Experience wines of Languedoc, from Pic St Loup to La Clape to Minervois.
Part II of our Languedoc adventure.
Explore Argentina’s unique wines!
We’ll be sampling our favorite wines for the month of November, carefully selected to represent good value for the price, and to pair well with seasonally appropriate foods.
November Staff Picks
Tasting Saturday 2pm-6pm
Carl Graff 2015 Kabinett Riesling, Mosel, Germany (Andres)
This off-dry Riesling smacks of apple and peach aromas and flavors, refreshing and zippy. Serve as the perfect aperitif or match with seafood or salads.
Regularly: $16.99
Mills Club: $15.29
Case $13.59
Feudo Disisa 2012 Grillo, Sicily, Italy (Geoff)
Citrus and white blossom aromas precede a crisp palate of lemon zest,passion fruit, and Mediterranean herb with bright acidity, making it a wonderful pairing with pasta dishes, creamy risotto or seafood.
Regularly: $12.99
Mills Club: $11.69
Case: $10.39
Pine Ridge 2016 Chenin Blanc/Viognier White Blend, California (Tim)
Chenin Blanc, a grape grown primarily in the Loire Valley of France and South Africa, can be made into wines varying from very dry to sweet to sparkling, and typically has good acidity. This version (80% Chenin Blanc grown in Clarksburg and 20% Lodi Viognier) is highly aromatic and features tangerine, peach, lime and honey flavors, dry and medium-bodied, try with salads, seafood, and spicy foods.
Regular Price: $18.99
Mills Club: $17.09
Case Price: $15.19
Ermanno Costa 2016 “Rosefiur” Dry Brachetto, Piedmont, Italy (Pat D.)
This is an exceptional dry Rose made from the Brachetto grape by one of our favorite Piedmont producers: Ermanno Costa. Beautiful ripe peach aromatics accompany marked acidity and beautiful layers of flavor, this will nicely pair with a wide variety of foods, from poultry to pizza, and would be an excellent Thanksgiving or hostess offering. Tiny production!
Regular Price: $21.99
Mills Club: $19.79
Case Price: $17.59
Mommessin 2015 Morgon “Les Charmes”, Beaujolais, France (Jen & Jerry)
Made from 100% Gamay in one of the ten Cru of Beaujolais in the excellent vintage 2015, this beautiful wine displays black cherry fruit and spiciness and minerality – it’s drinking beautifully now but can be aged for multiple years. Pair with salmon or roast chicken.
Regularly: $22.99
Mills Club: $20.69
Case Price: $18.39
Matchbook 2015 Cabernet Sauvginon, California (Jess)
Super value is the hallmark of this entirely estate-grown bold and juicy Cab, full-bodied with a lovely velvety smooth texture. Rated 89pts Wine Enthusiast and “Editor’s Choice” designee, enjoy this with steaks or braised meat dishes.
Regularly: $14.99
Mills Club : $13.49
Case Price: $11.99
Sunday 1-4pm
Can Xa Non-Vintage Rose Cava, Penedes, Spain (Jess)
A dry Spanish sparkling wine, made from 100% Pinot Noir in the Champagne method. Delicious and crisp with fresh red fruits and bakery aromas, this can be enjoyed with a charcuterie plate, soft cheeses or white meats.
Regularly: $12.99
Mills Club: $11.69
Case Price: $10.39
Raeburn 2015 Russian River Valley Chardonnay, California (Jen & Jerry)
Pretty crème brulee notes are balanced with apple and pear fruit flavors, toasted oak and vanilla. Medium bodied with nice balance and length, this will pair well with butternut squash soup and crab and chicken dishes.
Regularly: $23.99
Mills Club: $21.59
Case Price: $19.19
Buenas! 2014 Tempranillo, Spain (Bird)
This is a great casual weeknight wine, displaying black cherry aromas and lush plum and spice flavors from 3 months oak aging. Enjoy with pizza or tacos without breaking the bank!
Regular Price: $10.00
Mills Club $9.00
Case Price $8.00
J.L Chave 2015 “Mon Coeur” Cotes du Rhone, France (Tim)
Cotes du Rhone wines offer a terrific value, with some producers putting forth wines comparable to Chateauneuf-du-Pape but for a fraction of the price. So is the case with this wine from celebrated Northern Rhone producer Jean Louis Chave, a family owned winery since 1481, which puts forth nearly perfect Hermitage wines annually. Rated 90pts Wine Spectator, “This unfurls a beam of crushed plum and black cherry fruit, inlaid gently with singed bay leaf, pepper and anise notes. A light smoky edge runs through the finish.” Medium bodied, this will be a classic pairing with roast poultry dishes.
