CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

August 06 � Worldwide Cabernet Sauvignon
August 13 � Abacela vs. Spanish �Originals�
August 20 � German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 � Wines from the Rh�ne Valley

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, July 30th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES FROM MEDITERRANEAN ISLANDS

CHEESE PLATE
We tried to find cheese from the Islands and we made it, but not necessarily from the same islands as the wines!
Mah�n Cow�s Milk Menorca
From the Mediterranean island of Menorca, this is my favorite Spanish cheese, mainly because it seems to go well with Burgundy � I�m sure it will go well with this week�s wines. The cheese has a salty tang on the finish.
Brigante Sheep�s Milk Sardinia
This sheep�s milk cheese comes from around the town of Thiesi in the north of the island. It is often called Dolce Sardo because of the sweetness of the local ewes� milk.
Halloumi Sheep�s Milk Cyprus
This is a similar cheese to Saganaki, the Greek �Flaming Cheese�, and is wonderful grilled. However it is interesting sliced in a salad.
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

At this time of the year, with the temperature going up in Oregon, lets �fly� to where breezes moderate temperatures and make life wonderful � the Islands of the Mediterranean.

1. We start on SANTORINI, that wonderful Greek island. The combination of heat plus strong winds makes for interesting wine growing conditions. ASSYRTIKO is the major white varietal, and its origin is unknown. Some think it is native to SANTORINI, or it may have arrived on the island with the Phoenicians after the volcanic eruptions of 1640 � 1620 BC. We offer this grape blended with ATHIRI in the SIGALAS 2008 SANTORINI WHITE It offers classic flowery, almost honeysuckle nose and then an underlying mineral acidity. Wonderful with kalamar�kia, either grilled or fried - $20.00
(We also have their 100% ASSYRTIKO at $24.00 and the oaked version at $28.75)

2. Next up is SARDEGNA (aka Sardinia), the Italian island to the west of LAZIO and CAMPANIA. ARGIOLAS is one of the top value/quality producers on the island and we offer their 2007 PERDERA which is a blend of the two local grapes MONICA (90%) and BOVALE di SARDO (5%) together with CARIGNAN (5%). A Matt Kramer recommendation, this wine is rated between 89 and 92 in major magazines. The wine is full-flavored and a little rustic, but offers lots of intense berry fruit - $14.50

3. We move back to SANTORINI for a RED. This island is usually thought of as a white wine producer (and Vin Santo), but ARGYROS also produces a lovely red (the first red from this island we have carried). ATLANTIS RED is a blend of 90% MANDILARIA and 10% MAVROTRAGANO. The former is a major red grape on CRETE and RHODOS (where it is known as AMORYANO). The wine is medium-full bodied with fine tannins, complex aromas of red fruit, with hints of prune and leather - $20.00

4. Moving further west we visit SPAIN�S BALEAR�C ISLANDS, and in particular the island of MALLORCA. This is one of the great �package vacation� islands for northern Europeans (Pauline and I were there in 1970s and I�m sure we would find it over-developed now). It is also home to some old wine regions. The Romans are thought to have brought viticulture to the island in about 123 AD. The industry has waxed and waned over the centuries and the modern industry dates from the 1980s. There are two Denominaci�n de Origins on the island, BINISS�LLEM-MALLORCA and PLA i LLEVANT. We will taste a wine from the former DO, the VINS NADAL 2008 ALBA FLOR TINTO. No, this wine does not taste like a used tennis ball, but is an interesting blend of the local varietal MANTO**** (75%) and 14% CABERNET SAUVIGNON and 11% MERLOT. The wine offers aromas of cherry and raspberry, and the palate is fruity with a mineral background. It is outstanding value - $14.50

5. Our final wine of the main flight comes from SICILIA. BENANTI is a producer that specializes with local varietals. We offer its 2006 ROSSODIVERZELLA (the current release) which is a blend of 80% NERELLO MASCALESE and 20% NERELLO CAPUCCIO. I�ve always liked this wine and this vintage is probably the best yet. The wine offers lots of ****y black fruit, together with something extra from the grapes being grown on the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna (at about 2500ft elevation). Not your �run-of-the-mill� red wine - $17.50
(We have a couple of bottles of the 2002 available at $16.50)

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

Our PREMIUM POUR also comes from SICILIA:

TENUTA della TERRE NERE is a property of MARC de GRAZIA, a Florentine who is very much involved with importing terrific Italian wines into the USA. The 2005 CALDERARA SOTTANA is a wine produced from grapes grown at about 800 metres on the NE slopes of Mount Etna. The wine carries an IGT ETNA ROSSO designation and is a blend of 98% NERELLO MASCALESE and 2% NERELLO CAPPUCCIO, two �native� grapes. I would not have guessed this wine, a regular winner of Due Bichieri in Gambero Rosso, came from SICILIA. The wine has the texture of a very good Burgundy, and offers lots of earthy, black fruit. If this wine came from anywhere other than SICILIA, it would cost much more! - $24.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.00/Taste or $5.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, July 31st
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. We are planning:

For the current warm weather, what is more refreshing than an un-oaked SAUVIGNON BLANC? We will pour LA PLAYA 2009 from CHILE�s COLCHAQUA VALLEY - $8.25

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com

CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

August 06 � Worldwide Cabernet Sauvignon
August 13 � Abacela vs. Spanish �Originals�
August 20 � German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 � Wines from the Rh�ne Valley

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, July 30th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES FROM MEDITERRANEAN ISLANDS

CHEESE PLATE
We tried to find cheese from the Islands and we made it, but not necessarily from the same islands as the wines!
Mah�n Cow�s Milk Menorca
From the Mediterranean island of Menorca, this is my favorite Spanish cheese, mainly because it seems to go well with Burgundy � I�m sure it will go well with this week�s wines. The cheese has a salty tang on the finish.
Brigante Sheep�s Milk Sardinia
This sheep�s milk cheese comes from around the town of Thiesi in the north of the island. It is often called Dolce Sardo because of the sweetness of the local ewes� milk.
Halloumi Sheep�s Milk Cyprus
This is a similar cheese to Saganaki, the Greek �Flaming Cheese�, and is wonderful grilled. However it is interesting sliced in a salad.
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

At this time of the year, with the temperature going up in Oregon, lets �fly� to where breezes moderate temperatures and make life wonderful � the Islands of the Mediterranean.

1. We start on SANTORINI, that wonderful Greek island. The combination of heat plus strong winds makes for interesting wine growing conditions. ASSYRTIKO is the major white varietal, and its origin is unknown. Some think it is native to SANTORINI, or it may have arrived on the island with the Phoenicians after the volcanic eruptions of 1640 � 1620 BC. We offer this grape blended with ATHIRI in the SIGALAS 2008 SANTORINI WHITE It offers classic flowery, almost honeysuckle nose and then an underlying mineral acidity. Wonderful with kalamar�kia, either grilled or fried - $20.00
(We also have their 100% ASSYRTIKO at $24.00 and the oaked version at $28.75)

2. Next up is SARDEGNA (aka Sardinia), the Italian island to the west of LAZIO and CAMPANIA. ARGIOLAS is one of the top value/quality producers on the island and we offer their 2007 PERDERA which is a blend of the two local grapes MONICA (90%) and BOVALE di SARDO (5%) together with CARIGNAN (5%). A Matt Kramer recommendation, this wine is rated between 89 and 92 in major magazines. The wine is full-flavored and a little rustic, but offers lots of intense berry fruit - $14.50

3. We move back to SANTORINI for a RED. This island is usually thought of as a white wine producer (and Vin Santo), but ARGYROS also produces a lovely red (the first red from this island we have carried). ATLANTIS RED is a blend of 90% MANDILARIA and 10% MAVROTRAGANO. The former is a major red grape on CRETE and RHODOS (where it is known as AMORYANO). The wine is medium-full bodied with fine tannins, complex aromas of red fruit, with hints of prune and leather - $20.00

4. Moving further west we visit SPAIN�S BALEAR�C ISLANDS, and in particular the island of MALLORCA. This is one of the great �package vacation� islands for northern Europeans (Pauline and I were there in 1970s and I�m sure we would find it over-developed now). It is also home to some old wine regions. The Romans are thought to have brought viticulture to the island in about 123 AD. The industry has waxed and waned over the centuries and the modern industry dates from the 1980s. There are two Denominaci�n de Origins on the island, BINISS�LLEM-MALLORCA and PLA i LLEVANT. We will taste a wine from the former DO, the VINS NADAL 2008 ALBA FLOR TINTO. No, this wine does not taste like a used tennis ball, but is an interesting blend of the local varietal MANTO**** (75%) and 14% CABERNET SAUVIGNON and 11% MERLOT. The wine offers aromas of cherry and raspberry, and the palate is fruity with a mineral background. It is outstanding value - $14.50

5. Our final wine of the main flight comes from SICILIA. BENANTI is a producer that specializes with local varietals. We offer its 2006 ROSSODIVERZELLA (the current release) which is a blend of 80% NERELLO MASCALESE and 20% NERELLO CAPUCCIO. I�ve always liked this wine and this vintage is probably the best yet. The wine offers lots of ****y black fruit, together with something extra from the grapes being grown on the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna (at about 2500ft elevation). Not your �run-of-the-mill� red wine - $17.50
(We have a couple of bottles of the 2002 available at $16.50)

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

Our PREMIUM POUR also comes from SICILIA:

TENUTA della TERRE NERE is a property of MARC de GRAZIA, a Florentine who is very much involved with importing terrific Italian wines into the USA. The 2005 CALDERARA SOTTANA is a wine produced from grapes grown at about 800 metres on the NE slopes of Mount Etna. The wine carries an IGT ETNA ROSSO designation and is a blend of 98% NERELLO MASCALESE and 2% NERELLO CAPPUCCIO, two �native� grapes. I would not have guessed this wine, a regular winner of Due Bichieri in Gambero Rosso, came from SICILIA. The wine has the texture of a very good Burgundy, and offers lots of earthy, black fruit. If this wine came from anywhere other than SICILIA, it would cost much more! - $24.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.00/Taste or $5.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, July 31st
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. We are planning:

For the current warm weather, what is more refreshing than an un-oaked SAUVIGNON BLANC? We will pour LA PLAYA 2009 from CHILE�s COLCHAQUA VALLEY - $8.25

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com
CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

August 13 � Abacela vs. Spanish �Originals�
August 20 � German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 � Wines from the Rh�ne Valley
September 03 - Zinfandel

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 6th
4:30 - 7:00pm

CABERNET SAUVIGNON from around the WORLD

CHEESE PLATE
To go with Cabernet Sauvignon we offer a selection of cow�s milk Cheddar cheese. These cheeses always form a good backdrop for red wines.
Sharp Aged 6-9 months New Zealand
Coastal Aged 15 months Dorset, England
Extra, Extra Sharp Aged 18 months New York
SAMPLER PLATE $3.00

CABERNET SAUVIGNON could be considered the signature grape of the NAPA VALLEY, and it seems to be grown all over the world. Let�s taste the diversity with wines from five countries and two different zones of one of the countries. I find it very difficult to suggest a tasting order, and so I�m taking the easy way out and listing them in price order.

1. We start in ARGENTINA and the enormous wine region of MENDOZA. TRUMPETER is the �entry-level� label of RUTINI, and its 2007 CABERNET SAUVIGNON is stunning value. I believe it is 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON, and it offers pure cassis fruit with subtle touches of oak - $8.00

2. Now we jump over the Andes to CHILE. There are many wonderful value producers in this country of great scenery and wonderful people, but I�m beginning to think it is hard to beat CHONO for quality vs. price. Their Syrah has been the winner in our last two �Syrah from around the World� tastings, and the Carmin�re is also wonderful. We offer the 2008 CABERNET SAUVIGNON from the MAIPO VALLEY. Like most CABERNET SAUVIGNONS from this country, the wine is more BORDEAUX in style than, say, WALLA WALLA style - $12.50

3. I consider BORDEAUX as the home of CABERNET SAUVIGNON, but there it is usually blended with other grapes, although some Ch�teaux approach 100% in some years, and n�gotiants bottle 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON wines. The LANGUEDOC is a source of 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNONS, and we offer LES TRAVERSES de FONTANES 2007 VIN de PAYS d�OC. This is an estate-produced wine imported by Kermit Lynch, and is more elegant and complex than one would expect from this area - $14.25

4. What would a CABERNET SAUVIGNON tasting be without something from CALIFORNIA? We will taste the GOYETTE 2007 NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON. I�m sure most of you are saying �Who is Goyette?� BOB GOYETTE was the founder of LA CREMA and then moved on to other wineries. I tasted this wine at a trade tasting and thought it was great value for NAPA VALLEY. This is Bob�s philosophy: �I keep one eye on the successful traditions of Europe, and the other closely attuned to the grapes at hand. Using my own palate as a spring-board, I determine if the wines are really appealing to drink, rather than just done in a proper manner. I keep trying to work towards the best syntheses of the New & Old World traditions, while intuitively striving for wines that appeal to connoisseurs as well as people that just like wine. To me, it's all about balance and about listening.� - $18.75

5. We return to Europe and the PENED�S region of SPAIN. MIGUEL TORRES was just about the first to plant CABERNET SAUVIGNON in the area in the 1960s, and the TORRES winery now bottles 100% CABERNET wines, together with wines where the grape is blended with TEMPRANILLO. We offer one of the latter in the form of the GRAN CORONAS 2005 RESERVA. This is a blend of 85% CABERNET SAUVIGNON and 15% TEMPRANILLO (aka ULL de LIEBRE in Catalonia), and, in the Spanish tradition, has spent a considerable time in oak. Lush and elegant, the wine shows cassis from the CABERNET, and this is intermingled with coffee bean, licorice and vanillans - $19.25

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

Our PREMIUM POUR comes from our neighbors to the north, WASHINGTON:

STEPHENSON CELLARS was a new producer to me until a couple of weeks ago. They are in WALLA WALLA but their 2006 CABERNET SAUVIGNON carries a WASHINGTON Appellation as it is a blend from three vineyards � WINDY RIDGE in HORSE HEAVEN HILLS, WOODEN ISLAND on the banks of the COLUMBIA RIVER, and INLAND DESERT in BENTON CITY. The wine shows aromas of blueberry, cassis and cedar; the palate has cassis and plum with some Bordeaux-like influences - $33.00
*With apologies to Sideways, we also have their excellent MERLOT!*

TRY THIS WINE FOR $4.00/Taste or $7.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 7th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. We are planning:

NANTAIS, the western end of the LOIRE VALLEY, is best known for MUSCADET, which is made from the MELON de BOURGOGNE grape. However there is another white grape in the area, GROS PLANT (aka FOLLE BLANCHE), which normally does not have too much charm, being very acidic. The DOMAINE de l�AIGUILLETTE 2009 GROS PLANT is lovely � although very dry, it has great fruit upfront. It is much better than most inexpensive MUSCADET - $9.25

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com

CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

August 06 � Worldwide Cabernet Sauvignon
August 13 � Abacela vs. Spanish �Originals�
August 20 � German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 � Wines from the Rh�ne Valley

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, July 30th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES FROM MEDITERRANEAN ISLANDS

CHEESE PLATE
We tried to find cheese from the Islands and we made it, but not necessarily from the same islands as the wines!
Mah�n Cow�s Milk Menorca
From the Mediterranean island of Menorca, this is my favorite Spanish cheese, mainly because it seems to go well with Burgundy � I�m sure it will go well with this week�s wines. The cheese has a salty tang on the finish.
Brigante Sheep�s Milk Sardinia
This sheep�s milk cheese comes from around the town of Thiesi in the north of the island. It is often called Dolce Sardo because of the sweetness of the local ewes� milk.
Halloumi Sheep�s Milk Cyprus
This is a similar cheese to Saganaki, the Greek �Flaming Cheese�, and is wonderful grilled. However it is interesting sliced in a salad.
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

At this time of the year, with the temperature going up in Oregon, lets �fly� to where breezes moderate temperatures and make life wonderful � the Islands of the Mediterranean.

1. We start on SANTORINI, that wonderful Greek island. The combination of heat plus strong winds makes for interesting wine growing conditions. ASSYRTIKO is the major white varietal, and its origin is unknown. Some think it is native to SANTORINI, or it may have arrived on the island with the Phoenicians after the volcanic eruptions of 1640 � 1620 BC. We offer this grape blended with ATHIRI in the SIGALAS 2008 SANTORINI WHITE It offers classic flowery, almost honeysuckle nose and then an underlying mineral acidity. Wonderful with kalamar�kia, either grilled or fried - $20.00
(We also have their 100% ASSYRTIKO at $24.00 and the oaked version at $28.75)

2. Next up is SARDEGNA (aka Sardinia), the Italian island to the west of LAZIO and CAMPANIA. ARGIOLAS is one of the top value/quality producers on the island and we offer their 2007 PERDERA which is a blend of the two local grapes MONICA (90%) and BOVALE di SARDO (5%) together with CARIGNAN (5%). A Matt Kramer recommendation, this wine is rated between 89 and 92 in major magazines. The wine is full-flavored and a little rustic, but offers lots of intense berry fruit - $14.50

3. We move back to SANTORINI for a RED. This island is usually thought of as a white wine producer (and Vin Santo), but ARGYROS also produces a lovely red (the first red from this island we have carried). ATLANTIS RED is a blend of 90% MANDILARIA and 10% MAVROTRAGANO. The former is a major red grape on CRETE and RHODOS (where it is known as AMORYANO). The wine is medium-full bodied with fine tannins, complex aromas of red fruit, with hints of prune and leather - $20.00

4. Moving further west we visit SPAIN�S BALEAR�C ISLANDS, and in particular the island of MALLORCA. This is one of the great �package vacation� islands for northern Europeans (Pauline and I were there in 1970s and I�m sure we would find it over-developed now). It is also home to some old wine regions. The Romans are thought to have brought viticulture to the island in about 123 AD. The industry has waxed and waned over the centuries and the modern industry dates from the 1980s. There are two Denominaci�n de Origins on the island, BINISS�LLEM-MALLORCA and PLA i LLEVANT. We will taste a wine from the former DO, the VINS NADAL 2008 ALBA FLOR TINTO. No, this wine does not taste like a used tennis ball, but is an interesting blend of the local varietal MANTO**** (75%) and 14% CABERNET SAUVIGNON and 11% MERLOT. The wine offers aromas of cherry and raspberry, and the palate is fruity with a mineral background. It is outstanding value - $14.50

5. Our final wine of the main flight comes from SICILIA. BENANTI is a producer that specializes with local varietals. We offer its 2006 ROSSODIVERZELLA (the current release) which is a blend of 80% NERELLO MASCALESE and 20% NERELLO CAPUCCIO. I�ve always liked this wine and this vintage is probably the best yet. The wine offers lots of ****y black fruit, together with something extra from the grapes being grown on the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna (at about 2500ft elevation). Not your �run-of-the-mill� red wine - $17.50
(We have a couple of bottles of the 2002 available at $16.50)

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

Our PREMIUM POUR also comes from SICILIA:

TENUTA della TERRE NERE is a property of MARC de GRAZIA, a Florentine who is very much involved with importing terrific Italian wines into the USA. The 2005 CALDERARA SOTTANA is a wine produced from grapes grown at about 800 metres on the NE slopes of Mount Etna. The wine carries an IGT ETNA ROSSO designation and is a blend of 98% NERELLO MASCALESE and 2% NERELLO CAPPUCCIO, two �native� grapes. I would not have guessed this wine, a regular winner of Due Bichieri in Gambero Rosso, came from SICILIA. The wine has the texture of a very good Burgundy, and offers lots of earthy, black fruit. If this wine came from anywhere other than SICILIA, it would cost much more! - $24.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.00/Taste or $5.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, July 31st
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. We are planning:

For the current warm weather, what is more refreshing than an un-oaked SAUVIGNON BLANC? We will pour LA PLAYA 2009 from CHILE�s COLCHAQUA VALLEY - $8.25

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com
CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

August 13 � Abacela vs. Spanish �Originals�
August 20 � German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 � Wines from the Rh�ne Valley
September 03 - Zinfandel

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 6th
4:30 - 7:00pm

CABERNET SAUVIGNON from around the WORLD

CHEESE PLATE
To go with Cabernet Sauvignon we offer a selection of cow�s milk Cheddar cheese. These cheeses always form a good backdrop for red wines.
Sharp Aged 6-9 months New Zealand
Coastal Aged 15 months Dorset, England
Extra, Extra Sharp Aged 18 months New York
SAMPLER PLATE $3.00

CABERNET SAUVIGNON could be considered the signature grape of the NAPA VALLEY, and it seems to be grown all over the world. Let�s taste the diversity with wines from five countries and two different zones of one of the countries. I find it very difficult to suggest a tasting order, and so I�m taking the easy way out and listing them in price order.

1. We start in ARGENTINA and the enormous wine region of MENDOZA. TRUMPETER is the �entry-level� label of RUTINI, and its 2007 CABERNET SAUVIGNON is stunning value. I believe it is 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON, and it offers pure cassis fruit with subtle touches of oak - $8.00

2. Now we jump over the Andes to CHILE. There are many wonderful value producers in this country of great scenery and wonderful people, but I�m beginning to think it is hard to beat CHONO for quality vs. price. Their Syrah has been the winner in our last two �Syrah from around the World� tastings, and the Carmin�re is also wonderful. We offer the 2008 CABERNET SAUVIGNON from the MAIPO VALLEY. Like most CABERNET SAUVIGNONS from this country, the wine is more BORDEAUX in style than, say, WALLA WALLA style - $12.50

3. I consider BORDEAUX as the home of CABERNET SAUVIGNON, but there it is usually blended with other grapes, although some Ch�teaux approach 100% in some years, and n�gotiants bottle 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON wines. The LANGUEDOC is a source of 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNONS, and we offer LES TRAVERSES de FONTANES 2007 VIN de PAYS d�OC. This is an estate-produced wine imported by Kermit Lynch, and is more elegant and complex than one would expect from this area - $14.25

4. What would a CABERNET SAUVIGNON tasting be without something from CALIFORNIA? We will taste the GOYETTE 2007 NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON. I�m sure most of you are saying �Who is Goyette?� BOB GOYETTE was the founder of LA CREMA and then moved on to other wineries. I tasted this wine at a trade tasting and thought it was great value for NAPA VALLEY. This is Bob�s philosophy: �I keep one eye on the successful traditions of Europe, and the other closely attuned to the grapes at hand. Using my own palate as a spring-board, I determine if the wines are really appealing to drink, rather than just done in a proper manner. I keep trying to work towards the best syntheses of the New & Old World traditions, while intuitively striving for wines that appeal to connoisseurs as well as people that just like wine. To me, it's all about balance and about listening.� - $18.75

5. We return to Europe and the PENED�S region of SPAIN. MIGUEL TORRES was just about the first to plant CABERNET SAUVIGNON in the area in the 1960s, and the TORRES winery now bottles 100% CABERNET wines, together with wines where the grape is blended with TEMPRANILLO. We offer one of the latter in the form of the GRAN CORONAS 2005 RESERVA. This is a blend of 85% CABERNET SAUVIGNON and 15% TEMPRANILLO (aka ULL de LIEBRE in Catalonia), and, in the Spanish tradition, has spent a considerable time in oak. Lush and elegant, the wine shows cassis from the CABERNET, and this is intermingled with coffee bean, licorice and vanillans - $19.25

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

Our PREMIUM POUR comes from our neighbors to the north, WASHINGTON:

STEPHENSON CELLARS was a new producer to me until a couple of weeks ago. They are in WALLA WALLA but their 2006 CABERNET SAUVIGNON carries a WASHINGTON Appellation as it is a blend from three vineyards � WINDY RIDGE in HORSE HEAVEN HILLS, WOODEN ISLAND on the banks of the COLUMBIA RIVER, and INLAND DESERT in BENTON CITY. The wine shows aromas of blueberry, cassis and cedar; the palate has cassis and plum with some Bordeaux-like influences - $33.00
*With apologies to Sideways, we also have their excellent MERLOT!*

TRY THIS WINE FOR $4.00/Taste or $7.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 7th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. We are planning:

NANTAIS, the western end of the LOIRE VALLEY, is best known for MUSCADET, which is made from the MELON de BOURGOGNE grape. However there is another white grape in the area, GROS PLANT (aka FOLLE BLANCHE), which normally does not have too much charm, being very acidic. The DOMAINE de l�AIGUILLETTE 2009 GROS PLANT is lovely � although very dry, it has great fruit upfront. It is much better than most inexpensive MUSCADET - $9.25

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I’ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on “Site Index” and then “Electronic Newsletter”. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click “Remove”. Thank you.

August 20 – German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 – Wines from the Rhône Valley
September 03 – Zinfandel
September 10 – Burgundy

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 13th
4:30 - 7:00pm

ABACELA vs. SPANISH “ORIGINALS”

CHEESE PLATE
To go with our Spanish wines and Abacela wines from Spanish grapes, we offer a selection of Spanish cheese:
Ibérico Cow/Goat/Sheep’s Milk Central Plains
Over 50% of Spanish cheese production is from a blend of milks, and this cheese’s name comes from a style of cheese produced all over the Iberian peninsular. This one comes from the Central Plains and shows mild acid from cow’s milk, the deeper flavor of sheep’s milk, and the finishing tang of goat’s milk. In theory this should be the best match to Tempranillo.
Campo de Montalbán Cow/Goat/Sheep’s Milk La Mancha
This cheese resembles Manchego in texture and appearance, and until 1985 it was in fact considered a Manchego. Campo de Montalbán is distinguished by its three milk blend, while Manchego contains only sheep's milk. The flavor is also similar to Manchego. However, as with Ibérico, the characters of all three milks are noticeable in Campo de Montalbán.
Manchego Sheep’s Milk La Mancha
From the land of Don Quixote, this is probably Spain’s most famous cheese. It is aged in grass molds for at least two months, giving it after notes of dry hay. A great match to many wines from dry sherry to rich reds.
SAMPLER PLATE $4.00

I always admire winery owners who have a vision to do something different, and succeed in making good wines that are interesting and start new trends. Earl and Hilda Jones, who founded ABACELA, had a belief that an area near Roseburg would be ideal for several Spanish varietals. Their wines are very good, and we’ve seen a mini-explosion of TEMPRANILLO in Oregon. All their wines are quality wines, and they are using only Estate fruit, or fruit from vineyards they manage. The Claret is being discontinued, as they do not grow Cabernet Sauvignon.

Last month, on our way to Ashland, Pauline and I visited ABACELA and had a great time. Linda, in charge of the tasting room, was charming and knowledgeable - and very generous with her pours. The current Tasting Room is small, and must become “cozy” on a busy weekend. An expanded winery and tasting room is under construction. If you have not visited this winery, plan to do so.


We had a picnic lunch at the winery:


Pauline contemplates world distances:


For this tasting we will compare two wines made from three Spanish varietals – one from Spain and one made from ABACELA.

Our first grape is ALBARIÑO:

1. From ABACELA we will taste their 2009 UMPQUA VALLEY. I watched the development of this grape at ABACELA and thought the 2008 was good, but the 2009 hit the mark, offering a wine as complex as its Spanish ancestors, and very competitive in price. It is the first vintage we have carried in the shop - $18.50

2. Most SPANISH ALBARINOS I really enjoy are north of $20.00/bottle, but I found one at <$20 for this tasting. BODEGAS LA CANA is a joint venture of the GIL FAMILY JUMILLA and importer JORGE ORDONEZ. The wine, of course, comes from RIAS BAIXAS in GALICIA, and the 2008 was rated “Outstanding” in the Wine Advocate. While not as complex as the great ALBARINOS from DO FERREIRO, the LA CANA is excellent - $18.00
(We have the 2007 DO FERREIRO in stock at $24.00)

The Second Grape is TEMPRANILLO, the grape that made ABACELA’S name:

3. We wanted to pour ABACELA’s 2007 McCORQUODALE VINEYARD which we tasted at the winery, but it appears this limited wine is “tasting room only” for the time being. This is their neighbor and they manage the vineyard. Instead we offer the 2007 CUVÉE which is a blend of 85% ESTATE FRUIT with the rest coming from the McCORQUODALE and DEFINO VINEYARDS. I was not fond of the early CUVÉE releases, but as the vines achieved some age, this wine is the bargain TEMPRANILLO from this producer - $20.00
(We also have the 2006 ESTATE at $36.00)

4. From SPAIN we offer IZARDI 2005 CRIANZA. This wine is 100% TEMPRANILLO from the RIOJA region, and was aged in American oak barrels. While very traditional in the use of American oak, this wine is much more fruit forward for traditional RIOJA, and I thought would be a good comparison to ABACELA - $18.00

Our Third Grape is GARNACHA:

While the French may think they “invented” GRENACHE, it appears the grape originates in SPAIN under the name GARNACHA.

5. From ABACELA we will taste their 2008 UMPQUA VALLEY. At the winery, Pauline was a bigger fan of this wine than I was. Maybe it was because it really has a “sense of place”, as it was not Spanish or French – and as a European, I too often tend to compare wines with the “originals”. At the moment my favorite OREGON GRENACHE/GARNACHA is COWHORN’S from the APPLEGATE VALLEY. Let’s find out what our customers think! - $22.50

6. From SPAIN it was difficult to choose what to use, mainly because most of the wines are much cheaper than the ABACELA wine, so we decided to pour a GARNACHA which approaches the ABACELA in price, but is somewhat atypical. JOAN d’ANGUERA has been a family-run winery since 1820 and is now run by a sister and brother team of Joan and Josep. Their 2009 GARNATXA is from MONTSANT. MONTSANT is in Catalonia, hence the spelling of the grape GARNACHA. This is their “entry level” red, and is fermented and aged in concrete tanks. It is one of the purest interpretations of the GARNACHA grape I’ve ever tasted - $19.00

TRY THESE SIX WINES FOR $12.00

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 14th
Noon – 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. As it is supposed to be over 90˚, we are planning:

Red wine drinkers need a great ROSÉ in hot weather. Pauline and I tend to believe the best of these wines come from the SOUTH of FRANCE, but this week I tried what I think is the greatest ROSÉ I’ve tasted from the USA – and it is from OREGON. COWHORN is in SOUTHERN OREGON’S APPLEGATE VALLEY and all their vineyards are biodynamically farmed (Demeter certified). Their 2009 GRENACHE ROSÉ is almost 100% GRENACHE but includes a tiny bit of VIOGNIER. I’d have guessed it was from PROVENCE, and even though not inexpensive for a ROSÉ, I think it is great value - $18.00

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com

CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

August 06 � Worldwide Cabernet Sauvignon
August 13 � Abacela vs. Spanish �Originals�
August 20 � German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 � Wines from the Rh�ne Valley

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, July 30th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES FROM MEDITERRANEAN ISLANDS

CHEESE PLATE
We tried to find cheese from the Islands and we made it, but not necessarily from the same islands as the wines!
Mah�n Cow�s Milk Menorca
From the Mediterranean island of Menorca, this is my favorite Spanish cheese, mainly because it seems to go well with Burgundy � I�m sure it will go well with this week�s wines. The cheese has a salty tang on the finish.
Brigante Sheep�s Milk Sardinia
This sheep�s milk cheese comes from around the town of Thiesi in the north of the island. It is often called Dolce Sardo because of the sweetness of the local ewes� milk.
Halloumi Sheep�s Milk Cyprus
This is a similar cheese to Saganaki, the Greek �Flaming Cheese�, and is wonderful grilled. However it is interesting sliced in a salad.
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

At this time of the year, with the temperature going up in Oregon, lets �fly� to where breezes moderate temperatures and make life wonderful � the Islands of the Mediterranean.

1. We start on SANTORINI, that wonderful Greek island. The combination of heat plus strong winds makes for interesting wine growing conditions. ASSYRTIKO is the major white varietal, and its origin is unknown. Some think it is native to SANTORINI, or it may have arrived on the island with the Phoenicians after the volcanic eruptions of 1640 � 1620 BC. We offer this grape blended with ATHIRI in the SIGALAS 2008 SANTORINI WHITE It offers classic flowery, almost honeysuckle nose and then an underlying mineral acidity. Wonderful with kalamar�kia, either grilled or fried - $20.00
(We also have their 100% ASSYRTIKO at $24.00 and the oaked version at $28.75)

2. Next up is SARDEGNA (aka Sardinia), the Italian island to the west of LAZIO and CAMPANIA. ARGIOLAS is one of the top value/quality producers on the island and we offer their 2007 PERDERA which is a blend of the two local grapes MONICA (90%) and BOVALE di SARDO (5%) together with CARIGNAN (5%). A Matt Kramer recommendation, this wine is rated between 89 and 92 in major magazines. The wine is full-flavored and a little rustic, but offers lots of intense berry fruit - $14.50

3. We move back to SANTORINI for a RED. This island is usually thought of as a white wine producer (and Vin Santo), but ARGYROS also produces a lovely red (the first red from this island we have carried). ATLANTIS RED is a blend of 90% MANDILARIA and 10% MAVROTRAGANO. The former is a major red grape on CRETE and RHODOS (where it is known as AMORYANO). The wine is medium-full bodied with fine tannins, complex aromas of red fruit, with hints of prune and leather - $20.00

4. Moving further west we visit SPAIN�S BALEAR�C ISLANDS, and in particular the island of MALLORCA. This is one of the great �package vacation� islands for northern Europeans (Pauline and I were there in 1970s and I�m sure we would find it over-developed now). It is also home to some old wine regions. The Romans are thought to have brought viticulture to the island in about 123 AD. The industry has waxed and waned over the centuries and the modern industry dates from the 1980s. There are two Denominaci�n de Origins on the island, BINISS�LLEM-MALLORCA and PLA i LLEVANT. We will taste a wine from the former DO, the VINS NADAL 2008 ALBA FLOR TINTO. No, this wine does not taste like a used tennis ball, but is an interesting blend of the local varietal MANTO**** (75%) and 14% CABERNET SAUVIGNON and 11% MERLOT. The wine offers aromas of cherry and raspberry, and the palate is fruity with a mineral background. It is outstanding value - $14.50

5. Our final wine of the main flight comes from SICILIA. BENANTI is a producer that specializes with local varietals. We offer its 2006 ROSSODIVERZELLA (the current release) which is a blend of 80% NERELLO MASCALESE and 20% NERELLO CAPUCCIO. I�ve always liked this wine and this vintage is probably the best yet. The wine offers lots of ****y black fruit, together with something extra from the grapes being grown on the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna (at about 2500ft elevation). Not your �run-of-the-mill� red wine - $17.50
(We have a couple of bottles of the 2002 available at $16.50)

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

Our PREMIUM POUR also comes from SICILIA:

TENUTA della TERRE NERE is a property of MARC de GRAZIA, a Florentine who is very much involved with importing terrific Italian wines into the USA. The 2005 CALDERARA SOTTANA is a wine produced from grapes grown at about 800 metres on the NE slopes of Mount Etna. The wine carries an IGT ETNA ROSSO designation and is a blend of 98% NERELLO MASCALESE and 2% NERELLO CAPPUCCIO, two �native� grapes. I would not have guessed this wine, a regular winner of Due Bichieri in Gambero Rosso, came from SICILIA. The wine has the texture of a very good Burgundy, and offers lots of earthy, black fruit. If this wine came from anywhere other than SICILIA, it would cost much more! - $24.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.00/Taste or $5.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, July 31st
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. We are planning:

For the current warm weather, what is more refreshing than an un-oaked SAUVIGNON BLANC? We will pour LA PLAYA 2009 from CHILE�s COLCHAQUA VALLEY - $8.25

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com
CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

August 13 � Abacela vs. Spanish �Originals�
August 20 � German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 � Wines from the Rh�ne Valley
September 03 - Zinfandel

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 6th
4:30 - 7:00pm

CABERNET SAUVIGNON from around the WORLD

CHEESE PLATE
To go with Cabernet Sauvignon we offer a selection of cow�s milk Cheddar cheese. These cheeses always form a good backdrop for red wines.
Sharp Aged 6-9 months New Zealand
Coastal Aged 15 months Dorset, England
Extra, Extra Sharp Aged 18 months New York
SAMPLER PLATE $3.00

CABERNET SAUVIGNON could be considered the signature grape of the NAPA VALLEY, and it seems to be grown all over the world. Let�s taste the diversity with wines from five countries and two different zones of one of the countries. I find it very difficult to suggest a tasting order, and so I�m taking the easy way out and listing them in price order.

1. We start in ARGENTINA and the enormous wine region of MENDOZA. TRUMPETER is the �entry-level� label of RUTINI, and its 2007 CABERNET SAUVIGNON is stunning value. I believe it is 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON, and it offers pure cassis fruit with subtle touches of oak - $8.00

2. Now we jump over the Andes to CHILE. There are many wonderful value producers in this country of great scenery and wonderful people, but I�m beginning to think it is hard to beat CHONO for quality vs. price. Their Syrah has been the winner in our last two �Syrah from around the World� tastings, and the Carmin�re is also wonderful. We offer the 2008 CABERNET SAUVIGNON from the MAIPO VALLEY. Like most CABERNET SAUVIGNONS from this country, the wine is more BORDEAUX in style than, say, WALLA WALLA style - $12.50

3. I consider BORDEAUX as the home of CABERNET SAUVIGNON, but there it is usually blended with other grapes, although some Ch�teaux approach 100% in some years, and n�gotiants bottle 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON wines. The LANGUEDOC is a source of 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNONS, and we offer LES TRAVERSES de FONTANES 2007 VIN de PAYS d�OC. This is an estate-produced wine imported by Kermit Lynch, and is more elegant and complex than one would expect from this area - $14.25

4. What would a CABERNET SAUVIGNON tasting be without something from CALIFORNIA? We will taste the GOYETTE 2007 NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON. I�m sure most of you are saying �Who is Goyette?� BOB GOYETTE was the founder of LA CREMA and then moved on to other wineries. I tasted this wine at a trade tasting and thought it was great value for NAPA VALLEY. This is Bob�s philosophy: �I keep one eye on the successful traditions of Europe, and the other closely attuned to the grapes at hand. Using my own palate as a spring-board, I determine if the wines are really appealing to drink, rather than just done in a proper manner. I keep trying to work towards the best syntheses of the New & Old World traditions, while intuitively striving for wines that appeal to connoisseurs as well as people that just like wine. To me, it's all about balance and about listening.� - $18.75

5. We return to Europe and the PENED�S region of SPAIN. MIGUEL TORRES was just about the first to plant CABERNET SAUVIGNON in the area in the 1960s, and the TORRES winery now bottles 100% CABERNET wines, together with wines where the grape is blended with TEMPRANILLO. We offer one of the latter in the form of the GRAN CORONAS 2005 RESERVA. This is a blend of 85% CABERNET SAUVIGNON and 15% TEMPRANILLO (aka ULL de LIEBRE in Catalonia), and, in the Spanish tradition, has spent a considerable time in oak. Lush and elegant, the wine shows cassis from the CABERNET, and this is intermingled with coffee bean, licorice and vanillans - $19.25

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

Our PREMIUM POUR comes from our neighbors to the north, WASHINGTON:

STEPHENSON CELLARS was a new producer to me until a couple of weeks ago. They are in WALLA WALLA but their 2006 CABERNET SAUVIGNON carries a WASHINGTON Appellation as it is a blend from three vineyards � WINDY RIDGE in HORSE HEAVEN HILLS, WOODEN ISLAND on the banks of the COLUMBIA RIVER, and INLAND DESERT in BENTON CITY. The wine shows aromas of blueberry, cassis and cedar; the palate has cassis and plum with some Bordeaux-like influences - $33.00
*With apologies to Sideways, we also have their excellent MERLOT!*

TRY THIS WINE FOR $4.00/Taste or $7.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 7th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. We are planning:

NANTAIS, the western end of the LOIRE VALLEY, is best known for MUSCADET, which is made from the MELON de BOURGOGNE grape. However there is another white grape in the area, GROS PLANT (aka FOLLE BLANCHE), which normally does not have too much charm, being very acidic. The DOMAINE de l�AIGUILLETTE 2009 GROS PLANT is lovely � although very dry, it has great fruit upfront. It is much better than most inexpensive MUSCADET - $9.25

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I’ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on “Site Index” and then “Electronic Newsletter”. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click “Remove”. Thank you.

August 20 – German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 – Wines from the Rhône Valley
September 03 – Zinfandel
September 10 – Burgundy

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 13th
4:30 - 7:00pm

ABACELA vs. SPANISH “ORIGINALS”

CHEESE PLATE
To go with our Spanish wines and Abacela wines from Spanish grapes, we offer a selection of Spanish cheese:
Ibérico Cow/Goat/Sheep’s Milk Central Plains
Over 50% of Spanish cheese production is from a blend of milks, and this cheese’s name comes from a style of cheese produced all over the Iberian peninsular. This one comes from the Central Plains and shows mild acid from cow’s milk, the deeper flavor of sheep’s milk, and the finishing tang of goat’s milk. In theory this should be the best match to Tempranillo.
Campo de Montalbán Cow/Goat/Sheep’s Milk La Mancha
This cheese resembles Manchego in texture and appearance, and until 1985 it was in fact considered a Manchego. Campo de Montalbán is distinguished by its three milk blend, while Manchego contains only sheep's milk. The flavor is also similar to Manchego. However, as with Ibérico, the characters of all three milks are noticeable in Campo de Montalbán.
Manchego Sheep’s Milk La Mancha
From the land of Don Quixote, this is probably Spain’s most famous cheese. It is aged in grass molds for at least two months, giving it after notes of dry hay. A great match to many wines from dry sherry to rich reds.
SAMPLER PLATE $4.00

I always admire winery owners who have a vision to do something different, and succeed in making good wines that are interesting and start new trends. Earl and Hilda Jones, who founded ABACELA, had a belief that an area near Roseburg would be ideal for several Spanish varietals. Their wines are very good, and we’ve seen a mini-explosion of TEMPRANILLO in Oregon. All their wines are quality wines, and they are using only Estate fruit, or fruit from vineyards they manage. The Claret is being discontinued, as they do not grow Cabernet Sauvignon.

Last month, on our way to Ashland, Pauline and I visited ABACELA and had a great time. Linda, in charge of the tasting room, was charming and knowledgeable - and very generous with her pours. The current Tasting Room is small, and must become “cozy” on a busy weekend. An expanded winery and tasting room is under construction. If you have not visited this winery, plan to do so.


We had a picnic lunch at the winery:


Pauline contemplates world distances:


For this tasting we will compare two wines made from three Spanish varietals – one from Spain and one made from ABACELA.

Our first grape is ALBARIÑO:

1. From ABACELA we will taste their 2009 UMPQUA VALLEY. I watched the development of this grape at ABACELA and thought the 2008 was good, but the 2009 hit the mark, offering a wine as complex as its Spanish ancestors, and very competitive in price. It is the first vintage we have carried in the shop - $18.50

2. Most SPANISH ALBARINOS I really enjoy are north of $20.00/bottle, but I found one at <$20 for this tasting. BODEGAS LA CANA is a joint venture of the GIL FAMILY JUMILLA and importer JORGE ORDONEZ. The wine, of course, comes from RIAS BAIXAS in GALICIA, and the 2008 was rated “Outstanding” in the Wine Advocate. While not as complex as the great ALBARINOS from DO FERREIRO, the LA CANA is excellent - $18.00
(We have the 2007 DO FERREIRO in stock at $24.00)

The Second Grape is TEMPRANILLO, the grape that made ABACELA’S name:

3. We wanted to pour ABACELA’s 2007 McCORQUODALE VINEYARD which we tasted at the winery, but it appears this limited wine is “tasting room only” for the time being. This is their neighbor and they manage the vineyard. Instead we offer the 2007 CUVÉE which is a blend of 85% ESTATE FRUIT with the rest coming from the McCORQUODALE and DEFINO VINEYARDS. I was not fond of the early CUVÉE releases, but as the vines achieved some age, this wine is the bargain TEMPRANILLO from this producer - $20.00
(We also have the 2006 ESTATE at $36.00)

4. From SPAIN we offer IZARDI 2005 CRIANZA. This wine is 100% TEMPRANILLO from the RIOJA region, and was aged in American oak barrels. While very traditional in the use of American oak, this wine is much more fruit forward for traditional RIOJA, and I thought would be a good comparison to ABACELA - $18.00

Our Third Grape is GARNACHA:

While the French may think they “invented” GRENACHE, it appears the grape originates in SPAIN under the name GARNACHA.

5. From ABACELA we will taste their 2008 UMPQUA VALLEY. At the winery, Pauline was a bigger fan of this wine than I was. Maybe it was because it really has a “sense of place”, as it was not Spanish or French – and as a European, I too often tend to compare wines with the “originals”. At the moment my favorite OREGON GRENACHE/GARNACHA is COWHORN’S from the APPLEGATE VALLEY. Let’s find out what our customers think! - $22.50

6. From SPAIN it was difficult to choose what to use, mainly because most of the wines are much cheaper than the ABACELA wine, so we decided to pour a GARNACHA which approaches the ABACELA in price, but is somewhat atypical. JOAN d’ANGUERA has been a family-run winery since 1820 and is now run by a sister and brother team of Joan and Josep. Their 2009 GARNATXA is from MONTSANT. MONTSANT is in Catalonia, hence the spelling of the grape GARNACHA. This is their “entry level” red, and is fermented and aged in concrete tanks. It is one of the purest interpretations of the GARNACHA grape I’ve ever tasted - $19.00

TRY THESE SIX WINES FOR $12.00

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 14th
Noon – 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. As it is supposed to be over 90˚, we are planning:

Red wine drinkers need a great ROSÉ in hot weather. Pauline and I tend to believe the best of these wines come from the SOUTH of FRANCE, but this week I tried what I think is the greatest ROSÉ I’ve tasted from the USA – and it is from OREGON. COWHORN is in SOUTHERN OREGON’S APPLEGATE VALLEY and all their vineyards are biodynamically farmed (Demeter certified). Their 2009 GRENACHE ROSÉ is almost 100% GRENACHE but includes a tiny bit of VIOGNIER. I’d have guessed it was from PROVENCE, and even though not inexpensive for a ROSÉ, I think it is great value - $18.00

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I’ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on “Site Index” and then “Electronic Newsletter”. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click “Remove”. Thank you.

August 27 – Wines from the Rhône Valley
September 03 – Zinfandel
September 10 – Burgundy

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 20th
4:30 - 7:00pm

AUSTRIAN and GERMAN REDS

CHEESE PLATE
We’ve only fond one German cheese so far (other than Limberger), and none from Austria. Hopefully, by Friday, we will have something put together!
SAMPLER PLATE $??.00

We know most of you do not think about red wines when you consider Austria and Germany as these countries are famous mainly for Grüner Veltliner and Riesling whites. However, both countries make some interesting reds, usually from grapes grown in very few other countries. These wines are ideal summer reds, and some are even better when served slightly chilled (not refrigerator temperature, but at about 60˚F). We hope many of you come to try these interesting, but rarely poured, wines.

1. We start in Germany with a grape called DORNFELDER. This a crossing of a crossing between several German varietals, and Jancis Robinson said in her book Vines, Grapes and Wines “Dornfelder demonstrates most eloquently the advantages of the German approach to plant breeding”. We will taste the ANDREAS DIEHL 2009 DORNFELDER from the PFALZ region. This is the sunniest and driest part of Germany, and so should be the best area for red grapes. This DORNFELDER is very fruity in style with a touch of residual sugar. It is an ideal hot weather red. This is a review I found on-line: “Strawberries and cherries are all over the nose, and you can tell that this wine is full of fruit. The wine is sweet on the palate, right out of the gate. However, it’s still clean, and on the lighter side for a sweetish wine. There is a bit of acid, but almost no tannic structure until very, very late on the palate. Dark cherries and strawberries dominate the experience” - $13.50

2. Next up is SPÄTBURGUNDER, aka PINOT NOIR. I’ve tasted some lovely such wines from GERMANY, but the prices are usually too high to make sense. We have carried a few reasonably priced ones from the PFALZ, and this week we offer one from RHEINHESSEN, which is just to the north of the PFALZ. The wine is from the 2007 vintage and is called UNDONE. Produced by the VALCKENBERG GROUP and bottled with a screw cap, the wine is unoaked and unmanipulated – this is the reason for the name as the grapes are “undone” to show their natural charms (just wait until you see the label). K & L Wines of San Francisco say on their web site “It is the fresh, light and juicy wine for those of us who don’t like our Pinot Noir to look and taste like Syrah. The wine is delicate and pure, medium bodied and full of wild strawberry, cherry and raspberry aromas with just a subtle hint of spice in the finish”. It will take a slight chill - $12.50

3. I recently attended an Austrian Trade Tasting and liked most of the wines. However Austrian wines have a price problem in the USA. In fact the country has the highest price per bottle of all European countries who export to the USA. We start with the grape BLAUFRÄNKISCH, which in Germany is often called LEMBERGER. We will taste the NECKENMARKT 2008 CLASSIC “FRANK” from MITTELBURGENLAND. The wine has ripe red-black fruit with a touch of spice and moderate tannins. Someone described it as the wine you would get if you mixed Dolcetto with a Cru Beaujolais – I think she is right! - $16.00

4. We stay in the BURGENLAND and taste a blend from the HEINRICH winery. In a very honest fashion they just call it the 2008 RED. It is a blend of 50% MERLOT, 30% ZWEIGELT and 20% BLAUFRÄNKISCH. On the nose all I could sense was the MERLOT, but this is one of those wines where the nose can be misleading. The palate has lots of spice and a certain earthiness, and the finish is very long. A fascinating wine - $19.50

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we stay with the HEINRICH winery in BURGENLAND:

When Pauline and I did our OKANAGAN trip in 2007 we were surprised by how good the ZWEIGELT from ARROWLEAF winery was as we did not know any North American winery grew this red grape. This week we offer one of the best ZWEIGELTS from AUSTRIA when one takes price into account. ZWEIGELT is a crossing of BLAUFRÄNKISCH and ST-LAURENT. I tried to find a ST-LAURENT for the tasting as this grape is supposed to be a close cousin to PINOT NOIR, but the local distributors do not seem keen on it. This ZWEIGELT has a lovely nose of ripe cherries and violets – almost too good to drink! The palate is much richer with dark fruit and touches of liquorice and chocolate. Fantastic value - $27.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.00/Taste or $5.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 21st
Noon – 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. Despite the cooler weather, I’d love you to try this rosé

Red wine drinkers need a great ROSÉ in the summer. Pauline and I tend to believe the best of these wines come from the SOUTH of FRANCE, but recently I tried what I think is the greatest ROSÉ I’ve tasted from the USA – and it is from OREGON. COWHORN is in SOUTHERN OREGON’S APPLEGATE VALLEY and all their vineyards are biodynamically farmed (Demeter certified). Their 2009 GRENACHE ROSÉ is almost 100% GRENACHE but includes a tiny bit of VIOGNIER. I’d have guessed it was from PROVENCE, and even though not inexpensive for a ROSÉ, I think it is great value - $18.00

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com

CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

August 06 � Worldwide Cabernet Sauvignon
August 13 � Abacela vs. Spanish �Originals�
August 20 � German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 � Wines from the Rh�ne Valley

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, July 30th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES FROM MEDITERRANEAN ISLANDS

CHEESE PLATE
We tried to find cheese from the Islands and we made it, but not necessarily from the same islands as the wines!
Mah�n Cow�s Milk Menorca
From the Mediterranean island of Menorca, this is my favorite Spanish cheese, mainly because it seems to go well with Burgundy � I�m sure it will go well with this week�s wines. The cheese has a salty tang on the finish.
Brigante Sheep�s Milk Sardinia
This sheep�s milk cheese comes from around the town of Thiesi in the north of the island. It is often called Dolce Sardo because of the sweetness of the local ewes� milk.
Halloumi Sheep�s Milk Cyprus
This is a similar cheese to Saganaki, the Greek �Flaming Cheese�, and is wonderful grilled. However it is interesting sliced in a salad.
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

At this time of the year, with the temperature going up in Oregon, lets �fly� to where breezes moderate temperatures and make life wonderful � the Islands of the Mediterranean.

1. We start on SANTORINI, that wonderful Greek island. The combination of heat plus strong winds makes for interesting wine growing conditions. ASSYRTIKO is the major white varietal, and its origin is unknown. Some think it is native to SANTORINI, or it may have arrived on the island with the Phoenicians after the volcanic eruptions of 1640 � 1620 BC. We offer this grape blended with ATHIRI in the SIGALAS 2008 SANTORINI WHITE It offers classic flowery, almost honeysuckle nose and then an underlying mineral acidity. Wonderful with kalamar�kia, either grilled or fried - $20.00
(We also have their 100% ASSYRTIKO at $24.00 and the oaked version at $28.75)

2. Next up is SARDEGNA (aka Sardinia), the Italian island to the west of LAZIO and CAMPANIA. ARGIOLAS is one of the top value/quality producers on the island and we offer their 2007 PERDERA which is a blend of the two local grapes MONICA (90%) and BOVALE di SARDO (5%) together with CARIGNAN (5%). A Matt Kramer recommendation, this wine is rated between 89 and 92 in major magazines. The wine is full-flavored and a little rustic, but offers lots of intense berry fruit - $14.50

3. We move back to SANTORINI for a RED. This island is usually thought of as a white wine producer (and Vin Santo), but ARGYROS also produces a lovely red (the first red from this island we have carried). ATLANTIS RED is a blend of 90% MANDILARIA and 10% MAVROTRAGANO. The former is a major red grape on CRETE and RHODOS (where it is known as AMORYANO). The wine is medium-full bodied with fine tannins, complex aromas of red fruit, with hints of prune and leather - $20.00

4. Moving further west we visit SPAIN�S BALEAR�C ISLANDS, and in particular the island of MALLORCA. This is one of the great �package vacation� islands for northern Europeans (Pauline and I were there in 1970s and I�m sure we would find it over-developed now). It is also home to some old wine regions. The Romans are thought to have brought viticulture to the island in about 123 AD. The industry has waxed and waned over the centuries and the modern industry dates from the 1980s. There are two Denominaci�n de Origins on the island, BINISS�LLEM-MALLORCA and PLA i LLEVANT. We will taste a wine from the former DO, the VINS NADAL 2008 ALBA FLOR TINTO. No, this wine does not taste like a used tennis ball, but is an interesting blend of the local varietal MANTO**** (75%) and 14% CABERNET SAUVIGNON and 11% MERLOT. The wine offers aromas of cherry and raspberry, and the palate is fruity with a mineral background. It is outstanding value - $14.50

5. Our final wine of the main flight comes from SICILIA. BENANTI is a producer that specializes with local varietals. We offer its 2006 ROSSODIVERZELLA (the current release) which is a blend of 80% NERELLO MASCALESE and 20% NERELLO CAPUCCIO. I�ve always liked this wine and this vintage is probably the best yet. The wine offers lots of ****y black fruit, together with something extra from the grapes being grown on the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna (at about 2500ft elevation). Not your �run-of-the-mill� red wine - $17.50
(We have a couple of bottles of the 2002 available at $16.50)

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

Our PREMIUM POUR also comes from SICILIA:

TENUTA della TERRE NERE is a property of MARC de GRAZIA, a Florentine who is very much involved with importing terrific Italian wines into the USA. The 2005 CALDERARA SOTTANA is a wine produced from grapes grown at about 800 metres on the NE slopes of Mount Etna. The wine carries an IGT ETNA ROSSO designation and is a blend of 98% NERELLO MASCALESE and 2% NERELLO CAPPUCCIO, two �native� grapes. I would not have guessed this wine, a regular winner of Due Bichieri in Gambero Rosso, came from SICILIA. The wine has the texture of a very good Burgundy, and offers lots of earthy, black fruit. If this wine came from anywhere other than SICILIA, it would cost much more! - $24.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.00/Taste or $5.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, July 31st
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. We are planning:

For the current warm weather, what is more refreshing than an un-oaked SAUVIGNON BLANC? We will pour LA PLAYA 2009 from CHILE�s COLCHAQUA VALLEY - $8.25

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com
CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

August 13 � Abacela vs. Spanish �Originals�
August 20 � German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 � Wines from the Rh�ne Valley
September 03 - Zinfandel

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 6th
4:30 - 7:00pm

CABERNET SAUVIGNON from around the WORLD

CHEESE PLATE
To go with Cabernet Sauvignon we offer a selection of cow�s milk Cheddar cheese. These cheeses always form a good backdrop for red wines.
Sharp Aged 6-9 months New Zealand
Coastal Aged 15 months Dorset, England
Extra, Extra Sharp Aged 18 months New York
SAMPLER PLATE $3.00

CABERNET SAUVIGNON could be considered the signature grape of the NAPA VALLEY, and it seems to be grown all over the world. Let�s taste the diversity with wines from five countries and two different zones of one of the countries. I find it very difficult to suggest a tasting order, and so I�m taking the easy way out and listing them in price order.

1. We start in ARGENTINA and the enormous wine region of MENDOZA. TRUMPETER is the �entry-level� label of RUTINI, and its 2007 CABERNET SAUVIGNON is stunning value. I believe it is 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON, and it offers pure cassis fruit with subtle touches of oak - $8.00

2. Now we jump over the Andes to CHILE. There are many wonderful value producers in this country of great scenery and wonderful people, but I�m beginning to think it is hard to beat CHONO for quality vs. price. Their Syrah has been the winner in our last two �Syrah from around the World� tastings, and the Carmin�re is also wonderful. We offer the 2008 CABERNET SAUVIGNON from the MAIPO VALLEY. Like most CABERNET SAUVIGNONS from this country, the wine is more BORDEAUX in style than, say, WALLA WALLA style - $12.50

3. I consider BORDEAUX as the home of CABERNET SAUVIGNON, but there it is usually blended with other grapes, although some Ch�teaux approach 100% in some years, and n�gotiants bottle 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON wines. The LANGUEDOC is a source of 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNONS, and we offer LES TRAVERSES de FONTANES 2007 VIN de PAYS d�OC. This is an estate-produced wine imported by Kermit Lynch, and is more elegant and complex than one would expect from this area - $14.25

4. What would a CABERNET SAUVIGNON tasting be without something from CALIFORNIA? We will taste the GOYETTE 2007 NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON. I�m sure most of you are saying �Who is Goyette?� BOB GOYETTE was the founder of LA CREMA and then moved on to other wineries. I tasted this wine at a trade tasting and thought it was great value for NAPA VALLEY. This is Bob�s philosophy: �I keep one eye on the successful traditions of Europe, and the other closely attuned to the grapes at hand. Using my own palate as a spring-board, I determine if the wines are really appealing to drink, rather than just done in a proper manner. I keep trying to work towards the best syntheses of the New & Old World traditions, while intuitively striving for wines that appeal to connoisseurs as well as people that just like wine. To me, it's all about balance and about listening.� - $18.75

5. We return to Europe and the PENED�S region of SPAIN. MIGUEL TORRES was just about the first to plant CABERNET SAUVIGNON in the area in the 1960s, and the TORRES winery now bottles 100% CABERNET wines, together with wines where the grape is blended with TEMPRANILLO. We offer one of the latter in the form of the GRAN CORONAS 2005 RESERVA. This is a blend of 85% CABERNET SAUVIGNON and 15% TEMPRANILLO (aka ULL de LIEBRE in Catalonia), and, in the Spanish tradition, has spent a considerable time in oak. Lush and elegant, the wine shows cassis from the CABERNET, and this is intermingled with coffee bean, licorice and vanillans - $19.25

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

Our PREMIUM POUR comes from our neighbors to the north, WASHINGTON:

STEPHENSON CELLARS was a new producer to me until a couple of weeks ago. They are in WALLA WALLA but their 2006 CABERNET SAUVIGNON carries a WASHINGTON Appellation as it is a blend from three vineyards � WINDY RIDGE in HORSE HEAVEN HILLS, WOODEN ISLAND on the banks of the COLUMBIA RIVER, and INLAND DESERT in BENTON CITY. The wine shows aromas of blueberry, cassis and cedar; the palate has cassis and plum with some Bordeaux-like influences - $33.00
*With apologies to Sideways, we also have their excellent MERLOT!*

TRY THIS WINE FOR $4.00/Taste or $7.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 7th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. We are planning:

NANTAIS, the western end of the LOIRE VALLEY, is best known for MUSCADET, which is made from the MELON de BOURGOGNE grape. However there is another white grape in the area, GROS PLANT (aka FOLLE BLANCHE), which normally does not have too much charm, being very acidic. The DOMAINE de l�AIGUILLETTE 2009 GROS PLANT is lovely � although very dry, it has great fruit upfront. It is much better than most inexpensive MUSCADET - $9.25

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I’ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on “Site Index” and then “Electronic Newsletter”. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click “Remove”. Thank you.

August 20 – German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 – Wines from the Rhône Valley
September 03 – Zinfandel
September 10 – Burgundy

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 13th
4:30 - 7:00pm

ABACELA vs. SPANISH “ORIGINALS”

CHEESE PLATE
To go with our Spanish wines and Abacela wines from Spanish grapes, we offer a selection of Spanish cheese:
Ibérico Cow/Goat/Sheep’s Milk Central Plains
Over 50% of Spanish cheese production is from a blend of milks, and this cheese’s name comes from a style of cheese produced all over the Iberian peninsular. This one comes from the Central Plains and shows mild acid from cow’s milk, the deeper flavor of sheep’s milk, and the finishing tang of goat’s milk. In theory this should be the best match to Tempranillo.
Campo de Montalbán Cow/Goat/Sheep’s Milk La Mancha
This cheese resembles Manchego in texture and appearance, and until 1985 it was in fact considered a Manchego. Campo de Montalbán is distinguished by its three milk blend, while Manchego contains only sheep's milk. The flavor is also similar to Manchego. However, as with Ibérico, the characters of all three milks are noticeable in Campo de Montalbán.
Manchego Sheep’s Milk La Mancha
From the land of Don Quixote, this is probably Spain’s most famous cheese. It is aged in grass molds for at least two months, giving it after notes of dry hay. A great match to many wines from dry sherry to rich reds.
SAMPLER PLATE $4.00

I always admire winery owners who have a vision to do something different, and succeed in making good wines that are interesting and start new trends. Earl and Hilda Jones, who founded ABACELA, had a belief that an area near Roseburg would be ideal for several Spanish varietals. Their wines are very good, and we’ve seen a mini-explosion of TEMPRANILLO in Oregon. All their wines are quality wines, and they are using only Estate fruit, or fruit from vineyards they manage. The Claret is being discontinued, as they do not grow Cabernet Sauvignon.

Last month, on our way to Ashland, Pauline and I visited ABACELA and had a great time. Linda, in charge of the tasting room, was charming and knowledgeable - and very generous with her pours. The current Tasting Room is small, and must become “cozy” on a busy weekend. An expanded winery and tasting room is under construction. If you have not visited this winery, plan to do so.


We had a picnic lunch at the winery:


Pauline contemplates world distances:


For this tasting we will compare two wines made from three Spanish varietals – one from Spain and one made from ABACELA.

Our first grape is ALBARIÑO:

1. From ABACELA we will taste their 2009 UMPQUA VALLEY. I watched the development of this grape at ABACELA and thought the 2008 was good, but the 2009 hit the mark, offering a wine as complex as its Spanish ancestors, and very competitive in price. It is the first vintage we have carried in the shop - $18.50

2. Most SPANISH ALBARINOS I really enjoy are north of $20.00/bottle, but I found one at <$20 for this tasting. BODEGAS LA CANA is a joint venture of the GIL FAMILY JUMILLA and importer JORGE ORDONEZ. The wine, of course, comes from RIAS BAIXAS in GALICIA, and the 2008 was rated “Outstanding” in the Wine Advocate. While not as complex as the great ALBARINOS from DO FERREIRO, the LA CANA is excellent - $18.00
(We have the 2007 DO FERREIRO in stock at $24.00)

The Second Grape is TEMPRANILLO, the grape that made ABACELA’S name:

3. We wanted to pour ABACELA’s 2007 McCORQUODALE VINEYARD which we tasted at the winery, but it appears this limited wine is “tasting room only” for the time being. This is their neighbor and they manage the vineyard. Instead we offer the 2007 CUVÉE which is a blend of 85% ESTATE FRUIT with the rest coming from the McCORQUODALE and DEFINO VINEYARDS. I was not fond of the early CUVÉE releases, but as the vines achieved some age, this wine is the bargain TEMPRANILLO from this producer - $20.00
(We also have the 2006 ESTATE at $36.00)

4. From SPAIN we offer IZARDI 2005 CRIANZA. This wine is 100% TEMPRANILLO from the RIOJA region, and was aged in American oak barrels. While very traditional in the use of American oak, this wine is much more fruit forward for traditional RIOJA, and I thought would be a good comparison to ABACELA - $18.00

Our Third Grape is GARNACHA:

While the French may think they “invented” GRENACHE, it appears the grape originates in SPAIN under the name GARNACHA.

5. From ABACELA we will taste their 2008 UMPQUA VALLEY. At the winery, Pauline was a bigger fan of this wine than I was. Maybe it was because it really has a “sense of place”, as it was not Spanish or French – and as a European, I too often tend to compare wines with the “originals”. At the moment my favorite OREGON GRENACHE/GARNACHA is COWHORN’S from the APPLEGATE VALLEY. Let’s find out what our customers think! - $22.50

6. From SPAIN it was difficult to choose what to use, mainly because most of the wines are much cheaper than the ABACELA wine, so we decided to pour a GARNACHA which approaches the ABACELA in price, but is somewhat atypical. JOAN d’ANGUERA has been a family-run winery since 1820 and is now run by a sister and brother team of Joan and Josep. Their 2009 GARNATXA is from MONTSANT. MONTSANT is in Catalonia, hence the spelling of the grape GARNACHA. This is their “entry level” red, and is fermented and aged in concrete tanks. It is one of the purest interpretations of the GARNACHA grape I’ve ever tasted - $19.00

TRY THESE SIX WINES FOR $12.00

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 14th
Noon – 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. As it is supposed to be over 90˚, we are planning:

Red wine drinkers need a great ROSÉ in hot weather. Pauline and I tend to believe the best of these wines come from the SOUTH of FRANCE, but this week I tried what I think is the greatest ROSÉ I’ve tasted from the USA – and it is from OREGON. COWHORN is in SOUTHERN OREGON’S APPLEGATE VALLEY and all their vineyards are biodynamically farmed (Demeter certified). Their 2009 GRENACHE ROSÉ is almost 100% GRENACHE but includes a tiny bit of VIOGNIER. I’d have guessed it was from PROVENCE, and even though not inexpensive for a ROSÉ, I think it is great value - $18.00

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I’ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on “Site Index” and then “Electronic Newsletter”. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click “Remove”. Thank you.

August 27 – Wines from the Rhône Valley
September 03 – Zinfandel
September 10 – Burgundy

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 20th
4:30 - 7:00pm

AUSTRIAN and GERMAN REDS

CHEESE PLATE
We’ve only fond one German cheese so far (other than Limberger), and none from Austria. Hopefully, by Friday, we will have something put together!
SAMPLER PLATE $??.00

We know most of you do not think about red wines when you consider Austria and Germany as these countries are famous mainly for Grüner Veltliner and Riesling whites. However, both countries make some interesting reds, usually from grapes grown in very few other countries. These wines are ideal summer reds, and some are even better when served slightly chilled (not refrigerator temperature, but at about 60˚F). We hope many of you come to try these interesting, but rarely poured, wines.

1. We start in Germany with a grape called DORNFELDER. This a crossing of a crossing between several German varietals, and Jancis Robinson said in her book Vines, Grapes and Wines “Dornfelder demonstrates most eloquently the advantages of the German approach to plant breeding”. We will taste the ANDREAS DIEHL 2009 DORNFELDER from the PFALZ region. This is the sunniest and driest part of Germany, and so should be the best area for red grapes. This DORNFELDER is very fruity in style with a touch of residual sugar. It is an ideal hot weather red. This is a review I found on-line: “Strawberries and cherries are all over the nose, and you can tell that this wine is full of fruit. The wine is sweet on the palate, right out of the gate. However, it’s still clean, and on the lighter side for a sweetish wine. There is a bit of acid, but almost no tannic structure until very, very late on the palate. Dark cherries and strawberries dominate the experience” - $13.50

2. Next up is SPÄTBURGUNDER, aka PINOT NOIR. I’ve tasted some lovely such wines from GERMANY, but the prices are usually too high to make sense. We have carried a few reasonably priced ones from the PFALZ, and this week we offer one from RHEINHESSEN, which is just to the north of the PFALZ. The wine is from the 2007 vintage and is called UNDONE. Produced by the VALCKENBERG GROUP and bottled with a screw cap, the wine is unoaked and unmanipulated – this is the reason for the name as the grapes are “undone” to show their natural charms (just wait until you see the label). K & L Wines of San Francisco say on their web site “It is the fresh, light and juicy wine for those of us who don’t like our Pinot Noir to look and taste like Syrah. The wine is delicate and pure, medium bodied and full of wild strawberry, cherry and raspberry aromas with just a subtle hint of spice in the finish”. It will take a slight chill - $12.50

3. I recently attended an Austrian Trade Tasting and liked most of the wines. However Austrian wines have a price problem in the USA. In fact the country has the highest price per bottle of all European countries who export to the USA. We start with the grape BLAUFRÄNKISCH, which in Germany is often called LEMBERGER. We will taste the NECKENMARKT 2008 CLASSIC “FRANK” from MITTELBURGENLAND. The wine has ripe red-black fruit with a touch of spice and moderate tannins. Someone described it as the wine you would get if you mixed Dolcetto with a Cru Beaujolais – I think she is right! - $16.00

4. We stay in the BURGENLAND and taste a blend from the HEINRICH winery. In a very honest fashion they just call it the 2008 RED. It is a blend of 50% MERLOT, 30% ZWEIGELT and 20% BLAUFRÄNKISCH. On the nose all I could sense was the MERLOT, but this is one of those wines where the nose can be misleading. The palate has lots of spice and a certain earthiness, and the finish is very long. A fascinating wine - $19.50

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we stay with the HEINRICH winery in BURGENLAND:

When Pauline and I did our OKANAGAN trip in 2007 we were surprised by how good the ZWEIGELT from ARROWLEAF winery was as we did not know any North American winery grew this red grape. This week we offer one of the best ZWEIGELTS from AUSTRIA when one takes price into account. ZWEIGELT is a crossing of BLAUFRÄNKISCH and ST-LAURENT. I tried to find a ST-LAURENT for the tasting as this grape is supposed to be a close cousin to PINOT NOIR, but the local distributors do not seem keen on it. This ZWEIGELT has a lovely nose of ripe cherries and violets – almost too good to drink! The palate is much richer with dark fruit and touches of liquorice and chocolate. Fantastic value - $27.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.00/Taste or $5.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 21st
Noon – 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. Despite the cooler weather, I’d love you to try this rosé

Red wine drinkers need a great ROSÉ in the summer. Pauline and I tend to believe the best of these wines come from the SOUTH of FRANCE, but recently I tried what I think is the greatest ROSÉ I’ve tasted from the USA – and it is from OREGON. COWHORN is in SOUTHERN OREGON’S APPLEGATE VALLEY and all their vineyards are biodynamically farmed (Demeter certified). Their 2009 GRENACHE ROSÉ is almost 100% GRENACHE but includes a tiny bit of VIOGNIER. I’d have guessed it was from PROVENCE, and even though not inexpensive for a ROSÉ, I think it is great value - $18.00

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

September 03 � Zinfandel
September 10 � Burgundy
September 17 � The best of Matt Kramer�s 2010 Picks
September 24 � The Crus of Beaujolais

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 27th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES of the RH�NE VALLEY

CHEESE PLATE
We offer a selection of French cheese to go with our French wines.
Fol Epi Cow�s Milk Loire Valley
This creamy cheese is enclosed in a golden-brown rind made from a wheat base -- hence the name �Fol Epi,� which means �wild wheat stalk� in French. It is made in a similar style to Swiss Emmental, providing a nutty taste with a slight wheat flavor.
Raclette Cow�s Milk French Alps
This is a Swiss or French alpine cheese with a nutty flavor and silky, smooth texture. Slightly softer than the more characteristic Alpage cheeses, it is a close cousin to Morbier in France and Appenzeller in Switzerland. Our Raclette is a raw milk cheese from the French Alps.
Tomme de Savoie Cow�s Milk Savoie
This Tomme is a semi-firm cow's milk cheese made in the valley of the Savoie in the French Alps. It has a delightfully nutty flavor and a smooth paste that melts in your mouth. The hard, powdery rind has an earthy aroma and is usually speckled with many types of indigenous and beneficial molds
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

We were encouraged by the turnout to try lesser-known wines at our German/Austrian Red tasting, and so for this Rh�ne tasting we�ve included a couple of wines that are somewhat out-of-the-mainstream for this popular wine region.

