November 2023
WINE OF THE MONTH
Every month we give a little spotlight time to a hidden treasure, a wine we think you should meet (and hopefully fall in love with). To encourage the introduction, we offer the wine at 25% OFF the bottle price for the given month.
Château du Grand Caumont 2020 Aurana Rouge
Languedoc-Roussillon, France // Reg $17.99 | 25% OFF = $13.49
Raspberries, red fruits. A littler fuller-bodied. Herbal notes, smooth with some good spice on the finish. Perfect Thanksgiving wine.
JENS’ TOP PICKS
Every month Portalis owner Jens Strecker picks 5-10 wines that he thinks are outstanding … for any reason he chooses. Here are his picks (not in a specific order) made with Thanksgiving in mind.
Monte Tondo 2022 Corvino
Veneto, Italy // Reg $16.99 | Mixed Case $13.59
Cranberry, red plums, dried cherries, oregano on the nose. Flavors are similar with the red plum kicking in. Black cherries, too. Superb acidity. Medium- to lighter in body. Serving a crowd for Thanksgiving… this is your wine!
Les Hauts de Croix de Labrie 2018 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
Bordeaux, France // Reg $51.99 | Mixed Case $41.59
Blend: 85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc. “Espresso, plum, smoke, incense, black coffee, black cherry and wet earth notes are on the nose and palate. The wine is rich, ripe, lush, full-bodied, round and fruity. The fruits are ripe, sweet, opulent and fresh with real staying power, silky tannins and freshness.” —owner/winemaker Axelle Courdurié (pictured)
Antica Fratta NV Franciacorta Cuvée Real Brut
Lombardy, Italy // Reg $29.99 | Mixed Case $23.99
Cheers to the Champagne Method, using traditional Champagne grapes (Chardonnay 90%, Pinot Noir 10%), but from Lombardy in northcentral Italy (around Milan) instead of Champagne.
It’s a big, heavy, festive bottle ready for your holiday toast! Rich & intense. Full of citrus fruits, white stone fruits and toast. Not surprisingly, it tastes very much like Champagne but at a better price!
Le Plan des Moines 2019 Châteauneuf du Pape Rouge
Southern Rhône, France // Reg $63.99 | Mixed Case $51.19
Blend: 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre. Wild strawberries, raspberries, garrigue, pebbles. Everything! The nose is amazing. Fuller-bodied but not so big it overshadowed this meal. Black raspberries, strawberries, red & black cherries with a note of spice on the finish. Amazing wine.
Eyrie 2021 Pinot Gris
Willamette Valley, Oregon // Reg $37.99 | Mixed Case $30.39
Founded in 1970, Eyrie Vineyards is one of Oregon's oldest estates. Dry-farmed old vines, certified organic, natural fermentation. Tastes like an Alsatian Pinot Gris. A little lusher. Stone fruits. Ripe apples. Pears. Wonderful acidity. Complex. Elegant. Artfully made. Wonderful pairing with roasted turkey or ham.
Tranche 2019 Pape Blanc
Walla Walla Valley, Washington // Reg $33.99 | Mixed Case $27.19
Blend of estate grown Roussanne, Viognier, Clairette Blanche, Picpoul, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc. Super fun wine — classic white Rhône blend… from Walla Walla! The winery says: “Vibrant melon and stone fruit aromas are complimented by notes of honeysuckle, citrus, white tea and baking spice. …” Jens says: I pick this wine pretty much every November because it’s hard to beat for Thanksgiving.
Turley 2021 Pesenti Vineyard Zinfandel
Paso Robles, California // Reg $59.99 | Mixed Case $47.99
Single-vineyard planted in the1920s on ancient marine calcareous soils. Dry-farmed. Organic. Native yeasts. Blend of Zinfandel, Carignane, Grenache.
“The 2021 Zinfandel Pesenti Vineyard is packed with dark fruit, candied plum, spice, lavender and leather. This opulent, flamboyant Paso Robles Zinfandel from vines planted in 1923 is a wine of extremes. Jammy, opulent fruit and searing acids are all dialed up. Then again, that is Paso.” (AG) 1/2023 —Vinous notes.
Chantal Martin 2020 Savigny-Les-Beaune L'Embellie
Burgundy, France // Reg $56.99 | Mixed Case $45.59
Tasting notes coming soon….
Domaine de l'Amauve 2022 Seguret Blanc
Southern Rhône, France // Reg $23.99 | Mixed Case $19.19
Blend of Viognier-Roussanne-Marsanne. Floral nose. Jasmine. Lilac? White peach, crunchy pear. Palate is full of orchard fruits, especially pears. Note of nectarine. Soft, complex. Acidity through the finish is what makes it so delicious + a little minerality & earth.
Photo: estate vineyards with the village ofSeguretin the background
Yalumba 2020 Old Bush Vine Grenache
Barossa Valley, Australia // Reg $22.99 | Mixed Case $18.39
“Saturated with aromas of dark cherries, raspberries and a floral, spicy background. Crunchy orange zest and lavender flavours merge into silky tannins and lively acidity.” —winemaker’s notes. Lighter in body, it would be a great Thanksgiving alternative to Pinot Noir.