Saint-Damien Cotes du Rhone “La Bouveau” 2008, List Price $14.99, Sale Price $12.69 – Rhone, France – Syrah, Cinsault – 14% abv – Sustainable - The 2008 Cotes du Rhone Le Bouveau (a blend of Syrah and Cinsault) offers a vibrant assortment of black fruit, herb, and earthy aromas and flavors in a medium-bodied, silky package.

Domaine de Fontenille Cotes du Luberon 2007, List Price $14.99, Sale Price $12.69 – Provence, France – 70% Grenache, 30% Syrah – 14% abv – Sustainable - “This has been a consistent winner from importer Peter Weygandt since he first brought the Domaine du Fontenille to the attention of American wine consumers in the early nineties. A blend of 70% Grenache (50- to 60-year-old vines) and 30% Syrah, yields are kept modest, and the wine is aged in concrete tanks for over a year prior to being bottled without filtration. A super-aromatic example of the vintage, the 2007 exhibits loads of pepper, earth, black cherry, and dusty, loamy soil notes. The wine’s fruit, earthiness, and spiciness are all classic characteristics of Provence. Seriously endowed and medium to full-bodied with excellent purity and depth, this Cotes du Luberon should drink well for 2-3 years. ” Rated 88 Points, The Wine Advocate

Les Aphillanthes Vin de Pays de Vaucluse 2007, List Price $13.99, Sale Price $11.89 – Rhone, France – 40% Merlot, 30% Syrah, 30% Grenache – 14% abv – Biodynamic - “A blend of Syrah, Merlot, and Grenache, the 2007 Vin de Pays possesses straightforward, crunchy, chunky, juicy notes of kirsch, black currants, licorice, and loamy soil undertones. This fresh, lively, bistro-styled red sells for a song.” Rated 87 Points, The Wine Advocate

Domaine Font Sarade Ventoux 2009, List Price $13.99, Sale Price $11.89 – Vaucluse, Rhone, France – 60% Syrah, 40% Grenache – 14.5% abv – Sustainable - From the heart of the Vaucluse, inviting aromas of red fruit intertwined with Provencal herbs and subtle spice, with a supple texture. Excellent value here, cleanly made with no rusticity.

Domaine Alary La Grange Daniel 2007, List Price $14.99, Sale Price $12.69 – Rhone, France – Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvedre, Cabernet Sauvignon, Counoise – 14% abv – Sustainable - It is a classic Mediterranean-styled red revealing loads of lavender, roasted Provencal herbs, licorice, and sweet blackberry and black currant fruit. The greatness of the vintage, even at this low pedigree and bargain-basement price point, comes through brilliantly with the purity, freshness, and deep kirsch, blackberry, and cherry flavors. This is a seamless, medium to full-bodied, beautifully pure, character-filled vin de pays.” Rated 89 Points, The Wine Advocate

Domaine Gardies Mas Las Cabes Cotes du Roussillon 2008, List Price $16.99, Sale Price $13.99 – Roussillon, France – 60% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 10% Carignan – 13.5% abv – Organic - Fermented in cement tanks and older barriques. Loads of focused, juicy red raspberry and cherry fruit aromas, along with hints of chocolate and cedar, and the region’s distinctive spice character greet the palate. An excellent all-around table wine.

Georg Mosbacher Forster Elster Riesling Kabinett Trocken 2007,  Regular Price $26.99, Sale Price $19.99 – Pfalz, Germany – 100% Riesling – 12% abv – Organic - “Rich, round and spicy, offering grapefruit, nutmeg and white pepper aromas and flavors, with a savory aftertaste. Nicely balanced and long. Drink now through 2015. 50 cases imported.” – Rated 90 Points, Wine Spectator.