Regular Price: $22.99
Mills Club: $20.69
Case Price: $18.39
Chateau de France 2014 Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France (Jess)
As winter approaches nothing warms the spirit like a hearty beef stew or perfectly prepared leg of lamb matched with a bottle of Bordeaux. While 2014 was not a standout vintage in Bordeaux, good producers like the Thomassin family still made great wine, but less of it. This wine can be enjoyed now but will just get better with age. Decant this wine prior to serving. Rated 94-96pts Wine Enthusiast barrel sample, “This dark and brooding wine is packed with dense tannins and a black plum-skin flavor that’s hovering behind the density. The wine has power and fine concentration, yielding a complex, solid wine with aging ability.”
Regular Price: $32.99
Mills Club: $29.69
Case Price: $26.39
Airfield Estates 2016 Late Harvest Riesling, Yakima Valley, Washington (Aron)
Dessert is the often neglected wine course at the table. We loved this new late harvest Riesling arrival, which is loaded with pretty apricot notes. Made from 100% estate grown Riesling, this will take any wedge of apple pie, crème brulee or cheesecake to the next level.
Regular Price: $23.99/375ml bottle
Mills Club: $21.59
Case Price: $19.19
Sunday 1-4pm
Can Xa Non-Vintage Rose Cava, Penedes, Spain (Jess)
A dry Spanish sparkling wine, made from 100% Pinot Noir in the Champagne method. Delicious and crisp with fresh red fruits and bakery aromas, this can be enjoyed with a charcuterie plate, soft cheeses or white meats.
Regularly: $12.99
Mills Club: $11.69
Case Price: $10.39
Raeburn 2015 Russian River Valley Chardonnay, California (Jen & Jerry)
Pretty crème brulee notes are balanced with apple and pear fruit flavors, toasted oak and vanilla. Medium bodied with nice balance and length, this will pair well with butternut squash soup and crab and chicken dishes.
Regularly: $23.99
Mills Club: $21.59
Case Price: $19.19
Buenas! 2014 Tempranillo, Spain (Bird)
This is a great casual weeknight wine, displaying black cherry aromas and lush plum and spice flavors from 3 months oak aging. Enjoy with pizza or tacos without breaking the bank!
Regular Price: $10.00
Mills Club $9.00
Case Price $8.00
J.L Chave 2015 “Mon Coeur” Cotes du Rhone, France (Tim)
Cotes du Rhone wines offer a terrific value, with some producers putting forth wines comparable to Chateauneuf-du-Pape but for a fraction of the price. So is the case with this wine from celebrated Northern Rhone producer Jean Louis Chave, a family owned winery since 1481, which puts forth nearly perfect Hermitage wines annually. Rated 90pts Wine Spectator, “This unfurls a beam of crushed plum and black cherry fruit, inlaid gently with singed bay leaf, pepper and anise notes. A light smoky edge runs through the finish.” Medium bodied, this will be a classic pairing with roast poultry dishes.
Regular Price: $22.99
Mills Club: $20.69
Case Price: $18.39
Chateau de France 2014 Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France (Jess)
As winter approaches nothing warms the spirit like a hearty beef stew or perfectly prepared leg of lamb matched with a bottle of Bordeaux. While 2014 was not a standout vintage in Bordeaux, good producers like the Thomassin family still made great wine, but less of it. This wine can be enjoyed now but will just get better with age. Decant this wine prior to serving. Rated 94-96pts Wine Enthusiast barrel sample, “This dark and brooding wine is packed with dense tannins and a black plum-skin flavor that’s hovering behind the density. The wine has power and fine concentration, yielding a complex, solid wine with aging ability.”
Regular Price: $32.99
Mills Club: $29.69
Case Price: $26.39
Airfield Estates 2016 Late Harvest Riesling, Yakima Valley, Washington (Aron)
Dessert is the often neglected wine course at the table. We loved this new late harvest Riesling arrival, which is loaded with pretty apricot notes. Made from 100% estate grown Riesling, this will take any wedge of apple pie, crème brulee or cheesecake to the next level.
Regular Price: $23.99/375ml bottle
Mills Club: $21.59
Case Price: $19.19
Join us in tasting some beautiful new South African wines, including this turkey-perfect Cinsault! 
The first weekend of each month we select 12 of our new favorite wines that represent good value for the price, and are seasonally appropriate! Join us in tasting six of them on Saturday and the other six on Sunday.
