Highland Half Case - July Mixed Half Case 2024

REDS:

MARY TAYLOR BY ANNA MARIA SALA, NERO D’AVOLA 2022, SICILY, ITALY $16.99 From the Contrada San Nicola vineyard outside the village of Mazara del Vallo in western Sicily, we find Nero d’Avola vines tended to by the ever-thoughtful Sala sisters. On average, the vines are just 15 years old, but the wine is ever-complex. While some Nero d’Avola wines can be on the dense and fruity side, the Sala sisters and the terroir make this wine a somewhat translucent red with bright acidity, tension; it shows off ripe cherries and succulent berries, subtly underscored by hints of spice, earth, and a mineral, saline finish due to its proximity to the sea. Its bright acidity intertwines gracefully on the palate with elegant fruit nuances, resulting in a translucent, chill-able red wine of remarkable complexity.

HERÈNCIA ALTÉS, GARNATXA NEGRA 2022, CATALONIA, SPAIN $15.99 Winemaker Nuria Altes's Garnatxa Negra is all organically grown and hand harvested from her oldest vines of Grenache (100+ years!!!). The grapes are placed in small crates to protect the fruit from bruising on the way to the winery, chilled for 24 hrs to prevent any oxidation at the beginning of fermentation and then they undergo a natural wild yeast fermentation, manual punch downs everyday to extract the best color and are aged in 5,000 liter Austrian oak foudres for 4 months. The wine shows off a natural red vibrancy that inks the glass when poured. It has fresh aromas of fall picked ripe raspberries, pomegranate, red currants and my personal favorite, forest floor. It is beautifully balanced with supple dry tannins that envelope the juicy red fruits and mineral laden finish.

ALTOS LAS HORMIGAS, ‘LA DANZA’ MALBEC 2022, MENDOZA, ARGENTINA $14.99 This Malbec has a cheerful red ruby color, with bright violet hues. On the nose, it is intense and fruity, displaying notes of red fruits, strawberries, fresh plums and subtle notes of grapefruit. It is a fresh and drinkable wine, with a balanced acidity in the palate and supple tannins. Flavors linger on the mouth, with a fruity finish. This is a very food-friendly wine, ideal to pair with several dishes such as red meats, pasta, or cold cuts plates.

WHITES:

MARINE DUBARD, ‘COEUR DU MONT’ SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022, SOUTHWEST FRANCE $15.99 This offering from Marine Dubard displays all of the characteristics we come to expect from top tier Sauvignon Blanc: pure citrus, framed by a distinct saline or flinty minerality. It is a combination that can only come from the magical combination of Sauvignon Blanc grown on limestone, which Marine is fortunate to have in abundance on the rolling hillsides that surround her estate. Always a meticulous farmer, Marine’s commitment to vine health was recently recognized by the French government with HEV (high environmental value) certification. Aromas and flavors of lemon, lime zest and oyster shell, with a subtle ginger note. An elegant combination of silky texture and tensile minerality.

‘PETITE BOURGEOIS’ ROSE OF PINOT NOIR 2023, LOIRE VALLEY, FRANCE $16.99 The Pinot Noir vines are grown on the clay and limestone hillsides of the Loire Valley, a noble region known as the "Garden of France”. The Loire Valley, with its castles and gardens, provides quantity and quality thanks to its exceptional climate and ideal temperatures. This wine is a ‘direct press’ rose, i.e. it was made as a rose from start to finish, which sounds normal, until you learn that most rosés are made by ‘bleeding’ a red wine when it’s half way done, usually resulting in a more flat and uninteresting product. A bright, pale pink in the glass, the nose is replete with red currants and rose petals, on the palate it is incredibly bright and crisp with a slight mineral finish.

MONTE TONDO, GARGANEGA FRIZZANTE N.V., VERONA, ITALY $14.99 Monte Tondo is regularly recognized as one of the top producers in all of Soave. From the same hillside cru used to produce their Soave Classico comes this fun ‘frizzante’ or ‘semi-sparkler’ that is light, zippy, and truly delicious, with aromas of citrus, pear blossom, and sea salt – all lifted by a gentle spritz. An intelligent, mineral-driven alternative to Prosecco, at a compelling price. Perfect chilled, patio side with some antipasti and your favorite summertime sporting event.