APRIL 2021 REVIEWS

RED WINES

OREGON – RED

2017 The Eyrie Vineyards, Pinot Noir, Estate, Red Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon (O) 31.99 / 328.22

Vintage after vintage, Eyrie’s Pinot Noirs are always the epitome of elegance and transparency. Employing old vines, organic viticulture, and minimal intervention in the cellar, winemaker Jason Lett issues some of the most compelling Pinot Noirs in Oregon. Lett’s 2017 Estate Pinot, a blend of fruit from all five of Eyrie’s single-vineyard sites, casts a translucent crimson-tinged ruby hue from the bowl followed by loamy, soil-inflected expressions of black cherries, loganberries, and rhubarb. Fresh, tangy, and lifted, Eyrie’s Pinot graces that palate with complex notes of tart cherries, cinnamon-scented potpourri, sweet tobacco, and rose petals. Zesty acidity and superfine tannins creep in mid-palate and segue the wine to its long finish, adding notes of sarsaparilla, herbs, and loamy earth. Delicious now, Eyrie’s 2017 Pinot, like all their vintages, will benefit from time in your cool cellar. Enjoy it now and over the next seven years with broiled salmon, roast chicken, seared duck breasts, and recipes featuring spring morels.
- Wine Enthusiast: 95 points
- James Suckling: 94 points

2017 Drouhin Oregon Roserock, Pinot Noir, "Zéphirine," Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon (S) 52.99 / 572.29 reg. 57.99

We just had to put this back into this month’s newsletter! Showing better than ever, the 2017 Roserock Zéphirine is an elegant, silky, and beautifully balanced Pinot Noir. The wine shows impressive density and power, as tannin and fruit are fashioned with immaculate detail and definition. The aromas are in the spicy and floral range, with blue-fruit notes and leafy nuances. The wine is ready to drink now, and across the next decade.
  Véronique Drouhin’s tasting notes: “The 2017 Zéphirine has a wonderful nose with aromas of red berries, toast, herbs, and purple flowers that calls to mind the perfume of the Zéphirine rose. There is complexity and layered flavors, with a round, almost juicy, central core of fruit. Flavors include crushed red berries, cassis, subtle vanilla, minerals, and cedar. Rich and generous, the texture is soft and silky with bright acidity and fine tannins. The finish is very elegant and long, suggesting that this Zéphirine has an exciting story ahead. Santé!”
- James Suckling: 96 points

FRANCE – RED

2018 Joseph Drouhin, Bourgogne Rouge, Burgundy, France (S) 17.99 / 194.29

The Drouhin family’s magically deft touch with the fickle Pinot Noir grape shines through on this humble, affordable, and 100% authentic Bourgogne rouge. Sourced from twelve appellations in the greater Burgundy region, Drouhin fashions this cuvée to be approachable and delicious when young. Sporting a brilliant ruby color, Drouhin’s 2018 Bourgogne Rouge charms with a pure kernel of red currant and black raspberry fruit accented by Burgundy’s inimitable clay and limestone soil notes. Suave and elegant on the palate, the Bourgogne follows through on the gorgeous red and black fruit notes promised on the nose, while adding suggestions of wild strawberries, earthy cranberries, baking spices, vine smoke, and supple tannins. Burgundy’s limestone soil signature returns as the wine finishes long, finessed, and totally satisfying. Enjoy this lovely, true-to-the-soil red Burgundy now and over the coming four years with roast chicken, gamebirds, hearty vegetarian casseroles, and soft cow’s milk cheeses.

