Portalis Explores! ~ Wine Club Archives

PORTALIS EXPLORES! ~ April 2012:
Valdepeñas (Spain)
This month, Portalis Explores! wine club brings you to the region of Valdepeñas in southern Spain. The region itself is located within the larger region of Castilla La Mancha. Although it is the least populous state in Spain, it is the third largest when measured by area. This region is not only known for its harsh climate, but also as the setting of the classic Spanish novel “Don Quixote”. More than half of the grapes produced in Spain are grown here, so there are many varietals to choose from. Thanks to improved production methods, this region is gaining a name for itself among the more well-known wine producing regions of Spain. The two wines this month are both from the family owned (since 1914) winery of Bodegas Juan Ramirez. Cheers!

Bodegas J. Ramirez 2005 Tanis Reserva
$12.99 | Mixed Case $10.39
Made using 100% Tempranillo grapes and aged for 12 months in American oak, I think this wine is killer for the money. Sourced from the low yielding “Vistra Alegre” vineyards, this wine begins with a complex nose of spices, dried fruits, wood, and red fruits. A rich deep ruby color, this wine is magnificent in mouth thanks to its velvety body and long, expressive finish. Expect intense flavors of cassis, blackberries, and raspberries. Best paired with lamb, beef or other red meats. Drink now!

Bodegas J. Ramirez 2001 Alba de Los Infantes Reserva
$17.99|Mixed Case $14.39
Produced using meticulous care and attention, this wine was made using carefully selected Tempranillo grapes from 50 year old vines. Aged 15 months in new French oak, this award winning wine is complex & well-structured. The palate has notes of jammed fruits, licorice, cinnamon, coffee, and mint. Expect a rounded, broad, meaty body with a long almond finish. Drink this wine now!

Enjoy & cheers!
Jens

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PORTALIS EXPLORES! ~ March 2012:
Southern Rhône
The two wines this month are beautiful wines from the Côtes du Rhône region of Southern France. What better way to beat the winter blues (let’s face it, warm weather is unfortunately a long way off) than to drink a wine that exudes the scents and smells of a sun baked lavender & olive strewn rustic countryside? Both of the wines for this month are excellent examples of the Southern Rhone terroir: slightly rustic, juicy, brightly acidic wines with notes of herbs, ripe fruits, and spice. These wines are both easy to enjoy and easy to pair with food: chicken, lamb, pork, duck, meatloaf, burgers, pizza…. The possibilities are really endless. Cheers!

Le Gravillas 2009 “Plan de Dieu”
$17.99| SALE $15.99 | Mixed Case $14.99
Founded in 1935, “Le Gravillas” winery is located in the heart of the Valcluse region in southeastern France. Nestled in the foothills of the Montmiral Mountains (once considered to be a ‘hotbed’ of French resistance during World War II), this area has a history of producing wine that dates back to the time of the Greeks. The “Plan de Dieu” villages or “God’s Plan” wine is considered to be the wineries ‘hommage’ to red wine. Made using 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre, this wine has rich depth, finely structured tannins, along with notes of herbs, blackberry, and figs.  Enjoy this wine now!

Domaine de la Vieille Ferme de l’Eoune 2007 Côtes du Rhône
$14.99| SALE $13.99 | Mixed Case $11.99
Since 1951, Monsieur Durand has been producing wines that reflect the terroir and his passion for wine making. Currently in its second-generation of winemakers, La Ferme de L’Eoune has expanded from 30 hectares to 100 hectares and is overseen by M. Durand’s son, Laurent. Using modern techniques, the winery has been able to continually evolve, ensuring quality and expression in each bottle produced. The 2007 vintage of the Côtes du Rhône is a blend of 60% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 5% Carignan, and 10% Cinsault. Expect a well-balanced wine with soft tannins, permeated by notes of raspberries, cherries, and hints of spice. Drink this wine now!

Enjoy & cheers!
Jens
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PORTALIS EXPLORES! ~February 2012:
Tuscany
Both wines this month are from the wonderful region of Tuscany, Italy. Sangiovese is the grape that reins king in this part of Italy, namely because it is what creates three very important Italian wines: Chianti, Brunello, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. The region of Tuscany is a rolling landscape of hills, perfect for wine growing. Expect wines from this region to all pair well with the regional specialty: bistecca alla fiorentina (grilled Florentine steak).
Nottola 2010 Chianti Colli Senesi
$16.99 |Mixed Case $13.59
Nottola Estate is located in the hills above Siena, in Montepulciano. Founded in 1992, it is still family run and has been internationally recognized for many of its wines. It combines state-of-the-art technology along with the vineyards exceptional terroir to produce exquisite wines. Chianti wine is the backbone of Tuscan wine production: it is easy to drink, easy to produce, and is relatively inexpensive. This beautiful Chianti is made of primarily Sangiovese grapes (80%) with 20% of additional varietals. This wine is dry, acidic, and elegant, perfect for pairing with acid rich foods (think tomatoes) but is excellent alone as well. Drink this wine now!

Caparzo 2008 Rosso Toscana
$12.99 |Mixed Case $10.39
“Caparzo” Estate derives its name from the area of ‘Ca’ Pazzo’ which is located on some ancient maps. The vineyards of this estate have been around since the late 1960s and now cover about 125 acres of land around the town of Montalcino and 15 acres in the territory of Buonconvento. The Rosso Toscana is made up of a blend including: Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, and Colorino grapes. Best if drunk now, this wine is dry, fruity, and has medium acidity. A perfect wine to pair with pasta!

Enjoy & cheers!

Jens

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PORTALIS EXPORES! ~ January 2012:
Portuguese Reds
Portugal has been a wine growing area since the time of the Romans but a trade treaty with England in early 1700 boosted the wine growing, especially in the Douro Valley which became the world’s first appellation in 1758. Portugal has a large array of native wines which give Portuguese producers the possibility to produce a variety of interesting and different wines. In this club we introduce two reds from two different appellations:  Alentejo & Douro Valley.

Kolheita de Ideias 2006 Esboco Tinto
$13.99 | Mixed Case $11.19
Kolheita de Ideias is a high-quality, small-scale négociant operation, located in the Douro region & established in 2001 with the vision to produce great wines for a great value. The owners, Luis Soares Duarte, Francisco Ferreira & Rui Moreira (the winemaker), purchase grapes from three different Douro sub-regions to produce three different wines. The grapes from this red come from the Cima & Baixo Corgo subregions in the Douro. Tasting notes:  This red is a blend of 45% Tinta Roriz, 35% Touriga Franca & 20 % Tinta Barroca. Beautiful nose of black cherry, blackberries with some black pepper notes. Smooth, medium-bodied, dark & delicious. Elegant texture & acidity. Solid fruit with blackberries, black plums, violets & some spicy notes. Smooth, velvety tannins on the finish.  Drink now! Good sipper or well paired with all kinds of dark roasted meats.

