Avennia Justine Red Blend  61% Grenache, 21% Mourvèdre, and 18% Syrah. 

Justine reflects our belief that Washington is capable of producing world class blends of grape varieties traditional to the Southern Rhone region of France. The name is inspired by one of the great heroines of recent literature, who also sprung from the imagination of the Mediterranean. Dark, seductive, complex, with a chasm of depth: The Justine is a great reflection of Avennia's mission of expression, and Washington's generous terroir.

 Tasting Note: Big black cherry, blackberry, hints of orange peel, fresh herbs and loam on the nose. Plush and round on the palate. Dark earthy fruits from the Mourvedre, along with citrus high notes, mountain flowers, jasmine, and savory herbs. Balanced and complex without forgetting its hedonistic roots in the Southern Rhone.

Review:

"The Southern Rhone-inspired wine is the 2018 Justine, which is 61% Grenache, 21% Mourvèdre, and 18% Syrah that saw a small amount of stems and mostly neutral oak. Lots of spice, herbes de Provence, and peppery incense notes dominate the bouquet, and it has a great core of red fruits, medium-bodied richness, and a silky, expansive mouthfeel. It’s a beautiful looking Rhone blend from Washington State."
- Jeb Dunnuck (April 2020), 93-95+ pts

Castello Di Fonterutoli Toscana Mazzei Mix 36 is made from 100 percent 100% Sangiovese.

Castello di Fonterutoli, source of some of Italy’s most prestigious wines, is an historic property embracing an entire tranquil, centuries-old hamlet just south of Castellina in Chianti, in the heart of Chianti Classico. The estate has been in the hands of the Mazzei family for 26 generations. The Mazzei’s have been producing wine at Castello di Fonterutoli since 1435. This dynamic family has carefully safeguarded the inherent beauty and rich heritage of Fonterutoli, while simultaneously implementing measures to ensure cutting-edge quality in the vineyards and cellars.

At Fonterutoli, there are 36 Sangiovese biotypes grown, including 18 massal selections exclusive to the estate. To preserve the unique qualities of each type, the Mazzei family micro-vinifies each separately, then blends them into their Mix 36 cuvée, an arduous, technically challenging process that produces breathtaking results.

TERROIR & VINTAGE NOTES

The Mazzei’s believe the name “Fonterutoli” derives from Latin origin, ‘Fons Rutolae’ or ‘Fons Rutilant,’ meaning clear spring. The area was chosen by the Etruscans to build villages near the water springs. An incredibly diverse area, Fonterutoli covers five main vineyard sites of different terroirs: Fonterutoli, Siepi, Le Ripe, Caggio and Belvedere.

Sangiovese finds itself particularly at home in these areas, which are planted at altitudes varying between 750 and 1,800 feet above sea level, at south and southwest exposure. The rocky limestone and sandstone soil structure, high density planting ( avg. 7,000 plants per hectare) and low yields of less than 40 hectoliters per hectare result in the production of complex, elegant and powerful wines.

WINEMAKING

A mix of 36 distinct Sangiovese biotypes. Grapes were hand harvested beginning of October, then fermented in temperature-controlled tanks at 79-82˚F. The wine underwent 15 days of maceration.

AGEING

Aged for 18 months in French Oak barrels (500lt), then placed in concrete tanks for a final 4 months. The wine is bottle aged for 11 months before release.

TASTING NOTES

The wine takes on a deep ruby color. On the nose, complex aromas of fresh red berries. On the palate, extremely elegant with red fruit notes and a persistent finish.

Review:

A red that is extremely polished and refined with blackberry and cherry character. Hints of cedar and dried flowers. Medium body. Juicy fruit. Hard not to drink this now but better in 2019. - James Suckling 94 Points

Grand Veneur Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge Les Origines is made from 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 20% Syrah

Matured in vats (grenache) and in oak casks (syrah and mourvèdre).

Deep and brilliant, purple-red colour. An exciting nose with aromas of black fruit (blackcurrant, cherry) spices and vanilla. This great aromatic complexity is found on the palate : the spices and ripe fruit appear with an elegant woodiness and harmonious tannins. The finish has good aromatic length and introduces a touch of liquorice and pepper.

A terrific Châteauneuf du Pape with great concentration and finesse.

