LOW ROAD WHITE

2020 Ippolito, Pecorello $16.13

We brought you Pecorino from Marche, where Sarah’s family is from, so now it’s my turn. This Pecorello is from Calabria where my grandmother was born. She was born in Donnici, a sub region of Cosenza. In 2011, Donnici was one of six wine regions that were folded under a new DOC called Terre di Cosenza. According to this DOC, only 83 acres of Pecorello is grown in Calabria, but that accounts for two thirds of all of the Pecorello in the world. Psst, value alert: we saw this bottle on the menu at Bottega in Yountville for $45. For us, this is a great white to transition from winter to spring. It has good body and an Italian acidity – just like Grandma. J  

2020 Fento, Bico da Ran, Albariño $16.64

Remember Eulogio Pomares in August 2021? Back then, we delivered the High Road Red (that one with the red wax top). This is his Low Road White. It comes from the Rías Baixas region of Spain near the border of Portugal and is a blend of two Albariño grapes, one from the coast and the other just one mile inland. The coast brings the body, but with less acidity (pucker) and the granite soil from inland adds the minerality and aggressive acidity.  The blending results in a well-rounded, affordable wine with perfect acid. We’d recommend daydrinking this in St. Helena (like we did). It was a welcomed break from typical Napa white wines.

LOW ROAD RED

2018 La Ca Nova Barbara $16.13

You’ve already met the La Ca Nova with a High Road, single-vineyard Barbaresco.  This is their everyday Barbera. It’s a rich, ripe, “winter” Barbera that is ready to drink now with any comfort food. Chicken cacciatore, chili, stew? We’ll leave that up to you.

2019 Chateau la Borie Cotes du Rhône $17.92

In the Rhône, you will generally find blends referred to as “GSM.” The acronym is made from the three varietals used in the order of most to least, Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. Grenache brings the fruit, Syrah the intensity, and Mourvèdre darkens the color and adds richness. This wine should be classified as an “SGM,” because it is predominantly Syrah. The Syrah gives the wine a bolder, more peppery base. Let it breathe before drinking.

HIGH ROAD WHITE

2019 Arcudi Chardonnay $32

We consistently mention our friend Tony Arcudi and his amazing wines that are generally too expensive for Santa Ray Wine Club. But we twisted his arm and not only did he agree to let us sell this wine, he said we could charge whatever we want (because we are a closed club - shh.)  But don’t take our word for it, Jeb Dunnuck gave it 94 points and said, “rock star notes of crushed citrus, lemon curd, spice, flowers, and a touch of rocky mineral emerge from the 2019 Chardonnay. Medium to full-bodied, it's rich yet, at the same time, fresh, elegant, and light on its feet. Aged 10 months in 20% new French oak, it's a beautiful wine as well as a great value from winemaker Tony Arcudi.” Took the words right out of my mouth.

2019 Sergio Mattura Latour a Civitella $25.60

Recognize the porcupine? We had the 2014 version of this wine, and other Low Road wines too. They’ve universally been a hit with the Club. This High Road version is the best Grechetto they have, aged in Latour barrels from France. We visited this winery (about an hour outside of Rome) in the summer of 2019 close to the time that these grapes would have been harvested. Google maps took us on an off-road tour of the vineyards through a dry river bed. Sarah was completely calm and patient and didn’t freak out at all. When we finally showed up unannounced, they treated us like family. We tasted every wine that they had, they put Marco work in the kitchen, gave us a tour of their cellars 100s of feet underground, and then invited us the spend the night. We were very flattered. If you’re not into oak, we have three Low Road options of their wines between $14-17. 

HIGH ROAD RED

2017 Skouras Megas Oenos $27.74

Repeat wine, new vintage, still incredible. Megas Oenos (Grand Cru in Greek) is the product of a local winemaker George Skouras. He studied wine around the world, then came home to make French Style wine with Greek Grapes. The easiest way to French-ify Agiorghitiko (the grape) is to blend in 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and use French oak barrels for 18 months. That’ll do it. We have shared multiple bottles with Club Member Taki and it gets a thumbs up. If you have time, decant.

2019 Domaine Chante Cigale Chateauneuf du Pape $38

65% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, and 5% Cinsault – this is a good, affordable Chateauneuf du Pape that’s on the early end of its drinking window, but try it now. If you like it, order more. It can lay down for up to 10 years, probably more, but let’s not get ridiculous. It got 92-93 points from guys that do that.