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Proving we will look anywhere in our quest for wines comes a Spanish Tempranillo made by a German winemaker in the style we usually see reserved for Blaufrankish or Dornfelder. Lovely dark fruit, bit lower alcohol, and great with just a touch of chill. A bit sweet but not too much, this is an affordable fun red that goes down easy!
My heavens! 50+ year old, organic Mencia vines from some of the highest vineyards in Bierzo. Subtle aromas of strawberry, pink grapefruit and white pepper play with clean river rock minerality touched by zesty key lime. Balance and finish are tied together with a vibrating acidity. Structured and executed like a world class ballerina doing flamenco. Sells out every year for good reason. Lighter than Provence, a different planet than White Zin. The only hard part is only opening one bottle at a time.
(Holding the #1 spot)
From the land of Amarone comes a delicious Merlot based blend. To perfectly ripe Merlot (60%) is added juice from dried Corvina grapes ala Amarone. Rich, deep and smooth, this is a remarkable Merlot that may just change your Merlot worldview! (behind by 6 bottles)
While French Burgundy may be the highest echelon of this grape, the warm and rugged south of France has a climate similar to CA and can make easy drinking affordable Pinots too. This affordable French beauty offers notes of toasted oak, rhubarb, strawberry, red flowers and crushed stone. But the nose! It truly explodes with the lavender that is grown all around the vines. (behind by 10 bottles)
Sori Gramella refers to the one of the only single vineyard Moscatos, and Marco is the only producer to bottle this striking limestone amphitheater commercially. Once the 30 year old vines give up their bounty, and the grapes are harvested and pressed, they are kept in stainless steel at a low temperature to prevent fermentation until an order is received in order to provide the freshest wine possible. (behind by 8 bottles)
A slightly different and wonderful lighter take on Priorat. The gorgeous blue slate show immediately on the nose, Carignan is there but with richness and elegance. Really pretty and an homage to the fruit. Gorgeous leather and blue black fruit flavors with spice and soft leather. Organic, hand picked and just 9 months in French, this really is a lovely wine!
So pretty. Brings a clear nose of Gimblett Gravels terroir beneath lush soft blue and black fruit with lovely violet and lavender notes. Palate is clean, balanced and very approachable. Just a hint of the Northern Rhone's meatiness but mostly bright fruit and enough acidity to hold it in check. Maybe the best NZ Syrah out there??
A wonderful classic CA Cab with solid structure from the altitude and Hungarian oak. Reserved and dark on the nose with aromas of blackberries, hints of black licorice and coff ee. Really nice and elegant. Touch on the masculine side with no jammy, jelly jar junk here. Wonderfully different.
Lightly sparkling, fruity and sassy, Poquito is small in size but big on taste. Delicate floral aromas combine with a sweet yet refreshing palate of ripe peaches, pears and apricots. Apply liberally at any social occasion. Great right out of the bottle but really amazing with mint and rum as a mojito!
