Friday February 19th our "Friday Tasting" .... 5:00 - 7:00 pm... only a $5.00 fee ...ends at 7 pm sharp!
Mr. Mike pours values from around the world.
The Friday Tasting... 5 reds..1 white
1) Libra 2008 "Oregon" pinot gris $14.99 Bill and Linda Hanson fashion this exceptional Oregon gris with a blend of estate (Willamette Valley) and Del Rio fruit. It has a beautiful balance between tropical notes and zippy citrus flavors. Based on the high quality in this bottle, this is a new producer to watch.
2) Heredad de Baroja "Cautivo" 2007 Rioja 'Madurado' (tempranillo) $9.99 Earth and fruit marry in this satisfying tempranillo. A deal.
3) Pavillion 2005 Bordeaux aoc Rouge (cabernet, merlot) $9.99 Extremely Bordeaux-ish, this wine overflows with earthy tobacco notes and rustic charm. 2005 was a great year.
4) Palo Alto Reserve 2008 (cabernet, carmenere and syrah) $10.99 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.
5) J. Christopher 2008 Columbia Gorge Syrah $18.99 Made with fruit from Mosier in the Columbia Gorge. It has 3% viognier added to the syrah; and a peppery nose with blue fruits and a licorice tinged finish - a food wine supreme -european style. I said: "this tastes like cool climate syrah" ..and the winemaker said "...no ...it is what warm climate syrah should taste like." This is smooth, elegant, and admirably dry.
6) Peltier Station 2007 "Hybrid" (75% petite sirah,15% syrah,10% viognier) $9.99 This petite sirah is loaded with berry flavor and aromas which enhance the earthy mid-palate of this wine and leave one with a rich and satisfying finish. A touch of Viognier has been added to round out this monster wine. Organically produced; this wine is for lovers of huge, dark, and dense reds. Serve with Hershey's kisses.
Mr. Mike's Hours This Week
(Feb 18-21th)
THURSDAY 12:00 - 5:00 today
FRIDAY 3-7
SATURDAY 12-4
SUNDAY by appt.
Friday February 5th our "Friday Tasting" .... 5:00 - 7:00 pm... only a $5.00 fee ...ends at 7 pm sharp!
Miss Molly M. from Vin de Garde pours French Reds (..and one wine from Georgia.) GTM string band will provide live music.
The Friday Tasting... mostly reds
1) nv eugene carrel & fils vin de savoie brut rose $18.99 sparkling
2) 2006 paraza minervois - $9.99 table red
3) 2007 carrel vin de savoie jongieux mondeuse rouge $16.99 Pinot-ish red
4) 2005 elian da ros le vignoble d'elian -cotes du marmandaise rouge $16.99 Bordeaux-ish red
5) 2005 elian da ros chante coucou cotes du marmandaise rouge $24.99 Bordeaux-ish red
6) 2003 vinoterra saperavi $18.99 Intense red... straight out o' Georgia
Some Notes on the tasting wines...
1) nv carrel vin de savoie brut rose
The brut is 65% gamay, the rest mondeuse and it aint as dry as some folk are used to but nor is it anywhere near as sweet as savoie's pink bugey bubblies. mondeuse can be kind of a meaty grape, maybe a little syrah-like at times, and the bubbles are full of fruit, weight and a finish that lingers for a surprisingly long time.
2) Chateau de Paraza is a blend of 40% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 20% Mourvedre.
The different varieties are harvested and vinified separately. The wine is made using the carbonic maceration method for each varietal at controlled temperatures of 26-28 degrees C. in order to attain a very supple, plush and aromatic wine. Chateau De Paraza has a lush texture with flavors of spicy, ripe, dark fruits. It represents outstanding value and is a fine match for pastas and grilled meats and vegetables. It is best served with a slight chill. Chateau de Paraza has been frequently cited by Robert Parker as a "World's Greatest Wine Value" and the 2006 was praised by WINE SPECTATOR: "This lush red brims with red plum, raspberry and spice flavors with silky tannins." 88 score, 12/31/08-1/15/09 issue, page 174.
3) carrel vin de savoie jongieux mondeuse rouge
Mondeuse, the Savoie's principal red grape, is deeply colored and tastes of spicy, wild berries and dark plums. It ripens late, and Carrel prunes severely and strips leaves to enhance maturity of the fruit. Carrel ages his Mondeuse in neutral oak casks for 8 months to allow its structure and power to come into balance before release. This wine is prized with local game and cheese dishes. (-from a profile of carrel http://www.rhsight.com/carrel.html)
4 & 5) Elian da Ros (Sigoules, Cotes du Marmandais)
This producer challenging the co-op production mentality of the appelation and rigorously practices biodynamics which he learned from 5 years with zind-humbrecht and then several vintages with Grange des Peres in the langeudoc. Andrew Jeffords likes this producer's "... vivacious Vignoble d'Elian, which gets some bright, plummy Syrah into bed with Merlot and Cabernet Franc; and the delicious Chante Coucou, where an infusion of Malbec into a Cabernet-Merlot blend gives it a gratifyingly meaty thump." (-Andrew Jeffords) Jancis Robinson writes "Here's an appellation you don't see every day. The Côtes du Marmandais is one of south west France's lesser known zones immediately east of Bordeaux. It tootled along on the fringes of everything vinous until Elian Da Ros arrived back there and took over his family's vines, inspired by stints working for Zind Humbrecht in Alsace and at Grange des Pères in the Languedoc and determined to make the best possible wine. Chante Coucou 2002 Côtes du Marmandais is a mix of south western French grape varieties, 60 per cent Merlot with equal parts of Malbec and Cabrnet Sauvignon and is absolutely classic, rigorous, deep-red, appetisingly dry south western red designed to age and to be drunk with food. If it were a Médoc it would be classed growth status – by which I mean it should not for a moment be confused with common or garden AC Bordeaux – but it has a little extra spice. This is serious stuff whose chief distinguishing characteristic is freshness – really lively fruit without a dead grape in that vat but with quite sandy tannins still in evidence. It's undeniably dense yet also quite crisp. . You could certainly drink it now, ideally next year, but you could also cellar it for at least five years with confidence." (-Jancis Robinson)
6) Vinoterra Saperavi
Amphora fermented, french-barrel aged. According to the Seattle Times: "Unfiltered and deep-hued, this tastes of pomegranate, berries and herbal tea. It's supple and beautifully proportioned, with flavors that recall the low-alcohol (less than 13 percent) zinfandels of the 1970s." (Wednesday, August 13, 2008)
For your calendars...
Mr. Mike's Hours This Week
(Feb 4-6th)
THURSDAY 11:00 - 1:00 ...and 3:00 - 5:00 today
FRIDAY 12-7
SATURDAY 12-5
SUNDAY off
Mr. Mike's odd wine tasting nights at John's Marketplace
.... a new program
Monday Dec 7th... 5-7 pm 1995 Bordeaux from the Vault
4 wines ...$10.00 fee... 5-7 pm ...ends at 7 pm sharp! No reservations, and when the wine is gone, we go home.
1995 Chateau Mouton Rothschild -Pauillac -------Robert Parker: "95 pts...It reveals an opaque purple color, and reluctant aromas of cassis, truffles, coffee, licorice, and spice. In the mouth, the wine is 'great stuff,' with superb density, a full-bodied personality, rich mid-palate, and a layered, profound finish that lasts for 40+ seconds..."
1995 Chateau de Clairefont -Margaux $N/A
1995 Chateau Gloria -St. Julien $N/A
1995 Chateau Lalande -Saint-Julien $N/A
Tuesday Dec 8th... 5-7 pm German Riesling from the Vault
5 wines ...$10.00 fee... 5-7 pm ...ends at 7 pm sharp! No reservations, and when the wine is gone, we go home.
1979 Jos. Christoffel Jr. (Christoffel-Prum) Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Auslese (**) $N/A
1999 Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spätlese (Auction Wine) (AP# 2 583 154 17 00) $N/A
2001 J.J. Prüm Riesling Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spätlese $N/A
2003 Selbach-Oster Graacher Domprobst Riesling Auslese $N/A
2006 Heymann-Löwenstein "Schieferterrassen" Riesling $31.99
Wednesday Dec 9th... 5-7 pm Barolo from the Vault
6 wines ...$10.00 fee ...5-7 pm ...ends at 7 pm sharp! No reservations, and when the wine is gone, we go home.
1997 Cabutto -Tenuta La Volta "Vigna La Volta" - Barolo
1997 Mauro Molino "Vigna Gancia" -Barolo $N/A
1998 Vietti Barolo "Rocche" -Barolo $N/A
2000 Elio Altare -Barolo docg $N/A
2000 E. Pira & Figli "Chiara Boschis" - Barolo $N/A
2005 Renato Ratti "Rocche" -Barolo $55.00 Wine Spectator 96 points. In stock!
Thursday Dec 10th... 4-6 pm : The "BourbonEzer" ....kick-off tasting and Pub Crawl starting at John's Marketplace 4-6 pm free. BridgePort Brewing Company • BourbonEzer Barrel-Aged Winter Warmer -Scottish Ale. " A.K.A. the "Highland Ambush" "The BourbonEzer" is a wood-aged Scotch ale. This is Big Beer News---"Taste what happens when BridgePort puts its Ebenezer Ale into American oak bourbon barrels for a year. An already smooth, malty and delicious ale mellows into a luscious holiday treat. Hints of vanilla mix and mingle with sweet caramel and toffee, while English Golding hops add a light spice. BourbonEzer is dark as a winter evening but friendly and inviting in the holiday spirit." This is just a sneak peak poured from cask!!!! (The beer will be released as the 'Highland Ambush' later in December in 22 oz. bottles.) Aged in fresh Maker's Mark and Jack Daniels bourbon barrels. KINK radio "street team" will be set up at John's Marketplace to cover the event.
Friday Dec 11th... Cossart Gordon Madeira; Kopke Ports; St. Innocent Pinot Noir; Ecosse Oregon sparkling wine. $5.00 fee
Friday Dec 18th... Lago di Merlo wines, plus our annual Burgundy sale. $5.00 fee
Dec 25th No Tasting Friday December 25th .....I'll be reselling my lump of coal on ebay.
Thanks......Mr. Mike
Mr. Mike's Hours This Week ...not many...call ahead for best selection.
(Dec 7th - Dec 12th)
MONDAY 4-7
TUESDAY 4-7
WEDNESDAY 12-7
THURSDAY 2-6
FRIDAY 2-7 pm
SATURDAY 12-5 pm
Wednesday November 25th our "Wednesday Tasting" .... 4:00 - 6:00 pm... only a $5.00 fee ...ends at 7 pm sharp! (No this Friday Tasting November 27th)
Theme: Mr. Mike's favorite hometown picks.
The Wines...
1) Westrey 2008 Willamette Valley Pinot Gris $15.99
2) Eyrie 2007 Willamette Valley Estate Chardonnay $21.99
3) Amity 2007 Willamette Valley Riesling $15.99
4) Westrey 2007 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir "Oracle" vineyard $19.99
5) Westrey 2008 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir $21.99
In the Store...
A great wine for Thanksgiving...
Tyrus Evan "Ciel du Cheval" Claret 2005 Claret. $34.00 Great with Cran/orange relish.
For your calendars...
No Friday Tasting November 27th
Dec 4th Andrew Rich, live and in person. 5-7 pm $5.00 fee
Mr. Mike's Hours This Week...not many...call ahead for best selection.
TUESDAY (today): 12-6
WEDNESDAY: 12-7 pm
Friday November 20th our "Friday Tasting" .... 5:00 - 7:00 pm... only a $5.00 fee ...ends at 7 pm sharp!
Mr. Mike curates new Italian acquisitions.
The Wines...
1) Felsina Berardenga "I Sistri" 2007 Chardonnay IGT Toscana $22.99 - The I Sistri is 100% Chardonnay that is aged in neutral French oak. The wine is broad and rich with tropical fruit flavors and a mouth filling texture. This Chardonnay is well balanced and elegant.
2) Cantine Gini -Chianti "Solatio" 2007 $8.99
3) Bruna Grimaldi 2007 Nebbiolo d'Alba $21.99
4) Petrilli 2007 "Fortuita" IGT Lucera $24.00 (Grapes: 60% Sangiovese, 40% Montepulciano.)
Organic, all estate vineyards. Vinification: 80% aged in Stainless, the rest in used 2nd and 3rd year barriques. This is a soulful wine, elegant and interesting. The Petrilli Estate is located in Northern Puglia, in the region of Daunia, near the town of Lucera. Paolo and Paola Petrilli have lived here their whole lives and have gained an enormous reputation growing some of the finest organic pomodori (tomatoes) in all of Italy. Their crop, from just 5 Hectares of tomatoes, sells out every year and Paolo applies the same philosophy to his wines as he does to the pomodori: better to limit production and make the best possible product. In 2002 the family released the first wines from their 10 Hectares of vines, using only local varieties. Paolo flatly states that his production will always be limited to whatever he is able to vinify from that 10 Ha. A quiet, funny, sophisticated farmer and academic (his beautiful home is overflowing with books on every conceivable subject), Paolo's wines are so impossibly elegant, they almost dance on the palate. -Compiled from web sources
5) Petrilli 2007 "Agramante" - Cacc'e Mmitte di Lucera DOC $31.00 (Grapes: 60% Nero di Troia, 15% Sangiovese, 10% Montepulciano, 15% Bombino)
Site: Grown organically from the winery’s estate vineyards. Vinification: Completely in Stainless. The oddly named DOC literally means "to take out, and put in", a reference to working hard in the fields where you take out your pay, and put in your time, take out the fruits of your labor after you put the hard work in. This is the only DOC wine produced by the winery. Agramante is a reference from literature, and is the name of the Saracen King of Africa who in Ludovico Ariosto’s Epic Orlando Furioso has invaded Europe to avenge his father's death and thus finds himself at war with the Christian emperor Charlemagne. -Compiled from web sources
6) "Flaio" Primitivo 2007 Salento IGT $12.99 "Totally pleasing, with nice earthiness, a light touch and shy, balanced tastes. Fun!" -WSJ This is a medium-bodied primitivo from the Salento region of Puglia, it is smooth with the flavors of blackberry, red current, and a pleasant earthiness. It avoids any roasted or stewed flavors of many primitivo offerings.
The Best Six White Wines in the Wine World Today
A Sampler Pack $105.40 / ($17.56 per bottle) Special. My mixed case discount for a six pack.
Domaine A et P de Villaine Bouzeron Aligoté 2006 $22.99 (French, Burgundy dry white) The de Villaines' wine is complex style of Aligoté, with driving minerality and more weight than most versions offer. This is great with grilled fish or a seafood raw bar. This is simply spectacular. Yes it is that same Villaine from DRC.
Cabanon 2007 Blanc -Provincia di Pavia IGT Sauvignon (Blanc) $19.99 A stunning Sauv Blanc that emphasizes density and purity of citrus flavors with no "grassiness".
Domaine Maestracci E Prove, Corse Calvi Blanc 2008 - Corsica. $19.99 Great with simple grilled foods. Beautiful balance and unique flavors makes this an intriguing wine.
Kuentz-Bas 2006 Alsace Blanc $11.99 (French, Alsce dry white) This is a blend of Sylvaner, Riesling, Pinot Blanc, and Muscat. The style is crisp and pure, without sacrificing complexity and the traditional overtones of white flowers and minerals. This would be also be a great choice with Thai cuisine, because of the wine's slight residual sugar.
2007 Domaine Guillot-Broux Mâcon-Cruzille "Les Genièvrières" - $25.00 This a great chardonnay with extraordinary density of material and flavor. This wine could easily pass for a wine hailing from a glorious grand cru site in Meursault. This is simply a steal of a deal for lovers of European chardonnay, and there is no cellar time required; this wine is great right now. It is organically produced.
Pravis 2005 "Stravino di Stravino" $23.99 (dry white Northern Italy)
The name of this great, unique, and unforgettable white wine is connected in part to the name Stravino, the name of a village near the winery; but more importantly, however, is the word play involved – Stravino means that the wine is something so special that it is “beyond wine, (“-stra means "beyond" in Italian). There is a tonic, herbal thrust to this wine, with incredibly complex aromatics of wildflowers, honey, under-ripe banana skin, finishing with a full-bodied texture and a dense and brooding mineral undertow. Stravino is made from a blend of Riesling, Incrocio Manzoni, Kerner, Chardonnay and Sauvignon grapes, each varietal harvested in its own time and manner: some of the grapes are late-harvested, others are barrel-aged, and yet others are stainless-steel aged. In sum, each varietal is vinified to exalt and define its respective qualities before being carefully blended into a full, velvety wine exhibiting an intense, complex suite of aromas. Stravino is opulent in every organoleptic property yet amazingly balanced for pure drinkability. Some of the grapes are late harvested, the rest are dried on grates, then they are separately vinified in wood or stainless steel. Incrocio Manzoni is a hybrid of German riesling and Pinot Bianco. This is truly sui generis and must be tasted to be believed.
For your calendars...
No Friday Tasting November 27th
Next Wednesday Nov 25th I will have some Oregon wines open from 4-6 pm $5.00 fee
Mr. Mike's Hours This Week...not many...call ahead for best selection.
THURSDAY 12-5
FRIDAY 2-7 pm
SATURDAY 12-5 pm
Friday November 13th our "Friday Tasting" .... 5:00 - 7:00 pm... only a $5.00 fee ...ends at 7 pm sharp!
Mr. Mike presents Gilbert Cellars... meet the winemaker and taste his wines.
Gilbert Cellars' winery is perched above the Ahtanum Valley at the foothills of the Cascade Mountains west of Yakima. Their vines are located within the Wahluke Slope, the Horseheaven Hills, and the Columbia Valley AVAs.
The Wines...
Gilbert Cellars 2008 Unoaked Chardonnay Columbia Valley $17.99 Aged in 100% stainless steel and withheld from malolactic fermentation, the result is a wonderful bottling that pairs beautifully with seafood and cream sauces. Lively green apple and honey suckle mesh with a frisky minerality on the finish.
Gilbert Cellars 2008 Organic Chardonnay Wahluke Slope $19.99
Gilbert Cellars 2008 Riesling Columbia Valley $15.99 Fun and refreshing, this riesling’s subtle kiss of sweetness is well balanced with a lively acidity. Flavors of sweet cream, lime, wet stone and pear mingle marvelously through the long finish. Especially good with spicy cuisine, fruit sauces and smoked fish and meats. 2% residual sugar.
Gilbert Cellars 2006 Claret Wahluke Slope $19.99 This is a Bordeaux-style blend composed of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 8% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Well-rounded and complex this wine’s black cherry, crushed herb and vanilla characters are backed by an acidity that complements cuisine as exciting as red sauces and garlic. Drink now through 2012. Gold Medal San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
Gilbert Cellars 2006 Allobroges Columbia Valley $23.99 This blend, from four vineyards in the Columbia Valley, is a wine that embodies the essence of Rhone varieties in Washington. 60% Syrah, 22% Grenache and 18% Mourvedre.
Gilbert Cellars 2007 Malbec Wahluke Slope $26.99 Made from grapes grown in the Gilbert vineyards on the south facing hillsides of the Wahluke slope. This wine takes off with an aromatic rush of dark berries, sweet herbs, black licorice and charred cedar.
Cool new things in the store:
Two wines to keep in mind for holiday celebrations..
Fattoria Cabanon 2007 Bonard Oltrepo Pavese 'Vivace' $18.99 Full bodied, sparkling, dry, rich, red table wine.
At last, a sparkling red wine of real elegance and quality! Serve at room temperature, or slightly chilled with hors d’oeuvre, pasta, salmon, chicken, turkey and spicy dressings. Produced with 100% organically grown Bonarda (Croatina) grapes, harvested when fully ripe with a brief refermentation in the bottle. The wine is bottled young, then undergoes a slight secondary fermentation which gives its gentle sparkle. With a beautiful deep ruby color, it is a smooth, and full-bodied red, that is also a perfect partner for entrées, red meats and cheeses. This would be a treat for the Thanksgiving table. Try a bottle soon!
Marques de Gelida Brut 2005 - $16.99 (sparkling Spanish) This is my favorite mid-range priced sparkler, worth the extra few bucks to celebrate any occasion in real style.
The Best Six White Wines in the Wine World Today A Sampler Pack $105.40 / ($17.56 per bottle) Special. My mixed case discount for a six pack.
Domaine A et P de Villaine Bouzeron Aligoté 2006 $22.99 (French, Burgundy dry white) The de Villaines' wine is complex style of Aligoté, with driving minerality and more weight than most versions offer. This is great with grilled fish or a seafood raw bar. This is simply spectacular. Yes it is that same Villaine from DRC.
Cabanon 2007 Blanc -Provincia di Pavia IGT Sauvignon (Blanc) $19.99 A stunning Sauv Blanc that emphasizes density and purity of citrus flavors with no "grassiness".
Domaine Maestracci E Prove, Corse Calvi Blanc 2008 - Corsica. $19.99 Great with simple grilled foods. Beautiful balance and unique flavors makes this an intriguing wine.
Kuentz-Bas 2006 Alsace Blanc $11.99 (French, Alsce dry white) This is a blend of Sylvaner, Riesling, Pinot Blanc, and Muscat. The style is crisp and pure, without sacrificing complexity and the traditional overtones of white flowers and minerals. This would be also be a great choice with Thai cuisine, because of the wine's slight residual sugar.
2007 Domaine Guillot-Broux Mâcon-Cruzille "Les Genièvrières" - $25.00 This a great chardonnay with extraordinary density of material and flavor. This wine could easily pass for a wine hailing from a glorious grand cru site in Meursault. This is simply a steal of a deal for lovers of European chardonnay, and there is no cellar time required; this wine is great right now. It is organically produced.
Pravis 2005 "Stravino di Stravino" $23.99 (dry white Northern Italy)
The name of this great, unique, and unforgettable white wine is connected in part to the name Stravino, the name of a village near the winery; but more importantly, however, is the word play involved – Stravino means that the wine is something so special that it is "beyond" wine, (-stra means "beyond" in Italian). There is a tonic, herbal thrust to this wine, with incredibly complex aromatics of wildflowers, honey, under-ripe banana skin, finishing with a full-bodied texture and a dense and brooding mineral undertow. Stravino is made from a blend of Riesling, Incrocio Manzoni, Kerner, Chardonnay and Sauvignon grapes, each varietal harvested in its own time and manner: some of the grapes are late-harvested, others are barrel-aged, and yet others are stainless-steel aged. In sum, each varietal is vinified to exalt and define its respective qualities before being carefully blended into a full, velvety wine exhibiting an intense, complex suite of aromas. Stravino is opulent in every organoleptic property yet amazingly balanced for pure drinkability. Some of the grapes are late harvested, the rest are dried on grates, then they are separately vinified in wood or stainless steel. Incrocio Manzoni is a hybrid of German riesling and Pinot Bianco. This is truly sui generis and must be tasted to be believed.
For your calendars...
Special Saturday Tastings 4-6 pm
November 14th Kopke Ports plus Cabanon winery... This Saturday. I've decided to feature some great Italian table wines and include a few Kopke ports at the end of the tasting line up.
Mr. Mike's Hours This Week...not many...call ahead for best selection.
THURSDAY: by appointment
FRIDAY: 2-7 pm
SATURDAY: 12-5 pm
Friday November 6th our new and improved "Friday Tasting" .... 5:00 - 7:00 pm... only a $5.00 fee ...ends at 7 pm sharp!
4 Big Tables at our new expanded Friday Night Extravaganza at the John's Marketplace "Wine and Beer Arena"
Mr. Mike presents...2 tables pouring wine ..... and 2 tables pouring beer including a...
-- Deschutes Abyss bottle-signing and tasting with the brewer Larry Sidor (5-7 pm)
Also Cascade Lakes pouring Santa's Littler Helper, Skookum Creek, and IPA.
David Johnstone of the Merchant of Vino Wine Distribution Group will pour great world wide value wines:
1) La Piazza Catarratto $9.99
2) 2006 Delisio Quarterback $17.99
3) 2007 Estampa Reserve - Carmenere 60%/Cabernet Sauvignon 22%/Cabernet Franc 18% blend $10.99
4) 2007 Woop Woop Cabernet $9.99
5) 2007 3 Winds Syrah $8.99
Cameron of the D'Vine Wine Distribution Group will pour great blended wines...
1) Charles & charles 2007 red (50/50 cab/syrah)...$10.99 This is a collaborative effort between charles smith and charles bieler of chat. routas and three thieves, this wine is actually has some structure and acidity, and is great value in Columbia Valley wine.
2) Gougenheim 2006 bonarda-syrah $9.99 This is an elegant and floral red wine.
3) casa illana tradicion 2006 -$13.99(from ribera jucar region spain, 45% bobal, 30% tempranillo, 25% syrah) Fascinating wine.
4) Agusti torello mata "aliguer" cava blanc 2006-$18.99 (48% macabeo, 25% xarel-lo, 27% parellada) from one of region's best producers.
5) Maxime magnon 2006 "demarrante" $21.99 (50% carignan, 50% cinsault) This great Kermit Lynch producer, issues an elegant wine that is a hypothetical blend of a floral Cru Beaujolais Morgan and a full-bodied Corbieres. This is great wine.....Mr. Mike super buy recommendation!
Cool new things in the store:
Two wines to keep in mind for holiday celebrations..
Fattoria Cabanon 2007 Bonard Oltrepo Pavese 'Vivace' $18.99 Full bodied, sparkling, dry, rich, red table wine.
At last, a sparkling red wine of real elegance and quality! Serve at room temperature, or slightly chilled with hors d’oeuvre, pasta, salmon, chicken, turkey and spicy dressings. Produced with 100% organically grown Bonarda (Croatina) grapes, harvested when fully ripe with a brief refermentation in the bottle. The wine is bottled young, then undergoes a slight secondary fermentation which gives its gentle sparkle. With a beautiful deep ruby color, it is a smooth, and full-bodied red, that is also a perfect partner for entrées, red meats and cheeses. This would be a treat for the Thanksgiving table. Try a bottle soon!
Marques de Gelida Brut 2005 - $16.99 (sparkling Spanish) This is my favorite mid-range priced sparkler, worth the extra few bucks to celebrate any occasion in real style.
The Best Six White Wines in the Wine World Today A Sampler Pack $105.40 / ($17.56 per bottle) Special. My mixed case discount for a six pack.
Domaine A et P de Villaine Bouzeron Aligoté 2006 $22.99 (French, Burgundy dry white) The de Villaines' wine is complex style of Aligoté, with driving minerality and more weight than most versions offer. This is great with grilled fish or a seafood raw bar. This is simply spectacular. Yes it is that same Villaine from DRC.
Cabanon 2007 Blanc -Provincia di Pavia IGT Sauvignon (Blanc) $19.99 A stunning Sauv Blanc that emphasizes density and purity of citrus flavors with no "grassiness".
Domaine Maestracci E Prove, Corse Calvi Blanc 2008 - Corsica. $19.99 Great with simple grilled foods. Beautiful balance and unique flavors makes this an intriguing wine.
Kuentz-Bas 2006 Alsace Blanc $11.99 (French, Alsce dry white) This is a blend of Sylvaner, Riesling, Pinot Blanc, and Muscat. The style is crisp and pure, without sacrificing complexity and the traditional overtones of white flowers and minerals. This would be also be a great choice with Thai cuisine, because of the wine's slight residual sugar.
2007 Domaine Guillot-Broux Mâcon-Cruzille "Les Genièvrières" - $25.00 This a great chardonnay with extraordinary density of material and flavor. This wine could easily pass for a wine hailing from a glorious grand cru site in Meursault. This is simply a steal of a deal for lovers of European chardonnay, and there is no cellar time required; this wine is great right now. It is organically produced.
Pravis 2005 "Stravino di Stravino" $23.99 (- dry white Northern Italy)
The name of this great, unique, and unforgettable white wine is connected in part to the name Stravino, the name of a village near the winery; but more importantly, however, is the word play involved – Stravino means that the wine is something so special that it is “beyond wine, (“-stra means “beyond” in Italian). There is a tonic, herbal thrust to this wine, with incredibly complex aromatics of wildflowers, honey, under-ripe banana skin, finishing with a full-bodied texture and a dense and brooding mineral undertow. Stravino is made from a blend of Riesling, Incrocio Manzoni, Kerner, Chardonnay and Sauvignon grapes, each varietal harvested in its own time and manner: some of the grapes are late-harvested, others are barrel-aged, and yet others are stainless-steel aged. In sum, each varietal is vinified to exalt and define its respective qualities before being carefully blended into a full, velvety wine exhibiting an intense, complex suite of aromas. Stravino is opulent in every organoleptic property yet amazingly balanced for pure drinkability. Some of the grapes are late harvested, the rest are dried on grates, then they are separately vinified in wood or stainless steel. Incrocio Manzoni is a hybrid of German riesling and Pinot Bianco. This is truly sui generis and must be tasted to be believed.
For your calendars...
Special Saturday Tastings 4-6 pm
November 7th Châteauneuf-du-Pape ....This Saturday
November 14th Kopke Ports
Mr. Mike's Hours This Week...not many...call ahead for best selection.
WEDNESDAY by appointment
FRIDAY by appointment
SATURDAY by appointment
Friday September 18th our regular Friday Tasting 5:00 - 7:00 pm... only a $5.00 fee ...ends at 7 pm sharp!
Gamay noir varietal comparitive tasting. Wines from Oregon, Touraine, Beaujolais, and Burgundy (Mâcon-Cruzille).
1) Pierre-Marie Chermette 2008 'Les Griottes' Beaujolais rosé $16.99
This is a unique and very dry Beaujolais rosé from a great red Beaujolais producer. The 2007 "Les Griottes" has an enticing scent of white peaches and berries. Pierre-Marie and Martine Chermette work hard in the vineyard and in the the cellar and produce a wine of great authenticity and refreshing quality.
2) 2007 Pierre-Marie Chermette Beaujolais AOC $16.99
3) 2007 Jean-Francois Merieau 2007 -Gamay Noir -Touraine "Les Hexagonales" $12.99
Aromas of crushed raspberry, cranberry, pie spice and pepper lead to a supple and fruity palate, with spicy red berry and pepper flavors. This is a delightful summertime barbecue friendly red.
4) Domaine Joel Rochette 2007 Beaujolais-Villages $14.00
This 2007 This Beaujolais Villages offers a sweetly floral, snappy, pungent, and slightly tart blackberry, and brown spice aromatic profile, guaranteed to leave your mouth refreshed and happy to take the next sip.
5) Nicole Chanrion 2006 Domaine de la Voûte des Crozes Côte-de-Brouilly $21.99
This is a serious-styled Beaujolais from Kermit Lynch's portfolio. The wine is less intense than the 2005, more open-knit and charming, with lower acidity. There is deep sense of minerality and earthiness in this wine, which is unfortunately often missing in Beaujolais. The fruit profile is on the dried cherry, brandied fig spectrum, not the crunchy cranberries that often predominate. There is overall a sense of depth combined with faint brown spices and a refreshing briskness to the palate. This is great unique terroir-driven Beaujolais.
6) WillaKenzie Estate 2006 Gamay Noir Willamette Valley $24.00
"Four acres of Gamay Noir were planted in 1993 at WillaKenzie Estate. The vines are spaced at 1200 plants per acre, running north to south, allowing for maximum sun exposure. All the vineyards are planted on Willakenzie soil. The grapes were picked by hand on the morning of October 7th. Using 10% whole clusters, a cool maceration preceded the open-top, Burgundian style fermentation for a total of 30 days of skin contact and daily punchdowns. The Gamay was then gravity fed to barrels where it underwent 100% Malolactic fermentation over the next 3 months. The wine spent a total of 10 months maturing in a variety of French oak barrels, 20% of which were new. The 2006 Gamay Noir shows aromas of fresh raspberry, strawberry, and red cherry followed by attractive hints of confectionary sweetness and white pepper. The lifted flavors follow the aromas to create a luscious, mouthwatering finish." -(from their website)
7) Domaine Guillot-Broux Mâcon-Cruzille Rouge 2007 "Beaumont" $27.00
This is beautiful, enticing Gamay. -Mr. Mike
Mr. Mike's Hours This Week
FRIDAY: 2:00 - 7:00 pm today Sept 18th
SATURDAY: 12:00 - 5:00
Next Week
On vacation next week... Tues, Wed and Thurs. Back in the saddle on Friday Sept 25th
Friday September 11th our regular Friday Tasting 5:00 - 7:00 pm... only a $5.00 fee ...ends at 7 pm sharp!
The tasting wines:
We will have wine from the San Francisco Wine Exchange Portfolio including Andrew Quady, Foppiano, David Bruce, and also a few good value wines from Argentina, Spain and Washington State. Please join us.
Free Beer Tasting 4-7 pm Friday ....Alaskan Brewing
Some cool new things in the store Friday.....
2007 Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge - $78.00
2007 Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge Magnums - $160.00
2007 Domaine Guillot-Broux Mâcon-Cruzille "Les Genièvrières" - $25.00
Here's the story: a beautiful but neglected 5 acre vineyard, a young vigneron with a passion for natural winemaking and a belief in the rightness of this site, add old vines (planted 1983) and voila... a great chardonnay with extraordinary density of material and flavor. This wine could easily pass for a wine hailing from a glorious grand cru site in Meursault. This is simply a steal of a deal for lovers of European chardonnay, and there is no cellar time required; this wine is great right now.
Cheers -Mr. Mike
Mr. Mike's Hours This Week
THURSDAY 11:00 - 5:00 (Sept 10th)
FRIDAY 2:00 - 7:00 pm
SAT 12:00 - 5:00
Next Week
On vacation next week Wed and Thurs.
Friday August 21st our regular Friday Tasting 5:00 - 7:00 pm... only a $5.00 fee ...ends at 7 pm sharp!
Ron Leidigh from Vinum Imports will pour...Portuguese Wines
The tasting wines:
Esporao 2008 Alandra white $6.99 (dry white)
Alves de Sousa 2005 "Estacao" Tinto $8.99 (dry red)
Alves de Sousa 2006 "Caldas" Tinto $11.99 (dry red)
Herdade do Mouchao 2006 "Dom Rafael" Tinto $14.99 (dry red)
Esporao 2005 Touriga Nacional $18.99 (dry red)
Cool new things in the store:
Chris Berg's "klee" 2007 WV Pinot Noir $18.00 This is a pretty Pinot with some weight but a suave texture and a nice core of black cherry and cola notes. A deal.
My favorite white wine deal...
Pajzos Antaloczy Cellars Tokaji Furmint 2007 (Hungary) $9.99 dry white. I love this wine. It is pure and lemony with orange flower and lemon oil nuances in the nose and stays refreshing and pure on the palate. Brightly acidic and concentrated, the finish is broad but crisp. Enjoy this versatile white with seafood, cheeses, and poultry. Deliciously different and refreshing, this wine is was a steal at $11.99....now at $9.99 it is must try. I will feature this on Saturday 1-5 pm free.
Rafael Palacios -Valdeorras 2007 "as sortes val do bibei" (-godello grape dry white) $54.00 This was the most fascinating white wine I tasted this week. In the nose a stoney mineral notes warns the taster that this is most probably a wine that will improve with age. The mineral notions are filigreed with nuances of lemon curd, wildflowers, and a hoppy-yeasty floral note, maybe a bee pollen note (bee poop on clover??.. -a friend called it.) The wine broadens out impressively on the palate, powerful, long and persistant, with a balanced reiteration of the stoniness, and yet with a feeling that their is more waiting to unfold after time in the cellar. Amazing wine.
-Mr. Mike
Mr. Mike's Hours This Week
Today
THURSDAY 12:00 - 5:00
FRIDAY
2:00 - 7:00 pm
SAT
12:00 - 5:00
Friday August 7th our regular Friday Tasting 5:00 - 7:00 pm... only a $5.00 fee...ends at 7 pm sharp!
The tasting wines:
Marques de Gelida Brut 2005 - $16.99 (sparkling Spanish)
Valdesil Montenovo Godello 2007 - 14.99 (dry Spanish white)
Urban Maule Red Blend 2008 - 11.99 (dry Argentine red)
Urban Uco Malbec 2007 - 12.99 (dry Argentine red)
Mas Que Vinos Ercavio Tempranillo 2007 - 12.99 (dry Spanish red)
Clos La Coutale Cahors 2007 - 15.99 (dry French red)
Borsao Tres Picos - 16.99 (dry Spanish red)
Onix Priorat - 17.99 (dry Spanish red)
John's Market Customer "quote of the week":
"It's bad when your front door kind of looks like your back door."
other new items of note in the store: (Find these wines on the metro rack in front of my desk)
Mas des Boislauzon 2008 "La Chaussynette" VDT Rhone Rouge $9.99 ($96.00 case price)
Only 300 cases of this wine was produced, and purchased entirely (for the fourth straight year) by local distributor, C&G Wines. Crafted by the great Chateauneuf-du-Pape estate, Mas des Boislauon, La Chaussynette is aged completely in tank. It is "simply" a field blend of 40 year old Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, etc. (i.e. and other indigenous varietals). It is a single vineyard wine from an area just north of Chateauneuf-du-Pape proper, and continues on a cohesive outcropping of coudoulet terroir. This wine perfectly captures the essence, and freshness, and complex "garrigue" scents, that mark the wine of this classic southern Rhone area. The varietal tones are clear and expressive, with a sappy Grenache-laced fruit presence and a dark perfect core of Mourvedre lurking beneath the garrigue. If you are a fan of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, but need a buffer wine to save yourself from opening the big guns aging in your cellar, this is it. Try a bottle, come back for a case. -Mr. Mike
Stadlmann 2007 Zierfandler "Classic" $17.99 ( Zierfandler grape) (Thermen region, Lower Austria) This wine has intense flavors of quince, newton apple, mango, grapefruit and a hint of honey. There are also aromas of citrus flowers that are followed on the palate by a mellow mixed fruit sorbet, elegant acidity and smooth structure. This wine is suave and sexy, and open knit and dangerously drinkable. This was the first time I'd heard of this grape variety. Try this beautiful and unique wine.
Pravis 2005 "Stravino di Stravino" $23.99 (Northern Italy) (- dry white)
The name of this great, unique, and unforgettable white wine is connected in part to the name Stravino, the name of a village near the winery; but more importantly, however, is the word play involved – Stravino means that the wine is something so special that it is “beyond wine, (“-stra means “beyond” in Italian). There is a tonic, herbal thrust to this wine, with incredibly complex aromatics of wildflowers, honey, under-ripe banana skin, finishing with a full-bodied texture and a dense and brooding mineral undertow. Stravino is made from a blend of Riesling, Incrocio Manzoni, Kerner, Chardonnay and Sauvignon grapes, each varietal harvested in its own time and manner: some of the grapes are late-harvested, others are barrel-aged, and yet others are stainless-steel aged. In sum, each varietal is vinified to exalt and define its respective qualities before being carefully blended into a full, velvety wine exhibiting an intense, complex suite of aromas. Stravino is opulent in every organoleptic property yet amazingly balanced for pure drinkability. Some of the grapes are late harvested, the rest are dried on grates, then they are separately vinified in wood or stainless steel. Incrocio Manzoniis a hybrid of German riesling and Pinot Bianco. -Compiled from the website, my notes, and info from the distributor. This is truly unique and sui generis and must be tasted to be believed.
-Mr. Mike
Domaine de la Mavette 2008 Vin de Pays de Vaucluse $8.99 (dry red Rhone)
This is also a grenache based wine, with a dash of syrah. It a steal at this price, and is a perfect companion to summer barbecue fare. It could even be chilled like a beaujolais. I love the jollies per dollar in this wine.
Fanti 2007 Rosso Sant'Antimo $16.99 (dry red Tuscany Italy)
This is a wonderful Italian red made from 100% Sangiovese, and aged six months in oak, it offers lovely aromas of sweet bing cherries, strawberries, dried herbs, and just the right touch of earthiness. It has an rich texture, an exuberant personality and could easily be mistaken for a freshly released high quality Brunello without that wine's tannic structure. A deal.
Friday July 10th our regular Friday Tasting 5:00 - 7:00 pm... only a $5.00 fee ...ends at 7 pm sharp!
Mr. Mike will pour Portuguese and Spanish wines. Many new vintages of old favorites.
The Friday tasting wines...
1) Casa Santos Lima "Portuga" 2008 Vinho Branco $6.99 (fruity crisp Portuguese white -Estremadura)
A blend of arinto, fernão pires, and vital. The wine has refreshing flavors of melon and lemon, and a certain winter-mint snap and tang.
2) Alianca 2008 Vinho Verde $8.99 (dry crisp Portuguese white -Minho region in the far north of the country)
3) Castillo de Daroca 2007 Old Vine Grenache $7.99 (dry Spanish red -Calatayud)
4) Vina Alarba 2007 Old Vine Grenache $9.99 (dry Spanish red -Aragón)
5) Bodegas Aragonesas 2007 Castillo FUENDEJALÓN Crianza $7.99 (dry Spanish red -Campo de Borja) (Garnacha 75 %, Tempranillo 25 %)
6) Casa Gualda 2008 Tempranillo $8.99 (dry Spanish red -La Mancha)
7) Quinta de Chocapalha 2005 Tinto $21.99 (dry Portuguese red -Alenquer -Estremadura) An eclectic blend that brings together Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional, Alicante Bouschet, Castelão and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cool new things in the store that I have tasted recently:
2007 O'Shea Scarborough "The Rebel" Cabernet Sauvignon $14.99 From the Wahluke Slope area, this is a deal in balanced but juicy Washington Cab, lots of chocolate notes with a brambly blackberry under-tow. I'll have this open on Friday afternoon for a free taste before 5pm, please stop by.
2007 Chablis, Champs Royaux, William Fevre $19.99 (great dry white, 100% chardonnay) This is on a great price reduction, get this while you can, great wine for seafood.
2005 Tres Sabores Rutherford Zinfandel - $35.00 (Natural farming ...Organic) This is rich and deep, with an almost syrah-like peppery quality, smokey, savory, and long.
2007 Chateau Saint-Martin de la Garrigue Blanc, Coteaux du Languedoc $16.99 This is a blend of six southern French grapes. Rich and spicy, with great interest and cut, and almost bit creamy, but nicely balanced with zesty lime-inflected tropical nuances. For folks that like lots of flavor in a wine, but are tired of heavy oaky chardonnay. This is a deal in a zippy, but dense with flavor, special occasion wine. Kermit Lynch import.
2007 Abel Clement -Grenache Blanc (France) $5.99 (dry white) Juicy, with fresh cut apple and pear flavors and a nice dry finish. Inexpensive pleasing party wine.
2007 Domaine P & JB Lebreuil Bourgogne Rouge $17.99 (dry red) There is nice acidity in this Pinot Noir, and a fair price, for this "drink now" Burgundy.
2007 Jean-Francois Merieau -Sauvignon Blanc -Touraine "Les Hexagonales" $12.99 (dry white) Merieau works in single varietal bottlings, often from a single parcel. This terroir-specific approach allows production singular wines of great expression. He is in the process of converting the entire production to organic viticulture. This wine has no grassy flavors, and the citrus flavors are devoid of grapefruit nuances. This a sleek citrus-citron laser beam. It starts lightly floral with aromas of orange peel, lime, quince and mint, with a slight suggestion of mineral salts, then becomes dense, ripe and broad on the palate, with flavors of citrus pith, and minerals. This wine is an awesome value.
2007 Jean-Francois Merieau -Gamay Noir -Touraine "Les Hexagonales" $12.99 (dry red) Aromas of crushed raspberry, cranberry, pie spice and pepper lead to a supple and fruity palate, with spicy red berry and pepper flavors. This is a delightful summertime red. Serve very slightly chilled.
2007 Ferrando Erbaluce Di Caluso La Torrazza (Erbaluce grape) (dry white) $23.99 This lip-smackingly good mineral-driven Piemonte wine was my revelation of the week. Refreshing aromas of white blossom and faint honeysuckle aromas lead to a broad palate of mineral-inflected yellow plum and almond, finishing with good acidity. This was very fresh tasting, and was a perfect counter to the blasting sun on the patio. In contrast to most Italian whites this was great without food, but would match well with composed salads, and anything earthy or mushroom based, like fresh Oregon truffles.
Mr. Mike's Office Hours This Week
Thurs 3-5:00 pm
Friday 2-7 pm
Sat .....by appt!
Friday June 26th our regular Friday Tasting 5:00 - 7:00 pm... only a $5.00 fee ...ends at 7 pm sharp!
Tom Gorey of the Galaxy Wine Distribution Group will pour...the great wines of Alois Lageder.
Gordon Rappole of the Odom Conglomerate Wine Distribution Group will pour... heritage Zinfandel deals. (Mud wrestling begins at 7:15)
The Friday tasting wines...
Pinko - Tinted...
1) A pink.... Elk Cove 2008 WV Oregon Pinot Noir Rosé $13.99
Dry whites...
2) Alois Lageder "Riff" Pinot Grigio delle Venezie $9.99 (Italy, dry white)
Dry good Grigio...check it out.
3) Alois Lageder 2007 Pinot Bianco Dolomiti $14.99 (Italy, way north dry white)
Sprockets Magazine reports...
"....Alois Lageder’s activities are based on the principles of holistic thinking. His aim is the production of fine wines with authentic character, while accepting the responsibility to leave behind for future generations as intact a natural environment as possible. Appreciation of the world in which we live is his starting point. The courage to innovate is his strength. The dialogue between nature, the human being and technology is his goal. Alois Lageder is a native of Alto Adige, but is likewise cosmopolitan. In the way he looks at things, in the way he deals with them. He is deeply involved with the people, the nature and the culture of his homeland. And at the same time open to innovative ideas which have inspired and convinced him. He questions traditional methods, and further develops them, or replaces them with new ones." .....I think the wines are also quite good. -Mike
Plus Big Reds...
4) Alois Lageder 2007 Lagrein $17.99 (Italy, dry red)
This has a spicy aroma with a chocolate character, floral- violets aromas, red fruits and dried plums. Soft, smooth fruit, This is a very full bodied wine, leading to a somewhat earthy finish. Drink with road kill. (Hopefully deer.)
5) Inama Carmenere 'Piu' 2006 $19.99 (Italy, dry red)
Plus some more reds:
6) Plus American Heritage Zinfandels!!!!!! (at least 2!!)
Sweet Finale....
7) Paolo Saracco Moscato d'Asti 2007 from Piedmont, Italy $15.99 (sweet white)
(Italy, the best breakfast wine ever..er..I mean, brunch,....)
But seriously, this is the master producer of this wine-type, the size of production is low, and the quality is reference standard. (Tasty!!!)
Cool new things in the store that I have tasted recently:
Ferraton Pere et Fils 2006 St. Joseph "La Source" $17.99
I think this is one of the most elegant and pure expressions of the syrah grape I have encountered recently. The palate is open-knit and easy, the flavors tend to the side of blueberry and minerals...but really this is not an intense syrah, it is just compelling in its pure nature and suaveness on the long finish. Mr. Mike Super buy/ recommendation! (High Jollies / per dollar!) Wine Spectator gave this 90 points and a nice review at $33.00 per bottle...here in Portland locally, it is close to half the price. Take advantage! -Mike Here is the WS review..."Nice piercing violet and iron notes run through this medium-weight version. Raspberry and sanguine flavors fill out the back end, with a tangy, minerally finish. Drink now through 2012. 2,500 cases made. –JM Score: 90 Release Price: $33 Issue: Sep 30, 2008" It also organic and biodynamic,"
2007 Chateauneuf-du-Pape
The 2007 Chateauneuf-du-Pape wines are beginning to come to market . This is a definitely a very great year, and you may want to consider buying a few bottles for the slammer. Fortia is under-rated generally, and in this year, a very good buy for value. I recommend all these offerings. The Tradition is very intense and deep; it is mostly grenache. I will be putting some Fortia in my own cellar.
