Mt Tabor Fine Wines

SPANISH REDS ($15) Friday, June 14th/ 4-7:30

mttaborfinewines — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:38:01 +0000

Spanish reds have become, over the last few years, one of the top categories in the world of wine for excellent value. Ten to fifteen years ago it was all about Australia………remember them? Next, Argentina stepped up and those deep, full Malbecs that still hold their fair share of the market. But overall, it’s the reds of Spain that have the stronghold now. Ten years ago most of the wines we had access to were from Rioja and Ribera Del Duero but the number of regions available now are overwhelming! Navarra, Toro, Valencia, Bierzo, Rias Baixas, Basque………….it just goes on and on. Even Madrid has its own DO.

I’ve selected some of those so called excellent values as well as some other fun things. There’s a wine from the Canary Islands that I think is intriguing. Mineral, spice, some blueberry……..just unusual and different than any of the other wines.
There is a classic, traditional Reserva from The Rioja in the Marques De Murrietta. And…..I was really impressed with the Cabernet from the Penedes, a great region for the grape. I’d say it tastes like a $50 Bordeaux to me. Anyway, all in all, a fun, informative tasting from your pals at Mt Tabor Fine Wines.

PS- Get excited by a new offering from us. I just put some honey bee hives in our back yard up on Mt Tabor, with the help of Damian, the bee guy from Bee Local. We’ll be offering our “Thompson Terroir” Mt Tabor honey from the lovely bees foraging from our back yard. It will be delicious. However, don’t look for any honey/ wine pairings in the future!

The Lineup

2012 Lezaun, Tempranillo “No Sulphites Added”/ Navarra $11

2011 Bodegas Sindoa, El Chaparral “Old Vine Garnacha”/ Navarra $15

2009 Palacios Remondo, La Montesa/ Rioja $17

2010 Tierras De Aponte, Tinto/ Abona-Canary Islands $19

2007 Marques De Murrieta, Reserva/ Rioja $25

Premium Pour ($3)

2005 Jané Ventura, Cabernet Sauvignon “Mas Vilella”/ Penedes $35

Sandy Thompson, Proprietor

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

WARM WEATHER WINES ($15) Friday, June 7th/ 4-7:30

mttaborfinewines — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 16:07:21 +0000

Another idea for a Friday tasting theme. The concept here is to pour wines that are ideal for back deck sipping or just when you want something refreshing. We begin our adventure with a beautiful Prosecco from the Veneto region of Italy followed by what I call the “lemonade” of the wine world, Txakoli. This wine hails from the Basque region of Spain and is refreshment in a glass. Very light with low alcohol and a slight spritz this is a perfect aperitif on a warm summer day. Ditto everything except the spritz for the Muscadet from one of the finest producers in the region, Luneau Papin. The Bisci has become a house favorite when we’re feeling fancy. I can’t remember having a better Verdicchio. You may notice that we finish up with two rosé’s from the south of France. I must admit that these are my very two favorites of the year so far. Last time we did a rosé tasting we featured the big brother to the Clos Cibonne; the reserve. Over the last month or so I’ve had both wines a number of times and it has become clear that I prefer the “regular” bottling. And it’s $5 cheaper. Such a deal. The Domaine Marquiliani may just be my favorite of all. This tiny winery on Corsica is a rosé specialist and that’s the only wine they make. I hear that they also make the finest olive oil on Corsica but I haven’t had the pleasure. If you ever wonder what to drink when it’s warm out, this tasting’s for you!

The Lineup

NV Casa Coste Piane, Prosecco/ Valdobbiadene, Italy $22

2012 Arregi, Getariako Txakolina/ Basque region, Spain $16

2011 Luneau Papin, Muscadet “Clos des Allees”/ Loire Valley, France $17

2011 Bisci, Verdicchio Di Matelica/ Marche, Italy $17

2011 Clos Cibonne, Tibouren Rosé/ Provence, France $25

Premium Pour ($3)

2012 Domaine de Marquiliani, Vin De Corse Rosé/ Corsica, France $28

Sandy Thompson, Proprietor

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

OREGON PINOT NOIR ($15) Friday, May 31st/ 4-7:30

mttaborfinewines — Thu, 30 May 2013 15:41:09 +0000

It’s fitting that we end our May tastings with Oregon Pinot Noir. I mean, after all, May is Oregon Pinot Noir Month around these parts.

