Friday Sips
FRIDAY SIPS
New Arrivals from Languedoc, Italy & Oregon
Today Dec. 2 from 1:30 - 6:30
New Arrivals from Languedoc, Italy & Oregon
Today Dec. 2 from 1:30 - 6:30
Drop by today to experience two arrivals from our trip to France earlier this year as well as an iconic Italian white and scrumptious Oregon Pinot.
2014 MAS D'AMILE
LANGUEDOC MONTPEYROUX
$23.99 BTL./$143.94 - SIX PACK
LANGUEDOC MONTPEYROUX
$23.99 BTL./$143.94 - SIX PACK
I am so bullish on the youth/terroir movement in Languedoc. First and most importantly is that we need to change our pre-determined notions that wines from this area need to be twelve dollars and mass-produced. At this moment, so many thrilling producers are impeccably farming and really discovering the terroirs of their respective regions.
This area (along with Terrasses du Larzac, Pic St-Loup and the IGP of St-Guilhem le Desert) are located 40 minutes north of Montpellier and formerly known as Coteaux-du-Languedoc. Following years of battles, these areas are their own Cru and separated themselves from their old images. If I were to tell you to visit an area of France, this would be it because it is utterly beautiful here. Montpeyroux is a tiny village and one whose wines were made famous by Domaine D’Aupilhac. The youthful and exuberant, thirty-something Amélie d'Hurlaborde is a cousin of the Fadat family. The name of the estate is taken from a little anecdote from Amelie’s grandfather who would have preferred a grandson who nickmaned her ‘Amile’. Move ahead and after visiting and tasting at this estate, Papi Paul has to be very proud of what this remarkable woman is producing here.
The Montpeyroux is from high-elevated vineyards and one really smells the wild rosemary and thyme growing around the sites. 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre & 10% Carignan all with an average vine age ranging from 40-60 years. Really combines up blackberry and grenadine fruit with meaty, sanguine aspects as well as pepper and Thai ginger to round out this complex beauty. Seashore scents come through. Sensuously textured, very mouth filling then gains burst and structure. A bit like Steph Curry, you don’t realize he/this wine is that good until it has dropped 40 points by the end of the third quarter. Lacy finish with dark chocolate (Amelie says she loves dark chocolate on the finish of her wines) and all really reflects the soil, elevation and varietal blend. This is a killer red and will drink beautifully for a decade from vintage date. Especially terrific with slow roasted lamb shoulder or slow roasted prime rib.
This area (along with Terrasses du Larzac, Pic St-Loup and the IGP of St-Guilhem le Desert) are located 40 minutes north of Montpellier and formerly known as Coteaux-du-Languedoc. Following years of battles, these areas are their own Cru and separated themselves from their old images. If I were to tell you to visit an area of France, this would be it because it is utterly beautiful here. Montpeyroux is a tiny village and one whose wines were made famous by Domaine D’Aupilhac. The youthful and exuberant, thirty-something Amélie d'Hurlaborde is a cousin of the Fadat family. The name of the estate is taken from a little anecdote from Amelie’s grandfather who would have preferred a grandson who nickmaned her ‘Amile’. Move ahead and after visiting and tasting at this estate, Papi Paul has to be very proud of what this remarkable woman is producing here.
The Montpeyroux is from high-elevated vineyards and one really smells the wild rosemary and thyme growing around the sites. 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre & 10% Carignan all with an average vine age ranging from 40-60 years. Really combines up blackberry and grenadine fruit with meaty, sanguine aspects as well as pepper and Thai ginger to round out this complex beauty. Seashore scents come through. Sensuously textured, very mouth filling then gains burst and structure. A bit like Steph Curry, you don’t realize he/this wine is that good until it has dropped 40 points by the end of the third quarter. Lacy finish with dark chocolate (Amelie says she loves dark chocolate on the finish of her wines) and all really reflects the soil, elevation and varietal blend. This is a killer red and will drink beautifully for a decade from vintage date. Especially terrific with slow roasted lamb shoulder or slow roasted prime rib.
2014 MAS D'AMILE 'VIEUX CARIGNAN'
SAINT-GUILHEM LE DESERT
$19.99 BTL./$119.94 - SIX PACK
SAINT-GUILHEM LE DESERT
$19.99 BTL./$119.94 - SIX PACK
St-Guilhem le Desert is one of the most aesthetically striking villages in all of France. The rugged beauty cannot exactly be described in words or mere photos. Google it and see for yourself ;-). This wine is from vineyards not very far away from both St-Guilhem and Montpeyroux and is from 100% Carignan ranging in 70-80 year old vines. Only two parcels totaling up to about 2 acres so with naturally low-productivity of these ancient vines, there are miniscule quantities made.