...thanks -Mr. Mike
These are at very sweet prices considering the great vintage and press:
The wines...
- Chateau Fortia 2007 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Tradition $36.00
- Chateau Fortia 2007 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee du Baron $40.00
- Chateau Fortia 2007 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc $36.00
The Reviews from Tanzer:
-Chateau Fortia 2007 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Tradition $36.00
By Josh Raynolds:
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Jan/Feb 09
Vivid red. Sexy, pinot-like bouquet of red berries, minerals and fresh flowers, with suave undertones of herbs and game. Smooth and gently sweet, with palate-caressing raspberry and cherry flavors and no obvious tannins. Finishes clean, energetic and long. This will be very attractive when it's released. 90-93 points.
-Chateau Fortia 2007 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee du Baron $40.00
Mags = $80.00
By Josh Raynolds:
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Jan/Feb 09
Medium red. Alluring bouquet of fresh red berries, kirsch, minerals and rose. Elegant, delineated red fruit flavors are firmed by tangy minerals and framed by dusty tannins. Becomes spicier on the focused, long finish. This will age on its balance. 91-94 points.
-Chateau Fortia 2007 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc $36.00
By Josh Raynolds:
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Feb 09
( 60% clairette, 30% roussanne and 10% grenache blanc) Light yellow. Energetic aromas of Meyer lemon, anise and flowers. Deeper melon, tangerine and pear qualities on the palate, with tangy citrus zest and minerals adding verve. The finish is brisk, sharply focused and a touch dry. (Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ) 88 points.
About Fortia
"Baron Pierre Le Roy de Boiseaumarie (1890-1967) was born in a military family in Northern France. He was educated as a lawyer but had to participate in World War I. He got several marks of honour for great courage as a pilot. After the war in 1919 he married Melle Bernard Le Saint the owner of Chateau Fortia. At that time the wine producers went through a critical period not only in Chateauneuf du Pape but all over France. The wine production was nearly at point zero after the war. The workers had served in the battlefields and the war economy had decreased consumption of wine. It was a period of stagnation in all sectors of the economy. The most visionary wine producers in Chateauneuf du Pape were aware that something had to be done to secure the reputation of their wines and to make the wine growers more independent in relation to the negociants. They decided to make Baron Pierre Le Roy de Boiseaumarie the leading figure in achieving these goals. With his military and juridical experience he was the right choice. He accepted to be the leading figure with these words: "I would like to on condition that you are the first to give the example of honesty and discipline..."
The proposals from Le Roy and his fellow producers had an enormous effect on the appellation rules today - in France and all over the world. You are only allowed to call a wine Chateauneuf du Pape if the vines are from exact bordered areas. You must only use allowed grape varieties. The methods in growing practise are to be controlled after specific rules. The wine must have a minimum degree of alcohol. Min. 5% of the wine has to be discarded. These rules - and some more - are still valid today. In Chateauneuf du Pape the rules are perhaps more part of the minds than in many other areas, because it was the ideas of their forefathers. It is a part of their heritage.
Today, the third generation of descendants of Baron Le Roy run the property. It works that way, that some of them are sharing a company running the building and cellars and some owns part of the fields and sell the crop to S.A.R.L Fortia. Since 2004 Pierre Pastre has been manager. His wife Chantal is a grand child of Baron Le Roy. Until he came to Fortia he had leading positions in big chemistry firm Hoechst." -from the website.
-Mr. Mike
Mr. Mike's Office Hours This Week
Thurs 12-4:30 pm
Friday 2-7 pm
Sat 12-4 pm
Friday May 22nd our regular Friday Tasting 5:00 - 7:00 pm... only a $5.00 fee ...ends at 7 pm sharp!
Rod from Zancanella Distribution group will pour.
The Friday tasting wines...
Picpoul de Pinet, Domaine Rene Juliette, 2007 $9.99
Picpoul is the name of the grape and the name of the village which the vineyards surround.
Quite dry and refreshing. No oak ageing. Estate bottled.
Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi "Classico Superiore", Fattoria Laila, 2007 $8.99 Special Price Regular is 10.99
Verdicchio is the name of the grape grown in the Marches region on the east
side of Italy on the Adriatic Sea. Flavors of apples and quince. Great balance
of fruit and acidity. Estate bottled.
Chianti "Colli Aretini", Mannucci-Droandi, 2006 $12.99
Lovely Chianti at a great price. 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo.
Classic and elegant, compares with many Classicos. Colli Aretini is a
sub-region of Chianti on the southeast corner of Chianti Classico.
Estate bottled and organic.
"Fossetti" Rosso Toscano, Mocali, 2006 $11.99
Very rich and spicy blend of Sangiovese and Canaiolo from a great producer
of Brunello from Montalcino. Estate bottled, unfiltered and organic.
Barbera d' Alba, Reverdito, 2006 $11.99
Long time favorite. Rich and rounded-drinks good now. Grapes are from the
La Morra region. Small family run winery.
Grenache, Camplazens, 2007 $10.99
Good example of unadorned Grenache. Little or no oak ageing.
Estate bottled and organic.
Cotes du Rhone, Domaine Mavette, 2007 $10.99
Classic old-school version of Cotes du Rhone. 65% grenache, 25% carignan,
5% syrah and 5% cinsault. Fermented in concrete tanks. Substantial and
complex. Great value.
Mr. Mike's Hours This Week
On vacation this week.
Friday May 8th our regular Friday Tasting 5:00 - 7:00 pm... only a $5.00 fee ...ends at 7 pm sharp!
I'll pour more value wines from France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Chile.
The tasting wines...
Whites:
2008 E. Carrel -Vin de Savoie Jongieux rosé - $11.99 France (a great new vintage of this stellar dry rosé wine)
2007 Forrester "Petit Chenin" $9.99 Stellenbosch S.A. (This is a perfect summer wine with a nose of crushed minerals, some herbs, lemon, and good fresh stone fruit. The palate has lovely weight with nice acidity, and fresh baked apple pie notes.)
Reds:
Quinta da "Espiga" 2007 (casa santos lima)- $7.50 Portugal (made from 60% CASTELÃO, 20% SYRAH, 10% TOURIGA NACIONAL, 10% TINTA RORIZ.)
Ch. de Paraza 2006 Minervois Cuvee Speciale - $10.99 Southern France (made from Carignane, Grenache, Mourvedre)
Forte Canto 2006 Salice Salentino (Italy, Puglia) $11.99 (dry red wine from the Italian south, made with the Negroamaro grape)
Moulin de Gassac 2007 Vin de Pays l'Herault Guilhem Rouge - $11.99 Southern France (mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, with some Syrah, et. al.)
Maquis Lien 2005 - $15.99 Chile (a blend of 38% Syrah, 32% Carmenere, 15% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petit Verdot, and 7% Malbec)
Friday April 24th our regular Friday Tasting 5:00 - 7:00 pm... only a $5.00 fee ...ends at 7 pm sharp!
David Johnstone of the Merchant of Vino Wine Group will pour more value wines from Australia, France and Argentina.
The tasting wines...
Whites:
3 Winds Chardonnay - $8.99 France
La Puerta Torrontes - $9.99 Argentina
Woop Woop Verdelho - $9.99 Australia
Reds:
3 Winds Syrah - $8.99 France
Woop Woop Cabernet - $9.99 Australia
La Puerta Malbec - $9.99 Argentina
Heartland Cabernet - $14.99 Australia
Slipstream Grenache - $21.99 Australia
....See you there. -Thanks... Mr. Mike
Cool new things in the store that I have tasted recently:
Coeur de Terre 2006 Riesling $19.99 - available Friday.
30 plus year old vines from the Hyland Vineyard ...12.2% alcohol, vibrant acidity with peach pit, nectarine, apple skin, and bartlett pear flavors, great refreshing local white wine.
Coeur de Terre 2007 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir $19.99 - available Friday.
Great value here. 30% new oak promotes smokey toast and butterscotch-toffee flavors, filigreed with red fruits, bramble, minerals, and spice on the finish. Nicely balanced extraction level gives the wine exactly the right weight. Coeur de Terre vineyard specializes in producing estate grown Pinot Noir from their estate vineyard located in the foothills of the Oregon Coast Range.
Nicole Chanrion Domaine de la Voûte des Crozes Côte-de-Brouilly 2006 $21.99
This is a serious-styled Beaujolais from Kermit Lynch's portfolio. The wine is less intense than the 2005, more open-knit and charming, with lower acidity. There is deep sense of minerality and earthiness in this wine, which is unfortunately often missing in Beaujolais. The fruit profile is on the dried cherry, brandied fig spectrum, not the crunchy cranberries that often predominate. There is overall a sense of depth combined with faint brown spices and a refreshing briskness to the palate. This is great unique terroir-driven Beaujolais.
Mr. Mike's Hours This Week
Today 1:00 - 5:00
FRIDAY
3:00 - 7:00 pm
SAT
12:00 - 5:00 pm
Friday April 24th our regular Friday Tasting 5:00 - 7:00 pm... only a $5.00 fee ...ends at 7 pm sharp!
David Johnstone of the Merchant of Vino Wine Group will pour more value wines from Australia, France and Argentina.
The tasting wines...
Whites:<.u>
3 Winds Chardonnay - $8.99 France
La Puerta Torrontes - $9.99 Argentina
Woop Woop Verdelho - $9.99 Australia
Reds:
3 Winds Syrah - $8.99 France
Woop Woop Cabernet - $9.99 Australia
La Puerta Malbec - $9.99 Argentina
Heartland Cabernet - $14.99 Australia
Slipstream Grenache - $21.99 Australia
....See you there. -Thanks... Mr. Mike
Cool new things in the store that I have tasted recently:
Coeur de Terre 2006 Riesling $19.99 - available Friday.
30 plus year old vines from the Hyland Vineyard ...12.2% alcohol, vibrant acidity with peach pit, nectarine, apple skin, and bartlett pear flavors, great refreshing local white wine.
Coeur de Terre 2007 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir $19.99 - available Friday.
Great value here. 30% new oak promotes smokey toast and butterscotch-toffee flavors, filigreed with red fruits, bramble, minerals, and spice on the finish. Nicely balanced extraction level gives the wine exactly the right weight. Coeur de Terre vineyard specializes in producing estate grown Pinot Noir from their estate vineyard located in the foothills of the Oregon Coast Range.
Nicole Chanrion Domaine de la Voûte des Crozes Côte-de-Brouilly 2006 $21.99
This is a serious-styled Beaujolais from Kermit Lynch's portfolio. The wine is less intense than the 2005, more open-knit and charming, with lower acidity. There is deep sense of minerality and earthiness in this wine, which is unfortunately often missing in Beaujolais. The fruit profile is on the dried cherry, brandied fig spectrum, not the crunchy cranberries that often predominate. There is overall a sense of depth combined with faint brown spices and a refreshing briskness to the palate. This is great unique terroir-driven Beaujolais.
Mr. Mike's Hours This Week
Today 1:00 - 5:00
FRIDAY
3:00 - 7:00 pm
SAT
12:00 - 5:00 pm
Friday April 17th our regular Friday Tasting 5:00 - 7:00 pm... only a $5.00 fee ...ends at 7 pm sharp!
I will pour more Spanish and Portuguese value red wines.....also my favorite deals in white wines.
The tasting wines...
Whites:
Portuga 2008 Portuguese white $6.99 (dry white)
Tim Adams (Clare Valley) 2005 Dry Riesling Austalia $9.99 retail ($8.00/96.00 case price)
This is a steal of a deal in dry summertime white wine. This is textbook Clare Valley Riesling with high-toned minerals and camphor and petrol notes in the nose. Then the wine reveals refreshing zesty lemon and lime flavors on the palate, finishing completely dry. This is a solid deal in dry quaffable white wine. In addition this wine will do nothing but improve for 2-3 more years in your cool dry cellar.
GV Gruner Veltliner 2007 -Austria $9.99 liter bottle (dry white) Fresh, and ready for a sunny day on your patio.
Reds:
Casa Santos Lima 2007 "Bons Ventos" Portugal $7.99 (dry red)
Casa Santos Lima 2007 "Espiga" Portugal $7.99 (dry red)
Casa Gualda Tinto 2007 $7.99 Spain (90% Tempranillo, 5% Merlot, 5% Cab....according to the importer there is Bobal in there too. But I don't do math.) (dry red)
Lezaun Tinto 2007 $8.99 Spain, (70% Tempranillo, 30% Merlot) Basque area in Navarra (dry red)
....See you there. -Thanks... Mr. Mike
Cool new things in the store that I have tasted recently:
News for the Cocktail Nation...Dolin Vermouth is here, a fresh tasting, high quality Vermouth. $14.99 Dry, White, Red.
Leth 2004 Pinot Noir $37.99 - Austria
Cameron 2007 WV Pinot Noir $17.99
Now in stock. Get it now. It will be gone. Cameron excels in leaner acid-driven years like 2007.
This is very good.
Friday April 17th our regular Friday Tasting 5:00 - 7:00 pm... only a $5.00 fee ...ends at 7 pm sharp!
I will pour more Spanish and Portuguese value red wines.....also my favorite deals in white wines.
The tasting wines...
Whites:
Portuga 2008 Portuguese white $6.99 (dry white)
Tim Adams (Clare Valley) 2005 Dry Riesling Austalia $9.99 retail ($8.00/96.00 case price)
This is a steal of a deal in dry summertime white wine. This is textbook Clare Valley Riesling with high-toned minerals and camphor and petrol notes in the nose. Then the wine reveals refreshing zesty lemon and lime flavors on the palate, finishing completely dry. This is a solid deal in dry quaffable white wine. In addition this wine will do nothing but improve for 2-3 more years in your cool dry cellar.
GV Gruner Veltliner 2007 -Austria $9.99 liter bottle (dry white) Fresh, and ready for a sunny day on your patio.
Reds:
Casa Santos Lima 2007 "Bons Ventos" Portugal $7.99 (dry red)
Casa Santos Lima 2007 "Espiga" Portugal $7.99 (dry red)
Casa Gualda Tinto 2007 $7.99 Spain (90% Tempranillo, 5% Merlot, 5% Cab....according to the importer there is Bobal in there too. But I don't do math.) (dry red)
Lezaun Tinto 2007 $8.99 Spain, (70% Tempranillo, 30% Merlot) Basque area in Navarra (dry red)
....See you there. -Thanks... Mr. Mike
Cool new things in the store that I have tasted recently:
News for the Cocktail Nation...Dolin Vermouth is here, a fresh tasting, high quality Vermouth. $14.99 Dry, White, Red.
Leth 2004 Pinot Noir $37.99 - Austria
Cameron 2007 WV Pinot Noir $17.99
Now in stock. Get it now. It will be gone. Cameron excels in leaner acid-driven years like 2007.
This is very good.
Friday April 10th our regular Friday Tasting 5:00 - 7:00 pm... only a $5.00 fee ...ends at 7 pm sharp!
The inimitable Marc Garner will pour California and Oregon wines.....
The tasting wines...
WHITES:
Viognier, Ca'Bella 2007 Mendocino County $13.99 (dry white)
Tocai Fruliano, Palmina, Santa Inez, 2007 $18.99 (dry white)
Chardonnay, Zimri Cellars, Yamhill-Carlton, Oregon 2006 $17.99 (dry white)
REDS:
Vino Rosso, Ca'Bella, Dry Creek Valley, (Barbera blend) NV now $9.99 (on sale! was $12.99) (dry red)
Pinot Noir, Zimri Cellars, Chehalem Mountain, Oregon 2006 $27.99 (dry red)
Merlot, Lago di Merlo, Dry Creek Valley, 2001 $23.99 (dry red)
Zinfandel, McNab Ridge, Mendocino County, 2005 $18.99 (dry red)
....See you there. -Thanks... Mr. Mike
Cool new things in the store that I have tasted recently:
Tim Adams (Clare Valley) 2005 Dry Riesling $9.99 retail ($8.00/96.00 case price)
This is a steal of a deal in dry summertime white wine. This is textbook Clare Valley Riesling with high-toned minerals and camphor and petrol notes in the nose. Then the wine reveals refreshing zesty lemon and lime flavors on the palate, finishing completely dry. This is a solid deal in dry quaffable white wine.
2002 Primitivo Quiles Raspay $25.00 (fascinating dry Spanish red)
(made from mostly old vine monastrell, BTW no primitivo in it)
"This unique proprietary red blend from Alicante, Spain, gave off aromas that were beguiling and hard to pin down, notions of Barolo Chinato mixed with tinture of marzipan and, clove spice, and perhaps the perfume of deep balsam woods. It smelled like a wonderfully complex vermouth, yet without any impression of sweetness on the palate. The wine was blowsy and lush, yet with premodern old-school artisanal slightly rustic textures on the palate, with a dense personality but no tannic hitch. Great stuff, and it is truly sui generis. Don't miss this." -Mr. Mike
90 points from Parker if you care: "The 2002 Raspay was sourced from estate vineyards averaging 50 years of age and aged for 12 months in seasoned American oak before bottling without fining or filtration. Medium ruby-colored, it offers an old-style perfume of cedar, saddle leather, earth, smoked nuts, plum, and blueberry. This leads to a smooth, velvety-textured wine with mineral, earth, and spice notes followed by a long, pure finish. Drink this unique expression over the next 4-6 years." WA #175 Jay Miller
Primitivo Quiles is the oldest Bodega in Alicante, founded in 1780.
Domaine Louis Moreau 2006 Chablis 1re Cru "Vaulignots" $19.99
A step up in intensity, with lemon curd, crushed rock, rich fresh fruit flavors, and discreet use of oak. Great chardonnay!
Astruc Marsanne 2007 -Pays d'Oc (France) $9.99 (dry white)
The Marsanne grape variety usually plays a blending role in the great white wines of the southern Rhone valley, where it is often combined with viognier, grenache blanc, and roussanne to make the great complex white wine appellations that orbit Chateauneuf du Pape. Many Rhone imitators around the world use the grape in a similar blending fashion, especially in Australia. When not being compared too a "death ray from outer space" (...thank you Randall Graham, i.e. "Marsanne attacks") the grape can produce a wonderful wine on its own, expressing a more narrow, but wonderfully refreshing, iteration. Bartlett pear, quince, and citrus notes grace the palate of this refreshing clean and crisp white wine. Perhaps not as complex as the choir of grape voices in a great white Chateauneuf du Pape, but a wonderfully incisive refreshing solo recital nonetheless.
Friday March 27th our regular Friday Tasting 5:00 - 7:00 pm... only a $5.00 fee ...ends at 7 pm sharp!
I will pour more great value wines....
The tasting wines...
2004 Marques di Gelida - Cava, (Spain) $16.99 (sparkling wine)
Robert Parker - 90 Points! Another great value in sparkling wine from Spain, this blend of Macaubo, Xarel-lo Parellada, and Chardonnay is a crisp, elegant estate-bottled wine offering notes of white flowers, and excellent lively freshness. It is an outstanding value.
2005 Palazzone Dubini Bianco (Italy) $6.99 (dry white)
This wine has got a bit of age on it. The wine has light apple and citrus notes, and transformed flavors of almond custard on the palate, and candified-sherry on the nose. Mrs. Mr. Mike said she loved it, "..and age has actually improved this white wine!" Fermented in stainless steel it is made with 60% Procanico, 20% Verdello, 10% Chardonnay, 5% Grechetto and 5% Malvasia Toscana.
Don Silvestre Malbec 2005 Mendoza Argentina $6.99 (dry red)
Intense dark red color with violet notes. In the nose it shows complex aromas of red fruits, plums and leather notes. It is medium-bodied and well structured, with soft tannins and a very elegant finish.
Bodegas Borsao "Monte Oton" Garnacha 2007 (Campo de Borja, Spain) $7.99 (dry red)
Monte Oton is a hearty, ripe, and textured wine, with loads of blackberry, raspberry, and plum fruit.
Bodegas Aragonesas, Castillo de Fuendejalon 2007 (Campo de Borja, Spain) $7.99 (dry red)
This wine is a blend of 75% Grenache and 25% Tempranillo. Crianza means it is aged in oak for up to nine months. The wine has a rich, intense cherry flavor with a slight, sweet vanilla from the oak aging.
Hob Nob Pinot Noir 2007 -Pays d'Oc (France) $9.99 (dry red)
French pinot that delivers at an incredible price.
St Francis "Red" California $9.99 (dry red)
A blend of Cabernet, Merlot, Cab Franc, and Syrah.
Palo Alto 2007 (Chile) Red Wine Blend $11.99 (dry red)
A tasty blend of Cabernet, Carmenere and Syrah, with lots of depth and quality for the price, and a bordeaux-like personality.
....See you there. -Thanks... Mr. Mike
Cool new things in the store that I have tasted recently:
Two great chardonnays to try:
Domaine Louis Moreau 2006 Chablis $17.99
Deft and dense, with great green-grape flavors, with overtones of minerals, and mouth-filling richness without any buttery oak. Great chardonnay!
Domaine Louis Moreau 2006 Chablis 1re Cru "Vaulignots" $19.99
A step up in intensity, with lemon curd, crushed rock, rich fresh fruit flavors, and discreet use of oak. Great chardonnay!
Friday March 6th our regular Friday Tasting 5:00 - 7:00 pm sharp.... only a $5.00 fee ...ends at 7pm sharp!
The tasting wines...
Toffoli Prosecco $13.99 (fizzy)
Eugene Carrel 2007 Vin de Savoie Rosé $9.99 (dry pink)
This is stunning in its direct simplicity and satisfying drinkability. The cépages (varietals) : gamay 65% and 35% mondeuse.
Suavia 2007 Soave Superiore $16.99 (dry white)
The three sisters that produce this world class white wine, farm the highest terroir in Soave. Simply put: this is the Soave that all others are judged by.
Suavia's 2007 Soave Classico has the complexity and character of their hillside site; showing lemon, and ripe yellow plum fruit, earthiness and flinty minerals.
The varietals are 95% garganega and 5% trebbiano di Soave. ( Wine Spectator 90 points, and best buy, and top 100 wine of the year )
Le Paradou 2007 Cotes du Luberon Rouge $14.99 (dry red)
Located just east of Apt in the beautiful Luberon hills of Provence, Le Paradou focuses on true varietal character, with zero manipulation. The red is 60% grenache and 40% syrah aged in stainless steel tank with no added wood influence, and the grapes are harvested by hand in multiple passes. The wine is organically produced, and biodynamically farmed.
Cono Sur 2008 pinot noir $9.99 (Chile) (dry red)
Screw top! Cheap! Good!
Bodegas Atteca 2007 garnacha "Fuego" $8.99 (dry red)
I was impressed with this wine's sweet creamy-cherry and spicy-licorice flavors held together by a nice balancing acid structure, and no tannic hitch. This is quite a deal.
-Mr. Mike
( -89 points parker in the latest "best buy" issue )
Cool new things in the store that I have tasted recently:
Suavia 2007 Monte Carbonare 2006 $28.99
Gambero Rosso guide gave this wine "3 glasses" (the highest rating) and lauded this way it: "..expresses the almost brutal, minerally nature of this land ..) Perfect with springtime fair like asparagus risotto. -Mr. Mike
Domaine St. Nicolas 2006 Fiefs Vendéens VDQS "Cuvee Jacques" (Pinot Noir) $29.99
The Fiefs Vendéens... This is a small wine producing zone on the western coast of France, technically part of the Loire region, but on its own as a satellite, south of Nantes and Muscadet. This is a VDQS, or Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure, a French wine category often associated with very small areas. The typical Loire grapes are grown (Pinot Noir, Gamay, Cabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc) Thierry Michon has devoted his life to the craft of authentic wine and Biodynamic agriculture. His 32 hectares of vines are located very close to the ocean, too close for most, and therefore he's one of the last farmers growing grapes in this tiny viticultural area called Fiefs Vendéens.
-From the Importer
The wine is one of the purest examples of terroir I have found recently, expressing the salinity of the nearby sea and the minerality of the slate on which the vines are planted. This is unique, honest, and delicious wine. -Mr. Mike
Pruduttori Offering
I have tasted all of these wines, and I think the quality of the wines justify their high prices. The 2004 vintage does seem to me to be quite special; I was most impressed by how differently the crus came across aromatically at such an early stage in their development. Asili showed wildflower and raspberry aromatics with a tight green-tea tannic grip in the mouth, but was impressively drinkable at this point. Paje smelled more like pie cherry but with a nice sweet over all impression. Rabaja seemed almost like an delicate Pinot Noir, perfumy and seductive. Monte Fico was closed, but with good deep sweet cherry flavors. Moccagatta had a mocha/ sweet bing-cherry aroma, almost as if it was in barrique, although it wasn't -all these wines are vinified in large volume neutral wood, and are all about slow oxidative evolution, and transparency to the growing site. -Mr. Mike
Managing Director Aldo Vacca had some interesting things to say about the 2004 vintage in Barbaresco: "2004 vintage turned out to be a very good one, even more it is now consider a "classic" vintage, like most of the late harvesting ones. It shows intense flavours and rich and extremely focused fruit that lingers on the palate with a very long finish. Tannins are powerful, yet delicate showing very good balance. A vintage to remember that produced wines capable of very long ageing."
"I wasn't initially convinced about the quality of the vintage until I had the wines fermenting in the cellar, something I also experienced in 1978," says Vacca. " The summer wasn't especially hot, but the Fall was gorgeous, and our harvest took place during the second half of October. Given that yields were on the high side, I felt we needed to be especially selective in the cellar, so we produced roughly 30% less of some of our Riservas by using only the best individual lots for wines like our Ovello, Montestefano and Moccagatta Riservas. Any lots we weren't thrilled about went into our non-Riserva Barbaresco. In 2004 vineyard exposures were a huge factor in determining maturity, while 2005 was perhaps a touch more consistent throughout, but without the complexity and structure of the 2004s." -Aldo Vacca of Produttori del Barbaresco
The Wines
2004 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Moccagatta Riserva -- 92 points Parker WA $54.00 (6 bottles available)
2004 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Monte Fico -- 93 points Parker WA $51.00 (8 bottles available)
2004 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Montestefano -- 93 points Parker WA $54.00 (8 bottles available)
2004 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Ovello Riserva -- 93 points Parker WA $51.00 (10 bottles available)
2004 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Pora -- 91 points Parker WA $49.00 (10 bottles available)
2004 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Rabaja -- 95 points Parker WA $54.00 (6 bottles available)
2004 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Rio Sordo Riserva -- 92 points Parker WA $49.00 (8 bottles available)
2004 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Paje -- 94 points Parker WA $54.00 (6 bottles available)
THE DEAL
Buy a set of all nine vineyard crus and get a deal...
20% Discount for a set of all nine (obviously, only six available at these prices) Retail $470.00 less discount is $376.00 (only $41.77 per bottle.)
Notes on the Wines
All notes below-Antonio Galloni of the Wine Advocate.
2004 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Rabaja (95 points)
The 2004 Barbaresco Riserva Rabaja is the crown jewel of this lineup. If the Ovello is primary, the Rabaja is even more so. The color is the shade of translucent violet that the most age-worthy, complex Nebbiolos show in their youth. This is an impressive, massively structured wine packed with layers of violets, dark cherries, licorice, minerals, tar, anise, menthol and spices. It is an utterly captivating, seductive Barbaresco of the highest level. Although it will require patience, the Rabaja is likely to offer highly rewarding drinking for those patient enough to wait. This is a breathtaking effort. Incidentally, I have enjoyed quite a few bottles of the 2001 recently, and have consistently found my score (92) to be woefully inadequate, as that wine easily merits another 2+ points. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024.
2004 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Paje (94 points)
The 2004 Barbaresco Riserva Paje achieves a remarkable marriage of elegance and power. It's all here as this vibrant, pure Barbaresco engages the intellectual and pleasure-seeking senses with an endless array of dark cherries, menthol, licorice, spices and espresso. This wonderfully complete, full-bodied Barbaresco needs some time for the tannins to settle down, but it is truly a special wine in every way. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024.
2004 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Asili (94 points)
The 2004 Barbaresco Riserva Asili conveys an impression of sheer luxuriousness as it coats the palate with waves of ripe fruit that nearly manage to cover the wine's tannins. Generous and expansive on the palate, the wine reveals tons of depth and richness, with a long, satisfying finish. This remains a vibrant, pure Barbaresco in need of cellaring, yet readers who want to take this bottling out for a test drive won't be disappointed, but beware, the wine shut down quickly in the glass. Simply put, this is sublime stuff. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2024.
2004 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Monte Fico (93 points)
The 2004 Barbaresco Riserva Montefico is another of the larger-scaled wines in this lineup. It reveals a profile of ripe red fruits, spices and menthol wrapped into a seamless yet structured frame. This Barbaresco doesn't quite have the level of profoundness of the finest wines in this vintage, but it comes awfully close. Shades of Bruno Giacosa's 1971 Barbaresco Montefico linger on the long and immensely satisfying finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024.
2004 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Ovello Riserva (93 points)
The 2004 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello is deep, dense and incredibly primary. Although the wine clearly possesses remarkable stuffing, there is very little tertiary development here. With air, suggestions of menthol, pine, spices and licorice gradually emerge, but this remains a wine in need of serious bottle age. Lingering notes of sweetness resonate on the long finish. This austere, but beautiful Barbaresco is destined to develop beautifully in bottle and should offer glorious drinking down the road. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024.
2004 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Montestefano (93 points)
The 2004 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano is one of the more reticent wines in this lineup of 2004 Riservas. Its vibrant, fresh color is followed by notes of violets, roses, black cherries, menthol, smoke and licorice. The wine possesses tons of structure and sheer muscle behind the fruit, suggesting this will be an especially long-lived Barbaresco. In recent vintages I haven't been the biggest fan of the Montestefano, but this superb 2004 is impossible to resist. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024.
2004 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Moccagatta Riserva (92 points)
The 2004 Barbaresco Riserva Moccagatta suffers only by virtue of being placed among this group of phenomenal wines; most producers would be delighted to have this as their top Barbaresco. As is often the case, the Moccagatta is a relatively accessible, forward wine, but like the Rio Sordo, it has an unusual level of plumpness and inner sweetness that makes up for any complexity that may be missing. Sweet spices, plums, prunes and espresso are just some of the nuances to be found in this compelling wine. The Moccagatta should be one of the more accessible Riservas early on. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2022.
2004 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Rio Sordo Riserva (92 points)
The 2004 Barbaresco Riserva Rio Sordo is one of the better versions of this wine I can remember. There is considerable depth and richness in the fruit here as this sweet, layered Barbaresco opens up in the glass. The typical spiced, floral Rio Sordo notes are amply present in the wine, but in 2004 there is an additional level of concentration and richness that has eluded previous vintages. This is a beautiful Rio Sordo from the Produttori. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020.
2004 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Pora (91 points)
The 2004 Barbaresco Riserva Pora is a dense, chewy offering loaded with ripe red cherries, licorice, tar and sweet wild herbs. The wine's sheer concentration and power are impressive but today the tannins seem to lack the extra level of elegance that characterizes the best wines in this vintage. Despite its slightly rustic personality, this medium to full-bodied Barbaresco delivers plenty of drinking pleasure in an intense style. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024.
Friday Feb 27th our regular Friday Tasting 5:00 - 7:00 pm sharp.... only a $5.00 fee ...ends at 7pm sharp!
Annie Wallace of the Bacchus Distribution Group will pour South American wines..
The wines...
Los Vascos sauvignon blanc (dry white) $9.99
Norton torrontes (dry white) $9.99
Root 1 2006 cabernet sauvignon (dry red) $10.99
Montes Alpha 2005 cabernet sauvignon (dry red) $21.99
Montes cabernet sauvignon / carmenere (dry red) $13.99
Montes malbec (dry red) $10.99
Tomero malbec (dry red) $9.99
Arido malbec (dry red) $9.99
Friday Feb 20th our regular Friday Tasting 5:00 - 7:00 pm sharp.... only a $5.00 fee ...ends at 7pm sharp!
THE WINES...
Dom. Collotte 2007 Marsannay $19.99 (dry French Burgundy pink wine)
Time for dry pink wine. According to me.
Laxas 2007 Albarino -Rias Baixas $15.99 (dry Spanish white)
One of my favorite whites to serve with all kinds of fish, especially shellfish. Albarino is the grape variety, the place is Galicia, in the temperate green northwest of Spain.
Los Rocas 2006 Garnacha $9.99 (dry Spanich red) Case price $96.00
Close out deal 9 cases available and then it's gone.
91 pts Parker's WA "....The grapes for Las Rocas are sourced from high altitude 70- to 100-year-old Garnacha vineyards. The 2006 Las Rocas Garnacha is dark crimson-colored with an alluring nose of spice box, mineral, black cherry, and black raspberry. Smooth-textured, round, and with no hard edges, this tasty effort is designed for immediate gratification. This is one worth buying by the case. Score: 91. —Jay Miller, 2008."
2006 El Ganador, Malbec, Mendoza $9.99 (dry Argentinian red)
Made from 100% Malbec, hand-harvested vineyards. 10% aged for 6 months in new French oak; then 6 months in the bottle.
This wine has elegant flavors of black berry, and Italian plum and a moderately spicy back end, it is a great value. Fran Kysela import. I tried this with Fran when he swept through Portland a few months ago and easily preferred this moderately priced discovery to the other heavy hitter wines he had brought with him.
"The purple-colored 2006 El Ganador Malbec offers up an attractive nose of violets and black cherry. Supple, ripe, and easygoing on the palate, this excellent value has no hard edges. Drink it over the next 2-3 years." - Wine Advocate (Dec. 08), 87 pts
Farnio Rosso Piceno 2007, Garofoli $10.99 (dry Italian red)
"You would think that American wine lovers have slurped down every last drop of good red wine from Italy. In truth, we've barely dipped into Italy's bottomless reservoir of good wines. Take the Marche region, for example. On Italy's eastern or Adriatic coast, it occupies what might be called the calf of the boot. Farnio is the name that the producer Garofoli (pronounced gah-ROW-foe-lee) gives to its red wine from the district called Rosso Piceno. A blend of two red grapes, montepulciano (70 percent) and sangiovese (30 percent), Farnio shows just how good a drink-now red from the Marche can be. This is more than merely a pleasant red. Instead, there's character to this wine, as the quality of the blend exceeds the usual standard for the area. You get the dried cherry dustiness of sangiovese with a base of almost succulent black cherry fruit and soft tannins from the montepulciano grape. There's no need to age this beauty; it's ready to go. And did I mention the price? Try a bottle. For that kind of money, this is an Italian red of uncommon value." -Matt Kramer -Oregonian
2006 Forte Canto Salice Salentino (Italy, Puglia, Salice Salentino) $11.99 (dry Italian red)
Small Vineyards Imports strikes again with this value wine from the Italian south, made with the negroamaro grape.
Quinta dos Roques Quinta do Corrieo Tinto -Dão Portugal - 2006 $9.99 (dry Portuguese red)
Quinta dos Roques pioneered the idea of varietal bottling in Portugal with their 1996 wines. Despite their fame, Roques remain a small producer, with many of their bottlings not exceeding 1000 cases. With 12 different plots totalling 40 hectares this is a dynamic and exciting estate, making a sometimes bewildering array of different wines. The distributor has dropped the price on this newest shipment, and the wine is spectacular, reminding me of a cross between a cold weather syrah and a beefy Loire cabernet franc, or perhaps mencia, with its lavender-wild violet aroma, and dark plummy interior palate.
It is a blend of Jaen and Touriga Nacional, with smaller amounts of Alfrocheiro Preto, Tinta Roriz and Rufete, made in all stainless steel.
Zerba "Wild Z" Columbia Valley Red Wine $19.99 (big, dry Oregon red wine)
"Wild Z" opens with rich aromas of currant, plums and black cherries with hints of smoke and spice. Black cherry, plum and even strawberry flavors linger on the long finish. Balanced acidity and smooth tannins make this a very versatile, food-friendly wine. Varieies: 38% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Syrah, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, 3% Barbera.
Friday Feb 13th
...our regular Friday Tasting 5:00 - 7:00 pm sharp.... only a $5.00 fee ...ends at 7pm sharp!
The tasting line up-...Wines from Vin de Garde Selections ....
2 great whites...
Pajzos Antaloczy Cellars Tokaji Furmint 2007 (Hungary) $11.99 Dry White.
This dry Furmint is made from hand-harvested fruit and slowly fermented in stainless steel tanks. Brightly acidic and concentrated, the palate is abundant with orange oil, apricot, clove, and notions of honey. Enjoy this versatile white with seafood, cheeses, and poultry. Deliciously different and refreshing, this wine is a steal at $11.99.
Domaine Eugene Carrel Cru Marestel 2007 Rousette de Savoie (Savoie, France) $19.99 Dry White.
Roussette de Savoie is an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) for white wine in the Savoy wine region of France. Marestal is the village designation. This dry white wine has a nose of violets and mountain heather with flavors of minerals, bergamot, honey and hazelnut. Rich, concentrated, and almost unctuous in texture, this wine is a good match for foods that have a high umami factor like wild mushroom soup, mountain cheeses and game birds. The grape variety is Rousette (aka Altesse.)
Plus new vintages on great reds from Paul Autard Cotes du Rhone, Zolo Malbec, Ramanista Red from Greece...and more.
(I will not be in the store Sunday Feb 15 - Wednesday Feb 18th) Returning to duty next Thursday.
-Mike
Friday Jan 30th our regular Friday Tasting 5:00 - 7:00 pm sharp.... only a $5.00 fee ...ends at 7pm sharp!
The tasting line up- 8 wines ...summary: funny labels with great wine inside:
R Wines Pure Evil Chardonnay $9.99
Goats do Roam Red 2006 $9.99
R Wines Bitch Grenache 2007 $10.99
Marquis Philips Baby Roogle Shiraz 2007 $9.99
R Wines Luchador Shiraz 2007 $15.99
R Wines Evil Cabernet 2007 $10.99
Red Lion Cabernet Sauvingnon 2007 $15.99
Plus taste the Patriki Australian Shiraz Box Wine (bag in a box) at $21.99 for 4 bottles worth (3 liters.) At $5.50 per bottle this is a steal for juice this good.
Perfect for Superbowl parties, and don't forget, the unfinished portion stays fresh for weeks afterwards. Mrs. Mr. Mike also endorses this great deal. The wine seems a little more like a plump Cotes du Rhone than your run of the mill jam-master Australian shiraz.
Friday Jan 23rd our regular Friday Tasting 5:00 - 7:00 pm sharp.... only a $5.00 fee ...ends at 7pm sharp!
The tasting line up- 8 wines ...summary: once again great values and variety from around the world.
The Wines
Casa Santos Lima "Portuga" 2007 Vinho Branco, Estramadura, Portugal $6.99 (fruity crisp Portuguese white)
A blend of arinto, fernão pires, and vital. The wine has refreshing flavors of melon and lemon, and a certain winter-mint snap and tang. A steal at the price.
Los Vascos 2008 sauvignon blanc $9.99 (tangy crisp dry Chilean white)
Last week was a good year!
Nobilo "Icon" 2006 pinot noir $11.99 (New Zealand pinot noir -red) (7 cases available)
This is a close out deal on a tasty affordable pinot noir. The wine is citrus-y with pretty floral notes, and a hint of limestone minerality, with a light-bodied texture.
Maggio Vini "Pithoi" 2006 nero d’avola $9.99 (dense dry Italian red)
This is smooth with the typical cherry-raspberry flavors of nero d'avola, and great persistence on the finish. Great value.
Corsini "Matot" 2007 Langhe Rosso $9.99 (dense dry Italian red)
A blend of three Piemonte varietas, dolcetto, barbera, and nebbiolo. This is a great pasta/pizza companion at a great price.
Chateau del la Grave 2005 Cotes de Bourg "Caractere" (Bordeaux) $14.99 (dense dry French red)
A great 2005 Bordeaux still in good supply locally. Delicious now, this will do nothing but improve in your cellar. (80% merlot, 20% cabernet sauvignon)
Hahn 2006 cabernet sauvignon - Central Coast California $10.99 (dense rich California red)
Fruit driven and delicious.
2006 Delisio "the Quarterback" Mclaren Vale Red Wine $17.99 (big red from Australia)
Just in time for your super bowl party! Jay Miller (Wine Advocate): "[$24 list] De Lisio’s entry level wine, the 2006 Quarterback, is scheduled to be bottled in September 2007. Composed of 30% Shiraz, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, and 21% Grenache, it spent 15 months in used French oak. It offers a complex perfume of cedar, spice box, black cherry, and black raspberry. This leads to a full-bodied wine with opulent, ripe, sweet fruit, in a nearly seamless package. This outstanding value has tons of flavor and a long, pure finish. It will evolve for 2-3 years but why delay your gratification? 90-92 points."
Friday Jan 16th our regular Friday Tasting 5:00 - 7:00 pm sharp.... only a $5.00 fee ...ends at 7pm sharp!
The tasting line up- 7 wines ...summary: values from around the world
Baumard -Cremant de Loire Brut Extra Rose $24.99 (elegant dry sparkling wine from France)
"Baumard is one of the Loire Valley's great producers, famous for its dry Savennieres and fabulous rich/sweet Quarts de Chaume. (Both wines are available locally, by the way.)
Less well-known is Baumard's cremant de Loire, the local name for a sparkling wine. In France, only sparkling wine made from grapes grown in the Champagne region can be called Champagne. Baumard makes several sparkling wines. The one designated Cremant de Loire Rose Brut Extra is, for this taster, the producer's finest as it's one of the most original-tasting and refined sparkling wines I've yet tasted.Composed entirely of cabernet franc -- which is unusual -- Baumard Rose Brut Extra delivers an utterly dry, restrained fruitiness with notes of red currants. Worth noting is the absence of even a hint of the sort of herbaceousness one might expect from a cabernet-based sparkling wine. The delicate pale salmon hue is textbook-perfect. Beautifully packaged in a clear bottle with a matte finish and silver label that simply says "Rose Brut Extra Baumard," it's uncommonly elegant-looking." -Matt Kramer
Cono Sur 2007 Sauvignon Blanc $9.99 (tangy crisp dry Chilean white)
Last call on this great vintage, the 2008 is arriving soon, and while I hope it is as good, I know this one is great. A refreshing, crisp white that has very good sauvignon blanc character. Solid fruit flavors (green apple, citrus and a hint of tropical) with good acidity make it a versatile white for grilled fish and seafood. -Mr. Mike
Broadley 2007 Pinot Noir $18.99 (Oregon pinot noir)
My recommendation for best under $20.00 Oregon pinot noir; the wine is savory and well-balanced ,without obvious fruitiness, yet retaining a loamy burgundian depth. -Mr. Mike
Masia de Bielsa 2007 Vinas Viejas -Campo de Borja D.O. $10.99 (dense dry Spanish red)
100% garnacha (40 years old vines) Fermented in stainless steel tanks Masia de Bielsa Vinas Viejas 2007 was also aged in stainless steel with 2 months on the lees. Purple-ruby, with an excellent nose of black pepper, raspberries and minerals. This beauty shows pure fruit and good amounts of refreshing acidity with along and persistent finish.
Alodio 2007 Mencia grape, Ribeira Sacra D.O. (place), Spain $14.99 (dense dry Spanish red)
Ribeira Sacra is an up and coming area in Spain’s northwestern corner, at the southern end of Galicia. The landscape is a steep river valley dotted with rocky terraced vineyards and gnarly old vines of mencia, its indigenous grape. The wine is dense, with mineral overtones, and full of plum, blueberry fruit, and also with the slate-inflected flavors that are reminiscent of Loire Valley cabernet franc crossed with a dash of cool weather syrah. This is an unusual and compellingly different wine. -Mr. Mike
Opta 2004 Calzadilla $19.99 (dense dry Spanish red)
Opta is produced by a small estate named Uribes Madera located in the hills
of south of the small village Huete, which lies about 80 miles east of
Madrid. Grapes were cultivated here in Roman times (the Romans also dug for
a glass-type slate they used for windows) but were replaced with other crops
over years due to low yields and the small amount of rain the area receives.
In fact, there are no vineyards within 50 km of the estate. Thus, there is
really no appellation other than Castilla Table Wine (La Mancha lies to the
south). The grapes are tempranillo (70%), garnacha (15%) and syrah (15%). It
is aged for 12 months in French and American oak. I believe the wine
received 91+ points from Robert Parker. -From the distributor.
Janiuk 2005 Red Table wine $19.99 (big red from Washington State)
"Very dark garnet color. Toasty oak aroma, with deep notes of plum and cassis. Rich and concentrated berry flavors balance moderate tannins. Well balanced, with a long finish of cassis and barrel toast." - NW Palate
Made from merlot – 50%, syrah – 23%, petit verdot – 11%, malbec – 7.3%, cabernet franc – 6.3%, cabernet sauvignon – 1.9%. The 2005 vintage was very good in Washington.
Janiuk 2005 Red Table wine $19.99 (big red from Washington State)
"Very dark garnet color. Toasty oak aroma, with deep notes of plum and cassis. Rich and concentrated berry flavors balance moderate tannins. Well balanced, with a long finish of cassis and barrel toast." - NW Palate
Made from merlot – 50%, syrah – 23%, petit verdot – 11%, malbec – 7.3%, cabernet franc – 6.3%, cabernet sauvignon – 1.9%. The 2005 vintage was very good in Washington.
Janiuk 2005 Red Table wine $19.99 (big red from Washington State)
"Very dark garnet color. Toasty oak aroma, with deep notes of plum and cassis. Rich and concentrated berry flavors balance moderate tannins. Well balanced, with a long finish of cassis and barrel toast." - NW Palate
Made from merlot – 50%, syrah – 23%, petit verdot – 11%, malbec – 7.3%, cabernet franc – 6.3%, cabernet sauvignon – 1.9%. The 2005 vintage was very good in Washington.
Friday Jan 16th our regular Friday Tasting 5:00 - 7:00 pm sharp.... only a $5.00 fee ...ends at 7pm sharp!
The tasting line up- 7 wines ...summary: values from around the world
Baumard -Cremant de Loire Brut Extra Rose $24.99 (elegant dry sparkling wine from France)
"Baumard is one of the Loire Valley's great producers, famous for its dry Savennieres and fabulous rich/sweet Quarts de Chaume. (Both wines are available locally, by the way.)
Less well-known is Baumard's cremant de Loire, the local name for a sparkling wine. In France, only sparkling wine made from grapes grown in the Champagne region can be called Champagne. Baumard makes several sparkling wines. The one designated Cremant de Loire Rose Brut Extra is, for this taster, the producer's finest as it's one of the most original-tasting and refined sparkling wines I've yet tasted.Composed entirely of cabernet franc -- which is unusual -- Baumard Rose Brut Extra delivers an utterly dry, restrained fruitiness with notes of red currants. Worth noting is the absence of even a hint of the sort of herbaceousness one might expect from a cabernet-based sparkling wine. The delicate pale salmon hue is textbook-perfect. Beautifully packaged in a clear bottle with a matte finish and silver label that simply says "Rose Brut Extra Baumard," it's uncommonly elegant-looking." -Matt Kramer
Cono Sur 2007 Sauvignon Blanc $9.99 (tangy crisp dry Chilean white)
Last call on this great vintage, the 2008 is arriving soon, and while I hope it is as good, I know this one is great. A refreshing, crisp white that has very good sauvignon blanc character. Solid fruit flavors (green apple, citrus and a hint of tropical) with good acidity make it a versatile white for grilled fish and seafood. -Mr. Mike
Broadley 2007 Pinot Noir $18.99 (Oregon pinot noir)
My recommendation for best under $20.00 Oregon pinot noir; the wine is savory and well-balanced ,without obvious fruitiness, yet retaining a loamy burgundian depth. -Mr. Mike
Masia de Bielsa 2007 Vinas Viejas -Campo de Borja D.O. $10.99 (dense dry Spanish red)
100% garnacha (40 years old vines) Fermented in stainless steel tanks Masia de Bielsa Vinas Viejas 2007 was also aged in stainless steel with 2 months on the lees. Purple-ruby, with an excellent nose of black pepper, raspberries and minerals. This beauty shows pure fruit and good amounts of refreshing acidity with along and persistent finish.