I was telling someone the other day that with vintages 2010 and 2011 being the focus of our Pinot tastings over the past year or two it’s been difficult to find wines that are ready to drink. The best 2010’s will eventually become some of the greatest ever, but……………………they need time. They are not forward, easy drinking young wines. I consider a vintage like this to be cerebral, needing ones total focus and imagination to determine where these delicate, oh so beautiful wines will end up. Smart consumers bought their favorite wines, put them in their cellars and just trusted that they will become things of beauty. Believe me, in the best cases, they will. With the 2011’s, most just need some bottle age as they have only been under cork for a short while. Again, a delicate vintage of “pretty” Pinots.

This week I’ve chosen Pinots that can be consumed young. Some will take well to a number years in a cool, dark, space. Others are ready to go now. There are a number of interesting stories behind the wines being poured. Too many to bore you with now but I’d be happy to discuss these at the tasting. I’m sure many of you aren’t familiar with Twelve or Two Messengers or Seufert. Of course we all know about our friend Steve at Lenné. He should be here to answer your questions about the 2010 version of his “Estate” Pinot, always a superb wine.

The Lineup

2009 Twelve, Estate/ Yamhill-Carlton $15

2011 Cameron, Willamette Valley $19

2010 Anam Cara, Vineyard Selection/ Chehalem Mountains $23

2011 Two Messengers/ Willamette Valley $29

2009 Seufert Wines, “Vista Hills Vineyard”/ Dundee Hills $35

Premium Pour ($5)

2010 Lenné Vineyard, Estate/ Yamhill-Carlton $45

Sandy Thompson, Proprietor

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

GLOBAL CHARDONNAY AND BYE BYE JOANNA ($15) Friday, May 24th/ 4-7:30

mttaborfinewines — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:24:56 +0000

I can’t believe it. Our Joanna is leaving us for the Midwestern metropolis of Chicago. She’s been one of the “angles” at our Friday night tastings for almost 10 years and many of you have developed close friendships with her. I know we’ll all miss her terribly and this Friday will be a good opportunity to come in and say goodbye as she’ll be working her final tasting (tears!).

And while you’re here you can taste a flight of delicious Chardonnay from Italy, California and, of course, France. It’ll be fun to compare wines made from the same grape, grown in different climates and soils. Always informative and fun, but…………………………you have to pay attention!

See you, and Joanna, on Friday,
Sandy

The Lineup

2012 Domaine La Croix Belle/ Cotes De Thongue- S. France $12

2010 Foxglove/ Central Coast, California $14

2010 Olivier Morin, Chablis/ Burgundy, France $20

2010 Branko/ Collio-Friuli, Italy $22

2010 Deux Montille, Rully/ Burgundy, France $35

Premium Pour ($5)

2011 Philippe Chavy, Meursault “Narvaux”/ Burgundy, France $49

Sandy Thompson, Proprietor

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

TERROIR DRIVEN REDS FROM TUSCANY AND THE SLOPES OF MT. ETNA ($15) Friday, May 17th/ 4-7:30

mttaborfinewines — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:58:51 +0000

