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Montinore Estate Reserve Pinot Noir 2014

Montinore Estate Reserve Pinot Noir 2014

Crafted from biodynamically grown grapes, Montinore Estate’s Reserve Pinot Noir 2014 is a fast-forward to Thanksgiving with fragrant aromas of spiced apple rings, cranberry compote, black cherry, cola, and baking spice. The palate is laden in fine, supple tannins, and lively red fruit—2014 is indeed a riper vintage. Spices reemerge on the end with an […]

Aphros Super-Reserva Bruto Vinhão NV

Aphros Super-Reserva Bruto Vinhão NV

A garnet-hued, frothy vixen of a wine, the Aphros Sparkling Vinhão Super-Reserva delights with ultra-earthy, pungent funk, and juicy black plum notes forming a concise bridge between nose and palate. Bright acidity cuts through layers of pruney deliciousness, the finish is brisk and short very much about black tea tannin and dried herbs. At 12.0% […]

Stoller Family Estate Dundee Hills Reserve Chardonnay 2014

Stoller Family Estate Dundee Hills Reserve Chardonnay 2014

Beautiful, as are all of Stoller’s wines, but young. I feel will benefit from just a little more time in bottle. I reviewed the 2013 Reserve Chardonnay and preferred it slightly over the 2014. Even so, 2014 offers layers of sensory charm and is laden with just-picked peaches and pear tartan, topped off with a […]

Troon Vineyard M*T Reserve 2013

Troon Vineyard MT Reserve 2013

Troon’s M*T 2013 is a blend of 56% Malbec and 44% Tannat that delivers baritone, pent-up aromas of blackberry reduction sauce, blueberries and plums that ripple and hover beneath cocoa powder, lavender and graphite. The expression is on of understated power, where acidity etches its way through a defined and well-structured core, leaving in its […]

Domaine Weinbach Gewürztraminer Alsace Grand Cru Mambourg Vendanges Tardives 2013

Domaine Weinbach Gewürztraminer Alsace Grand Cru Mambourg Vendanges Tardives 2013

A stunner of a Vendanges Tardives, certainly not as unctuous as a Sauternes, the Weinbach Alsace Grand Cru Mambourg offers that rare combination of power and delicacy, tenderness and concentration. On the nose, apricot and white peach notes are cradled in orange blossom, granulated honey and spice. On the palate, supple creaminess, and lots of […]

Sokol Blosser Evolution Sparkling Brut NV

Sokol Blosser Evolution Sparkling Brut NV

Convivial and crisp, Sokol Blosser’s Evolution Sparkling Brut is one of the better priced sparkling wines from Oregon’s Willamette Valley. It offers up a nose of green apple, pear and white flowers. On the palate, it’s lively and crisp. It’s not a complex bubbly, but it is pleasantly carefree on a Sunday afternoon. 11.5% ABV | […]

Aphros Loureiro Reserva Bruto 2009

Aphros Loureiro Reserva Bruto 2009

Deep gold, like burnished gold leaf, the Aphros Loureiro Reserva Bruto 2009 boasts an oxidative quality that reminds me of Jacques Selosse Champagnes. Decidedly autumnal aromas of baked apple and poached pear are enlivened by a dried orange top note. In the mouth, it’s all soul and soil, sensually earthy layers and leesy wet dough […]

Aphros Loureiro 2014

Aphros Loureiro 2014

Citrusy, spritely, aromatic orange loveliness. Orange blossom, mandarin oranges, wet stones. On the palate, Aphros Loureiro 2014 is equally enchanting, softly-textured with delicate silvery mineral filaments weaving in and out of kumquat-and-lemon-pith acidity. It’s round and moderately sweet, with 4.80 g/L RS along with a surprisingly persistent finish. I could drink this all day. 11.5% […]

Stoller Family Estate Dundee Hills Reserve Chardonnay 2013

Stoller Family Estate Dundee Hills Reserve Chardonnay 2013

Lilting aromas of apricot, pear, dried honey, lemon curd, anise. Stoller’s Dundee Hills Reserve Chardonnay 2013 is clean and focused on the palate and more delicate than most. The perception is one of silkiness with beautifully integrated oak (you’d hardly know it’s there) except as a textural component, lending structure, allowing pure orchard fruit notes […]

Troon Vineyard Applegate Valley Vermentino Sauvignon Blanc 2014

Troon Vineyard Applegate Valley Vermentino Sauvignon Blanc 2014

This unusual blend of 80% Vermentino and 20% Sauvignon Blanc hails from Troon Vineyard in Applegate Valley—A sub-appellation of Southern Oregon that finds itself a bit overshadowed by the Willamette Valley. I have tasted some lovely whites, especially Rieslings from this region, though this is admittedly, my first Vermentino. Bright lemon yellow in the glass, […]

CHRISTINE HAVENS
McMinnville, OR

christine@christine-havens.com