Featured Wines for November – 2015 Willm Gewurztraminer Reserve, Alsace, France & 2014 Cloudline Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon

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2015 Willm Gewurztraminer Reserve, Alsace, France   $14

2015 Willm Gewurztraminer Reserve from Alsace, France is the white we are featuring since it is right at home with Thanksgiving’s sage-rubbed turkey and stuffing. “Gewurz” means “spicy” in the language of Alsace and Gewurztraminer wines are characteristically  aromatic, spicy, sometimes off-dry with hints of lychees and nutmeg. The Willm Gewurztraminer is a little more delicate than other Gewurztraminers but it has a rich aromatic palette with an explosion of exotic fruits, flowers, citrus and spices. It has a medium body with a richness that stands up to the mixture of spices and herbs used at Thanksgiving. Alcohol: 13%

CL 2011 labels

2014 Cloudline Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon    $19

2014 Cloudline Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon is our featured red for November. People pretty traditionally serve Pinot Noir at Thanksgiving since it is a lighter bodied red with a soft palate. It is a good match for poultry but deciding what Pinot Noir varietal profile to select may be challenging. Cloudline is produced in the Willamette Valley where a cooler climate produces Pinot Noir grapes that offer a delicacy and transparency unlike California Pinot Noir that gets a deeper richness from a warmer climate. With 2014 Cloudline Pinot Noir you get a stellar year and a good value with a wine that brings forward notes of dark berries, black cherries and crushed red fruits.  The wine has good complexity yet a soft palate. This is a perfect “turkey” wine. Alcohol: 13.5%

Wines of the Month – 2013 Wildewood Wine Company Pinot Gris & 2010 Wildewood Wine Company Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon

Wildewood Wine Company Pinot Gris

2013 Wildewood Wine Company, Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, Oregon                 $19

2013 Wildewood Pinot Gris is a classic white varietal grown in the Willamette Valley because of the mineral soils and cool climate. The wine has aromas of ripe juicy pear and kiwi plus hints of lemon zest. With fresh acidity, this wine has good texture and a nice feel on the palate. This is a medium bodied wine that is a great pairing for a wide variety of seafood – grilled or spicy – and poultry or pork. Alcohol: 13.4%

 

Wildewood Wine Company Pinot Noir2010 Wildewood Wine Company, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon                  $19

2010 Wildewood Pinot Noir comes from a low yielding, late harvest. This resulted in a vintage of exceptional quality. In 2013 Wine Spectator gave this wine a 94. Montalieu jumped right in with this great vintage. This wine is defined by cherry, strawberry and rhubarb notes. There are hints of cinnamon and oregano. The bright fruits are balanced by slightly earthy notes. Pinot lovers will find this is an outstanding wine from a winemaker and region known for great quality. Think duck, lamb, pork and add some spices such as ginger or oregano and you will have a lovely pairing. Alcohol: 13.6%