Venge Scout’s Honor Red Blend
63% Zinfandel 16% Charbono 12% Petite Sirah 9% Syrah
Napa Valley, California
This vintage has a gorgeous, concentrated assemblage of sweet honeysuckle, crushed blue herbs, aromas of violets, anise, and a touch of vanillin. On the palate is pure richness from the old-vine Zinfandel with loads of super ripe black fruits and currants, pepper spice, and an enveloping masculinity of char and tannins from the Syrah, Charbono and Petite Sirah. A seamless balance and mouth coating deliciousness are found throughout the palate, with an extra-long finish that is quite pleasing to the senses. The small, individual lots of fruit were destemmed into a combination of stainless steel tanks and open top fermenters, where whole-berry fermentation took place for an average of 20 days. The wine was barrel aged for 14 months in 50% new American Oak and the balance in once used tight grain French Oak. No conventional pumps were used in the making of this wine. Only diaphragm air pumps, forced air pressure movement, or bulldogging, and transfers by gravity were employed to preserve the pure fruit integrity in the wine. 2017 Scout’s Honor is certainly a generous mouthful of red wine that we recommend be opened and enjoyed immediately upon release. Cellared correctly it will age for 5 to 8 years.
15.5% ABV
$36.99
December 2019
Wines of the Month for December 2019
Christmas
Wines
N/v Aubert et Fils Epernay Brut Champagne
60% Pinot Noir, 30% Pinot Meunier, & 10% Chardonnay
Epernay, Champagne, France
This wine has a pale lemon color. Very attractive fruity, citrus nose. Well-concentrated lemon sherbet, freshly baked bread flavors, long mineral acidity and fresh persistent mousse. An authentic champagne with lovely finesse and unwavering length. Absolutely spot on.
12% ABV
$29.99
2018 St. Cosme Côtes du Rhône Red 1.5L MAGNUM
100% Syrah
Côtes du Rhône, France
The 2018 Cotes du Rhone is 100% Syrah, sourced from the Gard (on the right bank of the Rhône) and Vinsobres (left bank, higher elevation). Violets, black olives and cassis and blueberry flavors provide terrific varietal expression in a medium to full-bodied package framed by silky tannins. Terrific value wine that is great for large events and parties (or to age)
14.5% ABV
$34.99
November 2019
Wines of the Month for November 2019
Thanksgiving
Wines
2018 Clos de Caveau Louis d’Or Vacqueyras Blanc
80% Grenache Blanc & 20% Clairette
Vacqueyras, Rhône Valley, France
This full-bodied wine balances the richness of Grenache Blanc with the freshness of Clairette. Yellow-apple and apricot flavors are ripe but restrained, accented by hints of spice and vanilla from vinification in French oak. It’s a rich, rounded sip with a slightly warming finish. Enjoy with any cream sauce, roasted birds, or soft cheeses. Enjoy now-2022.
14% ABV
2015 Lou Dumont Passe-tout-Grains
80% Pinot Noir & 20% Gamay
Nuits-St-Georges, Bourgogne Passetoutgrains AOC, France
Pneumatic press, no yeast added, 3-5 days of cold maceration. Approximately 15 days of cuvasion, alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel. Racking at 50°F, malolactic fermentation done 12 to 16 months after the alcoholic fermentation. 17 months in 20% new French oak barrels (Nevers). No filtration before bottling. Ripe cherries followed by a mouthwatering acidity envelop your palate in this light, yet complex red. Pairs well with soft cheeses, roasted turkey, and beef tartare.
12.5% ABV
October 2019
Wines of the Month for October 2019
2018 Paul Thomas Sancerre Rosé
100% Pinot Noir
Chavignol AOC, Sancerre, Loire Valley, France
Fermentation at low temperature and short aging on fine lees. The rosé is then racked in order to preserve its youth and the freshness of its aromatics. Right before bottling, the temperature of the wines is lowered so the tartrates drop out and the acidity is lowered. Light red fruit and minerality make for a refined, delicate rosé. The wine is ideal as an aperitif or with seafood.
13% ABV
2016 Dessimis Vie di Romans Pinot Grigio
100% Pinot Grigio
Friuli DOC, Italy
The 2016 Friuli Isonzo Rive Alte Pinot Grigio Dessimis is classified as a white, but it is really a ramato, or copper in color, reflecting the real color of this grape's skins. Slightly reductive in nature, it brings out notes of cranberry and bright cassis with some white cherry as well. It was fermented in steel and aged on the lees in barrique. This is a very interesting wine that would make a good pairing with sliced porchetta.
14.5% ABV
September 2019
Wines of the Month for September 2019
2017 Fess Parker’s Rodney’s Vineyard Viognier
100% Viognier
Santa Barbara County, California
Characteristically perfumed aromas of apricot, honeysuckle and peach as well as a deep golden color provide Viognier with a distinctive profile that one would be hard pressed not to notice. Especially when full ripeness has been achieved, it is not uncommon for wine drinkers to perceive it as sweet even when bone dry due to its highly aromatic, fruity character and generally higher levels of alcohol.
14.2% ABV
2012 Laely Cabernet Sauvignon
90% Cabernet Sauvignon & 10% Petit Verdot
Napa Valley, California
A Bordeaux-inspired red with depth, over-the-top oak notes, a balanced profile at release that is age worthy, and an approachable tannin structure. This medium plum, dark brick color is evidence alone of the wine’s extraction and maturity. Cassis expresses the base of the aroma followed by both ripe and dried cherries with some pencil lead scents, and subtle cigar box notes. The palate is very supple and ripe with cherry vanilla, sweet black cherry, leather and light allspice followed again by cassis. The finish is long and the wine responds very well to decanting and develops right in the glass.
13.5% ABV