Wine Club
A gift for yourself, A Special Someone, Or Both…
Each month, these selections are sure to bring a smile to both the aficionado and novice.
Why? Because nobody is more qualified than the Wise Buyers at Hi-Time Wine Cellars who have been scouring the globe to seek out wine treasures for more than 50 years.
No long-term commitment: Simply choose the program and let us know when you want to stop and we'll take care of the rest. We'll send an announcement to the gift recipient along with background information and tantalizing tasting notes on each wine.
Gold Selection Plan 1 - 29.95
2 Bottles of Red Wine (tax & shipping not included)
Chateau de la Vieille tour 2019 Bordeaux
Grape Varietal: 42% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Malbec, 8% Cabernet Franc
Origin: Bordeaux, France
JAMES SUCKLING 91 POINTS
"Aromas of ripe blackberries and cassis, together with black olives, bark and nut shells. Medium-bodied with polished tannins and bright, juicy-fruit character on the palate. Merlot and cabernet sauvignon. From organically grown grapes. Better in 2023."
James Suckling gave this wine a score of 91 Points, noting its "Aromas of ripe blackberries and cassis" and "bright, juicy-fruit character on the palate."
And we have to speak about value when we recommend this wine! With fall weather finally (mostly) here, we're ready for the red wines to pair with foods of the season... and Vieille Tour delivers! Bang-for-the-buck, quality-to-price ratio, this one has it in spades. We've been fortunate to find and share some amazing wines from Bordeaux in the last few years and the train keeps a-rolling with this one!
The nose is filled with mixed red fruits, particularly cherry and black raspberry, incense and violets. This is a lovely, inviting noseful of wine! The palate continues the theme with ripe cherries and berries on the palate with great body-- balanced with fine tannins and light acidity keep the wine lively and elevated on the palate. Subtle earthiness and minerality add depth to the forward fruit flavors and lead to a rewarding finale. The finish is long and pleasing, bountiful and beautiful.
Located in the southernmost Bordeaux region, the Estate stretches on the slopes of the village of Saint-Michel-de-Japujade, renowned for its magnificent terroir and production of beautiful wines from Bordeaux. For a little history, Eleanor of Aquitaine (then Queen of England) instructed the monks to plant the first vines on this 72 hectare estate in 1150. Centuries later Pierre Boissonneau purchased the property in 1839 and his descendants have transformed it into one of the best places in Bordeaux for value-driven organic wine.
Enjoy with beef, lamb, game, roasted chicken, duck, savory dishes (mushrooms, herbs and spices), aged cheeses, charcuterie.
Ventisquero 2021 "Grey" single block Pinot Noir
Grape Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Origin: Leyda Valley, Chile
WINE ADVOCATE 91 POINTS
"The Pinot Noir from the affordable Grey range, the 2021 Grey Pinot Noir was produced with grapes from Leyda, planted on red clay and granite soils at five kilometers from the sea. It fermented in stainless steel with manual punch-downs after a cold maceration to extract color and aromas and matured for 12 months in French oak barrels, 20% of them new. It has 13.5% alcohol and a low pH (3.35), which means lots of freshness. This is textured and a little rounder than the Kalfu (they are from separate vineyards and planted with different clones) but still elegant and balanced; the whole Grey range has been slimmed down in recent years, and the styles converge toward more verticality, definition and elegance. 20,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in December 2022." - Luis Gutiérrez
VINOUS MEDIA 91 POINTS
"The 2021 Pinot Noir Grey Single Block from Leyda, San Antonio, was pre-fermented and cold-soak macerated before aging for 12 months in French barrels, 15% new. Light garnet red in the glass. The nose presents sour cherry, damp earth and a hint of mushroom. Refreshing (compared with older vintages) it delivers a taut, finely grained palate. This style is a far cry from the herbal, overripe character traditionally found in the region." - Joaquín Hidalgo
Ventisquero "Grey" series Pinot Noir comes from a single block of vines in Chile's cool, coastal Leyda Valley (which has a lot in common with the Sonoma Coast), this wine explodes with its emphatic Pinot character of forest undergrowth and vibrant, juicy red fruits. Once it really opens up in the glass, it's hard to stop smelling and sipping: it's a serious, characterful wine for the price!
