Happy 2020!
To celebrate, we are sampling a lineup of all bottles retailing under $20. The weather should be lovely, so stop by and enjoy this lineup ranging from a Gemischter Satz to a crowd-pleasing bubbly to a Virginia-made red blend! Starting at 11:30am on Saturday and Sunday, all bottles will be available for purchase at 10% off retail price.
Find a printable PDF of this week’s tasting notes here.
Wieninger Wiener Gemischter Satz 2017
Origin: Austria
Retail: $20.95 | Sale: $18.85
Fritz Wieninger is the leading wine producer in the city of Vienna, and the Wiener Gemischte Satz is the most traditional of Viennese wine-growing specialties. Gemischter Satz translates to “mixed set”, and is a traditional field blend of up to 13 varietals that are co-planted and co-fermented. Because this wine consists of many different varieties harvested at the same time, it will include some unripe grapes and some overripe grapes and results in a wide range of aromas and flavors. Lemony citrus notes, herbs and white flowers co-mingle with ripe tropical flavors of melon and pineapple. Fresh acidity and medium weight allow this wine to work well with grilled pork sausages and breaded white fish.
Gruner Veltliner | Weissburgunder | Welschriesling | Chardonnay
92 points Wine Enthusiast
Practicing Biodynamic
Novellum Chardonnay 2017
Origin: France
Retail: $15.95 | Sale: $13.45
Chardonnay shows up in some remarkable places but few as breathtaking as the Roussillon where the Pyrenees meet the Mediterranean. From vineyards just a stone’s throw from the beach and within view of the historic Mont Canigou comes Novellum, a refined, aromatic and elegant Chardonnay. It’s medium-bodied, has remarkable purity of ripe citrus and white flowers. There is loads of minerality and integrated acidity on the finish.
Chardonnay
Alain Jaume Tavel Le Crétacé 2016
Origin: France
Retail: $17.95 | Sale: $16.15
Established in 1826 in the Northern part of Chateauneuf du Pape, the Alain Jaume Winery has both the exceptional terroir of the Southern Rhone Valley and a long line of dedicated winemakers. This primarily Grenache beauty offers notes of black cherries, wild strawberries, and hints of minerals. On the palate, it is zingy with great lift, but maintains the elegant style we look for from Tavel. Red currant and cherry flavors cover the palate with hints of aniseed. The perfect level of acidity makes this a great, food-friendly rosé to enjoy year round.
Grenache | Syrah | Mourvedre
92 Points Wine Enthusiast | 91 Points Jeb Dunnuck
Issac Fernandez Biutiful Cava Brut Nature NV
Origin: Spain
Retail: $13.95 | Sale: $12.55
This elegant and easy drinking Cava is produced from grapes sourced from the Western portion of Requena. It could be labeled as a Reserva due to fact that it spends 15 months on lees, as opposed to the minimum of 9 months. It is a true Brut Nature, meaning no sugar was added at the end of aging on lees. The nose delivers dry apple and pear aromas, while the palate is fairly full and round, with apple and lime flavors. This brut Cava is easily drinkable, food-friendly, and very affordable. This is the perfect crowd pleasing sparkling, so don’t hesitate to grab another bottle while you’re at it.
Macabeo | Chardonnay
La Closerie des Lys Pinot Noir 2017
Origin: France
Retail: $18.95 | Sale $17.05
This racy, high-toned Pinot Noir was grown on a high elevation vineyard in the French region of Limoux by two winemakers who hail from Macon in Burgundy. Showing pretty rose petal aromas on the nose, this is bright, vivid and zesty, delicate palate is teeming with crisp cranberry and sour cherry flavors.
Pinot Noir
Breaux Vineyards Equation X Red NV
Origin: Virginia
Retail: $17.95 | Sale: $16.15
Breaux Vineyards is a 400+ acre estate located in Purcellville, Virginia, with 104 acres under vine of 17 different grape varieties. 100% Estate-grown & hand-picked fruit. Aged in new American oak, this Merlot blend features 14% Chambourcin to balance this beautiful expression of what Virginia Merlot is capable of when grown in ideal conditions. Dark plum, cherry, and anise dominate the nose, and are echoed on the palate with some additional earth, spice, and cocoa. Firm acidity and round tannins enhance the long finish.
Merlot | Petit Verdot | Chambourcin | Cabernet Sauvignon
Rinaldi Celle Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Origin: Italy
Retail: $13.95 | Sale: $12.55
The Rinaldi winery is located on the hills of Alto Monferrato, close to Acqui Terme, in the heart of one of the most precious areas of south Piedmont. The Monferrato Rosso is made from 20 year old Cabernet Sauvignon vines. Celle is the name of the vineyard and literally means prison. But the roots of its name sink in history, since in 1800 the tradition wanted that in the best hill of the territory everybody had small pieces of land called "cells". This Cabernet Sauvignon is full-bodied with a well-balanced depth. Aromas of blackberry, blueberry, and dried herbs and spices welcome you into the glass. It is lush and softly smoky on the palate with notes of lingering fruit, sweet licorice and fresh vanilla.
Cabernet Sauvignon