Hey Fellow Winos
My top picks for this upcoming Saturday, November 11th Vintages release.
1. 2013 Cave De Turckheim, Brand Grand Cru, Riesling, Alsace, France at $37.95
Alsace is in the north-east of France on the border with Germany and has a tumultuous history of bouncing back and forth between French and German control. This meshing of cultures has allowed German grapes to thrive, made in a French style. Some of the best Riesling grows in Alsace, and the best of the best grow only on 51 Grand Cru plots of land known locally as lieux-dits. These 51 lieux-dits have the perfect Terroir for Riesling to thrive. This Riesling comes from the Brand lieux-dits in the Haut-Rhin (southern half of Alsace) showing a perfumed floral nose with citrus, crisp pear held together by a steely backbone. Pair with Choucroute Garnie (Alsatian Sauerkraut) or a spicy Pad-Thai. Grand Cru Riesling for under $40, yes please.
Alsace is in the north-east of France on the border with Germany and has a tumultuous history of bouncing back and forth between French and German control. This meshing of cultures has allowed German grapes to thrive, made in a French style. Some of the best Riesling grows in Alsace, and the best of the best grow only on 51 Grand Cru plots of land known locally as lieux-dits. These 51 lieux-dits have the perfect Terroir for Riesling to thrive. This Riesling comes from the Brand lieux-dits in the Haut-Rhin (southern half of Alsace) showing a perfumed floral nose with citrus, crisp pear held together by a steely backbone. Pair with Choucroute Garnie (Alsatian Sauerkraut) or a spicy Pad-Thai. Grand Cru Riesling for under $40, yes please.
2. 2014 Closson Chase, Chardonnay, Prince Edward County, Canada at $28.95
I love the county and I really love Chardonnay from Closson Chase. The limestone-based soils and cool climate in Prince Edward County are similar to Burgundy with a lot of winemakers styling their chardonnay in a Burgundian style. Mineral notes of crushed rock combined with lemon, apple, and a smooth yet crisp long finish are what differentiates these wines from the 15% alcohol vanilla bombs from old-school California (although a lot of winemakers in California are leaving this style behind). 2014 was a cool year so expect a little more stylistic of Chablis rather than central Burgundy. Pair with lobster and arugula spaghettini in a lemon and parmesan sauce. Best to pick this one up while visiting the winery on a weekend getaway if you can.
I love the county and I really love Chardonnay from Closson Chase. The limestone-based soils and cool climate in Prince Edward County are similar to Burgundy with a lot of winemakers styling their chardonnay in a Burgundian style. Mineral notes of crushed rock combined with lemon, apple, and a smooth yet crisp long finish are what differentiates these wines from the 15% alcohol vanilla bombs from old-school California (although a lot of winemakers in California are leaving this style behind). 2014 was a cool year so expect a little more stylistic of Chablis rather than central Burgundy. Pair with lobster and arugula spaghettini in a lemon and parmesan sauce. Best to pick this one up while visiting the winery on a weekend getaway if you can.
3. 2014 Stephane Aviron Vieilles Vignes, Moulin-A-Vent, Beaujolais, France at $21.95
“Vieilles Vignes” means Old Vines and at roughly 100 years old these vines have been around the block. As vines age, they produce less and less fruit but more concentrated flavors which makes much better wine, quality over quantity. Moulin-A-Vent is one of the 10 Crus of Beaujolais and just like the lieux-dits of Alsace, they represent the highest quality specific plots of land to grow grapes on. Beaujolais is made from the Gamay grape, light and quaffable, best enjoyed young and slightly chilled. Crus Beaujolais, however, is a fuller body style wine worthy of some aging and some respect. Expect red cherries and blackberries with a mineral spine, smoky spirit, and a smooth finish. I simply can’t wait to sip this wine with a warming meal such as a Tomato, Chard and Gruyere Casserole. Crus level Beaujolais is far too often underappreciated and undervalued, at least not by me.
“Vieilles Vignes” means Old Vines and at roughly 100 years old these vines have been around the block. As vines age, they produce less and less fruit but more concentrated flavors which makes much better wine, quality over quantity. Moulin-A-Vent is one of the 10 Crus of Beaujolais and just like the lieux-dits of Alsace, they represent the highest quality specific plots of land to grow grapes on. Beaujolais is made from the Gamay grape, light and quaffable, best enjoyed young and slightly chilled. Crus Beaujolais, however, is a fuller body style wine worthy of some aging and some respect. Expect red cherries and blackberries with a mineral spine, smoky spirit, and a smooth finish. I simply can’t wait to sip this wine with a warming meal such as a Tomato, Chard and Gruyere Casserole. Crus level Beaujolais is far too often underappreciated and undervalued, at least not by me.
4. 2006 Chateau Bouscasse Vieilles Vignes Madiran, Southwest France at $38.95.
Here we have another example of “Vielles Vignes” old vines, this time they are roughly 150 years old. The Tannat vines used here provide a massively rich, intense and structured wine with great depth and concentration. This full-bodied red wine from the French-Spanish border has a bit of that Spanish flair so expect some higher alcohol, lower acidity, bold black fruit like blackberry and plum flavors and bolder tannins. I would pair this with a French rack of lamb on a winters night. Be sure to decant this 11-year-old beauty otherwise it will be as harsh as hiking the Pyrenees mountains separating the two countries wearing only crocks. What a sin.
