Friday Flights

Once again I have to beg your forgiveness, as it seems I am going to hopefully monopolize some of your free drinking time in the next week. I can’t feel too bad about this since out of four days of tasting opportunities here at the shack three of them are free. Those are definitely odds in your favor! Our special in store event this coming Wednesday is mentioned at the bottom of the email.

Starting off I am extremely pleased (smug, impressed, proud, etc.) to have not only the wines from two of Oregon’s premier small, boutique wineries pouring for you this Friday, but we are also quite fortunate to have the two winemakers who produced these wondrous elixirs in store to provide a bit of insight into the process, and answer any questions you might have. Anne Hubatch of Helioterra, who’ve we’ve been trying to schedule in for a tasting for over a year (good things come to those who wait, indeed!), and Heath Payne of Witness Tree are producing wine that may be flying under the radar but quality wise are second to none. Plus for the money you simply can not drink better locally. I am, and have been, especially over the last few vintages, incredibly impressed with their wines. Definitely check out the rather nice plug Anne got for her 2011 “Vintner’s Select” Pinot after the listing below in the Bonus #2 slot. Having the wines is great, but having the talent behind them here is even better, so I hope you’ll take advantage of this rare opportunity to ask all those personal questions you’ve been harboring, or that may pop into your minds on the spot, and stop by for these bits of local flavor….
-2009 WITNESS TREE Viognier “Estate” $15.95
-2012 HELIOTERRA “Whoa Nelly” Melon de Bourgogne $14.95…this is the über-refreshing, zesty grape that goes into the great Muscadets from France. Anne has nailed it!
-2011 WITNESS TREE Pinot Noir Rosé “Remari” $15.95
-2011 WITNESS TREE Pinot Noir “Chainsaw” $19.95
-2011 HELIOTERRA Pinot Noir “Willamette Valley” $24.95
And most assuredly save room for our bonus rounds….
Bonus #1-2011 WITNESS TREE Pinot Noir “Estate” $26.95
Bonus #2-2011 HELIOTERRA Pinot Noir “Vintner’s Select” $36.95…just this past Wednesday it was revealed that Anne’s 2011 VS Pinot was awarded “Best Over $25 Pinot Noir” in the NW by SIP Northwest Magazine. Impressive indeed, especially so since it was judged by 31 wine professionals against over 200 other entries! Bravo, Anne!!!
Bonus #3-2011 HELIOTERRA Mourvedre “Red Mountain” $30.95

That should get you out of the house, if I know you like I think I do! Drop by anytime  between 4:30 and 8:00 for your time with two truly wonderful people. The cost is the usual ten dollars with a nominal bonus charge. Bring the friends and snacks in abundance and we’ll see you here!!

*** SATURDAY/SUNDAY SAMPLING ***
This weekend promises much grape based pleasure for those who stop at VINO for the FREE wine tasting that will be pouring Saturday 11-6:30 and Sunday 12-5. We’ll explore a couple more treats from last week’s VINO E-Special along with a personal store favorite or two that are “must drink” sort of wines! Here’s your bottled weekend enhancement…..
-2009 CHATEAU SAINT ANDRE CORBIN St-Georges-St-Emilion $22.95…the new vintage is out and it is a trull;y stunning value in classic Bordeaux. Obviously delicious now and a perfect cellar candidate. I strongly urge you to get in to try this beauty!
-2010 GROCHAU CELLARS “RED” Claret $15.95…for those of you who had hoped to taste it last week (but due to ordering malfeasance on my part couldn’t) it is back and ready for your approval. A nice new world take and a great match with the Corbin above!
-2007 SENORIO DE BALBOA Castilla y Léon Tempranillo $9.95….a wonderfully priced way to slake the thirst of that crowd around the ‘cue!
-2009 DUCATO SANNITA Greco di Tufo $7.95…a perfectly priced summer refresher whose quality belies it’s ridiculously affordable price!

<<< SPECIAL TASTING EVENT >>>
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 wines of Montes have been gracing the shelves of VINO since day one, and the dedication, quality, sustainable practices, and not least the awesome quality-to-price ratio maintained by winemaker Aurelio Montes should be an inspiration to all winemakers. Salome will be showing wines not only from Montes’ critically acclaimed Chilean properties, but also a few selections from their sister Argentinean property Kaiken. Going from entry level up through the luxury cuvées, this is as good as it gets in South American wine and you absolutely won’t want to miss this chance to taste some awesome world class wine. This is going to be a fabulous evening and a chance to taste some of the finest South American reds in our market with the woman who makes sure they get here. I hope you’re as excited as I am for this event because this is going to be amazing! The tasting is free, and you can drop in anytime between 5 and 7. No reservations required, just a palate open to new and delicious experiences! Here’s the goods….
- 2011 MONTES “Cherub” Syrah Rosé $11.95
- 2011 MONTES “Limited Select” Cab/Malbec  $13.95
- 2010 KAIKEN “Corte Reserve” Malbec-Bonarda-Petit Verdot  $13.95
- 2007 KAIKEN Ultra Malbec $20.95…89 points in both Wine Spectator and Wine Advocate
- 2007 MONTES Alpha Syrah  $21.95…90 points in both Wine Spectator and Wine Advocate
- 2007 KAIKEN “Mai” Malbec $75.00….92 points Wine Advocate; 91 points Wine Spectator
- 2005 MONTES “Folly” Syrah $80.00…94 points in both Wine Spectator and Wine Advocate
As I said, an incredible evening awaits!! Those who’ve attended our in store events before know that the people we have in always put on a good show. Your reputation precedes you, and distributors have been hounding VINO to do events here with visiting winemakers. I’ve found myself having to turn down tastings that aren’t quite up to standards, so for that I have to thank all of you!

*** UPCOMING TASTINGS ***

May 17th: Wines of Helioterra and Witnerss Tree Vineyards with the winemakers in store! Come meet Anne Hubatch of Helioterra and Heath Payne of Witness Tree!

May 24th: Tuscan Treasures, pt.1-  A tour of the rolling hills and sun-drenched vineyards of this beautiful region. Chianti, Brunello, Vino Nobile and more!

May 31st: Tuscan Treasures, pt. 2- the tour continues with more sangiovese greatness!

June 7th: VINO’s Spring Fizz Fest!! All bubbles, all night. It only happens twice a year, so don’t miss it!