J.Wilkes Deal - $58.00

J.Wilkes Deal(No rating yet)

While Napa gets the buzz and the latest rapper/race car driver/NBA player/Kardashian wanna-be buying up vineyards, down south in the Santa Maria Valley, some remarkably elegant wines are being crafted out of the limelight. Tectonic plates crashing into each other have created lateral valleys that run perpendicular to the coast. These funnel cool moist air through the valley creating a remarkable cool climate AVA despite being quite a ways south. I've been really impressed with these wines and we're happy to offer cru members a really special deal. Buying any of these at the vineyard runs $30 a bottle, wine.com the same. Luckily, some wineries and winemakers like what we are doing here at Bitto, supporting wines by smaller producers, ignoring the bogus ratings, encouraging guests to branch out, etc. To help us show what this valley can do and to help you get into these wines at the lowest possible price, they have provided this unique threesome for us to sell.

Wine #1 is the Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir. The lovely shows ripe red raspberry fruit, fresh cherry pie, clove and a light earthy, forest scent. Ample tannins add structure to the light acidity, giving palate-cleansing character that will improve almost any food that can be put on a plate or in a bowl. 

Wine #2 is the Santa Maria Chardonnay bringing orange blossoms, warm baked apple and lime zest with some faint caramel. Beautiful lilting acidity, a little seabreeze and just a hint of tropical fruit with oak to support but not overwhelm. More like white burgundy than the pineapple juice and popcorn butter versions from further north.

Wine #4 is the Paso Robles Highlands Cabernet Sauvignon. Santa Maria is a bit cool for Cab to fully ripen so this fruit comes from the new Paso Highlands District AVA. Courageously crafted with the same old world bright acidity as the Santa Maria wines, this is food friendly balanced Cab with classic black currant, cassis, blackberry, mocha and warm oak and vanilla that are in harmony not shouting to be heard.

Orchard Wine Cellar Movers and Shakers This Week

  • Tintero Moscato

    #1 Tintero Moscato

    Sori Gramella refers to the one of the only single vineyard Moscatos, and Marco is the only producer to bottle this striking limestone amphitheater commercially. Once the 30 year old vines give up their bounty, and the grapes are harvested and pressed, they are kept in stainless steel at a low temperature to prevent fermentation until an order is received in order to provide the freshest wine possible.
    (Holding the #1 spot)

  • Gran Passione

    #2 Gran Passione

    From the land of Amarone comes a delicious Merlot based blend. To perfectly ripe Merlot (60%) is added juice from dried Corvina grapes ala Amarone. Rich, deep and smooth, this is a remarkable Merlot that may just change your Merlot worldview! (behind by 8 bottles)

  • Bonavita Red

    #3 Bonavita Red

    Made from four grapes harvested later than usual to achieve a greater ripeness and smoothness. A deep and inky wine, with ripe plum and blackcurrant aromas. Nice ripe fig and cherry with chocolate and licorice flavors. Just enough oak to give it some backbone. (behind by 6 bottles)

  • Domanda Prosecco

    #4 Domanda Prosecco

    Yum! Soft peach and floral notes with a smooth finish. This Prosecco is classified "Extra Dry" which means its a touch sweeter than the "Bruts" that are next to it. A very easy drinking bubbly and a great price! (behind by 13 bottles)

Fun New Arrivals

  • Gotes del Priorat

    Gotes del Priorat

    A slightly different and wonderful lighter take on Priorat. The gorgeous blue slate show immediately on the nose, Carignan is there but with richness and elegance. Really pretty and an homage to the fruit. Gorgeous leather and blue black fruit flavors with spice and soft leather. Organic, hand picked and just 9 months in French, this really is a lovely wine!

  • Three Brooms

    Three Brooms

    This single vineyard, certified sustainable sav blanc shows lovely white flower, chili pepper, and gooseberry on the nose with some sandy mineralogy. Very nice weight and balance showing passion fruit, ripe apple flavors. Such a pleasant surprise is the roundness, the acid is lively and energetic but not abrasive.

  • Amon Ra

    Amon Ra

    The 2014 Amon Ra reflects the tried and true essence of the Glaetzer style - generosity of flavor with finesse of structure. The inky purple color displays the gentle but full extraction. The nose shows an abundance of dark blueberry, vanilla, black cherry and hints of cassis with notes of mixed spice and anise. Although still young and firmly wound, the vibrant blackberry and dried spice flavors integrate well with youthful yet supple tannins with the trademark loooong and sleek finish. Meant to go 10 to 15 years to hit its prime.

  • Poseidon Pinot Noir

    Poseidon Pinot Noir

    From vineyards with a view of the bay comes this well balanced, lively and delicious Pinot Noir. A easy drinking, medium-bodied wine showing off some rare and black pepper spiced Hungarian oak to balance the raspberry aromas and flavors.