Herdade dos Grous  2008 Vinho Tinto
$15.99 | Mixed Case $12.79
Herdade dos Grous is one of the Alentejo’s up & coming wineries.  Alentejo is a wine region in southeastern Portugal  at the Spanish border. The estate is also known for their olive groves & olive oil production. Tasting notes: This red is a blend of 35% Aragonez (Tempranillo), 30% Alicante Bouschet, 20% Touriga Nacional & 15% Syrah. Complex red-fruit aromas lead to deep & concentrated red plum, black cherries & black berry flavors.  Beautiful spice & herbal notes integrate to a smooth finish with fine tannins. Drink now, up to 2 years. Best with dark meat, grilled steaks.

Enjoy & cheers!

Jens
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PORTALIS EXPORES! ~ December 2011:
Cruz de Piedra (Argentina, Part II)
You probably remember in August when we introduced you to some fantastic Argentine Malbecs. I couldn’t resist showing you some more Malbecs from a producer that I think is doing top notch work.

Cruz de Piedra is owned by the Alfonso family, located in Maipu, Mendoza. The trick is that they operate under four different labels. Their first vines were planted in 1973 & are used in premier blends, such as the Cruz de Piedra Red Blend which runs $45.99 and is available at the wine shop if you are interested. Cruz de Piedra is also known for their excellent, very reasonable priced Malbecs, such as the two lines included in this month’s wine club:

Tiasta 2009 Malbec Reserva
$15.99 | Mixed Case $12.79
This wine gives you a lot for your money! A medium-bodied Malbec with delicious aromas of raspberries, blackberries & licorice with some notes of dark chocolate & smoke. Elegant, smooth structure with fine tannins on the long finish. Drink now. Best with grilled meat.

Cuesta del Madero 2010 Malbec
$13.99 | Mixed Case $11.19
One of the entry-level Malbecs from Cruz De Piedra estate blended from different vineyards. Red fruit with vanilla notes upfront. Smooth, elegant, fresh & fruity. Great acidity with wonderful red & dark fruit flavors, notes of dark chocolate & coffee. Too easy to drink! Drink now. Best with smoked turkey, grilled meats.

Enjoy & cheers!
Jens

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Portalis Explores! ~ November 2011 :  Vinchio-Vaglio Serra (a Peidmont co-op)
This producer is our newest addition to the J. Strecker Selections portfolio. As you’ve seen thru the years (all you long-timers!), I’m a firm believer that there is a lot of value in well-run co-ops, and this is another excellent example. Vinchio-Vaglia Serra is a co-op originally formed by 19 growers in 1959.  It has grown to 180 growers and includes land from Vinchio, Vaglio Serra & Nizza Monferrato, villages to the south of Asti in Piedmont in northwestern Italy.

Head winemaker, Dr. Giuliano Noè (Italy’s Winemaker of the Year 2005 & former head winemaker of Michele Chiarlo, pictured left) focuses on top quality, low costs & an organic approach. Wines from this part of Italy tend to be quite pricy.  What you get for the price in this wine club is amazing!  We also carry some of Vinchio-Vaglio Serra’s higher-end Barbara & Nebbiolo (still very well-priced) as well as several dessert wines (Moscato & Brachetto), so keep that in mind for the holidays!

This wine club includes a white (Cortese) and an unoaked Barbera:
Vinchio-Vaglio Serra 2010 Dorato Cortese Dell’Alto Monferrato
$15.99 | Mixed Case $12.79
100% Cortese from the Monferrato region. Excellent aromas of ripe lemons & white peach. Fresh, crisp, with wonderful acidity which supports the vibrant fruit. Wonderful balance & texture all the way through the fresh finish. Drink now! Best paired with white fish dishes, fresh or mild cheeses.

Vinchio-Vaglio Serra 2010 Arengo Barbera
$13.99 | Mixed Case $11.19
100% Barbera from the Piedmont DOC. Young, modern style. Fresh, fruit-driven, with flavors of ripe red berries, earthy & herbal notes. Great acidity. All the way to the fresh, lively finish. Fantastic food wine for the price! Drink now! Best paired with mild cheese, white & dark meat as well as grilled burgers.

Enjoy & cheers!
Jens

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Portalis Explores! ~ October 2011:  A Farewell to Olsen Estates (WA)
It’s time to say good-bye to an innovative Yakima Valley producer. Olsen Estates was founded at the beginning of 2006 by Larry Olsen & his brothers and he was one of the original founders of the Prosser Vintner’s Village, a consolidated group of wineries & tasting rooms intended to promote the wines produced in the Yakima Valley. The Olsen family has grown grapes for more than 40 years & will continue to do so after closing down the winery.

It’s time to honor these guys in our Portalis Explores! Wine Club:

Olsen Estates 2008 Blanc des Coteaux
$12.99 | Mixed Case $10.39
This white is a wonderful blend of 70% Roussanne, 23% Viognier % 7% Marsanne.
Tasting notes: Aromas of wildflowers, pineapple & starfruit moving over into flavors of tangerines, honeydew melon, pineapple & lemon zest. Excellent texture & acidity all the way through the refreshing finish. Excellent for the price! Drink now! Best paired with grilled halibut, salmon, white chicken & turkey.

Olsen Estates 2008 Rouge des Coteaux
$13.99 | Mixed Case $11.19
A six grape Rhone blend, mainly Grenache, Syrah & Cinsault with some Mourvedre.
Tasting notes: Wonderful nose of ripe dark fruit, lots of ripe dark plums & cherries. Smooth, medium-bodied. Excellent texture & structure. Flavors of blackberries, blueberries, prunes with notes of dried herbs & leafs, cinnamon & mocha. Wonderful balance all the way through the herbal & spicy finish. Drink now. Best with grilled dark meats, roasts, steaks!

Enjoy & cheers!

Jens

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Portalis Explores! ~ September 2011:  Navarra (Spain)
Germans are big fans of Spain, and many Germans, being the big travelers that they are (a relatively wealthy country and 6-8 weeks of vacation a year make for a travel-friendly combination!) have traveled the famous medieval pilgrimage trek across northern Spain, through Basque country to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia on the coast of northwest Spain.  Along this route, are the wine regions of Rioja & Navarra.  In the US, Rioja is more well-known, but it shouldn’t be. The regions back right up to one another, and Navarra produces similarly delicious wines, but they tend to be blends (including Cab/Merlot) as opposed to straight Tempranillo. As Navarra is not as well known in the US as Rioja, you get far more wine for your money (and you could say that Rioja was already a reasonable deal!).

Bodegas Marqués de Montecierzo is a small, father-son team with their family estate located right on the border to Rioja. The estate covers 22 hectares of vineyards located on stony soil with limestone.

