March 2026 | Enthusiast Wine Club
by Caileen BrisonFosse Seche 2021 Eolithe VdF
This is a fantastic example of understanding market fluctuations. Under normal circumstances, I could never make this work as an Enthusiast Club offering. However—as fortunate as it is for us—the price dropped sufficiently that I could justify grabbing it for the club. Note: I cannot buy more of the Eolithe at this price. If you love it, enjoy it and hope other folks don’t pay their invoices!
Fosse-Sèche is an iconic estate, first planted during the time of Benedictine monks. This Loire property prioritizes agroforestry and biodiversity; over two-thirds of their property is not even planted under vine! Located just outside Saumur, the Eolithe is a Vin de France Cabernet Franc (with 1% Cabernet Sauvignon). Upon opening, the wine offers loads of dark bramble, blueberry, and cherry oils, underscored by graphite and pencil shavings. There’s a softer, "brown" undertone of cedar and sandalwood, supported by great acidity and vivacious tannins. After a couple of hours, the wine lightens, revealing tones of rose petal, incense, and raspberry lemonade. I genuinely adore this wine and could smell it all night—it’s a "candle in a bottle." By day two, the wine feels more like a classic Cab Franc: all the aforementioned notes are present, but slightly more tamed.
I hope you cherish this with loved ones over a wonderful meal. I would suggest rabbit rillettes, pork tenderloin with beurre blanc and sautéed herbs, or roasted squash with a chanterelle sauce. Drink now through 2031. Serve in all-purpose stemware at cellar temperature.
Ponte da Boga 2024 Bancales Olvidados Parcela Trasmonte
Deer Park Wine Club members are no stranger to my obsession with Spanish wines by now. For me, Galicia is easily one of the top three wine regions in the world - and apparently, I won’t stop selecting these wines until everyone else sees the Galician light (I joke... mostly). The wines of Ponte da Boga are all farmed organically from a historically rich site in Ribeira Sacra. This 100% Mencía comes from a 40-hectare family estate where only a fraction is planted to vine, rooted in the belief that a healthy ecosystem creates a healthy wine.
The wine is remarkably savory, boasting a deep aromatic profile of beef jerky, teriyaki, ancho chili, and white pepper—there is a ton of wine in this glass. Joining this "savory soiree" are notes of cooking lardons, petrichor, grilled bell peppers, and a distinct, slightly ferric quality. Structurally, the wine is moderate; the tannins are soft and well-integrated, with acidity to follow suit. After a couple of hours, the aromatics soften but maintain their character—think sweet basil and dried mushrooms. By day two, the wine becomes an "umami monster," with aromatics reminiscent of a ramen spice kit, soy rice crackers, and dried mushrooms. With this profile, this wine is a dream for fatty or spicy ramen, pork chow mein, or venison meatballs. Drink now through 2030. Serve in all-purpose stemware at cellar temperature.
Box Wine Co 2023 Goddess of the Greenman Semillon
Wesley Box dropped off a bottle of Kerner toward the end of last year; I tried it and was pleasantly surprised by how delicious, expressive, and inexpensive it was. Then - as the end of the year goes - time flew by and I didn't contact him again (...oops). He recently popped back into the shop with a full lineup, and I knew I had to share this Semillon offering as a gateway to his project.
This single-vineyard expression from the Sierra Foothills has a beautifully soft nose of golden apple, pineapple upside-down cake, and a "kiss" of ocean breeze. As expected from Semillon, the wine has moderate acidity with a balanced mouthfeel of California generosity. As the wine opens, the bouquet becomes more fruit-forward, revealing notes of yellow cake, passionfruit, and bright green apple. For me, there is a nostalgia for Arneis here—the floral aromatics coupled with a distinct salinity come together for a lovely glass of wine.
Given the softness of the profile, this is a wine you could easily enjoy in isolation. However, we always encourage pairing, and this would be lovely with halibut crudo, seared scallops, lobster rolls, or couscous with parmesan. Drink now through 2028. Serve in all-purpose stemware at refrigeration temperature.