Category Archives: Featured Wine

2017 Vietti Barbera d’Asti “Tre Vigne”

2017 VIETTI Barbera d’Asti "Tre Vigne"
$17.95 bottle/ $172.00 case

Luca and Elena of Vietti are Italian winemaking royalty. Their Vietti winery is a standard bearer for quality. Across the board their wines are benchmarks, most definitely including this lovely, impeccable Barbera d’Asti. Tremendous for an under-$20 bottle of red wine! >> 91 pts- Wine Spectator: “High-toned black currant, black cherry and violet aromas and…

Buy This Blanc: 2017 Eyrie Pinot Blanc!!

2017 EYRIE VINEYARDS Pinot Blanc "Dundee Hills"
$17.95 bottle/ $172.00 case

I hadn’t had the Eyrie Pinot Blanc for several years until W and I were in the midst of a very forgettable dinner at the coast a couple of weeks ago. What was VERY memorable was this very wine, which was so interesting to drink, with fresh fig, just picked apple, floral spice and a…

Cavallotto’s Dolcetto Delight!!

2017 CAVALLOTTO Dolcetto d'Alba "Vigna Scot"
$19.95 bottle/ $192.00 case

At our last Piedmont tasting in December I was knocked out by this Dolcetto from Cavallotto. Niot too surprising, as this producer is a legend in Barolo circles due to their obsessive attention to detail, which extends to this pure, truly gorgeous dolcetto. About as good as his grape can get, I think, and a…

Vivacious Viognier!

2018 YALUMBA Viognier "Y Series"
$12.95 bottle/ $124.00 case

With all thoughts and prayers going out to everyone affected by the raging inferno that seems to threatening the whole continent (helped on by their reprehensible, climate-change denying PM), it’s hard to be all cheerful when thinking about Australia. Having said that, this beauty of a viognier (I apologize, no good segue here) has been…

Ravishing Rioja: 2015 Palacios “La Montesa” Rioja Crianza

2015 ALVARO PALACIOS Rioja "La Montesa"
$18.95 bottle/ $185.00 case

I’ve been waiting months for this to come in ever since tasting it with the importer mid-last year. Finally my Spanish ship has landed and this terrific Rioja, a rare for this region blend of 92% garnacha and 8% tempranillo, still meets every expectation. Extremely limited (just 25 cases available for Oregon) and exceptionally delicious!…

Good As It Gets: 2016 CIGLIUTI Barbera d’Alba “Campass”

2016 CIGLIUTI Barbera d'Alba "Campass"
$26.95 bottle/ $257.00 case

As always, and this gets reinforced with seemingly every release, the Cigliuti sisters are making some of my very favorite Piedmontese wines at their small winery outside the village of Neive. As stated endlessly, I adore the Barbera grape, and nobody does it better than Claudia and her sister Silvia. Their wines, both Barbera and…

Super Tuscan, Down To Earth Price: 2016 Sette Ponti Crognolo

2016 TENUTA SETTE PONTI Crognolo
$24.95 bottle/ $135.00 half case/ $239.00 case

A super delicious Super Tuscan red here from a cult producer that we’re getting cut a great deal on. I’ve had this open at theshop a couple of times recently and people were knocked out by the combination of elegance and power on display. The cheapest prices I could find on the interwebs for this…

Grüner Greatness: 2017 Mantlerhof “Mosburgerin” Gruner Veltliner

2017 MANTLERHOF Grüner Veltliner "Mosburgerin"
$25.95 bottle/ $249.00 case

A knockout G-V here, one of the best I’ve had in years. Vivacious, mouthwatering, awesomely rich on the palate, and offering layers of crisp, peppery, mineral-infused fruit. Mind boggling how many foods this could match up with. A single vineyard stunner that gives you everything you could ask of Grüner. I love this juice!! >>…