2022 LI VELI ‘PEZZO MORGANA’
SALICE SALENTINO RISERVA
$23.99 BTL./$143.94 - SIX PACK

The size of the bottle gives notice that this is an unapologetic, turbo-charged Puglia red not influenced by chamber music but power metal. 100% Negroamaro, this massively sculpted has aspects that you want to dive into, hitting every sensory node.

Not for the faint of heart, it is a virtual mosh pit of flavor highlighting dark plum and blueberry with bits of dark chocolate, nutmeg and molé aspects all the way to the thrusting finish. Enjoy over the next decade particularly with a long, slow-cooked Sunday meat sauce or roasted leg of lamb.

2022 MAS DE GOURGONNIER
LES BAUX DE PROVENCE ROUGE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Organically grown, Mas de Gourgonnier's 202 Les Baux de Provence Rouge is comprised of 60% Grenache, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Mourvedre and 10% Cinsault.

Harmonious, exquisite and not a hair out of place, this palate-staining red delivers up all the goodness that is Provence. Layered, sensuous and deep aromas of blackberry, lavender, cinnamon, wild spice, white pepper and black olive that follow through to a buxom, smooth yet energetic texture that engages the entire palate from start to finish. A great package (the Calvados-inspired squat bottle looks cool on the table) and most importantly a great deal. Drink this Southern French stunner over the next 4-6 years with lamb.

2024 HADEN FIG SAUVIGNON BLANC
CROFT VINEYARD
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

Haden Fig is Erin Nuccio’s alternate label that was created before he took over Evesham Wood. These wines are stylistically different yet are equal in quality.

Croft is located south of Salem in the Mount Pisgah region and is regarded as Oregon’s top site for Sauvignon Blanc. Intricate notes of orange peel, lemon oil and herbs meld into a core of savory minerality. Concentration on the pin of a needle with fine fruit balanced by crustaceans and rock dust and a palate-pleasing fresh finish, this is a perfect wine to drink with salmon, goat cheese, veggie pasta and more.

2020 MORIN CHITRY ROUGE
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

A 30-acre Domaine that has been in the Morin family since 1650, Olivier Morin took a long, strange trip into the world of wine. After studying oenology in Beaune, Olivier worked for 10 years in radio as both an announcer and as a night-time DJ before giving up the rock’n’roll lifestyle to take over the family Domaine alongside his brother in 1992. Located in the Yonne, slightly under ten miles from Chablis with Portlandian limestone like Petit Chablis, Chitry is bucolic beauty at its finest.

Plenteous strawberry, hints of cinnamon, touches of floral undertones collide with impressive earthy minerality that strikes the nose and stretches across the palate. Loads of energy, fine depth and nice posture expand from the fine start to the lingering, fine, mineral finish. An excellent choice to uncork now with mushroom-based dishes.

2019 TORRE DE OÑO
'FINCA MARTELO' RESERVA
$45.99 BTL./$275.94 - SIX PACK

Located in the Rioja Alavesa zone, famed legend La Rioja Alta purchased Torre de Oño in 1995. Three wines are produced and Finca Martelo is the crown jewel, only made in great vintages. 2019 is the first since 2015 and numerous Spanish wine journals rate it north of 96 points.

Sixty-year-old vines at 630 meters in elevation powers this epic Rioja. The altitude and cool nights also play into the quality as does the traditional vinification of two years in 80% American oak/20% French. Exhibiting laid-back aromas, shapely character goes along with all the nuances that mother nature bestowed to Rioja in 2019. Fragrant red and black raspberries play off savory scents of thyme & sage lurking beneath the surface. Stylish full fruit. Sensual, smooth flavors crawl through the mouth, touching all points of the palate. Grand Cru depth indeed. Broad and gratifying at age seven with sneaky grip to allow it to age nicely. Prodigious, regal, kickass Rioja for the price point.

2022 OWEN ROE 'YAKIMA'
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE

In 2019 Owen Roe was sold to Vintage Wine Estates, following VWE’s bankruptcy in 2024, David O’Reilly bought it back. These days the entire family is involved, and the wines are better than ever.

Made from the estate’s Union Gap and Outlook Vineyards along with some from the mighty Red Willow Vineyard, in true Owen Roe fashion, this is a full yet velvety wine. What is most notable is that being decidedly decadent, revealing great balance and restraint with poise and brightness that holds your full attention. Complex potpourri of aromas come from the fact that the vineyard sites are cool and of stellar quality. The overall impression is one that coats the mouth with dark plum, raspberry, warm spice and chocolate covered cherry flavors and a finish that does not stop and begs for braised short ribs, slow-roasted leg of lamb or beef tenderloin. Drink now through 2032+.

2024 BODEGAS BLEDA
JUMILLA TINTO
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

100% Monastrell (Mourvedre) from the southeastern Spanish region of Jumilla. We refer to Jumilla as Spain’s thrift store because many terrific values emerge, and Bodegas Bleda’s wines are no exception.

Bursting and bringing it for a mere 12-bucks, black cherry, balsamic, ground coffee and violet aromas leap. Flavorful, vibrant and hearty. Drink with charcuterie, grilled chicken or pizza.

2021 SAN FELICE CHIANTI CLASSICO
RISERVA 'IL GRIGIO
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

93 Points & #24 Top 100 – Wine Spectator…With so many trendy Chianti estates, we often forget about the gems that the previous generation forged. When we look to Chianti classics, we do not have to look any further than San Felice. Located at the northern fringe of the southernmost district of Castelnuovo Berardenga, San Felice wines exude elegance and refinement that are hallmarks of neighboring Gaiole in Chianti but have the oomph of the power that is Berardenga.

