Almost time for a question-and-answer column
I’m keeping with the same format of the past two weeks. Mostly regurgitating my notes from the tastings. Since no one has written to question the meaning of my cryptic phraseology, I’m guessing that means we’re communicating. Not surprising to me as I value the erudite readers who grace my pages. Usually I receive several editorial corrections and inquiries per week from interested readers. Recently nothing. I haven’t even been accosted on my trips to the grocery. If anyone has a wine related question, please feel free to email me. I’m nearly ready for a question-answering column.
Chehalem 3 Vineyard Willamette Valley Riesling 2013 served at a nice temperature allowed the Riesling nose to expand. A varied bouquet with lemon pie, orange blossom, honeycrisps (I love honeycrisp apples), grapefruit highlighted by five spice.
On the palate, steely mineral accents ending with tart crisp lemon zest tang, 88 points under $20. It was their Pinot Gris that caught my palate, though. Again, $20 buys you a complex, lovely, aromatic, 89-point McD gem. White flowers, Asian pear, and lemon curd accented with candied ginger and butterscotch The well-balanced palate includes dried apricot, peach, tart cherries and rose notes. The fruit provides a perceived sweetness that is delicately balanced by bright acidity. Both these selections will complement your holiday traditional fare.
Stephane Vedeau La Ferme Du Mont Cotes du Rhone Premier Cote has been getting nice 88-90-point reviews for the past five years. RP recently wrote: "One of the more exciting, relatively new estates in the southern Rhone..." everyone should "...check out this estate’s impressive Cotes du Rhone." He is enamored of Vedeau, a rising star from an inexpensive French wine region, so expect the prices to escalate. This 2012 can be had for $144/case or less and is worth 90 including 2 price points. It's 60 percent Grenache, 30 Syrah and 10 mourvedre, aged in foudres (large concrete tubs), a common practice in Rhone. Bouquet, black pepper, garrigue, licorice, brambleberries, medium body, QPR value food wine.
The Bila Haut Occultum Lapidem 2012 was even better than when sampled in the spring, 93 points. Mostly Syrah fruit and mineral nose opens on the palate to earth, garrigue, smoke, licorice and black currant riding a balanced profile with enough tannic grip to support 15 years in cellar. Ready to drink 2015 but '16 would be better, and best of all it can be found under $24. WA’s Dunnock awarded 94 points. There are 1.5 L available but they are selling for $60. Of course they will be ready to drink sooner.
A $12 Sonoma Russian River Valley PN named Orbit from 2011 and 2012, both with plenty of raspberries and cherries. Medium body, mellow and smooth as velvet. Finishes long and clean. Drinks like a $25 bottle. Great value here. Winemaker, businesswoman and author Allison Crowe has her act together. Learned her craft working at Chalone, Curtis, Bonny Doon, Byington and some time in Argentina. Read her book “The Winemakers Answer Book” or blog, Cuvee Corner. She also produces a full line of varietal wines under the 30 Degrees label in addition to those from Orbit and Garnet. All those I sampled were priced under $15 and worth the money.
Columbia Crest Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon has been one of the better Cab buys over the past eight years. Since 2005, in every vintage, H3 has been awarded 87-90 points by many major writers including WS, WA, WE, and Wine and Spirit. Due to their usual opening price, under $12/bottle and $130/case, they are favorites of some of my pals who drink Cab whenever red meat is served. So, I award at least 1 price point at 87 and 88, and 2 for higher rated. You can still find some 91-point 2009 around for less than $15, and they are drinking beautifully. The 2012 is 92 points and selling for $144/case or $14/bottle. The 2013 are not out yet. For those who wish to go upscale, the 2008 Columbia Crest Reserve can be had around $45. I say 94 points if bought under $45. The H3 is 160K cases, so no need to rush.
