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June 13, 2024 - Right Bank / Left Bank Bordeaux
/For our final WAC Wine Club tasting of the 2023-2024 year the impressive Red Bordeaux Blends reign supreme. We’ll compare three Right Bank wines (Merlot-based) with three Left Bank wines (Cabernet Sauvignon-based) noting the differences and similarities in grape varieties, terroir, climate and more. This calculated art of blending native varietals is impressively accomplished in Bordeaux, the most famous winegrowing region in the world. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and occasionally Carmènere are the lead characters in the creation of Red Bordeaux Blends.
2008 Château Clinet (Pomerol)
Château Clinet is located at the highest point of the Pomerol plateau on Bordeaux’s Right Bank on the famous Günz gravel terrace, origin of the appellation’s most prestigious crus. Château Clinet’s reputation as a fine wine producer was already established by the 19th century, which has carried through to 1998 when Château Clinet was bought by Jean-Louis Laborde. He devoted all his energy and vision to pursuing the evolution inspired by the preceding owners. His son Ronan took over as general manager in 2004, who along with his winemaker, are the youngest team in the Union des Grands Crus (both are in their thirties).
The opaque purple-colored 2008 Clinet is composed of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. On the nose, notes of sweet crème de cassis, blackberry, plum, Asian spice, licorice and incense are present. The palate is fresh with fine tannin, layers of blackberry and cassis fruit laced with crushed stone—fresh and lively with a hint of peppermint towards the finish and graphite (courtesy of the Cabernet) on the aftertaste.
2010 Château Pavie Macquin Grand Cru (St. Émilion)
Château Pavie Macquin, took its name from Albert Macquin who is considered a true pioneer as he deserves much of the credit for solving the phylloxera epidemic. The current owners of Pavie Macquin are Benoit Corre and Bruno Corre and Marie-Jacques Charpentier. Starting with their 1998 vintage and new winemakers, things began rapidly turning around for the wines of this St. Emilion château. At Pavie Macquin they have old vines, many are on average close to 40 years of age with some of their oldest vines dating back more than 60 years.
The 2010 vintage is considered an extremely masculine, dense, burly wine—a final blend of 80% Merlot with the rest virtually all Cabernet Franc, with just 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. Loads of crushed rock and chalkiness, along with licorice, black truffle, smoked game and black fruits dominate the aromatics and flavor.
2010 Lynches-Bages (Pauillac)
The Lynch-Bages vineyard (1855 Grand Cru Classé), situated in the lands of “Batges” at the entrance to Pauillac, overlooks the Gironde estuary and stretches over a beautiful gravelly hilltop. Formerly owned by the illustrious Lynch family, of Irish descent, the estate was acquired by the Cazes family in 1939. The focus on generations of family stewardship has added heart and personality to the story of Lynch-Bages. Marking four centuries of history and years of hard work, the family ‘s legacy is meant to be cherished and passed from one generation to another.
The Lynch-Bages 2010 vintage, made from a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, is opaque, inky, with a purple/black color. The nose is savory, bursting with a complex array of vibrant, mostly black fruit, ranging from black cherry to boysenberry, cassis with redcurrant hints and sweet oak spices. The palate shows lovely fresh acidity and clean cassis fruit.
2010 Moulin de Duhart (Pauillac)
The history of Château Duhart Milon dates back to the early 18th century, when Pauillac was covered with vines. The classification of 1855 recognized the quality of the soil of Duhart-Milon by positioning it as the only 4th Grand Cru Classé of the commune of Pauillac. Under its powerful brand, considered the second wine under the classification, Château Duhart Milon employes the same winemaking techniques as Château Lafite Rothschild. The terroir of Château Duhart-Milon extends over 76 hectares of vines which are divided between 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot. The origin of the name, Moulin de Duhart, comes from the former presence of a windmill on the Carruades plateau, next to the Duhart-Milon vineyard.
The 2010 Moulin de Duhart shows notes of toast, vanilla, spice, and dark fruit. It is full bodied, yet quite light on its feet. Dark raspberries, cherry, and plum emerge on the palate displaying a soft and elegant body. Polished, fine tannins finish it off.
2011 Château Clinet (Pomerol)
The second example of Château Clinet (as described above), this vintage is a blend of 90% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Cabernet Franc. It also displays an ink-purple color like the 2008, due to the abundance of Merlot, which is enhanced by the soils of Pomerol, producing an impressive concentration of color and flavor. On the nose, one experiences scents of wild raspberries and strawberries, together with blackberries and plums in syrup, mingling subtly with essence of vanilla and licorice. Silky and intense on the palate, its soft texture coats the freshly picked wild fruits sprinkled with spices.
2012 Léoville-Poyferré (Saint-Julien)
Designated as a Second Grand Cru Classé in 1855, Château Léoville-Poyferré was established in 1840 when Baron Jean-Marie de Poyferré added his name to Léoville. Owned by the Cuvelier family since 1920, Léoville-Poyferré is anchored in one of the most intimate appellations of the Médoc: Saint-Julien. Dispersed over 80 hectares and split into several groups, the vineyard reflects all the richness and diversity of the appellation.
The 2012 Léoville-Poyferré is a blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc. It displays a deep ruby/purple color to go along with terrific notes of crème de cassis, loads of blackberry, graphite, lead pencil shavings and violets. It is a rich wine, full-bodied, supple, and forward, with low acidity and ripe tannin. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy notes on the entry, fairly saline with good tension, superb backbone and density on the finish.
May 9, 2024 - Comparison of Old World & New World Rhône Varietals
/What is That Wine Supposed to Taste Like? A Comparison of “Old World” and “New World” Rhône Varietals.
Have you ever wondered about the difference between Old World and New World? The WAC Wine Club is proud to present for our May tasting a side by side tasting of recent releases of Mourvèdre, Syrah, and a GSM blend from Washington State and the Rhône Valley.
Old World:
2019 Château de Pibarnon Bandol Rouge Les Restanques (Mourvèdre) :
Château de Pibarnon’s estate’s vineyards overlook the Mediterranean Sea in the Bandol appellation in Provence. A thick-skinned black grape, Mourvèdre has found its favorite soils in the sunny Bandol appellation. Some 3,000 hours of sunshine a year perfectly suit this slow-ripening grape. Rarely found in other cooler French vineyards, Mourvèdre brings harmony, elegance and an amazing ageing capacity to the red wines of sunny Bandol. This wine is a selection of younger vines. Aromas suggest black pepper and Provencal garrigue. Moderate tannins, full bodied red and black fruit flavors. Try with roasted pork or grilled lamb with spring vegetables. 70% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache.
2020 Domaine la Bouissière Gigondas (GSM)
The vineyards of Domaine la Bouissiere are mountain terroir, with cooler weather and demanding soils, a mix of limestone and clay. The family's Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre vines are mostly older and are very low yielding. Because of the ideal conditions here, the combination of exposure and altitude allows grapes to ripen slowly and evenly. What this means for the wine is more elegance and freshness. Offers aromas of black fruits, pink and white peppers. On the palate flavors of blackberries and blue plums and unctuous texture with silky tannins. Round and velvety, this has an intensity that builds with bitter cherry, smoke and violet on the finish. 75% Grenache, 21% Syrah, 4% Mourvèdre.
Cuilleron Crozes-Hermitage Lieux-Dit-les Chassis
Cuilleron Estates is a producer in the northern Rhône. The estate has been in the Cuilleron family for three generations, but it is the estate’s current owner and winemaker, Yves Cuilleron, who has expanded the size, scope, and scale of the vineyard, land holdings, and winery. The wine is made from a single plot in the town of Mercurol. The color is a deep and intense red. The nose is complex and powerful with notes of spices and licorice. The palate is round, delicious and powerful, the tannins are spicy and subtle. 100% Syrah.
New World :
Rotie Cellars
Rotie Cellars is owned by Sean Boyd, who is also the winemaker. He spent 10 years doing oil and gas exploration before making the leap to wine – so he really knows his geology. The point of Rotie Cellars is to make traditional Rhône Blends with Washington State fruit. To start with, it means lower alcohol, less ripe, less wood, balanced, finesse-driven, mouth coating wines.
2021 Rotie Dre
From the cliffs of Wallula this beast returns. Dark blackberry and black currant - including all the brambles - lead into a massive and layered finish of Herbs de Provence, anise, and graphite. 100% Mourvèdre
2020 Rotie Homage
Sourced from the uplifted ancient riverbed of Snipes Mountain, this vintage is focused and exudes concentrated flavors of red fruits and duck confit with hints of iron and salinity coursing throughout. A savory beauty. 65% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache, 15% Syrah
2021 Rotie Love Rocks Tab
Ruby red. Pure and fresh red fruits, raspberry and red currants, on the nose. The same purity of red fruits leading into well-lived dark and savory components of traditional Rocks District Syrah. Medium to full-bodied, silky tannin structure and great length. 100% Estate Syrah
March 14, 2024 - Burgundy
/The WAC Wine Club is proud to present for our March tasting an exciting exploration of French wines, from southern Champagne, heading east to Chablis and then to the Côte d’Or in Burgundy, specifically Côte de Beaune.
Pierre Gerbais Champagne Brut Nature L’Audace NV
A truly unique Champagne, the NV L’Audace Brut Nature is 100% Pinot Noir showing hints of exotic fruits, slight lemon peel bitterness and dried herbs. and opening fresh and mineral on the nose. This wine is bright and tightly crisp, yet these Pinot Noir wines from this southern region of Champagne show a remarkable complexity of flavors, are full-bodied, very pure and salty on the palate. The soils are Kimmeridgian, though there’s a sector where the limestone-clay mix is nearly identical to what you find in the Côte d’Or. Sometimes we forget how close Beaune is to Champagne, especially the Aube. If you grow up in the Aube, you actually live closer to Beaune than to Reims.
2013 Domaine Vincent Dauvissat Chablis 1er Cru "La Forest"
Carefully crafted by Vincent Dauvissat who ages this wine in Nevers oak in less than 10 percent new barrels, its beautiful form is apparent from the moment it’s poured-- bright, pale yellow with hints of dried yellow orchard fruit, flavors of chamomile, fennel seed, almond, and distinctly cool with stony tension. It tastes umami-rich and feels perfectly balanced, hinting at oyster shells on the nose - sappy, chewy and concentrated but quite dry.
2014 Domaine Vincent Dauvissat Chablis 1er Cru “La Forest”
Premier Cru Chablis from the region’s left bank does not get much better than this. These wines are bright, pale yellow with a lovely perfumed lift to aromas, very Les Clos-like with flavors of pear, apple, anise, dried flowers, flinty minerality, citrus peel and a gently smoky top note. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, elegantly textural and racy, with a deep but tight-knit core, tangy balancing acids and a long, searingly saline, mineral finish.