Mid-bodied and lithe, with just a smattering of lightly grippy tannins, the mouthfeel shows a tension between its vinous breadth and weightless lift, finishing gently dry and tangy, fruity and herbal. Vibrant morello cherry, juicy plum, tangy strawberry guava and spicy-herbaceous flavors (like tobacco leaf) are in the driver's seat, but it's all infused with a light savory accent like roasted mushroom, and a rich earthy-wood tone in the background, like mahogany. It's all woven into a satisfyingly complex but easy-to-drink wine that will shine with a range of dishes! We recommend enjoying this at a cool 58 F, with things like meaty fish (like cedar-plank salmon, hazelnut-crusted halibut or pepper-crusted tuna), turkey with fresh cranberry sauce, shepherd's pie, Hungarian mushroom soup, or simply some tangy, nutty cheeses and cured meats.
Wine Tip
Best served at a cool 58F.
Gold Selection Plan 2 - 29.95
1 Bottle of Red Wine and 1 bottle of White Wine (tax & shipping not included)
Chateau de la Vieille tour 2019 Bordeaux
Grape Varietal: 42% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Malbec, 8% Cabernet Franc
Origin: Bordeaux, France
JAMES SUCKLING 91 POINTS
"Aromas of ripe blackberries and cassis, together with black olives, bark and nut shells. Medium-bodied with polished tannins and bright, juicy-fruit character on the palate. Merlot and cabernet sauvignon. From organically grown grapes. Better in 2023."
James Suckling gave this wine a score of 91 Points, noting its "Aromas of ripe blackberries and cassis" and "bright, juicy-fruit character on the palate."
And we have to speak about value when we recommend this wine! With fall weather finally (mostly) here, we're ready for the red wines to pair with foods of the season... and Vieille Tour delivers! Bang-for-the-buck, quality-to-price ratio, this one has it in spades. We've been fortunate to find and share some amazing wines from Bordeaux in the last few years and the train keeps a-rolling with this one!
The nose is filled with mixed red fruits, particularly cherry and black raspberry, incense and violets. This is a lovely, inviting noseful of wine! The palate continues the theme with ripe cherries and berries on the palate with great body-- balanced with fine tannins and light acidity keep the wine lively and elevated on the palate. Subtle earthiness and minerality add depth to the forward fruit flavors and lead to a rewarding finale. The finish is long and pleasing, bountiful and beautiful.
Located in the southernmost Bordeaux region, the Estate stretches on the slopes of the village of Saint-Michel-de-Japujade, renowned for its magnificent terroir and production of beautiful wines from Bordeaux. For a little history, Eleanor of Aquitaine (then Queen of England) instructed the monks to plant the first vines on this 72 hectare estate in 1150. Centuries later Pierre Boissonneau purchased the property in 1839 and his descendants have transformed it into one of the best places in Bordeaux for value-driven organic wine.
Enjoy with beef, lamb, game, roasted chicken, duck, savory dishes (mushrooms, herbs and spices), aged cheeses, charcuterie.
Maison Plantevin 2023 Cotes du Rhone blanc
Grape Varietal: 100% Grenache Blanc
Origin: Southern Rhone, France
Organic Farming
The Plantevin family have been farmers in the area for more than 150 years. When wine growing became a part of the crop, the grapes were sold to a cooperative.
In 2007 when Laurent Plantevin had finished his education (BTS in acriculture in Macon and oenologic and viticulture at Lycée Viticole d'Orange) his father let him have a part of the vineyards and he started to make and bottle wines with the name Maison Plantevin. The domain covers some 30 ha. 1,5 ha of Rasteau 8 ha of Seguret, 12 ha of Sablet, 5 ha of Plan de Dieu, 1 ha. of Roaix and 4 ha of Cotes du Rhone. A new cellar was established ready for 2018 harvest.
Since 2013 the vineyards have been certified agriculture biologique.
This wine is well balanced, showing notes of stone fruit and fresh guava, with only 12 percent of alcohol it will delicious with white fish or chicken.
Platinum Selection 1 - 49.95
Danjean Berthoux 2022 Givry Meix au Roi Bourgogne
Grape Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Origin: Givry, Bourgogne, France
The nose has intensity and is youthful with floral notes, red fruits and earthy tones. Silky smooth, long finish with a palate of plum, strawberries, and redcurrants. Very well made from an up and coming star of Burgundy.
When Pascal Danjean assumed control of the family estate more than 20 years ago, he decided he was going to begin bottling and stop selling the production to the local cooperative. In 1993 he bottled the estate’s first vintage and the years since have seen him plant more of the estate’s holdings, which are primarily located in 1er Cru vineyards in the small village of Givry in Burgundy’s Côte Chalonnaise. The wines are never fined or filtered and Pascal eschews the use of new wood almost entirely, resulting in soft, supple wines that allow the terroir to shine.
