Dans La Region De Production
Edi Keber
Collio Friulano Blend 2016
Not for everyone but a thinking wine, and superb example of what careful production can achieve - tons of white flower, lime, barely ripe peach, carrying through to a textural mouthfeel with green melon, honey, mint, and anise. Perfect with a snap pea salad or asparagus preparation, goat cheese, and meaty oysters. Long finish with layers of vegetation and fruit. Bravo again to the Collio region — 7 years ago
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars
Artemis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Dans favorite. Stag’s Leap region. Very good. — 7 years ago
Bollinger
Brut Rosé Champagne Blend
On the nose; bright cherries, ripe strawberry & cranberry reduction, black raspberries, raspberries, watermelon near the rhine, mixed orange citrus, oyster shells, baguette crust, understated volcanic minerals, chalk, saline, fresh pink roses and florals. The body is full and a shade gluey. The fruits are ripe, rich and candied/gummy in style. Bright cherries, black cherries ripe strawberry & cranberry reduction, black raspberries, raspberries, watermelon near the rhine, mixed orange citrus spray, saline, seashells, soft grey volcanic minerals, lots of grippy powdery razor sharp chalkiness, baguette crust, fresh pink roses & florals, acidity that is round and well done, understated delicate micro bubbles and a long, well balanced, rich finish. The reason why I prefer the Billecart Salmon, Ruinart & Laurent Perrier over the Bollinger is it’s a little too sweet for me. Photos of; the House of Bollinger, cellar, headstone that marks one of their vineyards and their harvest staff picking perfectly manicured rows. Producer notes and history...Bollinger has roots dating back to 1585 when the Hennequins, one of the Bollinger founding families, owned land in Cramant. Before the Bollinger house was founded in the 18th century, the Villermont family practised wine making, though not under their family name. In 1750, Villermont settled at 16 rue Jules Lobet, which would eventually become the head office for Bollinger. In 1803 Jacques Joseph Placide Bollinger was born in Ellwangen, in the kingdom of Württemberg. In 1822, he moved to Champagne and found work at the house of Muller Ruinart, which no longer exists. Many other Germans came to settle in the Champagne region, including Johann-Josef Krug and the Heidsiecks, who founded a house that would become; Charles Heidsieck, Piper Heidsieck, Veuve Clicquot and others. The Champagne house Renaudin Bollinger was founded in 1829 in Aÿ by Hennequin de Villermont, Paul Levieux Renaudin and Jacques Bollinger. The partners agreed that the Villermont name would not be used on the labels, hence the house name Renaudin Bollinger. Starting when Jacques Bollinger married Charlotte de Villermont, the house has been managed by the Bollinger family. Even though Paul Renaudin passed without an heir to his name, the label did not become solely Bollinger until the 1960s. Founder Jacques Joseph Bollinger married Charlotte de Villermont. The had a daughter, who had two sons Joseph and Georges. These sons took over the company in 1885 and began expanding the family estate by purchasing vineyards in nearby villages. The sons also developed the image of the brand, such as when Bollinger became the official supplier to the British court and received a Royal Warrant in 1884 from Queen Victoria. In 1918, Jacques Bollinger, the son of Georges, took over the company and married Emily Law de Lauriston Boubers, known as "Lily". Jacques expanded the facilities by building new cellars, purchasing the Tauxières vineyards, and acquiring the assets of another Champagne house on Boulevard du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassign, where Bollinger's offices are presently located. When Jacques Bollinger died in 1941, Lily Bollinger took over. Lilly expanded production with the purchase of even more vineyards, but is best known for traveling the world to market the brand. Bollinger was modernized under the Claude d'Hautefeuille, who acquired additional vineyards and further developed the brand internationally. Following Claude, his cousin Christian Bizot took over the Bollinger house and expanded world distribution. Their Winemaker also used several James Bond film movies to market the brand. Bollinger is fermented in oak barrels. At harvest, only the first pressing is used in the cuvée, unless the vintage is of particularly high quality, when a second pressing of Chardonnay will be used. Bollinger sells the second pressing, the tailles. Bollinger utilizes two pressing houses (Louvois and Mareuil sur Aÿ) to ensure a short distance between harvest location