Country: | France |
Region: | Beaujolais |
Winery: | Descroix |
Grape Type: | Gamay |
Vintage: | 2020 |
Bottle Size: | 750 ml |
Redolent of strawberries and roses, fragrant and medium bodied. Refreshing, tart finish.
Average age of the vines: 30 years old (between 20 and 60 years old). Skin contact maceration: between 2 and 5 days depending on the parcels.
Beaujolais-Nouveau has been very popular with almost every Thanksgiving dish - from turkey to ham, green beans to mashed potatoes, and gravy to cranberry sauce.
Average age of the vines: 30 years old (between 20 and 60 years old). Skin contact maceration: between 2 and 5 days depending on the parcels.
Beaujolais-Nouveau has been very popular with almost every Thanksgiving dish - from turkey to ham, green beans to mashed potatoes, and gravy to cranberry sauce.
The Beaujolais Villages Nouveau is deeper red, with flavors reminiscent of strawberries and roses, plus a mineral component. Fragrant and medium bodied; refreshing with a tart finish. Beaujolais Villages Nouveau is meant to be consumed young, within 5-7 months.
Beaujolais Nouveau originated about a century ago as a 'vin de l'année' - a cheap and cheerful drink produced by locals to celebrate the end of the harvest season. The Beaujolais AOC was established in 1937, and after WWII, the wine was sold outside of the area. By the 1970's, Beaujolais Nouveau day was a national event.
he region of Beaujolais is 34 miles long from north to south, and 7 to 9 miles wide. There are nearly 4,000 grape growers who make their living in this picturesque region just north of France's third largest city, Lyon.
The Gamay grapes that go into Beaujolais Nouveau are handpicked, as are all the grapes in the Beaujolais. Beaujolais & Champagne are the only vineyards where hand harvesting is mandatory. Gamay (Gamay noir Jus Blanc) is the only grape permitted for Beaujolais.
Beaujolais Nouveau cannot be made from grapes grown in the 10 crus (great growths) of Beaujolais; only from grapes coming from the appellations of Beaujolais and Beaujolais-Villages. Approximately 1/3 of the entire crop of the Beaujolais region is sold as Beaujolais Nouveau.
Nouveau is made with carbonic maceration, or whole-berry fermentation. This technique preserves the fresh, fruity quality of the grapes without extracting bitter tannins from the grape skins.
Manoir du Carra Beaujolais Cru Fleurie Vers le Mont is made from 100 percent Gamay.
Intense red color, subtle fruity and floral aromas of violet, berry and cinnamon. It also has a distinctive aroma of Peony and Lily flowers, typical of the "Sur le Mont" terroir. Ample in the mouth with plenty of ripe red and black fruit flavors. The structure is full and the tannins are round and elegant. Even better after a few years of cellaring.
Of the top ten Cru sites of Beaujolais, Fleurie is one of the top three. The wines show finesse, fullness, and flavor. Fleurie does age well for 3-5 years from vintage. The area was named for a Romain General named Floricum, not for the word flower in French. The size of this AOC is 875 hectares of grapes (2,161 acres) and about 180 examples of this Cru are available on the market. This Cru is known as the “Queen of Beaujolais” and the earth is slightly unusual for having blue color, due to magnesium in the soil.
Intense red color, subtle fruity and floral aromas of violet, berry and cinnamon. It also has a distinctive aroma of Peony and Lily flowers, typical of the "Sur le Mont" terroir.
It is ample in the mouth and has a lot of ripe red and black fruit flavors. The structure is full and the tannins are round and elegant.
Even better after a few years of cellaring.
Excellent with red and game meats, and cheeses.
Review:
"Bold nose of wild blackberries and black raspberries with notes of wild herbs. Ripe, concentrated and well-structured, this impressive Fleurie is just beginning to show what it’s really made of. Long, moderately tannic finish with notes of black tea and savory. Drinkable now, but best from 2025."
- James Suckling (February 2023); 93 pts
SALE!
Weinkeller Erbach Riesling (liter) is 100 percent Riesling.
