Mr. Mike the wine guy
In short: Reed College graduate, recovering attorney, itinerant wine consultant and junkie priest. I first drank Oregon Pinot Noir with a group of nuts that used to meet at the Burgundy and Bleu (thank you Jim Clark!) Then I took a wonderful course from John Poston at Pastaworks in 1985, Don Oman, Peter DeGarmo and Fred Carlo were part of the group. I attended seminars on Oregon wine at The Grape and Grain, and Sundance Grocery in Eugene in 1987. 1989-1991 drank Burgundies with a crazy dentist in Anchorage Alaska. In 1991 I moved back to Portland and helped select wine at the Cheshire Cat wine and cheese store with Ron Brounleuwee. I led northwest wine tastings on the Portland Spirit cruise boat wine 1993-1997. 1998-2001 worked on pectoral muscles and read Bukowski poetry. 2002 Ascended to the throne at John's Marketplace succeeding the inimitable James Harp. Recently I was asked to be a wine judge for the Indie Wine Fest for 2005 and 2006 competitions.
2002-Present, I am the Galactic Wine Tsar at John's Marketplace and a junkie priest in his own right.
...these wines are in stock. Call me 503-203-3387. Mr. Mike
2005 RENATO RATTI "Marcenasco" Barolo $55.00 96 pts ws - 12 bottles available
96 points and #7 on the Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2009: "This fabulous Nebbiolo displays aromas of very ripe strawberry and cappuccino. Full-bodied, with supervelvety tannins and incredible concentration. All the tannins are coated with gorgeous fruit. Best after 2013." (08/09) 93 points Wine Enthusiast: "Marcenasco really comes through this vintage in terms of power, elegance and harmony. There are spice and herbal notes mixed in with almond, vanilla and allspice. You’ll love the sensation of wholeness and harmony here. Drink this opulent wine with filet mignon with wild mushroom cream sauce." (04/09) 91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2005 Barolo Marcenasco opens with perfumed aromatics that lead to a plump, juicy core of red fruit. The wine possesses notable inner perfume and terrific overall balance in a fresh, accessible style. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2022. This is a wonderful set of new releases from Renato Ratti, one of Piedmont’s historic names. The 2005s are especially beautiful for their soft, textured fruit and well-integrated French oak, something that hasn’t always been the case in recent vintages."
2005 RENATO RATTI Barolo Rocche $96.00 96 pts ws - 6 bottles available
"Shows ripe strawberry and black cherry aromas, with hints of flowers. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and lots of fruit, vanilla and white pepper character. Long and rich. Best after 2012. 900 cases. 96 pts."- WS
Friday March 5th our "Friday Tasting".... 5:00 - 7:00 pm... only a $5.00 fee ...ends at 7 pm sharp!
Mr. Mike pours deals.. a pink, 3 whites and 2 reds.
1) Domaine Ablais 2008 Loire Rosé (was $12.99...now $7.99!!!) A blend of cabernet franc and gamay, this dry and delicious wine will match beautifully with appetizer courses.
2) Alianca Vinho Verde $8.99 Bright and refreshing.
3) Portuga $6.99 A steal of a deal for an everyday white wine.
4) Cordivae "Mirth" 2008 Chardonnay $8.99 This is a steal of a deal for un-oaked local chardonnay
5) Finca El Reposo 2006 Bonarda (Mendoza) $6.99 A reprise of my favorite under ten red.
6) Alloro 2007 "Fattoria" WV Oregon Pinot Noir $18.99 A big burley 2007 Pinot, at a deal of a price.
Recap of Great Red Wines in Stock at John's
Maison l'Aiglon 2007 -St.-Chinian $9.99 (carignan, grenache, syrah) Southern France Intense bing cherry aromas burst from the glass of the outstanding Saint Chinian a.o.c. from the Languedoc. A wine of superb depth, purity, and length, it coats the palate with loads of red cherries, raspberries, spices, and black cherries. This full-bodied offering is a steal at $10.00!!