and pressing. When possible, grapes purchased from growers are pressed by the house. When the pressed wine arrives, the Bollinger cellar master analyzes the musts for quality, discarding and selling off those that do not meet the house standards. The first fermentation is done cru by cru, variety by variety, preserving many of the unique characteristics of the vines location. Bollinger is one of the few Champagne houses to do some first fermentation in oak barrels. Wines that will not hold up to first fermentation in wood are vinified in vats. Bollinger Champagnes usually undergo malolactic fermentation. The Grande Année 1995 did not undergo malolactic fermentation. Bollinger uses only traditional yeast. They’ve decided that new generations of yeasts (agglomerated yeasts and encapsulated yeasts) do not produce satisfactory Champagne. Vintage wine, including all wine to be used in a Grande Année, is fermented in small oak barrels, sorted according to origin and variety. Both oak and stainless steel are used for non-vintage wine. Bollinger also has the last Cooperage in Champagne. The oak barrels are all at least four years old, avoiding the transfer of tannins to the wine. The wines are only lightly filtered. All Bollinger Champagne spends a long time on its lees, contributing to the complex flavour of the wine. Though appellation d'origine contrôlée rules only require 12 months on lees for non-vintage Champagne and for vintage (NV wines, 15 months from tirage to release and vintage wines must be kept for 36 months from tirage to release), Bollinger ages their non-vintage wines three years, and the vintage wines from five to eight years. The Grande Année and R.D. Champagnes are riddled by hand. At disgorgement, Bollinger wines are given a low dosage, to maintain the balance and flavor of the wine. The company uses 6-9 grams of sugar per liter for the Special Cuvée and La Grande Année. The extra-brut R.D. is dosed between 4 and 5 grams. After dosage, the wines are aged an additional several months, resting for a minimum of three months before shipping. Bollinger owns nearly 160 hectares of vines, producing more than 60% of its supply. The vines are largely Pinot Noir, specifically clone 386. Bollinger believes this clone ensures good quality as well as highlighting characteristics of the various terroirs. The vineyards also include some rare ungrafted French vines from before the phylloxera. Bollinger owns vines all over Champagne, including the crus of Aÿ, Bouzy and Verzenay. — 7 years ago
I figured a real keyboard needed to be involved, thanks for the insight.
Bodegas El Nido
Clio Jumilla Monastrell-Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2013
From Bodegas El Nido, a collaboration between the Gil family and Chris Ringland, Clio is a 70/30 blend of Mourvèdre (Monastrell, as it's known in Spain) and Cabernet Sauvignon. From vineyards in the Jumilla DO in the region of Murcia, located in southeastern Spain. Roughly 85% of Jumilla's production is Monastrell. This is a steakhouse style wine. Over-the-top, rich blackberry and blueberry that falls somewhere between preserves and glaze, singed cedar, dried underbrush, with a vanilla driven perfume that evokes the first scent you get at a speciality cake shop. — 8 years ago
Petterino
Gattinara Nebbiolo 2005
Region: Piedmont
Appellation: Gattinara
Wine type: Red
Varietals: Nebbiolo
Organic: Practicing
Vineyard: Sourced from the vineyards of Permolone, Castelle and Guardie in Gattinara.
Orientation: Mainly southwest.
Soil: The soil is rich in minerals due to the presence of sediment and glacial runoff from Monte Rossa (Granites, porphyries, quartzes and numerous ferrous minerals).
Viticulture: Vine density of about 4000 vines per hectare cultivated according to the “Guyot” method.
Vinification: 15 day fermentation and maceration.
Aging: 3 years in oak barrels of 25hl; afterwards Stainless steel tanks and minimum 6 months in bottles
Production: 1,333 cases per year. — 9 years ago
Gate 20 Two
Pinot Noir 2013
Small production Pinot. Tasting room was in the family's home and yet this earthy, well-balanced Pinot was the favorite of a day of wine tasting in the world's southernmost wine region. — 9 years ago
Aonair Wines
Duarte Vineyard 3 Barrell Production Grenache Blend 2010
Excellent Grenache, surprised to find it's from the Napa region. Nice light flavorful finish — 10 years ago
Michel Guignier
Beaujolais Gamay
Region: Beaujolais
Appellation: Beaujolais
Wine type: Red
Varietals: Gamay
Organic: Certified
Vineyard: The Beaujolais appellation spreads over 30 km between Saône Valley and Haute-Azergues and Haut-Beaujolais hills from North to South. This wine is primarily made with fruit from the Morgon sector.
