2020 TORRE DE OÑA RIOJA
'FINCA SAINT MARTIN' CRIANZA
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Torre de Oña is La Rioja Alta’s Rioja Alavesa estate putting forth magical, modern, yet classically inspired wines. 100% Tempranillo, the 2020 is equivalent to going on a ride in a car while I’m dealing the wheels. Get in, sit down, shut up and hold on because it is going to be a thrill ride and I won’t make you sign a waiver!

Neo-classic, aromatic tones of violet and blackberry mesh nicely with undercurrents of cocoa and Moroccan spices form a Rioja that exhibits flare and detail. The sophisticated, velvety texture thoughtfully coats the palate. It picks up grip and structure on the deep middle and stacked, persistent finish. Drink with pork roast and more.

2022 LE MARIE VINI PINEROLESE
'ROUGE LE RISSART'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

Hey kids, let’s play stump the wine jagoff, a new, exciting game where you throw an obscure wine at that person you know who fancies themselves an expert. A great play is Pinerolese. Ask the question, where, what and who and they won’t have the correct answer, LOL!

The Pinerolese DOC is located between Torino and the French border of Italy’s Piedmont region. Le Marie, located in the foothills near Monte Viso in the Alps deliver wines that slither in both the Italian and French Alpine style. Rouge de Lissart is a blend of Barbera, Bonarda, Freisa, Chatus and Neretta Cuneese from vines planted in the 1930s. Enlightening strawberry, mint, licorice and dusty earth surround subtle undertones of baking herbs and spices. Palate-filling and vivacious, the level of depth is why this producer is regarded as one of Piedmont’s unearthed gems. Substance, dimension and a finish that launches and lasts; there is a ton of goodness for not a ridiculous amount of money. Enjoy this with beef/pork stuffed ravioli or a risotto done with cheese and mushrooms.

2024 DOMAINE DISZNOKO
| 'DORGO' DRY FURMINT
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Disznoko was classified as a First Growth in 1752, but it has only been since 1992 with owners AXA Millesime (owners of Lynch-Bages, Quinta do Noval, Pichon Baron-Longueville, Suduiraut and more) set out to restore old glory to this Hungarian estate. Famed for its dessert wines from the Furmint grape, forcefully dry wines are made as well.

Dorgo is an iconic Cru vineyard of Tokaji. The best word to describe this bone-dry white wine is fervent. Hang on to your drawers as this wine takes you on a thrill ride with electrifying briskness with granny smith apple, melon, chamomile and mineral. No intrusive oak and nothing but clarity. Expands and elevates, it is a miracle in the mouth. Drink this thrill-ride wine with trout, scallops with a citrus marinade, gruyere and more.

2022 LYDIAN CABERNET
SAUVIGNON COLUMBIA VALLEY
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

Classified into fine Washington producer Avennia’s second label, this vastly undervalued Cabernet Sauvignon punches well above its weight class and knocks out quite a few at twice the price.

Non-stop vanilla and cocoa notes are wrapped around buxom black cherry, smoke, cola and milk chocolate all virtually glisten the instant the wine is poured. On the palate, stylish, flowing dense tones and typically steadfast, mouth-crawling flavors that one comes to expect in these excellent wines. Layered, forward, accessible and perfect with a steak or short ribs; enjoy through 2031.

2024 TIM MALONE MELON
'DEUX VERT VINEYARD'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

When I recently tasted this Oregon Melon it impressed upon me the importance of the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden. Serendipitous things happened and later that evening after coming home mildly tipsy after eating barbecue, I turned on YouTube to stream music and saw their iconic video for the song ‘Run to the Hills.’ What does this have to do with crisp white wine you ask? Not so much except that it will get you loaded if you drink enough and the character in general is as whimsical as the video - parallel to getting shot in the ass with an arrow!

Melon is the same grape used in Muscadet. Commencing with citrus scents and undertones of wet stone, this white increases with lemongrass, and key-lime tones. Brisk and mouthwatering on the palate with fine intensity and length, this is a wonderful match for a plate of freshly shucked northwest oysters – but you all knew that anyway.

2022 NOTRE DAME LES PALLIERES
COTES-DU-RHONE 'LES RIEUS'
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

No hype, no one liners, just a message that if you need a terrific everyday drinking red that is delicious and makes you want another glass, look no further than this terrific Rhone.

Packed full of raspberry and strawberry preserves, lavender, smoke, and definitive Rhone spiciness. In the mouth, it is inviting, warm hearty and personable.

2020 CHATEAU DE SALES POMEROL
$46.99 BTL./$281.94 - SIX PACK

Chateau De Sales is one of the better known, values within the high-priced neighborhood of Pomerol. Affiliated with Christian Moeuix (owner of Petrus, Trotanoy, Dominus and others) this Chateau dates to the 17th century makes brilliant, ageworthy wines, especially for the astute Bordeaux consumer.

Powerhouse Pomerol and French signature, attractive dark intense garnet color reveals notes of cherry, blackcurrant, herbs, savory earth, and subtle allspice. The palate expands, integrated with tannins meshing well with the fruit. Persistent and structured, this promises to be a pleasurable wine experience through 2037+.

2021 CASTELLO DI VOLPAIA
CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA
$36.99 BTL./$443.88 CASE

95 Points - The Wine Spectator...The 2021 Chianti Classico wines are hotter than the oil in the deep fryer at Popeye’s. Not that fried chicken and Chianti have anything to do with each other (admittedly, I have never tried the pairing), the quality of the area’s wines for this vintage are already legendary.