Tement Sauvignon Blanc Steirische Klassik 2007, Regular Price $24.99, Sale Price $18.99 – Sytria, Austria – 100% Sauvignon Blanc – 12.5% abv – Organic - Southern Styria is a traditional production area which enjoys excellent growing conditions, especially for white grapes. For this reason, 95% of the vineyard area is devoted to white varieties and 5% to red wine grapes (Blauer Zweigelt). The Tement Estate lies on a narrow plateau, into which the slope of the Zieregg cru gently flattens. Tement’s ‘classic’ Sauvignon Blanc shows ripe tropical fruit flavors with sweet herbs in the finish.

Chateau Castigno Saint-Chinian Blanc 2007, Regular Price $25.99, Sale Price $19.99 – Languedoc, France – 90% Grenache Blanc, 10% Roussanne – 14% abv – Organic - With an average of 25 years for the vines, these grapes are grown on clay and limestone soils. Vinification is in 100% new oak barrels. The color is golden-yellow. The nose is of exotic fruits and an and impression of candied citrus. The palate is strong, round, well-balanced by firm acidity.

Domaine du Vissoux Beaujolais Rosé “Les Griottes” 2009, Regular Price $16.99, Sale Price $13.99 – Beaujolais, France – 100% Gamay – 12.5% abv – Organic - A light-bodied, cherry-scented rosé made from 100% Gamay. Domaine du Vissoux may just be the most perfect expression in my whole portfolio of what I seek, for the very ability to be natural and great, at once.

Giovanna Ciacci Rosso di Montalcino 2005, Regular Price $26.99, Sale price $22.99 – Tuscany, Italy – 100% Sangiovese – 14% abv – Organic - The Ciacci family has been growers in the area of Sant’Antimo for centuries. The estate dates back 800 years and once totaled 700 hectares (nearly 1700 acres) in size. It has been divided over the generations (there are several producers named Ciacci, now). Giovanna markets most of her production under another label, through another importer and the style there is fairly modern. But Giovanna is at heart a traditionalist and produces, under the name Giovanna Ciacci, a limited quantity of traditionally crafted wines. A perfect fit for us. The Rosso is younger vines, less ideally situated parcels of Brunello di Montalcino. The 2005 is beautifully balanced and long, and a value.

Chateau Castigno “Secret des Dieux” Saint-Chinian 2007, Regular Price $25.99, Sale price $19.99 – Languedoc, France – 50% Syrah, 30% Carignan, 25% Grenache, 5% Mourvedre – 13.5% abv – Organic - Secret des Dieux is grown on clay and limestone soils (mainly limestone for the Grenache). The average age of the vines here is 25 years (but for the Carignan the vines are 100 years old). Deeply saturated dark red color. The nose gives refined impressions of red fruit and garigue. The palate is rich and generous with well-integrated tannins.

Sale prices last through July 31st. No other offers may be applied.

Please join us on Saturday, July 24, from 1-4pm for an in-store tasting and sale on 6 terrific wines at equally outstanding prices. The Lineup:

Verace Pinot Grigio 2009,  Regular Price $11.99, Sale Price $9.99 – Veneto, Italy – 100% Pinot Grigio – 12.5% abv – Sustainable - Crisp green apple is at the core of this delicious, refreshing white with good definition, focus and clarity. This tasty Pinot Grigio offers good length and balance.

Strele Soave 2007, Regular Price $19.99, Sale Price $15.99 – Veneto, Italy – 100% Garganega – 12.5% abv – Sustainable - There’s a touch of gold in the color, with ripe, citrus and honey notes. Medium-bodied, with good clean fruit, turning to fresh lemon and almond on the finish.

