Wines For Your Weekend Enjoyment: September Greatest Hits
We are in full harvest mode in the Oregon and Washington, which means October is right around the corner. We had an excellent September -- one in which the New York Times called Oregon "the single most exciting winemaking area in the United States." Some of our greatest hits sold out so quickly we couldn't include them. As always, we hope you have great wines lined up for the weekend and in case you need any inspiration or provisions for future weekends, here are a half dozen standouts from the month. Cheers to you, and thanks for your support!
Goodfellow Willamette Valley Pinot noir 2015
$20.25 in any 12 bottle or Build a Case* order ($22.50 regular)
92 points Wine Advocate, loved by us: "scented of roses, wild thyme and lavender with a core of Bing cherries and warm cranberries plus an earthy/forest floor waft. Light to medium-bodied, the palate provides a wonderful intensity of perfumed red berry flavors with silken tannins and a long earthy finish."
In the most technical of wine terms, holy ___ this is good. Everything we want in $40 Oregon Pinot noir, only we can buy two bottles for that so it's doubly good. Get it? GET IT. Seriously outstanding juice! - Us
Guardian Chalk Line Red 2014$22.45 in any 12 bottle or Build a Case* order ($24.95 regular)
93 points Wine Spectator: "Supple and well-structured, with black cherry and coffee bean aromas and expressive red plum, sassafras and spice flavors that glide toward refined tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. Drink now through 2024. "
Brick House Les Dijonnais Pinot noir 2015$49.45 in any 12 bottle or Build a Case* order ($54.95 regular)
94+ points Wine Advocate: "...a beautiful perfume of potpourri, rose petals, kirsch, raspberry preserves and mulberries with nuances of underbrush, sautéed herbs, anise and cloves."
This is positively superb Pinot noir! Everything is in its place and contrary to the note above, we find it very silky throughout. A standout wine from a standout winery. - Us
Kevin White La Fraternite Red Blend 2015$26.05 in any 12 bottle or Build a Case* order ($28.95 regular)
A rising star of Washington wine and this Chateauneuf du Pape-esque blend demonstrates why. Superbly balanced, highlighting pure fruit and finesse, it cascades with red summer berries alongside violets and grilled herbs. Highly versatile on the dinner table, I'd go anywhere from grilled salmon to ratatouille, to duck or lamb. 60% Grenache, 33% Mourvedre, and 7% Syrah. This wine has twice made Wine Enthusiast's Top 100 (and it's only been made since 2011!). The 2015 received 93 points and Editor's Choice. - Us
Evesham Wood Willamette Valley Pinot noir 2016$19.75 in any 12 bottle or Build a Case* order ($21.95 regular)
Consistently the best value American Pinot noir: You can set your watch and mark your calendar for the elegance and refinement of this $20 gem -- it'll always deliver the goods. Bursting with beautiful fruit and silky allure, the '16 WV opens with a spectrum of bright and dark that envelops your senses and brims with energy. Excellently balanced, super food-friendly and totally sip-worthy, there's a reason we drink more of this at home than any other Oregon Pinot (and it's not just 'cause we're cheap): it's fantastic. - Us
Ayoub Chardonnay Dundee Hills 2016$43.15 in any 12 bottle or Build a Case* order ($47.95 regular)
94 points Wine Spectator: "Vibrant and refined, with floral tangerine and quince aromas and polished, elegantly layered pear and wet stone flavors that glide along the finish. Drink now through 2020."
We're looking forward to helping you with an order. Have a great weekend!