December Staff Picks Wines

When:
December 4, 2020 – December 31, 2020 all-day
2020-12-04T00:00:00-05:00
2021-01-01T00:00:00-05:00
Where:
Mills Fine Wine & Spirits
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.

 

 

 

 

Babbo Prosecco, Italy (Andres)

Enjoy this pretty new Prosecco, farmed organically and sustainably in the Veneto region of Italy.  Uniquely Brut in style with a fine perlage and a lively, fresh and creamy mouthfeel, this will pair wonderfully with cheeses and appetizers, or for an affordable way to ring in the New Year at home!

Regular Price: $14.99

Mills Club: $13.49

Case $11.99

 

Chateau Constellation Fendant, Switzerland (Pat)

There are not many Swiss wines available in the United States, but a cursory search produced this wine made from the Fendant grape, also known as Chasselas, grown prevalently on the Lake Geneva coastline and in the Valais region.  Showing good minerality, lime blossom and floral notes and refreshing acidity, this is traditionally paired with raclette or fondue, but would also work well with seafood dishes.

Regular Price: $23.99

Mills Club Price: $21.59
Case Price: $19.19

 

Domaine Gueguen 2019 Cotes Salines Bourgogne Chardonnay, Burgundy, France (Aron)

A lovely, very dry expression of Chardonnay, this has tart acid accompanied by notes of white blossoms, almonds and toast. A minerally underbelly from typical Kimmeridgian limestone soils (the vineyard borders Chablis) demands shellfish or a country ham for pairing.

Regular Price: $19.99

Mills Club Price: $17.99
Case Price: $15.99

 

St Nikolaus 2019 Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese, Germany (Tim)

The St Nikolaus-Hospital estate is the oldest estate in the Middle Mosel region, founded in 1458 by philosopher Nikolaus von Kues, who eventually became Cardinal and founded the St Nikolaus Hospital, a social service institution that’s been operating since 1465. The Riesling vines for this wine are planted to steep, slate laden, South-facing slopes (Sonnenuhr translates to “sundial”) overlooking the village of Brauneberg. Full-bodied, this shows luscious peach fruit notes, nice minerality and plenty of acid on the lingering finish. Try with sushi, sashimi, spicy Indian or Thai dishes, or baked ham.

Regular Price: $24.99

Mills Club Price: $22.49

Case Price $19.99

 

Pierre-Marie Chermette 2020 Beaujolais Primeur Rosè Griottes, France (Jen & Jerry)

“Les Griottes” is named for the grove of cherry trees that surrounds the vineyard. This dry Rosè is made from the first harvest of Gamay grapes of the year, grown in the southernmost reaches of Beaujolais by Pierre-Marie Chermette. He uses only indigenous yeasts, bottles without filtration and little or no sulfur is used in bottling his wines. Pair with pork chops and a salad with dried cherries and goat cheese.

Regular Price: $15.99

Mills Club Price: $14.39

Case Price $12.79

 

Impero 2019 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Italy (Pat)

A simple yet satisfying weeknight red made from the Montepulciano grape in the Abruzzo region of Italy, this sports plum fruit and soft cherry notes and a touch of savoriness on the palate. Try with pizza or pasta with tomato-based sauces.

Regular Price: $10.00

Mills Club: $9.00

Case: $8.00

 

Gigondas La Cave 2017 L’Hallali 2017 Gigondas, Rhone, France (Jen & Jerry)

A remarkably affordable Gigondas, this blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre is medium-bodied with nice dark cherry and blackberry fruit notes.  Try with a long-simmering beef stew, or roasted chicken and potatoes with garlic, lemon and rosemary components.

Regular Price: $22.99

Mills Club Price: $20.69
Case Price: $18.39

 

Chateau Lyonnat 2015 Cuvee Emotion, Lussac-St.-Emilion, Bordeaux (Tim)

We really enjoyed this wine that’s drinking beautifully now from the excellent 2015 Bordeaux vintage. With ebullient fruit and bold notes of oak, tobacco and vanilla, this smooth, silky Bordeaux will appeal to New World Cabernet fans. Enjoy with steaks or braised beef dishes. Rated 93pts James Suckling.

Regular $25.99

Mills Club Price: $23.39
Case Price: $20.79

 

Russian River Vineyards 2016 Stony Point Pinot Noir, Sonoma County, California (Andres)

We were immediately charmed by this Pinot Noir made by fourth generation farmer Giovanni Balistreri in a vineyard in the Sebastopol Hills of the Russian River Valley, less than 20 miles from the coast.  Ocean, wind and fog are factors here, allowing for the grapes to ripen slowly.  Bright acidity accompanies pretty notes of bing cherry, earth, and forest floor in this elegant, minerally Pinot Noir, perfect for a special occasion or meal. Try with beef tenderloin, rich fish such as salmon, or roasted poultry.

Regular Price $34.99

Mills Club $31.49

Case Price $27.99

 

Vina Robles 2018 Paso Robles Red, California (Aron)

This bold red blend of Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache and Tannat aged 18 months in a combination of French and Hungarian oak shows cherries, plums, spice and tobacco on the palate.  A velvety texture makes this perfect to enjoy by itself on a cold winter evening, or to pair with roast beef or duck.

Regular Price: $19.99

Sale: $15.99

 

Broc Cellars 2018 Love Red, North Coast, California  (Andrew)

A blend of 77% Carignan, 15% Valdiguie (aka Gros Auxerrois in France), and 8% Syrah grown along the North Coast, Mendocino and Solano County Green Valley is harvested early to showcase brighter fruit and to preserve acidity. The wine is aged in a combination of neutral French oak and concrete tanks.  This red is a juicy, light-on-its-feet wine showing tart cherry, raspberry and touches of spice. Try with rich poultry like turkey and duck, or roasted pork tenderloin, or spicy chili.

Regular Price: $21.99

Mills Club Price: $19.79
Case Price: $17.59

 

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls, France (Andrew)

A fortified wine made from the Domaine du Mas Blanc’s terraced vineyards overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, this is a blend of Grenache Noir harvested from a variety of current and reserved vintages.  A pairing of this dessert wine with a morsel of high quality dark chocolate would inspire food paradise, but this could also work with foie gras or blue cheese.

Regular Price: $24.99 (500ml bottle)

Mills Club Price: $22.49
Case Price: $19.99

 


Comments are closed.