Round and refreshing wine with light touches of lemon and lime on the nose. Slightly sweet mouthfeel, with juicy and fruity flavors.
Argot Bastard Tongue Pinot Noir is made from 100 percent Sonoma Pinot Noir.
Inheriting an unbroken string of success, the “Bastard Tongue” arrives fully-formed and ready to impress. Always a blend from multiple Pinot Noir vineyards, this iteration of “BT” was selected from three distinct sites, each making their own unique contribution of Sonoma County terroir to the wine’s character.
Exploding forth on a tidal wave of high-toned, intense red and black fruits, this is a Pinot Noir that no stemware can contain. The palate’s profound depth is balanced by an inherent freshness, allowing the wine to crackle with brambly energy, while sustained by bass notes of underbrush, black tea, pie spice and baker’s chocolate. A formidable rendition of “Bastard Tongue”, and a deserving successor to its line.
Night harvested by hand throughout September, cluster and berry sorted by hand, de-stemmed, no crushing. 7-day cold soaks, followed by native fermentation in open-top bins. Average time on the skins, 14 days. Aging 20 months in French oak, 100% new. Never racked prior to bottling. Bottled unfined, unfiltered.
Very versatile for pairing. Goes well with grilled meat, vegetable, fish, poultry and cheese.
Review:
I always love this cuvée from Argot, and their 2020 Pinot Noir Bastard Tongue certainly delivers the goods. Ripe, medium to full-bodied, and balanced, with some spicy, floral, and red and black-fruited aromatics, it has ripe tannins, integrated acidity, and outstanding length.
- Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points
Avennia Sestina Red Blend is made from 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc.
The Sestina is a poetic form from Medieval France. Just as a contemporary poet can use an old form like the Sestina to express modern ideas, we use the traditional Bordeaux blend to make modern wines that express Washington fruit. Sestina is our vision for an old vine blend where the focus is on structure, balance, and complexity. This wine is designed for the cellar, but is enjoyable now.
Sestina: This wine is a blockbuster, with black currant, black raspberry, saddle leather, freshly tilled earth, vanilla, and violet on the nose. Exceedingly rich and balanced on the palate, with great poise and structure for long aging. The finish echoes with fresh black fruits, minerally touches, and floral notes.
Review:
The 2020 Sestina showed beautifully, with lots of ripe black fruits, tobacco, and spring flower notes in a medium to full-bodied, fresh, focused, elegant style. It has fine tannins and a great finish and should drink nicely right out of the gate. The tannins here are terrific.
Jeb Dunnuck 94-96 Points
Descroix Beaujolais Nouveau is made from 100% Gamay
Light, fresh, fruity wine, easy to drink. Serve chilled.
Nouveau is made with carbonic maceration, or whole-berry fermentation. This technique preserves the fresh, fruity quality of the grapes without extracting bitter tannins from the grape skins.The result is an easy-drinking, cherry-red, tasty, clean wine that is best served chilled. Beaujolais Nouveau is meant to be consumed young, within 5-7 months.
Beaujolais Nouveau cannot be made from grapes grown in the 10 crus (great growths) of Beaujolais; only from grapes coming from the appellations of Beaujolais and Beaujolais-Villages. Approximately 1/3 of the entire crop of the Beaujolais region is sold as Beaujolais Nouveau.
The Gamay grapes that go into Beaujolais Nouveau are handpicked, as are all the grapes in the Beaujolais. Beaujolais & Champagne are the only vineyards where hand harvesting is mandatory. Gamay (Gamay noir Jus Blanc) is the only grape permitted for Beaujolais.
The region of Beaujolais is 34 miles long from north to south, and 7 to 9 miles wide. There are nearly 4,000 grape growers who make their living in this picturesque region just north of France's third largest city, Lyon.
Beaujolais Nouveau originated about a century ago as a 'vin de l'année' - a cheap and cheerful drink produced by locals to celebrate the end of the harvest season. The Beaujolais AOC was established in 1937, and after WWII, the wine was sold outside of the area. By the 1970's, Beaujolais Nouveau day was a national event.
