Inglenook Reopens

July 4, 2020 by evebushman

RUTHERFORD, California – Catherine Durand, Estate President of Inglenook, has announced that the historic winery reopened to Heritage Society members on June 12 and welcomed the public on June 25. Plans and circumstances continue to evolve, and the health and safety of Inglenook’s team and guests are always at the forefront.

Conveniently located just minutes from Napa County’s private airport, Inglenook was founded in 1879 and the stunning chateau on the organically-farmed estate was built in 1887. The chateau and estate are ideal for visitors seeking privacy from other parties. Tasting appointments will be by reservation only, with a limited number of guests allowed on the estate.

The gracious Inglenook team is donning white gloves and masks to protect guests and offer the impeccable, warm service for which Inglenook is known. Guests can book a tasting alongside Inglenook’s iconic fountain in the winery’s open, breezy courtyard – or tucked into a cozy private cellar or salon inside the spectacular historic stone chateau. The estate is also available for private gatherings that include a memorable lunch or dinner crafted by Inglenook’s Chef Alex Lovick, who draws upon the bounty of Inglenook’s organically-farmed estate and culinary garden.

Behind the scenes, guests can be assured that the Inglenook team will be thoroughly cleaning all high-touch surfaces hourly and that every detail has been planned, from contactless payment to redesigned traffic flow within the chateau that minimizes contact among people.

“Hospitality is in our hearts,” said Durand. “We are so excited to welcome guests back to Inglenook. The winery just hasn’t been the same without visitors.”

From Gustave Niebaum to John Daniel, Jr. to Francis Ford Coppola, Inglenook’s three principal stewards have shared a strong sense of vision and an unwavering passion to create a wine estate that hearkens back to the European tradition, producing original, distinctly Napa wines that rival the best in Europe. Inglenook is located at 1991 St. Helena Highway in Rutherford and will be open Thursday – Sunday. Reservations can be made by calling 707-968-1161 or by emailing reservations@inglenook.com. Much more information on Inglenook’s tasting experiences can be found at www.inglenook.com/visit.

Here are photos of Inglenook’s courtyard and private cellars and salons.

About Inglenook
Founded in 1879 by Gustave Niebaum as Napa’s first estate winery, Inglenook boasts an illustrious heritage, a renowned legacy of innovation and an outstanding portfolio of award-winning wines that have defined and established Napa as a world-class wine region. From Gustave Niebaum to John Daniel, Jr. to Francis Ford Coppola, Inglenook’s three principal stewards have shared a strong sense of vision and an unwavering passion to create a wine estate that hearkens back to the European tradition, producing original, distinctly Napa wines that rival the best in Europe. It remains the largest contiguous estate on the famed Rutherford Bench, Napa Valley’s finest area for producing spectacular Cabernet Sauvignon.

The iconic Inglenook chateau was first constructed in 1887, and faithfully restored in 1997. Befitting the grandeur of the Inglenook estate, the chateau welcomes guests for seated tastings and special events. Experiences include tours of the Chateau, the Infinity caves, the vineyards, barrel tastings and culinary offerings under the direction of Winery Chef Alex Lovick who expertly pairs the wines with the seasonal, organic bounty of the expansive estate farm and orchards.

Bordeaux En Primeurs Week Canceled but Château Malescasse Maintains Efforts to Achieve High Standards

May 10, 2020 by evebushman

BORDEAUX, FRANCE (PRWEB) – Despite the cumulation of the COVID-19 pandemic and the cancelation of the En Primeurs Week, Château Malescasse is continuing to focus on producing wine that earned the estate a “Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel” classification, propelling the domaine at the forefront of the Médoc’s most highly regarded properties.

The Crus Bourgeois du Médoc appellation announced a new three-tier classification system earlier this year and among 249 châteaux classified Crus Bourgeois, “Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel” has only been awarded to 14 selected properties. The “Exceptionnel ” level of the new classification requires quality standards and sustainable practices and the following of strict guidelines with technical procedures applied to the vineyard, the harvest method, bottling and quality assurance. Furthermore, the promotion of the wines is evaluated; from the presentation of the site and tourism offerings to distribution and international activities.

