2021 SAN FELICE CHIANTI CLASSICO
RISERVA 'IL GRIGIO
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

93 Points & #24 Top 100 – Wine Spectator…With so many trendy Chianti estates, we often forget about the gems that the previous generation forged. When we look to Chianti classics, we do not have to look any further than San Felice. Located at the northern fringe of the southernmost district of Castelnuovo Berardenga, San Felice wines exude elegance and refinement that are hallmarks of neighboring Gaiole in Chianti but have the oomph of the power that is Berardenga.

An all-time great Chianti vintage, 2021 is utterly seamless. Attractive, youthful tones of sandalwood, sage, rose, underbrush, plum and dark chocolate scents reveal themselves beautifully, and are starting to knit together. Concentrated velvety flavors prevail with high pitched red fruits around the edges. Tightly packed, focused firm tannins reveal themselves in the mid-palate then carry over into the harmonious, attention-grabbing, drawn-out finish. Drink this scintillating Chianti Riserva over the next fifteen years.

2023 KLOOF STREET CHENIN BLANC
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Over the last bunch of years, Chris and Andrea Mullineaux’s wines have risen to ‘must haves’ when it comes to South African wines.

The Kloof Street offerings are great entries into the Mullineaux world and their sizzling, dry Chenin outperforms a bunch of versions from the Loire Valley. From the cool climate Swartland region, a dry and jaunting white wine chock full of aromatic stony, flinty scents that ride on top of lemon and white peach fruit. Racy, tense and zingy, this wine is a mouthwatering match with smoked fish, mussels and goat cheese.

2023 RIDGE GRENACHE BLANC
'ADELAIDA' PASO ROBLES
[reg. $46.99]
SPECIAL - $27.99 BTL./$335.88 CASE

Routinely, this fabulous white wine from California icon Rodge goes on special and this price is beyond fantastic. The lead grape for most White Chateauneuf-du-Pape, it also thrives in the limestone soils of Paso Robles.

Located thirteen miles from the Pacific Ocean, cool nights and sea breezes provide fine energy for this lush grape. The 2023 models spiced pear and mandarin aspects further enhanced by ginger, honeysuckle and anise scents. A standout, luxuriant texture but poised and incredibly attractive with radiating acids weaving throughout. Beautiful and delicious, proving Ridge’s prowess with white wine as well as reds. Enjoy over the next six to eight years with sea bass, tuna tataki, even a Caesar salad.

2020 ANTONELLI MONTEFALCO
ROSSO RISERVA
$26.99 BTL./$161.94 - SIX PACK

As we wind down our Friday Tastings, an extra bottle or two frequently may be uncorked. I hadn’t tasted this in a while so we opened and one and suffice to say, it is tasting sooooo good and deserves all its accolades.

The 2020 Montefalco Riserva is one of only seventeen Umbrian wines awarded Tre Bicchiere in Gambero Rosso’s 2025 guide. Produced from their oldest vines and finest plots, the blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Sagrantino come together with ‘loud/soft/loud’ attributes. Noteworthy, booming aromas waft from the glass. Prominent blackberry, sage, cherry pit and balsamic notes follow through to a texture that is palate-staining, layered, and complex all while maintaining an airy aspect. Extensive, expansive and very Italian, you will want to drink this with a slow roasted leg of lamb jacked with Italian herbs or a full-flavored meat and cheese-filled lasagna over the next ten years.

2023 BOARD TRACK RACER 'SPEED
RACER' COLUMBIA RED BLEND
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

From Mark Ryan Winery, a producer of large Washington Reds, Board Track Racer was created in 2007 to offer wines designed not to break the bank.

A revelation indeed, Speed Racer is made for everyday drinking. 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Malbec, 13% Merlot. Black cherry, vivid red plum, dusty cocoa tones and fine herbs shine on the nose. Flavorful and all about texture in the mouth, this sassy blend has more substance than should ever be at twelve dollars. Have it with a fat burger, tortilla chips and spicy salsa and more.

