Sunday, October 27, 2013

We are looking for a cashier to join our team, Will it be you?




HELP WANTED
Harry’s Wine & Liquor Market
2094 Post rd. Fairfield CT
(203) 259-4692 (ask for Patrick)



Are you customer service oriented?

Local to Fairfield Connecticut?

Do you have your own transportation?

Have a valid drivers license?

Are you at least 18 years old?

Do you have a flexible schedule?

If you are able to answer yes to all of these questions and are looking for a cashiers position in a very customer service oriented store this may be the job for you. We are currently looking for people to work part time in our store assisting customers, ringing a register, and more...

Interviews of prospective employees will happen in the coming days and weeks as we work find the right fit.

As you consider applying for this position please ask yourself whether or not it sounds like the right fit for you.

It will be very important that you are able to answer yes to ALL of the questions above and mean it.

We feel that ours is a great work environment and hope that the next members of our team enjoy their job with us.

FUND RAISER: First Book Fri, November 1st 2013 7pm-9pm

First Book Benefit Fund Raiser
Walk-Around Wine Tasting Event
“First Taste”
Presented by First Book Fairfield County
Local Advisory Board
Remember the magic of your first book?

Friday, November 1, 2013
7:00PM – 9:00PM
 Fairfield Museum and History Center
370 Beach Rd, Fairfield
 $35 per person

RSVP: Please call 203-331-0551 
for tickets or more information

Wine Tasting sponsored by:
Harry’s Wine & Liquor
2094 Post Rd, Fairfield
203-259-4692

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Wine Tasting - Saturday 1-4PM, Oct 26

Your host is Tom Clare of Vina del Sol.
 

Lamadrid Single Vineyard Reserva Malbec 2010             $19.99
Bright ruby-red. Aromas of blackberry, licorice and floral oils are complicated by a peppery note and a hint of maple syrup. Dense, round and lightly saline, with a suave, silky Old World texture to its flavors of blackberry and fig. Most impressive today on the long, rising finish, which features big but lush tannins and an impression of seamlessness. A lot of wine for the price.  International Wine Cellar, 91 pts

Zolo Torrontes 2012                                                  $11.99
This crisp and refreshing white wine has aromas of white flowers and tropical fruits along with a fresh and balanced mouth feel.  It is great for sipping on its own or to have with poultry or seafood.

Gen5 Cabernet Sauvignon 2010                              $9.99
The grapes for this Lodi, CA Cab were sustainably farmed by the Lange family, fifth-generation farmers (hence the name Gen5).  The fruit-forward Cabernet is medium-bodied, with soft tannins and an abundance of blackberry-black currant flavors and an intriguing herbal/smoky finish that would make it a great match with barbecued meats, chili and robust winter stews. This is a great everyday red wine. 

Gen5 Chardonnay 2011                                           $9.99
Pale golden color. Smoked whole nuts, grassy herbs and nettles, and grilled peach aromas and flavors with a supple, tangy light-to-medium body and a lime creme brulee and tart kiwi skin finish. Should pair well with spicy Latin poultry dishes.  Tastings.com

Friday, October 25, 2013

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, Oct 25

Your host is the rep from Grey Sail Brewery.
 
Flying Jenny                 $9.29/6pb
An unfiltered extra pale ale crafted with five different malts and complimented by northwestern hops make this brew one to enjoy year-round. Generous amounts of hops in the kettle and fermenter give our EPA a citrusy and floral flavor and aroma. Available on draft and in 12-ounce cans. 6% ABV • 54 IBU

Flagship Ale                  $9.29/6pb
Our golden-colored cream ale, brewed in a similar manner to the crisp lagers of continental Europe, offers great balance between malty sweetness and noble hop bitterness. This gold-medal winning cream ale is the perfect session beer for any occasion. Available on draft and in 12-ounce cans. 4.9% ABV • 22 IBU

Autumn Winds             $9.49/4pb
This Oktoberfest-style ale, brewed with five premium German malts, create a bready aroma, dense creamy head and brilliant garnet red color. Hallertau and Saaz hops compliment the nutty and biscuit-like malt presence while a touch of caramel and moderately dry finish continue to balance out this full-bodied beer. Available September to November on draft only. 5.8% ABV • 27 IBU

Ciel Rogue                     $8.99/750ml
Our Flanders-Style Red was brewed using a “sour mash” method with 6 different grains, lightly hopped and finished with a Belgian yeast, giving this limited-offer brew plenty of tartness with a slightly-oaked finish. Available on tap and in 750ml champagne bottles while supplies last. 5% ABV • 15 IBU

