Responsible Indulgence
February Wine Notes
Hope everyone is staying warm and cozy in their homes after all the snow! Here are the February wine notes for you to catch up on while you may be snowed in.
2024 Zorzal Terroir Unicorn
Coming from the high altitude, limestone rich soils of Gualtallary in Mendoza, Argentina, this Pinot Noir is a total game changer. Unlike traditional Argentine reds, this is completely unoaked, letting the pure, electric energy of the Andres shine through. It's light, vibrant and incredibly fresh, bursting with wild strawberry red cherry and a distinct mineral "crunch". It's the ultimate cool climate wine- sophisticated enough for a serious tasting but approachable enough for a casual happy hour. Its silky texture and bright acidity make it an effortless crowd-pleaser that drinks beautifully even with a slight chill. This wine would pair beautifully with a mushroom risotto or herb crusted chicken, salty prosciutto and soft cheese, or even some spicy tuna rolls or a seared salmon. This wine isn't just another Pinot Noir. It's a conversation started. It's the perfect example of how elegant and exciting modern Argentine winemaking can be.
2021 Johnson Family
If you're looking for that classic California Cabernet soul without the over the top "oak bomb" profile, the 2021 Johnson Family Cabernet Sauvignon is your golden ticket. Hailing from the prestigious Alexander Valley in Sonoma County, this wine benefits from the regions warm days and cool foggy nights. The result is a beautifully balanced red that captures the lushness of Sonoma fruit while maintaining a refined, elegant structure. This isn't just a big red- it's a polished powerhouse. On the nose you'll find deep aromas of black currant, plum, and a hint of tobacco. On the palate, it delivers rich flavors of dark cherry and cocoa, wrapped in velvety tannins that provide a smooth lingering finish. It's the kind of wine that feels expensive and intentional from the first port to the last drop. Pair this wine with a perfectly seared ribeye, or a hearty beef stew for those cold nights. This Cabernet is a testament to the family owned spirit of California winemaking, offering a sophisticated experience that feels like a warm welcome. It's a staple bottle that brings a touch of the Alexander valley prestige to any table.
Casteller Cava-Rose
If you are looking to add some sparkle to your day this Casteller Cava Rose from Spain is pure celebration in a bottle. Produced in the traditional method- the same way Champagne is made- this Cava offers premium bubbles without the pretension. The label features the famous Casteller (human towers) of Catalonia, perfectly capturing the spirit of community and balance found inside the wine. This rose is all about bright energy and vibrant fruit. It pours a beautiful pale pink and opens with a lively bouquet of fresh strawberries, red currants, and a touch of floral blossom. On the palate, it's crisp and clean with fine bubbles that provide a creamy texture, finishing out with a zesty hint of citrus that is oh so refreshing. You'll love this bottle for its pop-ability. It's sophisticated enough to toast for a major milestone but affordable enough to justify opening on a random Tuesday night. It strikes the perfect balance between fruity and dry making it a massive crowd pleaser for those who want a sparkling wine that is flavorful but remains elegantly light. This wine is the perfect party starter and would pair well with everything on a charcuterie board, paella, or even spicy fried chicken! This Cava rose is an absolute essential for any host who wants to keep the energy high and the glasses full! It's a bright, bubbly reminder that the best wines are the ones shared with good company.
2022 Clous des Fous Mr. Chile
Meet Mr. Chile, a wine that is as playful as its label suggests but carries some serious historical street cred. This bottle is a tribute to Pais, one of Chile's oldest and most traditional grape varieties. Produced by the renowned Boucher family, this wine comes from old, dry-farmed vines in the Maule Valley, where the grapes have been soaking up the coastal breezes and volcanic soils for generations. This red is light bodied, rustic and incredibly vibrant. You'll get a nose full of ripe berries , hibiscus and a signature earthy spice. It is crunchy and bright with a thirst quenching quality that makes it dangerously easy to drink. It's a soulful wine that trades heavy tannins for pure refreshing personality. This wine would pair perfectly with skewered meats and vegetables off the grille, pepperoni pizza, or even just with a slight chill and some fresh tuna tartare or spicy tuna poke. This is the kind of wine that reminds us why we fell in love with fermented grape juice in the first place. It's unpretentious, heritage rich, and flat out fun. It's the perfect addition to any table that values high energy and great stories.
