Our Wines
Az. Agr. Giavi Prosecco Superiore DOCG “Rive di Ogliano” 2022
The Giavi Brut is a delicious Prosecco, but the Rive di Ogliano Brut Nature is a cut above. It's a polished, pedigreed bottle of bubbles and its low price is ridiculous.
Like nearly all Prosecco, it's made using the Charmat method, which is essentially when the juice undergoes its second fermentation in steel tank giving the wine its bubbles. Valdobbiadene and Conegliano are the names of the two main towns on either side of their esteemed namesake DOCG. Proseccos that are from this DOCG are already much higher up the quality ladder than the entry level Prosecco DOC.
Within the Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG, there are several "Rive," which refer to vineyards planted on slopes of the steep hills that require hand harvesting only due to their rugged terrain. Wines from these Rive represent another giant step up the quality spectrum. Giavi’s comes from the very highly regarded Monticella hill. The wine is Brut Nature, meaning no sugar is added during fermentation, making the palate crisp and zippy (it comes in with a mere 2.5g/l of residual sugar). Its aromas are fresh and fruity: snappy green apple, pears, stone fruit, with a hint of citrus blossoms. On the palate it's elegant and creamy, just the right amount of lift to keep the lively fruit firing as we taste it. The finish is clean and zesty, with perfect balance. There are Champagnes out there that aren't this good! The best prosecco we have ever tasted at Cellar Browser.
Moncuit Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs
One of my favorite champagnes…perhaps my favorite at this price on the planet. Our first champagne had to be something that was a WOW! And Moncuit never fails to deliver on the superlatives. No need to take my word for it though, check out the critical evaluations from the top wine critics: 100% Chardonnay from the family's grand cru vineyards in Le Mesnil. Dosage is 9 grams/liter. Very mineraled release, where the terroir of Le Mesnil really comes through. We smell the chalk, then lurking underneath, plenty of concentrated fruit including grapefruit and an exotic pineapple note.
Ostro Pinot Nero Rosé Spumante
Who doesn't love a foamy glass of delicious sparkling rosé? This little party starter from Friuli is one for the fridge and the hopeful return of gatherings in the coming months. In the meantime, there is enough deliciousness here to throw a party for yourself before settling into your coziest spot to binge some Netflix.
Voirin-Jumel Champagne Tradition
Put down that yellow label bubbly and dive into something much more compelling for a few dollars less. Jean Voirin, who owned some vines and sold all his grapes in bulk, decided to begin bottling his own champagne at the end of World War II. The Jumel family started producing champagne around the same time—René Jumel had a transport business and his wife's family had some vines that they cultivated. As the champagne market grew, René began selling some of his trucks and buying vineyards around the Côte des Blancs, which his wife, Paulette Richomme, worked and oversaw. Between 1950 and 1970, all the grapes were sold in bulk. A blend of 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir from the Côte des Blancs and Vallée de la Marne, this is the domaine's "entry level" champagne, perfect for any occasion. Its aromas and flavors of red fruits, hazelnuts and almonds are balanced by a pleasant liveliness. And way more interesting than some of the big house sparklers you pick up at the Warehouse Box Store.
This is Due Santi Wines' first sparkling rosé, and it does not disappoint. Produced from organic Merlot grapes, this bright and satisfying wine celebrates the journeys we take in life. Real journeys toward a special person or place. Journeys of the mind or heart toward some greater good. Plus all of those crossings -- real and imagined -- that we make just for the sake of it. This sparkling wine has a beautifully rich pink hue and just the right amount of bubbles. Share a celebratory glass with friends or sip leisurely by the pool -- you can't go wrong with this one.
Is the most complete and beautifully balanced wine we have made from our Merlot plantings. This wine is one part Provence (in color and acidity) and one part Castelli Romani (for its ripeness and length on the palate).
Domaine de Figueirasse Vin des Sables ‘Gris de Gris’ 2020
This particular rosé wine is dry, lively, and refreshing with aromas and flavors of tangy red cherries, pomegranate, fresh ginger, and white pepper. It’s the perfect aperitif but also pairs well with light, Mediterranean-inspired food.