WINE DINNER: Flora Springs Wine Dinner Tue, October 29th 2013 7pm-10pm

Harry’s Wine & Liquor Market, T & C Steakhouse,
And Martin Scott Wines present:

Flora Springs Wine Dinner, Napa Valley
Special Guest Paul Gardner, Northeast Brand Manager
Tuesday, October 29, 7PM
$95 all inclusive

Alaskan king crab
Foie gras, yuzu mirin, soy butter, lemon zest risotto
Sauvignon Blanc “Soliloquy Vineyard”, Oakville 2012
 
Diver sea scallops
Pancetta, edamame, hen of the woods mushrooms, lemon zest,
Flora Springs Chardonnay reduction
Chardonnay, Napa Valley 2011

30 days age prime New York steak
Roasted baby vegetable, caramelized cipollini, potato puree
Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2011
 
American rack of lamb chanterelles, port wine demi glaze
Trilogy “Cabernet Blend”, Rutherford 2010
 
Artisinal Cheese board
Merlot, Napa Valley 2011

For reservations please contact:
T & C Steakhouse
52 Sanford St, Fairfield
Phone:(203) 254-8094

Thursday, October 24, 2013

PASO ROBLES; The hot region in California



In 1990, there were fewer than 20 wineries in Paso Robles, a farming community midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles on the Central Coast. Most of the wines produced there were rustic, high in alcohol, extremely tannic, with minimal excitement or finesse. Today there are more than 200 wineries in Paso Robles, and the area is going through a metamorphosis. The result is a surge of investment and an influx of winemaking talent.

If you like big, juicy, red wine, this is the place to be right now. Paso Robles Cabernets are elegant, with supple tannins that make them easy to drink upon release, yet they still retain structure when aging. Paso  Cabs are priced competitively in comparison to other regions within California producing similar varietals. I believe Paso Robles Cabernet producers are making a terrific product now, but still have not reached their potential.  

Only a handful of producers from this region have made outstanding wines. Some of the consistent vintners are; Justin, which produces Isosceles, (This wine actually set the bar for Cabernet in Paso Robles years ago and continues to earn outstanding scores), Daou, and Farm Winery, which have produced winners such as Daou Cabernet Sauvignon-Paso Robles, LPF Paso Robles to name a few. Paso’s climate and soil make it perfect for red wines. It can be, at times, warmer in the summer than Napa, which is an advantage when climates north of Paso experience a cool vintage, as was the case in 2010 and 2011 in Napa.

It had taken sometime for Paso Robles to be taken seriously as a major wine producing area, but once it got recognition, it has been one of the quickest- growing wine regions in California. Cabernet Sauvignon, currently with over thirty-two thousand acres has the most increased growth in Paso, but keep your eye out on both Syrah and Grenache which are getting some serious attention these days. And please don’t forget about Paso’s Zinfandel! Some great producers include Turley, and Peachy Canyon.

As Paso Robles status grows, more winemaking talent is moving to this area.
Winemakers from Lewis Cellars and Duckhorn are just two vintners that come to mind. There is some international interest also, with vintners from both France and Argentina partnering with local Paso wineries developing some new and exciting styles from this region.

Hillside Vineyards planted in limestone soils of various elevations, which are all within ten to fifteen miles of the Pacific Ocean, producing wines of great intensity as well as elegance. This is Paso Robles! Enjoy theses wines from this terrific region as there best are yet to come!


Joe D

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Pappy Van Winkle 12yr 4-7pm today - Wine Tasting - Saturday 1-4PM


Today is a very good day to come by the store and set up camp around the tasting bar!

These past couple of days have been filled with celebration here at the store as we look back at 72 years in business and today is no exception. Vias imports has joined in and is sending Christopher Lawther who represents their portfolio to taste some of our seasonal favorites on the wine tasting from 1-4pm today (menu below).
Bring a folding chair with you because the Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon wait will have begun. At 4pm the wait will be over as we break the seal on a brand new bottle of "Pappy". In our last allocation we squirrled away a 12yr old bottle of the very rare Bourbon and have been looking forward to this occasion to break it out and share with our customers. We will also show a handful of other Bourbons, along with a Rye and a Sour Mash Whiskey (Menu below). If you are wondering what the "Brown Liquor" craze is all about this tasting will answer the question and put an exclamation point on it! Patrick and Renzo will be on hand to help people to understand the mystique and story behind each of the selections and there will be a chance to purchase some of the items at the tasting today... No, not the Pappy, but we do have a wait list if you want to add your name. The list extends out to what looks like 6 or 7 years right now based on current allocations.



