I don't know why, but wines grown on Islands have always fascinated me. They seem to be a blend of cultures not quite the same as the countries they belong to. Corsica, Mallorca, Sicily, Sardinia and Crete all make compelling wines that deserve attention. Let's island hop for this week's flight.

Alexakis 2024 Assyrtiko Crete, Greece $20 - The fruit is amply layered with marine salt and minerals, giving the wine a very angular and crisp personality. There are aromas of lemon, pear and star fruit over a lean, fresh close. 

Alcesti 2022 Isola dei Profumi Rosso Sicily, Italy $15 - A blend of Periccone and Nero D'Avola. Bright red fruits, medium bodied, soft tannins and juicy.

Domaine Vetriccie Il Beaute Rouge Corsica, France 2021 $14 - The wine pours a ruby red with slight purple reflections at the rim. On the nose, there's a lively mix of red and dark fruit. Expect aromas of ripe cherries, wild raspberries, and blackberries, with hints of Mediterranean herbs like rosemary and thyme.

Ciello Rosso Nero D'Avola Sicily, Italy 2021 $16 - Ciello Rosso Nero d'Avola Terre Siciliane offers a rich and full-bodied flavour profile. It typically exhibits dark fruit flavours like black cherry and plum, along with hints of spice and savoury notes.

Contini Cananou 2022 di "Sardegna" Sardinia, Italy $19 - Familiar aromatics of blackberry, plum, violets and provençal herbs greet you from the glass. The acidity effortlessly persists on the slightly rich palate with a lovely smooth texture that gently leads to a mildly sweet and herbal tannic finish.

Bonus Wines

Ca'n Verdura Tinto 2023 Mallorca, Spain $24 - 51% Mantonegro / 24% Merlot / 20% Syrah / 4%Monastrell / 1% Callet. This fragrant, Mediterranean red is medium-bodied, with notes of wild red berries, citrus, fresh herbs, and exotic spices. It is fresh and energetic, with excellent texture.

Azienda Agricola Schirru 2022 Vino Arkimia Bianco Sardinia, Italy $27 - 60% Vermentino, 35% Nuragus, 5% Semidano, Malvasia, and other minor, endemic Sardinian varieties. The fruit is hand-harvested, fermented with 24 hours of skin contact in stainless steel. Aged in steel for 11 months on fine lees, unfined, unfiltered. This is a white wine fuller in body with pronounced herbal tones, apple peel, and hints of toasted nuts.

E Custodi Etna Rosso "Aetneus" 2019 Sicily, Italy $38 - A blend of 80% Nerello Mascalese and 20% of Nerello Cappuccio from vines between 90 and 150 years-old planted at 2000ft. on the slopes of Mt. Etna. The 2019 vintage is a stunning reflection of Etna’s raw power and finesse: aromas of red cherry, blood orange, wild herbs, and volcanic ash leap from the glass. The palate is taut and linear, framed by firm, savory tannins and a cool, mineral finish that speaks directly of the lava-rich soils. There's a brightness to the fruit and a wild, smoky edge that make this unmistakably Etna and unmistakably alive.

Don't miss the Landmass tasting Wednesday, July 23rd. These gals are on fire right now and on everyone's radar. I don't think I've seen this kind of excitement around a winery in my 18 years in the Oregon wine business. We'll be pouring these 5 - 7pm free.

Heavy Glow Sparkling Rosé $24

Grüner Veltliner 2024 $24

Chenin Blanc 2024 $24

Chillable Red 2024 $26

Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir 2023 $30

We’ll have my friend Brian Martin from Prufrock Wines pouring some highlights from his book this Friday 4 - 8pm for our flight. Wines from Columbia Gorge, Willamette Valley, Austria, Sicily, Chianti and Bordeaux.

This is a great lineup so grab a friend and come on down.

Timothy Malone Nebbiolo Rosato Columbia Gorge 2024 $19 - I've know Tim for years as the winemaker at J Christopher and have watched the success he's had with his own label. Nebbiolo from the Garnier vineyard out in the Gorge. Light, bright and refreshing!

Weninger Ponzichter Austria and Hungary NV $20 - Named for the German speaking “bean growers” that farmed between the vines of the Austrian and Hungarian borders. This light red blend of Pinot Noir and Zweigelt has a nose of fresh spring meadow and a palate displaying notes of bright red fruits, black pepper, alpine herbs, and earth.

Oedipoda Gamay Beaujolais, France 2023 $21 - From declassified plots of Gamay from Jullié and Émeringes (just south of Jullié) with soil types of pierres bleues andschist. In order to achieve a lighter extrac4on this wine is pressed before alcoholic fermenta4on has fully completed and as higher alcohol levels extract more tannin, they achieve a brighter and frui4er wine that could be served a few degrees cooler than the village or cru wines.

Champfleury Bordeaux, France 2020 $20 - This is mostly Merlot from the St Emilion area, and offers classic notes of blackcurrant, tilled earth, dark chocolate and vanilla bean mark the nose, and palate shows deep black cherry, currant, fresh raspberries and black dirt among gentle yet firm tannins. 

Calabretta Nerello Mascalese Gaio Gaio Sicily, Italy 2022 $23 - Ripe rhubarb, strawberry pie, blueberry, fig, cedar, pine needles, forest floor, purple flowers, violets. Palate is fresh strawberries and crème on a vibrant palate with fresh garden herbs + rustic tannins. Honoring centuries old traditions in natural farming, the Calabretta family tends these historic vineyards on the volcanic soil of Mount Etna, intertwined with olive trees and fruit orchards, for now 4 generations. Since 1997 Massimo & Massimiliano built a new winery and started to bottle and sell the Calabretta wines all over the world.

Bonus Wines

Twill Cellars Pinot Noir Willamette Valley, Oregon 2023 $26 - I met with the winemaker last week and tasted through the Twill wines and loved them all. I'm bringing in a few of the wines and thought the Pinot Noir would work for the flight. Deep, crimson red. Immediate and sweeping aromas of rose petal, rhubarb,blood orange and raspberry. Brooding secondary notes of salt, cranberry and earth provide layers to the more agile and forward red aromas. Flavors feel pure, poised and tense with primary notes of pomegranate and nutmeg.

i Clivi Schioppettino Venezia Giulia Friuli, Italy 2022 $29 - Ferdinando Zanusso lived and worked in Africa for forty years, before returning to Italy and his wife’s hometown. Here in Corno di Rosazzo, Gramogliano, he founded I Clivi in the mid-1990s. Shortly after its founding, his son Mario joined him in the winery where he continues to oversee all aspects of the vineyards and winemaking. Ferdinando and Mario share a vision to showcase Friuli’s prized terroir and unique, singular expressions of Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Cabernet Franc, and Schioppettino. Bright notes of strawberries and cherry compote hover over notes of peppercorns, dried thyme and rose water. A silky mineral-forward texture steals the show before a savory, fruity finishes crisp with lingering mouthwatering acidity.

