The Cellar Shot
- Peay Scallop Estate Scallop Shelf Pinot Noir 2017, West Sonoma Coast - A beautiful wine with delicate aromas of fragrant earth, bergamot, saline, iodine and aniseed. In the mouth, it’s medium-bodied, uber silky and concentrated with broody, spicy, fruits, seamless freshness and a very long, layered finish.
- Pradeaux Bandol Rouge 2019, Provence, France - Mourvèdre, with 5% Grenache adding spice to the bouquet and leveling some of the intimidating structure of the Mourvèdre. Notes of roasted plum, Turkish coffee, grilled meat and crushed herbs. It is rich but not heavy and has a full-bodied mouthfeel. Youthful but approachable. Beware - Decant First!
The Californian
- La Clarine Farm ‘The Angle of Repose’ Syrah / Tannat 2022, Sierra Foothills - Organically grown with minimal intervention wine. Lifted aromas of cherry and herbs with an earthy undertone. Good acidity and firm tannins. All Roads Lead to Rhône!
- Eugenia Rosé of Cinsault 2023, Lodi, California - Delicate salmon-copper hue, this wine displays subtle mineral and candied orange peel notes. On the palate, it bursts with fresh fruit flavors, underscored by lively citric acidity.
- Pasterick Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Dry Creek -Midnight purple, opaque, and slightly cloudy. Opens with a black currant and black licorice bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium-plus bodied and fruit forward. The flavor profile is black licorice and blackberry blend with notes of black currant, oak, purple grape popsicle and black pepper spice. The finish is dry and its moderate tannins stick around for quite some time!
The Trust Fall
- 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!
- Clos Cibonne 'Tentations' Côtes de Provence Rosé 2024, Provence, France - This Grenache blend is focused on the expression of fresh fruit. Offers immediate and unpretentious enjoyment, it is fantastic as an aperitif, and also has the complexity to compliment diverse flavors at the table. High quality to price ratio!
- Domaine de Colette Gamay Nature 2023, Beaujolais, France - From a classic house in Beaujolais this wine offers primary fruit, minerality, low tannin, and pleasurable drinkability with a twist. Making a wine sans soufre, the Lantignié Nature has vibrant red fruit flavors (strawberry, cherry, raspberry), along with floral notes (rose petal) and a touch of mineral spice, with just a bit brighter acidity.
The Pop & Pour
- Ecstatic Truth 'This Was' Cabernet Sauvignon & Syrah 2020, Sierra Foothills - An inspired red blend from high altitude sites. This Was is a sort of distillation of the entire growing year in a bottle. Stylistically, it leans a bit towards the Languedoc - without the rough edges. It is rich, sappy, giving, and in its own way, elegant.
- Cavalchina Bardolino Chiaretto Rosé 2023, Veneto, Italy - This Corvina blend has a color that is extremely delicate but don’t let that fool you as this wine has quite the presence on the palate. Very well-balanced and structured with much more character to offer than the color suggests.
- Château Lestrille-Capmartin Bordeaux Blanc 2020, Bordeaux, France - A smooth, ripe Semillion blend bursting with white peach flavors and superb lemon freshness. Concentrated apricot flavors on the palate are underpinned by spicy wood and the palate finishes with a long, rich, toasty note.