Orientation: South facing with a slight slope.
Soil: Decomposed granite and crumbly schist referred to regionally as "rotten rock".
Viticulture: The vines are 40 years old; they are pruned quite extensively to limit the yield; all the bunches are picked by hand and then very carefully sorted to retain only the fully ripe, whole bunches.
Vinification: Semi carbonic maceration for up to 7 days. Traditional Vinification temperature: 22° C at the beginning of fermentation and 32° C at the end. On pressing, cooling to 22° C to retain as much aroma and flavor as possible.
Aging: In vats on the lees. All terroirs vinified and aged separately.
Production: 550 cases
Notes: Lacy and charming with a suprising amount of structure for an entry level Bojo. — 11 years ago
Lovingston
R Grand Vin 2011
Fantastic, ultra small batch cab franc blend. Made by Lovingston winemaker Riann - might be the best 2011 red I've had to date -- this might be a one barrel production. $23 in Cville from Joyce — 11 years ago
Viñedo de los Vientos
Alcyone Atlàntida Tannat
Marsala Barolo Chinato reduced must fortified with brandy mxed with different herbs a very unique methode of production — 12 years ago
Cantina Ar.Pe.Pe.
Riserva Buon Consiglio Grumello Valtellina Superiore Nebbiolo 2009
Small, selective production of Valtellina Superiore (Nebbiolo of the region?): elegant and earthy,, smooth, with some cherry “notes” (hate that word)...so drinkable that it was gone too soon. — 7 years ago
Turk Mountain Vineyards
La Tour d'Afton 2015
A riper and brighter vintage than one tasted a few years ago. I don’t really understand the low ratings. Quite honestly, if this was natural wine from a crusty old Slovenian farmer in a mountain town nobody has ever heard of, or a 9th generation hipster Andorran-French winemaker using only a walnut press to make the wine, the wine writers/bloggers would be all over it. This is real, natural wine. Certainly not perfect, and definitely unique. Floral and grapey with decent tannins and acidity. Medium finish. Tiny production of 1500 bottles. 32 bucks. Totally worth it, IMHO. — 7 years ago
Château Lynch-Bages
Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2000
The 2000 is delicious but, it is evolving at a glacial pace. Out of magnum.
On the nose, touch of barnyard, glycerin, ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, plum, strawberries & cherries. Vanilla, dry clay, limestone, river stones, just a touch of pyrazines & bandaid, dark,,turned, moist earth, dry grass and dry & fresh dark florals.
The body is full, round & sexy. Dry softened, sweet tannins. ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, plum, strawberries & cherries. Vanilla, dry clay, limestone, river stones, just a touch of pyrazines & bandaid, fresh tobacco leaf, saddle-wood, dry underbrush, dark, turned, moist earth, dry grass and dry & fresh dark florals. The acidity is magnificent. The structure, tension, length and balance are sensational. The finish is drop dead gorgeous. I’d still hold mine another 5 years as long as you have 3-4 bottles for more 5 year increments.
Photos of, their Estate vines, Clyde Beffa-Owner of K&L Wine Merchants, Owner of Chateau Lynch Bages - Jean-Michel Cazes, guests of the dinner and a sunset view from their Estate.
Producer notes and history...Lynch Bages takes its name from the local area where the Chateau is located in Bages. The vineyard of what was to become Lynch Bages was established and then expanded by the Dejean family who sold it in 1728 to Pierre Drouillard.
In 1749, Drouillard bequeathed the estate to his daughter Elizabeth, the wife of Thomas Lynch. This is how the estate came to belong to the Lynch family, where it remained for seventy-five years and received the name Lynch Bages. However, it was not always known under that name.
For a while the wines were sold under the name of Jurine Bages. In fact, when the estate was Classified in the 1855 Classification of the Medoc, the wines were selling under the name of Chateau Jurine Bages. That is because the property was owned at the time by a Swiss wine merchant, Sebastien Jurine.
In 1862, the property was sold to the Cayrou brothers who restored the estate’s name to Chateau Lynch family.
