Category Archives: Wineries We Cherish

Wine of the Day: J. Christopher ‘Abbey Ridge’ Pinot Noir 2014 9-15-16

J. Christopher ‘Abbey Ridge’ Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2014 750ML ($69.95) Buy Now: $59 special

jcabbThe 2014 Oregon Pinots keep arriving, and the J. Christopher line-up tastes consistent and delicious. The Abbey Ridge bottling stands out yet again as the winery’s most complex, refined red. It’s considered one of Oregon’s best vineyards. Planted in 1976, and still ungrafted, Abbey is dry farmed so those vitis vinifera roots will dig down in the Jory soil and extract a deeper sense of place. Elevation is high at Abbey Ridge, at 650-800 feet, which adds a bit more acidity and a softer touch than lower-elevation Dundee Hills Pinots. Earth and ripe red berries waft out of the glass, while velvet wraps the palate, and the finish lingers into the future: this wine will age well, if you can wait.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Roberto Voerzio Ceretto Barbera d’Alba 2012 9-14-16

Roberto Voerzio Ceretto Barbera d’Alba 2012 750ML ($39.95) Buy Now: $36 special

As far as a Barbera d’Alba goes, Roberto Voerzio’s 2012 Ceretto may as well be dressed in a linen suit and fedora hat. It is smooth, and very Italian in style. Voerzio makes some of the finest Barolos, which are more like tuxedo wines, and he tailors his Ceretto Barbera with the same instinct and experience. This one has rounded, not-too-dry tannins, plenty of dark berry fruit, and a polished profile. It matches paisano dishes like osso bucco or even pasta primavera with flair. Try one the next time Italy comes to mind. – Daniel

James Suckling 92 Points “Wow. A bright and exciting red with clementine, dark berry and lemon aromas and flavors.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Belle Pente Vineyard Chardonnay 2010 9-13-16

Belle Pente Vineyard Chardonnay, Yamhill-Carlton District 2010 750ML ($29.95) Buy Now: $26.60 special

As Oregon transitions from summer to fall, sunny days contrast with cool nights, colors enchant the eye, and a cornucopia of food presents itself on the table. This unique time of year finds its match in the 2010 Belle Pente Belle Pente Vineyard Chardonnay. Richly flavored with notes of apple and spice, white flowers, pear and a little butter (but very little new oak), this wine blends warm aromas and texture with refreshing acidity. At six years old, this Oregon Chardonnay is drinking at its prime. Consider having it alongside the last of the zucchini, the just-harvested corn, or the upcoming squash and pumpkins. Try it with poultry, pork, or, best, Fall Chinook.… Read the rest

Burlotto New Releases

Burlotto – September 2016

New Releases from the
Legendary Piedmont Estate

In the garden that is Barolo a few wines stand out like prized orchids or roses, including Burlotto’s Monvigliero. It’s an intense wine, structured yet elegant, one that ages for decades, but sells out in days (even we’re out of it!), testimony to Burlotto’s outstanding quality. Fabio Alessandria, great-great-grandson of Barolo pioneer G.B. Burlotto, makes beautiful wines, and not just the Monvigliero. All of the Burlottos entice with their silky texture and exquisite aromatics.

Alessandria has a classical palate and a traditional winemaking style. One might argue that Burlotto Barolos taste the way a Barolo should. The truffles, cedar, and ripe red fruit evoke terroir. Never clumsy, never dilute, always balanced and polished, these wines convey a sense of place: Barolo, the Langhe, Italy.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Philippe Pacalet Moulin a Vent 9-8-16

Philippe Pacalet Moulin A Vent, Beaujolais, France 2014 750ML ($59.95) Buy Now $49 special

Never patient when it comes to Beaujolais, I drank Pacalet’s intrepid Moulin-a-Vent the very night it arrived at our shop. A simple salmon dish served as accompaniment, and I poured some out into a decanter in order to contrast normal and accelerated evolution of the wine as it aerated. Cherry aromas soared out of the glass, with an immediate flavor profile of goji berries, plum, Bing cherries, and a touch of leather. The fruit bears this intriguing crunchiness, with the acid mingling but never overarching beyond the wine’s overall feel. There is a playful energy this Beaujolais, which went lovely with the salmon and danced between being a little showy and a bit mellow over the course of four hours.… Read the rest