Venison

Finding Nebbiolo outside of its Italian homeland is rare enough – finding one this compelling is rarer still. Barboursville Vineyards, founded by a friend of Thomas Jefferson, continues to push the boundaries of what's possible in Virginia wine country with this remarkable Reserve bottling of Italy's most noble red grape. Winemaker Luca Paschina, himself an Italian transplant, brings old-world sensibility to this new-world expression of Nebbiolo. The result honors the variety's distinctive character – those classic aromatics, firm tannins, and bright acidity – while expressing the unique terroir of Virginia's Piedmont region (a name it shares with Nebbiolo's Italian homeland). This isn't trying to be Barolo or Barbaresco – it's confidently its own thing, showcasing what happens when Italian tradition meets American innovation. For the curious wine lover looking to explore beyond the usual suspects, this bottle offers a fascinating detour into one of America's most historic wine regions.

This Langhe Nebbiolo offers a perfect introduction to Piedmont's noble grape without requiring the patience (or budget) demanded by Barolo and Barbaresco. The "Clare JC" designation is a tribute to winemaker Giuseppe Vajra's children, Claudio and Francesca. The Vajra family brings the same meticulous attention to their Langhe Nebbiolo as they do to their acclaimed Barolo, sourcing from younger vines and giving the wine less oak aging for earlier approachability. The result captures Nebbiolo's ethereal aromatics and structure in a more immediate package. It's the perfect bottle for those nights when you want something special but don't want to raid the cellar for your precious Barolo – or for anyone curious about why wine professionals are so obsessed with this challenging but rewarding grape.

This powerful red from Spain's prestigious Priorat region showcases the area's unique llicorella slate soils, which force the vines to struggle and produce intensely concentrated fruit. The Black Slate series highlights individual villages within Priorat – this one featuring Gratallops, one of the region's most renowned areas. Celler Cecilio is one of Priorat's historic producers, with roots dating back to the 1940s. Their collaboration with importer Eric Solomon for the Black Slate series has created wines that perfectly balance traditional character with modern approachability. The old-vine Garnacha and Carignan that make up this blend deliver remarkable depth and complexity, capturing the essence of this special region. While Priorat has become one of Spain's most expensive wine regions, this bottle offers an authentic taste of its distinctive character at a relatively accessible price point.