I was thinking it was time to mix up the tasting themes. I wanted to do a Tuscan tasting because there are two wines that I’ve been in love with for months and I realized that we haven’t done a Tuscan for a long time. When it comes to Italy, with a few exceptions, most of the “great” wines of the country come from Tuscany and the Piemonte. Like everywhere else, you have fruity reds that taste like they could come from anywhere, wines manipulated in the winery in order to make them friendly but which strips the terroir right out of the wine. But when you taste a Tuscan that smells and tastes like it’s for sure from Italy, that’s terrific. But when you taste one that smells like the hills you’ve driven thru in Chianti or Montepulciano or Montalcino…………….now that’s thrilling and exciting! The two wines I mentioned above are just that. Thrilling. First up, the Poderi Sanguineto Vino Nobile De Montepulciano. This, to me, is the epitome of the terroir of the area. I tend to find many Vino Nobile have that lead pencil, earthy, clean dirt thing. All it takes is a whiff and there it is. Tuscany! The second one, La Fornacina, is of the best Rosso De Montalcino’s I’ve ever had. Then we move to the slopes of Mt Etna in Sicily. For years this terroir was neglected and most wines were made at the other end of the Island where often the wines are overripe and pruny due to the intense heat, Wine importer exceptionale Marc De Grazia was looking for a place to settle down in Italy and discovered old vines neglected high up on Etna where the climate is more moderate. He has established a bench mark estate called Terre Nere. For the past ten years or so he has set the gold standard for Sicily.The “Guardiola” that we’re pouring is one of his best cuvees made from 40 year old vines from a two hectare vineyard. The wine is stunning. Enough, I can hear you snoozing so I’m out. These are Italian reds that should be tasted by any serious wine lover!

Sandy

The Lineup

2012 Regaliali, Le Rosé/ Sicily $14

2011 Poggio Romita, Chianti Colle Fiorintino/ Tuscany $13

2010 La Querciolina, Monteccuco Rosso Sangiovese/ Maremma-Tuscany $21

2008 Fornacina, Rosso Di Montalcino/ Montalcino-Tuscany $26

2009 Poderi Sanguineto, Vino Nobile De Montepulciano/ Montepulciano-Tuscany $39

Premium Pour ($5)

2010 Terre Nere, Guardiola Norello Mascalese/ Etna-Sicily $47

Sandy Thompson, Proprietor

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

FRENCH WHITES FOR AN 86 DEGREE DAY ($15) Friday, May 10th 4-7:30

mttaborfinewines — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:30:15 +0000

I just couldn’t do it. Looking at the 5 day forecast on Monday I was amazed to see that on Friday it was going to be in the mid 80’s. I think all of us in Portland keep waiting for this dreamlike state called warm weather to end. I’ve been here almost 20 years and have never seen anything like this. The line here in the NW is “summer begins on July 5th.” Often, that’s not far off. This year is obviously a freak. Last Friday low 80’s, this Friday mid 80’s. Are you kidding? It’s early May, right? The thought of pouring high alcohol, rich reds just made my stomach shrink. So I made a late call to move from high octane decadence to refreshing deliciousness. And here we are with a terrific, warm weather, lineup! We’re going to dedicate this tasting to a winery that has been a shop favorite (and house fave) for over a decade; Chateau Miraval. Folks, the wines they are a changin’. Brad and Angelina done got a hold of this estate and they’re a makin’ ch ch ch changes! And not good ones. After years of leasing the Chateau they have purchased it and decided to get involved in something they know nothing about……making wine. They are going to rip out some of the white grapes to plant more red in an area known for its lovely whites and rosé’s. They’ve decided to bring in a bunch of expensive new oak barrels to oak up wines known for their crispness and lightness. So you see, it’s over as we know it. Some of the loveliest pinks and whites of France are going away. It’s as if a bulldozer is taking the property down. And so it is. Another one bites the dust.

Sandy

The Lineup

2011 Domaine Labbé, Jacquere Abymes/ Savoie $10

2011 Chateau Sainte-Marie, Bordeaux Blanc Vieilles Vignes/ Entre Deux Mers-
Bordeaux $18

2010 Chateau Miraval, Rolle-Vermentino/ Coteaux Varois En Provence $20

2011 Philippe Chavy, Bourgogne Blanc/ Burgundy $25

2008 Schlumberger, Riesling “Saering” Grand Cru/ Alsace $29

Premium Pour (Grower Champagne) ($4)

NV Chartogne-Taillet, Cuvee Saint-Anne/ Merfy-Champagne $45

Sandy Thompson, Proprietor

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

Friday Tasting Update

mttaborfinewines — Tue, 07 May 2013 19:00:06 +0000

CHANGE OF PLANS (for the good of everyone!)

