2017 Harper Voit Pinot Blanc
Willamette Valley, OR
Regular Price $27.99
Sale price $21.99
Pinot Blanc is really very easy to like, as its (typically) round and flavorful, with gentle yet persistent acidity. In sunwashed areas (like Alsace) it can be lush and rich, almost Chardonnay like (without the oak, of course.) Owner and winemaker, Drew Voit, crafts this more like a Burgundian Pinot Blanc, picking earlier and retaining acidity and minerality along with the bright pear flavor.
2017 Forge Cellars Dry Riesling Classique
Seneca Lake, NY
Regular Price $21.99
Sale price $17.99
This wine is extremely versatile. It’s weighty and fully flavored with zesty acidity making it a great food wine, yet is perfectly balanced and luscious enough to enjoy without. Its (relatively) low in alcohol (13%) which makes it acceptable for day drinking (yeah, that’s a thing). It’s also crazy delicious, with ripe stone fruit flavors touched by candied orange and hints of anise. The flavors explode and the bright acidity freshens your mouth for another delightful sip. It’s the wine equivalence of fireworks.
2017 Joey Tensley Chardonnay
Central Coast, CA
Regular Price $19.99
Sale price $15.99
California Chardonnay has almost become a caricature of itself; the full throttle, sun blasted, oak drenched wine that everyone loves to hate on (while secretly loving on). But, as this well made and well priced example shows, a little restraint goes a long way. It’s clearly California to its socks, but with enough balance (read: acidity) to enliven the bountiful fruit and oak.
2015 Two Shepherds Trousseau Gris
Russian River Valley, CA
Regular Price $34.99
Sale price $27.99
I’ll dub this an ‘almost’ or ‘mostly’ orange wine. The grape (trousseau gris, which is found almost nowhere outside of Jura, and barely even there) is gray, and even darker hued as it gets riper. So the lengthy (5 days) skin contact does impart pigmentation into the must, but, that was kinda to be expected anyway. Regardless, this is a big, rich, textured wine that is savory and earthy. Yeah, it’s another of those wine that make the wine bigots (those biased against whites) look silly.
2016 Fullerton ‘Three Otters’ Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley, OR
Regular Price $22.99
Sale price $17.99
This wine is easy and enjoyable. By that, I don’t mean that its simple or cheap, but rather that it tastes good, it doesn’t require aging. its affordable and it is pretty versatile. It offers enough bright berry fruit to lure you in, but still shows that distinctive Oregon ‘spruce’ and finishes with enough acidity to allow for a variety of food pairings. It’s also not a wine that requires deep contemplation or some gatekeeper to explain its virtues. Its wine that tastes good and will enhance your table.
2017 Borne of Fire Cabernet Sauvignon
Columbia Valley, WA
Regular Price $21.99
Sale price $16.99
This is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Zinfandel from eastern Washington State, produced by Chateau Ste. Michelle. Juicy, ripe and just a little slick, it’s really very easy to like, boasting jammy berry fruits and a soft finish. Some critics suggest that this wine will age well…they should perhaps listen more and talk less.