Friday Sips

We always preach the Champagne gospel here at The Cellar Door. Not everyone listens to the full sermon because we also rail against poorly made fizz from the hallowed Champagne region. Truth be told, we would much rather drink an exquisitely made sparkling wine from another area than drink a non-descript, uninspired shallow Champagne that will set you back $40.

François Pinon is an ex-child psychologist who returned to the family Domaine and set about to produce pure wines that offer alluring expressions of terroir. Making wines in all ranges, one of the real gems of this cellar is his sparkling Vouvray. 100% Chenin Blanc, this flavorful, dry sparkler possesses a frothy mousse along with aromas and flavors of lemon, bright quince, yellow apple and subtle chalk and biscuit. The length is extraordinary for fizz from this appellation. Drink an abundance of this jumping grape as an aperitif, with Ceviche, or sushi.

What famed Champagne house Billecart-Salmon is doing is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Having changed focus at the turn of the millennium by considerably lowering production and almost taking on a grower's mentality, this house is now producing wines in a much more that are made in a terroir-driven, richly layered but elegant style. More dimension and less focus on their former fruit-driven style, which was always good , however now these wines are even more outstanding.

The petite, elegant mousse tells a lot about the quality of this impressive Champagne. It is quite full in style, with flavors of white currants, white chocolate, brioche and a rich, firmly-dry and achingly beautiful long aftertaste. It is a perfect food Champagne, with structure, depth and a good tension between richness and elegance. Champagne-lovers take note, if you haven't had Billecart in a while, you owe it to yourself to re-visit or try it if you haven't had it before. Frankly I find it all too difficult to convey my excitement for not only this wine on an e-mail blast. You want some of this!!

A blend of fabulous Dundee Hills Vineyard sites, this cuvee shows off Jay's philosophy and his true roots from when he originally started back in the day when he worked at Cameron. The new 2012 is absolute essence of what Dundee Hills brings.

Aromatic, finely detailed, lovely combo of violet, plum, jasmine and lavender. Silk-laden, very mouth-crawling, sultry pinot palate. Really fans out on the finish which reveals lots of length and immense potential. Truly one of Oregon's most decorated and top-level producers and in a vintage like 2012 it is easy to see why!! Drink over the next 10-12 years.