Bladnoch Distillery Releases New Collection of Whiskies in the US

November 20, 2021 by evebushman

Bladnoch, Scotland — 204-year-old Lowland distillery, Bladnoch, announces the release of three new Single Malt Scotch Whiskies in the United States: Vinaya, 11 Year Old, and 14 Year Old. This new core range was created by Master Distiller Nick Savage for incorporation into Bladnoch’s permanent portfolio. Each expression in the Classic Collection perfectly showcases the signature Lowland style and range of flavors the historic distillery is known for—floral, spice and fruits, with a hint of chocolate.

‘Vinaya’, a Sanskrit word meaning respect and gratitude, pays homage to the original founders and the distillery’s heritage, and is a No Age Statement (NAS) whisky. It is the second NAS single malt whisky in the portfolio, following the 2018 release of Samsara. The 11 and 14 Year Olds are aged single malts that will be annual releases in the ongoing portfolio.

The Vinaya is matured in a unique combination of ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry casks, never before released by the distillery. First-fill ex-Bourbon barrels highlight the floral notes from the distillery character along with refreshing, citrus sweetness. First-fill ex-Sherry casks then add a subtle rich body to the whisky and mouthfeel to the experience. Presented at 46.7% ABV, it has notes of fresh apple, sweet floral grass, and hints of chocolate. The finish is light and refreshing, making it a stunning representation of Lowland style Single Malt. MSRP: $54.99

The 11 Year Old is an impeccable 100% ex-Bourbon cask matured expression that perfectly reflects traditional Lowland style Single Malt. It is smooth and refreshing with a lemon gold color. Notes of delicate floral, sweet honey, and fresh cut apples make this a truly memorable malt. MSRP: $64.99

The 14 Year Old is an elegant Lowland Single Malt matured in ex-Oloroso Sherry casks bursting with flavor. The color of a bronze sunset, it has hints of sweet spices, dried fruits and chocolate with a rich, long finish. MSRP: $109.99

“Releasing three new products simultaneously in the US market is extremely exciting. The release of Bladnoch Vinaya, 11 Year Old, and 14 Year Old offers a breadth of experiences, and it is the start of a range that not only demonstrates the quality of Bladnoch whiskies, but also the accessibility for everyone to find their perfect dram,” says Dr. Nick Savage, Bladnoch’s Master Distiller.

All releases are non-chill filtered and natural in color with water sourced from the River Bladnoch that flows alongside the distillery to ensure the richest flavor is bottled. They are available for purchase at select retailers in New York, New Jersey, Georgia, Illinois, Texas, Colorado, California, and Washington state; and the Vinaya is also available online at https://us.bladnoch.com/collections/whisky-shop. For more information, please visit www.bladnoch.com or follow Bladnoch Distillery on Instagram.

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About Bladnoch Distillery

Bladnoch Distillery was established in 1817, making it the oldest working Scotch Whisky Distillery in the Lowlands. As the southernmost distillery in Scotland, it is commonly referred to as the ‘Queen of the Lowlands.’ Hand crafted using only the finest local ingredients such as the pristine water from the River Bladnoch that flows alongside the distillery to create a rich, flavourful whisky that is best savoured. Bladnoch Single Malts are non-chill filtered to ensure the truest flavours shine through.

This legacy brand has been revived by Master Distiller Dr. Nick Savage, formerly at The Macallan, and owner David Prior, a whisky connoisseur who is the first Australian businessman to own a Scotch Whisky distillery. Bladnoch is truly passionate about the preservation of the environment and the local community’s generational involvement in the iconic distillery.

Eve Finds Perfect Taste Balance with this Perfect Pairing: Piave DOP Cheese and Spumante Garda DOC

November 19, 2021 by evebushman

Well this was a new one: Being offered a selection of Italian sparkling and still wines, the cheeses to pair them with and all coming from the same part of Italy! Not something I get delivered every day so I said yes. Below I’m sharing the invitation, my tasting notes and further information:

Fall is here, and everyone is ready for a new tasty experience: Europe’s Perfect Pairing is here to be your next favorite pairing partner. If you are interested in tasting the perfect pairing of Garda sparkling wine and Piave cheese, I would be happy to send you samples… (of) convenient, delicious, and authentic northern Italian products for your Autumn gatherings.

For the Tasting

Use your next dining occasion to explore some of these styles, laying out a spread of delicious Piave cheeses. Taste the fresh and mild flavors of subtle Mezzano D.O.P. (61/180 days) and rich Piave Stravecchio (aged more than 12 months), the bright and vibrant Garda Spumante DOC will cleanse their palates between bites. Removing Piave cheese from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before serving, will allow for it to be at the perfect temperature to enjoy.

Garda Spumante DOC wines are just as delicious as easy to drink as well; simply pop the cork, pour, and enjoy. The elegant, refreshing flavors perfectly complement the richness and intensity of your Piave DOP cheese board, and vibrant, fun-loving bubbles add just the right touch to a casual or festive gathering.

My Notes on the Garda Wines, Cheeses and Pairing

Collezione Riondo Brut NV: Pretty sea glass green glass bottle is very eye-catching, the wine itself is a very pale gold with a slight silvery-green sparkle on the edge. Aromas that wafted up through the tiny bubbles included candied pears, French baguette, apple pie, talcum powder and wet sand from a freshwater beach. In the mouth I got lively green apple, honey, lemon and sugary limeade.

