Chateau Musar Jeune Rosé
Chateau Musar has history, influence and a cult following among wine lovers for ages. Why? Their wines weren’t your typical style Bordeaux style. Their wines are about nature and spirit of character. Founded in 1959 by Gaston Hochar following his oenology degree at the university of Bordeaux. The family has met challenges head on, during the civil unrest and warm, they persisted and continued to make wine, nothing stopped them, still a family winery today. Located in sunny Bekaa Valley at 1,000 meters altitude, this limestone soil terroir is wedged in between 2 mountain ranges along the Mediterranean coast. All organic, this blend 85% Cinsult & 15% Mourvèdre vines. The altitude keeps the freshness yet with sunny days and cool nights the gapes ripen to perfection. Musar Jeune is a range of wines from the low yielding vines, direct press and cool fermentation in stainless steel. Chateau Musar – Musar Jeune Rosé 2020 Beautiful rich coral color with fresh aromas of strawberries, stone fruit, red apple and citrus. Fruit driven flavors of nectarines, peaches, quince, tangerines and strawberries with a touch of cream and almond skin with a subtle pepper note. It has a nice acidity and a creamy mouthfeel. Paired with grilled turkey burgers with tomato relish and a tabbouleh salad
Roederer & Starck Rosé Brut Nature Champagne
Like any new discovery, it all started with an idea. All it took was a meeting between Roederer CEO, Frédéric Rouzaud, the Chef de Cave, Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon and the designer Philippe Starck to create something new, something different. Ten years later the concept of a biodynamic Brut Nature cuvée collaboration was born. The 10 hectares of vines are planted in the clay soils in the Cumière village. The first Brut Nature was released in 2006 and the first Rosé in 2012. The cuvée is comprised of 55% Pinot Noir, 25% Meunier and 20% Chardonnay of which are all pressed together. For the Rose 25% cold soaked Pinot Noir for 7-10 days into the same base wine as the 2012 Brut Nature which adds such a unique energy and terroir quality. Louis Roederer & Philippe Starck Champagne Brut Nature Rose 2012 This isn’t for the faint of heart. This is a champagne with weight, purity and spirit. The uniform lively bubbles envelop with glass with its persistence in this rich salmon pink color. Imagine a bouquet of freshly picked violets intermingled with concentrated strawberries, apricots and peaches, toast, toffee and caramel. Add in the bone dry profile, racy acidity and complex style of honey, smoked almond, stewed berries and spicy ginger peppercorns. This is a fuller bodied style that has raw power, energy yet is full of grace and elegance. Even in its power it’s delicate in its gorgeous nature. Pair with a salmon sashimi, scallop strawberry ceviche or Iberia ham croquettes.
Stanlake Park Estate Rosé
This week I thought I’d highlight 3 different styles of Rosé wine – a cool climate, a warm climate and a champagne. Starting with the coolest region, Berkshire, England at Stanlake Park Wine Estate. Dating back to 1979 Stanlake Wine Estate is a labor of passion and love for couple Nico Centonze & Natalia Pezzone from the meticulously hand selected grapes and is involved in every stage of the winemaking process. This particular 100% Pinot Noir rosé undergoes a short maceration on the skins to extract the delicate color, cool fermentation in stainless steel with low intervention in order to preserve the fresh fruity character. This watercolor label (and four others) were specially designed by local artist Benedict Butterworth who took inspiration from the English flowers found in the beautiful Stanlake Park’s grounds. The flowers were each chosen to reflect the color and or aromas connected to each and every wine. Stanlake Park Wine Estate 40 Anniversary Pinot Noir Rosé 2021 Pours into the glass the palest of pale salmon pink color. Graceful aromas of fresh red berries, fresh citrus, rose petals and minerals with a candied citrus peel quality. Deliciously fresh raspberry, red cherry, passion fruit, pink grapefruit, tangerine, lemon, red apple with a crisp acidity. The body is full of life yet light on its feet, bone-dry with a refreshing, snappy finish. This is your go-to garden sipper, so delicately feminine in every sense Plan out a garden mezze platte of olives, poached lemon oil shrimp and fresh cheese.
