LOW ROAD WHITE

2016 Carlo Giocosa “Sara” Arneis, $16.25

Arneis is a popular grape for Italian restaurants to serve by the glass. We always start with it when we see it, most recently at our anniversary dinner at Bellotti in Oakland. Besides making arguably the best house made pasta in the Bay Area, Bellotti has a reputation for serving better than average wines by the glass.  We found this Arneis to have a little more body than most and we think it will work with almost any kind of white wine food. Like turkey. It will be on our (to read: Club members Dina and Darrin’s) table at Thanksgiving.

2017 Chateau Saint Martin de la Garrigue Picpoul de Pinet, $13.75

Picpoul (PEEK-POOL) is a grape that is on the rise.  It’s light, but not boring, and has plenty of fruit, but not sweet.  It’s the perfect first wine of the day.  Open it while you cook, then serve what is left to the first guests that arrive.

LOW ROAD RED

HIGH ROAD WHITE

HIGH ROAD RED

2015 Mascelloni Orcia Sangiovese, $19.90

Orcia is the region where Roberto Mascelloni makes unfiltered, organic Sangiovese with minimal sulfites.  This wine should be priced 20% higher but we had to fudge the numbers to get it into the Low Road. Lucky for you, math isn’t our strong suit. This big, Sangiovese could use some aging or decanting, which is something we don’t always have in the Low Road. So let it breath for a while and try it now.  If you like it, order more to put on your wine rack and drink it for years.

2016 Garzon Tannat Reserve, $14.25

Besides being the National Grape of Uruguay (that’s a thing?), Tannat is strong and tannic and needs to be either aged or tamed through the winemaking.  That means if you see a young one at a good price, it is made to drink now. You had me at hello. This Tannat boasts the fruit of a $20 California Red, with an exciting spice and pepper finish.  Garzon is a well-known producer and this wine gets 90-92 points from lots of renowned and fancy experts. But more importantly, it finished first in Clark’s local blind tasting group.  Open it, drink it, enjoy it.

2017 Domaine de Terrebrune Bandol Blanc, $27.08

Our winemaker friend Tony produces expensive, highly-rated Cabs like a boss. But at home, he wants to drink quality, affordable wines from around the world. He asked me to find him a good Bandol Blanc. After the initial flattery wore off, my panic ensued. I was preeeetty sure this was the right choice, but at the last minute, I chickened out and called Club Member Clark (who first introduced me to Bandol) for a second opinion.  Luckily he’s always happy to walk up the street for a taste. He agreed and added that this would be a fantastic white for the holidays.  The verdict? I got a text from Tony in October, “Opened the Bandol, seriously good wine.”  Thanks to Clark for the assist! 

2017 I Favati Fiano di Avellino, $19.13

I Favati is a well-respected and well-reviewed winery outside of Naples that uses only indigenous varietals from Campania. We really wanted the 2016 vintage after Gambero Rosso magazine named it “Wine of the Year.” We couldn’t get our hands on that one, but luckily, the 2017 is delicious and, more importantly, available.  See what all the hype is about.

2015 Bramare Valle de Uco Malbec, $33.13

Santa Ray Wine Club won’t shut up about Paul Hobbs.  Blah, blah, we’re always recommending his wines worldwide because he’s been credited with making Argentinian Malbec a global brand.  But, we’ve never *actually* given you his Malbec from Argentina. Until now.  Every review we can find shows 91-93 points. And a price tag over $40. Until now. Don’t trust us? Club member Rick has purchased more Malbec from us than any other Club member and he has given it his stamp of approval. 

2015 Charton Mercury 1er Cru La Chassiere, $43.75

Recent trends show great Burgundy vintages happening every five years (‘05, ’10, and this ‘15.) And what says being thankful like a Premier Cru Pinot?  Okay, technically, it would be smart to put this away for a while, but we can’t stop drinking it now. We’re thinking this wine versus a California Pinot Noir for a blind turkey day taste off could be fun.  If it wins, you can always order more to hold you over until 2020.