STAN’S PICK FOR FEBRUARY 2026

My passion as most of you know, is to find wines that punch above their price point. Most of us like to save money, especially those who are just breaking into the wine world. However, even many of my friends who are regular customers at the store love to find great deals. We like to have wine with our meals, and for an everyday table wine, it’s nice to find something that is good that doesn’t break the bank. My pick for this month fits right into that category.

Is it a surprise that I go to Spain for my pick? Some of the best values in the world come from this country. I feel like this is an exceptional value and a versatile wine that can be enjoyed on its own or with a variety of foods.

2023 Protocolo Tempranillo (Vino De La Tierra De Castilla, Spain)… $9.

Perfumed aromas of plums and cherries on the nose with a hint of blackberries. Blackberries and cherries on the palate with a solid kiss of chocolate, with an underbelly of milk chocolate and a kiss of minerality. Tobacco notes sneak in on the finish. This baby has good balance and fresh acidity that gives it an edgy lift on the palate. This wine punches well above its price-point and has more complexity than you would expect at this price. This would pair nicely with pizza, a pasta dish with red sauce, lamb, and pork. I was instantly impressed with this wine and I believe you will be as well. (B)

Cheers!

Stan The Wine Man

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STAN’S PICK FOR JANUARY ’26

If memory serves me correctly, I picked this same wine some years ago as my “Pick Of The Month.” I am a huge Cotes Du Rhone fan, and I’m happy to see the sales of this wine finally taking hold in my department. I have been touting its virtues for years with very little success. However, persistence pays. My pick for the start of 2026 is from Charles Bieler, who, along with his family, produces wine in the Rhone Valley. He is a gifted winemaker who is well known for working alongside Charles Smith in Washington state. He has his fingers in a lot of pies, so to speak. His 2024 La Jassine is stellar and is once again making its appearance as my “Pick Of The Month.”

2024 Bieler Pere & Fils Côtes-Du-Rhône Villages (Rhone Valley, France)… $14.

Strawberries and cherries on the nose with hits of earth and spices. Smooth, structured tannins support notes of dark cherries and ripe strawberries with a good dose of spices riding underneath into the lingering finish, where a splash of minerality joins the palate party. This wine will convert many people to Cotes-du-Rhone once they try it. The price is stupid considering the quality of this juice. That’s a good thing for us! The fact that it’s designated “Villages,” which indicates a step up in quality and is still under fifteen bucks, is quite amazing if you ask me. (B+/A-)

Cheers!

Stan The Wine Man

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STAN’S PICK FOR DECEMBER ’25

Once again, I look to Portugal for a value red that punches well above its price point. Most of you who read my articles know that I am a huge fan of this country, as well as Spain and Italy, when it comes to finding wines that deliver a lot for the money. This month’s pick comes from a co-op in Portugal called Casa Santos Lima. They are behind many brands from this country and most are pretty fantastic for the money. This particular wine blew me away, so I hope you get a chance to try it. By the way, it will be a good wine to pair with a juicy prime rib…Just saying.

2020 Casa Santos Lime Confidencial Reserva Red (Lisboa, Portugal)… $13.

Made from ten varietals that the winery deems confidential, this red is quite amazing for the money. Savory on the nose with notes of plum, beets, and red flowers. Plum, tobacco, boysenberry, and cherry notes have a nice intensity on the palate, balanced by well-integrated acidity. Savory and earth notes ride underneath from the front to the finish. This little gem is an overachiever for sure with good structure and balance, especially for the price. (B+/A-)

P.S.

Looking at the tasting notes, I believe the combination of boysenberry and tobacco translates into beets on the nose. That’s my best guess, and I’m sticking to it.

Cheers!

Stan The Wine Man

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STAN’S PICK FOR NOVEMBER ’25

I get super excited when I taste a wine and immediately know it will be a pick of the month. It’s kind of like getting Wordle on the second try, if you know what I mean. My choice for November easily falls into the eighty percent category. For those who follow me, you know that this means I believe eighty percent of the people who buy the wine will like it. I have a pretty good track record in this regard. I know there are a few outliers that will not appreciate it, so I try to steer them away if I can. That said, I am very comfortable recommending this gem from Tuscany, Italy. It’s a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese.

2022 Sella Antica Rosso (Tuscany, Italy)… $14.

Aromas of blackberries, currants and blueberries, with hints of chocolate and tobacco. Smooth, structured tannins support notes of blackberries, blueberries, and currants. There are underlying chocolate and spice notes front to a lingering finish where the tobacco notes join the palate party. This red wine has a good balance of acidity, fruit, and tannins, with nice complexity, especially considering its price point. Because it has some fruit on it, I believe it would make a good complement to the Thanksgiving meal, whether it be turkey, lamb, ham, or duck. At his price, it is certainly friendly to the budget. (B)

Cheers!

Stan The Wine Man

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