Over the past seven years, Château Malescasse has undergone a revolution; with changes to processes in the vineyard, winemaking practices as well as marketing efforts which contributed to earning this elite classification.

“We couldn’t be more proud of this distinction, it is the result of many years of dedicated work and a strong team effort. It is an honor to be recognized as one of the top properties in the Médoc,” said Alban Cacaret, Managing Director of Château Malescasse.

The vineyards were restructured in terms of soil, rootstock, clone and planting density, to operate in the same vein as the neighbouring Grands Crus Classés. The sustainable farming practices now center around preserving the existing biodiversity, the overall natural state of the vineyard environment and optimizing energy usage. Yields have been reduced and a rigorous grape selection process has been implemented, with only 50% used in the blend of the premier wine, compared to 80% in previous years.

All of the winemaking practices are focused on preserving the pureness of the fruit and are overseen by wine consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt. A new wine cellar was created with small volume oak barrels and concrete vessels enabling harvests of single vineyard plots.

As part of the continuous efforts to create a better experience for visitors on the estate, Château Malescasse has been fully restored: the winery and the charterhouse have been fully revamped to form a living, welcoming experience, inspired by the history of the estate and the neoclassical style of the finest houses of the Médoc. The property organizes public and private events and has become a dynamic and unmissable spot on the Bordeaux wine trail. It attracts visitors from around the world, looking to experience refinement and the French art of living.

About Château Malescasse: Owned by Vignobles Austruy since 2012, Château Malescasse has been crafting its signature Bordeaux wines in the Haut-Médoc between Margaux and Saint-Julien since the early 19th century. It acquired and maintained the Cru Bourgeois status since 2003 before obtaining the Exceptionnel distinction earlier this year. The château and gardens cover over 1.5 acres surrounded by 100 acres of vineyards.

About the Crus Bourgeois du Médoc:
The Crus Bourgeois du Médoc form the largest family of Bordeaux crus from some of the most prestigious appellations of the Left Bank. This family brings together vineyards with widely differing profiles and terroirs that satisfy a drastic set of requirements. Thanks to its yearly blind selection process, the Crus Bourgeois du Médoc guarantees consumers a standard of quality for every bottle that proudly bears the “Cru Bourgeois” label.

Louis Roederer Carries on its American Journey in Napa Valley

April 9, 2020 by evebushman

OAKLAND, CALIF. (PRWEB) – The story of Maison Louis Roederer’s passion for unique terroirs of Cabernet Sauvignon dates back to the early 1990s with the purchase of Château de Pez in 1995 in the renowned Bordeaux appellation of Saint-Estèphe. 2007 marked the entry of the family into the select group of 1855 Classified Grands Crus wines with the purchase of the iconic Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande.

Photo from Diamond Creek’s Facebook page.

“The acquisition of Diamond Creek is the continuation of our journey into the greatest appellations in the world and our relentless quest to produce great wines with strong identity. Reflective of their pioneering characters, Al and Boots Brounstein built Diamond Creek from the ground up, producing some of the most celebrated and singular wines of the region. I am delighted that, once again, we have the opportunity to carry on the opus of an iconic family and embody its values and savoir-faire,” states Frédéric Rouzaud, President & CEO of Maison Louis Roederer.

“Most important to my Mom, myself and the family was finding the right partner who would respect the legacy that she and Al built over the last 50 years, and who could even elevate that legacy. Frédéric and his family are the perfect fit,” says Phil Ross, Boots Brounstein’ son and Managing Partner.

The mutual respect and admiration between Roederer and Diamond Creek run deep — in 1997, Al and Boots Brounstein were among a small group of wine luminaries invited to Paris by Jean-Claude Rouzaud, Frédéric’s father, to celebrate the 30 greatest wines in the world on his 30-year anniversary at the helm of Louis Roederer. Their friendly relationship endured until Al’s passing and Jean-Claude’s retirement in 2006; it was carried on by Frédéric and Boots who were exploring ways to partner until she passed in July 2019 at age 92.