This organic rosé wine is the very best product that we have produced in this line since the debut in 2018. The lovely amber color of the 2018 wine has returned, along with some really pleasant and inviting floral tones on the nose. At first taste, a combination of citrus and mineral flavors appears, with notable peach and orange hints lingering till the end. Our rosato 2020 weighs in at 12.5% alcohol and wears it well. For anyone who likes the Spritz, Italy’s current national favorite after-work drink, this wine will also give you that sense of genuine Italian style, grace and beauty, all in a glass.
Roccafiore Grechetto ‘Fiordaliso’
100% Grechetto di Todi and one of the most refreshing white wine styles from Italy. Cantina Roccafiore farms in the rolling hills of the Umbrian countryside near the town of Todi.The wine is dry, with a pleasing freshness, supported by minerality and persistence. The bouquet is of white flowers, with attractive notes of pink grapefruit and green apple.’
Azienda Agricola Durin Riviera Ligure di Ponente Pigato
This white is one for the books. It has aromas of white peaches, honey, and wildflowers and has flavors of citrus, white pepper, fresh almonds, and stone fruits. Pairs perfectly with a big roasted chicken, pork, or shellfish for your Easter dinner. Also goes incredibly well with a garlic-heavy sauce, like pesto. And do not skimp on the great EVOO and Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Azienda Agricola Murgo Etna Bianco 2019
This white has aromas of jasmine and yellow flowers. It is plush yet lively, with good acidity; rich, intense citrus and apricot flavors. The freshness of this wine screams for seafood or light pasta dishes. It would be great with calamari, spaghetti with clams, or simply bread and olive oil.
For our stainless-steel chardonnay fans here is a little jewel from Italy that will make you smile and give you a new color palette to enjoy. The 2021 Lugana hits all the marks with soft peach, green almond, and juicy tangerine flavors all wrapped up in saline minerality. As it opens it becomes softer and envelopes you with gleeful memories.
The winery was started by Ambra and Franco Tiraboschi in 1992. They stumbled into production shortly after purchasing the property. Initially unable to find buyers for their grapes, they decided to make a go of it themselves. Though they make several different wines, including red ones, the centerpiece of their production is Lugana.
Lugana is a viticultural region that occupies the southern end of Lake Garda, located roughly halfway between Milan and Venice. The white grape variety that is grown here is locally called Turbiana. It is now known to be Verdicchio, identified through genetic testing. Somewhat misleadingly, the grape has also been referred to as Trebbiano di Lugana. What makes this region special is the white clay soil that Turbiana is grown on; soil that was once part of an ancient lakebed. The soil allows for full ripening of the grapes while retaining a distinctive mineral note. Pasta with Clams or even the Fettuccine Alfredo
Cantine Bonelli “Sogno” Val de Trebbia
This is a spritzy and delightful white wine to serve poolside or perhaps with a weekend brunch. You won’t even need to adulterate this beauty with OJ. Chill it well or sip it from your YETI mug on your floaty.
Lineo Belcanto is the collection of wines Cantine Bonelli named in honor of Puccini's librettist, Luigi Illica, who was born in Piancenza. The grapes for the Sogno (Puccini's La Boheme, "...Sogno chi'o vorrei sempre sognor") are grown on hillsides 18 miles southwest of Piancenza in Italy's Emilia-Romagna region. A blend of the region's native grapes, Ortrugo and Malvasia di Candia, this is a unique and delicious wine. It is low in alcohol and ever so slightly effervescent. The fizziness is achieved after a three-month long Charmat process; the same process used to make Prosecco. The Sogno is aromatic with notes of hawthorn and wisteria, but the finish is perceptively dry.