NV (2019) Marc + Marlène, Vin de France Syrah, Northern Rhône Valley, France (O) 17.99 / 194.29

Marlène Durand and Marc Romak are two of the luminaries behind the highly-respected Domaine Melody in Crozes-Hermitage. From organically-tended vines on the Ardèche plateau north of Crozes, the dynamic duo vinifies this 100% Syrah beauty for immediate enjoyment. The Marc + Marlène Syrah casts an opaque black plum robe followed by classic young Syrah aromas of plums, black cherries, tar, leather, bacon fat, and violets. Fresh and inviting on the attack, the wine graces the palate with layers of black fruits, mocha, mushrooms, and leather. The wine skillfully balances the line between serious Crozes-like Syrah and delicious gulpability, which makes it a perfect choice for drinking now with early spring fare or served with a slight chill over the coming warm months. A natural partner for grilled meats and vegetables, it will shine with baby back ribs, grilled squashes, lamb chops, charcuterie, and hearty picnic fare. Drink now and over the next two years. (P.S.: The dashing, mustachioed gentleman on the label rocking the purple overalls is Marlène’s grandfather, with his beloved German Shepherd.)

2018 Domaine Vaquer, Côtes du Roussillon, "Cuvée Bernard," Languedoc-Roussillon, France (S) 15.99 / 172.69

Emphasizing traditional farming and their vineyard’s rocky clay and silica terroir, Domaine Vaquer is crafting some of the most elegant, Burgundian wines in the Roussillon. Vaquer’s Cuvée Bernard – crafted from a traditional Roussillon blend of Carignan, Grenache, and Syrah – reflects a black plum hue transitioning to beautiful aromas of sun-warmed plums and cherries, violet petals, black tea, and crushed stones. Warm and generous on the palate, the Cuvée Bernard juxtaposes juicy plum, black raspberry, and cassis fruit with lovely undercurrents of licorice, tobacco, and herbal garrigue. Fine tannins segue the wine to its long, stony, garrigue-driven finish. Perfect for early spring barbecues, pair this terrific Catalan rouge now and over the coming three years with dry-rubbed ribs, hanger steaks, grilled zucchini, firm cheeses, and hearty stews.

2018 Domaine Raymond Usseglio, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, "Cuvée Girard," Southern Rhône Valley, France (B) 37.99 / 410.29 reg. 46.99

Stéphane Usseglio, Raymond’s son, now runs this highly-regarded Châteauneuf estate according to strict biodynamic viticultural, vinification, and cellar practices. Usseglio’s Cuvée Girard is a special selection of Grenache (85%) and a blend of Mourvèdre, Counoise, and Cinsault. Casting a black-ruby hue from the glass, Usseglio’s Cuvée Girard blossoms with textbook Châteauneuf aromas of black cherries, cassis, licorice, lavender, and herbal garrigue. Full-bodied and supple on the attack, the Cuvée Girard layers the palate with deep-pitched expressions of black raspberry and black currant fruit infused with stony minerality and complex notes of sage, bay leaf, tar, and brown spices. Long, lingering and wonderfully sumptuous, Usseglio’s Cuvée Girard finishes with hints of sassafras, licorice, and bitter chocolate. Usseglio is a superstar in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and this is an unusually comfortable price for a wine of this caliber and grand cru dimension. We suggest buying this by the case for enjoyment now and over the next ten years with roast herbed leg of lamb, dishes featuring porcini mushrooms, anchovy-rich tapenades, rich eggplant preparations, and braised short ribs.
- Jeb Dunnuck: 93 points
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: 93 points

2019 Arnaud Lambert, Saumur, Clos Mazurique, Loire Valley, France (CO) 17.99 / 194.29

Insanely complex and satisfying for its paltry tariff, the Clos Mazurique delivers a riveting mouthful of Cabernet Franc goodness. Only fifty centimeters of sandy silt topsoil separates the surface of Saumur’s Clos Mazurique from its bedrock of pure, perfumed yellow tuffeau limestone. Sourced from these special soils, Arnaud Lambert’s 2019 Clos Mazurique casts a youthful purple claret color in the glass followed by aromas of black currants and Bing cherries infused with cedary pencil lead, rose petals, and tuffeau limestone dust. Full and vigorous on the palate, the Clos Mazurique explodes with a core of currant and black cherry fruit lifted and complemented by complex overtones of orange zest, white pepper, tobacco, and calcareous minerals. Brimming with energy and Cabernet Franc nobility, the wine finishes with reprises of black fruits mingling with floral notes of violets, lavender, and rose petals. Ready to serve today, the wine also has the poise and reserve to reward five to seven years’ ageing in your cool cellar. Pair with roast chicken or hearty mushroom dishes or serve it at cellar temperature in the summer with grilled zucchini, BBQ chicken, ribs, and fresh chèvres. This is Lambert’s finest Mazurique yet!