Castello di Volpaia is one of the GIANT names in Chianti. Perched outside of Radda in Chianti, Volpaia has long made sophisticated, fetching Chianti. Heavenly scents of red and black cherry, vanilla, sage and red licorice define the aromas while satiny flavors and silky tannins, which have long been Volpaia hallmarks, seduce texturally. Drink over the next 10-12 years.

2023 EVESHAM WOOD
PINOT NOIR 'CUVEE J'
$59.99 BTL./$359.94 - SIX PACK

96 Points – Wine Enthusiast Magazine…The top cuvee on the Evesham Wood roster, Cuvee J is named to honor one of the late, great Russ Raney's influences, Vosne-Romanee master, Henri Jayer. Always sought after by Pinot Noir collectors, this is indeed an Oregon treasure.

A selection of the estate's finest barrels, one sniff of this masterpiece lets you know that you have pole-vaulted to another rank. Blackberry, floral, nutmeg-laced chocolate, and integrated oak aromas are supported by the stunning fruit components. Velvety, lacey with a virtual perfumed texture that is reminiscent of a Northern Nuits-St-Georges vineyard. Generous and charming with a thrusting finish that is svelte and lingers, it is irresistible. Cuvee J is always one of the best agers in Oregon and for best results, drink 2028 - 2037.

2022 PICHLER-KRUTZLER
GRUNER-VELTLINER 'DURNSTEIN'
SPECIAL - $26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

[reg. $42.99]…The name Pichler is synonymous when it comes to Austrian greatness and especially the famed region of Wachau. Whether it is FX, Rudi or Pichler-Krutzler, these wines perform on an excellent level and are some of the world’s finest dry white wines. Normally north of forty, this is a glass of class and typical of Pichler, overachieving at this price. If it were made in Burgundy, it would easily fetch twice the price. We will taste this tomorrow if it doesn't sell out

Generally regarded as the crown jewel for Gruner, the Wachau region is renowned for powerful and precise white wines. Durnstein is one of the revered villages and this wine reflects it oh so well. Revved up, multi-faceted scents of powdered lime, peppermint, pronounced white pepper crushed rock and an undertone of melon build from the glass. Commencing with full, expansive fruit in the mouth, the wine's lightning-bolt crisp, zesty mineral characteristics dominate the substantial, firm middle and gushing finish. One with immense potential, drink over the next decade with seafood including sea bass or halibut dressed with greens, Indian cuisine based around curry or mild cheeses.

2020 IL MOLINO DI GRACE
CHIANTI CLASSICO
SPECIAL - $23.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

[reg. $24.99]…From Panzano in the northern sector of the Chianti Classico zone, Il Molino di Grace is one of Chianti's values. Alas, these wines are now known, but their appeal still is amazing, especially because they have so much drink-worthy appeal.

100% Sangiovese. One whiff of the focused, but wonderfully pure scents of wildflowers, sage, black cherry, and savory earth will have you reminiscing about your last visit to Tuscany! Suave and sultry depth and concentration carry nicely into the mouth as it offers succulent, ripe and flavorful tones with superb focus and grip as well as finishing dark, spicy and long. Drink with a penne Bolognese, grilled steak and more.

2021 QUINTA DE SAES
DAO TINTO
SPECIAL - $16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE

[reg. $21.99]…Quinta de Saes Dao Tinto is Portugal personified made with 25% Touriga Naçional, 25% Alfrocheiro, 25% Jaen, 25% Tinta Pinheira and 100% pure pleasure.

Packed with Mediterranean personality displaying hearty, peppery and very forward scents and flavors of chocolate truffle complimented with raspberry, leather, roasted earth, sage and spice that bring everything together. The texture starts out plush and supple quickly gaining zest and spine on the earth-laden, snap-back finish. An outstanding choice for under twenty dollars. Enjoy with dishes enhanced or based around chorizo, roasted lamb or vegetarian dishes highlighted by root vegetables like carrots, potatoes and fennel.

2022 CHAGNOLEAU SAINT-VERAN
LES MONTCHAINS
SPECIAL - $27.99 BTL./167.94 - 6 PK

[reg. $39.99]…Domaine Chagnoleau is run by two of the Southern Burgundy’s top winemakers, Frantz Chagnoleau who worked at Olivier Merlin and his wife Caroline Gons former winemaker at Heretiers Comte Lafon with famed Meursault maestro/mentor/Mr. Miyagi, Dominique Lafon. This Mâconnais super couple’s wines are now amongst the most sought after and delicious in Southern Burgundy. It is thrilling to see how Saint-Véran has grown in quality and precision over the last fifteen years. Many younger producers have exposed just how terrific and diverse the terroir of the eight villages that comprise the appellation can thrive and make great wines.

Les Montchanins is in the village of Prissé just over one thousand feet. Around ten centimeters of red clay topsoil give way to sheer bedrock limestone. Luxurious scents of mirabelle, elusive herbs, earth and prominent rock dust. Loads of depth and uncommon refinement; lacy, silky and layered with impressive cut and verve on the substantially long finish…Tasting notes quickly moved from PG-13 to R to NC-17 very quickly but I digress and conclude that this outstanding juice is great with classic seafood, but with oomph to stand up to lobster. Drink through 2032+.