Phil Ross has agreed to stay at the winery for a period of time. Winemaker Phil Steinschriber, who has been with Diamond Creek since 1991, has also agreed to stay. The majority of the employees, many of whom have worked at Diamond Creek for decades, will also continue there.

Maison Louis Roederer
Originally founded in 1776, Champagne Louis Roederer continues as one of the very rare Champagne houses to remain firmly in the hands of the same family, since 1832. For three centuries, seven successive generations have been responsible for building a reputation for unparalleled quality and continuity. Its focus on meticulous viticulture, best demonstrated with an ongoing conversion to organic and biodynamic vineyards, as well as precise winemaking, account for the House’s enduring excellence and success.

Since 1990, Maison Louis Roederer has strategically acquired esteemed family-owned wineries with an approach centered around identical core values, long-term vision and continuity.

Ramos Pinto (1990), Champagne Deutz and Delas Frères (1993), Château de Pez (1995), Domaines Ott (2004), Scharffenberger Cellars (2004), Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande (2007) and Merry Edwards (2019).

Roederer has also established new ventures: Roederer Estate (1982) and Domaine Anderson (2012) and owns Descaves, an historic wine merchant on the Place de Bordeaux.

Diamond Creek
Founded in 1968, Diamond Creek is California’s first exclusively Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Vineyard. Visionary pioneer Al Brounstein assisted by his wife Boots defied modern conventions and planted Bordeaux varietals on secluded Diamond Mountain. The four vineyards — Red Rock Terrace, Volcanic Hill, Gravelly Meadow and Lake — produce a small amount of long-lived wines that are elegant with great depth and richness, honored and cherished by connoisseurs the world over.

Vintage Eve Circa 4/2017: The ‘Cru Bourgeois’ Distinction

March 10, 2020 by evebushman

I attended a wine class organized by the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), of which I am a member, to learn more about ‘Cru Bourgeois’ wines mostly from the Medoc and Haut Medoc region of Bordeaux, France.

Chateau Lestiac, from the Cru Bourgeois official website

Wine appellations in Europe have lots of rules and distinctions. The Cru Bourgeois was different from any other I had learned about before, and the prices – $20 to $50 average – made them accessible to anyone with wine interests.

There were just maybe two dozen of us in the class: sommeliers, wine store owners and wine students. I was surprised to learn that I was one of two people that had been to Bordeaux, but not to the Medoc region.

Some of the reasons why the Bordeaux region is important

All of our winemaking techniques blending, fining, etc. – come from Bordeaux.

One of the longest aging wines in the world, it’s a fact with a proven track record.

Lower alcohol levels than other age-worthy wines.

Bordeaux is divided between the left and right bank of the Gironde river. Left was originally under water before the Dutch drained it, leaving great white gravel pebbles, the “secret to Bordeaux.”

Due to the weather blending became a necessity.

Vintage years are important, and pushed by producers, due to unpredictable weather.

The wines made on the right side of the Gironde river aew Merlot-based. Grows best in colder gravel/soil. Hills and limestone, limestone stays cooler.

Left of the Gironde is Cabernet Sauvignon-based. White pebbles in vineyard increase ripeness.

Haut Medoc and Medoc

Haut Medoc is where the classic Cabernets come from. If you travel the road between Medoc and Haut Medoc, running south to north, the gravel changes from smaller and fine to bigger gravel and more clay. So wines from Haut Medoc are more tannic, potent, powerful and require more aging. As you continue up the wines get bigger. It is widely considered that wines made from grapes closer to the Gironde River are better.

Crus Bourgeois du Medoc

The term, Crus Bourgeois, first became commercial in 19th century. The classification was made official in 1932 with 444 members. By 2003 there were 247 Chateau in the association.

