1 Bottle = 1 Year of 💧 for Someone in Need. Next Subscription Ships in March. 🚚 Delivery Included!
1 Bottle = 1 Year of 💧 for Someone in Need. Next Subscription Ships in March. 🚚 Delivery Included!
Name of Winery: Cinco Sentidos
Name of Wine: El Viñatero Malbec
Region, Country of Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
Song: "Smooth" by Carlos Santana
Why we love this wine:
This is a complex and elegant Malbec: a pleasant symphony of balance between lush Mendoza fruit and freshness from the higher-altitude Uco Valley vineyards. The nose is intense with ripe black plums and cherries with hints of vanilla. Impressively textural on the palate, it pleasantly presents tannins and a beautiful balance with the oak and the fruit. This is a great, fun little weekday wine.
About the Winery:
Matias Michelini, the founder and winemaker of Cinco Sentidos, is considered one of the most innovative and talented winemakers in Argentina. He comes from a family of winemakers and has worked at some of the most prestigious wineries in Argentina and worldwide. Pioneering a lean style of wine with often electric acidity, Michelini has been at the forefront of Uco Valley winemaking and in particular, Gualtallary’s development over the last decade. A firm believer in biodynamic viticulture, Mathias' wines very much start in the vineyard and almost invariably end in concrete.
Food Pairings:
Serve with roast beef or a heaping mound of pasta Bolognese, ideally served family style.
Somm Hint:
If possible, serve this wine in larger glasses to showcase its complexity.
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Name of Winery: Rigoloccio
Name of Wine: FONTE DELL’ANGUILLAIA
Region, Country of Origin: Toscana, Italy
Song: No Quarter by Led Zeppelin
Why we love this wine):
Fresh and elegant with deep flavour are the keywords to describe Rigoloccio's Fonte dell'Anguillaia. This Tuscan blend is inspired by Bordeaux wines, blending Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and a touch of Merlot. It has a deep colour, with aromas of blackcurrant wild rose followed by a slight spiciness. The wine is aged in stainless steel tanks, which results in a fresh and elegant juicy palate. Long finish. Very tasty wine aiming to make friends around the dinner table.
About the winery:
Rigoloccio is a winery located in the heart of the Maremma, Tuscany, that takes its name from Rigoloccio, a stream in Tuscan dialect, the name given to the pyrite mine discovered in 1898 that was once where the winery is, providing plenty of minerals to the grapes. Rigoloccio is considered a small winery with about 8 hectares of vineyards surrounded by olive and cork trees with a very low yield to ensure the best possible quality for the grapes. The winery has produced wines since the early 1900s and follows sustainable and organic farming practices.
Food Pairings:
This is a definite big red meat or roasted vegetable wine. Perfect with a big medium-rare steak.
Somm Hint:
Give the wine a quick decant, or open it in advance to allow it to breathe before serving.
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Name of Winery: Domaine du Trapadis
Name of Wine: 'Esprit'
Region, Country of Origin: France
SONG: Sweet Revenge by John Prine
Why we love this wine:
100% Grenache fermented in concrete, aged 10 months in tanks making this wine fresh and aromatic. A bouquet of red fruit comes out in an open and immediate nose. The palate is fruity and intense with redcurrant and raspberry over a multi-dimensional layering of somewhat chewy tannins and a supple finish. There are fun hints of Mediterranean herbs and bright minerality that help keep this wine fresh and zippy.
About the Winery:
Domaine du Trapadis is located in the Southern Rhône Valley between Vaison la Romaine and Orange. Domaine du Trapadis dates back four generations to 1850 with present vineyard owner Helen Durand’s two great-grandfathers, Césaire Brun and Théophile Charavin, each owning a part of the land that together form today’s Domaine du Trapadis. Trapadis is derived from the word “Trapalas,” which means “hole” in Provençal. The hole refers to a natural spring which provides water for the surrounding hamlet. Today the estate covers 23 hectares of vines that are worked without herbicides, pesticides or chemical fertilizers. The average age of the vines is 35 years, with the oldest parcel, Trapadis, replanted in 1922.
Food Pairings:
This is great with all your weeknight stews, cassoulet and even Asian cuisine on the low end of the spicy spectrum.
