While we are waiting for the blizzard (or a few flakes) to descend and shut down Seattle, here are a few wines we snuck in the door before the snow.  Let’s start with the Bubbles and Whites.  They will be perfectly chilled by the time you get home.

Bubbles

Roederer Estate, Anderson Valley Brut  $15 — 375 ml
60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir
This crisp, fruity and citrus-accented wine has plenty of green apple and lemon flavors, brisk bubbles and a clean, tangy finish. A flavor of fresh-baked bread and a softer texture develop with time in the glass, 2-years lees aged.

Valdo, Marca Oro Prosecco  $15
Glera
A fine perlage, and crisp fruity palate with hints of golden delicious apples and white fruits.  Crisp and refreshing.

2019 Montelliana, Millesimato Prosecco Rosé  $12
Glera and Pinot Noir
This Millesimato charmat method sparkling wine has fine and persistent bubbles. With a good structure, the nose is delicate, with floral aromas and hints of red fruit. In the mouth it is fresh and elegant, with pleasant returns of fruity aromas.
Was $14, now $12

Cantina di Sorbara, Lambrusco di Sorbara Emma  $13
Ruby red, with aromas of berries, fruits, and flowers; on the palate it is lively and clean with a cherry aftertaste and a persistent froth.

Whites

2020 La Yunta, Torrontés  $10
A fresh Argentinian white.  Notably aromatic of green melon and white peach. It has balanced citrus flavor with a touch of French oak to provide a crisp yet lingering finish.

2019 Chateau de la Bigotiere, Muscadet Sevre & Maine  $13
From 40 year old vines.  The nose emits a pure, fresh display of stone fruits, green apple, pear, white flower and a thread of mineral dust. The palate is darting with prickly, crisp flavors with a mouthwatering acidity.

2019 La-Vis Dipinti, Sauvignon Blanc  $12
A Northern Italian Sauv. Blanc with intense aromas of fig, nutmeg and peach on the nose. Medium-bodied with vibrant citrus fruit and undertones of white pepper. Clean and bright with a crisp finish.

2019 Colutta, Friuli Colli Orientali  $18
Sauvignon Blanc
Honeysuckle, tomato-leaf and honeydew-melon aromas shape the nose. Bright, linear and savory, the palate doles out Meyer lemon, nectarine and pear while a mineral note of saline accents the finish.

2019 Nicolas Idiart, Sancerre  $27
Sauvignon Blanc
From 30 year old vines planted in dry chaulky limestone soil just SW of Sancerre.  The wine has notes of verbena, lemon curd, white peach and gooseberry which show through the long, floral finish.

2019 Mas des Bressades, Cuvèe Tradition Blanc  $15
50% Roussanne, 30% Grenache Blanc, 10% Viognier, 10% Marsanne
A stylish nose both of White peaches and flowers of almond trees and then back in the mouth of citrus and exotic fruits. The mouth is supported by good acidity and mineral notes.

2017 Averaen, Willamette Valley Chardonnay  $15
Aiming for a classic style exhibiting mineral, earth, pear, honey, cantaloupe with high-tones in aromatics, blissed out acidity, but creamy texture on back-end offering length and structure.  Was $22 now $15

2018 Haden Fig, Willamette Valley Chardonnay  $22
Fermented and aged entirely in neutral French oak, this Oregon Chard has notes of lemon curd, brioche with citrus oil and slight creaminess on the nose followed by a nicely textured mid-palate and bright finish.

2019 La Spinetta, Colli Tortonesi Timorasso Piccolo Derthona        $30
Single Vineyard Timorasso from Spinetta.  Timorasso is an ancient vine indigenous to Piedmont. A wine with unbelievable structure and surprising longevity. Delicate citrus and floral notes sing in concert these are also present when you taste the wine.  On the palate it is savory and generous, it finishes clean and persistent.

2016 Teutonic Wine Company, Willamette Valley Riesling  $20
Wonderfully drinkable Riesling – very light and bright – honeysuckle notes. Perfect sushi wine

1995 C.H. Berres, Ürziger Würzgarten Beerenauslese  $50
Riesling
An aged, developed Riesling.  Thick, rich and expressive, with concentrated flavors of ripe apricot, peach and butterscotch that show hints of marzipan. Powerful acidity provides the structure, and the long finish is intensely buttery and spicy.  8.5% alcohol by volume

Our Winter Hours
Wednesday to Sunday
Noon to 6PM

Owen Roe, a Columbia Valley stalwart, is switching distributors.  As a result we are snatching up some great pricing from the old distributor while supplies last.  Here are the three wines we brought in to start.  Similar discounts apply to their other wines (including their Sharecropper line) so inquire if you have a favorite besides these ones.  It might be a good time to stock up.

