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Wine Olympic Gold Medal Winners
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Antica Terra Pinot Noir Willamette
Valley 2006
$47.99/$38.40 by the case
Here's a blockbuster Pinot Noir with an established name, but a whole
new story. Previous owners started the vineyard in the Eola Hills circa
1988 and made some powerful, memorable wines in the late 1990s/early
2000s before selling in 2005. The new owners are serious about making
world-class Pinot and wisely brought in Maggie Harrison as the fourth
partner, director and winemaker. Maggie worked with Manfred Krankl at
ultra-cult California winery Sine Qua Non for 10 years as assistant
winemaker and clearly learned a lot. They sold off the 2005 vintage in
bulk and instead focused on expanding and refurbishing the vineyard; in
2006 they were ready to roll. This 2006 includes grapes mostly from the
Estate as well as Shea vineyard (Sine Qua Non made award-winning Shea
Vineyard Pinot Noir; Maggie was more than familiar with the fruit). The
result showcases the intensity, complexity and power of the Antica Terra
site bolstered by the rich flavor-filled Shea fruit, all marked by a
balance and finesse that sings of the Sine Qua Non heritage. Spicy
earthy fruit aromas rise from the glass, followed by sappy and ripe dark
cherry and raspberry, orange zest, hints of cinnamon, hazelnutty toast
and more. The wine is big, but never heavy, as ripe tannins and
underlying acidity keep it lively, propelling you into a long finish.
This is one of the best 2006 Oregon Pinots we've had to date. A
must-try.
Owen Roe Abbot's Table 2007
$19.99/$15.99 by the case
The crack is back! Probably our best-selling wine each year, we even
gave it a nickname worthy of its addictive effect on customers, many of
whom have been calling for months and checking on the arrival date. Why
the popularity? For starters, a crazily extensive blend which means more
complexity. Next, a personality that changes each year with the usage
and percentage of each grape variety. Always rich, soft and juicy,
there's a depth and grip that adds punch to go with the elegant touch.
Best of all, it's a wine that over-delivers for the reasonable price -
and everyone loves a great deal. This year's blend is juicy, spicy and a
touch brighter than the 2006. The Sangiovese/Merlot/Zin brings fruit and
texture, Cab Franc adds swirling aromatics, while the Rhone-inspired
Grenache/Syrah/Cinsault trio brings spice and exotic flavors to the
party. This year's mix: 22% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot, 20% Zinfandel, 15%
Cab Franc, 7% Grenache, 6% Syrah, 3% Cinsault, 3% Malbec, 3% Petite
Sirah, 1% Pinot Noir.
Christoffel-Prum Riesling Auslese
Wehlener Sonnenuhr 1992
$23.99/$19 by the case
***ARRIVING MID-AUGUST***
The Urziger Wurzgarten 1992 sold out in May so quickly that our inside
man Ewald went back to the well, bringing back this quarry with a big
smile on his face. For those of you lucky enough to nab some in May, you
know what a treat you're in for. For those who just missed it, here's
another chance. Again insanely priced, this sixteen-year old beauty is
coming straight from Kajo's cool cellars in Urzig, a stone's throw from
the banks of the Mosel River, where it has been aging peacefully and
exceedingly gracefully. Wehlener Sonnenuhr is one of the Mosel's top
vineyards (considered the best by many, the subject of endless arguing
among Riesling fans) and its pedigree is obvious. With a touch more
underlying power than the Wurzgarten, this also boasts deep minerality
and classic petrol aromas to complement the ripe peach and lemon curd
flavors. As with the Wurzgarten, the original high levels of sugar have
melted into a honeyed creaminess with hardly a whisper of actual
sweetness. A rockingly cool wine for the money, a wine to get excited
about.
Dusky Goose Pinot Noir Dundee Hills
2006
$59.99/$47.99 by the case.
***ARRIVING MID-AUGUST***
The Goose is loose...almost anyway. If you couldn't make it to our
Dundee Hills tasting to get a nip of the Goose, we've got more coming
soon. A crowd favorite due to its sexy profile, polished pretty Pinot
flavors and judicious use of oak, this is made by Lynn Penner-Ash from
Goldschmidt vineyard and Rambouillet vineyard fruit. One of the biggest
Pinot hits of the last two vintages, the 2006 keeps it rolling. Limited
production=limited availability.