Around 1870, Lou Janou Cazes and his wife Angelique were living in Pauillac, close to Chateau Pichon Longueville Baron. It was here that Jean-Charles Cazes, the couple’s second son, was born in 1877.
In the 1930’s, Jean-Charles Cazes, who was already in charge of Les-Ormes-de-Pez in St. Estephe agreed to lease the vines of Lynch Bages. By that time, the Cazes family had history in Bordeaux dating back to the second half of the nineteenth century.
This agreement to take over Lynch Bages was good for both the owner and Jean Charles Cazes. Because, the vineyards had become dilapidated and were in need of expensive replanting, which was too expensive for the owner. However, for Cazes, this represented an opportunity, as he had the time, and the ability to manage Lynch Bages, but he lacked the funds to buy the vineyard.
Jean-Charles Cazes eventually purchased both properties on the eve of the Second World War. Lynch Bages and Les-Ormes-de-Pez have been run by the Cazes family ever since. In 1988, the Cazes family added to their holdings in Bordeaux when they purchased an estate in the Graves region, Chateau Villa Bel Air.
Around 1970, they increased their vineyards with the purchase of Haut-Bages Averous and Saussus. By the late 1990’s their holdings had expanded to nearly 100 hectares! Jean-Michel Cazes who had been employed as an engineer in Paris, joined the wine trade in 1973. In a short time, Jean Michel Cazes modernized everything at Lynch Bages.
He installed a new vat room, insulated the buildings, developing new technologies and equipment, built storage cellars, restored the loading areas and wine storehouses over the next fifteen years. During that time period, Jean Michel Cazes was the unofficial ambassador of not just the Left Bank, but all of Bordeaux. Jean Michel Cazes was one of the first Chateau owners to begin promoting their wine in China back in 1986.
Bages became the first wine sent into space, when a French astronaut carried a bottle of 1975 Lynch Bages with him on the joint American/French space flight!
Beginning in 1987, Jean-Michel Cazes joined the team at the insurance company AXA, who wanted to build an investment portfolio of quality vineyards in the Medoc, Pomerol, Sauternes, Portugal and Hungary.
Jean-Michel Cazes was named the director of the wine division and all the estates including of course, the neighboring, Second Growth, Chateau Pichon Baron.
June 1989 marked the inauguration of the new wine making facilities at Lynch Bages, which was on of their best vintages. 1989 also marked the debut of the Cordeillan- hotel and restaurant where Sofia and I had one of our best dinners ever. A few years after that, the Village de Bages with its shops was born.
The following year, in 1990, the estate began making white wine, Blanc de Lynch Bages. In 2001, the Cazes family company bought vineyards in the Rhone Valley in the Languedoc appellation, as well as in Australia and Portugal. They added to their holdings a few years later when they purchased a vineyard in Chateauneuf du Pape.
In 2006, Jean-Charles Cazes took over as the managing director of Chateau Lynch Bages. Jean-Michel Cazes continues to lead the wine and tourism division of the family’s activities. Due to their constant promotion in the Asian market, Chateau Lynch Bages remains one of the strongest brands in the Asian market, especially in China.
In 2017, Chateau Lynch Bages began a massive renovation and modernization, focusing on their wine making, and technical facilities. The project, headed by the noted architects Chien Chung Pei and Li Chung Pei, the sons of the famous architect that designed the glass pyramid for the Louvre in Paris as well as several other important buildings.
The project will be completed in 2019. This includes a new grape, reception center, gravity flow wine cellar and the vat rooms, which will house at least, 80 stainless steel vats in various sizes allowing for parcel by parcel vinification.
The new cellars will feature a glass roof, terraces with 360 degree views and completely modernized reception areas and offices. They are not seeing visitors until it’s completion.
In March, 2017, they purchased Chateau Haut Batailley from Françoise Des Brest Borie giving the Cazes family over 120 hectares of vines in Pauillac!
The 100 hectare vineyard of Lynch Bages is planted to 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. The vineyard has a terroir of gravel, chalk and sand soils.
The vineyard can be divided into two main sections, with a large portion of the vines being planted close to the Chateau on the Bages plateau. At their peak, the vineyard reaches an elevation of 20 meters. The other section of the vineyard lies further north, with its key terroir placed on the Monferan plateau.
