Newsletter January 23, 2003

Ann will be on leave
February 17- March 20th

New Releases

Andrew Rich
Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 $20.00/$17.99
Highly recommended by Avalon

Andrew made only 150 cases of this wine. It is 100% Cabernet Suvignon, 2/3 Klipsun Vineyard fruit and 1/3 Alder Ridge fruit. This is a $40 Cab at a bargain price, Klipsun's fruit is some of the best in Washington, and Andrew comes through with his usual talented performance as winemaker. Ageable, big and masculine in style, yet with complexity and rich fruit flavors. Yumm!

More info and order here

Elvenglade
Pinot Gris 2001
SALE $13.99/$12.59
regular $16.99

Matt Kramer, Wine Spectator and Oregonian columnist, had this to say about the Elvenglade Pinot gris: "One of Oregon's most talented winemakers is a fellow named David O'Reilly. O'Reilly is the winemaker for Elvenglade..... review continued here

Solena Syrah Del Rio
Rogue Valley 2001
$29.99

Solena Zinfandel Woolridge Creek Applegate Valley 2000
$29.99

Two new releases from Solena, both made from Southern Oregon fruit, both wonderful examples of Laurent's use of terroir.

The Syrah is big, wild, gamey, and plush, with a rich and decadent flavor that is enhanced by the complexity of the terroir, which shows through the plush plum and black fruit notes. Drink now - 4 years out.

The Zinfandel shows what the warm Southern Oregon climate can do with Zinfandel, a grape that is hard to ripen in the WIllamette Valley. Perhaps it's the cold nights or is a peculiarity of the soils, but this wine displays a gamey, wild, briary, yet rich and hedonistic flavor profile. Laurent always lets the terroir show through, and this wine give interesting and unusual notes of clean earthy notes, rich vanilla and big wild blackberry flavors. Just a pleasure to drink, with an everchanging and long finish.

Abacela Tempranillo 2000
$23.99

We highly recommend this wine- it is Abacela's flagship wine, the one Earl started a winery to make, and it is incredible! It usually sells out within a few weeks.

This Tempranillo, a blend of three clones, shows classic varietal character. A rich bold spicy nose with licorice, leather and a slight earthiness, overlays ripe red fruits. Fine, ripe tannins enhance this medium bodied wines ability to match its plum and cherry flavors to many foods.

Enjoy now with steaks or lamb or Cajun and in a couple of years with lamb, veal, venison or mushroom accented dishes. Two to four years bottle aging should highlight the fruit and dried floral nuances of this wine.

save 10% on any 12 bottles!