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Château Grange Cochard Morgon ‘Côte du Py’ 2013

Château Grange Cochard Morgon 'Côte du Py' 2013

A delicious Cru Beaujolais, the 2013 Château Grange Cochard Morgon ‘Côte du Py’ is crafted from sustainably-farmed vines grown in granitic schist soil. It opens with brooding aromas of loamy tilth, freshly turned soil, and underbrush that gives way, perhaps grudgingly to red and black berries, dried orange peel, and a whiff of black tea. Darker tones […]

Glaetzer Shiraz Amon-Ra Barossa Valley 2010

Glaetzer Shiraz Amon-Ra Barossa Valley 2010

A massive wine, but not lacking in sophistication—the 2010 Glaetzer Shiraz Amon-Ra Barossa Valley is baritone in style, and opens with a throaty chorus of burnt sugar, plums, blackberries, espresso, and sweet tobacco. Grippy, structured tannins on the attack give way to an intense black-fruited core that leaves in its wake a spicy trail of […]

El Enemigo Gran Enemigo Single Vineyard Gualtallary Cabernet Franc 2011

El Enemigo Gran Enemigo Single Vineyard Gualtallary Cabernet Franc 2011

We sipped the 2011 El Enemigo Gran Enemigo Single Vineyard Gualtallary Cabernet Franc blind and I thought it was perhaps from Italy, such is this wine’s enigmatic profile and finesse. A blend of 85% Cabernet Franc and 15% Malbec all sourced from high-density plantings in Gualtallary—the highest of the Valle de Uco’s viticultural sub-zones, in […]

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 […]

Figgins Walla Walla Valley Estate Red 2014

Figgins Walla Walla Valley Estate Red 2014

Ever since I tasted the 2010 Figgins Estate Red, a remarkable and flawless vintage, I’ve come to prefer it over Leonetti, but both are crafted by Chris Figgins. For me these wines are poised, showing more restraint and complexity than I find in most Walla Walla Valley reds. The 2014 is lavishly trimmed in red […]

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 […]

Otis Kenyon Syrah 2013

Otis Kenyon Syrah 2013

With a quinacridone violet core and that most classic plump, juicy Walla Walla fruit profile, the 2013 Otis Kenyon Syrah has developed nicely. Layered aromas of boysenberry and black fruit rest beneath lighter notes of lavender oil and incense—there is a lovely floral aspect that is certainly appealing. The palate is silky and round, quite […]

Locations F-5 NV

Locations F-5 NV

Locations F-5 NV offers up a deeply perfumed nose of black cherry, black raspberry, plum, earth, purple lilac, dark chocolate shavings, and vanilla bean paste. In the mouth, it’s medium bodied, with finely sueded tannins. Dark fruit is bolstered by a lively vein of acidity—all in all, this is a beautifully crafted wine from winemaker […]

CHRISTINE HAVENS
McMinnville, OR

christine@christine-havens.com