Pjafoc Vino Spumante Extra Dry White: Palest yellow of all in color, with tiny bubbles hanging onto the edge of my glass for a very long time. Aromas reminded me of creamy butter, fresh cut cucumber for crudité, white peach, biscuit and overturned dry earth. For the taste I noted that lemon-lime again, pineapple, freshly cut apple slices and a general sense of coolness. A wine to enjoy outdoors on a hot day. The wine had a creaminess as well as a medium acidity, and a very long length on the palate.

2020 Azienda Agricola Prendina Pinot Grigio: The color was a soft yellow with some sparkle, then I noted bruised apple, dust, stone fruit, dry earth and freshly cut pears on the nose. Tasting the wine I was reminded of fruit cocktail in juice, just peeled orange, tangerine, lime zest and lingering citrus fruits.

2020 Cantina Colli Morenici Chardonnay: Light yellow in color, then on the nose there was some sweet Meyer lemon, unsalted butter, grapefruit and ash followed by bright flavors of yellow apple, lemon-lime soda, a nice round mouthfeel, mild acidity and medium finish. I really liked the freshness on this one.

Mezzano D.O.P. (61/180 days) described as fresh and mild.

With the Collezione Riondo Brut NV: Taking a sip of the Riondo first, then taking a bite of the cheese, it was indeed mild, but then rinsing the wine over the cheese, the cheese grew much sharper, nuttier and creamier for me in the mouth, which made the pairing interesting and elevated the pairing. (Note: I’ve had bubbles and cheese before. I either wasn’t paying attention – which I now will do – or this is specific to these cheeses and these sparkling wines!)

With the Pjafoc Vino Spumante Extra Dry White: Doing just as I did above, rinsing the wine over the cheese, I found the pairing similar, maybe not as sharp but certainly sharper with the wine than alone. And again, the pairing elevated the whole experience.

Piave Stravecchio (aged more than 12 months) described as bright and vibrant

With the Collezione Riondo Brut NV: Even though a younger cheese it had a bit more layers on the palate – nutty, salty, briny – then with the wine I noted salt was really heightened, which was nice with the bubbly wine.

With the Pjafoc Vino Spumante Extra Dry White: The saltiness and nuttiness came out in the cheese with the wine, again, as it did with the Riondo. As an observation, these are both hard cheeses, so when you roll the wine over the cheese it also softens it. Again, making the experience something to linger over.

More

After spending too much time cooped up indoors, everyone is ready to take their gatherings and meals to a new tasty level, and Europe’s Perfect Pairing is just begging to be your next favorite pairing partner. Hailing from beautiful northern Italy, Piave DOP cheese and Spumante Garda DOC wines share distinctive origins, deep history, and authentic production techniques—and they are the perfect palate complements for one another. Simple and portable, yet utterly delicious, elevate your taste buds with this sparkling and cheesy dynamic duo.

With Garda DOC wines, there’s no corkscrew required: Covering 10 historical appellations on the shores of Lake Garda, this DOC centers around sparkling wine production. Gentle, rolling hills curve around the southern end of the large lake, where cool breezes and abundant sunshine produce perfectly ripened grapes with freshness and acidity. White Garda Spumante DOC wines are typically based on Chardonnay, Garganega, Pinot Grigio, and Trebbiano, while rosé Garda Spumante is based on Pinot Noir, Corvina, and Merlot, and both may be made in the traditional or Charmat method.

In the beautiful alpine province of Belluno, the intensely flavored Piave DOP cheeses are made. A hard cow’s milk cheese, Piave DOP is named after the Piave River, which traces its way from mountaintops to the plains, winding its way through the land used to create these distinctive cheeses. A long tradition of dairy and cheese making has been passed down through the generations in this area, and modern cheesemakers use these traditional methods to craft five age designations of Piave DOP cheese…

About the Partner Organizations

THE GARDA DOC was founded in 1996 to underline the value of the varietal wines of the 10 historical appellations of the Garda area between Lombardy and Veneto. www.gardadocvino.com

Consorzio Di Tutela Del Formaggio Piave DOP

The Consortium for the Protection of Formaggio Piave (Consorzio per la Tutela del Formaggio Piave in Italia), with offices in Busche di Cesiomaggiore (BL), was established in 2010 to protect the PDO (DOP in Italian) from misuse, counterfeiting, and unfair competition. The Consorzio also has the task of protecting the

typicality and the peculiar characteristics of Piave cheese, promoting it on all markets – both national and international – and upholding it by providing product information to consumers. www.piavecheese.com

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.

Indigenous Grapes From Southwest France: A Tasting

November 12, 2021 by evebushman

I love French wines – Bordeaux, Rhônes and Champagne – so when I got an invitation to taste three wines from Southwest France I accepted the challenge as I was very curious about tasting wines from grapes and wineries I may not be as familiar with. Information on each wine is from their technical sheets are below, followed by my tasting notes and finally more information on the wines from Southwest France.

DOMAINE DU MOULIN

GAILLAC MAUZAC 2017 FRENCH SPARKLING WINEbubble

REGION Southwest France

APPELLATION Gaillac

GRAPES Mauzac

VINTAGE 2017

TASTE

Gaillac’s local Mauzac grape lends itself extremely well to this medium-sweet style of wine. Full of spice and apple flavors, the wine is delicious as an aperitif. (The méthode ancestrale involves bottling a partially fermented wine which then finishes its fermentation in bottle.)

