September 2026Wines of the Month

For the wine snob:  ‘Riviera’ is our Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, driven by cool-climate fruit sourced predominantly from their property in the Carneros area, with select blending components from neighboring coastal sites. Crafted to balance freshness, ‘Riviera’ is coastal, expressive, and effortlessly drinkable. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and aged in French oak to preserve clarity of fruit while building subtle spice and texture.

For the rest of us: Aromas and flavors of red cherry and cranberry are layered with cola, dried herbs, and subtle earth. Rounded tannins and a dry, polished finish make ‘Riviera’ versatile at the table as it is enjoyable on its own.

For the wine snob:  The Artisan Series is a collection of exceptional wines by King Estate Winery. Made with 100% estate-grown Biodynamic® fruit, this wine is crafted with meticulous care and attention to detail. The Artisan Series is a testament to the artistry of winemaking and to the values and principles behind it, starting with the King family’s commitment to stewardship of the land and continuing through to the time-honored traditions of great winemaking. Each bottle reflects the dedication that goes into sustainably producing premium Oregon Willamette Valley wine. The fruit was fermented in 100% stainless steel, temperature-controlled tanks. Aged sur lie for four months.

For the rest of us: This wine features the signature characteristics of classic Pinot Gris, opening with the aromatics in the glass. Fruit notes of green apple, pear and gooseberry are joined by their floral counterparts in honeysuckle and white violet, complemented by a hint of ginger and meyer lemon.

For the wine snob:  Château de Saint Cosme Côtes-du-Rhône Les Deux Albion is a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Carignan, Mourvèdre, and Clairette from the three Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages communes of Plan de Dieu, Saint Maurice, and Cairanne. The whole clusters are co-fermented with indigenous yeasts and vinified in conical wooden vats and concrete tanks for 18 months

For the rest of us:  A rich red blend typically made from Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Carignan, and Clairette provides a textured white wine. Showing notes of melon, crushed plum, and black currants, nectarine, and a salty, limestone-driven finish.

For the wine snob:  Founded in 1848, the Tiefenbrunner winery is situated near Entiklar, a picturesque hamlet in the heart of the Italian Alps. Made from 100% Pinot Bianco fermented in stainless steel, this wine is aged briefly on the lees to add richness to the final wine. Temperature-controlled fermentation at 68 °F in steel tanks is followed by a four-month aging on the fine lees in concrete vats prior to bottling.

For the rest of us:  This is a Pinot Bianco with a light medium-lemon color. The wine offers aromas of white flowers, lemon-lime citrus, and hints of green apples and pears. On the palate, the wine’s subtle, creamy texture is countered by refreshing acidity and minerality.

For the wine snob:  The meticulous care taken in the vineyard delivers a bright, ripe fruit, with substantial mouthfeel and complexity. Following a cold soak, a high-temperature fermentation occurred to ensure maximum flavor and color extraction. The wine was racked to 35% new French oak and 15% new American oak barrels and aged for 18 months prior to bottling. 50% was aged in neutral French Oak to maintain the freshness and elegance of the vintage.

For the rest of us: This Napa Valley Cabernet opens with aromas of blueberry bramble, and maraschino cherry, cocoa nib, blackberry, mandarin, and slate. Bright acidity lifts the flavors, while marionberry and polished tannins stretch the finish.

For the wine snob:   Sancerre is in the easternmost part of the Loire Valley, almost 300 miles from the Atlantic coast. Due to its inland location, the region is more continental than the rest of the Loire, which tends toward Atlantic influences. Pneumatic press allowing for a soft and regulated extraction. Cold skin maceration. Selected yeasts. Slow fermentation at low temperatures in stainless steel tanks, providing the wine with finer and more intense aromas.

For the rest of us: Sager & Verdier Sancerre is a crisp, mineral-driven Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley in France, crafted as a partnership between the Sager and Verdier families. True to its terroir, the wine has typical aromas of lemon/lime, elderflower, verbena, tropical fruits, peach, gooseberry and distinctive minerality; all backed by crisp acidity.

For the wine snob:  The 2024 vintage began with winter rains that saturated the soils. After an early budbreak in late-March and bloom in early June, we benefitted from warm summer weather, including multiple days above 100º F in July. With large canopies, the use of shade cloth and targeted irrigation, that heat was a boon, driving ripening. The vines were well balanced, producing an average sized crop, and we harvested our red varieties in an early and compact harvest between September 19th and October 9th, yielding grapes with exceptional color, complexity and depth.

For the rest of us: This aromatic wine has aromas of dark cherry, blackberry, and plum, as well as French oak-inspired notes of mocha, cedar, and clove. On the palate, the wine is round and complex, with lush, creamy tannins supporting luxurious flavors of ripe berries, fig, vanilla, and notions of dried herbs.

For the wine snob:  The Turley Estate Sauvignon Blanc is a rare, certified organic, dry-farmed white wine from Turley Wine Cellars in St. Helena, Napa Valley. Classic, bright and lively, with citrus zest, crushed white oyster shell, lemongrass and a hint of nectarine. Fermentation and aging in various vessels including French barrique, stainless steel, and concrete egg lend the wine a multifaceted, charming complexity. Refreshing and dynamic on the palate.

For the rest of us:  Features a bright citrus zest, crisp green apple, quince, minty chive notes, and a silky, elegant texture. 7 months in barrel, bottled unlined and unfiltered.