NEWSLETTER FEATURES
Alessandro Rivetto, La Morra
Brand new to the Portland market these are some of the best Piedmont values we’ve tasted recently, expressively full of classic Piedmont character and made in an open-knit generous style, ready to enjoy tonight.
Langhe Rosso 2021 $18.99/$15.20 by the case
This is comprised of 70% Nebbiolo, 25% Barbera and 5% Dolcetto, all from Rivetto’s Estate vineyards around Alba and Serralunga. Smooth, vibrant and clean, it offers rich flavors of black cherry and red berry with aromas of damp earth, violets and cured tobacco. Almost lush in texture (for Piedmont) yet balanced by zesty acidity, this glides across the palate ending with soft tannins.
Langhe Nebbiolo 2021 $23.99/$19.20 by the case
Oops! They sent Dolcetto instead! This arrives mid-May…
The Langhe Nebbiolo is a worthy step up and has a more classy, pedigreed feel. As the importer explained it: the fruit comes from a vineyard located just across a small gully from the famous Barolo vineyard of Lazzarito in Serralunga d’Alba and is essentially a mirror image of that hillside. Same micro-climate but just outside the Barolo zone itself. Additionally, since the winery makes an Alta Langhe sparkling they take a first pass taking the ends of the Nebbiolo clusters, leaving only the top part of the cluster to finish ripening. That fruit is extra-evenly ripened, which is why this Nebbiolo is so damn good. The nose is inviting with dried flowers, porcini, licorice and delicate yet persistent red fruit aromas. Medium-weight with good intensity, the plum, cherry and blackberry flavors are joined by woodsy spicy notes of dried mint and cracked pepper.
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Bodegas Lan D-12 Rioja Crianza 2019
$19.99/$15.99 by the case Normally $26
Lan is a big winery with a variety of cuvées and this D-12 bottling is considered one of their best. And that’s not just us saying it, the whole D-12 project, according to the winery, revives the tradition of Riojan vine growers of choosing their best tank to keep for themselves (D-12 refers to that symbolic tank). Despite that being undoubtedly apocryphal and a bit of savvy marketing, this wine really is quite delicious, especially with an almost 25% discount thanks to a flash deal. 100% Tempranillo from just three older-vine vineyards, fermentation takes place in stainless to maintain aromatic purity and maximize color before aging in American and French oak. The balance between medium-bodied freshness and deeper, complex toasted notes is a big part of its charm. The nose is classic Rioja with loads of cola and brown spice, cocoa, sandalwood and vanilla oak aromas. The texture is creamy and mellow yet lively with airy flavors of cherry, red plum and dried currant. The finish is powerful yet elegant with fine tannins providing structure and lift.
Francis Blancet Pouilly Fumé ‘Calcite’ 2022
$22.50/$18 by the case
“Sauvignon Blanc by way of Chablis!” is how the importer describes this and with one sip it is easy to see the connection. Pouilly Fumé is prized for its flint-rich soils and fruit for the ‘Calcite’ cuvée comes from vineyards also rich in chalky Kimmeridgian marl, similar to that found in Chablis. The result is a minerally marriage made in heaven. Distinctive and invigorating, this abundance of spicy, flinty, saline aromas is the perfect intro to the tightrope of zesty flavors – juicy Meyer lemon, tangy tangerine and a slightly exotic Kiwi note. As it warms and opens softer notes of lemon oil and nectarine emerge, broadening the palate but it maintains its racy minerally vein well through the long crunchy finish.
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Cameron Winery Spring Releases
Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge 2022
$36.99/$29.60 by the case Limited Availability
Cameron’s only non-Dundee Hills wine is super sexy this year, a winning combination of rosy floral aromatics, early summer fruit basket flavors, a round, velvety texture and a well-integrated savory spice note. Marking it as different from Cameron’s other Pinots is a distinctive Ribbon Ridge blue fruit note that shifts from bright boysenberry to deeper late summer blueberry. Sourced entirely from White Oak Vineyard, there’s good reason why the 2022 seems extra good: fruit from the Clos Electrique clones planted in White Oak normally goes into a special reserve-level White Oak Vineyard bottling. With low crop yields due to spring frosts they decided not to do a separate bottling so all that Clos Electrique-clone goodness can be found here and the quality shows.
