Next Tasting

Saturday, September 5

Tablas Creek Patelin Blanc, Paso Robles, 2024 ($26.99) – One of our favorite white wines, this comes from a unique winery in Paso Robles. It’s a joint venture between the esteemed Perrin family of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the American Haas family. As the owner of Vineyard Brands, a wine importing company, the late Robert Haas visited Château Beaucastel in 1967 (before it became famous) and soon began to import the Perrin family’s wines. A decade later, the two families started talking about a joint California venture. That didn’t happen until 1989, when, as equal partners, they purchased land in western Paso Robles, which they thought had a mediterranean climate and high-pH soil similar to Châteauneuf du Pape. They brought over cuttings from Beaucastel’s vineyard and planted them as soon as they cleared quarantine in 1994. One of the first of the “Rhone Rangers,” Tablas Creek is still owned by the two families and is managed by Robert’s son, Jason Haas.

Wine Advocate (Matthew Luczy): 90 “The 2024 Patelin de Tablas Blanc leads with an energetic bouquet of white flowers, citrus rind, and a honeyed backdrop of orchard fruits, introducing a supple yet focused palate and a beaming, high-toned finish. This is a lovely introduction to the classicism omnipresent at Tablas Creek. It’s composed of 40% Grenache Blanc, 29% Viognier, 10% Vermentino, 8% Roussanne, 7% Marsanne and 6% Picpoul Blanc, vinified in stainless steel. Drink 2025-2029.” Certified organic and biodynamic! The winery also produces more expensive white cuvées and several red wines.

Château La Verrière Bordeaux Supérieur, 2022 ($19.99) – Many people are surprised to learn that some of the best red wine values today come from Bordeaux. The famous region’s reputation was built on what are now very expensive wines, but there are hundreds of less well-known properties (called petite châteaux – small in reputation, not necessarily in size), such as Château La Verrière that are making better and better wines. Located in the village of Landerrouat, 38 miles due east of the city of Bordeaux, it was purchased by André Bessette in the 1960s. He restructured the 50 acres of vineyards with more suitable grape varieties and rootstocks, and improved the drainage of the new plantings. A new cellar was built in the 1980s. Having worked at a different property for 10 years, André’s son, Alain, joined his father in 1999, expanded the property to 186 acres, and built a new winery with the most modern equipment (such as temperature control, pneumatic press, and micro-oxygenation) to produce high quality wine.

Alain is named among the “Talents de Bordeaux Supérieur” every year, a shortlist of top winemakers in the AOP, and his wines consistently win prizes and accolades. This vintage received a gold medal at the Concours Général Agricole – Paris. It’s a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, aged 18 months in a variety of different cooperage sizes (the barrels are one-third new), all medium toast, mostly French with a couple of American ones from Mendocino. The wine has a beautiful deep color with a red cherry and blackberry aroma and smooth, substantial flavors of juicy raspberry, Damson plum, and toasted notes from the barrel aging. It makes an excellent accompaniment to beef, lamb, game, and hard cheeses. Annual production is 20,000 cases. 


Recent Tastings

August 29
Chéreau Carré Mythes & Legends Pomone, Val de Loire IGP, 2025 ($18.99)
ROCO Gravel Road Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley – Oregon, 2022

August 22
Russian River Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, 2025 ($20.99)
Russian River Vineyards Classic Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, 2023 ($29.99)

August 15
Abbotts & Delaunay Sauvignon Blanc, Pays d’Oc, 2024 ($13.99)
Gradil Vinha do Carmo, Lisboa Tinto, 2018 ($23.99)

August 8
Abbotts & Delaunay Chardonnay, Pays d’Oc, 2024 ($13.99)
Elk Cove Pinot Noir. Willamette Valley, 2024 ($33.99)

August 1
Cavalchina Bardolino Chiaretto DOC Rosé, 2025 ($16.59)
Tolaini Al Passo Toscana Rosso, 2022 ($22.99)
Sarti Rosa Aperitivo ($28.99)

