2012 OWEN ROE Abbot’s Table
$23.95 bottle/ $232.00 case
It is always interesting to watch the maturation process winemakers go through. Early on in his career at Sineann and Owen Roe David O’Reilly’s wines were all about power, high alcohol, and ripeness. They were without question delicious, but sometimes lacking nuance, a bit one dimensional in their search for big flavors. That’s why it’s nice to see that in the last few years winemaker David O’Reilly has gotten away from the blockbuster style of winemaking, reaching for more balance and finesse in his wines, which I can only applaud. Suffice to say with this glorious 2012 version of Owen Roe’s iconic Abbot’s Table bottling, David has achieved exactly what he’s been striving for. Sure, this is still the full-bodied, jam packed, layered wine it always has been. But with this latest, and dare I say among the greatest, version there is wonderfully integrated tannic structure and a vibrant backbone of acidity, the keys to ageability in wine. Predominantly Sangiovese, Zinfandel, Malbec, Lemberger and Merlot with a smattering of this and a smidge of that, this is an extremely satisfying red wine. Cascading with blackberry jam, bing cherry, white pepper, bramble, and lightly herbaceous aromas and flavors, this is easily the most balanced AT I’ve ever had. The lingering and richly textured finish speak to the quality here. Very young right now (it was only bottled early last week), this is only going to improve over the next 5+ years. In 2012 the Abbot’s Table is truly something special, and it speaks directly to David’s growth, maturation, and skill as a winemaker. When I tasted this 2012 I felt the same sense of excitement I had the very first time I tasted the Abbot’s back in the ’99 vintage, that sense of knowing that this is a guy is doing something new, something we need to pay attention to. Very, very highly recommended!
Once again I am pleased, flattered, and inspired by the fact that another famous international wine star has chosen to spend some time at VINO showing their wares during a rare Portland visit. This Wednesday, May 22nd between 5:00-7:00 we’ll be welcoming the U.S. export director of Chile’s renowned Viña Montes Winery, Salome Miller. The…
Continue Reading »
2010 GROCHAU CELLARS “RED” Claret $14.95 btl/ $145.00 case One of the things I love in my work is rediscovering old favorite wines. Things I may not have paid much attention to because of the static from other wines crowding my band width. Obvious case in point is John Grochau’s always reliable and always delicious…
Continue Reading »
2010 CHATEAU SAINT ANDRE CORBIN St-Georges-St-Emilion $22.95 btl/ $225.00 case Once again the myth that you have to spend a large percentage of your discretionary income to get a Bordeaux of consequence, something that will reward 10+ years in the cellar, is proven false. Case in point is the latest release of a regular presence…
Continue Reading »
2011 CEDRICK BARDIN Sancerre $19.95 btl/ $195.00 case If asked to define “zesty” with a bottle of wine I would probably just hand the questioner a bottle of VINO favorite Cedrick Bardin’s current release of Sancerre and let the wine speak for itself. I love sauvignon blanc from the Sancerre appellation, especially in Bardin’s very…
Continue Reading »
2008 FIORENZO NADA Barbaresco “Manzola” $44.95 bottle/ $230.00 6-Pack/ $428.00 case I have been grossly fortunate over the years to have tasted well over a thousand Barbarescos and Barolos from Italy’s Piedmont region, that place where the nebbiolo grape that gets made into these epitomes of wine greatness reaches the height of its powers. Having…
Continue Reading »
2010 MAISON ROCHE DE BELLENE Bourgogne Pinot Noir “Vieilles Vignes” $20.95 btl/ $205.00 I almost feel sorry for some of our local winemakers when I have a French red burgundy this good in stock. For less than what one pays for many an entry level Oregon noir you can have an amazingly complex, earthy, rich,…
Continue Reading »
VINO Value Case #20!! Twenty cases in since we started this worthy box of bargains program and still finding incredible amounts of delicious options. We live in intoxicating times indeed! For VVC #20 the wine world has been thoroughly explored and another 12 contestants are ready for your spring and summer enjoyment. The 12 bottles…
Continue Reading »