2021 brought a close to another interesting year. Unlike last year, this year was a better one for domestic wine growers which is promising for the upcoming releases, however container and shipping issues caused havoc on supplies of import products that are seeing a huge increase in demand. With supply chain issues and cost of goods skyrocketing one thing is for certain, we will see a rise across the board in overall cost to the consumer. The good news is we should continue to be blessed with some excellent wines to explore in this new year and be sure to see many of these wines grace the monthly wine picks as well as the next TOP 50 Wines list.
Salute-
January
2014 Gran Moraine, Blanc de Blancs
Yamhill-Carlton, Oregon
The innaugural release. This wine is 100% Chardonnay and saw 66% barrel fermentation and an en tirage of 69 months.
In the glass the straw gold colors lead into aromas that envelope the senses with notes of baked apple, pear, persimmons, and lemon zest with notes of toasted almond, brioche, fresh baked baguette, orchard blossoms and wild flowers, sea breeze and oyster shell with hints of chalk and mineral.
The palate shows great elegance and complexity given its youth. The mousse is fine as tiny bubbles stimulate the palate. Acidity is high and balanced with minimal dosage of 3 g/L. The palate is dry but not overly austere. Flavors echo the nose and show a combination of apple, pear, lemon and white peach that weave into the notes of chalky minerals, saline, marzipan, brioche, baguette and hints of delicate florals, salted butterscotch and oak. The finish is long and reveals the very long life ahead of this wine.
2016 Santo Wines, Assyrtiko Reserve
Santorini, Greece
years old. Partially barrel fermented, aged at least 12 months, with at least 6 months in medium-toast 225L oak barrels.
Deep golden color in the glass with brass-like hues.
The nose shows a wonderfully complex mixture of scents that incorporate honeyed notes of apple, pear, lychee, quince and nectarine that are laced with minerality, sea spray, orchard flowers, honeysuckle and notes of vanilla, butterscotch, nuts, autumn leaves and hints of whole nutmeg.
The palate shows high acidity that comes packed with great minerality that reverberates from the entry all the way through the finish. The palate reveals the notes of oxidized orchard fruits, quince paste, kumquat, lychee, honey roasted nuts, Indian paintbrush, vanilla, spice and expressed orange oil. The finish is long and salinic.
2018 Bjornson, Pinot Noir, Havlin Vineyard
Van Duzer Corridor, Oregon
A blend of Dijon clones aged in French oak for 11 months. A scant 125 cases produced.
Aromas show intensity. Notes of wild raspberry, pomegranate, and plum come laced with notes of white pepper, spice, rhubarb, rose bouquet, lavender, salty minerals, graphite, dryer sheets and a pacific northwest forest after the rain.
The palate shows tension and plenty of energy. Crunchy red fruits, florals and minerals come with spice and earth, all showing high intensity. High toned acidity and youthful tannins provide excellent structure. The finish has impressive length and intensity.
A young, well-made wine that has its best years in front of it.
2014 Valenciso, Rioja Reserva
Rioja, Spain
100% Tempranillo, fermented and patiently settled in cement before aging a of 18 months in fine grained French oak, one-third new and the 12 more months in cement before further aging in bottle.
The aromas show the prettier side of Tempranillo from Rioja with details of potpourri, dried violets and roses and light spices that come with notes of pencil box, stony earth, black plum, black currant, and dried dark cherries.
The palate shows structure with juicy, above moderate acidity and drying tannins that have a rustic edge. moderate weight across the mid-palate and flavors follow the notes from the nose with floral highlights alongside notes of stone, earth, darker and slightly dried fruits, spice and minerals. The finish lingers.
For me, this wine is just starting to enter its drinking window.
2008 Giuseppe Quintarelli, Cabernet ‘Alzero’
This wine is a blend of 20% Merlot with the 80% (split evenly) of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. This wine is produced in the same manner as Amarone, in the appassimento style. The wine is then aged in French barrels for three years, then racked into Slavonian oak barrels for four more years.
In the glass this wine is deep with a stunning Tyrian purple hue. Aromas show amazing complexity with notes of chocolate, bruised mint, tobacco, spice cake, plum, candied fruits, balsamic and hints of floral pastilles. The wine is smooth and velvety across the palate and the acidity keeps it from being overweight. The high level ABV is nicely tucked in and not a burner. All the flavors come with intensity and linger through the extremely long and unforgettable finish.
Absolutely stunning and unique.