They also own vines in the far southwest of the appellation, next Chateau Pichon Lalande, on the St. Julien border, which can be used in the Grand Vin. The vineyard can be split into four main blocks, which can be further subdivided into 140 separate parcels.
The average age of the vines is about 30 years old. But they have old vines, some of which are close to 90 years old.
The vineyards are planted to a vine density of 9,000 vines per hectare. The average age of the vines is about 30 years old. But they have old vines, some of which are close to 90 years old.
Lynch Bages also six hectares of vine are reserved for the production of the white Bordeaux wine of Chateau Lynch Bages. Those vines are located to the west of the estate. They are planted to 53% Sauvignon Blanc, 32% Semillon and 15% Muscadelle. On average, those vines are about 20 years of age. Lynch Bages Blanc made its debut in 1990.
To produce the wine of Chateau Lynch Bages, vinification takes place 35 stainless steel vats that vary in size. Malolactic fermentation takes place in a combination of 30% French, oak barrels with the remainder taking place in tank.
The wine of Chateau Lynch Bages is aged in an average of 70% new, French oak barrels for between 12 and 15 months. Due to the appellation laws of Pauillac, the wine is sold as a generic AOC Bordeaux Blanc, because Pauillac does not allow for the plantings of white wine grapes.
For the vinification of their white, Bordeaux wine, Blanc de Lynch-Bages is vinified in a combination of 50% new, French oak barrels, 20% in one year old barrels and the remaining 30% is vinified in vats. The wine is aged on its lees for at least six months. The white wine is sold an AOC Bordeaux wine.
The annual production at Lynch Bages is close to 35,000 cases depending on the vintage.
The also make a 2nd wine, which was previously known as Chateau Chateau Haut Bages Averous. However, the estate changed its name to Echo de Lynch Bages beginning with the 2007 vintage. The estate recently added a third wine, Pauillac de Lynch-Bages.
— 7 years ago
Mulderbosch
Coastal Region Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé 2016
Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards are managed
specifically with the idea of rosé production in
mind. Early picking dates result in naturally high
levels of acidity and a bright spectrum of fruit
flavours ideal in rosé style wines. Once pressed, the juice is handled as per Sauvignon Blanc, i.e. cool fermentation with aromatic yeasts to heighten the vibrant, zesty aromas and fresh mineral palate. Crucial to this style of rosé is early bottling in order to preserve the wine’s inherent freshness.
The 2016 Mulderbosch Rosé exhibits a delicate dusty pink colour reminiscent of classic dry Rosé styles. Bracing mineral aromatics and floral notes are found on the nose whilst the well balanced and vibrant palate features freshly sliced watermelon, Turkish rose water and subtly herbaceous Cabernet Sauvignon
flavours.
Amplifying its fresh, clean acidity and striking length is a burst of succulent Ruby grapefruit that carries the wonderful ensemble to a pleasant, lasting finish. — 8 years ago
Domaine Servin
Les Clos Chablis Grand Cru Chardonnay
Limited production of this wine. Very nice and expensive bottle . Un oaked Chardonnay from Chablis region . Armas weekend. — 9 years ago
Como Villa
Pinot Noir 2010
Mature Pinot with balanced minerals and ripe cherries. Great small production wine in this Pinot-centric region. — 9 years ago
Silwervis
Swartland Chenin Blanc 2012
Clean and pure, a nice concentration with appetizing acidity - old-vine Swartland Chenin made naturally and matured in the egg with some skin contact and carbonic maceration After one year in the egg, it spends six months in old oak to settle down. This produces a textured, honest Chenin unlike any other - small production below 1000 bottles — 10 years ago
Montalbera
Laccento Ruché di Castagnole Monferrato
The joy of wine is discovering these lesser known grapes like Ruche (roo kay). Over the last decade this grape has finally seen production outside the tiny region of Asti in Piedmont. While the famed Louis Marconi probably hit his head on a hard surface while scoring this bottle at 99 points, it is still undeniably as exquisite as a Victoria Secrets model showing off this years wonder bra. The dark fruits and floral accents are full and extremely smooth. A metalic smell of bronze monkey bars rounds out the flavor as spice box Jerry lays in the background reminding you that there is alot going on in all of this smoothness. A true 9.3 for $20 bucks - break this baby out for Valentines day, and use the extra savings on top shelf chocolates and one of those wonder bras. — 10 years ago
Lievland Estate
Shiraz 2004
Bang for your buck...Liebland might be bang'n out some of the best. Small production though. The Shiraz is new world and big but opens fast. Lots of depth. Fruit and spice. — 11 years ago
Rappahannock Cellars
Virginia Chardonnay 2012
One of wifey's favorites....lush with tropical fruit and banana due to the oak treatment -- really nice estate fruit w/ excellency in production — 12 years ago
Gaston Chiquet
Special Club Brut Champagne Blend 2007
This is Gaston’s Special Club. What does it mean when a Champagne is labeled as Special Club?