Giovanni Pinot Blanc 2023
$19.50/$15.60 by the case
Winemaker John Paul recently rolled in with this homage to northern Italian white wine, so we knew the sun was headed our way. Comprised of old vine fruit from Abbey Ridge Vineyard, the 2023 version maintains its moderate price and once again reflects the quality of fruit and winemaking. This year’s version has a bit more Chardonnay in the blend resulting in a luscious plumpness. Aromatically expressive as always, perfumed floral notes lead to fleshy pear and white peach balanced by a lively burst of lemon.
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Ca'n Verdura Negre Binissalem Mallorca 2021
$24.99/$19.99 by the case
The Mediterranean island of Mallorca may be better known for its beaches and party vibe than for wine production, but a new generation of young winemakers are making waves by resurrecting indigenous varietals and saving vineyards from development. One of the stars of this movement is winemaker Tomeu Llabrés who founded his micro-winery Ca'n Verdura in 2012 focusing on the ancient native varietal Mantonegro. This entry-level red is a delicious, curious blast providing an exciting introduction to this varietal and region. A blend of mostly Mantonegro with Callet, Monastrell and other international varietals, this is super fragrant, drawing you in with its kaleidoscope of whirling aromas. The bright happy red berry flavors are laced with blood orange zest and exotic spice notes from peppery Chinese Five Spice to warmer-toned sarsaparilla. Richly textured yet crackling with energy, it beautifully straddles the line between chillable refreshing and sappy succulence, offering the best of both worlds.
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Walter Scott 2022 Spring Releases
We tasted through all the new 2022 Walter Scott wines a few weeks ago and wow, once again came away highly impressed with what Ken, Erica, Jess and crew have produced. 2022 started with a spring frost that initially reduced yields, but a warm summer and long fall allowed for a later harvest and more time for flavor development and concentration. With a wide range of vineyards and terroir expression, there’s a winner for everyone. We’ve highlighted some of our favorites and listed the other available wines below. Single bottle orders are welcome for any of these.
Pricing:
All wines are $79.99*
$71.99 each for 6-11 bottles
$63.99 each for 12 or more (mix and match is fine)
*Except for Cuvée Anne and X Novo Chardonnay, see prices below
Pinot Noir
Walter Scott Koosah Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills 2022
Once again this vineyard’s Pinot and Chard stood out with their distinct personalities: bold, powerful and complex. An expressive nose of dark cherry and raspberry sings of classic Pinot flavors, with the high-toned fruit playing against deeper notes that include savory earthiness and fine herbal touches. What stands out is the balance and coiled power that punches it all along. Still a baby, but fun to drink now with so much potential.
Walter Scott Sojeau Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills 2022
This has developed into the flagship Pinot bottling over the last few years and it has greatly improved as the vines get older. The 2022 opens with a complete nose that brings a range of red to blue fruit notes, violet and other floral touches and some dusty earth. Then bam! You get red plum, marionberry and cherry, all interwoven with dried herbs and turned soil. The Sojeau is ultra-deep and complex, its richness balanced by lively acidity and juicy tannins that roll into the long finish.
Walter Scott X Novo Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills 2022
The Chard gets all the attention here, but the Pinot is coming on strong in 2022. You get the classic range of red fruit flavors, but with a welcome spiciness and zesty touch that nicely balances the earthy notes. So concentrated and complete, the long finish just adds to the excitement.
Chardonnay
Walter Scott Cuvée Anne Chardonnay Eola-Amity Hills 2022
$49.99/$44.99/$39.99
We reach for this when a customer asks for an Oregon Chard that’s similar to white Burgundy. This vintage reminded us of a new world Chablis, with its snappy flavors, pinpoint acidity and mineral-like texture. Lemon cream, mandarin orange, hints of vanilla spiced soda, tree blossom florals and sweet spring herbs combine for a complex and expressive experience.
