Wine of the Month
2019 HACIENDA URBION CRIANZA
RIOJA, SPAIN
$16.95 BTL.
Although Vinícola Real’s owner and winemaker, Miguel Angel Rodriguez, began his wine journey in 1989 in Spain’s most celebrated wine region, La Rioja, he had a different vision for his estate: to pay tribute to the traditional viticulture model dating back to the 10th century, when around 200 priests dedicated their lives to safeguarding traditional agriculture in the Monastery of San Martín de Albelda, right where the vineyards still stand today. One of the most important cultural centers in medieval Spain, the Monastery San Martín of Albeda de Iregua held until it was destroyed with the landslide of the Salagona Crag in the year 1683.
I first met Angel Rodriguez at a dinner I attended at Lopez de Heredia estate in Haro where he was the winemaker. I have met up with him on many subsequent visits but have never been able to entice him to send any wine our way….until now. The wines produced at this estate are on par with the best in Rioja. Damn Right, we are excited!!
92 pts. – Penin Guide. There is absolutely No Way a Rioja priced at $17 should taste this amazing. The 2019 Vinicola Hacienda Urbion, from a single estate with from vines between 25-50 years, matured in a combination of barriques of different origins and aged for 13 months. It has contained ripeness, integrated alcohol, nice balance and a nice expression on the nose. It shows a lot of depth & complexity already. I think the year shows the character of the La Rioja Alta quite faithfully. It has a nice thread on the palate, velvety textured with very fine tannins.
Best Buys
2020 SAINT INNOCENT PINOT NOIR – FREEDOM HILL OR MOMTAZI VINEYARD
Willamette Valley, Oregon
$13.95 BTL. / $83.70 6-PK / $167.40 CASE
RELEASE PRICE: $50! We have known Saint Innocent’s Owner & Guru Mark Vlossak since we opened our doors. Mark is probably the only Oregon winemaker that drinks more Burgundy than Oregon Pinot & it shows in his style. We always rank his wines at the top of the Oregon Pinot Noir food chain but they are usually too expensive. Not anymore! We met with him just before the Snow & we must sadly report he has gone MAD! This offering is sooooo ridiculous that we are postponing having him committed until everyone gets a chance at it.
The adage is ‘When Opportunity Knocks’, well it is Knocking on your door with a Sledgehammer!
Freedom Hill Vineyard is located in the Coast Range just south of Dallas, OR. The soil type is known as Bellpine, which is sedimentary in origin. The fruit from is wholly Pommard clone. The vineyard was planted in 1980. Wines from this site are the firm and most structured and powerful. They have great longevity. The vineyard is owned and managed by Dan & Helen Dusschee. This is the vineyard that has the best aging potential. Exhibiting aromas of raspberries, blackberry, warm spices, wintergreen and orange zest, the 2020 Saint Innocent Freedom Hill Pinot Noir is medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with an enveloping core of cool, vibrant fruit and a rich, sensual profile. Transcending stereotypes of the vintage, it’s a beautiful bottling in the making.
Momtazi Vineyard is located in the McMinnville AVA, 7 miles west of McMinnville, Oregon. The Pinot Noir grapes for this wine come from four blocks at the top of the vineyard on a steep, exposed and windblown hillside. Planted in 1999 and 2004 on thin, poor soils, the vines have a south and SW exposure at an elevation of 680-760′. The vineyard is certified biodynamic by Demeter. Momtazi Vineyard is located high above a warm valley that lies between the mouth of the Van Duzer Corridor and the Eola-Amity Hills. Momtazi is a textural and umami-driven wine, with lovely aromas of spice, smoky earth, and dried black fruit. It is quite elegant on the mid-palate with the finish blossoming to more floral notes with hints of cocoa powder.