The Wine Gift Shop

Red Wine by 2 Brothers from Chile, South America. Two Brothers Winery, a partnership between brothers Erik and Alex Bartholomaus, released their debut wine, Big Tattoo Red 2001, in autumn of 2002 as a way to raise funds for cancer research and Hospice care in memory of their mother, Liliana S. Bartholomaus. Alex Bartholomaus, President and C.E.O. of Billington Imports in Springfield, Va., blended Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Syrah (40%) and Merlot (10%) to create this unique product. Alex then teamed up with his brother Erik, an established world-traveling tattoo artist, to design a fun label that would remind the two of their mother. Erik designed the label and they named their creation Big Tattoo Red. Fifty cents from every bottle sold is donated to the Hospice of Arlington, Va., and other breast cancer research foundations in the name of Liliana S. Bartholomaus. The two sold 13,835 cases of the 2001 debut vintage and raised $83,010 to donate to Cancer research and support. The 2002 vintage was released in June, and the brothers are on track to sell an additional 40,000 cases and donate another $240,000 by the end of next May. It was the Bartholomaus brothers' goal to honor their mother, who lost her battle against cancer three years ago. They wanted to do this in a non-serious yet beneficial way. This fun wine boasts a label with a Fleur de Lys, Liliana's favorite symbol, and its red and black label stands out on any retailer's shelf. This Chilean red is a ripe, easy-drinking wine with smooth flavors that compliment many foods, or can be enjoyed alone. The first release was a big success, but the popularity of this wine soared during 2003, popping up on wine shop shelves and restaurant wine lists nation wide.  

Red Wine by A by Acacia from California. The myriad of dark fruit and floral notes in this Pinot Noir come from the cool, windy Los Carneros American Viticultural Area (AVA) in the southern reaches of Napa Valley. Satsuma plum, blackberry, red rose and violet notes weave through the enticing aromas, mingled with warm nuances of vanilla and toasted oak from barrel aging. Silky, elegant flavors echo the aromas, adding blueberry and plum to the rich fruit complexity. You'll find this wine's lush flavors, bright acidity and fine tannins are perfectly balanced to complement a broad range of foods, from grilled salmon and chicken, to lamb and wild mushrooms.

Red Wine by A to Z from Willamette Valley, Oregon. The 2006 A to Z Oregon Pinot Noir is blended from wines made from at least sixteen different vineyards representing all of the Oregon AVAs that grow Pinot Noir. A to Z takes great care over many months in crafting one cuvee each vintage, a complex blend that embodies the essence of Oregon Pinot Noir. Clear and vibrant, the initial aromas of this wine are of raspberries, blueberries, baking spices and Bing cherries but evolve to the more complex aromas of clean earth, minerals, smoke, red currants and flint. The mouth fulfills the expectations promised by the aromatics and has a rich texture, good acidity and a strong structure. The 2006 A to Z Pinot Noir shows great poise, concentrated depth and purity within a lacy framework. Rich, classically proportioned and built for mid-term aging.

Red Wine by A. Mano from Southern Italy, Italy. Made from 100% Primitivo (Zinfandel's ancestor) from Puglia. A. Mano (meaning made by hand) is made from 70-100 year-old, hand-cultivated, low-yielding vines. This is a fruit-packed, food-friendly, modern wine, an excellent value and a great alternative to American Zinfandel. It pairs exceedingly well with a variety of dishes - grilled meats, rich pastas, spicy foods and barbecue.

Red Wine by Abadia Retuerta from Ribera del Duero, Spain. Deep crimson in color with ruby highlights, Cuvee Palomar shows intense aromas of fresh ripe red berry and preserved plum with notes of violets, orange peel, mint and hints of caramel from the barrel toast. These impressions carry onto a full, voluptuous palate with further floral notes and nuances of torrefaction set in a silky tannic structure of elegant balance. The finish is long and powerful, an expression of one of the great microclimates of the Duero Valley.