Castell'in Villa Chianti Classico DOCG 2019 $39 - The 2019 Chianti Classico is a very pretty, open-knit wine. In most vintages, the Castell'in Villa Chianti Classico is quite forbidding young, but the 2019 is surprisingly approachable. Cedar, sweet pipe tobacco, menthol, licorice, dried herbs, ripe red cherry fruit and a suggestion of new oak all open effortlessly. Readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off this gem. In 2019, the Chianti Classico is quite aromatic and decidedly medium-bodied. 94 points from Vinous

4 - 8pm $16 for 5 pours with 3 additional wines available for purchase.

We'll have Emily from Handcrafted returning this Friday for a European flight from her book. Along with her Missouri "can do" attitude, she's bringing wines from Italy, Spain and France. We spent an hour coming up with this list yesterday so come on down Friday and check it out.

The Flight

Galerna Verdejo Castilla, Spain 2024 $14 - 100% Verdejo A fruit forward white wine with pear aromas and light tropical notes on the nose. Dominio de Punctum was born in 2005 as the initiative of three siblings with a shared goal: to produce wines that care for both our ecosystem and our palate.

Galerna Garnacha Castilla, Spain 2023 $14 - 100% Garnacha Bright red fruits, cherry, raspberry and white pepper.

Maylandie Cabanon Corbierres Rouge 2023 $16 - Cinsault and Carignan. The Corbières appellation is the largest appellation in Languedoc and includes terroirs with varied geological and climatic characteristics. It is mainly on the Boutenac terroir that the 25 hectares of vines of Château Maylandie are grown. The grape varieties of Château Maylandie are essentially composed of Grenache noir, Syrah and Carignan. In addition to these three majority grape varieties, it also includes Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc and Vermentino. Lightly aromatic with morello cherry juice and strawberry compote, almost floral like reseda. On the palate, caramelized apple and licorice combine with a fine, tight texture.

Raffault Chinon Galuches, Loire Valley 2023 $22 - 100% Cabernet Franc Les Galuches lieu-dit is an ancient river bed of the Loire. The name of parcel derives from the presence of gravel. According the records from the era, vines were already well established in this sector by the 1830s. The Cabernet Franc ripens very well in the domaine’s 10 hectare holding on a sand and gravel soil. The wine rests 6 months in 500 litre double barriques. It is very aromatic and is noted for its bouquet of violets, followed by lush and supple dark berry/cherry fruit. 

Cavaliera Elena Pignoletto Bianco Lambrusco NV, Veneto $21 - Clean, crisp, and very dry, with yeasty summer fruit notes on the nose, a dry and mineral palate, and refreshingly tonic bitters on the finish. The Cavaliera lambrusco is not “normal” lambrusco (it should be normal for wines to be this delicious), but it is authentic lambrusco. The Cavaliera wines are made to highlight the hyper-local varieties of the area of Castelvetro: lambrusco di Grasparossa, pignoletto, and trebbiano.

Bonus Wines

Brotte Creation Grosset Cairanne, Rhône Valley 2020 $23 - CairanneRuby with garnet reflections. The nose offers a combination of fresh fruits such as raspberry and redcurrant. Spicy notes of cinnamon and garrigue stand out. The wine will gain in suppleness over time, and in jammy aromas of raspberry and plum as well as undergrowth. The wine is generous and spicy with notes of wild strawberries, raspberries and red currants.

Jean Louis Chave Mon Coeur 2023, Rhône Valley $26 - The Chave family is based in a small village on the northern right bank of the Rhone. There have been Chaves growing vines on the famous Hermitage hill since 1481. Gerard Chave took over from his father in 1970 and rapidly achieved megastar status due to the extraordinary quality of his wines and has since passed on the winemaking responsibilities to his son Jean-Louis. 

Cecilia Monte Barbaresco 2019 $45 - High rent district terroir! Cecilia’s San Giuliano Barbaresco vines are adjacent to the rightfully esteemed Gallina vineyard. The ground here is very white with clay and limestone, facing East. A nose that is about purity and lifted aromatics with tones of strawberries, red cherries, raspberries, rose petals, cinnamon sticks, fresh herbs, violets, new leather, mineral notes, and some potpourri notes.

Every Friday 4 -8pm $16 for 5 pours with 3 additional for purchase.

Gulfi di Vito Catania 2021 Bianco "Valcanzjria"  $23

Valdibella 2022 Grillo "Ariddu" $17

Gulfi di Vito Catani 2023 Nero D'Avola $26

Il Custodi Pistus 2022 Etna Rosso $28

Il Custodi "Aetneus" Etna Rosso 2029 $38

Rioja

On June 6, 1925, Rioja became the first Designation of Origin (DO) in the country. And though the designation is celebrating its centennial, ancient artifacts and ruins—including wine presses and cellars dating back 2,000 years—prove that winemaking is a deep-rooted cultural practice in the region. 

This deep history allowed Rioja to help the European wine industry through one of its most difficult periods: the phylloxera outbreak that swept across France during the 19th century. While Rioja’s ample production succeeded in slaking international thirst, Spanish winemakers, too, benefitted from this exchange. 

“A lot of French winemakers came to look for grapes here and they actually established wineries,” says Peter Arijs, the education and global projects manager of the Rioja Consejo Regulador, confirming that several of the now century-old wineries in operation today were founded during this time. “The French brought with them their knowledge and also their winemaking techniques and that involved barrels, which was not common to the region.” 

In fact, the region has never stopped innovating and improving. In 1980, Rioja was the first to develop a system for standardized categorization based on aging—crianza, reserva, and gran reserva—each indicating a specific length of aging time prior to release. “These are wines that have been aged for you in the winery in perfect conditions,” says Arijs. “You don’t have to buy a wine very young, put it in your cellar and wait. These wines are basically released when they are ready to drink. That’s a huge advantage and something that still makes these styles very relevant today.”