Domaine Vincent Dauvissat - There have been largely only two Chablis camps among collectors: Raveneau and Dauvissat. Both superb, Dauvissat is the more traditional, classic Chablis style that every new producer seems to aspire to.
Since Vincent Dauvissat joined his father René in the 1970s, the Dauvissat label has been a beacon of quality to every drinker and collector. Blessed with enviable holdings from Petit-Chablis through to the Grand Crus of Clos and Preuses, Dauvissat crafts wines of inimitable quality and longevity. Premier Cru La Forêt, (otherwise known as “Forest”), has a similar outlay with the classic Kimmeridgian soils and cool climate, generating the same sort of density and honeyed essence that the Grand Crus possess.
2010 Louis Latour Volnay En Chevret 1er Cru
One wine critic after tasting this wine exclaimed, “Now, this is Burgundy!” Originating in the village of Volnay, south of Beaune and next to Pommard, the “En Chevret” is a parcel of vines located below the main road through town. The 2010 color is intense dark ruby red with a mouth-watering bouquet of plums, strawberries, licorice, peppermint and pear. The winery recommends pairing this with game and mature cheeses and they suggest veal with cream and morel mushrooms.
2015 Domaine de Courcel Pommard Grand Clos des Epenots 1er Cru
The Domaine de Courcel is a 400-year-old winery producing wines from seven different locations, all based in Pommard. Le Grand Clos des Epenots is the largest plot in the vineyard and is located north of Pommard, at the start of the slope with ~60 year-old vines. The wine is a deep ruby red color, offering aromas of blackberry, violet, kirsch and licorice. This red unfolds nicely, leaving a complex finish that introduces an accent of bittersweet chocolate.
January 11, 2024 - Vietti Barolo
/Barolo, the Wine of Kings and King of Wines
Not often do we have the chance to taste four different wines from the same winery (Vietti), the same region (Barolo), the same vintage (2015) and the same grape (Nebbiolo)—and we’re including a special white Vietti too. The WAC Wine Club is in for a special treat to start off the new year just right.
A word about the region, wine and grape: Barolo is one of the most prestigious, age-worthy, and collectible wines in the world. Like so many of the greats, Barolo is a fascinating expression of a particular place as experienced through the lens of a consistent grape variety, Nebbiolo. All wines from the Barolo DOCG must be 100% Nebbiolo, a grape loved for its rich nose and anise aromas with mouth-drying tannin and striking acidity. Barolo is actually the fruitiest and most full-bodied of all the Nebbiolo regions in the Langhe, which is found in the Cuneo province of Piedmont in Northwestern Italy.
It was at the end of the 1800s when Carlo Vietti started the Vietti Winery, right in the heart of the Langhe, on the highest point of the medieval village of Castiglione Falletto, in the very place where it is located today. The winery remained in the family until the Krause Family purchased it in 2016. Today, Vietti counts within its heritage some of the finest and most representative vineyards of the Barolo and Barbaresco areas and is universally considered to be among the best Italian wines.
The grapes for this wine come from the historical cru Brunate, located in La Morra, on the south side towards Barolo from old vines. The wine spent about 30 months in French oak barrels and Slovenian oak casks. Expect an intense ruby red wine with generous body, harmoniously balanced, velvety texture with a long rich finish. The wine shows ripe red fruit, lots of spices, violet, plums and intense tar, very typical for the Brunate vineyard.
2015 Vietti Barolo Castiglione
Grapes selected from small vineyards spread around the Barolo region are vinified and aged separately with slightly different processes to underline the singular characteristics of each parcel and terroir. The wine is aged for roughly 30 months in oak and barriques; all parcels are then carefully blended before bottling. Aromas of plum, red ripe black and sour cherries with a hint of rose petal emerge from the glass while on the palate the flavor is classic, rich and potent, with notes of alpine herbs and a leathery finish.
This wine is made from the single vineyard, Lazzarito in Serralunga d’Alba, from vines that average 36 years. This small vineyard enjoys a southwest exposure with clay and limestone soil with careful attention paid in the winemaking process. Different from the others, the wine is deep garnet red in color, richly rounded with intense aromatics hinting of figs and plums. Soft and sweet tannins are apparent followed by a long finish.
All grapes for this wine come from the single vineyard, Ravera, in Novello where the oldest vines were planted in 1935. This vineyard also has a southwest exposure with clay and limestone soil. The wine spent over a year on fine lees without racking. Also intensely deep garnet red in color, this wine exhibits a classical and traditional robust structure with impressive tannins. Expect distinct cherry notes with a touch of spice and menthol on the nose finishing with a firm impression of elegant fruit.
2021 Vietti Derthona Colli Tortonesi Timorasso
This white wine is made from an ancient grape variety that was on the verge of extinction. Dry in style wines made from the Timorasso grape tend to be full-bodied with good acidity. Having spent some time in stainless steel tanks and large oak casks Vietti’s Derthona shows nice complexity and refinement. On the nose notes of ripe pear and peaches along with honey come through nicely. The wine’s flavor profile proves gentle, soft and quite rich though very well balanced, without any edges.
November 9, 2023 - Woodinville & Washington Wines with Avennia and Liminal
/Join us for a captivating journey through the vibrant cellars of Woodinville, the hidden gem that has played an instrumental role in shaping Washington's wine legacy. Dive deep into the stories, challenges, and triumphs of the region with an exclusive interview featuring the co-owner and winemaker of esteemed estates, Avennia and Liminal. Together, we'll uncork the history of wine evolution in both Woodinville and the wider Washington area, delving into the transformational changes over the decades and pondering the tantalizing prospects of the future. Raise your glasses to the symphony of terroir and talent that is Washington and Woodinville wine!
We will be tasting the following wines:
The Story of This Wine. We believe Washington State can make Sauvignon Blanc that competes with any in the world. Oliane is barrel fermented in French oak using native yeast and aged on the lees for 7 months. It is bottled unfined to allow for greatest expression and complexity.
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes. “Pale straw in color with flecks of green. The nose is very complex and evocative, combining white stone fruit, grapefruit, a touch of summer peach, along with a little brioche, sun-dried hay, and a marine minerality. The palate is quite rich, yet cut through with an incisive minerality. Bright citrus and stone fruit lead, with a lot of complex hints of rubbed fennel, hibiscus, golden straw, and crushed flint. This quite concentrated, yet light on its feet wine, is singing right now, but should be very interesting to watch age for the next 7-10 years as well.”
- Chris Peterson, Winemaker
Past Vintage Scores
2020: 93, Owen Bargreen; 92, International Wine Report
2019: 92 & Editors’ Choice, Wine Enthusiast; 92, Vinous
2018: 92, Vinous
2017: 92, Jeb Dunnuck; 91 & Editors’ Choice, Wine Enthusiast
The Story of This Wine. Justine reflects our belief that Washington is capable of producing world-class blends of grape varieties traditional to the Southern Rhône region of France. The name is in-spired 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.
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes. “Showing a medium-dark garnet color, this wine starts with a beautiful nose of dark raspberry, pomegranate, and orange zest, and desert herbs. The palate is seamless and complex, with dark red fruits, violets, licorice pastille, and wet clay. This wine always shows well on release and can age for a decade plus in the cellar.” - Chris Peterson, Winemaker
94 points, International Wine Report
2020 Sestina Cabernet Sauvignon
The Story of This Wine. The Sestina is an ancient form of poetry from Medieval France. Just as a modern poet can fill this form with new expressions, we use the traditional Bordeaux blend to express Washington. Sestina is our vision for an old vine, complex blend where all of the components complement each other. This wine is designed for the cellar, so the emphasis is on structure, balance, and complexity.
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes. “The nose on this wine is classic Sestina, with black currant cordial, Damson plum, dark chocolate torte, licorice pastille, bay leaf, and hints of wet river stones. Deep and impactful on the palate, where the dark blue and black fruits are carried by notes of sweet herbs, dark chocolate, bee pollen, and graphite notes. While this is showing great now, Sestina is designed to age very well. Drink 2025-2045.” - Chris Peterson, Winemaker
94 points, Northwest Wine Report
The Story of This Wine. For our taste, no one grows finer Syrah in the state than Dick Boushey. We make this wine with minimal manipulation using native yeasts, bottling unfined and unfiltered, to allow the “place” to shine through. We named this wine after the Provençal troubadour, Arnaut Daniel, who invented the Sestina poem form, thus creating a connection between our two flagship efforts.
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes. “This wine is quite dark in color, with aromas of black raspberry, plum and blackberry reduction, dried sage, and crushed rock. The palate is deep and quite savory, showing black fruits, licorice root, grilled pork belly, and black peppercorns. Though there’s plenty of fruit here, the savory elements are what sets this Arnaut apart. Give it a couple of years in the cellar and enjoy over the next decade and a half.” - Chris Peterson, Winemaker
95 points & Critic’s Choice, Northwest Wine Report
Liminal 2020 GSM Vineyard Series
Winemaking. Aged 16 months in a combination of French oak and concrete egg; blend of 46% Grenache, 28% Mourvèdre, 26% Syrah.
Winemaker’s Notes. Brooding black-red fruits, dark Amaro core, blood orange, bouquet garni. Large scaled with dark red fruits, salmonberry, Provencal herbs, and crushed stone mingling on a richly complete palate. Drink: 2024-2032.
91-93 points, Jeb Dunnuck
September 14, 2023 - Northern Rhône Wine Region: The Land of French Syrah
/An Evening Exploring the Northern Rhône Wine Region:
The Land of French Syrah
According to Wine Folly, the Northern Rhône may not be the epicenter of where the first Syrah vine appeared (which is about 35 miles southeast of this region), however it is the benchmark by which all other Syrah wines are measured. Syrahs from this area exhibit styles very unlike other regions across the world. The area is renowned for its steep terraces, unique trellises, diverse soil types from north to south and very famous appellations such as Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage, two areas on our tasting list. Alex Morrison, Certified Sommelier and veteran wine expert, will lead us on our Syrah journey.
Maison les Alexandrins Condrieu 2016
Maison les Alexandrins is the story of three friends combining the savoir-faire they learned from their parents and grandparents and the fruits from beautiful and historic terroirs. Nicolas Jaboulet, the 6th generation of a wine growing family in Tain l’Hermitage, Guillaume Sorrel, son of Marc Sorrel of Domaine Sorrel in Hermitage, and Alexandre Caso, a specialist in the terroirs of the Northern Rhône, joined forces in 2012. Today, Maison and Domaine Les Alexandrins produces Northern Rhône wines that are true and classic expressions of the Northern Rhône.