Chateau Mourgues du Gres Les Galets Roses 2009, Regular Price $15.99, Sale Price $12.99 – Rhone, France – 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 10% Carignan, 10% Syrah – 13.5% abv – Sustainable - Silver-pink. More floral than the Rose Fleur, displaying scents of yellow rose, Lily of the Valley and raspberry, with building spiciness. Despite its punchy depth of red fruit flavor, this comes off almost weightless. The spiciness carries assertively through the long, focused finish. – Rated 90 points, International Wine Cellar

Domaine du Vissoux Beaujolais Pierre Chermette, Regular Price $16.99, Sale Price $13.59 – Beaujolais, France – 100% Gamay – 12% abv – Sustainable - The basic bottling (incorporating purchased fruit), 2008 Beaujolais Pierre Chermette could be mistaken for a Pinot Noir given its bright cherry fruit and almond extract high tones; chalky, salty, smoky mineral inflections; and a subtly silken texture that beautifully complements the fresh, slightly piquant edge to its fruit. It is an exuberant wine to drink within a year or two – as always – but one that will change the opinions of Beaujolais among those who taste it for the first time. – David Schildknecht, The Wine Advocate

Monte La Sarda Garnacha Viñas Viejos, Regular Price $10.99, Sale price $9.99 – Bajo Aragon, Spain – 100% Grenache – 14.5% abv – Sustainable - This supple, medium-bodied red offers sweet blackberry and dark chocolate flavors, with modest tannins and lively acidity.

Simone Scaletta Barbera d’Alba Sarsera DOC, Regular Price $26.99, Sale price $19.99 – Piedmont, Italy – 100% Nebbiolo – 14% abv – Organic -A rather intense nose which is flowery and fruity at the same time, with nice light overtones of spices and vanilla and a certain freshness. Round and delicate, it gives harmony to the typical complexity of Barbera. The flavour is full, persistent, nicely dry and velvety as well as strong bodied. Further time in bottle will define its peculiar taste and complexity for approx. 10 years. Simone Scaletta’s vines are all situated in Monforte d’Alba, home of some the greatest domaine names in Barolo. He tends all of his vines himself–he only has 4 hectares total, including 1 hectare of Barbera, single vineyard Sarsera. Aging of this Barbera was all done in older foudres and barriques. A full, complex Barbera, well worth its regular price. Decanting recommended.

Sale prices last through July 24th. No other offers may be applied.

Classic Wine Club:

Domaine Les Grand Bois Cotes du Rhone Viognier 2009 – Rhone, France – 100% Viognier – Sustainable - Classic Viognier aromas of white peach, apricot and violet with gentle mineral notes adding energy. An exotic papaya quality lingers on the juicy finish. This is perfect as an aperitif or with freshly grilled halibut or rockfish.

Domaine Duseigneur Lirac Antares 2007 – Rhone, France – 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre – 14.5% abv – Biodynamic - A bigger, richer offering, the 2007 Lirac Antares is a blend of 60% Grenache and equal parts Mourvedre and Syrah. The Grenache is aged in tank, and the other two varietals are kept in barrel. In keeping with the style of this vintage, it possesses plenty of freshness and ripeness in addition to deep black raspberry and black cherry fruit, licorice, smoke, and garrigue notes. This dense, medium to full-bodied, elegant as well as substantial Lirac should drink well for 5-6 years. This biodynamically-farmed vineyard, which has Philippe Cambie as its consultant, is a sleeper selection for value and high quality. – Rated 91 points, The Wine Avocate

Regular Price $38.98, 3WC Price $29.99 – A 23% Savings!

Gourmet Wine Club

Bodega Pedralonga Albariño Rias Baixas 2007 – Rias Baixas, Spain – 100% Albarino – 13% abv – Sustainable - A very full-bodied nose with notes of grapefruit, apple and floral hints. Structured and robust on the palate with prominent minerality,  lactic hints and slight, fruity acidity. Quite a bit richer and fuller than your average Albariño, serve this with a nice, oily fish such as mackerel or fresh sardines.

Yann Chave Crozes Hermitage Le Rouvre 2007 – Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 12.5% abv – Sustainable - Dark and winey, with crushed currant, fig and boysenberry fruit laid over a strong graphite note. Additional tobacco, plum sauce and coffee notes fill in the briary finish. Best from 2010 through 2013. 2,080 cases made. – Rated 91 points, Wine Spectator

Regular Price $63.98, 3WC Price $49.99 – A 22% Savings!