The Special Club, or Club Trésors de Champagne, was originally founded in 1971 by 12 of the oldest families of the Champagne region. Since then, the club has grown to include 29 producers committed to excellence in all aspects of production. This exclusive membership is only open to Recoltant Manipulants (a French designation for a producer of grower Champagne). Champagnes must be produced, bottled and aged at the member’s estate. The Special Club Champagnes represent the tête de cuvée (a premier bottling often carrying a vintage date) selection for each member.
Special Club Champagne designation means they are only made in outstanding vintages from grapes harvested from member’s own vineyards. Each producer must submit his wine to two blind tastings panels of esteemed oenologists and wine professionals. The still wines (vins clairs) are tasted first and if approved may be bottled in the uniquely-shaped Special Club bottle before undergoing secondary fermentation.
After a minimum of three years aging on lees, the wines are tasted again for final approval.
On the nose; green apple, bruised Bosc pear, touch of golden apple, pineapple, cream soda, light citrus, sea shells/spray, brioche, gray volcanic minerals, soft chalk, spring flowers & citrus blossoms.
The palate is soft, delicate, subtly rich with micro oxygenation. Green apple, bruised Bosc pear, bruised golden apple, pineapple, cream soda, light citrus, sea shells/spray, brioche, gray volcanic minerals that have teeth and dig deep into your palate, soft powdery chalk, spring flowers & citrus blossoms.
Photos of; the house of Gaston Chiquet, cellar-hand hand riddling bottles, Owner/Winemaker Nicolas Chiquet inspecting bottles and one of their Grand Cru Vineyard.
Producer notes...Nicolas farms 23 heactares in the Valle de la Marne in the villages of Ay, Dizy, Hautvillers and Mareuil-sur-Ay. All of the fruit (including that which is used in the non-vintage cuvee) comes from premier and grand cru grapes. Nicolas does not employ any oak aging at Gaston Chiquet; he believes that concentration, fruit maturity and malolactic fermentation impart enough body and texture to make aging in barrel unnecessary.
The vineyards are planted to equal (forty percent each) parts chardonnay, pinot meunier and twenty percent are planted to pinot noir. Gaston-Chiquet. He also produces a vintage dated chardonnay from 5 parcels on the western side of the grand cru village of Ay. Usually recognized as a grand cru village for pinot noir, these vines of chardonnay were planted in Ay in the 1930s.
In 1919, two brothers, Fernand and Gaston Chiquet winemakers came together to create their house Chiquet Brothers. They were ‘pioneers’ in Champagne, the very first winemakers to take the initiative, bold at the time, to keep their grapes, turn them into Champagne and sell their own wine. Nicolas Chiquet planted his first vines in 1746, and since then eight generations have have managed their house. Gaston Chiquet registered the company in 1935 and expanded the property with land in Aÿ, Cumières and Hautvillers. Gaston Chiquet is best known for making the only blanc de blancs from the Pinot village of Aÿ. Aÿ was the big name in the area long before wines became sparkling, and many were the kings and popes who counted Vin d’Aÿ as their favorite wine. The vineyards slope down steeply to the village by the Marne River, and the best locations are just over the town, sheltered from the wind and with maximum exposure to the sun. — 7 years ago
Truchard
Carneros Roussanne 2014
A small winery in the Carneros region of Napa managed by Tony and Jo Ann Truchard successfully growing grapes for over 40 years. Sits on French oak (20% new) for 6 months. Aromas of tropical fruits and sweet honey. On the palate pineapple and apricot flavors, subtle spice and fresh acidity. Lingering finish ending flinty with citrus mineral tones. Small production 1900 cases, must try. Nice! — 7 years ago
Arkenstone
Coliseum Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
One of the casualties from the Napa fires in Atlas Peak region. Coliseum Block burnt to a crisp. (Bottom right photo). This is one of Arkenstone’s ventures outside of Howell Mountain. Winemaker Sam Kaplan says ‘hold on all of your stock because it will take a while to get this vineyard back to full production’. Sad to hear because Coliseum Block was full of depth in color, texture and complexity. — 8 years ago
Adastra
Pinot Noir 2014
