2020 TRIMBACH RIESLING
[reg. $27.99]
SPECIAL - $16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE

Trimbach is the epitome of Alsace's DRY wines. After drinking a bottle of the 2020 it made me remember why I love the dry wines of Alsace so much. Trends change and with Alsace going through a herd of sugar hunters in the 90s and 00s, Trimbach continued and continues their path of terroir-driven wines that are dry and carry beautifully to the dinner table. Interestingly enough, the latest young generation of Alsace producers now refer to wines, as this as reference points and the region seems to be moving back toward a drier and more crystalline style. Typical of a Trimbach Riesling, this wine shows essence of nervosity and focus of origin. Loads of movement and energy with diamond-crystal stoniness, pine and freshly- squeezed lemon. The texture is exactly what the nose would lead you on with; sort of like drinking diamonds! Striking, nervy and very minerally…and yes, bone dry! The finish is very wiry and long. Impressive material here, this will work with sausage, pork, halibut, oysters or mussels in very pure forms. Drink it now through 2027.

2021 SPICERACK SYRAH 'SONOMA'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Known in Oregon for their Forager Pinot Noir, Scenic Root Winegrowers' initial renown came from California. Spicerack is a love letter to Sonoma Syrah and the 2021 is entirely from the Dry Creek Valley and is super affordable.

Blackberry, underlying currant and cherry, dusty earth tones, mint and freshly ground black pepper shine on the nose. Dark, sultry and all about texture in the mouth, this stylish red is layered with lots of movement and various complex flavor profiles. Drawn-out, lingering and possessing excellent substance on the back end enjoy this Sonoma Syrah over the next 3-4 years with a variety of cuisines.

2021 BLACK SLATE PRIORAT
'CELLER CELILO GRATALLOPS'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

The Black Slate line of wines are cool and affable from one of Spain's great regions that's known more its luxury wines that sell well above 26 bucks. The Gratallops is done by Celler Cecilio and is specifically from the high-elevation village of Gratallops is a deep, haunting red from black slate soils.

Mainly Grenache with dollops of Carignan and Syrah, the 2021 is smooth, graceful and large-framed; it reveals plum, lavender, black cherry, slate and cinnamon tones that follow into a texture that is voluptuous and substantial. Plenty of lift and structure allows it never to be cloying; it also clings to the palate in a pleasant manner well after the wine is swallowed. Very enjoyable now with an herb-crusted, roasted or grilled pork dish, however it ages impeccably and this one will drink and develop nicely through 2029.

2020 GAROFOLI ROSSO CONERO
'PIANCARDA'
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE

As wonderful as Garofoli’s Verdicchio-laden white wines are, the red wines are equally as formidable. The best way that I can describe these very individualistic wines is that they are poetic animals. Piancarda is the first of two Rosso Conero wines and is always a stupendous value.

Made with 100% of the Montepulciano grape, this wine is dark, haunting and nothing like its Abruzzo brethren. Soil and sea play a tremendous role with this wine and enhance the very authentic fruit that the Garofoli family always obtains. Elusive with perpetual movement, constantly rolling in different, alluring directions each time you draw it to the nose. Piquant, graceful, classy with impressive palate coverage and extension. Creamy, generous and genuine, the previously mentioned soil and sea really play their roles to perfection in concert with the fruit. The darkness and wildness of the Montepulciano is offset nicely by the tanginess and salinity of the terroir. One to drink over the next 4-5 years with a classic minestrone or roasted pork loin slathered in Italian herbs.

2020 THE WALLS STANLEY GROOVY RED
RED MOUNTAIN
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

Nothing ever stays the same and wine regions are constantly evolving. The Walls emerged on the Walla Walla wine scene and not only made quite a splash with their name (a tongue in cheek, contradictory nod to the concrete mama, Walla Walla Prison) but more importantly with their fabulous wines.

It takes a whole lot of cojones to make a blend such as this, with these grapes from the Red Mountain. 43% Touriga Nacional, 15% Tempranillo, 10% Souzao, 10% Tinta Cao, and the rest Syrah, Grenache, Cabernet, and Counoise this Portuguese-inspired red wines has been one of my recent faves from this area. Hearty aromas of pronounced chocolate-covered strawberry co-exist handsomely with Moroccan spice, finely placed oak and sneaky minerality. Bountiful and very stylish flavors captivate the palate with an almost-Italian plum-like quality before advancing through to the arousing finish that brings it all home. Enjoy over the next 6-8 years.

2019 CHATEAU LALANDE SAINT-JULIEN
$35.99 BTL./$431.88 CASE

Chateau Lalande is a small St-Julien property that is one of the rare, non-classified Chateau. Owned by the Meffre family who own Chateau Du Glana and Chateau Bellevue, this estate sits in Beychevelle-St-Julien and is contiguous to the Chateau and the wine is a remarkable, well-defined Bordeaux value indeed.