Pascal now exploits just over 7 hectares of vineyards in Givry including just under 1 hectare of Chardonnay. There is also .7 hectares of Mercurey in a vineyard called Les Chavances. For the Pinots, Pascal elects to destem and all fermentation is carried out in neutral vats. Depending on the cuvée, the wine is then either aged in stainless steel or transferred to barrel. The Bourgogne rouge and part of the Village wine is aged in Stainless while the 1er Crus are raised in mostly neutral oak. The Chardonnay is aged almost entirely in stainless steel with 10% – 15% in neutral oak.
Cote de Baleau 2020 St-Emilion Bordeaux
Grape Varietal: 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Origin: Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France
JEB DUNNUCK 94 POINTS
"Another killer wine in the vintage is the 2020 Château Côte De Baleau, which comes from a cooler, north-facing vineyard on the eastern side of the appellation. Almost all Merlot, it offers a medium to full-bodied, mouth-filling, layered style that carries plenty of ripe tannins, terrific mid-palate depth, and textbook Right Bank Merlot notes of red and black cherries, leather, dried flowers, and chalky minerality. It picks up more and more minerality with time in the glass and is a bonafide mineral bomb. Give it just a few years in the cellar and enjoy it over the coming 15-20 years."
JAMES SUCKLING 93-94 POINTS
"Dense, rich red with blackberry and blueberry, walnut and dark-chocolate character. It’s full and layered with richness and softness for the vintage."
It's no secret that the 2020 vintage in Bordeaux produced a bevy of outstanding wines. One of the best things about such a vintage is that quality is apparent at all price levels. Case in point is Chateau Cote De Baleau from Saint Emilion, which clearly benefitted from the exemplary growing season. Showing expressive aromatics and perfectly ripened fruit aged in 50% new French oak, this wine is a symphony of pleasure with each of the components working together in perfect harmony.
This wine is classified as Grand Cru Classe which is a designation of quality awarded after an independent panel tastes the wine and inspects the property. The Chateau was purchased a few years ago by the owners of the great Saint Emilion estate, Clos Fourtet so it's no surprise that this small jewel is shining brighter than ever. This hand-harvested Bordeaux blend has silky tannins and is a delicious, seamless and persistent wine.
Platinum Selection 2 - 49.95
1 Bottle of Red Wine and 1 Bottle of White Wine (tax & shipping not included)
Danjean Berthoux 2022 Givry Meix au Roi Bourgogne
Grape Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Origin: Givry, Bourgogne, France
The nose has intensity and is youthful with floral notes, red fruits and earthy tones. Silky smooth, long finish with a palate of plum, strawberries, and redcurrants. Very well made from an up and coming star of Burgundy.
When Pascal Danjean assumed control of the family estate more than 20 years ago, he decided he was going to begin bottling and stop selling the production to the local cooperative. In 1993 he bottled the estate’s first vintage and the years since have seen him plant more of the estate’s holdings, which are primarily located in 1er Cru vineyards in the small village of Givry in Burgundy’s Côte Chalonnaise. The wines are never fined or filtered and Pascal eschews the use of new wood almost entirely, resulting in soft, supple wines that allow the terroir to shine.
Pascal now exploits just over 7 hectares of vineyards in Givry including just under 1 hectare of Chardonnay. There is also .7 hectares of Mercurey in a vineyard called Les Chavances. For the Pinots, Pascal elects to destem and all fermentation is carried out in neutral vats. Depending on the cuvée, the wine is then either aged in stainless steel or transferred to barrel. The Bourgogne rouge and part of the Village wine is aged in Stainless while the 1er Crus are raised in mostly neutral oak. The Chardonnay is aged almost entirely in stainless steel with 10% – 15% in neutral oak.
BrundlMayer 2023 Gruner Veltliner Kamptaller
Grape Varietal: 100% Gruner Veltliner
Origin: Kamptal, Austria
Organically farmed
WINE ADVOCATE 92 POINTS
"Just bottled with 12.5% stated alcohol, the incredibly charming 2023 Grüner Veltliner Terrassen opens with an irresistible, pure, bright and intense as well as coolish and aromatic bouquet of white seed fruits yet also a saline background. Lean, fresh and juicy on the palate, this is a medium-bodied, saline, savory and highly stimulating Veltliner that will probably never tastes as attractive as in its first year after bottling. It's an irresistible picture-book Veltliner. Screw cap. Tasted end of March 2023. Published: May 23, 2024"
This is a perfect example of a classic extremely well executed Gruner Veltliner.
Brundlmayer is one of the most famous and consistent wineries in Austria. Every year they produce some of the best wines in the region.
