Russian River Pinot Noir Horseridge 2016

Russian River Chardonnay Bacigalupi is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.

An unmatched heritage. This wine is made from the budwood of the vines that produced the California Chardonnay that rocked the industry by winning the infamous “Judgment of Paris” wine tasting in 1976. And the quality has persisted.

Starting out with aromas of white peach, honeysuckle, crème brulee and jasmine. The palate is fruit driven from beginning to end. Apple pie, melon and stone fruit flavors linger on the tongue. The mid-palate is full and rich, with a touch of minerality. This wine finishes for days with plenty of fruit on the palate, balanced by a delightful pop of acidity.

One of the few Chardonnays built to age, age this beauty over the next 5-10 years - or even longer!

Review:

"A beautiful, intense chardonnay with lots of ripe red apples and some mineral and lemon-rind character, as well as just the right amount of vanilla and cream. Full-bodied, dense and layered with lovely intensity and focus at the end. Drink now or hold."

- James Suckling (November 2020), 94 pts

Mordoree Tavel Rose Reine des Bois is made from 60% Grenache, 15% Clairette, 10% Syrah, 10% Cinsault, 5% Bourboulenc.

Nose: Steady rose, brilliant and cristal clear.
Aromas : very complex : from flowers, white fruits and red fruits (strawberries, pomegranate, rapsberry). Slightly mentho-lated
Palate : fresh, classy, elegant, very long.
Aging capacity : 8 to 10 years.

This wine comes from a parcel planted on a pebbled soil covered with stones, whose geology is typical of the grands crus from the Rhone Valley (a base made of marine molasse from the Miocene period covered with an alpine diluvium from the Villafranchian period). 100 % destemming, cold maceration during 48 h., pneumatic pressing, fermentation at 18° C.

To pair with: roasted and or spicy chicken, duck, goose, fish soup, white meat, seafood and a lot of fishes (tuna, John Dorry, red mulet, etc...).Quite all Asian cuisine. Dishes with garlic, dishes with tomatoes.

Review:

"Brilliant orange. Red and dark berry, floral, citrus zest and succulent herb qualities on the deeply perfumed nose, as well as hints of smoky minerals and baking spices. Concentrated yet lithe, offering palate-staining black raspberry, cherry and blood orange flavors and a suave touch of candied lavender. The mineral and spice notes drive a strikingly long, gently chewy finish that echoes the floral and blood orange notes. This bottling is not just an outstanding rose, it's a flat-out exceptional wine, period – the food-matching potential here is endless. Mushroom risotto and seafood paellas come to mind, as does blue cheese and grilled, strongly seasoned rabbit, even artichokes. - Josh Raynolds"
-  Antonio Galloni's Vinous (June 2021), 94 pts

Toza Jumilla Monastrell is made from 100 percent Monastrell. 

Toza is a classic example of the Monastrell variety from the Mediterranean region. Clean, bright cherry red color. It is bold with intense fresh red fruits and varietal aromas on the nose.  Aged in oak barrels, this Spanish red is rich, toasty, round and velvety.

Toza Crianza Jumilla is made from 100% Monastrell (Mourvedre). Toza Crianza is a classic example of the Monastrell variety from the Mediterranean region, made from hand harvested old vines and aged 12 months in oak barrels. This Spanish red is rich, toasty, round and velvety.

Capitain Gagnerot Vosne-Romanee Aux Raviolle  is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir.

Deep red, light purple in color.  Floral and giving of slight underbrush.  Lithe, yet forceful of expressive forward fruit which builds upon a velvety and coolness. The flavor holds very well on the palate, with mineral driven finish.

SOILS

Limestone on marl, very permeable, made of scree which contains erosion.

VINIFICATION / MATURING

Harvested by hand, sorted and destemed.

Alcoholic fermentation in open vats, for about 15 days with 2 punch-down a day at the beginning.

Maturation in oak barrels (10% new barrels) for 13 months.

TASTING NOTES

Colour : Deep red colour, ruby to garnet.

Nose : Black fruits aromas (blackcurrant, blueberry, blackberry), and spices.

Mouth : Powerfull, with rich and balanced tannins, its structure suggest a good ageing potential.

FOOD PAIRINGS

Poultry, piece of Charolais, foie gras, Burgundy strong cheeses (Epoisses, Langres, Soumaintrain)

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