Category Archives: Wineries We Cherish

Wine of the Day: Mas Cal Demoura L’Infidele 2010 6-28-16

Mas Cal Demoura “L’infidele” 2010 750ML ($31.95) Buy Now: $27 special
I have no shame in loving the rough-and-tumble wines of southern France. When the yields are kept in check and the wine’s development isn’t stunted by efforts of standardization, the resulting wines can be at once charming and startling. These sorts of blends have a broader appeal than I think we allow – I’d bet a day’s wages, for one, that you could get a Napa Cab guy and a Loire geek to agree on some gems of the Languedoc.

One such gem comes from Mas Cal Demoura, situated not far from Montpelier along the slopes of the Cévennes mountain range. These wines are soulful, playful – reverent, even, as they’re not shy to display the seemingly-paradoxical traits of their terroir: bold, fresh, mineral-laden, layered, dynamic…“L’Infidele” integrates all five varietals of the domaine each vintage: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, and Carignan.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Azienda Agricola Maria Donata Bianchi Vermentino Riviera Ligure di Ponente, Liguria 2015 6-27-16

Azienda Agricola Maria Donata Bianchi Vermentino Riviera Ligure di Ponente, Liguria 2015 750ML ($27.95) Buy Now: $24 special

vermerenetTucked away along the Italian Riviera is the small, often overlooked wine appellation of Liguria. Here, nestled among the grape vines that skirt the rolling hills dotted by olive trees, is the Bianchi winery. The family that has owned the winery for four generations first began bottling their estate wines in 1977.

The Vermentino is produced from all hand harvested and destemmed grapes aged in stainless steel tanks. It opens with a savory-salty quality with notes of fresh green herbs –a refreshing tonic for the hot summer to come. On the nose are notes of aloe, dried mint and sea salt. It has a zippy acidity to balance the fuller body.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Charles Smith CasaSmith Porcospino Primitivo, Wahluke Slope Washington 2014 6-26-2016

Charles Smith K Vintners CasaSmith Porcospino Primitivo, Wahluke Slope, Washington 2014 750ML ($21.95) Buy Now: $18 special

primitortUnroll the red-and-white checkered tablecloths, the lasagna, pizza, cannelloni, spaghetti… all spread out on the hilly, arid Washington scrubland just east of the mighty Columbia… Casa Smith celebrates the junction of Italy and America with its Wahluke Slope-grown Italian varietal wines. The Primitivo honors the families of Southern Italy (and the USA, where it’s called Zinfandel). Bold in character and deeply colorful like its Puglia homeland, this Primitivo – from the word primativo, meaning “first to ripen” – delivers the luscious dark fruit and mouth-feel that made Washington wines famous. Charles Smith (K Vintners, et al.) makes the wine with guidance and inspiration from Italian friends.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Spatlese 2015 6-25-16

Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2015 750ML SOLD OUT, ETA Fall 2016
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2015 1.5L SOLD OUT, ETA Fall 2016

donnnsad“Portland was host to a smattering of winemakers represented in the Terry Theise portfolio this week, none the least of whom was Anne Donnhoff sharing her entrancing range of 2015s. To say I tasted the wines quite young would be a bit of an understatement (many other winemakers were pouring barrel samples!) but there’s plenty to gleam from the youthful expressions Riesling in all its Pradikat guises.

“I could, and have, waxed poetic about this ethereal wine – the vineyard home of Donnhoff’s elusive eiswein. The vineyard is a monopole composed of grey slate on clay soil.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Charles Smith CasaSmith ‘Cinghiale’ Sangiovese, Wahluke Slope, Washington 2014 6-24-16

Charles Smith CasaSmith ‘Cinghiale’ Sangiovese, Wahluke Slope, Washington 2014 750ML ($21.95) Buy Now: $18 special

sangTuscany’s famous grape meets Washington’s Wahluke Slope: Casa Smith Sangiovese is big enough to bridge continents, and flavorful enough to satisfy Old and New World tastes. Whole cluster fermentation breeds a wine with backbone, and 12 months in barrel (35% new oak) gives added depth and finesse to this Italian/Washingtonian stallion. Rich notes of cherry and earth carry across smooth tannins and just enough acidity, proving that Italy’s best grapes make for happy immigrants to the Evergreen State. – Daniel… Read the rest