87 Main Street
Annapolis
MD 21401
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
Chateau de l’Eperonniere Crèmant de Loire, France (Avery)
This beautiful sparkling wine hails from vineyards in Anjou of the Loire Valley, made from Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay in the laborious Champagne method, making this a superb value. Aged three years on the lees for richness, this shows white grapefruit, green pear, citrus and white flower notes and a decidedly minerally core. Crisp, dry and vibrant, this is the perfect aperitif, or a joy to pair with oysters on the half shell, salad with vinaigrette and goat cheese, or shrimp cocktail.
$29.99
Mills Club $26.99
Case Price $23.99 BIODYNAMIC
Paul Dolan 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, Mendocino County, California (Jen & Jerry)
From Potter Valley in Mendocino County, this certified organic Sauvignon Blanc is crisp and clean, exuding notes of melon, pear and zesty citrus, without the herbal/grassy tones prevalent in Sauvignon Blanc from other regions. This will make the ideal pairing with baked fish finished with a citrus sauce, spicy fish tacos or pan seared scallops.
$14.99
Mills Club: $13.49
Case Price: $11.99 ORGANIC
Domaine Cherrier 2022 Sancerre, Loire Valley, France (Aron)
The fourth generation of the family is running Domaine Cherrier, an estate with the wonderful limestone and calcareous clay soils typical of the Sancerre region. With Sancerre prices on a meteoric rise over the last several years, we thought this example provided excellent value. Bright citrus and mineral notes and a rich, round texture envelop the mouth in this delicious Sauvignon Blanc. Enjoy with pasta with pesto sauce, risotto, and mussels or clams.
$29.99
Mills Club $26.99
Case Price $23.99
Domaine de la Sangliere 2021 “Juliette” Blanc, France (Pat)
From a Provence vineyard just 30km from Saint Tropez, this blend of 70% Sauvignon and 30% Colombard provides a superb value. Aromas of acacia and exotic fruits and flavors of fresh citrus provide a crisp, bright experience. This will pair well with a variety of cheeses and appetizers such as jumbo shrimp or crab balls.
$10.00
Mills Club: $9.00
Case Price: $8.00
EnRoute 2021 “Brumaire” Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, California (Tim)
Cool climate and coastal fog make the Russian River Valley the ideal region for growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, which make up 70% of the region’s plantings. In fact, this wine is named “Brumaire”, which translates to “the month of mist” in French (brume=fog). Fermented in barrel, the wine is then aged in French oak for 8 months (33% new). This full-bodied Chardonnay is rich with layers of fresh orchard peach, orange blossom, and mineral with subtle undertones of baking spice and toasted oak. Enjoy this juicy white wine with roasted chicken, vegetable lasagna, or pork chops in a creamy white wine sauce.
$39.99
Mills Club: $35.99
Case Price: $31.99
Albert Bichot “Secret de Famille” Bourgogne, France (Aron)
Pinot Noir grapes sourced from throughout the Cote d’Or of Burgundy make up this light-bodied, elegant red aged one year in mostly used French oak, made in accordance with the “family secret” recipe. Blackcurrant and wild red berry notes delight the palate along with the smooth, velvety mouthfeel. Pair with fish like tuna or salmon or an herb rubbed oven roasted chicken.
$39.99
Mills Club: $35.99
Case Price: $31.99
Menhir Quota 31 2020, Salento, Italy (Avery)
Puglia, the “heel of the boot” of Italy is home to the Salento vineyards where the Primitivo grapes for this wine are grown. The word Primitivo is derived from the Latin “early ripening”, as an Italian monk noticed the grape ripened before the other grapes in his vineyard. If you enjoy California Zinfandels, Primitivo is a great alternative as they are almost genetically identical. Featuring jammy plum and blackberry fruit notes, this bold wine with chewy tannins would pair wonderfully with braised leg of lamb, smoked meats, or Italian sausage with pasta.
$15.99
Mills Club $14.39
Case $12.79 ORGANIC
Chateau Tour Bel Air 2020 Montagne-St.-Emilion, France (Pat)
Mostly Merlot with smaller amounts Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, this medium-bodied red from the Right Bank of Bordeaux is brimming with blackcurrant and cherry notes and finishes with firm tannins. This would be the ideal match with lamb chops or roast beef.
$19.99
Mills Club $17.99
Case $15.99
Terrazes de los Andes 2021 Reserva Malbec, Argentina (Andres)
Terrazes de los Andes was founded by Hervè Birnie-Scott, with the dream of producing wines from selected extreme high-altitude vineyards in Mendoza. This example of his work landed at #30 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2023. Beautiful notes of rosemary, black cherries, plum and floral tones precede the silky fine-grained tannins and a juicy mouthfeel. Full-bodied yet aromatic and bright, this red would be delicious with beef stew or brisket.
$15.99
Mills Club: $14.39
Case Price: $12.79
Montaña Crianza 2019 Rioja, Spain (Jen & Jerry)
Oscar Montaña is the third generation of the family to manage the estate. Montaña boasts a large number of vineyards with very old vines, largely from the immediate postphylloxera period, including some rare Graciano vines. We’ve long carried the Montaña Reserva Rioja but were impressed after tasting this Crianza with the value it provides! Made from 97% Tempranillo and 3% Graciano aged 12 months in French and American oak, this shows ripe berry and cassis notes with a hint of cedary oak and touches of spice and leather, this would pair well with roasted or stewed beef.
$15.99
Mills Club: $14.39
Case Price: $12.79
Cantine Dei 2019 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Italy (Andres)
Aromas of ripe cherries, plums and violets announce this full-bodied red with the perfect combination of structure and elegance. Made from Sangiovese (known locally as Prugnolo Gentile) grown around the hillside Tuscan hamlet of Montepulciano, this was aged 24 months prior to release, 18 months in 50hl Slavonian oak casks. This is a wonderful bold red to serve with ribollita (a very hearty Tuscan bean and vegetable soup), mushroom risotto, or a selection of aged cheeses and cured meats.
$45.99
Mills Club: $41.39
Case Price: $36.79
Warre’s “Otima” 10 year Tawny Port, Portugal (Tim)
William Warre traveled from India to Portugal in 1729 with the aim to work in the family export company, which as the 18thcentury concluded was the leader in the Port Wine trade. 350 years later, Warre’s is still a leading name in Port production. This Tawny Port aged ten years in seasoned barrels is rich and full-bodied, displaying notes of kirsch, cedar, dried cherry and hazelnut. Enjoy as a luxurious post-dinner drink, or alongside aged cheeses or chocolate cake.
$29.99
Mills Club: $26.99
Case Price: $23.99