Tag Archives: Staff Pick

Wine of the Day: Brick House Vineyards ‘Cascadia’ Chardonnay 2012 5-18-2016

Brick House Vineyards ‘Cascadia’ Chardonnay, Ribbon Ridge 2012 750ML ($39.95) Buy Now: $33 special

At Brick House, their Biodynamic farming features careful but not excessive interventions. As a result, their wines boast outstanding complexity and transparency. Cascadia is fermented on native yeasts and is raised in only used oak, completing malolactic fermentation before aging for a full year on the lees. The wine presents a bit more weight and richness while maintaining buoyancy. Fantastic! – Tyler

Wine Spectator 91 points “This sleek, open-textured and inviting white is light on its feet, showing apricot-tinged pear and spice flavors and finishing with finesse. Appealing now, but should develop depth with cellaring. Drink now through 2019. 520 cases made.”WS

David Schildknecht – Wine Advocate 90-91 points “Last tasted from barrels (old demi-muids) in July, the pieces that will have become Tunnell’s 2012 Chardonnay Cascadia – from several clones (some top-grafted to older vines) – display fresh apple laced with candied lime peel and garlanded with honeysuckle.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Marc Deschamps ‘Les Champs de Cri’ Pouilly-Fume 5-18-16

Marc Deschamps Pouilly-Fume Les Champs de Cri, Loire 2012 750ML ($29.95) Buy Now: $24 special

Forget what you know about Sauvignon Blanc! The ‘Champs de Cri’ from Marc Deschamps delivers an insanely complex combination of lemon zest, fresh herbs, jasmine, and elderflower. Roughly a year of aging on the lees affords the wine more texture and weight, yet the overall delivery is that of precision and grace. The result is an energetic, slightly salty Sauvignon Blanc with real dimension – a must-try for Loireheads, Sauv blanc lovers, and the drinker who wants the best in the wine life! A bottle like this can and should age wonderfully, though that shouldn’t prevent the reader from digging in to their stash a bit for a remarkable value from a Loire legend.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Bergstrom Le Pre du Col 2014 5-17-2016

Bergstrom Le Pre du Col, Ribbon Ridge Pinot Noir 2014 750ML ($69.95) Buy Now: $59 pre-arrival special, ETA Friday, May 27th

The Le Pre du Col (or ‘meadow on the mountain’) is a bright and fresh Pinot with plenty of body and acidity to spare. It opens with a bright zesty note of spice and herbs. The palate shows notes of purple flowers and red cherries with hints of iron and tobacco. I would give this a few years in bottle before opening or, if need be, 4-5 hours in a decanter before serving.

Le Pre du Col is planted to marine sedimentary soils in the Ribbon Ridge AVA. The winery describes the AVA as offering Pinots sweet cinnamon spice and ripe Oregon strawberry and cherry aromas.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Fernando de Castilla PX Sherry NV 5-16-2016

Fernando de Castilla Antique Pedro Ximenez Sherry, Andalucia, Spain NV 500ML ($49.95) Buy Now: $39 special

Not long ago, I had the opportunity to sample a diverse range of Sherries, ranging from dry, salty and austere to sweet, silky and oxidized and seemingly every possibility between. There was a 1970 Bodegas Tradicion Oloroso (hidden under the table and only poured for those that asked, of course), the light and salty Innocente Fino from Valdespino, and even a couple of ever unusual Palo Cortados. Of the sweet options, the one that stood out did so not really by any crazy exotic flair but rather for lingering pleasantly for about 5 minutes after tasting. I’ve experienced a few other bottlings from Fernando de Castilla, but the PX is by far my favorite for its length, value and flavor. … Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Bergstrom Silice Pinot Noir 2014 5-15-2016

Bergstrom Wines Silice, Chehelam Mountains Pinot Noir 2014 750ML ($69.95) Buy Now: $59 pre-arrival special, ETA Friday, May 27th

This Bergstrom bottling takes a turn toward the dark side: the dark berry side. Not unlike the 2013 release, the 2014 Silice is decidedly richer and lusher than the Le Pre du Col bottling. There are aromas of ripe blackberries and Italian plums with ample mouthfeel and a luxurious silkiness. A subtle spiciness on the finish lingers around for a while.

The Silice Vineyard (once named the de Lancellotti Vineyard) is planted on an ancient seabed thrust up by ancient volcanos. The soil is sandy over layers of shale and sandstone, rich in reflective silica. It is a hot, arid vineyard where roots dig deep for scare water.… Read the rest