Alodio 2007 Mencia grape, Ribeira Sacra D.O. (place), Spain $14.99 (dense dry Spanish red)
Ribeira Sacra is an up and coming area in Spain’s northwestern corner, at the southern end of Galicia. The landscape is a steep river valley dotted with rocky terraced vineyards and gnarly old vines of mencia, its indigenous grape. The wine is dense, with mineral overtones, and full of plum, blueberry fruit, and also with the slate-inflected flavors that are reminiscent of Loire Valley cabernet franc crossed with a dash of cool weather syrah. This is an unusual and compellingly different wine. -Mr. Mike
Opta 2004 Calzadilla $19.99 (dense dry Spanish red)
Opta is produced by a small estate named Uribes Madera located in the hills
of south of the small village Huete, which lies about 80 miles east of
Madrid. Grapes were cultivated here in Roman times (the Romans also dug for
a glass-type slate they used for windows) but were replaced with other crops
over years due to low yields and the small amount of rain the area receives.
In fact, there are no vineyards within 50 km of the estate. Thus, there is
really no appellation other than Castilla Table Wine (La Mancha lies to the
south). The grapes are tempranillo (70%), garnacha (15%) and syrah (15%). It
is aged for 12 months in French and American oak. I believe the wine
received 91+ points from Robert Parker. -From the distributor.
Janiuk 2005 Red Table wine $19.99 (big red from Washington State)
"Very dark garnet color. Toasty oak aroma, with deep notes of plum and cassis. Rich and concentrated berry flavors balance moderate tannins. Well balanced, with a long finish of cassis and barrel toast." - NW Palate
Made from merlot – 50%, syrah – 23%, petit verdot – 11%, malbec – 7.3%, cabernet franc – 6.3%, cabernet sauvignon – 1.9%. The 2005 vintage was very good in Washington.
Janiuk 2005 Red Table wine $19.99 (big red from Washington State)
"Very dark garnet color. Toasty oak aroma, with deep notes of plum and cassis. Rich and concentrated berry flavors balance moderate tannins. Well balanced, with a long finish of cassis and barrel toast." - NW Palate
Made from merlot – 50%, syrah – 23%, petit verdot – 11%, malbec – 7.3%, cabernet franc – 6.3%, cabernet sauvignon – 1.9%. The 2005 vintage was very good in Washington.
Janiuk 2005 Red Table wine $19.99 (big red from Washington State)
"Very dark garnet color. Toasty oak aroma, with deep notes of plum and cassis. Rich and concentrated berry flavors balance moderate tannins. Well balanced, with a long finish of cassis and barrel toast." - NW Palate
Made from merlot – 50%, syrah – 23%, petit verdot – 11%, malbec – 7.3%, cabernet franc – 6.3%, cabernet sauvignon – 1.9%. The 2005 vintage was very good in Washington.
Friday Jan 9th our regular Friday Tasting 5:00 - 7:00 pm sharp.... only a $5.00 fee ...ends at 7pm sharp!
The tasting line up- 8 wines ...summary: Southern French Wines
Château Margüii 2006 Côteaux Varois en Provence $17.99 (Great dry pink wine.)
Brumont Gros Manseng/Sauvignon 2006 $10.99 (dry white)..Gascony.
Château Bellevue La Forêt 2005 -Fronton aoc $9.99 (red)
Cuvée des Oliviers, Massamier La Mignarde, VDP Coteaux des Peyriac $9.99 (red)
Côtes du Rhône-Villages Cairanne 2004 Domaine Rabasse Charavin $21.99 (red)
Maxime Magnon 'La Demarrante,' 2006 Vin de Pays de la Valle du Paradis $21.49 (red)...Corbieres.
Grand Veneur 2006 Chateauneuf-du-Pape $34.00 (red)
Mas de Daumas Gassac 2006 $46.99 (red)
Special Thursday Tasting Malbecs from Argentina, France, and Walla Walla.
at John's Marketplace from 6:00 - 8:00 pm Sept. 18th
The Big Malbec Tasting.....$10.00 fee
Malbec has been long known as one of the six grapes allowed in the blend of red Bordeaux wine.
However the current French plantations of Malbec are now found primarily in Cahors in the South West France region.
It is planted elsewhere around the globe, and is increasingly celebrated as an Argentine wine varietal.
The line up:
Beresan 2005 Malbec -Walla Walla $30.00 (USA)
Chateau Du Cedre 2004 -Cahors AOC "Le Cedre" ($...not available... from the cellar.) (France) 95 Points, Wine Spectator.
Domaine Cosse Maisonneuve 2004 -Cahors AOC "Le Combal" $18.00 (France)
Domaine Cosse Maisonneuve 2002 -Cahors AOC "Les Laquets" $34.00 (France
Chateau de Cayrou 2000 -Cahors AOC $26.00
Catena 2006 Malbec $24.00 (Argentina)
Bodega Colome Malbec 2005 $27.00 (Argentina) Highly recommended by Matt Kramer, and 90 points Wine Spectator.
Catena 2004 Alta Malbec $59.00 (Argentina) 93 points Wine Spectator, and one of the top 100 wines of the year. 94 points Parker.
NOTES ON SOME OF THE WINES:
2004 Catena Alta Malbec $59.00 (Argentina)
94 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2004 Alta Malbec was aged for 18 months in French oak, 70% new, and was also bottled unfined and unfiltered. It offers greater aromatic complexity with notes of pepper, clove, leather, and chocolate in addition to violets, black cherry, and blackberry. Medium-bodied and elegant, it has a plush texture, layers of spicy black fruits and minerality, excellent balance, and a 60-second finish. It will evolve for 5-7 years and drink well through 2025." (Dec. 2007)
93 points Wine Spectator: "Dark and lush, with a gorgeous mouthfeel to the exotic fig, boysenberry and blueberry fruit flavors backed by intense spice, mocha, loam and licorice notes. Superlong, showing great drive and purity on the finish. Drink now through 2010. 2,500 cases imported." (9/04/07)
"Bodegas Catena Zapata may be the best known Argentine winery in the US and rightfully so considering the quality that consistently comes in their bottles of wine. The boisterous Malbec heft is well balanced here and tamed by some lip-smacking acid and slightly chewy tannin. Exuding class this wine is full of peppered beef, ripe blueberry cream, and crushed anise seed. This big--really big--wine is easily ready to spend the next few years slumbering away in a cold, dark place, but is fun to drink now as well. Preferably with a big 'ol hunk of bloody Argentine beef." -Bryan Brick, K&L
Domaine Cosse Maisonneuve 2004 -Cahors AOC "Le Combal" $18.00 (France)
"This organically run estate makes some of the best wines from Cahors. Fermented in stainless steel, the wine is a blend of 80% Malbec and 20% Merlot. A wine for Duck, lamb and stews. Spicy almost like chili powder. On the palate, dry, raspberry, boysenberry, really juicy, some oak, some earthiness, nice finish. Pretty silky texture." -Mr. Mike
Domaine Cosse Maisonneuve 2002 -Cahors AOC "Les Laquets" $34.00 (France)
"Funkalicious!" -Mr. Mike
2004 Chateau Du Cedre Cahors Le Cedre ($N/A from my cellar.) (France)
"Very elegant, with concentrated and powerful flavors of dark cherry, raspberry and cassis. Massively structured, with intense dark chocolate notes, and plenty of rich spiciness. An immense Malbec-based red." 95 Points, Wine Spectator
Bodega Colomé Malbec 2005 $27.00 (Argentina)
90 Points - Wine Spectator "Very ripe, with exotic plum, fig and boysenberry fruit flavors that roll along round but deceptively focused tannins. The long, vibrant finish has a nice buried minerality to offset all the fruit. Drink now through 2010. 1,100 cases imported."
Bodega Colomé vineyards are biodynamically and sustainably farmed at an altitude of 5,500 to 8,500 feet and are believed to be the highest vineyards in the world. The sandy and alluvial soils yield small crops and produce deeply colored and concentrated wines which capture the soul of this distinct terroir.
Special Thursday Tasting Malbecs from Argentina, France, and Walla Walla.
at John's Marketplace from 6:00 - 8:00 pm Sept. 18th
The Big Malbec Tasting.....$10.00 fee
Malbec has been long known as one of the six grapes allowed in the blend of red Bordeaux wine.
However the current French plantations of Malbec are now found primarily in Cahors in the South West France region.
It is planted elsewhere around the globe, and is increasingly celebrated as an Argentine wine varietal.
The line up:
Beresan 2005 Malbec -Walla Walla $30.00 (USA)
Chateau Du Cedre 2004 -Cahors AOC "Le Cedre" ($...not available... from the cellar.) (France) 95 Points, Wine Spectator.
Domaine Cosse Maisonneuve 2004 -Cahors AOC "Le Combal" $18.00 (France)
Domaine Cosse Maisonneuve 2002 -Cahors AOC "Les Laquets" $34.00 (France
Chateau de Cayrou 2000 -Cahors AOC $26.00
Catena 2006 Malbec $24.00 (Argentina)
Bodega Colome Malbec 2005 $27.00 (Argentina) Highly recommended by Matt Kramer, and 90 points Wine Spectator.
Catena 2004 Alta Malbec $59.00 (Argentina) 93 points Wine Spectator, and one of the top 100 wines of the year. 94 points Parker.
NOTES ON SOME OF THE WINES:
2004 Catena Alta Malbec $59.00 (Argentina)
94 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2004 Alta Malbec was aged for 18 months in French oak, 70% new, and was also bottled unfined and unfiltered. It offers greater aromatic complexity with notes of pepper, clove, leather, and chocolate in addition to violets, black cherry, and blackberry. Medium-bodied and elegant, it has a plush texture, layers of spicy black fruits and minerality, excellent balance, and a 60-second finish. It will evolve for 5-7 years and drink well through 2025." (Dec. 2007)
93 points Wine Spectator: "Dark and lush, with a gorgeous mouthfeel to the exotic fig, boysenberry and blueberry fruit flavors backed by intense spice, mocha, loam and licorice notes. Superlong, showing great drive and purity on the finish. Drink now through 2010. 2,500 cases imported." (9/04/07)
"Bodegas Catena Zapata may be the best known Argentine winery in the US and rightfully so considering the quality that consistently comes in their bottles of wine. The boisterous Malbec heft is well balanced here and tamed by some lip-smacking acid and slightly chewy tannin. Exuding class this wine is full of peppered beef, ripe blueberry cream, and crushed anise seed. This big--really big--wine is easily ready to spend the next few years slumbering away in a cold, dark place, but is fun to drink now as well. Preferably with a big 'ol hunk of bloody Argentine beef." -Bryan Brick, K&L
Domaine Cosse Maisonneuve 2004 -Cahors AOC "Le Combal" $18.00 (France)
"This organically run estate makes some of the best wines from Cahors. Fermented in stainless steel, the wine is a blend of 80% Malbec and 20% Merlot. A wine for Duck, lamb and stews. Spicy almost like chili powder. On the palate, dry, raspberry, boysenberry, really juicy, some oak, some earthiness, nice finish. Pretty silky texture." -Mr. Mike
Domaine Cosse Maisonneuve 2002 -Cahors AOC "Les Laquets" $34.00 (France)
"Funkalicious!" -Mr. Mike
2004 Chateau Du Cedre Cahors Le Cedre ($N/A from my cellar.) (France)
"Very elegant, with concentrated and powerful flavors of dark cherry, raspberry and cassis. Massively structured, with intense dark chocolate notes, and plenty of rich spiciness. An immense Malbec-based red." 95 Points, Wine Spectator
Bodega Colomé Malbec 2005 $27.00 (Argentina)
90 Points - Wine Spectator "Very ripe, with exotic plum, fig and boysenberry fruit flavors that roll along round but deceptively focused tannins. The long, vibrant finish has a nice buried minerality to offset all the fruit. Drink now through 2010. 1,100 cases imported."
Bodega Colomé vineyards are biodynamically and sustainably farmed at an altitude of 5,500 to 8,500 feet and are believed to be the highest vineyards in the world. The sandy and alluvial soils yield small crops and produce deeply colored and concentrated wines which capture the soul of this distinct terroir.
Today Friday's tasting, September 5th from 5-7pm, at John's Marketplace $5.00 fee.
Jason L. Silva Winemaker from Arcane Cellars at Wheatland Winery in person pouring his wines. Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, blended red.
The cool kids table will feature great new wines. More value whites from Austria, and Spain. French reds also.
Warning
Mr. Mike will be gone briefly. I will not be in the store September 7th - 12th. There will be no Thursday Tasting next week.
I will be back next Friday for our regular Friday Tasting.
Special Thursday Tasting Ojai
at John's Marketplace from 6:00 - 8:00 pm Sept. 4th
The Big Ojai Tasting.....8 wines....$20.00 fee
The Ojai Vineyard, owned by Adam & Helen Tolmach, works closely with a dozen different vineyards on the Central Coast of California and produces wines from syrah, grenache, mourvedre, pinot noir, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and viognier. In the winery they like to watch the development of the wine carefully, yet prefer to do as little as possible. Experience has shown them that the least amount of moving, pumping, fining and filtering is always best. The ultimate objective is to show off the distinctive character of a vineyard site. All the wines made at Ojai are naturally made products - no fining or filtration, barrel-fermentation, malolactic in barrel, aggressive lees stirring, virtually no racking until assembling for bottling, and no acid additions. "One cannot say enough about the commitment to excellence exhibited year after year by Adam Tolmach, who has not missed a beat since he began making Syrah at the Ojai Vineyard in 1983." -Robert Parker
2006 Chardonnay Bien Nacido - $30.00 (9 bottles available)
This is a new vineyard and a new Chardonnay for the Ojai Vineyard. We are very excited by this wine as it shows how, with the proper cool climate and the correct clones (Dijon), we can make a chardonnay true to its pedigree. With little new oak, the wine has bracing natural acidity that carries the fruit and mineral notes to its long, subtle finish.
-from the winemaker.
2006 Chardonnay Clos Pepe - $45.00 (4 bottles available)
2005 Pinot Noir Solomon Hills - $50.00 (4 bottles available)
"Tolmach's 2005 Pinot Noir Solomon Hills comes from a parcel planted with Dijon clones 667 and 777. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by loads of sweet cherry, blackberry, and currant fruit interwoven with notions of forest floor, oak, and earth. Supple tannin, a broad mouthfeel, and good underlying acidity suggest it will drink well for 8-10 years. 91PTS" -Robert Parker
2005 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido - $50.00 (2 bottles available)
"The structured, tannic, backward, rich 2003 Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard reveals hints of crème de cassis, blackberries, tapenade, and spice box. Give it 2-3 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 10-15+. 92PTS" -Robert Parker
2005 Syrah Santa Barbara County - $30.00 (5 bottles available)
"The 2005 Syrah (which includes small amounts of Mourvedre and Grenache) reveals delicious cassis and cherry fruit interwoven with licorice, camphor, and pepper. Made in a juicy, up-front style, it is meant to be drunk during its first 4-5 years of life. 89PTS" -Robert Parker
2003 Syrah Bien Nacido - $39.00 (2 bottles available)
"The structured, tannic, backward, rich 2003 Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard reveals hints of creme de cassis, blackberries, tapenade, and spice box. Give it 2-3 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 10-15+. 92PTS" -Robert Parker
2004 Syrah Stolpman - $45.00 (4 bottles available)
"A superb offering is the 2004 Syrah Stolpman. An inky/blue/purple color is accompanied by sweet blueberry and blackberry fruit notes intermixed with scents of smoke, charcoal, and flowers. With fabulous fruit, a nice unctuosity, full-bodied depth, and great precision and purity, it is one of the stars of this ripe vintage of Syrah. 94PTS"
-Robert Parker
2004 Syrah Melville - $50.00 (5 bottles available)
"From the cool Santa Rita Hills, the 2004 Syrah Melville reveals classic blackberry, blueberry, charcoal, acacia flower, and bacon fat aromas. Stunningly rich, full-bodied, thick, and juicy with a smoky character in the mouth that is not apparent in the fruit-laden nose, this is a beautifully proportioned, full-bodied Syrah that should drink nicely for 10-15 years. 94PTS" -Robert Parker
also available to purchase...
2006 Chardonnay Solomon Hills - $45.00 (not in tasting - 2 bottles available, great stuff, just buy this. -Mr. Mike)
This is a new vineyard and a new Chardonnay for the Ojai Vineyard. We are very excited by this wine as it shows how, with the proper cool climate and the correct clones (Dijon), we can make a chardonnay true to its pedigree. With little new oak, the wine has bracing natural acidity that carries the fruit and mineral notes to its long, subtle finish.
-from the winemaker.
2004 Pinot Noir Fe Ciega - $65.00 (not in tasting - 2 bottles available, great stuff, just buy this. -Mr. Mike)
Special Thursday Tasting
at John's Marketplace from 6:00 - 8:00 pm Aug.28th
Red Bordeaux at John's Marketplace. (Tasting fee $10.00) for these 8 wines:
Château Recougne 2005 (Bordeaux Superieur) $14.99
Vieux Château Saint Andre 2005 (Montagne Saint-Emilion) $29.99
Château de la Grave Caractere 2005 Bordeaux $14.99
Château St. Georges 2005 (St. Georges-St. Émilion) $30.99
Château de Parenchère 2004 (Grand Vin de Bordeaux) $18.99
Château Paveil de Luze 2004 Margaux $28.99
Château de Lugagnac 2005 (Bordeaux Supérieur) $17.99
Château Puygueraud 2000 (Bordeaux Cotes de Francs) $39.99
We will be featuring Château de Lugagnac 2005 (Bordeaux Supérieur) $17.99 which was the number one wine in the Wall Street Journal's extensive review of inexpensive red Bordeaux from the 2005 vintage, -one of the best vintages in recent history.
From the Wall Street Journal: "The Dow Jones Inexpensive 2005 Bordeaux Index" Looking for Value in a Prized Vintage; 2005 Bordeaux Made Affordable; Avoiding the Traps WSJ January 11, 2008 ....."In a broad blind tasting of red Bordeaux from the 2005 vintage that cost $20 or less, these were our favorites. It is impossible to know which 2005 Bordeaux you will see, but there are many of them out there. These are good with steak, but, because they are Bordeaux, they make any meal special. We wouldn't hesitate to open one of these with a good pizza, and we like these with meatloaf. Overall, these are meant to drink young, but we felt that a few of them, as noted, would age well for at least a couple of years." ....Château de Lugagnac 2005 (Bordeaux Supérieur) "Best of tasting. The nose immediately says, "Fine stuff," with earth, tobacco and juicy fruit. Well balanced and nicely complex. Even better after an hour. Remarkably complete for such a young, inexpensive wine." -WSJ
Of course it is a few bucks more in Portland, Oregon than it was in this East Coast tasting but it still qualifies as under 20 bucks at $17.99. ($172.80/14.40 case price). The wine is definitely terrific, exuding breed and character that far transcends its modest price. -Mr. Mike
Special Thursday Tasting
at John's Marketplace from 6:00 - 8:00 pm Aug.21st
The wines of Matello with Marcus Goodfellow in person at John's Marketplace. (Tasting fee $10.00)
Terrific Pinot Noirs, a great Pinot Blanc, and a startlingly good blended white wine from a talented new Oregon producer. Please join us!
To read more about this great new player on the Oregon wine scene visit this link for his complete bio:
http://www.indiewinefestival.com/winemaker.php
Friday Tasting
This Friday's tasting, August 22nd from 5-7 pm, at John's Marketplace $5.00 fee.
Cuma Malbec, Ch. Pech Rosie Cabardes, Abbot's Table Wine, new extreme value white wines.
Special Thursday Tasting
at John's Marketplace from 6:00 - 8:00 pm Aug.14th
CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE at John's Marketplace Tasting fee $15.00
Here are the wines we will pour:
PIERRE USSEGLIO 2007 PANORAMA $16.99
From Robert Parker:
"The pleasant, bistro-styled 2007 Panorama VDP is meant for immediate consumption.
One cannot say enough about the extraordinary qualitative revolution that has quietly taken place at this well-known domaine north of the village of Chateauneuf du Pape. While father Pierre is still on the premises, providing a wealth of historical information about the vineyards, his two sons, Jean-Pierre and Thierry, have introduced two extra-special cuvees, pushing this estate into the top echelon of Chateauneuf du Pape producers. This domaine is notorious for incredibly low yields (in 2007 yields were 25-28 hectoliters per hectare) as well as traditional winemaking. They now have a small, 1-hectare plot of vin de pays planted with Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alicante, and Merlot."
CHATEAU FORTIA 2006 CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE TRADITION $38.00
75% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre
From Stephen Tanzer:
"Dark red. Spicy, floral-tinged bouquet evokes raspberry, garrigue, violet and smoky minerals. Spicy, medium-bodied red fruit flavors are given grip by dusty tannins. Gains weight and sweetness on the broad, long finish. I suspect this very attractive wine will drink well young." 89-91 points
DOMAINE DE LA COTE DE L'ANGE 2006 CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE $40.00
From Stephen Tanzer:
"Dark ruby. Complex bouquet evokes raspberry, anise, garrigue and rose. Vibrant red berry flavors are refreshingly tangy and focused, with a subtle licorice quality adding complexity. Impressively precise and elegant, but with good concentration and excellent energy on the finish. I like this style." 89-92 points
MAS DES BOISLAUZON 2006 CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE TRADITION $40.00
75% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre
From Stephen Tanzer:
"Ruby-red. Spicy red and dark berry aromas are complicated by musky tobacco and underbrush. Firm and youthfully dry, with medium weight and chewy cherry and cassis flavors carrying through the finish. Seems a bit tough today but that's most likely just youth." 90-92 points
PIERRE USSEGLIO 2006 CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE TRADITION $55.00
80% Grenache, 20% Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault
From Stephen Tanzer:
"Dark red. Very precise aromas of strawberry and cherry, with a suave mineral underpinning and a whiff of fresh rose adding complexity. Very Burgundian in its relatively light body, silky texture and graceful red fruit flavors. Picks up an exotic cinnamon quality on the long, sappy finish. This offers fabulous potential for an entry-level wine." 92-94 points
LE VIEUX DONJON 2006 CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE $65.00
70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre and Cinsault
From Stephen Tanzer:
"Deep ruby. Smoky cherry and blackcurrant aromas convey a wild, gamey quality, along with suave floral and mineral lift; smells like a northern Rhone wine. Deep dark fruit liqueur and olive flavors are sharpened by zesty minerals and finish with impressive grip and thrust. Combines energy and depth deftly.
An estate for connoisseurs with cold cellars, these traditionally made Chateauneuf du Papes rarely strut their stuff until they have been in the bottle for 5-7 years. Moreover, this is one of the few estates that has resisted the current fashion for producing old vine cuvees." 91-94 points
CHATEAU FORTIA 2006 CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE BLANC $38.00
60% Clairette, 30% Roussanne and 10% Grenache Blanc.
White wines from Châteauneuf du Pape can be an acquired and expensive taste: but with a crisp lemony texture and a solid mineral flavor, this one is a gem.
MAS DES BOISLAUZON 2007 CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE BLANC $40.00
60% Grenache, 40% Roussanne
Friday Tasting
This Friday's tasting, August 15th from 5-7 pm, at John's Marketplace $5.00 fee.
Oregon focus this Friday with DDO Arthur Chardonnay, Daedalus wines, light summer wines from Sokol Blosser, and Ayres 2006 WV Pinot Noir.
Special Thursday Tasting
at John's Marketplace from 6:00 - 8:00 pm Aug.7th
John's Marketplace Red Burgundy (French Pinot Noir) Tasting fee $10.00
The Red Burgundy Reduction Act of 2008!
No blah blah blah about the friable limestone soil and how they stood on one foot while harvesting with the waning moon in its second house.
Just try before you buy, what a concept!
I'll present lots of vintage 2005 bottles at great prices. I will pour mostly entry level Bourgogne, but some Premier Cru wines as well. 2005 was a great year that raised the standard at the lower end of the price spectrum. You'll be glad to pull these satisfying special occasion wines out of your cupboard at Thanksgiving. PS... the 2006 vintage will be much more expensive, so buy now and save. We'll pull out some older wines just for fun too. Please join us. Producers represented will include: Bouchard; Vincent Girardin; Joseph Roty; J.M. Bouley; Maurice Ecard.
Here are some of the wines we will pour:
Domaine Collote Marsannay 2007 Pink Wine $19.99
Maurice Ecard 2005 Bourgogne Les Perrieres aoc $19.99
Bernard Defaix 2005 Bourgogne $16.99
Domaine Ravaut 2005 Bourgogne $14.99
Domaine Ravaut 2005 Ladoix aoc $21.99
Domaine Gachot-Monot 2004 Nuits-Saint-Georges $34.99
Vincent Girardin 2005 Emotion de Terroirs $24.99
Phillipe Colin 2005 Santenay $34.49
J.M Bouley 2005 Volnay “Les Carelles” 1re Cru $39.99
Bouchard 2005 1re Cru Beaune du Chateau $37.50
Something from Joseph Roty, not sure which one.
Friday
This Friday's tasting, August 8th from 5-7 pm, at John's Marketplace $5.00 fee.
There will be a Cru Beaujolais focus at one table, a second table will pour good value domestic wines.
Special Thursday Tasting at John's Marketplace
Tomorrow Thursday, July 31st from 6-8pm we'll have Thomas Kelly of Small Vineyards pouring his Italian wines, and some olive oil. Just a $5.00 fee.
Thomas puts on quite a show; please join us for this great Italian wine seminar.
-the line up:
Prosecco - Puntoevirgolo $12.99
Le Cavaliere - Verdicchio di Castelli Jesi "Verdicchio Classico Superiore" $14.99
Le Rote - Chianti Colli Senesi 2004 $14.99
Martorana - Colona 2006 $12.99
Tarzal - Cabernet Franc 2005 $17.99
Podere Ciona - Merlot IGT 2004 $29.99
Perazetta Olive Oil 100 ml $2.50
Friday
This Friday's tasting, August 1st from 5-7 pm, at John's Marketplace $5.00 fee.
An Oregon focus including wines from Genius Loci, and Illahe.
This Friday's tasting, July 25th from 5-7 pm, at John's Marketplace:
Please come try California wines with Rupendhar Kanuri of Premium Vintage Wine Company, and Matt Giannone pouring his Purple Hands Wine from Oregon.
Mr Mike is away until Monday and Mrs Mike will preside, as best she can.
Support our local market.
The Multnomah Farmer's Market is Today, Thursday at the Multnomah Art Center (near the basketball court) from 3:30 – 7:30 pm.
Special Thursday Tasting
Next Thursday, July 31st from 6-8 pm we'll have Thomas Kelly of Small Vineyards pouring his Italian wines, and olive oil. Just a $5.00 fee. Thomas puts on quite a show; please join us for this Italian wine seminar.
I will be on vacation the entire next week. July 21st - July 27th
I will return for regular hours starting July 30th
- my usual schedule will be:
Wed 10-5 Thursday 12-5 and Fri 2-7
(I will be available most Sat's also from 12-5 by appointment.)
... Mr. Mike
Friday July 18th from 5-7 pm
Tom from Galaxy wines will pour wines from Oregon and Europe. $5.00 fee.
The Wines
A-Z Oregon Pinot Gris
A-Z Oregon Pinot Noir
Castlerock Oregon WV Pinot Noir
Domaine Ott Rose (dry pink)
Can Feixes Penedes Blanc Seleccio
Riff Pinot Grigio
Tinto Pesquera (100% Tempranillo Fino)
-plus some other surprises.
Support our local market.
The Multnomah Farmer's Market is Today, Thursday at the Multnomah Art Center (near the basketball court) from 3:30 – 7:30 pm.
My first act as the new king is to go on vacation this Friday and
Saturday, so I won't be at John's Marketplace for tomorrow's tasting.
However, our usual Friday tastings will continue tomorrow, Friday
July 11th from 5-7 pm with a rare visitation from Ed Addiss of Wine
Traditions, pouring great wines from his portfolio of good value
artisanal French producers. Ed visits his producers frequently and
is a thoughtful and passionate ambassador for these authentic and
soulful examples of French terroir-driven wines. $5.00 fee.
The Wines:
Dumont NV Brut Champagne $34.99
Domaine Terrasses Gaillac Rose 2006 $11.99
Domaine Magneau Graves Blanc 2006 $13.99
Domaine Cros Marcillac Rouge Lo Sang del Plais 2006 $12.99
Domaine Aufranc St. Amour Beaujolais 2005 $17.99
Domaine Loupiac-Gaudiet Loupiac (500 ml) $14.99
No tasting this Friday at John's Marketplace. It's July 4th.
Our usual Friday tastings will continue next Friday July 11th from 5-7 pm with a rare visitation from Ed Addiss of Wine Traditions, live and in person, highlighting some great wines from his portfolio of value-driven artisanal French producers. David Rounds of Triage Distribution Group will ably assist.
Good luck to Mr. Riggs!
"Ruminating, as I stare off into our belated and beautiful Oregon summer sky, now shrouded by our atmospherically bizarre cloak of technicolor-grey California particulate, it occurs to me just how enormous is that void (ocean-like) that we now face, since Mr. Riggs is leaving us, slouching off, Willy Loman-like toward perhaps a defining (and cosmically absurd) experience in that classically American, and anthropological-important, culture called "sales"; I sincerely hope he survives this experience intact; indeed his sesquipedalian eloquence will be missed by many, including me. Good luck Mr. Riggs!" -Mr. Mike
Today Don't forget support our local market...
The Multnomah Farmer's Market is Today, Thursday at the Multnomah Art Center (near the basketball court) from 3:30 – 7:30 pm.
Wine Dinner Information
Alba Osteria welcomes Max Coppo from the Coppo winery in Canelli,
Piemonte, Wednesday, July 23. Coppo is one of the areas top Barbera
producers. We will be preparing a 5 course meal and pouring the
following wines:
2006 Chardonnay "Coste Bianchi"
2004 Barbera d' Asti "Camp du Rouss"
2000 Barbera d' Asti "Pomorosso"
2004 Barbera d' Asti "Pomorosso"
2007 Moscato d' Asti
Dinner is at 6:30. $85 per person, gratuity included. Reservations at 503-977-3045
Mr. Mike's Official Office Hours
Starting next week, my usual schedule will be:
Wed 10-5 Thursday 12-5 and Fri 2-7
(I will be available most Sat's also from 12-5 by appointment.)
New Wine Pricing Policy for wines from the shelf
10% off 6 btls or more off the shelf
15% off 12 btls or more off the shelf
-even multiple cases off the shelf still 15% off
20% off Hard Cases Ordered In and Priced by Mr. Mike as it was before.
To order wine, please Call My VM Box 503-203-3384 (or email me at winenerd at teleport dot com) The store number is hit or miss.
My band "The Sawing Logs" will be playing at "the bedroom room" at our house tonight. No one is invited.
HIGH THURSDAY ANNOUNCEMENT
THE WINES OF CLARENDON HILLS
!!Tomorrow!! Thursday, 15 May 2008
6 to 8 PM
$30 entry fee
This will be a presale event. We will be opening a maximum of two bottles of each wine, and will be taking orders to be delivered subsequently. There's also the chance that, if enough of you are interested, we will be opening a super-limited, ultra-precious wine. Read on...
These wines are stunning. I'll reiterate what I wrote last time, which is to say that if you have ever really wondered what Australia was capable of, or if you have ever wondered what all the fuss was about, you need look no further. These wines are all about terroir, all about the pure expression of varietal and mesoclimate. I won't say McLaren Vale's Clarendon Hills is the best winery in Australia, but I will say they are damn good, and offer European grace, class, and structure, while retaining seductive, erotic layers of Aussie fruit. Sound like a date? To entice you further, and prove that these wines actually are worthy, I'll include some flashy scores.
Merlot Brookman 2004 $59.99 RP 94, WA 93
Cabernet Sauvignon Brookman 2004 $59.99 WS 90, RP 92, Tanzer 93, WA 92
Grenache Romas 2004 $95.99 RP 94, WA 94
Syrah Liandra 2004 $75.99 WA 92
Syrah Hickinbotham 2004 $95.99 WS 95, RP 95, Tanzer 95, WA 95
and if you're very good:
Syrah Piggott Range 2004 $149.99 WA 95
...and, if you're not only good, but if 15 of you pony up an extra $10 in advance, we will also be opening one of the most sought-after, rarest wines of the continent:
Syrah Astralis 2004 $299.99 WS 97, RP 98, Tanzer 96, WA 98
Pilgrims, prophets, pilgrims' profits, oh thirsty peregrinage, oh tattered soles of May-worn feet, cast not your parched eyes at the uncaring heavens, but look, rather, to the florescent sepia tones that make their home in the hallowed, enforcedly shabby Temple of Kitsch that is John's Market, where, tomorrow, May 9, 2008, between the auspicious hours of 5 and 7 PM, we will be celebrating our How Much Maw Would A Yakima Yak If A Yakima Could Yak Maw Winetasting!
Forgive my ham-handed metonymy (or was it synecdoche?) in that opening sentence, I'm merely reeling in the post-intoxicant shine left over from Monday's gala Indie Wine Tasting. The whole crew rolled over to Produce Row afterwards, and a glorious time was had by all. The highlights for me were the wines of Bishop Creek (made by the former corkdork at Alba), and a ludicrously good, arcane little cranberry wine (yes, cranberry wine), whose card was, of course, the one that I lost in the warm, sunny haze that set in as we unwound on the back deck at the 'Row. Suffice it to say that this wine had the most beautiful crimson, bloody hue, and was the Platonic essence of cranberries. Dry, even tart, and full of fruit... Oh man, if you like cranberries like I like cranberries, you'll stay tuned as I retrieve their info...
But to it, friends, I'll not over-indulge this week in my normal gush, as there are bigger fish to fry, to taste, to wit:
The Wines of Kana Winery
poured by Marc Garner
I was really impressed by the overall quality of these wines when I tasted them at the Yakima Valley tasting a few weeks ago, and not just because they are named after Grateful Dead songs! We mentioned above that kitsch is encouraged here, so roll your eyes now and come down with a cleared mind, because these are some really good wines. Oh, and I'm not adding accent marks this week; I trust you'll overlook that gaffe. At least its not misspelling its'!
Cuvee Blanche 2006 $17.99
61% Roussanne, 33% Viognier, and 6% Marsanne, from Elephant Mountain, Rustic Ridge, Snipes Mountain, and Two Coyote Vineyards.
"Workingman's Red" 2005 $15.99
Kana's vin de table, Workingman's is comprised of 45% Zinfandel, 30% Malbec, and 25% Petit Verdot, most of which comes from Coyote Canyon and Snipes Mountain. Spaghetti/ pizza wine, so they say...
Tempranillo 2005 $17.99
I am excited to try this one for the first time with the rest of you. The fruit is sourced from Elephant Mountain, Coyote Canyon, and Les Vignes de Marcoux Vineyards.
"Dark Star" 2005 $23.99
Kana's answer to Cotes-du-Rhone, this wine is comprised of 66% Syrah, 23% Grenache, and 11% Mourvedre. The fruit is from Les Vignes de Marcoux, Ciel du Cheval, Coyote Canyon, and Elephant Mountain.
"Scarlet Fire" Reserve 2005 $24.99
47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Cabernet Franc, and 19% Merlot. The Cab and Merlot come from Ciel du Cheval, and the Cab Franc from Les Vignes de Marcoux. Jerry would approve.
v
Ciel du Cheval Bordeaux Blend 2004 $30.99
I bet I can guess what grapes are in this... I bet I can even guess the vineyard...
And, let's make it official:
HIGH THURSDAY ANNOUNCEMENT
THE WINES OF CLARENDON HILLS
Thursday, 15 May 2008
6 to 8 PM
$30 entry fee
This will be a presale event. We will be opening a maximum of two bottles of each wine, and will be taking orders to be delivered subsequently. There's also the chance that, if enough of you are interested, we will be opening a super-limited, ultra-precious wine. Read on...
These wines are stunning. I'll reiterate what I wrote last time, which is to say that if you have ever really wondered what Australia was capable of, or if you have ever wondered what all the fuss was about, you need look no further. These wines are all about terroir, all about the pure expression of varietal and mesoclimate. I won't say McLaren Vale's Clarendon Hills is the best winery in Australia, but I will say they are damn good, and offer European grace, class, and structure, while retaining seductive, erotic layers of Aussie fruit. Sound like a date? To entice you further, and prove that these wines actually are worthy, I'll include some flashy scores.
Merlot Brookman 2004 $59.99 RP 94, WA 93
Cabernet Sauvignon Brookman 2004 $59.99 WS 90, RP 92, Tanzer 93, WA 92
Grenache Romas 2004 $95.99 RP 94, WA 94
Syrah Liandra 2004 $75.99 WA 92
Syrah Hickinbotham 2004 $95.99 WS 95, RP 95, Tanzer 95, WA 95
and if you're very good:
Syrah Piggott Range 2004 $149.99 WA 95
...and, if you're not only good, but if 15 of you pony up an extra $10 in advance, we will also be opening one of the most sought-after, rarest wines of the continent:
Syrah Astralis 2004 $299.99 WS 97, RP 98, Tanzer 96, WA 98
I am sorry to be avaricious, but we can only open this one if we get advance payments. Or at least iron-clad RSVP promises whose breakage will haunt you for the rest of your lives... You can call me here at (503) 244-2617 if you're interested. And, of course, you only get the "super-pour" if you pay the fee. No worries if there are no takers, but wouldn't it be fun?
Glory be, friends, the air once more thrums with primaveral (primaferal?) energy, and, though the trees and grass still look a little bleary and wan- like little children startled from their naps- one can no doubt rest assured that they will batten and begreen themselves in time for a properly riotous summer season. I'm knocking on wood and have my fingers crossed, of course- both of which make it surprisingly difficult to type, so I hope that you appreciate my efforts on your behalf.
There are rumors that Bob's African (Yummy South African wines with a conscience) will be making an appearance tomorrow, but these rumors can neither be confirmed nor denied. Moving, then, on...
Heya, people, it's MAY DAY out there, so: time to tell your bosses to go screw, time to dust off your painfully sententious Marxist rhetoric and matching Che t-shirt, time to get naked in Gabriel Park and run around screaming the poetry of Alan Ginsberg and Stphane Mallarm. That's what I'll be doing this evening, anyway (I have seen the best minds of my generation shitfaced at John's on Fridays/ dragging themselves through the Negroamaro streets at dawn/ looking for an angry Fixin)- and you know damn well that it's just what Vladimir Ilyich would want! Da, tovarishchi, da!
(OK, I'm joking, I don't know any Marxist rhetoric.)
But tomorrow, Kameraden, we here at John's will be celebrating our Second Day in May Totally Appropriate Pagan Bacchanal! At this event we will be pouring wine for you to drink! If you give the handsome, muscular young man behind the counter (or me, if it happens I'm standing there) the even-in- the-savage-throes-of-the-death-of-the-American-economy-laughably-affordable sum of five dollars, you can be a part of it! 5 to 7, y'all.
So, on to the cluttered wonderworld that is the Cool Kids' Table (which name is in no way diluted by your universal inclusion therein, as you are, each and every one of you, HELLA cool), where, in honor of our communist brethren, we will once more be serving red wine. Also white, to wit:
Cameroni Giovanni 2007 $13.99
Cameroni Giuliano 2007 $19.49
Have I ever mentioned that John Paul is my hero? (See the April edition of the Oregon Wine Press for details) In case you didn't know, he's one of Oregon's most infamous roustabouts, and also the winemaker at Cameron. Cameron Winery dresses in Italian drag each year with their "Cameroni" wines, gorgeous, minerally whites inspired by those of Friuli and the Sdtirol. Giovanni is 100% Pinot blanc, err, Pinot bianco, whereas Giuliano actually contains every Italian white varietal grown north of Rome. They are exquisite wines, perfect with seafood and sunshine (but also great on the coast in a windstorm. I'm just saying).
Chteau Guiraud Bordeaux Blanc 2006 $16.99
One of our favorite BDX Blancs, the G (as it calls itself) is 70% Sauvignon blanc, 30% Semillon. It ages beautifully, knitting its tropical papaya and passionfruit into waves of deft, honeyed richness, and- wait for it- a crisp finish marked by starry minerality.
Domaine du Prieur Bourgogne Rouge 2005 $12.99
Yummy, simple Burgundian Pinot noir. At this price, it's tais-toi and drink it!
Maurice Ecard Bourgogne Rouge 2005 $19.99
Another value from the stunning 2005 vintage. This one is a real step up, complex and minerally and bloody and awash in wild cherries and sotto bosco. Yum.
Vaona Valpolicella Classico 2006 $12.50
Mr. Rod from Zancanella turned me on to this wine a few months ago, and I remain delighted. Vaona is now, without question, my favorite Valpolicella house. All four wines of theirs which we carry (including Valpolicella Ripasso and two Amarone) are better than any other in their category that I have ever tried- at any price. It would be hyperbole if it weren't true. Their higher-tier Amarone will make you cry. This little Valpo, on the other hand, will make you smile. Which is more convenient and socially-presentable, anyway.
We have scheduled our High Thursday: Clarendon Hills tasting for two weeks from now, May 15, 2008, from 6 to 8 PM. Expect many more details- like menu and price- as we hammer them out.
I should mention the arrival in our store of a few very special, very expensive, highly sought-after Oregon Pinots:
Domaine Serene Evenstad Reserve 2005 $58.99
The Beaux Frres Vineyard 2006 Pinot Noir $75.99
Beaux Frres Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2006 $47.99 (formerly "Belles Soeurs")
In utter defiance of this lingering cold, I find myself lusting for things pink, minerally, and plush. Floral, salmon-sunset Galia melon acidity calls out to me... Ye Gods, rain Cinsault down on me, let me blush in her snappy citric wash!
But I'm getting ahead of myself here. The important thing about tomorrow is that tomorrow is the 28th anniversary of the arrival on this planet of my exquisite, fiery, talented young lady partner, Miss Lisa Marie Cicala! Please join me in letting her know just how stoked we are to have her here with us for another year. As far as any birthday spankings are concerned, gentlemen, if you'd please refrain; ladies, however, just check in with me first and make sure to have a digital camera handy!
Pow! Bang! I gotta million of 'em! ("I'm here all week! Try the veal!") The second big event tomorrow is our Santa Iberia y Cosas Rosas Probacin de Vinos! We will be joined by the sartorial genius, Ryan from Mitchell, who has lately joined us on the fronts of this vinous struggle (upon the shameful abdication of one Peter [last name expunged as per Patriot Act, Sect 456, Par. 23, Lines 34-67]). Ryan's going to be hoisting the Iberian flag, and I'll be hoisting the pink one! I'll grant that "hoisting the pink flag" is perhaps an unfortunate turn of phrase, but I trust that you will all understand it to mean a celebration of ros, and we'll regain properly demure focus and move on.
Ryan will be pouring the following delicious wines:
Broadbent Vinho Verde $9.99
Zaza Rosado $10.99
Legado Munoz Tempranillo $9.99
Mas dels Frares Priorat $18.99
Broadbent Malmsey 5 year $22.49
And at the Cool- I mean, Pink Kids' Table, we will be featuring:
Domaine Sorin "Terra Amata" 2007 $10.99 (France)
40% Grenache, 40% Cinsault, 10% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah.
Monaine de Fontsainte Gris de Gris Corbires Ros 2006 $13.99 (France)
60% Grenache noir and gris, 15% Syrah, 10% Carignan, 10% Mourvdre, 5% Cinsault
<>Luigi Giusti "Le Rose di Settembre" 2006 (Italy)
100% Lacrima di Morro d'Alba
Spago Argento Pink Prosecco Raboso Frizzante $12.99 (Italy)
Prosecco and Raboso, as far as I can find. I'll get the skinny from Doug for the tasting..
...plus I plan to crack single bottles of a gem or two. Maybe d'Arlay Corail? Maybe some Sancerre ros? Maybe some pink Champers? Qui sait?
Listen, it's not hot outside yet- but it will be- and then you'll have a head start on the season's best ross!
Well, I'm not sure what observation to make about the weather this week, friends. I am a bit disconcerted to be sitting here at my desk in ten layers of clothing. In fact, it's a good thing that I spent that winter in Colorado five thousand feet up the hill above Hunter Thompson's place, because it was there I learned these now painfully apposite cold-climate skills. So here I type, my spellcheck smoking a bit from overuse while my frigid fingers quake and shiver over the keyboard. The sky is grey, the flowers have blown off the trees, and some form of frozen water seems to descend on us here in the valley on a daily basis. Oh well. At least there's rock and roll, right? Although I must admit I only cling to rock and roll because of my deep-seeded, pervasive bitterness. Sigh. Sometimes the truth can be libelous, I suppose. Vote McGovern!
Well, one spot of light in this otherwise sad, dismal old world, is the charming, vivacious, and talented young Ursula from McClaskey Wine and Spirits. She has a fabulous array of wines with which to soothe your arid palates, and she'll be pouring them tomorrow, April 18, 2008, right here at John's Market (the throbbing heart of Multnomah Village), in celebration of our It's Friday So Let's Drink Wine Winetasting! This will happen between 5 and 7 pm, so come early, come thirsty, and... hey! Get your minds out of the gutter, people! Shocking, the concupiscence of my reading public! OK, let's put that behind us, shall we?
As I indicated, Urs will be here, with bells on. And, what's more, she will be pouring scrumptious wines from around the world. Think Argentina, Australia, California... Gushy yum yums! But, as is my wont, I wish to focus on myself and my issues (which is how all writers function, by the way, whether they admit it or not), so onward to the Cool Kids' Table!
This week I am delighted to focus in on white wines, current weather notwithstanding. I adore white wine. If I could have only one color of wine on my Desert Island, it would unquestionably be white. I could even narrow it down further to Riesling, but who's asking? I find that, overall, white wine is much more flexible and adaptable than red. On a hot day, or a cold day, with or without food, sweet or dry, sparkling or still, white wine- as a category- has it all. I wouldn't even bother to say something like that, save for the large segment of the wine-loving population who contemn white wines, or plain refuse to drink them. Hell, in Wine For Dummies, the section on red wine begins with something like, "Now we're on to the truly serious wines..." Aargh, my blood boils! Tell that to J.J. Prm, to Didier Dagueneau, to Bruno Colin! Now, I'm not saying these next wines are particularly rapturous, I'm just giving a little love to white wine and a little grief to red. De gustibus non disputandum est, right? (Although that's a crock, honestly- what else do we argue about if not questions of taste?)
Domaine de Mnard Colombard/ Sauvignon 2006 $8.99
Domaine de Montmarin Sauvignon 2006 $8.99
Two delicious southern French country whites celebrating the citric zest and minerality of Sauvignon blanc (and it's organoleptic cousin, Colombard). Perfect summer quaffers.
Quinta das Maias Do Branco 2005 $9.99
This is another one of those wines that I get at reduced prices because I'm a total geek. Also, the wine rocks. "Maias" is Portuguese for scotch broom, and there is indeed a floral hit to this lovely dry wine, made from indigenous local varietals.
Montes Torronts 2006 $10.99
Argentina's answer to Gewurz and Muscat; remember the primer a few weeks ago? Yummy, flowery, and crisp.
Pazen Riesling QBA 2005 $9.99
Pazen Riesling Sptlese Zeltinger Himmelreich 2005 $16.99
Pazen is a great house, making killer Rieslings at killer prices. We bought this wine before the Euro slaughtered the dollar, and "forgot" about it for about a year. Yes, my friends, yes! Pazen Sptlese Riesling is one of my earliest, and best, wine memories. If you're really good I'll bring in some blue cheese and you can weep with joy at the world's yummiest wine combo...
