Beguiling Blanc de Blancs – Pierre Moncuit
Every single champagne said hello, nice to meet you, where have you been? I can show you incredible things (Taylor Swift must have tasted the Blanc de Blancs from Pierre Moncuit) Pierre Moncuit – Champagne Grand Cru Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs 2010 Grand Cru chardonnay reigns supreme queen in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger in the Cote des Blancs, Nicole Moncuit owns some of the oldest vines, average age of 45 years and some much older. Tracing their grape grower history back to the 19 century, this family grower producer (since 1977) are run by Nicole along with her brother Yves. A 100% Chardonnay champagne champion, they never blend different mineral rich villages in order to keep each of the 4 distinct BdB champagnes unique. In addition, their champagnes are always produced from a single vintage (no reserve wines) in order to preserve the expression of that vintages characteristics as well as only using stainless steel for fermentation. This lovely was 8 years on the lees, Disgorged 11/2018 A distinctive sparkling golden hue with a glistening stream of fine bubbles. The aromas of citrus and orchard fruit are complemented with honeysuckle, smoky minerals and toasty brioche. Imagine baked apple, lemon curd, quince, melon, the toastiness of brioche, nuts and burnt honey and finishes on dusty chalky minerals and zesty candied ginger. It has flair, a precision, electric chalky minerality and acidity that are in the forefront with the youthful fruit holding its hand a step back. Just brilliant in all senses. Paired with a stunning roasted flounder stuffed with crab and golden mashed potatoes. Yum is all I can say.
Frog’s Leap Shale and Stone Chardonnay
There’s a reason why this lovely Chardonnay is called Shale and Stone. Frog’s Leap Shale and Stone Chardonnay 2018: A Napa Terroir Symphony Pours into the glass a captivating golden hue, hinting at its Napa sunshine origins. Hints of green shimmer around the edges, suggesting vibrancy and youthful intensity. The nose is a captivating dance of minerality and fruit. Saline notes rise first, like a whisper of seashells and wet stones, immediately transporting you to the vineyard’s shale soils. Citrus blossom follows, bright and vibrant, with grapefruit, tangerine, and a squeeze of lime. Delicate white florals – honeysuckle and jasmine – weave in seamlessly, adding an ethereal elegance. Underlying all, a whisper of honeyed oak emerges, offering subtle hints of vanilla and brioche, perfectly integrated and never overbearing. The first sip is a revelation. Taut and precise, the wine hugs the tongue with a focused intensity. The shale influence shines through again, offering a mouthwatering, chalky minerality that lingers throughout the experience. Citrus explodes on the mid-palate, zesty and vibrant, perfectly balanced by a creamy richness from the lees aging. Green apple and pear add to the complexity, while a touch of honeyed pear skin offers a hint of sweetness. The oak, once again, is a supporting character, adding subtle toasted almond and vanilla notes that harmonize beautifully with the fruit and minerality. The finish is clean and long, leaving a lingering impression of citrus zest, salty stone, and a touch of creamy richness. This is a Chardonnay for those who appreciate elegance, complexity, and a true sense of place. Pair it with roasted seafood, creamy chicken dishes, or simply enjoy it on its own to fully appreciate its beauty.
Cascina Gavetta Nascetta
Back in 1879, the writer Lorenzo Fantini wrote that Nascetta was “an exquisite grape, tending toward art”. Native to the Alba area of Piemonte it is considered one of the great whites of the Langhe. Cultivated with extra care from the Vigna Belmonda zone in the commune of Novello. The must undergoes 15 days of skin contact followed by 9 months of lees ageing. Cascina Gavetta di Cogno Roberto Langhe DOC Nas-cëtta del Comune di Novello 2018 Cascina Gavetta is a small family estate established by Roberto Cogno who comes from a long line of grape growers. His grandfather always cultivated a bit of Nascetta along with mainstay Nebbiolo. Here, scents of honeysuckle and herbs are somewhat reminiscent of a white Bordeaux though this is more Mediterranean in expression. The sweet-fruited palate expands with green apple jelly but remains fresh and zesty. Quite a charmer. Deep golden color is so brilliant in the glass. This wine has aromatherapy – it’s intense pineapple, yellow apple, lemon, white peach, white blossoms of acacia & honeysuckle, wet stone, Mediterranean herbs, beeswax and honey. The flavors carry on the palate with an incredible richness of texture and mouth coating beauty along with a fresh acidity – the fruit shines first followed by the minerals, lots of freshly picked sage and ending in pastry dough, brioche and almonds coated in honey. Finessed and honeyed goodness you keep going back to the glass, the aromas and flavors charm you repeatedly. It is so well structured and balanced, a very unique type of wine.
