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.

 

 

Rafael Tirado “Vistalago” 2018 Mezcla Blanca, Maule Valley, Chile (Jen and Jerry)

A unique blend of 55% Riesling, 25% Chardonnay, 15% Torrontes and 5% Semillon grown in granite soils, this wine sees no oak, only stainless steel and concrete tanks. It’s a dry, interesting, complex wine with good acidity, showing refreshing notes of lemon, ripe pear, and pineapple. Rafael’s vineyard is located near the Chilean Andes at about 1800ft altitude, the vines planted in 1993. This wine will pair well with a variety of seafood dishes, sushi or shrimp cocktail.

Regular Price: $18.99

Mills Club: $17.09

Case $15.19

 

Craftwork 2019 Sauvignon Blanc, Monterey, California (Andrew)

This is a new California Sauvignon Blanc we tasted recently and found to be a superb value.  Pronounced grapefruit, guava and melon flavors are pleasing on the palate, while crisp acidity is zippy and refreshing. This harmonious white wine can be enjoyed as an aperitif or with ceviche, shrimp or scallops.

Regular Price: $12.99

Mills Club Price: $11.69
Case Price: $10.39

 

Spellbound 2018 Chardonnay, California (Tim)

Especially as the weather cools, a California Chardonnay can be the perfect pairing for fall soups such as butternut squash, cream of crab or lobster bisque, or an oven roasted chicken. This version shows lush tropical fruit flavors and classic California notes of vanilla and crème brulee from brief aging in French and American oak. Grapes for this wine are sourced from various sites in California, and while the label doesn’t name a prestigious appellation that might come with a hefty price tag, we found it to be a great value for the price!

Regular Price: $13.99

Mills Club Price: $12.59
Case Price: $11.19

 

Barbi 2018 Orvieto Classico Abboccato DOC, Umbria, Italy (Pat)

Orvieto is not a grape but a hilltop community in the landlocked region of Umbria, a landscape graced with green rolling hills.  Orvieto is perched atop a volcanic or “tufo” dominated stone, a soil that lends a lovely minerality to the wines. Wines have been grown here since the Etruscan times, with some of those ancient cellars still in use today. This off-dry to dry white wine is comprised of 40% Grechetto, 30% Procanico, 20% Sauvignon and 10% Vermentino. Aromas of white peach, golden apple and white pepper join flavors of almond on the palate. This is a lighter wine that can be used as an aperitif or with light appetizers, or would compliment seafood or shellfish, or spicy dishes.

Regular Price: $12.99

Mills Club Price: $11.69

Case Price $10.39

 

Montfin 2019 Rosè L’etang Danse, Corbieres, France (Aron)

We love this recently arrived Rosè from Corbieres, a region in the Languedoc. This tiny estate has been run by Jerome Esteve and his wife, and their 3 adorable donkeys Laouset, Bahia and Aglae since 2009; they organically farm tiny yields of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault, with some of their vines approaching 60 years of age. Super expressive of ripe red berry fruit and flowers on the nose, the palate is awash with juicy raspberry and orange pith with a slight white pepper note on the finish. Made from 50% Grenache Noir, 45% Cinsault, and 5% Syrah, this is refreshing, flavorful and delicious, and we thought a great value for a boutique, hand-made, not-mass-produced wine. ORGANIC

Regular Price: $18.99

Mills Club Price: $17.09

Case Price $15.19

 

Grayson Pinot Noir, California (Aron)

Bright strawberry fruit and darker, brooding cherry fruit notes show on this light to medium-bodied Pinot Noir that sees some time in French oak. Grayson Cellars makes their wine in Napa but sources grapes from all over California for their wines.  Winemaker Larry Levin was involved in winemaking at Dry Creek Vineyards as well as Franciscan, Robert Mondavi, Ravenswood, and Quintessa before taking the helm at Grayson. His goal is to produce truly affordable wines that stay true to their varietal. Pair this with roasted poultry dishes or grilled fatty fishes.

