Mt Tabor Fine Wines

We’ve got a nice blend of three new release 2010’s, a stellar new 2009 and two very strong, classic 2008’s. 2010, as mentioned before, shows great promise. The wines are lower in alcohol than in recent memory while maintaining good balance and concentration from very long “hang time”. Hang time is the amount of time the grapes mature on the vine and in 2010, because of a very cool summer, the grapes hung extra long which enhances texture, length and concentration. 2010 had some of the longest hang time ever. The wines are not big, lush and forward. Out of the box they remind me of 2007, with maybe a bit more of everything. But like 2007, which has gone from panned to now considered one of the classics, the wines will need a bit of bottle age to flesh out. In the long run we’re in for a great vintage to buy and cellar. All of the 2010’s that we’re pouring are the “little” wines from the wineries offering them. The first releases, so to speak. All three are great values. I picked the three because they are all showing well right now and, like the 2010 Broadley, ready to go. The Cameron 2009 Arley’s from the Abbey Ridge Vineyard is awesome. It’s seamless from start to finish and, at just over 13 alcohol, has none of the heat in the finish that some 09’s have. Carabella continues to make solid wines in very small quantities. I’m a huge fan of their Pinot Gris and Chard and this estate Pinot Noir from the great 2008 vintage is sublime. I thought we had poured the 08 Beaux Freres “Beaux Freres Vineyard” before but after checking I see that we have not. If you’re a B F fan you simply have to have the 08 in your cellar. On February 1st this wine will become a “library release” and the price will go from $75 to $90! If you want the wine buy it in the next few days.

THE LINEUP

2010 Cummings Road, Yamhill- Carlton District $20

2010 Ayres, Ribbon Ridge- Eola Hills $21

2010 Patricia Green, Reserve $23

2008 Carabella, Estate/ Chehalem Mountains $37

2009 Cameron, Arley’s Leap/ Dundee Hills $39

PREMIUM POUR ($7)

2008 Beaux Freres, Beaux Freres Vineyard $75

That’s it for now. We’re headed for a terrific 2012 Pinot buying year considering all of the great 2010’s to be released. And the good news is that 2011 seems to be cut from the same mold. Let’s face it, lower alcohol Pinots with great flavor concentration is just about perfect!

Sandy

Just back from a fantastic, relaxing, waist expanding vacation and ready to rock. This week we begin our 2012 tasting schedule with Rhone reds. These are just great wines at all different price points and I think they are the best values in the world of red wine today. 2010 is offering some delicious wines, both red and white, from all over Europe. The Rhone’s are big and full of flavor but are not heavy handed in any way and have beautiful balance. So far I’m a huge fan of the vintage. The Chateauneuf premium pour comes from vines planted in 1896! Talk about craggy, old vine, depth and intensity, this is a relative bargain at $55. I truly love every wine in this lineup. So come welcome us back and any sort of weight loss suggestions will be gratefully accepted!

ST

THE LINEUP

2010 Domaine Lafond, Cotes Du Rhone “Roc Epine” $14

2010 Mas de Libian, Bout d’ Zan $16

2007 Domaine la Roubine, Gigondas $30

2007 Clos De Caveau, Vacqueyras “Carmin Brillant” $31

2009 Perrin & Fils, Gigondas “La Gille” $33

PREMIUM POUR ($5)

2007 Domaine Jean Deydier $ Fils, Chateauneuf-Du-Pape “ Les Crau Centenaires”
$55

(503)235-4444

Here we are, the final Friday tasting of 2011. I’ve tried to come up with nice traditions around here and I think our best are the “Oregon’s best Pinots” and this one, my personal favorite, “Grower Champagne.” Both occur each and every year at the end of December. I begin searching for special Champanes in September and order what I feel are the best on offer for the year. These are wines that are made in tiny quantities, much like our small Oregon wineries, by the best “growers” in the region. In some cases quantities are so small I can only get a case or two. I would encourage you to pick up a bottle or two if you taste something that you like because there’s no guarantee they will be available thru the end of the year. The three main grapes in Champagne are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. We’re pouring everything from straight Chardonnay (Blanc de Blancs) to distinctive blends. The tasting is varied and the wines are fantastic. I would highly recommend that you attend. One of my greatest joys in the 15 years of owning the shop is watching a customer proclaim that they just don’t like Champagne only to watch them melt upon tasting these.