Deluxe Wine Club

Domaine Remi Jobard Meursault Le Chevalieres 2007 – Burgundy, France – 100% Chardonnay – Organic - The most elegant, and most complex, aromas to this point with citrus blossom, anise, delicate pain grille notes and a background hint of orange peel marries into very pure and stony flavors that are chiseled and gorgeously intense, all wrapped in a dry and mouth coating finish that again offers excellent length for a wine of this level. As it usually is, this is the best of this fine group of villages wines. Recommended. – Rated 90 points, Burghound

La Campana Brunello di Montalcino – Tuscany, Italy – 100% Sangiovese Grosso – 14% abv – Sustainable - Medium-deep red. Ripe red cherry, plum, marjoram, cinnamon and smoke on the nose and palate. Creamy and sweet, this Rosso offers lovely texture and intensity to its flavors, with fresh acidity giving it a penetrating quality. Though it starts off rather sweet and lush, it finishes with substantial tongue-coating tannins that leave you scrambling for something to eat.

Regular Price $125.98, 3WC Price $99.99 – A 24% Savings!

DOMAINE LA BASTIDE BLANCHE
In the early ’70s Michel and Louis Bronzo (the latter on the board of the INAO) acquired the property of the Bastide Blanche, with an eye to producing from appellation Bandol wines the equal of more famous appellations like Chateauneuf. Their painstaking efforts were rewarded in 1993 when vintage conditions created the benchmark year to put Bandol in general and Bastide-Blanche, in particular, on the map of top producers in France. They have various cuvees, depending on the vintage, but always about 75% Mourvedre as a minimum, up to 100% Mourvedre for the Cuvee Fontanieu from a parcel of that name near the Mediterranean. Also, common each year to their success are their very low yields, never more than 34 or 35 hl/ha, and simply impeccable cellar conditions and attention. This shows in the pure, well-delineated fruit, that has become a hallmark of Bastide-Blanche. They also make a delightful Rosé, from predominantly Mourvedre, with Grenache and Cinsault. And also produce another rosé from a separate property, Chateau des Baumelles. The Lineup:

Domaine La Bastide Blanche Bandol Blanc 2008, Regularly $26.99, On Sale $22.94/bottle – Provence, France – 45% Clairette, 35% Ugni Blanc, 15% Bourboulenc, 5% Sauvignon Blanc – 13% abv – Organic – A fruity style, with focused flavors of peach, Golden Delicious apple and pear. Medium-bodied, with a zesty, spice-filled finish that features touches of cream. Drink now. 25 cases imported. – Rated 88 Points, Wine Spectator

Chateau des Baumelles Bandol Rosé 2009, Regularly $22.99, On Sale $19.54/bottle – Provence, France – 36% Cinsault, 34% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre – 13.5% abv – Organic

Domaine La Bastide Blanche Bandol Rosé 2009, Regularly $22.99, On Sale $19.54/bottle – Provence, France – 70% Mourvedre, 22% Cinsault, 8% Grenache – 13.5% abv – Organic

Domaine La Bastide Blanche Bandol 2006, Regularly $22.99, On Sale $19.54/bottle – Provence, France – 74% Mourvedre, 22% Grenache, 3% Syrah, 1% Carignan – 14.5% abv – Organic - A powerful red, with intense red and dark fruit flavors, including fig, dark plum and raspberry. Formidable tannins and acidity support the finish, which is infused with notes of baker’s chocolate and black olive. Best from 2011 through 2015. 400 cases imported. – Rated 92 Points, Wine Spectator

Domaine La Bastide Blanche Bandol Cuvee Estagnol 2006, Regularly $29.99, On Sale $25.49/bottle – Provence, France – 94% Mourvedre, 6% Grenache – 14% abv – Organic - Plush and rich, with dense flavors of dark cherry, fig, licorice and dark chocolate. The powerful finish lingers with notes of mocha, smoke and roast beef. Needs time. Best from 2010 through 2014. 150 cases imported. – Rated 92 Points, Wine Spectator

Domaine La Bastide Blanche Bandol Cuvee Fontanieu 2005, Regularly $29.99, On Sale $25.49/bottle – Provence, France – 94% Mourvèdre, 6% Grenache – 13.5% abv – Organic - Powerful and complex nose spices, liquorice and chive mix with fruit notes of prunes and blackberries. The mouth is powerful, dense, developing finally spice notes. This wine will accompany well grilled or roasted meats and wild game.

