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Ken's Picks

Cantina Lunae Mea Rosa IGT Rosé 2021 12.5% abv. Liguria Di Levante, Italy

Tasting Notes: This wine is made from the ancient Black Vermentino (Vermentino Nero), grown mainly in Tuscany. It usually is used in the production of full bodied, spicy wines with red and black fruit aromas, but It makes a distinctive Rosé, The color is a brilliant, deep, cherry pink, with blood orange/Grand Marnier tints. The nose: cranberry, strawberry, wet stone, herbal notes of thyme/sage, hints of hibiscus. The palate: clear and fresh, with dragon fruit, wild berries, watermelon, menthol notes, and a nice hit of orange bitters on the back. It holds a great line, with light tannin. Clean quick finish. Drink now, and pair with your Thanksgiving turkey dinner, or whatever you're serving for Thanksgiving!

Price: $25.99 750 ml.

Ken's Picks

Monte Creek Hands Up Red 2021 VQA 14% abv. Thompson Valley, B.C.

Tasting Notes: Open to the public since 2015, Monte Creek hopes to transition to full organic certification by this year. Hands Up Red is a blend: predominant Frontenac Noir ( a hybrid that has good success in Canadian climates), with Cabernet Franc and Merlot to round out the edges. This wine would be in the running for the 'best wine you've never heard of' category! Very expressive aromas of violets, plums, cranberry jam, smoked meats, thyme. The palate is equally dense, with a smooth entry, soft tannins, notes of smoked pastrami, roasted red bell pepper, black currant, blueberry reduction, and a hint of roast walnut bringing up the rear. Pair with pasta dishes with red sauce, burgers, grilled meats. Drink now- 2026.

Price: $21.99 750 ml

Ken's Picks

Tenuta Montecchiesi Vermentino Chardonnay IGT 2021 13% abv. Vegan Friendly Toscana, Italy

Tasting Notes: This is a perfect patio sipper for those hot August nights! I could not track down the 2021 recipe, but the 2022 recipe is 60% Vermentino, 40% Chardonnay, so I assume it's going to be close. Fermentation in large French oak barrels for 3 weeks. The wine ages a minimum of three months in steel, with bâttonage of the fine lees once per week, and then at least 45 days in the bottle. Light straw color with green gold tints. Aromas of lime peel, wet stone, Hawthorne, green apple skin, herbs. The clean, bright palate expresses white peach, golden delicious apple, passionfruit, and a mid palate kiwi tone. Good acidity keeps it all in place. Serve chilled, with antipasti, light hors d'oeuvres, vegetable crudites. Drink now. Very refreshing!

Price: $22.49 750 ml

Ken's Picks

Viña Mayu Gran Reserva Pinot Noir 2017 14.5% abv. Elqui Valley, Chile

Tasting Notes: Most folks identify Chile as a country that produces excellent, value priced wines, mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, or Carmenere. Well, move over, folks, because we can add Pinot Noir to the list. Sourced from grapes grown in one of the driest climates on Earth, Mayu Pinot Noir delivers a true expression of this persnickety grape. It shows a beautiful cranberry/raspberry color, with an exotic perfume of beet root, raspberry reduction, red plum, and violets. The palate shows great depth: raspberry coulis, hints of truffle, stewed prunes. Tannins are fine grained. It's light on its feet, but has sinewy tension as well. Pair with a whole lot of things; it will handle most foods with aplomb. Drink now, cellar for two-four more years.

Price: $23.99 750 ml.

Ken's Picks

Xavier Vignon Ventoux A.O.P. 2016 14% abv. Ventoux, Southern Rhone, France

Tasting Notes: Xavier Vignon is a consultant-oenologist in the Rhône Valley where he also produces wines under his own brand. The recipe for this GSM: 85% Grenache, 10% Shiraz (yes he's from France, but he still calls it Shiraz on his website), 5% Mourvedre, made from parcels of different terroirs and old vines between 45 and 80 years old for the three varieties. It expresses plums, bramble, dusty loam and black currants on the nose. The palate is fruit forward, medium bodied, with chokecherry compote, red plums, tomato paste, cola, and roasted coffee beans. Tannins are medium. Drink now. A good, solid, straightforward wine for the coming BBQ season.

