Woodward Canyon Merlot 96 Magnums regular $100 SALE $60.00 Save $40! SORRY SOLD OUT 7/20

SALE!
Get 10% off and
Free Cellaring till Fall

It's really hot and maybe you're thinking more about a cool India Pale Ale after work than about wine.

But now's the time to save big on NW wines at Avalon and receive your delivery this fall, when the weather has cooled.

Save 10% on all regular priced wines this week
and get free cellaring til fall

Just order a minimum of a mixed case of 12 wines,
mention this email in your order, and you've got the great price.

Carl and Ann are on vacation this week, so you're stuck with me, Jean, the owner, running the show with Teresa and it's slow, so here's a sale and a chance for me to connect with some of you--- let me know what you'd like to see on the web site this fall, would ya?

Oh- Three Rivers' winemaker Charlie Hoppes has left to pursue other interests, I hear rumbles that Joe Dobbes might be making wine soon for promising newcomer Paschal Winery down in southern Oregon, and Beringer just bought Tony Soter a huge new winery for Etude, so I'm wondering if this puts the Oregon venture on a lower priority- I've sure been eagerly awaiting release of enough wine that we could try it.....

And Patty Green says her vineyard is doing well, that there will be some intense fruit dropping this fall. Between and the fruit that Pinot noir growers drop and the fruit that is not getting sold from some of the younger vineyards, there might be more down on the ground and on the vine than in the fermenters this fall.... good for the bees and the deer, interesting to see how all the new acreage is handled in the next few years.

Well, that's a little gossip to make up for the lack of an article this week.... got to get to the store, I sure miss Ann and Carl!

Jean

Northwest Wines
We Can't Believe
are Still Available

The economy is slow,
people are drinking their cellars
rather than buying new wines,
whatever the reason, there are
a number of hard to get
trophy wines still available.
Here's the ones we think are worth
the money and cellaring time:

Andrew Will
Sorella- Meritage Blend
$58.99
ORDER HERE
92-94 points Robert Parker
"A wine of gorgeous definition"
Our favorite of winemaker Chris Camarda's wines, The 99 Sorella is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 15% Cab Franc. The wine carries a mark of fullness and a complex palate arising from the blending of the different varieties. Drink 2005-2012.

Beaux Freres
Pinot Noir 99
$59.99
ORDER HERE
94 points in Wine Spectator
#60 in Top 100 Wines of the World 2001
Wine Spectator says: "Bright, supple and open-textured, offering disarmingly pure currant and blackberry flavors that linger elegantly on the extra-long finish. Not a blockbuster; it's just yummy and refined. Tannins aren't intrusive, making this tempting to drink already. Drink now through 2009. 3,100 cases made.

We say- we can't believe we still have some of this- it is such a wonderfully priced wine for cellaring. This will be the gem you pull out in 5 or 6 years and show your friends what Oregon Pinot noir is all about! But it is drinking incredibly well now if you want to indulge.

Hamacher
Pinot Noir 99
$39.99
Parker 93 points!
ORDER HERE
Parker says: "... he will produce some of the most compelling Pinots on Earth. Drink this wine over the next 10 years." This is a beautiful, beautiful wine, subtle, complex, nervy, yet relatively big. Very French in style, will benefit from cellaring 2008-2012.

Gordon Brothers
"Tradition"
$49.99
ORDER HERE
Wine Spectator 91 points!
A blend of Cabernet and Merlot, this wine has dark brooding fruit flavors and beautiful aromas of coffee, spice with a whiff of violet. The wine shows solid prune and black currant flavors at the core, shaded by hints of chocolate and toast. The density of fruit, extract, and structure enables this wine to be the best enjoyed after a few years in the cellar. Cellar till 2006-2015.

Domaine Serene
Pinot Noir
Grace Vineyard 99
$69.99
ORDER HERE
Wine Spectator 92 points
Parker 90 points
The black cherry and fresh herb-scented 1999 Pinot Noir Grace Vineyard has an opulent, lush, medium to full-bodied character. This feminine, silky-textured wine is loaded with soft, sweet cherries, raspberries, and strawberries. This seamless wine has outstanding focus, depth of fruit, and harmony. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2012.

Ponzi
Pinot Noir Reserve 99
$50.00
ORDER HERE
92 points Wine Spectator
Wine Spectator says: "Bright and juicy, with fine-grained tannins around lively currant, raspberry and plum flavors, shaded with floral notes. Rife with acidity, but the intense flavors explode on the finish, suggesting this just needs a bit of cellaring to settle down. Best from 2003 through 2007." 92 Points. Harvey Steiman.

What do you think are the best trophy wines of the last vintage? Email us and we'll see if there's still some left!