ITALY – RED

2017 Tedeschi, Valpolicella Superiore, "Capitel Nicalò," Veneto, Italy (S) 18.99 / 205.09

From grand cru clay and limestone moraine soils in the heart of the Valpolicella zone, the family-run Tedeschi estate employs the traditional method of drying the Veneto’s finest indigenous red varietals for one month to craft this masterpiece of a Valpolicella. A translucent black-ruby color in the bowl, Tedeschi’s Capitel Nicalò casts brooding aromas of black cherries, black currants, bitter orange zest, and Ceylon tea. Rich and layered on the palate, the wine conveys deep expressions of Bing cherry, cassis, and black raspberry fruit alongside fine tannins and suggestions of fresh sage, lavender, black peppercorns, licorice, and perfumed soil. Spicy and lively on the finish, the Capitel Nicalò leaves the palate with lingering suggestions of cigar tobacco, tangy blackberries, savory herbs, and dusty limestone soil. This is deep, complex, soil-driven Valpolicella that will prove a perfect foil for rich pork braises, hearty salumi, hard sheep’s milk cheeses, egg-rich pasta dishes, and roast poultry and game birds. Enjoy now or over the coming seven years.

2019 G. D. Vajra, Langhe Rosso, Piedmont, Italy (O) 13.50 / 145.80

2019 is shaping up to be a landmark vintage in the Piedmont, and we’re thrilled with the quality, balance, and soil transparency of the wines we’ve tasted thus far. Vajra’s Langhe Rosso – the venerable estate’s creative and very affordable regional blend – has become a newsletter staple and client favorite over the past decade. The blend is primarily Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, and Barbera, with deft touches of Albarossa, Freisa, and Pinot Noir to add verve and complexity, Vajra’s Rosso radiates a translucent black cherry robe in the glass followed by vibrant aromas of plums, black currants, black tea, geranium, tobacco, red peppercorns, and dusty soil. Brisk, fresh, and bristling with energy, the wine conveys a core of tangy cherry, black raspberry, and red currant fruit before transitioning to a long finish marked by notes of menthol, tobacco, wintergreen, cinnamon, and leafy underbrush. The combination of dazzling aromas, fresh red and black fruits, food-friendly tannins, authentic Piemontese character, and everyday affordability makes Vajra’s Langhe Rosso a lovely choice at the table with pasta tossed with a butter and sage sauce, grilled burgers, salumi, beef, lamb, sausages, pizza – anything that calls for a zesty, versatile red. Enjoy now and over the next three to five years.

2017 Azienda Agricola Ronchi, Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy (S) 28.99 / 313.09

Giancarlo Ronchi delivers again with another traditionally-crafted, versatile, and insanely delicious Barbaresco that delivers cru complexity and completeness for less than thirty bucks. Named after the great Barbaresco cru situated between Montestefano to the north and Moccagatta to the south, the Ronchi estate crafts this delicious Barbaresco from fruit grown in this well-situated cru. A beautiful, transparent orange-rimmed garnet, Ronchi’s 2017 Barbaresco – aged for two years in large, traditional Slavonian oak botti – unfurls with classic Barbaresco aromas of wild cherries, red currants, licorice, balsam, and blood orange peel. Showcasing Barbaresco’s unique balance of elegance and power on the palate, the wine opens to reveal perfumed accents of aniseed, leather, underbrush, rose petals, and sandalwood. Classic Nebbiolo tannins sneak in mid-palate to frame the wine’s cherry-fruited core and transition it to a long, clean, soil-driven finish. Buy this beauty by the case for enjoyment now and over the next two decades with rack of lamb, risotto con funghi, roast poultry, grilled burgers and steaks, and hearty pastas dressed with a mushroom sauce. Limited: only ten cases available.

