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

  • Gran Passione

    #1 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!
    (Holding the #1 spot)

  • Bonavita Red

    #2 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 4 bottles)

  • Tintero Moscato

    #3 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. (behind by 12 bottles)

  • Castelfeder Pertico Rosso

    #4 Castelfeder Pertico Rosso

    Such a pretty little wine! Deep, ruby color and a intense aromas of cherries, tobacco, blackberry. Just a little oak to mellow things out . The Cab and Merlot bring just a touch of richness and licorice but the Lagrein has the leading role with its bright red fruit flavors. (behind by 6 bottles)

Fun New Arrivals

  • Chateau Deux Rocs

    Chateau Deux Rocs

    A rose of lovely character, with fleshy red fruit and floral aromas. Its intense fruit and tannic backbone will make it the perfect match for spicy Mexican or Thai food.

  • 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!

  • 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.

  • A.D. Laws Four Grain Straight Bourbon

    A.D. Laws Four Grain Straight Bourbon

    This four grain whiskey uses a blend of rye, wheat and barley sourced from the Colorado Malting Company, and corn from Briess Malting in Wisconsin - encompassing the "mother grains" of bourbon. The whiskey ages about 3 years, all year round to capture the seasonal nuances from the ever-changing Colorado mountain air, in new, 53 gallon charred oak barrels source from Independent Stave Company.