PRODUCER

Jean Paul and Dominique Hirissou took over the family winery in 1976. As soon as they arrived, they chose to focus on increasing the quality of their wine with each vintage by sourcing the best soils in the area, building a new winery adapted to produce wines of great quality, and opening the doors for wine tourism. Nicolas Hirissou, their son, is now in charge. Upon returning from his studies in 2002, he was handed the keys to the winery and granted the ability to take control of Domaine du Moulin wine production.

My Notes: Bubbles furiously – and for a long time – worked their way to the top of a golden-hued colored wine. Fruit cocktail in heavy syrup, pears, cling peaches and banana – tons of fruit – with just a hint of jasmine tea wafted to my nose. My mouth was coated with that same fruit, now honeyed, crisp and lasting. Very interesting wine.

DOMAINE DUFFOUR

CÔTES DE GASCOGNE BLANC

REGION Southwest France

APPELLATION Cotes de Gascogne

GRAPES Gros Manseng, Ugni blanc, Colombard

VINTAGE 2020

TASTE

Notes of melon, clean, pure flavors of citrus fruit, an engaging herbaceous note, and a pleasingly dry finish.

PRODUCER

Domaine Duffour resides in the small town of Lagraulet-du-Gers, and since the early 1980’s proprietor Michel Duffour has dedicated himself to producing quality red and white wines. Since taking over his father’s property, he has entirely replanted the vineyards with Gros Manseng, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Tannat, having kept the old Colombard and Ugni Blanc vines that he also uses for the production of armagnac.

My Notes: Shiny gold with a slight green in color, with aromas of white peach, lime zest, vanilla ice cream and a rocky riverbed. Tasting the wine reminded me of lemon-lime soda, pear, green apple, white pepper; with a soft minerality, fresh and very clean, acidic and yet round in the mouth. Super different, and I really liked this wine.

NATURE SECRETE SAINT MONT RED “Nature Secrete”, 13% alcohol.

REGION Southwest France

APPELLATION Saint Mont

GRAPES 70% Tannat, 15% Pinenc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon

VINTAGE 2018

TASTE

Generally characterized by a beautiful concentration of flavors, often revealing notes of red and black fruits such as blackcurrant.

PRODUCER

The Saint Mont appellation combines 200 wine growers who cultivate 1,200 hectares of vines. “The wines of Saint Mont are still very young, having been awarded AOVDQS status (Superior Quality Wine with a Designation of Origin) in 1981, and unanimously granted AOC status in 2011,” explains Eric Fitan, a wine grower and President of the Appellation.

My Notes:

Opaque and very dark purple was my observation of the color. The nose delivered notes of sweet stewed black and blue fruits, rich earth, black licorice, coffee bean and pipe smoke. On the mouth I was reminded of dried blueberries, crushed blackberries, black pepper, spices, a rich mouthfeel, dry and tannic with a medium finish.

About Southwest France Wines

Southwest France is the leader in grape diversity with up to 300 discovered grape varieties and 130 indigenous grape varieties, all of which produce a large array of outstanding wines in every color.

Home to the grapes that started it all, nearly half of the varieties in the region are indigenous. Some famous grapes such as Malbec and Cabernet Franc originate from the region. Known for its strong cultural roots and rich history unique to the terroir, these native varieties embody the legacy of Southwest France’s particular geography and centuries of careful selection. Southwest France invites you to discover its genuine pool of biodiversity and to discover true originally born from historic origins.

About Interprofession des Vins du Sud-Ouest France 

Interprofession des Vins du Sud-Ouest (IVSO) is a professional organization of wine producers, cooperatives, and trading companies in the Southwestern corner of France. The organization represents 16 Protected Designation of Origin and 12 Protected Geographical Indication in this region of France bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the west, and Spain and the Pyrenees Mountains on the south, while other official organizations manage the remaining appellations of the Southwest France region. Headquartered in Toulouse, the IVSO is actively building its membership and increasing its promotion of the wines of Southwest France around the world.

For more information on the Wines of Southwest France, please visit their website.

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

Les Légendes Bordeaux Wine Tasting

November 5, 2021 by evebushman

The latest wines sent to me for review had a unique twist: They were from several different areas of Bordeaux, under one winery name, and all made by the same winemaker – but the real twist is that the brand, Les Légendes, is under the Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafitte) brand and their winemaker Diane Flamand. I was getting excited, and it turns out my excitement paid off. Below are my tasting notes, and below that information from Les Légendes.

-Les Légendes Bordeaux Blanc 2020 – $19

85% Sauvignon Blanc, 15% Semillon. Pale yellow in color, and the aromas reminded me of yellow apple, lemon zest, limeade, wet river rocks and a hint of local honey. Expecting a crisp palate…and the wine delivered, with that same lemon-lime acidity, cantaloupe melon, pears and I felt that the wine would be perfect for a cool breezy night after a hot day. Very lively and refreshing.

-Les Légendes Bordeaux Rouge 2018 – $19

Aromas of sweet ripe plums, milk chocolate, blackberry jam, black peppercorn, delicate red roses, some spice but in a nice balance with the fruit. The palate delivered dry dark cherry, blueberry, blackberry, delicious charred steak, peppery, lots of spice coming through and medium tannins. Pretty amazing for its youth and price point.

