This month’s Wine Club welcomes the New Year with a spirit of exploration and discovery. “New Year, New Wines” is a collection built around fresh perspectives, new regions to explore, and bottles that invite curiosity at the table. While the lineup spans classic wine regions across Europe and beyond, there is a distinct South African throughline, highlighting a country that continues to redefine quality, value, and sense of place on the global wine stage. From vibrant, coastal whites to structured, cellar-worthy reds, these selections are meant to encourage new conversations, new pairings, and a thoughtful start to the year ahead. Thank you for being part of The Flock – we’re excited to begin another year of sharing great wine with you.
Wine #1: Avondale Armilla Blanc de Blancs 2016
- Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
- Region: Paarl, South Africa
- Taste: Lemon zest, green apple, toasted brioche, chalky minerality
- Elevage: Méthode traditionnelle, extended lees aging, low dosage
- Serve: Well chilled
- Pairings: Oysters, shrimp cocktail, soft cheeses
Avondale is one of South Africa’s leading organic and biodynamic estates, known for its holistic approach to farming and its emphasis on vineyard health, biodiversity, and minimal intervention. Located in Paarl, the estate has been instrumental in elevating the global perception of South African wine, particularly in traditional-method sparkling bottlings.
The Armilla Blanc de Blancs is produced using the méthode traditionnelle and aged extensively on the lees, allowing time to build texture, complexity, and depth. The 2016 vintage was particularly well suited to sparkling wine, offering high natural acidity and concentration, which shows beautifully with bottle age. The result is a refined, elegant wine that combines citrus freshness with savory, brioche-driven richness and a distinctly mineral finish.
Wine #2: Opstal Estate Chenin Blanc 2024
- Varietal: 100% Chenin Blanc
- Region: Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Taste: Ripe pear, yellow apple, citrus blossom, subtle honey
- Elevage: Fermented and aged in stainless steel
- Serve: Chilled
- Pairings: Roast chicken, salads with vinaigrette, mild curries
Opstal Estate is a historic, family-owned property in Stellenbosch with roots dating back to the 1800s and stewardship now in its sixth generation. The estate is particularly known for its thoughtful vineyard management and its focus on expressing the character of Stellenbosch fruit rather than relying on heavy cellar manipulation.
Chenin Blanc is South Africa’s most widely planted and culturally significant white grape, and the 2024 vintage delivered bright acidity and clean fruit expression across the region. Fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel, this wine emphasizes freshness, balance, and purity, offering a clear example of why South Africa has become one of the world’s most compelling sources for Chenin Blanc.
Wine #3: Podere L’Infinito Verdicchio Superiore 2022
- Varietal: 100% Verdicchio
- Region: Marche, Italy
- Taste: Lemon peel, green almond, white flowers, saline finish
- Elevage: Stainless steel with time on fine lees
- Serve: Chilled
- Pairings: Seafood pasta, grilled fish, vegetables with olive oil
Podere L’Infinito is a small Italian producer focused on low-intervention winemaking and clarity of terroir. Located in Marche, along Italy’s Adriatic coast, the estate emphasizes freshness, minerality, and balance in its wines rather than overt richness or oak influence.
Verdicchio is one of Italy’s most underrated white grapes, known for its ability to combine citrus freshness with subtle bitterness and structure. The 2022 vintage was warm yet well balanced, allowing the grape’s natural acidity and savory character to shine. A brief period on fine lees adds texture without obscuring the wine’s saline, coastal profile, making it an excellent companion for seafood and Mediterranean-inspired dishes.
Wine #4: Domaine Fond Croze “Les Vieux Ceps de Raymond” Carignan 2023
- Varietal: 100% Carignan
- Region: Southern Rhône, France
- Taste: Dark cherry, blackberry, dried herbs, cracked pepper
- Elevage: Traditional fermentation in neutral vessels
- Serve: Slightly cool cellar temperature
- Pairings: Grilled sausages, lamb, winter stews
Domaine Fond Croze is best known for its classic Rhône Valley wines, but this cuvée showcases Carignan sourced from old vines, emphasizing restraint, freshness, and savory complexity. The deeply rooted vines naturally limit yields, resulting in greater concentration and aromatic depth.
The 2023 vintage in the Southern Rhône was marked by balance and freshness, avoiding the excess heat of recent years. Vinified traditionally and without heavy oak influence, this Carignan highlights dark fruit, herbal notes, and gentle spice, offering a lighter-bodied yet expressive red that works beautifully at the table.
Wine #5: Benguela Cove “Moody Lagoon” 2021
- Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend
- Region: Walker Bay, South Africa
- Taste: Blackcurrant, plum, cedar, coastal freshness
- Elevage: Aged in French oak
- Serve: Cellar temperature
- Pairings: Grilled steak, burgers, hard cheeses
Benguela Cove is located in Walker Bay along South Africa’s southern coast, where cool maritime influence plays a defining role in shaping the wines. Ocean breezes and moderated temperatures allow Cabernet Sauvignon to ripen slowly, preserving structure and freshness while maintaining depth.
The 2021 vintage is widely regarded as one of South Africa’s strongest red wine years, producing wines with balance, precision, and aging potential. “Moody Lagoon” reflects its coastal origin through a combination of ripe dark fruit, subtle oak influence, and lifted acidity, bridging Old World structure with New World approachability.
Wine #6: Château Vieux-Georget Bordeaux Supérieur 2019
- Varietal: Merlot-dominant Bordeaux blend
- Region: Bordeaux Supérieur, France
- Taste: Ripe plum, cassis, cocoa, gentle spice
- Elevage: Aged in oak for structure and balance
- Serve: Cellar temperature
- Pairings: Roast beef, mushroom dishes, aged cheeses
Château Vieux-Georget is a traditional Bordeaux estate producing classically styled wines that emphasize balance and drinkability. Bordeaux Supérieur, particularly in strong vintages, often delivers exceptional value and a clear sense of regional identity.
The 2019 vintage is considered a benchmark year in Bordeaux, combining ripe fruit with structure and polish. Merlot performed especially well, offering plush texture and dark fruit character without sacrificing freshness. This wine is approachable now while still reflecting the elegance and restraint associated with Bordeaux.
Wine #7: Giribaldi Barbaresco 2020
- Varietal: 100% Nebbiolo
- Region: Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- Taste: Rose petal, cherry, tar, earthy spice
- Elevage: Aged in large-format oak
- Serve: Cellar temperature; decant recommended
- Pairings: Braised meats, truffle dishes, rich pasta
The Giribaldi family farms in Barbaresco with a focus on traditional methods and long-term balance, allowing Nebbiolo’s aromatic complexity and structure to develop naturally. Barbaresco is often considered more approachable than Barolo, offering similar elegance with softer tannins and earlier accessibility.The 2020 vintage produced Nebbiolo with fine tannins and lifted aromatics, making it enjoyable in its youth while still capable of aging. A period of decanting allows the wine to open fully, revealing layers of floral notes, red fruit, and earthy depth that continue to evolve in the glass.