Category Archives: Wineries We Cherish

Wine of the Day: Chateau Haut Brion 1989 11-1-16

Chateau Haut-Brion, Pessac-Leognan 1989 750ML ($1699.95) Buy Now: $1299 special

A wine of firsts. Haut Brion was Bordeaux’s original grand vin: the first Bordeaux to be grown, branded, and marketed as a single-estate, château wine; the first to receive written mention as such, in Samuel Pepys’ famous 1663 diary; and the first on the 1855 classification list. Even oenophile/diplomat Thomas Jefferson visited Haut Brion in 1787, to sample and purchase one of his favorite wines. Quality has always remained the passion at this 111-acre estate in Pessac. Arnaud de Pontac, Haut Brion’s 17th-century savior, and president of Bordeaux’s parliament, could afford low yields, new oak, and elimination of moldy grapes and inferior wines. The rest of the Médoc gradually followed suit, creating the classed growths we know today, with wine estates around the world eventually embracing the same pursuit of absolute quality.… Read the rest

Winery of the Day: Domaine de Montille 10-28-16

The Côte de Beaune hardly hosts a better-known name than de Montille. It’s as if the family of archetypical Burgundian vignerons arose from the earth of Volnay centuries ago. The late Hubert de Montille helped make the domaine famous for its classic style of age-worthy Burgundy, and now his son and daughter make the wines. Low yields and partial whole-cluster fermentation remain the norm, but the modern de Montille reds have softer tannins, are more aromatic, and they don’t require as much cellar time as before. Few other wines from Beaune, Pommard, and Volnay speak of their terroir and of Burgundian culture like de Montille wines do. Luckily for everyone, the domaine recently acquired vines in the Cote de Nuits, hence the Nuits-Saint-George Premier Cru and, most notably, the Vosne Malconsorts: Cuvée Christiane has become a contender for one of Vosne’s foremost Premier Crus.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: La Palazzetta ‘Trio From Montalcino’ 10-27-16

Here’s a taste of the real Italy, three wines you might find by the glass or bottle at the quaintest ristorante in Tuscany. La Palazzetta’s Flavio Fanti wastes no resources on fancy websites, marketing, or Bordeaux barrels. Instead, he makes honest wine from the southern end of the Montalcino DOC in the tiny village of Castelnuovo dell’ Abate. Fanti farms his family’s 45 acres organically, and his winemaking style, which seeks finesse over extraction, matches the area’s delicateness. Balanced, perfumed, and representative of place, La Palazzetta impresses us each year. And all of these wines are ready to enjoy today, at prices you’d also expect to find in Italy. –Daniel

Flavio Fanti La Palazzetta Sant’ Antimo, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($14.95) Buy Now: $11.90 special

Flavio Fanti La Palazzetta Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany 2014 750ML ($19.95) Buy Now: $16 special

Flavio Fanti La Palazzetta Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2011 750ML ($39.95) Buy Now: $36 special

… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Ayres Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2015 10-20-16

Ayres Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2015 750ML ($24.95) Buy Now: $19 special

As you might remember, last year was hot, the hottest on record for the state of Oregon. The mere thought of it induces thirst. But the heat of 2015 also gave the potential to produce some delicious entry-level Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, and Ayres Winery took advantage. Rather than over-ripe or cooked, this wine, made from Ribbon Ridge and Yamhill-Carlton grapes, offers a fresh Pinot fruit profile and a pleasant tartness. Savory notes mingle with a hint of salinity, and a well-judged sense of balance (only 13.6% alcohol) carries the wine through to a succulent finish. Even after being open overnight, the wine stays consistent like last year’s 90-degree temps.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Cameron Dundee Hills Chardonnay 2015 10-15-16

Cameron Winery Dundee Hills Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($21.95) Buy Now: $19 special

A visit from John Paul of Cameron happens often here at Vinopolis, yet not often enough. No other Willamette Valley winemaker displays his sort of charisma and laid-back, quasi-genius: the mastermind behind Clos Electrique has an electrified brain, it seems. He makes us laugh, and shares his wines. Granted, as John pointed out, the oak has yet to integrate, but the silkiness, suppleness, and succulence already signal a charming cuvee: Give this wine a few months or more before consumption. You’ll be glad you did, and even gladder that you swooped some up before this Cameron wine goes the way of all the others… out of stock soon enough.… Read the rest