-Les Légendes Saint-Émilion 2018 – $40

The nose gave off waves of blue fruit, grilled mushroom, tri-color peppercorn, toasted oak and Indian spices; while the taste reminded me of a bowl of dark red cherries, peppery – but again in a very nice balance with the fruit – and also dark chocolate, soft raisins, with a nice long finish.

-Les Légendes Médoc 2018 – $26

Again I got that very dark plum, crushed berries, tobacco smoke, forest floor, green peppercorn and milk chocolate covered cherries. On the mouth I noted multi layers of dry dark fruit – as well as a hint of red fruit, mild pepper, chewy tannins and an incredible length. Again, I’m thinking a great tasting wine for a great value.

-Les Légendes Pauillac 2017 – $54

Very dark garnet color may be due to its age, opaque. Stewed red fruit, perfumy, toast, mint and something that reminded me of black licorice on the nose followed by flavors of bright red fruit, crushed blueberry, earthy, a rich mouthfeel, bracing tannins and another incredible length.

From Les Légendes

Légende offers consumers a journey through the different terroirs and tastes of the heralded Bordeaux region through the eyes of one of the region’s most prestigious producers, Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite). “It all started in the nineties. We wanted to offer our consumers a discovery of the different terroirs and tastes of Bordeaux. A name had to be found. A name that could live up to the expectations. A hint to the Rothschild family and the rich history of Château Lafite. A légende was born.”

Crafted by long-time Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) winemaker, Diane Flamand, Légende wines demonstrate a remarkable balance between tradition and modernity. With a product range that includes each of the five major appellations in Bordeaux: Bordeaux Rouge, Bordeaux Blanc, Médoc, Saint-Emilion and Pauillac, Légende wines have an approachable style, inspired by every day drinkability and enjoyment.

Les Légendes

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.

New From Smith-Madrone

October 22, 2021 by evebushman

Earlier this year I reviewed the 2017 Chardonnay and Riesling from Smith-Madrone. Eddie and I really liked the wines and my two-bottle review is here if you would like to read it. To give you an idea of how much we appreciated these wines, here was my opening:

When was the last time you tried a new wine from Napa…but wait…let me re-phrase that: When was the last time you had a wine from Napa that you never had before, that has been around since the 1970s, and that you found to be damn good? Well I was what they say “today years old” when I had chance to review three new-to-me wines from Smith-Madrone…

Now it’s time to try the just-released 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon. I was really looking forward to sampling this new vintage, based on what I thought of the two I had already reviewed I hoped it would be just as great. I will share my tasting notes and then the notes from Smith-Madrone:

Eve’s Notes

Lovely bottle with a deep punt, the front label showing Estate Bottled, and the date they were established: 1971. Also made note of the 14.3% alcohol. Then I anxiously got down to the tasting. Noting the color first, it was opaque and reminded me of lush blackberries. After a few swirls I noted layers of blue and black fruit, dried cherries, forest floor, milk chocolate, toasted oak, spice tingling my nose and a very slight menthol/mint. Tasting the wine proved to be exactly what I was looking for: those same layers of both fresh and dried dark fruit, green peppercorns, followed by some spice – this time tingling my tongue – and a very long finish due to the drying tannins. Tried the wine again an hour later with food and it only improved. 94 Eve points indeed.

From Smith Madrone

Aromatically, the 2018 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon fills your glass with a magic conjunction of red and black fruit, cedar, graphite and perhaps a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg.

The superb nose is followed by a palate sensation of impressive size, shape and amplitude. The wine is big and beautifully textured, but with such impeccable balance. The structure becomes a dimension in and of itself. The piercing, focused aroma leads to a solid core of dark Cabernet fruit. The wine is a veritable treasure trove of aroma and flavor; it finishes long and strong with moderate fine grain tannins that suggests a long and happy future.

It is often the case that the best older wines were once the best younger wines and we are betting our fifty years of experience that the 2018 Cabernet is further proof of the truth of this wise old adage.

WINE SPECS:

Vintage – 2018

Varietal – Cabernet Sauvignon

Appellation – Spring Mountain District

https://www.smithmadrone.com/

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.

Eve Reviews The Vice Wine Trio and The Tri Blend

October 1, 2021 by evebushman

Received some new-to-me Napa red wines for review, and the accompanying news release below. This “vice” wine sounded fun, as did sampling the trio of reds that go into their blend. Though these were unsolicited samples, aka free for review, I would buy any of these wines. My favorites were The Tri Blend and the Cabernet Franc, the St. Laurent was super interesting chilled, and the Malbec was pretty good too. (Note: I reviewed these over several days, therefore I did not try blending these on my own as suggested in the news release.)

2019 Saint Laurent, Single Vineyard

Unfamiliar with the St. Laurent grape I grabbed this from their website, “Meet ‘Majorelle,’ a highly chillable red wine made from rare, aromatic St. Laurent grapes. Delicate and intense, savory and smooth, it’s the ideal in-between bottle for late-summer afternoons and chilly fall evenings…” So, I took their recommendation and chilled the wine a bit before decanting for 30 minutes, and the wine was quite nice to have before dinner. Beautiful red cellophane color. A nose filled with cherry cola, blackberry, blueberry, plum, some red fruit, sweet pipe smoke, dusty. Tasted that same cherry cola as well as the red, blue and black fruits, well balanced with some slight tannins.