As the source of some of the most vibrant and powerful white wines in France, Condrieu is uniquely situated in one of the northern outposts of the Rhône River. It is the original Viognier appellation with a winegrowing history dating back well over two thousand years.
This unique wine exhibits aromas of exotic fruit, pineapple, acacia flowers, lychee and peach including very elegant and discreet aging notes of sweet spice. A honeyed smell may mislead you to think the wine will be sweet but the modern style totally appears dry on the palate. The finish is saline with beautiful bitterness and a flash of minerality buried on the finish.
Belle Hermitage dates back to 1933 when Louis Belle, a great winegrower, acquired some superb parcels of land in communes of Larnage and Tain l’Hermitage. When Louis transferred the land to his son Albert in the 1970s, the holding consisted of four hectares spread over two communes, Larnage and Tain. Together Albert (son) and Philippe (grandson) have built a modern winery giving them the means to produce great wines which respect the terroir of the individual appellations.
A rich, complex aroma of black fruit develops from the outset showing notes of blackberry liqueur, cassis and elderflower. Olive tapenade, smoked earth, black currant and hints of beef blood flow nicely to create a medium- to full-bodied wine. It is a balanced, yet concentrated and structured Hermitage, with an aromatic length. This Hermitage is a beautiful crimson with glints of dark purple—a wine so full of color it is nearly black.
E. Guigal Château d’Ampuis Côte-Rôtie 2014
The Guigal domain was founded in 1946 by Ḗtienne Guigal in Ampuis, a small, ancient village at the heart of the Côte-Rôtie appellation. It is overlooked by unique vineyards where vines and wine have been celebrated for over 2,400 years. Today it is run by third generation winemakers, Philippe and Eve Guigal, who now make some of the best wines of the Rhône valley. In 1995 they acquired the famous Château d’Ampuis, a historical and oenological marvel situated on the banks of the Rhône, that history has linked directly to the Côte-Rôtie appellation.
Matured in new oak that sees the same élevage as the single vineyard cuvées, the 2014 Côte Rôtie Château D'Ampuis boasts terrific ripeness and depth, with a Burgundian style in its perfumed red and black fruits, spice box, and dried flower aromas and flavors. With medium body, fine tannins, and terrific balance, muscular complexity and length, Château d’Ampuis defines what a great Côte-Rôtie should be.
2015 Jean-Baptiste Souillard St. Joseph Bergeron
Jean-Baptiste Souillard is a deeply serious young winemaker with an impressive background, having worked at Château Latour, Comte Armand and Jean-Luc Colombo, not to mention several stints abroad. He worked in Burgundy as well, and loving the region and their single varietal wines, he felt frustrated to see so many great terroirs from the Northern Rhône being blended. He then decided to make his own wines by sourcing grapes from single plots only. His first vintage was 2014 with all his wines bearing the plots’ names, like in Burgundy. The vineyards are mostly located at the top of the hill (with granite soils), which are the rarest in the Northern Rhône appellations.
The 2014 vintage expresses notes of peonies and talcum powder, black and red fruits with old wood, savory aromatics and an effortlessly long finish. For this particular Syrah, one can imagine drinking a whole-cluster-Burgundy faded by rose petals with magnificent, hyper-tense, savory notes, yet this is a wine that heralds from the Northern Rhône.
2018 Jean-Luc Columbo Cornas ‘Les Ruchets’
Innovation, passion and dedication are what drive Jean-Luc and Anne Colombo, whose contributions to Rhône Valley winemaking have remained unparalleled since 1984. The Colombos’ innovative approach in the northern appellation of Cornas has been nothing short of revolutionary. Their expressive, character-driven wines have helped breathe new life into this highly prestigious and acclaimed appellation. Jean-Luc, Anne and their daughter Laure, now head winemaker, continue to ensure the production of fine wines of typicity from major appellations of the Rhône Valley, as well as the Languedoc and Provence, while maintaining sustainable farming practices.
The 2018 Cornas ‘Les Ruchets’ leads off with hints of mint, fennel, crushed stone and blackberries. It's full-bodied and rich, expansive and generous without crossing over into being jammy, with savory notes of black olives and roast meat to balance out the ripe fruit and a lingering, softly tannic finish.
June 8, 2023 - Barolo vs. Super Tuscan
/June marks the last of our WAC Wine Club events for the 2022-2023 year, and what better way to end the season than with a Barolo versus Super Tuscan tasting. The five wineries highlighted are some of the best in all of Italy! You’ll have a chance to experience wines made of 100% Nebbiolo alongside Super Tuscan wines that feature some exquisite combinations of Sangiovese and Bordeaux varieties. The Tuscan coast witnessed the birth of the first Super-Tuscan starting a trend that began in the 1970s that lives on today. Your WAC Wine Club cellar team has made sure to buy only the best for consumption along the way—and the time is now!
We are thrilled to be joined by Nick Davis, founder and Creative Director of Medium Plus
2007 Giovanni Rosso Cerretta Barolo DOCG
Produced by a small, family-owned winery in the heart of a Barolo commune of Serralunga d’Alba, this wine made from Nebbiolo grapes exhibits rose, red berry and dark spice aromas on the nose followed by a palate that delivers juicy red cherry, raspberry compote, dried mint and licorice. The 2007 Cerretta Barolo represents Serralunga’s hallmark of firm structure, finesse along with a full-bodied mouth feel. Says winemaker Davide Giovanni, “Wine should be a perfect copy of its terroir” and in this case, his wines do come from the finest soils in the world.
2008 Gaja DaGromis Barolo DOCG
Perched atop a steep hill in the Langhe of the Piedmont valley sits the small village of Barbaresco, home of Gaja winery. A philosophy that began over 150 years ago, Gaja’s purpose has been to produce original wines with a sense of place which reflect the tradition and culture of those who made it. The 2008 ruby red Gaja does exactly that—it shows notes of rose flower, black currant, blackberry, cherry, black licorice, tobacco and clove. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and well-balanced. Says Jancis Robisnon, “This Gaja example shows all the aristocratic posture of a great Nebbiolo”.
2009 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia
The famous Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta was the first to plant Cabernet Sauvignon vines for his own consumption in the 1940s on his San Guido estate, and it was he who decided to call this wine Sassicaia. Today Sassicaia has its own DOC designation within the Bolgheri DOC appellation. Says one wine critic, “This wine is insanely complex yet subtle with so much going on, with a beautiful balance and tension. Elegance with force. Hard not to drink”. The nose is full of caramel notes, dense red fruit, black currant, cherry, herbs and spice flavors. The palate exhibits ripe blackberry, cherry and sweet currants with flavors of cedar, vanilla spice, leather, bits of tar and cacao, a powerhouse. A truly superior wine!
2011 Antinori Tignanello Sangiovese
The Antinori family has been committed to the art of winemaking for over six centuries since 1385, when Giovanni di Piero Antinori became a member of the “Arte Fiorentina dei Vinattieri,” the Florentine Winemakers’ Guild. Says another wine critic, “This is probably one of the best Tignanello's ever made”! The 2011 Tignanello demonstrates a very ripe and fruit-forward personality with bursting cherry and blackberry folded within sweet spice, moist tobacco and honey-almond paste. Ruby, rose, clear color; fresh grapes, red fruit, marble and stone on the nose; paprika, some cinnamon and fresh cherry on the palate.
The word "Magari" has several meanings: "if only," "would that it were true," "perhaps”. The Gaja Winery was founded by Giovanni Gaja in 1859 in the small village of Barbaresco in the Piedmont area (the home of the 2008 Gaja DaGromis described above). It has been owned and operated by five generations of the Gaja family. In 1996 Gaja acquired its Ca'Marcanda property, located in Castagneto Carducci in Bolgheri, Tuscany. Of the property's 200 acres, 150 have been planted with new vineyards: primarily Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, as well as Cabernet Franc and Syrah. Lush cherry and blackberry emerge on the nose from this blend of mostly Merlot with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. This luscious wine starts with aromas of espresso, coffee, black plum and cooking spices followed by a palate that delivers black currants and black cherry layered with espresso, dark chocolate and toasted oak.
May 11, 2023 - Cabernet Franc
/Cabernet Franc is one of the world’s 20 most planted grape varieties. Cabernet Franc is lighter than Cabernet Sauvignon, making a bright pale red wine that contributes finesse and lends a peppery perfume to blends with more robust grapes. Records of Cabernet Franc in France go back to the 17th century. DNA analysis indicates that Cabernet Franc is one of two parents of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Carmenere. In general, Cabernet Franc is very similar to Cabernet Sauvignon, but buds and ripens at least a week earlier. This trait allows the vine to thrive in slightly cooler climates than Cabernet Sauvignon. Please join us to discover how different parts of the world produce different expressions of Cabernet Franc.
2015 Domaine Amirault Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil Le Vau Renou
Located in Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil in the Loire Valley, Domaine Amirault's Clos des Quarterons is a 92-acre vineyard. The Domaine has been in the Amirault family for six generations and is currently managed by Xavier Amirault and his wife, Agnès. The estate is 100% certified organic by Ecocert and certified biodynamic by Demeter. The biodynamic methods focus on both the environment and the terroir: soil, place, climate, varietal, and the methods of farming. The goal is to achieve a natural balance across the 53 plots of mostly Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc planted at the estate. This thoughtful method of farming is the Domaine’s secret to offering unique and living wines, vintage after vintage. Produced from biodynamically grown grapes in a walled vineyard, this wine is superbly focused. Its blackberry fruit, layers of tannins and acidity and concentration are all impressive. Rich while still keeping crispness, the wine is likely to age well over the medium-term. Drink from 2020
2019 Ehlers Estate Cabernet Franc
Deep ruby in color with signature aromas of dry spice rack, dry herbs, violets, and unripe berries. Mineral in aroma and flavor, with graphite and dark cocoa powder. Oak and red fruit entangle with the herbs. Concentrated flavors with a full-body and well-balanced tannin structure. The 2019 is very complex but elegant with a velvety, long finish. Ready to drink now, though the extra oak aromas and flavors will benefit from some cellaring making the wine more luscious.
2019 Barrister Cabernet Franc Columbia Valley
Begun by two lawyers passionate about wines, Barrister Winery’s reputation for quality has won them numerous awards including ‘Best of Show’ at the prestigious Los Angeles wines of the world competition as well as consistent 90+ point scores. The 2019 Cabernet Franc is fruit-forward brimming with hints of dark cherries, warm spice and subtle notes of toasted oak. Barrel-aged in American, French and Hungarian oak, this fine example of Cabernet Franc has been described as “berries wrapped in a blanket of toasted oak,” expressing a velvety texture with fine, soft tannins. The flavors of black cherry, blueberry and hints of cocoa are smooth on the palate with an enticing, lingering finish. This wine is designed to enjoy now and for years to come.
