Reserve de Marande 2025 Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc is widely planted in many countries and regions around the world. Not unlike Chardonnay it is the darling of grape growers as it is relatively easy to grow, a good producer, and it ripens early. The varietal seems to have originated from the Loire Valley, but it spread to other parts of France a long time ago – Sauvignon was already well known throughout France as far back as the 1700’s although it was only later in the twentieth century that this grape really started making its way into other parts of the wine world, usually to cooler climates like New Zealand and South Africa. This example? It hails from the Languedoc region in Southern France, an excellent locale for value driven versions. Citrus and mint aromas lead into a broad palate with a touch of stone fruit and plenty of zip on the finish.

Château Valmer 2023 Vouvray Jean de Saint Venant brought the enthusiasm of his youth and the rigor to the new generation of winegrowers. Since 2009, Jean de Saint Venant has devoted all his energy to working his vineyard in order to allow the vines to produce the purest expression of Vouvray. This is a very true-to-type Chenin Blanc with plenty of fruit balanced by zippy acidity. Pear orange rind table grapes and McIntosh apple fill the nose and palate. This is one off-dry Chenin that will reward 3-6+ years in a cellar. If you are anxious to try it tonight, match it to spicy dishes such as vindaloo chicken or green curry shrimp. Or give it a go with soft cheeses such as brie and Camembert.

L.A. Cetto 2024 Chardonnay L.A. Cetto, founded in 1928, is Mexico’s largest winery, producing about half of the country’s wine. Located in Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California, it is known for its award-winning red and white wines, which are exported worldwide. Established by Don Angelo Cetto, an Italian immigrant, the winery is now operated by his third-generation descendants, who blend traditional methods with modern cultivation techniques. The L.A. Cetto Chardonnay hails from the sun-soaked Valle de Guadalupe in Baja California. This renowned region is characterized by its unique desert terroir, where dramatic temperature shifts from day to night and cooling Pacific breezes enable the grapes to develop rich, complex flavors, complemented by a crisp, balanced acidity.

Lismore 2025 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough ‘The Retreat’ The perfect Sauvignon Blanc for this warm Bay Area weather! Great with entree salads, white beans, salmon, or as an aperitif. “A ripe, fruity SB with heady aromas of passion fruit, pineapple, lime leaf and bell pepper open. The palate is dry, crisp and tart with some chalky texture and a focus of fruit and fresh green garden veg to the finish. Classic Marlborough. (reviewed at $26/bottle)” – Christina Packard, Wine Enthusiast, 7/24

Marie Maria 2023 Pacherenc du Vic Bilh Sec ‘Novel’ From the Southwest region of France, comes this unique and interesting white blend. Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng make up the majority composition of wines from Pacherenc du Vic Bilh, with another local varietal called Arruflac sometimes added for floral lift, but thankfully not in today’s example (Arruflac can be an overpowering vibe wrecker, especially in serious examples like today’s wine). Lees aging is unusually long (12 months is pretty standard) as is the use of very old barrels. Today’s pick was raised in this way. Sweet versions of this category used to be all the rage here making up 80% of production, but today about 65% of the production in Pacherenc is dry, as is the case with today’s wine. Crisp, floral, fresh, this is a delicious new wine to try.

Kenji 2025 Rosé This fresh and fruity wine was sourced from the south of France. The vineyard is planted in gravelly soils, which allows the vines to thrive in lightly drained ground. The wine is aged on fine lees, which adds roundness and complexity to its flavor. Delicate floral aromas with hints of small red berries. Crisp, clean, and well-balanced, featuring nice fruit character and a fresh, harmonious finish.

Thomas Goss 2022 Shiraz McLaren Vale One of the original McLaren Vale pioneers, Thomas Goss (1810-1890), his wife Mary Ann (1813-1891) and their children arrived in South Australia from Devonshire in 1849. After success in the Victorian gold fields he established an iconic farming property, Ingleburne, now home to some of the McLaren Vale region’s leading vineyards. The Shiraz grapes used to make this wine have been sourced from select vineyards in McLaren Vale including those planted on the original Goss property. Long, soft and juicy palate and lush mouthfeel, bursting with blackberry, blueberry jam and licorice.

Joseph Cattin 2022 “Tradition” Pinot Noir Cattin is the largest family-owned and family-operated winery in Alsace and located in Voegtlinshoffen, a small village on the foothills of the Vosges Mountains at 1,091 feet in elevation. The Cattin family has been producing wine since 1720 and today the winery is managed by the 12th generation! With climate warming across the globe, Alsace is becoming an increasingly engaging option for sensory, tactile Pinot Noir. This release has the conifer element that we so appreciate in top level Pinot from the area, along with a generous “crunchiness” on the palate. Fruitful red cherry aromas and a touch of spiciness.

Domaine Calendal 2022 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Plan de Dieu Considered a “baby Chateauneuf du Pape,’” this special Rhône blend is perfectly described by Jeb Dunnuck: Made completely by Gilles Ferran of Domaine des Escaravailles, the 2022 Côtes Du Rhône Villages Plan De Dieu is the usual blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Mourvèdre that spent nine months in French oak barrels (10% new). More up-front black raspberry and darker berry fruits, peppery herbs, and violet notes define this richer, concentrated, medium to full-bodied effort, which has tons of character. This will be another beautiful wine that you will love. Going forward, the Calendal releases will be made by Filles Ferran of Domaine des Escaravailles, but given that the wines have always been made here, I don’t expect any changes in the overall quality. 91-93+ points

Ca’ Gialla 2025 Barbera d’Alba Marco Porello is the third generation of his family to produce wines in Roero. The family owns 15 hectares of vineyard land in total, all highly regarded locations in two of Roero’s twenty-three villages… The marine clay based Mombirone in the village of Canale, and Tanone in Vezza d’Alba, which is a sandy, limestone-rich site. All wines are farmed naturally without the use of herbicides or pesticides. This is textbook Barbera, with a nice balance of dark fruits and earth notes on the nose. A nice long finish leaves us wanting more.

Gorman Winery 2022 The Devil Makes Three Chris Gorman is the highly respected owner and winemaker at Gorman Winery in the northeast Seattle suburb of Maltby. After graduating from college in 1991, Chris spent three years working for a small Italian importer. His philosophy was, and still is, “to make wine, it is imperative to understand it.” So, for the next decade, he traveled extensively in the wine areas of Italy, Spain, and Germany before returning home and establishing Gorman Winery in 2002. “This bursts with easygoing flavors of fresh red currant and cherry that are laced with toasty mocha and spice notes, finishing with fleshy tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec. Drink now through 2030. ” -Tim Fish, Wine Spectator

Gianni Mostardini 2023 Toscana Rosso ‘Penteo’ What do you get when you grow Sangiovese and Teroldego in Northern Tuscany near the beach, farm it organically, and ferment it with the abundant/thick native yeasts that thrive in this seaside atmosphere? …you end up with one of the most interesting and delicious sub-$20 bottles of wine that you’ve ever seen on your table. The beautiful review from Antonio describes it perfectly… “The 2023 Costa Toscana Rosso Penteo is a blend of 85% Sangiovese and 15% Teroldego. Dried herbs, tobacco, cedar, incense, forest floor and sweet dried cherry are all beautifully lifted. This mid-weight, quirky, intensely floral/savory Tuscan red has plenty to recommend it. 93 points.” – Antonio Galloni, Vinous 12/24

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