1. We start with the 2009 vintage of what was our biggest selling C�TES-du-RH�NE in the 2007 and 2008 vintages. DOMAINE CHAPOTON can trace its origins to 1665 under Louis XIV, and the current generation took over in 1981. The wine is a blend of GRENACHE, SYRAH, MOUV�DRE and CARIGNAN. The wine has intense fruit, some spice, and a touch of classic garrigue. Comments from people who have tasted all three vintages suggest the 2009 is more fruit forward than the others (it was a hotter vintage) - $10.50

2. DOMAINE MONPERTUIS is a CH�TEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE producer, and we offer their 2007 VIGNOBLE de la RAMI�RE which is unusual in that it is 100% COUNOISE, one of the 13 grapes allowed in CDP. There are not many such wines in the world, but Oregon�s Andrew Rich has made one, as has Washington�s McCrae. The wine shows black fruit with a little spice together with meatiness similar to MOURV�DRE. The fruit is grown in the GARD region at the mouth of the Rh�ne - $16.50

3. Our next wine is from a very expensive producer in VACQUEYRAS in the SOUTHERN RH�NE VALLEY. ROUCAS TOUMBA LES GRANDS CHEMINS is basically de-classified VACQUEYRAS, and the producer could call the wine C�TES-du-RH�NE, but he decided on the VIN de TABLE designation. The fruit is from 2007, but I was told that a VIN de TABLE cannot have a vintage date. A blend of GRENACHE, SYRAH and MOURV�DRE, the wine is perfumed, giving you the sense of the herbs of the area; this is followed by chewy, black fruit with a spicy edge, and then a long finish. As a Rh�naholic, I think this wine is sensational value! - $17.25

4. For our final wine of the basic flight we go to CH�TEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE. These days it is hard to find a CDP under $40.00, so when I found this �left-over� 2005 we could sell for $30.00, I jumped at it. This wine, built primarily upon GRENACHE is intensely aromatic, with notes of ground coffee, plum, grenadine and game. The bright Grenache fruit has an intriguing savory, almost salty, quality to it, which is not half as strange as it might sound. It is simply one of the many parts of this in balance, complex wine. If you were talking about pairing this wine with food, nearly any cut of lamb would be wonderful - $30.00

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go to the NORTHERN RH�NE to taste SYRAH:

CROZES HERMITAGE is the �poor cousin� of HERMITAGE. It is a relatively large Appellation, covering an area almost 10 miles long to the north and south of the village of TAIN and HERMITAGE itself. For many years, most wines were pallid in comparison to HERMITAGE. Now some substantial wines are being made, and ALAIN GRAILLOT is considered one of the bright, shining stars of the Appellation. 2004 was a difficult vintage in the area, and I have not tasted the ALAIN GRAILLOT 2004 CROZES HERMITAGE for some time, so let�s see how it is aging. Robert Parker in the Wine Advocate said: �Gregarious Alain Graillot has turned out a 2004 Crozes-Hermitage that presents plenty of olive notes intermixed with some sweet red currant and cherry notes. The acidity of the vintage is relatively apparent in this wine, which is elegant and Burgundian in its texture and aromatics. Drink 2007-2011� - $29.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.50/Taste or $6.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 28th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open:

OREGON�S QUERCUS WINES are below most people�s radar, probably because they make wines under a number of labels. The wines are a project of MICHAEL BECKLEY, and we have carried PINOT NOIR and SYRAH wines he has made (we have some of his CADMUS 2004 PINOT NOIR in stock). We offer his ROCK CREEK CELLARS 2007 OREGON RED WINE. The wine is a blend of CABERNET SAUVIGNON, MERLOT and SYRAH, and offers gobs of black fruit coupled with a nice, spicy, edge - $11.25

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com

CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

August 06 � Worldwide Cabernet Sauvignon
August 13 � Abacela vs. Spanish �Originals�
August 20 � German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 � Wines from the Rh�ne Valley

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, July 30th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES FROM MEDITERRANEAN ISLANDS

CHEESE PLATE
We tried to find cheese from the Islands and we made it, but not necessarily from the same islands as the wines!
Mah�n Cow�s Milk Menorca
From the Mediterranean island of Menorca, this is my favorite Spanish cheese, mainly because it seems to go well with Burgundy � I�m sure it will go well with this week�s wines. The cheese has a salty tang on the finish.
Brigante Sheep�s Milk Sardinia
This sheep�s milk cheese comes from around the town of Thiesi in the north of the island. It is often called Dolce Sardo because of the sweetness of the local ewes� milk.
Halloumi Sheep�s Milk Cyprus
This is a similar cheese to Saganaki, the Greek �Flaming Cheese�, and is wonderful grilled. However it is interesting sliced in a salad.
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

At this time of the year, with the temperature going up in Oregon, lets �fly� to where breezes moderate temperatures and make life wonderful � the Islands of the Mediterranean.

1. We start on SANTORINI, that wonderful Greek island. The combination of heat plus strong winds makes for interesting wine growing conditions. ASSYRTIKO is the major white varietal, and its origin is unknown. Some think it is native to SANTORINI, or it may have arrived on the island with the Phoenicians after the volcanic eruptions of 1640 � 1620 BC. We offer this grape blended with ATHIRI in the SIGALAS 2008 SANTORINI WHITE It offers classic flowery, almost honeysuckle nose and then an underlying mineral acidity. Wonderful with kalamar�kia, either grilled or fried - $20.00
(We also have their 100% ASSYRTIKO at $24.00 and the oaked version at $28.75)

2. Next up is SARDEGNA (aka Sardinia), the Italian island to the west of LAZIO and CAMPANIA. ARGIOLAS is one of the top value/quality producers on the island and we offer their 2007 PERDERA which is a blend of the two local grapes MONICA (90%) and BOVALE di SARDO (5%) together with CARIGNAN (5%). A Matt Kramer recommendation, this wine is rated between 89 and 92 in major magazines. The wine is full-flavored and a little rustic, but offers lots of intense berry fruit - $14.50

3. We move back to SANTORINI for a RED. This island is usually thought of as a white wine producer (and Vin Santo), but ARGYROS also produces a lovely red (the first red from this island we have carried). ATLANTIS RED is a blend of 90% MANDILARIA and 10% MAVROTRAGANO. The former is a major red grape on CRETE and RHODOS (where it is known as AMORYANO). The wine is medium-full bodied with fine tannins, complex aromas of red fruit, with hints of prune and leather - $20.00

4. Moving further west we visit SPAIN�S BALEAR�C ISLANDS, and in particular the island of MALLORCA. This is one of the great �package vacation� islands for northern Europeans (Pauline and I were there in 1970s and I�m sure we would find it over-developed now). It is also home to some old wine regions. The Romans are thought to have brought viticulture to the island in about 123 AD. The industry has waxed and waned over the centuries and the modern industry dates from the 1980s. There are two Denominaci�n de Origins on the island, BINISS�LLEM-MALLORCA and PLA i LLEVANT. We will taste a wine from the former DO, the VINS NADAL 2008 ALBA FLOR TINTO. No, this wine does not taste like a used tennis ball, but is an interesting blend of the local varietal MANTO**** (75%) and 14% CABERNET SAUVIGNON and 11% MERLOT. The wine offers aromas of cherry and raspberry, and the palate is fruity with a mineral background. It is outstanding value - $14.50

5. Our final wine of the main flight comes from SICILIA. BENANTI is a producer that specializes with local varietals. We offer its 2006 ROSSODIVERZELLA (the current release) which is a blend of 80% NERELLO MASCALESE and 20% NERELLO CAPUCCIO. I�ve always liked this wine and this vintage is probably the best yet. The wine offers lots of ****y black fruit, together with something extra from the grapes being grown on the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna (at about 2500ft elevation). Not your �run-of-the-mill� red wine - $17.50
(We have a couple of bottles of the 2002 available at $16.50)

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

Our PREMIUM POUR also comes from SICILIA:

TENUTA della TERRE NERE is a property of MARC de GRAZIA, a Florentine who is very much involved with importing terrific Italian wines into the USA. The 2005 CALDERARA SOTTANA is a wine produced from grapes grown at about 800 metres on the NE slopes of Mount Etna. The wine carries an IGT ETNA ROSSO designation and is a blend of 98% NERELLO MASCALESE and 2% NERELLO CAPPUCCIO, two �native� grapes. I would not have guessed this wine, a regular winner of Due Bichieri in Gambero Rosso, came from SICILIA. The wine has the texture of a very good Burgundy, and offers lots of earthy, black fruit. If this wine came from anywhere other than SICILIA, it would cost much more! - $24.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.00/Taste or $5.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, July 31st
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. We are planning:

For the current warm weather, what is more refreshing than an un-oaked SAUVIGNON BLANC? We will pour LA PLAYA 2009 from CHILE�s COLCHAQUA VALLEY - $8.25

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com
CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

August 13 � Abacela vs. Spanish �Originals�
August 20 � German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 � Wines from the Rh�ne Valley
September 03 - Zinfandel

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 6th
4:30 - 7:00pm

CABERNET SAUVIGNON from around the WORLD

CHEESE PLATE
To go with Cabernet Sauvignon we offer a selection of cow�s milk Cheddar cheese. These cheeses always form a good backdrop for red wines.
Sharp Aged 6-9 months New Zealand
Coastal Aged 15 months Dorset, England
Extra, Extra Sharp Aged 18 months New York
SAMPLER PLATE $3.00

CABERNET SAUVIGNON could be considered the signature grape of the NAPA VALLEY, and it seems to be grown all over the world. Let�s taste the diversity with wines from five countries and two different zones of one of the countries. I find it very difficult to suggest a tasting order, and so I�m taking the easy way out and listing them in price order.

1. We start in ARGENTINA and the enormous wine region of MENDOZA. TRUMPETER is the �entry-level� label of RUTINI, and its 2007 CABERNET SAUVIGNON is stunning value. I believe it is 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON, and it offers pure cassis fruit with subtle touches of oak - $8.00

2. Now we jump over the Andes to CHILE. There are many wonderful value producers in this country of great scenery and wonderful people, but I�m beginning to think it is hard to beat CHONO for quality vs. price. Their Syrah has been the winner in our last two �Syrah from around the World� tastings, and the Carmin�re is also wonderful. We offer the 2008 CABERNET SAUVIGNON from the MAIPO VALLEY. Like most CABERNET SAUVIGNONS from this country, the wine is more BORDEAUX in style than, say, WALLA WALLA style - $12.50

3. I consider BORDEAUX as the home of CABERNET SAUVIGNON, but there it is usually blended with other grapes, although some Ch�teaux approach 100% in some years, and n�gotiants bottle 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON wines. The LANGUEDOC is a source of 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNONS, and we offer LES TRAVERSES de FONTANES 2007 VIN de PAYS d�OC. This is an estate-produced wine imported by Kermit Lynch, and is more elegant and complex than one would expect from this area - $14.25

4. What would a CABERNET SAUVIGNON tasting be without something from CALIFORNIA? We will taste the GOYETTE 2007 NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON. I�m sure most of you are saying �Who is Goyette?� BOB GOYETTE was the founder of LA CREMA and then moved on to other wineries. I tasted this wine at a trade tasting and thought it was great value for NAPA VALLEY. This is Bob�s philosophy: �I keep one eye on the successful traditions of Europe, and the other closely attuned to the grapes at hand. Using my own palate as a spring-board, I determine if the wines are really appealing to drink, rather than just done in a proper manner. I keep trying to work towards the best syntheses of the New & Old World traditions, while intuitively striving for wines that appeal to connoisseurs as well as people that just like wine. To me, it's all about balance and about listening.� - $18.75

5. We return to Europe and the PENED�S region of SPAIN. MIGUEL TORRES was just about the first to plant CABERNET SAUVIGNON in the area in the 1960s, and the TORRES winery now bottles 100% CABERNET wines, together with wines where the grape is blended with TEMPRANILLO. We offer one of the latter in the form of the GRAN CORONAS 2005 RESERVA. This is a blend of 85% CABERNET SAUVIGNON and 15% TEMPRANILLO (aka ULL de LIEBRE in Catalonia), and, in the Spanish tradition, has spent a considerable time in oak. Lush and elegant, the wine shows cassis from the CABERNET, and this is intermingled with coffee bean, licorice and vanillans - $19.25

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

Our PREMIUM POUR comes from our neighbors to the north, WASHINGTON:

STEPHENSON CELLARS was a new producer to me until a couple of weeks ago. They are in WALLA WALLA but their 2006 CABERNET SAUVIGNON carries a WASHINGTON Appellation as it is a blend from three vineyards � WINDY RIDGE in HORSE HEAVEN HILLS, WOODEN ISLAND on the banks of the COLUMBIA RIVER, and INLAND DESERT in BENTON CITY. The wine shows aromas of blueberry, cassis and cedar; the palate has cassis and plum with some Bordeaux-like influences - $33.00
*With apologies to Sideways, we also have their excellent MERLOT!*

TRY THIS WINE FOR $4.00/Taste or $7.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 7th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. We are planning:

NANTAIS, the western end of the LOIRE VALLEY, is best known for MUSCADET, which is made from the MELON de BOURGOGNE grape. However there is another white grape in the area, GROS PLANT (aka FOLLE BLANCHE), which normally does not have too much charm, being very acidic. The DOMAINE de l�AIGUILLETTE 2009 GROS PLANT is lovely � although very dry, it has great fruit upfront. It is much better than most inexpensive MUSCADET - $9.25

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I’ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on “Site Index” and then “Electronic Newsletter”. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click “Remove”. Thank you.

August 20 – German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 – Wines from the Rhône Valley
September 03 – Zinfandel
September 10 – Burgundy

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 13th
4:30 - 7:00pm

ABACELA vs. SPANISH “ORIGINALS”

CHEESE PLATE
To go with our Spanish wines and Abacela wines from Spanish grapes, we offer a selection of Spanish cheese:
Ibérico Cow/Goat/Sheep’s Milk Central Plains
Over 50% of Spanish cheese production is from a blend of milks, and this cheese’s name comes from a style of cheese produced all over the Iberian peninsular. This one comes from the Central Plains and shows mild acid from cow’s milk, the deeper flavor of sheep’s milk, and the finishing tang of goat’s milk. In theory this should be the best match to Tempranillo.
Campo de Montalbán Cow/Goat/Sheep’s Milk La Mancha
This cheese resembles Manchego in texture and appearance, and until 1985 it was in fact considered a Manchego. Campo de Montalbán is distinguished by its three milk blend, while Manchego contains only sheep's milk. The flavor is also similar to Manchego. However, as with Ibérico, the characters of all three milks are noticeable in Campo de Montalbán.
Manchego Sheep’s Milk La Mancha
From the land of Don Quixote, this is probably Spain’s most famous cheese. It is aged in grass molds for at least two months, giving it after notes of dry hay. A great match to many wines from dry sherry to rich reds.
SAMPLER PLATE $4.00

I always admire winery owners who have a vision to do something different, and succeed in making good wines that are interesting and start new trends. Earl and Hilda Jones, who founded ABACELA, had a belief that an area near Roseburg would be ideal for several Spanish varietals. Their wines are very good, and we’ve seen a mini-explosion of TEMPRANILLO in Oregon. All their wines are quality wines, and they are using only Estate fruit, or fruit from vineyards they manage. The Claret is being discontinued, as they do not grow Cabernet Sauvignon.

Last month, on our way to Ashland, Pauline and I visited ABACELA and had a great time. Linda, in charge of the tasting room, was charming and knowledgeable - and very generous with her pours. The current Tasting Room is small, and must become “cozy” on a busy weekend. An expanded winery and tasting room is under construction. If you have not visited this winery, plan to do so.


We had a picnic lunch at the winery:


Pauline contemplates world distances:


For this tasting we will compare two wines made from three Spanish varietals – one from Spain and one made from ABACELA.

Our first grape is ALBARIÑO:

1. From ABACELA we will taste their 2009 UMPQUA VALLEY. I watched the development of this grape at ABACELA and thought the 2008 was good, but the 2009 hit the mark, offering a wine as complex as its Spanish ancestors, and very competitive in price. It is the first vintage we have carried in the shop - $18.50

2. Most SPANISH ALBARINOS I really enjoy are north of $20.00/bottle, but I found one at <$20 for this tasting. BODEGAS LA CANA is a joint venture of the GIL FAMILY JUMILLA and importer JORGE ORDONEZ. The wine, of course, comes from RIAS BAIXAS in GALICIA, and the 2008 was rated “Outstanding” in the Wine Advocate. While not as complex as the great ALBARINOS from DO FERREIRO, the LA CANA is excellent - $18.00
(We have the 2007 DO FERREIRO in stock at $24.00)

The Second Grape is TEMPRANILLO, the grape that made ABACELA’S name:

3. We wanted to pour ABACELA’s 2007 McCORQUODALE VINEYARD which we tasted at the winery, but it appears this limited wine is “tasting room only” for the time being. This is their neighbor and they manage the vineyard. Instead we offer the 2007 CUVÉE which is a blend of 85% ESTATE FRUIT with the rest coming from the McCORQUODALE and DEFINO VINEYARDS. I was not fond of the early CUVÉE releases, but as the vines achieved some age, this wine is the bargain TEMPRANILLO from this producer - $20.00
(We also have the 2006 ESTATE at $36.00)

4. From SPAIN we offer IZARDI 2005 CRIANZA. This wine is 100% TEMPRANILLO from the RIOJA region, and was aged in American oak barrels. While very traditional in the use of American oak, this wine is much more fruit forward for traditional RIOJA, and I thought would be a good comparison to ABACELA - $18.00

Our Third Grape is GARNACHA:

While the French may think they “invented” GRENACHE, it appears the grape originates in SPAIN under the name GARNACHA.

5. From ABACELA we will taste their 2008 UMPQUA VALLEY. At the winery, Pauline was a bigger fan of this wine than I was. Maybe it was because it really has a “sense of place”, as it was not Spanish or French – and as a European, I too often tend to compare wines with the “originals”. At the moment my favorite OREGON GRENACHE/GARNACHA is COWHORN’S from the APPLEGATE VALLEY. Let’s find out what our customers think! - $22.50

6. From SPAIN it was difficult to choose what to use, mainly because most of the wines are much cheaper than the ABACELA wine, so we decided to pour a GARNACHA which approaches the ABACELA in price, but is somewhat atypical. JOAN d’ANGUERA has been a family-run winery since 1820 and is now run by a sister and brother team of Joan and Josep. Their 2009 GARNATXA is from MONTSANT. MONTSANT is in Catalonia, hence the spelling of the grape GARNACHA. This is their “entry level” red, and is fermented and aged in concrete tanks. It is one of the purest interpretations of the GARNACHA grape I’ve ever tasted - $19.00

TRY THESE SIX WINES FOR $12.00

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 14th
Noon – 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. As it is supposed to be over 90˚, we are planning:

Red wine drinkers need a great ROSÉ in hot weather. Pauline and I tend to believe the best of these wines come from the SOUTH of FRANCE, but this week I tried what I think is the greatest ROSÉ I’ve tasted from the USA – and it is from OREGON. COWHORN is in SOUTHERN OREGON’S APPLEGATE VALLEY and all their vineyards are biodynamically farmed (Demeter certified). Their 2009 GRENACHE ROSÉ is almost 100% GRENACHE but includes a tiny bit of VIOGNIER. I’d have guessed it was from PROVENCE, and even though not inexpensive for a ROSÉ, I think it is great value - $18.00

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I’ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on “Site Index” and then “Electronic Newsletter”. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click “Remove”. Thank you.

August 27 – Wines from the Rhône Valley
September 03 – Zinfandel
September 10 – Burgundy

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 20th
4:30 - 7:00pm

AUSTRIAN and GERMAN REDS

CHEESE PLATE
We’ve only fond one German cheese so far (other than Limberger), and none from Austria. Hopefully, by Friday, we will have something put together!
SAMPLER PLATE $??.00

We know most of you do not think about red wines when you consider Austria and Germany as these countries are famous mainly for Grüner Veltliner and Riesling whites. However, both countries make some interesting reds, usually from grapes grown in very few other countries. These wines are ideal summer reds, and some are even better when served slightly chilled (not refrigerator temperature, but at about 60˚F). We hope many of you come to try these interesting, but rarely poured, wines.

1. We start in Germany with a grape called DORNFELDER. This a crossing of a crossing between several German varietals, and Jancis Robinson said in her book Vines, Grapes and Wines “Dornfelder demonstrates most eloquently the advantages of the German approach to plant breeding”. We will taste the ANDREAS DIEHL 2009 DORNFELDER from the PFALZ region. This is the sunniest and driest part of Germany, and so should be the best area for red grapes. This DORNFELDER is very fruity in style with a touch of residual sugar. It is an ideal hot weather red. This is a review I found on-line: “Strawberries and cherries are all over the nose, and you can tell that this wine is full of fruit. The wine is sweet on the palate, right out of the gate. However, it’s still clean, and on the lighter side for a sweetish wine. There is a bit of acid, but almost no tannic structure until very, very late on the palate. Dark cherries and strawberries dominate the experience” - $13.50

2. Next up is SPÄTBURGUNDER, aka PINOT NOIR. I’ve tasted some lovely such wines from GERMANY, but the prices are usually too high to make sense. We have carried a few reasonably priced ones from the PFALZ, and this week we offer one from RHEINHESSEN, which is just to the north of the PFALZ. The wine is from the 2007 vintage and is called UNDONE. Produced by the VALCKENBERG GROUP and bottled with a screw cap, the wine is unoaked and unmanipulated – this is the reason for the name as the grapes are “undone” to show their natural charms (just wait until you see the label). K & L Wines of San Francisco say on their web site “It is the fresh, light and juicy wine for those of us who don’t like our Pinot Noir to look and taste like Syrah. The wine is delicate and pure, medium bodied and full of wild strawberry, cherry and raspberry aromas with just a subtle hint of spice in the finish”. It will take a slight chill - $12.50

3. I recently attended an Austrian Trade Tasting and liked most of the wines. However Austrian wines have a price problem in the USA. In fact the country has the highest price per bottle of all European countries who export to the USA. We start with the grape BLAUFRÄNKISCH, which in Germany is often called LEMBERGER. We will taste the NECKENMARKT 2008 CLASSIC “FRANK” from MITTELBURGENLAND. The wine has ripe red-black fruit with a touch of spice and moderate tannins. Someone described it as the wine you would get if you mixed Dolcetto with a Cru Beaujolais – I think she is right! - $16.00

4. We stay in the BURGENLAND and taste a blend from the HEINRICH winery. In a very honest fashion they just call it the 2008 RED. It is a blend of 50% MERLOT, 30% ZWEIGELT and 20% BLAUFRÄNKISCH. On the nose all I could sense was the MERLOT, but this is one of those wines where the nose can be misleading. The palate has lots of spice and a certain earthiness, and the finish is very long. A fascinating wine - $19.50

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we stay with the HEINRICH winery in BURGENLAND:

When Pauline and I did our OKANAGAN trip in 2007 we were surprised by how good the ZWEIGELT from ARROWLEAF winery was as we did not know any North American winery grew this red grape. This week we offer one of the best ZWEIGELTS from AUSTRIA when one takes price into account. ZWEIGELT is a crossing of BLAUFRÄNKISCH and ST-LAURENT. I tried to find a ST-LAURENT for the tasting as this grape is supposed to be a close cousin to PINOT NOIR, but the local distributors do not seem keen on it. This ZWEIGELT has a lovely nose of ripe cherries and violets – almost too good to drink! The palate is much richer with dark fruit and touches of liquorice and chocolate. Fantastic value - $27.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.00/Taste or $5.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 21st
Noon – 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. Despite the cooler weather, I’d love you to try this rosé

Red wine drinkers need a great ROSÉ in the summer. Pauline and I tend to believe the best of these wines come from the SOUTH of FRANCE, but recently I tried what I think is the greatest ROSÉ I’ve tasted from the USA – and it is from OREGON. COWHORN is in SOUTHERN OREGON’S APPLEGATE VALLEY and all their vineyards are biodynamically farmed (Demeter certified). Their 2009 GRENACHE ROSÉ is almost 100% GRENACHE but includes a tiny bit of VIOGNIER. I’d have guessed it was from PROVENCE, and even though not inexpensive for a ROSÉ, I think it is great value - $18.00

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

September 03 � Zinfandel
September 10 � Burgundy
September 17 � The best of Matt Kramer�s 2010 Picks
September 24 � The Crus of Beaujolais

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 27th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES of the RH�NE VALLEY

CHEESE PLATE
We offer a selection of French cheese to go with our French wines.
Fol Epi Cow�s Milk Loire Valley
This creamy cheese is enclosed in a golden-brown rind made from a wheat base -- hence the name �Fol Epi,� which means �wild wheat stalk� in French. It is made in a similar style to Swiss Emmental, providing a nutty taste with a slight wheat flavor.
Raclette Cow�s Milk French Alps
This is a Swiss or French alpine cheese with a nutty flavor and silky, smooth texture. Slightly softer than the more characteristic Alpage cheeses, it is a close cousin to Morbier in France and Appenzeller in Switzerland. Our Raclette is a raw milk cheese from the French Alps.
Tomme de Savoie Cow�s Milk Savoie
This Tomme is a semi-firm cow's milk cheese made in the valley of the Savoie in the French Alps. It has a delightfully nutty flavor and a smooth paste that melts in your mouth. The hard, powdery rind has an earthy aroma and is usually speckled with many types of indigenous and beneficial molds
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

We were encouraged by the turnout to try lesser-known wines at our German/Austrian Red tasting, and so for this Rh�ne tasting we�ve included a couple of wines that are somewhat out-of-the-mainstream for this popular wine region.

1. We start with the 2009 vintage of what was our biggest selling C�TES-du-RH�NE in the 2007 and 2008 vintages. DOMAINE CHAPOTON can trace its origins to 1665 under Louis XIV, and the current generation took over in 1981. The wine is a blend of GRENACHE, SYRAH, MOUV�DRE and CARIGNAN. The wine has intense fruit, some spice, and a touch of classic garrigue. Comments from people who have tasted all three vintages suggest the 2009 is more fruit forward than the others (it was a hotter vintage) - $10.50

2. DOMAINE MONPERTUIS is a CH�TEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE producer, and we offer their 2007 VIGNOBLE de la RAMI�RE which is unusual in that it is 100% COUNOISE, one of the 13 grapes allowed in CDP. There are not many such wines in the world, but Oregon�s Andrew Rich has made one, as has Washington�s McCrae. The wine shows black fruit with a little spice together with meatiness similar to MOURV�DRE. The fruit is grown in the GARD region at the mouth of the Rh�ne - $16.50

3. Our next wine is from a very expensive producer in VACQUEYRAS in the SOUTHERN RH�NE VALLEY. ROUCAS TOUMBA LES GRANDS CHEMINS is basically de-classified VACQUEYRAS, and the producer could call the wine C�TES-du-RH�NE, but he decided on the VIN de TABLE designation. The fruit is from 2007, but I was told that a VIN de TABLE cannot have a vintage date. A blend of GRENACHE, SYRAH and MOURV�DRE, the wine is perfumed, giving you the sense of the herbs of the area; this is followed by chewy, black fruit with a spicy edge, and then a long finish. As a Rh�naholic, I think this wine is sensational value! - $17.25

4. For our final wine of the basic flight we go to CH�TEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE. These days it is hard to find a CDP under $40.00, so when I found this �left-over� 2005 we could sell for $30.00, I jumped at it. This wine, built primarily upon GRENACHE is intensely aromatic, with notes of ground coffee, plum, grenadine and game. The bright Grenache fruit has an intriguing savory, almost salty, quality to it, which is not half as strange as it might sound. It is simply one of the many parts of this in balance, complex wine. If you were talking about pairing this wine with food, nearly any cut of lamb would be wonderful - $30.00

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go to the NORTHERN RH�NE to taste SYRAH:

CROZES HERMITAGE is the �poor cousin� of HERMITAGE. It is a relatively large Appellation, covering an area almost 10 miles long to the north and south of the village of TAIN and HERMITAGE itself. For many years, most wines were pallid in comparison to HERMITAGE. Now some substantial wines are being made, and ALAIN GRAILLOT is considered one of the bright, shining stars of the Appellation. 2004 was a difficult vintage in the area, and I have not tasted the ALAIN GRAILLOT 2004 CROZES HERMITAGE for some time, so let�s see how it is aging. Robert Parker in the Wine Advocate said: �Gregarious Alain Graillot has turned out a 2004 Crozes-Hermitage that presents plenty of olive notes intermixed with some sweet red currant and cherry notes. The acidity of the vintage is relatively apparent in this wine, which is elegant and Burgundian in its texture and aromatics. Drink 2007-2011� - $29.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.50/Taste or $6.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 28th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open:

OREGON�S QUERCUS WINES are below most people�s radar, probably because they make wines under a number of labels. The wines are a project of MICHAEL BECKLEY, and we have carried PINOT NOIR and SYRAH wines he has made (we have some of his CADMUS 2004 PINOT NOIR in stock). We offer his ROCK CREEK CELLARS 2007 OREGON RED WINE. The wine is a blend of CABERNET SAUVIGNON, MERLOT and SYRAH, and offers gobs of black fruit coupled with a nice, spicy, edge - $11.25

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

September 10 � Burgundy
September 17 � The best of Matt Kramer�s 2010 Picks
September 24 � The Crus of Beaujolais
October 01 � Washington Wines

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, September 3rd
4:30 - 7:00pm

ZINFANDEL

CHEESE PLATE
Once again, we rely on our favorite New York cheese shop to recommend cheese for Zinfandel:
Gruy�re Raw Cow�s Milk Switzerland
This is cave-aged Gruy�re � not your average supermarket version. Aged for a significant time, this is a rich, nutty, cheese.
Cantalet Raw Cow�s Milk France
Considered to be the ancestor to British Farmhouse Cheddars, this is a cow's milk cheese from Auvergne, France. It is weighty, moist, creamy, and just subtley sharp, with a very defined sweet and milky quality. As the French took over England in 1066, maybe it is true they created the great English Cheddars. However, didn�t we Brits control the Bordeaux region a few hundred years later? As Pauline and I are Francophiles, I thank the Frogs for anything they did to improve English cuisine.
Campo de Montalban Pasteurized Cow�s/Goat�s/Sheep�s Milk Spain
This cheese resembles Manchego in texture and appearance, and until 1985 it was in fact considered a Manchego. Campo de Montalb�n is distinguished by its three milk blend, while Manchego contains only sheep's milk. The flavor is also similar to Manchego.
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

As most of our regulars know, ZINFANDEL is not one of my favorite grapes, although PAULINE would say �You want to stay married?� However I�ve converted her from blowsy CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAYS to CHABLIS, the greatest expression of CHARDONANY in the world. Her job is to convert me from the RIDGE blends to full-throttle ZINFANDELS. My tasting notes are minimal, as PAULINE says I do not know what I�m talking about.

1. We start in LODI and PEIRANO ESTATE 2008 IMMORTAL OLD VINE ZINFANDEL. I�ve never tasted this wine, but, unbelievably, it is an allocated wine. There is no more of this vintage left other than the case I have. The vines are over 100 years old, hence the IMMORTAL name - $11.50

2. We stay in LODI for CAMPUS OAKS 2007 OLD VINE ZINFANDEL. We used an earlier vintage of this wine a couple of years ago and it was a big hit. I liked the spicy black fruit it offered, but felt a little heat on the finish despite the modest (for ZINFANDEL) 14.5% alcohol - $14.75

3. My favorite ZINFANDEL producer is RIDGE � maybe it is because very few of their wines are 100% ZINFANDEL! We offer the 2008 THREE VALLEYS that, for the first time, cannot be called ZINFANDEL because it is only 74% of the grape! The rest is PETIT SIRAH, CARIGNAN, MATARO, SYRAH and GRENACHE - $22.50

4. For our final wine of the basic flight we go to OREGON to THE PINES VINEYARD and their 2007 ZINFANDEL. The vineyard is in THE DALLES, but the tasting room is in HOOD RIVER. The wine is made from 20 year-old vines that were created from starts from the 100+ year-old vines in the vineyard. For its relatively high alcohol (15.2%), I found the wine food friendly, showing no heat from the alcohol - $28.75

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go to the NAPA VALLEY:

HENDRY is a producer with a range of wines from ALBARI�O to CABERNET SAUVIGNON, but better known for their �single block� ZINFANDELS. We offer the 2006 BLOCK 28 which was aged for fifteen months in French oak barrels, 65% of which were new. Despite its 15.8% alcohol, I felt this was another food-friendly Zinfandel. This is what the winery says: �Aromas include smoky spice, bay, berry, earth, mint and mineral. Dark fruit flavors of blackberries, blueberries and black currant, in an elegant wrapping of spicy and well- integrated oak. The 2006 returns to the familiar broad-shouldered, firm structured, complex and almost Cab-like Hendry Zinfandel style. This wine will continue to soften and gain complexity with age. Block 28 has an affinity for anything rich, braised, or meaty, and would be terrific with a slow-roasted lamb shank rubbed with herbes-de-provence, braised short ribs or a game-based risotto� - $32.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.50/Taste or $6.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, September 4th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open � I�ve yet to decide what! It will depend on forecast temperature nearer the day.

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com

CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

August 06 � Worldwide Cabernet Sauvignon
August 13 � Abacela vs. Spanish �Originals�
August 20 � German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 � Wines from the Rh�ne Valley

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, July 30th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES FROM MEDITERRANEAN ISLANDS

CHEESE PLATE
We tried to find cheese from the Islands and we made it, but not necessarily from the same islands as the wines!
Mah�n Cow�s Milk Menorca
From the Mediterranean island of Menorca, this is my favorite Spanish cheese, mainly because it seems to go well with Burgundy � I�m sure it will go well with this week�s wines. The cheese has a salty tang on the finish.
Brigante Sheep�s Milk Sardinia
This sheep�s milk cheese comes from around the town of Thiesi in the north of the island. It is often called Dolce Sardo because of the sweetness of the local ewes� milk.
Halloumi Sheep�s Milk Cyprus
This is a similar cheese to Saganaki, the Greek �Flaming Cheese�, and is wonderful grilled. However it is interesting sliced in a salad.
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

At this time of the year, with the temperature going up in Oregon, lets �fly� to where breezes moderate temperatures and make life wonderful � the Islands of the Mediterranean.

1. We start on SANTORINI, that wonderful Greek island. The combination of heat plus strong winds makes for interesting wine growing conditions. ASSYRTIKO is the major white varietal, and its origin is unknown. Some think it is native to SANTORINI, or it may have arrived on the island with the Phoenicians after the volcanic eruptions of 1640 � 1620 BC. We offer this grape blended with ATHIRI in the SIGALAS 2008 SANTORINI WHITE It offers classic flowery, almost honeysuckle nose and then an underlying mineral acidity. Wonderful with kalamar�kia, either grilled or fried - $20.00
(We also have their 100% ASSYRTIKO at $24.00 and the oaked version at $28.75)

2. Next up is SARDEGNA (aka Sardinia), the Italian island to the west of LAZIO and CAMPANIA. ARGIOLAS is one of the top value/quality producers on the island and we offer their 2007 PERDERA which is a blend of the two local grapes MONICA (90%) and BOVALE di SARDO (5%) together with CARIGNAN (5%). A Matt Kramer recommendation, this wine is rated between 89 and 92 in major magazines. The wine is full-flavored and a little rustic, but offers lots of intense berry fruit - $14.50

3. We move back to SANTORINI for a RED. This island is usually thought of as a white wine producer (and Vin Santo), but ARGYROS also produces a lovely red (the first red from this island we have carried). ATLANTIS RED is a blend of 90% MANDILARIA and 10% MAVROTRAGANO. The former is a major red grape on CRETE and RHODOS (where it is known as AMORYANO). The wine is medium-full bodied with fine tannins, complex aromas of red fruit, with hints of prune and leather - $20.00

4. Moving further west we visit SPAIN�S BALEAR�C ISLANDS, and in particular the island of MALLORCA. This is one of the great �package vacation� islands for northern Europeans (Pauline and I were there in 1970s and I�m sure we would find it over-developed now). It is also home to some old wine regions. The Romans are thought to have brought viticulture to the island in about 123 AD. The industry has waxed and waned over the centuries and the modern industry dates from the 1980s. There are two Denominaci�n de Origins on the island, BINISS�LLEM-MALLORCA and PLA i LLEVANT. We will taste a wine from the former DO, the VINS NADAL 2008 ALBA FLOR TINTO. No, this wine does not taste like a used tennis ball, but is an interesting blend of the local varietal MANTO**** (75%) and 14% CABERNET SAUVIGNON and 11% MERLOT. The wine offers aromas of cherry and raspberry, and the palate is fruity with a mineral background. It is outstanding value - $14.50

5. Our final wine of the main flight comes from SICILIA. BENANTI is a producer that specializes with local varietals. We offer its 2006 ROSSODIVERZELLA (the current release) which is a blend of 80% NERELLO MASCALESE and 20% NERELLO CAPUCCIO. I�ve always liked this wine and this vintage is probably the best yet. The wine offers lots of ****y black fruit, together with something extra from the grapes being grown on the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna (at about 2500ft elevation). Not your �run-of-the-mill� red wine - $17.50
(We have a couple of bottles of the 2002 available at $16.50)

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

Our PREMIUM POUR also comes from SICILIA:

TENUTA della TERRE NERE is a property of MARC de GRAZIA, a Florentine who is very much involved with importing terrific Italian wines into the USA. The 2005 CALDERARA SOTTANA is a wine produced from grapes grown at about 800 metres on the NE slopes of Mount Etna. The wine carries an IGT ETNA ROSSO designation and is a blend of 98% NERELLO MASCALESE and 2% NERELLO CAPPUCCIO, two �native� grapes. I would not have guessed this wine, a regular winner of Due Bichieri in Gambero Rosso, came from SICILIA. The wine has the texture of a very good Burgundy, and offers lots of earthy, black fruit. If this wine came from anywhere other than SICILIA, it would cost much more! - $24.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.00/Taste or $5.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, July 31st
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. We are planning:

For the current warm weather, what is more refreshing than an un-oaked SAUVIGNON BLANC? We will pour LA PLAYA 2009 from CHILE�s COLCHAQUA VALLEY - $8.25

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com
CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

August 13 � Abacela vs. Spanish �Originals�
August 20 � German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 � Wines from the Rh�ne Valley
September 03 - Zinfandel

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 6th
4:30 - 7:00pm

CABERNET SAUVIGNON from around the WORLD

CHEESE PLATE
To go with Cabernet Sauvignon we offer a selection of cow�s milk Cheddar cheese. These cheeses always form a good backdrop for red wines.
Sharp Aged 6-9 months New Zealand
Coastal Aged 15 months Dorset, England
Extra, Extra Sharp Aged 18 months New York
SAMPLER PLATE $3.00

CABERNET SAUVIGNON could be considered the signature grape of the NAPA VALLEY, and it seems to be grown all over the world. Let�s taste the diversity with wines from five countries and two different zones of one of the countries. I find it very difficult to suggest a tasting order, and so I�m taking the easy way out and listing them in price order.

1. We start in ARGENTINA and the enormous wine region of MENDOZA. TRUMPETER is the �entry-level� label of RUTINI, and its 2007 CABERNET SAUVIGNON is stunning value. I believe it is 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON, and it offers pure cassis fruit with subtle touches of oak - $8.00

2. Now we jump over the Andes to CHILE. There are many wonderful value producers in this country of great scenery and wonderful people, but I�m beginning to think it is hard to beat CHONO for quality vs. price. Their Syrah has been the winner in our last two �Syrah from around the World� tastings, and the Carmin�re is also wonderful. We offer the 2008 CABERNET SAUVIGNON from the MAIPO VALLEY. Like most CABERNET SAUVIGNONS from this country, the wine is more BORDEAUX in style than, say, WALLA WALLA style - $12.50

3. I consider BORDEAUX as the home of CABERNET SAUVIGNON, but there it is usually blended with other grapes, although some Ch�teaux approach 100% in some years, and n�gotiants bottle 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON wines. The LANGUEDOC is a source of 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNONS, and we offer LES TRAVERSES de FONTANES 2007 VIN de PAYS d�OC. This is an estate-produced wine imported by Kermit Lynch, and is more elegant and complex than one would expect from this area - $14.25

4. What would a CABERNET SAUVIGNON tasting be without something from CALIFORNIA? We will taste the GOYETTE 2007 NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON. I�m sure most of you are saying �Who is Goyette?� BOB GOYETTE was the founder of LA CREMA and then moved on to other wineries. I tasted this wine at a trade tasting and thought it was great value for NAPA VALLEY. This is Bob�s philosophy: �I keep one eye on the successful traditions of Europe, and the other closely attuned to the grapes at hand. Using my own palate as a spring-board, I determine if the wines are really appealing to drink, rather than just done in a proper manner. I keep trying to work towards the best syntheses of the New & Old World traditions, while intuitively striving for wines that appeal to connoisseurs as well as people that just like wine. To me, it's all about balance and about listening.� - $18.75

5. We return to Europe and the PENED�S region of SPAIN. MIGUEL TORRES was just about the first to plant CABERNET SAUVIGNON in the area in the 1960s, and the TORRES winery now bottles 100% CABERNET wines, together with wines where the grape is blended with TEMPRANILLO. We offer one of the latter in the form of the GRAN CORONAS 2005 RESERVA. This is a blend of 85% CABERNET SAUVIGNON and 15% TEMPRANILLO (aka ULL de LIEBRE in Catalonia), and, in the Spanish tradition, has spent a considerable time in oak. Lush and elegant, the wine shows cassis from the CABERNET, and this is intermingled with coffee bean, licorice and vanillans - $19.25

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

Our PREMIUM POUR comes from our neighbors to the north, WASHINGTON:

STEPHENSON CELLARS was a new producer to me until a couple of weeks ago. They are in WALLA WALLA but their 2006 CABERNET SAUVIGNON carries a WASHINGTON Appellation as it is a blend from three vineyards � WINDY RIDGE in HORSE HEAVEN HILLS, WOODEN ISLAND on the banks of the COLUMBIA RIVER, and INLAND DESERT in BENTON CITY. The wine shows aromas of blueberry, cassis and cedar; the palate has cassis and plum with some Bordeaux-like influences - $33.00
*With apologies to Sideways, we also have their excellent MERLOT!*

TRY THIS WINE FOR $4.00/Taste or $7.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 7th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. We are planning:

NANTAIS, the western end of the LOIRE VALLEY, is best known for MUSCADET, which is made from the MELON de BOURGOGNE grape. However there is another white grape in the area, GROS PLANT (aka FOLLE BLANCHE), which normally does not have too much charm, being very acidic. The DOMAINE de l�AIGUILLETTE 2009 GROS PLANT is lovely � although very dry, it has great fruit upfront. It is much better than most inexpensive MUSCADET - $9.25

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I’ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on “Site Index” and then “Electronic Newsletter”. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click “Remove”. Thank you.

August 20 – German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 – Wines from the Rhône Valley
September 03 – Zinfandel
September 10 – Burgundy

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 13th
4:30 - 7:00pm

ABACELA vs. SPANISH “ORIGINALS”

CHEESE PLATE
To go with our Spanish wines and Abacela wines from Spanish grapes, we offer a selection of Spanish cheese:
Ibérico Cow/Goat/Sheep’s Milk Central Plains
Over 50% of Spanish cheese production is from a blend of milks, and this cheese’s name comes from a style of cheese produced all over the Iberian peninsular. This one comes from the Central Plains and shows mild acid from cow’s milk, the deeper flavor of sheep’s milk, and the finishing tang of goat’s milk. In theory this should be the best match to Tempranillo.
Campo de Montalbán Cow/Goat/Sheep’s Milk La Mancha
This cheese resembles Manchego in texture and appearance, and until 1985 it was in fact considered a Manchego. Campo de Montalbán is distinguished by its three milk blend, while Manchego contains only sheep's milk. The flavor is also similar to Manchego. However, as with Ibérico, the characters of all three milks are noticeable in Campo de Montalbán.
Manchego Sheep’s Milk La Mancha
From the land of Don Quixote, this is probably Spain’s most famous cheese. It is aged in grass molds for at least two months, giving it after notes of dry hay. A great match to many wines from dry sherry to rich reds.
SAMPLER PLATE $4.00

I always admire winery owners who have a vision to do something different, and succeed in making good wines that are interesting and start new trends. Earl and Hilda Jones, who founded ABACELA, had a belief that an area near Roseburg would be ideal for several Spanish varietals. Their wines are very good, and we’ve seen a mini-explosion of TEMPRANILLO in Oregon. All their wines are quality wines, and they are using only Estate fruit, or fruit from vineyards they manage. The Claret is being discontinued, as they do not grow Cabernet Sauvignon.

Last month, on our way to Ashland, Pauline and I visited ABACELA and had a great time. Linda, in charge of the tasting room, was charming and knowledgeable - and very generous with her pours. The current Tasting Room is small, and must become “cozy” on a busy weekend. An expanded winery and tasting room is under construction. If you have not visited this winery, plan to do so.


We had a picnic lunch at the winery:


Pauline contemplates world distances:


For this tasting we will compare two wines made from three Spanish varietals – one from Spain and one made from ABACELA.

Our first grape is ALBARIÑO:

1. From ABACELA we will taste their 2009 UMPQUA VALLEY. I watched the development of this grape at ABACELA and thought the 2008 was good, but the 2009 hit the mark, offering a wine as complex as its Spanish ancestors, and very competitive in price. It is the first vintage we have carried in the shop - $18.50

2. Most SPANISH ALBARINOS I really enjoy are north of $20.00/bottle, but I found one at <$20 for this tasting. BODEGAS LA CANA is a joint venture of the GIL FAMILY JUMILLA and importer JORGE ORDONEZ. The wine, of course, comes from RIAS BAIXAS in GALICIA, and the 2008 was rated “Outstanding” in the Wine Advocate. While not as complex as the great ALBARINOS from DO FERREIRO, the LA CANA is excellent - $18.00
(We have the 2007 DO FERREIRO in stock at $24.00)

The Second Grape is TEMPRANILLO, the grape that made ABACELA’S name:

3. We wanted to pour ABACELA’s 2007 McCORQUODALE VINEYARD which we tasted at the winery, but it appears this limited wine is “tasting room only” for the time being. This is their neighbor and they manage the vineyard. Instead we offer the 2007 CUVÉE which is a blend of 85% ESTATE FRUIT with the rest coming from the McCORQUODALE and DEFINO VINEYARDS. I was not fond of the early CUVÉE releases, but as the vines achieved some age, this wine is the bargain TEMPRANILLO from this producer - $20.00
(We also have the 2006 ESTATE at $36.00)

4. From SPAIN we offer IZARDI 2005 CRIANZA. This wine is 100% TEMPRANILLO from the RIOJA region, and was aged in American oak barrels. While very traditional in the use of American oak, this wine is much more fruit forward for traditional RIOJA, and I thought would be a good comparison to ABACELA - $18.00

Our Third Grape is GARNACHA:

While the French may think they “invented” GRENACHE, it appears the grape originates in SPAIN under the name GARNACHA.

5. From ABACELA we will taste their 2008 UMPQUA VALLEY. At the winery, Pauline was a bigger fan of this wine than I was. Maybe it was because it really has a “sense of place”, as it was not Spanish or French – and as a European, I too often tend to compare wines with the “originals”. At the moment my favorite OREGON GRENACHE/GARNACHA is COWHORN’S from the APPLEGATE VALLEY. Let’s find out what our customers think! - $22.50

6. From SPAIN it was difficult to choose what to use, mainly because most of the wines are much cheaper than the ABACELA wine, so we decided to pour a GARNACHA which approaches the ABACELA in price, but is somewhat atypical. JOAN d’ANGUERA has been a family-run winery since 1820 and is now run by a sister and brother team of Joan and Josep. Their 2009 GARNATXA is from MONTSANT. MONTSANT is in Catalonia, hence the spelling of the grape GARNACHA. This is their “entry level” red, and is fermented and aged in concrete tanks. It is one of the purest interpretations of the GARNACHA grape I’ve ever tasted - $19.00

TRY THESE SIX WINES FOR $12.00

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 14th
Noon – 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. As it is supposed to be over 90˚, we are planning:

Red wine drinkers need a great ROSÉ in hot weather. Pauline and I tend to believe the best of these wines come from the SOUTH of FRANCE, but this week I tried what I think is the greatest ROSÉ I’ve tasted from the USA – and it is from OREGON. COWHORN is in SOUTHERN OREGON’S APPLEGATE VALLEY and all their vineyards are biodynamically farmed (Demeter certified). Their 2009 GRENACHE ROSÉ is almost 100% GRENACHE but includes a tiny bit of VIOGNIER. I’d have guessed it was from PROVENCE, and even though not inexpensive for a ROSÉ, I think it is great value - $18.00

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I’ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on “Site Index” and then “Electronic Newsletter”. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click “Remove”. Thank you.

August 27 – Wines from the Rhône Valley
September 03 – Zinfandel
September 10 – Burgundy

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 20th
4:30 - 7:00pm

AUSTRIAN and GERMAN REDS

CHEESE PLATE
We’ve only fond one German cheese so far (other than Limberger), and none from Austria. Hopefully, by Friday, we will have something put together!
SAMPLER PLATE $??.00

We know most of you do not think about red wines when you consider Austria and Germany as these countries are famous mainly for Grüner Veltliner and Riesling whites. However, both countries make some interesting reds, usually from grapes grown in very few other countries. These wines are ideal summer reds, and some are even better when served slightly chilled (not refrigerator temperature, but at about 60˚F). We hope many of you come to try these interesting, but rarely poured, wines.

1. We start in Germany with a grape called DORNFELDER. This a crossing of a crossing between several German varietals, and Jancis Robinson said in her book Vines, Grapes and Wines “Dornfelder demonstrates most eloquently the advantages of the German approach to plant breeding”. We will taste the ANDREAS DIEHL 2009 DORNFELDER from the PFALZ region. This is the sunniest and driest part of Germany, and so should be the best area for red grapes. This DORNFELDER is very fruity in style with a touch of residual sugar. It is an ideal hot weather red. This is a review I found on-line: “Strawberries and cherries are all over the nose, and you can tell that this wine is full of fruit. The wine is sweet on the palate, right out of the gate. However, it’s still clean, and on the lighter side for a sweetish wine. There is a bit of acid, but almost no tannic structure until very, very late on the palate. Dark cherries and strawberries dominate the experience” - $13.50

2. Next up is SPÄTBURGUNDER, aka PINOT NOIR. I’ve tasted some lovely such wines from GERMANY, but the prices are usually too high to make sense. We have carried a few reasonably priced ones from the PFALZ, and this week we offer one from RHEINHESSEN, which is just to the north of the PFALZ. The wine is from the 2007 vintage and is called UNDONE. Produced by the VALCKENBERG GROUP and bottled with a screw cap, the wine is unoaked and unmanipulated – this is the reason for the name as the grapes are “undone” to show their natural charms (just wait until you see the label). K & L Wines of San Francisco say on their web site “It is the fresh, light and juicy wine for those of us who don’t like our Pinot Noir to look and taste like Syrah. The wine is delicate and pure, medium bodied and full of wild strawberry, cherry and raspberry aromas with just a subtle hint of spice in the finish”. It will take a slight chill - $12.50

3. I recently attended an Austrian Trade Tasting and liked most of the wines. However Austrian wines have a price problem in the USA. In fact the country has the highest price per bottle of all European countries who export to the USA. We start with the grape BLAUFRÄNKISCH, which in Germany is often called LEMBERGER. We will taste the NECKENMARKT 2008 CLASSIC “FRANK” from MITTELBURGENLAND. The wine has ripe red-black fruit with a touch of spice and moderate tannins. Someone described it as the wine you would get if you mixed Dolcetto with a Cru Beaujolais – I think she is right! - $16.00

4. We stay in the BURGENLAND and taste a blend from the HEINRICH winery. In a very honest fashion they just call it the 2008 RED. It is a blend of 50% MERLOT, 30% ZWEIGELT and 20% BLAUFRÄNKISCH. On the nose all I could sense was the MERLOT, but this is one of those wines where the nose can be misleading. The palate has lots of spice and a certain earthiness, and the finish is very long. A fascinating wine - $19.50

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we stay with the HEINRICH winery in BURGENLAND:

When Pauline and I did our OKANAGAN trip in 2007 we were surprised by how good the ZWEIGELT from ARROWLEAF winery was as we did not know any North American winery grew this red grape. This week we offer one of the best ZWEIGELTS from AUSTRIA when one takes price into account. ZWEIGELT is a crossing of BLAUFRÄNKISCH and ST-LAURENT. I tried to find a ST-LAURENT for the tasting as this grape is supposed to be a close cousin to PINOT NOIR, but the local distributors do not seem keen on it. This ZWEIGELT has a lovely nose of ripe cherries and violets – almost too good to drink! The palate is much richer with dark fruit and touches of liquorice and chocolate. Fantastic value - $27.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.00/Taste or $5.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 21st
Noon – 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. Despite the cooler weather, I’d love you to try this rosé

Red wine drinkers need a great ROSÉ in the summer. Pauline and I tend to believe the best of these wines come from the SOUTH of FRANCE, but recently I tried what I think is the greatest ROSÉ I’ve tasted from the USA – and it is from OREGON. COWHORN is in SOUTHERN OREGON’S APPLEGATE VALLEY and all their vineyards are biodynamically farmed (Demeter certified). Their 2009 GRENACHE ROSÉ is almost 100% GRENACHE but includes a tiny bit of VIOGNIER. I’d have guessed it was from PROVENCE, and even though not inexpensive for a ROSÉ, I think it is great value - $18.00

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

September 03 � Zinfandel
September 10 � Burgundy
September 17 � The best of Matt Kramer�s 2010 Picks
September 24 � The Crus of Beaujolais

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 27th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES of the RH�NE VALLEY

CHEESE PLATE
We offer a selection of French cheese to go with our French wines.
Fol Epi Cow�s Milk Loire Valley
This creamy cheese is enclosed in a golden-brown rind made from a wheat base -- hence the name �Fol Epi,� which means �wild wheat stalk� in French. It is made in a similar style to Swiss Emmental, providing a nutty taste with a slight wheat flavor.
Raclette Cow�s Milk French Alps
This is a Swiss or French alpine cheese with a nutty flavor and silky, smooth texture. Slightly softer than the more characteristic Alpage cheeses, it is a close cousin to Morbier in France and Appenzeller in Switzerland. Our Raclette is a raw milk cheese from the French Alps.
Tomme de Savoie Cow�s Milk Savoie
This Tomme is a semi-firm cow's milk cheese made in the valley of the Savoie in the French Alps. It has a delightfully nutty flavor and a smooth paste that melts in your mouth. The hard, powdery rind has an earthy aroma and is usually speckled with many types of indigenous and beneficial molds
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

We were encouraged by the turnout to try lesser-known wines at our German/Austrian Red tasting, and so for this Rh�ne tasting we�ve included a couple of wines that are somewhat out-of-the-mainstream for this popular wine region.

1. We start with the 2009 vintage of what was our biggest selling C�TES-du-RH�NE in the 2007 and 2008 vintages. DOMAINE CHAPOTON can trace its origins to 1665 under Louis XIV, and the current generation took over in 1981. The wine is a blend of GRENACHE, SYRAH, MOUV�DRE and CARIGNAN. The wine has intense fruit, some spice, and a touch of classic garrigue. Comments from people who have tasted all three vintages suggest the 2009 is more fruit forward than the others (it was a hotter vintage) - $10.50

2. DOMAINE MONPERTUIS is a CH�TEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE producer, and we offer their 2007 VIGNOBLE de la RAMI�RE which is unusual in that it is 100% COUNOISE, one of the 13 grapes allowed in CDP. There are not many such wines in the world, but Oregon�s Andrew Rich has made one, as has Washington�s McCrae. The wine shows black fruit with a little spice together with meatiness similar to MOURV�DRE. The fruit is grown in the GARD region at the mouth of the Rh�ne - $16.50

3. Our next wine is from a very expensive producer in VACQUEYRAS in the SOUTHERN RH�NE VALLEY. ROUCAS TOUMBA LES GRANDS CHEMINS is basically de-classified VACQUEYRAS, and the producer could call the wine C�TES-du-RH�NE, but he decided on the VIN de TABLE designation. The fruit is from 2007, but I was told that a VIN de TABLE cannot have a vintage date. A blend of GRENACHE, SYRAH and MOURV�DRE, the wine is perfumed, giving you the sense of the herbs of the area; this is followed by chewy, black fruit with a spicy edge, and then a long finish. As a Rh�naholic, I think this wine is sensational value! - $17.25

4. For our final wine of the basic flight we go to CH�TEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE. These days it is hard to find a CDP under $40.00, so when I found this �left-over� 2005 we could sell for $30.00, I jumped at it. This wine, built primarily upon GRENACHE is intensely aromatic, with notes of ground coffee, plum, grenadine and game. The bright Grenache fruit has an intriguing savory, almost salty, quality to it, which is not half as strange as it might sound. It is simply one of the many parts of this in balance, complex wine. If you were talking about pairing this wine with food, nearly any cut of lamb would be wonderful - $30.00

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go to the NORTHERN RH�NE to taste SYRAH:

CROZES HERMITAGE is the �poor cousin� of HERMITAGE. It is a relatively large Appellation, covering an area almost 10 miles long to the north and south of the village of TAIN and HERMITAGE itself. For many years, most wines were pallid in comparison to HERMITAGE. Now some substantial wines are being made, and ALAIN GRAILLOT is considered one of the bright, shining stars of the Appellation. 2004 was a difficult vintage in the area, and I have not tasted the ALAIN GRAILLOT 2004 CROZES HERMITAGE for some time, so let�s see how it is aging. Robert Parker in the Wine Advocate said: �Gregarious Alain Graillot has turned out a 2004 Crozes-Hermitage that presents plenty of olive notes intermixed with some sweet red currant and cherry notes. The acidity of the vintage is relatively apparent in this wine, which is elegant and Burgundian in its texture and aromatics. Drink 2007-2011� - $29.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.50/Taste or $6.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 28th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open:

OREGON�S QUERCUS WINES are below most people�s radar, probably because they make wines under a number of labels. The wines are a project of MICHAEL BECKLEY, and we have carried PINOT NOIR and SYRAH wines he has made (we have some of his CADMUS 2004 PINOT NOIR in stock). We offer his ROCK CREEK CELLARS 2007 OREGON RED WINE. The wine is a blend of CABERNET SAUVIGNON, MERLOT and SYRAH, and offers gobs of black fruit coupled with a nice, spicy, edge - $11.25

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

September 10 � Burgundy
September 17 � The best of Matt Kramer�s 2010 Picks
September 24 � The Crus of Beaujolais
October 01 � Washington Wines

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, September 3rd
4:30 - 7:00pm

ZINFANDEL

CHEESE PLATE
Once again, we rely on our favorite New York cheese shop to recommend cheese for Zinfandel:
Gruy�re Raw Cow�s Milk Switzerland
This is cave-aged Gruy�re � not your average supermarket version. Aged for a significant time, this is a rich, nutty, cheese.
Cantalet Raw Cow�s Milk France
Considered to be the ancestor to British Farmhouse Cheddars, this is a cow's milk cheese from Auvergne, France. It is weighty, moist, creamy, and just subtley sharp, with a very defined sweet and milky quality. As the French took over England in 1066, maybe it is true they created the great English Cheddars. However, didn�t we Brits control the Bordeaux region a few hundred years later? As Pauline and I are Francophiles, I thank the Frogs for anything they did to improve English cuisine.
Campo de Montalban Pasteurized Cow�s/Goat�s/Sheep�s Milk Spain
This cheese resembles Manchego in texture and appearance, and until 1985 it was in fact considered a Manchego. Campo de Montalb�n is distinguished by its three milk blend, while Manchego contains only sheep's milk. The flavor is also similar to Manchego.
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

As most of our regulars know, ZINFANDEL is not one of my favorite grapes, although PAULINE would say �You want to stay married?� However I�ve converted her from blowsy CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAYS to CHABLIS, the greatest expression of CHARDONANY in the world. Her job is to convert me from the RIDGE blends to full-throttle ZINFANDELS. My tasting notes are minimal, as PAULINE says I do not know what I�m talking about.

1. We start in LODI and PEIRANO ESTATE 2008 IMMORTAL OLD VINE ZINFANDEL. I�ve never tasted this wine, but, unbelievably, it is an allocated wine. There is no more of this vintage left other than the case I have. The vines are over 100 years old, hence the IMMORTAL name - $11.50

2. We stay in LODI for CAMPUS OAKS 2007 OLD VINE ZINFANDEL. We used an earlier vintage of this wine a couple of years ago and it was a big hit. I liked the spicy black fruit it offered, but felt a little heat on the finish despite the modest (for ZINFANDEL) 14.5% alcohol - $14.75

3. My favorite ZINFANDEL producer is RIDGE � maybe it is because very few of their wines are 100% ZINFANDEL! We offer the 2008 THREE VALLEYS that, for the first time, cannot be called ZINFANDEL because it is only 74% of the grape! The rest is PETIT SIRAH, CARIGNAN, MATARO, SYRAH and GRENACHE - $22.50

4. For our final wine of the basic flight we go to OREGON to THE PINES VINEYARD and their 2007 ZINFANDEL. The vineyard is in THE DALLES, but the tasting room is in HOOD RIVER. The wine is made from 20 year-old vines that were created from starts from the 100+ year-old vines in the vineyard. For its relatively high alcohol (15.2%), I found the wine food friendly, showing no heat from the alcohol - $28.75

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go to the NAPA VALLEY:

HENDRY is a producer with a range of wines from ALBARI�O to CABERNET SAUVIGNON, but better known for their �single block� ZINFANDELS. We offer the 2006 BLOCK 28 which was aged for fifteen months in French oak barrels, 65% of which were new. Despite its 15.8% alcohol, I felt this was another food-friendly Zinfandel. This is what the winery says: �Aromas include smoky spice, bay, berry, earth, mint and mineral. Dark fruit flavors of blackberries, blueberries and black currant, in an elegant wrapping of spicy and well- integrated oak. The 2006 returns to the familiar broad-shouldered, firm structured, complex and almost Cab-like Hendry Zinfandel style. This wine will continue to soften and gain complexity with age. Block 28 has an affinity for anything rich, braised, or meaty, and would be terrific with a slow-roasted lamb shank rubbed with herbes-de-provence, braised short ribs or a game-based risotto� - $32.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.50/Taste or $6.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, September 4th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open � I�ve yet to decide what! It will depend on forecast temperature nearer the day.

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

September 24 � The Crus of Beaujolais
October 01 � Washington Wines
October 08 � Spain
October 15 � Worldwide Sangiovese
October 22 � Wines from San Juan Winery

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, September 17th
4:30 - 7:00pm

THE BEST OF MATT KRAMER�S 2010 PICKS

CHEESE PLATE
This week, as we have a variety of wines, I decided to go with relatively mild cheeses:
Havarti Cow�s Milk Denmark
Monterey Jack Cow�s Milk California
Goat Cheddar Goat�s Milk Canada
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $2.50

Most of us in the Oregon wine industry have a love-hate relationship with Matt Kramer � recently, it has been mainly hate because of his trashing of the 2007 vintage here in Oregon. The few of you who came to our recent 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir tasting know how good this vintage can be � we sold a lot of wine that night, and on the basis of sales per capita of turn-out, it was one of our best Fridays ever. Despite this Kramer �fault�, I have much respect for his palate. I�m amazed that many of the wines he recommends I�ve already purchased for the shop. At the moment I think he is doing a great job recommending value wines (in all price categories), as well as trying to encourage people to try some thing different � as I do!

We start with a white in that category. Please note most of the following notes are from Matt Kramer in the Sunday Oregonian:

1. HUNGARY�S TOKAJ zone has been famous for centuries for creating extraordinary sweet wines from the local FURMINT grape variety (we have two great ones in stock), but it had absolutely no history of creating a dry white wine from FURMINT until the late-20th-century. We will taste the KIR�LYUDVAR TOKAJI FURMINT SEC 2007. Kramer said, and I agree, ��this is one of the most extraordinary dry white wines you will taste this year, I promise you. Although labeled as furmint, this wine is actually a blend of two indigenous white grapes: furmint (80 percent) and h�rslevelu. Impressively dense, it proffers a striking scent of flowers and minerals with just the barest whiff of honey allied with lemon. Thick-textured, there's a crisp acidity that makes this wine oh-so-drinkable, with that same minerals and flower quality coming through in the taste. And it�s just 12.5 percent alcohol. This is a magnificent dry white wine that can accompany all sorts of foods, from fish such as salmon to white meats such as chicken, pork and veal, as well as the most flavorful cheeses. If you try one new-to-you dry white wine this year, this is the one to get� - $20.00

2. One 2007 local wine Kramer wrote-up was J. CHRISTOPHER WILLAMETTE VALLEY PINOT NOIR (and we sold many cases on my recommendation). He has now recommended the 2008, as I do. This is what Kramer said: �Readers will recall prior recommendations of wines from the small Oregon winery called J. Christopher. The reason is simple: owner-winemaker Jay Somers is easily one of Oregon's best winemakers. Not only do his wines deliver a higher level of quality than much of his competition, but Somers also chooses to sell them at more reasonable prices than many. It�s a compelling combination. The (Oregon) 2008 vintage was a standout, especially for the pinot noirs. The proof is in the tasting. When you try J. Christopher Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2008 you�ll agree that 2008 is a remarkable vintage. A blend of four Willamette Valley vineyards (Bella Vida, La Colina, Croft and Charlie�s ), this is a dense, concentrated pinot noir of real character and ideal balance between fruit and acidity.� - $23.50

3. Kramer is also very good at spotting the better wines from fast growing areas such as Chile, Argentina, and the �New� Spain. We will taste one of his, and my, CHILEAN picks, PALO ALTO RESERVE CHILE, MAULE VALLEY, 2008. These are Kramer�s notes: �Palo Alto is a brand created by Chile�s largest wine producer, Concha y Toro. While most brands are just trading names designed to create an artificial differentiation among otherwise indistinguishable wines in a large winery�s production, Palo Alto seems to be different. A blend of cabernet sauvignon (55 percent), carmen�re (30 percent) and syrah (15 percent), Palo Alto Reserve Chile �Maule Valley� 2008 is an impressively refined red that's more than a little reminiscent of a very good red Bordeaux.� - $11.50

4. Over the last couple of months, it is amazing how many wines I have tasted from the southwest corner of the Rh�ne River that have carried a du GARD or COSTI�RES de NIMES designation. One of the best value, and another Kramer pick, I�ve tasted is the CH�TEAU DE VALCOMBE 2007 TRADITION, COSTI�RES DE NIMES. This what Kramer said: �A good example of just what France can deliver at a stellar price is this red wine. Never heard of Costi�res de Nimes? It�s far from famous. And the name itself is relatively new, dating only to 1989. Previously it was called Costi�res du Gard. Presumably the locals liked the association with the nearby city of Nimes, which boasts the best-preserved ancient Roman coliseum in France. Ch�teau de Valcombe �Tradition� 2007 shows what this district can do. An unusually rich, dense, even succulent red wine composed mostly of syrah (70 percent) with the balance in grenache, it�s surprisingly supple and irresistibly drinkable. This is a drink-now red ideal for just about any meat sizzling from a hot grill. It�s a barbecue red supreme. The price is as first-rate as the wine.� - $12.50

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For this week�s PREMIUM POUR we return to a wine we�ve used in the past, but that is drinking even better now (and our current stock is all that is available):

We go to PIEMONTE in the northwest of ITALY to taste a bargain BAROLO, MONCHIERO�S 2005. This what Kramer said: �Famously long-lived, Barolo is the apotheosis of the nebbiolo grape -- the end of the line, as good as it gets. Classically described as offering intermingled scents and tastes of roses and tar (sounds odd, tastes good), Barolo has changed somewhat in recent decades -- much of it for the better. Where once the wines were too often excessively tannic and sometimes dried-out, today they deliver fresh, precisely defined flavors and more gentle, easy-down-the-gullet tannins. Some producers, inevitably, have taken to using small oak barrels, the better to make Barolo taste "familiar," which is to say like the cabernets and pinot noirs the world is more accustomed to drinking. Monchiero, however, is a small family producer that has remained resolutely traditional. No small oak barrels for them. That said, they have �freshened� their style, creating wines that emphasize fruit purity at no expense of either depth or detail. This is all to the (very) good. When you taste this, be assured that you're tasting the real, true Barolo thing in all of its complexity and unique flavor distinction. Serve this in large glasses with braised oxtails, a good steak or anything hearty and full-flavored; you'll see -- or rather, taste -- what the hoopla is all about. This is a steal for the money -- as well as a benchmark bottling.� - $30.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.50/Taste or 6.00/4 Ounces

On Friday we will also have several other �Matt�s Picks� in stock including the COOPER MOUNTAIN 2008 RESERVE PINOT NOIR $20.00, the TORRE ORIA BRUT NON-VINTAGE CAVA $8.25, and the fabulous ANDR� CLOUET BRUT NATURE CHAMPAGNE $40.00

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, September 18th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open � I�ve yet to decide what. Maybe I should ask Matt Kramer!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com

CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

August 06 � Worldwide Cabernet Sauvignon
August 13 � Abacela vs. Spanish �Originals�
August 20 � German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 � Wines from the Rh�ne Valley

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, July 30th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES FROM MEDITERRANEAN ISLANDS

CHEESE PLATE
We tried to find cheese from the Islands and we made it, but not necessarily from the same islands as the wines!
Mah�n Cow�s Milk Menorca
From the Mediterranean island of Menorca, this is my favorite Spanish cheese, mainly because it seems to go well with Burgundy � I�m sure it will go well with this week�s wines. The cheese has a salty tang on the finish.
Brigante Sheep�s Milk Sardinia
This sheep�s milk cheese comes from around the town of Thiesi in the north of the island. It is often called Dolce Sardo because of the sweetness of the local ewes� milk.
Halloumi Sheep�s Milk Cyprus
This is a similar cheese to Saganaki, the Greek �Flaming Cheese�, and is wonderful grilled. However it is interesting sliced in a salad.
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

At this time of the year, with the temperature going up in Oregon, lets �fly� to where breezes moderate temperatures and make life wonderful � the Islands of the Mediterranean.