Somm Hint :
Serve at cellar temperature (slightly chilled).
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Name of Winery:Descendientes de J. Palacios
Name of Wine:Petalos Mencia
Region, Country of Origin: Bierzo, Spain
SONG: "Flamenco Sketches" by Miles Davis:
Why we love this wine:
Petalos is a highly-regarded wine from Descendientes de J. Palacios, a stunning wine and sure to be considered a benchmark Mencia. It’s made from fruit sourced from 40 to 90-year-old vines growing on steep slate slopes in Corullón. It has an alluring aroma of roses, pepper, and earth. The wine is a blend of Mencia and other local varieties, spending 12 months in barrels without any evident oak flavours. The palate offers complex florals, dried herbs, red plum, and sour cherry fruit flavours, with a nice balance between plushness and freshness. The wine has a long finish with earthy, smoky and some mineral notes. Petalos is a soft, round, pretty, and fresh wine that showcases the unique characteristics of Mencia and Bierzo.
About the Winery:
Alvaro Palacios will forever be inextricably linked with the region of Priorat. He is considered the modern godfather of the region, bringing about a renaissance of the region through his foresight and passion. Alvaro’s L’Ermita is considered one of the great wines of Spain and will have done much to put Garnacha from Priorat on the map. Now, with the respect of the international wine-loving community behind him, Alvaro has turned his eye to another of Spain's unsung regions - Bierzo. He, along with his nephew Ricardo Perez, have now created one of the jewels in the crown of this budding region - with their remarkable old-vine Mencias now drawing the world's gaze.
Food Pairings:
Try pairing it with grilled meats such as lamb or pork. Cheeses such as Manchego or other aged sheep's milk cheeses can also be a good match.
Somm Hint:
Serve this wine slightly chilled and in larger wine glasses.
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Name of Winery: San Ferdinando
Name of Wine: Ciliegiolo Rosso
Region, Country of Origin: Tuscany, Italy
SONG: Blockbuster Night by Run the Jewels
Why we love this wine:
Ciliegiolo, meaning “cherry-like,” is usually reserved as a blending grape. Bottled on its own, the wine has aromas of sour cherries, raspberries, woody green herbs, and a hint of lavender. The palate is playful with refreshing acidity and very soft tannins giving the wine a juicy feel. We at Gargoyle are fond of calling this our Italian alternative to cru Beaujolais!
About the Winery:
San Ferdinando is located in the hamlet of Civitella in Val di Chiana, in the Chianti Colli Aretini area southeast of Florence. Besides vines, this area is also known for its famed Chianina breed of cattle, which often end up on the plate as the Bistecca Fiorentina. The estate has been in the hands of the Grifoni family since 1850. Still, it was in 2008 that the winery was fully restored and the vineyards revitalized and converted to organic methods. Today, Simone Zucchetti, winemaker and agronomist, capably guides the wines from vine to bottle. The focus is on the indigenous varietals of the area—Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo, Pugnitello, and Vermentino—and finding a balance between typicity, drinkability, and value.
Food Pairings:
Drink with charcuterie, roasted chicken or grilled pork kebabs.
Somm Hint:
There have been conflicting studies, but Ciliegiolo is either a parent or offspring of Sangiovese.
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Name of Winery: Storyteller
Name of Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region, Country of Origin: Sonoma County, USA
SONG: "The Story" by Brandi Carlile
Why we love this wine:
Classic Sonoma Cabernet with medium+ body and structure. Delicate aromas of earthy cedar, black cherry and vanilla spice, On the palate, the wine is best described as ripe, round, chewy, dark fruit, with toasty notes and a hint of pipe tobacco. Grapes are sourced from several important zones and appellations: 40% Sonoma Valley, 45% Sonoma County (20% Chalk Hill, 25% Alexander Valley); ~10-15% Paso Robles.
About the winery:
Sonoma County is one of America’s most important wine-growing regions, producing significant red and white wines. While Napa Valley is arguably more renowned, both these regions are excellent options for wine tasting along the West Coast. Storyteller makes varietal correct wines sourcing grapes from the best AVA’s in Sonoma County, Alexander Valley and Chalk Hill, where temperatures range from 32°C during the day, while nighttime averages are 4° to 10° C. This helps the wines to be deeply concentrated yet fresh and aromatic.
