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.

 

 

February Staff Picks

Hillinger NV Secco, Austria (Andres)

This delightful Sparkling Rosè wine made from Pinot Noir grown in the Neusiedlersee region of Austria shows red berry notes and refreshing mineral acidity on the finish.  A creamy mousse and lively bubbles make this a great aperitif or a pairing for salmon baked in parchment, or enjoyed with chocolate covered strawberries. A percentage of the sales of this wine are donated to the Pink Ribbon Campaign which benefits breast cancer patients.

$17.99

Mills Club $16.19

Case $14.39

 

Fiorito Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC, Italy (Pat)

This newly arrived Pinot Grigio hails from the Veneto region of Italy. Delightfully expressive with bold and bright notes of citrus and stone fruits, we found this Pinot Grigio to be much more flavorful than most wines at this price point! Enjoy with pasta carbonara or shrimp alfredo.

$10.00

Mills Club: $9.00

Case Price: $8.00

 

Talbott 2019 Kali Hart Chardonnay, California (Tim)

Nectarine, apple, honeysuckle and vanilla are the flavor notes on this full-bodied, rich and creamy white by Robert Talbott and named for his daughter Kali Hart.  Some of the Kali Hart Chardonnay grapes come from Talbott’s Sleepy Hollow Vineyard, in the northern portion of the Santa Lucia Highlands with a long, cool growing season and gravelly loam soils, making for rich, concentrated flavors; while other grapes come from Olson Vineyard, in the southern portion of Santa Lucia Highlands, with warmer days and granite and limestone soils, contributing soft acidity and richness. A mere 5% of the French oak is new, making for a balanced expression that will pair wonderfully with cream of crab soup or baked chicken with lemon and rosemary.

$21.99

Mills Club: $19.79

Case Price: $17.59                                                    

 

Broc Cellars 2020 Love Rosè, North Coast, California(Jen & Jerry)

What better wine to celebrate Valentine’s Day than a wine called “Love”? Made from 97% Valdiguiè (!?), 2% Zinfandel and 1% Trousseau, this dry Rosè is super flavorful and satisfying.  Valdiguiè is a grape formerly known as “Napa Gamay”. Broc Cellars farms their wines organically, using indigenous yeasts, spontaneous fermentation, and little to no SO2 added to their wines. Tart watermelon notes and bright acidity make this wine great to pair with pizza, pasta with marinara sauce, or a rich seafood dish.

$21.99

Mills Club Price: $19.79

Case: $17.59

 

Center of Effort 2018 “Effort” Pinot Noir, Edna Valley, California (Aron)

The very cool climate and lean soils of the Edna Valley foothills of California set the stage for excellent Pinot Noir making.  “Center of Effort” refers to the intersection of caretaking, skill, commitment and a passion for excellence in the pursuit of making the best wines they can – without deference to expediency. Black raspberry, cola and spice flavor notes give way to more savory elements of bay leaf, thyme and earth. This would be lovely with roast chicken or pork dishes.

$29.99

Mills Club $26.99

Case $23.99

 

Landi “Gavigliano” Lacrima di Morro d’Alba DOC Superiore, Italy (Andrew)

From the Marche region of Central Italy, this red wine is made from the “Lacrima” grape; lacrima translates to “tear” in Italian, because if the grape is left on the vine beyond optimal ripeness, liquid will weep from the grape. Half of the wine is aged 6 months in small French oak barrels.  Pronounced violet aromatics precede a warm, full-bodied and harmonious palate with notes of forest fruits and spice. Pair this robust dry red with roasted or braised meats.

$19.99

Mills Club: $17.99

Case Price: $15.99    

 

Domaine des Perelles 2018 Moulin-à-Vent, France (Tim)

The vaulted cellars in which this wine ages were built in 1701, and the Perrachon family has been involved in winemaking just as long! They make wine in 6 of the 10 Beaujolais cru, including Moulin-à-Vent, a region named for the 15^th century windmill (moulin) the vineyards surround. Made from 100% Gamay grown in granite and clay soils, this is aged 12 months in oak foudres. Showing lots of structure with notes of ripe cherries, blackcurrant, violets, roses, as well as earthy minerality this wine with moderate tannins will pair nicely with seared duck breast or a cheese and charcuterie platter.

$24.99

Mills Club: $22.49

Case Price: $19.99

 

Terra de Falanis 2018 Llenca Plana Montsant, Spain (Andrew)

This red is comprised of 70% Carignan and 30% Garnacha, aged 6 months in used French and American oak barrels. Rich and complex with intense red and black fruit notes, smooth tannins and fresh acidity make this a great wine to pair with a variety of foods.  The property is a diverse farm hosting not only vines but also cherry and centenary olive trees. Montsant, named for the Monstant Mountain range, almost completely surrounds the region of Priorat, and is known for rich, powerful reds.

$15.99

Mills Club: $14.39

Case Price: $12.79

 

Casa de Santar 2019 Dao Reserva DOC, Portugal (Aron)

Made from indigenous Portuguese grapes Touriga Nacional, Aragonez and Alfrocheiro, this blend is aged in French oak. Expressing ripe dark fruit, black cherry, spice and vanilla, this medium-bodied red is dry and smooth and very affordable! Pair with weeknight burgers or tacos.

$12.99

Mills Club: $11.69

Case Price: $10.39

                                               

Hillinger 2015 “Hill 1” Red, Austria (Pat)

If you enjoy a big bold Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, this would be a great alternative to explore something new. This is Hillinger’s flagship red, a fixture at the finest après-ski parties on the Austrian Alps. And with après-ski being shut down for the last two years, we were able to take advantage of great pricing as they make room for the new vintage, which we are passing along to you! A bold red containing Zweigelt, Merlot and Blaufrankish, this wine is aged in French oak for 18 months, and shows a deep core of dark fruit, complex with great structure and a long finish.  Enjoy with braised or roasted beef dishes or aged cheeses.

$59.99

Sale Price $39.99

 

Avennia 2019 “Gravura” Red, Washington State (Jen & Jerry)

We’ve always been big fans of Avennia, typically having two to three selections from talented winemaker Chris Peterson on the shelves at Mills. Recently tasting this wine was a reminder of how excellent their wines can be. Inspired by the Graves region of Bordeaux, this tenth anniversary “Gravura” blend is comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, showing complex layers of black cherry, black currants, vanilla bean, graphite and espresso and a never-ending finish. This is the perfect selection for a special celebratory meal to pair with beef or lamb.

$39.99

Mills Club: $35.99

Case Price: $31.99

 

Rubus 2020 Red Blend, Spain (Andres)

This is another red from importer Kysela’s value “Rubus” label, where he locates and imports wines from all over the World that will overdeliver for the price. Made from 70% Tempranillo and 30% Syrah from La Mancha, this medium-bodied red displays rich cherry fruit with freshness and good acidity. ORGANIC

$14.99

Mills Club: $13.49

Case Price: $11.99