Sample six of our current favorite wines, or “staff picks” at Mills, all selected to represent good value for the price and to pair well with seasonally available dishes. Save 10% if you choose to purchase any of the wines, or put together a mixed or matched case for 20% off. This is a complimentary tasting!
WINES TO TASTE SATURDAY 2-6pm
Old Westminster 2018 “Piquette” Pet Nat, Maryland (Aron)
This red wine bubbly is made by hydrating pressed grapes with water for a second fermentation, which takes place in tanks with wild yeasts. After a few days, the tanks are drained, the skins are pressed and the resultant juice is sent to stainless steel, oak barrels, and foeder. When fermentation is nearly finished, the wine is bottled under crown cap, trapping the CO2 and providing bubbles in a format called Pet-Nat, which actually originated in the Loire Valley long ago where it was often used as payment for thirsty vineyard workers! Consider this a sort of spritzer, lower in alcohol than most wines, juicy and refreshing. This wine is the perfect picnic accompaniment!
Regular Price: $19.99
Mills Club Price: $17.99
Case Price: $15.99
Kono 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand (Andrew)
During the warm spring and summer months, a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc fits the bill, with citrus and passion fruit notes, a hint of Marlborough grassiness and a crisp, bright finish. We’ll grab a bottle of this to enjoy with steamed crabs, shrimp cocktail, raw oysters or a salad dressed with a zingy vinaigrette.
Regular Price: $14.99
Mills Club Price: $13.49
Case Price: $11.99
Avennia “Oliane” 2017 Sauvignon Blanc, Yakima Valley, Washington (Pat D.)
This Sauvignon Blanc, a serious effort from Washington State favorite winery Avennia, is barrel fermented in French oak using all native yeasts, aged 7 months on the lees and bottled unfiltered. Rich and complex, this gorgeous Sauvignon Blanc gushes over with Meyer lemon, peach, honey and spring flowers. Crushed rocks, seashell and mineral components join racy acidity in keeping the wine down to Earth. Splurge-worthy! Rated 91pts and “Editors’ Choice” by Wine Enthusiast, and (91-93)pt barrel rating by Jeb Dunnuck. This would be magical with shellfish or white fish such as sea bass, flounder or halibut.
Regular Price: $31.99
Mills Club Price: $28.79
Case Price: $25.59
Keuka Spring 2017 Cabernet Franc, Finger Lakes, New York (Tim)
A recent visit from August Deimel, winemaker at Keuka Spring (and Annapolis Saint John’s College alum!) revealed a series of very interesting and carefully made wines, like this bone-dry Cabernet Franc made in all stainless steel. With hints of black currants and raspberries and refined tannins, this features a light pepper spice on the finish. This restrained and elegant Cabernet Franc is more reminiscent of a Loire Valley Bourgueil than a new World version. Try this red with eggplant parmesan, a roast beef sandwich topped with arugula, or steak au poivre. Keuka Spring was awarded a great deal of positive press this year, including a coveted spot on Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 Wine list. August Deimel is officially added to the growing list of super-successful Saint John’s College alumni winemakers.
Regular Price: $21.99
Mills Club Price: $19.79
Case Price: $17.59
Crios de Susana Balbo 2017 Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina (Andrew)
Susana Balbo was a pioneer for female winemakers in Argentina, and has been making wine since 1981. The Crios label includes some of her most affordable and enjoyable wines. Stylistically, some Argentine winemakers have taken a turn away from overly-oaked styles of the past. The Crios label is one of those, opting to discontinue the use of oak staves and instead age a portion of the wine (30%) in neutral oak barrels. This makes for a more elegantly styled Malbec, perfumed with aromas of crushed blueberries and blackberries, with a palate of ripe red fruit and subtle oak. Try this Malbec with grilled steak, hamburgers or lamb chops. Rated 93pts Decanter and 90pts Robert Parker.
Regular Price: $15.99
Mills Club Price: $14.39
Case Price: $12.79
Novy 2015 Zinfandel, Russian River Valley, California (Aron)
If you’re familiar with Siduri Pinot Noir, Novy is the brainchild of Siduri winemaker Adam Lee and his wife Dianna Novy, both big fans of Zinfandel! This is a big and bold Zinfandel, exuding lots of blackberry and raspberry, and baking spice notes with just a hint of licorice and the signature Russian River Valley acidity. Full-bodied and deeply concentrated, this will pair nicely with grilled steaks or pulled pork sandwiches. Rated 91pts Wine Spectator.