2019 Owen Roe, Sinister Hand  $20
7% Syrah, 18% Grenache, 18% Mourvèdre, 5% White Rhone, 2% Cinsault
Sinister Hand displays spicy, dark, and savory characteristics. The exuberant nose has raspberry aromas with a hint of vanilla, while the lively palate has a soft juicy texture and a well-balanced acidity. Chewy tannins, black cherry, and a hint of toasty French oak round out the vibrant finish.
Was $28 Now $20

2018 Owen Roe, Ex Umbris  $20
Syrah
Ex Umbris opens up on the nose with dried cranberries and a touch of stone and leather. The masculine aromas then give way to fresh cherry and blueberry on the palette. Subtle pepper and light smokiness follows the fruit to the mid-palette with mellow tannins.
Was $28 Now $20

2018 Owen Roe, Abbots Table  $18
Zinfandel, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Grenache, Blaufrankish, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Merlot
This beautiful blend first grabs you on the nose with spice and leather. It finishes with nice blueberry notes as well as Marion berry pie and wet tobacco, and brings medium tannins and bright acidity to the palate.
Was $24 Now $18

Our Winter Hours —
Wednesday to Sunday
Noon to 6PM

We recently discovered some Romanian wine with grapes we hadn’t ever heard of before.  Of course, we got excited.  Here are the first two wine we brought in.

In the heart of Dealu Mare region, in an area with sunny rolling hills, sits Budureasca vineyards.  The archaeological evidence suggests a rich tradition in vinification, dating since the time of the Dacians or even their ancestors, the ancient Thracians.

2018 Budureasca, Vine In Flames Fetească Regală  $15
Fetească Regală is a white grape variety, created in the 1930s, in Mureș County, Romania. It is a natural crossing of Grasă and Fetească albă.  It makes a fresh and savory white wine.  The wine has a medium lemon color, with a pleasant nose of ripe pear and wildflowers.  The body is delicate, with high acidity and aromas of peach, yellow apple and a short to medium aftertaste.

2016 Budureasca, Fetească Neagră  $16
Fetească Neagră; English: Black Maiden is an old pre-phylloxeric variety of Romanian – Moldovan grape,  The Budureasca ia a juicy and full-bodied Feteasca Neagra, fragrant with bright cherry, spice, vanilla aromas on the nose. Dry, vibrant with ripe red berry, dark plum, blackberry, sweet spice and vanilla flavors on the palate.

“The Vine in Flames” brand reflects on a historical moment during the rule of the first Dacian King Burebista (82-44 B.C.), 2,000+ years ago, when the vineyards were burned because they were considered a “temptation” for invaders – so wonderful was the wine made from those grapes.

While rich in tradition Budureasca Winery is a very modern winery.

Our Current Hours Are
Sunday to Wednesday
Noon to 6PM

Fino

2016 Valdespalino Ojo de Gallo –Palomino Fino  $14  — 705ml
Citrus and peach with a steely and a salty edge.  Organic

To Albalá Fino 3 Fases Electrico  $14  —  375ml
Pedro Ximenez
When ordering Electrico in Córdoba one need only say “Shock Me!” (Dame un calambrazo). Pastry and brine notes from the flor yeast add complexity to the retained varietal personality. Naturally balanced and pure, this Fino is unmatched in its food pairing versatility.

Valdespino Inocente  $20  —  750ml
Inocente is one of the few Fino Sherries that still follows the tradition of fermentation in wood. The slow exposure to oxygen as it ages in barrels increases the wine’s aromatic complexity, the notes fanning out beyond salt and citrus toward herbs and smoke. It feels tense and firm, driven by electric acidity.

Manzinilla

Bodegas Jose Estevez La Bailaora  Manzanilla  $10  —  750ml
Fresh, young, still hints of Palomino fruit along with a maritime air and a little dry bitterness from the flor. Clean, fresh and a little short, but pleasant.  Was $14 now $10

2015 Valdespino Manzanilla Deliciosa en Rama  $12  —  375ml
Deliciosa En Rama is around 6 years of average age and made with grapes from the pago Miraflores. Its solera system consists of six criaderas and the solera stage. The En Rama version is said to maintain some energetic youthfulness while showing the complexity that comes with age. Only one bottling is made each year in spring.

