Reverdy Jean Sancerre Rose 2020

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Thorn Clarke Shotfire Shiraz is made from 100% Shiraz. 

Striking deep red-purple in color. A rich, voluptuous wine with aromas of blackcurrant and mulberries accompanied by notes of smokey oak and hints of cloves. The palate is filled with dark fruits and chocolate backed up by taut tannins and lingering oak.

Review:

"Destemmed, pressed approximately 7 days later, 14 months in American oak (40% new). Rich, layered, mocha/chocolate overtones to the black berry fruits are obvious."
-  Halliday Wine Companion (August 2020), 92 pts

Story:

When the Clarke forebearers discovered gold in 1870 at the Lady Alice mine in the Barossa goldfields, so began a family dynasty intrigued by geology. A fine legacy that is reflected today in the terroir of our vineyards. The Shotfire range immortalizes the Shotfirer's hazardous job of setting and lighting the charges in the mines.

Fran shares his story on how he discovered Thorn-Clarke:
     "It was October 2001 and I was searching for and sourcing for Australian wines, as it was clear that Australia was going to become the "next big thing." After tasting about 100 assorted wines, I decided I liked the style of Barossa, Shiraz best - chocolate, cherries, mint and eucalyptus - so I started focusing on Barossa growers (years later, Barossa Shiraz would develop its reputation as the Icon Shiraz for Australia).
     Late on a Thursday afternoon, the carrier delivered a beat-up box of 12 bottles from Australia, 10 of which were leaking. The box was from a guy named Steve Machin, who had just left Hardy's and was beginning work with the Clarke family on setting up a possible new brand. The samples were sticky and messy, but I popped the corks anyway ..... and I was glad that I did. The wine inside tasted like Christmas - mint, eucalyptus, camphor, and evergreen aromas. Great acidity, color, flavor and length of finish - very tasty. These samples were so good and so exciting, especially compared to what I had tasted prior, that I immediately called the number on the card. I didn't realize that it was a Perth number (Western Australia) and it was actually 3:00 in the morning. It turned out I was calling the residence of David and Cheryl Clarke, where a sleepy Cheryl answered the phone. I told her, you don't know who I am, but we are going to be doing business together very soon, and lots of it! After a few months of talking, faxing (yes, faxing) and sorting out the details, I began importing their wines.
     That super-star wine from the busted box of samples is the wine we know today as Shotfire Shiraz. It was originally called Stone Jar, but fortunately we came up with a better name. Many years and vintages later, I'm still glad to be importing Shotfire Shiraz and other Thorn-Clarke selections .... and I'm still glad that Cheryl Clarke woke up for that phone call."

Rubus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is made from 100 percent Napa Valley Cabernet

Its long finish displays full mature flavors of blackberry, currant and chocolate with just a hint of toasty oak and black cherry. The tannins are refined and polished, allowing the fruit to be the focus.

Serve this Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with a variety of bold preparations ranging from Osso Bucco to grilled red meats and cheeses.

Pomerols Beauvignac Syrah Rose is 100% Syrah

Pink colored, firm in the style of a Tavel rosé, the wine shows strawberry aromas, candy notes on the nose and cherry and pomegranate flavors on the palate. The wine is silky, elegant, crisp and refreshing.

The Syrah is bled off after 8 hours of maceration.

Closeout!

Burgo Viejo Rioja Rosado is made from 100% Garnacha.
Burgo Viejo Rosado Wine is the milestone example of rosé wines developed in Rioja for years. Vinification has been improved to retain vibrant fruit and display colorful aromas when served.
Alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel vats at controlled temperature; wine is rapidly bottled to keep it fresh.
Bright strawberry color and aroma; with hint of raspberry and intense strawberry flavour and a crisp finish.
Enjoy it with pasta and poultry.

Begude Bandol Rose is made from 80% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache.

Opening: ½ hour before serving. Decanting is highly recommended

Eye: Youthful Coral color
Nose: Fruity notes of Strawberry, Cherry blossom and watermelon.
Mouth: savory, quenching and round with a nice balanced finish.

Yield: 24hl/ha 
Age of the rootstocks: 20 years old 
Harvest: Manual in small basket 
Winemaking: double sorting , 100% destemming, pressing of the berries precedes alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks with regulated temperature. 100% indigenous yeast.

It traditionally pairs well with fish, seafood, white meat. It is also excellent with cheese and "international cuisine", spicy Indian, Chinese, Thai, Japanese cuisine.

Review:

"Bright orange. Mineral-inflected raspberry, nectarine and blood orange aromas are complemented by lavender and dusty mineral nuances. Gently chewy and focused on the palate, offering concentrated red berry and citrus fruit flavors supported by a spine of juicy acidity. Shows strong tenacity on the mineral-driven finish, which leaves behind a hint of candied flowers. - Josh Raynolds"

- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (June 2021), 93 pts

Castelmaure Grande Cuvee Corbieres Rouge is made from 50% Grenache (30 year old) and 50% Syrah (30 year old).. 

In the early 1990’s, Castelmaure began experimenting with a Prestige Cuvée of Corbières.  This wine has become known as “Grande Cuvée” and is made with the help of the winemaking team of Tardieu-Laurent.

Vinification: destemming, pneumatic press, end of fermentation at 25 degrees C; two racking; aging in tank then in 220 Liter Bordeaux barrels for 10-12 months. Egg fining, slight filtration..

Deep and intense color, powerful aromas of dark berry fruit, prune and coffee nuances, and a persistent finish.

Vineyards: planted on 50% Schist and 50% limestone soils.

Reviews:

GOLD MEDAL - 2019 Concours Paris

"An intrigue of graceful fruit and floral notes interwoven with a star anise and dark plum sauce richness. - Blind tasted by Justin Howard-Sneyd MW, Andrew Jefford & Frederic Marti."

- Decanter Magazine (Corbières Reds: Panel tasting results, April 2020), 91 pts