Bodegas Marqués de Montecierzo 2007 Emergente Tinto
$11.99 | Mixed Case $9.59
Grapes: 40% Tempranillo, 40% Granacha, 20% Merlot.  Tasting notes: Medium-bodied, smooth, well-balanced with flavors of plums, ripe blueberries, and a hint of herbs. Pleasant, elegant & easy to drink. Drink now.

Bodegas Marqués de Montecierzo 2006 Emergente Crianza
$13.99 | Mixed Case $11.19
Grapes: 40% Tempranillo, 30% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged 12 months in new American oak.  Tasting Notes: Ruby in color. A layered nose of ripe dark fruits with tones of cedar wood, spice & coffee. Utterly enticing. Round & velvety on the palate.  I love this wine! Drink now.

Enjoy & cheers!
Jens

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Portalis Explores! ~ August 2011:  Minervois AOC
In this wine club we are showing two wines from Minervois, an AOC in the Languedoc-Roussillon wine region in Southern France. AOC regulations for this area require that the wines must be blended. The main red varietals are Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Carignan & Cinsault. Minervois is not known for its white wines but they are produced as are rosé wines, a wonderful (award-winning) example of which is included in this shipment.

We direct import these 2 wines via J. Strecker Selections and I am featuring them in this month’s club as I think they are great examples of the delicious & well-priced wines coming out of this part of France.  They are also excellent summer wines – the rosé as a refreshing sipper and the red with summer fare out on the deck.

Château Rivière 2010 Minervois Rosé
$12.99 | Mixed Case $10.39
This small, family-owned estate is located in the Montagne Noire hills in the Minervois AOC. The south-facing vineyards give the grapes, grown on clay & limestone soil lots of sun exposure. Tasting notes: This wine is a blend of 50% Grenache & 50% Syrah.Attractive & intense aromas of raspberries & strawberries. Dry, round & fleshy, with herbal & spicy notes. The palate is fresh & lively, with soothing licorice on the finish. Silver Medal in the 2011 Paris wine show! Drink now! Best paired with salads, fish & chicken dishes.

Domaine de L’Estagnol 2008 Minervois
$13.99 | Mixed Case $11.19
This domaine is part of the Jean D’Alibert cooperative, located in the AOC Minervois. 50% Grenache & 50% Syrah from 5 different vineyards in Minervois. Tasting notes: Aromas of bright, ripe red fruit. Smooth, medium-bodied. Elegant texture, harmonious with wonderful flavors of ripe red plums, blue- & blackberries. Fine tannins on the smooth finish.  Drink now! Best paired with salads, charcuterie, fresh market cheeses & grilled sausages.

Enjoy & cheers!
Jens

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Portalis Explores! ~ July 2011:  J. Strecker Selections, our Argentine line
I was in Europe this spring looking for French, Italian & Spanish producers for our direct import business. On the second day between meetings I had an hour to kill & I stumbled upon Guillermo Moore, a handsome Argentine export manager from Buenos Aires representing Cruz de Piedra. We hit it off, the wines tasted great, but there was one problem — his wines were already imported to the US.

Long story short, he introduced me to a gentleman by the name of Andrew Miller who is the co-owner of an import company called Ecovalley & and we now distribute four of his Argentine wines (including Cruz de Piedra) in the Seattle area.  Here are some delicious, well-priced samples in this wine club:

Tiasta 2009 Malbec Reserva
$15.99 | Mixed Case $12.79
A Malbec from the above mentioned Cruz de Piedra estate in Mendoza. A medium-bodied Malbec with delicious aromas of raspberries, blackberries & licorice with some notes of dark chocolate & smoke. Elegant, smooth structure with fine tannins on the long finish. Drink now! Best with grilled meat

La Puerta 2010 Malbec
$12.99 | Mixed Case $10.39
A steal from the Famatina Valley in the La Rioja region in Mendoza. Lots of red & dark fruit upfront. Medium-bodied, smooth, velvety texture with elegant flavors of blue-, blackberries & raspberries. Hints of licorice & smoke but no oak flavors! Some herbal, earthy components on the finish. Drink now! Best paired with burgers, grilled steak, dark roasts.
Enjoy & cheers!
Jens

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Portalis Explores! ~ June 2011:  Languedoc-Roussillon (France)
We’ve started a direct import business, J. Strecker Selections, to import delicious, well-priced wines from around the world.  Our first container has arrived and you’re getting to taste a selection from Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France, a wonderful appellation located along the Mediterranean from Provence down to the border of Spain.

In this wine club we are featuring two wines: one from the Corbières sub-region & one from the Vin de Pays de L’Aude sub-appellation.

Château du Grand Caumont 2008 Cuvée Tradition Corbières
$13.99 | Mixed Case $11.19
With 100 hectares of planted vines within the 140 hectare estate in the Lézignon Corbières commune, Château du Grand Caumont is one of the largest family-owned wine estates in Corbières. The rugged stony clay-limestone soils of the terraced vineyard create excellent filtration for the vines.  Tasting notes: This red is a blend of 60% Carignan (Old Vine), 35% Syrah & 5% Grenache. Wonderful nose of black berry fruits, violets & black pepper. Well-balanced & structured. Smooth, elegant with delicious flavors of dark fruit. Dark plums, herbal & spicy components. Good length with a long, lingering finish! Drink now! Best paired with grilled meat, meats in sauces, stew & cheese.

Domaine de Mougin 2007 Vin de Pays de l’Aude
$12.99 | Mixed Case $10.39
This wine is made by the same producer (Château du Grand Caumont) & the grapes are sourced from the Vin de Pays de l’Aude appellation near the Spanish border.  Tasting notes: This red is a blend of 45% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 15% Carignan & 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Lots of dark fruit up front with some herbal & floral components. Medium- to full-bodied, good structure with great acidity. Lots of dark berry flavors with fine, round tannins on the finish. Drink now, up to 2 years. Best paired with grilled meats, dark roasts, stews.

Enjoy & cheers!
Jens

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Portalis Explores! ~ May 2011: Discover Yecla
Yecla is probably most known for the cave paintings at Monte Aribi. But there is more to explore, especially when you are into wine. Yecla is one of Spain’s smallest & newest appellations. Established in 1975, this appellation is located in the southeastern province of Murcia in southern Spain.

The first & only time I visited Yecla was in 1986 there were 10 wineries to name. But already back then, I was impressed with the quality & value of these wines as well as with the history of this region. Vinification dates back to the Roman Empire & flourished through the Moorish occupation. The main grape for this appellation is Monastrell, followed by Garnacha, Tintoera & Cabernet Sauvignon. New Syrah plantings have just happened. You will also find some lesser known white varietals.

Bodegas Castaño is the most well-known winery in Yecla with Ramon & Hermano Castaño bringing Yecla into the spotlight. Having met Hermano Castano in San Francisco at a wine fair, I kind of got what Yecla is all about, and it’s about time for a tribute! In this club we picked out two wines from Bodegas Castaño: a 100% Monastrell & a Monastrell blend.