2024 MARTISSIMA COLLIO BIANCO
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

During my weekly sales call tastings, many wines are presented. Some good, some are rubbish but occasionally one or two sticks its ass out to grab my attention. Tasting this Friuli white wine for the first time, it clocked my palate like a bolt of lightning.

Marta Venica is the daughter of the influential Venica estate, and this is her personal project. Only indigenous grapes are used from this small vineyard planted in the 1970s. An extremely complex wine that moves and changes as it airs in the glass. Kicking off with finesseful scents of lemongrass, quince paste, subtle almond and overflowing mineral. More rose oil and spice scents arrive after a few minutes. The texture is dry and luxurious maintaining Venica’s trademark of finesse. Finely tuned, tense and vibrant flavors that all have their place and then lead to a long, almost velvety, silky finish. This is a wow wine, especially with crab, salt cod or pan-seared salmon preparations.

2023 PATO & WOUTERS
BAIRRADA TINTO 'DNMC'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Daughter of one of Portugal’s wine pillars, Filipa Pato’s father Luis is responsible for putting the Atlantic region of Bairrada on the wine map. Named Winemaker of the Year by Portuguese gastronomy guide, Revista de Vinhos in 2020 along with her husband, sommelier Willem Wouters, they are part of the exciting present and future of Portugal’s wines.

Made from 100% of the Baga grape. Individuality and class behind a robe of strawberry fruit, mountain spices, wildflowers, mint and saline ride along and provide complexity. The agile texture and briskness imparts succulence and persistence. A fabulous effort that can be drunk with sausages, bean dishes with bacon, duck and chicken.

2023 CLOS LA COUTALE CAHORS
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Cahors, located in the Dordogne, is the fountainhead of the Malbec grape. Expressions from this area have virtually nothing in common with those from Argentina; wines from this area are drier and expressions of the soil and conjure up the old term, black wines of France.

Clos la Coutale's Cahors combines noble, sturdy history with modern, fruity accessibility blended with 80% Malbec (known as Cot or Auxerrois locally) with 20% Merlot for smoothness. The nose is ravishing with tones of black licorice, blackberry, hints of graphite, and spices. Very drinkable over the next 4-5 years with duck, hearty stews, bleu cheese and pâté.

2023 BEDROCK CABERNET
SAUVIGNON 'SONOMA'
[reg. $47]
SPECIAL - $31.95 BTL./$383.40 CASE

If you love Cabernet, love Bedrock, love Sonoma then you owe it to yourself to enjoy the new arrival of their 2023 Sonoma Cab. This wine initially was meant as an entry wine, however, it performs way over its designation and price point. If this were Napa, then it would easily be twice if not three times the price.

Augmented with 6% Cabernet Franc and 4% Malbec, it is aged in only ten percent new oak and comes from several vineyards including Bedrock Estate and Monte Rosso. Fine spice, cassis and blackberry shine against a backdrop of smoke and sandalwood. The palate is exquisitely balanced, deceptively persuasive and deep with ripe berries and briary tones kick in on the entry and give way to alluring chocolate and tobacco tones that spread out on the finish and follow through with pepper and cinnamon. Good appeal and charm now and will age nicely through 2033+. If scores are your thing, 92-94 points from Vinous.

2024 VILLA VARDA FRIULANO
FRIULI D.O.C.
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE

Located in western Friuli near the border of Veneto region, Villa Varda produces a textbook version of this indigenous white grape named after the DOC itself.

Upon pouring, gentle herbs with sea-driven, salinous aromas along with quasi-lemongrass and perfumed nectarine aspects present themselves. The texture itself is clean, unoaked providing charisma and girth along with tense, twangy dryness, especially on the vibrant, savory follow-through. Try with Proscuitto di San Daniele which is a classic match. It will also work well with a smorgasbord of shellfish, too.