OK! Some things to look for on the horizon are our upcoming High Thursday Events:
The Wines of Clarendon Hills
(date TBD, sometime in May, probably)
This is one of the most prestigious, European-styled houses in Australia, producing wines of such stunning finesse, structure, and excellence that they must be tasted to be believed- really. These are the wines you need to taste if you think you don't like Aussie wines. One of my best customers, upon tasting a few of these wines with me, said, "I have never liked Australian wines. Uh, guess I was drinking the wrong ones." Don't get me wrong, you folks know I love Aussie wines, but there is a vast difference between Clarendon Hills and almost everyone else. Pencil it in and keep posted; this will be a very special tasting. I'll set the date very soon.
Deutscher Terroir: the Dry Rieslings of Germany
Thursday, June 19, 2008 6 to 8 PM
I will be a mere amanuensis at this event, which will be starring my hero, Ewald Moseler. Did you catch the above part where I loved on Riesling? This man is the God of all things Riesling in this state. He and his wines have taught me almost everything I know about Riesling. You know the Germans make brilliant sweet wines, but did you know that Germany now makes the world's finest dry Rieslings as well? Friends, you haven't lived until you try a German Sptlese trocken, a late-harvest wine vinified down to complete dryness. It retains all the minerality, fruit, and plushness of a sweeter wine, but has no sugar... One can almost be guaranteed a near-epiphanous experience at this tasting, given an open mind and a fresh palate. It's likely I'll even have to clock out for it- who wants to spit these wines out? More soon...
Yes, friends, it's April, believe it or not. Given the, what, 3526 inch? snowpack up on the mountain, I'm leaning towards not believing it. But the calendar flexes her implacable muscle, and I must admit the date. Which is to say tomorrow, Friday, April 11, 2008, we will be having our Oh Sh$t It's Just About Taxtime And I Have Not Yet Laundered My Gambling Money Winetasting!
No, no, I have no gambling debts (unless student loans count), although the looming IRS juggernaut is no joke. As such, in cahoots with- and, indeed, hosted by- the elegant, devilishly handsome young Geoff Worden of Henry Wine Group, we will be featuring eminently affordable wines from around the world.
I will let the perspicacious Mr. Worden shill for his own wines here, to wit:
Protocolo Ros 2006 $6.99 (Spain)
Not Ros weather you say? Hah! Ros is appropriate year round- and on my table even in the depths of frigid winter. Ross make me happy. Okay, even if you don't agree, the Oregonian says it will be 73 AND SUNNY on Saturdaygardening with a glass? Grilling with a glass? Perhaps just genuflecting with a glass?
Oxford Landing Viognier 2006 $7.99 (Australia)
All estate fruit from perhaps the best producer of Viognier in Australia, Yalumba, who purchased the property in 1954. Estate fruit from Australia for that price?!?!
Tortoise Creek Pinot Noir 2006 $10.49 (Pays d'Oc, France)
French Pinot noir for a great price, from the same people who started Les Jamelles. A true steal in the world of Pinotwow, what a concept.
Excelsior Cabernet 2005 $9.99 (South Africa)
Round, juicy and surprisingly complex a great house Cabernet, and the 2005 is drinking beautifully. Screwcap closure for easy accessprice goes up May 1...
Wishing Tree Shiraz 2005 $11.49 (Australia)
Lots of Western Australian juice here, which lends a more pronounced pepper note, almost Rhne-style. Underwhelmed by Aussie Shiraz lately, especially at this price? Get your palate ready and hold out your glass, this will be an eye-opener.
Indaba Pinotage 2006 $11.99 (South Africa)
I have no idea why it took us so long to get this fantastic example of Pinotage- South Africa's famous cross of Cinsault and Pinot noir- into our portfolio, but once we did we sold out in less than 2 weeks. Here's the second offering. Pinotage calls out for grilling, or braaing as they call it in South Africa. Their National Braai Day is in Octoberthat doesn't work so well for us here, but Saturday should work well!
Las Rocas Garnacha 2006 $12.49 (Spain)
70-100 year old vines produce this incredible wine, at once juicy and earthy. The 2005 vintage is a fantastic one for Spain, accessible and fruit forward without losing any acidity or structure.
Las Rocas Garnacha Vinyas Viejas 2005 $17.99 (Spain)
These vines are all 100+ years old, from the same vineyards as the above. It offers everything the intro level does, but in a more concentrated, intense form. This is a rare opportunity to taste this wine only 28 six-packs for all of Oregon!
...OK, Riggs here again. Ole Geoffy-geoff did 'im a good job there, heya? Told y'all he was the shizznit. Actually, I don't recall ever previously using the term "shizznit" in an email, yet there it is, and thus is Geoff.
Will there be a Cool Kids' Table? Let's just say one needn't make an examination of scat to determine whether ursine digestion occurs in a sylvan environment...
See you tomorrow!
Apologies! Sorry! I have been gone for the last two days, and in my absence technical difficulties have prevented the newsletter from going out- until now- but, rest assured:
There is indeed a tasting tonight! At the normal time! 5-7, at John's Market...
Though you might have feared otherwise, Mike and I have cobbled together a fun little tasting for you, to wit:
...wait! You've gone this long without knowing! It seems like something of the surprise will be ruined if I tell you what we're pouring at this point...
Hint: Mr. Mike will turn you on to his favorite expensive Italian Pinot, and I've got a killer Aussie BDX Blanc lookalike...
Now get back to work, it ain't the weekend yet!
See you tonight, and sorry again for the super-late 'letter.
Though we pay dearly for these days, in a currency of wind and toothy rain, of sodden snow and choking gutters, this is perhaps the most beautiful time of year. There are few cities in the world that can rival Portland's hyper-concupiscent, swimmingly aromatic flowering trees. Every year I am absolutely swept off my feet by the cherries, the magnolias, the Shiro plums, the apples, the Asian pears... Their estival echo- lines of vines, blackberry and impenetrable- has nothing on this springtime dehiscence. In flagranto delicte ocularum! Flower power, man! Dig it.
And if you're horrified at that little opening salvo (kinda like being buried in a slump of overcooked rotini, I confess), your horror will be in no way assuaged to learn that this week the entire room is going to be the Cool Kids' Table!
That's right, tomorrow, Friday, March 28, 2008, at John's, we will be holding our traditional Oh My Goodness Yes It's Blossom Season Wine Celebration! This little jubilee will go down between the hours of 5 and 8 PM, and will set you back the monstrous sum of $5. That's 75c in Euros, right?
Well, let your sighs not continue, oh ye thirsty friends, lest they be in anticipatory delight, for I have collected quite a special little line-up for your perusal and consumption at tomorrow's event. You don't believe me? Read on...
Jacob's Creek "Steingarten" Riesling 2002 $8.99 (Australia)
This is the most spectacular deal on a dry Riesling I've seen in years. This is a gorgeous, floral Barossa Riesling- and, in case you haven't heard, the New World's best dry Riesling comes from Australia. I don't know any other country that cold produce a wine of this quality, in this style, at anything like this price. Can you tell I like it? This is a wonderful wine!
Villa Wolf Pinot Gris 2006 $10.99 (Germany)
I am silly to have waited so long to try this. These grapes are from the Pfalz, which is just north of Alsace, making it, as you'd guess, good 'Gris country. Bright, opulent fruit hangs on a food-loving, well- defined structure, with a long, minerally finish with maybe a hint of sugar. The kind of wine that makes you grin when you taste it. You guys like Alaskan King Crab?
Heggies Vineyard Chardonnay 2006 $19.99 (Australia)
Everyone knows I loves me some Aussie Chard. A wine from this producer was one of the factors setting me on that sinful path years ago, I confess. This single-vineyard Chardonnay comes from one of Australia's highest vineyards, 550 meters above the Southern Ocean. Don't come into it wishing for inox, 'cause inox it ain't, but once you wrap your tongue around this wine it's hard to let go. Gushing, buxom Aussie fruit is balanced against starry acidity, the whole framed by mouthwatering barrel opulence (yeah, I just said that). Sorry this talker got so casual- it's them Ozzy woines, mate! Nae woorries!
Dme. Roc de Chteauvieux Pinot Noir Vin de Pays du Jardin de la France 2006 $9.99
That's such a pretty way to name your vineyards that I had to write the whole thing out. The Garden in question happens to be the Loire Valley, where a fair amount of Pinot, often made into ros, is grown. This is a great little value in everyday Pinot Noir. The label is an experience unto itself, advising you that "the citrus fruits flavours on the palate is supple yet rich." That's what she said! Ouch, can I get a rim shot please? I'm here all week, people, try the veal, it's to die for...
Tamar Ridge "Devil's Corner" Pinot Noir 2006 $14.99 (Tasmania)
Named after an infamous rapid on the Tamar (pronounced Tay-mar, by the way) River, this Pinot is actually quite civilized. Tasmania is largely a temperate rainforest and is blessed by a climate similar to our own, and some of Australia's finest Pinots- no longer an oxymoron- are being grown here. This one is a study in purity, grace, and varietal precision, with compelling undertones of forest floor.
Amity Pinot Noir 2006 $24.99 (Willamette Valley)
Myron's Rieslings are epic, and his Gewurz is a song, all roses and Buddha's hand citron, but you, my friends, are a Pinot crowd, and therefore (because I love you, even though you abuse me savagely, sigh) we're going to revisit this absolutely delicious Pinot Noir. Textbook, classic, and unmistakably Oregonian in provenance, capable of an effortless several years of cellaring, yet open and yielding now, this is a beautiful piece of vinous work. Not to be missed.
Magnon "La Dmarrante" Vin de Pays de la Valle du Paradis 2006 $21.49 (you know whence)
Another lovely appellation name, this one describing the vineyards northwest of Perpignan, rising around a little river that flows into a little tang along the Mediterranean. This wine shows the breathtaking, sexy rosepetals-and-blood heights to which well-made, old-vine Carignan can aspire- and, here, attain. This is why I love French wine.
OK, it's getting a bit late, time to go have some dinner with the family. We'll see you tomorrow!
Wa-hoo-wa, say my Charlottesville friends, a bit cavalier in their colloquial huzzah, it's true, but still most emotive, and, in fact, I gotta say it again: wa-hoo-wa! ...because I have solved the hideous, nasty, subversive little flaw that prevented me from speaking directly with you last week. But my detailed, assiduous efforts have swept away the middleman, much like Martin Luther. Although, rest assured, friends, neighbors, and countrymen (/-women), it is no personal apotheosis I describe, but rather a testament to my reverence and respect for all of you. Or at least for you all as a unified whole. And I do hope all my carefully crafted puns there were observed and appreciated...
This week we are quite pleased to be hosting the stars of southern Oregon, the Umpqua Valley's own Brandborg Winery. We've known about their Northern Reach Pinot- and loved it- for some time, but I was astounded to find the impeccable quality to be found throughout their portfolio. At a recent tasting of southern Oregon wines, their table was easily the best there- and I should point out that some heavy hitters (read: Abacela) were there as well, so it was not for lack of competition. If you would like more detailed information on these wines, scroll down to the bottom of this message, where I've appended detailed notes. We will be featuring:
Pinot Gris 2005 $12.99
What a value! Delicious, dry, and clean.
"Or Blanc" 2006 $14.99
An Alsatian field blend consisting of Gewrztraminer, Riesling, and Pinot gris.
"Benchlands" Pinot Noir 2006 $22.99
"Northern Reach" Pinot Noir 2004 $19.99
"Love Puppets" Pinot Noir 2006 $30.99
No one that I know of is making better Oregon Pinot outside the "classic" areas than Brandborg.
No one is coming close, really...
Syrah 2004 $20.99
Gorgeous, peppery, and expressive, like baby Cornas. This is one of my top three extra-Gallic Syrahs. And the price just got ridiculously low.
And the Cool Kids' Table is back, after having weathered the Apaltagua storm, where scores of enraged Oregon-Pinot-lovers attacked my desk, savagely beating me in the head with 1.5's of Cooks and waterboarding me with late-harvest, botrytized Chilean Riesling. And, normally you have to pay extra for that! But, as I said, we're back, and have slavishly- I mean, carefully- conformed to the dictates of today's wine trends in selecting these few wines for your perusal:
Tamar Torronts 2006 $12.99 (Argentina)
First of all, pronunciation. The stress on the first two above words is on the final syllable: tah-mah-REE toh-ron-TESS. OK, geek-out now done with, we can move on to the grape itself, the lovely, floral Torronts. Torronts is native to northwestern Spain and northern Portugal, and in fact can be found in Vinho Verde and some Galician white blends today. But its adopted home is Argentina, where it can develop into a coquettish little white that combines the best qualities of Gewurz and Muscat, all cascading, sunny flower petals. Gorgeous and light.
Voyager Estate Chardonnay 2005 $10.99 (Margaret River, Australia)
You need to go into this knowing two things: firstly, it's from Margaret River, whence come Australia's most European wines; and, secondly, due to incredibly poor marketing on the part of some folks in Miami who will remain nameless, I can now sell this fresh, current-release wine to you at half price! If Brandborg's Syrah is baby Cornas, this is baby Meursault. For real. And, yes, it has oak, but it also has razor-sharp acidity, gushing, erotic funk, and starry, blushing minerality, so there!
Pennautier Cabards 2006 $9.99 (France)
This ludicrous value, made by Bertrand Seube, formerly of Chteau Mouton-Rothschild, is made using a blend of "Bordeaux" and "Rhone" varietals. Amazing red wine at this price.
OK, we'll see you there! Make sure to ask about the yummy new Loire Valley (not Chilean) Pinot noir I'll have stacked at $10 a bottle, and stay tuned for upcoming High Thursday Events.
Read on for detailed Brandborg notes, provided by their distributors Vineria Italia. That means this part is totally [sic], man...
Brandborg Vineyard and Winery
345 First Street
PO Box 506
Elkton, OR 97436
Phone 541-584-2870 Fax 541-584-2871
Email: sue@brandborgwine.com
www.brandborgwine.com
2005 Umpqua Valley Pinot Gris
Our Pinot Gris is modeled after the Tokay d' Alsace. There it is one of the most highly recommended accompaniments to food. Our style creates a wine with good body, a full mouthfeel, moderately high alcohol and great fruit character without excessive floral bouquet. This varietal responds best to deep soils with high mineral content. That perfectly describes our vineyard source, Melrose Vineyards, an alluvial bench along the banks of the South Umpqua River. We ferment the wine cold to preserve fruit, acidity and freshness. This wine exhibits a spiciness of aroma with a strong note of pineapple. The flavors abound with tropical fruits of bananas, mangos and baked green apples. The crisp acidity and long lingering finish make this wine a perfect companion to oysters on the half shell, fresh Dungeness crab or grilled wild salmon with a lemony cilantro pesto sauce.
Bottled April 2006 577 cases 13.8% alcohol by volume
2006 Or Blanc Oregon White Wine
This wine is our homage to the white wine blends of Alsace. Our region's climate is very similar to that of Alsace. 2006 brought a bumper crop to us and we began to think of a blended white, enabling us to bottle a larger batch than our single varieties would allow. The resulting blend is 37% Gewrztraminer, 32% Riesling and 31% Pinot gris. Each of these varietals contributes a distinctive element to the blend. The aromatics are driven by the floral qualities of the Gewrztraminer. The full body and lingering mouthfeel comes from the ripe and rich Pinot gris. Riesling contributes to the clean acidity. This wine is bursting with fresh white peaches, grapefruit, honeysuckle and lemon blossoms. There is a touch of sweetness .8%, bright fresh acid and a long lingering finish. This pleasing summertime sipper has everything going for it.
Bottled May 2007 1,372 cases cork free 14.1% alcohol by volume
2006 Umpqua Valley Bench Lands Pinot noir
We source fruit from a number of vineyards for this blend, all with close proximity to the Umpqua River. Some sites have stony alluvial river soils, some have sedimentary clays. All are influenced by the cool maritime air and fog that are drawn daily inland preserving fresh berry/cherry fruit and bright acidity. The wine is a beautiful garnet red rimmed with violet. The aroma is lush with dark cherry, blue berry and ripe plums. The bouquet is filled with toast and spice, showing nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves. The flavors abound with blueberries and cranberries with overtones of pomegranate with dark cherries. The mouthfeel is full, pleasing and warm with a long toasty finish. All of our pintos are made the same way. Small lots are fermented separately with hand punch downs, gently pressed and barreled "dirty" to 100% French oak, 33% new. This allows us to stir the lees and build structure and mouthfeel, while maintaining the minerality inherent in Umpqua Valley fruit. We feel this wine is a great value and should be enjoyed regularly. Experiment with pairings, but right now I can imagine it with rotisserie grilled game hens stuffed with lemons, garlic and rosemary.
2961 cases bottled cork free September 2007 14.3% alcohol by volume
2004 Northern Reach Pinot Noir
Our Northern Reach Pinot Noir is sourced from two vineyards in the most northern and coolest reaches of the Umpqua Valley. The Bradley Vineyard in Elkton, the most maritime climate found in the AVA, is planted to own rooted Wdensvil. The Red Hill Vineyard is the most continental type climate found in our area and at 1300 feet one of the coolest. From here we source primarily Pommard clones. This wine is very Burgundian in character with good acidity, structure and balance. The aromas and bouquet are very full with tar, cinnamon, nutmeg, wild forest herbs, lavender and mushrooms with plum jam. The fruit in the nose is very dark cherry and blackberry. All carry through across the palate. The wine has a nice well balanced mid-palate, soft integrated tannins and a long lingering finish. It will serve well with variety of meat, lamb or duck dishes, grilled with herbed rubs or long simmered in savory sauces.
Bottled September 2005 958 cases 13.7% alcohol by volume
2006 Pinot Noir "Love Puppets" Retail $30
The wine is deeply colored with hues of ruby and purple around the edges. The aromas and bouquet are warm and inviting with candied sour cherries, blackberries, persimmon pudding and spice cake with notes of racy oak toast. The flavors revolve around great dark cherry fruit. The mouthfeel is nothing short of voluptuous. This wine coats the mouth with a warm pleasing impression that lasts and lasts and lasts. There are well integrated very fine tannins that are nicely balanced by refreshing acidity. This wine is the real deal, a very decadent and hedonistic Pinot noir. All of the grapes in this wine come from our favorite dry farmed vineyards, all with yields of less than two tons per acre. The resulting structure is phenomenal. 2006 is going to prove to be a fabulous vintage for Pinot noir in the Umpqua Valley and this wine represents the best of the grapes we bring in from our diverse growers.
800 cases bottled September 13, 2007 14.3% alcohol by volume
2004 Syrah
This wine is a blend of fruit from the Marshanne Vineyard near Oakland and the Fox Hill Vineyard located north of Cole Road, close to the hamlet of Umpqua, with a perfect southern aspect. Both contribute unique qualities to this wine. We find earthy, toasty, meaty nuances in the Marshanne fruit and intense black pepper, with blueberries and damson plums in the Fox Hill fruit. These flavor characteristics blend seamlessly in this wine and our oak treatment of 100% small French barrels, 33% new, lends a perfect balance of spice and vanillin richness. The wine has good body and texture with a nice round mouth feel and a welcoming long, lingering finish. The acidity and sumptuous fruit make this wine a wonderful accompaniment to slow roasted meats, game and flavorful grilled steak.
Bottled September 2005 599 cases 13.5% Alcohol
Retail $27.00 Case $291.60
John's Market Tasting $5.00 ...5-7 today Friday
Oh yes, friends and neighbors, Spring is indeed in the air, and though that aforementioned air remains somewhat sodden, somewhat like a pile of towels in a sauna in terms of its general drip-drop dampness, there is no mistaking the change of season. Our ubiquitous rain's lash and sting has mellowed into chilly little pecks on the cheek. Lascivious little crocus and andromeda hang, pendulous and soft, their perfumes spinning out into the air like love-notes written on spiderwebs... Yummy and clean and fresh and yet somehow compelling and naughty, like a hair-cut kid looking up the hairdresser's sleeve for a stolen glimpse of brassiere, or, rather, like her smile and cocked eyebrow when he's caught. Ahhh, printemps!
And how better to celebrate springtime's blushing advent than with the wines of Eastern Oregon's own Quenett Winery? The two go hand-in-hand, I'd say, right? You don't think so? OK, here's a little free association test for you... March in Oregon... HA! Gotcha! Don't tell me you didn't immediately think Redd Red!
The accomplished, multi-talented, and handsome young Richard Giunchigliani will be joining us tomorrow to present his wines. The line-up will include, among others:
Redd Red 2004 $11.99
In a world of skyrocketing prices, this wine, perhaps my favorite of its kind, is a ludicrous value. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah... but with structure, balance, class, and restraint. Maximum R & B. Rewards the dollars spent, and benefits the tongue, that is.
Barbera 2004 $18.99
Ranks right up there with Jim Clendenen's Bricco Buon Natale line for my favorite extra-Italian Barbera. Crispy and bright and varietally correct.
Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 $18.99
Serious, well-made, and delicious. And, remember, it's almost grilling weather...
Reserve Zinfandel 2004 $27.99
One of my favorite Zins, this one is full of bright raspberry flavors, but these flavors are hung on a gorgeous, almost European frame.
...and there are rumors of newer vintages, of Sangiovese, and of a Zin "normale"...
As for the Cool Kids' Table... well, rest assured that it will be well-stocked... 1985 DRC? 1974 Martha's Vineyard? Declassified 1943 Boise AVA Chenin Blanc Ice Wine? Who knows...
HIGH THURSDAY CELEBRATION: PIEMONTE
This will be a special tasting of the wines of Piedmont, in northern Italy, with a focus on the Nebbiolo wines of Barbaresco. Our guest and guide will be Ellen Dull of Lemma Wines, discussing and pouring, among others, single-vineyard offerings from Produttori di Barbaresco. The entry fee will be $20, and the tasting will run from 6 to 8 PM. I'll send out a more detailed email next week, but mark it on your calendars now- you won't want to miss it!
THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2008
at John's Marketplace
6-8 PM
$20
PIEMONTE!
Happy Weekend's Advent, friends, neighbors, and general email-reading public! I'm in a cheerful mood despite the mountains of wine that have piled up while I attended several events this week, perhaps mainly due to the last of the events, which I attended yesterday.
I was incredibly lucky to have been invited to taste through the Riesling library of Myron Redford of Amity Wines. That crazy pioneer of organic viticulture- and as recently as my entry into the business back in 1998 people were still saying that was fiscally impossible- invited me and a select few others out to his lovely property on a ridge overlooking the Willamette River and the Cascades from St. Helens to the Sisters, where we were treated to an array of wines dating back to 1977. Lunch was "coq au Riesling" (fabulous salmon sausage for this crazy ovo-lacto-pesco), noodles with oyster mushrooms, and a salad featuring walnuts from the property. These wines were an amazing exposition of the ageability of Riesling; not a one was over the hill, and we tasted thirty-five wines, dry and sweet. There will be a tribute to this event at the Cool Kids' Table- read on for more details.
Speaking of Riesling, make sure to check out my article on that perfect grape in the March issue of the Oregon Wine Press, for which fine publication I happen to be a freelance writer. Imagine that!
So, without further ado, I announce the Friday Night Leitz Tribute to Indian Spring (which will not feature Leitz Riesling), to be held Friday, February 29, 2008, from 5 to 7 PM, at John's Marketplace in the passionate beating heart of Multnomah Village. We will be graced by the presence of the Peripatetic Buddhist, Gordon Rappole of Mount Hood Beverages, who will be pouring:
Whitehaven Sayvignon Blanc 2006 $17.99 (New Zealand)
Yummy, snappy Kiwi Sauv Blanc at a good price.
Vinosia Primitivo 2006 $9.99 (Italy)
This is my favorite Primitivo. And, by the way, Primitivo is Zinfandel, just as Shiraz is Syrah. An actual expert (rather than the many people who have read an article on the subject once) told me, I promise!
Rancho Zabaco Heritage 2006 $12.99 (California)
Delicious Zinfandel from the house offering some of the finest values in the varietal.
Louis Martini Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 $13.99 (California)
Louis Martini Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 $22.99 (California)
The Martini crew make excellent Cabernet Sauvignon, expressive of its source, at a good price. This is unabashedly New World wine, but made with structure and pedigree.
And, at the Cool Kids' Table, we'll have an amazing value in southern French red wine, a ludicrously good Aussie Chard, and much, much more, including:
Amity Vineyards Dry Riesling 1995 $24.99 (Oregon)
This is the tribute to my trip yesterday. Glorious, impeccable, rich, minerally... My notes read, "deep and fleshy; blueberry skins, wonderful up-font sweetness and minerality, effortless length. Peaches, awesome acid." If it sounds like the description of a 1960s love affair, maybe it should. And, get this, this thirteen-year-old wine needs to open for at least an hour before it really shows off, and after five hours...oh, my. ...not that it would last that long... Glorious food wine. I have a very limited supply of this that Myron was gracious enough to sell me from his cellar, so I will only be opening one bottle - come early if you want to try it. I will have decanted it for you, never fear...
Compatriots, I am sorry to say that I will not be with you this Friday, as I will be attending to the montane needs of my fair partner's family, a couple thousand feet up in the firry mountains around Hood. At the five o'clock hour I will doubtless be shooshing my way down to the lodge, where a soft-eyed young blonde will bring me a nipper of peppermint schnapps and a pint of Ice Axe to go with my calamari. I'll lean casually back in my chair, the world my oyster... and then I will be wracked by a pang of hideous guilt, because I will have abandoned you, my beloved customers, my parched co-slurpers, my brothers and sisters of the Vinous Writ!
LUCKILY, then, I will have already set something up to stagger drowsily along in my absence. Or, to be more temporally exact, I have already done so. The charming and most un-aptly named young Ellen Dull from Lemma Wines will be here pouring a selection of delights from Washington, to wit:
River Aerie Pinot Gris 2006 $11.99
Nothing gets my whistle whetted like Washingtonian Pinot Gris!
River Aerie Sangiovese 2006 $14.99
...unless it's Washingtonian Sangiovese!
Cuneo "Bricco" 2005 $15.99
Delicious Italianate blend from the Columbia Basin. Sangiovese-driven, elegant, and fine.
Saviah "The Jack" 2006 $15.99
Try it again for the first time, right? A hit when we debuted it a John's a few weeks ago, this Cab/ Merlot blend delivers boatloads of quality at a great price.
Arbor Crest Merlot 2004 $15.99
90 POINTS SPECTATOR! 90 POINTS SPECTATOR! Good wine, bad label.
And who knows what that exotically handsome young bundle of sass and wit, Bascom the Kid, will have out at the Cool Kids' Table. Usually when I'm gone he raids his cellar and, oh, look at that! out comes the 1994 Clos Electrique! Fingers crossed, amici e amice....
See you next week, hopefully with all extremities intact!
Friends, I'm sorry, I'm having a little trouble typing this afternoon, as there's this big, white-yellow ball hanging in the sky, and it's just so bright, and so strange, that I can't concentrate... Yes, indeed, counter-intuitively, that's the sun. It seems that every February we get this little taste of spring (Indian Spring?), which, though lovely, only seems to add to the misery of the next eighteen sodden weeks through which we'll be suffering here presently. But, despair not, as I've got just the cure:
Oh thirsty wanderers, camelbacks bursting with Tocai, feet heavy with Falanghina, stumble blearily with me into mid-February, where, right here at John's Marketplace, on Friday, February 15, 2008, between 5 and 7 PM, you can enjoy our Thank God the Days Are Getting Longer Winetasting! And, despite the savage Euro, it will still only cost you five dollars.
This week we have the unexpected pleasure of having Geoff Worden from Henry Wine Group with us. He will be featuring some of the amazing Italian wines of Vino Bravo, a company owned by the hyper-talented, peripatetic young David Scott. Scott's company sources wines made from autochthonous varietals- which is to say indigenous Italian grapes that otherwise might have faced extinction in the onrushing tide of momentarily sexier "international" vines. Geoff will be pouring:
Saba Plauso Trebbiano d'Abruzzo 2005 $14.49
This unctuous, gorgeous, minerally-maritime gem is such a ludicrous value that I hesitate to describe it further...
Grillo Tocai Friulano 2005 $23.99
100% stainless steel fermentation allows the Tocai to strut and preen with a wash of floral brightness. One of the most expressive Tocai I have tasted.
Saba Plauso Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2005 $14.49
Wonderful Montepulciano of elegant structure and dazzling breadth of flavors. Surprising for its lack of oak and freshness of fruit, this is much juice.
Grillo Schioppetino 2004 $31.49
Schioppetino (pron. skyoh-peh-tee-no), its name derived from the Italian for "gunshot," is a local Friulano varietal of breathtaking complexity and bloody richness. Rare and delicious.
Not that such an act can be followed, but it can be complemented (and complimented, for that matter). So, on to the Cool Kids' Table and its l'il offerings:
Chteau Val Joanis Rserve les Griottes Ctes du Luberon 2003 $22.49
Gorgeous wine from southern France, composed of Syrah and Grenache. Les franais disent, "La cuve "Les Griottes" est un vin puissant, par d'une robe rouge pourpre, brillante et limpide. Le nez est expressif et porte sur la rglisse, le poivre et les fruits rouges. Une bouche marque par les fruits rouges, des notes d'pices et une finale lgrement vanille." Exactly!
Amity Willamette Valley Pinot noir 2006 $24.99
Myron and Darcy make a formidable pair, as you can taste in this knockout of a young Pinot. This ain't yer grandpa's Amity no more, friends. Linking his esoteric brilliance with microbiological precision has made Amity a force with which to be reckoned.
Upcoming High Thursday events include Piemonte, Clarendon Hills, and a dry Riesling tasting... Stay tuned for information as it becomes available.
We'll see you there! And if you don't want this newsletter, let me know and you won't get it anymore.
Well, friends, the weekend thrums apace, its nearly sub-aural advent ringing like dark thunder in the ole noggin, and that can only mean one thing! Well, to be honest, it could probably mean a number of things, to wit: underhydration, plate tectonic motion sickness, self-conscious hipster ennui, the onset of the bitter reality that is life without football (wait! are those last two things mutually exclusive?), or maybe just a hangover. That said, I choose to glass-half-full things when I can, and as such I am going to go with the far more apposite (at least to the idea of an informative newsletter in which one gets an idea of what's going down in the Multnomahverse, specifically with regards to wine at John's) interpretation, which is that that low hum- almost more a texture than a sound, but that's neither here nor there- is, in fact, the tap-tap-tap of the hatchling on its egg!
In the interest of ornithological precision, the young bird, in this case, is the John's Marketplace Friday Night Wine Celebration! To be held from 5 to 7 PM on Friday, February 8, 2008! 5 dolla no holla (though, if you're lucky, there might be challah)! Dilute! Dilute! OK!
This week we will be joined by the lovely, the talented, the inimitable Ursula from McClaskey's! She will be digging deep into their famous coffers to draw forth some of the most delicious wines available anywhere in the western world. And, to render the above use of the word informative at least somewhat bona fide, I will list these wines:
Rotari Sparkling Ros Metodo Classico NV $12.99
The old standby! 75% Pinot Nero, 25% Chardonnay. Dry and quite well-made. Try it again for the first time!
Bivio Pinot Grigio delle Venezie 2006 $12.99
New to the Portland market, this northern Italian Grigio is charming and light, with nice minerality and body.
Castello Monaci "Liante" Salice Salentino 2006 $11.99
Composed of Negroamaro and Malvasia nera, this rich, spicy, Puglian red is one of those great southern Italians your mom warned you about. Perfect for pasta puttanesca w/ kalamatas!
Shingleback McLaren Vale Shiraz 2004 $19.99
I like this wine because the winemaker took me to a great lunch at Typhoon. Am I kidding or not? Even when I say I am (and I am), you won't believe me until you've tried this yummy wine for yourself. Plus (and this is the most important thing), it just got 91 points in Wine Enthusiast. I mean, why bother with trusting me when you've got it in print? Right?
...but, rest assured, you glow-eyed gang of savage beauties, there will be a discrete- if somewhat indiscreet- display over at the Cool Kids' Table, and you are invited! I will not list these wines, but I will say that they are not only exquisite, but fabulous values as well (including a 1998 Rioja Reserva for around $14, hint hint).
HIGH THURSDAY ANNOUNCEMENT:
Thursday, January 31, 2008, 6 to 8 PM
!!MALBEC!!
$20
Malbec, despite its earlier preponderance in the vineyards of Bordeaux, had for years languished as the forgotten cousin of the eminently sexier Cabernets and Merlot. Happily, visionary winemakers across the New World- and a few stalwarts in the Old- have revivified Malbec, carving for it a proud new identity. We now enjoy a time when Malbec is in full renaissance, and wonderful examples from across the globe are available to us now. In addition to the line-up below, there are rumors of a stray vertical or two waiting in the wings, so strap on your raincoat and head on out to John's Marketplace, where, for the ludicrously affordable price of twenty dollars, you can sample some of the finest examples of le Malbec we can find.
A really nice way to warm up on a cold, wet, blustery Multnomah evening is with a few friends and a glass of dark, spicy, plush red wine. Right? To give you a little extra time to fight through the traffic, the tasting will run from 6 to 8 PM.
We begin, as in any empirical study (and, thanks to the Spectator and others, we now know that the appreciation of fine wine is indeed a quantifiable experience), with a control:
2004 Trapiche Oak Cask Malbec $9.99 (Argentina)
The benchmark, in the learned opinion of my favorite resident Argentinophile.
And now, to work!
CAHORS
Château du Cayrou Cahors 2000 $19.99
Gorgeous, youthful Cahors (to put this wine in context, we also sell the 1982, which is drinking beautifully right now) made from 100% ancient Malbec vines.
Cosse Maisonneuve "Les Laquets" 2002 $33.99
Cahors of head-swimming elegance and richness, grown on a high plateau from old vines. I quote, "Voici une remarquable découverte pour les amateurs de Cahors, désireux de trouver la pure expression du cépage malbec sur un terroir à dominante calcaire. Ils travaillent en biodynamie retranscrivant tout le potentiel de ce terroir, et élèvent le vin, en fût de chêne, durant de nombreux mois pour dompter la richesse et la puissance de la matière. Un vin de garde par excellence."
WALLA WALLA
Ash Hollow Walla Walla Malbec 2004 $38.99
Made, in part, by Steve Clifton of renowned Santa Barbara winery Brewer-Clifton, this wine bears its maker's trademark stamp of elegance and finesse.
Beresan Walla Walla Malbec 2005 $29.99
A wonderful, complex wine that, along with the urgings of a regular customer, provided the inspiration for this tasting. Sourced from Stone Valley Vineyard.
ARGENTINA
La Posta del Viñatero Malbec Paulucci Vineyard 2005 $16.99
These vines, grown at 3200 feet elevation, were 34 years old in 2005, and produced a deep, extracted wine of great complexity. The wine sees ten months in French wood, of which 20% is new, and 80% one year old.
BenMarco Malbec 2005 $19.99
Composed of 90% Malbec and 10% Bonarda, from 20-year-old vines growing at an average of 3350 feet, this wine sees 11 months in new French and 1-year-old American barriques.
Susana Balbo Malbec 2005 $24.99
Susana Balbo is the First Lady of Malbec, a rarity not only for her genius and longevity, but also for her gender as a female winemaker in the male-dominated Argentine wine industry. This gorgeous wine is 90% Malbec and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, from 29-year-old vines growing at 3300 feet. It saw 13 months in 80% new French, and 20% second-use American barriques.
Catena Alta Malbec 2004 $49.99
This blockbuster, old-vine Malbec comes from four vineyards in the Andes foothills, located between 2850 and 4725 feet. Rare, special juice.
If you think you'll be arriving late, please call us and let us know you're on your way (503-244-2617), in case we try to abscond with these wines to the local steakhouse... Just kidding! But do call with any questions you have.
We hope to see you there!
Having just been viciously castigated on the bricks of downtown Carlton by brilliant winemaker and notorious bon-vivant Andrew Rich, I lay weeping in shame, my tears forming salty stalactites in the bitter wind, and looked up at the faade of the Tyrus Evan tasting room. The feathers of an epiphany were brushing against my mind. What was it? Who was I, really? I begged for an answer from the uncaring sky... What role do I play in this gory, garish, Gaud world of prostitution and the ersatz?
At first, there was only the sound of my girlish sobs, but then, bell-like, the answer rang in the air, its impact reverberating in my spine:
I'm the dude who writes the newsletters at John's Market.
The liberation of this knowledge shook me deeply. I immediately smashed the window of a Geo Metro that had been painted to resemble a bottle of pink Tabula Rasa, whipped up a sharp little hotwire job- a skill I learned while living on the streets of Boise- and set off for the Greater Portland Metropolitan Area. A new dream glowed in my breast, a new fire lit my bloodshot eyes. There was nothing but this goal, this shining instant of boundless possibility that flickered and gleamed before me like an Aleutian lighthouse.
Unfortunately, in my haste to get my Neal Cassady on, I forgot that I had actually driven my girlfriend's Celica out to Carlton in the first place. Oh well, I hear Ken Wright's using it now to haul organic fertilizer, and my heart was in the right place, i.e. on route back to my laptop to begin the artisanal, painstaking process that is this newsletter. So, without further ado (or, as I saw it in ESPN the Magazine,
without further adieu), let's to it:
Friends and lovers, neighbors feindlich and freundlich, cynical suicide counselors, bliss-ninny repo women, poets, police, penguins, and savagely partisan political pollsters, in short, you, the Extended John's Market Wino Family, be ye hearty, be ye hale, be ye welcome (but most importantly, be ye on time) to this week's Sure The Wines Rocked Last Week But Andrew Rich Who Didn't Even Bother To Show Up Yet Complained About The Curtness Of The Newsletter Nonetheless Winetasting! It will take place from 5 to 7 PM, you know where!
As I mentioned before, the talented young Justin from King's Ridge will be pouring a selection of their excellent wines (which bear no relation to a similarly regally-named Oregon winery), those being:
King's Ridge Pinot Gris 2005 $12.99
King's Ridge Riesling 2006 $12.99
King's Ridge Pinot Noir 2006 $15.99
King's Ridge
Shiraz/ Merlot 2004 $12.99
These are all delicious wines. The Riesling, in particular, is special, sourced from a vineyard planted with some of the state's oldest fruit. The Pinots Gris and Noir are also from the Valley here, whereas the Shiraz/ Merlot is from down south.
The Cool Kids' Table will display its recently wonted excellence, as, no doubt, per your expectations. Its lovely offering just might include:
Marotti Campi "Salmarino" Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Riserva 2005 $14.49
Just call it Salmarino (named for the tower around which the grapes grow), and enjoy its plush, minerally wash of white lilies, almonds, and lemon zest. The Platonic ideal of dry Italian white wine, to borrow a phrase from my erstwhile fearless leader.
Brampton Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 $9.99 (Stellenbosch, South Africa)
Well, I got over my embarrasingly nave concerns about the connection between South Africa's wine
industry and apartheid, and have finally come to realize- and be increasingly excited by- the wines from this most beautiful of wine countries. All I'll say is, this Cab is absolutely breathtaking at this price; dollar for dollar, it has no rival in this store (or, as far as I know, in the Portland market). And we got the last 16 bottles!
Mil Piedras Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 $10.99 (Mendoza, Argentina)
I can hear it now, "You said that South African Cab was the best in the store, but this Argentine one blows it away. Mr. Riggs, you're a bad wine steward. We are disappointed with you in the utmost." Oh well. Take a number, people.
Bago de Touriga "Terroso" Douro $11.49 (Portugal)
Yummy, fruit-driven Portuguese wine with a mineral, earthy undertone. Made from grapes whose names I will have memorized by tomorrow's tasting.
Senoro de P. Pecia Rioja 2006 $13.99 (Spain)
Delicious, rustic, yet super-clean Tempranillo with a touch of Mazuelo,
done entirely in tank with no wood contact.
Castello di Verduno Langhe Nebbiolo 2006 $21.99 (Piemonte)
These guys make some of the silkiest, most elegant Nebbiolo that a normal human can afford. This one shows almost Burgundian texture and balance, but with textbook varietal flavors of violets, cherries, and blood.
HIGH THURSDAY ANNOUNCEMENT:
MALBEC!! JANUARY 31, 2008
I am pleased to finally set a date for our gala Malbec tasting: next Thursday, January 31, from 6 until 8 PM. The price will likely be $20, but could soar to $25 if we decide to pour some extra-special stuff. Trapiche Oak Cask and Cahors will serve as points of departure. Expect wine from Walla Walla, from the highest vineyards in the world, from ancient vines, and even more like treats. This is going to be a fabulous tasting peopled with rich, extracted, muscular wines- perfect for a cold winter's evening. Stay tuned; I'll finalize the menu early next week and send out a special
email...
...and don't forget to check out Mr. Riggs' rock and roll band The Bad Trees, opening up for Jay Somers (the superstar winemaker from J. Christopher) and Poncho Luxurio, at the Goodfoot Lounge (2845 SE Stark), on Wednesday, February 20 at 9PM sharp! You can preview the Trees' music by visiting www.myspace.com/badtrees ... Expect more shameless self-promotion in the upcoming weeks!
And, as a post scriptum, this week is the first time I have sent this newsletter out from my own computer, having finally been given the keys to the kingdom's addy list. So, if there are any problems (like you asked to be removed and have not yet been), please excuse me, and let me know what they are, that I might not repeat them...
More - Mr. Mike's Wine Gift Ideas
Some Cool Stuff we have in stock, and would make great gifts to the wine geeks in your life, ...these are all special wines. -Mr. Mike
Kopke 3 decade port sampler pack ($120.00), holiday offer:
Kopke 1991 Colheita 375mL Reg. $27.00
Kopke 1980 Colheita 375mL Reg. $50.00
Kopke 1977 Colheita 375mL Reg. $70.00
THE CULT OF PORT!! KOPKE!
Founded in 1638, Kopke is the oldest Port house still in existence. Specializing in old Tawny & Colheita (vintage Port matured entirely in wooden casks) style Port, Kopke is the undisputed champion of elegantly crafted, traditional Port. Only recently has this great estate become available in the Portland market. Unlike most Port producers, who export over 90% of their wine to the UK & US, Kopke Ports are largely consumed within Portugal & the rest of Europe. With centuries of experience, Kopke provides drinkers with the most authentic, unadulterated Ports available today. (These are half bottles...Full 750m Ml btls available by advance e-mail request only.)
Colheita's are essentially vintage-dated Tawny Ports and are very rare, .05% of all Port production.
(It is a great price ...$120.00 -save $27.00 off the retail prices of these wines.)
We have some nice decanters already in boxes for $27.00. We also carry some Reidel stemware.
The best Chardonnay in our store...
Michel Juillot 2004 Mercurey 1.5L Magnums!!! $65.00 ....2 bottle available (Also available in single bottles at $32.50)
Unbelievable finesse and harmony, without any obtrusive oakiness or over-extraction, this is flat out great white wine. Be a white wine hero and bring this to your holiday gathering.....-Mr. Mike
...also still available
Chateau Montelena 2004 Napa -Chardonnay $35.00
Newton 2003 Napa -Chardonnay "Unfiltered" $50.00
Produttori del Barbaresco 2001 Sampler Pack - 4 bottles $115.00 (one each of the following)
2001 was arguably the best year for Barbaresco in a generation. These wines are highly desirable cellar candidates for the beginning wine enthusiast in your family.
Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Pora Riserva 750ml 2001 Reg. $37.00 Tanzer: 92 points
Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Moccagatta Riserva 750ml 2001 Reg. $37.00 Wine Spectator 92 points "Intense aromas of mineral, berries and tar. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a long, fresh finish. ...The 2001 Barbaresco Riserva Moccagatta displays an open-knit nose with considerable sweetness, if less definition than the Rio Sordo. It is medium to full-bodied Barbaresco made in a more fruit-driven style with alluring notes of macerated cherries ..."
Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Montestefano Riserva 750ml 2001 Reg. $37.00 Wine Spectator 92 points "Intense raspberry and strawberry aromas. Full-bodied, with fine tannins, a silky texture and a long, long finish. Elegant and structured."
Included in the pack is this best "regular" wine ever made by Produttori: the 2003 vintage. This was the year they put all the Riserva wine in the regular bottling.
Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco (Normale) 750ml 2003 Reg. $24.00 Parker 91 points: "...rich and expansive...packed with heady sensations of spices...followed by deep layers of super ripe-fruit..excellent concentration and fleshiness." -WA 10.31.06
About these wines....
"Produttori del Barbaresco was founded in 1958, by the then priest of the town, Don Fiorino Marengo, a wine-loving cleric who saw the cooperative as a way to draw together the 19 original nonbottling grapegrowers in his parish. The cooperative produced its first three vintages in the church's basement before moving to the newly built winery across the square. Today the cooperative numbers 56 growers who farm 242 acres of vineyards out of a total of 578 vineyard acres in the commune of Barbaresco. Average annual production is around 35,000 cases, 35 percent of which are single-vineyard riservas. Produttori del Barbaresco produces nine single-vineyard Barbaresco riservas, from some of the best vineyard sites in the Barbaresco area: Asili, Moccagatta, Montefico, Montestefano, Ovello, Pajé, Pora, Rabajà and Rio Sordo. These wines are aged for four years: three in oak casks and at least one in bottle before release. The riservas are made only in top vintages, when either all nine are produced or none at all. Grapes that don't achieve riserva quality are used for the regular Barbaresco or the Nebbiolo Langhe bottlings. "Quality is the big word here," explains Vacca, "but we keep our winemaking process fairly neutral. We want our riservas to reflect their individual terroir naturally rather than try to force something out that isn't there. If the vintage doesn't allow us to do this, we simply don't make the riservas." This was the case with the 2003, 2002 and 1998 vintages, when the grapes coming into the co-op did not meet the required standard for inclusion in the Barbaresco riservas. But the 2001 vintage was, according to Vacca, an ideal year for riserva production. These are on the market now, and for the first time, all nine riservas are available in the United States (Pajé and Montefico are making their American debut), retailing for $55, a competitive price for a Barbaresco riserva. In Wine Spectator blind tastings over the summer, eight of the nine riservas scored 90 points or more on the 100-point scale." -WS
(It is a great price ...$115.00 - save $20.00 off the retail prices of these wines.)
Great South American Wines
Catena Alta Malbec 2004 -Wine Spectator 93 Points $58.00...12 bottles available
Wine Spectator 93 Points.... Number 23 on Wine Spectator's Top 100 of 2007!
"Dark and lush, with a gorgeous mouthfeel to the exotic fig, boysenberry and blueberry fruit flavors backed by intense spice, mocha, loam and licorice notes. Superlong, showing great drive and purity on the finish. A beauty. Drink now through 2010." -Wine Spectator
Achaval-Ferrer -Mendoza -Quimera 2003 $46.00 Argentina .......2 bottles available, nice big red wine blend
92 Points - Wine Spectator
"Really juicy red, with raspberry, red currant and boysenberry fruit flavors mixed with racy mineral, briar and floral notes. Long, mouthwatering finish brings you back for more. Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2008."-Wine Spectator
Achaval-Ferrer -Mendoza -Quimera 2004 $46.00 Argentina ......2 bottles available, nice big red wine blend
93 Points - Wine Spectator
"Racy, almost piercing, with graphite, violet, mineral and boysenberry notes rushing along fine tannins and acidity. Long finish, but on the tight side for now, so cellar. Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc."-Wine Spectator
Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta 2003 $65.00 Chile .......2 bottles available, nice big red wine blend
94 Points - Wine Spectator
"Loads of ripe fruit, with plum, blackberry and boysenberry flavors pumping through, backed by suave, mocha-infused toast, mineral and spice notes. Long, fleshy finish has some serious grip. Carmenere and Merlot with Cabernet Sauvignon."-Wine Spectator
Achaval-Ferrer Malbec Finca Bella Vista 2004 $95.00 Chile .....2 bottles available, nice big red wine blend
95 Points - Wine Spectator
(Collectibles) - "Has a piercing humus hint, followed by a torrent of raspberry and blackberry confiture, all layered with tar, violet and mineral notes. Long finish is superracy. Drink now through 2014." -Wine Spectator
Other Allocated Wines
2005 Massena Shiraz Epsilon $24.00 Parker 94 pts!! ....20 bottles available
Parker 94: "The 2005 Shiraz Epsilon is fashioned from 32-year-old vines planted in the Greenock sector. Aged 12 months in old French oak hogsheads (300 liters), it exhibits an opaque purple color, abundant aromas of raspberries, blueberries, graphite, and spice box, and a full-bodied, rich, fleshy style. A hedonistic tour de force in winemaking!"
