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.

 

 

 

January Staff Picks

Pike Road 2020 Pinot Gris, Oregon (Andres)

One of our favorite Oregon Pinot Gris by Elk Cove is out of stock in distribution; but led us to a great find in Pike Road, Elk Cove’s “sister winery”.  Situated just outside the town of Yamhill in Western Willamette, Pike Road winds through farmland, and the vineyards sit right above this country road at a lower elevation than the Elk Cove Vineyards, resulting in riper fruit and a more exuberant expression of Pinot Gris. Showing luscious layers of green apple, melon and citrus fruit notes, this fresh and inviting white wine makes an excellent aperitif.

$15.99

Mills Club $14.39

Case $12.79

 

Gai’a Moschofilero Monogram, Greece (Pat)

Pronounced “Yay-yah”, the Gai’a name comes from the Greek phrase translating to “Mother Earth”.  In vineyards located in the cooler climate Arcadian plateaus at 1500ft in the Peloponnese of Greece, Moschofilero grapes thrive, developing spicy, floral aromatics and crisp acidity. Enjoy this versatile Greek white wine with seafood, or dishes with Middle Eastern or Asian-inspired flavors.

$14.99

Mills Club: $13.49

Case Price: $11.99

 

Domaine Merlin-Cherrier 2020 Sancerre Blanc, France (Jen & Jerry)

This very special wine won a recent Mills tasting of six different potential new Sancerre and won unanimously! Thierry Merlin is the fourth generation to farm the fourteen hectare estate in the village of Buè, located just outside the walled town of Sancerre. Here, Caillottes (stony, compact chalk-laden soils) contribute amazing floral aromatics. Full-bodied and complex, the palate extends layers of fresh lime and grapefruit notes with mineral and herb undertones. Enjoy this Sauvignon Blanc with seafood dishes or spicy Thai foods. It also nicely accompanies dishes using goat cheese or fennel.

$36.99

Mills Club: $33.29

Case Price: $29.59                                        

 

Ancien 2017 Carneros Chardonnay, California (Tim)

Ken and Teresa Bernards brought with them a wealth of winemaking experience to Ancien, with stints at Domaine Chandon, Truchard Vineyards and Domaine Carneros on their resumes. “Ancien” is a celebration of the tradition of winemaking, and the quest to perfect the art. This Chardonnay comes from two Carneros vineyards, and the wine is fermented in French oak, 1/3 new. Ripe apple and honeydew melon notes are balanced by a creamy palate in this robust and classic expression of California Chardonnay. Enjoy with roasted chicken, butternut squash soup, or pumpkin ravioli topped with a buttery cream sauce!

$39.99

Mills Club Price: $35.99

Case: $31.99

 

Gassan Junmai Ginjo “Mountain Moon”, Shimane Prefecture, Japan (Aron)

Gassan, or the Yoshida Sake Brewing Company, was founded in 1743- current owner Tomonori Yoshida-san has achieved the highest levels of Sake certification in Japan- the equivalent of Master Sommelier in the traditional wine world. He places emphasis on utilizing the highest quality rice and water possible in the production of their sake. January is a wonderful month to experiment with this ancient wine form made from polished rice. This version shows notes of nuts, earthy forest floor and woodsy honeycomb with a satin-smooth texture. Enjoy chilled with a healthy plate of grilled salmon, avocado, and sushi or sashimi.

$15.99/300ml bottle

Mills Club $14.39

Case $12.79

 

Becker Family 2015 Pinot Noir, Pfalz, Germany Andrew)

The Becker vineyards are located along the border dividing France and Germany, with 70% in Alsace and 30% in Germany.  The soils are limestone with clay and loam, and the wine is aged in large, neutral oak casks, decidedly Burgundian in style yet remaining grounded in Pfalz identity! Showing elegant fruit notes with mineral tones and light body, this would be excellent with tuna, salmon or beef tenderloin. The fox that has adorned their labels since 1973 is from Aesop’s fable “The Fox and the Grapes”, as a parallel to the winemaker’s struggle with grapes.

