Reds

Our Professional Review — Oscar Garcia Moncada

In September 2022, I had the pleasure of traveling to Rioja, Spain, to visit one of my favorite producers: Bodegas Perica. Located in the picturesque village of San Asensio in La Rioja Alta, Bodegas Perica has been a bastion of winemaking tradition for three generations. The winery was in the midst of harvest, and I was fortunate enough to participate—gaining firsthand insight into the rigorous grape selection process that defines Bodegas Perica’s approach.

Anyone who has experienced a wine harvest understands the backbreaking labor involved in hand-harvesting: long hours, quick reflexes, and relentless speed. Yet despite the physical demands, the reward is undeniable—gathering at the end of the day to share a hearty meal and plenty of wine with a community united by purpose and passion.

David García Ábalos, the current owner of Bodegas Perica, and Zigor Cornago García, Director of Commerce, graciously gave me a personal tour of the winery, cellar, and production facilities. Perica stands out for using only estate-grown grapes from its own vineyards—a true commitment to quality and terroir. The winery also ages its Crianzas in 225-liter French oak barrels, and notably, many of its wines undergo extended aging beyond the minimum requirements set by the Rioja DOCa.

Founded in 1912 by Don Juan García, Bodegas Perica now cultivates over 150 hectares of vineyards in the prestigious Rioja Alta subregion, known for producing some of the finest expressions of Tempranillo.

This visit was especially meaningful to me, as it culminated in a tasting straight from the barrel to select the next wine for a private label project with 67Wine. After exploring a range of vintages and barrels, I ultimately chose the 2020 vintage. For me, it hit all the right notes—vibrant fruit, layered aromas, balanced structure, integrated tannins, and just the right touch of acidity. This wine is layered with nuances of tobacco, perfectly matured red fruit, and a touch of vanilla.

This superb Crianza, aged for up to 16 months in barrel followed by further aging in bottle, overdelivers in both quality and value. It drinks more like a Reserva—a testament to the exceptional fruit quality grown in Viña Olagosa in La Rioja Alta and to the meticulous work of the Bodegas Perica winemaking team.

Tasting Notes

Color: Medium garnet

Nose: Enticing aromas of red and black fruit — strawberries, raspberries, black cherry, and blackberry — with subtle hints of tobacco, cedar, and vanilla.

Palate: Medium-bodied with great balance. Acidity, tannins, and alcohol are all in harmony. Black cherry, strawberries, and raspberries intermingle with notes of tobacco, dried mushrooms, and a touch of eucalyptus.

Finish: Clean and pleasant with a long-lasting mouthfeel.

Oscar Garcia Moncada, 67Wine

Food Pairings

Steaks, grilled tuna, roasted poultry, BBQ, and burgers.

Product Details

• Producer: Bodegas Perica
• Vineyard: Viña Olagosa
• Appellation: Rioja DOCa, Rioja Alta, Spain
• Blend: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo
• Aging: Up to 16 months in 225L French oak barrels
• Vintage: 2020
• Style: Medium-bodied, elegant Rioja Crianza
• Format: 750ml

Winemaker Description

The Beringer Founders’ Estate Cabernet Sauvignon boasts flavors of black cherry, raspberry, vanilla, and cinnamon spice. It has a round mouthfeel, supple tannins, and a long, lingering finish. A food-friendly wine that pairs beautifully with grilled rib-eye steak, roasted vegetables, or aged cheddar.

About Founders’ Estate

Beringer Vineyards is one of California’s most historic wineries, founded in 1876 in St. Helena, Napa Valley. The Founders’ Estate label draws on fruit from California’s finest growing regions, crafted to deliver consistent, approachable quality at an everyday price point.

Food Pairings

Grilled rib-eye steak, roasted vegetables, burgers, BBQ, and aged cheddar.

Product Details

• Producer: Beringer Vineyards
• Region: California, USA
• Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Vintage: 2023
• Style: Medium-to-full bodied, fruit-forward California Cabernet
• Format: 750ml

Cora Montepulciano d’Abruzzo — Abruzzo, Italy 2024

The Cora Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is the house Italian red we reach for without hesitation — and the 2024 vintage is its brightest, most energetic expression yet. A proprietary label crafted exclusively for David Bowler Wine, Cora sources fruit from established vineyards in the Abruzzo region, where the rugged Apennine foothills and Adriatic breezes produce Montepulciano of exceptional freshness and drinkability. Fresh, fun, and uncomplicated by design — but built to satisfy exacting standards. At $10.99, it is one of the most compelling everyday values in Italian red wine.

