2023 LEBREUIL HAUTES-COTES-DE
BEAUNE 'MONT BATTOIS'
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE

A classic expression of French Pinot Noir from the 2023 vintage, this beauty offers immediate charm with enough structure to age well. Less torrid than 2022, it still has plenty of plushness and an almost lovable Black Lab character.

Mont-Battois, part of the Hautes-Cotes appellation, is a single vineyard at 350 meters above the southern Savigny Premiers Crus overlooking Beaune. More lifted and distinctive than a typical Bourgogne Rouge, it shows raspberry and black plum notes, supple tannins, and impressive depth and persistence. A terrific French Pinot Noir value, it drinks well now and should age for 6-8 years.

2023 FELSINA CHIANTI
COLLI SENESI
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Colli Senesi covers the hills around Siena, and this wine offers a chance to enjoy Felsina estate Chianti as an everyday pour.

Traditionally made, it shows generous marionberry, cherry, Tuscan herbs, and subtle spice. On the palate it is dry and medium-bodied, with energy and surprising length. Anyone who enjoys value-driven everyday wines from Tuscany should not miss it.

2024 BENEGAS CABERNET FRANC
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE

Argentina offers a wide range of wine styles and price points. Bodegas Benegas, whose Finca Libertas site dates to the late 1800s, is best known in a Malbec-heavy landscape, so it is especially exciting to see other grapes perform so well here.

A pleasure to drink at this price, the 2024 Cabernet Franc opens with raspberry, sandalwood, cigar box, espresso, and sweet green herbs. On the palate, earthy notes complement the red fruit, building into a full, smooth, spice-driven finish. An excellent bottle for under $20.

2023 GROS-TOLLOT MINERVOIS
'LES FONTANILLES'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

A Languedoc benchmark, Minervois has gained fresh attention among wine enthusiasts for the quality now emerging from the appellation. In this broad region of varied price points and styles, Burgundy transplants Anne Gros and Jean-Paul Tollot have played an important role in raising its profile.

This walled single-vineyard blend is 40% Grenache, 20% Carignan, 20% Cinsault, and 20% Syrah. It offers aromas of strawberry, black licorice, thyme, rosemary, smoked meat, and white pepper. The wine has strong concentration but also a cool, lifted freshness that keeps it from feeling heavy or boozy. Palate-filling and refined with excellent spine and a dark finish marked by mineral and earthy spice. Enjoy it over the next few years, especially with hearty stews or olive-based dishes.

2025 SOUTHERN RIGHT
SAUVIGNON BLANC
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE

Southern Right is not a second label but a separate project from South African icon Anthony Hamilton-Russell. These wines sit outside his usual Pinot Noir and Chardonnay focus and clearly reflect their South African identity.

The 2025 Sauvignon is intended to express place rather than just varietal character. Gooseberry, sage, and ripe tangerine notes play against crisp minerality, white flowers, and pink grapefruit, building gradually in the glass. The palate is fleshy yet focused, finishing cleanly with bright citrus and subtle mineral spice. It is a lively way to start a meal and pairs especially well with pan-seared halibut, lemon chicken, or fresh goat cheese.

2023 GILBERT CELLARS
'LEFT BANK' COLUMBIA RED
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Made in Yakima, Gilbert Cellars continues to offer strong quality for the price. Sourced from several sites, this blend of four Bordeaux varieties is 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 5% Malbec, and 4% Petit Verdot.

It is hearty and full-flavored, with aromas of black cherry, raspberry, cocoa powder, violet, and mixed herbs and spices. The palate is smooth, ripe, and detailed, with a lasting, composed finish. Drink over the next 4-6 years.

2023 PILLOT CHASSAGNE
MONTRACHET 'LES CHENES'
$74.99 BTL./$449.94 - SIX PACK

As noted above, the 2023 Burgundy vintage is precocious and approachable, and that includes the whites. Les Chenes is a vineyard where Laurent Pillot owns a substantial parcel, just below the Premier Cru Maltroie. It serves as the backbone of his village Chassagne-Montrachet, though he isolates a small portion for a single-vineyard bottling—perhaps a Deuxieme Cru in spirit.

The nose is a classic Chassagne-Montrachet Chardonnay profile, with lemon cake, baking spice, smoked rosemary, pronounced minerality, and hints of crème brûlée. The palate opens plush and generous, with a lightly powdery texture, then tightens around a bright spine of acidity that carries through the long finish.

2025 VALLE MARTELLO
MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

92 Points – Wine Enthusiast Magazine…Hearty, fruity, spicy, and full of personality, this wine delivers far more character than many $12 Italian reds.

A generous, crowd-pleasing red that could easily become a go-to summer red. Its deep color leads into notes of black plum, ripe cherry, espresso, licorice, and lavender. The palate balanced with fleshy texture, vibrant earth tones, and a smooth, succulent feel. Savory on the back end, it is excellent with sausage pizza, meatballs, braised lamb and more.