1. We start on SANTORINI, that wonderful Greek island. The combination of heat plus strong winds makes for interesting wine growing conditions. ASSYRTIKO is the major white varietal, and its origin is unknown. Some think it is native to SANTORINI, or it may have arrived on the island with the Phoenicians after the volcanic eruptions of 1640 � 1620 BC. We offer this grape blended with ATHIRI in the SIGALAS 2008 SANTORINI WHITE It offers classic flowery, almost honeysuckle nose and then an underlying mineral acidity. Wonderful with kalamar�kia, either grilled or fried - $20.00
(We also have their 100% ASSYRTIKO at $24.00 and the oaked version at $28.75)

2. Next up is SARDEGNA (aka Sardinia), the Italian island to the west of LAZIO and CAMPANIA. ARGIOLAS is one of the top value/quality producers on the island and we offer their 2007 PERDERA which is a blend of the two local grapes MONICA (90%) and BOVALE di SARDO (5%) together with CARIGNAN (5%). A Matt Kramer recommendation, this wine is rated between 89 and 92 in major magazines. The wine is full-flavored and a little rustic, but offers lots of intense berry fruit - $14.50

3. We move back to SANTORINI for a RED. This island is usually thought of as a white wine producer (and Vin Santo), but ARGYROS also produces a lovely red (the first red from this island we have carried). ATLANTIS RED is a blend of 90% MANDILARIA and 10% MAVROTRAGANO. The former is a major red grape on CRETE and RHODOS (where it is known as AMORYANO). The wine is medium-full bodied with fine tannins, complex aromas of red fruit, with hints of prune and leather - $20.00

4. Moving further west we visit SPAIN�S BALEAR�C ISLANDS, and in particular the island of MALLORCA. This is one of the great �package vacation� islands for northern Europeans (Pauline and I were there in 1970s and I�m sure we would find it over-developed now). It is also home to some old wine regions. The Romans are thought to have brought viticulture to the island in about 123 AD. The industry has waxed and waned over the centuries and the modern industry dates from the 1980s. There are two Denominaci�n de Origins on the island, BINISS�LLEM-MALLORCA and PLA i LLEVANT. We will taste a wine from the former DO, the VINS NADAL 2008 ALBA FLOR TINTO. No, this wine does not taste like a used tennis ball, but is an interesting blend of the local varietal MANTO**** (75%) and 14% CABERNET SAUVIGNON and 11% MERLOT. The wine offers aromas of cherry and raspberry, and the palate is fruity with a mineral background. It is outstanding value - $14.50

5. Our final wine of the main flight comes from SICILIA. BENANTI is a producer that specializes with local varietals. We offer its 2006 ROSSODIVERZELLA (the current release) which is a blend of 80% NERELLO MASCALESE and 20% NERELLO CAPUCCIO. I�ve always liked this wine and this vintage is probably the best yet. The wine offers lots of ****y black fruit, together with something extra from the grapes being grown on the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna (at about 2500ft elevation). Not your �run-of-the-mill� red wine - $17.50
(We have a couple of bottles of the 2002 available at $16.50)

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

Our PREMIUM POUR also comes from SICILIA:

TENUTA della TERRE NERE is a property of MARC de GRAZIA, a Florentine who is very much involved with importing terrific Italian wines into the USA. The 2005 CALDERARA SOTTANA is a wine produced from grapes grown at about 800 metres on the NE slopes of Mount Etna. The wine carries an IGT ETNA ROSSO designation and is a blend of 98% NERELLO MASCALESE and 2% NERELLO CAPPUCCIO, two �native� grapes. I would not have guessed this wine, a regular winner of Due Bichieri in Gambero Rosso, came from SICILIA. The wine has the texture of a very good Burgundy, and offers lots of earthy, black fruit. If this wine came from anywhere other than SICILIA, it would cost much more! - $24.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.00/Taste or $5.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, July 31st
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. We are planning:

For the current warm weather, what is more refreshing than an un-oaked SAUVIGNON BLANC? We will pour LA PLAYA 2009 from CHILE�s COLCHAQUA VALLEY - $8.25

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com
CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

August 13 � Abacela vs. Spanish �Originals�
August 20 � German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 � Wines from the Rh�ne Valley
September 03 - Zinfandel

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 6th
4:30 - 7:00pm

CABERNET SAUVIGNON from around the WORLD

CHEESE PLATE
To go with Cabernet Sauvignon we offer a selection of cow�s milk Cheddar cheese. These cheeses always form a good backdrop for red wines.
Sharp Aged 6-9 months New Zealand
Coastal Aged 15 months Dorset, England
Extra, Extra Sharp Aged 18 months New York
SAMPLER PLATE $3.00

CABERNET SAUVIGNON could be considered the signature grape of the NAPA VALLEY, and it seems to be grown all over the world. Let�s taste the diversity with wines from five countries and two different zones of one of the countries. I find it very difficult to suggest a tasting order, and so I�m taking the easy way out and listing them in price order.

1. We start in ARGENTINA and the enormous wine region of MENDOZA. TRUMPETER is the �entry-level� label of RUTINI, and its 2007 CABERNET SAUVIGNON is stunning value. I believe it is 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON, and it offers pure cassis fruit with subtle touches of oak - $8.00

2. Now we jump over the Andes to CHILE. There are many wonderful value producers in this country of great scenery and wonderful people, but I�m beginning to think it is hard to beat CHONO for quality vs. price. Their Syrah has been the winner in our last two �Syrah from around the World� tastings, and the Carmin�re is also wonderful. We offer the 2008 CABERNET SAUVIGNON from the MAIPO VALLEY. Like most CABERNET SAUVIGNONS from this country, the wine is more BORDEAUX in style than, say, WALLA WALLA style - $12.50

3. I consider BORDEAUX as the home of CABERNET SAUVIGNON, but there it is usually blended with other grapes, although some Ch�teaux approach 100% in some years, and n�gotiants bottle 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON wines. The LANGUEDOC is a source of 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNONS, and we offer LES TRAVERSES de FONTANES 2007 VIN de PAYS d�OC. This is an estate-produced wine imported by Kermit Lynch, and is more elegant and complex than one would expect from this area - $14.25

4. What would a CABERNET SAUVIGNON tasting be without something from CALIFORNIA? We will taste the GOYETTE 2007 NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON. I�m sure most of you are saying �Who is Goyette?� BOB GOYETTE was the founder of LA CREMA and then moved on to other wineries. I tasted this wine at a trade tasting and thought it was great value for NAPA VALLEY. This is Bob�s philosophy: �I keep one eye on the successful traditions of Europe, and the other closely attuned to the grapes at hand. Using my own palate as a spring-board, I determine if the wines are really appealing to drink, rather than just done in a proper manner. I keep trying to work towards the best syntheses of the New & Old World traditions, while intuitively striving for wines that appeal to connoisseurs as well as people that just like wine. To me, it's all about balance and about listening.� - $18.75

5. We return to Europe and the PENED�S region of SPAIN. MIGUEL TORRES was just about the first to plant CABERNET SAUVIGNON in the area in the 1960s, and the TORRES winery now bottles 100% CABERNET wines, together with wines where the grape is blended with TEMPRANILLO. We offer one of the latter in the form of the GRAN CORONAS 2005 RESERVA. This is a blend of 85% CABERNET SAUVIGNON and 15% TEMPRANILLO (aka ULL de LIEBRE in Catalonia), and, in the Spanish tradition, has spent a considerable time in oak. Lush and elegant, the wine shows cassis from the CABERNET, and this is intermingled with coffee bean, licorice and vanillans - $19.25

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

Our PREMIUM POUR comes from our neighbors to the north, WASHINGTON:

STEPHENSON CELLARS was a new producer to me until a couple of weeks ago. They are in WALLA WALLA but their 2006 CABERNET SAUVIGNON carries a WASHINGTON Appellation as it is a blend from three vineyards � WINDY RIDGE in HORSE HEAVEN HILLS, WOODEN ISLAND on the banks of the COLUMBIA RIVER, and INLAND DESERT in BENTON CITY. The wine shows aromas of blueberry, cassis and cedar; the palate has cassis and plum with some Bordeaux-like influences - $33.00
*With apologies to Sideways, we also have their excellent MERLOT!*

TRY THIS WINE FOR $4.00/Taste or $7.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 7th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. We are planning:

NANTAIS, the western end of the LOIRE VALLEY, is best known for MUSCADET, which is made from the MELON de BOURGOGNE grape. However there is another white grape in the area, GROS PLANT (aka FOLLE BLANCHE), which normally does not have too much charm, being very acidic. The DOMAINE de l�AIGUILLETTE 2009 GROS PLANT is lovely � although very dry, it has great fruit upfront. It is much better than most inexpensive MUSCADET - $9.25

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I’ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on “Site Index” and then “Electronic Newsletter”. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click “Remove”. Thank you.

August 20 – German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 – Wines from the Rhône Valley
September 03 – Zinfandel
September 10 – Burgundy

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 13th
4:30 - 7:00pm

ABACELA vs. SPANISH “ORIGINALS”

CHEESE PLATE
To go with our Spanish wines and Abacela wines from Spanish grapes, we offer a selection of Spanish cheese:
Ibérico Cow/Goat/Sheep’s Milk Central Plains
Over 50% of Spanish cheese production is from a blend of milks, and this cheese’s name comes from a style of cheese produced all over the Iberian peninsular. This one comes from the Central Plains and shows mild acid from cow’s milk, the deeper flavor of sheep’s milk, and the finishing tang of goat’s milk. In theory this should be the best match to Tempranillo.
Campo de Montalbán Cow/Goat/Sheep’s Milk La Mancha
This cheese resembles Manchego in texture and appearance, and until 1985 it was in fact considered a Manchego. Campo de Montalbán is distinguished by its three milk blend, while Manchego contains only sheep's milk. The flavor is also similar to Manchego. However, as with Ibérico, the characters of all three milks are noticeable in Campo de Montalbán.
Manchego Sheep’s Milk La Mancha
From the land of Don Quixote, this is probably Spain’s most famous cheese. It is aged in grass molds for at least two months, giving it after notes of dry hay. A great match to many wines from dry sherry to rich reds.
SAMPLER PLATE $4.00

I always admire winery owners who have a vision to do something different, and succeed in making good wines that are interesting and start new trends. Earl and Hilda Jones, who founded ABACELA, had a belief that an area near Roseburg would be ideal for several Spanish varietals. Their wines are very good, and we’ve seen a mini-explosion of TEMPRANILLO in Oregon. All their wines are quality wines, and they are using only Estate fruit, or fruit from vineyards they manage. The Claret is being discontinued, as they do not grow Cabernet Sauvignon.

Last month, on our way to Ashland, Pauline and I visited ABACELA and had a great time. Linda, in charge of the tasting room, was charming and knowledgeable - and very generous with her pours. The current Tasting Room is small, and must become “cozy” on a busy weekend. An expanded winery and tasting room is under construction. If you have not visited this winery, plan to do so.


We had a picnic lunch at the winery:


Pauline contemplates world distances:


For this tasting we will compare two wines made from three Spanish varietals – one from Spain and one made from ABACELA.

Our first grape is ALBARIÑO:

1. From ABACELA we will taste their 2009 UMPQUA VALLEY. I watched the development of this grape at ABACELA and thought the 2008 was good, but the 2009 hit the mark, offering a wine as complex as its Spanish ancestors, and very competitive in price. It is the first vintage we have carried in the shop - $18.50

2. Most SPANISH ALBARINOS I really enjoy are north of $20.00/bottle, but I found one at <$20 for this tasting. BODEGAS LA CANA is a joint venture of the GIL FAMILY JUMILLA and importer JORGE ORDONEZ. The wine, of course, comes from RIAS BAIXAS in GALICIA, and the 2008 was rated “Outstanding” in the Wine Advocate. While not as complex as the great ALBARINOS from DO FERREIRO, the LA CANA is excellent - $18.00
(We have the 2007 DO FERREIRO in stock at $24.00)

The Second Grape is TEMPRANILLO, the grape that made ABACELA’S name:

3. We wanted to pour ABACELA’s 2007 McCORQUODALE VINEYARD which we tasted at the winery, but it appears this limited wine is “tasting room only” for the time being. This is their neighbor and they manage the vineyard. Instead we offer the 2007 CUVÉE which is a blend of 85% ESTATE FRUIT with the rest coming from the McCORQUODALE and DEFINO VINEYARDS. I was not fond of the early CUVÉE releases, but as the vines achieved some age, this wine is the bargain TEMPRANILLO from this producer - $20.00
(We also have the 2006 ESTATE at $36.00)

4. From SPAIN we offer IZARDI 2005 CRIANZA. This wine is 100% TEMPRANILLO from the RIOJA region, and was aged in American oak barrels. While very traditional in the use of American oak, this wine is much more fruit forward for traditional RIOJA, and I thought would be a good comparison to ABACELA - $18.00

Our Third Grape is GARNACHA:

While the French may think they “invented” GRENACHE, it appears the grape originates in SPAIN under the name GARNACHA.

5. From ABACELA we will taste their 2008 UMPQUA VALLEY. At the winery, Pauline was a bigger fan of this wine than I was. Maybe it was because it really has a “sense of place”, as it was not Spanish or French – and as a European, I too often tend to compare wines with the “originals”. At the moment my favorite OREGON GRENACHE/GARNACHA is COWHORN’S from the APPLEGATE VALLEY. Let’s find out what our customers think! - $22.50

6. From SPAIN it was difficult to choose what to use, mainly because most of the wines are much cheaper than the ABACELA wine, so we decided to pour a GARNACHA which approaches the ABACELA in price, but is somewhat atypical. JOAN d’ANGUERA has been a family-run winery since 1820 and is now run by a sister and brother team of Joan and Josep. Their 2009 GARNATXA is from MONTSANT. MONTSANT is in Catalonia, hence the spelling of the grape GARNACHA. This is their “entry level” red, and is fermented and aged in concrete tanks. It is one of the purest interpretations of the GARNACHA grape I’ve ever tasted - $19.00

TRY THESE SIX WINES FOR $12.00

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 14th
Noon – 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. As it is supposed to be over 90˚, we are planning:

Red wine drinkers need a great ROSÉ in hot weather. Pauline and I tend to believe the best of these wines come from the SOUTH of FRANCE, but this week I tried what I think is the greatest ROSÉ I’ve tasted from the USA – and it is from OREGON. COWHORN is in SOUTHERN OREGON’S APPLEGATE VALLEY and all their vineyards are biodynamically farmed (Demeter certified). Their 2009 GRENACHE ROSÉ is almost 100% GRENACHE but includes a tiny bit of VIOGNIER. I’d have guessed it was from PROVENCE, and even though not inexpensive for a ROSÉ, I think it is great value - $18.00

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I’ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on “Site Index” and then “Electronic Newsletter”. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click “Remove”. Thank you.

August 27 – Wines from the Rhône Valley
September 03 – Zinfandel
September 10 – Burgundy

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 20th
4:30 - 7:00pm

AUSTRIAN and GERMAN REDS

CHEESE PLATE
We’ve only fond one German cheese so far (other than Limberger), and none from Austria. Hopefully, by Friday, we will have something put together!
SAMPLER PLATE $??.00

We know most of you do not think about red wines when you consider Austria and Germany as these countries are famous mainly for Grüner Veltliner and Riesling whites. However, both countries make some interesting reds, usually from grapes grown in very few other countries. These wines are ideal summer reds, and some are even better when served slightly chilled (not refrigerator temperature, but at about 60˚F). We hope many of you come to try these interesting, but rarely poured, wines.

1. We start in Germany with a grape called DORNFELDER. This a crossing of a crossing between several German varietals, and Jancis Robinson said in her book Vines, Grapes and Wines “Dornfelder demonstrates most eloquently the advantages of the German approach to plant breeding”. We will taste the ANDREAS DIEHL 2009 DORNFELDER from the PFALZ region. This is the sunniest and driest part of Germany, and so should be the best area for red grapes. This DORNFELDER is very fruity in style with a touch of residual sugar. It is an ideal hot weather red. This is a review I found on-line: “Strawberries and cherries are all over the nose, and you can tell that this wine is full of fruit. The wine is sweet on the palate, right out of the gate. However, it’s still clean, and on the lighter side for a sweetish wine. There is a bit of acid, but almost no tannic structure until very, very late on the palate. Dark cherries and strawberries dominate the experience” - $13.50

2. Next up is SPÄTBURGUNDER, aka PINOT NOIR. I’ve tasted some lovely such wines from GERMANY, but the prices are usually too high to make sense. We have carried a few reasonably priced ones from the PFALZ, and this week we offer one from RHEINHESSEN, which is just to the north of the PFALZ. The wine is from the 2007 vintage and is called UNDONE. Produced by the VALCKENBERG GROUP and bottled with a screw cap, the wine is unoaked and unmanipulated – this is the reason for the name as the grapes are “undone” to show their natural charms (just wait until you see the label). K & L Wines of San Francisco say on their web site “It is the fresh, light and juicy wine for those of us who don’t like our Pinot Noir to look and taste like Syrah. The wine is delicate and pure, medium bodied and full of wild strawberry, cherry and raspberry aromas with just a subtle hint of spice in the finish”. It will take a slight chill - $12.50

3. I recently attended an Austrian Trade Tasting and liked most of the wines. However Austrian wines have a price problem in the USA. In fact the country has the highest price per bottle of all European countries who export to the USA. We start with the grape BLAUFRÄNKISCH, which in Germany is often called LEMBERGER. We will taste the NECKENMARKT 2008 CLASSIC “FRANK” from MITTELBURGENLAND. The wine has ripe red-black fruit with a touch of spice and moderate tannins. Someone described it as the wine you would get if you mixed Dolcetto with a Cru Beaujolais – I think she is right! - $16.00

4. We stay in the BURGENLAND and taste a blend from the HEINRICH winery. In a very honest fashion they just call it the 2008 RED. It is a blend of 50% MERLOT, 30% ZWEIGELT and 20% BLAUFRÄNKISCH. On the nose all I could sense was the MERLOT, but this is one of those wines where the nose can be misleading. The palate has lots of spice and a certain earthiness, and the finish is very long. A fascinating wine - $19.50

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we stay with the HEINRICH winery in BURGENLAND:

When Pauline and I did our OKANAGAN trip in 2007 we were surprised by how good the ZWEIGELT from ARROWLEAF winery was as we did not know any North American winery grew this red grape. This week we offer one of the best ZWEIGELTS from AUSTRIA when one takes price into account. ZWEIGELT is a crossing of BLAUFRÄNKISCH and ST-LAURENT. I tried to find a ST-LAURENT for the tasting as this grape is supposed to be a close cousin to PINOT NOIR, but the local distributors do not seem keen on it. This ZWEIGELT has a lovely nose of ripe cherries and violets – almost too good to drink! The palate is much richer with dark fruit and touches of liquorice and chocolate. Fantastic value - $27.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.00/Taste or $5.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 21st
Noon – 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. Despite the cooler weather, I’d love you to try this rosé

Red wine drinkers need a great ROSÉ in the summer. Pauline and I tend to believe the best of these wines come from the SOUTH of FRANCE, but recently I tried what I think is the greatest ROSÉ I’ve tasted from the USA – and it is from OREGON. COWHORN is in SOUTHERN OREGON’S APPLEGATE VALLEY and all their vineyards are biodynamically farmed (Demeter certified). Their 2009 GRENACHE ROSÉ is almost 100% GRENACHE but includes a tiny bit of VIOGNIER. I’d have guessed it was from PROVENCE, and even though not inexpensive for a ROSÉ, I think it is great value - $18.00

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

September 03 � Zinfandel
September 10 � Burgundy
September 17 � The best of Matt Kramer�s 2010 Picks
September 24 � The Crus of Beaujolais

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 27th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES of the RH�NE VALLEY

CHEESE PLATE
We offer a selection of French cheese to go with our French wines.
Fol Epi Cow�s Milk Loire Valley
This creamy cheese is enclosed in a golden-brown rind made from a wheat base -- hence the name �Fol Epi,� which means �wild wheat stalk� in French. It is made in a similar style to Swiss Emmental, providing a nutty taste with a slight wheat flavor.
Raclette Cow�s Milk French Alps
This is a Swiss or French alpine cheese with a nutty flavor and silky, smooth texture. Slightly softer than the more characteristic Alpage cheeses, it is a close cousin to Morbier in France and Appenzeller in Switzerland. Our Raclette is a raw milk cheese from the French Alps.
Tomme de Savoie Cow�s Milk Savoie
This Tomme is a semi-firm cow's milk cheese made in the valley of the Savoie in the French Alps. It has a delightfully nutty flavor and a smooth paste that melts in your mouth. The hard, powdery rind has an earthy aroma and is usually speckled with many types of indigenous and beneficial molds
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

We were encouraged by the turnout to try lesser-known wines at our German/Austrian Red tasting, and so for this Rh�ne tasting we�ve included a couple of wines that are somewhat out-of-the-mainstream for this popular wine region.

1. We start with the 2009 vintage of what was our biggest selling C�TES-du-RH�NE in the 2007 and 2008 vintages. DOMAINE CHAPOTON can trace its origins to 1665 under Louis XIV, and the current generation took over in 1981. The wine is a blend of GRENACHE, SYRAH, MOUV�DRE and CARIGNAN. The wine has intense fruit, some spice, and a touch of classic garrigue. Comments from people who have tasted all three vintages suggest the 2009 is more fruit forward than the others (it was a hotter vintage) - $10.50

2. DOMAINE MONPERTUIS is a CH�TEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE producer, and we offer their 2007 VIGNOBLE de la RAMI�RE which is unusual in that it is 100% COUNOISE, one of the 13 grapes allowed in CDP. There are not many such wines in the world, but Oregon�s Andrew Rich has made one, as has Washington�s McCrae. The wine shows black fruit with a little spice together with meatiness similar to MOURV�DRE. The fruit is grown in the GARD region at the mouth of the Rh�ne - $16.50

3. Our next wine is from a very expensive producer in VACQUEYRAS in the SOUTHERN RH�NE VALLEY. ROUCAS TOUMBA LES GRANDS CHEMINS is basically de-classified VACQUEYRAS, and the producer could call the wine C�TES-du-RH�NE, but he decided on the VIN de TABLE designation. The fruit is from 2007, but I was told that a VIN de TABLE cannot have a vintage date. A blend of GRENACHE, SYRAH and MOURV�DRE, the wine is perfumed, giving you the sense of the herbs of the area; this is followed by chewy, black fruit with a spicy edge, and then a long finish. As a Rh�naholic, I think this wine is sensational value! - $17.25

4. For our final wine of the basic flight we go to CH�TEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE. These days it is hard to find a CDP under $40.00, so when I found this �left-over� 2005 we could sell for $30.00, I jumped at it. This wine, built primarily upon GRENACHE is intensely aromatic, with notes of ground coffee, plum, grenadine and game. The bright Grenache fruit has an intriguing savory, almost salty, quality to it, which is not half as strange as it might sound. It is simply one of the many parts of this in balance, complex wine. If you were talking about pairing this wine with food, nearly any cut of lamb would be wonderful - $30.00

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go to the NORTHERN RH�NE to taste SYRAH:

CROZES HERMITAGE is the �poor cousin� of HERMITAGE. It is a relatively large Appellation, covering an area almost 10 miles long to the north and south of the village of TAIN and HERMITAGE itself. For many years, most wines were pallid in comparison to HERMITAGE. Now some substantial wines are being made, and ALAIN GRAILLOT is considered one of the bright, shining stars of the Appellation. 2004 was a difficult vintage in the area, and I have not tasted the ALAIN GRAILLOT 2004 CROZES HERMITAGE for some time, so let�s see how it is aging. Robert Parker in the Wine Advocate said: �Gregarious Alain Graillot has turned out a 2004 Crozes-Hermitage that presents plenty of olive notes intermixed with some sweet red currant and cherry notes. The acidity of the vintage is relatively apparent in this wine, which is elegant and Burgundian in its texture and aromatics. Drink 2007-2011� - $29.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.50/Taste or $6.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 28th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open:

OREGON�S QUERCUS WINES are below most people�s radar, probably because they make wines under a number of labels. The wines are a project of MICHAEL BECKLEY, and we have carried PINOT NOIR and SYRAH wines he has made (we have some of his CADMUS 2004 PINOT NOIR in stock). We offer his ROCK CREEK CELLARS 2007 OREGON RED WINE. The wine is a blend of CABERNET SAUVIGNON, MERLOT and SYRAH, and offers gobs of black fruit coupled with a nice, spicy, edge - $11.25

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

September 10 � Burgundy
September 17 � The best of Matt Kramer�s 2010 Picks
September 24 � The Crus of Beaujolais
October 01 � Washington Wines

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, September 3rd
4:30 - 7:00pm

ZINFANDEL

CHEESE PLATE
Once again, we rely on our favorite New York cheese shop to recommend cheese for Zinfandel:
Gruy�re Raw Cow�s Milk Switzerland
This is cave-aged Gruy�re � not your average supermarket version. Aged for a significant time, this is a rich, nutty, cheese.
Cantalet Raw Cow�s Milk France
Considered to be the ancestor to British Farmhouse Cheddars, this is a cow's milk cheese from Auvergne, France. It is weighty, moist, creamy, and just subtley sharp, with a very defined sweet and milky quality. As the French took over England in 1066, maybe it is true they created the great English Cheddars. However, didn�t we Brits control the Bordeaux region a few hundred years later? As Pauline and I are Francophiles, I thank the Frogs for anything they did to improve English cuisine.
Campo de Montalban Pasteurized Cow�s/Goat�s/Sheep�s Milk Spain
This cheese resembles Manchego in texture and appearance, and until 1985 it was in fact considered a Manchego. Campo de Montalb�n is distinguished by its three milk blend, while Manchego contains only sheep's milk. The flavor is also similar to Manchego.
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

As most of our regulars know, ZINFANDEL is not one of my favorite grapes, although PAULINE would say �You want to stay married?� However I�ve converted her from blowsy CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAYS to CHABLIS, the greatest expression of CHARDONANY in the world. Her job is to convert me from the RIDGE blends to full-throttle ZINFANDELS. My tasting notes are minimal, as PAULINE says I do not know what I�m talking about.

1. We start in LODI and PEIRANO ESTATE 2008 IMMORTAL OLD VINE ZINFANDEL. I�ve never tasted this wine, but, unbelievably, it is an allocated wine. There is no more of this vintage left other than the case I have. The vines are over 100 years old, hence the IMMORTAL name - $11.50

2. We stay in LODI for CAMPUS OAKS 2007 OLD VINE ZINFANDEL. We used an earlier vintage of this wine a couple of years ago and it was a big hit. I liked the spicy black fruit it offered, but felt a little heat on the finish despite the modest (for ZINFANDEL) 14.5% alcohol - $14.75

3. My favorite ZINFANDEL producer is RIDGE � maybe it is because very few of their wines are 100% ZINFANDEL! We offer the 2008 THREE VALLEYS that, for the first time, cannot be called ZINFANDEL because it is only 74% of the grape! The rest is PETIT SIRAH, CARIGNAN, MATARO, SYRAH and GRENACHE - $22.50

4. For our final wine of the basic flight we go to OREGON to THE PINES VINEYARD and their 2007 ZINFANDEL. The vineyard is in THE DALLES, but the tasting room is in HOOD RIVER. The wine is made from 20 year-old vines that were created from starts from the 100+ year-old vines in the vineyard. For its relatively high alcohol (15.2%), I found the wine food friendly, showing no heat from the alcohol - $28.75

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go to the NAPA VALLEY:

HENDRY is a producer with a range of wines from ALBARI�O to CABERNET SAUVIGNON, but better known for their �single block� ZINFANDELS. We offer the 2006 BLOCK 28 which was aged for fifteen months in French oak barrels, 65% of which were new. Despite its 15.8% alcohol, I felt this was another food-friendly Zinfandel. This is what the winery says: �Aromas include smoky spice, bay, berry, earth, mint and mineral. Dark fruit flavors of blackberries, blueberries and black currant, in an elegant wrapping of spicy and well- integrated oak. The 2006 returns to the familiar broad-shouldered, firm structured, complex and almost Cab-like Hendry Zinfandel style. This wine will continue to soften and gain complexity with age. Block 28 has an affinity for anything rich, braised, or meaty, and would be terrific with a slow-roasted lamb shank rubbed with herbes-de-provence, braised short ribs or a game-based risotto� - $32.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.50/Taste or $6.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, September 4th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open � I�ve yet to decide what! It will depend on forecast temperature nearer the day.

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

September 24 � The Crus of Beaujolais
October 01 � Washington Wines
October 08 � Spain
October 15 � Worldwide Sangiovese
October 22 � Wines from San Juan Winery

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, September 17th
4:30 - 7:00pm

THE BEST OF MATT KRAMER�S 2010 PICKS

CHEESE PLATE
This week, as we have a variety of wines, I decided to go with relatively mild cheeses:
Havarti Cow�s Milk Denmark
Monterey Jack Cow�s Milk California
Goat Cheddar Goat�s Milk Canada
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $2.50

Most of us in the Oregon wine industry have a love-hate relationship with Matt Kramer � recently, it has been mainly hate because of his trashing of the 2007 vintage here in Oregon. The few of you who came to our recent 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir tasting know how good this vintage can be � we sold a lot of wine that night, and on the basis of sales per capita of turn-out, it was one of our best Fridays ever. Despite this Kramer �fault�, I have much respect for his palate. I�m amazed that many of the wines he recommends I�ve already purchased for the shop. At the moment I think he is doing a great job recommending value wines (in all price categories), as well as trying to encourage people to try some thing different � as I do!

We start with a white in that category. Please note most of the following notes are from Matt Kramer in the Sunday Oregonian:

1. HUNGARY�S TOKAJ zone has been famous for centuries for creating extraordinary sweet wines from the local FURMINT grape variety (we have two great ones in stock), but it had absolutely no history of creating a dry white wine from FURMINT until the late-20th-century. We will taste the KIR�LYUDVAR TOKAJI FURMINT SEC 2007. Kramer said, and I agree, ��this is one of the most extraordinary dry white wines you will taste this year, I promise you. Although labeled as furmint, this wine is actually a blend of two indigenous white grapes: furmint (80 percent) and h�rslevelu. Impressively dense, it proffers a striking scent of flowers and minerals with just the barest whiff of honey allied with lemon. Thick-textured, there's a crisp acidity that makes this wine oh-so-drinkable, with that same minerals and flower quality coming through in the taste. And it�s just 12.5 percent alcohol. This is a magnificent dry white wine that can accompany all sorts of foods, from fish such as salmon to white meats such as chicken, pork and veal, as well as the most flavorful cheeses. If you try one new-to-you dry white wine this year, this is the one to get� - $20.00

2. One 2007 local wine Kramer wrote-up was J. CHRISTOPHER WILLAMETTE VALLEY PINOT NOIR (and we sold many cases on my recommendation). He has now recommended the 2008, as I do. This is what Kramer said: �Readers will recall prior recommendations of wines from the small Oregon winery called J. Christopher. The reason is simple: owner-winemaker Jay Somers is easily one of Oregon's best winemakers. Not only do his wines deliver a higher level of quality than much of his competition, but Somers also chooses to sell them at more reasonable prices than many. It�s a compelling combination. The (Oregon) 2008 vintage was a standout, especially for the pinot noirs. The proof is in the tasting. When you try J. Christopher Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2008 you�ll agree that 2008 is a remarkable vintage. A blend of four Willamette Valley vineyards (Bella Vida, La Colina, Croft and Charlie�s ), this is a dense, concentrated pinot noir of real character and ideal balance between fruit and acidity.� - $23.50

3. Kramer is also very good at spotting the better wines from fast growing areas such as Chile, Argentina, and the �New� Spain. We will taste one of his, and my, CHILEAN picks, PALO ALTO RESERVE CHILE, MAULE VALLEY, 2008. These are Kramer�s notes: �Palo Alto is a brand created by Chile�s largest wine producer, Concha y Toro. While most brands are just trading names designed to create an artificial differentiation among otherwise indistinguishable wines in a large winery�s production, Palo Alto seems to be different. A blend of cabernet sauvignon (55 percent), carmen�re (30 percent) and syrah (15 percent), Palo Alto Reserve Chile �Maule Valley� 2008 is an impressively refined red that's more than a little reminiscent of a very good red Bordeaux.� - $11.50

4. Over the last couple of months, it is amazing how many wines I have tasted from the southwest corner of the Rh�ne River that have carried a du GARD or COSTI�RES de NIMES designation. One of the best value, and another Kramer pick, I�ve tasted is the CH�TEAU DE VALCOMBE 2007 TRADITION, COSTI�RES DE NIMES. This what Kramer said: �A good example of just what France can deliver at a stellar price is this red wine. Never heard of Costi�res de Nimes? It�s far from famous. And the name itself is relatively new, dating only to 1989. Previously it was called Costi�res du Gard. Presumably the locals liked the association with the nearby city of Nimes, which boasts the best-preserved ancient Roman coliseum in France. Ch�teau de Valcombe �Tradition� 2007 shows what this district can do. An unusually rich, dense, even succulent red wine composed mostly of syrah (70 percent) with the balance in grenache, it�s surprisingly supple and irresistibly drinkable. This is a drink-now red ideal for just about any meat sizzling from a hot grill. It�s a barbecue red supreme. The price is as first-rate as the wine.� - $12.50

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For this week�s PREMIUM POUR we return to a wine we�ve used in the past, but that is drinking even better now (and our current stock is all that is available):

We go to PIEMONTE in the northwest of ITALY to taste a bargain BAROLO, MONCHIERO�S 2005. This what Kramer said: �Famously long-lived, Barolo is the apotheosis of the nebbiolo grape -- the end of the line, as good as it gets. Classically described as offering intermingled scents and tastes of roses and tar (sounds odd, tastes good), Barolo has changed somewhat in recent decades -- much of it for the better. Where once the wines were too often excessively tannic and sometimes dried-out, today they deliver fresh, precisely defined flavors and more gentle, easy-down-the-gullet tannins. Some producers, inevitably, have taken to using small oak barrels, the better to make Barolo taste "familiar," which is to say like the cabernets and pinot noirs the world is more accustomed to drinking. Monchiero, however, is a small family producer that has remained resolutely traditional. No small oak barrels for them. That said, they have �freshened� their style, creating wines that emphasize fruit purity at no expense of either depth or detail. This is all to the (very) good. When you taste this, be assured that you're tasting the real, true Barolo thing in all of its complexity and unique flavor distinction. Serve this in large glasses with braised oxtails, a good steak or anything hearty and full-flavored; you'll see -- or rather, taste -- what the hoopla is all about. This is a steal for the money -- as well as a benchmark bottling.� - $30.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.50/Taste or 6.00/4 Ounces

On Friday we will also have several other �Matt�s Picks� in stock including the COOPER MOUNTAIN 2008 RESERVE PINOT NOIR $20.00, the TORRE ORIA BRUT NON-VINTAGE CAVA $8.25, and the fabulous ANDR� CLOUET BRUT NATURE CHAMPAGNE $40.00

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, September 18th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open � I�ve yet to decide what. Maybe I should ask Matt Kramer!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

October 15 � Worldwide Syrah
October 22 � USA Cabernet Sauvignon
October 26 Annual Port Tasting
October 29 � California Pinot Noir
November 05 - Bordeaux

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, October 8th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES FROM SPAIN

CHEESE PLATE
To go with our Spanish wines, we had to have Spanish cheese. We offer the following selection:
Mah�n Cow�s Milk Menorca
From the Mediterranean island of Menorca, this is my favorite Spanish cheese, mainly because it seems to go well with Burgundy � I�m sure it will go well with Tempranillo. The cheese has a salty tang on the finish.
Ib�rico Cow/Goat/Sheep�s Milk Central Plains
Over 50% of Spanish cheese production is from a blend of milks, and this cheese�s name comes from a style of cheese produced all over the Iberian peninsular. This one comes from the Central Plains and shows mild acid from cow�s milk, the deeper flavor of sheep�s milk, and the finishing tang of goat�s milk. In theory this should be the best match to Tempranillo.
Manchego Sheep�s Milk La Mancha
From the land of Don Quixote, this is probably Spain�s most famous cheese. It is aged in grass molds for at least two months, giving it after notes of dry hay. A great match to many wines from dry sherry to rich reds.
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $3.00

SPAIN basically has two wine industries � the �Traditional�, and the �New World�, and so this week we are showing you both. We will "visit" 6 different DENOMINAC�ON de ORIGEN (DO).

1. We start with a traditional wine, the LAN 2005 RIOJA RESERVA. This is a TEMPRANILLO-based wine (it has small amounts of MAZUELO and GARNACHA) aged in AMERICAN OAK, which is �Old World Rioja�. As a Brit, this sort of wine was our "training wheels" � we could not afford French! Pauline and I have a soft-spot for this winery as back in the 1970s we drank a lot of it and in 1991 we visited the winery. As always, the wines are fabulous value - $18.50

2. Next up is the MONTSANT DO, a region that surrounds PRIORAT DO in CATALONIA, and is often considered as a �poor man�s Priorat�. We will taste the ELS GUIAMETS 2006 ISIS from a co-operative founded in 1913 and is a blend of GARNACHA, CARI�ENA and a little SYRAH. At a recent trade tasting I thought this wine was outstanding, offering lots of elegant black fruit, some oak and spice, and a long, complex finish - $22.50

3. We continue our journey around Spain with a visit to the VALENCIA DO, a part of LEVANTE which is an area on the Mediterranean coast south of CATALONIA. BODEGAS ARANLE�N was founded in 1927 but was reborn in 2000 when it was purchased by a group who brought a more modern view and a commitment to organic agriculture. We offer their 2007 BLES VINO ECOLOGICO which is a blend of 80% OLD VINE MONASTRELL and BOBAL and 20% younger CABERNET SAUVIGNON. This wine is spectacular value, offering a lush mid-palate that has a subtle gaminess, and then the CABERNET shows through on the finish - $10.50

4. We now move to the CALATAYUD DO which is part of ARAGON in the northeast of Spain near the border with France. The BODEGAS SAN ISIDRO 2009 FABLA OLD VINE GRENACHE (GARNACHA) is a classic example of a pure version of the grape. It was fermented in concrete tanks and aged in stainless steel. It offers lots of black raspberry fruit and has a complex, long finish. It makes one wonder �How do you get this complexity without oak?� - $12.50

5. Our final stop is the JUMILLA DO which is in the LEVANTE area and just to the west of the coastal town of ALICANTE. We offer the TARIMA 2009 MONASTRELL. This wine has a lot of weight, but is relatively soft, offering lots of slightly spicy, black fruit. Amazing value - $10.00

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

This week we offer an EXTRA POUR, a fantastic SHERRY:

The wines of JEREZ (SHERRY is the English bastardization of the name) are some of the greatest wine values in the world, but are not understood by people who have not been to Tapas Bars in Spain, or have just suffered the �Sherries� produced in some areas other than Andalusia. We offer the VALDESPINO �CONTRABANDISTA� AMONTILLADO. This is a NV off-dry AMONTILLADO with an average age of the wines being over 16 years. This Sherry could be used as an aperitif, or to accompany meat and game dishes - $33.50

TRY THIS FOR $2.00/1 Ounce or $3.50/2 Ounces or $7.00/4 ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, October 9th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual, we will have something interesting open.

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com

CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

August 06 � Worldwide Cabernet Sauvignon
August 13 � Abacela vs. Spanish �Originals�
August 20 � German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 � Wines from the Rh�ne Valley

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, July 30th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES FROM MEDITERRANEAN ISLANDS

CHEESE PLATE
We tried to find cheese from the Islands and we made it, but not necessarily from the same islands as the wines!
Mah�n Cow�s Milk Menorca
From the Mediterranean island of Menorca, this is my favorite Spanish cheese, mainly because it seems to go well with Burgundy � I�m sure it will go well with this week�s wines. The cheese has a salty tang on the finish.
Brigante Sheep�s Milk Sardinia
This sheep�s milk cheese comes from around the town of Thiesi in the north of the island. It is often called Dolce Sardo because of the sweetness of the local ewes� milk.
Halloumi Sheep�s Milk Cyprus
This is a similar cheese to Saganaki, the Greek �Flaming Cheese�, and is wonderful grilled. However it is interesting sliced in a salad.
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

At this time of the year, with the temperature going up in Oregon, lets �fly� to where breezes moderate temperatures and make life wonderful � the Islands of the Mediterranean.

1. We start on SANTORINI, that wonderful Greek island. The combination of heat plus strong winds makes for interesting wine growing conditions. ASSYRTIKO is the major white varietal, and its origin is unknown. Some think it is native to SANTORINI, or it may have arrived on the island with the Phoenicians after the volcanic eruptions of 1640 � 1620 BC. We offer this grape blended with ATHIRI in the SIGALAS 2008 SANTORINI WHITE It offers classic flowery, almost honeysuckle nose and then an underlying mineral acidity. Wonderful with kalamar�kia, either grilled or fried - $20.00
(We also have their 100% ASSYRTIKO at $24.00 and the oaked version at $28.75)

2. Next up is SARDEGNA (aka Sardinia), the Italian island to the west of LAZIO and CAMPANIA. ARGIOLAS is one of the top value/quality producers on the island and we offer their 2007 PERDERA which is a blend of the two local grapes MONICA (90%) and BOVALE di SARDO (5%) together with CARIGNAN (5%). A Matt Kramer recommendation, this wine is rated between 89 and 92 in major magazines. The wine is full-flavored and a little rustic, but offers lots of intense berry fruit - $14.50

3. We move back to SANTORINI for a RED. This island is usually thought of as a white wine producer (and Vin Santo), but ARGYROS also produces a lovely red (the first red from this island we have carried). ATLANTIS RED is a blend of 90% MANDILARIA and 10% MAVROTRAGANO. The former is a major red grape on CRETE and RHODOS (where it is known as AMORYANO). The wine is medium-full bodied with fine tannins, complex aromas of red fruit, with hints of prune and leather - $20.00

4. Moving further west we visit SPAIN�S BALEAR�C ISLANDS, and in particular the island of MALLORCA. This is one of the great �package vacation� islands for northern Europeans (Pauline and I were there in 1970s and I�m sure we would find it over-developed now). It is also home to some old wine regions. The Romans are thought to have brought viticulture to the island in about 123 AD. The industry has waxed and waned over the centuries and the modern industry dates from the 1980s. There are two Denominaci�n de Origins on the island, BINISS�LLEM-MALLORCA and PLA i LLEVANT. We will taste a wine from the former DO, the VINS NADAL 2008 ALBA FLOR TINTO. No, this wine does not taste like a used tennis ball, but is an interesting blend of the local varietal MANTO**** (75%) and 14% CABERNET SAUVIGNON and 11% MERLOT. The wine offers aromas of cherry and raspberry, and the palate is fruity with a mineral background. It is outstanding value - $14.50

5. Our final wine of the main flight comes from SICILIA. BENANTI is a producer that specializes with local varietals. We offer its 2006 ROSSODIVERZELLA (the current release) which is a blend of 80% NERELLO MASCALESE and 20% NERELLO CAPUCCIO. I�ve always liked this wine and this vintage is probably the best yet. The wine offers lots of ****y black fruit, together with something extra from the grapes being grown on the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna (at about 2500ft elevation). Not your �run-of-the-mill� red wine - $17.50
(We have a couple of bottles of the 2002 available at $16.50)

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

Our PREMIUM POUR also comes from SICILIA:

TENUTA della TERRE NERE is a property of MARC de GRAZIA, a Florentine who is very much involved with importing terrific Italian wines into the USA. The 2005 CALDERARA SOTTANA is a wine produced from grapes grown at about 800 metres on the NE slopes of Mount Etna. The wine carries an IGT ETNA ROSSO designation and is a blend of 98% NERELLO MASCALESE and 2% NERELLO CAPPUCCIO, two �native� grapes. I would not have guessed this wine, a regular winner of Due Bichieri in Gambero Rosso, came from SICILIA. The wine has the texture of a very good Burgundy, and offers lots of earthy, black fruit. If this wine came from anywhere other than SICILIA, it would cost much more! - $24.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.00/Taste or $5.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, July 31st
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. We are planning:

For the current warm weather, what is more refreshing than an un-oaked SAUVIGNON BLANC? We will pour LA PLAYA 2009 from CHILE�s COLCHAQUA VALLEY - $8.25

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com
CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

August 13 � Abacela vs. Spanish �Originals�
August 20 � German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 � Wines from the Rh�ne Valley
September 03 - Zinfandel

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 6th
4:30 - 7:00pm

CABERNET SAUVIGNON from around the WORLD

CHEESE PLATE
To go with Cabernet Sauvignon we offer a selection of cow�s milk Cheddar cheese. These cheeses always form a good backdrop for red wines.
Sharp Aged 6-9 months New Zealand
Coastal Aged 15 months Dorset, England
Extra, Extra Sharp Aged 18 months New York
SAMPLER PLATE $3.00

CABERNET SAUVIGNON could be considered the signature grape of the NAPA VALLEY, and it seems to be grown all over the world. Let�s taste the diversity with wines from five countries and two different zones of one of the countries. I find it very difficult to suggest a tasting order, and so I�m taking the easy way out and listing them in price order.

1. We start in ARGENTINA and the enormous wine region of MENDOZA. TRUMPETER is the �entry-level� label of RUTINI, and its 2007 CABERNET SAUVIGNON is stunning value. I believe it is 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON, and it offers pure cassis fruit with subtle touches of oak - $8.00

2. Now we jump over the Andes to CHILE. There are many wonderful value producers in this country of great scenery and wonderful people, but I�m beginning to think it is hard to beat CHONO for quality vs. price. Their Syrah has been the winner in our last two �Syrah from around the World� tastings, and the Carmin�re is also wonderful. We offer the 2008 CABERNET SAUVIGNON from the MAIPO VALLEY. Like most CABERNET SAUVIGNONS from this country, the wine is more BORDEAUX in style than, say, WALLA WALLA style - $12.50

3. I consider BORDEAUX as the home of CABERNET SAUVIGNON, but there it is usually blended with other grapes, although some Ch�teaux approach 100% in some years, and n�gotiants bottle 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON wines. The LANGUEDOC is a source of 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNONS, and we offer LES TRAVERSES de FONTANES 2007 VIN de PAYS d�OC. This is an estate-produced wine imported by Kermit Lynch, and is more elegant and complex than one would expect from this area - $14.25

4. What would a CABERNET SAUVIGNON tasting be without something from CALIFORNIA? We will taste the GOYETTE 2007 NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON. I�m sure most of you are saying �Who is Goyette?� BOB GOYETTE was the founder of LA CREMA and then moved on to other wineries. I tasted this wine at a trade tasting and thought it was great value for NAPA VALLEY. This is Bob�s philosophy: �I keep one eye on the successful traditions of Europe, and the other closely attuned to the grapes at hand. Using my own palate as a spring-board, I determine if the wines are really appealing to drink, rather than just done in a proper manner. I keep trying to work towards the best syntheses of the New & Old World traditions, while intuitively striving for wines that appeal to connoisseurs as well as people that just like wine. To me, it's all about balance and about listening.� - $18.75

5. We return to Europe and the PENED�S region of SPAIN. MIGUEL TORRES was just about the first to plant CABERNET SAUVIGNON in the area in the 1960s, and the TORRES winery now bottles 100% CABERNET wines, together with wines where the grape is blended with TEMPRANILLO. We offer one of the latter in the form of the GRAN CORONAS 2005 RESERVA. This is a blend of 85% CABERNET SAUVIGNON and 15% TEMPRANILLO (aka ULL de LIEBRE in Catalonia), and, in the Spanish tradition, has spent a considerable time in oak. Lush and elegant, the wine shows cassis from the CABERNET, and this is intermingled with coffee bean, licorice and vanillans - $19.25

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

Our PREMIUM POUR comes from our neighbors to the north, WASHINGTON:

STEPHENSON CELLARS was a new producer to me until a couple of weeks ago. They are in WALLA WALLA but their 2006 CABERNET SAUVIGNON carries a WASHINGTON Appellation as it is a blend from three vineyards � WINDY RIDGE in HORSE HEAVEN HILLS, WOODEN ISLAND on the banks of the COLUMBIA RIVER, and INLAND DESERT in BENTON CITY. The wine shows aromas of blueberry, cassis and cedar; the palate has cassis and plum with some Bordeaux-like influences - $33.00
*With apologies to Sideways, we also have their excellent MERLOT!*

TRY THIS WINE FOR $4.00/Taste or $7.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 7th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. We are planning:

NANTAIS, the western end of the LOIRE VALLEY, is best known for MUSCADET, which is made from the MELON de BOURGOGNE grape. However there is another white grape in the area, GROS PLANT (aka FOLLE BLANCHE), which normally does not have too much charm, being very acidic. The DOMAINE de l�AIGUILLETTE 2009 GROS PLANT is lovely � although very dry, it has great fruit upfront. It is much better than most inexpensive MUSCADET - $9.25

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I’ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on “Site Index” and then “Electronic Newsletter”. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click “Remove”. Thank you.

August 20 – German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 – Wines from the Rhône Valley
September 03 – Zinfandel
September 10 – Burgundy

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 13th
4:30 - 7:00pm

ABACELA vs. SPANISH “ORIGINALS”

CHEESE PLATE
To go with our Spanish wines and Abacela wines from Spanish grapes, we offer a selection of Spanish cheese:
Ibérico Cow/Goat/Sheep’s Milk Central Plains
Over 50% of Spanish cheese production is from a blend of milks, and this cheese’s name comes from a style of cheese produced all over the Iberian peninsular. This one comes from the Central Plains and shows mild acid from cow’s milk, the deeper flavor of sheep’s milk, and the finishing tang of goat’s milk. In theory this should be the best match to Tempranillo.
Campo de Montalbán Cow/Goat/Sheep’s Milk La Mancha
This cheese resembles Manchego in texture and appearance, and until 1985 it was in fact considered a Manchego. Campo de Montalbán is distinguished by its three milk blend, while Manchego contains only sheep's milk. The flavor is also similar to Manchego. However, as with Ibérico, the characters of all three milks are noticeable in Campo de Montalbán.
Manchego Sheep’s Milk La Mancha
From the land of Don Quixote, this is probably Spain’s most famous cheese. It is aged in grass molds for at least two months, giving it after notes of dry hay. A great match to many wines from dry sherry to rich reds.
SAMPLER PLATE $4.00

I always admire winery owners who have a vision to do something different, and succeed in making good wines that are interesting and start new trends. Earl and Hilda Jones, who founded ABACELA, had a belief that an area near Roseburg would be ideal for several Spanish varietals. Their wines are very good, and we’ve seen a mini-explosion of TEMPRANILLO in Oregon. All their wines are quality wines, and they are using only Estate fruit, or fruit from vineyards they manage. The Claret is being discontinued, as they do not grow Cabernet Sauvignon.

Last month, on our way to Ashland, Pauline and I visited ABACELA and had a great time. Linda, in charge of the tasting room, was charming and knowledgeable - and very generous with her pours. The current Tasting Room is small, and must become “cozy” on a busy weekend. An expanded winery and tasting room is under construction. If you have not visited this winery, plan to do so.


We had a picnic lunch at the winery:


Pauline contemplates world distances:


For this tasting we will compare two wines made from three Spanish varietals – one from Spain and one made from ABACELA.

Our first grape is ALBARIÑO:

1. From ABACELA we will taste their 2009 UMPQUA VALLEY. I watched the development of this grape at ABACELA and thought the 2008 was good, but the 2009 hit the mark, offering a wine as complex as its Spanish ancestors, and very competitive in price. It is the first vintage we have carried in the shop - $18.50

2. Most SPANISH ALBARINOS I really enjoy are north of $20.00/bottle, but I found one at <$20 for this tasting. BODEGAS LA CANA is a joint venture of the GIL FAMILY JUMILLA and importer JORGE ORDONEZ. The wine, of course, comes from RIAS BAIXAS in GALICIA, and the 2008 was rated “Outstanding” in the Wine Advocate. While not as complex as the great ALBARINOS from DO FERREIRO, the LA CANA is excellent - $18.00
(We have the 2007 DO FERREIRO in stock at $24.00)

The Second Grape is TEMPRANILLO, the grape that made ABACELA’S name:

3. We wanted to pour ABACELA’s 2007 McCORQUODALE VINEYARD which we tasted at the winery, but it appears this limited wine is “tasting room only” for the time being. This is their neighbor and they manage the vineyard. Instead we offer the 2007 CUVÉE which is a blend of 85% ESTATE FRUIT with the rest coming from the McCORQUODALE and DEFINO VINEYARDS. I was not fond of the early CUVÉE releases, but as the vines achieved some age, this wine is the bargain TEMPRANILLO from this producer - $20.00
(We also have the 2006 ESTATE at $36.00)

4. From SPAIN we offer IZARDI 2005 CRIANZA. This wine is 100% TEMPRANILLO from the RIOJA region, and was aged in American oak barrels. While very traditional in the use of American oak, this wine is much more fruit forward for traditional RIOJA, and I thought would be a good comparison to ABACELA - $18.00

Our Third Grape is GARNACHA:

While the French may think they “invented” GRENACHE, it appears the grape originates in SPAIN under the name GARNACHA.

5. From ABACELA we will taste their 2008 UMPQUA VALLEY. At the winery, Pauline was a bigger fan of this wine than I was. Maybe it was because it really has a “sense of place”, as it was not Spanish or French – and as a European, I too often tend to compare wines with the “originals”. At the moment my favorite OREGON GRENACHE/GARNACHA is COWHORN’S from the APPLEGATE VALLEY. Let’s find out what our customers think! - $22.50

6. From SPAIN it was difficult to choose what to use, mainly because most of the wines are much cheaper than the ABACELA wine, so we decided to pour a GARNACHA which approaches the ABACELA in price, but is somewhat atypical. JOAN d’ANGUERA has been a family-run winery since 1820 and is now run by a sister and brother team of Joan and Josep. Their 2009 GARNATXA is from MONTSANT. MONTSANT is in Catalonia, hence the spelling of the grape GARNACHA. This is their “entry level” red, and is fermented and aged in concrete tanks. It is one of the purest interpretations of the GARNACHA grape I’ve ever tasted - $19.00

TRY THESE SIX WINES FOR $12.00

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 14th
Noon – 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. As it is supposed to be over 90˚, we are planning:

Red wine drinkers need a great ROSÉ in hot weather. Pauline and I tend to believe the best of these wines come from the SOUTH of FRANCE, but this week I tried what I think is the greatest ROSÉ I’ve tasted from the USA – and it is from OREGON. COWHORN is in SOUTHERN OREGON’S APPLEGATE VALLEY and all their vineyards are biodynamically farmed (Demeter certified). Their 2009 GRENACHE ROSÉ is almost 100% GRENACHE but includes a tiny bit of VIOGNIER. I’d have guessed it was from PROVENCE, and even though not inexpensive for a ROSÉ, I think it is great value - $18.00

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I’ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on “Site Index” and then “Electronic Newsletter”. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click “Remove”. Thank you.

August 27 – Wines from the Rhône Valley
September 03 – Zinfandel
September 10 – Burgundy

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 20th
4:30 - 7:00pm

AUSTRIAN and GERMAN REDS

CHEESE PLATE
We’ve only fond one German cheese so far (other than Limberger), and none from Austria. Hopefully, by Friday, we will have something put together!
SAMPLER PLATE $??.00

We know most of you do not think about red wines when you consider Austria and Germany as these countries are famous mainly for Grüner Veltliner and Riesling whites. However, both countries make some interesting reds, usually from grapes grown in very few other countries. These wines are ideal summer reds, and some are even better when served slightly chilled (not refrigerator temperature, but at about 60˚F). We hope many of you come to try these interesting, but rarely poured, wines.

1. We start in Germany with a grape called DORNFELDER. This a crossing of a crossing between several German varietals, and Jancis Robinson said in her book Vines, Grapes and Wines “Dornfelder demonstrates most eloquently the advantages of the German approach to plant breeding”. We will taste the ANDREAS DIEHL 2009 DORNFELDER from the PFALZ region. This is the sunniest and driest part of Germany, and so should be the best area for red grapes. This DORNFELDER is very fruity in style with a touch of residual sugar. It is an ideal hot weather red. This is a review I found on-line: “Strawberries and cherries are all over the nose, and you can tell that this wine is full of fruit. The wine is sweet on the palate, right out of the gate. However, it’s still clean, and on the lighter side for a sweetish wine. There is a bit of acid, but almost no tannic structure until very, very late on the palate. Dark cherries and strawberries dominate the experience” - $13.50

2. Next up is SPÄTBURGUNDER, aka PINOT NOIR. I’ve tasted some lovely such wines from GERMANY, but the prices are usually too high to make sense. We have carried a few reasonably priced ones from the PFALZ, and this week we offer one from RHEINHESSEN, which is just to the north of the PFALZ. The wine is from the 2007 vintage and is called UNDONE. Produced by the VALCKENBERG GROUP and bottled with a screw cap, the wine is unoaked and unmanipulated – this is the reason for the name as the grapes are “undone” to show their natural charms (just wait until you see the label). K & L Wines of San Francisco say on their web site “It is the fresh, light and juicy wine for those of us who don’t like our Pinot Noir to look and taste like Syrah. The wine is delicate and pure, medium bodied and full of wild strawberry, cherry and raspberry aromas with just a subtle hint of spice in the finish”. It will take a slight chill - $12.50

3. I recently attended an Austrian Trade Tasting and liked most of the wines. However Austrian wines have a price problem in the USA. In fact the country has the highest price per bottle of all European countries who export to the USA. We start with the grape BLAUFRÄNKISCH, which in Germany is often called LEMBERGER. We will taste the NECKENMARKT 2008 CLASSIC “FRANK” from MITTELBURGENLAND. The wine has ripe red-black fruit with a touch of spice and moderate tannins. Someone described it as the wine you would get if you mixed Dolcetto with a Cru Beaujolais – I think she is right! - $16.00

4. We stay in the BURGENLAND and taste a blend from the HEINRICH winery. In a very honest fashion they just call it the 2008 RED. It is a blend of 50% MERLOT, 30% ZWEIGELT and 20% BLAUFRÄNKISCH. On the nose all I could sense was the MERLOT, but this is one of those wines where the nose can be misleading. The palate has lots of spice and a certain earthiness, and the finish is very long. A fascinating wine - $19.50

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we stay with the HEINRICH winery in BURGENLAND:

When Pauline and I did our OKANAGAN trip in 2007 we were surprised by how good the ZWEIGELT from ARROWLEAF winery was as we did not know any North American winery grew this red grape. This week we offer one of the best ZWEIGELTS from AUSTRIA when one takes price into account. ZWEIGELT is a crossing of BLAUFRÄNKISCH and ST-LAURENT. I tried to find a ST-LAURENT for the tasting as this grape is supposed to be a close cousin to PINOT NOIR, but the local distributors do not seem keen on it. This ZWEIGELT has a lovely nose of ripe cherries and violets – almost too good to drink! The palate is much richer with dark fruit and touches of liquorice and chocolate. Fantastic value - $27.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.00/Taste or $5.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 21st
Noon – 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. Despite the cooler weather, I’d love you to try this rosé

Red wine drinkers need a great ROSÉ in the summer. Pauline and I tend to believe the best of these wines come from the SOUTH of FRANCE, but recently I tried what I think is the greatest ROSÉ I’ve tasted from the USA – and it is from OREGON. COWHORN is in SOUTHERN OREGON’S APPLEGATE VALLEY and all their vineyards are biodynamically farmed (Demeter certified). Their 2009 GRENACHE ROSÉ is almost 100% GRENACHE but includes a tiny bit of VIOGNIER. I’d have guessed it was from PROVENCE, and even though not inexpensive for a ROSÉ, I think it is great value - $18.00

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

September 03 � Zinfandel
September 10 � Burgundy
September 17 � The best of Matt Kramer�s 2010 Picks
September 24 � The Crus of Beaujolais

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 27th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES of the RH�NE VALLEY

CHEESE PLATE
We offer a selection of French cheese to go with our French wines.
Fol Epi Cow�s Milk Loire Valley
This creamy cheese is enclosed in a golden-brown rind made from a wheat base -- hence the name �Fol Epi,� which means �wild wheat stalk� in French. It is made in a similar style to Swiss Emmental, providing a nutty taste with a slight wheat flavor.
Raclette Cow�s Milk French Alps
This is a Swiss or French alpine cheese with a nutty flavor and silky, smooth texture. Slightly softer than the more characteristic Alpage cheeses, it is a close cousin to Morbier in France and Appenzeller in Switzerland. Our Raclette is a raw milk cheese from the French Alps.
Tomme de Savoie Cow�s Milk Savoie
This Tomme is a semi-firm cow's milk cheese made in the valley of the Savoie in the French Alps. It has a delightfully nutty flavor and a smooth paste that melts in your mouth. The hard, powdery rind has an earthy aroma and is usually speckled with many types of indigenous and beneficial molds
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

We were encouraged by the turnout to try lesser-known wines at our German/Austrian Red tasting, and so for this Rh�ne tasting we�ve included a couple of wines that are somewhat out-of-the-mainstream for this popular wine region.

1. We start with the 2009 vintage of what was our biggest selling C�TES-du-RH�NE in the 2007 and 2008 vintages. DOMAINE CHAPOTON can trace its origins to 1665 under Louis XIV, and the current generation took over in 1981. The wine is a blend of GRENACHE, SYRAH, MOUV�DRE and CARIGNAN. The wine has intense fruit, some spice, and a touch of classic garrigue. Comments from people who have tasted all three vintages suggest the 2009 is more fruit forward than the others (it was a hotter vintage) - $10.50

2. DOMAINE MONPERTUIS is a CH�TEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE producer, and we offer their 2007 VIGNOBLE de la RAMI�RE which is unusual in that it is 100% COUNOISE, one of the 13 grapes allowed in CDP. There are not many such wines in the world, but Oregon�s Andrew Rich has made one, as has Washington�s McCrae. The wine shows black fruit with a little spice together with meatiness similar to MOURV�DRE. The fruit is grown in the GARD region at the mouth of the Rh�ne - $16.50

3. Our next wine is from a very expensive producer in VACQUEYRAS in the SOUTHERN RH�NE VALLEY. ROUCAS TOUMBA LES GRANDS CHEMINS is basically de-classified VACQUEYRAS, and the producer could call the wine C�TES-du-RH�NE, but he decided on the VIN de TABLE designation. The fruit is from 2007, but I was told that a VIN de TABLE cannot have a vintage date. A blend of GRENACHE, SYRAH and MOURV�DRE, the wine is perfumed, giving you the sense of the herbs of the area; this is followed by chewy, black fruit with a spicy edge, and then a long finish. As a Rh�naholic, I think this wine is sensational value! - $17.25

4. For our final wine of the basic flight we go to CH�TEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE. These days it is hard to find a CDP under $40.00, so when I found this �left-over� 2005 we could sell for $30.00, I jumped at it. This wine, built primarily upon GRENACHE is intensely aromatic, with notes of ground coffee, plum, grenadine and game. The bright Grenache fruit has an intriguing savory, almost salty, quality to it, which is not half as strange as it might sound. It is simply one of the many parts of this in balance, complex wine. If you were talking about pairing this wine with food, nearly any cut of lamb would be wonderful - $30.00

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go to the NORTHERN RH�NE to taste SYRAH:

CROZES HERMITAGE is the �poor cousin� of HERMITAGE. It is a relatively large Appellation, covering an area almost 10 miles long to the north and south of the village of TAIN and HERMITAGE itself. For many years, most wines were pallid in comparison to HERMITAGE. Now some substantial wines are being made, and ALAIN GRAILLOT is considered one of the bright, shining stars of the Appellation. 2004 was a difficult vintage in the area, and I have not tasted the ALAIN GRAILLOT 2004 CROZES HERMITAGE for some time, so let�s see how it is aging. Robert Parker in the Wine Advocate said: �Gregarious Alain Graillot has turned out a 2004 Crozes-Hermitage that presents plenty of olive notes intermixed with some sweet red currant and cherry notes. The acidity of the vintage is relatively apparent in this wine, which is elegant and Burgundian in its texture and aromatics. Drink 2007-2011� - $29.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.50/Taste or $6.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 28th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open:

OREGON�S QUERCUS WINES are below most people�s radar, probably because they make wines under a number of labels. The wines are a project of MICHAEL BECKLEY, and we have carried PINOT NOIR and SYRAH wines he has made (we have some of his CADMUS 2004 PINOT NOIR in stock). We offer his ROCK CREEK CELLARS 2007 OREGON RED WINE. The wine is a blend of CABERNET SAUVIGNON, MERLOT and SYRAH, and offers gobs of black fruit coupled with a nice, spicy, edge - $11.25

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

September 10 � Burgundy
September 17 � The best of Matt Kramer�s 2010 Picks
September 24 � The Crus of Beaujolais
October 01 � Washington Wines

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, September 3rd
4:30 - 7:00pm

ZINFANDEL

CHEESE PLATE
Once again, we rely on our favorite New York cheese shop to recommend cheese for Zinfandel:
Gruy�re Raw Cow�s Milk Switzerland
This is cave-aged Gruy�re � not your average supermarket version. Aged for a significant time, this is a rich, nutty, cheese.
Cantalet Raw Cow�s Milk France
Considered to be the ancestor to British Farmhouse Cheddars, this is a cow's milk cheese from Auvergne, France. It is weighty, moist, creamy, and just subtley sharp, with a very defined sweet and milky quality. As the French took over England in 1066, maybe it is true they created the great English Cheddars. However, didn�t we Brits control the Bordeaux region a few hundred years later? As Pauline and I are Francophiles, I thank the Frogs for anything they did to improve English cuisine.
Campo de Montalban Pasteurized Cow�s/Goat�s/Sheep�s Milk Spain
This cheese resembles Manchego in texture and appearance, and until 1985 it was in fact considered a Manchego. Campo de Montalb�n is distinguished by its three milk blend, while Manchego contains only sheep's milk. The flavor is also similar to Manchego.
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

As most of our regulars know, ZINFANDEL is not one of my favorite grapes, although PAULINE would say �You want to stay married?� However I�ve converted her from blowsy CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAYS to CHABLIS, the greatest expression of CHARDONANY in the world. Her job is to convert me from the RIDGE blends to full-throttle ZINFANDELS. My tasting notes are minimal, as PAULINE says I do not know what I�m talking about.

1. We start in LODI and PEIRANO ESTATE 2008 IMMORTAL OLD VINE ZINFANDEL. I�ve never tasted this wine, but, unbelievably, it is an allocated wine. There is no more of this vintage left other than the case I have. The vines are over 100 years old, hence the IMMORTAL name - $11.50

2. We stay in LODI for CAMPUS OAKS 2007 OLD VINE ZINFANDEL. We used an earlier vintage of this wine a couple of years ago and it was a big hit. I liked the spicy black fruit it offered, but felt a little heat on the finish despite the modest (for ZINFANDEL) 14.5% alcohol - $14.75

3. My favorite ZINFANDEL producer is RIDGE � maybe it is because very few of their wines are 100% ZINFANDEL! We offer the 2008 THREE VALLEYS that, for the first time, cannot be called ZINFANDEL because it is only 74% of the grape! The rest is PETIT SIRAH, CARIGNAN, MATARO, SYRAH and GRENACHE - $22.50

4. For our final wine of the basic flight we go to OREGON to THE PINES VINEYARD and their 2007 ZINFANDEL. The vineyard is in THE DALLES, but the tasting room is in HOOD RIVER. The wine is made from 20 year-old vines that were created from starts from the 100+ year-old vines in the vineyard. For its relatively high alcohol (15.2%), I found the wine food friendly, showing no heat from the alcohol - $28.75

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go to the NAPA VALLEY:

HENDRY is a producer with a range of wines from ALBARI�O to CABERNET SAUVIGNON, but better known for their �single block� ZINFANDELS. We offer the 2006 BLOCK 28 which was aged for fifteen months in French oak barrels, 65% of which were new. Despite its 15.8% alcohol, I felt this was another food-friendly Zinfandel. This is what the winery says: �Aromas include smoky spice, bay, berry, earth, mint and mineral. Dark fruit flavors of blackberries, blueberries and black currant, in an elegant wrapping of spicy and well- integrated oak. The 2006 returns to the familiar broad-shouldered, firm structured, complex and almost Cab-like Hendry Zinfandel style. This wine will continue to soften and gain complexity with age. Block 28 has an affinity for anything rich, braised, or meaty, and would be terrific with a slow-roasted lamb shank rubbed with herbes-de-provence, braised short ribs or a game-based risotto� - $32.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.50/Taste or $6.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, September 4th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open � I�ve yet to decide what! It will depend on forecast temperature nearer the day.

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

September 24 � The Crus of Beaujolais
October 01 � Washington Wines
October 08 � Spain
October 15 � Worldwide Sangiovese
October 22 � Wines from San Juan Winery

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, September 17th
4:30 - 7:00pm

THE BEST OF MATT KRAMER�S 2010 PICKS

CHEESE PLATE
This week, as we have a variety of wines, I decided to go with relatively mild cheeses:
Havarti Cow�s Milk Denmark
Monterey Jack Cow�s Milk California
Goat Cheddar Goat�s Milk Canada
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $2.50

Most of us in the Oregon wine industry have a love-hate relationship with Matt Kramer � recently, it has been mainly hate because of his trashing of the 2007 vintage here in Oregon. The few of you who came to our recent 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir tasting know how good this vintage can be � we sold a lot of wine that night, and on the basis of sales per capita of turn-out, it was one of our best Fridays ever. Despite this Kramer �fault�, I have much respect for his palate. I�m amazed that many of the wines he recommends I�ve already purchased for the shop. At the moment I think he is doing a great job recommending value wines (in all price categories), as well as trying to encourage people to try some thing different � as I do!

We start with a white in that category. Please note most of the following notes are from Matt Kramer in the Sunday Oregonian:

1. HUNGARY�S TOKAJ zone has been famous for centuries for creating extraordinary sweet wines from the local FURMINT grape variety (we have two great ones in stock), but it had absolutely no history of creating a dry white wine from FURMINT until the late-20th-century. We will taste the KIR�LYUDVAR TOKAJI FURMINT SEC 2007. Kramer said, and I agree, ��this is one of the most extraordinary dry white wines you will taste this year, I promise you. Although labeled as furmint, this wine is actually a blend of two indigenous white grapes: furmint (80 percent) and h�rslevelu. Impressively dense, it proffers a striking scent of flowers and minerals with just the barest whiff of honey allied with lemon. Thick-textured, there's a crisp acidity that makes this wine oh-so-drinkable, with that same minerals and flower quality coming through in the taste. And it�s just 12.5 percent alcohol. This is a magnificent dry white wine that can accompany all sorts of foods, from fish such as salmon to white meats such as chicken, pork and veal, as well as the most flavorful cheeses. If you try one new-to-you dry white wine this year, this is the one to get� - $20.00

2. One 2007 local wine Kramer wrote-up was J. CHRISTOPHER WILLAMETTE VALLEY PINOT NOIR (and we sold many cases on my recommendation). He has now recommended the 2008, as I do. This is what Kramer said: �Readers will recall prior recommendations of wines from the small Oregon winery called J. Christopher. The reason is simple: owner-winemaker Jay Somers is easily one of Oregon's best winemakers. Not only do his wines deliver a higher level of quality than much of his competition, but Somers also chooses to sell them at more reasonable prices than many. It�s a compelling combination. The (Oregon) 2008 vintage was a standout, especially for the pinot noirs. The proof is in the tasting. When you try J. Christopher Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2008 you�ll agree that 2008 is a remarkable vintage. A blend of four Willamette Valley vineyards (Bella Vida, La Colina, Croft and Charlie�s ), this is a dense, concentrated pinot noir of real character and ideal balance between fruit and acidity.� - $23.50

3. Kramer is also very good at spotting the better wines from fast growing areas such as Chile, Argentina, and the �New� Spain. We will taste one of his, and my, CHILEAN picks, PALO ALTO RESERVE CHILE, MAULE VALLEY, 2008. These are Kramer�s notes: �Palo Alto is a brand created by Chile�s largest wine producer, Concha y Toro. While most brands are just trading names designed to create an artificial differentiation among otherwise indistinguishable wines in a large winery�s production, Palo Alto seems to be different. A blend of cabernet sauvignon (55 percent), carmen�re (30 percent) and syrah (15 percent), Palo Alto Reserve Chile �Maule Valley� 2008 is an impressively refined red that's more than a little reminiscent of a very good red Bordeaux.� - $11.50

4. Over the last couple of months, it is amazing how many wines I have tasted from the southwest corner of the Rh�ne River that have carried a du GARD or COSTI�RES de NIMES designation. One of the best value, and another Kramer pick, I�ve tasted is the CH�TEAU DE VALCOMBE 2007 TRADITION, COSTI�RES DE NIMES. This what Kramer said: �A good example of just what France can deliver at a stellar price is this red wine. Never heard of Costi�res de Nimes? It�s far from famous. And the name itself is relatively new, dating only to 1989. Previously it was called Costi�res du Gard. Presumably the locals liked the association with the nearby city of Nimes, which boasts the best-preserved ancient Roman coliseum in France. Ch�teau de Valcombe �Tradition� 2007 shows what this district can do. An unusually rich, dense, even succulent red wine composed mostly of syrah (70 percent) with the balance in grenache, it�s surprisingly supple and irresistibly drinkable. This is a drink-now red ideal for just about any meat sizzling from a hot grill. It�s a barbecue red supreme. The price is as first-rate as the wine.� - $12.50

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For this week�s PREMIUM POUR we return to a wine we�ve used in the past, but that is drinking even better now (and our current stock is all that is available):

We go to PIEMONTE in the northwest of ITALY to taste a bargain BAROLO, MONCHIERO�S 2005. This what Kramer said: �Famously long-lived, Barolo is the apotheosis of the nebbiolo grape -- the end of the line, as good as it gets. Classically described as offering intermingled scents and tastes of roses and tar (sounds odd, tastes good), Barolo has changed somewhat in recent decades -- much of it for the better. Where once the wines were too often excessively tannic and sometimes dried-out, today they deliver fresh, precisely defined flavors and more gentle, easy-down-the-gullet tannins. Some producers, inevitably, have taken to using small oak barrels, the better to make Barolo taste "familiar," which is to say like the cabernets and pinot noirs the world is more accustomed to drinking. Monchiero, however, is a small family producer that has remained resolutely traditional. No small oak barrels for them. That said, they have �freshened� their style, creating wines that emphasize fruit purity at no expense of either depth or detail. This is all to the (very) good. When you taste this, be assured that you're tasting the real, true Barolo thing in all of its complexity and unique flavor distinction. Serve this in large glasses with braised oxtails, a good steak or anything hearty and full-flavored; you'll see -- or rather, taste -- what the hoopla is all about. This is a steal for the money -- as well as a benchmark bottling.� - $30.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.50/Taste or 6.00/4 Ounces

On Friday we will also have several other �Matt�s Picks� in stock including the COOPER MOUNTAIN 2008 RESERVE PINOT NOIR $20.00, the TORRE ORIA BRUT NON-VINTAGE CAVA $8.25, and the fabulous ANDR� CLOUET BRUT NATURE CHAMPAGNE $40.00

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, September 18th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open � I�ve yet to decide what. Maybe I should ask Matt Kramer!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

October 15 � Worldwide Syrah
October 22 � USA Cabernet Sauvignon
October 26 Annual Port Tasting
October 29 � California Pinot Noir
November 05 - Bordeaux

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, October 8th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES FROM SPAIN

CHEESE PLATE
To go with our Spanish wines, we had to have Spanish cheese. We offer the following selection:
Mah�n Cow�s Milk Menorca
From the Mediterranean island of Menorca, this is my favorite Spanish cheese, mainly because it seems to go well with Burgundy � I�m sure it will go well with Tempranillo. The cheese has a salty tang on the finish.
Ib�rico Cow/Goat/Sheep�s Milk Central Plains
Over 50% of Spanish cheese production is from a blend of milks, and this cheese�s name comes from a style of cheese produced all over the Iberian peninsular. This one comes from the Central Plains and shows mild acid from cow�s milk, the deeper flavor of sheep�s milk, and the finishing tang of goat�s milk. In theory this should be the best match to Tempranillo.
Manchego Sheep�s Milk La Mancha
From the land of Don Quixote, this is probably Spain�s most famous cheese. It is aged in grass molds for at least two months, giving it after notes of dry hay. A great match to many wines from dry sherry to rich reds.
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $3.00

SPAIN basically has two wine industries � the �Traditional�, and the �New World�, and so this week we are showing you both. We will "visit" 6 different DENOMINAC�ON de ORIGEN (DO).

