3/22/19 Chateauneuf, Pinot & St-Emilion


FRIDAY SIPS
Spring Break/March Madness
Today Mar. 22 from 1:30 – 6:30
If you are in town, stop by to sample wines that we normally don’t uncork for Friday tastings.

We will also be showing the NCAA games on the TV for those who have betting or bracket interest.


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2016 LAPLAGNOTTE-BELLEVUE
SAINT-EMILION GRAND CRU
$34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE

From a long-time St-Emilion family whose winemaking and farming knowledge goes back decades, Madame Claude de Labarre bought this terrific property while she was still owner of Chateau Cheval Blanc in 1990. Joined by her son Arnaud in 1996. Terrific terroir takes hold at this estate and in 2017, the conversion to biodynamic farming was complete. In the winery, gentleness and energy are what the Labarre family are looking to achieve and with the newly arrived 2016 they have done just that with this young wine that has immense potential given the greatness of the vintage.

Plenty of St-Émilion limestone qualities on the nose along with raspberry fruit and enticing tones of espresso; authentic, flavorful and forward along with plenty of clarity, this wine provides a hell of a lot of pleasure along with deceptive backbone for aging, especially on the classically firm finish. It is not undrinkable with a good decanting; however, I would recommend putting it in the cellar for a couple more years because it will develop beautifully and do very well through 2030.



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2016 EVESHAM WOOD PINOT NOIR
'ILLAHE VINEYARD'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

Located outside of Salem, Evesham Wood, founded by Russ Raney in 1986, and over the years has established itself as the most stealth 5-star Oregon Pinot Noir producer. In 2010, Russ took retirement and sold the estate to his friend and protégé Erin Nuccio and the quality of the wines has not missed a beat, they are outrageously terrific and age extremely well. Illahe is a superb vineyard site located in the foothills of the Coast Range and is in good company. Croft & Freedom Hill are located here, but Illahe seems to deliver a bit more refinement and grace than these other illustrious sites.

Notes of wild strawberry, saffron, violet and rose pedal waft from the glass, this stunning pinot softly rolls on to your tongue but fans out with great breadth of flavor and a fine texture. Although this wine is quite accessible now, the finish is extensive with structure, grip and the stuff to age beautifully over the next 10-15 years. A real steal from one of Oregon’s finest.



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2015 BOIS DE BOURSAN
CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE
$44.99 - Pre-Arrival

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.

2015 is one of three consecutive, phenomenal vintages 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. 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 like a daube de boeuf. Drink through 2029.

We have a couple bottles to sample today....orders placed will arrive late next week or early the following week.