2015 Antonelli, Montefalco Rosso, Riserva, Umbria, Italy (O) 24.99 / 269.89

Antonelli’s Montefalco Rosso pays homage to Umbria’s three traditional red varietals, Sangiovese (70%), Sagrantino, and Montepulciano. Featuring old vines and extended ageing in large botti, Antonelli’s 2015 Riserva – produced only in the best Sangiovese vintages – offers an opaque black-garnet color accented by Sangiovese’s brown highlights. Dark, meaty aromas of elderberries and black cherries mark the wine’s nose, giving way to complex suggestions of game, salumi, tarry earth, and fine leather. On the palate the Riserva seamlessly fuses the brooding, tannic nature of the Sagrantino with the lithe, leathery cherry fruit of Sangiovese and the delicious currant notes of Montepulciano. The wine finishes long, complex, and appetizingly tannic with further waves of berry and black cherry fruit infused with notes of menthol, pipe tobacco, violets, and baker’s chocolate. Uncompromisingly authentic, Antonelli’s Montefalco Rosso Riserva is poised for a long evolution in your cool cellar, but will pair well now with richer fare like pork ribs, burgers, game, and pasta dishes topped with pecorino Romano.

2019 Cantina Colterenzio, Lagrein, Schreckbichl, Alto Adige, Italy 17.99 / 194.29

Lagrein is one of the Alto Adige’s finest indigenous red varietals. Reaching its apogee in northeastern Italy, Lagrein produces red wines of impressive depth, character, and distinction. The Cantina Colterenzio’s 2019 Lagrein reflects a bold purple-ruby color segueing to a bouquet filled with notes of blackberries, wild blueberries, smoke, and violets. Ripe, yet tangy and impeccably balanced, Colterenzio’s Lagrein offers delicious blackberry and black currant fruit complemented by complex nuances of smoke, dried herbs, licorice, and brown spices. The Lagrein finishes vigorous and persistent, offering further waves of black and blueberry fruit imbued with impressions of cracked black peppercorns, cured meat, and chewy cherry skin. Drink this delicious and versatile rosso now and over the next three years with roast lamb, braised pork, seared duck breast, peppery salumi, and rich potato casseroles.

2018 Caprili, Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy 19.99 / 215.89

Caprili, Portland’s favorite Brunello estate, is the torchbearer for all that is good, authentic, and old school about Montalcino and its wines. In late-ripening vintage like 2018, Caprili’s Rosso di Montalcino – which hails from younger, well-situated vines inside the Brunello zone – conveys the character of a fine Brunello but without the fierce tannins and requisite ageing requirements. Caprili’s exceptionally classical 2018 Rosso opens with a translucent red plum color and a dazzling bouquet of leather, sweet tobacco, button mushrooms, and fruitwood smoke. Tangy black cherry, sweet plum and pomegranate fruit coat the palate before revealing soft, fine tannins and classic Brunello notes of earth, licorice, saddle leather, and calcareous earth. Savory tannins and food-friendly acidity carry the wine to its long finish, completed by reprises of dusty black cherries, plums, game, leather, and minerally earth. Caprili’s 2018 Rosso is a genuine expression of authentic, food-friendly Sangiovese Grosso (a.k.a. Brunello), and we can’t think of a better, more affordable complement to classic Tuscan fare. The wine will also complement roast beef, grilled lamb, eggplant, stews, and rustic vegetarian casseroles. Drink now or over the coming seven years.