Domaine de la Rouletiere Jean-Marc Gilet 2020 Vouvray Sec "Cuvee Silex"
Dry Chenin Blanc is a thing of beauty. This one is made with 100% Chenin Blanc that comes from clay soils littered with small pieces of silex. It is aged in stainless steel tanks and older barrels (+ 10 years old). This medium to full-bodied wine has notes of apple, fresh almonds, peach, and citrus fruit. Imagine all the pairings with spicy foods and savory summer grilling without any perceptible sweetness. This wine is my go-to for sausages (especially the jalapeno and cheese kind). Also goes well with broiled fish and goat cheese.
Domaine Jean-François Quénard Chignin “Anne de la Biguerne” 2018
This cuvée is made from 1 hectare of 65-year-old Jacquere vines, grown on clay and limestone soils. After being harvested by hand, the grapes undergo a long fermentation with full malolactic. The lees are stirred in the tank for two months to give the wine additional richness and complexity. Production is just over 600 cases a year. The wine shows mineraled notes (tonic) as well as higher-pitched floral notes. Excellent with grilled fish, shellfish, and the local Savoyard charcuterie.
Domaine Musset-Roullier Anjou Blanc Le Moulin de Chateaupanne 2019
This wine is 100% Chenin Blanc. Waxy fruit (star fruit, dried pineapple), flinty, and full of that lovely rockiness that only comes from the Loire Valley, this is a cerebral white wine. Dream pairing for grilled chicken (particularly with some French herbs) and shellfish cooked over a fire. Or you could just throw some olive oil, herbs, and salt on pasta and go to town.
Domaine Ricard Touraine Les Trois Chenes 2019
This wine drinks well above its price point. Perhaps more like aSancerrethan the neighbors there would be comfortable admitting, this is a very classy white wine and among the best whites we have ever offered for the price. 100% Sauvignon Blanc from old vines (the oldest planted in 1947) on a gentle slope near the top of the hill. The vineyards face directly south, and the soil is clay and limestone. The grapes are hand-harvested and pass through a sorting table. Yields average about 35 hl/ha. The wine is barrel-fermented for 3 months, then aged in barrel for 8 months, with lees-stirring every 4 days or so. A delicious mouthful of Sauvignon Blanc that overachieves not only its appellation but also those to the east, notably Sancerre. Great texture, bright white peach fruit, classy vanilla notes and good underlying acidity make this an absolute pleasure to drink.
Mas des Bressades “Tradition” Blanc
This is our white wine for red wine drinkers. There is so much texture and richness in this gorgeous blend that I would argue it might be better with a lot of summer foods than a red wine. This goes for grilled or BBQ chicken – gyros – salmon – and cheese enchiladas. This wine drinks like it cost $40. Decant this and drink about 30 minutes out of the fridge.
The 2021 Mas des Bressades Cuvée Tradition Blanc, Costières de Nîmes is a blend of Roussanne (50%), Marsanne (30%), Grenache Blanc (10%) and Viognier, and the result is a fresh, lively, somewhat fleshy wine that is perfectly balanced on both nose and palate. The aromas are of apple blossoms, orange peel and hints of exotic white and yellow fruit. The palate entry is soft and plush, with the fruit lifted by the bright acidity, exposing subtle notes of spice and flinty minerals. The finish is complex and lengthy, with all components firing together, and nothing out of place. Seriously, it walks like a white Châteauneuf des Papes and it talks like it too!
Societa’ Agricola Villa Varda Friuli Friulano
This wine is killer. There is always a potency of mineral in a great Friulano. In this case, there is also a lushness to couple with the power. This particular Friulano has aromas of fresh apricots, citrus, and light wildflowers. It’s fresh, fruity, and suave; light on the palate but intensely flavored. Works perfectly as an aperitif, with local salumi or with grilled fish.
Quinta de Santiago Vinho Verde Alvarinho 2020
It starts with destemmed Alvarinho grapes, sourced from vines in Portugal’s Vinho Verde region. They’re lightly pressed and cold fermented before aging in stainless steel tank.