As a testament to the high standards met and exceeded throughout the region’s wine industry, in 1991, Rioja became the country’s first Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa). Quality control measures put specific restraints on planting density, vine load, and total harvest size in an effort to maintain healthy grapes and quality wine production, and to uphold Rioja’s reputation as a premium wine-producing territory. To this day, only Rioja and Priorat have achieved this prestigious status. 

Ostatu 2024 Rioja Rosado $19 - 70% Tempranillo, 27% Garnacha, and 3% Viura. Tasting Notes Floral and acidic, very light on the palate with notes of red berries.

Luberri 2023 Rioja Orlegi $15 - Luberri Orlegi is the reference point for traditional, light-bodied, fruit-forward wines of Rioja Alavesa. Bright red and blue fruit from high-elevation vineyards. Fresh acidity and light on the palate.

Anciano No. 5 Rioja Crianza 2020 $14 - Elegant, complex, well-structured, fresh and fruity. Aromas of red fruits and vanilla with subtle hints of liquorice and toffee. Silky and persistent finish with a touch of spice. 

Carlos Serres Crianza Rioja 2020 $15 - Dark garnet in the glass, this Crianza has aromas of forest floor, red cherry, and black plum. In the mouth there are flavors of ripe black fruits and red cherries with a hint of new car leather in the finish.

Peciña 2023 Rioja Cosecha Tinto $16 - A luscious red wine. On the nose, it is distinguished by its intense notes of fresh red fruits, such as cherries and raspberries, imparting a vibrant freshness. On the palate, it is light and easy to drink, with a fruity character.

Bonus Wines

Sierra de Toloño 2023 Rioja Blanco $23 - 100% Viura. The primary aromas of white flowers give way to an elegant and complex background, with subtle toasted pastry notes. Its mouth is surrounding and silky, with powerful acidity that allows a lasting aftertaste.

Peciña 2017 Rioja Crianza $24 - This “Crianza” (usually the lightest and youngest of aged Riojas) is the equivalent of other producers’ “Reservas,” as it ages for 2 years in American oak, and then another 2 years (!) before release. Red berries, dried flowers, vanilla, tobacco, and silky tannins, too.

Bonus Bonus

Lopez de Heredia Cubillo 2016 $34 - Viña Cubillo wines come from the vineyard called Viña Cubillas, some 4 km away from the bodega, which as with all of the other vineyards, was bought by our founder. Historically these wines were called "Special Harvest". Vina Cubillas has an altitude of 410 m, and the vines have an average age of 40 years. The soil is from the terciary age and is a mixture of clay and limestone. Savory berries with aromas of white pepper, blood orange peel, preserved plums, iron and a touch of dust. Still pretty structured and intense, with a medium to full body, but juicy.

The Flight

Piedmont, located in northwestern Italy, is renowned for its exceptional wines, particularly red varieties. The region is most famous for Barolo and Barbaresco, both made from the Nebbiolo grape, known for their complexity, aging potential, and aromas of tar and roses. Barbera and Dolcetto are also widely produced, offering more approachable, fruit-forward profiles. Piedmont’s cool climate and rolling hills, especially around Alba and Asti, contribute to the distinct character of its wines. The region also produces elegant white wines like Gavi and the sparkling Asti Spumante. Piedmont's deep winemaking tradition makes it a cornerstone of Italian viticulture.

Alto Piedmont, in northern Italy, produces distinctive wines primarily from the Nebbiolo grape, locally called Spanna. Known for their elegance and minerality, these wines are lighter than Barolo but still complex and age-worthy. Key appellations include Gattinara, Ghemme, and Boca, where volcanic soils and cooler climates shape refined reds with floral, earthy notes. Blends may include Vespolina and Croatina, adding spice and structure. Alto Piedmont remains a hidden gem for Nebbiolo lovers.

Lombardy, in northern Italy, offers a diverse range of wines, from crisp whites to bold reds and renowned sparkling wines. Its most famous wine region, Franciacorta, produces high-quality metodo classico sparkling wines rivaling Champagne. Valtellina, in the Alps, crafts elegant Nebbiolo-based reds known as Chiavennasca. Lugana, near Lake Garda, delivers fresh, mineral-rich white wines from the Turbiana grape. Lombardy’s varied terroirs and climates make it one of Italy’s most versatile wine regions.

Ercole Bianco 2023, Piedmont $15 (1 liter) - Peach pit, pear, sweet nectarine with delicate flowers. Crushed pineapple and sweet citrus on a smooth, mineral driven palate. Blend of 80% Cortese with Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Fermented in Stainless Steel. 

Cantalupo Rosato Il Mimo Colline Novaresi, Alto Piedmont 2024 $22 - This gorgeous 100% Nebbiolo Rosato is full of aromas and flavors of fresh red berries, rose petals, and spice notes. A more full-flavored style of rosé, it has a juicy, long finish, with mouthwatering acidity to balance the rich flavors.

Cantina Casteggio Barbera 2022, Lombardia $13 - Intense ruby red color with violet tone. Intense perfume of black fruits. Mouth: a young fruity taste with almond aroma.

Ca del Baio Dolcetto d’Alba Lodoli 2023, Piedmont $16 - The Dolcetto d'Alba Lodoli presents itself with a lively ruby red color, hinting at its organoleptic qualities. On the nose, it offers an aromatic bouquet rich with notes of cherry, raspberry, and a slight spiciness that adds complexity without overpowering the freshness of the fruit.

Cantina Sociale di Gattinara 2022 Vino Rosso, Alto Piedmont $22 - This Vino Rosso is predominantly Nebbiolo grape blended with other local, indigenous grapes. Hand harvesting and aging in Slavonian casks lends to the enticing aroma with its tobacco nose highlighted with hints of cedar. On the palate you are greeted with flavors of red and black berries that instantly dazzle the tongue.

Bonus

Cigliuti Barbera D’Alba Serraboella 2022, Piedmont $27 - The 2022 Barbera d'Alba Vigna Serraboella is plump, juicy and super-expressive. A rush of dark cherry, plum, mocha, rose petals and licorice caresses the palate. Pretty floral notes lift the finish, adding brightness and persistence. 

Cantalupo Nebbiolo Agamium Colline Novaresi 2022 Alto Piedmont $21 - The 2022 Colline Novaresi Agamium, 100% Nebbiolo, is a terrific entry-level wine in this range. Bright acids cut through a core of red berry fruit, chalk, white pepper, mint and pine. This mid-weight Nebbiolo is an absolute gem.

