Terroirs du Vent ‘La Violette’ Viognier 2021 – An absolute delight!

Before you say anything, I know winter is closing in and it’s cold outside but this really is an awesome wine. It’s just arrived this week and one sip and I couldn’t say no! I’m sure you’ll agree.

Brought to you by Jean Luc Colombo, his wife Anne, and their daughter Laure, now head winemaker sourcing fruit from their three certified organic vineyards in Cote du Rhone and the Languedoc-Roussillon region. This wine will pair ideally with Stir fry Thai Chicken, Sushi, Crab or Lobster Cakes, lighter seafood-based salads, and Turkey.   

This is a crisp clean wine that is an absolute pleasure to drink. From the second this hits the glass delightful aromas of wildflowers and peach alert you to the fact this is a Viognier heightening your anticipation. One sip and you’ll be impressed with the crisp clean mouthfeel with elegance and balance that entices you to take another sip and experience wild white flowers, ripe peach, and tropical fruits with just a hint of sweetness.  

and a big bold Red Blend to consider …

Brassfield Eruption Red Blend 2019

Make no mistake, this is a big, bold, rich, plum-juicy wine sourced from vineyards located in the western section of the High Valley Appellation (around 2,000 feet in elevation) known as High Serenity Ranch northwest of Sacramento, east of Clear Lake. Despite being a ‘Proprietary Blend’, which means they don’t want to tell you, I have it on good authority it is a blend of Malbec, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache, and Zinfandel.

High Serenity Ranch was a former Cattle Ranch until around 1973 when Jerry Brassfield purchased 1,600 acres of the original ranch. Realizing the potential of the region he has continued to acquire land with Brassfield Winery being established in 1998 and has gone from strength to strength including, now vineyards, around Round Mountain Volcano producing excellent wines from the uniquely volcanic soils. In dedication to the fertile ground, it came from, this wine found its name.

Rich fruit-driven aromas of blackberry, dark cherry, plums, caramel, chocolate, and spices. The palate has a great mouthfeel showcasing the rich vibrant character of this blend than draws down on every grape varietal utilized. Blackberries, cherries, plums, and chocolate dominate with secondary notes of vanilla, caramel, and baking spices that linger on a long finish. Pair with red meats and BBQ all day long. Will cellar out to 2027 without a problem. I should also mention it is a whopping 15.5% so handle it with care or Uber home! If you’re an Orin Swift fan, this is definitely the wine for you.  

GOLD MEDAL – 2022 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

Three Italians I Met This Week.

Question of the day: Is it even possible to get an elegant Italian Beauty that over delivers, rated 99pt from an excellent vintage for under $100? How about $65. Allow me to introduce you to …

Castiglion Del Bosco Brunello Di Montalcino 2016.

This 100% Sangiovese is sourced from the 42 hectare Capanna vineyard facing the Mediterranean with cool afternoon breezes is a delight to drink and most definitely overdelivers.

Enticing aromas of red cherries, raspberries, floral notes of violets and lavender, spices and an earthy note to round things out. The palate is inviting with grippy tannins and attitude delivering ripe red cherries, raspberries and plum with secondary notes of savory spices and herbs reminiscent of an Italian kitchen. Beautiful balance and elegance with an exceptionally long finish. I decanted for 4 hours which gave it enough time to reveal itself, which I returned to the bottle for the following day- was event better.

Definitely needs a hearty meat, game or chicken dish- lasagna or a deep-dish Chicago style pizza would also work well. This Italian Beauty will cellar out 15 plus years.

Batasiolo Langhe Nebbiolo 2017

If you’re not be familiar with the Nebbiolo grape you may know it under its ‘regional’ names of Barolo and Barbaresco, both of which must be 100% Nebbiolo.  

The Dogliani Family have been in the wine business in Langhe for three generations but the real story begins in 1978 when the brothers purchased the ancient Kiola Winery including several Cru vineyards. These Cru’s include Cerequio, Bussia Bonfia, Boscareto, Brunate and Briccolina and are widely recognized as some of these best sites in the Langhe region producing wines of elegance, depth and complexity.

