Wine Club Member Allocations June 2018

Domaine St Jacques d'Albas Minervois 2015

Situated in the Minervois, a seductive region in the west of France's Languedoc, tucked in between the medieval city of Carcassonne, the Black Mountains and the Canal du Midi, the family-owned Chateau St Jacques d'Albas benefits from a wealth of natural advantages to produce impressive wines. Over 60 acres of forest and scrubland, teaming with wildlife, and 11th century chapel, protect the 26 acres of vines. Theri philosophy from the beginning has been to limit yields and take an organic approach to managing the soil and the vines. This wine offers a rich and complex bouquet of red fruits, smooth and generous on the palate, underpinned by soft tannins. Serve with grilled or roasted meats and spicy dishes.

Chateau de Montfaucon Les Gardettes Rosé 2017

Montfaucon is located opposite to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, just across the Rhône River. Their vineyards are spread between Montfaucon and the two neighboring towns, Roquemaure and St Genies de Comolas. The vines of Chateau de Montfaucon are up to 90 years old with an average age of 40 years. Whoa! Montfaucon takes a natural approach to viticulture and to winemaking; the grape is a fruit, thus the final product should always express the flavors of the fruit. They follow the principles of sustainable agriculture, but in essence their work is organic agriculture: no insecticides are applied and we only use natural fertilizers (blend of sheep manure and compost) and leave the native grasses to grow on the vineyards controlling its growth by mowing regularly and ploughing when needed. Enjoy with goat cheese, summery green salads and good company!

Miraqle Rosé 2017

The Miraqle rosé is from selected plots in Provence. Located close to the Mediterranean Sea, the daily shift in temperatures keep the grapes cool to maintain the vibrant acidity. The Miraqle is a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, and Carignan and has notes of grapefruit pith, tangerine peel, watermelon, and white grapefruit. The crisp, clean finish and

complex palate make this one of the best deals from France in our opinion. Classically Provence in style, the wine is labeled simply as IGP Méditerranée so it doesn't demand the rising price point of most other rosé from Provence.

This beauty needs nothing but a good attitude to accompany it.

Estenas Utiel-Requena Bobal 2016

The Estenas is crafted from Bobal vines averaging 50 years of age (some of them up to 100 years) located in the heart of Utiel-Requena. The wine is fermented in concrete tanks and raised in a mix of concrete and old American oak barrels. It's Bobal is medium-bodied and shows a mix of bright black and red fruits, spice, and minerals, while maintaining moderate alcohol and high acidity. The result is a red wine that’s friendly with a wide variety of meats, especially game – a traditional pairing is Gazpacho Manchego, and Valencian paella made with rabbit or chicken and anything from the grill!