Chillable Red Wines Sampler #2 (2025 Edition)
A $125 value for just $95
It may be nice and cool in the dining room with the A/C running full blast, even when its 100 degrees outside, but sometimes the NC heat and humidity calls for something a little lighter and more refreshing than your favorite Cabernet Sauvignon. In the USA, we've always tended to drink our reds a little warmer than what most experts say is ideal serving temperature but these delicious, lighter red wines are still great when you turn the temp down even a little more.
Our Sampler #2 features wines from France, Italy & Spain
Sampler Includes 1 Bottle Each (6 Wines)
Atance Bobal (Valencia, Spain) - Atance Bobal is a vibrant, organically farmed red from Valencia that showcases the rustic charm and freshness of the Bobal grape. In the glass, it pours a cherry red hue with violet highlights, hinting at its youthful energy. The nose is expressive, offering a mix of red fruits like cherry and raspberry, alongside darker notes of blackberry and plum. There's a subtle herbal edge—think rosemary and cracked pepper—that adds complexity without overwhelming the fruit. On the palate, it’s clean and lively, with moderate acidity and soft, approachable tannins. The texture is smooth, supported by a gentle chalky minerality that reflects the limestone soils of the region. Aging in large oak vats and stainless steel keeps the oak influence minimal, allowing the fruit and terroir to shine through. With its modest alcohol and supple structure, it is especially compelling when served slightly chilled, around 55 to 60 degrees, making it a perfect summer red. It pairs beautifully with grilled vegetables, roasted chicken, charcuterie, or Spanish cheeses like Manchego and young goat cheeses.
Oliver Coste "Old Star" Carignan Noir (Pays D'Oc, France) - A soulful, expressive red from the stony soils of Hérault in the Languedoc. Sourced from old bush vines and fermented in stainless steel to preserve purity, it opens with a touch of reduction that quickly gives way to vibrant aromas of candied cherry, strawberry, and darker notes like blackberry and plum. The palate is juicy and round, with soft, lightly sticky tannins that lend a warming, textured finish. Despite its depth, the wine remains fresh and approachable, thanks to careful winemaking that includes a three-week maceration and late-winter bottling to lock in brightness. There’s a subtle thread of spice—pepper, thyme, and licorice—that adds Mediterranean character without overpowering the fruit. With its modest alcohol (around 12.5%) and supple structure, it’s especially enjoyable with a slight chill, making it a great match for grilled sausages, roasted vegetables, or casual gatherings with friends. This is a wine that honors Carignan’s historic role in the region while delivering modern drinkability and charm.
Domaine de la Chapelle Chiroubles (Beaujolais, France) - A vivid, high-altitude Gamay that balances generous fruit with mineral tension. It pours a deep violet-red and opens with aromas of red cherry, plum, and a subtle savory edge—think dried herbs and cocoa. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied with juicy berry fruit, fine tannins, and a clean, mineral-driven finish. The acidity is bright and well-integrated, giving the wine lift despite its 14% alcohol. Made from hand-harvested grapes and fermented with semi-carbonic maceration, it captures the freshness and charm typical of Chiroubles while offering a bit more depth and grip than usual. It’s a versatile wine that pairs beautifully with roasted poultry, charcuterie, or firm cheeses, and it drinks well slightly chilled. Overall, it’s a polished, food-friendly Beaujolais that reflects both the warmth of the vintage and the elegance of its terroir.
Domaine Bellevue Touraine (Loire Valley, France) - A fresh, fruit-forward red from the Loire Valley's town of Touraine that showcases the playful charm of Gamay grown on siliceous and clay-limestone soils. On the nose, it bursts with jammy red and black fruits—think cherry compote, blackberry, and a touch of dried fig—layered with subtle notes of milk caramel and spice. The palate is supple and easy-drinking, with soft tannins that provide gentle structure without drying out the finish. Despite its ripe fruit character, the wine maintains a sense of lift and balance, thanks to its moderate 13% ABV and the estate’s sustainable farming practices.
Gorghi Tondi "Dume" Frappato (Sicily, Italy) - Gorghi Tondi’s Dumè Frappato 2023 is a vibrant, organically farmed red from southwestern Sicily that brings a fresh, coastal twist to one of the island’s most expressive native grapes. Sourced from sandy limestone soils near Mazara del Vallo, the wine pours a light ruby with violet highlights and opens with fragrant notes of blackberry, raspberry, and pomegranate. There’s a floral lift and a touch of Mediterranean scrub that add aromatic complexity. On the palate, it’s bright and velvety, with fine, slightly sticky tannins and a persuasive texture that balances freshness with structure. The acidity is lively, and the finish carries hints of pink peppercorn and tart rhubarb, making it both refreshing and food-friendly.
Villa di Corlo Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro (Lombardi, Italy) - Villa di Corlo’s Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro is a dry, sparkling red from Emilia-Romagna that delivers bold flavor and traditional charm with a modern polish. Made from 100% Lambrusco Grasparossa, it pours an intense ruby red with violet reflections and opens with a distinctly vinous, fragrant bouquet. Aromas of strawberry, cherry, and blackberry dominate, supported by subtle floral notes like violet and hints of cocoa, balsamic, and spice. On the palate, it’s dry, full-bodied, and slightly tannic, with a fine mousse and refreshing acidity that make it both structured and lively. The wine undergoes cold maceration for 7–8 days and spends two months in bottle before release, preserving its fruit purity and texture. With 11–11.5% ABV and around 12 g/L of residual sugar, it strikes a beautiful balance between grip and drinkability.
750ml x 6
Please note that we can't always predict sales and supplies on every item, so it may occasionally be necessary to make substitutions on certain items in our sampler cases and 6-packs. Thanks for understanding!