Amontillado

Bodegas Grant Amontillado “La Garrocha”  $14  —  375ml
Cadiz
Bodegas Grant, located in the heart of the town of El Puerto de Santa María, has been owned by the same family since 1841. The Grant family are almacenistas who only recently began to estate bottle. Their label, La Garrocha, refers to a famous dance performed with a stick while on horseback. This Amontillado has spent nine years aging through the Solera system. The microclimate of the bodega produces a distinct flor that gives this sherry its unique characteristics. Made from 100% Palomino grapes, this is very floral with sweet nutty aromas. The palate is savory and dry with notes of walnuts, almonds and crystallized orange.

Gutierrez Colosia Amontillado  $15  —  375ml
In this dry sherry, you notice the Fino background. Maritime notes, some sea air, but also plenty of round notes like (salted) caramel, runny honey and almonds. Subtle notes of flor. Hints of dried apricot and a soft layer of polished oak. Surprisingly creamy, warm and nutty, with fairly low acidity and just a very soft tangy edge in the background. Hazelnuts and almonds. Hints of toffee. Hazelnuts, almonds and honey coated peanuts. A very light hint of olive brine in the end. Medium finish.

Bodegas César Florido Cruz del Mar Amontillado  $19  —  375ml
Aged under partial flor in solera for 8 years.  a Nutty and intense amontillado, with hints of roasted hazelnuts, salted caramel and an intoxicatingly dry finish that leaves mouthwatering acidity. Excellent for pairing alongside salty, umami-laden snacks.

Oloroso

Marqués de Poley Oloroso  $18  —  500ml
From soleras and reserve stocks approaching a century in age, this rich yet elegant dry Oloroso averages over ten years old and displays round, velvety texture and a long finish reminiscent of walnuts and hazelnuts. Non-fortified, the flavors remain consistent and pure throughout.

Pedro Ximenez

El Maestro Sierra Pedro Ximenez  $16  —  375ml
This Pedro Ximénez is aged for 15 years in the solera system. A great nose of exotic spices and almost red fruits combine with more classic caramel overtones. With great acidity the wine is light on its feet and almost refreshing.

Gutierrez Colosia Pedro Ximenez  $22  —  375ml
Rich and sweet, with lots of dates and raisins. Dried figs and candied fruits. Plum jam. Kind of a liquid walnut cake. Hints of honey-coated almonds. It also has the typical peppery/licorice sharpness. Vibrant and velvety, with a nice elegance despite its high sugar content. Molasses and treacle. Sticky toffee pudding. Dates and figs again. A slight acidity comes out towards the finish, with some peppery overtones.

1990 To Albalé Don PX Gran Reserva  $34  —  375ml
30 year old PX Sherry.  Very complicated flavors.   Licorice, maple, fig and exotic rooty aromas give this a nose similar to an Italian Amaro. A thick palate is a bit sticky, while this tastes of rooty spices, aged wood and chocolate. Amaro-like bitterness and rooty sweetness share the finish on this aged P.X..

Sherry Vinegar

Arvum Vinagre de Jerez Reserva  $11  — 8,5 oz
Pedro Ximenez
This sweet sherry vinegar is aged in oak cask following the traditional “criaderas and solera” system used for sherry wines. Its color is dark mahogany and its aromas are sweet and sour with pungent aromas of sherry vinegar smoothed by the addition of a small portion of Pedro Ximénez natural sweet wine.

A Few Sides (and there are plenty more accompaniments across the street at East Anchor)

Dequmana Natural Olive Mix with fine herbs  $7  —  7oz
Cured and blended with herbs from a traditional Adalucian recipie.

Matiz Garlic Allioli  $7  —  6.5 oz
All i Oli Garlic Spread is a garlic lover’s dream! Simple, all natural ingredients are combined in a traditional, eggless recipe that has been used in kitchens in the Catalan region of Spain for centuries.

Current Hours

Wednesday to Sunday
Noon to 6PM

This small estate, left bank Bordeaux was a great find for us this week.  It is very old school in style. It even still comes in a wooden 6 pk crate.  We have 42 bottles on hand at the shop and another 33 on order next week.  After that we’ll have to see how much more we can lay our hands on.