Best between 2 and 20 years. Best to decant if young (less than 5 years old).

Soil type Extreme north of Châteauneuf du Pape. This plateau is made with a high quantity of red clay mixed with rocks. This area is considerated to be one of the best to produce rich and powerful red wines. By definition, LES ORIGINES will always deliver a great complexity and ageing potential. Winemaking & ageing Harvest is sorted by hand, destemmed and crushed. Fermentation temperature is controlled at 30°C. Vatting period of 18 to 20 days. Matured in vats (grenache) and in oak casks (syrah and mourvèdre).

 Review:

Pierinvaletta Barbaresco is made from 100% Nebbiolo

Rich, Full bodied, Intense.
Pierin Valetta is one of the ancestor of the Family and these wines are dedicated to him as we would like to thank him for giving us vineyards that reach up to 70 years old.

Made from 70 years old vines planted on clay soils. 
Aged 30 months in French and Slovanian Oak barrels.
Wine wasn't filtered before bottling.

Review:

"Cherry and pomegranate flavors meld with notes of mint and orange tea in this lively wine. Raspy tannins and hints of amaro underline and balance the bright fruit tones." 

- Wine Spectator (December 2020), 91 pts

Keermont Steepside Syrah is made from This is an intense wine with a bright scarlet colour. Pure grapey aromas are complimented by red spices, herbs and lavender. The palate has a gentle entry with subtle spicy fruit flavors filling the mid palate. The tight structure gives the wine a succulent dry finish with lingering flavours of red fruit, anise, liquorice and a mineral saltiness. Drink 2020-2030.

All grapes used in producing our wines are grown on Keermont Vineyards. Small parcels of grapes are selected according to optimal ripeness and harvested by hand. The grapes are vinified gently and naturally following traditional techniques.

Review:

"The 2015 Steepside Syrah comes from vines at around 350 meters above sea level, from similar clonal material to the Topside but on deep clay/loam soils, while the vines are oriented to the north. It spent 20 months maturing in seasoned 225- and 500-liter French oak barrels before being bottled by hand without filtration. This has a more fruit-forward bouquet than the Topside, featuring small red cherries, raspberry, briar and light cassis scents. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin and crisp acidity, quite compact at the moment and probably deserving around 18 to 24 months in bottle. Good potential here, although the Topside offers the elegance and sophistication this year. - Neal Martin"

- Vinous  (August 29th 2018), 92 pts

"The 2015 Steepside Syrah gives classic notes of blackberry, cassis and plum skin, with a structuring mineral tone reminiscent of dust—almost ashy—and lingers in the glass with hints of black pepper. The palate is dry and focused with a bright, structured core and mineral tension to the mid-palate, finishing with lingering soft, smoky spices. Only 2,571 bottles were made. - Anthony Mueller"

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #245, October 2019), 92 pts

"If Topside is Alex Starey’s Côte Rôtie, then Steepside is his Cornas, a hotter, north-facing site that produces dense, ferrous, almost bloody Syrah. This is grippy and firm with layers of tannin and firm, intense dark berry fruit. 2020-30"

- Tim Atkin (South Africa 2018 Special Report), 95 pts

Delicate and refined nose on white flesh fruits aromas followed by delicate flower notes. Very harmonious, fresh and pure on the palate. The intense and mineral touch on the finish is a genuine invitation to fondness.

Grapes come from decomposed granite soil on the slopes of the "Roncharde" , "Côte Chatillon", "La Caille", "Vergelas" and "Corbéry".
Vines are 20 years old on average.

Pneumatic pressing.
Alcoholic fermentation in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks.
40% of the wine is aged in French Oak barrels for 12 months and the other 60% is aged in stainless steel tanks.
Batonnage (stirring of the lees)
Malolactic fermentation

Asparugus with mousseline sauce, pike quenelles, pourlty, lobster en bellevue, scallops, praws with curry sauce, delicate asian dishes.

Review:

Pale gold. Heady, mineral-laced citrus and orchard fruit aromas, along with a sexy floral overtone that gains strength as the wine opens up. Silky, focused and seamless on the palate, offering intense orange, pear, white peach and bitter quinine flavors that show excellent depth as well as energy. The floral note reemerges on the strikingly long, penetrating finish, which leaves behind a sweet peach nectar note. - Tanzer 93 Points