Tag Archives: Staff Pick

Wine of the Day: Domaine Drouhin Roserock Chardonnay 5-23-16

Domaine Drouhin Roserock Chardonnay, Eola-Amity Hills 2014 750ML ($34.95) Buy Now: $28 special

Who’s to complain about more Drouhin wine from Oregon? Few winemakers possess the talent, experience, and intuition of Véronique Drouhin, be it State-side or in France. Domaine Drouhin’s latest acquisition, Roserock, gives Véro a chance to tease beauty out of Chardonnay (and Pinot Noir) from the cooler-clime Eola-Amity Hills AVA, whose volcanic soils nourish wines with typically-Oregonian depth.

The 2014 Roserock Chardonnay is crisp yet round (half stainless steel, half oak fermentation), pleasantly fruity (pear, honeysuckle, citrus), and only oaky enough to offer the smoothness and subtle warmth of Burgundian-style Chardonnay. Excellent to drink today with hors d’oeuvres, fish, white meat, or creamy cheeses, this delightful Chardonnay will happily age another few years.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Goodfellow Clover Pinot Gris 2014 5-22-2016

Goodfellow Clover Pinot Gris Reserve, Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($21.95) Buy Now: $18 special

Floral and elegant, it’s a great starter to a meal or aperitif-style wine. Clover is derived from the highest point of the Whistling Ridge and Bishop Creek vineyards and is fermented in neutral wood before aging for 15-17 months on its lees. A contrast of toasted hazelnut plays against the floral elements nicely, with a clean and lasting finish. A beautiful presentation of what Oregon winemakers are capable of! – Tyler

Winery note “Pinot Gris in the style of white Burgundy, from the older vines at the highest point of the Whistling Ridge and Bishop Creek Vineyards (both vineyards are dry farmed). Fermented in neutral wood (30% Acacia, 70% French oak), then aged for 15-17 months on the lees.”… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Michel Sarrazin Givry 1er Cru Vieilles Vignes 5-21-2016

Michel Sarrazin et Fils Givry Premier Cru Les Vieilles Vignes, Cote Chalonnaise 2013 750ML ($39.95) Buy Now: $33 special

The Sarrazin ‘Givry Rouge VV’ is really punching above its weight here. Old vine Givry – a blend of two premier cru plots, is deceptively complex with a silky and suave display of licorice, black fruit, and a hint of smoke. It’s light on its feet but still quite concentrated; Guy & Jean-Yves are very capable in taking over their father Michel’s estate. Grapes are fermented from native yeasts in temperature-controlled, stainless-steel tanks before being raised in a combination of new and old oak barrels. Finally, the wines are bottle unfined and unfiltered. A very worthwhile producer to consider! – Tyler… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Brick House Vineyards Gamay Noir 2014 5-20-2016

Brick House Vineyards Gamay Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2014 ($31.95) Buy Now: $26.60 special

Our hometown take on Beaujolais – bright and peppy, with wild floral elements, strawberry-laced fruit flavors, and a touch of licorice and spice. As seductive as Morgon, aromatic as Fleurie, and structured yet mysterious as Moulin-a-Vent. Brick House are the real deal, and their ‘Gamay Noir au Jus Blanc’ is a picture-perfect postcard from beautiful vineyard a mere 25 miles from our shop. – Tyler

Grapelive 92+ points “….I think my favorite Brick House was the new 2014 Gamay Noir, it really stood out and reminds me of 2009 Cru Beaujolais, it has a Cote de Brouilly feel and wonderful structure to go with expressive and ripe dark fruits… The pure Gamay Noir character shines through on the nose and palate with blackberry, a mix of floral and spice, cherry, strawberry and succulent currant as well as a hint of flinty stones, minty herb, walnut oil and plum/peach flesh.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Cave Mont Blanc 1187 Extra Brut 2012 5-19-2016

Cave Mont Blanc ‘Blanc de Morgex & de la Salle’ 1187 Extra Brut, Vallee d’Aoste 2012 750ML ($31.95) Buy Now: $28 special

The domaine was founded in the early eighties with the stated purpose of reviving abandoned vineyards along the picturesque slopes of Mont Blanc in the Valle d’Aosta. This northwestern Italian pocket features the highest-altitude vineyard sites in all of Europe; very few machines are even capable of working such extreme topographies – needless to say, they’re seldom employed within the region.

The ‘1187’, made from 100% Prie Blanc, wonderfully tethers the balance between delicate and powerful – it’s a thing of paradoxes. The bubbles are soft yet move quickly along the palate, and the minerals are bracing yet the wine translates as elegant and smooth.… Read the rest