Friday Sips

2015 WALTER SCOTT PINOT NOIR
WILLAMETTE VALLEY 'LA COMBE VERTE'
$22.50 BTL./$270.00 CASE

Here we go, the newly arrived 2015 way above the norm, so called ‘entry wines’ from Walter Scott. Unless you have been living under an Oregon rock you should by now know the prowess of this Eola-Amity producer. The husband and wife team of Ken Pahlow and Erica Landon are long time Oregon wine vets who started Walter Scott, their own wine adventure in 2008. Lately they have been receiving enormous accolades from not only wine critics but also the real litmus test, wine lovers.

Here is a 2015 that is very civil in many cases, can be a rather vociferous vintage. From a blend of five vineyard sites (Freedom Hill, Eola Springs, Vojtilla, Temperance Hill & Sojouner), this remarkable Pinot at 13.4% alcohol shows off both excellent fruit along with plenty of tension, grip and lively red tones. Walking the fine line between black and red, the 2015 brings forth sensuous aromatics with an impressive core of poised fruit, engaging smoke and spice all that follows through to a silky texture that expands nicely and maintains vibrancy throughout. Lengthy and very promising, this seriously delectable and seamless Pinot is an unmitigated heist! Very enjoyable now but this will also easily age and develop for 5+ years.

2013 VIETTI NEBBIOLO LANGHE 'PERBACCO'
$25.99 BTL./$311.88 CASE

Upon smelling and tasting this wine, Bryan's initial notes were, "this smokes a hell of a lot of Normale Barolo at considerably higher prices"! This isn't overstating the fact because this wine is from single Barolo vineyards with vines averaging 35 years. In one way I wish Luca would label it as Barolo, but on the other hand doing this label notation would naturally increase the price.

Barolo in all but name, the Perbacco is a selection of juice and vineyards that show more readiness and drinkability than the Barolo Castiglione with aging 24 months in cask, the required time for Barolo, this wine is a supreme value. 2013 is a classically-formed, virtuoso vintage for Piedmont and the latest edition is majestic. Think of 1996 or 2004 with excellent stuffing. Drawn-out red fruits, roses, chocolate licorice and undercurrents of perfumed earth tones, there is exquisite movement, depth and persistence, especially on the detailed and luxurious finish. Drinks well early and ages impeccably, too. Enjoy it over the next 6-9 years with hearty risotto dishes, roasted game or intense cheeses. To quote our great friend Luca Currado, owner/winemaker at Vietti, "If you learn to like the Perbacco Nebbiolo, you are then able to appreciate and love the Vietti Barolo even more!"

2012 BOIS DE BOURSAN
CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE

Bois de Boursan is nothing but the truth! Jean-Paul Versino farms from 40 parcels in and around Châteauneuf-Du-Pape. One look at the name Versino and one can instantly see that it is not of French origin. Originally, from Piedmont in Italy, Jean Versino started his small, 40-acre Domaine in Châteauneuf-Du-Pape in 1955. Jean’s son Jean-Paul came on in 1991 and has taken care of the Domaine since that time. What has followed have been outstanding wines that consistently receive numerous accolades

2012 is turning into a phenomenal vintage and this version is gorgeous and traditionally made meaning no small barrels and no destemming. Full-textured but as is always the case chez Versino, balance and smoothness is de rigueur. The 2012 possesses class and soul with overflowing aromas of strawberry, red licorice, herbes des provence, grenadine and plum-pepper sit up nicely in the glass and lead into a voluptuous, dry, structured and sinister texture. Lots of density and expansion even now, but trust me, this wine evolves and ages tremendously. A real steal given this cat’s pedigree! Enjoy early on with a grilled steak if you’d like or age it for another 6 or so years and marvel at it age 10 with slow braised, provencal fare. Drink through 2027.

2015 ALGUIERA 'CORTEZADA'
RIBERA SACRA BLANCO
$26.99 BTL./$161.94 - SIX PACK

Galicia and Catalunya, that is where we are most excited when it comes to wines from Spain. This exotic white wine is from Galicia’s Ribera Sacra region. One of the most stunning landscapes in Spain this region dates back to the Romans who excavated the many terraces still present today. Both reds and white grapes are grown here and Godello drives the white wines. Albarino and Treixadura are also grown here and the Cortezada is a luxury bottling that is a blend of all three.

Very individual and a reflection of the schist soils which aren’t unlike those of Cote-Rotie or the Mosel, this unoaked, lavish dry white wine could be thought of as Spanish Vintage Tunina - simply profound! Explosive and alluring aromatics, this wine changes like an obstacle course from the moment that it is opened. Commencing with sexy white peach tones, it moves into aspects of saline, seashell, almond-paste to lanolin to mandarin to smoke and acacia. Seamless, rich and exquisite, it also reveals plenty of energetic, deft freshness. The finish is very special, fine, and persistent and drives home with earth and spice. I recently had a bottle with a simply prepared grilled ahi tuna with olive oil, salt and pepper (very Galician) and the wine and fish soared!

The Cellar Door will be closed this Friday September 2 for the long holiday weekend. We will return on Tuesday September 6 at 9:30 AM