09 Buty Semillon, Sauvignon, Muscadelle (Columbia Valley, Washington)
A delightfully aromatic white from Buty Winery, run by the artistic vision of Caleb and Nina Foster. Caleb has significant winemaking experience here in Washington, and also did some work in New Zealand and South Africa. As a result of his experience, he crafts white wines with particular zest, bringing out the most focused qualities of the three grapes in this blend, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle. Note this last grape is often seen only as a sweet wine, but when produced in a dry style the aromatics are beyond compare. The nose evokes grapefruit and floral notes, leading to an array of flavors such as apricot, lanolin, and citrus; the finish has a smooth note of honey. Serve this well chilled but allow it to warm up at the table, and the wine will come to a temperature ideal for releasing the maximum flavor. Pairs extremely well with dishes that have earthy flavors, such as mushrooms or barley.

03 Recine La Gioia (Tuscany, Italy)
La Gioia means "the joy," the name for this Super Tuscan blend which is a non-traditional mix of Sangiovese and Merlot from the Chianti region. This is a superb example of the higher end Italian blends which fetch very high prices, and for a reason! A bit of age on this has tempered the bold, sometimes tannic notes of the wine to have supple yet still full-bodied taste. Leads with lively, bold plum and cherry flavors, with mature notes of light cedar, raisin, and a hint of orange peel. There’s a bit of floral notes too, leading to a generous, smooth finish. Superb with meat dishes, risotto, and winter vegetables such as roasted squash or zucchini. We currently can get a bit more of this, so please try it soon and if you like it, come to get more!