Allamand Cuvee Saint Jeannet 2011 – $11.99

(50% Chardonnay, 50% Saint Jeannet; Mendoza, Argentina)

From the winery formerly known as Finca El Reposo comes this blend of 90+ year old Chardonnay and the almost extinct grape Saint Jeannet. Saint Jeannet originated in the South of France, but is now thought to exist only at this one vineyard in Argentina. Made very naturally from organically farmed grapes with almost nothing added later, wild yeast fermentation and no oak. Only 3,000 bottles of this wine are made each year, compared to around 420,000 bottles of Lafite Rothschild. Maybe we should charge more?

Fabrini Verdicchio 2010 – $8.99

(100% Verdicchio; Castelli di Jesi, Italy)

The wine region of Verdicchio (verr-dick-key-oh) lies in the foothills of the Apennines, Italy’s backbone, where it cuts east towards the Agean Sea. This amazing white opens with white flowers and yellow apples, a zing of fresh acidity enlivening a succulent palate, and finishes smooth and lively with a mineral streak. When we first tasted this wine we were absolutely stunned by its sky high quality for its rocking low price. It was the third best selling wine last year, and there's a reason. Buy this by the case, Cause you’ll be drinking it by the case.

Familia Mayol Bonarda 2010 – $12.99

(100% Bonarda aka Charbono; Mendoza, Argentina)

“Charbono is a grape variety found in California. It is not very common in California, but is the second most commonly grown variety in Argentina, where it is known as Bonarda (which is not the same as the Bonarda Piemontese varietal). The wine made from Charbono tends to be dark, with medium to high tannins and acidity. After genetic testing conducted by Carole Meredith, it was determined to be the same grape as the grape known as Corbeau, Douce Noire, or Charbonneau in the Savoie region of France; but in spite of repeated references, it is probably not related to Dolcetto of Italy. It is likely that this confusion arose because an Italian synonym for Dolcetto is "Dolce Nero" which translates to "sweet black," as does the French name "Douce Noire" for Charbono.” – Wikipedia

Bonny Doon Clos de Gilroy 2009 – $15.99

(88% Grenache, 10% Cinsault, 2% Syrah; Monterey County, CA)

“For a long time I went to bed aïoli, clovèd in nothing but the barest essential oils. The Wine Formerly Known as Clos de Gilroy(TWFKaCdG) pays homage to the quaint, rustic town of Gilroy, the spiritual locus of all matters alliaceous and the burg that is meridional to the max. The wildly fruity, peppery, strawberry-rhubarbarity of grenache, complimented by a discreet soupçon of cinsault and syrah, is the perfect foil for anything prepared al fresco, especially when annointed with olive oil.” – Randall Grahm

Bodega Benegas Don Tiburcio 2007 – $12.99

(50% Malbec, 20% Cabernet Franc, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot; Mendoza, Argentina)

“Bodega Benegas celebrates its second century in grand style with this astonishingly rich and elegant Bordeaux-style blend. Located off the beaten path in Argentina’s Luján de Cuyo region, they blended 50% Malbec, 20% ungrafted 80 year-old Cabernet Franc, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Merlot into in a compote of dark berries, violet, & chocolate with swanky polished oak notes.”