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The Panopli is a blend featuring Mourvèdre (54%) with Granache and Syrah rounding out the blend. This is an exciting wine from a producer we have admired for years. The all certified organic fruit is of outstanding quality and this shows in the bottle. Another dry year along the Central Coast offered up tiny yields and concentrated fruit that winemaker Neil Collins made wonderful use of. Up front, one is dizzied by aromas of sweet plum, java spice and coffee bean that are simply amazing. Rich on the palate and full of black raspberry and blueberries that, when combined with the silky texture, invite an evening-long exploration. Good acidity and balance through a long and pure finish. Only 500 cases were produced. Well worth seeking out.
price: $76.00
drink: 2012 to 2022
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This is an excellent southern Rhône-styled blend from Washington. Not found outside the Northwest, it is well worth seeking out. Wonderful aromatics of wild red berry fruit, dried currants and underbrush, followed by more wild raspberry, burnt orange, earth and spice. Nice weight, balance and length. The blend is 65% Grenache, 32% Syrah, 3% Mourvèdre. The wine was aged for 21 months in Meuller stainless barrels, and the Syrah in 18% new Tonnellerie Vernou French oak, with the balance in seasoned French and American oak from Saury, Alain Fouquet, Keystone and Vicard. Just 60 cases were produced.
price: $32.00
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Another impressive wine from Chris Upchurch and Delille Cellars. The Doyenne label’s focus is on wine varietals traditionally from the Rhône Valley. The 2009 Roussanne is restrained, yet elegant, with a complexity that is simply spectacular. Floral notes of dried wildflowers, citrus and honey is fresh and inviting. On the palate the wine is rich and silky with honeysuckle and notes of Moroccan preserved lemon rind. Balanced with a beam of fresh acidity. Only 500 cases were made with aging done primarily in stainless steel tanks (six months) and just 30% aged in neutral French oak for three months. Well worth seeking out.
price: $32/b
Another superb 2007 Pinot from the southern Russian River and Petaluma Gap area of the Sonoma Coast AVA. Deep flavors of black cherry, raspberry and spice. Sweet oak and bright acids frame a wine that finishes with intrigue and style. Some wet stone, licorice and vanilla add to the finish. Should age well for several years. Aged for 16 months in French oak (48% new).
price: $48.00
drink: best from 2010 through 2016
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