The Black Door
Bubbles
- A. Bichot Crémant de Bourgogne Rosé, Burgundy, FR$23.99
Such a tasty wine! We brought this wine on last year and it quickly became the #1 wine of the summer and in top 3-5 wines we sold all year! Crazy! Yet not so crazy once you taste it. Popping a bottle, it smells like great rosé Champagne, fresh sweet pastries topped with red fruit. (it’s made with the same method as Champagne) The glass is full of raspberries and cherries. The bubbles are sharp yet pleasant and the wine has a great texture in the mouth. It is one of the great values of our bubbles selections, drinking like good Champagne without the price tag. -CU
- Moët and Chandon ‘Imperial Reserve’, Champagne, FR$36.79
Named after the Imperial Emperor of France Napoléon, this wine has a long heritage and is made by the most famous winery in Champagne, and even the world. You may have heard otherwise, but you do pronounce the T in Moët (MO-ET). Made to be food friendly and an easy drinking style of Champagne. This wine is always very fresh and mixed with citrus and red fruits and pretty floral tones. The bubbles are inviting, and the mineral and yeast are present but not overwhelming. Consistency, which is an amazing feat on the large scale they produce, is key as this wine always delivers. -CU
- Prodige Brut, Loire, FR$15.99
Sparkling wine from France! This is one of the best values that I've run across--great sparkling wine without the Champagne price tag. It's bone dry, crisp and refreshing with bright acidity and a nice mouth feel. A perfect wine to celebrate any occasion, or the end of the workday--cheers! -JL
- Raventós i Blanc ‘de Nit’, Conca del Riu Anoia, SPN$20.99
A legend in our company and one of my first loves in “pink fizz” (a term used by some of our long-time regulars). The Raventós family are the pioneers in bringing Champagne wine methods to Spain while maintaining their identity in using local vineyards and native varietals. This is a very elegant wine using 3 white grapes (Xarel-lo, Paralleda, Macabeo) and a dash of red juice from Monastrell grapes. Light red fruits are balanced with fresh acidity and a pretty mineral finish. Like Champagne this wine is all about the soil grapes were grown in and the masterfully implement it in the wine. Fun Fact-de Nit is the name of this cuvée highlighting the workers picking grapes at night to maintain the freshness of such delicate fruit. -CU
- Stellina di Notte Prosecco, IT$14.39
I love this Prosecco. It has a bright, lively profile that excludes fresh citrus and green pear, graced with white floral notes. It is fresh, lively and approachable. Most of all, it is affordable, and the perfect choice for any occasion or pairing. -JL
Whites
- A. Bichot Aligote, Burgundy, FR$15.19
Many know that Burgundy France produces arguably the best pinot noir and chardonnay in the world. What they don't know is that there is another grape grown here called aligote. Aligote has been grown in Burgundy for over 200 years and provides us a fantastic taste of the region without the high price of its more famous cousins. We love this wine for its peek inside Burgundy's famous terroir (the earth and environment the wine is grown in). Great minerality from the soil with medium body and tart apple fruit. Great with charcuterie and versatile with all food. -JL
- A. Bichot Long Depaquit, Burgundy, FR$26.39
Chablis--Yum! This is a level above most village level Chablis in its boldness and power. While Chablis is known as a brighter, lighter, more acidic example of the chardonnay grape, the Long du Pacquit estate produces a bigger presence that's an incredible value for those who enjoy Chablis. Floral notes (white flowers), apple and lemon notes with chalky, flinty minerality. Power and finesse pairs well with fish or fowl. -JL
- A. Bichot Macon Village, Burgundy, FR$15.19
a simple and pure chardonnay comes from this southern village in the Cote de Beaune, known for its great value. This is my go-to chardonnay to enjoy with a nice meal on any day of the week. It's beautifully simple yet elegant with just enough power and boldness to pair well with food. No oak, not creamy or rich. -JL
- Amici "WineMakers" Chardonnay, Napa CA$26.39
My good friend, John Harris, originally from Houston TX and graduate of Memorial High and UT, now makes delicious wine in Napa at his winery, Amici, which means "friends" in Italian. John has been making this wine (along with a pinot noir) specifically for us for many years now. It's ripe Cali chardonnay with a touch of oak without being over the top rich and bold--I'd call it's style a halfway point between Burgundy and Cali. Always well-made and always a great value. Apple, pear and some hints of tropical fruit and lemon pie. -JL
- Beringer Luminus Chardonnay, Oak Knoll District, Napa, CA$31.99
Classic Napa elegance plus power. Deep yellow with a ripe nose of candied orange and vanilla spice. Apples, melons, lemons, guava, baking spices, smokey oak. This is a rich and voluptuous wine--let’s put it on the other side of the spectrum from French Chablis; but why? First, California sunshine and warmth--that ripens the fruit to a level that few places can. Second, battonage--the wine making technique of stirring up the lees--this contributes some of these more eccentric fruit flavors as well as the rich, creamy mouth-feel. Last, but not least, the barrel aging. This wine has definitely seen some toasty new oak barrels. The one technique that they didn’t use is malolactic fermentation or ‘malo’ (this secondary fermentation converts the malic acid to lactic acid and creates an oily, viscous, mouth-feel and that buttery flavor. If rich Cali chards are your style, and, you’re not a fan of overly malo wine--you are going to love this one! -JL
- Beringer 'Private Reserve' Chardonnay, Napa, CA$36.79
