Varietal | Producer | Region

** = Biodynamic production

Sparkling

CHARDONNAY/PINOT NOIR | Vincent Carré NV Brut | Montagne de Reims, Champagne, France $18 gls · $76 btl
Under a palate-flattering, gently frothy mousse, this spectacular grower Champagne (aged 3 years on lees) has a fairly tense, refined texture, and gorgeous flavors of quince, toasted brioche, and yellow apple cobbler.

PROSECCO | Santome NV Extra Dry | Marca Trevigana, Veneto, Italy $7.50 gls · $32 btl
A fuller style of prosecco with a creamy texture & soft, round bubbles, dried tropical fruit flavors & hints of vanilla.

VIGNOLES | Larry Mawby NV ‘Cremant’ | Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan $9.50 gls · $39 btl
Amazing Champagne-method sparkling, fermented in French oak: rich vanilla éclair and yeast and nectarines.

White and Rosé

CHARDONNAY | Les Heritiers du Comte Lafon 2009 | Macon, Burgundy, France** $9.50 gls · $40 btl
Dominique Lafon is one of the best crafters of Chardonnay in the Macon, if not in all of France. Here, flavors of macadamia nut combine with dried apple and quince paste; the plush mid-palate is followed by a rush of acid on the finish.

GARGANEGA | Angiolino Maule 2010 ‘I Masieri’ |  Veneto, Italy $7 gls • $29 btl
This dry, lean, slightly hazy natural wine is very complex and refreshing, with notes of apple cider, papaya, bosc pear, jasmine tea and much more; the medium-bodied texture makes this a great white for the season.

GRUNER VELTLINER | Wimmer Czerny 2010 ‘Fumberg’ | Wagram, Austria ** $8 gls · $33 btl
This small family estate is making some of Austria’s most exciting wines. Sourced from a special young-vines parcel, this is spicy, alive, and very lithe on the palate, showing white pepper, spearmint, poblano, and citrus: a great food pair!

MELON DE BOURGOGNE | Guy Bossard 2009 | Muscadet, Sèvre et Maine Sur-Lie, France** $9 gls · $38 btl
Guy is a very fine, famous producer of Muscadet; we’re pleased for the opportunity to pour one of his wines by the glass! This, his top bottling (called ‘Granite’, after the soil these vines are planted in) shows terrific acidity and drive; mouthwatering orange blossom, fig, and keen lychee are just a few of the arresting flavors which make this a great cool-weather white.

RIESLING | Reuscher-Haart 2009 | Piesport, Mosel, Germany $7 gls · $29 btl (1Liter)
With over 500 years of winemaking experience, Reuscher-Haart is one of our favorite estates in all of Germany; long, slow fermentations and extended lees contact give their Rieslings a singular purity and presence. This 2009 (in liter-bottle format) is spectacularly clean and direct; a gentle sense of sweetness combines with flavors of green apple and lemon zest.

SAUVIGNON BLANC | The Supernatural 2009 | Hawkes Bay, New Zealand $8 gls · $33 btl
Succulent, delectable, dry New World SB, with arresting flavors of passionfruit, pineapple, kiwi, and more.

VIURA BLEND | Lopez de Heredia 2001 Crianza | Viña Gravonia, La Rioja, Spain $10 gls · $42 btl
Possibly the best white wine from Spain, period. Medium-bodied and COMPLEX, with aromas of almond blossom, aloe, dried acacia flowers, and guava; the palate shows cool tropical fruit, delicate spice, sandalwood, and dried vanilla bean.

PINOT NOIR | HIppolyte Reverdy 2010 Rosé | Sancerre, France $11 gls · $48 btl
An outstanding dry rosé for winter, this shows a deep watermelon/raspberry color, and succulent flavors of juicy pomegranate seed, bing cherry, and fresh mint, all underscored by a line of refreshing acidity.

Reds

CABERNET FRANC | Sablonettes 2010 ‘Petit Diable’ | Loire Valley, France $8 gls · $33 btl
Charming, naturally made, utterly lip-smacking and made to quench thirst, this food-friendly wine shows refreshing flavors of blueberry and raspberry tea in a body of medium acidity and very soft tannin.

CABERNET SAUVIGNON | Caparone 2006 | French Camp Vineyard, Paso Robles, California $10 gls · $42 btl
A staff favourite, this is the real deal; unfined, unfiltered, old-school candor. A stately wine that has everything from perfectly ripe fruit, savoury delights, and green tobacco leaf, to a finish with lift.

CINSAULT, CAB SAUV, SYRAH | Massaya 2008 ‘Classic’ | Bekaa Valley, Lebanon $7 gls · $29 btl
One of the coolest wines out of the Levant comes this beauty from our good friend, Ramzi Ghosn. A recondite wine left to settle in concrete vats boasts mistle toe, dried roses, white currant seeds with a lush but direct mid-palate. Very Beirut chic.