Friday tasting, May 10th- 4-7:30/ French Whites

Looking at the predicted weather for this Friday I simply don’t have it in me to pour big, rich, decadent Zinfandel. And being the owner around here I have the right to do what I want. Sooooooo, this Friday the 10th we’ll be pouring a refreshing lineup for an 85 degree day including Muscadet, Sancerre, some sort of a dry, crisp Riesling (maybe from Alsace) and a Champagne from a small grower as the premium pour. All French, all white. I think we’ll all be happier for it!!!!!

Sandy Thompson, Proprietor

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

Perfect, Dry, French Rosé ($15) Friday, M ay 3rd/ 4-7:30

mttaborfinewines — Thu, 02 May 2013 16:05:27 +0000

Honest. I set out to design a flight of tasty, dry rosé from around the world. It was in my head all day yesterday as I was deciding on the final cut. But in my commitment to always pour the best available wines at different price points, in the end, they all turned out to be French. Oh well, bummer, eh? Not in my opinion. All of you that know me know that I’m a self confessed Francophile. True, I do love my French wines but I also love Nebbiolo in the form of Barolo and Barbaresco and German Riesling and Oregon Pinot etc. BUT, when it comes to rosé, French is the best (my opinion of course, but I’m right!). There is just nothing better than sitting on the back deck on a warm, late afternoon sipping a slightly pink, dry, floral and refreshing rosé from Provence. As they say, it just doesn’t get much better. At this point I usually talk about the different wines in the flight in order to prep you for what’s on tap. I’m going to try something different this week. I’ll discuss the wines under each listed wine below, individually. But let me just say this. We have never, ever, had so many interesting rosé’s in a single flight. From the tiny AOC of Touraine Noble Joué in the Loire Valley to an almost extinct varietal called Tibouren grown along the Mediterranean in Provence this is one stunning tasting of delicious, some would say, eclectic, dry rosé!

Sandy

Here we go. Pay attention. Oh, and by the way, it’s going to be 80!

The Lineup

2012 Domaine De Montmarin,”Les Oliviers”/ Cotes De Thongue $9
From a little sub section of the Languedoc in Southern France called the Cotes de Thongue, this is the classic blend of Grenache and Syrah from the area. Each and every vintage this is our “stacker” rosé and I guarantee you won’t find a better value.

2012 L’Hortus/ Coteaux De Languedoc $16
Similar to the above but a bit of a different blend including Mourvedre along with the Syrah and Grenache. The Mourved makes a big impact in that this wine is “big” by French standards. It still remains dry and refreshing but this I’d have with Salmon and the above with shellfish or sushi.

2012 Rousseau Freres/ Touraine Noble Joué/ Loire Valley $18
Here we have a unique terroir. The entire AOC is 70 acres with just six Domaines in total! Rosé is the only permitted wine and it must include the three Pinot varieties of the area; Pinot Meunier, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir (50%/ 35%/ 15%). As opposed to the dark color of the Hortus, this one is as pale as they come (my style). The absolute epitome of brightness and lift. As thirst quenching as they come!

2012 Andre Neveu, Sancerre Rosé “Le Grand Fricambault”/ Loire Valley $25
This one is a classic Loire rosé made from 100% Pinot Noir. As opposed to many Oregon Pinot rosé this one is very light in color and again, light on its feet. Neveu is a fantastic domaine and you’ll find his Sancerre Blanc on my shelf often (like now).
Simply a beautiful wine.

2010 Clos Cibonne, Tibouren “Cuvee Special de Vignettes/ Provence $30
Here we go. This is for you wine geeks out there and for people who just like to drink unusual and delicious wines. This domaine has been in the Roux family for a couple of hundred years but it was Andre Roux who, in 1930, decided to pull up the Mourvedre and plant Tibouren, a grape known for low yields and susceptibility of disease. Two things that many growers in the area want to avoid. But when grown properly the wine can be stunning and the best of all is this 80 year old vine cuvee called “Vignettes.” They make a regular cuvee of Tibouren from the 40 year old vines but this is their “luxury” wine. Nuff said!

