Tag Archives: wine of the day

Wine of the Day: Paolo Bea Pagliaro Secco, Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG 2008 4-19-16

Paolo Bea Sagrantino 2008Paolo Bea Pagliaro Secco, Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG 2008 750ML ($89.95) Buy Now: $79 special

Sagrantino di Montefalco is a brawny, tannic wine. Bea’s interpretation of the grape entails careful winemaking with an aim to limit intervention. There’s so much structure here, with a musical balance of muscle and grace – the smoke and spice conjure thoughts of campfire and fragrant cigar boxes, while a coquettish blend of cranberry, dark chocolate, granite-tinged minerals, and freshly-tilled earth dances across the tongue.

The surest bet is to decant the wine, taking little sips as you revisit over the course of two to three days, perhaps more for the uber-curious. Keep it in the fridge in the interim, but allow plenty of time for it to reacquaint with room temperature before you pour those ensuing glasses.Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Lafage Cuvee Centenaire Cotes du Roussillon 2014 4-18-16

Lafage CentenaireDomaine Lafage Cotes du Roussillon Cuvee Centenaire, Languedoc-Roussillon 2014 750ML ($19.95) Buy Now: $16 special

I’m going to use two of my least favorite wine descriptors for this one: likeable and drinkable. They’re lazy truisms that leave me shuddering, but I can’t help but call Lafage’s ‘Centenaire’ just that. Truly likeable and really drinkable. There, I said it!

As the namesake suggests, the grapes are grown from hundred-year-old vines – Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, and a touch of Rousanne, in this instance. The wine has considerable body without ever overstaying it’s welcome. Round, somewhat tropical, and with this brilliant salinity which has me wanting more. Preferrably, outdoors, near a coastline. With seafood! I’m stumped in thinking who wouldn’t enjoy Cuvee Centenaire; it’s a killer wine at the moment and will only become more crucial as the summer months draw closer.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Evesham Wood Temperance Hill 2013 4-16-16

Evesham Wood Temperance HillEvesham Wood Temperance Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2013 750ML ($39.95) Buy Now: $31.90 special

Evesham Wood Temperance Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2013 1.5L ($89.95) Buy Now: $79 special

Why we love it: The aromas! Sizzling red fruit, campfire spice, and herbs… An incredibly seductive wine with nice follow-through; cherry and currant flavors marry into a lasting, bright finish. A balanced and playful wine with very broad appeal. – Tyler

Winery note: “What a special place Temperance Hill is and what special wines come from it. As always, that “Temperance Hill note” is immediately evident on the nose. It’s hard to nail that note–cedar, green tobacco, freshly sawn wood–whatever you call it, it’s always there, but this year right there with it is a cherry and almost strawberry jam component.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Bossard Domaine L’Ecu Orthogneiss 2013 4-15-16

Guy Bossard Domaine de l'Ecu Muscadet OrthogneissGuy Bossard Domaine de l’Ecu Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie Orthogneiss, Loire 2013 750ML ($24.95) Buy Now: $19 special

Charming and complex in equal measure, this bottle proves that there’s much more to Muscadet than oysters and easy-drinkin’. The dryness and minerals you’d expect meet a unique palate of melon, citrus fruit, salty ocean air, and an intriguing touch of savory herbs. A lovely problem-solver of a wine, whether one seeks refreshment, no-fuss food pairings, or a respite from the unwarranted barrage of boring white wines which mid-August so often falls victim to. Pro tip: the Orthogneiss also ages terrifically! -Tyler

Wine Enthusiast 91 points “This wine is creamy, rich and has a fragrant, aromatic character. It is full in the mouth, hinting almost at toastiness, certainly vanilla and rich yellow fruits.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Crowley La Colina 2013 4-14-16

Crowley La Colina 2013Crowley La Colina Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2013 750ML ($59.95) Buy Now: $51.90 special

The Dundee Hills AVA is delineated in part by the soil, termed Jory. Jory soil is a very old, dark red loam, silt and clay soil formed from the decomposed basalt deposited by 15 million year old lava flows.  The soil is well-draining and is credited for giving the AVA’s wines classic red fruit and dusty spice notes.  The vineyard in question, La Colina, was planted by George Hillberry in 1999.  Since 2005 (first under the Entre Nous bottling and now also as a single vineyard) Tyson Crowley has worked with the non-irrigated vineyard.  La Colina is between 450 and 550 feet in elevation and boasts over 6 feet of Jory soil.… Read the rest