WHITE WINES

OREGON – WHITE

2020 Cameron Winery, Pinot Blanc, "Giovanni," Dundee Hills, Oregon (O) 15.99 / 172.69

Leveraging over thirty years of experience and his irrepressibly curious nature, the great John Paul produces Oregon’s most singular Pinot Blanc. Cameron’s 2020 Giovanni – a blend of primarily Pinot Blanc with dollops of Pinot Gris and Chardonnay, all from the grand cru Abbey Ridge and Bellevue Cross Vineyards – opens with classic Oregon Pinot Blanc aromas of Williams pear skin, grapefruit pith, spicy cinnamon, and freshly grated nutmeg. Full, juicy, and invigorating on the palate, Cameron’s Giovanni dazzles with crisp fleshy pear and Golden Delicious apple fruit buoyed by tangy acidity and fresh herbal notes. The wine finishes clean, fresh, persistent… and 100% delicious. John Paul has crafted a full, rich, balanced, and all-around satisfying Giovanni which we will be enjoying over the coming two years as a complement to grilled halibut, cedar plank salmon, zucchini frittatas, omelets, brook trout, and grilled vegetables. John Paul insists that 2020 is an incredible Oregon vintage: this gets our vote as his best Giovanni yet!

FRANCE – WHITE

2018 Michel Laroche et Ses Enfants, Chablis, "Terroirs," Burgundy, France (S)
23.99 / 259.09

Michel Laroche is one of the most iconic and respected names in Chablis. Recently retired from his eponymous domaine, Laroche founded a new wine estate which he runs together with his children. From vineyards planted on Chablis’ hallowed Kimmeridgean limestone soils, the Laroche Terroirs casts a brilliant lemon-gold hue in the glass followed by aromas of high-toned limestone, flinty minerality, yellow apple skin, and lime juice. Brisk and racy on the attack, Laroche’s Chablis wraps its pungent mineral core inside a wrapper of lovely Meyer lemon zest, kiwi, and gooseberry fruit. Classic, tensile, yet very approachable at this stage, this is textbook Chablis that combines the region’s noble flinty minerality with exceptionally fresh orchard and citrus fruit. Perfect for oysters, clams, mussels, prawns, and the entire spectrum of fish and shellfish, enjoy this delicious, classically-styled Chablis now and over the coming three to five years.

2019 Alexandre Déramé, Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie, "La Morandière," Loire Valley, France (O) 18.99 / 205.09

Emphasizing organic viticulture and low yields, both of which are nearly unheard of in the Muscadet region, Alexandre Déramé specializes in the region’s distinctive soils high in concentration of gabbro, a metallic-flecked, pale green and black, hard igneous rock with a high calcium content that imparts tremendous power and tension to its wines. Fermented on indigenous yeasts – another rarity in Muscadet – Déramé’s Muscadet opens with a limpid lemon-gold hue followed by high-toned aromas of lemon pith, white meadow flowers, iodine, and flinty minerals. On the palate, the wine balances juicy citrus and orchard fruit and the tension from its mineral and acid spine. Fresh and zesty yet remarkably full and generous, Déramé’s Muscadet finishes with additional touches of ginger, juniper, and smoky minerals. Muscadet proves lovely as an apéritif, but it always shines brightest when paired with briny oysters on the half-shell, pan-roasted mussels, flash-fried razor clams, Dover sole, and sautéed green vegetables. This beauty will also shine with light poultry preparations and vegetable frittatas. Enjoy now and over the coming five years.

2019 Clos Lapeyre, Jurançon Sec, Southwest France (B) 21.99 / 225.62

Among the first French wine regions to be awarded appellation contrôlée status in the 1930s, southwestern France’s Jurançon is an exclusively white wine region that has returned to the honor and prestige it once held. The legendary Clos Lapeyre domaine manually farms steep, terraced, amphitheater-like slopes, and employs biodynamic viticultural practices to fashion the full range of superb Jurançons. Crafted from indigenous Gros Manseng, Clos Lapeyre’s Sec casts a rich golden color from the glass followed by distinctive aromas of ripe pear, apricot, beeswax, toasted brioche, and spicy ginger. Full and rich on the approach, the wine’s orchard fruit expression is lifted by a brilliant acid backbone, a tactile, gripping texture, and deep, stony soil tones. Long, intense, and palpably dry, Clos Lapeyre’s Sec finishes with hints of wildflower honey, pear skin, and persistent currents of clay minerals. Pair this singular beauty now and over the coming decade with seafood stews, rich bean and lentil soups, ewe’s milk cheeses, cassoulet, roast duck, broiled black cod, and grilled oily fishes.

