Add the Beat Goes On.....

Spain......the country of plenty of sun, warmth and interesting wineries. We already know about the health benefits of the antioxidant Resveratrol, a by-product of red wine, but a recent article in the Telegraph reports that a healthy Mediterranean diet also protects cells from damage. The University of Barcelona and Spanish National Research Council have looked at the chemical reaction in the skin when hit by UV rays from the sun and, during their research, found that the flavonoids in grapes can stop the chemical reaction that causes cells to die and, as a result, cause skin damage. This discussion gains strength when you see the healthy and tanned population of the Mediterranean. Not only do they look and feel healthier, they have lower cancer rates due to their diet of tomatoes, olive oil and, yes, red wine! I am honoring Spain and their recent study by offering a couple of lovely Spanish Riojas .... At very attractive prices.

 

Give me a call - or email me, and I'll try to transport you to a warm, sunny location and deliver some yummy Spanish wine!! And you'll look and feel so much healthier!!

 

If you place your order by August 26th, you'll receive an additional 5% discount on your entire order to honor my daughter, Drea's 7-month excellent adventure to Europe and Asia - here's to YOU my Sweetest Heart!

 
Dear Wine Friend --   

 

It's nearly the end of August, and we are finally in summer!! Great weather has "showered" down on us these past several weeks and every indication is that it will continue. I think this vintage may be similar to 2010 and that is NOT a bad thing. Production will definitely be lower than last year.....as vineyard managers decide to drop fruit so energy is focused on fewer clusters of grapes to maximize ripeness and flavors. But that doesn't necessarily translate into less quality fruit. If the weather continues to be warm during the day with cool nights for at least another month, we will be blessed with an amazing 2011 vintage considering the cool and rainy start in June and July. We will be turning knuckle biting into celebration as long as the main rains don't arrive until late October!

 

I went to the Dundee Hills Winemakers tasting earlier this month and am featuring some delicious wines I sampled. Yes, most are Pinot Noir, but I have to admit I was seduced by some small producers as they introduce their delicious wine to the public. A number of vineyard owners who have sold their full-flavored fruit to other wineries in past years have decided that they want to get into the winemaker action! And some incredible wines are available to us as a result. No longer is it a requisite to buy Oregon Pinot Noir from well known large producing wineries....I am here to tell you there are some bargains to be had. Follow my journey....you'll love them!

 

And one more thing, a new friend of mine, Jane Morrill, represents an outstanding Washington small producer, Woodhouse Family Cellars, and I had the pleasure of tasting a few of their wines earlier this week. These are yummy wines for the price. Dinner tonight was a fluffy egg omelet flavored with Herbes de Provence topped with roasted asparagus spears with a dollop of sour cream and fresh salt and pepper - and roasted potatoes paired with a Cab blend out of Rattlesnake Hills in south central Washington - incredible! Check out my offerings this month - all featured wines from Woodhouse are priced at $12/bottle or below - unbeatable!

 

Hasta la Vista, Amigo!

 

Chris

This Month's Specials*

 

 

2007 Martin Codax Albarino:  One of my favorite Spanish whites.  A refreshing food friendly white wine, Albariño is crisp, elegant and dry and has aromas and flavors of pear, passion fruit and apple with bright acidity.  $15.50/bottle

 

 

 

2002 Marques de Riscal Rioja Riserva:  Dark cherry color with good depth.  Balsamic aromas with hints of ripe fruit, complex and spicy with soft, rounded tannins. The finish proves persistent with some reminders of toasted oak. This wine pairs well with ham, mild cheeses, casseroles which are not too spicy, poultry, red meat, grilled and roast meat.  $18.00/bottle

 

 

 

2008 Kennedy Shah Merlot: Aged for 14 months in French and American Oak.  Plush yet delicate with gorgeous plum and berry aromas that transition smoothly to ripe black cherry and red licorice notes, framed b a hint of spice.  $12.00/bottle

 

 

 

2009 Hudson Shah Riesling:  This slightly off-dry Riesling has fragrant aromas of spring blossoms, grapefruit and ripe apple flavors supported by a juicy frame.  Beautifully balanced in a classic style with a clean, mouthwatering finish.  $10.00/bottle

 

 

 

2008 Hudson "Cab":  80% Cab Sauv, 12% Malbec and 8% Petit Verdot aged for 18 months in French and American oak.  Black cherry, pomegranate and black berry fruit is showcased with lively acidity and smooth texture.  Herbal notes compliment side dishes perfectly!  $12.00/bottle

 

 

 

