2021 GIRARD SANCERRE 'LA GARENNE'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

Nothing says Spring quite like Sancerre, especially when it is from a favorite producer with a new electric vintage. Even more exciting is it is a rare Sancerre bird retailing under thirty dollars. From a 6-acre single vineyard facing eastward with very stony/silica soils with clay streaks, this steep site is seemingly from the Sancerre heavens. We also happen to be very big supports of Alain Girard’s superb Sancerre wines for almost a decade.

2021 is nervy, swervy and may cause one to become sweary after tasting what is the essence of minerality from this famed area. Flinty, mineral, lemon-lime aspects shimmer from the glass. The texture is vivid, zippy, pristine and full of depth and vibrancy. 2021 is a small crop and the wine does a great service by clinging to the palate and extending very well indeed. Perfect to pair with sea bass, halibut or other fishes as well as a young, tangy goat cheese.

2019 DIANETTI ROSSO PICENO
$16.99 BTL./$101.94 - SIX PACK

So many of us have come to love and admire the wines from this southern Le Marches producer. First, it was the Pecorino white wine and over the last year, we have adored this red as well.

Made with almost equal portions of Montepulciano and Sangiovese from the southern reaches of Le Marches, this wine is pure delight. Elusive with perpetual movement, constantly rolling in different, alluring directions each time you draw it to the nose. Piquant, graceful, classy with impressive palate coverage and extension. Creamy, generous and genuine, the two grapes really play their roles to perfection. The darkness and wildness of the Montepulciano offsets the tanginess and roundness of the Sangiovese. One to drink over the next 3-4 years with a classic minestrone, roasted pork loin slathered in Italian herbs penne Bolognese or even a slice of pepperoni pizza.

2019 VILLACRUCES RIBERA DEL DUERO
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

More and more we are coming to realize that 2019 is a fabulous vintage in so many parts of the world and this includes the reds from Spain’s Ribera del Duero and Rioja regions. Ribera del Duero is separated and protected by the Sierra de la Demanda and Sierra de Guadarrama mountain ranges making it a Mediterranean climate versus Rioja and its Atlantic climate. The result is a lusher, fruit-forward, yet structured red made from Tempranillo.

Villacreces is a young producer (founded 2004) that consistently delivers fantastic value reds. For this 100% Tempranillo, the robust nature of the fruit is massaged into a structure that seduces the palate, caressing the tongue with an almost velvety texture. The presence of coolness, fresh-cut flowers, mineral, and creamy marionberry permeate from the glass. Texturally, this is typically formidable yet it is succulent, tender and chock full of exotic spice. Refined and gorgeous now, it will easily develop for 7-8 years as well.

2021 DESVIGNES MORGON 'JAVERNIERES'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

Our mothers have often told us how our generation watches too much television, especially these days with digital cable-TV, YouTube and any abundance of streaming sources. On any given night, one could tune in, look at History documentaries, and see great battles fought throughout time. Better yet, one could tune into the some sort of NFL feed and the golden, deep voice of John Facenda could place you in the glory days of bloody battles between the Steelers and Raiders in the 1970s. Kinda makes you wanna fight! Why do I want to tackle pugilistic endeavors at this time? Mostly because it seems as though every time you mention the word Beaujolais people run away as Dracula does when he sees a clove of garlic! The Desvignes family’s Morgon wines are what are so righteous about all the good that is occurring within Beaujolais right now. From average forty-year-old vines, the wines from Javernieres are more poised, elegant and refined versus the muscular, brooding and powerful versions on the upper slopes.

Consistently one of the most fragrant wines on the Cote-de-Py hill. Dark garnet, with delicious, complex, suggestively perfumed aromas of black plum, blackberries with mineral and subtle notes of tarragon. Bright, layered peppery fruit and herbs make a wine that's refreshing but worthy of more attention than just casual sipping due to its mouthfilling texture that can best be described as a miracle in the mouth! Drink this badass over the next decade with a steak au poivre, Sunday roast beef, grilled pork chop, spicy Vietnamese dishes and more. As this sells out, I do have two other Desvignes Morgon cuvees also available in small quantities.

2021 JC SOMERS PINOT BLANC
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE

Jay Somers’s (formerly at Cameron and J Christopher) JC Somers Pinot Blanc comes from the Dundee Hills and specifically the Tukwila vineyard (located just below Eyrie's vineyard) and is essence of the grape varietal.

Somewhat doubly inspired with creamy tones that feel Alsace but also revealing elevated crispness and steeliness of something from Alto Adige. Aged entirely in stainless steel tanks, abundant smoke, red apple, pear and cardamom along with pure mineral tones glimmer from the glass. The components continue in the mouth, with bursting fruit, along with just the right amount of creaminess, earth, a hint of spice, and a long, dry, piercing finish. A fabulous Oregon Pinot Blanc, enjoy this with grilled king salmon, seafood or chicken curries, crab risotto and more.

