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

  • Armas de Guerra Rose

    #1 Armas de Guerra Rose

    My heavens! 50+ year old, organic Mencia vines from some of the highest vineyards in Bierzo. Subtle aromas of strawberry, pink grapefruit and white pepper play with clean river rock minerality touched by zesty key lime. Balance and finish are tied together with a vibrating acidity. Structured and executed like a world class ballerina doing flamenco. Sells out every year for good reason. Lighter than Provence, a different planet than White Zin. The only hard part is only opening one bottle at a time.
    (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 21 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 15 bottles)

  • Sweet Sunset Chocolate Merlot

    #4 Sweet Sunset Chocolate Merlot

    First lets say that this is Not ChocoVine. This wine is actually made with eighty five percent Merlot and than has natural chocolate cream added to the mix. This is the wine for anyone looking for sweet red or the chocolate lover at home. Great gift for the holidays. (behind by 5 bottles)

Fun New Arrivals

  • Farm to Table

    Farm to Table

    A fun and lighter style from the cool mountains of Victoria. Aromas of fresh strawberry, cherry jam flirt with notes of forest floor a touch of peppery oak. Lively cola and raspberry flavors with vibrant acidity. Darn good value too!

  • Maimai Syrah

    Maimai Syrah

    So pretty. Brings a clear nose of Gimblett Gravels terroir beneath lush soft blue and black fruit with lovely violet and lavender notes. Palate is clean, balanced and very approachable. Just a hint of the Northern Rhone's meatiness but mostly bright fruit and enough acidity to hold it in check. Maybe the best NZ Syrah out there??

  • 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.