Regular Price: $24.99
Mills Club Price: $22.49
Case Price: $19.99
WINES TASTED SUNDAY 1-4pm
Domaine des Cassagnoles 2017 Vin de Pays des Cotes de Gascogne, France (Jen-n-Jerry)
A serious bargain, this wine made from estate-grown Colombard and Gros Manseng grapes is aged in stainless steel tanks. Crispy and zesty with bright citrus notes, this is the quintessential summer wine. Serve well-chilled as a delightful aperitif, or paired with seafood, grilled fish, or a cheese platter. Super value from the Baumann family of Gascogny, and a great addition to our $10 rack!
Regular Price: $10.00
Mills Club Price: $9.00
Case Price: $8.00
Palagetto 2017 Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Italy (Andres)
Vernaccia is a white wine grape from Tuscany. You’ll love this pretty wine featuring jasmine, pear and pepper aromatics. Bright, citrusy and crisp, it finishes with an almond note. This wood be great paired with risotto or seafood.
Regular $12.99
Mills Club Price: $11.69
Case Price: $10.39
Brand 2017 “Unholy Alliance” Riesling/Chardonnay, Pfalz, Germany (Geoff)
The Brand winery is family owned, currently run by 5thgeneration brothers Daniel and Jonas. They organically farm the limestone-dominated soils using no pesticides and focusing on ecological cultivation. This delicious blend of Riesling and Chardonnay exudes the best of both of those grapes, bringing together white peach and ripe apple notes, with a delightful lime zestiness and crisp acidity. Try with pork tenderloin, sushi, or spicy pork or chicken tacos. Certified ORGANIC.
Regular Price $17.99
Mills Club $16.19
Case Price $14.39
Bergerie de l’Hortus 2018 Rosè, Pic St Loup, France (Tim)
We love this newly arrived dry rosè from the south of France made from Syrah and Grenache from Domaine de l’Hortus, an estate run by four siblings Marie, Francois, Yves and Martin Orliac which their father first planted to vine in the 1970’s. Displaying strawberry and fresh raspberry notes, it has a pleasing slightly creamy texture yet finishes crisp. This will pair well with a wide variety of foods from pizza to crudite, shrimp to asparagus and artichokes.
Regular Price: $15.99
Mills Club Price: $14.39
Case Price: $12.79
Domaine de Mourchon 2016 Cotes du Rhone, France (Pat D.)
A delicious simple blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, this displays fresh supple red and black fruit notes and a touch of underlying characteristic Rhone garrigue, olive and peppery spice. This can be a great summertime red, served slightly chilled with charcuterie or grilled chicken. Excellent value!
Regular Price: $12.99
Mills Club Price: $11.69
Case Price: $10.39
Forlorn Hope 2016 Suspiro del Moro, California (Jen-n-Jerry)
Another selection from Matthew Rorick’s Forlorn Hope Winery, this red is crafted from the Alvarelhào grape, a varietal that hails from Portugal but is grown masterfully by Matthew in the Alta Mesa AVA (within Lodi) of California. This wine is incredibly aromatic; you can expect gorgeous wafts of sage, roses, and plums. The palate is silky smooth and lighter in weight, texturally akin to a medium-bodied Pinot Noir. Try with grilled chicken or lamb kebabs and buy two bottles because you’ll want to keep reaching for another glass….
Regular Price: $34.99
Mills Club Price: $31.49
Case Price: $27.99
Sample six of our current favorite wines, or “staff picks” at Mills, all selected to represent good value for the price and to pair well with seasonally available dishes. Save 10% if you choose to purchase any of the wines, or put together a mixed or matched case for 20% off. This is a complimentary tasting!
WINES TASTED SUNDAY 1-4pm
Domaine des Cassagnoles 2017 Vin de Pays des Cotes de Gascogne, France (Jen-n-Jerry)
A serious bargain, this wine made from estate-grown Colombard and Gros Manseng grapes is aged in stainless steel tanks. Crispy and zesty with bright citrus notes, this is the quintessential summer wine. Serve well-chilled as a delightful aperitif, or paired with seafood, grilled fish, or a cheese platter. Super value from the Baumann family of Gascogny, and a great addition to our $10 rack!
Regular Price: $10.00
Mills Club Price: $9.00
Case Price: $8.00
Palagetto 2017 Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Italy (Andres)
Vernaccia is a white wine grape from Tuscany. You’ll love this pretty wine featuring jasmine, pear and pepper aromatics. Bright, citrusy and crisp, it finishes with an almond note. This wood be great paired with risotto or seafood.