2025 DOMAINE LE GALANTIN
BANDOL ROSÉ
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

The popularity of this dry Southern French Rosé speaks for itself. If you wait too long, it will be gone. Bandol at fifteen dollars is unrealistic, but Bandol at twenty-four? Happily, yes.

Rosé may have lost some of its shine because of overproduction and too many poor, inexpensive examples, and the current market correction is separating the good from the bad while some regions cut back production. As usual, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, and Grenache make up the blend, giving this mouth-filling pink wine real complexity. Classic raspberry and strawberry aromas are layered with spice, herbs, and rose petal, leading to broad Mediterranean flavors and a savory finish lifted by fresh briskness. Enjoy this substantial yet lively Rosé over the next 2–3 years with grilled tuna, pan-seared sea bass, dishes with Romesco sauce, or white meats.

2025 DOMAINE ESCARAVAILLES
CÔTES-DU-RHÔNE ROSÉ
$14.99 BTL. - 18 bottles available

Led by Madeline Ferran, Domaine des Escaravailles is one of Rasteau’s top estates. Alongside some of the appellation’s best Rhône reds, she makes a tiny amount of striking, delicious dry Côtes-du-Rhône Rosé. Only eighteen bottles remain.

Made from 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, and 20% Cinsault, this 2025 delivers unusual complexity for the price. Aromas of cherry pit, rosemary, peach blossom, and subtle blue fruit lead to a full, generous palate and a fresh, cleansing finish. Enjoy it with goat cheese, salads, or seafood pasta.

2025 DOMAINE DE BAGNOL
CASSIS ROSÉ
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE

This Cassis is not the liqueur from Beaune, but the beautiful coastal town in Provence. Wine has been made here since before the Greeks arrived around 600 BC. Little is exported because local tourism and the area’s excellent seafood create strong demand for these local wines. Along with its striking white cliffs and blue Mediterranean views, Cassis is also known for wines, and this compelling Rose is one of the region’s best-known and most delicious bottles.

A true Rosé of character, lively aromas of hawthorn, berry, herbes de Provence, lemon, and strawberry lead into a texture that is rich and mouth-filling, yet fresh and energetic. Its depth and complexity carry through the long finish. It is enjoyable on its own, but especially good with seafood stew, grilled chicken with fresh herbs, or crusty bread and olives.

2025 MAS DE VALERIOLE
'VÉ' MEDITERRANÉE ROSÉ
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

This may be the most distinctive Rosé in the lineup, made just over ten miles from Arles in the Bouches-du-Rhône. Vé is a Provençal expression meaning “look at that!” and this wine is something like a grown-up pink lemonade. Made from 70% Caladoc, 15% Merlot, and 15% Marselan, this wine gets minimal skin contact, which helps keep it especially refreshing. Aromas of cherry pit, melon, and sea salt lead to a crisp, bright texture that is pure easy pleasure. Bring it to a picnic or the beach, enjoy it in the hot tub, use it at breakfast to cure a hangover, shower with it and so on...

2025 LUPU DEL SOLE
TERRE SICILIANE ROSO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

If you ever ratted out your mob colleagues, you might end up in witness protection running a Ferris wheel. Still, all is not lost: when your pasta dinner is basically egg noodles and ketchup, Lupu del Sole Rosso is the wine upgrade that might make you nostalgic for your loansharking and whacking days.

This blend of Nero d’Avola/Nerello Mascalese exudes the essence of both Sicilian varietals. Flamboyant aromatics with blackberry and plum tones but also conveying its vibrancy. Well-rounded and flavorful this is a wonderful summer red to pair with slow roasted chicken spiked with lots of Italian herbs, caponata, arancini or saltimbocca.

2020 HAUT-RIAN CADILLAC
COTES-DE-BORDEAUX ROUGE
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

Chateau Haut-Rian’s classic red Bordeaux is drinking oh so beautifully at age five.

2020 is classic in aromas and flavors and is prototype French Merlot (90%) with a ten percent addition of Cabernet Sauvignon. Sumptuous blueberry fruit leads the way followed by a mosaic of herbs and spices including tealeaf, dark chocolate and turned earth. A seductive attack with supple texture and brilliant mineral/earth detail, there is no question that it is Bordeaux. Very red and black cherry on the ringing, fine, deceptively long finish. Drink with chicken dishes, cheeseburgers, lentil soup and more.

2020 ALVAR DE DIOS ARRIBES TINTO
'CAMINO DE LOS ARRIEOS'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

From Arribes, a remote region in western Spain along the Portuguese border, this field blend is built around Rufete with lesser amounts of other native varieties from 36 tiny plots.

