This month, we feature a fun mix of Old World whites and reds that are nice to enjoy in cooler weather. Plus a handful of wines from Oregon and Washington that have become neighborhood favorites over the last year.
Of particular note is a French ‘Savagnin’ white from the Jura region that is absolutely spectacular and a surprisingly tasty Pinot Blanc from David Hill winery in Oregon. There’s a little something for all wine palettes.
Cheers!
Whites, Rosé and Sparkling
(Oregon) Planet Oregon Brut Rosé
Grapes: 100% Pinot Noir
Notes: A cool Soter Vineyards side project that donates a portion of their proceeds to helping sustain local forestry- and the wine is stellar too! This bottle of bubbles has a cult following. Rich berry fruit, with pleasant bubbles and a clean finish. Delish.
(Oregon) 2020 Procedo Rosé
Grapes: Blend of Sangiovese and Barbera
Notes: Procedo is a side project of celebrated local vintners, Lady Hill Vineyards. Their wines focus on Italian varieties that are grown locally. This rose is crisp, fresh, and citrusy.
(Washington) 2020 Amavi Walla Walla Sémillon
Grapes: Sémillon
Notes: Sémillon is a typical blending grape that sits alongside Sauvignon Blanc in white wines of the Bordeaux region in France. This offering from Amavi Vineyards showcases the grape front and center. I like to think of this wine as chardonnay-like in texture but more mineral-driven with a plump yellow apple mid-palate that is cleansed in a nice acidic finish. Super tasty and very food-friendly!
(Oregon) 2020 David Hill Pinot Blanc
Grapes: 100% Pinot Blanc
Notes: Experiment winemaker, Chad Stock, has joined the ranks here, helping at David Hill Winery in Oregon. Stock is well known for using Atypical vintning methods to create super fun and unique wines. Here, he gives the pinot blanc just a couple of days of skin contact, imparting unique textures and aromas. This turns an already very good local white into something interesting and delicious. This wine is especially superb for the price.
(Spain) 2020 Familia Torres Celeste Sur Lies Rueda
Grapes: 100% Verdejo
Notes: Nicely textured mouthfeel, yellow and green apple mid-palate, nice balanced acidity and a whisper of lime zest in the finish.
(France) 2020 Cuvee’ Des Chamoz Cotes Du Jura Blanc Nature
Grapes: 100% Savagnin
Notes: Arguably our favorite white to hit the shelves in the last couple of months. Imagine if the best Chardonnay you’ve tasted married the best Sauvignon Blanc you’ve ever drunk, and they had a spectacular love child. This wine is rich, citrusy, clean in the finish, and smells so good.
Reds
(Spain) 2019 Can Sumoi Tinto
Grapes: Blend of Sumoll and Garnatxa
Notes: Great new arrival from Southern Spain. Nice, lush fruit-driven red, with forest herbs and a touch of structure.
(California) 2019 Lobo Cabernet Sauvignon
Grapes: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Notes: The Lobo Vineyards wines have a great balance of Californian and French sensibilities. This bottle is rich and dark, with concentrated black fruit tones- but the aromas and the herbaceous finish remind me of a great ‘left bank’ Bordeaux.
(France) 2016 Olivier Pithon ‘Mon Ptit Pithon’
Grapes: Blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre
Notes: Super cool, easy-going red from the French side of the Catalanes. It’s all harvested by hand, aged in concrete barrels, and sustainably farmed. This wine has all of the back-end structure of a nice cote du rhone, with a lighter body and pleasantly fruity notes.
(France) 2018 Benoit Daridan Cheverny Rouge
Grapes: Blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay
Notes: Light and bright. Tart, fruity, gulpable. Perfect for passed appetizers and friendly conversation.
(Italy) 2019 Franco Serra Barbera D’Asti
Grapes: 100% Barbera
Notes: This Piedmont red has classic varietal notes and is one of our favorite value wines. Nice tart blue fruit, medium structured texture and a bright tangy and acidic finish.
(Spain) 2018 Castilla Y Leon Tinto
Grapes: 100% Prieto
Notes: Super drinkable table wine from Southern Spain, just outside Barcelona. This red is lightly fruity, has a little structure and body and goes down easy.