The Crus Bourgeois are considered good wines that weren’t let into Grand Cru classification. This was a way to get national recognition beyond the Grand Crus.

The Crus Bourgeois is a privately controlled certifying organization. At one point one member of the panel was a vintner, it was eventually deemed unfair, and in 2009 a new tasting was held.

The first official selection of Crus Bourgeois was for the 2008 vintage. Every year, two years after harvest, the wines are tasted to see if they will be included as a Crus Bourgeois. The procedure is done annually, to every vintage, and supervised by an outside party, with an audit and a blind tasting. (Grand Crus don’t do this testing)

They have to have a representative random sample, to get an indication of that year’s quality, so they do an annual blind tasting that starts with 80 samples and goes down to 16. This gives a benchmark score of quality and what they are looking for.

More Facts of the Crus Bourgeois

Cru Bourgeois can be identified by QR code on a white label affixed to foil.
3% of Medoc vineyards, 30 million bottles, make the Crus Bourgeois du Medoc.
Average price is $25 a bottle and remain stable.
2013 and 2015 are the highest scanned bottles sold. California, New York and Texas are the states that visit the crus-bourgeois.com website the most.
You can visit 90% of the properties for tours and tastings.
They plan to reintroduce three levels, Crus Bourgeois, Superior Crus Bourgeois and Exceptional Crus Bourgeois categories by 2020.
They also want the review process to be every five years and not for single years.

Presented by NASA

For centuries, BORDEAUX has commanded an almost mythical status in the world of wine, beguiling kings, emperors and dictators alike. While its survival is dependent on the capricious nature of weather, its prosperity has always been tied to the shifting fortunes of global economies. As powerful nations rise and fall, so does the fate of this place.

One of the unique and historical characteristics of this commanding wine region is the quality ‘classification’ of its left bank (Medoc) wineries. Most of us are well aware of the famous 1855 classification that divided the wineries into a ‘Grand Cru’ scale of 1 to 5 and how unreachable the 5 top Chateaux are in price…but how about the wineries that were NOT classified in 1855 ? The ones that were born after, or perhaps never made the cut back then but today make fabulous wines at accessible prices? Welcome the CRU BOURGEOIS. Created in 1962 but with a far longer history, this association of producers stands to protect, classify and promote all the superb wineries that were not classified in 1855 and were in the hands of merchants and not noble families. They represent some of the best and most competitive wines that Bordeaux has to offer. As a result of their selection criteria and positioning in terms of price, the Crus Bourgeois are ideally suited to today’s markets and the requirements of increasingly demanding consumers.

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits

Eve Reviews: Union des Grands Crus 2017 Bordeaux Vintage

January 31, 2020 by evebushman

Once again the Union des Grands Crus came to LA for their annual event, a tasting of their newest wines from the Bordeaux region of France. This time it was to present the 2017 vintage. The press and trade come in the afternoon, and then the wine reps do it all over again for the public in the evening. The event was held at Sofitel LA, in the dining room, patio and bar. It was a different set up, and not all of the members of the UGC were there (we were told that there was another UGC event that day in a different state) but with at least 100 Château present, it was more than enough to taste and get a feel for the new wines.

For this article I will share my own general “takeaway” from the event, the tastes I enjoyed the most and a link to my photos. A note about this year’s photos: People have asked me what my trick is for remembering what wines I’ve liked over the years. In the past I would remember a label, however not always because I liked the wine, the label would stick in my memory. So I got in the habit of trying to take photos of the wines I like. For this tasting I did that, and for the wines that really stood out, I tried to get a photo of the wine with the rep.

2017 Takeaway

Between our own palates (my husband Eddie has attended with me for many years and knows what to look for in these young wines) we found that we liked most of the classic Château the best, the names of which most Bordeaux lovers know. We often bought futures of the red Bordeaux, sometimes buying a few new discoveries, and often it has been the classics that always fared the best. Maybe that’s why they’re so good year after year for so many people and remain classics. One last note, maybe it’s me but I can’t seem to find a Sauterne that I don’t like, especially after a long day of tasting red Bordeaux wines.

