Dave:
Ground Effect Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
With the cooler temperatures and this weeks seemingly endless deluge comes the need for something rich and comforting in the glass. It seems Cabernet season is upon us. This Santa Barbara Cab is a recent favorite. It is a very honest wine with ripe and juicy fruit flavors, plenty of body and a classic cab profile. It's unique source and profile make it a perfect mid week dinner wine and it's approachable style makes it great for parties.
-
$21.99
Patrick:
Illahe Estate Pinot Noir 2016
Luddites of the wine world unite! Family owned Illahe (a Chinook word for "Earth" or "Place") eschews modern machinery as much as possible in their wine making philosophy to let the grape and terroir be the true voice of the finished elixir you are about to enjoy. Their gentle approach includes basket gravity pressing, organic and sustainable dry farming, and stabling their own team of Percheron draft horses to stay true to a more traditional handling of the grapes and the wine making process. Illahe's south-facing vineyards are planted in clay soils and produce one of the best values in Estate grown pinot noirs in Williamette Valley. Once uncorked, the 2016 vintage wafts from the glass aromas of light strawberry, tamarind, and black cherry before enveloping the palate with soft chocolate, lightly spiced berries, and tobacco leaf with velvety tannins and balanced acid giving over to a long light finish. This vintage can be enjoyed now and for the next few years, accompanying your best attempt at coq au vin!
-
$26.99
Doug:
Tenuta di Gracciano Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, 2015
This is a Saturday night wine for a touch more than the price of a Tuesday night wine. 18 months in new and used oak, a touch of Merlot for weight, great acidity, and with a long long finish, this wine delivers. Many of you who came to our Grand Tasting are probably familiar with it and can attest to why it was one of the show's best sellers. Get it while you can! Vino Nobiles aren't getting any cheaper, especially at this level of quality
. -
$24.99
Ray
: R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Riserva 2005
-
I am taking a break from reviewing a $15 dollar bottle of wine this week to talk about one of my favorite Rioja Producers. R Lopez De Heredia is a third generation family, producing wine in Rioja Alta for 140+ years. Even though they are a larger estate, they focus on creating world class wines, with incredible aging potential, and they do it all organically! They are so focused on making sure you have the best expression of wine in your glass, they hold back their riserva wines for over 10 years before release. Current vintage is 2005. What a huge time investment on the wineries end to make sure your enjoying the wine in it's peak. These can also be Cellar Savers. I know people who are currently opening up these wines from the mid 40's. -
$44.99
