All June Picks | Scott | Janet | Kelly | Mallory | Carl

Mallory's Picks

April 2010

2004 Mastri Vinai Bressan Schioppetino, IGT Venezia Giulia
$42.99

A beautiful wine from Italy. One sniff and I was in love. Black pepper, rose petals and hints of chocolate.The grape is Schioppettino, which I had never heard of before but the wine was so perfectly complex with a changing palate throughout the bottle. I dare say it's one of the best wines I've ever had. I'm excited to pair it with a spinach lasagna or just noodles with tomato sauce and garlic bread.

March 2010

January 2010

2008 Saint Cosme "Little James' Basket Press", VdP d'Oc
$14.99

This blend of 60% Viognier and 40% Sauvignon Blanc is an absolute gem of a wine! It awakens the senses with aromas of bright pear, apricot, and honey. Then, the taste fills the mouth with floral notes and refreshing acidity, with a long finish of herbaceous melon. Pair this wine to roasted lemon chicken and garlic mashed potatoes with lots of butter.

November 2009

2005 Shining Hill Red Wine, Columbia Valley
$44.99

Hello, Gorgeous! Shining Hill (a second label for Col Solare) is a vibrant, elegant red wine comprised of Merlot, Cab and Syrah. This is a bottle to sink into on a stormy fall night. With rich notes of black cherry and chocolate, and a touch of herbal on the nose, I did not want to stop smelling this wine. Then it has this velvety texture to help you say good-bye to your bottle. Ah...bitter sweet.

July 2009

2008 Mirth Chardonnay, Washington & Oregon
$9.99

This is part of the Corvidae Project by Owen Roe. All of the wines coming out of this project are exceptional for the price (be sure to attend the July 18 tasting!) For $10 you get a well-structured, fruit forward Chardonnay that is sure to please at any summer barbecue.

2007 Cadence Coda, Columbia Valley
$27.99 ($14.99, 375ml)

I had my first sip of this lovely wine while I was at work, and instantly fell in love with it. It's just filled with lush dark fruit flavors, so intense and well-structured with a divinely silky finish. Perfect for just enjoying on its own or with simply prepared dishes.

May 2009

February 2009

2007 Moulin de Gassac "Guilhem", VdP de L'Herault
$15.99

Flavors of ripe pear and hint of lemon make this perfect on its own or with a multitude of foods. This blend from southern France offers acidity and minerality that excite the palate, with enough body to be served as an aperitif. This would pair very well with anything from goat cheese to pesto.

2007 Buty Chardonnay, Conner Lee Vineyard, Columbia Valley
$39.99

This Chardonnay is perfect. Apples and pear fruits on the nose open up to a rich and smooth palate. It is lush without being overly oaky. Just enough to add some hints of caramel and cocoa... simply lovely.

January 2009

Bellefon Brut Cuvee Des Moines, Blanc de Blancs, Champagne
79.99

I packed this bottle home with me to celebrate my mom's 60th birthday.  I've had it before and it is by far my all-time favorite Champagne. Crisp and light with pear and lemon notes, it was originally made for a king who demanded a drink to go with his entire meal, and my family enjoyed it along side homemade enchiladas...needless to say you can have it with whatever you are eating. My grandma declared: "This is the only Champagne I've ever enjoyed" (and she's old), so if you have a special occasion, go for this one, you won't be disappointed.

2006 Angeline Pinot Noir, Sonoma/Mendocino Counties
16.99

I suggest this wine for any one looking for a light body with wonderful bright red fruit flavors. This is a crowd pleaser, pairing well with a variety of dishes from salmon to chocolate cake. Let the party begin!

November 2008

2006 Dunham "Shirley Mays" Chardonnay, Lewis Estate Vineyard, Columbia Valley
$ 21.99

This lovely Chardonnay is lean and bright with notes of pear, apple and pink flowers on the nose. On the palate it is crisp at the start, and then fills the palate with a toasty fullness. This wine would pair nicely with shrimp scampi or chicken alfredo.

2007 Molly Dooker "The Scooter", South Australia
$29.99

Raspberries, roses and fudge pop out at me when I stick my nose in a glass of this wine. This is a big wine - rich, velvety merlot, with dark fruit and some floral notes on the palate. it could pair with a variety of dishes which would make it a fun choice for hearty holiday meals.

September 2008

2007 McCrea Sirocco Blanc, Boushey Vineyard, Yakima Valley
$27.99

I've never tasted anything like this. Creamy goodness with crazy stone fruit flavors. Screams of white chocolate, apricots and peach with a creamy mouth feel. I would pair this with a simple pork dish with some melon chutney.

2006 Cadence Coda (375ml), Columbia Valley
$14.99

Let the Coda sit for about a half hour before you start sipping it, then enjoy the bright fruit flavors that develop into some pretty rich lush fruits, accompanied by nice spicy tobacco notes. In short, drink this bottle slowly with some nice chocolates. It makes me happy just thinking about it.

