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Feudo Arancio Nero d’Avola Sicilia Stemmari 2014

Feudo Arancio Nero d'Avola Sicilia Stemmari 2014

After being open for a couple of hours, the Feudo Arancio Nero D’Avola Sicilia Stemmari 2014 reveals soft, supple undercurrent of plums, prunes, cocoa powder, sweet tobacco and spearmint. The mint note is especially prominent. It’s easy going, round, with moderate acidity, I found myself reaching the bottom of my glass much faster than intended—for […]

Domaine de la Gramière Côtes du Rhône 2011

Domaine de la Gramiere Côtes du Rhône 2011

The La Gramière 2011 is a cuvée of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, with vinification in concrete. A rustic, gamey nose of blackberry reduction sauce, beef jerky, freshly turned soil and violets. Aging in concrete has produced a wine that is both fresh with texturally fine tannins. There is high acidity here, too and with […]

M. Chapoutier Luberon La Ciboise 2014

M. Chapoutier Luberon La Ciboise 2014

Another great value from, Monsieur Chapoutier, one of the most prolific producers in France—and yet, he maintains quality across his dizzying portfolio of wines including projects in Portugal and Australia. The Luberon La Ciboise 2014 emits lively and fresh primary aroamas of blackberries, blueberries and crushed raspberries. Here Syrah and Grenache play nicely together, without […]

Murrieta’s Well The Whip 2014

Murrieta's Well The Whip 2014

From Wente, Murrieta’s Well Winery The Whip 2014 is an estate-grown blend of 29% Semillon and 27% Chardonnay, with the balance comprised of Sauvignon Blanc, Orange Muscat, Muscat Canelli and Viognier. It offers up a lush bouquet of golden apple, dried pineapple, mango, lemon drop, lemon blossom, and vanilla. There’s as much range [of fruit] […]

M. Chapoutier Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Côtes du Rousillon Blanc 2015

M. Chapoutier Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Côtes du Rousillon Blanc 2015

An oustanding value as always, the M. Chapoutier Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Côtes du Rousillon Blanc 2015 is an inviting blend of Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris and Macabeu. The nose fills the bowl of the glass with d’Anjou pear, yellow apple, and flirts with quince aromas. The attack is round and silky, with orchard fruit […]

Herdade Do Esporão Monte Velho Tinto 2014

Herdade Do Esporão Monte Velho Tinto 2014

An open-knit blend of 40% Aragonez, 35% Trincadeira, 20% Touriga Nacional, and 5% Syrah, this extraordinarily budget-friendly Portuguese red from Monte Velho offers pungent aromas of tart red berries, cranberries, earth and a sort of feral edge usher in a wine with brightness…red berries carry through until they crescendo, revealing an understory of fine tannins, […]

MÁD Tokaj Dry Furmint 2012

MÁD Tokaj Dry Furmint 2012

One of the bottles I brought back in my luggage, the 2012 MÁD Tokaj Dry Furmint is exactly as advertised, bone dry. Furmint is a non-aromatic white, in this style what shines through is complexity and minerality. Nuanced aromas of walnut skins, burnished pear, golden apple and a sort of golden-hued, bordering on oxidative noblesse […]

Aphros Vinhão Tinto 2013

Aphros Vinhão Tinto 2013

Sauvage is the word that comes to mind when describing this singular and biodynamically farmed, wild ferment Vinhão. Aromas of smoky plum and earth are rendered more complex by a sort of feral, animal quality that persists on the palate as well. A bold streak of acidity creates a sense of tension to sour cherry […]

Alamos Torrontés 2015

Alamos Torrontés 2015

So lets just get this out of the way right now, Torrontés has to be one of my least favorite varieties. I can’t get past the star gazer lilly and chamomile aromas and flavors, reminding me why I’m not a fan of ultra-feminine, floral perfumes. Back to the Alamos 2015—it displays good varietal character, that […]

Szent Tamás Tokaji 86 470 Palack Furmint 2012

Szent Tamás Tokaji 86 470 Palack Furmint 2012

Tasted while visiting the producer, the Szent Tamás Tokaji 86 470 Palack Furmint 2012 is as with all wines from this region are mineral-driven and nuanced The ’86’ is a reference to the parcel the Furmint grapes were harvest from, 2286. Truly, the Crus of this region are as complex as one might find in […]

CHRISTINE HAVENS
McMinnville, OR

christine@christine-havens.com