Food Pairings:
Pairs well with thick steaks, charbroiled burgers or strong cheeses such as aged cheddar or Dubliner.
Somm Hint:
With big reds like this, always decant. Not for sediment – it's still pretty young– but to aerate the wine. Go ahead and be rough with it while you’re at it.
Name of Winery: Domaine De Séailles
Name of Wine: Presto Blanc
Region, Country of Origin: Côtes de Gascogne, France
SONG: "Sunny Afternoon" by The Kinks
Why we love this wine:
Made from organic fruit, this 50-50 blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Gris was wild fermented and aged in stainless steel tank for 6 months, underlining all of the light & bright fruit practically leaping from the glass. The Presto is light, bright and fresh, full of citrus flavours, citrus zest, minerality and zippy crunchy fruit.
About the winery:
Family-owned for a half-century, Jean Labérenne now leads this historic estate in Ténarèze, near the Pyrenees and the Italian border. Domaine Séailles is one of the pioneers of organic viticulture in the Côtes de Gascogne region of Southwest France, swearing off all chemical fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, and synthetic chemical products.
Food Pairings:
Something fresh, from sushi or sashimi to lightly cooked vegetables such as asparagus, green beans, or roasted peppers
Somm Hint:
Wait for the first nice day of spring, ditch off work an hour early and crack this open before dinner
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Name of Winery: Raimat
Name of Wine: Albarino
Region, Country of Origin: Costers del Segre, Spain
SONG: Sea of Time by The Beatles
Why we love this wine:
Cultivated on several plots, this is one of Raimat’s more exciting wines; the varietal is rare in this part of Spain. The wine is pale yellow with greenish hues. Intense aromas of citrus, dried flowers and spices with an additional hint of sweet vanilla. Raimat Albarino was the first Albarino to be introduced to the market outside of D.O. Rias Baixas.. Dry, fresh and delicious!
About the winery:
The history of Raimat goes back to 1914, when Manuel Raventós i Domènech, the founder of the famous Cava producer Codorníu, acquired a plot of arid and unfertile land in a unique setting, converting it into what it is today: 3,000 hectares of 100% certified organic vineyards. Raimat is the expression of wines from Lleida, a land renowned for the quality of its fruit, where the continentality of its climate means that the grapes from this estate make intense and flavourful wines. The winery is a pioneer in the use of the latest growing and winemaking technology, making a clear commitment to sustainable viticulture and to respecting the land and the environment.
Food Pairings:
Recently tried it with seafood paella. Salud!
Somm Hint:
Albariño (“alba-reen-yo”) is the champion grape of Rías Baixas (REE-us BYE-shus), found in Northwest Spain.
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Name of Winery: Cantine Rallo
Name of Wine: Bianca di Evro
Region, Country of Origin:Sicilia, Italy
SONG: Roma Fade by Andrew Bird
Why we love this wine:
The Evrò name pays homage to the Queen Bianca of Navarra (The White Queen), who was the queen consort of the King of Sicily during the reign of William I (1154-1166) and regent during the minority of her son William II. The wine is produced from 100% Insolia grapes that are organically grown in their estate vineyards around the territory of Alcamo. The wine is matured in temperature-controlled stainless steel vessels in order to maintain freshness and acidity. A dry white wine that displays a bouquet of apricot, pear, apple and citrus fruit with hints of beeswax and white flowers. Rich and full in the mouth with great texture and a salted honey finish.
About the winery:
Cantine Rallo was founded in Marsala, on the westernmost promontory of Sicily, and is a successful integration between nature, technology and tradition. Don Diego Rallo founded the firm in 1860, and the Vesco family took over operations in 1996. Today Cantine Rallo has about 50 hectares of vineyards, all in the DOC zone of Alcamo. The majority of wines are produced with grapes from the estate's vineyards. Cantine Rallo produces high-quality wines; whites are fragrant and fruity, while the reds are concentrated and rich.
Food Pairings:
A perfect companion to seafood, oysters, lobsters, and caviar.
Somm Hint:
This wine is a genuinely delicious white! Chill well!!