Carolina Wine Favorites

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Garofoli Rosso Conero Piancarda 2020 - $19.99

Since 1871, the Garofoli winery has been passionately run by the same family. Five generations of the Garofolis have farmed the vineyards of Italy's Marche region, along the country's eastern, Adriatic coast.

Vinous 90+

“The 2020 Rosso Conero Piancarda, a varietal Montepulciano, lifts from the glass with a dusty mix of dried roses, red currants and hints of nectarine that form a truly inviting bouquet. This is silky and elegant, nearly creamy in feel, yet elevated and cool-toned, with mineral-laced wild berries and a salty flourish that adds a savory sensation toward the close. The 2020 leaves a coating of fine tannins, as inner florals arch across the palate, and a caking of minerality slowly fades away. The warm vintage has imparted an extra suave character here, yet the Piancarda’s structure and acidity are nicely balanced and should promote medium-term cellaring. Lose a few bottles in the cellar; you’ll thank me later.”

Garofoli  Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Macrina 2022 - $16.99

Vinous 90

“The sweetly scented 2022 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Macrina presents a pretty bouquet of wildflowers, minty herbs and Asian pear. This soothes with its soft textures and medium-bodied weight as ripe pit fruits swirl across a stream of lively acidity. Crunchy mineral tones linger as the 2022 finishes crisply refreshing and perfumed.”

Garofoli Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Podium 2021 - $34.99

Vinous 93

“The 2021 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Podium is delicate and coy, requiring coaxing to release its pretty bouquet of young peach, raw almonds and sweet smoke. This is elegant, with textures of pure silky and admirable weight, yet maintains marvelous energy throughout. Fresh acidity and saline minerals enliven its rich, ripe nectarine and pear core. The 2021 finishes long and staining, leaving a youthful tension as vanilla custard and candied citrus fade. While perfectly enjoyable today, this is a vintage for the cellar. It bears mentioning that the Podium is produced without any oak, only stainless steel and cement, so we are tasting pure fruit.” Eric Guido

Paitin  Barbera d'Alba Serra 2023 - $22.99

Antonio Galloni 91

“The 2023 Barbera d'Alba Serra is a classy, polished wine. Sweet floral notes and silky tannins give the 2023 tons of charm. Rose petals, spice, tobacco and orange peel all come alive in the glass. This vibrant Barbera is a winner.”

Paitin  Freisa Bonina 2022 - $25.99

Antonio Galloni 91-93

“The 2022 Freisa Bonina is a gorgeous, super-expressive wine. Rose petal, pine, dried herbs, crushed red berry fruit and orange peel are some of the many notes that open in the glass. I especially admire the energy and nuance here. Firm tannins will need a bit of time to soften, but this is quite promising.”

Paitin Nebbiolo d'Alba Ca' Veja 2021- $29.99

Antonio Galloni 92

“The 2021 Nebbiolo d'Alba Ca' Veja dark cherry, graphite. New leather, lavender, licorice and cloves are all lifted by bright, piercing acids and saline minerality. This virile Nebbiolo could use a year or two in bottle. There's a ton going on here.”

Chateau Saint-Roch Old Vine Red 2020 - $24.99  

Wine Advocate 90

“The 2020 Cotes du Roussillon Vieilles Vignes (or Old Vines Red, as it is labeled for the U.S. market) is a 65-35 blend of Grenache and Syrah, all from the Ugly Valley, on soils of black schist. Aged in a mix of tank and 500-liter used barrels, it offers peppery scents, hints of crushed stone and notes of eucalyptus, blueberries and black olives. It's medium to full-bodied, silky in texture but concentrated, with a long, mouthwatering finish.”

Chateau Saint-Roch Old Vine White 2021- $24.99

Wine Advocate 90

“A barrel-fermented blend of Grenache Blanc (40%), Roussanne (40%) and Macabeu (20%), the 2021 Cotes du Roussillon Vieilles Vignes Blanc (or Old Vines White, as it is labeled for the United States) is another successful vintage, being quite lean and refreshing, loaded with notes of underripe melon and fresh lime, and finishing crisp and clean.”

Dr Loosen Riesling Spatlese Urziger Wurtzgarten 2023 - $37.99

Vinous 94

“The 2023 Riesling Ürziger Würzgarten Spätlese isn't ready to reveal its charms on the nose, but the palate is a beautifully savory, stony, salty monument to fruit and stone, with herbal savor of deadnettle, tansy and yarrow and the juiciest tangerine. It's vivacious, bright, compact and fine, radiating aroma.”

La Boutiniere  Tradition  Chateauneuf du Pape 2020 - $39.99 / $29.99 SALE

Wine Enthusiast 93

"High-toned red fruit aromas immediately take center stage, while rosehip, violets, mint leaves, brown button mushroom, coriander, earth and clove add depth. The palate is a bit austere, yet offers fine tannins that seem to be integrating well. Greater layers of complexities should unfold after cellaring well through 2035+."

Jeb Dunnuck 91

"The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape is mostly Grenache (there's 10% each Syrah, Mourvedre, and Cinsault) and offers a semi-opaque ruby/purple hue to go with solid notes of kirsch, black cherries, licorice, and roasted garrigue. This round, medium to full-bodied, ripe, straight-up sexy Grenache has ripe yet present tannins, good overall balance, and a great finish. It's another impressive Châteauneuf du Pape in the vintage that has real character. It will keep for 10-12 years with no issues. It's the finest release of this cuvée I've tasted."

Wine Advocate 91

 "Composed of 70% Grenache and 10% each Cinsault, Mourvèdre and Syrah, La Boutiniere's 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape is sourced from several different soil types. The result includes copious cherries, some peppery spice and a hint of clove. It's full-bodied, smooth and supple, almost creamy in feel, with a long, mellow finish and softly dusty tannins. It should drink well for at least a decade."

Wine Spectator 91

 “A dark, brooding wine, this opens up to reveal a lovely mix of rich steeped plum and bitter cherry interwoven with cracked pepper, incense and black tea, with a note of toasted sandalwood. Shows some grip on the finish, which keeps this dry and clean. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault. Drink now through 2030. 1,333 cases made, 648 cases imported.”

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