Canteperdrix Vim Solis

Vinsobres is a red wine only appellation that sees a more diverse set of soils than most of the other Rhone AOCs. The usual intense Mistral wind is accompanied by a cooler, gentler Pontias wind, making this one of the cooler sites of the southern Rhone. The wines have a bit more nerve: think of cranberry instead of black cherry, more tangy Grenache than rich, robust Syrah.

Cape Charles Chardonnay

When it comes to Carneros, it’s the proximity to San Pablo Bay that matters. Every time it heats up in central Napa or even in the Central Valley, the air rises and is replaced by the cold, foggy stuff flowing under and through the Golden Gate Bridge and all along San Pablo Bay. The sun burns it off each morning and grapes that require acidity for balance (like Chardonnay) thrive in it.

Cape Charles Sauvignon Blanc

After killing it with the AVERÆN project in Oregon, the Banshee gang is hard at work again in France. They’ve grabbed some vineyards in Gascony and we’re smart enough to snag some of their early efforts. There’s a lot of Sauvignon Blanc grown in these spots, but what these guys excel at are wines like this one: poised, more bright melon and citrus - just the way it should be.

Carmita

Centuries ago the DO of Almansa produced high quality wines, albeit at that time they were sweet ones. The locals used Alicante Bouschet, but today they call it Garnacha Tintorera, and for the most part all the producers have nixed the sweet part of the equation. In the case of Carmita,Bodegas Lo Nuevo mixes the Garnacha with 30% Monastrell to make this wickedly powerful red wine.

Cary Potet Montagny

Cary Potet is an ideal example of hidden Burgundy; the label disappeared after being imported by a small producer for years. Some importers were adept scroungers of the French retail shelves and years later they spotted the Cary Potet label. These folks, the Desfontaine family, have been making wine for 12 generations and their family motto is ‘Ex Nihilo Nihil’: nothing comes from nothing. But from hard work, delicious wine can be coaxed from the old stones.

Cassandre

Within Cabardès, a prime site in the ocean of vines that is Languedoc-Roussillon, the Ramés are growing many of the same grapes as their neighbors but using them to sometimes unusual ends. They call some of these wines “les Dissidents” which are “delicate blends concocted in jars of 150 or 500 litres, and in casks of 2,000 litres.” This one is 100% Vermentino (they call it Rolle there) and it has layers and layers.

Castelet Saint Peyran

We like the Vellas family; we buy a lot of their wines. Why? Because they have 100s of acres at their disposal in southern France? Yes, true. Is it because they consistently offer us wines that reflect their place (places like Pic-Saint-Loup)? Sure, that too. But, actually, it’s because value in French wine can be hard to find and the Vellas family just keeps bringing it to us. Rich, expansive Syrah for this kind of money? Yeah, yeah, that’s why.

Castellare Chianti Classico

Castellare was one of the first of the “modern” estates in Chianti, established in the 1970s when Chiantis were becoming wines with freshness when then were known for funk, earth and cheap prices. Castellare brought in some of the brightest minds of the time. They implemented the first true scientific selection of Sangiovese clones, and introduced new French barriques. Yep, we have an emotional relationship with Castellare.

Caymus Cabernet

What really needs to be said...??? Chuck Wagner has been producing delicious Cabernet at Caymus for over 30 years (he's got a pretty solid track record)...all things considered, I'd say this is a buy.

Chalk Hill Russian River Chardonnay