Kingstree Cabernet

This is a tasty little gem unearthed by the pros at Banshee Wines. Banshee, started by three guys who just happened to like wine and wanted an excuse to be out west, hasn't been around long but they sure have kicked off righteously during their short career. They’ve always been focused upon cooler climate sites, especially with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and at the prices they offer their wines, it’s no surprise that things have gone swimmingly well.

Kingstree Chardonnay

The Pays D'Oc grows a staggering amount of Chardonnay, and most of it is perfectly fine. This one, from marl and limestone soils, is the kind you tell people about. Stainless steel keeps it clean and fresh, and the place does the rest.

Kingstree Proprietary Red

The first rule of Pays d’Oc is: there is no rulebook. The second rule of Pays d’Oc is: see above. While the rest of France legislates which grapes go where down to the centimeter, this stretch of the Languedoc lets Cabernet Sauvignon do whatever it wants, including hanging out with grapes it technically shouldn’t. The result is dark, ripped, and a little dangerous: think Tyler Durden, if Tyler Durden had firm tannins instead of abs. (Honestly, might have both.)

Kopke Fine Ruby Port

Kopke Fine Tawny Port

La Clef du Recit Menetou Salon

While the estate has been around for decades, Le Clef du Recit is newly helmed by Anthony Girard, whose family are well-known as Loire Valley vintners. His brother runs the family biz and young Anthony had a chance to buy some sweet, sweet soil. What is sweet soil in Sancerre? Think Terres Blanches, meaning white earth, or a lot of fractured limestone. The fancy wine people call it Kimmeridgian marl, which maybe you’ve heard about. If not, no worries. It’s near the town of Récy, so the “key” (clef) to the “story” (Récit) is that the land and exposure are ideal for unlocking the character of nervy, mineral laden Sauvignon Blanc, happy to be in such a special place.

La Croix des Orbinieres Sauvignon Blanc

This sweet little vineyard is located in the Loire Valley, halfway between the famous mansions, Chateau Chambord and Chateau Chenonceaux. Most of the vines are a quarter-century old, on clay and silt soils, locally called “sables de Sologne”; Sologne used to be Louis XIII’s hunting grounds, but Sauvignon Blanc is more planted in the region than hunting blinds today.

La Culottee Rose

This 100% Caladoc wine is barrel-fermented, though it is still recognizably rosé in style. Needless to say, barrel-fermented rosé is anomalous anywhere, much less in southern France. The barrels are over-sized, and the wine has no added sulfur or added yeast. Dry, clean and rather full for a rosé, you can nonetheless drink it chilly on a sunny day, just like you would the rest of the rosés you’re slamming this summer.

La Hermandad De La Uva Cabernet Franc

La Hermandad De La Uva Garnacha