1. We start with a traditional wine, the LAN 2005 RIOJA RESERVA. This is a TEMPRANILLO-based wine (it has small amounts of MAZUELO and GARNACHA) aged in AMERICAN OAK, which is �Old World Rioja�. As a Brit, this sort of wine was our "training wheels" � we could not afford French! Pauline and I have a soft-spot for this winery as back in the 1970s we drank a lot of it and in 1991 we visited the winery. As always, the wines are fabulous value - $18.50

2. Next up is the MONTSANT DO, a region that surrounds PRIORAT DO in CATALONIA, and is often considered as a �poor man�s Priorat�. We will taste the ELS GUIAMETS 2006 ISIS from a co-operative founded in 1913 and is a blend of GARNACHA, CARI�ENA and a little SYRAH. At a recent trade tasting I thought this wine was outstanding, offering lots of elegant black fruit, some oak and spice, and a long, complex finish - $22.50

3. We continue our journey around Spain with a visit to the VALENCIA DO, a part of LEVANTE which is an area on the Mediterranean coast south of CATALONIA. BODEGAS ARANLE�N was founded in 1927 but was reborn in 2000 when it was purchased by a group who brought a more modern view and a commitment to organic agriculture. We offer their 2007 BLES VINO ECOLOGICO which is a blend of 80% OLD VINE MONASTRELL and BOBAL and 20% younger CABERNET SAUVIGNON. This wine is spectacular value, offering a lush mid-palate that has a subtle gaminess, and then the CABERNET shows through on the finish - $10.50

4. We now move to the CALATAYUD DO which is part of ARAGON in the northeast of Spain near the border with France. The BODEGAS SAN ISIDRO 2009 FABLA OLD VINE GRENACHE (GARNACHA) is a classic example of a pure version of the grape. It was fermented in concrete tanks and aged in stainless steel. It offers lots of black raspberry fruit and has a complex, long finish. It makes one wonder �How do you get this complexity without oak?� - $12.50

5. Our final stop is the JUMILLA DO which is in the LEVANTE area and just to the west of the coastal town of ALICANTE. We offer the TARIMA 2009 MONASTRELL. This wine has a lot of weight, but is relatively soft, offering lots of slightly spicy, black fruit. Amazing value - $10.00

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

This week we offer an EXTRA POUR, a fantastic SHERRY:

The wines of JEREZ (SHERRY is the English bastardization of the name) are some of the greatest wine values in the world, but are not understood by people who have not been to Tapas Bars in Spain, or have just suffered the �Sherries� produced in some areas other than Andalusia. We offer the VALDESPINO �CONTRABANDISTA� AMONTILLADO. This is a NV off-dry AMONTILLADO with an average age of the wines being over 16 years. This Sherry could be used as an aperitif, or to accompany meat and game dishes - $33.50

TRY THIS FOR $2.00/1 Ounce or $3.50/2 Ounces or $7.00/4 ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, October 9th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual, we will have something interesting open.

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

October 22 � USA Cabernet Sauvignon
October 26 Annual Port Tasting
October 29 � California Pinot Noir
November 05 � Bordeaux
November 12 � Wines from the Gorge

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, October 15th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WORLDWIDE SYRAH

CHEESE PLATE
I searched the web to find cheese matches with SYRAH, and this is the result:
Raclette Cow�s Milk France
This is a Swiss or French alpine cheese with a nutty flavor and silky, smooth texture. Slightly softer than the more characteristic Alpage cheeses, it is a close cousin to Morbier in France and Appenzeller in Switzerland. Our Raclette is a raw milk cheese from the French Alps.
Double Gloucester Cow�s Milk England
This is a traditional English cheddar-style cheese from Gloucestershire with a bright, eggy, and somewhat sharp flavor. Double Gloucester has the honor and distinction of being used each spring for the Cooper�s Hill Cheese Rolling and Wake on Gloucestershire�s Cooper's Hill, which consists of competitors chasing a wheel of Double Gloucester down an uneven hillside. The competitors are expected to catch the wheel of cheese, but, with speeds in excess of 70mph, this is virtually impossible. What a waste of good cheese!
Extra Sharp Cheddar Cow�s Milk Canada
In past tastings, this has been the favorite Cheddar.
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $4.00

SYRAH has so many styles that our �Worldwide Syrahs� have been successful tastings � until people taste a SYRAH they do not know what they are getting. Is it a fruit bomb as many wines from �down under� are, or does it have that leathery, earthy, content of the Northern Rh�ne?

1. We start with a wine from ARGENTINA. At our last two similar tastings it was a CHILE wine that was the winner. Will the GOUGUENHEIM 2008 SYRAH be as successful? The wine, from the VALLE ESCONDIDO of the MENDOZA region, is similar to its CHILEAN counterpart in that it combines Northern Rh�ne elements of smoky bacon fat and leather with the forward fruit of a West Coast Syrah. This wines offers incredible value - $10.50

2. Next up is the origin � FRANCE. GUILHELM DURAND has been making lovely wines in the LANGUEDOC for many years. We offer his DOMAINE LA BASTIDE 2008 SYRAH VIN de PAYS d'HAUTERIVE LES GEN�TS. This is 100% SYRAH from 35+ year old vines grown in soils that are very similar to those of Chateauneuf�du-Pape strewn with quartz stones and pebbles and harvested at a modest 40 hl/ha. The wine offers good concentration with notes of blackberry, briery spice and some white pepper. This wine gives you the impression of a �junior� HERMITAGE and has much more style than most domestic versions twice the price - $12.00

3. We now go to the USA and our neighbors to the south, CALIFORNIA. Until a few weeks ago I�d never heard of BAILEYANA WINERY. However when I tasted their 2006 EDNA VALLEY SYRAH, it got my attention. While somewhat more powerful and intense than my European palate normally prefers, the intense fruit of blackberries and black currants is balanced by leather and pepper, with a bacon spiciness. Finally, the acidity and tannins give the wine great structure. The wine was rated �Outstanding� by the Wine Enthusiast - $19.75

4. Our final stop is an OREGON/WASHINGTON joint venture � an OREGON winery but COLUMBIA VALLEY fruit. ZERBA CELLARS is based in MILTON FREEWATER which is in the WALLA WALLA AVA, but is in OREGON. I�ve always liked their 2006 SYRAH, and it is now drinking fabulously � lots of bold fruit, but some of the subtleties of France. If there is any wine that is so much better than on release, this is it. The wine contains 4% GRENACHE and 1% MOURV�DRE - $30.00

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go back to FRANCE:

The SYRAHS from the NORTHERN RH�NE can be very expensive, but the SAINT JOSEPH Appellation offers some bargains � and some mediocre wines. DOMAINE FAURY�s wines are not inexpensive, but they are one of the leaders of quality wines from the Appellation. The 2007 VIEILLES VIGNES offers oodles of black raspberry and black cherry fruit together with that earthy quality of the region. The touches of white pepper on the finish make this a �killer wine� � if the wine said HERMITAGE on the label it would be over twice the price - $37.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $4.00/Taste or $7.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, October 16th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual, we will have something interesting open.

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com

CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

August 06 � Worldwide Cabernet Sauvignon
August 13 � Abacela vs. Spanish �Originals�
August 20 � German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 � Wines from the Rh�ne Valley

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, July 30th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES FROM MEDITERRANEAN ISLANDS

CHEESE PLATE
We tried to find cheese from the Islands and we made it, but not necessarily from the same islands as the wines!
Mah�n Cow�s Milk Menorca
From the Mediterranean island of Menorca, this is my favorite Spanish cheese, mainly because it seems to go well with Burgundy � I�m sure it will go well with this week�s wines. The cheese has a salty tang on the finish.
Brigante Sheep�s Milk Sardinia
This sheep�s milk cheese comes from around the town of Thiesi in the north of the island. It is often called Dolce Sardo because of the sweetness of the local ewes� milk.
Halloumi Sheep�s Milk Cyprus
This is a similar cheese to Saganaki, the Greek �Flaming Cheese�, and is wonderful grilled. However it is interesting sliced in a salad.
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

At this time of the year, with the temperature going up in Oregon, lets �fly� to where breezes moderate temperatures and make life wonderful � the Islands of the Mediterranean.

1. We start on SANTORINI, that wonderful Greek island. The combination of heat plus strong winds makes for interesting wine growing conditions. ASSYRTIKO is the major white varietal, and its origin is unknown. Some think it is native to SANTORINI, or it may have arrived on the island with the Phoenicians after the volcanic eruptions of 1640 � 1620 BC. We offer this grape blended with ATHIRI in the SIGALAS 2008 SANTORINI WHITE It offers classic flowery, almost honeysuckle nose and then an underlying mineral acidity. Wonderful with kalamar�kia, either grilled or fried - $20.00
(We also have their 100% ASSYRTIKO at $24.00 and the oaked version at $28.75)

2. Next up is SARDEGNA (aka Sardinia), the Italian island to the west of LAZIO and CAMPANIA. ARGIOLAS is one of the top value/quality producers on the island and we offer their 2007 PERDERA which is a blend of the two local grapes MONICA (90%) and BOVALE di SARDO (5%) together with CARIGNAN (5%). A Matt Kramer recommendation, this wine is rated between 89 and 92 in major magazines. The wine is full-flavored and a little rustic, but offers lots of intense berry fruit - $14.50

3. We move back to SANTORINI for a RED. This island is usually thought of as a white wine producer (and Vin Santo), but ARGYROS also produces a lovely red (the first red from this island we have carried). ATLANTIS RED is a blend of 90% MANDILARIA and 10% MAVROTRAGANO. The former is a major red grape on CRETE and RHODOS (where it is known as AMORYANO). The wine is medium-full bodied with fine tannins, complex aromas of red fruit, with hints of prune and leather - $20.00

4. Moving further west we visit SPAIN�S BALEAR�C ISLANDS, and in particular the island of MALLORCA. This is one of the great �package vacation� islands for northern Europeans (Pauline and I were there in 1970s and I�m sure we would find it over-developed now). It is also home to some old wine regions. The Romans are thought to have brought viticulture to the island in about 123 AD. The industry has waxed and waned over the centuries and the modern industry dates from the 1980s. There are two Denominaci�n de Origins on the island, BINISS�LLEM-MALLORCA and PLA i LLEVANT. We will taste a wine from the former DO, the VINS NADAL 2008 ALBA FLOR TINTO. No, this wine does not taste like a used tennis ball, but is an interesting blend of the local varietal MANTO**** (75%) and 14% CABERNET SAUVIGNON and 11% MERLOT. The wine offers aromas of cherry and raspberry, and the palate is fruity with a mineral background. It is outstanding value - $14.50

5. Our final wine of the main flight comes from SICILIA. BENANTI is a producer that specializes with local varietals. We offer its 2006 ROSSODIVERZELLA (the current release) which is a blend of 80% NERELLO MASCALESE and 20% NERELLO CAPUCCIO. I�ve always liked this wine and this vintage is probably the best yet. The wine offers lots of ****y black fruit, together with something extra from the grapes being grown on the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna (at about 2500ft elevation). Not your �run-of-the-mill� red wine - $17.50
(We have a couple of bottles of the 2002 available at $16.50)

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

Our PREMIUM POUR also comes from SICILIA:

TENUTA della TERRE NERE is a property of MARC de GRAZIA, a Florentine who is very much involved with importing terrific Italian wines into the USA. The 2005 CALDERARA SOTTANA is a wine produced from grapes grown at about 800 metres on the NE slopes of Mount Etna. The wine carries an IGT ETNA ROSSO designation and is a blend of 98% NERELLO MASCALESE and 2% NERELLO CAPPUCCIO, two �native� grapes. I would not have guessed this wine, a regular winner of Due Bichieri in Gambero Rosso, came from SICILIA. The wine has the texture of a very good Burgundy, and offers lots of earthy, black fruit. If this wine came from anywhere other than SICILIA, it would cost much more! - $24.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.00/Taste or $5.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, July 31st
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. We are planning:

For the current warm weather, what is more refreshing than an un-oaked SAUVIGNON BLANC? We will pour LA PLAYA 2009 from CHILE�s COLCHAQUA VALLEY - $8.25

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com
CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

August 13 � Abacela vs. Spanish �Originals�
August 20 � German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 � Wines from the Rh�ne Valley
September 03 - Zinfandel

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 6th
4:30 - 7:00pm

CABERNET SAUVIGNON from around the WORLD

CHEESE PLATE
To go with Cabernet Sauvignon we offer a selection of cow�s milk Cheddar cheese. These cheeses always form a good backdrop for red wines.
Sharp Aged 6-9 months New Zealand
Coastal Aged 15 months Dorset, England
Extra, Extra Sharp Aged 18 months New York
SAMPLER PLATE $3.00

CABERNET SAUVIGNON could be considered the signature grape of the NAPA VALLEY, and it seems to be grown all over the world. Let�s taste the diversity with wines from five countries and two different zones of one of the countries. I find it very difficult to suggest a tasting order, and so I�m taking the easy way out and listing them in price order.

1. We start in ARGENTINA and the enormous wine region of MENDOZA. TRUMPETER is the �entry-level� label of RUTINI, and its 2007 CABERNET SAUVIGNON is stunning value. I believe it is 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON, and it offers pure cassis fruit with subtle touches of oak - $8.00

2. Now we jump over the Andes to CHILE. There are many wonderful value producers in this country of great scenery and wonderful people, but I�m beginning to think it is hard to beat CHONO for quality vs. price. Their Syrah has been the winner in our last two �Syrah from around the World� tastings, and the Carmin�re is also wonderful. We offer the 2008 CABERNET SAUVIGNON from the MAIPO VALLEY. Like most CABERNET SAUVIGNONS from this country, the wine is more BORDEAUX in style than, say, WALLA WALLA style - $12.50

3. I consider BORDEAUX as the home of CABERNET SAUVIGNON, but there it is usually blended with other grapes, although some Ch�teaux approach 100% in some years, and n�gotiants bottle 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON wines. The LANGUEDOC is a source of 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNONS, and we offer LES TRAVERSES de FONTANES 2007 VIN de PAYS d�OC. This is an estate-produced wine imported by Kermit Lynch, and is more elegant and complex than one would expect from this area - $14.25

4. What would a CABERNET SAUVIGNON tasting be without something from CALIFORNIA? We will taste the GOYETTE 2007 NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON. I�m sure most of you are saying �Who is Goyette?� BOB GOYETTE was the founder of LA CREMA and then moved on to other wineries. I tasted this wine at a trade tasting and thought it was great value for NAPA VALLEY. This is Bob�s philosophy: �I keep one eye on the successful traditions of Europe, and the other closely attuned to the grapes at hand. Using my own palate as a spring-board, I determine if the wines are really appealing to drink, rather than just done in a proper manner. I keep trying to work towards the best syntheses of the New & Old World traditions, while intuitively striving for wines that appeal to connoisseurs as well as people that just like wine. To me, it's all about balance and about listening.� - $18.75

5. We return to Europe and the PENED�S region of SPAIN. MIGUEL TORRES was just about the first to plant CABERNET SAUVIGNON in the area in the 1960s, and the TORRES winery now bottles 100% CABERNET wines, together with wines where the grape is blended with TEMPRANILLO. We offer one of the latter in the form of the GRAN CORONAS 2005 RESERVA. This is a blend of 85% CABERNET SAUVIGNON and 15% TEMPRANILLO (aka ULL de LIEBRE in Catalonia), and, in the Spanish tradition, has spent a considerable time in oak. Lush and elegant, the wine shows cassis from the CABERNET, and this is intermingled with coffee bean, licorice and vanillans - $19.25

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

Our PREMIUM POUR comes from our neighbors to the north, WASHINGTON:

STEPHENSON CELLARS was a new producer to me until a couple of weeks ago. They are in WALLA WALLA but their 2006 CABERNET SAUVIGNON carries a WASHINGTON Appellation as it is a blend from three vineyards � WINDY RIDGE in HORSE HEAVEN HILLS, WOODEN ISLAND on the banks of the COLUMBIA RIVER, and INLAND DESERT in BENTON CITY. The wine shows aromas of blueberry, cassis and cedar; the palate has cassis and plum with some Bordeaux-like influences - $33.00
*With apologies to Sideways, we also have their excellent MERLOT!*

TRY THIS WINE FOR $4.00/Taste or $7.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 7th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. We are planning:

NANTAIS, the western end of the LOIRE VALLEY, is best known for MUSCADET, which is made from the MELON de BOURGOGNE grape. However there is another white grape in the area, GROS PLANT (aka FOLLE BLANCHE), which normally does not have too much charm, being very acidic. The DOMAINE de l�AIGUILLETTE 2009 GROS PLANT is lovely � although very dry, it has great fruit upfront. It is much better than most inexpensive MUSCADET - $9.25

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I’ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on “Site Index” and then “Electronic Newsletter”. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click “Remove”. Thank you.

August 20 – German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 – Wines from the Rhône Valley
September 03 – Zinfandel
September 10 – Burgundy

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 13th
4:30 - 7:00pm

ABACELA vs. SPANISH “ORIGINALS”

CHEESE PLATE
To go with our Spanish wines and Abacela wines from Spanish grapes, we offer a selection of Spanish cheese:
Ibérico Cow/Goat/Sheep’s Milk Central Plains
Over 50% of Spanish cheese production is from a blend of milks, and this cheese’s name comes from a style of cheese produced all over the Iberian peninsular. This one comes from the Central Plains and shows mild acid from cow’s milk, the deeper flavor of sheep’s milk, and the finishing tang of goat’s milk. In theory this should be the best match to Tempranillo.
Campo de Montalbán Cow/Goat/Sheep’s Milk La Mancha
This cheese resembles Manchego in texture and appearance, and until 1985 it was in fact considered a Manchego. Campo de Montalbán is distinguished by its three milk blend, while Manchego contains only sheep's milk. The flavor is also similar to Manchego. However, as with Ibérico, the characters of all three milks are noticeable in Campo de Montalbán.
Manchego Sheep’s Milk La Mancha
From the land of Don Quixote, this is probably Spain’s most famous cheese. It is aged in grass molds for at least two months, giving it after notes of dry hay. A great match to many wines from dry sherry to rich reds.
SAMPLER PLATE $4.00

I always admire winery owners who have a vision to do something different, and succeed in making good wines that are interesting and start new trends. Earl and Hilda Jones, who founded ABACELA, had a belief that an area near Roseburg would be ideal for several Spanish varietals. Their wines are very good, and we’ve seen a mini-explosion of TEMPRANILLO in Oregon. All their wines are quality wines, and they are using only Estate fruit, or fruit from vineyards they manage. The Claret is being discontinued, as they do not grow Cabernet Sauvignon.

Last month, on our way to Ashland, Pauline and I visited ABACELA and had a great time. Linda, in charge of the tasting room, was charming and knowledgeable - and very generous with her pours. The current Tasting Room is small, and must become “cozy” on a busy weekend. An expanded winery and tasting room is under construction. If you have not visited this winery, plan to do so.


We had a picnic lunch at the winery:


Pauline contemplates world distances:


For this tasting we will compare two wines made from three Spanish varietals – one from Spain and one made from ABACELA.

Our first grape is ALBARIÑO:

1. From ABACELA we will taste their 2009 UMPQUA VALLEY. I watched the development of this grape at ABACELA and thought the 2008 was good, but the 2009 hit the mark, offering a wine as complex as its Spanish ancestors, and very competitive in price. It is the first vintage we have carried in the shop - $18.50

2. Most SPANISH ALBARINOS I really enjoy are north of $20.00/bottle, but I found one at <$20 for this tasting. BODEGAS LA CANA is a joint venture of the GIL FAMILY JUMILLA and importer JORGE ORDONEZ. The wine, of course, comes from RIAS BAIXAS in GALICIA, and the 2008 was rated “Outstanding” in the Wine Advocate. While not as complex as the great ALBARINOS from DO FERREIRO, the LA CANA is excellent - $18.00
(We have the 2007 DO FERREIRO in stock at $24.00)

The Second Grape is TEMPRANILLO, the grape that made ABACELA’S name:

3. We wanted to pour ABACELA’s 2007 McCORQUODALE VINEYARD which we tasted at the winery, but it appears this limited wine is “tasting room only” for the time being. This is their neighbor and they manage the vineyard. Instead we offer the 2007 CUVÉE which is a blend of 85% ESTATE FRUIT with the rest coming from the McCORQUODALE and DEFINO VINEYARDS. I was not fond of the early CUVÉE releases, but as the vines achieved some age, this wine is the bargain TEMPRANILLO from this producer - $20.00
(We also have the 2006 ESTATE at $36.00)

4. From SPAIN we offer IZARDI 2005 CRIANZA. This wine is 100% TEMPRANILLO from the RIOJA region, and was aged in American oak barrels. While very traditional in the use of American oak, this wine is much more fruit forward for traditional RIOJA, and I thought would be a good comparison to ABACELA - $18.00

Our Third Grape is GARNACHA:

While the French may think they “invented” GRENACHE, it appears the grape originates in SPAIN under the name GARNACHA.

5. From ABACELA we will taste their 2008 UMPQUA VALLEY. At the winery, Pauline was a bigger fan of this wine than I was. Maybe it was because it really has a “sense of place”, as it was not Spanish or French – and as a European, I too often tend to compare wines with the “originals”. At the moment my favorite OREGON GRENACHE/GARNACHA is COWHORN’S from the APPLEGATE VALLEY. Let’s find out what our customers think! - $22.50

6. From SPAIN it was difficult to choose what to use, mainly because most of the wines are much cheaper than the ABACELA wine, so we decided to pour a GARNACHA which approaches the ABACELA in price, but is somewhat atypical. JOAN d’ANGUERA has been a family-run winery since 1820 and is now run by a sister and brother team of Joan and Josep. Their 2009 GARNATXA is from MONTSANT. MONTSANT is in Catalonia, hence the spelling of the grape GARNACHA. This is their “entry level” red, and is fermented and aged in concrete tanks. It is one of the purest interpretations of the GARNACHA grape I’ve ever tasted - $19.00

TRY THESE SIX WINES FOR $12.00

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 14th
Noon – 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. As it is supposed to be over 90˚, we are planning:

Red wine drinkers need a great ROSÉ in hot weather. Pauline and I tend to believe the best of these wines come from the SOUTH of FRANCE, but this week I tried what I think is the greatest ROSÉ I’ve tasted from the USA – and it is from OREGON. COWHORN is in SOUTHERN OREGON’S APPLEGATE VALLEY and all their vineyards are biodynamically farmed (Demeter certified). Their 2009 GRENACHE ROSÉ is almost 100% GRENACHE but includes a tiny bit of VIOGNIER. I’d have guessed it was from PROVENCE, and even though not inexpensive for a ROSÉ, I think it is great value - $18.00

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I’ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on “Site Index” and then “Electronic Newsletter”. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click “Remove”. Thank you.

August 27 – Wines from the Rhône Valley
September 03 – Zinfandel
September 10 – Burgundy

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 20th
4:30 - 7:00pm

AUSTRIAN and GERMAN REDS

CHEESE PLATE
We’ve only fond one German cheese so far (other than Limberger), and none from Austria. Hopefully, by Friday, we will have something put together!
SAMPLER PLATE $??.00

We know most of you do not think about red wines when you consider Austria and Germany as these countries are famous mainly for Grüner Veltliner and Riesling whites. However, both countries make some interesting reds, usually from grapes grown in very few other countries. These wines are ideal summer reds, and some are even better when served slightly chilled (not refrigerator temperature, but at about 60˚F). We hope many of you come to try these interesting, but rarely poured, wines.

1. We start in Germany with a grape called DORNFELDER. This a crossing of a crossing between several German varietals, and Jancis Robinson said in her book Vines, Grapes and Wines “Dornfelder demonstrates most eloquently the advantages of the German approach to plant breeding”. We will taste the ANDREAS DIEHL 2009 DORNFELDER from the PFALZ region. This is the sunniest and driest part of Germany, and so should be the best area for red grapes. This DORNFELDER is very fruity in style with a touch of residual sugar. It is an ideal hot weather red. This is a review I found on-line: “Strawberries and cherries are all over the nose, and you can tell that this wine is full of fruit. The wine is sweet on the palate, right out of the gate. However, it’s still clean, and on the lighter side for a sweetish wine. There is a bit of acid, but almost no tannic structure until very, very late on the palate. Dark cherries and strawberries dominate the experience” - $13.50

2. Next up is SPÄTBURGUNDER, aka PINOT NOIR. I’ve tasted some lovely such wines from GERMANY, but the prices are usually too high to make sense. We have carried a few reasonably priced ones from the PFALZ, and this week we offer one from RHEINHESSEN, which is just to the north of the PFALZ. The wine is from the 2007 vintage and is called UNDONE. Produced by the VALCKENBERG GROUP and bottled with a screw cap, the wine is unoaked and unmanipulated – this is the reason for the name as the grapes are “undone” to show their natural charms (just wait until you see the label). K & L Wines of San Francisco say on their web site “It is the fresh, light and juicy wine for those of us who don’t like our Pinot Noir to look and taste like Syrah. The wine is delicate and pure, medium bodied and full of wild strawberry, cherry and raspberry aromas with just a subtle hint of spice in the finish”. It will take a slight chill - $12.50

3. I recently attended an Austrian Trade Tasting and liked most of the wines. However Austrian wines have a price problem in the USA. In fact the country has the highest price per bottle of all European countries who export to the USA. We start with the grape BLAUFRÄNKISCH, which in Germany is often called LEMBERGER. We will taste the NECKENMARKT 2008 CLASSIC “FRANK” from MITTELBURGENLAND. The wine has ripe red-black fruit with a touch of spice and moderate tannins. Someone described it as the wine you would get if you mixed Dolcetto with a Cru Beaujolais – I think she is right! - $16.00

4. We stay in the BURGENLAND and taste a blend from the HEINRICH winery. In a very honest fashion they just call it the 2008 RED. It is a blend of 50% MERLOT, 30% ZWEIGELT and 20% BLAUFRÄNKISCH. On the nose all I could sense was the MERLOT, but this is one of those wines where the nose can be misleading. The palate has lots of spice and a certain earthiness, and the finish is very long. A fascinating wine - $19.50

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we stay with the HEINRICH winery in BURGENLAND:

When Pauline and I did our OKANAGAN trip in 2007 we were surprised by how good the ZWEIGELT from ARROWLEAF winery was as we did not know any North American winery grew this red grape. This week we offer one of the best ZWEIGELTS from AUSTRIA when one takes price into account. ZWEIGELT is a crossing of BLAUFRÄNKISCH and ST-LAURENT. I tried to find a ST-LAURENT for the tasting as this grape is supposed to be a close cousin to PINOT NOIR, but the local distributors do not seem keen on it. This ZWEIGELT has a lovely nose of ripe cherries and violets – almost too good to drink! The palate is much richer with dark fruit and touches of liquorice and chocolate. Fantastic value - $27.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.00/Taste or $5.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 21st
Noon – 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. Despite the cooler weather, I’d love you to try this rosé

Red wine drinkers need a great ROSÉ in the summer. Pauline and I tend to believe the best of these wines come from the SOUTH of FRANCE, but recently I tried what I think is the greatest ROSÉ I’ve tasted from the USA – and it is from OREGON. COWHORN is in SOUTHERN OREGON’S APPLEGATE VALLEY and all their vineyards are biodynamically farmed (Demeter certified). Their 2009 GRENACHE ROSÉ is almost 100% GRENACHE but includes a tiny bit of VIOGNIER. I’d have guessed it was from PROVENCE, and even though not inexpensive for a ROSÉ, I think it is great value - $18.00

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

September 03 � Zinfandel
September 10 � Burgundy
September 17 � The best of Matt Kramer�s 2010 Picks
September 24 � The Crus of Beaujolais

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 27th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES of the RH�NE VALLEY

CHEESE PLATE
We offer a selection of French cheese to go with our French wines.
Fol Epi Cow�s Milk Loire Valley
This creamy cheese is enclosed in a golden-brown rind made from a wheat base -- hence the name �Fol Epi,� which means �wild wheat stalk� in French. It is made in a similar style to Swiss Emmental, providing a nutty taste with a slight wheat flavor.
Raclette Cow�s Milk French Alps
This is a Swiss or French alpine cheese with a nutty flavor and silky, smooth texture. Slightly softer than the more characteristic Alpage cheeses, it is a close cousin to Morbier in France and Appenzeller in Switzerland. Our Raclette is a raw milk cheese from the French Alps.
Tomme de Savoie Cow�s Milk Savoie
This Tomme is a semi-firm cow's milk cheese made in the valley of the Savoie in the French Alps. It has a delightfully nutty flavor and a smooth paste that melts in your mouth. The hard, powdery rind has an earthy aroma and is usually speckled with many types of indigenous and beneficial molds
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

We were encouraged by the turnout to try lesser-known wines at our German/Austrian Red tasting, and so for this Rh�ne tasting we�ve included a couple of wines that are somewhat out-of-the-mainstream for this popular wine region.

1. We start with the 2009 vintage of what was our biggest selling C�TES-du-RH�NE in the 2007 and 2008 vintages. DOMAINE CHAPOTON can trace its origins to 1665 under Louis XIV, and the current generation took over in 1981. The wine is a blend of GRENACHE, SYRAH, MOUV�DRE and CARIGNAN. The wine has intense fruit, some spice, and a touch of classic garrigue. Comments from people who have tasted all three vintages suggest the 2009 is more fruit forward than the others (it was a hotter vintage) - $10.50

2. DOMAINE MONPERTUIS is a CH�TEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE producer, and we offer their 2007 VIGNOBLE de la RAMI�RE which is unusual in that it is 100% COUNOISE, one of the 13 grapes allowed in CDP. There are not many such wines in the world, but Oregon�s Andrew Rich has made one, as has Washington�s McCrae. The wine shows black fruit with a little spice together with meatiness similar to MOURV�DRE. The fruit is grown in the GARD region at the mouth of the Rh�ne - $16.50

3. Our next wine is from a very expensive producer in VACQUEYRAS in the SOUTHERN RH�NE VALLEY. ROUCAS TOUMBA LES GRANDS CHEMINS is basically de-classified VACQUEYRAS, and the producer could call the wine C�TES-du-RH�NE, but he decided on the VIN de TABLE designation. The fruit is from 2007, but I was told that a VIN de TABLE cannot have a vintage date. A blend of GRENACHE, SYRAH and MOURV�DRE, the wine is perfumed, giving you the sense of the herbs of the area; this is followed by chewy, black fruit with a spicy edge, and then a long finish. As a Rh�naholic, I think this wine is sensational value! - $17.25

4. For our final wine of the basic flight we go to CH�TEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE. These days it is hard to find a CDP under $40.00, so when I found this �left-over� 2005 we could sell for $30.00, I jumped at it. This wine, built primarily upon GRENACHE is intensely aromatic, with notes of ground coffee, plum, grenadine and game. The bright Grenache fruit has an intriguing savory, almost salty, quality to it, which is not half as strange as it might sound. It is simply one of the many parts of this in balance, complex wine. If you were talking about pairing this wine with food, nearly any cut of lamb would be wonderful - $30.00

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go to the NORTHERN RH�NE to taste SYRAH:

CROZES HERMITAGE is the �poor cousin� of HERMITAGE. It is a relatively large Appellation, covering an area almost 10 miles long to the north and south of the village of TAIN and HERMITAGE itself. For many years, most wines were pallid in comparison to HERMITAGE. Now some substantial wines are being made, and ALAIN GRAILLOT is considered one of the bright, shining stars of the Appellation. 2004 was a difficult vintage in the area, and I have not tasted the ALAIN GRAILLOT 2004 CROZES HERMITAGE for some time, so let�s see how it is aging. Robert Parker in the Wine Advocate said: �Gregarious Alain Graillot has turned out a 2004 Crozes-Hermitage that presents plenty of olive notes intermixed with some sweet red currant and cherry notes. The acidity of the vintage is relatively apparent in this wine, which is elegant and Burgundian in its texture and aromatics. Drink 2007-2011� - $29.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.50/Taste or $6.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 28th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open:

OREGON�S QUERCUS WINES are below most people�s radar, probably because they make wines under a number of labels. The wines are a project of MICHAEL BECKLEY, and we have carried PINOT NOIR and SYRAH wines he has made (we have some of his CADMUS 2004 PINOT NOIR in stock). We offer his ROCK CREEK CELLARS 2007 OREGON RED WINE. The wine is a blend of CABERNET SAUVIGNON, MERLOT and SYRAH, and offers gobs of black fruit coupled with a nice, spicy, edge - $11.25

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

September 10 � Burgundy
September 17 � The best of Matt Kramer�s 2010 Picks
September 24 � The Crus of Beaujolais
October 01 � Washington Wines

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, September 3rd
4:30 - 7:00pm

ZINFANDEL

CHEESE PLATE
Once again, we rely on our favorite New York cheese shop to recommend cheese for Zinfandel:
Gruy�re Raw Cow�s Milk Switzerland
This is cave-aged Gruy�re � not your average supermarket version. Aged for a significant time, this is a rich, nutty, cheese.
Cantalet Raw Cow�s Milk France
Considered to be the ancestor to British Farmhouse Cheddars, this is a cow's milk cheese from Auvergne, France. It is weighty, moist, creamy, and just subtley sharp, with a very defined sweet and milky quality. As the French took over England in 1066, maybe it is true they created the great English Cheddars. However, didn�t we Brits control the Bordeaux region a few hundred years later? As Pauline and I are Francophiles, I thank the Frogs for anything they did to improve English cuisine.
Campo de Montalban Pasteurized Cow�s/Goat�s/Sheep�s Milk Spain
This cheese resembles Manchego in texture and appearance, and until 1985 it was in fact considered a Manchego. Campo de Montalb�n is distinguished by its three milk blend, while Manchego contains only sheep's milk. The flavor is also similar to Manchego.
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

As most of our regulars know, ZINFANDEL is not one of my favorite grapes, although PAULINE would say �You want to stay married?� However I�ve converted her from blowsy CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAYS to CHABLIS, the greatest expression of CHARDONANY in the world. Her job is to convert me from the RIDGE blends to full-throttle ZINFANDELS. My tasting notes are minimal, as PAULINE says I do not know what I�m talking about.

1. We start in LODI and PEIRANO ESTATE 2008 IMMORTAL OLD VINE ZINFANDEL. I�ve never tasted this wine, but, unbelievably, it is an allocated wine. There is no more of this vintage left other than the case I have. The vines are over 100 years old, hence the IMMORTAL name - $11.50

2. We stay in LODI for CAMPUS OAKS 2007 OLD VINE ZINFANDEL. We used an earlier vintage of this wine a couple of years ago and it was a big hit. I liked the spicy black fruit it offered, but felt a little heat on the finish despite the modest (for ZINFANDEL) 14.5% alcohol - $14.75

3. My favorite ZINFANDEL producer is RIDGE � maybe it is because very few of their wines are 100% ZINFANDEL! We offer the 2008 THREE VALLEYS that, for the first time, cannot be called ZINFANDEL because it is only 74% of the grape! The rest is PETIT SIRAH, CARIGNAN, MATARO, SYRAH and GRENACHE - $22.50

4. For our final wine of the basic flight we go to OREGON to THE PINES VINEYARD and their 2007 ZINFANDEL. The vineyard is in THE DALLES, but the tasting room is in HOOD RIVER. The wine is made from 20 year-old vines that were created from starts from the 100+ year-old vines in the vineyard. For its relatively high alcohol (15.2%), I found the wine food friendly, showing no heat from the alcohol - $28.75

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go to the NAPA VALLEY:

HENDRY is a producer with a range of wines from ALBARI�O to CABERNET SAUVIGNON, but better known for their �single block� ZINFANDELS. We offer the 2006 BLOCK 28 which was aged for fifteen months in French oak barrels, 65% of which were new. Despite its 15.8% alcohol, I felt this was another food-friendly Zinfandel. This is what the winery says: �Aromas include smoky spice, bay, berry, earth, mint and mineral. Dark fruit flavors of blackberries, blueberries and black currant, in an elegant wrapping of spicy and well- integrated oak. The 2006 returns to the familiar broad-shouldered, firm structured, complex and almost Cab-like Hendry Zinfandel style. This wine will continue to soften and gain complexity with age. Block 28 has an affinity for anything rich, braised, or meaty, and would be terrific with a slow-roasted lamb shank rubbed with herbes-de-provence, braised short ribs or a game-based risotto� - $32.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.50/Taste or $6.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, September 4th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open � I�ve yet to decide what! It will depend on forecast temperature nearer the day.

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

September 24 � The Crus of Beaujolais
October 01 � Washington Wines
October 08 � Spain
October 15 � Worldwide Sangiovese
October 22 � Wines from San Juan Winery

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, September 17th
4:30 - 7:00pm

THE BEST OF MATT KRAMER�S 2010 PICKS

CHEESE PLATE
This week, as we have a variety of wines, I decided to go with relatively mild cheeses:
Havarti Cow�s Milk Denmark
Monterey Jack Cow�s Milk California
Goat Cheddar Goat�s Milk Canada
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $2.50

Most of us in the Oregon wine industry have a love-hate relationship with Matt Kramer � recently, it has been mainly hate because of his trashing of the 2007 vintage here in Oregon. The few of you who came to our recent 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir tasting know how good this vintage can be � we sold a lot of wine that night, and on the basis of sales per capita of turn-out, it was one of our best Fridays ever. Despite this Kramer �fault�, I have much respect for his palate. I�m amazed that many of the wines he recommends I�ve already purchased for the shop. At the moment I think he is doing a great job recommending value wines (in all price categories), as well as trying to encourage people to try some thing different � as I do!

We start with a white in that category. Please note most of the following notes are from Matt Kramer in the Sunday Oregonian:

1. HUNGARY�S TOKAJ zone has been famous for centuries for creating extraordinary sweet wines from the local FURMINT grape variety (we have two great ones in stock), but it had absolutely no history of creating a dry white wine from FURMINT until the late-20th-century. We will taste the KIR�LYUDVAR TOKAJI FURMINT SEC 2007. Kramer said, and I agree, ��this is one of the most extraordinary dry white wines you will taste this year, I promise you. Although labeled as furmint, this wine is actually a blend of two indigenous white grapes: furmint (80 percent) and h�rslevelu. Impressively dense, it proffers a striking scent of flowers and minerals with just the barest whiff of honey allied with lemon. Thick-textured, there's a crisp acidity that makes this wine oh-so-drinkable, with that same minerals and flower quality coming through in the taste. And it�s just 12.5 percent alcohol. This is a magnificent dry white wine that can accompany all sorts of foods, from fish such as salmon to white meats such as chicken, pork and veal, as well as the most flavorful cheeses. If you try one new-to-you dry white wine this year, this is the one to get� - $20.00

2. One 2007 local wine Kramer wrote-up was J. CHRISTOPHER WILLAMETTE VALLEY PINOT NOIR (and we sold many cases on my recommendation). He has now recommended the 2008, as I do. This is what Kramer said: �Readers will recall prior recommendations of wines from the small Oregon winery called J. Christopher. The reason is simple: owner-winemaker Jay Somers is easily one of Oregon's best winemakers. Not only do his wines deliver a higher level of quality than much of his competition, but Somers also chooses to sell them at more reasonable prices than many. It�s a compelling combination. The (Oregon) 2008 vintage was a standout, especially for the pinot noirs. The proof is in the tasting. When you try J. Christopher Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2008 you�ll agree that 2008 is a remarkable vintage. A blend of four Willamette Valley vineyards (Bella Vida, La Colina, Croft and Charlie�s ), this is a dense, concentrated pinot noir of real character and ideal balance between fruit and acidity.� - $23.50

3. Kramer is also very good at spotting the better wines from fast growing areas such as Chile, Argentina, and the �New� Spain. We will taste one of his, and my, CHILEAN picks, PALO ALTO RESERVE CHILE, MAULE VALLEY, 2008. These are Kramer�s notes: �Palo Alto is a brand created by Chile�s largest wine producer, Concha y Toro. While most brands are just trading names designed to create an artificial differentiation among otherwise indistinguishable wines in a large winery�s production, Palo Alto seems to be different. A blend of cabernet sauvignon (55 percent), carmen�re (30 percent) and syrah (15 percent), Palo Alto Reserve Chile �Maule Valley� 2008 is an impressively refined red that's more than a little reminiscent of a very good red Bordeaux.� - $11.50

4. Over the last couple of months, it is amazing how many wines I have tasted from the southwest corner of the Rh�ne River that have carried a du GARD or COSTI�RES de NIMES designation. One of the best value, and another Kramer pick, I�ve tasted is the CH�TEAU DE VALCOMBE 2007 TRADITION, COSTI�RES DE NIMES. This what Kramer said: �A good example of just what France can deliver at a stellar price is this red wine. Never heard of Costi�res de Nimes? It�s far from famous. And the name itself is relatively new, dating only to 1989. Previously it was called Costi�res du Gard. Presumably the locals liked the association with the nearby city of Nimes, which boasts the best-preserved ancient Roman coliseum in France. Ch�teau de Valcombe �Tradition� 2007 shows what this district can do. An unusually rich, dense, even succulent red wine composed mostly of syrah (70 percent) with the balance in grenache, it�s surprisingly supple and irresistibly drinkable. This is a drink-now red ideal for just about any meat sizzling from a hot grill. It�s a barbecue red supreme. The price is as first-rate as the wine.� - $12.50

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For this week�s PREMIUM POUR we return to a wine we�ve used in the past, but that is drinking even better now (and our current stock is all that is available):

We go to PIEMONTE in the northwest of ITALY to taste a bargain BAROLO, MONCHIERO�S 2005. This what Kramer said: �Famously long-lived, Barolo is the apotheosis of the nebbiolo grape -- the end of the line, as good as it gets. Classically described as offering intermingled scents and tastes of roses and tar (sounds odd, tastes good), Barolo has changed somewhat in recent decades -- much of it for the better. Where once the wines were too often excessively tannic and sometimes dried-out, today they deliver fresh, precisely defined flavors and more gentle, easy-down-the-gullet tannins. Some producers, inevitably, have taken to using small oak barrels, the better to make Barolo taste "familiar," which is to say like the cabernets and pinot noirs the world is more accustomed to drinking. Monchiero, however, is a small family producer that has remained resolutely traditional. No small oak barrels for them. That said, they have �freshened� their style, creating wines that emphasize fruit purity at no expense of either depth or detail. This is all to the (very) good. When you taste this, be assured that you're tasting the real, true Barolo thing in all of its complexity and unique flavor distinction. Serve this in large glasses with braised oxtails, a good steak or anything hearty and full-flavored; you'll see -- or rather, taste -- what the hoopla is all about. This is a steal for the money -- as well as a benchmark bottling.� - $30.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.50/Taste or 6.00/4 Ounces

On Friday we will also have several other �Matt�s Picks� in stock including the COOPER MOUNTAIN 2008 RESERVE PINOT NOIR $20.00, the TORRE ORIA BRUT NON-VINTAGE CAVA $8.25, and the fabulous ANDR� CLOUET BRUT NATURE CHAMPAGNE $40.00

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, September 18th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open � I�ve yet to decide what. Maybe I should ask Matt Kramer!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

October 15 � Worldwide Syrah
October 22 � USA Cabernet Sauvignon
October 26 Annual Port Tasting
October 29 � California Pinot Noir
November 05 - Bordeaux

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, October 8th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES FROM SPAIN

CHEESE PLATE
To go with our Spanish wines, we had to have Spanish cheese. We offer the following selection:
Mah�n Cow�s Milk Menorca
From the Mediterranean island of Menorca, this is my favorite Spanish cheese, mainly because it seems to go well with Burgundy � I�m sure it will go well with Tempranillo. The cheese has a salty tang on the finish.
Ib�rico Cow/Goat/Sheep�s Milk Central Plains
Over 50% of Spanish cheese production is from a blend of milks, and this cheese�s name comes from a style of cheese produced all over the Iberian peninsular. This one comes from the Central Plains and shows mild acid from cow�s milk, the deeper flavor of sheep�s milk, and the finishing tang of goat�s milk. In theory this should be the best match to Tempranillo.
Manchego Sheep�s Milk La Mancha
From the land of Don Quixote, this is probably Spain�s most famous cheese. It is aged in grass molds for at least two months, giving it after notes of dry hay. A great match to many wines from dry sherry to rich reds.
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $3.00

SPAIN basically has two wine industries � the �Traditional�, and the �New World�, and so this week we are showing you both. We will "visit" 6 different DENOMINAC�ON de ORIGEN (DO).

1. We start with a traditional wine, the LAN 2005 RIOJA RESERVA. This is a TEMPRANILLO-based wine (it has small amounts of MAZUELO and GARNACHA) aged in AMERICAN OAK, which is �Old World Rioja�. As a Brit, this sort of wine was our "training wheels" � we could not afford French! Pauline and I have a soft-spot for this winery as back in the 1970s we drank a lot of it and in 1991 we visited the winery. As always, the wines are fabulous value - $18.50

2. Next up is the MONTSANT DO, a region that surrounds PRIORAT DO in CATALONIA, and is often considered as a �poor man�s Priorat�. We will taste the ELS GUIAMETS 2006 ISIS from a co-operative founded in 1913 and is a blend of GARNACHA, CARI�ENA and a little SYRAH. At a recent trade tasting I thought this wine was outstanding, offering lots of elegant black fruit, some oak and spice, and a long, complex finish - $22.50

3. We continue our journey around Spain with a visit to the VALENCIA DO, a part of LEVANTE which is an area on the Mediterranean coast south of CATALONIA. BODEGAS ARANLE�N was founded in 1927 but was reborn in 2000 when it was purchased by a group who brought a more modern view and a commitment to organic agriculture. We offer their 2007 BLES VINO ECOLOGICO which is a blend of 80% OLD VINE MONASTRELL and BOBAL and 20% younger CABERNET SAUVIGNON. This wine is spectacular value, offering a lush mid-palate that has a subtle gaminess, and then the CABERNET shows through on the finish - $10.50

4. We now move to the CALATAYUD DO which is part of ARAGON in the northeast of Spain near the border with France. The BODEGAS SAN ISIDRO 2009 FABLA OLD VINE GRENACHE (GARNACHA) is a classic example of a pure version of the grape. It was fermented in concrete tanks and aged in stainless steel. It offers lots of black raspberry fruit and has a complex, long finish. It makes one wonder �How do you get this complexity without oak?� - $12.50

5. Our final stop is the JUMILLA DO which is in the LEVANTE area and just to the west of the coastal town of ALICANTE. We offer the TARIMA 2009 MONASTRELL. This wine has a lot of weight, but is relatively soft, offering lots of slightly spicy, black fruit. Amazing value - $10.00

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

This week we offer an EXTRA POUR, a fantastic SHERRY:

The wines of JEREZ (SHERRY is the English bastardization of the name) are some of the greatest wine values in the world, but are not understood by people who have not been to Tapas Bars in Spain, or have just suffered the �Sherries� produced in some areas other than Andalusia. We offer the VALDESPINO �CONTRABANDISTA� AMONTILLADO. This is a NV off-dry AMONTILLADO with an average age of the wines being over 16 years. This Sherry could be used as an aperitif, or to accompany meat and game dishes - $33.50

TRY THIS FOR $2.00/1 Ounce or $3.50/2 Ounces or $7.00/4 ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, October 9th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual, we will have something interesting open.

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

October 22 � USA Cabernet Sauvignon
October 26 Annual Port Tasting
October 29 � California Pinot Noir
November 05 � Bordeaux
November 12 � Wines from the Gorge

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, October 15th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WORLDWIDE SYRAH

CHEESE PLATE
I searched the web to find cheese matches with SYRAH, and this is the result:
Raclette Cow�s Milk France
This is a Swiss or French alpine cheese with a nutty flavor and silky, smooth texture. Slightly softer than the more characteristic Alpage cheeses, it is a close cousin to Morbier in France and Appenzeller in Switzerland. Our Raclette is a raw milk cheese from the French Alps.
Double Gloucester Cow�s Milk England
This is a traditional English cheddar-style cheese from Gloucestershire with a bright, eggy, and somewhat sharp flavor. Double Gloucester has the honor and distinction of being used each spring for the Cooper�s Hill Cheese Rolling and Wake on Gloucestershire�s Cooper's Hill, which consists of competitors chasing a wheel of Double Gloucester down an uneven hillside. The competitors are expected to catch the wheel of cheese, but, with speeds in excess of 70mph, this is virtually impossible. What a waste of good cheese!
Extra Sharp Cheddar Cow�s Milk Canada
In past tastings, this has been the favorite Cheddar.
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $4.00

SYRAH has so many styles that our �Worldwide Syrahs� have been successful tastings � until people taste a SYRAH they do not know what they are getting. Is it a fruit bomb as many wines from �down under� are, or does it have that leathery, earthy, content of the Northern Rh�ne?

1. We start with a wine from ARGENTINA. At our last two similar tastings it was a CHILE wine that was the winner. Will the GOUGUENHEIM 2008 SYRAH be as successful? The wine, from the VALLE ESCONDIDO of the MENDOZA region, is similar to its CHILEAN counterpart in that it combines Northern Rh�ne elements of smoky bacon fat and leather with the forward fruit of a West Coast Syrah. This wines offers incredible value - $10.50

2. Next up is the origin � FRANCE. GUILHELM DURAND has been making lovely wines in the LANGUEDOC for many years. We offer his DOMAINE LA BASTIDE 2008 SYRAH VIN de PAYS d'HAUTERIVE LES GEN�TS. This is 100% SYRAH from 35+ year old vines grown in soils that are very similar to those of Chateauneuf�du-Pape strewn with quartz stones and pebbles and harvested at a modest 40 hl/ha. The wine offers good concentration with notes of blackberry, briery spice and some white pepper. This wine gives you the impression of a �junior� HERMITAGE and has much more style than most domestic versions twice the price - $12.00

3. We now go to the USA and our neighbors to the south, CALIFORNIA. Until a few weeks ago I�d never heard of BAILEYANA WINERY. However when I tasted their 2006 EDNA VALLEY SYRAH, it got my attention. While somewhat more powerful and intense than my European palate normally prefers, the intense fruit of blackberries and black currants is balanced by leather and pepper, with a bacon spiciness. Finally, the acidity and tannins give the wine great structure. The wine was rated �Outstanding� by the Wine Enthusiast - $19.75

4. Our final stop is an OREGON/WASHINGTON joint venture � an OREGON winery but COLUMBIA VALLEY fruit. ZERBA CELLARS is based in MILTON FREEWATER which is in the WALLA WALLA AVA, but is in OREGON. I�ve always liked their 2006 SYRAH, and it is now drinking fabulously � lots of bold fruit, but some of the subtleties of France. If there is any wine that is so much better than on release, this is it. The wine contains 4% GRENACHE and 1% MOURV�DRE - $30.00

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go back to FRANCE:

The SYRAHS from the NORTHERN RH�NE can be very expensive, but the SAINT JOSEPH Appellation offers some bargains � and some mediocre wines. DOMAINE FAURY�s wines are not inexpensive, but they are one of the leaders of quality wines from the Appellation. The 2007 VIEILLES VIGNES offers oodles of black raspberry and black cherry fruit together with that earthy quality of the region. The touches of white pepper on the finish make this a �killer wine� � if the wine said HERMITAGE on the label it would be over twice the price - $37.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $4.00/Taste or $7.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, October 16th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual, we will have something interesting open.

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

October 26 Annual Port Tasting
October 29 � California Pinot Noir
November 05 � Bordeaux
November 12 � Wines from the Gorge
November 19 � Wines for Thanksgiving
November 26 � USA Wines other than Oregon

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, October 22nd
4:30 - 7:00pm

WEST COAST CABERNET SAUVIGNON

CHEESE PLATE
Unfortunately, on the west side of town cheese choice is getting less and less � Whole Paycheck and Trader Joe�s are carrying fewer choices, but Freddy�s at 158/Walker seem to be expanding. In the end I could not get all the cheeses my favorite website recommended for Cabernet Sauvignon, but we got close.
Wensleydale Cow�s Milk YORKSHIRE!
As a Yorkshireman, I believe this cheese (of Wallace & Grommet fame) is the best in the world. Unfortunately the only current source I found was QFC whose price was higher than even Whole Paycheck, who say they will have no Wensleydale before December.
Gouda Cow�s Milk Holland
This mild cheese is a great background for many wines. This one is from Whole Paycheck, so is a little higher quality than some other �supermarket versions�.
Ford Farm Dorset Red Cow�s Milk Dorset, England
This is a smoked cheese made from the rich, creamy milk sourced from cows that graze the lush pastures of Ford Farm in west Dorset. The cheese is encased in a rich red rind that gradually develops as it is smoked over oak chippings.
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

1. We start with a wine from WASHINGTON. One of our local distributors, VINUM, has had BUNNELL FAMILY CELLARS make a CABERNET SAUVIGNON just for them. The gaVin 2008 CABERNET SAUVIGNON COLUMBIA VALLEY is amazing value. It offers lots of basic cassis fruit, some touches of oak, and what seems like a touch of Cabernet Franc on the finish - $10.00

2. Next up is CALIFORNIA. A year ago we poured the 2005 from MADDELANA and it was a big hit. This week we offer the MADDALENA 2006 PASO ROBLES. It is 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON that was aged in a mix of American and French oak barrels, of which about 35% were new. It is classic CABERNET SAUVIGNON offering lots of cassis, some wood influences, but more importantly, great balance and length. Great Value - $16.00

3. We stay in CALIFORNIA to taste a wine from a �traditional� producer. RAYMOND, founded in 1971, have been producing classic NAPA VALLEY wines since their first vintage in 1974. We offer their 2007 CABERNET SAUVIGNON RESERVE SELECTION. The CABERNET SAUVIGNON was blended with 5% CABERNET FRANC and 5% MERLOT, and the wine was aged for 18 months in French Oak barrels of which 30% were new. The aromas of the wine are very complex, offering a mix of berries with touches of clove and white pepper. The palate is more NAPA with intense blackberry and cassis fruit, and the finish shows �Bordeaux� touches of tobacco and spice - $30.00

4. Our final stop is an OREGON/WASHINGTON joint venture � an OREGON winery that uses fruit from WASHINGTON as well as OREGON. ZERBA CELLARS is in the WALLA WALLA AVA but is located in MILTON-FREEWATER, OREGON. They make a range of very good wines, but the CABERNET SAUVIGNON has always been my favorite and we will taste the 2006. This wine is a blend of 85% CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 10% MERLOT and 5% CABERNET FRANC with the fruit sourced from several vineyards in the rocky floodplain of the WALLA WALLA river. This wine, not quite as big on the palate as earlier vintages, has a nose offering blackcurrant and dark plums, together with hints of leather and smoky oak - $30.00

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go back to CALIFORNIA and the NAPA VALLEY:

We offer the SHAFER 2006 CABERNET SAUVIGNON �ONE POINT FIVE�. John Shafer and his son Doug own what is considered by many to be a �First Growth� of the Napa Valley. Their HILLSIDE SELECT is legendary. Pauline and I had the pleasure of meeting John and Doug in 1985 before they became famous � their 1982 Reserve Cabernet (which became the Hillside Select) was all of $12.50/bottle!

The ONE POINT FIVE is a STAGS LEAP DISTRICT wine from two vineyard sites, the HILLSIDE ESTATE VINEYARD and BORDERLINE VINEYARD that is about two miles south of the winery. There is 1% PETIT VERDOT in the wine, and it was aged in 75% new oak and 25% one-year oak barrels. The name comes from the fact it is the result of One Point Five generations. The local distributor is offering a deal on 2006 wines as the winery wants them to take more of the 2007. This wine was $53.00 wholesale, but we can offer it for - $52.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $6.00/Taste or $10.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, October 23rd
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual, we will have something interesting open.

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com

CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

August 06 � Worldwide Cabernet Sauvignon
August 13 � Abacela vs. Spanish �Originals�
August 20 � German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 � Wines from the Rh�ne Valley

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, July 30th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES FROM MEDITERRANEAN ISLANDS

CHEESE PLATE
We tried to find cheese from the Islands and we made it, but not necessarily from the same islands as the wines!
Mah�n Cow�s Milk Menorca
From the Mediterranean island of Menorca, this is my favorite Spanish cheese, mainly because it seems to go well with Burgundy � I�m sure it will go well with this week�s wines. The cheese has a salty tang on the finish.
Brigante Sheep�s Milk Sardinia
This sheep�s milk cheese comes from around the town of Thiesi in the north of the island. It is often called Dolce Sardo because of the sweetness of the local ewes� milk.
Halloumi Sheep�s Milk Cyprus
This is a similar cheese to Saganaki, the Greek �Flaming Cheese�, and is wonderful grilled. However it is interesting sliced in a salad.
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

At this time of the year, with the temperature going up in Oregon, lets �fly� to where breezes moderate temperatures and make life wonderful � the Islands of the Mediterranean.

1. We start on SANTORINI, that wonderful Greek island. The combination of heat plus strong winds makes for interesting wine growing conditions. ASSYRTIKO is the major white varietal, and its origin is unknown. Some think it is native to SANTORINI, or it may have arrived on the island with the Phoenicians after the volcanic eruptions of 1640 � 1620 BC. We offer this grape blended with ATHIRI in the SIGALAS 2008 SANTORINI WHITE It offers classic flowery, almost honeysuckle nose and then an underlying mineral acidity. Wonderful with kalamar�kia, either grilled or fried - $20.00
(We also have their 100% ASSYRTIKO at $24.00 and the oaked version at $28.75)

2. Next up is SARDEGNA (aka Sardinia), the Italian island to the west of LAZIO and CAMPANIA. ARGIOLAS is one of the top value/quality producers on the island and we offer their 2007 PERDERA which is a blend of the two local grapes MONICA (90%) and BOVALE di SARDO (5%) together with CARIGNAN (5%). A Matt Kramer recommendation, this wine is rated between 89 and 92 in major magazines. The wine is full-flavored and a little rustic, but offers lots of intense berry fruit - $14.50

3. We move back to SANTORINI for a RED. This island is usually thought of as a white wine producer (and Vin Santo), but ARGYROS also produces a lovely red (the first red from this island we have carried). ATLANTIS RED is a blend of 90% MANDILARIA and 10% MAVROTRAGANO. The former is a major red grape on CRETE and RHODOS (where it is known as AMORYANO). The wine is medium-full bodied with fine tannins, complex aromas of red fruit, with hints of prune and leather - $20.00

4. Moving further west we visit SPAIN�S BALEAR�C ISLANDS, and in particular the island of MALLORCA. This is one of the great �package vacation� islands for northern Europeans (Pauline and I were there in 1970s and I�m sure we would find it over-developed now). It is also home to some old wine regions. The Romans are thought to have brought viticulture to the island in about 123 AD. The industry has waxed and waned over the centuries and the modern industry dates from the 1980s. There are two Denominaci�n de Origins on the island, BINISS�LLEM-MALLORCA and PLA i LLEVANT. We will taste a wine from the former DO, the VINS NADAL 2008 ALBA FLOR TINTO. No, this wine does not taste like a used tennis ball, but is an interesting blend of the local varietal MANTO**** (75%) and 14% CABERNET SAUVIGNON and 11% MERLOT. The wine offers aromas of cherry and raspberry, and the palate is fruity with a mineral background. It is outstanding value - $14.50

5. Our final wine of the main flight comes from SICILIA. BENANTI is a producer that specializes with local varietals. We offer its 2006 ROSSODIVERZELLA (the current release) which is a blend of 80% NERELLO MASCALESE and 20% NERELLO CAPUCCIO. I�ve always liked this wine and this vintage is probably the best yet. The wine offers lots of ****y black fruit, together with something extra from the grapes being grown on the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna (at about 2500ft elevation). Not your �run-of-the-mill� red wine - $17.50
(We have a couple of bottles of the 2002 available at $16.50)

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

Our PREMIUM POUR also comes from SICILIA:

TENUTA della TERRE NERE is a property of MARC de GRAZIA, a Florentine who is very much involved with importing terrific Italian wines into the USA. The 2005 CALDERARA SOTTANA is a wine produced from grapes grown at about 800 metres on the NE slopes of Mount Etna. The wine carries an IGT ETNA ROSSO designation and is a blend of 98% NERELLO MASCALESE and 2% NERELLO CAPPUCCIO, two �native� grapes. I would not have guessed this wine, a regular winner of Due Bichieri in Gambero Rosso, came from SICILIA. The wine has the texture of a very good Burgundy, and offers lots of earthy, black fruit. If this wine came from anywhere other than SICILIA, it would cost much more! - $24.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.00/Taste or $5.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, July 31st
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. We are planning:

For the current warm weather, what is more refreshing than an un-oaked SAUVIGNON BLANC? We will pour LA PLAYA 2009 from CHILE�s COLCHAQUA VALLEY - $8.25

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com
CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

August 13 � Abacela vs. Spanish �Originals�
August 20 � German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 � Wines from the Rh�ne Valley
September 03 - Zinfandel

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 6th
4:30 - 7:00pm

CABERNET SAUVIGNON from around the WORLD

CHEESE PLATE
To go with Cabernet Sauvignon we offer a selection of cow�s milk Cheddar cheese. These cheeses always form a good backdrop for red wines.
Sharp Aged 6-9 months New Zealand
Coastal Aged 15 months Dorset, England
Extra, Extra Sharp Aged 18 months New York
SAMPLER PLATE $3.00

CABERNET SAUVIGNON could be considered the signature grape of the NAPA VALLEY, and it seems to be grown all over the world. Let�s taste the diversity with wines from five countries and two different zones of one of the countries. I find it very difficult to suggest a tasting order, and so I�m taking the easy way out and listing them in price order.

1. We start in ARGENTINA and the enormous wine region of MENDOZA. TRUMPETER is the �entry-level� label of RUTINI, and its 2007 CABERNET SAUVIGNON is stunning value. I believe it is 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON, and it offers pure cassis fruit with subtle touches of oak - $8.00

2. Now we jump over the Andes to CHILE. There are many wonderful value producers in this country of great scenery and wonderful people, but I�m beginning to think it is hard to beat CHONO for quality vs. price. Their Syrah has been the winner in our last two �Syrah from around the World� tastings, and the Carmin�re is also wonderful. We offer the 2008 CABERNET SAUVIGNON from the MAIPO VALLEY. Like most CABERNET SAUVIGNONS from this country, the wine is more BORDEAUX in style than, say, WALLA WALLA style - $12.50

3. I consider BORDEAUX as the home of CABERNET SAUVIGNON, but there it is usually blended with other grapes, although some Ch�teaux approach 100% in some years, and n�gotiants bottle 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON wines. The LANGUEDOC is a source of 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNONS, and we offer LES TRAVERSES de FONTANES 2007 VIN de PAYS d�OC. This is an estate-produced wine imported by Kermit Lynch, and is more elegant and complex than one would expect from this area - $14.25

4. What would a CABERNET SAUVIGNON tasting be without something from CALIFORNIA? We will taste the GOYETTE 2007 NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON. I�m sure most of you are saying �Who is Goyette?� BOB GOYETTE was the founder of LA CREMA and then moved on to other wineries. I tasted this wine at a trade tasting and thought it was great value for NAPA VALLEY. This is Bob�s philosophy: �I keep one eye on the successful traditions of Europe, and the other closely attuned to the grapes at hand. Using my own palate as a spring-board, I determine if the wines are really appealing to drink, rather than just done in a proper manner. I keep trying to work towards the best syntheses of the New & Old World traditions, while intuitively striving for wines that appeal to connoisseurs as well as people that just like wine. To me, it's all about balance and about listening.� - $18.75

5. We return to Europe and the PENED�S region of SPAIN. MIGUEL TORRES was just about the first to plant CABERNET SAUVIGNON in the area in the 1960s, and the TORRES winery now bottles 100% CABERNET wines, together with wines where the grape is blended with TEMPRANILLO. We offer one of the latter in the form of the GRAN CORONAS 2005 RESERVA. This is a blend of 85% CABERNET SAUVIGNON and 15% TEMPRANILLO (aka ULL de LIEBRE in Catalonia), and, in the Spanish tradition, has spent a considerable time in oak. Lush and elegant, the wine shows cassis from the CABERNET, and this is intermingled with coffee bean, licorice and vanillans - $19.25

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

Our PREMIUM POUR comes from our neighbors to the north, WASHINGTON:

STEPHENSON CELLARS was a new producer to me until a couple of weeks ago. They are in WALLA WALLA but their 2006 CABERNET SAUVIGNON carries a WASHINGTON Appellation as it is a blend from three vineyards � WINDY RIDGE in HORSE HEAVEN HILLS, WOODEN ISLAND on the banks of the COLUMBIA RIVER, and INLAND DESERT in BENTON CITY. The wine shows aromas of blueberry, cassis and cedar; the palate has cassis and plum with some Bordeaux-like influences - $33.00
*With apologies to Sideways, we also have their excellent MERLOT!*

TRY THIS WINE FOR $4.00/Taste or $7.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 7th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. We are planning:

NANTAIS, the western end of the LOIRE VALLEY, is best known for MUSCADET, which is made from the MELON de BOURGOGNE grape. However there is another white grape in the area, GROS PLANT (aka FOLLE BLANCHE), which normally does not have too much charm, being very acidic. The DOMAINE de l�AIGUILLETTE 2009 GROS PLANT is lovely � although very dry, it has great fruit upfront. It is much better than most inexpensive MUSCADET - $9.25

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I’ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on “Site Index” and then “Electronic Newsletter”. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click “Remove”. Thank you.

August 20 – German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 – Wines from the Rhône Valley
September 03 – Zinfandel
September 10 – Burgundy

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 13th
4:30 - 7:00pm

ABACELA vs. SPANISH “ORIGINALS”

CHEESE PLATE
To go with our Spanish wines and Abacela wines from Spanish grapes, we offer a selection of Spanish cheese:
Ibérico Cow/Goat/Sheep’s Milk Central Plains
Over 50% of Spanish cheese production is from a blend of milks, and this cheese’s name comes from a style of cheese produced all over the Iberian peninsular. This one comes from the Central Plains and shows mild acid from cow’s milk, the deeper flavor of sheep’s milk, and the finishing tang of goat’s milk. In theory this should be the best match to Tempranillo.
Campo de Montalbán Cow/Goat/Sheep’s Milk La Mancha
This cheese resembles Manchego in texture and appearance, and until 1985 it was in fact considered a Manchego. Campo de Montalbán is distinguished by its three milk blend, while Manchego contains only sheep's milk. The flavor is also similar to Manchego. However, as with Ibérico, the characters of all three milks are noticeable in Campo de Montalbán.
Manchego Sheep’s Milk La Mancha
From the land of Don Quixote, this is probably Spain’s most famous cheese. It is aged in grass molds for at least two months, giving it after notes of dry hay. A great match to many wines from dry sherry to rich reds.
SAMPLER PLATE $4.00

I always admire winery owners who have a vision to do something different, and succeed in making good wines that are interesting and start new trends. Earl and Hilda Jones, who founded ABACELA, had a belief that an area near Roseburg would be ideal for several Spanish varietals. Their wines are very good, and we’ve seen a mini-explosion of TEMPRANILLO in Oregon. All their wines are quality wines, and they are using only Estate fruit, or fruit from vineyards they manage. The Claret is being discontinued, as they do not grow Cabernet Sauvignon.

Last month, on our way to Ashland, Pauline and I visited ABACELA and had a great time. Linda, in charge of the tasting room, was charming and knowledgeable - and very generous with her pours. The current Tasting Room is small, and must become “cozy” on a busy weekend. An expanded winery and tasting room is under construction. If you have not visited this winery, plan to do so.


We had a picnic lunch at the winery:


Pauline contemplates world distances:


For this tasting we will compare two wines made from three Spanish varietals – one from Spain and one made from ABACELA.

Our first grape is ALBARIÑO:

1. From ABACELA we will taste their 2009 UMPQUA VALLEY. I watched the development of this grape at ABACELA and thought the 2008 was good, but the 2009 hit the mark, offering a wine as complex as its Spanish ancestors, and very competitive in price. It is the first vintage we have carried in the shop - $18.50

2. Most SPANISH ALBARINOS I really enjoy are north of $20.00/bottle, but I found one at <$20 for this tasting. BODEGAS LA CANA is a joint venture of the GIL FAMILY JUMILLA and importer JORGE ORDONEZ. The wine, of course, comes from RIAS BAIXAS in GALICIA, and the 2008 was rated “Outstanding” in the Wine Advocate. While not as complex as the great ALBARINOS from DO FERREIRO, the LA CANA is excellent - $18.00
(We have the 2007 DO FERREIRO in stock at $24.00)

The Second Grape is TEMPRANILLO, the grape that made ABACELA’S name:

3. We wanted to pour ABACELA’s 2007 McCORQUODALE VINEYARD which we tasted at the winery, but it appears this limited wine is “tasting room only” for the time being. This is their neighbor and they manage the vineyard. Instead we offer the 2007 CUVÉE which is a blend of 85% ESTATE FRUIT with the rest coming from the McCORQUODALE and DEFINO VINEYARDS. I was not fond of the early CUVÉE releases, but as the vines achieved some age, this wine is the bargain TEMPRANILLO from this producer - $20.00
(We also have the 2006 ESTATE at $36.00)

4. From SPAIN we offer IZARDI 2005 CRIANZA. This wine is 100% TEMPRANILLO from the RIOJA region, and was aged in American oak barrels. While very traditional in the use of American oak, this wine is much more fruit forward for traditional RIOJA, and I thought would be a good comparison to ABACELA - $18.00

Our Third Grape is GARNACHA:

While the French may think they “invented” GRENACHE, it appears the grape originates in SPAIN under the name GARNACHA.