2019 Joseph Drouhin, Bourgogne Blanc, Burgundy, France (S) 16.99 / 183.49

At all levels of the Burgundy hierarchy, the great Maison Joseph Drouhin’s wines offer exemplary quality and remarkable transparency that always cast the spotlight on Burgundy’s inimitable clay-and-limestone soil signature. 2019 is turning out to be a truly grand Burgundy vintage, and Drouhin has fashioned another immediately enjoyable, soil-inflected white Burgundy from carefully selected vines from throughout the greater Burgundy region. Drouhin’s 2019 Bourgogne Blanc sports a lovely green-glinted, lemon-gold color in the glass followed by aromas of powdered limestone, honeysuckle blossoms, and preserved lemon. On the palate, Drouhin’s terrific 2019 Bourgogne transcends its humble designation with delicious suggestions of green almonds, brown butter, lemon curd, and white flowers, enlivened by crisp acidity and a persistent undercurrent of smoky limestone minerality. Reprises of honeysuckle blossoms and smoky minerals mark the long lip-smacking finish. Enjoy this lovely, authentic, and superbly-priced white Burgundy now and over the coming three years with salmon, pork, roast chicken, duck, boudin blanc, and light pork dishes.

SPAIN – WHITE

2019 Autòcton Celler, Xarel·lo, Penedès, Spain (O) 17.99 / 194.29

This is a superb Xarel·lo – the noble variety of Cava – and a world-class introduction to this unique and compelling grape. Albert Jané left his homeland in the Baix Penedès to hone his winemaking skills in Montsant and Priorat. Jané returned to his family estate to cast his focus on organically farming Penedès indigenous (or autochthonous) varieties on the zone’s very poor, rocky calcareous soils. Autòcton’s 2019 Xarel·lo opens with a limpid lemon-gold color and high-toned aromas of Anjou pear, green apple skin, peach, cinnamon, and dusty limestone. On the palate Autòcton’s Xarel·lo is incisive, mineral-driven, and marked by nuances of freshly shaved fennel, Key lime zest, bay leaf, malted barley, and chalky minerals. Rivetingly acidic, the wine finishes taut and tensile with superb cut and a shimmering mineral undercurrent that propels further suggestions of green pear, tarragon, raw almond, and crunchy fennel. Pair now and over the coming four years with seafood and vegetarian tapas, green vegetables, paellas, escargots, grilled albacore tuna, and sharp cheeses.

2019 Manuel Guerra Justo, Monterrei Treixadura y Godello, Vía Arxéntea, Galicia, Spain 17.99 / 194.29

The Monterrei D.O. lies in in the southeastern corner of Galicia on Spain’s border with Portugal. Monterrei's inland location provides warm and dry summers, which result in fuller-bodied wines compared to those from other sectors of Galicia. Manuel Guerra Justo’s Vía Arxéntea, equal parts Treixadura and Godello, conveys the magic that these two indigenous varieties can perform in the hands of a meticulous, artisanal winemaker. A brilliant green-tinged gold in the glass, the Vía Arxéntea bursts with delicious aromas of jasmine blossoms, green pineapple, passion fruit, pear skin, and flinty minerals. Vibrant and energetic on the palate, the wine reveals a kaleidoscope of flavors ranging from grapefruit, Seville orange, quince, and bergamot to fresh ginger, tarragon, cinnamon, and eucalyptus. Impressive mid-palate texture, crisp minerality, wild yeast top notes, and a wonderful interplay among citrus and tropical fruits make this one of the many terrific wines we’ve tasted from Monterrei. Enjoy now or over the next two years with squid a la plancha, seafood and vegetable paellas, salt cod fritters, and pastas tossed with olive oil and sautéed green vegetables.