 Bonus Bonus

Marco Ferrari 2023 Rosso di Valtellina, Lombardia $45 - Their 2023 Rosso di Valtellina has every keynote I look for in a Nebbiolo — grippy tannins, bright acidity, light body, tart fruit, and excellent minerality.

4 - 7pm with Darren from Tablas Creek in Paso Robles. This will be a casual gathering with a wine flight and some brats off the grille.

BBQ & Wine Flight $15 (flight of 3 wines + BBQ)

Tablas Creek "Patelin" Blanc 2023 $26

Tablas Creek "Patelin" Rose 2023 $23

Tablas Creek "Patelin" Rouge 2023 $26

Bonus Pours $8 each

Tablas Creek Esprit de Adelaida Blanc 2019 $57

Tablas Creek Esprit de Adelaida Rouge 2022 $72

The Flight - Portugal 4 - 8pm $16

No other country can match Portugal’s range of indigenous wine grape varieties, a rich palette for winemakers that goes back to the Bronze Age. Tartessians, Romans, and Phoenicians introduced winegrapes here, and viticulture eventually spread across Portugal’s diverse geography. Isolated from the rest of Europe, many unique wine varieties developed there as vines accustomed themselves to extremes in soil, weather and altitude. 

Now, in a small country with over 250 unique, indigenous wine grape varieties to choose from, it is not surprising that Portuguese winemakers usually draw from a variety of grape sources to create balanced, flavorful blends. The result is that Portugal is blessed with a treasure chest of unique and distinctive wines.

Portuguese blends, with their distinctive combinations and unique character, reward people seeking diversity. These wines, at their best, often from small but distinct regions, combine ancient winemaking wisdom with the latest scientific and technical knowledge to put the wonder and pleasure back in wine.

Altano Douro Branco 2023 $15 - (Malvasia Fina and  Viosinho) Crisp orchard fruits, a touch of citrus, and refreshing minerality.

Quinta do Infantado 2023 Infantado Junior Palhete $20 - 75% native red varieties/25% white varieties. From a single hectare of 40-year-old vines: a field blend of red and white varieties, planted at almost 2000 feet in elevation on a schistous, north-facing hillside in the Douro. The name of a legal category of Portuguese wine, "Palhete" is Portuguese for the British term "claret" (from the French "clairet" originally), historically applied to the pale red wines of Bordeaux wines going back to the 14th-15th centuries. 

Altano Douro Tinto 2022 $14 - (Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca) Altano reflects its Douro origins perfectly: generous aromas of wildflowers (rockrose and lavender); full-bodied structure with fresh and assertive fruit (plums and black cherries); spicy, peppery tones, all seamlessly held together.

Gota Wines Mirra Alentejo Red 2021 $17 - Fresh and juicy wine dominated by notes of black fruit with aromas of black olive and spices, truffle and leather with a structure of soft tannins that surround the fruit. 

Nicolau de Almeida 2021 Baixo Corgo Tinto $21 - The blend comprises Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barroca, and Tinta Roriz. The aromatic profile is layered with notes of blackberries, elderberries, and blueberries, complemented by subtle hints of pepper and forest floor.

Bonus Wines

Quinta Várzea da Pedra Branca Resrva 2018 $27 - Nose of peach pit and apricot crumble, pecan pie, flint, artisanal apple sauce with cinnamon. There’s a soaring nuttyness too. The palate is full of minerality, pecans and peaches and pineapple and green apple, a raging torrent of acidity, and the finish that echoes with white fruits and baking spices.

Nicolau de Almeida, Mateus 2021 Cima Corgo Tinto $23 - Cima Corgo is a blend of Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Sousão, and Tinta Amarela. The grapes come from the schist soils of mid-Douro region, which has an almost Mediterranean climate. This vintage presents a more elegant side, with juicy red berry fruit, and bright acidity. Medium-bodied, but well structured but it's plush tannins, notes of eucalyptus, white pepper and fresh herbs balance the dark fruit profile.

Bonus Bonus

Filipa Pato 2022 Nossa Calcario Baga $39 - 100% Baga from a selection of low-yielding centenary vineyards. Deep crimson. Deep-flavoured and subtle. And so appetising that for the first time in this massive tasting I,m tempted to swallow this! Tannins are like the most luxuriously polished soft leather.

We’ll have Marco from Lungarotti Estate in Italy’s Umbria region.

Lungarotti and Torgiano, the area that made Umbria famous for its wine. A long love story with the territory that spans many generations. Founded by Giorgio Lungarotti, pioneer of modern Italian oenology, the company today continues its path focused on quality production and sustainability, thanks to the commitment, passion and competence of the daughters Chiara and Teresa, supported by their mother Maria Grazia and by the sons of Teresa: Francesco and Gemma.

  Lungarotti Vermentino IGT Umbria  2022  $13                                               

  Lungarotti Torgiano Bianco DOC Torre di Giano Bianco 2022   $18

   Lungarotti Cadetto Rosso Umbria IGT 2022  $13                                 

    Lungarotti Torgiano Rosso DOC Rubesco 2020  $19                             

Lungarotti Torgiano Rosso Riserva DOCG 2018   “Vigna Montecchio”   $68                        

The Flight 4 - 8pm $16 for 5 pours with 3 additional pours available for purchase.

Cellar Jan Vidal Cava NV, Spain $14 - This wine spends 18 months aging to develop its flavors and has an exquisite fine bubble to it. Super fresh tart apple fruit and just a sublime finish. 

Asolo Prosecco Superiore N/V Gasparini, Italy $17 - Coming from the estate in giavera del montello north of treviso this asolo superiore is as sophisticated as they come. Soft bubbles and a fragrant nose of flowers apples and pears.

Ca de Medici Sobara Lambrusco, Italy $18 - The maceration of the grapes on the skins after pressing is very short and this gives this Lambrusco its typical bright pink color. It is characterized by delicate and floral aromas, like rose and violet, that timidly give way to a distant aroma of strawberry and pomegranate. 

Avinyo Cava Brut Reserva 2021, Spain $22 - It presents fresh aromas of green apple, citrus, and white flowers. On the palate, it's crisp and lively, with flavors of lemon zest and a delicate mineral note, all culminating in a refreshing, dry finish.

NV Vignoble de Jacques Rose Brut Cremate de Limoux “L”Inspire” Loire Valley, France $22 - 60% Chardonnay, 20% Chenin Blanc and 20% Pinot Noir. A subtle cherry color with a nice greedy raspberry nose. On the palate, red fruits are lightly present and Pinot noir brings all the fullness. The bubbles are delicate and the style is fresh, and vigorous.

