2020 OLIM BAUDA BARBERA D'ASTI
'LA VILLA'
$15.00 BTL./$180.00 - CASE

The estate itself is located in Incisa Scapaccino and the range of wines that we are fortunate to offer is breathtaking on all price points. Year in and year out, this unoaked version is the best damn Barbera value that I sell – and 2020 has a little extra push and soul. Resoundingly fresh with smoky-earthy tones wrapped around vibrant but penetrating, hearty strawberry and cranberry characteristics. The class of this vintage really provides an extra level of depth. Terrific with salami, pizza or a pasta with a tomato and/or meat sauce. Listen to Garbage's superb self-titled first album while drinking this one.

2018 OLIM BAUDA BARBERA D'ASTI
'LE ROCCHETTE'
$24.00 BTL./$288.00 - CASE

From a single vineyard planted in 1950, instantaneously one can discover that this wine steps it up a level or six! Vinous, driving nose of hearty huckleberry, mineral, gentle kisses of fennel, tobacco and underlying cherry pit character. A luminous full presence of depth and vividness follows through to a drawn-out lavish finish that displays hints of milk chocolate, coffee and plenty of fullness while maintaining poise and freshness. Lingering, this wine is so much more intricate, deep and complex in comparison to the bombastic 2017. I love the Italian newspaper La Repubblica once said about it: ‘Velvety, spicy, immediate but by no means average, this is the Barbera for everyone’. Barbera loves cheese. Pair with Veal Parmesan, Lasagna, Risotto with sausages. You'll want something more complex and dimensional, turn on Talking Head's 'Speaking In Tongues'.

2018 OLIM BAUDA GAVI
'COMUNE DEI GAVI'
$20.00 BTL./$240.00 - CASE

Along with being an Asti and Barbera rock star. Olim Bauda also makes one of the finest Gavi (Cortese grape) wines period. There is Gavi and then there is Gavi made specifically from the commune of Gavi, the traditional area in Piedmont for the Cortese grape. Grown at 1000 feet in the Gavi region of Piemonte, this devastatingly delicious white wine at lower alcohol is a righteous choice for many who appreciate and love brisk, pure and unoaked white wines. The clay & marl-based soils shine however; powdery citrus (lime) scents intermingle nicely with mineral on the nose and carry over to an attacking texture that has no shortage of thrust and saline qualities. Lovely briskness buffers the surprisingly penetrating components, especially on the finish. This blazing white absolutely screams out for crab…although mussels or a seafood risotto with green vegetables will do extremely well. Pair with 'Closer' from Joy Division.

2020 ALMONDO ROERO ARNEIS
'VIGNA SPARSE'
$16.99 BTL./$101.94 - SIX PACK

The name of the grape, Arneis, is derived from Piedmont dialect and means little rascal. One of the more finicky grapes to grow, the white wine it produces is synonymous with the Roero region and has experienced somewhat of a revival over the last few years. The name Almondo is synonymous with this region and often is regarded as one of the finest two or three producers.

The 2020 reveals classic, beautiful aromatics of white peaches and flowers that lead into a rich, mouthful of citrus fruit and spice. Often times we talk about wine with food, but this one tastes just great on its own. If you are going to enjoy it with food we would recommend fish, preferably white fish done with a citrus marinade or fruit salsa or it can easily make for a perfect aperitivo or a fine porch pounder.

2019 MARTA MATE RIBERA DEL DUERO
'EL HOLGAZAN'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Located in the northernmost point of Spain’s Ribera del Duero region, the vines for this single vineyard, 100% Tempranillo are 25 years old and are planted at 2800 feet. A young team all around, Marta Castrillo and Cesar Mate founded this estate in 2013 and given their location, choose to make wines built around nuance, detail and a lovely core of fruit versus many in this area that are seriously extracted, heavy and boozy.

The El Holgazan rocked my world when tasting last week. Forward, upbeat flavors of mouthcoating blueberry, milk chocolate, red plum, minerally earth, cinnamon and perfume come together on a perfectly built elegant and sophisticated frame. Lingering red and dark perfumed berries and spice permeate the palate and expand into something quite wonderful. A vibrant and pretty decadent drink right now and over the next 6-8 years. Enjoy it with classy yet hearty fare like slow cooked leg of lamb.

2020 CATALDI MADONNA 'MALANDRINO'
MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

One of the fabled producers of Italy, Luigi Cataldi Madonna has been instrumental with the Montepulciano grape as well as to lift this area away from being mere trattoria wines into something more expressive and fine. Malandrino, meaning rogue or someone naughty, is the specialty of this famed house and the 2020 is off the charts delicious. About a decade ago, Cataldi Madonna changed their Montepulciano program drastically by eliminating the use of oak and moving solely to cement tanks for aging. The change has been well received by wine-lovers and this already legendary producer once again has led a movement.

Smooth, savory and generous, possessing concentrated notes of black plum, ripe cherry, licorice and lavender. A meaty and exotic offering that maintains a satisfying roundness and beautiful balance. Flavors fill the mouth with deep and fleshy yet vibrant red earth tones dominating the smooth and succulent texture. An upscale Montepulciano with a savory long finish, pair this tasty red with aged pecorino, grilled lamb or penne Bolognese.

2020 CLOS LA COUTALE CAHORS
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

It is still amazing that we can sell this wine under 20-bucks. Aside from small increases and currency fluctuation, this wine’s price has remained very steady for two decades.

