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Francois Baur Schlittweg Pinot Noir 2015

Francois Baur Schlittweg Pinot Noir 2015

Francois Bauer Pinot Noir. From biodynamically grown Pinot Noir located in the Brand Alsatian Grand Cru, the 2015 Francois Bauer Schlittweg Pinot Noir sports nimble layers of underbrush, briery berries and black cherry, spice, lavender, and rose petal. In the mouth, it’s round, with supple, ultra-fine tannins and an acid spine that wends its way […]

Domaine Jean Royer Cuvée Tradition Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2014

Domaine Jean Royer Cuvée Tradition Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2014

A blend of 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre and 5% Cinsault from vines planted in the galet-laden La Crau and Les Grandes Serres lieux-dits, the 2014 Domaine Jean Royer Cuvée Tradition has slight bricking at this stage in its evolution, with layered aromas of black cherry, plum skin, sagebrush, loamy tilth, cigar box, and […]

Chef Richard Verhagen’s Cassoulet Rustico — Part II

Cassoulet

As with all of my partner’s dishes, they are an intersection of cultures that meld and rub up against each other in surprising ways. There is a kind of irreverence to them, a devil may care approach in the use of ingredients and techniques. He’s not at all shy about breaking the rules. This Cassoulet, […]

Department 66 Fragile Rosé 2017

Department 66 Fragile Rosé 2017

Orin Swift winemaker Dave Phinney’s latest project is Department 66, a collection of sleekly packaged wines from the Languedoc-Roussillon. His 2017 Fragile Rosé is salmon-hued with expressive aromas of white peach, cherry blossom, field-ripened strawberries, and orange zest. There is more concentration on the palate than the nose belies, with ample depth and fruit at […]

André Jacquart Rosé de Saignée Experience Brut Nature Premier Cru NV

André Jacquart Rosé de Saignée Experience Brut Nature Premier Cru NV

Carmine red in the glass, the André Jacquart Rosé de Saignée Experience Brut Nature NV Premier Cru is comprised of estate-grown fruit from the Doyard family’s 60-acre farm maintained under France’s strict sustainable “culture raisonnee” guidelines. It’s a vivacious blend of 80% Pinot Noir from a small parcel located within the Vertus Premier Cru and […]

Ferraton Pere & Fils Samorëns Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2017

Ferraton Pere & Fils Samorëns Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2017

A blend of 60% White Grenache and 40% Clairette, think of the Côtes du Rhône Samorëns Blanc 2017 as value in your glass—pale lemon yellow and bone dry, this classic Rhône blend offers up a convivial bouquet of bruised pear and yellow apple, lily of the valley, and a dusting of chalky minerality. In the […]

Château la Rame Sainte-Croix-du-Mont 2015

Château la Rame Château La Caussade Sainte-Croix-du-Mont 2015

Crafted from 100% Sémillon grown in clay-limestone soil studded with fossilized oysters, the 2015 Château la Rame Sainte-Croix-du-Mont unfurls to reveal layered aromas of dried mango, pineapple, and acacia honey. It’s a luscious wine, with concentration and vibrant acidity that lends focus and lift to the palate, followed by a pleasant tide of pink grapefruit […]

Domaine Ostertag Les Jardins Pinot Noir 2016

Domaine Ostertag Les Jardins Pinot Noir 2016

Perfect for the holiday season, this complex biodynamic Alsatian Pinot Noir from Domaine Ostertag, the 2016 ‘Les Jardins’ opens in a forest glen—decaying leaves crackling underfoot, damp moss, bark, and forest floor, perhaps even a touch of barnyard. This more pastoral aspect wafts off to reveal sour cherries, spiced apple rings, and an evolving florality […]

Château Dauphiné Rondillon Loupiac 2011

Château Dauphiné Rondillon Loupiac 2011

From the Loupiacais countryside, this golden-glinting blend of 80% Semillon, 20% Sauvignon Blanc opens with subtle earthiness—blooming forest mushroom that blows off to reveal apricot, tangerine, nougatine, sultana, and warm spice. In the mouth glorious, glycerolly-unctuousness and shimmering depth on the palate, punctuated by bright acidity. Kumquat, almond paste, and baking spice emerge on the […]

Château Suduiraut Castelnau de Suduiraut Sauternes 2006

Château Suduiraut Castelnau de Suduiraut Sauternes 2006

The 2006 Castelnau de Suduiraut, as with all wines from Suduiraut, possesses a center of gravity. One feels that one is swimming in this wine—in opulent layers of apricot preserves, yellow cling peaches, marmalade, rich spice, dulce de leche flan, and forest honey. It’s dark amber in the glass, viscous and voluptuous. Go ahead, treat […]

CHRISTINE HAVENS
McMinnville, OR

christine@christine-havens.com