At 12.5% alcohol, this red shows the fragrant minerality of Arribes’ hillside soils, with bright notes of blackberry, olive, and sanguine. Allspice and licorice frame layers of berry, herbs, and peppermint. Lacy and full of personality, this gamey, gnarly wine shines at the table with ham, pork, bacon, and more.

BIANCAVIGNA PROSECCO
CONEGLIANO VALDOBBIADENE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

A Prosecco that doesn’t p#ss me off, BiancaVigna’s bubblies defy the usual mediocrity—more soul and depth, less bubble-gum gloss born of a marketing idiot’s concept.

The color and fragrances of this sparkler provide luminosity with no shortage of fabulous flavor. Wildflowers, lime and yellow apple twinkle from the glass. Texturally it is pure silk with dignified bubbles that caress the senses before closing with a long, virtually ambient finish. Perfect as an aperitif and as a refined accompaniment for hors d'oeuvres, first courses and magnificent with sushi.

2023 ALAIN GRAILLOT
CROZES-HERMITAGE BLANC
$49.99 BTL./$299.94 - SIX PACK

Back in 2015 when I visited Domaine Graillot, Max Graillot was fully on board with the changes made to this limited white wine. Formerly, Max’s father Alain made it an old-fashioned, heavier, oaky style. Nowadays this 80% Marsanne/20% Roussanne blend is aged in half one-year barrels with the other half in stainless steel without the use of malolactic fermentation.

Savory, expressive aromas fill the glass led by apricot and pear with ginger, jasmine, anise and white pepper undertones. Fruit-driven, lovely round core, sneaky mineral with plenty of late-arriving mandarin tones provide immense palate-pleasure. Very enjoyable over the next 7-8 years, this wine absolutely sings with asparagus dishes, halibut in sauce or seared scallops wrapped in bacon.

2024 ARCHITECT CABERNET
SAUVIGNON SONOMA
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Architect Cabernet Sauvignon is a bit like Willie Wonka's golden ticket or the next mean spirited reality show, the buzz and excitement never seem to go away and is always viewed, or in this case, consumed. Being one of the best-priced California Cabs that we feature, do not let the Oompa Loompas buy it out from under you.

Teeming with aromas of blueberry, cassis and mocha with no shortage of old-school California peppermint and anisette scents, those who love Cabernet will immediately be impressed. Savory and fruit forward, with amiable flavors, structure and finely balanced tannins that drop a poised, gentlemanly finish that hangs around nicely.

2024 FRANCO SERRA
DOLCETTO D'ALBA
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE

A real steal for the money, this light, vivid Dolcetto is raised in stainless steel and is a bright, quaffable drink with soul.

Pleasurable aromas start with stony minerality, mint, purple flowers and hints of red plum. A wonderful introduction into the grape and grande territorio that is Piedmont. Have with ‘Piemontese Sushi’, known as carne cruda. Steak tartare will work in its place as well as a mushroom dominated pasta dish or a plate of salumi.

2021 KNOLL PINOT NOIR 'ELKTON'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

The Elkton AVA, an enclave within the larger Umpqua Valley AVA, is regarded as the coolest and wettest of all Oregon growing regions. Being a mere thirty-five miles from the coast, it is prime for deliciously full Pinot Noir. After a career in real estate, Leslie Beckley made a momentous change following her passion for viticulture and winemaking in her fifties by starting a vineyard and winery.

Pinots from this region take on aromatic aspects and body that feels a bit like Sonoma Coast but is all Oregon. Marionberry, salt, ground pepper, kisses of chocolate/coriander aromas reveal their presence immediately. In the mouth, one feels the fullness but never without the smoothness and silkiness that is fine Pinot Noir. Formidable thrust and spice on the marine-inspired finish that lingers on in a dark-toned manner. Enjoy it over the next decade.

2024 QUINTA PORRAIS
DOURO BRANCO
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

The Douro region is known for Port, but excellent dry reds and whites are produced.

Made from provincial Codega do Larinho, Rabigato, Verdelho, Viosinho grapes it is provocatively fragrant with bursting aromas of lemon, talc, gerber daisies, and seashells. Lively wiry, very dry clean flavors, movement and extension set it off as a starter or with lighter seafood preparations.

2016 LA RIOJA ALTA RIOJA
'VINA ARANA' GRAN RESERVA
$59.99 BTL./$359.94 - SIX PACK

95 Points – Decanter Magazine…Produced for decades, the great bastion of traditionally styled Rioja La Rioja Alta upgraded their Vina Arana Reserva to Gran Reserva. Deservedly so, the terroir and grapes deliver stunning results and the new 2016 is on top form.

Mineral, sandalwood, roasted spice, lead pencil, game, dried strawberry, and earth shape the nose. Poised and seamless, this old-school Rioja is fresh and sophisticated, with a core of red fruit and a long finish framed by velvety tannins. It will age for at least another decade, but drinks beautifully now with rack of lamb, roasted pork, lentils, or aged cheeses.