Wines We Liked

Château Talbot, Château Carbonneau, Château Clinet, Château Rauzan Gassies, Château Phélan Ségur, Château Lagrange, Château Gloria, Château Canon, Château La Couspaude St Emilion, Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey – 1er Grand Cru Classé en 1855, Château Clos Haut-Peyraguey, Château Doisy Daene, Château les Carmes Haut-Brion, Château Latour-Martillac, Château Domaine de Chevalier, Château La Tour Carnet, Château Ferrière, Château Giscours, Château Malescot.

What Stood Out

Château Leoville Poyferre, Smith Haut Lafitte, Château Lynch Bages, Château La Gaffelière, Château Beau-Sejour Becot, Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Château Guiraud, Château Suduiraut, Château Duhart-Milon, Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse De Lalande,Château Rauzan Segla, Château Croizet Bages, Château Marquis De Terme.

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

Bordeaux’s Crus Bourgeois Du Médoc Announce the Finalists Of The 2016 Official Selection Crus Bourgeois Du Médoc Cup

June 15, 2019 by evebushman

NEW YORK (PRWEB) – The Crus Bourgeois du Médoc (http://www.crubourgeois.com), one of the oldest and most prestigious classifications in Bordeaux, are pleased to announce the twelve finalists, and overall winner of the 9th edition of Crus Bourgeois du Médoc Cup for the 2016 Official Selection.

Hosted annually in conjunction with French publication, le Point magazine, this year’s Crus Bourgeois du Médoc Cup was held at the Matmut Atlantique Stadium in Bordeaux, with the winner and laureates announced on May 14 at Vinexpo Bordeaux. Over 166 of the Left Bank’s top Cru Bourgeois classified châteaux participated in the hotly contested cup, with smaller, upstart producers pitted against the more established and renowned châteaux as part of a match play-style competition over multiple rounds of tasting.

In total, twelve châteaux were selected during the competition to move on to the final round of judging for the Crus Bourgeois du Médoc Cup, and they included:

Château Cambon la Pelouse, AOC Haut-Médoc
Château Campillot, AOC Médoc
Château Cap Léon Veyrin, AOC Listrac-Médoc
Château le Crock, AOC Saint-Estèphe
Château la Fortune, AOC Margaux
Château Lestage Simon, AOC Haut-Médoc
Château Maurac, AOC Haut-Médoc
Château Moulin de Blanchon, AOC Haut-Médoc
Château Reverdi, AOC Listrac-Médoc
Château Ricaudet, AOC Médoc
Château La Roque de By, AOC Médoc
Château les Tuileries, AOC Médoc

Following the final round of judging, The patron of the Cup, Véronique Rivest (Best Sommelier of Canada in 2006 and 2016, Best Sommelier of the Americas in 2012) along with other notable wine journalist from around the world, awarded the Crus Bourgeois du Médoc Cup to Jean-Pierre Marie of the Haut-Médoc Producer Château Cambon la Pelouse for their 2016 vintage offering.

Since 2013, the number of Crus Bourgeois du Médoc distributed in the U.S. has grown from 130 to 200. Today, nearly 70% of the Crus Bourgeois du Médoc are available on the U.S. market and in most fine wine stores throughout the country. Each bottle is authenticated with a QR code sticker that guarantees the quality of the wines that are bottled and enables Cru Bourgeois wines to be easily identified.

About the Crus Bourgeois du Médoc
The Crus Bourgeois du Médoc (http://www.crus-bourgeois.com) form the largest family of Bordeaux crus from some of the most prestigious appellations of the Left Bank. This family brings together vineyards with widely differing profiles and terroirs that satisfy a drastic set of requirements. Thanks to its yearly blind selection process, the Crus Bourgeois du Médoc guarantee consumers a standard of quality for every bottle that proudly bears the “Cru Bourgeois” label.

