I’ve known David O’Reilly for maybe 17 or 18 years. David was the wine savant behind Sineann (with partner Peter Rosbach) at the beginning when they were on top of their game. Toward the end of his Sineann run he became co-founder/owner of Owen Roe winery, who have established themselves without question as one of the best wine producers in America, if not, and I say this with I think all due objectivity, in the world. Whether his wines are to your taste or not (and based on response/history I would say the vast majority of you fall in the former camp), over the dozen+ years I’ve been carrying wines with his imprimatur, which number well over 150 or so, I can count on less than one hand the ones that I haven’t been impressed with.
So a few years ago he started his Corvidae label to sell wines at very consumer friendly price points with newly accessed grapes from Washington’s Columbia Valley. I have been nothing but impressed with Corvidae’s wines (like virtually everything else from Mr. O’Reilly), especially at their incredibly affordable prices, and would match most of them up with any similar wine costing twice the price. Which leads to this latest, brand new release…..
2009 CORVIDAE WINE CO. “Fable” Petite Sirah
$14.95 bottle/ $145.00 case
There are very, very few wines that I would insist, for own personal well being, that you purchase. This would be one. Made from Petite Sirah grapes farmed in the Yakima Valley, this is deeply dark, almost black in color. Brooding, wild aromas of blackberry jam, earth, spice, and smoke that constantly change as it sits in your glass, revealing ever greater nuance and dimension. On the palate I was struck with its intense dark fruit character, a full-bodied, layered, mouth coating depth, with petite sirah’s classic tannic structure and acidity that flows into a lush,lingering finish. This may be the most impressive, surprising new release from David that I’ve had in many, many years, although nothing he does should surprise me. It is also one of the best petite sirahs I’ve ever tasted, from anywhere. Not to overstate it, but I was quite blown away. I opened a bottle over the weekend with friends, to equally rapturous praise. Especially when I revealed its price. This is simply a steal at a shade less than fifteen bucks a bottle, and the case price of $12.08 per bottle is laughable. Needless to say this is a fabulous food wine, especially when you’ve got something big and rich coming to the table. Still very young, full of life, and with at least 5+ years of wonderfully satisfying drinking ahead of it, this is, to repeat, a must buy red!
A Fox once saw a Crow fly off with a piece of cheese in its beak and settle on a branch of a tree.
“How lovely you look,” called The Fox to The Crow, “I would greet you as Queen of the Birds if your voice was equally as beautiful.” Eager to distinguish herself, The Crow began to sing, and The Fox quickly snatched up the cheese as it fell from her mouth. Do not trust flatterers.- Aesop’s Fable of The Fox and The Crow
Other Corvidae releases that we highly recommend….
2010 CORVIDAE “Rook”Columbia Valley Red
$13.95 btl/ $135.00 case
91% Merlot, 5% Petite Sirah, 2% Cab Franc, 2% Syrah and a huge smash, along with the Lenore syrah, at our recent Owen Roe Friday Flight. The perfect BBQ red!
2009 CORVIDAE “Lenore” Syrah Columbia Valley
$15.95/ $155.00
A wine deserving of your finest grilled steaks and lamb, Why spend $25+ for other Washington Syrah that won’t give you anything more?
2010 CORVIDAE “Keeper” Cabernet Franc Columbia Valley
$19.95/ $195.00
This is, as always, a tremendous bottle of cab franc for the money. David without question has a very firm handle on this not-so-easy to make style of wine. Lovely juice here!
2011 CORVIDAE “Mirth” Chardonnay
$9.95/ $98.00
Need a stylish, creamy chardonnay that tastes like pure apples, honey, and ripe figs, with wonderful balance and finesse? Here it is!
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To order your Fable or any other crow-centric wine (or any wine on this website), just reply with an email (or call) and let us know your wishes. We’ll reply back promptly and let you know when the wine will be available for pick up or shipment. Should you decide to mix and match you wine selections, the following discounts apply:
Any 6-11 bottles take 10% off the per bottle price
Any 12-27 bottles take 15% off
Any 28+ bottles take 20% off
Salud!!
