Cooper Mountain Mountain Terroir Meadowlark Pinot Noir 2015
Black cherries comingle with briary underbrush and red berries, sasparilla, and fading heirloom roses in this swoon-worthy biodynamic red. In the mouth, the 2015 Cooper Mountain Mountain Terroir Meadowlark Pinot Noir is poised an polished, with red and black fruit in equal measure, neatly embroidered to a framework of delicate tannins. 14.3% ABV | Sample […]
Vitalonga Terra di Confine 2013
Aging gracefully, the 2013 Vitalonga Terra di Confine is a masterful blend of Montepulciano and Merlot grown in the winery’s Northernmost vineyards, in the clayey-sandy soil. Expressive, penetrating aromas of marionberry pie, cherry turnover, vanilla, and wood spice shows its Umbrian side with the merest hint of leather and subtle earthiness. In the mouth, caressing, […]
Department 66 D66 2014
Dave Phinney’s latest project is Department 66, this bottling, a sublime blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carignan from France’s Maury AOC—a region famous for its fortified Vin Doux Naturel wines, not its still wines. And the D22 did not disappoint—it’s a powerhouse—a deep dive into blueberries, blackberry crumble, charcuterie, baker’s chocolate, anise, and mountain herbs […]
White Rose Estate The Neo-Classical Objective Pinot Noir 2014
Tasting through a series of vintages one can say that White Rose has its own style, it stands apart from the rest of the wines of Dundee Hills—there is a pure-fruitedness along with a perfumed exuberance on the nose that is a common thread through all their wines. The 2014 Neo-Classical Objective Pinot Noir is […]
Troon Applegate Valley Zinfandel 2017
Translucent garnet in the glass, the 2017 Troon Applegate Valley Zinfandel is a blend of 97% Zinfandel and 3% Petit Syrah. Made from biodynamically farmed estate-grown grapes, it’s a lighter, more delicate expression of the variety—with lively notes of black cherry, brambly red berries, brown spice, and warm wicker—in the mouth it’s round, with silky, […]
Troon Cuvée Côt Applegate Valley Malbec 2016
Troon’s 2016 Applegate Valley Cuvée Côt Malbec is awash in mulberries and plums along with hay, sweet tobacco and a slightly ferrous, animal energy. On the palate, it’s bright, fresh, and wonderfully complex green-tea soaked tannins offset by an energetic vein of acidity rippling through the core. The finish flirts with salinity, green peppercorn, and […]
Knudsen Vineyards Pinot Noir 2016
The 2016 vintage was quite warm for the Willamette Valley, here Knudsen’s estate-grown Pinot Noir expresses a touch more black fruit than I have found in previous vintages—black cherry and black raspberry along with more ethereal notes of twiggy underbrush, a touch of iron ore, talc, and nuanced florality. It’s round and silky on the palate, […]
King Estate Backbone Pinot Noir 2013
There are many things I admire about King Estate—the fact that the great André Tchelistcheff was brought in as a consultant during the winery’s early days, or that the property is the largest contiguous biodynamic estate in the Unites States—there is so much richness to glean from this out-of-the-way producer. The 2013 Backbone Pinot Noir […]
Château Puygueraud Francs Côtes de Bordeaux 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 […]
Piccini Villa al Cortile Brunello di Montalcino 2010
A classic, the 2010 Piccini Villa al Cortile Brunello di Montalcino unfurls slowly, revealing her bountiful aromatic charm—underbrush and brambly forest berries, tart pie cherries, forest floor, leather, wild mint, and decaying rose petals. It’s nimble on the palate, furnished with soft, fine tannins and a vein of marly limestone running through the center. Sour […]