Château Suduiraut 1982
A contribution from my Cascadia Fine Wines colleague Jack Madrid at a recent dinner with Force Majeure Vineyards‘ winemaker and his wife—this luscious amber-hued bottle of 1982 Château Suduiraut proved to be the perfect end to an evening of lively conversation. It opens with penetrating aromas of orange marmalade, apricot, orange spice market tea, flan, forest honey, and […]
Urban Provence 2017
Pale salmon in the glass with gossamer rose gold inflections, the 2017 Urban Provence Rosé is a blend of 45% Grenache Noir, 35% Cinsault, 15% Syrah, and Rolle, all sourced from vineyard blocks planted around the commune of La Garde Freinet, bordering St. Tropez. Classic Provençal aromas of tart pie cherry, golden raspberry, peach, line-dried […]
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
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 […]
In search of the hidden harmonies between Rhône Valley wines and Asian Cuisine
Like any great operatic singer, Rhône wines have range. They can be muscular and profound with a black-fruited core that ripples through a percussion background of pitch-perfect tannins, acidity, and that earthy, smokey feralness that lets you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you’re drinking something Old World—something with history and roots thrust […]
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 […]
Colterenzio Schreckbichl Gewürztraminer 2016
From Northern Italy’s Südtirol – Alto Adige region, the 2016 Schreckbichl Colterenzio Gewürztraminer is lemon yellow in the glass and bursting a heady floral mix of chamomile and lily of the valley—beneath this fruit notes of lychee and cherimoya. On the palate, taut acidity crescendoes through this white’s pretty textural landscape that gives way to Meyer […]
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 […]
Santa Julia Malbec Organica Rosé 2017
The color of a ballet tutu, From the Zuccardi family, Santa Julia’s organic rose of Malbec offers up aromas of pie cherries, raspberries, strawberries, and warm spice. It’s round, with a core of sweet red berries that are nicely balanced against a backdrop of lively, refreshing acidity. A nice, very quaffable summer sipper. 14.0% ABV […]
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 […]