Price: $20.49 750 ml

Ken's Picks

Domaine Grand Nicolet Les Esqueyrons 2015 15% abv. Rasteau Appellation Controlee, Cotes Du Rhone, France

Tasting Notes: In Rasteau (Southern Rhone Valley), the wines take on a heady, extracted style. This expression from wine maker Jean-Pierre Bertrand is a 50-50 blend: Grenache aged in concrete, and Syrah aged in oak. It displays a deep garnet color with a purple plum interior and a dark sienna rim. A bouquet of violets, plum, cold cream, black cherry, and roasted dates greets you; the palate is full, with black currant compote, fig, plums, black cherries, and a back note of toasted sage and garrigue. The wine has great power, and exceptional balance. It is reaching its maturity, and will retain this plateau for another couple of years in your cellar. Pair with roasted/grilled game, hard cheeses, savory casseroles. A great wine, already aged for you!!

Price: $32.99 750 ml.

Ken's Picks

Small Gully 'The Formula' Robert's Shiraz 2018 15.9% abv. Adelaide Plains, Barossa Valley, Australia

Tasting Notes: Another winner from the folks at Small Gully! 100 % Shiraz sourced from 50+ year old vines. Big and bold, it carries a heady bouquet of vanilla, red bell pepper, sarsaparilla, plum, date jam, and forest floor. Very full bodied, with a palate of plums, dried fig, black cherry, and sultana notes. Medium fine integrated tannins, and medium finish. Very delicious! Drink now - 2025 ish. Pair with hearty dishes, good friends, and happy times!

Price: $22.99 750 ml

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Staff Picks

Ken's Picks

Cantina Lunae Mea Rosa IGT Rosé 2021 12.5% abv. Liguria Di Levante, Italy

Ken's Picks

Monte Creek Hands Up Red 2021 VQA 14% abv. Thompson Valley, B.C.

Ken's Picks

Tenuta Montecchiesi Vermentino Chardonnay IGT 2021 13% abv. Vegan Friendly Toscana, Italy

Ken's Picks

Viña Mayu Gran Reserva Pinot Noir 2017 14.5% abv. Elqui Valley, Chile

Ken's Picks

Xavier Vignon Ventoux A.O.P. 2016 14% abv. Ventoux, Southern Rhone, France

Ken's Picks

Domaine Grand Nicolet Les Esqueyrons 2015 15% abv. Rasteau Appellation Controlee, Cotes Du Rhone, France

Ken's Picks

Small Gully 'The Formula' Robert's Shiraz 2018 15.9% abv. Adelaide Plains, Barossa Valley, Australia

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Cantina Lunae Mea Rosa IGT Rosé 2021 12.5% abv. Liguria Di Levante, Italy

Ken's Picks

var mymonth = '2023-09-September'; document.write(mymonth.substring(8) + ' ' + mymonth.substring(0,4));

Monte Creek Hands Up Red 2021 VQA 14% abv. Thompson Valley, B.C.

Ken's Picks

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Tenuta Montecchiesi Vermentino Chardonnay IGT 2021 13% abv. Vegan Friendly Toscana, Italy

Ken's Picks

var mymonth = '2023-07-July'; document.write(mymonth.substring(8) + ' ' + mymonth.substring(0,4));

Viña Mayu Gran Reserva Pinot Noir 2017 14.5% abv. Elqui Valley, Chile

Ken's Picks

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Xavier Vignon Ventoux A.O.P. 2016 14% abv. Ventoux, Southern Rhone, France

Ken's Picks

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Domaine Grand Nicolet Les Esqueyrons 2015 15% abv. Rasteau Appellation Controlee, Cotes Du Rhone, France

Ken's Picks

var mymonth = '2023-03-March'; document.write(mymonth.substring(8) + ' ' + mymonth.substring(0,4));

Small Gully 'The Formula' Robert's Shiraz 2018 15.9% abv. Adelaide Plains, Barossa Valley, Australia

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