Tire Pé DieM 2012
When I receive samples, I make a point of waiting to research the wines until after I’ve tasted them. First impression—that it’s primarily Cab Franc possibly from the Loire was incorrect—turns out the Tire Pé DieM 2012 is 100% Merlot, organically grown in clay and limestone soils. The profile is light and primary. Cherry clafoutis, […]
Allegrini Palazzo della Torre Veronese IGT 2013
A perennial favorite, the 2013 Allegrini Palazzo della Torre is nicely concentrated and magenta-hued, due in part to a small fraction of grapes dried ripasso-style blended in post-fermentation—an addition that lends both satiny texture and richness. Layered aromas of plums and cherry skins, leather, earth, tobacco, mint and dark chocolate shavings lead in to a […]
Château Trians Reserve De Trians Côteaux Varois en Provence 2015
Château Trians Reserve De Trians Côteaux Varois en Provence 2015″ width=”200″ height=”200″ /></a>The perfect antidote to winter, a good Provence rosé is summer in a glass—and this obliging bottle of 2015 Château Trians Reserve de Trians Coteaux Varois certainly lifted the spirits after days of snow and bitter temperatures in Portland. It’s salmon-hued with golden […]
Château La Freynelle Bordeaux Blanc 2015
An under-appreciated category in the United States, Bordeaux blanc—usually a blend of Sauvignon blanc and Sémillon and sometimes Muscadelle—often poses a great value. There is a side of Bordeaux that is inexpensive, and the wines can be quite good in excellent vintages. The 2015 Château La Freynelle is one such example, displaying grassy aromas and […]
Bodega Catena Zapata Chardonnay High Mountain Vines 2015
Catena’s High Mountain Vines Chardonnay is sourced from three vineyard sites, ranging from 3,100-4,757′ in altitude, hence the name. The soils are predominantly gravelly or stony, and all of these sites are cool climate—these factors are reflected in the profile of this fresh and restrained Argentine Chard. Acacia honey, lemon blossom, pear and citrus round […]
Comm. G.B. Burlotto Verduno Pelaverga 2014
Pelaverga is a rare, indigenous variety, found in the village of Verduno in Italy’s Piedmont. As it opens, a sort of mounting energy in the glass, a melange of white pepper and flowers along with brambly fruit, but in this case it’s the spice and floral character that dominates. The nose is, however, far different […]
François Baur Crémant d’Alsace Brut Réserve NV
A winsome blend of Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris that sees 12 months aging sur lie the François Baur Crémant d’Alsace Brut Réserve is pale straw with aromas of baked apple and rustic peach pie, with a top note of dried mint. The attack boasts high acidity carving a wide swath through orchard […]
Château Saint-Cyrgues Costières-De-Nîmes 2015
Nice value to be had in this bottle, the 2015 Château Saint-Cyrgues Costières-De-Nîmes offers up a bouquet of violets, perhaps even a hint of dried rose petal. Following this perfumed floral bloom are plums, bramble berries, soil and dried moss, lilting clove and allspice notes. This is a lighter red, with a palate is soft […]
Q&A Label Series One No 12 Of 12 Red NV
Ron Rubin Winery’s Q&A Label Series One No 12 Of 12 is bright ruby in the glass with violet reflexes, and offers primary fruit on the nose. Mostly raspberry, red cherry, anise, and vanilla with touch of spice. It’s a medium-bodied [undisclosed] blend, with soft, ripe tannins—toast, if any, is scarcely discernible as texture. Moderate […]
Frei Brothers Reserve Chardonnay 2014
A nice value Chardonnay from the River Valley Russian, Frei Brothers 2014 Reserve is medium lemon yellow in the glass with a leaning towards tropical-papaya, ripe pear, buttered scone and baked apple tartin. The attack is round and full with moderate toast squarely at the mid-palate. A short shorts that adorned with toast and pencil […]