Vintage Eve Circa 7/2016: Champagne Palmer at The Palm and Bordeaux Under One Roof

May 28, 2019 by evebushman

We got another two-fer for wine 101 readers today. Since I attended these two tastings in one day, I thought why not have you do it too – virtually. So please take a gander below for my tasting notes on Champagne Palmer and then, after that, a little Bordeaux. Viva La France!

You can begin with this 15-second slideshow from these tastings and one other I attended the same week: https://www.facebook.com/140201804492/videos/10154207300324493/

As our small group met in a private room of The Palm in downtown Los Angeles for a Champagne tasting and lunch, I jotted down some notes shared by Palmer Export Director, Raymond Ringeval:

Palmer has 200 Premier and Grand Cru vineyards.
80% of their land is planted with Chardonnay grapes.
Their second fermentation takes place in large-format bottles.
Solera of red wine (blending of multiple vintages. Definition here: http://www.champagneguide.net/information/glossary) is used for the Rose Champagne.
This is the first time Palmer has been distributed in the U.S.

Champagne Palmer Tasting

Brut Reserve: Strong citrus and yeast notes. Rose Reserve: Great strawberry color, vanilla notes and tart qualities. Blanc de Blancs: Citrus, white flowers and marzipan almond paste. VINTAGE 2002: My favorite of the tasting with notes of yeast, toast, peach, lemon and mild acidity. Amazone de Palmer: Cream, butter, hazelnuts with a tinny back palate.

About Champagne Palmer

Champagne Palmer was founded in 1947 by a small co-op of seven growers. It has since grown into one of the greatest co-ops in the region, with the vast majority of its vineyards along the slopes of the Montagne de Reims and Côte des Blancs, on Premier and Grand Cru-designated land. Though the co-op has grown to incorporate over 200 growers, it has upheld its high standard of quality by maintaining an incredible attention to detail – from the growing and selection of the grapes through the aging of the wines. Palmer is represented by Vin Divino, a subsidiary of Gonzalez Byass.

The Bordeaux Wine Council brought their popular “Bordeaux Under One Roof” 100-affordable bottle tasting back to LA, and I have a few tastes that I’d like to share with you. Albeit this is just a list of the wines I enjoyed the most, some are noted as “favorites” of mine as well. If not otherwise stated the wine listed is a red:

Château Pichon Longueville Reserve de la Comtesse de Lalande 2006 (favorite), Pavillon de Leoville Poyferre 2012 (favorite), Château De Pez 2011 (favorite), Château Haut-Beausejour 2012 (favorite), Château De Sales 2012 (favorite), Château Dauphine-Rondillon Cuvee Classique 2009 sweet wine (favorite), Château Recougne 2012 (favorite), Château Julia 2010 (favorite), Château Dauphine-Rondillon Cuvee d’Or Vieilles Vignes 2007 sweet wine (favorite), Château Bellevue Blanc 2013 and Rouge 2012, Château Les Pasquets 2014, Château de la Coste 2011, Château Tour Seran 2009, Château Rollan de By 2011, Château Haut Selves 2014 dry white and 2012 red, Henry Cuvelier 2012, Château Soleil Cuvee Promesse 2014, Château Croix de Rival 2010, Château Lamothe de Haux 2014, Dauphin de Grand-Puy Ducasse 2012, Château La Caderie 2014, Château Julia 2010, Château Richebon 2010, Château Coutet 2013, Château Lyonnat 2011 and Château Haut Bailly La Parde 2010.

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

Tasting 2018 Provence Rose Estates with Winemaker Alexis Cornu

March 15, 2019 by evebushman

It was a lovely day to taste Rose…that was and still is my opening as it sounds so good. But on the day of this particular tasting the skies had opened up as they have recently in LA and tried to ruin my day with about two inches of rain. The event, set for the Peninsula Hotel’s Roof Garden Terrace was moved to a private suite. Turned out to be much more intimate.

