July/August 2025 Mixed Case Sampler

By now, you know the drill.  A box full of tasty seasonal wines that we think you really enjoy.  

Illahe Viognier (Oregon) - A new wine from one of our favorite boutique, organic, Oregon wineries.  They've hit a home run with this southern French varietal.  Bursting with aromas of white peach, nectarine, dragon fruit, pineapple, jasmine, and sweet pea, this Viognier jumps out of the glass. In the mouth it echos the aromatic cues yet the palate remains clean with vibrant acidity, and it has a refreshing finish. Pair with sunshine and picnics and feel free to enjoy spicy food. 

Pratch Gruner Veltliner (Austria) - Pratsch Grüner Veltliner is a bright, expressive white wine that captures the essence of Austria’s Weinviertel region. On the nose, it opens with a fresh herbal character, laced with citrus zest and a hint of white pepper—a signature note for the varietal. The palate is crisp and lively, showcasing flavors of green apple, lemon, and subtle spice, all carried by a clean, mineral-driven backbone. There’s a touch of salinity and a whisper of smoke that adds complexity without overwhelming the wine’s refreshing nature.

Frecciarossa "Oltrepo Pavese" Pinot Grigio (Italy) - The Frecciarossa “Oltrepò Pavese" Pinot Grigio is a striking expression of the grape, offering a pale coral hue that hints at its gentle skin contact that leans into the ramato style. On the nose, it opens with delicate aromas of white peach, strawberry, and a touch of ginger ale. The palate is medium-bodied and zesty, with vibrant acidity that lifts flavors of Bosc pear, almond, and white pepper. Subtle notes of grapefruit, saline, and herbal tea add complexity and a savory edge, while the finish is dry and persistent, leaving a mouthwatering impression. This wine’s light tannin structure and time on the lees give it texture and depth, making it a more serious and food-friendly take on Pinot Grigio than the typical quaffable fare. It’s a thoughtful, organic wine that reflects both its terroir and the winemaker’s intent to craft something quietly distinctive.

Figuiere Mediterranee Rose (France) – The Flores Été Côtes de Thau Rosé is a breezy, sun-kissed wine that captures the Mediterranean spirit of southern France. Crafted from a blend of Cinsault and Merlot, it pours a delicate, pale pink with a silvery sheen. Aromatically, it’s fresh and floral, offering notes of wild strawberries, watermelon rind, and a hint of violet. On the palate, it’s round and supple, with a gentle crispness that keeps it lively. Flavors of red currant, citrus zest, and a whisper of white peach glide across the tongue, supported by a subtle saline minerality that nods to its coastal terroir.

Barter & Trade Cabernet Sauvignon (Washington) – Maybe not the ideal "Summertime Red" but Cab lovers gonna love Cab, no matter what the weather is like.  Plus, that's what we've got air conditioning for.  This rich and luscious Cab is everything we love about Cabs from Washington, and it opens with a heady bouquet of blueberry compote, aniseed, and toasted oak, giving it a warm, inviting aromatic profile. On the palate, it’s full-bodied but balanced, with ripe blackcurrant and plum flavors layered over hints of cocoa, cedar, and baking spice. The tannins are firm but polished, providing grip without overwhelming the fruit, and the finish is long and slightly savory, with a touch of graphite minerality. 

Ferraton "la Tournee" Red (France) - Now this is a perfect, seasonal red, a vibrant, bistro-style wine that channels the warmth and rustic charm of southern France. A blend of Syrah and Grenache grown on clay-limestone slopes in the Languedoc, it pours a deep ruby with purple reflections and offers a nose full of ripe red berries, cracked pepper, and a touch of garrigue. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied and juicy, with a structured yet supple texture. Flavors of raspberry, plum, and licorice mingle with subtle spice and a whisper of smoke, while the tannins are silky and well-integrated.

Hillinger "Small Hill" Red (Austria) – We've carried this delicious Austrian red blend before and brought back in for A-G-A (Austria-Germany-Alsace) Wine Month and thought is was so delicious that it deserved some more exposure, so we're including it in this month's mixed case.  Since taking over the family winery in 1990 with only 1 hectare of estate fruit to work with, Leo has since made Hillinger one Austria's most interesting and influental wineries. The Small Hill is a sexy, spicy wine showing sweet dark cherry, black currant and red, blackberry, raspberry, blueberry, plum and cinnamon aromas. Connected to a palate with violet, elderflower syrup, rum, fine black chocolate, coffee, pepper accents, some herbs and spices, a little smoke and a subtle note of oak.

Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone Rouge (France) - Usually when you grab a Cotes du Rhone, you can count on it being a blend, but the 2023 Saint Cosme Côtes du Rhône Rouge is a pure Syrah that channels the energy and expressiveness of the southern Rhône with striking clarity. It opens with a vivid nose of blackberry, blueberry, and rose petals, underscored by savory hints of bacon fat and graphite. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied and vibrant, with juicy dark fruit flavors wrapped in a framework of fine tannins and bright acidity. There’s a smoky, peppery edge that adds depth, and the wine finishes with a clean, mineral lift that keeps it fresh and food-friendly.  It’s a soulful, unpretentious red that punches well above its weight.

Atamisque "Serbal" Cabernet Franc (Argentina) – From Argentina’s Uco Valley Serbal is a vivid, savory red that leans into the varietal’s more expressive side. It opens with lifted aromas of raspberry, red currant, and crushed herbs, layered with subtle notes of bell pepper, tobacco leaf, and toasted spice. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied and juicy, with a supple texture and a savory edge that adds depth to the bright fruit core. There’s a gentle oak influence that frames the wine without overpowering its freshness, and the finish is clean, with a lingering note of dried thyme and graphite. 

Pagos de Anguix "822" (Spain) - The Pagos de Anguix “822” is a polished and expressive red from Spain’s Ribera del Duero, crafted entirely from Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) grown at 822 meters above sea level. The elevation lends the wine a vibrant freshness that balances its richness. Aromatically, it opens with ripe black fruits—think cassis and blackberry—layered with roasted herbs, vanilla, and a touch of sweet spice. On the palate, it’s soft and rounded, with fine tannins and a medium-to-full body that carries flavors of dark berries, licorice, and a subtle toastiness from its time in French and American oak. There’s a lovely lift of acidity that keeps the wine lively, and the finish is smooth and persistent, with just enough grip to pair beautifully with grilled meats or aged cheeses. 

Oliver Coste Carignan Noir (France) - is a vivid, characterful red that celebrates the Languedoc’s old bush vines with a modern, minimal-intervention touch. It pours a deep garnet and opens with aromas of baked plum, boysenberry, and cracked pepper, underscored by a stony, earthy edge. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied and energetic, with juicy dark fruit framed by fine, slightly grippy tannins and a lively acidity that keeps everything lifted. There’s a savory streak of slate and spice that adds depth, and the finish is clean, peppery, and just rustic enough to feel authentic without being rough. Fermented and aged in stainless steel, the wine preserves the purity of the fruit and the integrity of the terroir.