Tag Archives: pinot

Sequitur

April 2020

Sequitur Extends Mike Etzel’s

Beaux Freres Legacy

Mike Etzel, the founder and winemaker of Sequitur, is a living legend in the Willamette Valley. He co-founded Beaux Freres in the late 80’s and was the winemaker there until recently passing the duties to his son. Never one to rest on his laurels or stay still, though, he began planting a vineyard adjacent to Beaux Freres in 2010—a project that became what we know as Sequitur.

It’s helpful to think of Sequitur as a distillation of everything Mike Etzel learned while starting and producing Beaux Freres over the decades. The Sequitur vineyard sits right next to the Beaux Freres “Upper Terrace” but is planted to a wider array of clones at tighter spacing.

… Read the rest

Domaine de Courcel

October 26th, 2018

Domaine de Courcel

Arriving Mid-November

Of the short list of producers who star in Pommard, Domaine de Courcel needs to be near the top of the list. Without a tremendous amount of fanfare, the Domaine has been turning out some of the most powerful, densely aromatic wines from a village known for long lived brooding Pinot Noir. The Courcel family has been learning how to navigate the animal intensity of Pommard fruit for 400 years. For the past two decades, the quality has steadily increased as the delicate balance between elegance and power is fine tuned.

A region between hills, most of Pommard’s vineyards are on relatively flat, protected sites. Wind and lashing rains may buffet the nearby hillside vineyards, but Pommard stays sheltered from the worst of the effects of the weather.… Read the rest

Belle Pente Estate Reserve – 95 Points!

September 2018

Belle Pente Estate Reserve 2014

Best Ever? You decide!

The wines from Belle Pente are a mainstay here at Vinopolis and we’re thrilled to see Brian get some well deserved recognition for his Estate Reserve.

Belle Pente Estate Reserve Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Belle Pente Estate Reserve Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2014 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special
Josh Raynolds 95 points “Limpid ruby-red. Powerful blue fruit liqueur, violet pastille, incense and smoky mineral aromas, along with hints of cola and exotic spices. Appealingly sweet and expansive on the palate, offering densely packed black raspberry, boysenberry, mocha and floral pastille flavors and a strong spicecake note. Supple, well-knit tannins give shape to the intensely fruit-driven finish, which lingers with outstanding persistence and building sweetness.”… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Tissot Arbois Rouge DD 2014 6-17-16

Benedicte & Stephane Tissot Arbois Rouge DD, Jura 2014 750ML ($29.95) Buy Now: $21.90 special

Tissot is a postcard-perfect producer for the Jura and the DD rouge is as lovely an introduction to Jura reds as there ever was. A three-pronged blend of Poulsard, Trousseau, and Pinot, it’s a parade of bright fruits with little tropical phrases and a clean, floral finish. Between the sometimes-shy varietals and no sulfur being added, give it a little chill and let it open up a while. A great palate-refresher and an ideal wine for potlucks or to pair with stubborn dishes. – Tyler

Wine Advocate 91 points “The first red was the 2014 Arbois Rouge DD, produced with one third each of the red grapes form Jura, Poulsard, Trousseau and Pinot Noir; it’s his light red wine with no sulfur.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Wind Gap Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2014 5-27-16

Wind Gap Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, California 2014 750ML ($49.95) Buy Now: $39 special

Wind Gap provides a crucial new perspective on Californian Pinot Noir. With the ’14 Sonoma Coast, a fantastic concoction of wild flowers, savory herbs, and a gentle spread of red fruit make for a hyper-balanced wine of great complexity and character.

Their website likely says it best: “Wind Gap is not about making the “perfect wine” it is about making honest, authentic and compelling wine from special vineyard sites.”

As with other recent releases, the Wind Gap wines are truly special wines, brimming with energy and character. A must-try.

– Tyler

Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2014 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) is deep, pliant and incredibly inviting, with a fabulous combination of pliant fruit, expressive aromatics and superb persistence.… Read the rest