Pinot Invasion

I am happy to say that the new Love & Squalor 2009 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir has met with a very warm reception. It is already available at a number of fine Portland restaurants (see previous post) and shops. Look for it by-the-glass at Laurelhurst Market (sorry Patty). I will get a formal mail-order release together after IPNC weekend, but let it be known that you can order at will. Pricing is the same as last year. If you want to know what some think about it, read the review below. Thanks to Shannon Fitzpatrick for making me blush with this piece she wrote for the Ponzi Wine Bar site:  

Matt Berson stopped by the wine bar yesterday to pour his new 2009 Pinot Noir for us. Let me say I was impressed. I have been a fan of Matt’s wines since the beginning and each year his Pinot and Riesling are fantastic but I must say that this 2009 bottling is amongst my fav’s to date.

The 2009 vintage was a mighty warm one here in the beautiful Willamette Valley and I have come to anticipate richer style wines from those being offered to me. What a pleasant realization then, when Matt’s Pinot from this hot vintage showed me the same grace and elegance I have come to expect from his wines. The color and body of the wine were my first hint- light but not by any means weak. The nose follows with a faint damp earth note, pleasant fruit and just a hint of orange oil. On the palate the wine is balanced and smooth. It lays down a nice core of sweet dark-toned fruit with a lovely underpinning of acid that lifts it and provides a nice lingering finish. The wine comes from four vineyards in the Willamette Valley: Momtazi, Temperance Hill, Winter’s Hill and Johan. All four of the sites are farmed either organically or biodynamically and are a nice blend of old and young vines.

Matt is fairly hands-off in the cellar using only native yeasts and some “old skool funk music” to coax his ferments along. When the wine is finished he gently racks it clean but never fines or filters. No wonder the wine is so expressive! The best, most amazing part? While he makes less than 300 cases he sells this rare commodity at a steal of a price- just $24. Grab yours now or you’ll miss out!

Portland Monthly Knows Good

Thanks to Portland Monthly magazine and Amalie, proprietor of Kir Wine Bar, for the nice mention in the latest ish.

The Budget Oenophile

Amalie Roberts, owner of the intimate Kir Wine Bar in Northeast Portland, is known for her eclectic taste in affordable wines. We asked her how to find value in Oregon’s traditionally pricey wine market.

Is it getting easier to find bargain Oregon wines? There is a new trend here toward lower-priced, entry-level wines, which is positive as long as we don’t lose the taste profiles that make us “Oregon.”

What characteristics do you expect from great, inexpensive wines? Purity of fruit, qualities of the varietal, and a sense of place. I love Patricia Green Cellars’ ‘Dollar Bills Only’ pinot noir ($17) and the Commuter Cuvée pinot from Grochau Cellars ($15).

Where do you find the best value? Whites and rosés. Matt Berson of Love & Squalor—he’s a winemaker to watch—makes an excellent pure Riesling for $18. I like Matello’s pinot rosé ($15) and J. Christopher’s ‘Cristo Irresisto’ (a show-stopper at $12).

What are the best places in Portland to drink value wines? I’m a huge supporter of Bar Avignon, Southpark, and Vino Paradiso for knowledgeably selected and reasonably priced local wines.

Link to the whole issue here

L&S in the Oregonian Wine Guide

Once again, the Oregonian, in its great wisdom, has smiled upon Love & Squalor Riesling in the bi-annual wine guide. Katherine Cole, the staff wine writer, and three other industry professionals, weigh in on perfect picnic pairings. Ms. Cole herself picks the '08 as a minerally and melony accompaniment for the Vietnamese banh mi sandwich. Thanks for the nod. I will need to try that match-up real soon.

Read the full article here.

And Now A Super Exciting Video of Two Nice Guys Tasting Riesling

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQVCkwspWLs&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1] Feel the love . . .

Love & Squalor In Print!

The 2006 Love & Squalor Pinot noir (the maiden vintage) is one of only nine Oregon wines featured in Robert Parker's new book - Parker's Wine Bargains; The World's Best Wine Values Under $25. While we may not always agree with the world's most valuable tongue, we think this inclusion was a very smart choice. The wine is listed as a product of Ransom Wine Company as this was before the Portland Wine Company was established. While the '06 is long gone, and the '07 has just left the building, the 2008 Pinot is just finishing its journey to the bottle. The final blend (Temperance, Winter's Hill and Left Coast Vineyards) is marrying and will be bottled at the end of this month. Expect an early summer release. The price will be a bargain as always - the same price Parker paid for his taste of the '06 - $24

wine_bargains_small

Come to the Table (and bring some Damn Riesling!)

Thanks to Sally Summerson for the lovely write-up on her blog: Come to the Table. She may not know heaps about wine, but she knows how to pay a lovely complement. Check it out here. I'll update more soon - promise.

Love & Squalor in the Press

Love & Squalor 2008 Riesling was featured in yesterday's 'Celebrate Oregon Wine' Oregonian pull-out section. It was one of six wines chosen to pair with your Thanksgiving turkey. Both Jeff Moore (Wildwood) and Stefan Hansen (Sel Gris) recommended it. "This is Matt Berson's third vintage and a wonderful example of what ...Oregon riesling can be. . . . I love the versatility of this wine - it's a perfect balance of fruit and acidity". Read the whole article here.