L to R: fellow writers Cori Solomon, Andy Harris and winemaker Alexis Cornu

We were to taste the latest 2018 vintages from two of the most popular Provence rosé estates in France, my tasting notes are in italics following notes from the winery:

Inspiration Rosé is produced at the storied Château de Berne and authentically captures the Provençal spirit with its classic profile and referential square bottle shape. 70% Grenache, 20% Cinsault and 10% Syrah. I got notes of peach, hard candy and flowers on the nose and also sea minerality and low acid in the mouth.

Romance Rosé launches this year as the newest addition to the Berne portfolio with a more affordable price point for those looking to explore the category. Previously name Emotion, the new Romance has aromas of rose petal, jasmine flower and saline, with the addition of white peach and a low acidity on the palate.

Chateau de Berne Estates is much more than just a rose. This is a hand crafted wine created from grapes specially selected by our winemaker from a unique vineyard block in the heart of the Berne estate, which is home to some of its oldest vines. Predominantly Grenache, the wine had a lovely balance with steeliness, peach, green kiwi and a gentle mouthfeel. A note on the square bottle shape: Cornu said that they had to redesign the bottling line to manage the unique shape.

UP Rosé, from the newly renovated Ultimate Provence estate, represents the bold, innovative nature of the region with its spicy blend and statement bottle. The UP stands for Ultimate Provence label, not Berne but 30 minutes away, and about 20 minutes from St. Tropez. Cornu explained that this area had more sandstone instead of limestone. I got that same floral notes as well as a more perfumy aroma with a bit of the sea. Cornu added that he enjoyed the wine with sushi and sashimi.

Chateau des Bertrands is located in the French commune of Cannet-des-Maures, at the heart of the Plaine des Maures nature reserve. Historically the crown jewel of Cotes de Provence, it offers exceptional wines thanks to an original geology and patient human effort. With more Cinsault than the previous mostly Grenache wines this one had what Cornu called “light, elegant and fine.” I noted a lovely pear in sweetened juice on the nose as well as minerality (wet pebbles) and saline.

Meeting with the winemaker for the estates, Alexis Cornu, proved to be an additional benefit. From Cornu I learned:

Breezy and surrounded by pines, Château de Berne is the number one destination winery in Provence, France.

Some of the names of the wines are different in France.

Cornu thinks about how the grapes may grow; whether it be under late ripening, sunny, warm or windy conditions, he finds that these conditions allow for “more finesse and freshness.”

Berne is one of four estates Cornu makes wine for. He feels that his wines in Provence are “always fresh with a nice texture on the palate.”

Berne thinks that like Champagne, in the next 20 years wine drinkers will notice a sense of place when drinking their “fresh and dry” Rose wines.

Harvest can occur at night, when workers will have had no sleep.

The old vines region produces a dry Rose not common to some wine drinkers. Especially those expecting sweetness in a pink wine.

The vineyards are working towards being 100% organic, they started the process in 2018. The wines already use less sulfites than before.

Four wines per estate recently obtained Gold Medals from a prestigious French competition: the Le Concours General Agricole.

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

One Bottle Post: 2000 CHÂTEAU PONTET-CANET

October 19, 2018 by evebushman

I am now on bottle three of the six 2000 Bordeaux that we’ve pulled from our cellar to drink. At this point I have a current favorite, and it’s this one, the 2000 Chateau Pontet-Canet from the Pauillac region of Bordeaux, France. Looks like we paid about $55 and it’s doubled in price at auction, like all of the others I researched.

Photo credit: Millesima USA

So why did I like this one, the least expensive of the bunch so far? See my notes, it may guide you to try and find it too!

2000 CHÂTEAU PONTET-CANET

Tasting Notes

Color: Dark garnet with a brown edge (indicative of age), a cross between a ruby and tawny port.

Bouquet: Stewed prunes, worn suede, earth, cigar, black cherry, crushed dry leaves, blackberry, sage, grilled mushrooms.

Flavor: Blueberry, blackberry, black pepper, raisin, very lush mouthfeel – gave me the sense of a rich pulp – tannic, dry, long finish.

