Category Archives: Wineries and Wines

Heymann-Loewenstein Wines

February 2018

Heymann-Loewenstein
A winery defined by their remarkable vineyards

Heymann-Löwenstein is the signature producer of Germany’s Terrassenmosel region. The Terrassenmosel is part of the lower Mosel river valley where the steepness of the slopes heymann loewenstein winesrequires terraces just to be able to grow grapes. It’s a daunting place to work—everything is so steep that no mechanized work is possible and so every single vine must be tended by hand.

Reinhard Löwenstein fits in with this region, then, as an absolute perfectionist who will do any and everything possible to make sure that his wines are as profound as possible. His yields and selection in the vineyards are made solely with quality in mind and he holds his wines back longer before release than most German producers—cash flow be damned.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Domaine L’Edre Cotes du Roussillon Villages 2013

February 2018

Domaine L’Edre

l'edreIt seems France’s Roussillon region was made to grow fine wine. Proximity to the vine’s favorite sea, the Mediterranean, and planted in classic limestone-clay soil, winemaking talent thrives in this area. Founded by a pair of Frenchmen in 2002, Domaine de l’ Edre produces ripe yet balanced and stylish wines of terrific character and terroir definition, all done sustainably. The Cotes du Roussillon Village is a traditional blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan fermented and aged in once- and twice-used barrels and demi-muid. Here’s the perfect match to a leg of lamb or even a pot au feu, to veggie dishes rich in grilled peppers and eggplant, and of course to charcuterie and cheese. Celebrate the French way of good living by uncorking a bottle of L’Edre Roussillon!… Read the rest

An Incredible Deal on Gaja

November 2017

Gaja’s Astounding Wines

At Awe Inspiring Pricing

Gaja is a name that requires no context in discussion—like Latour or DRC, it’s understood which estate is meant and that the wines are epic, change-your-dinner-plans events.  Angelo Gaja is one of the primary reasons we care about Barbaresco today and the wines bearing his name remain the most treasured and collectible of the region.  Furthermore, the top wines from his Brunello estate, Ca’ Marcanda, have quickly become among top two or three most sought after wines in Tuscany.

The one complaint we might have with Gaja, as with most wines that are full-on collectible, is the pricing.  We got lucky (or worked hard, your choice) and snagged a really amazing lineup of some of the top wines in the lineup for some really incredible prices, though (almost $100/bottle less expensive than the next offering on the single vineyard Langhe wines).  … Read the rest

Domaine Guiberteau

September 2017

Domaine Guiberteau
The Voice of Their Vineyards

guiberteau-romainWhen a winemaker starts generating the amount of charge that Romain Guiberteau has built in such a short amount of time, our ears perk up, and we take notice. A quick look at the volume of somm chatter about the Domaine assures you that the wines must be absolutely electric. In short: they are. Consider that Dani Foucault of Clos Rougeard took so much interest in Romain that he regularly insisted that visitors also go to Guiberteau to taste.

The Loire is full of cutting edge producers as of late and, while there are plenty of grapes to go around, some of the best belong to the Guiberteau family. After selling their fruit for almost 40 years, young Romain came back from an uninspired law career to take over the farming of his family’s 14.5 hectares.… Read the rest

Congratulations to Marcus Goodfellow

September 2017

Always Delicious Chardonnays

Now With New Scoresgoodfellow insert

Marcus Goodfellow’s Matello and Goodfellow Family Cellars labels have been mainstays at the shop for some time now—wines that we carry regardless of vintage, scores or overall hype.  The wines are amongst the best in Oregon and consistently some of the most inspiring wines we taste.  It looks like we aren’t alone in our love—the new Wine Advocate reviews for our fair state lavish (deserved) praise on Marcus’ wines, particularly two Chardonnays (Richard’s Cuvee and Durant Vineyard) which we wanted to feature today.

Goodfellow Family Cellars Richard’s Cuvee Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($39.95) Buy Now: $36 special

Goodfellow Family Cellars Richard’s Cuvee Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2014 375ML ($24.95) Buy Now: $19.50 special
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2014 Chardonnay Richard’s Cuvee knocks it out of the park with a nose of ripe apricots, pink grapefruit and guava underscored by fresh ginger, baking bread, beeswax and yeast extract hints with a waft of jasmine.… Read the rest