Wine Club
A gift for yourself, A Special Someone, Or Both…
Each month, these selections are sure to bring a smile to both the aficionado and novice.
Why? Because nobody is more qualified than the Wise Buyers at Hi-Time Wine Cellars who have been scouring the globe to seek out wine treasures for more than 50 years.
No long-term commitment: Simply choose the program and let us know when you want to stop and we'll take care of the rest. We'll send an announcement to the gift recipient along with background information and tantalizing tasting notes on each wine.
Gold Selection Plan 1 - 29.95
2 Bottles of Red Wine (tax & shipping not included)
Breca 2019 Old Vine Garnacha
Grape Varietal: 100% Garnacha
Origin: Calatayud, Spain
JEB DUNNUCK 93 POINTS
"I loved the nose on the 2019 Breca, which is loaded with spicy red and black fruits as well as notes of sandalwood, dried flowers, herbes de Provence, and some chalky, mineral-like nuances. Beautiful on the palate as well, this medium to full-bodied, elegant, balanced, straight-up gorgeous Garnacha is best drunk over the coming 3-5 years. Drink: 2022-2027"
We're in Spain this month celebrating one of our favorite importer/producers (Jorge Ordóñez) and one of the stars in his stable of excellent wines: Breca Garnacha! Jorge Ordoñez is a name that should be familiar to you-- in the world of Spanish wine he is indeed a titan and the wines he has imported and produced are quality bottlings that should be on the radar of wine fans everywhere. We've touted his wines before as they tend to offer tons of value year in and year out-- flavorful, authentic wines that reflect their place of origin at fair pricing. And Breca Garnacha (Grenache) keeps this quality train rolling!
Located in the sleepy town of Munébrega, Bodegas Breca was founded by Jorge Ordóñez in 2010 with the mission of producing the finest Garnacha in Aragón. Garnacha de Aragón, the clone used to produce the wines of Bodegas Breca, is the most ancient and genetically untouched clones of Garnacha (Grenache) in the world. Garnacha was first cultivated in this northeastern corner of Spain, and transplanted across the Mediterranean by the medieval Kingdom of Aragón, which had territories across the Mediterranean.
The nose leads with blue/purple fruits-- think blackberry, black raspberry, blueberry. Further notes of citrus, spice, minerality and midnight florals add depth and scope. The palate showcases silky smooth tannins that reiterate the fruits found in the nose, adding more red to the blue/black. Hints of cherry and raspberry are surmounted by flecks of spice, earth and pencil lead. This is rich wine with an expansive mouthfeel that is kept light on its feet with good body. The finish of raspberry with a touch of créme fraiche and a soupçon of earthy spice leaves us wanting more-- so good!
"It is no exaggeration to say that Jorge Ordóñez is the reference point for some of the finest wines emerging from Spain." -Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Pascual Toso 2020 Las Barrancas Reserva
Grape Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
JAMES SUCKLING 94 POINTS
"A solid cabernet sauvignon with blackberries, blackcurrants and undertones of cedar. Full-bodied, chewy and rich, yet polished and rather plush...." Aged 1 year in American and French oak.
This Argentinian wine is a serious and tasty red for the price! It slowly opens in the glass, doling out satisfying aromas of warm-toned, vibrantly juicy, dark berries and woodsy, soft oak tones à la Bordeaux. With a generous mid-palate, velvet-textured tannins, juicy acidity, and an earthy, brambly-fruited finish, it's not Bordeaux and it's not California... this is classic Argentina!
The Pascual Toso Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is the result of tradition, experienced winemaking, and the Mendoza region's distinctive high-altitude, dry and sunny climate. After moving to Argentina from Italy's storied winemaking region of Piedmont, Pascual started his winery near the city of Mendoza in 1890. He ultimately planted a vineyard in Las Barrancas, a warmer area at a mere 2500 feet above sea level, with soils formed from ancient river deposits from the snow-capped Andes. These are the conditions that helped put Argentina on the wine map!
With the Argentinian wine renaissance of the 1990s, outside investment gave Pascual's descendants the tools and Argentinian-born winemaking team to make wines that shine on the world stage. It certainly helped that they hired world-famous winemaker, Paul Hobbs as a consultant! Today, their wines are exported around the world, providing a taste of traditional Argentinian wine with better quality than ever.
