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.

 

 

 

March Staff Picks

Ruttenstock 2019 Gruner Veltliner, Austria (Andres)

Mathias Ruttenstock is the fourth-generation winemaker at the head of this small (44 acres!) Roschitz estate in the Weinviertel region of Austria. Jen was able to visit Ruttenstock and enjoy lunch served by charming Mathias and his mother in the courtyard in front of the winery a couple years ago. Notes of pear and citrus and good acidity make this crisp, clean, dry white wine easy to sip as the weather warms and excellent to pair with salads and seafood-obviously, an excellent value!

$11.99/1L bottle

Mills Club $10.79

Case $9.59

 

Joseph Mellot 2018 Sancerre “La Chatellenie”, France (Jen & Jerry)

This Sauvignon Blanc from the Sancerre region of Loire Valley, France is brimming with fresh citrus, green apple and flinty minerality from the region’s famed Kimmeridgian soil composition. All of the grapes for the wine come from “La Chatellenie”, a sustainably farmed 22-hectare vineyard. The estate, founded in 1513, is still family owned! Enjoy this with goat cheese, sole meunière or pan-seared prawns with garlic and thyme.

$32.99

Mills Club: $29.69

Case Price: $26.39

 

Rosa del Golfo 2018 Rosato, Salento, Italy (Pat)

After tasting this delicious dry Rosè, we jumped at the chance to buy this wine on sale as the importer makes room for the new vintage coming in. Made from mostly Negroamaro and some Malvasia Nera grown in Salento in the “heel of the boot” region of Puglia, this Rosè has not faded at all. Featuring notes of blood orange, cherry peel, and pomegranate with minerally tones from the iron rich soil, the finish goes on and on. Enjoy with a Mediterranean fish soup, pasta with rapini, or mussels!

$19.99

Sale Price $9.99

 

Georg Albrecht Schneider 2018 Dornfelder, Rheinhessen, Germany (Tim)

Dornfelder is a relatively new varietal, created in 1955 by crossing Helfensteiner and Heroldrebe and planted to the red shale soils that are typical of the Rheinhessen of northern Germany. Medium-bodied, this shows intense cherry and ripe wild berry fruit notes and a bit of earth, and as the label states is “trocken”, which translates to “dry”.  This is the perfect red to bring along for a spring picnic, or to enjoy with a thoughtfully prepared cheese plate.

$15.99

Mills Club: $14.39

Case Price: $12.79

 

Kind Stranger 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Washington (Aron)

This 83% Cabernet Sauvignon is augmented with 17% Malbec, then aged for 22 months in French oak, 15% new. Rich and intense blue and purple fruit notes result as well as gentle spice in this harmonious, easy-to-drink, bold Cabernet. Try with grilled steaks or burgers!

$21.99

Mills Club: $19.79

Case Price: $17.59

 

 

 

 

Avignonese 2016 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Tuscany, Italy (Jen & Jerry)

This red is 100% Sangiovese from the Tuscan hilltop hamlet of Montepulciano. Although this 400+ acre estate bears the name of a Montepulciano noble family, it has been owned since 2009 by a Belgian woman Virginie Saverys, who has strived to bring the winery up to modern standards; achieving organic and biodynamic certifications and embracing a winemaking style that combines power and elegance. Showing juicy morello cherry, plum, violet and pipe tobacco notes, good acidity and tannins make this an ideal pairing with slow roasted beef or lamb dishes. 93pts WE “Cellar Selection”. ORGANIC

$24.99

Mills Club: $22.49

Case Price: $19.99

 

Lockwood 2018 Pinot Noir, California (Pat)

Paul Toeppen, Phil Johnson and Butch Lindley formed Lockwood in 1989, with the aim of making quality, estate grown, affordable wines. Winemaker Thane Knutson worked at Cakebread, Hess Collection, and Raymond before joining the Lockwood team, where they focus primarily on Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon. This pretty example, their Pinot Noir from Central Coast shows vibrant red fruit aromas of Bing cherry, rhubarb and raspberries. Flavors of strawberry and spice coat the palate and would make an ideal accompaniment to seafood or roasted chicken.

$15.99

Mills Club: $14.39

Case Price: $12.79

 

Bodegas Diaz Bayo 2017 Ribera del Duero, Spain (Tim)

2017 was a difficult vintage in Ribera del Duero, with spring frosts followed by challenging drought conditions. Yields were very low but the wine that was produced was excellent! This Spanish red is crafted from Tempranillo grown in clay and limestone soils, aged for six months in used French oak. Bright rich red and black fruit, spice and mineral are ample on the palate.

$19.99

Mills Club: $17.99

Case Price: $15.99

 

GraceTown 2018 Petite Sirah, Lodi, California (Aron)

GraceTown is a project developed by Kysela Importers, producing fruit-driven, affordable reds in Lodi, about 100 miles directly east from the San Francisco Bay.  90% Petite Sirah and 10% Zinfandel spends 3-4 months in new French oak, making for a bold expression showing notes of cherry and vanilla, finishing long. Try with barbecue pork or chicken, or spicy chili!

$12.99

Mills Club: $11.69

Case Price: $10.39

 

Thorn-Clarke 2017 William Randell Eden Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia (Andrew)

Thorn-Clarke is a sixth-generation winemaking family in the heart of Barossa Valley. Pioneer and family ancestor William Randell (1824-1911) inspired the name of the wine, comprised of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from different parcels, aged 18mos in barrel. This is drinking beautifully now, with lovely cedar aromatics, and on the lush and rich palate a harmonious ensemble of dark chocolate, plum, kirsch and baking spice. This is a wow! 90pts WS.

$39.99

Mills Club: $35.99

Case Price: $31.99

 

Peyrabon 2016 Haut-Medoc, France (Andrew)

Chateau Peyrabon, a 50-hectare gravelly terroir estate is located in the Haut-Medoc region of Bordeaux.  Patrick Bernard, founder of fine wine negociant “Millesima”, fell in love with the property and purchased it in 1998 with the goal of making fresh, accessible wines. From the excellent 2016 vintage, this blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 4% Petite Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc has good structure and ripe, generous black currant flavors.  Pair with lamb chops or braised short ribs. 91pts WE “Best Buy”.

$29.99

Mills Club: $26.99

Case Price: $23.99

 

Pelissero 2017 Barbera d’Alba “Piani”, Italy (Andres)

Azienda Agricola Pelissero is located in the Treiso district in the heart of Barbaresco. Their wines are all estate grown on 40 hectares of vineyards. Deeply concentrated with flavors of plum, blackberry, cocoa and toasty oak, this serious Barbera also shows supporting tobacco and leather components. Try with osso buco, beef braciola, or pasta with Bolognese sauce.  91WS

$29.99

Mills Club: $26.99

Case Price: $23.99