Wine of the Month
2021 DOMAINE CHEVEAU SAINT-AMOUR ‘VILLA VIOLETTES’ GRAND CRU
BURGUNDY, FRANCE
$19.95 BTL.
WE LOVE GAMAY & this Old Vine Cuvee will not disappoint! This cuvée is an assemblage of five parcels (average 60 years old) that Domaine Cheveau recently acquired from their uncle. The grapes are hand-harvested and sorted before being destemmed. After a cold maceration of three to four days and a two-week cuvaison, the wine spends eight months in stainless steel before bottling. The “Villa Violettes” is comparable to the “Champs Grillés” with deep color and structure, explosive fresh fruit, and firm tannins; yet it does present a bit fresher and more youthful on the palate. Approximately 125 cases per annum are available for the US market.
“This beauty is laced with explosive dark fruits and is filled with soaring notes of smoky minerality, hints of violets, and spice. This is a food lover’s wine, and you really can’t go wrong with this one!” A fruity and greedy Gamay on notes of wild blackberries and spices, with a beautiful roundness in the mouth and crunchy fruit. From the northernmost Beaujolais Cru, where the wines tend to be lighter and fresher, this is deeply colored, full-flavored, and laced with explosive dark fruit. A Neal Rosenthal Import.
Best Buys
2020 SAINT INNOCENT PINOT NOIR – MOMTAZI VINEYARD
Willamette Valley, Oregon
$13.95 BTL. / $83.70 6-PK / $167.40 CASE
RELEASE PRICE: $50! We have known Saint Innocent’s Owner & Mastermind Mark Vlossak since we opened our doors. Mark is probably the only Oregon winemaker that drinks more Burgundy than Oregon Pinot & it shows in his style. We always rank his wines at the top of the Oregon Pinot Noir food chain, but they are usually too expensive. Not anymore! We met with him just before the Snow & we must sadly report he has gone MAD! This offering is sooooo ridiculous that we are postponing having him committed until everyone gets a chance at it.
The adage is ‘When Opportunity Knocks’, well it is Knocking on your door with a Sledgehammer!
Momtazi Vineyard is located in the McMinnville AVA, 7 miles west of McMinnville, Oregon. The Pinot Noir grapes for this wine come from four blocks at the top of the vineyard on a steep, exposed and windblown hillside. Planted in 1999 and 2004 on thin, poor soils, the vines have a south and SW exposure at an elevation of 680-760′. The vineyard is certified biodynamic by Demeter. Momtazi Vineyard is located high above a warm valley that lies between the mouth of the Van Duzer Corridor and the Eola-Amity Hills. Momtazi is a textural and umami-driven wine, with lovely aromas of spice, smoky earth, and dried black fruit. It is quite elegant on the mid-palate with the finish blossoming to more floral notes with hints of cocoa powder.
2024 BENMAR “SPRINGBOK” PINOT NOIR
YAMHILL-CARLTON, OREGON
$19.95 BTL.
$65 at the Winery! (https://benmarwine.com/our-wines/) 96 PTS. – DECANTER! The 2024 Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir is a rich and versatile wine that hails primarily from the esteemed Hirschy Vineyard in the Yamhill-Carlton district. The wine enchants the senses with a bouquet of violets, anise, and forest floor, setting the stage for its multifaceted flavor profile. Savory, floral, and spice-focused characteristics stand out on the palate, featuring spiced red and black fruits with aromatic notes of red cedar and cola. Additional elements such as crushed granite, blackberry/blueberry pie, and a touch of gaminess (Think Burgundy) contribute to its well-rounded flavor profile. This wine boasts a medium-weight and dusty tannin structure that harmoniously melds with the delicate nuances of French oak and mineral elements, ultimately delivering a rich, juicy, and brooding finish that captivates the palate. (300 case produced).
2023 BENMAR “SAND DUNE” CHARDONNAY
DUNDEE HILLS, OREGON
$19.95 BTL.
https://benmarwine.com/our-wines/ $50 upon release! The 2023 Benmar Chardonnay Dundee Hills Oregon is a captivating wine that seamlessly blends Burgundian elegance with Californian richness. The aromatic profile is a symphony of floral notes, with delicate hints of orange peel, lemon verbena, and a touch of hazelnut. On the palate, the wine is well-balanced, offering a creamy texture and a refreshing acidity that lingers on the finish.