Congrats for making it through another holiday season! As is our tradition at the Bottle Shop, our January Case of the Month focuses on our current favorite value wines to help those whose pockets may be running a little thin after all of the presents and parties. Not to worry- the lower price does not reflect a difference in quality.
You’ll find a fun mix of Old World and local wines, with a broad range of styles that are perfect for sipping during the colder January weather. A full-bodied and pleasantly fragrant red blend from Lobo Hills Winery in the Columbia Valley and a stellar Italian 100% Nebbiolo from the Langhe region in the Piedmont hills.
We hope you enjoy this month’s case. Cheers!
Whites
(Italy) 2020 Tintero Rosato
Grapes: 100% Barbera d’Asti
Notes: Lightly effervescent, tart and tangy rose from Italy.
(Italy) 2020 La Capranera Falanghina
Grapes: 100% Falanghina
Notes: Easy going, fruit-driven white from Southern Italy. You’ll find ripe yellow and green apple notes with a hint of honeysuckle aroma.
(Spain) 2020 Pago Casa Gran Blanco
Grapes: 100% Malvasia
Notes: All natural and vegan, zippy and fresh white from just a little east of Madrid, Spain. Forward lime and clean minerality. Great with seafood or lightly grilled veggies with salty cheeses.
(France) 2020 Domaine de Maubet Cotes de Gascogne Blanc
Grapes: Blend of Colombard and Ugni Blanc
Notes: Great little table white from the Cotes de Gascogne in Southwest France. Tart citrus notes, with a fleshy mid-palate- perfect for roast chicken and herbed potatoes.
(Oregon) 2020 St. Innocent ‘Freedom Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Blanc
Grapes: 100% Pinot Blanc
Notes: Nicely textured mouthfeel, grapefruit and green apple mid-palate, nice balanced acidity and a whisper of lime zest in the finish.
(Oregon) 2020 McBeth Vineyards Willamette Valley Pinot Gris
Grapes: 100% Pinot Gris
Notes: Our ‘go-to’ Pinot Gris from the Willamette Valley for the last several months, all small batch production, family-run, and sustainably farmed. Nicely balanced, aromatic + floral aromas, Meyer Lemon on the palette. Delish.
Reds
(Washington) 2018 Lobo Hills ‘Right Bank Red’
Grapes: Blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc
Notes: Awesome recent addition to our Wa section. Rich, full-bodied red, made in an Old World style. Fantastic bottle for the price!
(Spain) 2017 Ludovicus Tinto
Grapes: 100% Garnacha
Notes: Our favorite Spanish red for under $20. Dark cacao, plum, and a hint of leather in the finish.
(France) 2016 Chateau de Brague Bordeaux Superior
Grapes: Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
Notes: Great cold weather, French table red. Nicely balanced, full-bodied yet restrained, a little blue fruit, slight earthy tannins, a touch of minerality. Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes Red.
(France) 2020 Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone
Grapes: 100% Syrah
Notes: Saint Cosme has been making their exact stellar wine, in the same Chateau, in the same part of France for over 400 years. This 100% Syrah is a straight shooting crowd pleaser. Black pepper, Blackberry and baked strawberry, pleasantly structured finish.
(Italy) 2019 Reverdito Langhe ‘Simane’ Nebbiolo
Grapes: 100% Nebbiolo
Notes: This Piedmont red has classic varietal notes, lean earthy minerality up front, with a good structure wooded and leather backbone.
(Austria) 2020 Beck ‘Ink’
Grapes: 100% Zweigelt
Notes: All natural and vegan Austria red produced by famed vintner Judith Beck. Intense herbal aromas, nice purple density, tangy dark fruits, and zippy acidity in the finish. Fantastic bottle!