Quady North
Applegate Valley Syrah 2006
The best of the best ages well, as it turns out. — a month ago
Wiese & Krohn Sucrs LDA
Porto Vintage Quinta do Retiro 2007
Dried black currants, Thompson seedless raisins, aged English Christmas pudding. So many layers of aromas! — 2 months ago
Agricola Punica
Samas Isola dei Nuraghi Chardonnay Vermentino 2018
The understated lemony Chard meets the vivacious Vermentino in a delightfully low alcohol (12.5% abv) blend. A bargain at $16. — 4 months ago
Hugel et Fils
Gentil Alsace Sylvaner Blend 2016
I was looking for a wine that would pair with Indian curries and took a gamble on this Alsacian white. It paid off. I think Guy Ritchie was describing this when he wrote, “You’re fat, and look as though you should be, but you’re not.” Smells sweet, comes from a bottle that looks like it will be, but is surprisingly dry. — a month ago
Château Saint-André Corbin
St. Georges-St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2016
Oh Bordeaux! It really is hard to beat a good Merlot / Cab Franc blend. This one’s 70 / 30 and surprisingly big. The Merlot may have been picked ripe, but was the Cab Franc? A glance at the back label is a bit of a shock: 14.5%! Don’t drink on an empty stomach. — 2 months ago
Cameron Winery
Reserve Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2018
Pretty much the gold standard in Pinot. Bought a half case of this from Vinopolis in Portland and wished I’d bought a full one. The Deep Roots Coalition back label reminds me of the way Cayuse vines have to grow deep roots. Somehow the best wines come from grapes that vines that have to struggle. Burgundy, eat your heart out! — 3 months ago
Domaine Filliatreau
Saumur-Champigny Cabernet Franc 2016
Like a lot of reds from the Loire, this is a touch green, but just a touch. Delicate smells of plums, cherry, and cedar accompany a surprisingly light, almost Burgundian wine well suited to a weeknight meal. — a month ago
Pierre Henri
Saint Fiacre Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine Sur Lie Melon de Bourgogne 2013
Marvelously mellow Melon. One the greatest whites I’ve ever had. Perfectly balanced. Subtle fruit and oak. Goes great with boar and venison pate and turkey confit. Even better with shrimp and fish cakes. — 2 months ago
Chateau Carignan
Prima Premières Côtes de Bordeaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2016
Reasonably balanced but little in the way of phenolics to make it memorable. This is great for the price point—an entry level Bordeaux. Had the 2016 in October of 2020 but wished I’d had it younger. More subtlety is the last thing this wine needs. — 3 months ago
Adam Shaylor
Super smooth. Goes great with ginger molasses cookies. — a month ago