Previous Staff Selections • Drew Fuller
Summer 2026
Château Lamothe de Haux Première Cuvée
(Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux)
Surdyk's Price
Grilling season is finally here in Minnesota, and I have been enjoying pairing smoky grilled meats with Napa and Sonoma Cabs, Syrah from Washington and Southern France, Tuscan reds, and bold Zinfandels from California. I recently have been sampling wines from Bordeaux and came across an incredible value from the right bank, Château Lamothe de Haux in Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux AOC. Located southwest of Bordeaux in the commune of Haux, Château Lamothe has crafted estate bottled wines since the 16th century. Since 1956, the estate has been run by the Néel-Chombart family, with sustainability at the core of everything they do in farming and wine making. They have distinctive limestone quarries from the 17th century that they have restored and that serve as ideal cellars for underground aging of red wines. The 2022 is a blend of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Cabernet Franc that aged for 12 months in French oak barrels after undergoing a very gentle and cool fermentation that encourages a silky mouthfeel. This wine shows aromas of red and black fruits, anise, dried herbs, and earth, followed by excellent balance between the fruit, fresh acidity, and silky tannins. The flavors are focused, rich, and framed by soft tannins and bright acidity that firms up at the end of each sip. This complex wine will continue to evolve beautifully over the next 8-10 years, so make sure you buy accordingly! Pair this wine with grilled meats, especially steaks and lamb, pan seared duck breast, portobello mushrooms, and hard aged cheeses like Gouda or Comté. Try opening this wine 30-60 minutes before enjoying! Santé!
Spring 2026
Alveo Zinfandel by Klinker Brick
(Lodi, California)
Surdyk's Price
As March approaches, I look forward to warmer temps and the opportunity to take the cover off the grill and use fire and smoke to create boldly flavored meals. The grilled meats and vegetables cry out for a wine equally rich and bold to enhance the meal, and there is no wine better suited to this than those made from Zinfandel grapes. The gnarled old vines in Lodi, California have been producing small yields of intensely flavored grapes for over 100 years. They create wines of power with gobs of dark fruits, lush tannins, and thankfully enough bright notes of acidity to keep the wines perfectly balanced. I am not a fan of huge, extracted Zins that are solely about dark fruit and brute power. That is why I so enjoyed sipping this Alveo Zinfandel made by Klinker Brick Winery and discovering the rich dark fruit was balanced by lively acidity and a long, velvety finish. Klinker Brick winery was founded in 2000 by owners Steve and Lori Felton, who carry on five generations of grape farming dating back to 1893. They use sustainable farming practices to produce wines from 750 acres of vineyards in the Lodi AVA, and have incorporated the sixth generation of the Felton family in key roles of the business. The Alveo Zinfandel in the glass exhibits a light purple color that shimmers with brightness. The nose begins with lush red and black fruits, slight earthiness, warm baking spices, and hints of vanilla. Rich dark fruit flavors envelop the palate with enough bright acidity to provide focus and a long silky finish. Pair this with anything grilled, meat-sauced pastas, blue cheeses, Aged Cheddar or Gouda, and don’t forget to grab a slice of flourless Chocolate Cake in the Cheese Shop! Enjoy this incredible value Zin at all of your picnics and dinner parties this year, and I am sure your guests will be quickly asking for another glass, and another and… Cheers!
Winter 2025
Viña Borgia By Bodegas Borsao
(Campo de Borja, Spain)
Surdyk's Price
Wines from Spain have often appealed to me, whether they be old world reds from Rioja and Ribera del Duero regions, or aromatic whites made with the Albarino grape. I have also enjoyed many Garnacha wines and recently came across an incredible wine from the iconic producer Bodegas Borsao called Viña Borgia. Located in northeastern Spain, the Campo de Barja D.O. is famous for producing world class red wines since Roman times using the Garnacha grape (62% of all planted vines). Continental climate with the Atlantic Ocean influence of cool breezes combined with the warm Mediterranean sun leads to wines with good acidity, vibrant color, and soft tannins. The average age of the vineyards is 30-50 years old with low yields creating intensely flavored grapes. Bodegas Borsao winery is certified organic and vegan and was founded in 2001 as a merger of three cooperatives made up of hundreds of family farmers. They make both expensive wines and affordable table wines, with Viña Borgia falling under the incredibly affordable style! Fresh aromas of red currant, plum, blueberry, and cassis combine with earthy notes and subtle anise aromas. These aromas carry over to the palate where the fruit and acidity combine perfectly to produce a fresh and vibrant wine that is complex with a surprisingly persistent, long finish that leads to you wanting your next sip of wine, preferably with your next bite of food. This is relatively easy to achieve if the wine is $30-$50, but is incredibly difficult to achieve when the wine is $15 ($10 on sale!!!). Pair this gem with paella, salads, pasta, chicken, pork, and cheeses such as the Casa Lusa Zimbro sheep’s milk cheese from Portugal that you can get in Surdyk’s Cheese shop. “Salud!”