Nick’s Picks – September 2025

Value $99

Discount Price $85

Gran Passaia Toscana - $23

Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot from Tuscany, Italy.  This baby puts the Super in Super Tuscan.  With all of the Italian flair of Tuscan Red yet with satisfying dark robustness, black cherry and blackberry fruit sets the stage for flavors of gentle sweet baking spice, charred oak, and a perfectly welcome addition of vanilla.  Plush fuller fruit and deeper thick structure combine with slightly lower tannin and acidity to transport you light years away from the scratchy thin Chianti you would fight through to get to the bottom of its wicker bottle.  Consider your Italian dinner officially elevated!

La Gavacha Mediterranea - $17

100% Monastrell from Jumilla, Spain.  A powerful cauldron of brambly blackberry and red fruit plays perfectly with purple flowers, crime de menthe, and savory balsamic aura on the nose, on a palate of silky and supple tannins but a ton of persistence, both in body and explosion of flavors.  This red isn’t going to embarrass itself with forwardness, but it means serious business.  Balance and power meld beautifully in this iconic Spanish Red.

Chateau Saintongey Bordeaux Blanc - $14

Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon from Central Bordeaux, France.  A masterfully typical example of Bordeaux Blanc, especially for the price.  A wide yet subtle spectrum of zesty citrus, white peach stone fruit, soft fresh herbs, and soft salty clean minerality flutter freely through the entire glass, only made more vibrant and complex on a refreshing palate of clean bracing minerality. 

Ranina Saperavi Dry Red - $13

Dry Saperavi Grape from Georgia.  An unexpected all-star crowd pleaser to say the least, with black raspberry and red currants adorned with kisses of sweet smoke, tobacco, and a touch of licorice root.  A gush of fresh fruit pops pleasantly on the palate with lower well integrated tannins and a sensual structure that wraps around the mouth like a warm blanket.  You’re welcome to admit or omit where it comes from or the price, but what is not optional is how much guests will love it!

The Buccaneer Dead Drift Red - $18

Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Petite Sirah from Lodi, California.  If you’re itching for a hearty Cali Red to transition you into the new season, consider it scratched.  Midnight black fruit flavors of plum and wild berries burst from the glass, with fresh cracked pepper, ceder, and dry mocha notes filling in all the scrummy cracks.  A plush, round, and chocolatey thick texture brought into drinkable balance by just enough acidity and tannin.  A treasure indeed!

Neleman Bike Verdejo - $14

100% Low-Intervention Verdejo from Capital del Turia, Spain.  Bright and refreshing yet with impeccable balance, if you’ve never had this grape before this is a beautiful place to start.  Tropical fresh melon, mandarin orange, and gala apple flavors get a generous squeeze of pink grapefruit doused over the whole affair, with a soft welcoming palate and just enough prominent acidity to lift the entire profile into warm weather greatness.  One twist of the top to open this wine and the sky will instantly get the hint to bring the sun out.