2019 Russiz Superiore Cabernet Franc Collio DOC
Russiz Superiore can trace its roots back to 1273, the name stemming from the estate of Russiz Superiore (due to its high location) above the hamlet of Russiz. The working estate hails from the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region in Northeast Italy, the heart of the Collio wine country on the border of Slovenia. This wine is made from 100% Cabernet Franc, the second most planted red grape variety of Friuli-Venezia Giulia (after Merlot). Its proximity to the Alps and the sea, which send cooling afternoon breezes over the vineyards after a warm sunny day, create the ideal situation for producing complex, well-structured wines that are very age-worthy. The wine is deep ruby-red in color; the nose complex and fruity with vegetal hints; and on the palate some black cherry, blackberry and blackcurrant with some green pepper, rich in flavor with a good balance between freshness and silkiness.
2019 Matthews Reserve Cabernet Franc
The 2019 Matthews Reserve Cabernet Franc was crafted from several small vineyard parcels across four AVAs in Washington State: Columbia Valley, Red Mountain, Royal Slope and Walla Walla Valley. Farmed using sustainable practices, the vines were primarily limited to one cluster per shoot or three clusters per spur to create maximum concentration in each cluster. They were hand-harvested in the early fall mornings of October 2019.
Upon arriving in the winery, each cluster was hand-sorted, berry-sorted, and fermented in either stainless steel (91%) or concrete (9%). The fruit was moved to 100% custom French oak barrels for 25 months of cellaring. The resulting 19 barrels were bottled in December 2021, producing only 467 cases.
March 9, 2023 - Brook & Bull Cellars
/The Non-Cellar Committee held an exciting event in honor of terrific wine and Women's History Month.
We proudly feature Ashley Trout, Owner and Winemaker at Brook & Bull Cellars. Ashley began her wine making career at the young age of 18, travelling the world to learn how to make the best wine and improve communities. She's worked in Mendoza, Argentina and has been involved in wineries in Walla Walla since 1999. Brook & Bull is her third winery
Ashley also owns a second label, Vital Winery, a non-profit, with proceeds supporting vineyard and winery workers in Walla Walla and providing access to affordable healthcare.
Wines:
2022 Rosé
40% Syrah, 35% Mourvèdre, 23% Counoise, 2% Cinsault
Peach, guava and mango pop out of the glass. This rosé turned out more tropical than other vintages and we’re loving it. Chopped pineapple and hints of mandarin and pear juice, head into the slightest hints of rose petals. A crisp, refreshing, totally dry rosé.
2020 The Silent Ode
55% Cabernet Franc, 18% Petit Verdot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Malbec
Cherries, Shishito peppers and cocoa nibs launch this blend, trailed by currants, cardamom, leather and blackberries. Sturdy tannins give the mouthfeel and finish a rich and long-lasting presence as well as great structure. Showcasing the underbelly of the classic Bordeaux varieties with Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot at the forefront.
2020 The Deviant
68% Cabernet Franc, 32% Petit Verdot
Violets and rocks. Branches and leather, oranges, cardamom, tar and rust. Lavender, sumac with a beautiful grip of tannins. Pipe tobacco, ocean brine and desert-this wine spans the globe of smells.
2019 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Cranberries and caramel punch this cabernet sauvignon to a fun start. Flint, cotton candy, vetiver, fig, red apple skin and plum take it to a long, structured finish. This is a fantastic food pairing wine.
2020 Reserve Malbec
100% Malbec
Walla Walla AVA
Cigar and plums, brambleberry pie, all kinds of blackberry, raspberry, huckleberry, the works. 1985 cherry coke with caper berries, leather and lemon. This wine is one of the most tactile B&B has ever made with tannins, mid-palate chewiness, acid, it's all there.
January 12, 2023 - Chateau de Beaucastel
/Tasting of Chateau de Beaucastel from 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2019. The wine club has been collecting these vintages for years and this is almost a straight vertical.
Wines
Reviews & Tasting Notes:
2019 Château de Beaucastel CDP Blanc
“The 2019 reveals a lighter gold hue as well as a beautiful and classic bouquet of honeyed citrus, quince, white flowers, bee’s wax, and a touch of flinty minerality. Playing in the medium to full-bodied end of the spectrum, it has flawless balance, nicely integrated acidity, and a great, minerally finish. You can enjoy bottles today with a decant or cellar for two to three decades, if you’re so inclined." — 95 points Jeb Dunnuck
“A mealy nose, initially a little shy with a subtle whiff of almonds and red apple. Rounded and rich, and also has a note of bruised apple and marzipan. Creamy mouthfeel, and closed down for action just now. But all is really nicely put together, balanced and correct.” — Jancis Robinson Note : 17+ - 2020-11-27
“Gentle, plump and fairly opulent this year, the oak is well handled, sits in the background and adds body, weight and complexity of aroma and texture. A balanced, very classic expression of Beaucastel blanc. The acidity is fairly low this year, but the wine has a savoury and noble bitterness that supplies the structure. A good vintage, but one to drink young. 80% Roussanne; all other Châteauneuf white grapes make up remainder. 30% of the blend goes into oak on a four-year rotation.” — 94 points Decanter
“Gorgeous, showing a lovely display of seamlessly layered apricot, peach, Cavaillon melon and mirabelle plum flavors, with meringue, brioche, salted butter and macadamia nut notes. Delivers a lengthy finish, where everything flows so beautifully that it just brings you right back wanting more. Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Bourboulenc.” — Wine Spectator Note : 96/100 - 2022-01-01
From FamillePerrin.com: “The production of white wine at Beaucastel is limited as we only have 7 hectares of white vines planted. The main variety is Roussanne, representing 80% of the blend.”
Roussanne : 80%
Grenache blanc : 15%
Picardan, Clairette, Bourboulenc : 5%
2008 Chateau de Beaucastel CDP
"The 2008 Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape is one of the few outstanding wines produced in this vintage. More evolved than Beaucastel’s wines tend to be, it reveals a healthy dark plum/ruby color, notes of licorice, meat juices, smoked game, black currants and garrigue, medium to full body, silky tannins, good freshness, surprising depth for the vintage and a long finish. Drink it over the next decade.” — Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate Note : 90/100 - 2010-10-30
“Ripe and very sleek, with a dense core of cassis, blackberry, anise framed by violet and spice. The long finish drips with juicy fruit and subtle toast, with a flash of iron boding well for cellaring. Shows great freshness and balance for the vintage.” — Wine Spectator Insider Note : 93/100 - 2011-11-11
“Marc calls this ‘quite a Northern style’. Already quite open, the nose is immensely inviting with notes of liquorice, roasted game, blackcurrants, violets and garrigue. Beautifully focussed yet opulent texture, quite full on the palate with silky tannins, good freshness, and a long finish.” — Averys Blog, Aaron Rice - 2011-11-10
“A superb showing by the 2008 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape and a very complete wine that will surprise people who think ‟08 was a poor vintage. Showing solid complexity and an open personality, with aromas of meat, lavender, garrigue, and licorice, medium body, solid concentration, and plenty of length, this will be a relatively early drinking wine by Beaucastel standards. Never the less, it should continue to positively evolve for 3-5 years and have 15 years of longevity.” — The Rhone Report, Jeb Dunnuck Note : 92/100 - 2011-09-09
“Medium to dark ruby in color, this wine smells of mulberry and wet stones, with a hint of dried fennel seeds and crushed herbs in the background. In the mouth, tight tannins wrap around an equally compact core of raspberry and cherry that sits on top of a deep earthy and mineral core. Good length and breadth. A cold and rainy vintage with yields down roughly 50% from normal.” — Vinography Note: Between 9 and 9.5
Mourvèdre : 30%
Grenache : 30%
Vaccarèse, Terret Noir, Muscardin, Clairette, Picpoul, Picardan, Bourboulenc, Roussanne : 15%
Syrah : 10%
Counoise : 10%
Cinsault : 5%
2009 Château de Beaucastel CDP
"This is not the bottled final blend but it's very close to it. 13 varieties including 30% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache and 10% Syrah, 10% Counoise, 5% Cinsault. Held back but there is so much waiting to escape. You can feel all those components coming together (I had just tasted the varieties Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Counoise and Cinsault as separate - non-commerical - bottlings). The brightness of the Grenache, that dry, firm framework and length from the Mourvèdre and the completeness of the blend. Dry, fresh, long and impressive in its embryonic state. Power and finesse. Great length." — Jancis Robinson - 2010, 18/20
"The 2009 Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape is reminiscent of their brilliant 1985. It will be one of the rare Beaucastels that is drinkable upon release. Made from this estate’s classic blend, it possesses soft tannins as well as a silky, open-knit seductiveness, a dense plum/purple color and a beautiful perfume of smoky Provencal herbs intermixed with grilled steak juices, garrigue, kirsch and blue as well as black fruits. The wine is full-bodied, unctuously textured, and silky smooth (the latter characteristic being somewhat atypical for a young Beaucastel). If it performs like the 1985, it will drink well young and continue to do so for 25 or more years.” — Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate - 2011, 94/100
"The 2009 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape had just been bottled at the time of the tasting but you wouldn‟t know it by tasting it. A blend of 30% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Counoise, and 20% assorted varieties, the wine delivers a superb aromatic display of kirsch and black cherry-like fruits to go with a solid dose of underlying meat, truffle, earth, and leather. Full-bodied and gorgeously concentrated through the middle, with fleshy, ripe fruit, good acidity, and an abundance of structure, this will ideally be left alone for 7-8 years and then consumed over the following two decades.” — The Rhone Report, Jeb Dunnuck - 2011, 96/100
"My splurge/collector’s choice from the release. This is world class wine, one that you can easily set aside for at least a decade. Given what “world-class” typically means in buying wine, the price is more than reasonable. Beaucastel is noted for an unusually high proportion of Mourvedre in its Grenache/Syrah blend, which gives it longevity. Right now the wine shows an underlying earthiness, with opulent black fruit and a touch of black olives, mixed Asian spices, and a whiff of pencil lead in the background.” — Guelph Mercury, Dan Kislenko - 2012
2011 Château de Beaucastel CDP
"Inky ruby. Powerful, expressive aromas of red- and blackcurrant, cherry and licorice, with suave anise and floral overtones. Juicy and precise, with tangy red and dark berry flavors, supple texture and a strong mineral note on the back. Spicy on the finish, which shows very good focus and length. This is impressively elegant and should be drinkable on the young side. " — International Wine Cellar, Josh Raynolds Note : 91-93/100
"Reminiscent of a lighter weight 2009, the 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape offers up a sweet bouquet of spiced black cherries, plum, truffle, saddle leather and underbrush. Coming from tiny yields (which were down 50% from 2010), this medium to full-bodied 2011 is gorgeously textured and has solid mid-palate depth, terrific purity of fruit and ripe tannin. Relatively approachable and enjoyable even now, it should nevertheless evolve gracefully for 15-20 years."— Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Jeb Dunnuck Note : 94/100 - 2013-11-01
"Very sleek and refined despite the obvious heft, featuring steeped red and black currant fruit studded with bergamot, blood orange, sweet tobacco and alder notes. The long, racy finish has a lovely echo of singed mesquite. Best from 2015 through 2027." — Wine Spectator, James Molesworth Note : 94/100 - 2014-05-21
2012 Château de Beaucastel CDP
“This is also a great vintage for the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape. Beautifully rich and layered, with fantastic concentration and ultra-fine tannin, it delivers impressive aromas and flavors of dark fruits, licorice, mineral, and plum. Dense and rich, yet with perfect ripeness and bright acidity, it should end up being a classic example of Beaucastel and have two decades of longevity." — Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Jeb Dunnuck Note : 94-96/100 - 2013-11-01
“Deep, dark and brooding, this 2012 Beaucastel combines fresh hedgerow fruit with liquorice, clove, Middle Eastern spice and gentle cherry liqueur richness. Extremely impressive concentration on the palate, this is fleshy but serious; where the layers of flavour continue to add intrigue and complexity right through the finish.” — Lay and Wheeler - 2013-10-15
“Beautiful fruits, both black and red berry. Garrigue, spice. A super succulent and unctuous wine possessing silky, sensual tannins. Wonderfully textured and incredibly approachable.” — Fields Morris Verdin - 2013-10-10
“What I think might end up being the best Beaucastel since the 1990 or 2001, the 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape offers a full-bodied, decadent style to go with awesome black and blue fruits, garrigue, licorice, crushed flowers and violets. The purity here is truly something, and it has fabulous mid-palate concentration, building tannin and massive texture. Given all of the fruit and texture here, it will no doubt drink well in its youth, but it should still be alive and kicking after two decades as well." — Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Jeb Dunnuck Note : 96/100 - 2014-10-30
“Warm raspberry and boysenberry confiture aromas and flavors are dominant in this lush, inviting style, but there's plenty of dried star anise, bay leaf, licorice root, worn leather and roasted juniper notes to fill out the chorus. The finish turns youthfully grippy, with a tarry edge holding sway and adding serious length. Try now, but cellar for maximum effect. Best from 2018 through 2030. — Wine Spectator, James Molesworth Note : 95/100 - 2015-10-28
From FamillePerrin.com:
“The Story: Château de Beaucastel has long been regarded as one of the greatest wines in France. It is notorious for its elegance, balance and ageing potential. Beaucastel has an exceptional terroir at the Northern limit of Châteauneuf du Pape, exposed to the Mistral wind. All thirteen varieties of the appellation have been organically grown since the sixties.