July 2008

Cave B 2007 Blanc de Blanc des Blancs, Columbia Valley
$27.99

I've heard it around town that Cave B is one of the most improved wineries in Washington, so when Scott had us all try it, it was no wonder that I liked it so much. Fresh and fruity on the nose, and clean and crisp on the palate, but what made this wine stand out to me is the hoppy finish. When I mentioned this, I was told that indeed the vineyard is next to a hop plantation........oh the wonder.

2005 Ognissole Primitivo di Manduria
$14.99

I picked this off the shelf to go with a burger and fries, not knowing what to expect. What I got was a lush wine with deep, dark fruit notes, along with earthy spice. On the palate, there are hints of black pepper and a nice long spicy finish. Perfect for a casual or a fancy meal.

June 2008

2005 Stonestreet Chardonnay, Alexander Valley
$27.99

Although I'm not normally a Chardonnay drinker, I could not help but love this wine. It is big. It is rich. It is creamy. It has a lush vanilla scent that turns into a deliciously warm and rounded wine in the mouth. It is butter and honey on a fresh roll. Enjoy!

May 2008

2007 Belle Vallee Whole Cluster Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley
$14.99

Oregon Pinot under $20? Done.  I first tasted this wine last year at one of our Pinot tastings and absolutely fell in love with the drinkability of it. Bright fruit and light body make this wine easy to drink, and the earthy finish keeps the palate interested and satisfied. A certain crowd pleaser.

2007 Syncline Rose, Columbia Valley
$14.99

You know you might really like a wine when one of your tasting notes says “I want to bathe in this wine.” Yes folks, my love affair with Syncline continues into the summer with this perfectly balanced rose. I picked up on a strong herbal note that compliments the definite strawberry on the nose. Going down, the wine is crisp and flavorful. Sink yourself into a bottle of this on a warm summer night.

April 2008

2003 Finca Sandoval, Machuela, Spain
$34.99

A friend took me aside and said, "Mal, you gotta try this." I did, and with one sip, I was mesmerized. Tobacco, mint, clove, and about a dozen other spices immerse the palate, leaving you with a surprisingly fruity finish. The grapes are Syrah, Mourvedre, Tempranillo, and the little-known Bobal (mostly used to make grape juice, but a few winemakers are starting to play with it in blends like this one). An awesome old world wine to say the least. You gotta try it!

2004 Chateau Paradis Casseuil, Bordeaux
$16.99

My mother, normally a Chardonnay drinker, tried this wine with me while here in town on a visit, and is now going to make me buy her a case for Mothers' Day. A Bordeaux blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and a touch of Muscat create a rich and smooth wine with a taste of bright grapefruit, orange and strawberries without beig overly sweet. A fun and easy drink that is perfect for a spring barbecue!

March 2008

2006 Syncline Mourvedre, Coyote Canyon Vineyard, Horse Heaven Hills
$27.99

Another beautiful wine from Syncline, this Mourvedre is packed with flavor. There are notes of violet and lilac on the bouquet followed by black pepper, black berry and dark cherry taste. It is a medium- to full-bodied wine that has notes of vanilla on its long finish.

2003 Cantele Riserva, Salice Salentino (Puglia)
$9.99

Flavors of blueberries and herbs round out this nicely acidic wine and make it a perfect everyday red. The balance of sharp and bright  in the front, smooth and dark at the back make it a wine you almost have to keep drinking to figure it out. And at ten dollars, what’s gonna stop you?

January 2008

2006 Speakeasy "Red Car" Syrah, California
$69.99

This is a big red from California - a touch of dark berry fruit on the front, and tons of pepper on the back. So smooth! So good! I loved it!!

2005 Ramey "Hudson Vineyard" Chardonnay, Napa Valley - Carneros
$69.99

Like the perfect woman, this wine is beautiful, elegant, and complex. Perfect amounts of toasty butter and oak, with a very delicate and smooth finish.

December 2007

2004 Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
$24.99

Super-smooth, full without being heavy, this blend of Prugnolo Gentile, Canaiolo, and Mammolino is wonderfully fruity with delicate floral notes. It was a perfect pair to roast turkey; a fantastic "big meal" wine that you can keep drinking as you keep eating!

November 2007

P. Louis Martin Grand Cru Bouzy Champagne
$44.99

Crisp, with toasted pastry and orange citrus notes. Delightful to drink, and something special to bring to a holiday party!

2005 Gorman "The Pixie" Syrah (Red Mountain)
$39.99

Get this wine while you can, since we won't be able to get any more once it's gone! Big, wonderful fruit with modest tannins, black fruit, a hint of licorice and earthiness. Neutral oak. I loved it!

October 2007

2006 Mollydooker "Two Left Feet" (South Australia)
$21.99

This blend of shiraz, merlot, and cabernet sauvignon is a delicious blend of flavors of blackberry, vanilla, and cinnamon. Medium body, soft and silky, and a fun label as well!