Friday Sips

Don't take the schist for granted. One can often use this phrase when it comes to the Languedoc wines of St-Chinian but the reality of the appellation's situation is that is much more complex when it comes to terroirs. Domaine La Madura is one of this underrated appellation's exciting producers who owns varying terroirs in various plots. Sandstone, limestone, clay, galets blancs and of course schist drive this hearty red blend and we're all the better for it.

34% Grenache, 31% Carignan, 15% Mourvedre & 17% Syrah, this classic Mediterranean blend has impeccable appeal along with a merde-load of soul which brings together richness, concentration and power with alluring lavender, thyme, anise and African spice components that could not be mistaken as being from anywhere but Southern France. The pure, energetic and concentrated texture show darkness from Syrah and Mourvedre which interact exquisitely with the high tones of the Carignan and Grenache, this wine will make any roasted/grilled meat dish sing and make you do cartwheels. Drink over the next 4-6 years

Oh, Mon Dieu! We're talking Oregon wine deliciousness in a glass. Yes, Walter Scott's 2013 single vineyard Pinot Blanc from the Eola-Amity appellation is some kind of sexy! Brilliant, shimmering pale green color with a diamond-like appeal, one might think we're talking about only wearing the white dress or flip-flops after Memorial Day.

Harmonious nuances of very fine fruit including apples and nectarine sing like a church soloist from the glass. Resounding and clear with finely-tuned minerality on the nose leading to brisk, palate-sweeping, sculpted middleweight Pinot Blanc flavors which finish with both succulence and electricity. And the envelope, please – Walter Scott's "Crannell Vineyard" Pinot Blanc wins the Best Wine So Far in 2014 to pair with smoked salmon.

In the simplest of terms, Luca Currado's La Crena Barbera is of Grand Cru quality – and that's not hyperbole, it's all fact! Having been working with this wine since its inaugural vintage in 1996, we've seen the standard that Luca has set not only with its early appeal but also its uncanny ability to age. Located in the Nizza zone of Piedmont's Asti zone, the vines for La Crena were planted in 1932 and these ancient vines deliver complexity, dimension and an all-around cerebral quality to what goes into the bottle. Combine vines, soil, top farming and winemaking with an epic vintage like 2010 and you have a perfect storm a-brewin'!

Profound Barbera, this wine is smooth like mayonnaise! Deep, alluring and integrated all while showing typical Asti red-earth traits along with sheer intensity of the fruit that comes from these old vines; ardent and symphonic, the La Crena runs the gamut of complexity from blackberry fruit and rose petal to subtle chocolate and mineral tones. The finish is super-long, touches all points of the palate and threatens to break just about any stopwatch. Ultra-sexy now and will continue to develop and drink well through 2023, enjoy it with hearty meat dishes or risotto. You will be very hard-pressed to find another Barbera D'Asti experience such as this, big kudos to our great friend Luca for making a wine so broad, so complex and that delivers so much enjoyment!