December Staff Picks
Tasting Saturday 2pm-6pm
Santa Rita 2016 120 Reserva Especial Sauvignon Blanc, Central Valley, Chile (Jen & Jerry)
Notes of lime on the nose and a refreshing palate of citrus zest are balanced by a hint of briny saltiness. This fresh white with good acidity is a great aperitif or pairing with salads, and at this price, perfect for a party wine! Santa Rita is about 45 minutes from Santiago in the foothills of Alto Jahuel. The Santa Rita “120” line of wines is a salute to 120 patriots, who in 1814 after a long battle for the fight for Chile’s independence arrived at Santa Rita and found refuge in their cellars. Wine Enthusiast “Best Buy”.
Regularly: $10.00
Mills Club: $9.00
Case $8.00
Talley Vineyards Bishop’s Peak 2016 Chardonnay, Edna Valley, California (Tim)
This is a delightful example of well-made cool-climate Chardonnay, with all the grapes coming from Oliver’s Vineyard in the Edna Valley (Talley makes another Chard from this same vineyard that retails at $50). Neutral French oak is used in the aging process, yielding a wine with peach and jasmine aromatics and pear, lime zest and a chalky minerality that will make it a great choice to serve with oysters or clam chowder. Rated 90 points.
Regularly: $17.99
Mills Club: $16.19
Case: $14.39
Pierre-Marie Chermette “Origine” Vieilles Vignes Beaujolais Primeur, France (Pat D.)
This 100% Gamay from old vines (35-85 years old) is aged one month in old oak tuns, presenting violet aromatics with fresh notes of licorice and pepper and a hint of minerality. Chermette’s soil is granitic as opposed to most of Beaujoloais which is limestone/clay and this lends more structure to their wines. Enjoy with duck, game terrines, and roasted poultry.
Regular Price: $15.99
Mills Club: $14.39
Case Price: $12.79
Ermitage du Pic Saint Loup “Tour de Pierres” 2014, Languedoc, France (Jen & Jerry)
A blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre from a biodynamic and organic estate run by the three brothers Ravaille. Tobacco and grilled umami notes are balanced by bright supple fruit flavors. This estate dates back to the Middle Ages, formerly home of the bishops of Maguelone. The limestone peak or “pic” above the vineyards was named for the pious and crusading Saint Thieri Loup. Serve this intensely earthy red with charcuterie or pork chops.
Regular Price: $17.99
Mills Club: $16.19
Case Price: $14.39
Schug 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley, California (Bird)
A generous, supple Cabernet Sauvignon is just the match for hearty stews, braised meats, or a pan-fried steak. Bursting with red berries, currants, cherries and a touch of spicy oak, this version, blended with small amounts of Cab Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot will make a great gift or will compliment a special meal. Founder and California 1970’s wine pioneer Walter Schug was a champion of Bordeaux styled Cabs like this one.
Regularly: $25.99
Mills Club: $23.39
Case Price: $20.79
Quady 2014 Essensia Orange Muscat, California (Pat D.)
Try this full-bodied sweet wine made from Orange Muscat aged 3 months in French Oak. Bursting with spicy orange and apricot flavors and aromas, this will enhance fruit pies, cheesecakes, biscotti or chocolate.
Regularly: $18.99 (375ml bottle)
Mills Club : $17.09
Case Price: $15.19
Sunday 1-4pm
Col di Rocca Non-Vintage Prosecco, Italy (Jess)
Try this delicious and pretty Prosecco made from the Glera grape from the hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene. This Prosecco is extra-dry which is one step sweeter than a brut (Prosecco meter from dry to sweet are: Brut, Extra Dry, Dry and Demi-Sec). This is a delicious aperitif or festive party wine!
Regularly: $15.99
Mills Club: $14.39
Case Price: $12.79
Serpens 2014 Tokaj Dry Cuvee White, Tokaj, Hungary (Andres)
Citrus, lemon peel and apple notes emerge from the glass of this white blend made from primarily Furmint. Luscious fruit and floral notes are balanced by a laser beam of acidity, making this a nice pairing with fish tacos, shrimp and other seafood dishes.
Regularly: $14.99
Mills Club: $13.49
Case Price: $11.99
Primarius 2014 Pinot Noir, Oregon (Geoffrey)
Always on the search for affordable Oregon Pinot, we enjoyed this find which presents classic aromas of forest floor, dark cherry, strawberry with a hint of herb and smoke. Light and elegant, this will nicely accompany poultry or fattier fish such as salmon.