The nose is lively and inviting: brambly cranberry, strawberry blossoms, red apple skin, and rose petals, accented with spicy notes of nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon stick. On the palate, it is crisp and juicy — good acidity keeping it lively and agile, with moderate tannins that drive it energetically into a clean, refreshing finish. A lighter, brighter, snappier rendition of Montepulciano that is as easy at the table as it is on its own.

“Brambly aromas of cranberry, strawberry blossoms, red apple skin and rose petals… Crisp and juicy in the mouth with good acidity keeping it lively and agile. A great wine for pizza and pasta, and just about anything else.” — Bart Hopkins, 67Wine

• Producer: Cora, a proprietary label for David Bowler Wine, Abruzzo, Italy
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC
• Varietal: 100% Montepulciano
• Closure: Screwcap
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Cranberry, strawberry blossom, red apple, rose petal, nutmeg, cloves, crisp acidity, lively finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now — best enjoyed young and fresh
• Best Paired With: Pizza, pasta, grilled sausages, arancini, casual weeknight dinners, antipasto boards

Bright, juicy, and built for the table — the Cora Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is the benchmark for what everyday Italian red can be at this price.

67 Wine Petit Somm Series Pinot Noir — Valle Central, Chile 2023

The 67 Wine Petit Somm Series® is a project created by our in-house buyer and sommelier Oscar Garcia Moncada — a meticulously curated collection of high-quality, value-driven wines sourced from world-class regions and brought to life with labels celebrating iconic New York City neighborhoods and landmarks. Each wine in the series is personally selected by Oscar to deliver genuine varietal character and regional typicity at an exceptional everyday price point: the kind of bottle a knowledgeable sommelier would reach for without hesitation, now available to every 67Wine customer. The Petit Somm Pinot Noir is sourced from Chile's Valle Central — one of South America's most productive and versatile wine regions, where the combination of warm days, cool nights, and Andean snowmelt irrigation creates ideal conditions for growing fresh, elegant Pinot Noir with excellent natural acidity and vibrant red fruit character.

The nose is inviting and expressive: strawberry and spiced wood with a fresh, lifted quality. On the palate, it is smooth and round with excellent structure and balance — fresh red fruit, soft tannins, and a clean, lingering finish. 100% Pinot Noir crafted to deliver the freshness and elegance of the variety at a price that overdelivers at every pour.

"A meticulously curated collection of high-quality, value-driven wines. Each label features iconic NYC neighborhoods and landmarks, bringing a New York spirit to world-class wine regions." — Oscar Garcia Moncada, 67Wine Buyer & Sommelier

• Label: 67 Wine Petit Somm Series®
• Curated by: Oscar Garcia Moncada, 67Wine Buyer & Sommelier
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Valle Central, Chile
• Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Strawberry, spiced wood, smooth and round, fresh red fruit, soft tannins, clean finish
• Style: Light-to-medium bodied, fresh, elegant
• Drink: Now
• Best Paired With: Beef carpaccio with capers, charcuterie and cured meats, mushroom risotto, roasted duck, grilled salmon

New York spirit, Chilean terroir, sommelier-curated — 67 Wine Petit Somm Pinot Noir 2023 is fresh, elegant, and one of the best values on the shelf.

About the Petit Somm Series

The 67Wine Petit Somm Series® is a project created by our buyer, Oscar Garcia Moncada. The entire lineup offers a meticulously curated collection of high-quality, value-driven wines sourced from top regions around the world. The artwork on each label celebrates some of the most iconic neighborhoods and landmarks in New York City — bringing together the worlds of wine and the city we love. The Harlem Label pays tribute to one of NYC’s most vibrant and culturally rich neighborhoods.

Tasting Notes

A fruit-forward red blend with a nose of ripe red and black fruit and a touch of spice. Medium-bodied with silky tannins and a smooth, clean finish. Approachable and versatile — a natural everyday red for any table.

Food Pairings

Burgers, grilled chicken, pasta with tomato or meat sauce, pizza, mild cheddar, and charcuterie. An ideal everyday red for casual dining and entertaining.

