The Cellar Shot
- Terre Porziane Malvasia 2013, Lazio, Italy - From the low yielding Colle Gaio vineyard, this wine spends three to four days on the skins prior to pressing and slow fermentation. On its lees in stainless tanks for at least four years or even more years until ready to be bottled. Bright pale straw colour develops golden hints with age. Rich, intense nose with herbal overtones in full-bodied, very rich-textured palate with complex, nutty flavours and great length.
- Domaine Pinson Mont-de-Milieu Premier Cru Chablis 2022, Burgundy, France - From 60-year-old southeast-facing vines, with 10% of the blend matured in new oak. Floral notes combine with good ripeness of stone fruit on the palate, freshened up by lovely acidity. Plenty of mineral notes add extra complexity to the whole. An excellent premier cru which has power but in a refined, elegant package.
The Californian
- Gros Ventre High Country White Chenin Blanc Blend 2021, Sierra Foothills - This cuvée spent an additional 2 years in stainless steel tanks adding more integrated aromas, acidity and weight. Notes of stone fruit, white flowers, and Christmas spices. Cellar worthy. Sonoma meets Alto Adige!
- Ghostnote Sauvignon Blanc 2023, San Benito County - From Vista Verde Vineyard, owned and farmed organically by the renowned Williams Selyem. Crisp with tart acidity and a nice aromatic range of citrus, stone fruit, and herbs.
- Los Chuchaquis Cabernet Sauvignon & Negrette Blend 2023, San Benito County - This blend is fresh and balanced, with notes of dark fruit, black pepper, and grippy tannins. Pair it with venison, grilled sausages, and lamb dishes.
The Natural
- De la Soif Le Soleil Chenin Blanc 2022, Clarksburg - Kayne Guzowski’s (of Deux Punx) solo project. Crisp and fresh bubbly. Organic, unfined, and unfiltered. No added SO2.
- Negotians Vinarius Plavac Mali 2021, Korčula, Croatia - Less than 50 cases produced. The small (mali) berries and thick skins. Acidity and balance. Ripeness and drive makes this wine a refreshing blast from Dalmatia. 3 days skin maceration, grippy, aromatic and alive. A rarely seen version of the most planted red grape in the country. Stains the glass!
- Negotians Vinarius Pošip 2021 2021, Korčula, Croatia - Skin contact, spontaneous fermentation, no temperature control, and no additions of any kind except a minimal amount of sulfur at bottling. All wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered from the tank by hand. Great aromatics. Really fresh and bright!
The Trust Fall
- Barbeito Verdelho Branco Reserva 2020, Madeira, Portugal - A throwback to what Madeira wine once was: regular dry white table wines. Significant time in the barrel before release adds complexity and softens the naturally high acidity of the Verdelho grape. This wine is a unique window into the past and maybe the future of Madeira.
- Domaine Faillenc Sainte Marie Rosé of Syrah, Corbières, France - Standing in stark contrast to the ultra-pale-pink direct-press exemplars of modern commercial rosé. This is ripe, juicy, and rich in color, reveling in its evocation of this sun-baked terrain.
- Maurer Crazy Lud Kékfrankos Blend 2023, Subotica, Serbia -core the blend includes Cabernet Sauvignon and Kadarka. A little Muscat and Prokupac as well. Short maceration keeps the aromatics fresh. Grip, meatiness, elegance, and balance. It can take a chill, but doesn’t require it. It’s light and refreshing.
The Pop & Pour
- Tatomer Grüner Veltliner 2021, Santa Barbara - Classic notes such as grapefruit, nectarine, melon, and thyme. Developing honey and beeswax notes over time. Take me to the park on a sunny day!
- Marcio Lopes Vinho Branco 2023, Vinho Verde, Portugal - A blend of Alvarinho, Trajadura, and Loureiro. Certified biodynamic farming, granitic soils. Light in body. Bottled unfined/unfiltered with minimal added So2. Bright, fresh, crisp, and dry.
- Terre Forte Origine Grenache Blend 2015, Rhone, France - Old style Southern Rhone wine. The blend includes Syrah and Carignan. Vibrancy and fresh berries, dark earthy minerality, fennel, lavender, spice, and herb.