Alvarinho is just scrumptious, no matter in which Iberian nation it is grown. Quinta de Santiago’s 2020 is fresh and energetic. Aromas of peach, citrus, and mineral rise from the glass leading to a clean, polished mid-palate with a mineral backbone. The finish is dry and crisp. Its fleshy mid-palate and complex bouquet make it a great choice to pair with shellfish and/or chicken cutlets. But definitely give it a go if you are an oyster person.
After several bottles over the last week, I can confidently say that the 2021 Due Santi Rosso is the best wine we have ever made. I tasted it on its own and against bottles that are twice its price, and each time I was more impressed. The nose is classic Due Santi with red and black fruits encased with forest herbs and hints of graphite and coffee. As it opens (several hours of decanting) it begins to reveal this lengthy impression of Dutch Cocoa and medium-roasted coffee. It reminds me of tiramisu but without the guilt and the mess. This is as complex and refined as any wine I have tasted from Lazio since the 1994 Colle Picchioni Vigna del Vassallo (another story indeed). What a testament to the team at UD Rome. Bravo!
A near 50/50 Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot - The 2021 Rosso is the result of a near-perfect growing season. Our vines have matured, and our viticulture is world-class. The resulting fruit is ripe with intense black fruit flavors encapsulated by perfect acidity and subtle herbs that dance across the palate. This is a serious wine with potential for 15+ years of aging. Yet, it opens quickly and offers a lengthy and silky dose of that “yes this is what I want in a red wine”. We are quite proud of Claudia, our winemaker, and the team at Due Santi.We dedicate this vintage to our leader in Rome, the giant one, Dr Peter Hatlie. For without his tieless pushing this dream would never have been realized. Cheers to Peter and to all of us who love Due Santi. Enjoy this with all things from the grill.
This is a complex and rich wine with a lot of backbone to balance out the deep plum, cedar, and hint of vanilla. While our Rosso pairs quite well with pizza, it really shines when served with grilled red meat. The Due Santi is lovely now, but would benefit with a little time in your cellar. Only 200 cases for the American market.
Due Santi Rosso 2019 is the beneficiary of perfect weather and a superb growing season in the spring and summer of 2019. The final product is a wine with extraordinary character, complexity, and sense of command. It is deep purple in color and rich and satisfying in taste. On the nose, there are complex and seductive hints of dark-blooded forest fruits, just enough but not too much leather, and then a hint of smokey wood aromas from our newly-acquired casks. For our Cabernet Sauvignon lovers, this year’s DSR gives you more to enjoy than in past vintages, in effect elevating the smoothness of the Merlot with some pleasant action and indeed transgression on the part of its Cab Sav counterpart. Weighing it at 13% alcohol, this wine is generous to the final drop.
Anna Maria Abbona Dolcetto Maioli- 100% Dolcetto
This is one of the most elegant reds we have ever offered. Based in Dogliani, the southernmost part of the Langhe region, the Abbona family has been working their vineyards since the 1840’s. Currently led by Anna Maria Abbona, the stellar combination of high-altitude sites, old vines and a commitment to farming at low yields puts her estate firmly in Dogliani’s elite. If you want proof that Dolcetto is not 'the Beaujolais of Italy,' pour yourself a glass of Anna Maria's Maioli, which is 100% Dolcetto.
Aurelio Settimo Dolcetto d’Alba D.O.C. 2020
The wines from the Settimo estate are made by Aurelio’s daughter Tiziana. Apart from her Nebbiolo vines, she grows nearly one hectare of Dolcetto. Tiziana’s approach is traditional and authentic, there are no new barrels here! The wine sees a short, 7-day fermentation on the skins and goes through frequent punching down and pumping over of the must. It goes through malolactic fermentation in concrete tank.
This strikingly ruby hued red shows cherries, strawberries, currants and a hint of almond. On the palate it’s fresh and juicy. It’s the perfect all-purpose spaghetti red.
