West Side Wine Club Reds, December 2020
Azienda Agricola “Goy” Valdinera Nebbiolo D’Alba (Alba, Piedmont, Italy)
Grapes: 100% Nebbiolo
Valdinera is a 4th generation grower/producer in the hills North of Alba, with each generation having added to the legacy through expansion of land and matching each variety to the right soil type. The sunniest exposures of the property are reserved for Nebbiolo to develop its complex array of aroma, flavor, and texture. A spicier style with notes of red flowers, wild berries, darker fruit and an intricate mix of peppery spice.
Domaine Granagolo “Cuvée Monika” (Corse Porto-Vecchio, Corsica, France) Grapes: 100% Niellucciu Corse Porto-Vecchio refers to the Southeastern part of Corsica, the 4th largest Island in the Mediterranean. Interestingly enough, Niellucciu is genetically the same variety as Sangiovese, the famed variety of Tuscany in Italy; even so, it has a feel all of its own when bathed in the island sun and grown in rocky soil, as the profile feels softer and darker in fruit. Grown all organically, Cuvée Monika is medium in weight with notes of violets, blackberry, raspberry and Mediterranean spice on a soft texture.
Brunier Family “Le Pigeoulet” Red (Southern Rhone Valley, France)
Grapes: 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5% Carignan, 5% Syrah
From the famed Brunier family of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this comes from a property on the West of the Rhone River and on the south slope of Mount Ventoux. The wine is aged in both concrete and large oak barrels. With a diversity of styles available in Rhone wines, this shows the softer and more delicate profile. Distinctive notes of violets, cassis, and black raspberry, with both a polished
Otazu Premium Cuvée (Navarra, Spain)
Grapes: 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 20% Tempranillo
Navarra with its proximity to the Atlantic, as well as being just a trip over the Pyrenees Mountains into Southwestern France and Bordeaux, is fairly unique for Spain as some of the main focus of the production, growing, and winemaking there is on varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The long hours of summer sunshine and well-drained soil give Otazu’s historic site the potential for amazing wine; in fact, one vineyard belonging to Otazu has been given a Pago status (one of 18 sites recognized in Spain for distinctive wine). This is aged for 12 months in French oak. Full-bodied with blackberry, roast red pepper, and creamy dark chocolate. Polished texture.
Tikveš Vranec (Tikveš, Macedonia)
Grapes: 100% Vranec
Tikveš is both the name of the winery and the region in central Macedonia where it is located. As we move further east from what we know as more traditional wine-producing countries, we discover a long history of grape growing and winemaking in sites quite suited for quality. Just north of Greece and the Mediterranean, there are long hot summers in Tikveš and Vranec (important variety of Macedonia with Primitivo-like character;) the area is well-adapted to make bold style wines. Full-bodied with notes of blueberry, blackberry, baked blackberry, dark chocolate, and cinnamon; brambly and rustic.
Finca Bacara “Time Waits for No One” Monastrell
Grapes: 100% Monastrell
Finca Bacara is located in Jumilla in Southeastern Spain, where it is hot with very, very limited rainfall. Monastrell is late to ripen and draught resistant, developing thick skins and high-potential alcohol. Monastrell and Jumilla deliver boldly flavored, thick textured wines and Bacara shows that typical big stye of wine. Full-bodied with blueberry, blackberry, cedar, vanilla, and a plump texture. West Side Wine Club Whites, December 2020
Château Fontenille Bordeaux Blanc (Bordeaux, France)
Grapes: 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Sauvignon Gris, 20% Muscadelle, 10% Semillon
Located in the Entre deux Mers or “between the two rivers.” The area is broken up into 67 plots with attention to the right soil for the right grape; particularly in this case, the cooler soils are designated for white wine. All farming is organic. Using 4 of the most important Bordeaux Blanc varieties, it is a pretty in texture with floral, citrus, passion fruit, and peach notes, refreshing but without being aggressive. Camillo Montori Pecorino (Ribeiro, Galicia, Spain)
Grapes: 100% Pecorino
Pecorino is another example of the great unique whites of Italy. Mostly associated with the moderate climate regions of the Marche and Abruzzo where the Apennine mountains meet the Adriatic Sea, it makes medium whites with inviting fruit aroma/ flavor and refreshing acidity. Medium in weight with notes of yellow apple and pineapple, the acidity helps not only with freshness but to give a pretty mouth feel to the wine.
Eloi Lorenzo “Villa Paz” (Ribeiro, Galicia, Spain)
Grapes: Field blend of Treixadura, Albariño, Godello, Torrontés
Ribeiro and Galicia are some of Spain’s most exciting areas for white wine. The climate is influenced by both the Atlantic to the West and hotter interior of Spain, giving enough warmth for full flavor development but cool enough to keep great freshness. The vines are farmed on terraced slopes with a more holistic approach. Lees aging aids in creating more mouth feel. Medium weight, with ripe Meyer lemon, citrus, and peach notes, creamy but bright in the mouth. Fontcalieu “Caractere Unique” Saint Chinian Blanc (Saint Chinian, Languedoc, France)
Grapes: 50% Marsanne, 40%Vermentino, 10% Grenache Blanc
A warm climate French white from the Mediterranean coast. A very small amount of white is produced in this rocky warm region. Marsanne and Grenache Blanc contribute to a fleshy texture and stone fruit, while the Vermentino keeps a freshness. A partial aging in French oak adds to the complexity. A well-balanced wine between notes of fruit, oak spice, and texture along with freshness. Notes of apricots, apricot jam, Asian pear, and a subtle toasted baking spice and cream, still remaining fresh.
Graziano Chenin Blanc (Mendocino, California) Grapes: 100% Chenin Blanc Graziano produces unique and delicious wines from their vineyards and relationship vineyards in Mendocino County, California. Use of traditional Italian and French varieties, long fermentations, and aging in used French oak is not uncommon forGreg Graziano. This Chenin Blanc comes from an old single vineyard; it is both fermented and aged in French oak. With trademark Chenin freshness, it also has a rich feel. It has notes of melons, warm tropical fruit like pineapple, and Lemonhead candy tones.
Monte Tondo Soave Classico (Cassete Foscarin, Soave, Veneto, Italy)
Grapes: 90% Garganega, 10% Trebbiano di Soave
A “Cru” of Soave, Cassete Foscarin is known for impressive Soave Classico, truly one of Italy’s finest whites. Sun-exposed hillside vineyards of volcanic and limestone are each harvested at the perfect time for fruit and acid balance. Aging is done in barrique and large barrel. Full bodied, notes of yellow plum, bosc pear, dried fruit, vanilla, torrone candy; fresh and rounded.