Check out our monthly “Staff Picks” wines, where we choose 12 of our current favorite wines, specially chosen to pair well with seasonal dishes and that present good value for the price. Save 10% on any purchases, or put together a mixed-or-matched case of 12 bottles for a 20% discount.

 

                           

 

 

 

November Staff Picks

Don Piere Brut Sparkling, Spain (Avery)

Made from indigenous Spanish grapes Airen (90%) and Viura (10%) from high elevation vineyards across Asturias, this bubbly is matured in stainless steel before bottling.  This Sparkling wine shows pleasant citrus notes and abundant bubbles. Enjoy this paired with appetizers or grilled fish, or at this super affordable price point, make bellinis, mimosas or Spritz cocktails.

$10.00

Mills Club $9.00

Case Price $8.00

 

Bastgen Kestener Paulinshofberg 2021 Spatlese Riesling, Mosel, Germany (Aron)

Paulinshofberg is one of the most prized vineyards in Mosel, covering a small 9 hectare footprint, dominated with slate soils that force the vine roots to struggle deeper to seek moisture in times of drought.  These slate soils also impart a minerally stamp on the wine, in addition to the already pleasurable lichi and pineapple tones and crisp, electric acidity. Weingut Bastgen was established in 1850 and is run by husband-wife team Armin Vogel and Mona Bastgen. Bastgen is one of 40 members of the elite Bernkasteler Ring, an indication of the quality of their wines. This is a super value in our opinion, and would offer a wonderful pairing with roasted poultry, pork tenderloin or spicy Pad Thai.

$25.99

Mills Club: $23.39

Case Price: $20.79                                                     ORGANIC

 

Trefethen Eshcol 2021 Chardonnay, Napa, California (Aron)

While we have long been big fans of Trefethen Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, their “Eshcol” line features more affordable yet still estate-grown wines. The name Eshcol is a nod to the original historic estate, dating back to 1886 with building the winery in the center of Eshcol Ranch. This, their Chardonnay from select plots in Napa shows green apple, lemon, and tangerine notes with a long, lively finish.  The wine spends nine months in mostly used oak, giving it a surprising level of richness at this price point. Enjoy with chicken pot pie, rockfish topped with crab imperial or pecan-crusted baked salmon.

$15.99

Mills Club $14.39

Case Price $12.79                                                                                                                                                                 

Thelema Mountain Vineyards Mountain White, South Africa (Tim)

A visit this week from the Thelema winemaker delighted us with their lineup. We found this white wine to offer particularly good value, a blend of mostly Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Viognier. Impressively, all of their wines are estate grown, set at the base of a large crater in the lush greenery of the South Easterly side of the Simonsberg Mountain. This crisp, clean,very dry white features bright acidity assisted by some depth and roundness from the Viognier addition.  Passionfruit, apricot and melon aromas are alluring but subtle, making this a great pairing with mild cheeses, oysters, or delicate seafood.

$14.99

Mills Club: $13.49

Case Price: $11.99                                                                            

 

Panthera 2021 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, California (Pat)

Save this luxurious Chardonnay for a special celebratory meal like Thanksgiving! Featuring notes of lemon curd and golden apple, buttered crust and crème brulee, as well as hints of vanilla from 18 months in French oak (35% new), this bold yet balanced example of Russian River Valley Chardonnay is a pleasure to enjoy. If you like Rombauer you will love this new addition to our premium Chardonnay collection.

$39.99

Mills Club: $35.99

Case Price: $31.99                                                                            

                                   

Jean Reverdy 2022 Sancerre Rosè, Loire Valley, France (Jen & Jerry)

This Rosè by one of our favorite Sancerre producers Jean Reverdy is made entirely from Pinot Noir planted to limestone and marl soils. Displaying the palest of pink hues, this elegant wine is crisp and lean, showing notes of cherry and blackcurrants, finishing dry and minerally. This is another excellent pairing for Thanksgiving dinner, or to enjoy with roast chicken or salmon.

$27.99

Mills Club: $25.19

Case Price: $22.39                                                    

                                                                                                                       

Heinrich Hartl 2021 Pinot Noir Classic, Thermenregion, Austria (Avery)

Heinrich Hartl is located in lower Austria, just south of Vienna, where he focuses on the production of Pinot Noir, and unique and indigenous Austrian varietals Rotgipfler and St. -Laurent planted to limestone soils.  This Pinot Noir offers up notes of raspberry and cherry fruit, finishing with a touch of warm spice. Try with pasta with ragout, stuffed ravioli, or Thanksgiving dinner!!

$21.99

Mills Club $19.79

Case $17.59

 

Juliette “La Sangliere” 2021 Mèditerranèe Red, Provence, France (Pat)

60% Syrah and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon comprise the blend in this red wine with a nose of wild Mediterranean herbs and red fruits, red currants and a juicy finish with a bit of tannins and spice. This will pair well with bold dishes that have a spicy component, be it spicy Szechuan beef, Steak au poivre, or birria tacos.

$10.00

Mills Club $9.00

Case $8.00                                         

                                               

Venta Morales 2022 Tempranillo, Spain (Andres)

La Mancha brings to mind not only the stories of Don Quixote but also delicious tapas and Tempranillo like this example. During the Middle Ages, this was an area where Christian forces met the Moors. The Arabs coined the land “Al-Mansha”, or “dry land”, aptly describing the harsh environmental conditions. This affordable red is delicious and juicy with plump raspberry and plum notes. Pair with Manchego cheese made from the milk of the local Manchega sheep and some Iberica or Serrano ham.

$11.99

Mills Club: $10.79

Case Price: $9.59                                                                  

 

Laura Hartwig 2020 Carmeñere, Colchagua Valley, Chile (Jen & Jerry)

With our former reserve Carmeñere no longer available on the market, our search for a replacement led us to Laura Hartwig. Bright and juicy with plenty of plum, pepper and spice notes, this medium to full bodied red hails from the Colchagua Valley, which some experts consider to be the “Napa Valley” of Chile.  Enjoy with roasted or grilled beef.

$19.99

Mills Club: $17.99

Case Price: $15.99                                                                                                                            

Tate 2021 Shiraz, Margaret River, Australia (Andres)

Margaret River is uniquely situated between the Indian and Southern Ocean on the western tip of Australia with an ideal Maritime climate for growing grapes. This red is made from 100% Shiraz matured in French oak for 14-16 months.  A rich red featuring notes of dark cherries, plums and black pepper, this is a wonderful pairing for bbq ribs, smoked brisket, or slow simmered beef stew.

$18.99

Mills Club: $17.09

Case Price: $15.19                                                                                                    

 

Cheateau Auney L’Hermitages 2018 Graves, Bordeaux (Tim)

We brought this new Bordeaux in after a tasting of a selection of wonderful Rosenthal imported wines. This red showed particularly well. The estate was known as Chateau le Chec until 2012 when the long-time owners changed the name to “Auney l’Hermitage”, a reflection of Sylvie and Christian Auney now running the estate. From a four-hectare parcel of land with vines planted to gravel, clay and sand, this wine is composed of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% each Cabernet Franc and Malbec, aged 15 months in a combination or new and used barrels.   This would be a great pairing with a variety of aged cheeses, or with a special meal of lamb or beef.

$34.99

Mills Club: $31.49

Case Price: $27.99                                                                 ORGANIC