Your host is Christopher Lawther of Hartley Parker Select Brands 1-4pm.
 
Broglia Gavi di Gavi 2012                                        $19.99
Straw yellow color is highlighted by a trace of green.  The nose has a racy profile of white flowers with a touch of almond.  On the palate it is classically dry as it offers flavors of citrus and white fruit.  A clean refreshing finish leaves plenty of room for another sip.  This is the oldest documented vineyard in Italy . . . since 971!

Strasserhof Kerner 2012                                          $21.99
Color: Pale straw yellow with golden emerald highlights. Bouquet: Refined and intense with persistent citrus and floral notes. Flavor: Dry with excellent structure and a soft, round body.  Pairings: Perfect for appetizers and shellfish based dishes.  This is the most northern vineyard in Italy.  Winemaker’s Notes

Produttori del Barbaresco Pora 2008       $49.99
Playing true to type, the 2008 Barbaresco Riserva Pora is another of the more open wines in this vintage. But that is only in relative terms. Layers of expressive red fruit, crushed flowers and spices flesh out in this radiant Barbaresco. In most vintages the Pora is one of the more accessible of the Riservas when young. The close proximity of the vineyard to the Tanaro River results in a warm microclimate that ripens the fruit earlier than elsewhere. In 2008, though, the Pora packs a serious punch. The coolness of the late harvest comes through in a finish laced with considerable tension and minerality. This is easily one of the very best Poras I have ever tasted from the Produttori. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2048.  Wine Advocate, 95 pts

Ca Viola Dolcetto 2012                                             $19.99
This is a ready-to-drink wine for everyday enjoyment.  Rich ruby red color.  The nose plays on notes of fresh fruit and finishes with a pleasant note of blackberry.  Smooth, agile and balanced in the mouth.  Pleasantly fresh throughout, this dynamic Dolcetto appeals to a wide variety of palates.  This is the vineyard of world renowned winemaker Beppe Ca Viola.  Winemaker’s Notes


Your hosts are Patrick & Renzo of Harry's staff 4-7pm

Pappy Van Winkle 12yr "lot B" 
(tasting only) 
Nose: Honey, honeysuckle, orange zest, citrus and a hint of cherry.
Body: Very rich and smooth, almost creamy, buttery.  A hint of smoke but not a lot – surprised that we like it as much as we do given that our blog is dedicated to the smoky varieties.
Finish: Complex body turns into a complex finish: white chocolate, smoke and tree bark; warmth but with very little burn.

Angel's Envy Port cask finish $47.99
Offers a rich mouthfeel and a sumptuous banquet of flavors on the palate. The effect of the port barrel finish is evident in the sophistication and complexity of flavors, everything is perfectly balanced and the port doesn't overwhelm the natural bourbon flavors but instead perfectly complements it. Vanilla bundt cake, cinnamon, mint and orange flavors abound with a delicious burnt sugar undertone and solid oak notes.

Michter's Sour Mash  $40.99
This is a really lovely, very fruity whiskey. The nose is all apples, with a touch of caramel behind it. Supple and silky, that fruitiness continues on into the body, with an apple pie character that is far too easy to drink, and doesn’t taste at all like it’s been bottled at a solid 86 proof. Not too sweet and lightly wooded, the graininess of the spirit is all but gone — a touch of corn on the mid-palate and a bit of popcorn on the finish are all that remind you that you’re drinking a whiskey instead of chowing down on dessert.

Michter's Small Batch Bourbon $39.99
Robust and rich, semi-sweet and spicy, with a background of cinnamon and ginger. This can be a bit sharp at first, and water significantly yields a smoother drink, while amplifying the flavors. This is quite nice.

Michter's Single Barrel Rye $40.99
Crazy-sweet aroma, full of caramel, vanilla and a slight floral touch. The bite comes first (and lingers awhile), followed by vanilla, caramel, coconut flavors. It mellows considerably with ice, and becomes quite likeable, drinkable and mild.

And a surprise for those that read this post and ask "What else are you offering today?"
Pssst... It will be behind the counter ;)

Friday, October 18, 2013

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, Oct 18 and more...

