Tag Archives: oregon

Wine of the Day: Michel Gahier Arbois Trousseau Le Clousot, Jura 2014 5-6-16

Michel Gahier Arbois Trousseau Le Clousot, Jura 2014 750ML ($31.95) Buy Now: $28 special

Why we love it: Purity. Trousseau is such a great palate-expander; when I’m getting a little tired of overdoing it with Gamay, Pinot, Cab Franc, or any of my other obsessions, I like to spice it up with a unique red such as this one. Freshness comes through with the fruit and acid alike, with an attention-grabbing swash of black pepper and baking spice which lends a real versatility to the wine. Serve chilled and pour generously. – Tyler

Vinopolnote: From younger vines. Hand-harvested and destemmed; made with the intention of having a lighter, fresher interpretation of the grape.20

Wine of the Day: Crowley Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2014 5-4-16

Crowley Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($26.95) Buy Now: $21.90 special

“The 2014 offering from Crowley shows their classic notes of dried ginger and golden apples with a brisk acidity. The wine was raised in neutral French oak barrels for 16 months and offers a creamy texture from the extended lees aging along with a bright mineral finish that lasts for several minutes. It is all declassified Four Winds Vineyard fruit comprised of 1/3 Dijon clone and 2/3 Wente clone. (The 2013 release saw no Wente as this later-ripening variety was negatively affected by the rain.) A remarkable offering, as always, that would pair well with a range of foods or be enjoyable on its own to sip and ponder.” -Suzanne

Winery note “Comprised of Wente and Dijon clones from Four Winds Vineyard this wine demonstrates the undeniable pedigree and personality of this fantastic high elevation and old vine site. Light straw with a hint of green combine with pristine clarity to present this wonderful Chardonnay. The aromatics include slate, anise and pear, with a trace amount of barrel toast. Buoyant acidity frames a lean palate beaming with citrus, mineral and white peach, along with background sweetness provided by lees contact. Clarity and precision highlight this refreshing and versatile Chardonnay.”

Wine of the Day: A&G Natale Fantino ‘Vigna dei Dardi’, Barolo DOCG 2010 4-28-16

Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino ‘Cascina Dardi’, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) Buy Now: $46 special

Case-6 Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino ‘Cascina Dardi’, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($579.95) Buy Now: $469 special

Case-12 Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino ‘Cascina Dardi’, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($319.95) Buy Now: $249 special

Why we love the Fantino Dardi: Value and depth. I’ve had a few “wow! wines” from Fantino recently, and though this particular bottling may be in its early stages, it’s still beautiful. Aromatically stunning and steeply, fantastically deep in flavor. By all accounts, will age with grace. – Tyler

Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2010 Barolo Cascina Dardi Bussia hits all the right marks with a beautiful sense of elegance and grace that is immediately apparent. The aromas dangle in front of you, delicately and seductively, with ethereal layers of spice, blue flower, almond paste, anisette and dried cherry or wild berry. The workmanship here reflects an attention to the minute details offered by Nebbiolo. The tannins are silky and long with deeply polished texture. Barolo Cascina Dardi Bussia is a fine, poised and super-confident expression. Drink: 2016-2026.” WA

Antonio Galloni – Vinous 93 points “Dark, rich and ample, the 2010 Barolo Cascina Dardi-Bussia boasts superb depth and pure texture. Sweet, mentholated and spiced notes typical of Dardi open up beautifully in the glass, followed by intense layers of fruit that totally saturate the palate. Smoke, tobacco, cedar and dried flowers add the final nuances of complexity in this super-classic Barolo. A virile, masculine finish rounds things out. The 2010 was aged in cask for 18 months, then 6 months in steel.”

Wine of the Day: Goodfellow Family Cellars Richard’s Cuvee Chardonnay 2013 4-27-16

Goodfellow Family Cellars Richard’s Cuvee Chardonnay 2013 750ML ($37.95) Buy Now: $33 special

Tasted blind in a flight with four white Burgundies, the Goodfellow Richard’s Cuvee Chardonnay held its own. It showed a moderately restrained nose with notes of fresh cream, toasted barley and autumn leaves with a little something else that is hard to define. The savory character showed on the palate as well, with notes of toasted nuts and dried ginger. There was ample acidity that was balanced – suggesting it would make a good wine to drink with food. It offers excellent value and, though distinctive, it certainly gave the Burgundies a run for their money.

Once bottled under the Matello label, the Richard’s Cuvee is all dry-farmed grapes from the Whistling Ridge Vineyard. The vineyard, in the Ribbon Ridge, is composed of shallow sedimentary soil. This Chardonnay is their tribute to Meursault wine. Marcus Goodfellow is migrating a number of his bottlings to his family’s name. -Suzanne

Wine of the Day: Produttori del Barbaresco Normale 2011 4-24-16

Produttori del Barbaresco Normale ‘Barbaresco DOCG’, Piedmont 2011 750ML ($37.95) Buy Now: $29 special

Produttori del Barbaresco Normale ‘Barbaresco DOCG’, Piedmont 2011 1.5L ($69.95) Buy Now: $59 special

Two of us from the shop opened this 2011 Barbaresco from Produttori del Barbaresco on Thanksgiving eve, pouring little tastes as we mapped out what would become a lovely dinner with all sorts of dishes, new friends, and a wide array of wines. This one was truly one of the standouts, so much so that we had to hide the bottle so as to not drink it all before the dinner even came to fruition.

As cooking began and thirsts resurfaced, this humble bottle from the legendary Produttori estate came back to reward our efforts. Overnight, the bright strawberry fruit held strong while secondary notes of cedar, blackberry, baking spice, and mocha emerged. The spice and earth, tannin and texture intermingled in a way that was so surprising and yet familiar; a reminder as to why we spent so many hours studying and seeking out wines to begin with. There are, occasionally, wines which take us back like that – hitting the ‘reset’ button, before you’d had anything that tasted quite similar. How rare and how lovely, the catharsis of wine… – Tyler