January 2025
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.
Domaine du Pesquier 2019 Côtes-du-Rhône • Southern Rhône, France • Reg $19.99 | 25% OFF = $14.99
A fun blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre & Carignan – this Côtes-du Rhône is a little deeper. Inviting nose of black cherries, blackberries, garrigue. Nice tannins. Spice. Black pepper on the finish. Great wine to kick off the New Year. Great sipper. Great with dinner.
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 darkest days of winter in mind.
Lievland 2022 Pinotage • Paarl, South Africa • Reg $21.99 | Mixed Case $17.59
Kick off 2025 with a grape you've never tried: 100% Pinotage. A little gamey, smoky on the nose. Flavors of blackberries, black cherries, boysenberries, herbal. Hint of licorice on the finish. Great acidity. Not too dry. Fantastic example of Pinotage!
Plaisir d'Eulalie 2022 Minervois Rouge • Languedoc-Roussillon, France • Reg $21.99 | Mixed Case $31.99
Blend of Grenache, Syrah, Carignan. Garrigue, hint of lavender & rosemary on the nose. Raspberries, dark cherries, tagberries, the longer it goes on... blackberries. Great acidity, medium-body, herbal, spicy notes. Peppery finish. Killer wine. Burgers, pizza, roasted chicken & more.
Domaine Plouzeau 2023 Touraine Sauvignon Blanc • Loire Valley, France • Reg $21.99 | Mixed Case $17.59
Softer-style Touraine Sauvignon. Citrus, minerals, easy-drinking. Very pleasant, well-made wine.
Madaudo Nerello Mascalese Spumante • Sicily, Italy • Reg $27.99 | Mixed Case $22.39
100% Nerello Mascalese grown in the volcanic sands of Mount Etna. Blanc de Noir style, so a red grape made into a white bubbly! So fun. Winemaker: "notes of bread crust enriched with white flowers and nectarine peach." Dry but not bone dry. Cheers!
Métier 2021 Red Blend • Columbia Valley, Washington • Reg $23.99 | Mixed Case $19.19
A fun, untraditional, blend of Syrah, Cab & Merlot. Blackberries & earth on the nose. Flavors of blackberries, dark plums. Spicy. Good structure on the finish. Good acidity. Medium-body. Great wine for the price! Made by DeLille Cellars.
Bodegas Naia 2022 Verdejo • Rueda, Spain • Reg $19.99 | Mixed Case $15.99
100% Verdejo. Slight pink grapefruit, soft citrus, apple. Complex. Sophisticated for Verdejo which is usually a grapefruit bomb. Easy drinking. Delicious.
Quinta de Saes 2019 Dao Red • Dão, Portugal • Reg $23.99 | Mixed Case $19.19
25% Touriga Naçional, 25% Alfrocheiro, 25% Jaen, 25% Tinta Pinheira. 18-month in neutral oak. Lovely nose of plums & bay leaf. Flavors of plums (red & black), blackberries. Great acidity. Long, vibrant finish.
Langmeil 2021 Hangin' Snakes Shiraz • Barossa Valley, Australia • Reg $27.99 | Mixed Case $22.39
Dark fruit, black olives (really reminiscent of N. Rhone) with a traditional Australian note of mint on the finish. Smooth, easy drinking. Medium+ bodied. Terrific wine.
Allegrini 2023 Valpolicella • Veneto, Italy • Reg $21.99 | Mixed Case $17.59
Classic Amarone producer. This is their entry-level wine. Red & black plums on the nose with herbal notes. Hints of oregano & rosemary. Flavors add in blackberry. Good acidity! Phenomenal food wine – mushroom risotto, pizza, roasted meats. It's fresh & super tasty.
Ancient Peaks 2021 Quarry Cabernet Sauvignon • Paso Robles, California • Reg $39.99 | Mixed Case $31.99
Plums, fennel, spices, a little earth on the nose. Palate adds in cassis, blackberries, plummy goodness. Mocha joins at the end followed by a note of herbs (sage?). Acidity will hold this wine for years. Soft tannins on the finish. Delicious. Fuller-bodied but not heavy. Judicious use of oak. Winery pairings: lamb medallions, eggplant parmesan, beef brisket with mushrooms, and roast filet with black olive sauce.