More things are rolling in the door as we roll into the holidays. Great for gifting or guzzling.
Bubbles
Six Peaks, Blanc de Noir Cuvée Brut $30
Chelhalem Mountains
Quality Oregon bubbles at a reasonable price. Made with 100% Pinot noir form the Laurel Vineyard in the Chehalem Mountain AVA. Aromatics consist of fresh baked bread, strawberry shortcake and rich cognac. Made in the traditional method, this brut sparkling wine was hand-riddled and recently disgorged.
Charles Ellner, Carte Blanche Brut $39
40% Pinot Meunier, 30% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir
This yeasty, ripe and fruity wine is given great shape by the mineral-taut texture. It is on the dry side, crisp with well-structured apples and pears. The bready character gives extra richness and balances the tight acidity at the end
Liébart-Régnier, Blanc de Blanche $36
100% Chardonnay
Opens with a prevalence of citrus notes (lemon and grapefruit) which is rapidly followed by a hint of licorice and ginger. This champagne is silky-smooth, rich and indulgent on the palate.
R.H. Coutier, Grand Cru Cuvée Tradition $45
80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay
This stunning Brut Tradition shows rich, leesy fruit obtained through extended bottle aging prior to disgorging. Quite vinous in texture, it is full and long with crisp apple fruit notes on the finish and showing some toasty notes in the nose. Very low dosage levels allow the great Ambonnay fruit to shine.
Pinot & Nebbiolo
2013 Domaine Rolet, Arbois Pinot Noir $23
A traditional light red from the Jura which brings the complexity from the soils of the hills of Montigny and Arbois made of red marls and rich gravels. It is a very mineral driven red with aromas and notes of current and raspberry. Organic
2018 Cantina del Pino, Langhe Nebbiolo $23
Grown in Barbaresco and aged for eight months in stainless steel this wine has all the fruity and spicy characteristics of a traditional Barbaresco, but it is meant to be consumed young. Complex and smooth with good structure of fruit and tannins.
Bordeaux Blends
2010 Morgenster, Lourens River Valley Estate Red $20
50% Cabernet Franc, 33% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot
A South African classic with aromas of blackcurrant and cherry with spicy clove, chive, anise and butter developments. Well integrated vanilla, cacao and caramel smoothes over into the palate. The wine is plush with dark berry fruits, rounded silky tannins and the signature SA smoky note.
2015 Château Beauregard Ducasse, Graves $18
60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc
A classic Bordeaux with cassis, black cherry, licorice and a dry mineral finish.
2012 Château Gueyrosse, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru $35
85% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon
A solid Right Bank red with a full nose of black cherry, black plum, menthol, dark chocolate, wood char and violets with round plummy body, red and black cherry, chocolate, vanilla, roast herbs and meat, and earthy flavors.
2017 Châteaux la Garenne, Pomerol $36
Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet sauvignon
A rustic wine with notes of cassis, pecan pie, blueberries and dried cranberries. Soft tannins and mulberry finish. This is elegant and drinking nicely now.
Syrah from near and far
2019 Sixty Clicks, Shiraz $10
Victoria, Australia
A really expressive, bright, contemporary Aussie red. The nose of soft, open, chocolatey fruit has a clove note with a palate of fresh brambly, cherry-red fruit that leads to a gently spicy finish.
2017 Underground Wine Project, Idile Hands Syrah $26
90% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
From Mark Ryan & Trey Busch. Ripe notes of Bing cherries, cola, and raspberry liqueur intermix nicely with subtle notes of vanilla from barrel aging. Full bodied and lush in texture, with more red fruits and the classic peppery spicy, note you typically find in Syrah.
2017 Tranche, Syrah $40
Floral aromas of violet, lavender and sage are infused with dark notes of espresso, black pepper, licorice and charcuterie. The palate is medium to full-bodied with flavors of blackberry, plum, dark chocolate and grilled meats. A crushed rock-like minerality provides excellent focus and direction to the wine, while polished tannins and a lacy acidity draw out the palate to a long, lingering finish.
2017 Domaine Courbis, Cornas Champelrose $54
Syrah
The 2017 Cornas Champelrose comes from granite soils and was brought up in 25% new French oak. Its deep purple color is followed by plenty of classic granite character in its damp earth, crushed rock, gravelly minerality, liquid violet, and ripe blue fruits. Medium to full-bodied, with beautiful purity, no hard edges, and a great, great finish.
Classic Veneto
2015 L’Arco, Rúbeo $81
40% Cabernet Franc, 30% Corvina, 15% Rondinella, 5% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Molinara
During the harvest the clusters are selected and dried on plateau about 60 days. Original wine, a mix between traditional and international, with an
intense ruby red color, spiced bouquet, great structure and elegance.
2015 L’Arco, Amarone della Valpolicella $120
55% Corvina and Corvinone, 35% Rondinella, 10% Molinara
A wine that exudes strength, unwavering character and unrelenting beauty. Anticipate some smokiness. Aromatics tend toward violets and dark plum – and on the palate and complementary smorgasbord of chocolate-covered cherries, savory herb notes and deep, dark baked berries. Exquisite tannins, lingering finish.