WINE DEALS 3/25/2024
On sale:
Venge Scout’s Honor Red Wine 2021, Napa/Sonoma County
A rosé mainly from the Sézannais vineyard blended with 13% red wine from Ambonnay (Montagne de Reims). The wine is fruity and delicious, with both mineral and tannic notes. A lighter dosage would have suited it to accompany feathered game with cranberries. 65% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir, and 15% Pinot Noir vinifie en rouge.
regular great price $44.99
On sale for a limited time: $34.99!
On sale:
Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Paso Robles, CA
The Austin Hope Cabernet displays a beautiful ruby hue. Enticing aromas of fresh black cherry, burnt sugar, and a slight smokiness fill your glass. On the palate, flavors evolve with vanilla foam, ripe dark fruit, roasted coffee, and nuances of spice. This full-bodied wine is rounded out with smooth supple tannins that are brightened with a touch of acidity to balance this crowd-pleasing Cabernet Sauvignon.On sale: $33.99!
regular great price: $39.99
On sale for a limited time: $33.99!
Case price: $367.20! ($30.60)
1) Champagne A. Bergere Blanc de Blancs Brut Solera N.V.: $67.99
A Bergère is a high-quality grower Champagne house based in the Côtes des Blancs region. Their Blanc de Blancs Solera is 100% Chardonnay with low dosage and partially barrel-fermented for extra complexity. An elegant, crisp Champagne with notes of white peach and nougat, and a gorgeous creamy palate. It caresses the mouth, offering fine acidity, hazelnut, and apricot on the long, satin-textured finish. The base year for this wine is 2020.
2) Champagne A. Bergere Millesime 2012 Brut: $93.99
This Champagne is crafted from vines grown on limestone soils in the villages of Fèrebrianges, Congy, Etoges, and Sézanne. A perpetual search to express terroir through viticulture that is respectful of nature. It is a blend of 100% Chardonnay, vinified and aged on lees, partially in 228L barrels. This unfiltered wine has zero dosage.
3) Champagne A. Bergère Rosé de Saignée Brut: $79.99
Champagne Bergère has a rich family history. In the 1950s, Albert Bergère established his champagne house by utilizing the family vineyards. Success followed through hard work and consistency. His son André took over the business and expanded the estate in the 1980s under the leadership of his wife Brigitte. The adventure continues with the children, all of whose first names begin with the letter “A” of the “A” in Bergère. The Rosé de Saignée from Champagne house A. Bergère is a blended champagne made from 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir, sourced from the terroirs of Fèrebrianges, Étoges, and Congy (in the Vallée du Petit Morin near Montmirail in the Marne). The vines grow in calcareous and clay soils. Vinification is partially done in barrels using a base wine from the year 2018.
4) Crown Point Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara: $147.99
The purpose of this wine is to showcase Crown Point’s hillside vineyard and its synergy with Cabernet Sauvignon. The higher elevation, combined with increased rock content, brings tension to the wines, balancing the heat and sunshine. California clones adapted well to the Mediterranean conditions in this warm year. The backbone of this wine comes from Clone 8, known for its fresh fruit character tracing back to Château Margaux, and To Kalon Clone 2, an infamous selection from the To Kalon vineyard in Napa that delivers spice and concentration. This intense wine features complex notes of cherries, blackberries, and floral tones, harmonizing with trademark savoriness. It can be enjoyed now or cellared for the next 20 years.
5) Crown Point Estate Selection Proprietary Red Wine 2017, Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara: $147.99
The 2017 Crown Point Estate Selection is an engaging wine with captivating notes. On the nose, discover red fruit, strawberries, and vibrant floral tones of violets harmonizing with toasted coffee. The palate reveals a gentle sweetness, fine-grain tannins, and a velvety texture that lingers in a long finish. This Bordeaux-style blend consists of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 10% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot.
6) Cantina Sangro Terra Regia Montepulciano D’Abruzzo Riserva DOC 2019: $23.99
Cantina Sangro draws its name from the Sangro River, which rises in the heart of Abruzzo National Park near Pescasseroli in the Apennine Mountains. This river plays a vital role as one of the major waterways on the Adriatic side of the Apennines. The winery, situated on the left side of the valley, benefits from deep, rich soils composed of silt and limestone pebbles—a perfect terroir for thriving grapes. Cantina Sangro recently welcomed Gianni Pasquale, a respected Italian winemaker, who leads some of the major cooperatives in Abruzzo.