Great turnout for our opening tasting last night. Frank came by and showed off some great wines and the feedback was great. A big thanks to Kobrand and Frank for getting us going in style. Tonight we are being visited by a couple of people and we will have two tastings happening at the same time. First, we have our standard Friday beer, or in this case, cider tasting. We also have an anniversary Champagne tasting to keep the celebration going. Scroll down to see the details. Come and celebrate with us and say hi! We would love to have you.


Your host is Colin from Downeast Cider.

Apple                   $8.59/4pc
Original Blend is the Auerbach to our Celtics, the Satisfaction to our Stones, the Agent K to our Men In Black, our foundation. From its humble beginnings in the basement of a Bates College dormitory, Original Blend is the result of hundreds of test batches aimed at crafting the best damn hard cider you've ever tasted. Original Blend is made from freshly pressed local apples because we not only believe in high quality cider, we believe in America. We use a secret blend of Red Delicious, McIntosh, Cortland, and Gala apples, and NEVER add concentrate, artificial flavors or sweeteners. Original Blend is the way cider should be.

Cranberry  $8.59/4pc
A lot of cranberries grow in Massachusetts and an unnamed member of Downeast Cider has an affinity for them, dried cranberries, cranberry juice, and most of all, Cranberry Blend. This interesting twist on Original Blend won't make your lips pucker but will bring a smile.



Your host is Frederick Leger from Canard Duchene

Located in the Montagne de Reims, this Champagne is a subtle blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that is carefully aged in the long galleries of the underground cellars in Ludes.Characterized by fresh fruit aromas jostling with brioche notes, the sign of good aging, this is a light-hearted Champagne, perfect for every occasion.Very classy, complex and structured with excellent fruit and a long, toasty finish.The Pinot Noir being dominant contributes to the wine's superb structure.


Canard Duchene Rosé NV $36.99
Canard Duchene Brut NV $29.99

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

We're celebrating 72yrs, Let's open some bottles!

This weekend marks 72 years in business and that means it's time to celebrate!
This town and its people have been very good to us for a long time and we try our best to reciprocate all of your continued support and loyal patronage. Without the very loyal following that we have, 72 years in business would not be possible and to show our appreciation we are inviting you in to have a sip and join us as we celebrate in style.

We have looked around at the shelves and bottle after bottle has been whispeing "taste me" to us so we thought we would take a couple of days to give them their wish and show them off with you. Beginning Thursday night October 17th and running through Saturday the 19th we are going to do a handful of very special tastings and there is no better way to get it started than to listen to that bottle of Sassicaia that has been looking for some attention, so....

Thursday October 17th 4pm-7pm
Kobrand International's Franceso Sansonotta will be pouring:

Sassicaia 2010 $175.00btl
This will greatly appeal to enthusiasts of Sassicaia’s trademark elegance. The wine shows extreme purity that brings its many beautiful aromas into startling focus and clarity. Lingering tones of black fruit and Oriental spice add subtle shades at the back. The wine mostly certainly shows its pedigree in the exciting and beautifully balance manner it evolves in the glass: It tells a new story each time you return to observe the bouquet. This is the harbinger of cellar longevity. 96pts RP

Tenuta Sette Ponti Oreno 2010 $81.99btl
A full, rich red, with pure cherry, floral, licorice and spice aromas and flavors. Balanced and graceful, with a lingering aftertaste of sweet fruit and spice. Should get even better with a few years of aging. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. 96pt WS

Fonseca Vintage Port 2011 $100.00btl
The Fonseca 2011 is typically more forthcoming on the nose compared to the bashful Croft: a strident bouquet with lifted scents of freshly picked blackberries, kirsch, crushed stone and a dash of Hoi Sin and oyster sauce. It is very well-defined, very focused and direct. The palate is silky smooth with not a rough edge in sight, though not a typically voluptuous Fonseca because of the keen thread of acidity and the structure that lends this mighty Port wonderful backbone. A slight viscosity on the finish lacquers the tongue and indicates a core of sweet fruit is ticking away underneath that will surely explode several years after bottling. A tincture of salted licorice on the aftertaste is very attractive. This will turn out to become an outstanding Fonseca, the growing season taming its exuberance with spectacular results. So much potential, but just 6,000 cases were produced. 99pts RP

Taylor Fladgate 10yr Tawny Port $33.99btl
A refined and subtle Port. Outstanding. Lovely aromas of flan, caramel and egg custard with a hint of toffee. Medium-bodied, with a light sweetness and a refined, clean finish. Tastes older than 10 years. Drink now. 91pts WS

Taittinger Brut Champagne La Française NV $49.99btl
Hints of marzipan and lightly charred toast add richness without overwhelming the flavors of poached pear, lemon curd and black currant in this lively version, showing a creamy, detailed texture. 91pts

And that is just getting us started!

