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.
February Staff Picks
Lelievre “Leucquois” NV Brut Blanc de Noir, France (Aron)
In the Northeast France region of Lorraine lies the Cotes de Toul appellation, where vines were originally planted by the Romans centuries ago. This is where brothers Vincent and David Lelièvre farm Pinot Noir, Auxerrois and Gamay planted to clay-limestone hillsides. This example of their work is a Champagne-Methode Blanc de Noir made from Gamay. Exhibiting crisp notes of raspberry and pit fruit, good acidity and yeasty, earthy undertones, this is an ideal aperitif or celebratory toast!
$25.99
Mills Club: $23.39
Case Price: $20.79 ORGANIC
Domaine du Possible Cours Toujours, Roussillon, France (Pat)
You can place firmly in the unusual category this dry white wine from Southern France by Loic Roure, a winemaker with a sense of humor. The estate name “Domaine du Possible” is a double entendre: doing things to the best of one’s ability, but also meaning “anything’s possible”. This blend of 70% Macabeo and 30% Carignan Gris from schist and granite soils shows star fruit, quince, apple and quartz notes with good acidity and a long, almost saline finish. Try with sole or cod baked “en Papillote”, Mediterranean white bean soup, or a hearty winter salad featuring cranberries, goat cheese, and balsamic vinaigrette.
$38.99
Mills Club $35.09
Case Price $31.19 ORGANIC
Gracetown 2020 Chardonnay, Margaret River, Australia (David)
An incredible value, this Chardonnay hails from Margaret River, a region marked by red gravel loam soils and strong maritime climate influence. A short four months in mostly used French oak provides roundness and complexity while partial malolactic fermentation lends some soft creamy texture. Notes of apple butter, nectarine, toasty almond and wet stone are pleasing. Pair with a creamy garlic chicken with pasta, corn chowder or cream of crab soup, or seared scallops with a butter sauce and roasted root vegetables.
$10.00
Mills Club: $9.00
Case Price: $8.00.
Center of Effort “Effort” 2020 Chardonnay, Edna Valley, California (Tim)
Some might recognize the label from their Pinot Noir we previously featured (now finally back in stock!). This white wine matches their Pinot Noir in quality and elegance. All estate grown, this is fermented in French oak, concrete and Acacia, undergoes complete malolactic fermentation, then ages on the lees for 11 months, providing for a rich expression of Chardonnay countered with balanced acidity. Floral aromas and tropical fruit notes make this an ideal pairing with Thai pork lettuce wraps, sushi, or green curry soup.
$29.99
Mills Club: $26.99
Case Price: $23.99
False Bay 2020 Rosè, Western Cape, South Africa (Jen & Jerry)
Comprised of bush vine Cinsault and Mourvedre, this pale pink Rhone-styled dry Rosè is grown in South Africa. Featuring bright pomegranate, raspberry and citrus fruit notes finishing with a delicate touch of spice, this will be a good match for potato leek soup, seafood risotto, or spicy white chicken chili.
$10.00
Mills Club: $9.00
Case Price: $8.00
Avalon 2020 Pinot Noir, California (Andres)
Located in western Sonoma County, Avalon is named for the isle of Avalon– an island steeped in history and tradition. This super affordable Pinot Noir shows silky ripe red cherry fruit notes and a touch of toasted oak (the wine is aged 6-8 months in American oak after fermentation). This medium-bodied Pinot Noir can be enjoyed on its own or with salmon baked in foil, roast lemon chicken with mashed potatoes, or pan-seared pork chops with a balsamic glaze.
