I understand that January is the month that all the Christmas bills come due so I have scoured closeout lists to get you extra good deals this month. A couple of the wines are more than $10 off per bottle from frontline price but I do have limited quantities of each wine.
Neil Ellis
Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Reg. Price $22.99
Sale Price: $12.99
White Wine of the Month
Oenops
Apla Red Blend 2020
Reg. Price $23.99
Sale Price: $12.99
Red Wine of the Month
When I saw this weird little blend on the closeout sheet I knew that it had to be mine and I took everything my distributor had. I didn’t recognize two of the three grapes and took a bottle home the night it arrived with high hopes and I could not possibly be more pleased. Oenops is a relatively new producer from Greece that was founded in 2015 by Nikos Karatzas, a chemical engineer turned oenologist turned winery owner. It makes sense that this wine reminded me of Bordeaux because he studied oenology at the legendary Institut d’Oenologie in Bordeaux and had an opportunity to speak with winemakers such as Jean Louis Chave and Auguste Clape after finishing his studies. Nikos didn’t want to have any vineyards of his own and instead work with grape growers in the are who are cultivating native varietals. He wants his wines to speak of the place and lets that shine through by fermenting and aging the wines in traditional clay amphorae, concrete or other neutral vessels. The Apla red is a blend of 50% Xinomavro, 30% Limniona and 20% Mavroudi that is fermented in stainless steel, concrete and open top neutral oak barrels. Drinks like Bordeaux with a smidge more berry, fresh cherry and tomato leaf. Don’t get just one, you will regret it.
Tedeschi
Capitel Tenda Soave 2022
Reg. Price $22.99
Sale Price: $16.99
If you aren’t a Chardonnay fan but don’t want something as lean and citrus forward as a Sauvignon Blanc there are many options to chose from, including Soave. Soave comes from the Veneto in north eastern Italy and is made from the grape Garganega. The Tedeschi family has been farming vineyards in the Veneto since 1630 and Lorenzo Tedeschi brought the latest technology to the estate in the 1960’s which improved quality. Today the winery focuses on sustainable practices in the vineyards to protect the hills and vineyards that have been in their family for generations. Garganega is native to Northern Italy and is the star of Soave, making up at least 70% of the wine although Chardonnay or Trebbiano can be added in to the mix. Garganega ripens late and has thick skins so the wines are textural and weighty without having any residual sugar. The vines for the Soave are an average of 20 years old on clay soils in the heart of the historic Soave appellation. The wine is 100% Garganega that is harvested a bit late so the finished wine is textural and bursting with ripe fruit notes. The wine is fermented and aged in stainless steel and is bursting with notes of apricot, golden apple, lemon rind, apricot and an herbal finish with balanced minerality and acidity. Pair this with anything from charcuterie to roasted poultry or Asian foods.
Tikal
Natural Malbec/Syrah 2021
Reg. Price $26.99
Sale Price: $16.99
Malbec was wildly popular ten years ago, it seems like it was all anyone was drinking. It may not be enjoying fame like that anymore but Malbec absolutely deserves a spot on your table and in your wine cellar. Tikal was founded by Ernesto Catena, son of the legendary Nicolás Catena who brought the whole world’s attention to Argentina and Malbec. Ernesto has traveled the world, lived in many different places and has collected degrees in everything from Design to Computer Science but Mendoza has always called him back home. He grew up amongst the vineyards and loves the land so all Tikal wines are certified sustainable but he has biodynamic vineyards as well. Tikal Natural comes from certified biodynamic vineyards in Vista Flores in the high elevation Uco Valley. The grapes are grown organically and hand harvested and the wine is a blend of 60% Malbec and 40% Syrah for some extra spice and juiciness. “Natural” just refers to the biodynamic vineyards but this is not funky, unfiltered or “natty” like some wines found in the natural wine movement. The finished wine is aged for 10 months in a combination of French and American oak for just the right balance of plum, blueberry, dark cherry, vanilla and clove. It has balanced acidity and integrated tannin so it will be great with food or on its own with good company.
Vevi
Rueda 2023
Reg. Price $25.99
Sale Price: $19.99
I got Vevi on closeout a while back and I have just been waiting for there to be space in my newsletter. Sauvignon Blanc is incredibly popular these days so I wanted to nudge people in the direction of other similar wines. I always say that Verdejo is Sauvignon Blanc’s step sibling since it has a similar amount of acidity and fruit notes. The aromatics are a little bit lighter in Verdejo and this expression leans a bit more tropical than citrus but this is perfect for Sauvignon Blanc drinkers. Vevi comes from the Rueda region of Spain in the north western part of the country, about even with the top of Portugal. It is higher in elevation with a continental climate so warm days and cool nights which help retain the natural acidity of Verdejo, their prized white grape. The vineyards for Vevi are on a mixture of clay, sand and limestone and the vines are between 20-40 years old so the fruit is incredibly high quality and concentrated. The wine ages on the lees for 4 to 6 months after fermentation in stainless steel so there is some texture and richness to balance out the vibrant acidity. This wine is organic and has notes of everything from candied lime, white peaches, lemon zest, white flowers and savory herbs.
Craven
Cinsaut 2022
Reg. Price $34.99
Sale Price: $18.99
The wines of Craven are just as interesting as the story behind the winery and I brought in two very unique wines from them. Craven really started in Sonoma in 2007 when Mick Craven, an Aussie, and Jeanine from South Africa were working a harvest and met. They spent a few years travelling around and completing their studies before they landed back in Stellenbosch to take on their next endeavor. They wanted to create something special to highlight the coastal terroir of Stellenbosch and Craven began in 2012 with a few barrels of Pinot Noir from Jeanine’s family vineyards. The red wines they make are all Rhone varietals and then they make Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and the Pinot Gris below. Cinsault is typically a minor blending grape in southern France where it may make an appearance in a Côtes du Rhône or red blend from the Langeudoc but is typically used in rosé. I can’t find any notes on why they spell it without the “l”. The Cinsaut is destemmed and fermented in open top concrete vessels and is aged in concrete to show off the delicate nature of this wine. Bright raspberry, tea leaves, pomegranate and subtle licorice notes make this a glass to ponder over.
I can’t wait to explore these wines and more with you!
Pop into the store for all of your beverage needs and don’t forget about our in store tastings!
Beer Tasting Thursday 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Wine Tasting Friday 4 pm to 7 pm