Terrior: Château de Beaucastel is 110 hectares, with one single plot at the north of the appellation. The terroir is archetypal of the best terroirs in Châteauneuf: rolled pebbles on the surface, sand, clay and limestone deeper down. The vines are old and have been organically grown for 50 years, which has allowed the roots to grow exceptionally deep.
Ageing: Each variety is harvested separately and manually. Vinification takes place in oak fermenters for the reductive varieties (Mourvèdre, Syrah) and in traditional enameled concrete tanks for the Oxidative grapes (all the others). Once the malolactic fermentation is finished, the Famille Perrin blends the different varieties. The blend is then aged in oak Foudres for a year before being bottled.”
Suggested Food Pairing
Vegetarian info: Pairing Bold Red Wines with Vegetarian or Vegan Food
Steaks or Chops with Wine Pan Sauce
The original Craig Claiborne recipe was printed in the New York Times in 1967 and called “Veal Chops Beau Séjour”. It has since been published on the NYT Cooking website under the same title. Here’s the link to what must have been a haute cuisine recipe at the time. It’s very adaptable various meat and wine choices.
Vicki O’Briant’s “I’m almost too tired to cook” version:
Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients:
4 steaks or chops (pork, veal or lamb) chops, about 1 ½ inches thick
Flour for dredging
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 peeled garlic cloves
1 large (or 2 small) bay leaves
½ teaspoon dried thyme
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons of the red wine you are serving for dinner
1/2 cup chicken stock
Process:
Pour yourself a glass of wine or mix a martini or cocktail of your choice. Take a sip.
Place dinner plates in warm oven
Heat the oil and 2T butter in a skillet to sizzling. Don’t cover the pan but have a lid handy for later.
Dredge the meat in flour and brown well in skillet.
Put garlic, bay leaves, thyme and salt & pepper in pan.
Reduce heat to low and cover pan. Cook until meat is your desired level of doneness.
Remove meat to warmed plates.
Add wine to skillet and cook over med-high heat until almost evaporated.
Add chicken stock and continue to reduce until saucy.
Turn off the burner and stir in the last tablespoon of butter.
Pour the sauce over the meat and discard the bay leaf.
Serve with mashed potatoes, a salad or green veg.
Cocktail should be finished by now.
Don’t leave the dinner table until the wine bottle is empty.
November 3, 2022 - Burgundy
/All wines featured at the WAC Wine Club’s November Tasting hail from Burgundy, one of France's main wine-producing areas. It is well known for both its red and white wines, mostly made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, which holds true for the wines we’ll be tasting.
The Burgundy wine region covers a broad area of central eastern France. It encompasses Chablis in the north; the Burgundian heartland regions of the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune, (the two regions are considered the Côte d’Or); the Côte Chalonnaise further south and the Mâconnais, near the town of Mâcon in the very south, almost level with Switzerland and not far from the Jura and neighboring Beaujolais. The reputation and quality of top Burgundian wines, together with the fact that they are often produced in small quantities, has led to high demand and a prestigious reputation.
2017 Agnes et Didier Dauvissat Beauroy
Chablis Premier Cru
Beauroy is a Premier Cru-classified climat of Chablis. Beauroy vines stretch along the northern banks of the small Ru de Beine tributary, where the terroir and aspect of the land is well suited to Chardonnay. Its soil is rich in clay and limestone covered with beds of fossilized oysters found throughout the region. Most Beauroy Premier Cru wines have a classic Chablis character with good fruit and intense minerality. The vineyard is currently in the hands of winemaker Florent Dauvissat (his father is a distant cousin to the legendary Vincent Dauvissat),
Tasting notes: The wine sees a tiny amount of oak, giving it a wonderful baked apple, quince paste and citrus personality, that complements the minerality and chamomile notes. On the palate can be found hints of mineral, citrus, pear and green apple. This Chablis displays high acidity, the lightest of salinity and sea spray too.
2012 Joseph Drouhin Gevrey-Chambertin
Gevrey is the village where the Grand Cru vineyard Chambertin is located. Vines have been cultivated here since 630AD, when a certain Bertin decided to emulate the monks, his neighbors. The wine he made turned out to be spectacular and the rest is history! Joseph Drouhin insists on total control of the weathering for a period of three years, one of the contributing elements to the elegance of the wine. Absolute priority is given to the true expression of terroir and character of the vintage.
Tasting notes: This bold, well-structured wine is packed with both rich fruit and tannins. Dense black fruits are layered with a dry, firm structure exhibiting a woody character that is subtle and marries delicately with the other aromas. As the wine evolves, there are more complex notes, such as mild spice, nutmeg and leather. Later still, mushroom and damp earth nuances make their appearance with cherry, strawberry and chalk notes.
2012 Morey-Saint-Denis Arlaud
The style of a classic Morey-Saint-Denis wine is a mid-point between the firm, substantial style of Gevrey-Chambertin and the bold, but slightly more open, perfumed style of Chambolle-Musigny. Domaine Arlaud Pere et Fils was created in 1942 when Joseph Arlaud, a man from the Ardèche (northern Rhone Valley), and Renée Amiot, a woman from a family with deep roots in Burgundy, were married. The bride’s dowry included parcels in some of Burgundy's top grand cru vineyards, which Joseph then added to, parcel by parcel, through the years. The winery has been in the hands of the family ever since. The Arlauds began to cultivate their vineyards organically in 2004. In 2009, they established biodynamic viticultural practices across all their holdings. As of the 2014 vintage, the estate holds both organic and biodynamic certification, the very first estate to do so in Morey-Saint-Denis.
Tasting notes: An interesting and very pretty nose combines notes of lavender, sour cherry, raspberry and just enough earth to notice. In particular, Pinot Noir from Morey-St-Denis is known for its deep red cherry, blackcurrant and blueberry fruit. Aromas of spice, licorice and purple flowers are present in the wines’ youth, evolving to forest and game as the wine ages.
2014 Gérard Mugneret Vosne-Romanée
Gérard Mugneret is a Burgundy producer based in Vosne-Romanée. It practices organic and biodynamic farming and produces Pinot Noir from regional, village, premier cru and grand cru vineyards. The wines age up to 18 months in the barrel and are racked just once, then bottled unfined and unfiltered. The Gérard Mugneret Domaine was founded in the late 1960s by Gérard Mugneret's father, René; Gérard became the estate's vigneron in 1973. In 2005, Gérard's son Pascal joined the family business and now manages the estate.
Tasting notes: On the nose can be found ripe and juicy cherry fruit tinged with spice. There are whiffs of cola from the barrel and a hint of meaty reduction. Tart red and black berry, sweet spice, a touch of cedar, appear on the palate.
2014 Sylvain Pataille Marsannay
Sylvain Pataille is a well-regarded wine producer based in Marsannay-la-Côte, just outside the town of Dijon, at the northern end of Burgundy's Côte de Nuits subregion. Estate winemaker (and consultant enologist for a number of Burgundy domaines), Sylvain Pataille, established his own operation in 1999 with just a single hectare (2.5 acres) of vines, while still working at a winemaking laboratory in Beaune. He went full-time in 2001, and today has around 15 hectares (37 acres) of vineyards all situated within or just outside the Marsannay boundary. All of Pataille's vineyards are certified organic.
Tasting notes: The nose includes notes of dark berry fruits and violets along with earth and a saline tinge. It is rich and perfumed, with attractive hints of yellow fruits as well as the new wood. On the palate, a lovely texture is reminiscent of a very fine cotton, soft and enveloping. The dark berry fruit is concentrated, well defined and ripe but with a mineral undertone and nice acid lift.
September 8, 2022 - Left Bank Bordeaux (Médoc)
/September’s WWC Cellar Tasting features wines from the Left Bank of Bordeaux, all from wineries located in the Médoc Appellation within the Haut-Médoc Region. Four of the wines come from three of the four famous communes of the Haut-Médoc: St. Estèphe, Pauillac and St. Julien.