Bodegas Castaño 2009 Monastrell
$11.99 | Mixed Case $9.59
Where can you buy a Mourvedre for this price? You can’t! This is by far the best value for Mourvedre (or Monastrell as it is known in Spain) available. 100% estate-grown Monastrell from 3 different vineyards. 40-to 60 year old vines. Tasting notes: Fantastic nose of underbrush, ripe blueberries & plums. Super-juicy, ripe, layered dark fruit, with dark chocolate notes & sweet tannins. Long, ripe finish.  Insane value & lots of fun! Drink now. Best paired with grilled beef & lamb.

Bodegas Castaño 2007 Solanera Viñas Viejas
$14.99 | Mixed Case $11.99
This red wine is a blend of 65% Monastrell, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon & 15% Tintoera (aka Alicante Bouschet); all estate-grown fruit which is aged 10 months in French oak. Tasting notes: Inviting smoky black & blue fruit upfront. Dense, rich, dark, intense but still elegant with a smooth texture. Lots of red & dark fruit. Mainly blueberries & blackberries with licorice & some smoky & spicy notes. Wonderful, long finish. Drink now, up to 3 years. Best paired with dark roasts, grilled beef & grilled lamb.

If you enjoy these wines, don’t forget:
Remember: 20% Mixed Case Discount & 10% Mixed Half Case Discount!

Enjoy & cheers!
Jens

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Portalis Explores! ~ April 2011: New Zealand
New Zealand can still be grouped as one of the more “exotic” wine countries.  They’ve been growing grapes there since 1851; however, it has only been in the last 30 years that the wines have developed an international presence, and it’s my feeling that most people here still don’t have a big connection to these wines.  The main wine growing regions are Marlborough, on the northern end of the Southern Island, & Martinborough, on the southern end of the Northern Island (map). The predominant white varietals are Sauvignon Blanc (grown more in the south) & Chardonnay (grown more in the north). The main red varietal is Pinot Noir.

New Zealand’s Sauvignon Blanc is known for its crisp, refreshing, tropical fruit flavors.  Its Pinots are more varied depending on what part of the islands they are grown on, ranging from deep, full-bodied, complex (around Otago) to softer, sweeter, more accessible (around Marlborough).  The 2 bottles in this month’s wine club are excellent, well-priced examples of what New Zealand’s up to these days:

Mud House 2010 Sauvignon Blanc
$14.99 | Mixed Case $11.99
A rather new winery founded by Kim Crawford in 1996 in Marlborough, they produce both Sauvignon Blanc & Pinot Noir. The name reflects the link from the wine to the earth. Tasting notes: Very inviting aromas of guava, citrus, fresh cut grass & nettles. Soft, elegant, with vibrant acidity. Lots of tropical fruit, citrus, lime & grassy flavors all the way to the refreshing, well-balanced finished. Good sipper. Best paired with light, grilled fish. Drink now.

Fire Road 2009 Pinot Noir
$14.99 | Mixed Case $11.99
The Fire Road label is made by Saint Clair, a well-known producer in Marlborough.  Its name pays homage to Marlborough’s worst fire ever on Boxing Day 2000, which destroyed 6000 hectares of wine. Tasting notes: Very attractive aromas of smoky cherries & red plums. Medium-bodied, smoky, spicy, with wonderful flavors of red and black cherries, plums & currants. Beautifully balanced spice on the long finish. Best with grilled burgers, Thai Salad, red sauce based pasta. Drink now, up to 2 years.

If you receive your wine via UPS, you should have it by Friday.  If you opted for in-store pick-up, your wine is ready for pick up.

If you enjoy these wines, don’t forget:
Remember: 20% Mixed Case Discount & 10% Mixed Half Case Discount!

Enjoy & cheers!

Jens

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Portalis Explores! ~ March 2011: South Africa
South Africa is the oldest New World wine growing country in the world. The first grapes were grown by a German fellow named Saxenburg in 1642. It took off from there. In my opinion, the wines of South Africa deserve more attention in general, as they presently offer both value & quality.

In this wine club we are showcasing two well-known producers who have been very popular throughout the past decade: Warwick Estate & Neil Ellis.

Warwick Estate was known as the farm of “Good Success” from 1791 until 1902, when Colonel Alexander Gordon purchased the land.  As a tribute to his regiment, the Warwickshire Regiment, which fought for him in the Boer war, he renamed the farm, “Warwick.”  In 1964 Stan & Norma Retcliffe purchased the farm.  At the time, not a single vine was planted on the estate. The Retcliffes changed this, the first vintage was released in 1984, and things have gone on from there.

Since 1986, Neil Ellis has focused on his winemaking philosophies: exceptional terroir & vineyard cultivation to produce superior wines.  He believes in environmental practices that indentify distinct terroir in which individual grape varieties will excel, along with caring viticultural techniques: low yielding & hand-picked vineyards where the soil is conserved & respected.  Neil Ellis’ dedication to the winemaking process is expressed in the high quality of wine produced.  Neil Ellis visited us at Portalis in the summer of 2009.  For more, visit our BLOG>

Warwick 2008 First Lady
$13.99 | Mixed Case $11.19
Beautiful aromas of dark fruit, bay leaf & some toast. Medium-bodied, well-balanced, elegant, complex & focused. Lot’s here for the money.  Wonderful flavors of blackberries, blueberries, blackcurrant with some smoky & herbal notes. Fine tannins on the smooth finish.
Neil Ellis 2008 Sincerely Shiraz
$13.99 | Mixed Case $11.19
Very inviting, spicy nose with lots of dark fruit. Beautiful texture & acidity with lovely raspberry, black-cherry fruit, with hints of black pepper & herbal notes. Great value!

If you enjoy these wines, don’t forget:
20% CASE & 10% HALF CASE DISCOUNTS ~ includes mixed cases!

Enjoy & cheers!
Jens

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Portalis Explores! ~ February 2011:  Cooralook (Australia)
I just returned from Victoria, Australia, (be patient, the map is worth the load) having been invited by Wine Australia to learn more about Victoria and its wines.  The diversity of Victoria’s wine is striking. Across the 21 sub-appellations that span the state from east to west & north to south, Victoria produces wines in every style.  I have chosen the winery Coorlook for its quality & value. Cooralook is owned by the famous Australian Pinot Noir producer Yabby Lake & sources its grapes from different cool-climate subregions of Victoria, Australia.

Meeting chief winemaker Tom Carson in their Heathcote tasting room, we got the low-down on some of these regions & how that affects the wines:

Heathcote is a sub-appellation about 125 miles north of Melbourne & is famous for its red Cambrian soil with its reputation for producing deep wines with plush black fruit & complexity. Shiraz is by far the most widely-planted grape varietal, but other red varietals do very well, too. The Cooralook Shiraz is from this region.

