Tag Archives: Staff Pick

Wine of the Day: Crowley Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2014 5-4-16

Crowley WV Chard 14Crowley Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($26.95) Buy Now: $21.90 special

“The 2014 offering from Crowley shows their classic notes of dried ginger and golden apples with a brisk acidity.  The wine was raised in neutral French oak barrels for 16 months and offers a creamy texture from the extended lees aging along with a bright mineral finish that lasts for several minutes.  It is all declassified Four Winds Vineyard fruit comprised of 1/3 Dijon clone and 2/3 Wente clone.  (The 2013 release saw no Wente as this later-ripening variety was negatively affected by the rain.)  A remarkable offering, as always, that would pair well with a range of foods or be enjoyable on its own to sip and ponder.” -Suzanne

Winery note “Comprised of Wente and Dijon clones from Four Winds Vineyard this wine demonstrates the undeniable pedigree and personality of this fantastic high elevation and old vine site.  … Read the rest

Wine of the Day: JB Becker Martinsthaler Rodchen Spatlese Trocken 1990 5-3-16

Becker 1990JB Becker Martinsthaler Rodchen Spatlese Trocken 1990 750ML ($59.95) Buy Now: $49 special

My, how time flies! Much as I don’t want to make anyone feel old, I’d like to highlight the fact that Milli Vanilli were the biggest thing in the world at the time this wine was made. While the R&B duo from West Germany may have soared –peaked-crashed-and-burned, Hans-Joseph Becker from the Rheingau has only now begun to enjoy the spotlight. At 70!

I drew out Sunday night’s dinner with little tipples from this old bottle – a dark brown, star-stamped bottle from which copper-gold splashed out brilliantly. In the decanter, the wine caught candlelight in so gorgeous a way I literally sighed. Then came drinking! At once, a sense of energy and integration, yet I could easily sift through the layers to reveal essences which had been tucked away across the past quarter-century. … Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Jean Francois Ganevat Vieux Macvin du Jura NV (2005) 5-1-16

Ganevat Vieux MacvinJean Francois Ganevat Vieux Macvin du Jura NV (2005) 750ML ($59.95) Buy Now: $49 special

Why we love the Macvin: It’s dynamic. A great bottle to bring to shake things up at a potluck, it’s a delicious wine to start off a meal with alongside soft cheeses, meats, nuts, and anything else, really! – Tyler

Importer note: Blend of 2/3 unfermented must of Savagnin and 1/3 Marc of Savagnin. Aged in barrel for 8 years before bottling.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: PY Colin-Morey Les Combes, Saint-Aubin 1er Cru 2013 4-30-16

PYCM Combes Saint Aubin 13Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Les Combes, Saint-Aubin Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($69.95) Buy Now: $59 special

Why we love Les Combes: Balance. PYCM’s been putting out white wines with such consistency over the past few years, this gem most certainly notwithstanding. They’re drinking well now and they’ll only continue to do so… – Tyler

Wine Advocate 88-90 points “The 2013 Saint Aubin les Combes has another very expressive bouquet with hints of mango and overripe Satsumas combining nicely with the mineral component. The palate is well balanced with crisp acidity, quite refined, although it just eases off a little prematurely on the tapered finish. Otherwise I envisage this slipping down the throat with ease.” WA… Read the rest