December 2024
WINE OF THE MONTH
Every month we give a little spotlight time to a hidden treasure, a wine we think you should meet (and hopefully fall in love with). To encourage the introduction, we offer the wine at 25% OFF the bottle price for the given month.
Les Hauts de Croix de Labrie 2018 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru • Bordeaux, France • Reg $51.99 | 25% OFF = $38.99
Blend: Merlot 85%, Cabernet Franc 15%. Spicy, deep, plummy notes - red & black. Dark, rich earth. Tiny note of licorice. Super complex, but easy to like. Medium-bodied. Blackberries, blueberries, black plums, earth. Finish is long, thoughtful, and delicious with fine tannins. Needs 1-2 hours to open up. You will be rewarded. This wine is a dream for rib roast or a beef tenderloin dinner . Drink now to 10 years.
Pictured: owner/winemaker Axelle Courdurié
JENS’ TOP PICKS
Every month Portalis owner Jens Strecker picks 5-10 wines that he thinks are outstanding … for any reason he chooses. Here are his picks (not in a specific order) made with gifting and the holidays in mind.
Jean-Michel Sorrel 2020 Hermitage • Northern Rhône, France • Reg $99.99 | Mixed Case $79.99
100% Syrah from 50-70 year old vines, with some over 100 years old. Fermented on indigenous yeasts. Aged for 2 years in 4-5 year old French barrels. Aromas of black cherry, light toast, ripe blackberry. Full-bodied and fresh, great energy and length. Finishes with herbal notes and dark chocolate; grippy yet fine-grained tannins. —winery notes.
Domaine Berthier 2020 Mâcon-Chaintré • Burgundy, France • Reg $23.99 | Mixed Case $19.19
100% Chardonnay. Stainless steel aged. Mirabelle plum, stone fruits, pear & minerally smoky notes. Mâcon at its best!
Parigot & Richard NV Les Origines Crémant de Bourgogne Brut • Burgundy, France • Reg $37.99 | Mixed Case $30.39
Rich, ripe, golden apples & fresh pear with just out of the oven yeasty brioche... but energetic!! Full & mousse-y on the palate with a fun, citrusy-lime acidity on the finish. Really taste like a well-made Champagne!
Jomain Frères 2021 Mersault 'Les Tillets' • Burgundy, France • Reg $87.99 | Mixed Case $70.39
100% Chardonnay from Mersault (Côte de Beaune). “Aromas of toasted almonds and hazelnuts, combined with floral and mineral aromas are detected. Butter, honey and citrus fruits are also present. On the palate, it is rich, fat and long, with a taste of hazelnuts. It is unctuous, fresh and silky.”—winery notes. Wonderful, special wine for holidays or as a gift.
Siro Pacenti 2017 Brunello di Montalcino • Tuscany, Italy • Reg $74.99 | Mixed Case $59.99
100% Sangiovese. Aged in French oak for 24 months then bottle before release. Beautiful aromas of cherries, plums and fresh flowers with some oranges follow through to a full body with round and chewy tannins that are polished and refined for the hot 2017 vintage. Flavorful and fresh finish. Remains in check and toned. Drink in 2023 and onwards. —94 pts. / James Suckling
Darioush 2021 Shiraz • Napa Valley, California • Reg $84.99 | Mixed Case $67.99
”On the nose, a flourish of dried violet, rose hip, and bergamot aromas set the stage for densely packed fruits— blackberry compote, stewed blueberry, and juicy black plum. Hints of black licorice and pipe tobacco add intrigue to the long, enjoyable finish.” —winery notes.
Photo: winery dinner
Tranche 2020 Pape Rouge • Walla Walla Valley, Washington • Reg $45.99 | Mixed Case $36.79
Single vineyard (Blue Mountain) blend of Grenache 59%, Syrah 27%, Cinsault 10%, Mourvèdre 4%. The varietals are vinified individually then blended and aged for 22 months in oak.
Super inviting nose. Licorice. Note of fresh herbs. Blue and black fruit. Dark raspberries and black cherries. Blackberries add in on the palate. Wonderful, soft, earthy notes. Super well-balanced. Fruit, acidity, tannins are in sync. Medium- to fuller-bodied. Smooth. Beautifully managed oak. European style. The oak integrates the wine, but you don’t notice it. Drink in the next few months. Absolutely delicious. The winery suggests wood-fired truffle pizza as a pairing.
Van Duzer 2021 Pinot Noir • Williamette Valley, Oregon • Reg $39.99 | Mixed Case $31.99
Earthy with dark raspberries, black cherries, some spicy notes. Fantastic acidity. Super complex. Flavors = red & black raspberries, cherries, tag berries. Smooth. Lovely. Nice, long, spicy, fun finish. Drink this holiday season. Don't think it will get better. Delicious.
L'Ecole 2023 Luminesce • Walla Walla Valley, Washington • Reg $31.99 | Mixed Case $25.59
A Bordeaux blend (Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc) from Seven Hills Vineyard.
“Expressive aromas of stone fruit, grapefruit blossom, mango, key lime, and gooseberries accented by a delicate spiciness. On the palate, flavors of fresh peach, honeydew melon, and lemon tart mingle with exotic jasmine and minerality, building to a fresh, persistent finish.” —winery notes.
Lagar de Cervera 2022 Albariño • Rías Baixas, Spain • Reg $31.99 | Mixed Case $25.59
100% Albariño from estate plots in O Rosal and Val do Salnés. Fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks.
Aromas of white peach, dried apricot, seashells, and floral notes. Delicate, elegant, excellent structure and great acidity. Flavors include green apples, pears, citrus, white peach and lime zest. Wonderful minerality on the midpalate. Saline (salty sea air) notes on the long, fresh finish. Wonderful holiday white. Festive. Great sipper or with seafood appetizers or main dishes.
Domaine Achard-Vincent NV Clairette de Die Brut • Southern Rhône, France • Reg $24.99 | Mixed Case $19.99
From the hilly vineyards in the north of the Southern Rhône. "Dry sparkling wine made exclusively from Clairette, crafted by the méthode traditionnelle that is also used in Champagne. With refreshing citrus and a hint of honeysuckle on the nose followed by a delicious-with-anything palate, this minerally sparkler" hits the spot. –importer notes.
Terranoble 2021 Azara Carmenere • Maule Valley, Chile • Reg $22.99 | Mixed Case $18.39
Aromas of herbs and plums. Palate of blackberries, black plums. Touch of bell pepper and herbs. Smooth, luscious, mouth-coaty. Super inviting, spicy finish. Wonderful wine.
Domaine Bois de Boursan 2018 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge • Southern Rhône, France • Reg $67.99 | Mixed Case $54.39
Classic house. Terrific, crowd-pleaser red for a fancy wine. Ready to drink.
Blend = 65% Grenache Noir, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre plus other traditional varieties per the winemaker's wish. Vines are 40-80 years old. Dark fruit flavors with garrigue (traditional from the area), sort of "wild" according to the winery notes. Sounds fun to me! –Jens