5. From ABACELA we will taste their 2008 UMPQUA VALLEY. At the winery, Pauline was a bigger fan of this wine than I was. Maybe it was because it really has a “sense of place”, as it was not Spanish or French – and as a European, I too often tend to compare wines with the “originals”. At the moment my favorite OREGON GRENACHE/GARNACHA is COWHORN’S from the APPLEGATE VALLEY. Let’s find out what our customers think! - $22.50

6. From SPAIN it was difficult to choose what to use, mainly because most of the wines are much cheaper than the ABACELA wine, so we decided to pour a GARNACHA which approaches the ABACELA in price, but is somewhat atypical. JOAN d’ANGUERA has been a family-run winery since 1820 and is now run by a sister and brother team of Joan and Josep. Their 2009 GARNATXA is from MONTSANT. MONTSANT is in Catalonia, hence the spelling of the grape GARNACHA. This is their “entry level” red, and is fermented and aged in concrete tanks. It is one of the purest interpretations of the GARNACHA grape I’ve ever tasted - $19.00

TRY THESE SIX WINES FOR $12.00

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 14th
Noon – 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. As it is supposed to be over 90˚, we are planning:

Red wine drinkers need a great ROSÉ in hot weather. Pauline and I tend to believe the best of these wines come from the SOUTH of FRANCE, but this week I tried what I think is the greatest ROSÉ I’ve tasted from the USA – and it is from OREGON. COWHORN is in SOUTHERN OREGON’S APPLEGATE VALLEY and all their vineyards are biodynamically farmed (Demeter certified). Their 2009 GRENACHE ROSÉ is almost 100% GRENACHE but includes a tiny bit of VIOGNIER. I’d have guessed it was from PROVENCE, and even though not inexpensive for a ROSÉ, I think it is great value - $18.00

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I’ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on “Site Index” and then “Electronic Newsletter”. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click “Remove”. Thank you.

August 27 – Wines from the Rhône Valley
September 03 – Zinfandel
September 10 – Burgundy

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 20th
4:30 - 7:00pm

AUSTRIAN and GERMAN REDS

CHEESE PLATE
We’ve only fond one German cheese so far (other than Limberger), and none from Austria. Hopefully, by Friday, we will have something put together!
SAMPLER PLATE $??.00

We know most of you do not think about red wines when you consider Austria and Germany as these countries are famous mainly for Grüner Veltliner and Riesling whites. However, both countries make some interesting reds, usually from grapes grown in very few other countries. These wines are ideal summer reds, and some are even better when served slightly chilled (not refrigerator temperature, but at about 60˚F). We hope many of you come to try these interesting, but rarely poured, wines.

1. We start in Germany with a grape called DORNFELDER. This a crossing of a crossing between several German varietals, and Jancis Robinson said in her book Vines, Grapes and Wines “Dornfelder demonstrates most eloquently the advantages of the German approach to plant breeding”. We will taste the ANDREAS DIEHL 2009 DORNFELDER from the PFALZ region. This is the sunniest and driest part of Germany, and so should be the best area for red grapes. This DORNFELDER is very fruity in style with a touch of residual sugar. It is an ideal hot weather red. This is a review I found on-line: “Strawberries and cherries are all over the nose, and you can tell that this wine is full of fruit. The wine is sweet on the palate, right out of the gate. However, it’s still clean, and on the lighter side for a sweetish wine. There is a bit of acid, but almost no tannic structure until very, very late on the palate. Dark cherries and strawberries dominate the experience” - $13.50

2. Next up is SPÄTBURGUNDER, aka PINOT NOIR. I’ve tasted some lovely such wines from GERMANY, but the prices are usually too high to make sense. We have carried a few reasonably priced ones from the PFALZ, and this week we offer one from RHEINHESSEN, which is just to the north of the PFALZ. The wine is from the 2007 vintage and is called UNDONE. Produced by the VALCKENBERG GROUP and bottled with a screw cap, the wine is unoaked and unmanipulated – this is the reason for the name as the grapes are “undone” to show their natural charms (just wait until you see the label). K & L Wines of San Francisco say on their web site “It is the fresh, light and juicy wine for those of us who don’t like our Pinot Noir to look and taste like Syrah. The wine is delicate and pure, medium bodied and full of wild strawberry, cherry and raspberry aromas with just a subtle hint of spice in the finish”. It will take a slight chill - $12.50

3. I recently attended an Austrian Trade Tasting and liked most of the wines. However Austrian wines have a price problem in the USA. In fact the country has the highest price per bottle of all European countries who export to the USA. We start with the grape BLAUFRÄNKISCH, which in Germany is often called LEMBERGER. We will taste the NECKENMARKT 2008 CLASSIC “FRANK” from MITTELBURGENLAND. The wine has ripe red-black fruit with a touch of spice and moderate tannins. Someone described it as the wine you would get if you mixed Dolcetto with a Cru Beaujolais – I think she is right! - $16.00

4. We stay in the BURGENLAND and taste a blend from the HEINRICH winery. In a very honest fashion they just call it the 2008 RED. It is a blend of 50% MERLOT, 30% ZWEIGELT and 20% BLAUFRÄNKISCH. On the nose all I could sense was the MERLOT, but this is one of those wines where the nose can be misleading. The palate has lots of spice and a certain earthiness, and the finish is very long. A fascinating wine - $19.50

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we stay with the HEINRICH winery in BURGENLAND:

When Pauline and I did our OKANAGAN trip in 2007 we were surprised by how good the ZWEIGELT from ARROWLEAF winery was as we did not know any North American winery grew this red grape. This week we offer one of the best ZWEIGELTS from AUSTRIA when one takes price into account. ZWEIGELT is a crossing of BLAUFRÄNKISCH and ST-LAURENT. I tried to find a ST-LAURENT for the tasting as this grape is supposed to be a close cousin to PINOT NOIR, but the local distributors do not seem keen on it. This ZWEIGELT has a lovely nose of ripe cherries and violets – almost too good to drink! The palate is much richer with dark fruit and touches of liquorice and chocolate. Fantastic value - $27.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.00/Taste or $5.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 21st
Noon – 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. Despite the cooler weather, I’d love you to try this rosé

Red wine drinkers need a great ROSÉ in the summer. Pauline and I tend to believe the best of these wines come from the SOUTH of FRANCE, but recently I tried what I think is the greatest ROSÉ I’ve tasted from the USA – and it is from OREGON. COWHORN is in SOUTHERN OREGON’S APPLEGATE VALLEY and all their vineyards are biodynamically farmed (Demeter certified). Their 2009 GRENACHE ROSÉ is almost 100% GRENACHE but includes a tiny bit of VIOGNIER. I’d have guessed it was from PROVENCE, and even though not inexpensive for a ROSÉ, I think it is great value - $18.00

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

September 03 � Zinfandel
September 10 � Burgundy
September 17 � The best of Matt Kramer�s 2010 Picks
September 24 � The Crus of Beaujolais

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 27th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES of the RH�NE VALLEY

CHEESE PLATE
We offer a selection of French cheese to go with our French wines.
Fol Epi Cow�s Milk Loire Valley
This creamy cheese is enclosed in a golden-brown rind made from a wheat base -- hence the name �Fol Epi,� which means �wild wheat stalk� in French. It is made in a similar style to Swiss Emmental, providing a nutty taste with a slight wheat flavor.
Raclette Cow�s Milk French Alps
This is a Swiss or French alpine cheese with a nutty flavor and silky, smooth texture. Slightly softer than the more characteristic Alpage cheeses, it is a close cousin to Morbier in France and Appenzeller in Switzerland. Our Raclette is a raw milk cheese from the French Alps.
Tomme de Savoie Cow�s Milk Savoie
This Tomme is a semi-firm cow's milk cheese made in the valley of the Savoie in the French Alps. It has a delightfully nutty flavor and a smooth paste that melts in your mouth. The hard, powdery rind has an earthy aroma and is usually speckled with many types of indigenous and beneficial molds
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

We were encouraged by the turnout to try lesser-known wines at our German/Austrian Red tasting, and so for this Rh�ne tasting we�ve included a couple of wines that are somewhat out-of-the-mainstream for this popular wine region.

1. We start with the 2009 vintage of what was our biggest selling C�TES-du-RH�NE in the 2007 and 2008 vintages. DOMAINE CHAPOTON can trace its origins to 1665 under Louis XIV, and the current generation took over in 1981. The wine is a blend of GRENACHE, SYRAH, MOUV�DRE and CARIGNAN. The wine has intense fruit, some spice, and a touch of classic garrigue. Comments from people who have tasted all three vintages suggest the 2009 is more fruit forward than the others (it was a hotter vintage) - $10.50

2. DOMAINE MONPERTUIS is a CH�TEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE producer, and we offer their 2007 VIGNOBLE de la RAMI�RE which is unusual in that it is 100% COUNOISE, one of the 13 grapes allowed in CDP. There are not many such wines in the world, but Oregon�s Andrew Rich has made one, as has Washington�s McCrae. The wine shows black fruit with a little spice together with meatiness similar to MOURV�DRE. The fruit is grown in the GARD region at the mouth of the Rh�ne - $16.50

3. Our next wine is from a very expensive producer in VACQUEYRAS in the SOUTHERN RH�NE VALLEY. ROUCAS TOUMBA LES GRANDS CHEMINS is basically de-classified VACQUEYRAS, and the producer could call the wine C�TES-du-RH�NE, but he decided on the VIN de TABLE designation. The fruit is from 2007, but I was told that a VIN de TABLE cannot have a vintage date. A blend of GRENACHE, SYRAH and MOURV�DRE, the wine is perfumed, giving you the sense of the herbs of the area; this is followed by chewy, black fruit with a spicy edge, and then a long finish. As a Rh�naholic, I think this wine is sensational value! - $17.25

4. For our final wine of the basic flight we go to CH�TEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE. These days it is hard to find a CDP under $40.00, so when I found this �left-over� 2005 we could sell for $30.00, I jumped at it. This wine, built primarily upon GRENACHE is intensely aromatic, with notes of ground coffee, plum, grenadine and game. The bright Grenache fruit has an intriguing savory, almost salty, quality to it, which is not half as strange as it might sound. It is simply one of the many parts of this in balance, complex wine. If you were talking about pairing this wine with food, nearly any cut of lamb would be wonderful - $30.00

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go to the NORTHERN RH�NE to taste SYRAH:

CROZES HERMITAGE is the �poor cousin� of HERMITAGE. It is a relatively large Appellation, covering an area almost 10 miles long to the north and south of the village of TAIN and HERMITAGE itself. For many years, most wines were pallid in comparison to HERMITAGE. Now some substantial wines are being made, and ALAIN GRAILLOT is considered one of the bright, shining stars of the Appellation. 2004 was a difficult vintage in the area, and I have not tasted the ALAIN GRAILLOT 2004 CROZES HERMITAGE for some time, so let�s see how it is aging. Robert Parker in the Wine Advocate said: �Gregarious Alain Graillot has turned out a 2004 Crozes-Hermitage that presents plenty of olive notes intermixed with some sweet red currant and cherry notes. The acidity of the vintage is relatively apparent in this wine, which is elegant and Burgundian in its texture and aromatics. Drink 2007-2011� - $29.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.50/Taste or $6.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 28th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open:

OREGON�S QUERCUS WINES are below most people�s radar, probably because they make wines under a number of labels. The wines are a project of MICHAEL BECKLEY, and we have carried PINOT NOIR and SYRAH wines he has made (we have some of his CADMUS 2004 PINOT NOIR in stock). We offer his ROCK CREEK CELLARS 2007 OREGON RED WINE. The wine is a blend of CABERNET SAUVIGNON, MERLOT and SYRAH, and offers gobs of black fruit coupled with a nice, spicy, edge - $11.25

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

September 10 � Burgundy
September 17 � The best of Matt Kramer�s 2010 Picks
September 24 � The Crus of Beaujolais
October 01 � Washington Wines

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, September 3rd
4:30 - 7:00pm

ZINFANDEL

CHEESE PLATE
Once again, we rely on our favorite New York cheese shop to recommend cheese for Zinfandel:
Gruy�re Raw Cow�s Milk Switzerland
This is cave-aged Gruy�re � not your average supermarket version. Aged for a significant time, this is a rich, nutty, cheese.
Cantalet Raw Cow�s Milk France
Considered to be the ancestor to British Farmhouse Cheddars, this is a cow's milk cheese from Auvergne, France. It is weighty, moist, creamy, and just subtley sharp, with a very defined sweet and milky quality. As the French took over England in 1066, maybe it is true they created the great English Cheddars. However, didn�t we Brits control the Bordeaux region a few hundred years later? As Pauline and I are Francophiles, I thank the Frogs for anything they did to improve English cuisine.
Campo de Montalban Pasteurized Cow�s/Goat�s/Sheep�s Milk Spain
This cheese resembles Manchego in texture and appearance, and until 1985 it was in fact considered a Manchego. Campo de Montalb�n is distinguished by its three milk blend, while Manchego contains only sheep's milk. The flavor is also similar to Manchego.
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

As most of our regulars know, ZINFANDEL is not one of my favorite grapes, although PAULINE would say �You want to stay married?� However I�ve converted her from blowsy CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAYS to CHABLIS, the greatest expression of CHARDONANY in the world. Her job is to convert me from the RIDGE blends to full-throttle ZINFANDELS. My tasting notes are minimal, as PAULINE says I do not know what I�m talking about.

1. We start in LODI and PEIRANO ESTATE 2008 IMMORTAL OLD VINE ZINFANDEL. I�ve never tasted this wine, but, unbelievably, it is an allocated wine. There is no more of this vintage left other than the case I have. The vines are over 100 years old, hence the IMMORTAL name - $11.50

2. We stay in LODI for CAMPUS OAKS 2007 OLD VINE ZINFANDEL. We used an earlier vintage of this wine a couple of years ago and it was a big hit. I liked the spicy black fruit it offered, but felt a little heat on the finish despite the modest (for ZINFANDEL) 14.5% alcohol - $14.75

3. My favorite ZINFANDEL producer is RIDGE � maybe it is because very few of their wines are 100% ZINFANDEL! We offer the 2008 THREE VALLEYS that, for the first time, cannot be called ZINFANDEL because it is only 74% of the grape! The rest is PETIT SIRAH, CARIGNAN, MATARO, SYRAH and GRENACHE - $22.50

4. For our final wine of the basic flight we go to OREGON to THE PINES VINEYARD and their 2007 ZINFANDEL. The vineyard is in THE DALLES, but the tasting room is in HOOD RIVER. The wine is made from 20 year-old vines that were created from starts from the 100+ year-old vines in the vineyard. For its relatively high alcohol (15.2%), I found the wine food friendly, showing no heat from the alcohol - $28.75

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go to the NAPA VALLEY:

HENDRY is a producer with a range of wines from ALBARI�O to CABERNET SAUVIGNON, but better known for their �single block� ZINFANDELS. We offer the 2006 BLOCK 28 which was aged for fifteen months in French oak barrels, 65% of which were new. Despite its 15.8% alcohol, I felt this was another food-friendly Zinfandel. This is what the winery says: �Aromas include smoky spice, bay, berry, earth, mint and mineral. Dark fruit flavors of blackberries, blueberries and black currant, in an elegant wrapping of spicy and well- integrated oak. The 2006 returns to the familiar broad-shouldered, firm structured, complex and almost Cab-like Hendry Zinfandel style. This wine will continue to soften and gain complexity with age. Block 28 has an affinity for anything rich, braised, or meaty, and would be terrific with a slow-roasted lamb shank rubbed with herbes-de-provence, braised short ribs or a game-based risotto� - $32.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.50/Taste or $6.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, September 4th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open � I�ve yet to decide what! It will depend on forecast temperature nearer the day.

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

September 24 � The Crus of Beaujolais
October 01 � Washington Wines
October 08 � Spain
October 15 � Worldwide Sangiovese
October 22 � Wines from San Juan Winery

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, September 17th
4:30 - 7:00pm

THE BEST OF MATT KRAMER�S 2010 PICKS

CHEESE PLATE
This week, as we have a variety of wines, I decided to go with relatively mild cheeses:
Havarti Cow�s Milk Denmark
Monterey Jack Cow�s Milk California
Goat Cheddar Goat�s Milk Canada
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $2.50

Most of us in the Oregon wine industry have a love-hate relationship with Matt Kramer � recently, it has been mainly hate because of his trashing of the 2007 vintage here in Oregon. The few of you who came to our recent 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir tasting know how good this vintage can be � we sold a lot of wine that night, and on the basis of sales per capita of turn-out, it was one of our best Fridays ever. Despite this Kramer �fault�, I have much respect for his palate. I�m amazed that many of the wines he recommends I�ve already purchased for the shop. At the moment I think he is doing a great job recommending value wines (in all price categories), as well as trying to encourage people to try some thing different � as I do!

We start with a white in that category. Please note most of the following notes are from Matt Kramer in the Sunday Oregonian:

1. HUNGARY�S TOKAJ zone has been famous for centuries for creating extraordinary sweet wines from the local FURMINT grape variety (we have two great ones in stock), but it had absolutely no history of creating a dry white wine from FURMINT until the late-20th-century. We will taste the KIR�LYUDVAR TOKAJI FURMINT SEC 2007. Kramer said, and I agree, ��this is one of the most extraordinary dry white wines you will taste this year, I promise you. Although labeled as furmint, this wine is actually a blend of two indigenous white grapes: furmint (80 percent) and h�rslevelu. Impressively dense, it proffers a striking scent of flowers and minerals with just the barest whiff of honey allied with lemon. Thick-textured, there's a crisp acidity that makes this wine oh-so-drinkable, with that same minerals and flower quality coming through in the taste. And it�s just 12.5 percent alcohol. This is a magnificent dry white wine that can accompany all sorts of foods, from fish such as salmon to white meats such as chicken, pork and veal, as well as the most flavorful cheeses. If you try one new-to-you dry white wine this year, this is the one to get� - $20.00

2. One 2007 local wine Kramer wrote-up was J. CHRISTOPHER WILLAMETTE VALLEY PINOT NOIR (and we sold many cases on my recommendation). He has now recommended the 2008, as I do. This is what Kramer said: �Readers will recall prior recommendations of wines from the small Oregon winery called J. Christopher. The reason is simple: owner-winemaker Jay Somers is easily one of Oregon's best winemakers. Not only do his wines deliver a higher level of quality than much of his competition, but Somers also chooses to sell them at more reasonable prices than many. It�s a compelling combination. The (Oregon) 2008 vintage was a standout, especially for the pinot noirs. The proof is in the tasting. When you try J. Christopher Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2008 you�ll agree that 2008 is a remarkable vintage. A blend of four Willamette Valley vineyards (Bella Vida, La Colina, Croft and Charlie�s ), this is a dense, concentrated pinot noir of real character and ideal balance between fruit and acidity.� - $23.50

3. Kramer is also very good at spotting the better wines from fast growing areas such as Chile, Argentina, and the �New� Spain. We will taste one of his, and my, CHILEAN picks, PALO ALTO RESERVE CHILE, MAULE VALLEY, 2008. These are Kramer�s notes: �Palo Alto is a brand created by Chile�s largest wine producer, Concha y Toro. While most brands are just trading names designed to create an artificial differentiation among otherwise indistinguishable wines in a large winery�s production, Palo Alto seems to be different. A blend of cabernet sauvignon (55 percent), carmen�re (30 percent) and syrah (15 percent), Palo Alto Reserve Chile �Maule Valley� 2008 is an impressively refined red that's more than a little reminiscent of a very good red Bordeaux.� - $11.50

4. Over the last couple of months, it is amazing how many wines I have tasted from the southwest corner of the Rh�ne River that have carried a du GARD or COSTI�RES de NIMES designation. One of the best value, and another Kramer pick, I�ve tasted is the CH�TEAU DE VALCOMBE 2007 TRADITION, COSTI�RES DE NIMES. This what Kramer said: �A good example of just what France can deliver at a stellar price is this red wine. Never heard of Costi�res de Nimes? It�s far from famous. And the name itself is relatively new, dating only to 1989. Previously it was called Costi�res du Gard. Presumably the locals liked the association with the nearby city of Nimes, which boasts the best-preserved ancient Roman coliseum in France. Ch�teau de Valcombe �Tradition� 2007 shows what this district can do. An unusually rich, dense, even succulent red wine composed mostly of syrah (70 percent) with the balance in grenache, it�s surprisingly supple and irresistibly drinkable. This is a drink-now red ideal for just about any meat sizzling from a hot grill. It�s a barbecue red supreme. The price is as first-rate as the wine.� - $12.50

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For this week�s PREMIUM POUR we return to a wine we�ve used in the past, but that is drinking even better now (and our current stock is all that is available):

We go to PIEMONTE in the northwest of ITALY to taste a bargain BAROLO, MONCHIERO�S 2005. This what Kramer said: �Famously long-lived, Barolo is the apotheosis of the nebbiolo grape -- the end of the line, as good as it gets. Classically described as offering intermingled scents and tastes of roses and tar (sounds odd, tastes good), Barolo has changed somewhat in recent decades -- much of it for the better. Where once the wines were too often excessively tannic and sometimes dried-out, today they deliver fresh, precisely defined flavors and more gentle, easy-down-the-gullet tannins. Some producers, inevitably, have taken to using small oak barrels, the better to make Barolo taste "familiar," which is to say like the cabernets and pinot noirs the world is more accustomed to drinking. Monchiero, however, is a small family producer that has remained resolutely traditional. No small oak barrels for them. That said, they have �freshened� their style, creating wines that emphasize fruit purity at no expense of either depth or detail. This is all to the (very) good. When you taste this, be assured that you're tasting the real, true Barolo thing in all of its complexity and unique flavor distinction. Serve this in large glasses with braised oxtails, a good steak or anything hearty and full-flavored; you'll see -- or rather, taste -- what the hoopla is all about. This is a steal for the money -- as well as a benchmark bottling.� - $30.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.50/Taste or 6.00/4 Ounces

On Friday we will also have several other �Matt�s Picks� in stock including the COOPER MOUNTAIN 2008 RESERVE PINOT NOIR $20.00, the TORRE ORIA BRUT NON-VINTAGE CAVA $8.25, and the fabulous ANDR� CLOUET BRUT NATURE CHAMPAGNE $40.00

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, September 18th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open � I�ve yet to decide what. Maybe I should ask Matt Kramer!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

October 15 � Worldwide Syrah
October 22 � USA Cabernet Sauvignon
October 26 Annual Port Tasting
October 29 � California Pinot Noir
November 05 - Bordeaux

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, October 8th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES FROM SPAIN

CHEESE PLATE
To go with our Spanish wines, we had to have Spanish cheese. We offer the following selection:
Mah�n Cow�s Milk Menorca
From the Mediterranean island of Menorca, this is my favorite Spanish cheese, mainly because it seems to go well with Burgundy � I�m sure it will go well with Tempranillo. The cheese has a salty tang on the finish.
Ib�rico Cow/Goat/Sheep�s Milk Central Plains
Over 50% of Spanish cheese production is from a blend of milks, and this cheese�s name comes from a style of cheese produced all over the Iberian peninsular. This one comes from the Central Plains and shows mild acid from cow�s milk, the deeper flavor of sheep�s milk, and the finishing tang of goat�s milk. In theory this should be the best match to Tempranillo.
Manchego Sheep�s Milk La Mancha
From the land of Don Quixote, this is probably Spain�s most famous cheese. It is aged in grass molds for at least two months, giving it after notes of dry hay. A great match to many wines from dry sherry to rich reds.
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $3.00

SPAIN basically has two wine industries � the �Traditional�, and the �New World�, and so this week we are showing you both. We will "visit" 6 different DENOMINAC�ON de ORIGEN (DO).

1. We start with a traditional wine, the LAN 2005 RIOJA RESERVA. This is a TEMPRANILLO-based wine (it has small amounts of MAZUELO and GARNACHA) aged in AMERICAN OAK, which is �Old World Rioja�. As a Brit, this sort of wine was our "training wheels" � we could not afford French! Pauline and I have a soft-spot for this winery as back in the 1970s we drank a lot of it and in 1991 we visited the winery. As always, the wines are fabulous value - $18.50

2. Next up is the MONTSANT DO, a region that surrounds PRIORAT DO in CATALONIA, and is often considered as a �poor man�s Priorat�. We will taste the ELS GUIAMETS 2006 ISIS from a co-operative founded in 1913 and is a blend of GARNACHA, CARI�ENA and a little SYRAH. At a recent trade tasting I thought this wine was outstanding, offering lots of elegant black fruit, some oak and spice, and a long, complex finish - $22.50

3. We continue our journey around Spain with a visit to the VALENCIA DO, a part of LEVANTE which is an area on the Mediterranean coast south of CATALONIA. BODEGAS ARANLE�N was founded in 1927 but was reborn in 2000 when it was purchased by a group who brought a more modern view and a commitment to organic agriculture. We offer their 2007 BLES VINO ECOLOGICO which is a blend of 80% OLD VINE MONASTRELL and BOBAL and 20% younger CABERNET SAUVIGNON. This wine is spectacular value, offering a lush mid-palate that has a subtle gaminess, and then the CABERNET shows through on the finish - $10.50

4. We now move to the CALATAYUD DO which is part of ARAGON in the northeast of Spain near the border with France. The BODEGAS SAN ISIDRO 2009 FABLA OLD VINE GRENACHE (GARNACHA) is a classic example of a pure version of the grape. It was fermented in concrete tanks and aged in stainless steel. It offers lots of black raspberry fruit and has a complex, long finish. It makes one wonder �How do you get this complexity without oak?� - $12.50

5. Our final stop is the JUMILLA DO which is in the LEVANTE area and just to the west of the coastal town of ALICANTE. We offer the TARIMA 2009 MONASTRELL. This wine has a lot of weight, but is relatively soft, offering lots of slightly spicy, black fruit. Amazing value - $10.00

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

This week we offer an EXTRA POUR, a fantastic SHERRY:

The wines of JEREZ (SHERRY is the English bastardization of the name) are some of the greatest wine values in the world, but are not understood by people who have not been to Tapas Bars in Spain, or have just suffered the �Sherries� produced in some areas other than Andalusia. We offer the VALDESPINO �CONTRABANDISTA� AMONTILLADO. This is a NV off-dry AMONTILLADO with an average age of the wines being over 16 years. This Sherry could be used as an aperitif, or to accompany meat and game dishes - $33.50

TRY THIS FOR $2.00/1 Ounce or $3.50/2 Ounces or $7.00/4 ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, October 9th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual, we will have something interesting open.

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

October 22 � USA Cabernet Sauvignon
October 26 Annual Port Tasting
October 29 � California Pinot Noir
November 05 � Bordeaux
November 12 � Wines from the Gorge

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, October 15th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WORLDWIDE SYRAH

CHEESE PLATE
I searched the web to find cheese matches with SYRAH, and this is the result:
Raclette Cow�s Milk France
This is a Swiss or French alpine cheese with a nutty flavor and silky, smooth texture. Slightly softer than the more characteristic Alpage cheeses, it is a close cousin to Morbier in France and Appenzeller in Switzerland. Our Raclette is a raw milk cheese from the French Alps.
Double Gloucester Cow�s Milk England
This is a traditional English cheddar-style cheese from Gloucestershire with a bright, eggy, and somewhat sharp flavor. Double Gloucester has the honor and distinction of being used each spring for the Cooper�s Hill Cheese Rolling and Wake on Gloucestershire�s Cooper's Hill, which consists of competitors chasing a wheel of Double Gloucester down an uneven hillside. The competitors are expected to catch the wheel of cheese, but, with speeds in excess of 70mph, this is virtually impossible. What a waste of good cheese!
Extra Sharp Cheddar Cow�s Milk Canada
In past tastings, this has been the favorite Cheddar.
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $4.00

SYRAH has so many styles that our �Worldwide Syrahs� have been successful tastings � until people taste a SYRAH they do not know what they are getting. Is it a fruit bomb as many wines from �down under� are, or does it have that leathery, earthy, content of the Northern Rh�ne?

1. We start with a wine from ARGENTINA. At our last two similar tastings it was a CHILE wine that was the winner. Will the GOUGUENHEIM 2008 SYRAH be as successful? The wine, from the VALLE ESCONDIDO of the MENDOZA region, is similar to its CHILEAN counterpart in that it combines Northern Rh�ne elements of smoky bacon fat and leather with the forward fruit of a West Coast Syrah. This wines offers incredible value - $10.50

2. Next up is the origin � FRANCE. GUILHELM DURAND has been making lovely wines in the LANGUEDOC for many years. We offer his DOMAINE LA BASTIDE 2008 SYRAH VIN de PAYS d'HAUTERIVE LES GEN�TS. This is 100% SYRAH from 35+ year old vines grown in soils that are very similar to those of Chateauneuf�du-Pape strewn with quartz stones and pebbles and harvested at a modest 40 hl/ha. The wine offers good concentration with notes of blackberry, briery spice and some white pepper. This wine gives you the impression of a �junior� HERMITAGE and has much more style than most domestic versions twice the price - $12.00

3. We now go to the USA and our neighbors to the south, CALIFORNIA. Until a few weeks ago I�d never heard of BAILEYANA WINERY. However when I tasted their 2006 EDNA VALLEY SYRAH, it got my attention. While somewhat more powerful and intense than my European palate normally prefers, the intense fruit of blackberries and black currants is balanced by leather and pepper, with a bacon spiciness. Finally, the acidity and tannins give the wine great structure. The wine was rated �Outstanding� by the Wine Enthusiast - $19.75

4. Our final stop is an OREGON/WASHINGTON joint venture � an OREGON winery but COLUMBIA VALLEY fruit. ZERBA CELLARS is based in MILTON FREEWATER which is in the WALLA WALLA AVA, but is in OREGON. I�ve always liked their 2006 SYRAH, and it is now drinking fabulously � lots of bold fruit, but some of the subtleties of France. If there is any wine that is so much better than on release, this is it. The wine contains 4% GRENACHE and 1% MOURV�DRE - $30.00

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go back to FRANCE:

The SYRAHS from the NORTHERN RH�NE can be very expensive, but the SAINT JOSEPH Appellation offers some bargains � and some mediocre wines. DOMAINE FAURY�s wines are not inexpensive, but they are one of the leaders of quality wines from the Appellation. The 2007 VIEILLES VIGNES offers oodles of black raspberry and black cherry fruit together with that earthy quality of the region. The touches of white pepper on the finish make this a �killer wine� � if the wine said HERMITAGE on the label it would be over twice the price - $37.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $4.00/Taste or $7.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, October 16th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual, we will have something interesting open.

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

October 26 Annual Port Tasting
October 29 � California Pinot Noir
November 05 � Bordeaux
November 12 � Wines from the Gorge
November 19 � Wines for Thanksgiving
November 26 � USA Wines other than Oregon

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, October 22nd
4:30 - 7:00pm

WEST COAST CABERNET SAUVIGNON

CHEESE PLATE
Unfortunately, on the west side of town cheese choice is getting less and less � Whole Paycheck and Trader Joe�s are carrying fewer choices, but Freddy�s at 158/Walker seem to be expanding. In the end I could not get all the cheeses my favorite website recommended for Cabernet Sauvignon, but we got close.
Wensleydale Cow�s Milk YORKSHIRE!
As a Yorkshireman, I believe this cheese (of Wallace & Grommet fame) is the best in the world. Unfortunately the only current source I found was QFC whose price was higher than even Whole Paycheck, who say they will have no Wensleydale before December.
Gouda Cow�s Milk Holland
This mild cheese is a great background for many wines. This one is from Whole Paycheck, so is a little higher quality than some other �supermarket versions�.
Ford Farm Dorset Red Cow�s Milk Dorset, England
This is a smoked cheese made from the rich, creamy milk sourced from cows that graze the lush pastures of Ford Farm in west Dorset. The cheese is encased in a rich red rind that gradually develops as it is smoked over oak chippings.
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

1. We start with a wine from WASHINGTON. One of our local distributors, VINUM, has had BUNNELL FAMILY CELLARS make a CABERNET SAUVIGNON just for them. The gaVin 2008 CABERNET SAUVIGNON COLUMBIA VALLEY is amazing value. It offers lots of basic cassis fruit, some touches of oak, and what seems like a touch of Cabernet Franc on the finish - $10.00

2. Next up is CALIFORNIA. A year ago we poured the 2005 from MADDELANA and it was a big hit. This week we offer the MADDALENA 2006 PASO ROBLES. It is 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON that was aged in a mix of American and French oak barrels, of which about 35% were new. It is classic CABERNET SAUVIGNON offering lots of cassis, some wood influences, but more importantly, great balance and length. Great Value - $16.00

3. We stay in CALIFORNIA to taste a wine from a �traditional� producer. RAYMOND, founded in 1971, have been producing classic NAPA VALLEY wines since their first vintage in 1974. We offer their 2007 CABERNET SAUVIGNON RESERVE SELECTION. The CABERNET SAUVIGNON was blended with 5% CABERNET FRANC and 5% MERLOT, and the wine was aged for 18 months in French Oak barrels of which 30% were new. The aromas of the wine are very complex, offering a mix of berries with touches of clove and white pepper. The palate is more NAPA with intense blackberry and cassis fruit, and the finish shows �Bordeaux� touches of tobacco and spice - $30.00

4. Our final stop is an OREGON/WASHINGTON joint venture � an OREGON winery that uses fruit from WASHINGTON as well as OREGON. ZERBA CELLARS is in the WALLA WALLA AVA but is located in MILTON-FREEWATER, OREGON. They make a range of very good wines, but the CABERNET SAUVIGNON has always been my favorite and we will taste the 2006. This wine is a blend of 85% CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 10% MERLOT and 5% CABERNET FRANC with the fruit sourced from several vineyards in the rocky floodplain of the WALLA WALLA river. This wine, not quite as big on the palate as earlier vintages, has a nose offering blackcurrant and dark plums, together with hints of leather and smoky oak - $30.00

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go back to CALIFORNIA and the NAPA VALLEY:

We offer the SHAFER 2006 CABERNET SAUVIGNON �ONE POINT FIVE�. John Shafer and his son Doug own what is considered by many to be a �First Growth� of the Napa Valley. Their HILLSIDE SELECT is legendary. Pauline and I had the pleasure of meeting John and Doug in 1985 before they became famous � their 1982 Reserve Cabernet (which became the Hillside Select) was all of $12.50/bottle!

The ONE POINT FIVE is a STAGS LEAP DISTRICT wine from two vineyard sites, the HILLSIDE ESTATE VINEYARD and BORDERLINE VINEYARD that is about two miles south of the winery. There is 1% PETIT VERDOT in the wine, and it was aged in 75% new oak and 25% one-year oak barrels. The name comes from the fact it is the result of One Point Five generations. The local distributor is offering a deal on 2006 wines as the winery wants them to take more of the 2007. This wine was $53.00 wholesale, but we can offer it for - $52.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $6.00/Taste or $10.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, October 23rd
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual, we will have something interesting open.

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.
Wednesday, December 22 � Christmas Treats
(5-8PM)
Thursday, December 30 � Zinfandel
(5-8PM)
Friday, January 7 � South/Southwest of France
(4:30-7PM)

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, December 17th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES FROM SOUTH AMERICA

CHEESE PLATE
As we are offering a wide variation of wine, we offer a varied selection of cheese.
Sharp Cheddar Cow�s Milk New Zealand
One of our most popular Cheddars
Iberico Sheep/Cow/Goat�s Milk Spain
We could not find any S. American cheese, so thought an �invader� cheese was near enough!
Gruy�re/Cheddar M�lange Cow�s Milk California
I�d never heard of such a combination, so had to try it!
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $3.00

1. We start with a white, the ALAMOS 2009 CHARDONNAY from MENDOZA, ARGENTINA. This is an operation owned by CATENA, one of the country�s great producers. This wine has some weight and is lightly oaked. What I like is the balance � and the reduced price this month! - $9.50

2. We stay in ARGENTINA for our first red. GOUGUENHEIM�S SYRAH was a big hit at our last Syrah-from-around-the-World tasting, and we now offer their 2009 BONARDA/SYRAH blend. This wine from the VALLE ESCONDIDO region of MENDOZA is almost GRENACHE-like with bright black raspberry fruit and touches of white pepper similar to wines from the Rh�ne Valley - $10.00

3. CARM�N�RE can be considered the �signature red� of CHILE, and for many years was often �field blended� by mistake with MERLOT until the Chileans discovered it was a different grape. Originally from BORDEAUX, the varietal all but disappeared from FRANCE after the phylloxera epidemic in the 19th century. We will sample the CHONO 2007 RESERVA from grapes grown on the alluvial plains of the MAIPO VALLEY, a high-altitude region in the shadow of the Andes. Grapes are handpicked, and 60 percent of the wine is aged for 10 months in French oak barrels. The wine is lush and round on the palate, with plenty of baking spice and touches of tobacco in its aromas. It is wonderfully supple and ripe, which this grape needs. I love the mouth feel and length - $12.50

4. We stay in CHILE for ROOTS 1 2008 CABERNET SAUVIGNON from the COLCHAGUA VALLEY. This is an obviously CHILEAN wine, showing more BORDEAUX nuances than the rich fruit of, say, a NAPA VALLEY wine. I found it amazingly complex, with an almost Merlot-like touch of chocolate on the finish - $11.00

5. Back to ARGENTINA and its signature grape, MALBEC. LLAMA OLD VINE MALBEC has been a big seller (despite its �critter� label) in the 2007 vintage, and we now offer the next vintage, the 2008. From the ALTO AGRELO VALLEY in the MENDOZA sub-region of LUJAN de CUYO, this is a complex MALBEC, offering lots of bold fruit coupled with nuances you would expect in a more expensive wine. Unfortunately the popularity of the 2007 has driven-up the price of the 2008. However it is still wonderful value - $14.50

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $8.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we return to CHILE:

CONCHA y TORO is a producer of wines from the lowest supermarket price points to incredible wines at incredibly high prices. Their flagship is the DON MELCHOR CABERNET SAUVIGNON from the MAIPO VALLEY. This wine used to be highly allocated and was all pre-sold before release. As a sign of the times, the 2006 is available to all. I have not tasted this vintage, but the Wine Advocate gave it 95 saying, �The 2006 Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon is a glass-coating opaque purple with an alluring bouquet of toast, tobacco, cedar, leather, mocha, and blackcurrant. Sweet, voluptuous (but not in a fruit bomb kind of way), layered, and complex already, its superb balance will ensure at least a decade of evolution and it should drink well through 2036. Drink 2009 � 2036� - $79.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $8.00/Taste or $16.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, December 18th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

I love some of the blends coming out of PIEMONTE. We will offer the TINTERO NV ROSSO which is a blend of BARBERA, DOLCHETTO and NEBBIOLO. This is a wine made for importer KERMIT LYNCH. It offers lots of BARBERA-like fruit up front, and the NEBBIOLO is unmistakable on the finish. A wonderful wine to go with almost any food from white meat to strong cheeses - $11.50

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com

CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

August 06 � Worldwide Cabernet Sauvignon
August 13 � Abacela vs. Spanish �Originals�
August 20 � German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 � Wines from the Rh�ne Valley

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, July 30th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES FROM MEDITERRANEAN ISLANDS

CHEESE PLATE
We tried to find cheese from the Islands and we made it, but not necessarily from the same islands as the wines!
Mah�n Cow�s Milk Menorca
From the Mediterranean island of Menorca, this is my favorite Spanish cheese, mainly because it seems to go well with Burgundy � I�m sure it will go well with this week�s wines. The cheese has a salty tang on the finish.
Brigante Sheep�s Milk Sardinia
This sheep�s milk cheese comes from around the town of Thiesi in the north of the island. It is often called Dolce Sardo because of the sweetness of the local ewes� milk.
Halloumi Sheep�s Milk Cyprus
This is a similar cheese to Saganaki, the Greek �Flaming Cheese�, and is wonderful grilled. However it is interesting sliced in a salad.
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

At this time of the year, with the temperature going up in Oregon, lets �fly� to where breezes moderate temperatures and make life wonderful � the Islands of the Mediterranean.

1. We start on SANTORINI, that wonderful Greek island. The combination of heat plus strong winds makes for interesting wine growing conditions. ASSYRTIKO is the major white varietal, and its origin is unknown. Some think it is native to SANTORINI, or it may have arrived on the island with the Phoenicians after the volcanic eruptions of 1640 � 1620 BC. We offer this grape blended with ATHIRI in the SIGALAS 2008 SANTORINI WHITE It offers classic flowery, almost honeysuckle nose and then an underlying mineral acidity. Wonderful with kalamar�kia, either grilled or fried - $20.00
(We also have their 100% ASSYRTIKO at $24.00 and the oaked version at $28.75)

2. Next up is SARDEGNA (aka Sardinia), the Italian island to the west of LAZIO and CAMPANIA. ARGIOLAS is one of the top value/quality producers on the island and we offer their 2007 PERDERA which is a blend of the two local grapes MONICA (90%) and BOVALE di SARDO (5%) together with CARIGNAN (5%). A Matt Kramer recommendation, this wine is rated between 89 and 92 in major magazines. The wine is full-flavored and a little rustic, but offers lots of intense berry fruit - $14.50

3. We move back to SANTORINI for a RED. This island is usually thought of as a white wine producer (and Vin Santo), but ARGYROS also produces a lovely red (the first red from this island we have carried). ATLANTIS RED is a blend of 90% MANDILARIA and 10% MAVROTRAGANO. The former is a major red grape on CRETE and RHODOS (where it is known as AMORYANO). The wine is medium-full bodied with fine tannins, complex aromas of red fruit, with hints of prune and leather - $20.00

4. Moving further west we visit SPAIN�S BALEAR�C ISLANDS, and in particular the island of MALLORCA. This is one of the great �package vacation� islands for northern Europeans (Pauline and I were there in 1970s and I�m sure we would find it over-developed now). It is also home to some old wine regions. The Romans are thought to have brought viticulture to the island in about 123 AD. The industry has waxed and waned over the centuries and the modern industry dates from the 1980s. There are two Denominaci�n de Origins on the island, BINISS�LLEM-MALLORCA and PLA i LLEVANT. We will taste a wine from the former DO, the VINS NADAL 2008 ALBA FLOR TINTO. No, this wine does not taste like a used tennis ball, but is an interesting blend of the local varietal MANTO**** (75%) and 14% CABERNET SAUVIGNON and 11% MERLOT. The wine offers aromas of cherry and raspberry, and the palate is fruity with a mineral background. It is outstanding value - $14.50

5. Our final wine of the main flight comes from SICILIA. BENANTI is a producer that specializes with local varietals. We offer its 2006 ROSSODIVERZELLA (the current release) which is a blend of 80% NERELLO MASCALESE and 20% NERELLO CAPUCCIO. I�ve always liked this wine and this vintage is probably the best yet. The wine offers lots of ****y black fruit, together with something extra from the grapes being grown on the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna (at about 2500ft elevation). Not your �run-of-the-mill� red wine - $17.50
(We have a couple of bottles of the 2002 available at $16.50)

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

Our PREMIUM POUR also comes from SICILIA:

TENUTA della TERRE NERE is a property of MARC de GRAZIA, a Florentine who is very much involved with importing terrific Italian wines into the USA. The 2005 CALDERARA SOTTANA is a wine produced from grapes grown at about 800 metres on the NE slopes of Mount Etna. The wine carries an IGT ETNA ROSSO designation and is a blend of 98% NERELLO MASCALESE and 2% NERELLO CAPPUCCIO, two �native� grapes. I would not have guessed this wine, a regular winner of Due Bichieri in Gambero Rosso, came from SICILIA. The wine has the texture of a very good Burgundy, and offers lots of earthy, black fruit. If this wine came from anywhere other than SICILIA, it would cost much more! - $24.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.00/Taste or $5.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, July 31st
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. We are planning:

For the current warm weather, what is more refreshing than an un-oaked SAUVIGNON BLANC? We will pour LA PLAYA 2009 from CHILE�s COLCHAQUA VALLEY - $8.25

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com
CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

August 13 � Abacela vs. Spanish �Originals�
August 20 � German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 � Wines from the Rh�ne Valley
September 03 - Zinfandel

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 6th
4:30 - 7:00pm

CABERNET SAUVIGNON from around the WORLD

CHEESE PLATE
To go with Cabernet Sauvignon we offer a selection of cow�s milk Cheddar cheese. These cheeses always form a good backdrop for red wines.
Sharp Aged 6-9 months New Zealand
Coastal Aged 15 months Dorset, England
Extra, Extra Sharp Aged 18 months New York
SAMPLER PLATE $3.00

CABERNET SAUVIGNON could be considered the signature grape of the NAPA VALLEY, and it seems to be grown all over the world. Let�s taste the diversity with wines from five countries and two different zones of one of the countries. I find it very difficult to suggest a tasting order, and so I�m taking the easy way out and listing them in price order.

1. We start in ARGENTINA and the enormous wine region of MENDOZA. TRUMPETER is the �entry-level� label of RUTINI, and its 2007 CABERNET SAUVIGNON is stunning value. I believe it is 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON, and it offers pure cassis fruit with subtle touches of oak - $8.00

2. Now we jump over the Andes to CHILE. There are many wonderful value producers in this country of great scenery and wonderful people, but I�m beginning to think it is hard to beat CHONO for quality vs. price. Their Syrah has been the winner in our last two �Syrah from around the World� tastings, and the Carmin�re is also wonderful. We offer the 2008 CABERNET SAUVIGNON from the MAIPO VALLEY. Like most CABERNET SAUVIGNONS from this country, the wine is more BORDEAUX in style than, say, WALLA WALLA style - $12.50

3. I consider BORDEAUX as the home of CABERNET SAUVIGNON, but there it is usually blended with other grapes, although some Ch�teaux approach 100% in some years, and n�gotiants bottle 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON wines. The LANGUEDOC is a source of 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNONS, and we offer LES TRAVERSES de FONTANES 2007 VIN de PAYS d�OC. This is an estate-produced wine imported by Kermit Lynch, and is more elegant and complex than one would expect from this area - $14.25

4. What would a CABERNET SAUVIGNON tasting be without something from CALIFORNIA? We will taste the GOYETTE 2007 NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON. I�m sure most of you are saying �Who is Goyette?� BOB GOYETTE was the founder of LA CREMA and then moved on to other wineries. I tasted this wine at a trade tasting and thought it was great value for NAPA VALLEY. This is Bob�s philosophy: �I keep one eye on the successful traditions of Europe, and the other closely attuned to the grapes at hand. Using my own palate as a spring-board, I determine if the wines are really appealing to drink, rather than just done in a proper manner. I keep trying to work towards the best syntheses of the New & Old World traditions, while intuitively striving for wines that appeal to connoisseurs as well as people that just like wine. To me, it's all about balance and about listening.� - $18.75

5. We return to Europe and the PENED�S region of SPAIN. MIGUEL TORRES was just about the first to plant CABERNET SAUVIGNON in the area in the 1960s, and the TORRES winery now bottles 100% CABERNET wines, together with wines where the grape is blended with TEMPRANILLO. We offer one of the latter in the form of the GRAN CORONAS 2005 RESERVA. This is a blend of 85% CABERNET SAUVIGNON and 15% TEMPRANILLO (aka ULL de LIEBRE in Catalonia), and, in the Spanish tradition, has spent a considerable time in oak. Lush and elegant, the wine shows cassis from the CABERNET, and this is intermingled with coffee bean, licorice and vanillans - $19.25

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

Our PREMIUM POUR comes from our neighbors to the north, WASHINGTON:

STEPHENSON CELLARS was a new producer to me until a couple of weeks ago. They are in WALLA WALLA but their 2006 CABERNET SAUVIGNON carries a WASHINGTON Appellation as it is a blend from three vineyards � WINDY RIDGE in HORSE HEAVEN HILLS, WOODEN ISLAND on the banks of the COLUMBIA RIVER, and INLAND DESERT in BENTON CITY. The wine shows aromas of blueberry, cassis and cedar; the palate has cassis and plum with some Bordeaux-like influences - $33.00
*With apologies to Sideways, we also have their excellent MERLOT!*

TRY THIS WINE FOR $4.00/Taste or $7.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 7th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. We are planning:

NANTAIS, the western end of the LOIRE VALLEY, is best known for MUSCADET, which is made from the MELON de BOURGOGNE grape. However there is another white grape in the area, GROS PLANT (aka FOLLE BLANCHE), which normally does not have too much charm, being very acidic. The DOMAINE de l�AIGUILLETTE 2009 GROS PLANT is lovely � although very dry, it has great fruit upfront. It is much better than most inexpensive MUSCADET - $9.25

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I’ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on “Site Index” and then “Electronic Newsletter”. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click “Remove”. Thank you.

August 20 – German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 – Wines from the Rhône Valley
September 03 – Zinfandel
September 10 – Burgundy

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 13th
4:30 - 7:00pm

ABACELA vs. SPANISH “ORIGINALS”

CHEESE PLATE
To go with our Spanish wines and Abacela wines from Spanish grapes, we offer a selection of Spanish cheese:
Ibérico Cow/Goat/Sheep’s Milk Central Plains
Over 50% of Spanish cheese production is from a blend of milks, and this cheese’s name comes from a style of cheese produced all over the Iberian peninsular. This one comes from the Central Plains and shows mild acid from cow’s milk, the deeper flavor of sheep’s milk, and the finishing tang of goat’s milk. In theory this should be the best match to Tempranillo.
Campo de Montalbán Cow/Goat/Sheep’s Milk La Mancha
This cheese resembles Manchego in texture and appearance, and until 1985 it was in fact considered a Manchego. Campo de Montalbán is distinguished by its three milk blend, while Manchego contains only sheep's milk. The flavor is also similar to Manchego. However, as with Ibérico, the characters of all three milks are noticeable in Campo de Montalbán.
Manchego Sheep’s Milk La Mancha
From the land of Don Quixote, this is probably Spain’s most famous cheese. It is aged in grass molds for at least two months, giving it after notes of dry hay. A great match to many wines from dry sherry to rich reds.
SAMPLER PLATE $4.00

I always admire winery owners who have a vision to do something different, and succeed in making good wines that are interesting and start new trends. Earl and Hilda Jones, who founded ABACELA, had a belief that an area near Roseburg would be ideal for several Spanish varietals. Their wines are very good, and we’ve seen a mini-explosion of TEMPRANILLO in Oregon. All their wines are quality wines, and they are using only Estate fruit, or fruit from vineyards they manage. The Claret is being discontinued, as they do not grow Cabernet Sauvignon.

Last month, on our way to Ashland, Pauline and I visited ABACELA and had a great time. Linda, in charge of the tasting room, was charming and knowledgeable - and very generous with her pours. The current Tasting Room is small, and must become “cozy” on a busy weekend. An expanded winery and tasting room is under construction. If you have not visited this winery, plan to do so.


We had a picnic lunch at the winery:


Pauline contemplates world distances:


For this tasting we will compare two wines made from three Spanish varietals – one from Spain and one made from ABACELA.

Our first grape is ALBARIÑO:

1. From ABACELA we will taste their 2009 UMPQUA VALLEY. I watched the development of this grape at ABACELA and thought the 2008 was good, but the 2009 hit the mark, offering a wine as complex as its Spanish ancestors, and very competitive in price. It is the first vintage we have carried in the shop - $18.50

2. Most SPANISH ALBARINOS I really enjoy are north of $20.00/bottle, but I found one at <$20 for this tasting. BODEGAS LA CANA is a joint venture of the GIL FAMILY JUMILLA and importer JORGE ORDONEZ. The wine, of course, comes from RIAS BAIXAS in GALICIA, and the 2008 was rated “Outstanding” in the Wine Advocate. While not as complex as the great ALBARINOS from DO FERREIRO, the LA CANA is excellent - $18.00
(We have the 2007 DO FERREIRO in stock at $24.00)

The Second Grape is TEMPRANILLO, the grape that made ABACELA’S name:

3. We wanted to pour ABACELA’s 2007 McCORQUODALE VINEYARD which we tasted at the winery, but it appears this limited wine is “tasting room only” for the time being. This is their neighbor and they manage the vineyard. Instead we offer the 2007 CUVÉE which is a blend of 85% ESTATE FRUIT with the rest coming from the McCORQUODALE and DEFINO VINEYARDS. I was not fond of the early CUVÉE releases, but as the vines achieved some age, this wine is the bargain TEMPRANILLO from this producer - $20.00
(We also have the 2006 ESTATE at $36.00)

4. From SPAIN we offer IZARDI 2005 CRIANZA. This wine is 100% TEMPRANILLO from the RIOJA region, and was aged in American oak barrels. While very traditional in the use of American oak, this wine is much more fruit forward for traditional RIOJA, and I thought would be a good comparison to ABACELA - $18.00

Our Third Grape is GARNACHA:

While the French may think they “invented” GRENACHE, it appears the grape originates in SPAIN under the name GARNACHA.

5. From ABACELA we will taste their 2008 UMPQUA VALLEY. At the winery, Pauline was a bigger fan of this wine than I was. Maybe it was because it really has a “sense of place”, as it was not Spanish or French – and as a European, I too often tend to compare wines with the “originals”. At the moment my favorite OREGON GRENACHE/GARNACHA is COWHORN’S from the APPLEGATE VALLEY. Let’s find out what our customers think! - $22.50

6. From SPAIN it was difficult to choose what to use, mainly because most of the wines are much cheaper than the ABACELA wine, so we decided to pour a GARNACHA which approaches the ABACELA in price, but is somewhat atypical. JOAN d’ANGUERA has been a family-run winery since 1820 and is now run by a sister and brother team of Joan and Josep. Their 2009 GARNATXA is from MONTSANT. MONTSANT is in Catalonia, hence the spelling of the grape GARNACHA. This is their “entry level” red, and is fermented and aged in concrete tanks. It is one of the purest interpretations of the GARNACHA grape I’ve ever tasted - $19.00

TRY THESE SIX WINES FOR $12.00

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 14th
Noon – 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. As it is supposed to be over 90˚, we are planning:

Red wine drinkers need a great ROSÉ in hot weather. Pauline and I tend to believe the best of these wines come from the SOUTH of FRANCE, but this week I tried what I think is the greatest ROSÉ I’ve tasted from the USA – and it is from OREGON. COWHORN is in SOUTHERN OREGON’S APPLEGATE VALLEY and all their vineyards are biodynamically farmed (Demeter certified). Their 2009 GRENACHE ROSÉ is almost 100% GRENACHE but includes a tiny bit of VIOGNIER. I’d have guessed it was from PROVENCE, and even though not inexpensive for a ROSÉ, I think it is great value - $18.00

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I’ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on “Site Index” and then “Electronic Newsletter”. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click “Remove”. Thank you.

August 27 – Wines from the Rhône Valley
September 03 – Zinfandel
September 10 – Burgundy

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 20th
4:30 - 7:00pm

AUSTRIAN and GERMAN REDS

CHEESE PLATE
We’ve only fond one German cheese so far (other than Limberger), and none from Austria. Hopefully, by Friday, we will have something put together!
SAMPLER PLATE $??.00

We know most of you do not think about red wines when you consider Austria and Germany as these countries are famous mainly for Grüner Veltliner and Riesling whites. However, both countries make some interesting reds, usually from grapes grown in very few other countries. These wines are ideal summer reds, and some are even better when served slightly chilled (not refrigerator temperature, but at about 60˚F). We hope many of you come to try these interesting, but rarely poured, wines.

1. We start in Germany with a grape called DORNFELDER. This a crossing of a crossing between several German varietals, and Jancis Robinson said in her book Vines, Grapes and Wines “Dornfelder demonstrates most eloquently the advantages of the German approach to plant breeding”. We will taste the ANDREAS DIEHL 2009 DORNFELDER from the PFALZ region. This is the sunniest and driest part of Germany, and so should be the best area for red grapes. This DORNFELDER is very fruity in style with a touch of residual sugar. It is an ideal hot weather red. This is a review I found on-line: “Strawberries and cherries are all over the nose, and you can tell that this wine is full of fruit. The wine is sweet on the palate, right out of the gate. However, it’s still clean, and on the lighter side for a sweetish wine. There is a bit of acid, but almost no tannic structure until very, very late on the palate. Dark cherries and strawberries dominate the experience” - $13.50

2. Next up is SPÄTBURGUNDER, aka PINOT NOIR. I’ve tasted some lovely such wines from GERMANY, but the prices are usually too high to make sense. We have carried a few reasonably priced ones from the PFALZ, and this week we offer one from RHEINHESSEN, which is just to the north of the PFALZ. The wine is from the 2007 vintage and is called UNDONE. Produced by the VALCKENBERG GROUP and bottled with a screw cap, the wine is unoaked and unmanipulated – this is the reason for the name as the grapes are “undone” to show their natural charms (just wait until you see the label). K & L Wines of San Francisco say on their web site “It is the fresh, light and juicy wine for those of us who don’t like our Pinot Noir to look and taste like Syrah. The wine is delicate and pure, medium bodied and full of wild strawberry, cherry and raspberry aromas with just a subtle hint of spice in the finish”. It will take a slight chill - $12.50

3. I recently attended an Austrian Trade Tasting and liked most of the wines. However Austrian wines have a price problem in the USA. In fact the country has the highest price per bottle of all European countries who export to the USA. We start with the grape BLAUFRÄNKISCH, which in Germany is often called LEMBERGER. We will taste the NECKENMARKT 2008 CLASSIC “FRANK” from MITTELBURGENLAND. The wine has ripe red-black fruit with a touch of spice and moderate tannins. Someone described it as the wine you would get if you mixed Dolcetto with a Cru Beaujolais – I think she is right! - $16.00

4. We stay in the BURGENLAND and taste a blend from the HEINRICH winery. In a very honest fashion they just call it the 2008 RED. It is a blend of 50% MERLOT, 30% ZWEIGELT and 20% BLAUFRÄNKISCH. On the nose all I could sense was the MERLOT, but this is one of those wines where the nose can be misleading. The palate has lots of spice and a certain earthiness, and the finish is very long. A fascinating wine - $19.50

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we stay with the HEINRICH winery in BURGENLAND:

When Pauline and I did our OKANAGAN trip in 2007 we were surprised by how good the ZWEIGELT from ARROWLEAF winery was as we did not know any North American winery grew this red grape. This week we offer one of the best ZWEIGELTS from AUSTRIA when one takes price into account. ZWEIGELT is a crossing of BLAUFRÄNKISCH and ST-LAURENT. I tried to find a ST-LAURENT for the tasting as this grape is supposed to be a close cousin to PINOT NOIR, but the local distributors do not seem keen on it. This ZWEIGELT has a lovely nose of ripe cherries and violets – almost too good to drink! The palate is much richer with dark fruit and touches of liquorice and chocolate. Fantastic value - $27.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.00/Taste or $5.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 21st
Noon – 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. Despite the cooler weather, I’d love you to try this rosé

Red wine drinkers need a great ROSÉ in the summer. Pauline and I tend to believe the best of these wines come from the SOUTH of FRANCE, but recently I tried what I think is the greatest ROSÉ I’ve tasted from the USA – and it is from OREGON. COWHORN is in SOUTHERN OREGON’S APPLEGATE VALLEY and all their vineyards are biodynamically farmed (Demeter certified). Their 2009 GRENACHE ROSÉ is almost 100% GRENACHE but includes a tiny bit of VIOGNIER. I’d have guessed it was from PROVENCE, and even though not inexpensive for a ROSÉ, I think it is great value - $18.00

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

September 03 � Zinfandel
September 10 � Burgundy
September 17 � The best of Matt Kramer�s 2010 Picks
September 24 � The Crus of Beaujolais

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 27th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES of the RH�NE VALLEY

CHEESE PLATE
We offer a selection of French cheese to go with our French wines.
Fol Epi Cow�s Milk Loire Valley
This creamy cheese is enclosed in a golden-brown rind made from a wheat base -- hence the name �Fol Epi,� which means �wild wheat stalk� in French. It is made in a similar style to Swiss Emmental, providing a nutty taste with a slight wheat flavor.
Raclette Cow�s Milk French Alps
This is a Swiss or French alpine cheese with a nutty flavor and silky, smooth texture. Slightly softer than the more characteristic Alpage cheeses, it is a close cousin to Morbier in France and Appenzeller in Switzerland. Our Raclette is a raw milk cheese from the French Alps.
Tomme de Savoie Cow�s Milk Savoie
This Tomme is a semi-firm cow's milk cheese made in the valley of the Savoie in the French Alps. It has a delightfully nutty flavor and a smooth paste that melts in your mouth. The hard, powdery rind has an earthy aroma and is usually speckled with many types of indigenous and beneficial molds
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

We were encouraged by the turnout to try lesser-known wines at our German/Austrian Red tasting, and so for this Rh�ne tasting we�ve included a couple of wines that are somewhat out-of-the-mainstream for this popular wine region.

1. We start with the 2009 vintage of what was our biggest selling C�TES-du-RH�NE in the 2007 and 2008 vintages. DOMAINE CHAPOTON can trace its origins to 1665 under Louis XIV, and the current generation took over in 1981. The wine is a blend of GRENACHE, SYRAH, MOUV�DRE and CARIGNAN. The wine has intense fruit, some spice, and a touch of classic garrigue. Comments from people who have tasted all three vintages suggest the 2009 is more fruit forward than the others (it was a hotter vintage) - $10.50

2. DOMAINE MONPERTUIS is a CH�TEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE producer, and we offer their 2007 VIGNOBLE de la RAMI�RE which is unusual in that it is 100% COUNOISE, one of the 13 grapes allowed in CDP. There are not many such wines in the world, but Oregon�s Andrew Rich has made one, as has Washington�s McCrae. The wine shows black fruit with a little spice together with meatiness similar to MOURV�DRE. The fruit is grown in the GARD region at the mouth of the Rh�ne - $16.50

3. Our next wine is from a very expensive producer in VACQUEYRAS in the SOUTHERN RH�NE VALLEY. ROUCAS TOUMBA LES GRANDS CHEMINS is basically de-classified VACQUEYRAS, and the producer could call the wine C�TES-du-RH�NE, but he decided on the VIN de TABLE designation. The fruit is from 2007, but I was told that a VIN de TABLE cannot have a vintage date. A blend of GRENACHE, SYRAH and MOURV�DRE, the wine is perfumed, giving you the sense of the herbs of the area; this is followed by chewy, black fruit with a spicy edge, and then a long finish. As a Rh�naholic, I think this wine is sensational value! - $17.25

4. For our final wine of the basic flight we go to CH�TEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE. These days it is hard to find a CDP under $40.00, so when I found this �left-over� 2005 we could sell for $30.00, I jumped at it. This wine, built primarily upon GRENACHE is intensely aromatic, with notes of ground coffee, plum, grenadine and game. The bright Grenache fruit has an intriguing savory, almost salty, quality to it, which is not half as strange as it might sound. It is simply one of the many parts of this in balance, complex wine. If you were talking about pairing this wine with food, nearly any cut of lamb would be wonderful - $30.00

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go to the NORTHERN RH�NE to taste SYRAH:

CROZES HERMITAGE is the �poor cousin� of HERMITAGE. It is a relatively large Appellation, covering an area almost 10 miles long to the north and south of the village of TAIN and HERMITAGE itself. For many years, most wines were pallid in comparison to HERMITAGE. Now some substantial wines are being made, and ALAIN GRAILLOT is considered one of the bright, shining stars of the Appellation. 2004 was a difficult vintage in the area, and I have not tasted the ALAIN GRAILLOT 2004 CROZES HERMITAGE for some time, so let�s see how it is aging. Robert Parker in the Wine Advocate said: �Gregarious Alain Graillot has turned out a 2004 Crozes-Hermitage that presents plenty of olive notes intermixed with some sweet red currant and cherry notes. The acidity of the vintage is relatively apparent in this wine, which is elegant and Burgundian in its texture and aromatics. Drink 2007-2011� - $29.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.50/Taste or $6.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 28th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open:

OREGON�S QUERCUS WINES are below most people�s radar, probably because they make wines under a number of labels. The wines are a project of MICHAEL BECKLEY, and we have carried PINOT NOIR and SYRAH wines he has made (we have some of his CADMUS 2004 PINOT NOIR in stock). We offer his ROCK CREEK CELLARS 2007 OREGON RED WINE. The wine is a blend of CABERNET SAUVIGNON, MERLOT and SYRAH, and offers gobs of black fruit coupled with a nice, spicy, edge - $11.25

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

September 10 � Burgundy
September 17 � The best of Matt Kramer�s 2010 Picks
September 24 � The Crus of Beaujolais
October 01 � Washington Wines

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, September 3rd
4:30 - 7:00pm

ZINFANDEL

CHEESE PLATE
Once again, we rely on our favorite New York cheese shop to recommend cheese for Zinfandel:
Gruy�re Raw Cow�s Milk Switzerland
This is cave-aged Gruy�re � not your average supermarket version. Aged for a significant time, this is a rich, nutty, cheese.
Cantalet Raw Cow�s Milk France
Considered to be the ancestor to British Farmhouse Cheddars, this is a cow's milk cheese from Auvergne, France. It is weighty, moist, creamy, and just subtley sharp, with a very defined sweet and milky quality. As the French took over England in 1066, maybe it is true they created the great English Cheddars. However, didn�t we Brits control the Bordeaux region a few hundred years later? As Pauline and I are Francophiles, I thank the Frogs for anything they did to improve English cuisine.
Campo de Montalban Pasteurized Cow�s/Goat�s/Sheep�s Milk Spain
This cheese resembles Manchego in texture and appearance, and until 1985 it was in fact considered a Manchego. Campo de Montalb�n is distinguished by its three milk blend, while Manchego contains only sheep's milk. The flavor is also similar to Manchego.
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

As most of our regulars know, ZINFANDEL is not one of my favorite grapes, although PAULINE would say �You want to stay married?� However I�ve converted her from blowsy CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAYS to CHABLIS, the greatest expression of CHARDONANY in the world. Her job is to convert me from the RIDGE blends to full-throttle ZINFANDELS. My tasting notes are minimal, as PAULINE says I do not know what I�m talking about.

1. We start in LODI and PEIRANO ESTATE 2008 IMMORTAL OLD VINE ZINFANDEL. I�ve never tasted this wine, but, unbelievably, it is an allocated wine. There is no more of this vintage left other than the case I have. The vines are over 100 years old, hence the IMMORTAL name - $11.50

2. We stay in LODI for CAMPUS OAKS 2007 OLD VINE ZINFANDEL. We used an earlier vintage of this wine a couple of years ago and it was a big hit. I liked the spicy black fruit it offered, but felt a little heat on the finish despite the modest (for ZINFANDEL) 14.5% alcohol - $14.75

3. My favorite ZINFANDEL producer is RIDGE � maybe it is because very few of their wines are 100% ZINFANDEL! We offer the 2008 THREE VALLEYS that, for the first time, cannot be called ZINFANDEL because it is only 74% of the grape! The rest is PETIT SIRAH, CARIGNAN, MATARO, SYRAH and GRENACHE - $22.50

4. For our final wine of the basic flight we go to OREGON to THE PINES VINEYARD and their 2007 ZINFANDEL. The vineyard is in THE DALLES, but the tasting room is in HOOD RIVER. The wine is made from 20 year-old vines that were created from starts from the 100+ year-old vines in the vineyard. For its relatively high alcohol (15.2%), I found the wine food friendly, showing no heat from the alcohol - $28.75

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go to the NAPA VALLEY:

HENDRY is a producer with a range of wines from ALBARI�O to CABERNET SAUVIGNON, but better known for their �single block� ZINFANDELS. We offer the 2006 BLOCK 28 which was aged for fifteen months in French oak barrels, 65% of which were new. Despite its 15.8% alcohol, I felt this was another food-friendly Zinfandel. This is what the winery says: �Aromas include smoky spice, bay, berry, earth, mint and mineral. Dark fruit flavors of blackberries, blueberries and black currant, in an elegant wrapping of spicy and well- integrated oak. The 2006 returns to the familiar broad-shouldered, firm structured, complex and almost Cab-like Hendry Zinfandel style. This wine will continue to soften and gain complexity with age. Block 28 has an affinity for anything rich, braised, or meaty, and would be terrific with a slow-roasted lamb shank rubbed with herbes-de-provence, braised short ribs or a game-based risotto� - $32.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.50/Taste or $6.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, September 4th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open � I�ve yet to decide what! It will depend on forecast temperature nearer the day.

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

September 24 � The Crus of Beaujolais
October 01 � Washington Wines
October 08 � Spain
October 15 � Worldwide Sangiovese
October 22 � Wines from San Juan Winery

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, September 17th
4:30 - 7:00pm

THE BEST OF MATT KRAMER�S 2010 PICKS

CHEESE PLATE
This week, as we have a variety of wines, I decided to go with relatively mild cheeses:
Havarti Cow�s Milk Denmark
Monterey Jack Cow�s Milk California
Goat Cheddar Goat�s Milk Canada
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $2.50

Most of us in the Oregon wine industry have a love-hate relationship with Matt Kramer � recently, it has been mainly hate because of his trashing of the 2007 vintage here in Oregon. The few of you who came to our recent 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir tasting know how good this vintage can be � we sold a lot of wine that night, and on the basis of sales per capita of turn-out, it was one of our best Fridays ever. Despite this Kramer �fault�, I have much respect for his palate. I�m amazed that many of the wines he recommends I�ve already purchased for the shop. At the moment I think he is doing a great job recommending value wines (in all price categories), as well as trying to encourage people to try some thing different � as I do!

