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March 2005 Collector´s Club
2000 Terre di Nano Maclura
Here´s a nice Tuscan wine from one of our favorite importers,
West Seattle-based Small Vineyards. It´s a powerhouse
blend of Sangiovese Grosso (the same clone that´s in Brunello
di Montalcino) and Canaiolo, a very typical old-style Chianti
Classico blend. This wine is ripe for drinking or holding for
up to five years, more if you (like me) are a fan of older
Sangiovese. Serve with wild boar (ok, roast pork will do just
fine!). There´s not too much of this left at $29.75.
2003 Lange Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Can we call this the "Sideways effect?" Pinot Noir
sales are up everywhere you look, which doesn´t bother me one
bit. This one´s a beautifully balanced version from
Oregon. There´s quite a bit left at $19.75, and
it´ll hold well for several years, although it drinks just
fine right now. Lange also produces several reserve lines that
are truly spectacular.
NV Rulo Syrca
Usually when I go out to Walla Walla, I have to caution winemakers
about having their prices too high. With Kurt Schlicker of
Rulo, the talk frequently goes the other way! This is an
outstanding blend of 73% Syrah and 27% Cabernet Sauvignon from
different vintages - and it´s all of $14.00. I know that
the two guarantees in life are death and taxes; I´ll add
another one: this wine will sell out fast. Like within a month
or so. Probably right around tax time, in fact...
It´s a big, muscular wine with plenty of stuffing, so indulge
yourself in some rich, rare steak. After all, you deserve it!
2004 Blackenbrook Sauvignon Blanc
I´m a sucker for good Sauvignon Blanc, and I keep finding
better and better wines (not to mention outstanding value) from New
Zealand. This one´s no exception. There´s not
too much of it brought in to the US, and, fortunately, it all got
brought into the Seattle market by our old friend Matt Mabus.
It´s crisp, dry, and delicious with seafood, especially
scallops. It´s $15.00.
2003 Glatzer Bruner Veltliner
In the mood for something dry, with good minerality? Try this
wine, Austria´s gift to the wine world. It´s a
tremendous wine with oysters, pork sausage, and other lighter fare.
It´ll bring out the flavors of the food beautifully.
There´s a good amount of it around (at least as I´m
typing this!), and it´s a great value at $9.75.
2003 Pasqua Sangiovese di Puglia
Usually when we get a Sangiovese, it´s from Tuscany in central
Italy. This one´s from down in the bootheel, where we
more commonly see Primitivo and Aglianico, among others.
It´s a quaffable, fun wine for pasta, pizza, and other
easy-going fare. It´s all of $7.50, and there´s not
too much left in stock.
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