March and April 2025's Mixed Case Sampler

Lot's of new an fun wines being introduced here in our latest Mixed Case Sampler.  Fantastic new wines in a wide array of styles from around the world: Australia, Italy, Portugal, France, & Chile all inside!

Howard Park Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon (Australia) - Semillon is Australia's "secret weapon" white varietal and blending in this classic Bordeaux varietal to Sauvignon Blanc creates wines of complexity, richness and age-ability that Sauvignon Blanc can't achieve on its own.  Primary fruit aromas of fresh and lightly poached citrus are gently spiced with vanilla bean and perfumed with lemon myrtle and black currant. The palate's meld of many fruit flavors is enriched with a lemon curd richness and textured with a lime zest and chalk like minerality to finish.  Think this wine is delicious now (which it absolutely is).  Grab a few extra bottles to squirrel away in the cellar for a few years to find out how amazing aged Semillon and Semillon blends can be.

Fattoria le Pupille "Poggio Argentato" White (Italy) - A unique Italian blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Petit Manseng, Traminer, and Semillon, it is a beautiful bright yellow with greenish tints. On the nose, prevalence of white flowers and notes of cut grass evolve in mineral tones.  This is the Sancerre alternative you never knew you needed, but you'll be glad you tried. Notes of white pear, honey, white peach, yogurt, and a touch of white flower showing layers, depth, and tantalizing minerality that stays on your tongue and leaves you needing more. 

Benito Ferrara "Terra d'Uva" Greco di Tufo (Italy) - Back to Italy for our 3rd wine in this month's sampler.  "The Terra d'Uva opens in the glass with a bouquet that blends fresh mint with kiwi and candied lime. It's soft and round with cooling acidity and crisp orchard fruits that find a lovely contrast through an air of sweet inner florals. This finishes dry yet fresh, leaving a mineral tinge and a pleasantly bitter sensation that calls the taster back to the glass. Benito Ferrara nailed it in the 2022 vintage. The balance here is remarkable. - 92pts Vinous"

Bon Ton Napa Valley Rosé (California) - This is a red wine drinkers Rose that can match the best of what France has to offer from the likes of Bandol or Tavel.   Pliant and creamy, with gorgeous depth it is a dark-colored Rosé with an abundance of redcurrants, cranberries, frozen raspberries, and watermelon with some warm spices, too.

Fattoria le Pupille Morellino de Scansano (Italy) – Morellino di Scansano is an appellation in southern Tuscany that is often overshadowed by the more famous wines produced in Chianti, Montalacino and Montepulciano, but shouldn't be ignored.  Especially ones as good as the Pupille.  "The 2022 Morellino di Scansano is fabulous. Aromatic, sensual and inviting, the 2022 is an ideal wine for drinking now and over the next handful of years. Silky tannins wrap around a core of dark red/purplish berry fruit, lavender, rose petal, spice and menthol. All the elements are very nicely balanced. What a charmer. 90pts Vinous"

Domaine Lafage "Retro Rouge" 1L (France) – Domaine Lafage, a family-run estate based near Perpignan, is one of the leading producers in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. Jean-Marc and Eliane Lafage combine generations of winemaking tradition with a modern approach to crafting wines of exceptional value and character. Known for their commitment to sustainability and innovation, the Lafages produce wines that celebrate the Mediterranean's rich heritage and diverse terroirs.  Retro is dedicated to the easy drinking style of wine that Jean-Marks parents crafted as the family's "house wine" in the 1950's & 1960's. A fresh and fruity red that isn't overly complex, but long on flavor with a bright bouquet with a finely spicy fruit of strawberry, raspberry and cherry. On the palate soft and fresh, pleasantly balanced and with moderate alcohol. 

Cosentino "The Franc" Cabernet Franc (California) -The wine opens with enticing aromatics of boysenberry and dark chocolate covered cherries. The palate begins with bright and refreshing notes of blueberry cobbler, black plum and strawberry preserves followed by warm and supple flavors of toasted marshmallow. The tannins and acidity are soft and well balanced leading to a lingering and memorable finish.

Bistue Cellars "Black Badger" (California) – A delicious California take on the classic Rhone style blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre.  Elegant and vibrant notes of raspberries and black berries and hintsof dry leather and tobacco. Savory and smooth balsamic notes with dark minerals and mature tannins. Intense and full bodied.

Quinta de Gradil "1492" Lisboa Red (Portugal) - An ususual blend, Gradil blends Tannat together with Touriga Nacional, we were blown away by this incredible value when we first tasted it, not believing that even Antoni Uroz could offer a wine of this much body, complexity and intensity for just $15.  Quinta do Gradil is located in the small town of Cavadal, about thirty miles north of Lisbon. The estate dates back over 500 years and became popular in the 16th century when it was designated as one of the royal estates for hunting game.  Notes of blackberry bramble, blueberries and spice box fill the glass and the palate echoes the dark red color, with hints of ripe black plum, wild berries, smoke and vanilla from the oak barrel, balsamic, menthol and dark chocolate. 

Clos de Fous "Mr Chile" Red (Chile) – This fun blend from Itata region of Chile has notes of ripe red raspberries, tobacco, rose petals, mint, eucalyptus, and juicy red apple on the nose. The palate explodes with red fruits dominated by raspberries and strawberries with some hints of caramel apple that to lead to a finish of dark chocolate and earl gray tea with medium tannins. 

Peterson Family Wines "Cuvee Ruse" (California) - Another fantastic Rhone-style blend from one of our favorite California "Rhone Rangers," Fred and Jamie Peterson.  Lovely subtle aromas of fresh cherry, dried strawberry and blackberry mingle with a touch of brown baking spices and gentle oak notes. The entry releases a flow of harmonious flavors woven with hints of white pepper and Christmas spices. A fusion of fruit encircles the palate with strawberry, black cherry and plum laced with undertones of blackberry, blood orange and leather. Traces of integrated oak and tannins appear near the finish as the flavors gradually dissipate. Just 175 cases made!

 Emiliano Falsini "Efudo Pignatone" Etna Rosso (Italy) - This is the top wine in this set of exciting new (and organic) releases from winemaker Emiliano Falsini. His 2019 Etna Rosso Feudo Pignatone Davanti Casa is a pure expression of Nerello Mascalese that undergoes whole cluster fermentation with ambient yeasts and is aged in oak for a measured 12 months. All this helps to lock in the punchy, lifted quality of the fruit, and the whole cluster, with stems and skins, adds to the power and structural importance of the wine. Fruit comes from 100-year-old vines planted on a one-hectare site at 700 meters above sea level with volcanic soils. The advanced aged of the vines also contributes to the richness and depth of the wine's flavors. This pretty vintage reveals carefully fragrant tones with cassis, blue mountain flower and wild herb. There is spice, tarry smoke and a touch of white pepper too. Only 1,800 bottles were produced.