2024 Poderi Cellario Langhe Bianco Acacia
If you're looking fora playful white with a wild side and playful soul, the Poderi Cellario "acacia" is a standout choice. Produced in the Langhe region of Piedmont, Italy, this wine comes from a family dedicated to natural winemaking and biodiversity. What makes this "Acacia" bottling so unique is that it is fermented and aged ina acacia wood barrels rather than traditional oak. This technique imparts a delicate floral creaminess without the heavy toasted vanilla flavors often found in oaked whites, resulting in a wine that is pure, textured and vibrantly alive. This is a wine that dances between exotic and fresh. On the nose it offers an intoxicating mis of white spring flowers, honeyed citrus, and a subtle waxy herbal note. The palate is beautifully textured, think silky and round, but backed by a persistent zesty acidity that keeps it light on its feet. It's an unfltered, honest expression of the Piedmontese hills that feel both rustic and refined. This would pair well with some creamy risotto with fresh vegetables, grilled branzino,linguine and clams, or any array of soft and creamy cheese. This Langhe Bianco is a beautiful reminder that great wine doesn't have to be stuffy- it can be bright, playful and flat out fun. It's the kind of bottle that turns a simple lunch into a memorable occasion.
2023 Tedeschi "Tenda" Soave Classico
Hailing from the volcanic hills of the Soave Classico zone of Veneto, Italy, this 2023 "Capitel Tenda" is a masterclass in Italian wine elegance. The name "capitel Tenda" refers to the traditional pergola training system used in the vineyards, where the grapes grow under a tent of leaves. This is a late harvest style white, meaning the grapes stay on the vine longer to develop a richer, more velvety texture without losing their signature crispness. This wine is radiant and golden, offering a complex bouquet that feels like a walk through an Italian orchard. You'll find bright notes of yellow apple, pear and citrus, beautifully layered with delicate white flowers and a signature sweet almond. On the palate it's fresh and lively with a distinct mineral crunch that comes directly from the regions ancient volcanic soils. This wine will pair beautifully with anything that is as bright a lively as it is, think grilled sea bass, fish tacos, classic Italian antipasti, or a salad with a bright lemon vinaigrette. It is a shining example of why Soave Classico remains one of Italys most beloved white wines. Its unique balance of volcanic minerality and sun ripened fruit makes it an incredibly versatile addition to any cellar. It's the perfect example of why I always say "Who doesn't love a volcanic wine?"
2023 Lucien Crochet "La Criox du Roy" Sancerre
The 2023 Lucien Crochet La Croix du Roy Sancerre is a classic, terroir-driven Sauvignon Blanc sourced from steep limestone-rich slopes around Bué. It shows bright, precise aromas of lime zest, grapefruit, white peach, and subtle floral notes, underpinned by a distinct chalky minerality. On the palate it is crisp and focused, with lively acidity, clean citrus and stone fruit flavors, and a long, saline, mineral finish. The wine is hand-harvested, gently whole-cluster pressed, and cold-settled before fermenting in temperature-controlled stainless steel to preserve purity and freshness. It is aged on fine lees with late racking to build texture and complexity, without oak influence, resulting in a refined, expressive Sancerre that balances freshness, structure, and site expression.
2023 Nosis Rueda Blanc
The 2023 Nosis Rueda Blanc from Buil & Giné is a vibrant, expressive Spanish white wine made from 100% Verdejo grapes grown on sandy-loamy terraces over the Duero River in the Rueda DO, a region known for fresh, aromatic whites. It typically presents a bright straw-yellow colour with excellent brilliance, and on the nose offers intense, complex aromatics of tropical fruits such as pineapple, mango and passion-fruit, alongside green apple and freshly cut grass, often with floral hints that give a lively, fruit-forward impression. On the palate the wine feels dry, fresh and very balanced, with juicy citrus, orchard fruit and subtle spice notes carried by crisp acidity and a clean, refreshing finish. Winemaking for Nosis generally involves fermentation in stainless steel with controlled temperatures to preserve primary fruit character, followed by a period of resting on fine lees for added texture and aromatic depth before bottling, reflecting modern Rueda techniques that emphasize freshness and varietal expression.