The 2018 vintage was favorable for Abruzzo. Vinous Media awarded it 90 points, describing the whites and reds as a pleasure to taste, showcasing a cooler vintage character that will continue to improve with time in the bottle. This Montepulciano Riserva spent 9 months in French oak barrels, resulting in a wine with a very intense ruby red color. Its complex and elegant aromas reveal violets, matured red fruits, vanilla, and spicy notes.
7) Les Champs de l’Abbaye La Brigadiere Mercurey 2018, Cote Chalonnaise, Burgundy: $44.99 This certified Biodynamic and Organic wine is crafted with care. At the cellar, only natural yeasts are used, and each vintage’s unique profile is followed, avoiding additives or manipulations. The result is a wine bottled without fining or filtration. The vineyard lies in a lieu-dit with light brown surface soil, scree white limestone, and white marl sub-soil. Southwest exposure and situated just above the 1st crus. Aged 35-40 years, it undergoes 10 days of fermentation, followed by 11 months in barrels (20% new) and one month of tank assembly.
8) Schloss Gobelsburg Ried Lamm Erste Lage Gruner Veltliner 2021, Austria: $89.99 This Grüner Veltliner from the Ried Lamm vineyard offers a hint of nutty, creamy oak. On the palate, discover creaminess and flavors of freshly peeled green banana, expanding into woodland-scented freshness of moss. The wine resonates with understated ripeness and inner calm, exuding quiet power. Its fine, rounded body finishes long and vibrant (bone-dry).
9) Cornerstone Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Calistoga: $93.99 This Cabernet Sauvignon collection reveals robust aromas, combining classic Calistoga character with red and black fruit, and a hint of earthiness. Complex and integrated, flavors of black licorice, anise, brown sugar, and spice wrap around a silky layer of vanilla. Elegant and powerful, this Cabernet delivers ripe summer fruit and dark red berry characteristics.
10) Cornerstone Cellars Red Blend 2017, Oakville: $129.99 From a legendary vineyard owned and farmed by the University of California, Davis, this wine brilliantly expresses Oakville terroir. Each of the three Bordeaux varietals contributes its unique character to this complex red blend:
Cabernet Franc: Lively red fruit with a touch of herbs.
Cabernet Sauvignon: Adds weight, depth, and lushness to the midpalate.
Merlot: Wraps it all up with juicy ripe summer fruit flavor.
11) Jeff Runquist Petite Sirah Salmon Vineyard 2022, Clarksburg: $32.99
The 2022 vintage boasts a dark purple hue, rich but not overly intense. Ripe sweet black cherries dominate the aroma, accompanied by blackberry and cassis. There’s a comforting warmth reminiscent of a local baker’s ‘Triple Berry’ pie filling. Aged in 100% new French Oak, it offers nutmeg, caramel, and chocolate notes.
12) Heidi Schröck & Söhne Weissburgunder 2021, Burgenland, Austria: $24.99
This Weissburgunder (Germanic name for Pinot Blanc) is a classic yet delightfully lifted expression of the variety from Austrian wine rockstar Heidi Schröck. Pale yellow with a green edge in the glass, notes of yellow apple, peach, and vanilla continue onto the palate. It has a medium body and fine structure, making it a perfect match for dishes like oven-roasted chicken or spaghetti al limone.
13) Jermann Ramat Pinot Grigio 2021, Friuli: $39.99
This Pinot Grigio opens with a steely edge of minerality, followed by a mix of fresh apples, pear, lemon, and fresh herbs. The palate offers more texture and oomph than your typical Pinot Grigio, showcasing beautifully balanced orchard fruit and fresh flowers, with a sea salt brininess on the finish.
14) Sordo Barbaresco DOCG 2018, Piedmont: $61.99
The Sordo Barbaresco reveals a shiny, transparent ruby red color that matures to garnet over time. Its elegant perfume evokes flowers, violet, and delicate spices. Structured and balanced, it features soft tannins and good freshness. This wine truly shines after 5 to 10 years of aging.