2023 is definitely a great vintage for Brundlmayer, especially for those that are looking for wines with a little bit lower alcohol content. At 12.5% it is refreshing, aromatic and juicy without feeling heavy.
"Juvenile bouquet, purely flavored with pome fruit (pear, apples) accompanied by fragrant notes of citrus and hay- & acacia flowers, still slightly yeasty; dry, fresh and fruity with a touch of appealing roundness, moderate body and a fine grip; again sappy pome and stone fruit tones; great harmony, hints of tea leaves, minerals and spice in the mouthwatering finish."
Viktor Siegl
All White Selection - No more than $49.95
2 Bottles of White Wine (tax & shipping not included)
Maison Plantevin 2023 Cotes du Rhone blanc
Grape Varietal: 100% Grenache Blanc
Origin: Southern Rhone, France
Organic Farming
The Plantevin family have been farmers in the area for more than 150 years. When wine growing became a part of the crop, the grapes were sold to a cooperative.
In 2007 when Laurent Plantevin had finished his education (BTS in acriculture in Macon and oenologic and viticulture at Lycée Viticole d'Orange) his father let him have a part of the vineyards and he started to make and bottle wines with the name Maison Plantevin. The domain covers some 30 ha. 1,5 ha of Rasteau 8 ha of Seguret, 12 ha of Sablet, 5 ha of Plan de Dieu, 1 ha. of Roaix and 4 ha of Cotes du Rhone. A new cellar was established ready for 2018 harvest.
Since 2013 the vineyards have been certified agriculture biologique.
This wine is well balanced, showing notes of stone fruit and fresh guava, with only 12 percent of alcohol it will delicious with white fish or chicken.
BrundlMayer 2023 Gruner Veltliner Kamptaller
Grape Varietal: 100% Gruner Veltliner
Origin: Kamptal, Austria
Organically farmed
WINE ADVOCATE 92 POINTS
"Just bottled with 12.5% stated alcohol, the incredibly charming 2023 Grüner Veltliner Terrassen opens with an irresistible, pure, bright and intense as well as coolish and aromatic bouquet of white seed fruits yet also a saline background. Lean, fresh and juicy on the palate, this is a medium-bodied, saline, savory and highly stimulating Veltliner that will probably never tastes as attractive as in its first year after bottling. It's an irresistible picture-book Veltliner. Screw cap. Tasted end of March 2023. Published: May 23, 2024"
This is a perfect example of a classic extremely well executed Gruner Veltliner.
Brundlmayer is one of the most famous and consistent wineries in Austria. Every year they produce some of the best wines in the region.
2023 is definitely a great vintage for Brundlmayer, especially for those that are looking for wines with a little bit lower alcohol content. At 12.5% it is refreshing, aromatic and juicy without feeling heavy.
"Juvenile bouquet, purely flavored with pome fruit (pear, apples) accompanied by fragrant notes of citrus and hay- & acacia flowers, still slightly yeasty; dry, fresh and fruity with a touch of appealing roundness, moderate body and a fine grip; again sappy pome and stone fruit tones; great harmony, hints of tea leaves, minerals and spice in the mouthwatering finish."
Viktor Siegl
Champagne Selection - No more than $49.95
1 Bottle of Champagne (tax & shipping not included)
J.L. Vergnon Extra brut Conversation Grand Cru
Grape Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Origin: Le Menil sur Oger
Disgorgement Date: October 16, 2019
Dosage: 5g/L
VINOUS 93 POINTS
"The NV Brut Blanc de Blancs Conversation Grand Cru is a terrific introduction to the range. It is a wine of tremendous breadth and real character, all of which comes through pretty much upon opening. This release is based on 2014, with a 20% 2013 reserve wines from vineyards in Mesnil, Oger and Avize. Chardonnay flavors are kicked up a few notches in this decidedly vinous, powerful Blanc de Blancs. Dosage is 5 grams per liter. Disgorged: October 16, 2019."
In the heart of the Grand cru village of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Didier Vergnon and his son Clément are the 4th and 5th generations to lead this small 5 hectares estate. Originally founded in 1950, it was in the 1980’s that Jean-Louis Vergnon first began producing estate-bottled wine from some choice sites in the Côte des Blancs, including multiple parcels in and next to the legendary Les Chétillons. Over the last 20 years the family has pushed the farming to practicing organic, harvesting only balanced and ripe grapes, to produce authentic and pure Champagne. For much of this journey they had the brilliant winemaker Christophe Constant at their side as cellar master or today as consultant. The results today are a remarkable lineup, that expresses the classic virile qualities of Le Mesnil with vinosity and transparency that has made this Grand Cru village so revered around the world.