Booze Cruise
I was cruising the aisles of my local wine shop recently and saw a familiar bottle. The design of this elusive label had been burned into my brain after one all too brief encounter in a wine shop far from home (all the way in Montavilla), and countless attempts to find the wine carried at a store closer to me. Now, right in front of me, here it was!!!
Squeee!! I immediately snatched up two bottles, then, returned a week later and got two more. If my husband noticed my wine-hoarding ways, he wisely kept his mouth shut. I eventually bought out the shop’s supply, and while I’m still sitting on quite a few bottles, I am anxiously hoping for a restock, as the wine is produced in batches small enough and a price point low enough to guarantee a sell-out.
As I typed that last sentence, it occurs to me that perhaps sharing the wonder of this wine with the masses might not be the smartest way to get another case onto my local shop’s shelves, but it’s too good not to share, and I’m going to chance it!
The wine is an Oregon Pinot Noir from Love and Squalor wine. I’ve had the 2008 and 2009 Pinot Noir vintages and loved them both. The winemaker is Matt Berson; he is the Assistant Winemaker at Brooks, and has worked at some notable wineries in Oregon and abroad including Patricia Greene Cellars, J. Christopher, and Dr. Loosen. The Love and Squalor Pinot 2009 will run you around $22 a bottle, and tastes like it should cost at least twice that amount. The wine is fruity, earthy, and balanced with a full mouth feel, and I kind of adore it! I’ve yet to try the Love & Squalor Reislings, but you can order by the case at the website, so you and I can either do it the easy way; or, if I keep stalking my wine shop’s shelves, and giving the owner baleful, forlorn glances, I’m sure I’ll get to stock up again soon!
Bottom line, try this wine!
