Dominio IV 'Love Lies Bleeding'

There is no question that some of the most interesting and complex Pinot Noirs being produced today are grown in Oregon, but unfortunately, like many of the superb wines of the Cotes de Nuits, the great wines of Oregon come at a hefty price tag. Alas, this brings us to discover Dominio IV Pinot Noir. This is a joint venture between winemaker Patrick Reuter, his wife Leigh Bartholomew and Liz and Glenn Bartholomew, owners of Three Sleeps Vineyard. Patrick and his wife decided to settle in Mosier, Oregon and plant what their hearts told them, Tempranillo, Syrah and Viognier. With some of the most promising domestic successes for the before mentioned varietals, the heart and soul of the soils of Oregon are most adapted to Pinot Noir and it is now with Dominio's Pinot Noir release that the anticipation has grown rapidly. We have a limited allocation of this bottling but would like to encourage any of our Pinot Noir customers to take advantage of this one since at a meager price tag of just under $20 dollars, the quality and complexity of this wine are a steal!

This 2009 release called 'Love Lies Bleeding' comes from the Dundee Hills region, the oldest Pinot Noir growing region in Oregon and one that has established itself for its terroir. If you already appreciate the marvels of Ken Wright, Bethel Heights, Penner Ash and Argyle, consider the Dominio in such company even at its extraordinarily lower price tag. Grab a case and save an additional 20% off for the months of January and February!

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Brovia 2006 Barolo offer ………..

If you have not yet tasted one of Brovia’s cru Barolos, now is your chance to take advantage of this pre-arrival offering on their 2006 releases. Antonio Galloni of the Wine Advocate recently posted his thoughts after tasting through Brovia’s entire line up. Please read on…

“Tasted all of the single-vineyard 2006 Barolos today plus the 2005 Villero. The wines came in at the high end of my barrel scores, if not a touch higher. You have to really admire what Brovia has done, especially in recent years. The wines are simply fabulous, and that includes the 2008 Dolcetto and Barbera. But the most moving of the new releases is the 2006 Ca’ Mia. The bouquet alone is extraordinary. What a wine! Readers discouraged with the upward trajectory on pricing at the most famous of the traditional estates should not pass up an opportunity to check out Brovia. These are superb wines by any measure.”

We believe the key to Brovia’s success is unmistakably linked to their terroir holdings. The Brovia winery, originally launched by Giacinto Brovia in 1863, has some of the best cru plots in Piedmont, notably from Rocche, Villero and Garblét Sue. In addition, the family painstakingly nurtures each soil type and vineyard site to that each of their bottlings offers a distinctive reflection of the different soils of the region. Leave it to the Brovia’s to craft wines of such character, elegance and longevity!

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Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Le Volte 2007 - The Spirit Shoppe

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Le Volte 2007 - The Spirit Shoppe

Avalon California Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

What better way to ring in the New Year than discovering an incredibly affordable and worthwhile California red wine: Avalon Cabernet Sauvignon 2007. This Central Coast bottling offers surprises at every turn and is humbly priced at under $10 a bottle. Years ago, I remember working with Derek Benham at one of my previous employments. At that time, he was just introducing a ‘private label’ Merlot called Blackstone. As you may be aware, this label grew in popularity and fame rather quickly and it was in 2001, that Derek sold the label. The reason I mention this young California born wine visionary is he is now the creator and owner of Avalon winery. Along with winemaker Alex Cose, who spent 6 years at Calistoga’s famous Peter Michael winery, Derek Benham has created a winery exclusively dedicated to fine red wine, more specifically, Cabernet Sauvignon. His 2007 California release is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon (86%) with smaller amounts of Merlot, Syrah and Petite Sirah. So, in addition to offering the textbook aromas and flavors of Cabernet Sauvignon – cassis, eucalyptus and mint – this red gains a supple mid palate thanks to its Merlot, gathers enticing scents and flavors of blueberry from its Syrah and offers deep plummy spice and tannin from its Petite Sirah. With 20 months of French and American oak aging, this wine’s finish is subtle and toasty with lingering vanilla and nutmeg. Run; don’t walk to grab some of this spectacular California offering!

