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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.
