Our Little Raven Vineyards sommeliers work hard each week to uncover a few undervalued, scrumptious bottles of wine to share with our customers. If you're in the mood to try something different, check out our recommendations below.     

 Domaine du Grand Chemin

 Gris, 2008

 Savignargues, France                                       $13 a bottle

   This slightly blushing rose is half grenache and half cinsault.

    Young, lively, it is filled with notes of citrus and berries. Lime zest,

    raspberries, lemons, and a touch of wild strawberry, it awakes the

    senses, pairing well with many foods, including green leafy salads,

    grilled fish, and fresh fruit.

Fleur Petite Sirah, 2007

North Coast, California           $15 a bottle
Very little light penetrates this inky, purple color. The nose is subtle, with a touch of spice and brambly aromas. In the mouth the wine is very dense. The flavors of blackberries, blueberries, and smoke are concentrated. As the wine breathes it offers nuances of chocolate, vanilla, and a hint of white pepper. Good grip, backing up the berry flavors. The acidity shows on the finish, washing the tannins away.

  Savanha

  Pinotage Shiraz, 2008

  Stellenbosch, South Africa                             $13 a bottle
  An interesting blend of pinotage and shiraz, it showcases

  South Africa's incredible potential for ripe wines with complexity.

  Pinotage is a cross of pinot noir and cinsault, one being elegant

  and the other being hearty. This blend allows the elegance of

  the pinot noir to show through. Smoky and smothered in flavors

  of cherries, red raspberries, blackberries, tar, anise, plum,

  leather, and spice. Great acidity to oppose the ripe fabric,

  while the tannins are polished and smooth. The mid-palate

  and finish are brimming with more fruit flavors. Great with

  grilled meats, red sauces, and sausages.

Pares Balta

Blancs de Pac, 2007

Penedes, Spain -                                                     $13 a bottle
The grapes of Cava are a lovely mix in this still wine. A creamy nose leads aromas of white flowers. Flavors of apple, pear, and a hint of spring blossoms and chamomile fill the palate. Notes of lemon and

lime sweep the mouth and linger into the finish. Fresh, showcasing ripeness with a crisp stainless steel fermentation. Its acidity is refreshing, but delicate and polished, supporting a soft mouthfeel.

A touch of weight shows on the finish. A blend of parellada,

xarel.lo, and macabeo (yep, that dot belongs there).

    Errazuriz

    Carmenere, 2006

    Santiago, Chile                    $12 a bottle

    Smoky aromas mingle with berry tones on the

    nose. The palate weaves itself in a robe of

    black cherry, fresh ground black pepper,

    and roasted sweet red pepper flavors. A

    caramel nuance builds on the mid-palate,

    white the finish shows a touch of charred

                                                            vanilla. Sultry character,  offering fine

                                                            grained tannins.

Tormaresca

Chardonnay, 2006

Puglia, Italy                                                         

$12 a bottle

Aromas of white flowers and baked goods waft from the glass. Ripe and rich, it offers flavors of pineapple, peaches, papaya, plantain, and baked apple. The finish offers a combination of spice, vanilla and anise, while a clean cutting acidity wakes the senses. Great chardonnay from one of Italy's warmest regions.

   Corte alla Flora

   Rosso Di Montepulciano, 2006

   Montepulciano, Italy                     $16 a bottle

   A lovely version of sangiovese from the Tuscany

   region. Spices wash over the tongue, while on the

   mid-palate the wine shows notes of chocolate,

   roasted black cherries, and flinty mineral. Sour

   cherry tones pair with the acidity, while the tannins

   contribute a white pepper spice. It conveys a smoky

   density that carries through to the floral finish.

   Complex, old world juice, with a good dose of new

                                                   world ripeness.

Domaine de La Citadelle

Le Chataignier Rouge, 2005

Cotes du Luberon, France                                     $12 a bottle
A blend of syrah, grenache, carignan, and cinsault. Fermented and aged in stainless steel, these are the youngest of the vines and are the most fruit forward in style. Spicy, smoky, and mouthwatering with flavor. Berries explode on the palate with notes of chocolate and ground spices. A touch of roses and horehound brings the finish. A great bottle of wine when you want to impress someone who thinks they have tasted it all.