Arguably, the classic epitome of Napa Chards. Now in its third century of producing benchmark wine from Napa, very few wineries can compete with Beringer at this level and value. This wine has great structure and depth with complex flavors of ripe, golden apples and Meyer lemons Creme brulee and vanilla from toasty oak barrels results in a broad, complex and powerful wine, yet beautifully fresh, balanced and complex. Hard not to love this with fish, fowl or cheeses, just make sure to focus on all the wine has to offer--serve chilled, but it will open up even more as it warms up a bit. -JL
- Cakebread Chardonnay, Napa, CA$39.99
Over the past 30+ years, Jack Cakebread has built a Napa classic. Over 90% of these grapes come from the cool Carneros with the rest coming from Napa. It sees about a third new, French oak with time on the lees (yeast cells) and about 20% malolactic fermentation (a secondary fermentation that converts the acidity to a softer type). Ripe, golden apples and peach notes that only Napa Valley delivers to this extent, balanced with acidity and minerals. Really a fine example of classic Napa chard. -JL
- Cavaliere D’Oro Pinot Grigio, ITL$13.59
A great example of a quality everyday Pinot Grigio, fresh, clean and easy drinking. Lots of citrus and apples with a crisp mineral finish. This wine drinks better real cold and is perfect for quenching a thirst on a Texas patio. Crack one and let it flow! -CU
- Chez Jerome, SW FR$15.19
This little gem comes to us from one of our favorite importers, Mel Masters. Mel's an English gentleman who's led quite the life as a musician, author, restaurateur and wine importer extraordinaire. I've travelled the South of France with Mel and met many of the families that grow these grapes and make his wines. We've been friends for a long time, and he comes to Houston several times a year to visit and host wine dinners. This wine comes from the Cotes du Gascogne and is made from 100% Colombard (a grape that few people know of and therefore don't purchase). I've always loved this wine and feel that it way over delivers for the price. We possibly purchase more of it than anyone else in the world and perhaps that's why he named it after moi :-). A nice balance between crisp and clean and beautifully ripe fruit. Keywords--fruity, stone fruit and citrus, no oak, highly quaffable. Drink cold with cheese, light meats/fish or by itself--ideally outside! -JL
- Domaine Delaporte 'Silex' Sancerre, FR$36.79
The region of Sancerre on the eastern side of the Loire valley provides some of the world’s greatest Sauvignon Blanc. Short, hot summers and cold winters together with clay, limestone, gravel and flint (silex) soils create racy, citrus dominated, with high minerality SB. Domaine Delaporte, located in the beautiful village of Chavignol (renowned for its goat cheese) is a family business passed down from father to son since the 17th century. This wine is pale gold with a beautiful nose of white flowers and lemon zest. In the mouth, enjoy a round, silky texture that is somehow both delicate and powerful at the same time. Complexity from exotic fruit, spices and wood leave me very happy. Cody and I tasted Sancerres for a year and a half, searching for one with some serious swag--this is it! -JL
- Golbelsberg Gruner Veltliner, AUT$17.59
It's getting hot and sunny outside and few wines are more crisp and refreshing than a good Gruner. The prized heritage grape of Austria, this wine is not as common as wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or even dry Riesling, though it drinks in a similar fashion. Citrus fruit driven, vibrant acidity, and a mineral finish. This is a tasty offering from one of the most famous and historic wines in all of Austria. Gobelsberg has winemaking history spanning back several hundreds of years. Their winery is even housed inside of a historic manor house that predates the United States. Lean and clean and easy to drink. A versatile food partner with everything from roasted vegetables and salads to bold cheeses and meats of all colors. -CU
- Landmark Overlook Chardonnay, Sonoma, CA$18.39
This packs in all the flavors that Cali Chard lovers want--ripe and luscious fruit, plenty of smoky oak and creaminess! Think baked apples, some tropical notes, e.g., pineapple, guava, and plenty of spice. Solid acidity and minerality to balance it out. Huge value for those who love this style! – JL
- Masquerade by Raymond Chardonnay, Napa, CA$23.99
A great value in Napa Chard that over delivers in its price point. It drinks like a much more expensive Napa Chard. The parent company Boissett owns many wineries and vineyards around the world so their access to quality fruit comes much easier. This is that classic old school Napa chard. Big and rich, with caramel apple and ripe pears and full body. This isn’t a total butter bomb as it retains some natural acidity which lends itself to accompanying food. Some good aged firm cheese would stand up, especially with some good dense crusty bread. -JL
- Max and Jacques Chardonnay, SW FR$15.99
Direct from South of France from importer extraordinair, Mel Masters, this chardonnay is a pure example of what the grape tastes like unadultured. This wine sees no oak (stainless steel) and warm sunny days and dry evenings. Green apple notes, lemons and nice minerality make this an enjoyable wine by itself or paired with lighter meats, fish and definitely with cheese. Serve chilled and enjoy! -JL
- Patient Cottat Sancerre, Loire, FR$26.36
I love Sancerre! This small region in the Loire Valley of France produces my favorite Sauvignon Blancs. I'd describe them as less fruit forward than NZ or Napa SBs with more minerality. This one is plush and soft yet still delivers big, bold flavors tucked into bright acidity. I get lemon-lime and cantaloupe! Great food wine, pair with cheese, fish or fowl. -JL
- Patz n Hall, Chardonnay, Sonoma, CA$27.99
