September/October 2024 Mixed Case Sampler

Francois Crochet Sancerre (France) - Francois Crochet's entry level Sancerre Blanc is an assemblage of 12 parcels that he farms and in some vintages such as this, this blending of different terroirs yields a wine of incredible complexity, sometimes outshining the more linear focus of his single vineyard (and more expensive) bottlings.  Balancing crispness with lively acidity, this wine has intensity as well as freshness. Touches of mango and kiwi go with the tighter citrus tang and chalky minerality.

Schug White Pinot Noir (California) - A rare, luscious dry white wine from 100% Pinot Noir. The grapes were hand-harvested at night with only the purest free-run juice collected from the wine press. Then, 100% barrel fermented in neutral French oak barrels without skin contact to preserve the pale color and fresh, delicate flavors of wild strawberries, white peach, stone fruit, and honeysuckle. “Sur-lie” aging for five months provides mouthwatering texture and adds exotic notes of quince, watermelon, and grapefruit zest. The finish is full and long with a vibrant acidity and light minerality.

Bodegas Muga Rioja Rosado (Spain) - . A very pretty nose of flowers, especially rose petals and almonds. Fruit aromas come through well too, red berry fruits, wild strawberries together with some creamy vanilla notes. On the palate, there's a soft full attack, quite succulent followed by lovely acidity that balances out the first impressions of sweetness. The wine then develops beautifully with a tangy, refreshing finish.

Stift Klosterneuberg Sparkling Gruner Veltliner Brut (Austria) - Since its foundation in 1114 Stift Klosterneuburg Abbey has been cultivating wine, making it the oldest winery of Austria. With a total vineyard area of 108 hectares in the best locations of Klosterneuburg, Vienna and Thermenregion it counts among the most renowned wine estates in the country. As pioneers in the field of sustainability and climate protection Stift Klosterneuburg is Europe’s first carbon neutral winery since 2009.  Their sparkling wine impresses with its delicate mousseux, fruity-spicy aromas on the nose and fine yeast notes on the palate. An elegant sparkling wine, multi-layered, with an unmistakable Austrian style.

Delta Cabernet Sauvignon (California) - Delta is the new 2nd label from the husband and wife team that founded Brick & Mortar wines.  Matt is a UC Davis oenology grad and his wife Alexis is a certified advanced sommmelier and their passion for producing great wines with minimal environmental impact is second to none. The nose if full of blackberries and black currents holding court over aromatics of vanilla, eucalyptus, dark spices and leather. Drinks like a $30+ Napa Cab.

Milbrandt Brothers Red (Washington) - Just 10% of this delicious Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon Blend by Milbrandt sees oak, so there's nothing in between you and the fresh, complex fruit flavors of this Washington state red blend.  On the nose, beautiful florals alluding to lavender and notes of dried herbs envelope aromas of red plum, sweet tobacco and clove. On the palate, it offers a juicy mouthfeel with flavors of black cherry and black raspberry that lead to notes of dark chocolate, vanilla and baking spices that linger on the finish.

Bergh Zweigelt (Austria) - This wine is a charming, regional typical and finely fruity representative of its variety. Bergh's Zweigelt is characterized by fruitiness and is fun to drink. Jam of wild berries, floral nuances, dark ripened cherries. Playful, some white apple, vibrant acidity, delicate raspberry jam, a light and easy drinking style.

Maison Albert Pinot Noir (France) - Maison Albert's Château Les Bugadelles is located in the South of France, in the La Clape uplands in the heart of Languedoc, between Narbonne and the Mediterranean. Jean-Claude Albert and his family bought the estate in 2004; abandoned for over a century, the 400 ha of scrubland had become overrun by kermes oak and wild boar. Identifying the terroirs, the Albert family prepared the land to plant vines as well as olive groves, truffle oaks, and fruit trees. On the nose, fresh, red cherry and raspberry notes. On the palate, those red fruits come through; silky texture, smooth tannins, and medium bodied.  

Le Bozze Chianti (Italy) - When we found out that our favorite everyday priced Chianti (Barbanera) was going to out for a couple of months, we thought it was going to be tough to find another at the same price point with the same quality.  Luckily we found Le Bozze. The packaging may look a little plain, but its the stuff behind the label that really counts, and the juice inside is absolutely fantastic.  Aromas of ripe red cherries, violets, and hints of tobacco and baking spice. The palate delivers a harmonious blend of bright acidity and super-soft tannins framed by a rich, medium-bodied texture.  Further exploration yields plummy dark red fruits, a whisper of leather, and undertones of earthy dried cherry through the middle palate and well into the finish.

Ridgeback "Lion Hound" Red (South Africa) - A five varietal blend (Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Grenache & Mourvedre) from the Paarl region of South Africa.  An intense, juicy red blend of dark cherries, plum and licorice with a hint of cigar box and wood spice. The creamy mid-palate evolves to a long, savory finish.

Brunelli "Poggio Apricale" Toscana (Italy) - The fall releases from our Small Vineyards Portfolio order is starting to arrive, and the first to hit the shelves is the fresh vintage of Brunelli's Poggio Apricale Toscana.  The Brunelli's produce this young and jovial Sangiovese from the Martoccia Farm located about 500 meters from the center of Montalcino in southern Tuscany blended with fruit from his Montecucco vineyard. Built on a foundation of Sangiovese Grosso, this ripe, unoaked rosso supplies terrific “grip” for such a freshly-styled wine. Classic Tuscan aromas of morello cherry, sage, blackberry, and warm terra cotta fill the glass, along with a supple, approachable mid-palate. A small production wine from a very small estate, this is artisanal wine at its charming, low yield best.

Bruce Patch Dry Creek Zinfandel (California) - A beautifully balanced, medium bodied Zin aged in American Oak, there's just 125 cases of this amazing wine to go around.  A captivating crimson hue, the aromatic bouquet presents a fusion of blackberries and plums, interwoven with warm spices and toasted oak.  f dark fruit and black cherry, accompanied by subtle undertones of vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon.

12 X 750ml