Wine Listings

On a visit to Argyle's cellars, one hears one simple phrase repeated more than all others: "the grapes." “The grapes this”, “the grapes that.” To winemaker Rollin Soles, a fine glass of wine clearly begins in the vineyard. His team's painstakingly hands-on approach to careful vineyard management quickly becomes evident - as do the results of such dedication: well-balanced, exciting wine! Sourced from three vineyards (Lone Star, Knudsen, Stoller), Argyle's 2008 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is an affordable example of what most agree to be Oregon's best vintage of the decade yet.

Wine Mad Libs? Cool idea, actually. No, simply fill in the blank with your choice of Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio or even Sauvignon Blanc.  This request has increased exponentially as more of you exhaust your palate on the “same” wines while your palate demands that you expand the palette of flavors.

I’m sourcing fabulous fresh, crisp, thrilling wines from Spain, Greece, Austria, and France which immensely broaden the flavor palette.

Yet, when you ask me for “dry, light white but not…” I frequently find myself traipsing over to the Italian section totally inspired to show you one of Italy’s compelling, brilliantly-flavored, indigenous whites.

My most recent, proud addition to this growing selection? INAMA VIN SOAVE CLASSICO, made in the Classico zone, the best Soave area, from Garganega grapes growing on approximately 30 year old vines.

From the hills of Corbières to the Pyrénées mountains, Roussillon is the sunniest region in France, overlooking Banyuls & the Mediterranean on the Spanish border. Maison M. Chapoutier, founded in 1808, has long enjoyed a reputation for honest, sturdy wines in the Rhône Valley, but since Michel took over in the early 90s, the firm has expanded & improved. Robert M. Parker, Jr. has said Chapoutier's is the most significant jump in quality he has ever seen. Since its founding, the motto of the M. Chapoutier winery has always been the ancient Latin proverb, fac et spera, “create and hope.” In many ways, these words of wisdom are good advice for the winemaker in general: work hard and hope for the best. Here’s a quote from M. Chapoutier that best exemplifies his winemaking philosophy: "When I started, I wanted to make powerhouse wines, but that's making noise, not music. Now my aim is to make elegant wines with long finishes." The Domaine is located about as close as you can be to Spain, but still be located in France, with a great deal of history related to the Knights Templar, and the Cathar movement, hence the stylized “T” in the title of the Domaine shaped like the Knights Templar Cross.
Listed #75 in Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2009.

Chateau Haut Vigneau is one of those wines you are thrilled to have discovered, and, then hope that nobody else does. Through the years I’ve witnessed some dearly undervalued, high quality Chateaux suddenly rocket with ratings or some PR and whoa, Cheval-y sudden demand, exploding prices. Two factors (amongst others) definitely contribute to Haut Vigneau’s excellence:

1.) it’s from Pessac Leognan, one of Bordeaux’s premiere quality appellations

2.) it’s owned by Eric Perrin who also owns the extremely prestigious Chateau Carbonnieux

Eric Perrin basically developed the historic property from scratch (well, and vines) some years ago.

Majority Cabernet Sauvignon complemented by good percentage of Merlot all grown in the Garonnaise gravels special to this area. An exemplary Bordeaux experience.

No secret that Sicily has produced wine for multiple millennia, but, until more recently, finding really fine red wines smacked of a covert quest. Enter quality-ambitious winemakers like Planeta and a good dose of the Nero d’Avola grape. Exit with some ravishing red wine. Planeta’s La Segreta Rosso won’t be the secret red for long if we have anything to do with it.

Can't help it! Keep finding these brilliant little red Burgundies from the Givry appellation. A major culprit serving up these Burgundian beauties is Domaine Parize (or is that Domaine Paradise?) And now, Parize is responsible for providing what must be the BEST BURGUNDY buy out there with its Givry Vieilles Vignes (old vines).

We are huge (but not corpulent) advocates of Pinot Noir with fish and other light fare. The best Pinot Noir with food? A fine red Burgundy, thank you very very much.

Ludicrously low-priced by the bottle, at the case price, you have REAL RED BURGUNDY for your summer house wine.

Founded by the Templar knights in the 13th century, Bargemore is among the foremost estates of the Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, a small fine wine district which officially gained its AOC status in 1985. The city of Aix-en-Provence was founded by the Romans in 123 BC. My wife, daughter & I arrived some years later while Danielle was attending the University of Aix. The main drag, Cours Mirabeau, is one of the great thoroughfares in Europe (think Comm Ave times four). Planted with double rows of plane trees, it's lined by seemingly thousands of fountains & cafés. Brasserie Les Deux Garcons is one of the most renowned - built in 1792 & frequented by the likes of Paul Cézanne, Émile Zola, Ernest Hemingway and Michael Gillen.

"This has long been one of France's most delicious rosés." - Robert Parker, Jr

The Anjou area in France’s fabled Loire Valley recalls that bulbous pear and England’s Henri II, perhaps, not in that order. For we wine lovers, Anjou should now signify superb, dry, unoaked wine from Chateau Soucherie. The grape? Chenin Blanc. This is the other, other great white wine. The best dry Chenin Blanc usually comes from the region’s Savennieres appellation. Soucherie’s Anjou Blanc resembles a young, intense Savennieres but at half the price! Shame that Henri II isn’t around to enjoy this…on second thought…

The Andes Mountains have quite an effect, alright, especially, when beholding them from Cousino Macul’s vineyards in Chile. The sight is incredibly inspiring, needless to say. But for Cousino Macul, one of Chile’s oldest and finest wineries, the Andes provide more than just magnificent landscape. They supply water. Their cold air sifts down, beneficially cooling the vineyard: the Andes effect. The natural advantages conspire with the dedicated Cousino winemaking team to make the fabulous 2007 Finis Terrae, a brilliant combination of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. I remember 2007 well—it was just after harvest that I last stood in Cousino’s beautiful vineyards looking at the mountains.

Ribera del Duero is a region of vineyards situated around the Duero river, which, as it flows west through Portugal, becomes the Douro, home to the vineyards that give rise to Port. Despite Rioja's bigger reputation, there are some splendid wines to be had in this region, usually based on the indigenous Tempranillo grapes, often over-delivering great wine @ a bargain price.

Zut Alors! Talk about the intermingling of wine & history. Arnaud & Isabelle’s Domaine Guicharde surrounds the ruins of the Derboux castle which was used as a refuge for the Cathars until it was destroyed in 1228 & the same vineyard was cultivated by the Romans with the famous Roman Way (Via Agrippa) going through it on its way to Lyon & Arles. And if that’s not enough, RP loves the winery: “Arnaud Guichard has burst on the scene with deliciously fruity, ripe, round & generous wines” & gives the domaine an excellent rating. – Wines of the Rhone Valley, Robert Parker

What a great way to learn to love Sauvignon Blanc - or even more, if you already do.

Overpriced Pinot producers beware: to think that one doesn't have to shell out $20 or more for a fantastically smooth Russian River Valley Pinot Noir!