Above Wines On Sale Through Saturday, May 15, 2010 or until supplies last.

On Saturday, May 8th, 2010, from 12PM – 4PM

Rosé is one of those everything sort of wines . . . that is to say, that it goes well with nearly everything! With the aromas of juicy red fruit and the texture and dryness of a fresh white, Rosés are the perfect go-to warm weather wines to accompany anything from light fair to grilled meats . . . If you’re not a convert yet, come in on Saturday for our free tasting and we are sure that we’ll change your mind! And besides, the world always looks a little better through rosé colored glasses!

Our In-Stock Rosé Selections
Domaine Les Aphillanthes Cotes-du-Rhone Rosé 2009, 60% Cinsault, 20% Grenache, 15% Cunoise, 5% Mourvedre. $13.99 by the bottle

Rive Gauche Chinon Rosé 2009, 100% Cabernet Franc. $15.99 by the bottle

Domaine les Grands Bois Cotes du Rhone “Cuvee les Trois Soeurs” Rosé 2009, 75% Grenache, 15% Carignan, 5% Syrah. $13.99 by the bottle

Buchegger Pinot Noir Niederosterreich Rosé 2009, Austria. 100% Pinot Noir. $16.99 by the bottle

Chateau Mourgues du Gres Fleur d’Eglantine Costieres de Nimes Rosé 2009, 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah, 10% Carignan. $13.99 by the bottle

Chateau Mourgues du Gres Les Galets Roses Costieres de Nimes Rosé 2009, 60% Syrah, 40% Grenache. $15.99 by the bottle

Pierre-Marie Chermette Les Griottes Beaujolais Rosé 2009, 100% Gamay. $16.99 by the bottle

Chateau de Manissy Tavel “Cuvee des Lys” Rosé 2009, 60% Grenache, 30% Clairette, 10% Syrah. $18.99 by the bottle

Domaine Duseigneur Lirac Rosé 2009, 50% Cinsault, 37% Mourvedre, 7% Clairette, 3% Grenache, 3% Syrah. $16.99 by the bottle

Domaine La Bastide Blanche Bandol Rosé 2009, 70% Mourvedre, 8% Grenache, 22% Cinsault. $22.99 by the bottle*

Chateau de Baumelles Bandol Rosé 2009, 30% Mourvedre, 36% Cinsault, 34% Grenache. $22.99 by the bottle*

Domaine Charvin Cotes du Rhone Rosé 2009, 80% Grenache, 20% Bourboulenc. $18.99 by the bottle*

*arriving at the shop late this week

Save Money When You Buy A Case or More
10% Off Mixed Cases
15% Off Matched Cases

Nothnagl Gruner Veltliner Ried Steinborz Federspiel 2007, $16.99/btl – Wachau, Austria – 100% Gruner Veltliner – 12% abv – Sustainable - Medium-bodied, with pear and green peach flavors. Finishes with plenty of vanilla and spice.

Domaine Collotte Marsannay Rosé 2009, $18.99/btl – Burgundy, France – 100% Pinot Noir – 13% abv – Sustainable - With a beautiful red current hue and a concentrated nose of peach nectar, this rosé is soft and fruity, backed by good strength and liveliness. The perfect accompaniment to charcuterie!

