With a particular love for wines from the Rhône region of France, he focuses primarily on Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre, which he sources from cooler climate, higher elevation vineyards in the Yakima Valley. In 2014, he began declassifying fruit from some of his higher-end bottlings to produce his Blue Label wine, “a tribute to the everyday Côtes du Rhône blends.” This vintage is 56% Syrah, 27% Grenache, and 17% Mourvèdre. It is soft, silky, and aromatic, with juicy flavors of plum and cherry and a touch of spice. This wine always sells out soon after release and is already gone at the winery. Luckily our rep grabbed the last few cases at the distributor so we could put it in the club. $21

2021 Bodegas Juan Gil, Silver Label Monastrell — Bodegas Juan Gil is part of the Gil Family Estates—a collection of small wineries throughout Spain producing wines of character that reflect their local terroir and also represent great value. It is based in Jumilla, on the Mediterranean coast of southeast Spain where the predominant grape, Monastrell (aka Mourvèdre), thrives in the harsh climate and the chalky, stony, limestone soils. For this certified organic 100% Monastrell, they select grapes from old vineyards with low yields. It sees some French oak aging, which adds notes of toast and spice to this concentrated, expressive wine with its ripe red fruit flavors and hints of underbrush. Great with grilled or cured meats, juicy steaks, roasts, poultry, or hearty vegetable dishes. $18

2021 David Hill Vineyard and Winery, Upper Slope Chardonnay — David Hill is one of the oldest and northernmost wineries in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. The current owners bought the property near Forest Grove in 1992 but the farm itself dates back to the 1880s, when homesteaders were already producing wine there. David Hill has some of the oldest vines in the valley, with own-rooted, dry-farmed vineyards planted on the Laurelwood soil that is unique to the area. This complex, elegant Chardonnay, made from two Dijon clones, is aged 14 months in French oak barrels, half new and half neutral and of various sizes, adding nuance and expression to the wine. With its soft texture, fresh notes of citrus and orchard fruit, hints of toast, and flinty minerality, it’s perfect for sole meunière. $23

2022 Domaine Bigonneau, Quincy Blanc — Reuilly is a small appellation in the eastern part of France’s Loire Valley. Like its neighbor Sancerre to the east, Reuilly has Kimmeridgean limestone soil and produces beautiful Sauvignon Blancs. But happily, the wines of Reuilly are much more affordable. The Bigonneau family has been producing wine here for several generations. In 2006 Gérard Bigonneau’s daughter Virginie took over the winemaking. With her experience studying in Dijon and working in Champagne, Burgundy, and Alsace, she brought a new focus to their wines. This Sauv Blanc, aged on the lees in stainless steel, is fresh and floral, with notes of citrus and stone fruit, a touch of spice, and elegant depth and texture. Perfect for grilled fish, scampi, shellfish, or goat cheese. $17

2021 Domaine de Couron, Marselan — Domaine de Couron is a small, family-run estate in France’s Ardèche region, which lies between the northern and southern portions of the Rhône valley. They are located about 45 miles northwest of Avignon, where winemaking dates back to Roman times. In fact, vestiges of an old Roman outpost can still be found throughout their vineyards. Marselan is a cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache, first bred in 1961 near the French town of Marseillan, with a goal of combining the heartiness and heat-tolerance of Grenache with the finesse and structure of Cabernet. Smooth and warm, with a bit of black pepper spice and a rustic edge, this one is ready to drink now, with just about anything—burgers, kebabs, you name it. $11

2020 Donna Laura, “Alteo” Chianti Riserva — Donna Laura is a winery created by Canadian-born Lia Toliani Banville who, after years of annual visits to her ancestral home in Tuscany to visit her Aunt Laura, developed a deep appreciation of Italian culture, food, and wine. She began the project in 2004, at Toliani Winery, in Castelnuovo Berardenga, one of the prime sites in the Chianti Classico DOCG, with distinctive limestone and clay soils. This wine, an amazing value for a reserve level Chianti, is 100% Sangiovese, aged one year in large, 25-hectoliter barrels, plus six months in stainless steel and a further six months in bottle. The result is a dark, rich wine with aromas and flavors of dark cherries, black currant, and a hint of chocolate, with medium body and balanced tannins and acidity. $17