Donald Patz and James Hall are long time winery pros and work closely with their growers to source exceptional fruit from some of the top vineyards in Cali. I like this wine for its balance between lush and ripe fruit (sweet lemon, apricots, pears plus some tropical notes) along with spicy notes from good oak integration. This is a fuller bodied, weightier Chardonnay that really delivers the goods. -JL
- Selbach Riesling 1 Liter, Mosel, GER$22.39
As all my friends know, I LOVE RIESLING. From the sweet to off dry to bone dry, I drink it all. Riesling is the grape that most shows its vineyard personality in the glass. This is a very good example of off-dry from the Mosel River Valley. This wine has that sweet and sour style I dream about. Sweet ripe fruits up front are balanced out with shockingly refreshing acidity. Peaches and apricots have fresh citrus juice squeezed all over them. The finish on this wine is all mineral, as it should be. I drink this wine frequently and I tell myself it works great as a post workout refresher. Also, it comes in a 1liter making it a 1/3rd bigger than normal, more for everyone! -CU
- Stags' Leap Chardonnay, Napa, CA$23.99
I Don't tend to drink Napa Chardonnay because stylistically, it's typically too rich and creamy for my tastes--I lean more towards acidity and minerality and that comes from cooler climates such as in Burgundy, FR. With that all said, this is one of my Cali go-to's. Stags' (apostrophe outside the s--the other way is a different company) Chard is a more elegant and finessed example of what can be done in this subregion (Stags Leap) in Napa. Apples and pears with some flinty minerality and enough acidity to cut keep vibrant on the mouth. JL
- The Crossings Sauvignon Blanc, NZ$15.19
My favorite SB from New Zealand. The nose on this wine is incredibly aromatic (make sure that you take a good sniff right after pouring). What causes this? First, Sauv Blanc or SB is an aromatic grape. Secondly, the climate; these grapes were grown in the Awatare valley, a sub region of Marlborough, which is famous for its SB. Snow covered mountains on one side and cool blue Pacific Ocean on the other creates a huge diurnal temperature shift (hot, sunny days and cool, dry nights). Put all this together and you get spectacular NZ SB--like you just zested a lemon onto fresh squeezed grapefruit outside on freshly mowed grass--can you tell that I like this one? JL
- The Calling Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast, CA
This is not a buttery, oak bomb! This is a balance between its linear nature, from acidity, and its rounder nature, from ripe fruit notes of lemon and melon. Really a beautifully made wine with a cool Houston connection with Jim Nantz (UH Cougar and CBS commentator) who partnered with Peter Deutsch (famous wine guy) on this highly acclaimed project. Enjoy before, after, during dinner! -JL
Rosé
- Gobelsburg Rosé ‘Cistercian’, AUT$17.59
This is a super cool rosé from one of my favorite wineries on the planet. This is a winery with hundreds of years of heritage and has one of the best winemakers in all of Austria (AND his mentor, many will tell you is #1). Made from native grapes Zweigelt and St Laurent with a splash of the more familiar Pinot Noir This is a little more of serious rosé, less fruity and fun, and more like a wine made for the dinner table with its structure and acid profile. Still full of red fruit it has a tasty mineral finish. A very versatile wine. -CU
- JNSQ Rosé, CA$23.19
This was a surprise for us. If you got this wine, you know it has a unique package meant to look like a French perfume bottle. Generally, when a wine has an over the top bottle, that is the best part and the contents don’t hold up. This is not the case here. This wine drinks like good French rosé, even using their grape formula (Grenache/Syrah). It is fresh with ripe fruits and an easy drinking style and you get a fun souvenir! -CU
- Manon Cotes de Provence, FRA$14.99
- Rosé du Patron, S. FRA$15.19
This has been my go-to rosé for many years. The formula for success is simple but not easy; it’s dry, crisp and delicious (and won’t break the bank). Light peach in color, beautiful fresh fruit and flowers on the nose. Medium acidity for brightness with an underlying minerality. This excels around the pool yet still has enough style to invite to dinner. I love it with cheese and fruit plates as well as charcuterie. -JL
Reds
- A. Bichot Bourgogne Rouge Vielles Vignes Pinot Noir, Burgundy, FR$20.79
There are a lot of words on this bottle. First and foremost, this is Pinot Noir, if you are seeing the word Bourgogne (Burgundy) on a bottle and it’s red, 99% chance it’s Pinot. Vielles Vignes = Old Vines. Old vines produce less fruit, but they put more effort and concentration into those clusters creating a wine of more depth and complexity. This wine, utilizing their access to older vines, allow them to create a wine that over delivers in this category. Light in body yet very good concentration of fruit flavors like cherries and cranberries balanced with nice acidity and earth tones. Burgundy is always food friendly and pairs well with assorted styles of cheese and charcuterie. Roast Duck is always a next level pairing for red Burgundy. -CU
- Amici 'Winemaker's' Pinot Noir, Sonoma, CA$38.39
Our good friends at Amici Wine Cellars make this wine just for us. It is a special privilege to have a winery of such a high caliber make a wine we can share with our friends. Amici sources their Pinot fruit from the Sonoma Valley. This vintage sees a hearty helping of grapes from the well-known Russian River Valley, and the wine sure drinks like classic RRV. Cherry cola and ultra-fresh floral tones are all over this wine. Loads of fruit rolled up in a fresh pastry. Very high drinkability level- CU
- Amici Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA$43.19