Regular Price: $12.99

Mills Club Price: $11.69

Case Price $10.39

 

Reserve de la Dame a l’Ouiseau Cotes du Rhone, France (Pat)

We’ve long carried the Cotes du Rhone Blanc from this Rhone Valley cooperative, but recently accidentally ordered the Cotes du Rhone Rouge, a happy surprise! This blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah sports raspberry and cherry fruit notes and gentle spice notes. The wine doesn’t see any oak, and it’s medium bodied, making it easy to pair with a wide variety of foods from roasted or grilled chicken to stuffed pork chops or grilled pork tenderloin.

Regular Price: $10.99

Mills Club Price: $9.89
Case Price: $8.79

 

Domaine Rimbert 2018 “Les Travers” Saint-Chinian, France (Jen and Jerry)

Jean-Marie Rimbert is a self-proclaimed champion of Carignan, a grape native to Languedoc. A blend of 30% Mourvedre, 30% Syrah, 25% Carignan, and 15% Cinsault all planted to schist soils, this exudes red berry, plum, blueberry and saddle leather notes, with good acidity and a smooth silky texture. Enjoy with hearty stews, aged cheeses or spicy pasta dishes. ORGANIC

Regular $24.99

Mills Club Price: $22.49
Case Price: $19.99

 

Fontefica “Cocca di Casa” 2016 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Italy (Tim)

This delightful 100% Montepulciano d’Abruzzo aged in stainless steel and oak shows mineral laced flavors of blackberry, black pepper, licorice and coffee. “Cocca di Casa” roughly translates to “the one we coddle more”, referring to the locals’ dedication and honor to the Montepulciano grape in Abruzzo- it’s what they love to grow, and what they love to drink. This wine has decent tannins, so can pair well with rich, fatty foods like grilled sausage-topped pizza or hamburgers, or as cooking comes indoors with shepherd’s pie or osso bucco.

Regular Price $22.99

Mills Club $20.69

Case Price $18.39

 

Domaine de FA 2016 “Roche Guillon” Fleurie, France (Andrew)

Tasting a high-quality single-vineyard Cru Beaujolais such as this wine can be an eye-opening experience for those used to the light-hearted fruitiness and bubble gum appeal of the famous Beaujolais Nouveau. This is a more serious expression of the Gamay grape, produced by the Graillot family of Northern Rhone fame since purchasing 5 hectares in Fleurie in 2013. Juicy and complex with flavors of cherry, tea, wild herb and mineral, this is medium-bodied red with a lightly tannic finish.  Serve just slightly chilled with sausage, roast chicken or a cheese board. Rated 91pts Wine Spectator. ORGANIC

Regular Price: $39.99

Mills Club Price: $35.99
Case Price: $31.99

 

Marjosse 2016 Bordeaux, France (Andres)

Autumn is a wonderful time to experience Bordeaux wines, this version made from 80% Merlot and smaller parts Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec. Purchased in 1997 by Pierre Lurton, the current CEO at prestigious Chateau d’Yquem and Director of Cheval Blanc, this estate is located in the far less pedigreed Entre-deux-Mers area of Bordeaux.  Showing forest floor, tobacco, black plums and blackberries, this is full-bodied with firm tannins, and best consumed with food!  Try with grilled lamb chops or roasted beef. Rated 88pts Robert Parker.

Regular Price: $19.99

Mills Club Price: $17.99
Case Price: $15.99

 

Maitre de Chai 2017 Stampede Clements Hills Zinfandel, Lodi, California (Andres)

“Maitre de Chai” translates to “Cellar Master”, and reflects founders Alex Pitts and Marty Winters belief in minimal intervention winemaking. The label comes from an 1883 book “The Wine Press and the Cellar” by Emmett Rixford. Try this mostly Zinfandel with small amounts of Mission and Carignan added, fermented in neutral oak and then aged for one year. Showing fresh ripe red plum and raspberry notes, this has manageable tannins and fresh acidity, with a touch of pleasing spice on the long finish. Try with grilled or roasted beef or game dishes.

Regular Price: $39.99

Mills Club Price: $35.99
Case Price: $31.99