Pairing: We had this with a Porterhouse steak made Oscar style which means it was topped with crab, asparagus and Béarnaise, and on the side was a twice-baked potato and cole slaw. The pal that created the dinner admitted that it all was deli bought except for the steak. It helped to know this as…it didn’t matter what we paired this wine with, in my humble opinion it was a stand-alone wine. The kind of wine we like to have without a big to-do about what to pair it with. So for me, it was all about the wine once I had that first taste of it.

97 Eve pts.

Wine Spectator magazine notes

CHÂTEAU PONTET-CANET

Pauillac 2000

Score: 92

Release Price $55

Current Auction Price $103

Country France

Region Bordeaux

Issue Web Only – 2016

Tasting Note

A lovely lead-in of singed cedar and vanilla notes gives way to slightly taut, racy red and black currant fruit flavors that drive nicely through an iron-edged finish. Rather sleek and tightly focused, relying more on minerality than power.–Blind 2000 Bordeaux retrospective (December 2015). Drink now through 2023. 22,917 cases made.

–JM

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

The 10th Annual “STARS of Cabernet”

October 13, 2018 by evebushman

Beverly Hills – Were you aware that Cabernet Sauvignon, the most cultivated grape in the world, is the result of a marriage between the Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc grape varietals?

In celebration of Cabernet Sauvignon, “STARS of Cabernet” is the premier tasting event of the year! More than 30 of the best Cabernet producing wineries in California–and the world, will showcase their Cabernets and other wine varieties. Come and taste over 100 different wines hailing from Napa, Sonoma, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, France, Argentina and Chile.

List of wineries set to pour: Wines of South Africa, Trujillo Wines, Vineyard 29, Alpha Omega, Palazzo Wine, Frank Family Vineyards, Roy Estate, CAMi Vineyards, Bernardus Winery, Addendum, Allegretto Wines, Hawk and Horse Vineyards, axr, Hestan Vineyards, Jonata, Ladera Vineyards, Moraga Bel Air, Roca Family Vineyards, Hertelendy, The Debate, Clark-Claudon Vineyards, Michael Rolland, Duckhorn Vineyards. Merryvale Vineyards, JACK Winery, Almaviva Winery, S.R. Tonella Cellars, The Unfiltered Collection, VGS Chateau Potella & many more!

The evening will commence at 6pm with a VIP-access-only vintage tasting, followed by a PENINSULA catered dinner buffet- Acquaint yourself with the world of Cabernet while enjoying exquisite tray-passed appetizers! From 9-9:30pm, guests will enjoy a delicious dessert after-party.

A silent auction containing collectable and large format wines will benefit The TJ Martell Foundation–the music industry’s largest entity funding innovative medical research focused on finding cures for leukemia, cancer and AIDS, as well as sourcing/supporting early-stage research projects aimed at developing more effective clinical treatments for patients who otherwise cannot afford a panacea. Learn more at tjmartell.org.

Tickets now on sale!
For information and ticket purchasing, please visit Stars of Cabernet. STARS of Cabernet thanks its generous sponsors: Peninsula Hotel, Los Angeles Magazine, Evian, Robb Report, The Somm Journal and Tasting Panel Magazine.

About Peninsula Hotel:

The only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Star-rated hotel in Southern California every year since 1993, The Peninsula Beverly Hills offers 194 guest rooms, including 38 suites and 16 private villas, nestled among lush tropical gardens in the heart of Beverly Hills. The Peninsula is located at the intersection of Wilshire and South Santa Monica Boulevards and within comfortable walking distance from the legendary Rodeo Drive.

About WineLA:

WineLA is about enhancing the wine culture of Los Angeles one event at a time. To do so, wine must be in rhythm with fashion, music, food and other beverages. It must take advantage of the geography, the architecture and the centers of interest. Los Angeles is a giant playground with an amazing array of venues, spaces, wine bars, restaurants, beaches, rooftops, gardens, and magical views. We are a part of the LA lifestyle, the wine lifestyle, and celebrate the people, the place and the passion.