Highland Fine Wine - December Half Case Mixed 2023

REDS

MICRO-COSME, GRENACHE-PINOT NOIR 2023, SOUTHERN RHÔNE, FRANCE $16.99 (MIXED) Château de Saint Cosme has been in the hands of the Barruol family since 1490. In 1992 Louis took over, making a dramatic shift to quality and converting to biodynamics. Louis looks to make innovative blends that might not be traditional or intuitive. Like this red where he blends the versatile Grenache with the almost wine world’s diva: Pinot Noir and somehow, it works! This fusion delivers aromas and flavors of strawberry, gingerbread, almond, cinnamon and heirloom rose. Delicious with stews, grilled meats, and tomato-based dishes such as ragout.

ALTOCEDRO, ‘AÑO CERO’ CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022, MENDOZA, ARGENTINA $17.99 (MIXED) Altocedro was founded in 1999 by visionary Karim Mussi, a third-generation Lebanese immigrant. Karim and his family pioneered La Consulta in the Uco Valley as a special place to make terroir-driven wines. The name Altocedro means “high cedar” referencing not only the grove of cedars that surround and protect the vineyard, but also to Karim’s Lebanese roots where Cedar trees are considered sacred and even adorn the national flag. On the nose you’ll find tobacco leaf, cassis and red-plum notes. On the palate it is medium to full-bodied with firm, fine-grained tannins and generous red fruit. Perfect with beef stew on a chilly night.

CASA GRAN DEL SIURANA, ‘GR-174’ 2021, PRIORAT, SPAIN $21.99 (MIXED) The wine history of Priorat began in the 12th century when Carthusian Monks migrated from Provence, bringing their centuries of viticultural knowledge with them. In 2000, Casa Gran del Siurana was founded with the mission of making top quality, terroir driven wines. Their flagship wine ‘GR-174’ is a blend of mainly Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cariñena. It leads with intense, fresh aromas of cassis, red fruits, blackberries, red currants, with a balsamic and spicy background. Fresh but meaty in the mouth. Silky, full bodied, with elegant and present tannins.

WHITES

ARGIOLAS, ‘COSTAMOLINO’, VERMENTINO DI SARDEGNA 2022, SARDINIA, ITALY $15.99 (MIXED)
Argiolas was founded in 1938 by Antonio Argiolas and was the first on the island to pursue quality over quantity. Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean and lies roughly 190 miles west of Italy's mainland. Costamolino, named for the area, is made from Vermentino, an aromatic white grape variety that thrives in a Mediterranean climate. Vermentino often shows the fragrance of macchia, the mix of evergreen shrubs and herbs that dot the island landscape, with pine and mint coupled with ripe stone fruit and sweet citrus. The palate is at once vibrant and textural and finishes with lingering acidity. A perfect pairing to the feast of seven fishes.

BIAGIO, PINOT GRIGIO 2022, SICILY, ITALY $11.99 (MIXED) From the hills of Sicily our grapes are soft- crushed and free-run must are pressed at low temperatures and clarified at 57F. The precious grapes are then filtered and fermented at 62F. After perfection is achieved the wine is stored underground ain low temperature tanks to await bottling. Aromas of melon, ripe apple and beautiful floral aromas all found in the rich soils of Sicily's soil. The palate has gentle flavors of tropical fruit with a wonderful hint of acidity that Sicilian wine is famous for. It would make an ideal Thanksgiving aperitif, satiating appetites while the feast is readied.

CALA CIVETTA, TREBBIANO DI TOSCANA 2022, TUSCANY, ITALY $15.99 (MIXED) Trebbiano is one of the most prolific and widely planted varietals in Italy, even in the DOC zones. It has been described by Jancis Robinson as the “crisp mouthwash” of Central Italy, and most of the time, it is about as memorable as a boy-band pop song. In this case, the Cantina at Morellino delivers something lovely, even special, with its Cala Civetta. Low- yields (about 1200g per plant), vine age (oldest planted in the 90’s), and unusual skill combine to offer an affordable, delicious wine that is zippy and floral, with notes of honeydew, sweet grass, and crushed salt.