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Château de Pitray Premier Vin 2015

Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux

A right-bank, Merlot-dominant blend, Château de Pitray is now managed by the estate’s 25th generation. The wine is delicious for its price point—Merlot’s dark cherry and Damson plum notes are beautifully matched by Cabernet Franc’s delicate florality, combined with enveloping cigar box and warm spice notes. It’s medium-bodied on the palate, with well-balanced acidity. The […]

Château Puygueraud Francs Côtes de Bordeaux 2015

Château Puygueraud Bordeaux Côtes de Francs 2015

Owned by George Thienpont—the family also own Vieux Château Certan, as such Puygueraud delivers excellent value. This supple blend of 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Malbec delivers enveloping aromas of blackcurrant, blackberries, Bing cherries, sweet tobacco, leather, and vanilla. It’s round and silky in the mouth with suave tannins that lend structure and […]

Kangarilla Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Kangarilla Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

The 2016 Kangarilla Road Cabernet Sauvignon is aged in both new French and American oak and expresses a vibrant mélange of ripe blackberries, black cherries, black currant, sandalwood, alfalfa hay, menthol, eucalyptus, and bittersweet chocolate shavings. On the palate, supple tannins aplenty combined with moderate weight, and a firm acid backbone that gives lift and […]

Kangarilla Road Shiraz 2016

Kangarilla Road Shiraz 2016

The final wine I’ve sampled in a series from Kangarilla Road, it’s worth pointing out the value for price in the US market—the 2016 Kangarilla Road Shiraz is brimming with aromas of blackberry, mulberry, menthol, and dark chocolate shavings. It’s a muscular wine, but there is refinement, too. In the mouth, bright acid offsets finely […]

Prophecy Wines California Pinot Noir 2015

Prophecy Wines California Pinot Noir 2015

As a former student of design, I am ever drawn into a label series with thoughtful, enchanting imagery—such is the case with the Prophecy collection, it’s bottlings span several continents and I have been perhaps slightly more enamored with the whites and the rosé than the reds. That said, this 2015 California Pinot Noir is […]

Peter Zemmer Rollhütt Pinot Noir 2017

Peter Zemmer Rollhütt Pinot Noir 2017

Worth every penny, Peter Zemmer’s Northern Italian Pinot Noir is intensely perfumed, with lilting aromas of dried rose petals, cola, homemade strawberry jam, raspberry, and underbrush. The aromatic profile perfectly matches the nose—it’s elegant, buoyant, and reigned in, with a finish etched in floral undertones and limestone minerality. 13.0% ABV | Sample Peter Zemmer 9o […]

Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec 2015

Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec 2015

Outstanding for its price point, Trivento’s 2015 Golden Reserve Malbec is another wine I prefer on the second day or post decanting. It’s a serious effort from the Luján de Cuyo district. Opaque with a violet rim, it opens with sensual aromas of plum, black cherry, balsam wood, mocha, and violets. Juicy black fruit is […]

Wine By Joe Oregon Pinot Noir 2015

Wine By Joe Oregon Pinot Noir 2015

For those looking for an excellent value Pinot Noir from Oregon (and trust me, they’re hard to find) Wine by Joe offers quality for the price. The nose unfurls with classic aromas of black cherry, macerated strawberries, cola and a touch of underbrush. In the mouth, a softly-fruited core is bolstered by thoughtfully balanced acidity […]

Domaine Bousquet Winemaker’s Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Domaine Bousquet Winemaker’s Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

I much preferred Domaine Bousquet’s 2017 Premium Cabernet Sauvignon on the second day—aromatically speaking, it’s far more expressive with air and time—youthful primary aromas and flavors of black currant, black cherry, cassis, dark chocolate shavings and bay leaf unwind against an earthy, muscular backdrop. The tannins are fine, evenly dispersed, and there is a green […]

Locations WA-4 NV

Locations WA-4 NV

Winemaker Dave Phinney has captured the spirit of Washington State Syrah, accented by Merlot, and Petit Sirah. His latest Locations WA-4 is rife with sumptuous blueberries, blackberries, cassis, vanilla, incense; it’s medium-bodied in the mouth with a core of sweet, juicy fruit nicely counterbalanced and bound by acidity and powdery tannins. A finish of bay […]

CHRISTINE HAVENS
McMinnville, OR

christine@christine-havens.com