15) Sea Smoke Southing Pinot Noir 2021, Santa Rita Hills 1.5 l: $289.99
At Sea Smoke, Pinot Noir is exclusively grown on the south-facing hillsides of their estate vineyards. The cool maritime fog layer (known as “sea smoke”) slows ripening, resulting in top-quality Pinot Noir. The ever-changing nose of the Southing exhibits fresh strawberry, geranium, Montmorency cherry, and subtle baking spices, enhanced by fine tannins and minerality from the estate’s characteristic cool climate acidity.
16) RAW Really Awesome Wine Sparkling White, Villanueva de Alcardete, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain: $15.99 A blend of 50% Airén and 50% Sauvignon Blanc, with 16g of sugar added in the form of unfermented Muscat. Pale yellow with a greenish iridescence. Light and invigorating flavors of white fruit, fresh grapes, spring flowers, and a hint of tangerine, all brought to vivid life by a gentle fizz. Pop that top and serve chilled with tapas, seafood, risotto, or sushi.
17) Massican Annia White Blend 2022, Napa Valley, CA: $30.99A blend of 41% Ribolla Gialla, 33% Tocai Friulano, and 26% Chardonnay.Harvested separately and fermented independently in French Oak and stainless steel tanks. Aromas of apple and citrus blossoms, honeysuckle, and wet stones. Flavors of lemons, peaches, and sea foam.
18) Chateau Belgrave Grand Cru Classe En 1855 2017, Haut-Medoc: $59.99
88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot. Very deep and concentrated in appearance. Intense bouquet with ripe, fresh black fruit aromas, dominated by cassis. Initially smooth on the palate, it explodes to reveal full-bodied fruity texture, coated by fine-grained and silky tannins. An elegant, full, and fresh wine with a lingering, distinguished, aromatic finish.
19) Thomas & Fils Sancerre Grand’Chaille 2022, Loire Valley: $44.99
The Grand’Chaille refers to the flinty soils (Silex) of this vineyard. Expressive with zesty citrus fruits, pear, white flowers, and white pepper, the rocky minerality lingers throughout with a smoky flint character. This wine delivers pure terroir expression with a satisfying and powerful finish. Pair it with steamed fish, crustaceans, oysters, seafood risotto, warm goat cheese salad, trout, salmon mousse canapés, fresh shrimp, and vegetables. Serve it at the perfect temperature between 10-14°C.
20) Altemasi Brut DOC, Trento: $23.99
This sparkling wine is fruit-forward with pleasant toasted notes on the nose. Crisp and balanced on the palate, it is excellent as an aperitif and pairs well with seafood pasta dishes and salmon. It is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes.
21) Brancaia Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2020, Tuscany: $47.99
Brancaia Chianti Classico Riserva is an intense, medium to full-bodied wine. It offers a long bouquet of cherry, black fruit, and a continuum of spice, leather, tar, and tilled earth. The mouthfeel is equal parts structured, fresh, and succulent. Pair it with grilled meat, roast or braised beef and veal, stewed dishes, grilled fish, and pasta dishes with strong tasting sauces. Wine Spectator rates it 94 points and suggests enjoying it from 2025 through 2045.
22) Brancaia Ilatraia 2020, Maremma, Tuscany: $67.99
Ilatraia is a modern and terroir-typical blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Petit Verdot, and 20% Cabernet Franc. This full-bodied wine offers freshness, definition, and elegance. Expect intense aromas of black fruit, fine tannins, and a luscious finish. It pairs well with dishes featuring balanced, intense flavors, such as meat and game dishes (fried or braised), as well as poultry like pigeon or pheasant. Try it with their favorite fresh tagliatelle and wild boar ragout.
James Suckling rates it at 95 points. The wine boasts a very pure and attractive fruit character, including blackberries and blueberries, with undertones of crushed violets, dark chocolate, and savory herbs. You’ll also detect hints of citrus peel and wet stones. The wine is full-bodied, with super fine tannins and crunchy acidity that adds tension and energy to the fruit. It’s polished and silky, with a very long finish. The blend includes petit verdot, cabernet sauvignon, and cabernet franc, all sourced from organically grown grapes.
23) Brancaia Il Blue IGT 2020, Rosso Toscana, Chianti: $101.99
Brancaia’s top wine, Il Blu, perfectly embodies the unmistakable identity of the winery. Their winemaking vision is based on an uncompromising commitment to quality and respect for nature. Since its debut in 1988, Il Blu has been the result of their constant pursuit of perfection. It is exclusively pressed from the best, hand-selected grapes from two vineyards in the Chianti region. The blend consists of 80% Merlot, 10% Sangiovese, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.