I love these guys. Though I may be biased from years of partnership, those years should be a testament to the quality of their wines. I believe I can say without bias, this is the best Cab on our menu, including those with a much higher price tag. This for them, is their ‘basic’ Napa Cab and I would put it against any other in its weight class. Big ripe fruit and fresh earth and floral coming out of the glass. The body has great structure while still being soft and elegant. The oak is present but not overwhelming. Tony Biagi is one of the best winemakers in Napa, and this is a wine that showcases his talent. -CU
- Apolloni ‘Special Selection’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, OR$28.79
Coming from our friends at Apolloni, this custom bottling is a beautiful expression of Oregon Pinot., and many experts will tell you Oregon is the best spot for Pinot in this country. In the glass, our Special Selection has a crazy cool red color and is very aromatic. Typical OR Pinot aromas of cherries, red flowers and some forest floor and black tea. This wines body is light and silky with a pretty structure and generous amounts of fruit. This wine has the fruit to stand alone but the acid profile to be great with a variety of meals. It’s a GREAT burger wine or class it up with a cheese board. -CU
- Argam Tempranillo, SPA$18.99
- Argiano Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany, ITL$70.39
The King of Sangiovese based wines. This is a great expression of Brunello (local name for Sangiovese) from the town of Montalcino. It shows all the great ripe cherry fruit Brunello is known for with loads of dried spices, faded floral and fresh earthy tones. Intense structure and juicy acidity make this wine a great food partner. Classics like tomato sauces and hard Italian cheeses are no brainers. A big juicy ribeye would be a fantastic dance partner. This wine is drinking well now but can gracefully age for the next 10 years+. -CU
- Beaulieu Vineyard BV Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, CA$23.99
For me, this sets a solid benchmark for quality Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. BV set the bar with their original winemaker, Andre Tchelistcheff, in the first half of the 1900's. This wine checks all the boxes for Napa Cab, a rich body, ripe fruits, toasty oak notes with texture and tannin. BV believes in building wines of balance and try to never overpower the palate. This is my trusty go to when a guest asks for a good glass of Napa Cab. Easily one of the best values in Napa, which is not a common phrase in that area. -CU
- Bedrock Zinfandel, CA$27.99
What a super cool wine! Zinfandel is thought to be the heritage grape of California, with its roots (wine pun) lying with immigrants from Italy and Croatia, in the 1800's. Zinfandel loves California and few produce better Zins than Morgan Twain Peterson.(If a Peterson making Zin catches your attention, that is because his dad is Joel Peterson, legendary Ravenwood Zin producer) Zin is in Morgan's blood, and he makes wines from the highest quality old vine vineyards and does not overly extract or use too much oak. His wines allow Zin to shine! All that brambly fruit is wrapped in a lean body that has a spicy finish. I LOVE THIS WINE! -CU
- Beringer 'Quantum' Red Blend, CA$47.99
This is Beringer's take on a modern 'Bordeaux blend'. Leaning heavy on Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cab Franc, Malbec and adding Petite Sirah. This wine is big but goes down smooth. For such a dense wine it has great drinkability. Loads of dark fruits like raspberries and cherries are tossed in cocoa. This plush wine has silky tannins and a long finish. This wine is drinking great right now and a crowd favorite! -CU
- Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, CA$28.79
This wine shows us that not all great Cali Cabernet comes from Napa Valley. From the Cab producing area of Knights Valley this wine shows loads of dark fruit on a full body with a touch of graphite and baking spice. This wine is rich and supple and has easy going tannins. This has been a long-time guest favorite at The Tasting Room. With its high drinkability and rich yet easy-going style, this is a great bottle to share with friends. -CU
- Bodegas Franco-Españolas ‘Crianza', Rioja Bordόn, SPA$15.19
Rioja! Rioja is a really cool region who took a lot of direction from their French cousins to the north in Bordeaux while maintaining their roots with the local grape Tempranillo. Blended with some Garnacha (Grenache) aged in American Oak (very common here to use American) with additional age in bottle this 2012 is ready to drink! Tart cherry fruit a little dusty road and spice and you have a great wine for steak! “Ribeyes and Rioja... why the hell not?!?” Viva Espana! -CU
- Bodegas Numanthia ‘Termes’ Tinta de Toro, Toro, SPN$27.19
First off this is Tempranillo and it is from the region of Toro, which is west of its more famous cousin Rioja. Toro is a hot sandy region, home to vineyards full of older than average vineyards. This wine is dark as it looks almost black and is packed full of ripe Tempranillo cherry fruit and deep earth tones. If you are pairing this with food, go big! A hearty steak or maybe even smoky brisket with a sweet BBQ sauce. One of my fav wineries in all of Spain. -CU
- Cavaliere D'Oro Chianti Classico Riserva, Tuscany, ITL$21.59
There are a lot of letters on this bottle but really pretty straight forward. They call this wine Cavalerie D'Oro and it hails from the area called Chianti Classico in Tuscany. The addition of the words Classico and Riserva means it comes from the original wine zone of Chianti and that is from the better vineyards and sees more time in oak. This Sangiovese based wine is medium bodied with light cherry fruit, dried spices and earth tones. The classic Italian food wine. -CU
- Château Les Belles Murailles, Bordeaux, FR$23.99
This is a badass little bottle of Bordeaux. This has been a crowd favorite of ours for many years. A great bottle to put in the middle of the table for all to enjoy. This wine gives you a bit of everything, from ample fruit, a rich body and an easy drinkability. This wine drinks well by itself or with a variety of food. Cheeses, meats or just a good group of friends. -CU
