May 2013  
Case of the Month - $108

May, a month of schizophrenic weather and restless Oregonians. Come on summer! Show up already! This case reflects that uprooted feel with summery whites and rosé followed by darker reds then back again. I say as long as you have something good in your glass, there's a reason to raise it. Happy Mother's Day, Memorial Day, May Day and every day. Enjoy!
   
FYI: The case contains 1 bottle each of the 12 selections at a discounted price. You are also welcome to purchase the wines individually, as part of a custom mixed case (10% discount), or by the whole case (20% discount). 

Apolloni Pinot Blanc 2010
Local winemaker Alfredo Apolloni crafts this summertime shelf staple in the Italian style, just as he drank it growing up (part-time) in Italy. Crisp and fresh, the grapefruit-kissed zestiness is balanced by a tropical fruit fleshiness with notes of almond blossom and light herb on the finish. Marked down a few bucks as we ride out the remaining 2010, so we can drink up for just $11.99.

Domaine Dupré Beaujolais V.V. 2011
Thanks to an intrepid local importer, this is seriously good Beaujolais at a great price. Dark with a granitic edge, this offers a mash-up of just-ripe crushed berries, both black and red, dusted with hints of dried flowers and baking spice. Overall fresh lively and approachable before ending a bit firm and minerally. $9.99

Ferme de Gicon Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2010
Subtle and stealthily unassuming, this southern French white revealed more flavors with each sip. Lurking in its creamy waxy texture there's notes of ripe cantaloupe, almond marzipan, red apple, meyer lemon and more (Murray's list ran on and on...) Backed by fresh acidity, this medium-bodied mouthful of flavors makes for a tasty multipurpose spring white. $8.99

Laroque Cité de Carcassonne 2011
A curiosity of a wine, this 100% Cabernet Franc would seem to come from Bordeaux but somehow ended up in the Languedoc, not far from the Mediterranean. Carcassonne is a picturesque fortified city located inland from the Languedoc's main growing regions. The hot dry climate gives it quite a different personality than Bordeaux or Loire Cab Franc. Dark, meaty and brooding, the expected savory notes are more wild and woodsy and the fruit is ripe and hearty. $9.50

Bookwalter Notebook NV3
Here's the new release of Bookwalter's second label, a multi-vintage multi-varietal Washington red that was a big hit last spring. This bottling is dominated by Syrah (last year it was Cab) and while the flavors are different, the quality is again high. Medium-bodied, open-knit and long on the palate, the fruit is dark but airy with cranberry high notes, mild pepper and a slight earthiness on the finish. $9.99

Clavidor Rueda Cepas Viejas 2011
Like manna from heaven after a long day of tasting, this reviving Spanish white made me want to call it a day, take the bottle and head outside. Made from Verdejo and Viura grapes whose vines were planted before 1950, the mouthwatering aromatics were irresistible and that first sip so thirst-quenching I didn't want to stop. Limey, lip-smacking and taffy-textured, an undercurrent of minerality adds structure and dimension to the juicy ruby red grapefruit but when it's this dang tasty, whateva'...$9.99

Collefrisco ZeRo Montepulciano 2010
"Zero" stands for zero manipulation; organic vineyard, no added yeasts, no oak, etc. Multi-faceted yet easy-going, this starts bright and clean then turns darker and denser midway with mild tannins on the finish. Macerated cherry fruit is joined by dark chocolate notes and a slightly bitter brambly earthiness, just enough to add complexity and oomph. $9.99

Chateau Beaubois Rosé Costières de Nîmes 2011
The last of this 2011 pink is drinking great and with a few bucks shaved off to make room for the new vintage, it tastes even better! 60% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 10% Cinsault makes for a full-flavored succulent style perfect for May's fickle weather. $8.99

Honoro Vera Monastrell 2010
A newish project from the Juan Gil Monastrell family, this is made from young vines and has an appropriately youngish feel. Juicy and rollicking, the smooth blackberry fruit has appealing notes of cocoa, cinnamon and graham cracker before ending with a redder fruit tanginess. $8.99

850 Tinto 2010
850 kilometers: the length of the Douro river, legendary land of Port and Kopke, one of its oldest wineries and producer of this casual drinker. Comprised of traditional Port varietals (Tinta this and Tinto that), this has none of the heaviness that comes to mind when "Port" is mentioned. Medium-bodied and fresh, with a spring/summer vibe, the fruit runs from dusky blueberry to marionberry and plum with just enough dustiness on the finish to say European. $9.99

Grange de Payan Côtes du Rhône 2011
The 2011 southern Rhônes are starting to roll in and while I'm sad to see many 2010s go there's plenty to like in this wine. Inviting and open, this goes down easy and there's a welcome clarity to the flavors: Grenache-y cherry fruit, dark raspberry and spicy herbes de Provence. $9.99

Valentin Bianchi Cab Sauv 2009
A red-fruited Argentine smoothie that keeps it real with darker firmer Old World notes playing bass. Red currant, vanilla cream, black cherry cola and a brisk muscle-y finish. $11.99
 
Curious about wines we’ve included in previous Cases of the Month?
Click here to see our previous choices.