My passion is wine! All types, all styles, crafted by premier class wineries who produce honest wines. I’m especially fond of Italian vino, from the Dolomites to Sicily. I’m also crazy in love with the wines of the Iberian Peninsula (Portugal & Spain), Oregon, Champagne, Cool Climate California sites, Washington, and on and on. Perhaps you’ve come here to find bottles you’ve never tried, or maybe for a seasoned veteran’s view. To learn something new, or perhaps school up about a bottling you’ve followed for years but didn’t know much about. I’m here to share the love of all things vinous! Thank you for swinging by, I hope you enjoy this site, and please be sure to sign up by entering your email on the right. For more on moi click here. Cheers!
2020 Finca Torremilanos, Ribera del Duero DO, Montecristillo (RT91) Biodynamic Certified, this work horse expression is almost always 100% Tempranillo from 20 to 35-year-old vines, however, in this vintage a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon was blended in. Aged 4 months in used French and American oak barrels. Crafted in a delicious, easy drinking style that’s forgiving and round, layered with terroir driven fruit and a splash of minerality. Dark, deep ruby, notes of blackberry, black cherry, wet rock and masculine dark florals lead to a clean, elegant, sumptuous mouthfeel. An excellent vintage for this wine and the least rustic I can remember. It’s curb appeal and terrific price make it a Top Value! Drink now–2028
2021 Battle Creek Unconditional Pinot Noir
2021 Battle Creek, Pinot Noir, Unconditional (RT92) From the excellent 2021 vintage, this is a superb expression of Willamette Valley’s growing viticulture and the terrific vintage conditions. A beautifully expressive, top value bottling that reveals a delicious bouquet layered with sweet, ripe red cherry, red plum, raspberry, hints of anise and a smattering of minerality. It shows a fruit-driven palate that is medium bodied, supple, and loaded with fresh acidity and wonderfully ripe tannins. As domestic Pinot Noirs go, I find the balance of fruit and terroir particularly appealing, and the price offering an exception value. Drink now-2030
A Pair of New Gems from Rasa Vineyards September, 2022
These wines are in the +/- $20 price range.
2021 Rasa Vineyards, Columbia Valley AVA, Occam’s Razor, Pinot Gris (RT93) The recently released 2021 Occam’s Razor Pinot Gris shows a bit paler than its predecessor but, reflects remarkable wine making skills that appear to be on the rise. Billo and Pinto – the owner/winemaker brothers – continually impress and these new releases set a high bar for this set of wines. Crafted from Pinot Gris grown in the Gamache and Frenchman Hills Vineyards. Laser focused aromatics reveal a core of tangerine, white peach and hints of fresh almond and white flowers. The palate is equally focused, yet generous in its mouth texture, with its ripe, succulent fruit balanced with bright, fresh acidity. In a few words, this is a fabulous Pinot Gris outperforming its price point and setting a standard of excellence. Catch it while its fresh and alluring. Drink now-2025
2019 Rasa Vineyards, Columbia Valley AVA, Occam’s Razor, Red Blend (RT91) A creative blend of seven varieties: 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Syrah, 9% Grenache, 8% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 4% Touriga Nacional, 2% Petit Verdot, the 2019 vintage is showing exceptionally well and transcends the rusticity that characterized previous vintages. Aged 19 months in oak, of which only 15% is new, it expresses the mouth texture of cask aging yet shows no toasted oak characteristics. Deep ruby in hue, notes of blackberry, plum, dark ripe cherry, brambly brush and hints of white pepper frame a masculine bouquet. In the mouth this conveys a sense of sophistication and refined wine crafting with bright, ripe fruit, fresh acidity, and sweet, ripe tannins. This wine is a real beauty for the price point, simply outstanding! Drink now-2028+