Domaine Odoul-Coquard Nuits-Saint-Georges Aux Saints-Jacques 2014

Plaisance Bordeaux Superieur is made from 70 % Merlot, 20 % Cabernet Sauvignon,10 % Petit Verdot. 

A deep purple color, powerful and elegant wine with a rich nose, fruit aromas. Well-balanced, powerful yet refined on the palate with present but mellow woody tannins, fruit flavors.  Decant for an hour or two before serving so the wine can express its full flavor.

 

With our long history of making single site syrah's in Washington, it made sense for us to venture into the Rocks District of Milton Freewater in the Walla Walla Valley to bring you our newest syrah, "Domaine de Pierres."

The Rocks AVA produces syrah that shows a distinct character, separating it from any other site in Washington State. One thing in particular that has drawn people here is the gallet stones present throughout the valley. They are very similar to the pudding stones that are found in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and can be anywhere from golf ball size, to softball size or larger. Since we purchased the vineyard in 2014 we have been tilling the earth multiple times every season to expose these rocks. The gallet stones act like a heat sink, giving a little extra push to help ripen syrah in an area with marginal heat accumulation. 

In the glass, Domaine de Pierres stands out from our other syrah's because of its incredibly savory profile. Notes of roasted meat, fresh herbs, olive tapenade, tobacco and graphite are supported by dark fruit, espresso, and lavendar. The wine has a lower acidity and higher PH than our other wines, which contributes to a velvety, full bodied mouthfeel. Even in the cellar, we immediately noticed a difference in the color, aromatics and flavor that these syrah grapes were able to express. 

The other big reason that we are so excited about the wine from this particular AVA, is that the history of the Rocks is happening right now! Our vineyard, “Ancient Stones,” has only been planted there since 2007, and the beginning of the Rocks as a wine growing region only really started in the 1990's. There is a lot of energy and exploration going on, and it has been a fun experience for our team to be a part of it.  We still have so much to learn about this region and it is very exciting to feel like we are on the upward swing!

Review:

"This has strident peppery notes with a layer of sappy whole-cluster fragrances and complexity as well as fresh charcuterie meats, smoky notes and graphite. Red plums and blackberries lurk beneath. The palate has deep chocolate and cherry fruits. Very suave, supple tannins carry dark plums, dark chocolate and energetic freshness to the finish. Give this 2-3 years to integrate."
- James Suckling (2018), 95 pts

Gaec de Brangers Menetou Salon Blanc 100% Sauvignon Blanc is crisp and refreshing with rich, ripe lime and grapefruit aromas. Elegant, beautifully rounded, harmonious and well-balanced, a mineral sytle and a smooth and long finish. It is ideal as an aperitif and a great match with shellfish, smoked and grilled salmon, goat cheese.
DOMAINE DU GAEC DES BRANGERS is owned by the CHAVET family, which is one of the most reknown winemaking families of the Menetou-Salon Appellation. Philippe Chavet has been running the estate for 25 years and each year, his cuvees are awarded in the international competitions and by the international press.

Unoaked

12.5 ABV

Average age of the vines is 20 years old. Traditional winemaking in temperature-controlled stainless steel tank.
Slow fermentation at low temperature.

Ideal as an aperitif, any cooked fish such as smoked and grilled salmon, and with goat cheese.

Review:

"The outstanding 2017 Menetou Salon Blanc (100% Sauvignon Blanc) is a winner. Lovely honeyed citrus, pear, and a kiss of rocky mineral-like notes all flow to a medium-bodied, beautifully balanced, juicy white that has all kinds of charm and character. It’s going to be incredibly versatile on the dinner table and is well worth seeking out."

- Jeb Dunnuck (March 27th 2019), 90 pts

Domaine Charles Pere & Fille Pommard is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir.

Wine-making

The Pommard is a selection of seven different parcels, each fermented separately, with the final blend made at the end of aging to create the best expression of soil diversity. Fully destemmed then placed in vats for 15 days and aged for 18 months in French oak barrels.

Tasting notes

A deep ruby-purple color, the Pommard nose reveals blackberry and blueberry notes with a touch of ripe plum and cherry pith. The mouth provides firm tannins that melt across the finish, with beautiful persistent structure good for

ageing. Food pairing suggestionsIt will goes very well with coq au vin, premium beef cuts and hard cheeses 

Soil : Ancient alluvial soils to well drained pebbly clay & limestone soils in the center slope, and mix of Jurassic marl, brown calcic and limestone soils

Exposition : South East

Altitude : 250m to 330m

Average age of vines : 35 years

Surface area : 1.4 hectares

Yield : 40 hl/ha

Review:

While this wine has some of structure to be expected from a Pommard, it is more about rich, black fruits and ripe berry flavors. Blended from seven different parcels, it is ripe, generous with tannins that are well integrated into the layers of fruit. Drink this full-bodied wine from 2022. - Wine Enthusiast 92 points

Domaine Charles Pere & Fille Volnay Premier Cru Fremiets is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir.

Terroir Soil : Very thin soil with rocks near earth's surface Exposition : South East Average age : 30 years Surface area : 0.6 hectare Yield : 38 hl/ha

Winemaking:Fully destemmed, then vatted for about 15 days and aged in French oak barrels for 18 months. Grapes are picked by hand and transported in small crates in order to prevent berries from being crushed. With the same concern for quality, bunches and grapes are sorted again as soon as they reach the cellar.

Tasting notes: Nice shades of violet and garnet red. On the nose, violet and cherry notes. A wine with a good attack, silky tannins, elegance and, above all, nice length.

Food pairing suggestions: It perfectly complements venison marinade, Bresse chicken. 

Review:

From the Pommard side of Volnay, this wine straddles the smoothness of a Volany with the structure of a Pommard. It offers both immediate richness and ripe black fruits along with a core of dark tannins that will allow this wine to age. Drink from 2022.- Wine Enthusiast 91 Points

Domaine de l'Ecu Muscadet Classic is made from 100% Melon de Bourgogne

This vintage claims to be “Classic” purely to set itself apart from the tendancy to promote wines whose aromas have their origin neither in the variety of grape nor in the locality...This Muscadet is developed and vinified to be appreciated young “on the fruit”. It is crystal clear and the color of yellow straw. Lime, grapefruit, white fruits, pear and apple, salty and citrus notes are generously present on the nose. 
The mouth is rich, straight, providing a beautiful acid screen; lime and soft notes of the sea provide a good balance and a great freshness in this Muscadet, superb landmarks which stretch to the end....

GRAPE-VARIETY: Melon de Bourgogne. (Local name of the Muscadet grape)

SURFACE: 4.50 ha (11.12 acres).
AGE OF VINES: 30-35 years old.
CARACTERISTICS OT THE TERRITORY: Loire Valley vineyard
Orientation of the slopes is WEST and NORTH WEST.
Soil is Siliceous with a sub-soil of metamorphic rock.
PRODUCTION: 45 hl/ha
Soil ploughing and soil scraping. Canopy management.
PRUNING: Simple Guyot.
VINIFICATION AND REFINING:
Organicly farmed since 1975.
Biodynamic – Demeter certified since 1998
- 100 % hand-picked grapes
- Reception of the grape harvest by gravity.
- No use of pumps.
- Pneumatic pressing.
- No racking of the must.
- Fermentation 100 % natural yeast.
- Aged “on the lees” in underground vats
covered with glass tiles during 14 months.

This Muscadet would be a good accompaniment to a seafood platter, an oily fish, a white meat or would, of course, be the ideal companion to your aperitif.