Viu Manent 2021 Reserva Carmenére After working as a wine merchant alongside his father and brother since the 1930’s, Miguel Viu Manent made the decision to branch out on his own in 1965, purchasing a historic vineyard and winery in Chile’s Colchagua Valley. After nearly 100 years this firm is still family owned and operated (a rarity in Chile, especially for a winery of this size), all farming is certified sustainable, and two of Chile’s top names consult with the winery on a permanent basis – Roberto Pizarro (vineyard management) and Paul Hobbs (winemaking). Viu Manent Carmenére Reserva is unique in its form and style, this is a fun wine to drink with lots of black pepper notes on the palate. Ideal as an everyday wine. Comes from different estate Carmenere vineyards in the Colchagua Valley.
Sextant 2019 Wheelhouse Zinfandel From the Craig Stoller collection, Sextant represents the terroir and breathtaking beauty of the Central Coast. There’s an ethos in the glass when it comes to quality Zinfandel from Paso Robles. Sensory perception meets emotional connection with California’s Central Coast, where picturesque oak trees frame scenic vineyards. The 2021 Sextant Wheelhouse Zinfandel continues to represent local character with the signature intensity of strawberry, raspberry, and cranberry fruit. Fragrant violets waft on the approach as cinnamon, vanilla, and sage notes weave nuanced layers across the entire palate. This vintage expresses vibrant acidity and pliable tannins that enable regional hallmarks of this varietal—robust texture with a sumptuous finish.
Domaine La Luminaille 2022 Rasteau ‘Garance’ The Luminaille farm, once acquired by Julie’s great-grandparents, is now known as Domaine la Luminaille. The latest addition to the Rasteau appellation, the Domaine takes its name from the brightness of the olive leaves on full moon nights. ‘Garance’ means a natural dye, made from herbs found in the vines, that produces a deep red color. Made from the oldest parcels of vines on the property, around 70yo, this wine was vinified in amphora, then aged in cement. Unfined and lightly filtered with low sulfites. Spicy and elegant. Bring on the cold and the game!
Domaine de Villeneuve 2017 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Vieilles Vignes” Domaine de Villeneuve is a small estate (8.4 hectares) situated in the northern sector of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The estates vineyards border Château Beaucastel on one side, and Mont-Redon on the other. Villeneuve has been taken over since 1993 by the WALLUT family with the project of becoming one of the best wines of the Appellation. The vines range in age from 40 to over a hundred years old and are all certified organic and biodynamic since 1998. Medium-bodied, soft, sweet and polished, the wine offers sweet, dark red fruits, licorice and floral notes, with a fruit filled, spicy, black raspberry and peppery finish. The wine is produced with 70% Grenache, 16% Mourvedre, 7% Syrah, 4% Cinsault and 2% Clairette. Drink now or hold 5-10 years. Incredible wine to have in our mixed packs!
Les Crus Faugères “Baron Ermengaud” 2019 Faugères Another incredible mixed pack addition! Les Crus Faugères is the only cooperative in this appellation, managing 2,223 acres or nearly half of Faugères’ vines. It puts out a vast array of labels, including Mas Olivier, also recommended here, but Baron Ermengaud was the standout for both its 2019 and 2018 reds. Mostly syrah (80 percent), with grenache, carignan and mourvèdre, all of it hand-harvested off schist parcels, the 2019 shines in its combination of earthiness and brightness. Lively acidity and herbal notes give it a just-picked freshness that energizes the red fruit; the clarity allows a clear view of the earth, too, in shades of schist and iron. It tastes like it’s from a place, with a sense of sun and garrigue that’s transporting. 94 points WS.
Ego Bodegas 2017 Marionette Jumilla Ego Bodegas is a Spanish winery located in Jumilla, a region known for its hot, dry climate and high-altitude vineyards. The winery is relatively new, established in 2011 by husband-and-wife team Santos Ortiz and Ioana Paunescu, with the goal of producing high-quality wines at affordable prices. The operation boasts 35 hectares (86 acres) of vineyard, predominantly planted to 50+ year old, ungrafted, bush vines with the Monastrell (Mourvèdre) grape. Their wines are known for being deeply fruity, concentrated, and highly perfumed. The short duration this wine spends in oak lets the dark fruit aromas, typical of the Monastrell grape, really come through in each sip.
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