Our weekend wine tastings are on hiatus, but we will still be featuring select wines for discount!
Celebrate the Earth this weekend, as we explore wines from around the globe, from South Africa to Virginia to Argentina. We’ve also emphasized sustainability this week, and are highlighting a number of producers that take extra care in managing their vineyards ecologically.
All wines featured are available for 10% off retail price.
Scroll down to explore tasting notes, and order via the online form!
For a printable PDF of this weekend’s notes, click here!
Lake Chalice "Cracklin' Savie" Sparkling NV
Origin: New Zealand
Retail: $18.95 | Sale: $17.05
Lake Chalice is one of the few remaining family & locally-owned wine companies in New Zealand's main wine-growing region, Marlborough. This Sauvignon Blanc-based wine is lightly effervescent and bottled under a crown cap, offering gushy fruit flavors and lots of fun. On the note, this wine has intense aromas of passionfruit and blackcurrant. On the palate it's crisp, medium-body bursts with classical varietal flavors of passionfruit, blackcurrant and gooseberry, with a hint of sparkle.
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Sustainable
90 Points, Wilfred Wong
Chakana Winery Nuna Sparkling Brut NV
Origin: Argentina
Retail: $17.95 | Sale: $16.15
Chakana is a family owned winery located at the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Agrelo, Mendoza. The Nuna vineyard is Chakana's first Demeter certified organic vineyard, and this Sparkling is the first certified biodynamic sparkling wine in Argentina. Made from 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir, this wine has a lovely citric aroma with notes of creamy tropical fruit, fine, persistent bubbles, and a fresh, balanced palate. A versatile wine, good on its own or paired with any food.
50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir
Biodynamic
Famille Brocard Margote Chardonnay 2018
Origin: France
Retail: $16.95 | Sale: $15.25
Jean-Marc Brocard is synonymous with crisp, fresh and high-quality Chablis-style wines. This French Chardonnay is a versatile wine that can add a refreshing touch during the summer or when warmer months call for a lighter-styled, crisper white. In the glass, it opens with a zesty bouquet of lemon/lime, fresh peach and mineral notes. This acidity highlights the fresh, zesty flavors, and it finishes cleanly with accents of green apples on the back end.
100% Chardonnay
Sustainable
Barboursville Vineyards Reserve Viognier 2018
Origin: Virginia
Retail: $21.95 | Sale: $19.75
Viognier may be the signature grape of Virginia but Barboursville was the first estate to abandon oak and malolactic fermentation to reveal its complexity. The absence of oak aging combines with extravagant lees contact and exclusion of oxygen in stainless steel to produce a welcoming aromatic note to the wine. It is juicy and bright on the palate with flavors of pear, passion fruit, and hints of citrus with a gently herbal frame. The perfect wine to pair with crab, mussels, and Asian cuisine.
100% Viognier
J. Mourat Fiefs Vendeens Mareuil Rose 2019
Origin: France
Retail: $17.95 | Sale: $16.15
J.Mourat is located at the western end of the Loire region, where the soils are predominantly volcanic and the climate moderated by maritime breezes. Since 2000, this estate has been converting to organic farming. Notes of grapefruit, peach, limes, and a stony minerality welcome you into the glass. The palate is well balanced and crisp with flavors of ripe strawberries, tart cranberries and pomegranate.
40% Pinot Noir, 20% Gamay 40% Cabernet Franc
Organic
Clos de Gilroy Monterey County 2018
Origin: California
Retail: $19.95 | Sale: $17.95
Produced and bottled by Bonny Doon, this vintage is truly exceptional and perhaps the most concentrated and intense Clos de Gilroy yet. The wine is spicy, peppery and perfumed – the scent of cassis is unmistakable – and pairs exceptionally well with a range of dishes. Best served with a slight chill, especially as the weather warms up.
99% Grenache, 1% Syrah
G.D. Vajra Langhe Rosso 2018
Origin: Italy
Retail: $17.95 | Sale: $16.15
G.D. Vajra’s Langhe Rosso is the venerable winery’s creative and affordable regional blend. This wine is a blend of heirloom varieties, including Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto and the rare Freisa and Albarossa. It is an authentic expression of Piemonte, and is a gorgeous wine to pair with food. With vibrant aromas of plums, black currants and black tea, it is brisk and bristling with energy. A core of chewy cherry, black raspberry, and red currant transitions to a long finish marked by notes of tobacco and sassafras. The combination of dazzling aromas, fresh, transparent red and black fruits, food-friendly tannins, authentic Piemontese character, and everyday affordability makes Vajra’s Langhe Rosso a lovely choice at the table.
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Freisa, Albarossa, Pinot Noir
Sustainable
Remhoogte Aspect Merlot 2016
Origin: South Africa
Retail: $20.95 | Sale: $18.85
With a minimalist approach in both the vineyard and the cellar, Remhoogte Estate are proud members of the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative. In the vineyard, they do everything by hand and use wild or naturally occurring yeast to ferment the grapes. The Aspect Merlot is made from the estates highest and steepest vineyards. The nose is is dark and brooding with ripe currents, cherries and plums backed by white pepper and cedar.The palate is full and juicy with polished tannins and a lively acidity bringing freshness and length. Drink it now with cheeses and full-flavored dishes, or cellar for up to 10 years!
100% Merlot
Sustainable
Burgo Viejo Rioja Gran Reserva 2010
Origin: Spain
Retail: $24.95 | Sale: $22.45
Six families of farmers founded Bodegas Burgo Viejo in 1987. The vineyards measure 200 hectares and are spread throughout the municipality of Alfaro, La Rioja, Spain at the foothills of Yerga Mountain, on the banks of the fertile Ebro Valley. This Burgo Viejo Gran Reserva shows a deep red ruby color and offers powerful aromas of blackberry jam, spice, leather, chocolate with toasty nuances. Smooth yet full-bodied with firm tannins and a long finish.
100% Tempranillo
Silver Medal - MUNDUS VINI 2010
89 Points Decanter World Wine Awards