My Best Buys for October

There are some things that make each one of us proud that other people might not understand. Some wine merchants brag about the super-expensive “trophy” wines in their cellars. With me, I’m most proud of the values that I find for my customers every month. Sure, it’s easy to go for the “big bucks” wines, or the ones that some writer or critic has given a high score to: all you need to do is pick up the phone and place your order. That’s just not good enough for me. I have to find out for myself. I’ve always marched to my own drummer, and I’m proud to say that finding these wines that represent terrific value are what I enjoy doing the most. Ultimately, it comes down to taste… and to tasting.

Every month I taste more than 200 wines, searching out the real values for you, and one way I bring some of my favorites to you is in my Best Buys selection: four delicious wines that I can usually sell for less than $10 each that will taste like you paid more for them. Sometimes, one may be a wine that usually sells for 3, 4 or even 5 dollars more, but I’ve bought a big enough shipment to bring down the price. Sometime one may be the end of a vintage, drinking well, but that the wholesaler needed to move out to make room for an incoming shipment. Another may be a new find: a wine that I’ve just come across that is delicious and I can sell for a song! What remains constant is that every one of these Best Buys is a wine that I drink myself. The write-ups are my own, too. I tell you what I think of the wines, and what you can expect from them. No “wine speak”, just plain English. Terrific wines, great prices… and no attitude!

Here are Darrin’s October Best Buys!

Cheapskate, Chenin Blanc 100% Organically Grown! Our good friend Clark Smith of Winesmith fame brings us this dry, delicious, delightful, de-lovelly version of Chenin Blanc, made in a Loire Valley style:there’s a full bouquet of wildflowers, flavors of peaches, pears and apples, and a crisp “green apple” acidity that makes this a natural with almost any seafood or poultry dish you’d like. Clark is a leading promoter of “living soil”, and his vibrant wines taste like they cost 50% more than they do. –$8.49

Tyrrell’s “Lost Block” Shiraz This delicious Australian red is selling for $13 in Manhattan… but I bought a ton of it to save you money! Made in a fresh, fruit-forward style that really brings out the red, ripe berry and cherry flavors, mixed with a dash of spiciness. This is a richly flavored red with plenty of body. A wimpy little wine, this ain’t, mate! Plenty of value at a bargain price! –$7.95

Domaine St-Luc, Coteaux du Tricastin The name Kermit Lynch on the label always gives me a sense of assurance: Kermit has a terrific palate and loves to find top quality wines from small growers / winemakers that express the uniqueness of their terroir. His wines are featured at Chez Panisse in Berkeley! Here is a delightful, medium bodied red from south of Hermitage, north of Gigondas. Tastes like a $14 Rhône red! –$9.95

Principe Pallavicini, “Tirso” Cesanese From 35 year old Cesanese vines grown south of Rome, this beautifully balanced red is bigger than a Burgundy, lighter than a Bordeaux… “just right” for almost any dish and for every occasion. Lovely fresh & dried fruit flavors and an enchanting bouquet of dried cherries, black tea and Autumn leaves. When I tasted this wine, I didn’t want to give the bottle back to Michael Lerner, who imports it: I wanted to take it home and have it with dinner that night! Truly delicious! –$9.95

Buy Darrin’s Best Buys 4 Pack and Save 10% –$32.72
Mix and Match Any 6 Best Buy Bottles and Save 10%
Mix and Match a Case of 12 Best Buy Bottles and Save 15%

Darrin’s Organic Wine of the Month for October

We love this wine, so we bought out the last of the outstanding 2001 vintage at a closeout price! We lowered the price by $8!

The color is an intense deep red, almost black. Ripe fruit aromas, heady and rich, fill the bouquet. On the palate the exuberant, full bodied, ripe, sweet fruit flavors of plums and berries emerge from the chunky, mouth filling matrix. Nicely balanced with enough soft tannins for structure and good complexity of flavor. Mild oak vanillas add depth without being overbearing. The finish goes on and on, clean and evolving. This is a gutsy wine especially made for food. It will compliment robust meals, especially venison, game birds or beef. Made from organically grown grapes, with as little intrusion as possible. A portion of the profits from this wine go towards raptor research & protection.