Other Wines from the Wine Spectator's Top 100 ....in stock now
Alain Graillot 2005 Crozes-Hermitage $30.00 ....24 bottles available
Ranked #43 in Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2007! Wine Spectator Score: 92 This is the best Syrah in the store. -Mike
Planeta 2005 Chardonnay $36.....1 bottle available
Ranked #50 in Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2007! Wine Spectator Score: 93
2004 Vieux Telegraph Chateauneuf du Pape 1.5L Magnums!!! $120.00 ....1 bottle available
Ranked #19 in Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2007! Wine Spectator Score: 94 Robert Parker Score: 92
Orin Swift "the prisoner" 2005 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon $35.00 .....3 bottles available
Ranked #17 in Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2007! Wine Spectator Score: 93
Allocated wines are offered at a 10% discount for 6 or more. No further discounts apply. -Mr. Mike
Red Burgundy Sampler Pack $175.- 6 bottles. 3 packs still available
You have always wanted to compare our local Oregon Pinot Noir to real red Burgundy. However, the prices have stopped you; the confusing labels and the uneven quality (many burgundies are "just dry red wine with a high price tag") and the plain lack of knowledge about which are worth trying, have given you pause. Maybe this should be the year you try the wines Oregon winemakers drink to see what possibilities exist for this grape, and what quality standards they have to compete with.
I have selected these six wines personally from our recent store tastings in order to contrast and compared different flavor profiles. This selection would work as an excellent blind tasting event for your group of Oregon wine loving friends. 2004 was a very good year, and 2005 is considered a flat out great vintage. Seize the day, seize this six pack, and experience beautifully expressive Pinot from its original primordial source. -Mike
Red Burgundy Sampler Pack - one bottle each of these Mr. Mike approved best 2004 & 2005 vintage values.
1) 2005 Domaine Olivier Savigny-lès-Beaune 1re Cru "Les Peuillets" $34.00 (Rich flavors, lush texture, this one shows off just how terrific real Burgundy can be in a great year.)
2) 2005 Michel Juillot Mercurey $30.00 (This wine is so aromatic and expressive, with a tender-hearted textured Burgundy personality, very impressive, very unique.)
3) 2004 Domaine Chandon de Briailles Pernand-Vergelesses Rouge $50.00 (Peppery and playful on the palate, ready to drink and enjoy now.)
4) 2005 Vincent Girardin Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru "Les Vergelesses" Rouge $42.00 (This one is full, dark, and brooding, showing us the power side of Burgundy.)
5) 2005 Vincent Girardin Expression de Terroir Bourgogne $25.00 (This one has a dark heart of extracted Pinot fruit, full, yet still expressive.)
6) 2005 Domaine Jean-Marc Pavelot Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru "Les Guettes" $40.00 (This has a pungent nose of plum, spice and classic notes of Savigny iron-infused earth and finishes with admirably deep flavors. No one could mistake this for an Oregon wine.)
($221.00 retail value) purchased as a set only $175.- (less than $30 per bottle) -Mr. Mike
Well, well, friends, neighbors, compatriots, so-far survivors of the savage vicissitudes of the Dubyocracy, we have (it seems) made it through to the other side- having had, i hope, as the Germans say, a good slide into this spanking new year- and find ourselves dripping in the golden dawn of a radiant, glorious, new era...
OK, at least we're none the worse for wear. More or less. Glass half full, right?
You may imagine that our larders have been mightily depleted during these last thirsty few weeks, and so I will be drawing deep into John's Market's inimitable terroir for this weekend's tasting. No special guests, no bells, no whistles, just good wine at reasonable prices. Consider it our Ascetic Zen January One Foot On The Wagon Tasting, to be held tomorrow, January 4, 2008, rye cheer at John's- and somebody cue "'Tis a Gift to be Simple," please...
Jacob's Creek Chardonnay/ Pinot Noir Brut Cuvée NV $9.95 (Australia)
Just because I'm perverse, here's some sparkling wine, a Kramerized favorite, made out of that characteristically Aussie grape, Pinot Noir! Oh, and Chardonnay as well...
Murphy-Goode Fumé Blanc 2005 $9.99 (California)
Smooth and smoky, just like the name suggests. Not smooth and smoky like Al Jarreau, smooth and smoky like some kind of cedar-smoked Raclette on fingerling potatoes. OK, nothing like that either. It's Sauv Blanc, for pete's sake!
Mekinzie Ridge Momtazi Vineyard Pinot Noir 2005 $9.99 (Oregon)
100% declassified Domenn della Romaney Contee, La Tosh, I promise! (Names altered for copyright protection)
Blackwing Shiraz 2005 $9.99 (Australia)
Classy, restrained Aussie Shiraz that is normally $15 a bottle! And we thought of you first!
Rodney Strong Merlot $14.99 2004 (California)
These next two have appeared recently, but they are so good that I need to remind you of them. This Merlot is round and ripe, but without much of the plummy mocha flavors that somewhat monochromatically abound in Callie Merlot: it even has a touch of Italian styling to it, all bloody wild cherries and earth...
Alexander Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 $16.99 (California)
Another ludicrous value that made a cameo a few weeks ago as a single, not-yet-available pour at the Cool Kids' Table, this plush, elegant Cab has boatloads of class and style. You would not be surprised if this wine fetched twice the price.
Jacob's Creek Chardonnay/ Pinot Noir Brut Cuvée NV $9.95 (Australia)
Just because I'm perverse, here's some sparkling wine, a Kramerized favorite, made out of that characteristically Aussie grape, Pinot Noir! Oh, and Chardonnay as well...
Exciting tastings will be coming up later this month, including a visit next Friday from the famous Marc Garner, Portland's finest sommelier-in-training, and a helluva nice guy, and King's Ridge (NOT King Estate, btw) on the 25th... See you then!
Friday, December 28, 2007, at John's Market, we will be having our exciting Friday Tasting! It's a smorgasbord (sp?) of delights from all across the store! It's wine, for you to drink, for the too-low price of $5! It's from 5 to 7 PM! It's fabulous!
Gruet Blanc de Noirs NV $14.95
Yummy, fizzy, and New Mexican... Sounds like a party to me!
Camplazens Syrah 2006 $10.99
This will me going up to the above price soon, so I've written it there to get you emotionally prepared. Still the best deal in Syrah I know.
La Bastide Merlot 2005 $8.99
We can't vouch for the legitimacy of this wine, but its deliciousness is another matter. Consider it vouched.
Sardasol Tempranillo 2006 $7.99
Juicy, tasty tempranillo for a song. Seriously, you will be required to sing.
Cottonwood "Marina Piper" Pinot Noir 2002 $23.99
It's been a little while since I've had this. Thanks for trying it again with me this Friday!
...and there are rumors that the handsome Rupert of Indian wine fame will be here as well...
Happy New Year!
As we move ever so slowly, inexorably, through the turbid waters of this "Holiday Season," it seems there are fewer and fewer moments when one can relax, sit back, and say, "I'm at John's Market for a winetasting." Cognizant of this dearth, we have addressed it in the following fashion: tomorrow, December 21, 2007 (a mere ten days until the arrival of the new year!), right here at John's Marketplace, between the auspicious hours of 5 and 7 PM, we will be celebrating A Friday to Remember: These Are the Good Old Days with- wait for it- a winetasting! Grin a yuley grin- or a Christmahannukwanzolsticey grin, if you prefer- hold up your wineglass, and proclaim, "At last, my arm is complete again!"
Once you've done that, turn around and apologize to all your friends whom you've completely freaked out with your little display, and then proceed to the table with the tall, handsome young man from Zancanella Importing Company. That's Rod Evans, extreme winter camping expert, mountain biking mogul, and neo-Beat poet, who also happens to be Portland's foremost expert on Italian wines. Not only will he dazzle and astound you with feats of verbal acrobatics and hands-free chiromancy, but he will also be pouring the following wines:
Rive del Chiesa Prosecco NV $12.99 (Venezia Giulia)
Probably our most popular Prosecco, and certainly one of the pillar labels in our store, Rive del Chiesa is, simply put, perfect Prosecco. Not the most complex, or the driest, not the highest in acidity or the richest; Goldilocks says, this one is just right.
Pravis "Polin" Pinot Grigio 2006 $13.99 (Vigneti delle Dolomiti)
This is one of the most intriguing wines in the store. It is a pink wine made entirely of Pinot Grigio (a pink-skinned grape) which is left to macerate on the skins overnight in stainless steel tanks. This extracts color and tannin, making this a rich, complex wine of plush texture, exotic flavors, and ringing, minerally acidity. Amazing and unique.
Punset Barbera d'Alba 2003 $12.99 (Piedmont)
Beautiful, floral, varietally-correct Barbera from the famous Barbaresco house.
Casaloste Chianti Classico 2003 $19.99 (Tuscany)
Aged in a combination of botti and used barriques, this 100% Sangiovese wine is produced through biodynamic methods. Rich, spicy Chianti with a pronounced sense of place.
Lanari Rosso Cònero 2005 $12.99 (Marche)
The grapes for this wine, 90% Montepulciano and 10% Sangiovese, are grown on hills overlooking the Adriatic Sea, in view of Mount Cònero (stress is on the first syllable: COH-ner-o). Numerous passes are made through the vineyards at harvest to ensure perfectly ripe grapes, and this selection happens again at the winery. Aged for six months in old wood, the wine retains a lively fruitiness above its serious, sotto bosco backbone. A compelling note of olives in the mid-palate suggests the perfect food pairing...
Provenza Negresco 2004 $19.99 (Lombardy)
A charming, esoteric blend from the shores of lake Garda, this pretty, floral wine is a blend of Sangiovese, Barbera, Groppello, and Marzemino. It sees some barrique aging, so these racy, bracing grapes' fruit is toned somewhat and given a supple profile. Interesting and molto yummy!
And don't forget to take advantage of the fabulous deals available in Mr. Mike's Holiday Giftpacks, which will make you by far the coolest wine-geek on your block!
!!HIGH THURSDAY SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!!
German wine is a study in balance, finesse, and sense of place. The great Rieslings of Germany are, along with the finest wines of Burgundy, the world's most fluent expressions of terroir. These are wines that, when tasted, compel the drinker to wonder, “Why do I ever drink anything else?”
As such, we are delighted, and quite fortunate, to have Ewald Moseler here at John's Market tomorrow, December 13, 2007, from 6-8 PM, where he will be pouring a wonderful selection of wines- sparkling and still, white and red- from his native country, fair Germany, land of poets and thinkers. As an early Holiday gift to our customers, we have lowered the entry fee to only $25!
Ewald was the man who turned me on to Riesling way back in the mid-90's, when I had hair halfway down my back, sported corduroy patchwork overalls, and sold wine at a great little market in East Eugene. He has remained the state's leading expert on German wines, and Riesling in particular, and it is always a pleasure to spend some time with him and learn a thing or three.
What follows is tomorrow's line-up, which I have emphasized in various ways to simplify the somewhat ornate German labeling system. Producers are in bold type, the style or varietal of wine is in normal type, and the vineyard is in italics. Vineyards are named after their neighboring villages, such that the first word, ending in -er, is the village name, and the second word is the vineyard. Thus Graacher Himmelreich means Himmelreich vineyard in Graach. See, it's not so complicated!
2006 Wachtenburg Winzer Secco Rose (sparkling) $14.99
2005 Wachtenburg Winzer Pinot Gris $11.99
2006 Van Volxem Saar Riesling $22.99
2005 Wachtenburg Winzer Riesling Spätlese Trocken Wachenheimer Schenkenböhl $28.99
1994 Christoffel-Prüm Riesling Spätlese Wehlener Sonnenuhr $29.99
2005 Kees-Kieren Riesling Spätlese Graacher Himmelreich $26.99
2003 Selbach-Oster Riesling Auslese Graacher Domprobst $42.99
2005 Franz Künstler Pinot Noir $31.99
2005 Wachtenburg Winzer Pfalz Cuveé (Red Wine) $22.99
Morgen seh'n wir uns, und's freut mich sehr's zu sagen! Bis bald!
Today Monday Dec 10th from 6-8 Pm Mr. Mike will again present Burgundies ...admission will be $15.00
6-8 Monday (later than usual..)
Domaine Guy Bocard Bourgogne Chardonnay 2004 $18.00 This is real ur-Chardonnay White Burgundy
2001 Charmes-Chambertin grand cru from Joseph Roty Red Burgundy ...N/A
Michel Juillot 2005 Mercurey $30.00 This wine is so aromatic and expressive...a real eye opener...the promise of Burgundy realized.
Vincent Girardin 2005 Expression de Terroir Bourgogne (Red Burgundy 2005) $25.00
(John Paul from Cameron Winery had an epiphany whilst enraptured by this wine....It had something to do with the lack of any real value Pinot Noir wines from Oregon.)
2005 Vincent Girardin Savigny-les-Beaune les Vergelesses Rouge $42.00
2004 Domaine Chandon de Briailles Pernand-Vergelesses Rouge
..and, a few other great Burgundies, ...come join us....-Mr. Mike
Friends and Neighbors, Sons and Lovers, People of the Book, Students of the Sacred Thread, Junkie Poets and Straight-Edge Composers, Dwellers in Palisades of Twisted Glass, in short, all those smitten by the vine's gentle ichor, be ye welcome this Friday, the ultimate shaft in the Novembric quiver, the 30th of said month, at 5 PM, to the Wine Cures Rain Freitag Extravaganza! The official festivities will have reached their end promptly at 7 PM, allowing you all plenty of time to roll out into the balmy evening in search of rarer pleasures.
Sorry about that first paragraph. It's the rain, it gets me feeling all Celtic, like I should get my Amergin on and wax all poetic all over the place. Or maybe it's all that time I spent in the car over the “holiday” weekend, speeding along blurry California highways...
But most likely it's the anticipation of the advent of one of Portland's most talented young wine professionals, the famous Carrie of Universal Wines, who will hold court with her wonted sass, wit, and charm- not to mention the occasional kick to the head. I have asked her to be on her best behavior, and I know I can expect the same from my wise, courteous customers, so a good time should be had by all.
Carrie will be pouring her favorite Spanish wines, to wit:
Bohigas Cava Rosado NV $11.49 (Catalunya)
Delicious, snappy, dry pink Cava.
La Val Albariño 2006 $11.49 (Rias Baixas)
A ridiculous value in a category whose prices are often north of $20 a bottle. This wine steps away from the intense acidic minerality often found in these wines, delivering a softer, "leesier" style.
Muruve Tinto Joven 2006 $6.99 (Toro)
100% Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo).
Funky and chocolaty.
Liberalia Cero Tinto 2004 $12.99 (Toro)
Hilariously, the label of this wine describes the bacchanalian puberty rite after which it is named as being characterized by "moderation." Hmmm, have these guys never read Death in Venice? 100% Tinta de Toro. Funkier and chocolatier.
Bohigas Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 $11.49 (Catalunya)
Rock solid, quite well-made Cabernet Sauvignon from northeastern Spain. Shows classic varietal flavors with a spicy hit of garrigo (that's the word I just coined for Spanish Garrigue. Do you like it?)
Conde de Siruela Reserva 2001 $35.99 (Ribera del Duero)
100% Tinto Fino (Tempranillo). Gorgeous, long, and plush, with uncoiling flavors of ripe boysenberries, lilies, and leather. Damn good juice.
And an advance announcement to whet the appetite: the Godfather of Riesling in Oregon (Oregonrieslinggottvater, auf Deutsch), Herr Ewald Moseler of Moseler Imports via Mitchell Wines! Ewald will be pouring a glorious selection of German Riesling that will act as a wonderful slide into the heart of the holiday season. The tasting will be Thursday, December 13, 2007, from 6PM - 8PM. Be there or be very, very jealous of the dazed joy in the eyes of your friends who do attend!
Bis bald!
2005 & 2004 Red Burgundy tasting 4:00 - 6:00 pm this Sunday Nov. 25th at John's Marketplace ($15.00 fee this time)
1) Domaine Olivier 2005 Savigny-lès-Beaune 1re Cru "Les Peuillets" $34.00
2) Jacky Truchot 2004 Morey St. Denis "V.V." $49.00
3) Jacky Truchot 2004 Morey St. Denis 1re Cru "Les Blanchiards" $59.00
4) Jacky Truchot 2004 Gevery Chambertin 1re Cru "Aux Combottes" $69.00
5) Jean-Marc Bouley 2005 Volnay 1er Cru "Les Carelles" $45.00
6) Domaine Jean-Marc Pavelot 2005 Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru "Les Guettes" $40.00
Pavelot 2005 Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru "Les Guettes" Burghound: 88-91 Allen Meadows: "(the terroir here is quite stony with very little top soil). A completely different aromatic profile presents itself here with a pungent nose of plum, spice and classic notes of Savigny iron-infused earth that introduce rich, full and admirably deep flavors that possess good punch and length on the firm and dusty finish. There isn’t much elegance or refinement in residence at present but again, there is no lack of character." 88-90 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2005 Savigny-les-Beaune Les Guettes leads with aromas of lightly-cooked cherry, sage and lavender. In the mouth, this displays good concentration and ripeness, with a rather tart streak and slightly gritty tannin. Allowing for the wine’s recent sulfuring and assemblage, it may show more textural richness and its brightly red-fruited, spicy, herbal finish show more sweetness after it has been bottled and rested." (06/07)
7) Joseph Roty 2004 Gevery Chambertin 1re Cru -Cuvee de "La Brunelle" $75.00
Pre-Thanksgiving tasting 4:00 - 7:00 pm Wednesday November 21st ....$5.00 fee
Join Mr, Mike for an all Oregon affair....
Oregon -Pinot Noir
1) Brandborg 2004 "Umpqua" Pinot Noir $19.99 (My vote for most under-appreciated producer goes Brandborg.)
2) Patty Green 2005 "Oregon" (Green Label) Pinot Noir $23.00 (This is Patty's perfect blend of Northern and Southern vineyards.)
3) Ponzi 2005 "Tavola" Pinot Noir $22.00 (Ponzi's most affordable offering is still around and gaining weight with bottle age.)
4) Westry 2005 "Oracle" Pinot Noir $25.00 (Westry's homerun from the Oracle estate... neighboring Abbey Ridge. It's a good 'hood.)
5) Patty Green Estate 2004 Pinot Noir $36.00 (Patty's best wine so far, period)
6) Quailhurst 2002 Pinot Noir $37.00 (Great wine from a great year, see what some bottle age can do for Oregon Pinot.)
7) GC Pinot Noir 2006 $23.00 (Dense and rich, come sample an example of the burgeoning négociant wine trend. (A négociant is a wine merchant who assembles the produce of smaller growers and winemakers and sells the result under its own name.)
See you there...-Mr. Mike
Domaine du Chateau de Chorey wines open on Sunday afternoon from 4-6 pm at John's Marketplace. November 18th. $10.00
"The 2005's have arrived from this Domaine, and I thought it might interesting to show them in context of great aged-wines also acquired recently from this producer. Pinot Noir transforms beautifully when sourced from these vineyards near Beaune; this producer's wines develop well, and oak is used in a restrained and supportive role that let's his wines reflect their unique terroir. The '98 Les Teurons has that youthful cranberry-crunch at its core but finishes with that indescribable savory-earthiness that great Burgundies have. The '98 Beaune Cent Vignes is incredibly long and transformed with lots of mocha-tinged fruit in the mid-palate. The '96 Teurons is drinking perfectly right now with earthy-savory-soy nuances. The 2005's are horribly expensive; here is your chance to see what the hoopla about this vintage is all about, and come away with a new understanding of how Pinot Noir transforms in bottle." -Mr. Mike
Mr. Riggs on these wines...
"We are delighted (and quite fortunate) to have been able to snap up a decent little supply of amazing red Burgundies. These are the wines of Chateau de Chorey in Chorey-les-Beaune. The winemaker is the taciturn genius Benoit Germain, who has taken great care to maintain the solid tradition established on his estate by his father Francois. These wines are subtle, rich, expressive, and routinely ageable- so we picked up some older vintages, including a case from the super-sexy 1996 vintage.
The nineties-vintage wines still have a few years of life in them, but are absolutely lovely right now, integrated and complex. They offer you a rare opportunity to see what heights Pinot Noir can reach without spending hundreds of dollars per bottle, or sitting on the wine yourself for a decade. The 2002 and 2001 will each live into the next decade, but they, too, are drinking wonderfully today. Don't miss this opportunity!" -Riggs
Allen Meadows of Burghound.com:
On the 2005 wines "As the scores and comments suggest, the Germain 05s are definitely wines to put on your short list of cellar purchases."
On the 2002 wines "...the quality Germain is achieving is simply phenomenal. They are absolutely wines to seek out."
Only a $10 fee... 10 wines open...come early....no reservations, when the first bottle is gone were done.
Domaine du Chateau de Chorey
Chorey-les-Beaune 2002 $30.49
Chorey-les-Beaune 2005 $36.00
The following wines all come from old-vine, Premier Cru vineyards:
Beaune "Vignes-Franches" 2005 $90.00 Burghound 91-93
Beaune "Les Cras" 2005 $90.00 Burghound 91-94
Beaune "Les Cras" 2001 $47.99
Beaune "Les Cras" 1998 $49.99
Beaune "Les Cent Vignes" 1998 $39.99 (This is just below Clos des Mouches)
Beaune "Les Teurons" 1998 $45.99
Beaune "Les Teurons" 1996 $50.49
(and if I can locate it, I'll also open this...) (It's around here somewhere...)
Beaune "Les Cras" 2002 $68.99
This Friday, November 16, 2007, we are having a winetasting at John's Market. We thought, heck, we've got lots of wine, we should let people taste it, right? It's a new idea, a paradigm shift, an utter retooling of a spent, dusty ole Weltanschauung, but we like to live on the edge. It's from 5 to 7 PM, and will cost you $5.
Speaking of on the edge, I went and saw Into the Wild on Tuesday evening. It was long, and often gaggingly clichéd, but in the end I was quite moved by the film, spending several hours looking into the story once I got home. The one question I have for those of you who have seen the film, or know the story, is this: why didn't he find a way to get across that river?
At any rate, we are delighted and lucky to have the powerfully athletic Kelly Dougherty of the Evil Empire.... oops! I mean, Columbia Distribution, who will be drawing on their immense coffers to pour a couple of really nice wines:
Mumm Napa Brut NV $16.99
Another Franco-Napa hybrid. Made in the traditional style, with the traditional grapes.
DuBoeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2007 $10.99
Strawberry-banana bubble gum for the thirsty Parisian masses! Simple and good.
Diseño Malbec 2006 $9.99
Structured, elegant Argentine Malbec from the Mendoza region. This wine shows surprising length and body, supported by soft tannins and balanced acidity.
Ch. Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling 2006 $6.99
Perhaps the world's finest value in dry Riesling. Seriously, this wine is far too good for the price. It contains juice from their luxury cuvee Eroica, and is plush and long, with a dry, mineral-driven finish. This cold easily sell for twice this price.
And the Cool Kids' Table will be well-stocked, given the relative paucity of KD's selections...
Kopke Port Tasting 5-7 pm this Thursday....$25.00 fee
We are quite pleased to have the opportunity this Thursday, November 15, 2007, to offer a very special High Thursday tasting featuring the stunning Ports of Porto Kopke, presented by Doug from C and G Wines. These are my favorite Ports, bar none- in fact, my fiancée will drink nothing less than Kopke's limpid, honeyed chestnut 20-year, which is a breathtaking value for a wine of this age and quality. Their entry-level Ports easily dominate competitors' equally-priced offerings, and are often just as good as wines two or three times their price. I was lucky enough to taste through many of these wines at a private seminar last year, and I can only say, these are truly great wines. They will stimulate not only your tastebuds, but your mind- and maybe, if you're a romantic geek like me, your spirit as well. I urge you all to make plans to attend. The entry fee is a ludicrously affordable $25.00 -Mr. Riggs
Kopke, founded in 1638, is internationally recognized as the oldest Port house, and the leading producer of Colheita (single harvest tawny) Ports. Fernando Oliveira is the Master Blender for the Sogevinus Group of Port Houses. Located across from Oporto in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal, the Sogevinus Group includes Porto Kopke, Calem, Barros, Gilbert and Burmester. The combined production of these leading Portuguese tawny producers makes Sogevinus the fourth largest port shipper among the top five that account for 85% of all Porto sold. Unique among these houses, Sogevinus has an 80% focus on tawny ports compared to the predominant ruby port focus of the other houses.
As if Port was a hereditary gene in his family, Fernando Oliveira follows in the footsteps of several generations of renowned Port winemakers. Recognized by his peers at a very young age as having reached the highest level of the Port wine blender's art,
Oliveira is the Master Blender for Sogevinus, the fourth largest port shipper among the top five that account for 85% of all port shipped from Portugal. The quality of the tawny and ruby Port blends from such famous port houses as Kopke, Rocha, Barros, Calem, Burmester and Gilbert can be directly attributed to his constant care and expertise. He is also responsible for maintaining the quality development of rare stocks of Colheita, single year tawny ports that have been aging in casks from seven to over 100 years. Oliveira inspects these stocks once or twice a year as they are racked from one barrel into another, always keeping each year separate.
The line-up will likely include:
KOPKE DRY WHITE $14.99
KOPKE FINE RUBY $14.99
KOPKE FINE TAWNY $14.99
KOPKE 2003 COLHEITA $71.99
KOPKE 10 YR. OLD TAWNY $28.99 (available in 375 mL, $15.99)
KOPKE 20 YR. OLD TAWNY $56.99 (available in 375 mL, $29.99)
KOPKE 1997 COLHEITA $42.99
ROCHA 1995 COLHEITA $47.99 (Rocha is Kopke's sister house)
KOPKE 1966 COLHEITA (375mL only) $114.99
We hope to see you there! Stilton and walnuts provided by Mr. Mike....cheers!
Friday Tasting....
Well, it's November, and even though I'm still struggling with the fact that it's not the ninth month anymore, I'm trying to roll with the punches and keep it together. Thankfully, I get help this week- more on that later. The real news is the collapse of the Philadelphia Eagles, and the concomitant effects on markets worldwide. Ever since Philadelphia Inquirer writer Bob Ford penned an article calling for the benching of McNabb, the effects globally have been disastrous. From the 250,000-strong parade in Kyoto, where distraught Japanese called for the Emperor to step in and right things at the Nova Care Complex, to the demonstration in Helsinki where local fisherman blockaded the harbor and strung a gigantic glowing green “5” across the Lyssemära Causeway, to the cancellation of Rainbow Gatherings throughout southern Arizona, where over two thousand Trustafarians threw their glass pipes into a giant meteor crater, people all around the world are horrified.
Plus that Tony Romo's just a little twit. There, I said it.
Sigh.
De toute façon, we will be joined not only by the gorgeous, the scintillating, the glamorous Ursula of McClaskey's Wine and Spirits, but also by her sassy, lithe partner-in-crime, Kimberly from Eola Hills Winery. In addition to the usual fare at the Cool Kids' Table, those two co-eds will be pouring:
Zette Cahors Malbec 2003 $11.99
Yeah, Cahors Malbec, we love it! Muscular, dark, and powerfully earthy. Very, very French...
Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut $17.99
The old, delicious standby. Dry, elegant, and impeccably made. Taste it again for the first time!
...and, from Eola Hills:
Pinot Gris 2006 $9.99
Pinot Noir 2006 $13.99
Sangiovese 2006 $13.99
Vin d'Or 2004 (late harvest Sauvignon Blanc) $24.49
...I can't write any more, I'm trying to decide if I like Kevin Kolb or not...
STOP THE PRESSES!
SPECIAL TASTING THURSDAY, 11/8/07!!
We have a delicious announcement to make to you all, a special High Thursday event, hosted by (the proxy of) the tall-dark-and-handsome Rupert, our local guru of Indian wines! Yes, that's right, Indian wines! Also Argentine. And Oregonian. And maybe Icelandic.
The bad news: he won't tell me exactly what will be poured. The good news: a full layout of awesome Indian appetizers to pair with the wines! Our greatest culinary exposition ever! Our first ever High Thursday tasting in November of 2007! Our first ever Jeudi Gras where you will have no idea what you'll be tasting!
And all this for the unheard-of low low price of FIVE DOLLARS!!
It starts a little earlier than most High Thursdays: 5 to 7. So we'll see you there in your prettiest sari! (And please, no cricket jokes. He'll get all sensitive about that...)
Please join us this Friday June 15th at John's Marketplace.
There will be a $5 tasting fee, pick your glass up and pay at the Deli
counter on your way in. Our event starts promptly at 5 pm and ends promptly at 7pm.
Hallowe'en will have come and gone by the time many of you read this weekly missive, and I trust you all spent the night awake by the fire, shooting the schist with your ancestors. I spent the evening being impaled by a giant bottle of bubbly, for which pleasure I was awarded $75 from the fine folks at Renner's Bar and Grill (and Smokehouse, judging by my clothes the morning after).
I feel a little like a goldbrick this week, as the meat of the newsletter has been penned by the precious, peripatetic young Tom Kelley of Small Vineyards. Mr. Kelley, his beret, and soul patch will be here to charm the bejesus out of our lovely winetasters while pouring and discussing the excellent Italian wines in his portfolio, to wit (take it away, Tommy Boy!):
TREVISIOL PROSECCO $13.99
Made from the Prosecco grape indigenous to the Veneto region, this light sparkler has subtle flower and fruit aromas that make the palate deliciously light and playful. Unlike many Champagnes, it is not harsh (Editor's Note: we never find Champagne to be harsh. We're just saying.)-- rather, it tickles the throat with a peachy softness, and is flecked with minerality that remains simple in the best of ways. Perfect for shrimp cocktail and light-hearted moments.
2005 FRATELLI BARBA MONTEPULCIANO d'ABRUZZO $11.99
Normally, the Montepulciano varietal from the Abruzzo region is less than perfect. Either ungainly alcohol levels, or too weak due to overharvesting. Not here. With the Barba brothers, we get one of the best day-to-day wines in all of South Italy. Great viscosity, with muscular structure make this a very compelling vino. The aromas are of blackened fruit, sweet smoke, and ripe plum. Very low yields and seaside exposure give this wine an unexpected array of richness and subtlety. Perfect with hearty seafood or game.
2005 FORTE CANTO NEGROAMARO $11.99
Made by Massimiliano Apollonio, who despite having a name like an emperor, is one of the humblest winemakers one can meet. That, and he's making some of the very best wines South of Rome. Growing alongside its genetic cousin, Primitivo, Negroamaro is Pulglia's most important varietal. Characteristically, the wine is dark and intense and carries the scent of the Mediterranean shrubs that surround it. Terrific body weight while retaining great balance, with ripe, steeped plum and coffee bean aromas. Perfect for those who want a big, powerful wine that is not your usual Syrah or Cabernet.
2004 PARAZZETA 'Rita' SANGIOVESE $18.49
From Montecucco, on the southern fringe of Montalcino, comes this stunningly powerful, lush Sangiovese that is, quite simply, one of the best of its kind we've had. The zone is able to produce some of the most robust, unctious wines in all of Tuscany, and winemaker Alessandro Bocci takes full advantage of his land's terroir. Aged in French Oak barrels, this wine pushes the boundaries of Sangiovese, re-defining the varietal yet again. Named after Alessandro's wife AND mother, he said of his wine: “I had no choice but to name it Rita!” (Editor's Note: The wine will ask you if you've had enough to eat yet)
2004 GIUSEPPE LONARDI RIPASSO $21.49
Perhaps the finest Ripasso we have ever tasted, this offering from Lonardi has dark, lush cranberry notes, with smoky chocolate that epitomizes the lovely characteristics of Corvina. While more affordable, the complexity is reminiscent of Amarone. It is a pleasing everyday Veneto wine that will keep up with bold foods or stand alone in the glass.
2006 TRE DONNE MOSCATO d'ASTI $18.49
This sparkler is a beautiful expression of the Moscato grape -- light, floral, persistent, with a pleasant sweetness that is not cloying. The acids are so perfectly balanced so as to flush your mouth of all sweetness leaving it clean and fresh. The bubbles are light, not overly zealous, so we can taste the fruits and enjoy the bouquet of the one of the most aromatic white varietals in the world. This wine won the Gold Medal in Switzerland in 2005.
Lawksamussy, it's cold out there! There was this feathery white stuff all over the cars in the morning, and as I walked about in the parking lot of my apartment complex, dazed and discomfited at the untoward chill in the air, I noticed that smoke was coming out of my mouth- and I wasn't smoking! I don't know what to make of it, so I just belted down a few slugs of grain alcohol, pulled on my shoes, and headed on into John's. Thus fortified, I am ready and willing, if somewhat unable, to announce to you, friends, that tomorrow, October 26, 2007, we will be having our Friday "Oh God Help Me He's Got An Axe!" Winetasting! You know the drill, 5 to 7! And the entry fee..? Five bones.
So Hallowe'en has had the temerity to fall squarely in the middle of the week, forcing us all to get our ghoul on almost a half-week in advance. It just doesn't feel right, but whatever, we'll roll with the punches. The conditions under which I'm required to work! But, we must needs all get in the Samhain spirit (the holiday, not the band), so tomorrow's tasting will be a NO HOLDS BARRED COSTUME EXTRAVAGANZA! It's time to dust off your sexiest naughty witch costume, your most titillating Roman slave-boy thong, and roll on down to the tasting. Those showing up IN FULL COSTUME (i.e. not just a cute little kitty-cat eye mask) will be admitted to the tasting for the low low price of $4.75! Just kidding, you'll get in free, of course, and also qualify for an extra-special Cool Kids' Pour. Remember, I'm going to be a hard-ass about this (holiday spirit is best forced upon one, I've found): no costume, no Cool Kids' Pour!
And maybe- MAYBE- I will be in costume as well. I say maybe because I have no costume, so I'll probably just come in drag. Or in a three-piece suit. Mike's interpretive nude dance will be (of course) of the original "Halloween" by the proud Kentuckian John Carpenter.
And in keeping with the Hallowe'en spirit, we'll be tasting Italian wines! Nothing says "jack-o-lantern" like Vineria Italia. And it is indeed scary how handsome is the talented young Josh Koenigsberg of the above company, who will be gracing us with his presence (uncostumed, although- sorry, ladies- fully clothed), pouring the following array of gorgeous Enotrian gems:
d'Antiche Terre Coda di Volpe 2006 $12.99
I'll quote my talker on this wine, an old favorite of mine, "This unique wine, grown on the volcanic soils of the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius, is made from a grape named by Pliny the Elder, who died in the famous eruption of that aforementioned volcano: Coda di Volpe (fox-tail). The wine is laden with expressive, smoky terroir and sunny, grassy acidity, almost like a good scotch. Perfectly dry, elegantly made, a dream with shellfish or caprese."
Arnaldo-Caprai Poggio Belvedere 2005 $11.99
Caprai was voted the winery of the year for 2006 by Gambero Rosso, so if you don't yet know his wines, this is an excellent introduction to them. Renowned for the resurrection of the ultra-tannic Sagrantino grape (which is used only in higher-end cuvees), he also has a fabulous touch with Sangiovese, as you'll see here. It's 80% Sangiovese, 20% Ciliegiolo, and sees no oak, so it's laser-straight, brimming with spicy fruit.
Renzo Castella Dolcetto di Diano d'Alba 2005 $13.49
All-stainless Dolcetto from one of the world's finest Dolcetto regions, around the city of Diano in Alba. The fruit is sourced from a single vineyard, called Rivolia.
Torre Guaceto "Sum" 2004 $18.99
Hey, you can never have enough Sussamaniello in your life, right? Delicious, unique red wine.
Casa alle Vacche Chianti Colli Senesi 2006 $14.99
Fabulous, elegant Chianti. 85% Sangiovese, with the balance being Canaiolo and Colorino.
Casa alle Vacche Ch. Colli Senesi Riserva 2004 $25.99
Single-vineyard Riserva-level Chianti from the Cinabro vineyard. Predominantly Sangiovese, of course, although I must apologize that I have not been able to find the rest of the cepage.
La Montecchia Colli Euganei Fior d'Arancio 2006 $15.49
Delicious sparkling Orange Muscat from the Colli Euganei, just inland from Venice (roughly between Soave and the Adriatic). Similar to Moscato d'Asti, although where that wine leans towards stonefruit flavors, Orange Muscat tastes more like... well, just guess what fruit it resembles. Light in alcohol and sweet, this is a great dessert- or breakfast.
OK, reps are stacking up, and I'm awful hungry, so I'll end this one and say I'm looking forward to seeing all of you (in costume, please) tomorrow!
It's so late this strangely luminous, cloudy Thursday afternoon that I almost hesitate to remind you, friends and comrades, that tomorrow, October 19, 2007, we of vinous persuasion at John's Crossroads will be celebrating Hey, Take It Vendred-easy!, our weekly Friday festival of all things five-dollar-winetasting. The event, as always, will begin at 5pm, and end promptly at 7pm, so careen as safely as you can through week's-end traffic, and we'll see you here.
This week we are blessed, delighted, and giddy to have the rare opportunity to experience the inimitable charms not only of Gordon Rappole, Buddhist henchman, ambidextrous gigolo, and sesquipedalian mothertrucker that he is, but also of the exquisite, talented young Vonda of Left Coast Cellars, who will be reprising her smash appearance of a few months ago. She will be pouring the lovely Pinots and Chardonnay of the aforementioned winery with sass, wit, and aplomb. Also with a plum.
Gordon's offerings, if offensively more pedestrian (as befitting their presenter- ask to see his big sexy boot, by the way) are somewhat more varied, to the extent that I decided, reluctantly, to list them here for you, my thirsty compatriots:
Fantinel Prosecco NV $13.99 (Alto Adige)
This is one of the best Prosecchi (impressed by the Italian plural, aren't you?) I have ever tasted. It's rich and floral, but with a starry mineral-driven finish with great acid. Why? Maybe because it hails from the Prosecco grape's home, the Alto Adige, rather than the Veneto, where most are made.
Borgo M Grave Tocai Friulano 2005 $11.99 (Alto Adige)
A beautiful introduction to this famous grape. Taste it again for the first time!
Mirabile Nero d'Avola 2005 $12.99 (Sicily)
Elegant, earth-driven Nero d'Avola that lacks the stewed plum flavors that too often mar wines of this grape.
Gascon Malbec 2005 $13.99 (Mendoza)
Eminently well-made, gushing Argentine Malbec wound around a steak-loving fleshy core.
Quattro Mani Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2006 $9.99 (Abruzzo)
This wine is the product of a collaborative effort wherein prominent, Tre Bicchiere-winning winemakers are hired by Quattro Mani to produce wines for them from their respective home regions. Four per year are made, thus Quattro Mani ("our hands"). This one is made by Attilio Pagli- you know him, right? Then you'll be right to expect that this is gorgeous juice.
Vinosia "Essenza di Primitivo" Salento Primitivo IGT 2006 $8.99 (Salento)
It is somewhat ridiculous that this wine is priced as inexpensively as it is. Any wine of this quality made here in the States would easily cost double or triple this amount. One of the best Primitivos (blue collar Americanized plural used to balance the above highfalutin Italian one) I have ever had, at any price.
Argyle Blanc de Blancs 1999 $28.99 (Willamette Valley)
A treat for my sweet, innocent little winetasters, just my crazy little way of saying I love you all. OK, I'm only doing it 'cause they gave me a t-shirt, but whaddayagonnado? The wine, 100% Chardonnay, is perfect, a lush, vibrant wash of meringue, pain grille, pears, with singing lemon acidity, and a long, terroir-driven finish. Yum! Plus, I punched caps down at Argyle a few weeks ago, so it's almost like I made this wine!
Sorry this is coming out so late. It's probably Mike's fault somehow, I just need to figure out exactly why. Bis Morgen!
Come one, come five, to our Friday Night Wine-it-up, to be held on October 12, 2007, rye cheer at John's Marketplace. 5 to 7 it is, and we'll see you there!
I've been awfully busy today, so I'll skip over the usual bufoonery. Just the facts, ma'am! Here's a clue:
VIVA ESPANA! And another: the tasting will be hosted by the lovely and talented Geoff Worden from Henry Wine Group, he of the gravelly Nawlins charm, he of the South African debauch, the man, the myth, THE LEGEND. Here's what he'll bring:
Marques de Gelida Cava Brut 2003 $12.99
Don't tell me you can ever have enough Xarel-lo in your life!
Vina Sila Nora Albarino 2005 $14.99
Spain's preeminent white grape, grown in the Cascadian corner of northwest Spain.
Agricola de Borja Vina Borgia 2006 $5.99
Garnacha average red wine, amigos...(get it?)
Nekeas El Chapparal Old Vines Grenache 2005 $12.49
One of my favorite Spanish Grenaches. Probably because they gave it its civilized, French name.
Bodega Hijos de Juan Gil, Juan Gil 2004 $14.99
100% Monastrell. Look out, Bandol!
Finca Luzon 2006 $8.99
Monastrell surprise! (Does not contain squirrel)
Altos de Luzon 2005 $17.49
Monastrell, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Tempranillo.
Celler Marti Fabra Seleccio Vinyes Velles 2003 $19.49
70% Grenache, 10% Carignan, 10% Tempranillo, and equal parts Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon
Bodegas Emilio Moro Tinto 2004 $31.99
Ribero del Duero, oooh, grrr, sexy! 100% Tinto del Pais (yes, it's Tempranillo. Those darn Spaiards need to get their nomenclature together. My idea: Pinot Noir is now Rouge d'Oregon. Sound good?)
Sorry so short! Geoff will have more details tomorrow. And Mike's Interpretive Nude Dance will be of Hitchcock's Torn Curtain. Hasta mon-yana!
Soyez les bienvenus this very Friday, October 5, 2007, where, at John's Marketplace, we will be experiencing that happiest time of week, our Wine Tasting For The Ages - which is not to be mistaken for my event later this month in Naples, Florida, the Wine Tasting For The Aged. The event here in Portland will begin at 5pm and end at the savage ring of the 7pm gong, so show up early enough to taste through! I feel mildly guilty each week to take the wines away before you're done drinking them- but my basically sedentary nature, and the lateness in my week at which the tasting is held, add up to me sprinting into the deli kitchen right at 7. A modicum of advice, which I often use when I attend trade tastings, is to taste through the wines quickly, then re-approach the one or ones you liked best, at which time you can conversate, confabulate- and not expectorate- all at your leisure.
Before we move on to the real fun, a couple of gentle reminders to our friends: the wearing of strong perfumes or colognes can completely mask the flavors of wines, so please avoid their use before the tastings. And our deli crew have asked me to pass along to you that thick lip gloss shore does make the glass-washer's job much more difficult, requiring poor old B-Rad to take a toothbrush to each glass to get it clean. (Granted, that is a wickedly funny image, but don't tell him I said so) OK, enough with the sheepish sententiousness! To France with us!
That's right, after the fabulous success of the Eyetalian tasting, I have decided once more to focus in, laser-intense, on the produce of one given country: France! Except for the Oregon 'Gris. But the grape has a French name, right? And the Cascade Republic has always had cordial relations with those weird Celto-Roman hybrids across the Channel, so onward and upward! P.S. the addition of diacritic marks in this particular program is incredibly unwieldy, so please forgive me as I leave them off this week. I know that constitutes misspelling, but we'll just have to deel with it. Remember, good grammar is where it's at!
J. Albin Pinot Gris 2006 $15.99 (Willamette Valley)
Much of Oregon's Pinot Gris is monochromatic, one-dimensional, even boring. However, made properly, the resultant wine can be lively and bright, with shining acidity and minerality adding lift and interest to de rigueur flavors of apple and lemon meringue. This is one of them! Definitely in my top four or five 'Gris made in the state.
Domaine des Cassagnoles 2006 $8.99 (Cotes de Gascogne)
As I write this, it is overcast and 21 degrees Celsius at the Domaine. I include that because it is perhaps the clearest bit of information available on their website. I can't even find out what a “cassagnole” is, and my theory that it's a kind of tree has borne no fruit. What I do know is that this wine, largely Gros Manseng, is rich and intense, with snappy flavors of white grapefruit and citron wrapped around a stony core. One of the best values in white wine I know. Remember Les Palombieres from two weeks ago? Think that, plus class and elegance. Tres yummy!
Clos de l'Hermitage 2005 $19.99 (reg. $27.99!!) (Cotes du Rhone)
The next time someone tells you you should never pay more than $15 for a Cotes-du-Rhone, pull this one out and shut them up. Rivaling the great CdR's of Clape and Chave, this wine is a symphony of seductive Rhone flavors. Made of equal parts Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvedre, the wine sings with bloody flavors of wild cherries, black currants, oolong tea, garrigue (stones, sage, and lavender, basically), with gorgeous acidity and even some minerals on the finish. And, no joke, this wine should retail for $28 per bottle, but thanks to my incredible negotiating skills I can offer it to you for eight dollars less. What a deal!
Chateau de Parenchere 2004 $19.00 (Bordeaux Superieur)
This was the value favorite at our fabulous Bordeaux tasting a fortnight or so ago, so I thought to feature it this week for those of you who missed it. Composed of 60% Merlot, 30% Cab, 9% Cab Franc, and an all-important 1% Malbec, this wine positively preens with structure and class. Cassis, leather, blueberry skins, and a muscular vein of earth. And, never fear, I will give it the two hours of air recommended on the label.
Durand Syrah 2005 $9.99 (Vin de Pays d'Hauterive)
First, some background. Hauterive is in Aude, just inland from Perpignan to the northwest. It lies along the banks of the River Orbieu. Are you ready for the list of grapes allowable down there? Deep breath: carignan, cinsault, grenache, syrah, merlot, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, mourvèdre, terret noir, alicante bouschet, portan, caladoc, chenanson, cot N, grenache gris G, lledoner pellut N, marselan, petit verdot N, pinot noir N, terret gris G ; vins blancs : macabeu, carignan blanc, marsanne, grenache blanc, clairette, bourboulenc, piquepoul blanc, roussanne, vermentino, sauvignon, chardonnay, chasan, viognier, colombard, chenin B, sémillon B, terret blanc B. I stole that from a French government page (you can too, at www.onivins.fr/Docs/VinPays/83.pdf ), so I have no idea what all the letters are about. Too much information! This one is 100% Syrah, 100% delicious. New world winemakers wake up in cold sweats when they think of what Durand can do with Syrah at ten bucks a bottle.
La Bastide Merlot 2005 $8.99 (Vin de Pays d'Hauterive)
By the same guy as the above wine, from the same region, but all Merlot this time. One of the best Merlots at this price I know.
Remi Jobard Bourgogne Rouge 2004 $14.99 (you know where this is from!)
Killer Pinot juice from its natal soil. This is another victim of appellation price perception and the sexiness of the '05 vintage, meaning this lovely wine, which is eminently worth its regular price of $30 a bottle, is half that for my lucky customers. Lean and elegant, with expressively lithe flavors of black raspberry and earth, this is wine offering itself to you for a song. Ridiculously good at this price.
And advance notice is hereby given of a super-exciting High Thursday event, to be held on the first of November: the gorgeous, massive wines of the Santa Maria Valley (Ojai, Melville, Brewer-Clifton), presented by- wait for it- Doug from C and G! Put it on your calendars...
...and Go Phillies!!!