   Piazzano

   Chianti DOC, 2007

   Empoli, Italy                                                    $15 a bottle
   Sultry and balanced, this sangiovese-based red is a classically

   styled Chianti, with a touch of new world character. It offers a

   touch of rose petals, gun metal, and fresh cut marjoram, supported

   by a ripe, juicy flavor of black cherries and plum. The hint of milk

   chocolate on the finish marries with a distinct terroir tone. Soft

   tannins make this a great wine for pizza, red sauce pasta, and those

   recipes blessed with a healthy dollop of olive oil.

O'Reilly's 2007 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon    $20 a bottle
Lovely ruby-garnet color with a gem like translucence. Berry aromas and a touch of cola show on the nose. A melange of berry flavors, cranberry, raspberry, and strawberry marry with summer flowers, brambles, and ground herbs. Elegant and slightly lighter than many pinots, with its polished character pairs mouthwatering acidity with subtle tannins. The finish offers rose petals, cola nut, and a touch of earthiness.

   Vin de Savoie

   Apremont, 2008

   Marches, France                    $15 a bottle

    Apremont, from the French Alps, is a wine for cheese.

    It has a nice citrus fruit flavor with high minerality to cut

    through the heavy flavors of the cheese and refresh

    for each new taste.

Mud House Sauvignon Blanc, 2007

Marlborough, New Zealand      $18 a bottle
Floral aromas of orange blossoms and minerals fill the senses. Zesty and refreshing, this Kiwi is complex with flavors of lime zest, gooseberry, mango, papaya, and lemongrass. The mouthwatering finish hints of pink grapefruit. A tasty New Zealand sauvignon blanc, with great polish and finesse.

 Tulip Hills

 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006

 Lake County, California        $14 a bottle
  A rich, layered cabernet sauvignon splashed

  with notes of spices. A veneer of black cherry

  and cassis create a ripe experience for the

  mouth. Flavors of black licorice, clove,

  cinnamon, and smoke fill the mid-palate.

  The finish lingers with a touch of fresh

  roasted coffee beans and bitter sweet chocolate. Soft tannins make for a smooth mouth-feel. Wine with this complexity is not often seen at this price point. A great value for the money.

Elio Perrone

Moscato Sourgal, 2007

Piedmont, Italy

$19 a bottle

Young Stefano Perrone is a masterof Moscato and for the past two years, the influential Italian wine publication Il Mio Vino has rated Clarté Italy's finest Moscato.  This wine shows extraordinary lusciousness, vivid fruit, soft mousse, and captivating perfume, so it is no surprise that the following for Moscato d’Asti has grown dramatically in recent years., a superb light dessert wine, perfect with fruit of all types. It is the perfect summer sipper too -- ideal for picnics orand perfect with melon and prosciutto. It's also a traditional accompaniment in Piedmont at the Christmas celebration.

  Santa Barbara 

  Verdicchio Dei Castelli di Jesi, 2007

  Marche, Italy                $13 a bottle
  A great change of pace for the white wine

  aficionado. The straw color offers a hint of

  green, making a jewel like appearance in the

  glass. Floral aromas greet the nose and carry

  over to the palate. Flavors of apricot, melon,

  and creamy lemon meringue fill the senses. The

  mouthfeel is rich, even though the acidity offers a zesty palate cleansing experience. Classic Italian style and elegance, with a ripe profile.

Hope Estate

"The Ripper" Shiraz, 2005

Hunter Valley, Australia                               $15 a bottle
Big inky color with aromas of spice and berries. The mouth fills with vanilla, raspberry, black pepper, and chocolate cupcake nuances. The mid-palate offers notes of clove, cinnamon, and a hint of licorice. The tannins offer a back of the hand front of the hand experience with the ripe fruit flavors. A great bottle for barbequed fare.