Pigeon & Friends: Cellar Sale Baller Bundles, Duck a l’Orange Demo, and Happy Hour with Andy Fortgang

Bundle #1: April Showers Sipper 6 pack (36 for sale) $125

This week our sipper pack is looking to the classic Portland drizzly April weather we’re having this week. 3 reds, a couple whites, and one bubbly rosé. There are some real gems this week and a few wines we hope will be new to you…. Jurançon anyone?

Brut Rosé, Methode Trad, Domaine Brazilier, NV, Loire, FR             This Sparkler made from Pinot d’ Aunis in the eastern Loire valley is always a house favorite in the spring and summertime. The moderate bubbles and creamy texture really accentuate the fruit notes in this wine, which range from red berries to nectarine. 

‘Belle Oiseau’ (Riesling/Pinot Gris/Muscat), Belle Pente, 2017, Willamette 
The “Pretty Bird” is a special collaboration that we produce with Belle Pente. It is an ode to the “Edelzwicker” blends of Alsace and is an exercise in balance. The pinot gris gives texture and weight, the riesling brings acidity, and a splash of muscat adds pretty floral notes.

Jurançon Sec, La Part Davant, Camin Larredya, 2007, Sud-Ouest FR                                                   
Jurançon is a tiny region in Southwestern France that specializes in dry and sweet white wines. This sun-kissed, dry example comes from a terraced amphitheater-shaped vineyard that is biodynamically farmed. A perfect balance between power and finesse with lots of minerality.

Torrette Superieur (Petit Rouge/Cornalin/Fumin), Elio Ottin, 2017, Vallee d’Aoste, IT    
Valle d’ Aoste is a tiny alpine region in the Northern corner of Italy bordering France. Some vineyards are planted at 3,000ft altitude which makes them the highest elevation vines in Europe. This blend has dark-berried fruit, dried herbs, and plenty of earth tones. 

Mondeuse, Domaine de l’Idyle, 2018, Savoie, FR                              This perfect spring red hails from the Savoie which a mountainous region of western France bordering Switzerland. The family-owned winery uses “carbonic fermentation” to accentuate the fresh fruit character of the wine. Beaujolais fans will love this, and you could even put a slight chill on it on a hot day. 

Massif d’Uchaux (Côtes du Rhône Villages), Les Clefs d’Or,
Domaine Jean Deydier, 2013, S. Rhône, FR                                       This is no average Cote du Rhone…it hails from the superior area of Massif d’Uchaux which has rocky soils composed of a limestone-sandstone mixture, planted at elevation and surrounded by woods which help promote biodiversity in the vineyard. The 2013, is showing lots of fruit and lots of peppery secondary notes. 

Bundle #2: Roots Run Deep (Willamette Friends)  (24 for sale) $250
It’s a great saying, and its true both literally and metaphorically. I think of Chef Michael Anthony of NY’s Gramercy Tavern who says that often referring to the connections of between the many people that have passed through that 25 year old restaurant’s doors. It is quite true when we talk about vine roots too! Today we are talking about wine, but also winery friends. These next 6 wines showcasing some of the producers we work with year after year. It feels good to be connected with old friends, and a bottle of wine is conduit for memories. Also, because of the relationship we have with these growers some have offered us wines that are a few vintages back. We are also offering a single bottle bonus from our friends at Belle Pente.

Chardonnay, Durant Vineyard, Goodfellow Family Cellars, 2018, Dundee Hills                       
Marcus Goodfellow was the sommelier at the Heathman Restaurant when he began producing outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay nearly 2 decades ago, and every year the wines get better. Durant vineyards is located in the heart of the Dundee Hills and has been farmed by the Durant family since 1973 (you may have tried their delicious olive oil). The iron-rich soils help produce silky wine with lots of spice and floral notes as well as pure yellow fruit. 

Pinot Gris, Original Vines, The Eyrie Vineyards, 2017, Dundee Hills 
Eyrie, founded in 1965, was the first winery in the Willamette Valley. This comes from their original plot of Pinot Gris vines which also represents the first planting of the grape in the New World. Aged in stainless steel and bottled without sulfur additions. It is history in a glass, and unlike any Gris you’ve had before. 

Pinot Noir, Elevée Vineyard, Elevée Wines, 2015, Dundee Hills  
Tom Fitzpatrick’s day job is making wine at Alloro Vineyards in the Chehalem Mountains, however, he and his wife have a vineyard in their back yard that they bottle some micro-production Pinot Noir from under the Elevée label. This wine bursts with red fruits and smells of pine trees and a touch of oak spice. We’ve been honored to work with this wine every year Tom has made it. 

Pinot Noir, Vespidae, J.K. Carriere, 2012, Willamette Valley     
Vespidae is the Latin name for “Wasp” because they are found throughout J.K. Carriere’s vineyards and are constantly on the hunt for winemaker Jim Prosser – who is severely allergic. 2012 was a banner vintage in the Willamette Valley. This wine is a blend of Temperance Hill, Shea, Alloro and Brooks Vineyards. This wine is just entering its prime and will hold for 5+ more years.  

Pinot Noir, Temperance Hill Vineyard, Bergström Wines, 2013, Eola-Amity Hills                                        
Josh and Caroline Bergström are fixtures at our restaurants, especially at the kitchen bar at Canard. We jumped when he offered us this ’13. If there were a classification of Oregon vineyards you can bet that Temperance Hill would be “Grand Cru,” and Josh has been working with the site for year. This wine shows the classic savory character typical of the vineyard and is displaying a ton of complexity right now.                                                    

Pinot Noir, Estate Vineyard, Belle Pente Vineyard & Winery, 2013, Yamhill Carlton 
Brian and Jill O’Donnell have been quietly crafting some of Oregon’s finest Pinot Noir for decades at their Yamhill Carlton vineyard. In addition to tending their vineyard they operate a small farm on the property with goats, cattle, and chickens. The 2013 shows powerful black cherry fruit and spice (hallmarks of Belle Pente) but is made with great restraint, allowing the wine to be impeccably balanced. 

