LOW ROAD WHITE

2019 Bodegas Valdesil Montenovo Godello, $14.21

Valdesil is the Winery, Godello is the grape, and Montenovo is the name of the earliest released version. The wine is meant to be a young, vibrant expression of Godello. Fermented with indigenous yeast and briefly aged in stainless steel, this wine allows you to taste the soil and grape in its purest form. It’s stoniness and tartness makes it good with many different foods.

2019 Schloss Maissau Gruner Veltliner Weinviertel DAC, $16.64

Once upon a time, the Gruber family took over a vineyard surrounding a castle in Austria. They rehabilitated the five acres of Gruner Veltliner planted there. They make 138 cases. Think big fruit and minerality. Cook Asian food, fish, and veggies. And we lived happily ever after.

LOW ROAD RED

2017 Catena Zapata Cabernet Franc $15.36

Genetically and mathematically,  Cabernet Sauvignon - Sauvignon Blanc = Cabernet Franc.  No wonder Sarah likes this so much.    “But Jeff, why didn’t you deliver us a Malbec from Argentina, isn’t that what they are known for?”  I’m glad you asked, and don’t talk to me in that whiny tone.  Yes, but with summer on the way, this 90 pt, $15, 13.5% ABV Cab Franc with just the right amount of pepper, tannin and oak struck us as the quintessential grilling wine.  We’ve had a chance to open this for a few vaxed friends and it has been a big hit.  Fire up the grill!

2017 Child’s Play Pinot Noir $17.92

Child’s Play is the second label from one of the most highly acclaimed winemakers in Oregon, Tony Rynders from Tendrill. Unlike being the tallest Cecchin, that is actually saying something.  We were able to taste in Willamette Valley on our last vacation before the lockdown and we discovered what everyone else already seems to know, they can make some delicious Pinot up there.  Oregon is a good value but we got a special deal on this and (as always) passed the savings on to you.  You can find this wine most places for $25-$30.

HIGH ROAD WHITE

2019 Maturana Wines Parellon, Semillon $19.84

Semillon is most famous for its use in Bordeaux. But at one point, it was also a third of the grapes planted in Chile (over 35,000 hectares.) In our lifetime, Sauvignon Blanc took over, but the 950 hectares of old vine Semillion that are left are the cream of the crop. Maturana takes 20% of the grapes to leave on the skins (think orange wine) and then blends it back into the white wine, resulting in a golden color and a honey citrus flavor. We think it is better at a slightly warmer temperature. Club Members Jason and Aileen helped vet this and gave it two thumbs up.

2018 Goisot St Bris Corps de Garde, $23.42

St Bris is an appellation right next to Chablis, the only place in the area where they grow Sauvignon Blanc. But this isn’t Sauvignon, it is Fie Gris, or Sauvignon Gris. Confused yet? Simply put, it’s an ancestor of Sauvignon Blanc that fell out of favor because it has lower yields and is more finicky. The Goisot family still keeps some Fie Gris and, when the vintage is right, they sell it under the name Corps de Garde. Elegant, floral aroma, long finish. Shh.

HIGH ROAD RED

2015 Antoine Lienhardt Cote de Nuits- Villages Red Burgundy 33.28

Antoine Lienhardt’s has been preparing almost his whole life to take over the family vineyards in Burgundy, but the grapes were stuck in a long term deal that his grandfather made in 1992.  In 2012 he was finally able to start producing Pinot Noir from the greatest Pinot region in the world.  Approachable now because it is Pinot, and Age-able because it is Burgundy.  

2015 Collemattoni Brunello di Montalcino $40

Brunello di Montalcino is the most sought after Sangiovese in the world.  Generally, it is a lot more than $40.  We taste a lot of Brunello that is too expensive for the club and a lot that isn’t good enough.  But when we find a good affordable Brunello, we make sure you get it.   Apparently it is no secret, it is rated between 90-95 from 6 different sources and won the Brunello blind tasting that we did in April competing with wines that were much more expensive.  Let it breathe for a while and buy an extra one to put in the cellar.