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.

 

 

 

 

  

December Staff Picks

Patriarche Crémant de Bourgogne Brut, France (Aron)

Comprised of 45% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 15% Gamay and 5% Aligote, this Champagne-method Brut Sparkling from Burgundy is aged on the lees for 12 months, imparting richness and complexity. Showing white peach, jasmine, toast and spice notes, this is a well-priced Brut ideal to serve as an aperitif or paired with appetizers.

$19.99

Mills Club: $17.99

Case Price: $15.99                                                    

 

Domaine Romanin 2020 Macon-Villages, Burgundy, France (Pat)

Domaine Romanin is situated in the Pouilly-Fuisse area of Burgundy. This 100% Chardonnay is lovingly made by Denis Vervier, fifth generation winemaker of the family, who emphasizes hand harvesting grapes at the perfect maturity level. We selected this Macon-Villages from a panel of 6 wines, finding the fruit, texture and acidity to be in perfect balance.  This would be a wonderful pairing with dishes featuring tender crabmeat, lobster, or shrimp with a classic beurre blanc sauce.

$19.99

Mills Club $17.99

Case $15.99                                                                                       

 

Pictor 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, Central Valley, Chile (Andrew)

The Central Valley of Chile is a 400 mile long, 40 mile wide strip of land consisting of highly mineralized soil deposited by the seven area rivers. This example of Sauvignon Blanc from the region is fresh and crisp, featuring notes of lime and grapefruit and palate cleansing acidity, this is a nice weeknight pick to pair with a salad dressed in bright vinaigrette dressing, or will match a simple seafood preparation topped with capers and citrus sauce.

$10.00

Mills Club: $9.00

Case Price: $8.00                                                      

 

Vicentin 2021 Blanc de Malbec, Valle de Uco, Argentina (Andres)

An unusual find, this white wine made from the Malbec grape hails from the Valle de Uco of Argentina, a relatively cool-climate region that allows for slow ripening of grapes, with vines grown in well-draining clay rock soils with a stony sand surface.  Recent investment by Bordeaux greats Lurton and Rothschild highlight the capability of the area!  Six months in new American oak provides weight and texture to this perfect winter white; the wine shows fresh peach and raspberry fruit notes backed by a delicate toastiness and creamy texture. Pair with a hot bowl of cream of crab soup, fettucini alfredo or fugazza, Buenos Aires’ cheese-rich version of pizza.

$24.99

Mills Club: $22.49

Case Price: $19.99                                                    

 

Field Recordings 2021 Fiction Red, Paso Robles, California (Tim)

A true kitchen sink composition, this red is made from 40% Zinfandel, 11% Syrah, 14% Alicante Bouschet, 20% Charbono, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon. It spends 10 months in French and America oak. Notes of blueberry and cherry intermingle with umami notes of cigar, earth, and meat. Firm tannins suggest pairing with meaty ribs or sausages. Using native yeasts, no additives and minimal sulfites, this is a thoughtfully made wine, and bold enough to warm you on a cold winter’s night.

$19.99

Mills Club: $17.99

Case Price: $15.99                                                                                        

 

The Critic 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, California (Jen & Jerry)

This delicious Cabernet Sauvignon is made from grapes sourced throughout the Napa areas of Rutherford, Atlas Peak and Mount Veeder, explaining the relative affordability of the wine.  Spending 10 months in oak (50% French, 50% American), this is a medium-bodied red featuring dark fruit, bing cherry, currant notes and spice and vanilla undertones; a velvety smooth finish will make this the ideal pairing with a slow cooked beef roast with root vegetables.

$19.99

Mills Club: $17.99

Case Price: $15.99                                                                

 

French Belle 2019 Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux, France (David)

Those who’ve enjoyed our “Southern Belle” red wine from Spain will enjoy this French version. This Bordeaux red made from Merlot and Cabernet Franc enjoys a highly unusual treatment of aging in former use Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon barrels for 8 months, imparting subtle notes of molasses, brown spice and caramel. It’s a full, opulent red wine reminiscent of the Orin Swift style of wines. This would be an interesting gift for a fan of great Bourbons and red wine.

$22.99

Mills Club Price: $20.69

Case: $18.39

 

Seppeltsfield 2020 Grenache, Barossa, Australia (Jen & Jerry)

Ironstone, quartz and slate make up the soils in this bush vine grenache grown in the iconic Great Terraced Vineyard at Seppeltsfield in the Barossa Valley of Australia.  Fermented in the estate’s 1888 gravity cellar, the wine is aged in French foudre for 9 months. This red shows raspberry and blackberry fruit notes with baking spice and mineral from those iron/slate composed soils. This grenache would be ideal with roast chicken or pork.

$24.99

Mills Club $22.49

Case $19.99                                                               

 

Sunspell 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia (Tim)

A recent meeting and tasting with new wine importer “Legend” brought forth some fresh and interesting selections for our evolving Australian section, including this affordable Cabernet Sauvignon from the Southeast of the country, with more of that unique terra rossa soil influence.  This is a medium-bodied Cabernet that sees only stainless steel, showing bright and juicy red and black fruit notes, red currant and forest hints, bright acidity and supple tannins. Enjoy with a pan seared steak or spaghetti with meatballs.

$19.99

Mills Club: $17.99

Case Price: $15.99    

                                               

Chateau Bourdieu 2019 Cotes de Bourdeaux Blaye, France (Andres)

This, a more traditional Bordeaux approach than the “French Belle” mentioned earlier, is comprised of 87% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc. Deep, saturated notes of bramble and cassis, forest fruits and vibrant spice delight in this brooding red that will enjoy a classic pairing with lamb, duck breast, or braised beef.

$17.99

Mills Club: $16.19

Case Price: $14.39

Luigi Oddero 2017 “Convento” Barolo, Piedmont, Italy (Andrew)

We were deeply impressed by this new Barolo, made from Nebbiolo grapes from the Oddero family vineyards in La Morra, Castiglione Falleto, and Serralunga d’Alba villages of Barolo. Aged in large oak botti for 24 months, it offers up aromas of plum, tar, earth, menthol, and spice. The full-bodied palate has good acidity, fine tannins and a long finish and in spite of its relative youth is drinking beautifully now! A 30-60 minute decant is recommended, if time allows…pair with roasted beef or game.

$54.99

Mills Club: $49.49

Case Price: $43.99                                                    

 

Quinta do Crasto Late Bottled Vintage Port (Pat)

LBV Port is made from a single vintage that is bottled after 4-6 years of maturation in large Portuguese oak vats. Showing excellent concentration and volume, fresh wild berry fruit notes, this is wonderful to sip  after dinner, or enjoy with a carefully selected cheese platter.

$29.99

Mills Club: $26.99

Case Price: $23.99