Bonus Wines

Landmass Brut Rose NV Columbia Gorge, Oregon $26 - Sunshine in a bottle! Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Underwood Mountain. Fresh Hood strawberries, raspberry and lively acidity.

Domaine Franc Besson Dentelle Blanc de Noir Beaujolais, France $27 - 100% Gamay that comes from the Beaujolais region. 40-year-old vines are planted in a bedrock of granite. The fruit aromas are incredibly aromatic and driven by an array of mixed red berries. 

Billecart Salmon 1818 Champagne, France $45 - 37% Chardonnay, 30% Meunier and 30% Pinot Noir. White flesh fruits, plums and dried fruits. Refreshing with notes of citrus fruits and pepper.

The Rhône Valley is the second largest producer of AOC wines in France. The range of wines produced is as large as the region itself: about 70,000 hectares dedicated to the making of 388 million bottles from numerous different appellations.

The Rhône Valley was the result of an epic geological clash between the Massif Central and the Alps, creating a rift valley which was flooded by the Mediterranean. Today, the valley’s soils consist of four different types of rock: granite, sandy silica, limestone and clay. The bedrock plays an essential role in the way in which the growing vines are supplied with water, determining the varied aromas and flavors of Rhône wines.

The vineyards of the Rhône Valley run along the banks of the Rhône River in southeast France, which originates from the Rhône glacier in the Swiss Alps, flows 500 miles though Lake Geneva, Lyon, Avignon and then into the Mediterranean Sea. The sunny climate and Mistral wind from the Alps down to the Mediterranean has nurtured vines and winemaking in the region for over 2,000 years. Rhône Valley wines exhibit rich and concentrated flavors due to the regional soil diversity and warmth of the sun. The region offers beautiful rosés, whites and red blends, made from 20+ different grape varietals, notably Grenache and Syrah.

Friday Flight 4 - 8pm $12 for 5 pours with 3 additional wines for purchase.

Domaine de Fenouillet Beaumes-de-Venise Rose 2024 $16 - (60% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, and 10% Syrah) Vivid, spicy and bright red fruit with vibrant acidity.

Domaine Clavel Côtes du Rhône 2022 $14 - A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Marselan, this nose offers juicy ripe plums and currants with a slight candied edge. The palate is balanced and loaded with black cherry, saffron and a round stone and clay finish.

Domaine de Fenouillet Beaumes-de-Venise Rouge 2022 $15 - This cuvée is a blend of 75% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 5% Carignan. Spicy red fruit, subtle tannins, and white pepper,

Chateau Pesquie Le Paradou Ventoux 2021 $16 - Made from 100% Grenache (75-year-old vines) and aged 7 months in concrete tank, it offers up a naked expression of Grenache with meaty black cherry, pepper, dried Provencal herbs and earth all soaring from the glass.

Paul Autard Côtes du Rhône Rouge 2022 $20 -  70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre. Bright flavors of raspberry, strawberry, cherry, and red currant, all wonderfully complemented by lifted aromatic notes of lavender, classic Southern Rhône garrigue, and a dash of black pepper. 

Let's move to the Northern Rhône Valley for the bonus pours.

These 3 wines are all from Vincent Paris. Vincent Paris, whose first vintage was 1997, is as shy as his wines are bold. In his early 30's, he has retro sideburns, but not much else about this appellation's established star is "retro". Vincent's uncle is Robert Michel, one of Cornas' finest growers. He made his two first wines with his uncle and then, seeking autonomy, rented facilities for the vinification of his most recent wines. He is in the process of building his own winemaking facilities with a courtyard that holds his apricot plantation.

Vincent Paris Syrah VdP des Collines Rhodaniennes 2023 $23 - This Syrah comes from young vines in Crozes-Hermitage, but the wine gets classified as a “wine of the land” versus village level. Aromas of ripe blackberries and plums, complemented by subtle notes of black pepper, violets, and a hint of smoked meat.

Vincent Paris "Granit" Blanc 2023 $32 - Only 5% of wine made in Northern Rhône Valley is white. This wine is made of 66% Viognier, 34% Roussane. The vines are planted on North-facing slops in the Cornas appelation, a rarity, since Cornas is mostly known for its red wine production. The wine itself is unique and limited, and tops out at 200 cases produced annually. The Viognier offers orchard fruit flavors, while the sandy granite soils in the vineyard bring out the Roussane's super sharp minerality.

Vincent Paris Crozes-Hermitage 2022 $48 - Dry, low acidity, intense but polished tannin, and full body. The palate brims with black fruit, roast plum, vanilla, oak, pepper, black olive, licorice, and spice. Pure Syrah so try with something gamey or peppery.

di Lenardo Vineyards 2023 Friulano "TOH!", Friuli $14 - Friuli, located in northeastern Italy near the borders of Austria and Slovenia, is a prestigious wine region known for its high-quality white wines, especially from grapes like Friulano, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio.

Tenuta Le Velette 2019 Rosso Orvietano "Spicca" Umbria $16 - (100% Sangiovese) Umbria, often called the "green heart of Italy," is a central Italian wine region known for its rolling hills and historic towns. It produces both red and white wines, with standout varieties like Sagrantino from Montefalco and Grechetto from Orvieto.

Ippolito 2021 Cirò Rosso Classico Superiore "Liber Pater", Calabria $16 - (100% Gaglioppo) Calabria, located in the toe of Italy's boot, is a warm, sun-drenched wine region known for bold red wines made from native grapes like Gaglioppo. With a winemaking history dating back to ancient times, Calabria's rugged terrain and Mediterranean climate produce robust, rustic wines that reflect the region's heritage and natural beauty.

Fidora 2020 Monte Tabor Valpolicella, Veneto $19 - (Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella) Veneto, in northeastern Italy, is one of the country’s most important and diverse wine regions, known for producing both high-quality reds and whites. It’s famous for Prosecco, Amarone della Valpolicella, and Soave, offering everything from light, sparkling wines to rich, full-bodied reds. 

Musto Carmelitano 2020 Aglianico del Vulture "Rosso Maschitano" Basilicata $20 - (100$ Aglianico) Basilicata, a mountainous region in southern Italy, is known for its bold red wines, especially Aglianico del Vulture, grown on the slopes of an ancient volcano. Its high elevations and volcanic soils contribute to wines with depth, structure, and aging potential, making it a hidden gem among Italy’s wine regions.