2019 Zarate, Albariño, Rías Baixas Val do Salnés, Galicia, Spain (S) 21.99 / 237.45

Seventh-generation vigneron Eulogio Pomares helms the Zárate estate in the esteemed Val do Salnés sector of Rías Biaxas. Employing wild-yeast fermentations in old chestnut casks, near-biodynamic viticulture, minimal intervention in the cellar, and long aging on the lees, Zárate’s Albariño offers a character and vibrancy far beyond most examples of the genre. The wine pours a brilliant lime-glinted gold and offers gorgeous aromas of yellow melon, nectarine, and orange alongside suggestions of honeysuckle blossoms, oolong tea, and jasmine. Nuances of green pineapple, Meyer lemon, and passion fruit join iodine saline notes on the Albariño’s bold and gripping palate. Riveting acidity, intense fruit expression, saline minerals, and green herbs grace the wine’s long, lingering finish. The Zárate estate strongly advocates for Albariño’s ageing capabilities, but this wine is so delicious that you’ll be hard pressed to keep your hands off your stash. Buy enough to enjoy now, and then lay a few bottles down to allow the wine to mature gracefully for up to seven years. Pair with sauteed and grilled prawns, seafood tapas, vegetable tortillas, fish steaks like swordfish or mahi mahi, sashimi, and mild cheeses.

AUSTRIA – WHITE

2018 Domäne Wachau, Grüner Veltliner, Federspiel Terrassen, Wachau, Austria 18.99 / 205.09

The Domäne Wachau (formerly known as the Freie Weingärtner) is among the world’s elite wine cooperatives, and their portfolio includes many of the Wachau’s finest crus. Selected from the best terraced hillside fruit grown by its collective of member-growers, the Domäne’s 2019 Grüner Veltliner Federspiel Terrassen distances itself from other affordable bottlings of Grüner Veltliner due to the pedigree of its fruit and the deft skills of the winemakers. Reflecting a medium lemon-gold color, Domäne Wachau’s Federspiel Terrassen expresses all the notes and nuances that make Grüner the most vegetable-friendly wine in the world. Notes of artichoke, green bean, Castelvetrano olives, and crushed stones mingle with juicy impressions of lime, honeydew melon, and papaya. White pepper, watercress, herbs, and sweet snap peas emerge on the palate and segue the wine to a long, refreshing finish. The Wachau is considered by most to be Austria’s premier winegrowing region and Domäne Wachau’s Federspiel Terrassen brilliantly attests this assertion. Enjoy now and over the coming three years with dishes featuring lentils, fresh and sautéed green vegetables, mild Asian cuisines, and light poultry.

ROSÉ WINES

OREGON - ROSÉ

2020 Timothy Malone Wines, Nebbiolo Rosato, Columbia Gorge, Oregon/Washington (S) 15.99/ 172.69

Timothy Malone moved to Oregon in 2006 and found work apprenticing with the great vignerons, Jay Somers, Walt and Joan Flowers, John Paul, and Tyson Crowley. The experience he gained working with these maestros can be found in his spine-tingling 2020 Nebbiolo Rosato. Malone’s Rosato reflects a pale copper-tinged salmon color followed by vibrant, mineral-driven aromas of crunchy raspberries, white currants, and tart pomegranate seeds. Brisk on the attack, Malone’s Nebbiolo Rosato presents sour pie cherry and cranberry fruit lifted by an electric current of acidity and a spine of dusty minerals. Fresh and invigorating, this is a truly inspired Northwest rosé that fuses the riveting natural acidity of Nebbiolo with the mineral-rich soils of the Columbia Gorge. It finishes clean, zippy, and ready to be enjoyed by itself or as a compliment to sautéed spring vegetables, broiled salmon and steelhead, roast chicken, sushi and sashimi, and grilled ahi tuna. Don’t miss this perfect choice for the coming warm summer evenings.

2020 Cameron Spritz Rosé (250ml), Willamette Valley, Oregon 5.99 / 122.92 (case of 24 cans)

The 2020 Cameron "spritz" rosé is back! Blended Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir, with just the right hint of fizz, this is summertime -- any time -- in a can!