Wine of the Month
2016 BODEGAS ALLENDE
RIOJA, SPAIN
$19.95 BTL.
95 Pts. – Penin Guida! @$40! (THIS MAY BE THE GREATEST $20 WINE WE HAVE EVER OFFERED!)
Situated in La Rioja Alta, on a hill that stands 80 metres above the surrounding countryside, Briones appears silhouetted against the sky, so reflecting the importance of the terroir on which it was built, the importance of a terroir that allows us to get closer to heaven.
Bodegas Allende, like neighbors Lopez de Heredia, Muga & La Rioja Alta are responsible for some of the best Tempranillo-based wines on earth. It has been over a decade since we last were able to obtain any of their wines for our & your enjoyment. I was fortunate to meet up with Allende’s owner & winemaker Miguel San Gregario for a nice dinner at Maldeducat in Barcelona’s L’Eixample neighborhood where we got down to the business at hand.
Founded in 1986 by Miguel San Gregorio in the hillside town of Briones, Finca Allende is located in an ancient 17th century manor, set in a medieval town square within the heart of Rioja Alta. Roughly translated as further, Allendes philosophy is to go further towards creating the perfect Rioja. The majority of vines are plowed with mules, grapes are hand-harvested, triple-selected and manually punched-down, before undergoing extensive underground aging in both barrel and bottle. Known for producing round wines with great body and structure, each bottle is hand-crafted by and contains the signature of Miguel ngel de Gregorio. Considered to be Spains first terroirist, Miguel ngels sincere dedication to natural farming and preserving the integrity of Rioja Alta, are why he is one of the regions most celebrated winemakers and a mastermind when it comes to making world class estate-grown wines.
The 2016 Allende is a wine that they don’t produce every year (there will be no 2023). The 2016 Allende Tinto which represents a higher percentage here spent one years in barrel and two years in bottle; so, it could be a Reserva but they prefer to call it simple ‘Allende’. It was a concentrated year, very ripe in Rioja, and the ripeness shows in the profile of the fruit. The wine reveals abundant but diminished tannins, reflecting the conditions of the year. This wine is a sexy, exotic wine that could be called Spanish Pomerol. The 2006 Allende (125 cases produced) reveals extract and body, as well as a viscous, unctuously-textured finish. Flavors of chocolate, blackberries, and cherries are also present. The 2016 Allende should drink well for 15-20 years.
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.