May & June's 2024 Mixed Case Sampler
Trivento White Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina) - Trivento released the first white wine made from Malbec last year in NC with their 2022 vintage (the very first vintage made was the 2019). We tried, loved it and apparently everyone else did too because the NC distributor sold out before we could get any!The 2023 has just been released and is just as delicious and is a fantastic bargain for just $12. Unoaked and refreshing, Bright silver color, marked presence of green apple in the nose, lychee and tropical profile reminiscent of pineapple. Medium body with a bright acidity and a fresh finish in the mouth.
Ocean Road Sauvignon Blanc (South Australia) - Fans of NZ, cool climate Sauvignon Blanc will love this Aussie take on the Marlborough style (light, crisp, zippy & refreshing) that beats most of their neighbors' wines at their own game (especially when you think quality/price ratio).
"This is a bright, pleasantly fruity SB with notes of peach, watermelon and pineapple, and with just a touch of something greener, like gooseberry. Acidity rushes in straight away on the palate, pulsing until the finish. There's a slight chalky textural weight adding to the pineapple rind and peach fuzz flavors. - Wine Enthusiast, Best Buy Award Winner
Pfeffingen Blanc de Noir (Pfalz, Germany) - Usually when you see Blanc de Noir on a label it’s followed by Brut or some other similar term denoting the relative sweetness of the sparkling wine that you’re looking at. Here it means the same thing, “White wine from black/red skinned grapes” but since things stop there, there’s no carbonation in this fantastic German white wine made from Pinot Noir. Aromas of green apple, white flowers, and peach lead into flavors of citrus, raspberry, and light minerality. The palate is dry, with zesty acidity and a touch of effervescence. The wine ends with a juicy and medium finish with a light chalky note.
Floriography Mediterranee Rose (France) - Floriography, or the “language of flowers,” was coined in the Victorian era and refers to the practice of communicating with others by sending secret messages coded in the arrangement of particular flowers. Floriography Rose wine is sourced from vineyards in France's premier Rose wine growing regions of Aix-en-Provence and Bouches du Rhône utilizing the classic regional Rose varietals of Cinsault, Syrah and Grenache. Watermelon, ripe peach aromas, and floral notes lead to a palate alive with wild strawberries and hints of mineral notes, with crisp acidity and a refreshing finish.
Typesetter Zinfandel (Napa, CA) - Sourced from the Lincoln Creek Vineyard on the corner of HWY 29 and Yount Mill Road across the street from Paradigm from certified organic, heritage clone Zinfandel vines. The deep purple plum color coats the glass with strong viscosity and promises an intense tasting experience. The aromas jump out of the glass as old vine in character with candied violets, concentrated raspberry, earth, all spice and clove notes. On the palate the wine really coats the palate with its velvety texture which slowly releases Tahitian vanilla and rich mocha flavors. The wine finishes silky in texture with generous panoforte spice flavors wrapped with a concentrated raspberry compote and rich vanilla.
Altocedro Tempranillo (Mendoza, Argentina) -Establishing his vineyards in 1999 third-generation Lebanese immigrant, Karim Mussi and his family pioneered La Consulta in the Uco Valley as a special place to make “born and raised” wines that showed the unique style and terroir of the region. Today La Consulta is not only one of Argentina’s few Geographic Indication (GI) Appellation districts, it is widely considered one of the best. Altocedro is synonymous with outstanding La Consulta wines utilizing original old vine rootstocks, indigenous yeasts, hundred-year-old concrete fermentation tanks, and Karim’s minimalist winemaking, creating true terroir-driven wines.
The Tempranilo is from a section of the estate vineyard planted 30+ years ago. Deep and intense ruby red with violet reflections. Very aromatic with notes of red and ripe black fruit like blackberry, black currant, and pepper. On the palate it is rounded and smooth with sweet tannins and balanced acidity. Sensations of plum and red fruit jam.
