INSIDER'S PICK: 2020 RUBUS RESERVE PINOT NOIR RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY $21.99

Even though we will not be doing the public tasting portion of the Insider's Pick until further notice, we will still be offering the wine for purchase with the usual 10% discount on Thursday and Friday. The wines will still be ones we highly recommend, and the tasting notes will still be our own. We will be returning to doing just the one wine on Thursdays and Fridays until further notice. We hope you are able to come by and get some wines to enjoy.

The Rubus line of wines are sprinkled around the store in a variety of countries, all of which represent excellent values for where they're from. The brand was created by one of Virginia's  top international importers working with their most trusted wineries to source good juice for great prices. Dollar for dollar they have been some of the best values we can get our hands on from Europe, Australia, South America, and even California. Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon have been the backbone of their Cali line, and this marks the first foray into Pinot Noir, with fruit sourced from the Russian River Valley. This has all the hallmarks of the RRV signature style, except for the price tag. A deep ruby in the glass with loads of immediate, modern red fruits and blackberry on the nose with a touch of oaky toast, this gets open for business fairly quickly but earns some brambly spice as it opens up. The palate is equally up front with the fruits, with some nice acidity that brightens up the mouthfeel, gives the juicy textures some freshness. This punches well over its dollar mark for cocktails, can also go to the dinner table with salmon or pork dishes with some glaze or aromatic spicing.

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