Friday Sips
FRIDAY SIPS
Summer Seamless & Themeless Tasting
Today August 23 from 1:30 - 6:30
Summer Seamless & Themeless Tasting
Today August 23 from 1:30 - 6:30
Four delicious offerings spanning the globe today. New Cru Beaujolais arrival, Rioja, an Oregon white & Sancerre Rose
2017 TERRIERE BROUILLY
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Since taking leadership of his family’s estate, Gregory Barbet and Chateau de la Terriere have been on quite a roll. This estate produces fabulous wines in Moulin-A-Vent as well as Regnie but if there is a specialty of the house, it would have to be Brouilly. 2017 for Cru Beaujolais is a small quantity but epic quality vintage that possesses broad fruit that is balanced by detail, mineral and ample structure.
Supreme sensuality is evident as soon as the wine is poured into the glass. Creamy raspberry fruit shines along with nutmeg and graham from the granitic soils. As it unfurls, mineral, peat and pepper arrive. A very mouth filling, chewy core that is very poised and succulent with engaging red earth on the layered, lifting, long finish. Beautiful now but will develop well for another six-7 years.
Supreme sensuality is evident as soon as the wine is poured into the glass. Creamy raspberry fruit shines along with nutmeg and graham from the granitic soils. As it unfurls, mineral, peat and pepper arrive. A very mouth filling, chewy core that is very poised and succulent with engaging red earth on the layered, lifting, long finish. Beautiful now but will develop well for another six-7 years.
2018 PIERRE RIFFAULT
SANCERRE ROSE
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
SANCERRE ROSE
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
Third generation winemaker Bertrand Riffault looks as though he would fit in perfectly with a band like Mastodon with the hair and beard. Don’t be fooled, this cat is well versed in many subjects including sociology and wine as well as music, cooking, etc. All of these seem to be reflected in this small Sancerre estate’s wines.
From the village of Verdigny and based around white chalky-clay and limestone with gravelly bits in the soil, this small production Rose has been one of the surprises of the season. 100% Pinot Noir and possessing prominent scents of raspberry and hawthorn along with underlying minerality and fine herbs. Vinous yet very poised texture, not only is this a pleasurable Rose, it also takes on a serious tone that will allow it to pair with a variety of cuisines. In the mouth, there is lots of movement, depth and complexity with a very expressive, illuminating finish that pleasantly lasts for minutes after the wine is swallowed. If you are a fan of the finest rose wines, then this one will be a must-have. Try this one with grilled tuna or swordfish.
From the village of Verdigny and based around white chalky-clay and limestone with gravelly bits in the soil, this small production Rose has been one of the surprises of the season. 100% Pinot Noir and possessing prominent scents of raspberry and hawthorn along with underlying minerality and fine herbs. Vinous yet very poised texture, not only is this a pleasurable Rose, it also takes on a serious tone that will allow it to pair with a variety of cuisines. In the mouth, there is lots of movement, depth and complexity with a very expressive, illuminating finish that pleasantly lasts for minutes after the wine is swallowed. If you are a fan of the finest rose wines, then this one will be a must-have. Try this one with grilled tuna or swordfish.
2018 BOW & ARROW MELON
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
For me, this is one the most exciting under $20 dry white wines in Oregon. Scott Frank worked at Cameron for 4 years and he takes his cue by specializing in wines other than Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Melon is the grape from the area around Nantes, specifically the Muscadet region and this Oregon version is ripping and chock full of radiance.
When Bow & Arrow owner/winemaker Scott Frank presented his Melon earlier this month it impressed upon me the importance of the iconic British heavy metal band Iron Maiden. Serendipitous things often do happen and late that particular evening after coming home mildly merde-faced after an evening with Don Julio’s 70-year-old tequila, I turned on VH1 Classic and saw their iconic video for the song "Run To The Hills". While writing this when Scott delivered the wines, I also discovered that it is his favorite Maiden track. What does this have to do with Melon you ask? Not so much except that it will definitely get you loaded if you drink enough and the character in general is as whimsical as the video and name of the wine: it's akin to being shot in the ass with an arrow!! Commencing with minerally scents and undertones of flint, this pale white then draws more complexity from lemongrass, melon and lime tones for enhancement. Brisk and mouthwatering on the palate with fine intensity and length, this is a wonderful match for a plate of freshly shucked northwest oysters – but you all knew that anyway.
When Bow & Arrow owner/winemaker Scott Frank presented his Melon earlier this month it impressed upon me the importance of the iconic British heavy metal band Iron Maiden. Serendipitous things often do happen and late that particular evening after coming home mildly merde-faced after an evening with Don Julio’s 70-year-old tequila, I turned on VH1 Classic and saw their iconic video for the song "Run To The Hills". While writing this when Scott delivered the wines, I also discovered that it is his favorite Maiden track. What does this have to do with Melon you ask? Not so much except that it will definitely get you loaded if you drink enough and the character in general is as whimsical as the video and name of the wine: it's akin to being shot in the ass with an arrow!! Commencing with minerally scents and undertones of flint, this pale white then draws more complexity from lemongrass, melon and lime tones for enhancement. Brisk and mouthwatering on the palate with fine intensity and length, this is a wonderful match for a plate of freshly shucked northwest oysters – but you all knew that anyway.
2011 LA RIOJA ALTA
RIOJA RESERVA ‘VINA ALBERDI’
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
RIOJA RESERVA ‘VINA ALBERDI’
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
Non-compromising, what makes Rioja icon La Rioja Alta so unique and special is just how many wonderful wines they produce from top to bottom and due to the fact they make wine for themselves, never straying from their passion for the great tradition of Rioja. Vina Alberdi is the essence of classic blending of vineyards and then aging for two years in barrel. 2011 is a warm but very exciting year for this wine and if you want to experience the finest from Rioja, then this is one that should be in your glass.
100% Tempranillo, this formidable Rioja maintains all of the depth and class that one finds in these great wines. Do not be fooled into thinking this is just class alone, the quality of vineyards and vintage allow it to possess plenty of punch, spine and glorious aromas of dried cherries, spice and leather that open to a mouth full of cherry, plum and herb flavors. Cutting a sleek, handsome profile with fine balance, it finishes long and dry, with well-defined, earth accents. Drink now - 2030. If you like scores, this has 94 from jamessuckling.com.
100% Tempranillo, this formidable Rioja maintains all of the depth and class that one finds in these great wines. Do not be fooled into thinking this is just class alone, the quality of vineyards and vintage allow it to possess plenty of punch, spine and glorious aromas of dried cherries, spice and leather that open to a mouth full of cherry, plum and herb flavors. Cutting a sleek, handsome profile with fine balance, it finishes long and dry, with well-defined, earth accents. Drink now - 2030. If you like scores, this has 94 from jamessuckling.com.