Regular Price: $16.99
Mills Club $15.29
Case Price $13.59
Estampa Estate 2013 Malbec Petite Sirah Blend, Colchagua Valley, Chile (Tim)
Rich and savory blackberry notes precede a touch of pepper and cocoa in this affordable blend from the Colchagua Valley. “Estampa” are pocket sized prayer cards. 200 years ago, legend has it an estampa of Nuestra Senora del Carmel hovered over the heads of a group of people in the Plaza de Armas in Santiago and a church was later erected on the site. Spanish immigrants of the Gonzalez-Ortiz family that founded and run Estampa established “La Estampa Mill” in 1897 that focused on food production. Vines were planted in 1988.
Regular Price: $11.99
Mills Club: $10.79
Case Price: $9.59
Saladin “Fan de Lune” 2014 Cotes du Rhone (Aron)
Two sisters run this tiny 18 hectare certified organic estate, which has been handed down for generations since 1422. “Fan de Lune” means “child of the moon” and is used to express surprise and delight. This blend is mostly Mourvedre from 40 year old vines with smaller amounts of Grenache Noir and Syrah. The wine is aged in oak foudres for 9 months before bottling. This red expresses some minerality from the large smooth rocks or gallettes that dominate the vineyard. Plush, dark briar fruit is layered with notes of charcoal and graphite. This would be wonderful with roasted chicken or even braised stews or meats.
Regular Price: $23.99
Mills Club: $21.59
Case Price: $19.19
Chateau Vartely 2015 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, Moldova (Jess)
Try this medium bodied value Cabernet Sauvignon from Moldova that features ripe cherry fruit, blackberry and pepper notes with roast beef, hamburgers or meatloaf. Weeknight wine!
Regular Price: $12.99
Mills Club: $11.69
Case Price: $10.39
Sunday 1-4pm
Col di Rocca Non-Vintage Prosecco, Italy (Jess)
Try this delicious and pretty Prosecco made from the Glera grape from the hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene. This Prosecco is extra-dry which is one step sweeter than a brut (Prosecco meter from dry to sweet are: Brut, Extra Dry, Dry and Demi-Sec). This is a delicious aperitif or festive party wine!
Regularly: $15.99
Mills Club: $14.39
Case Price: $12.79
Serpens 2014 Tokaj Dry Cuvee White, Tokaj, Hungary (Andres)
Citrus, lemon peel and apple notes emerge from the glass of this white blend made from primarily Furmint. Luscious fruit and floral notes are balanced by a laser beam of acidity, making this a nice pairing with fish tacos, shrimp and other seafood dishes.
Regularly: $14.99
Mills Club: $13.49
Case Price: $11.99
Primarius 2014 Pinot Noir, Oregon (Geoffrey)
Always on the search for affordable Oregon Pinot, we enjoyed this find which presents classic aromas of forest floor, dark cherry, strawberry with a hint of herb and smoke. Light and elegant, this will nicely accompany poultry or fattier fish such as salmon.
Regular Price: $16.99
Mills Club $15.29
Case Price $13.59
Estampa Estate 2013 Malbec Petite Sirah Blend, Colchagua Valley, Chile (Tim)
Rich and savory blackberry notes precede a touch of pepper and cocoa in this affordable blend from the Colchagua Valley. “Estampa” are pocket sized prayer cards. 200 years ago, legend has it an estampa of Nuestra Senora del Carmel hovered over the heads of a group of people in the Plaza de Armas in Santiago and a church was later erected on the site. Spanish immigrants of the Gonzalez-Ortiz family that founded and run Estampa established “La Estampa Mill” in 1897 that focused on food production. Vines were planted in 1988.
Regular Price: $11.99
Mills Club: $10.79
Case Price: $9.59
Saladin “Fan de Lune” 2014 Cotes du Rhone (Aron)
Two sisters run this tiny 18 hectare certified organic estate, which has been handed down for generations since 1422. “Fan de Lune” means “child of the moon” and is used to express surprise and delight. This blend is mostly Mourvedre from 40 year old vines with smaller amounts of Grenache Noir and Syrah. The wine is aged in oak foudres for 9 months before bottling. This red expresses some minerality from the large smooth rocks or gallettes that dominate the vineyard. Plush, dark briar fruit is layered with notes of charcoal and graphite. This would be wonderful with roasted chicken or even braised stews or meats.
Regular Price: $23.99
Mills Club: $21.59
Case Price: $19.19
Chateau Vartely 2015 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, Moldova (Jess)
Try this medium bodied value Cabernet Sauvignon from Moldova that features ripe cherry fruit, blackberry and pepper notes with roast beef, hamburgers or meatloaf. Weeknight wine!
Regular Price: $12.99
Mills Club: $11.69
Case Price: $10.39