Bestselling Wines of the Summer

As we approach the next season, we celebrate our bestselling wines of the summer. Here is a list of wines from Merchant of Wine buyer, Ian Blackburn. 

1. BODEGAS OLIVARES, ALTOS DE LA HOYA, UNGRAFTED OLD VINE MONASTRELL, JUMILLA, MURCIA, SPAIN, 2020 

92 Points - Review Ian Blackburn 
Super impressive, this perennial value champion may have made their best version yet.  Great color, impressive nose of blue fruits, mocha shavings, espresso, give way to a mouthfeel that has nice weight, density and intensity.  The balance is exceptional with zero issues... I had to look at the bottle twice to say "Is that the wine that is under $15?" ... Color 14/15 (nice) Aroma 23/25 Body 23/25 Overall 32/35 - 92 Points  

2. DRY CREEK VINEYARD, FUMÉ BLANC, SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, 2019/2020 
92 Points - Wine Spectator
Fresh and effusive, with lemongrass, lemon verbena and fresh ginger notes to complement the core of juicy lemon-lime, green apple and ruby grapefruit flavors. Juicy and mouthwatering on the vibrant finish.

3. FIELD RECORDINGS "SALAD DAYS" PET NAT, PASO ROBLES, CALIFORNIA, NV 
91 Points - Ian Blackburn
Not only one of California’s best values but inside of PET NAT - I think this is the most likable version I have seen.  Absolutely hard to stop drinking - and easy for everyone to agree on.  Color 13.5 Aroma 22.5,, Body 22.5, Overall 32.5 = 91 Points 

4. LAGAR DE CERVERA, PAZO DE SEOANE, ROSAL, RIAS BAIXAS, SPAIN, 2020 (IAN'S TOP PICK) 
98 Points - Ian Blackburn 
Albariño and indigenous white varietals blended. Spectacular nose of citrus and salt air. Brilliant composition, texture, weight, intensity, balance and harmony. Rias Baixas costal minerality comes SCREAMING through on the finish, haunting you to come back for more. Absolutely a blockbuster wine from a great producer. Color 14.5/15, Aroma 24.5/25, Body 24.5/25, Overall 34.5/35 =  98 Points
Potential My Wine of the Year 

5. STOLPMAN VINEYARDS, "LOVE YOU BUNCHES" CARBONIC SANGIOVESE, SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA, 2021 
Tasting Notes
Serve cold! 2021 strikes a wonderful balance between the fleshier, warmer 2020 vintage and the more angular, high-toned 2018 and 2019 versions. Riper red berry fruit sings over the tart finish resulting in a pleasurable, quenching crunch. A perfected adult version of Sour Patch Kids candy. A floaty fleshiness develops by the second glass - which, by the way, arrives quickly - with some mellowing watermelon notes on the mid-palate.

6. PEYRASSOL, LES COMMANDEURS ROSÉ, CÔTES DE PROVENCE, FRANCE, 2021 
92 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
One of Provence's top winery destinations has produced a formidable 2021 Cotes de Provence Rose Chateau Peyrassol. Crushed stone, alpine strawberries and white peaches add up to a delicate set of flavors, but one that is reasonably intense at the same time. It's medium-bodied, silky, stony, refreshing and long. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes.  92 points Robert Parker today.

7. LAS JARAS, 'SUPERBLOOM' CUVEE ZERO ZERO ROSÉ, CALIFORNIA, 2021 
Tasting Notes
Superbloom is a complex, utterly unique wine that expresses the specialness of Love Ranch vineyard in the sierra Foothills. The red grapes give this wine a spicy nose and plenty of texture, while the white grapes add beautiful salted watermelon and rhubarb notes, plus a clean, mineral finish.

8. TENSLEY, SYRAH, COLSON CANYON VINEYARD, SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA, 2020 
97 Points - Vinous 
The 2020 Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard is a showstopper. Super-ripe red cherry jam, spice, rose petal, mint and blood orange explode from the glass. Even with all of the opulence of the year, the Colson Canyon retains so much brightness and energy. The 2020 is dense, heady and exotic to the core. Drinking window: 2025 - 2035 .