Havens Logo 23 White Small

Domaine Sainte Lucie Côtes de Provence MiP Rosé 2015

Domaine Sainte Lucie Côtes de Provence MiP Rosé 2015

According to the website, MiP Rosé is a blend of 60% Cinsault, 20% Syrah, 20% Grenache. A bit of a mystery—my label is black vs. the winery website, which shows a white label—and the profile is nothing like the typical Provençal blend listed above. If anything, it screams Sauvignon Blanc, with aromas of guava and […]

Stoller Family Estate Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2013

Stoller Family Estate Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2013

Stoller’s 2013 Dundee Hills Pinot Noir opens with strawberry creme and raspberry tart, the nose is delicate, slightly faint and slightly sweet. On the palate—the only ripple amidst inner creaminess is a moderate level of acidity—just red berries, red apple skins, and a touch of minerality on the finish. I wanted to see a bit […]

Chilled bean soup served with tortilla

Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque lauatium, totam rem aperiam perspiciatis unde omnis. Assum periculis mea te, id atqui aperiri eum. No vim laoreet constituto voluptatum.

Broad beans, garlic & feta bruschetta

Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque lauatium, totam rem aperiam perspiciatis unde omnis. Assum periculis mea te, id atqui aperiri eum. No vim laoreet constituto voluptatum.

Tomato, black olive, feta & anchovy tart

Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque lauatium, totam rem aperiam perspiciatis unde omnis. Assum periculis mea te, id atqui aperiri eum. No vim laoreet constituto voluptatum.

Domaine de l’Amaurigue Fleur de l’Amaurigue Côtes de Provence Rosé 2014

Domaine de l'Amaurigue Fleur de l'Amaurigue Côtes de Provence Rosé 2014

My first Provençal rosé of the season, garnering 4 stars because of its excellent price point (under $10), the 2015 Fleur de L’Amaurigue Côtes de Provence is light and lively. Robed in a delicate salmon pink, perfumy aromas of cantaloupe, field strawberry, white flowers and a touch of wet stone greet the taster. It’s light […]

Trinchero Cloud’s Nest Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Trinchero Cloud's Nest Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Cloud’s Nest Vineyard, as the name suggests is perched 1,500 feet above sea level in the Mayacamas mountain range. Gravelly soils further limit the vines’ growth and the aromatics are striking. Earth and forest floor, wild mushrooms, underbrush, warm leather, and soy. The palate echoes this high-altitude Cab’s woodsy aromatics, with a medium-bodied countenance and […]

Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Vintage Brut 2006

Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Vintage Brut 2006

As smoldering as one of Hitchcock’s blondes, off screen the 2006 Piper-Heidsieck offers up fabulous, smoky aromas of slightly charred baguette crust, toasted almonds, golden apple and a lingering, pleasant citrus top note. On the palate, power but elegance too, with surging acidity upfront that gradually subsides to a softer-than-expected landing. More secondary and tertiary […]

Kabaj Sivi Pinot 2012

Kabaj Sivi Pinot 2012

For orange wine enthusiasts, the 2012 Kabaj Sivi Pinot, technically a Pinot Grigio, is this intriguing Slovenian example. Extended skin contact followed by full malolactic fermentation and aging in French oak barrique have endowed this wine with it’s orange hue. The aromatics are subtle and layered—a fusion of cling peaches, decaying rose petals, and coriander. […]

Mercer Estates Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Mercer Estates Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

The Mercer family has a long history farming the arid rolling hills that form the Horse Heaven AVA in eastern Washington. They planted their first vineyard in 1972—older vineyards are far more rare in Washington as compared with California or even Oregon. The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon is big and voluptuous, with layered black fruit notes […]

CHRISTINE HAVENS
McMinnville, OR

christine@christine-havens.com