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Jan-Marc Wine Cellars 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon
Garage wine? Not exactly...
Jan-Marc Baker is literally making wine in his garage. In fact, he's making guite a lot of wine in his 350 sg. ft. garage - 1000 cases! And it's not all Cabernet Sauvignon: he's making eight different varietals, all in small batches. Drive by his house on a sunny weekend and you can tell immediately where the winery is. His house is surrounded by friends and neighbors who have stopped by to taste his new releases and catch up on local news.
This humble, unassuming winemaker has been making wine with his wife in Northeast Portland since 2009.
Will he consider moving out of the garage to a larger space? No! Jan-Marc does not plan to get bigger; he loves making his wine at home and feeling connected to his neighbors. Former caterers, he and his wife have opened a wine bar around the corner which feature his wine on tap as well as delicious tastes to pair. Garagiste is a must-visit spot!
This is why the urban winery movement has taken off: Winemakers' connection to their communities, and the vibrant, urban environments where folks can easily taste their wines without driving significant distances.
Cellar 503 Tasting Notes
Jan-Marc Wine Cellars, Portland, Oregon
2013 Cabernet Sauvignon
A Cabernet Sauvignon from Oregon? Yes! That's what you're holding in your hands!
Jan-Marc sources his grapes from the Hillside Vineyard in The Dalles, located within the tiny Oregon portion of the gigantic Columbia Valley AVA Just a few miles uphill from the Columbia River, the Hillside Vineyard provides a moderate climate for Cabernet Sauvignon, neither at the cool end nor the warm end of the spectrum.
As a result, you'll find dark cherry, purple plum, and blue fruit aromas and flavors. You'll taste the black pepper as it slides over your palate, and if you pay close attention, you'll notice a hint of wild mint - a common characteristic of Cabernet Sauvignon from moderate-to-cool climates.
Stop by Garagiste and pair this wine with his wife's famous chocolate cake - it's heavenly!
A Cellar 503 selection in February 2017, Wines We Love Columbia Valley | Cabernet Sauvignon