The Strathbogie Ranges were first recognized as a wine region in 2001. The first vineyards were planted in 1960 by Alan Plunkett. Most of the vineyards are up in the hills, where it is cooler & windier. The elevation & coolness, combined with the often hard, quartz-strewn granite soils of these high country vineyards, brings an aromatic lightness to the wines produced there- whether it’s the perfumed lift of white varietals such as Riesling & Sauvignon Blanc, the bright spiciness of Shiraz, or the black-curranty elegance of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Cooralook 2009 Pinot Noir
$14.99 | Mixed Case $11.99
100% Pinot Noir from the Strathbogie Ranches. Tasting notes: Classic, elegant aromas of red berry & spicy plum fruit. Smooth, light- to medium-bodied, soft, silky, velvety texture. Good acidity with wonderful red & dark fruit as well as lovely spicy & herbal components. Drink now, up to 2 years. Good sipper. Pairs well with roasted chicken, grilled salmon or tuna.

Cooralook 2008 Shiraz
$14.99 | Mixed Case $11.99
From the Heathcote region. Tasting notes: 100% Shiraz, with inviting aromas of red berries, raspberries & blackberries. Medium-bodied, smooth, elegant, with wonderful dark fruit flavors, with hints of spice & tobacco. Drink now, up to 3 years. Best paired with grilled steak, roasted meats, lamb & meat pies.

If you are interested in seeing more of my trip to Australia, check out our BLOG> Australian Pinot Country ~ A Photo Journal.

Enjoy & cheers!
Jens

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Portalis Explores! ~ January 2011:  Reds from Provence
Provence has been known for fine wines since ancient Roman times. Caesar himself was noted to have liked the wines as well as the weather of the Provence.  The main appellation is Côtes de Provence. Other smaller ones are Bandol, Bellet, Cassis, Côteaux d’Aix, Baux-de-Provence & Côteaux Varois. The Provence region covers a relatively large territory of the Côte d’Azur in the South of France, from Aix-en-Provence & the Rhône Valley to the French Riviera near Nice. The most common grape varietals from the Provence are Carignan, Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvedre, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon & the unique Tibouren used for rosé.  Wine drinkers in the US know the Provence for its wonderful rosé wines, but this wine club is going to feature two lesser-known yet absolutely delightful red blends from this region:

Château La Mascaronne 2004 Côtes de Provence Rouge
Reg $23.99 | Sale $14.99 | Mixed Case $11.99
This winery is owned by the American Tom Bove & is located just outside the medieval village of Le Luc in the heart of the Provence. The winery has 50 hectares of gently sloping vineyards around the winery. The vines grow on chalk & clay soils, completely covered with small stones. Tasting notes: This red is a blend of Grenache, Syrah & Cabernet Sauvignon. Complex & strong aromas of red fruit, violets & spices. Medium-bodied, well-balanced, elegant, good structure & texture. Wonderful flavors of raspberries, red cherries, with some lovely floral & spicy notes.

Domaine de La Brillane 2008 Cuvée de Printemps
$14.99 | Mixed Case $11.99
This winery was built & is owned by Rupert Birch & Mary Mertens, two people with a strong passion for wine. The winery & the vineyard are located a couple of miles north of Aix-en-Provence, within the appellation of Côteaux d’Aix-en-Provence. The vineyard is run on an organic basis. Tasting notes: This red is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Mourvèdre, Cinsault & Counoise. Prominent aromas of red & black berries with floral notes. Smooth, medium-bodied, soft texture, but fruit-driven. Fantastic dark fruit flavors, with raspberries, violets, ginger & other spices. Wonderful, smooth finish with fine tannins.
Enjoy & cheers!
Jens

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Portalis Explores! ~ December 2010: Small Vineyards Imports
Small Vineyards is an importer of Italian wines (although they have branched out into other Mediterranean lands in recent years), specializing in small producers with very good quality. At Small Vineyards, they believe some of the very best wines come from small places. And with this conviction, they are committed to discovering artisan winemakers and then introducing them, their families, their land, their wines & their stories to the markets they serve in the western US.

This wine club includes wines from two very small Italian producers: Antonio Lamona from La Quercia in Abruzzo & Nini Palama from Puglia.

La Quercia 2009 Montepulciano D’Abruzzo
$11.99 | Mixed Case $9.59
A La Quercia is a type of oak tree which grows on this small estate in Abruzzo, Central Italy. Winemaker Antonio Lamona believes in making inspired wines that respect the earth. All his wines are 100% organic. Tasting notes: Smooth, medium-bodied & well-balanced. Aromas & flavors of dark fruit, blackberries & blueberries with some herbal notes. Very fine tannins on the smooth finish. Drink now. Best paired with pasta, white meat & cheese plates.

Palama 2009 Arcangelo Primitivo
$14.99 | Mixed Case $11.99
Palama Estate is family-owned, was founded in 1936 & is located in Puglia. Winemaker Nini Palama is a specialist in ancient grape varietals grown on Salento’s soils. He handcrafts this wine in honor of his father & mentor, Arcangelo Palama. Tasting notes: Very inviting aromas of raspberries, spiced plums & prunes. Medium-bodied, lush, with great acidity & flavors of dark fruit, plums, blackberry confit & notes of cedar & anise. Beautiful, spicy finish. Drink now. Best paired with barbecue, ribs, smoked turkey.
Happy Holidays & cheers!
Jens

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Portalis Explores! ~ November 2010: Tuscany
Tuscany, located in central Italy stretching from Florence to just north of Rome, is one of the most famous wine regions in the world. Tuscan wines account for over thirty of Italy’s DOC & half a dozen of Italy’s DOCG wines. The most grown variety is the noble Sangiovese, which is often combined with small amounts of locally grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo & other grapes into wonderful blends such as Carmignano, Morellino Di Scansano, Supertuscans & of course the signature Tuscan wines — Chianti & Chianti Classico — which are the best known Italian wines in the world.

In this wine club we will feature a Chianti Riserva & a 100% Tuscan Sangiovese (IGT), meaning that it is made from grapes grown in Tuscany but outside of the designated Chianti area.
Viotollo 2004 Chianti Riserva
$14.99 | Mixed Case $11.99
This family-owned estate is located in the heart of the beautiful Tuscan countryside near Tavarnelle. Tasting notes: Aromas of cherries & wild berries. Medium-bodied, complex, elegant, with beautiful ripe red fruit, cherries, spicy & leathery notes. Smooth, soft tannins on the beautiful long finish. Best with stews, red meats & pasta dishes. Drink now.

