SEPTEMBER Staff Pick 2023

$80.00   ($94.00 Value)

Rascallion 33 1/3 RPM White

White blend of 40% Chenin Blanc, 40% Roussanne, 10% Grenache Blanc, 8% Viognier, and 2% Verdelho from South Africa. This is a fabulous emulation and elevation of the Rhone style white blend. Yellow plum, apple blossom, white peach, and honeyed pear tumble out of the glass. The flavors are reinforced by a wonderful lushness that rounds out naturally on the palate,with white pepper spice that adds warmth and depth on the finish. Always an endlessly pleasing style of white in the hot-to-not transition of the season. Delicious!

$14

Réserve des Diacres Côtes-du-Rhône Blanc

If you ever like a certain style of wine from the New-World, it always pays to go back to its mother-land source, and rarely disappoints. This organic white blend of 40% Viognier, 20% Grenache, 15% Clairette, and 15% Roussanne from Southern Rhone is no exception. Balanced, refined, yet wielding sensual opulence, look for aromas of nectarine, honeyed citrus, and stacks of fresh white flowers. The decadence continues on the palate with a lushness that can only sneak in on a body and structure that’s seductively easy, well-rounded, and approachable. Great example of Rhone-style white!

$18

Merceron-Martin Coteaux d’Ancenis Gamay

Gamay grape from Western Loire Valley, France. Contrary to popular belief, Gamay is not a grape that is relegated both to Beaujolais and the Thanksgiving holiday only. This is a gorgeously light, and endlessly versatile style of red. Bright, juicy, and candied red fruit aromas come right out of the gate, with a slight hint of cool stony minerality to give it depth. The palate is\ even more delightful, with slightly spicy, herbaceous characteristics, and a very mild present structure of fine tannin. Red meats to salads, cold to warm weather; this is a red for all occasions. Especially right now!

$15

Flor d’Penalva Red

Blend of Tinta Roriz, Alfrocheiro, Jaen, Touriga Nacional from Dao, Portugal. This is a clean, smooth, and silky expression of Portuguese red. Wild purple flowers, sweet spruce, and plump plum permeate from the glass. On the palate, there is a dichotomy of sensations where the velvety perfectly integrated tannin plays with freshness and vibrance of the acidity, and its flavors are playing with both all the while. A beautiful intro into the potential of complexity, finesse, and deliciousness of Iberian red!

$14

Domaine Olivier Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil

Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley, France. There is a lot happening in this wine and it is all spectacular. A truly seamless bouquet of blackberry, wild strawberry, raspberry, crushed violet, and sweet-cigar wood spice creaks this delicious door open. All your Loire Cab Franc dreams come true on the palate with a fine acidity, well integrated tannin, but with a sleek and smokey structure that gives you no doubt this is a serious, no less delicious, style of wine. Everyone at The Bin holds a special place for Loire Cabernet Franc in their hearts, and we think you should too.

$19

La Chapelle Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet from the Languedoc Region of France. Those who love French Cab, you’re in. California lovers, you’re going to love this too. This best of both worlds shows sweet black fruit, clean creamy berry compote with an added dimension of herbaceous character on the nose. The flavors double down on the palatewith a dense and luscious mouthfeel of thick tannins and a pleasing plushness that will tick any Cab lover’s boxes. If you want safe passage into early fall, this is for sure your bottle to get there!

$14