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Brooks Winery | McCrady’s Heritage Red 2014

Brooks Winery | McCrady's Heritage Red 2014

Another spin-off label from an intensive 2-day blending session that took place at Brooks Winery earlier this year. This particular label is the inspired blend of Sommelier, Cappie Peete of McCrady’s in Charleston, SC. That’s right, if you want to sample this wine, you’ll have to visit the restaurant. And like the other wines that […]

Lucien le Moine Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2002

Lucien le Moine Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2002

As the 2002 Lucien le Moine Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru develops in the glass it starts off with more classic notes of forest brambles, freshly turned tilth, dried rose petals and red fruit. The impression evolves, however, to darker black cherries and even a whiff of dark chocolate powder. On the palate, tart, high-toned red forest […]

Coquerel Terroir Pinot Noir 2012

Coquerel Terroir Pinot Noir 2012

Almost Burgundian in expression, the 2012 Coquerel Terroir Pinot Noir offers aromas of crushed raspberries, dried cherries, allspice, caramelized brown sugar, earth and mushrooms. Bright acidity lends lift to a core that is sweetly outfitted in red fruit, with marked purity, low tannins, and acid that hits the sides of the tongue and pleasantly lingers. […]

Louis M. Martini Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Louis M. Martini Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Sporting classic notes of pencil shavings, black currants, mint, and fine dust, Louis Martini’s 2012 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is like a no-frills 4-door sedan. Its structure is concentrated on the fore palate, with firm, fine tannins followed by plush blackberries, black Italian plums, figs, spice and anise, thus delivering Napa Cab expression at a […]

Domaine Courtois La Grange Vinsobres Cru Des Cotes Du Rhône 2012

Domaine Courtois La Grange Vinsobres Cru Des Cotes Du Rhône 2012

Lots of violets on the nose, brambly red fruit and a touch of garrigue. The 2012 Domaine Courtois La Grange Vinsobres is medium-bodied, good-natured and easy to drink with moderate tannins, a touch of earthiness, bay leaf, and white pepper on the finish. Imminently quaffable at $15.00. Sample 8.8 Points

Coquerel Tempranillo 2011

Coquerel Tempranillo 2011

A tad rustic on opening, the The 2011 Coquerel Tempranillo arrives on the scene with a bouquet of freshly turned soil and a hint of barnyard. However, after more than an hour of being open, layers of fruit rise to the surface, roasted strawberry and red cherry, along with a beguiling floral top note of […]

Jean-Luc Colombo Les Abeilles Côtes du Rhône 2012

Jean-Luc Colombo Les Abeilles Côtes du Rhône 2012

The 2012 Les Abeilles from Jean-Luc Colombo is a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre and sports a nimble, savory nose tinged with bouquet garni, fennel, anise, and lilting purple flowers. It’s medium-bodied on the palate, with low tannins and firm, bright acidity. Crunchy red berries and a moderate finish. Not a […]

Trinchero Haystack Vineyard Malbec 2012

Trinchero Haystack Vineyard Malbec 2012

From Haystack Rock Vineyard, perched 2,200 feet above sea level, within the heart of the Atlas Peak AVA, a sub-appellation of Napa Valley. High altitude combined with poor, shallow soils creates vine stress, and in the case of this complex and alluring 2012 Malbec, yields firm tannins, high acidity and pronounced minerality on the finish. […]

Brooks Winery | David Burke Group ‘Unvarnished’ Pinot Noir 2014

Brooks Winery | David Burke Group 'Unvarnished' Pinot Noir 2014

This silken, perfumed Willamette Valley Pinot Noir—created especially for the David Burke restaurant group, a collaboration between Brooks Winery and corporate wine buyer, Natalie Dulaney—is lush, expressing ripe black cherry, rose petals and orange pomander ball, with a lovely top note of dust from an antique bureau. In the mouth, it’s ripe and round and […]

Château Belleuve Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2000

Château Belleuve Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2000

Earlier this year, I was invited to attend a dinner showcasing several vintages of Vieux Château Certan. François Thienpont was on-hand to explain the wines, and I felt lucky indeed to be seated next to him throughout the evening. Château Bellevue is managed by his brother, Nicolas and vigneron, Stephane Derenoncourt. A blend of 80% Merlot […]

CHRISTINE HAVENS
McMinnville, OR

christine@christine-havens.com