Magnificent Mencia
Magnifique Mencia from Laura Lorenzo – Step aside because this is a ground breaker, female winemaker, making wines in her own style and philosophy and so in touch with her terroir. This work results in authentic wines made with passion, patience and love. Laura describes her farming as “agro-ecology with minimal impact.” She works with techniques that nurture life in the soils that have been decimated by years of industrial agriculture, to create a healthy and thriving ecosystem for her old bush vines. Biodynamic, and minimal/low intervention winemaking, her wines are a dedication to the generations of hard working regional vineyard workers. Grown on steep slopes at 500m altitude in a mix of gravel, clay, gneiss, quartz, these 20 year old vines are hand harvested 2 weeks earlier to preserve the high acidity. Partially destemmed and fermented with ambient followed by 12 months of ageing in old oak barrels. Daterra Viticultores Casas de Enriba 2019 Ribeira Sacra, Spain Inky ruby boysenberry color with a stirring gourmet bouquet of black fruits, violets, crushed gravel and spice. Fresh and fabulous flavors of freshly picked blackberry, black plum, boysenberry, pomegranate, black cherry, bramble, pepper, anise. The bright acidity and sticky tannins carry the flavors in a lingering finish. You can taste the whole bunch natural fermentation, the care and the purity of the grapes. I lightly chilled this wine on a hot summers evening, it was perfection. Paired with Pinchos Morunos (spice crusted pork tenderloin bites) and roasted portobello mushroom and basil bites.
Famille Moutard Coteaux Champenois 6 Cépages
There is something quite extraordinary about coteaux champenois- like a window into the champagnes soul…. For those of you haven’t heard of Coteaux Champenois, it is a still wine (red or white) – ye still, no bubbles whatsoever made in Champagne. It’s pretty rare that it makes it over to this side of the Atlantic- a) they are mainly sold locally and b) the volume is quite small. When I visited Famille Moutard, I was fortunate enough to taste the current vintage straight from the 228L oak barrel, However this lovely was given to me this one is from 2020. An equal amount in the blend of each Pinot Noir, Meunier, Chardonnay, Arbanne, Petit Meslier, Pinot Blanc. Famille Moutard 6 Cépages Coteaux Champenois 2020 Buxeuil, Côte des Bar Aromas of intense sweet orchard fruit overtones of sourdough, minerals and grass. Really pure and pretty. On the palate there’s a fruit-led juiciness, followed by linear mineral energy, ending with a long saline finish. It has juicy fruit – peach, nectarine, pear, quince, yellow plum, underripe strawberries and a linear mineral core extending into a savory tangy yogurt, biscuity bread dough and almond skins. A delicious wine with many sweet and savory layers, remarkable poise, vibrant acidity and 12%abv. Distinct, crisp and thirst-quenching. Enjoyed with a summer evening and ricotta tartine topped with roasted squash and onion and a shaved zucchini & chick pea herbed salad with lemon tahini yogurt.
Summers night Champagne Petiteaux
Our #champagnejourney takes us to the Cote des Bars region to visit Champagne Petiteaux. Pinot Noir largely dominates (2/3) the region but you will also find a good portion of Chardonnay and a sprinkling of Meunier & Pinot Blanc. The vines are planted on a mix of calcareous and clay soils which provides freshness and character to the wine. This maison is sustainable and certified HVE. This non-vintage was harvested 2011 and bottled in 2012. They use only ambient yeasts with 40 months on the lees. Champagne Petiteaux Cuvée Mobline Extra Brut NV The bubbles have so much excitement and bring forth the fresh citrus, red apple, white peach and minerality with a soft hint of brioche. The first sip I was greeted with such a freshness and beautiful minerality. As the wine opened up the rich Pinot Noir character (80% with 20% Chardonnay) took over with it’s round autolysis expressiveness. The Pinot Noir flexed its muscles showing flavors of quince jelly, a kiss caramelized strawberries, smoke, freshly baked croissant hot out of the oven with sweet cream. This is extra Brut champagne so you can taste the touch of sugar at 4 g/L which balances the bright acidity keeping it polished and crisp. This bubbly was meant to be drunk outside in a beautiful garden setting. Paired with a bacon gruyère cake, charcoal grilled shrimp skewers and local Gouda. Thanks to Sebastien for introducing me to a new area in Champagne and to his beloved champagnes.