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Tenuta Santomè Prosecco n/v, Veneto

With ghouls and goblins lurking about, it is the perfect time to start considering what bubbly would be best for your upcoming winter holidays. At the Shoppe, we have seen a steady rise in Prosecco requests, perhaps because of its delicate, aperitif quality or its wonderful food affinity or even most, its affordability. Whatever the reason, Prosecco is a staple at our home and this holiday season Tenuta Santomè will be at the top of our list! Owned by the Spinazzè family, Tenuta Santomè is an extremely modern Veneto winery with close plantings and scrupulous grape selection in the vineyard and in the cellar. The property spans 60 hectares between the towns of Treviso and Venice with 30 hectares in their main estate in Biancade and the remaining property on ‘Grave de Papadopoli,’ a small island on the River Piave between the villages of Cimadolmo and Maserada.&# 160; With the assistance of famed Veneto oenologist Marzio Pol, this winery produces classic, elegant, Prosecco. Crafted in the traditional style of extra dry, this Prosecco is harmonious and refreshing with an enticing bouquet of acacia flower, green apple and citrus. With balanced acidity and weight, this sparkling wine is ideal with passed hors d’oeuvres or your ‘primi piatti’ of choice. It is true that the French have perfected Champagne but if you are searching for a lighter more delicate alternative that won’t break your budget, Tentua Santomè is the wine for you!

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Domaine de Ferrand Châteauneuf du Pape 2005

When it comes to the Rhône valley, I must admit that I am a bit of a traditionalist in regards to flavor profile and Domaine de Ferrand, lead by visionary Philippe Bravy, is extremely dedicated to preserving the unique traditions and special characteristics that Châteauneuf du Pape offers. Robert Parker, Jr. has called Philippe ‘one of the most serious of the young generation of vignerons in Châteauneuf du Pape’ and one of the region’s ‘up and coming stars.’ Perhaps it is the dedication and care that Philippe laboriously garners on his family’s scant 5 1/2 hectare domaine. While practicing organic farming techniques and strictly limiting yields on his extremely old vine parcels (some of which date to over 100 years in age), Monsieur Bravy is able to achieve superb ripeness of fruit and great complexity. The 2005 release of his Châteauneuf du Pape is primarily Grenache with a 10% cépage of Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and several local white varietals. This red is altogether captivating with aromas of garrigue, licorice, black cherry, wild raspberry and smoked game. With a broad, generous palate, this is a serious wine through and through with layers of earthy, meaty, Provençal inspired fruit. In other words, this red is not for the faint of heart but for those, like myself, who appreciate the southern Rhône in all of its glory. Not to mention, this beauty, although currently drinking well, does have the potential to age gloriously over the next decade.


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O’Reilly’s Pinot Noir 2008

In this day and age, we are constantly searching for value priced wines that are as equally impressive as they are affordable and Owen Roe’s O’Reilly’s Pinot Noir 2008 is just such. David O’Reilly, owner and winemaker of Owen Roe, started with just a few barrels in a tiny winery he shared with Peter Rosback (sineann). He is now a formidable force in the Pacific Northwest. Some may call it the luck of the Irish but the fact of the matter is that David and his business partner Jerry Owen produce excellent wines from some of the best vineyard sites in the Pacific Northwest. The 2008 release is vibrant yet refined with all of the characteristics of a drinkable and approachable Willamette valley Pinot Noir. With bright red berry notes on the nose and a hint of forest floor and toasty oak, this red is silky and broad on the palate with delicate toasted oak and earth to complement the rich strawberry and raspberry fruit. This is the ideal everyday drinking Pinot Noir that showcases the wonderful food friendly acidity and earthy character that I have come to love from Oregon wines.

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