Total Wine: the best wine buys in the US
Great deals from the largest independent retailer of fine wine in the US
Established in 1991 by brothers, Robert and David Trone, Total Wine began as a small single store in Claymont, Delaware. Today it is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland and operates 212 stores across 25 states.
Consumers can count on a broad selection both online and in-store. Most locations carry a robust inventory from more than 8,000 wines, 3,000 spirits and 2,500 different beers.
From boutique imports to everyday blends, customers have diverse options in terms of style, region and price.
Competitive pricing – with decent discounts on purchases of six wines or more – is a cornerstone of Total Wine’s market success. Lower pricing is something it has fought legally in states that institute minimum pricing structures for beverage retailers.
Where the business continues to set itself apart, however, is through the use of savvy technology. Wine-pairing apps integrate with its inventory, while user-friendly ‘get-to-know-you’ video collections highlight specific wineries.
Do you love the wines of fifth-generation winemaker Joe Wagner? Using Total Wine’s Legends of Wine Collection video app, consumers who grew up on his Meiomi Pinot Noir can discover his latest releases, like the 2018 Vennstone – a $20 fruit-forward Pinot Noir made from vineyards in Sonoma, Monterey and Santa Barbara Counties.
Through Total Wine’s Winery Direct partnership programs (of which Vennstone is an example), customers have direct access to wines which may not enjoy distribution and availability through other retail avenues.
For customer education, Total Wine offers online virtual tastings and live-stream events with noted winemakers both in store via big screens, or for wine lovers to engage with at home.
In 30 years, Total Wine has arguably met its mission of being the largest independent retailer of fine wine in the US.
Decanter’s pick from Total Wine
The wines below are a current selection from the Total Wine portfolio. The most recently tasted are at the top of the list.
J Vineyards, Brut Rosé, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley, California, USA
91
Fresh and full of flavour, this bright, focused and ultra-elegant salmon-hued rosé from the heart of the Russian River Valley has well-defined notes of red berries, Bing cherry and apples. A touch of chalkiness and a swirl of florals set the backdrop for a lovely finish.
J VineyardsSonoma County
St Supéry, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2018
92
One of Napa Valley’s brightest Sauvignon Blanc ambassadors, St Supéry's reliable bottling mixes juicy peach flavours with a ripe core of citrus, buoyed by lifted spikes of fresh-cut grass and savoury herb undertones. Mouthwatering acidity gives as lively mouthfeel and a crisp, persistent finish.
2018
St SupéryNapa Valley
Dog Point, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2018
91
Intense notes of tangy grapefruit are underscored by rich tropical fruit on the engaging, almost edgy palate. Crisp and refreshing zesty acidity on this appealing, medium-bodied Sauvignon Blanc carries through the round finish.
2018
Dog Point
Morgan, Metallico Unoaked Chardonnay, Monterey County, Santa Lucia Highlands, California, USA, 2019
90
Pure, cool-climate Chardonnay from the organically farmed Double L Vineyard. Slow ripening, thanks in part to the foggy mornings and afternoon breezes from nearby Monterey Bay, ensures a bright, tangy profile. Aromas and flavours of fresh apple and citrus with a crisp acidity and lingering minerality.
2019
MorganMonterey County
Wente Vineyards, Morning Fog Chardonnay, San Francisco Bay, Livermore Valley, California, USA, 2018
90
Approachable and affordable, this is an easy plunge into Central Coast Chardonnay. Tropical fruit and butter on the nose with significant back up on the structured palate from feisty citrus and spice. Food-friendly, creamy and still youthful, the finish is fresh, lifted and enticing.
2018
Wente VineyardsSan Francisco Bay
Ridge Vineyards, Three Valleys, Sonoma County, California, USA, 2018
92
This hearty red blend, built primarily on Zinfandel (72%), Petite Sirah and Carignan bursts with black cherry, juicy plum and swirls of spicy pepper and a hint of earth. Framed by solid tannins and lively acidity the textured, plush fruit richness carries through the long finish.
2018
Ridge VineyardsSonoma County
Montinore Estate, Red Cap Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA, 2017
90
Elegant and focused, this well-crafted Willamette Valley Pinot Noir shows considerable cherry and currant aromas. Subtle earth and herbal tones plus a layer of spice flow through the palate, which is supported by soft tannins and vibrant acidity.
2017
Montinore EstateWillamette Valley
Saint-Hilaire, Blanquette de Limoux, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
90
First brought to America by Thomas Jefferson himself, the monks at Saint-Hilaire have been making Mauzac-based sparkling wines since 1531. Delicious and fairly dry with a lighter body and leaning heavily into citrus, apple and pear profiles, this Limoux sparkling wine carries yeasty aromas and creamy textures all the way through the refined finish.
Saint-HilaireBlanquette de Limoux
Dr Loosen, Blue Slate Riesling Kabinett, Mosel, Germany, 2018
91
A classic Mosel ambassador with all the verve, lively acidity and forward fruit one would expect. Off-dry in style with loads of apricot, baked apple, snappy citrus and engaging spice. A defined minerality weaves through the mid-palate and carries on in intensity through the long, clean finish.