"If we walk together, little children, we won't ever have to worry Through this world of trouble, we've got to love one another..."
-Charles Johnson
Yes, that's right, it's Thursday once more, which means that tomorrow, Friday, September 28, 2007, you are welcome, one and all, to John's Marketplace, where, precisely at 1700 hours, we will be holding our world-famous Friday Night Winestival. Do you like the lovers' quote above? I guess I'm flying my freak flag a little bit this morning- and nothing gets me in the hippie mood like Eyetalian wine. Maybe it's the transferred solar energy encapsulated in those sweet, Enotrian little grapes, shipped and gurgled across the drink, or through the canal, or over and across the gravelly crumple of the Intermountain West, that alights on my face, illumines my blood, and makes me feel like those tiny little barrels my buddy dropped into my sparkling water were not just sugar... Or maybe it's an imagined swath of oak-dark hair swaying in an Adriatic breeze, thrumming like guitar strings, heady like Mallarmé...
All right, it's probably just a hangover, but whaddayagonnado? Ditzy digressions aside, we are indeed focusing on Italian wines tomorrow, to wit:
Elena Walch Pinot Bianco 2006 $13.99
When I met Werner, the co-owner of this estate, I immediately thought him to be German, and I was right- even though he is Italian. The Alto Adige is officially bi-lingual, German and Italian, and its natives keep a strong, vibrant bond to their northern roots. Speak to a Lombardian and he'll tell you the folks in Alto Adige- or Südtirol, auf Deutsch- consider themselves more German than Italian... Perhaps that's why they have such a deft touch with white wines. Pinot Bianco is the "house white" or the region, a particular specialty, and you'll taste it here. The wine is a riot of citric notes and stoney minerality. Ganz gut!
Salegg Moscato Giallo 2006 $19.99
Dry, floral, and expressive. Nothing like Moscato d'Asti, by the way. This is a good opportunity to continue your Muscat education- remember that Moscato/ Muscat is an entire family of grapes, producing a dazzling array of wines.
Conti Sertoli Salis Torre della Sirena 2006 $19.99
CSS are in Valtellina, one of the steepest, and thus most expensive, wine-growing regions in the world. The appellation is situated in the mountains of northern Lombardia, a stone's throw from the Swiss border, and benefits from a long, mild growing season. Indeed, Valtellina is the last region in Italy to harvest- the grapes often are not picked until mid-October. This wine is a white wine made from red grapes, those being Nebbiolo, Rossola, and Pignola. The result is lush and floral, a wash of honeysuckle and comice pear, with a long, dry finish that is perfect for cheese.
Montesecondo Toscana Rosso 2004 $14.99
There's a great story to this wine, and I'll let Louis Dressner tell it: "In the fall, Silvio told me that [the wine] was bottled. He also said it did not pass for DOC status for lack of color. Paolo di Marchi had made a similar wine at Isole e Olena and had been denied the DOC for the same reason. They were both told that if they added a color fortifying agent the wines would pass….they both said no and bottled the wine as an IGT wine. The curious thing here is that now all sorts of grapes – including Syrah, Cabernet and Petit Verdot – and barrique treatments are allowed for DOC Chianti Classico,. At the same time a wine made just using Sangiovese and Canaiolo in the method of older chianti vinifications or using just older botti (large format barrels) are systematically denied the right to use the Chianti Classico name." Turns out Silvio and crew were pissing off the locals by- gasp!- farming biodynamically and thus throwing their green weight around... So it's more "Chianti" to add a dye to one's wine than to make it of Sangiovese and Canaiolo... Gotta love bureaucracy! (The wine's yummy, too)
Bruno Grimaldi Nebbiolo 2005 $19.99
This was picked by the lovely and talented Liz Curtin from Casa Bruno. I have not yet tried it this vintage... Fingers crossed!
Conti Sertoli Salis Capo di Terra 2003 $19.99
The red companion to the Mermaid's Tower above. 100% Nebbiolo. This wine gives the lie to the chauvinistic Piemontese notion that Nebbiolo cannot be grown effectively outside of their region. So does John Paul's, by the way, but you didn't hear that from me.
...and for dessert there will be a sweet, low-alcohol red wine from Emilia-Romagna (Cagnina di Romagna, a tradition of the region) , and I expect all of you to be good sports and try it, because it's really quite good!
OK, I'm off to stock our groaning shelves and boogie down to some Feist over these incredibly high-fidelity speakers. See you domani!
The Alert....The News...
O come, all ye thirsty faithful, and dip your sweet, delicate proboscides into the honeypot that is the Friday Night Hell-yeah, to be held at John's Marketplace this Friday, September 21, 2007, between the hours of 5 and 7 post meridiam. Butterfly nets will be deployed at the very crack of seven, so, lest your tiny little hook-feathers be ruffled, abraded, or otherwise molested, drink up, hale and hearty, that you might depart from our semi-sacred Mothership with the properly misty glow, wings intact.
I apologize for the paucity of my normally diluvian verbiage in last week's installment of this little newsletter, and therefore I have committed myself not only to writing more, but better, in this one. Or at least more. To that end, I have (gasp!) already chosen the wines for Friday's tasting. Given that drivers do not sicken, and that my lovely customers do not descend on the wines in question like birds on a ripe acre of Shiraz, they should all be available and open. And, yes, I reverse-coined diluvian from its ante-. Deal with it.
A note: my newsletter was in no way a tribute to the happy anniversary of Mr. Kerouac's finest work (Visions of Cody is fabulous if you love Neal Cassady like I do, but it's a bit dense, where On the Road is the finest prose-poem written in the English language since forever, gorgeously edited- and yes, he did edit that one), though I observed its advent with a Rossi-jug full of California Tokay, a hitchhiking thumb, and a hearty game of yabyum with a lovely young blonde. I also apologize on behalf of the latter-day Beat community, whose constant embrace of Ti Jean's opus was mocked and brutalized by the nearly unreadable swill published last week in the Oregonian. Gag! Does one review Irvine Welsh's Trainspotting in Scottish brogue? Or Flannery O'Connor in a southern accent? Offensive...
De toute façon, I should also remind one and all of our upcoming Jeudi Gras festivities, to be held this Thursday, September 20, 2007, from 6 to 8 pm. We will be visited by the lovely Doug of C and G Wines, one of our favorite distributors, and the one responsible for our Chateauneuf tastings, among others. The entry fee is $20, and no reservations are necessary (sorry again for those turned away last time). We will have one white Bordeaux, six reds, and a Sauternes. Come thirsty!
But this Friday, the somewhat less exalted- though nonetheless delicious- lineup is as follows, and I apologize for the dearth of vintage information:
Hanna Sauvignon Blanc $14.99 (Russian River Valley)
Crispy, snappy, and dry, but with mouthwatering richness on the tongue.
K Vintners Riesling and Chardonnay $11.99 (Washington)
Wines from the Ramones' erstwhile manager. Oi, oh, let's go!
Kesselstatt Graacher Riesling Trocken $14.99 (Germany)
Gorgeous, expressive, dry German Riesling. What more can one desire?
Les Palombières Côtes de Gascon Rouge and Blanc $7.99 (France)
Lovely, incredibly inexpensive wines from one of France's best value regions. The white is Colombard and Ugni Blanc, and the red is Tannat and Merlot.
Elk Cove "La Sirene" Syrah/ Grenache $12.99 (Oregon)
This stuff is some darned good juice, its counterintuitive cépage notwithstanding.
Ayres Willamette Valley Pinot Noir $19.99 (Oregon)
Yum! You remember it from last year, right? As good or better... Elegant and quite French in style.
...and who knows what the Cool Kids' Table might hold? Higher-end Ayres bottlings, maybe...? $500 Hermitage blanc...? Mr. Mike's world-renowned interpretive nude dance (this week, in JK's honor, he'll be performing The Dharma Bums, a work with which ole Crafty Bascom has some history)...? Stay tuned, and find out!
Friends and Neighbors, you are happily invited to another Thursday Night High-end Tasting, henceforth to be known as High Thursdays and Jeudi Gras on alternating months. This month's High Thursday falls on September 6, and will take place from 5-7, the same hours as our Friday tastings. The fee this Thursday is the low low cost of $15, or $14.75 if dressed as a member of the Village People (assless chaps encouraged, but not required). This is a GREAT VALUE, as RP would say.
HIGH THURSDAY with CARRIE HARMON of UNIVERSAL WINES
Carrie, the whirling dervish of Universal Wines, is one of our favorite reps. She will be pouring a selection of the brilliant wines of Unti, from Healdsburg, California. Here's the line-up:
UNTI
2004 Syrah: 100% Syrah $25.99
2004 Petite Sirah: 100% Petite Sirah $29.99 (PS the best P.S. I've ever had)
2005 Grenache: 84% Grenache, 14% Syrah, 2% Mourvedre $32.99
2005 "Petit Frere": 48% Syrah, 42% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre $23.99
2005 "Segromigno": 89% Sangiovese, 7% Syrah, 4% Barbera $21.49
2005 Zinfandel: 85% Zinfandel, 11% Petite Sirah, 4% Barbera $26.99
...and, from that famous Californian (?) town of Montalcino, a Brunello:
1999 La Campana Brunello di Montalcino $59.99
Friends, neighbors, paragons of gentility and grace, we cordially invite you to the weekly FRIDAY NIGHT SLURPATHON, to be held right here at John's Marketplace (said business having poked its sodden snout out through the November clouds to see the sun and remember that it's AUGUST, for Pete's sake!) on Friday, August 24, 2007. No special attire needed this week, thank you for asking.
Now cue that swingin' bluegrass beat:
...in the hills of east Kentucky
whar' the silver rivers flow
in a land of mist where the forests kiss away the ice and snow
There's a copper tressèd maiden
who calls her name Shinaan
there we made our home on a mossy stone with the Lady lookin' on...
...'cause Mr. Riggs is bound for his home state, sweet natal Kentucky, land of rivers and tall trees, Ole Kah-ten-tah-teh, the Dark and Bloody Ground, sacred hunting ground of the Tsalagí, southern neighbor of the mighty Kaskaskians, and the home of some of the United States' first commercial winemakers- in 1799, the Kentucky Vineyard Society pioneered the planting of winegrapes (the first west of the Appalachians, I believe), and by the mid-1800s, Kentucky was the country's third-largest wine-producing state. Most importantly, however, in February of 1974, Kentucky became the world's leading Riggs-producing state, so I figured I'd head on back and check her out.
Why should you care? I don't know, I just work here... But next week, while I'm gone, you will all be thrilled, delighted, and disconcertingly excited to learn that MR. MIKE WILL BE HERE ALL WEEK!! More or less... I promise he's still the smartest, handsomest wine steward in town, and, yes, you can expect a full monty of his now-famous Interpretive Nude Dance (I hear R.E.M.'s "Eponymous" is in the pipeline). So, what about tomorrow? No theme, just good stuff in relatively good supply:
Alain Brumont Gros Manseng $9.99 (France)
Snappy, crisp, and dry, with lots of white grapefruit and minerality, but also a surprisingly rich texture on the tongue, rare in a Gascony white wine. The best I've had from M. Brumont.
Kit Fox "Foxy" White $12.99 (California)
The conundrum here is how this kind of wine, with this kind of name, could be this kind of good... One wonders if they realize that "foxy" wines are off-flavored Labrusca wines from New York... eh bien! Deep breath, here's the exact cepage: 63% Chenin blanc, 12% Sauvignon blanc, 7% Verdelho, 5% Orange Muscat, 5% Riesling, 5% Viognier, 5% Gewurztraminer. Floral, complex, and dry- yummy! (p.s. did you get my joke?)
Coelho Pinot Gris $19.99 (Oregon)
I cannot deny that this is a little expensive for an Oregon 'gris (or that the label is an indecipherable mess), but it's a tiny little winery producing awesome, artisanal wines of high quality. So let's help 'em out, get 'em on the map... Does this sound like, "No, she has a great personality?" Probably. I'll shut up now.
Bohigas Cabernet Sauvignon $9.99 (Spain)
Delicious, minerally, varietally-correct Cab from Catalunya. This wine is a bona fide EXCELLENT VALUE, loaded with cassis, a hint of tobacco, and a nicely tannic, bloody finish. Perfect for steak, and it looks like we have one or two grilling days left.
Chateau Roustaing Bordeaux $10.99 (you know where Bordeaux is!)
Well-made, classically styled Bordeaux. A nice comparison with the above Spaniard.
Castello della Paneretta Chianti Classico $12.99 (Enotria)
90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo. Chianti made in an elegant, structured style. Food-friendly, but not too tannic to enjoy by itself... OK, I haven't had it in awhile, and can't remember exactly, but I do remember liking it a lot...
Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage $29.99 (France)
And the treat, because I love you all and will miss you, and wanted to give you a present to ease your aching hearts during my prolonged absence. This is the Syrah of Alain Graillot, one of the great geniuses of the Rhone Valley. Graillot's talents are formidable, and his wines seem to get better every year; he is arguably on par with such greats as Mordorée, Cuilleron, and (gasp!) Jaboulet. You'll taste Syrah the way God intended, loaded with spicy wild cherry fruit, classic white peppercorn and bacon fat, and a long, ultra-sexy, bloody finish... Don't let your partner smell this on your breath or you will be in trouble, my friends! Better yet, share a bottle and see what happens (you're welcome).
OK! I'll see everyone Friday, and then won't be back until September 3rd. Hopefully I'll have lots of good stories, and a case or two of bourbon (I think I can smuggle that in my carry-on..).
PATRIOT ACT DISCLAIMER: I, Riggs Fulmer, do NOT intend to smuggle contraband back from Kentucky in my carry-on. That would be illegal. And mules are cheaper anyway...
John's Marketplace Thursday Tasting
2005 & 2004 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Tasting Thursday August 23rd 6:00 – 8:00 pm $20.- fee
reservations strongly recommended - call Riggs at the store 503-244-2617 - your credit card payment secures your spot
THE WINES:
2006 BOISSON CAIRANNE BLANC $15.00
2006 MORDOREE LIRAC BLANC LES REINE DES BOIS $35.00
Certified Organic & Biodynamic
The 2006 Lirac Reine des Bois white is a blend of nine varietals, but mostly Grenache, Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne, Clairette, and Bourboulenc. It is all aged in tank except for a tiny portion of the Roussanne which spends some time in barrel. The 2006 reveals crisp acidity, and notes of orange marmalade and rose water with plenty of litchi and floral notes. It is an exotic, but a classic dry, medium-bodied white that should drink nicely for several years. This is an estate that was a no-brainer for inclusion in my recent book on the world's greatest wine estates. With 135 acres spread throughout some of the most impressive appellations of the southern Rhone, Christophe Delorme and his brother took over this estate in the early to mid-1990s and have done nothing but produce one exquisite wine after another. Of course, the top cuvees of Chateauneuf du Pape are rare and expensive, but this is a place to find terrific Cotes du Rhones and Liracs as well. Delorme is equally adept at dry whites as well as reds, and turns out some stunning roses both under the Cotes du Rhone and Tavel appellations. Visitors to the area will be surprised to find out that Mordoree is actually in Tavel, not Chateauneuf du Pape. - Robert Parker
2004 CHARVIN CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE $57.00
Dark red. Explosively aromatic, assertive nose combines red and dark berries, exotic spices and a strong lavender note. Lush, creamy and sweet, but with good focus to the bright raspberry, blackberry and licorice flavors. Silky, focused and pure on the long, juicy finish. This very sexy wine will drink well young but is balanced to improve with cellaring. 93 pts. - Tanzer
2005 OLIVIER HILLAIRE LES PETITS PIEDS D'ARMAND $89.00
100% Grenache from vines planted in 1899.
The truly stunning 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Petits Pieds d'Armand offers a classic concoction of flowers, blueberry, black raspberry, and cherries intermixed with some cedar and underbrush. Deep ruby/purple in color with full body, powerful tannins, and sweet mid-section and length, this is a terrific 2005 that will need 2-4 years of bottle age and keep for two decades. 92-94 - Parker
2005 GRAND VENEUR CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE $40.00
The 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape looks to be a winner, one of strength, richness, elegance, but full-bodied power and plenty of deep, smoky black cherry and blackberry fruit intermixed with some herbs, roasted meats, spice, and earth. It is a beautiful wine that will probably benefit from 1-2 years of bottle age and drink well for 12-15 years. Readers have to distinguish between the negociant wines of Alain Jaume, which are under the label “Alain Jaume,” and his estate wines, which appear under the “Grand Veneur” label. In both cases the quality is extremely high and unlike many estates where prices have dramatically soared over recent vintages, Grand Veneur's proprietor, Alain Jaume, continues to offer very fair value for the quality. 92-94 pts - Parker
2005 PIERRE USSEGLIO CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE $50.00
The 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Tradition, a 100% destemmed cuvee produced from 25 hectoliters per hectare and aged 80% in old wood foudres and 20% in tank, is dense purple with terrific fruit notes of raspberry, black cherry, and even some black currant and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, with good acidity, moderate tannin, and outstanding ripeness and length, this wine will be at its best in 2-3 years, and drink well for 12-15. Brothers Jean-Pierre and Thierry Usseglio have once again produced some of the finest Chateauneuf du Papes of the vintage, particularly in 2005. This is no small accomplishment given the fact that their 2003 cuvees were among the very finest wines of that challenging and irregular year. 92-94 pts – Parker
2005 DOMAINE OLIVIER HILLAIRE CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE CLASSIQUE $50.00
If you are into purity of fruit and a wine that dances on your palate, flirts and teases you with its charm and delicacy, then you must try this wine. Cinnamon stick, red fruit and blackcurrant tea abound.
2005 CH. FORTIA TRADITION $38.00
Stephen Tanzer - 90-93 Points!
Light red. Ripe red berry aromas complemented by a suggestion of gingerbread. Lush, sweet flavors of strawberry and raspberry liqueur are already quite attractive, and silky tannins will not stand in the way of early consumption. Finishes juicy and long.
2005 & 2004 SOUTHERN RHONE - STEPHEN TANZER:
"The 2005s are well on their way to being the most anticipated set of Rhône Valley wines of a generation that has enjoyed no shortage of "vintages of the century." Growing conditions from Côte-Rôtie to Châteauneuf du Pape were nothing short of sublime, save for the ongoing drought conditions that have plagued most of Western Europe's vineyards since 2003. My annual visit to the Rhône was exhausting thanks to the sheer number of wines I tasted and, perhaps more so, owing to the consistently high quality I found. Outstanding wines are far more demanding on the brain than mediocre ones, requiring greater focus and, of course, time for contemplation. And I found plenty to contemplate this fall.
Savvy buyers will also be paying close attention to the large number of excellent 2004s that were made in the north and south. Market obsessions being what they are, this looks to be a classic red-headed stepchild of a vintage, as many collectors are already plotting their buying strategies for the 2005s. Great deals are already being offered on some superb 2004s from all Rhône appellations, and these bottles are often priced at less than half what will be asked for the same wines from 2005.
The South. In the south, the 2005 season began with a harsh, cold winter with little precipitation, followed by a rainy spring. Bud-break occurred on the late side thanks to the cold weather but flowering was normal, in early June. Summer was very dry (drought has persisted in the Rhône since the growing season of 2003). Fortunately, heat was not a serious issue during the summer and a steady Mistral through July and August, in conjunction with cool nights, made for a slow, smooth maturing process. Scattered, well-timed rains came in early September, helping to push along late-maturing vines such as mourvèdre.
Harvesting began in early September (at Châteauneuf du Pape on September 10), and ideal conditions, often on the warm side, allowed picking to stretch until the first week of October—a repeat of 2004's drawn-out, textbook conditions. Natural alcohols fall in the 13.5%-15% range and the tannins are supple and nicely integrated into the ripe but energetic fruit. I ran across few wines that were marked by roasted or obviously overripe qualities. These are thoroughly ripe wines but the majority are also lively and pure—a rare combination for the region and the cause for immense excitement among growers and, predictably, merchants, who smell a profit opportunity when it presents itself as clearly as this vintage does. The inevitable downside to 2005 is the generally low crop level, down from 2004 but higher than the severely diminished 2003 production. In 2005, ultimate yields seldom exceeded 31 hectoliters per hectare and in many cases dipped close to 20.
Broadly speaking, 2004 offers a collection of structured, focused wines, noteworthy for their balance and elegance. Fans of ripe and dramatic southern Rhône wines with distinct aromas of surmaturité may find them wanting in richness and weight, but for those seeking classically styled, suave wines, 2004 offers myriad choices. The long, drawn-out harvest allowed growers the opportunity to pick at leisure, bringing in each variety at optimal ripeness. The best wines have plenty of concentration and sweetness and in most cases the balance to reward patient consumers. As with the north, 2004 is destined to exist in the shadow of 2005, which has been an object of intense worldwide interest since before the first grapes were picked. I've already seen evidence of importers and merchants clearing the decks of their ‘04s (in many cases even before the wines have left the estates!) for the more lucrative and hotly pursued 2005s. But as my notes and scores indicate, many 2004s are close or equal in quality to the same producers' 2005s, and it will not surprise me to see them available at 50% less than the opening prices for the newer vintage. I should point out that in my notes in this issue, I have frequently used garrigue as shorthand for the complex herbal notes of thyme, rosemary, basil, sage, lavender, wild mint and fennel that infuse so many wines from the South. Garrigue is the wild, pungently spicy brush that dots rocks and hillsides along France's Mediterranean coast."
You are cordially invited to John's Marketplace, here in lovely, sodden Juneau, Alaska, to the latest installment of the FRIDAY VINOUS DEBAUCH, to be held tomorrow, August 17, 2007. Wear your most elegant oiled cotton garb- we'll have a rack to dry your boots. There will be a Rick Bass discussion group and log-splitting competition directly following the Weinprobe.
The MAIN ATTRACTION (and I do mean attraction, grrrr!) will be the fetching young Annie from Bacchus- sounds good, doesn't it?- who will be pouring a lineup of particularly yummy wines, those being:
Trevisiol Prosecco $13.99
Twin Beaks Verdelho $9.99
Kiona Lemberger $10.49
Windy Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon $9.99
Forte Canto Negroamaro $11.99
Poggio Vignoso Chianti $10.99
Twenty Bench Cabernet Sauvignon $19.99
...All right, all right, we haven't moved a thousand miles up the coast, it just looks like it outside. So, given the intense heat and unremitting sun under which we've sweltered (insert bitter laughter here), it's time for a tasting of the great green fizzy wines of the Bay of Biscay and eastern Atlantic, to wit: Vinho Verde and Getariako Txakolina!
VINHO VERDE hails from Portugal's northernmost province, the Minho, which borders Galicia and the Rias Baixas appellation, and which accounts for nearly one fifth of the country's wine harvest. The climate here is damp, more like Oregon than Madrid, and thus the vines are vigorous and the grapes high in malic acid, which makes for tart, low-alcohol wines that are perfect with sunshine and seafood. White Vinho Verde ("verde," which means, as in Spanish, "green," here refers to a young, fresh wine, not to its color) is typically made from a blend of Azal, Loureiro, Trajadura, Avesso, and Arinto; however, some of the best come from the Alvarinho- yes, identical to Albarino- grape.
GETARIAKO TXACOLINA, or, in Castellano, Chacoli de Guetaria, is a piercing white wine made from two indigenous grapes, Hondarrabi Zuri and Hondurrabi Beltza. Zuri is white, where Beltza is red, vinified with zero skin contact (think Champagne for a parallel). At 124 acres under vine, it is Spain's smallest growing region. This is one of the world's greatest under-recognized seafood wines; it particularly shines with grilled fish or oysters, which make up a sizeable portion of the area's cuisine. And, like Vinho Verde, it is lightly fizzy. Unlike Vinho Verde, Txacolina can attain a silky texture on the palate and a wash of bright minerality- think of it as Vinho Verde's more serious older sister.
At the Cool Kids' Table we'll be working through a few of these, as follows (all 2006 vintage):
Casal Garcia Vinho Verde $7.99
Broadbent Vinho Verde $7.99
Casa de Vila Verde Vinho Verde $8.49
Alianca Vinho Verde $8.49
Aveleda Vinho Verde Alvarinho $12.99
Arregi Getariako Txakolina $12.99
Txomin Etxaniz Getariako Txacolina $21.49
...maybe we'll even open some anchovies!
And, in the spirit of shameless self-promotion, be sure to come to the
PREVOLAND HOUSE BLOCK PARTY, Saturday, August 18, 2007, from 5pm till the cows come home, over at the dead end at SE 28th and Ash streets, a festival of homebrews, neighborliness, belly dancers, friendly concupiscence, and, most importantly, the debut performance of Mr. Riggs' hastily-cobbled-together band the Lost Babies, or the Dirty Little Creek-knot Cheeks, or the Sesquipedalian Illiterates, or the People Getting Sick in the Bushes (we'll have a drawing to decide the name). What we lack in skill or tightness we make up for in raucous showmanship and on-stage vulgarity- but what else would you expect from Mr. Riggs? We play at around 10pm until they make us shut up...
See you there!
You are cordially invited to join the naughty prophets and star-dazzled poets of the FRIDAY WINE EXTRAVAGANZA, to be held tomorrow, August 10, 2007. Please show up in your finest attire, promptly at 5pm. The gong will ring and glasses will be snatched from red-stained fingers at the very stroke of 7pm, so be alert!
There are many exciting things to tell you about this week, including the imminent return of our Thursday Night High-End Tastings! The first is in a mere fortnight, August 23, when the dashing, smartly-dressed Doug from C and G Distributors will be pouring his finest Chateauneufs-du-Pape. We haven't negotiated an exact entry fee as yet, but we will be in meetings with union representatives throughout the weekend, and we hope to have reached some agreement by then. Stay tuned!
But I digress, in wonted (wanton?) (won-ton?) fashion, and have begun to neglect tomorrow's tasting, so once more into the breach, comrades!
The real treat will be Vonda from Left Coast Cellars, who will be sharing her lovely, cartographically-labeled wines from right here in the Willamette Valley. We know there will be some nice Pinots with her, and maybe a white or two as well, if you're good. By the way, you should each ask about her experimental plot of Tazzelenghe (that just doesn't sound right, does it?).
At the Cool Kids' Table we will have a typically stunning handful of wines, including, but not necessarily limited to:
Kuentz-Bas Alsace Blanc 2004 $9.99
Alsace Blanc is many things to many people. To some, it's the finest iteration of synergy and commonality since the Russian army went soviet. To others, it's an excellent replacement for olive oil in their salads. I'm lying, of course; this is a blend of Pinots Blanc and Gris, Riesling, and Gewurz (I think). It's dry and elegant, and way too inexpensive at this price.
Anselmi San Vincenzo 2006 $10.99
Roberto Anselmi makes some of the best white wines in the Veneto. Growing tired of the lack of quality and ambition in the Soave DOC, Anselmi left the appellation in 2000. This wine, "San Vincenzo," is a blend of 80% Garganega, 15% Chardonnay, and 5% Trebbiano. It shows pretty honeycomb and lime zest, with a wash of texture and aroma like an Indian summer afternoon, golden, soft, and somehow nostalgic. Good wine, this.
Conti di Buscareto Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi 2006 $9.99
This appellation is in the Marche region, on the east coast of Italy, along the Adriatic Sea. If you have a sharp memory, you'll remember the rosé we carried last year from this house. This Verdicchio is even better. Intriguing, mellow acidity flows underneath its subtle flavors of pear, honey, and stargazer lily, but its most striking feature is its plush, erotic viscosity in the mouth. An impressive wine at this price.
...and maybe even a red wine, who knows?
No Thursday or Saturday Tasting this week...
We look forward to seeing you this Friday, August 3, for our wine tasting, which begins at 5pm and ends promptly at 7pm.
Well, friends, another week has spun its thread across these newly bluing skies, the air is hung with cottonwood seeds, and, by God, NFL preseason begins this Sunday! So I m tanned, rested and ready- OK, I'm pale, hung-over, and desultory, but I'm pleased nonetheless to announce that a real live sommelier will be with us this Friday, the charming and talented Marc Garner, who will be pouring the wines of Canon del Sol. Be sure to ask him about his time working as the bouncer for a brothel outside Chiang Mai, and don t forget to make a request for his gorgeous a capella version of "What's New Pussycat." He's going to surprise us with a selection of six or seven lovely wines, but Mike and I aren't so coy about our selections (unless you find that appealing, in which case I'll ask Mike to keep those eyelashes all a-flutter), and we will be manning the Cool Kids' Table, where we'll be pouring:
Chateau Pineraie Cahors 2003 $12.99
Do you know Cahors yet (no comments about your sisters-in-law, please, let's keep this civilized)? These wonderful wines from the slopes around the River Lot in Southwest France are deep, dark, muscular, and intense. They are made from the Hexagon's greatest concentration of Malbec, which they call Auxerrois to confuse stupid Yanks. Famous since the Middle Ages for its "vins noirs" (black wines), today the wines are often softened with a dab of Merlot. I'm not sure of the exact cepage in this case, but the resulting wine is spicy and rich, with a long, dry, bloody finish. Yum!
Mekinzie Ridge Pinot Noir 2005 $12.99
Just when you thought it was safe to go back to Mark West Pinot, angrily and guiltily cursing those Californians for their volume-based discounts, along comes another ridiculous value from right here in sunny Oregon. Mekinzie Ridge is round and delicious, with varietally correct flavors of wild cherries, forest floor, blueberry skins, and even a mineral or two on the finish. Let's grill some Coho!
...and gasp!... a theme for the whites at this table - Or at least a consistency, a foolish one's hobgoblining of little minds notwithstanding: Oregon Pinot Blanc!
Ayres Pinot Blanc 2006 $14.99
I ve already written all about this wine (see my Top 12 list on the website), so I'll sum it up this way: awwww YEAH! Just try it, you'll like it.
Thistle Pinot Blanc 2006 $13.99
If everybody in the world who made Pinot Blanc were this nice, I'd buy them each a cookie. Well, I couldn't afford that, but I'd cc 'em each a real nice email. This wine, like Ayres' above, is pure and fresh, with trademark flavors of lime meringue, chalky minerals, and a nice, dry finish. This wine is made for King Crab, by the way, although I cannot speak for its suitability with King Crimson. Thelahun ginjeet! (I don't know hoe to spell that, sorry, wasn t the song reference good enough?)
- who knows what else might happen, including the demonstration of a silly, if kinda cool, wine accoutrement, and Mr. Mike's de rigueur interpretive nude dance. This week he's doing Polanski's "Chinatown." Look out, ladies!
We'll see you here!
P.S. Make sure to ask me about my big show this coming Saturday at Sandelie Golf Course... hints: family friendly, Merry Pranksters, rock-and-roll ...
Please join us this Friday July 27th at John's Marketplace.
There will be a $5 tasting fee, pick your glass up and pay at the Deli counter on your way in. Our event starts promptly at 5 pm and ends promptly at 7pm.
This week we'll be featuring our usual grab-bag of wines, from all hemispheres and persuasions. Two of our wines have attended recent Democratic Party functions and were horrified at the plasticine smiles painted on the rigid, semi-ossified faces running the show. One was just at an evangelical rally in Macon, Georgia, and has found the Lord. Two were involved in an "alternative lifestyle" type relationship in Melbourne, but upon turning the bottles over, gender was indeterminate, so the Oregon Supreme Court is unsure of the legality of their upcoming nuptials. One just got back from the Country Fair and is still experiencing peripheral hallucinations, and the last won't say NUTHIN. You decide which is which:
Wishing Tree Unwooded Chardonnay $11.49
Not everything Chard is draped in butterscotch wood, as Jay from J. Christopher has shown us. This Aussie charmer is in drag as Sauv Blanc, all white grapefruit and zingy acidity. Hopefully it'll be a hot day...
Rutherglen "The Alliance" Marsanne/ Viognier $14.99
The Australian passion for things Rhone does not stop with red wine; they also make some wonderful whites from the grapes of that lovely region. This one is driven by the honeycomb richness of Marsanne, balanced against the warm tropicality of Viognier. Dry, with a minerally finish- good on ya!
Heron Cabernet Sauvignon $7.99
Is this the world's best value in Callie Cab? Probably not, but it's a damn good deal anyway, especially when you taste the elegant structure (?!) and graceful cassis fruit in this very well-made little wine.
Abacela Syrah $14.49
I can't lie, I prefer the bacon-fat and white pepper of northern Rhone Syrah, but this one is a fantastic version of New World richness and hedonistic fruit, and it used to sell for three times the price, so it's a win-win!
Feudo Monaci Primitivo $9.99
Whether you think Primitivo has Zinfandel progeny or not, it's still a big, black, tarry fruit-bomb of a southern Italian coquette- if such a big, masculine wine could be called coquettish. A great value in a wine that doesn't necessarily need to stay out by the grill... but when it's so fabulous with grilled rib-eye, why not just let it do its thing?
Marchesi di Gresy Dolcetto $14.99
Mr. Mike and I were blown away by this wine at a recent tasting over on Trendy-third. If you don't know the wines of Marchesi di Gresy, you should- and this awesome Dolcetto is a great place to start. It has Dolcetto's trademark vivid purple robe, with all that bucolic floral and fleshy character you look for. A ridiculous value in lush Piemontese juice.
Brut Dargent Rosé $11.49
I know you all remember when Miss Carrie from Universal poured the white sister of this wine last week, and this rosé is, if anything, better. It has a classy austerity to its complex Pinot fruit, with a long, mineral-and-earth driven finish. This would be perfect with spicy grilled Thai prawns... gotta run eat some Thai food now!
...and you never know what that handsome Bascom devil will be pouring over at the cool kids' table...
NOTA BENE: I have finally dragged a computer into the store, so when I'm not Myspacing my friends at the radio station or downloading questionable visual material, I'll be updating our store website ( www.johnsmarketplace.com) on a daily basis, as well as responding to emails in real time. We has a wonderful excursion to the Wallowas last weekend, where my fiancée, friends, and I were treated like Big City Royalty by the great folks at Terminal Gravity, so be on the lookout for my article on the trip, including some lovely, if poorly-shot, pictures. My tasting notes will be available on our website even sooner. We'll see you on Friday!
No Thursday or Saturday Tasting this week....
Please join us this Friday May 11th at John's Marketplace.
There will be a $5 tasting fee, pick your glass up and pay at the Deli counter on your way in. Our event starts promptly at 5 pm and ends promptly at 7pm.
Friday tasting....
All over the world looking for value...3 reds 3 whites and a sparkler
Rotari Sparkling Wine $9.99 (dry pink sparkling wine from Italy)
Portuga $6.99 (dry Portuguese white)
Exemius $7.99 (dry Portuguese white)
Avinyo - 2006 Vi D' Agulla $11.99 (dry Spanish quaffer white) Great slightly sparkling wine from a terrific Cava producer. The grapes are 100% Petit Grain Muscat, but the wine is very slightly floral, more on the refreshing neutral side of muscat, alcohol is just 10.5% I've found my summer wine. Vi D'Agulla means "wine with a prickle," in Catalonian dialect. Simply delicious wine; as I tasted this I suddenly felt the warm sun of Barcelona on my cheeks and casually observed that I was suddenly at a sidewalk cafe, a table umbrella sprouted above, and as I shifted my gaze to the sparkling blue ocean....I remembered I had to mow the lawn. Doh!
Secret de Campane $9.99 (dry French bistro red)
Belle Vallee Whole Cluster 2006 Pinot Noir $14.99 (Oregon Beaujolais style red) Served Chilled!!!
Heartland 2005 "Stickleback" (rich Australian red) Ben Glaetzer is the winemaker; 44% Cab 29% Shiraz 27% Grenache.
New in the store...
Michel Gros 2004 Bourgogne - (Burgundy - Pinot Noir) $22.99 Spectacular, earthy, weighty, a gem from this Vosne producer. Lots of burnished minerals and savory earth notes allied to electric raspberry in the nose, smooth weighty texture and a return to caramelized raspberries on the long finish. No case price. Limited.
Thomas Halby Dry Creek Zin $13.99 I thought this was clearly the winner of last weeks tasting. Good smooth character, no single vineyard distinctiveness, but solid pleasing, and easy to drink.
Domaine de la Solitude 2005 Cotes du Rhone $14.99 Spectacular smooth plummy red Rhone, pure without the stewed fruit component, but with an earthy, cool climate feel, really great with spicy cuisine ....a deal from a famous Chateauneuf-du-Pape producer.
Casa Gualda "Cencibel" 2005, Sociedad Cooperativa Nuestra Senora de la Cabeza (Tempranillo, La Mancha, Spain) $7.50
Absurdly low price for the dense smooth serious wine that exhibits a cocoa powder mixed with violets in the nose, and comes across as clean dense blue fruits on the palate. Nice wine all around. Also recommended by Matt Kramer. Special deal...$66.00 case price. Will be gone soon.
Saint-Emilion 2005, Chateau La Croix de Jaugue $18.00 I thought this wine was dense and succulent with the savory umami component that great merlot from Bordeaux bring to the table. Also recommended by Matt Kramer:"At $18 a bottle, this red Bordeaux takes on the not inconsiderable competition with ease. If you're a Bordeaux lover -- or a merlot fan -- this is a red worth seeking." - Kramer
Brandborg 2003 Northern Reach (Umpqua, Oregon) Pinot Noir $19.99 A very successful 2003, just some bottles left of this lightly extracted complex and savory wine.
Ayres 2005 Pinot Blanc $14.99 Direct, pure, high voltage quaffing wine for the summer. Great grip and acidity with white peach and citrus, nice wine.
No Thursday or Saturday Tasting this week
Please join us this Friday May 4th at John's Marketplace.
There will be a $5 tasting fee, pick your glass up and pay at the Deli
counter on your way in. Our event starts promptly at 5 pm and ends promptly at 7pm.
Friday tasting....
Annie from Bacchus Wine Group ...pouring....Zinfandels
Ivan Tamas Zin (from Livermore) $8.99
Thomas Halby Dry Creek Zin $13.99
Norman Classic $12.99
Opolo (Paso Robles) Summit Creek Zin $18.99
Elyse 2004 Howell Mountain Zin $31.99
plus a surprise Australian Zinfandel....and a sparkling wine to begin ...please join us.
New in the store:
Cameron 2005 Dundee Hills - Pinot Noir $19.99 no phone orders please .... (and no case pricing.)
Domaine de la Solitude 2005 Cotes du Rhone $14.99 Spectacular smooth plummy red Rhone, pure without the stewed fruit component, but with an earthy, cool climate feel, really great with spicy cuisine ....a deal from a famous Chateauneuf-du-Pape producer.
Casa Gualda "Cencibel" 2005, Sociedad Cooperativa Nuestra Senora de la Cabeza (Tempranillo, La Mancha, Spain) $7.50
Absurdly low price for the dense smooth serious wine that exhibits a cocoa powder mixed with violets in the nose, and comes across as clean dense blue fruits on the palate. Nice wine all around. Also recommended by Matt Kramer. Special deal...$66.00 case price. Will be gone soon.
Saint-Emilion 2005, Chateau La Croix de Jaugue $18.00 I thought this wine was dense and succulent with the savory umami component that great merlot from Bordeaux bring to the table. Also recommended by Matt Kramer:"At $18 a bottle, this red Bordeaux takes on the not inconsiderable competition with ease. If you're a Bordeaux lover -- or a merlot fan -- this is a red worth seeking." - Kramer
Brandborg 2003 Northern Reach (Umpqua, Oregon) Pinot Noir $19.99 A very successful 2003, just some bottles left of this lightly extracted complex and savory wine.
Avinyo - 2006 Vi D' Agulla $11.99 Great slightly sparkling wine from a terrific Cava producer. The grapes are 100% Petit Grain Muscat, but the wine is very slightly floral, more on the refreshing neutral side of muscat, alcohol is just 10.5% I've found my summer wine. Vi D'Agulla means "wine with a prickle," in Catalonian dialect. Simply delicious wine; as I tasted this I suddenly felt the warm sun of Barcelona on my cheeks and casually observed that I was suddenly at a sidewalk cafe, a table umbrella sprouted above, and as I shifted my gaze to the sparkling blue ocean....I remembered I had to mow the lawn. Doh!
Ayres 2005 Pinot Blanc $14.99 Direct, pure, high voltage quaffing wine for the summer. Great grip and acidity with white peach and citrus, nice wine.
I will not be in the store this Saturday. I will be Friday from noon until 7pm...
No Thursday or Saturday Tasting this Saturday...
Thursday April 26th Patty Green wines $15... 5-7 pm (plus some Thistle wines) Rally the troops and decamp to John's on Thursday.
Nine Different 2005 Patricia Green Cellars Pinots ......plus light snackies...one ounce pours once through.
Two Thistle Pinot Noirs
2005 Patricia Green Cellars Pinot Noir
Ribbon Ridge Six Estate Vineyard Bottlings Tasting
The Line Up
2005 Four Winds Chardonnay $19
2005 Oregon Pinot Noir $22.00
2005 Croft Vineyard Pinot Noir $28.00
2005 Four Winds Pinot Noir $28.00
The Estate Pinots
2005 Whistling Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir
2005 Etzel Block Pinot Noir
2005 The Marine Sedimentary Pinot Noir
2005 Bonshaw Vineyard Pinot Noir
2005 Estate - Old Vine Pinot Noir
2005 Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir $36.00
Also Friday...
Also join us this Friday with a wonderful selection of Grape Expectations French wines, regular $5 tasting 5-7 pm Friday
We will feature French or French inspired wines, among others...
Domaine Sorin from Provence with a 2005 Cotes du Rhone $9.99 - Big Red
Sobon Estate dry pink wine $9.99 This wine retains a very provencal attitude despite its Amador County roots.
Domaine de la Solitude 2005 Cotes du Rhone $14.99 - "The first impression is a classicly varietal nose of rich, fleshy raspberry fruit poised on a frame of blueberry skins, wet stones, and loam. Floral notes (stargazer lily) flow across the palate, alive with garrigue minerality and erotic flavors of anise and wind-through-cedar-boughs. This deceptively serious wine has all the charm and effusive fruit of Spanish garnacha, yet maintains the unmistakable structure and class of French grenache. It is the most exciting Côtes-du-Rhône we have tasted in quite some time." -Mr. Riggs
Please join us this Friday April 20th at John's Marketplace.
There will be a $5 tasting fee, pick your glass up and pay at the Deli
counter on your way in. Our event starts promptly at 5 pm and ends promptly at 7pm.
Friday tasting....
High end South African wines...
1) 2005 Ken Forrester sauv blanc $12.99
2) 2005 Ken Forrester chenin blanc $12.99
3) 2005 de Trafford chenin $23.99
4) 2003 Forrester shiraz/Grenache $19.99
5) 2003 Wildekrans Pinotage barrel select $22.99
6) 2003 Darling Cellars Onyx shiraz $14.99
7) 2004 Signal Hill malbec $24.99
8) 2005 Signal Hill Vin de L'empeur Muscat 375ml $14.99 (dessert)
No Thursday tasting today.
Next Thursday April 26th Patty Green wines $15... 5-7 (plus Thistle wines) Rally the troops and decamp to John's on Thursday.
COOL NEW STUFF IN THE STORE
Allocated New Wines...
Spanish Wine Sampler 6 bottles (regularly $73.00) now...$65.00
2 bottles 2005 Senorio de Barahonda Carro $9.99 -Yecla, Spain [90 Points Wine Advocate]
2 bottles 2005 Bodegas San Isidro Carril de Cotos $9.99 [88 Points Wine Advocate]
1 bottle 2005 Bodegas Vina Magana Dignus $14.99 [90 Points Wine Advocate]
1 bottle 2005 Bodegas Vina Magana Baron de Magana $17.99 [91 Points Wine Advocate]
some details from the wines above....
2005 Senorio de Barahonda Carro -Yecla, Spain
"The 2005 Carro is an unoaked blend of 50% Monastrell, 20% Tempranillo, 20% Syrah, and 10% Merlot. Medium ruby-colored, it has a lovely perfume of ..., pepper, cassis, and blackberry. This is followed by a sumptuous wine with layer of ripe, sweet fruit, excellent balance, and no hard edges which totally belie its ridiculously silly price point. The wine is an awesome value. I had thoughts of a higher score but readers might think I'd lost my mind." 90 points, Robert Parker, Wine Advocate.
2005 Bodegas San Isidro Carril de Cotos $9.99 88 Points Wine Advocate -Carril de Cotos is meaty, smooth, well balanced, and rich in fruit with a pleasant soft finish. 100% Tempranillo
Wine Spectator top 100 wine of the year Rioja from Bodegas Lan now available.....Bodegas Lan Edición Limitada 2003 $55.00 750ml 94 pts The Wine Spectator: "Powerful yet graceful, this rich, ripe red delivers blackberry and currant fruit framed by coffee and toasty oak notes. Though thick on the palate, it remains fresh and focused, and the finish is clean and sweet, with floral and mineral grace notes. Drink now through 2012. Score: 94. —Thomas Matthews, September 30, 2006."
Lots of other new Spanish wines arriving Friday from Jorge Ordonez...more on this next time....
Vieux Telegraph Magnums 2004 Chateauneuf-du-Pape $120.00....... [6 available] Magnums Only...no 750ml bottles left.
Wine Spectator 94 points / ST90-92 / RP 92-94 "...WHICH IS A SELECTION OF THE OLDEST VINES OF THE ESTATE, IS A STUNNING WINE MADE FROM A BLEND OF 60% GRENACHE, 20% MOURVEDRE, 15% SYRAH, AND THE REST VARIOUS OTHER RED VARIETALS....DANIEL BRUNIER THINKS IT IS THE FINEST HE'S MADE SINCE 1998..." -Parker WS: "Pure and silky, with raspberry, cocoa and truffle and mineral notes that glide along on the fresh acidity. The long finish lets the fruit and minerals hang nicely, with Garrigue in the background. Should blossom in the cellar....94 points and highly recommended."
Domaine Alain Graillot - King of Syrah - makes densely packed wines inflected with blueberry spice, licorice, blackberry and violet notes.
If you love Syrah based wines get to know this great producer. Graillot wines seem to extract everything Syrah can express, the peppery notes, and the complex spiciness, and fine tannins interwoven with supporting acidity. Alain Graillot began making his first Crozes-Hermitage in 1985 and in 20 subsequent vintages has established himself as a benchmark for quality and consistency in the Northern Rhône.
2005 Alain Graillot St. Joseph $35.00
2005 Alain Graillot Crozes Hermitage $30.00
2005 Alain Graillot Crozes Hermitage La Guiraude $55.00
Dr. Marvin Hausmann's beautifully pure wines are now at a deliciously lower price point. This is a serious producer of great Pinots from Oregon; the wines have been fashioned by Ken Wright, Eric Lemelson, and now Joe Dobbes.
Check out this sleeper producer, the wines are fantastically pure and compelling.
Quailhurst 2001 Pinot Noir $28.00
Quailhurst 2002 Pinot Noir $35.00
Quailhurst 2003 Pinot Noir $41.00
Quailhurst 2004 Pinot Noir $41.00
Quailhurst 2005 Pinot Noir $41.00
Other great Oregon Pinots I have tried recently...
Tyee 2004 WV Pinot Noir $22.00
What I love about this wine is it's beautiful texture, the light low-alcohol tangy tartness that Pinot should have. It has that faded tea rose aroma and black fruit personality, with a hint of forest floor and balsam that I look for (...maybe the slightest hint of Brett). This wine changes dramatically in a decanter and is even better a second day open, when the complex fruit aromatics increase. I think this means it will age well. Nary a hint of oak in evidence, just nice earth/acid balance. Good price, great wine.
Lumos 2004 "Wren Vineyard" WV Pinot Noir $22.00
Again dark fruits dominate, in the solid, dense and satisfyingly long Pinot Noir.
