My Picks: Vintages On-Line Exclusives -- March 24

Here’s my shopping list for today’s Vintages On-Line Exclusives Release.

What am I looking for? Three things.
Organic: wines certified biodynamic or organic
Off the Beaten Track: lesser-known or underappreciated traditional varietals, unusual blends, or underappreciated regions
Value: good wines at less than $30

Organic

Nothing this time.

Off the Beaten Track

LOMA LARGA CABERNET FRANC 2007, Casablanca Valley (Chile); #0146050; 14% ABV; $23
Cab Franc is unusual in Chile and Loma Larga was the first winery in Casablanca (up north) to grow it. With this climate, expect a different expression, less herbaceousness, more red fruit. Cellar for a couple of years.

SIERRA CANTABRIA CRIANZA 2005, DOCa Rioja (Spain); #0161901; 14% ABV; $23
Rioja is the granddaddy of Spanish viticulture. This is 100% Tempranillo, straddles traditional and modern styles by aging in both French and American oak, unfiltered. In Rioja, Crianza means the wine spent at least 12 months in oak barrels; in this case, it’s 14 months.

TERREDORA TERRE DI DORA FIANO DI AVELLINO 2008, DOCG Fiano di Avellino, Campania (Italy); #0120048; 13% ABV; $22
Here’s another opportunity to try one of the fantastic whites (Fiano, Greco and Falanghina) from Campania in southern Italy. If you like fruit and minerality, try this. Terredora is a top producer.

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