9/8/17 PINOT NOIR - Cellar Door's Friday Sips
FRIDAY SIPS
Bryan's Pinot Posse
Today September 8 from 1:30 - 6:30
Bryan's Pinot Posse
Today September 8 from 1:30 - 6:30
Drop by today to taste four wines made from the Prolific Pinot Noir grape. Oregon, Washington, Burgundy and the Loire valley will all be highlighted.
2016 WALTER SCOTT PINOT NOIR
'LA COMBE VERTE'
$24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE
'LA COMBE VERTE'
$24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE
No longer can we call Walter Scott a rising star, this Eola-Amity based winery is now an established star. Another statement we should never make is to merely refer to their La Combe Verte as merely an entry wine, think of it as a village level wine in Burgundy blended from various excellent vineyard sites.
2016 is promising to be a superb vintage. Yes, it was warm but the diurnal swings in nighttime temperature helped to make wines of depth, complexity, finesse and structure. Made from a blend of five vineyards including Justice, Sojourner and Freedom Hill, this wine exudes class. Smoked plum, cinnamon, turned earth and hints of licorice shine and impressively penetrate the olfactory senses. Layered and possessing some power, the polished and refined texture is extensive and with the structure and grip submerged. The wine immediately says, "drink me," but with its length and underlying backbone, it can age very well.
2016 is promising to be a superb vintage. Yes, it was warm but the diurnal swings in nighttime temperature helped to make wines of depth, complexity, finesse and structure. Made from a blend of five vineyards including Justice, Sojourner and Freedom Hill, this wine exudes class. Smoked plum, cinnamon, turned earth and hints of licorice shine and impressively penetrate the olfactory senses. Layered and possessing some power, the polished and refined texture is extensive and with the structure and grip submerged. The wine immediately says, "drink me," but with its length and underlying backbone, it can age very well.
2014 DOMAINE COLLOTTE FIXIN
'CRAIS DE CHENE'
[reg. $51.99] SPECIAL - drop by today for price
'CRAIS DE CHENE'
[reg. $51.99] SPECIAL - drop by today for price
Located just north of Gevrey-Chambertin and before you hit Marsannay, the small village of Fixin has always been somewhat of a mysterious entity when it comes to red Burgundy. There are producers in both of the more famous surrounding villages that utilize the fruit of Fixin and make beautiful wines, but these are Pinot Noirs from France that are seen in copious quantities.
Domaine Collotte is based in Marsannay and over the last couple of years; I have come to really admire this Domaine for the quality that they deliver for modest pricing. The wines of Fixin always have a certain masculinity to them. Crais de Chene is a lieu dit vineyard that is situated in the heart of this small appellation right above the Route de Grands Crus. Philippe Collotte’s parcel quite special and the vines are 40+ years old.
Combining aromatic aspects of violet, licorice, currant, blackberry, earth and subtle nutmeg tones from 30% use of new oak, there is an element of sensuality to this handsome, sturdy French Pinot Noir. A wine that wraps around the palate and highlights the region’s darker fruit profile before brightening on the vinous, structured, long finish. A terrific Burgundy that has youth to it now but will age nicely for a decade.
Domaine Collotte is based in Marsannay and over the last couple of years; I have come to really admire this Domaine for the quality that they deliver for modest pricing. The wines of Fixin always have a certain masculinity to them. Crais de Chene is a lieu dit vineyard that is situated in the heart of this small appellation right above the Route de Grands Crus. Philippe Collotte’s parcel quite special and the vines are 40+ years old.
Combining aromatic aspects of violet, licorice, currant, blackberry, earth and subtle nutmeg tones from 30% use of new oak, there is an element of sensuality to this handsome, sturdy French Pinot Noir. A wine that wraps around the palate and highlights the region’s darker fruit profile before brightening on the vinous, structured, long finish. A terrific Burgundy that has youth to it now but will age nicely for a decade.
2014 ANALEMMA PINOT NOIR
'OAK RIDGE VINEYARD'
$31.99 BTL./$383.88 CASE
'OAK RIDGE VINEYARD'
$31.99 BTL./$383.88 CASE
Not a whole lot of Pinot Noir ever makes its way from Washington but Mosier-based Analemma puts out very engaging, intriguing and alluring offerings from their sources on the Washington side of the Columbia Gorge. We have enjoyed the wines from Analemma, particularly their Gewurtraminer, Chardonnay and Sparkling wines and we thought it was time to introduce you to a very individual and fine take on Pinot Noir from an area not nearly as known for the grape.
Smoked Italian plum fruit leads the way with plenty of detailed earth tones along with a real snappy aspect. Lithe, lacy and building depth as it rolls towards the back of the mouth, finishing up with an earthy twang on the high-toned, drawn out finish. A very lovely expression of Pinot Noir and one that defies stereotypes. Enjoy this wine with a dish that features mushroom flavors.
Smoked Italian plum fruit leads the way with plenty of detailed earth tones along with a real snappy aspect. Lithe, lacy and building depth as it rolls towards the back of the mouth, finishing up with an earthy twang on the high-toned, drawn out finish. A very lovely expression of Pinot Noir and one that defies stereotypes. Enjoy this wine with a dish that features mushroom flavors.
2016 BOULAY SANCERRE ROSE
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
Entrenched firmly and proudly in the Grand Cru Sancerre village of Chavignol, Domaine Boulay can trace its presence in this village back to 1380. Along with neighbors such as Vatan and Cotat, Boulay proves that Chavignol are way beyond what many see as Sancerre. Of course, Boulay specializes in white wines but he also happens to make a superb Rose done via direct press. A mere 200 cases of this offering are produced and the Pinot Noir utilized isn’t declassified young vines or a mere throwaway from the Rouge, these are grapes that are meant to be Rose and the results are always impressive.
An abundance of intense aromas of raspberry, broom and strawberries march directly into a lively attack with nice body and reinforcing freshness. The perfect maturity of the pinot noir grapes give a succulent and gorgeous fruity character but the overriding minerality of Sancerre takes over as the wine sits in the glass. As soon as you taste this, one sees that Monsieur Boulay gives this wine as much love as his revered and more expensive single Cru white wines! Quite a serious pink wine that deserves the same attention as any great Sancerre Blanc. Drink it with grilled salmon or other fish dishes.
An abundance of intense aromas of raspberry, broom and strawberries march directly into a lively attack with nice body and reinforcing freshness. The perfect maturity of the pinot noir grapes give a succulent and gorgeous fruity character but the overriding minerality of Sancerre takes over as the wine sits in the glass. As soon as you taste this, one sees that Monsieur Boulay gives this wine as much love as his revered and more expensive single Cru white wines! Quite a serious pink wine that deserves the same attention as any great Sancerre Blanc. Drink it with grilled salmon or other fish dishes.
