Drink the Good Stuff
Remember the old slogan “What Are you Saving it For?” Never has it seemed more appropriate as we navigate our way through storms, flooding, and loss. Whether you drank all your “good stuff” from your collection during the storms, or lost some of your “good stuff” due to loss of power, we’ve got you covered with a few things in our fine wine room.
Bethel Heights Vineyard, Pinot Noir Casteel Estate Eola-Amity Hills 2022
In 1977 the Casteel family found an abandoned 50 acres known as Bethel Heights Walnut Groves. The first vines were planted between 1977 and 1979. More than 40 years later, post phylloxera, these are some of the last self-rooted Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines surviving anywhere in the Willamette Valley. The volcanic soil shows a mosaic of rocky benches and slopes. The family has farmed without herbicides since 2009 and has an ongoing commitment to sequester carbon, mitigate erosion, and promote moisture as well as biodiversity of soil. Just some of their credentials include LIVE Certified Sustainable, Willamette Valley Oak Accord (Willamette Valley Historic Live Oak preservation), Salmon Safe -protecting clean water, and Certified Organic by the Oregon Department of Agriculture in several vineyards.
Blackberries dominate the nose, cherry and lime zest flavors match with a leathery texture, muscular tannins and juicy acidity. When you open this wine make a toast to Terry Casteel the winery’s co founder who passed away in 2023. Wine Enthusiast gave this wine 93 points, we give it three bones.
Ornellaia Bolgheri DOC Superior 2017
Established in 1981, Ornellaia was released in ’85, owned by the Frescobaldi family, winemakers for over 700 years.
Ornellaia is a blend of nature and musing, complex ancient soils converse through human wisdom. It has always been about producing perfection in the bottle. Prolonged aging accompanies the estates fine wine. 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Petite Verdot, 9% Cabernet Franc. Lovely concentration from this vintage. 18 months in barrel and signature notes of Mediterranean shrubs, a typicity of Bolgheri. Classic blackberry and dark fruit aromas on the nose, with dense tannins and hints of cocoa on the finish. We give it three bones.
Tenuta San Guido, Bolgheri Sassicaia 2018
Another legend in Italian wine production, San Guido is the result of a very long tradition of an ethical message handed down from generation to generation. Delicate perfumed nose of violet and peony, cherries and mulberries, combined with minerality. The bouquet evolves, offering complexity and grace. Silky, powdery tannic structure with a long, lingering finish. Wine Enthusiast gives it 98 points, we agree, three bones on the Brunello scale.
Quintessa, Napa, CA 2020
Valeria Huneeus, founder and vineyard manager believes Quintessa should be farmed in a way that is respectful to the land as a living entity. Agustin Huneeus began his more than 50 year career in wine in Santiago, Chile, where he worked for Concha Y Toro, eventually creating one of Napa’s most revered wineries. Sitting on the Eastern edge of Rutherford, at the foot of the Vaca Mountains, Quintessa’s vineyards are a patchwork of microclimates that come together in elegance and harmony.
The 2020 unfolds with Quintessa’s signature balanced complex fruit, precise structure and freshness, Floral aromas of violets and lilac, accented by cassis and black cherry. A sophisticated minerality followed by a chalky silky finish. We give it three bones.
Chateau Caronne Ste Gemme, Haut Medoc, Bordeaux, France 2008
One of the older estates in Medoc, dating back to the 1600’s. The Chateau takes its name from a water source in the commune, Carona. At the turn of the twentieth century, Chateau Caronne Ste Gemme became the property of the Borie family in 1900. Better known for their Left Bank estates such as Grand Puy Lacoste and Ducru Beaucaillou. In 2022 Chateau Caronne Ste Gemme was sold to Bernard Magrez, who owns Pape Clement in Pessac Leognan. The vineyards are situated not far from the southwest corner of St. Julien. The vineyard is planted on gravel sand stone with gentle slopes. The wine is aged in a combination of traditional stainless steel tanks and traditional cement vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in vat. Then the wine is aged in new and used French oak for 12 months. The 2008 is lean, tart, with cranberry and strawberry finish. We give it three bones.
Les Brulieres de Beycheville, Medoc, Bordeaux, France 2021
The legend of the great Admiral, the first Duke of Epernon, who owned the estate, was that ships would lower their sails to show their allegiance as they passed the Chateau, situated on the Gironde River. The ship with a griffon shaped prow is known as Gascon Becha Vela, meaning baisse voile or “lower the sails”. A blend of 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from just 5 hectares of vineyards near the Gironde estuary. Harmonious, fresh and silky with an elegant nose. Dark fruit berries and licorice with delicate tannins. We give it three bones.
Eleven X-I Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 11.11 & Destin Vineyards, Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley, CA 2018
Starting out with just 3 and a half acres, the partners had a serendipitous meeting with one of Napa’s top winemakers, Kirk Venge. Another 16 acres were added to the estate, and became Eleven Eleven, a boutique winery built upon the idea of Parea, a Greek word meaning the power of a group of friends who gather to share life’s experiences. A blend of all five Bordeau varietals, this blend shows a youthful depth and complexity, predominantly Cabernet with an inky appearance and dark fruit notes. Layers of cocoa, raspberry and cinnamon. Polished, fine grain tannins finish with elegance. We give it three bones.
Whether you experienced a loss yourself, or know people who did, there has never been a better time to reach out to friends and neighbors and do what we can in the challenging times of multiple storms hitting our area. We are here for you, from the bargain aisles to the “cellar” room. Come on in to share your story, share some vino, and re stock and replenish. What are you saving it for?
By CRBrown
