The first weekend of each month we select 12 of our new favorite wines that represent good value for the price, and are seasonally appropriate! Join us in tasting six of them on Saturday and the other six on Sunday.

December Staff Picks

Tasting Saturday 2pm-6pm

Santa Rita 2016 120 Reserva Especial Sauvignon Blanc, Central Valley, Chile (Jen & Jerry)

Notes of lime on the nose and a refreshing palate of citrus zest are balanced by a hint of briny saltiness. This fresh white with good acidity is a great aperitif or pairing with salads, and at this price, perfect for a party wine! Santa Rita is about 45 minutes from Santiago in the foothills of Alto Jahuel. The Santa Rita “120” line of wines is a salute to 120 patriots, who in 1814 after a long battle for the fight for Chile’s independence arrived at Santa Rita and found refuge in their cellars. Wine Enthusiast “Best Buy”.

Regularly: $10.00

Mills Club: $9.00

Case $8.00

 

Talley Vineyards Bishop’s Peak 2016 Chardonnay, Edna Valley, California (Tim)

This is a delightful example of well-made cool-climate Chardonnay, with all the grapes coming from Oliver’s Vineyard in the Edna Valley (Talley makes another Chard from this same vineyard that retails at $50). Neutral French oak is used in the aging process, yielding a wine with peach and jasmine aromatics and pear, lime zest and a chalky minerality that will make it a great choice to serve with oysters or clam chowder. Rated 90 points.

Regularly: $17.99

Mills Club: $16.19

Case: $14.39

 

Pierre-Marie Chermette “Origine” Vieilles Vignes Beaujolais Primeur, France (Pat D.)

This 100% Gamay from old vines (35-85 years old) is aged one month in old oak tuns, presenting violet aromatics with fresh notes of licorice and pepper and a hint of minerality. Chermette’s soil is granitic as opposed to most of Beaujoloais which is limestone/clay and this lends more structure to their wines. Enjoy with duck, game terrines, and roasted poultry.

Regular Price: $15.99

Mills Club: $14.39

Case Price: $12.79

 

Ermitage du Pic Saint Loup “Tour de Pierres” 2014, Languedoc, France (Jen & Jerry)

A blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre from a biodynamic and organic estate run by the three brothers Ravaille. Tobacco and grilled umami notes are balanced by bright supple fruit flavors. This estate dates back to the Middle Ages, formerly home of the bishops of Maguelone. The limestone peak or “pic” above the vineyards was named for the pious and crusading Saint Thieri Loup. Serve this intensely earthy red with charcuterie or pork chops.

Regular Price: $17.99

Mills Club: $16.19

Case Price: $14.39

 

Schug 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley, California (Bird)

A generous, supple Cabernet Sauvignon is just the match for hearty stews, braised meats, or a pan-fried steak. Bursting with red berries, currants, cherries and a touch of spicy oak, this version, blended with small amounts of Cab Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot will make a great gift or will compliment a special meal. Founder and California 1970’s wine pioneer Walter Schug was a champion of Bordeaux styled Cabs like this one.

Regularly: $25.99

Mills Club: $23.39

Case Price: $20.79

 

Quady 2014 Essensia Orange Muscat, California (Pat D.)

Try this full-bodied sweet wine made from Orange Muscat aged 3 months in French Oak. Bursting with spicy orange and apricot flavors and aromas, this will enhance fruit pies, cheesecakes, biscotti or chocolate.

Regularly: $18.99 (375ml bottle)

Mills Club : $17.09

Case Price: $15.19

 

Sunday 1-4pm

Col di Rocca Non-Vintage Prosecco, Italy (Jess)

Try this delicious and pretty Prosecco made from the Glera grape from the hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene. This Prosecco is extra-dry which is one step sweeter than a brut (Prosecco meter from dry to sweet are: Brut, Extra Dry, Dry and Demi-Sec). This is a delicious aperitif or festive party wine!

Regularly: $15.99

Mills Club: $14.39

Case Price: $12.79

 

Serpens 2014 Tokaj Dry Cuvee White, Tokaj, Hungary (Andres)

Citrus, lemon peel and apple notes emerge from the glass of this white blend made from primarily Furmint. Luscious fruit and floral notes are balanced by a laser beam of acidity, making this a nice pairing with fish tacos, shrimp and other seafood dishes.

Regularly: $14.99

Mills Club: $13.49

Case Price: $11.99

 

Primarius 2014 Pinot Noir, Oregon (Geoffrey)

Always on the search for affordable Oregon Pinot, we enjoyed this find which presents classic aromas of forest floor, dark cherry, strawberry with a hint of herb and smoke. Light and elegant, this will nicely accompany poultry or fattier fish such as salmon.

Regular Price: $16.99

Mills Club $15.29

Case Price $13.59

 

Estampa Estate 2013 Malbec Petite Sirah Blend, Colchagua Valley, Chile (Tim)

Rich and savory blackberry notes precede a touch of pepper and cocoa in this affordable blend from the Colchagua Valley. “Estampa” are pocket sized prayer cards. 200 years ago, legend has it an estampa of Nuestra Senora del Carmel hovered over the heads of a group of people in the Plaza de Armas in Santiago and a church was later erected on the site. Spanish immigrants of the Gonzalez-Ortiz family that founded and run Estampa established “La Estampa Mill” in 1897 that focused on food production. Vines were planted in 1988.

Regular Price: $11.99

Mills Club: $10.79

Case Price: $9.59

 

 

Saladin “Fan de Lune” 2014 Cotes du Rhone (Aron)

Two sisters run this tiny 18 hectare certified organic estate, which has been handed down for generations since 1422. “Fan de Lune” means “child of the moon” and is used to express surprise and delight. This blend is mostly Mourvedre from 40 year old vines with smaller amounts of Grenache Noir and Syrah. The wine is aged in oak foudres for 9 months before bottling. This red expresses some minerality from the large smooth rocks or gallettes that dominate the vineyard. Plush, dark briar fruit is layered with notes of charcoal and graphite. This would be wonderful with roasted chicken or even braised stews or meats.

Regular Price: $23.99

Mills Club: $21.59

Case Price: $19.19

 

 

Chateau Vartely 2015 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, Moldova (Jess)

Try this medium bodied value Cabernet Sauvignon from Moldova that features ripe cherry fruit, blackberry and pepper notes with roast beef, hamburgers or meatloaf. Weeknight wine!

Regular Price: $12.99

Mills Club: $11.69

Case Price: $10.39