We start with a white in that category. Please note most of the following notes are from Matt Kramer in the Sunday Oregonian:

1. HUNGARY�S TOKAJ zone has been famous for centuries for creating extraordinary sweet wines from the local FURMINT grape variety (we have two great ones in stock), but it had absolutely no history of creating a dry white wine from FURMINT until the late-20th-century. We will taste the KIR�LYUDVAR TOKAJI FURMINT SEC 2007. Kramer said, and I agree, ��this is one of the most extraordinary dry white wines you will taste this year, I promise you. Although labeled as furmint, this wine is actually a blend of two indigenous white grapes: furmint (80 percent) and h�rslevelu. Impressively dense, it proffers a striking scent of flowers and minerals with just the barest whiff of honey allied with lemon. Thick-textured, there's a crisp acidity that makes this wine oh-so-drinkable, with that same minerals and flower quality coming through in the taste. And it�s just 12.5 percent alcohol. This is a magnificent dry white wine that can accompany all sorts of foods, from fish such as salmon to white meats such as chicken, pork and veal, as well as the most flavorful cheeses. If you try one new-to-you dry white wine this year, this is the one to get� - $20.00

2. One 2007 local wine Kramer wrote-up was J. CHRISTOPHER WILLAMETTE VALLEY PINOT NOIR (and we sold many cases on my recommendation). He has now recommended the 2008, as I do. This is what Kramer said: �Readers will recall prior recommendations of wines from the small Oregon winery called J. Christopher. The reason is simple: owner-winemaker Jay Somers is easily one of Oregon's best winemakers. Not only do his wines deliver a higher level of quality than much of his competition, but Somers also chooses to sell them at more reasonable prices than many. It�s a compelling combination. The (Oregon) 2008 vintage was a standout, especially for the pinot noirs. The proof is in the tasting. When you try J. Christopher Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2008 you�ll agree that 2008 is a remarkable vintage. A blend of four Willamette Valley vineyards (Bella Vida, La Colina, Croft and Charlie�s ), this is a dense, concentrated pinot noir of real character and ideal balance between fruit and acidity.� - $23.50

3. Kramer is also very good at spotting the better wines from fast growing areas such as Chile, Argentina, and the �New� Spain. We will taste one of his, and my, CHILEAN picks, PALO ALTO RESERVE CHILE, MAULE VALLEY, 2008. These are Kramer�s notes: �Palo Alto is a brand created by Chile�s largest wine producer, Concha y Toro. While most brands are just trading names designed to create an artificial differentiation among otherwise indistinguishable wines in a large winery�s production, Palo Alto seems to be different. A blend of cabernet sauvignon (55 percent), carmen�re (30 percent) and syrah (15 percent), Palo Alto Reserve Chile �Maule Valley� 2008 is an impressively refined red that's more than a little reminiscent of a very good red Bordeaux.� - $11.50

4. Over the last couple of months, it is amazing how many wines I have tasted from the southwest corner of the Rh�ne River that have carried a du GARD or COSTI�RES de NIMES designation. One of the best value, and another Kramer pick, I�ve tasted is the CH�TEAU DE VALCOMBE 2007 TRADITION, COSTI�RES DE NIMES. This what Kramer said: �A good example of just what France can deliver at a stellar price is this red wine. Never heard of Costi�res de Nimes? It�s far from famous. And the name itself is relatively new, dating only to 1989. Previously it was called Costi�res du Gard. Presumably the locals liked the association with the nearby city of Nimes, which boasts the best-preserved ancient Roman coliseum in France. Ch�teau de Valcombe �Tradition� 2007 shows what this district can do. An unusually rich, dense, even succulent red wine composed mostly of syrah (70 percent) with the balance in grenache, it�s surprisingly supple and irresistibly drinkable. This is a drink-now red ideal for just about any meat sizzling from a hot grill. It�s a barbecue red supreme. The price is as first-rate as the wine.� - $12.50

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For this week�s PREMIUM POUR we return to a wine we�ve used in the past, but that is drinking even better now (and our current stock is all that is available):

We go to PIEMONTE in the northwest of ITALY to taste a bargain BAROLO, MONCHIERO�S 2005. This what Kramer said: �Famously long-lived, Barolo is the apotheosis of the nebbiolo grape -- the end of the line, as good as it gets. Classically described as offering intermingled scents and tastes of roses and tar (sounds odd, tastes good), Barolo has changed somewhat in recent decades -- much of it for the better. Where once the wines were too often excessively tannic and sometimes dried-out, today they deliver fresh, precisely defined flavors and more gentle, easy-down-the-gullet tannins. Some producers, inevitably, have taken to using small oak barrels, the better to make Barolo taste "familiar," which is to say like the cabernets and pinot noirs the world is more accustomed to drinking. Monchiero, however, is a small family producer that has remained resolutely traditional. No small oak barrels for them. That said, they have �freshened� their style, creating wines that emphasize fruit purity at no expense of either depth or detail. This is all to the (very) good. When you taste this, be assured that you're tasting the real, true Barolo thing in all of its complexity and unique flavor distinction. Serve this in large glasses with braised oxtails, a good steak or anything hearty and full-flavored; you'll see -- or rather, taste -- what the hoopla is all about. This is a steal for the money -- as well as a benchmark bottling.� - $30.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.50/Taste or 6.00/4 Ounces

On Friday we will also have several other �Matt�s Picks� in stock including the COOPER MOUNTAIN 2008 RESERVE PINOT NOIR $20.00, the TORRE ORIA BRUT NON-VINTAGE CAVA $8.25, and the fabulous ANDR� CLOUET BRUT NATURE CHAMPAGNE $40.00

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, September 18th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open � I�ve yet to decide what. Maybe I should ask Matt Kramer!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

October 15 � Worldwide Syrah
October 22 � USA Cabernet Sauvignon
October 26 Annual Port Tasting
October 29 � California Pinot Noir
November 05 - Bordeaux

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, October 8th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES FROM SPAIN

CHEESE PLATE
To go with our Spanish wines, we had to have Spanish cheese. We offer the following selection:
Mah�n Cow�s Milk Menorca
From the Mediterranean island of Menorca, this is my favorite Spanish cheese, mainly because it seems to go well with Burgundy � I�m sure it will go well with Tempranillo. The cheese has a salty tang on the finish.
Ib�rico Cow/Goat/Sheep�s Milk Central Plains
Over 50% of Spanish cheese production is from a blend of milks, and this cheese�s name comes from a style of cheese produced all over the Iberian peninsular. This one comes from the Central Plains and shows mild acid from cow�s milk, the deeper flavor of sheep�s milk, and the finishing tang of goat�s milk. In theory this should be the best match to Tempranillo.
Manchego Sheep�s Milk La Mancha
From the land of Don Quixote, this is probably Spain�s most famous cheese. It is aged in grass molds for at least two months, giving it after notes of dry hay. A great match to many wines from dry sherry to rich reds.
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $3.00

SPAIN basically has two wine industries � the �Traditional�, and the �New World�, and so this week we are showing you both. We will "visit" 6 different DENOMINAC�ON de ORIGEN (DO).

1. We start with a traditional wine, the LAN 2005 RIOJA RESERVA. This is a TEMPRANILLO-based wine (it has small amounts of MAZUELO and GARNACHA) aged in AMERICAN OAK, which is �Old World Rioja�. As a Brit, this sort of wine was our "training wheels" � we could not afford French! Pauline and I have a soft-spot for this winery as back in the 1970s we drank a lot of it and in 1991 we visited the winery. As always, the wines are fabulous value - $18.50

2. Next up is the MONTSANT DO, a region that surrounds PRIORAT DO in CATALONIA, and is often considered as a �poor man�s Priorat�. We will taste the ELS GUIAMETS 2006 ISIS from a co-operative founded in 1913 and is a blend of GARNACHA, CARI�ENA and a little SYRAH. At a recent trade tasting I thought this wine was outstanding, offering lots of elegant black fruit, some oak and spice, and a long, complex finish - $22.50

3. We continue our journey around Spain with a visit to the VALENCIA DO, a part of LEVANTE which is an area on the Mediterranean coast south of CATALONIA. BODEGAS ARANLE�N was founded in 1927 but was reborn in 2000 when it was purchased by a group who brought a more modern view and a commitment to organic agriculture. We offer their 2007 BLES VINO ECOLOGICO which is a blend of 80% OLD VINE MONASTRELL and BOBAL and 20% younger CABERNET SAUVIGNON. This wine is spectacular value, offering a lush mid-palate that has a subtle gaminess, and then the CABERNET shows through on the finish - $10.50

4. We now move to the CALATAYUD DO which is part of ARAGON in the northeast of Spain near the border with France. The BODEGAS SAN ISIDRO 2009 FABLA OLD VINE GRENACHE (GARNACHA) is a classic example of a pure version of the grape. It was fermented in concrete tanks and aged in stainless steel. It offers lots of black raspberry fruit and has a complex, long finish. It makes one wonder �How do you get this complexity without oak?� - $12.50

5. Our final stop is the JUMILLA DO which is in the LEVANTE area and just to the west of the coastal town of ALICANTE. We offer the TARIMA 2009 MONASTRELL. This wine has a lot of weight, but is relatively soft, offering lots of slightly spicy, black fruit. Amazing value - $10.00

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

This week we offer an EXTRA POUR, a fantastic SHERRY:

The wines of JEREZ (SHERRY is the English bastardization of the name) are some of the greatest wine values in the world, but are not understood by people who have not been to Tapas Bars in Spain, or have just suffered the �Sherries� produced in some areas other than Andalusia. We offer the VALDESPINO �CONTRABANDISTA� AMONTILLADO. This is a NV off-dry AMONTILLADO with an average age of the wines being over 16 years. This Sherry could be used as an aperitif, or to accompany meat and game dishes - $33.50

TRY THIS FOR $2.00/1 Ounce or $3.50/2 Ounces or $7.00/4 ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, October 9th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual, we will have something interesting open.

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

October 22 � USA Cabernet Sauvignon
October 26 Annual Port Tasting
October 29 � California Pinot Noir
November 05 � Bordeaux
November 12 � Wines from the Gorge

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, October 15th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WORLDWIDE SYRAH

CHEESE PLATE
I searched the web to find cheese matches with SYRAH, and this is the result:
Raclette Cow�s Milk France
This is a Swiss or French alpine cheese with a nutty flavor and silky, smooth texture. Slightly softer than the more characteristic Alpage cheeses, it is a close cousin to Morbier in France and Appenzeller in Switzerland. Our Raclette is a raw milk cheese from the French Alps.
Double Gloucester Cow�s Milk England
This is a traditional English cheddar-style cheese from Gloucestershire with a bright, eggy, and somewhat sharp flavor. Double Gloucester has the honor and distinction of being used each spring for the Cooper�s Hill Cheese Rolling and Wake on Gloucestershire�s Cooper's Hill, which consists of competitors chasing a wheel of Double Gloucester down an uneven hillside. The competitors are expected to catch the wheel of cheese, but, with speeds in excess of 70mph, this is virtually impossible. What a waste of good cheese!
Extra Sharp Cheddar Cow�s Milk Canada
In past tastings, this has been the favorite Cheddar.
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $4.00

SYRAH has so many styles that our �Worldwide Syrahs� have been successful tastings � until people taste a SYRAH they do not know what they are getting. Is it a fruit bomb as many wines from �down under� are, or does it have that leathery, earthy, content of the Northern Rh�ne?

1. We start with a wine from ARGENTINA. At our last two similar tastings it was a CHILE wine that was the winner. Will the GOUGUENHEIM 2008 SYRAH be as successful? The wine, from the VALLE ESCONDIDO of the MENDOZA region, is similar to its CHILEAN counterpart in that it combines Northern Rh�ne elements of smoky bacon fat and leather with the forward fruit of a West Coast Syrah. This wines offers incredible value - $10.50

2. Next up is the origin � FRANCE. GUILHELM DURAND has been making lovely wines in the LANGUEDOC for many years. We offer his DOMAINE LA BASTIDE 2008 SYRAH VIN de PAYS d'HAUTERIVE LES GEN�TS. This is 100% SYRAH from 35+ year old vines grown in soils that are very similar to those of Chateauneuf�du-Pape strewn with quartz stones and pebbles and harvested at a modest 40 hl/ha. The wine offers good concentration with notes of blackberry, briery spice and some white pepper. This wine gives you the impression of a �junior� HERMITAGE and has much more style than most domestic versions twice the price - $12.00

3. We now go to the USA and our neighbors to the south, CALIFORNIA. Until a few weeks ago I�d never heard of BAILEYANA WINERY. However when I tasted their 2006 EDNA VALLEY SYRAH, it got my attention. While somewhat more powerful and intense than my European palate normally prefers, the intense fruit of blackberries and black currants is balanced by leather and pepper, with a bacon spiciness. Finally, the acidity and tannins give the wine great structure. The wine was rated �Outstanding� by the Wine Enthusiast - $19.75

4. Our final stop is an OREGON/WASHINGTON joint venture � an OREGON winery but COLUMBIA VALLEY fruit. ZERBA CELLARS is based in MILTON FREEWATER which is in the WALLA WALLA AVA, but is in OREGON. I�ve always liked their 2006 SYRAH, and it is now drinking fabulously � lots of bold fruit, but some of the subtleties of France. If there is any wine that is so much better than on release, this is it. The wine contains 4% GRENACHE and 1% MOURV�DRE - $30.00

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go back to FRANCE:

The SYRAHS from the NORTHERN RH�NE can be very expensive, but the SAINT JOSEPH Appellation offers some bargains � and some mediocre wines. DOMAINE FAURY�s wines are not inexpensive, but they are one of the leaders of quality wines from the Appellation. The 2007 VIEILLES VIGNES offers oodles of black raspberry and black cherry fruit together with that earthy quality of the region. The touches of white pepper on the finish make this a �killer wine� � if the wine said HERMITAGE on the label it would be over twice the price - $37.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $4.00/Taste or $7.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, October 16th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual, we will have something interesting open.

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

October 26 Annual Port Tasting
October 29 � California Pinot Noir
November 05 � Bordeaux
November 12 � Wines from the Gorge
November 19 � Wines for Thanksgiving
November 26 � USA Wines other than Oregon

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, October 22nd
4:30 - 7:00pm

WEST COAST CABERNET SAUVIGNON

CHEESE PLATE
Unfortunately, on the west side of town cheese choice is getting less and less � Whole Paycheck and Trader Joe�s are carrying fewer choices, but Freddy�s at 158/Walker seem to be expanding. In the end I could not get all the cheeses my favorite website recommended for Cabernet Sauvignon, but we got close.
Wensleydale Cow�s Milk YORKSHIRE!
As a Yorkshireman, I believe this cheese (of Wallace & Grommet fame) is the best in the world. Unfortunately the only current source I found was QFC whose price was higher than even Whole Paycheck, who say they will have no Wensleydale before December.
Gouda Cow�s Milk Holland
This mild cheese is a great background for many wines. This one is from Whole Paycheck, so is a little higher quality than some other �supermarket versions�.
Ford Farm Dorset Red Cow�s Milk Dorset, England
This is a smoked cheese made from the rich, creamy milk sourced from cows that graze the lush pastures of Ford Farm in west Dorset. The cheese is encased in a rich red rind that gradually develops as it is smoked over oak chippings.
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

1. We start with a wine from WASHINGTON. One of our local distributors, VINUM, has had BUNNELL FAMILY CELLARS make a CABERNET SAUVIGNON just for them. The gaVin 2008 CABERNET SAUVIGNON COLUMBIA VALLEY is amazing value. It offers lots of basic cassis fruit, some touches of oak, and what seems like a touch of Cabernet Franc on the finish - $10.00

2. Next up is CALIFORNIA. A year ago we poured the 2005 from MADDELANA and it was a big hit. This week we offer the MADDALENA 2006 PASO ROBLES. It is 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON that was aged in a mix of American and French oak barrels, of which about 35% were new. It is classic CABERNET SAUVIGNON offering lots of cassis, some wood influences, but more importantly, great balance and length. Great Value - $16.00

3. We stay in CALIFORNIA to taste a wine from a �traditional� producer. RAYMOND, founded in 1971, have been producing classic NAPA VALLEY wines since their first vintage in 1974. We offer their 2007 CABERNET SAUVIGNON RESERVE SELECTION. The CABERNET SAUVIGNON was blended with 5% CABERNET FRANC and 5% MERLOT, and the wine was aged for 18 months in French Oak barrels of which 30% were new. The aromas of the wine are very complex, offering a mix of berries with touches of clove and white pepper. The palate is more NAPA with intense blackberry and cassis fruit, and the finish shows �Bordeaux� touches of tobacco and spice - $30.00

4. Our final stop is an OREGON/WASHINGTON joint venture � an OREGON winery that uses fruit from WASHINGTON as well as OREGON. ZERBA CELLARS is in the WALLA WALLA AVA but is located in MILTON-FREEWATER, OREGON. They make a range of very good wines, but the CABERNET SAUVIGNON has always been my favorite and we will taste the 2006. This wine is a blend of 85% CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 10% MERLOT and 5% CABERNET FRANC with the fruit sourced from several vineyards in the rocky floodplain of the WALLA WALLA river. This wine, not quite as big on the palate as earlier vintages, has a nose offering blackcurrant and dark plums, together with hints of leather and smoky oak - $30.00

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go back to CALIFORNIA and the NAPA VALLEY:

We offer the SHAFER 2006 CABERNET SAUVIGNON �ONE POINT FIVE�. John Shafer and his son Doug own what is considered by many to be a �First Growth� of the Napa Valley. Their HILLSIDE SELECT is legendary. Pauline and I had the pleasure of meeting John and Doug in 1985 before they became famous � their 1982 Reserve Cabernet (which became the Hillside Select) was all of $12.50/bottle!

The ONE POINT FIVE is a STAGS LEAP DISTRICT wine from two vineyard sites, the HILLSIDE ESTATE VINEYARD and BORDERLINE VINEYARD that is about two miles south of the winery. There is 1% PETIT VERDOT in the wine, and it was aged in 75% new oak and 25% one-year oak barrels. The name comes from the fact it is the result of One Point Five generations. The local distributor is offering a deal on 2006 wines as the winery wants them to take more of the 2007. This wine was $53.00 wholesale, but we can offer it for - $52.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $6.00/Taste or $10.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, October 23rd
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual, we will have something interesting open.

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.
Wednesday, December 22 � Christmas Treats
(5-8PM)
Thursday, December 30 � Zinfandel
(5-8PM)
Friday, January 7 � South/Southwest of France
(4:30-7PM)

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, December 17th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES FROM SOUTH AMERICA

CHEESE PLATE
As we are offering a wide variation of wine, we offer a varied selection of cheese.
Sharp Cheddar Cow�s Milk New Zealand
One of our most popular Cheddars
Iberico Sheep/Cow/Goat�s Milk Spain
We could not find any S. American cheese, so thought an �invader� cheese was near enough!
Gruy�re/Cheddar M�lange Cow�s Milk California
I�d never heard of such a combination, so had to try it!
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $3.00

1. We start with a white, the ALAMOS 2009 CHARDONNAY from MENDOZA, ARGENTINA. This is an operation owned by CATENA, one of the country�s great producers. This wine has some weight and is lightly oaked. What I like is the balance � and the reduced price this month! - $9.50

2. We stay in ARGENTINA for our first red. GOUGUENHEIM�S SYRAH was a big hit at our last Syrah-from-around-the-World tasting, and we now offer their 2009 BONARDA/SYRAH blend. This wine from the VALLE ESCONDIDO region of MENDOZA is almost GRENACHE-like with bright black raspberry fruit and touches of white pepper similar to wines from the Rh�ne Valley - $10.00

3. CARM�N�RE can be considered the �signature red� of CHILE, and for many years was often �field blended� by mistake with MERLOT until the Chileans discovered it was a different grape. Originally from BORDEAUX, the varietal all but disappeared from FRANCE after the phylloxera epidemic in the 19th century. We will sample the CHONO 2007 RESERVA from grapes grown on the alluvial plains of the MAIPO VALLEY, a high-altitude region in the shadow of the Andes. Grapes are handpicked, and 60 percent of the wine is aged for 10 months in French oak barrels. The wine is lush and round on the palate, with plenty of baking spice and touches of tobacco in its aromas. It is wonderfully supple and ripe, which this grape needs. I love the mouth feel and length - $12.50

4. We stay in CHILE for ROOTS 1 2008 CABERNET SAUVIGNON from the COLCHAGUA VALLEY. This is an obviously CHILEAN wine, showing more BORDEAUX nuances than the rich fruit of, say, a NAPA VALLEY wine. I found it amazingly complex, with an almost Merlot-like touch of chocolate on the finish - $11.00

5. Back to ARGENTINA and its signature grape, MALBEC. LLAMA OLD VINE MALBEC has been a big seller (despite its �critter� label) in the 2007 vintage, and we now offer the next vintage, the 2008. From the ALTO AGRELO VALLEY in the MENDOZA sub-region of LUJAN de CUYO, this is a complex MALBEC, offering lots of bold fruit coupled with nuances you would expect in a more expensive wine. Unfortunately the popularity of the 2007 has driven-up the price of the 2008. However it is still wonderful value - $14.50

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $8.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we return to CHILE:

CONCHA y TORO is a producer of wines from the lowest supermarket price points to incredible wines at incredibly high prices. Their flagship is the DON MELCHOR CABERNET SAUVIGNON from the MAIPO VALLEY. This wine used to be highly allocated and was all pre-sold before release. As a sign of the times, the 2006 is available to all. I have not tasted this vintage, but the Wine Advocate gave it 95 saying, �The 2006 Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon is a glass-coating opaque purple with an alluring bouquet of toast, tobacco, cedar, leather, mocha, and blackcurrant. Sweet, voluptuous (but not in a fruit bomb kind of way), layered, and complex already, its superb balance will ensure at least a decade of evolution and it should drink well through 2036. Drink 2009 � 2036� - $79.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $8.00/Taste or $16.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, December 18th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

I love some of the blends coming out of PIEMONTE. We will offer the TINTERO NV ROSSO which is a blend of BARBERA, DOLCHETTO and NEBBIOLO. This is a wine made for importer KERMIT LYNCH. It offers lots of BARBERA-like fruit up front, and the NEBBIOLO is unmistakable on the finish. A wonderful wine to go with almost any food from white meat to strong cheeses - $11.50

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

CHRISTMAS TREATS TASTING

WEDNESDAY, December 22nd
5:00 - 8:00pm

As our customers were evenly split on Wednesday vs. Thursday, we have opted for Wednesday 22nd for our pre-Christmas tasting. It turns out to be the same date we used last year. We offer five higher-priced wines. The wines are priced individually by the taste and 4 ounce glass, with a discount if you taste all five.

PAULINE will be offering some of her fabulous MINCE PIES on a first come, first served, basis.

In the Mother Country when we were kids (OK, we know that was a long time ago!), mince pies and Cheddar Cheese were a traditional partnership, and so we will offer some ENGLISH CHEDDAR CHEESE � again, while supply lasts!

THE TREATS
(subject to change because of sales over the next couple of days)

1. We start with a white from ALSACE, CHARLES SCHLERET 2005 PINOT BLANC �HERRENWEG�. This is like no other ALSACE PINOT BLANC I�ve tasted before, and the 2005 is the current release. It is rich and round on the palate, and then the back palate and finish have wonderful mineral accents. Not inexpensive for a PINOT BLANC, but nevertheless, great value - $24.00
$3.00/taste, $5.00/four ounces

2. Next up is BURGUNDY and DOMAINE PAVELOT 2008 SAVIGNY-les-BEAUNE 1er CRU �LES NARBANTONS�. About 20 years ago SAVIGNY-les-BEAUNE was one of the bargain villages of the C�TE du BEAUNE, but unfortunately, it was discovered. LES NARBANTONS is my favorite vineyard in the village, and this is a wonderful, if somewhat young, example from this lovely vineyard. At a trade tasting in August of about 60 BURGUNDIES (someone has to do it!), this was a standout when you took price into consideration - $48.75
$5.50/taste, $10.00/four ounces

3. What is a �Treats Tasting� without a CH�TEAUNEUF-du-PAPE? From the great 2007 vintage we offer DOMAINE La ROQU�TE. While I�ve found a few 2007s to be almost too fruity, this is a profound CDP that still needs a little cellar time to show its best. Owned and run by FR�D�RIC et DANIEL BRUNIER since the mid-1980s, the vineyards are planted to 70% GRENACHE, 20% SYRAH and 10% MOURV�DRE. My tasting of this vintage seems to say there is a little more than 10% MOURV�DRE in the blend - $42.50
$4.50/taste, $8.50/four ounces

4. We now move to ITALY and the NUMBER ONE wine in this year�s Wine Enthusiast �Enthusiast Top 100 Wines�. RENATO RATTI has been a producer of excellent BAROLOS at modest cost for some years. We will sample the 2006 �MARCENASCO�. This is what the Wine Enthusiast said: �Dark in color with a modern style and velvety extraction, the gorgeous Marcenasco espression of Barolo is redolent of blackberries, cherries, spice, leather and tobacco. The finish is long and elegant but not without power and determination. The wine will cellar for 10 years plus.� I�ve not tasted this wine and so I�m looking forward to doing so! - $49.75
$5.50/taste, $10.00/four ounce

5. We stay in ITALY for our final wine. AGLIANICO was an unknown grape on these shores until MASTROBERARDINO brought his TAURASI to the USA. These wines are grown on volcanic soils to the east of Mt. Vesuvio in CAMPANIA. We offer his 2004 �RADICI�. It has AGLIANICO�s trademark nose of cigar boxes and leather, offset by an almost sweet taste of black cherries and black currants. At six years of age it is just beginning to shed its original noticeable tannins - $58.50
$6.50/taste, $12.00/four ounces

TRY ALL FIVE WINES FOR $22.50
(a $2.50 discount)

A MERRY, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL. MANY THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT IN THESE �CHALLENGING� ECONOMIC TIMES!

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com

CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

August 06 � Worldwide Cabernet Sauvignon
August 13 � Abacela vs. Spanish �Originals�
August 20 � German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 � Wines from the Rh�ne Valley

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, July 30th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES FROM MEDITERRANEAN ISLANDS

CHEESE PLATE
We tried to find cheese from the Islands and we made it, but not necessarily from the same islands as the wines!
Mah�n Cow�s Milk Menorca
From the Mediterranean island of Menorca, this is my favorite Spanish cheese, mainly because it seems to go well with Burgundy � I�m sure it will go well with this week�s wines. The cheese has a salty tang on the finish.
Brigante Sheep�s Milk Sardinia
This sheep�s milk cheese comes from around the town of Thiesi in the north of the island. It is often called Dolce Sardo because of the sweetness of the local ewes� milk.
Halloumi Sheep�s Milk Cyprus
This is a similar cheese to Saganaki, the Greek �Flaming Cheese�, and is wonderful grilled. However it is interesting sliced in a salad.
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

At this time of the year, with the temperature going up in Oregon, lets �fly� to where breezes moderate temperatures and make life wonderful � the Islands of the Mediterranean.

1. We start on SANTORINI, that wonderful Greek island. The combination of heat plus strong winds makes for interesting wine growing conditions. ASSYRTIKO is the major white varietal, and its origin is unknown. Some think it is native to SANTORINI, or it may have arrived on the island with the Phoenicians after the volcanic eruptions of 1640 � 1620 BC. We offer this grape blended with ATHIRI in the SIGALAS 2008 SANTORINI WHITE It offers classic flowery, almost honeysuckle nose and then an underlying mineral acidity. Wonderful with kalamar�kia, either grilled or fried - $20.00
(We also have their 100% ASSYRTIKO at $24.00 and the oaked version at $28.75)

2. Next up is SARDEGNA (aka Sardinia), the Italian island to the west of LAZIO and CAMPANIA. ARGIOLAS is one of the top value/quality producers on the island and we offer their 2007 PERDERA which is a blend of the two local grapes MONICA (90%) and BOVALE di SARDO (5%) together with CARIGNAN (5%). A Matt Kramer recommendation, this wine is rated between 89 and 92 in major magazines. The wine is full-flavored and a little rustic, but offers lots of intense berry fruit - $14.50

3. We move back to SANTORINI for a RED. This island is usually thought of as a white wine producer (and Vin Santo), but ARGYROS also produces a lovely red (the first red from this island we have carried). ATLANTIS RED is a blend of 90% MANDILARIA and 10% MAVROTRAGANO. The former is a major red grape on CRETE and RHODOS (where it is known as AMORYANO). The wine is medium-full bodied with fine tannins, complex aromas of red fruit, with hints of prune and leather - $20.00

4. Moving further west we visit SPAIN�S BALEAR�C ISLANDS, and in particular the island of MALLORCA. This is one of the great �package vacation� islands for northern Europeans (Pauline and I were there in 1970s and I�m sure we would find it over-developed now). It is also home to some old wine regions. The Romans are thought to have brought viticulture to the island in about 123 AD. The industry has waxed and waned over the centuries and the modern industry dates from the 1980s. There are two Denominaci�n de Origins on the island, BINISS�LLEM-MALLORCA and PLA i LLEVANT. We will taste a wine from the former DO, the VINS NADAL 2008 ALBA FLOR TINTO. No, this wine does not taste like a used tennis ball, but is an interesting blend of the local varietal MANTO**** (75%) and 14% CABERNET SAUVIGNON and 11% MERLOT. The wine offers aromas of cherry and raspberry, and the palate is fruity with a mineral background. It is outstanding value - $14.50

5. Our final wine of the main flight comes from SICILIA. BENANTI is a producer that specializes with local varietals. We offer its 2006 ROSSODIVERZELLA (the current release) which is a blend of 80% NERELLO MASCALESE and 20% NERELLO CAPUCCIO. I�ve always liked this wine and this vintage is probably the best yet. The wine offers lots of ****y black fruit, together with something extra from the grapes being grown on the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna (at about 2500ft elevation). Not your �run-of-the-mill� red wine - $17.50
(We have a couple of bottles of the 2002 available at $16.50)

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

Our PREMIUM POUR also comes from SICILIA:

TENUTA della TERRE NERE is a property of MARC de GRAZIA, a Florentine who is very much involved with importing terrific Italian wines into the USA. The 2005 CALDERARA SOTTANA is a wine produced from grapes grown at about 800 metres on the NE slopes of Mount Etna. The wine carries an IGT ETNA ROSSO designation and is a blend of 98% NERELLO MASCALESE and 2% NERELLO CAPPUCCIO, two �native� grapes. I would not have guessed this wine, a regular winner of Due Bichieri in Gambero Rosso, came from SICILIA. The wine has the texture of a very good Burgundy, and offers lots of earthy, black fruit. If this wine came from anywhere other than SICILIA, it would cost much more! - $24.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.00/Taste or $5.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, July 31st
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. We are planning:

For the current warm weather, what is more refreshing than an un-oaked SAUVIGNON BLANC? We will pour LA PLAYA 2009 from CHILE�s COLCHAQUA VALLEY - $8.25

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com
CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

August 13 � Abacela vs. Spanish �Originals�
August 20 � German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 � Wines from the Rh�ne Valley
September 03 - Zinfandel

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 6th
4:30 - 7:00pm

CABERNET SAUVIGNON from around the WORLD

CHEESE PLATE
To go with Cabernet Sauvignon we offer a selection of cow�s milk Cheddar cheese. These cheeses always form a good backdrop for red wines.
Sharp Aged 6-9 months New Zealand
Coastal Aged 15 months Dorset, England
Extra, Extra Sharp Aged 18 months New York
SAMPLER PLATE $3.00

CABERNET SAUVIGNON could be considered the signature grape of the NAPA VALLEY, and it seems to be grown all over the world. Let�s taste the diversity with wines from five countries and two different zones of one of the countries. I find it very difficult to suggest a tasting order, and so I�m taking the easy way out and listing them in price order.

1. We start in ARGENTINA and the enormous wine region of MENDOZA. TRUMPETER is the �entry-level� label of RUTINI, and its 2007 CABERNET SAUVIGNON is stunning value. I believe it is 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON, and it offers pure cassis fruit with subtle touches of oak - $8.00

2. Now we jump over the Andes to CHILE. There are many wonderful value producers in this country of great scenery and wonderful people, but I�m beginning to think it is hard to beat CHONO for quality vs. price. Their Syrah has been the winner in our last two �Syrah from around the World� tastings, and the Carmin�re is also wonderful. We offer the 2008 CABERNET SAUVIGNON from the MAIPO VALLEY. Like most CABERNET SAUVIGNONS from this country, the wine is more BORDEAUX in style than, say, WALLA WALLA style - $12.50

3. I consider BORDEAUX as the home of CABERNET SAUVIGNON, but there it is usually blended with other grapes, although some Ch�teaux approach 100% in some years, and n�gotiants bottle 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON wines. The LANGUEDOC is a source of 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNONS, and we offer LES TRAVERSES de FONTANES 2007 VIN de PAYS d�OC. This is an estate-produced wine imported by Kermit Lynch, and is more elegant and complex than one would expect from this area - $14.25

4. What would a CABERNET SAUVIGNON tasting be without something from CALIFORNIA? We will taste the GOYETTE 2007 NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON. I�m sure most of you are saying �Who is Goyette?� BOB GOYETTE was the founder of LA CREMA and then moved on to other wineries. I tasted this wine at a trade tasting and thought it was great value for NAPA VALLEY. This is Bob�s philosophy: �I keep one eye on the successful traditions of Europe, and the other closely attuned to the grapes at hand. Using my own palate as a spring-board, I determine if the wines are really appealing to drink, rather than just done in a proper manner. I keep trying to work towards the best syntheses of the New & Old World traditions, while intuitively striving for wines that appeal to connoisseurs as well as people that just like wine. To me, it's all about balance and about listening.� - $18.75

5. We return to Europe and the PENED�S region of SPAIN. MIGUEL TORRES was just about the first to plant CABERNET SAUVIGNON in the area in the 1960s, and the TORRES winery now bottles 100% CABERNET wines, together with wines where the grape is blended with TEMPRANILLO. We offer one of the latter in the form of the GRAN CORONAS 2005 RESERVA. This is a blend of 85% CABERNET SAUVIGNON and 15% TEMPRANILLO (aka ULL de LIEBRE in Catalonia), and, in the Spanish tradition, has spent a considerable time in oak. Lush and elegant, the wine shows cassis from the CABERNET, and this is intermingled with coffee bean, licorice and vanillans - $19.25

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

Our PREMIUM POUR comes from our neighbors to the north, WASHINGTON:

STEPHENSON CELLARS was a new producer to me until a couple of weeks ago. They are in WALLA WALLA but their 2006 CABERNET SAUVIGNON carries a WASHINGTON Appellation as it is a blend from three vineyards � WINDY RIDGE in HORSE HEAVEN HILLS, WOODEN ISLAND on the banks of the COLUMBIA RIVER, and INLAND DESERT in BENTON CITY. The wine shows aromas of blueberry, cassis and cedar; the palate has cassis and plum with some Bordeaux-like influences - $33.00
*With apologies to Sideways, we also have their excellent MERLOT!*

TRY THIS WINE FOR $4.00/Taste or $7.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 7th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. We are planning:

NANTAIS, the western end of the LOIRE VALLEY, is best known for MUSCADET, which is made from the MELON de BOURGOGNE grape. However there is another white grape in the area, GROS PLANT (aka FOLLE BLANCHE), which normally does not have too much charm, being very acidic. The DOMAINE de l�AIGUILLETTE 2009 GROS PLANT is lovely � although very dry, it has great fruit upfront. It is much better than most inexpensive MUSCADET - $9.25

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I’ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on “Site Index” and then “Electronic Newsletter”. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click “Remove”. Thank you.

August 20 – German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 – Wines from the Rhône Valley
September 03 – Zinfandel
September 10 – Burgundy

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 13th
4:30 - 7:00pm

ABACELA vs. SPANISH “ORIGINALS”

CHEESE PLATE
To go with our Spanish wines and Abacela wines from Spanish grapes, we offer a selection of Spanish cheese:
Ibérico Cow/Goat/Sheep’s Milk Central Plains
Over 50% of Spanish cheese production is from a blend of milks, and this cheese’s name comes from a style of cheese produced all over the Iberian peninsular. This one comes from the Central Plains and shows mild acid from cow’s milk, the deeper flavor of sheep’s milk, and the finishing tang of goat’s milk. In theory this should be the best match to Tempranillo.
Campo de Montalbán Cow/Goat/Sheep’s Milk La Mancha
This cheese resembles Manchego in texture and appearance, and until 1985 it was in fact considered a Manchego. Campo de Montalbán is distinguished by its three milk blend, while Manchego contains only sheep's milk. The flavor is also similar to Manchego. However, as with Ibérico, the characters of all three milks are noticeable in Campo de Montalbán.
Manchego Sheep’s Milk La Mancha
From the land of Don Quixote, this is probably Spain’s most famous cheese. It is aged in grass molds for at least two months, giving it after notes of dry hay. A great match to many wines from dry sherry to rich reds.
SAMPLER PLATE $4.00

I always admire winery owners who have a vision to do something different, and succeed in making good wines that are interesting and start new trends. Earl and Hilda Jones, who founded ABACELA, had a belief that an area near Roseburg would be ideal for several Spanish varietals. Their wines are very good, and we’ve seen a mini-explosion of TEMPRANILLO in Oregon. All their wines are quality wines, and they are using only Estate fruit, or fruit from vineyards they manage. The Claret is being discontinued, as they do not grow Cabernet Sauvignon.

Last month, on our way to Ashland, Pauline and I visited ABACELA and had a great time. Linda, in charge of the tasting room, was charming and knowledgeable - and very generous with her pours. The current Tasting Room is small, and must become “cozy” on a busy weekend. An expanded winery and tasting room is under construction. If you have not visited this winery, plan to do so.


We had a picnic lunch at the winery:


Pauline contemplates world distances:


For this tasting we will compare two wines made from three Spanish varietals – one from Spain and one made from ABACELA.

Our first grape is ALBARIÑO:

1. From ABACELA we will taste their 2009 UMPQUA VALLEY. I watched the development of this grape at ABACELA and thought the 2008 was good, but the 2009 hit the mark, offering a wine as complex as its Spanish ancestors, and very competitive in price. It is the first vintage we have carried in the shop - $18.50

2. Most SPANISH ALBARINOS I really enjoy are north of $20.00/bottle, but I found one at <$20 for this tasting. BODEGAS LA CANA is a joint venture of the GIL FAMILY JUMILLA and importer JORGE ORDONEZ. The wine, of course, comes from RIAS BAIXAS in GALICIA, and the 2008 was rated “Outstanding” in the Wine Advocate. While not as complex as the great ALBARINOS from DO FERREIRO, the LA CANA is excellent - $18.00
(We have the 2007 DO FERREIRO in stock at $24.00)

The Second Grape is TEMPRANILLO, the grape that made ABACELA’S name:

3. We wanted to pour ABACELA’s 2007 McCORQUODALE VINEYARD which we tasted at the winery, but it appears this limited wine is “tasting room only” for the time being. This is their neighbor and they manage the vineyard. Instead we offer the 2007 CUVÉE which is a blend of 85% ESTATE FRUIT with the rest coming from the McCORQUODALE and DEFINO VINEYARDS. I was not fond of the early CUVÉE releases, but as the vines achieved some age, this wine is the bargain TEMPRANILLO from this producer - $20.00
(We also have the 2006 ESTATE at $36.00)

4. From SPAIN we offer IZARDI 2005 CRIANZA. This wine is 100% TEMPRANILLO from the RIOJA region, and was aged in American oak barrels. While very traditional in the use of American oak, this wine is much more fruit forward for traditional RIOJA, and I thought would be a good comparison to ABACELA - $18.00

Our Third Grape is GARNACHA:

While the French may think they “invented” GRENACHE, it appears the grape originates in SPAIN under the name GARNACHA.

5. From ABACELA we will taste their 2008 UMPQUA VALLEY. At the winery, Pauline was a bigger fan of this wine than I was. Maybe it was because it really has a “sense of place”, as it was not Spanish or French – and as a European, I too often tend to compare wines with the “originals”. At the moment my favorite OREGON GRENACHE/GARNACHA is COWHORN’S from the APPLEGATE VALLEY. Let’s find out what our customers think! - $22.50

6. From SPAIN it was difficult to choose what to use, mainly because most of the wines are much cheaper than the ABACELA wine, so we decided to pour a GARNACHA which approaches the ABACELA in price, but is somewhat atypical. JOAN d’ANGUERA has been a family-run winery since 1820 and is now run by a sister and brother team of Joan and Josep. Their 2009 GARNATXA is from MONTSANT. MONTSANT is in Catalonia, hence the spelling of the grape GARNACHA. This is their “entry level” red, and is fermented and aged in concrete tanks. It is one of the purest interpretations of the GARNACHA grape I’ve ever tasted - $19.00

TRY THESE SIX WINES FOR $12.00

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 14th
Noon – 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. As it is supposed to be over 90˚, we are planning:

Red wine drinkers need a great ROSÉ in hot weather. Pauline and I tend to believe the best of these wines come from the SOUTH of FRANCE, but this week I tried what I think is the greatest ROSÉ I’ve tasted from the USA – and it is from OREGON. COWHORN is in SOUTHERN OREGON’S APPLEGATE VALLEY and all their vineyards are biodynamically farmed (Demeter certified). Their 2009 GRENACHE ROSÉ is almost 100% GRENACHE but includes a tiny bit of VIOGNIER. I’d have guessed it was from PROVENCE, and even though not inexpensive for a ROSÉ, I think it is great value - $18.00

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I’ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on “Site Index” and then “Electronic Newsletter”. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click “Remove”. Thank you.

August 27 – Wines from the Rhône Valley
September 03 – Zinfandel
September 10 – Burgundy

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 20th
4:30 - 7:00pm

AUSTRIAN and GERMAN REDS

CHEESE PLATE
We’ve only fond one German cheese so far (other than Limberger), and none from Austria. Hopefully, by Friday, we will have something put together!
SAMPLER PLATE $??.00

We know most of you do not think about red wines when you consider Austria and Germany as these countries are famous mainly for Grüner Veltliner and Riesling whites. However, both countries make some interesting reds, usually from grapes grown in very few other countries. These wines are ideal summer reds, and some are even better when served slightly chilled (not refrigerator temperature, but at about 60˚F). We hope many of you come to try these interesting, but rarely poured, wines.

1. We start in Germany with a grape called DORNFELDER. This a crossing of a crossing between several German varietals, and Jancis Robinson said in her book Vines, Grapes and Wines “Dornfelder demonstrates most eloquently the advantages of the German approach to plant breeding”. We will taste the ANDREAS DIEHL 2009 DORNFELDER from the PFALZ region. This is the sunniest and driest part of Germany, and so should be the best area for red grapes. This DORNFELDER is very fruity in style with a touch of residual sugar. It is an ideal hot weather red. This is a review I found on-line: “Strawberries and cherries are all over the nose, and you can tell that this wine is full of fruit. The wine is sweet on the palate, right out of the gate. However, it’s still clean, and on the lighter side for a sweetish wine. There is a bit of acid, but almost no tannic structure until very, very late on the palate. Dark cherries and strawberries dominate the experience” - $13.50

2. Next up is SPÄTBURGUNDER, aka PINOT NOIR. I’ve tasted some lovely such wines from GERMANY, but the prices are usually too high to make sense. We have carried a few reasonably priced ones from the PFALZ, and this week we offer one from RHEINHESSEN, which is just to the north of the PFALZ. The wine is from the 2007 vintage and is called UNDONE. Produced by the VALCKENBERG GROUP and bottled with a screw cap, the wine is unoaked and unmanipulated – this is the reason for the name as the grapes are “undone” to show their natural charms (just wait until you see the label). K & L Wines of San Francisco say on their web site “It is the fresh, light and juicy wine for those of us who don’t like our Pinot Noir to look and taste like Syrah. The wine is delicate and pure, medium bodied and full of wild strawberry, cherry and raspberry aromas with just a subtle hint of spice in the finish”. It will take a slight chill - $12.50

3. I recently attended an Austrian Trade Tasting and liked most of the wines. However Austrian wines have a price problem in the USA. In fact the country has the highest price per bottle of all European countries who export to the USA. We start with the grape BLAUFRÄNKISCH, which in Germany is often called LEMBERGER. We will taste the NECKENMARKT 2008 CLASSIC “FRANK” from MITTELBURGENLAND. The wine has ripe red-black fruit with a touch of spice and moderate tannins. Someone described it as the wine you would get if you mixed Dolcetto with a Cru Beaujolais – I think she is right! - $16.00

4. We stay in the BURGENLAND and taste a blend from the HEINRICH winery. In a very honest fashion they just call it the 2008 RED. It is a blend of 50% MERLOT, 30% ZWEIGELT and 20% BLAUFRÄNKISCH. On the nose all I could sense was the MERLOT, but this is one of those wines where the nose can be misleading. The palate has lots of spice and a certain earthiness, and the finish is very long. A fascinating wine - $19.50

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we stay with the HEINRICH winery in BURGENLAND:

When Pauline and I did our OKANAGAN trip in 2007 we were surprised by how good the ZWEIGELT from ARROWLEAF winery was as we did not know any North American winery grew this red grape. This week we offer one of the best ZWEIGELTS from AUSTRIA when one takes price into account. ZWEIGELT is a crossing of BLAUFRÄNKISCH and ST-LAURENT. I tried to find a ST-LAURENT for the tasting as this grape is supposed to be a close cousin to PINOT NOIR, but the local distributors do not seem keen on it. This ZWEIGELT has a lovely nose of ripe cherries and violets – almost too good to drink! The palate is much richer with dark fruit and touches of liquorice and chocolate. Fantastic value - $27.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.00/Taste or $5.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 21st
Noon – 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. Despite the cooler weather, I’d love you to try this rosé

Red wine drinkers need a great ROSÉ in the summer. Pauline and I tend to believe the best of these wines come from the SOUTH of FRANCE, but recently I tried what I think is the greatest ROSÉ I’ve tasted from the USA – and it is from OREGON. COWHORN is in SOUTHERN OREGON’S APPLEGATE VALLEY and all their vineyards are biodynamically farmed (Demeter certified). Their 2009 GRENACHE ROSÉ is almost 100% GRENACHE but includes a tiny bit of VIOGNIER. I’d have guessed it was from PROVENCE, and even though not inexpensive for a ROSÉ, I think it is great value - $18.00

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

September 03 � Zinfandel
September 10 � Burgundy
September 17 � The best of Matt Kramer�s 2010 Picks
September 24 � The Crus of Beaujolais

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 27th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES of the RH�NE VALLEY

CHEESE PLATE
We offer a selection of French cheese to go with our French wines.
Fol Epi Cow�s Milk Loire Valley
This creamy cheese is enclosed in a golden-brown rind made from a wheat base -- hence the name �Fol Epi,� which means �wild wheat stalk� in French. It is made in a similar style to Swiss Emmental, providing a nutty taste with a slight wheat flavor.
Raclette Cow�s Milk French Alps
This is a Swiss or French alpine cheese with a nutty flavor and silky, smooth texture. Slightly softer than the more characteristic Alpage cheeses, it is a close cousin to Morbier in France and Appenzeller in Switzerland. Our Raclette is a raw milk cheese from the French Alps.
Tomme de Savoie Cow�s Milk Savoie
This Tomme is a semi-firm cow's milk cheese made in the valley of the Savoie in the French Alps. It has a delightfully nutty flavor and a smooth paste that melts in your mouth. The hard, powdery rind has an earthy aroma and is usually speckled with many types of indigenous and beneficial molds
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

We were encouraged by the turnout to try lesser-known wines at our German/Austrian Red tasting, and so for this Rh�ne tasting we�ve included a couple of wines that are somewhat out-of-the-mainstream for this popular wine region.

1. We start with the 2009 vintage of what was our biggest selling C�TES-du-RH�NE in the 2007 and 2008 vintages. DOMAINE CHAPOTON can trace its origins to 1665 under Louis XIV, and the current generation took over in 1981. The wine is a blend of GRENACHE, SYRAH, MOUV�DRE and CARIGNAN. The wine has intense fruit, some spice, and a touch of classic garrigue. Comments from people who have tasted all three vintages suggest the 2009 is more fruit forward than the others (it was a hotter vintage) - $10.50

2. DOMAINE MONPERTUIS is a CH�TEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE producer, and we offer their 2007 VIGNOBLE de la RAMI�RE which is unusual in that it is 100% COUNOISE, one of the 13 grapes allowed in CDP. There are not many such wines in the world, but Oregon�s Andrew Rich has made one, as has Washington�s McCrae. The wine shows black fruit with a little spice together with meatiness similar to MOURV�DRE. The fruit is grown in the GARD region at the mouth of the Rh�ne - $16.50

3. Our next wine is from a very expensive producer in VACQUEYRAS in the SOUTHERN RH�NE VALLEY. ROUCAS TOUMBA LES GRANDS CHEMINS is basically de-classified VACQUEYRAS, and the producer could call the wine C�TES-du-RH�NE, but he decided on the VIN de TABLE designation. The fruit is from 2007, but I was told that a VIN de TABLE cannot have a vintage date. A blend of GRENACHE, SYRAH and MOURV�DRE, the wine is perfumed, giving you the sense of the herbs of the area; this is followed by chewy, black fruit with a spicy edge, and then a long finish. As a Rh�naholic, I think this wine is sensational value! - $17.25

4. For our final wine of the basic flight we go to CH�TEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE. These days it is hard to find a CDP under $40.00, so when I found this �left-over� 2005 we could sell for $30.00, I jumped at it. This wine, built primarily upon GRENACHE is intensely aromatic, with notes of ground coffee, plum, grenadine and game. The bright Grenache fruit has an intriguing savory, almost salty, quality to it, which is not half as strange as it might sound. It is simply one of the many parts of this in balance, complex wine. If you were talking about pairing this wine with food, nearly any cut of lamb would be wonderful - $30.00

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go to the NORTHERN RH�NE to taste SYRAH:

CROZES HERMITAGE is the �poor cousin� of HERMITAGE. It is a relatively large Appellation, covering an area almost 10 miles long to the north and south of the village of TAIN and HERMITAGE itself. For many years, most wines were pallid in comparison to HERMITAGE. Now some substantial wines are being made, and ALAIN GRAILLOT is considered one of the bright, shining stars of the Appellation. 2004 was a difficult vintage in the area, and I have not tasted the ALAIN GRAILLOT 2004 CROZES HERMITAGE for some time, so let�s see how it is aging. Robert Parker in the Wine Advocate said: �Gregarious Alain Graillot has turned out a 2004 Crozes-Hermitage that presents plenty of olive notes intermixed with some sweet red currant and cherry notes. The acidity of the vintage is relatively apparent in this wine, which is elegant and Burgundian in its texture and aromatics. Drink 2007-2011� - $29.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.50/Taste or $6.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 28th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open:

OREGON�S QUERCUS WINES are below most people�s radar, probably because they make wines under a number of labels. The wines are a project of MICHAEL BECKLEY, and we have carried PINOT NOIR and SYRAH wines he has made (we have some of his CADMUS 2004 PINOT NOIR in stock). We offer his ROCK CREEK CELLARS 2007 OREGON RED WINE. The wine is a blend of CABERNET SAUVIGNON, MERLOT and SYRAH, and offers gobs of black fruit coupled with a nice, spicy, edge - $11.25

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

September 10 � Burgundy
September 17 � The best of Matt Kramer�s 2010 Picks
September 24 � The Crus of Beaujolais
October 01 � Washington Wines

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, September 3rd
4:30 - 7:00pm

ZINFANDEL

CHEESE PLATE
Once again, we rely on our favorite New York cheese shop to recommend cheese for Zinfandel:
Gruy�re Raw Cow�s Milk Switzerland
This is cave-aged Gruy�re � not your average supermarket version. Aged for a significant time, this is a rich, nutty, cheese.
Cantalet Raw Cow�s Milk France
Considered to be the ancestor to British Farmhouse Cheddars, this is a cow's milk cheese from Auvergne, France. It is weighty, moist, creamy, and just subtley sharp, with a very defined sweet and milky quality. As the French took over England in 1066, maybe it is true they created the great English Cheddars. However, didn�t we Brits control the Bordeaux region a few hundred years later? As Pauline and I are Francophiles, I thank the Frogs for anything they did to improve English cuisine.
Campo de Montalban Pasteurized Cow�s/Goat�s/Sheep�s Milk Spain
This cheese resembles Manchego in texture and appearance, and until 1985 it was in fact considered a Manchego. Campo de Montalb�n is distinguished by its three milk blend, while Manchego contains only sheep's milk. The flavor is also similar to Manchego.
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

As most of our regulars know, ZINFANDEL is not one of my favorite grapes, although PAULINE would say �You want to stay married?� However I�ve converted her from blowsy CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAYS to CHABLIS, the greatest expression of CHARDONANY in the world. Her job is to convert me from the RIDGE blends to full-throttle ZINFANDELS. My tasting notes are minimal, as PAULINE says I do not know what I�m talking about.

1. We start in LODI and PEIRANO ESTATE 2008 IMMORTAL OLD VINE ZINFANDEL. I�ve never tasted this wine, but, unbelievably, it is an allocated wine. There is no more of this vintage left other than the case I have. The vines are over 100 years old, hence the IMMORTAL name - $11.50

2. We stay in LODI for CAMPUS OAKS 2007 OLD VINE ZINFANDEL. We used an earlier vintage of this wine a couple of years ago and it was a big hit. I liked the spicy black fruit it offered, but felt a little heat on the finish despite the modest (for ZINFANDEL) 14.5% alcohol - $14.75

3. My favorite ZINFANDEL producer is RIDGE � maybe it is because very few of their wines are 100% ZINFANDEL! We offer the 2008 THREE VALLEYS that, for the first time, cannot be called ZINFANDEL because it is only 74% of the grape! The rest is PETIT SIRAH, CARIGNAN, MATARO, SYRAH and GRENACHE - $22.50

4. For our final wine of the basic flight we go to OREGON to THE PINES VINEYARD and their 2007 ZINFANDEL. The vineyard is in THE DALLES, but the tasting room is in HOOD RIVER. The wine is made from 20 year-old vines that were created from starts from the 100+ year-old vines in the vineyard. For its relatively high alcohol (15.2%), I found the wine food friendly, showing no heat from the alcohol - $28.75

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go to the NAPA VALLEY:

HENDRY is a producer with a range of wines from ALBARI�O to CABERNET SAUVIGNON, but better known for their �single block� ZINFANDELS. We offer the 2006 BLOCK 28 which was aged for fifteen months in French oak barrels, 65% of which were new. Despite its 15.8% alcohol, I felt this was another food-friendly Zinfandel. This is what the winery says: �Aromas include smoky spice, bay, berry, earth, mint and mineral. Dark fruit flavors of blackberries, blueberries and black currant, in an elegant wrapping of spicy and well- integrated oak. The 2006 returns to the familiar broad-shouldered, firm structured, complex and almost Cab-like Hendry Zinfandel style. This wine will continue to soften and gain complexity with age. Block 28 has an affinity for anything rich, braised, or meaty, and would be terrific with a slow-roasted lamb shank rubbed with herbes-de-provence, braised short ribs or a game-based risotto� - $32.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.50/Taste or $6.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, September 4th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open � I�ve yet to decide what! It will depend on forecast temperature nearer the day.

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

September 24 � The Crus of Beaujolais
October 01 � Washington Wines
October 08 � Spain
October 15 � Worldwide Sangiovese
October 22 � Wines from San Juan Winery

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, September 17th
4:30 - 7:00pm

THE BEST OF MATT KRAMER�S 2010 PICKS

CHEESE PLATE
This week, as we have a variety of wines, I decided to go with relatively mild cheeses:
Havarti Cow�s Milk Denmark
Monterey Jack Cow�s Milk California
Goat Cheddar Goat�s Milk Canada
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $2.50

Most of us in the Oregon wine industry have a love-hate relationship with Matt Kramer � recently, it has been mainly hate because of his trashing of the 2007 vintage here in Oregon. The few of you who came to our recent 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir tasting know how good this vintage can be � we sold a lot of wine that night, and on the basis of sales per capita of turn-out, it was one of our best Fridays ever. Despite this Kramer �fault�, I have much respect for his palate. I�m amazed that many of the wines he recommends I�ve already purchased for the shop. At the moment I think he is doing a great job recommending value wines (in all price categories), as well as trying to encourage people to try some thing different � as I do!

We start with a white in that category. Please note most of the following notes are from Matt Kramer in the Sunday Oregonian:

1. HUNGARY�S TOKAJ zone has been famous for centuries for creating extraordinary sweet wines from the local FURMINT grape variety (we have two great ones in stock), but it had absolutely no history of creating a dry white wine from FURMINT until the late-20th-century. We will taste the KIR�LYUDVAR TOKAJI FURMINT SEC 2007. Kramer said, and I agree, ��this is one of the most extraordinary dry white wines you will taste this year, I promise you. Although labeled as furmint, this wine is actually a blend of two indigenous white grapes: furmint (80 percent) and h�rslevelu. Impressively dense, it proffers a striking scent of flowers and minerals with just the barest whiff of honey allied with lemon. Thick-textured, there's a crisp acidity that makes this wine oh-so-drinkable, with that same minerals and flower quality coming through in the taste. And it�s just 12.5 percent alcohol. This is a magnificent dry white wine that can accompany all sorts of foods, from fish such as salmon to white meats such as chicken, pork and veal, as well as the most flavorful cheeses. If you try one new-to-you dry white wine this year, this is the one to get� - $20.00

2. One 2007 local wine Kramer wrote-up was J. CHRISTOPHER WILLAMETTE VALLEY PINOT NOIR (and we sold many cases on my recommendation). He has now recommended the 2008, as I do. This is what Kramer said: �Readers will recall prior recommendations of wines from the small Oregon winery called J. Christopher. The reason is simple: owner-winemaker Jay Somers is easily one of Oregon's best winemakers. Not only do his wines deliver a higher level of quality than much of his competition, but Somers also chooses to sell them at more reasonable prices than many. It�s a compelling combination. The (Oregon) 2008 vintage was a standout, especially for the pinot noirs. The proof is in the tasting. When you try J. Christopher Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2008 you�ll agree that 2008 is a remarkable vintage. A blend of four Willamette Valley vineyards (Bella Vida, La Colina, Croft and Charlie�s ), this is a dense, concentrated pinot noir of real character and ideal balance between fruit and acidity.� - $23.50

3. Kramer is also very good at spotting the better wines from fast growing areas such as Chile, Argentina, and the �New� Spain. We will taste one of his, and my, CHILEAN picks, PALO ALTO RESERVE CHILE, MAULE VALLEY, 2008. These are Kramer�s notes: �Palo Alto is a brand created by Chile�s largest wine producer, Concha y Toro. While most brands are just trading names designed to create an artificial differentiation among otherwise indistinguishable wines in a large winery�s production, Palo Alto seems to be different. A blend of cabernet sauvignon (55 percent), carmen�re (30 percent) and syrah (15 percent), Palo Alto Reserve Chile �Maule Valley� 2008 is an impressively refined red that's more than a little reminiscent of a very good red Bordeaux.� - $11.50

4. Over the last couple of months, it is amazing how many wines I have tasted from the southwest corner of the Rh�ne River that have carried a du GARD or COSTI�RES de NIMES designation. One of the best value, and another Kramer pick, I�ve tasted is the CH�TEAU DE VALCOMBE 2007 TRADITION, COSTI�RES DE NIMES. This what Kramer said: �A good example of just what France can deliver at a stellar price is this red wine. Never heard of Costi�res de Nimes? It�s far from famous. And the name itself is relatively new, dating only to 1989. Previously it was called Costi�res du Gard. Presumably the locals liked the association with the nearby city of Nimes, which boasts the best-preserved ancient Roman coliseum in France. Ch�teau de Valcombe �Tradition� 2007 shows what this district can do. An unusually rich, dense, even succulent red wine composed mostly of syrah (70 percent) with the balance in grenache, it�s surprisingly supple and irresistibly drinkable. This is a drink-now red ideal for just about any meat sizzling from a hot grill. It�s a barbecue red supreme. The price is as first-rate as the wine.� - $12.50

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For this week�s PREMIUM POUR we return to a wine we�ve used in the past, but that is drinking even better now (and our current stock is all that is available):

We go to PIEMONTE in the northwest of ITALY to taste a bargain BAROLO, MONCHIERO�S 2005. This what Kramer said: �Famously long-lived, Barolo is the apotheosis of the nebbiolo grape -- the end of the line, as good as it gets. Classically described as offering intermingled scents and tastes of roses and tar (sounds odd, tastes good), Barolo has changed somewhat in recent decades -- much of it for the better. Where once the wines were too often excessively tannic and sometimes dried-out, today they deliver fresh, precisely defined flavors and more gentle, easy-down-the-gullet tannins. Some producers, inevitably, have taken to using small oak barrels, the better to make Barolo taste "familiar," which is to say like the cabernets and pinot noirs the world is more accustomed to drinking. Monchiero, however, is a small family producer that has remained resolutely traditional. No small oak barrels for them. That said, they have �freshened� their style, creating wines that emphasize fruit purity at no expense of either depth or detail. This is all to the (very) good. When you taste this, be assured that you're tasting the real, true Barolo thing in all of its complexity and unique flavor distinction. Serve this in large glasses with braised oxtails, a good steak or anything hearty and full-flavored; you'll see -- or rather, taste -- what the hoopla is all about. This is a steal for the money -- as well as a benchmark bottling.� - $30.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.50/Taste or 6.00/4 Ounces

On Friday we will also have several other �Matt�s Picks� in stock including the COOPER MOUNTAIN 2008 RESERVE PINOT NOIR $20.00, the TORRE ORIA BRUT NON-VINTAGE CAVA $8.25, and the fabulous ANDR� CLOUET BRUT NATURE CHAMPAGNE $40.00

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, September 18th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open � I�ve yet to decide what. Maybe I should ask Matt Kramer!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

October 15 � Worldwide Syrah
October 22 � USA Cabernet Sauvignon
October 26 Annual Port Tasting
October 29 � California Pinot Noir
November 05 - Bordeaux

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, October 8th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES FROM SPAIN

CHEESE PLATE
To go with our Spanish wines, we had to have Spanish cheese. We offer the following selection:
Mah�n Cow�s Milk Menorca
From the Mediterranean island of Menorca, this is my favorite Spanish cheese, mainly because it seems to go well with Burgundy � I�m sure it will go well with Tempranillo. The cheese has a salty tang on the finish.
Ib�rico Cow/Goat/Sheep�s Milk Central Plains
Over 50% of Spanish cheese production is from a blend of milks, and this cheese�s name comes from a style of cheese produced all over the Iberian peninsular. This one comes from the Central Plains and shows mild acid from cow�s milk, the deeper flavor of sheep�s milk, and the finishing tang of goat�s milk. In theory this should be the best match to Tempranillo.
Manchego Sheep�s Milk La Mancha
From the land of Don Quixote, this is probably Spain�s most famous cheese. It is aged in grass molds for at least two months, giving it after notes of dry hay. A great match to many wines from dry sherry to rich reds.
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $3.00

SPAIN basically has two wine industries � the �Traditional�, and the �New World�, and so this week we are showing you both. We will "visit" 6 different DENOMINAC�ON de ORIGEN (DO).

1. We start with a traditional wine, the LAN 2005 RIOJA RESERVA. This is a TEMPRANILLO-based wine (it has small amounts of MAZUELO and GARNACHA) aged in AMERICAN OAK, which is �Old World Rioja�. As a Brit, this sort of wine was our "training wheels" � we could not afford French! Pauline and I have a soft-spot for this winery as back in the 1970s we drank a lot of it and in 1991 we visited the winery. As always, the wines are fabulous value - $18.50

2. Next up is the MONTSANT DO, a region that surrounds PRIORAT DO in CATALONIA, and is often considered as a �poor man�s Priorat�. We will taste the ELS GUIAMETS 2006 ISIS from a co-operative founded in 1913 and is a blend of GARNACHA, CARI�ENA and a little SYRAH. At a recent trade tasting I thought this wine was outstanding, offering lots of elegant black fruit, some oak and spice, and a long, complex finish - $22.50

3. We continue our journey around Spain with a visit to the VALENCIA DO, a part of LEVANTE which is an area on the Mediterranean coast south of CATALONIA. BODEGAS ARANLE�N was founded in 1927 but was reborn in 2000 when it was purchased by a group who brought a more modern view and a commitment to organic agriculture. We offer their 2007 BLES VINO ECOLOGICO which is a blend of 80% OLD VINE MONASTRELL and BOBAL and 20% younger CABERNET SAUVIGNON. This wine is spectacular value, offering a lush mid-palate that has a subtle gaminess, and then the CABERNET shows through on the finish - $10.50

4. We now move to the CALATAYUD DO which is part of ARAGON in the northeast of Spain near the border with France. The BODEGAS SAN ISIDRO 2009 FABLA OLD VINE GRENACHE (GARNACHA) is a classic example of a pure version of the grape. It was fermented in concrete tanks and aged in stainless steel. It offers lots of black raspberry fruit and has a complex, long finish. It makes one wonder �How do you get this complexity without oak?� - $12.50

5. Our final stop is the JUMILLA DO which is in the LEVANTE area and just to the west of the coastal town of ALICANTE. We offer the TARIMA 2009 MONASTRELL. This wine has a lot of weight, but is relatively soft, offering lots of slightly spicy, black fruit. Amazing value - $10.00

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

This week we offer an EXTRA POUR, a fantastic SHERRY:

The wines of JEREZ (SHERRY is the English bastardization of the name) are some of the greatest wine values in the world, but are not understood by people who have not been to Tapas Bars in Spain, or have just suffered the �Sherries� produced in some areas other than Andalusia. We offer the VALDESPINO �CONTRABANDISTA� AMONTILLADO. This is a NV off-dry AMONTILLADO with an average age of the wines being over 16 years. This Sherry could be used as an aperitif, or to accompany meat and game dishes - $33.50

TRY THIS FOR $2.00/1 Ounce or $3.50/2 Ounces or $7.00/4 ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, October 9th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual, we will have something interesting open.

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

October 22 � USA Cabernet Sauvignon
October 26 Annual Port Tasting
October 29 � California Pinot Noir
November 05 � Bordeaux
November 12 � Wines from the Gorge

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, October 15th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WORLDWIDE SYRAH

CHEESE PLATE
I searched the web to find cheese matches with SYRAH, and this is the result:
Raclette Cow�s Milk France
This is a Swiss or French alpine cheese with a nutty flavor and silky, smooth texture. Slightly softer than the more characteristic Alpage cheeses, it is a close cousin to Morbier in France and Appenzeller in Switzerland. Our Raclette is a raw milk cheese from the French Alps.
Double Gloucester Cow�s Milk England
This is a traditional English cheddar-style cheese from Gloucestershire with a bright, eggy, and somewhat sharp flavor. Double Gloucester has the honor and distinction of being used each spring for the Cooper�s Hill Cheese Rolling and Wake on Gloucestershire�s Cooper's Hill, which consists of competitors chasing a wheel of Double Gloucester down an uneven hillside. The competitors are expected to catch the wheel of cheese, but, with speeds in excess of 70mph, this is virtually impossible. What a waste of good cheese!
Extra Sharp Cheddar Cow�s Milk Canada
In past tastings, this has been the favorite Cheddar.
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $4.00

SYRAH has so many styles that our �Worldwide Syrahs� have been successful tastings � until people taste a SYRAH they do not know what they are getting. Is it a fruit bomb as many wines from �down under� are, or does it have that leathery, earthy, content of the Northern Rh�ne?

1. We start with a wine from ARGENTINA. At our last two similar tastings it was a CHILE wine that was the winner. Will the GOUGUENHEIM 2008 SYRAH be as successful? The wine, from the VALLE ESCONDIDO of the MENDOZA region, is similar to its CHILEAN counterpart in that it combines Northern Rh�ne elements of smoky bacon fat and leather with the forward fruit of a West Coast Syrah. This wines offers incredible value - $10.50

2. Next up is the origin � FRANCE. GUILHELM DURAND has been making lovely wines in the LANGUEDOC for many years. We offer his DOMAINE LA BASTIDE 2008 SYRAH VIN de PAYS d'HAUTERIVE LES GEN�TS. This is 100% SYRAH from 35+ year old vines grown in soils that are very similar to those of Chateauneuf�du-Pape strewn with quartz stones and pebbles and harvested at a modest 40 hl/ha. The wine offers good concentration with notes of blackberry, briery spice and some white pepper. This wine gives you the impression of a �junior� HERMITAGE and has much more style than most domestic versions twice the price - $12.00

3. We now go to the USA and our neighbors to the south, CALIFORNIA. Until a few weeks ago I�d never heard of BAILEYANA WINERY. However when I tasted their 2006 EDNA VALLEY SYRAH, it got my attention. While somewhat more powerful and intense than my European palate normally prefers, the intense fruit of blackberries and black currants is balanced by leather and pepper, with a bacon spiciness. Finally, the acidity and tannins give the wine great structure. The wine was rated �Outstanding� by the Wine Enthusiast - $19.75

4. Our final stop is an OREGON/WASHINGTON joint venture � an OREGON winery but COLUMBIA VALLEY fruit. ZERBA CELLARS is based in MILTON FREEWATER which is in the WALLA WALLA AVA, but is in OREGON. I�ve always liked their 2006 SYRAH, and it is now drinking fabulously � lots of bold fruit, but some of the subtleties of France. If there is any wine that is so much better than on release, this is it. The wine contains 4% GRENACHE and 1% MOURV�DRE - $30.00

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go back to FRANCE:

The SYRAHS from the NORTHERN RH�NE can be very expensive, but the SAINT JOSEPH Appellation offers some bargains � and some mediocre wines. DOMAINE FAURY�s wines are not inexpensive, but they are one of the leaders of quality wines from the Appellation. The 2007 VIEILLES VIGNES offers oodles of black raspberry and black cherry fruit together with that earthy quality of the region. The touches of white pepper on the finish make this a �killer wine� � if the wine said HERMITAGE on the label it would be over twice the price - $37.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $4.00/Taste or $7.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, October 16th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual, we will have something interesting open.

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

October 26 Annual Port Tasting
October 29 � California Pinot Noir
November 05 � Bordeaux
November 12 � Wines from the Gorge
November 19 � Wines for Thanksgiving
November 26 � USA Wines other than Oregon

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, October 22nd
4:30 - 7:00pm

WEST COAST CABERNET SAUVIGNON

CHEESE PLATE
Unfortunately, on the west side of town cheese choice is getting less and less � Whole Paycheck and Trader Joe�s are carrying fewer choices, but Freddy�s at 158/Walker seem to be expanding. In the end I could not get all the cheeses my favorite website recommended for Cabernet Sauvignon, but we got close.
Wensleydale Cow�s Milk YORKSHIRE!
As a Yorkshireman, I believe this cheese (of Wallace & Grommet fame) is the best in the world. Unfortunately the only current source I found was QFC whose price was higher than even Whole Paycheck, who say they will have no Wensleydale before December.
Gouda Cow�s Milk Holland
This mild cheese is a great background for many wines. This one is from Whole Paycheck, so is a little higher quality than some other �supermarket versions�.
Ford Farm Dorset Red Cow�s Milk Dorset, England
This is a smoked cheese made from the rich, creamy milk sourced from cows that graze the lush pastures of Ford Farm in west Dorset. The cheese is encased in a rich red rind that gradually develops as it is smoked over oak chippings.
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

1. We start with a wine from WASHINGTON. One of our local distributors, VINUM, has had BUNNELL FAMILY CELLARS make a CABERNET SAUVIGNON just for them. The gaVin 2008 CABERNET SAUVIGNON COLUMBIA VALLEY is amazing value. It offers lots of basic cassis fruit, some touches of oak, and what seems like a touch of Cabernet Franc on the finish - $10.00

2. Next up is CALIFORNIA. A year ago we poured the 2005 from MADDELANA and it was a big hit. This week we offer the MADDALENA 2006 PASO ROBLES. It is 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON that was aged in a mix of American and French oak barrels, of which about 35% were new. It is classic CABERNET SAUVIGNON offering lots of cassis, some wood influences, but more importantly, great balance and length. Great Value - $16.00

3. We stay in CALIFORNIA to taste a wine from a �traditional� producer. RAYMOND, founded in 1971, have been producing classic NAPA VALLEY wines since their first vintage in 1974. We offer their 2007 CABERNET SAUVIGNON RESERVE SELECTION. The CABERNET SAUVIGNON was blended with 5% CABERNET FRANC and 5% MERLOT, and the wine was aged for 18 months in French Oak barrels of which 30% were new. The aromas of the wine are very complex, offering a mix of berries with touches of clove and white pepper. The palate is more NAPA with intense blackberry and cassis fruit, and the finish shows �Bordeaux� touches of tobacco and spice - $30.00

4. Our final stop is an OREGON/WASHINGTON joint venture � an OREGON winery that uses fruit from WASHINGTON as well as OREGON. ZERBA CELLARS is in the WALLA WALLA AVA but is located in MILTON-FREEWATER, OREGON. They make a range of very good wines, but the CABERNET SAUVIGNON has always been my favorite and we will taste the 2006. This wine is a blend of 85% CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 10% MERLOT and 5% CABERNET FRANC with the fruit sourced from several vineyards in the rocky floodplain of the WALLA WALLA river. This wine, not quite as big on the palate as earlier vintages, has a nose offering blackcurrant and dark plums, together with hints of leather and smoky oak - $30.00

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go back to CALIFORNIA and the NAPA VALLEY:

We offer the SHAFER 2006 CABERNET SAUVIGNON �ONE POINT FIVE�. John Shafer and his son Doug own what is considered by many to be a �First Growth� of the Napa Valley. Their HILLSIDE SELECT is legendary. Pauline and I had the pleasure of meeting John and Doug in 1985 before they became famous � their 1982 Reserve Cabernet (which became the Hillside Select) was all of $12.50/bottle!

The ONE POINT FIVE is a STAGS LEAP DISTRICT wine from two vineyard sites, the HILLSIDE ESTATE VINEYARD and BORDERLINE VINEYARD that is about two miles south of the winery. There is 1% PETIT VERDOT in the wine, and it was aged in 75% new oak and 25% one-year oak barrels. The name comes from the fact it is the result of One Point Five generations. The local distributor is offering a deal on 2006 wines as the winery wants them to take more of the 2007. This wine was $53.00 wholesale, but we can offer it for - $52.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $6.00/Taste or $10.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, October 23rd
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual, we will have something interesting open.