55% Cabernet Sauvignon 45% Merlot, the great 2019 really goes towards the darker fruit side of St-Julien possessing full-on aromas with penetrating depth and personality. Blackberry, cherry, violet, gravel and prominent cedarbox scents prevail. In the mouth, it is concentrated, layered, yet youthfully streamlined. With its full core of depth and fruit, this wine can be accessed but we recommend decanting about an hour before drinking. Packed, persistent and impressive, sit down to a good meal and enjoy this Bordeaux over the next 10-12 years.

2022 BONNY DOON PICPOUL
CENTRAL COAST
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

91 Points - Wine Enthusiast Magazine...The new 2022 Bonny Doon Picpoul is on the scene and ready to make a hell of a white wine drinking impact. A California version of a Languedoc grape aromatic, gushing aromas of lime, sea salt and peach mesh into an explosive and brisk texture.

It is truly one of those great wines to keep around the house and at 13.99 per bottle, you can sit it, slurp it, cook with it or shower with it. Although you may be fired from your job if you take this advice then post it on the internet because at 10.5% alcohol, the consumption of multiple bottles will cause such merriment.

202O CHERON GEVREY-CHAMBERTIN
'LES SEUVREES'
[reg. $89.99] SPECIAL - $69.99 BTL./$419.94 - SIX PK

Philippe Cheron is rocking it big time with his lineup of top-drawer Cotes-de-Nuits wines. These are a real joy and undiscovered gems because these days, finding top wines, especially Premiers Crus and single vineyards from Gevrey, Vosne-Romanee and Chambolle under 100-bucks are virtually unheard of. The British press is really taking notice and I am sure the US wine hack writers will soon follow. This vineyard located in southern portion of Gevrey-Chambertin just below Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru.

Streamlined with aromatic burst. Sensual spice and developing cinnamon. Lacy, but dense fruit, indicative of plush, powerful, but debonair and quite profound 2020 vintage. Sleek, silky entry and with much more red flavors than the black fruit dominated nose lets on. Youthful and yet exuberant, deep and attractive now with killer extension, but there is more story to come…Hold this until 2025 and drink through 2035. Very limited supply, if you love Burgundy, get in touch with us.

2019 COL D'ORCIA
ROSSO DI MONTALCINO
[reg. $28.99]
SPECIAL - $17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE

91 Points – Vinous…One of the epic producers in Montalcino not only scores a touchdown, it spikes the ball and does a dance with its quality. I can just see the Count Cinzano, owner of Col D’Orcia doing this after he tasted this wine for the first time!

The 2019 Rosso is scrumptious 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 decadent fruit which sits above all else. This Rosso has Brunello sass and moxie and is even better with food, particularly slow-roasted meat dishes, pasta with sage and butter preparations and it will make a meatball/tomato dish sing.

2021 FORAGER PINOT NOIR
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE

Forager is from the Scenic Root Winegrowers who produce wine in Beaujolais, Sonoma, and for about a decade, here in Oregon. Everyone wants to find that delicious Pinot for twenty but lately that is more akin to seeing or hearing a new D'Angelo album. Forager is quite an exception.

From a blend of Yamhill-Carlton and Tualatin Hills fruit and aged 30% in new French barrels, this forward pinot noir has racy acidity and a nice core of fruit to back it up. Vivid, luminous texture with a finish, which has more extension than the nose or frontal attack, lets on. Quite lovely and easy to like. Very true to the varietal and not for those who like Pinot to taste like alcoholic Cabernet Sauvignon. An easy-drink Pinot to be enjoyed over the next 3-4 years.

2020 JM REVERDY SANCERRE ROUGE
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

After highlighting Oregon, it is time to take you on a very different Pinot Noir excursion. Mais oui Jean Pierre et Marie-Claire, they do make RED Sancerre and it is 100% Pinot Noir. A Cellar Door favorite Sancerre, JM Reverdy makes terrific wine across the board and delivers quite a sneaky, yet very different type of red.

One thing this wine does not need is some PR idiot promoting some conjured up, embellished romantic "story" about the new age of Sancerre Rouge. If you want to be seduced by top-notch terroir and winemaking craft, just open a bottle and the aromas and flavors will do all the talking for you. Luminous and aromatic, this cool climate red hijacks all of the senses needed to appreciate and love this wine that comes from varying soils of silex, clay, limestone, gravel and flint. Kisses of herbs and spices, scintillating cranberry/cherry pit, violet, anise and emerging dark berries play off stellar smoke, herbs and cinnamon aspects. Somewhat of a ballerina in drag, cool red flavors are enhanced by sculpted mineral acidity. Certainly not an oak bomb, this can age...but given its open knit quality, why not grab some and enjoy it with the holiday turkey.

2020 CELLER DE ROURE
VALENCIA TINTO 'VERMELL'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Winning the prize for this week's most esoteric selection on the sheet is this red from Valencia. The grape of choice here is Garnacha Tintorera, a nineteenth century French crossing of Grenache and Aramon Noir that made its way south into Spain and Portugal. The other 30% is from Mando, which brings about brightness and succulence offsetting the darkness of the Tintorera.

