2021 LA COMARCAL Tinto “Delmoro”
$20.95 bottle/ $201.00 case
I don’t know if I’ve had this irresistible a bottle of Spanish red in years. I am just 100% smitten here! La Comarcal (“The District”) is made from 85% garnacha and 15% syrah that are organically farmed in the Valencian hills just outside the village of Venta del Moro. This is darkly colored yet light on its feet, filled with wild berries, fresh spice, earth, and crushed rocks. Medium bodied, juicy, and just so easy to drink, I can only imagine how good this would be with a smoky pan of the paella, the iconic dish of this food obsessed region. With its moderate and just-right-for-this-style 13% alcohol, this is a guilt free and über-food friendly pleasure. The goal of young winemakers Javi Revert & Victor Marques is to produce minimally manipulated, true-to-their region wines. Based on what I’m tasting (on repeat!), they’ve succeeded admirably. Absolutely one of my favorite wines in the store, I can hardly recommend it highly enough!
>> 91 pts- Wine Advocate: “This has an amazing Mediterranean profile, showy, juicy, aromatic and rich without being heavy. The tannins are fine, and the finish is dry and long. It’s easy to drink for all consumers, wine savvy or not. Great value.”
2015 VIGNAMAGGIO Chianti Classico Riserva Gran Selezione “Monna Lisa”
$17.95 bottle 375ml/ $172.00 case
>>> SOLD OUT!!! <<<
2021 BISCI Verdicchio di Matellica
$17.95 bottle/ $172.00 case
One of the most popular bottles in our store last year in its 2020 incarnation, this newly arrived 2021 Verdicchio from Italy’s Marche region is at least its equal, if not slightly better, with an elevated mineral profile and slightly higher toned fruit. This is such an invigorating, energy filled bottle of bianco, clean and fresh with crisp fall fruit, citrus zest, and a dazzling minerally/saline edge on the zingy finish. I can’t often guarantee that you’ll love a wine, but, dang, if this one might be that! I would say if this doesn’t work for you it’s a “you” problem, but to each his own, I guess. For those who get it, this is DO NOT MISS juice!
>> 91 pts- Wine Spectator: “Aromatic, with apple blossom and peach skin notes, this lightly zesty white reveals mouthwatering acidity, a briny streak of salinity and a pretty range of ripe Honeycrisp apple, pickled ginger and nectarine accents.”
2018 QUINTA DA FONTE SOUTO Alentejo Tinto
$26.95 bottle/ $259.00 case
Tasted about 30 minutes ago with one of my wine reps, I thought this was one of the tastiest Portuguese reds I’ve had in a long tim. Super pleasing aromas and flavors that show freshness, bright fruit, and loads of character without that heavy, overbearing texture that too many reds from Portugal seem hampered by. The following reviews say plenty, but know this’ll most assuredly be getting further exploration on a regular basis at my house and should be tried at yours. Very, very well done!
>> 90 pts- Wine Advocate: “The 2018 Tinto is a field blend from old vines. This understated Tinto certainly speaks of its grape blend. There are touches of beef, smooth and unctuous texture, plus power on the finish. It finishes with some brightness as well as a tannic pop. The fruit is very lifted on the finish, but this is not a fruit-forward wine. Rather, the acidity and general structure are the key features here. This is for those who want elegance, not jamminess. Overall, this looks like a perfect food wine, impeccably balanced and built to age. This looks very seriously constructed for a nice price. It’s worth leaning up on this today.”
>> 90 pts- Wine Spectator: “A nice, seductive wine, with a velvety-textured core of warmed cherry and plum puree, backed by singed vanilla and a subtle sanguine thread on the finish. Delivers a late flicker of violet. Syrah, Alicante Bouschet and Alfrocheiro.”
>> 92 pts- Wine Enthusiast: “Produced by the Symington family, best known for their Ports and Douro wines, this comes from a new venture in the Portelegre region of Alentejo. The wine is richly structured, elegant and with fine black fruits and tannins. The wine, still young, is full of potential.”