Caparzo 2008 Sangiovese Toscana
$13.99 | Mixed Case $11.19
The winery is owned by Elizabetta Gnudi Angelini & is known as one of the region’s best Brunello producers. This red is their entry-level Sangiovese IGT.  Tasting notes: Beautiful bouquet of violets, raspberries & cherries. Smooth, elegant, well-balanced with delicious flavors of ripe dark cherries, raspberries & some herbal notes. Best with pasta, dark meat. Drink now.

Remember: 20% Mixed Case Discount & 10% Mixed 1/2 Case Discount!
Enjoy!
Jens

.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .The Borges brothers, Antonio & Francisco, started the Borges Company in 1884. It was & continues to be a commercial banking company, which also sells national & foreign lottery tickets & tobacco. They also started making wine in the same year & began exporting their Portuguese wines to foreign countries.

Borges has vineyards & wineries in the main Portuguese wine regions: Vinho Verdes, the Douro Valley & in the Dão. In this wine club we are showing two wines (a red & a white) from their Dão estate Quinta de São Simão da Aguieira which they bought in 1970. The Dão region is located in the heart of Portugal in the Beira Alta province & is one of the oldest wine regions in the country. Borges currently owns about 70 hectares of vineyards there.

Vinhos Borges 2008 Meia Encosta Vinho Branco
$10.99 | Mixed Case $8.79
A red blend of Touriga Nacional, Jaen, Alfrocheiro & Tinta Roriz. Aromas of ripe red fruit & some spice. Smooth, round, well-balanced, elegant & velvety. Main flavors of red fruit, raspberries & cherries, with some herbal & spicy notes. Smooth, fine finish. Drink now. Good sipper. Pairs well with roasted meat.

Vinhos Borges 2007 Meia Encosta  Vinho Tinto
$11.99 | Mixed Case $9.59
The Meia Encosta is a white blend of Encruzado, Malvasia-Fina & Bical. One of the best value wines in the market. Elegant, complex, wonderful balance with great acidity that gives this Dão a wonderful freshness. Aromas of citrus & wet stone up-front. Elegant flavors of citrus, lime, melon & pears. Crisp, fresh finish. Drink now. Wonderful sipper. Pairs well with light fish, salads or grilled chicken.

Remember: 20% Mixed Case Discount & 10% Mixed 1/2 Case Discount!

Portalis Explores! ~ October 2010: Vinhos Borges (Portugal)

Enjoy!
Jens

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Portalis Explores!  September 2010:  Montinore Estate (OR)
Montinore Estate is one of the most exciting Oregon wine producers right now. Not only are they producing certified biodynamic wines from estate-grown grapes, but (maybe more importantly) at this price point, this is as good as Pinot Noir gets anywhere in the world!
The winery, located in Forest Grove, was founded by Russ Marchesi, a grandson of Italian immigrants, who grew vines for more than 35 years.  Today Rudi & his youngest daughter, Kristin, are the core managing team of Montinore Estate.  Together they are committed to farming certified organic & biodynamic vineyards and making carefully crafted wines.
In this wine club we will introduce 2 of them: the estate Pinot Gris & estate Pinot Noir.

Montinore Estate 2008 Pinot Gris
$11.99 | Case $9.59
This is a splendid estate made Pinot Gris, completely dry & crisp in acidity, with wonderful flavors of lemons, limes, green melon & a touch of lemongrass. Clean, bright finish.  Drink now.  Best with salads, white meat (grilled chicken).

Montinore Estate 2009 Pinot Noir
$14.99 | Case $11.99
This Pinot Noir was made from 12 different estate vineyard blocks. This is an impressive Pinot Noir for the money.  It’s pleasingly tart in acidity, with a polished, silky texture, with complex flavors of cherries, raspberries, mocha & peppery spice flavors.  Wonderful.  Spicy finish. Drink now, up to 2 years. Best paired with grilled salmon, rich creamy cheeses.

Remember: 20% Mixed Case Discount & 10% Mixed 1/2 Case Discount!

Enjoy!
Jens
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Portalis Explores! ~  August 2010:
2 Jewels from Spain
In this wine club we are showing off two special producers from Spain:

Bodega Naia 2008 Naia Verdejo
$16.99 | Sale $14.99 | Case $11.99
Bodega Naia is located in the Rueda appellation on the left bank of the Douro river in northwestern Spain. The winery is family-owned & specializes in growing the white grape, Verdejo, which is the main grape in Rueda. This thicker skinned white grape is well at home with the high temperatures and arid conditions that can be present at the height of the summer in this part of Spain.  This white wine is a blend of 80% Verdejo, 10% Viura (two traditional varietals from Spain) & Sauvignon Blanc (which brings an international touch).

Tasting notes: very inviting aromas of citrus & exotic fruit. Excellent structure & texture.  Well-balanced with superb acidity. Main flavors of citrus & lime, kiwi, with tropical & exotic notes. Long, lingering finish. More than refreshing. Drink now. Fantastic sipper.

Hacienda Don Ramon 2006 Rioja
$16.99 | Sale $14.99 | Case $11.99
The Hacienda Don Ramon Rioja is the entry-level Tempranillo from the Ramon Bilbao house, which is now owned by the Diego Zamorra family, located in the famous Rioja region in northeastern Spain.

Tasting notes: 100% Tempranillo, with aromas of fresh cut red fruit, strawberries & raspberries. Smooth, medium-bodied, silky texture with fine tannins. Wonderful flavors of raspberries, strawberries & cherries, with some herbal notes. Smooth, long finish.  Drink now. Best with red meat, grilled steaks, roasts.

Enjoy!

Jens
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Portalis Explores! ~ July 2010:
Domaine Brusset (Southern Rhône)
On this family estate, founded in 1947 & located in Cairanne in the Southern Rhône, the Brusset family has managed to combine the “savoir faire” of traditional winemaking with the newest techniques introduced by each generation. Andre Brusset (1910 – 1999), his son Daniel Brusset & his grandson Laurent Brusset — three wine-growers & winemakers with a variety of experiences — have all contributed to the success of the winery. The family owns several vineyards (the most important ones in Cairanne & Gigondas) situated in the heart of the Rhône Valley. The diversity of soils & grapes in the different vineyards contribute to some amazing wines.

In this wine club, we are including a rosé and one of their entry-level reds.

Domaine Brusset 2009 Laurent B. Côtes du Rhône Rosé 
$14.99 | Case $11.99
This rosé is a blend of 30% Grenache, 30% Carignan, 30% Cinsault & 10% Syrah sourced from several vineyards in the Côtes du Rhône appellation. Tasting notes: Fresh aromas of ripe strawberries & raspberries. Smooth, elegant, with excellent acidity. Beautiful flavors of raspberries, strawberries & ripe melon. An excellent summer sipper. Drink now.