2018
Dr Loosen
Elena Walch, Castel Ringberg Pinot Grigio, Alto Adige/Südtirol, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy, 2018
90
A lithe and lively single-vineyard Pinot Grigio leaning aromatically into the floral notes of chamomile bolstered by honeydew melon and ripe Bartlett pear. Crisp and tangy, this medium-bodied wine offers lovely minerality with balance and elegance through the spicy finish.
2018
Elena WalchAlto Adige/Südtirol
Anton Bauer, Ried Gmirk Grüner Veltliner, Wagram, Niederösterreich, Austria, 2018
89
From 25-year-old vines planted on loess-based soil (predominantly silt-sized sediment) this intensely aromatic Grüner Veltliner offers an impressive quality-to-price ratio. It is brimming with Anjou pear and citrus flavours, bolstered by a vibrant acidity and wrapping up with a clean, crisp finish.
2018
Anton BauerWagram
Broadbent, Vinho Verde NV, Vinho Verde, Portugal
91
Pale with green glints and light spritz, with delicate fruit and aromatics of fresh honeydew melon and cucumber, balanced acidity, well integrated spritz (carbon dioxide is injected at bottling). Poised, with medium length, this is a very well-executed (if pricy), easy-going, low alcohol Vinho Verde that is clean, ripe, fresh and fruity. It was produced at Sogrape-owned Quinta de Azevedo in the Barcelos sub-region.
Broadbent
Gérard Bertrand, Hampton Water Rosé, Languedoc, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2019
90
A fun, feisty collaboration between Jon Bon Jovi, his son Jesse, and Gérard Bertrand, Hampton Water Rosé brings together the legends of music and wine in a single bottle. Ripe red fruit meets lemon peel, the fruit is forward, aromatic and refined, with spicy notes and a touch of garrigue playing in the background. Medium-bodied, with a crisp, clean finish.
2019
Gérard BertrandLanguedoc
Hahn, SLH Pinot Noir, Monterey County, Santa Lucia Highlands, California, USA, 2018
91
Ripe raspberry, strawberry, and Bing cherry debut with swirls of vanilla and vibrant acidity. Bright, complex and brimming with fresh, forward fruit and easy-going spice, this bottle brings the best of four distinct Santa Lucia Highland vineyards together in a display of balance and remarkable integration.
2018
HahnMonterey County
Intrinsic, Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Washington, USA, 2017
91
A lively nose with a blend of violets and blackberry fruit kicks off this fun, engaging Washington Cabernet from Chateau Ste-Michelle that sources fruit from both Horse Heaven Hills and Columbia Valley. Mocha mixes it up with smoky undertones and lays the groundwork for well-managed structure, thanks in part to an extended maceration of nine months that saw half of the wine aged on the skins prior to blending.
2017
IntrinsicColumbia Valley
Terrazas de los Andes, Reserva Malbec, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina, 2018
91
A blend of fruit from several Uco Valley vineyards yields a fresh, fruit-driven Malbec with a heady mix of plum and black cherry, smoke and spice, and engaging layers of earth and herb. Fuller-bodied with well-woven tannins, this is defined and focused with an extended spicy mocha-laced finish.
2018
Terrazas de los AndesUco Valley
Gloria Ferrer, Blanc de Noirs, Los Carneros, California, USA
90
<p>With more than 40 different Pinot and Chardonnay clones planted on the 138ha estate, this traditional-method sparkling (92% Pinot Noir) maintains an admirable consistency that sees fresh red fruit characters mingle with soft citrus and creamy vanilla. Plush and polished mid-palate, the finish has crisp lines and an engaging elegance.</p>
Gloria FerrerLos Carneros
Lucien Albrecht, Reserve Gewurztraminer, Alsace, France, 2018
92
With fruit sourced from Albrecht’s estate vineyards, this youthful wine has tremendous flavour with candied grapefruit and papaya playing well with lychee and ginger spice. Floral aromatics intensify with orange blossom and honeyed notes. Citrus flavours condense on the concentrated, off-dry finish.
2018
Lucien Albrecht
Craggy Range, Te Muna Road Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Martinborough, Wairarapa, New Zealand, 2019
91
From the cool-climate of Martinborough, intense aromatics carry zesty grapefruit, tangerine and ripe peach alongside fresh earth notes. These continue on the crisp, mineral palate, where exceptionally bright lemon verbena meets fresh-cut grass, giving way to clean, harmonious finish.
2019
Craggy RangeMartinborough
La Cana, Albariño, Rías Baixas, Galicia, Spain, 2019
90
Dry-farmed, hand-harvested and with 25% of the blend fermented with wild yeast, this is a showcase of citrus fruit, where grapefruit, lime and lemon zest mingle on a creamy-textured palate thanks to eight months of lees ageing. The bright intensity carries through the finish with balance and elegance.
