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95 point Barbaresco, Montalcino Special, Woodward Cab & more




2010 DOMAINE DU PESQUIER CÔTES-DU-RHÔNE
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE


Grower Côtes-du-Rhône. Hell if Champagne advocates can promote Grower Champagne, why not exalt the Rhone Valley farmers who lovingly tend their own vines and are making exquisite wines that are limited only by the land they own (in other words, not a million cases!!!). For over 15 years we have come to know the prowess and passion of the Boutiére family at Domaine du Pesquier in the village of Gigondas. With son Mathieu working alongside papa Guy, the wines have gone from superb and unknown to that of some of the finest of the village. Made from fruit hailing from the Côtes-Du-Rhône village of Sablet, there is more substance and depth than one might expect in a wine at this price.

Full-on, soulful, very autumnal version. Packed with hot-rock, blueberry, lavender, thyme, smoked meat and ample peppery tones. Well-structured, extremely provençal, red-toned and packed with depth and personality. Very real, very spicy, very long, this is Cotes-du-Rhone plus a little more! Drink now and over the next 3-4 years. I usually rock this wine with lamb, however it also works well with a steak, duck or virtually any tomato-based dish.



2012 WOODWARD CANYON "NELMS ROAD" CABERNET SAUVIGNON
$22.50 BTL./$270.00 CASE


It's hard to believe that 2012 marks the 15th vintage that this vaunted Walla Walla estate has been producing Cabernet and Merlot under the Nelms Road label. Introduced as a second label to Woodward Canyon in 1998, this cuvee of younger vine fruit from many of the same Woodward sources always provides a delicious experience that can be accessed immediately. 2012 is being touted as quite the head-turning vintage for Washington's wines and this wine will provide a terrific early-drinking opportunity while you wait for Woodward's big wines to come to fruition.

Rich vanilla and cocoa notes which are wrapped around buxom black cherry, smoky oak, cola and creamy milk chocolate which all virtually glisten the instant the wine is poured into the glass. On the palate, there is lots of style here with nice flowing dense tones, excellent weight and the typical steadfast, mouth-crawling flavors that one comes to expect in these excellent wines. Layered, forward and accessible; enjoy with a variety of beef dishes and more. Drink through 2019.



2012 BEBAME EL DORADO RED
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE


Local dude done good! Don Heistuman has been a longtime figure in the Portland wine trade. Worrking in distribution for many years, since 2009 this cat has taken upon producing a delicious red wine from California's El Dorado region in Amador County. Working alongside the legendary Steve Edmunds (he of Edmunds St. John fame) this unique red is a blast to smell and drink. 93% Cabernet Franc and 7% Gamay this wine takes its cue from the more balanced offerings from the Loire Valley versus the jammier new world versions.

Ravishingly expressive of its varietals and the land with no shortage of intensity and backbone, lots of crunchy raspberry, rosemary, red licorice and subtle cinnamon tones climb from the glass. Succulent, vibrant and full of determination, this is flavorful and not overpowering yet with no shortage of impact to go with many dishes which also include the imminent upcoming holiday fare that will be on the table.



2011 PAZO DE SEÑORANS ALBARIÑO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE


Nothing is more vibrant and palate-pleasing than Albariño. Pazo de Señorans is one of the big dogs of NW Spain and Galicia's Rias Baixas region. Progressive farming and winemaking have been here since 1988 and the wines always rank in the top echelon of Spanish whites every year. Located in the Grand Cru sector of Rias Baixas called the Val do Salnes, this wine not only reflects the grape varietal but screams out the granitic/sandy terroir quite vociferously.

Beautifully detailed, vinous aromas of granite, mandarin, lemongrass combine with wind-swept, seashore tones. In the mouth this rich, pure, unoaked offering shows serious poise and persistence with a gliding, electric, super-long finish. Full-on delicious and possessing a 92 point score from very conservative scoring, where 92 means something, International Wine Cellar, Pazo de Señorans's Albariño is a long-time Cellar Door favorite. One of the ultimate seafood wines – and with fresh crab or grilled prawns, you would be remiss in not experiencing this magical combination.



2010 IL POGGIONE ROSSO DI MONTALCINO
[reg. $29.99]
SPECIAL PRICE - $19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE


About as iconic as they come for Brunello di Montalcino, Il Poggione has been a stalwart in this area making Brunello since the 1890s about 100 years before the craze of the region ever took hold. Ultra-traditional in thought, about 15 years ago, Il Poggione toyed with making their Rosso in a more softer, suppler style. Fortunately they came to their senses and in recent vintages they have reverted back to their traditional ways of making this sturdy and structured, the style that made them most famous.

2010 is a remarkable vintage for the king of Tuscan regions and Il Poggione's Rosso di Montalcino is exuberant with red berry 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. This is a wine that is meant to be had with food, especially roasted meat dishes, pasta with sage and butter preparations and it would make a mushroom dish sing. This is a Rosso that really wants to be a Brunello and often outdoes many of its more famous Brunello brethren. Drink over the next decade.



2011 GEORGES DESCOMBES MORGON
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE


Our mothers have often told us how our generation watches too much television, especially these days with digital cable-TV, satellite-TV and Web-TV. On any given night, one could tune into the History Channel and see great battles fought throughout time. Better yet, one could tune into the NFL Network and after 10 or so beers, the golden, deep voice of John Facenda could place you in the glory days of bloody battles between the Steelers and Raiders in the 1970s. Kinda makes you wanna fight!

Why am I wanting to tackle pugilistic endeavors at this time? Mostly because it seems as though every time you mention the word Beaujolais people run away like Dracula does when he sees a clove of garlic! Georges Descombes's Morgon is what is so righteous about all the good that is occurring within Beaujolais right now. It's the farmers who are exciting and not the negociants like "Boy" Georges Duboeuf and his banana juice! From schist soils, this Cru Beaujolais wine has some serious attitude. All about minerality this broad-shouldered offering is chock full of molten steel, peat, tightly packed raspberry, graham-spice. Creamy and with an abundance of finesse, but around the edges there is plenty of Darth Vader-like grip. Newly released, Georges believes that his wines benefit from having an extra year in the bottle and we are all the better for him doing so. As we move into fall, Beaujolais is undoubtedly one of the best wines to drink the bounty of edibles that are upon us. Have it with a roasted chicken jacked with chanterelles or even grilled salmon. A real overachiever for 20 bucks!



2008 PRODUTTORI DEL BARBARESCO BARBARESCO "OVELLO" RISERVA
$49.99 BTL./$599.88 CASE


95+ POINTS – THE WINE ADVOCATE
The co-op of Produttori del Barbaresco killed it with their 2008s! A classically-structured vintage, these are definitely wines that will age impeccably and are some of the greatest expressions that I have seen emerge from them in 23 vintages of buying, selling, cellaring and drinking the wines. Ovello is prototypical Barbaresco and handsomeness is abound with this vineyard site. Always one of the top-billed, seemingly Ovello is now reaching even loftier status recently as evidenced by the stellar review from The Wine Advocate: "The Produttori's 2008 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello is a reference point wine for the village, even if, in truth, Ovello is a fairly diverse zone with many exposures. Firm, steely tannins support a core of expressive fruit in this vibrant, energetic Barbaresco. The 2008 is going to require considerable patience, but it is striking, even today. Sweet floral notes reappear on the vivid, utterly breathtaking finish, adding lift, precision and vibrancy. This is a stunning wine from the Produttori. The style is built on tension, energy and focus; in other words, all the qualities Ovello is known for. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2048. – 95 POINTS, THE WINE ADVOCATE"



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