Boutinot Les Six Côtes du Rhône Villages Cairanne 2014
The Cairanne AOC is the Southern Rhône’s newest Cru, and the 2014 Les Six a blend of 50% Grenache, 10% Mouvèdre, 10% Syrah, 10% Carignan,10% Counoise, 10% Cinsault grown in the AOC’s classic hillside terroir of chalk and red clay. It’s a softly textured wine, on the nose and palate, with blackberries, plums, and brambly […]
C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Cune Gran Reserva 2010
Complex aromas of plums, Spanish roof tile after a rain, dust, earth, leather, dried violets, and baker’s cocoa grace Cune’s (CVNE) 2010 Gran Reserva. Fine, dusty tannins coat the palate followed by a core of tart pie cherry, sweet tobacco, tomato leaf, balsamic, and cedar, all of which lead into a meandering, satisfyingly mouthwatering finish. […]
La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 904 2005
A fabulous La Rioja Alta, the 2005 Gran Reserva 904 is a blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano aged in American oak barrels. It opens with a kaleidoscope of subtle, alluring aromas of Japanese plum, dried leaves, dusty earth, mahogany wood, leather, pomander ball, dried mint, and Dutch cocoa powder. In the mouth, sueded […]
Domaine des Gaudets Côte du Py Morgon 2015
From 65-year-old vines grown in schist, the 2015 Domaine de Gaudets Côte du Py Moron is richly brocaded in blackberries, plums, earth, iron ore, cigar box, red licorice, and violets. In the mouth, firm tannins at the fore-to-mid palate lend structure to a dark mineral core. High acidity amplifies this wine’s attractive juiciness—crushed stones and […]
Jean-Luc Colombo Côtes du Rhône Les Abeilles de Colombo Rouge 2016
A juicy blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 10% Mouvèdre, Jean-Luc Colombo’s 2016 Rouge “Les Abeilles” is laden in red fruit—a bushel basket of black cherries, macerated strawberries, and rhubarb are followed by lighter notes of underbrush, vanilla, dusty earth, and anise. On the palate, nimble acidity lends brightness and freshness to this softly […]
History Mont Elise Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014
Stoller’s History series is all about unearthing the oldest vines in the Pacific Northwest and making single vineyard, small lot expressions from them. The 1968 Mont Elise Vineyard is a Pinot Noir from one of the oldest vineyard plots in the Columbia Gorge AVA. Limpid garnet in the glass, it’s finely wrought with aromas of […]
Exitus Red 2016
A blend of Zinfandel, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Merlot, the 2016 Exitus is aged for three months in Kentucky Bourbon barrels. It opens with unapologetic, strapping aromas of dark cherries, plums, dark chocolate shavings, mocha, allspice, and, of course, toast. In the mouth, plush round fruit, with just a touch of discernible […]
History Cabernet Sauvignon Otis Vineyard 2014
Stoller’s latest project, a series of wines named History aims to showcase some of the oldest plantings in Oregon and Washington State. The 1957 History Cabernet is sourced from Yakima Valley’s Otis Vineyard, the oldest panting of the variety in the state. It’s an elegant, pure expression of Cabernet opening with plum and black currant […]
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 […]
Cooper Mountain Life Pinot Noir 2017
Cooper Mountain Winery’s Life Pinot Noir is a brilliant quinacridone violet, with a watery rim. It’s fresh and primary, emitting a powerful elixir of wild forest berries, huckleberries, and plums. Dusty earth, mocha, and underbrush follow, with a top note of crushed lavender and violet pastille. Wonderful palate tension and energy on the palate, as […]