It was ‘renamed’ Beni (meaning Estate) di Batasiolo to reflect the tradition and the inseparable relationship between the vineyard’s, the farmsteads and the people that live and work the land framed by beautiful rolling hills and rows and rows of picturesque vines.

Characterized by high tannins and acidity it makes a perfect accompaniment to Stews, Game including Turkey, Red Meat Pastas and Pizzas, Risotto, especially with mushrooms or truffles.

“In Piedmont, a beloved standard is the egg-yolk-rich pasta tajarin* with white truffles shaved on top”. www.foodandwine.com

Aromas of red cherries, red currents, rose petal, orange peel and truffles pour out of the glass. After a few hours of decanting mouthfeel is lively but inviting coating your mouth with an assortment of red fruits, freshly picked truffles with an earthy note. Wonderful balance with a long finish but I’ll let you discover that for yourself.

Will cellar out for 10 – 15 years without a concern, if you can wait that long.  

*Piedmontese dialect for Tagliolini or Tagliarini- it is the thinnest and richest of all pastas. It resembles spaghetti in looks but is considered far superior.  

Le Orme Barbara D’Asti 2020 – Works Well with Turkey!

This medium bodied DOGC Certified 100% Barbara comes from the Langhe-Roero and Monferrato Regions in Piedmont in North Western Italy. This area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014.

Two things you should keep in mind, meal time and this wine go hand in hand- see below for pairing ideas and second, it will soften and improve over the next 5 years of cellaring. Wine was fermented in Stainless steel and then aged in the bottle for 16 months before release so you won’t find any vanilla oaky characteristics in this wine.

The nose is all bright cherries, raspberries, brambles and spices. The palate showcases nice balance and structure dominated by cherries, raspberries with cooking spices and plum to round things out. Nice length on the finish.

Perfect to drink with Red Meat Stews, Ham and Salami, Pizza, Pasta, Roasted and Grilled Meats and light enough for game and white meat stews or just about anything with a tomato-based sauce. Don’t forget a crusty loaf with some hard cheeses- no self-respecting Italian meal would be served without, except maybe Pizza.

Two World Class Rieslings: One vineyard, One variety, One vision.

Pewsey Vale Winery are considered on the cutting edge of high-end Rieslings. Both are single vineyard, estate grown wines that are sourced from arguably the best location in Eden Valley gaining Organic certification in 2013.

The site was originally planted in 1839 and was taken over in 1961 by Wyndham Hill-Smith who immediately rebirthed the site using propagated vines from the original 1847 plantings. One vineyard. One variety. One vision: creating the most awarded and loved Rieslings in Australia.

It would be fair to say producing Riesling is an obsession for them and have turned making Riesling into an artform with exceptional success.   

Both these Rieslings are bone dry and can be cellared with further rewards. Both are highly allocated and highly rated. Four great reasons to add them to your cellar.  

The Contours Museum Reserve Riesling 2015

Intense aromas of lemon and white flowers emerge from the glass that give you a hint of things to come. The palate shouts complexity and elegance with layers of Roses lime marmalade, lemon peel and honeysuckle, beeswax with a buttery almost creamy mouthfeel balanced with a soft focused acidity and a lively refreshing finish. If you want to experience what Riesling should taste like, this is the one to try. An absolute delight to drink. Pair with crab, lobster with buttery/garlic sauce, whitefish, chicken or tofu Pad Thai and Duck with five spices glaze. Expect further improve with 10 years cellaring.

The Contours Museum Release Riesling 2012

Let me start by saying that the 2012 Vintage was one of the best on record. Obviously similar to the 2015 but with more depth and complexity- how much of that is additional ageing or a better vintage is hard to judge. Enticing aromas of lime and lemon underpinned with a toasty note. The palate has so much going on, with the additional aging showing more intense flavors of Bickford’s lime juice, lemon peel, beeswax, sage oil laid over almond, honey and crushed stone minerality. Lively acidity, exceptional balance and a surprising richness with a long finish.