Cahors is a favorite with the locals throughout France, and especially in the brasserie and bistro. This honest, full-bodied, and very French red works perfectly with anything that is bad for you. Confit, pate, bleu cheese, pretty much any sauce that has been reduced and finished with a half-pound of butter. Mainly Malbec with a little Merlot dropped in for suppleness; it is chewy, ripe and possessing plenty of firm edges as well. Unless you are a bit masochistic, this is not a wine for sitting around and having a conversation on politics. It cries out for food - Hedonistic and soulful food.

2020 CAMERON NEBBIOLO
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE - LIMITED

John Paul, the mad genius behind Cameron winery has been committed to Nebbiolo since he first planted a bit on Clos Electrique in 1994. By 2003, there was half an acre. In 2006 John’s friend Alan Foster, or as John calls him, Hippie Alan, planted Nebbiolo on his White Oak Vineyard in 2006. This is the same site as where he gets the fruit for his Ribbon Ridge Pinot Noir and blended with Clos Electrique, this is a legitimate, delicious, ageworthy New World Nebbiolo and when tasting it, I see why John is so excited about the wine.

Taking its cue from the northern reaches of Piedmont (Gattinara, Ghemme) versus the Langhe, this Nebbiolo is very red in its tone. 100% Nebbiolo and revealing alluring, refined scents of licorice and wet stone along with red fruits and potpourri-spices. Submerged perfume and earth unfolds as the wine airs in the glass. In the mouth, a sultry core of fruit presents itself before gaining structure and spine. Energetic, mysterious and elusive yet very seductive. Enjoy this Nebbiolo through the end of the decade.

2020 GABRIELSKLOOF CHENIN BLANC
WALKER BAY
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

If there were to a declaration of a spiritual white wine grape from South Africa, it would be Chenin Blanc. Also known as Steen, this grape accounts for 18% of the white wines produced and was first noted as arriving sometime on the mid-1600s.

Coming specifically from the Bot River section of the Walker Bay region, this cool site and producer’s Chenin ‘outLoires’ many from there at the same price level. Engaging scents of quince paste, yellow apple, lanolin, and peach. Driven by vertical mineral acidity, there is nice body behind the briskness. Finishes long and lingering and will pair beautifully with salmon on a cedar plank, grilled prawns or a tangy goat cheese.

2019 GUNDLACH BUNDSCHU
MOUNTAIN CUVEE RED
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Old School, influential and unapologetically California in profile, this Cabernet Sauvignon/ Merlot/Cabernet Franc-based blend delivers so much good for an excellent price, especially in comparison to so many others in the state’s famous growing regions. Unlike many others from California in this price level, there isn’t any fruit from Lodi or bulked out juice to this wine, all of the grapes come from Sonoma; Gundlach’s estate vineyard along with smattering from the Mayacamas Range.

Chock full of cassis, blueberry and violet with spikes of cocoa that seemingly swirl in the glass. The texture is buxom and creamy with lots of sensuality to it. A subtle mineral underlay and deceptive structure give this wine nice spine and breadth of flavor. Very drinkable now, especially with braised shortribs or a grilled steak, it would not surprise us if this were to age 3-4 years, too.

2019 DOMAINE DURBAN
MUSCAT BEAUMES-DE-VENISE
$13.99 HALF BTL./$335.76 - CASE OF 24

Recently we featured the red wine from this fine Rhone estate, but this week we decided to show you all the sweet dessert wine that made them famous, their Exuberant, generous, and pure sinful pleasure Muscat Beaumes-de-Venise.

Enticing rose-petal, satsuma, spice and rosemary oil dominate the nose while scents of white anise bark out from a distance. Wickedly rich, sweet and full with inviting citrusy tones that come from the elevation from the vineyard sites in the Dentelles de Montmirail and aid in maintaining freshness. Super-viscous finish with plenty of brightness make this wine perfect to pair with crème brulée, fresh berry tarts or even white and milk chocolate.

2020 CABASSE COTES-DU-RHONE
SPECIAL - $13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
The under-15 Cotes-du-Rhone of your dreams!

100% Grenache. Black raspberry, lavender, smoke and grenadine scents lead into a provençal palate that possesses refined palate presence yet is buoyant and full of smooth and savory characteristics with excellent fruit and white pepper on the beautifully lingering finish. In eight months this has filled in even more but maintains perfect balance and can also be served with a slight chill. A heavenly weeknight wine and so very versatile, enjoy it with grilled sausages, slice of pepperoni pizza, a simple hamburger, Pho, chicken with Provençal herbs, minestrone.

2018 DUNN CABERNET SAUVIGNON
NAPA VALLEY
$99.99 BTL./$599.94 - SIX PACK

One of the Napa pioneers who first brought forth the merits of Napa's hillside fruit, Randy Dunn's wines are always very prized for their longevity. The Howell Mountain cuvee will kiss you on the cheek and then kick you in the cojones three times then shut itself down for 15 years while the Napa, and especially in this vintage is one that Cabernet lovers can enjoy earlier.

Intense, yet sophisticated aromas of plum, raspberries, smoke, violet, cocoa, nutmeg and cedar-box. Rich and comes at you in waves, there is plenty of tannin-structure here for aging, but they are considerably more tame than the Howell Mountain cuvee. Finishes with authority, but planes out and the flavors stick around for a heck of a long time. I would tell you to wait until 2025 to gain ultimate pleasure but if you wanted to enjoy a bottle, decant and aerate a couple hours before serving.