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.

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.

Caymus California Cabernet

Caymus Suisin Walking Fool

That pesky Wagner Family just can’t stop cranking out wines that keep attracting new drinkers. It stands to reason that the people that brought you Caymus, Emmolo, Mer Soleil and many others have decoded the American palate and learned to craft wines of buzz and lushness. This one is Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah from the sunny Suisun Valley, just to the east of Napa and offering great value and friendliness.

C'est pas la Mer a Boire Picpoul

Here’s what you should know about Picpoul de Pinet: it’s never bad; and only sometimes good. So there’s a lot to be said for grapes that never suck. About the time I decided I was no longer going to think about the Picpoul grape, I tasted this Picpoul de Pinet and it was utterly delicious.

Chalk Hill Russian River Chardonnay

Chateau Carteau

The vines on this Saint-Emilion property produce less fruit but more concentrated flavors; that is the character of older vines. The very typical Saint-Émilion blend of 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon sees a bit more new oak than is typical at this price point; the Bertrand family, long-time owners, clearly see this wine as having the backbone for it. Half new and half one-year-old barrels generate more spice and weight