Le Nez 2004 WV Pinot Noir $28.00
This wine hits all the creamy choco-mocha notes that many will love in a rich densely styled Oregon Pinot Noir. Grown in pea vine (poor willakenzie) soils, the fruit expresses that cola nut, dark fruited richness that only stressed vines exhibit. Fair price for the wine.
Other Oregon Pinots of Note with our highest recommendations...
River's Edge Pinot Noir 2005 Elkton $25.00 Finesse-ful, light extract with high flavor and balance.
River's Edge Pinot Noir 2005 Black Oak $25.00 Spicy, complex.
Roots Pinot Noir 2005 WV $22.00 Crisp, delightful fruit, another great Pinot from Chris Berg.
J. Christopher Pinot Noir 2005 WV $22.00 Crazy funky, but good.
Cristom 2005 "Mt. Jefferson" $30.00 Solid distinctive.
No Saturday Tasting this Saturday...
"Support John's Marketplace ...where in our charming deli, you're never under-dressed for the occasion."
Please join us this Friday April 13th at John's Marketplace.
There will be a $5 tasting fee, pick your glass up and pay at the Deli
counter on your way in. Our event starts promptly at 5 pm and ends promptly at 7pm.
Friday tasting...
Battle of the Bargain Tuscan Sangiovese-based Wines - plus a few Italian white wines TBA.
1) Renzo Masi 2005 Ruffina - Chianti $9.99
2) Coltibuono 2004 "Cetamura" Chianti $9.99
3) Di Majo Norante (Molise) 2005 Sangiovese $8.99 (90 pts Parker)
4) San Gorgio di Lapi "Fiore" 2004 Rosso Toscano - IGT $9.99
5) Villa Spoiano 2004 "Bacio" Chianti $9.99
This wine consists mainly of Sangiovese, with a small quantity of Canaiolo, Cabernet and Merlot.
6) Fattoria di Lucignano, Chianti Colli Fiorentini 2005 $12.00
Made from 80% Sangiovese with addition of 10% Canaiolo Nero and 10% of other local varietals depending of the vintage.
7) Mocali 2004 "Fossetti" Rosso Toscano - IGT $12.00
Sangiovese (70%), Canaiolo (30%)
IN THE STORE
Allocated New Wines...
Domaine Alain Graillot - King of Syrah - makes dense wines inflected with blueberry spice, licorice, blackberry and violet notes.
2005 Alain Graillot St. Joseph $35.00
2005 Alain Graillot Crozes Hermitage $30.00
2005 Alain Graillot Crozes Hermitage La Guiraude $55.00
No Saturday Tasting this Saturday...
"Support John's Marketplace... where in our charming deli, you're never under-dressed for the occasion."
Please join us this Friday April 6th at John's Marketplace.
There will be a $5 tasting fee, pick your glass up and pay at the Deli
counter on your way in. Our event starts promptly at 5 pm and ends promptly at 7pm.
Friday tasting…
All Red, all Pinot Noir, from value stars and new releases from old favorite producers near and far.
Mr. Mike's Perfect match for spring lamb…2003 Laurona Montsant $29.99 Spanish Red
Parker: "The 2003 Laurona, composed of 60% Grenache and 40% Carignan, has a multifaceted nose of minerals, earth, soy, black currants, blueberry, and licorice. This full-bodied effort is mouth-filling, sweet from glycerin, and supple, with layers of flavor. This loaded wine should evolve for another 2-4 years and drink well for a decade." - Wine Advocate, 92 points!
WS: "SMART BUY. Pretty raspberry and strawberry flavors gain depth from floral, mineral and herbal accents in this plush, well-structured red. Balanced and deceptively powerful. …." - Wine Spectator, 91 points! and a top 100 wine o the year.
Tanzer: 90 points also… (that's like 105 from the Spectator.)
Mr. Mike: "Great balance in this charming yet dense wine, open knit with dusty cocoa on the nose, smooth and big with fine grain and integrated tannin for great drinking now. Rich but without those obvious bright fruit flavors that one would expect in a new world wine of this big extraction. Overall: ripe and luscious with the mystique of great claret." Three thumbs up…(if that's possible.)
No Saturday Tasting this Saturday…
Please join us this Friday March 30th at John's Marketplace.
There will be a $5 tasting fee, pick your glass up and pay at the Deli
counter on your way in. Our event starts promptly at 5 pm and ends promptly at 7pm.
Friday tasting....ZIN!
David Darlington in his original book ,"Angel's Visits: An Inquiry into the Mystery of Zinfandel" observed that...
"Zinfandel had no precedent and hence had to invent itself." There was no European tradition that the noble varieties of
Chardonnay,Pinot Noir,Cabernet Sauvugnon, Syrah, or Nebbiolo could teach American winemakers. But Darlington observed,
"The world's oldest Zinfandel vines however are growing in California. It's tradition-such as it exsists after one hundred plus years-
has evolved along with American winemaking and is still evolving. For better or worse, Zinfandel has been California's native contribution
to the international world of wine."
The indefatigable sales veteran Gordon Rappole, will step up to the stage that is John's Marketplace on Friday March 30 from 5:00-7:00 PM with the
portfolio of 2003 & 2004 Zinfandels from Rancho Zabaco Winery to test Darlington's notion that winemaking styles continue
to evolve with Zinfandel..this time with the expectation for the better. Recent reviews from Robert Parker have been quite positive about this
current group of releases from this relatively new project from the Gallo Family Vineyards. The winery is approaching 10 years in the market and
winemaker Eric Cinnamon has demonstrated a willingness to grab onto a strong learning curve and discover the potential of various sites from
Sonoma County. These vineyards have a mark of unique site characteristics and vine age that highlight the special flavors of fruit & spice.
The bottlings that will be tasted on Friday night are sourced from the Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley,and Monte Rosso Vineyard atop the Sonoma side of the Mayacamas Ridge.
Gordon is scheduled to pour the following wines and we have listed the reviews and comments by Robert Parker from Wine Advocate #168.
Dancing Bull Zinfandel, California, 2004.
"Zinfandel is Rancho Zabaco Dancing Bull's main emphasis, and they make 60,000 cases of the
California Zinfandel, a delicious, realistically priced Zinfandel in 2004 that shows excellent berry
fruit, plenty of pepper & spice, and a heady finish. Drink it over the next 2-3 years."
Rating: 89 points "Wine Advocate Wine of the Day" Current Price/ $9.99 Regular Price/ $11.99
Rancho Zabaco Heritage Vines Sonoma County Zinfandel, 2004.
New release...not yet reviewed. You be the judge! A blend of Sonoma County sourcing
Russian River & Dry Creek Valleys from plantings sourced from identified ancestral vines.
In an homage to the old field blends created by the original Italian families that first produced
Zinfandel there is an addtion of 15% Petite Sirah & 1% Cinsault.
Current Price/ $12.99 Reguar Price/ $17.99
Rancho Zabaco Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel,2003.
A blend of various single vineyards sites along the "zinfandel zone" of Dry Creek Valley.
This is primarily dry farmed older (30 years plus) that exhibits bigger flavors and tannins.
Current Price/$18.99 Regular Price/$24.99
Rancho Zabaco Monte Rosso Zinfandel, 2003.
"The 2003 Zinfandel Monte Rosso, which comes from a vineyard at a 1,300-foot elevation,
has a dense ruby/purple color and a sweet nose of Chinese black tea, black currant,
sweet cherry, sandalwood, and pepper. It is a full bodied,structured Zinfandel..."
Rating: 92 points WA Current Price/$34.99 Regular Price/ $39.99 Very Limited
Rancho Zabaco Monte Rosso Toreador Zinfandel, 2004.
"The 2004 Zinfandel Monte Rosso Toreador is absolutely amazing and one of the great
Zinfandels of that vintage. This wine boasts a dense ruby/purple color and a big sweet
nose of ground pepper, dried herbs, lavender, black cherry jam, raspberry, and licorice.
Full-bodied, powerful, and concentrated, this stunning Zinfandel should drink well for
up to a decade."
Rating:94 points WA Current Price/ $49.99 Regular Price/ $59.99 Limited Availability
Gordon's comments about Monte Rosso: "Toreador is the name of the vineyard that has been id'd as some of the oldest plantings on Monte Rosso.
Before Rancho Zabaco and before the Martinis owned Monte Rosso the original owners had planted Zin in the mid to late 1880's. Always look for the
"higher tones" of fruit that make this such a special vineyard. " Join us for this zinfandel seminar on Friday!
Next Thursday…
April 5th Big Thursday Tasting 5:30-7:30….. Ewald Moseler in the house pouring:
2005 Pazen Riesling 750ml 750 $9.99
2005 Pazen Riesling Kabinett Zeltinger Himmelreich 750ml $13.00
2005 Pazen Riesling Spätlese Zeltinger Himmelreich 750ml $17.00
2005 Christoffel-Prüm Riesling Spätlese Ürziger Würzgarten 750ml $22.00
2005 Heymann-Loewenstein Riesling -Schieferterrassen -Dry 750ml $25.00
2005 Vollenweider Riesling Spätlese #5 Wolfer Goldgrube 750ml $24.00
2005 Clemens Busch Riesling "terroir wine - dry style" -Vom roten Schiefer 750ml $22.00
2005 Künstler Riesling Kabinett -Hochheimer Reichestal 750ml $23.00
also…
2004 Joh. Jos. Prüm Auslese - Graacher Himmelreich (Rated at the Wine Spectator with 94 Points) $49.00 8 bottles available for purchase.
2004 Ackermann Riesling Spätlese Zeltinger Schlossberg 750ml $16.00
$15 fee…includes some food, fun, and friends. Don't miss this!
No Saturday Tasting this Saturday…
Please join us this Friday March 23rd at John's Marketplace.
There will be a $5 tasting fee, pick your glass up and pay at the Deli
counter on your way in. Our event starts promptly at 5 pm and ends promptly at 7pm.
Friday tasting...
Crisp whites and Austrian wines ...
- Forester 2006 Petite Chenin $8.99
Amazing dry white wine at this price.
- Grüner Veltliner Huber "HUGO" 2005 $9.99
Wine Spectator "Best Value" in the current issue. We love it for its freshness, direct green apple and citrus flavors with a hint of deeper varietal character ( white pepper, snap pea, spicy herbal tea.) This is a deal for crisp dry wine with character.
- Grüner Veltliner Huber "Obere" 2004 $12.99
Riggs says this takes it to another level. No doubt he's right.
- Sighardt Donabaum 2003 Grüner Veltliner Smaragd "Atzberg" $19.99
This takes the grape variety Grüner Veltliner to its late harvested, yet dry, pinnacle. Ask me to define Smaragd.
- Gruppo Galiciano 2004 "Alaia" $9.99
89 points Parker, this is a price performer big red.
Zanthos wines...and much much more, ...cheers Mike
Friday April 5th Ewald Moseler tasting is cancelled instead we have him one day earlier.....
...but mark this on your calendars now....
April 4th Big Thursday Tasting 5:30-7:30..... Ewald Moseler in the house pouring:
2005 Pazen Riesling 750ml 750 $9.99
2005 Pazen Riesling Kabinett Zeltinger Himmelreich 750ml $13.00
2005 Pazen Riesling Spätlese Zeltinger Himmelreich 750ml $17.00
2005 Christoffel-Prüm Riesling Spätlese Ürziger Würzgarten 750ml $22.00
2005 Heymann-Loewenstein Riesling -Schieferterrassen -Dry 750ml $25.00
2005 Vollenweider Riesling Spätlese #5 Wolfer Goldgrube 750ml $24.00
2005 Clemens Busch Riesling "terroir wine - dry style" -Vom roten Schiefer 750ml $22.00
2005 Künstler Riesling Kabinett -Hochheimer Reichestal 750ml $23.00
also...
2004 Joh. Jos. Prüm Auslese - Graacher Himmelreich (Rated at the Wine Spectator with 94 Points) $49.00 8 bottles available for purchase.
2004 Ackermann Riesling Spätlese Zeltinger Schlossberg 750ml $16.00
2005 Sighardt Donabaum Neuburger Smaragd 750ml $26.00 (Austria)
$15 fee...includes some food, fun, and friends. Don't miss this!
No Saturday Tasting this Saturday...
Please join us this Friday March 16th at John's Marketplace.
There will be a $5 tasting fee, pick your glass up and pay at the Deli
counter on your way in. Our event starts promptly at 5 pm and ends promptly at 7pm.
(Today Thursday there is a Burgundy tasting from 5:30-7:30 featuring the wines of Joseph Roty $15.- fee)
Friday
-Guinness Stout and Blue Mountain Hard Cider .....free 5-7
also
-Todd Bacon (from Admiralty division of Young's Columbia Distribution Group) pours these Italian wines...
1) Chiarlo 2004 Gavi $14.99 Dry Italian White
A great close out deal, this was $17.99 and is now $14.99, for a crisp and refreshing lemony Gavi that matches beautifully with any fiery Asian influenced cuisine, sesame flavors, and savory fish dishes.
2) Brezza 2005 Dolcetto d'Alba "San Lorenzo" Dry Italian Red $16.99
"The Piedmontese red grape variety called dolcetto (pronounced dole-CHEH-toe) has been variously portrayed as an easygoing red wine (which it can be); a kind of Italianate Beaujolais (which it's not); and a palate-tuner red before you get on to the sterner stuff of barbera and nebbiolo (some truth there). But what dolcetto is almost never called is "serious." Usually it's not. Most dolcetto wines are indeed easygoing, fruit-rich, soft wines that need nor even demand much attention. This 2005 Dolcetto d'Alba from the producer Brezza is the exception. This is serious dolcetto. The reason is location. This is a single vineyard dolcetto from the San Lorenzo vineyard. Now, San Lorenzo is not in just any location. Legally, it could be called Cannubi. And Cannubi is considered the best vineyard in the famous Barolo zone. (A wine in that zone can be called Barolo only if made entirely from the nebbiolo grape.) In short, San Lorenzo is a very great site. I know of no other dolcetto -- a humble red grape -- grown in such an exalted location, where Brezza has a 3.58-acre parcel planted to this grape variety. Breeding shows. This is intense and unusually structured for a dolcetto, yet still classically dolcetto-smooth and user-friendly. Yet it offers a degree of character and individuality that I cannot recall tasting in any other dolcetto bottling. It's that distinctive. Worth noting is that Brezza's winemaking style, which has always struck me as a bit musty, has changed for the (much) better, emphasizing a degree of freshness and flavor purity previously absent. Further underscoring this new flavor purity, Brezza now employs a new-fangled "glass cork" developed by Alcoa. (The seal is an O-ring attached to the glass insert.) You twist off the plastic capsule covering the stopper and then lift up the "cork." Brand-named "Vino-Seal." it precludes any possibility of cork taint. Dolcetto d'Alba "San Lorenzo" from Brezza is an exceptional, possibly even unique, dolcetto from the great 2005 vintage. At $16.95 a bottle it's a remarkable red wine for current drinking and worth pursuing." -Matt Kramer
3) Petroio 2004 Chianti Classico -Dry Italian Red $12.99
This is a great sleeper in Columbia's portfolio, the wine delivers great Chianti typicity and authenticity from a small producer, for a pittance. -Mr. Mike
4) Paitin Barbera 2005 Sera Boella $16.99 Dry Italian Red
This Barbera is a pleasingly fleshy wine that is aged for 12 months in neutral barrels (50% big "botte", 50% neutral 3 year old French Oak Barrels.) It was fermented for 6 days in rotary fermenters.
The palate is dense with blackberry, and dark cherry fruit highlighted by spicy notes and well-integrated acidity.
This was the hit of last week's winemaker dinner at Alba. This is great stuff. -Mr. Mike
5) Nozzole 2003 Chianti Classico Riserva $23.99 Dry Italian Red
This wine is huge with flavor and big structure, but the tannins are completely ripe and soft; the flavors are of a deep black cherry and cocoa dusted earth. This is a steal at the price. -Mr. Mike
6) TBA
7) TBA
Cool new stuff in the store...
...just released...
Great wines from the Great 2005 German Vintage
2005 Pazen Riesling 750ml 750 $9.99
2005 Pazen Riesling Kabinett Zeltinger Himmelreich 750ml $13.00
2005 Pazen Riesling Spätlese Zeltinger Himmelreich 750ml $17.00
2005 Christoffel-Prüm Riesling Spätlese Ürziger Würzgarten 750ml $22.00
2005 Heymann-Loewenstein Riesling -Schieferterrassen -Dry 750ml $25.00
2005 Vollenweider Riesling Spätlese #5 Wolfer Goldgrube 750ml $24.00
2005 Clemens Busch Riesling "terroir wine - dry style" -Vom roten Schiefer 750ml $22.00
2005 Clemens Busch Riesling "dry" -Pundericher Marienburg "Fahrlay" 750ml $36.00
2005 Clemens Busch Riesling "dry" -Pundericher Marienburg "Weissenburg" 750ml $54.00
2005 Künstler Riesling Kabinett -Hochheimer Reichestal 750ml $23.00
also...
2004 Joh. Jos. Prüm Auslese - Graacher Himmelreich (Rated at the Wine Spectator with 94 Points) $49.00 6 bottles available
2004 Ackermann Riesling Spätlese Zeltinger Schlossberg 750ml $16.00
2005 Sighardt Donabaum Neuburger Smaragd 750ml $26.00 (Austria)
No Saturday Tasting this Saturday...
Big Thursday Burgundy Tasting
$15- per person Thursday from 5:30-7:30
"The wines of Joseph Roty"
Mostly 2004 but a few older wines will be open for comparison. Doug Culver of C & G Wines will help pour these unique and compelling Burgundies.
The following is Remington Norman's profile of Domaine Joseph Roty:
Among Burgundian viticulteurs – a decidedly heterogeneous collection of individualists – Joseph Roty stands out. If his weathered complexion, copious whiskers and quotidian overalls, all vigorously animated by a wicked grin, did not set him apart, his decision of purpose and sometimes idiosyncratic ideas would do the trick in their stead. Here ia an obstinate character whose distaste for pomposity combines with a mischievous sense of humor.
Roty's philosophy rests on foundations as solid as his shoes: wine, he believes, is the product of terroir, climate and vigneron, in equal contributions; and – his grandfather's maxim: "The job of the vigneron is observation." When you buy land, don't just look at a plan, prostrate yourself in the vineyard, touch the soil, look at exposition, slope and surroundings, then decide. One vineyard Roty was offered was within a few meters of the water-table – he spied the well, and declined the offer. Equally, when the grapes arrive at the cuverie, look at them, taste them, try and find out how best to treat them.
He spends a lot of time observing. When he married, his son was conceived in the first week: "I wanted to find out what it was all about – how it all worked." He exclaims with a broad grin.
Rotys have been winemaking in Gevrey since 1710. Joseph is 10th generation and his Domaine owes much to his thriftiness and skill. When his father died it took seven years to pay the death duties, and thereafter, the maximum has been reinvested in land. As to his acreage, Jo Roty is close: "No one but me knows the age of my wife nor the extent of my vineyards...my importers will think I'm a millionaire and will want to know why there isn't more wine," he muses, so one is left to guess. He started in 1968 with a legacy from his grandfather, Joseph Antoine, which, the maxim apart, included Charmes-, Mazis-, Griotte-Chambertin, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru and Village land. Jo learned his trade by working vineyards for others; fair prices and careful work made him much in demand.
Now he seeks to pass on his fine land, and his stamp collection (nearly as big as the Queen's) to his children. His father died aged 35, when Jo was 7, so he is determined to give his children the best possible start. The Rotys appear to live modestly- a pleasant house on the northern side of the village, with cellars everywhere: "I can never be found that way," explains Jo.
His way of working is ruthlessly logical and highly individual. He is scathing to those who work by formula and who fail to think through what they are doing. Roty vines are treated with exemplary care. Trained to 'the true taille of Dr Guyot' – that is to say a maximum of 6 eyes on a baguette and 2 on the courson, fertilizers are limited to an occasional dose of 'guano', and frequent workings of the soil are made to cut any lateral roots. "Those who use chemical fertilizers and don't work the soil are not vignerons – they are jokers," laughs Jo. To ensure that laterals have a short life, he hoes around the root of each vine – no inconsiderable labor, with some 10-12,000 vines per ha.
"Vineyards are like horses, one must be in tune with them and drive them" – a question of coaxing the best by good husbandry and empathy rather than letting fertilizer and treatment salesmen loose. Jo's dealings with pests illustrate this: no insecticides are permitted – even the rapacious, rot-inducing grape-worm is allowed to munch away to its heart's content. "In the middle ages they would have simply excommunicated them," reflects Jo. Now, he considers with an air of mock gravity, that by far the best treatment is...a hammer; just squash them.
An average vine age of 60+ years, with 60-80% on original roots and deliberately late picking reduces yields and increases concentration.
Each batch of grapes is examined and tasted by Jo – a grand-paternal practice which indicates pip-ripeness, skin thickness, tannin quality and sugar and acidity levels. Destemming, which depends on the vintage (1990, 100%), is followed by a week's cold maceration at 15ºC, to maximize color extraction. Sulphur is rarely added to the pulp: "Why take aspirin if you are perfectly well."
The wines are fermented at below 30ºC in open wooden cuves, giving a slow, gentle maceration, "like tea", declares Jo (he obviously doesn't drink French tea very often).
Cuvaison lasts up to 3 weeks, then Roty decants the wine off its solids with around 1.5 grams/liter of sugar remaining. Provided it is neither too harsh nor unbalanced, the press-wine is added to the free run-wine.
After assemblage, the various cuves of wine are left for 7-15 days to settle (compared with 12-48 hours elsewhere). During this débourbage, the remaining sugar ferments, releasing CO2 gas which sits on top of the wine preventing it from oxidation.
As one might expect, cask-maker and wood are both chosen with the usual Roty thoughtfulness. The wood is air-dried for 3 years and the only heat it sees is when the staves are fired to bend them. The tonnelier is instructed to char each cask well. This high-toast Burgundy and Chatillonais oak gives a slow release of tannins into the wine. The Cîteaux monks air-dried their wood for 6-8 years but this, Roty ruefully admits, is no longer a commercial proposition.
Until 1968, Jo made all his own casks, making him a fine judge of the finished article and only too ready to reject anything substandard. Each year's intake is subjected to a meticulous scrutiny, by inserting an inspection-lamp through the bunghole of a randomly selected cask. If it's quality is doubtful, it is dismembered for further inspection. "Given the size of the cheque I pay my tonnelier each year, he will only cheat me once I am not buying a piece of furniture."
The proportion of new wood depends on both vintage and the cuvée. "It can be 0-100%, there are no rules."
Racking is not part of Roty's vinification. Jo is clear that the purpose of racking is not to get it off its lees but to aerate it. So, his wines generally remain on their fine lees for as long as possible – even until bottling.
During their élévage, the wines are periodically roused to distribute the lees evenly through the mass – a common Burgundian practice to add richness to whites, but not for reds. However, Jo Roty believes that with fine lees – both in size and quality – there is no risk of the yeasty, cardboardy goût de lie which easily renders a wine flat and disagreeable. He is not alone in this view – André Porcheret, winemaker at the Hospices de Beaune, also batonés his reds.
After such consummate care, Jo has no intention of compromising by fining or filtration. So, the various casks of each wine are assembled in bulk 15 minutes prior to bottling. The humblest Roty red, the Bourgogne Grand Ordinaire, generally spends some 12-14 months in cask, the grander cuvées up to 30 months.
Jo Roty makes exceptional Burgundies. With a high proportion of very old vines, even in Village and Regional appellations, low yields and long maceration produce atypically black wines with remarkable depth of fruit and immense potential longevity.
Base level is a Bourgogne Grand Ordinaire, 100% Pinot Noir from Brochon/Gevrey that is deeply colored with warm, long flavors. Generally a bit tight with plenty of stuffing, its vinification is not skimped – élévage in cask with all the care of Grand Crus.
The Bourgogne Pressonniers comes from both AC Bourgogne and AC Gevrey sections of this vineyard, and is sold with the lower appellation. It is usually deep black-cherry in hue with both structure and depth well above its official classification: a wine to cellar for at least 5 years in good vintages.
Jo's Marsannay Rouge – from a parcel of well-sited 60-year-old vines is deeply colored and harmoniously structured, with plenty of old-vine concentration and some attractive complexity; another 5 year wait!
The Gevreys Champs-Chenys comes from a vineyard bordered by Grand Crus – Charmes- and Mazoyeres-Chambertin. Their soil is a mixture of pebbles, flat rocks and limestone, with a significant proportion iron-pyrites in the subsoil, which together with 25% of the pre-1914 vines, contributes to the wines density and style. Although dubbed by Jo as his "petit Charmes", there is nothing little about it – dense black-cherry hue, with excellent concentration, but more delicacy and complexity than the Pressonniers. With age it takes on an attractive caramelized, vanilla and liquorice aspect. A Village wine, this, of exceptional quality.
The Gevrey Brunelle comes from the Brunelle and Clos de la Brunelle vineyards, vinified as a single cuvée. Not as dark or dense as Champs-Chenys the wine is often marginally more forward. Given that Roty's wines start life at double the density of everyone else's, this Brunelle is still a big item.
The third Village is Clos Prieur – the superior part being Premier Cru and the lower section AC Gevrey. The soils are richer here – no stones but 'têtes de loup' and a clay bed, giving sturdy wine that ages well.
Jo's sole Premier Cru is Les Fontenys, a corruption of old French for 'little fountains' – a reference to wells some 30m below the vineyard. At its top, layers of clay and sandy marls reflect Ruchottes-Chambertin, which borders it here; lower down, the ground resembles Mazis. This amalgam, together with vines so old that no-one has a record of their planting, gives a massively dense, firmly-structured wine needing years to evolve. A wine of power and finesse, with aromas of fruits sauvages and a spicy, tarry character results; in good vintages, unquestionably Grand Cru quality.
The Grand Crus, all from old vines, are remarkable. They start out deep, impenetrable black-cherry in color, with a vast structure of tannin and acidity supporting an equally massive concentration of fruit; in vintages of the caliber of 1988, 1989, 1990, and 1993 they will take decades to soften out and unpack.
Despite their daunting structures, these wines by no means lack charm. On the contrary, delving, as it were, below the corsets, one finds sweet ripe flesh, considerable finesse and magnificent complexity.
The Mazis - and Griottes-Chambertin are mouthfillers – vinified for longevity and seeming fit to last a century. In the Charmes-Chambertin – from 1881 vines, one finds a virtually black wine with colors more redolent of young Syrah than of Pinot Noir, suffusing the palate with a staggering concentration of pure fruit and massive extract.
It matters little to Jo Roty that his wines differ in style from those of others. In a way, they mirror him – his intractability, stubbornness and bulldog tenacity. His fellow vignerons regard him with bemused respect, as 'un type' and something of an unknown quantity. Visitors are subjected to a similar degree of scrutiny as the casks (but not dismembered) and are unceremoniously thrown out if they presume to disagree or try to accelerate the painfully slow tasting progress, which includes looking at harvest photographs, and hearing about the stamp collection. The idiosyncrasies may irritate, but this is winemaking of exceptional quality at every level.
2004 JOSEPH ROTY: Wines to be tasted (one ounce pours, reidel Magnum overture glasses provided...not to take home though!)
Light snacks provided - $15 per person Thursday from 5:30-7:30 at John's Marketplace
Bourgogne Blanc $22.00 50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Blanc
Marsannay Blanc $32.00
Marsannay Rosé $25.00
Bourgogne Grand Ordinaire $22.00 100% Pinot Noir
Bourgogne Cuvee Pressonier $30.00 20% new oak, 40-45 year old vines (Roty's youngest). Most of Roty's Pressonier holdings are actually Village level!
Marsannay Rouge $37.00
Marsannay Boivin $45.00
Marsannay Ouzeloy $45.00 80+ yr. Old vines
Marsannay Clos de Jeu $45.00 80+ yr. Old vines
Gevrey-Chambertin La Brunelle $75.00
Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Les Fonteneys $110.00
(one ounce pours, reidel magnum overture glasses provided...not to take home though!)
Available for sale but not included in the tasting two Grand Cru:
Charmes-Chambertin $310.00
Mazi-Chambertin $350.00
Please join us this Friday March 9th at John's Marketplace.
There will be a $5 tasting fee, pick your glass up and pay at the Deli
counter on your way in. Our event starts promptly at 5 pm and ends promptly at 7pm.
Up Coming Events
-Roots Brewing (Oregon's only all organic brewery) March 9th 5-7
-Guiness Stout and Blue Mountain Hard Cider March 16th 5-7 (come see our Guiness Grotto shrine at the store entrance!)
-Todd Bacon pours Italian wines March 16th also 5-7
-Ewald Moseler in the house! April 6th 5-7
Tasting This Friday...more great red values plus... Blind Tasting Arneis Throwdown!
Arneis is a Piedmontese white varietal with delicate almond notes; and it is the perfect partner to Trout and other light appetizer courses.
1) Arneis number 1 Dry Italian White
2) Arneis number 2 Dry Italian White
3) Arneis number 3 Dry Italian White
4) Dom Bousquet des Papes 2004 Cotes du Rhone French Red $11.99
5) Protocolo 2004 Spanish Red $6.99
6) Vina Sardasol 2004 Old Vine Tempranillo Spanish Red $6.99
7) Jouclary 2004 Cambardes French Red $8.99 red
8) Vina Alarba 2004 Spanish Red $6.99
Cool new stuff in the store...
...just released...
Domaine Serene 2004 Pinot Noir Evenstad Reserve $59.99
(20% discount for cases 10% for 6 bottles) Tony Rynders winemaker at Serene has created a balanced restrained but delicious Pinot, that has the mid palate weight and acidity to age, with not an ounce of over extraction or hard edges. This wine has breathtaking aromas of dark cherry, red raspberry, tobacco leaf, milk chocolate, pomegranate and earth. The palate is rich and supple, showing black raspberry, cherry pie, black currant, rose, violet and oak spice with a persistent and seamless finish. If you are looking to put down a few bottles of a great local wine this is a great cellar candidate. -Mr. Mike
Other Oregon Pinot Noirs
2005 Arborbrook $36.00 "Dripping with intense plum and blueberry fruit, terrific focus and length. Made by Laurent Montalieu with all 777 clone "-Mr. Mike
2004 Patton Valley $29.00
2004 Patton Valley Reserve $57.00
2005 Patricia Green Estate Magnum $70.00 (1 available)
2005 Patricia Green All Estate or contiguous "Marine Sedimentary" Vineyards sampler pack 6 bottles $250.00 (3 sets available)
No Saturday Tasting this Saturday...
Please join us this Friday Feb 23rd at John's Marketplace.
There will be a $5 tasting fee, pick your glass up and pay at the Deli counter on your way in. Our event starts promptly at 5 pm and ends promptly at 7pm.
Tasting This Friday
1) Toffoli Prosecco $11.99 fruity dry sparkling wine
2) Evesham Wood 2005 Oregon WV Chardonnay $16.99 dry white
3) "Hugo" 2005 Gruner Veltliner - Austria $9.99 dry white
4) Christophe Scherer - Dom. Andre Scherer 2005 Pinot Noir Alsace, France $18.99 dry red
5) Domaine Les Genestas 2004 Cotes du Rhone villages $9.99 dry red
6) Andrew Rich 2005 Tabula Rasa Columbia Valley Red Wine $14.99 dry red
7) Quady "Deviation" Scented Orange Muscat $24.99 375ml (half bottle) aromatic dessert wine
Cool new stuff in the store...
Quady "Deviation" Scented Orange Muscat $24.99 375ml (half bottle) (this is in the tasting)
"This wine is a philtre, pure and simple. It is perhaps the most exotic beverage at this price I have ever tasted- literally breathtaking. The bouquet is prismatic in its complexity, waves of succulent Comice pears, apricot, canned peaches, and calvados twining around a thicket of Deschutes River wind: peppermint candy, fresh-picked white sage, and juniper berries. On the tongue the ride continues: raspberry preserves, tart cherries, honeysuckle, grilled pineapple, and hibiscus tea, with a thrillingly long finish that sighs with roasted hazelnuts and rose petals. This wine, a cuvée of Orange Muscat and the powerful aphrodisiacs damiana and rose geranium, is almost like a memory of Chartreuse, with a lush, silky texture and
perfect acidity; perfect for the sweet warm shadows at the end of a long summer picnic, or any intimate occasion. And, oh yeah, check out the back label..." -Mr. Riggs
Evesham Wood 2005 "La Grive Bleue" Pinot Noir $21.99 limited no case price
"Grive" is French for "thrush," and thus this wine is aptly named. Super-focused, laser-bright flavors of spicy wild cherry, sex, and wind-through-cedar-boughs explode out of the glass, un-coaxed and ebullient. Strains of expressive red fruit, almost sweet, hum with energy and plush texture, finishing on a dry note of earthy morel mushrooms and blueberry skins. This is Russ' most accessible Pinot right out of the chute in some time: a marvelous effort, an eloquent, limpid expression of its site... which is, of course, what Evesham Wood is all about. -Mr. Riggs
Jacky Truchot 2004 Bourgogne Rouge $24.99 limited no case price
" The bouquet of this wine should be rated NC-17. I'm not joking,
by the way. Moist, fecund, bloody aromas of flesh, roses, strawberries and clean sweat will have your heart racing- if you're alone, you'll wish you weren't... so don't drink this wine alone. This is a wine to be spilled on a good friend and savored at length. On the palate it is silky and tart, echoing the bouquet and adding a wash of briny earth and minerality. Despite all this overt eroticism, the wine retains a lovely structure and class, and you can serve it to your grandmother with confidence. Just don't ask her about that shadow of a smile dancing on her lips as she drinks..."-Mr. Riggs
"LE VESPE" (red) Sangiovese Toscana IGT $18.99
"Way back in the late 20th a wayward Italian chemist made a "careful choice of life" and found his way home to the land, where, conveniently, grapes and olives were growing. The grapes were ancient varietals of local origin: the famous Sangiovese, but also Colorino, Abrostine, and Canaiolo. "Le Vespe" -the Wasps- is a field blend (80% Sang.) that packs a mighty olfactory wallop, midnight-deep, but lithe and agile in its portrayal of Tuscan sunlight. The bouquet has dark, sanguine aromas of stewed cherries, lavender flowers, and spicy blueberry compôte swirling around an oily, meaty core. In the mouth it saunters with a casual masculinity like early Brando, utterly artless and self-conscious at once: rich, raisiny, and reduced like Amarone, but much lighter on its feet, glinting with facets of black raspberry and porcini. The smoky, mineral-driven finish wants food......"-Mr. Riggs
RACEMI "TORREGUACETO SUM" Vino da Tavola Rosso $18.99
"Friends, here we have is a real-life treasure, a unique constellation in the vinous firmament. This wine consists entirely of the noble Sussumaniello, secret pride of the southeastern Italian seaboard. Racemi is the sole commercial producer of this native Puglian varietal, grown in a 20-year-old vineyard on the coast near the town of Brindisi. Nearly opaque in the glass, the nose is rich with notes of mint, licorice, tobacco leaf, and blackberries. On the palate it is equally generous, showing black cherry, easter lily, and eucalyptus, but with a surprisingly briny, minerally finish that belies such an otherwise weighty wine. The Pugliese drink it with fish, and it would also be great with a plate of hard cheese and olives."-Mr. Riggs
"...people people we got over, before we go under!!!!"---the godfather...listen to the man.....-Mr. Mike
3 great Spanish wine deals...
Artazu 2003 Artazuri Garnacha Spain $9.99 WA 89
100% up to 80 year old vine Garnacha. The Artazu project was created by the legendary winegrower Juan Carlos Lopez de la Calle of Rioja’s famous Artadi estate. The goal was to take the same quest for varietal purity that Juan seeks in Tempranillo to the Garnacha varietal. The small village of Artazu in the northernmost zone of Navarra was chosen for its extraordinary old vines of Garnacha producing wines of dark, peppery fruit with amazing balance and soft tannins.
Borsao 2005 Tres Picos Garnacha Spain $16.99100% Garnacha - Deep and sweet, Tres Picos Borsao is cherry red in color with a hint of purple tones. In the nose, there is a boundless bouquet of mature red fruits with traces of flowers that are typical of the best Garnachas. In the mouth, it is rich and well-structured, simultaneously conveying flavors of blackberries, strawberries and tones of leather, vanilla and plums. Perfectly combined with sweet and pleasant tannins, Tres Picos Borsao exhibits a long, silky and balanced finish.
Jaun Gil $13.99 New post off price on this stunningly good 100% monastrell wine.
Burgundy notes
Jacky Truchot 2004 Burgundies now in stock, please inquire. -Mr. Mike
Oregon Pinot Noirs
2005 Arborbrook $36.00 "Dripping with intense plum and blueberry fruit, terrific focus and length. Made by Laurent Montalieu with all 777 clone "-Mr. Mike
2004 Patton Valley $29.00 The real deal, Pinot we can support. Pinot to the people, y'all.
2004 Patton Valley Reserve $57.00
2005 Patricia Green Estate Magnum $70.00 (1 available)
2005 Patricia Green All Estate or contiguous "Marine Sedimentary" Vineyards sampler pack 6 bottles $250.00 (3 sets available)
No Saturday Tasting this Saturday...
Please join us this Friday Feb 16th at John's Marketplace.
There will be a $5 tasting fee, pick your glass up and pay at the Deli
counter on your way in. Our event starts promptly at 5 pm and ends promptly at 7pm.
Tasting This Friday ....Mostly the wines of Catena from Argentina
1) Alamos 2005 Viognier $10.99 white
2) Alamos 2005 Chardonnay $10.99 white
3) Alamos 2005 Malbec $10.99 dry red
4) Catena 2004 Malbec $19.99 dry red
5) Jacky Janodet 2005 Beaujolais Villages $14.95 dry red
6) TBA
No tasting this Saturday.
Please join us this Friday Feb. 9th at John's Marketplace. There will be a $5 tasting fee, pick your glass up and pay at the Deli counter on your way in. Our event starts promptly at 5 pm and ends promptly at 7pm.
Tasting This Friday 8 wines...
Three Ultra sophisticated wines from the Louis/Dressner import book. Two Ultra value wine bombs from France and Chile. Three Ultra rich red wine values from Mendoza Argentina.
1) Muscadet "Clos des Allees" Vieilles Vignes 2005, Domaine Luneau-Papin dry french white $11.95 "You can make a pretty good case that no dry white wine offers greater flavor distinction for less money than Muscadet. The problem is that only a few producers deliver the flavor goods. Most Muscadets, alas, are thin, watery and acidic. That's why the price is so derisory, even for the best bottlings. Domaine Luneau-Papin is most assuredly among the very best in Muscadet. And in the great 2005 vintage, where even a very cool zone such as Muscadet -- located in the Loire Valley just a few miles from the Atlantic Ocean -- saw fully ripe grapes. You can taste that ripeness in this unusually rich, almost lush (for Muscadet) single-vineyard wine from the Clos des Allees vineyard. With an intense, ripe, rich-textured, spicy fruitiness unlike almost any other dry white wine from the zone, it's a Muscadet like no other -- and it will only improve for the next 10 years. The price is rock bottom -- absurd, really -- for such top quality: $11.95. Get it while you can." - Matt Kramer
2) Luneau-Papin 2002 Terroir de Schistes Semper Excelsior Clos de Poyet $24.00 dry french white "While I was in New York last October 24th, 2006 I was lucky enough to taste through a vertical of Muscadets of the wine estate Luneau-Papin with the guidence of Pierre and Monique Luneau. Included were wines from 1976 to 2004; the 1976 (Pierre's first year of production) was served from a magnum straight from Pierre's cellar and certainly put the lie to the antiquated notion that Muscadet can't age; it was fabulous! The 1982 tasted like a fine old Burgundy that had resisted oxidation and finally unfurled its mineral underpinnings. Now the local distributor has just received one of the "Tete de Cuvees" from this estate and I recommend that anyone who loves a great aged Chablis should buy this wine and hold off drinking it (if you can, it is also great right now,) and stash a couple of these gems in the slammer, you won't regret it! Produced from a single vineyard on microschist terroir, with vines approaching age 60; this Cru bottling is part of a ongoing program of the best Muscadet producers to spotlight their very best individual sites and to show what can be done in this much maligned district which suffered (much like
Soave) when oceans of cheap insipid wines were exported and ruined this great appellation's reputation. The group imposes strict rules on yields and pruning, and this bottling gets an extra year aging on its lees, well beyond the official rules for Muscadet. The results of all this extra attention? This is stunningly good Muscadet, crisp with a laser beam like intensity, and rich compelling mineral core, the fruit riding along on top of the minerals with notions of citron, mandarin orange, Chassagne-like wet stones, held in a precise and evocative acid structure." -Mr. Mike
3) Catherine et Claude Maréchal, Burgundy (France) Bourgogne, "Cuvée Gravel" 2005 $24.00 dry red pinot noir "In many ways wines like this are the archetype of Red Burgundy: antithetical to the gushing, ultra-opulent, Rubenesque Pinots that have come to be characteristic of California -and, unfortunately more and more often, Oregon. This casual concupiscence, this lock-step prevalence of almost flippantly erotic fruitbombs, has rendered many Americans palate-dumb to wines of this level of pedigree and subtlety. For sure, "de gustibus non disputandum est," but aren't you ready for something a little more sophisticated? Aptly named "Cuvée Gravel," this wine is a celebration of graceful structure and terroir. Its more cerebral strains are interwoven with rosy layers of white peppercorn and freshly crushed thimbleberries on a hot August afternoon. Surprisingly plush and silky on the tongue, it slides seductively into a bed of stones-after-rain, sotto bosco, and titillating, starry minerality. And remember, this is only where good Burgundy 'begins...' Decant this wine and call a good friend. Then grill some salmon and stir-fry some red bells and sugar snaps. The rest is up to you..." - Mr. Riggs
4) Calcu, 2005 $11.99 dry red from Chile
"-Calcu is a shaman or magician in the Mapuche language. Pruduced by the family Rivadeneira, from fruit grown in the Colchagua Valley . Some of the grapes come from vineyards in the Andean foothills, some from the valley floor, and some from vineyards with more of a Pacific maritime climate. The resulting blend (60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 20% Carmenere) was lightly oaked allowing the grapes natural fresh fruit character to show through. Mineral notes
swirl in the heady aromatics of this fresh and lively wine." - Mr. Mike
5) Cotes du Rhone "Laurent B." 2005, Domaine Brusset $10.95 dry French red "Wine shelves are thronged with bottles -- all inexpensive -- called Cotes du Rhone. A vast area along France's Rhone River, the Cotes du Rhone appellation is a catchall category. There are many industrial bottlings and a much smaller number of real finds. This Cotes du Rhone from the small grower Domaine Brusset is one of them. A blend of 60 percent grenache, with the balance a mixture of syrah, carignan and mourvedre from the great 2005 vintage, this a deeply hued, rich, supple red that begs for a good burger, spicy ribs or any other hearty winter fare. If you're a Cotes du Rhone fan (and who isn't when the wine and price are right?), this is one to seek out -- and drink up. The price is delectable: $10.95 a bottle." - Matt Kramer
6) Trivento 2004 Malbec $9.99 rich dry red from Agentina
This is a powerful mix of typical red fruits like plum and cherry with
hints of vanilla. Impressive for ten bucks.
7) Trivento 2004 Syrah $9.99 rich dry red from Agentina
Nutmeg and black currant combine with notes of toasted bread and chocolate from the oak, with a rich opaque robe and firm structure and
harmonious over all effect. This wine is oaky for sure, but with the voluptousness to fill out under that oak and strut its stuff.
8) Trivento 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon $9.99 rich dry red from Agentina We end with a great structured red, with the aromas of black currant, pepper and red fruits, chocolate and coffee. This is one helluva Cab for the price.
No tasting this Saturday.
Next Friday the fabulous Argentine wines of Catena.
Please join us this Friday Feb. 2nd at John's Marketplace. There will be a $5 tasting fee, pick your glass up and pay at the Deli counter on your way in. Our event starts promptly at 5 pm and ends
promptly at 7pm.
Tasting This Friday
1) Casa Lapostolle Sauvignon Blanc, Rapel Valley, Chile 2005 $10.99 dry white Racy and lean, this Sauv. Blanc is the perfect foil for fish dishes.
2) Castillo de Fuendejalón Crianza 2002 - Bodegas Aragonesas $5.99 dry red A great, classy Pizza wine at the right price. 75% Grenache 25% Tempranillo
3) La Mura 2005 Nero d'Avola $7.99 rich dry red wine
4) 2005 Finca Luzon Jumilla $8.99 rich dry red wine 100% Monastrell Ruby-red. Rich, spicy aromas of bright red and dark berries lifted by black pepper. Weighty and sweet, with good depth of flavor and a tangy, acid lift to the flavors on the aftertaste. Tanzer 88 points.
5) Dolcetto d'Alba "San Lorenzo" 2005, Brezza $16.95 dense dry red "The Piedmontese red grape variety called dolcetto (pronounced dole-CHEH-toe) has been variously portrayed as an easygoing red wine (which it can be); a kind of Italianate Beaujolais (which it's not); and a palate-tuner red before you get on to the sterner stuff of barbera and nebbiolo (some truth there).
But what dolcetto is almost never called is "serious." Usually it's not.
Most dolcetto wines are indeed easygoing, fruit-rich, soft wines that
need nor even demand much attention. This 2005 Dolcetto d'Alba from the
producer Brezza is the exception. This is serious dolcetto. Dolcetto
d'Alba "San Lorenzo" from Brezza is an exceptional, possibly even
unique, dolcetto from the great 2005 vintage. " -Matt Kramer
6) Beaucanon 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon - California $14.99 big structured dry red
Lots of big structured Cab flavor, this is a deal.
7) Patton Valley 2004 Pinot Noir - Willamette Valley $27.99 rich dry red
8) Mr. Riggs 2005 McLaren Vale Shiraz "The Gaffer" $19.99 jammy dry red
No tasting this Saturday.
Please join us this Friday Feb. 2nd at John's Marketplace. There will be a $5 tasting fee, pick your glass up and pay at the Deli counter on your way in. Our event starts promptly at 5 pm and ends
promptly at 7pm.
Tasting This Friday
1) Casa Lapostolle Sauvignon Blanc, Rapel Valley, Chile 2005 $10.99 dry white Racy and lean, this Sauv. Blanc is the perfect foil for fish dishes.
2) Castillo de Fuendejalón Crianza 2002 - Bodegas Aragonesas $5.99 dry red A great, classy Pizza wine at the right price. 75% Grenache 25% Tempranillo
3) La Mura 2005 Nero d'Avola $7.99 rich dry red wine
4) 2005 Finca Luzon Jumilla $8.99 rich dry red wine 100% Monastrell Ruby-red. Rich, spicy aromas of bright red and dark berries lifted by black pepper. Weighty and sweet, with good depth of flavor and a tangy, acid lift to the flavors on the aftertaste. Tanzer 88 points.
5) Dolcetto d'Alba "San Lorenzo" 2005, Brezza $16.95 dense dry red "The Piedmontese red grape variety called dolcetto (pronounced dole-CHEH-toe) has been variously portrayed as an easygoing red wine (which it can be); a kind of Italianate Beaujolais (which it's not); and a palate-tuner red before you get on to the sterner stuff of barbera and nebbiolo (some truth there).
But what dolcetto is almost never called is "serious." Usually it's not.
Most dolcetto wines are indeed easygoing, fruit-rich, soft wines that
need nor even demand much attention. This 2005 Dolcetto d'Alba from the
producer Brezza is the exception. This is serious dolcetto. Dolcetto
d'Alba "San Lorenzo" from Brezza is an exceptional, possibly even
unique, dolcetto from the great 2005 vintage. " -Matt Kramer
6) Beaucanon 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon - California $14.99 big structured dry red
Lots of big structured Cab flavor, this is a deal.
7) Patton Valley 2004 Pinot Noir - Willamette Valley $27.99 rich dry red
8) Mr. Riggs 2005 McLaren Vale Shiraz "The Gaffer" $19.99 jammy dry red
No tasting this Saturday.
