Holiday Varietals starting with “C”
DECEMBER 2025
In search of a theme for holiday wines, this idea is as good (and fun!) as any. Here are 3 single varietal wines that were selected with winter and festivities in mind: an absolutely killer Carménère from Washington State, a Cabernet Franc from Argentina, and a wonderful white Burgundy, so Chardonnay from Hautes-Côtes de Nuits. Enjoy. We were fully wowed.
2-BOTTLE CLUB
Bartholomew Winery
Kennewick, Washington
If you don't know this Washington winemaker, you should. Bart Fawbush is a talent, and the work he's doing is so interesting, fun and niche! Located in Kennewick, Bart works almost exclusively with obscure varietals. We asked how he got started down this path, and he said it started with Carménère from Coyote Canyon Vineyard in Horse Heaven Hills almost 20 years ago. Today he makes three Carmenérè each season (totally different wines btw), and it's now his bread-and-butter wine. When he dropped off this wine club, we also got some Primitivo and Tannat. Curious? Stop by.
We have sprinkled his wines through wine club over the years, so some of you may be familiar with him. If not, here's a feature we did on Bart and his work>
Bartholomew 2020 Carménère • Columbia Valley, Washington • Reg $36.99 | Mixed Case $29.59
Bart said that 80% of the grapes come from Konnowac Vineyard in Rattlesnake Hills (= a lighter red), and then they add in 20% Carménère from Weinbau Vineyard in Wahluke Slope for body. Both vineyards are certified organic. 20% of the wine is aged in new oak. He said: "We don't do weird things with our wine." They filter before bottling, and that's it. They rack once to minimize exposure to oxygen.
Plummy fruit compote, roasted dark fruit on the nose. Flavors of plums, black cherries, touch of green pepper. Fuller-bodied. Luscious, smooth fruit with silky tannins on the finish. Absolutely terrific wine. Serve with roast beef, grilled lamb, mushroom pasta. Or just sip and enjoy with family & friends. Drink now to 2-3 years.
Marcelo Pelleriti
Uco Valley, Argentina
Marcelo Pelleriti made his name making wines for wineries in Argentina and France. In 2007, he bought a 110-year old farm in the Uco Valley (south of Mendoza) near the vineyards where he grew up. The vineyards range in elevation from 900 to 1200 meters above sea level and enjoy 250 sunny days per year. The average annual temperature is 57 degrees and daily temperatures range from very cold to hot, which is perfect for growing grapes.
Marcelo Pelleriti 2021 Cabernet Franc • Mendoza, Argentina • Reg $23.99 | Mixed Case $19.19
100% Cabernet Franc. Aromas of dark plums with a little herbal component (nuances of soft dried sage), earthy notes... really delicate aromas. Flavors of red & blue fruit – dark raspberries, red & black plums, a little note of blackberry. Doesn't have the herbal astringency that some Cab Francs have. Touch of licorice on the mid-palate. Pretty vibrant acidity. Long finish. Tasty to sip, but even better with dinner: roasts, burgers, pizza, lamb. Drink now to 3 years.
3-BOTTLE CLUB
Jean-François Glantenet
Burgundy, France
The Glantenet family has lived and worked in Magny-lès-Villers since the 15th century. The village sits on the border between Hautes-Côtes de Beaune and Hautes-Côtes de Nuits. To the north, they have vineyards in Haut-Côtes du Nuits where they grow Pinot Noir & Chardonnay (your wine club wine). Just to the south, they also own vineyards in Pernand-Vergelesses (which they purchased and planted in 1961), the prestigious Jurassic limestone AOC in the northern part of the Côtes de Beaune.
The winery farms with the "principles of HVE (Hautes Valeur Environnementale), which covers biodiversity conservation, plant protection strategy, management of fertilizer use and management of water. Pruned single-Guyot with younger cordon-pruned vines to keep a lid on vigor. Handpicked, with selection for only healthy unbroken grapes. All native yeasts." –importer's notes.
Glantenet 2021 Hautes Côtes de Nuits Blanc • Burgundy, France • Reg $35.99 | Wine Club $32.99 | Mixed Case $26.39
100% Chardonnay from 60-year old vines. Golden color. Really exciting aromas of Bosc pear, apples, limestone. Palate is elegant, complex, adding stone fruit, limestone minerality, and citrus on the finish. Wonderful wine. Enjoy with chanterelles in a white wine cream sauce over fresh pasta, a fish dinner, or just sip & enjoy. Drink now to 3 years.
It's always fun picking wine club with holiday festivities in mind! Both reds are beautifully made – luscious for cold weather drinking and smooth enough that they don't need food, perfect for sipping with friends & family. And the Burgundy is going to knock your socks off! Hope you enjoy them as much as Julie and I did when selecting them.
We hope to see you at your wine club pickup tasting (always the 2nd Saturday of the month) to taste and learn about your club wines. At the tasting we will also have the Portalis EXPLORES club wines open with two wines from California's Santa Maria Valley. Stop by!
Cheers,
Jens Strecker, Owner
Portalis Wine Shop
If you are here because you’re curious about our wine clubs: Here’s more general info & online signup> You can also peruse the last 12 months of both clubs to get a feel for the themes we pick and the wines we showcase: Portalis EXPLORES (our everyday wine club) & Portalis FLAGSHIP (our signature club).