Winemaker recommends pairing with seared scallops and butter sauce or smoky cauliflower soup. See above pairings. I would expect further improvement over the next 5 – 10 years. Most definitely an absolute delight to drink.

Three Masterpiece Offerings From Yalumba.

Yalumba Winery.

A legacy founded in 1847 with a focus on sustainability allowing nature to take the lead pretty much sums up Yalumba. Samuel Smith, a British brewer started the legacy and 6 generations later it has achieved accolades and respect across the planet.

The Menzies Estate comprises of 8 individual and unique vineyards, all offering / contributing different characteristics to this impressive wine. The vineyards are almost all Cabernet with some Merlot and Malbec planted. Coonawarra is considered one of the finest sites in the world to grow Cabernet and this has all the hallmarks of what the region can produce.

Virgilius Viognier 2019- one of the best I’ve tasted.

Swirling the glass will give you the sense of aroma of floral fields, ginger, honey and apricots. All working together to entice you to take a sip. Take your time, enjoy the heady aromas before diving in. The first thing you’ll notice about the palate is the rich smooth mouthfeel and deceptively impressive texture balanced with silky acidity. There is depth and complexity with ample finesse to go round. You are greeted with almost seamless layers ginger, honey, apricots and a delightful nutty note towards the finish.

All the hallmarks of a classic Viognier that stands head and shoulders above the rest- it doesn’t get much better than this- one of the best I’ve tasted.

Pair with most seafood, lobster and crab dishes and don’t be afraid to throw something creamy into the mix. Stir fried Asian prawns and chicken dishes will also work well.

Yalumba ‘Tri Centenary’ Grenache 2018- Perfect for Thanksgiving!

This majestic wine is sourced from some of the oldest Grenache vines in the world, planted in 1889 and imposes elegance and finesse on the drinker from the very beginning. This really is a classic wine and a pleasure to drink. From its almost translucent satin red color that shimmers to the enticing aromatics of raspberry, red currents and cherries, this delivers a special experience.

The palate is focused with a silky-smooth mouthfeel and impressive texture showcasing red fruits of raspberries, cherries, red current and strawberries with a character all of its own with just a hint of sweetness. There is a brightness to it that makes it seductive with impressive balance and structure. Great length on the finish leaving you with a longing to have more. Pair with any game, with a red fruit wine reduction sauce, chicken, braised pork or lamb, stews, lighter Indian dishes and of course Turkey. Cellar out over the next 6 – 8 years. 

Yalumba The Menzies Cabernet 2017 – Classic Coonawarra!

Aromas of mint, eucalyptus and menthol wrapped in dark and blue fruits come flooding out of the glass giving you a clue its Coonawarra Cabernet. The distinct eucalyptus note comes from the 100’s of Eucalyptus trees that border the vineyards of and in some cases, actually in between the rows of vines.

The palate showcases a clean crisp Cabernet, not over extracted, just focused on restraint and elegance. One sip with confirm its Coonawarra reflecting the bright red Terra Rossa soil underpinned by a layer of limestone. Your palate is welcomed by layers of Blueberries, Cassis, Olive Tapenade, Plum, Dark Chocolate and secondary notes of mint and subtle cooking herbs.

Solid tannins and wonderful balance leave you with a yearning to drink another glass. This is classic Coonawarra Cabernet and an absolute delight to drink.

Despite being 5 years old this wine will cellar another 20 years without a problem. Will need some decanting now, 2 – 3 hours should give this wine enough time to impress. Can’t wait to drink it in about 10 years, should be spectacular. Pair with your favorite red meat dish, just make sure its deserving of this wine.

Giant Steps Single Vineyard Chardonnays- amazing! The Vineyard was named after John Coltrane’s classic jazz album.