An all-time great Chianti vintage, 2021 is utterly seamless. Attractive, youthful tones of sandalwood, sage, rose, underbrush, plum and dark chocolate scents reveal themselves beautifully, and are starting to knit together. Concentrated velvety flavors prevail with high pitched red fruits around the edges. Tightly packed, focused firm tannins reveal themselves in the mid-palate then carry over into the harmonious, attention-grabbing, drawn-out finish. Drink this scintillating Chianti Riserva over the next fifteen years.

2023 KLOOF STREET CHENIN BLANC
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Over the last bunch of years, Chris and Andrea Mullineaux’s wines have risen to ‘must haves’ when it comes to South African wines.

The Kloof Street offerings are great entries into the Mullineaux world and their sizzling, dry Chenin outperforms a bunch of versions from the Loire Valley. From the cool climate Swartland region, a dry and jaunting white wine chock full of aromatic stony, flinty scents that ride on top of lemon and white peach fruit. Racy, tense and zingy, this wine is a mouthwatering match with smoked fish, mussels and goat cheese.

2023 RIDGE GRENACHE BLANC
'ADELAIDA' PASO ROBLES
[reg. $46.99]
SPECIAL - $27.99 BTL./$335.88 CASE

Routinely, this fabulous white wine from California icon Rodge goes on special and this price is beyond fantastic. The lead grape for most White Chateauneuf-du-Pape, it also thrives in the limestone soils of Paso Robles.

Located thirteen miles from the Pacific Ocean, cool nights and sea breezes provide fine energy for this lush grape. The 2023 models spiced pear and mandarin aspects further enhanced by ginger, honeysuckle and anise scents. A standout, luxuriant texture but poised and incredibly attractive with radiating acids weaving throughout. Beautiful and delicious, proving Ridge’s prowess with white wine as well as reds. Enjoy over the next six to eight years with sea bass, tuna tataki, even a Caesar salad.

2020 ANTONELLI MONTEFALCO
ROSSO RISERVA
$26.99 BTL./$161.94 - SIX PACK

As we wind down our Friday Tastings, an extra bottle or two frequently may be uncorked. I hadn’t tasted this in a while so we opened and one and suffice to say, it is tasting sooooo good and deserves all its accolades.

The 2020 Montefalco Riserva is one of only seventeen Umbrian wines awarded Tre Bicchiere in Gambero Rosso’s 2025 guide. Produced from their oldest vines and finest plots, the blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Sagrantino come together with ‘loud/soft/loud’ attributes. Noteworthy, booming aromas waft from the glass. Prominent blackberry, sage, cherry pit and balsamic notes follow through to a texture that is palate-staining, layered, and complex all while maintaining an airy aspect. Extensive, expansive and very Italian, you will want to drink this with a slow roasted leg of lamb jacked with Italian herbs or a full-flavored meat and cheese-filled lasagna over the next ten years.

2023 BOARD TRACK RACER 'SPEED
RACER' COLUMBIA RED BLEND
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

From Mark Ryan Winery, a producer of large Washington Reds, Board Track Racer was created in 2007 to offer wines designed not to break the bank.

A revelation indeed, Speed Racer is made for everyday drinking. 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Malbec, 13% Merlot. Black cherry, vivid red plum, dusty cocoa tones and fine herbs shine on the nose. Flavorful and all about texture in the mouth, this sassy blend has more substance than should ever be at twelve dollars. Have it with a fat burger, tortilla chips and spicy salsa and more.

2024 MARTISSIMA COLLIO BIANCO
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

During my weekly sales call tastings, many wines are presented. Some good, some are rubbish but occasionally one or two sticks its ass out to grab my attention. Tasting this Friuli white wine for the first time, it clocked my palate like a bolt of lightning.

Marta Venica is the daughter of the influential Venica estate, and this is her personal project. Only indigenous grapes are used from this small vineyard planted in the 1970s. An extremely complex wine that moves and changes as it airs in the glass. Kicking off with finesseful scents of lemongrass, quince paste, subtle almond and overflowing mineral. More rose oil and spice scents arrive after a few minutes. The texture is dry and luxurious maintaining Venica’s trademark of finesse. Finely tuned, tense and vibrant flavors that all have their place and then lead to a long, almost velvety, silky finish. This is a wow wine, especially with crab, salt cod or pan-seared salmon preparations.

2023 PATO & WOUTERS
BAIRRADA TINTO 'DNMC'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Daughter of one of Portugal’s wine pillars, Filipa Pato’s father Luis is responsible for putting the Atlantic region of Bairrada on the wine map. Named Winemaker of the Year by Portuguese gastronomy guide, Revista de Vinhos in 2020 along with her husband, sommelier Willem Wouters, they are part of the exciting present and future of Portugal’s wines.

Made from 100% of the Baga grape. Individuality and class behind a robe of strawberry fruit, mountain spices, wildflowers, mint and saline ride along and provide complexity. The agile texture and briskness imparts succulence and persistence. A fabulous effort that can be drunk with sausages, bean dishes with bacon, duck and chicken.

2023 CLOS LA COUTALE CAHORS
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Cahors, located in the Dordogne, is the fountainhead of the Malbec grape. Expressions from this area have virtually nothing in common with those from Argentina; wines from this area are drier and expressions of the soil and conjure up the old term, black wines of France.

Clos la Coutale's Cahors combines noble, sturdy history with modern, fruity accessibility blended with 80% Malbec (known as Cot or Auxerrois locally) with 20% Merlot for smoothness. The nose is ravishing with tones of black licorice, blackberry, hints of graphite, and spices. Very drinkable over the next 4-5 years with duck, hearty stews, bleu cheese and pâté.