Domaine Cosse Maisonneuve 2002 Cahors "Les Laquets" (100% malbec) $19.99 This is long, full, and dense; with lots of minerals and fine ripe-tannin. On the palate it is not too dry, just the right amount of earthy fruit comes through. Overall the wine is big, but elegant. A great value at $20.00 bucks. This wine could easily pass for a $50.00 Bordeaux. Dry red.
Palo Alto Reserve 2008 (cabernet, carmenere and syrah) $11.99 This is rich, full, and mouth filling, a big wine in search of a New York strip steak. Carmenere imparts an extra dimension of minerals, herbal menthol notes, and loam. Bright berry-sh fruit carries the wine through a long finish. This is a deal.
Andrew Rich "Bruno 2007 Columbia Valley" "Cotes de Bruneaux" red wine $9.99 Check out this quaffable, open knit, smooth, local 'Cotes du Rhone'. Made with syrah, grenache, cunoise, and mourvedre. This is mostly syrah; and it has the lavender and blue fruit profile of a Washington syrah. Soft and inviting, this is a steal of a deal.
Monasterio de Corias "Monasterio" $21.99 This wine has an herbal-tonic nose well balanced elegant feel. The wine has licorice and montmorency cherry flavors on the palate and a juicy herbal finish. Overall it feels fresh, with light extract, but with good grip and a well-balanced elegant feel. This is a great deal in Spanish wine for you cellar.
Bruna Grimaldi 2007 "Briccola" Nebbiolo d'Alba $21.99 Only a few cases left of this great producer's entry level wine that drinks like a baby Barolo.
Honig Schlucht 2008 Pinot Meunier $19.99 This wine is made locally, sustainably, and is hand-crafted by Barnaby and Olga Tuttle. This is the first year of production.
Honig Schlucht (ho-nig shlookt) loosely translated means "Honey Grove" in German. The source is a small vineyard in the coast range. The wine has a beautiful balance on the palate, emphasizing savory earth-tones, mixed with black currants and a subtle pinot noir-like elegance and texture. It is supple on the palate, with low alcohol and a refreshing finish; it feels unique and naturally expressive. Highly recommended."
2006 Hecht & Bannier 2006 Cotes du Roussillon-Villages $22.99 (Wine Spectator 91 points.) This lumbering and dense wine would shout "Stella!" if it were on stage; and it will be a great match for braised meat dishes and cassoulet.
M. Chapoutier 2008 "Les Vignes de Bila-Haut" Côtes du Roussillon-Villages $13.99 (90 points Wine Spectator and listed in the Top 100 Wines for 2009)
This blend of syrah, grenache, carignan, is big and dense, and will match well with grilled beef dishes and other savory Mediterranean fare. Back in stock!
Cabanon "Augurio" 2008 (from the Pavia area of Itlay) $12.99 - Everything about this wine supports the name "Augurio" which means "good omen" for the wine – from its nose of ripe fruit to the burst of flavors on the palate. Whatever your varietal preference, you’ll find it in this "Super-Blend" of Bonarda, Barbera, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet and Merlot. A magnificent balancing act and a real crowd pleaser – plus organic certification.
Monchiero 2005 Barolo $29.99 - This Barolo delivers everything you want in a great Piemonte wine: dusty cherry, pipe tobacco and cedar, the classic 'tar and roses' package. Crazy good price for a wine of this quality. Try a bottle come back for a case. Get it while you can.
Ramanista 2001 Red Greek Wine $18.99...this is drinking like a fine old Bordeaux (5 bottles left.)
Mr. Mike's Hours This Week
(Feb 4-6th)
THURSDAY 12:00 - 5:00 today
FRIDAY 3-7
SATURDAY 12-5
SUNDAY off
-Cheers from Mr. Mike...
Mr. Mike's Usual Hours
WEDNESDAY 11:30 - 5:00
THURSDAY 12:00 - 5:00 pm
FRIDAY 2:00 - 7:00 pm
SATURDAY By appt. but usually 12:00 - 5:00 pm
"...support John's Marketplace .....and keep Portland weird." -TM
John's Marketplace is located at
3535 SW Multnomah Blvd
Portland, OR 97219
Wine order hot-line voice mail: 503-203-3384
Email orders preferred: Place your wine order
Newsletter Archives | Sign up for the Newsletter
|
|
