2021 Simpatico, Fanatic Albariño — Simpatico was founded by our former shop intern, Cassie Wistrom, along with two classmates from the Wine Academy at South Seattle College.

Albariño is a cool-climate white grape native to northwest Spain, where it produces clean, refreshing wines that are perfect for seafood. This one comes from Dutchman Vineyard, a cool, high-elevation site in the Yakima Valley with rocky soils. Cassie feels the Albariño from this vineyard really captures the inherent character of the grape. It is aromatic, fresh, and elegant, with notes of citrus and orchard fruit, crisp acidity, and stony minerality. It even has a touch of Albariño’s signature salinity, surprising since it is sourced far from any ocean. Perfect for anything from the sea or with vegetarian fare. $19.75

2022 La Quercia, Aglianico — Long-time Small Vineyards producer, La Quercia, is a family estate located in Italy’s central Abruzzo region. Winemaker Antonio Lamona produces a delicious Montepulciano from that estate fruit which is a perennial shop favorite. The family also owns a single vineyard plot in the boot heel region of Puglia, planted to Aglianico and farmed organically. Aglianico is a difficult grape to grow, but it thrives in the volcanic soils of that southern region. La Quercia’s Aglianico shows the grape’s characteristic ripe plum and white pepper flavors in a fresh, approachable style. It is rich and smooth, with soft tannins and a deft combination of power and finesse. They suggest pairing it with seared Ahi tuna with plum sauce, grilled polenta cakes, or Cioppino. $16

2022 Domaine Girard, Le Pic des 3 Seigneurs — Malepere is an appellation in the foothills of the Pyrenees in southwest France’s Languedoc-Rousillion region. Vineyards here are planted on gravel terraces, rich in clay and limestone and scattered with large “bad stones” (mal pierres) which compete with the root systems and concentrate the flavors of the grapes. Winemaker Phillippe Girard joined his family winery after studying and working in Burgundy and his 100% Chard comes from organically farmed vineyards planted at higher elevation, where the cool Atlantic breezes help preserve freshness in the fruit. It is bright and floral, with stony minerality, delicate, juicy fruit, and a nice textured elegance, thanks to the warm, Mediterranean sun. Great for poultry or dishes with truffles. $16

2019 Ross Andrew, Glaze Cabernet Sauvignon — Ross Andrew Mickel launched his eponymous winery in 1999 after working as a sommelier at Canlis, interning at DeLille Cellars, and working with Bob Betz. He became a very respected winemaker in his own right, producing high quality, yet reasonably-priced wines, thanks to his skill as a winemaker and the solid relationships he formed with some of the state’s top growers. Tragically his career was cut short in September 2022 in a floatplane crash in the Puget Sound, a huge loss for the wine world and for all who knew and loved him. But some of his wines are still available, including this vintage of his Glaze, which is a tasty and affordable Cab-based blend with a bit of Merlot added for softness. Rich, aromatic, and delicious, with dark fruit and a bit of spice, it’s ready to drink anytime with mid-week burgers or anything off the grill. $15

2020 Peachy Canyon, Westside Zinfandel — Peachy Canyon is a family winery, founded in 1988 by Doug and Nancy Beckett in the Paso Robles region in San Luis Obispo County, on California’s central coast. The second generation of the family, their sons Jake and Josh, now manage the winery. The Westside Zin is their flagship wine and this vintage is a blend of 79% Zinfandel, 17% Petite Sirah, and 4% Grenache. It is sourced from multiple vineyards on the west side of Paso Robles, which is closer to the Pacific, and thus a bit cooler, giving the wine nice, food-friendly acidity. The wine has red fruit aromas with plum and blackberry flavors and notes of white pepper and cocoa. It is perfect for roast pork in rich sauce, or spicy tomato-based stews. $22

2019 Avignonesi, Rosso di Montepulciano — Avignonese has about 400 acres of organically and biodynamically farmed vineyards spread across the rolling hills of southeast Tuscany. Their Rosso di Montepulciano has been the most popular Tuscan red in our shop for some time. It is 100% Prugnolo Gentile, the clone of Sangiovese grown in Montepulciano, fermented with yeasts cultivated from their estate vineyards and aged for six months in oak barrels and a further three months in bottle before release. It has the raspberry and strawberry notes characteristic of the grape, with bright acidity, supple tannins, and notes of baking spice. It’s ready to drink anytime and is a classic match for Tuscan balsamic beef, cured meats, mushrooms, or poultry. $17