Product Details

• Label: 67Wine Petit Somm Series® — Harlem Label
• Curated by: Oscar Garcia Moncada, 67Wine
• Region: Chile
• Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec (Chilean red blend)
• Vintage: 2025
• Style: Medium-bodied, fruit-forward Chilean red blend
• Format: 750ml

Winemaker Description

This Cabernet Sauvignon is a deep and intense ruby red. On the nose are notes of plum, currants and cherries with toasted notes from oak ageing. On the palate this wine is elegant and soft with a fresh and persistant finish. 

La Vieille Ferme Rouge — Southern Rhône, France 2024 750ml

La Vieille Ferme is produced by the legendary Perrin family — the same family behind the iconic Château de Beaucastel in Châteauneuf-du-Pape — and stands as a global benchmark for everyday Rhône-style wine. Sourced from the Luberon in the Southern Rhône, La Vieille Ferme consistently delivers fruit-forward character, honest terroir expression, and remarkable value in every vintage. The 2024 Southern Rhône growing season yielded wines of aromatic richness and vibrant tension, and this Rouge is no exception — a medium-bodied, easy-drinking red that punches well above its price.

Limpid purple with violet undertones, the 2024 Rouge opens with a seductive bouquet of blackcurrants, blueberries, leather, and violet. On the palate, vibrant freshness and balance with very ripe fruit, pepper, and elderberries — soft tannins give this wine exceptional drinkability and versatility at the table.

“A global benchmark for everyday Rhône-style wine — fruit-forward, honest, and remarkable value from the family behind Château de Beaucastel.”

• Producer: La Vieille Ferme (Perrin Family, Château de Beaucastel)
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Luberon / Southern Rhône, France
• Blend: Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Cinsault
• Style: Medium-bodied, fruit-forward, easy-drinking red
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Blackcurrant, blueberry, leather, violet, ripe fruit, pepper, elderberry, soft tannins
• Serve: Slightly cool at 60–65°F
• Best Paired With: Roasted chicken, grilled lamb chops, hearty pasta with tomato-based sauces, charcuterie, aged cheeses

The Perrin family’s gift to everyday wine lovers — La Vieille Ferme Rouge 2024 is Southern Rhône character and craftsmanship at an unbeatable price.

67Wine Store Review

Surprise, surprise! This is as tasty as any Cabernet you can buy for $15, that's for sure! We had it with roast chicken, smashed potatoes, buttered string beans and it just worked. This is a medium-bodied Cab; its dark plum and cherry fruit flavors are upfront, mouth-filling, and leave a mouth-cleansing fruit aftertaste. Another of our buyer Oscar's really great deals.

— Dorothy & Bernie, Follow the Drinker®

Buyer's Note

67Wine Petit Somm Series® showcases original artwork inspired by our city. Our Cabernet Sauvignon has a ruby red color with bright red highlights. Plum and raspberry on the nose with a hint of cacao. Pleasant and lively on the palate, medium-bodied with nice soft tannins. A great companion for grilled steak.

— Oscar Garcia Moncada, Wine Buyer, 67Wine

About the Petit Somm Series

The 67Wine Petit Somm Series® is a project created by our buyer, Oscar Garcia Moncada. The entire lineup offers a meticulously curated collection of high-quality, value-driven wines sourced from top regions around the world. The artwork on each label celebrates some of the most iconic neighborhoods and landmarks in New York City — bringing together the worlds of wine and the city we love. This Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from Chile and sealed with a screwcap for everyday convenience.

Food Pairings

Grilled steak, roast chicken, smashed potatoes, pasta with meat sauce, burgers, mild cheddar, and charcuterie. An ideal everyday red for casual dining and entertaining.

Product Details

• Label: 67Wine Petit Somm Series®
• Curated by: Oscar Garcia Moncada, 67Wine
• Region: Central Valley, Chile
• Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Closure: Screwcap
• Vintage: 2022
• Style: Medium-bodied, fruit-forward Chilean Cabernet
• Format: 750ml

About the Petit Somm Series

The 67Wine Petit Somm Series® is a project created by our buyer, Oscar Garcia Moncada. The entire lineup offers a meticulously curated collection of high-quality, value-driven wines sourced from top regions around the world. The artwork on each label celebrates some of the most iconic neighborhoods and landmarks in New York City — bringing together the worlds of wine and the city we love.

Tasting Notes

Aromas and flavors of black plum, toasted oak, tobacco, sage, and curry. Light-to-medium body with a slightly chewy texture, crisp acidity, and a dry-yet-fruity profile. A spicy, food-friendly Merlot with lovely juiciness and a warm, woody finish.