The Domaine Descroix Estate
Domaine Descroix was founded in 1905 and has been in the family for four generations. Xavier Descroix is the current owner. The winery is located in the village of Lantignie, north of Beaujolais, right next to Beaujeu which is the historic capital of Beaujolais and gave its name to the region. Lantignie encompasses the crus Regnie, Brouilly and Morgon.
The wines are vinified, aged and bottled at the winery combining tradition and modern technologies.
They sell 50% of their production in bulk to négociants, the rest at the property and started to sell to the export market in 2006.
They work in respect of the terroir and the environment and focus on the work in the vineyard and low yields to obtain high quality grapes producing excellent wines. They aim to produce Beaujolais wines that are authentic and true to the appellation.
The Domaine Descroix Vineyard
The vineyard measures 11.27 hectares total (27.84 acres), broken down as follows:
- 9.75 hectares in Beaujolais and Beaujolais Villages AOC, located in the towns of Beaujeu and Lantignié. Soils are made of granite and sand which results in fruity wines with character.
- 0.56 ha in Brouilly AOC, located in the town of Saint Lager, at the bottom of Mount Brouilly, on schist based soils. The wines are fruity with good concentration.
- 0.69 ha in Morgon AOC, located in the parcels called “Grand Cras” in Morgon. Soils are made of manganese and granite and produce typical and powerful wines.
- 0.27 ha in Beaujolais Villages Blanc and Bourgogne Blanc planted with Chardonnay and situated in Beaujeu, on very steep slopes made of clay and granite soils, with a southern exposure.
Amaren Rioja Angeles de Amaren is made from 85% Tempranillo and 15% Graciano
Color: Cherry red with high robe.
Nose: Highly intense aromas with a pronounced content of fruit over a delicate background of oak. Lactic nuances and spicy touches.
Palate: Tasty and expressive with smooth, fresh tannins and balanced acidity. On the finish, it is long with reminiscences of red and black fruit. Fresh, lively and persistent.
Food Pairings: Mild curries, white meats in sauces, pasta with white and red sauces, grilled mushrooms, foie-gras, salmon.
Vineyards with an average age of 40 years.
Tempranillo and Graciano grape varieties have been processed and aged separately to preserve the fruit of Tempranillo and enhance the complexity of Graciano with its spicy qualities.
It is aged for 16 months in new oak (50% French, 50% American).
Mild curries, white meats in sauces, pasta with white and red sauces, grilled mushrooms, foie-gras, salmon
Review:
- International Wine Challenge 2019, 92 pts & Gold Medal
Thorn Clarke 30th Anniversary Shiraz is made from 100 percent Shiraz.
Rich, inky purple color. Aromas of black cherry and licorice supported by rich vanillin & mocha notes from the American Oak. The palate highlights the intensity of the varietal characters, showing plum and spice, with cocoa, smokey bacon and coffee bean notes below. Dense fruit tannins fill out the palate and lead to a long, complex finish. This is a wine which will comfortably cellar for years to come.
Great accompaniment to most red meat dishes, with lamb roast being a favorite of the family.
The wine was racked post malolactic fermentation and returned to the same barrels. The wine was topped every month and after six months racked and returned to the same barrels again. Prior to bottling the parcels were emptied from oak and blended. Minimal fining and filtration was carried out prior to bottling.
Remontage (pump over) twice daily. Pump over regimes were adjusted toward the end of fermentation to suit the tannin and flavor extraction of the wine. The wine remained in fermenters for 6-8 days before being pressed and filled to American oak (100% new barrels).
A Shiraz specific yeast was selected. Fermentation was carried out at a maximum of 28°C.
100% de-stemmed.
Night harvest.
Harvested at optimum flavor ripeness.
Review:
"This anniversary bottling offers a complexity aromas including brambly blackberries, game, coffee grounds and chocolate. There's some heat from the steep 15.5% alcohol on the palate, but it's kept relatively in check by fine leathery tannins, juicy fruit, herbs and spices. This has a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020–2034."
- Wine Enthusiast (December 1st 2019), 93 pts & Cellar Selection