Chateau d’Esclans Whispering Angel Rosé
A model of ROSÉ style, Chateau d’Esclans is synonymous with Cote de Provençe. It delivers year round a consistent style of wine that never disappoints. Located in the heart of Provence, northeast of St. Tropez overlooking La Vallée d’Esclans and the Mediterranean coast. Chateau d’Esclans Whispering Angel Rosé 2021 A traditional blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Rolle, it swirls a palest of pale salmon rose color in the glass in a very inviting way. Pretty aromas of watermelon, strawberry, rhubarb, pomegranate, grapefruit, lavender and stony minerality. Perfumed and vivid lush mouthfeel, its red fruit aromas and lavender are balanced with a juicy citrus acidity that leads to a mineral and saline crisp finish. It’s fresh elegance are what you would want and expect in this signature Provençe rosé. Pair with salmon fillet with rasel-hanout butter, olive tapenade with garlic crostini and soft shell crab with citrus butter. This bottle was enjoyed on a hot summer day at the very intense and competitive Newport vs Palm Beach Polo Match last Saturday.
Girolamo Russo Feudo
Wine is magic you can feel, that touches your soul Girolamo Russo Feudo Etna Rosso 2016 Like Burgundy or Barolo, Etna has a Cru classification known as a contrada system. Giuseppe produces wines from three different crus, San Lorenzo, Feudo and Feudo di Mezzo. Feudo, a 6 hectare site planted in the 1950’s. Sitting at 650m elevation on volcanic soils, it is a generous yet delicate style. The wine is almost entirely Nerello Mascalese (94%) but also have very small amounts of Nerello Cappuccio (6%) since the varieties are co-planted. Feudo undergoes 20 days of maceration and is fermented in a combination of formats for 18 months. Just shy of 4,000 bottles produced. Pours into the glass a bright ruby color with a slight garnet rim. Swirl and the bouquets just pops with scents of wild red berries, dark earth, smoke, potpourri and dried herbs. Sip and wait, savor, now you have the “wow” moment. The tannins are so supple and so lovely. There are depths to the flavors with rich cherry, plum, raspberry, pomegranate, smoke, potpourri of dried rose & violet , dried rosemary & thyme, tobacco leaf and cocoa that are lifted by the excited acidity. There’s a vigor, an energy to the mouthfeel, a sense of excitement just bursting out of the glass. An exceptionally delicate yet complex wine. Pair this glorious worn with someone special because it will be a moment you will always remember.
Ronchi di Cialla Rosato
A new rosé to add to your rotation from Colli Orientali del Friuli Ronchi di Cialla Rosé di Cialla Rosato 2021 Ronchi di Cialla is well known for reviving Schioppettino in the 1970s and promoting local varietals. Made from 100% Refosco, Friuli’s most well-known indigenous red varietal. It is certified organic, macerated on the skins for 18 hours to give it this pretty in salmon pink color. Free run juice juice is fermented with ambient yeasts in stainless steel with a few months on other lees to give it an extra creamy texture. Pours into the glass a bright coral pink color. Wonderful aromatics of raspberry, strawberry watermelon, grapefruit, blood orange and dried herbs. Elegant, fine structure with a creamy texture. The presence of bramble, citrus, mineral and red fruit notes found on the nose along with savory dough, dried mint and anise. The acidity frames the wine from start to finish. Perfect with grilled sardines, hummus and olives or as an aperatif.
13th Street Expression Cabernet Franc Rosé
13th street winery Expression Cabernet Franc Rosé 2021 Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada Predominantly Cabernet Franc (94% Cabernet Franc, 6% Pinot Noir). They add a touch of Pinot Noir for brightness and complexity. A portion of the proceeds helps to support Canadian artists. Brilliant magenta pink in the glass with intense aromas of wild red berries, watermelon, pink peppercorn, lemon pith, rhubarb, grass and roasted bell peppers. Oh so refreshing acidity meets juicy tart flavors of bright raspberry& strawberry, red cherry, watermelon, blood orange and tangerine and a hum of pink peppercorns. The freshness and 12% abv made this wine a double banger while north of the border. Pair with vegetarian samosas as we did with grilled black bean burgers, roasted poblano mushroom tacos or herbed grilled tuna steaks. A special thanks to the Brockville Fire department (who were in the area doing routine inspections) for joining in on the fun with some photos and a quick lesson on 13th Street and their lovely rosé 😂