World Wine Weblog

VinoFiles: Richard Gagnon's Wine Blog

Richard Gagnon knows more about wine than anyone I've ever met. He's the wine guy at the Brattleboro Food Co-op, and he's also my cousin-in-law, who I used to see most Thanksgivings ... before we moved to the other side of the continent (Woodinville, WA). I've mentioned Richard before in this blog -- for example, he's the one who showed me (and the rest of the family) that the best Thanksgiving food and wine pairing is, well, whatever you like to drink, and he's also responsible for my relatively new interest in Pinor Noir.

Anyhow, even people who don't know Richard personally, or shop at the Co-op, can benefit from his wine knowledge now, as he recently launched a new wine blog, Vino Files, in which he recently shared some specific ideas for Thanksgiving food and wine pairing for those who might find "whatever you like" too daunting.

Portalupi 2004 Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

Wow -- this is one of the most amazing under $30 Zinfandels I've ever had, and ranks among the best Zinfandels I've had at any price (rivaling the Hartford and Turley Zinfandels). It's currently available for $23/bottle at VinElla in Woodinville (through the end of the month) -- interestingly, while the wine is made in Sonoma, the winemaker, Tim Borges, lives here in Woodinville. With a little over a month to go until the end of 2006, this wine currently ranks as my most exciting find of the year.

Here's the description from the Portalupi web site:

"We feel our 2004 Zinfandel falls once again into our style zone. The wine benefits from an almost picture perfect growing season in Sonoma County accentuated by a short heat spell just prior to harvest. The result is an extremely balanced wine with a well rounded mouth feel and elevated alcohol levels. Classic toast and jam punctuate the nose with black and red berry fruits dominating the palate. Hints on allspice, cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg intertwine with a touch of black pepper which compliments the bowl-full-of-berry-backbone of this classic Zin. Drink now or comfortably age to 2009-2010."

Garagiste Wine Blog

Garagiste, "a selective, Seattle-based wine emporium dedicated to the wine artisan and the consumer," has started a new wine blog and that lists new arrivals.  I've been wanting to visit this wine shop ever since reading an article in the Seattle Times back in March.  I have to say that the new arrivals listed in the first post are a bit beyond my price range, but I've signed up on the mailing list in the hopes that future new arrivals may be more in my comfort zone.

New Vintages of McCrea Wines at Seattle Wine Company

I sampled several of the latest releases from McCrea Cellars at the Seatte Wine Company yesterday.  As I noted earlier, McCrea is one of my favorite Washington wineries, consistently producing outstanding Rhone varietals.  There was a great selection being offered for tasting, incluging two 2004 whites -- Viognier ($19) and Rousanne ($19) -- five 2003 reds -- Grenache ($25), Counoise ($25), Mourvedre ($25), the Washington State Syrah ($25) and the Sirocco blend ($28) -- and the 2002 Late Harvest Viognier.  This was my first time trying the Rousanne and Grenache, and I found them and the others to be up to the same high level of quality I remember from the last vintage.  All of them are fruit-forward, full-throttled wines ... the kind I like best.  The Mourvedre was my favorite, followed closely by the Sirocco and Grenache.  This was my first visit to the Seattle Wine Company (which does not yet have a web site), but I am now on their mailing list and look forward to future tastings there.

Colonia Las Liebres 2003 Bonarda

Wow, what an amazing mouthful of wine!  Big, fleshy, chewy, and only $7 per bottle at Pete's Wines in Bellevue this month (regularly $9).  I'd never even heard of this varietal, but the description at Pete's (from Wine and Spirits) made me want to sample some.

If you're already familiar with Argentine Bonarda, this wine will make you feel as though you've landed on another planet.  It comes from 30-year-old vines planted in two areas within Mendoza: one in the cool heights of Uco Valley and the other towards the hot plains of the east, in Rivadavia.  The combination results in massive red with a roasted balck fruit aroma that almost takes you to the Rhone; it's firm, tense tannins and vibrant acidity providing a solid structure that suggests a brilliant future. A hedonistic pleasure, and a true steal for the price.

The wine is from Altos Las Hormigas, in Mendoza, Argentina, which also makes a great Malbec.  The Bonarda reminded me of the McCrea Counoise (but at about a quarter of the price).

[Update: 28 April 2005]

I went back to Pete's today to pick up some more of this wine.  I met the winemaker, Antonio Morescalchi (pictured above), and got to sample some of their 2003 Malbec (which will be on sale at Pete's next month).  Antonio pointed out their use of synthetic cork, and told me that the use of such corks prevent TCA from natural corks, and have the side effects of blocking oxygen from entering the bottle while gradually releasing sulphites.  Since the sulphites help preserve the wine, he said to be sure to drink the wine within 5 of 6 years.

As of this afternoon, there are only two cases left at Pete's.

Upcoming McCrea Wine Events In and Around Seattle

McCrea Cellars produces the best -- or, at least, my favorite -- rhone-style varietals in Washington state.  The McCrea Syrahs (5 bottlings to choose from), Mourvedre, Counoise and Sirocco (a blend of the foregoing varietals plus Grenache ... which I have not yet seen bottled separately) are all big, thick, chewy, red wines, nearly constituting meals in themselves.  The only white I've had so far is the Viognier, which was so rich that it overpowered the grilled King Salmon that I paired it with (and so this probably would have been better off as a meal in itself).  They are offering a new rhone-style rose -- either based on Mourvedre or Grenache (I've heard/read conflicting reports) -- and I hope to try that soon at one of the local upcoming events.

Fine Wines, in Redmond, will be offering a selection of McCrea wines for tasting during their weekly Friday tasting event at the store on March 25 from 4:00-7:00pm.  There will be an Inn at Langley and McCrea Cellars Winemaker Dinner the following Thursday, March 31, at 6:00pm at the World Trade Center Seattle, for $80 per person, including the Rousanne, Rose, Ciel du Cheval Syrah, Mourvedre and Late Harvest Viognier from McCrea.  There is another McCrea wine tasting event at Daniel's Broiler (Lake Union) on April 14 at 6:30pm.  And, for anyone who will be in Tokyo next week, there is another McCrea winemaker dinner at Fujimamas, for 10,000 yen per person.  I'll probably focus more on the local events, myself.