2019
La CanaRías Baixas
Mer Soleil, Reserve Chardonnay, Monterey County, Santa Lucia Highlands, California, USA, 2018
90
With the early morning fog and predictable afternoon breezes of the Santa Lucia Highlands, the growing season here is extended to allow for complete ripening of the Chardonnay. The result is an ultra-rich, complex, creamy wine that highlights lively citrus and classic stone fruit flavours along with vibrant acidity.
2018
Mer SoleilMonterey County
Pine Ridge, Chenin Blanc-Viognier, Sacramento Valley, Clarksburg, California, USA, 2019
90
This fun, fresh and incredibly aromatic off-dry white blend showcases fruit-forward notes of juicy melon, Anjou pear, crisp apple and a lots of tangy citrus. Delightful floral nuances and a delicious, round profile give this wine a lot of versatility and crowd-pleasing appeal.
2019
Pine RidgeSacramento Valley
Fess Parker, Riesling, Santa Barbara County, California, USA, 2018
88
Ripe melon, juicy peach and citrus aromas continue on the smooth-textured mid-palate, leading to ripe lychee and ginger on the finish. There's vibrant acidity throughout this well-managed, off-dry Santa Barbara Riesling which boasts easy-going versatility.
2018
Fess ParkerSanta Barbara County
Beronia, Reserva, Rioja, Alta, Rioja, Spain, 2015
92
Opening decidedly into ripe plum, juicy blackberry and tart black cherry flavours, this Tempranillo-dominant Reserva boasts fresh, lively acidity and an extroverted fruit-forward character which unwinds into round tannins, cinnamon spice and a kiss of vanilla oak on the finish.
2015
BeroniaRioja
Castellare di Castellina, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2017
Classic and expressive Sangiovese characters of black cherry and redcurrant are carried by an assertive structure and fresh acidity. Lively, engaging aromas of violet, leather...
2017
Castellare di CastellinaChianti Classico
Veramonte, Primus, The Blend, Apalta, Colchagua Valley, Chile, 2017
91
<p>This organic, Bordeaux-inspired blend (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carmenère) showcases an extravagant red fruit character. Enticing raspberry, cherry and liquorice aromas give way to a medium-bodied, layered palate of savoury spice, textured tannins, well-integrated oak and focused berry fruit.</p>
2017
VeramonteApalta
Klinker Brick, Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi, California, USA, 2016
90
Klinker Brick’s flagship Zin uses fruit from 55- to 120-year-old vines in 16 different hand-picked blocks. This is a full-throttle bottle, packed with big, bold concentrated dark fruit, sweet spice and a lovely swirl of mocha with just a dash of black pepper on the finish.
2016
Klinker BrickLodi
Sebastiani, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley, California, USA, 2018
90
With fruit sourced from vineyards on the north side of the Alexander Valley, there is real decadence here: ripe blackberry meets sweet spice, plus dense notes of cocoa, black tea and herbal undertones. French oak provides vanilla spice and tannins and encourages an almost sweet finish.
2018
SebastianiSonoma County
Montes, Alpha Syrah, Colchagua Valley, Chile, 2017
92
Rich and showing considerable concentration of blackberry, currant and a touch of balsamic notes along with fresh herbs and smoky spice. Many will appreciate the modest nod to Côte-Rôtie as a dash of Viognier offers a welcome floral touch to this bold, full-bodied blend.
2017
Montes
Tenuta di Nozzole, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2016
92
From hillside vineyards in the Chianti Classico zone, this Sangiovese shows generous layers of cherry, spice and tangy herbal notes in a medium-bodied package. The tannins are soft and supple and the overall impression is fresh and elegant with a well-managed, food-friendly finish.
2016
Tenuta di NozzoleChianti Classico
Vina Robles, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, California, USA, 2017
92
With dense black fruit wrapped around chewy tannins and subtle hints of herb and spice, this classic Paso Robles Cabernet screams 'California' and doesn't disappoint in its phenomenal quality-to-price ratio. Easy to drink, easy to share and remarkably easy to pair with all sorts of grilled favourites.
2017
Vina RoblesPaso Robles
Zuccardi, Q Malbec, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina, 2018
92
Fresh and highly aromatic with concentrated layers of blackberry, blueberry and tobacco taking centre stage. High-altitude fruit combines with native yeasts to bring a rich, earthy wine carrying a fuller body, round tannins and a long, engaging finish.
2018
ZuccardiUco Valley
Joel Gott, 815 Cabernet Sauvignon, California, USA, 2017
91
Approachable, affordable and immensely drinkable, this brings some serious raspberry and blackberry character to the glass. Engaging aromas, well-managed tannins and easy-going mocha notes meet Tahitian vanilla oak spice on the bright, balanced finish.
2017
Joel Gott
Schug, Pinot Noir, Sonoma County, California, USA, 2018
91
Cherry, ripe raspberry and a dash of clove on the nose. An incredibly approachable wine that highlights fruit from Carneros and the Petaluma Gap. Lively acidity carries fresh fruit flavours and sweet spice to a well-managed finish.
2018
SchugSonoma County
