Tag Archives: Portland

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

Goodfellow Richard's CuveeGoodfellow 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. … Read the rest

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

Produttori Barbaresco 2011Two 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.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: A&G Natale Fantino Rosso dei Dardi Nebbiolo, Piedmont 2014 4-23-16

AG N Fantino Rosso dei DardiAlessandro e Gian Natale Fantino Rosso dei Dardi Nebbiolo, Piedmont 2014 750ML ($21.95) Buy Now: $18 special

“From relatively young vines (21 years), this wine is fresh and floral, with notes of sour cherries, no gripping tannins, and nice acid. Definitely approachable now. Not your standard elevage for Nebbiolo as the wine sees no oak and spends 6 months in stainless steel before bottling.” -Troy

Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2014 Rosso dei Dardi is 100% Nebbiolo from Dardi, done in steel, with carbonic maceration. A textbook example of the vintage, the 2014 exudes class and personality. A host of dark cherry, plum, violet, spice and mint nuances open up effortlessly. The 2014 is at once translucent yet powerful as only Nebbiolo can be.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Karthauserhof Schieferkristall Riesling Kabinett 2012 4-22-16

Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Schieferkristall Riesling Kabinett Feinherb, Mosel 2012 750ML ($37.95) Buy Now: $29 special

Karthauserhof SchieferkristallWhy we love it: For being unapologetically German Riesling-y and, well, just fun to drink. Had a bottle open for the better part of a week and it kept getting better. Everything that should be “there” is – the quince, citrus, petrol, citrus, and lush-though-controlled residual sugars. Good now, and even better in the coming months. Who am I kidding? Years. – Tyler

Mosel Fine Wines 91 points “Schieferkristall refers to the Kabinett-styled wines at the Estate (the reference to Kabinett is pushed to the back label). A whiff of wild yeasts gives quickly way to a very attractive and floral bouquet of rose-water, grapefruit and mint.… Read the rest

Louis Roederer Cristal Brut, Champagne 2006 – April 2016

Louis Roederer Cristal Brut, Champagne 2006 750ML ($299.95) Buy Now: $219 special

Roederer Cristal 2006James Suckling 97 points “Deep pinot-driven presence is the first and lasting impression. Power with control. Superfine bead, bread and spiced biscuits, candied ripe red fruits and a sense of tight-knit complexity. Some grapefruit, lemon pith & gently flinty notes too – impressive nose. In the mouth it is rich, powerful, mouth-filling and flavoursome with a core of the same biscuity red fruit flavour, savoury nutty notes and a wrap of assertive, persistent acidity that holds rich powerful flavour deep and focused whilst maintaining a polished, gently creamy texture. Long chalky bread and biscuit finish. A superb Pinot-driven vintage.”

Antonio Galloni 96 points “Broad, ample and resonant on the palate, the 2006 Cristal dazzles with its pure richness and volume.… Read the rest