The Honest Pour with John Lenart

After a long hiatus we’re back! Join John as he talks with host to goodness royalty, Marchese Lamberto Frescobaldi , who’s family has been in the wine business for over 700 years.

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Lamberto Frescobaldi, President Frescobaldi

2015 Frescobaldi Alie

Pale salmon to pink rose color. Light fresh strawberry and dried herbs on the nose. The flavor starts with bright fresh strawberry followed by cherry and a bit of lime zest. Limestone minerality backs up a long finish

SRP: $20

2012 Frescobaldi, Nipozzano Vecchie Viti

This ruby red wine starts with aromas of a floral bouquet and ripe berries. The texture is well balanced with flavors of berry preserves, coffee, and orange blossom. Silky tannin and forward acid leads to a complex finish.

SRP: $29

2013 Frescobaldi, Gorgona

This is one of the most intriguing wines I’ve tasted in 2016. Golden rich color showing aromas of pear and golden delicious apple. The luxurious, full bodied texture leads to flavors of pear, kiwi, citrus and limestone finishing long and elegant. This is a wine worthy of the price tag and a spot in your cellar.

SRP: $125

In this episode of The Honest Pour John talks with Cristina Ziliani of Berlucchi to talk about her family’s role in founding the DOC and to taste their traditional method sparkling wines.

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Cristina Zliani, Director of Communications, Berlucchi

NV Berlucchi 61 Brut

Very bright straw color. Subtle nose of stone fruit, white flowers, with a bit of minerality. The full bodied wine has nice acidity with flavors of apricot, candied lemon, and bread crust.

SRP $27

NV Berlucchi 61 Rosé Brut

Pale salmon color. Nose of fresh strawberry, citrus, and flowers. Elegant weight and mouth feel. The flavor of fresh strawberry continues with a hint of plum, pomegranate, cranberry and lime juice.

SRP $38

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Nicola Biscardo, Marchesi Biscardo and Conexport Italy

2014 Marchesi Biscardo Corvina

Bright delicate ruby color. Loads of fresh violets and dried berries on the nose. A lush texture combined with flavors of cherry, fig a touch of spice and bright acidity.

SPR $ 16

2013 Marchesi Biscardo Valpiocella Ripasso

Brilliant ruby color. Super floral nose with red fruit and a hint of menthol. Elegant texture with silky tannins give way to big red fresh fruit flavor with a bit of pencil lead notes. Long finish

SRP $27

2010 Marchesi Biscardo Amarone Della Valpiocella

Delicate dusty rose color. Spicy, earthy and floral nose with cherry and plum notes. Velvety texture leads to flavors of cherry, leather, dark chocolate and perfectly integrated acid and tannin. A knock out wine.

SRP $65

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Sarah McCrea, Stony Hill Vineyard

2014, Stony Hill, White Riesling

Nose of white flower, lime leaf. Flavors of melon, citrus, minerality. Crisp acid balances out a slight touch of sweetness

SRP: $35

2013 Stony Hill Chardonnay

Slightly shy nose of citrus, minerality and white flowers. Flavors of young fresh green apple, perfume and bright acidity.

SRP: $48

2009 Stony Hill Chardonnay

Expressive aromas of apple, lemon leaf and rain on the sidewalk on a hot summer day. Rich and integrated flavors of granny smith apple, dried lemon peel, minerality, and terrific somewhat limey acidity.

SRP: $58

2012 Stony Hill Cabernet Sauvignon

Bright garnet color with aromas of blueberry, cocoa and tobacco. Flavors express blueberry, currant, and lighter red fruit with gripping young tannin and balanced acidity. I call this an 80’s style Napa Cab. Love it!

SRP: $70

Photo Credits: Robb McDonough

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Brianne Day, Winemaker, Day Wines

2014, Day Wines, Crowley Station Vineyard, Eola Amity Hills Pinot Noir

Very bright ruby color to a slightly brown rim. Nose of fresh ripe strawberry, blueberry, huckleberry. Delicate playful texture, bright red berry and blueberry with a spicy finish. Medium tannin and good bright acidity.

SRP $45

2014, Day Wines, Cancilla Vineyard, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

Bright garnet color. Bold fruity nose of cherry and a hint of saline. Flavors of fresh cherry, earth, orange rind, cola and salinity.

SRP $45

2014, Day Wines Mae’s Vineyard, Running Bare, Red Blend

33% Tannat, 33% Malbec, 34% Cabernet Franc

Medium ruby color with a touch of drown on the rim. Big red fruit nose, currant, plum, leather. Flavors of cherry, plum, tobacco, cinnamon and clove. Medium tannin with acidity that reaches out and grabs you.

SRP $35

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Elise Losfelt, Winemaker, Moët & Chandon

 Moët & Chandon Imperial Rosé NV

Peach color. Nose of freesh bright berries and intense minerality. Flavors of fresh strawberry, lime, a bit creamy and a touch of tannin finished with bright acidity.

SRP $60

Moët & Chandon 2008 Grand Vintage Rosé

Elegant pale pink color. Nose of ripe fresh red fruit, flavors of ripe red berries, fig, orange peel, spicy, chalk-like minerality, terrific acidity and a medium finish.

SRP $90

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Todd Alexander, Winemaker, Force Majeure

Force Majeure, 2013, Force Majeure Vineyard, Syrah, Red Mountain 

Deep inky purple color. Aromas of blackberry and black pepper, leather and fresh violets. Big bold texture with lots of minerality. Flavors of blackberry pie, plum, cocoa, and cardamom. Luscious texture balance beautifully by bright acidity

SRP $70

Force Majeure, 2013, Force Majeure Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain 

Nose of cassis, fresh flowers and black fruit with good minerality. Dusty tannins that should settle with age, but still a sexy velvety texture. Delicious, well integrated flavors of dark red to black berries, cola, cocoa, leather. Long finish.

SRP $95

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Michael Cruse, Cruse Wine Co., and Ultramarine

Cruse Wine C0., 2015 Monkey Jacket, Red Blend

Super fun bright magenta color. Shy nose of plum, spices and a hint of grape jelly. Blackberry flavors with a touch of violet backed up with a fair amount of tannin. Lush texture. Fun to drink.

SRP:  $25

Cruse Wine C0., 2015 Valdiguie

Nose of pretty pink roses and under-ripe strawberry. Red fruit flavors with watermelon rind, jolly rancher and a hint of black pepper backed up by bright acid and bold tannins. May need decanting.

SRP:  $25

Ultramarine, 2011 Rosé, Charles Heintz Vineyard

Unapologetically Californian fruit. Nose of strawberry, earth, toasted biscuit. Strawberry and more complex red berry flavors a bit smokey and a touch of mint. Refined, elegant texture.

SRP:  $65

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Marisa Taylor, Rutherford Hill

 Rutherford Hill, 2013 Napa Valley Merlot

Delicate color for merlot. Nose of candied cherries violet and fresh herbs. Lush, velvety body with grippy tannins. Flavors of cherry pie, plum, cocoa, leather and clove.

SRP $30

Rutherford Hill, 2013 Napa Valley Barrel Select, Red Blend

Nose of tobacco, wet leaves, and cherry. Lush mouth feel with papery tannin. Flavors of cherry, raspberry, cinnamon, clove and nutmeg. Medium long finish.

SRP: $30