On reflection, its more a New Australian leaning- these wines reflect the direction that higher end Chardonnays in Australia are headed.

Those of you that know me, know that I love the Giant Steps wines. Everything they have released in the last few years have been spectacular reflecting the place, the quality of the vines and the tender loving care shown to them by Ryan Collins, their Viticulturalist and Chief Winemaker, Steve Flamsteed. One taste of any of the Single Vineyard releases and I’m sure you’ll agree, there all different but all winners.

I believe all the wines are produced from the Gingin clone, its origins are unknown but its home is Margaret River (cool climate region) with extensive plantings there, especially at Vasse Felix which produces exceptional Chardonnay’s.

“One of the main features of [GinGin] is it has millerandage, or ‘hen and chick’, ” says Virginia Willcock, winemaker at Vasse Felix, of its irregularly sized fruit. While some winemakers think there’s a virus infection in GinGin that causes millerandage, Willcock doesn’t care. She believes it results in high-quality wines. Source: https://www.winemag.com/2020/05/04/chardonnay-clones-matter/

Sexton Vineyards Chardonnay 2020

The nose is dominated by aromas of Almonds, ginger and citrus with hints of white stone fruit and a promise of things to come.

The palate is lean with beautiful balance, restraint and elegance. Impressive layers of lemon, ginger, saline and orange peel work together well with secondary notes of almond and subtle spices. Different from Margaret River Chard’s but definitely an old world leaning with lively acidity. On reflection, its more a New Australian leaning- this is the direction the higher end Chardonnays are headed in Australia. Impressive length on the finish. Will cellar out 10 years without a problem, if your patient. Pair with Shellfish, white seafood- Brim, Bass or Barramundi or any lighter chicken dish. I would steer clear of tomato-based sauces.

Applejack Vineyard Chardonnay 2020

The vineyard was named after the Applejack eucalypts that surround the vineyard and which was planted in 1997.

Nose is more citrus and floral notes with apples, white peach and spices buried beneath.

Palate is more-lively with layers of citrus, green apple, orange peel, white stone fruits and subtle spices. Same elegance, balance and depth and complexity with a silky mouthfeel balanced by acidity. Again, impressive length on the finish. Pair with Shellfish, white seafood- Brim, Bass, Sole or Barramundi or any lighter chicken dish. Again, steer clear of tomato-based sauces.

Wombat Creek Vineyard Chardonnay 2020

This is the oldest vineyard planted in 1988 with the highest elevation in Yarra Valley and the coolest and most southerly location of all the single vineyard releases which all contribute to making this an impressive Chardonnay showing depth, complexity and finesse from the first sip.

The nose is intoxicating with aromas of apples, peach and just a hint of musk, almond and spices. Musk isn’t common in the US but has sweet floral almost rose like scent and is used in high end Perfumes and Australian candy- delicious.

The palate has a silky smooth, almost creamy mouthfeel balanced with acidity and impressive structure and power through to the end. Oak is evident but not obtrusive framing wonderful layers of crisp red apples, white stone peach, vanilla with subtle spices on a long finish.

All of these Chardonnay’s will cellar out 10 years. If I had to choose a favorite, the Wombat Creek wins by a nose but all are an absolute pleasure to drink.

Pair with Shellfish, white seafood listed above or any of your favorite chicken dishes. Again, steer clear of tomato-based sauces. Enjoy these awesome wines.

Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2018- one of the best I’ve tasted!

There are few things I look forward to more than a release of the new vintage of St Henri- one of my all-time favorite wines and most definitely my favorite Penfolds wine. I’ve been fortunate to have tasted 20 plus vintages and its like sitting down with an old friend you haven’t seen for a while- it’s always a pleasure.

Like most Penfolds wines, this is a multi-regional blend, of 100% Shiraz, sourced from Barossa, McLaren Vale, Port Lincoln, Robe, Padthaway, Clare Valley and Adelaide Hills grapes drawing characteristics from every vineyard and region. The boldness of Barossa, the elegance of McLaren Vale and Clare Valley and a hint of individual quirkiness from each of the other regions.  

