Rain Dance Vineyards Nicholas Vineyard Pinot Noir 2016
From the Chehalem Mountains sub-appellation, Rain Dance’s Nicholas Vineyard sits at an elevation of 544 feet and consists of silty clay loam Jory and Laurelwood type soils—the expression is more black fruit than red. A spicy mélange of black cherry and black raspberry hovering between vanilla and more compact forest floor notes. Smooth and silken […]
Robert Mondavi To Kalon Vineyard Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Tasted in Transylvania of all places at the ROVINHUD wine show, during a master class led by MW Patrick Farrell. The 2014 proves to be as sumptuous and profound as the 2013. Opaque as a starless night, it’s a deep plunge into blueberry and crème de cassis bliss, followed by sandalwood and vanilla, dried mint […]
Château Cantemerle Les Allées de Cantemerle 2010
Another wine tasted in Transylvania at the ROVINHUD wine show in Timișoara. Les Allées de Cantemerle is the second wine of Château Cantemerle, as such it’s a good value. The 2010 is endowed with a classic profile of cassis, black cherries, blueberries, cedar, and an alluring top note of freshly turned soil. It’s still youthful, […]
Palazzina Le Macioche Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Le Macioche 2007
The 2007 The Macioche, tasted in a vertical was the oldest vintage we were treated to a very impromptu tasting at the winery. It’s the color of brick dust, and it feels like it’s on the nose, along with layered aromas of purple, incense, anise, menthol, iron. It is quite nimble the mouth, with well […]
Château Montrose 1989
Beautifully evolved nose of leather, mulberry, brambly red berries, clove and dried mint. Medium-bodied with a regal countenance—there is still tons of structure, with mouth-coating fine grain tannin in abundance. Truly, this wine could go on and on and on in the cellar. The 1989 Château Montrose is not terribly fruit-driven, rather it’s interior space […]
Château Lafite Rothschild 1999
The 1999 Lafite Rothschild, is a ruby-hued beauty with a translucent rim—this bottle was incredibly fresh and vibrant on opening. Initially, seemingly more red fruit-driven, the nose evolved into a darker expression with time in the glass. Nuanced aromas of loamy earth, rose petal, black currant, and pencil shavings led into a wine that, while […]
Quintessentia Amaro Nonino
Amaro, where have you been all my life? That is a question that begs serious thought. I was first introduced to it by my host on a recent trip to Umbria, he graciously ordered us Amaro Monte Negro on our first night and later, this classic, Amaro Nonino. Orange peel, spice cake, brandied pear, star […]
Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2012
Hauled out of the cellar in anticipation of another waterlogged week in Portland, I’ve contented myself with Allegrini’s classically styled Amarone della Valpolicella. The 2012 vintage, like the 2010 I sampled two years ago, is of similar richness and texture. Plums, aged leather, figs, and tar are denser notes that form the base and backbone […]
Golan Heights Winery Yarden Blanc de Blancs 2009
Another jewel from Golan Heights Winery—the 2009 Yarden Blanc de Blancs is made from 100% Chardonnay sourced from the Galil (Galilee) appellation, Israel’s coolest viticultural area. Aged five years en tirage, the 2009 boasts an orchard fruit and citrus mélange of yellow skinned apples, poached pear, pineapple cake, clover honey, and a kiss of brioche. […]
Domaine Guion Cuvée Domaine Bourgueil 2015
Sporting classic Bourgueil notes of red berries, underbrush, orange pomander ball, and an ethereal top note of delicate florality. The 2015 Domaine Guion Cuvée Domaine Bourgueil is angular and tight with high-toned acidity, like crushed raw cranberry—it has a definite edge and considerable tartness, with tannins perched on the fore-palate. An earthy, mineral note emerges […]