Domaine Les Grand Bois Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Les Trois Soeurs Rosé 2009, $13.99/btl – Burgundy, France – 75% Grenache, 15% Carignan, 5% Syrah -14.5 % abv – Sustainable - Black cherry and bright strawberry highlight this blend with a finish that belies it’s fresh and intense, dry, long-lasting finish. Try it as an aperitif or with almost all foods. Great with Asian spices.

Domaine St.-Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes 2006, $27.99/btl – Rhone, France – 90% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre and Carignan – 14.5% abv – Sustainable - The well-made 2006 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes’ deep ruby/purple hue is followed by aromas of black cherries, raspberries, spring flowers, earth, and spice. Not as extravagantly rich as the 2007, it is a medium-bodied, well-balanced wine to consume over the next 7-8 years. Proprietor Joel Saurel’s goal is to produce Gigondas as fine as those fashioned by the appellation’s two superstars, Domaine Santa Duc and Chateau St.-Cosme. An estate to watch, Saint-Damien produces three sensational cuvees of Gigondas as well as two stunning, value-priced Cotes du Rhones, which readers should be buying by the trunkful. As one might expect, the 2007 Gigondas look very strong, but Saurel also succeeded in 2006, a difficult vintage in Gigondas. – WA 90 points

“In ancient times, Tarragona  was a major Roman colony, and the capital city from which the province takes its name is filled with significant Roman ruins, including a seaside amphitheater. The Romans, and prior to their tenure the Greeks, made wine here, but the “modern” winemaking history of the region dates to the 12th century and the Carthusian monastery, or priory (priorat in Catalan), from which the Priorat area takes its name. The Scala Dei (Ladder to God) winery was founded in 1973 on the grounds of the once-magnificent monastery. For nearly two decades, its rustic but palatable wines were the only ones from the region known to the outside world.

“What has happened in the province of Tarragona over a short span of years is nothing short of mind-boggling. Rather than mere change, there has been upheaval every bit as dramatic as the ancient geological events that created the region’s strikingly beautiful landscape.

“The surge in quality can be credited largely to five once-fledgling producers whose names are now well known, with some approaching cult status – René Barbier (Clos Mogador), Carles Pastrana (Clos de L’Obac), Josep Lluís Pérez (Mas Martinet), Daphne Glorian (Clos Erasmus) and Alvaro Palacios (L’Ermita). They descended upon Priorat in 1989 to make wine together. Their exceptional achievements caused a ripple effect that spurred the momentum.” - Gerry Dawes, The Wine News, Tarragona’s Powerful New-Age Reds

The wines of Priorat are today Spain’s finest reds, and the equal of the best that the French Mediterranean and all of Italy produces. It is a wild region, of steep, terraced vineyards that date to Roman times. The typical terroir is composed mainly of ragged and broken slate (schist, or llicorella in the Catalan dialect), lending a distinct character and finesse to the region’s best wines.

Wine making at Mas Martinet is at once simple and brilliant as described by Drew Matich from Pulling the Cork, August 2009: “. . . the bottom line is this: Sara’s wines faithfully reflect the grapes of the vineyard in any given year. There are no winemaker games played to optimize or equalize the wine across different vintages. The grapes are blended, fermented, and aged as they come out of the vineyard. And from our tastings, the results were amazing.”

Depending on our available quantities, we’ll open up at least 4 of the following, if not more. The Lineup:

Mas Martinet Menut 2006, $19.99/btl – Priorat, Spain – 50% Garnatxa, 30% Merlot, 20% Syrah – 14% abv – An incredible value, Menut is a blend of Martinet’s younger vines, and parcels not used for their five single-vineyard cuvees, along with a good chunk of Merlot. Aged 15 months in 3,4,5-year French barriques. Then tank.

Mas Martinet Bru 2007, $32.99/btl – Priorat, Spain – 40% Garnatxa, 25% Syrah, remaining 35% Carignan, Cabernet and (tiny amount) Merlot – 14.5% abv – Martinet Bru is From a single parcel at the southwest corner of the caudron. Unique climate here. Aged 17 months; half in 300 liter second and third year French oak, and half in large wooden tank (3 years old).