Regular $12.99
Mills Club Price: $11.69
Case Price: $10.39
Brand 2017 “Unholy Alliance” Riesling/Chardonnay, Pfalz, Germany (Geoff)
The Brand winery is family owned, currently run by 5thgeneration brothers Daniel and Jonas. They organically farm the limestone-dominated soils using no pesticides and focusing on ecological cultivation. This delicious blend of Riesling and Chardonnay exudes the best of both of those grapes, bringing together white peach and ripe apple notes, with a delightful lime zestiness and crisp acidity. Try with pork tenderloin, sushi, or spicy pork or chicken tacos. Certified ORGANIC.
Regular Price $17.99
Mills Club $16.19
Case Price $14.39
Bergerie de l’Hortus 2018 Rosè, Pic St Loup, France (Tim)
We love this newly arrived dry rosè from the south of France made from Syrah and Grenache from Domaine de l’Hortus, an estate run by four siblings Marie, Francois, Yves and Martin Orliac which their father first planted to vine in the 1970’s. Displaying strawberry and fresh raspberry notes, it has a pleasing slightly creamy texture yet finishes crisp. This will pair well with a wide variety of foods from pizza to crudite, shrimp to asparagus and artichokes.
Regular Price: $15.99
Mills Club Price: $14.39
Case Price: $12.79
Domaine de Mourchon 2016 Cotes du Rhone, France (Pat D.)
A delicious simple blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, this displays fresh supple red and black fruit notes and a touch of underlying characteristic Rhone garrigue, olive and peppery spice. This can be a great summertime red, served slightly chilled with charcuterie or grilled chicken. Excellent value!
Regular Price: $12.99
Mills Club Price: $11.69
Case Price: $10.39
Forlorn Hope 2016 Suspiro del Moro, California (Jen-n-Jerry)
Another selection from Matthew Rorick’s Forlorn Hope Winery, this red is crafted from the Alvarelhào grape, a varietal that hails from Portugal but is grown masterfully by Matthew in the Alta Mesa AVA (within Lodi) of California. This wine is incredibly aromatic; you can expect gorgeous wafts of sage, roses, and plums. The palate is silky smooth and lighter in weight, texturally akin to a medium-bodied Pinot Noir. Try with grilled chicken or lamb kebabs and buy two bottles because you’ll want to keep reaching for another glass….
Regular Price: $34.99
Mills Club Price: $31.49
Case Price: $27.99
Join us for our popular monthly “Staff Picks” series, where we choose 12 of our current favorite wines to share, 6 tasted on Saturday and 6 on Sunday, 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.
WINES TO TASTE SATURDAY 2-6pm
Andrew Will 2017 “Cuvee Lucia” Sauvignon Blanc, Yakima Valley, Washington (Aron)
The winery, named for owner/winemaker Chris Camarda’s son Will and nephew Andrew, was established in 1994. At Mills, we’re big fans of Andrew Will, with their small production of about 4500 cases per year split between Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and this very limited Sauvignon Blanc. This excellent Bordeaux-style white is comprised of 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Semillon from the Sheridan Vineyard in Yakima Valley, Washington, and is named for daughter Lucia Camarda. Clean citrus fruit notes of grapefruit and lime keep this wine fresh and bright, and make it an ideal pairing with sea scallops, shrimp, oysters or sushi.
Regular Price: $34.99
Mills Club Price: $31.49
Case Price: $27.99
Lora 2018 Verdejo/Sauvignon Blanc, Spain (Tim)
Lora is the eco friendly project of young, talented Spanish winemaker Miguel Merino Navajas, made in the region of Cuenca in the eastern end of La Mancha, where warm sunny days and cold desert nights make vines struggle for survival. Heady with tropical fruit and floral aromas, this blend of 50% Sauvignon Blanc and 50% Verdejo is dry and savory yet flavorful with bright citrus notes on the palate. This organic wine would make an excellent aperitif or would pair nicely with fish, seafood, or salads with vinegar based dressings.
Regular Price: $11.99
Mills Club Price: $10.79
Case Price: $9.59
Carl Weinberg 2017 Riesling, Mosel-Sur, Germany (Andres)
If biting into a perfect, ripe, fresh peach sounds alluring to you, this semi-dry Riesling might be the perfect selection. Peach and grapefruit notes on the palate mingle with zesty lime acidity creating an impressive structure/acid balance. Enjoy with smoked fish, spicy sushi, or grilled stuffed poblano peppers!
Regular Price: $16.99
Mills Club Price: $15.29
Case Price: $13.59
Commanderie de la Bargemone 2018 Rosè, Provence, France (Geoff)
A perennial favorite Provence rosè at Mills, the 2018 vintage does not disappoint, made from a blend of 40% Grenache, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah, 10% Cinsault and 5% Rolle. The vines are grown on the grounds of an ancient estate, founded in the Middle Ages by the Knights Templar. The palest of pinks in color, this bone-dry rosè shows wild strawberry, blackberry, melon and cassis notes. Rated 90pts Robert Parker.