- Drumheller Cabernet, WA$15.19
Comes from Washington State where it sees long, hot sunny days along with cooler nights. This is perfect weather for growing the best cabernets. This wine is a bit lighter in body with no oak treatment. Dark cherries and berries with some herbal notes. Drinks easy and well with a light chill (I like to pop it in the fridge for about 30 minutes prior to drinking--cool, but not cold). Pairs with meat dishes and stronger cheeses. -JL
- Drumheller Merlot, WA$15.19
Comes from Washington State where it sees long, hot sunny days along with cooler nights. This is perfect weather for growing great merlot. This wine is a bit lighter in body with no oak treatment. Dark cherries and berries with some velvety chocolate notes. Drinks easy and well with a light chill (I like to pop it in the fridge for about 30 minutes prior to drinking--cool, but not cold). Pairs with meat dishes and stronger cheeses. -JL
- Duckhorn Merlot, Napa Valley, CA$47.99
This is the gold standard of Merlot in Napa Valley. This Bordeaux blend, (generally 75-80% Merlot with a scoop Cabernet Sauvignon for depth and texture) for those who follow this wine, see it as amazingly consistent with the quality and power in vintage after vintage. Big, dark, rich with an earthy finish. Fresh dark fruits like black cherries and plums are up front and a finish that leaves you thinking of a full Napa Cab. During the “Sideways-I’m not drinking F-ing Merlot” era, this was my go-to for changing the minds of many sceptical guests. Merlot is a great varietal to base wine upon along with its ever-present dance partner of Cabernet Sauvignon. VERY few great Napa Cabs do not rely on Merlot to bring balance to the force. Cab is intense and rugged, while Merlot is soft, supple and deep. They are soul mates. -CU
- E. Guigal St. Joseph, FR$32.79
are highly respected producers of top-quality Pinots. The GBR in this title stands for Grace Benoist Ranch, making this a single vineyard wine. Vintage after vintage this wine shows why this estate vineyard is prized. Like great Sonoma Pinot, this wine can be lighter than their RRV cousins, but maybe even more complex in flavor. Lovely cherry fruit and raspberries with a little pepper and fresh dirt tones. The body is light but retains great structure. Consistently a truly well-made wine, which speaks to the quality of the vineyard. -CU
- Etude 'GBR' Pinot Noir-Etude, Sonoma, CA$34.39
From highly respected producers of top-quality Pinots, GBR in this title stands for Grace Benoist Ranch, making this a single vineyard wine. Vintage after vintage this wine shows why this estate vineyard is prized. Like great Sonoma Pinot, this wine can be lighter than their RRV cousins, but maybe even more complex in flavor. Lovely cherry fruit and raspberries with a little pepper and fresh dirt tones. The body is light but retains great structure. Consistently a truly well-made wine, which speaks to the quality of the vineyard. -CU
- Famille Perrin Cotes Du Rhone Villages, Rhone, FR$15.19
The Perrin family are the owners of one of the most iconic domaines in all of wine, Chateau Beaucastel. They are one of the biggest and most reputable producers of wines from the southern Rhone. This Cotes du Rhone, which we abbreviate as CDR, has the addition of the word Villages, meaning it is from higher grade vineyards than just a standard CDR. I think this wine kicks butt and over delivers. The Perrin’s massive holdings and buying power allow them to over deliver in this range of wines. (The rose is awesome too) Big for a CDR and dense, yet easy to drink. It’s a mixed bowl of fruit combined with earthy aromas. CDRs are a great way to start the night with cheese or appetizers and will even be complex enough to stand up with dinner. Red meat and pork do well, or even boldly seasoned poultry can pair well. -CU
- Fincas Del Sur Malbec, ARG$15.90
This is a great fruit forward Malbec made just for our company. Our partners at Santa Julia really over deliver for us on this Mendoza Malbec. Bright red fruits are mixed with ripe dark fruits in a smooth and soft body. One of our guests’ favorite wines and a staple by the glass offering. This is almost too easy to drink! –CU
- Ghisolfi 'Maggiora' Barbera d'Alba, ITL$31.99
There are a lot of weird words on this bottle, let's decode! Attilio Ghisolfi is the winemaker/producer. Maggiora is what he names this wine. The Barbera grape comes from the village of Alba. Barbera plays the 3rd wheel to the iconic wines of Barolo and Barbaresco, but this wine hangs right there with their big boys. Generous amounts of fruit, earth, what reminds me of clay, and purple flowers all rolled up in a dense body that has great drinkability. Like most Italian wines, save this for dinner. It pairs well with so many classic Italian dishes as well as a perfect complement to a big juicy burger. Burger and Barbera? Badass! -CU Cody wrote a beautiful review, but I'd like to chime in. I've visited Attilio Ghifolsi several times at his Piedmonte home and he's a generous and unassuming farmer/winemaker. We carried this wine many years ago when we first discovered it/him. The price has gone up since then, but of all the barberas in the world--this is our absolute favorite. -JL
- Goldeneye Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley, CA$47.99
This wine is the Pinot driven arm of the Duckhorn family of wines. Hailing from Anderson Valley, a Californian habitat for high quality Pinot this wine delivers vintage after vintage after vintage. This wine is generally on the full-bodied spectrum of Pinot though this vintage shows great structure and purity. Ripe cherries, fresh floral aromatics are balanced over natural acidity and a concentrated finish. Always a go to when asked for quality Cali Pinot. -CU
