This is a bundle we're elated to share, and it's because you'll receive 7-bottles for $90! We've been tinkering with this idea for a while (again), and when it finally came together, we decided to name it for its optimism. We're calling this set On the Bright Side, short for "looking on the bright side."
In this bundle, you'll receive a delish assembly of vino that'll suit many an occasion and mood. Here's the breakdown: 1 Cava, 3 white wines (2 from Portugal, 1 from France), and 3 red wines (Portugal, Italy, France).
1. NV Castell de la Comanda Cava Brut
Very pleasant, fresh, open, well-balanced, persistent (meaning the bubbles keep on bubbling) white sparkling wine. Highlights of white flowers, fresh orchard fruit and a citrus core that leaves your palate clean and uplifted - you’ll want another glass before you know it!
2. 2021 Laroche Mas La Chevaliere Sauvignon Blanc, IGP Pays d'Oc, France.
In the glass, the wine shows a pale straw color with greenish highlights. The nose opens with citrus-driven aromatics of lemon zest, grapefruit, and subtle gooseberry layered with fresh-cut herbs, blackcurrant leaf, and a touch of boxwood. The palate is brisk and linear, with bright acidity carrying flavors of lime, green apple, and crushed stone. A faint herbal bitterness and saline note provide lift, leading to a clean, dry finish marked by citrus pith and a slight grassy edge with a precise mineral line running through the fruit.
3. Caves Messias, Santola "Crab Wine" Vinho Verde NV
This is one of our yearly favorites from Portugal, and it's perfect for PNW year-round fare. The Vinho Branco (white wine) is a blend of Loureiro and Pederna. Vibrant, refreshing, zesty, and a little salty, it's a Vinho Verde that also finishes dry & lifted.
4. 2022 Aveleda 'Mandriola de Lisboa' Branco
With a light-yellow hue, a clear and crystalline appearance, mandriola de Lisboa white presents a fresh and tropical aroma, with nuances of pineapple and well-balanced white fruit, characteristic of the grape varieties. It is a medium-bodied wine, with a slight creaminess and a balanced and pleasant acidity, in a harmonious and refreshing aftertaste.
5. 2022 Jose Maria Da Fonseca, Peninsula de Setubal, Anticiclone Tinto Red Blend.
This wine review says it all: Wine Spectator WS 90, #66 Wine Spectator Top 100 2024. Balanced and medium-bodied, this fresh red frames flavors of chopped black cherry, blackberry paste, espresso, tobacco, anise and graphite with light, fine tannins. Castelao and Aragonez. Drink now through 2029. 10,030 cases made, 5,500 cases imported.
Alison Napjus, February 26, 2024
6. 2023 Purato Nero d'Avola, Sicilia DOC
In the glass, this Nero d’Avola shows a deep garnet hue with purple highlights. On the nose, lively aromas of wild blackberry, sour cherry, and violet mingle with hints of black pepper and a trace of Mediterranean herb. The palate opens with ripe dark fruit, balanced by zesty acidity and smooth tannins that lend structure without sharpness.
7. 2021 Guiseppe Nada Dolcetto d'Alba DOC
This is a deep, vibrant ruby with violet reflections. The nose is immediately expressive, bursting with aromas of ripe blackberries, juicy cherries, and wild blueberries, layered with subtle notes of violet petals, crushed black pepper, and a whisper of dried herbs. As it opens up, delicate hints of almond, licorice, and a touch of cocoa emerge, adding depth and complexity to its aromatic profile.
