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.
November Staff Picks
Raventos i Blanc 2018 De la Finca, Conca del Riu Anoia, Spain (Aron)
Skyrocketing Champagne prices have us searching for options in high quality sparkling wine. A visit from Pepe Raventos, fourteenth (not a misprint) generation winemaker from Raventos I Blanc in the Penedes provided just the solution. We thoroughly enjoyed his entry level offerings but were downright enthralled by this wine: De la Finca, a gorgeous Sparkling from vines planted in 1964 to a vineyard with highly fossilized marine soils. Aged for 30 months with the lees, it shows bold, yeasty notes with tiny fine bubbles and Mediterranean notes of fennel, underbrush and saline. Serve as aperitif for a very special occasion, or paired with a variety of appetizers, from oysters to Albòndigas (Spanish pork and chorizo meatballs). Certified organic, and the vineyards are certified Biodynamic although the wine is not officially certified Biodynamic. Salud!
$39.99
Mills Club: $35.99
Case Price: $31.99 ORGANIC
Menicucci Ginesia 2021 Pecorino, Abruzzo, Italy (Pat)
“Pecora” translates to “sheep” in Italian, the prominence of which explains the much more well-known Pecorino cheese. However, Pecorino is also a beautiful white wine of the Abruzzo region of Italy, made from a small, pale grape of low yielding and annoyingly fickle vines; it requires a patient and dedicated farmer! Dry with notes of pear and almond, it’s nicely structured and wonderful to pair with seafood, mushroom risotto, or roasted turkey or chicken.
$18.99
Mills Club $17.09
Case $15.19 ORGANIC
Seehof “Elektrisch” Riesling, Rheinhessen, Germany (Andrew)
With the Thanksgiving table on the horizon, a dry or semi-dry Riesling is an excellent match for fried or smoked turkey, as well as matching difficult sides like sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce. This Kabinett Riesling is at once delicate, mineral, a little less sweet, and more acid-driven than your typical Kabinett, explaining the “Elektrisch” moniker. Think Granny Smith apple, bright citrus and a number two pencil to boot. Spicy food, shellfish, and those turkey day staples are embraced by this modern German white wine.
$18.99
Mills Club: $17.099
Case Price: $15.19 ORGANIC
Chrysalis 2021 Albariño, Virginia (Andres)
This delightful white wine is made from 100% Albariño, a grape typically grown in Spain which also thrives in Virginia!. Fermentation in stainless steel ensures a clean, crisp profile, while aging 6 months in French oak adds richness and mouthfeel. Citrus, almond, apricot and peach notes and plenty of acidity make this a great match for fish served with a bold citrus-cased sauce or roasted lemon chicken.
$29.99
Mills Club: $26.99
Case Price: $23.99
Chateau de la Greffiere “Sous le Bois” Macon La Roche Vineuse, Burgundy, France (Tim)
An old friend gets a new label on this most recent vintage update from Greffiere. This fresh expression of Chardonnay from Burgundy is named “Sous le Bois”, which means “under the wood”, describing the vineyard location below a piney forest. Aromas and flavors of grapefruit, apple, peach and subtle brioche in this unoaked Chardonnay will compliment, not cover up crab cakes and simple seafood preparations sauteed in butter.
$19.99
Mills Club: $17.99
Case Price: $15.99
Domaine Maire 2018 Grand Minèral Pinot Noir, Cotes du Jura, France (Jen & Jerry)
One of the five main varietals grown in the gravelly soiled Jura region nestled between Burgundy and Switzerland, Pinot Noir is often blended into reds but in this case stands on its own. After fermentation the wine sees 8 months in oak, 20% new. Notes of cherries, wild berries, and earthy mushroom are presented in a velvety textured package…this will nicely accompany a cheese platter, coq au vin or beef bourguinon.
$19.99
Mills Club: $17.99
Case Price: $15.99
Hahn 2019 Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands, California (David)
The Santa Lucia Highlands AVA is a narrow 18-mile long coastal strip with vines terraced along the western hills of Monterey’s Salinas Valley. This is 100% estate grown Pinot Noir, plucked from Hahn’s four SLH vineyards which offer a variety of soil and climactic exposures, adding complexity to this elegant red. The wine is aged 14 months in French oak, 35% new. Rich with notes of blackberry, red cherry and vanilla, the smooth and balanced tannins will be a perfect match for your Thanksgiving turkey, or with oven roasted chicken with Mediterranean herbs, or a tender filet of beef.
$29.99
Mills Club Price: $26.99
Case: $23.99
DeLoach Heritage Reserve 2019 Merlot, California (Jen & Jerry)
This new albeit temporary addition to our $10 racks impressed us with its value. Showing plum and mocha notes with velvety texture and medium body, this will nicely pair with a broad variety of weeknight meals, from meatloaf to cheeseburgers!
$10.00
Mills Club $9.00
Case $8.00
Ontanon 2018 Rioja Crianza, Spain (Tim)
This 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano is made from 40-year-old vines grown on the slopes of the Sierra Yergas in Rioja Baja. It spends 12 months in French and American oak, some new and some used. Showing intense black cherry, spice and toasty oak notes, this is a bold red that can match equally bold dishes; try with tapas with chorizo sausage, Spanish ham or Indian Beef Curry.
$19.99
Mills Club: $17.99
Case Price: $15.99
Cline 2019 Petite Sirah, Contra Costa County, California (Andres)
Cline Family Cellars started in Oakley California in 1982 before relocating in 1991 to their current family ranch in Carneros in the Sonoma heartland. They championed Rhone varietals, establishing themselves as one of California’s original “Rhone Rangers”, but also grow Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and this Petite Sirah. This full-bodied red delights the palate with ripe blackberry, coffee, mocha and baking spice notes and at this price is a super value! Appealing to a wide variety of palates, this is the perfect red to enjoy with friends, serve at a large gathering, or enjoy with a good book by the fire.
$14.99
Sale Price $11.99
Domaine Faillenc Sainte Marie 2020 Corbieres, France (Andrew)
Faillenc Sainte Marie is a tiny property of 8 hectares, perched precariously on the rocky foothills of Mont Alaric, where it’s exposed to harsh weather conditions. Dominique and Marie Therese Gilbert have handed over the Domaine to son Jean-Baptiste Gilbert, who is expanding production and transitioning to completely organic production. Dominique, still a practicing architect, designs the attractive labels for the wines while Marie Therese carefully tends the low-yielding vines in the field. This example of their work is a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Cinsault, cofermented before sitting in tank (no oak) prior to bottling. Sporting wild berry notes, good acidity and rustic tannins, this will pair wonderfully with a hearty beef stew, chili, or the traditional Languedoc meal of Cassoulet.
$19.99
Mills Club: $17.99
Case Price: $15.99
Penley Estate 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon “Tolmer” Coonawara, Australia (Pat)
Coonawara is a region in Southwest Australia, known for a very unique terra rossa soil layered over limestone, formed by the weathering of limestone over the passage of thousands of years. The soil and climate are perfect for growing Bordeaux varietals. We’ve long enjoyed wines from Penley Estate, and when we could no longer buy their “Phoenix” Cabernet, we looked to this, their “Tolmer” Cabernet Sauvignon. Showing intense blueberry, blackcurrant and mineral notes, this is a deep, smooth, ripe Cabernet to enjoy with a well marbled grilled steak. Let this open by decanting or even allowing to sit in the glass for 15-20 minutes.
$27.99
Mills Club: $25.19
Case Price: $22.39