4/5/19 Cameron Pinot Noir, French Syrah & more
FRIDAY SIPS
Drop By To Taste Today April 5 from 1:30 - 6:00
(note shorter finish time)
Drop By To Taste Today April 5 from 1:30 - 6:00
(note shorter finish time)
New Arrivals - Cameron Pinot Noir, Syrah, Montalcino
2017 CAMERON PINOT NOIR
RIBBON RIDGE
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE - LIMITED!
RIBBON RIDGE
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE - LIMITED!
Known more for Dundee Hills wines, the Ribbon Ridge cuvee is a version of Cameron, which injects John Paul’s energetic excitement to a very different terroir. The Ribbon Ridge area is known for full fruit wines and Cameron’s 2017 certainly possesses a nice core. It also reveals a gentleness and stylish, silky quality along with 12.9% alcohol.
A true Pinot-lovers Pinot, this wine will marvel, astound and age nicely. Graceful and pure with fine aromas of red flowers, blackberries, herbs and spice, dominate the cerebral, perfumy nose. Stylish, lacey and velvety with a strong underlying backbone that will hold up to aging. The finish extends, seduces and never flows outside its borders. A true classic, this Oregon Pinot Noir will delight with mushroom-based dishes, fowl, or grilled salmon for the next 5-7 years. Don’t delay, Cameron wines always sell out in quick fashion. I have a couple of sample bottles to show today, when they are gone, they’re gone.
A true Pinot-lovers Pinot, this wine will marvel, astound and age nicely. Graceful and pure with fine aromas of red flowers, blackberries, herbs and spice, dominate the cerebral, perfumy nose. Stylish, lacey and velvety with a strong underlying backbone that will hold up to aging. The finish extends, seduces and never flows outside its borders. A true classic, this Oregon Pinot Noir will delight with mushroom-based dishes, fowl, or grilled salmon for the next 5-7 years. Don’t delay, Cameron wines always sell out in quick fashion. I have a couple of sample bottles to show today, when they are gone, they’re gone.
2016 CHAMBEYRON SYRAH
'CUVEE CLARA'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
'CUVEE CLARA'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
There have been Chambeyrons farming in the area in and around Cote-Rotie since the late 1800s but it wasn’t until 1977 that the family gave up planting apricots, cherries and tobacco, which before that time were much more lucrative than grapes. Bernard Chambeyron’s uncle Marius was quite a maverick doing grapes well before 77 but as time progressed, Bernard and his papa Maurice decided to venture into winemaking planting plots in some of the most prized single vineyards in Cote-Rotie and Condrieu. Now joined by son Mathieu, these wines are hidden gems in this small area and are exceptional values.
The Syrah is from plots just outside the border of Cote-Rotie, specifically just above the Chavaroche lieu dit (50 year old vines) and another from the plateau above the appellation (30 year old vines). A handsome effort, the 2016 delivers aromas of plum, raspberry, rotí, black olive and plenty of cracked pepper. Refined and polished in the mouth with ripe plum and lush, dry-rub spice flavors. The influence of the hallowed Cote-Rotie area is ever present, especially on the shimmering, mouth-coating, finesseful finish. Have this wine with Mediterranean fare or just about anything tossed on the grill. Drinkable now but will also age nicely for 5-7 more years as well.
The Syrah is from plots just outside the border of Cote-Rotie, specifically just above the Chavaroche lieu dit (50 year old vines) and another from the plateau above the appellation (30 year old vines). A handsome effort, the 2016 delivers aromas of plum, raspberry, rotí, black olive and plenty of cracked pepper. Refined and polished in the mouth with ripe plum and lush, dry-rub spice flavors. The influence of the hallowed Cote-Rotie area is ever present, especially on the shimmering, mouth-coating, finesseful finish. Have this wine with Mediterranean fare or just about anything tossed on the grill. Drinkable now but will also age nicely for 5-7 more years as well.
2016 AGOSTINA PIERI
ROSSO DI MONTALCINO
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
ROSSO DI MONTALCINO
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
Small but mighty, the young Montalcino estate of Agostina Pieri initially created a frenzy when they were awarded Gambero Rosso’s vaunted Tre Bicchieri Award for their ROSSO! They were the first ever to do so thus becoming known as specialists for this category. Located in Castelnuovo dell’Abate, well actually just outside and somewhat between Caprili and Col D’Orcia, the newly arrived 2016 is one formidable Rosso di Montalcino, especially for the price point.
2016 is a remarkable vintage for the king of Tuscan regions and Agostina Pieri’s Rosso di Montalcino is exuberant with cherry and blackberry fruit, roasted sage, violet and rich earth notes. There is a beautiful note of purity once this wine hits the mouth, with a core of ripe cherry, Tuscan roasted herbs and fine tannins that are both ripe and yet add a beautiful frame for the rich and Montalcino decadence to sit upon. The Tuscan herbs arrive late on the finish, which by the way, seems to persist for days. While not undrinkable as a nice glass of Italian wine, it really wants food, especially roasted meat dishes, pasta with sage and butter preparations and it would make a pork loin and mushroom dish sing. This is Rosso that really wants to be Brunello. Drink over the next decade.
2016 is a remarkable vintage for the king of Tuscan regions and Agostina Pieri’s Rosso di Montalcino is exuberant with cherry and blackberry fruit, roasted sage, violet and rich earth notes. There is a beautiful note of purity once this wine hits the mouth, with a core of ripe cherry, Tuscan roasted herbs and fine tannins that are both ripe and yet add a beautiful frame for the rich and Montalcino decadence to sit upon. The Tuscan herbs arrive late on the finish, which by the way, seems to persist for days. While not undrinkable as a nice glass of Italian wine, it really wants food, especially roasted meat dishes, pasta with sage and butter preparations and it would make a pork loin and mushroom dish sing. This is Rosso that really wants to be Brunello. Drink over the next decade.
2016 RAUL PEREZ BIERZO BLANCO
'ULTREIA' GODELLO
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
'ULTREIA' GODELLO
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
One of the real good guys in the wine world and along with the Palacios family, Raul Perez has been a force since the initial explosion of Bierzo nearly 20 years ago. He is not only a generous soul; he is also one of the leaders for change in the area. The white Bierzo (yes, small amounts of white wine are produced here) is a new wine from Perez and was without a doubt, the most compelling white wine I tasted this past month.
Made from 100% Godello, this takes this grape to another level. Being from Bierzo there is definitely some body and depth but the natural electricity of the grape shouts and zings. Pink grapefruit, mango and prominent slate-driven wet chalkboard scents follow through to a palate coating texture with ample verve, vibrancy and cut. Grab some swordfish, tuna or fresh Chinook salmon and toss it on the grill, this will enhance it even further. Drink this killer through 2022.
Made from 100% Godello, this takes this grape to another level. Being from Bierzo there is definitely some body and depth but the natural electricity of the grape shouts and zings. Pink grapefruit, mango and prominent slate-driven wet chalkboard scents follow through to a palate coating texture with ample verve, vibrancy and cut. Grab some swordfish, tuna or fresh Chinook salmon and toss it on the grill, this will enhance it even further. Drink this killer through 2022.
