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

Klemens Weber 2021 Riesling Halbtrocken, Pfalz, Germany (Aron)

Kelmens Weber is a small, family run operation in the Pfalz region of Germany.  The name Pfalz derives from the Latin word for palace, “palatinus”.  The wines here are not influenced by the Rhine River as many German wines are but instead by the protective Haardt mountain range. Further south and sunnier than their Mosel and Rheingau counterparts, ripeness is all but ensured here. Just off-dry (“halbtrocken”=half-dry), this delightful Riesling is crisp, fruity and refreshing, with generous peach notes, intriguing spice tones and bright acidity! This is a great wine for sushi and spicy fare.

$15.99/1L

Mills Club $13.49

Case Price $12.79                                                     

 

Quivira 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, Mendocino County, California (Jen & Jerry)

A recent visit from Quivira and La Follette winemaker Hugh Chappelle proved to be very rewarding! Mr. Chappelle, a former winemaker for the highly esteemed Flowers and Lynmar, came to Quivira in 2010, drawn by the unique terroir of the estate.  We loved the whole line of wines, but felt this Sauvignon Blanc proved to be a particularly wonderful value.  The nose is exuberantly expressive of lemon blossom and jasmine, while melon and citrus notes cross the palate with excellent acidity and mineral tones. The flavor and texture combine for a super harmonious wine, great to pair with pan seared fish with lemons and capers, or Sicilian fish stew. Rated 91pts Wine Spectator and certified Organic by CCOF.

$24.99

Mills Club: $22.49

Case Price: $19.99                                         ORGANIC

 

Girasole 2022 Pinot Blanc, Mendocino County, California (Avery)

Pinot Blanc is a varietal that thrives primarily in the Alsace region of France, but also flourishes in Italy, Austria, Oregon, and in this case, Mendocino County! The Girasole estate is responsible for roughly 15 of the 425 acres of Pinot Blanc grown in California. This expression is dry yet overtly fruity, exclaiming citrus, peach, honey and almond notes, and earning a 92pt and “Best Buy” nod from Wine Enthusiast.  This would make a delightful pairing with a green salad topped with feta cheese, apples and walnuts or with a creamy pasta with smoked salmon and peas.

$15.99

Mills Club $14.39

Case Price $12.79                                          ORGANIC and VEGAN                                                                                                                      

Siema Bianco Vino Bianco, Piedmont, Italy (Pat)

This is a simple yet refreshing white wine of the Piedmont region of Italy made from mostly Cortese and a smaller amount Chardonnay that sees only stainless steel. Pretty bright fruit notes and refreshing acidity make this very affordable white perfect to pair with salads, pasta tossed with vegetables or a steaming bowl of clam chowder.

$10.00

Mills Club: $9.00

Case Price: $8.00                                                                              

 

Vincent Dampt 2022 Chablis, France (Tim)

Supply chain issues dwindled our Chablis supply a bit, but a recent arrival of Dampt wines has restored it to its former glory! Vincent Dampt came from a long line of esteemed winemakers in Chablis, yet enrolled himself in wine school in Beaune at the tender age of 14. He worked for the iconic Leflaive in Puligny-Montrachet and later worked in Jura and New Zealand to further broaden his perspectives. In 2004, he inherited some small vineyard plots and from there has been carving out his own estate and reputation ever since. This gorgeous example of his Chardonnay shows lively notes of green apple, lemon curd and a hint of peppercorn on the mineral-tinged finish. This wine sees no oak, making for a wonderfully fresh yet complex expression of Chardonnay. Enjoy with cream of crab soup, steamed mussels, or savory cheese puffs.

$34.99

Mills Club: $31.49

Case Price: $27.99                                                                

                                   

Bertani 2022 “Bertarose” Rosato, Italy (Aron)

The palest of pinks, this affordable Rosè is made by the Bertani family, reknowned for their Amarone production in the Veneto for the last 150 years. Made from 50% Corvina, 30% Molinara, 10% Corvinone and 10% Rondinella from near Lake Garda, this is bone dry, showing subtle notes of berries and spice and a rounder, almost creamy texture. Pair with chocolate covered strawberries, pizza. or as in Lake Garda with tortellini served in a beef broth.

