When Unpretentious Palate asked our subscribers for feedback on our performance and your expectations, many of you asked for recommendations of higher-priced wines that do not fit into our popular 20-Buck Bottle series. We are happy to announce the launch of “Cellar Picks.” 

by Anita Skogland

2022 CoFerment, Scar of the Sea, Bassi Vineyards, California

Available at: Assorted Table Wine & Shop, Uptown
Price: $37.99
Drinking window: Drink now, or cellar for two years

On the Nose: Dried basil, sage, cinnamon, and cherry
On the Palate: Spice, white pepper, light red fruits like cherry and strawberry, a hint of acidity.
On the Plate: Soft cow or goat milk cheeses; grilled asparagus; pasta with fresh tomatoes and herbs; cod of halibut; kale salad
Serving Note: Put a light chill on this red wine.

Our Take: This is a well-balanced, refreshing wine hand-crafted with great attention to detail. The alcohol level is 12.5%, which allows the fruit to shine.

Details and Fun Facts: A blend of 55% Pinot Gris and 45% Pinot Noir which yields a light red wine. The winery is located in San Luis Obispo, California, along the Pacific coast, north of Santa Barbara and south of Monterey, where the elevation allows the grapes to enjoy the cool Pacific breezes. They grow organic pinot noir, chardonnay, syrah, sauvignon blanc, pinot gris, and gamay grapes. The production process uses natural yeast, fermenting in old French oak barrels. Wines are bottled unfiltered and unfined. The winemaker and vineyard managers are Mikey and Gina Giugni, who have run the operations since 2012. They use biodynamic and sustainable farming practices running several small plots throughout the region. Production is 2400 cases a year, which is very small. The name of the winery comes from a picture Mikey Giugni took of a church in Tasmania that used old English lettering. “The Star of the Sea” script looked like “The Scar of the Sea” to him. The couple liked the sound of that and decided it would be their winery name.

See our other Cellar Picks