June 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.
Le Plan des Moines 2021 La Borde Côtes du Rhône Rouge
Southern Rhône, France // Reg $21.99 | 25% OFF = $16.49
80% Grenache, 20% Syrah. Stony, earthy notes on the nose with black raspberries. Way more fruit on the palate. Blackberries, black cherries, dark raspberries (the ones from the farmers market!) and soft herbs & spices. Fuller-bodied. Fun, long, peppery finish. Enjoy with a pepper steak, burger with tater tots, pizza & more.
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 early summer in mind.
Elisa Gueneau 2023 Sancerre Rosé • Loire Valley, France • Reg $31.99 | Mixed Case $25.59
100% Pinot Noir. Floral on the nose, red pear, raspberries, note of crunchy canteloupe. Flavors of red fruits (raspberries, strawberries). Long, dry, minerally finish.
Giacomo Mori 2017 Chianti Riserva • Tuscany, Italy • Reg $37.99 | Mixed Case $30.39
90% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot from clay soils. 15-18 months aging in barriques. Intoxicating nose. Soft cherries, soft herbs. A wonderful herb garden fruit smell. Magical. Medium-bodied. Amazing acidity. Flavors of black cherries, blackberries, soil. Soft tannins. Enjoy with classic Tuscan fare, especially dishes featuring tomato sauce.
Dog Point 2022 Sauvignon Blanc • Marlborough, New Zealand • Reg $31.99 | Mixed Case $25.59
100% Sauvignon Blanc from the Wairau Valley. Aromas of bright fresh citrus rind with honeydew melon, nectarines & a hint of fennel. Flavors of pear, apple, citrus, lime, touch of grapefruit. Complex, well-balanced, soft, with a delicious, crisp, lingering finish.
Chateau Pey-Bonhomme 2020 Les Tours Rouge •
Bordeaux, France • Reg $25.99 | Mixed Case $20.79
70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Malbec. Organic. Biodynamic. Natural yeasts. “Wild strawberries, blackcurrants combined with spicy notes. It is elegance and delicacy that dominate. A frank attack on the fruits, a fairly tannic mid-palate and a very fine finish.” —winemaker’s notes.
Mas de Valeriole 2022 Grandmar Caladoc Rosé • Provence, France • Reg $21.99 | Mixed Case $17.59
100% Caladoc, a 1950's hybrid of Grenache & Malbec. Seabreeze, seashells, red berries, cantaloupe on the nose. Flavors of raspberries, strawberries, melon. Dry finish with some salinity.
Photo: winery shot of horses in their vineyards
Batard Langelier 2022 Muscadet • Loire Valley, France • Reg $18.99 | Mixed Case $15.19
Kind of minerally on the nose. Seashells. Stone fruit. Aged on the lees = Richer-style. Add in apple-pear-citrus on the palate. Absolutely great, prickly acidity. Long, pleasantly dry finish. Terrific Muscadet. Oysters. Crustaceans. Sip.
Our local Hama Hama oysters pictured.
Terranoble 2020 Carmenière Gran Reserva • Valle de Maule, Chile • Reg $22.99 | Mixed Case $18.39
Berry compote on the nose, note of herbs. Smooth, super complex, medium-bodied. Flavors of ripe black- and blueberries, black cherries on the finish. Traces of green pepper corn on the finish. Fantastic value for the money.
Brotte 2022 Laudun Blanc • Southern Rhône, France • Reg $21.99 | Mixed Case $17.59
Classic white blend of Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Viognier, Roussanne. Nose of green apple & citrus fruits with a touch of hazelnut followed by apricot, almond & ripe mango. The mouth is round and lively with touches of citrus, ripe yellow fruits, acacia honey, vanilla and lemon peel. –winemaker's notes.
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.
Barão de Vilar 2019 Red Reserva • Douro Valley, Portugal • Reg $14.99 | Mixed Case $11.99
Beautiful nose. Deep, rich, dark fruit. A little herbal. Purple plums, blackberries, blueberries. Some special spicy notes. This wine could easily cost $30! Enjoyed with spring pasta with shrimp, cabbage, onions, fresh farmers market garlic, crushed fennel seeds and pepper kernels. Delicious.