Champagne Boizel Blanc de Blancs & Oysters
“𝕀𝕟𝕕𝕚𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕦𝕒𝕝𝕚𝕥𝕪 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕒𝕝𝕨𝕒𝕪𝕤 𝕓𝕖 𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕔𝕠𝕟𝕕𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕝 𝕖𝕝𝕖𝕘𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕖.” ℂ𝕙𝕣𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕒𝕟 𝔻𝕚𝕠𝕣 Evelyne Boizel and Champagne Boizel are 100% class, elegance and carry their own individualistic style. A sixth generational house that are dedicated to precision, terroir and balance of their champagnes. Their generational relationships with their growers help form a strong bond in their champagnes. They select the finest grapes from Grands and Premiers Crus sites. All of their champagnes are aged In the historic chalk cellars beneath the famous Avenue de Champagne. Beautiful, elegant, period. ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕞𝕡𝕒𝕘𝕟𝕖 𝔹𝕠𝕚𝕫𝕖𝕝 𝔹𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕔 𝕕𝕖 𝔹𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕤 𝔹𝕣𝕦𝕥 A blend from 100% Chardonnay of select Grands and Premiers Crus sites. the Blanc de Blancs 12% abv, sourced from the Côte des Blancs. Aged for 4 years on the lees (disgorged December 2016) which includes 40% reserve wines in the cuvée. Generous aromas of florally elegant acacia blossoms mixed with bruised apples, freshly baked brioche, ripe citrus and honey. The palate expresses lovely grapefruit, toasted brioche, burnt honey, pastry cream, hazelnut and a fine minerality backbone. The bubbles are lush and mouth filling that carries the flavors a long time. It’s wonderfully delicate, fresh and fine in every sip. Staying classic and classy with local oysters from West Passage Oysters. It’s the ultimate pairing
Marcalberto Brut Nature
A.A. Marcalberto are Langhe’s answer to grower Champagne in philosophy, methods and nature. Marcalberto was named after the two brothers, Marco and Alberto, who are entirely dedicated to producer metodo classico sparkling wine from the Langhe region. Santo Stefano Belbo is a commune in the Province of Cuneo in the Italian region Piedmont. The Brut Nature Pinot Nero undergoes first fermentation in French oak for seven months and then aged in bottle sur lies for two years. 3500 bottles made. 𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕔𝕒𝕝𝕓𝕖𝕣𝕥𝕠 𝕄𝕖𝕥𝕠𝕕𝕠 ℂ𝕝𝕒𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕔𝕠 ℕ𝕒𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕖 Pours into the glass an intense straw like almost golden color. Bright aromas of yeasty bread dough rising on the counter, fresh cut citrus, white blossom, butterscotch, mushroom and apple compote. The palate envelopes you with its fresh yet complex flavors, delicate bubbles and refreshing acidity. The aromas on the palate continue harmoniously and linger with a burnt honey ginger finish. It’s sweet and happy bubbly.Serve with salmon carpaccio with lemon olive oil drizzle & a risotto with shrimp.
Txakolina & Oysters
A classic pairing – so many options – but what’s important is to keep in mind one thing – to pair the oysters with a “sessionable” wine – brisk and refreshing – are typically great with oysters. My go-to’s are a Brut Nature Champagne or a Muscadet Sevre et Maine. Bengoetxe Getariako Txakolina 2019 Welcome to the cool Atlantic Basque region of Getariako Txakolina DO Founded in 2001 by Iñaki and Rosa Maria Etxeberria they are winemakers that make a natural cuvée (95% native varietal Hondarribi Zuri and 5% Gros Manseng) from their 3.5 hectares planted on clay soils impart a richer and savory character with 200m elevation and slightly warmer temps being in the middle of the region. Fermented in stainless steel and cold feremted on the lees (ambient lees). A touch of CO2 is added to give that classic styled spritz. Unfined, unfiltered, untouched beauty of Getariako Txakolina purity. Pours into the glass a bright lemon color. First aromas of sea salt minerality are met with clean aromas of fresh lemon and lime, white blossom and rising bread dough. It has a creamy texture from the lees ageing complimented by a mouthwatering acidity and stylistic low alcohol at 12% abv. It’s full of lemon fresh goodness, freshly baked bread, salty minerality, savory chamomile, smoke. It is full of bright acidity charm, a palate cleansing type quality that makes it so moorish with the West Passage oysters. The Rhode Island oysters are bright, clean salinity and buttery. Perfect complement the briny-sweet spectrum of West to East Coast oyster flavors.
Et Voilà Cascina Baricchi Pinot Nero 2014
“ᴡɪɴᴇ ɪꜱ ᴘᴀꜱꜱɪᴏɴ ꜰᴏʀ ᴍᴇ, ɪᴛ’ꜱ ꜰᴀᴍɪʟʏ ᴀɴᴅ ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅꜱ, ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ᴡᴀʀᴍᴛʜ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ ᴀɴᴅ ɢᴇɴᴇʀᴏꜱɪᴛʏ. ᴡɪɴᴇ ɪꜱ ᴀʀᴛ, ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ᴄᴜʟᴛᴜʀᴇ, ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇꜱꜱᴇɴᴄᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴄɪᴠɪʟɪᴢᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇʟᴇɢᴀɴᴄᴇ ᴏꜰ ʟɪᴠɪɴɢ … ” ɴᴀᴛᴀʟᴇ ꜱɪᴍᴏɴᴇᴛᴛᴀ, ᴡɪɴᴇᴍᴀᴋᴇʀ ᴏꜰ ᴄᴀꜱᴄɪɴᴀ ʙᴀʀɪᴄᴄʜɪ. So fitting to showcase this glorious bottle amidst the beauty of our local yearly pick your own tulips in all of its colorful glory. Et Voilà was born out of passion, dedication and curiosity. Need I say more? ᴇᴛ ᴠᴏɪʟÀ ᴄᴀꜱᴄɪɴᴀ ʙᴀʀɪᴄᴄʜɪ ᴘɪɴᴏᴛ ɴᴇʀᴏ 2014 “Here you go” a gorgeous 100% Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir) metodo classico (traditional method) aged for 72 months on the lees from Barbaresco in the Langhe region. A limited production of 2000 bottles made of which I have 2 (one left LOL). Pours into the glass a deep golden color tickled by the very fine perlage. This newfound favorite sparkler shows exotic notes of caramelized pineapple, blood orange cream tart, grapefruit zest, tart lemon, peach pit, chalky minerals and toasty brioche. The first sip brings underripe strawberries, salted caramel meets apricot almond pastry meets sour lemon candy dancing in a freshly cut white blossom field and sage mint fresh herbs. The freshness and body make it so captivating. I paired this with gochujang cheddar chive pinwheels. Bam! There’s a party in my mouth.
