It’s hard for me to believe that it’s practically fall already!  The last time I honestly remember taking a conscious breath, I’m pretty sure that it was the beginning of summer.  Yep, that’s right.  It appears that in midst of all the staff meetings and wine department resets I’ve been inundated with, I managed to misplace a whole season. 

Where did it go?  I could swear I left it laying around here somewhere…

No, wait!  Now I know what happened.  Last month was just a cosmic blur!  That’s it!  All the days ran into each other and must have warped space and time (That would explain why everything’s a bit fuzzy).  It went by as quick as a blink of the proverbial eye!

So, while I’m having a moment of clarity, check out these new wines now at your local ABCFWS store:

Elm Tree Malbec Mendoza ($7.99) – No one does outdoor grillin’ better than the Argentines.  Courtesy of Jonathan Shiekman & Margate Imports, here’s a tasty medium-bodied red with ample plum and mission fig notes that’s just perfect for a smoky Choripan with extra Chimichurri slathered on the bread.

Abrazo Garnacha & Abrazo Tempranillo (each $7.99): Grilling a little lamb or pork?  Wrap your arms (Abrazo means ‘hug’) around a mixed case of these juicy Spanish reds from the Carinena denominacion.  Even better, uncork a bottle of the Tempranillo and use it as the main ingredient for a refreshing Sangria; make it from scratch with added cane sugar, brandy and sliced citrus!

For a top-notch dry Douro red we have the stunning 2008 Roquette & Cazes ($35.99) from Portugal.  A blend of 60% Touriga Nacional, 25% Tinta Roriz and 15% Touriga Franca and aged 18 months in French oak, this is a wine of pedigree.  The collaboration of two winemaking titans, Jorge Roquette of Quinta do Crasto and Jean-Michel Cazes of Chateau Lynch-Bages, it’s a complex, full-bodied, black raspberry and violet fruit bomb.  An approachable wine now, especially with beef, it has enough structure for a bit of cellaring too.     

Jim Greeley, Wine Supervisor, SW Florida

Follow me on Twitter @AbcWineJimG