Firesteed Cellars opened its doors in 1992, and as one might expect of a winery in Oregon, their two most popular wines are Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. I have always felt that wines from this state tend to average higher prices than California and I attribute it to the following: the Oregon climate is cooler, and this results in lower yields of grapes, and although there are many exceptions, I would hazard a guess that overall Oregon yields about two to 2½ tonnes or fruit per acre and California six.

As Oregon falls within that magic climate band that passes through it, and the Burgundy Region in France, its Pinot Noir tends to be lighter in colour than those from California. 2022 Firesteed Pinot Noir displays cherries on the nose that are followed by raspberry, toasty oak, and cedar. The fruit is well balanced with the acidity, and it finishes smoothly. I would suggest having it with salmon. The price is very fair at $27.90. Stock #8208.

Pinot Gris does well in Oregon and technically it is a clone of Pinot Noir, rather than a variety on its own. In Italy it is known as Pinot Grigio, but it is the same grape. 2022 Firesteed Pinot Gris is very aromatic with fresh flower aromas and tropical fruit. You will find green apple, peach, citrus and pear, and a silky texture that together show why this grape is so popular in the Northwest. $26.50. Stock #8207.

Legends often begin in the most ordinary surroundings. For Tony Cartlidge and Glen Browne, as with many great entrepreneurs and iconoclasts of the 20th century, the legend began in 1980 in an undistinguished Napa Valley garage.

Cartlidge, a dreamer with a love of wine and a fondness for taking the road less travelled, and Browne, a man of great business sense and a small amount to invest, set out to build a wine company from scratch.

As far as they could tell, there was no need (or more to the point, not enough money) to buy an estate. Only a desire to seek out the best vineyards, harvest the best grapes and make the best wine possible.

I just recently spotted the 2021 Cartlidge & Browne Merlot listed in the Sonoma section of our price list. Curious to see what you can get for only $23.85.

I found the web site Wine Sisterhood, that shared this about this wine: “Merlot is like that oil’ pick-up truck of mine. Dependable. A real worker. Just jump in and start it up. It never lets me down. Oh sure it might not be fancy, but I can’t tell you how many times I’m glad I have it. And my friends are glad I have it too. It just makes my life easier. And isn’t that what it’s all about?”

They also mention that it won a gold medal in Orange County California. Stock #8209.

2021 Clos Pegase Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a showcase winery in the town of Calistoga, one of my favourite spots in the beautiful valley.

I once asked one of the iconic winemakers of Napa why they often do not blend other grapes with Cabernet Sauvignon, as they do in Bordeaux.

His reply was “because we do not have to”, the inference being that this grape achieves perfection in Napa Valley. This example emanates captivating aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, and a touch of oak.

The palate offers flavours of dark plum, vanilla, and polished tannins, with a lingering and powerful finish, showcasing the wine's classic Napa charm and style. $53.75. Stock #8206.

2021 Hope Family “Austin” Cabernet Sauvignon is a new addition to the selection that we already have from their Paso Robles winery.

They tell us that, “our third release of Austin Cabernet Sauvignon remains focused on our goal to produce a wine true to ‘Paso Robles’.

“On the nose savoury aromas intertwine with rich dark fruit nuances. On the palate, flavours evolve into layers of juicy blackberry, spicy nutmeg, toasted coffee, and fresh vanilla bean.

“This medium to full bodied wine is finished with refined tannins and a distinguishable zing of acid to balance”. $37.50. Stock #8033.

I have some catching up to do as I have also spotted another wine that is new to me, and it is 2017 Rowen Wine Company Sonoma Red that their winemaker tells us this about.

“The 2017 Rowen red blend is a lush and elegant wine consisting of wonderful high elevation, mountain fruit. The wine has aromas of dark cherries, blackberries and sweet toasted oak from the co-fermented Viognier.

“On the palate, the wine is balanced and structured from the Cabernet Sauvignon with notes of juicy cassis, light floral and sweet vanilla. Co-fermenting the Syrah with the Viognier is a classic Northern Rhone technique which adds an exotic floral element to the finished wine as well as a rounder 2017 red wine mouthfeel”.

The Wine Enthusiast comments: “This is a brawny, likeable blend led by 60 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon, with 22 per cent Malbec, 15 per cent Syrah and 3 per cent Viognier. Earthy hints of sage and cedar help balance and complement the dark-fruit overtones that show powerful concentration”. 90/100. $59.00. Stock #6137.

Another popular and highly respected range of wines has just been put into stock, but as I am not sure whether there has been time to distribute them to our Discovery and Burrows Lightbourn outlets, I will save them for an upcoming column. Many of you will be familiar with them, I am sure.

• This column is a paid-for advertorial for Burrows, Lightbourn Ltd. and Discovery Wines & Spirits written by Michael Robinson. He can be contacted at mrobinson@bll.bm. The Burrows Lightbourn retail store is located Paget (Harbour Road, 236-0355). Discovery Wines & Spirits stores are in Hamilton (Corner of Queen & Reid Street, 232-0090) and Pembroke (Bakery Lane, 296-9463). A selection of their wines, beers and spirits are available online at discoverywines.bm