Red Wine by Abadia Retuerta from Ribera del Duero, Spain. Rivola is brilliant ruby in color with violet highlights. On the nose, the wine is fresh and generously fruity, with impressions of ripe raspberries, strawberries and wild cherries offset by notes of jasmine, spice and mint. The fragrance is confirmed on the palate, which is mellow, fresh and succulent, supported by clean, subtle, sweetly ripe tannins ending in a silky, elegant finish.

Red Wine by Abadia Retuerta from Ribera del Duero, Spain. The estate of Abad?a Retuerta lies just outside the Ribera del Duero D.O. in the province of Castilla y Le?n, in the heart of an expanse of wine estates known as the golden mile, an area parallelling the banks of the Duero River so named for its history of producing some of Spain's most acclaimed wines. Selecci?n Especial is dense ruby-garnet in color, with a subtle, complex nose of ripe red berry and wild black cherries offset by notes of violet, menthol, spice and vanilla. Silky, ripe red fruits and hints of spice and mint predominate on the palate, with a full, harmonious balance underscored by refined tannins. The finish is finely textured and lingering.

Red Wine by Abadia Retuerta from Ribera del Duero, Spain. R?vola is brilliant ruby in color with violet highlights. On the nose, the wine is fresh and generously fruity, with impressions of ripe raspberries, strawberries and wild cherries offset by notes of jasmine, spice and mint. The fragrance is confirmed on the palate, which is mellow, fresh and succulent, supported by clean, subtle, sweetly ripe tannins ending in a silky, elegant finish.

Red Wine by Acacia from Carneros, California. The myriad of dark fruit and floral notes in this Pinot Noir come from the cool, windy Los Carneros American Viticultural Area (AVA) in the southern reaches of Napa Valley. Satsuma plum, blackberry, red rose and violet notes weave through the enticing aromas, mingled with warm nuances of vanilla and toasted oak from barrel aging. Silky, elegant flavors echo the aromas, adding blueberry and plum to the rich fruit complexity. You'll find this wine's lush flavors, bright acidity and fine tannins are perfectly balanced to complement a broad range of foods, from grilled salmon and chicken, to lamb and wild mushrooms.

Red Wine by Adelsheim from Willamette Valley, Oregon. The intent Adelsheim brings to producing and blending the Willamette Valley Pinot noir is to unite the elements - especially the fresh fruit flavors - that typify Pinot noir in this region, albeit as tempered by the vagaries of the vintage. By blending the diverse flavors and textures of multiple vineyards, Winemaker Dave Paige produces a richly supple and focused Pinot noir. This wine displays red fruit and dark cherry characters, both in the nose and on the palate. Wild cherry and juicy raspberry flavors intermingle with hints of spice. Pair this fruit-forward, satin-textured beauty with salmon or ahi, veal or pork, poultry (think duck) and hearty vegetarian entrees.

Red Wine by Alain Voge from Cornas, France - Rhone. Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2007! Really zesty, with lots of red currant and bramble notes bouncing ahead of dark olive and sage flavors. The structure is briary on the finish, with an encore of red fruit and mouthwatering acidity. Drink now through 2017. Wine Spectator 93 Points

Red Wine by Alamos from Argentina, South America. Aromas of red berry fruit mixed with touches of eucalyptus and sweet spice lead into flavors of red currant and plum along with notes of cedar and tobacco. A bit peppery on the finish.

Red Wine by Alamos from Argentina, South America. The 2005 Alamos Cabernet shows a deep ruby reddish, purple color. The wine offers an intense and concentrated nose of red berry fruit mixed with touches cedar, mint and sweet spice. The palate is full of ripe, concentrated red currant and cassis fruit flavors with notes of cigar box and spicy black pepper. The finish is long and structured, with finely grained tannins.

