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.
October Staff Picks
Chevalier Alexis Lichine Sauvignon Blanc, France (Andres)
This 100% Sauvignon Blanc from the Languedoc region of Southern France shows pleasing apricot, citrus, and apple fruit notes and mineral tones, making it a lively pairing with seafood, raw oysters or smoked salmon. Dry yet expressive and flavorful, it provides great value for the price!
$10.00
Mills Club $9.00
Case $8.00
Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand (Andrew)
Nautilus recently celebrated their 30th vintage production of this wine. Enjoy a glass of this bright, fruit-forward Sauvignon Blanc featuring ripe grapefruit, guava and lime from Marlborough with fish tacos or grilled shrimp.
$19.99
Mills Club: $17.99
Case Price: $15.99
La Craie 2019 Pouilly Fumè, Loire Valley, France (Jen & Jerry)
Pouilly Fumè is an appellation in the Loire Valley of France that enjoys a cool continental climate, ideal for growing Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Made without the use of oak, this dry white wine is fermented in stainless steel, then aged on the lees for five months for richness. Fresh and vibrant with good acidity and mineral undertones, this will easily pair with seafood or shellfish. Rated 90pts Wine Enthusiast.
$19.99
Mills Club: $17.99
Case Price: $15.99
Rustenberg 2020 Chardonnay, Stellenbosch, South Africa (Aron)
Rustenberg farm is situated in the foothills of the Simonsberg Mountains in Stellenbosch, where the estate has grown grapes dating back to 1682. The Barlow Family currently owns and operates the estate, with the aim to work with nature to produce wines of character that are true to the terroir. This beautiful barrel-fermented and aged Chardonnay is a great example of their work, featuring toasty almond, marzipan and citrus notes. Enjoy with chicken or pork dishes, or creamy pasta.
$21.99
Mills Club $19.79
Case $17.59
Clos Guirouilh Jurancon Sec (Pat)
Clos Guirouilh (pronounced Kloh Gee-rooy) has an unbroken winemaking tradition dating back to the 16th Century. Located in Southwest France on the leeward side of the Pyrenees Mountains, they benefit from the Foehn; a warm, dry, steady wind out of the south. The vines are planted on steep slopes, to clay-calcareous soils with yellow sandstone. Harvest takes place over months, sometimes into December in ideal vintages. Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts, and 25% of the wine is allowed to undergo malolactic fermentation. The wines rest in the cellar until Jean Guirouilh deems them ready for release, without regard to normal convention or modern timelines. A blend of Gros Manseng and Courbu grapes, this is a dry white exuding acacia and white flowers on the nose, while complex and layered flavors of citrus, apple and stone fruit delight the palate. Refreshing acidity and a waxy texture make this a wonderful pairing with dried ham, seafood, and cheeses, especially goat cheese.
$24.99
Mills Club: $22.49
Case Price: $19.99
Macrostie Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, California (Tim)
We enjoyed trying this new Pinot Noir which deftly balances strawberry and tart cherry fruit notes with earthy minerality and savory tones. The grapes are sourced from a variety of Macrostie Vineyards and also partner vineyards through the Sonoma Coast. Winemaker Heidi Bridenhagan is a rising star on the winemaking scene…she aims for crispness, complexity and character in the wines, completing as many as 130 fermentations each vintage to preserve the character of each unique site – a monumental task. Pair this elegant Pinot Noir with seafood or roasted poultry. Rated 91pts Jeb Dunnuck.
$31.99
Mills Club: $28.79
Case Price: $25.59
Rubus 2019 Pinot Noir, Veneto, Italy (Andrew)
This super value Pinot Noir is crafted from grapes grown on the Lessini Hills in Colli Berici of the Veneto, which benefits from calcareous soils of volcanic origin. Delightful notes of cherry and blackberry precede a touch of spice on the round, satisfying finish. Enjoy this simple light red with light appetizers and cheeses, or light seafood preparations.
$10.00
Mills Club: $9.00
Case Price: $8.00
Scopone 2015 Brunello di Montalcino, Italy (Aron)
It’s not easy to find affordable Brunello these days, so we quickly snapped up cases of this version by Scopone, a small winery located not far from the town of Montalcino in Tuscany. Made from 100% Sangiovese aged for 2 years in a combination of French and Hungarian oak, this lovely dry red is bold with black fruit notes, underbrush, and vanilla. Brunello is excellent served with cheese such as a Tuscan Pecorino, or beef, game or mushrooms. Consider decanting for an hour before enjoying. Rated 94pts James Suckling.
$39.99
Mills Club: $35.99
Case Price: $31.99
Terra d’Oro Zinfandel, Amador County, California (Tim)
Terra d’Oro, or “Land of Gold” is the name of the first post-Prohibition winery established in Amador County, situated ideally in the Sierra Foothills of California. Showing aromas of autumn spice such as clove, cinnamon and anise and dark fruit flavors, this wine is aged in a combination of French and American oak (24% new) for 18 months. Try this juicy, bold expression of Zinfandel with stewed meats or BBQ chicken.
$15.99
Mills Club: $14.39
Case Price: $12.79
Eshcol 2019 Red Wine by Trefethen, Napa, California (Pat)
Eshcol was the original name of the estate where Trefethen stands now, with grapes first planted in the 1800s. This wine is a nod to the history of the land. We’ve always been fans of Trefethen’s Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, so were eager to try this Bordeaux-styled blend. Comprised of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with smaller parts Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc, this shows bright blackberry and dried cherry fruit notes with moderate tannins and balanced acidity. Enjoy with grilled chicken or a prosciutto and arugula-topped pizza.
$24.99
Mills Club: $22.49
Case Price: $19.99
Concha Y Toro Casillero del Diable 2019 Carmenere, Chile (Jen & Jerry)
A new addition to our $10 value racks, this red wine made from the Chilean Carmeñere grape shows hints of cocoa and toast with black plum and spice flavors, ideal to pair with grilled burgers and vegetables, or with fun weeknight tacos.
$10.00
Mills Club: $9.00
Case Price: $8.00
Chappellet 2019 Mountain Cuvee, Napa, California (Andres)
This Bordeaux blend by Napa great Chappellet shows complex layers of black cherry, boysenberry, and dark cocoa. The creamy, rich texture is pleasing and would nicely accompany lamb or stewed beef dishes as the weather cools.
$49.99
Mills Club: $44.49
Case Price: $39.99