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This Gorgeous Ridge Zinfandel is Benito Dusi’s Legacy at its Best!

Plus a lush Chardonnay from Hartford Court...

Today we have an iconic Ridge Zinfandel from a century-old site that was nurtured for 75 years by one man, Benito Dusi.

The son of northern Italian immigrants, Benito maintained his family’s plantings from an alarmingly young age until his passing in 2019.

Offering undeniable appeal, vivacity and charm, today's 2021 bottling is loaded with fruit and boasts a gorgeous, silky, weightless mouthfeel. An absolute joy to drink, it has earned 94 Points from Jeb Dunnuck, the highest score he has given to any vintage of this wine. A wine, incidentally, that Ridge Vineyards has been producing since 1967!

Read on for the rest of the story, and for a full-throttle Russian River Valley Chardonnay from Hartford Court, then pop down on the Big Yellow Button to bring home a piece of viticultural history.

Dinner at Obélix with Guillaume Marko of Cellier Aux Moines!

We invite you to join us next Wednesday for a very special dinner at Obélix restaurant with winemaker Guillaume Marko of Burgundy's Cellier Aux Moines.

Before being hired in 2015 to run Cellier Aux Moines, Guillaume held a variety of positions at top estates, including being on the winemaking team at Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. The wines he makes are thrilling.

As you may know, Obélix is the new project of brothers Nicolas and Oliver Poilevey, owners of Le Bouchon. With a recent James Beard nomination, Obélix is one of Chicago's most exciting young restaurants.

Obélix is normally closed on Wednesdays but Nicolas, who worked for a brief time at our Elston Avenue store, convinced his brother to host us for this dinner. It promises to be a VERY special evening. Click here to sign up!

When: Wednesday, April 10th, 6:30pm

Where: Obélix, 700 N. Sedgwick, Chicago

Cost: $199, all inclusive

2021 Ridge "Benito Dusi Ranch" Zinfandel

Paso Robles, Central Coast, California

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From age 11 until his passing in 2019, Benito "Benny" Dusi dedicated everything to maintaining the vines at this vineyard, even forgoing having his own family. A handshake deal with Ridge founder Dave Bennion in 1967 formulated an agreement that has resulted in Ridge single-vineyard wines from this site every year since. Benito’s nephew Mike now has the reins, and the relationship continues.

Displaying brooding notes of toast, tar and dark dried fruit along with engaging highlights of red plum, pomegranate, crushed briar fruit, fresh tobacco, spruce and orange zest, this vibrant wine really blossoms with air. A silky palate is its crown jewel.

This is a true masterclass in Zinfandel. Unique for Ridge, the bottling sees the inclusion of 10% French oak barrels along with the typical American oak. Pure and unbridled, it defines all that is beautiful about the past, present (and we hope future) of Paso Robles.

"The 2021 Zinfandel Paso Robles is all varietal and comes from the Benito Dusi Ranch in Paso Robles. It's more medium-bodied and elegant, with classic Zinfandel notes of red and black plums, peppery herbs, cigar smoke, and sweet spices. I love its forward, seamless texture, and it has soft tannins as well as flawless balance. It's another gorgeous 2021 from this team with so much to love. Enjoy bottles over the coming decade."

          - 94 Points, Jeb Dunnuck (10/24/2023)

"Captures the best of Paso Robles Zinfandel, deeply structured and appealingly briary, with notes of bright cherry, brown baking spices and orange peel that finish with fleshy tannins. Drink now through 2032."

          - 93 Points, Wine Spectator (10/15/2023)

Median online retail for this sumptuous red is $45. Made from lovingly hand-tended 100-year-old vines, it is worth every penny of that amount. As usual, we bring it to you for a few bucks less.

Vin Chicago Price: 39.99

A Beautifully Intense Chardonnay from Hartford Court!

2020 Hartford Court “Four Hearts” Chardonnay

Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California

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Back in 2016, just a few months before retirement, the legendary Robert Parker conducted his final tasting with Hartford Court. His conclusion?

“These exquisite wines can hold their own against the likes of Marcassin, Aubert, Kongsgaard, etc.” 

- Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Today, we bring you the powered-up 2020 release of the Hartford Court "Four Hearts" Chardonnay. Full-bodied, intensely flavored and deep yellow colored, it is a dynamo in the best possible way.

Shockingly concentrated, it is bounding with notes of dried pineapple, golden apple, lemon curd, tangerine, grilled white peach, honeysuckle, ginger and mango lassi. Spicy, layered and incredibly long, it’s hard to convey the intensity and beauty of the mouthfeel.

Wine Advocate's Erin Brooks and Jeb Dunnuck both award 94 Points, with Jeb quoting a drinking window running from 2024 to 2034. He is spot-on. This gem is just now entering its prime!

"The 2020 Chardonnay Four Hearts Vineyard comes mostly from 45-year-old Wente vines in the Laguna Ridge neighborhood of the Russian River Valley. It was barrel fermented and matured for 11 months in 35% new French oak. It has a beautiful perfume of jasmine, white peaches, ginger and roasted almonds, plus touches of lemon cream and baking spice in the undercurrent. The medium-bodied palate surprises with its combination of intense fruits and focused, tangy acidity. It has a satiny texture, streaks of flinty character and a very long, layered finish. 1,484 cases were produced. Drink Date: 2022 - 2027."

          - 94 Points, Wine Advocate (7/14/2022)

"Aged for 11 months in 35% new French oak and predominantly from the Laguna Ridge neighborhood of the Russian River Valley, the 2020 Chardonnay Four Hearts Vineyards is lifted, with flinty reduction and a touch darker mineral tone. The palate has richness, savor, and more structure along with a note of pithy citrus and more concentration and tension. Drink 2024-2034."

          - 94 Points, Jeb Dunnuck (8/2/2022)

There’s no meal you’re thinking of that’s too big to pair with this. Bring on seared endive and a flank steak. Or a lobster. Or both! Median online retail is $48. Our price blows that away!

Vin Chicago Price: 35.99

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or contact us at 773-791-7936 for assistance.