2019 QUINTA DOS CURRAIS BEIRA TINTO
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE

Portugal is an emerging player when it comes to wines on all levels but they also continue to make one want to back up a big rig and buy bunches of weeknight reds. The grapes? Who really cares, they are indigenous and difficult to pronounce but when blended into this flavorful wine, it makes it fall into out mantra of don’t think, just drink.

Broad plum and blackberry cobbler scentstouched nicely by vanilla and coffee follow into a packed texture that is appealing. Vivid strawberry flavors arrive on the finish to add lift and bring everything together all in a smoothed-out package. A terrific, above average everyday wine to drink on a Wednesday evening.

2019 TEDESCHI VALPOLICELLA
'MATERNIGO' SUPERIORE
[reg. $39.99]
SECIAL - $29.99 BTL./$179.94 - SIX PACK

Resounding specialist in Il Veneto, the Tedeschi family does not mess around when it comes to their excellent Valpolicella and Amarone wines. Five generations of Tedeschis have been making wine in this region. They are highly thought of by not only their peers but also Italian wine lovers throughout the world. Not only is this a thrill ride of a wine, the locale-named Maternigo is from a vineyard called ‘Impervio’ and is so steep that it may well make a mountain goat puke! This seven-acre single vineyard possesses superior terroir consisting of intermittent white and yellow limestone marls. Done with traditional vinification without any drying of the grapes and aged for 14 months in 2000 and 2500-liter barrels, 2019 is the finest vintage since 2010.

Dense and impressive with aromas of blackberry, bing cherry, almond and dark chocolate filling your nose. The palate is luscious and finely textured, from entry right through to the impressively long, high-toned finish. Despite its depth and spine, it truly reaches the pinnacle of the marriage between balance and approachability as well as elegance and power. Braised pork shoulder, osso bucco and a cheese course are the no-brainer choices but this beauty will make a roasted chicken something special and sing with grilled steak. Drink through 2031.

2016 TEDESCHI VALPOLICELLA
'FABRISIERA' SUPERIORE
[reg. $47.99]
SECIAL - $32.99 BTL./$191.94 - SIX PACK

La Fabriseria is one of the Tedeschi family's top single vineyards with both Amarone and Valpolicella produced from these high-elevation grapes. Simply put, this is one of the finest Valpolicella wines you will taste. Period. Our main man Pancetta has this terrific Valpolicella at a hot price right now, take advantage!

Cropped at virtually the same levels as Amarone, the big difference here is that the grapes aren't dried and unlike the San Rocco, this wine is done without the ripasso technique. 40% Corvina, 40% Corvinone, 15% Rondinella 5% Oseleta, this terrific Italian red is mind blowing. Classic Veneto amare scents along with cherry pit, tealeaf and touches of anise follow through to a concentrated but very well balanced texture that's hearty, savory and engagingly elusive due to aging 24 months in large, traditional Slavonian botti. Long and drawn out, this wine is quite the match with polenta coated with a hearty lamb or pork sugo with porcini mushrooms. Drink through 2029+.

2019 ECHOLANDS SEVEN HILLS
WALLA WALLA RED
$49.99 BTL./$299.94 - SIX PACK

People often ask me who is new and exciting in Walla Walla. After visiting the area last fall, I can emphatically state that one of the finest newbies is Echolands. I have known Doug Frost for over 20 years and while he is quite the character, he is a very astute wine mind. He has to be, Doug is one of the very few who have both Master of Wine and Master Sommelier certifications. Along with partner Brad Bergman and winemaker Taylor Oswald, a Whitman graduate who has toiled around at the likes of Gramercy, Rotie Cellars and Mark Ryan, these wines are purposely from cooler sites.

One of the Walla Walla Valley’s oldest vineyard sites, Seven Hills, founded in 1972. Echolands version is truly inspired by the Left Bank of Bordeaux with its class and character yet never sacrificing the prominent fruit and depth that Walla Walla possesses. 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petite Verdot, this wine is a serious value given the site and pedigree. Many wines sourced from Seven Hills often are north of 60-bucks. Echolands exemplifies the Seven Hills Vineyard and Walla Walla's characteristics of so beautifully with cedary and black cherry elegance, especially on the nose. With perfumed aromas of exotic spice, generous blackberry fruit and a velvety texture, this wine exudes power and grace on an endless, earthy mineral finish. A terrific blend from a terrific vintage, this wine could use a little cellar time. Drink this stunner from end 2024 through 2035.