Bonus Wines

Umani Ronchi Pecorino Terre di Chieti Vellodoro 2023, Marche $20 - (100% Pecorino) Marche, located on Italy’s Adriatic coast, is a picturesque wine region known for its crisp white Verdicchio and elegant reds like Rosso Conero. With a mix of coastal and mountainous terrain, Marche produces fresh, food-friendly wines that reflect its diverse landscape and rich winemaking tradition.

I Custodi 2022 Etna Rosso "Pistus", Sicily $27 (90% Nerello Mascalese and 10% Nerello Cappuccio) Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, is a dynamic wine region known for its diverse climates and volcanic soils, particularly around Mount Etna. It produces a wide range of wines, including bold reds like Nero d’Avola and the elegant, mineral-driven Nerello Mascalese, as well as crisp whites like Grillo and Carricante. 

Bonus Bonus

COS 2021 Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico, Sicily $45 (Frappato di Vittoria 40%, Nero d’Avola 60%) I love Sicilian wines so I couldn't help myself and doubled up here. In 1980, they were the youngest wine producers in Italy. They received an old family winery from Giambattista Cilia’s father Giuseppe Cilia and the nearby vineyard of bush trained vines, a total of 3.60.40 hectares in the famed town of Bastonaca. On October 5, 1980 they harvested their first vintage and made 1,470 bottles. COS began its adventure that would one day lead to the transformation of Cerasuolo di Vittoria. Cerasuolo di Vittoria is Sicily’s only DOCG wine, made primarily from Nero d’Avola and Frappato grapes. It’s known for its vibrant ruby color, juicy red fruit flavors, and balanced structure, combining the richness of Nero d’Avola with the floral freshness of Frappato.

Friday Flight 4 - 8pm $12 for flight of 5 with 3 additional wines for purchase.

We’ll have Patricia Green Cellars here Wednesday, May 21st from 5 -7pm pouring. Details coming.

Join us on Saturday, the 19th, from 1–5 PM for an afternoon of great wine, delicious bites, and local charm! Your passport unlocks a curated flight of three 1oz pours at each of five fantastic locations (Vino, Montelupo, Pairings, Providore & Parallel) along with tasty snacks and a chance to win one of three amazing prize baskets.

On Tuesday, April 8th we'll have owner and winemaker, Anne Charlotte, from Font du Loup in the store pouring her wines. These wines are both scarce are dynamic so I'm thrilled and honored she is doing this event at Vino. PLEASE NOTE 5:30 - 7pm free.

Font du Loup Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2022 $25

Font du Loup Côtes du Rhône Rouge 2021 $20

Font du Loup Châteauneuf du Pape Les Demoiselles 2022 $41

Font du Loup Châteauneuf du Pape "La Fond du Loup" 2021 $59

Font du Loup Châteauneuf du Pape "Le Puy Rolland" 2022 $75

Font du Loup Châteauneuf du Pape "Legend" 2022 $95

For Friday's Flight let's taste some bold reds from our neighbors in Washington. With 1,000+ wineries specializing in everything from robust Cabernet Sauvignon to delicate Chardonnay and even late-harvest Riesling, it would seem difficult to generalize the common thread that unites Washington’s winemaking community. However, most winemakers and grape growers live and work in small towns that reflect the genuine, humble and hard-working communities of the American West. Tasting rooms are as likely to be in a converted old home as they are to be attached to a state-of-art winery, but they share one thing in common: authenticity.

As the nation’s second largest producer of wine, Washington has long held a stellar reputation for excellence as well as value. Among critics, the state’s wineries have garnered more praise than many other leading wine regions in the world—all while maintaining an affordable average cost per bottle.

The Flight - Washington State

Canas Feast Pinot Grigio 2023 $14 - Fresh tropical aromas of pineapple & heady notes kaffir lime leaves are accompanied by hints of grapefruit peel and a slatey undertone.

Gifford Hirlinger 2018 Stateline Red $17 - A blend of Cabernet, Tempranillo, Malbec and Merlot. It has a seductive nose of black fruits, toast and coffee. Currants and black cherries are wreathed in smoke, and the suppleness grows into a lengthy and satisfying finish.

Canas Feast Bricco Red 2022 $17 - Sangiovese (41%), Primitivo (27%), Barbera (19%), Nebbiolo (9%), Dolcetto (4%). Lifted red-fruited aromas of cherries, wild raspberries and licorice. 

Bookwalter Readers Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 $20 - Juicy and full up front with a mid-palate full of ripe sweet cherries, plums, and blueberry compote. well-structured tannins, moderate acidity and bright fruit together result in a wonderfully balanced wine.

Dunham Cellars Three Legged Red 2022 $22 - Notes of vanilla, coconut, cherry and berry are followed by ripe, plump cherry and raspberry flavors. The oak plays a prominent part in the show here and there's lots of enjoyment to be had here. Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah.

Bonus Wines

Gilbert Cellars Left Bank Horse Heaven Hills 2022 $24 - This blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 2% Carménère comes to life with a fleshy palate of dark fruit and subtle earthy notes.

Luke Merlot 2022 $25 - Dark red fruits, rounded tannins and an opulent, smooth finish. Fresh flavors of plum, cherry and blackberry dominate the mid-palate while earthy flavors of tobacco.

Dumas Station Cow Catcher Red 2020 $32 - This Merlot-based red blend scores with warm vanilla bean on the nose, dried blueberry and cherry fruit-roll flavors, and mouth-watering acidity.

We’ll have Chris Davis of Estelle Imports in the shop featuring some “top hits” from his Italian imports. I’ll post the lineup closer to the date. 5 - 7pm free.

2024 Collestefano Marche Bianco $19

2023 Casale Marchese Frascati Superiore $17

2022 Vallevo Montepulciano d'Abruzzo $14

2022 Reverdito Barbera d'Alba $19

2023 Ca La Bionda Valpolicella Classico $22

The Loire Valley

The Loire Valley is known as the cradle of the French language, as well as Le Jardin de la France, the Garden of France. The landscape of low hills is punctuated by grand châteaux of the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries, all connected by the slow-moving waterway that stretches into the heart of the country. 

Two thousand years of continuous viticulture has helped forge this reputation, but so has a region-wide effort to embrace sustainable viticulture and terroir-centric winemaking. Today, 30% of the valley’s vineyards are either farmed sustainably or organically—a figure that increases each year. This forward-thinking ethos has secured acclaim for present-day vintages, but more importantly, promises a bright future for the Loire’s wine industry.

