White

 

Kellerei Bolzano 2013 Müller Thurgau Eisacktaler—Last February, we hosted Klaus Sparer for an in store tasting of the wines of Cantina Bolzano, located in Alto Adige. It was fascinating to talk to him about the region, how the grapes are grown, where they are grown, local food, the cool alpine climate. The wines produced by this coop representing over 200 growers are of great quality and a great value. Müller Thurgau was developed in the Swiss Canton of Thurgau by Hermann Müller in 1882 as a crossing of Riesling and Madeleine Royale. The idea was to get the quality and aromatics of the former and the ease of growth and production of the latter. In the end, it's not quite Riesling, but a very tasty and food friendly wine. After harvest in mid September to October, the grapes are pressed and fermented in stainless steel. Aging also occurs in stainless to preserve the freshness and crispness of the wine. In the glass, look for a straw yellow color hints of green- the telltale sign of a cooler growing climate. Floral aromatics, with spice, tropical fruit, and citrus. These continue to the palate, with a dry, crisp medium body touched by minerality. All in, this is a great food friendly wine, a perfect accompaniment to vegetables and lighter fare. $25.98

Eyrie Vineyards 2013 Pinot Gris—Where would we be without Eyrie Vineyards? Founded in 1966 by David Lett and his wife, this historical Oregon winery produced their first vintage in 1970. They were the first to produce Pinot Gris in the US, and the first to plant Pinot Noir in the Willamette Valley (against the advice of UC Davis' enology department). This is a luscious wine that will make you forget Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are one and the same. Aromas of pear, melon, orchard fruit, and spice burst from the glass. Look for citrus and tree fruit with a touch of minerality on the medium bodied palate. There is enough acidity retained to leave a fresh, long finish. Eyrie always strives to make a very nuanced and balanced wine and this is a perfect example of their style. $35.98

Héritiers du Comte Lafon 2014 Mâcon-Villages—Dominique Lafon is one of the finest producers in France, and leads the charge in Burgundy with his amazing Meursault and Montrachet wines.  In 1999 Dominique took the opportunity to purchase 14 hectare of land in the Mâconnais.  With limited access to additional vineyard land in Beaune, this project created more wine from the cellars of Lafon at a reasonable price point. These Mâcon vines have been farmed according to biodynamic principles, with low yields, dense plantings, and attention to detail.  The results have been wines with great complexity, vibrant fruit, mineral character, and stunning length.  The Héritiers wines get better and better every vintage and have developed into serious Chardonnay wines that demonstrate the potential of the Mâconnais region.  The 2014 vintage offers outstanding quality with the White Burgundy showcasing concentration and precision. Awesome value wines! $36.98

 

 

Red

 

Ogier 2012 Syrah d'Ogier—Stephane Ogier is one of the finest producers in France right now, making wines from the Northern Rhône, and more specifically, Côte Rôtie. While this wine is not exactly Côte Rôtie, it is made with the same care and in the same facility as the top wines of this Domaine. Stephane is a young man who spends all day in the vineyards, and for those who have not visited the area we are talking about slopes that can exceed a 60% gradient. The Ogier red wines are based on the Syrah Grape, and offer amazing depth, polish, and balance. Syrah from the Northern Rhône is one of my favorite wines to suggest to customers who like Pinot Noir. These wines share a similar finesse to the wines of Burgundy and pair beautifully with grilled meats. $31.98

Descendientes de Palacios 2012 "Petalos" Bierzo—The Palacios family is famous throughout Rioja and Priorat for their full throttle reds.  This more unusual bottling comes from Bierzo, in the far Northwest and is from the indigenous menciagrape.  The Petalos is not unlike a Cabernet Franc, with black cherry and plum fruit, flowers and hint of fresh herbs.  The estate is biodynamic and everything must be done by hand in these steep stony vineyards. $37.98

Domaine Parent 2012 Bourgogne Rouge—Domaine Parent, located in Pommard, in the heart of Côte d’Or, is today run by Anne Parent and her sister Catherine Fages-Parent, representing the 12th generation, and perpetuating a family tradition dating back to the 17th century. This regional wine is definitely a step up in quality from most.  The grapes are harvested by hand from flatter vineyards in the villages of Pommard and Volnay.  A strict sorting and examination of the fruit happens before turning it into wine to eliminate any over ripe or substandard grapes.  The idea is to treat this modest wine as if it were a great one.  "My father always considered that you have to look after your Bourgogne Pinot Noir as you do your Corton Grand Cru. It's essential to have the good quality on this first level, because it is the image. Yes," said Anne. A translucent ruby in the glass, look for the signature aromatics of red burgundy of tart cherry, strawberry, and rhubarb.  Beneath this find traces of the depth the region is known for- earth, mineral, wet leaves.  Fresh on the palate, the acidity provides a nice backbone to the wine.  I would suggest opening as soon as you sit down at the table to give the wine some time to breathe. Enjoy it with later courses. $46.98