Brooks Runaway Red Pinot Noir 2013
According to winemaker, Chris Williams, Runaway Red is the first Pinot Noir the winery blends each season. This is also Brooks’ entry level label, priced at $23.00, it’s soft and accessible with an entirely red-fruited profile. Rhubarb, strawberries, pie cherries and a delicate floral note lead into a wine that is acid driven and lightly […]
Pierre-Henri Morel Luberon 2014
Pierre-Henri Morel is Maison Chapoutier’s commercial director. He launched his eponymous brand in collaboration with Michel Chapoutier in 2008, all of the wines under this label are vinified at Chapoutier’s facility. The 2008 Luberon is has a wonderful sauvage character—an earthy mix of leather, woody trails, game and wild strawberries. It’s light bodied, underscored by […]
Bodega Catena Zapata Cabernet Sauvignon High Mountain Vines 2014
Bodega Catena Zapata Cabernet Sauvignon High Mountain Vines 2014″ width=”200″ height=”200″ /></a>I received a selection of Catena wines following an interview with Dr. Laura Catena (to her credit, she’s an amazing person and a part time ER doc). Her 2014 High Mountain Vines Cabernet displays glorious aromas of black currant, anise, mocha, exotic spice, and […]
Feudo Arancio Cabernet Sauvignon Sicilia Stemmari 2013
Aged in neutral French barriques, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is softly textured, fresh, and endowed with fine tannins that gather at the fore-palate. Laden with plums, blackberries, incense and Chinese five spice, this is an easy and approachable Cabernet Sauvignon, a perfect wine for a casual gathering. 13.5% ABV | Sample Feudo Arancio Stemmari 8.7 […]
Domaine Paul Autard Côtes du Rhône 2015
I’m revisiting this on the third day, it’s still lovely and fresh—Paul Autard’s basic Côtes du Rhône 2015 offers a sweeping palate of aromas. Macerated strawberry, cherry and plum notes are hemmed in by anise verging on violets, crushed stones, black olives, and sweet tobacco. It’s decidedly medium bodied, with dark fruit at the core, […]
Feudo Arancio Nero d’Avola Sicilia Stemmari 2014
After being open for a couple of hours, the Feudo Arancio Nero D’Avola Sicilia Stemmari 2014 reveals soft, supple undercurrent of plums, prunes, cocoa powder, sweet tobacco and spearmint. The mint note is especially prominent. It’s easy going, round, with moderate acidity, I found myself reaching the bottom of my glass much faster than intended—for […]
Terra Blanca Red Mountain Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
So glad to have finally visited Terra Blanca, aside from visit-worthy grounds, the wines themselves live up to the praise they’ve garnered. The 2012 Red Mountain Cabernet explodes with black cherries, cassis, sandalwood, Chinese five spice, incense and lavender. A structural backbone encased in firm tannins is at the forefront of the attack, but after […]
Domaine Serene Jerusalem Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013
Jerusalem Hill Vineyard lies a protected, south-facing slope, and I’m told it’s one of the more moderate sites in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, lending more intense color and concentration—and that seems to be very accurate to the wine itself, which manages both poise and power. Sous bois, white pepper and dried sage along with fine, […]
Domaine J. Meuret Les Chênes Phelps Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013
Domaine J. Meuret Les Chênes Phelps Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013″ width=”200″ height=”200″ /></a>I was delighted to find Maison Bleue’s tasting room in downtown Walla Walla on my last visit, and even more surprised to taste the Domaine J. Meuret Les Chênes Pinot Noir 2013, the inaugural vintage of this label, all of which are […]
Domaine de la Gramière Côtes du Rhône 2011
The La Gramière 2011 is a cuvée of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, with vinification in concrete. A rustic, gamey nose of blackberry reduction sauce, beef jerky, freshly turned soil and violets. Aging in concrete has produced a wine that is both fresh with texturally fine tannins. There is high acidity here, too and with […]