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.
Wednesday, December 22 � Christmas Treats
(5-8PM)
Thursday, December 30 � Zinfandel
(5-8PM)
Friday, January 7 � South/Southwest of France
(4:30-7PM)

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, December 17th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES FROM SOUTH AMERICA

CHEESE PLATE
As we are offering a wide variation of wine, we offer a varied selection of cheese.
Sharp Cheddar Cow�s Milk New Zealand
One of our most popular Cheddars
Iberico Sheep/Cow/Goat�s Milk Spain
We could not find any S. American cheese, so thought an �invader� cheese was near enough!
Gruy�re/Cheddar M�lange Cow�s Milk California
I�d never heard of such a combination, so had to try it!
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $3.00

1. We start with a white, the ALAMOS 2009 CHARDONNAY from MENDOZA, ARGENTINA. This is an operation owned by CATENA, one of the country�s great producers. This wine has some weight and is lightly oaked. What I like is the balance � and the reduced price this month! - $9.50

2. We stay in ARGENTINA for our first red. GOUGUENHEIM�S SYRAH was a big hit at our last Syrah-from-around-the-World tasting, and we now offer their 2009 BONARDA/SYRAH blend. This wine from the VALLE ESCONDIDO region of MENDOZA is almost GRENACHE-like with bright black raspberry fruit and touches of white pepper similar to wines from the Rh�ne Valley - $10.00

3. CARM�N�RE can be considered the �signature red� of CHILE, and for many years was often �field blended� by mistake with MERLOT until the Chileans discovered it was a different grape. Originally from BORDEAUX, the varietal all but disappeared from FRANCE after the phylloxera epidemic in the 19th century. We will sample the CHONO 2007 RESERVA from grapes grown on the alluvial plains of the MAIPO VALLEY, a high-altitude region in the shadow of the Andes. Grapes are handpicked, and 60 percent of the wine is aged for 10 months in French oak barrels. The wine is lush and round on the palate, with plenty of baking spice and touches of tobacco in its aromas. It is wonderfully supple and ripe, which this grape needs. I love the mouth feel and length - $12.50

4. We stay in CHILE for ROOTS 1 2008 CABERNET SAUVIGNON from the COLCHAGUA VALLEY. This is an obviously CHILEAN wine, showing more BORDEAUX nuances than the rich fruit of, say, a NAPA VALLEY wine. I found it amazingly complex, with an almost Merlot-like touch of chocolate on the finish - $11.00

5. Back to ARGENTINA and its signature grape, MALBEC. LLAMA OLD VINE MALBEC has been a big seller (despite its �critter� label) in the 2007 vintage, and we now offer the next vintage, the 2008. From the ALTO AGRELO VALLEY in the MENDOZA sub-region of LUJAN de CUYO, this is a complex MALBEC, offering lots of bold fruit coupled with nuances you would expect in a more expensive wine. Unfortunately the popularity of the 2007 has driven-up the price of the 2008. However it is still wonderful value - $14.50

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $8.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we return to CHILE:

CONCHA y TORO is a producer of wines from the lowest supermarket price points to incredible wines at incredibly high prices. Their flagship is the DON MELCHOR CABERNET SAUVIGNON from the MAIPO VALLEY. This wine used to be highly allocated and was all pre-sold before release. As a sign of the times, the 2006 is available to all. I have not tasted this vintage, but the Wine Advocate gave it 95 saying, �The 2006 Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon is a glass-coating opaque purple with an alluring bouquet of toast, tobacco, cedar, leather, mocha, and blackcurrant. Sweet, voluptuous (but not in a fruit bomb kind of way), layered, and complex already, its superb balance will ensure at least a decade of evolution and it should drink well through 2036. Drink 2009 � 2036� - $79.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $8.00/Taste or $16.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, December 18th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

I love some of the blends coming out of PIEMONTE. We will offer the TINTERO NV ROSSO which is a blend of BARBERA, DOLCHETTO and NEBBIOLO. This is a wine made for importer KERMIT LYNCH. It offers lots of BARBERA-like fruit up front, and the NEBBIOLO is unmistakable on the finish. A wonderful wine to go with almost any food from white meat to strong cheeses - $11.50

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

CHRISTMAS TREATS TASTING

WEDNESDAY, December 22nd
5:00 - 8:00pm

As our customers were evenly split on Wednesday vs. Thursday, we have opted for Wednesday 22nd for our pre-Christmas tasting. It turns out to be the same date we used last year. We offer five higher-priced wines. The wines are priced individually by the taste and 4 ounce glass, with a discount if you taste all five.

PAULINE will be offering some of her fabulous MINCE PIES on a first come, first served, basis.

In the Mother Country when we were kids (OK, we know that was a long time ago!), mince pies and Cheddar Cheese were a traditional partnership, and so we will offer some ENGLISH CHEDDAR CHEESE � again, while supply lasts!

THE TREATS
(subject to change because of sales over the next couple of days)

1. We start with a white from ALSACE, CHARLES SCHLERET 2005 PINOT BLANC �HERRENWEG�. This is like no other ALSACE PINOT BLANC I�ve tasted before, and the 2005 is the current release. It is rich and round on the palate, and then the back palate and finish have wonderful mineral accents. Not inexpensive for a PINOT BLANC, but nevertheless, great value - $24.00
$3.00/taste, $5.00/four ounces

2. Next up is BURGUNDY and DOMAINE PAVELOT 2008 SAVIGNY-les-BEAUNE 1er CRU �LES NARBANTONS�. About 20 years ago SAVIGNY-les-BEAUNE was one of the bargain villages of the C�TE du BEAUNE, but unfortunately, it was discovered. LES NARBANTONS is my favorite vineyard in the village, and this is a wonderful, if somewhat young, example from this lovely vineyard. At a trade tasting in August of about 60 BURGUNDIES (someone has to do it!), this was a standout when you took price into consideration - $48.75
$5.50/taste, $10.00/four ounces

3. What is a �Treats Tasting� without a CH�TEAUNEUF-du-PAPE? From the great 2007 vintage we offer DOMAINE La ROQU�TE. While I�ve found a few 2007s to be almost too fruity, this is a profound CDP that still needs a little cellar time to show its best. Owned and run by FR�D�RIC et DANIEL BRUNIER since the mid-1980s, the vineyards are planted to 70% GRENACHE, 20% SYRAH and 10% MOURV�DRE. My tasting of this vintage seems to say there is a little more than 10% MOURV�DRE in the blend - $42.50
$4.50/taste, $8.50/four ounces

4. We now move to ITALY and the NUMBER ONE wine in this year�s Wine Enthusiast �Enthusiast Top 100 Wines�. RENATO RATTI has been a producer of excellent BAROLOS at modest cost for some years. We will sample the 2006 �MARCENASCO�. This is what the Wine Enthusiast said: �Dark in color with a modern style and velvety extraction, the gorgeous Marcenasco espression of Barolo is redolent of blackberries, cherries, spice, leather and tobacco. The finish is long and elegant but not without power and determination. The wine will cellar for 10 years plus.� I�ve not tasted this wine and so I�m looking forward to doing so! - $49.75
$5.50/taste, $10.00/four ounce

5. We stay in ITALY for our final wine. AGLIANICO was an unknown grape on these shores until MASTROBERARDINO brought his TAURASI to the USA. These wines are grown on volcanic soils to the east of Mt. Vesuvio in CAMPANIA. We offer his 2004 �RADICI�. It has AGLIANICO�s trademark nose of cigar boxes and leather, offset by an almost sweet taste of black cherries and black currants. At six years of age it is just beginning to shed its original noticeable tannins - $58.50
$6.50/taste, $12.00/four ounces

TRY ALL FIVE WINES FOR $22.50
(a $2.50 discount)

A MERRY, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL. MANY THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT IN THESE �CHALLENGING� ECONOMIC TIMES!

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.
Friday, January 14 � Cabernet Sauvignon and Blends
Friday, January 21 � Piemonte
Friday, 28 January � Syrah
February 04 � C�tes du Rh�ne
February 11 � Valentine Wines

THIS WEEK

SOUTH of FRANCE

P�T� PLATE
It is a long time since we have offered P�t� rather than cheese, but with hearty French wines, why not P�t�? What we offer come from Viande Meats at City Market NW.
Venison P�t�
Venison/Pork/Sundried Cherries
Country P�t�
Pork/Chicken Livers/Prosciutto
P�T� SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

The reds from the South of France are great at this time of the year � think game, hearty stews, beef, lamb, etc. Also the wines have a real sense of place � you can almost feel the warmth of the sun ripening the grapes, smell the herbs, and just wish you were there.

1. We start with a long time favorite in the store, but with a newer vintage. DOMAINE SORTEIHO from SAINT-CHINIAN has been a direct import by GREG ZANCANELLA for several years. SAINT-CHINIAN is in the centre of the LANGUEDOC, but inland from the coast. The 2007 is a blend of 75% SYRAH and 25% GRENACHE. It offers wild berries matched with herbs such as thyme and laurel. A great wine for grilled meats - $10.00

2. We stay in the LANGUEDOC but move to CORBI�RES, one of largest Appellations in the western LANGUEDOC. B�RAIL LAGARDE 2007 ROQUE SESTI�RE TRADITION is a blend of 75% SYRAH and 25% CAIGNAN. It offers lots of spicy black fruit, good balance, and a nice rustic edge typical of the area - $12.50

3. With this third wine I�m cheating a little as most (including me!) would normally call the COSTI�RES de N�MES Appellation as the southwest Rhone Valley, but for this tasting I�m calling it the eastern end of the LANGUEDOC. MAS CARLOT is one of the great value producers in the area, and their 2008 TRADITION is a lovely example of the value wines from the area. It is a blend of 60% SYRAH and 40% GRENACHE, and when I tasted it, I thought this is a not-to-be-missed wine - $12.50

4. While all the previous wines have their own AOCs, this next wine is �just� a Vin de Pays d�OC, but to my mind, deserves its own Appellation. GRANGE PHILIPPE 2007 PICCOLINO is made at DOMAINE GRES SAINT PAUL, and is a stainless steel fermented and aged 100% MOUV�DRE. It offers lots of black fruit and spice together with garrigue � it could come from nowhere other than the South of France. The freshness and well-integrated tannins make this a �quaffer� as well as a serious wine to go with meat - $13.50

5. The last wine of the basic flight is a wine that to me could not come from anywhere else. From the C�TES du ROUSSILLON VILLAGES Appellation, the DOMAINE GAUBY 2007 LES CALCINAIRES offers lovely black fruit, herbs, spice and warm sun. Shut your eyes and imagine you are in ROUSSILLON, it is a great experience � unfortunately, when you open your eyes you will still be in rainy Oregon! The wine is about 50% SYRAH, 25% MOURV�DRE, the balance being GRENACHE and CARIGNAN. Fermentation was with natural yeasts, and there was no manipulation of the wine, or filtration. A really pure wine that speaks terroir - $27.00

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go to BANDOL:

I�m a huge fan of the wines of BANDOL and the MOURV�DRE grape. Unfortunately the wines take several years to show their worth, and by then they are no longer available. The Appellation says the reds have to be at least 50% MOURV�DRE, but the BRONZO brothers at LA BASTIDE BLANCHE use at least 75% in their various CUV�ES. We offer the 2007 CUV�E FONTAN�OU which in most years is 100% MOURV�DRE from an old block overlooking the Mediterranean. This is a wild, earthy, leathery, tannic wine, which is what young BANDOL is all about. On the palate this wine seemed to be indeed aiming for more accessible style with bold, smooth black fruits, spice and mineral flavors. However the tannins are big ****, quite ripe, but dry on the finish - $32.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.00/Taste or $6.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

Saturday, January 8th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free

As usual we will have something interesting open. At the moment I plan the following:

MATELLO 2009 LAZARUS WILLAMETTE VALLEY PINOT NOIR, $19.75 � we have always liked Marcus� wines (2007 and 2008) and this release was a Matt Kramer �rave� in what may be his last column in the Oregonian --- stay tuned!

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com

CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

August 06 � Worldwide Cabernet Sauvignon
August 13 � Abacela vs. Spanish �Originals�
August 20 � German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 � Wines from the Rh�ne Valley

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, July 30th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES FROM MEDITERRANEAN ISLANDS

CHEESE PLATE
We tried to find cheese from the Islands and we made it, but not necessarily from the same islands as the wines!
Mah�n Cow�s Milk Menorca
From the Mediterranean island of Menorca, this is my favorite Spanish cheese, mainly because it seems to go well with Burgundy � I�m sure it will go well with this week�s wines. The cheese has a salty tang on the finish.
Brigante Sheep�s Milk Sardinia
This sheep�s milk cheese comes from around the town of Thiesi in the north of the island. It is often called Dolce Sardo because of the sweetness of the local ewes� milk.
Halloumi Sheep�s Milk Cyprus
This is a similar cheese to Saganaki, the Greek �Flaming Cheese�, and is wonderful grilled. However it is interesting sliced in a salad.
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

At this time of the year, with the temperature going up in Oregon, lets �fly� to where breezes moderate temperatures and make life wonderful � the Islands of the Mediterranean.

1. We start on SANTORINI, that wonderful Greek island. The combination of heat plus strong winds makes for interesting wine growing conditions. ASSYRTIKO is the major white varietal, and its origin is unknown. Some think it is native to SANTORINI, or it may have arrived on the island with the Phoenicians after the volcanic eruptions of 1640 � 1620 BC. We offer this grape blended with ATHIRI in the SIGALAS 2008 SANTORINI WHITE It offers classic flowery, almost honeysuckle nose and then an underlying mineral acidity. Wonderful with kalamar�kia, either grilled or fried - $20.00
(We also have their 100% ASSYRTIKO at $24.00 and the oaked version at $28.75)

2. Next up is SARDEGNA (aka Sardinia), the Italian island to the west of LAZIO and CAMPANIA. ARGIOLAS is one of the top value/quality producers on the island and we offer their 2007 PERDERA which is a blend of the two local grapes MONICA (90%) and BOVALE di SARDO (5%) together with CARIGNAN (5%). A Matt Kramer recommendation, this wine is rated between 89 and 92 in major magazines. The wine is full-flavored and a little rustic, but offers lots of intense berry fruit - $14.50

3. We move back to SANTORINI for a RED. This island is usually thought of as a white wine producer (and Vin Santo), but ARGYROS also produces a lovely red (the first red from this island we have carried). ATLANTIS RED is a blend of 90% MANDILARIA and 10% MAVROTRAGANO. The former is a major red grape on CRETE and RHODOS (where it is known as AMORYANO). The wine is medium-full bodied with fine tannins, complex aromas of red fruit, with hints of prune and leather - $20.00

4. Moving further west we visit SPAIN�S BALEAR�C ISLANDS, and in particular the island of MALLORCA. This is one of the great �package vacation� islands for northern Europeans (Pauline and I were there in 1970s and I�m sure we would find it over-developed now). It is also home to some old wine regions. The Romans are thought to have brought viticulture to the island in about 123 AD. The industry has waxed and waned over the centuries and the modern industry dates from the 1980s. There are two Denominaci�n de Origins on the island, BINISS�LLEM-MALLORCA and PLA i LLEVANT. We will taste a wine from the former DO, the VINS NADAL 2008 ALBA FLOR TINTO. No, this wine does not taste like a used tennis ball, but is an interesting blend of the local varietal MANTO**** (75%) and 14% CABERNET SAUVIGNON and 11% MERLOT. The wine offers aromas of cherry and raspberry, and the palate is fruity with a mineral background. It is outstanding value - $14.50

5. Our final wine of the main flight comes from SICILIA. BENANTI is a producer that specializes with local varietals. We offer its 2006 ROSSODIVERZELLA (the current release) which is a blend of 80% NERELLO MASCALESE and 20% NERELLO CAPUCCIO. I�ve always liked this wine and this vintage is probably the best yet. The wine offers lots of ****y black fruit, together with something extra from the grapes being grown on the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna (at about 2500ft elevation). Not your �run-of-the-mill� red wine - $17.50
(We have a couple of bottles of the 2002 available at $16.50)

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

Our PREMIUM POUR also comes from SICILIA:

TENUTA della TERRE NERE is a property of MARC de GRAZIA, a Florentine who is very much involved with importing terrific Italian wines into the USA. The 2005 CALDERARA SOTTANA is a wine produced from grapes grown at about 800 metres on the NE slopes of Mount Etna. The wine carries an IGT ETNA ROSSO designation and is a blend of 98% NERELLO MASCALESE and 2% NERELLO CAPPUCCIO, two �native� grapes. I would not have guessed this wine, a regular winner of Due Bichieri in Gambero Rosso, came from SICILIA. The wine has the texture of a very good Burgundy, and offers lots of earthy, black fruit. If this wine came from anywhere other than SICILIA, it would cost much more! - $24.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.00/Taste or $5.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, July 31st
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. We are planning:

For the current warm weather, what is more refreshing than an un-oaked SAUVIGNON BLANC? We will pour LA PLAYA 2009 from CHILE�s COLCHAQUA VALLEY - $8.25

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com
CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

August 13 � Abacela vs. Spanish �Originals�
August 20 � German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 � Wines from the Rh�ne Valley
September 03 - Zinfandel

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 6th
4:30 - 7:00pm

CABERNET SAUVIGNON from around the WORLD

CHEESE PLATE
To go with Cabernet Sauvignon we offer a selection of cow�s milk Cheddar cheese. These cheeses always form a good backdrop for red wines.
Sharp Aged 6-9 months New Zealand
Coastal Aged 15 months Dorset, England
Extra, Extra Sharp Aged 18 months New York
SAMPLER PLATE $3.00

CABERNET SAUVIGNON could be considered the signature grape of the NAPA VALLEY, and it seems to be grown all over the world. Let�s taste the diversity with wines from five countries and two different zones of one of the countries. I find it very difficult to suggest a tasting order, and so I�m taking the easy way out and listing them in price order.

1. We start in ARGENTINA and the enormous wine region of MENDOZA. TRUMPETER is the �entry-level� label of RUTINI, and its 2007 CABERNET SAUVIGNON is stunning value. I believe it is 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON, and it offers pure cassis fruit with subtle touches of oak - $8.00

2. Now we jump over the Andes to CHILE. There are many wonderful value producers in this country of great scenery and wonderful people, but I�m beginning to think it is hard to beat CHONO for quality vs. price. Their Syrah has been the winner in our last two �Syrah from around the World� tastings, and the Carmin�re is also wonderful. We offer the 2008 CABERNET SAUVIGNON from the MAIPO VALLEY. Like most CABERNET SAUVIGNONS from this country, the wine is more BORDEAUX in style than, say, WALLA WALLA style - $12.50

3. I consider BORDEAUX as the home of CABERNET SAUVIGNON, but there it is usually blended with other grapes, although some Ch�teaux approach 100% in some years, and n�gotiants bottle 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON wines. The LANGUEDOC is a source of 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNONS, and we offer LES TRAVERSES de FONTANES 2007 VIN de PAYS d�OC. This is an estate-produced wine imported by Kermit Lynch, and is more elegant and complex than one would expect from this area - $14.25

4. What would a CABERNET SAUVIGNON tasting be without something from CALIFORNIA? We will taste the GOYETTE 2007 NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON. I�m sure most of you are saying �Who is Goyette?� BOB GOYETTE was the founder of LA CREMA and then moved on to other wineries. I tasted this wine at a trade tasting and thought it was great value for NAPA VALLEY. This is Bob�s philosophy: �I keep one eye on the successful traditions of Europe, and the other closely attuned to the grapes at hand. Using my own palate as a spring-board, I determine if the wines are really appealing to drink, rather than just done in a proper manner. I keep trying to work towards the best syntheses of the New & Old World traditions, while intuitively striving for wines that appeal to connoisseurs as well as people that just like wine. To me, it's all about balance and about listening.� - $18.75

5. We return to Europe and the PENED�S region of SPAIN. MIGUEL TORRES was just about the first to plant CABERNET SAUVIGNON in the area in the 1960s, and the TORRES winery now bottles 100% CABERNET wines, together with wines where the grape is blended with TEMPRANILLO. We offer one of the latter in the form of the GRAN CORONAS 2005 RESERVA. This is a blend of 85% CABERNET SAUVIGNON and 15% TEMPRANILLO (aka ULL de LIEBRE in Catalonia), and, in the Spanish tradition, has spent a considerable time in oak. Lush and elegant, the wine shows cassis from the CABERNET, and this is intermingled with coffee bean, licorice and vanillans - $19.25

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

Our PREMIUM POUR comes from our neighbors to the north, WASHINGTON:

STEPHENSON CELLARS was a new producer to me until a couple of weeks ago. They are in WALLA WALLA but their 2006 CABERNET SAUVIGNON carries a WASHINGTON Appellation as it is a blend from three vineyards � WINDY RIDGE in HORSE HEAVEN HILLS, WOODEN ISLAND on the banks of the COLUMBIA RIVER, and INLAND DESERT in BENTON CITY. The wine shows aromas of blueberry, cassis and cedar; the palate has cassis and plum with some Bordeaux-like influences - $33.00
*With apologies to Sideways, we also have their excellent MERLOT!*

TRY THIS WINE FOR $4.00/Taste or $7.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 7th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. We are planning:

NANTAIS, the western end of the LOIRE VALLEY, is best known for MUSCADET, which is made from the MELON de BOURGOGNE grape. However there is another white grape in the area, GROS PLANT (aka FOLLE BLANCHE), which normally does not have too much charm, being very acidic. The DOMAINE de l�AIGUILLETTE 2009 GROS PLANT is lovely � although very dry, it has great fruit upfront. It is much better than most inexpensive MUSCADET - $9.25

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I’ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on “Site Index” and then “Electronic Newsletter”. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click “Remove”. Thank you.

August 20 – German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 – Wines from the Rhône Valley
September 03 – Zinfandel
September 10 – Burgundy

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 13th
4:30 - 7:00pm

ABACELA vs. SPANISH “ORIGINALS”

CHEESE PLATE
To go with our Spanish wines and Abacela wines from Spanish grapes, we offer a selection of Spanish cheese:
Ibérico Cow/Goat/Sheep’s Milk Central Plains
Over 50% of Spanish cheese production is from a blend of milks, and this cheese’s name comes from a style of cheese produced all over the Iberian peninsular. This one comes from the Central Plains and shows mild acid from cow’s milk, the deeper flavor of sheep’s milk, and the finishing tang of goat’s milk. In theory this should be the best match to Tempranillo.
Campo de Montalbán Cow/Goat/Sheep’s Milk La Mancha
This cheese resembles Manchego in texture and appearance, and until 1985 it was in fact considered a Manchego. Campo de Montalbán is distinguished by its three milk blend, while Manchego contains only sheep's milk. The flavor is also similar to Manchego. However, as with Ibérico, the characters of all three milks are noticeable in Campo de Montalbán.
Manchego Sheep’s Milk La Mancha
From the land of Don Quixote, this is probably Spain’s most famous cheese. It is aged in grass molds for at least two months, giving it after notes of dry hay. A great match to many wines from dry sherry to rich reds.
SAMPLER PLATE $4.00

I always admire winery owners who have a vision to do something different, and succeed in making good wines that are interesting and start new trends. Earl and Hilda Jones, who founded ABACELA, had a belief that an area near Roseburg would be ideal for several Spanish varietals. Their wines are very good, and we’ve seen a mini-explosion of TEMPRANILLO in Oregon. All their wines are quality wines, and they are using only Estate fruit, or fruit from vineyards they manage. The Claret is being discontinued, as they do not grow Cabernet Sauvignon.

Last month, on our way to Ashland, Pauline and I visited ABACELA and had a great time. Linda, in charge of the tasting room, was charming and knowledgeable - and very generous with her pours. The current Tasting Room is small, and must become “cozy” on a busy weekend. An expanded winery and tasting room is under construction. If you have not visited this winery, plan to do so.


We had a picnic lunch at the winery:


Pauline contemplates world distances:


For this tasting we will compare two wines made from three Spanish varietals – one from Spain and one made from ABACELA.

Our first grape is ALBARIÑO:

1. From ABACELA we will taste their 2009 UMPQUA VALLEY. I watched the development of this grape at ABACELA and thought the 2008 was good, but the 2009 hit the mark, offering a wine as complex as its Spanish ancestors, and very competitive in price. It is the first vintage we have carried in the shop - $18.50

2. Most SPANISH ALBARINOS I really enjoy are north of $20.00/bottle, but I found one at <$20 for this tasting. BODEGAS LA CANA is a joint venture of the GIL FAMILY JUMILLA and importer JORGE ORDONEZ. The wine, of course, comes from RIAS BAIXAS in GALICIA, and the 2008 was rated “Outstanding” in the Wine Advocate. While not as complex as the great ALBARINOS from DO FERREIRO, the LA CANA is excellent - $18.00
(We have the 2007 DO FERREIRO in stock at $24.00)

The Second Grape is TEMPRANILLO, the grape that made ABACELA’S name:

3. We wanted to pour ABACELA’s 2007 McCORQUODALE VINEYARD which we tasted at the winery, but it appears this limited wine is “tasting room only” for the time being. This is their neighbor and they manage the vineyard. Instead we offer the 2007 CUVÉE which is a blend of 85% ESTATE FRUIT with the rest coming from the McCORQUODALE and DEFINO VINEYARDS. I was not fond of the early CUVÉE releases, but as the vines achieved some age, this wine is the bargain TEMPRANILLO from this producer - $20.00
(We also have the 2006 ESTATE at $36.00)

4. From SPAIN we offer IZARDI 2005 CRIANZA. This wine is 100% TEMPRANILLO from the RIOJA region, and was aged in American oak barrels. While very traditional in the use of American oak, this wine is much more fruit forward for traditional RIOJA, and I thought would be a good comparison to ABACELA - $18.00

Our Third Grape is GARNACHA:

While the French may think they “invented” GRENACHE, it appears the grape originates in SPAIN under the name GARNACHA.

5. From ABACELA we will taste their 2008 UMPQUA VALLEY. At the winery, Pauline was a bigger fan of this wine than I was. Maybe it was because it really has a “sense of place”, as it was not Spanish or French – and as a European, I too often tend to compare wines with the “originals”. At the moment my favorite OREGON GRENACHE/GARNACHA is COWHORN’S from the APPLEGATE VALLEY. Let’s find out what our customers think! - $22.50

6. From SPAIN it was difficult to choose what to use, mainly because most of the wines are much cheaper than the ABACELA wine, so we decided to pour a GARNACHA which approaches the ABACELA in price, but is somewhat atypical. JOAN d’ANGUERA has been a family-run winery since 1820 and is now run by a sister and brother team of Joan and Josep. Their 2009 GARNATXA is from MONTSANT. MONTSANT is in Catalonia, hence the spelling of the grape GARNACHA. This is their “entry level” red, and is fermented and aged in concrete tanks. It is one of the purest interpretations of the GARNACHA grape I’ve ever tasted - $19.00

TRY THESE SIX WINES FOR $12.00

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 14th
Noon – 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. As it is supposed to be over 90˚, we are planning:

Red wine drinkers need a great ROSÉ in hot weather. Pauline and I tend to believe the best of these wines come from the SOUTH of FRANCE, but this week I tried what I think is the greatest ROSÉ I’ve tasted from the USA – and it is from OREGON. COWHORN is in SOUTHERN OREGON’S APPLEGATE VALLEY and all their vineyards are biodynamically farmed (Demeter certified). Their 2009 GRENACHE ROSÉ is almost 100% GRENACHE but includes a tiny bit of VIOGNIER. I’d have guessed it was from PROVENCE, and even though not inexpensive for a ROSÉ, I think it is great value - $18.00

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I’ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on “Site Index” and then “Electronic Newsletter”. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click “Remove”. Thank you.

August 27 – Wines from the Rhône Valley
September 03 – Zinfandel
September 10 – Burgundy

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 20th
4:30 - 7:00pm

AUSTRIAN and GERMAN REDS

CHEESE PLATE
We’ve only fond one German cheese so far (other than Limberger), and none from Austria. Hopefully, by Friday, we will have something put together!
SAMPLER PLATE $??.00

We know most of you do not think about red wines when you consider Austria and Germany as these countries are famous mainly for Grüner Veltliner and Riesling whites. However, both countries make some interesting reds, usually from grapes grown in very few other countries. These wines are ideal summer reds, and some are even better when served slightly chilled (not refrigerator temperature, but at about 60˚F). We hope many of you come to try these interesting, but rarely poured, wines.

1. We start in Germany with a grape called DORNFELDER. This a crossing of a crossing between several German varietals, and Jancis Robinson said in her book Vines, Grapes and Wines “Dornfelder demonstrates most eloquently the advantages of the German approach to plant breeding”. We will taste the ANDREAS DIEHL 2009 DORNFELDER from the PFALZ region. This is the sunniest and driest part of Germany, and so should be the best area for red grapes. This DORNFELDER is very fruity in style with a touch of residual sugar. It is an ideal hot weather red. This is a review I found on-line: “Strawberries and cherries are all over the nose, and you can tell that this wine is full of fruit. The wine is sweet on the palate, right out of the gate. However, it’s still clean, and on the lighter side for a sweetish wine. There is a bit of acid, but almost no tannic structure until very, very late on the palate. Dark cherries and strawberries dominate the experience” - $13.50

2. Next up is SPÄTBURGUNDER, aka PINOT NOIR. I’ve tasted some lovely such wines from GERMANY, but the prices are usually too high to make sense. We have carried a few reasonably priced ones from the PFALZ, and this week we offer one from RHEINHESSEN, which is just to the north of the PFALZ. The wine is from the 2007 vintage and is called UNDONE. Produced by the VALCKENBERG GROUP and bottled with a screw cap, the wine is unoaked and unmanipulated – this is the reason for the name as the grapes are “undone” to show their natural charms (just wait until you see the label). K & L Wines of San Francisco say on their web site “It is the fresh, light and juicy wine for those of us who don’t like our Pinot Noir to look and taste like Syrah. The wine is delicate and pure, medium bodied and full of wild strawberry, cherry and raspberry aromas with just a subtle hint of spice in the finish”. It will take a slight chill - $12.50

3. I recently attended an Austrian Trade Tasting and liked most of the wines. However Austrian wines have a price problem in the USA. In fact the country has the highest price per bottle of all European countries who export to the USA. We start with the grape BLAUFRÄNKISCH, which in Germany is often called LEMBERGER. We will taste the NECKENMARKT 2008 CLASSIC “FRANK” from MITTELBURGENLAND. The wine has ripe red-black fruit with a touch of spice and moderate tannins. Someone described it as the wine you would get if you mixed Dolcetto with a Cru Beaujolais – I think she is right! - $16.00

4. We stay in the BURGENLAND and taste a blend from the HEINRICH winery. In a very honest fashion they just call it the 2008 RED. It is a blend of 50% MERLOT, 30% ZWEIGELT and 20% BLAUFRÄNKISCH. On the nose all I could sense was the MERLOT, but this is one of those wines where the nose can be misleading. The palate has lots of spice and a certain earthiness, and the finish is very long. A fascinating wine - $19.50

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we stay with the HEINRICH winery in BURGENLAND:

When Pauline and I did our OKANAGAN trip in 2007 we were surprised by how good the ZWEIGELT from ARROWLEAF winery was as we did not know any North American winery grew this red grape. This week we offer one of the best ZWEIGELTS from AUSTRIA when one takes price into account. ZWEIGELT is a crossing of BLAUFRÄNKISCH and ST-LAURENT. I tried to find a ST-LAURENT for the tasting as this grape is supposed to be a close cousin to PINOT NOIR, but the local distributors do not seem keen on it. This ZWEIGELT has a lovely nose of ripe cherries and violets – almost too good to drink! The palate is much richer with dark fruit and touches of liquorice and chocolate. Fantastic value - $27.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.00/Taste or $5.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 21st
Noon – 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. Despite the cooler weather, I’d love you to try this rosé

Red wine drinkers need a great ROSÉ in the summer. Pauline and I tend to believe the best of these wines come from the SOUTH of FRANCE, but recently I tried what I think is the greatest ROSÉ I’ve tasted from the USA – and it is from OREGON. COWHORN is in SOUTHERN OREGON’S APPLEGATE VALLEY and all their vineyards are biodynamically farmed (Demeter certified). Their 2009 GRENACHE ROSÉ is almost 100% GRENACHE but includes a tiny bit of VIOGNIER. I’d have guessed it was from PROVENCE, and even though not inexpensive for a ROSÉ, I think it is great value - $18.00

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

September 03 � Zinfandel
September 10 � Burgundy
September 17 � The best of Matt Kramer�s 2010 Picks
September 24 � The Crus of Beaujolais

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 27th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES of the RH�NE VALLEY

CHEESE PLATE
We offer a selection of French cheese to go with our French wines.
Fol Epi Cow�s Milk Loire Valley
This creamy cheese is enclosed in a golden-brown rind made from a wheat base -- hence the name �Fol Epi,� which means �wild wheat stalk� in French. It is made in a similar style to Swiss Emmental, providing a nutty taste with a slight wheat flavor.
Raclette Cow�s Milk French Alps
This is a Swiss or French alpine cheese with a nutty flavor and silky, smooth texture. Slightly softer than the more characteristic Alpage cheeses, it is a close cousin to Morbier in France and Appenzeller in Switzerland. Our Raclette is a raw milk cheese from the French Alps.
Tomme de Savoie Cow�s Milk Savoie
This Tomme is a semi-firm cow's milk cheese made in the valley of the Savoie in the French Alps. It has a delightfully nutty flavor and a smooth paste that melts in your mouth. The hard, powdery rind has an earthy aroma and is usually speckled with many types of indigenous and beneficial molds
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

We were encouraged by the turnout to try lesser-known wines at our German/Austrian Red tasting, and so for this Rh�ne tasting we�ve included a couple of wines that are somewhat out-of-the-mainstream for this popular wine region.

1. We start with the 2009 vintage of what was our biggest selling C�TES-du-RH�NE in the 2007 and 2008 vintages. DOMAINE CHAPOTON can trace its origins to 1665 under Louis XIV, and the current generation took over in 1981. The wine is a blend of GRENACHE, SYRAH, MOUV�DRE and CARIGNAN. The wine has intense fruit, some spice, and a touch of classic garrigue. Comments from people who have tasted all three vintages suggest the 2009 is more fruit forward than the others (it was a hotter vintage) - $10.50

2. DOMAINE MONPERTUIS is a CH�TEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE producer, and we offer their 2007 VIGNOBLE de la RAMI�RE which is unusual in that it is 100% COUNOISE, one of the 13 grapes allowed in CDP. There are not many such wines in the world, but Oregon�s Andrew Rich has made one, as has Washington�s McCrae. The wine shows black fruit with a little spice together with meatiness similar to MOURV�DRE. The fruit is grown in the GARD region at the mouth of the Rh�ne - $16.50

3. Our next wine is from a very expensive producer in VACQUEYRAS in the SOUTHERN RH�NE VALLEY. ROUCAS TOUMBA LES GRANDS CHEMINS is basically de-classified VACQUEYRAS, and the producer could call the wine C�TES-du-RH�NE, but he decided on the VIN de TABLE designation. The fruit is from 2007, but I was told that a VIN de TABLE cannot have a vintage date. A blend of GRENACHE, SYRAH and MOURV�DRE, the wine is perfumed, giving you the sense of the herbs of the area; this is followed by chewy, black fruit with a spicy edge, and then a long finish. As a Rh�naholic, I think this wine is sensational value! - $17.25

4. For our final wine of the basic flight we go to CH�TEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE. These days it is hard to find a CDP under $40.00, so when I found this �left-over� 2005 we could sell for $30.00, I jumped at it. This wine, built primarily upon GRENACHE is intensely aromatic, with notes of ground coffee, plum, grenadine and game. The bright Grenache fruit has an intriguing savory, almost salty, quality to it, which is not half as strange as it might sound. It is simply one of the many parts of this in balance, complex wine. If you were talking about pairing this wine with food, nearly any cut of lamb would be wonderful - $30.00

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go to the NORTHERN RH�NE to taste SYRAH:

CROZES HERMITAGE is the �poor cousin� of HERMITAGE. It is a relatively large Appellation, covering an area almost 10 miles long to the north and south of the village of TAIN and HERMITAGE itself. For many years, most wines were pallid in comparison to HERMITAGE. Now some substantial wines are being made, and ALAIN GRAILLOT is considered one of the bright, shining stars of the Appellation. 2004 was a difficult vintage in the area, and I have not tasted the ALAIN GRAILLOT 2004 CROZES HERMITAGE for some time, so let�s see how it is aging. Robert Parker in the Wine Advocate said: �Gregarious Alain Graillot has turned out a 2004 Crozes-Hermitage that presents plenty of olive notes intermixed with some sweet red currant and cherry notes. The acidity of the vintage is relatively apparent in this wine, which is elegant and Burgundian in its texture and aromatics. Drink 2007-2011� - $29.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.50/Taste or $6.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 28th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open:

OREGON�S QUERCUS WINES are below most people�s radar, probably because they make wines under a number of labels. The wines are a project of MICHAEL BECKLEY, and we have carried PINOT NOIR and SYRAH wines he has made (we have some of his CADMUS 2004 PINOT NOIR in stock). We offer his ROCK CREEK CELLARS 2007 OREGON RED WINE. The wine is a blend of CABERNET SAUVIGNON, MERLOT and SYRAH, and offers gobs of black fruit coupled with a nice, spicy, edge - $11.25

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

September 10 � Burgundy
September 17 � The best of Matt Kramer�s 2010 Picks
September 24 � The Crus of Beaujolais
October 01 � Washington Wines

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, September 3rd
4:30 - 7:00pm

ZINFANDEL

CHEESE PLATE
Once again, we rely on our favorite New York cheese shop to recommend cheese for Zinfandel:
Gruy�re Raw Cow�s Milk Switzerland
This is cave-aged Gruy�re � not your average supermarket version. Aged for a significant time, this is a rich, nutty, cheese.
Cantalet Raw Cow�s Milk France
Considered to be the ancestor to British Farmhouse Cheddars, this is a cow's milk cheese from Auvergne, France. It is weighty, moist, creamy, and just subtley sharp, with a very defined sweet and milky quality. As the French took over England in 1066, maybe it is true they created the great English Cheddars. However, didn�t we Brits control the Bordeaux region a few hundred years later? As Pauline and I are Francophiles, I thank the Frogs for anything they did to improve English cuisine.
Campo de Montalban Pasteurized Cow�s/Goat�s/Sheep�s Milk Spain
This cheese resembles Manchego in texture and appearance, and until 1985 it was in fact considered a Manchego. Campo de Montalb�n is distinguished by its three milk blend, while Manchego contains only sheep's milk. The flavor is also similar to Manchego.
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

As most of our regulars know, ZINFANDEL is not one of my favorite grapes, although PAULINE would say �You want to stay married?� However I�ve converted her from blowsy CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAYS to CHABLIS, the greatest expression of CHARDONANY in the world. Her job is to convert me from the RIDGE blends to full-throttle ZINFANDELS. My tasting notes are minimal, as PAULINE says I do not know what I�m talking about.

1. We start in LODI and PEIRANO ESTATE 2008 IMMORTAL OLD VINE ZINFANDEL. I�ve never tasted this wine, but, unbelievably, it is an allocated wine. There is no more of this vintage left other than the case I have. The vines are over 100 years old, hence the IMMORTAL name - $11.50

2. We stay in LODI for CAMPUS OAKS 2007 OLD VINE ZINFANDEL. We used an earlier vintage of this wine a couple of years ago and it was a big hit. I liked the spicy black fruit it offered, but felt a little heat on the finish despite the modest (for ZINFANDEL) 14.5% alcohol - $14.75

3. My favorite ZINFANDEL producer is RIDGE � maybe it is because very few of their wines are 100% ZINFANDEL! We offer the 2008 THREE VALLEYS that, for the first time, cannot be called ZINFANDEL because it is only 74% of the grape! The rest is PETIT SIRAH, CARIGNAN, MATARO, SYRAH and GRENACHE - $22.50

4. For our final wine of the basic flight we go to OREGON to THE PINES VINEYARD and their 2007 ZINFANDEL. The vineyard is in THE DALLES, but the tasting room is in HOOD RIVER. The wine is made from 20 year-old vines that were created from starts from the 100+ year-old vines in the vineyard. For its relatively high alcohol (15.2%), I found the wine food friendly, showing no heat from the alcohol - $28.75

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go to the NAPA VALLEY:

HENDRY is a producer with a range of wines from ALBARI�O to CABERNET SAUVIGNON, but better known for their �single block� ZINFANDELS. We offer the 2006 BLOCK 28 which was aged for fifteen months in French oak barrels, 65% of which were new. Despite its 15.8% alcohol, I felt this was another food-friendly Zinfandel. This is what the winery says: �Aromas include smoky spice, bay, berry, earth, mint and mineral. Dark fruit flavors of blackberries, blueberries and black currant, in an elegant wrapping of spicy and well- integrated oak. The 2006 returns to the familiar broad-shouldered, firm structured, complex and almost Cab-like Hendry Zinfandel style. This wine will continue to soften and gain complexity with age. Block 28 has an affinity for anything rich, braised, or meaty, and would be terrific with a slow-roasted lamb shank rubbed with herbes-de-provence, braised short ribs or a game-based risotto� - $32.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.50/Taste or $6.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, September 4th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open � I�ve yet to decide what! It will depend on forecast temperature nearer the day.

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

September 24 � The Crus of Beaujolais
October 01 � Washington Wines
October 08 � Spain
October 15 � Worldwide Sangiovese
October 22 � Wines from San Juan Winery

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, September 17th
4:30 - 7:00pm

THE BEST OF MATT KRAMER�S 2010 PICKS

CHEESE PLATE
This week, as we have a variety of wines, I decided to go with relatively mild cheeses:
Havarti Cow�s Milk Denmark
Monterey Jack Cow�s Milk California
Goat Cheddar Goat�s Milk Canada
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $2.50

Most of us in the Oregon wine industry have a love-hate relationship with Matt Kramer � recently, it has been mainly hate because of his trashing of the 2007 vintage here in Oregon. The few of you who came to our recent 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir tasting know how good this vintage can be � we sold a lot of wine that night, and on the basis of sales per capita of turn-out, it was one of our best Fridays ever. Despite this Kramer �fault�, I have much respect for his palate. I�m amazed that many of the wines he recommends I�ve already purchased for the shop. At the moment I think he is doing a great job recommending value wines (in all price categories), as well as trying to encourage people to try some thing different � as I do!

We start with a white in that category. Please note most of the following notes are from Matt Kramer in the Sunday Oregonian:

1. HUNGARY�S TOKAJ zone has been famous for centuries for creating extraordinary sweet wines from the local FURMINT grape variety (we have two great ones in stock), but it had absolutely no history of creating a dry white wine from FURMINT until the late-20th-century. We will taste the KIR�LYUDVAR TOKAJI FURMINT SEC 2007. Kramer said, and I agree, ��this is one of the most extraordinary dry white wines you will taste this year, I promise you. Although labeled as furmint, this wine is actually a blend of two indigenous white grapes: furmint (80 percent) and h�rslevelu. Impressively dense, it proffers a striking scent of flowers and minerals with just the barest whiff of honey allied with lemon. Thick-textured, there's a crisp acidity that makes this wine oh-so-drinkable, with that same minerals and flower quality coming through in the taste. And it�s just 12.5 percent alcohol. This is a magnificent dry white wine that can accompany all sorts of foods, from fish such as salmon to white meats such as chicken, pork and veal, as well as the most flavorful cheeses. If you try one new-to-you dry white wine this year, this is the one to get� - $20.00

2. One 2007 local wine Kramer wrote-up was J. CHRISTOPHER WILLAMETTE VALLEY PINOT NOIR (and we sold many cases on my recommendation). He has now recommended the 2008, as I do. This is what Kramer said: �Readers will recall prior recommendations of wines from the small Oregon winery called J. Christopher. The reason is simple: owner-winemaker Jay Somers is easily one of Oregon's best winemakers. Not only do his wines deliver a higher level of quality than much of his competition, but Somers also chooses to sell them at more reasonable prices than many. It�s a compelling combination. The (Oregon) 2008 vintage was a standout, especially for the pinot noirs. The proof is in the tasting. When you try J. Christopher Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2008 you�ll agree that 2008 is a remarkable vintage. A blend of four Willamette Valley vineyards (Bella Vida, La Colina, Croft and Charlie�s ), this is a dense, concentrated pinot noir of real character and ideal balance between fruit and acidity.� - $23.50

3. Kramer is also very good at spotting the better wines from fast growing areas such as Chile, Argentina, and the �New� Spain. We will taste one of his, and my, CHILEAN picks, PALO ALTO RESERVE CHILE, MAULE VALLEY, 2008. These are Kramer�s notes: �Palo Alto is a brand created by Chile�s largest wine producer, Concha y Toro. While most brands are just trading names designed to create an artificial differentiation among otherwise indistinguishable wines in a large winery�s production, Palo Alto seems to be different. A blend of cabernet sauvignon (55 percent), carmen�re (30 percent) and syrah (15 percent), Palo Alto Reserve Chile �Maule Valley� 2008 is an impressively refined red that's more than a little reminiscent of a very good red Bordeaux.� - $11.50

4. Over the last couple of months, it is amazing how many wines I have tasted from the southwest corner of the Rh�ne River that have carried a du GARD or COSTI�RES de NIMES designation. One of the best value, and another Kramer pick, I�ve tasted is the CH�TEAU DE VALCOMBE 2007 TRADITION, COSTI�RES DE NIMES. This what Kramer said: �A good example of just what France can deliver at a stellar price is this red wine. Never heard of Costi�res de Nimes? It�s far from famous. And the name itself is relatively new, dating only to 1989. Previously it was called Costi�res du Gard. Presumably the locals liked the association with the nearby city of Nimes, which boasts the best-preserved ancient Roman coliseum in France. Ch�teau de Valcombe �Tradition� 2007 shows what this district can do. An unusually rich, dense, even succulent red wine composed mostly of syrah (70 percent) with the balance in grenache, it�s surprisingly supple and irresistibly drinkable. This is a drink-now red ideal for just about any meat sizzling from a hot grill. It�s a barbecue red supreme. The price is as first-rate as the wine.� - $12.50

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For this week�s PREMIUM POUR we return to a wine we�ve used in the past, but that is drinking even better now (and our current stock is all that is available):

We go to PIEMONTE in the northwest of ITALY to taste a bargain BAROLO, MONCHIERO�S 2005. This what Kramer said: �Famously long-lived, Barolo is the apotheosis of the nebbiolo grape -- the end of the line, as good as it gets. Classically described as offering intermingled scents and tastes of roses and tar (sounds odd, tastes good), Barolo has changed somewhat in recent decades -- much of it for the better. Where once the wines were too often excessively tannic and sometimes dried-out, today they deliver fresh, precisely defined flavors and more gentle, easy-down-the-gullet tannins. Some producers, inevitably, have taken to using small oak barrels, the better to make Barolo taste "familiar," which is to say like the cabernets and pinot noirs the world is more accustomed to drinking. Monchiero, however, is a small family producer that has remained resolutely traditional. No small oak barrels for them. That said, they have �freshened� their style, creating wines that emphasize fruit purity at no expense of either depth or detail. This is all to the (very) good. When you taste this, be assured that you're tasting the real, true Barolo thing in all of its complexity and unique flavor distinction. Serve this in large glasses with braised oxtails, a good steak or anything hearty and full-flavored; you'll see -- or rather, taste -- what the hoopla is all about. This is a steal for the money -- as well as a benchmark bottling.� - $30.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.50/Taste or 6.00/4 Ounces

On Friday we will also have several other �Matt�s Picks� in stock including the COOPER MOUNTAIN 2008 RESERVE PINOT NOIR $20.00, the TORRE ORIA BRUT NON-VINTAGE CAVA $8.25, and the fabulous ANDR� CLOUET BRUT NATURE CHAMPAGNE $40.00

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, September 18th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open � I�ve yet to decide what. Maybe I should ask Matt Kramer!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

October 15 � Worldwide Syrah
October 22 � USA Cabernet Sauvignon
October 26 Annual Port Tasting
October 29 � California Pinot Noir
November 05 - Bordeaux

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, October 8th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES FROM SPAIN

CHEESE PLATE
To go with our Spanish wines, we had to have Spanish cheese. We offer the following selection:
Mah�n Cow�s Milk Menorca
From the Mediterranean island of Menorca, this is my favorite Spanish cheese, mainly because it seems to go well with Burgundy � I�m sure it will go well with Tempranillo. The cheese has a salty tang on the finish.
Ib�rico Cow/Goat/Sheep�s Milk Central Plains
Over 50% of Spanish cheese production is from a blend of milks, and this cheese�s name comes from a style of cheese produced all over the Iberian peninsular. This one comes from the Central Plains and shows mild acid from cow�s milk, the deeper flavor of sheep�s milk, and the finishing tang of goat�s milk. In theory this should be the best match to Tempranillo.
Manchego Sheep�s Milk La Mancha
From the land of Don Quixote, this is probably Spain�s most famous cheese. It is aged in grass molds for at least two months, giving it after notes of dry hay. A great match to many wines from dry sherry to rich reds.
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $3.00

SPAIN basically has two wine industries � the �Traditional�, and the �New World�, and so this week we are showing you both. We will "visit" 6 different DENOMINAC�ON de ORIGEN (DO).

1. We start with a traditional wine, the LAN 2005 RIOJA RESERVA. This is a TEMPRANILLO-based wine (it has small amounts of MAZUELO and GARNACHA) aged in AMERICAN OAK, which is �Old World Rioja�. As a Brit, this sort of wine was our "training wheels" � we could not afford French! Pauline and I have a soft-spot for this winery as back in the 1970s we drank a lot of it and in 1991 we visited the winery. As always, the wines are fabulous value - $18.50

2. Next up is the MONTSANT DO, a region that surrounds PRIORAT DO in CATALONIA, and is often considered as a �poor man�s Priorat�. We will taste the ELS GUIAMETS 2006 ISIS from a co-operative founded in 1913 and is a blend of GARNACHA, CARI�ENA and a little SYRAH. At a recent trade tasting I thought this wine was outstanding, offering lots of elegant black fruit, some oak and spice, and a long, complex finish - $22.50

3. We continue our journey around Spain with a visit to the VALENCIA DO, a part of LEVANTE which is an area on the Mediterranean coast south of CATALONIA. BODEGAS ARANLE�N was founded in 1927 but was reborn in 2000 when it was purchased by a group who brought a more modern view and a commitment to organic agriculture. We offer their 2007 BLES VINO ECOLOGICO which is a blend of 80% OLD VINE MONASTRELL and BOBAL and 20% younger CABERNET SAUVIGNON. This wine is spectacular value, offering a lush mid-palate that has a subtle gaminess, and then the CABERNET shows through on the finish - $10.50

4. We now move to the CALATAYUD DO which is part of ARAGON in the northeast of Spain near the border with France. The BODEGAS SAN ISIDRO 2009 FABLA OLD VINE GRENACHE (GARNACHA) is a classic example of a pure version of the grape. It was fermented in concrete tanks and aged in stainless steel. It offers lots of black raspberry fruit and has a complex, long finish. It makes one wonder �How do you get this complexity without oak?� - $12.50

5. Our final stop is the JUMILLA DO which is in the LEVANTE area and just to the west of the coastal town of ALICANTE. We offer the TARIMA 2009 MONASTRELL. This wine has a lot of weight, but is relatively soft, offering lots of slightly spicy, black fruit. Amazing value - $10.00

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

This week we offer an EXTRA POUR, a fantastic SHERRY:

The wines of JEREZ (SHERRY is the English bastardization of the name) are some of the greatest wine values in the world, but are not understood by people who have not been to Tapas Bars in Spain, or have just suffered the �Sherries� produced in some areas other than Andalusia. We offer the VALDESPINO �CONTRABANDISTA� AMONTILLADO. This is a NV off-dry AMONTILLADO with an average age of the wines being over 16 years. This Sherry could be used as an aperitif, or to accompany meat and game dishes - $33.50

TRY THIS FOR $2.00/1 Ounce or $3.50/2 Ounces or $7.00/4 ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, October 9th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual, we will have something interesting open.

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

October 22 � USA Cabernet Sauvignon
October 26 Annual Port Tasting
October 29 � California Pinot Noir
November 05 � Bordeaux
November 12 � Wines from the Gorge

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, October 15th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WORLDWIDE SYRAH

CHEESE PLATE
I searched the web to find cheese matches with SYRAH, and this is the result:
Raclette Cow�s Milk France
This is a Swiss or French alpine cheese with a nutty flavor and silky, smooth texture. Slightly softer than the more characteristic Alpage cheeses, it is a close cousin to Morbier in France and Appenzeller in Switzerland. Our Raclette is a raw milk cheese from the French Alps.
Double Gloucester Cow�s Milk England
This is a traditional English cheddar-style cheese from Gloucestershire with a bright, eggy, and somewhat sharp flavor. Double Gloucester has the honor and distinction of being used each spring for the Cooper�s Hill Cheese Rolling and Wake on Gloucestershire�s Cooper's Hill, which consists of competitors chasing a wheel of Double Gloucester down an uneven hillside. The competitors are expected to catch the wheel of cheese, but, with speeds in excess of 70mph, this is virtually impossible. What a waste of good cheese!
Extra Sharp Cheddar Cow�s Milk Canada
In past tastings, this has been the favorite Cheddar.
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $4.00

SYRAH has so many styles that our �Worldwide Syrahs� have been successful tastings � until people taste a SYRAH they do not know what they are getting. Is it a fruit bomb as many wines from �down under� are, or does it have that leathery, earthy, content of the Northern Rh�ne?

1. We start with a wine from ARGENTINA. At our last two similar tastings it was a CHILE wine that was the winner. Will the GOUGUENHEIM 2008 SYRAH be as successful? The wine, from the VALLE ESCONDIDO of the MENDOZA region, is similar to its CHILEAN counterpart in that it combines Northern Rh�ne elements of smoky bacon fat and leather with the forward fruit of a West Coast Syrah. This wines offers incredible value - $10.50

2. Next up is the origin � FRANCE. GUILHELM DURAND has been making lovely wines in the LANGUEDOC for many years. We offer his DOMAINE LA BASTIDE 2008 SYRAH VIN de PAYS d'HAUTERIVE LES GEN�TS. This is 100% SYRAH from 35+ year old vines grown in soils that are very similar to those of Chateauneuf�du-Pape strewn with quartz stones and pebbles and harvested at a modest 40 hl/ha. The wine offers good concentration with notes of blackberry, briery spice and some white pepper. This wine gives you the impression of a �junior� HERMITAGE and has much more style than most domestic versions twice the price - $12.00

3. We now go to the USA and our neighbors to the south, CALIFORNIA. Until a few weeks ago I�d never heard of BAILEYANA WINERY. However when I tasted their 2006 EDNA VALLEY SYRAH, it got my attention. While somewhat more powerful and intense than my European palate normally prefers, the intense fruit of blackberries and black currants is balanced by leather and pepper, with a bacon spiciness. Finally, the acidity and tannins give the wine great structure. The wine was rated �Outstanding� by the Wine Enthusiast - $19.75

4. Our final stop is an OREGON/WASHINGTON joint venture � an OREGON winery but COLUMBIA VALLEY fruit. ZERBA CELLARS is based in MILTON FREEWATER which is in the WALLA WALLA AVA, but is in OREGON. I�ve always liked their 2006 SYRAH, and it is now drinking fabulously � lots of bold fruit, but some of the subtleties of France. If there is any wine that is so much better than on release, this is it. The wine contains 4% GRENACHE and 1% MOURV�DRE - $30.00

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go back to FRANCE:

The SYRAHS from the NORTHERN RH�NE can be very expensive, but the SAINT JOSEPH Appellation offers some bargains � and some mediocre wines. DOMAINE FAURY�s wines are not inexpensive, but they are one of the leaders of quality wines from the Appellation. The 2007 VIEILLES VIGNES offers oodles of black raspberry and black cherry fruit together with that earthy quality of the region. The touches of white pepper on the finish make this a �killer wine� � if the wine said HERMITAGE on the label it would be over twice the price - $37.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $4.00/Taste or $7.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, October 16th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual, we will have something interesting open.

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

October 26 Annual Port Tasting
October 29 � California Pinot Noir
November 05 � Bordeaux
November 12 � Wines from the Gorge
November 19 � Wines for Thanksgiving
November 26 � USA Wines other than Oregon

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, October 22nd
4:30 - 7:00pm

WEST COAST CABERNET SAUVIGNON

CHEESE PLATE
Unfortunately, on the west side of town cheese choice is getting less and less � Whole Paycheck and Trader Joe�s are carrying fewer choices, but Freddy�s at 158/Walker seem to be expanding. In the end I could not get all the cheeses my favorite website recommended for Cabernet Sauvignon, but we got close.
Wensleydale Cow�s Milk YORKSHIRE!
As a Yorkshireman, I believe this cheese (of Wallace & Grommet fame) is the best in the world. Unfortunately the only current source I found was QFC whose price was higher than even Whole Paycheck, who say they will have no Wensleydale before December.
Gouda Cow�s Milk Holland
This mild cheese is a great background for many wines. This one is from Whole Paycheck, so is a little higher quality than some other �supermarket versions�.
Ford Farm Dorset Red Cow�s Milk Dorset, England
This is a smoked cheese made from the rich, creamy milk sourced from cows that graze the lush pastures of Ford Farm in west Dorset. The cheese is encased in a rich red rind that gradually develops as it is smoked over oak chippings.
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

1. We start with a wine from WASHINGTON. One of our local distributors, VINUM, has had BUNNELL FAMILY CELLARS make a CABERNET SAUVIGNON just for them. The gaVin 2008 CABERNET SAUVIGNON COLUMBIA VALLEY is amazing value. It offers lots of basic cassis fruit, some touches of oak, and what seems like a touch of Cabernet Franc on the finish - $10.00

2. Next up is CALIFORNIA. A year ago we poured the 2005 from MADDELANA and it was a big hit. This week we offer the MADDALENA 2006 PASO ROBLES. It is 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON that was aged in a mix of American and French oak barrels, of which about 35% were new. It is classic CABERNET SAUVIGNON offering lots of cassis, some wood influences, but more importantly, great balance and length. Great Value - $16.00

3. We stay in CALIFORNIA to taste a wine from a �traditional� producer. RAYMOND, founded in 1971, have been producing classic NAPA VALLEY wines since their first vintage in 1974. We offer their 2007 CABERNET SAUVIGNON RESERVE SELECTION. The CABERNET SAUVIGNON was blended with 5% CABERNET FRANC and 5% MERLOT, and the wine was aged for 18 months in French Oak barrels of which 30% were new. The aromas of the wine are very complex, offering a mix of berries with touches of clove and white pepper. The palate is more NAPA with intense blackberry and cassis fruit, and the finish shows �Bordeaux� touches of tobacco and spice - $30.00

4. Our final stop is an OREGON/WASHINGTON joint venture � an OREGON winery that uses fruit from WASHINGTON as well as OREGON. ZERBA CELLARS is in the WALLA WALLA AVA but is located in MILTON-FREEWATER, OREGON. They make a range of very good wines, but the CABERNET SAUVIGNON has always been my favorite and we will taste the 2006. This wine is a blend of 85% CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 10% MERLOT and 5% CABERNET FRANC with the fruit sourced from several vineyards in the rocky floodplain of the WALLA WALLA river. This wine, not quite as big on the palate as earlier vintages, has a nose offering blackcurrant and dark plums, together with hints of leather and smoky oak - $30.00

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go back to CALIFORNIA and the NAPA VALLEY:

We offer the SHAFER 2006 CABERNET SAUVIGNON �ONE POINT FIVE�. John Shafer and his son Doug own what is considered by many to be a �First Growth� of the Napa Valley. Their HILLSIDE SELECT is legendary. Pauline and I had the pleasure of meeting John and Doug in 1985 before they became famous � their 1982 Reserve Cabernet (which became the Hillside Select) was all of $12.50/bottle!

The ONE POINT FIVE is a STAGS LEAP DISTRICT wine from two vineyard sites, the HILLSIDE ESTATE VINEYARD and BORDERLINE VINEYARD that is about two miles south of the winery. There is 1% PETIT VERDOT in the wine, and it was aged in 75% new oak and 25% one-year oak barrels. The name comes from the fact it is the result of One Point Five generations. The local distributor is offering a deal on 2006 wines as the winery wants them to take more of the 2007. This wine was $53.00 wholesale, but we can offer it for - $52.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $6.00/Taste or $10.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, October 23rd
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual, we will have something interesting open.

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.
Wednesday, December 22 � Christmas Treats
(5-8PM)
Thursday, December 30 � Zinfandel
(5-8PM)
Friday, January 7 � South/Southwest of France
(4:30-7PM)

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, December 17th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES FROM SOUTH AMERICA

CHEESE PLATE
As we are offering a wide variation of wine, we offer a varied selection of cheese.
Sharp Cheddar Cow�s Milk New Zealand
One of our most popular Cheddars
Iberico Sheep/Cow/Goat�s Milk Spain
We could not find any S. American cheese, so thought an �invader� cheese was near enough!
Gruy�re/Cheddar M�lange Cow�s Milk California
I�d never heard of such a combination, so had to try it!
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $3.00

1. We start with a white, the ALAMOS 2009 CHARDONNAY from MENDOZA, ARGENTINA. This is an operation owned by CATENA, one of the country�s great producers. This wine has some weight and is lightly oaked. What I like is the balance � and the reduced price this month! - $9.50

2. We stay in ARGENTINA for our first red. GOUGUENHEIM�S SYRAH was a big hit at our last Syrah-from-around-the-World tasting, and we now offer their 2009 BONARDA/SYRAH blend. This wine from the VALLE ESCONDIDO region of MENDOZA is almost GRENACHE-like with bright black raspberry fruit and touches of white pepper similar to wines from the Rh�ne Valley - $10.00

3. CARM�N�RE can be considered the �signature red� of CHILE, and for many years was often �field blended� by mistake with MERLOT until the Chileans discovered it was a different grape. Originally from BORDEAUX, the varietal all but disappeared from FRANCE after the phylloxera epidemic in the 19th century. We will sample the CHONO 2007 RESERVA from grapes grown on the alluvial plains of the MAIPO VALLEY, a high-altitude region in the shadow of the Andes. Grapes are handpicked, and 60 percent of the wine is aged for 10 months in French oak barrels. The wine is lush and round on the palate, with plenty of baking spice and touches of tobacco in its aromas. It is wonderfully supple and ripe, which this grape needs. I love the mouth feel and length - $12.50

4. We stay in CHILE for ROOTS 1 2008 CABERNET SAUVIGNON from the COLCHAGUA VALLEY. This is an obviously CHILEAN wine, showing more BORDEAUX nuances than the rich fruit of, say, a NAPA VALLEY wine. I found it amazingly complex, with an almost Merlot-like touch of chocolate on the finish - $11.00

5. Back to ARGENTINA and its signature grape, MALBEC. LLAMA OLD VINE MALBEC has been a big seller (despite its �critter� label) in the 2007 vintage, and we now offer the next vintage, the 2008. From the ALTO AGRELO VALLEY in the MENDOZA sub-region of LUJAN de CUYO, this is a complex MALBEC, offering lots of bold fruit coupled with nuances you would expect in a more expensive wine. Unfortunately the popularity of the 2007 has driven-up the price of the 2008. However it is still wonderful value - $14.50

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $8.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we return to CHILE:

CONCHA y TORO is a producer of wines from the lowest supermarket price points to incredible wines at incredibly high prices. Their flagship is the DON MELCHOR CABERNET SAUVIGNON from the MAIPO VALLEY. This wine used to be highly allocated and was all pre-sold before release. As a sign of the times, the 2006 is available to all. I have not tasted this vintage, but the Wine Advocate gave it 95 saying, �The 2006 Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon is a glass-coating opaque purple with an alluring bouquet of toast, tobacco, cedar, leather, mocha, and blackcurrant. Sweet, voluptuous (but not in a fruit bomb kind of way), layered, and complex already, its superb balance will ensure at least a decade of evolution and it should drink well through 2036. Drink 2009 � 2036� - $79.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $8.00/Taste or $16.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, December 18th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

I love some of the blends coming out of PIEMONTE. We will offer the TINTERO NV ROSSO which is a blend of BARBERA, DOLCHETTO and NEBBIOLO. This is a wine made for importer KERMIT LYNCH. It offers lots of BARBERA-like fruit up front, and the NEBBIOLO is unmistakable on the finish. A wonderful wine to go with almost any food from white meat to strong cheeses - $11.50

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

CHRISTMAS TREATS TASTING

WEDNESDAY, December 22nd
5:00 - 8:00pm

As our customers were evenly split on Wednesday vs. Thursday, we have opted for Wednesday 22nd for our pre-Christmas tasting. It turns out to be the same date we used last year. We offer five higher-priced wines. The wines are priced individually by the taste and 4 ounce glass, with a discount if you taste all five.

PAULINE will be offering some of her fabulous MINCE PIES on a first come, first served, basis.

In the Mother Country when we were kids (OK, we know that was a long time ago!), mince pies and Cheddar Cheese were a traditional partnership, and so we will offer some ENGLISH CHEDDAR CHEESE � again, while supply lasts!

THE TREATS
(subject to change because of sales over the next couple of days)

1. We start with a white from ALSACE, CHARLES SCHLERET 2005 PINOT BLANC �HERRENWEG�. This is like no other ALSACE PINOT BLANC I�ve tasted before, and the 2005 is the current release. It is rich and round on the palate, and then the back palate and finish have wonderful mineral accents. Not inexpensive for a PINOT BLANC, but nevertheless, great value - $24.00
$3.00/taste, $5.00/four ounces

2. Next up is BURGUNDY and DOMAINE PAVELOT 2008 SAVIGNY-les-BEAUNE 1er CRU �LES NARBANTONS�. About 20 years ago SAVIGNY-les-BEAUNE was one of the bargain villages of the C�TE du BEAUNE, but unfortunately, it was discovered. LES NARBANTONS is my favorite vineyard in the village, and this is a wonderful, if somewhat young, example from this lovely vineyard. At a trade tasting in August of about 60 BURGUNDIES (someone has to do it!), this was a standout when you took price into consideration - $48.75
$5.50/taste, $10.00/four ounces

3. What is a �Treats Tasting� without a CH�TEAUNEUF-du-PAPE? From the great 2007 vintage we offer DOMAINE La ROQU�TE. While I�ve found a few 2007s to be almost too fruity, this is a profound CDP that still needs a little cellar time to show its best. Owned and run by FR�D�RIC et DANIEL BRUNIER since the mid-1980s, the vineyards are planted to 70% GRENACHE, 20% SYRAH and 10% MOURV�DRE. My tasting of this vintage seems to say there is a little more than 10% MOURV�DRE in the blend - $42.50
$4.50/taste, $8.50/four ounces

4. We now move to ITALY and the NUMBER ONE wine in this year�s Wine Enthusiast �Enthusiast Top 100 Wines�. RENATO RATTI has been a producer of excellent BAROLOS at modest cost for some years. We will sample the 2006 �MARCENASCO�. This is what the Wine Enthusiast said: �Dark in color with a modern style and velvety extraction, the gorgeous Marcenasco espression of Barolo is redolent of blackberries, cherries, spice, leather and tobacco. The finish is long and elegant but not without power and determination. The wine will cellar for 10 years plus.� I�ve not tasted this wine and so I�m looking forward to doing so! - $49.75
$5.50/taste, $10.00/four ounce

5. We stay in ITALY for our final wine. AGLIANICO was an unknown grape on these shores until MASTROBERARDINO brought his TAURASI to the USA. These wines are grown on volcanic soils to the east of Mt. Vesuvio in CAMPANIA. We offer his 2004 �RADICI�. It has AGLIANICO�s trademark nose of cigar boxes and leather, offset by an almost sweet taste of black cherries and black currants. At six years of age it is just beginning to shed its original noticeable tannins - $58.50
$6.50/taste, $12.00/four ounces

TRY ALL FIVE WINES FOR $22.50
(a $2.50 discount)

A MERRY, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL. MANY THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT IN THESE �CHALLENGING� ECONOMIC TIMES!

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.
Friday, January 14 � Cabernet Sauvignon and Blends
Friday, January 21 � Piemonte
Friday, 28 January � Syrah
February 04 � C�tes du Rh�ne
February 11 � Valentine Wines

THIS WEEK

SOUTH of FRANCE

P�T� PLATE
It is a long time since we have offered P�t� rather than cheese, but with hearty French wines, why not P�t�? What we offer come from Viande Meats at City Market NW.
Venison P�t�
Venison/Pork/Sundried Cherries
Country P�t�
Pork/Chicken Livers/Prosciutto
P�T� SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

The reds from the South of France are great at this time of the year � think game, hearty stews, beef, lamb, etc. Also the wines have a real sense of place � you can almost feel the warmth of the sun ripening the grapes, smell the herbs, and just wish you were there.

1. We start with a long time favorite in the store, but with a newer vintage. DOMAINE SORTEIHO from SAINT-CHINIAN has been a direct import by GREG ZANCANELLA for several years. SAINT-CHINIAN is in the centre of the LANGUEDOC, but inland from the coast. The 2007 is a blend of 75% SYRAH and 25% GRENACHE. It offers wild berries matched with herbs such as thyme and laurel. A great wine for grilled meats - $10.00

2. We stay in the LANGUEDOC but move to CORBI�RES, one of largest Appellations in the western LANGUEDOC. B�RAIL LAGARDE 2007 ROQUE SESTI�RE TRADITION is a blend of 75% SYRAH and 25% CAIGNAN. It offers lots of spicy black fruit, good balance, and a nice rustic edge typical of the area - $12.50

3. With this third wine I�m cheating a little as most (including me!) would normally call the COSTI�RES de N�MES Appellation as the southwest Rhone Valley, but for this tasting I�m calling it the eastern end of the LANGUEDOC. MAS CARLOT is one of the great value producers in the area, and their 2008 TRADITION is a lovely example of the value wines from the area. It is a blend of 60% SYRAH and 40% GRENACHE, and when I tasted it, I thought this is a not-to-be-missed wine - $12.50

4. While all the previous wines have their own AOCs, this next wine is �just� a Vin de Pays d�OC, but to my mind, deserves its own Appellation. GRANGE PHILIPPE 2007 PICCOLINO is made at DOMAINE GRES SAINT PAUL, and is a stainless steel fermented and aged 100% MOUV�DRE. It offers lots of black fruit and spice together with garrigue � it could come from nowhere other than the South of France. The freshness and well-integrated tannins make this a �quaffer� as well as a serious wine to go with meat - $13.50

5. The last wine of the basic flight is a wine that to me could not come from anywhere else. From the C�TES du ROUSSILLON VILLAGES Appellation, the DOMAINE GAUBY 2007 LES CALCINAIRES offers lovely black fruit, herbs, spice and warm sun. Shut your eyes and imagine you are in ROUSSILLON, it is a great experience � unfortunately, when you open your eyes you will still be in rainy Oregon! The wine is about 50% SYRAH, 25% MOURV�DRE, the balance being GRENACHE and CARIGNAN. Fermentation was with natural yeasts, and there was no manipulation of the wine, or filtration. A really pure wine that speaks terroir - $27.00

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go to BANDOL:

I�m a huge fan of the wines of BANDOL and the MOURV�DRE grape. Unfortunately the wines take several years to show their worth, and by then they are no longer available. The Appellation says the reds have to be at least 50% MOURV�DRE, but the BRONZO brothers at LA BASTIDE BLANCHE use at least 75% in their various CUV�ES. We offer the 2007 CUV�E FONTAN�OU which in most years is 100% MOURV�DRE from an old block overlooking the Mediterranean. This is a wild, earthy, leathery, tannic wine, which is what young BANDOL is all about. On the palate this wine seemed to be indeed aiming for more accessible style with bold, smooth black fruits, spice and mineral flavors. However the tannins are big ****, quite ripe, but dry on the finish - $32.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.00/Taste or $6.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

Saturday, January 8th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free

As usual we will have something interesting open. At the moment I plan the following:

MATELLO 2009 LAZARUS WILLAMETTE VALLEY PINOT NOIR, $19.75 � we have always liked Marcus� wines (2007 and 2008) and this release was a Matt Kramer �rave� in what may be his last column in the Oregonian --- stay tuned!

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.
Friday, January 21 � Piemonte
Friday, 28 January � Syrah
February 04 � C�tes-du-Rh�ne
February 11 � Wines for Your Valentine

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, January 14th
4:30 - 7:00pm

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

CHEESE PLATE
As usual, for Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines, we offer a selection of Cow�s Milk Cheddar Cheeses:
Extra Sharp, Raw Milk, Aged 18 Months New York
Coastal, Aged 15 Months Dorset, England
Extra Sharp, Aged 24 Months Canada
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $3.00

The wines are all �legally� CABERNET SAUVIGNON, but some have small amounts of other grapes.