2018 Cabernet Franc, Oak Knoll District, single vineyard.

Cabernet Franc has been one of my favorite Bordeaux varietals for the past few years, so I chose this wine to open next. Greeted by lingering aromas of fresh black cherries, spicy plums, dark chocolate, cracked black pepper, toasted oak and cream just after opening. The dark fruit and spicy flavors on the nose transferred to the palate and were very appealing to me. I wanted the finish to go a little longer, but the spice tickled my tongue for a while as the tannins did their job gripping my tongue as well. Noticed the alcohol was 14.4 which accounted for some heat on the palate but no burn on the nose.

2019 Malbec, Oak Knoll District, Single Vineyard

We decanted this one as it was so young and I believe that, also with some additional swirling and time in our glass, it benefited the wine. Black cherry, cherry liqueur, dark and pungent, tri-color peppercorns, red earth and a wet forest floor all on the nose. Tasting the wine I noted that the spice danced on the palate, it was dry and dark but balanced, and was super yummy with our dinner of sous vide steak. 14.3 % alcohol.

2019 “The Tri Blend” Red Wine, Napa Valley

According to the informational postcard that came with the samples I followed their instructions and decanted for 30 minutes prior to serving. A very dark purple and opaque color, with notes of milk chocolate covered cherries, blackberry, crushed leaves, brambles, toasted nuts and pencil shavings on the nose. On the mouth there were hints of blue and black fruit together with peppery spices, mushrooms, tobacco and drying tannins that leaned into a long finish. Very pleasant.

Excerpts From News Release

The Vice Reveals the “The Tri” Tasting Kit

Deconstruct “The Tri” 2019 and Create Your Own Blend with The Vice’s Single-Varietal Napa Valley St. Laurent, Malbec and Cabernet Franc

The Vice Napa Valley Wines has revealed “The Tri” Tasting Kit, a unique tasting experience featuring “The Tri” 2019 and the single-varietal signature wines that are blended to create it: St. Laurent, “Majorelle” 2019; Malbec, Oak Knoll 2019 and Cabernet Franc, 2019.

A rare, complex blend, “The Tri”, named and inspired by founder/winemaker Malek Amrani’s passion for both wine and triathlon – is so much more than the sum of its parts. At once juicy and peppery, it’s an unlikely combination that simply just works, not unlike Amrani’s two greatest passions. In fact, the quantity of each grape in the blend – 18% Cabernet Franc, 52% St. Laurent and 30% Malbec – represents the 2016 Rio Olympics of swimming, running, and cycling time percentages of Olympic triathlete Joe Maloy. “The Tri” brings these stunning single-varietal Napa Valley wines together to create something completely different and uniquely stunning.

In partnership with the USA Triathlon Foundation, each purchase of “The Tri” Tasting Kit includes complimentary access to a series of live virtual tastings with Malek Amrani and Joe Maloy to provide a unique opportunity to deconstruct the blend, discover the process and experiment with blending yourself.

“The Tri” Tasting Kit – Napa Valley ($179.00/ 4 x 750ml bottles & tasting experience):

Tri Blend, 2019

St. Laurent, “Majorelle”, 2019

2019 Malbec, Oak Knoll District, 2019

Cabernet Franc, Los Carneros, 2019

Experience “The Tri” Tasting Kit with Malek Amrani and Joe Maloy during the event or save it for the perfect gift, tasting party or as your own foray into wine blending. A portion of proceeds are being donated to benefit the USA Triathlon Foundation.

Proceeds from each tasting kit will benefit the USA Triathlon Foundation, whose mission is to make the sport accessible to people of all backgrounds and abilities, so the pleasure of enjoying a glass of wine will contribute to someone’s healthy lifestyle, participation in sports, or even Olympic dreams.

About The Vice

The Vice is a Napa Valley luxury wine brand made in small batches. Each batch is crafted from single grape varietals sourced from hand selected vineyards that best express the grape varietal and the region that it comes from. The Vice is a result of passionate labor, sustainable farming, a long expertise of the wine industry and a current understanding of the consumer’s wine trend. The Vice is about as personal of a brand as it gets. Everything is done by the founders. We drive the truck to get our fruit, we crush, bottle, label; we do everything by hand when possible. We design the labels, work the market, and sell the wine. We believe that the best wines in the world aren’t the most expensive ones. We thrive at providing the best quality wine at the best value. For more information visit thevice.com and follow on @thevicewine.

Brothers Georges and Daniel Daou Release 2018 Soul of a Lion

September 29, 2021 by evebushman

PASO ROBLES, CALIF. (PRWEB) – Brothers Georges and Daniel Daou have announced the release of 2018 Soul of a Lion, the crown jewel of DAOU Family Estates named in honor of their father. Exclusively sourced from the DAOU Mountain Estate situated in the premier Adelaida district of Paso Robles, Soul of a Lion is one of the most anticipated Cabernet Sauvignon releases of the year and will be available nationally as of September 2021.

“The 2018 vintage of Soul of a Lion is nothing short of a tour de force that represents the richness, elegance and balance we strive for in the Adelaida district,” says Winemaker and Co-Proprietor Daniel Daou. “2018 was a remarkable vintage for Cabernet Sauvignon that showed our vine balance to perfection. A cooling trend at the end of summer prolonged the hang time and yielded the latest harvest ever recorded on DAOU Mountain. The result is a wine of depth in every way from the dark-purple color and striking flavors to the silky balance and well-integrated tannins on the finish. 2018 Soul of a Lion is a memorable wine that will inspire us with many years of enjoyment ahead.”