Wines
2011 Château Branaire-Ducru – St. Julien
2011 Château La Tour Carnet – Haut-Médoc
2011 Château de Pez – St. Estèphe
2011 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron – Pauillac
2011 Chateau Léovillle Poyferré – St. Julien
Information, Reviews & Tasting Notes
2011 Château Branaire-Ducru – St. Julien
Fourth Growth Grand Cru Classé
Blend: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot
Just before the war, the vineyard became run down and many Bordeaux critics felt it no longer deserved its rank as a Second Growth. During the Medoc Classification of 1855, the Chateau was rated as a Fourth Growth. In 1942 the Borie family purchased the vineyard which they completely revamped. It then began receiving top ratings amongst the Second Growths. Successive generations of the Borie family oversee all winemaking operations. The name given by the former owner Monsieur Ducru, means "beautiful pebbles". One of the main features of the vineyard is its richness in pebbles which contribute to the greatness of so many wines of the Médoc.
Tasting notes: Layers of plum sauce, blackberry compote and warm ganache, all lined with a charcoal note that adds texture; length appears on the palate, which exhibits a medium- to full-bodied mouthfeel with velvety tannins on the finish.
2011 Château La Tour Carnet – Haut-Médoc
Fourth Growth Grand Cru Classé
Blend: 57% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot
The historic château dates back to the Middle Ages and is said to have been inhabited by the English as early as the 12th century. The land eventually fell to French rule, to which the then incumbent refused to submit. He was defeated by a compatriot of Jeanne d'Arc, and the impressive castle was partly destroyed. Following these events, the ruined property passed through the hands of a succession of owners including the current proprietor, Bernard Magrez, considered a Bordeaux visionary, who owns a number of other celebrated Bordeaux estates.
Tasting notes: aromas of black currant, tree fruits emphasizing nuances of spice, licorice, camphor and vanilla. On the palate, an attractive sweetness and good acidity, tones of dark berries, blueberries, black raspberries, graphite, spring flowers, licorice with a long, rich and luxuriant.
2011 Château de Pez – St. Estèphe
Bourgeois Supérior from 1855 to 2003, then designated Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel
Blend: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc
Founded in the 15th century, Château de Pez is another one of the oldest properties in Bordeaux and has belonged to various iconic families including the Pontac family, founders of Château Haut Brion. Since 1995, Pez has been the property of Champagne Louis Roederer. A major renovation program carried out both in the vineyard and in the winery has made it possible to introduce new techniques worthy of a Bordeaux Classified Growth.
Tasting notes: This is a serious wine structured with firm tannins. Texture is solid and somewhat austere, but very concentrated. Terrific texture and opulence, forward fruit, sweet tannin; copious quantities of sweet berries, roast coffee, underbrush, black currant, and black cherry fruit.
2011 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron – Pauillac
Second Growth Grand Cru Classé
Blend: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc
Chateau Pichon Baron and Chateau Pichon Lalande started out life together. At their inception, they were originally part of the same Pauillac vineyard. The chateau and vineyards of Pichon Baron acquired its name like many properties of the day, through marriage. This happened when Therèse, daughter of the founder, received the estate as a dowry when she married Jacques de Pichon Longueville, the first President of the Bordeaux Parliament. This began the creation of what we now know of as Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron and is considered by some to have become first of the ‘Super-seconds’.
Tasting notes: Beautiful, elegant wine, great nose. Ripe cherry fruit, very dense core of plum, blackberry and cassis along with some slight vegetable or mushroom kind of characteristics on the palate; wonderful creamy texture which shows on a prolonged, powerful and fresh finish.
2011 Chateau Léovillle Poyferré – St. Julien
Second Growth Grand Cru Classé
Blend: 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 6% Cabernet Franc
Due to a division of the large Léoville estate, Chateau Léoville Poyferré was created in 1840 and was included as a Second Growth in the famous 1855 Classification. In 1920, the Cuvelier family purchased the estate and Didier Cuvelier has been in charge since 1979. Major investments were made to bring out the best in the vineyards, and the cellars were also renovated. In 1994, noted consulting oenologist Michel Rolland began to offer his precious winemaking advice. The final blend is made after many careful tastings.
Tasting notes: Deep, dark ruby-red, not quite opaque. Aromas are of cedary cassis with tobacco leaf notes; the palate shows lovely cassis fruit with plenty of cedar and earthy notes. The wine is mid-weight and the tannic structure is lovely and velvety. There is an exquisite finish supported by a sublime tannic structure--fine, elegant and balanced.
Suggested Food Pairings
Entrecôte à la Bordelaise
We present two options, the first is quite easy and the second includes the more complex recipe including bone marrow.
Classic French Bordelaise Sauce (from The Spruce Eats)
Classic Entrecôte à la Bordelaise (from Ricardo Cuisine)
Braised Lamb Shoulder with Fennel and Orange (from Bon Appetit)
Filet Mignon & Mushrooms Braised in a Whiskey Pan Sauce with Potato-Leek Squares (from Omaha Steaks)
June 9, 2022 - Amarone della Valpolicella
/This tasting features three Amarone della Valpolicella wines -- rich, dry Italian reds from the Veneto region, and one superior red wine made in the traditional method from the same region.
Amarone is characterized by ripe, bold flavors and is produced primarily from the Corvina grape. Directly after harvest, the grapes are air dried through a process called “appassimento”, which allows them to shrivel into raisins. This concentrates the sugar and flavors in the grapes, producing a distinctive and full-bodied wine well-suited to aging.
It is often said that you can safely forget an Amarone in your wine cellar. Even average Amarones can be aged for 10-15 years. Depending on the vintage and aging technique, wines of exceptional quality can be enjoyed up to 30-50 years after bottling!
2008 Zyme Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico
Located in the heart of Valpolicella Classica, this ancient sandstone quarry, dating back to the 15th century, serves as the very foundation stone of Zyme. Its bodily structure fashioned of natural stone, this is the magical cavern in which year after year the wines mature, finally entering the bottle. On the nose you’ll find notes of ripe morello cherry, semi-dried plum, and spices. As the palate lengthens, delicate impressions of pepper, black licorice and cocoa powder come through.
2012 Farina Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico
The Farina family has roots in agriculture and winemaking tracing back to the beginning of the 16th century. Remo Farina was able to combine the most modern concepts in winemaking technology with ancient, time-tested methods to produce rich, elegant wines. Tasting reviews include a smooth wine with medium tannins, a little earthy, full bodied with a strong finish. Aromas evoke cocoa, underbrush and mature black plum while the palate delivers the essence of prune, espresso and star anise with a brandy-like velvet palate.
2012 Zenato Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico
Zenato is located in San Benedetto di Lugana, 15 miles west of Verona on the shores of the fascinating and oneiric Lake Garda. Founded in 1960 by Sergio and Carla Zenato, the winery is committed to producing affordable wines of exceptional quality. Ruby red in color, intoxicating aromas include dried black cherries, cassis, truffles, and on the palate silky, luscious, and complex features, ending with a lingering finish.
2012 Romano Dal Forno Valpolicella Superiore Vigneto di Monte Lodoletta
The 2102 Dal Forno Romano Valpolicella Superiore is on a par with some of the best wines in the world. Established in 1983, the winery is situated in the Valley of Illasi east of Verona. The nose translates as very rich and spicy, with hints of kirsch, sweet morello cherries, spice box, hazelnuts and vanilla beans along with dried dark cherry cake and lots of cedar, too. It exhibits a full body with sweet fruit, vibrant acidity, ripe and round tannins ending with a fruit-forward finish. This wine is a blend of 70% Corvina and Corvina Grossa, 20% Rondinella, 5% Croatina, and 5% Oseleta.
May 12, 2022 - Delmas Wines
/Delmas Viognier - 100% Viognier
Suggested food pairing: Coronation Chicken Recipe | Allrecipes
Syrah 2019 & 2020 - approximately 92-93% Syrah and 7-8% Viognier
Suggested food pairing: Braised Lamb with Potatoes Recipe - Frédéric Morin | Food & Wine
The Peddler - 100% Syrah, whole cluster
Suggested food pairing: Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe | Allrecipes
April 14, 2022 - Long Shadows Winery
/Long Shadows event with Gilles Nicault
Wines
Long Shadows featured tastings:
2020 Cymbal Sauvignon Blanc: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
2018 Saggi: Sangiovese/Cabernet Blend
2018 Pedestal: Merlot Blend
2014 Pirouette: Bordeaux Blend
2018 Pirouette: Bordeaux Blend
Social wines:
2020 Nine Hats Pinot Gris – Columbia Valley
2019 Nine Hats Cabernet Sauvignon – Columbia Valley
Information & Tasting Notes
Long Shadows Wines
2020 Cymbal Sauvignon Blanc: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Made from three distinct vineyards combined to give this wine its wonderful vibrancy and complex flavor profile. Gamache Vineyard (planted in 1985) is located on a gently sloping hillside in close proximity to the Columbia River. The site benefits from the cooling effect of the river to give the wine fresh acidity. Boushey Vineyard also contributes liveliness and lemongrass character. Bacchus Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (planted in 1972) is a warmer site, producing a riper style wine that provides a distinct passion fruit character to the finished blend.
Tasting Note: Wonderfully vibrant and aromatic, with notes of lemongrass, passion fruit and a hint of honeysuckle. Flavors of mango, fresh herbs and white peach, come together seamlessly across a textured palate and lengthy finish.
2018 Saggi: Sangiovese/Cabernet Blend
Inspired by the great wines of Tuscany and father-son winemaking team Ambrogio and Giovanni Folonari, winemaker Gilles Nicault crafts Saggi in the style of its original winemakers. Saggi is a blend of two distinct Washington State Sangiovese vineyards, both planted in 1998 on sites with well-draining soils, important to managing Sangiovese’s vine vigor and controlling berry size. Candy Mountain Sangiovese is a warm vineyard that delivers grapes with ripe, black currant aromas and flavors. Boushey Vineyard Sangiovese, grown in the Yakima Valley, is a cooler site that brings brightness and balanced acidity to the blend. Cabernet Sauvignon from Stone Tree Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope adds a silky texture to the wine. Syrah adds a darker hue and another layer of complexity.
Tasting Note: A brilliant garnet-red, the 2018 Saggi is elaborately fragrant, brimming with red cherries, ripe strawberries and notes of nutmeg. Vibrant and well-integrated with balanced natural acidity, this is a textured wine with great richness and flavors that linger across a generous finish.