2008 Kenndy Shah La Vie en Rouge:  This delicious blend (45% Cab Sauv, 22% Merlot, 12% Malbec, 9% Suyrah, 1% Petit Verdot) is deep dark in color and leads to rich aromas of plum, mulberry and cassis with plenty of racy acidity to accentuate the paired menu.  Fruit dominant with flavors of chocolate, mocha, caramel and spice.  $12.00/bottle

 

 

 

NV 14 Hands "Hot to Trot" Bordeaux Red Blend:  This Washington state red blend opens with generous aromas of crème de cassis and sweet blackberries. Fleshy, dark fruit flavors are joined by notes of wild huckleberries and a subtle pie crust nuance. Balanced by soft and velvety tannins, this smooth, easy drinking wine finishes with hints of toast and mocha.  $12.00/bottle

 

 

 

NV 14 Hands "Hot to Trot" White Blend:  This Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Viognier blend has intense aromas of peach compote with tropical and floral nuances. On the palate, flavors of fresh apple, pear and melon are balanced by juicy acidity and ends with a bright, vibrant finish.  $12.00/bottle

 

 

 

2008 Folie A Deux Zinfandel:  The wine is a classic Amador County Zinfandel.  It shows luscious blackberry, cinnamon, and licorice on the nose followed by bold, rich, and exuberant dark fruit flavors with hints of clove and allspice. The finish is silky smooth.  $17.00/bottle

 

 

 

2009 Hahn Meritage (Central Coast):  Pronounced blackberry and blueberry on the nose mingle with cedar spice and a hint of wood, while notes of bramble fruit, cherry, vanilla and dried herbs please the palate.  $16.00/bottle

 

 

 

2010 Owen Roe Abbot's Table:  Guaranteed - this wine WILL NOT last through the end of September.  Availability is very limited this year and you'll want to have some through the winter.  This year's Abbot's has intense aromas of flowers and spice with gobs of fruit -- with Zinfandel and Sangiovese forming the backbone of the wine.  Merlot's cherries, Cabernet's dark fruited gravitas, Syrah's smoke and bittersweet chocolate, Zinfandel's over the top lushness and a long finish keep the conversation going.  How's that for a description???  $19.00/bottle

 

 

 

2010 Owen Roe Sharecropper's Pinot Noir:  Big, ripe red fruit and spice with a supple texture/  The '09 will please fans of the 2006 vintage.  The Pinot Noir in this year's Sharecropper's was sourced from several sites in the Northern Willamette Valley, predominately the Eola-Amity Hills and the Yamhill-Carlton District.  The warm summer of 2009 yielded fruit ripe with dark cherry cola flavors and an undercurrent of earth and coffee bean. This very balanced Pinot Noir is an excellent value, ready to drink now through 2012.  A steal for only $21.00/bottle

 

 

 

2009 Crumbled Rock Pinot Noir:  This is one of my "finds" at the Dundee tasting.  I loved their entry Pinot Noir and for the price, it rivals wines priced much higher.  It has distinct flavors of berry, warm cherry, slight vanilla and underlying spices which typically define Crumbled Rock's Pinot Noir.  A rich and creamy mouth feel adds to a nice finish.  $22.00/bottle

 

 

 

2009 Stoller JV Chardonnay:  One of my favorite winemakers in the region.  She hit it out of the ballpark again with this stainless steel fermented chardonnay.  Aromas of Anjou pear, lemon zest, vanilla bean, kumquat and lime blossoms with overtones of flint and mineral. Flavors of mandarin orange, peach and citrus fruits carry the palate. Crisp acidity augments the fruit and the delicate palate shows pretty texture and length.  $18.00/bottle

 

 

 

2009 Vista Hills Pinot Gris (Treehouse Estate):  Another new find for me in the Dundee Hills area.  The '09 Treehouse Gris offers a healthy bouquet of tropical fruit and melon.  Crisp and clean, this wine strikes a fine balance between bright acidity and mild sweetness.  And their Pinot Noir ain't so bad either!  $17.50/bottle

 

 

 

 

*3-bottle minimum 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct to Consumer Sales!  Many states are now allowing wineries to ship wine directly to an address within their state.  Give me a call if you are interested in shipping to a new bride/groom, a parents' anniversary, that special birthday, or a big "congratulations" on that job promotion.  I can send some of the best Oregon wine in the state with a simple credit card and a shipping address where someone over 21 years of age can accept the delivery.  I promise, your gift will be memorable!
Chris Hardy /
 Custom Wine Marketing LLC  /1470 16th Street NE / Salem, OR 97301 / 503-310-4576