MALBEC | Durigutti 2009 | Mendoza, Argentina$8.50 gls · $35 btl
A Malbec unlike any other… The profile is refined and lush, shying away from bombastic with a pure blueberry, sandstone nose. One of the best Malbecs by the glass we’ve ever served!

MENCIA BLEND | Monasterio de Corias 2008 | Asturias, Spain $8 gls · $33 btl
From the rural northwest region of Asturias, inland from the coast, this rare, tangy, Mencia-driven blend is keen, light-bodied, and wonderfully exotic; dry persimmon, black cherry, and a touch of red licorice combine to enervate the palate.

PINOT NOIR | Benjamin Leroux 2009 | Burgundy, France $12 gls · $50 btl
Only in his mid-30′s, Benjamin Leroux is already being hailed as one of the most talented winemakers in Burgundy today; he began his career at the Comte Armand estate in Pommard (where he continues to work), and, since 2007, has developed his own style as a negociant with a series of micro-parcels throughout the Cote d’Or, elaborating them in a building he shares with Dominique Lafon. This, his current vintage of Bourgogne Rouge, is one of the sexiest 2009′s we’ve had from the region – it shows the ripeness of its vintage beautifully – bing cherry tending to currant, a note of fig, and total finesse.

PRIMITIVO | Li Veli ‘Orion’ 2009 | Salento, Puglia, Italy $7 gls · $29 btl
Zinfandel lovers look out! Violet, chili flakes, lush blackberries, and horse-saddle make this complex ‘sleeper’ a must!

SANGIOVESE BLEND | Montevertine 2009 ‘Pian del Ciampolo’ | Radda in Chianti, Tuscany, Italy$12 gls · $50 btl
Astonishing, heart-warming Chianti from one of the finest traditionalist estates in the region, this shows pronounced aromatics of rosepetal and licorice, followed by a richly textured palate and a very dry, elegant finish.

SYRAH BLEND | Kuyen 2009 | Maipo Valley, Chile ** $13 gls · $56 btl
From internationally renowned winemaker Alvaro Espinoza, this full-bodied blend of Syrah, Carmenere, and more is perfectly suited to a late winter in Chicago; rich flavors of toasted caraway, nutmeg spice, sweet pecan, black raspberry, mocha and chicory lead to a sophisticated, balanced finish.

TEMPRANILLO | Luberri 2008 ‘Seis’ | Rioja Alavesa, Spain $8 gls · $33 btl
2008 was the best vintage ever for this lean, classic Tempranillo; sweet dark cherry, a touch of caraway spice, and more.

Fortified | Dessert

PALOMINO | Vinicola Hidalgo Manzanilla | El Puerto de Santa María, Spain $5 gls
Delicately dry, with layers of chamomile, sea salt, pear: the ideal tapas wine, made to be enjoyed with olives.

PALOMINO | Bodegas Dios Baco Amontillado | Jerez de la Frontera, Spain $10 gls
Firm and off-dry, with pure roasted almond flavors and a note of licorice.

PEDRO XIMENEZ | Alvear Oloroso ‘Asuncion’ | Montilla-Moriles, Spain $8 gls
One of the sexiest Olorosos made: honey-laced orange pekoe tea & a sublime texture.

PEDRO XIMENEZ | El Maestro Sierra | Jerez de la Frontera, Spain $8 gls
A warm, palate-coating sweetness envelops flavors of date, maple, and blueberry.

TOURIGA NACIONAL BLEND | Niepoort Ruby | Douro, Portugal $6 gls
Fairly intense impact, with spicy orange peel and juicy raspberry flavors.

TOURIGA NACIONAL BLEND | Quinta do Noval LBV 2003 | Douro, Portugal $9 gls
The careful craftsmanship at Noval is without parallel in the Douro: this slick, sexy, unfiltered LBV shows black licorice and baking chocolate above a fiery, spicy soul.

TOURIGA NACIONAL BLEND | Quinta do Infantado 20-year Tawny | Douro, Portugal $12 gls
A most traditional & biodynamic property makes this crafty, beautiful tawny; gingerbread dough, toasted cashews, buckwheat, balsamic, & more with a palate that’s savoury & sweet creating perfect balance!

BUAL | Rare Wine Co. & Vinhos Barbeito ‘Historic Series – Boston’ | Madeira, Portugal $9 gls
Almondy, honeycombed Madeira, with a hint of sweetness, a dry grip, and lots of tamarind spice.

MUSCAT DE FRONTIGNAN | Klein Constantia 2005 ‘Vin de Constance’ | Constantia, South Africa $10 gls
A wine with an incredible history – you’ll be captivated by orange blossom water, honey, & dried Turkish figs.
Sommelier – Jeremy Quinn