Wonderfully put together aromas of blackcurrant, strawberry, laurel and licorice shine on the nose and lead into a texture that is both handsome and tenacious all at once. Transparent, vibrant and complex with a finish that has superb snap-back and length. Have with anything ranging from paella to pork chops.

2019 POLLARD CABERNET FRANC
YAKIMA VALLEY
$34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE

A Yakima Valley Cabernet Franc from Robin Pollard’s own vineyard and made by her partner, Andrew Will founder and legend Chris Camarda, this wine soars with purity and class.

An ambrosial expression of the varietal, it coats the palate with velvety dark plum, raspberry, Italian herbs and spices and chocolate covered raspberry. What is most notable is that while this is quite a decadent wine, it shows great balance and restraint with polished tannins and brightness that holds your full attention. Beautiful to drink now and through 2031. Try it with braised short ribs with a tangy sauce.

2019 CHATEAU FAGE
GRAVES DE VAYRES ROUGE
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE

The obscure region of Graves de Vayres has nothing to do with the more famous Graves region that is home to Haut Brion. This small area sits across from Fronsac and Pomerol with gravel soils that differentiate it from the surrounding Entre-Deux-Mers wines. We highlighted this Chateau's white a few weeks back and this week we are featuring their tasty red wine.

Merlot and Cabernet lead but with a noticeable presence of Petit Verdot and Malbec, this poised and personable Bordeaux has a telltale right bank Bordeaux nose of ironstone, raspberry, espresso and sandalwood. Elegant, sophisticated beyond its price tag and chock full of grace, terroir and a dry, austere, spiced-earth finish. A wonderful match with duck breast or a lamb chops.

2021 CAMERON CHARDONNAY
CLOS ELECTRIQUE
$74.99 BTL./$449.94 - SIX PACK

When it comes to Oregon Chardonnay, John Paul is on the Rushmore of great and influential producers. Clos Electrique Blanc is made from rare clones planted in the early eighties.

Aged two years in barrel (none new) 2021 is like taking a stroll through Chassagne-Montrachet, particularly a site like Maltroie. Honey, lemon brioche, blood orange and so much more shimmers from the glass. Expansive, broad but almost taking its cue from the name of the site, electric acidity. Lots of zing and power but as always ample balance and superb persistence. One of the finest ever produced. Will drink and age easily through 2034.

2019 DOSIO BAROLO 'LA MORRA'
$39.99 BTL./$239.94 - SIX PACK

In existence since 1974, Dosio has always been a fine producer but a rebirth in 2010 with new owners has taken this excellent La Morra estate to another level. Best of all, the prices are absurdly excellent, mostly given to direct relationship without any middle tier national importer.

The La Morra cuvee is essence of this particular village that is home to the likes of Ratti, Voerzio and Marcarini. La Morra is about beautiful Barolo and this particular offering comes from the more clay rich soils that Dosio owns in the Serradenari Cru. There is a superb voluptuousness and early expressive aspect to this wine but it will also age nicely. Intensely aromatic, this Barolo is telltale of its place with perfumed rose petal and red licorice tones. A sultry beast and lurking beneath are aspects of dense clay, asphalt, chocolate licorice and a deep core of red fruit. Wonderfully intense in the mouth with fine structure, this classy Barolo is marked by gorgeous mouthfilling flavors that carry over seamlessly from the nose. Hold for another year then drink through 2033+.

2015 DOSIO BAROLO 'FOSSATI'
$59.99 BTL./$359.94 - SIX PACK

When I visited Dosio in April, I flipped over the quality and accessibility of this wine. When I was told that it was on its way to Portland, I damn near did a cartwheel! Fossati is a classy Cru vineyard located in Barolo village right at the border of La Morra. Dosio’s version comes from vines in blue/gray marl soil and grown at 330-380 meters.

It is difficult to believe that this much Barolo can be had for such a great price! Textbook mineral, floral, perfume, berry and a hint of coriander and tar come out of this youthful, but substantially complex nose. Very red and refined with great Fossati and Barolo breed in the mouth. Lovely density and flavor here, but plenty of backbone and grip which will need some time to resolve and become exquisite. Wiry red currant dominated at the end. At age 8, this is starting to really be open for business, enjoy it through 2030+. This, along with the previous wine are two of the great Barolo wines for the money. Get in on these because they are quite undiscovered and prices will escalate in the coming years.

2022 ZERBINA ALBANA SECCO
$19.99 BTL./$119.94 - SIX PACK

A LAST MINUTE TURKEY WINE!! With its almost quartz-like aromas, this wine keeps inviting you back for more.

Transparent, mineral-driven aromas unfurl and mandarin, grapefruit and gentle nectarine aromas carry over into a texture that starts round then turns on the jets with briskness, luminosity and a cool, oceanic, saline/mineral finish. Great with turkey but also for any feast of the Seven Fishes or crab feed, especially at 12.71% alcohol.