Category Archives: Special Features

Wine of the Day: Bergstrom Le Pre du Col 2014 5-17-2016

Bergstrom Le Pre du Col, Ribbon Ridge Pinot Noir 2014 750ML ($69.95) Buy Now: $59 pre-arrival special, ETA Friday, May 27th

Bergstrom Logo Pre du ColThe Le Pre du Col (or ‘meadow on the mountain’) is a bright and fresh Pinot with plenty of body and acidity to spare.  It opens with a bright zesty note of spice and herbs.  The palate shows notes of purple flowers and red cherries with hints of iron and tobacco.   I would give this a few years in bottle before opening or, if need be, 4-5 hours in a decanter before serving.

Le Pre du Col is planted to marine sedimentary soils in the Ribbon Ridge AVA.  The winery describes the AVA as offering Pinots sweet cinnamon spice and ripe Oregon strawberry and cherry aromas.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Fernando de Castilla PX Sherry NV 5-16-2016

Fernando de Castilla Antique Pedro Ximenez Sherry, Andalucia, Spain NV 500ML ($49.95) Buy Now: $39 special

castilla px sherryNot long ago, I had the opportunity to sample a diverse range of Sherries, ranging from dry, salty and austere to sweet, silky and oxidized and seemingly every possibility between.  There was a 1970 Bodegas Tradicion Oloroso (hidden under the table and only poured for those that asked, of course), the light and salty Innocente Fino from Valdespino, and even a couple of ever unusual Palo Cortados.  Of the sweet options, the one that stood out did so not really by any crazy exotic flair but rather for lingering pleasantly for about 5 minutes after tasting.  I’ve experienced a few other bottlings from Fernando de Castilla, but the PX is by far my favorite for its length, value and flavor.  … Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Bergstrom Silice Pinot Noir 2014 5-15-2016

Bergstrom Wines Silice, Chehelam Mountains Pinot Noir 2014 750ML ($69.95) Buy Now: $59 pre-arrival special, ETA Friday, May 27th

Bergstrom siliceThis Bergstrom bottling takes a turn toward the dark side: the dark berry side. Not unlike the 2013 release, the 2014 Silice is decidedly richer and lusher than the Le Pre du Col bottling. There are aromas of ripe blackberries and Italian plums with ample mouthfeel and a luxurious silkiness. A subtle spiciness on the finish lingers around for a while.

The Silice Vineyard (once named the de Lancellotti Vineyard) is planted on an ancient seabed thrust up by ancient volcanos. The soil is sandy over layers of shale and sandstone, rich in reflective silica. It is a hot, arid vineyard where roots dig deep for scare water.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Vouette et Sorbee ‘Cuvee Fidele’ Extra Brut NV (11) 5-14-16

FIdeleVouette et Sorbee Cuvee Fidele Extra Brut NV (2011) 750ML ($79.95) Buy Now: $44.50 special 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Champagne, to me, is too often a mere flash in the pan. The bottle empties, the coupes overflow; the glass clinks, the bubbles rush along the tongue; it’s all gone too fast! Vouette et Sorbee, thankfully, make Champagnes to savor and to contemplate.

This bottle reads like capital-w Wine, to be snooty about it. The bright-fruited nose conjures up thought of light reds from the Loire as the bubbles coat the palate and deliver this brilliant mix acid-tinged cranberries, sun-soaked lemons, and an enduring finish. There’s something electric about it, and a little daring – ‘Cuvee Fidele’ pushes gently at the boundaries of everything we’ve grown comfortable with in terms of bubbly.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Antoine Arena Patrimonio Grotte di Sole Rouge 2011 5-13-2016

Domaine Antoine Arena Patrimonio Grotte di Sole Rouge, Corsica​ 2011  ($49.95) Was $29, Now $21.90​, Buy Now!

grotte di sole“The Grotte di Sole ’11 might be my favorite of all the Antoine Arena wines we’ve taken in recently. For one, it conveys the Corsican terroir and ​Arena’s gentle touch with the most fluency.  Red fruit with surprising richness runs through the length of the palate, with a flirtatious interplay of cranberry, leather, black pepper, and cassis. Great body, great acid, great energy, great winemaking! The elegance is worth noting considering how charged and expressive the wine is. This wine will be my +1 to Portland’s most chic and exclusive BBQs this summer.” –Tyler

Wine Spectator 89 points “The dark cherry and black currant fruit has an edgy feel, with lots of bramble, holly and cassis bush notes rippling underneath.… Read the rest