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Coronica ‘CO’ Dry Red Wine 2014

Coronica 'CO' Dry Red Wine 2014

My first Croatian wine, ‘CO’ or Crno Vino, which simply means red wine, is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Kraški Teran, a dark-skinned member of the Refosco family of grapes. I’m amazed at how gamey it is, with even a touch of rancio that translates as very-aged Iberico ham, along with dusty, clayey […]

Galil Mountain Winery Yiron Galilee Dry Red 2012

Galil Mountain Winery Yiron Galilee Dry Red 2012

My first wine from the Galilee appellation in Israel. It’s a mountainous, stony terrain, but for all the stress I imagine vines go through in this formidable environment, Galil Mountain’s 2012 Bordeaux-style blend is stunningly pure, with almost pillowy-plush aromas of black currants, blackberries, violets, spice box and anise. Aged 16 months in French oak, […]

Grgich Hills Estate Zinfandel 2012

Grgich Hills Estate Zinfandel 2012

It’s the spice that hits your nose first—aromas of cracked black pepper, mesquite and charred cedar glide above denser notes of sun-warmed blackberries and ripe Italian plums. It’s not as lush on the palate as some Napa Zins. Like all of the wines from Grgich Hills, the 2012 shows a modicum of restraint, in a […]

Kindzmarauli Marani Dry Red Saperavi 2013

Kindzmarauli Marani Dry Red Saperavi 2013

A country with an ancient wine growing and winemaking heritage, Georgia is little more than a blip on the radar of the American wine scene. I hope that will change with time, as I have been favorably impressed by the wines I’ve sampled thus far. Credited as the birthplace of viticulture and even vitis vinifera itself, the […]

Achaval-Ferrer Quimera 2010

Achaval-Ferrer Quimera 2010

The 2010 Achaval-Ferrer Quimera is well within its prime drinking window, and offers a concentrated, seductive nose fairly bursting with damson plum, ripe blueberries, ash, mint, juniper, and spice. This is an exceptionally balanced wine, with graceful distribution of ripe, firm tannins drenched in juicy blueberries, white pepper, and black tea. Smooth and delicious, this […]

Mayacamas Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Mayacamas Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

From the acclaimed Mount Veeder appellation, Mayacamas 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon spends 13 months on new French Oak and sees and additional 5 years aging in bottle prior to release. Complex, heady aromas of black currants and black cherries, roasted game, black olive tapenade, and a lovely wafting tertiary note of violets. High altitude and cooler […]

Mayacamas Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Mayacamas Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

From the acclaimed Mount Veeder appellation, Mayacamas 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon spends 13 months on new French Oak and sees and additional 5 years aging in bottle prior to release. Complex, heady aromas of black currants and black cherries, roasted game, black olive tapenade, and a lovely wafting tertiary note of violets. High altitude and cooler […]

Domaine Comte Abbatucci Faustine Vieilles Vignes 2012

Domaine Comte Abbatucci Faustine Vieilles Vignes 2012

A Kermit Lynch import, Faustine is a biodynamically-farmed Corsian blend of 70% Sciaccarellu and 30% Niellucciu. Shimmering translucent garnet, it’s lighter in hue and body than Pinot Noir with refined, perfumy aromas of decaying rose petal, white hand soap, forest floor, dried mint, and a hint of spice. In the mouth, it’s taught, red-fruited and […]

Bodegas Escorihuela Gascón Malbec Don Miguel Gascón Reserva 2011

Bodegas Escorihuela Gascón Malbec Don Miguel Gascón Reserva 2011

Inky-hued and opaque as starless night, the 2011, Gascon Familia Gascón Reserva Malbec emits boysenberries, mulberries and dusty-dry soil on the nose. It’s quite plump in the mouth with full, round, ripe tannins, moderate acidity and singed herbs on the finish. Vinous and intense, it’s a nice example of Argentine malbec with good QPR. 14.8% […]

Les Vignerons d’Estézargues Côtes du Rhône Villages Domaine d’Andézon 2013

Les Vignerons d'Estézargues Côtes du Rhône Villages Domaine d'Andézon 2013

Domain d’Andezon Côtes du Rhône is crafted from a blend of 40 year-old Syrah vines and 60 year-old Grenache vines grown in the arid and galet-laden Southern Rhône. Unfiltered, it’s inky and hunkered with slightly rustic notes of black olive tapenade, dried pen ink, and loamy soil overlaid by juicy boysenberries. In the mouth, there […]

CHRISTINE HAVENS
McMinnville, OR

christine@christine-havens.com