Premium Pour ($4)

2011 Domaine Tempier, Bandol Rosé/ Provence $42
This is THE rosé that every other rosé in the world is compared to. Yep, it’s expensive. And yes it’s delicious. It’s not often that we pour a $42 rosé but if you’re into them you need to taste the benchmark and this is it! 50% Mourvedre, 28% Grenache, 20% Cinsault and 2% Carignan.

Sandy Thompson, Proprietor

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

THE KILLER B’S ($17) Friday, April 26th/ 4-7:30

mttaborfinewines — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:07:10 +0000

Always one of our most popular tastings, the Killer B’s are better than ever! Expensive wines aren’t flying off retail shelves like they did pre 2008 and producers have been encouraged to find alternatives. This has led to mare “less expensive” bottling’s similar to the Oregon Pinot market where pre 08 there were maybe one or two $20 Pinots and post 08 we have a huge amount of $20 locals on the shelves. Our flight this week begins with two Barberas. The Porello is one of those great bargains and the Guiseppe Mascarello is as good as it gets. For me, the Mascarello Baroli are the benchmark examples of traditionally styled Barolo. For years I have loved and collected these wines but had never tasted a Barbera from him until a few weeks ago. In short,as no surprise, it blew my mind. I’m excited to pour it for you! Reverdito has become the standard bearer around here for affordable, delicious Barbera and Nebbiolo. De Forville is a new one for me but I was impressed when I tasted their Nebbiolo from San Rocco. Guido Porra, also a new one, has produced a fantastic single vineyard Barolo at a solid price. I’ve been chomping at the bit to pour the Luigi Baudana Barolo and finally I have the chance this week. This estate in Serralunga was foundering when the Vajra’s purchased it a few years ago. The estate had a great selection of very old vines in two great vineyards but was underachieving. It’s now considered one of the great recent success stories in the Piemonte. In a few short years Guiseppe Varja has turned it around to the point where the wines are considered some of the best in the whole region! Geez, sounds like a great tasting to me.

Sandy

The Lineup

2011 Marco Porello, Barbera D’Alba “Monmiano” $16

2008 Guiseppe Mascarello, Barbera D’Alba “Scudetto” $33

2010 Reverdito, Nebbiolo “Simane” $14

2010 De Forville, Nebbiolo “San Rocco” $27

2007 Guido Porro, Barolo “Vigna Santa Caterina” $45

Premium Pour ($7)

2007 Luigi Baudana, Barolo “Baudana” $67

Sandy Thompson, Proprietor

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

RHONE VALLEY REDS ($15) Friday, April 19th/ 4-7:30

mttaborfinewines — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:22:19 +0000

Usually I gush and go on and on about the Rhone red tastings. I’m going to keep it simple this time. If you’re not buying and drinking these wines on a regular basis you’re missing out on some of the greatest wines on earth. You won’t find better value anywhere when you consider the quality of the wines and the prices asked…….at all price levels. And if you’re not laying some of these wines down for a long, cool rest in your cellar ditto the above. Simply put, there is not another tasting that we do where I have so much great wine to choose from and so much trouble ruling wines out. Five of the wines are traditional blends of various varieties including Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and others. The Monier Saint Joseph, being from the Northern Rhone, is 100% Syrah.

The Lineup

2011 Domaine Les Grands Bois, Cotes Du Rhone “Les Trois Soeurs” $14

2011 Domaine De Cabasse, Sablet “Les Deux Anges” $16

2010 E. Burle, Vacqueyras $19

2010 Domaine Alary, Cairanne “Font D’Estevanas” $25

2009 Domaine Monier Perreol, Saint Joseph $37

Premium Pour ($4)

2010 Domaine Galet Des Papes, Chateauneuf-Du-Pape Cuvee Tradition $40

Sandy Thompson, Proprietor

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