Please join us this Friday Jan. 19th at John's Marketplace.
There will be a $5 tasting fee, pick your glass up and pay at the Deli
counter on your way in. Our event starts promptly at 5 pm and ends promptly
at 7pm.
Tasting This Friday ...
1) Prosecco “Rustico” – Nino Franco $13.99 sparkling
Mrs. Mike favorite bang for the buck pseudo-Champagne.
2) Jadot Macon-Villages 2005 $12.99 dry white
3) Don Ramon 2005 -Campo de Borja- Spain -$5.49 red
4) Viu Manet 2006– Malbec - Mendoza - Argentina $5.99 red
Dense, rich, a steal with tons of primary fruit and a varietally-correct
funky undertow.
5) Vila Fundacion 2005 - Mendoza - Argentina $6.99 red
This is a tasty blend of Bonarda, Malbec and Cab Sauv. -Mike
6) Argiolas Perdera 2004 $11.99 red
“Vibrantly fruity with whiffs of cherry and black pepper, this is the sort
of smooth, slightly rustic red wine that calls for bean stews, sausages,
salami and grilled meats. At $10.95 a bottle it's a steal in distinctive,
original-tasting and almost gulpable red wine of real quality and character.”
–Matt Kramer (He made a mistake on the price by the way, but it is steal
at this price anyway. I’ve loved this wine for years, and if you’ve never
tried a wine made from the grape called Monica, you are missing something.
-Mike)
7) Quinta de Chocapalha 2004-Portugual - $16.95 red
“A blend of traditional Portuguese grapes such as tinta roriz and touriga
nacional along with alicante bouschet and cabernet sauvignon, this is a wine
that shows the polishing effects of aging in small French oak barrels. Most
importantly, you can taste the distinctive, almost spicy flavors of the two
Portuguese grapes that really set this wine apart.
At $16.95 a bottle, this is almost guaranteed to be one of the most intriguing,
even exciting red wines you're likely to taste in 2007. It's that good.”
–Matt Kramer
No tasting this Saturday.
Please join us this Friday Jan. 12th at John's Marketplace.
There will be a $5 tasting fee, pick your glass up and pay at the Deli
counter on your way in. Our event starts promptly at 5 pm and ends promptly
at 7pm.
Tasting This Friday
1) Grove Mill 2004 Riesling –Marlborough, New Zealand $13.99 dry white
“New Zealand is justifiably famous for Sauv’ Blanc, but their Riesling are
also top-notch; however their relative obscurity keeps prices low. Were
this wine from Oregon, it would be twice the price. The bouquet is breath
taking, loaded with varietal purity. It tastes like a cool breeze on a hot
day, with luminous flavors of citron, apricot, and lime. Dazzling, spicy
acids adorn the bone-dry finish.” –Mr.Riggs
2) Evesham Wood 2005 Oregon – “Blanc du Puits Sec” $13.50 dry white
3) Chateau de la Vieille Tour 2004 Bordeaux Sup. $10.99 red
4) A-Mano Primitivo 2003 $9.99 Puglia Red
5) Zaca Mesa “Cuvee Z” $14.99 complex California Rhone Red Blend
6) Mckinlay Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2005 $16.99 Oregon red
7) Bogle Pinot Noir -California 2004 $12.99 red
8) Purple Hands 2005 Oregon Red Wine (A little Pinot Noir and a lot of Merlot)
“Here at John’s we embrace the esoteric. As such, this exotic blend of 95%
Merlot and 5% Pinot Noir, sourced from southern Oregon’s Del Rio vineyard,
is right up our alley. Made without any oak, the wine retains an agile raciness
with perfect, food-loving acids The fruit is bright and charming, a wash
of black berries, wild cherries, and cassis, with a touch of funky sylvan
earthiness to add interest.” -Mr. Riggs
No tasting this Saturday.
“A lie exposed is a fantasy revealed.” -- Benjamin Kunkel
Please join us this Friday Jan. 5th at John's Marketplace.
There will be a $5 tasting fee, pick your glass up and pay at the Deli
counter on your way in. Our event starts promptly at 5 pm and ends promptly
at 7pm.
Tasting Friday
Off the beaten track in Italy...
1) Alois Lageder 2005 “Riff” Pinot Grigio -Alto Adige $9.99 white
2) Cantele 2004 Chardonnay -Salento IGT $9.99 white
3) Quadro Sei 2004 Gavi $12.99 white
4) Arnaldo-Caprai 2005 Grechante $16.99 white
5) Zuani 2004 “Vigne” -Collio $19.95 white
6) Tedeschi 2003 “Capitel di Nicalo” Valpolicella (Ripassa) $14.95 rich
red
7) Villa di Corlo “Dolce” Lambrusco Gasparossa Castelvetro $9.99 sparkling
sweet red
8) Elio Perrone 2005 “Sourgal” Moscato d’Asti $14.95 sparkling sweet white
My purpose here is to show some great wines that perhaps people haven't
heard of; and also I include wines that have become old standbys for value
in my wine world, i.e. wines that people should know about. #2 is
a great crisp chardonnay at the right price, Cantele always seems to deliver
wine that screams value; #5 Zuani is perhaps the perfect wine to go with
rich seafood dishes like crab; #1 Riff is a crisp Pinot Grigio from a great
producer (Lageder) but done on a co-op scale to keep the price right; #8
is the perrenial value champion for sweet, yet zippy, party wine; #7 is
dense and sweet and just very darned interesting; #6 has the flavors of a
great Amarone but at a third of the price, made in an apassimento style
(drying the grapes first,) it is a perfect red for the hearty casseroles
of winter. -Mr. Mike
* No tasting this Saturday (Jan. 6th)
Please join us this Saturday Dec. 30th at John's Marketplace. There will
be a $20 non-refundable tasting fee, pick up your loaner glass and pay at
the Deli counter on your way in. Our event starts promptly at 4:00 pm and
ends promptly at 6:00 pm.
2001-2005 Quailhurst Vineyard Pinot Noir - Oregon - Vertical Tasting
This artisan winery from Sherwood called Quailhurst has made around 4000
cases of Pinot Noir every year for the past six years. Their vineyard is located
next to Archery Summit in Dundee. Their Pinots have won awards at the NW
Wine Summit and OR State Fair. Willamette Valley Vineyards, Robert Mondavi,
Dobbes Family Estate, among other wineries procure pinot noir grapes from
this vineyard. Joe Dobbes is the wine maker.
plus Grower Champagne Tasting:
Mr. Mike will expound on the next new big thing...distinctive “grower Champagne”
...and why they are more interesting, and represent true values compared to
wines from the big Champagne houses. We will taste some of the new big stars
in Mr. Mike’s wine firmament including Milan, Godme, Camille Saves, Vilmart,
and many others.
Please join us this Friday 29th at John's Marketplace There will be a $5
refundable tasting fee, pick up your loaner glass and pay at the Deli counter
on your way in. Our event starts promptly at 5:00 pm and ends promptly
at 7:00 pm.
Reds – Table 1 – taste these wines first...
1) 2004 Quailhurst Vineyard Pinot Noir - Oregon
This artisan winery from Sherwood called Quailhurst has made around 4000
cases of Pinot Noir every year for the past six years. Their vineyard is
located next to Archery Summit in Dundee. Their Pinots have won awards at
the NW Wine Summit and OR State Fair. Willamette Valley Vineyards, Robert
Mondavi, Dobbes Family Estate, among other wineries procure pinot noir grapes
from this vineyard. Joe Dobbes is the wine maker – the Dobbes Family Estate
2004. Quailhurst Vineyard Pinot Noir procured a 90 point rating by Wine
Spectator. The owner of this vineyard, Marvin Hausman will pour his wine.
2) Huntington 2005 Petite Syrah $8.99 California
A bargain wine with loganberry, and dense blueberry flavors.
3) Robertson 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon $8.99 South Africa
A great every day Cab... at a deal of a price.
4) Vietti 2003 Barbera d’Asti $14.99
Dry and elegant, this wine is produced by the master of Barbera... Vietti’s
Luca Currado.
Whites - Table 2 - These wines have higher acid, taste the reds first...Mike
5) J. Albin 2002 Blancs de Noir - Oregon Sparkling Wine $28.99
A really great, rich, Pinot Noir based sparkling wine from John Albin.
6) Zanthos 2004 Muskat – Burgenland, Austria $12.99
A dry white wine that develops great complexity with air contact, and synergy
with foods at table, like scallops and soft cheeses.
7) Kim Crawford 2006 Sauvignon Blanc – Marlborough, New Zealand $15.99
A Wine Spectator top 100 wine of the year, this wine is quintessential New
Zealand Sauv.
8) J. Christopher 2005 Sauvignon Blanc – Maresh Vineyard, Dundee, Oregon
$18.99
My pick for the best white wine of the year from Oregon, period.
Grower Champagne Tasting:
This Saturday from 4:00 - 6:00 PM $20 fee
Mr. Mike will expound on the next new big thing...distinctive “grower Champagne”
...and why they are more interesting, and represent true values compared
to wines from the big Champagne houses. We will taste some of the new big
stars in Mr. Mike’s wine firmament including Milan, Godme, Camille Saves,
Vilmart, and many others.
Please join us this Friday Dec 15th at John's Marketplace.
There will be a $5 tasting fee, pick your glass up and pay at the Deli
counter on your way in. Our event starts promptly at 5 pm and ends promptly
at 7pm.
Tasting Friday 5PM – 7PM
Cynthia Challacombe of Wildman Group pours...
Pol Roger Champagne $39.99
Hugel Gentil $11.99
Broquel Malbec $14.99
Nicolas Potel 2004 Bourgogne $19.99
Mr. Riggs pours
a Kermit Lynch Bordeaux for $9.99
Quinta dos Roques – Dao $14.99 Robust and impressive Portuguese wine.
and a great value Shiraz from South Africa....really very good and only $6.99
Don’t forget our Italian wine class with Thomas Kelly Sat. at 3:30.
Dec 15-17th
Mr. Mike’s Hours
Friday 12:00 – 7:00
Saturday 12:00 – 6:00
Sunday 12:00 – 3:00
“Forget the Champagne and bring on the real pain.”
- Extra...Burgundy Blow Out Sale Event
Please join us this Thursday Dec. 14th at John's
Marketplace
There will be a $10 refundable tasting fee,
pick up your loaner glass and pay at the Deli
counter on your way in.
Our event starts promptly at 5:00 pm and ends promptly at 7:00 pm.
Burgundy Blow Out Sale Event
Large discounts for this one-day event. Depending on the items... 10-40%
off single bottles. 40% off mixed cases, plus your tasting fee refunded.
No list of the wines is available. No phone or email orders. Many of these
wines will be open to taste. If you’ve been curious about trying some of
these wines but were scared off by the sticker shock, here is an opportunity
to try a Burgundy at a reasonable price. (This sale excludes wines priced
below $12.00 retail.)
John's Market wine class for
the first time ever!
This Saturday 3:30 PM Dec 16th $20.00 fee Italy 101 with Thomas Kelly of
"Small Vineyards"
(Fee is refundable with purchase of 12 bottles or more of the featured wines.)
Thomas Kelly is informative and fun, please join us.
Areas and wines covered in this introduction to Italian Wine:
Veneto
Trevsiol Prosecco $12.99
Giuseppe Lonardi Ripasso
$22.00
Toscana
Fattoria Bibbiani 'Poggio Vignoso'
Chianti $9.99
Antonio di Sanguineti Rosso di Montepulciano
$17.00
Terre del Marchesato 'Emilio Primo'
SuperTuscan, from Bolgheri $22.00
Piemonte
Tre Donne Barbera d'Alba
$17.00
Mauro Barbero 'Ania' Nebbiolo
$28.00
Tre Donne Moscato d'Asti
$18.00
Light Appetizers provided. Please RSVP to winenerd@teleport.com if are planning to
attend.
Please join us this Friday Dec. 8th at John's Marketplace
There will be a $5 tasting fee, pick up your loaner glass and pay at the
Deli
counter on your way in. Our event starts promptly at 5 pm and ends promptly
at 7pm.
Friday
5:00 –7:00 pm
Ellen from Lemma will pour:
Duval Leroy Champagne NV (Best Buy and -93 points WS) $31.99
Etang des Colombes white Corbieres 2003 $6.99
Dampth 2003 Chablis $13.99
Produttori 2002 Barbaresco $19.99
Tyee Pinot Noir 2004 $21.99 (I love this wine, a really great Pinot
from Oregon.)
Carrie from Normandie will pour:
Manoir du Parc dry pear cider $7.99 Dry!
Vin d’Une Nuit Beaujolais dry pink $9.99 Pink!
Domaine Chenoves 2002 Bourgogne Blanc $13.99 White!
Armendiere Cahors $15.99 Brooding!
Please join us this Friday Dec. 1st at John's Marketplace
There will be a $5 tasting fee, pick up your loaner glass and pay at the
Deli
counter on your way in. Our event starts promptly at 5 pm and ends promptly
at 7pm.
Today Friday
5:00 –7:00 pm
Extreme value red wines from Spain and France. Everything $9.99 or well
below.
Included will be Matt Kramer’s recommended $8.50 Bordeaux.
Tomorrow 4-6 PM
Saturday, December 2nd RoxyAnn Oregon Wines and Dumont Champagne $10.-
fee
RoxyAnn Winery was founded in 2002 at the historic Hillcrest Orchard in east
Medford. RoxyAnn's extraordinary vineyard is located on the southwest slopes
of Roxy Ann Peak. The property has shallow, limestone-clay soils and southern
solar exposure and produces Cabernet sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet
franc, Grenache, Tempranillo, Viognier and Syrah. Winemaker Gus Janeway
is making some of the best Oregon wines I have tasted recently; the wines
feature a supple and harmonious texture and focused fruit flavors.
Dumont Champagne $24.99 The deal in real Champagne, for under $30.
RoxyAnn Winery 2005 PINOT GRIS
RoxyAnn 2003 VIOGNIER
Velocity Cellars 2003 VELO
RoxyAnn Winery 2004 SYRAH
RoxyAnn Winery 2004 CLARET
RoxyAnn Winery Red Lily TEMPRANILLO
(Hillcrest Pear Dessert Wine – not from RoxyAnn, but using some of their
pears...)
Cool new wines...
Domaine La Sauvageonne - La Sauvageonne - Les Ruffes - 2005 $11.99
Coteaux Languedoc
>From just to the east of Pic St. Loup, grown on high schistous iron slopes
of low fertility...composed of 40% Grenache, 30% Carignan, 20% Syrah, 10%
Cinsault.
Dense but supple, with a terrific nose of wildflowers, fresh baked bread,
and plum-lavender highlights, rich and peppery on the palate with a nice
undertow of Garrigue, and Provencal-like bloody-iron and crushed mineral
scents. The wine has lots going on but avoids the blurry over-ripeness of
many wines from the south; this one is precise and satisfying. –Mr. Mike
Please join us this Saturday Nov.25th at John's Marketplace
There will be a $20 tasting fee, pick up your loaner glass and pay at the
Deli
counter on your way in. Our event starts promptly at 3 pm and ends
promptly at 5 pm.
Saturday Nov 25th tasting 3-5 pm Kopke
Port (& chocolate)
$20 fee (refundable with purchase of 6 bottles –of any size- of Kopke Port)
"In this place, man with his bare hands wrings wine from a stone."
- Miguel Torga, Portuguese Poet
KOPKE DRY WHITE PORT $14.99
KOPKE FINE RUBY PORT $14.99
KOPKE 10 YEAR OLD TAWNY $29.00
KOPKE 1991 COLHEITA $45.00
KOPKE 20 YEAR OLD TAWNY $60.00
KOPKE 1980 COLHEITA $90.00
THE CULT OF PORT!!
A great Port is incontestably among the world’s very best wines! As the
most interesting object of speculation among connoisseurs and collectors
all over the world, Port was a “cult wine” long before the fine, fashionable
wines of Italy, France, Spain, or the New World attracted the attention of
wine enthusiasts. In fact, the vineyards of the Douro, proscribed in 1756,
were the first demarcated & controlled vineyards in Europe!
Producing Port wine is considered the most difficult task in any winery.
All the classic improved wine-based drinks such as Champagne, Cognac, or
Sherry obtain their character from the master winemaker’s work, and are creations
made by experts; as different as they are difficult. But Port, in all its
diversity, its intensity, its delicacy, requires more than just a good master
winemaker. The harmonious cooperation of sweetness, tannins, alcohol, and
innumerable fruit notes in young Port demands a genius. The Port winemaker
must always make the right decision among the many different sub-regions
and vineyard sites, decide what should go in which corner of the cellar,
whether the Tawnies go into barrels for further maturing or into the tank
to support the character of the young fruit. He or she must subtly approach
the desired nuance of color, find the balance between round, ripened and
young, aggressive tannins, between the quiet maturity of age and energetic
youthfulness. It is not an easy task. In many Port lodges this gift, for
it is a gift, has been handed down through the generations.
The grapes of Port are mainly Touriga Nacional, Tinto Cao, & Tinto Roriz
(Tempranillo). However, there may be over 500 other varietals, both red
& white and probably unknown to the vintner, growing in the same vineyard.
It would absolutely take generations to understand these diverse sites.
A true Port from the Douro is not duplicated anywhere. New world “Port”
producers, i.e. Australia, South America, California, etc., may craft very
fine fortified, red dessert wine (perhaps a more apt moniker than “Port”)
but they lack the distinction & flair of their Portuguese counterparts.
The reason for this (aside form the enormous diversity of grapes) is terroir.
The steep (60-degree slopes) are some of the most improbable places where
man has planted vines. With little soil, the unstable surface is composed
of flaking granite and slate. Summer temperatures reach over 100° F. Cacti
growing amongst the vineyards hint at just how low rainfall can be in this
part of the world. Donkeys & mules still provide the most valuable help
during harvest and grapes are carried on someone’s back for a couple of miles
until they reach a track suitable for wheeled transport. Primitive, to say
the least! The first road into Port country was not even built until 1980!
KOPKE!
Founded in 1638, Kopke is the oldest Port house still in existence. Specializing
in old Tawny & Colheita (vintage Port matured entirely in wooden casks)
style Port, Kopke is the undisputed champion of elegantly crafted, traditional
Port. Only recently has this great estate become available in the Portland
market. Unlike most Port producers, who export over 90% of their wine to
the UK & US, Kopke’s Ports are largely consumed within Portugal &
the rest of Europe. With centuries of experience, Kopke provides drinkers
with the most authentic, unadulterated Ports available today.
COLHEITA:
Colheita: The rarest of all Port. Their production, a specialty of the
Portuguese Port houses, amounts to less than 0.5% of all Port made. Colheitas
are vintage dated and aged entirely in wooden casks and are thus oxidatively-aged
wines with pecan & almond flavors. Essentially, Colheitas are vintage
Tawny Ports. The best Colheitas rival even the greatest Vintage Ports in
terms of complexity and length. The argument as to whether Colheita is preferable
to Vintage Port continues: it should be noted that the great vintages of
the 20th century were often in essence Colheita types, only being bottled
after ten years or longer.
-Compiled from notes from the distributor.
Tasting Today!
Please join us this Wednesday Nov.22nd at John's Marketplace
There will be a $5 tasting fee, pick up your loaner glass and pay at the
Deli counter on your way in. Our event starts promptly at 4 pm and ends
promptly at 7pm.
Please Note: Saturday Nov 25th tasting 3-5 pm Kopke Port (& chocolate)
$20 fee
& no friday tasting this week
Today Wednesday $5 fee
4:00 –7:00 pm Big Oregon Pinot Noir Tasting
.....wines from....
Cameron
Thomas
Patricia Green
Ayres
J. Daan
Benton Lane
Elvenglade
House Pour
Andrew Rich Malbec
Willakenzie Gamay Noir ‘04
Please join us this Friday Nov. 17th at John's Marketplace There will be a $5 tasting fee, pick up your loaner glass and pay at the
Deli counter on your way in. Our event starts promptly at 5 pm and ends promptly at 7pm.
Please Note: No Tasting Saturday Nov 18th (But I might have some Burgundies open from 3-5pm)
Friday Nov. 17th
5:00 -7:00 pm
Lisa from Grape Expectations will pour...
Berlene 2002 Blanquette de Limoux $9.99
"Chateaux" Montalena 2004 Chardonnay $35.99
2005 New Gewurz $8.99
Sobon 2004 Rocky Top Zinfandel $12.99
Guigal Crozes Hermitage 2003 $19.99
Dow Tawny Port $12.99
A second table with a few of Mr. Riggs' recent discoveries.
Near Future Tastings
Wednesday, November 23rd 4-7 pm Oregon and International Pinot Noir Saturday, November 25th Kopke Port and Chocolate tasting
Please join us this Friday Nov. 17th at John's Marketplace There will be a $5 tasting fee, pick up your loaner glass and pay at the
Deli counter on your way in. Our event starts promptly at 5 pm and ends promptly at 7pm.
Please Note: No Tasting Saturday Nov 18th (But I might have some Burgundies open from 3-5pm)
Friday Nov. 17th
5:00 -7:00 pm
Lisa from Grape Expectations will pour...
Berlene 2002 Blanquette de Limoux $9.99
"Chateaux" Montalena 2004 Chardonnay $35.99
2005 New Gewurz $8.99
Sobon 2004 Rocky Top Zinfandel $12.99
Guigal Crozes Hermitage 2003 $19.99
Dow Tawny Port $12.99
A second table with a few of Mr. Riggs' recent discoveries.
Near Future Tastings
Wednesday, November 23rd 4-7 pm Oregon and International Pinot Noir Saturday, November 25th Kopke Port and Chocolate tasting
MR. MIKE'S ARBOIS ALERT
Please join us this today November 11th at John's Marketplace
There will be a $20 tasting fee, our event starts promptly at 2 pm and ends
promptly at 5 pm.
Mr. Riggs on the Arbois issue...
“--In my first few months here at John’s I grew increasingly curious
about the lithe-shouldered bottles at the dusty bottom of the wooden Rhône
bin. They called out to me, lovely and archaic-looking, like something from
a 19th century cellar. Most of them bore only their color: red, white, or
coral. Another thing that struck me was the bottle age on these wines- current
releases from the late nineties, and one or two from 1993.
My first experience happened to be a bottle of Chateau d’Arlay Rouge
1999. At the time I had an idea that the wine was made of Pinot Noir, but
that was about it. Upon opening, the wine was tight and lean, ringing with
minerality and a compelling undercurrent that told me to give this bottle
air and forget about it for a while.
When I came back to it I was astounded to taste one of the most delicious,
focused, unique wines I’d ever had. The minerals had expanded and arranged
themselves into constellations of delicate complexity, wound around gleaming
wild cherry fruit like an affectionate cat around one’s leg. But beneath
these layers, dazzling as they were, came wash after wash of flavor: hot
stones, forest floor, green peppercorns, raspberry preserves, citrus zest…
I was too stunned even to grin. This was the most mineral-driven wine I
had ever tasted, a pin-up girl for geologists, but packed with class, structure,
and breeding.
Here’s what Jancis Robinson writes about the region and its wines: “This
is a verdant land of trenchermen, heavily influenced by the gastronomic excesses
and indeed soils and weather of Burgundy to the immediate west, except that
here winters can be even more severe.
“Jura is increasingly growing the grapes of Burgundy: Chardonnay to
a considerable and not always inspiring extent; Pinot Noir in a more limited
way. The best wines, however, are made from local vine varieties, particularly
the late-ripening Savagnin, also known as Naturé. Savagnin, often fleshed
out with Chardonnay, brings rigour and a hazelnut note to white table wines,
which can be both delightful and distinctive if made carefully.
“The most common dark-skinned Jura grape is Poulsard, often called Ploussard,
especially around Pupillin (a sub-appellation of Arbois), where it is most
popular. The reds produced are rarely very deep-colored but can be interesting:
soft, smooth and satisfying with the local game. A considerable proportion
of soft, silky rosé [corail] is made. Trousseau is a deeper-colored but
rarer Jura grape.”
This is how the majority of reviews of Arbois go. The writers seem
to be somewhat dumbfounded at the very existence of so unique a wine. These
wines are an acquired taste, true, but they are an acquired taste like sushi
or Shakespeare- one that, once acquired, can provide more and more enjoyment
the deeper one looks into it.
So, when you drink these special wines, do so with an open mind and
a little lust for adventure. They are different, sure, than many wines we
see every day, but, crouched as we are under the ever-growing shadow of massive,
mono-palate McWines, isn’t that a very good thing? Moi, je crois que oui.
Large soif—Mr. Riggs has spoken and so say I ...Mr. Mike
Welcome to Planet Arbois! Wines from the Jura section of France.
ARBOIS A.O.C. Jura
Wandering among the vines, we sometimes talk of new-world wines styles, or
of old world-wine styles, but it is an unusual pleasure to talk of wines
that that taste like nothing else, wines that are sui generis, wines that
are simply from another planet. Welcome to planet Arbois! Jura is an eastern
French wine region, a wide green bowl located between Burgundy and Switzerland.
Its relatively isolated location has meant that some unique grape varieties
(e.g. the red Poulsard and Trousseau) have survived, but also that some familiar
ones (e.g. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir) have taken on different interpretations.
These red wines are the most mineral-inflected red wines (Pinot Noir or other
varietals which have a similar weight as Pinot Noir) that I have encountered;
and the whites have some oxidative quality that induces notions of exotic
roasted nuts. I love these wines; but they are not for everyone; they are
an acquired taste. I encourage you to attend this tasting if you have an
interest in discovering a unique flavor palate, not to choose wines that
are great party wines. As Robert Parker has noted about Arbois Vin Jaune:
“I suspect a well-traveled palate and an open mind is essential to develop
a fondness for this style of wine.”
We will feature wines of Stephane Tissot, Jacques Puffenay, Houillon, and
Chateau D’Arlay. The tasting will include.....among other bottles....
Sparkling Cotes-du -Jura Brut Comte $14.99
Rijckaert Chardonnay Arbois
Tissot 2004 Chardonnay Arbois “La Mailloche” $29.99
Tissot 2001 Savagnin Arbois $27.99
Tissot 2004 “selection” Arbois (70% Chardonnay, 30% Savagnin) $17.99
Tissot 2004 “Singulier” Trousseau - Arbois AOC $29.99 750ml
Tissot 2004 Poulsard Arbois AOC $18.99 750ml “sans souffre”
Puffenay 2003 Pinot Noir Arbois AOC $27.99
Puffenay 2002 Arbois Chardonnay
Puffenay 2002 Arbois Savagnin
Houillon 2000 Arbois Pupillan $23.99
Tissot Vin Jaune $49.99
CHATEAU D'ARLAY “a La Reine” (100% chardonnay)
1997 CHATEAU D'ARLAY BLANC (70% Chardonnay, 30% Savagnin)
1999 CHATEAU D'ARLAY ROUGE (100% Pinot Noir known locally as Noirin, is the
traditional basis of all red wines at Chateau d'Arlay, where it was already
being grown by the 15 century.)
2000 CHATEAU D'ARLAY Cotes-du -Jura CORAIL (ROSE)
Corail or Coral is the name given to the light colored red wine made with
all 5 permitted varietals of the Cotes du Jura: Pinot Noir, Trousseau, Poulsard,
Chardonnay, and Savagnin. Chateau d'Arlay is the only producer in th Jura
to use this combination of varietals.
CHATEAU D'ARLAY 1994 Grand VIN JAUNE $85.00
Vin Jaune is without a doubt the most original of the Jura wines, and Chateau
d'Arlay is one of its longest standing producers. Vin Jaune is pure, unfortified
Savagnin matured in small casks in which a thin film of yeast flor develops
-saccharomyces bayanus-. This natural film protects the wine beneath from
oxidising and maderising. The wine is kept in this way, untouched, for
a minimum of 6 years in a separate cellar, with no topping off, no racking
or drawing off. It is then bottled in a clavelin which is again unique to
the area. It contains 62 cl as this is the quantity remaining from one litre
after the evaporation over the six years is finished. Fully 1/3 of the
original volume is lost in this way. Vin Jaune is in a class all its own
not only because of the way it's made, but also in the way it is served.
It should be drunk at room temperature with soup, oysters, foie gras, cavier,
lobster, sushi, game, light curry, canard a l'orange, coq aux morilles,
strongly flavored cheese such as roquefort and stilton, and even with chocolate
dessert. Like champagne, Vin Jaune may be served throughout a meal from
beginning to end. The Jura wine region is a couple of hours drive due east
of Burgundy, in the foothills of the Jura mountains. Chateau d'Arlay is
steeped in history and is reputed to be the oldest recorded "chateau-vineyard"
(630 AD). One-time owners include the royal families of France, Spain,
and Great Britain (William III). The chateau and its vineyards have never
been bought or sold and the inheritance of the Laguiche family (Le Montrachet)
can be traced back to the 12th century. A listed national monument, Chateau
d'Arlay also has open to the public a collection of live birds of prey -
one of four in France which re-habilitate and breed for eventual release
into the wild.
1997 CHATEAU D'ARLAY BLANC
70% Chardonnay, 30% Savagnin. will develop for 10-20 years.
NV CHATEAU D'ARLAY MACVIN VIN DE LIQUEUR $22.00
The Macvin is a combination of marc and vin, and this vin de liquer is indeed
made up of 1/3 marc and 2/3 white wine must. At Chateau d'Arlay, the vin
de liquer is made with expertise. Only the best ingredients are used: well-ripened
chardonnay and savagnin picked from the best vines on the estate, and the
estate's own vieux marc wich has already spent some time maturing in cask.
The two components are mixed and aged for 24 months in 600 litre casks.
Served chilled as apertif or as dessert wine.
Note
If any one has any Vin de Paille to bring I will comp two $ 20.- fees for
a bottle
MR. MIKE'S WINE TASTING ALERT (& Arbois Centrale)
Please join us this Friday November 10th at John's Marketplace
There will be a $5 tasting fee, pick up your loaner glass and pay at the
Deli
counter on your way in. Our event starts promptly at 5 pm and ends promptly
at 7pm.
Please Note: Big Arbois Tasting This Week Saturday
from 3:00-5:30 PM $20.- fee
(note: earlier than usual start time)
5:00 –7:00 pm Friday November 10th with Fabrizio of Cascade Import
Group
Pouring Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Gosset Champagne, Castello di Fonterutoli
Poggio alla Badiola Toscana IGT, Château La Nerthe Châteauneuf du Pape 2003
(usually $45.00) now $24.99 La Nerthe is
a historical property, dating back to the sixteenth century. The wine is
elegant and balanced showing good winemaking in the face of the hot 2003
vintage. This is a real deal for elegant Châteauneuf, drinking now, good
with turkey (or tofu shaped in the image of a large dildo, er.. I
mean dodo, er...birdie thingy.)
Also Mr. mike’s under $20 Oregon Pinot Noir Picks including
Ayres, Matello, and Alloro.
Saturday from 3:00-5:30 PM $20.- fee ARBOIS A.O.C. Jura
Welcome to Planet Arbois! Wines from the Jura section
of France.
Wandering among the vines, we sometimes talk of new-world wines styles, or
of old world-wine styles, but it is an unusual pleasure to talk of wines
that that taste like nothing else, wines that are sui generis, wines that
are simply from another planet. Welcome to planet Arbois! Jura is an eastern
French wine region, a wide green bowl located between Burgundy and Switzerland.
Its relatively isolated location has meant that some unique grape varieties
(e.g. the red Poulsard and Trousseau) have survived, but also that some familiar
ones (e.g. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir) have taken on different interpretations.
These red wines are the most mineral-inflected red wines (Pinot Noir or other
varietals which have a similar weight as Pinot Noir) that I have encountered;
and the whites have some oxidative quality that induce notions of exotic
roasted nuts. I love these wines; but they are not for everyone; they are
an acquired taste. I encourage you to attend this tasting if you have an
interest in discovering a unique flavor palate, not to choose wines that
are great party wines. As Robert Parker has noted about Arbois Vin Jaune:
“I suspect a well-traveled palate and an open mind is essential to develop
a fondness for this style of wine.”
We will feature wines of Stephane Tissot, Jacques Puffenay, and Chateau D’Arlay. (-Mr.
Mike)
The tasting will include.....among other bottles....
Sparkling Jura Franche-Comte
Rijckaert Chardonnay Arbois
Tissot 2004 “Singulier” Trousseau - Arbois AOC $29.99 750ml
Tissot 2004 Poulsard Arbois AOC $18.99 750ml
Puffenay Pinot Noir Arbois AOC 2003 $27.99
Puffenay 2002 Chardonnay
Puffenay 2002 Savagnin
Puffenay 2000 Arbois Pupillan
Tissot Vin Jaune $49.99
Tissot Savagnin
plus....
1997 CHATEAU D'ARLAY BLANC
70% Chardonnay, 30% Savagnin. will develop for 10-20 years.
1999 CHATEAU D'ARLAY ROUGE
100% Pinot Noir known locally as Noirin, is the traditional basis of all
red wines at Chateau d'Arlay, where it was already being grown by the 15
century.
2000 CHATEAU D'ARLAY CORAIL (ROSE)
Corail or Coral is the name given to the light colored red wine made with
all 5 permitted varietals of the Cotes du Jura: Pinot Noir, Trousseau, Poulsard,
Chardonnay, and Savagnin. Chateau d'Arlay is the only producer in the Jura
to use this combination of varietals. Also a big hit recently with me.
CHATEAU D'ARLAY VIN JAUNE
Vin Jaune is without a doubt the most original of the Jura wines, and Chateau
d'Arlay is one of its longest standing producers. Vin Jaune is pure, unfortified
Savagnin matured in small casks in which a thin film of yeast flor develops
-saccharomyces bayanus-. This natural film protects the wine beneath from
oxidising and maderising. The wine is kept in this way, untouched, for
a minimum of 6 years in a seperate cellar, with no topping off, no racking
or drawing off. It is then bottled in a clavelin which is again unique
to the area. It contains 62 cl as this is the quantity remaining from one
litre after the evaporation over the six years is finished. Fully 1/3 of
the original volume is lost in this way.
Vin Jaune is in a class all its own not only because of the way it's made,
but also in the way it is served. It should be drunk at room temperature
with soup, oysters, foie gras, cavier, lobster, sushi, game, light curry,
canard a l'orange, coq aux morilles, strongly flavored cheese such as roquefort
and stilton, and even with chocolate dessert. Like champagne, Vin Jaune
may be served throughout a meal from beginning to end. The Jura wine region
is a couple of hours drive due east of Burgundy, in the foothills of the
Jura mountains. Chateau d'Arlay is steeped in history and is reputed to
be the oldest recorded "chateau-vineyard" (630 AD). One-time owners include
the royal families of France, Spain, and Great Britain (William III). The
chateau and its vineyards have never been bought or sold and the inheritance
of the Laguiche family (Le Montrachet) can be traced back to the 12th century.
A listed national monument, Chateau d'Arlay also has open to the public
a collection of live birds of prey - one of four in France which re-habilitate
and breed for eventual release into the wild.
1997 CHATEAU D'ARLAY BLANC
70% Chardonnay, 30% Savagnin. will develop for 10-20 years.
NV CHATEAU D'ARLAY MACVIN VIN DE LIQUUER
The Macvin is a combination of marc and vin, and this vin de liquer is indeed
made up of 1/3 marc and 2/3 white wine must. At Chateau d'Arlay, the vin
de liquer is made with expertise. Only the best ingredients are used: well-ripened
chardonnay and savagnin picked from the best vines on the estate, and the
estate's own vieux marc wich has already spent some time maturing in cask.
The two components are mixed and aged for 24 months in 600 litre casks.
Served chilled as apertif or as dessert wine.
Note
If any one has any Vin de Paille to bring I will comp two $ 20.- fees for
a bottle to share.
Please join us this Friday Nov. 3rd at John's Marketplace
There will be a $5 tasting fee, pick up your loaner glass and pay at the
Deli
counter on your way in. Our event starts promptly at 5 pm and ends promptly
at 7pm.
Please Note: No Saturday Tasting Again This Week.
Today Friday
Two Chinon wines from a new producer: Grosbois; these are the best Chinon
(Cabernet Franc) I have ever tasted; they are mineral driven, dense, and
expressive of the unique terroir of the Loire Valley. Thistle Pinot Gris,
a Cordoniu Cava (sparkling wine) that sells for under $10.00. Montes Carmenere-Cabernet
Sauvignon Reserve, Lolonis Organic Ladybug Red and some surprise treats.
-Mr. Mike
5:00 – 7:00 pm Friday November 3rd
Future Saturdays...
November 4th Cancelled Red Burgundy
November 11th Arbois and Vin Jaune and the wines the Jura and Savoie
Please join us this Friday October 27th at John's Marketplace
There will be a $5 tasting fee, pick up your loaner glass and pay at the
Deli
counter on your way in. Our event starts promptly at 5 pm and ends promptly
at 7pm.
Please Note: No Saturday Tasting This Week.
5:00 –7:00 pm Friday September 27th
Greek Wine Seminar with Steven D. Brown C.S.W. of Sotiris Bafitis
Selections
I promise no Retsina will be served! These are not your father's
Greek wines, they are serious values emphasizing beautiful textures and flavors;
they are shipped in refrigerated containers to preserve their dramatic freshness
and soaring aromatics.
-Mr. Mike
.....6 wines ( 3 whites 3 reds )
whites
Lafazanis Estate 2005 Roditis White $10.99
Lightly floral nose, with the mineral citrus notes of a French Viognier
but with out any cloying fruit; light crisp clean, long on the palate, with
the weight, movement and crisp acidity of a light styled Sauvignon Blanc,
but also with a great herbal expressiveness. Perfect served with Thai food,
or anything redolent of lemongrass, cilantro, or Thai basil.
Ktima Kir-Yianni Samaropetra $12.99 Dry White Vin de Pays de Florina
Grape varieties: Roditis, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer
Samaropetra is the outcome of the inspired blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer
and Roditis. This white dry wine has a rich yellow color with greenish tints
that show its youth. The combination of the international varieties Sauvignon
Blanc and Gewürztraminer as well as the indigenous Roditis generate a refreshing
and delightful blend with aromas of exotic and white-skin fruits with a long
finish. Rich, long, and dense with white peach aromatics.
The Mercouri Estate 2005 Foloi Dry White $15.99
The wine is made from the Roditis grape grown in selected vineyards in the
cooler altitudes of Mt. Foloi, 450-650 meters above sea level. This is explosive
and unique wine with a sexy texture, and heady aromatics of herbal lemongrass,
herbal tonic, lime flower, and basil.
reds
Lafazanis Estate 2005 St. George Red $10.99
This wine reminds me of the very best Cru Beaujolais but at half their price.
Ktima Kir-Yianni 2004 Paranga $14.99
Paranga is the unique blend of Xinomavro, Merlot and Syrah. The first thing
noticed about the wine is its deep rich red color and its aromatic character.
Cinnamon and carnation mingle with herbaceous green pepper aromas producing
a full-bodied, solid and intriguing wine. The maturation of the wine takes
place in oak barrels with periodic stirring of the lees, adding volume and
complexity.
Ktima Kir-Yianni 2001 Ramnista $22.99
Grape varieties: 100% Ximomavro
The rich light ruby color distinguishes Ramnista. Complex aromas of plums,
raspberries, leather and oak blend harmoniously with some earthy, Rhone-like
Garrigue and peppery tapenade reverberations. It is a concentrated and spicy
wine with delicate, yet noticeable tannins and fine texture.
Future Saturdays...
November 4th Red Burgundy
November 11th Arbois and Vin Jaune and the wines the Jura and Savoie
Please join us this Friday October 20th at John's Marketplace
There will be a $5 tasting fee, pick up your loaner glass and pay at the
Deli
counter on your way in. Our event starts promptly at 5 pm and ends promptly
at 7pm.
Please Note: No Saturday Tasting This Week.
Friday 5- 7 pm
The Australian wines of d'Arenberg, and also a 91 point wine for under
ten bucks a bottle.
d'Arenberg Money Spider Roussanne 2003 $21.99
d'Arenberg's The Money Spider Roussanne has a brilliant aromas of nectarine,
white peach, citrus and honey, as well as spices and a touch of gooseberry.
These also dominate the young palate where nectarine and white peaches develop
into citrus, honey and spice.
d'Arenberg The Hermit Crab Viognier Marsanne 2004 $12.99
The youthful palate is immediately luscious with those tropical fruit, honeysuckle
and stone fruit flavors balanced by fresh grapefruit and light butter tastes,
before a long persistent fruit finish. The wine shows vibrant freshness with
enjoyable hints of hazelnut and slight mineral tang, characteristic of Marsanne.
d'Arenberg High Trellis Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 $15.99
On the palate, mouth-filling sweet blackberries, plums and blackcurrant
flavors are highlighted by the rich, strong mid palate which is finely structured
with firm fruit and oak tannin on the typically long, fresh young tangy finish.
The hallmarks of McLaren Vale, d'Arenberg, and The High Trellis Cabernet
Sauvignon a soft, rich middle palate, terrific texture and a long rolling
finish.
d'Arry's Original Shiraz/Grenache 2004 $15.99
Hints of coffee & caramel on the nose are usually quite evident on the
palate; a backdrop for cherry-raspberry & richer mulberry-blackberry primary
fruit. The palate is typically d'Arenberg & McLaren Vale, soft &
rich in the middle, coffee, mocha, chocolate & leather emerge as dominant
older fruit aromas flavors alongside gamy, earthy, cedar like & minty
scents. The classic hallmark of peppery-spicy character develops & the
velvety texture remains.
Jacob Creek Reserve (91 pts WS) $9.99
WINE SPECTATOR RATING: 91
”Thick, with a layer of black pepper over a mouthfilling gob of black cherry
and licorice that cries out for grilled red meat. Drinkable now, better with
some age. Best from 2008 through 2013.”-WINE SPECTATOR REVIEW
Calendar of future events
No Saturday tastings the last two Saturdays in October, Mr. Mike will be
out of town.
As Usual Regular Friday tastings will occur.
Future Saturdays...
November 4th Red Burgundy
November 11th Arbois and Vin Jaune and the wines the Jura and Savoie
Please join us this Friday September 22nd at John's Marketplace
There will be a $5 tasting fee, pick up your loaner glass and pay at the Deli counter on your way in. Our event starts promptly at 5 pm and ends promptly at 7pm.
Newsletter Highlights
-Big Oregon Pinot Noir 1999 vintage Tasting 4-6 pm .... This Saturday Sept. 23rd ....See below.
Friday 5-7 pm Tasting ....Summary -Value near and far
1) MacMurray Ranch 2004 Pinot Gris $11.99 ($9.60 per btl pbt the case) California
2) August Cellars 2004 Chardonnay $13.99 Oregon
3) Zoot Allures blended 2005 Oregon White wine (J. Christopher) Oregon
4) Avalon 2003 Cabernet Sauvingon $12.99 California
5) Trapiche 2003 oak cask Malbec $8.99 ...on deal Argentina
6) Trapiche 2003 oak cask Cabernet Sauvingon $8.99 Argentina
7) Guigal 2003 Crozes-Hermitages $21.00 Parker WA (91-94) points France
Thus Spaketh Parkah...
"The dense purple-colored 2003 Crozes-Hermitage possesses sumptuous aromas of tapenade, creme de cassis, cherries, and spice. Beautifully-textured, full, and long, it will offer impressive drinking over the next 10-12 years. Marcel and Philippe Guigal, never content to rest on their already impressive credentials, announced that in the future, they expect to release another single vineyard Cote Rotie from a 3.7 acre parcel in the Viria vineyard on the Cote Brune. The first vintage or two will probably be added to the Chateau d'Ampuis. If the potential turns out to be as exceptional as they believe, lovers of these great wines will have a fourth single vineyard Cote Rotie called Viria to contemplate. There are many admirable things about Marcel Guigal, but most significant is that he has been a qualitative locomotive that has brought attention to the Rhone Valley, and has raised the quality bar for the entire region. More importantly, he realizes that most consumers will have access only to his least expensive wines from the Cotes du Rhone, so he has made every effort to continue to increase the quality of both his white and red Cotes du Rhones. His Cotes du Rhone whites have jumped in quality as he has settled on a general blend of approximately 50% Viognier and the rest Roussanne, Marsanne, Clairette, Bourboulenc, and Grenache Blanc." ...and he thus saw it was good, and it was good. Corinithians 12:124
Tasting this Saturday 4-6 pm...Sept 23rd
Mr. Mike presents "The 1999 Pinot Noir Vintage in Oregon"
(plus some great recent releases) ------------$20 fee----------
1.5 oz pours - no reservations - starts at 4pm - approx. 30 tasting spots available.
When the wine is gone, it's gone, late arrivals may be turned away.
Here is the incredible line up:
(1) Eyrie 1999 Reserve Pinot Noir $40.00
Wine Enthusiast 91 points, from the oldest Pinot vines in the WillametteValley, this is David Lett's greatest achievement combining the balance between earth and acid, with the aromas of forest floor, minerals, and something "animaux" as the French might say, perhaps a feral intoxicant. Amazingly the wine is still available in quantity. Approachable now, this wine will improve with cellaring for years to come.
(2) Willakenzie 1999 "Pere Leon" Pinot Noir $30.00
Laurent Montelieu made this wine, it is basically a barrel selection emphasizing the masculine (extracted) side of the possible Pinot spectrum; it is still bound up. It has limited availability. 6 btls. available
(3) Torii Mor 1999 "Olsen Vineyard" Pinot Noir $N/A
Patty Green helped plant this vineyard (years ago) and made the wine, although I believe she had moved on before it was bottled. Typical of her wines, this contains a pleasurable exaggeration the interplay of Pinot and wood, which an important feature of the total story of Pinot Noir in Oregon.
(4) Evesham Wood 1999 "Seven Springs" Pinot Noir $N/A
What can one say about Russ Raney's wines? They are the real deal. An ethereal wine.
(5) St. Innocent 1999 "Seven Springs" Pinot Noir $N/A
This Pinot shows a difference in wine making approach. The Evesham version is lightly extracted and balanced; St. Innocent's is highly extracted but balanced, and just now coming out of its shell. This vineyard is the source of some of the best fruit in Oregon, period.
(6) Maysara 2004 "Jamsheed" Pinot Noir $25.00
This wine was highly touted by Kramer in the Oregonian; the new winemaker Todd Hamina has certainly started to fashion better and better wines with this estate's fruit. A "big" style.
(7) Cooper Mountain 2002 "Old Vine" Pinot Noir $30.00
This wine was also highly touted by Kramer in the Oregonian. I think it shows off the subtlety of old vine fruit combined with a great growing season, and hands-off winemaking. (..and perhaps that good things can happen, despite a dismal producer track record.)
(8) Ayres Pinot Noir 2005 $20.00
This new producer's wine is a steal for the price. It shows off muscular masculine style of Pinot; yet this iron fist is inside the proverbial velvet glove. This estate's fruit is next door to Brickhouse. That might be part of the reason for its goodness...duh! (The 2004 is also still in stock and is another steal of a deal.)
For this tasting 15% off mixed 12 bottle cases of these wines. 10% off 6 or more. No.'s 3,4,5 unavailable.
Stuff coming in over the transom...
Everybody should try a bottle of the new Pesquié CDR it is an awesome value. Call for exact price, arriving Friday.
Also arriving Friday:
Sineann 2005 OV Zinfandel Oregon $34.00
Pines 2005 OV Zinfandel Oregon $34.00
...lots of other cool wines come in Friday, come and talk to us after 1 pm .....
Future Schedule...
Saturday 4-6 pm...Sept 23rd Oregon Pinot Noir 1999 - Horizontal $20 Tasting Fee
Saturday 4-6 pm...Sept 30th Extreme Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting Fee
Saturday 4-6 pm...Oct 7th Arbois and Vin Jaune Tasting Fee
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