Gold Selection Plan 2 - 29.95
1 Bottle of Red Wine and 1 bottle of White Wine (tax & shipping not included)
Breca 2019 Old Vine Garnacha
Grape Varietal: 100% Garnacha
Origin: Calatayud, Spain
JEB DUNNUCK 93 POINTS
"I loved the nose on the 2019 Breca, which is loaded with spicy red and black fruits as well as notes of sandalwood, dried flowers, herbes de Provence, and some chalky, mineral-like nuances. Beautiful on the palate as well, this medium to full-bodied, elegant, balanced, straight-up gorgeous Garnacha is best drunk over the coming 3-5 years. Drink: 2022-2027"
We're in Spain this month celebrating one of our favorite importer/producers (Jorge Ordóñez) and one of the stars in his stable of excellent wines: Breca Garnacha! Jorge Ordoñez is a name that should be familiar to you-- in the world of Spanish wine he is indeed a titan and the wines he has imported and produced are quality bottlings that should be on the radar of wine fans everywhere. We've touted his wines before as they tend to offer tons of value year in and year out-- flavorful, authentic wines that reflect their place of origin at fair pricing. And Breca Garnacha (Grenache) keeps this quality train rolling!
Located in the sleepy town of Munébrega, Bodegas Breca was founded by Jorge Ordóñez in 2010 with the mission of producing the finest Garnacha in Aragón. Garnacha de Aragón, the clone used to produce the wines of Bodegas Breca, is the most ancient and genetically untouched clones of Garnacha (Grenache) in the world. Garnacha was first cultivated in this northeastern corner of Spain, and transplanted across the Mediterranean by the medieval Kingdom of Aragón, which had territories across the Mediterranean.
The nose leads with blue/purple fruits-- think blackberry, black raspberry, blueberry. Further notes of citrus, spice, minerality and midnight florals add depth and scope. The palate showcases silky smooth tannins that reiterate the fruits found in the nose, adding more red to the blue/black. Hints of cherry and raspberry are surmounted by flecks of spice, earth and pencil lead. This is rich wine with an expansive mouthfeel that is kept light on its feet with good body. The finish of raspberry with a touch of créme fraiche and a soupçon of earthy spice leaves us wanting more-- so good!
"It is no exaggeration to say that Jorge Ordóñez is the reference point for some of the finest wines emerging from Spain." -Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Tintero 2022 Langhe Arneis
Grape Varietal: 100% Arneis
Origin: Piedmont, Italy
"This delightful Arneis features a heady perfume of apricot and flowers, with a luscious texture balanced by crisp acidity and mineral notes. Like all Tintero bottlings, it is easy on the palate and the wallet—a Piemontese classic at bargain cost. " —Anthony Lynch
The winery: “This is one of the most important dry whites produced by our vineyards. In order to savor its characteristics this wine should be drunk young and fresh. It is straw-colored with a full-bodied taste.
Langhe Arneis is excellent as an aperitif or as an accompaniment to white meat.”
Platinum Selection 1 - 49.95
Clos lunelles 2019 Cotes de Bordeaux
Grape Varietal: 80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc
Origin: CoteCotes du Castillon, Bordeaux, France
JAMES SUCKLING 94 POINTS
"This is really fantastic, offering blackberries, blackcurrants and crushed stones. Medium to full body with bright fruit and a long, vivid finish. Agile. Another fantastic wine from here after the 2018. 80% merlot, 10% cabernet franc and 10% cabernet sauvignon. Drinkable now, but better in 2024."
JEB DUNNUCK 93 POINTS
"Coming from the incredible team at Pavie, the 2019 Clos Lunelles boasts a big, ripe, incredibly sexy and mouth-filling style as well as notes of black plums, black cherries, tobacco, and Asian spices. It brings serious fruit and opulence and is full-bodied, has a round, expansive mouthfeel, sweet tannins, and some obvious underlying minerality. It's already drinking beautifully and should deliver the goods over the coming 10-15 years."
How is so much wine packed into such a reasonably priced bottle? The answer lies in the fine terroir of the Sainte Colombe plateau. The vineyards are located at the highest point in the Côtes de Castillon and are an extension of the Saint Emilion limestone plateau sharing the same characteristics.
The second part of the equation is the expertise of the team led by Gerard Perse. Perse also happens to own the famous Chateau Pavie, Pavie-Decesse, Monbousquet and Bellevue-Mondotte. The combination of excellent fruit and winemaking know how combine to make this a compelling wine.
The Clos Lunelles vineyard covers 8.5 hectares of vines, composed of 80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes are picked and sorted by hand. Traditional and precise vinification and long maturation followed by 18 months in French oak barrels (50% new) without fining or filtering.
Volpaia 2021 Chianti Classico
Grape Varietal: 90% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot
Origin: Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy
WINE SPECTATOR 92 POINTS
"A racy version, this boasts black cherry, blueberry, violet and iron flavors. Features a firm line of tannins that work in concert with the acidity, while flashes of Mediterranean scrub peek through. Mouthwatering finish. Sangiovese and Merlot. Drink now through 2032. "
WINERY NOTES - Vivid ruby red. The nose has evident notes of red fruit and hints of cherries. On the palate, the wine is smooth and good structured with a fruity aftertaste.
Wine Tip
Volpaia 2021 Chianti Classico is a wonderful classic, red fruited style wine made out of Sangiovese. Tuscany is really trying to go back to more terroir driven and authentic winemaking. This bottle is a great example at a very affordable price.