- Guado al Tasso 'Il Bruciato', Tuscany, ITL$29.59
A Red Blend, this is one of my favorite fuller bodied reds going right now. A blend of French varietals (Cab, Merlot and Syrah) but grown in the village of Bolgheri in Tuscany. This wine opens up with a bunch of ripe fruit and chewy tannins. Time in the glass or decanter reveals more fresh floral tones, light spices, and another layer of fruit. This is a well-made wine from a legendary winery and consistently punches above its weight class. This wine drinks well by itself or does really well with grilled red meat. One night, Jerry and I enjoyed a bottle of this with an amazing steak from Chef Beto at The Tasting Room. We still talk about that meal. -CU
- Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, Napa, CA$68.79
Inglenook is one of the great historic wineries of Napa Valley. Owned by Godfather director, Francis Ford Coppolla, this winery has a history that dates back to the late 1800s but finally saw its return to glory in the 90’s thanks to Mr. Coppolla. The chateau is historic, and wines are world class. Showcasing the famous Rutherford AVA, this is classic old school Napa Cab. Big rich and smooth. A well-balanced wine that leads with classic Cab fruit flavors and ends with the “Rutherford dust”, which is a dusty earth character that is a hallmark of wines from this area. This wine is ready to rock right now especially with a nice decanting but will cellar well for a decade or two. But who wants to wait 20 years right? Pop it! -CU
- Justin Isosceles, Lodi, CA$61.59
I love wines from Justin and have never been disappointed. From my dive into their late 90s and early 2000’s Syrahs to the modern style of Justin wines like this. Isosceles, like the triangle it’s named after, has three “points”, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cab Franc. Cabernet Sauvignon is usually the heavy lifter. Full bodied and complex yet not overly extracted or tannic. The blend always leans towards balance over brute force. Cassis, dark cherries and raspberries are layered over earth, cedar and spice. This wine is ready to be enjoyed now but would do well to be laid down if you chose so. Most of us can’t wait that long so pop away! -CU
- Landmark 'Overlook' Pinot Noir, CA$19.99
Landmark over delivers on value with this wine. Many times you are really paying for the name of the region a wine comes from and that does not always translate to quality. Overlook takes a multi-appellation approach and hangs its hat on quality over depending on a famous region's name. This wine is deep and dark for Pinot. Rich, generous and full of California fruit. A real crowd pleaser. -CU
- Last Judgment Red Blend, CA$18.39
This is one of our pride and joys, and possibly the most popular wine we have sold over the past 5-7 years. This wine is made specifically for our company with our guests in mind. A true Cali red blend with a little bit of everything but leaving the heavy lifting to Cab, Merlot and Zinfandel. Sweet aromatics jump out of the glass with LOADS of ripe red fruit and frosted pastries. The palate is rich and soft and full of more fruit. Bold enough for Cab drinkers yet easy drinking enough for Cali Pinot enthusiasts to enjoy as well. The most crowd-pleasing crowd pleaser we offer! If this is your style, you will want more of this! - CU---This ripe Californian blend has been our number one selling wine for the past 10 years! It's ripe fruit, medium body and rich flavor with a velvety smooth mouthfeel make this a tried and true crowd pleaser. On the jammier fruit side with dark cherries, black berries and spice. Good with food or on its own--serve slightly chilled. -JL
- Le Parisien Merlot, FR$13.59
This is a fun little wine from France. Merlot is the unsung hero of bold red wine. Usually playing back up to Cabernet, Merlot brings a lot to the table in the same way though. Lots of ripe dark fruit, rich body and soft tannins. Smooth and easy drinking. I even enjoy this wine after a bit of time in the fridge, especially with Texas temperatures climbing up. A good everyday wine that does well for a wide array of wine drinkers. -CU
- Massolino Barolo, Piedmonte, ITL$47.99
Barolo, known as the 'King of Wines', has been one of my favorite reds for many years. However, it has two main challenges: first, it's expensive, second, it takes a long time (aging) before it's ready to drink--historically, the rule was 10 years before you should touch it. Hailing from the hilly area of Piedmont in north west Italy (a beautiful place to visit if you love this wine, especially in November during white truffle season!) It's a rugged and rustic area that produces world renown, age worthy wines. This Massolino is built somewhere between the old world, needs many years to age, and the newer world philosophy of drinkable right off the bat--I think this is a good thing. This Barolo is lean yet intense with a concentrated mouthfeel full of ripe red fruits, forest floor? ;-), roses and a sprinkle of spice. Fatty rich foods are a perfect complement to Barolo. Roasted meats are ideal. -JL
- Max and Jacques Pinot Noir, FR$18.39
Direct from South of France from importer extraordinair, Mel Masters, this pinot is a pure example of what the grape tastes like unadultured. This wine sees no oak (aged in stainless steel) and warm sunny days and dry evenings. An incredible value for pinot noir with ripe cherry fruit a rich and smooth mouth feel with medium acidity and minerality. Pinots are great food wines and very versatile, pairing well with darker fish like salmon and trout, along with all meats from roasted chicken to pork and steak. Also drinks well with a light chill all by itself. -JL
- Michael-David 'Inkblot' Cab Franc, CA$29.59