2018 Pedestal: Merlot Blend
Michel Rolland, Pomerol vintner and consultant to many of the world's top wineries, provided the vision for this limited production Merlot. Like previous vintages, the 2018 Pedestal Merlot was predominately grown on the Wahluke Slope, a warm area of the Columbia Valley that produces Merlot with layers of fresh, dark fruit and beautiful aromatics. A small amount of Merlot from Dionysus Vineyard helped build layers and complexity. Red Mountain’s Tapteil Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon added backbone. Malbec from Sonnet Vineyard contributed concentration and pretty violet aromatics.
Tasting Note: A concentrated and layered wine offering dark fruit aromas with a hint of tobacco. The mouthfeel is opulent, with luscious wild blackberry and chocolate-covered black cherry woven around an appealing note of spicy clove. Beautifully complex, the flavors and weight of the wine combine to leave a rich, satisfying finish.
2014 Pirouette: Bordeaux Blend.
Philippe Melka, named one of the top nine winemakers in the world by Robert Parker, used small lots from Washington State's finest vineyards to craft this enticing red blend. This Cabernet Sauvignon dominant wine, sourced primarily from Red Mountain, displays structure, richness and a focused mouthfeel that has come to characterize Red Mountain Cabernet. Dionysus Vineyard’s Petit Verdot adds layers of complex aromas and flavors. Weinbau Vineyard (Wahluke Slope) Merlot adds bright, red and black fruit intensity.
Tasting Note: The 2014 Pirouette is a multi-layered wine with aromas and flavors of dark fruits and hints of sweet oak, licorice and cocoa that gain complexity across the palate. Richly textured, with refined tannins and a beautiful mouthfeel that provide a lengthy finish. (58% Cabernet Sauvignon; 18% Petit Verdot; 17% Merlot; 7% Cabernet Franc).
2018 Pirouette: Bordeaux Blend
Philippe Melka, named one of the top nine winemakers in the world by Robert Parker, used small lots from Washington State's finest vineyards to craft this enticing red blend. Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from a collection of Red Mountain’s best vineyards gives Pirouette the structure and textured richness that has come to characterize this acclaimed growing region. Stone Tree Vineyard Merlot, grown on a rocky, south-facing hillside on the Wahluke Slope and managed for low yields, brings concentrated fruit flavors to the wine, notably black cherry. Finally, Dionysus Vineyard’s Petit Verdot enhances the Pirouette’s color and builds layers of intense aromas and flavors in the finished wine.
Tasting Note: The 2018 Pirouette is an expressive wine that opens slowly to reveal oak spice and a kaleidoscope of red and black fruit aromas and flavors that become more vivid as the wine develops in the glass. Textured and richly concentrated on the palate, the wine’s voluptuous mouthfeel and refined tannins stretch across a long, satisfying finish. (68% Cabernet Sauvignon; 22% Merlot; 10% Petit Verdot).
Social Wines
2020 Nine Hats Pinot Gris – Columbia Valley.
Medium bodied Pinot Gris ofers vibrant aromas and flavors of white peach, orange blossom, honeysuckle and ripe citrus that lead to a pleasantly crisp finish. Sourced from Headquarters Vineyard in the Yakima Valley.
2019 Nine Hats Cabernet Sauvignon – Columbia Valley.
Vibrant aromatics of black cherry, espresso beans and bittersweet chocolate introduce this richly structured Cabernet Sauvignon. It is a multi-layered wine with expressive flavors of black and red berries complemented by notes of savory spice. Several vineyard sites throughout the Columbia Valley, mostly on the Wahluke Slope, are the source of the fruit.
Suggested Food Pairings
Suggested recipes from Cook + Cork by Harry Mills and Chris Horn.
2020 Long Shadows Cymbal Sauvignon Blanc: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Hamachi-scallop crudo with green apple vinaigrette, goat cheese, sushi, ceviche, shrimp and fruity salsas
Oven-Roasted Asparagus with Blistered Shallots and Sunny-Side Farm Egg
2018 Long Shadows Saggi: Sangiovese/Cabernet Blend
Grilled King Salmon with Wild Mushroom Ragout
Mushroom risotto with truffles, garlic, gruyere and parmesan, meat and cheese with a tomato-based (Italian dishes) sauce, sausage.
2018 Long Shadows Pedestal: Merlot Blend
Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Onions, Herbs, and Yellow Potatoes,
Beef Filet, Veal or Dark Meat Chicken with earthy root veggies, stuffed Poblano Peppers
Meat and herb, mushroom, stuffing is a great accompaniment
2014 Long Shadows Pirouette: Bordeaux Blend
Braised Short Ribs with Gorgonzola Polenta
New York and Rib Eye Steaks served with a gremolata of minty lemon parsley, morel mushrooms with tarragon and chervil
2018 Pirouette: Bordeaux Blend
Almost Classic Beef Stroganoff, venison and game meats with dark bitter greens with bacon or pancetta
2020 Nine Hats Pinot Gris – Columbia Valley
This Pinot Gris is fruity and lovely and pairs well with small bites or tapas of salty-smoked fish (trout or salmon), and/or soft cheese like triple cream, shrimp with a touch of fruity pineapple salsa or something fruity, mini crab cakes or fish cakes.
2019 Nine Hats Cabernet Sauvignon – Columbia Valley
This wine is fruity and dark at the same time so anything like seared teriyaki tenderloin or seared steak bites, scorched shishito peppers, stuffed mushrooms with herbs, pine nuts and sun-dried tomato-type stuffing.
March 10, 2022 - Southern Rhône
/For the March WAC Wine Club tasting we’ll take a tour of the Southern Rhône and experience some of the most interesting and finest wines the region has to offer. All from established AOC Crus, we’ll taste an unusual white from Vacqueyras; an interesting rosé from Tavel; a stunning Gigondas and two superior Châteauneuf-du-Pape (CDP) wines.
Wines:
2017 Chateau Bois d’Arlène l’Orée du Bois, Vacqueyras
2019 Domaine de la Mordorée Tavel La Dame Rousse
2017 Domaine du Gour de Chaulé Gigondas Cuvée Tradition
2010 Domaine des Sénéchaux, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2013 Domaine de la Janasse, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Information & Tasting Notes:
2017 Chateau Bois d’Arlène l’Orée du Bois, Vacqueyras
You’ll be in for a treat as this winery’s owners, Arlene Libby and Norge Larson who divide their time between Seattle and the Southern Rhône, will be joining us for the evening and will share their story.
Hidden on the flood plain of the Ouvèze river, Château Bois d’Arlène is a beautiful property that includes vineyards, a meadow, an oak and pine forest, an almond grove, a pond, the site of a now abandoned sheep pen, and a Provencal château. Formerly the agricultural land of the Popes in Avignon, it has become a diverse and abundant landscape. This white is a blend of Roussanne, Clairette, and Viognier; the grapes are harvested very early in the day to preserve all the aromas and are directly pressed. Grapes come from old vines, some 70 years old, and the vineyard is certified organic.
On the nose you’ll notice scents of aromatic flowers, yellow apples, peaches, lavender and lemon peel. Jasmine, honey, ripe melon add complexity to the palate while a hint of oak accentuates a distinctive finish.
2019 Domaine de la Mordorée Tavel La Dame Rousse
This family estate produces award-winning wines, famous CDP and Lirac wines and are known for producing the best Tavel Rosé. The estate is certified organic with a focus on biodynamics. The terroir consists of galets roulés (cobblestones), flat white limestones and sandy soils. The grapes are picked by hand with the wine a mix of 60% Grenache, 10% Cinsault, 10% Syrah, 10%, Mourvèdre, 5% Clairette and 5% Bourboulenc. This rosé is unusual as it is produced using the saignée method and has an ABV of 14.5%.
The nose exhibits perfumed notes of fresh boysenberry, red cherry, currants and tangerine lifted by a cutting mineral edge. Black fruit flavors are intensely ripe and penetrating, accented by shavings of black pepper and a firm, fine-grained grip of tannins.
2017 Domaine du Gour de Chaulé Gigondas Cuvée Tradition
Established in 1900 in the heart of Gigondas, Gour de Chaulé is now run by the founder's great-granddaughter, Stephanie Fumoso. This is a female-driven property as Stephanie's grandmother and mother were both actively involved in making the wines and establishing the property's domaine bottlings. Grenache is the main grape variety, making up about 80+% of the blend with Syrah and Mourvèdre contributing to the rest. Grapes are harvested manually and never destemmed. The end-result is a traditionally-made and well-balanced wine that reflects some of the best that Gigondas has to offer.
On the nose there are hints of black currants, raspberry, strawberry, anise and pepper. It's full-bodied and tannic, shows black cherry, cranberry, crisp spices on the palate with nice acidity, yet finishes on a silky note.
2010 Domaine des Sénéchaux, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
The Domaine des Sénéchaux counts itself amongst the oldest vineyards in Castro Novo, the birthplace of the wines of Pape and the creation of "appellations d'origine contrôlées." It lies in the heart of the mythical Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation and dates back to the XIV century. It owes its name to the Domaine's key vineyards in the Bois Sénéchaux area. This nearly 65-acre estate is owned by the famous and much-loved Bordeaux proprietor, Jean-Michel Cazes. To say that he and his family have done a terrific job improving the quality at this estate is an understatement as it has become one of the “go to” wines of the appellation. Considered a spectacular Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the 2010 Domaine des Sénéchaux Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blend of 56% Grenache, 22% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre, and 2% assorted varieties.
Leather, cedar and licorice notes accent fresh cherries on the nose, while the full-bodied palate manages to be warm, generous and creamy in texture while finishing crisp, intense and long. There are also hints of charcuterie, spice box, and Christmas fruitcake in this full-throttle, rich, concentrated wine. Says, Jancis Robinson, “Honest, meaty Grenache character. Minty, succulent, rich but not overbearing. Spicy finish, lots of dried herb complexity. Long, peppery finish. Pushes all the right buttons.”
2013 Domaine de la Janasse, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
This estate was founded in 1976 by Aimé Sabon, who turned over the winery to his son who still oversees the vineyards that are organically farmed. The property consists of 40 hectares, spread over as many as 70 different parcels throughout the appellation. This 2013 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée, Vieilles Vignes, comes from the rolled pebble soils (tractor-destroying galets roulés), which are responsible for impacting the richer, more powerful profile imparted from these soils. Mostly foudre-aged Grenache, it incorporates 20% Mourvèdre and roughly 23% Syrah, all raised in barrel. Medium- to full-bodied, the wine is beautifully concentrated, ripe, with impressive sweetness and tannin.
The wine exhibits a deep purple color, offers fabulous dark berry fruits, licorice, Provençal herbs and earthy/stony minerality on the nose. Features of dark plum sauce, crushed cherry and warm blackberry confiture flavors form the core. Melted black licorice, plum eau-de-vie and black tea notes fill in the background. A lovely echo of Grenache appears at the very end. This is a highly structured red wine that reflects the richness of a historic and unique terroir.
