Hot Sheets

Domaine de L'Ameillaud is based in the Southern Rhone village of Cairanne and over the last decade they have been consistent go-to wines that offer up insane quality for not much money. Currently we see Cairanne wines running in the $20-$30 range yet this version at 15 doesn't take a back seat to most of them.

Magnetic scents of roasted strawberry, lavender, rock dust and pronounced white pepper that are the essence of Provencal beauty entice from the moment it's poured. Supple, spicy and full-textured in the mouth with very smooth tannins, this is a blazing selection for drinking over the next 3-5 years and is a perfect pairing with roasted pork or a daube de boeuf.

100% Montepulciano, this flavorful red wine from Italy's Le Marches region along the Adriatic coast is poetic and animalistic all at once. Very exciting aromas of plum, violet, mineral and tell-tale Montepulciano sanguine aspects build nicely from the glass. In the mouth it is firmly dry with nice depth and earth tones. Food-friendly, enjoy this sinister beauty with hearty pasta dishes or braised beef.

Not only is Garofoli one of Le Marches most important producers, they tend to almost always be mentioned when it comes to Italy's elite even though they make such affordable wines. Both red and white wines are produced here in many ranges. If you love Italian wine values we can't encourage you more to try some of Garofoli's delectable wines. The Piancarda is just the first, keep watching for more!

93 POINTS & YEAR'S BEST ARGENTINE MALBEC – WINE ENTHUSIAST MAGAZINE
One of the world's southernmost wine growing regions is quickly and quietly becoming a rising force. With its various microclimates, Patagonia is one of the world's unique wine areas because here Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet and Pinot Noir are all cultivated and done very well and now are forging their own identities in the wine world. Bodega Noemia have risen to being one of the 2 or 3 leaders of this area and their Malbecs are outstanding.

The 2012 "A Lisa" is from a vineyard planted in 1932. Black licorice, smoked raspberry, tar and rose petal intermingle with subtle sandalwood and vanilla notes that show wonderful refinement. The palate is nicely integrated, velvety and possessing good concentration. The finish is sleek, lasting and incredibly full of life. Drink over the next decade.

Hey Kids this is Cabernet Franc, but what we really have here is Cabernet Franc with sass & soul! When poured in the glass, the hue of purple is stunningly gorgeous and equally gorgeous are the wine's aromas. One of the fine estates from an appellation that is not widely-known in America, Saumur, Domaine Filliatreau makes exquisitely detailed and pure expressions of Loire Valley Cabernet Franc. Eschewing the use of oak, these neo-classical wines always possess soaring fruit, deep color and plenty of intensity without any make-up or lipstick.

Very revealing scents of black raspberry, sandalwood, pronounced stony aspects, jasmine and pepper roll from the glass. More spice aromas come on as it opens and we recommend using a Riedel Pinot Noir glass while enjoying. Ardent and fruit-driven with plenty of soulful, mineral tones which bring brightness to the sumptuous finish. Have this wine with anything lamb, a chicken drumstick, duck, or (no joke) carnitas! This is total pleasure wine and is one that Parisians go bonkers over, especially given its insanely low price. Wines like this are the reason that Bryan loves France so much.

Austria is not Germany and Germany is not Austria and the wines that come from these two countries are very different. For starters and probably the most important distinction to make is that most Austrian whites are dry. Although there are high-quality and beautiful Rieslings being made in both countries, Gruner Veltliner is an expertise and spiritual grape of the Austrians. The easy-drinking 2011 Loimer "Lois" is the perfect quaffing white.

Vibrant, crisp and dry with a bounty of refreshing lemon/lime, green apple and crushed rock with a slight spicy exotic note that brings another level of flavor in the mouth. A terrifically tasty white that matches beautifully with asparagus, artichoke hearts, greens, tomato and basil salad and seafood. Drink now, drink lots.

It has been a while since we've offered up an old-fashioned "California-style" Chardonnay. So after reading that statement you may be wondering by now what the heck is "California style"? The answer is that it's simply the politically correct term for saying "a Louisville slugger and a pound of butter"!

Fruit-focused and mouth-filling with tropical overtones of papaya and mango supplemented by full toasty and buttery flavors, this full-on Chard maintains very balance and zip that sometimes is sorely lacking in these sort of wines. Drinkable now and calls for foods such as salmon, spicy mussels, creamy risottos and pungent flavored cheeses.

The latest entry in our 8 dollar wine sweepstakes is this everyday-drinking dry red from famed Port lodge, Warre's. As you would expect from a Duoro wine, lots of lush dark berry tones with hints of earth, chocolate and pepper rule the day. Juicy and ripe berries coat the mouth with a soft texture and a touch of spice on the finish. This versatile fun red is perfect for weeknight drinking with cheeseburgers and other good things.

94 POINTS – THE WINE ADVOCATE
For under 45 bucks, this is a Brunello that is an unmitigated heist and perfect for those who collect and love these wines! Here's a case where a top producer makes a top tine in every vintage and in fact, this is a 2008 that towers over both 2006 and 2007. "…rich, lush and layered, yet also remarkably light on its feet, the 2008 Brunello di Montalcino dazzles from start to finish. Sweet roses, red berries, flowers, mint and orange peel all take an appearance in this utterly impeccable polished Brunello. I imagine the 2008 will still be a special wine at age 30. The aromas are naturally still quite primary, so some cellaring is advisable. The brutal August hailstorm took with it a full 40% of the production, but left behind a strikingly beautiful Brunello endowed with seemingly endless layers of fruit and fabulous overall balance. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2038."

"When all is said and done, Col d'Orcia might have produced not just one of the wines of the 2008 vintage, but possibly two. Proprietor Francesco Marone Cinzano and his team, led by long-time estate manager Edoardo Virano, have done a magnificent job with these wines, the Brunellos in particular. Like many estates in this part of the region, Col d'Orcia was hammered by the August 15 hailstorm. Yields were down by a whopping 40%. What the estate lost in production is compensated with the superb quality of the wines… - 94 POINTS – THE WINE ADVOCATE".