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.

 

 

 

 

 

July Staff Picks

Can Xa Rosè Cava, Spain (Andres)

This history of winemaking in Penedes is long, with Phoenician amphorae discovered in archaeological digs dating to seven centuries before Christ! Cava, a sparkling wine made in the same method as Champagne, came much later in 1872. Catalonians sip Cava not only while picnicking but also while celebrating, famously offering newborn babies Cava-dipped pacifiers at their Baptismal parties. Can Xa, a favorite Cava producer at Mills, is recently back in stock after a long shipping container delay! Made from Pinot Noir, it offers notes of baked bread, strawberry and cherry fruit notes, and fine, integrated bubbles.  Enjoy with pork barbecue, fried fish, or sushi.

$14.99

Mills Club $13.49

Case $11.99

 

Bonpas “Legende de Bonpas” 2019 Luberon Blanc, Rhone, France (Andrew)

“Bonpas” translates to “safe passage”, referring to this once fortified 12^th Century monastery now wine estate overlooking the Durance River, along the route that importantly linked Rome to Avignon. Made from Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Clairette and Vermentino grown in Luberon, the most Southerly wine growing area of the Rhone, this white wine is medium-bodied, showing exuberant notes of apricot, peach and grapefruit and an appealing roundness.  This will pair well with oysters or grilled sea bass, or could serve as a crowd-pleasing aperitif.

$13.99

Mills Club: $12.59

Case Price: $11.19

 

Lagar de Costa “Doelas” 2020 Albariño, Rias Baixas, Spain (Jen & Jerry)

Grown in the northwest corner of Spain in Galicia, the 100% Albarino grapes for this wine are all estate grown in vineyards situated along the Atlantic coast. Citrus, stone fruit, and mineral notes abound in this clean, crisp fresh white wine, ideally paired with seafood, calamari or Cobb salad.

$19.99

Mills Club: $17.99

Case Price: $15.99                                                    

 

Chateau Soucherie 2019 Anjou Blanc, France (Aron)

The Tijou family has a tradition of winemaking in the Loire Valley of France since 1780, now, with the Domaine de la Soucherie, where they grow the Chenin Blanc for this wine in limestone/schist soils. Vinified dry and aged on the lees for 8 months, this wine shows refreshing exotic fruit and white floral notes, finishing with a pleasing creamy texture. Enjoy with oysters, shellfish or sushi.

$27.99

Mills Club $25.19

Case $22.39

 

La Freynelle 2020 Bordeaux Blanc, France (Tim)

Primarily Sauvignon Blanc with small amounts of Semillon and Muscadelle, this dry white is expressive of lime and grapefruit citrus notes, with herbaceous undertones. Light and bright, this makes for a lovely pairing with oysters, mussels, or with a cheese platter.

$15.99

Mills Club: $14.39

Case Price: $12.79

 

Greywacke 2018 “Wild” Sauvignon, New Zealand (Pat)

Kevin Judd, founding winemaker at the famed Cloudy Bay, broke away to start his own venture “Greywacke” in Marlborough, named for the smooth stones that make up the bedrock of the same name.  Grapes for this wine are sourced from Marlborough’s Wairau Plains and Southern Valleys, where they are then fermented in neutral oak.  The must is left to ferment with wild yeasts for six months followed by six months on the lees, yielding a pleasing creamy texture.  Showing almond, citrus, herb and stone fruit, this is not your typical grassy New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc but a more serious, complex white with a touch of flint, mineral, and funk.

$34.99

Mills Club: $31.49

Case Price: $27.99

 

Big Cork 2020 Rosè of Malbec, Maryland (Andrew)

Big Cork is a favorite award-winning winery, located in Rohrersville, a far-flung Washington County town in western Maryland. All Big Cork wines are estate grown, and fermented and bottled on site as well, allowing them to keep a tight rein on quality control. We found their dry Rosè to be delightful and expressive, bursting with floral aromas and red cherry and watermelon flavors. Enjoy as an aperitif on a hot summer day, or with pizza or picnic fare.

$19.99

Mills Club: $17.99

Case Price: $15.99

 

Chateau St Cyrgues 2020 Costieres de Nimes, France (Aron)

Chateau St. Cyrgues was built on the ruins of the Church of Saint-Cirice de Marge in 1654. Seized during the French Revolution as clerical property, it changed hands many times before Jean-Pierre Ferraud and his son Loic took over in recent years with the goal of practicing organic viticulture. A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Marselan, this ruby red wine shows blackcurrant and blueberry aromas and a round mouth of red fruit and spice, velvety with mellow tannins.  Enjoy with burgers or simple grilled skirt steaks.

$12.99

Mills Club: $11.69

Case Price: $10.39

 

Finca del Castillo 2019 Tempranillo, Spain (Tim)

A delicious new addition to our $10 value wine racks, this relative to one of our favorite $10 reds “Cortijillo” is also 100% Tempranillo that sees no oak, making for a fresh and light expression.  From La Mancha, the land of Miguel de Cervantes’ “Don Quixote”, this perfect picnic red shows pretty strawberry and raspberry fruit notes with a touch of spice and no harsh tannins. Give this bottle a chill and serve with cheeses and charcuterie.

$10.00

Mills Club: $9.00

Case Price: $8.00                                                                  

 

Rosenblum Vintners’ Cuvee Zinfandel, California (Pat)

Sometimes a juicy, bold Zinfandel is the best choice on a summer evening, like this example that shows jammy wild berry flavors and accents of black pepper from Rosenblum. This wine is made from grapes from a variety of vintages in the lot/batch concept. Try with grilled chicken or ribs with a tangy sweet barbecue glaze.

$14.99

Mills Club: $13.49

Case Price: $11.99

 

 

Wits End 2019 “Luna” Shiraz, McLaren Vale, Australia (Jen & Jerry)

Winemaker Renae Hirsch believes in minimal intervention winemaking, focusing on purity of fruit and showing the character of the vineyard. This 97% Shiraz and 3% Barbera is grown in the certified Organic Wits End Vineyard of McLaren Vale planted to heavy black clay soils. Aged 14 months in oak, the wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered, showing generous dark berry fruit, vanilla and baking spices, a full-bodied wine that will pair beautifully with barbecued or smoked meats.

$19.99

Mills Club: $17.99

Case Price: $15.99

 

Matthiason 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, California (Andres)

Steve Matthiasson is a farmer turned winemaker who has gained great reputation in Napa, not only making his own wine but providing consult for star wineries like Chappellet and Stags Leap. This bright, fresh and balanced expression of Cabernet is a great example of his philosophy; aged for 20 months in used French oak it shows dark blue and black fruit notes, mineral and herb, cedar and pencil shavings, but no heavy jamminess or sweetness. Try this harmonious wine with grilled steaks or lamb.

$39.99

Mills Club: $35.99

Case Price: $31.99