Cline Family Cellars Ancient Vines Mourvedre (Contra Costa Co, CA) - Cline Family Cellars is a family-owned and operated winery founded by Fred and Nancy Cline in 1982 in Oakley, CA. The winery facilities were relocated in 1991 to the Sonoma Valley, on a 350-acre estate in the Carneros district. The Cline winery and vineyards are built on a foundation of deeply rooted respect for the land and love of winemaking. Cline is one of the pioneers of California’s Rhone Rangers movement, and the largest holder of 100+ year-old-vine vineyards in California and one of our favorite wines they produce from
Bright purple-red. Aromas of Santa Rosa plum, red perfume, cranberry, cedar, vanilla and red florals. Soft round entry, medium to heavy body. Enticing acidity that dances on the tongue. Gently firm and lingers through the palate. Cranberry,pomegranate, lilacs, fresh plum, light toasty oak.
Dei Rosso di Montepulciano (Italy) - The 2022 Rosso di Montepulciano is rosy and floral with a licorice tinge that complements its crushed raspberry fruits. Round and balanced with a pleasant inner sweetness and crisp red berry fruits, this washes easily across the palate, leaving a gentle tug of fine tannin in its wake. Hard candy and sweet sage notes stick around as the 2022 tapers off with fantastic length and youthful poise. Nicely done. Caterina Dei explained that Cantine Dei can't produce enough of their Rosso to meet demand, and it's easy to see why.
Bodegas Habla "Habla del Silencio..." Red (Spain) - Just in to their second decade of existence, Bodegas Habla has already created quite the buzz in their native Spain, and their latest releases are starting to open eyes (and mouths!) across the pond. Their innovative wines, eye catching packaging and unique moniker have folks taking notice of their delicious wines. Our favorite is the new Habla end Silencio, a blend of Syrah, Cabernet Saugivnon and Tempranillo. Vino de la Tierra de Extremadura Extremadura made from grapes 50% Syrah, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Tempranillo. The aging period is 6 months in French oak barrels. Speaking of silence is a fleshy wine, powerful, with aromas balsamic, mineral, ripe fruit and a persistent mouth. Color cherry, well covered with violet hues. nose is intense and complex, with aromas of cherry, blackberry, mint, pepper and graphite. mouth is sweet, meaty and fresh, with hints of fruit and cherry liqueur chocolates. A blend of syrah, sauvignon cabermet and Tempranillo. Reminds cherry, currant and mocha, with hints of pepper and rosemary.
Big Basin Gabilan Mountains GSM (Monterey, CA) - 95pts Vinous The cherry kirsch Grenache comes through on the nose, along with the brooding notes of Syrah and the deep black fruit of the Mourvèdre. A classic signature of Gabilan Mountains fruit is the intensity and depth of the fruit along with a vein of minerality/crushed rock presence. Intense and powerful with a brash and youthful expression which will melt into a seductive silkiness and depth with age.
Battle Creek "Unconditional" Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley, OR) - Aromatics of red plum and autumn leaves are accented by subtle notes of lavendar and boysenberry. The entry is lively and bright, showcasing the natural acidity of the Battle Creek Vineyard, complemented by concentrated fruit. The mid-palate offers flavors of Bing cherry, and ripe raspberry, finishing with soft, well integrated tannins with a hint of pomegranate.
Campo al Mare Bolgheri Rosso (Itlay) - The Bolgheri district of Tuscany is home to some of Italy's most famous and expensive wines, like the original "Super Tuscans" Ornellaia and Sassicaia. Campo al Mare is the Folinari family's take on the Bolgheri Super Tuscan and really over-delivers this vintage with a 94pt stunner that costs a fraction of those two wines mentioned above.
94pts James Suckling
The 2020 Campo al Mare Bolgheri Rosso is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cab Franc, and Petit Verdot grown on the hillside vineyards of coastal Tuscany planted on clay and sand soils that were just made for Bordeaux varietals. This property was first developed by the Folonari Family beginning in 1999 and this wine is a stunning value! The family now led by Giovanni Folonari has focused on a collection of smaller, boutique estates and Campo al Mare is their amazing estate in Bolgheri. Bursting with black currant and dark cherry fruits laced with a hint of anise and semi-sweet chocolate, graphite, and roasted earth. This wine is silky yet impressively powerful with a long, silky finish.
12 X 750ml
750ml x 12
Please note that with the uncertainty around shipping & deliveries from our suppliers, it might become necessary to make comparable substitutions in our mixed packs as certain items run out. Thanks for understanding!