This wine has strong Burgundian lineage and while I generally think Carneros is a lesser region to other areas in Cali for Pinot Noir, this is a beauty. We spent an afternoon with Chris a few years ago and learned the true family nature of the wine’s production. It has it all, berries and spice leaping from the glass, a luxurious mouthfeel and texture and a super-long finish. Gotta get some more of this one. — 8 years ago
Château Latour
Le Pauillac de Chateau Latour Red Bordeaux Blend 1967
In looking for some older photos, I ran across photos of the 14 En Premier. Since I wasn’t using Delectable then, I thought I’d take the opportunity to share a story and some key Bordeaux history. One night during the En Premier, we went to dinner with the Director of Chateau Latour, Frédéric Engerer at Lion d’ Or. Frédéric reached into their library cellar and pulled; a 78 & 90 Grand Vin, 99 & 03 Forts De Latour and a Mag of 67 Grand Vin. Overall score is an aggregate of the evenings wine. Certainly one of the best nights of food & wine in my life. However if you go to Lion d’ Or, read the menu carefully as they cook with every part of an animal. Oh...the menu is all in French. So, ask for assistance if you struggle with French. While remembering this night, it got me thinking about another piece of Bordeaux history I thought I’d share for those that might be unaware. Did you know we have the Dutch to thank for making these wines possible? Here are my historical and producer notes... the earliest history of Bordeaux dates back to the Romans in 60 B.C. They were the first to plant, cultivate and make Bordeaux wines. They referred to the area as Burdigala. The Bordeaux appellation was perfect for cultivating grapes for wine. It offered the unique combination of the right soil for growing grapes used in the production of wine coupled with easy access to the Garonne river, which was needed to help ship the wines. The marriage between King Henry and Eleanor made sure Aquitaine, which included Bordeaux, was owned by England for over 300 years, coinciding with the conclusion of the hundred years war; which really lasted 116 years and ended in October 1453. By the time the Hundred Years War had finally concluded, Bordeaux wine had already been discovered by British wine lovers! In fact, Richard the Lionheart, the son of Eleanor and Henry II made Bordeaux wine his everyday beverage. The Bordeaux wine buying public agreed saying, if Bordeaux was good enough for the King, it was good enough for all loyal British wine lovers. From that moment forward, the Bordeaux wine trade began expanding. Bordeaux wine continued taking on more importance in trade with England. Twice a year, just prior to Easter and Christmas, several hundred British merchant ships sailed to Bordeaux to exchange British goods for wine. The next major event for the Bordeaux wine trade took place when the Dutch needed to build roads to make it easier to transport goods/wine throughout the region. The Dutch, along with the British were major purchasers of Bordeaux wine. They needed their Bordeaux wine to be delivered more quickly, before it spoiled. Their short-term answer, the Dutch merchants came up with was to burn sulfur in barrels, which aided the wines ability to last and age. However, more needed to be done. By the 1600’s, numerous Bordeaux vineyards were already planted, cultivated and producing wine. However, much of the region still consisted of unusable, swamp land and marshes. Dutch engineers came up with the idea to dredge and drain the marshes and swamps. This allowed for quicker transportation of their Bordeaux wine. And suddenly, there was a lot more vineyard land that was perfect for growing grapes and making more Bordeaux wine. Yes, we have the Dutch to thank for creating Pauillac. For this post, specifically Chateau Latour. Had the Dutch not dredged and drain it, many great Chateaus might not exist today. The man in charge of the project was Dutch engineer, Jan Adriaasz Leeghwater. He changed the face of Bordeaux forever. At the same time they dredged, new water channels were created. This helped improve the drainage, so the swamp like conditions would not develop again. Many of the original water channels are still in existence all over the Medoc. So, the next time you drink your Medoc (Pauillac) Bordeaux wine, drink a cheers to Dutchman...Jan Adriaasz Leeghwate. Photos of; our dinner bottles, the Latour library cellar, stainless steel tanks, barrel room and the iconic and majestic 17th century tower the property takes it’s name. The Latour cellars are so clean and pristine, you could eat off the floors.