Wind swept scents waft from the glass. Dominated by creamed strawberry, rosemary, lavender and licorice, the scents seemingly soar for days. Penetrating aromas and flavors of garrigue go very deep and fan out on the palate, which is the result of the clay soil aspects. Very elevated and energetic from the limestone. More mineral and salinity as it opens with Mediterranean herbs and full structured fruit showing more and more on the long finish. Really drawn out and succulent this is essence of old vine Carignan. Drink with pork with tangy sauces, Asian-inspired meat dishes and duck over the next 6-8 years.
Wind swept scents waft from the glass. Dominated by creamed strawberry, rosemary, lavender and licorice, the scents seemingly soar for days. Penetrating aromas and flavors of garrigue go very deep and fan out on the palate, which is the result of the clay soil aspects. Very elevated and energetic from the limestone. More mineral and salinity as it opens with Mediterranean herbs and full structured fruit showing more and more on the long finish. Really drawn out and succulent this is essence of old vine Carignan. Drink with pork with tangy sauces, Asian-inspired meat dishes and duck over the next 6-8 years.
2014 JERMANN PINOT BIANCO
$26.99 BTL./$161.94 - SIX PACK
$26.99 BTL./$161.94 - SIX PACK
Italian white wines of all kinds have experienced a resurgence in the last 15-20 years but even before, Silvio Jermann was way out in front in the pack. A legend since the seventies, Silvio’s pure versions of Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Sauvignon and one of Italy’s greatest white wines, Vintage Tunina are so very compelling. Wine folk seem agree on very little, but there is absolutely no one that knows about Italian whites that won’t tell you how influential Silvio Jermann is.
The newly arrived 2014 Pinot Bianco (also known as Pinot Blanc in other parts of the world) is an absolutely outstanding effort. If you like your white wines like us, clean, fruit driven, bone dry, with refreshing acidity, than this is a wine for you. On the nose, there are fragrant aromas of green apple, mineral, and white flowers. This viscous but blitzing beauty coats your mouth with rich flavors kept in perfect balance by its vibrancy and zest. This wine shouts for fine quality seafood and is an excellent holiday choice to have for the upcoming Dungeness crab feasts.
The newly arrived 2014 Pinot Bianco (also known as Pinot Blanc in other parts of the world) is an absolutely outstanding effort. If you like your white wines like us, clean, fruit driven, bone dry, with refreshing acidity, than this is a wine for you. On the nose, there are fragrant aromas of green apple, mineral, and white flowers. This viscous but blitzing beauty coats your mouth with rich flavors kept in perfect balance by its vibrancy and zest. This wine shouts for fine quality seafood and is an excellent holiday choice to have for the upcoming Dungeness crab feasts.
2014 GOODFELLOW PINOT NOIR
RIBBON RIDGE
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
RIBBON RIDGE
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
A new offering from Marcus Goodfellow, this particular Pinot Noir is all from declassified lots of his single vineyard Whistling Ridge cuvee and is one that offers impressive quality/price rapport. Established in 2002, Marcus has thoughtfully developed his wines and winemaking techniques over the years especially utilizing a majority of whole clusters during fermentation. This has allowed him to produce some of the most stylish and ageworthy wines in the entire region.
Typical from this area are masculine Pinot Noirs and yet Matello is a very sculpted version. Smoke, mineral purity and brazen blackberry and cherry scents combine with elusive herbs and spice offering a wine that exquisitely maintains its balance. Seductive, detailed and yet mouthfilling without any of the octane that sometimes comes with the 2014 vintage. Plenty of vibrant red tones keep everything in check, especially on the firm, expanding finish. Very attractive now but will age nicely for 5-8 more years.
Typical from this area are masculine Pinot Noirs and yet Matello is a very sculpted version. Smoke, mineral purity and brazen blackberry and cherry scents combine with elusive herbs and spice offering a wine that exquisitely maintains its balance. Seductive, detailed and yet mouthfilling without any of the octane that sometimes comes with the 2014 vintage. Plenty of vibrant red tones keep everything in check, especially on the firm, expanding finish. Very attractive now but will age nicely for 5-8 more years.