Champagne Deutz Classic Glamour
Visiting Champagne Deutz is like stepping back in time to the romanticism of a period piece with a modern twist. Jean-Marc took me through the house’s journey through history, the close knit multi generational grower relationships, the deeply winding 3 km of cellars that include incredibly romantic candle light cellars and staircases, the decades of vintage champagne and the sprawling vines behind the cellars carved into the chalky soils of the Aÿ region. Dating back to 1838 and one of the Grandes Marques, their finely tuned champagnes have elegance and glamour. The house sources it’s rigorously selected grapes from their 30 hectares plus 300 hectares of growers from the Premier and Grand Cru sites. Classic Brut Champagne N.V. Their classic cuvee is an equal blend of the 3 classic grapes – Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier. All three bringing forth their best game to the champagne blend. A bright golden color and lively bubbles dance in the glass. The rich brioche, acacia, lemon curd, citrus, yellow apple, ripe pear, minerals, almond and toast all blend so well together. It has a creamy texture and lively acidity. Delicious Brut which includes 45% reserve wine. It’s such a pleasant wine full balance and finest.
Pianogrillo Flaneur
Oh orange wine, orange wine, where for art thou? ( I know the proper term is skin contact wine but it didn’t sound right in the intro LOL). I have been exploring all kinds of skin contact wine lately from different regions, varietals and maceration duration. One thing remains the same, I LOVE the savory, fresh profile. Flâneur is the creation of Pianogrillo. Made from 100% Grillo, it undergoes a short skin maceration of 5 days following a fermentation in s for 5 days in stainless steel. Why? Well for one you extract the fresh aromatics from the skin and texture and also keep this aromatics fresh in stainless steel. Pianogrillo Flâneur Terre Siciliane Grillo IGT 2020 This is a young lass, full of purity and life. She has a Sicilian edge to her that creates a savory, fresh and engaging experience. The curtains match the drapes 100% – seaweed salinity from the sea, pink grapefruit and orange zest, freshly cut lemons, ripe yellow apple, spring blossoms, white peach, apple, pear, dried herbs( thyme, rosemary) white pepper, bread dough, honey and ginger creamy texture. Its bright, light and lively to drink . It’s so lovely with fried clams, shellfish ciopinno, asparagus quiche or goat cheese tartlets.
Familia Fernandez Rivera 20 Aldeas
Tempranillo is like a cowboy – rustic, burly and, you guess it, leather and tobacco. Ribera del Duero is home to 100% Tempranillo, oak aged rich, bold and beautiful red wines. Bodega Condado de Haza (Familia Fernandez Rivera aka Château de la Ribera) are a leading first family of Ribera del Duero and today is a 3 generational women in winemaking family. The family’s holdings grew over time to include vineyards in La Mancha and Castilla y Leon. Fully committed to reducing their carbon footprint (solar panels), following all sustainable and organic practices these 30 years vines enjoy the benefits of the El Duero River, sand, gravel, clay and pebbled soils and a cozy barrel ageing of 14 months (a combination o American Oak Barrels 225 liters, American Oak Barrels of 200 liters, American Oak barrels of 500 Liters and foudres). Bodega Condado de Haza 20 Aldeas 2018 Pours into the glass a rich cherry ruby color with a purple rim. Charged with rich dark berries, spice, leather, fresh tobacco leaf, coffee are all complimented by the toasty oak classic profile. Noticeable tannins at the higher spectrum and acidity carries it along. Concentrated flavors of black cherry & raspberry, blackberry bramble, savory dill, bay leaf, leather, vanilla, cedar, anise, cloves and mint lingers every so pleasantly, like that spring breeze that you feel on your face that just makes you smile. Its the type of wine that can benefit from further ageing but also ready to drink now. Its structure has the levels of tannins and acidity to age, not to mention alcohol and bpdy all contribute to the ageable factors. Tempranillo loves oak, especially American. It’s a winemaking style whether to use American or French Oak. Pair with a rosemary rack of lam, cedar smoked burgers or a baked ziti tomato dish.