THE LINEUP

NV Agrapart & Fils, Les 7 Crus Blanc De Blancs Brut/ Avize $40

NV L. Aubry, Brut/ Jouy-Les-Reims $42

NV P. Gimonnet, 1er Cru Brut/ Cuis $52

NV Chartogne-Taillet, Brut Rose/ Merfy $52

02 Gaston Chiquet, Special Club Brut/ Dizy $75

PREMIUM POUR ($10)

04 Pierre Peters, Cuvee Special “Les Chetillons” Brut/ Le-Mesnil-Sur-Oger $112

The lineup speaks for itself!

Sandy

Sandy Thompson, Proprietor Mt. Tabor Fine Wines
4316 SE Hawthorne Bl
Portland, Or. 97215
(503)235-4444

How do I decide on the Pinots that make our annual “best of the year” tasting? The top four this year (price wise) are simply, I feel, the best of the best of all that I’ve tasted this year. The 2010 Broadley, at $17, is my pick for the value of the year and the 2008 Scott Paul is the best in the mid price arena. So there it is. All year I’ve felt that the Arterberry Maresh “Maresh Vineyard” was in a league of its own. But recently with the release of the 2009 Cameron “Abbey Ridge” and the 2009 Thomas it has big time company. And what can you say about the 2008 Belle Pente Estate Reserve? It was the biggest hit of our anniversary party last Saturday. A brilliant effort and a great buy at $43! Three of these wines were poured at the party and many of you tasted them. But to put them side be side, with a good size pour, makes a very big difference. You can casually go back and forth and make a much better judgement than just a splash in the glass, one after the other. So here it is, our last red wine tasting of 2011. Make sure you’re here as well for the Grower Champagne tasting next Friday. These are, again in my opinion, the best two tastings of the year. And what better time to have them than at the holidays!

THE KILLER LINEUP

2010 Broadley, Willamette Valley/ Southern Willamette Valley $17

2008 Scott Paul, “La Paulee”/ Carlton $30

2008 Belle Pente, “Estate Reserve”/ Yamhill- Carlton $43

2009 Arterberry Maresh, “Maresh Vineyard”/ Dundee Hills $52

2009 J Thomas, “Estate”/ Dundee Hills $53

PREMIUM POUR ($5)

2009 Cameron, “Abbey Ridge”/ Dundee Hills $53

Come on now, why that’s a lineup that would melt the heart of any Oregon Pinot lover!

Sandy

Sandy Thompson, Proprietor

Mt. Tabor Fine Wines
4316 SE Hawthorne Bl
Portland, Or. 97215
(503)235-4444

There are two things that I need to address here;

First- Those of you that will not be able to attend the Anniversary Party, weather because you live out of town or can’t make it for other reasons, should really take advantage of the “party day only” pricing. The wines being poured are fantastic and some of the best in the state. You have four powerhouse Pinot producers here (not counting Thomas as the wine is not available) and the prices we’re offering are ridiculous! Colene Clemens is the most impressive new winery to debut in a few years and we’re pouring and offering 2 Pinots that are of such small production that they are available at the winery only! We have the nod to sell all we want that day. Trust me on these wines. Soter, read the mans bio and you’ll get it. Top notch! Belle Pente, some of the best priced and prettiest Pinots. They remind me of the Thomas style. Pretty, feminine Pinots with concentrated flavors. AND, they’re 2008’s!!!! You may order from now through party day Saturday. You will get the special pricing during this period. We can hold them for you or ship as desired. The Cameron’s are tight but ask and I’ll see what I can do. This is a once a year opportunity that you shouldn’t pass up if you love Oregon Pinot!

Thomas Pinot Availability

John will be here pouring but the wine is not yet bottled and will not be ready to ship/ pick up until mid- Dec. He’s bottling a case to pour at the party. The wine is assembled and ready to bottle. He always bottles after the harvest and the late one this year has put him 6 weeks behind schedule. As always, I will send an e-mail when it’s in and ready for you. I just don’t want anyone expecting to pick up Sat. It will not be here to pick up.

And once again, the wine is sold out. We have John at our party every year to say thanks to those who support him. You are able to taste the wine without having to open a bottle of your own. And the best part is you get to talk to one of the great guys in our industry! There will be none available for sale.

Hope this clears things up! Now put on your ordering cap and let me know what you’d like.

Sandy

Sandy Thompson, Proprietor

Mt. Tabor Fine Wines
4316 SE Hawthorne Bl
Portland, Or. 97215
(503)235-4444