Highland Half Case - January Half Case Mixed 2025

REDS:

BECCARIS, CHIANTI 2022, TUSCANY, ITALY $14.99 Look, I’ll be honest: sometimes we buy wines based on labels, it’s true, and sometimes the actual wine behind the label is even more captivating than the label itself. This Chianti is one of those delightful situations where both the label and the juice are equally remarkable. A DOCG level chianti coming from the hills between Siena and Arezzo their vineyards sit between 900-1600 feet above sea level, with a typical mediterranean climate and a winemaking tradition that dates back to the Etruscans. This is a classic Chianti replete with red cherry and currant notes followed by dried oregano and great acidity that makes it a match for any and all foods, but especially Italian.

PRIMITIVO QUILES, ‘CONO 4’ MONASTRELL 2022, ALICANTE, SPAIN $16.99 With roots stretching back to 1780, Primitive Quiles is one of the oldest family owned wineries in Spain. The wine itself is made of Monastrell (Mourvedre in France) and the Cono 4 is a fun reference to the ‘conofors’ (think dairy tanks but made of American oak) that the wine is aged in and that give it its trademark slightly oxidative character, giving it a more earthy and complex character, replete with the black fruit, black pepper and savory notes that makes Monastrell so desirable, pair with anything rich and meaty.

BELASCO DE BAQUEDANO, ‘LLAMA’ OLD VINE MALBEC 2021, MENDOZA, ARGENTINA $15.99 While Malbec may seem passé, it certainly had its time in the spotlight, it is always exciting to discover that little gem that packs so much refined complexity and depth of flavor in an attractive and affordable package. Cue the Llama malbec, founded in the nineties by Juan Igancio, a spaniard who became infatuated with the Malbec variety, he purchased 222 acres of old vine Malbec that had previously been sold under contracts for jug wine. The age of the vines is key, they can make a wine of finesse and complexity that younger vines cannot hope to match. The nose shows great intensity, with fruity aromas of cherries, blackberries and plums against a background of toasty hints from aging in top-quality French oak. Warm, rounded and well-structured on the palate with a pleasant, persistent finish.

WHITES:

QUINTA DE SANTIAGO, ‘VINHO VERDE’ 2023, MINHO, PORTUGAL $16.99 Quinta de Santiago is a family-owned farm spanning 7.5 hectares (18.5 acres) along the banks of the Minho River in the Monção and Melgaço sub-region of Vinho Verde. It has been in the Santiago family since 1899. For about 100 years, Quinta de Santiago's main activity was the production of wines, olive oil, lupine, cereals, milk, meat, and fruit for self-consumption. Grapes grown in the vineyards were sold to large cooperatives in the region. This changed in 2009 and from the passion and determination of then owner, Grandma Mariazinha Santiago (age 86), her children, and grandchildren, a boutique winery was born. This is what we call a ‘grown-up’ Vinho Verde: much more complex and dry than the typical offerings, it is packed with: lemon, grapefruit, lime, citrus fruit, apple, pear, stone fruit, peach and citrus.

L.A. CETTO, CHARDONNAY 2023, VALLE DE GUADALUPE, MEXICO $14.99 Founded in 1928 by Don Angelo Cetto who survived WWI and then migrated to Mexico in 1924. Angelo started from scratch, buying grapes to make port and grappa, but he and his family have clawed their way to the top. Cetto is now Mexico's largest producer of wine. Today, a third-generation family-owned business, its continual high quality is one of the truly remarkable feats in the world of wine. A fresh and bright Chardonnay with a clean unoaked flavor profile of classic chardonnay. Yellow apple and tropical fruits on the nose followed by a mouthful of asian pear, white peach and a high vein of lemon zest.

WEINGUT FÜRST, ELBLING TROCKEN 1L 2023, MOSEL, GERMANY $17.99 The Fürst family has grown grapes and other crops at their estate in the Sauer Valley since the 13th century, and Michael is the third generation to make wine under the family name. He tends 12 hectares of the eclectic Elbling variety most of which is old vines. A curious varietal, which ruled the German wine landscape long before Riesling came along but has fallen into obscurity. Thankfully we are seeing a revival of appreciation for this crisp, briny, low-alcohol wine. Think German Muscadet, and pair this bright, mineral white with oysters, salads, or even club soda (Gespritzt!)