Released for the first time by Penfolds in the early 1950s (first commercial vintage 1957), it gained a new lease of life in the 1990s as its quality and distinctive style became better understood. Source: www.penfolds.com

A wine so totally individual and unaffected by trends, it is unashamedly confident in its character. This is a big bold wine with a ton of character whilst being elegant and restrained with incredible balance. I initially decanted this for 5 hours and was amazing, revealing its further potential as it unwound. I then left it for a further 24 hours with just the cork in, no air removed at all for further aeration with spectacular results.

Nose is most definitely seductive, complex, with ripe blackberries, pencil shavings and plum with a smattering of red and blue fruits with earthy notes in a supporting role.

Palate has a creamy smooth mouthfeel, graceful, with immediate appeal with layers of rich ripe blackberries, raspberries, plum and dark cherries dominating with dark chocolate, sweet spices, tobacco, with subtle black pepper and leather rounding things out. Very long finish as you would expect.

Pair with something special, a red meat dish with roasted vegetables and Italian herbs.  

This is drinking well now, with some serious decant time but cellaring out will bring immense rewards- 35 years and beyond.

The Biggest Mistake People Make

….. about Italian wines is they only focus on the classic Italian varietals. Nothing wrong with that if you don’t mind missing out on some great wines. I’m here too tell you that Italy makes great Cabernet and this is a wonderful example.

With an understated label it’s easy to pass over this wine on the shelves of your favorite wine store. This vintage comes in an impressive wooden 6 pack box which should give you some insight into its quality and potential. Grapes are grown in the heart of the Zingarelli family property in the “Poggio alle Pecchie” on a limestone hillside and then aged for a minimum of three years before shipping. The vineyard is located in La Macie in the Chianti Classico region of Tuscany.

Rocca delle Macie Roccato Cabernet 2015

Initially launched in 1988 and traditionally blended with a small amount of Sangiovese, this vintage is 100% Cabernet and could be described as complex but approachable with aromas of dark cherries, dark fruits, chocolate and cooking spices and is enticing to say the least.

The palate is all Cabernet and all Tuscany at the same time- a duality that works well. Cherries, plum and mocha dominate with secondary notes of cloves and cooking spices on a plush mouthfeel with grippy tannins which loosen with 2 – 4 hours decanting. Beautiful balance with depth and elegance with a long finish.

Will cellar out to 2030 without an issue and I’m thinking beyond that depending how ‘aged’ you like your wines. Only 550 cases made and only 50 came into the US.

I would pair with your favorite hearty Italian red meat dish- stews or anything with tomato-based sauces, including Pepperoni Pizza.  

Something Special From Italy

Fontanabianca Barbaresco 2019.

Made from the Nebbiolo grape grown around the village of Nieve, in Piedmont and is part of “I Borghi più belli d’Italia” which translates to “the most beautiful villages of Italy”. It’s a group of small Italian villages of historical interest and well worth a visit if your every in the region.

Unlike its more masculine ‘brother’ Barolo, it is lighter in character and requires less cellaring to bring out the its best. Like all Italian wines it is made with the intent of drinking it with food. On that topic, Truffles, game such as Goose, Elk, Duck, Rabbit and Veal are recommended and of course Beef and Steak. Cheeses include Fontina, Gorgonzola, Parmesan, Robiola and Romano work best. The high acidity and tannins make it perfect for fatty meats with earthy sauces. Where Barolo is hailed as the King of red wines Barbaresco is most definitely the Queen.

Enough about food, the aroma’s range from floral to bright red fruits with a lively attitude. The palate is approachable and smooth with layers of cherries and strawberries dominating with secondary notes of spices and red plums. This is a totally enjoyable wine to drink, especially with the above food pairings. Further cellaring for 5 – 10 years will be rewarded.

Another bottle Your Highness?

