April's Wines of the Month feature wines from Oregon and New Zealand. The 2014 Raptor Ridge Barrel Select Pinot Noir is a diverse blend from Oregon's Willamette Valley. The 2016 Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc is a classic, aromatic Marlborough style Sauvignon Blanc. Suggested retail for this set of wines is $52. Get this set of wine this month for only $42 while supplies last!
2014 Raptor Ridge Barrel Select Pinot Noir
Alcohol: 13.8% by volume
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
About Raptor Ridge: Raptor Ridge was founded in 1995 to share in the joy of wine-growing, a calling that brings purpose through a close connection with the land, community and the industry. Named for their location on a ridge in the Chehalem Mountains AVA, Raptor Ridge is a haven for native raptors and winery guests. Raptor Ridge treats their guests to a revitalizing experience complete with vine side tastings, chef inspired pairings, and yoga retreats in a tranquil setting with a view of four mountaintops.
Raptor Ridge specializes in hand-grown single vineyard Pinot Noir sourced from a rich tapestry of select Willamette Valley sites plus their own estate, Tuscowallame. Raptor Ridge creates intriguing wines by blending intuition honed over 20 vintages with the methodical approach of maintaining hundreds of separate lots. The result is an array of vineyard-specific barrels, providing diversity and nuance to the final cellar-crafted cuvées.
Description: This complex blend of 100 percent pinot noir comes from their Estate Vineyard and multiple other vineyard sites throughout the Willamette Valley. Their winemaking team “tunes” and “tweaks” various trial blends comprised of percentage-wise mixes from over 200 barrels hand-picked from their cellar before arriving at each years decision for the Barrel Select blend. The intention with this wine is to craft a modestly-priced, excellent Pinot Noir that is expressive of Oregon’s Willamette Valley.
With strawberry and citrus undertones and hints of orange peel, this full-bodied yet refined wine leads to a fantastic finish. An exciting wine with layers and length. Excellent value, too. Drink or hold. Pairs well with a wide variety of foods. Compliments garlic and herb roasted tenderloins, oven baked salmon and glazed duck breast nicely.
Suggested retail price: $27
2016 Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc
Alcohol: 13% by volume
Composition: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
About Dog Point Vineyard: Located in Marlborough, New Zealand’s premium wine growing region, Dog Point Vineyard produces wine that reflects the experience and passion of the people that make them. All fruit is from hand-picked, low cropped vines grown under organic principles. Wines are made to drink well on release or cellar gracefully for many years.
Dog Point vineyards are certified organic under the BioGro New Zealand Programme which is an independent certification process established to promote environmentally friendly, sustainable and responsible practices. These organic philosophies drive their approach to wine making and help ensure the vines are at their best for next year's harvest.
Description: Grapes are hand-picked from eight of their own vineyards within the Wairau Valley. Cropped at an average of 7.5 tonnes/hectare (50hl/ha). The fruit is whole bunch pressed, cold settled before fermentation and 2-3 months aging in stainless steel tanks. A portion of this wine is fermented using indigenous yeast. Bottled without fining.
This wine has classic strong citrus characters with lemon and grapefruit prominent, complimented by elderflowers, with smoky and flinty undertones. It holds a juicy and vibrant palate of pure citrus flavours leaving a lengthy finish with refreshing, balanced acidity. Pairs well with fresh, simple seafood dishes especially oysters. Also compliments goat's cheese well.
Suggested retail price: $25
Wines of the month details:
Must purchase both wines to receive sale price. Offer available while supplies last.
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