About the Wine

This Merlot is sourced from Chile — one of South America’s most reliable producers of value-driven, fruit-forward reds. Chilean Merlot is known for its approachable tannins, vibrant dark fruit, and food-friendly versatility, making it a natural fit for the Petit Somm Series’ mission: exceptional quality at an everyday price. At under $10, this is one of the best-value Merlots on the shelf.

Food Pairings

Burgers, grilled chicken, pasta with tomato or meat sauce, mild cheddar, charcuterie, and pizza. An ideal everyday red for casual dining and entertaining.

Product Details

• Label: 67Wine Petit Somm Series®
• Curated by: Oscar Garcia Moncada, 67Wine
• Region: Chile
• Grape: Merlot
• Vintage: 2021
• Style: Light-to-medium-bodied, spiced, food-friendly Chilean Merlot
• Format: 750ml

Cantine Florio Dry Fine Marsala Superiore — Sicily, Italy (375ml)

Cantine Florio is the most storied name in Marsala — founded in 1833 in the port city of Marsala on Sicily's western coast, and the producer that helped define the category for the world. Their Dry Fine Marsala Superiore Secco is the house's everyday expression: a versatile, beautifully balanced fortified wine made from indigenous Sicilian grapes, amber in color, and crafted to be equally at home as an elegant aperitif or as the essential cooking wine for classic Italian preparations. At 375ml, it is the perfect half-bottle for the kitchen and the table alike.

The nose is warm and inviting: raisins, vanilla, dried apricot, and a subtle nuttiness from the oxidative aging. On the palate, the wine is dry, full-bodied, and harmonious — fervent and structured, with a clean, lingering finish. It is the Marsala of choice for chicken Marsala, veal scaloppine, fish preparations, and poultry dishes, and an elegant aperitif alongside aged cheeses.

"A versatile and ductile Marsala Superiore Secco, suitable for everyday occasions. Amber to light brown, with hints of raisins and vanilla; dry, full, harmonic and fervent. The Marsala of choice for fish, poultry and meat preparation. An elegant aperitif to serve with cheese." — Cantine Florio

• Producer: Cantine Florio, Marsala, Sicily, Italy (est. 1833)
• Style: Marsala Superiore Secco (Dry)
• Appellation: Marsala DOC
• Region: Sicily, Italy
• Varietal: Grillo, Catarratto, Inzolia
• Size: 375ml (half-bottle)
• Best Used For: Chicken Marsala, veal scaloppine, fish & poultry preparations, aperitif with aged cheese

Sicily's most iconic fortified wine from its founding producer — Cantine Florio Dry Marsala is the benchmark for what a classic, versatile Marsala Superiore Secco should taste like.

Winemaker Description

Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon displays great complexity and structure from Washington State's renowned Columbia Valley. Bold and expressive, with slight pepper, a round body, dried cherry, silky vanilla, and a concentrated, long velvet finish.

Tasting Notes

Deep ruby in color with aromas of dark cherry, blackcurrant, and a hint of cedar. The palate is full-bodied and well-structured with flavors of dried cherry, plum, vanilla, and subtle pepper spice. Silky tannins lead to a long, velvety finish.

Food Pairings

Pairs beautifully with grilled or roasted beef, veal, duck, blue cheese, and dark chocolate. An excellent everyday Cabernet Sauvignon from one of Washington's most celebrated producers.

Product Details

Bottle Size: 750ml
Vintage: 2020
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington State, USA
Appellation: Columbia Valley AVA
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Producer: Columbia Crest
Style: Red Wine, Dry, Full-Bodied

Winemaker Description

This medium-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon has vibrant notes of blackberry fruit, hints of vanilla and oak, and a lingering finish.

About Three Wishes

Three Wishes is California’s go-to value Cabernet — consistently delivering approachable, fruit-forward red wine at a price that’s hard to beat. Sourced from California vineyards and crafted for everyday enjoyment, it offers the classic Cabernet Sauvignon profile — dark fruit, soft tannins, and a touch of oak — without the premium price tag. At under $6 a bottle, it’s the perfect house red for casual entertaining, weeknight dinners, or stocking up for a crowd.

Food Pairings

Burgers, grilled chicken, BBQ ribs, pizza, pasta with tomato sauce, and mild cheddar. An ideal everyday red for casual gatherings and weeknight meals.

Product Details

• Producer: Three Wishes
• Region: California, USA
• Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Style: Medium-bodied, fruit-forward California Cabernet
• Format: 750ml