Baron de Ley Varietales

Baron de Ley is a great example of how much the Rioja region has upped its game in the last decade. Like many of their wines of late, this 100% Tempranillo is rich, powerful, intense, heady and every bit a modern version of concentrated Rioja, but one that nevertheless still tastes like Rioja.

Benieres Chardonnay

The vast vineyards of France’s Languedoc hold many well-known grapes, including Chardonnay that is friendly and accessible. This one is gathered from organic vineyards on the Aspères plateau with its excellent marl and limestone soils. The winemaking is straightforward – stainless steel fermenters and just enough lees stirring to enrich the texture and flavors. We love finding wines like this!

Benieres Pinot Noir

Fresh and fruity Pinot Noir from the Pays d'Oc, a region warm enough and varied enough to allow even persnickety Pinot Noir to find its happy place.

Bernard Chamfort Plan de Dieu

Why is this place called God’s Plan? Isn’t that a bit presumptuous? The name harks back to the Middle Ages, when walking this bandit-infested forest was like committing your fate to God. But now it’s mostly vines on clay and alluvial pebbles. But like its neighboring Côtes du Rhone Villages, Plan de Dieu’s reds are made more complex by the regional garrigue, the aromatic, Mediterranean flora, particularly bay, thyme and lavender.

Bleu Blanc Thau

This blend of Picpoul,Terret, and Colombard is so tasty, so refreshingly crisp (but still weighty enough to matter) and, dare we say it, a freaking value that it practically crawled into our bag and said take me home the first time we tasted it.

Block & Tackle Cabernet

How quickly the brilliance of the 2013's recede from memory, perhaps understandably overshadowed by the fantastic 2014's. Well, this 100% Cabernet from Rootstock Cellars ought to make you remember how balance and complexity can reign in certain years in California - and at an amazing price.

Boen RRV Pinot Noir

Like Joe Wagner didn't have enough going on. Copper Cane, his post Meiomi project (more like a succession of wineries) is sprouting brands like social media breeds conspiracy theories. Böen is one of his Pinot Noir obsessions (think Belle Glos) and the style is reminiscent of the Caymus mentality: lush, supple, ripe and rich.

Bonanza Cabernet Sauvignon

Chuck and his family, as you probably know, are virtual dynamos in the California wine business, with Joe Wagner, his son and the grandson of Chuck Sr. one of the great pioneers of Napa, producing Pinot Noir in Oregon as well. Chuck and his other son Charlie and daughter Jenny, continue to make Caymus the grand Napa benchmark that it is. So when he makes a tasty little blend like this, it makes sense to buy some and enjoy them tonight.

Buffelsfontein Chenin Blanc

Just drink it. Buy it first, please, because that’s the right thing to do and then you can drink it. You will find it pear flavored, textured and refreshing, even though it is also complex and layered, like a serious white wine. Not quite Chardonnay. But I think you get it.

Burly Sciandri Cabernet