Platinum Selection 2 - 49.95
1 Bottle of Red Wine and 1 Bottle of White Wine (tax & shipping not included)
Clos lunelles 2019 Cotes de Bordeaux
Grape Varietal: 80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc
Origin: Cotes du Castillon, Bordeaux, France
JAMES SUCKLING 94 POINTS
"This is really fantastic, offering blackberries, blackcurrants and crushed stones. Medium to full body with bright fruit and a long, vivid finish. Agile. Another fantastic wine from here after the 2018. 80% merlot, 10% cabernet franc and 10% cabernet sauvignon. Drinkable now, but better in 2024."
JEB DUNNUCK 93 POINTS
"Coming from the incredible team at Pavie, the 2019 Clos Lunelles boasts a big, ripe, incredibly sexy and mouth-filling style as well as notes of black plums, black cherries, tobacco, and Asian spices. It brings serious fruit and opulence and is full-bodied, has a round, expansive mouthfeel, sweet tannins, and some obvious underlying minerality. It's already drinking beautifully and should deliver the goods over the coming 10-15 years."
How is so much wine packed into such a reasonably priced bottle? The answer lies in the fine terroir of the Sainte Colombe plateau. The vineyards are located at the highest point in the Côtes de Castillon and are an extension of the Saint Emilion limestone plateau sharing the same characteristics.
The second part of the equation is the expertise of the team led by Gerard Perse. Perse also happens to own the famous Chateau Pavie, Pavie-Decesse, Monbousquet and Bellevue-Mondotte. The combination of excellent fruit and winemaking know how combine to make this a compelling wine.
The Clos Lunelles vineyard covers 8.5 hectares of vines, composed of 80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes are picked and sorted by hand. Traditional and precise vinification and long maturation followed by 18 months in French oak barrels (50% new) without fining or filtering.
Domaine des Granges 2021 Pouilly Vinzelles
Grape Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Origin: Pouilly Vinzelles, Burgundy, France
Organically farmed
"Well defined citrus and stone fruit aromas, with hints of acacia, honeysuckle, verbena and apple. Combines vivacity, roundness, fruitiness, and aromatic richness."
Pouilly-Vinzelles is located right next to his most famous neighbor Pouilly Fuisse. It is also 15 times smaller. So, you probably heard about Pouilly Fuisse and never heard about Pouilly-Vinzelles. It is time to fix that, because the wines in Pouilly Vinzelles are a wonderful value.
All White Selection - No more than $49.95
2 Bottles of White Wine (tax & shipping not included)
Domaine des Granges 2021 Pouilly Vinzelles
Grape Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Origin: Pouilly Vinzelles, Burgundy, France
Organically Farmed
"Well defined citrus and stone fruit aromas, with hints of acacia, honeysuckle, verbena and apple. Combines vivacity, roundness, fruitiness, and aromatic richness."
Pouilly-Vinzelles is located right next to his most famous neighbor Pouilly Fuisse. It is also 15 times smaller. So, you probably heard about Pouilly Fuisse and never heard about Pouilly-Vinzelles. It is time to fix that, because the wines in Pouilly Vinzelles are a wonderful value.
Mann 2022 Happy Lemon Riesling
Grape Varietal: 100% Riesling
Origin: Eguisheim, Alsace, France
BIODYNAMIC WINE
Winemaker Notes - Our Riesling becomes the Riesling Happy Lemon, with a brand new label. For the record, Sébastien fell in love with the lemon design of his little girl's pajamas! Looking at it he said to himself, "This lemon is perfect for expressing the lemony aromas and the youthfulness of our Riesling from young plots!" So here it is on the label of this thirst-quenching wine, easy to drink, with lemony and straight acidity, to share with friends around a beautiful seafood dish.
This wine comes from young vines planted at high density between 7,000 and 10,500 plants/hectare (It is very high) the minimum legal in AOC Alsace is 4500, with our own mass selection of old vines. Not being able to talk about terroir before 15-20 years, the time that the roots of the vines are taking place, so we decided to put the grape variety forward on the label. This wine is distinguished, complex and fruity, it evolves into lemony and spicy aromas white.
Eguisheim is one of the most beautiful villages in France (ranked in the top 20).
Champagne Selection - No more than $49.95
1 Bottle of Champagne (tax & shipping not included)
Voirin Jumel Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut
Grape Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Origin: Chouilly, Cramant, Avize
Dosage: 6 Grams Per Liter
This is a super-fresh and lively style, with a tensile quality that keeps everything focused and driven. On the nose, it speaks loudly of its grand cru origins, with bright citrus, florals and cool mineral notes. The palate is alleviated from its strong mineral grip by some nice mid-palate fruit intensity and light creaminess borrowed from Cramant. The finish is of medium length. A really enjoyable aperitif-style champagne that is also one of the best value for money.