Just wait until your see how we wrap up on Saturday... Lets just say that dear ol' Pappy is making a visit and we'll be tasting this legendary Bourbon along side of a couple others to help wrap up Saturday night!

These tastings and a few others that will make for a very memorable weekend of tastes and treats. Come down and visit with us, the more the merrier.

Patrick, William, Scott, and The Crew

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

WINE CLASS: Great Wine Regions: Napa & Sonoma

These California wines regions are from the two best AVA's (American Viticultural Area) in the U.S. and debatably the world. From the well-known grapes like Cabernets, Chardonnays, Pinots Noirs and Zinfandels, this class will give you the opportunity to taste some of the very fine wines that America's "Left Coast" is currently producing. In the class we will taste a selection of 8 different reds and/or whites that we feel represent these iconic regions in their best and truest lights. Join us as Len "The wine tutor" Gulino walks through the carefully selected wines and plays travel guide to americas most important wine producing regions.  Wed, October 16th 2013 7pm-9pm $35 one week

This "Sold Out" class just had a cancellation and three seats opened up for tomorrow nights class. It is sure to be a great evening and a fun learning experience. If you would like join us for what will be an informative class dedicated to the best of what our country offers, give Jan a call and get your seat. (203)259-4692

If you aren't able to make it tomorrow night our Thursday class through Fairfield continuing education has a handful of seats remaining and is a two part course that focuses the same two regions this Thursday and the Southern Hemisphere which includes Argentina and Chile next Thursday. Details here

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Wine Tasting - Saturday 1-4PM, Oct 12

Your host is Len Gulino, "The Wine Tutor". 

As we get ready to celebrate our 72nd anniversary in the upcoming week we have reached into our bag of tricks and found ol' Len to get us started as we gear up for what we are sure will be a fun week. He is showing a couple staff favorites and a couple of newer items to the store. 
Keep an eye on our blog, our Facebook page and in the Minuteman (amoung other places) for the special tastings and events that will be coming up this week including some very hard to find and great scoring wines. You are all welcome to join our celebration!

 
Greystack Sauvignon Blanc Rosemary’s Block 2012                  $29.99
The unique Italian clone grown in Rosemary\'s Block delivers its unique pineapple and passion fruit flavor profile with a nose that can be detected from several feet away.  2012 season was picture perfect right up to harvest. This wine was fermented in stainless steel to preserve it's verve and then aged for 4 months in 50% stainless steel and 50% mostly neutral oak.   Winemaker’s Notes

Chopin Cote de Nuits Villages Blanc les Monts de Boncourt 2011         $24.99
On the nose are aromas of spicy ripe pear and pineapple that are caressed with just a thin touch of smoke.  Flavors are rich with ripe citrus fruit extracts, along with some pleasing vanilla notes that join in at mid palate to carry on to a long and elegant finish. This has all the true characters of a stylish expensive white Burgundy at the right price.

Korta Petit Verdot 2010                            $9.99
This has an inky purple color with ripe aromas of cassis and blackberry. It is straightforward with fruity flavors of black cherry jam and a nuance of dark chocolate.  The mouth feel is bright and full with firm tannins and a juicy finish.

Chateau Paloumey Haut Medoc 2009     $24.99
With a blend that is half Cabernet Sauvignon, half Merlot, this is as rich as the year. The weight of fruit is borne by sweet tannins and layers of wood toast. There is a very dense dusty texture along with fine acidity and final blackberry fruit. It is for aging over the next 4-5 years.  Wine Enthusiast, 92 pts

Friday, October 11, 2013

Experience pays off with 2011 Oregon Pinot (SF Gate Article)

   

       The following is a word for word copy of an article I really liked written in the SanFrancisco Gate Newspaper on Oregon's 2011 vintage. There are a number of wines that the panel liked and a few of them made our list too. Unfortunately some of the others are not available in the state of Connecticut and others that are on a different vintage in our state. We eliminated them and added a few of our own choices to the list of worthy suggestions.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

