Pike Road Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2014
One of the better in the under $20 Oregon Pinot category I’ve tasted of late, the 2014 Pike Road is an off shoot winery managed by the Elk Cove team. Replete with twiggy black tea notes, rose petals, cranberry compote, iron ore and dried blood, it’s clean and linear on the palate, more red fruited […]
Cornerstone Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Michael’s Cuvée 2012
Black currant, smoky blueberries, cassis, and mint. Cornerstone Cellars 2012 Michael’s Cuvée doesn’t disappoint. It’s opulent, with palate-drenching blackberries and blueberries, lovely purity of fruit with seductively sueded tannins. A blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Merlot, this cuvée was assembled from the historic Oakville Station Vineyard (read that as To Kalon) 57%, 28% […]
Quinta de Gomariz Vinho Verde Grande Escolha 2015
A refreshing blend of Loureiro, Alvarinho and Trajadura, QG or Quinta do Gomarez’s Grand Grande Escolha 2015, expresses fleshy peach and pear, flavors that are brightened by leaner notes. A citrus and mineral-saline edge, especially on the finish, endows this well-crafted Vinho Verde with a more serious edge. 6.0 RS 11.5% ABV | Sample Quinta […]
Herdade do Esporão Douro Assobio Quinta dos Murças 2013
From the Douro, this classic blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca offers up earthy, and slightly rustic with aromas of dusty earth, plums, black cherries, aged leather, and cocoa powder. Grippy tannins are the predominant feature, reigning in black fruit. The finish is long, ushered in by noticeable acidity that takes flight […]
Domaine de Marcoux Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2011
The profile of the 2011 Marcoux Châteauneuf-du-Pape screams Grenache, and so it was gratifying to read that the blend is indeed 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre, 7% Syrah and 3% Cincault, and the vines are old, averaging 50 years or more. The result is a wine with pronounced red fruit aromas, macerated strawberries and black cherries […]
Mas De Cadenet Arbaude Côtes de Provence Rosé 2014
I recently reviewed Mas de Cadenet’s ‘Mas Negrel’, a complex, creamy-textured Provençal rosé that is aged in oak casks. By contrast, Arbaude reads as the plucky little sister—with a peachy-pink salmon robe and the aromatics to match, it’s an elegant rosé, with genial stone fruit and raspberries, lovely florality and anise pastille. On the palate, […]
Domaine Dublère Corton-Charlemagne 2005
Enjoyed on the Brooks winery patio on a warm not-quite summer’s eve, the 2005 Dublère Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru followed a lithe Muscadet and oysters. Graced with pretty notes of apple tartin, yellow flowers, lemon curd, graphite, and spice, it’s full and round and richly buttery on the palate, with ample intensity and good acidic cut, […]
Troon Vineyard Applegate Valley Zinfandel 2014
Ripe blackberries, plums and spice. The palate is somewhat lighter than is typical for say, a California Zinfandel, especially those found in warmer climates. Troon’s 2014 Applegate Valley Zin is full and lush, and laden with black fruit, perhaps what is most remarkable is the finish. An organoleptic explosion of dark chocolate, Herbs de Garrigue […]
Brooks Rastaban Pinot Noir 2003
Generously shared by Janie Brooks during this week’s SOMM reunion, the 2003 Rastabon was her brother, Jimi’s first and last vintage produced under the Rastaban label. A significant wine to share, because Jimi passed away in 2004, and Janie stepped in to keep Brooks winery and Jimi’s vision going (if you’re not familiar with the […]
Mirabeau Côtes de Provence Rosé 2015
Mirabeau’s 2015 Côtes De Provence is a convivial Provençal pink, expressing red summer berries, blood orange, brisk alpine air and talcum powder. As the nose suggests, Mirabeau is light and spritely, with lifted citrusy acidity and lithe minerally backbone. The finish goes on and on, limestone, seafoam, wet pomace, far more mineral expression than fruit. […]