Georges and Daniel Daou, brothers and co-proprietors of DAOU Family Estates, proudly celebrate Soul of a Lion as the most important wine that they make. Soul of a Lion is named for Georges and Daniel’s father, an enduring symbol of strength and courage in their lives. First released in 2010, Soul of a Lion received immediate critical acclaim and has established Paso Robles as a rising star for world-class Cabernet Sauvignon. Guided by winemaker Daniel Daou’s vision to produce Bordeaux-style wines that combine elegance, freshness, and power, the DAOU Mountain estate is situated on a 212-acre hilltop in the Adelaida district with the ideal soils, microclimate, and elevations for Cabernet Sauvignon.

2018 SOUL OF A LION

WINEMAKER TASTING NOTES (Cabernet Sauvignon 75%, Cabernet Franc 15%, Petit Verdot 10%) 2018 Soul of a Lion aged 22 months in 100% new French oak. A dark, purple-black hue foreshadows the experience to come. Intense aromas of lilac, violet, and spice swirl amid a deep, complex bouquet. The palate bursts with prodigious flavors of blueberry, boysenberry, plum, vanilla bean and chocolate-covered cherry, all underlain by striking minerality. Silky, integrated tannins unwind into an impossibly long finish, revealing both the power and finesse of its DAOU Mountain provenance. – Winemaker Daniel Daou
2018 VINTAGE NOTES (DAOU Mountain, Paso Robles AVA, Adelaida District)

The 2018 vintage may go down in history as the longest season yet. A good amount of rain fell on DAOU Mountain which gave to a later bud break in April. The vines were energized by the much-needed moisture, setting one of our best crops yet. The weather remained steady from spring through June when we received a long heat wave that fortunately did not affect the quality of the grapes as it occurred before the start of veraison. A cooling trend ensued for the rest of the season right after the heatwave prolonging the hanging time and the harvest to October. The result was our latest harvest ever on the mountain, reaching all the way into the third week of October. The long hang time yielded deep color and concentration with dense wines. The tannins are silky and beautifully integrated. 2018 was an exceptional vintage that gave way to powerful and balanced wines. – Winemaker Daniel Daou

About DAOU Family Estates
Family-owned and operated, DAOU Family Estates is committed to producing collectible, world-class wines to rival the most respected appellations in the world. Situated on a 212-acre hilltop estate in the Adelaida District of Paso Robles, DAOU was founded by brothers Georges and Daniel Daou in 2007 to develop the potential of Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varieties in the region. The family estate at DAOU Mountain combines remarkable geology, favorable microclimate and high elevation, once described by renowned California winemaker André Tchelistcheff as “a jewel of ecological elements.” As a steward of this beautiful terroir, winemaker Daniel Daou offers a quality-focused range of complex but accessible wines that are a pleasure to drink.

South African Wine Harvest Report 2021: Slow and Steady Wins the Race

June 24, 2021 by evebushman

NEW YORK (PRWEB) – Wine lovers from across the globe can enjoy outstanding wines from a much cooler and later 2021 wine grape season in South Africa. This according to the annual South African Wine Harvest Report 2021.

“It seems as though the vines really took their time to prepare this year’s harvest,” says Conrad Schutte, Consultation Service Manager of the wine industry body Vinpro. “Moderate weather throughout the season, and specifically during harvest time, resulted in grapes ripening slower, while developing exceptional color and flavor.”

The 2021 wine grape crop is estimated at 1,611,137 tons, according to the latest estimate of industry body SAWIS (South African Wine Industry Information & Systems) on May 19, 2021. It is 8.9% larger than the 2020 harvest.

The harvest kicked off around two weeks later than normal due to unusually cool weather conditions throughout the season, which persisted throughout harvest time and resulted in some wine grape producers harvesting their last grapes in May. Water resources were also replenished in most regions following the recent drought, which contributed to good vine growth, bunch numbers and berry sizes.

“Although these are general observations, it is always important to take the South African wine industry’s diversity over ten wine grape growing regions into account,” Schutte says.

Remarkable wines

“The late and slow harvest was definitely worth the wait. Wine lovers can really look forward to remarkable wines from the 2021 crop,” Schutte says. “The cooler weather enabled producers to harvest their grapes at exactly the right time, and viticulturists and winemakers are especially excited about good color extraction, low pH levels and high natural acidity in cases where vineyards were managed effectively, which all point to exceptional quality wines.”

The 2021 wine harvest – including juice and concentrate for non-alcoholic purposes, wine for brandy and distilling wine – is expected to amount to 300,205 gallons at an average recovery of 205.5 gallons per ton of grapes.

“We are delighted that harvest 2021 has proven to be somewhat of a silver lining for the South African wine industry, which will no doubt further bolster our international positioning,” says Siobhan Thompson, CEO of Wines of South Africa (WoSA). “What stands out above all else is the consistency in quality that we have come to see over recent years. This will go a long way to convincing those who may still have been on the fence and reinforce our overall standing alongside our international competitors. It is also very promising to note that the volume and value of wine exports from South Africa are higher compared to the year-on-year figures in 2020 and 2019.”