Really a fun wine. Cab Franc is one of the genetic parents of the more famous Cabernet Sauvignon and where a lot of those great Cab fruit flavors come from. In true Michael-David fashion, this wine is big, rich and inky (the name sure makes sense). Truckloads of fruit are jammed into this wine. Big fruit, big body and easy drinking. This can be enjoyed by a wide array of wine drinkers. -CU
- Michael-David ‘Rapture’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi, CA$47.99
Michael-David turned the wines of the once relatively unknown Lodi wine growing region into some of the most popular wines of the last couple decades. M-D set the blueprint for many to follow, with their heavily extracted wines, big fruits! And dashes of Petite Sirah. This wine is no different. An ultra-rich body is wrapped around a core of dark fruit. This wine is highly aromatic with fresh flowers and earth coming out of the glass. The color of M-D wines is always striking as the Petite Sirah adds extra flash. This is a crowd favorite with a high drinkability level. Glasses will empty quickly, so be careful! Cheers! -CU
- Paraduxx Proprietary Red Blend, Napa, CA$42.39
Paraduxx is an offshoot of the classic Napa producer Duckhorn. They started Paraduxx to focus on red blends, initially offering several blends labeled with a letter for the main varietal. (Z = Zin, C =Cab etc.). They changed it now to the single red blend driven by a heavy dose of Cab. This wine delivers high quality Napa juice for a reduced cost as it is not a full Cabernet (Napa Cab grapes are some of the pound for pound most expensive fruit in the world) They also allow Cabs blending partners to shine and create a wine of spectacular balance. This is one of my go to wines for service on the dining room -CU
- Patz & Hall Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, CA$32.40
This is a big and deep Sonoma Coast Pinot. Warm days load this wine with fruit, while cool nights and ocean breezes leave great acidity. This wine has a firm backbone that is topped with loads of red fruits, fresh floral tones, baking spice and soft earth. This is a really well-made wine from a top-quality producer. This wine is bold yet elegant and very easy to drink. Really, really good. -CU
- Penfolds ‘Bin 389’ Cab/Shiraz, AUS$52.79
Nicknamed ‘Baby Grange’ because the wine’s components are aged in the same barrels as the legendary Grange. They use the term Bin because they deal with so many different lots, they need a numbered system to keep track. (Bin 407, 707, 21 to name a few) Generally, around a 50/50-60/40% split of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. This wine is opulent and very polished. Generous amounts of ripe dark fruits are layered with spice and fresh earth. The wine smells great, like good Napa Cab. This wine can hold up to a well-seasoned steak or if you have some left in the bottle would do great with chocolate desserts. If you are not familiar with Australian wines, this is a great intro, especially if you are into the wines of Napa. -CU
- Quinta do Crasto Vinhas Velhas ‘Reserva’, Douro, PRT$39.19
This is my fav full bodied red wine we sell. Quinta do Crasto is my favorite producer of full-bodied wine, ON THE PLANET. This old vine (Vinhas Velhas) reserve wine from Crasto seems to get better year after year. Loaded with mixed fruit (their vineyards contain dozens of unique varietals) both on the nose and in the glass, the first word that always comes to my mind is fresh. I love these wines in their youth because of this freshness. The wines, for being so full bodied, are very easy drinking with tannins that are present yet smooth. I have converted many a Napa Cab drinker to these Portuguese beauties. -CU
- Red Schooner Malbec, ARG/CA$30.39
This ultra-rich Malbec is made by the Wagner family who bring us Caymus. Their style really shows on this wine. They ship fruit from Argentina up to the Cali winery and go to work. Loads of extraction of color and time in oak make this a decadent wine. Dark red fruits, like plums and cherries, are packed in the bottle. This is a flashy wine that has a big wow factor. If this is your style, you will probably want more! -CU
- Señorío de Aldaz Garnacha, Navarra, SPA$15.19
Garnacha is native to Spain and has become a work horse grape up and down the Mediterranean coast where they call it Grenache. Like it’s Tempranillo counterpart from this producer, the wine is fruity and fun. Simple and easy. Grenache generally has an easy drinking style packed with fruit. Grenache loves soaking up the sun and allowing it to get very ripe and accentuating those fruit flavors. I do not mind this wine being a little colder than usual especially during a hot Texas summer. This wine is a great value. -CU
- Señorío de Aldaz Tempranillo, Navarra, SPA$15.19
This is a great everyday Tempranillo from northern Spain and a great introduction to the varietal. This has classic cherry fruit and earth tones of Tempranillo but leans in the fruit forward easy drinking style. It is floral and aromatic on the nose leading to a medium body with spice and a smooth finish. Bold enough to open for the dinner table and fun enough to throw in a bucket of ice and enjoy on a hot day. This wine out drinks its price point. -CU
- Skyside Red Blend, North Coast, CA$22.39
This is a very solid wine from a famous California producer, Newton. This is a way for a high-end winery to make some wines that can be enjoyed on a more everyday basis. They source quality fruit from the broad North Coast region to keep costs down while keeping the wine quality high. This wine is driven by rich Merlot and has a dense body. There is a bunch of dark ripe fruit up front and tannins and grip on the back end. This is a great representation of Cali juice. -CU
- Spring Valley Vineyards ‘Uriah’, Walla Valley, WA$48.79