2022 Infantado Douro White Blend
The 2022 Infantado Douro White is a dry, approachable white from the Douro Valley made from a field blend of native Portuguese varieties such as Viosinho, Códega do Larinho, Gouveio, Rabigato and Malvasia Fina, reflecting the region’s traditional white-grape mix. In the glass it tends toward a pale straw color with lively aromatics of citrus zest, green apple, and subtle tropical fruit, backed by floral hints and a clean mineral edge that speaks to the schist soils of the Douro. On the palate the wine is fresh and medium-bodied with bright acidity, crisp citrus, melon and orchard fruit flavors, and a touch of saline minerality that carries through to a refreshing finish. Winemaking generally involves hand-harvesting the grapes, fermenting in stainless-steel tanks with temperature control to preserve aromatic intensity, and minimal oak influence to maintain purity and freshness, making this a vibrant expression of Douro white wine traditions.
2022 Crêt de Bine Bio Addict
The 2022 Crêt de Bine Bio’Addict from Beaujolais is a dry, expressive red wine made from Gamay grown on granitic sandy soils in Sarcey, farmed organically and biodynamically by the Subrin family. It typically shows a deep cherry colour and bright, fresh aromas of small red fruits (cassis, plum) with high-toned floral hints and a slight spicy or kirsch-like finish, offering lively acidity and a juicy, approachable mouthfeel that reflects classic Beaujolais character. Winemaking involves entirely manual harvests, a carbonic or semi-carbonic fermentation of whole bunches with indigenous yeasts (pied de cuve) over roughly 11–13 days at moderate temperatures, minimal sulfur addition at bottling, and aging for several months in stainless steel to retain freshness and pure fruit expression. This biodynamic approach and light-touch vinification give the Bio’Addict its fresh, fruit-forward profile while maintaining structural balance, making it well suited to casual meals or lighter proteins.
2022 Crêt de Bine Bio Addict
The 2022 Crêt de Bine Bio’Addict from Beaujolais is a dry, expressive red wine made from Gamay grown on granitic sandy soils in Sarcey, farmed organically and biodynamically by the Subrin family. It typically shows a deep cherry colour and bright, fresh aromas of small red fruits (cassis, plum) with high-toned floral hints and a slight spicy or kirsch-like finish, offering lively acidity and a juicy, approachable mouthfeel that reflects classic Beaujolais character. Winemaking involves entirely manual harvests, a carbonic or semi-carbonic fermentation of whole bunches with indigenous yeasts (pied de cuve) over roughly 11–13 days at moderate temperatures, minimal sulfur addition at bottling, and aging for several months in stainless steel to retain freshness and pure fruit expression. This biodynamic approach and light-touch vinification give the Bio’Addict its fresh, fruit-forward profile while maintaining structural balance, making it well suited to casual meals or lighter proteins.
2021 El Pedrosal Crianza, Ribera del Duero
The 2021 El Pedrosal Crianza from Ribera del Duero is a classically styled Crianza made from 100 % Tempranillo (Tinto Fino) that balances ripe fruit intensity with freshness and structure. It pours a deep ruby-red colour and on the nose offers ripe red and black berry aromas with spice, cedar and subtle earthy notes, a reflection of both the fruit quality and its oak ageing. On the palate the wine is medium- to full-bodied with rich, juicy dark fruit flavors, soft yet noticeable tannins and lively acidity, finishing long with hints of spice and gentle oak influence. Winemaking begins with hand-harvesting and destemming, followed by a long maceration and fermentation in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts, which helps retain varietal purity and vibrancy. After primary fermentation it spends around 12 months ageing in used French and American oak barrels to integrate oak character without overwhelming the fruit, and it’s typically released after additional bottle rest to allow the components to harmonize.
2023 Graci Etna Rosso
The 2023 Graci Etna Rosso is a fresh, elegant expression of Mount Etna’s volcanic character. Pale ruby in color, it opens with aromas of wild cherry, red berries, dried flowers, and Mediterranean herbs, with subtle earthy and mineral notes underneath. The palate is light- to medium-bodied and finely textured, showing tart red fruit, bright acidity, and delicate, chalky tannins. A gentle smokiness and saline, volcanic edge carry through to a crisp, energetic finish that feels both precise and effortless. Made from 100% Nerello Mascalese grown on Etna’s northern slopes, the grapes are hand-harvested and fermented with skins in traditional wooden vats. The wine is aged mainly in large neutral oak and concrete to preserve freshness and terroir expression, with minimal intervention and no heavy oak influence.
