Next Tastings
July 18
Domaine le Clos des Lumieres Côtes du Rhône Blanc, 2023 ($17.79) – Gerald Serrano produces wine in the southern Rhône near Avignon. His grandfather founded the family operation in 1946. The rocky, calcareous soil retains the heat of the sun through the night, providing the vines with a stable temperature and allowing the vines to produce fully ripe grapes. The Mistral wind blows up to 100 days per year and keeps the vines clean and healthy, reducing the need for treatments substantially. This cuvée is a blend of 40% Grenache Blanc, 40% Viognier, and 20% Bourboulenc. Viognier can be dominant, but here it is an integral part of the wine. A vine density of 4000 per hectare and vineyard practices keep yields surprisingly low for such an inexpensive wine. It has a pleasing floral nose and is refreshing, complex, food-friendly, and a great value! We also carry the equally lovely rouge.
Le Bèrne Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, 2022 ($29.99) – Everyone knows and loves Brunello di Montalcino. Fewer know Vino Nobile even though the two Tuscan red wines are similar in style and are neighbors. The town of Montepulciano, which is easily confused with the grape of the same name, lies 22 miles due east of Montalcino. Its wines also use Sangiovese (but not always 100%), but Vino Nobile has a MUCH longer history of winemaking than Brunello. It was famous for its wines centuries before Brunello was even a “thing;” in fact, Vino Nobile was one of the five original DOCG wines! Another plus is that, because they are not currently as well known, Vino Nobiles are much less expensive and far better values than Brunellos. We tasted the Salchetto Vino Nobile a few weeks ago.
Family-owned Le Bèrne is now run by young Federico Fastelli. Born in 2000, he’s full of energy and enthusiasm, a student of wine with an insatiable enthusiasm for viticulture and winemaking, with deep respect for the culture of winemaking that precedes him. Le Bèrne wines have been very good for a long time (we last carried the 2007), but Federico is making changes that are taking them to a new level of freshness and balance.
Vinous (Eric Guido): 93 “I was deeply impressed with the 2021s at Le Bèrne in my previous report. Now having tasted the 2022s, I can firmly say that lightning can strike twice. A perfect example of how radically different terroirs can exist within the same Pieve, Le Bèrne is situated in Cervognano with three distinct vineyards, all planted at around 305 meters in elevation. Each vineyard has different exposure and soils—clay, sand and calcareous. These are age worthy Vino Nobiles and Riservas at remarkable value. The 2022 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is darkly alluring, with crushed black cherries, lavender, and dusty earth. The palate is round juicy acidity and decadently ripe red and blue fruits. Pleasantly chewy and fresh, the 2022 leaves a saturation of fine tannins and hints of licorice. This is pure pleasure.”
Lolea White Citrus Spritz “Sangria” ($14.99) – This is a charming addition to our line of Lolea red and white Sangrias. It’s a light and lightly bubbly citric blend of Spanish white wine, basil, and bergamot. Both easy to drink yet surprisingly sophisticated, it has no added sugar, just the natural grape sugars. It’s low in alcohol (8%). Just pour it over ice. Perfect for the summer!
Recent Tastings
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)
February 21
Francis Berwyn Chardonnay, Willamette Valley-OR, 2023 ($24.99)
Paul Jaboulet Aine Gigondas Pierre Aiguille, 2017 ($25.99)
February 14
Höpler Grüner Veltliner, Burgenland-Austria, 2024
Petit Bécot, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, 2019 ($36.49)
February 7
Jermann Pinot Grigio, Friuli, 2024 ($24.99)
Sojourn Cellars Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, 2023 ($39.99)
January 3 1
Familia Torres Clos Ancestral Forcada, Penèdes-Spain, 2024 ($26.59)
Catena Malbec “Lunlunta,” Old Vines, 2023 Mendoza-Argentina ($26.99)
January 24
Ken Forrester Vineyards Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch-South Africa, 2024 ($19.99)
Robert Foley Red Blend “The Griffin,” California, 2016 ($49.99)
January 17
Levendi Estate Chardonnay, Napa Valley, 2023 ($39.99)
Barrel Bomb Red Table Wine, 2017 ($19.99)