May brought some serious flavor to our tasting table, and the votes are in! These five wines captivated palates with their character, quality, and charm. From bold reds to elegant whites and a stunning rosé, here’s a deeper look at your May wine tasting winners.
We were also thrilled to welcome a special out-of-state guest this month, a passionate sales rep who made the journey just to share some of Slovenia’s hidden gems with us. His table was a passport to new wine frontiers, and your adventurous palates didn’t disappoint! Check out the winner from his table at the very end!
1. Department 66 Painted Scars
Department 66 is the brainchild of renowned winemaker Dave Phinney, best known for creating The Prisoner and Orin Swift Cellars in California. In 2008, Phinney ventured into the rugged terrain of Maury in the Roussillon region of southern France, captivated by its ancient vines and schist-laden soils. He established Department 66, named after the French administrative number for the Pyrénées-Orientales.
The winery focuses on old-vine Grenache, Carignan, and Syrah, crafting wines that are bold, expressive, and reflective of the region's unique terroir. Phinney's philosophy emphasizes minimal intervention, allowing the character of the land and vines to shine through. "Painted Scars" embodies this approach, delivering a wine that's both powerful and nuanced, with layers of dark fruit, spice, and minerality.
Tasting Notes: Bold and velvety, this Grenache-based blend bursts with rich black fruits, think blackberry compote and plum, with hints of cocoa, anise, and sweet tobacco. There's a savory backbone of smoked herbs and a warm finish kissed by subtle oak and minerality.
Food Pairings: Perfect for grilled meats, lamb burgers, or smoked brisket. It also shines alongside hearty mushroom risotto or aged Manchego cheese.
2. Nativ "Blu Onice"
Nativ is a boutique winery nestled in the heart of Campania, Italy, founded by Mario Ercolino and Roberta Pirone. With a mission to showcase the region's indigenous grape varieties, Nativ focuses on producing wines that are both authentic and innovative. The winery's vineyards are situated on volcanic soils rich in minerals, imparting a distinctive character to their wines.
"Blu Onice," named after the striking blue onyx stone, is a 100% Aglianico wine that exemplifies Nativ's commitment to quality and terroir expression. The wine undergoes meticulous vinification and aging processes to enhance its structure and complexity, resulting in a robust yet elegant profile.
Tasting Notes: Powerful yet refined, this 100% Aglianico is inky, dense, and full-bodied. Expect aromas of wild blackberry, dried violets, and crushed volcanic rock. The palate reveals layers of dark cherry, cocoa nibs, and a touch of leather, all wrapped in structured tannins.
Food Pairings: Pair with osso buco, braised short ribs, or a rich eggplant parmigiana. A wine for slow-cooked Italian fare and earthy ingredients like truffles or porcini mushrooms.
3. Cantele Salice Salentino
Cantele is a family-owned winery established in 1979 by Giovanni Battista Cantele and his sons, Augusto and Domenico. Located in the Salento peninsula of Puglia, the winery has been instrumental in elevating the region's wine reputation. Initially selling grapes to northern Italy, the Cantele family shifted focus to producing their own wines, emphasizing quality and authenticity.
Today, the third generation continues this legacy, managing over 120 hectares of vineyards. Their approach combines traditional practices with modern techniques, aiming to produce wines that reflect the true essence of Puglia. The Salice Salentino Riserva, made from 100% Negroamaro, is a testament to this philosophy, offering a wine that's rich, balanced, and expressive.
Tasting Notes: This southern Italian classic is made from Negroamaro and aged to perfection. Aromas of dried cherry, tobacco, and baking spices meet earthy undertones. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied with soft tannins, dried fig, dark chocolate, and a subtle balsamic undertone.
Food Pairings: Try it with lasagna, sausage-stuffed peppers, or anything involving tomato sauce and aged Pecorino. It’s a weekday-friendly red that’s versatile and crowd-pleasing.
4. Chateau Graville Lacoste White Bordeaux
Château Graville-Lacoste is a family-run estate in the Graves appellation of Bordeaux, managed by Hervé Dubourdieu. The Dubourdieu family has a long-standing history in the region, with Hervé's meticulous attention to detail and dedication to quality setting the estate apart. The vineyards are characterized by their gravelly soils, ideal for cultivating white grape varieties like Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle.
Hervé's winemaking philosophy centers on precision and purity, resulting in wines that are fresh, mineral-driven, and reflective of their terroir. The Château Graville-Lacoste Blanc is a prime example, offering a harmonious blend that's both approachable and complex.
Tasting Notes: A fresh and structured white Bordeaux made from Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and a touch of Muscadelle. Expect lemon peel, white peach, green herbs, and a hint of beeswax on the finish. Crisp and clean, with a mineral core and citrus-laced acidity.
Food Pairings: Ideal with oysters, grilled shrimp, goat cheese salad, or lemony roast chicken. Also wonderful with herb-marinated vegetables or fresh chèvre.
5. Belle Glos “Oeil de Perdrix” Rosé
Belle Glos is a distinguished winery specializing in Pinot Noir, founded by Joseph Wagner, a fifth-generation winemaker from the renowned Wagner family of Napa Valley. The name "Belle Glos" honors his grandmother, Lorna Belle Glos Wagner, co-founder of Caymus Vineyards. Joseph's vision for Belle Glos was to create wines that capture the unique characteristics of California's coastal vineyards.
The "Oeil de Perdrix" Rosé, translating to "eye of the partridge," is crafted using whole-cluster pressing of Pinot Noir grapes, followed by fermentation and aging in French oak barrels. This method imparts a delicate color and a complex flavor profile, balancing bright acidity with rich fruit notes.
Tasting Notes: This blushing beauty is crafted from Pinot Noir and styled after the classic rosés of Provence, with a California twist. It leads with aromas of strawberries, melon, rose petals, and orange peel. The palate is silky with juicy red fruit, subtle salinity, and a crisp, refreshing finish.
Food Pairings: Think shrimp tacos, Niçoise salad, grilled peaches with burrata, or sushi. It’s also the perfect aperitif for patio season!
6. Krasno White with Maceration
Slovenia’s largest cooperative winery, Klet Brda is located in the breathtaking Goriška Brda region, often called “Slovenia’s Tuscany.” With over 400 small grower-members, Klet Brda produces expressive, terroir-driven wines from native and international varietals. Their sustainable practices and deep respect for tradition make them a standout in Central European wine.
The Krasno line is all about highlighting Brda’s unique hillside vineyards and alpine-adriatic climate, offering wines that are fresh, honest, and a little adventurous, just like this macerated white. Krasno White Wine with Maceration – also known as orange wine, captured the most attention and applause at May's wine tasting.
Tasting Notes: This copper-hued wine is made from white grapes fermented with their skins, giving it complexity and structure. On the nose, expect dried apricot, orange peel, chamomile, and subtle earthy spices. The palate is textured and dry, with flavors of stone fruit, tea leaves, almond skin, and a savory minerality that lingers. A touch of tannin adds grip, making this a thinking person’s white.
Food Pairings: A dream match for bold, complex dishes: think roasted root vegetables, aged cheeses, Korean BBQ, or wild mushroom pasta. It’s especially fun with dishes that include nuts, miso, or umami flavors.
Final Sip
From volcanic soils to old vines, May’s tasting was a showcase of place and passion. Whether you're drawn to the depth of the Painted Scars or the zesty freshness of Graville-Lacoste, each of these wines tells a story worth sharing—again and again, one glass at a time. We look forward to seeing you at the June tasting, but until then, we are always here to help you discover your new favorite bottle!