Viu Manent 2021 Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon “La Capilla” After working as a wine merchant alongside his father and brother since the 1930’s, Miguel Viu Manent made the decision to branch out on his own in 1965, purchasing a historic vineyard and winery in Chile’s Colchagua Valley. After nearly 100 years this firm is still family owned and operated (a rarity in Chile, especially for a winery of this size), all farming is certified sustainable, and two of Chile’s top names consult with the winery on a permanent basis – Roberto Pizarro (vineyard management) and Paul Hobbs (winemaking). The 2021 Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon La Capilla is produced with the fruit of a 21-year-old vineyard planted on lime and clay soils that are covered with volcanic ash.The wine is ripe, but while you can identify the variety, there is a sense of personality that is not so easy to find. The palate has some earthiness in the fine-grained tannins and a suppleness that is refreshing.
Chateau Cassagne 2022 Bordeaux Rouge A mysterious wine without much background. This is a seriously drinkable $12 bottle of red from one of the world’s most revered regions. So why is it so cheap? It has zero brand or name recognition, and definitely a small quantity was shipped over, so product placements at large grocery chains can’t happen. We can’t even track down which grapes are in here (but it’s Bordeaux, so we don’t have to guess too long). But when you want a red that has the Oddlots stamp of approval and under $15… well, here you go. We are right behind you!
Benoit Daridan 2022 Cheverny Rouge Benoit Daridan took over the family winery in 2001 after many years of study and work experience around the world. As the seventh generation to take over the small 15 hectare farm, Benoit has worked tirelessly to protect and promote the family traditions of passion for the region’s terror. The vineyard is perfectly positioned between arguably the Loire Valley’s two most famous properties: Château de Cheverny and Château de Chambord. While most of the vineyard is made up of young vines, they do pride themselves on a tiny two hectare plot of 50 year old vines. You would think this wine was from the region of Burgundy based on its blend and style, but it is a fresher, possibly softer version coming from similar soil types in the ancient Loire Valley. It is mostly Pinot Noir with a little Gamay added; a Loire version of the Burgundy Passetoutgrain.
Molino Piano 2017 Rosso di Montalcino Special occasion red right here. From one of the most coveted regions in Italy, this is not your grandparents’ Sangiovese. 4th generation family making some of Tuscany’s most prized red wines, all while using renewable energy. Incredibly complex, so much to experience with this wine. Fruit, floral, earth, plus tons of tannin and acidity to make a total wine experience.
Klassen Wines 2019 Miraflores Pinot Noir The Klassen wines are crafted from grapes grown throughout the Sierra Foothill’s of California by renowned winemaker Marco Cappelli. Cappelli graduated from UC Davis and apprenticed under Andre Telistcheff in Napa then went on to be the winemaker at Swanson. The wines are pure expressions of the elevation, climate and terroir of California’s oldest growing region. These are 25 year old vines from 2200 feet in Calaveras County reflecting a Pinot Noir that is elegant and focused with notes of strawberry and spice on the nose. Soft and subtle on the palate with just a hint of leather. A beautiful long, smooth finish. Bring on the poached chicken breast.
Viña Gormaz 2020 Joven Viña Gormaz, a former cooperative that went into individual ownership in late 1970’s, is the undisputed leader in Ribera del Duero’s Eastern subregion of Soria – This zone has until recently been more or less overlooked, and we hold it in high esteem due to the unheard of concentrations of old vines that sit on original rootstock and continue to be propagated in that manner today. Fans of dusty, intense Ribera are wise to explore Soria’s individual villages deeply. You can think of grape sourcing in Ribera much as you do in Burgundy – Individual families own and control small plots, sometimes as minimal as a row or two of vines. As is the case with all of Viña Gormaz’s offerings, grapes come from 22 individual villages in Soria. It is worth noting that Viña Gormaz was one of twelve original wineries registered to Ribera del Duero upon the DOC’s creation in 1982.