Walter Scott Koosah Chardonnay Eola-Amity Hills 2022
Once again there’s the powerful and complex Koosah personality, but this Chard stands out for the nice balance of ripe and lively flavors interwoven with savory herbal notes. The nose is pretty and fragrant, with bits of spice and light wood adding interest. Deep lemon, Asian pear and an intense grapey-ness have a yin/yang effect with fresh tarragon, chervil, and grapeskin bitterness – all in a very good way. It gets even more complex with air, which promises great things to come.
Walter Scott Hyland Chardonnay McMinnville 2022
This is for those of you who want a deeper, richer expression of great Oregon Chardonnay. Hyland’s old vines yield intense concentration and weight, but the fine acidity and lifted flavors keep everything in balance. Spicy lemon, hits of lime zest, pear and a touch of dried pineapple are woven through with brown spices that together ooze complexity.
Walter Scott X Novo Chardonnay Eola-Amity Hills 2022 (Very Limited)
$99.99/$89.99/$79.99
In a class by itself as always, this is so pure, powerful and utterly seamless. Weighty and creamy, the bounding acidity and tight structure balance it all out perfectly. Snappy citrus and tree fruit flavors, tart green herbal notes and a saline mineral-like streak add complexity and ramp up the energy while the finish seems to go on forever.
Also Available:
La Combe Verte Pinot Noir & Chardonnay Willamette Valley 2022
Cuvée Ruth Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills 2022
Freedom Hill Mt. Pisgah Polk County 2022 – Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
Justice Eola-Amity Hills 2022 – Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
Witness Tree Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills 2022
Sojeau Chardonnay Eola-Amity Hills 2022
Previous Favorites Still Available
Domaine Chofflet Givry Héritage 2020
$21.99, Originally $31
Givry is a small appellation in the heart of the Côte Chalonnaise, a half hour drive south of Beaune. Its heyday was the early 1600’s when France’s king, Henry IV, made red from Givry his daily drink. These days the region is much more under the radar, generally providing some of the better values in red Burgundy and in this case, an incredible knockout value. Domaine Chofflet was established in 1710 and its certified-sustainable vineyards sit on the some of the highest, most desirable slopes in the appellation.
Over many years this cuvée has delivered a seductive mix of wild spicy earthy aromatics and dark ample fruit but we were still surprised at how good the 2020 is. Plush and dark yet silky and taut, the potent nose overflows with exotic Asian spices, wild dusty thyme, dark juicy berries and a brambly earthiness. The fruit is dense, a succulent mix of dark cherry and plum, while a high-wire intensity keeps the flavors zesty and popping. Warm-toned and generously fruited, it delivers the charm of Pinot Noir in an appealingly lavish style.
Plaimont Les Cépages Préservés Saint Mont Blanc 2019
$18.99/$15.20 by the case
Described in a 95pt Decanter review as “a jewel of a wine, so particular and distinctive” we were curious and excited to taste this. For a blend of barely known local varietals from an obscure 12 year-old appellation? We were intrigued and then delighted because it actually lived up to the hype. With gorgeous aromatics of yeasty spice, lemongrass and lime leaf, a lush yet lively texture, and wonderful balance between the white peach/apricot succulence and lemon/lime electric vibrancy, it’s simply delicious. Saint Mont sits in southwestern France’s Pyrénées sub-region roughly 50 miles from both the Atlantic Ocean and the snow capped peaks that lead to Basque country. But as in many quiet, overlooked regions new ideas are springing to life and the forward-thinking folks at Plaimont are using the past as a guide to the future. The three varietals here – Gros Manseng, Petit Corbu and Arrufiac – are historic to the region. A return to organic farming, lower yields and less interventionist winemaking is proving that regarding both complexity and pleasure, these wines are worthy to compete on the world stage.
