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2018 SQUARE, PLUMB & LEVEL
ZINFANDEL DRY CREEK
$14.99 BTL/$179.88 CASE

Square, Plumb & Level is a collaboration between Bill Knuttel, formerly of Saintsbury and Chalk Hill and now his own Knuttel Family Winery and Crafted Brands. These wines are sourced from actual vineyard sites versus buying bulk juice. This allows expression of place as well as control over what goes into the wine and the first effort that I tried impressed mightily.

The backbone of this Dry Creek Zin is the Biglieri Vineyard and its 55-year-old vines. Deep, forward, chewy and deliciously fun with dark berry fruit, roasted earth and pepper spice on the thrill-ride nose. In the mouth, it offers up refined intensity with plenty of juicy blackberry, brambly raspberry, and vanilla, roasted coffee and exotic spice. The finish is peppery, juicy and easy to like, especially at this price. A no-brainer with anything from mushroom risotto, pizza or pasta and a great match for a cheese plate with semi-soft cheeses and cured meats. Full bodied yet civilized, enjoy this remarkable value over the next 3-4 years.

2015 BREZZA BARBERA D'ALBA SUPERIORE
$19.99 BTL./$119.94 - SIX PACK

From a Barolo maestro, the secret behind Enzo Brezza’s Barbera Superiore is that it is blended from two apex Barolo vineyards, Cannubi and Cannubi Muscatel. The pedigree on this traditionally styled wine is very formidable all while possessing class and depth. In fact, if he had Nebbiolo planted to these two sites (and he does,) it would be Barolo and almost three times the price.

Never straying from its varietal roots in the mouth, the nose reveals dark plum, dusty clay, classic Barolo-village aromatic floral, porcini, mineral and subtle licorice notes. More aromatically expressive as it unfolds in the glass, it entices you to do what nature tells one to do with Barbera, drink the damn thing! Oozing class on the palate, it is seamless Barbera. Savory, mouth crawling and impressively put together, especially on the finish that fans out nicely. A significant step-up from everyday Barbera, try with risotto or braised beef over the next several years.

2018 JUSTIN GIRARDIN SANTENAY BLANC
'LES TERRASSES DE BIEVAUX'
$27.99 BTL./$335.88 CASE

There have been wine producing Girardins in Burgundy, mainly Santenay, since 1570. The latest to make a big splash is Justin Girardin, son of Jacques and nephew of Vincent Girardin. Having taken over the family's 35 or so acres stretching from Savigny-les-Beaune, through Pommard and Chassagne-Montrachet and into Santenay, we recommend Burgundy lovers jump on this kid's wines before the prices escalate.

Santenay is a village that is adjacent to Chassagne-Montrachet and this wine will knock over some of the more famous neighboring wines that are much more expensive. Clay/limestone soils and a site that allows for fine ripeness, however the elevation and underlying limestone bring about plenty of zest and energy. Drinking very well right now yet with a spirited future ahead, it displays pineapple, lemon, wet stone and spice tones that follow into a texture that has impressive depth and announces itself as a giant overachiever, especially given its 28-dollar price tag. No doubt, this is a sexy white Burgundy experience, will drink nicely for 5-7 more years and will pair nicely with scallop or chicken dishes.

2018 RITME PRIORAT
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

Many of you have had the chance to experience the Montsant wines from our friend Albert Jane and his Acustic Celler. In 2010 Albert decided to expand his small operation to include wines from the vaunted Priorat region under the Ritme Celler name and in accordance to the Acustic wines, they are sublime both in quality and in price. A couple weeks back on our Zoom Catalan Tasting, this wine showed magnificently.

70% Samso (Carignan), 30% Garnatxa, this is Priorat with class and vibrancy along with all of the classic slate aspects of the vineyards. Seductive cinnamon notes creep through and are nicely enhanced by high-toned wild strawberry notes. Lacy and rather expansive with serious old-vine depth; rather crunchy fruit shows off well in the mouth. Lots of length on the impressive finish that is enhanced by flavors of wind-swept Mediterranean herbs. Drink over the next decade.

