Category Archives: Wineries We Cherish

Wine of the Day: Renato Ratti ‘Battaglione’, Barbera d’Asti 2013 9-6-16

Renato Ratti ‘Battaglione’, Barbera d’Asti DOCG 2013 750ML ($19.95) Buy Now: $17 special
Case-12 Renato Ratti ‘Battaglione’, Barbera d’Asti DOCG 2013 750ML ($219.95) Buy Now: $179 specialrenatorattiBARBERA

More diplomatic than martial, despite the label, this Barbera d’Asti ends up conquering nonetheless. Renato Ratti wines embody the silky Italian style, while encouraging the Barbera to sing of its Asti origins. The 2013 has plenty of structure but not too much, which lets the fruit and floral notes emerge, while nice acidity keeps the powers in balance. Drinking well now, or you can keep it quartered for a while. – Daniel

Fan of Piedmontese wines: don’t miss the Renato Ratti Nebbiolo d’Alba!

Renato Ratti Ochetti Nebbiolo d’Alba, Piedmont 2014 750ML ($26.95) Buy Now: $21.90 special
Case-12 Renato Ratti Ochetti Nebbiolo d’Alba, Piedmont 2014 750ML ($279.95) Buy Now: $219 special

Winery note: “Fine, delicate and persistent bouquet with characteristic trace scents of strawberry and raspberry.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Franchere Gruner Veltliner, Willamette Valley 2014 9-2-16

Franchere Havlin Vineyard Gruner Veltliner, Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($17.95) Buy Now: $16 special

For a few reasons, this Oregon-grown Gruner Veltliner is delicious. One, it matches grape variety with place: Austria’s forests, temperate latitude, cloudy skies, and laid-back attitude reflect Oregon’s. Two, winemaker/owner Mike Hinds lets the wine follow its own course in vinification — native yeasts, no lead-footed extraction, but he does age the wine in acacia barrels — and his story, as a direct descendant of the Franchère who helped found Fort Astoria, is cool. Plus, he studied winemaking at Chemeketa, outside of Salem. Three, most importantly, the wine is a pleaser: light and brisk, appley and spiced, balanced and refreshing, gulpable on its own or with food.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Domaine Leflaive Macon-Verze 2012 9-1-16

Domaine Leflaive Macon-Verze, Burgundy 2012 750ML ($49.95) Buy Now: $39 special

The name Leflaive says it all. White Burgundy knows no better producer than Leflaive, which explains their astronomic prices, which is where the Macon-Verzé comes into play. Biodynamically-grown in the Maconnais, just south of the Côte d’Or, the wine is made at Domaine Leflaive in Puligny. Perfectly balanced Chardonnay, with nutty, buttery, classically Burgundian notes, plus the warmth of Macon’s southern latitude, all for under forty bucks. The 2012 vintage was superb, ripe and succulent. This is the best deal on white Burgundy in all of Vinopolis, and it’s ready to drink today, or tonight. – Daniel

Wine Spectator 89 Points “This pretty white, evoking floral, lime, white peach and mineral aromas and flavors, is elegant and vibrant, with a lingering aftertaste of ripe fruit and spice.”… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: R. Lopez de Heredia ‘Vina Gravonia’ Crianza Blanco, Rioja DOCa 2006 – 8-29-16

R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia ‘Vina Gravonia‘ Crianza Blanco, Rioja DOCa 2006 750ML ($31.95) Buy Now: $28 special

The wide range of flavors on offer from the ‘Gravonia‘ conjure up thoughts of an open-air market, where fruit and vegetables elbow up against exotic spices and a million different scents waft through the hustling masses. Delicate impressions of tea, sun-soaked lemons, caramel, and peach play off of hints of hay, spring-time flowers, petrol, and almonds; the descriptors of this wine are rivaled only by the vast amount of dishes it’d match.

‘Gravonia‘ comes from 100% Viura; you may otherwise know the grape as Macabeo. The wine is aged for four years in mature oak barrels and racked twice yearly, later resting in the bottle before release.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Vouette et Sorbee Fidele (2012) 8-22-16

Vouette et Sorbee Cuvee Fidele Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2012) 750ML ($89.95) Buy Now: $59 special
Case-6 Vouette et Sorbee Cuvee Fidele Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2012) 750ML ($479.95) Buy Now: $336 special (that’s only $56/bottle!)

Ever since my first taste of grower Champagne (Pierre Peters Cuvee Reserve), I was hooked. Sure I had enjoyed Veuve Yellow Label, Moet and especially a few sips of a Dom Perignon, but here was something decidedly… other… different… and special about grower Champagne. Not knowing about farmer fizz at the time, I can honestly say it wasn’t the story that first got me interested, but truly the taste. It revealed layers of flavors, complexity and acidity with an extroverted personality all its own.

Since that day, I’ve been chasing grower Champagnes.… Read the rest