South Africa is the ninth biggest wine producer worldwide and produces about 4% of the world’s wine. The wine industry contributes more than R55 billion (more than $3.99 billion) to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and employs 269,069 people throughout the value chain, of which 80,183 work on farms and in cellars.

Strike a balance

Intermittent restrictions on the export and local sale of alcohol in South Africa from March 2020 to February 2021 as part of the country’s national state of disaster resulted in 171.7 million gallons of wine stock at the end of 2020, of which a large portion was not yet contracted.

“With so much stock still in the tanks at the beginning of harvest time, producers and wineries were concerned about processing and storage capacity when taking in the new harvest, many of whom rented additional storage space or restored old tanks,” says Rico Basson, Vinpro Managing Director. “However, the fact that sales reopened, along with the harvest starting later than normal, helped ease the pressure to some extent.” A number of wineries were also able to secure contracts with grape juice manufacturers, which helped work away some of the stock.

“The larger wine grape crop will require careful planning from producers and wineries to sell the current wine stock in a responsible and sustainable way. This situation will, however, also create the opportunity for innovation and growth of existing and new markets,” Basson says.

2020/21 Growing season

The weather was moderate in most regions during the post-harvest period, which led to leaves falling later than normal and vines building up good reserves. Producers also had access to sufficient water for post-harvest irrigation.

Winter was colder than the previous season, with much higher rainfall, which replenished water resources and led to sufficient cold accumulation to break dormancy.

The cold and wet weather continued into spring, which contributed to homogenous, but delayed bud break and initial growth. In the coastal region, however, the wetter conditions made the timing of disease control more challenging.

Frost damage occurred in some irrigation areas and it was expected that significant frost damage in the lower lying areas of the Northern Cape and strong winds in the Cape South Coast region would have a notable effect on these crops. Fortunately, the frost and wind occurred at an early enough developmental stage for vines to recover.

Flowering and set were mostly efficient and even, while shoot and leaf growth picked up the pace by the start of November, which necessitated additional inputs from producers to manage the fast and vigorous growth.

Temperatures remained moderate during the summer, which slowed down ripening and resulted in harvest time starting out around two weeks later than normal. Although most wine regions experienced little rainfall during harvest time, there were also almost no characteristic heat waves, and the lower day and night temperatures throughout the season led to producers waiting patiently for grapes to reach optimum ripeness.

Overview of regions

Breedekloof
A very late season, characterized by a good balance between yield and quality, as vines developed healthy canopies during a moderate growing season.

Cape South Coast
Challenging weather conditions led to a smaller crop, but enabled producers to truly make cool climate wines of exceptional quality.

Klein Karoo
Moderate weather conditions, good water availability and sufficient winter rainfall in certain areas resulted in a larger crop and great quality, although drought conditions still persist in some parts of the region, placing wine grape producers under great pressure.

Northern Cape
A good wine grape crop in terms of quality and volume, despite challenges in terms of sugar accumulation and load shedding during the peak of harvest time.

Olifants River
A later and cooler season resulted in slow, but even ripening of a somewhat larger and outstanding quality wine grape crop.

Paarl
Good water availability, sufficient reserves and cooler weather contributed to yields equal to that of 2020, which will result in elegant wines.

Robertson
Although it was a long and extended season, the vineyards realized a higher, exceptional quality yield.

Stellenbosch
A smaller crop, but outstanding quality grapes, resulting in great wines with good aging potential.

Swartland
Consumers can look forward to exceptional wines from this year’s crop, following moderate weather conditions and slow ripening.

Worcester
One of the latest harvests recorded in this region, bringing with it a larger wine grape crop and remarkable wines.

See http://www.vinpro.co.za for the full harvest report per region.

About Wines of South Africa
Wines of South Africa (WOSA) is the organization representing all South African producers of wine who export their products. WOSA, which was established in its current form in 1999, has over 500 exporters on its database, comprising all the major South African wine exporters. It is constituted as a not-for-profit company and is totally independent of any producer, wholesaling company or government department but is recognized by the South African Export Council. WOSA’s mandate is to promote the export of all South African wines in key international markets including the United States.

TENUTA MONTEMAGNO – MYSTERIUM: the Barbera d’Asti Superiore of 3 barrels

May 17, 2021 by evebushman

The use of wood, whether it is French oak, or Slavonian, whether it is barrels of different dimensions, the time of aging, the various toasting, because of all these details, it demands attention and respect.

The mastery is the wise and equilibrated use, to create a perfect balance between the wine that ages in and the aromas of the wood itself.

Mysterium is our Barbera d’Asti Superiore which refines in wooden barrels for at least 18 months.

It’s the uniqueness Barbera of Tenuta Montemagno, as the grapes come from the most ancient vineyards and tell its story. Actually, the Barbera d’Asti is the identity of this corner of Monferrato as well as of Tenuta Montemagno, which has its roots in the provinces of Alessandria and Asti.

The ambition of Tiziano Barea, owner of Tenuta Montemagno and the oenologue Gianfranco Cordero, is preserve the beauty of this grape through a wise and careful use of aging.

The manual harvest of Barbera grapes for Mysterium is medium late, with a further selection of the grapes during the harvest process, so as to reduce the yield per hectare to 65 q, compared to the 90 provided for in the production specification.

Pumping over and fermentation takes place with the Nectar system, which does not use mechanical components during the operating cycle. All this happens thanks to the natural CO2 emission of the wine that is formed during the process.

