Tasting notes, Jan. 20, 2024; Lesser-known grapes

                     Unusual Varietals

2022 Portaz
Blanc

On Sale for $15.99
Apremont / Savoie / France
100% Jacquere
Apremont is located in the French alps and yields some of the freshest whites in all of France. Portaz creates this floral, apple tinged bottling from grapes from 30-50 year-old vines.
2022 Torre Beati Pecorino
On Sale for $21.99
Abruzzo / Italy
100% Pecorino
A densely textured white with a distinctly round texture and full fruit character. The warm Abruzzo climate allows this Pecorino to be exuberant and substantial.
2022 Foradori Lezer
On Sale for $25.60
Trentino-Alto Adige/ Italy
100% Teroldego
The Lezer is fermented using indigenous yeast prior to a four-month elevage in terracotta, cement and large oak barrels. Bright and refreshing with a cranberry character.
2014 Domaine de la Lande Prestige
On Sale for $28.80
Bourgueil / Loire Valley / France
100% Cabernet Franc
Located northwest of Chinon, Bourgueil is known for sturdy, rustic renditions of the Cabernet Franc varietal. Born from limestone soils, Bourgueil is arguably better suited for aging than Chinon and tends to develop a distinctly earthy character with time in bottle.
2019 Churchill’s Grafite
On Sale for $17.60
Gaia / Douro / Portugal
40% Touriga Nacional, 30% Touriga Franca, 30% Tinta Roriz
Proprietor Johnny Graham has invested a load of time and research into developing the dry red wine program at Churchill’s. The result of his efforts includes the blackberry inflected Grafite Tinto. 
2021 Bedrock Evangelho
On Sale for $39.99
Contra Costa / California / US
100% Carignan
Sourced from very old vines (100 years+), Bedrock’s Carignan shows the toasted nut character of the varietal along with a pile of ripe red and black fruits. When the vines are old, Carignan is able to provide this type of intensity and depth of flavor.