$12.99
Mills Club: $11.69
Case Price: $10.39
Carta de Fitapreta 2020 Alentejo, Portugal (David)
Alentejo is the largest wine region of Portugal, located in the hot, sunny southeast. In addition to wine and olive oil, Alentejo is responsible for half of the World’s production of cork. Talented Antonio Macanita is at the helm of this estate, where he farms organically without irrigation, employing native yeasts, indigenous varietals, and harvesting by hand at night. This lush example of his work is made from 50% Aragonez (Tempranillo), 30% Touriga Nacional, and 20% Alicante Bouschet planted to rocky schist soils. Aged in stainless steel and conditioned French oak for 10 months, it displays violets, raspberries, blackcurrants with lilting notes of toast and spice. Enjoy with beef empanadas, standing rib roast with fingerling potatoes, or slow roasted lamb stew.
$17.99
Mills Club Price: $16.19
Case: $14.39
Anne Amie 2021 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon (Andres)
Anne Amie’s vineyards, located in the rolling hills of the Yamhill-Carlton district and the steep hillsides of the Chehalem Mountains, are some of the best sites Oregon has to offer. Here they grow Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, and even some Muller-Thurgau that was planted in 1979! This Winemaker’s Selection Pinot Noir offers up lots of exuberant fruit notes, including dark cherry and raspberry with soft, supple tannins. Aged 10 months in mostly neutral oak, this Pinot Noir can pair nicely with beef tenderloin, beef bourguignon, or herb roasted Cornish game hens. All Anne Amie vineyards are certified Salmon Safe and LIVE.
$29.99
Mills Club $26.99
Case $23.99
Colonia Las Liebres 2020 Bonarda Clasica, Argentina (Tim)
Bonarda grapes for this wine come from the Lujan de Cuyo portion of Mendoza, an area with desert-hot days and cool nights and soils of well-draining sandy loam. Fermented in stainless steel and aged in concrete, this wine sees no oak, preserving freshness and allowing pretty fruit notes to shine through. Those red fruit notes are accompanied by characteristic white pepper, making for a deep, vibrant, flavorful wine ideal to pair with pepperoni flatbread pizza, classic spaghetti and meatballs, or Choripan, the classic Argentinian street food chorizo sausage sandwiches.
$10.00
Mills Club: $9.00
Case Price: $8.00 ORGANIC
Casa Castillo 2019 Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain (Jen & Jerry)
We thought this big, bold, fruit-driven red would be a solid addition to any wine lover’s winter lineup! Made from 80% Monastrell and 20% Garnacha, this is aged in large French oak for 9 months. Monastrell is also known as Mourvedre where it’s grown in the Rhone Valley of France, providing the velvety texture component as the “M” in “GSM” (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre blends). Not overly tannic, this smooth, almost jammy red can be enjoyed by itself or with glazed meatloaf, tangy baked chicken wings, or Mongolian meatballs. Rated 91pts by the Wine Advocate!
$14.99
Mills Club: $13.49
Case Price: $11.99
Fenouillet Vaucluse Vin de Pays, France (Aron)
Rosenthal imported Domaine de Fenouillet is located in the village of Beaumes de Venise, an area many of you may associate with the traditional dessert wine from the same appellation. This wine, however, is a blend of Marselan (a cross of Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache) and Merlot. This wine sees no oak, making a fresh expression redolent of red fruit and “sous-bois”, or damp earth/forest floor. Enjoy this classic French country table wine with and in coq au vin, or a simple pan sauteed Steak Diane.
$15.99
Mills Club: $14.39
Case Price: $12.79 ORGANIC
Bodegas Barco de Piedra 2019 Ribera del Duero, Spain (Pat)
This single vineyard Tempranillo hails from the rugged landscapes of Ribera del Duero. Named Barco de Piedra (“Ship of Stone”), this winery is named for the 10th century Castle of Peñafiel that still stands in the province! This fresh red is not excessively oaked like some Spanish wines, but instead exudes delightful concentrated black raspberry, blueberry and mineral notes; try with a well marbled steak, or slow roasted leg of lamb. Not up for a hearty meal? Serve with some Manchego cheese, Marcona almonds, Sevilla olives and some crusty bread for a wonderful wine/snack combo.
$24.99
Mills Club: $22.49
Case Price: $19.99