Here we have another example of “Vielles Vignes” old vines, this time they are roughly 150 years old. The Tannat vines used here provide a massively rich, intense and structured wine with great depth and concentration. This full-bodied red wine from the French-Spanish border has a bit of that Spanish flair so expect some higher alcohol, lower acidity, bold black fruit like blackberry and plum flavors and bolder tannins. I would pair this with a French rack of lamb on a winters night. Be sure to decant this 11-year-old beauty otherwise it will be as harsh as hiking the Pyrenees mountains separating the two countries wearing only crocks. What a sin.
5. 2014 Corte Medicea Athos, IGT Toscana, Italy at $28.95
This IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipca) wine from Tuscany is made in the traditional style, although contains a few unusual grapes. This wine made of 100% Merlot that will be complex full of red fruit, spice and held together in an almost creamy smoothness. This wine is quite balanced so it’s fruit, acidity, tannin, and spice are all harmoniously complementing each other as opposed to competing for the top spot. Scored 99 by Luca Maroni a wine writer in Italy which seems a bit high but heck I’m intrigued. Pair with a Pasta Bolognese and loud Italian family conversation, preferably with multiple hand gestures.
This IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipca) wine from Tuscany is made in the traditional style, although contains a few unusual grapes. This wine made of 100% Merlot that will be complex full of red fruit, spice and held together in an almost creamy smoothness. This wine is quite balanced so it’s fruit, acidity, tannin, and spice are all harmoniously complementing each other as opposed to competing for the top spot. Scored 99 by Luca Maroni a wine writer in Italy which seems a bit high but heck I’m intrigued. Pair with a Pasta Bolognese and loud Italian family conversation, preferably with multiple hand gestures.
6. 2006 Ardal Reserva, DO Ribera del Duero, Spain at $22.95
Here you can sip an 11-year-old wine, aged for 24 months in French and American oak that has been resting in the bottle for some time now. This 80% Tempranillo and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon blend offers a full-bodied wine that should have some graphite and wild herbs on the nose with red fruit, black fruit and almost a chocolate note on the palate. Let this Spanish bull relax in a decanter or your glass for an hour otherwise you may get impaled by its horns. Pair with a big, bold Spanish lamb, baked potato, and some passionate flamenco music, you’ll feel you're in rustic Spain.
Here you can sip an 11-year-old wine, aged for 24 months in French and American oak that has been resting in the bottle for some time now. This 80% Tempranillo and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon blend offers a full-bodied wine that should have some graphite and wild herbs on the nose with red fruit, black fruit and almost a chocolate note on the palate. Let this Spanish bull relax in a decanter or your glass for an hour otherwise you may get impaled by its horns. Pair with a big, bold Spanish lamb, baked potato, and some passionate flamenco music, you’ll feel you're in rustic Spain.
Lucky Number 7
2001 Maison Roche De Bellene, Gevrey-Chambertin, Burgundy, France at $106.95.
This 16-year-old Premier Cru, Pinot Noir from Gevrey-Chambertin is something quite special. Pinot Noir from Burgundy is one of the greatest treasures in the wine world and finding one that already has 16 years on it that doesn’t cost a mortgage payment makes this find even greater. Pinot Noir is a grape that can really soak up the terroir of a specific place and when you are sipping Gevrey-Chambertin, you aren’t sipping Pinot Noir, you're sipping the terroir of Gevrey-Chambertin. Limestone soils on a sloping south-east facing hill capture the sun and nurture the grapes into adulthood. No Pinot Noir anywhere else on earth will taste like this, that’s what makes it so special.
This aged Premier Cru although slightly lower in quality/status than a Grand Cru, will still offer incredible suppleness with coddling aromas of earth, mineral, and flowers. On the palate, a complex symphony of flavors like dried cherry, fall foliage and an earthiness performing so harmoniously it may be worthy of a tear. I would be afraid to pair this with any food as to distract me from such a heavenly experience, but a well-made Boeuf Bourguignon simmered for several hours would certainly hit the spot. Yes, it’s $100 but considering some Pinot Noir from Burgundy can be in the thousands for a single bottle I’d say this is totally worth it, splurge. I would sip this on a quiet Christmas eve before the extended family arrives. Merry Christmas.
This 16-year-old Premier Cru, Pinot Noir from Gevrey-Chambertin is something quite special. Pinot Noir from Burgundy is one of the greatest treasures in the wine world and finding one that already has 16 years on it that doesn’t cost a mortgage payment makes this find even greater. Pinot Noir is a grape that can really soak up the terroir of a specific place and when you are sipping Gevrey-Chambertin, you aren’t sipping Pinot Noir, you're sipping the terroir of Gevrey-Chambertin. Limestone soils on a sloping south-east facing hill capture the sun and nurture the grapes into adulthood. No Pinot Noir anywhere else on earth will taste like this, that’s what makes it so special.
This aged Premier Cru although slightly lower in quality/status than a Grand Cru, will still offer incredible suppleness with coddling aromas of earth, mineral, and flowers. On the palate, a complex symphony of flavors like dried cherry, fall foliage and an earthiness performing so harmoniously it may be worthy of a tear. I would be afraid to pair this with any food as to distract me from such a heavenly experience, but a well-made Boeuf Bourguignon simmered for several hours would certainly hit the spot. Yes, it’s $100 but considering some Pinot Noir from Burgundy can be in the thousands for a single bottle I’d say this is totally worth it, splurge. I would sip this on a quiet Christmas eve before the extended family arrives. Merry Christmas.
If you like my blog please feel free to share it with friends and subscribe so you can get my latest picks delivered right to your email.
Happy Sipping,
Ryan Sullivan
P.S. Enjoy some "Pinottttttt Noirrrrrrrr"
P.S. Enjoy some "Pinottttttt Noirrrrrrrr"
No comments:
Post a Comment