André & Michel Quenard Roussette De Savoie 2021

Technically it is called Altesse but it is most commonly referred to as Roussette with the origin of the name means Highness or Your Highness- reflecting its stately quality, texture, depth and finesse. This Roussette hails from the regions of Savoie and Bugey and is considered the noble native varietal- Cyprus also claims to have some origin ownership in the mix but it’s more likely French.

Situated just north of Provence boarding Italy, it is divided into four main growing districts and 16 different cru vineyard areas. Backdropped by Postcard style Alp’s framing rolling green hills and cool mountain streams it is considered a must visit region, that just happens to produce some exceptional wines, especially whites and this 2021 Roussette is a classic example.

On first smell of the bouquet and I thought, just for a second this was a Chardonnay displaying crisp acidity, honey suckle and notes of white flowers but one taste and you’ll discover something completely different. Layers of honey suckle, orange peel and stone fruits dominate with wonderful texture and mouthfeel, crisp acidity and balance with a long lingering finish that begs you to take another sip. I would pair this with Seafoods, Brim or Sea Bass, Salads, Fried Calamari or chicken dishes with some spiciness. One last comment, there is a richness on the palate that will catch you off guard. Should drink young- in the next 2 – 4 years.

My Trip to Greece- Mykonos is Amazing and definitely worth it.

During my stay in Greece we spent a week on the Island of Mykonos and was told about how the good the wines from both Mykonos and Santorini were, especially the whites.

Not wanting to waste much time we booked a wine tour for day two, which included being picked up from our Villa and driven to the Winery, an absolutely delicious lunch paired with three of their wines finishing off with a guided tour of the winery.

Given I have no Greek lettering on my laptop I’ve included a photo of the name and address of the winery. I also might add that it is the only official winery on Mykonos and is on the site of the ‘oldest vineyards on Mykonos’ some 200 years old. The current vineyards are only 35 years old and are organically and bio dynamically farmed- we meet the goats and donkeys that fertilized the vineyards and feed them grapes. Another interesting fact is that most of the Islands are owned, and leased from the Monasteries and Nuns. There is also what’s known as a Tama or small building dedicated to God on every property, and can range from Church size Monasteries to small domes or out buildings.

Getting back to the Winery, the vines are not trellised or watered. Mykonos receives only 6 – 8 inches of rain a year and is windy year-round. They rely on the ocean for ‘water and additional flavors and minerality’ whilst cane is grown around the vines to protect them from the winds which also remove any diseases.

The White Wine we tasted was a blend of Asyrtiko and Athiri and was delicious showcasing texture, balance and complexity with flavors of apple, white stone fruits and citrus notes with impressive crispness and acidity.

The Red Wine was a blend of Mandilaria and Agiannitis and resembled an Italian Sangiovese with an enticing nose and a palate showcasing ripe red fruits with impressive balance, depth and complexity.

We finished the meal with a Dessert Wine which they only make 300 or so bottles and was a delightful surprise prompting us to bring back two bottles to the US. A seductive nose of intense ripe fruits and a palate loaded with peaches, pineapple, apricots and a subtle fruit cake note to round things out. Reminiscent of a Sauterne without the price tag. It was only 14 Euros a bottle- about $14 with current exchange rates.

We also spent some time with the Owners daughter who is actively involved running the winery full time and was both informative and a delight to interact with.

Lunch at a local Restaurant.

We also dinned at a local restaurant close to our villa and totally enjoyed a meal of traditional Greek dishes with fresh Brim as main course paired with a delicious white wine I later found out was a ‘dry Semillon’ with such an intense palate texture and depth of flavors- it caught me off guard just how good it was.

The food in Greece is amazing healthy and the wines are impressive. It’s a shame none of the wines I tasted are available in the US.

Just as a finishing comment, Greece, and Mykonos are most definitely worth a visit. Especially the winery we visited, the local restaurants and numerous bakeries. There is so much to see and do, August is high season so expect crowds and no bartering in local stores.