While the region is France’s third largest wine-producing region by volume (and the largest for AOC-based white wine), the Loire Valley manages to provide incredible focus, consistency, and quality. Sommeliers and wine buyers have come to depend on the region’s 51 official appellations for a variety of refreshing sparkling wines, crystalline whites, playful rosés, profound reds, and long-lived sweet wines often tinged with noble rot. 

Brazilier Chenin Blanc 2023 $16 - 100% Chenin Blanc grown in the Coteaux du Venomois. Round and delicious, showing notes of white peach, almond, ripe pear.

Lame Delisle Boucard Bourgueil Vieilles Vignes 2021 $16 - Lamé-Delisle-Boucard’s “Vieilles Vignes” is pure Cabernet Franc exclusively from vines over 40 years of age in the commune of Ingrandes de Touraine—part from the sandy gravel terraces of the lieu-dit Louys, and part from hillside plantings in the clay-limestone of Mont Sigou.

Angélique Léon. Savigny-en-Véron, Chinon Rouge, AOC Chinon 2021 $19 - Angélique Leon moved to Savigny-en-Véron, in the Loire Valley, taking over her parents’ domain in 2002. She is basically a one women operation working the vines, harvesting and vinifying the wines in the cellar. The Estate is made up of 7 hectares of vines producing mainly red wines and a small quantity of rosé (5%). The single grape variety used is Cabernet Franc, average age of the vines is 30- 40 years old.

Domaine de la Pepiere "La Pepie" Cot 2023 $19 - This red country wine is produced on the slopes of the Pépière. These hillsides are exposed to the southwest on granite slopes where the rock (Clisson GRANITE) is flush in many places. 100% Côt.

Bernard Baudry, Chinon "Les Granges" 2023 $22 - From 35 to 40 year-old vines on gravel and sandy soils with a bit of clay near the Vienne river in organic agriculture. Hand harvested, fermented with wild yeasts, ages for 8 to 10 months in cement vats, minimal addition of SO2 only prior to bottling. This "basic" cuvée from Bernard and Matthieu Baudry has gotten more and more "serious" as the vines age, giving a wine that is delightful to drink young.

Bonus

Anne-Cécile Jadaud Vouvray Vouvray Sec Les Grives Soûles 2021 $27 - Anne-Cécile Jadaud and Tanguy Perrault work around eight hectares of organically-farmed vines spread across 15 small parcels near their home and winery in Chançay, in the northeastern portion of Vouvray. This dry iteration of Vouvray is named for the thrushes ('Les Grives') who get drunk ('Soûles') by eating ripe berries around harvest that have already begun to ferment slightly inside the grape.

Domaine Denizot,“Osmoze” Blanc, Sancerre 2023 $32 - In the heart of France's Loire Valley lies a lesser-known winery producing exceptional wines with a rich history and a promising future. Domaine Denizot, run by the passionate husband and wife team of Thibauld and Jennifer Denizot, has been crafting elegant and nuanced wines for six generations. 100% Sauvignon Blanc. This is one of the best Sancerres I've tasted in recent memory.

Domaine Denizot, Sancerre Rouge 2022 $39 - 100% Pinot Noir. This elegant expression of Pinot Noir showcases notes of fresh red fruit with some black pepper on the finish. 

Oregon Flight

Oregon Wine Country, particularly the Willamette Valley, is renowned for its unique terroir, which has been shaped by a combination of factors, including the region's cool climate, diverse soils, and proximity to the Pacific Ocean. The area’s terroir is particularly ideal for growing Pinot Noir, which thrives in the valley’s volcanic soils and moderate rainfall. The landscape's distinctiveness is partly due to the Missoula Floods, which occurred around 15,000 years ago. These catastrophic floods, caused by the breaching of an ice dam, inundated much of the region and left behind a complex mix of soils, from gravel to silt, which contributes to the rich diversity in Oregon wines today. The interplay of these geological and climatic influences makes Oregon Wine Country dynamic and sought-after. Every time I drive through the Gorge I try and imagine the massive floods that carved it out and deposited all that diverse soil in the Valley.

J Scott Cellars Pinot Gris 2023 $16

Autre Monde Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2023 $16

Scenic Valley Farms Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2023 $21

Carlton Cellars ‘Seven Devils' Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton 2023 $23

J.K. Carriere Wines 'Clarion' Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2022 $25

Bonus Wines

Cameron Chardonnay, Dundee Hills 2023 $26

Tim Malone Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2023 $26

Walter Scott Pinot Noir "Combe Verte" Willamette Valley 2023 $36

We’ll have Berlin from Julian Sinclair pouring wines from Mary Taylor Imports 5 - 7pm. I think these wines represent some of the best values coming out of Europe today. The wines are honest and of the place they come from.

Veneto Frizzante NV $14 - A blend of 30 year old Glera and Garganega from Italy's Veneto made by Sophia Brescia. Lighty sparkling with fresh notes of white flower and lemon.

Alice Berthier Coteaux du Giennois 2022 $24 - Made from 30-year-old vines, this wine embodies the best of the Loire. Gold in color, the wine has a perfumed yet vibrant nose of pear, white blossom and forest floor with curious cedar hints. Red apple, dried grass and summer field herbs show beautifully on the palate and crescendo into a long finish.

Clara Sala Bianco Sicily 2023 $19 - This is 100% Grillo grown on a single hectare in the Gorghi Tondi and Preola Lake Nature Reserve. Citrus, brine and white flower.

Christophe Avi Agenais Rose Southwest France 2023 $15 - This rosé from Christophe Avi, our source of Buzet wines, is made from his younger Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon vines. It offers nuanced notes of minerally orange blossom, wet stone, and lime leaf, with lots of grip.

Marine Descombe Beaujolais-Village Rouge 2022 $20 - A textbook blue stone Brouilly-style Beaujolais-Villages.

Clara Sala Rosso Sicily 2023 $19 - Translucent red with bright acidity, tension, and elegant fruit made from Nero D'Avola.

Southern Italy

The Flight

Ipollito Ciro Blanco Mare Chiaro 2023, Calabria $16 - 100% Greco Bianco from Calabria's Ciro Marina. At 160 years old, Ipollito is Calabria's oldest winery. It has been cultivated in Calabria since ancient times and it has evidently been imported with the other “Greek” vines from Greece. It has a medium-large, truncated-conical cluster, often with two wings, of medium compactness, a medium, sub-ovoid berry of golden yellow color, thick skin and a juicy pulp of simple taste.

