Wine Notes
Wine Club Selections
Vendrell Rived “Serè”
MONTSANT, SPAIN | 2023
A blend of 80 percent Garnatxa and 20 percent Carinyena, sourced from vineyards between 20 and 40 years old, the wine is fermented with native yeasts in tank and aged for several months in used French oak barrels.
Château du Cèdre
CAHORS, FRANCE | 2022
Before Argentinian Malbec became known for its plush fruit and easy charm, it was historically forged in the limestone hills of Cahors just south of Bordeaux…
Idlewild “Lost Hills Ranch”
MENDOCINO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA | 2019
Cortese is best known from northern Italy’s Gavi region, but it turns out it feels remarkably at home in Mendocino County.
Domaine Glinavos “Zitsa Brut”
EPIRUS, GREECE | 2018
The Zitsa Brut is a Champagne method sparkling made entirely of the Debina varietal, which is often noted for its naturally high acidity and mineral impression from the limestone-influenced soils.
Domaine Les Carmels "Les Caprices"
CADILLAC CÔTES DE BORDEAUX, FRANCE | 2022
“Les Caprices” is based on Merlot vines planted in the early 1980s and the early 2000s. Viticulture at the domaine is certified organic (since 2010) and biodynamic methods are used.
Bianka und Daniel Schmitt "Freiheit" Rot
RHEINHESSEN, GERMANY | 2023
While the Schmitts are often associated with the natural wine movement, what stands out in their work isn’t trendiness—it’s sincerity.
Vendrell Rived "L'Alleu"
MONTSANT, SPAIN | 2023
Josep M. Vendrell Rived is one of my favorite producers in the region—an under-the-radar grower whose wines consistently overdeliver.
Nicolau de Almeida "Ronfe"
VINHO VERDE, PORTUGAL | 2023
“Ronfe” is produced entirely from Trajadura (the Portuguese name for Treixadura), a grape found in Galicia—most notably in the region of Ribeiro.
Celler Pardas "Negre Franc”
PENEDÈS, SPAIN | 2019
"Negre Franc" is the flagship red wine of Pardas. It is a blend of 80% Cabernet Franc, along with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Lapierre "Raisins Gaulois"
VIN DE FRANCE - BEAUJOLAIS | 2024
This wine from legendary producer, Lapierre, run by brother and sister, Mathieu and Camille Lapierre is the perfect example of that latter “crushable type.”
BK Wines “Swaby” Chardonnay
ADELAIDE HILLS, AUSTRALIA | 2021
The 2021 Swaby is a powerhouse from the Piccadilly Valley which is one of the coolest and most prestigious pockets of the Adelaide Hills
Crespaia "Millesimato" Spumante Brut
MARCHE, ITALY | 2023
The Millesimato is a blend of Chardonnay and Bianchello, all from organically farmed grapes that are manually harvested, destemmed, and softly pressed
Tenuta La Viola "Il Colombarone"
ROMAGNA SANGIOVESE SUPERIORE, ITALY | 2023
Sangiovese is known for being one of Italy’s most noble grape varieties. While Brunello di Montalcino and Chianti Classico get most of the hype, the Sangiovese of Romagna can be every bit as complex and ageworthy.
Niepoort “Lagar de Baixo”
BAIRRADA, PORTUGAL | 2022
Quinta de Baixo is a 25-hectare estate that’s been making some of the most exciting wines in Portugal since the famous vintner Dirk Niepoort joined forces with local winemaker Sérgio Silva in 2012.
Francis Blanchet “Vielles Vignes”
POUILLY-FUMÉ, FRANCE | 2024
In the glass, this wine is Sauvignon Blanc dialed up a notch: brisk citrus, ripe pear, a whiff of white flowers, and that subtle smoky edge that makes you pause and think.
Selvagrossa “Cuchén”
MARCHE, ITALY | 2022
Cuchén” is one of the best-value Italian white wines you can find. It’s made from the indigenous and rare Albanella grape, which is a specialty of the hills around Pesaro.
Fattoria Villa Ligi “Grifoglietto”
PERGOLA ALEATICO SUPERIORE, ITALY | 2022
“Grifoglietto” originates from a single, cherished vineyard—over 50 years old—planted on clay-rich soil mingled with limestone, at an elevation of approximately 340 meters above sea level
Domaine des Pothiers “No. 6”
CÔTE ROANNAISE, FRANCE | 2023
Domaine des Pothiers Côte Roannaise N°6 is made from Gamay Saint-Romain, a unique variation of Gamay found almost exclusively in the Côte Roannaise region of France.
La Valle del Sole
MARCHE, ITALY | 2018
The 2018 Offida Pecorino is a masterclass in regional expression: grown on clay-sandy soils at nearly 300 m elevation, gently harvested, cold-fermented, and aged six months on the lees in concrete, followed by at least six months in bottle.
Merkelbach Estate “Riesling Trocken”
MOSEL, GERMANY | 2023
For 50 years, the brothers Alfred and Rolf Merkelbach made wine in their home village of Ürzig with few changes to their approach.