Clos du Caillou Côtes du Rhône 2006
$21.99/$17.50 by the case
Like clockwork August brings two of our best-selling reds for the year,
the above-mentioned Abbot's Table and this. Legendary from 1998 to 2001,
the excitement was sadly cut short by a fatal car accident involving the
winemaker in 2001, yet his widow vowed to carry on. The 2005 was a
thrilling return to the heyday and this newly-released 2006 shows the
trend continuing. As in days of old, this offers a seductive blend of
authentic Rhône flavors and New World succulence, over-delivering on
quality, complexity and richness. Texturally lush and opulent and loaded
with flavors of roasted wild berry fruit and kirsch, the peppery spice,
grilled meat, and herbes de Provence aromatics should send you out to
fire up the grill. As Parker notes, this tastes like the essence of
Provence.
Easton Zinfandel Amador County 2006
$14.99/$11.99 by the case
Summer isn't complete without a casual party BBQ paired with bold zesty
wines. Cliché or not, Zin marries extremely well with BBQ flavors and
this Easton has been a favorite all summer. Rich sappy and toasty
enough, the wild blueberry fruit and ripe boysenberry flavors don't go
overboard, and there's enough of that Amador acidity and liveliness to
balance it all out.
"Other" Whites You Gotta Gotta Try
Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay = a white wine rut. It's time to
explore varietals that are complex, delicious and bursting with
personality, yet remain under-appreciated. Here are five favorite finds
under $20 that will expand your horizons.
Le "G" de Guiraud Bordeaux Blanc Sec
2007
$19.99/$15.99 by the case
This is a stunner: Rich, full of flavor, perfectly-balanced and with a
finish that won't stop. Wanna know why? It's the dry wine from a top
Sauternes producer, made from grapes which don't end up in $100-plus
bottles of dessert wine. 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillion, it
ferments in used Sauternes barrels that add creaminess. Bright fresh
flavors of grapefruit, nectarine, lemon, honey and nuts dance on your
tastebuds, while brisk minerality and a mouth-coating zestiness stop you
in your tracks. Grilled scallops or crab, any fish, roast chicken -
bingo!
Schmitges Grauschiefer Riesling Dry
2007
$17.99/$14.40 by the case
Think all German Rieslings are sweet? No, no, no! Fact: dry ones taste
less sweet than most Pinot Gris and Chardonnay. Andreas Schmitges was
just here and blew us away with the clean flavors, intensity and balance
of his wines - as were customers who snapped up all the wine on the spot
. This bottling is named for gray slate, which gives the wine its flinty
minerality and smooth, lively texture. Add lemon peel, pear, apple,
fragrant peach and spice and you have hands-down our best dry Riesling
under $20.
Biggio-Hamina Pinot Blanc 2007
$14.99/$11.99 by the case
Similar to Pinot Gris, but a bit lighter, crisper and more focused,
Oregon Pinot Blanc offers a delicious alternative. Tood Hamina, formerly
at Patton Valley and Maysara, crafts one of our favorites. Brimming with
spicy aromas, pear and lemon with hints of white peach and honeydew, the
silky medium-weight mouth-feel is lifted by bright acidity, delivering a
clean, fresh and tasty impression. It'll shine with everything from apps
to entrees.
Dom. De La Tailles Aux Loups Vouvray
Sec
Les Caburoches 2006
$19.99/$15.99 by the case
Jacky Blot's Chenin Blancs from the heart of the Loire Valley are
perfect matches for cheese, fresh summer pastas (tomatoes!) and seafood
(salmon!). Les Caburoches boasts 30+ year-old vines in clay-limestone
soil that deliver a dry wine with distinctive earthy minerality and
classic Chenin flavors of lemon/lime, apricot, melon, fresh green herbs
and a touch of anise. Complex and elegant, yet zippy and refreshing, dry
Chenin Blanc is a discovery you need to make.
Granzaban Albarino 2006
$10.50/$8.40 by the case
Originally $18, a last minute switcheroo deal makes this just $10.50! We
were going to write it up at $18, at this price, it can't be beat. See
Case of the Month entry below for more comments.
Curious
about wines we’ve covered in the past?
Click here to see previous months’
musings, reviews and comments.
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