Barbaresco
2009 Barbaresco ‘Ovello’ (Cantina del Pino)
Regular Price $59.99 – Sale Price $47.99 NET
There is no official rating system for the vineyards of Barolo and Barbaresco, but there are established sites that have earned an elevated reputation. The Ovello vineyard in the more than capable hands of the folks at Cantina del Pino is one of our favorite Barbaresco vineyards. With some aeration this gorgeously colored ruby red wine proves to be packed with aromatic cherry blossom and an earthy vein of minerals. The palate is saturated with ripe fruit and smoky tannins, leading to an exalted dry finish.

Volnay
2010 Volnay ‘Ez Blanches’ (Domaine des Terres de Velle)
Regular Price $49.99 – Sale Price $39.99 NET
Volnay is one of our favorite red Burgundies for its top-loaded aromatics and its overall grace. Domaine des Terres de Velle is a small new winery committed to minimal intervention in the vineyard and the cellar. Their 2010 Volnay is an impeccably balanced Pinot Noir with elegant berry fruit and finely-etched tannins.

Bandol
2010 Bandol (Bastide Blanche)
Regular Price $29.99 – Sale Price $23.99 NET
The last few vintages from Bastide Blanche have been outstanding and the prices have yet to catch up to the quality. In the summer their Bandol Rosé is a gem. In the winter their red is a spicy yet smooth Mourvèdre-based mouth filler. This is a great match with a leg of lamb or a roasted duck.

Mags of Morgon
2011 Morgon ‘Cuvée MMXI’ (Marcel Lapierre)
Regular Price $99.99 per 1.5L – Sale Price $74.99 per 1.5L NET
Marcel Lapierre did more than anyone to transform the reputation of Beaujolais and in particular his home-based Cru – Morgon. He has been ably succeeded by his son Mathieu, and every vintage of Lapierre Morgon is a treat. In addition to the regular bottling the Lapierres occasionally produce a super Cuvée from the best parcels and vats. The 2011 is dear in price for Morgon, but it is the pinnacle of the appellation.

Beerenauslese
2006 Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling Beerenauslese (Bollig-Lehnert)
Regular Price $29.99 per 375 ml – Sale Price $23.99 per 375 ml NET
Not every vintage yields luscious late harvest Riesling grapes of Beereenauslese intensity, but the autumn of 2006 in the Mosel was golden and the grapes’ sugars concentrated impressively. Bollig-Lehnert’s is a truly decadent late harvest Riesling, with kaleidoscopic fruit and an even measure of zesty acidity. A rare treat.

Best Tawny
20 Year Old Tawny Porto ‘Duque de Bragança’ (Ferreira)
Regular Price $59.99 – Sale Price $49.99 NET
As we have observed before, producers of aged Tawny Port do consumers a great favor. By cask aging some of their finest lots and with the experience of skillful blending, growers like Ferreira offer consistent, wonderfully aged Ports. Their 20 Year is the finest of its kind. They use barrel-aged Ports that are up to forty years old to balance the overall blend. From start to finish this is smoothness personified, with an exquisite balance of wood character and grape sweetnessh.

Drunk in 5 or Cellared for 20
2010 Pessac-Léognan (Domaine de Chevalier)
Regular Price $135.00 – Sale Price $99.99 NET
Some Bordeaux require many years of patient aging to reach their peak. As we are relatively impatient we tend to prefer wines from Saint-Emilion and the Pessac-Léognan that feature softer tannins and have longevity. One of our all-time favorites is Domaine de Chevalier. Their 2010 is a masterpiece.

Fizz Italian Style
Prosecco Brut (Bianca Vigna)
Sale Price $14.99 – $161.90 case of twelve
This new Prosecco has two more positive attributes going for it than other Proseccos in its price range. The bubbles are more present and the finish is drier. Have this with the feast of the seven fishes.

2012 Lambrusco Grasparossa ‘Becco Rosso’ (Fiorini)
Sale Price $14.99 – $161.90 case of twelve
Lambrusco’s time has come. We are extremely fond of the bracing combination of chilled, bubbly red wine and dry tannins. Have this with salumi, cheeses, and lardo.

Mâcon
2012 Mâcon-Villages (Verget)
Sale Price $14.99 – $152.90 case of twelve
We hesitate to praise the wines from Verget because the proprietor already has a pretty big head, but here we have to give credit where it is due. This is a wonderful Mâcon-Villages, a delightful Chardonnay with just enough fruit to give it body and the proper balance to finish deliciously dry.

The Smithy
2001 Late Bottled Vintage Porto (Smith-Woodhouse)
Sale Price $29.99 – $323.90 case of twelve
Smith-Woodhouse is one of the last to produce ‘traditional’ Late Bottled Vintage Port. The current release 2001 was bottled in 2005 and kept at the winery until this year. It has deep, dark, plummy fruit and a fine mineral thread throughout. Break out the Stilton and walnuts.

The Price of Prestige
2010 Bourgueil ‘Prestige’ (Lamé Deslisle Boucard)
Sale Price $11.99 – $122.30 case of twelve
Forgive us if we gush over the new vintage of Bourgueil ‘Prestige’ from Lamé Deslisle Boucard, but for a few vintages now it truly is the reigning red wine value. The 2010 has fine tannins, lovely fruit, and exquisite balance. This may not be as forward drinking as the 2009, as it has more structure. Yet another great wine from the gentle folks at Lamé Deslisle Boucard.

Etna
2012 Etna Rosso (Tenuta delle Terre Nere)
Sale Price $19.99 – $203.90 case of twelve
The volcanic black earth of Sicily’s Etna is as much a component in this wine as the old-vine Nerello Mascalese grapes. This is deep in fruit and loaded with minerals; the finish is spicy. In many ways this winery is out of this world.

Rosso di Montepulciano
2011 Rosso di Montepulciano (Poderi Sanguineto I e II)
Sale Price $19.99 – $203.90 case of twelve
Dora Forsoni and her partner Patrizia Castiglioni do virtually all the work at Podere Sanguineto, so when Dora broke her femur the estate nearly shut down. Dora finally became well enough to bottle the 2011 Rosso, and the drought of one of our favorite Tuscan wines has ended. The choice to harvest early during the hot 2011 vintage paid off with this full-bodied yet graceful blend of Prugnolo Gentile, Canaiolo Nero, and Mammolo. It’s earthy and leathery with fine structure.