Youngberg Hill in Wine Compass

Did you know there were "own rooted" or vines not grafted onto phylloxera resistant American rootstock in the Willamette Valley?

Probably not, says Todd Godbout who dug deep to give you the inside scoop on the wines of the Youngberg Hill Winery, whose 25 year old Jordan and Natasha Block vines were planted on their own rootstocks by Ken Wright in 1989.   Todd caught up with Wayne Bailey, owner/vineyard manager/winemaker of Youngberg Hill last week at the Wine Cabinet in Reston, VA.

Here is a link to Todd's wonderful feature in the Wine Compass:
http://winecompass.blogspot.com/2015/02/oregons-youngberg-hill-vineyards-comes.html

"Modern Wines of Greece" with Maria Mitsikoudi

Chateau Nico Lazaridis

The wines of Chateau Nico Lazaridis in Drama and Mackedon in Kavala are some of Greece's most modern jewels.  Modeled on the great Chateaus of Bordeaux, these wines prove beyond a doubt, that the winemakers of Greece have obtained an expert hand in the crafting of international varieties like Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah.  The wines still offer a Greek flair, with the addition of native varieties and the inescapably unique attributes of their terroir.

Join Greek Sommelier Maria Mitsikoudi tonight and tomorrow night at The Winestyles of Montclair to explore these wines and more Modern Greek gems.
 http://www.winestylesmontclair.com/

2/6/2015 5:00 PM - The Modern Wines of Greece

2/7/2015 5:00 PM - The Modern Wines of Greece

Banging the drum for Douro 2011-USA today Spotlight

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/12/15/portugal-wine-world/20427269/?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzRss&utm_campaign=usatodaycomworld-topstories

Interesting Take on what it means to "Make the List" from Catavino

Here's an interesting take on what it means to "Make the List" from Ryan Opaz of Catavino.   "The List" in this case is the Wine Spectator Top 100 which featured a total of three Portuguese wines in their Top 10 and named the Dow Vintage Port 2011 their "Wine of the Year."  I especially like his thoughts on the importance of brand building vs."cashing in" on the points.  They will only take you so far.

http://catavino.net/portuguese-wines-top-100-2014/#comments

My own experience of this is the same-the exasperating nature of the treasure hunters needing exactly those wines on the list this year.   Forget the fact that the Wine Spectator flat out states that they are making a statement about the strength of the 2011 vintage in the Douro.   Have a great score?  Happen to be from the same incredible vintage in the Douro and have been on this list multiple times in the past-maybe even in the Top 10 last year(and have the same winemaker??)  No thanks...it can be exasperating.

Mr. Opaz only loses me when he starts Opining about the wines you will only appreciate or have access to if like him you live in Portugal, like Barca Velha.  I would point out that Barca Velha did make a list-  The Top 100 Cellar selections of 2014 from Wine Enthusiast placed the 2004 in their Top 10.  And they also include lots of appellations and varieties not so well known in the wine scene of the US if you don't happen to live in NY or CA.  The Enthusiast list boasts a varietal Touriga Nacional from the Dão, a Beiras from Baga master Luis Pato, and a 2009 red from the Setubal Peninsula.   This confirms something I have said before, Wine Enthusiast might not yet have the rubber stamp approval power of the Wine Spectator Top 100, but when it comes to Portugal they are in my opinion leading the US pack.

There are also plenty of 2011 Ports and Douro reds from the 2011 vintage on the Wine Enthusiast list and the Quinta do Vale Meao 2011 made both lists.   Maybe this year, you could take a regional or vintage themed suggestion from your own favorite retailer in addition to what you can get your hands on from "the list?"   Or maybe this is the year retailers finally get the message about the strength of Portuguese wines and.don't wait for these wines to "make the list" to have them in their shops and on their short list of best recommendations.  And if one or two of their recommendations happen to make next year's list, they might have some on hand to sell to you without jumping through hoops or missing the boat.  And lets be honest, what "I told you so" is more gratifying than the validation/vindication of the Wine Spectator Top 100 ?

 

Meet Winemaker David Baverstock of Esporão, Quinta dos Murcas Tonight

Meet Winemaker David Baverstock of Esporão, Quinta dos Murcas Tonight at The Vienna Vintner!

 

Friday October 17

 5-7:30 Free

http://viennavintner.com/
233 Maple Avenue East
Vienna, Virginia 22180 info@viennavintner.com

Phone: 703.242.9463

3 Wines from Portugal make the Top 10-Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Best Buys 2014

No less than 3 Wines from Portugal are in the top 10 of the Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Best Buys of 2014, with a Vinho Verde claiming the top spot.  There are 9 wines in total from Portugal-edging them into third place ahead of Spain and Italy and just behind the US and France in terms of total representation on the list.

And what's more-most of these vintages represent current market offerings.  Why are you sitting here?  Go by some of these wines!


http://www.winemag.com/November-2014/Top-100-Best-Buys-2014/

Here are two that we have the great pleasure of representing in the Washington DC area.  I almost always agree with Roger Voss, one of our top American voices and authorities on Portuguese wines.  I am thrilled that such a long aging potential is being attached to these "value wines" but I think they are approachable now if you'll just give them a little air and a lovely filet!  I guarantee if you act now you can still find them!

#4

94   

Quinta dos Murcas Assobio (Douro) 2011

"Assobio is from a single vineyard in the Quinta dos Murcas estate.  A powerful, structured expression of Douro Wine, it has black fruits, dark tannins, some subtle layers of wood aging and great concentration.   Dark and richly fruity it needs to mature before drinking.  Wait until 2017." R.V.

#8

90 

DFJ Vinhos Portada Winemaker's Selection 2011, Lisboa

 

"A dark colored, dense wine that is rich and firmly structured.  Aged in wood, it holds notes of plum and berry fruits balanced with a fresh acidity.   This is a wine for aging.  It's structure a powerful statement.  Drink from 2014" R.V.

Vicarious living for today

Now here is an experience many of us are not likely to get.  My favorite Portuguese wine blogger/Critic, Sarah Ahmed has a fascinating entry in her Newsletter this month of library release gems from Bairrada and Dao-Wow!

http://thewinedetective.co.uk/blog/portugal/portugals-million-bottle-secret-cellar-opens-doors