Staff Picks: What to Drink This Week
Things our staff thinks you should consider trying!
2021 De Wetshof Limestone Hill Chardonnay - $24.99
The De Wetshof family has been making Chardonnay in the Robertson Region in South Africa since the early 70's. The Limestone Hill Chardonnay gets its name from the limestone rich soils it hails from. For me this Chardonnay is always one of the greatest unoaked Chardonnays available in the market showing great balance and finesse. Chablis lovers take note! The aromas consist of apple and melon. The palate shows refreshing mineral and tropical fruit with an elegant finish. This wine would make a great summertime aperitif or pairing with grilled lemon chicken.
-Rob
2021 Gavoty La Cigale Rose, Vin du Pays du Var, France - $21.99
Roselyn Gavoty is the eighth generation of Gavoty to helm her family’s estate since her family acquired it in 1806. Domaine Gavoty encompasses 50 hectares of vines on a Roman-era farm in the commune of Cabasse, in the south of France. Rosé from Provence (and anywhere, really) can fall into two categories; "patio pounders" as we lovingly refer to them in the wine business, and serious rosé. Gavoty’s are first and foremost wines—refreshing, thought provoking, with notably gorgeous textures. In fact, Roselyn considers texture to be the most important element in great Côtes de Provence rosé, and her wines uniformly hit bullseyes in that department. Roughly equal proportions of Grenache and Cinsault, with a small amount of Carignan and a splash of Syrah, “La Cigale” (named for the ubiquitous cicadas that populate the region) is charmingly juicy yet salty and dry, with nice length. This is a thinker and a drinker!
-Angie
2019 Dandelion Vineyards 'Menagerie of the Barossa' Red Blend - $27.99
This red blend is sustainably farmed in the Barossa region of Australia. Comprised of 70% Grenache, 20% Shiraz and 5% Mataro, the 'Menagerie of the Barossa' is a powerhouse begging for an invitation to your next cook-out. Aged for 14 months in neutral French Oak and left unfined/unfiltered, this wine is smooth yet structured — without being overpowering! On the nose you'll find notes of black cherry and red plums, dipped in dark chocolate, and topped with a sprinkling of fines herbes. Upon tasting, the characteristics of the wine morph into something more savory, with smoked meat and charred rose petal coalescing with notes of ripe bing cherry and tobacco. This wine would be best enjoyed served with pepper-laden barbeque on a hot summer afternoon.
-Katrina
2020 Antonelli 'Baiocco' Sangiovese, Umbria - $17.99
Antonelli San Marco has been in the same family since the 1880s. They employ full organic viniculture and only native grape varietals are grown on their estate vineyard. Their winery is near the Umbrian town of Montefalco and they make some amazing Sagrantinos of Monefalco DOCG that are gigantic beasts and justly famous for it. The Sangrantinos are definitely worth the expense but, ideally, need a lot of air and/or years to properly enjoy. Their Sangiovese 'Baiocco', on the other hand, is much more approachable to drink now and is certainly easier on the pocketbook. We tend to think of Tuscany when it comes to Sangiovese but in the traditionally more rural and agricultural region of Umbria Sangiovese has also always been a staple for the local tables. Umbria was for centuries an integral part of the Papal States and much more conservative than the rarified dazzle of neighboring Tuscany. Antonelli pays homage to this history with the name they give this wine and the central image on the label. 'Baiocco' was an ancient coin of the Papal States. The grapes are hand harvested from their vineyards, rich in clay and limestone soils. They designed an underground gravity flow system in their winery to keep the fruit cool and eliminate the need for any harsh pumping. Fermentation is with native yeasts on the skins. As the wine is then aged for 12 months in stainless steel, seeing no oak, it is all about the fruit and soil of Umbria! Fruity and floral aromas extend to a fresh and lively palate of cherry touched with a dash of earth and spice. It is lifted by a pleasing acidity for a lovely and satisfying finish. This wine will be a good match with thin sliced prosciutto and medium-aged pecorino cheese.
-Patrick
2021 Red Car Rosé of Pinot Noir - $27.99
Red Car as a producer is committed to presenting focused and finely crafted wines that show place and quality in a very direct way. Their rosé of Pinot Noir is a highlight of rosé season and 2021 is now available. This years addition is trending a bit more toward grapefruit, minerality and floral overtones then some of the overt red fruit notes of past years, so far. Generally, this wine tends to unwind and blossom a bit with time but it already shows a gentle complexity and precision with a long satisfying finish.
-David