Havens Logo 23 White Small

André Jacquart Blanc de Blancs Brut Experience Champagne Premier Cru NV

André Jacquart Champagne Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut Experience NV

A multifaceted sparkler, and frankly a stunning value, André Jacquart’s Blanc de Blancs Brut Experience Champagne Premier Cru is aged five years sur pointe and composed of 60% Chardonnay from Vertus vinified in stainless steel, and 40% Grand Cru Le Mesnil-sur-Oger Chardonnay vinified in neutral Burgundy oak barrels. Comice pear, apple, and persimmon lie beneath […]

Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port 2011

Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port 2011

There’s poetry, pure poetry in Taylor Fladgate’s 2011 vintage port; plum, blackberry, espresso, just-baked spice cake, Madagascar Vanilla, sweet tobacco, Chinese Five Spice, and white pepper bedeck the nose. Round and supple on entry, with sumptuous plums and blackberries perched at the fore-palate and framed by cashmere-like, well-integrated tannins. Black tea, dried orange peel, and […]

Cornbread, Andouille Sausage, Cherry & Pecan Stuffing

Cornbread, Andoullie Sausage, Dried Cherry & Pecan Stuffing

A glorious combination of Southern-inspired flavors, the subtle sweetness of the cornbread complements the Andouille Sausage. Pecans and cherries add textural layers, making this colorful stuffing a dish that will work well alongside roast turkey or goose. You will find the recipe for sage and honey skillet cornbread pictured below here.   [amd-yrecipe-recipe:24]

A Holiday Dinner Menu — Smoked Goose with a Kentucky Bourbon & Citrus Glaze

Christmas Goose

Before the arrival of our goose from D’Artagnan, I had researched classic Christmas goose recipes, pouring over whatever blogs, websites, and YouTube videos I could find on the topic. Visions of a thoroughly Dickensonian Christmas populated my thoughts, as I envisioned quaint side dishes like Yorkshire pudding, duchess potatoes, and mincemeat pies warmly lit by candlelight. […]

Château de Cosse (Château Rieussec) Sauternes 2015

Château de Cosse (Château Rieussec) Sauternes 2015

The color of dried goldenrod, Château du Cosse is a blend of 91% Sémillon, 5% Sauvignon, and 4% Muscadelle. This superb second label of Château Rieussec offers up sumptuously honeyed aromatics followed by apricot, yellow peach, well-ripened mango, and a pinch of nutmeg. Full-bodied and nicely balanced, in the mouth fleshy fruit and densely-packed flavors […]

Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) Champagne Blanc de Blancs NV

Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) Champagne Blanc de Blancs NV

An elegant Blanc de Blancs from Champagne Barons de Rothschild, this non-vintage Brut is a blend of 40% reserve wine and chardonnay harvested from the Avize, Cramant, Menil-Sur-Oger, Oger, and Vertus Crus. Aromas of baked apple, biscuit, blanched almond, and powdered ginger are held aloft on a fine mousse. On the palate, it’s crisp and […]

La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 904 2005

La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 904 2005

A fabulous La Rioja Alta, the 2005 Gran Reserva 904 is a blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano aged in American oak barrels. It opens with a kaleidoscope of subtle, alluring aromas of Japanese plum, dried leaves, dusty earth, mahogany wood, leather, pomander ball, dried mint, and Dutch cocoa powder. In the mouth, sueded […]

Domaine des Gaudets Côte du Py Morgon 2015

Domaine des Gaudets Côte du Py Morgon 2015

From 65-year-old vines grown in schist, the 2015 Domaine de Gaudets Côte du Py Moron is richly brocaded in blackberries, plums, earth, iron ore, cigar box, red licorice, and violets. In the mouth, firm tannins at the fore-to-mid palate lend structure to a dark mineral core. High acidity amplifies this wine’s attractive juiciness—crushed stones and […]

Jean-Luc Colombo Côtes du Rhône Les Abeilles de Colombo Rouge 2016

Jean-Luc Colombo Côtes du Rhône Les Abeilles de Colombo Rouge 2016

A juicy blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 10% Mouvèdre, Jean-Luc Colombo’s 2016 Rouge “Les Abeilles” is laden in red fruit—a bushel basket of black cherries, macerated strawberries, and rhubarb are followed by lighter notes of underbrush, vanilla, dusty earth, and anise. On the palate, nimble acidity lends brightness and freshness to this softly […]

History Mont Elise Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014

History Mont Elise Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014

Stoller’s History series is all about unearthing the oldest vines in the Pacific Northwest and making single vineyard, small lot expressions from them. The 1968 Mont Elise Vineyard is a Pinot Noir from one of the oldest vineyard plots in the Columbia Gorge AVA. Limpid garnet in the glass, it’s finely wrought with aromas of […]

CHRISTINE HAVENS
McMinnville, OR

christine@christine-havens.com