NOVEMBER CASE OF THE MONTH - $145
Westmount Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2023
Co-founded by longtime Valley winemaker Laurent Montalieu, Westmount strives to produce an affordable yet classic expression of Willamette Pinot Noir and this 2023 is a great example. Airy yet substantial, the tight nuggets of red berry and black cherry are accented by wisps of earthy bramble, dried citrus peel and green tea before finishing with juicy fine-grained tannins. A classy local addition to the Thanksgiving table. $15.99
Small Vineyards (Tre Donne) Langhe Nebbiolo 2020
A private label importer cuvée from young-vine Barbaresco fruit, this is a friendly, accessible drinker that still delivers classic Nebbiolo character and flavors. Aromas of mint, dried rosemary and rose petal lead to cool cherry and red berry on the palate, and the texture is lightly taut yet supple with gentle tannins riding out the finish. Normally $23, end-of-vintage deal makes it just $15.99.
Catena Malbec High Mountain Vines Mendoza 2024
Established in 1902 Catena is one of Argentina’s top producers, with a range of quality wines from $20 up into the $100s. This entry-level cuvée is a blend of three vineyards ranging from 3000 ft elevation to an incredible 4757 ft – imagine a vineyard halfway between Government Camp and Timberline Lodge! That cool-climate high elevation allows the fruit to ripen slowly and maintains acidity to balance the richness of fruit. Restrained yet generous, this offers pretty aromas of raspberry, cherry and sweet tobacco leaf and a silky, alluring texture. The red, lightly earthy flavors continue before finishing with a modern flourish of vanilla-scented oak. Originally $24+, thanks to a distributor closing, now just $15.99
Palamà Verdeca Salento Bianco 2025
This Small Vineyards favorite is finally back in stock! Verdeca is a little-known ancient white varietal originally from Apulia; rarely bottled on its own, it sometimes is seen in blends where it adds acidity and freshness, two traits often lacking in the sunbaked white grapes of southern Italy. Aromatically engaging, this opens with clean fresh aromas of lemon verbena, elderflower and light rosemary, a lovely introduction to the mellow flavors of dried apricot and guava. The texture is rounded and supple yet lively, offering a vibrant intensity married to a taut frame. This gentle richness is balanced by salted lime and cool spearmint while ripe melon flavors ride out the finish. $14.99
Domaine des Gravennes Côtes du Rhône 2025
Offering a youthful buoyant personality, this stainless steel-raised red is fresh and fragrant with high-toned strawberry/raspberry flavors that dance across the palate while light tannins, finely ground pepper and mild briary notes add depth on the finish. Medium-bodied and texturally elegant, its juicy, vibrant style makes it a good match for the smorgasbord of flavors on a typical Thanksgiving table. $13.99
Corvidae Wine Company Lenore Syrah Columbia Valley 2019
This was in the case last fall but our rep just offered the last of this older vintage that’s still drinking great. Made by Owen Roe, this NW Syrah is dark and meaty – a mix of macerated blackberry, cherry liqueur and dried blueberry – and the supporting cast of flavors are brushed in a similarly dark hue. Cracked pepper, scorched stone and licorice mingle with toasted maple graham cracker and cola, with just a hint of brighter floral violet and cranberry aromas adding lift. All in all, it’s appropriately flavored for its macabre poetic inspiration and a good wintertime companion. $13.99
Quinta dos Currais Beira Interior 2021
This dark, mouthfilling red comes from Portugal’s mountainous north-central region along the Spanish border, where hot days and cool nights combine to produce wines of richness and structure. Decidedly deeper in style, it’s a dense mix of blackberry, fig, Italian plum and cocoa with aromatics of clove, sage and toasted hickory wood lingering on the powerful finish. 40% Aragonez, 35% Touriga Nacional, 15% Castelão and 10% Rufete. $12.99
Boedecker Solace Pinot Gris Willamette Valley 2024
You can’t get much more local for the holidays than this, a tasty crowd-pleaser made in northwest Portland by the winemaking duo Stewart and Athena Boedecker. Plump and juicy with a lively thrum of acidity, the white nectarine and ripe pear flavors embrace the palate before finishing crisp and citrus-y. $13.99
Volcanes Carménère Reserva Rapel Valley 2024
A good example of Chile’s signature red varietal, this offers quintessential aromas of green peppercorn, smoked chiles and earthy tobacco leading to warm black/blue berry tones. Medium-bodied and silky smooth, the finish brings verdant notes of eucalyptus and tea. 15% Cabernet Sauvignon adds dimension and structure and helps soften Carmenère’s spicy peppery bite. $11.99
L'Isola dei Profumi Rosso Siciliane 2023
A customer favorite over many vintages, this medium-bodied red from Sicily marries the dark power of Nero d'Avola to the more fragrant brighter feel of Perricone, a local varietal that we rarely see. Denser and more polished than the 2022 but otherwise quite similar, this opens with floral dried oregano and orange peel aromatics leading to bright pie cherry, raspberry and plum. Youthful tannins and a lemony lift on the finish provide a final sense of power. Amazingly still just $11.99
Domaine Vetriccie Île de Beauté Blanc 2024
A perfect companion for an island vacation daydream, this Corsican white is overflowing with carefree summer vibes and mildly exotic flavors, a lovely contrast to our wintertime gray skies. The nose is exuberant – minerally and flinty with fresh spring notes of tarragon and thyme. The yellow plum/white nectarine fruit is succulent, while a beam of start-to-finish Meyer lemon and green apple keeps it lively and crisp. A blend of 85% Vermentinu and 15% Biancu Gentile, Corsica’s two most important white varietals. $13.99
Gomez de Segura Rioja Crianza ‘Mixtarro’ 2021
An absolute over-achiever at this special direct-import price as one taster noted: “Everything clicks. Super complex, balanced, fresh, long… what a lot of wine at that price”. From the great 2021 vintage, this is a modern-style Rioja that’s rich and expansive thanks to 60-year-old bush vine Tempranillofrom the high altitude Alavesa subdistrict. Overflowing with cedary incense, dried chile, licorice, fig, black cherry and more, the creamy supple texture is enlivened with a thread of orange peel acidity. The long sticky finish adds even more flavor with dried blueberry, milk chocolate and plum. For Rioja fans this is one not to miss. $16.99
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