$10.00

Mills Club: $9.00

Case Price: $8.00                                                      

                                                                                                                       

Domaine Roucas Toumba 2022 Pichot Roucas Rhone Red, France (Pat)

Roucas Toumba is a celebrated Vacqueyras producer in the Rhone Valley.  This bold red contains declassified Vacqueyras fruit in addition to some grapes from a vineyard alongside the Ouvèze River, just outside the Cotes du Rhone official appellation, thus, the humble “vin de pays” label! However, the wine is anything but humble…equal parts Grenache, Syrah and old-vine Carignan make up the blend in this deeply satisfying berry-rich red with delightful notes of spice and garrigue. Enjoy with a classic roasted chicken with Mediterranean herbs and root vegetables.

$19.99

Mills Club $17.99

Case $15.99                                                                ORGANIC and BIODYNAMIC                                  

La Follette 2021 Las Primeros Pinot Noir, California (Avery)

We’ve long carried the La Follette Chardonnay but recently tasted the Pinot Noir during a sampling with winemaker Hugh Chappelle (as referred to in Quivira Sauvignon Blanc notes). The winemaking team employs a blending of techniques both traditional and modern in their work, reflected in the label which is an illustration from a rare first-edition French viticultural manual from 1847. This is a “Pinot-lovers’ Pinot”, elegant with subtle tones of wild berry, dark cherry, herbs and a persistent savory finish, perhaps a repeating of the Pacific Ocean climate influence.  This wine would pair wonderfully with pan seared salmon with roasted brussel sprouts.

$29.99

Mills Club $26.99

Case $23.99                                       

                                               

Bliss 2019 Merlot, Mendocino County, California (Andres)

Irv Bliss first came upon the beautiful verdant hills of Mendocino County in the late 1930s. Three generations later the family is still working the land. This estate bottled Merlot boasts bright red fruit aromas and notes of cinnamon spice and blackberry compote. This is a weeknight wine that will way overdeliver for the price! Enjoy with beef dishes from meatloaf to chili, or braised short ribs.

$10.00

Mills Club: $9.00

Case Price: $8.00                                          

 

Alcesti 2021 Nero d’Avola, Sicily, Italy (Jen & Jerry)

Returned after a long absence, Alcesti Nero d’Avola is back in stock and better than ever!  This classic Sicilian red is medium-bodied with notes of plum and cherry, but also has nice acidity which lends to pairing with tomato-based sauces. In the winter, this is a lovely accompaniment to lasagna, hearty spaghetti with meatballs, or sausage or mushroom topped pizza.

$14.99

Mills Club: $13.49

Case Price: $11.99                                                                                                                            

Thorn-Clarke 2019 “Shotfire” Barossa Shiraz, Australia (Tim)

The Clarke family discovered gold in Barossa in 1870. Their “Shotfire” line of wines pays homage to the “Shotfirer”, a person whose hazardous duty was setting and lighting explosives in the goldmining process. Drinking beautifully now, this unapologetically big red is just the red to drink on a cold winter’s eve, or to offer as a special gift that will appeal to Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz drinkers alike. Showcasing voluptuous notes of black fruits and toasty vanilla from 14 months in American oak (40% new), this can be enjoyed with aged cheeses or a beautifully marbled ribeye steak.

$24.99

Mills Club: $22.49

Case Price: $19.99                                                                                                    

 

Castegens 2018 Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux, France (Andres)

Chateau Castegens was established just before the Battle of Castillon in 1453, a skirmish that ended the Hundred-Years War between the English and the French. The Chateau is located about 8km from Saint-Emilion, overlooking the beautiful Dordogne Valley.  The soil contains clay, limestone and flint, adding a mineral component to the otherwise classic blackberry and cassis notes. Wintertime is the perfect time to enjoy Bordeaux blends like this, and you’ll find the proper pairing will truly elevate your meal.  Crafted from 80% Merlot aged in French oak for 12 months and 18% Cabernet Franc and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon both from stainless steel, this would be excellent with steak au poivre or a braised lamb shank.  Rated 92pts Wine Enthusiast and “Cellar Selection” designee.

$14.99

Mills Club: $13.49

Case Price: $11.99