February 2024
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.
Palazzo Malgara 2020 Nero d'Avola
Sicily, Italy // Reg $17.99 | 25% OFF = $13.49
Fresh red berries, red plums on the nose with complex herbal notes of fennel & thyme. Flavors of plums, red & black cherries with a hint of sun-dried tomato & black tea then back to herbs. No oak. Just the magic of the grape. Good acidity and soft tannins on the finish. Crazy-interesting 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 the start of the new year in mind.
Dopff & Irion Cremant D'Alsace Rosé
Alsace, France // Reg $23.99 | Mixed Case $19.19
From the winery: “Brilliant, salmon-pink… red and black berries, wild strawberries, red currant, fresh thyme, discreet roasted notes, brioche and tarragon.” Terrific, celebratory bubbly!
Mulderbosch 2022 Chenin Blanc
Stellenbosch, South Africa // Reg $19.99 | Mixed Case $15.99
100% Chenin Blanc. 35% fermented in neutral French oak barrels and the remaining 65% in stainless steel tanks for 6 months. Stone fruit on the nose. Well-balanced, elegant, with some richness. Apples, pears, peach & pineapple. Soft, pleasant acidity. Wonderful winter white.
Vignobles Foncalieu 2022 Picpoul Noir Rosé
Languedoc-Roussillon, France // Reg $19.99 | Mixed Case $15.99
From Coteaux d'Ensérune IGP located between Bezier & Montpellier along the Mediterranean. Apricot, crunchy peach, rose petals on the nose. Stone fruits, red berries, citrus on the palate. Wonderful acidity. Refreshing finish. Super fun!
Raeburn 2021 Pinot Noir
Russian River Valley, California // Reg $29.99 | Mixed Case $23.99
Phenomenal nose! Raspberry, boysenberry, forest floor & coffee. Flavors of bramble, red cherries, marionberry, boysenberry ...with a peppery, smoky finish. Great wine.
Weingut Prechtl 2018 Reserve Red
Weinviertel, Austria // Reg $23.99 | Mixed Case $19.19
A blend of Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch & St. Laurent. Spice & earth on the nose. Flavors of spiced plums, black currant, black cherries. Complex, multi-layered wine. So delicious!
Jomain Frères 2020 Mersault Les Tillets
Burgundy, France // Reg $87.99 | Mixed Case $70.39
100% Chardonnay. “Aromas of toasted almonds and hazelnuts, combined with floral and mineral aromas are detected. Butter, honey and citrus fruits are also present. On the palate, it is rich, fat and long, with a taste of hazelnuts. It is unctuous, fresh and silky.”—winery notes. Wonderful, special wine for Valentine’s celebrations.
Clos du Caillou 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Southern Rhône, France // Reg $89.99 | Mixed Case $71.99
Blend of Grenache 80%, Mourvèdre 10%, Syrah 7%, Cinsault 3%. Raspberries, cherries, fruit mélange. Stewed. Garrigue. Minerals. Stones on the nose. Palate: Raspberries, black cherries, black berries. Luscious but great acidity. It's hard to believe that this wine could get getter, but it's possible.... if you can wait & see. 2-6 years.
JB Neufield 2020 Red Blend
Yakima Valley, Washington // Reg $25.99 | Mixed Case $20.79
Cab/Merlot blend. Blue and black fruits on the nose. Black raspberries, blueberries. Black currant on the palate. So fun! Medium- to a little fuller-bodied. Fine tannins. Pleasant earthy finish. A little graphite. Great wine for the money! 1 hour open.
Gosset Grande Reserve Brut
Champagne, France // Reg $72.99 | Mixed Case $58.39
Gosset is the oldest wine house in Champagne, founded in 1584 by Pierre Gosset. Blend: 45% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir, 10% Pinot Meunier. Aged 4 years in cellar. Lemon meringue pie & yellow fruit such as Mirabelle plums. Toasted notes. Good richness & volume. —Le Chef de Caves, Odilon de Varine (pictured)
Mastrojanni 2020 Rosso di Montalcino
Tuscany, Italy // Reg $35.99 | Mixed Case $28.79
100% Sangiovese Grosso. Rose petals, dusty red & black cherries on the nose. Palate changes to cherries & raspberries. Fine acidity. Soft tannins. Yum-ster!! Enjoy with classic Tuscan fare for your Valentine’s dinner.