$24.99

Mills Club: $22.49

Case Price: $19.99    

 

Ver Sacrum 2019 Monastrell, Valle De Uco, Argentina (Tim)

Ver sacrum is a concept rooted in winemaking history, when the young were sent out with vines to find new villages and plant new vineyards – now, a symbol of new art, tribe and vine.  Ver Sacrum was established in 2012 by Eduardo Soler with the aim of producing wines made from Rhone varietals in Mendoza. This red made from 100% Monastrell (known as Mourvedre in France), is hand-harvested from a vineyard in Los Chacayes of the Uco Valley of Argentina and is fermented in cement eggs.  Sweet black cherry fruit, cocoa, and tobacco show in this pleasing red wine with low tannins and a long, juicy finish.

$19.99

Mills Club: $17.99

Case Price: $15.99

 

Elio Altare 2019 Barbera d’Alba, Italy (Andrew)

Elio Altare famously traveled to Burgundy in 1976 to refine his winemaking techniques, returning to Piedmont to destroy the old oak barriques in his father’s cellar and spurring a “Barolo Revolution”. The new Nebbiolo expressions would be more nuanced and elegant in style.  Elio’s father disinherited him and their relationship was never mended, but he became one of the most well-respected Barolo producers, his 2010 Barolo achieving the New York Times #1 in a study of Barolos and regularly earning high marks from the most discriminating of critics. Elio still runs the estate with his two daughters along with his many other projects including cheesemaking in Castelmagno and making Sparkling wine in the Langa hills.  This Barbera spends five months in used French barriques, and gives off aromas of violets and black cherries, medium-bodied and plush with dark red fruit notes and food friendly acidity. Pair with pasta with marinara sauce, pizza, or meats with good fat like ossobuco, or meatballs.

$24.99

Mills Club: $22.49

Case Price: $19.99

 

L’enchanteur Pomerol de Vray Croix de Gay 2013 Pomerol, France (Aron)

This is the second wine of Vray Croix de Gay, a Pomerol estate located in the vicinity of famed Chateau Petrus, where they grow primarily Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The estate under new ownership since the 2010s has undergone a major overhaul with vineyards replanted and modernization in the cellar. This very affordable example of Pomerol is primarily Merlot and Cabernet Franc, showing pretty cassis and blackberry fruit notes, medium-bodied and ideal to pair with beef or lamb dishes.

$25.99

Mills Club: $23.39

Case Price: $20.79

                                               

Navigator 2018 Red, Napa, California (Pat)

This blend of 80% Petite Sirah and 20% Zinfandel is made by the same producer that crafts our popular Octopoda Cabernet. Full-bodied and fruit-forward, this is the jammy kind of wine that warms the spirit on a cold winter’s night. Enjoy this bold red with notes of cherries, blackberries, vanilla, and toasted oak with Korean Barbequed Short Ribs or Beef Brisket Tacos.

$29.99

Mills Club: $26.99

Case Price $23.99

 

Pulenta “La Flor” 2019 Malbec, Argentina (Jen & Jerry)

Famous winemaker and international wine consulting phenom Paul Hobbs has worked with the Pulenta family in bringing their small production to the World market. This 100% Malbec aged 4-5 months in neutral oak comes from their youngest wines named “La Flor” and shows cherry, strawberry and violet notes with hints of vanilla. Enjoy with a simple steak dinner or cheeseburgers.

$15.99

Mills Club: $13.49

Case Price: $12.79

 

Yalumba Antique Tawny Port, South Australia (Andres)

This non-vintage fortified (fortified by Brandy spirit) wine is assembled from various barrels of Yalumba’s antique Tawnys. Each year, a further share evaporates, resulting in a rich, concentrated wine showing notes of dried rich fruits, figs, cocoa, spice and a divine nutty character.  Pair with Stilton or Cheddar cheeses.

$24.99 / 375ml bottle

Mills Club: $22.49

Case Price: $19.99