Holiday Wine Pairings
Fish & Shellfish
Bodegas del Palacios Albarino 'Fefinanes' 2017 (SP)
A dry and aromatic white, packed with bright/tart flavors of green apple and a hint of lime. Lithe and energetic yet surprisingly well balanced, this wine seems to linger on the palate longer than most Albarinos. A deliciously versatile partner for just about any fish or shellfish preparation.
$17.99
Iniceri Cataratto 'Abisso' Sicilia DOC 2017 (IT)
A fine example of this native Sicilian grape variety's potential - aromatics balanced between fruity notes, green apple & grapefruit w/ spice and mineral notes of ginger and white pepper following through on the palate. Complex, with great minerality and verve. Your favorite shellfish dish has met its match with this one!
$14.99
Beef
Piaggia Carmignano 'Piaggia' Riserva 2016 (IT)
"Wonderfully complex aromas that are rich with dried-cherry, floral and orange-peel character. Full-bodied, dense and layered with lots of ripe tannins and a fresh finish."~ JS. Voted 'Tre Bicchieri' and #1 Italian Red Wine by Gambero Rosso (2019 Edition).
$34.99
94 POINTS WA
Vignobles Mayard Chateauneuf-du-Pape 'Le Hurlevent' 2017 (FR)
A bigger-boned red whose deeper flavors and rich textures lends itself superbly well to either an earthier bone-in ribeye or a more savory stuffed and elegantly sauced filet mignon.
$29.99
Ham
91 POINTS VM
Raventos I Blanc Cava Brut Blanc de Blancs 2016 (SP)
"This highly perfumed, mineral-driven Spanish bubbly shows wonderful clarity and tension, with no excess weight. Emphatically dry and lively in style, the 2016 offers powerful citrus and orchard fruit character, a suave floral note and impressive, stony persistence.” ~ VM
$19.99
90 POINTS VM
Selbach-Oster Riesling Kabinett 'Zeltinger Sonnenuhr' 2016 (GER)
"...scents of ripe pear garlanded in honeysuckle and white flowers with a creamy textural allure and soothing, subtly sweet persistence on the palate; pear seed and lime zest offer stimulating counterpoint." $21.99
92 POINTS WA
Domaine des Terres Dorees 'L'Ancien' Beaujolais VV 2018 (FR)
"Brun's dependably superb 2018 Beaujolais l’Ancien offers up notes of rose petals, cherries and raspberries, followed by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy palate built around satiny tannins and juicy acids. It's a beautifully gourmand but precise wine." ~ WA $18.99
Lamb
93 POINTS JS
Collosorbo Rosso di Montalcino 2016
"Offers more concentration on the nose with mostly notes of blackberry pie, plum cake and even some Christmas pudding. On the palate, the fruit is melded beautifully with chewy yet tight tannins and taut acidity. Great stuff for what it is." ~ JS
$19.99
95 POINTS VM
La Rioja Alta Rioja 'Vina Ardanza' Reserva 'Seleccion Especial' 2010 (SP)
Rioja is a traditional partner for Lamb in Spain - and the LRA 'Ardanza' Seleccion Especial makes this match exemplary: "… the wine is expressive, aromatic, very elegant and clean, with classical Rioja aromas. There is great complexity here.. spice and smoke move to earthy tones, hints of beef blood, cherries in liqueur, curry, forest floor. A great Viña Ardanza!" ~ VM
$29.99
Broadley Vineyards Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2018 (ORE)
Dark cherry fruit with nice notes of baking spice and just a little hint of tobacco make this vintage yet another winner from Broadley. We have a number of under $25 ORE Pinots that serve up big pleasure... and this small estate's bottling is at the front of the line!
$22.99
95 POINTS WA
Domaine Font Sarade Gigondas 'Les Pigieres' 2017 (FR)
Just a sniff of this from the glass and one has little difficulty imagining the roasted herb-crusted Leg of Lamb or the smoky grilled Rack of Lamb. "A blend of 60% Grenache, 35% Mourvèdre and 5% Syrah. Garrigue-inflected cherries lead the way, followed by a wine that's full-bodied, intense and concentrated but already harmonious, finishing with silky tannins and great length." ~ WA
$22.99
95 POINTS VM
Fess Parker 'The Big Easy' Sta. Barbara Red 2016 (CA)
"...hits the palate with tremendous fruit intensity. Super-ripe red cherry, raspberry jam, white chocolate, vanillin and new American oak shape this opulent Syrah / Petite Sirah / Grenache blend. The 2016 is simply outrageously delicious." ~ VM
$29.99