Bundle #3: The Cotat Cousins (6 for sale) $335
Somehow last week when we offered up our Loire Bundle we did not include a Sauvignon Blanc… shame on us. So, to make up for it we are offering a 6 pack of wines from 2 of the masters of Sauv Blanc, François and Pascal Cotat.  These are two different domains, they do not work together. Originally their fathers Paul and Francis made wine together, but when it was time for François and Pascal to take over they split the vineyard holdings in half and Pascal began making wine in the village of Sancerre, while François kept the original cellar in Chavignol… rumors are there is friction between the two. Both farm organically, raise the wines in old wood, and make wines that can age for decades. They are not afraid of power in the whites, but always maintain acidity. This is a rare chance to compare each producer as well as to taste the Rouge and Rosé, which are both super rare.

Sancerre, Les Monts Damnés, Domaine Pascal Cotat, 2018, Loire (2 bottles)  
Pascal is known for pushing ripeness and being one of the latest to harvest fruit in the appellation.  His wines are a high-wire act balancing ripe yellow and stone fruits with a strong vein of acidity.  The “Mont Damnes” (damned mountain) vineyard is a chalk plateau comprised of the same Kimmeridgian limestone found in Chablis. 

Sancerre, Les Monts Damnés, Domaine François Cotat, 2018, Loire (2 bottles)                            
Francois Cotat farms 2-acre parcel of “Mont Damnes” which is adjacent to his cousins (ironically, they no longer speak to each other).   All fruit is hand harvested, fermented and aged in very old barrels, and bottled in accordance with the lunar calendar.  Comparing these two wines grown in the same place is a study of the imprint a winemaker can put on a terroir.

Vin de Table Chavignol Rosé (Pinot Noir), Domaine Pascal Cotat, 2017, Loire (1 bottle)                                                    
This wine should be labeled as “Sancerre Rose” but Cotat is in a political feud with the local government who have declassified the vineyard in an effort to pave over it and build a parking lot.  Either way, the quality from the 60+ year old vines is undeniable.  Pale is color, bursting with berry fruit, minerals, and a hint of smokiness.  This is rose that can age  a decade or more.   

Sancerre Rouge (Pinot Noir), Domaine François Cotat, 2017, Loire (1 bottle)                         
This Pinot Noir comes from clay and limestone soils (similar to parts of Burgundy) and is medium bodied and high in acid.  It is dominated by its savory notes…pink peppercorns, fresh and dried herbs and wet earth.  A unique and hard to find expression of the grape. 

We’re doing it again… just a few six packs of a few exquisite wines from the Côte d’Or

Aligoté, Domaine Roulot, 2017     
Domaine Roulot is one of the most respected producers in Meursault, and has been a pioneer in bottling individual lieu-dits (vineyard parcels) to express the nuance that each site brings to the finished wine. This aligoté is a unique window into the house style of Roulot. It is the only wine they ferment in stainless steel and shows tart yellow fruit, wet rocks, and just a touch of flint. 

Auxey-Duresses Blanc, Benjamin Leroux, 2010                 
Benjamin Leroux began his micro-negociant project while still working as the winemaker at the famed Comtes d’ Armand in Pommard. The commune of Auxey-Duresses flies under the radar when compared to neighboring Meursault and Volnay, but the appellation produces some very serious wines. This bottling is made from 35-85 year old vines and is still incredibly youthful.

Chassagne-Montrachet Blanc, 1er Cru Blanchot-Dessus, Domaine Jean-Noël Gagnard, 2014              
Caroline L’Estime took over her family’s domain, based in Chassagne-Montrachet, in. This vineyard is contiguous to both Montrachet and Criots-Batard-Montrachet and the finished wine shows many similarities. The organically farmed grapes create a wine with rich golden fruits and flowers and even a slight white mushroom character.

Nuits-St.-Georges, 1er Cru Les Hauts Pruliers, Domaine Daniel Rion, 2002          
The Hauts Pruliers vineyard lies right at the middle of the slope (275 meters) and is comprised of mixed soils consisting of gravel, clay and hard limestone. When young, it can be very brooding but with patience the wine emerges one of great finesse and balance. 2002 was an excellent vintage and this wine is just beginning to hit its stride. 

Gevrey-Chambertin, 1er Cru Les Cazetiers, Domaine Bruno Clair, 2012         
Although 24 hectares would represent modest holdings in most other appellations, it is very impressive in Burgundy where vineyards are segmented and parcels are small. Domaine Bruno Clair organically farms vineyards from Marsannay down through the Cote-de-Beaune. The Cazatier vineyard is located on the Combe Lavaux which is set behind the slope where the Grand Cru are located. Cazatieres (adjacent to Clos St. Jacques) has southern exposure which means lots of sunlight; however, Clair’s holdings are at high elevation and retain lots of acidity. Black and red cherry fruit with powerful earthiness make this a classic expression of Gevrey-Chambertin.                           
Echezeaux, Grand Cru, Domaine Julien, 2015                                   Etienne was not even 30 years old in 2012 when he took over his families’ Domaine. They have a 140-year history of growing grapes in Burgundy that he reinvigorated with his youthful energy. He updated practices in the cellar, and quickly began conversion to organic farming. Their holdings of the Echezaux Grand Cru are the feather in the domaine’s cap. The 2015 bursts with notes of wild raspberries and strawberries and Asian spices. It definitely can and should age for longer, but is dangerously delicious right now.