1. We start in CALIFORNIA�S NAPA VALLEY with the 2008 ANNABELLA CABERNET SAUVIGNON. This was a rave wine a few years ago and has remained a steady seller. However we have not poured it for a few years so thought it was time to re-introduce it to a wider audience. The wine is one of MICHAEL POZZAN�S n�gociant wines where he buys excess juice from well-known wineries and bottles it under the ANNABELLA label. This is classic NAPA CABERNET at an amazing price - $13.00

2. We now go to FRANCE � yes, FRANCE � for a 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON. CH�TEAU ROUTAS is in PROVENCE, and we offer their 2007 �WILD BOAR� CABERNET SAUVIGNON which carries a Vin de Pays du VAR Appellation. This wine offers lots of pure cassis from the grape, but has the typical earthiness and garrigue from this part of France - $13.50

3. Back to CALIFORNIA and the ALEXANDER VALLEY and we will taste MARIETTA 2007 CABERNET SAUVIGNON. This winery was out of the Oregon market for a while, went through a distributor who showed little interest, and now is with another distributor. This is a fairly big wine, and somewhat young at the moment. The aromas show broad hints of complexity including ripe cherry, cassis, graphite, and a pleasant herbal and earthy component. The palate is very full and structured, and well-integrated oak carries the wine to a long finish. This wine can age for at least 10 years - $20.00

4. MIKE JANUIK is one of my favorite WASHINGTON winemakers � he seems to have a great talent to integrate new oak into the fruit of the grapes without either element dominating. We offer his 2007 COLUMBIA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON. The wine is a blend of 93% CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 3% MERLOT, 2% CABERNRET FRANC and 2% MALBEC. However more important than the blend is where the fruit comes from � some of the best vineyards in the COLUMBIA VALLEY � CHAMPOUX, KLIPSUM, CIEL du CHEVAL and RED MOUNTAIN. This is a multi-layered wine with balance between fruit and oak, and was rated �outstanding� by the Wine Advocate - $30.00

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go WALLA WALLA:

For a long time FIVE STAR CELLARS wines have been a little �over-the-top� for me, showing too much fruit extraction, too much oak and alcohol. The only wine we have carried has been their MERLOT. I recently tasted their 2007 WALLA WALLA CABERNET SAUVIGNON, and either my palate, or their style has changed. While still no wimp, the wine seems more harmonious with everything well-integrated. A blend of 90% CABERNET SAUVIGNON and 10% MERLOT from great vineyards such as LES COLLINES, SEVEN HILLS, PEPPERBRIDGE and HEATHER HILLS, the wine was aged in a 50/50 mix of American and French oak. The aromas offer some earth, tobacco and cassis, and the palate has lots of dark cherry fruit, and the finish has velvety tannins - $36.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $4.00/Taste or $7.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com

CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

August 06 � Worldwide Cabernet Sauvignon
August 13 � Abacela vs. Spanish �Originals�
August 20 � German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 � Wines from the Rh�ne Valley

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, July 30th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES FROM MEDITERRANEAN ISLANDS

CHEESE PLATE
We tried to find cheese from the Islands and we made it, but not necessarily from the same islands as the wines!
Mah�n Cow�s Milk Menorca
From the Mediterranean island of Menorca, this is my favorite Spanish cheese, mainly because it seems to go well with Burgundy � I�m sure it will go well with this week�s wines. The cheese has a salty tang on the finish.
Brigante Sheep�s Milk Sardinia
This sheep�s milk cheese comes from around the town of Thiesi in the north of the island. It is often called Dolce Sardo because of the sweetness of the local ewes� milk.
Halloumi Sheep�s Milk Cyprus
This is a similar cheese to Saganaki, the Greek �Flaming Cheese�, and is wonderful grilled. However it is interesting sliced in a salad.
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

At this time of the year, with the temperature going up in Oregon, lets �fly� to where breezes moderate temperatures and make life wonderful � the Islands of the Mediterranean.

1. We start on SANTORINI, that wonderful Greek island. The combination of heat plus strong winds makes for interesting wine growing conditions. ASSYRTIKO is the major white varietal, and its origin is unknown. Some think it is native to SANTORINI, or it may have arrived on the island with the Phoenicians after the volcanic eruptions of 1640 � 1620 BC. We offer this grape blended with ATHIRI in the SIGALAS 2008 SANTORINI WHITE It offers classic flowery, almost honeysuckle nose and then an underlying mineral acidity. Wonderful with kalamar�kia, either grilled or fried - $20.00
(We also have their 100% ASSYRTIKO at $24.00 and the oaked version at $28.75)

2. Next up is SARDEGNA (aka Sardinia), the Italian island to the west of LAZIO and CAMPANIA. ARGIOLAS is one of the top value/quality producers on the island and we offer their 2007 PERDERA which is a blend of the two local grapes MONICA (90%) and BOVALE di SARDO (5%) together with CARIGNAN (5%). A Matt Kramer recommendation, this wine is rated between 89 and 92 in major magazines. The wine is full-flavored and a little rustic, but offers lots of intense berry fruit - $14.50

3. We move back to SANTORINI for a RED. This island is usually thought of as a white wine producer (and Vin Santo), but ARGYROS also produces a lovely red (the first red from this island we have carried). ATLANTIS RED is a blend of 90% MANDILARIA and 10% MAVROTRAGANO. The former is a major red grape on CRETE and RHODOS (where it is known as AMORYANO). The wine is medium-full bodied with fine tannins, complex aromas of red fruit, with hints of prune and leather - $20.00

4. Moving further west we visit SPAIN�S BALEAR�C ISLANDS, and in particular the island of MALLORCA. This is one of the great �package vacation� islands for northern Europeans (Pauline and I were there in 1970s and I�m sure we would find it over-developed now). It is also home to some old wine regions. The Romans are thought to have brought viticulture to the island in about 123 AD. The industry has waxed and waned over the centuries and the modern industry dates from the 1980s. There are two Denominaci�n de Origins on the island, BINISS�LLEM-MALLORCA and PLA i LLEVANT. We will taste a wine from the former DO, the VINS NADAL 2008 ALBA FLOR TINTO. No, this wine does not taste like a used tennis ball, but is an interesting blend of the local varietal MANTO**** (75%) and 14% CABERNET SAUVIGNON and 11% MERLOT. The wine offers aromas of cherry and raspberry, and the palate is fruity with a mineral background. It is outstanding value - $14.50

5. Our final wine of the main flight comes from SICILIA. BENANTI is a producer that specializes with local varietals. We offer its 2006 ROSSODIVERZELLA (the current release) which is a blend of 80% NERELLO MASCALESE and 20% NERELLO CAPUCCIO. I�ve always liked this wine and this vintage is probably the best yet. The wine offers lots of ****y black fruit, together with something extra from the grapes being grown on the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna (at about 2500ft elevation). Not your �run-of-the-mill� red wine - $17.50
(We have a couple of bottles of the 2002 available at $16.50)

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

Our PREMIUM POUR also comes from SICILIA:

TENUTA della TERRE NERE is a property of MARC de GRAZIA, a Florentine who is very much involved with importing terrific Italian wines into the USA. The 2005 CALDERARA SOTTANA is a wine produced from grapes grown at about 800 metres on the NE slopes of Mount Etna. The wine carries an IGT ETNA ROSSO designation and is a blend of 98% NERELLO MASCALESE and 2% NERELLO CAPPUCCIO, two �native� grapes. I would not have guessed this wine, a regular winner of Due Bichieri in Gambero Rosso, came from SICILIA. The wine has the texture of a very good Burgundy, and offers lots of earthy, black fruit. If this wine came from anywhere other than SICILIA, it would cost much more! - $24.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.00/Taste or $5.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, July 31st
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. We are planning:

For the current warm weather, what is more refreshing than an un-oaked SAUVIGNON BLANC? We will pour LA PLAYA 2009 from CHILE�s COLCHAQUA VALLEY - $8.25

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com
CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

August 13 � Abacela vs. Spanish �Originals�
August 20 � German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 � Wines from the Rh�ne Valley
September 03 - Zinfandel

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 6th
4:30 - 7:00pm

CABERNET SAUVIGNON from around the WORLD

CHEESE PLATE
To go with Cabernet Sauvignon we offer a selection of cow�s milk Cheddar cheese. These cheeses always form a good backdrop for red wines.
Sharp Aged 6-9 months New Zealand
Coastal Aged 15 months Dorset, England
Extra, Extra Sharp Aged 18 months New York
SAMPLER PLATE $3.00

CABERNET SAUVIGNON could be considered the signature grape of the NAPA VALLEY, and it seems to be grown all over the world. Let�s taste the diversity with wines from five countries and two different zones of one of the countries. I find it very difficult to suggest a tasting order, and so I�m taking the easy way out and listing them in price order.

1. We start in ARGENTINA and the enormous wine region of MENDOZA. TRUMPETER is the �entry-level� label of RUTINI, and its 2007 CABERNET SAUVIGNON is stunning value. I believe it is 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON, and it offers pure cassis fruit with subtle touches of oak - $8.00

2. Now we jump over the Andes to CHILE. There are many wonderful value producers in this country of great scenery and wonderful people, but I�m beginning to think it is hard to beat CHONO for quality vs. price. Their Syrah has been the winner in our last two �Syrah from around the World� tastings, and the Carmin�re is also wonderful. We offer the 2008 CABERNET SAUVIGNON from the MAIPO VALLEY. Like most CABERNET SAUVIGNONS from this country, the wine is more BORDEAUX in style than, say, WALLA WALLA style - $12.50

3. I consider BORDEAUX as the home of CABERNET SAUVIGNON, but there it is usually blended with other grapes, although some Ch�teaux approach 100% in some years, and n�gotiants bottle 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON wines. The LANGUEDOC is a source of 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNONS, and we offer LES TRAVERSES de FONTANES 2007 VIN de PAYS d�OC. This is an estate-produced wine imported by Kermit Lynch, and is more elegant and complex than one would expect from this area - $14.25

4. What would a CABERNET SAUVIGNON tasting be without something from CALIFORNIA? We will taste the GOYETTE 2007 NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON. I�m sure most of you are saying �Who is Goyette?� BOB GOYETTE was the founder of LA CREMA and then moved on to other wineries. I tasted this wine at a trade tasting and thought it was great value for NAPA VALLEY. This is Bob�s philosophy: �I keep one eye on the successful traditions of Europe, and the other closely attuned to the grapes at hand. Using my own palate as a spring-board, I determine if the wines are really appealing to drink, rather than just done in a proper manner. I keep trying to work towards the best syntheses of the New & Old World traditions, while intuitively striving for wines that appeal to connoisseurs as well as people that just like wine. To me, it's all about balance and about listening.� - $18.75

5. We return to Europe and the PENED�S region of SPAIN. MIGUEL TORRES was just about the first to plant CABERNET SAUVIGNON in the area in the 1960s, and the TORRES winery now bottles 100% CABERNET wines, together with wines where the grape is blended with TEMPRANILLO. We offer one of the latter in the form of the GRAN CORONAS 2005 RESERVA. This is a blend of 85% CABERNET SAUVIGNON and 15% TEMPRANILLO (aka ULL de LIEBRE in Catalonia), and, in the Spanish tradition, has spent a considerable time in oak. Lush and elegant, the wine shows cassis from the CABERNET, and this is intermingled with coffee bean, licorice and vanillans - $19.25

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

Our PREMIUM POUR comes from our neighbors to the north, WASHINGTON:

STEPHENSON CELLARS was a new producer to me until a couple of weeks ago. They are in WALLA WALLA but their 2006 CABERNET SAUVIGNON carries a WASHINGTON Appellation as it is a blend from three vineyards � WINDY RIDGE in HORSE HEAVEN HILLS, WOODEN ISLAND on the banks of the COLUMBIA RIVER, and INLAND DESERT in BENTON CITY. The wine shows aromas of blueberry, cassis and cedar; the palate has cassis and plum with some Bordeaux-like influences - $33.00
*With apologies to Sideways, we also have their excellent MERLOT!*

TRY THIS WINE FOR $4.00/Taste or $7.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 7th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. We are planning:

NANTAIS, the western end of the LOIRE VALLEY, is best known for MUSCADET, which is made from the MELON de BOURGOGNE grape. However there is another white grape in the area, GROS PLANT (aka FOLLE BLANCHE), which normally does not have too much charm, being very acidic. The DOMAINE de l�AIGUILLETTE 2009 GROS PLANT is lovely � although very dry, it has great fruit upfront. It is much better than most inexpensive MUSCADET - $9.25

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I’ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on “Site Index” and then “Electronic Newsletter”. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click “Remove”. Thank you.

August 20 – German and Austrian Red Wines
August 27 – Wines from the Rhône Valley
September 03 – Zinfandel
September 10 – Burgundy

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 13th
4:30 - 7:00pm

ABACELA vs. SPANISH “ORIGINALS”

CHEESE PLATE
To go with our Spanish wines and Abacela wines from Spanish grapes, we offer a selection of Spanish cheese:
Ibérico Cow/Goat/Sheep’s Milk Central Plains
Over 50% of Spanish cheese production is from a blend of milks, and this cheese’s name comes from a style of cheese produced all over the Iberian peninsular. This one comes from the Central Plains and shows mild acid from cow’s milk, the deeper flavor of sheep’s milk, and the finishing tang of goat’s milk. In theory this should be the best match to Tempranillo.
Campo de Montalbán Cow/Goat/Sheep’s Milk La Mancha
This cheese resembles Manchego in texture and appearance, and until 1985 it was in fact considered a Manchego. Campo de Montalbán is distinguished by its three milk blend, while Manchego contains only sheep's milk. The flavor is also similar to Manchego. However, as with Ibérico, the characters of all three milks are noticeable in Campo de Montalbán.
Manchego Sheep’s Milk La Mancha
From the land of Don Quixote, this is probably Spain’s most famous cheese. It is aged in grass molds for at least two months, giving it after notes of dry hay. A great match to many wines from dry sherry to rich reds.
SAMPLER PLATE $4.00

I always admire winery owners who have a vision to do something different, and succeed in making good wines that are interesting and start new trends. Earl and Hilda Jones, who founded ABACELA, had a belief that an area near Roseburg would be ideal for several Spanish varietals. Their wines are very good, and we’ve seen a mini-explosion of TEMPRANILLO in Oregon. All their wines are quality wines, and they are using only Estate fruit, or fruit from vineyards they manage. The Claret is being discontinued, as they do not grow Cabernet Sauvignon.

Last month, on our way to Ashland, Pauline and I visited ABACELA and had a great time. Linda, in charge of the tasting room, was charming and knowledgeable - and very generous with her pours. The current Tasting Room is small, and must become “cozy” on a busy weekend. An expanded winery and tasting room is under construction. If you have not visited this winery, plan to do so.


We had a picnic lunch at the winery:


Pauline contemplates world distances:


For this tasting we will compare two wines made from three Spanish varietals – one from Spain and one made from ABACELA.

Our first grape is ALBARIÑO:

1. From ABACELA we will taste their 2009 UMPQUA VALLEY. I watched the development of this grape at ABACELA and thought the 2008 was good, but the 2009 hit the mark, offering a wine as complex as its Spanish ancestors, and very competitive in price. It is the first vintage we have carried in the shop - $18.50

2. Most SPANISH ALBARINOS I really enjoy are north of $20.00/bottle, but I found one at <$20 for this tasting. BODEGAS LA CANA is a joint venture of the GIL FAMILY JUMILLA and importer JORGE ORDONEZ. The wine, of course, comes from RIAS BAIXAS in GALICIA, and the 2008 was rated “Outstanding” in the Wine Advocate. While not as complex as the great ALBARINOS from DO FERREIRO, the LA CANA is excellent - $18.00
(We have the 2007 DO FERREIRO in stock at $24.00)

The Second Grape is TEMPRANILLO, the grape that made ABACELA’S name:

3. We wanted to pour ABACELA’s 2007 McCORQUODALE VINEYARD which we tasted at the winery, but it appears this limited wine is “tasting room only” for the time being. This is their neighbor and they manage the vineyard. Instead we offer the 2007 CUVÉE which is a blend of 85% ESTATE FRUIT with the rest coming from the McCORQUODALE and DEFINO VINEYARDS. I was not fond of the early CUVÉE releases, but as the vines achieved some age, this wine is the bargain TEMPRANILLO from this producer - $20.00
(We also have the 2006 ESTATE at $36.00)

4. From SPAIN we offer IZARDI 2005 CRIANZA. This wine is 100% TEMPRANILLO from the RIOJA region, and was aged in American oak barrels. While very traditional in the use of American oak, this wine is much more fruit forward for traditional RIOJA, and I thought would be a good comparison to ABACELA - $18.00

Our Third Grape is GARNACHA:

While the French may think they “invented” GRENACHE, it appears the grape originates in SPAIN under the name GARNACHA.

5. From ABACELA we will taste their 2008 UMPQUA VALLEY. At the winery, Pauline was a bigger fan of this wine than I was. Maybe it was because it really has a “sense of place”, as it was not Spanish or French – and as a European, I too often tend to compare wines with the “originals”. At the moment my favorite OREGON GRENACHE/GARNACHA is COWHORN’S from the APPLEGATE VALLEY. Let’s find out what our customers think! - $22.50

6. From SPAIN it was difficult to choose what to use, mainly because most of the wines are much cheaper than the ABACELA wine, so we decided to pour a GARNACHA which approaches the ABACELA in price, but is somewhat atypical. JOAN d’ANGUERA has been a family-run winery since 1820 and is now run by a sister and brother team of Joan and Josep. Their 2009 GARNATXA is from MONTSANT. MONTSANT is in Catalonia, hence the spelling of the grape GARNACHA. This is their “entry level” red, and is fermented and aged in concrete tanks. It is one of the purest interpretations of the GARNACHA grape I’ve ever tasted - $19.00

TRY THESE SIX WINES FOR $12.00

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 14th
Noon – 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. As it is supposed to be over 90˚, we are planning:

Red wine drinkers need a great ROSÉ in hot weather. Pauline and I tend to believe the best of these wines come from the SOUTH of FRANCE, but this week I tried what I think is the greatest ROSÉ I’ve tasted from the USA – and it is from OREGON. COWHORN is in SOUTHERN OREGON’S APPLEGATE VALLEY and all their vineyards are biodynamically farmed (Demeter certified). Their 2009 GRENACHE ROSÉ is almost 100% GRENACHE but includes a tiny bit of VIOGNIER. I’d have guessed it was from PROVENCE, and even though not inexpensive for a ROSÉ, I think it is great value - $18.00

Remember we have air conditioning to keep our wine, and you, cool!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I’ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on “Site Index” and then “Electronic Newsletter”. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click “Remove”. Thank you.

August 27 – Wines from the Rhône Valley
September 03 – Zinfandel
September 10 – Burgundy

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 20th
4:30 - 7:00pm

AUSTRIAN and GERMAN REDS

CHEESE PLATE
We’ve only fond one German cheese so far (other than Limberger), and none from Austria. Hopefully, by Friday, we will have something put together!
SAMPLER PLATE $??.00

We know most of you do not think about red wines when you consider Austria and Germany as these countries are famous mainly for Grüner Veltliner and Riesling whites. However, both countries make some interesting reds, usually from grapes grown in very few other countries. These wines are ideal summer reds, and some are even better when served slightly chilled (not refrigerator temperature, but at about 60˚F). We hope many of you come to try these interesting, but rarely poured, wines.

1. We start in Germany with a grape called DORNFELDER. This a crossing of a crossing between several German varietals, and Jancis Robinson said in her book Vines, Grapes and Wines “Dornfelder demonstrates most eloquently the advantages of the German approach to plant breeding”. We will taste the ANDREAS DIEHL 2009 DORNFELDER from the PFALZ region. This is the sunniest and driest part of Germany, and so should be the best area for red grapes. This DORNFELDER is very fruity in style with a touch of residual sugar. It is an ideal hot weather red. This is a review I found on-line: “Strawberries and cherries are all over the nose, and you can tell that this wine is full of fruit. The wine is sweet on the palate, right out of the gate. However, it’s still clean, and on the lighter side for a sweetish wine. There is a bit of acid, but almost no tannic structure until very, very late on the palate. Dark cherries and strawberries dominate the experience” - $13.50

2. Next up is SPÄTBURGUNDER, aka PINOT NOIR. I’ve tasted some lovely such wines from GERMANY, but the prices are usually too high to make sense. We have carried a few reasonably priced ones from the PFALZ, and this week we offer one from RHEINHESSEN, which is just to the north of the PFALZ. The wine is from the 2007 vintage and is called UNDONE. Produced by the VALCKENBERG GROUP and bottled with a screw cap, the wine is unoaked and unmanipulated – this is the reason for the name as the grapes are “undone” to show their natural charms (just wait until you see the label). K & L Wines of San Francisco say on their web site “It is the fresh, light and juicy wine for those of us who don’t like our Pinot Noir to look and taste like Syrah. The wine is delicate and pure, medium bodied and full of wild strawberry, cherry and raspberry aromas with just a subtle hint of spice in the finish”. It will take a slight chill - $12.50

3. I recently attended an Austrian Trade Tasting and liked most of the wines. However Austrian wines have a price problem in the USA. In fact the country has the highest price per bottle of all European countries who export to the USA. We start with the grape BLAUFRÄNKISCH, which in Germany is often called LEMBERGER. We will taste the NECKENMARKT 2008 CLASSIC “FRANK” from MITTELBURGENLAND. The wine has ripe red-black fruit with a touch of spice and moderate tannins. Someone described it as the wine you would get if you mixed Dolcetto with a Cru Beaujolais – I think she is right! - $16.00

4. We stay in the BURGENLAND and taste a blend from the HEINRICH winery. In a very honest fashion they just call it the 2008 RED. It is a blend of 50% MERLOT, 30% ZWEIGELT and 20% BLAUFRÄNKISCH. On the nose all I could sense was the MERLOT, but this is one of those wines where the nose can be misleading. The palate has lots of spice and a certain earthiness, and the finish is very long. A fascinating wine - $19.50

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we stay with the HEINRICH winery in BURGENLAND:

When Pauline and I did our OKANAGAN trip in 2007 we were surprised by how good the ZWEIGELT from ARROWLEAF winery was as we did not know any North American winery grew this red grape. This week we offer one of the best ZWEIGELTS from AUSTRIA when one takes price into account. ZWEIGELT is a crossing of BLAUFRÄNKISCH and ST-LAURENT. I tried to find a ST-LAURENT for the tasting as this grape is supposed to be a close cousin to PINOT NOIR, but the local distributors do not seem keen on it. This ZWEIGELT has a lovely nose of ripe cherries and violets – almost too good to drink! The palate is much richer with dark fruit and touches of liquorice and chocolate. Fantastic value - $27.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.00/Taste or $5.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 21st
Noon – 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open. Despite the cooler weather, I’d love you to try this rosé

Red wine drinkers need a great ROSÉ in the summer. Pauline and I tend to believe the best of these wines come from the SOUTH of FRANCE, but recently I tried what I think is the greatest ROSÉ I’ve tasted from the USA – and it is from OREGON. COWHORN is in SOUTHERN OREGON’S APPLEGATE VALLEY and all their vineyards are biodynamically farmed (Demeter certified). Their 2009 GRENACHE ROSÉ is almost 100% GRENACHE but includes a tiny bit of VIOGNIER. I’d have guessed it was from PROVENCE, and even though not inexpensive for a ROSÉ, I think it is great value - $18.00

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

September 03 � Zinfandel
September 10 � Burgundy
September 17 � The best of Matt Kramer�s 2010 Picks
September 24 � The Crus of Beaujolais

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, August 27th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES of the RH�NE VALLEY

CHEESE PLATE
We offer a selection of French cheese to go with our French wines.
Fol Epi Cow�s Milk Loire Valley
This creamy cheese is enclosed in a golden-brown rind made from a wheat base -- hence the name �Fol Epi,� which means �wild wheat stalk� in French. It is made in a similar style to Swiss Emmental, providing a nutty taste with a slight wheat flavor.
Raclette Cow�s Milk French Alps
This is a Swiss or French alpine cheese with a nutty flavor and silky, smooth texture. Slightly softer than the more characteristic Alpage cheeses, it is a close cousin to Morbier in France and Appenzeller in Switzerland. Our Raclette is a raw milk cheese from the French Alps.
Tomme de Savoie Cow�s Milk Savoie
This Tomme is a semi-firm cow's milk cheese made in the valley of the Savoie in the French Alps. It has a delightfully nutty flavor and a smooth paste that melts in your mouth. The hard, powdery rind has an earthy aroma and is usually speckled with many types of indigenous and beneficial molds
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

We were encouraged by the turnout to try lesser-known wines at our German/Austrian Red tasting, and so for this Rh�ne tasting we�ve included a couple of wines that are somewhat out-of-the-mainstream for this popular wine region.

1. We start with the 2009 vintage of what was our biggest selling C�TES-du-RH�NE in the 2007 and 2008 vintages. DOMAINE CHAPOTON can trace its origins to 1665 under Louis XIV, and the current generation took over in 1981. The wine is a blend of GRENACHE, SYRAH, MOUV�DRE and CARIGNAN. The wine has intense fruit, some spice, and a touch of classic garrigue. Comments from people who have tasted all three vintages suggest the 2009 is more fruit forward than the others (it was a hotter vintage) - $10.50

2. DOMAINE MONPERTUIS is a CH�TEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE producer, and we offer their 2007 VIGNOBLE de la RAMI�RE which is unusual in that it is 100% COUNOISE, one of the 13 grapes allowed in CDP. There are not many such wines in the world, but Oregon�s Andrew Rich has made one, as has Washington�s McCrae. The wine shows black fruit with a little spice together with meatiness similar to MOURV�DRE. The fruit is grown in the GARD region at the mouth of the Rh�ne - $16.50

3. Our next wine is from a very expensive producer in VACQUEYRAS in the SOUTHERN RH�NE VALLEY. ROUCAS TOUMBA LES GRANDS CHEMINS is basically de-classified VACQUEYRAS, and the producer could call the wine C�TES-du-RH�NE, but he decided on the VIN de TABLE designation. The fruit is from 2007, but I was told that a VIN de TABLE cannot have a vintage date. A blend of GRENACHE, SYRAH and MOURV�DRE, the wine is perfumed, giving you the sense of the herbs of the area; this is followed by chewy, black fruit with a spicy edge, and then a long finish. As a Rh�naholic, I think this wine is sensational value! - $17.25

4. For our final wine of the basic flight we go to CH�TEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE. These days it is hard to find a CDP under $40.00, so when I found this �left-over� 2005 we could sell for $30.00, I jumped at it. This wine, built primarily upon GRENACHE is intensely aromatic, with notes of ground coffee, plum, grenadine and game. The bright Grenache fruit has an intriguing savory, almost salty, quality to it, which is not half as strange as it might sound. It is simply one of the many parts of this in balance, complex wine. If you were talking about pairing this wine with food, nearly any cut of lamb would be wonderful - $30.00

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go to the NORTHERN RH�NE to taste SYRAH:

CROZES HERMITAGE is the �poor cousin� of HERMITAGE. It is a relatively large Appellation, covering an area almost 10 miles long to the north and south of the village of TAIN and HERMITAGE itself. For many years, most wines were pallid in comparison to HERMITAGE. Now some substantial wines are being made, and ALAIN GRAILLOT is considered one of the bright, shining stars of the Appellation. 2004 was a difficult vintage in the area, and I have not tasted the ALAIN GRAILLOT 2004 CROZES HERMITAGE for some time, so let�s see how it is aging. Robert Parker in the Wine Advocate said: �Gregarious Alain Graillot has turned out a 2004 Crozes-Hermitage that presents plenty of olive notes intermixed with some sweet red currant and cherry notes. The acidity of the vintage is relatively apparent in this wine, which is elegant and Burgundian in its texture and aromatics. Drink 2007-2011� - $29.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.50/Taste or $6.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, August 28th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open:

OREGON�S QUERCUS WINES are below most people�s radar, probably because they make wines under a number of labels. The wines are a project of MICHAEL BECKLEY, and we have carried PINOT NOIR and SYRAH wines he has made (we have some of his CADMUS 2004 PINOT NOIR in stock). We offer his ROCK CREEK CELLARS 2007 OREGON RED WINE. The wine is a blend of CABERNET SAUVIGNON, MERLOT and SYRAH, and offers gobs of black fruit coupled with a nice, spicy, edge - $11.25

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

September 10 � Burgundy
September 17 � The best of Matt Kramer�s 2010 Picks
September 24 � The Crus of Beaujolais
October 01 � Washington Wines

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, September 3rd
4:30 - 7:00pm

ZINFANDEL

CHEESE PLATE
Once again, we rely on our favorite New York cheese shop to recommend cheese for Zinfandel:
Gruy�re Raw Cow�s Milk Switzerland
This is cave-aged Gruy�re � not your average supermarket version. Aged for a significant time, this is a rich, nutty, cheese.
Cantalet Raw Cow�s Milk France
Considered to be the ancestor to British Farmhouse Cheddars, this is a cow's milk cheese from Auvergne, France. It is weighty, moist, creamy, and just subtley sharp, with a very defined sweet and milky quality. As the French took over England in 1066, maybe it is true they created the great English Cheddars. However, didn�t we Brits control the Bordeaux region a few hundred years later? As Pauline and I are Francophiles, I thank the Frogs for anything they did to improve English cuisine.
Campo de Montalban Pasteurized Cow�s/Goat�s/Sheep�s Milk Spain
This cheese resembles Manchego in texture and appearance, and until 1985 it was in fact considered a Manchego. Campo de Montalb�n is distinguished by its three milk blend, while Manchego contains only sheep's milk. The flavor is also similar to Manchego.
SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

As most of our regulars know, ZINFANDEL is not one of my favorite grapes, although PAULINE would say �You want to stay married?� However I�ve converted her from blowsy CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAYS to CHABLIS, the greatest expression of CHARDONANY in the world. Her job is to convert me from the RIDGE blends to full-throttle ZINFANDELS. My tasting notes are minimal, as PAULINE says I do not know what I�m talking about.

1. We start in LODI and PEIRANO ESTATE 2008 IMMORTAL OLD VINE ZINFANDEL. I�ve never tasted this wine, but, unbelievably, it is an allocated wine. There is no more of this vintage left other than the case I have. The vines are over 100 years old, hence the IMMORTAL name - $11.50

2. We stay in LODI for CAMPUS OAKS 2007 OLD VINE ZINFANDEL. We used an earlier vintage of this wine a couple of years ago and it was a big hit. I liked the spicy black fruit it offered, but felt a little heat on the finish despite the modest (for ZINFANDEL) 14.5% alcohol - $14.75

3. My favorite ZINFANDEL producer is RIDGE � maybe it is because very few of their wines are 100% ZINFANDEL! We offer the 2008 THREE VALLEYS that, for the first time, cannot be called ZINFANDEL because it is only 74% of the grape! The rest is PETIT SIRAH, CARIGNAN, MATARO, SYRAH and GRENACHE - $22.50

4. For our final wine of the basic flight we go to OREGON to THE PINES VINEYARD and their 2007 ZINFANDEL. The vineyard is in THE DALLES, but the tasting room is in HOOD RIVER. The wine is made from 20 year-old vines that were created from starts from the 100+ year-old vines in the vineyard. For its relatively high alcohol (15.2%), I found the wine food friendly, showing no heat from the alcohol - $28.75

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go to the NAPA VALLEY:

HENDRY is a producer with a range of wines from ALBARI�O to CABERNET SAUVIGNON, but better known for their �single block� ZINFANDELS. We offer the 2006 BLOCK 28 which was aged for fifteen months in French oak barrels, 65% of which were new. Despite its 15.8% alcohol, I felt this was another food-friendly Zinfandel. This is what the winery says: �Aromas include smoky spice, bay, berry, earth, mint and mineral. Dark fruit flavors of blackberries, blueberries and black currant, in an elegant wrapping of spicy and well- integrated oak. The 2006 returns to the familiar broad-shouldered, firm structured, complex and almost Cab-like Hendry Zinfandel style. This wine will continue to soften and gain complexity with age. Block 28 has an affinity for anything rich, braised, or meaty, and would be terrific with a slow-roasted lamb shank rubbed with herbes-de-provence, braised short ribs or a game-based risotto� - $32.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.50/Taste or $6.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, September 4th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open � I�ve yet to decide what! It will depend on forecast temperature nearer the day.

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

September 24 � The Crus of Beaujolais
October 01 � Washington Wines
October 08 � Spain
October 15 � Worldwide Sangiovese
October 22 � Wines from San Juan Winery

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, September 17th
4:30 - 7:00pm

THE BEST OF MATT KRAMER�S 2010 PICKS

CHEESE PLATE
This week, as we have a variety of wines, I decided to go with relatively mild cheeses:
Havarti Cow�s Milk Denmark
Monterey Jack Cow�s Milk California
Goat Cheddar Goat�s Milk Canada
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $2.50

Most of us in the Oregon wine industry have a love-hate relationship with Matt Kramer � recently, it has been mainly hate because of his trashing of the 2007 vintage here in Oregon. The few of you who came to our recent 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir tasting know how good this vintage can be � we sold a lot of wine that night, and on the basis of sales per capita of turn-out, it was one of our best Fridays ever. Despite this Kramer �fault�, I have much respect for his palate. I�m amazed that many of the wines he recommends I�ve already purchased for the shop. At the moment I think he is doing a great job recommending value wines (in all price categories), as well as trying to encourage people to try some thing different � as I do!

We start with a white in that category. Please note most of the following notes are from Matt Kramer in the Sunday Oregonian:

1. HUNGARY�S TOKAJ zone has been famous for centuries for creating extraordinary sweet wines from the local FURMINT grape variety (we have two great ones in stock), but it had absolutely no history of creating a dry white wine from FURMINT until the late-20th-century. We will taste the KIR�LYUDVAR TOKAJI FURMINT SEC 2007. Kramer said, and I agree, ��this is one of the most extraordinary dry white wines you will taste this year, I promise you. Although labeled as furmint, this wine is actually a blend of two indigenous white grapes: furmint (80 percent) and h�rslevelu. Impressively dense, it proffers a striking scent of flowers and minerals with just the barest whiff of honey allied with lemon. Thick-textured, there's a crisp acidity that makes this wine oh-so-drinkable, with that same minerals and flower quality coming through in the taste. And it�s just 12.5 percent alcohol. This is a magnificent dry white wine that can accompany all sorts of foods, from fish such as salmon to white meats such as chicken, pork and veal, as well as the most flavorful cheeses. If you try one new-to-you dry white wine this year, this is the one to get� - $20.00

2. One 2007 local wine Kramer wrote-up was J. CHRISTOPHER WILLAMETTE VALLEY PINOT NOIR (and we sold many cases on my recommendation). He has now recommended the 2008, as I do. This is what Kramer said: �Readers will recall prior recommendations of wines from the small Oregon winery called J. Christopher. The reason is simple: owner-winemaker Jay Somers is easily one of Oregon's best winemakers. Not only do his wines deliver a higher level of quality than much of his competition, but Somers also chooses to sell them at more reasonable prices than many. It�s a compelling combination. The (Oregon) 2008 vintage was a standout, especially for the pinot noirs. The proof is in the tasting. When you try J. Christopher Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2008 you�ll agree that 2008 is a remarkable vintage. A blend of four Willamette Valley vineyards (Bella Vida, La Colina, Croft and Charlie�s ), this is a dense, concentrated pinot noir of real character and ideal balance between fruit and acidity.� - $23.50

3. Kramer is also very good at spotting the better wines from fast growing areas such as Chile, Argentina, and the �New� Spain. We will taste one of his, and my, CHILEAN picks, PALO ALTO RESERVE CHILE, MAULE VALLEY, 2008. These are Kramer�s notes: �Palo Alto is a brand created by Chile�s largest wine producer, Concha y Toro. While most brands are just trading names designed to create an artificial differentiation among otherwise indistinguishable wines in a large winery�s production, Palo Alto seems to be different. A blend of cabernet sauvignon (55 percent), carmen�re (30 percent) and syrah (15 percent), Palo Alto Reserve Chile �Maule Valley� 2008 is an impressively refined red that's more than a little reminiscent of a very good red Bordeaux.� - $11.50

4. Over the last couple of months, it is amazing how many wines I have tasted from the southwest corner of the Rh�ne River that have carried a du GARD or COSTI�RES de NIMES designation. One of the best value, and another Kramer pick, I�ve tasted is the CH�TEAU DE VALCOMBE 2007 TRADITION, COSTI�RES DE NIMES. This what Kramer said: �A good example of just what France can deliver at a stellar price is this red wine. Never heard of Costi�res de Nimes? It�s far from famous. And the name itself is relatively new, dating only to 1989. Previously it was called Costi�res du Gard. Presumably the locals liked the association with the nearby city of Nimes, which boasts the best-preserved ancient Roman coliseum in France. Ch�teau de Valcombe �Tradition� 2007 shows what this district can do. An unusually rich, dense, even succulent red wine composed mostly of syrah (70 percent) with the balance in grenache, it�s surprisingly supple and irresistibly drinkable. This is a drink-now red ideal for just about any meat sizzling from a hot grill. It�s a barbecue red supreme. The price is as first-rate as the wine.� - $12.50

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For this week�s PREMIUM POUR we return to a wine we�ve used in the past, but that is drinking even better now (and our current stock is all that is available):

We go to PIEMONTE in the northwest of ITALY to taste a bargain BAROLO, MONCHIERO�S 2005. This what Kramer said: �Famously long-lived, Barolo is the apotheosis of the nebbiolo grape -- the end of the line, as good as it gets. Classically described as offering intermingled scents and tastes of roses and tar (sounds odd, tastes good), Barolo has changed somewhat in recent decades -- much of it for the better. Where once the wines were too often excessively tannic and sometimes dried-out, today they deliver fresh, precisely defined flavors and more gentle, easy-down-the-gullet tannins. Some producers, inevitably, have taken to using small oak barrels, the better to make Barolo taste "familiar," which is to say like the cabernets and pinot noirs the world is more accustomed to drinking. Monchiero, however, is a small family producer that has remained resolutely traditional. No small oak barrels for them. That said, they have �freshened� their style, creating wines that emphasize fruit purity at no expense of either depth or detail. This is all to the (very) good. When you taste this, be assured that you're tasting the real, true Barolo thing in all of its complexity and unique flavor distinction. Serve this in large glasses with braised oxtails, a good steak or anything hearty and full-flavored; you'll see -- or rather, taste -- what the hoopla is all about. This is a steal for the money -- as well as a benchmark bottling.� - $30.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.50/Taste or 6.00/4 Ounces

On Friday we will also have several other �Matt�s Picks� in stock including the COOPER MOUNTAIN 2008 RESERVE PINOT NOIR $20.00, the TORRE ORIA BRUT NON-VINTAGE CAVA $8.25, and the fabulous ANDR� CLOUET BRUT NATURE CHAMPAGNE $40.00

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, September 18th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual we will have something interesting open � I�ve yet to decide what. Maybe I should ask Matt Kramer!

Pauline and Mick
(503) 531-3981
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

October 15 � Worldwide Syrah
October 22 � USA Cabernet Sauvignon
October 26 Annual Port Tasting
October 29 � California Pinot Noir
November 05 - Bordeaux

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, October 8th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES FROM SPAIN

CHEESE PLATE
To go with our Spanish wines, we had to have Spanish cheese. We offer the following selection:
Mah�n Cow�s Milk Menorca
From the Mediterranean island of Menorca, this is my favorite Spanish cheese, mainly because it seems to go well with Burgundy � I�m sure it will go well with Tempranillo. The cheese has a salty tang on the finish.
Ib�rico Cow/Goat/Sheep�s Milk Central Plains
Over 50% of Spanish cheese production is from a blend of milks, and this cheese�s name comes from a style of cheese produced all over the Iberian peninsular. This one comes from the Central Plains and shows mild acid from cow�s milk, the deeper flavor of sheep�s milk, and the finishing tang of goat�s milk. In theory this should be the best match to Tempranillo.
Manchego Sheep�s Milk La Mancha
From the land of Don Quixote, this is probably Spain�s most famous cheese. It is aged in grass molds for at least two months, giving it after notes of dry hay. A great match to many wines from dry sherry to rich reds.
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $3.00

SPAIN basically has two wine industries � the �Traditional�, and the �New World�, and so this week we are showing you both. We will "visit" 6 different DENOMINAC�ON de ORIGEN (DO).

1. We start with a traditional wine, the LAN 2005 RIOJA RESERVA. This is a TEMPRANILLO-based wine (it has small amounts of MAZUELO and GARNACHA) aged in AMERICAN OAK, which is �Old World Rioja�. As a Brit, this sort of wine was our "training wheels" � we could not afford French! Pauline and I have a soft-spot for this winery as back in the 1970s we drank a lot of it and in 1991 we visited the winery. As always, the wines are fabulous value - $18.50

2. Next up is the MONTSANT DO, a region that surrounds PRIORAT DO in CATALONIA, and is often considered as a �poor man�s Priorat�. We will taste the ELS GUIAMETS 2006 ISIS from a co-operative founded in 1913 and is a blend of GARNACHA, CARI�ENA and a little SYRAH. At a recent trade tasting I thought this wine was outstanding, offering lots of elegant black fruit, some oak and spice, and a long, complex finish - $22.50

3. We continue our journey around Spain with a visit to the VALENCIA DO, a part of LEVANTE which is an area on the Mediterranean coast south of CATALONIA. BODEGAS ARANLE�N was founded in 1927 but was reborn in 2000 when it was purchased by a group who brought a more modern view and a commitment to organic agriculture. We offer their 2007 BLES VINO ECOLOGICO which is a blend of 80% OLD VINE MONASTRELL and BOBAL and 20% younger CABERNET SAUVIGNON. This wine is spectacular value, offering a lush mid-palate that has a subtle gaminess, and then the CABERNET shows through on the finish - $10.50

4. We now move to the CALATAYUD DO which is part of ARAGON in the northeast of Spain near the border with France. The BODEGAS SAN ISIDRO 2009 FABLA OLD VINE GRENACHE (GARNACHA) is a classic example of a pure version of the grape. It was fermented in concrete tanks and aged in stainless steel. It offers lots of black raspberry fruit and has a complex, long finish. It makes one wonder �How do you get this complexity without oak?� - $12.50

5. Our final stop is the JUMILLA DO which is in the LEVANTE area and just to the west of the coastal town of ALICANTE. We offer the TARIMA 2009 MONASTRELL. This wine has a lot of weight, but is relatively soft, offering lots of slightly spicy, black fruit. Amazing value - $10.00

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

This week we offer an EXTRA POUR, a fantastic SHERRY:

The wines of JEREZ (SHERRY is the English bastardization of the name) are some of the greatest wine values in the world, but are not understood by people who have not been to Tapas Bars in Spain, or have just suffered the �Sherries� produced in some areas other than Andalusia. We offer the VALDESPINO �CONTRABANDISTA� AMONTILLADO. This is a NV off-dry AMONTILLADO with an average age of the wines being over 16 years. This Sherry could be used as an aperitif, or to accompany meat and game dishes - $33.50

TRY THIS FOR $2.00/1 Ounce or $3.50/2 Ounces or $7.00/4 ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, October 9th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual, we will have something interesting open.

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

October 22 � USA Cabernet Sauvignon
October 26 Annual Port Tasting
October 29 � California Pinot Noir
November 05 � Bordeaux
November 12 � Wines from the Gorge

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, October 15th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WORLDWIDE SYRAH

CHEESE PLATE
I searched the web to find cheese matches with SYRAH, and this is the result:
Raclette Cow�s Milk France
This is a Swiss or French alpine cheese with a nutty flavor and silky, smooth texture. Slightly softer than the more characteristic Alpage cheeses, it is a close cousin to Morbier in France and Appenzeller in Switzerland. Our Raclette is a raw milk cheese from the French Alps.
Double Gloucester Cow�s Milk England
This is a traditional English cheddar-style cheese from Gloucestershire with a bright, eggy, and somewhat sharp flavor. Double Gloucester has the honor and distinction of being used each spring for the Cooper�s Hill Cheese Rolling and Wake on Gloucestershire�s Cooper's Hill, which consists of competitors chasing a wheel of Double Gloucester down an uneven hillside. The competitors are expected to catch the wheel of cheese, but, with speeds in excess of 70mph, this is virtually impossible. What a waste of good cheese!
Extra Sharp Cheddar Cow�s Milk Canada
In past tastings, this has been the favorite Cheddar.
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $4.00

SYRAH has so many styles that our �Worldwide Syrahs� have been successful tastings � until people taste a SYRAH they do not know what they are getting. Is it a fruit bomb as many wines from �down under� are, or does it have that leathery, earthy, content of the Northern Rh�ne?

1. We start with a wine from ARGENTINA. At our last two similar tastings it was a CHILE wine that was the winner. Will the GOUGUENHEIM 2008 SYRAH be as successful? The wine, from the VALLE ESCONDIDO of the MENDOZA region, is similar to its CHILEAN counterpart in that it combines Northern Rh�ne elements of smoky bacon fat and leather with the forward fruit of a West Coast Syrah. This wines offers incredible value - $10.50

2. Next up is the origin � FRANCE. GUILHELM DURAND has been making lovely wines in the LANGUEDOC for many years. We offer his DOMAINE LA BASTIDE 2008 SYRAH VIN de PAYS d'HAUTERIVE LES GEN�TS. This is 100% SYRAH from 35+ year old vines grown in soils that are very similar to those of Chateauneuf�du-Pape strewn with quartz stones and pebbles and harvested at a modest 40 hl/ha. The wine offers good concentration with notes of blackberry, briery spice and some white pepper. This wine gives you the impression of a �junior� HERMITAGE and has much more style than most domestic versions twice the price - $12.00

3. We now go to the USA and our neighbors to the south, CALIFORNIA. Until a few weeks ago I�d never heard of BAILEYANA WINERY. However when I tasted their 2006 EDNA VALLEY SYRAH, it got my attention. While somewhat more powerful and intense than my European palate normally prefers, the intense fruit of blackberries and black currants is balanced by leather and pepper, with a bacon spiciness. Finally, the acidity and tannins give the wine great structure. The wine was rated �Outstanding� by the Wine Enthusiast - $19.75

4. Our final stop is an OREGON/WASHINGTON joint venture � an OREGON winery but COLUMBIA VALLEY fruit. ZERBA CELLARS is based in MILTON FREEWATER which is in the WALLA WALLA AVA, but is in OREGON. I�ve always liked their 2006 SYRAH, and it is now drinking fabulously � lots of bold fruit, but some of the subtleties of France. If there is any wine that is so much better than on release, this is it. The wine contains 4% GRENACHE and 1% MOURV�DRE - $30.00

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go back to FRANCE:

The SYRAHS from the NORTHERN RH�NE can be very expensive, but the SAINT JOSEPH Appellation offers some bargains � and some mediocre wines. DOMAINE FAURY�s wines are not inexpensive, but they are one of the leaders of quality wines from the Appellation. The 2007 VIEILLES VIGNES offers oodles of black raspberry and black cherry fruit together with that earthy quality of the region. The touches of white pepper on the finish make this a �killer wine� � if the wine said HERMITAGE on the label it would be over twice the price - $37.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $4.00/Taste or $7.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, October 16th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual, we will have something interesting open.

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

October 26 Annual Port Tasting
October 29 � California Pinot Noir
November 05 � Bordeaux
November 12 � Wines from the Gorge
November 19 � Wines for Thanksgiving
November 26 � USA Wines other than Oregon

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, October 22nd
4:30 - 7:00pm

WEST COAST CABERNET SAUVIGNON

CHEESE PLATE
Unfortunately, on the west side of town cheese choice is getting less and less � Whole Paycheck and Trader Joe�s are carrying fewer choices, but Freddy�s at 158/Walker seem to be expanding. In the end I could not get all the cheeses my favorite website recommended for Cabernet Sauvignon, but we got close.
Wensleydale Cow�s Milk YORKSHIRE!
As a Yorkshireman, I believe this cheese (of Wallace & Grommet fame) is the best in the world. Unfortunately the only current source I found was QFC whose price was higher than even Whole Paycheck, who say they will have no Wensleydale before December.
Gouda Cow�s Milk Holland
This mild cheese is a great background for many wines. This one is from Whole Paycheck, so is a little higher quality than some other �supermarket versions�.
Ford Farm Dorset Red Cow�s Milk Dorset, England
This is a smoked cheese made from the rich, creamy milk sourced from cows that graze the lush pastures of Ford Farm in west Dorset. The cheese is encased in a rich red rind that gradually develops as it is smoked over oak chippings.
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

1. We start with a wine from WASHINGTON. One of our local distributors, VINUM, has had BUNNELL FAMILY CELLARS make a CABERNET SAUVIGNON just for them. The gaVin 2008 CABERNET SAUVIGNON COLUMBIA VALLEY is amazing value. It offers lots of basic cassis fruit, some touches of oak, and what seems like a touch of Cabernet Franc on the finish - $10.00

2. Next up is CALIFORNIA. A year ago we poured the 2005 from MADDELANA and it was a big hit. This week we offer the MADDALENA 2006 PASO ROBLES. It is 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON that was aged in a mix of American and French oak barrels, of which about 35% were new. It is classic CABERNET SAUVIGNON offering lots of cassis, some wood influences, but more importantly, great balance and length. Great Value - $16.00

3. We stay in CALIFORNIA to taste a wine from a �traditional� producer. RAYMOND, founded in 1971, have been producing classic NAPA VALLEY wines since their first vintage in 1974. We offer their 2007 CABERNET SAUVIGNON RESERVE SELECTION. The CABERNET SAUVIGNON was blended with 5% CABERNET FRANC and 5% MERLOT, and the wine was aged for 18 months in French Oak barrels of which 30% were new. The aromas of the wine are very complex, offering a mix of berries with touches of clove and white pepper. The palate is more NAPA with intense blackberry and cassis fruit, and the finish shows �Bordeaux� touches of tobacco and spice - $30.00

4. Our final stop is an OREGON/WASHINGTON joint venture � an OREGON winery that uses fruit from WASHINGTON as well as OREGON. ZERBA CELLARS is in the WALLA WALLA AVA but is located in MILTON-FREEWATER, OREGON. They make a range of very good wines, but the CABERNET SAUVIGNON has always been my favorite and we will taste the 2006. This wine is a blend of 85% CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 10% MERLOT and 5% CABERNET FRANC with the fruit sourced from several vineyards in the rocky floodplain of the WALLA WALLA river. This wine, not quite as big on the palate as earlier vintages, has a nose offering blackcurrant and dark plums, together with hints of leather and smoky oak - $30.00

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go back to CALIFORNIA and the NAPA VALLEY:

We offer the SHAFER 2006 CABERNET SAUVIGNON �ONE POINT FIVE�. John Shafer and his son Doug own what is considered by many to be a �First Growth� of the Napa Valley. Their HILLSIDE SELECT is legendary. Pauline and I had the pleasure of meeting John and Doug in 1985 before they became famous � their 1982 Reserve Cabernet (which became the Hillside Select) was all of $12.50/bottle!

The ONE POINT FIVE is a STAGS LEAP DISTRICT wine from two vineyard sites, the HILLSIDE ESTATE VINEYARD and BORDERLINE VINEYARD that is about two miles south of the winery. There is 1% PETIT VERDOT in the wine, and it was aged in 75% new oak and 25% one-year oak barrels. The name comes from the fact it is the result of One Point Five generations. The local distributor is offering a deal on 2006 wines as the winery wants them to take more of the 2007. This wine was $53.00 wholesale, but we can offer it for - $52.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $6.00/Taste or $10.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, October 23rd
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

As usual, we will have something interesting open.

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.
Wednesday, December 22 � Christmas Treats
(5-8PM)
Thursday, December 30 � Zinfandel
(5-8PM)
Friday, January 7 � South/Southwest of France
(4:30-7PM)

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, December 17th
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES FROM SOUTH AMERICA

CHEESE PLATE
As we are offering a wide variation of wine, we offer a varied selection of cheese.
Sharp Cheddar Cow�s Milk New Zealand
One of our most popular Cheddars
Iberico Sheep/Cow/Goat�s Milk Spain
We could not find any S. American cheese, so thought an �invader� cheese was near enough!
Gruy�re/Cheddar M�lange Cow�s Milk California
I�d never heard of such a combination, so had to try it!
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $3.00

1. We start with a white, the ALAMOS 2009 CHARDONNAY from MENDOZA, ARGENTINA. This is an operation owned by CATENA, one of the country�s great producers. This wine has some weight and is lightly oaked. What I like is the balance � and the reduced price this month! - $9.50

2. We stay in ARGENTINA for our first red. GOUGUENHEIM�S SYRAH was a big hit at our last Syrah-from-around-the-World tasting, and we now offer their 2009 BONARDA/SYRAH blend. This wine from the VALLE ESCONDIDO region of MENDOZA is almost GRENACHE-like with bright black raspberry fruit and touches of white pepper similar to wines from the Rh�ne Valley - $10.00

3. CARM�N�RE can be considered the �signature red� of CHILE, and for many years was often �field blended� by mistake with MERLOT until the Chileans discovered it was a different grape. Originally from BORDEAUX, the varietal all but disappeared from FRANCE after the phylloxera epidemic in the 19th century. We will sample the CHONO 2007 RESERVA from grapes grown on the alluvial plains of the MAIPO VALLEY, a high-altitude region in the shadow of the Andes. Grapes are handpicked, and 60 percent of the wine is aged for 10 months in French oak barrels. The wine is lush and round on the palate, with plenty of baking spice and touches of tobacco in its aromas. It is wonderfully supple and ripe, which this grape needs. I love the mouth feel and length - $12.50

4. We stay in CHILE for ROOTS 1 2008 CABERNET SAUVIGNON from the COLCHAGUA VALLEY. This is an obviously CHILEAN wine, showing more BORDEAUX nuances than the rich fruit of, say, a NAPA VALLEY wine. I found it amazingly complex, with an almost Merlot-like touch of chocolate on the finish - $11.00

5. Back to ARGENTINA and its signature grape, MALBEC. LLAMA OLD VINE MALBEC has been a big seller (despite its �critter� label) in the 2007 vintage, and we now offer the next vintage, the 2008. From the ALTO AGRELO VALLEY in the MENDOZA sub-region of LUJAN de CUYO, this is a complex MALBEC, offering lots of bold fruit coupled with nuances you would expect in a more expensive wine. Unfortunately the popularity of the 2007 has driven-up the price of the 2008. However it is still wonderful value - $14.50

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $8.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we return to CHILE:

CONCHA y TORO is a producer of wines from the lowest supermarket price points to incredible wines at incredibly high prices. Their flagship is the DON MELCHOR CABERNET SAUVIGNON from the MAIPO VALLEY. This wine used to be highly allocated and was all pre-sold before release. As a sign of the times, the 2006 is available to all. I have not tasted this vintage, but the Wine Advocate gave it 95 saying, �The 2006 Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon is a glass-coating opaque purple with an alluring bouquet of toast, tobacco, cedar, leather, mocha, and blackcurrant. Sweet, voluptuous (but not in a fruit bomb kind of way), layered, and complex already, its superb balance will ensure at least a decade of evolution and it should drink well through 2036. Drink 2009 � 2036� - $79.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $8.00/Taste or $16.00/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

SATURDAY, December 18th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

I love some of the blends coming out of PIEMONTE. We will offer the TINTERO NV ROSSO which is a blend of BARBERA, DOLCHETTO and NEBBIOLO. This is a wine made for importer KERMIT LYNCH. It offers lots of BARBERA-like fruit up front, and the NEBBIOLO is unmistakable on the finish. A wonderful wine to go with almost any food from white meat to strong cheeses - $11.50

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.

CHRISTMAS TREATS TASTING

WEDNESDAY, December 22nd
5:00 - 8:00pm

As our customers were evenly split on Wednesday vs. Thursday, we have opted for Wednesday 22nd for our pre-Christmas tasting. It turns out to be the same date we used last year. We offer five higher-priced wines. The wines are priced individually by the taste and 4 ounce glass, with a discount if you taste all five.

PAULINE will be offering some of her fabulous MINCE PIES on a first come, first served, basis.

In the Mother Country when we were kids (OK, we know that was a long time ago!), mince pies and Cheddar Cheese were a traditional partnership, and so we will offer some ENGLISH CHEDDAR CHEESE � again, while supply lasts!

THE TREATS
(subject to change because of sales over the next couple of days)

1. We start with a white from ALSACE, CHARLES SCHLERET 2005 PINOT BLANC �HERRENWEG�. This is like no other ALSACE PINOT BLANC I�ve tasted before, and the 2005 is the current release. It is rich and round on the palate, and then the back palate and finish have wonderful mineral accents. Not inexpensive for a PINOT BLANC, but nevertheless, great value - $24.00
$3.00/taste, $5.00/four ounces

2. Next up is BURGUNDY and DOMAINE PAVELOT 2008 SAVIGNY-les-BEAUNE 1er CRU �LES NARBANTONS�. About 20 years ago SAVIGNY-les-BEAUNE was one of the bargain villages of the C�TE du BEAUNE, but unfortunately, it was discovered. LES NARBANTONS is my favorite vineyard in the village, and this is a wonderful, if somewhat young, example from this lovely vineyard. At a trade tasting in August of about 60 BURGUNDIES (someone has to do it!), this was a standout when you took price into consideration - $48.75
$5.50/taste, $10.00/four ounces

3. What is a �Treats Tasting� without a CH�TEAUNEUF-du-PAPE? From the great 2007 vintage we offer DOMAINE La ROQU�TE. While I�ve found a few 2007s to be almost too fruity, this is a profound CDP that still needs a little cellar time to show its best. Owned and run by FR�D�RIC et DANIEL BRUNIER since the mid-1980s, the vineyards are planted to 70% GRENACHE, 20% SYRAH and 10% MOURV�DRE. My tasting of this vintage seems to say there is a little more than 10% MOURV�DRE in the blend - $42.50
$4.50/taste, $8.50/four ounces

4. We now move to ITALY and the NUMBER ONE wine in this year�s Wine Enthusiast �Enthusiast Top 100 Wines�. RENATO RATTI has been a producer of excellent BAROLOS at modest cost for some years. We will sample the 2006 �MARCENASCO�. This is what the Wine Enthusiast said: �Dark in color with a modern style and velvety extraction, the gorgeous Marcenasco espression of Barolo is redolent of blackberries, cherries, spice, leather and tobacco. The finish is long and elegant but not without power and determination. The wine will cellar for 10 years plus.� I�ve not tasted this wine and so I�m looking forward to doing so! - $49.75
$5.50/taste, $10.00/four ounce

5. We stay in ITALY for our final wine. AGLIANICO was an unknown grape on these shores until MASTROBERARDINO brought his TAURASI to the USA. These wines are grown on volcanic soils to the east of Mt. Vesuvio in CAMPANIA. We offer his 2004 �RADICI�. It has AGLIANICO�s trademark nose of cigar boxes and leather, offset by an almost sweet taste of black cherries and black currants. At six years of age it is just beginning to shed its original noticeable tannins - $58.50
$6.50/taste, $12.00/four ounces

TRY ALL FIVE WINES FOR $22.50
(a $2.50 discount)

A MERRY, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL. MANY THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT IN THESE �CHALLENGING� ECONOMIC TIMES!

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.
Friday, January 14 � Cabernet Sauvignon and Blends
Friday, January 21 � Piemonte
Friday, 28 January � Syrah
February 04 � C�tes du Rh�ne
February 11 � Valentine Wines

THIS WEEK

SOUTH of FRANCE

P�T� PLATE
It is a long time since we have offered P�t� rather than cheese, but with hearty French wines, why not P�t�? What we offer come from Viande Meats at City Market NW.
Venison P�t�
Venison/Pork/Sundried Cherries
Country P�t�
Pork/Chicken Livers/Prosciutto
P�T� SAMPLER PLATE $5.00

The reds from the South of France are great at this time of the year � think game, hearty stews, beef, lamb, etc. Also the wines have a real sense of place � you can almost feel the warmth of the sun ripening the grapes, smell the herbs, and just wish you were there.

1. We start with a long time favorite in the store, but with a newer vintage. DOMAINE SORTEIHO from SAINT-CHINIAN has been a direct import by GREG ZANCANELLA for several years. SAINT-CHINIAN is in the centre of the LANGUEDOC, but inland from the coast. The 2007 is a blend of 75% SYRAH and 25% GRENACHE. It offers wild berries matched with herbs such as thyme and laurel. A great wine for grilled meats - $10.00

2. We stay in the LANGUEDOC but move to CORBI�RES, one of largest Appellations in the western LANGUEDOC. B�RAIL LAGARDE 2007 ROQUE SESTI�RE TRADITION is a blend of 75% SYRAH and 25% CAIGNAN. It offers lots of spicy black fruit, good balance, and a nice rustic edge typical of the area - $12.50

3. With this third wine I�m cheating a little as most (including me!) would normally call the COSTI�RES de N�MES Appellation as the southwest Rhone Valley, but for this tasting I�m calling it the eastern end of the LANGUEDOC. MAS CARLOT is one of the great value producers in the area, and their 2008 TRADITION is a lovely example of the value wines from the area. It is a blend of 60% SYRAH and 40% GRENACHE, and when I tasted it, I thought this is a not-to-be-missed wine - $12.50

4. While all the previous wines have their own AOCs, this next wine is �just� a Vin de Pays d�OC, but to my mind, deserves its own Appellation. GRANGE PHILIPPE 2007 PICCOLINO is made at DOMAINE GRES SAINT PAUL, and is a stainless steel fermented and aged 100% MOUV�DRE. It offers lots of black fruit and spice together with garrigue � it could come from nowhere other than the South of France. The freshness and well-integrated tannins make this a �quaffer� as well as a serious wine to go with meat - $13.50

5. The last wine of the basic flight is a wine that to me could not come from anywhere else. From the C�TES du ROUSSILLON VILLAGES Appellation, the DOMAINE GAUBY 2007 LES CALCINAIRES offers lovely black fruit, herbs, spice and warm sun. Shut your eyes and imagine you are in ROUSSILLON, it is a great experience � unfortunately, when you open your eyes you will still be in rainy Oregon! The wine is about 50% SYRAH, 25% MOURV�DRE, the balance being GRENACHE and CARIGNAN. Fermentation was with natural yeasts, and there was no manipulation of the wine, or filtration. A really pure wine that speaks terroir - $27.00

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go to BANDOL:

I�m a huge fan of the wines of BANDOL and the MOURV�DRE grape. Unfortunately the wines take several years to show their worth, and by then they are no longer available. The Appellation says the reds have to be at least 50% MOURV�DRE, but the BRONZO brothers at LA BASTIDE BLANCHE use at least 75% in their various CUV�ES. We offer the 2007 CUV�E FONTAN�OU which in most years is 100% MOURV�DRE from an old block overlooking the Mediterranean. This is a wild, earthy, leathery, tannic wine, which is what young BANDOL is all about. On the palate this wine seemed to be indeed aiming for more accessible style with bold, smooth black fruits, spice and mineral flavors. However the tannins are big ****, quite ripe, but dry on the finish - $32.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $3.00/Taste or $6.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

Saturday, January 8th
Noon � 5:00PM
Free

As usual we will have something interesting open. At the moment I plan the following:

MATELLO 2009 LAZARUS WILLAMETTE VALLEY PINOT NOIR, $19.75 � we have always liked Marcus� wines (2007 and 2008) and this release was a Matt Kramer �rave� in what may be his last column in the Oregonian --- stay tuned!

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
Please note if you are receiving our emails in error, please either send me an email at and I�ll remove you from my list, or you can delete your email address by going to www.cornellwine.com, clicking on �Site Index� and then �Electronic Newsletter�. You will then see a link to our Mailman administration page. If you go to that page, go to the bottom and type your email address in the indicated box and click �Remove�. Thank you.
Friday, January 21 � Piemonte
Friday, 28 January � Syrah
February 04 � C�tes-du-Rh�ne
February 11 � Wines for Your Valentine

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, January 14th
4:30 - 7:00pm

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

CHEESE PLATE
As usual, for Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines, we offer a selection of Cow�s Milk Cheddar Cheeses:
Extra Sharp, Raw Milk, Aged 18 Months New York
Coastal, Aged 15 Months Dorset, England
Extra Sharp, Aged 24 Months Canada
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $3.00

The wines are all �legally� CABERNET SAUVIGNON, but some have small amounts of other grapes.

1. We start in CALIFORNIA�S NAPA VALLEY with the 2008 ANNABELLA CABERNET SAUVIGNON. This was a rave wine a few years ago and has remained a steady seller. However we have not poured it for a few years so thought it was time to re-introduce it to a wider audience. The wine is one of MICHAEL POZZAN�S n�gociant wines where he buys excess juice from well-known wineries and bottles it under the ANNABELLA label. This is classic NAPA CABERNET at an amazing price - $13.00

2. We now go to FRANCE � yes, FRANCE � for a 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON. CH�TEAU ROUTAS is in PROVENCE, and we offer their 2007 �WILD BOAR� CABERNET SAUVIGNON which carries a Vin de Pays du VAR Appellation. This wine offers lots of pure cassis from the grape, but has the typical earthiness and garrigue from this part of France - $13.50

3. Back to CALIFORNIA and the ALEXANDER VALLEY and we will taste MARIETTA 2007 CABERNET SAUVIGNON. This winery was out of the Oregon market for a while, went through a distributor who showed little interest, and now is with another distributor. This is a fairly big wine, and somewhat young at the moment. The aromas show broad hints of complexity including ripe cherry, cassis, graphite, and a pleasant herbal and earthy component. The palate is very full and structured, and well-integrated oak carries the wine to a long finish. This wine can age for at least 10 years - $20.00

4. MIKE JANUIK is one of my favorite WASHINGTON winemakers � he seems to have a great talent to integrate new oak into the fruit of the grapes without either element dominating. We offer his 2007 COLUMBIA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON. The wine is a blend of 93% CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 3% MERLOT, 2% CABERNRET FRANC and 2% MALBEC. However more important than the blend is where the fruit comes from � some of the best vineyards in the COLUMBIA VALLEY � CHAMPOUX, KLIPSUM, CIEL du CHEVAL and RED MOUNTAIN. This is a multi-layered wine with balance between fruit and oak, and was rated �outstanding� by the Wine Advocate - $30.00

TRY THESE FOUR WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go WALLA WALLA:

For a long time FIVE STAR CELLARS wines have been a little �over-the-top� for me, showing too much fruit extraction, too much oak and alcohol. The only wine we have carried has been their MERLOT. I recently tasted their 2007 WALLA WALLA CABERNET SAUVIGNON, and either my palate, or their style has changed. While still no wimp, the wine seems more harmonious with everything well-integrated. A blend of 90% CABERNET SAUVIGNON and 10% MERLOT from great vineyards such as LES COLLINES, SEVEN HILLS, PEPPERBRIDGE and HEATHER HILLS, the wine was aged in a 50/50 mix of American and French oak. The aromas offer some earth, tobacco and cassis, and the palate has lots of dark cherry fruit, and the finish has velvety tannins - $36.50

TRY THIS WINE FOR $4.00/Taste or $7.50/4 Ounces

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com CORNELL WINE COMPANY
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Friday, 28 January � Syrah
February 04 � C�tes-du-Rh�ne
February 11 � Wines for Your Valentine

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY, January 21st
4:30 - 7:00pm

WINES from PIEMONTE

ITALIAN CHEESE PLATE
Parmigiano Cow�s Milk Emilia-Romagna
Pecorino Sheep�s Milk Toscana
Tartufo Cheese Cow�s Milk Northwest Italy
CHEESE SAMPLER PLATE $4.00

Our last PIEMONTE tasting was all NEBBIOLO, and so this time we look to the other grapes of the area � plus blends � and a NEBBIOLO as the PREMIUM POUR.

1. We start with a blend � the distributor says it is BARBERA, NEBBIOLO and DOLCETTO, but some websites say it is BARBERA, NEBBIOLO and MERLOT. Never mind, the TINTERO ELVIO ROSSO is a tasty wine. To me the berry fruit from the BARBERA is dominant, but the NEBBIOLO gives the wine backbone. The bottle says non-vintage, but I�m told most of the fruit is 2009. I�d not heard of this winery until customer DALE recommended the winery�s MOSCATO d�ASTI which is slightly drier than normal coming in at 7% alcohol rather than the normal 5%. Thank You, Dale, for introducing me to this winery - $11.50

2. We stay with a blend. PODERE RUGGERI CORSINI is a great producer of all things PIEMONTESE. This week we offer their 2009 �MATOT� LANGHE ROSSO, a blend of BARBERA, DOLCETTO and NEBBIOLO. In earlier years I�ve found the BARBERA dominant, but this year the NEBBIOLO, and to a lesser extent, the DOLCETTO shows through. A complete contrast to the #1 wine - $11.50

3. DOLCETTO is a very misunderstood grape - it means �Little Sweet One�, but many versions have a somewhat bitter finish. Along with BARBERA, it is the everyday red of PIEMONTE. While some versions are to me too dry on the finish, a little of that �typicity� makes the grape. We offer the MONTARIBALDI 2009 �VAGNONA� DOLCETTO d�ALBA. It offers lots of upfront fruit, but has that dryness on the finish that says DOLCETTO - $13.00

4. Now to BARBERA and an area in PIEMONTE called MONFERRATO. This area is mainly between GAVI and ASTI in the southeast of PIEMONTE, but is a large area spreading from the border with LIGURIA to the south to ALESSANDRIA and ASTI further to the north. We offer the CANTINE VALPANE 2007 ROSSO PIETRO, BABRERA del MONFERRATO. While not as famous as theirs cousins from ASTI and ALBA, these BARBERAS can be wonderful. This wine is from biodymamically-grown grapes, was fermented with wild yeasts, and aged in concrete tanks. It speaks of the grapes and the vineyard with no outside manipulation. It offers lots of dark fruit with a somewhat wild and rustic persona. This is the antithesis of mass-produced wines - $16.00

5. For our last wine of the flight we stay with BARBERA but from the more traditional area of ALBA. We will taste the PUNSET 2009 BARBERA d�ALBA. Local distributor GREG ZANCANELLA has been bringing in PUNSET wines on a direct basis for a few years. The BARBERAS offer a lovely balance of more modern style with a lot of upfront fruit, coupled with the more food-friendly elements of acidity and tannins. A lovely wine for its asking price - $14.50

TRY THESE FIVE WINES FOR $10.00

For our PREMIUM POUR we go BARBARESCO:

PRODUTTORI del BARBARESCO make lovely BARBARESCOS that used to be bargains, but after the wines became famous worldwide, the prices joined the levels of some of the �big names�. Local importer/distributor Lemma was the first U.S. company to import the wines and now Oregon is the only state to directly import them, all other states are serviced by the national importer. On a per capita basis, Oregon is the biggest market for the wines. PRODUTTORI make a LANGHE NEBBIOLO, a BARBARESCO �NORMALE�, and in good years, nine single vineyard RISERVAS. After making only the first two wines in 2002 and 2003, the RISERVAS were made in 2004. We will taste the 2004 RIO SORDO RISERVA. In this vintage The Wine Advocate rated all the RISERVAS as �outstanding�. This what The Wine Advocate said in 2008: �The 2004 Rio Sordo is one of the better versions of this wine I can remember. There is considerable depth and richness in the fruit as this sweet, layered Barbaresco opens up in the glass. The typical spiced, floral Rio Sordo notes are amply present in the wine, but in 2004 there is an additional level of concentration and richness that has eluded previous vintages. This is a beautiful Rio Sordo from the Produttori. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020�. Our price reflects the fact we purchased this wine on a �futures basis� and replacement pricing is about $60.00 - $49.00

TRY THIS WINE FOR $5.00/Taste or $10.00/4 Ounces

SATURDAY, January 22nd
Noon � 5:00PM
Free Tasting

CUNE is a cooperative in SPAIN�S RIOJA region (Compania Vinicola del Norte de Espa�a), and Pauline and I visited the winery in 1991. They make �Supermarket Wines in 1 Litre Cartons� as well as some serious wines. In Oregon, they have just changed distributors because the national importer has changed. We offer the CUNE VI�A REAL 2006 CRIANZA. The wine is about 90% TEMPRANILLO with the rest being GARNACHA, GRACIANO and MAZUELO. This is a wonderful mix of �old style� Rioja with more modern elements. Was $17.50, now $12.00 (Special case price $108.00)

NB: All prices are subject to change without notice. The above information is based on verbal information from distributors, and actual wine prices will depend on the price invoiced at delivery to Cornell Wine Company.

Pauline and Mick
Cornell Wine Company
14740 NW Cornell Road, #90
Portland, OR 97229-5400
(503) 531-3981

www.cornellwine.com