Red Wine by Alamos from Argentina, South America. Sourced from Bodega Catena Zapata's high-altitude vineyards in Mendoza, the Alamos line is consistent in quality and value year after year. From the vineyard to the winery, the Alamos wines are made to emphasize varietal fruit character with the most gentle and minimal handling of the grapes. The wines have ripe forward fruit with soft, sweet tannins that make them highly approachable upon release. The 2006 Alamos Cabernet Sauvignon presents a dark purple color with garnet tones. The nose is explosive, with red fruit flavors, sweet spice and a touch of fresh mint. The mouthfeel is full yet soft, with red currant and cassis fruit layered with notes of cigar box, leather and light notes of eucalyptus. The finish is focused, with finely grained tannins adding structure and length.

Red Wine by Alderbrook from Sonoma County, California. This OVOC (old vine old clone) Zinfandel is truly a representative of the Dry Creek Valley. It is sourced from 12 different growers including their own estate vineyard at the southern tip of the appellation, as well as a unique site at the opposite end of the valley, which sits at 800 feet elevation overlooking Lake Sonoma. This dark rich wine issues ripe blackberry aromas in concert with black spice notes including anise and cola. The mouth feel is soft and juicy with hints of pepper and more blackberry and plum fruit flavors. The toasty oak finish is given a touch of warmth from the 14.2% alcohol. Experience the Zin!

Red Wine by Alexander Valley from Sonoma County, California. Varietals: 95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon The color of the 2004 Wetzel Family Estate Merlot is dark ruby red. Aromas of blackberry and cassis fill the glass with nuances of vanilla and cedar. On the palate this wine is deeply flavored with a hefty core of fruit. Black and red fruits appear initially, followed by an integrated acid balance and velvety tannins. Great depth and length provides a cellar life of 10-12 years.

Red Wine by Alexander Valley from Sonoma County, California. A late ripening concentrated the flavors while also assuring that the ying and yang of the fruit-the acid and sugar levels-were in perfect balance. The result is a rich, juicy Cab with an expressive nose of cassis and spice. Flavors of black cherry and cocoa dominate this silky wine, but there are also hints of eucalyptus and mint. The 2005 is 90 percent Cabernet Sauvignon with small amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot filling out the remainder of the blend. Try this wine with braised short ribs or a creamy Camembert.

Red Wine by Allan Scott from Marlborough, New Zealand.

Red Wine by Allegrini from Veneto, Italy. Blend: 80% Corvina Veronese, 15% Rondinella, 5% Oseleta Allegrini Amarone is deep purple in color with a rich bouquet of dried fruit. Modern in style and very polished, it offers jammy aromas of ripe wild berries, candied fruit, chocolate, charcoal and cinnamon. Intense and super-rich, with chewy tannins, this wine is traditionally enjoyed with game, roasted and grilled meats, casseroles and well matured cheeses, but it is also recommended with Asian and Middle-Eastern dishes.

Red Wine by Allegrini from Veneto, Italy. Blend: 70% Corvina Veronese, 15% Rondinella, 10% Syrah and 5% Sangiovese Deep ruby red in color, La Grola offers a wide, embracing bouquet of wild berries, juniper, licorice, tobacco and espresso. Full-bodied yet silky, with juicy tannins, La Grola is the wine of choice for red meat, either roasted or in casseroles, and mellow, aged cheeses.

Red Wine by Allegrini from Veneto, Italy. This blend of 70% Corvina Veronese, 25% Rondinella and 5% Sangiovese is a smooth, full-bodied cru made in an innovative ripasso style. After the harvest, the grapes from the Palazzo della Torre vineyard follow two different paths: 70% of the grapes picked are vinified immediately, the remaining 30% are left to dry until the end of December. They are then vinified and re-fermented with the wine from the fresh grapes. The result is a baby Amarone wine with fuller and rounder body, lower acidity, refined complexity and more extraction. Palazzo della Torre is also able to age easily for 8-10 years. Dense and deep ruby red in color, Palazzo della Torre is loaded with luscious aromas of currant, blackberry and licorice, followed by hints of raisins and plums. Full-bodied and rich, with firm yet juicy tannins, it is a classic accompaniment to grilled or roasted meats and barbecued ribs.