We hope that you were able to make it out to our Bastille Day French Wine Tasting this past weekend. (If not – we encourage you either subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of this page – or keep up to date with our Events page!)
Whether or not you were lucky enough to attend our Bastille Day tasting on Sunday, you are in luck today, as two of this week’s wine specials hail from the French region.
See our full list below – and we hope to see you in our downtown Minneapolis store soon!
Domaine Amido Cotes du Rhone 2018
Rhone, France
Domaine Amido has just over five hectares of vines in the village of Signargues, about half a dozen kilometers south of Tavel. The soil resembles that of Lirac, with galets roulets and clay, and the vineyards have a southern exposure. The wine is made with 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre, and aged in tank. It is forward and fruity, yet with and underlying seriousness that helps it to resemble the more expensive Lirac.
Sale $12.99/bottle
Reg. $14.99/bottle
Bonny Doon Vin Gris 2018
Central Coast, California
In the realm of Vin Gris/Rosé wines, the Bonny Doon Vin Gris de Cigare is one of the most iconic in the history of California. While there are others in the same grouping, this is the wine that had captured wine lovers' palate. The 2018 vintage is an excellent wine. This wine is light in color, mysterious in flavors, and crisp in the finish. Its aromas and flavors of dried fruit, earthly dust are beautifully persistent.
Sale $15.99/bottle
Reg. $17.99/bottle
Cantine del Notaio L'Atto 2014
Campania, Italy
90 Points, Vinous
Deep ruby-red. Rich red cherry, botanical herbs and sweet spices on the enticing nose. Enters sweet and round, then turns herbal; strong notes of quinine and underbrush complement ripe red cherry fruit flavors. Finishes very pure and long. Made from 100 percent Aglianico.
Sale $19.99/bottle
Reg. $24.99/bottle
Saracco Moscato d'Asti 2018
Piedmont, Italy
94 Points, Vinous
Luminous pale straw-green with golden tinges. Captivating aromas of orange blossom, lemon verbena, vanilla, sage and ripe grapefruit nectar. Dense, juicy and suave, presenting a multilayered, complex set of flavors similar to the aromas. The finish is very long, resonating with a floral topnote and delightful vibrancy. Outstanding, concentrated, complex and very pure Moscato d'Asti.
Sale $13.99/bottle
Reg. $19.99/bottle
Darnaud Mis en Bouche Crozes Hermitage 2017
Rhone, France
90 Points, Wine Advocate
Thirty percent of the entry-level 2017 Crozes Hermitage Mis en Bouche spent time in wood, but the emphasis here is on the fruit—and immediate accessibility. Brambly notes accent fresh cherries in this silky-textured, medium-bodied Syrah. It's a great quaffing wine, just so easy to drink, with delicate tannins and a bright finish.
Sale $24.99/bottle
Reg. $26.99/bottle
Domaine Drouhin Oregon Chardonnay 2016
Willamette Valley, Oregon
94 Points James Suckling
Impressive, flinty complexity with yellow citrus fruit and lighter peach aromas, leading to a palate that has a punchy array of vibrant peach flavor and a taut citrus thread to close. Complex and polished chardonnay here!
Sale $29.99/bottle
Reg. $34.99/bottle
Loveblock Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Marlborough, New Zealand
90 Points Wine Spectator
White pepper notes mingle with ripe peach, melon and tangerine flavors in this smooth and juicy white, offering details of green tea and lime zest that linger on the finish. Finds harmony and grace on the long, expressive finish.
Sale $16.99/bottle
Reg. $25.99/bottle
Bodega Norton Privada 2015
Mendoza, Argentina
91+ Points Vinous
Bright full ruby. Very dark, primary, slightly reduced aromas of blackberry, cassis, licorice and herbs. Concentrated, dense and ripe but not heavy, with brooding flavors of blackberry and dark chocolate dominating. Finishes adamantly dry, with serious chocolatey tannins, sound acidity and very good length.
Sale $19.99/bottle
Reg. $27.99/bottle
Produttori del Barbaresco Langhe Nebbiolo 2016
Piedmont, Italy
91+ Points Wine Advocate
The 2016 Langhe Nebbiolo was bottled last September and is almost sold out at this point. The next vintage, 2017, will be bottled this upcoming September. Because Produttori del Barbaresco makes its Langhe Nebbiolo with declassified Barbaresco fruit, you see less of this wine in the good vintages and more of the wine in the difficult years (in which not all fruit meets the higher Barbaresco standards and is better sold at the more affordable Langhe Nebbiolo price tag instead). For example, 80,000 bottles were produced in 2016 compared to 120,000 in 2014. That said, Langhe Nebbiolo is quickly becoming its own wine with its own distinct identity and consumer. This is an elegant and silky expression with long flavors of dark fruit, tar, smoke and toasted clove. Best of all: it is a terrific value buy. Too bad not much is left.
Sale $24.99/bottle
Reg. $27.99/bottle
BV Rutherford Cabernet 2015
Napa Valley, California
90 Points Vinous
The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford is plush, sensual and inviting, all of which make it an excellent choice for drinking now and over the next few years. Hints of cedar, tobacco, menthol, chocolate and licorice add aromatic nuance to a core of fleshy dark fruit. Drink it over the next decade or so.
Sale $29.99/bottle
Reg. $39.99/bottle
Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Marlborough, New Zealand
92 Points Wine Spectator
A vibrant mix of pineapple, mango and citrus flavors on a smooth, medium body, with plenty of vibrant acidity. Appealing details of orange zest and green apple skin add complexity.
Sale $19.99/bottle
Reg. $23.99/bottle