2018 CHATEAU CLAMENS
COMTE TOLOSAN ROUGE
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE

Comte Tolosan is a country French region that encompasses a wide area of the Southwest of France, south of Bordeaux and just sitting above Madiran and the Pyrenees then stretching over to Toulouse. Chateau Clamens is a Fronton specialist but they make delicious vin de soif within this Protege region.

Blended with almost equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon, Negrette, Syrah and Merlot and organically farmed, soil-driven with ripe blackberry scents make this very different from Bordeaux, Madiran or Cahors. The fullness of the 2018 vintage is evident here with creamy berries, dark chocolate, sanguine and violet. Generous, fleshy and flavorful with the wildness of Negrette present on the sassy and assertive finish. French to its core, have this with anything that is bad for you…rillettes, confit, paté, etc.

2019 SYNCLINE GRUNER VELTLINER
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Very legit, this NW version of Austria’s spiritual grape is one hell of a tasty number and really deserves your attention. From the Bloxom Vineyard, located east of Yakima and north of the Rattlesnake Hills the Gruner grape thrives in this location.

Symmetrical, sleek, athletic and energetic with mineral soaked lime and peach-pit aromas and flavors, the mineral intensity turns to a crisp and fresh mouthfeel that instantly coats and cleanses the entire palate. Try this delicious Gruner with everything from salad, cabbage-based dishes, blanched asparagus and grilled prawns all the way to pork chops with a fruit preparation.

2017 CAMERON PINOT NOIR
ABBEY RIDGE
SPECIAL - $65.99 - 12 btls available

While doing year-end inventory I discovered a case of this blockbuster, soon to be legendary, very ageworthy Oregon Pinot hanging around the house. I can easily raise the price on this but we will offer these on their original price for a while or until they sell out.

Not for instant accessibility, the 40-year-old vines at Abbey Ridge always produce magical wines. Exciting, exuberent scents that go from introvert to extrovert and back and forth. Hints of Valhrona chocolate but with sneaky perfume and a whole heap of raspberries and red earth. Very fleet-footed and full of sophistication with awesome old vine depth. Vertical and all in mid-palate at this point but over time this wine will expand and really spread out. A real teaser that keeps one tuned in, this is definitely a long-ager and will be a grand vin indeed. Potentially one of the greatest Abbey Ridge Pinots ever, drink 2023 – 2035.

2006 SCARPA BARBARESCO
'TIETTINIEVE'
SPECIAL - $79.00 - 3 btls available

Reg. $119.99. If one really yearns for the flavors and experience of true-to-life old school, uber-traditional Barbaresco then this is a wine that will really make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. Tenuta Scarpa is a true throwback aging their wines in old large barrels for 42 months followed by two more years of bottle age before release. With a large back stock, Scarpa frequently releases library wine such as this.

Tettinieve is a single cru 6-acre vineyard in the Barbaresco village of Nieve. 2006 is one of the three superb vintages in the decade of the 00's in Barbaresco and this wine is just starting to drink immaculately and will continue to do so for quite some time. Antique aromas of dried roses, sandalwood, porcini, menthol, mountain spices and on and on. Gorgeously giving there are no concessions to modernity here, this is dry, all about the land that it comes from and reflects its 15-year old color and age. Drawn-out and the essence of ‘guttural sensuality', this wine is dreamy for anyone who loves the nuances of old Nebbiolo. Drink through 2030+.

2008 SCARPA BARBARESCO
'TIETTINIEVE'
SPECIAL - $79.00 - 3 btls available

Reg. $119.99. 2008 is another superlative year for Barbaresco (more so than for Barolo) and when you combine that with Scarpa's old-time philosophies, you have one big mamma mia of a well-aged Barbaresco experience.

This wine is all about aged Barbaresco and it shows off telltale, glorious aromas of licorice, porcini mushroom, camphor and mineral. In the mouth, it fans out beautifully, but possesses smoothness and subtlety of what older wines from this region deliver. Lots of harmony, grace and detail on the long finish, this outstanding offering is certainly very drinkable now and will continue to drink through 2030+.