Regular Price: $19.99
Mills Club Price: $17.99
Case Price: $15.99
Berthet-Rayne 2017 Cotes du Rhone, France (Andrew)
Andre Berthet-Rayne is the fourth generation to care for the farm, consisting of 22 hectares in the village of Cairanne with rolling hills of vineyards and olive groves. 50% Grenache, 30% Carignan and 20% Mourvedre figure into the blend for this medium/full-bodied wine loaded with black fruits, black olive, wild flowers and licorice notes. Certified biodynamic and organic. Enjoy with grilled meats!
Regular Price: $14.99
Mills Club Price: $13.49
Case Price: $11.99
Century Cellars 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, California (Tim)
Don’t let the unassuming, unattractive label dissuade you. This bottle holds a delicious, fruit forward, velvety smooth Cabernet Sauvignon with lush plum, black currant and cocoa notes, and obviously it’s a super value to boot. Sourced from Paso Robles, Monterey, Lodi and Central Valley, it spends 6 months in barrel. Try with burgers, beef tacos or meat-lovers pizza.
Regular Price: $10.00
Mills Club Price: $9.00
Case Price: $8.00
WINES TASTED SUNDAY 1-4pm
Dopff & Irion Cremant d’Alsace Brut Rosè, France (Pat)
This dry sparkling wine from Alsace, France features a pink, almost coppery hue, a nose of strawberry and citrus and a full-flavored palate of red berry fruit. And with Rosè Champagne prices spiraling quite high, the relatively affordable price of this Crèmant is refreshing as well. Made from 100% Pinot Noir, this would be an excellent aperitif or pairing with grilled chicken or vegetables, chilled pea soup, or ham. Rated 90pts Wine Enthusiast.
Regular Price: $24.99
Mills Club Price: $22.49
Case Price: $19.99
Domaine de la Bretonnière 2016 Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie, Loire Vally, France (Geoff)
Made from 100% Melon de Bourgogne, we enjoyed trying this dry Muscadet recently, a light-bodied white with minerally citrus notes and good acidity and a pleasing creamy finish. Pair with mussels and French fries!
Regular $12.99
Mills Club Price: $11.69
Case Price: $10.39
Prà 2015 Staforte Soave Classico, Veneto, Italy (Jen & Jerry)
This dry white wine is made from 100% Garganega grapes planted in volcanic soil. A creamy textured, beautiful Italian white from benchmark Soave producer Prà, this features dried wildflower, pastry and ripe orchard fruit notes. A touch of lemon and palate cleansing acidity make this a great pairing with grilled chicken or poultry dishes. Rated 92pts and “Editors’ Choice” Wine Enthusiast.
Regular Price $24.99
Mills Club $22.49
Case Price $19.99
Grochau 2017 “Commuter Cuvee” Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon (Pat)
This new Pinot Noir features bright fresh pure Willamette Valley fruit, made from 100% Pinot Noir from multiple vineyards, then aged in used French oak. Cherries, lavender and violet on the nose is followed by a juicy palate of cola, baking spice s and earth. Try with pizza, grilled salmon, or Portobello mushroom.
Regular Price: $21.99
Mills Club Price: $19.79
Case Price: $17.59
Castelmaure “La Buvette” Corbieres, Southern France (Jen & Jerry)
A blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Carignan (non-vintage) planted in schist and limestone soils by the cooperative Castelmaure, this light-bodied wine is the perfect red to serve chilled with a summer picnic. Ebullient with crushed strawberry, cassis, blackberry notes, the smooth tannins are followed by a light touch of spice. This easy-to-drink wine would be a wonderful pairing with charcuterie or a cheese platter.
Regular Price: $11.99
Mills Club Price: $10.79
Case Price: $9.59
Bodega Colomè Autentico 2017 Malbec, Salta, Argentina (Andres)
Colome was established in 1831 by the Spanish Governor of Salta, making it the oldest winery in Argentina- they also own the world’s highest altitude vineyard. More recently, the winery was acquired by California based Hess Family Wine Estates. The vines for this 100% Malbec are over 100 years old, and the wine sees no oak. The nose features blue raspberry, cherry and tobacco, while the palate features black cherries, mocha and restrained tannins with a soft mouthfeel. This is a more balanced yet very refined Malbec, and would be perfect to pair with grilled steaks!
Regular Price: $29.99
Mills Club Price: $26.99
Case Price: $23.99