Domaine Brusset 2008 Les Boudalles Ventoux
$13.99 | Case $11.19
This red is a blend of 60% Grenache, 15% Carignan, 15% Mourvèdre & 10% Clairette from the Côtes du Ventoux appellation. Tasting notes: Very aromatic. Lots of ripe raspberry fruit upfront. Smooth, medium-bodied, well-balanced, with great acidity. Wonderful flavors of raspberries & blackberries, with some spicy & herbal elements. Smooth finish. A great summer red. Best with grilled meat, salads & light cheeses. Drink now.

Enjoy!
Jens
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June 2010:  2 Thrilling Wines from Italy
Italy is one of the most exciting & famous wine producing countries in the world. The ancient Greeks already called Italy “Oenotria”, the land of wine. Vines are grown everywhere in Italy and wine is produced in every region. For this month’s wine club, we picked out two wines from two of the most famous regions in Italy: Piedmont and
Tuscany.

Piedmont is located in Northern Italy, and two of the most powerful red wines in Italy – Barolo and Barbaresco – are produced in this region. Barbera is the most common grape in this region.

Tuscany is unquestionably Italy’s most famous wine region. There are two main geographical zones: The Tyrrhenian Coast zone on the “west coast”, and the Central Hills in the provinces of Florence and Siena which include the famous regions of Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, and Nobile di Montepulciano.

Casa Alle Vacche 2006 Chianti Colli Senesi
$17.99 | Case $14.39
Located in San Gimignano in the heart of Tuscany, Casa Alle Vacche is owned by the Silvano family, and is known for its medium-bodied, kind of rustic Chiantis. Tasting notes: The grapes come from the hills of Siena (Colli Senesi). Lots of herbal cherry fruit on the nose. Medium-bodied, well-balanced, with beautiful acidity. Flavors of dark fruit, black cherries, with notes of leather and tobacco. Drink now. Well-matched with red sauced pasta.

Fontanafredda 2008 Briccotondo Barbera
$14.99 | Case $11.99
This is one of the best priced Barberas from a classic Barolo house. Tasting notes: Inviting aromas of blackberries and blueberries. Elegant, smooth, soft texture. New World style with excellent dark fruit & blackberry flavors. Slightly herbal notes. Beautiful, smooth, long finish.  Drink now. Best paired with mushroom risotto.

Enjoy!

Jens
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May 2010: Concha Y Toro (Chile)
In 1883 (the early stages of Chile’s wine industry), local politician and businessman, Don Melchor Concha Y Toro, started his winery.  He brought French vines from Bordeaux to plant in the Maipo Valley (south of Santiago) and contracted French enologist, Labouchere, as the head winemaker. Over decades the winery grew, purchased more land to grow more vines and started producing (in addition to their everyday wines) more extraordinary, premium wines (like Don Melchor, the most famous).  In 1994, Concha Y Toro became the first winery in the world to have its shares traded on the New York Stock Exchange.  In 1997, Concha Y Toro formed a joint venture with the Baron Philippe de Rothschild estate forming Viña Almaviva, currently one of their top labels. 120 years after its foundation, Concha Y Toro is one of the leading wineries in South America.

This month’s wine club includes two wines from their Xplorador line:

Concha Y Toro 2008 Xplorador Cabernet Sauvignon
$14.99 | Case $11.99
100% Cabernet Sauvignon from several vineyards in the Central Valley.  Plum and cherry notes on the nose with a touch of vanilla. Well-balanced, good concentration, with a smooth texture and flavors of black currant, plums, black cherries with some coffee notes. Some smoky and toasty notes on the smooth finish. Drink now. Best paired with dark roasts, hearty stews or cheese.

Concha Y Toro 2007 Xplorador Carmenère
$14.99 | Case $11.99
100% Carmenère from the Central Valley. Aromas of sweet red berries, black cherries and cracked black pepper, bell pepper and herbal components. Medium-bodied  & smooth with red and dark fruit flavors. Well-balanced, focused, with great acidity. Wonderful herbal elements on the finish.  Drink now. Best paired with dark roast, grilled steak.

Enjoy!
Jens
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Portalis Explores! Wine Club – April 2010:
Olsen Hills … second label for Olsen Estates (WA)

Martin Olsen started a farm with 10 acres in 1908. But it was his grandsons, Dick (who became a founding member of the Washington Wine Commission and served as a commissioner for 12 years) and Larry, who established the Olsen Brothers Farm in 1972, growing and farming mainly apples and cherries.  They started planting grape vines in 1980, and built a business over the next decade supplying grapes to prestigious wineries in their area.

Now Dick and Larrys’ sons are managing the winery and vineyards. The winery under the name Olsen Estates, located in Prosser, was founded in 2006, and has been producing premium Washington wines since then.  In this wine club we are introducing two wines from their second label: Olsen Hills – the 2007 Syrah and 2007 Merlot.

Olsen Hills 2007 Syrah
$19.99 | Sale $14.99 | Case $11.99
100% estate grown Syrah. Tasting notes: Fine, elegant, smooth, medium-bodied, with wonderful aromas of freshly crushed blackberries. This Syrah shows rich flavors of dark fruit, lots of ripe blackberries, blueberries and plums, with notes of dark chocolate and black pepper. Good mouthfeel and great texture, with fine tannins on a long, spicy finish. Fermented 15 month in French oak.

Olsen Hills 2007 Merlot
$19.99 | Sale $14.99 | Case $11.99
100% estate Merlot. Tasting Notes: Smooth, medium-bodied, with inviting aromas of raspberries, plums and violets. Lovely texture and balance, with delicious flavors of red berries, plums, cocoa and chocolate with hints of anise. Polished tannins with some oaky notes from barrel ageing on the finish.

Both wines are best paired with grilled steaks or dark roasts. Enjoy!

Enjoy!
Jens
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Portalis Explores! Wine Club – March 2010:
Roman Pfaffl ~ The Face of Austria’s Future

At 25 years old & approaching his 6th vintage, Roman Pfaffl is one of the most talented young winemakers in Austria. Taking over the winemaking from his father when he was 19, he shifted the focus from white wines (Grüner Veltliner) to red wines (Zweigelt & St. Laurent), which he feels are the winery’s future. The winery, Weingut R&A Pfaffl, is located in Austria’s Weinviertel region (northeast of Vienna). Roman Sr., who founded the winery in 1978 when he and his wife, Adelheid, inherited the family’s mixed agriculture farm, has played a big role in the Austrian winemaking community. Aside from being called Mr. Veltliner by the Austrian press, he is credited with founding the Weinviertel appellation. He was also named Austrian Winemaker of the Year in 1996.

In this wine club we’ll introduce Roman’s two entry level wines: a classic white (Grüner Veltliner) and a red (Zweigelt). A quote from Roman: “In a winery, the cheapest wines have to be very good. If they are not good, I don’t want to taste the expensive ones.” We agree!