Mas Martinet Degustacio No. 1 2004, $46.99/btl – Priorat, Spain – Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache – 15.5% abv

Mas Martinet Els Escurcons 2006, $71.99/btl – Priorat, Spain – 80% Garnatxa, 20% Syrah – 14.5 % abv – This has an expressive nose of roasted mineral, damp earth, mushroom, blueberry, and black cherry. Forward, sweetly-fruited, and succulent, it can be enjoyed over the next 8-10 years. – 92 points, The Wine Advocate

Mas Martinet Clos Martinet 2006, $71.99/btl – Priorat, Spain – 68% Garnatxa, 20% Caranyana, 12% Syrah – 14.5% abv – The flagship 2006 Clos Martinet (a single-vineyard). Aged 20 months in 300 liter French barrels – 25% new and 75% from two- to 6-year-old barrels] is a saturated purple color with an alluring bouquet of liquid mineral, lavender, cigar box, truffle, black cherry, and black raspberry. Fruit-forward, elegant, and smooth textured, this harmonious effort can be enjoyed over the next decade although it will continue to blossom for several more years. – 94 Points, The Wine Advocate

Mas Martinet Cami Pesseroles 2006, $92.99/btl – Priorat, Spain – 60% Caranyana, 40% Garnatxa – 14.5% abv – The purple-colored 2006 Cami Pesseroles has earth, mineral, spice box, and black cherry aromas that give way to a suave, structured wine with savory fruit, plenty of spice notes, and a lengthy finish. It will benefit from several more years in the bottle and will deliver optimum drinking from 2012 to 2026.” – 93 Points, The Wine Spectator; 92 Points, The Wine Advocate

Chateau Font-Mars Picpoul de Pinet 2008, $10.99/btl – Languedoc, France – 100% Picpoul – 12.5% abv – Font-Mars – with its coat of arms flanked by dinosaurs, an allusion to fossilized eggs found on the property – once again offers a distinctively delicious wine with their 2008 Coteaux du Languedoc Picpoul de Pinet, smelling of honeydew melon and passion fruit; refreshing, sappy and stimulatingly bitter in its notes of green apple and melon rind, and guaranteed to improve the contents of any refrigerator over the next 6-9 months.

Weingut Trapl Gruner Veltliner 2008, $15.99/btl – Carnuntum, Austria – 100% Gruner Veltliner – 11.5% abv – White grapefruit that lingers for a considerable amount of time given the price point. Finishes with an abundance of mineral and a touch of chalk.

Domaine La Bastide Syrah Vin de Pays d’Hauterive Les Genets Vieilles Vignes 2007, $12.99/btl – Languedoc, France – 100% Syrah – 14.5% abv – The 2007 Syrah Vieilles Vignes came in at close to 15% alcohol, yet its wonderfully-concentrated, brown-spiced, sweetly-ripe cassis, black cherry, and purple plum retain a refreshing brightness and are not in the least marred by bitterness or heat. Anything this wine lacks in complexity it makes up for in seamlessness and generosity, not to mention ridiculously good value. Enjoy it over the next 2-3 years. – WA 90 points

Domaine Duseigneur Lirac Antares 2007, $22.99/btl – Rhone, France – 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre – 14.5% abv – A bigger, richer offering, the 2007 Lirac Antares is a blend of 60% Grenache and equal parts Mourvedre and Syrah. The Grenache is aged in tank, and the other two varietals are kept in barrel. In keeping with the style of this vintage, it possesses plenty of freshness and ripeness in addition to deep black raspberry and black cherry fruit, licorice, smoke, and garrigue notes. This dense, medium to full-bodied, elegant as well as substantial Lirac should drink well for 5-6 years. This biodynamically-farmed vineyard, which has Philippe Cambie as its consultant, is a sleeper selection for value and high quality. – WA 91 points