James Suckling rates this wine at 96 points. It boasts attractive blueberries, brambles, and cherries, complemented by spiced orange peel and lilac blossom. You’ll also notice hints of smoky dark spices and cocoa. The wine is full, concentrated, and very tense, with tightly packed yet polished and fine tannins. The fruit exhibits succulence and vibrancy, leading to a mineral, slightly chalky finish.
As for the recent tasting, it seems these wines are both very good and well-priced. The famous consulting winemaker Philippe Melka certainly has an eye for quality!
24) Andis Wines Sauvignon Blanc 2022, Sierra Foothills: $20.99
Our Sauvignon Blanc shows lemon blossom aromas, tangy but ripe citrus flavors, and a hint of fresh-cut green apples backed by a refreshing acidity to make this medium-bodied wine extremely appealing. Serve chilled alongside seafood, light pasta dishes, and chicken. 94% Sauvignon Blanc – Andis Estate, Rancho Victoria, Salman Farms, Oleta Vineyards, Codevilla Vineyard. 4% Semillon- Bill Dillian Vineyard. 2% Arinto – Ionian Vineyard.
25) Andis Wines Painted Fields Sierra Cotes Red Blend 2021, Sierra Foothills: $25.99 ($35 at the winery)
Sierra Côtes is a wonderful expression of mountain fruit grown throughout the Sierra Foothills wine region. The days are hot; still, the nights are cooler – creating a perfect Mediterranean micro-climate for delicate Rhone-style grapes like Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre. This provides the ideal ripening in the vines without the loss of acidity. The wine carries spicy notes of licorice, nutmeg, and crushed granite accent, a juicy yet briskly balanced wine marked by a mineral lift. 91 pts. Wine Enthusiast
26) Andis Wines Painted Fields Curse of Knowledge Red Blend 2021, Sierra Foothills: $22.99
The intense ruby color and a sensational bouquet of dried violet, black cherry, fresh herbs, and cocoa powder will catch your attention. A balanced mid-palate, generous, and round due to the velvety tannins with a lingering finish of dark berries and black licorice. 77% Cabernet Sauvignon – Andis Estate, Rancho Victoria, Brice Station. 13% Cabernet Franc – Hawk Creek, Brice Station, Salman Farms. 7% Merlot – Miraflores. 3% Petite Verdot – Bokisch Vineyard.
27) Andis Wines Cabernet Franc 2021, Sierra Foothills: $34.99 ($45 at the winery)
Our Cabernet Franc comes from vineyards at high elevations in the Sierra Foothills. These vineyards boast a long growing season, which allows the grape to develop rich flavors and intense colors. Thanks to the volcanic soils, the wine is very true to the varietal’s characteristics, with spicy aromas of tobacco, graphite, and black olive. This rich and layered red wine has flavors of black cherry and dark chocolate, with delicate tannins and a slight tang of acidity that keep it perfectly balanced. 92 pts. Wine Enthusiast Editor’s Choice
28) Andis Wines Petite Sirah 2020, Sierra Foothills: $31.99 ($40 at the winery)
This wine is robust in flavor, appropriately laced with firm tannins, and begs a dry-aged T-bone to pair with. It has a deep color, moderately spicy blackberry aromas, and a firm mouthfeel. Blackberry and subtle blueberry flavors push through on the finish. 93 pts. Wine Enthusiast
29) Andis Wines Painted Fields Old Vine Zinfandel 2021, Sierra Foothills: $21.99 ($30 at the winery)
Our Old Vine Zinfandel is sourced from different vineyards throughout the Sierra Foothills AVA region to compose a beautiful, elegant red wine similar to what was likely produced here in the early days before Zinfandel wine became a jammy fruit bomb. Our 2021 vintage is a well-balanced, layered, and seamless wine offering tons of fresh blackberry and raspberry flavors wrapped in a bracing texture of fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. 95% Zinfandel, 5% Barbera. 90 pts. Wine Enthusiast
30) Andis Wines Shake Ridge Ranch Reserve Zinfandel 2020, Sierra Foothills: $50.99
This vintage of Zinfandel is a bold and warmly appealing wine offering classic blackberry and black-cherry flavors; hints of chocolate and vanilla to add to all the ripe black fruits. 93 pts. Wine Enthusiast