Pfaffl 2008 Grüner Veltliner “Pepper”
REG $17.99 | Sale $14.99 | Case $11.99
This white wine is a 100% Grüner Veltliner and Roman’s entry level white, named after the spicy, peppery notes you typically find in that varietal. Inviting aromas of citrus and herbs followed by flavors of lemon, citrus, grapefruit with white pepper notes. Great acidity and elegant texture. Drink now. An elegant sipper or a good match with white fish, chicken and pork dishes.

Pfaffl 2008 2008 Zweigelt “Cherry”
REG $17.99 | Sale $14.99 | Case $11.99
This red is a 100% Zweigelt with lovely dark cherries and plums on the nose. Lot’s of dark cherry fruit, with plums and blackberries. Smooth, elegant with fine tannins and some smoky notes on the finish. Wonderful, vibrant acidity. Drink now. Best paired with grilled salmon, grilled tuna, or burgers.

Interested in more on Roman & Weingut Pfaffl?  Check out our BLOG> from the tasting we did with him when he was in Seattle in February.

Remember:  20% Full & 10% Half-Case Discounts (includes mixed cases)

Enjoy!
Jens
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Portalis Explores! Wine Club – February 2010:
Grange Philippe (Coteaux de Languedoc) 

Don’t worry … you aren’t only going to get wines from France, but these came in the door and they were too good a fit to pass up!

The vineyards, situated in the Grés de Montpellier terroir that lies halfway up the slope between the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains of Languedoc, have been the property of the Servière family since 1830. They also own the winery Grés Saint Paul where the Grange Philippe lineup is made. The ancient terroir is pebbly and gravely which reminds me of Châteuneuf-du-Pape with the additional advantage of a maritime climate. Rhône varietals like Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, but also Cabernet Franc grow very well in this area. Jean-Philippe Servière, owner and winemaker, and Philippe Salase are in charge of the estate. Their formula is simple: great terroir, low yields and healthy fruit. The results are well-balanced, concentrated fruit driven wines. We are introducing two of them:

Grange Philippe 2007 Piccolino Mourvèdre
$14.99 | Case $11.99
Made from 70-year old Mourvèdre vines, it shows amazing aromas of bacon fat, olive tapenade, and blackberries. Dense and medium-bodied, with lots of dark fruit, black olives & tar. Beautiful depth and length, with great acidity and concentration. Drink now, up to 2 years.

Grange Philippe 2007 Cabernet Franc $14.99 | Case $11.99
100% Cabernet Franc from old vines. This wine is something else for the money. Inviting aromas of dark fruit. Dense & dark, full-bodied, with lots of depth. Flavors of dark fruit, blackberries, with notes of green vegetables and some herbal notes. Long finish. This wine really tasty on the second day open. Up to 4 years.

Both wines pair well with cream cheeses, charcuterie, grilled dark meat, dark roasts.

Remember:  20% Full & 10% Half-Case Discounts (includes mixed cases)

Enjoy!
Jens
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Portalis Explores! Wine Club – January 2010:
Southern Rhône (France) 

The Rhône Valley is one of oldest wine growing regions in the world and is divided in the Southern and Northern Rhône Valleys in southern France. The Southern Rhône Valley is influenced by the warm Mediterranean climate which allows a great number of grape varieties to flourish. The main grape varietals are Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre. Most famous appellations in the Southern Rhône are Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, and Vacqueyras, but in the larger Côtes du Rhône appellation you will find the best value for money. Another popular region for good table wines is the Costières De Nimes appellation which is around the old Roman town of Nimes. In this wine club we chose 2 producers which are good representatives of nice, well-priced table wines from the Southern Rhône Valley.

Ogier 2007 Heritages Côtes du Rhône $14.99 | Case $11.99
Ogier has remained a family winery since 1859, and is located in the famous village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the village which was once chosen as the pope’s summer residence in the 14th century.
Tasting notes: This red Côtes du Rhône is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre from different vineyards. Complex bouquet of ripe fruit with some earthy notes. Smooth, medium-bodied, with wonderful flavors of strawberries and raspberries, with coffee and chocolate notes, framed by smooth, silky tannins. Aged 12 months in French oak. Delicious!

Château Virgile 2007 Costières De Nimes $12.99 | Case $10.39
This family domaine is managed by two brothers, Serge and Thierry Baret. The winery is located 15km from the Mediterranean Sea and was founded in 1748. The name Chateau Vigile refers to the roman poet Virgil, which was also the name of the original owner of the winery. Tasting notes: This red is a blend of 60% Syrah, 30% Grenache, and 10% Mourvèdre, some of the vines over 90 years old.  Sage and citrus oil, with ripe cherries and cassis on the nose. This is pure Mediterranean! Juicy raspberry flavors, cocoa powder, sea salt and herb tinged cherries lead to a long, wonderful finish. Addictive!These are two excellent sippers, but they also pair well with cheeses (Fourme d’Ambert, Chevrotin, and Reblochon), charcuterie, salads, and bourride (hearty fish stew).

Remember:  20% Full & 10% Half-Case Discounts (includes mixed cases)

Enjoy!
Jens
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Portalis Explores! Wine Club – December 2009:
Mendoza, Argentina

Argentine wines are growing in popularity, with most of the vineyards and wine industry being located in Mendoza Province which is scattered across the foothills of the Andes, and is 600 miles west of the capital, Buenos Aires. Argentina is the fifth largest wine producer in the world, specializing in Malbec and Malbec blends. In this wine club we chose 2 producers which are good representatives for Argentina.

Henry Lagarde 2007 Malbec Reserve $14 | Case $11.20
The Henry Lagarde winery is family-owned (Pescarmona family) and was founded in 1897. It’s one of the oldest and most traditional wineries in Mendoza. Tasting notes: This red is a 100% Malbec, estate grown and bottled. Wonderful aromas and flavors of ripe red and dark fruit, coffee, milk chocolate, with hints of figs and some spice. Complex, elegant, medium-bodied, with a smooth texture. Fine tannins on the long finish. Impressive for the money.
Viña Qaramy 2005 Finca $15 | Case $12
Another small boutique winery which specializes mainly in blends. The grapes are grown over 3600 feet. Tasting notes: This red is a blend of 61% Malbec, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 16% Syrah. Violets, floral notes, fruit cake, and red fruit compote on the nose. Very attractive & inviting. Flavors of dark fruit, plums, with mocha and chocolate notes. Lush, full-bodied. Complex, and elegant. Smooth, round tannins on the smooth, long finish. Lots of juice for the money. Best paired with all forms of beef. In no other country is beef as celebrated as in Argentina. Argentinians eat beef in all kind of forms – grilled, fried, rolled, stuffed, chopped, with raisins, olives and eggs in empanadas – or fresh from the grill.  FYI: Argentinians have the highest beef consumption in the world: 103 pounds per person compared to the United States 69 pounds per person.

Remember:  20% Full & 10% Half-Case Discounts (includes mixed cases)

Cheers!
Jens