JOHN'S MARKETPLACE WINES' "MISSION (in the rain) STATEMENT"
I, Mr. Mike, the wine steward at John's Marketplace promise to bring you wine selections independent of corporate trends, and in tune with our indigenous Portland eclecticism in savory matters of the soil.
By reputation, I have been marked as a gentle guru, leading people to wines they will enjoy with out a single snobbish nuance, subtext, or geek agenda. I don't want to be famous; I want you to be happy.
Mr. Mike is supported, endorsed, prodded and coddled by good friend and wine uber-geek David Kaplan of GeoVino
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.
MR. MIKE'S Collector's Corner ...these wines are in stock. Call me 503-203-3384. 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
MR. MIKE'S WINE NEWSLETTER Special Tasting August 26th.... 5:30 - 7:30 pm... only a $10.00 fee.
The vintage 2008 Châteauneuf-du-Pape tasting... on Thursday, August 26.
The 2008 growing season was a challenging one, but growers who were ruthless in their selection made delicious and classically styled Chateauneuf-du-Pape. The season was, as is often the case, saved by the warming 'mistral' wind. Only the most fastidious growers with old vines and the wisdom and nerve to wait, reaped a special reward in 2008. The fruit, that had to struggle through a tumultuous year of wet and dry, hot and cold, was concentrated yet fine. The wines are aromatic, pure and fresh, with moderate structure. Due to the high quality that these producers strictly adhere to, yields were down by 30%. No luxury cuvees were produced at either Domaine Pierre Usseglio or Mas de Boislauzon. All of the old vine fruit went into the Cuvees Tradition, as is always the case with Le Vieux Donjon.
wines to be tasted J.P. Lafond 2009 Côtes-du-Rhône $12.99
Mas des Boislauzon 2008 Côtes-du-Rhône Villages $16.99
Cuvée du Vatican 2008 Côtes-du-Rhône Villages $16.99
Cuvée du Vatican 2008 Châteauneuf-du-Pape $39.99
Mas des Boislauzon 2008 Châteauneuf-du-Pape $39.99
Pierre Usseglio 2008 2008 Châteauneuf-du-Pape $44.99
Le Vieux Donjon 2008 Châteauneuf-du-Pape $59.99
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