Ca’ Lojera Cabernet Sauvignon Monte della Guardia 2018
Ambra and Franco Tiraboschi are well-known for their fantastic white Lugana wines, but they also have some hillside vines in the Monte della Guardia area where they grow Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. This 100% Cabernet is the grape au naturel. It’s all steel tank-fermented, just pure Cabernet Sauvignon as it was meant to be. Distinctly Old World, this displays the elegant side of Cabernet, with a zippy palate and herbal notes. This is cab for turkey, but will crush it with a burger as well.
Chateau Bonnin Lussac St. Emilion 2016
This is a small producer in Lussac Saint Emilion, one of the satellite appellations outside of the more famous Saint Emilion. Soils between the two are similar, with a mixture of limestone, clay, and sand. The wines of Lussac usually over-deliver for their considerably lower prices than the wines from their big brother. Husband and wife team Patricia and Phillipe Bonnin purchased the 9 hectare estate in 1997. The vineyards are an average age of 25 years old. Made with a blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine shows concentrated cherry and plum flavors, a hint of tobacco, vanilla, and clove. The tannins are well-integrated on the finish, making this wine a wonderful candidate to accompany hearty stews, a veal chop with mushrooms, or roasted pork tenderloin.
Château de Mattes-Sabran Corbières ‘Viala’
Did you happen to read Hemingway’s “A Moveable Feast” ? If so, think of EH whiling away the hours scribbling in a notebook, ripping through cigs and ordering cup after cup of easy-drinking Corbières. This is the red that makes you want to watch things happen that do not directly involve yourself. With aromas of blackberry, licorice, and Asian five-spice and flavors of red and black plums and smooth tannins, this is the wine you want to drink with your grilled red meat or game.
Bergerac is not far from Bordeaux – actually, it’s about an hour and a half east of Saint-Émilion. Since it’s located further away from the ocean, one typically finds the same grapes/blends that are used in making the wines on Bordeaux’s Right Bank. 60% Merlot and the rest equal parts Cab Franc and Cab Sauvignon make up this medium-bodied, bistro quaffer.
There’s no oak involved here, so what you get is pure, juicy red and purple fruit. There is a lively feel to the wine, as its freshness keeps the fruity flavors alive through to the finish. The handy screwcap enclosure makes it easy to tote around to parties and small gatherings. This is perhaps the most outstanding cab value we have every sold. Dynamite!
Cincinnato Nero Buono ‘Pollùce’
This is the first time we have offered another wine from our beloved region of Lazio (where we grow and make Due Santi). But this is really fun and comes from the indigenous variety Nero Buono. This kind of savory, midweight red is a very versatile table wine; the aromas and flavors here are distinctive, slightly herbal in a Cabernet Franc kind of way, and very drinkable. We think this wine would be fun to open early in a meal with apps and cheese and then follow with the Due Santi Rosso for a real contrast in styles and weight. Pro tip - this wine is amazing with fried things like the Roman supplí or meat-filled Ascolano Olives.
Domaine Berthoumieu Madiran Charles de Batz 2015
The domaine’s top red wine is the cuvée Charles de Batz, which was the original name of d'Artignan. The wine is composed of 90% Tannat with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon from vines that are 50-100 years old. After being completely destemmed, the Cabernet and Tannat are fermented separately in cement tanks. During this time, a bit of micro-oxygenation or microboullage takes place. The wine then goes into oak (50% new) in an underground cellar where it also undergoes malolactic fermentation. After 12 months in wood, it is blended and bottled after a very light filtration. Very ripe, rich Madiran that takes no prisoners. This wine succeeds in obtaining more fruit than tannin! The color is nearly opaque—wine doesn't get much darker than this. It displays notes of black fruit (blackcurrant and blackberry) along with just a hint of red fruit. There is a cedar-like creaminess to the oak which is extremely well-integrated. Tannins pick up on the finish but, let's face it, this is Madiran and that is to be expected. These tannins seem to dissolve when the wine is matched with richly flavored meats like leg of lamb, duck, goose, or game.