Marchesi del Salento Salice Salentino, Puglia 2023 $13 - 100% Negroamaro from Salice Salentino. Native to Puglia (and rarely grown elsewhere), Negroamaro is by far this region’s most dominant grape, covering roughly 12,000 hectares (29,652 acres) of land throughout the region, but it is especially widespread on the Salento Peninsula. The grape is classically blended with Malvasia Nera but can also stand on its own.

Lupo Meraviglia Tre di Tre Puglia IGT Rosso 2022 $14 - A blend of Negroamaro, Aglianico and Primitivo, whose carefully selected and treated grapes come from terroirs located in the Salento area that are particularly suited for wine.

Fuso Calx Primitivo 2023, Puglia $19 - Dark ripe berries, baked red fruit, lifted spice, rhubarb + cherry pie on nose. A soft + supple palate - red cherries and vanilla notes mingle with dried cranberries and nutmeg.

Cantine Olivella Vesuvio Rosso "Lacreminero" 2022, Campania $19 - A thrilling red blend that brings together three native grapes that thrive on southern Italy’s rich volcanic soils. Piedirosso, with its delicate floral aromas and silky body; Aglianico, with notes of smoke and licorice and muscle; and Olivella, a rare red grape with blueberry notes and tons of saturated ruby color. 

Bonus Wines

Scala Ciro Marino DOC Ciró Rosso Classico, Calabria 2022 $20 - 100% Gaglioppo which a medium-sized, thick-skinned grape indigenous to Southern Italy and best known for the production of Ciro DOC. One of Italy’s oldest varieties, recent DNA studies have found that Gaglioppo is a natural crossing of Sangiovese and Mantonico.

Musto Carmelitano Aglianico del Vuture Rosso Matchitano, Basilicata 2020 $21 - 100% Aglianico from Vulture. Zesty and fruity, with tangy red berry flavors and aromas of violets, lavender and licorice. On the palate it is very rich, structured and sapid, rightly tannic and exuberant from a young age.

Maffini Kleos Paestum Cilento Aglianico DOP 2022, Campania $30 - 100% Aglianico. Roses and lavender that gives way to cloves, sweet smoke and crushed blackberries. It opens with a lovely inner sweetness, displaying vividly ripe wild berry fruits that are perfectly balanced by vibrant acidity and chalky mineral tones. 

Friday Flight 4 - 8pm $12 for a taste of 5 with 3 additional pours available for purchase.

Spain

To classify the wines of Spain under a single style or character would be impossible. This is a country of exceptional diversity, with vines planted across a huge range of climates and geographies. Vineyards stretch from the lush and rainy coasts of Green Spain to the extreme and arid plains of the Meseta, from the valleys carved by the Ebro River to the volcanic Canary Islands off the west coast of Africa.

The sheer number of grape varieties also widens the spectrum of Spanish wines. More than 200 grape varieties are grown here, from international favorites to the country’s many local specialties, like Tempranillo, Mencía, Albariño, and Verdejo. While local winemakers carry on the traditions passed down through Spain’s winemaking history, they also look to push their industry forward, experimenting with styles and increasingly focusing on organic viticulture.

As the third-largest country in Europe, Spain’s geography and climate are exceptionally diverse, comprising many distinctive regions making equally distinctive wines. It dominates the Iberian peninsula in southwestern Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, north Atlantic Ocean, Bay of Biscay, and Pyrenees Mountains. One of the country’s most distinguishing geographical features, is the Meseta, a wide plateau that covers much of central Spain. 

Cellar Jan Vidal Cava NV $14 - The Penedés Valley in Catalonia lies just east of Barcelona and is one of my favorite regions not only for Cava but the dynamic still wines being produced today. This is a classic blend of Xarel-lo, Parellada and Macabeo aged 18 months producing a wine that's fresh and crisp on the palate, this cava is pale straw yellow in color with fine, persistent bubbles. Notes of quince, yellow apple, lime and almond.

Next we'll head south to Les Alcusses Valley located in Valencia. Pago Casa Gran is a small winery located about 500 ft in the valley growing Malvasia, Garnacha, Syrah and Monastrell practicing organic viticulture. The Casa Benasal Tinto 2023 $15 is a blend of Garnacha, Syrah and Monastrell.

A short drive south we arrive in Alicante we'll find Kiki & Juan in Requena. The Kiki & Juan Tinto 2023 $16 is a blend of Bobal, Tempranillo and Macabeo.

The next region, Rioja, needs no introduction, with more than 600 wineries, 14,800 winegrowers, and centuries of history. Rioja is Spain’s leading wine region. Not only was it the first Spanish region to be awarded Denominación de Origen (DO) status in 1925, but it was also the first to be elevated to the prestigious Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa) status, in 1991.

Luberri Rioja 2023 "Orlegi" $17 100% Tempranillo.

The Luzador Tinto "Los Andreses" 2022 $18 is a blend of 75% Garnacha and 25% Tempranillo from Navarra. Navarra is just east of Rioja and was once a part of France and mostly planted to Garnacha. The vineyards of Navarra DO are located in the southern part of the region, between Pamplona and the plains.

Bonus WinesLadeiras do Xil 2022 Branco $25 comes from Valdedoras over in Galicia. Ladeiras do Xil is named for the hillsides along the Sil River (literally “slopes of the Sil”), which, along with the Miño River, is the lifeblood of the Ourense province, including the Valdeorras and Ribeira Sacra wine regions. This wine is made from 20 to 80 year old Godello vines.

Álvaro Palacios Priorat Les Camins del Priorat 2022 $26 - Back over to the east coast we'll visit Priorat. Alvaro Palacios put Priorat on the map with his bottling of L'Ermita in 1993 which goes for around $1,400 these days. Priorat's unique soil, Llicorella, is a brown slate that glimmers in the sun, The region produces powerful wines made from Carineña, Garnacha and Syrah.

Bonus Bonus

Bodegas Señorio Pecina Rioja Reserva 2016 $33. Elaborated from the finest grapes from their vineyards in San Vicente de la sonsierra, calcareous clay soil, the grapes are destemmed and crushed and fermented naturally with wild yeast in stainless steel tanks. It spends 3 years in used American oak and at least 18 months in bottle before release.

Friday Flight 4 - 8pm every Friday. $12 for a flight of 5 with an additional 3 wines for purchase.