2016 Chateau Grand Lacaze, Medoc  $15
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Merlot
Located in the Médoc, not far from Lesparre, Château Grand Lacaze cultivates 7 hectares of vineyards.  It is a classic Bordeaux with wonderful earthy notes of leather, basalt, ripe red fruit, and the faintest hint of funk.
Was $20 now $15

Our Current Hours

Wednesday to Sunday
Noon to 6PM

We are welcoming the New Year and the new administration with some new wines for the self.  4 more days until the Inauguration (don’t let the door hit you on the way out, Donald.)

2019 Evesham Wood, Blanc du Puits Sec, Eola-Amity Hills  $17
85% Pinot Gris, 15% Gewürztraminer
Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, co-fermented them in stainless steel.  The wine displays lots of spice and rose with hints of green apple and lime.  Organic

2018 Cà dei Frati, I Frati, Lugana  $19
Trebbiano
A complex, lees aged Trebbiano from older vines. It has concentrated but fresh perfume of white flowers, peaches and ripe lemons. On the palate it has excellent depth and balance, richness and a lovely crisp, lively finish.

2019 Quinta de Couselo, Turonia Albariño  $23
Aromas of citric and white fruit with floral notes, aromatic herbs and river pebbles. Fresh, intense and well balanced. White fruit flavors with a sensation of lemon drops and a minerality that leads to ocean salinity.

2019 Casata Monticello, Dolcetto d’Asti  $11
A good little value Dolcetto from the Sperone family, who have been engaged in wine production for 4 generations.  Not Cru by any means but a great everyday drinker with pure dolcetto character.

2018 Odfjell Armador, Valle de Maipo, Cabernet Sauvignon  $10
90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot
Outstanding value from the winemaking team at Odfjell, such briary aromas of forest berries and cedary notes with fresh purple flowers here, too. The palate has good depth of fruit, in the purple-berry spectrum, and a fine web of fresh, juicy tannin.  Organic

2018 Château La Maroutine, Bordeaux Rouge  $11
80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
The nose is attractive with cherry and strawberry notes that are supported by nice toasted notes. On the palate, the attack is smooth and round with nice soft tannins leaving the place for round, soft fruit.

2019 Château Haut Pourjac, Bordeaux Rouge  $13
65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot
A cab heavy Bordeaux with full aromas of red and black fruit (cassis, blackcurrant). The palate is elegant and round with expressive structure and velvety tannins, a very well-balanced wine.

2018 La Cabotte, Côtes du Rhône Colline  $15
Grenache Syrah
The Coline uses Carignan and Cinsault to zing up the Grenache and Syrah, and Mourvedre to add stuffing.  Plenty of spice and earth are coated with sweet fruit. Blackberries and raspberries are in abundance, with some pepper. In the mouth it is rich and unctuous. Bright fruit with good acidity balance out this dark red wine. Bottled unfiltered.  Organic, biodynamic

2017 Domaine Alary, Côtes du Rhône La Gerbaude  $15
70% Grenache, 30% Syrah
This Rhone has intense aromas of herbs, spice, black fruit, plum and cassis. The palate carries over the black fruit, with a dense texture on the finish.

2018 Domaine de Fages, Cahors  $15
85 % Malbec , 15 % Merlot
Aromas of ripe blackberry, plum and red fruits flint and graphite. The palate is full round and balanced with lots of juicy cherry prune and mineral notes, a hint of clove with a long pleasant finish.  Organic

2015 Ashton Troy, Cabernet Sauvignon$18
Cabernet Sauvignon from the Columbia Valley AVA is rich and full-bodied, with an elegant tannin structure. It opens with aromas of black cherry, blackberry, and ripe plum and is followed by hints of spiciness and minerality.  Was $30 now $18

2017 Tornatore, Etna Rosso  $22
95% Nerello Mascalese, 5% Merello Cappuccio
The Tornatore has a bouquet that is tight and streamlined, with wild rose and forest fruit followed by crushed stone and tangy mountain herb.  There’s a salty note on the finish.

2018 Evesham Wood, Eola-Amity Hills Cuvée, Pinot Noir  $26
Even with the significant concentration of the 2018 vintage, the liveliness of  the Eola-Amity Hills comes through decisively in this year’s Eola-Amity Hills Cuvée. Bright and floral on the nose with an explosive mid-palate and seductive texture. Organic

Quinta da Romaneira, 10-year-old Tawny Port  $28
Pale brick red tawny color. In its complex aroma, the vibrant young fruit blends deliciously with the attractive and characteristic dry fruits aromas like nuts. Rich and smooth on the palate it has an elegant structure and a long finish.

Our Winter Hours

Wednesday to Sunday
Noon to 9PM