Domaine Christelle Betton Crozes-Hermitage Rouge ‘Espiègle’ 2018
The best red wine we have offered to date (outside of our beloved Due Santi Rosso, of course). This is 100% Syrah and absolutely dynamite. This is a muscular and glorious specimen and pairs perfectly with grilled meat. In fact, while we usually steer clear of too much BBQ sauce with French wine, this bottle dares one to pour it on thick.
Domaine de la Madone Beaujolais-Villages ‘Le Perréon’ 2019
Perhaps no other grape has benefitted by the warmer climate than Gamay. This wine and all Beaujolais reds are produced only with this noble grape. Over the past few vintages, these wines have become more rich, fleshy (viscous), and delicious. In essence, this is a wine for all foods, but we especially love this paired with grilled meat, heavy salads, and even enchiladas and fajitas.
Domaine des Aspras Côtes de Provence Rouge “Les Trois Frères”
The big soft, rich wine from our offering this time. The Les Trois Frères Rouge is a well-balanced red that displays rich berry nuances, which you would expect from this region, with a distinctive structure that speaks of Aspras' terroir. An equal blend of Grenache and Syrah, these grape varieties are grown on parcels of iron-rich red earth soils. It exhibits generous blackberry and tangy black currant notes that give way to sweet spices on the finish. It has an appealing medium-bodied weight to it with no detectable traces of oak.
Michael Latz has His Three Sons, Raphaël, Alexandre and Sébastien - Les Trois Frères. The three brothers represent the third generation of Latz' who have participated in the viticultural endeavors at Domaine des Aspras. Michael's parents settled in Correns, France in 1961 after fleeing Nazi Germany by way of the Belgian Congo. After the death of his father in 1971, Michael, an agricultural engineer by training, returned home to help his mother run the domaine. He was a natural, and soon after they began to sell their own wine rather than selling off their grapes. Michael's interest in organic farming became a driving force. He became mayor of Correns in 1991 and by 1995 he persuaded the entire village to switch to organic production. He calls himself a "humanist winemaker" and believes strongly that teaching children about food production, consumption and waste is vital for the planet's future. This wine sings with Pizza, Pasta or Duck with Lentils
Domaine du Petit Août "La Memoire Neuve" 2018
Grapes are hand-harvested in small batches, then fermented and aged in fiberglass tanks with daily pump-overs. The juice undergoes a 7-day fermentation period, after which the free-run and press wines are blended. After malolactic, the wine is aged for 6 months in fiberglass tanks on its fine lees and is bottled after a light filtration. Notes of Morello cherry and black fruit with a savory note of black pepper.
Soft on the palate, this is a very versatile wine that can be enjoyed with anything you might put on your dinner table.
Domaine Fabien Trosset Arbin Mondeuse “Les Eboulis”
This wine is killer. It has a deep ruby color. Blackberry with a bit of red fruit peeking through, along with a touch of pepper. A hint of herbs (mountain herbs, as in Chartreuse) come through on the rich, full-bodied palate. The lightly tannic finish is also long.
Domaine Paul Durdilly et Fils Beaujolais ‘Les Grandes Coasses’ Vieilles Vignes Cuvée Unique
2019 in Beaujolais was like a combination of the best three years ever in the area. Critics are screaming from the mountain tops about 2019 and its merits. This wine has violet aromas, akin to Vosne-Romanée. Tannins are silk and flavors suggest red berries, red plums, and light spice. Goes well with white meat, like chicken, and hard cheeses, such as Comté.
Ferraton Père & Fils Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Plan de Dieu 2019
The Ferraton family took a giant leap forward when in 1998 they teamed up with their friend Michel Chapoutier. Chapoutier helped them convert to organic farming and biodynamic practices.
