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Previous Staff Selections • J'Kalein Madison


Winter 2025

Carpineto Dogajolo Rosso

(Tuscany, Italy) 

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In past write-ups, you have heard me call certain wines my “go-to” options or bottles I always keep on the rack at home  but I have never really talked about “the why,what earns a wine that title? For me, there are three must-haves: versatility, overall quality, and price. I want a wine that can cover all the bases if I am heading to a party and have no clue what is being served, will not break the bank (especially for a last-minute grab), and is almost guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. This baby Super-Tuscan checks every box. It is as powerful and deep as it is elegant and balanced, making it the perfect go-to option for me this holiday season! What I love about this wine in particular is it takes two of my favorite red grapes and brings them together is this beautiful blend that brings bright, fresh red fruit notes of strawberry and cherry with this gorgeous layer of vanilla and cinnamon spice wrapping it all together. The oak aging and malolactic conversion gives it a touch of softness, while remaining complex and full-bodied. This is easily a bottle I would recommend for your holiday gatherings, or for those warm and cozy evenings at home under a nice warm blanket! ¡Salud!


Fall 2025

Walnut Block Sauvignon Blanc

(Marlborough, NZ) 

Surdyk's Price:

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Summer is over, but if you’re anything like me, you’re still holding on to it as much as possible—even if it’s just through what you’re drinking! This bottle is fresh, fruity, and has everything I need to be taken back to those long hot days when you could sit outside with a cold, crisp glass of wine! Hailing from the tip of the southern island in New Zealand, this wine is the perfect expression of a straightforward, no-fuss Sauvignon Blanc that you’ll want to sip on for days and days… perhaps even into the winter months. 100% Sauvignon Blanc in the bottle, and you get everything you want and desire. Fresh, juicy tropical fruit notes of mango and passion fruit, along with pronounced stone fruit flavors of peach, all take their turn showing up on your palate. The signs of a well-balanced and carefully crafted wine! Laced with just a hint of that signature bell pepper, the real beauty lies in the long finish this wine offers, which is helped in part by the refreshing acidity it contains. Typically, I always provide food pairings at the end of my write-ups, but honestly, just enjoy this one by itself—you’ll thank me later! ¡Salud!


Summer 2025

H. Beaulieu Picpoul de Pinet

(France) 

Surdyk's Price:

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While I’m sure many of you have travel plans this summer, perhaps I can interest you in adding one more excursion to your list. How about France, southeast border, right along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea…sounds good, doesn’t it?! What if I told you that excursion was right here, at Surdyk’s, in this very bottle! Coming from one of the largest regions in France, Languedoc-Roussillon, this bottle contains a varietal that spends its days basking on a sun-drenched hillside by the Mediterranean Ocean, and it shows. Made from 100% Picpoul de Pinet, this wine is perfect for those who are Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio fans or just want to expand their summer wine rotation with something lively and refreshing. Picpoul has been compared to everything from Alberiño to Pinot Grigio, but it truly stands out as its own unique refreshing white wine. Pronounced notes of grapefruit, orange peel, and white peach coat the palate, with a refreshing and crisp burst of acidity that tingles the tongue with every sip. Which makes total sense, as the name “Picpoul” translates directly tostings the lip”, referring to its acidity. A hint of wet stone adds a subtle bit of salinity that almost feels like it’s taking you back to the French coastal hillsides. Because of the mouthwatering acidity, this wine can easily pair with any seafood or shellfish dish or be the perfect complement to a summer picnic or a nice relaxing day at the beach.  ¡Salud!