-Patrick


"Chance favors the prepared mind, or so Louis Pasteur once said.
If so, then the best chance at salvation of Oregon's 2011 vintage came from just that - and more often than not, from veteran winemakers who knew how to prepare for the latest, coldest and most drawn-out vintage in the state's history.
It might sound familiar to those who know California vintages: 2011 as a harbinger of the long, cold and tough. But in Oregon the wait for ripeness was drawn to an extreme, with Pinot Noir often harvested into November - not to hit the bulky flavors that California hunts but simply for the grapes to mature enough to make a solid wine. The fact that it was a big crop only worsened prospects for ripeness.
Except that Oregon's endgame in 2011 was sunny and cheery, an extended bout of picking that, despite the lateness, offered a great bounty. The rain that is so often Oregon's bugaboo never made itself troublesome - very different from this year, when our thoroughly soaked friends up north are waiting for things to dry out.
Patience, and the prepared mind, scored a big win in 2011. So did those of us who enjoy these wines.
The 2011s in Oregon are a particularly charming lot. They have an energy and litheness that mark the best classic vintages in Oregon and Burgundy - or for that matter among more diligent winemakers in California that year.
Unlike Oregon's generous 2008 vintage, these are lean and sharp-eyed wines. I have been increasingly concerned about the age-worthy abilities of Oregon Pinot Noir - too many bottles from 2006 and 2007 seem to be fully mature - but the extended season in 2011 gives me some hope that many of the best wines will have a good long life ahead. If they are not the fleshiest, friendliest wines, their reticence has other benefits.
On the matter of being prepared: When I looked at some of the most successful results from our recent panel tasting of five dozen 2011 Oregon wines, familiar names rose to the top. They include Brick House's Doug Tunnell, Josh Bergstrom, Chehalem's Harry Pederson-Nedry, Stoller's Melissa Burr, and even Myron Redford at Amity. These are people who have lived with Oregon's more challenging ways for at least a decade, in some cases for more than three.
This differentiates them from the other contingent I noticed in our lineup: a growing roster of California brands that have crossed the border for fruit from above the 42nd parallel. Evidently, the must-have item on a Napa stock shelf this season is from Oregon. But in general, 2011 was not a year for those with a California ZIP code to covet Oregon fruit. It was, so to speak, a good assertion of home rule.
Oregon has always been of some interest to those from afar, notably when the Drouhin family bought property in Dundee in 1987 and set up shop. But this year has marked several major new incursions, with two major acquisitions in August.
Kendall-Jackson bought 392 acres in Eola-Amity Hills, the biggest bet so far from California on Oregon soil, while the Burgundy house of Louis Jadot bought the 32-acre Resonance vineyard, one of the state's best known, with plans for wine to be made by Jadot cellar mastermind Jacques Lardiere.
In other words, Oregon is growing up fast. The hope is that its great charm - complex and modestly ripe wines at modest prices - remains even as it grows into a fully mature wine region.
In the meantime, there is a complicated but stellar vintage now hitting shelves, one that shows precisely what Oregon can do best. If 2011 favored the prepared mind, it simply revealed that years of preparation are finally paying off."



2011 Soter North Valley Willamette Valley Pinot Noir ($33, 13.4%): Tony Soter has done Pinot long enough to remember California's meager vintages in the 1980s. For this blend of several parcels across three sub-appellations, he and winemaker James Cahill devised a nuanced and floral result: jasmine, fresh mineral, tart raspberry and red currant. A quiet tension defines it, with enough juicy plum flavor to provide pleasing weight.
2011 Primarius Oregon Pinot Noir ($15, 12%): New Zealand native Haydn Mouat devised a value-priced bottle that gives hope for affordable Oregon Pinot, a category that tumbled down a scree in recent years. Pretty, delicate, slightly stemmy red fruit, with black pepper, dried pine needle and straightforward cranberry. Terrific table wine.
2011 A to Z Willamette Valley Pinot Noir ($20):
This sleek red is tightly packed, with delicate layers of cherry, tobacco and cocoa flavors that mingle against refined tannins, persisting pleasantly on the light-stepping finish.

2011 Westrey Willamette Valley Pinot Noir ($29)

2011 Westry Abbey Ridge Pinot Noir ($48)

2011 Brooks Willamette Valley Pinot Noir ($26)

2011 Cristom Mt. Jefferson Pinot Noir ($31)

Come in and see one of our wine staff members for other great suggestions for whites and Pinot Noirs from other vintages too. Oregon has a lot to offer!