When they are ready to put me out to pasture, this is where I want to go. A working wheat farm turned winery (the actual winery is inside of the barn) this property has a history going back several generations, with all the wines being named for a family member. A beautiful place that makes beautiful wines. This is a Merlot based blend that is dark dense and nicely polished. Loads of plums and black cherries are dusted with earth and floral tones. A crowd pleaser wine that is great for popping a few bottles and just putting them out for everyone to enjoy. -CU
- Stags' Leap Winery Petite Sirah, Napa, CA$30.39
What a fun wine! This is Petite Sirah (no relation to Syrah/Shiraz) from Napa Valley. This wine gets you the overloaded fruit style of Napa without paying for Cab. Big bodied, densely compacted with fruit. Lots of floral notes come out on the nose. I like this wine chilled down a bit to increase the already high drinkability. It's a rare full-bodied red that can act as a patio wine. This has been a staff and guest fav for many years. -CU
- Stags’ Leap ‘Investor’, Napa, CA$42.39
This is one of the best wines that got sent out in June’s cases. A ripe red blend from a historic Napa winery with a fine pedigree. The Investor is a Merlot, Malbec, Petite Sirah based blend that showcases the ripe fruit and big body that Napa is famous for, without paying extra bucks for it being made from Cabernet Sauvignon. Loads of purple fruit up front with a lavender floral accent. The wine is full-bodied but very well crafted to be quite easy drinking. Another crowd pleaser and goes well for sipping or dining. A real Napa powerhouse and hard to find a wine that delivers like this in its price point. -CU
- Terrazas de los Andes Malbec Reserva, ARG$21.59
Terrazas is an iconic name in Argentinian Malbec and pioneers of high elevation production there. Some Malbecs end up overly fruity or jammy, but cool nights leave levels of acidity and a more interesting structure than most. Being a Reserva, it is selected from the higher quality fruit and sees a touch more time in oak. Black cherries, plums and other dark fruits are touched with spice. A soft earthy finish is wrapped in supple tannins. This is a great steak companion -CU
- The Calling Pinot Noir, Sonoma, CA$31.19
The Calling is a joint project from the Deutsch Family of wine and Houston legend Jim Nantz. They combined their love of wine and passion instilled in them from their fathers to chase their dreams. One of the creations of their dream was this lovely Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. The RRV produces world class Pinot and may be the finest example of high-quality Cali Pinot. This hits all the hallmarks of RRV Pinot. A big rich Pinot body, cherry cola, fresh floral, and dark earthy tones. This wine is very big for Pinot but supple and soft. Really just a great bottle of wine -CU
- The Verge Cabernet Sauvignon, Alex. Valley, CA$34.39
The Verge is a great bottle of Alexander Valley Cab. Alexander Valley, you may already know from Silver Oak fame. This wine is made specifically for us by our friend Nick Goldschmidt. Nick is a New Zealander who has made wine all over the world but found his calling in California. This wine is drinking great right now! Big fruit! A mixed bag of red, black and blue fruit. A load of fruit up front but the wine still retains acidity which lends to structure and makes it a good food companion. This wine is elegant and not overly jammy and too full bodied like some Cali cabs. There is enough oak on there to be comforting but not overbearing and leaving it very easy to drink. Glasses disappear fast when this gets poured! -CU
- Tormaresco Primitivo ‘Neprica’ Puglia, ITL$19.99
This is a cool little bottle of wine from the heel of the boot. Primitivo is a varietal you see a lot of down there. It produces medium bodied wines that can have a bit of a baked earth or clay kind of thing. They give you some fruit up front and earth on the back end. Great wine to crack open while your cooking some “red sauce’’. Little for your glass, little for the sauce (and maybe a little more for you) Tasty and food friendly -CU
- Vermillion Red Blend, Sierra Foothills, CA$36.79
Vermillion is easily in my top 3 red blends we sell, right there with the Quinta Do Crasto Old Vine Reserva from Portugal, though both are pretty different. Helen Keplinger is a rock star winemaker who loves Rhône Valley varietals like Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. A majority of this fruit comes from the Sierra Foothills with the remainder from Sonoma County. Most of Helen’s Keplinger line of wines would be hard to even get them in Diamond Level, but luckily, she created Vermillion to allow us all to get a taste. For an ‘entry level’ wine this wine is a total smoke show. Truckloads of blue, red and purple fruit are layered on a velvety smooth body and a soft finish. The wine though being full bodied has an easy mouth feel. This is a hip wine from a cool winemaker. -CU
- Vignetti del Sole Montepulciano D'Abruzzo, ITL$15.19
That's a big name huh? Here is a little breakdown- Vignetti del Sole is the name of the wine. Montepulciano is the name of the grape and D'Abruzzo means it comes from the village of Abruzzo. See? Easy enough! We L.O.V.E. this wine. Tons of tart raspberries, fresh purple flowers and a pleasant earthy finish. This wine has a jolt of acidity that makes it an awesome food wine. Pizza, pasta, cheeses, and anything rich and creamy that it can cut through. It does great with a nice chill. I keep this in the fridge for the "let's start cooking'' time of the night. -CU
- William Chris ‘Lost Draw Vineyard’ Cinsault, High Plains, TX$23.19
Our first Texas selection for BDWC! We have been super excited to partner with these guys since pre-COVID days. The BDWC gave us a chance to get this up and running! This is a French grape called Cinsault (Sin-So). This wine for me, is at the top of the category of chillable reds. I throw it in a bucket of ice for 10mins or so, and let it get refreshingly cool. Bright red fruits pop! It’s adult kool-aid. It drinks like Beaujolais or good fruit forward Pinot. My fav light body red going right now. -CU