Category Archives: Special Features

Wine of the Day: Aw, Shucks! Servin ‘Les Forets’ 2013 (with Oysters!) 4-13-16

Domaine Servin Les Forets, Chablis Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($31.95) Buy Now: $26 special

The days of winter are coming to an end and spring is in the air. Things are changing. The trees are blossoming in the streets and the air smells sweet. We say goodbye to our winter coats and warm wool socks. Sadly, it’s almost time to say goodbye to months with “R” in them: oyster months. Not to worry, there is still time. I suggest we do what is only right by celebrating these last days of April with some fine Chablis and oysters.

Millions of years ago the Chablis region of Burgundy was an ocean floor and the area has many sea fossils. Over the eons, this developed in a mineral rich soil which makes for distinctive chardonnays. … Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Domaine Pattes Loup Chablis 2013 4-12-16

Thomas Pico Domaine Pattes Loup Chablis 2013 750ML ($31.95) Buy Now: $28 special
Why we love it: Efficiency. There’s a relentless energy to this wine, so packed with flavor and layers yet sitting so delicately on the tongue. Lemon sorbet, ripe peach, white flowers, and a kiss of spice make it classic, yet the texture of it all lends a really lovely distinctiveness. I’m crazy about this one. – Tyler

“The 2013 Chablis Villages is a blend of vines up to 60 years old, 90% in vat and 10% in barrel. This came from the latest of three bottling that Thomas Pico makes. It has a clean and precise bouquet with citrus fruit and just a faint touch of white chocolate.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Geltz-Zilliken Riesling 4-11-16

Forstmeister Geltz-Zilliken Saarburger Rausch Riesling Kabinett Erste Lage 2013 750ML ($37.95) Buy Now: $21.90 special
Forstmeister Geltz-Zilliken Saarburger Rausch Riesling Kabinett Erste Lage 2013 375ML ($21.95) Buy Now: $14 special
“This opulent Riesling has an aroma of crushed peaches and mint. It’s sourced from the estate’s top vineyard (Rausch), which is covered in Devonian slate. It’s rich and full in body with a lingering waxy texture and a surprising vibrancy given its lushness. The sweetness is nicely balanced by the high acidity. Enjoy on its own or with spicy pork dishes.” -Suzanne

Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2013 Riesling Kabinett Saarburger Rausch is a rich, sappy, juicy, piquant and elegant Riesling with an extremely stimulating and lush fruit intensity. With 7.5% alcohol the wine is light (though not light-bodied) but intense in its tropical fruitiness with mango, peach and pineapples flavors.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Mas Cal L’Infidele 2010 4-10-16

Mas Cal Demoura “L’infidele” 2010 750ML ($31.95) Buy Now: $27 special
“I have no shame in loving the rough-and-tumble wines of southern France. When the yields are kept in check and the wine’s development isn’t stunted by efforts of standardization, the resulting wines can be at once charming and startling. These sorts of blends have a broader appeal than I think we allow – I’d bet a day’s wages, for one, that you could get a Napa Cab guy and a Loire geek to agree on some gems of the Languedoc.

“One such gem comes from Mas Cal Demoura, situated not far from Montpelier along the slopes of the Cévennes mountain range. These wines are soulful, playful – reverent, even, as they’re not shy to display the seemingly-paradoxical traits of their terroir: bold, fresh, mineral-laden, layered, dynamic…“L’Infidele” integrates all five varietals of the domaine each vintage: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, and Carignan.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day – Evesham Wood Puits Sec 2013 4-9-16

Evesham Wood Le Puits Sec Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2013 750ML ($39.95) Buy Now: $33 special
“Russ Raney founded Evesham Wood Winery in 1986. He studied wine in Germany before eventually moving to Portland to find an ideal US site for Burgundian and Alsatian-style wines. He is now enjoying semi-retirement while importing southern French wines from Clos Canos and Chateau de Cabriac, among others. Erin Nuccio took over as wine-maker and owner after working several years with Russ while also developing his Haden Fig label.

“The estate vineyard, Le Puits Sec, is planted on an east facing slope overlooking the Willamette River. It has iron-rich soils and is planted to several varieties. While the Evesham Wood wines tend toward elegance and the Haden Fig wines towards more fruit-forward notes, both are expressive examples of their (all dry-farmed) vineyards.… Read the rest