Suggested Food Pairings:
Below are suggested meals to serve with each wine; full recipes available here.
2017 Chateau Bois d’Arlène l’Orée du Bois, Vacqueyras
White Fish in Cream Sauce
2019 Domaine de la Mordorée Tavel La Dame Rousse
Salad Niçoise
2017 Domaine du Gour de Chaulé Gigondas Cuvée Tradition
Seared Duck Breast with Blackberry Pan Sauce
2010 Domaine des Sénéchaux, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Rosemary Steak Strips
2013 Domaine de la Janasse, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Lamb Chops
November 11, 2021 - Grand tour from Champagne to Burgundy
/The WAC Wine Club Cellar Team is excited to share with you a grand tour of excellent wines from Champagne to Burgundy. We’ll begin the tasting with wines from northeast of Paris in the world of Champagne, drinking two of the finest the region has to offer. Then we’ll head south to Chablis where we’ll sample a Grand Cru single vineyard wine. From there, we’ll go to the classic region of Burgundy where we’ll experience two exceptional wines that come from some of the best Grand Cru vineyards Burgundy has to offer, one dating back to Roman times. Liz, Richard and Kraig know this part of France very well and look forward to hosting this event.
2002 Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Nicholas Francois Champagne
98 points, current price $200
This exceptional cuvée was created in 1964 as a tribute to the House’s founder. It results from the blending of grands crus from the classified Côte des Blancs vineyards (Chardonnay) and the Montagne de Reims (Pinot Noir).
Tasting notes by James Suckling, Robert Parker and Jancis Robinson include:
· Very impressive depth and detail. The freshness is staggering. Citrus and grilled hazelnut aromas lead to a palate that has a very concentrated, slightly creamy and taut feel.
· It's showing superbly, wafting from the glass with a complex bouquet that mingles confit citrus, peach and dried papaya with nuances of iodine, brioche and honeycomb.
· Quite evolved but still with that tension. Notably pungent. Very brioche and tight and gently sparkling. Very gently unwinding. Long and neat but definitely not austere.
2006 Drappier Grande Sendrée Brut Champagne
94 points, current price $100
Although the vines in Urville were originally planted by the Romans 2,000 years ago, it was Saint Bernard, founder of Clairvaux Abbey, who had cellars built in 1152. Seven centuries later, in 1808, the family domaine was created. Today, it is headed by Michel Drappier, and cultivated according to organic and natural principles. Rather than ultra-sophisticated, sometimes overdone wine, the Drappier prefers authenticity and a natural approach, limiting usage of sulphites.
Well-drained, limestone and chalky soil defines much of the region, which lend a mineral component to its wines. Champagne’s cold, continental climate promotes ample acidity in its grapes but weather differences from year to year can create significant variation between vintages. While vintage Champagnes are produced in exceptional years, non-vintage cuvées are produced annually from a blend of several years in order to produce Champagnes that maintain a consistent house style.
Winemaker notes include the Grande Sendrée is golden in color with amber nuances. The wine reveals subtle aromas of dried fruit, some touches of toast and wax, the whole unfolding into fruity notes of citrus fruit, fruit with white flesh, stoned fruit. The palate accentuates the vinosity, the depth and the structure.
2011 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Vaudesir
94 Points, current price $85
Domaine William Fèvre is one of the most prestigious of all Chablis houses and, despite its relative youth, produces some of the finest expressions of Chardonnay from the north of Burgundy. The domaine holdings cover a wide range of vineyards, including numerous grand and premier cru Chablis sites. The Fèvre family has been in Chablis for 250 years, but the domaine itself wasn't established by William Fèvre until 1959.
Tasting notes by Wine & Spirits and Robert Parker include:
· The wine has the beautiful fresh scent of chamomile, a bright, pure expression of chardonnay that carries its chalky floral richness all the way through to a generous end.
· A surprisingly sweetly-suggestive, high-toned nose of pineapple, orange rind and nutmeg wafted by ocean breeze. It offers a lusciously juicy, sweetly-citric palate impression mouthwateringly mingled with clam stock and transparent to nuances of spices, toasted nuts, salt and stone.
2012 Charmes-Chambertin Arlaud Grand Cru
94 to 96 points, current price $169
Cyprien Arlaud took the reins of the Domaine from his father Herve in 1997, a Domaine that encompassed vineyards in Morey St. Denis Chambolle-Musigny Gevrey-Chambertin and Vosne-Romanée. The result is a portfolio of site-transparent wines that speak of purity of the earth from which they came and the essence of what makes Burgundy great. Domaine Arlaud has become one of the region's top producers in the Côte d’Or region.
The 2012 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru comes from vines located on the Mazoyères side toward Latricières by the 'Route de Grand Cru.' It has a rounded nose that envelops the senses: strawberry and mulberry at first, flint and smoke following after. The palate is very fine on the entry, exuding weightless intensity with immense precision. This is probably one of the finest examples of a Grand Cru Burgundy.
2012 Echezeaux Mongeard-Mugneret Grand Cru
92 - 95 points, current price $175 to $199
This is the top of the Côte de Nuits. Home to the famous Grand Crus of Romanée, Romanée-Conti, Romanée St. Vivant, Richebourg, La Tâche, Echézeaux, Grands Echézeaux, and La Grand Rue, this village exemplifies how much extraordinary wine can come from a tiny place. This is the home of quintessential Burgundy-deep, rich, refined and powerful.
Tucked behind the Clos de Vougeot, and on the same little road as Vosne’s Les Suchots, the Grands-Echézeaux vineyard could hardly be better situated. Their 2.5 acre plot hosts vines from 40 to 70 years old. Accordingly, the wine they make has good color, a full body, and a rich, sturdy backbone, perfect for its dose of 100% new oak. On the nose, this wine shows leathery, spiced, and animal notes over black fruit and mushrooms. Its tannins soften into velvet over time, but this Grand Cru definitely needs ageing. The 2012 vintage is showing beautifully: profound fruit, sophisticated tannins, and good acidity.
September 9, 2021 - Super Tuscan
/Bolgheri is a wine producing region in Tuscany that produces “Super Tuscan” wines that are known for blending international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah with the local grape Sangiovese or a combination thereof.
Sassicaia Tenuta San Guido 2009
Tuscany, Italy
96 points to 98 points
85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc
From the San Guido estate, called Castiglioncello, Sassicaia, "the place of many stones" is a classic Italian wine; this vintage enjoyed an excellent climate for the entire year. Sassicaia is the Bordeaux-style blend that Mario Incisa della Rochetta envisioned coming from little-known Bolgheri all those decades ago. Sassicaia is a wine famous for its elegance, vibrancy, and rich bouquet, and it’s renowned for its sweet frutti di bosco and pointed cypress and herbs, elements it holds in a temptingly firm tannic grip. Sassicaia is always one of the most in-demand wines, but a year like this one pushes even that stratospheric envelope. Reviews include lucious notes of intense ruby with a violet shimmer and on the nose, hints of mint, dark cherry, raspberry, some plum and on the palate shows an extremely rich and ripe wine with currant, cherry and balsamic aromas and hints of leather.
Note: Gaja is considered by many to be the wine producer with the greatest international reputation and has by far the most awards from Gambero Rosso and could thus call itself one of the best producers in Italy. Ca'Marcanda is GAJA's winery in the Promised Land of Bolgheri, Tuscany.
Gaja Ca’Marcanda Magari 2010 Toscana
Tuscany, Italy
92 points to 94 points
25% Cabernet Sauvignon 25% Cabernet Franc, 50% Merlot
A great vintage, this wine is drinking beautifully now and is likely to cellar well for years to come. Fortunate for us, we can drink it now! The word "Magari" has several meanings: "if only," "would that it were true," and "perhaps." Ca'Marcanda's unique combination of terre brune (dark soils: loam and clay) and terre blanche (white soils: stones and pebbles) is reflected in Magari with deep garnet hues and blue tinges. The lush Merlot fruit and spicy Cabernet aromas form a dark and modern wine with a thick fabric of deep fruit, blackberry preserves, spice and tobacco woven tightly together. It's a full, rich, well-rounded wine with an elegant, silky finish.
Gaja Ca’Marcanda Promis Toscana 2010
Tuscany Italy
89 to 92 points
Blend of Merlot, Syrah and Sangiovese
Ca' Marcanda Promis is Angelo Gaja's winemaking venture in Maremma, a region on the Tuscan seaboard south of Livorno. He began planting international grape varieties in 1996 and the wines have very much hit their stride. For Tuscany the 2010 vintage was exceptionally good. Its fruit exhibit light garnet color with bright and fruity notes of a jammy nose of black raspberry, blueberry, and subtle floral notes. The palate shows black cherry, blueberry, cinnamon, and wet stones underlaid with a wide drive of acidity - not too tart but wide across the whole tongue, adding some light bell pepper notes as it flows into the finish. It is a delightful wine that combines the elegance and suppleness of Merlot and Syrah with the austerity of Sangiovese—balanced and almost musical.
Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore 2010
Tuscany, Italy
94 to 97 points
53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc
Ornellaia is one of the foremost producers in the Bolgheri appellation on the coast of Tuscany. It is particularly known for making one of Italy's most famous and expensive wines, which shares the same name. The 2010 Ornellaia celebrates the wine's 25th anniversary, and it could not have been a more spectacular vintage. It opens with aromas of crushed blue flowers, blackberries, pipe tobacco and thyme that give way to an elegant, structured and polished palate. It delivers intense blackberry flavors layered with white pepper, Mediterranean herbs, mineral and mocha brightened by fresh acidity alongside smooth, velvety tannins.
Ornellaia Le Serre Nuove dell Ornellaia 2011
Tuscany, Italy
90 to 94 points
57% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 14% Petit Verdot
Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia 2011 is a dense, concentrated wine yet at the same time elegant and smooth and expresses perfectly the superb quality of the 2011 vintage. It exhibits an inky dark, almost impenetrable appearance and beautifully chiseled - but abundantly intense - aromas of blackberry, dried cherry, rum cake, leather, moist pipe tobacco and chewy black licorice. The balance and harmony are seductive and impressive and the wine lasts many long seconds on the palate. The wine is full and very intense with a velvety textured tannin structure and a long and flavorful finish. Ornellaia’s second wine, made from the younger vines on the estate, boasts ripe fruit and a fresh, accessible style. It offers sensations of juicy wild berries, currants and plum accented with notes of mocha and black pepper alongside round, soft tannins.
June 10, 2021 - Southern Italian Red: Campania vs Sicily
/2016 Mastroberardino Taurasi Radici; 2014 Planeta Santa Cécilia Nero d'Avola