July 25
Patrick Sullivan Chardonnay, Australia, 2025 ($26.99)
The Messenger Cabernet Sauvignon 8, Napa Valley, 2023 ($32.99)
Canella Granriviera Mimosa ($16.99)

July 18
Domaine le Clos des Lumieres Côtes du Rhône Blanc, 2023 ($17.79)
Le Bèrne Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, 2022 ($29.99) 
Lolea White Citrus Spritz “Sangria” ($14.99) 

July 11 – Wines and Olive Oil from Corsica
Domaine de Marquiliani Vin de Corse Rosé “Le Gris de Pauline, 2025 ($35.99)
Domaine de Marquiliani Vin de Corse Ile de Beauté IGP Rouge, 2023 ($35.99)
Domaine de Marquiliani Vin de Corse Extra Virgin Olive Oil de Pauline ($49.99/375ml)

June 20
Famille Perrin Rosé Grand Prébois, 2015 ($12.99)
Alexander Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, 2022 ($26.99)

June 13
Lauverjat Sancerre, 2025 ($35.99)
Sister’s Run Shiraz, McLaren Vale, Australia, 2020 ($19.99)

June 6
Russian River Valley Rosé of Pinot Noir, 2023 ($17.79)
King Estate Inscription Pinot Noir, Willamette-Oregon, 2024 ($23.99) 

May 30
Tenuta Ca’ Bolani Pinot Grigio, Friuli, 2024 ($15.95)
Comando G “La Bruja,” Cebreros-Spain, 2023 ($44.99) 

May 23
Matanzas Creek Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County, 2024 ($19.99)
Tenuta dei Sette Cieli Toscana Yantra, 2023 ($26.99)

May 16 
BŌKEN Japanese Sake “Nana” Junmai Gingo ($22.99/300ml)
Rockburn Pinot Noir, Central Otago – New Zealand, 2020 ($34.99)
Odyssée, Vin de France, 2020 ($49.99) 

May 9
Domaine de la Tonnellerie Sancerre, 2025 ($25.59)
Mollydooker Shiraz “The Boxer,” South Australia, 2021 ($32.99)

May 2
Château Sainte-Roseline “Prestige” Rosé, Côtes du Provence, 2025 ($18.99)
López de Heredia Cubillo, Rioja, 2011 ($32.99)

April 25
Château des Demoiselles Rosé, Côtes de Provence, 2025 ($17.99)
L’Esprit de Chevalier Rouge, Pessac-Léognan, 2015 ($35.99)

April 18
Cameron Hughes CAM X Chardonnay Lot 11, Russian River Valley, 2023 ($19.99)
Fulcrum Dry Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma, 2023 ($34.99)

April 11
Rapaura Springs Sauvignon Blanc Reserve, Marlborough-New Zealand, 2023 ($17.99)
Domaine de Fidélité Menetou Salon Rouge, 2023 ($26.99)

April 4
Izadi Larrosa Rosé, Rioja, 2024 ($18.99)
Château Beauchêne Châteauneuf du Pape Grande Réserve, 2015 ($37.99)

March 28
Murgo Etna Bianco, 2024 ($22.99)
Argiano Non Confunditur, Toscana Rosso IGT, 2023 ($21.99)

March 21
Domaine de Villargeau Côteaux du Giennois Blanc, 2023 ($19.99)
Bodegas Muga Rioja Riserva, 2021 ($34.99)

March 14
Izadi Rioja Riserva, 2020 ($19.99)
Pietrantonj Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, 2022 ($19.99)

March 7
Man Family Chenin Blanc, Cape Coast-South Africa, 2025 ($14.99)
Chateau Pont de Pierre, Lussac St. Emilion, 2018 ($16.89)

February 28
Terres Dorees Morgon, 2018 ($25.99)
Department 66 Côtes Catalanes “Others,” 2015 ($29.99)