Lady Hill Ad Lucem Elaina Red Columbia Valley 2020
$18.99/$15.20 by the case
A lusty Rhône style red with fruit sourced from two vineyards in the Columbia Gorge, this is bursting with ripe berry fruit and spicy woodsy aromatics. A blend of 45% Syrah, 25% Mourvèdre, 15% Grenache and 15% Durif (Petite Sirah), the flavors lean dark from start to finish with a slightly brooding feel that is well matched to the season’s weather. On the nose fragrant mixed berries mingle with aromas of shaved cedar, cured olive and a whiff of cigar smoke. The palate is full bodied and smooth, black flavors shaded red and blue from marionberry to black cherry to late summer blueberry. Nicely integrated tannins gently pull the finish together with a burst of dried blood orange zest, toasted allspice and clove.
Gump Hof Vernatsch Alto Adige 2016
$14.99/$11.99 by the case
The Prackwieser family has owned this winery for over 200 years, nestled among the steep slopes along the Italian/Austrian border. Although part of Italy now, the region once was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and many longtime wineries have German names and use German nomenclature for varietals. Vernatsch is German for Sciava, an indigenous varietal that produces charming, lighter-bodied reds with vibrant acidity and supple cherry fruit. The nose here is inviting, a perfumed mix of fennel, toasted brown spice, orange zest and black cherry. Age has nicely softened the acidity without dulling the fruit making this an easy-going, chuggable red that borders on thirst-quenching. If you're a fan of Nebbiolo, Pinot Noir and other cool climate reds this is a fun deal to explore.
Westrey Pinot Noir Oracle Vineyard Dundee Hills 2015
$29.99/$23.99 by the case
Yes 2015! Westrey seems to be operating in a different dimension, releasing their wines much later than most Willamette Valley wineries. We stumbled upon this at a recent trade tasting and wow, this is drinking really well – what a nice opportunity to revisit the mid 2010s at a 2015-like price. Oracle Vineyard sits at a prime spot high in the Dundee Hills; a portion of the vineyard was planted in 1977 and this bottling showcases that terroir beautifully. Give it some air to wake it up as it changes dramatically after even ten minutes. Burgundian in style, the nose is floral and spicy with developed woodsy aromas of cigar box, tobacco and savory pepper. The fruit starts dark but brightens with air revealing delicate yet persistent flavors of cherry and raspberry that glide across the glossy texture. The finish brings a more muscular side showing the power of the great 2015 vintage.
Secret Squirrel Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2018
$20.99/$16.80 by the case Originally $26
The well-known secret here is that this is made by Corliss Cellars, one of Walla Walla’s most prestigious wineries. But… if you don’t know that or don’t like weird looking animals on your label you might not pick this one up, which helps explain the discounted pricing. The quality and taste however are exactly what you would expect from a winery like Corliss. Full-bodied, suave and sexy, this is concentrated yet airy with blackberry, black currant and cherry kirsch flavors rolling broadly across the palate while delectable aromas of toasted graham cracker, cocoa powder and spicy anise hover above. Some bottle age has helped soften the edges but there’s still plenty of power and muscle lurking below. The fruit is sourced from the same Red Mountain vineyards as the top Corliss wines and the quality of fruit and winemaking clearly shows.
Zlatan Otok Pošip 2021
$23.99/$19.20 by the case
We’ve sold this for years, but it wasn’t until a fall sojourn along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast that I came to appreciate just how delicious this is. Imagine combining the all-star attributes of Pinot Grigio, Vermentino, Sauv Blanc and Viognier into a vibrant wine that pairs well with many things. Pošip (POE-ship) is Croatia’s signature white varietal and the old vines here grow in red clay soil covering deep limestone, which delivers its signature minerality and saline sea breeze notes. Thirst-quenching aside, this has great balance, a smooth crisp texture and excellent complexity. Straw-colored, it’s bright yet medium-weight, dry, aromatic and full of flavor: lemon zest, Bartlett pear, white peach and bits of dried apricot; savory Mediterranean herbs like basil and sage; plus hints of pineapple and grapefruit at the finish. This is so approachable yet classy, a great way to explore this little-known wine region that delivers great value and pleasure.
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