Gal Tibor Egri Csillag 2020
Origin: Eger, Hungary
Retail: $16.95 | Sale: $15.25
Gál Tibor is among Hungary’s best known winemaking names, and his eponymous winery is one of the leading wineries in the Eger wine region. He pursued a variety of jobs in wineries throughout Hungary, South Africa, and Italy, eventually working his way up to head winemaker at Ornellaia in Tuscany. He moved home and founded his own winery in 1993, continuing to work as an international wine consultant while working to create wines of his own that could stand up to the best of Burgundy. In 1998 he was named ‘Winemaker of the Year’ by the Hungarian Wine Academy. After his untimely death in South Africa in 2005, his family took over the winery, and the management of the estate’s 40 hectares passed to his son Gál Tibor Jr. Egri Csillag (“The Star of Eger”) is a traditional white field blend that must be comprised of at least three grapes, with at least 50% of the wine from native grape varietals. It memorializes the ancient merchants who used the glittering lights of watchmen's huts to guide their way. The old saying goes, “If you travel to Eger, just follow the glittering stars.” Organically grown grapes were hand harvested, lightly crushed, then cold fermented with native yeasts in stainless steel.
This compelling white is simultaneously exotic yet accessible. Generous aromas of white flowers, stone fruit, and tropical fruit lead into a medium-weight palate with crisp acidity. More ripe peach, fresh apricot, guava, and kiwi get a splash of zesty citrus and a hint of lemongrass before finishing with a round texture and delicate minerality. Organically grown.
Királyleányka | Szürkebarát | Viognier | Sauvignon Blanc | Pinot Blanc | Tramini | Zeni
Cenatiempo GranTIFEO Rosato 2020
Origin: Campania, Italy
Retail $18.95 | Sale $17.05
Pasquale works with many grapes that are not commonly known. Biancolella, Forastera, and Per'e Pallummo (known as Piedirosso in other areas) are the main grapes, though he also works with Aglanico, Sciascinoso, and Falanghina. The Rosato comes from Campania with elevations ranging from 50-450 masl and diverse exposures. Vines are guyot, sapling, and spur-pruned cordon trained: All grapes are hand harvested in October. And then soft pressed with short skin contact and fermented in white concrete vats under temperature control using indeginous yeasts, with minimal use of sulphites and minimal intervention. They are then aged 3 months on the lees in both tank and concrete.
Deep and persistent Garnet in color. An ‘autumn is coming’ rose. Fresh raspberries, strawberries and dried cranberries. Fresh and vibrant with long mineral intensity and lingering cherry spice finish. So compelling that one bottle won’t suffice.
100% Aglianico and other indigenous varieties
Bodegas Santo Tomas Mision '19 2019
Origin: Guadalupe Valley, Mexico
Retail: Retail $16.95 | Sale $15.25
Founded in 1971 as a Dominican Mission, later turned winery in 1888. Santo Tomas became the pillar of winemaking and production in Ensenada. Santo Tomas is the oldest winery in the Guadalupe Valley which is located 18 miles inland from the city of Ensenada on the Baja peninsula. The valley is home to a unique Medierranean microclimate, ideal for winemaking. Because it is located far from the coast, the valley experiences a more extreme climate. Summers tend to be very hot and dry, with no rain but enjoying a breeze off the coast in the evening. Since 2005, the winery has been lead by oenologist Laura Zamora, the first female winemake in Mexico. She has achieved over 220 medals in national and international competitions. Having retired in 2019, winemaking has been handed off to Cristina Pino Villar, formerly of Monte Xanic. Cristina, a Spaniard, will continue the legacy of Female winemaking, while ushering in her fresh perspective and modern ingenuity.
60% Misión | 20% Carignan | 20% Tempranillo
Klee Pinot Noir 2019
Origin: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Retail: $19.95 | Sale $17.95
In homage to one of winemaker & owner Chris Berg’s favorite artists, the wine is named for the famous Bauhaus artist Paul Klee. The artwork on the label is an adaptation of a painting called Solution “ee”. of the Birthday Assignment, 1924. Like the Bauhaus school where art is for the people, this wine is for the people! A weeknight winner for Willamette Valley lovers, Klee Pinot Noir captures the beauty of Willamette fruit at a terrific price.
Chris ferments with native yeasts and adds a light touch of French Oak for 11 months to produce a fruit-forward bottle with notes of ripe raspberry, dark cherry, plum, with hints of cedar, fresh-crushed herbs, and earthiness. Grab a bottle (or three) for any-night enjoyment.
Pinot Noir
Silvio Grasso Langhe Dolcetto 2020
Origin: Piedmont, Italy
Retail: $13.95 | Sale $12.55
The Grasso family has been producing wine since 1927, but Federico Grasso only started bottling in 1980. Not only is it a handcrafted, artisan estate bottled wine, but Silvio Grasso vineyards are also “natural agriculture”, meaning chemical free with sustainable practices.
Gorgeous dark ruby in colour, aromas of violets and subtle cherry rose from the glass. The subtle floral taste rounds out to include a soft core of plum and cherry. The finish is elegant and filled with minerally flint elements.
100% Dolcetto