Tuesday, February 21st, 2023
Top 3 True Bargains Amid Inflation
Our Reader's Favorite House Reds

We just secured the last 6 cases of one of the top Tuscan values we've tasted in the last two years. For background: the long-sold-out 2016 Sassetti Brunello was James Suckling's 100 point rank #1 Top 100 Wine of 2021, all well-deserved praise. The winery also made this stunner from both the same vintage and same grapes as their Brunello, only planted a few miles south in Montecucco Rosso DOC:

There are 11 cases left of Juan Gil's Mourvedre stunner. After making 22 vintages in a row, Cult Aussie winemaker Chris Ringland (with four 100-pointers to his name) perfected this wine and knocked it out of the park:

Only 5 cases are left of this addicting gulper. You can ignore the label design, but not the counfoundingly excellent wine inside:
2016 Livio Sassetti Pertimali
"La Querciolina" Montecucco Rosso DOC
Tuscany, Italy

93 Points - Vinous Media:
"The bouquet is dark and earthy in the best possible way, as savory herbs give way to crushed black cherry, encased in an air of smoky minerals, sous-bois, and hints of animal musk. The 2016 Montecucco Rosso then floods the palate with silky textures, offset by cool-toned red fruits and minerals, riding a core of brisk acids. It finishes with medium length yet brimming with energy, as a mix of savory spice and minerality slowly tapers off, leaving just a hint of dried cranberry. This is gorgeous and an amazing value." - Eric Guido (Jun 2020)

91 Points - James Suckling:
"A firm and silky red with berries and a hint of chocolate. Some coffee, too. Medium body, firm yet polished tannins and a fresh finish. Drink now." (10/17)

  • 6 cases left in stock for now
Lowest Price in the Country
Lowest NorCal: $27.00 btl
Online Average: $20.00 btl

Our Prices:

$17.97 btl (1-11)
$16.97 btl (12+)
2019 Bodegas Juan Gil "Silver Label" Monastrell
Jumilla, Spain

93 Points - Robert Parker's WA:
"The 2019 Juan Gil (silver label) was produced with Monastrell grapes from their own old, non-irrigated vines fermented in stainless steel and matured in French oak barrels for around 12 months. It has 15% alcohol and a pH of 3.67, but somehow the wine does not come through as overripe; they eliminate all the raisins with their new optical sorting machine and that makes very clean wines and has increased the precision. They also reduced the toast of their barrels and that increases the integration of the oak with the fruit. Varietal, juicy, soft and very drinkable." - LG (4/22)

  • 11 cases left in stock for now
Online Average: $15 00 btl

Our Prices:

$13.97 btl (1-11)
$12.97 btl (12+)
2017 d'Arenberg "The Stump Jump" GSM Red
McLaren Vale, Australia

Rank #3 Top 100 Best Buys '21, 91 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"Ripe, fleshy blueberries and raspberries drive this red blend without too much oak getting in the way. There's an underbelly of flowers, cinnamon and peppery spice. The tannins are typically muscular, while the fruit is juicy, silky and fresh." - Christina Pickard (4/1/2021)

Wine Spectator:
"Robust wild berry, plum, licorice and roasted herb flavors show a tangy blood orange note on the muscular finish, where cedar, tobacco and black walnut details linger with hints of spice. Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre. Drink now. 8,000 cases imported." - MW (Apr 30, 2021)

Winemaking: The grapes used in this wine are mostly from very old bush vines, and underwent gentle crushing, traditional open tank fermentation, basket pressing and oak maturation prior to bottling.

Blend: Grenache (46%), Shiraz (42%), Mourvedre (12%)

  • 5 cases left in stock for now
Online Average: $15.00 btl

Our Prices:

$11.97 btl (1-11)
$10.97 btl (12+)
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