Beliere Bugey-Cerdon is made from 95% Gamay, 5% Poulsard (a local grape from Jura).
Spontaneous fermentation. An altogether preferable scenario to spontaneous combustion, and A LOT more fun to drink. This pink, semi-dry bubbly was made by spontaneous fermentation, otherwise known as methode ancestrale. Grapes are picked by hand (not just any grapes, these are the local Poulsard and Gamay grown on mountainous slopes in the shadow of the Alps), and fermented in chilled vats just reaching 5 or 6 degrees alcohol. The young and light wine is then bottled, along with its active yeast and considerable unfermented sugars. Under pressure of the cork, the wine continues to ferment, gaining a few degrees of alcohol but retaining a nice amount of sweetness. The bubbles, of course, are another result of fermentation under pressure. This one is so delicious and fun to drink, with a distinctly, well, grapy aroma and a fruitiness that calls out for celebration and jubilation.
This is also wonderful served with chocolate cake!
8% ABV.
Produced from the "Ancestral method" (also used to produce Clairette de Die): Low temperature fermentation starting in the tank, light filtration that leaves active yeast in the wine, bottling of the wine with fermentation continuing in the bottle ("spontaneous fermentation in the bottle"), retaining some sugar (40 gr/liter at the end). Made from 95% Gamay, 5% Poulsard (a local grape from Jura).
Review:
"Amber color. Aromas and flavors of cranberry juice, rose petal, cherry and kiwi, and red apple with a round, bright, effervescent, fruity medium-to-full body and a delightful, medium-long finish that shows nuances of cherry, cranberry, beeswax, and rose water. Concentrated fruit flavors, creamy bubbles, and well balanced acidity will make this a splendid pairing with charcuterie." - Beverage Testing -Institute (November 2022), 92 pts - Gold Medal
Post & Beam by Far Niente Chardonnay is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.
Vibrant, refreshing and stunningly perfumed, the Post & Beam Chardonnay opens with aromas of fresh melon and wild honeysuckle. The palate is lush and round, with silky layers of melon and baked apple spice framed by soft, toasted oak and lifted acidity.
Review:
Aromas of rich golden apple and vanilla bean lead to toasty oak, lemon zest, and salty minerality. Vibrant acidity is a focal point on the palate, along with a refreshingly bright and clean finish.
-Tasting Panel 93 Points
Double Diamond Oakville Proprietary Red is made from 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc.
The 2022 Proprietary Red Wine maintains the exceptional quality and prestige synonymous with winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown and the Double Diamond portfolio. A Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, it is ready to drink upon release but will cellar well for years to come.
This wine is fragrant with mixed berry compote, crushed ivy, iron, and vanilla bean. Full in body and generously concentrated with notes of ripe black fruits, spice, dark chocolate, and espresso framed with silky tannins, food-friendly acidity, and a lingering finish.
Review:
"The 2022 Double Diamond Proprietary Red allows winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown to experiment with a blend under the Schrader label. Fruit is sourced from notable vineyards, including Wappo Hill for Cabernet Franc, Shifflet for Cabernet Sauvignon in the western hills of the Oak Knoll District, and Red Hen Vineyard for Merlot. This is a lush red with high-toned, perfumed aromatics, dark berry fruit, cassis, and dark cacao notes with a cool, wet slate minerality. Full-bodied, it showcases creamy dark cherry and blackberry fruits, hints of plum, fine-grained tannins, and wild herbs on the extended finish. Balanced, joyful, and far too easy to drink."
-Decanter, October 29, 2024 93 Points