The Côtes-du-Rhône Villages distinction is a mark of high quality, as there are 22 specific villages whose names are qualified to be counted in this subset of wines. The grapes are destemmed, pressed and vinified in concrete vats. Maturation also takes place in vats. The wine has a dark fruit profile, with aromas of blackberries and black currants. The palate is lush and savory, with just enough brightness to maintain balance. The dark purple fruit will linger long after the finish. This is much bigger than you might imagine. The 15% alcohol is real (real tasty)
Grifalco Aglianico Del Vulture ‘Gricos’
Staying in the south of Italy we head over to the region of Basilicata. The volcanic slopes of the volcano Monte Vulture provide ideal growing conditions for this meaty and delicious red wine. Sourcing grapes from four different vineyards, Gricos is THE barbecue wine. Made from younger vines, but nonetheless meaty and substantial, the wine is purposefully made to be more forward and drinkable. Shows plentiful crisp red fruit, mineral and floral aromas, with pepper and an undergrowth background. Drink with beef, lamb, cheeses or substantial pasta dishes. But mostly serve this with brisket and ribs. If the sauce is not super sweet all the better. This is pretty darn big.
Masseria Furfante Nero Di Troia
I used to live and work in Puglia. And Nero di Troia was my wine of choice to drink with most all meals. And especially with the famous grilled meats of Pugllia’s renowned braccerie (their version of a BBQ joint where you pick your protein and they expertly grill it over hot olive wood fires). In fact, this wine is a second label produced by Rivera, a family-owned winery in northern Puglia, near the city of Andria and the remarkable Schwabian castle called Castel del Monte. While the Rivera family has only been bottling since the 1950’s, they’ve been practicing viticulture in the region since the 18th century, their estate has existed since at least the 12th. This is one of the coolest labels we have ever seen and the wine is just dynamite. It will transport you to the great Castel del Monte and make you feel like it’s all yours.
Societa Agricola Villa Varda Friuli Grave Refosco 2018
This is a big wine. It is from a cool place, near a rushing river. Yet, it is a mouthful of delicious and potent fruit. Notes of blackberry, cranberry, and cherry. Serve this wooly monster with a thick ribeye and lots of buttered potatoes.
SunHawk Farms "Big Sun Energy" Grenache 2018
This wine from California has balanced acidity with hints of tobacco and the experience of warm vine-ripened bramble berries popped into your mouth in the moment after being plucked from the vine. Cracked pepper and eucalyptus add delightful savory notes. This is an excellent natural wine for newbies or one to share with the friends. It would pair perfectly with a standing rib roast.
Torre Zambra Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, “Colle Maggio” 2020
Situated in the rolling hills of Abruzzo along Italy’s Adriatic coast, Torre Zambra calls the commune of Villamagna home. The brand makes several different bottlings, and Colle Maggio represents the entry-level for their more serious line. Rhône-like in character, its aromas are of plums, dark berries, oak spice, earth, and forest floor. It’s versatile enough to enjoy on its own or paired with heartier fare. I like this wine with filled pasta and chicken broth.
Tour de l’Isle’s Robert Rocchi works with a handful of growers with some prized vineyards in the southern Rhône Valley. He makes the final blending decisions with these respective growers at their estates. The fruit for Robert’s Luberon is sourced from a vineyard in the village of Ménerbes, in the heart of Luberon. It has been certified organic since the 2016 vintage.
This one’s for those of us who love a layered, perfumy bouquet of dark berry fruits, cherries, and spice. It’s mostly Syrah and Grenache, with a little Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Carignan blended in for added complexity. It’s a great cocktail wine; that fruitiness persists through the finish. Grilled chops will pair here also, especially the fattier the better.
This is a cerebral red from the Southwest of France. I have now tasted it on multiple occasions, and I am certain that it’s one of the best values we have offered here at The Browser’s Club. This is a wine that changes with almost every sip through the first 2 hours of being opened. I am sure it would continue to change with more air, but no bottle has ever made it more than two hours at my dinner table.
The 2020 On L'Appelle Braucol, which translates to "We Call It Braucol", is medium bodied with distinctive fruit flavors of blackberry, Morello cherries and fig. The aromatic notes include peony and violet with some spice. It wouldn't be described it as rugged, as the mouthfeel is supple, but it does have an earthy quality.
Braucol is the common name for the little-known Fer Servadou grape. We suggest this wine with grilled meats that are not heavy on smokiness.