— 8 years ago
Királyudvar
Sec Tokaji Furmint 2012
Country: Hungary
Region: Tokaj
Wine type: White
Varietals: White Blend
Varietal Notes: 85% Furmint, 15% Hárslevelu
Biodynamic: Practicing
Vineyard: Sourced from estate vineyards located in Tokaji’s heartland in the towns of Mád and Bodrogkeresztur. All are historically important grand cru sites including Henye, Percze, Becsek, and the great Lapis.
Soil: Clay and rock of volcanic origin (various Rhyolite Tuffs).
Viticulture: Farmed biodynamically, hand harvested.
Vinification: Fruit is gently pressed. Wild yeasts spurs natural fermentation in 500 liter Hungarian oak barrels
Production: 2,000 cases
Notes: Introduced by the domaine in ’05, this innovative dry wine wonderously balances Furmint’s viscous intensity and bright acidity. — 9 years ago
Domaine François Raveneau
Chablis Chardonnay 2007
2007 was the first vintage of AOC Chablis. That's what you learn while in good company. Who the hells wants tasting notes!? My tongue is different than yours anyway. I prefer knowledge based on region, production, aging, varietals, etc. — 10 years ago
Julien Sunier
Régnié Gamay 2013
Appellation: Regnie
Wine type: Red
Varietals: Gamay
Organic: Practicing
Vineyard: Situated at the base of the Cote du Py hillside on edge of the Morgon appellation, this parcel of 1.1 hectares is known as En Oeillat and has an average vine age of 60 years.
Orientation: Southern oriented
Soil: Sanded and pink granite, clay sub-soil
Viticulture: Organic farming, harvesting done entirely by hand.
Vinification: Indigenous yeast fermentations in concrete vats at low temperatures, to preserve fresh fruit flavors and a delicate tannic structure. After fermentations are complete, fruit is slowly pressed, over a 24 hour period, using an ancient vertical press Julien acquired in the Côte D’Or.
Aging: 20% aged in cement and 80% in neutral French barrels.
Production: 250 cases
Publication:
The 2013 Régnié from Julien Sunier is a lovely example of the vintage and a very strong indication that, though this domaine has only been around since 2008, Monsieur Sunier is now one of the top estates in the region. As readers may recall, Julien Sunier worked with Christophe Roumier at the start of his career, prior to setting out for several different regions and wearingvarious winemaking hats, prior to settling in Beaujolais and opening his own domaine in ’08. His Beaujolais bottlings are not classics, but rather more of a hybrid of Beaujolais and Côte d’Or styles, as he ferments his whole clusters in cement vats with indigenous yeasts, prior to aging them for nine or ten months in old Burgundy barrels (that he still gets from Domaine Roumier). His 2013 Régnié offers up a bright, red fruity and complex nose of cherries, baked red berries, cardamom, lovely soil tones, turmeric and just a bit of oak spice in the upper register. On the palate the wine is medium-full, wide open and drinking beautifully, with a good core of fruit, solid acidity and grip and a long, complex and succulent finish. Lovely juice in a quite unique and compelling style. 2014-2020+. - John Gilman — 11 years ago
GabWine
Color : White
Wine estate : Domaine Louis Bovard
Designation : Saint-Saphorin
Name : Salix Chenin Blanc
Country : Switzerland
Vivino : 4.5/5
Note : Louis Bovard remains the boss in the Vaudoise region with this magnificent Salix. A pale yellow color, a mineral nose with a touch of citrus. On the palate, happiness, joy and wonder. More seriously, a nice roundness with salty and fruity notes. Just magic!
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Louis Bovard reste le patron dans La région Vaudoise avec ce magnifique Salix. Une robe jaune pâle, un nez minéral avec une touche d’agrumes. En bouche, le bonheur, la joie et l’émerveillement. Plus sérieusement, une belle rondeur avec des notes salines et fruités. Juste magique !
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👍🏻Vivino, FB : GabWine | IG : gabriel_dvl 🥂 — 7 years ago