This procedure allows the preservation of the organoleptic characteristics of the grape variety.

Starting from this imported assumption, the aging in wood that follows the malolactic fermentation provides that the wine is separated in 3 equal parts:

The first part stays in barrique – Allier oak, medium toasting, second hands barrels. The second portion refines in tonneau, French oak, again second passage oaks; the toasting is strongest. The remaining hectoliters will age in Slavonian oak barrels, 2500 liters of capacity.

During
reserved to the barrels, is dark, at controlled temperature and with a constant humidity tax for keeping the elasticity and salubrity of the wood and, consequently, the quality of the wines that is aging inside.

Why 3 oak barrels of different dimensions and made of diverse oaks?

Because it is fundamental the constant exchange that is created between wood and wine, between each other’s aromas.

The peculiarities of the Barbera, the vine with the lowest level of tannins among the varieties, make this process even more interesting and enhance and strengthen the traits that are its identity, typical of the composition of the soil where our Barbera grows up: marls astiane, calcareous/clayey, with alkaline pH and good salinity.

The deep ruby red color becomes intense, with violet and black reflections. The bouquet of red fruits and flowers is full, with hints of jam, of ripe fruit; hints of vanilla and spices, which represent the secondary scents, proper to the passage in wooden barrels.

Finally, the evolution of aromas leads us to tertiary, cocoa and balsamic sensations. On the palate, the acidity is tamed by tannin and becomes soft, and well balanced. It is almost velvety.

Above all, the gustatory and olfactory persistence is surprising. The latter evolves opening to wider and more differentiated sensations.

Mysterium is an example of the versatility of Barbera and how the intelligent and wise use of aging in wood, respecting the vine, gives a complex and modern wine, versatile and fascinating, with body and intensity.

Mysterium has been prized at the last edition of Mundus Vini – International Wine Competition, with the gold Medal and with 93 points by Decanter Magazine.

Mysterium, Barbera d’Asti Superiore docg is the Barbera that tells about us and represents us.

Tasting A Tribute Wine: 2011 DON Cabernet Sauvignon by Pure Cru Napa Valley, Winemaker Mitch Cosentino

May 7, 2021 by evebushman

Eddie and I tasted the 2011 “Don” Cabernet Sauvignon Tribute Wine with Mitch Cosentino, founder and winemaker at Pure Cru Napa Valley, in 2015. We liked it so much then we bought a few bottles, found them in our cellar recently and decided that we needed to crack one open. Below are notes from the back label, my tasting notes from 2015 and 2021, the technical notes, and a new quote from Mitch.

What is the tribute for?

In April 2014 we lost a family member, friend and partner, Don Held, aka Superman. This wine, like Don who had so many special qualities, has been developed as a tribute to his life. He lived life to the fullest and enriched the lives of those lucky enough to be around him. Two of the rarest clones of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes have been blended to produce this extremely rare, one of a kind wine.

For those that knew Don, we hope when you drink this wine it will bring back so many beautiful, lasting memories. For those of you who did not have the pleasure of knowing him, our hope is “Don” will inspire you to makes some special memories of your own.

We never met Don, but we do raise a glass – from his remarkable wine – to him now.

2015 Tasting Notes

2011 The Don: (25% of the sales of this wine go to Make-A-Wish foundation and is named after a former partner in the winery that has since passed away.) 100% Cabernet from “two of the rarest clones” that shall not be named…I got aromas of dust, what Mitch referred to as “lead pencil”, blackberry and hard candy; very rich dark fruit, velvety, intense black cherry that would be hard for any taster to miss, doesn’t need food or aging. 96 Eve pts.

2021 Tasting Notes

14.8% alcohol.

Opaque, dark purple in color. Aromas included dried blackberry, fresh blueberry pie and chocolate mousse desserts, pecan, campfire, black pepper, toasted wood/sweet bark, spicy. Velvety layers of dark spicy fruit flavors that goes on and on. Found the same blackberry and blueberry notes as on the nose, balanced with spice notes, coffee grounds, tannins doing their job. Doesn’t need food, which seems remarkable as it’s a big wine. 97 Eve pts.

I texted Mitch after we tasted Don and he added this news, “…we just bottled the same blend from 2017 in honor of another partner who passed, Dr. Prab. That is the last we can do because one of the clones (the Lafitte) was torn out by the current owner of the property unfortunately. It will be offered to club members this summer. I have hidden the Don’s that I have to keep me from drinking them.”

Technical Sheet

Napa Valley (100%), 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Winemaking: Each lot was punched cap fermented and barrel aged for 36 months in selected French Oak barrels then blended before bottling.

Tasting Notes: Currants with a hint of spice and a gravel like mineral element in the nose. On the palate it is intense and dense with black fruit. Very varietal and well structured, accented by spice throughout add to that long, complex and complex finish.

Special Notes: This is a very special tribute wine. The Cabernet Sauvignon components are very unique. The two clones used are the rarest in the Napa Valley. One is the Secret Clone from its original vineyard on a hill in Pope Valley and from a small block in Yountville. The other is the “L” Clone which supposedly traces its origin to the famous Chateau Lafite Rothschild property. This is the first use from new plantings in Pope Valley where it exhibits a distinctive Pauillac minerality and dense black fruit as it does in Bordeaux.

(Production limited to 80 cases.)

https://www.purecruwines.com

https://www.facebook.com/PureCruWinesNapa

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.